Dearest Family and Friends,
You know how last week I made the joke that we might not be
able to get back to Guimaras because of the weather?
Well, on Monday we made it back safely, but weren't so lucky
on Wednesday.
So basically, I left Panay only to go back to Panay for four
days.
Monday: P-day/SM day. The only day we can take out our
support because there aren't really any ATMs over here.
Tuesday: District Meeting was great! Our District Leader was
just trained, and is now Training and became a district leader (haha, the poor
kid, he's been here 3 months. But he's figuring it out.)
We went to one appointment and then headed out to the
Mission Office for Missionary Leadership Council! MLC was great! We had dinner,
the Zone Leaders accounted for the past month, and then FHE. (haha, so much
fun.)
That night we got to sleep in the Mission Home, (which is
like sleeping in a nice hotel.) and President and Sister Aquino are so nice.
It's a great time, we got ice cream and treats. The next morning we got a warm
shower.
I also got to hang out with SISTER MASSÉ! It was great
seeing my Nanay again! She got so tan and her hair got so light, I almost
didn't recognize her.
Wednesday: MLC training! It was SUPER inspirational. Like, I
seriously felt so pumped to just go out and work, becoming a better missionary,
and bring people closer to Christ.
It was also freezing, because my assigned seat was the only
seat where the air con directly blows. And people thought I was crazy for
bringing my brown jacket to the Philippines, I wore it the entire time.
THANKS FOR THE PACKAGE! Especially the Candy! Sister Haun
and I are like, "Let's eat Healthy," and then we both get a package
stuffed with good American candy. (and some Japanese. You know me so well, I
loved the Pocky! and the Big Hunks, and the Reeses Pieces. Seriously, THANK
YOU.) It got here super fast. I think the thing that makes it slow is it has to
go through the office and cargo, but since I was in the office, I got it dayon.
(umm.. dayon = immediately.)
President Aquino gave us a ride out to the wharf. . and the
last pump boat left just as we got there. (and the sea was so rough anyway., .
not something I would have traveled on) so we got to stay an extra night in the
Mission Home! hahaha, we got to keep a Sister who has been sick company for the
night. And we had packages full of candy. Yup, it was a grand time.
Thursday Morning: FINALLY Left Iloilo. (got to wear that new
blouse from the package! Isn't Heavenly Father's timing perfect?)
The Taylors gave us a ride home from the Wharf. (Elder and
Sister Taylor are the Couple Missionaries serving here, and they are absolutely
wonderful.) And then they picked us up an hour later to head out to a less
active's house who lives far away. My children will never complain about
getting into a car to drive three minutes to get to church. His wife hikes out
early every Sunday morning to get to church on time. Gotta love Sister Taylor,
hiking out to this house in her nylons and crocs.
We had a great District (not district as in missionary
district, district as in branch is to ward, and district is to stake)
Correlation. Our District President has a great Vision for Guimaras, and he has
the faith to pull it off, but he just needs the cooperation from the
missionaries, and we're willing to give it.
Inspirational thought: Also in the package, thanks for the
CD's, Dad! Actually, I was asked by someone if I would be willing to burn them
and give them some, and I was like, "umm... My dad hates violating
copyright laws, and so I'm going to try hard not to. . . so no. . "
And then Sister Huan and I were talking about that, and I
was just like, "Why would I insult my father by abusing a gift he gave
me?" and internally the Spirit was like, "Apply that sentence to your
Heavenly Father too." and It just hit me, This time is a gift from God,
our Father in Heaven. Don't abuse it!
Also, I'm so thankful for Sister Haun, she's a fireball of
testimony and inspiration, and she's just what I've needed. Sometimes I feel
like that's why I became an STL, just so I could be her companion. I didn't
realize just how much I needed her example, testimony, and sense of
humor.
Well, Times up!
The Gospel's true.
Palangga Ta kamo.
-Sister Smith
I am definitely in
the best area ever. I mean, come on, MANGO RESEARCH? How cool is that??
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