Tulak ng bibig, kabig ng dibdib.

Sep23, 2012
Well Hello Family,
The subject of this week's email yes is "tulak ng bibig, kabig ng dibdib" which literally means in english "push with your lips, pull with your heart" which is an idiomatic expression here in the philippines, that's what I learned this morning in language study. What that means is that, you say you want one thing, but you really mean another thing, your heart says something different. I was reading in the conversational tagalog book this morning. It said that filipino's, when it comes to relationships, they will say stuff to irritate another person, to see how deep their interest is, and find out what their reaction is, but they secretly have a 'crush' or interest on the other person. I said that line to Sis. Sandoy as she came down the stairs this morning, and we all just laughed, apparently they think it's really funny when you say that. haha Anyways, don't worry, I do study the gospel in tagalog too..butu sometimes it's fun to study other parts :) haha
What a great week, again. I did not transfer, I am still here in Carmen. I have no idea when they sent me to the Philippines that they were not sending me to Baguio Mission, but rather Carmen mission. haha. Because I did not transfer, that means I will be here till November 2nd- the next transfer day. Meaning, I will have spent over 8 months in one area. That's like...unheard of. haha But, I know there is a purpose for it :) I still have unfinished business here :) We do however have 2 more sisters that got assigned here to carmen, so we are not alone anymore, thank goodness, because our area was sooo huge! So...Sis. Sandoy, and Sis. Palmer (she is from park city, utah) boy has it been fun to watch her go into culture shock...I just laugh and remember all of those funny memories now, but...it wasn't so funny when it was happening to me. haha They are cute, and we're really excited that we are 4 now in our apartment, masaya!
So yes, last monday when I emailed you I thought i had hit the worst part of my sickness, to my surprise, I got really sick that night and I still have a cough even now, but I am doing good now :) There was a day or so when I had a fever of 102....but its okay, haha they laughed at me, cuz of course, I worked still- then we got home and realized how high my fever was...I had no idea it was that high haha...so we came home a little early from our work, around 8 o'clock, and i took it easy that night. Luckily, God gave me another tender mercies, and that was enough time for me to get feeling better- so I was up and at it again the next day. :)
This week we had the baptism of Bro. Sadi. We have one investigator, Bro Emil, he is the nephew of Sis. Orenia (so active, and great sila. Anyways, I told you about him in my last emails.) It has been soo fun to watch him literally change, his countenance has changed- and he is excited to be baptized, and wants to serve a mission. He has still had no problems with cigarette smoking or drinking. He is amazing, we're really excited!

We did have on interesting experience this week, when we went to the house of one of our progressing investigators, finally her husband faced us, after several times of him hiding when we came, but...what happened was unexpected...we spent almost 2 hours there, he was just telling us about his understanding of the truh, and his belief. He wanted to debate with us. haha it was intersting- he said all the churches just want to have more members- because it's more fun, and the leaders make money, and that's why i'm here. Of course, I corrected him- and said that none of our leaders received one cent of money- then of course he said "you mean to say, you don't have have sallary right now?" Of course I proudly said, nope. I saved up my money, so I could come here and preach the gospel. then he said "ano gust mo patunayan sa sarili mo?" hahaha I just said excuse me? because that basically means "what are you trying to prove to yourself by coming here?"  then he rephrased his question and asked why i was here on a mission and I just said...Because I love God, and I know through the power of the Holy Ghost that this is his church. He couldn't argue there. haha anyways, it was very intersrting, even a year into the mission- there's never a dull moment and never an opporutnity passed by to have a "first experience" that was a first for me.
Anyways, the work is good, it is true. :) I can't believe this week is my year mark!!! Yay, time flies! :)
I love you all and pray for you always,




I guess I passed the judgement day!

 

Week 6...again :) (meaning transfers!)



Me, Sis. Perina with Sis. Ardoum


Sep 16, 2012
Well Hello there Family! What another great week!  I'm waiting a little anxiously- I'm not sure if I'll be transferred this week, or not. I'm guess not, because we haven't finished the 12 week training program...but I feel like maybe I will...cuz if I don't- It will end up being almost 8 months in one area by the time I transfer.

