Our new puppy, charlie

We got a new puppy. His name is Charlie. He's a miniature pinscher. He's 9 weeks old. He's very smart and almost potty trained now. I've never had a pet before and he's the 1st one. We have a love and hate relationship but I can't deny the fact that he's very sweet and adorable.

Favorite picture of the day

My favorite flower is tulip, although growing up I only see fake ones. It's just simply beautiful! I was 19 years old when I first saw a real tulip in a flower shop back in the philippines. I remember it was a valentine's day when I saw a bunch in a flower shop. It was imported from holland, and it was very expensive. I wanted to buy one for myself, but I didn't. I was hoping someone would buy it for me. Nobody did! I was kinda disappointed because I got roses instead. What an ungrateful brat!hehe. But now, I see hundreds of it every spring. It's everywhere!

Tulips don't grow in the Philippines because of our climate. I'm glad it grows here. I am planning to plant lots of tulip bulbs in the fall. My co-worker says it's the best time to plant some.

Liberty jail

Our lesson in the Relief Society yesterday, was about Joseph Smith and his experiences inside the Liberty Jail with his brother and friends. They were wrongly accused and later "allowed" to escape and be reunited with their family and friends in Illinois. He received important revelation from God in the midst of trials inside the jail which is not only for him, but also for us. He is truly a man called of God. This happened more than a hundred years ago, but It will always be an important part of our church history.
I went to the historic Liberty jail visitor center yesterday to ponder what I've learned in our lesson. It was a wonderful experience to go there alone for the first time. The missionary who gave us the tour added my knowledge about our Church History. She also sang one of my favorite Hymns for us which is, "Did you think to pray" and she sounded like an angel. I always learn something new whenever I go there. After the tour, she bore her sweet testimony. The spirit was so strong that I was in tears.It's the same feeling inside the temple. As I was leaving the place, I felt that God was there beside me and telling me how much He loves me. What a wonderful experience! I thought I just want to share this.

31 years ago!

I got an email from a long lost friend of my parents.He's the missionary who introduced the gospel of Jesus Christ to my familybefore I was born ,and his name is Kirk Peterson.He's from Logan, Utah and is currently working In Saudi Arabia. I have never met this person, but he's very special to me and to my family. As you all know, my Dad passed away when I was 4.I've never had the chance to get to know him more. But after reading few emails from Kirk(former Elder Peterson),I've learned more about my father and about their conversion to the true church... So enjoy reading...




From the Missionary Letters of Elder Kirk K. Peterson





February 20, 1978



It’s very beautiful here in Zamboanga!



This past week we have tracted up a golden contact and have had some very spiritual meetings. It was Saturday at noon and very hot. It was my day to plan and I didn’t want to tract… I wanted to run around and do errands and then go in for lunch. But for some reason I felt that there was someone out there waiting for us to come. So we went tracting. The first apartment we came to was the home of Mr. Romarate. We have walked by this place many times... with never stopping.



We had a meeting with him on Monday night and is he ever GOLDEN! A really wonderful contact!



It’s great how the Lord helps keep us going!





March 24, 1978



I want to share with you a spiritual experience I had this past week.



Brother Romarate’s wife came back from Zamboanga Del Sur on a four day vacation. On Wednesday night we met and taught her the first discussion that was all about the First Vision and Joseph Smith and the restoration of the gospel.



She was very receptive. I could feel the spirit very strong as we taught her. She had been reading the Book of Mormon on her own over the past several weeks.



We bore sweet strong testimonies to her. She offered the closing prayer. We were able to make a return appointment for the following morning.



Sister Romarate told us that she was going to find out if the things we were telling her were true. Her husband already has a testimony.



The next morning it was lightly raining as we went to their home at 7:30. We arrived an taught the second discussion which is all about the Plan of Salvation. Sis. Romarate understood the lesson very well.



The sweet Spirit was there with us… and we challenged her to be baptized with her husband on the 14th of April. She said YES!



Her husband told her to share with us her testimony and what happened the night before after we finished teaching her the first discussion. She told us that after we left she had a hard time getting to sleep. In her mind all she could think about was this man Joseph Smith. She thought about him all night long… she told us that she could even see his face and what he looked like. She said that wonderful things were happening inside of her and that she was going to find out if these things were true.



Peterson Family… these two people we are teaching are not ordinary people. Brother and Sister Romarate have been chosen by the Lord and have been prepared by him to hear and accept the true gospel of Jesus Christ. They will be leaders of the Church here in Zamboanga! They are very, very intelligent people who know and understand things here in this life.



