Week 4 - Struggles

Well, I knew that this point was going to come... and I'm sure many more times like this await me, but Dang-it!

This week has been really hard. I got sick on Wednesday. A stomach thing at first and then it just escalated. I have no energy, and I just want to sleep... but when I lay down, I can't sleep. Its so hard. 

We also had no investigators at church this week.

Then, One of the sisters that I am really close to is going home early today. I love her so much and to think that she is leaving is so heart breaking. She is really sick though, and there is no medical help for her here. I will miss her so much! She has really become someone that I have grown to love and look up to. 

The past couple of weeks all thats been on my mind, mostly in my free time(:, has been my education. Its so weird, all these "revelations" and such are coming to me. I like it so much, but at the same time it is kinda stressing me out because I can't do anything about it right now. Ya know? 

On a positive note, though, We had companionship exchanges this week! I had a Philippina companion. ALL she spoke was Ilonggo... I thought I was going to die. And becauuse we were in MY area, I had to lead the Area and the lessons. It was really hard! But I'm glad I got the opportunity! I needed it.

We have a facebook page! (: Its called Tangub missionaries or something like that. Its cool. You should add us. I can't talk to you, but we will post pictures and stuff(:

On tuesday, we had philippino mexican food. It was good... kinda... haha I actually ate a tortilla though!! It was soooooo yummy!!!!!

Brother Noynoy is progressing really well though. Both spiritually and Physically! Its so great to see the power of the Priesthood and the Power of Faith!

Today in Personal study I found a passage of scriptures that I think is a Beautiful description of the horrible things that Christ went through for all of us. Mosiah 14:5-9. I especially like verse 5. but actually that whole chapeter is good. Read it, and ponder it. 

Family, loved ones, everyone else. I just want to tell you how much I love the Lord and the personal sacrifice he went through for us. What a stellar example that we have. In Preach my Gospel it says that the more one learns of the Atonement of Jesus Christ the more he will want to preach and share it. It is so true!

I am so thankful for temples! Here in the philippines there are two temples and they are between 8-15 hours away by plane and boat and bus. We are so blessed to live so close to a temple and to be able to have the means of going there even once a month. TAKE THE OPPORTYUNITY and go! Do it for the people here. Do it for me. Do it for YOU and our Savior.

I love you all, and I am praying for your safety and protection. I miss you all too! I can't believe that My weldon is already in 2nd grade!! and that Riggin is such a wriggly butt! 

Palangga ta kamo! Nahidlaw ta kamo! (:

Love, your sister missionary,

Sister Young

Week 3 :) - Miracles Happen

This week has been so rewarding(:

I'm going to start with the best first because it is just so wonderful.

We have been teaching an old man, Brother Noynoy, he lives with his daughter and their 6 kids who are all members- but all not active. He, however, is not a member and can't do anything because his legs are paralized, and have been for the past 3 years. We visited him the first week that we were here and he seemed pretty not intrested. But, we asked if we could come back and teach him, and he agreed. So our first real lesson with him was last Sunday. All during the lesson I kept getting promptings from the spirit to nudge my comp and have her ask him if he wanted a blessing... I didn't do it, but as we were talking about his wife and that he could see her again, we committed him to baptisim. I kept feeling like he needed a blessing but I ignored it. We closed the lesson and we set a return appointment and we got about 20 feet from his house and I stopped and told Sister Wallace. He needs a blessing, and he needs one now, she said she was getting the same feeling! So we immediately texted the Elders, that work in our area, to come administer to him. About 40 minutes later they show up. In the Elders blessing he said that according to the faith of Brother Noynoy he would regain strength in his legs and the disease would be lost. Brother Noynoy was a little skeptical, I think. But when we returned on tuesday and asked him about it, he was able to move his feet a little. when we first met him, he couldn't even do that. On thrusday we asked him about his progress, and he wriggled his feet again, but he still didn't really put forth effort. I shared a scriputre in Alma 32; 27 or 28 about experimenting on faith.... then when we got there on saturday, we asked him if he wanted to walk before we started or after.. of course he said after. we were teaching about the plan of salvation the first 3 principles. At the end and I was supposed to bear my testimony, I got the impression to share Ether 12:27 with him. I told him that Sister wallace and I have the faith that you can be healed and walked, but our faith wont bring forth miracles, that it was all up to him and that he could do it, and we knew it! we closed the lesson and then stood up and told him to stand up. he pointed for his walker, and sister wallace said no. We each took him by the hand and as we were standing there next to him I could feel the strength flood into his legs as he stood. I didn't help him and sister wallace didn't either, we were just there incase he fell. he started to scoot his feet  but after scooting them about 3 times he took his first step. THE FIRST STEP HE HAS TAKEN IN THREE YEARS!! I was speechless. He walked 10 feet or more and then returned to his chair. His grandkids were just staring with thieir mouths wide open. they couldn't believe it. one of them was crying and Brother Noynoy leaned over and with tears streaming down his face said "its okay, your grandpa can walk!" He shook our hands and thanked us. We told him that It wasn't us that it was Heavenly Father, and his faith. I still get goose bumps with I think about it or talk about it and it brings tears to my eyes. I witnessed a miracle. A true Miracle. A man with PARALIZED legs walked. And I was there. This gospel blesses families! IT blesses lives!