This week was great, we had a Tri-Zone Conference, and Elder Ardourn (of the 70's) was there. They told us all to prepare just a 3 min scrip thought- of course I thought about it, but I seriously could not decide what scripture I wanted to use. Well, of course- Elder Ardourn called me up out of the Audience filled with missionaries...and I shared what came to my mind- the verse that changed my service here in the mission field Mark 8:35. Oh my gosh then he kept me up there for a long time, kept asking me questions about the work, and how to overcome things...just totally put me on the spot....and of course- as I was bearing my testimony- I cried....because I realized how much I really have changed throughout my mission, how much I really have learned to rely upon the Lord. It was a great experience.  I was a little shocked, after that all the Sisters met together, and Sis. Ardourn (his wife) talked to us. She talked about Marriage, and marrying the right person. I seriously just thought to myself 'really, do we really need to talk about this right now? We're missionaries...I really don't even want to worry about this right now." haha But it was good, the things she said. She said to think to ourselves always- when we're looking for our future spouse "Is he a man of God, or of the world?" she said if we can answer, he is a man of God, then we'll be okay. The more I thought about it, the more I agree with her, but of course, if he is a man of God....that means I also have to be a woman of God- becuase I can't expect more than I am willing to be in my spouse.Anyways...that was interesting...I then realized- soon I will be back in a singles ward...yep, so not looking foward to that! haha

Friday- we had exchanges- with Sis. Perina's batch mate here, Sis. Urbano- It was werid being the senior and evaluating companion of the other- teaching her what I know, instead of being taught. I thought to myself wait...how did that happen? When did I become the older missinary here in the field? haha

Bro. Sadi passed his baptisimal interview, we will be having a baptisim this next saturday! We're excited; of course! :) I got to watch sunday, as Bro. Ariel & Jayson (they were baptized 2 weeks ago) wore their brand new white shirts and ties and passed and blessed the sacrament, as in...I was like a proud parent. Speaking of proud parent- it's fun to watch Sis. Perina, she does what I do, her tendencies, and her teaching style is exactly like me...we were laughing about that earlier this week, cuz we realized that must be what it's like to be a real parent, and watch your kids grow up and become like you. haha :)

We have one referral from an active member that sometimes works with us, Sis. & Bro. Orenia, their nephew that lives with them- he was always drinking, as in getting drunk nightly and before he smoked 1 1/2 boxes of cigarettes a day- we taught him the first lesson-the spirit wa soo strong, and knowing that the "word of wisdom" would be a problem, I left him a pamphlet about it.  and when we returned for the second appointment, he completely went "cold turkey" and got rid of his cigarettes and alchohol. He knows that the gospel is true, and he is one of those golden investigators. We're soo excited...he's 21 years old. He now has a baptisimal date Oct 27. :)

Anyways, overall this week has been a great one, can't wait to see what this next week has in store.
xoxox
thinking of you and loving you always

The Sisters table!  Kain tayo! (Let's eat!)

It's a "BER" month...that means...CHRISTMAS HERE!!!

"Tubo" or sugar cane...it is really sweet inside...it's a snack for the
kids...it's a really cheap snack, you just go chop down a tree!

