Learning Charity

Hello my dearest family!!                                               

Shoot, I'm not sure what to even report on right now for this week. Honest to goodness, it has flown by! First of all, yes, all Filipino children are just so stinkin' cute. My absolute favorite. Sister Abonitalla is awesome. She is an amazing teacher....I always seem to luck out with the awesome ones when I'm training :) She has the craziest life story too that I'll have to tell you sometime. We've just clicked really fast though! Ha, I feel like we've known each other forever. No flight info yet. I still need to fill out the paper and turn it in to mail run this Saturday. So no info for a while. That's ok with me though. Poor Ryan doesn't get conference yet. I swear I used Elder Hollands talk all week this week. Haha, my favorite still, "then Peter, what are we doing here again?? Did you learn nothing??". Conference is always so helpful with teaching. And I just love the Jensens!! They're so cute. I love the couple missionaries...they're just like my parents here. 

Oh man, the Less Actives this week are all trying to teach me charity. Ha, I nearly lost it this weekend. We went to multiple less actives this week that have all at some point been offended for one stupid reason or another. And they just go off and start bashing on every member, leader and their dog, and you can't stop them. It's incredible to see the anger and hurt that they're still holding on to. And for what? By the 4th time it happened within 2 days, I just sat there and stared at my lap because I knew if I opened my mouth, it would be me speaking, most definitely NOT the Holy Ghost. Then when I'd pulled myself together a bit I was able to give a 3 minute reality check for them before closing the lesson. Oh my goodness, Morong's offended members are a joke compared to this branch. I think it's the rural mentality?? All so prideful and so concerned about reputation and status? No idea. Yesterday I thought, it's a good thing that Sister Shumway is here because she puts a damper on us. Sister Sanchez, my comp, and I are all a little bit passionate. Haha. But holy cow, I sure am learning lots from them about what I NEVER want to do or be like. "The natural man is an enemy to god (and I might add, to yourself)....unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit and putteth off the natural man...and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things". They refuse to let themselves be healed. It's super frustrating, but more than anything, super sad. 

We found some awesome new investigators this week though! We were trying to find a less active and we just happened to decide to tao-po at this house and we met this guy, brother Zeldy. Seriously, he has studied religion. As in. Most Filipinos have no idea about the history of Catholicism, the protestant break off, world events during the apostacy, teachings from the bible....but this guy has studied it for reals. And as a result, he's pretty much given up on religion because none of it adds up. In his words, he's just decided to step back and observe because it's such a mess he doesn't want to be a part of it. Ha, so he loved the story of the restoration. We've only taught him a couple times, but he gets it, and at a much deeper level then most. So fun to teach. Brother Exequial is hilarious. We weren't able to get back to him for a couple days, so we showed up on Wednesday and he tells us he was about to get on his motorcycle and start

driving around the church to see if he could find us. Bahahaha, he thought we'd forgotten him. I just started laughing.  He has a baptism date for November. 

I learned how to make snowflakes this week! The awesome kind where you can put frosty the snowman and temples in them. Super excited. We're going to have a snowflake making party to decorate the apartment. Boo, I'm working on the list of questions for you. Don't you worry, I didn't forget! It's just taking me forever with how busy it's been. Maybe by the time I send it it'll get there just before I do. haha :) I can't think of anything else right now. Just another week in the mission. We have zone interviews this weekend. I'm going to ask president if I can go back to the mainland a little earlier before going home so I can go visit people in Tandang Sora and Morong. I've heard of other missionaries that have done it, so I'm crossing my fingers :) Love you all and hope you have a fantastic week! Until next Monday! 

PICTURES....Mindoro

The seashore on the island of Mindoro.

Beautiful children!!!   The little girl is Princess that Candace referred to in a letter.

Candace looks so happy. I'm sure she would prefer to just stay in the Philippines surrounded by everything that she loves.

Candace with her new companion.

What is left of the frog legs Candace consumed. She said it was actually good. It looks like a bow legged cowboy :)

This picture is for all you Aggie fans.   Chanae sent home a picture wearing the same t-shirt :)

More beautiful children. The kids are all cousins/siblings. Candace can't tell who belongs to who. Kind of sounds familiar with all the Weller cousins.

Comp Arrived

Well hello my dearest family!! 

