Wednesday, June 6, 2018
I love INDONESIA
Sunday, May 27, 2018
KELUARGA DAPAT KEKAL SELAMANYA. 27 Mei 2018
Families Can Be Together Forever
My sweet fam & friends,
THIS IS IT! My last email home. I will be headed to LAX on 6 Juni and into the arms of my mother so soon. The feelings I am feeling are the weirdest feelings ever. I am NERVOUS SO NERVOUS and so SAD and so excited but yeah, I don't know how to describe it. I tear up every time I think of leaving Indo. I know I am going to cry heaps leaving Indonesia, but this IS home, and I know I will be coming back sooner than I know it.
To express how I feel about my misi in an email is impossible!
What I can say is that God lives, and He hears our prayers. Jesus is the Christ, and He indeed has felt every feeling of despair and grief that any being has experienced. My prayer of 19 years of having the chance to meet, to know, and to introduce the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to my family in Indonesia has been answered. I know that families can be together forever with Heavenly Father's Plan. My mission has been absolute evidence of God's desire for my family to be together forever... and I know that it will happen!
In each city I have served in, I have had a personal connection with my family that I just recently learned about as I have had the time to talk about family history with my Oma and Opa (grandparents) here in Manado.
My first city was Solo- which is where my Opa's mother is from. My second city was Malang- where my Om Nyoman lives- dad's cousin- who gave me a family history rundown from my father's side in Bali. Jakarta, my third and longest city, is where 2 of my older sisters were born, where my parents met, and where they lived for a few years when they were young parents. I also met another saudara there- my Aunt Nancy- which is my dad's cousin, who also gave me some family history. My last city, Manado, is where my parents are both from, where they grew up, and where my family currently lives.. The city where I literally had the opportunity to serve, to love, and to KNOW my FAMILY! I have seen so many miracles here, and I indeed have seen God's hand in my life on the misi.
Just 18 months ago, I could not tell you more than 5 words in Bahasa Indonesia, I could not tell you more than 3 things that I knew about my grandparents, sisters, cousins, or any of my family members that live here, and I couldn't even tell you 5 things I knew about Indonesia, the country itself, or the people.
The hole in my heart has now been filled! I know where I come from, who my own family is, what is special to them and what they've experienced, and where we are going- together as a family.
I know that salvation is an individual matter, but exaltation is a family matter. My family will be together forever and I will do whatever it takes for the rest of my life to help them to come home to my Father in heaven.
Mosiah 2:41-
And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.
And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.
I love you all, and I feel so blessed to have had this incredible experience. Indonesia is forever in my heart.
See you next week!
dengan kasih yg AMAT BESAR,
Sister Vanessa Rachel Ratunuman <3
ps- THE GREATEST MIRACLE YET! My sweet fam came to church yesterday to hear me talk about eternal families. I love them SO MUCH!
fotos:
1) the fam at church :")
2) My aunty uli & big sister, Sisilia
3) my cousin, Nivy
4) Aurel & Cinta, my niece & cousin
5) my cute niece, Aurel!! mini me!! she lost her tooth last night hahaha
6) my father's homeland! tondano!
7) My dad's family in Tondano :)
8) even PUGS know the Book of MOrmon is TRUE!
9 & 10) Beach clean up/ service project with the distrik fam
Monday, May 21, 2018
Another CRAZY week 21 Mei 2018
I don't know how to sum up this week besides...
Oma and Opa Ratu :)
Aurel, my niece!! She looks exactly like me when I was her age :")
Sisilia, Bren, and Jesika- my three older sisters when they were in Indo together before Brenda moved to America!!
My cousins & Aunty :)
My Oma Elisabeth Pai's 76th birthday & the fam
& the greatest things in life.. es kelapa, pisang goreng & sambal, with a killer view of my faves the ocean and a sunset!
Sunday, May 13, 2018
Pelajaran" di Pantai 13 Mei 2018
Lessons on the Beach
The night went on, and after an hour of contacting on the seashore, no one was interested, and no one wanted to talk to us.. like at all..
