tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054468247257692582024-03-13T07:26:58.838-07:00Philippines Angeles MissionUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-905446824725769258.post-53534414440378201232014-05-12T15:59:00.001-07:002014-05-12T15:59:17.664-07:00The Work is Not Yet Done<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzhB78KPfZqb1lFbDSydeTmI-8GdB8Ll3xB-Vubm3ARvnGUsf8U3dyTxbCFdQAZh-MBrk6h7yFKb8soYn4Q1NEQ5qsW97ROpnaMTdIWd2f4WARh6bznSZYvGY3Z8VCeHJYFfuyyqIwjg/s1600/P5120935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzhB78KPfZqb1lFbDSydeTmI-8GdB8Ll3xB-Vubm3ARvnGUsf8U3dyTxbCFdQAZh-MBrk6h7yFKb8soYn4Q1NEQ5qsW97ROpnaMTdIWd2f4WARh6bznSZYvGY3Z8VCeHJYFfuyyqIwjg/s1600/P5120935.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div>Happy Mothers day! Sunday was amazing because I got to skype my family. My <br />
whole family. Solana was online from her mission in Albania, Corban online from <br />
BYU-Idaho, and everyone else back home in Missouri. It was celestial (in this <br />
case the definition of celestial is being together with your family) There was <br />
some great news: My 19 year old brother got his mission call!! He will be <br />
serving in Ogden Utah!! He reports May 28, exactly one week after I go home. It <br />
will be great to spend at least a little time with him and then pass him the <br />
Missionary Torch. I love my family!! I would like to dedicate this scripture to <br />
them:</div><br /><br />
<div><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">"</span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">For <br />
God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that <br />
without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="10" style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span style="color: black; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">Making <br />
request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the <br />
will of God to come unto you.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="11" style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span style="color: black; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">For <br />
I long to see you...</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="12" style="border: 0px currentColor; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span style="color: black; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">That <br />
is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you <br />
and me.</span><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">"</span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"> (</span>Romans <br />
1: 9-12)</div><div>I cant believe this time has finally come. Wasn't it just yesterday that I <br />
was emailing home for the first time. And now here I am, emailing for the last <br />
time. I want to thank all my faithful email/blog readers. </div><br /><br />
<div> I wish I could say something great and profound, but I'm kinda at a loss <br />
of what do say. The past 18 months have been incredible. I wouldn't trade them <br />
for anything. They have shaped and refined me. I am not the same person I was <br />
before. I am better now. </div><br /><br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Jwp2AiyAvjGUfTPoHUBKXBpvcUftNapRiWkB9eH2F1MhcSCTthwSUr4HNy-04s3Xv3TEtPeeWqE6jH2P1qwxM4zOpBkR-ezXx356JOIUxKihyhqYvuqRjDFN4082YjjaqsiQh5q86yc/s1600/P5120942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Jwp2AiyAvjGUfTPoHUBKXBpvcUftNapRiWkB9eH2F1MhcSCTthwSUr4HNy-04s3Xv3TEtPeeWqE6jH2P1qwxM4zOpBkR-ezXx356JOIUxKihyhqYvuqRjDFN4082YjjaqsiQh5q86yc/s1600/P5120942.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>I don't think it is possible to measure all that is accomplished in one <br />
mission. Like the saying goes <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">"You can count the seeds <br />
in an apple, but you cant count the apples in a single seed.</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">" You may be able to count how many baptism I had, or <br />
how many members I helped return back to activity. But there is no telling all <br />
the good that will come of it, how many future missionaries, how many future <br />
generations blessed.</span></div><br /><br />
<div>I know my own life has been infinitely blessed. One of the greatest things <br />
that has happened on my mission is how I have come closer to my Heavenly Father. <br />
I thought I was pretty close to Him before, but now it is even more so. And I <br />
will the spend the rest of my life striving to know Him more.</div><br /><br />
<div>Just because it is the end of the mission, it doesn't mean I'm gonna take a <br />
rest. There is no slowing down, there is no going back. Progression is my goal, <br />
so resting is not allowed. </div><br /><br />
<div>I still have one week left and I'm gonna give it my all. Next Sunday I got <br />
permission to go to church in Kalikid, my last area. Then I will spend Sunday <br />
Night- Tuesday Morning at the Mission Home. Tuesday we will get to go to the <br />
Temple in Manila, and then I spend all day Wednesday flying to home sweet <br />
home. </div><br /><br />
<div>I will miss the Philippines more than I can possibly describe. </div><br /><br />
<div>Sister <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">"Farewell Philippines, <br />
the </span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">beautiful" Curtis</span> </div><br /><br />
<div><br /></div><br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBmtAWzURAFBq38WZr35uPZrMRQPUO9U9IOtWy78VqvQ513axAPiXznT-2RazqZkj1tmZB2ZfXuqFdYmu5F6Sc08vvEG94SS6R4q4gSsvTQv5ym8EGMobiomCuun_TiMPn6DbkVKd4Eo/s1600/P5070822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBmtAWzURAFBq38WZr35uPZrMRQPUO9U9IOtWy78VqvQ513axAPiXznT-2RazqZkj1tmZB2ZfXuqFdYmu5F6Sc08vvEG94SS6R4q4gSsvTQv5ym8EGMobiomCuun_TiMPn6DbkVKd4Eo/s1600/P5070822.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div>1- Service Project: Helping lay the foundation of a house. This is my <span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">"don't take a picture of me or I</span><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">'</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">ll <br />
through this dirt on you</span><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">" face</span></div><br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Va0Np0Dw3MBVmC6ixXMZ5KrVA9T1wHJM3zxsFFjapu5M8yN9SrHbyZjEQCA6sQFQz7l5scOogmt4asQjVLtKGg7di9b3EtiJXdG4xFuAZn-vUU4OPvocFH8pVfdJ1L1Rfr_ECdp2164/s1600/P5100887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Va0Np0Dw3MBVmC6ixXMZ5KrVA9T1wHJM3zxsFFjapu5M8yN9SrHbyZjEQCA6sQFQz7l5scOogmt4asQjVLtKGg7di9b3EtiJXdG4xFuAZn-vUU4OPvocFH8pVfdJ1L1Rfr_ECdp2164/s1600/P5100887.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">2- The <br />
Philippines Tractor</span></div><br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWu-N6YQaM3l7BGkTETGd5tpq0OElvYMNc5-unk1Qa8hR67UrPaPKWfadvyv4_2rMsgSrpGGL0o_JAUn5B0W_Y5fiD8YcYEj0sOqGf5Z-GdXog5aCd7tg0A7YdAzqkax5FQQ8lXdi2u1s/s1600/P5100900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWu-N6YQaM3l7BGkTETGd5tpq0OElvYMNc5-unk1Qa8hR67UrPaPKWfadvyv4_2rMsgSrpGGL0o_JAUn5B0W_Y5fiD8YcYEj0sOqGf5Z-GdXog5aCd7tg0A7YdAzqkax5FQQ8lXdi2u1s/s1600/P5100900.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">3- Cute <br />
companions</span></div><br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssAu1oIDE6lVmTKC1vD9NJatAfgk7VdVxUFQw77RHfHXXCV7Ib1P7c6jrhyCYSiFUuO31ftOLG0q0Zm3lFQfxYd84kaKdY9E4pgjZUb6DMFQHE2VXvOkuxdKoxlAP3ky_TRUNu6GqLYw/s1600/P5120947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssAu1oIDE6lVmTKC1vD9NJatAfgk7VdVxUFQw77RHfHXXCV7Ib1P7c6jrhyCYSiFUuO31ftOLG0q0Zm3lFQfxYd84kaKdY9E4pgjZUb6DMFQHE2VXvOkuxdKoxlAP3ky_TRUNu6GqLYw/s1600/P5120947.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">4Isn't this place beautiful </span></div><div> </div>Paul Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613796323417600454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-905446824725769258.post-36575757695797451352014-05-05T02:05:00.001-07:002014-05-05T02:05:21.262-07:00Finding a Family<div>Kumusta, </div><div><br /></div><div>Once upon a time I had been praying for my whole entire mission to find a family that could be baptized together. It had never happened.... until last Saturday. On this particular <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1359121032" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ"><span style="color: #222222;">Saturday</span></span></span> we were fasting to be able to find people to be baptized in June. That is when we found them.</div><div>The neighborhood we were working in is one where the neighborhood kids will just randomly sit in on our lessons. We were just leaving from a house where we had seen the woman run away to hide from us. One of the little girls we had seen around randomly started talking to us. She apologized that they couldn't come to church <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1359121033" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ"><span style="color: #222222;">tomorrow</span></span></span> because they didn't have the fare for the travel. I was thinking "Who is this girl?!?" The answer is she is a little 5 year old named Yeng. We talked to her for a while and she invited us to her home. We followed her there, and then explained to her Mom that she had given us permission to teach them. We laughed about it, but she let us in. The whole family was actually home. Mom, Dad and five kids; the Balinton family. They had actually been taught by the missionaries back in 2008. They went to church and different activities, but they weren't able to be baptized because they weren't married. When the Elders got transferred they somehow lost contact with the church. In the years since they have gotten married. They have seen the missionaries in the neighborhood but have been too shy to call them over. But luckily 5 year old Yeng wasn't too shy. They are excited to come back to church and told us they can come teach them everyday, haha. I won't be here to see their baptism. But I will do everything in my power in the time I have left to help prepare them for that day. I believe in miracles!!! </div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of the time I have left... Next week is my last week to email. The week after that I will be in the mission office, and then on <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1359121034" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ"><span style="color: #222222;">May 21st</span></span></span> I should be sleeping in Missouri. Grabi! This has been the fastest/best 18 months of my life. </div><div><br /></div><div>Love,</div><div>Sister "Balinton" Curtis</div><div><br /></div>1- The church hallways here are so small. In this picture I am touching both walls.<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TLVjD1t7jbZG9O5WCMknOmyL-KxUrgEMY_hAFB7pKbKmbIpR5_1o8pS-X0HYnY4dzmE4bJNttWJDWWABsij5_Mw9yFnmI97N3S3OvB_0xQSmZIt30u6Hw2tHxwJSXryDcIA8eYCvH8U/s1600/P4290719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TLVjD1t7jbZG9O5WCMknOmyL-KxUrgEMY_hAFB7pKbKmbIpR5_1o8pS-X0HYnY4dzmE4bJNttWJDWWABsij5_Mw9yFnmI97N3S3OvB_0xQSmZIt30u6Hw2tHxwJSXryDcIA8eYCvH8U/s1600/P4290719.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br />
<div>2- Us with the STLs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSpGeGExnSuAWGhskVf8-YYruhzciFoUpiTjkhAaUFmuwr2gsZEcawdmt3QEYgclXTrk4owYEHQTRgYtgX-8vP4x94FpwUIQK_PisNxvwU9OvtvwzstbZLVZNgLHhhOR2L2U9vctzfWo/s1600/P5030739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSpGeGExnSuAWGhskVf8-YYruhzciFoUpiTjkhAaUFmuwr2gsZEcawdmt3QEYgclXTrk4owYEHQTRgYtgX-8vP4x94FpwUIQK_PisNxvwU9OvtvwzstbZLVZNgLHhhOR2L2U9vctzfWo/s1600/P5030739.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div> </div><div>3- Baby bird</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZypYSUWbN3OFUllNJvI3M9phgmb8pyam8up47iozJke5gtnggZV_BkyfgQYNxKLnTggq_CXhgwdUbEJDz3Bu_NKoKAF0z2HJ8oXU8vpFnsK2WmzdKpwQoK3GkNj3bvRhS0T75cKI7gUs/s1600/P4300730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZypYSUWbN3OFUllNJvI3M9phgmb8pyam8up47iozJke5gtnggZV_BkyfgQYNxKLnTggq_CXhgwdUbEJDz3Bu_NKoKAF0z2HJ8oXU8vpFnsK2WmzdKpwQoK3GkNj3bvRhS0T75cKI7gUs/s1600/P4300730.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div> </div><div>4- Picture from our hiking this morning</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcaAvIPK5LCSrqYDIcFD9KC1a_0a5LN2NxnE_sBhgk9mbqfUxdjFvEjcBKAGUfl2mPU8fEUOXbV1MLtEhSQh45que63EV2uP0ADmXqlzxs9ZuVNDxPXzJNIIaKF0Xmf67B6Q_wIaI9Fms/s1600/P5050758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcaAvIPK5LCSrqYDIcFD9KC1a_0a5LN2NxnE_sBhgk9mbqfUxdjFvEjcBKAGUfl2mPU8fEUOXbV1MLtEhSQh45que63EV2uP0ADmXqlzxs9ZuVNDxPXzJNIIaKF0Xmf67B6Q_wIaI9Fms/s1600/P5050758.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div> </div>Paul Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613796323417600454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-905446824725769258.post-89909540584459577272014-05-04T19:24:00.003-07:002014-05-04T19:24:53.725-07:00Preach My Gospel Members<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNJdzan0SxVLtPgStV9HEEkvppzi3hLJOgxRp5SLh421x-wrfrXCehg8MMeJXOKOiVp7MYPyNRUMB4PoT2gHQwqaWINZLQHr3fhB36gKl4BriyWutm6Tl2g7OylUpYfL1O8Abdvgokys/s1600/P4262361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNJdzan0SxVLtPgStV9HEEkvppzi3hLJOgxRp5SLh421x-wrfrXCehg8MMeJXOKOiVp7MYPyNRUMB4PoT2gHQwqaWINZLQHr3fhB36gKl4BriyWutm6Tl2g7OylUpYfL1O8Abdvgokys/s1600/P4262361.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.32px;">For those of you who watched the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_185431605" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ"><span style="color: #222222;">Sunday</span></span></span> Morning Session of General Conference, you might remember when Elder Ballard said this: </span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.32px;"><div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.32px;"><br /></span></div>
