tastes like chicken...

First of all, Thank you everyone who kept us all here in the pines in your prayers. Typhoon Luis thankfully turned out to be more of a whimper instead of a roar at least near me. So, all safe and sound here! Certainly a tender mercy of the Lord!

As for the rest of this week, it was pretty normal. We started off the week with a farewell party for one of our members here in Diffun leaving for her mission this week. Afterwards we had a big ward potluck dinner with all kinds of local foods. When the bishop saw us, he was so kind to dump a spoon full of some new exotic food that I've yet the opportunity to try. Ever since I've got here, my mom asks all the time if I've run into any snakes and now, finally I can say yes! I saw a cobra! ....and then I ate it! It was quite tasty...totally tasted like chicken!! Haha :) Don't knock it 'till you've tried it! When I was preparing to leave on my mission, I thought it would be an adventure, and adventure it is! I can't think of a better place to be serving the Lord, despite some very strange food.

This week was full of ups and downs, but what I have learned is that the downs are there to help us realize how great being up is. President Dieter F. Utchdorf recently said, "How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow, before thanking God that there is rain?" Whatever the circumstances we may be in, we all have to remember what we have already been so blessed with. I am so humbled being here and witnessing for myself the hardships that people face everyday and seeing how much the gospel can really help someone's life. Often I feel complete guilt for the things I've been blessed with in life, I truly have been blessed, but what then, I wonder, more can I do to help? Being a missionary, my purpose is to spread the wonderful news of the gospel and help others realize their own relationship with our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. I know that just knowing this much can bring a peace that nothing else can. At times I wonder if what I'm doing is enough, and the answer is YES. I've been so blessed to hear the stories of how the gospel has saved family relationships, and has truly helped improve the lives of those who really live it and apply it in their lives. I have a firm testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This life is not easy, but "salvation is not a cheap experience," as said by Elder Jeffery R. Holland. Remember the things we have been blessed with, whether they may be trials that make us stronger or whatever else it may be, there are always things to be grateful for, and everything that we go through is for our own experience.


The last thing...Apparently "ber months" means Christmas is here. Everywhere I go I hear Christmas music playing, including in sacrament meeting already, and the decorations are going up too. I know at home we still have a little while before really thinking about Christmas, but in the spirit of it all, Happy Ber Months! And may we all remember what Christmas truly is all about!


Love you all!
Sister K

that's right, I sing now...at least I try. ;p