Another week in Paradise...ah...Binmaley pala

Nov 25, 2012


Our Thanksgiving Feast!  Lechon Manok!!! Soo good...
and let's not forget the rice  :)




US eating our Thanksgiving Feast!

 Well...where do I even begin. First of all, this was another great week. We had our thanksgiving feast...Lechon Manok and rice...just kiddin, we did cook peas and made mashed potatoes. I guess it's tradition in Sis. Carrs family to do a bubblegum contest too, so we did that just for fun too. It was fun!
Kind of a cool thing-  Sis. Carr and I both remember going to EFY one year when we were like 14 years old....and it was at Idaho...and then she asked me about the people in my group...and that was a long time ago so I don't really remember..but we both remember a Ben who played the guitar and a backstreet boys dance/song...haha so we're guessing we were in the same group...who would have known we'd be serving in the same mission together like 10 years later...crazy God's plan for us that we don't know!
I also was really excited because I rode in a car 2 times this week...wow I felt different, I actually didn't like it, I asked them if it was okay with them if we could just walk instead, so that it wouldn't draw attention. Even if I wore rags as clothing, because I'm american I still have the steriotype that I'm filthy rich....if only that was true. haha Anyways...I just don't want to add more attention to it by riding in a car. I was freaking out though, it was soo nice. I  know I'm gonna freak out when I come home. hahaa One thing I will not miss is every morning waking up to the smell of dried fish coming from the renters in the basement...I soo hate that smell!! haha Yesterday it was soo bad I had to grab a towel and breathe into it...ahhh....and Sis. Valera's favorite food is...FISH....so we go to the "wet market" every pday to buy fish for her....I want to throw up every time. Yes, even though I'm here in the Pines...that still hasn't rubbed off on me....who knows...I've still got 4.5 months left haha...it could still happen. :)
This week we had a lot of tender mercies...as in...a lot. The longer I am here in the mission field, the  more I realize God's part in our every day life. We are so blessed- we had a ton of appointments this week- and almost all of them were either not there when we went to them, or when we went there, they asked if we could come back later, they didn't want us to share. So...I don't know why, but I had a name that I was looking at awhile ago pop into my head, so we went there- and....it turns out we ended up extending a baptismal date to them that night- we now have 5 IBD's or bap dates- they were prepared to receive the gospel. I don't know why at that exact time we went there, it just so happened that their dad was visiting from his work far away, and was leaving later that night- but I know that God had a plan for us to share with them our message, at that exact time, and it wasn't an accident.
Anyways, hopefully that experience was clear, I'm running out of time, but I love you all...my 45 minutes to email goes by way too fast!
xoxox
love and pray for you always

What Another Great Week!!!!



We had a party at one of the member's houses- It was
Sister Carr's one year anniversary!