"I invite all members, regardless of your current calling or level of activity in the Church, to obtain a copy of </span><i style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.32px;">Preach My Gospel... </i><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.32px;">Read it, study it, and then apply what you learn to help you understand how to bring souls to Christ through invitation and follow-up... </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.32px;">Brothers and sisters, can you imagine the impact if </span><a href="http://mormon.org/family" style="color: black !important; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.32px; text-decoration: none !important;" target="_blank">family</a><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.32px;"> and friends included things they are learning from their personal study of </span><i style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.32px;">Preach My Gospel</i><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.32px;"> in their letters and emails to their full-time missionaries? Can you picture the blessings that will come to families when they know and understand better what their sons and daughters will be studying and teaching on their missions? Can you even begin to fathom the extraordinary outpouring of atoning grace that will be ours, individually and collectively, according to the Savior’s promise to all who bear testimony in the process of inviting souls to come unto Him—and then following up on those invitations?"</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBggYQ66EE_Kx-fXxU0ZsvAJdl4QKLxMucKCrJYP5ImAe2g2cpTpfHAhfNbdqkPEgp8DdqiCi9cMhkZH83bHTy78c8FQplRaHQItTKnoHsdcewAl0clSpHOku1Fc4KdtSqdhai4FBuJQ/s1600/P4262351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBggYQ66EE_Kx-fXxU0ZsvAJdl4QKLxMucKCrJYP5ImAe2g2cpTpfHAhfNbdqkPEgp8DdqiCi9cMhkZH83bHTy78c8FQplRaHQItTKnoHsdcewAl0clSpHOku1Fc4KdtSqdhai4FBuJQ/s1600/P4262351.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21.32px;">I would like to follow up on what he said by asked all of you how your study of Preach My Gospel is going. I would love to hear about what you are learning. This is something I was studying about this week. In PMG chapter 10 it gives some suggestions of what we can do to invite the spirit. The List includes praying, using scriptures, bearing testimony and expressing love for the Lord and others. One that I want to focus on right now is sharing experiences. It invites the spirit in a powerful way. It helps them to see how the gospel relates to real life situations. I challenge you as you share the gospel in simple ways to share experiences and let the spirit testify to their hearts. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Swr0AM7KBniTefC__M9MFSKtOPFvMwNNOz8MDlzHikfsDkytIJj3Oy8sQtMCDtU0Av6Oeuy9YuQpc6LAOsxBnPvPk0qe4e3BskCQcNoHGSnt8JhRrY9buLp_Lg_PnBJT4DWYvjWL05M/s1600/P4262347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Swr0AM7KBniTefC__M9MFSKtOPFvMwNNOz8MDlzHikfsDkytIJj3Oy8sQtMCDtU0Av6Oeuy9YuQpc6LAOsxBnPvPk0qe4e3BskCQcNoHGSnt8JhRrY9buLp_Lg_PnBJT4DWYvjWL05M/s1600/P4262347.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21.32px;">This week as been an interesting one. On Tuesday I had to go to Manila to take care of some stuff for Manila. It was a long trip there and back, but it was fun because I got to spent it with Sis. Tupua and Sister Latimer, my roommates from the MTC. We have all changed so much in the last year and a half. Missions are amazing. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21.32px;">My poor companion Sister Baraiti has had a rough week. She has a boil on her thigh that makes it hard to walk and uncomfortable to sit. We haven't been able to go teach as much as usual, but we still have been able to do missionary work. I just love her. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspd73uHyR5_POqb-5WFaV8TazpkVkByAsse1MDe8tAZzqC6z-9kmlDWu8-t3GbXf0zfdpg7NvWFniS2-fCrFvRD5h8xbHqA_y5Y2j7DSgPO3rmAeDwaxJvmzMdlX1ejIvXxLS4AxacK0/s1600/P4230703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspd73uHyR5_POqb-5WFaV8TazpkVkByAsse1MDe8tAZzqC6z-9kmlDWu8-t3GbXf0zfdpg7NvWFniS2-fCrFvRD5h8xbHqA_y5Y2j7DSgPO3rmAeDwaxJvmzMdlX1ejIvXxLS4AxacK0/s1600/P4230703.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21.32px;">Saturday was National Day of Service. Our ward had a service project where we went to go clean up a local cemetery. The best part was getting to wear the "Mormon Helping Hands" vest for the first time. Just kidding, that wasn't the best part. The best part was serving. And also the following story: I talked to a woman who was sitting near the grave of her son. He had committed suicide about 3 years ago. She keeps having dreams about him, and came to his grave all the way from Manila hoping to learn what she needs to do to help him find rest. I taught her about Temples and proxy baptisms for those who have already died. I bore my testimony to her. She was interested so I got her information and I will send it to the missionaries in Manila so they can help her help her son, and at the same time hopefully she will accept the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZFuMwDGDbVRovCrtLE-i-sGdx9l5DuLyiHedTs5D6zaqlqH8Io0UPgshMDJCZeGXebsoSVssGYealVLy5xM-CcqxLt0UlMa3zl24L-JZfKYJPTn7DGJcJQE5YYxfSDIph3G43pGLwNo/s1600/P4220695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZFuMwDGDbVRovCrtLE-i-sGdx9l5DuLyiHedTs5D6zaqlqH8Io0UPgshMDJCZeGXebsoSVssGYealVLy5xM-CcqxLt0UlMa3zl24L-JZfKYJPTn7DGJcJQE5YYxfSDIph3G43pGLwNo/s1600/P4220695.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21.32px;">I love being a missionary. True story.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21.32px;">Love,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21.32px;">Sister "Helping Hands" Curtis</span></span></div>
Paul Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613796323417600454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-905446824725769258.post-65420842735312911602014-05-04T19:13:00.002-07:002014-05-04T19:14:51.995-07:00Highs and Lows<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">A mission is a strange experience.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">It is a trial and a test.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">A mission throws at you the worst,<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Yet teaches you the best.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I’ve never been so happy.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I’ve never been so depressed.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I’ve never felt so forsaken.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I’ve never felt so blessed<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I’ve never been so confused.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Things have never been so clear.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I’ve never felt my Heavenly Father so distant.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">He’s never been so near.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I’ve never been so discouraged.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I’ve never been so full of hope.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I feel I could go on forever.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I feel I’ve come to the end of my rope.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I’ve never had it quite so easy.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I’ve never had it quite so tough.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Things have never been so smooth.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Things have never been so rough.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I’ve never traveled through so many valleys.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I’ve never ascended so many peaks.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I’ve never net so many nice people.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I’ve never met so many freaks.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I’ve never had so many ups.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I’ve never had so many downs.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I’ve never worn so many smiles.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I’ve never worn so many frowns.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I’ve never been so lonely.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I’ve never had so many friends.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Boy, I hope this is over soon.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Gee, I hope it never ends.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Wouldn't it be really cool if I was the one who wrote this poem. To bad I'm not, but I really like it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Love,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Sister "I'm a Missionary" Curtis</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Pictures:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">-Service </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Project</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrhzqfM8z8AWbHDt-99Ittnnf_e_WLCYRimmjO-RrX61huE8g_nh0Be3lxtplUbZzDpR6PY4KQAstmvMsF1V9j6OqcGRijs8jkF9IbUAHRhAPLiTUgHrx9hyphenhyphendmo9L6eADMrUBqoHkABQ/s1600/IMG_0424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrhzqfM8z8AWbHDt-99Ittnnf_e_WLCYRimmjO-RrX61huE8g_nh0Be3lxtplUbZzDpR6PY4KQAstmvMsF1V9j6OqcGRijs8jkF9IbUAHRhAPLiTUgHrx9hyphenhyphendmo9L6eADMrUBqoHkABQ/s1600/IMG_0424.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">-I'm trying to be like Jesus</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4nefpOjpVCMCuvjZKK1RSFib7AxnB0hmMXglSgcxm4dY1Lu1eUj9JIJJ9v1AXHAdZ08fg1kIGDS18KjdGW_7-0ZEsWBfFKFPcdC05f7grNt4XGWqoCDUENqGulS2nGJGIO-NLgrLKTk/s1600/IMG_0429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4nefpOjpVCMCuvjZKK1RSFib7AxnB0hmMXglSgcxm4dY1Lu1eUj9JIJJ9v1AXHAdZ08fg1kIGDS18KjdGW_7-0ZEsWBfFKFPcdC05f7grNt4XGWqoCDUENqGulS2nGJGIO-NLgrLKTk/s1600/IMG_0429.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11pt;">-The Sisters in my Zone. </span></div>
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Paul Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613796323417600454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-905446824725769258.post-6762723300750749562014-05-04T18:56:00.003-07:002014-05-04T18:58:49.213-07:00First Week of My Last Transfer<div>
Transfer Week! Me and Sister Foukimoana enjoyed our last couple days together. I sure do love her and I will miss her. </div>
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My new companion is.... Sister Baraiti. She is from Kiribati, which I think is part of the Micronesia islands. She has only been here in the Philippines for four months, but she is already pretty good at Tagalog. At luckily so is her English. She is so kind and humble and sweet. But at the same time is funny and has a contagious laugh. We have good days everyday.</div>
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She was only baptized less than three years ago. Because of her influence her parents and one sibling were also eventually baptized. And since she has been here on her mission, her remaining 3 siblings were also baptized. It is actually a really cool story, and I in no way did it justice in the telling I just did. </div>
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General Conference!! We got to watch it this weekend. I loved it!! Besides the miracle of me getting to listen to modern day Prophets and Apostles, my investigators also got to experience the miracle. I was worried that none of the people we teach would come because it was at the Stake Center which is farther away. But we had 3 investigators there, one who had walked a good distance to get there. Also we had two less active members come, which is the first time in a while. Amazing!!</div>
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Another great thing about this week is all the people I got to see on Transfer Day. All my past companions (who have not gone home yet) were there. And so many of the other good friends I have made here. I am sad that I will not see them again on my mission. But I pray that somehow I will see them again afterwards. </div>
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God is good. </div>
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Mahal ko kayo,</div>
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Sister "I'm still the only white girl in my zone" Curtis</div>
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1- Batch Picture. This is the first time me and Sister Tupua and Latimer have been together since our first day on the mission.</div>
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2-Kabahay picture before the transfer</div>
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3- Our last picture together. Goodbye Sister Foukimoana</div>
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4-My new companion Sister Baraiti</div>
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Paul Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613796323417600454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-905446824725769258.post-73363343083252584612014-04-08T16:50:00.000-07:002014-04-08T16:50:04.452-07:00Would You Die for Joseph Smith?<div>
