Letter 16: For the Love of Missionary Work

Dearest Panimalay and Mga Abyan,

Happy Late Valentines Day! PALANGGA KO KAMO GID! (I REALLY love you (plural))

It's been a Wonderful (read this as "Stressful") Week!

Where to start? Well, first of all, we learned from the Zone Leaders at District Meeting last week that there are NO STUDIES on Tuesdays or Sundays (because district meeting and church count as study time?) Which stressed Sister Massé and I out a bit because we had Three hours of planed study time that were not unplanned proselyting hours! But we followed orders and went out! We were thinking. "Wow, we have no plans, no one to teach. But we're gonna try! We probably won't have anything to write in our journals tonight."

You know how Heavenly Father loves to prove you wrong?? Yeah. That day was CRAZY. We saw Gregorio, who is the deaf man we've run into three times before. Basically, I don't remember so much Sign Language that I didn't realize he asked us if we wanted to "Visit" (what he was signing) his family. Well. . . We shared a message!

Oh man. It was so STRESSFUL. Sister Massé just turned to me and pretty much said, "Go for it." I learned some new signs, Like "Holy" (they're really helpful. I would spell something and they would teach me the sign) I may have accidentally said "Friends can be together Forever," instead of 'Families." But hey, I tried my best, (and corrected that sentence.) and the Gift of Tongues is amazing! And we'll now be officially visiting them. . Well, Looks like I'm going to be Praying REALLY hard.

We then tracked and found a couple willing to listen to us (the man was also slightly drunk. Yeah. Those are also some fun lessons.)

We taught one of our investigators that we NEVER teach without a member. Yeah, that was a bad idea. More and more stress.

Then we went to the granddaughter of a Less Active we've been teaching. She's willing to listen to us, but has lost most of her interest. But her Grandmother sat down and taught with us, and Grab-i, that woman has such a STRONG Testimony. We were so grateful to her, and I think our investigator realized that even though her grandmother is less active, this church is VERY important to her. (also. The Grandmother came to church this week. :D We were so happy to see her!)

Basically, it was a great/stressful day with no studies. We deserved every bit of chocolate we ate.

Then Wednesday was Zone Conference! It was great! It was spiritual! I learned a lot about how to be a better missionary, how to better plan and help our investigators and members.

And then we found out we would be going on splits. . .Oh, So President decided that since elders are able to have splits with the Traveling APs, that Sisters should be able to have the opportunity too!

That was a bit stressful too! Because we hadn't been given any warning (that seems to happen a bit to us) And we were happy that we had more set appointments (sometimes it's we say, "We're coming back Wednesday" and out of the 5 investigators in that area, only 2 are home or aren't busy. It's our system, and it works, but sometimes you just get punted.) Which meant we wouldn't get punted too much with Elder Kehler. But it all worked out well! (even with a second day of NO studies. ugh. Sister Massé and I were feeling a bit spiritually starved.)

With two days of major stress, we were just a bit (a lot) tired Thursday, Friday, AND Saturday. But hey, it doesn't matter that you're tired. The work moves onward!

And I've got to say. I loved this week. Despite it's stress, the craziness. I love this work, and wouldn't want to be anywhere else!

And of course, Valentines day was great! We gave out some Valentines to some of our investigators (those ones we used to make! the Knitted hearts! And Mosiah 18:21 is the PERFECT Scripture to give with them.)

hmmm... I still have time to write. . So I'm going to talk about the things I can now cook! (Filipina style!) Because all the housemates cook once a week. So I'm learning!

1. Picadillio: Carrots, Sayote, Corn, Ground Pork, all covered in spaghetti some hot sauce. My favorite, but it takes forever to dice all the Carrots. (and I make it wrong anyway. There's supposed to be more meat than veggies, but I prefer the veggies. And it's supposed to be potatoes instead of sayote. But sayote is cheaper, and I like Sayote.)
2. Mock Omelets: Something Sister Massé came up with. Basically scrambled eggs with ham and tomatoes and whatever you want to put in it.
3. Sinagon: Radishes, Carrots, Ocra, squash, Leeks, a meat of you choice, and Sinagon powder (available at any grocery store)
4. Pansit: Cornstarch noodles with cabbage and carrots (they really like carrots here.) with soy sauce.
5. Adobo Sitaw: Strings beans, Sayote, Ocra, Corn. Soy sauce.

and it's all eaten over rice, of course. Except for Pansit, which is a party food and therefore isn't supposed to be eaten with rice, but missionaries do anyway because they can. And I once tried to make eggplant omelets. . but they dint' turn out very well. I'll try again. . one day.

