"All the Mormons know Ilonggo"

Hi family! another week has come and gone. It is crazy how fast this week was... I can't believe it! It was just like yesterday I was emailing you.....

Anyways... Some pretty awesome things happened this week, as well as some not pretty aweome things. Lets start with yesterday!

One of our Recent Converts that we taught last Monday about tithing and the blessings and stuff came up to me yesterday with her tithing slip and asked me if she had filled it out correctly. when I told her yes, she said, "I'd rather suffer for a moment than for eternity." what a strong mom of two little kids.... She is amazing, and I can't wait to see all the blessings she will receive through out this week! (: It made me cry. 

On Thursday my companion and I went out to one of our farther areas to teach Joemar who is getting baptized on Feb. 1... he is about 12 and is really excited. When we told him that his interview was on Saturday he paniced a little.. they are so poor and it is 44 pesos one way to the church.... and he looked down and then looked up at us with tears weling in his eyes and said he couldn't make it. It broke my heart. ANd then What happened next was even more heart breaking. While I was texting the district leader to figure things out he was asking his sister if it was okay that he didn't eat rice for the next couple of days so he could save the money to make it to his interview so he could get baptized.... I was so.... I don't know the word..sad? heart broken? humbled? 

We eventually got things worked out so it would be on sunday after chruch, so he was able to eat rice. Thank goodness... he already looks like he is 9... 

On saturday we went out to visit him again, and on our way back home we stopped at a veggie stand to buy some veggies and all the ladies were giggling and talking to each other, unaware that I was able to understand them. And then iN english they would say, "you so pretty." "you gots blue eyes." haha and then my compnaion said that I could understand/.. and they all looked at each other and one of them asked if I was a mormon... and I said yes. and then another one piped up and said "All the Mormons know Ilonggo!" haha it was a pretty funny experience. 

On saturday my companion and I were on our way home and behind our house there is a coconut tree...(: and I really wanted coconut milk, so I learned how to get a coconut!! (: 

You take this big stick and you poke at the coconut til it falls down on the ground... and then you take it and you try really hard to open it and then you have to be careful not to cut your finger or hand off... it was really fun! and I got coconut milk..fresh(: 

Sister Delos Santos and I were walking to an appointment yesterday after chruch and we passed a field...

"And I saw a pillar of light, exactly over the field.... and I did see 2 carabou, and the one spake unto me and said....'MOO-ve, I'm tilling my field.."

Hah

So this week I have been thinking a lot about my role as a missionary. And what my life would be like if I wasn't here... and this is what I have come up with for you all...

Doctrine and Covenants 18:10, 15-16

As A missionary it is my purpose and duty to bring others to Christ.  But, even if I didn't baptize one person here in the philippines I would still have accomplished my purpose. 

How?

Because MY SOUL counts, too.

Everyone can experience the joy that is spoken of in these verses by the Lord. Bring your soul unto Him and your joy shall be great! And through your example you can influence others to come unto Christ. 

Every member a missionary.... but sometimes it is hard to find an investigator.... so start with yourself!

I have to do this ever single day because I always make mistakes... But I know that if I am faithful...If I give everything I have to the Lord even myself, my sins, my everything, I will be able to receive his joy later on. 

I testify that these things are true. I know that if you  really want to have joy in this life and the life to come you have to prepare yourself now.  ALMA 34:32-41

How?

Alma 22:15-16, and D&C 18; 11-13

I love you all so much, but there are 2 people who are better than me... who have a perfect love for you... Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Because they love you perfectly they have created this perfect plan for you... and a way to accomplish it. Be prayerful and ask him to help you accomplish it. If you do this I know that we can all experience great joy together in the Celestial Ginharian. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Love, your sister missionary,

Sister Young

Transferrs

So hello everyone. Just to let you all know I was transferred at transferrs last week.... I am now in Silay East ward... which feels like I am out in the middle of the jungle. It is so far away from everything!!! But, its okay. I have a new companion that I am follow-up tranining. Her name is Sister Delos Santos and speaks NO ENGLISH, and no Hiligaynon either... just tagalog. So, its kinda a challenge for me. I can for the most part understand what she is saying, its like the gift of interpretations... but when I speak, she can't understand me. It is hard. But, it will get better.

One of the hardest things is that even though I speak Hiligaynon,... my companion still speaks better tagalog and that is the national language so in lessons she dominates, which is great because she is a good teacher, but makes me feel like I am being trained all over again. Eventually we will create balance.(: so all is well

SO in my new jungle area.... one of our farthest area is 26 kilometers away....it takes about 2 hours to get there on a crowded jeepney on the worst road ever!!! And we get there and have about 15 minutes to teach and then have to literally JUMP out of the house that we are teacching in and catch the jeepney again because if not we have to walk all the way back, in the pouring rain!!! hahaha it is great! anbd it is so beautiful out there. I took a picture.