  Nov 18, 2012

This week was awesome!!! I got to see recent converts that I had in my first area, they found out I got transferred to Binmaley and....they came to our ward! haha It was soo great to see them, and now...I can actually talk to them for real! haha :) I was soo excited you have no idea!
This week...we worked so hard...I actually don't think I've worked this hard my entire mission...I am soo tired....but happy!! haha :) We found 13 less actives for the week, and we now have 15 new investigators this week....I'm really lucky, once again to have a companion that loves to work :) We are now getting familiarized with the area...actually it's really crazy, I would consider myself "Kabao" or forgetful most of the time, but here, I feel like Heavenly Father has really helped me to be able to remember the people and the places. I don't know if I mentioned that last time, but it's been such a great tender mercy that he's given to me. I just talk to these people once, and I can remember their names and where they live. I could tell you almost all the names of the streets and areas here in Binmaley....and I know that's not me...that's completely the Lord helping me. Sometimes when we're riding a trike I"ll feel prompted to get off...so we do, and it happens to be right in front of the persons house we were looking for.  It's been such a blessing for me to know that I really am not alone...well of course, I have my great companion...and of course, God.
We've decided prayers are really powerful. Yes, you would think we would have known that before...but this week....it was tuesday night, and we were starving cuz we ate lunch at 12:00 and it was now 9:00 at night, we were heading home, but we decided to stop by the Lopez' first...because they said if we want dinner, we have a dinner appointment every night, we just pick up dinner and go. haha they're soo great, they're like family I love them. Anyways, we decided to go by their house and see what Sis. Lopez had cooked. I told Sis. Valera I was praying it was Lechon Manok (or...barbeque chicken I think...that's what it means in english?!) Anyways...its my favorite...and guess what. We got there...and Sis. Valera just smiled and we laughed...I told her I prayed that it would be that...and yep...it was! Then....Saturday was another really long day and we hadn't eaten anything...and I ate cereal for lunch...so I was kinda hungry. Anyways....I said I was hungry....and our next apointment....first time meeting her...she brought out a "merienda" Merienda means snack....yes!!! I was soo excited...we got crackers and juice....that same day...we were still hungry and mentioned it to each other....then...bam next appointment...my merienda naman again! hahaha.Heavenly Father is making sure we're well fed apparently, haha.  Of course...I don't eat very much now...I've learned to say no...or else I seriously would be coming home 2 times the size I was before I left...now this is what we call, if I haven't mentioned it to you before the "sexy six" so...the last 6 months....you get your body back to...as close as possible...as normal....hahahaha So....anyways...God answering our prayers...even as small as they were....just shows you how aware he is of us. haha and...it was another tender mercy from Him.
In Relief Society last week and this week we talked about Kindness...and the role of mothers and parents and having a good relationship for your children. They of course, asked us for additional comments. And they all laughed as I was trying to say what Mom always told us "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all". but...if you translate that to tagalog it's "kung wala kang mabuting sasabihin, huwag ka na lang magsasalita." hahahaha It sounds sooo rude in tagalog, so they all laughed when I told them my mom always told me that when I was growing up. haaha Anyways, they talked about parents still loving each other and showing that affection so their children know how to treat their spouse one day. I was also happy to tell them. Even though my parents have been married for over 45? years...when My Dad comes home from work, he still finds my mom first thing, gives her a hug and kiss and tells her he missed her. Awww.....they were touched. hahaha it was funny, and I told them about just the little things you always did when we were growing up, the culture is so different here. You rarely hear an "I love you"....don't get me wrong, the Filipino people are the sweetest most loving people....soo giving...but they show their love differently than verbally....but they want to change...they want to say "I love you" more often. Anyways...it was just cute to see their reactions.
As I was sitting there in sacrament a few weeks ago, I didn't have time to mention it to you, but it was my first week and I remember the lyrics of hymn 169 written by L. Tom Perry really stuck out to me. It says there: "The way to thee is righteousness, the way thy life was spent...with hands now pledged to do thy work, we take the sacrament. As now we praise thy name with song, the blessings of this day will linger in our thankful hearts, and silently we pray. For courage to accept thy will, to listen and obey, we love thee, Lord; our hearts are full. We'll walk thy chosen way." Tears filled my eyes, how grateful I am for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I just thought about my thankful heart, and how my hands, especially now are pledged to do his work. I have seen countless times over the past 14 months how the Lord has led me by the hand and taken me on paths that I never thought I would go, or didn't know how to get there. But, if your hands are pledged to do his work....if we love him. If we truly listen and obey...we WILL walk His chosen way.
On a funnier note... we were heading to this less actives' house, and we ran into this man, and he was drunk. And He was soo funny. He said "Wow, there's an Americana here, wow. You know, my Dad is Mormon....But I'm not mormon yet. I'm still a filipino. I'm not mormon" He just kept saying that over and over it was hilarious. I'm not mormon, i'm a filipino. haha we laughed soo hard.
oh what else....we also found this other less active for the first time. And...yep, you guessed it...when we found him...he was drinking alcohol...just sitting on his porch hanging out. We asked him if he was this man "Caezar Avalos" and he said nope. there's no Avalos' here. Then someone called his name from afar and said "Cezar" hahaha it was sooo funny, we totally felt prompted to stop and talk to him too...we knew it was him. It's like an adventure and mystery here seriously...I love it! :)
Anyways, that's all I have to say this week, I love you all and I am so grateful for you, especially because next week is Thanksgiving. I am soo grateful too for my country, for all of our freedom and privileges that we have. I am so grateful for the Gospel. I am so grateful that I know of God's plan for all of us, and I am so grateful that he has trusted me for this short period of time to do his work.
I love you all
xoxox
Love Sis Allen
P.S. I totally want to change the name of my blog from "Bahala ka" because...now I actually know what that means. I think the new name of my blog should be "Sulit Talaga". I think those are my favorite words, I say them numerous times every day. It means "It's worth it". I think in every lesson I always leave with saying that I know it's not very easy to follow the commandments, i know sometimes it's hard...but...It's worth it. Sulit Talaga.
Anyways
I love you
xoxo

So you may think that's grass under us,
but it's not.  It's like a dirty pond.  Sis. Valera was
freaking out.  We were just praying we didn't fall.
It was so shakey and unstable.
But it's okay!  We're alive!