This week I'll be learning how to make some Mongo beans!

Umbrella Shade

One must always carry an umbrella (not a towel. haha) in case of dogs, plants, rain, or sun. For me, it tends to be Sun.

Sister Smith is a Clutz

I may or may not have run into the end of a bamboo shoot yesterday. Luckily I carry alcohol with me where ever I go, and was able to clean out the wound. Sister Massé was more worried about my leg, while I was just upset that there's now a hole in my skirt that I have to sew up today. But at least I can sew. I think now that I'm comfortable in my area, I'm becoming more of a clutz again.

Anyway. I LOVE YOU ALL
The Gospel's true!

Until Next week!

-Sister Smith

Letter 15: Just another Normal Week

Dearest Panimalay kga mga Abyan,

It's funny how I've been living on Panay for 2 months now, so things are just. . Normal. It's all still crazy (because missionary life is always crazy) but it's funny how the crazy becomes expected and you aren't botherd by it in the least.

Well, I made it a week without SUGAR! but I didn't make it with the Gluten, we went to teach our Bishop's helper and Bishop's wife insists on feeding us whenever we come over to teach (lets call her. .) Gina. (which is nice, because we never have dinner appointments) She was disappointed when I told her I was gluten free too, because she'd made me a sandwich. So Sister Massé gave me permission to eat it, and I promised to go one extra day without gluten. Which means I won't be eating the spaghetti or the cake at family home evening tonight, but that's okay. After all, I love elephants, and we should all strive to be like Horton. "I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. An Elephant's Faithful,  100 Percent."

Due to the Apostasy of Sugar (haha, this week is the Restoration) I had to try something else for breakfast besides oatmeal (which doesn't taste good unless it has SOME sugar in it.) So I went for Eggs! But No Ketchup allowed (as in, the ketchup I have is literally called "Sweet style" and has more sugar than really should be necessary.) So Sister Massé and I really got into Smoothies this week. Filipino smoothie stands are okay, but for some reason Pinoys like more ice than fruit. So in making my own, it was great because there was more fruit than ice, and it was DELICIOUS (gotta love those super sweet bananas and pineapple slices)

hm... Really, too much hasn't happened this week. Sister Massé and I refuse to say "WHEN Sister Massé transfers," only "IF One of Us Transfers." (because for some reason everyone has been talking about transfers this transfer, even though they aren't until the end of February. And since Sister Massé has been in this area 6 months, everyone is VERY sure that my Nanay will be leaving and I'll be leading the area)

We started teaching the man who came to church two weeks ago and said, "I want to be baptized." Basically he's really prepared but we have to teach him all the missionary lessons before he can be baptized. Hopefully everything can be done in an orderly fashion. (what am I kidding? Orderly Fashion doesn't exist here)

The other sisters in our ward had a baptism on Saturday :) It's so great seeing others come into the church!

When it rains it RAINS. I've still yet to actually have a day where the street floods, but it rained for 2 hours on Saturday, and No one was home, so Sister Massé and I walked around in the rain for probably an hour and 15 minutes trying to find someone to teach us. Yeah, I got pretty wet by the end of it. (and by wet, I also mean it got cold when the sun went down.)

Sister Massé and I have discovered one of our greatest challenges. We both always strive to be "Exactly Obedient," and it actually isn't too hard. The hard part is when those around you are using their agency and choosing not to be. But isn't that what this is all about? Our agency! Showing others the gospel of Christ, and allowing them the CHOOSE whether or not to accept it.

Well, I know The Gospel's True! And I love you all! 

Until Next time, 

Sister Smith 

I love the kids here, they're so cute! Whenever we walk down the street the group of them (which normally has several more kabata-an (children)) always call "Seester!" Gotta love it when everyone knows your name. Haha. 

Letter 14: The Beginning of the Apostasy

Dearest Panimalay kag mga Abyan,

It's been a week? Didn't I email you yesterday? Where is the time GOING? It is going way too fast! (Sobrang ka dasig na!)