We had a baptism this week. Lolo carling, he is really old and when he bore his testimony at the baptism, at the end he looked at all of us and in a really stern voice committed everyone to get closer to God. and the said, "I'm done" in english and walked off. haha it was so funny. Everyone started laughing. (: I love silly people.

I got a package from Dad, AUnt traci and grandma young this week. It was full of candy and junk food, just like I asked for, and Sister Delos Santos told me as she was histerically laughing.... "that is all the the americans get in packages is candy." hahah. It is so true too. haha

This week has been kinda challenging just getting used to all the changes and stuff, but I have really got learned so alot of patience. I don't think I would have been able to handle this situation as well as I have if I haden t been studying patience all this month. I am so thankful that I prayerfully made goals, because it really has helped me. (:

Also, one of my companions dreams in life I got to help her check off her list... it was to see and touch snow. And in the christmas package from Uncle brent and Aunt chris they sent me instant snow.... You should have seen how happy she was.. it was like a little kid.. she was so cute.! and told me to tell you thank you!

I love you all, and I am having a blast in my new area, even though I have to get used to everyone looking at me and touching me again. (: it is a great opportunity to share the gospel and wow people with my aweosme language skills! (: haha

Love, your sister Missionary,

Sister Young

 Me and Sister Delos Santos(: This was taken today. ahha, SOrry I look so crazy!

The skeleton that I found last night in our house.... YUCK

 The baptism. The picture with the gate is where the baptismal font is... and that is our chapel...

 

My companion playing with the instant snow(: thank you uncle brent and anunt chris

My last day in Bacolod 1st ward

Grandma says i lost my baby face, what do you think? hahaha I love you all!

Its seriously winter in the Philippines!

Hi family and friends,

This week I have had to wear a sweater/cardigan thing this whole week because it is so chilly. The water from the rain is so cold and the air is really cold! Some members said there is another typhoon coming? I don't really now, but I am so happy for this kind of weather... but it breaks my heart to see how cold the little Filippino people get. They are so not used to this, and have not the clothes to be comfortable.. anyways, there is a lot of sickness in this part of the world right now. 

Last monday, we went to go teach Brother Jon jon, but he punted us... I was so sad, he has never done that. But we got to contact a family of one of our recent converts, and they are so prepared!!! They are the Rosalita family. THe little boys have come to church a couple of times with the RC, but we have not contacted them before because tehy are always busy and we didnt' know where they lived. But this was such a special night. My companion and I had been praying to find new investigators for all week becuase we are having slow work right now. ANd this was the answer to our prayers!

The rosalita family, The dad, Jessi, lost his leg in an accident a couple of years ago, but as I sat in their little rat and cocharoach infested house and taught them about the gospel and laughed and joked with them in Hiligaynon, I and my companion have never felt the spirit so strongly. It was amazing. They have one little square table in their home, and I couldn't help but imagine that in just a few weeks we would all be sitting around that table having scripture study together.... It was amazing. We commited them to baptism on February 22, Pray for them. 

And we also got 21 new investigators this week... it was amaznig. 

This week... I kinda had a hard time. I'm better now after my companion and I talked about it and I prayed really really hard... but it was so hard.

I have struggled with feeling so alone. I don't ever remember in my life feeling as lonely as I did this week... it was so hard. I'm on a mission and I have to be with someone for 24 hours a day 8 days a week!!! I am the closest I have ever been to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ... how was I feeling so alone? It was such a struggle for me..... I was quiet so much and I closed up to my companion....it was terrible. But at companionship inventory... where you are forced to talk to your companion... I opened up and talked to her about it. It was hard, but I felt so much love from her, and from God... I'm not alone, even though I sometimes feeli like it.

Yesterday in sacrament meeting THe youth just got home from a temple trip and they all bore their testimonies,... they all have such good strong testimonies of the temple...it made me think of how much I miss the temple and how excited I am to go back!

I love this Missionary work. It brings me so much joy in my life. Even though I still have struggles and trials and i feel lonely somethimes.... its all okay IF i truct in my father in heaven. I promise if you do it too... you will be belssed and protected!

I love you all.. and Kaela, if you are reading this, I love you and I am praying for you(: 

Love, your sister Missionary,

Sister Young

 

THis is Balute. THe chickin in the egg... it looked so gross I can't even tell you... YUCK!

Sister Orlila, the one who sews.. like mom(;

Me and my companion's name tags(:

And the nasty cockaroach that we found in our apartment this morning... taken exclusively for Eliza Jane.

The real Letter (:

Happy new year!!! I hope you all had a safe and joyful holiday season! We had a really slow week... due to the fact that we had to stay inside a lot of the time, and people are really drunk and scary... But On December 31 my companion and I had some good companionship bonding time! We finished our studying and then started to have a movie marathon! Not real movies... of course, but we watched the District! Haha, it was the best. And the district, is just a movie clips about how to be a more effective missionary. It was such a blast! (:

So, last monday we had a family home evening with the Nang family and we invited one of our investigators. Her name is Gina. When we went to go to her house to walk with her, she was hiding from us.... But she eventually came out and we all went to the FHE. The Nang family always have the best FHE's. THey have a bunch of kids and they are just all so happy and the spirit was just so strong! It was great. Afterwards we were walking Gina home and I asked her how it was? And she said that she loved it and that she wasn't afraid of coming to chruch now because she had such a good time there meeting members! It was amazing.