Here on my mission I've had the chance to stand up countless times for the things I believe. This week I had an experience that was a little bit different from the rest. We were teaching a member who often comes to church, the only problem is he doesn't really have a testimony of The Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. As he attacked the things I hold so dear to my heart, I was able to see how strong my testimony is. Nothing he said had any effect on me. Everything I've seen and experienced my whole life testifies of God and of His church. Nothing any man can do or say can make me deny the things that I know. When he asked if I would die for Joseph Smith, I with all assuredly said YES. Not that Joseph Smith is anything more than a prophet of God. But he in a way represents the reason for everything I know about my Savior. He was the instrument God used to restore the Church of Jesus Christ again to the earth. Along with that came all the missing knowledge about God and His plan for us. It came with the keys and authority necessary for our salvation. It came with a way for me to personally know and love my Savior. Yes, indeed that is a cause worth dying for. </div>
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This has been a week of goodbyes. Next week is transfers and we are 98% sure Sister Foukimoana is leaving. Everyone here absolutely loves her (Me included). We have been trying to make this last week a special one for her. (side note: She has been on her mission for 9 months now, and she has been here in San Jose the whole time). Next week I will get my next and last companion. I wonder who she will be. I'm praying for the best Sister in the mission.</div>
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Love,</div>
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Sister Abish "Solid Testimony" Curtis</div>
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1. Philippines Money</div>
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2. Our last district picture (w/ Philippines flag)</div>
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3. Climbing a tree for a flower (my companion really wanted the flower)</div>
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4. We are sad Sister Foukimoana is leaving :(</div>
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5. Cutest kids ever!!! </div>
Paul Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613796323417600454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-905446824725769258.post-1814964929525966022014-03-30T12:52:00.001-07:002014-03-30T12:58:14.628-07:00Another Week in this Philippine Paradise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3mjH_bcyuPKlVEbQq4pVkD03T6qhRMjOO1kIF4PIHZjPfz0U87EO2Z1xTZhmQKByhEFyi2uKTj3drhWSVm_nWhsbb_box20kNFzj6LCL0_285K8lcq422WUoqi6gf_Jw-YpCLraMDXE/s1600/P3240249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3mjH_bcyuPKlVEbQq4pVkD03T6qhRMjOO1kIF4PIHZjPfz0U87EO2Z1xTZhmQKByhEFyi2uKTj3drhWSVm_nWhsbb_box20kNFzj6LCL0_285K8lcq422WUoqi6gf_Jw-YpCLraMDXE/s1600/P3240249.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>Things that happened this week:<br />
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<span style="color: black;">-Most of the people we teach don't have TVs or DVD players. So one day we brought our portable DVD player (we use it to watch training videos) and showed everyone the Joseph Smith Movie. It was a good day. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">-I got a hair cut (I trust my companion enough to let her do it, even though this was her first time. It actually turned out pretty good) You can't really tell in half the pictures I'm sending because it was pretty windy...</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">-We have so many Ward Missionaries who work with us on Sundays that we go on splits every week. Good times, good times. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">-Because today is our preparation day we went on an adventure as a zone. See Pictures.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mQcCIoiG_w7u3CmQJIMtHxeMkVKf6dROITDYaRxXeehsBtqdYO1z2K_OuGKOskMiSXLvFn51pG_XuSCYBqi2Xkn0HnfV6b1PMDNHHXFtigUvEdBUP3cH0CM-qU3KcFvChr7G7wgYMlk/s1600/P3230190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mQcCIoiG_w7u3CmQJIMtHxeMkVKf6dROITDYaRxXeehsBtqdYO1z2K_OuGKOskMiSXLvFn51pG_XuSCYBqi2Xkn0HnfV6b1PMDNHHXFtigUvEdBUP3cH0CM-qU3KcFvChr7G7wgYMlk/s1600/P3230190.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="color: black;">-At the above mentioned adventure, I got to ride on the top of the jeepny for the first time in my life. I loved it with all my heart. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">-<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">As it is drawing nearer to the end of my mission, I have been evaluating myself and who I have become. I am reviewing the goals that I set at the beginning of my mission and evaluating how I am doing so far and what I still need to improve. My plan is to sprint to the finish. I still have a whole two months left. That is a long time. But I will do my best to sprint the whole way.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Love,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Sister "I can watch the Joseph Smith Movie a milliontimes in one day and still love it" Curtis</span></span></div>
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Paul Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613796323417600454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-905446824725769258.post-4102951866050490262014-03-21T15:38:00.001-07:002014-03-21T15:38:54.725-07:00Elephant noise... a very useful skill for a missionary<div>One of my talents in life is I know how to make an elephant noise. I had no idea how useful it would be on my mission. I use it regularly in Family Home Evening games and talents, or just to impress little kids. If you are preparing to serve a mission that is a skill you should develop. Just kidding, there are more important skills to develop such as the following: asking inspired questions and really listening to people (and the spirit). I was super inspired with what Sister Wheat did to prepare for her mission; she talked to one new person every day. Talking to new people everyday is a very important skill for a missionary to have. </div><div><br /></div>This week we had an amazing zone conference. There were five different zones who went, which means about 100 missionaries.<br /><br />
<div>My favorite workshop was, of course, from President Martino. It was all about the Atonement. The first 45 minutes we watched the Bible videos (<a href="http://biblevideos.lds.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">biblevideos.lds.org</span></a>) about the last 24 hours of Jesus' life. We sang songs in between each video. It was super powerful. Afterwards we had a discussion about the Atonement. Then President Martino gave us all a Book of Mormon and challenged us to spend the next 6 weeks using it to study the Atonement. I'm super excited. I've already been so enlightened. </div><div><br /></div><div>Another great thing about the zone conference besides the spiritual boost was getting to see so many missionaries. I got to see old zone mates, old house mates, and the best of course was seeing old companions. My two anak (daughters/trainees) were there, along with two of my apo (granddaughters). *pictures included below*</div><div><br /></div><div>On the down side of the week, Sister Foukimoana has been pretty sick. For three days we barely left the apartment. I spent the extra time studying, catching up in my journal and doing anything I could for my poor companion. On the third day we were understandably pretty sick of our apartment. We were sitting outside on our porch eating ice cream when a 10 year old boy came to our house asking if we had any plastic bottles. We gave him our plastic bottles and a bowl of ice cream. We sat him down in a chair and while he ate his ice cream, we taught him a lesson and he said he would come to church. </div><div>Also. Our neighbors are from India and they have pet pigeons. After we taught the boy a lesson, our neighbors let us play with their pigeons. *pictures included*</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for reading. Tune in next week.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mahal ko po kayo,</div><div>Sister Abish "Elephant" Curtis</div><div><br /></div><div>Pictures:</div><div>-Pet pigeon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLJI0g8Hw2-ELd0XYfKlMOBMLexbvNkLdGxZtnV2JaUAqjTcyLBUFzRMHFTwZqtGDxhevPOAvv5kRnu1MxwDkeNlK2xMbKIvKuHSApSkQYcbI1IhWfFKeRozcwWGIzv9xsvqaQhLY-yM/s1600/P3140126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLJI0g8Hw2-ELd0XYfKlMOBMLexbvNkLdGxZtnV2JaUAqjTcyLBUFzRMHFTwZqtGDxhevPOAvv5kRnu1MxwDkeNlK2xMbKIvKuHSApSkQYcbI1IhWfFKeRozcwWGIzv9xsvqaQhLY-yM/s1600/P3140126.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div></div><div>-San Jose Sisters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtG7jH2eyN2wtI_gWor40INEHfWgDBtMYsJOo_A8nk1ml73a7CC2178uPoT3qdMWqDMzm_bt2HBRg3nuBPvmsk910ra8gf1BHFf58JE_q1g1JumYOLcl2NOv0Uszk5iF455Il47C5E7mw/s1600/P3110085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtG7jH2eyN2wtI_gWor40INEHfWgDBtMYsJOo_A8nk1ml73a7CC2178uPoT3qdMWqDMzm_bt2HBRg3nuBPvmsk910ra8gf1BHFf58JE_q1g1JumYOLcl2NOv0Uszk5iF455Il47C5E7mw/s1600/P3110085.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div></div><div>-Sister Carter is my youngest granddaughter and I just love her (and all my posterity) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT61A7MIOM0A3ADHYza0c63WRo8xLhw4QMJesi6fu8MnK8fM5mpNy8Yj23FUtebkGK7PoehT9tcJgYVtJCDenbQUNq6PkKr613UYEUWQFTI0UMbE3C7WD8pjdrRwLKoVgyIcr_QqkI414/s1600/P3110095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT61A7MIOM0A3ADHYza0c63WRo8xLhw4QMJesi6fu8MnK8fM5mpNy8Yj23FUtebkGK7PoehT9tcJgYVtJCDenbQUNq6PkKr613UYEUWQFTI0UMbE3C7WD8pjdrRwLKoVgyIcr_QqkI414/s1600/P3110095.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div></div><div>-My daughters and granddaughters. Left to right: Sister Carter, Sister de Guzman, me, Sister Ocampo, Sister Tui'one<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVcc36pqLQirD20STmAzD2HklBOuwUaDrjBVY-CIMVi17f0Zg1ZYsUSYTQo0Xy-JFS0Co5g5Up_hnF7xOhBtUmDcEn1dgKNMHwJ56yBA3zkRAktcneh20lQqV1gnLF3_jRS8mDxV2WYo/s1600/P3110104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVcc36pqLQirD20STmAzD2HklBOuwUaDrjBVY-CIMVi17f0Zg1ZYsUSYTQo0Xy-JFS0Co5g5Up_hnF7xOhBtUmDcEn1dgKNMHwJ56yBA3zkRAktcneh20lQqV1gnLF3_jRS8mDxV2WYo/s1600/P3110104.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div></div><div>-What happens if you kiss a pigeon? Do they turn into a prince?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKccn3xcmSy3o02jO9JzInh3H3WlZ1iLXXVLvZERJ5HVHWFU0P_AtHKvUFYVsoNuoxqDqjXvqRkFOBXqatll-nXZPhcylU4KHh7_1BlHe7-mwVywbLHaeEVu5bkdderP2VdgIobHY8BSQ/s1600/P3140112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKccn3xcmSy3o02jO9JzInh3H3WlZ1iLXXVLvZERJ5HVHWFU0P_AtHKvUFYVsoNuoxqDqjXvqRkFOBXqatll-nXZPhcylU4KHh7_1BlHe7-mwVywbLHaeEVu5bkdderP2VdgIobHY8BSQ/s1600/P3140112.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div></div>Paul Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613796323417600454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-905446824725769258.post-21076624405522510232014-03-11T16:20:00.001-07:002014-03-11T16:20:06.921-07:00How to eat a dog....you just don't.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vTe8cCFReOQZwaatz7Gg8h_M_ogRegg3KF6DweUl17FSUQ7P7sOkah9Nb6Tpyn2NjlmzgMs7hyDftUcWGyKvPx9AVkk_ETbBeiYC7o7T_neq9ykBmkYN1xaaFX5nX3emMinui-PuGk0/s1600/P3060047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vTe8cCFReOQZwaatz7Gg8h_M_ogRegg3KF6DweUl17FSUQ7P7sOkah9Nb6Tpyn2NjlmzgMs7hyDftUcWGyKvPx9AVkk_ETbBeiYC7o7T_neq9ykBmkYN1xaaFX5nX3emMinui-PuGk0/s1600/P3060047.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sister Foukimoana told me I don't just talk in my sleep, but I also teach entire 10 minute lessons in my sleep. She was still half asleep when she testified what I was teaching was true, and then she remembered we were not really in a lesson.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We had some pretty awesome service projects this week. On one day we harvested onions by hand. It made me cry. Another day we helped someone move a big pile a rocks. I know that doesn't sound fun, but it actually was. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1MEgLG1As7MGy57bjfV40k6a1GPpFrZuLeeA0MGeaBOf1HlZuJbPTsofEhnm1EmfI38UmWMkLPjNdskJcQ0qL9xm7yiMG88prl6zfz22MYEnv-UFY8Z5g8Uu5r2HUJ-qIrxT17G47iM/s1600/P3040010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1MEgLG1As7MGy57bjfV40k6a1GPpFrZuLeeA0MGeaBOf1HlZuJbPTsofEhnm1EmfI38UmWMkLPjNdskJcQ0qL9xm7yiMG88prl6zfz22MYEnv-UFY8Z5g8Uu5r2HUJ-qIrxT17G47iM/s1600/P3040010.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sometimes in the Philippines people eat dogs. It is definitely not an everyday thing, but it does happen sometimes. I ran into this week for the first time of my mission. The next door neighbors of our investigators were eating it. My companion asked for some and ate it. They also eat dogs in Tonga so it was no big deal for her. But for me... I completely refused. I don't think it would taste that bad; I just can't endure the thought of eating dog. My companion had us take pictures with the head (see below).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QzL4lStki5WRs4uMu0HFuiAE-OGL7_I1N97szCjEwaVPwp_VThn7yZ0XgJz3SyMsaCysYAQxJRQuxC3fsfnO6ofr21QM5BUQquoV4NezmUgiEKRPEleGH0jGiQLuJvv3R7flNpdLESU/s1600/P3040006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QzL4lStki5WRs4uMu0HFuiAE-OGL7_I1N97szCjEwaVPwp_VThn7yZ0XgJz3SyMsaCysYAQxJRQuxC3fsfnO6ofr21QM5BUQquoV4NezmUgiEKRPEleGH0jGiQLuJvv3R7flNpdLESU/s1600/P3040006.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A handful of young woman/ young single adults worked with me and my companion yesterday. I went with half of them and she went with the other half. I am so impressed with the youth here. I am excited for the future of the church in the Philippines. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You know, missions are pretty amazing. Not because every day is amazing, but because you learn amazing things from all the different experiences, both good and bad experiences. Missions are hard. But that’s what makes it worth it. One of the missionaries we are living with is brand new. At times it is pretty rough for her, as it was for everyone (myself included). I don't know if there is anyone who doesn’t struggle at the beginning of their mission. But it gets better. Before she knows it, it will be near the end of her mission and she will wish she still had more time. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4UzOSaYJOQuzDPkqgc1m-vBJznj4SGi4q5CIBFyhHdU9KoN7MGKFhN8ycpLKmjxYaFws474ux5rscrb_tUkOkAEoetMnueLvFNTmNl5QQGAHKQpMMnB49v4UqbE2-aWC0NYibZZ2-kE/s1600/P3060034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4UzOSaYJOQuzDPkqgc1m-vBJznj4SGi4q5CIBFyhHdU9KoN7MGKFhN8ycpLKmjxYaFws474ux5rscrb_tUkOkAEoetMnueLvFNTmNl5QQGAHKQpMMnB49v4UqbE2-aWC0NYibZZ2-kE/s1600/P3060034.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I know the message we teach is true. I know God loves us. I know we need to know the truth about God and how to return to him. God reveals that knowledge to us through prophets; men who have authority from God to teach. After the death of Jesus Christ and his apostles, this authority was lost. But God has again called a prophet to teach and establish His church. Because there is a prophet in our day, our knowledge of God and His plan for us is complete. If you want to know more about it… ask the missionaries they can help. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sister Curtis “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints” </span></div>Paul Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613796323417600454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-905446824725769258.post-56439526452270223732014-03-03T15:22:00.002-08:002014-03-03T15:22:39.176-08:00Transfers!!!!<div>