This week we had Trainer's and Trainee's Meeting! When Sister Massé had it with her training, it was back in the first few weeks here in the field and it consisted of a lot of, "Don't go Home! What can we do to help you? This is how you cope with Homesickness." For me it was more of a "Well, You're almost done with training. So here some things you should remember." Kinda like any normal type of training.  Elder Stacey (one of the APs) had us do a trust fall, he made our trainers step back. Let's just say Sister Massé and I are a bit shorter than S Jenkins/Nonu and S Quent/Paul, and I got a bit closer to the ground than I might have liked. . . BUT Sister Massé caught me, so that's the important thing. And I think Elder Stacey got his point across about needing to have trust in your companions.

You know what's fun about only having two other sisters in your batch? Our meeting was fun and small! Complete with breakfast and lunch!

President Aquino is so GREAT. He was very careful about getting food that Sister Massé could eat (No Gluten allowed!) which means he couldn't just order MacDo. So of course we got onto the topic of allergies during lunch, but instead of focusing on all the things Sister Massé can't have, it was all about the things I'm allergic to instead! Apparently it's very hard to believe that if I see at cute little puppy I don't have the urge to pet and play with it. And everyone was surprised that I really shouldn't use the laundry soap here (but do anyway, because how else am I supposed to clean my clothes??)

Speaking of food. I tried Ube icecream. It's delicious. I also tried Cheese icecream. It's definitely. . . Filipino. Well, I'm sure it will be my favorite flavor by the end of my mission. (Jokes. Mango icecream is the best. and Ube is hard to beat.)

Sister Massé hit her 'One year Left Mark" (and my 1 year and 3 months left mark) last week and we Celebrated with Halo-halo! Which broke Sister Massé's month without sugar and my trying to eat sugar discreetly in support of her. So basically we've both been buying from tyunggis for the past week, and when we hit 1 Feb we decided to have an Apostasy of Sugar (For we will not be hungry for bread or water, but for the words of God . . . I mean, Sugar.) We're going Sugar Free for a week together! Which is going to be really hard, because EVERYTHING contains sugar here.

I'm also going GLUTEN Free for a week! In support of my Companion's allergy. She's excited to see if I can do it. Which means no more SkyFlakes (crackers I normally eat as my daily snack) for me! Yep, this is gonna be fun :)

One of Sister Massé's and my investigators are having troubles. :( She had a baptismal date, but because she's 17 she needs permission, and her parents won't give it. It's been very sad for all of us, because she really wants to get baptized, but when she turns 18 and chooses to, it will most likely create problems between her and her parents. :(

But on a happier note, we had a man who came to church last week and said, "I want to be baptized." Well brother, I'm sure we can arrange something! Basically he's taken the missionary discussions before, and then he moved, and decided he wanted to be a part of something solid and important. I'm sure we can help him see that this is the most solid and important thing in the world, the Church of Jesus Christ :D

*insert a frustrated face here* We just had a brown out at the last computer shop we were at. We were super worried that our emails hadn't saved. And annoyed at the woman who made us pay money for the email time we might have just wasted. So we just went out to lunch (Gluten and Sugar free!!) and are now in a different shop. *Insert Happy face here* BUT My email saved automatically, and I don't have to rewrite any of it!

Yesterday was a . . . Holiday? Well, basically there was a parade celebrating all the barancays and no jeepneys, so we had to walk to our area. Not fun, as in, there aren't really sidewalks, so we were these two Mormon American Sister Missionaries trying not to walk with the parade, but going in the same direction of the parade where there are no sidewalks. Oh. I should probably mention that there were speakers blasting a Hiligaynon Catholic prayer (at least that's what it sounded like to me.) So Sister Massé and I may have accidentally walked along a Catholic parade. .. . Yeah, I'm still trying to figure out what happened.

Well, lets just say is Pretty Crazy in the Philippines. (Buong gid sa Pilipinas.)

Well, Kabalo ako nga matuod ang simbahan. Magbugay ang ebanghelyo sa atom tanan. Palangga kita sang Dios, kag Gusto niya para sa atom nga mangin pinaka malipayon diri sa kalibutan. Ini Obra, ang obra sang mga missionaries amo ang obra sang Dios. Sa ngalan ni JesuCristo, Amen.