Welcome to Binmaley!!!

Binmaley Welcomed Us!
This beach is part of our proselyting area...it's so pretty.



Yup. We walk here every week, part of our area.
I love Binmaley!

 
  Nov 11, 2012

Well...what another great adventurous week in the Filipines!!!! It seriously was an adventure...we were lost together, but it's okay...at least we weren't lost alone.

Friday we had our "New Missionary Training" so we took a 2 hour bus ride to Urdaneta for Sis. Valera's training...we didn't get home till 6pm at night...but that's okay...it was worth it. Even though I'm not a new missionary, I still feel new, there is still soo much more that I want to learn, and every time I come from a meeting with Pres Monahan I just feel pumped and ready to go.

So everyone is talking about the election here. I knew the very hour that Pres Obama got re-elected. They all wanted "Bro. Romney" to win again. hahaha It was really funny...when I found out, of course I'ts BAWAL or we're not supposed to talk about politics...so I just cried inside instead of vocalizing how sad I was. haha

So I found out one of our "housemates' - Sis. Alvaro said she totally knew me before she got here to the Mission, cuz she stalked my blog. I thought it was funny, she said my blog was her favorite because it was promptly updated every tuesday. haha So...thanks Mom for the prompt update...I knew I could count on you :) haha

Last P Day I told you that it was an adjustment here, and I Really wasn't looking forward to the rusty water. Well...I've been surprised at myself, because I feel right at home again. Last p day we went home, and we just cleaned our little hearts out, until the aparment was spotless and we felt comfortable. haha :) Then, I spent hours fixing the area book (the area book is there, and that's the only information you have about the area, and about the members that and investigators that they were teaching before..if there is no area book, you are completely lost.) Well...the area book hasn't been used for a while...and our teaching pool is literally 0 people because it's open area....but, i fixed all the less active papers, updated everything, asked for new copies of the ward directory- color coded it by area...created little tabs so it'd be easier...yep I seriously spent hours...but...it's okay...now I feel comfortable...and things are good. It's under control and so now we can work our little hearts out, and I won't be concerned in the back of my head. We went to our district meeting and when I expressed my concerns all Elder Wood said was "sounds like you're just a little bit of a perfectionist. Do you have OCD?" Yep...is that not a typical 19 year old Elder response?! jhaha...I just said "yep...and there's nothing wrong with that, especially when it's the Lords work. Read 3 NE 12:48...there is especially nothing wrong with it, when its the Lords work."...it was kinda funny.
I also really laughed when one of the speakers sunday read D&C 84:80 and said that not one hair of our head is lost and goes unnoticed by God...well....espeically I laughed kasi....that's like the number one concern of all the missionaries...I will be surprised if I don't come back bald....there's a lot of hair loss goin on in our apartment. haha

Anyways, I'm running out of time. Just know, that this week we have been lost...but not really. The Lord is by our side. We found 10 new investigators this week that we got from preaching by the way, and we've had less actives come to church this week that have been visited by the missionaries for months, and they finally came to church this last week. I am so grateful for the Spirit, and for God's trust in me and in all of His missionaries.

Love you all and have a great week,
Love,




This is not an animal...there's a trike underneath all of that!

 

Finally...area 3....guess where ?!?!?!

Lingayen....here we come...again!