Sep 9, 2012

So again, I just can't get over the fact that because it's a "ber" month, meaning the month ends in ber "septemBER" we're seriously celebrating christmas, I was soo taken aback the other night we went to one of our recent converts houses and she had a big christmas star on her front door all lit up. hahaha It's hilarious!
This week- when I walked into our CR or bathroom in the morning, I was shocked when I was greeted by a "palaka" or frog instead of "ipis" cockroaches in our bathroom. hahaha we just have all sorts of fun things crawling around in our bathroom...how on earth a frog got in there- I have no idea. haha
So I also heard something really funny this week that I had to share with you. There was some girl that got married last week, and this guy was telling us this story- inactive member- and he is a little bitter because he's like 48 years old now and still...no asawa or wife...haha Anyways- he was like "yep, she got married and she got 3 rings". I said "huh, 3 rings?" seriously confused- then he said yep, "her engagement ring, wedding ring, and sufferRING. hahaha we all laughed...I thought it was funny...he's soo bitter.
One other thing I heard this week from Pres Fajardo, he said to talk to God you dail "22211" I was confused...then he said "2 Knees, 2 arms folded, 2 eyes folded, 1 broken heart and 1 contrite spirit" I thought that was cute...so if you need help, can't text...but you can dial 22211 :) haha
This week we had a lot of meetings. We met with the EQ Pres, RS Pres, Primary Pres, YW Pres, and Bishopric and of course our regular MCM meeting- it was soo great, I feel like we got a lot accomplished. I introcued them to the callings "RS coordinator and RS supervisor" for visiting teaching-bishop didn't even know it existed- i'm grateful that was one of my callings before the mission, and hopefully we'll get that up and operating now. our meetings were very successful- we'll continue meeting with them until we get some of their issues worked out...like the fact that before now- none of them had ever had a presidency meeting...yep...things will be changing here in carmen ward :) haha
I found out one of my recent converts, Bro Hernani Bidan from Lingayen was called to serve as 1st councelor in the bishopric there! My jaw dropped...he is soo great, I just am soo proud of their whole family, they're doing great, not to mention his daughrter is now the YW President! :)  We had another baptism this week! This one was soo special for me...it was Brother Ryan Marzan. I feel as if he is my son..haha I just love him and his whole family, and I remember our first appointment with him and afterwards telling Sis. Olila I wanted to "drop him" because he wasn't progressing and he had no interest. Then I told her we needed to talk to him and see what he wants..after that, he began to change...and he has completely turned his life around. A year ago, you would have found him on the street- having a drinking party, with lots of body piercings, smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, ditching school, swearing a ton, and being rude. haha Now...He's at church, or seminary, or working with us, when you talk to him, his testimony is soo heart felt...its that "true conversion" that takes place if you have real intent. I'm really grateful that Heavenly Father let me be a part of his experience finding the truth.
The work is good, the work is true...life is great of course, i love the people, i love everything about it here...i can't imagine a day when I'm not here...
xoxoxo
love you all, and of course pray for you always
Love,

Bro. Ryan and Bro. Joenice-
baptism of Bro. Ryan this week

Agrugi Tayong! (ilicono iyon)

