I'm A Mom Again...And Now A Grandma!!

You know your umbrella's about had it
when everyone who drives or walks by
just says,,,"nakakahiya naman ang
payong mo"...or that's "your umbrella is
embarrassing"  haha, I'm trying to
make do.

Feb 24, 2013
Well...what a great week...I can hardly believe it...I got a call from Elder Mayes...again...(one of our AP's) I've been called to be a trainer again!!!!! This will be my 4th Child!!!! haha.....that's crazy....we figured...I spent the first 9 months of my mission learning...and the last 9 months have been spent training! haha It should be fun! :) President said I may also be put in a trisome! I was also really excited because Sis. Valera also got called to be a trainer too!!! :) She's soo great, and she's gonna do a fantastic job training!
Yesterday I had the best Ward Council Meeting that I have ever had in my mission. It was amazing...Bishop Baro is amazing. I just love him! I wish I could take his family home with me in my suitcase...I don't think they'll fit! :) We had all of the auxilaries present,and when it came time to talk about missioary work, we presented our plan to have the members be the missionaries and teach the new member discussions- and they're all on board to do it. Not to mention, we also told them we wanted to have a member present from every auxillary at our MCM meetings so the coordination would be better- and more effective fellowhsippers. We then scheduled EFFECTIVE fellowshippers at that time for this week- this week is gonna be awesome. Oh...and not to mention we went through the entire ward directory with all of them and identified who are the active and inactive- and also the part member families. I told them that's who I want to really focus on- the part member families. You can kill two birds with one stone- you're rescuing the lost members- and at the same time you're finding new investigators- and helping bring families to the gospel- so they can be eternal. sounds like a win-win, right?! haha
Anyways...we also had some funny things happen this week.....this cute kid...Raven came in and was explaining to me how sometmies kids at school are rude to him and say stuff that's not nice. I asked him really?! And then I made the mistake of asking him what they said....cuz i thought it was just picking on him....he started swearing up a storm in front of me...and using just....the worst words. Anyways...it was sooo funny Me and Sis. Leuluai at the same time were like "wooaahh...that's enough. ok...stop na" hahaha it was sooo funny we freaked out. I had another wake up moment about how terrible real life really is. Not to mention....we were teaching a recent convert who is 10 years old with her siblings....and we were talking about eternal marriage. They told me they didn't want to get married....that they didn't want to have kids. they said "it's soo hard to give birth" and were explaining the difficult process. haha I was shocked...then they said well..."when I get pregnant, that's when I need to get married". I think I about freaked out...I had to be sure not to scare them but I got soo mad that that's what these kids interpret marriage as...if you get pregnant- then you have to get married. It's soo messed up! I just firmly told them about eternal marriage and being eternal families.

I got to see Sis. Valera again!!!  She's training!
(BTW this dress...yeah a member bought it for me
for like 50 pesos...that's about 1 dollar in the US!

We taught the cassilla family- they made us eat Bagoong at manga na hinaw...i HATE it...i thought i was gonna throw up...but i had to say "mmmm, masarap!" so they wouldn't get offended. hahaha
Anyways, I"m out of time again
I love you all
xoxox
Love,

Another Week in Sevilla

Yes...we really are missionaries from
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints.  And yes, our message is one of
happiness.

Feb 17, 2013
I have sent so many pictures this day, i have had absolutey no time to write youa out this week.
just know that this week was amazing.
We had a great turn out, there were 17 ward members who came to our half day mission, before only 4 would come...so this is progress. not to mention, the members are starting to work.
Sis Leuluai and i sung in sacrament..of course, we sung my fav hymn, "I know that my redeemer lives". The spirit was soo strong. The first 3 verses were in english, and the last was in Tagalog.
We also had zone interviews with President. Mine was more like an exit interview. He just asked me about my plans when I go home and told me I need to start thinking about it.What i'm going to do with schooling oh and of course, all the church leaders' favorite piece of advice...dont delay in finding your enternal companion. Oh man...I just asked him if I could stay here. Actually, at the end he just asked me if I was ready. I just broke down and cried..I just said...i don't want to leave. He told me that I should know that there is nothing else that I could have done to be a more successful or obedient missionary. He told me that my time has come. That the part i'm afraid of is not necessarily to leave, but to leave this great experience behind. The spirit is always so strong, this environment is the best that you could ever have. I have been so blessed to be here.
This week was a good one.
I love you all. You're in my thoughts and prayers always
xoxo

Eto Ang...stretchy pants



San Fernando Zone


Feb 10, 2013
hahaha....hello again....ang aking minamahal na pamilya :)
So.....this was another whirlwind of a week. Geez....Baguio was AMAZING....And Sis. Thea dressed me up. It was appropriate...every where I go here my nickname is "Barbie" ( I know, i should be flattered right?!) haha....anyways I really felt like Barbie...cuz Sis. Thea & my amazing companion, sis. Leuluai dressed me up when we were in Baguio. They picked out my 'homecoming outfit'. Sis. Thea told me I couldn't wear my clothes i've been wearing when I went home...cuz I had to look presentable. haha She's right....