I don't have much time to write, but I'll try to get in as much as I can, eh :) So transfers are over and I my comp finally got here! Her name is Sister Abonitalla and she's from Cagayan de Oro valley in Mindinao. She's 25, a nurse, and has been a member all her life. Both her parents are RMs, although they're separated and both remarried. Her Dad and all the rest of her family are actually in California. She's the only one left here in the Philippines. So happy she's a filippina, there are no words! We're still getting to know each other, but just from observation, she's super prepared and bold, which I love! The people in this area are a bit more hard headed than most, so it's perfect for them. It's been way fun to work with her, even if it's been just a few days. There's still fungus in the ear. Who knows...but it doesn't hurt, so that's good news. I'll be using the drops til November and then maybe go in for another check up?? I'll keep you posted on that. 

So for conference. We had the main room in Tagalog and another room for English! Thank heavens! Probably because we have the Whitings here so they were sure to work it out so there was English. Conference was awesome. I can't help but always feel a little homesick when conference time comes around. This will come as no shock but one of the things that really stuck with me was when he did a call for all RMs and said, "this is also for every returned missionary whoever stood in a baptismal font with their arm to the square and said, Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ. It was to change your convert forever, but it was especially supposed to have changed you forever as well". Ok, that was just a paraphrase, but it was something like that. And no, I haven't ever done that, but it applies to anyone who has ever been in a baptismal font.  Honest to goodness, one of my greatest fears is getting home from the mission and finding I haven't changed at all. His whole talk just nailed it on the head. Do you love God? In the end, that's the question. Whoosh, so good. But I also loved Elder Eyring's talk. It was perfect for a few of the less actives we're working with. I don't know, there was a ton! It's hard to pick just one. In the end, they're all just about becoming a disciple of Christ in word and deed. I have much to work on :) 

 Salams for all the application information. blugh. I just got my letter today  to turn in for flight information. Makes me sick. I'm thinking I'll just head back to the apartment and burn it, destroy all evidence you know :) haha.  Tell Tate it's not just him. The mission is hard sometimes, especially at the beginning where you're learning all those hard lessons. Don't look at other's outward show of perfect contentment, because it's never a true reflection of what's going on within. We all go through it, and he just learned one of the most important lessons for his mission and for life. 

So I have a sweet story. The elders in our branch have this investigator from

Ireland. Weird right. Well he's an anthropologist here doing a study on language and religious conversion. So of course he got interested in a couple of foreign missionaries teaching the gospel in a foreign language and country. So he started meeting with the missionaries. When they first started meeting with him, he was an athiest. He talks to religious leaders for his job, goes to church about 14 times every weekend to every church imagineable, but he was still an athiest. So the elders started teaching him....they just had to start with basics. And he now believes in God. And what's more, he really is starting to believe this is the true church. He told the missionaries he can't be Mormon yet though because his boss would fire him, especially with the project he's doing. But that at least means he's thinking about it. Haha, when they taught him the plan of salvation, he goes, so I'm actually worse off then for meeting you because now I'm accountible for everything you've shared with me. Ha, you got it! So cool. But he came to general conference yesterday. It was interesting to meet him. The gospel changes people.

All of our investigators came to church yesterday. Hallelujah moment or what!?! I was so excited. Now we just need to get the LAs as excited. haha. So I think that's all for now. I don't have many other new updates. Salams for the rice pudding recipe! Might just make that later today:) Love you!! See you all next Monday!

Staying and Training :)

Oh my goodness, this has been the week of craziness, but lots of goodness!! First of all, my fungis is almost entirely cured!! I got some drops last week and about 2 days later, the difference was incredible!! Let's just say, I was doped up on ibuprofen for the first 2 days. Haha. But thank you for all the prayers. There is strength in numbers. 

So crazy about General Conference right?! I'm dying to watch the whole thing. You lucky ones over there already saw it all. I do happen to be on the lucky list because the Whitings are here and as a couple missionary, they have a computer with internet access whenever they want to. So we did get to watch the first part on Sunday night after dinner at their house. That'll make such a difference for missionaries going into the field. The Lord is saying, it's time to get to work! Love it :) P.S. speaking of the Whitings....Dad, President Whiting reminds me so much of you. Bahaha, it's hilarious. The way he jokes, when he's serious, when he talks about sports. It makes me laugh and of course super happy cuz it's just like a little slice of home. 