Sep 2, 2012
I am so sorry that I seriously am not creative at titles at all...This week was pretty great! I am starting to learn a little bit of Ilicono....I feel pretty cool when I can speak Ilicono because first of all their really confused when they see that an americana can speak tagalog...they're REALLY confused when I speak ilicono. hahaha I love it! :)
This week we were very surprised to receive a phone call from Pres and Sis. Monohan while we were having personal study. He just asked me to clarify the directions to our apartment, so I did, he said okay, see you in 5 minutes, we're almost there. Fear came over me. haha Oh no...I hurried and made sure that our apartment looked descent...and then tried to act calm and cool as they pulled up to our apartment. They came and had companionship study with us! They were great, and I just absolutely love them. One I love them because they're soo nice and want to help and are magnifying their calling....and I have not once left a conversation with Pres Monahan where I did not feel the spirit super intensely sp? (ps don't make fun of my english haha, i'm sorry its gotten really bad now) And two...I love them because they're brilliant and I learn a TON from them. We can spend an hour just dissecting and discussing one verse from the scriptures. and three...they're strict. There's no messing around, and there's no way to get away with anything now in the mission. They're very strict...but of course loving. It's like they say. "the more control from within, the less control from without. The less control from within, the more control from without." totoo yun. Anyways, I just love them :) And four. I love them because they have a great relationship with each other...they remind me of you...mom and dad :) They just are happy and so polite and just cute with each other...even after so many years of marriage...i just love them :)
This week was also great because...we had a family baptism! The Hernandez Family, and Brother Ariel Medina! I was soooo excited, I could hardly sleep friday night. Especially because they were soo ready to be baptized. So my cliff hanger story....not really a huge cliff hanger, but it is one story that I will never forget. The story of the Hernandez story, maybe I've already told you about them but...they're sooo special to me.  their next door neighbor is a less active member, so When Sis. Olila and I were companions about 6 months ago, we went and found Brother Elmer, their next door neighbor. It was night time, maybe lke 9:15 at night, we were about to go home, and it was pouring rain...as in...it was raining really hard! Anyways, as we left their house, I saw this man standing on his front porch...he had just finished a cigarette...anyway I looked at Sis. Olila and said...lets preach by the way. She just looked at me like...are you kidding me...and then an expression that said, okay, if you want to. haha Anyways, we went over to them, and I just said Hello, do you know brother Elmer? We're coming form there, he's a member of church, the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints, do you know other missionaries like us? And that opened up a huge conversation. I found out that his name was Jerry Hernandez, he was from La Union (about a 3 hour bus ride from here) and he was baptized, he was a member and he hasn't been to church in about 18 years now,. He said he was offended so he never went back. He was an active member, he with is family, and he wanted to serve a mission and had prepared. He submitted his papers, he worked with the missionaries before and he was even their cook and tagalaba...what is that in english? the person who does the laundry for the elders at that time) anyways he was close with them. So after he submitted his papers,  his stake president wouldn't let him go on the mission. He kept him back because he said they needed the priesthood there in LaUnion, that he shouldn't leave. Because of that, he became less active. At least, that is what he told us, I dont know if he actually submitted his papers yet or not...but anyways he said he was ready to go to the MTC, but was held back. Anyways, his heart was soo hard, we tried to leave a book of mormon but he wouldn't accept it.  The next week, we returned to teach Brother Elmer (his next door neighbor) and he had a visitor, sis. Adelaida Hernandez, I kindly said "stay for the lessson, we're teaching brother Elmer, stay!" And she said, oh...okay. She was soo shy and just sat in the corner, but she at least stayed. As I met sis. Adelaida her face looked SO familiar to me, almost as if I had known her...as in...I knew I knew her somehow, but I wasn't sure how. Anyways after the lesson we talked and I found out she was the wife of brother Jerry who we had met last week. We kept pushing to teach their family, and finally Brother Jerry opened up and siad, oh before when I was a member we used to have Family home evenings, I said thats a great idea, lets do that. so we set an appt for that thursday and had their next door neighbors who were members come over and it was soo fun, and the spirit was present, and he remembered what i was like to be a latterday saint. Anyways...we continued to visit them. After a few months now, the son of brother Elmer Medina (his less active neighbor) was baptized with the wife of Brother Jerry and his 2 children. this last saturday. Brother Jerry is now very active, and he had the priviledge of baptizing his children and sister this last saturday. The spirit was soo strong, and they all cried as they bore their testimonies at their baptism about how they know this church is true, and it has changed their family for forever. Brother Ariel is lookingn forward to serving amission in one year. And Brother Elmer, his father is now a returning less active member. WE are now teaching the discussions to his wife who is not yet a member, and his other son who has a baptisimal date set for Sept 22. I still don't know how I know Sis. Adelaida, but its like we've been friends for forever...I honestly feel that we knew eachtother before this life. My life will forever be changed because of the Hernandez family.
This sunday, we had our ward council meeting. I talked to bishop before the meeting and asked if it would be alright or help if we met with all of the auxilary leaders individually and taught them how to have a weekly meeting, since none of them have a meeting at all EVER...and he agreed and said thank you. haha Then, in ward council he announced it. He kind of joked as he said that I wouldn't let any of them escape their weekly meeting, so to help with that we scheduled the meeting and I told them their assignments that I wanted them to do before we met with them, so we will have a ton of meetings this saturday and sunday. I scheduled it with RS, EQ, YM, YW, Primary, HP. all of them, should be great, I'm looking forward to this week.
Anyways, "The standard of truth has been erected. No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing. It will go forth boldly, nobly and independent till it has penetrated every continent, swept every climb, and sounded in every ear. Till the great Jehovah shall say, ' the work is done'." I know this is the only true church upon the face of the earth, that Jesus Christ established himself when he was here. I am soo grateful for His trust in me to share that message with everyone here in Carmen.
I love you all, have a great week
Love,



BEFORE....




AFTER!  The baptism of the Hernandez family and brother Ariel!
When I look at this I just think, wow...there's a lot of future
priesthood holders and leaders there :)  Ah I just LOVE them!