Yesterday I had my first baptisim! Brother Robertino, he is 49, got baptized and comfirmed a member of the church. I'm not counting it as my first convert baptixim though, because we didnat actually find him, we just continued to teach him... but it was still just as cool! 

So, haha, this is funny. We were waalking down the street and this little boy was walking backwards and almost ran into me and when he turned around he gasped and then staggered backwards... hahah and just stared. It was sooooo funny. apparently i'm still too white, and I stick out just a little too much still. (:

I also tried my first Buko Shake! I loved it! Buko is Coconut. And if you know anything about me, you know that I LOVE coconut!! So we went back like three days in a row to get one. haha, yeah, i'm kinda a little addicted. (:

A few nights ago, the sisters that we live with were outside doing laundry and my comp and i were planning, and all of a sudden we started to hear screaming and all sorts of banging... so we went out there and there was a snake... and Sister Shakespear had the mop and was trying to hit it... haha so then I tried to get it... and then I hit it and it moved and we all started screaming. I was just trying to be brave.... ad the snake got the best of me... so I decided to get back at it. I ran inside and got the permetherin. and I soaked the snake!!@ haha I hope it burned its skin! lol. Then I sprayed the hole that It came out of... and anoter snake that was bigger came out!!! AAAAAAAAAJJHHHHHHHHHHH haha so I squirted it with permetherin(: hahahahhaha take that nasty snake that slithers!(: Basically, I won that round!

Thats about all the cool things that happened this week that I can remember. (: I love it! I love having the opportunity to serve my Heavenly Father, and to make him proud! I love being able to pour out my spirit and dedicate my time to him... all the time! Yes, I get a little home sick, and i miss milk and tortillas on a daily basis... but its okay, because i'm having the time of my life! This mission has blessed my life, and its only been 2 months!!! I can't wait to see what lies in store ahead of me(:

I love you all, you all mean so much to me. I hope you are all continuing on the path to eternal life, and striving to become more like Christ Everyday, just as I am. And believe me you, I have a long ways to go. But Anything is possible through Christ. 

Love, your sister missionary,

Sister Young

 

Week Two in the Philippines! Everything is better in the Philippines!