So transfer announcements!! My comp is leaving. Sad day, I love Sister Madelo. I'm sad to see her go. And other news, I'm training again. Elder Waite called and I said, "Elder, you know I love talking to you, but not so much on Monday morning before transfers". Ha just laughed.  Praying for a philipina. Ay nako, I'm not sure if I'm ready to lead this area with a newby, but then I think of Ryan and say to myself, "ha, this is a piece of cake. His is 10X worse. I got this!". God has been really kind in always preparing me before hand for the challenges he gives me. Poor Ry just gets thrown in the fire. Haha. It's because he knows Ry can handle it; I can't. That's a compliment Ry :) Shumway and Sanchez are staying in the house with me too. I'm so so happy about that. Love them both and it's just so good to have support around. Sanchez is hilarious. She said my eyes are like spongebob. Not sure exactly what that means...

Other updates for this week. So our area is starting to progress so much better. We found a new investigator last week, Brother Exequial (pronounced ezichial). He's 60 (I don't know what's up with all the old men...just noticed that...), grew up as a Jehovah's Witness, but never believed any of it. He's listened to a ton of different missionaries, but just said he's never found any that have interested him. Until us that is...oh the church is so true :) We've had a couple cool experiences with him, but my favorite was we were teaching about prophets and we taught about President Monson. We had a picture to show him and he grabs it and just said, "So this is God's prophet, Thomas S. Monson". And then bam, the Spirit just hit the lesson so hard. Ha, I was caught of guard to be quite honest but we just let it sink in for him. So awesome. Needless to say, he's really excited for general conference. When we were leaving yesterday he gives us 2 thumbs up and goes, "I believe you". Haha, what a cute old man. It's fun to teach him. 

We have a few other investigators that are awesome too. They just get it. One is Bro. Raymund; He's 25, a teacher, and he just cracks me up. He's so quirky. But last night we were teaching the plan of salvation, and he asked a question about Christ as a god. And the thought came to me, tell him that's the point, that all of us have the potential to be Gods if we follow Christ." Ha, first time I've ever thought to share that ever with an investigator. Most people it just blows their mind. Said a little prayer....um, you sure about this. Yep. So we shared it and he totally got it! Love it. We just have some fun investigators right now.

Less actives on the other hand.....they're coming along. Progress is just slower and it's sometimes harder to get things through to their heads, let alone their hearts. No worries though, I'm the same way sometimes. It just takes time. I love being in this zone. It's just a super focused zone, but we still enjoy. The best way to describe it is, we work hard, but we play hard. So much fun. So there's this little girl in our area, her name is Princess. She's 5 years old and she's seriously crazy, but I just love her. Absolutely hilarious. This week we were teaching at their house and she's just so loud. She screams everything… as in, screams. And I had this flashback to when I was a little kid and dad would always tell me, "Candace, you don't need to scream. We're all right here. Use your inside voice". Bahaha, he used to tell me that all the time I feel! Am I right? What was I like as a little 5 year old?? I have this strange feeling I was just like Princess as a little kid. Ha, scary, but hilarious. 

Our breaker blew up yesterday while we were out working. There's been water dripping, we're not sure where from, but it got into the box and Bam! Good thing all the walls in the Philippines are cement or it would have burned down the whole complex. So now we have a nice big fire mark on our wall. Got our electricity back though, so that's good news. 

Funny you should say that about working at the MTC...I've been thinking about maybe doing that. It occurred to me this week that it's kind of getting crunch time for applications and lets just have a reminder here, I have NO plans and NO life waiting for me. Patay. I don't even want to think about it, but I need to have some kind of plan. So I was wondering if you'd mind looking up the dead lines to apply for EFY and also the Hill Cummorah pageant. Just trying to get a few ideas together :) Shoot, reality is going to hit me like a 10 ton brick I think. One other random request...can I get the recipe for rice pudding? I think I might have asked for it once, but I can't find it written anywhere. 

Anywho, that's all my dear family! I hope you have a fantastic week and we'll see you on Monday! Send a few prayers my way that I'll get a philippina for my companion :) Mahal ko po kayong lahat! Ingat! 

Rejection!?!

Oh wowsa, my dear family. It has been quite the week. We just got back from the doctor because my ear has felt like it's going to pound out the side of my head for about 4 days now. Not so good. Apparently I have fungus growing in my ear. That kind of thing only happens in the Philippines where if you stood still for 24 hours, you'd start to grow moss because it's the most fertile place on planet earth. Patay. I feel like Whitney, literally deaf in one ear :) Hahaha. Love you twit :) So hopefully this new medicine will do the trick because I'm a bit sleep deprived, and as a result, a little emotional. Not a good combo when assigned to this area. 

