Week 10: KASIH ❤

To my happy folks that know this song from the Parent trap..
L... is for the way you look at me
O... is for the only one I see
V... is very very, extraordinary
E... is (sorry I always forget this line, lol email me if you know what it is) 
And love.. is made for you annnndddddddd meeeeeeeeeee

You got it ladies and gents. It's the month of love, am I right?? In the words of Buddy the Elf- IM IN LOVE, IM IN LOVE, AND I DONT CARE WHO KNOWS IT!! Haps Febs/happy V day! I love you, I hope you know that. I hope your V day is showered with plenty of Dove chocolates and rom coms ; If you multiply my love for pugs and sushi by 5 billion, that's how much I love ya. Most importantly, never forget how much Jesus Christ loves you!

Utah update- I reallllllllyyyyy love the people here. A lot. I am so grateful to be on a mission 1- because of all the doggies I get to meet here 2- being able to bear my testimony of Jesus Christ at all times and all places 3- the people!! Seriously, I love them. It has been such a good week, and we have been meeting a lot of new people, and potentials to teach! 

And you know this place is actually pretty neat when it's a bluebird day, with the mountains and all. Takes my breath away!! I feel like I'm just cruisin through a real life version of the Arrowhead Water bottle wrapper. Freakin sweet!

Anywho- love is a four lettered word, and so is.. VISA!!!!!!
I think I jumped to the most exciting part of my week too soon, so hold that thought, I will explain LOL (how cool is this, my tablet has funny Lil emojis hajahaj)

We had Mission conference this last Wednesday and it was seriously so wonderful. President Allred told Sis Nuku (rekan saya) and I that our visas are ready. He told us that we will leave before the transfer ends, so around the 26th. We got a solid two weeks here, which I am pretty excited about. It was pretty funny though because one of the mission office couples emailed us and asked us to return out tablets before we leave and said 'congrats on your visa status! We are so excited for you!' before we even heard about our visas from President Allred hahaha. And President Allred is good friends with our indo mission president, President Rowley!!! Such a small world aka the Mormon world is very very small hahaha.

I truly feel so thankful to have this experience here, and to go to Indonesia too. I know that Logan Utah is exactly where I needed to be in the last 4 weeks, and that Indonesia is where He will send me soon! No matter where you serve- you have one and the same purpose as a missionary: to help others to come unto Christ. But man, I am PUMPED OUTTA MY MIND HAPPY TEARS HAPPY DANCE WOO

One experience I wanted to share with ya- we had exchanges this week. So for the day, I served in Huntsville with Sister Schell, instead of being in Pleasant view with Sister Broyles. Huntsville is on the other side of the mountain, so it was a freakin sweet experience!!

We taught a lesson at a rehabilitation center called Valleycamp and it was incredible. At Valleycamp, there are about 11 males from 20-40 years old, seeking and striving to recover from serious addictions from drugs, alcohol, etc. We taught the first step of the 12 recovery steps, which is honesty. So we are sitting in a circle, and there's us sister missionaries and a couple teaching, and these grown men just pouring their hearts out. The spirit was so strong and I literally felt Heavenly Father's love for each of them. I felt the power of the Atonement working through everyone of them as they talked about their experiences and how they have seen God in their life, and how because they were honest with themselves, and with God, they were able to start their road to recovery. One man said something I will never forget- "Because of His grace and His mercy, He can change me from the man I've been, to the man He knows I can become."

I know that because of Him- because of Jesus Christ and His Atonement, we can truly receive a remission of our sins. We can become new beings through the power of repentance and His Atonement. We can have that change of heart, a change of character, and a change of life- if we truly seek Him and have that desire to turn our life over to God and His Son, Jesus Christ. I love my Savior so much! I know He lives. I know He loves each of us.

 ' A child once asked Jesus Christ, "How much do you love me?" And Jesus responded with, "This much." And stretched out His arms on the cross and died for me. '
Saya kasih anda!!! Banyak!!!