(I know the church is true. The gospel blesses us (all), God loves us and wants us to be the happiest here on earth. this work, the work of missionaries is the work of God.)

Palangga ko kamo gid!

- Sister Smith

Also, THIS is Halo-halo. Basically it's Shaved Ice and Cream, with whatever they want to put on it. Generally there is gelatin (They like just gelatin. . .without any flavor.) and Ube Paste (The dark purple stuff). There can be Bananas, coconut, or mango. A piece of flan. They even put corn and beans in it :) I don't mind the beans and corn, but this is my favorite kind I've found. It's massive for a good price, and comes with Ube Icecream AND flan. To eat it the right way, you mix it all together and just eat! It's great!

The Inside of a jeepney! (And my new skirt from Ukay-ukay shopping)

Ps. There is no purpose to this goat, other than he is ALWAYS in the road. 

Letter 13: Here Comes The Sun

Dearest Panimalay kag Mga Abyan,

The Sun has come out, and it's been A WONDERFUL WEEK!

(guess who's stuck on the computer with the sticking "L" key again? *sigh* Gotta love internet cafes)

Well, anyway! The sun came out literally! Grab-i! The weather has been so nice! I love it!

It also came out in a more figurative sense as well! Sister Massé and I have been dropping non-progressing investigators and last week we discovered a neighborhood in our area! (We normally stay in. . on the right end of our area, this week we went "Left") We tracked most of it, and found so many people willing to listen to our message! We're very happy with some of them actually, and really think that we'll know within the next two weeks who is progressing and who's not. But we're patient, and in all just very excited.

The other Sisters in our ward had a baptism on Saturday! It's really strange, I think Saturday was the first day I really realized that THAT is what I'm trying to help people reach. 

We had exchanges this week! Sister Massé got to go to Guimaras and work there for a day, and I was with Sister Nelson in my area. I learned so much from her (There's a lot to learn, and this is her last transfer, she's such a great example of what I could be as a missionary)

After exchanges I improved so much. I think it taught me what while I still know NOTHING, I at least can hold my own in teaching, and that I can really speak this language.

(Ortiz Warf. Grab-i! You would NOT believe the sunsets at the Warf, it's unreal It Looks like I'm in front of a  fake backdrop or something. Basically it's absolutely beautiful)

Sunset of Beauty

The Dinagiyan festival started the day we had exchanges. Basically it's a . . . festival? I think every main city or province has one here, and this one is Iloilo's (Guimaras's is a Mango Festival in April. Wouldn't that be great to go to?) but that means that there weren't many people home in our area for a few days. But for exchanges, Sister Nelson and I prayed for a miracle, and we got one! We had people to teach! We even taught an investigator that Sister Massé and I have been trying to teach for 2 weeks, but he's been so busy with work he hasn't been able to listen to us. It was great, I could tell he's just so kapoy (exhausted) from work and life, and after our lesson he had energy again. It's amazing what the Gospel can do for you!

Because of the Dinagiyan festival, there were no jeepneys to the warf for Sister Nelson to get back. As she would say, "Heavenly Father is a Great Dad." because he provided us with a Less Active member who got us a C-cab :) But then it took Sister Massé and I 2 HOURS to get home, instead of the normal 30 minutes. Traffic was crazy. But I got to see the fireworks on the way home because it took so long :)

I gave a talk on Sunday. And yes, it was in English. Basi next time it will be more in Ilonggo. Basi (Maybe) I promised that I at least gave my testimony in Ilonggo. And yes, it was short, because I'm still really bad at talking in front of people by myself (Give me a companion, :) and then I'm fine)

My first spider experience was this week. . . pulled my towel off the bar it hangs on, and behind it was THE SPIDER. It's not MASSIVE, but was the size of the circle my fingers make with the tips of my thumbs and first fingers touching.I made Sister Massé kill it. Grab-i, it was FAST.  I'm sure our Pinay housemates heard us all the way upstairs and were just shaking their heads going "Kanas. . ." There was also a cockroach outside the bathroom on the door-pane. Yeah, it's time for us to sanitize the house and spray it to keep the bugs out again. I can handle little ants and little bugs, but this morning I had little worms crawling on my feet while I did laundry. That one I was not happy with.

The Not-so-Itsy-Bitsy-Spider

So. . Palangga ko kamo! kag Kabalo ako nga matuod ang ebanghelyo! Halong kamo! 

