Day 306 Allen, Philippines Transfer week after all. . .

Guess what? There were transfers after all! Sister Sprouse transferred all the way to Biliran Island. L We were both very shocked and sad for her to go. This was her first area that she was able to return to after the typhoon, so she spent 3 transfers in this area. My new comp is Filipina: Sister Mier. It's been an adjustment to switch back to a native companion, but we get along well. She is 28 and the oldest of nine kids and she's from Bicol (the island just a ferry ride away!!). She's the only member and she was converted 3 years ago in Hong Kong! So she knows Cantonese and Mandarin Chinese. She's got a cute accent when she speaks English. She just came from a Cebuano area so she's struggling to switch back to whatever language we speak here. She's a little weirded out to hear some of her old dialect, Bicolano here. Basically, I kinda have to translate for her because not many people understand Cebuano, haha.
Except now I lost my voice, and i can barely whisper. And no Dayquil here. . .

HAAAAAAPPPPY BIIIIIIRTHDAAAAAAAAAY ALEX! I promise something is on its way to you! (there's like a hundred stamps on it, haha)

Well not much happened this week so my letter is pretty short. We spent 3 days doing practically nothing because we were told to go to Catarman and wait in the chapel all day long for our companions to arrive. So we played some Monopoly, wrote letters, found Barq's Root beer and Cheddar Cheese Ruffles!!!! Yay America.

Oh funny, Sister Simkins' new companion is Sister Baylon, my second comp/nanay! It's funny to catch up with her and see how she got along with Margo Brockbank. :)

Did I tell you I got a recipe for homemade peanut butter? totally making it when i get back.

Also, Tacloban, Ormoc, and Carigara zones are open now. :) That was quick!

One of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon is Mosiah 27. Alma explains how much effort goes into the repentance process. Repentance is more than just prayer. It requires effort, again and again. He talks about "repenting nigh unto death" before the Lord redeemed him from the "gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity." How much effort are we putting into the repentance process? Are we actually repenting everyday? Are we giving the Lord an account of our efforts to repent in prayer in day? Are we pleading for the God's help each morning as we start the day? I know that the more effort we put into consciously repenting, the more meaningful our sacrament will be.

LOVE YOU GUYS!