Wow there is so much to tell you about this week!! So on tuesday we went to one of our areas and we were trying to contact a family and when we saw that they werent there we asked someone if they knew where another family lived. A young man came up to us and said that he would take us. as we were walking he asked us what our names were so we told him and then asked what his name was. He said "brother Rex" so we thought oh, he might be a member so we asked and he said no... but because we introduced ourselves as "sister" he thought he would say "brother" haha. anyways so we get to the less active's house and Brother Rex stayed and listened to the lesson... infact, he even prayed the opening prayer!! It was a beautiful prayer. We taught him, and the less active member that was all spacing out the doctrine of christ and we felt inspired to ask him to be baptized.. he ACCEPTED!! so his baptism date is september 14. how amazing. then we gave him the lesson one pamphlet and told him we would be back to teach him in 2 days. when we got back to him he had read the whole pamphlet and wanted to know so much more. he said that his favorite section was the prayer part and he said that he prayed about our message and he knows in his heart that it is true!! as we were teaching him later in that appointment, we got to the restoration and he started crying as we recited the first vision. the spirit was so strong!! we gave him a book of mormon and intived him to read the introduction and we would be back in 2 days. We all kneeled in prayer on the dirt floor, and he said a beautiful prayer straight from his heart. we went back on saturday, taught him more about the book of mormon and before we could talk about the holy ghost, he explained to us what the holy ghost is and how he feels it everythime he reads and when we teach him. We invited him to come to our english class that we teach at the church at 4 on sundays, and he came, and LOVED it! we also invited him to come to church the next day... but the next day came and it was raining... and in the philippines if it is raining people dont really go outside so we wwnt to the place we told him we would meet so we could walk to the church together...but he never showed up. so we took a jeepney to the church. I was so sad... then when we got to the church... he was there!! he said that he came early cause of the rain. wow... I was just so happy!! so as we teach him and prepare him more for his baptism, i'll let you know!

Our other investigator that we aquired, Brother robertino, is gettin baptized on sunday! I'll send pictures next week. 

so, funny story..well actually kinda creepy.. but my companion and I were walking back to our areas after english class and all of a sudden a man pulls over and rolls down his window and asked my companion what MY name was.. she told him. and then he asked for my number...she said no cause we are missionaries, then he got all mad and started pointing at me and looking at me and said "but I want her! I like her!" it was so creepy... so we walked away really fast... thankfully he turned around. That day I was so paranoid. I'm going to get kidnapped.

Doing Laundry

People here think that we are so beautiful... and they always tell us.. and then I get home and look in the mirror...and I'm like... what in the world are they thinkin??? haha no make up, my hair is all crazy, and I'm usually wet from either the rain... or sweat. Its weird. Yesterday after church we had a lunch appointment so we went and the 2nd councellor to the bishop came up to me and said, "Sister Young, is your birthday March 9th?" I looked at him all weird.. and said... no, guess again? then he said," oh I was jsut wondering cause Barbies birthday is March 9th" hahahahahahhaha apparently I look like barbie... his wife told him while we were eating that I looked like a barbie... so apparently barbie has gained like 5000 pounds and has curly hair... (: haha 

All the children love me here. we were teaching a lesson to Brother Noynoy, andother investigator, and his grandchildren were rubbing their hands on my legs.... its a good think that I shaved!! hahahah

Here in the philippines, sacrament meeting is last... and we never end on time.. or start on time for that matter.. so church starts at 9... but we dont actually start until 9:30.. adn ends at 12.. but we don't end till almost 1 sometimes. its crazy. and If the bishop doesn't want to wear a tie... he doesn't. haha it is so crazy here(: I love it!

So.... spiders here are the size of my head... we were teaching on wednesday i think it was and i look at the wall of this one family's and there was this GIANT spoder!! and I freaked our a little,... and then I focused on the lesson then I looked back to where it was.. and it was GONE!! talk about paranoid!!!! AAAAAAAHHHHHHH

My Companion and I

Oh, the Philippines is such a great place.. seriously, I love it!! The people are all miniature, they all look the same, and think I look like barbie.. I mean, how mcuh better could it get? haha(:

Work with your wards and work with the missionaries... it will bring you so much happiness and blessings!!!  I promise you. I love this gospel, this work... it is so rewarding to see the changes in people, and to see how REAL this gospel is and how it is for everyone!!

I love you all, and I am hoping that You are all missing me too.... (: you better be!!! haha. 

Make sure you are all writing me letters and stuff! 

Until next week... 

have a great week!(: love you!

The Value of a Voice

Family!!