Dengan kasih, Sister Ratunuman

Ps- nice man gave me a jar of fresh peaches so yum, met a real chubby dog, met a dog that followed us from door to door hahaha, met a man that knows bahasa aka Indonesian  (he was white too!!! He lived there for a couple years for martial arts, wicked sweet), finally stopped snowing (thank u, my toes are now warm)

 yo these mountains tho 

the Allens, cutest couple- they are elderly goals- that went to Valleycamp with us :)

my new comp ;)

another day, another smoothie(jk that's peaches) /if it ain't up, you ain't fancy enough 

happy bluebird skies

Lil chubbs

 Lil chubbs pt 2 

Lil chubbs pt 3 hahaha

Sis Broyles and I 

the sisters of the Logan Utah mission

Only brown girls in the zone hash tag bless the freak up

 my valentine rekan saya 

sweetest child drew me a pic :'')

HAHAHAH I MET A YAK DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE

 

Week 9: 30 DEGREES hash tag bless the freak up !!!

Another week in Pleasant view Utah, another new last name(s)!! Am I right or what?? Hahahaha. I also have learned that my eyes have their own bladders!! My heart tends to explode and so do my tear ducts hahahajajahaj hati saya !!

This week on Episode 9 of mission life of Sister Ratunuman..

Sister Ratunuman is now, according to some: 

1- Sister Raw tuna fish- name created by: beloved senior couple, Elder & Sister Richie, because they do not know how to pronounce Ratunuman of course

2- Sister Kristus...- name created by: Brother Nichols, because he forgot my last name, knew it was difficult, and read the 'Yesus Kristus' aka Indonesian part on my name tag hahahah 

3- Sister Ratta Fanta- name created by: my 5 year old bff, Lizzy, who loves Jesus Christ, mandarin oranges, and dogs as much as I do ;) 

Of course I don't mind any of this. I absolutely adore it when people call me something new. Just another one to add to the list and share with you all haha;) 

Funny story of the week:  we have the cutest, funniest, investigator- he's 11 and his last prayer after our lesson with him was: dear God, I would like to thank you for sending me the missionaries. For English muffins. For my dog Pheobe. And happy Yoshi day, God. Tell everyone in heaven to become a Yoshi and hug everyone for me please. Thank you for all blessings! In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!! Hahaha, sweetest kid. 

Update: 

After 3 weeks in the southern portion of Pleasant view, our mission president has moved us up to another portion of the city. Which means, new wards and a new building that we are in charge of! We still get to teach those from our old wards on baptisimal date which is great. Also a bit sad because we had to say goodbye to those we finished lessons with. I'm actually pretty excited about this change. I know that this is where God needs us to be and there are people to teach in this new part of town! 

Tender mercies/happy tears moments: 

- rosa and the cooks are making so much progress. They are still on date for the 18th! They continue to follow Christ and I always feel the Spirit so strongly as we meet and discuss gospel principles. 

- 30 degrees, sun out, beautiful blue skies, and snow. Warm enough to wear my wind breaker ooooo yeah baby miracles. I love you sunshine!!!

- for language study, Sister Nuku and I get to Skype our MTC teacher, brother rawle, for an hour once a week! It's such a blast and it's always so comforting to study bahasa everyday and continue to feel the Spirit 

- the new wards we are serving in!! The people are incredible!!

- met a family in the ward that found out we shared a common love for the guitar and ukulele.. and they continued to whip out 6 ukes!! We all got to sing and jam together, it was such a happy moment.

- I met a senior couple and a sister that served in malaysia!! They're in my new ward!! It was so exciting because we got to speak bahasa together and I cried so many tears of joy because geez whizzz I miss the language and it was SOO nice to finally meet someone, in utah (what are the odds) that speaks it. 

Attention to those who scroll down to the bottom of all missionary emails to just look at the pictures (you know who you are!!!) Please read this my friend: Me + more = Christ. This is the perfect lie that Satan draws all of us in. We think that if we do more, then we will be perfect as Christ is. If I pray more, read my scriptures more, go to church more, etc. Then I will be perfect as Christ.. that is the wrong equation!! The right equation is: me + christ = more. If I apply Christ into my life, then I will be more, because we really can't do life without Him. I really love my Savior Jesus Christ. If you don't know Him yet, please, get to know Him, dive into the scriptures, study His ministry, and His teachings.

"When we put Christ in His proper place, when we come to Him and get to know Him, there is nothing that He can’t equal us to. With Christ, we can be kinder. With Christ, we will feel loved. With Christ, we will always have a friend. With Christ, we will be happy.

