Independence

Family mine,

Thanks for all the pictures! I love them! Anson and Charlie are so cute!!

Also, please inform Jameson that the ice cream is better in the Philippines! More flavor, less sweet. Actually, junk food in general is better in the Philippines. For example, oreos. Even though it's the same nabrasko(??) brand, they have more flavor and less sweet shortening. I can eat more than two without feeling sick! It's great!

Mom, I thought you would like this excerpt from my mission president's letter to all of us about Philippines Independence day here:

June 12: Philippine Independence Day: The Philippine Declaration of Independence was proclaimed on June 12, 1898 in Cavite, Philippines. With the public reading of the Act of the Declaration of independence, Filipino revolutionary forces under General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the sovereignty and independence of the Philippine Islands from the colonial rule of Spain. Some phrases from that Declaration in independence include the following statements of faith:

“And having as witness to the rectitude of our intentions the Supreme Judge of the Universe, and under the protection of the Powerful and Humanitarian Nation, the United States of America, we do hereby proclaim and declare solemnly in the name and by authority of the people of these Philippine Islands,

That they are and have the right to be free and independent; that they have ceased to have any allegiance to the Crown of Spain; that all political ties between them are and should be completely severed and annulled; and that, like other free and independent States, they enjoy the full power to make War and Peace, conclude commercial treaties, enter into alliances, regulate commerce, and do all other acts and things which an Independent State has a right to do,

And imbued with firm confidence in Divine Providence, we hereby mutually bind ourselves to support this Declaration with our lives, our fortunes, and with our most sacred possession, our Honor.”

Super similar to our Declaration of Independence, no? Sister Santos was telling him how cool she thinks it is that America helps other countries...we didn't really talk about it much because we're not supposed to talk about politics, but the people here are grateful.

I really felt the gifts of the Spirit this week. I love speaking and being surprised by my own words. Which really means they aren't my words, but the Spirit's.

I also told Sister Santos in our companionship inventory that I feel like something about our companionship promotes my language learning because I really have felt like I've been improving in my language this week. But I couldn't really put my finger on it [what exactly about our relationship promoted my language learning]. Then she asked what "put your finger on it" means. She's working on her English too. She's always asking me hard English words:

"What does 'twain' mean? 'With twain he...'" Super hard to explain.

"What is a 'splinter?'" I was so confused! I couldn't remember what splinter meant! Haha.

Salamat gid! I love you!

Sister Marriott