Nov 4, 2012 

Transfer point was crazy! First of all, one of the Elders made the mistake of saying to me. "Sis. Allen, I know where you're getting assigned. I hope you like the heat." and then I asked one of the sisters after he left what zone he was in and he said Lingayen Zone. Well...then I excused myself to the bathroom...and...you guessed it. Cried. hahaha I did NOT want to be assigned to Lingayen because, althought it was a great expeirence the first time and I will always love the people...it was also the hardest living conditions that I have ever experienced. hahaha
Once again at transfer point I about died when they announced "Sister Allen. Senior. Trainer. Open Area. Will now be serving with trainee Sis. Valera in Binmaley, Lingayen Zone."....ahhh!!! Napakabigat!  Well apparently, I was not sent to Baguio Mission. My call was just to Carmen & Lingayen. Since, my first 5 months here were in lingayen, then the next 8 months were in Carmen, and now...I'm back in Lingayen again! haha I was originally assigned to Lingayen 1st ward. Now I'm in Binmaley ward. Just when I was finally starting to speak a little ilicono...I get transfered to where they speak pangasinan.
Sis. Perina requested from President for her to come to transfer point with me, because she didn't want to say goodbye...and of course, neither did I.  Anyways, she went with, and we got to transfer point a little bit early so of course, we went to the mission house, and met the new incoming missionaries. Sis. Valera, Sis. Velasco and Sis. Lauililau?! Basta...it was a crazy last name. Anyways, Sis. Perina immediatly turned to me and we both said. "Sis. Valera" that's gonna be your trianee. hahaha It was funny. Later that night. Sis. Valera told me that the other trainers came and visited earlier, and she didn't feel anything. But then, when I walked in the room, she felt and knew that I would be her trainer. Kind of amazing how the spirit testifies of that to you. That's why she said she knew it was inspired, and I also know it was inspried, because I know I will learn a lot from Sis. Valera. She is from Cavite....not sure about spelling...but Manila Mission. She is soo sweet, and she doesn't need a trainer. She came to the mission already trained. She too, like Sis. Perina has a testimony of the Gospel. When she teaches, she teaches with power because her testimony is pure. And...she is obedient and a hard worker. I'm so lucky to be able to serve with her for the next 3 months. I know it will be great.
My experience at the ward...Binmaley ward...well, the leaders are so great, and the Bishop is really nice, and is magnifying his call as Bishop. I'm excited to be able to work with them. We showed up at 1:00 and there were no people at the church. haha I was soo confused. Then Sis. Carr showed me their clock and said that they set the clocks late so that they'll feel like they're really on time, but their clock, even though my clock said 1:00 it said it was only 12:30 according to their time. I kind of laughed to myself. they always joke about "filipino time" here...and it's true...they NEVER start on time. It's funny. haha Anyways, the Young Women teacher didn't show up to church so...we got to teach the Young Women...our lesson...about personal progress. I'm actually really greateful for the experience I had teaching them. they're soo great, and sweet, and hopefully someday too, they will serve missions. Anyways, we then attended Gospel Principles, but I felt like I was in a single adult class. It was soo funny, our topic in young womens earlier was about our goal to eventually be married in the temple. Then in Gospel Principle we talked about Eternal Marriage. Then...in church in sacrament one of the sisters bore her testimony about how our goal after our mission should be right after to get married in the temple. Although...it was kinda funny cuz they kept saying just go to the temple...don't be picky. But I 100% disagree there...you have to be picky...just cuz you get married in the temple is no guarantee..it needs to be right. sadly, it should be a guarantee...but we all have our agency. Anyways, I was a little frustrated at their "doctrine" haha....but anyways....then at night....someone else mentioned temple marriage too....Sis. Valera just held up her head and mouthed "that's 4 times now" hahaha it was sooo funny.
This last week was a really bitter experience saying goodbye to my family in Carmen, and meeting my new family here in Binmaley. I shed a lot of tears...of course...you know me :)  Bro. Ariel Medina told me a story, he said he saw me when I was still in my first area, here in Lingayen 1st ward. He said he saw two missionaries walking, and he noticed me. Of course...cuz I'm the only white person within miles. haha everyone notices the white skin. haha Anyways, he said, who would of thought that the missionary he saw 8 months ago would be the missionary that introduced him to the Gospel, and then he would eventually be baptized. Now, he is working with the missionaries, and he is preparing to serve his mission as soon as he hits his 1 year mark. I'm really excited for him. It was kinda a cool coincidence....but then again, we know that there are no real coincidences in the gospel. :)
Anyways, the Gospel is true, this has been a fun week, I can't wait to go home and scrub my aparments from ceiling to floor so its actually liveable.
haha
love you all
xoxox