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We had transfer announcements this week and.......... nothing happened!!! Me and Sister Foukimoana will be staying together again. We are going to rock San Jose city to pieces because we are just that awesome. Fun fact: I have never been with a companion for only one transfer. Always two. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqnwWDIUMVjCL4hbmIPEkZUXm8eV1SYRNzd0PzhXn7p4nh0dcvXhwHWNF_NkS-NAU63Pb-PiZuZu-mlx1rxe1YPeIrcZE9935s50JsHU_HSy-gcJeKijRMi17DT_NWd5XiGg4Vprt6Mw/s1600/P3023711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqnwWDIUMVjCL4hbmIPEkZUXm8eV1SYRNzd0PzhXn7p4nh0dcvXhwHWNF_NkS-NAU63Pb-PiZuZu-mlx1rxe1YPeIrcZE9935s50JsHU_HSy-gcJeKijRMi17DT_NWd5XiGg4Vprt6Mw/s1600/P3023711.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>But one of the Sisters we lived with got transferred, and now we have a brand new missionary living with us. Sister Ofahulu from New Zeland. She is Tongan and her and my companion are so crazy together its funny. Sister Ofahulu was so convinced that she new me from the pre-mortal existence, but then she was looking through my pictures and realized that she had read part of my blog before her mission. Even if we weren't friends before this life, we sure are good friends now. </div>
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We went to two birthday parties these week. And many dinner appointments. If it weren't for Fast <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_821061113" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ"><span style="color: #222222;">Sunday</span></span></span> I might have gained a lot of weight. Just kidding. </div>
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My companion was pretty sick this week so we didn't get to go out for the full day of work for a couple days. But we still did amazing things in the time that we did go out.</div>
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It's always a bummer when you find out your golden investigators are married yet to their live in partners. That happened this week. </div>
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Two of my favorite testimonies that were borne this last week at church came from two primary aged boys. They were super simple, but super powerful. </div>
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I know when things are hard and we can't do it on our own, God will help us. </div>
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I know we need God. </div>
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Mahal ko po kayo,</div>
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Sister Abish "Almost all grown up" Curtis</div>
Paul Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613796323417600454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-905446824725769258.post-4601487916451581632014-02-24T14:55:00.001-08:002014-02-24T14:57:22.929-08:00Just a Short One<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWQwO2kKcT2VPL7ttihMCHTn69NrHXEY6IyYCNBunsf2W0GwIDBQAdR5zgyd-55CGPFjtd8NiO9Run73GHfoSLgVmhxonQjLx4LvGNV5peVle_0GSgM0GON9pmWgLxLLtWRgEQM8jci4/s1600/P2183487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWQwO2kKcT2VPL7ttihMCHTn69NrHXEY6IyYCNBunsf2W0GwIDBQAdR5zgyd-55CGPFjtd8NiO9Run73GHfoSLgVmhxonQjLx4LvGNV5peVle_0GSgM0GON9pmWgLxLLtWRgEQM8jci4/s1600/P2183487.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>-I found out last week that someone that I taught in my first area was finally baptized. I was so happy. Also, this last weekend three people that I taught and loved from Kalikid were baptized. I feel so blessed to have been able to help them prepare for their special day. </div>
-I taught more lessons this week than any other week of my mission: 51. Crazy no? Me and Sister Foukimoana are rockin' this city.<br />
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-Last week we took an old woman on a church tour. This week we were asking her about it, and she doesn't remember it happening. After the lesson she asked us to take her on a church tour. So we took her on another one. Hope it's the last time... </div>
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-My Tongan companion tried to teach me how to hula dance. I'm defiantly just a white girl, it was a nice try. </div>
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-I had to go to Cabanatuan to sign some papers for my Visa or something. I was there the same time they had the trainers/training meeting so I got to see Sister de Guzman and meet my "granddaughter" Sister Carter. The four hour round trip was totally worth it because of the 5-10 minutes that I got to talk to them. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKY7kVQop0TbHCSegm_GImqduGfIB3zoUlHJ_5v0WJLw3oyYyZmXGHEdnQAHFe38GtBtE4OE9m9df5ldtI0J7FvwGc1zLeLHT_OsGdSfFrbDme9vGn4Xm_gl7QJeGwxpyAs4wFvdPeiI/s1600/P2223555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKY7kVQop0TbHCSegm_GImqduGfIB3zoUlHJ_5v0WJLw3oyYyZmXGHEdnQAHFe38GtBtE4OE9m9df5ldtI0J7FvwGc1zLeLHT_OsGdSfFrbDme9vGn4Xm_gl7QJeGwxpyAs4wFvdPeiI/s1600/P2223555.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
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Sorry I'm short on time and things to say.</div>
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I love you all.</div>
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I love my mission.</div>
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I love God. </div>
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Sister Abish "No middle name" Curtis</div>
Paul Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613796323417600454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-905446824725769258.post-16888780261304904102014-02-23T15:15:00.001-08:002014-02-23T15:15:27.498-08:00PeopleThese are some people I want to tell you about:<br /><br />
<div>-Sister Marita: We met her because we are always teaching her neighbors and family. She has a husband and four young kids. She has been to church twice now and she loves it more than her old church. Her three-year-old daughter has some sort of soars on her legs and so she hasn't learned how to walk yet. But ever since we started teaching them, her legs have been improving. Sister Marita loves the Book of Mormon and sleeps with it close to her. She prays with her children every night. She is coming to the Relief Society activity on Saturday. If all continues to go well, she will covenant with God through baptism on <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_999861861" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ"><span style="color: #222222;">March 8th</span></span></span>. We love her.</div><div> </div><div>-Sister Lucilia: She is a 85 year old woman who is too old and weak to leave her house. Her husband died 20 years ago and she still loves and misses him. She loves when we come and teach her, and she believes everything. She asks us to pray that she will have strength to go to church. She says she will never forget us. I will never forget her. I am excited for our reunion in Heaven. </div><div> </div><div>-Abish: a young woman who lives in my ward. We have the same name.</div><div> </div><div>-Sister Esirom: One of the missionaries that lives in our apartment with us. She was only baptized two years ago. She is from Guam, from the same ward that my family used to live in 10 years ago. She doesn't remember me personally, but she remembers when my family would give her and her cousins rides to church. I love it. She is also my "granddaughter" in the mission (I trained Sister Ocampo, who then trained Sister Esirom) I just love her with all my heart.</div><div> </div><div>-Sister Merwal: The other missionary that lives in our apartment. She is from here in the Philippines and I also love her with all my heart. She always makes me laugh. I love her story of how she came back to church after being less active for several years. (She prayed that the missionaries would come talk to her, but then when they finally would come to her house she would always hide or run from them. But occasionally they would catch her and eventually she ran out of reasons to not come to church. At first when she came to church she didn't have anyone there to welcome her. She would just sit by herself. Every week she would say to herself that she would not come back next week. But the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_999861862" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ"><span style="color: #222222;">next Sunday</span></span></span> she would somehow end up getting dressed and going to church. She decided to test the promise of the Prophet that if she made Institute a priority she would make friends and learn more about the gospel. Of course it happened. Her testimony became solid, and it was the start of her becoming close to all the members in her ward. True church.)</div><div> </div><div>-Sister Foukimoana: My companion. She loves mangos. A lot. I love her. A lot. </div><div> </div><div>-Jesus Christ: He is the whole reason I am here in the Philippines, thousands of miles away from my family. He is the reason I have purpose in this life. He is the reason I have hope for the next life. He is the reason for who I am. I love Him.</div><div> </div><div>Love,</div><div>Sister Abish "Happy late Valentines Day" Curtis</div><div><br /></div><div>Pictures:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnGgEvZdCxnz6-rBwNuod_nBBr_FZ-yu09YifAtwvGB-xHCmQ15zrwPdfkmPGYGzXTH3NGncoa1ADcHWumOnv4C9ovMhRRt9wtmrZTtaUE9WrOvtEDcOy1bmvrPf0RiWqgwFRDMlgMxA/s1600/P2093205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnGgEvZdCxnz6-rBwNuod_nBBr_FZ-yu09YifAtwvGB-xHCmQ15zrwPdfkmPGYGzXTH3NGncoa1ADcHWumOnv4C9ovMhRRt9wtmrZTtaUE9WrOvtEDcOy1bmvrPf0RiWqgwFRDMlgMxA/s1600/P2093205.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div></div><div>1- It is common to see 3-4 people on one motorcycle. In this case it is a family.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ck6SXU9baTskz4z_S69zRYCgXwowCuQf2uCdBQGwUmDCYOgLZYfWskqsyLnQOXMeubh4DP3jduKZJk3Z-r2zezM7zo7aIPLqNBh_zDHTkgx-3CZcUusi9toNkl9y-29X_rtjK0GoLKs/s1600/P2103259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ck6SXU9baTskz4z_S69zRYCgXwowCuQf2uCdBQGwUmDCYOgLZYfWskqsyLnQOXMeubh4DP3jduKZJk3Z-r2zezM7zo7aIPLqNBh_zDHTkgx-3CZcUusi9toNkl9y-29X_rtjK0GoLKs/s1600/P2103259.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div></div><div>2- Declaring the gospel to every creature</div><div>3 & 4- Marita and her daughter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegoPbPICBP_dJP1hEyMoeMOuR2z-V59omfxJWgvpM3qm-GRKVmL7fQE7yV13DK8CTS6ph2p5RXC2W7Afg-T0nbhG1CGUFRG-ouLhU7Inc4AaoZWPsSiIy6SAUD-12OLyig-z1yVfUOy0/s1600/P2113330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegoPbPICBP_dJP1hEyMoeMOuR2z-V59omfxJWgvpM3qm-GRKVmL7fQE7yV13DK8CTS6ph2p5RXC2W7Afg-T0nbhG1CGUFRG-ouLhU7Inc4AaoZWPsSiIy6SAUD-12OLyig-z1yVfUOy0/s1600/P2113330.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45NJvo74hYp6QDM3mCma5J-dyffzxflU0vh8sF_DZ0y-FF5sGH5UVhN0-kb6xY4nhYzJQThHn-674hTg16jrprrlOF0ifU_Fl6avLuRGML5D_8j_6cUlMct5FPflW5-SSpmMluwQu1UQ/s1600/P2113329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45NJvo74hYp6QDM3mCma5J-dyffzxflU0vh8sF_DZ0y-FF5sGH5UVhN0-kb6xY4nhYzJQThHn-674hTg16jrprrlOF0ifU_Fl6avLuRGML5D_8j_6cUlMct5FPflW5-SSpmMluwQu1UQ/s1600/P2113329.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div></div><div>5- One time when we taught we would teach a lesson, when instead they invited us to eat spaghetti and pancit at their birthday party.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBPmIW3gkUfctuSJFzFWK_0rcJwCnf9IzjEZFr59Ji4l007W_E5DRV2XvwOmrLYFXouInzMoY-6rlDmtx7N9sdMfmrI8mQxaK-xOYMTjt3YZxmiPfhSLUhPKNwfmcbDYovTU5R75wkWZk/s1600/P2133344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBPmIW3gkUfctuSJFzFWK_0rcJwCnf9IzjEZFr59Ji4l007W_E5DRV2XvwOmrLYFXouInzMoY-6rlDmtx7N9sdMfmrI8mQxaK-xOYMTjt3YZxmiPfhSLUhPKNwfmcbDYovTU5R75wkWZk/s1600/P2133344.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div></div><div>6- Nanay Lucilia who I will remember for the rest of my life. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8-qfaZe7vW3LBBn-b8ncKKalsiq3i9QmaUQcl_zSShKFFpnptEQhhGjHLqFz4rZ4_njqAMp93Irxv2Xaula6o__vvlfyw0lcx74PBh_WQ0ntXY8_WkQf4Z5NDYkXoK2xeXbdEjb3634/s1600/P2143373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8-qfaZe7vW3LBBn-b8ncKKalsiq3i9QmaUQcl_zSShKFFpnptEQhhGjHLqFz4rZ4_njqAMp93Irxv2Xaula6o__vvlfyw0lcx74PBh_WQ0ntXY8_WkQf4Z5NDYkXoK2xeXbdEjb3634/s1600/P2143373.