We prayed again, asking for more guidance in who we needed to talk to.
We opened our eyes and the first family we saw, we decided to walk up to and talk to them. We stated why we were here in Manado, and we testified that Heavenly Father speaks to us through prophets. The conversation led into a lesson, and they asked if they could have the KItab Mormon!
After meeting that family, we walked a little further, and ran into a Bapa, who introduced us to his boss, and this Ibu was so interested in why we were here. That conversation also led into a lesson, and she also wanted a KItab Mormon!
It was a humbling experience for us to see how the Lord provides a way for His work to be done. Heavenly Father knows the truest desires of our hearts, and if we are willing to ask, and act, He will always always alwaysss provide a way.
Manado is a dream, and I never want this dream to end!
I love you all, and HAPPPY MAMAS DAY! Can't wait to skype ya!!!
<3 Sister Ratu
fotos: distrik fam at the beach yayayaya!
my heart feels at home since I am near the ocean :)
HEY ALLLL! Hopefully you've had a beautiful week!
Last night, Sister Mentari and I had NO IDEA where to go or what to do. The joys of whitewashing ;) Our janji fell through, and we said a prayer outside of MegaMall, asking Heavenly Father to guide us to people who would recieve a KItab Mormon. Our goal was to hand out two, and so we asked for His guidance.
At the end of the night, we felt very blessed and very thankful that the Lord guided us to meeting that family and that Ibu on the beach. It was the coolest experience to literally pray, teach, sing, and feel the Spirit with them right after meeting them 15 minutes before.
Sunday, May 6, 2018
Surga is MANADO. 6 Mei 2018
Heaven is Manado!
My Oma Elisabeth! I love her so so much.
My sweet fam & friends,
We had Zone Conference this last week, so I had the chance to go to JOGYA for a couple of days. We visited Borubudur as a Jawa Tengah/Timur Zone, and it was the greatest PLD yet. From Jakarta to Jogya, to Jogya to back to Jakarta and then finally off to Manado! We got to Manado at 2 am on Friday.. and so far, it's been so amazing!
Why do I love Manado??? It's a city filled with literally ALL of my favorite things into ONE.
The ocean, mountains, trees, coconuts, fish, I get to ride my bike again:), dogs, killer sunsets, and of course, MY FAMILY IS HERE!!! Manado is straight outta Tarzan, and everyday as I'm riding my bike, my comp asks me: "Sister, anda ketawa atau menangis???" (Sister, are you laughing or crying?) Haha, Sister Mentari is the best.
BOTH, MY SISTER, I AM LAUGHING AND CRYING BECAUSE I FEEL SO THANKFUL TO BE HERE! It still feels like a dream, and the best part is, I GET TO TEACH MY FAMILY!!!
On Sabtu, we had the chance to visit my Oma in Airmadidi (my mom's side), and then we visited my Oma and Opa in Tondano (my dad's side). It was such a joyful reunion, and it was really the coolest thing to actually understand what they were saying, and they actually understood me. The first time I met them, we didn't really communicate well, hence I was a month old in Indo. But kemarin, we were able to teach about temples, and family history, and we got a bunch of names and dates down.
I loved being able to just listen to my grandparents and hear their stories. They told me about my dad/mom growing up, and my grandparents told me stories from their youth, and how they met, and etc. Everything I have wanted to hear my whole life!
My whole life I have wondered who my family is, and who I really am.. and I feel very blessed that Heavenly Father has given me the chance to get to know who I am and where I am from on Earth and get to know my earth-ly roots, and that I am also able to help my family understand who they reallllly are as a child of God and His Plan for them, and help them understand their divine roots.
His Plan is perfect! I can go on and on about Manado and my family and how true the Gospel is.
I love you all so much!