(I love (plural) You!  And I know the Gospel is true! Take Care!)

 Madamo Pagpalangga, 

-Sister Smith

Letter 12: I'm Halfway done with Training?

Dearest Panimalay kag mga Abyan,

I'm halfway done with training? What? I've been living halfway around the world for 6 weeks?? Where did all that time go? 

I don't care what anyone says. 23C (72F or so) is Cold. I haven't seen the sun in 3 weeks or so. So while you all deal with 0 F weather, I'm glad I'm not where you are! (seriously. I'm so glad I'm going home in the spring/summer. I think I would become an ice-cube if I came home in the winter.) 

Transfers were Thursday. I wasn't transferred (in the middle of training. . .) pero, Sister Lewis was! We were sad to see her go! But knew she was going where the Lord needs her. When Sister Marticio came home we asked "Where's Sister Lewis?". She just chuckled, and said that she's followup training Sister Nitura. Which means she's still in our same zone (There are three districts in our zone). And is literally in the only other sister companionship in our zone! So we'll all be seeing her tomorrow at district meeting :) 

As a mission we're reading the Four Standard Works, and are to be finished by Christmas. I've gotten to the point of, "And then Aaron and his sons... ...." For sacrifices. It's kinda like reading a manual, it's interesting, but monotonous. (but hey. I actually really love it.) An hour is NOT enough time for personal study! Can I study all day instead? 

I've actually been asked a lot "How is the Language going?" Haha, guess I haven't written about that.

Sooo.... Hiligaynon is great! I love the way it sounds and the way it rolls of the tongue! I'm not picking up the accent (most likely) But I am picking up the Sing-Song-i-ness of it. It's really hard to explain, but it's influencing my English. (For example, I enunciate words differently now). It's getting much easier to teach, and it's getting to the point where when I speak it isn't rote memorization, but my own words :)

I still have an easier time speaking that I do listening. Funny how that works. Sometimes I'll just look at a person and then turn to Sister Massé because I have no idea what they've said. 

I also don't understand their very accented English (Though many here have very good English), because I'm expecting Ilonggo, so I don't realize their speaking English to me, so I'm trying to translate, and I get lost. hahaha, I'm sure that's how some of them feel when I speak their language. :)

It's really funny, I can speak perfect English to my housemates, or fellow missionaries, but if I meet a native English Speaker on the street (it happens) it is So HARD to speak English to them. It generally goes along the lines of:

"Kamusta ka, Brother? um... How are. . .you? kamusta ang adlaw mo? kamusta your day? umm... ano ang name mo?" it's gets all mixed up! haha. There's an American that lives in our area that we see a lot, and every time we see him it's "Maayong Gab-i!" "I don't know what that means!" "It means Hello/Goodnight" 

We had Zone Training Meeting instead of District Meeting last week. IT WAS GREAT. I love my zone, they're all so spiritual (haha, way to state the obvious Sister Smith) and strong in their testimonies. I learned so much from them :) We had a great training from our Zone Leaders (Elders Singley and Shingleton. I always mix up their names into one on accident. Like Shingly, or Singleyton.) We learned about having Desire, Being Obedient, and Enduring! And basically becoming the best missionaries we can be, being the missionaries our investigators deserve to hear the gospel from. It was Great :)

I'm so happy to hear about Sister Taylor! If she reads these, CONGRATULATIONS SARAH! You'll love Russia :)

I got all that Christmas Mail :) It officially takes 4/4.5 weeks for mail to get here! (So plan accordingly?) So it only took about 2.5 weeks for mail to get to you? Alright! Good to know! We've now got a system figured out!

Palangga ko kamo! Kabalo ako nga Matuod ang Simbahan! 

- Sister Smith

If anyone is curious, I still am drawing when I have a few minutes of "Me time." (though normally I read the Missionary Library, or catch up on journal-ling. Can you believe I've been good and journaled every night for the past 3 months? Can you believe it will be three months in three days?) 

But Flower pictures are good gifts :) And I owed Sister Lewis her Christmas present.

Sister Lewis and Dahlia

Letter 11: Hello Guimaras!

Dear Panimalay kag Mga Abyan,

This week I had hoped to send you a letter all about how I had my first baptism here.