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div> </div><div>-Getting ready to BBQ Filipino style. (This is what we did on Valentines night)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHjHO-kYdm_DBvff9UVLavSb-P0wADod5JHxqaNV8urn3bQ6JyyPJNFxGw11u7JSj5h-iY2idLpAyGEaREbZc4qkQo2I0XDmoLKlzmgP6TwxAEQ6ThX3yzAim2HlgkJge7pFJjmuPc4Y/s1600/P2153386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHjHO-kYdm_DBvff9UVLavSb-P0wADod5JHxqaNV8urn3bQ6JyyPJNFxGw11u7JSj5h-iY2idLpAyGEaREbZc4qkQo2I0XDmoLKlzmgP6TwxAEQ6ThX3yzAim2HlgkJge7pFJjmuPc4Y/s1600/P2153386.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div>-The bamboo bridge that we were slightly afraid would break with our whole district standing on it. (this is on our way back from a service project)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKDaBd7dVbmbdCDrdpTGDNmylcQ3SdaszDsCE-VtMa9lL5WIApdjmkHj4U5VaLnxsIA1t7ippkwvLTcNvdoj0qJ8PAmDxsDF7c6a-2yxcaCL6jHDiUtV53JjjVqVhn0j7KJ21wg2ZEeE/s1600/P2153414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKDaBd7dVbmbdCDrdpTGDNmylcQ3SdaszDsCE-VtMa9lL5WIApdjmkHj4U5VaLnxsIA1t7ippkwvLTcNvdoj0qJ8PAmDxsDF7c6a-2yxcaCL6jHDiUtV53JjjVqVhn0j7KJ21wg2ZEeE/s1600/P2153414.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div></div><div>-Proselyting in a cemetery. The work was pretty dead there.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1BEYC1z8G86e6dn8g9Y0ShZ3RzlM-2jNmCgz16FPRAZIf-Ng1GB8lOFGUctc0gVsbluAAFZV58Zj7x1dKT5iwpb2AIWVWy0yeO-yx3XXt3bFE0PrjaTPMw5a4edfhCHuh2qVDVlLH9w/s1600/PA242223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1BEYC1z8G86e6dn8g9Y0ShZ3RzlM-2jNmCgz16FPRAZIf-Ng1GB8lOFGUctc0gVsbluAAFZV58Zj7x1dKT5iwpb2AIWVWy0yeO-yx3XXt3bFE0PrjaTPMw5a4edfhCHuh2qVDVlLH9w/s1600/PA242223.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div></div><div>-Me and Sister Esirom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZKRCwgbkvZUyXRQXlT87kD409eQOoFE8rH-fHwzMWHcRkUbk3NTB6ht5__4_QmxvSvQHJWwsDmHj_DG5BfWl54St8M-_pXStkcurCMdcXnjI1YhN0ktWMC3K0wr_c4ycd7rxNGx3kmIQ/s1600/P2033058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZKRCwgbkvZUyXRQXlT87kD409eQOoFE8rH-fHwzMWHcRkUbk3NTB6ht5__4_QmxvSvQHJWwsDmHj_DG5BfWl54St8M-_pXStkcurCMdcXnjI1YhN0ktWMC3K0wr_c4ycd7rxNGx3kmIQ/s1600/P2033058.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div></div><div>-Me and Sister Merwal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAotYpWlJkriiV3g51P-ciP7HGm0jvOP9aI8c9xKh4MvKeQsjQEtDVA9Eh-MoKBt9pdlV8AKTGt_7KseKb8RNLDpGjVjiGoFS_q_0dQ4y__5pHusRVT0AL-tfyiTeyig3oUCh9zz_Cak/s1600/P2143359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAotYpWlJkriiV3g51P-ciP7HGm0jvOP9aI8c9xKh4MvKeQsjQEtDVA9Eh-MoKBt9pdlV8AKTGt_7KseKb8RNLDpGjVjiGoFS_q_0dQ4y__5pHusRVT0AL-tfyiTeyig3oUCh9zz_Cak/s1600/P2143359.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div></div><div>-My companion loves loves mangos!</div></div>Paul Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613796323417600454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-905446824725769258.post-13499486951516502862014-02-10T15:29:00.001-08:002014-02-10T15:31:29.832-08:00It is nice to invite people to come to Christ<br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Remember how my Sister is on a mission right now in Albania? Sometime I email her companions. This is what her last companion Motra Tengu sent me this week and I just love it:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">"Actually i love my mission.It is nice to invite people to come to Christ."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">This week we had interviews with President Martino. We are so lucky to have such an amazing mission president. He goes this summer, and the Philippines will sure miss him and his wife. He has really set the bar high for us, and because of that we accomplish amazing things here in the Angeles Mission. He has gone through the effort to learn enough of Tagalog to say prayers and give talks. That is not something that was required of him. He is so organized and inspired. His influence will bless generations now and in the future. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">But I will go home before him. In our interview I asked if I could extend my mission. He explained that as much as he wishes he could grant that to me, it is not something they let him do. So I will still be coming home in May. That is coming up so soon. (Side note: I just barely told my companion this week that I am going home in May. Up till then she didn't know when I was going home. Mwaahahaa)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">One day we were praying at members house. Apparently the 3 year old daughter thought that the prayer was too long because she kept on saying "Amen" over and over again to get us to end the prayer. We laughed so hard. Do you think it would be irreverent if I tried that the next time my companion is praying too long? :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">I have seen the power of members this week. The three of our golden investigators would not have come to church if it were not for a member. Go do work. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Something else great about my great Tongan companion: She loves to put flowers in her hair. Whenever we pass flowers she always sticks one behind her ear. I may or may not sometimes do the same. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I love doing things to come nearer to the God. I love learning about Him through scripture study and prayer and pondering about Him. And singing. Try it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I love being a missionary. I love the Philippines. I love my family. I love you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Mahal ko kayo,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Sister Abish "Amen" Curtis</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Pictures:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Kabahay picture, wearing our kabahay skirts</span><br />
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Paul Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613796323417600454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-905446824725769258.post-44571730764482720732014-02-04T09:14:00.000-08:002014-02-04T09:14:51.873-08:00Planting<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FLKwYFwD1jtS68tSY2ASwojDCwnq4U8me3RXdNKWWVJIT6d5e4KcVoYNNkYjA0PhUu2tTZa_0PuMb-ES_YJWBLvC_U5jtbfH3AFKymcqGQetDFXzuo8UuQ2-_U-KJSYFhUqzhtx8iyU/s1600/P2033066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FLKwYFwD1jtS68tSY2ASwojDCwnq4U8me3RXdNKWWVJIT6d5e4KcVoYNNkYjA0PhUu2tTZa_0PuMb-ES_YJWBLvC_U5jtbfH3AFKymcqGQetDFXzuo8UuQ2-_U-KJSYFhUqzhtx8iyU/s1600/P2033066.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>Something else great about Sister Foukimoana is that she is a fantastic singer (as most Polynesians are). We always sing at the beginning of our lessons it invites the spirit in a powerful way. Her beautiful voice harmonizes with my regular voice and we sound so good. Just saying :)<br />
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This week me and Sister Foukimoana were walking near one of the fields in our area (there are not very many) We saw an old man and woman planting by hand in their small field. We stopped to talk to them and watched as the tatay plowed the field with his caribou. We ended up helping them plant their eggplants for about 20 minutes. We were not dressed for such a task. Did that stop us? Nope. Did we love it? Yes! Did we set and appointment to teach Nanay and Tatay about the gospel? ...actually no. We tried to, but they are very busy. But I know we touched their hearts. And we are here to serve everybody, whether or not they accept our message. </div>
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I want to tell you about Mila. She works for some members at a little restaurant. She has been super impressed with the members she knows. She has met a lot of missionaries, but I guess me and my companion are the first ones to be inspired to teach her. The spirit was so strong in the first lesson we had. She literally glowed. She told us how she has been inspired and uplifted by the example of her boss. We promised that as she accepted our message she would someday be that light to others. She cried as she told us about her desires to go to church with her husband and son (her husband is actually a member, he has just gone very far off tract) I felt inspired to tell her the day would come that they would come to church as a family. (I hope and pray that God will justify my words). She believes everything we teach her. The next time we went to teach her, she had friends over and she invited her friends to listen to our message with her. It was a super good lesson. After we taught about the Book of Mormon and gave her a copy, she hugged it to her chest as she thanked us for it. When her friends had left, we reminded her of the promise we made that she would be and example to others. She just glowed when we pointed out that that promise had in part already been fulfilled. </div>
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I just love life. Missionary life isn't perfect. It isn't always fun. A lot of times it is hard. But I love it. </div>
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Love,</div>
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Sister Abish "Is it really already February??" Curtis </div>
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1. Me planting eggplants<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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2. Nanay Lorita that I talked about last week (And our ward missionary Joana)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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3-5 Pictures from the top of the mount where we had our personal and companionship study this P-day morning.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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6. Amazing ward members. </div>
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Paul Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613796323417600454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-905446824725769258.post-63754106914663784062014-01-28T16:20:00.000-08:002014-01-28T16:20:14.025-08:00My New Companion and Area<br />
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Dear family and friends,<div>
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Let me tell you about my new companion Sister Foukimoana.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxewR9geQG6gUEJa4JQuNENd0QZRIXVnMuX_5zS1R_BcXVbTGJM3ov1KxQnC09ubpZiqN2ln-F2v6tJr6NQTxDQsLBJH3FRaDPCKZ8LfYfADSK0Wl58qKKE71jlk7WieyqzdJNdeBqq8/s1600/P1262855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxewR9geQG6gUEJa4JQuNENd0QZRIXVnMuX_5zS1R_BcXVbTGJM3ov1KxQnC09ubpZiqN2ln-F2v6tJr6NQTxDQsLBJH3FRaDPCKZ8LfYfADSK0Wl58qKKE71jlk7WieyqzdJNdeBqq8/s1600/P1262855.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>-She is from Tonga</div>
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-She is the youngest of 9 siblings</div>
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-She is my first companion that is taller than me</div>
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-She is my first companion that is younger than me (she is 21)</div>
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-She plays rugby</div>
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-She knows how to hula dance</div>
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-She knows how to play the violin</div>
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-She has been out on her mission for 7 months</div>
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-She had only been in our area for two weeks before I got here, so we only get lost sometimes</div>
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-She has a loud and warm laugh that just makes everyone happy</div>
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-She is so loving talaga. She has a way of just putting her arm around people and making them feel loved. Everyone loves her (including me)</div>
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-Even though she is still far from perfect in Tagalog, she doesn't let that stop her from communicating with people. </div>
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-We have the same favorite color (orange)</div>
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-We both love so many of the same things so we get along fantastically</div>
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-Some of the great things we do for morning exercise: play basketball at the church with the Elders, go to aerobics with the Young Single Adults, hike mountains.</div>
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-She tells me I am the best companion she has ever had</div>
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All of my companions so far have been Filipina and I have gotten used to them and their culture. The Tongan culture is different, so there are things that she does that is just different than I am used to. But different is not bad. We seriously have so much fun together. </div>
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I love my new area here in San Jose. I also love my new zone and my new district. I know we will accomplish amazing things and have so much fun doing it. </div>
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Something that happened this week:</div>