Then we went to her house on january 1 and taught her and her husband about the plan of salvation. She was so happy that her husband was there and he was participating in the lesson. Then we asked them if they would BOTH come to church... they said yes. ON saturday we went back and just shared a little song and message and reminded her that chruch was the next day, and she said that if it wansn't raining then she would go.

Then sunday came.... It was raining. I was so sad, and I just knew that she wasn't going to come. But we went outside and waited for her anyways. Then right before I was about to give up hope, around the corner came Gina, AND her neighbor, who is one of our investigators that we havent been able to teach in 2 weeks.... I was so great! They came in and sat down, and the spirit was so strong. It was testimony meeting. Afterwards I asked how they liked it. and Gina said that is was the same feeling she felt at the Nangs house. It was amazing.

It is so true that when members get involved everything goes more smoothly. and friendships are made, and everything is just so much better!

So we started teaching English Class at the church as a way to get new investigators. I felt right at home when I got infront of that chalk board and started teaching a whole class.... My companion was really overwhelmed and frustrated, I could tell. So I just took over, and it went so smoothly. There was this one lady there, she is in our ward. Later, after the class, Brother Pastorillio was talking to us and told us that she had taken an hour off work to come to our english class so she could learn how to understand english so that when they read in relief socety that she can understand. How sweet. It was so amazing to hear that. That gives me the motivation to really make english class good!

Lately, I have been seeing so many miracles from people keeping one of the most hard commandments that Heavenly father has given us... ANd that is Tithing.

One of our RC's, she didn't have any light in her house, and never had enough food for her 10+ children.... 2 or 3 sundays ago she came up to me and put money in my hand... and said "tithing." I then took her by the hand and helped her fill out her tithing slip and she gave it to bishop. Then all sorts of miracles started happening to her. She had a wonderful christmas. She has been able to feed her whole family 3 full meals a day... and she had a real light bulb in her house now. and it works. SHe isn't having to use candles all the time now.

Then after church, we were walking down the hall and we saw another one of our RC's for the first time fill out and pay his tithing. His name is Eshmael. he is really really poor, and he hardly comes to church ever... but today he did, and today he paid his tithing. Then my companion and I went into a little room to eat our lunch, and he came through the door with the biggest smile on his face with a little bag of random goods(toilet paper, tooth brush, a friut, rice,) that bishop had given him as he handed him his tithing. He was so touched and happy that someone would do that for him... but really it is because he paid his tithing.

If you pay your tithing, you will be okay! I promise you. You will be given more that what you actually paid in tithing. Seriously. I was not the best at paying my tithing when I was working and in america... expecially when i went off to college in prescott... I was scared that I wouldn''t have money to pay bills or what not and I was tempted and sometimes gave in to the temptation to not pay my tithing. ... I regret it so much. I made Heavenly Father withhold blessing for me.... That was dumb.

Even though this week was long... I had some good experiences. (:

One of the funniest things happened yesterday after church. we had our meeting after chruch and then went to work. We were in BRGY 27 and were going to teach Melonie, but she wasn't feeling well.. so we were talking with the people that were outside her house... there is one of those water well pump things... and Sister Solomon, an investigator, was doing laundry. ANd another investigator was just standing our there. So then we asked if we could help and Sister Solomon said NO. But she walked away and I started to take my bag off and set it on the ground... Yolanda, the other investigator just stared at me with big eyes and started pointing... and then I set my books on the ground. and dipped my hands into the wash bucket and picked up somthing and started to wash it. Yolanda was cackling so loud and then sister solomon came around the corner and kept saying NO NO NO. ahhaa. But then Sister MOser got her hands in there too and grabbed a clothings. haha SIster Solomon was going nuts, and then the whole neighbor hood was watching and laughing. It was funny, and now I think (: that we have built a relationship with the people because they know that we are actual people and not barbies... (: haha. It was so funny i wish you could've been there.

I still think about it and laugh! (:

I hope you all had a wonderful week! And I would like to wish Grandma Cc a happy birthday today. (: (actually yesterday for me, but to day for you cause i'm in the future) and happy belated birthday to Dewayne and Cody! Save me come cake!

Alright, I love you all,

Love, Your sister Missionary,
Sister Young

P.s. Read alma 34 (: love you!

Just to let you all see how cool my mission scriptures are now. I got them clayed.. They look so cool!!!

This is Emelita (RC) and 3 of her children that are baptized now!!!  Yay! Merry Christmas!

New years food from a member(: yum!