For with Christ we are enough. We are powerful. We are more." 

https://www.lds.org/blog/the-perfect-lie?lang=eng (read!!!) 

Sweet fam and friends, this gospel is true. Jesus Christ is our Friend, Brother, our Savior, and Redeemer. Please seek for any chance you have to share your testimony of Christ with a family member, co worker, social media, etc.!! Missionary work is God's work and as we are instruments in His hands, He will always provide a way for us to share the gospel, if we seek it. 

So much peace and so many blessings!!

Saya mengasihi anda!! 

Dengan kasih, your blading brown sista,

Sister Ratunuman 

rekan saya & I found a piece of Indo in utah can't wait for real mi goreng 

5 year old bff Lizzy

PV baby!

 my uke fam I found here!! Shout out to the OG uke fam, you know who you are:) 

thank you warmer weather 

my new pals 

hello mtv, welcome to my crib 

last lesson with Kayla:( such a sweet girl

Skype dengan brother Rawle untuk belajar bahasa indonesia!

And a link to my photos and vids !! 

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B4l7LpvnUKqzVUtuYjN6d3NZcjA

Week 8: Tis I, Sister Ratatouille

What is up keluarga saya!! Sista Vinny in the house!!! 

Week 2 in ye olde Pleasant View in the land of North Ogden is one for the books. A few things I've learned: no one can still say my last name, so I am known as Sister Ratatouille or Sister who is waiting for her Visa. A senior couple in my district, Sister Richie, calls me Sister Mouse-A-Old-Woman - instead of Sister Rat-A-New-Man. The people here are funny. There is another Pacific Islander Elder in my area, and whenever members or kids see us in the same room, they all say "You guys could be related!!" HAHA actually, no we are not, we are just both brown!! I love it. It kills me everytime. It's always a good time being the minority. #proud2bebrown 

Oh, it snowed a ton this week! Apparently, this is the most snow they've gotten in years. And let me tell ya, most snow I've ever seen in my whole life. There's a lot and it's real nippy out here too. The coolest thing about Pleasant View is that there are unlimited Popsicles here. Seriously, under the roof and under the cars, under the staircases. They're everywhere. Great afternoon snack! (Click on first attachment below) 

Another hard week, but every day I continue to see God's hand in my life. 
Some miracles: 
- Rosa is on baptismal date for February 18! She is a very humble, loving, and kind woman. She has been praying for a date to be baptized on, and we committed her to the 18th. She is very faithful in following Jesus Christ, and she is always on top of her scripture reading and praying everyday. I am truly so happy for her!!  Last week, Lynne and her daughter Savannah also committed to getting baptized on February 18th. Miracles!! So many tears of joy! 

- We met a man from Burman(country next to Thailand) at a sushi stand in a grocery store. He came to the USA, knowing no English, and he is the only Christian in his Buddhist family. He loves Jesus Christ, and he is interested in hearing our message about Christ. I am so excited to help him! He doesn't know a ton of English, so I am praying that simple words and the power of the Spirit will get our message across. 

Tender Mercies: 
- Blue bird skies on a snowy day!! Pretty sure that's the term haha. It sure is a tender mercy to have the sun out and blue skies after days of snow storms!! I cried happy tears when the sun was out, no joke. My comp just stared at me like I was crazy.. who am I kidding, I am crazy LOL but HALLLLOOO MATAHARI!! ANDA ADALAH TEMAN TERBAIK SAYA!!! 
- a very kind stranger gave us cafe Rio gift cards.. more tears of gratitude... Oh sister Nuku and I finally went to cafe Rio together:,) we have been talking about going for the last 6 weeks, you know it was a happy moment! 
- seeing my beloved rekan saya- sis Nuku so often and studying Bahasa Indonesia together and eating chocolates together hahaha forever my soul Sister 

- a very sweet member who literally has a chocolate factory down stairs hahah she gave us some of her chocolates and bread sticks <3 

- FINALLY GOT SOME SNOW BOOTS HAHA NOW MY FROZEN SAUSAGE TOES WILL BE WARM MCDONALD'S BFAST SAUSAGE TOES! A nice grandma from the ward lent me them. They look like Napoleon Dynamite's moon boots, so I'm pretty pumped about that. (Click on second attachment below)
- and of course, my loyal friends that send me pictures of pugs. It's the little things!!