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We were walking back from an appointment when we passed the house of Nanay Lorita. We stopped to talk to her and she let us into her home. Nanay is sad and lonely and was so happy to have someone to listen to her. We found out that her husband died twenty years ago, and although her children are alive still they don't live near her or take very good care of her. She has had a pretty hard life. At first I didn't have much hope that she would be a progressing investigator because she is so old and frail, but I knew that she needed us. We came back again later in the week, and she was so happy to see us. We call her our Nanay (mother) and she calls us her anak (children). She cried as she told us that we do more for here than her real children do. We shared a message with her again and we were happy when she said she would come to church. So <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1520023371" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> morning we went to her house to go with her to church, she was ready and waiting for us. There at the church we introduced her to our bishop, who after talking to her for a while realized that she was actually already a member. She used to come to church with her husband before he died. That's crazy that she had failed to mention that to us, but it's all cool. We love Nanay and are excited to help her come back to church, and I know her curious neighbors will make great investigators. </div>
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Side note: I am the official new pianist for my new ward. I love that this was the one of the main reasons I even learned piano: to play on my mission. </div>
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I know that God has called me here in San Jose for a reason. I know there are people here whose lives will be changed. Even if it is just my life. </div>
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Ofa atu!! (That means I love you in Tongan)</div>
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Love,</div>
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Sister "Tonga" Curtis</div>
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Pictures:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our district service project: weeding an onion field<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Me and my companion and some awesome members</div>
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One of the pictures from our hiking adventure</div>
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Paul Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613796323417600454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-905446824725769258.post-87026973235172274732014-01-20T07:55:00.000-08:002014-01-20T07:55:20.571-08:00Do you know the way to San Jose?I was transferred!!!! After almost 6 months in the wonderful area of Kalikid, I have transferred to my third area: San Jose Ward 1B.<br />
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My area:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXYyeDHRvZ63A1XRd4IeXY-RUcbzs8h2MVNzWrx1vL-g6nFZXjMwOktm_tVql3_-xqM9rH0hyFWImO8l5DmVlsAwWMnuaIu_AgE7JOEZvYBLaWSW-kqNDJnVt00Y3qRoAX3dhl3FH7vM/s1600/P1182730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXYyeDHRvZ63A1XRd4IeXY-RUcbzs8h2MVNzWrx1vL-g6nFZXjMwOktm_tVql3_-xqM9rH0hyFWImO8l5DmVlsAwWMnuaIu_AgE7JOEZvYBLaWSW-kqNDJnVt00Y3qRoAX3dhl3FH7vM/s1600/P1182730.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>My whole mission I have served in areas that are mostly out in the country (bukid). But now I am in the very center of a city. In my last area we only got to go to the grocery store once a month, but now we walk by the grocery store, mall and palanke almost everyday. </div>
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The area is pretty small, we don't have to ride trikes or jeepneys because it is all within walking distance. </div>
<div>
All of the investigators here are children. Part members, but children all the same. We are hoping to find some more investigators. </div>
<div>
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<div>
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<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxyP-sIGSOQj3bj0VmbUhzGS_xVRAoPaRgZcck8lR_0yuSmLxhk92-q9WNffiFoqFv3x_7-37wtkE4Gwy3627EVsGtOaOsi5jVx8BixoixPlphO7jtxI3MTwljD_S1202nsh8t4IO_dg/s1600/P1162728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxyP-sIGSOQj3bj0VmbUhzGS_xVRAoPaRgZcck8lR_0yuSmLxhk92-q9WNffiFoqFv3x_7-37wtkE4Gwy3627EVsGtOaOsi5jVx8BixoixPlphO7jtxI3MTwljD_S1202nsh8t4IO_dg/s1600/P1162728.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>My ward:</div>
<div>
We have an awesome ward. I have already eaten at the houses of 4 different members. We have regular dinner appointments, so I will definitely be putting on some pounds (or should I say kilos).</div>
<div>
Our ward mission leader is the most experienced I have yet to work with, I am excited for that. </div>
<div>
I gave a talk <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_737576241" tabindex="0">on Sunday</span>. Yep. </div>
<div>
I already love so many of them. I am excited to get to know all of them. </div>
<div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
My companion:</div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHjftFyIQPjPJbYyGMhptTkUf-YBIzwYfuK0oa6KtOqiVq8HcGBzfd_LNRho80SZPVF8_Et__0ZPyUyuvgfLrUjkNJiW1hbGTYqDRsLDVZg5pqOrE8deEtUmhLsn-me8_kNoCtPnZ_2s/s1600/P1202766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHjftFyIQPjPJbYyGMhptTkUf-YBIzwYfuK0oa6KtOqiVq8HcGBzfd_LNRho80SZPVF8_Et__0ZPyUyuvgfLrUjkNJiW1hbGTYqDRsLDVZg5pqOrE8deEtUmhLsn-me8_kNoCtPnZ_2s/s1600/P1202766.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>Sister Foukimoana is from Tonga and she is amazing!!! In our mission usually President Martino puts the Filipinos and foreigners together. But me and my companion are one of the few foreigner/foreigner companionships. I have been out for longer than her, so for the first time ever I know more Tagalog than my companion. That is a crazy thought. I'm realizing how much I have depended on my Filipina companions for things like cooking and language and stuff. It is funny that she is now depending on me for the things I used to depend on others for. But I love it, we are going to do great.</div>
<div>
Sister Foukimoana is the best. She is so sweet and kind, but at the same time crazy and funny. We have so much fun together, and we got along right from the first day. Actually our first day together she was sick, and couldn't talk. So our communication was a mix between mouth reading and charades. We laughed so much about it all. It was a good icebreaker. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My heart:</div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHT8RNuZmtd9ldB9Epk2j3Wuqhyphenhyphen728C5ob2aYtHFhOE0pavZKYYGn25ySDvFFXPwFFvrzmraIWrrSWvN3UWdl9Wr8OpikiXhPmUjvDEe0TATiByiRIC7A58MXqnkROKNo20CVZ9so6ZiA/s1600/P1162725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHT8RNuZmtd9ldB9Epk2j3Wuqhyphenhyphen728C5ob2aYtHFhOE0pavZKYYGn25ySDvFFXPwFFvrzmraIWrrSWvN3UWdl9Wr8OpikiXhPmUjvDEe0TATiByiRIC7A58MXqnkROKNo20CVZ9so6ZiA/s1600/P1162725.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>I love my new area. I love my new companion. I love everything. But a huge part of my heart is still back in Kalikid. I miss it so much. I miss the people. I miss Sister de Guzman. I miss everything. I'm hoping the pain will eventually go away, but I'm grateful that my love for them never will. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Other random things:</div>
<div>
We don't have a laundry lady to come to our house to wash our clothes!! Instead I will bring my clothes to a laundry shop down the street. But I will have to wash my garments myself... by hand. I am excited to learn how...</div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbWttrFv7kl6VfmSqvNNJo4IjWBdg2jbY0epPOzOXNmXlqnQ1b1n6cm8STzIZsdCm2MQKFp69L_v_l2p6A0UcRiYn3u36L6qL5FFbrMQfg_3OL2557xJIAMHj5CgZui_NFFwE8girAmE/s1600/P1202743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbWttrFv7kl6VfmSqvNNJo4IjWBdg2jbY0epPOzOXNmXlqnQ1b1n6cm8STzIZsdCm2MQKFp69L_v_l2p6A0UcRiYn3u36L6qL5FFbrMQfg_3OL2557xJIAMHj5CgZui_NFFwE8girAmE/s1600/P1202743.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>The past 6 months it has just been me and Sister de Guzman in our house. But here we live with another companionship of missionaries: Sister Esirom and Sister Merwal. They are great and life is never boring at our house. I love them already. </div>
<div>
It is so cold!! I don't know if it is just the season everywhere or just here in San Jose. It's not cold like I know it is in America right now, but it is cold for the Philippines. The temperature on my alarm reads 75 degrees, but it feels colder than that. Like I want to wear my light jacket. (I know, I know, it's not really that cold, but its the coldest I've been in a year) Remember how we don't have warm water to take our showers? Just tap temperature. Lately I've been warming up water so I can use it for my bucket shower, because otherwise it is just way too cold. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I know that the Lord sent me here to the Philippines, and I know there is a specific reason I have been assigned here in San Jose. I'm going to do my best and work my hardest and not leave anything undone. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Love,</div>
<div>
Sister "San Jose" Curtis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdDth2G8Z-nMiTVvh6lZ41RGz_HeFagGZL7GmC4ZiuDkD8r-_9SaPNeyAqCz2Q7ZEYwvsfAbby_a6KomL_iikR1W-G_it5XR8XKj4PXt1gTDzIYLM76Glyt4rFWfh7Hc865fGARR6G9s/s1600/P1202760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdDth2G8Z-nMiTVvh6lZ41RGz_HeFagGZL7GmC4ZiuDkD8r-_9SaPNeyAqCz2Q7ZEYwvsfAbby_a6KomL_iikR1W-G_it5XR8XKj4PXt1gTDzIYLM76Glyt4rFWfh7Hc865fGARR6G9s/s1600/P1202760.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Paul Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613796323417600454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-905446824725769258.post-18155884633315007292014-01-13T04:32:00.000-08:002014-01-13T04:32:00.706-08:00Ode to Kalikid<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">This week I am 90% sure </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">I will be transferring.</span></span></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-uHv7pxPW6vOlFwc5xDq4z5r8SzDrcxEBYSdQmMIH_gb0Bk9Im4WkfPH3fYjLtuVojxA3XSMIAMxdznPfXvi9WVZmuO1vOerdvya_cksU0nuRbKtHrBCLlf1zsUMVOZ9FsfDsMKh3-k/s1600/P1092556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-uHv7pxPW6vOlFwc5xDq4z5r8SzDrcxEBYSdQmMIH_gb0Bk9Im4WkfPH3fYjLtuVojxA3XSMIAMxdznPfXvi9WVZmuO1vOerdvya_cksU0nuRbKtHrBCLlf1zsUMVOZ9FsfDsMKh3-k/s320/P1092556.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">I am sad about that, because I love Kalikid. The people of Alma had tender feelings for the Waters of Mormon because of the special things that happened to them there. I will always have tender feelings for Kalikid because of the special things that have happened here for me. I love these people. As I have visited these less actives every week I have come to love them. So when they come to church it is the most amazing feeling in the world. I have been so impressed with these recent converts who are sometimes more diligent than long time members when it comes to things like scripture study. The investigators who have been baptized in my time, or will be baptized later will always have a special place in my heart. And the members have fulfilled the promise of the Lord that "I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." </span><br style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; outline: 0px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">I will be missing Kalikid for the rest of my life. </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">Sister Abish "Kalikid" Curtis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UI6kzJXna2KYnvDv7miA3Qazj-LQBKtXj6F-N_xLrHcrvIvKvxaVJiqzP1_Tcq1jIJnBqwdHjOVcXBya25O4nJiecAB7WL4_lAOAlmCc3z7K8u1J3a1cZ6pVdSNS0CeUIDHUrThbFjM/s1600/P1122632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UI6kzJXna2KYnvDv7miA3Qazj-LQBKtXj6F-N_xLrHcrvIvKvxaVJiqzP1_Tcq1jIJnBqwdHjOVcXBya25O4nJiecAB7WL4_lAOAlmCc3z7K8u1J3a1cZ6pVdSNS0CeUIDHUrThbFjM/s320/P1122632.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</span></span></div>
Paul Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613796323417600454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-905446824725769258.post-90820139660742645942014-01-06T17:14:00.000-08:002014-01-06T17:14:11.459-08:00Happy New Years!!
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcWIT2PuJ9GzeNr_QkTgwzzghVIdWV0zti624VByqd6JHONiuDjCsfBp6j0l8Ri_mozLoZuW5Rx4W6qjVt6vXHCqYX9ePYFtk_Go1qGoSII5VXq4xZXM8_e8BH0U9sEvez1k7jCIV4jo/s1600/PC312507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcWIT2PuJ9GzeNr_QkTgwzzghVIdWV0zti624VByqd6JHONiuDjCsfBp6j0l8Ri_mozLoZuW5Rx4W6qjVt6vXHCqYX9ePYFtk_Go1qGoSII5VXq4xZXM8_e8BH0U9sEvez1k7jCIV4jo/s1600/PC312507.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I was a missionary for every
single day of 2013. It was an amazing year. And I know that 2014 will be even
better. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4F94Q1__AtML56H7fQT5qIIZDrv8onA1nON10tMxtJMKN5sI5tzU78vFzUIJkuJOdahIxXKtLOWFibQekEeUmtwq6P4-SGdWsQlKL-9gh1zD0m8adr_hQ6pfKIJiFPEBG2H1vgunL3Hk/s1600/PC312476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4F94Q1__AtML56H7fQT5qIIZDrv8onA1nON10tMxtJMKN5sI5tzU78vFzUIJkuJOdahIxXKtLOWFibQekEeUmtwq6P4-SGdWsQlKL-9gh1zD0m8adr_hQ6pfKIJiFPEBG2H1vgunL3Hk/s1600/PC312476.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">In the Philippines Angeles
Mission we set a goal for 2013 that we would have 1350 baptisms. We achieved
1368!!!! It was amazing. And this next year we are trusting in the Lord's
promise that He is hastening his work. Our goal for 2014 is 1650. Kaya namin
yan!!! I'm excited to do my part and give every ounce of energy that I
have. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">It was so amazing!!!
Yesterday at church we had an all time high for attendance. We had to keep
bringing in more chairs because there wasn't enough places for everyone to sit.