Baku dapa lagi :)
Wish I could send more pics, but this warnet isn't loading anything :(
<3 Sister Ratu
1- Jogya :)
Monday, April 30, 2018
6 Bulan di Jakarta yg Ku Kasihi 30 April 2018
Reflecting on the last 6 months that I have served in Jakarta 1,2,&3, I have come to a conclusion that this week has got to be one of the hardest weeks because I had to say goodbye to the people that I now call family, and the city that I now call home.
It has been soooo hard saying bye, and if ya really knew me, you'd know how much I HATE goodbyes!! But with it all, I sure was overwhelmed with how thankful I am for them! So so ssoooo thankful! Hatiku dipenuhi dengan rasa syukur.
This week, we welcomed in 4 new sisters and it's been a real joy being their adopted mother here and sending them out to their cities today. I head out to Manado on Thursday, and tomorrow I am headed for Zone Conference. This will be another crazy week, but I am stoked outta my mind!
The joy that comes from the Gospel is real, I know that to be true!
I love you guys!
<3 Sister Ratu
Sunday, April 22, 2018
Minggu terakhir & kota terakhir. 22 April 2018
The last week and the LAST CITY!
he LAST WEEK in JAKARTA & the LAST TRANSFER CALL!
20 April 2018 at approximately 1:10 pm, I receive a call from my wonderful AP, Elder Brown. he continues to inform me that I will be MOVING for the last 6 weeks of the misi, and that I will be moving to...
MANADO!!!! The land of my LELUHUR (ancestors), and the city where my family lives !!!!!
AHHHHHH!!!! SO MANY TEARS! MY HEART EXPLODED!!! HAHA I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT AND STILL CANNOT BELIEVE IT!! ALL CAPS BECAUSE AT THAT MOMENT I WAS SCREAMING "IS THIS REAL?!?!?!?"
My whole mission I would have never ever thought in a million years, that I could possibly serve in Manado. And I will be flying out there next Monday on the 30th. It truly is a miracle, and I testify that God indeed answers every child's prayer!
To say that I am overwhelmed with gratitude and amazed by God's great love and His great plan does not do justice as to how I truly am feeling about the chance I have to go to Manado, and introduce this incredible Gospel to the people I love so much, my family.
And exactly a year ago last week, I met my family in Manado for the FIRST TIME in my life! I will never forget the impressions I felt when I met them and how strong the Spirit was. It was only a few hours there, but it was enough time to know how much I love them, and how Heavenly Father loves them so much too. Since then, I haven't gone a day without praying for their hearts to be softened so that they too can accept the Gospel and the blessings that come with it.
My desires and prayers my whole life growing up was to meet my family in Indonesia, and to have my family be together forever. My desires and my prayers are still the same, and I feel so thankful that Heavenly Father has allowed me to have the opportunity to meet them and now to teach them, and help them to understand the way home to Him.
I know my family will be and can be together forever, and I know that this Gospel is exactly what everyone needs to find the peace and joy they need.
I have so much love for this crazy city Jakarta, so much love for this country, the people, this Gospel, and so much love for my sweet family!
Whether they accept the Gospel or not in the next weeks, I know not, but what I do know is that my responsibility to serve and to love them and introduce the Gospel to them will not end at the end of my misi, but will continue on for the rest of my life.
God is a God of love, and I pray each of you continue to look for His love, and to give His love:)
IM GOINGGG HOMEEEE TO MANADOOOO!!!! dreams are coming true out here in Indo!!!
rendem wie niko,
Sister Ratu <3
IM GOING TO MISS MY SWEET CHILD SO MUCH. HERES A PIC OF US LAUGHING/SMILING/CRYING/
1 our fave english class
2 ibu laura 7 pak jack :)
3 fretty asked me after she sees my fam picture: "Why are they all white... and you are... black???" #blackgirlprobs
4 buy one get one free at our fave place ;)
5&6 the BEST WARD jakarta 2!!!!!!! and the funniest/weirdest TALENT SHOW hahahahhahaha
7 my mom Sis rawuh in jakarta 2 likes to suap me HAHA
8 sweet Roya after her baptism!!
the last WML!! & distrik fam!
Hope you all have a beautiful and blessed week!!!
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