I cannot describe the tremendous amount of joy and happiness that flooded into my heart as I heard Your voices!! especially weldon't "tia! tia!tia!"  but it saddens my heart that I didn't get to hear my dads voice... i don't know your phone number! But I can still feel your love!

I'm sorry that when I called I cried like a little baby! I started crying when I was dialing grandpas phone number. then I heard his voice and happiness filled my heart, then i heard moms voice and my heart started to fill more! then I heard weldon's little voice and my joy and happiness was overflowing!!! I just wanted to talk and talk to you but I only had 4 minutes till i had to board the plane. It was such a blessing though that grandpa was with mom. I only had time to call one of my famly members and two were together!! thats awesome!

I'm sorry that I told you that I was scared. that probably didn't make you feel too comforted. But I had a moment of weakness! I'm not really too scared... well... maybe... jokes! I'm just missing my family...

Never has my heart been more sad though than when I had to hang up the phone knowing that I wouldn't hear any of your voices until christmas. I also never realized the Value of a Voice.  now, think of that! I used to take for granted talking to you or I would complain about having to call when I got to my destination, etc... but oh how I wish i could've appreciated those moments because now I would give so much to listen to your voices. To hear the love you have for me. TO hear your support. to hear my moms voice... the first voice I ever Herd! Voices are powerful! Cherish the moments!

So... now on to the Philippines!! We got here... On wednesday and had orientation with president and stuff.. we took pictures.. did you ever look up his facebook? I probably look discusting! oh well.. then On thursday I met my trainer. She is from Arizona, somewhere by tuscan, and she is 19. We are serving in the Bacolod South stake in the tangube ward. Its pretty crazy. We are an additional set of missionaries in this ward. The Elders are pretty cool though, they have been showing us around and taking us to dinner appointments. 

I love it here. I'm not going to lie... its such a culture shock but I feel as if it is normal. as if the much and gunk we ahve to walk through and the poor poverty houses that we go visit and all the nasty trash... like it is all normal.  It is such a tender mercy of the lord.  I Don't think that I could be a missionary if heavenbly father hadn't blessed me with a quick adjustment to the villiage life. There is no way that I could work and not be caught up in wanting to help everyone with the modern luxuries of the states.  DOn't get me wrong, I still want to help them and I want to just give everything I hve to them.. but that Is not my focus. My focus is to teach them the gospel, becase they don't need the luxuries of the states, they are pretty content the way they are.

We are so blessed... my companion and I and the other two sisters in our apartment. We have actual toilets, and actual showers.. well kinda, we only have cold water, but It feels so good! And we don't really have bugs, although there was a lizard on the wall.. that kinda creeped me out! we also don't have dirt floors like most everyone else.

The first day that we got to our area, we went to a dinner appointment and we taught a lesson. Everything that I learned in the MTC was gone.. out the window! it was so crazy... ANd I was so..... lost. UGH!! but, I just bore my testimony as well as I could in really choppy ilonggo. Its so cool though how the spirit works.

OH! I would like to announce, that I've been in the philippines for like 5 days and I'm already suffering from... Diahrrea. Oh yeah buddy! its so great... not. Its probably from the half cooked meet stuffed in slimy noodle things in the soup that I ate at the First birthday party that I attended here!!! Its rockin! I puked last night too... So, my body isn't really adjusting too well. Its okay though!

I love you all so much, I hope you know that. Being here makes me appreciate my family. the people here only have their family... literally, thats ALL THEY HAVE! I am sorry for all of the struggles and strife that I put you all through all during my life. I'm sorry that I have an attitude problem at times. I'm sorry that I didn't come home on time, or when I was stubborn. I'm sorry.

I can already see the blessings of me being here on a mission. God loves us, and we need to always show our love to him! In everything that we do here on earth.

I love you all, and I can't wait to email you and tell you about my first convert, and my firsts of many things!! Have a great week and know that I am okay and that I am praying for you all the time! And that i'm working hard!

Love, your sister missionary,

Sister Young

Some nasty chicken stuff