Usually the average attendance is 100. A couple months ago me and Sister de
Guzman set a vision for 130 church attendance. But yesterday the attendance
was.... 150!!!! Amazing!! Fasting is so powerful. It was so incredible to see
so many of the less actives we work with finally come to church. And we had 6
investigators. It was the most amazing Sunday in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9x3_Ee-eYfZgKD71gtDVsFwKFTG9QZXX8YuMcz17sNILGUttDeS2KKg-qK7UK5_Hq8Vf5skSw6NtZZDgCYkINvVi19ZZfqf8e_kmfbh-SiMUEpx2Q-BaKpfR-_h5D_yNQbtYFjLLqdw/s1600/PC312469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9x3_Ee-eYfZgKD71gtDVsFwKFTG9QZXX8YuMcz17sNILGUttDeS2KKg-qK7UK5_Hq8Vf5skSw6NtZZDgCYkINvVi19ZZfqf8e_kmfbh-SiMUEpx2Q-BaKpfR-_h5D_yNQbtYFjLLqdw/s1600/PC312469.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">New years eve: Our curfew
was to be in the apart at 6:00pm (that's when it starts getting dark) Me and
Sister de Guzman found lots of things to do. One of which is one of my favorite
activities in the world: take jump shorts. Although we couldn't go out and join
the members in their celebrations, several came and dropped food off at our
house. That was fun. At midnight we were in our beds with the
lights out, but we weren't asleep yet. We heard the explosions and
celebrations, and just talked about the past year and the new year to
come. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I love being a missionary,
because I love God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Sister Abish
"2014" Curtis<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Paul Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613796323417600454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-905446824725769258.post-52559904400116223592014-01-01T08:14:00.000-08:002014-01-01T08:21:29.576-08:00Merry Christmas(This was miss posted in her sisters blog and is now out of order as of time)<br />
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<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZT9sVI2wwuHhibQia6MUi5uCkNcj-FjpwVg57yICPdt6EyjkXWGSftwM52I0_RZym0craG5g1ZsO237W77h-DN4Kg4_mUY-bhaScE4Zd9JoPbG8N1zhulcH377r-XQGNt4NqZMrdrVk/s1600/PC172424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZT9sVI2wwuHhibQia6MUi5uCkNcj-FjpwVg57yICPdt6EyjkXWGSftwM52I0_RZym0craG5g1ZsO237W77h-DN4Kg4_mUY-bhaScE4Zd9JoPbG8N1zhulcH377r-XQGNt4NqZMrdrVk/s320/PC172424.JPG" width="240" /></a>Christmas caroling here is a mix between trick or treating and
fundraising. The most common carolers are groups of young children. They
will go door to door singing, they will sing until you bring out a few coins
for them. Sometimes groups of adults will go out caroling, as a
fundraiser for some organizations. You usually have to give them more than just
a few coins. If you don’t want to give them money you
just call out “patawad” or forgiveness. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBgeyvdF_LxBIySiyozmId-xJIjwRsh7hXeLsL2mlXNT06uLh4as5f6WEyONH0Ii5A1snJxpONk6zdI9-8PjuLtbCuCv2OB7wX4S0GVJlBOFIX9XGARyphh84BWY4keBW8uE_vu1qshA/s1600/PC172397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="float: right;"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600"
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>This week there was a
little earthquake. But for some really weird reason I didn’t even feel it. I
was putting away some laundry in the bedroom when I heard Sister de Guzman call
me from where she was sitting at our desks. I walked out of the room to see a
strange look on her face, and I saw things still swaying back and forth, but I
didn’t feel the earthquake at all. How weird is that?<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfZMjfJtVVkSojr_2xvPwmT36E_kAQ5CRrY0qat00TgDJJvqMC2T_nhqSn5GSpCogu6wYUtOc1CuglweZRNO09qosa5JcekAvzD_Q66RC9mWc8ONW3lGY2qWzS4cQRzvWdpFsajIsuDU/s1600/PC172405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfZMjfJtVVkSojr_2xvPwmT36E_kAQ5CRrY0qat00TgDJJvqMC2T_nhqSn5GSpCogu6wYUtOc1CuglweZRNO09qosa5JcekAvzD_Q66RC9mWc8ONW3lGY2qWzS4cQRzvWdpFsajIsuDU/s320/PC172405.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfDi2gdODI6-jH2StEwFNsl3mu2GXiPgYqQEnmO69s5WfSJcHI7PkRUpp6votBH0q5TInSnQlvAG963IHKc9lOiCTWN9xof4iDgWSmfDwLthES6eU5FexN8nB6_AOZUbQnxmmgtARuK8/s1600/PC172424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="float: right;"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt=""
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>We had our Christmas
Conference this week. We had half the mission there. (Fun fact: Angeles mission
is the largest mission in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Philippines</st1:place></st1:country-region>
when you consider not only the number of missionaries [250+] but also the
geographic distance and the number of stakes and wards that are covered) For
part of it each zone was in charge of presenting a musical number. My zone may
or may not have beat boxed to “Hark the Harold Angels Sing.” Yep, that’s how we
roll. Conferences are so great because you get so
spiritually uplifted. It is also great because of all the great missionaries
you get to see. I was so happy to see Sister Ocampo, my first trainee. I love
her and I am always just so proud of how awesome she is. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyh1f-otTwfcs-4DGziZeMVFdrtcTZ9MErs1gzmBCNTVAQtxyzK-4td-A1bvb6fHYaLNnqLOmkXkgJ-xMdeVvVgjEP3tzIJwu-v25Hw-gJBwBDpIv_7ctHpkjA1CSah13Q8MYn-UP7S2U/s1600/PC172397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyh1f-otTwfcs-4DGziZeMVFdrtcTZ9MErs1gzmBCNTVAQtxyzK-4td-A1bvb6fHYaLNnqLOmkXkgJ-xMdeVvVgjEP3tzIJwu-v25Hw-gJBwBDpIv_7ctHpkjA1CSah13Q8MYn-UP7S2U/s320/PC172397.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
These are some random people and occurrences from this last week:<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
-After coming to church for 3 months, Michael finally settled on a date for
baptism: next week<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
-Brother Ray- a less active member whose last prayer was when he pleaded
that his mom wouldn’t die. She did die, and he hasn’t prayed since that almost
ten years ago. We could see how sad his soul was. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
-JB is a ten year old boy who approached us. He wanted a Book of Mormon. We
weren’t sure how serious he was so we told him if he came to church the next
day we would give him one. He came to church, received a Book of Mormon and we
will be teaching him and his family this next week. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
-Anna Rose-our recent convert who cried when we told her she shouldn’t join
in some of her old Catholic Christmas traditions. She didn’t come to church
yesterday…<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
-Kate: I went on exchanges in an area that I worked in a month or two ago.
Kate is a recent convert who I met the first time and we had a special
connection. This time I gave her the CTR ring off my finger (It was just one of
the cheap ones you get from primary. I have a couple and always wear it just
for the purpose of giving them away. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I hope you all have a wonderful magical Christmas. I’m excited for all that
will be happening this next week. The Atonement is the best present we could
have ever been given! <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />Paul Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613796323417600454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-905446824725769258.post-19612521509792206742013-12-30T12:11:00.001-08:002013-12-30T12:11:16.267-08:00My White Christmas<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2143136098" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Monday</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">: </span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
-We spent half of our Preparation day at the Branch Christmas party where we played fun games and ate yummy food.<div>
-We joined the Young Women in the evening for some Christmas Caroling</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2143136099" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Tuesday</span></span> of Christmas Eve:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2OmqNIWe4iGLeCDd8o7GG8PkB7jvqXKC2YnE3vAPB5m9QN4m4gNFg5wVwuH_IsDMntcz6Q7_hzSb7tJbSv5v_kmbRvcAkr07E4BOnzDpDTJDFpV1SeSeijV8haj1wtepWRFIfCQMKOc/s1600/PC252437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2OmqNIWe4iGLeCDd8o7GG8PkB7jvqXKC2YnE3vAPB5m9QN4m4gNFg5wVwuH_IsDMntcz6Q7_hzSb7tJbSv5v_kmbRvcAkr07E4BOnzDpDTJDFpV1SeSeijV8haj1wtepWRFIfCQMKOc/s320/PC252437.JPG" width="240" /></a>-We worked and served and taught like missionaries do. Since it's vacation time and they don't have school, we got some of the youth to work with us as we shared Christmas messages to anyone who would listen.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
-There are families here that helped us feel so included in their Christmas celebrations</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
-Christmas here is not so much about the gift exchange, rather it is about food and the companionship of others. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2143136100" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday</span></span> of Christmas Day</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
-We had District meeting in the morning with four other Elders. Afterwards we had a gift exchange and Christmas lunch.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYSOqpoRX0LI34t3EyW9odpxQlYRzxXZVUMSkR37tfxMpOxxMfhWVSzxAmamLzov7gmRTOMFmoDQi2hzLdDhxpT9EBe1YitEfQlAiS_GNMuqukcSYm1WQrLlIPmQr3npg8Ka1E0Qat8E/s1600/PC252443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYSOqpoRX0LI34t3EyW9odpxQlYRzxXZVUMSkR37tfxMpOxxMfhWVSzxAmamLzov7gmRTOMFmoDQi2hzLdDhxpT9EBe1YitEfQlAiS_GNMuqukcSYm1WQrLlIPmQr3npg8Ka1E0Qat8E/s320/PC252443.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZ-vMMWoBNbU4cY0kCqrbcLluGxZqzOJDFfR-UxNObWr9wQ-1fxQZrxatgzp04Wq4hha40Al-WnPTY6jTKpScrrGx57Z5URk2sfX4SzXitALcHi-KKDx6rCKfV1mQ71MyDAfJWihB2oE/s1600/PC232429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZ-vMMWoBNbU4cY0kCqrbcLluGxZqzOJDFfR-UxNObWr9wQ-1fxQZrxatgzp04Wq4hha40Al-WnPTY6jTKpScrrGx57Z5URk2sfX4SzXitALcHi-KKDx6rCKfV1mQ71MyDAfJWihB2oE/s320/PC232429.JPG" width="320" /></a>-I got to skype my family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cried in excitement as we were getting ready. We had carefully arranged it so that me and Solana (my Sister who is serving her mission in Albania) could all be on at the same time. That meant my family had to wake up in the middle of the night. But to the disappointment of all us, I ran into some trouble finding a place where I could skype. By the time I was finally able to get on I had just barley missed Solana!! It was the saddest thing ever!!! I cried about it later, but not wanting to waste any of the precious time I had with my family, we pressed on. It was the greatest thing ever to talk to my beloved family again. They are all getting so old. Taller, deeper voices, all grown up. It was pretty crazy. I love them so much!! I have the best family anyone could ever hope for. On my mission I've come to realize how truly lucky I am. I don't know what I did to deserve such an amazing family. My heart longs for the day that we will all be together again. I miss them. But don't worry, I'm not trunky. I am loving everyday of my mission and I don't want it to ever end. The only good thing about ending a mission is being able to come home and be reunited with my loved ones. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0yhhP5GiUoyMqOur1EFakliqbdJQvvBiOHdQWUnXW4d-B8jEv_PJGWYmq4o4EO4DbXAKKJOem_Nl9GQqe0-P7Fk2JTkOPwjit-KRuBhWh8wrgXfieo3Vfj4TY9HO0q9QptqjoEjCXbc/s1600/PC252432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0yhhP5GiUoyMqOur1EFakliqbdJQvvBiOHdQWUnXW4d-B8jEv_PJGWYmq4o4EO4DbXAKKJOem_Nl9GQqe0-P7Fk2JTkOPwjit-KRuBhWh8wrgXfieo3Vfj4TY9HO0q9QptqjoEjCXbc/s320/PC252432.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
I am grateful that my companion was able to join me for the skype. She was literally right beside me holding my hand the whole time. It was neat for her to be able to meet the people who I've told her so much about. When we sang "Families can be together forever" at the end of our skype call, it wasn't me that cried, but her. I just love her with all my little heart. Later that night she was able to phone call to her family. I was so happy when she put the phone on speaker, so I felt part of it. As she talked to each person I pointed to her family picture trying to guess which one she was talking to. It was a sweet experience. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
-That afternoon me and Sister de Guzman sat down and opened the stalkings and presents my family had sent. I loved how much she loved her stalking. I loved all the things my family sent and just felt so loved. I gave my companion the present I had secretly coordinated with the members to get: an umbrella to replace her umbrella that just broke.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2143136101" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Saturday</span></span>:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiym3qdym-P80fESX6uikbP0npNqAYfC-InAuONceygM0To7Ow-7RHLhmkLyVOoerZwgwN5XiauFzCXFXTyrsDHiF5ku93cfNa88ks4BKHx51CHaMkzSxjasEuabutuda1SCcCUrggDC2k/s1600/PC282448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiym3qdym-P80fESX6uikbP0npNqAYfC-InAuONceygM0To7Ow-7RHLhmkLyVOoerZwgwN5XiauFzCXFXTyrsDHiF5ku93cfNa88ks4BKHx51CHaMkzSxjasEuabutuda1SCcCUrggDC2k/s320/PC282448.JPG" width="320" /></a>-Baptism of Michael!!! This was the best Christmas present anyone could ever ask for. We had finally got him to decide on a date, and it was this past <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2143136102" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Saturday</span></span>. His baptism will go down as one of the highlights of my mission. Not because the baptism was a sweet experience (even though it was) but because of the change I have seen in this man. Because I know how wonderful his life will be now. I am just the luckiest missionary in the world to have been able to witness his conversion. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2143136103" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span>:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
-Primary Program. yes I cried.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
I think I said this last year, but it is worth repeating:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
I thought that being a missionary was the best present I could give to God. Turns out it is the best present he could ever give me. I am so lucky to be a missionary.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Love,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Sister Abish "I Love my Family and my life" Curtis </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiym3qdym-P80fESX6uikbP0npNqAYfC-InAuONceygM0To7Ow-7RHLhmkLyVOoerZwgwN5XiauFzCXFXTyrsDHiF5ku93cfNa88ks4BKHx51CHaMkzSxjasEuabutuda1SCcCUrggDC2k/s1600/PC282448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiym3qdym-P80fESX6uikbP0npNqAYfC-InAuONceygM0To7Ow-7RHLhmkLyVOoerZwgwN5XiauFzCXFXTyrsDHiF5ku93cfNa88ks4BKHx51CHaMkzSxjasEuabutuda1SCcCUrggDC2k/s320/PC282448.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2aq-zn7ozaGa-ftHibmdviLgyOcvwWP8MiV0kj2uiPh_383azMmPXzioMCyWGYj9N_PnZOXs78PP7Fv-zF5zcvr2RrGwMx8pq0TLQ7FYOE2xCYjcYJWKg6gncpWQZkNYcar4NZ8sBpM/s1600/PC282451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2aq-zn7ozaGa-ftHibmdviLgyOcvwWP8MiV0kj2uiPh_383azMmPXzioMCyWGYj9N_PnZOXs78PP7Fv-zF5zcvr2RrGwMx8pq0TLQ7FYOE2xCYjcYJWKg6gncpWQZkNYcar4NZ8sBpM/s320/PC282451.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGOqKmueBAQGdQhoMfJHOSj5IZT3BPhdGci6lwvEWRgBEouAMFgzgDlLd8r5rs3Uo9xO9Ewp6HakP14YHoXXTZ1mH0A5KknHK3VszvKF9KomAnWzsFUQE8Ev9vK6ObgS6d_T9xwfdM2U/s1600/PC282456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGOqKmueBAQGdQhoMfJHOSj5IZT3BPhdGci6lwvEWRgBEouAMFgzgDlLd8r5rs3Uo9xO9Ewp6HakP14YHoXXTZ1mH0A5KknHK3VszvKF9KomAnWzsFUQE8Ev9vK6ObgS6d_T9xwfdM2U/s320/PC282456.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Paul Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613796323417600454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-905446824725769258.post-82827974921514323412013-12-16T16:42:00.001-08:002013-12-16T16:42:29.794-08:00It's just part of the mission<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.200000762939453px;">I feel a little hesitant writing about this, because it is a little personal and there is such a wide variety of people who read my emails/blogs... but I want you to be able to understand a more complete picture of what it is like to be a missionary. A big part of your missionary life is who you spend it with: your companion. </span><br />
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I love Sister de Guzman. I am so lucky to have her as my companion. Our time together as been part of the best time of my mission. I am so happy with her. Even the members talk about how well we get along together, and it's true. This week I have taught her how to beat box. She knows the name of everyone in my family, and I know the names and stories off all 11 of her brothers and sisters. We have accomplished so much good in our area, and we love our work. I could go on and on about all the things I love about my amazing companion. But the thing is, the more you love, care and trust someone, the more potential they have to hurt you. That's what happened to us this week. Here is what happened:</div>
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There was some mis-communication, or rather lack of communication. I said something that really hurt her feelings. I could tell she was upset, but I didn't see the connection to her mood and what I said until too late. After a silent lunch and language study we headed off to our first lesson of the afternoon. She said something that was an obvious clue to what she was feeling, but I for some reason didn't understand until halfway through our lesson. I had to wait until after the lesson before I could offer her a sincere apology and promise that I hadn't meant what I said. I felt so bad about it for the rest of the day. I apologized a time or two before the end of the day, and she assured me it was okay. </div>
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But like I said before, the more you love someone the more potential they have to hurt you. I had really hurt Sister de Guzman, and I had lost some of her trust. Usually she is patient with my many weakness, but something else I did the next day got her upset with me again. </div>