Funny:
- We met the sweetest old lady who lives across the street. She just sits on her chair and crochets, and watches the world go by through her window. She told us that she watches us leave every morning and always thought elders picked us up.. HAHAHA, we told her no, that isn't allowed at all!! Too funny. She's a member, and she's our new best friend. 

Spiritual:
In all honesty- I have never experienced more stress, more frustration, and I've never cried as hard and more often than I have ever done so in my life. But I've learned that as I study and ponder more, fast with purpose, and pray harder and more often than I have ever before.. I have felt more joy, more love, more peace, and I've learned to love people in every situation I find them. I have felt God's help. If you're struggling, I know that God will send His angels to be with you. He will not leave you comfortless. D&C 84:88!! Christ said to his disciples," Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, as I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

The greatest lesson I learned this week and continue to remind myself everyday is: forget yourself, and remember Him, because He always remembers you. I am working in being patient with myself, and His Plan. I have realized that part of faith is realizing that everything will be taken care of. If you don't know what to do in any situation, don't worry. Revelation will come. Just have confidence that trials will bring blessings.

"Faith is not only trusting in His wisdom, but it is trusting in His love." Trusting that all the trials you face in life, are because He loves you, and He knows what's best for you. That the trials will build you into who He sees you to become for your eternal happiness.

Alma 26:11-12- 11
11 But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.
12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.

Jangan lupa bahwa Allah akan membantu anda dengan semua hal hal. Minta dan anda akan menerima! Saya mengasihi anda dengan semua hati saya:)

Have a blessed week!! I am praying for you all!! Don't forget to smile and don't forget to pray!! Pet a dog!!
Your favorite brown/home girl/sista missionary,
Sister Vinny Ratunuman!!

If you would like to make my hot (mail) bling, you know where to email me
If you would like to slide into my DM (direct mailbox), this is my address-
434 West Elberta, Pleasant view, UT 84414

I sure do love you! 

beloved doges of North Ogden 

snow men need the gospel too! 

my favorite kind of popsicle.. ice ice baby... (stop collaborate & listen....)

initial reaction when the sun decided to come out:))))

my Napoleon Dynamite moon boots HAHA so ugly I love it

 my beloved mtc zone!! Love you guys so much! 

Weeks 6/7: Sampi Jumpa MTC & Frozen Lil Piggies

APA KABAR KELUARGA?!?!?!?

(disclaimer: longest email I have ever sent SO IM SORRY HAHA THIS IS A NUTSHELL OF TWO WEEKS)

Sorry I haven't  been able to email in two weeks because last week I was heading out that morning and didn't have time! But- this week's email title is brought to you because: my last week at the MTC with my beloved teachers and missionaries there. And, frozen Lil Piggies because that is a literal and 110% accurate description of my feet for the last week since I have been temporarily reassigned to the Utah Logan mission until my VISA comes in. I have no idea when it comes in.. they could call me tomorrow or in 3 or 6 weeks.. so I'm living like everyday is my potential last day here which means I'm working with all of my heart and soul!!

So yes indeed, it has been a really crazy two weeks!!! BUT IT'S ALSO BEEN SO GOOD CRAZY UPS DOWNS HOTS AND COLDS ERRTHANG.

Last week at the MTC: The last 6 weeks of training here have been such an amazing experience. I am forever thankful for my hard working and hilarious teachers and missionaries that I have met there. Shout out to our Southeast Asia Zone- every single one of you have a special spot in my heart!! Thank you for your testimonies and love, and now I have a little piece of each of you in my heart (insert happy tears) Whenever I see bananas here, I try to call someone with it, and no one else thinks it's funny HAHAHA I don't know what's wrong with people, it's hilarious! Cambodia, Thailand, Hmongland;), Malaysia, & Mongolia are going to get the greatest missionaries yet. Keep working hard and playing hard! Drink your chocolate milk, make banana phone calls, play four square and v ball, read your scriptures, speak your language, love love love, with all of your heart, continue to trust in our Savior & Heavenly Father!