Ryan's training!!! Hahaha, I love it! I'm sure he’s having an absolute freak out right now. He'll be so phenominal though. He's always underestimated how awesome he is. And woohoo, Darrell is engaged! Oh boy, am I happy for him!  Yes, our zone is the only one in Mindoro. We're spread all across the Island though, so we only see all of us on zone activity if they can make it, and zone conference. 

So I have so many updates for you! This week has been crazy. I think I actually got transferred to San Jose 3, Mindoro, United States of America. I have never been rejected so much as a missionary in all my mission. That actually exists in the Philippines. Honest to goodness, usually here it's just arms wide open....oh wow.....this week has been an eye opener and given me a little bit of empathy for Tate and all other missionaries assigned to places like that. By about Thursday though, it started to look up. We have just revamped our entire schedule and where we go each day, times for appointments, everything. It seems to be helping though. Just keep praying for us. We need all the divine help we can get. 

We've done so much tracting this week. As in. It's been pretty incredible. Not a whole lot of new updates because all of our new ones are still just that....brand new. By this week we'll be able to see a bit more where there's potential. 

We had mail run for the first time in over a month. Haha, I did not realize how much mail I get until it stacks up for over 4 weeks. I just feel so lucky and blessed for all the people in my life and all the people I've met here. Special thanks to all of you.  Elder Quinton, Lynn and I definitely came away with over half of the zone's mail. Ironic we were all from the same MTC district. Tate's mission sounds crazy. Tell him just to keep moving forward, it gets better I promise. Especially with the language. It's just that first stage that's super hard. Haha, I always think of the best 2 years when he goes, "Go talk to him" and he goes, "well what if he talks back?". Haha, too true. I think that movie will have a whole new special meaning as an RM. I got your package too! sa wakas! Thank you so much for the music!!! I'm loving it. And Sister Riza had her baby yesterday! I just got the text. Haha, it's a boy, again! She's just meant to raise priesthood holders, that's all I can say. I think I'll give one to her and one to Sister Bermudez from Morong as well. Hopefully she'll have a girl. Andy (from Morong) got baptized last week with his daughter Colleene, and Almario got baptized yesterday. Also, Dina sent me the cutest letter. I just miss them all. I know it'll get to that point with the people here in Mindoro, it's just taking me so long. Oh yeah, and I got my camera on Saturday!! Happiness. I'll start taking pictures this week. Shums and I loved the article that you sent about the 6 reasons why Mormonism is growing. Ha, such an awesome article. He forgot #7.....because it's God's true church. 

We just got a warning from the area presidency for all American missionaries assigned to the Philippines. There are threats I guess on the US embassy here and all Americans coming from Muslim radical groups. Shoot, it must be getting pretty ugly over there for the Church Security Dept. to be sending out warnings to the missionaries. 

So the funny Philippino things for you this week. So we went to a less active and their son is sick. It's like the flu basically. Cough, fever, tired. Just a flu. Oh no, this is the diagnosis daw; it's one of these 2 things. #1: tabi-tabi-po. Bahahaha, so "tabi-tabi po" is like saying excuse me. You're supposed to say it when you go to a new area, or down a new street that you've never been on before, or if it's dark and kind of a scary place. You're saying excuse me to all the little dwarfs and creatures that are invisible so you don't step on them. If you don't, they hit your body and make you sick. So Bro. Micheal did not Tabi-tabi po. How dare he!! #2: It's called "bati". Bati means to say hello/greet someone. So there's this crazy thing here where if someone directly greets you on the street, you need to lick your finger and wipe it on them or else you'll get sick. Hahaha, not even kidding. It's actually happened to me, as I'm going, what are you doing lady?! So that's the other diagnosis. Again, how dare he. He's now carrying around ginger in his pocket as the cure. I personally wanted to offer some garlic as well, for you vampires you know. Ha, sickness here is a joke. No one knows a thing about germs, bacteria, or viruses. It's all from little dwarfs and bad spirits. Haha

So that's all for the week I think. Love you all and I'll talk to you next week. Not til Wednesday though. It's already transfers, can you believe it?? Mahal ko kayo!! Ingat naman!