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I could tell she was upset again, so before we got to our next lesson I had us stop there in the street so we could talk about it. She felt like I didn't trust her (which is crazy because I trust her more than any other companion I've had) and she said I had lost her trust. I was hurt by what she said. We apologized, we talked about what we could do to fix it. She suggested we go teach, so we went and taught for the rest of the day. That didn't fix it. Our ward missionary could barley tell that something was wrong, but we could tell. I had a hard time concentrating in lessons. After we dropped off our ward missionary at the end of the night we made the long walk home in an intense silence. This is not the first time I've had a companion who is mad enough not to talk to me, but this is the first time I was effected so much by it. I was angry and hurt. I was mad at her, but at the same time I missed her so much. </div>
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When we got home we sat down and worked it out. There was crying, there was explaining and clarifying. There was apologizing. There was hearts softening. And at last there was laughing again. </div>
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I don't think any of it would have been such a big deal if it weren't for how close we are, and how much we really do love and care for each other. But, now our friendship is stronger than ever. It's funny how that works. No one's perfect. But if you really love someone you will focus more on the things you like about them than the things you don't. </div>
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On a different note...</div>
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Tintin was baptized!!!! She is the cutest 10 year old ever. She already has a best friend at church, and lots of good fellow shippers. She has been to the our last two baptisms, so she was already a pro at knowing how things go. </div>
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I love missionary work!!!</div>
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Love you lots and lots!</div>
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Sister "I love my companion" Curtis</div>
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Pictures: From the baptism, and also a 96 year old man that I met. </div>
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Paul Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613796323417600454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-905446824725769258.post-85118176483408233632013-12-09T15:49:00.000-08:002013-12-09T15:49:03.342-08:00<div class="MsoNormal">
Miracles are real, I saw one this week. Do you remember Renato from last week? He is our golden investigator who hasn't been able to walk for the past couple of months. And because of that he was in the right place at the right time for us to find and teach him. He completely accepts everything we teach. He has already read so much of the Book of Mormon. We have been praying for him to be able to walk and even fasted for it. We have been studying about faith and miracles. And <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_445641364" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ"><span style="color: #222222;">on Thursday</span></span></span> we saw one. When we got to Brother Renato's house... he stood. With the help of his walker, he walked. Both me and Sister de Guzman cried for joy. Before I knew that our God is a God of miracles, but now I really know it. We were walking on clouds on the way home from his appointment. </div>
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The next day when we went back his legs were weak again, so he wasn't able to come to church. But he still has the strongest desire to come to church and be baptized. I have no doubt that it will happen, I don't know when or how, but I know that miracles are real. </div>
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Pictures:</div>
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-Renato the day he stood</div>
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-Michael, our thug of an investigator</div>
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-Yesterday the Tishners (office couple) came to our apartment to deliver my Christmas package. It was a double bonus because besides the wonderful package we also go to see them.</div>
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-My zone before transfers this last week (don't worry I didn't get transfered)</div>
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Paul Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613796323417600454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-905446824725769258.post-67036895198032271572013-12-03T17:57:00.000-08:002013-12-03T17:57:29.346-08:00I didn't forget what I'm thankful for, I just forgot Thanksgiving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This last week was Thanksgiving daw. Thanksgiving is not a holiday they celebrate here in the Philippines, so I may or may not have spent the whole Thanksgiving day forgetting it was even Thanksgiving. That is kinda crazy because I've never had so much to be grateful for.<br />
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Today I will tell you story of Renato. This is how it goes:</div>
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Once upon a morning me and Sister de Guzman were walking through the streets in our neighborhood looking for new people to teach. We passed by a house where a man was outside on a chair reading a bible. I guess it took a second to register, because we had already passed him when me and my companion stopped, looked at each other, then turned around and approached the man who I will call Renato (because that's his name). </div>
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He didn't have any other chairs so me and Sister de Guzman taught standing up. Actually maybe have our lessons to him have been taught standing up or squatting. </div>
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He believes everything we teach him. Now when we go back we don't just see him reading the Bible, but also the Book of Mormon. When we extended the invitation to be baptized he said "Amen Sisters" (That means yes). He actually says "Amen" and "Praise the Lord" a lot during our lessons. </div>
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You maybe wondering why in the lessons, me and Sister de Guzman are the ones standing while Renato is sitting. This is why: he can't stand, or walk. It's been this way for the last couple months. The doctors say it has something to do with diabetes. Because of that we haven't figured out a way to get him to church. (he really want to go). He is too embarrassed to be carried, even though we offered to find someone to help. Right now he is just doing his best to slowly build up his strength everyday. We are praying for a miracle for this faithful man. Sometimes me and Sister de Guzman daydream about the John Tanner story (if you don't know it, go look it up, especially the movie.) </div>
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Do you remember Mike? Last night we taught him about the Word of Wisdom and Law of Chasity. I love teaching the love of Chasity to old ladies. I do not love teaching it to people of the opposite gender. But its only as awkward as you make it. He wasn't happy to hear that he can't add anymore tattoos. For the Word of Wisdom, he already gave up drinking and smoking for his Mormon fiance. But coffee is still something that he is working on cutting down. To help him find an alternative to help wake him up, we got a group together this morning to play basketball. Win-win situation. </div>
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Every day me and Sister de Guzman set goals for the day. Almost always one of our goals is "Expect Miracles" and then at the end of the day we talk about the miracles we have seen. Do I love it? Yes. Does God love us? YES!!!!</div>
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Love,</div>
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Sister "Miracle expecter" Curtis</div>
Paul Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613796323417600454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-905446824725769258.post-79559154280725181562013-11-25T04:45:00.001-08:002013-11-25T04:45:08.367-08:00Kinda short letter... but at least there are a lot of picturesDear Reader,<br />
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Thank you reading. </div>
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Last week at our zone goal setting, the leaders were surprised with the number we had goaled for less actives returned for the month of December: eight. That is the highest number I have ever goaled for, so it was not a normal thing for me either. It is a miracle. Most of those people will be returning within the first or second week and we are pretty sure about them. As I’ve reflected about how we have been able to do it, I’ve been lead to our focus on the temple. For all these people we have been focusing on how important the temple is, and their desire to attend. We have extended a temple goal date to them, and have been working with them to be ready for it. It has really helped to motivate them and get them to church. It is a miracle and hope I will have the chance to attend with them.</div>
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I am a happy missionary. I am to the point where I am loving every day of my mission. There are still hard things that happen. But when you’re a missionary, hard doesn't mean bad. </div>
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Love,</div>
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Sister "I like to look for rainbows, whenever there is rain" Curtis</div>
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Paul Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613796323417600454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-905446824725769258.post-15287354785846487512013-11-19T19:35:00.003-08:002013-11-19T19:35:37.309-08:00One year?!?!<div>
First thing first, I realize that last week I didn't mention much about the the typhoon that hit the Philippines. Lots of people have been asking and worrying, so I'll fill you in on what I know. The storm itself hit pretty far from where I'm so it didn't effect us here. But from what I hear it hit pretty hard down in Tacloban. </div>
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A little background about missions in the Philippines; when I got my mission call there were 17 missions in the Philippines. In the last year that number has gone up to 21 missions. Tacloban is the mission that was hit the hardest. It was hit so hard that they are now closing the mission for the next little while, because there are not really people there left to teach. The devastation was pretty bad, so most of the survivors have moved. All the missionaries are safe, but they are being reassigned to other missions. In our mission we have received 15 new missionaries, plus a senior couple, all of whom are coming from Tacloban. </div>
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I am safe and well, but continue to pray for those who are not. </div>
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On Nov. 14th I hit my one year mark as a missionary. Isn't that the craziest thing you've ever heard of? I can't believe it's really been a whole year since I've seen my family.<br />
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The time has gone by sooooooo fast. I still feel like a new missionary, but hitting my year mark makes me realized how long I've really been here. It has caused me to reflect on some of the changes I've seen in myself and the things I've experienced. Here are some:</div>
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Physically</div>
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-People tell me I've look like I've lost weight, but I'm not so sure about that. I've maybe just lost the 5lbs that I gained at the MTC. </div>
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-Tan lines. My favorite tan lines are the ones of my feet. But besides that I'm not nearly as tan as I should be considering I'm spending every day of my life out in the Philippines</div>
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-I have some pretty sweet knee calluses on my knees from all the knelling prayers that we offer as missionaries every day of our lives. </div>
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-I can walk forever, carrying a heavy bag, rain or shine.</div>
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-I just taught my first ever squatting lesson. I didn't think I was capable of doing that because of my knee surgery, but I thought wrong, because I can totally do it!</div>
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Emotionally</div>
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-As a missionary I've experienced the full spectrum of emotions. I've been so happy, so depressed, so excited, so frustrated, so satisfied, and so many other things.</div>
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-I've experienced vicariously through others the many types of problems in life</div>
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-I've learned how to deal with different things.<br /><div>
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Socially</div>
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-I've spend 24/7 with 5 different companions. They are all different, none of us are perfect, but I love them all. And I'm planning for us to be friends for the rest of our lives. </div>
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-I've met so many neat missionaries. </div>
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-Seeing qualities that I like in people. Realizing the qualities that I don't really like in people. </div>
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-The members who I have learned to love and serve.</div>
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-I've never known so many people in my life. I've learned to not be afraid to just talk to all the random people that I come in contact with</div>
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Skills</div>
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-I learned a whole new language. How neat is that! I've still got a lot to learn thought.</div>
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-I'm a much better teacher than I was before. I guess that kinda happens after you teach all day everyday. </div>
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-I've learned how to cook things that I didn't even know existed before. I'm excited to come home and cook for all y'all.</div>
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-I've actually learned about a billion other neat things that can't even be included.</div>
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Spiritually (This is the most significant)</div>
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-My testimony has grown stronger</div>
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-I have a greater appreciation for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, of my family and of life in general. </div>
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-I've learned to pray more sincerely and I'm closer to my Father in Heaven than ever before</div>
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-In ways that I cannot even describe, my life has been changed forever. </div>
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Besides passing my one year mark last week, I also passed a different anniversary. November 15 marked ten years since I received my Patriarchal blessing. I am so grateful for that blessing, and the way it gives me direction for my specific problems even here on my mission. Something significant about my blessing, is that after I received it as a 13 year old girl, it was at that point in my life I realized I needed to be reading my scriptures everyday. For the past ten years I can count on my fingers how many days I've gone without reading the scriptures. My scripture study habit has made a huge impact on my life. If someone was to ask for my advice for preparing for a mission, I would tell them to develop a scripture study habit. Not only will it prepare you for the hours you spend each day as a missionary studying. But it will give you more power as you bear your testimony and teach truths. It will be a resource for you to draw from as you face the challenges in life. Missionary or not, I plead with all of you to read the word of God every day. It will change you life!</div>
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I want to tell you a little bit about my best friend of a companion. Sister de Guzman. One of the things I love about her, is what we do every night before we go to bed. We pray together as a companionship. Then after we've turned the lights out and said our personal prayers, we tell each other we love each other. Then we usually talk for a little bit just about whatever. Sometimes it results in me throwing my pillow at her. Every night I fall asleep as a happy missionary. I love Sister de Guzman!!</div>
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Love,</div>
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Sister "6 months left is actually a really long time" Curtis</div>
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Pictures:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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1-Exchanges with the Sister Training Leader<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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2-Me and Sister de Guzman in a trike. I had to use a lot of hairspray to get my hair to stay up like that. Just kidding. It was really windy. And hairspray is way to expensive here. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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3-Pday at the mall, getting to see some other missionaries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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4- The other Sister Training Leader. Love her!</div>
Paul Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613796323417600454noreply@blogger.com0