OH!!! I’m so happy that the Lord has seen fit to bless me with this family at the end of my mission. I can see the light of the gospel shining in their faces as we teach them.



It’s a strong witness and testimony to me that God really does live and that the Book of Mormon is true. The gospel of Jesus Christ is here on the earth in it’s fullness to enrich and bless the lives of his children. The gospel changes lives for the better!



Brother Romarate told us that he wants to have another child… he wants a boy this time… so that he can send him on a mission to teach the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.



We are sad to say that Sister Romarate will be leaving to go back to the logging town where she is teaching grade 3 in an elementary school. She will be there for two weeks and then summer vacation will be here and she will come back to Zamboanga and be with her husband and their family will be together again!



We have another teaching appointment with them tomorrow on Saturday night.



I’m so thankful for this wonderful family that God has blessed me and my companion Elder Paquaio to teach.





April 15, 1978



On Friday evening Brother and Sister Romarate were interviewed for baptism by Elder Ruiz. They passed with flying colors!



The baptism was held at the Clemico house in St. Maria on Saturday morning at 7:30. We started the service at 8:00. Elder Pacquiao and myself were dressed in white as were Brother and Sister Romarate. What a beautiful sight to behold!



It felt so good bringing this wonderful family into the waters of baptism. It was a warm tropical morning. I baptized Brother Romarate and confirmed Sister Romarate a member of the only true and living church on the face of the earth. Elder Pacquiao Baptized Sister Romarate and confirmed Brother Romarate a member of the only true and living church on the face of the earth.



I felt an overwhelming feeling of peace and calm inside as we saw this lovely family join the church. We could not have done it without the help and inspiration of the Lord.



The Romarates’ have three lovely daughters… who must be wondering what in the world is going on with their parents. The daughter’s names are Barbara May, Raquel and Carla. Things are going to be great for this family!



Dear Sister Romarate & Family,



Happy 31st Anniversary! May the Lord continue to bless you as you grow and develop in the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a honor and a blessing to know you... I'm thankful that we have been re-connected via that boat ride in Greece where I met Dong. I look forward to the day when we will all be together with our dear loved ones in the Kingdom of Heaven!



Love & Prayers,

Bro. Kirk Peterson

K.A.S.

highlight for this week

We watched "The Phantom of the Opera" last Tuesday and it was absolutely amazing! It was our first time to watch a broad way tour and it was beyond our expectation. It was a standing ovation and the best performance I've ever seen so far...The tickets were pricey, but it's worth it! It was so fun!

Here's a picture of my boyfriend/ date


This is me after the show. I love my dress!


One close picture taken by Isaac

Satuday/Sabado

The weather's perfect today! I woke up early to get ready for Bree's baptism. I drove 45 minutes to get to the chapel. Bree is my piano student and she asked me to play the piano for her special day. It was a very spiritual morning and I'm glad that I went. I took some pictures of her before her baptism. This one is my favorite...
I also went shopping the whole afternoon. I had been driving and walking today.Which was good exercise ( the walking part). I bought a pair of shoes, a purse and a dress for next week! We are going watch "The phantom of the opera" (It's a broadway musical tour) Isaac bought the tickets 2 months ago. I am very very excited to watch it!
Anyway, it's Easter Sunday tomorrow. It's not all about easter bunny and Easter eggs... Although I love painting eggs :)
Easter Sunday is a time to reflect or remember our Heavenly Father's perfect love... He sent His only Begotten Son Jesus Christ. He suffered for our sins and made salvation possible through repentance. I am grateful for His atoning sacrifice. Easter Sunday should always be in our hearts everyday of our lives.

It's spring!

Welcome back spring!

This picture kinda reminds me of Isaac and I whenever we argue :)

We went to the park today and I took these pictures. I am so happy to see flowers and ducks swimming happily again! I'm glad it's spring! I love spring and I love going outside with my camera and take lots of pictures!

Good Things Come to those who wait!

Isaac posted this picture on his facebook with a caption, " Good things come to those who wait". This may not be a perfect picture for an uplifting message. I personally find it funny, and sometimes sorry for the cute penguin, but I know, just like Isaac, that good things come to those who wait. I will not elaborate anything here since I know that each person, longs for something in this life. It could be for their own desire, for their family, friend or temporal things etc. In conclusion, waiting can be exciting, other times frustrating. But waiting can develop our Christlike attributes...one of them is Patience. And Patient is a Virtue.

happy april 6!!!