Last weekend: There were 5 of us leaving. 2 malay sistas- sis Hoeft & huey, and then the Infamous Indo trio- sis Nuku & I, and our solo Elder Nielsen. We were planning on heading out to Malay and Indonesia together on Monday.. but the Friday before, the Indo Trio got letters after lunch informing us that we have been temporarily reassigned because our Visa didn't come in. Sis Nuku & I are serving in Logan together which is such a blessing, but our Elder is reassigned to Seattle and we sure do miss him! Kami mengasihi anda dan kami semangat bertemu lagi di Indonesia! This meant we needed to find winter clothes asap.. and luckily the MTC let us borrow snow coats for now!! To be honest this was a rough adjustment and I was pretty discouraged.. but I know God has a plan! Our Visas will come in His timing and there are God's children everywhere that need to hear this gospel. 

Logan Utah Mission: WADU IT IS A BIT NIPPY OUT! Our first day, it was a whopping 0 degrees. And it's always snowing a ton! More than I have ever seen in my life, but then again I am from southern California soooo.... My first area is called Pleasant view and my trainer is Sister Broyles. If you happen to see a black moving blob in a midst of a snow storm, that is Sister Ratunuman for ya!! If you don't know where Logan is, it's northern Utah and a lot colder than Provo hahaha. The members here are so kind. They take good care of us. The area varies from well off families to struggling and very poor. Most of the time, we are in the trailer homes park where many aren't members, have drug problems, family problems, and what not, and it's extremely powerful to listen to their story and tell them that there is a God that knows and loves them. There is a lot of work to be done here.

Comp: sis nuku, my soul sista/rekan saya, is in my zone, and we get to do language study together which is super nice. I love seeing her and it is a tender mercy that we get to serve here in Logan and eventually in Indonesia too :) missing my old comp, but new comp is good. We have our differences and I'm trying my best to patient and loving! It's funny cuz all she talks about is her boyfriend who she wants to marry when she's off her mission (she has 10 months left..) and I'm here talking about all the cute dogs we see in all the homes HAHA. She farts a ton too, sorry totally unnecessary but also necessary because someone please send me Febreze SOS.... I need a gas mask!! I wouldn't mind if she gave me warnings, but she DOESNT!! don't worry I will bring this up in comp inventory 

Funny: -reactions I get when I say I'm from California (they expect me to say somewhere crazy cuz I'm brown lol)
- the attempts with my last name.. ex: ratunia, ratun, rat-atat, and the classic ratatouille
- lack of winter clothes I have and the amount of times I 'use the restroom' in a home only to dunk my feet in hot water to ease my frozen Lil Piggies toes Zhahahahahah
- the amount of dogs there are here.. everyone has one and it makes my heart happy
- the casual appearance of guns on tables in sketchy trailer homes hahaha they always say they gotta protect themselves late at night.. it isn't the safest area, but don't worry, they protect us haha
- my intro vs comps introduction: I love the beach, I love people, I love pugs and dogs, and I love to Rollerblade and I love playing the guitar and uke and I love music!" And "I'm so excited to marry my boyfriend who's almost home from his mission and we will get married right when I get home!"

and TENDER MERCIES:
- our recent convert Arlene, who has such a powerful testimony and so much faith in God. She literally has her dogs, and some change in her pocket, and she is willing to pay tithing. She wants to keep all His commandments and strive to give God her everything. Truly inspiring.
- members and investigators ask me to pray and bear my testimony in Indonesian and it's incredible how even though I speak a different language, the Spirit is still so strong.
- feeling God's love through the people I'm teaching and meeting. 

- committed Lynne to baptism on Feb 18th. Her whole family!! Seriously, so many happy tears, you have no idea. Her husband will baptize them!

This was a long email, I'm so sorry haha. This was two emails in one so my B;)
I know that this is in God's plan and everyday I'm learning so much more of how to teach, act, think, and love as our Savior Jesus Christ does. Missionary work is really tough, but i have literally felt God's arms wrapped around me and I have felt Jesus Christ beside me as I plow through the snow to find people to serve and teach and love. It would mean the world to me if you all could just pray for the people here in Logan and in Indonesia!! There are people ready to hear the gospel of Jesus christ, and we've found a couple, but I know there's more!

I love you with all of my heart.
Saya mengasihi anda dengan semua hati saya.

Christ lives. Turn to Him. God hears you. Pray for His guidance and strength!

Dengan kasih,
Sister Ratunuman 

New address: 434 West Elberta, Pleasant view, UT 84414

If you love me, send me mail <3