But the investigator never came :(

He's been an investigator for about 5 years now, on and off. He's been dropped repeatedly because he had WoW problems, or he just wasn't progressing. But he finally was ready! I still don't understand a lot of what he says, but Sister Massé and I knew that he was excited for his baptism. So when he never showed up, and we went to his house, he told us he wouldn't be baptized. He and his family are supported by another church, and if he silos, they won't support them any longer. And his friends belong to that church, and he can't turn his back on them. Basically it was super sad, and Sister Massé and I are still recovering from the heartache. (What is this? A The missionary version of a good relationship gone bad breakup??)

But on a happier note, I just got off of GUIMARAS! I actually left Panay!

I promise I am in the city.

Anyway, we went as a zone activity, and it was pwede because 1) Central Zone is tiny. 2) We're closest to Guimaras. 3) Because we're cool like that.

Anyway, Guimaras: Sweetest Mangoes in the world! I didn't actually eat one there, but the mangos we buy on the street here are Guimaras Mangoes :)

We went spelunking! We didn't actually end up at the cave we were supposed to, but this one was still fun! I guess I can now check "Go Spelunking" off my bucket list!

Spelunking

We actually got really wet (had to wade through some water. . a lot) and while all the American Elders only had water up to their knees, I (Like all the Filipinos) was wet up to my hips. But anyway, I didn't slip and fall (well, into the water that is), or get my camera wet, so it all turned out well!

On Saturday we had Zone Interviews! It was really fun, and someone (I believe it was Sister Aquino) got the idea of rather than ordering food for everyone, the missionaries would cook! One Missionary from every apartment, the one that doesn't normally cook. So we brought up that everyone in our apartment cooks the same amount. So the missionara with the least experience. AKA: Me.

I learned some things about cooking. Like that I make Picadillio all wrong. Like that it supposed to be more meat that carrots, and that there are supposed to be potatoes (which is ridiculous. because potatoes are expensive) Filipinos are very serious about their food. But basically all you really need are the vegetables you have at home, some meat, and a sauce, and you're good. It's a meal!

And Some Elders decided to dress up with President. Hahaha, I can't even remember what those skirts are called right now.

If President wears one, then it's Pwede

We also received Cargo! We've been out of "The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ" (but Tagalog) Pamphlets for weeks! We finally have some again! (and a lot of other pamphlets. except for Plan of Salvation. The only one we're starting to be low on.) And we got Libro Ni Mormons! We've been out of those for a while too! Basically it's been like the apostasy . We know there is truth, but we knew not where to find it!

I've gotten into trying things from Tyunggis (Pronounced: Chungie) I tried Tyiko (or is it spelled Chiko?) Which basically is a fruit that tastes like brown sugar. And sweet potato. Sister Massé and I love them. But the two Pinays we worked with that night after we tried them said that Chiko is the one fruit they don't like! Strange right?

There was also Tumbis, which is a weird food from a tree. . . it's like a radish or something in texture, and is spicy and sweet all at the same time. Sister Massé says it tastes like Christmas.

it's still stormy and cold here. (it was freezing at church yesterday.) but it's getting a bit warmer. I'm so glad I brought some Jackets/Sweaters with me. (never thought I'd say that.)

Anyway. . .I feel like this letter is much shorter than normal, but maybe that's because I'm tired from hiking. . . (and as I look back on this letter, I realize I ramble a lot. Wow. I write long letters. . .Sorry to those who are also on missions and only have so much time to read and email.)

Palangga ko kamo! 

Letter 10 (Pulo): Hello 2014!

I literally just accidentally deleted my email! Whoops! REWRITING NOW.

So it's 2014? When did that happen? It's still Christmas here! (As evidenced by the Christmas trees and Lights, and people will still tell you Merry Christmas)

It's Still Christmas

I'm sure some of you have heard that New Years is a bid deal here or something. Well, you heard right. They may celebrate Christmas starting in September, and "Party-Party" Christmas Eve, but New Years is an even Bigger Deal!  The Plaza isn't normally full of stands that people put up to sell stuff (though Sister Massé and I loved it, because we got to go Ukay-ukay shopping and get some Filipino stuff! Like a Duster, and Swag Pants. (haha, I'm not joking. I now own Swag Pants)) There was an entire block, just lined with firework stands. Luckily that's one place were people actually followed the No Smoking Rule ;)

I didn't see any big pretty fireworks, (as I was trying to be an obedient servant of the Lord, and sleep) but I heard them! I woke up at midnight because it was so loud! The fireworks that people buy here aren't about the lights, it's all about the sound! I swear, you could shoot a gun and no one would even notice (not that I'm encouraging anyone to commit murder or anything)

We literally taught no lessons on New Years Eve! We even had lessons on Christmas Eve. That's how big a deal it is here. Holidays are all about having a party. (with Food. Lots of Food.. . and well. Drinking. Which is why we had to be home by 6:00 gid on new years.)

I didn't do much special for new years or new years eve. We went to district meeting on new years, and only had about three hours to proselyte (Home by 6!), but I made sure that the first thing I ate for the year was a Mango :) hahaha, I'll make sure that it's the last thing I eat this year too! (that is. If I remember)

Sister Massé and I reevaluated our investigators. We actually dropped quite a few of them. Even those with Baptismal dates, because they weren't progressing. (like a young girl, whose Mother gave her permission, but them her mom moved to Malaysia., and her Lola is Catholic Gid, and won't give permission. So there's nothing we can really do for now.) And so even though we dropped four people with baptismal dates, we somehow extended the invitation to four others, who accepted and are (hopefully) more prepared to actually be baptized!

Oh yeah. Gid is an emphasizer. So if I say Catholic Gid, I mean, Very Catholic. So like, if we had to be home by 6:00 Gid, then that means REALLY 6:00, no room for error.

Now that Christmas day and New Years have passed, we finally have members working with us again! They're great, because they testify and teach, but they also actually understand the language! (duh. Natives) We really need them. I'm pretty sure the only reason one of our Investigators (Let's call him Brother Reynald.) accepted a baptismal invitation is because they helped us teach the Plano Sang Kaluwasan.

My allergies kept me from realizing that I was catching a cold until it was too late. The joys of trying to understand a different language when you could probably barely be able to teach in English! But Sister Aquino is an awesome mission president's wife, and told me what to buy at the drug store, and I feel all better now! Though while I was sick I was not very happy (for the first time. it was weird and I didn't like it.) But after some Testimony tears (totally came up with that on the spot) from practicing the first lesson in English (way harder, but more powerful to me), I was able to remember my purpose out here, and even though this is the hardest thing I've ever done, it's been the greatest and most rewarding.

We've had some interesting lessons here. . We have on Investigator (Let's call him. . Brother Pio) Who has very good English, and has studied the bible a lot, but has a few interesting ideas. Like for instance, we taught the Plano Sang Kaluwasan, and he had somehow gotten the idea that the righteous come from Creation, and the wicked come from Evolution. . . INDI! We were just had to say that all people are children of God, ALL  are CREATED in HIS IMAGE. (with emphasis like that.) He's an interesting Character. He's called us Angels several times, and I can't decide if that's because we're both white or not. . 

However, Interesting Brother Pio aside, Brother Sulficio had his baptismal interview! He passed with flying colors!

We also passed the two deaf adults we ran into two weeks ago, and haven't really seen or heard from since. If we teach them (and I hope we do (though I hope to teach everyone we talk to)) Let's hope we'll be blessed to be able to understand each other, because I don't know any Church Signs!

The van we pushed out of the middle of the road.

I have a funny story from yesterday. So a Van had stopped and wouldn't restart in the middle of the road. The poor guy, he was so frantic, so Sister Massé and I went over and helped push it! haha, it wasn't until two Kanas in skirts started pushing the van that someone else thought to come by and help!

Ps. This is a C-Cab (also. Brother Reynan, who is a recent convert and gave us a ride. My first C-cab ride!). It's Bike and a side car (they have things similar to this in the US, deba (right)?) So a Tricycle/Trike is similar. The side car is bigger, a bit more sturdy, and has panels on the sides and front, instead of just a frame. And well, it's attached to a motorcycle, so it goes a lot faster, so it needs to be more sturdy (at least I would hope so)

Palangga Ako Sa Inyo!

Kabalo ako nga ang simbahan nga matuod, kag palangga ang Dios sa atom!

It's going to be a great Year! :)

-Sister Smith 

(I asked Brother Grunvig to translate the Ilonggo. 

"I love you guys!"

"I know that the church is true, and God loves us!")