Earlier, we went to this place called Botanical Gardens here in Sevilla, it was our Zone Activity...they had a little zoo there, and lots of gorgeous tree's and plants, and flowers. We had fun. Last night...we were trying to pick out clothes that we could wear to the activity. Sis. Leuluai said that she didn't have any jeans that she brought with her. I took out a pair of my stretchy baggy sweat pants and told her she should try it on. She just looked at me and was like...those would be stretchy pants on me....we both then quoted nacho libre the "My STretchy pants"...only she said it in english...and i translated into tagalog. "eto ang stretcy pants"....it was soo funny we busted up laughing..She's like...does Nacho really say that..in tagalog. haha it was funny.
So Mom, remember that story you told me about my mission presidents wife, how one time she would open up her closet went to put a shirt on and she saw a big cockroach there? Yeah...well I've thought about that story several times since living here in Sevilla. Even if we spray every day and do all we can to prevent cockroaches...There still has not been even one day in where I did not find at least 1 cockroach in our house. Earlier when I was putting my jeans on....i found a body of a dead cockroach there. hahaha the other day as I unfolded a tanktop there was also another cockroach that flew out at me. Every morning in the bathroom the first thing I have to do is check if there are cockroaches. The other day as I was showering I left the tabo...(its like a big bowl with a spoon) that we used to shower....and there was a dead cockroach in the water that I was about to pour over my head. hahaha It's hilarious....I really wish they'd go away. haha

The other day when we were walking we came across a total bible basher. He took my bible and starting reciting all of these verses from the scriptures, trying to say that we don't believe in God the Father and the Son, and trying to get me to say something wrong to which he could point out my mistake. But...it was funny, I just feel bad for him, he has part of the truth....but he doesn't know the whole picture. I used a couple verses like Ez 37:15, and Eph 2 & 4, but I wouldn't argue with him.Of course, thats not my purpose, it doesn't do anyone anygood. I just told him that what he believes, and what we KNOW to be true aren't that different. We're happy to explain to him about the fullness of the gospel if he'd like...but other than that, its getting late and we've got to go. Thanks. But invitaiton for you to come to church on sunday at 8:30 at purok 5. hahaha It was funny we walked away and our fellowshippers (2 sisters who are getting ready to submit their papers) & Sis. Leuluai just looked at me like....I didn't know what to say. Sis. Leuluai just said she was mad at that guy. ahhaa It was funny..she had her first 'bible bashing experience'...I've experienced many. The Iglesia ni Cristo and Born Again's are such big fans of that.

Yesterday I was soo shocked when I saw an unexpected visitor who came to Sevilla ward. It was...Sis. Fajardo!!!!! I was soo excited...I got to see my Mom here in the mission...my amazing trainer! She is soo beautiful...and she wears real clothes now...its weird. Not to mention, she's now engaged...ah how I miss her. She said she's going to meet me at the Manilla temple in March so we can do a session and explore manila before I hop on my plane. I'm way excited...oh how i've missed her.

This week, we also had some great break throughs again with Sevilla ward. I cannot get over how amazing our Bishop is here. Not to mention how flattered I was when he was asking me for ideas how to strengthen the ward, and how to help them with their fellowshipping. Of course, I listed ideas that i've used in my other areas, but I told him we should all just fast and pray about it first, and discuss it and come up with a plan for Sevilla ward. So, thats what we're going to do. We set up a 1/2 day mission this saturday. Not to mention we'll be holding a VT and a HT convention in the next few weeks. Also, we're going to be holding a ward family home evening, trying to help with the ward unity. I listed some other ideas too that he seemed to like. Sis. Leuluai said she's never seen Bishop Baro this excited about the ward. I'm excited too...we're going to see great things happen here.

Anyways....I am once again out of time. But...I love you all dearly and miss you. I know that this really is the work of the Lord.
I hope you all have a great Valentines Day!!! I LOVE you very very much! And for all those with no gf/ bf or asawa....happy single awareness day...or as they call it here in the filipines "black valentines day". haha Don't worry about it....there's always next year, right?! :)


 Love,


Botanical Gardens- part of my area here in Sevilla
We took our last pday and went as a zone here.
It was soo beautiful!








Yep...that's about right for the elders...of course they dashed
to the playground  :) haha

Shaking hands
with the
monkeys!



Sa Wakas...Nakapunta na ako sa Baguio!!!!

Sis. Thea Baro- wife of Bishop Baro

Feb 3, 2013
Hello Family....
Greetings from Baguio...Yep... Pres. Monahan gave us the okay to come to Baguio....they asked me what my 'valid reason' was to travel that far away, why I needed to come...and I just said...um...to buy souvenirs  I"ve served in Baguio Mission, but I haven't yet gotten to actually go there." The Zone leaders just laughed and said...thats not really a valid reason- i don't think Pres will let you go. Well...what do they know. President said Yes, we can go! haha :) I thought I was going to throw up on our way here....I got so 'car sick' cuz Baguio seriously is like going up provo canyon...its Beautiful...and I love it...but its like we went to the very tip-top of the mountain....i'm just lucky I didn't throw up in the bus. haha It is sooo beautiful!!!!! And I'm seirously in heaven right now. Their "SM MALL" is HUGE and its like America...only its an outside walls. They don't have any air conditioning....or any ways....its an outdoor mall because its soo cold here in baguio. I have to say...its cold...but its like a summer day in utah cold. haha...its not super freezing here if you catch my drift.

This week....was such a great week. We got soo much accomplished, and we worked soo hard! When I first got here, Sis. Leuluai and her trainer were visiting the SAME less actives like 4 times a week, and then their Recent Converts every day. Lets just say...they do NOT need to be visited that frequently. Once a week is just fine, as long as they're still progressing. Maybe 2 times if they're struggling. Anyways....its totally been like open area, because until now, there are a ton of parts that Sis. Leuluai hasn't yet visited. She said Her trainer would just hang out at the returning members' houses....or the members and rest for a little bit...basta...lets just say the work wasn't as I think it should have been. Sis. Leuluai is soo funny...I just lover her. And I love it too, because she's american...she's been updating me on all the changes that have happened over the last year or so...and lets just say, I'm kinda scared to come back home...it's gonna be like i'm a foreigner all over again.

Pres and Sis. Monahan made a surprise visit to Sevilla this week, he came and visited our house, and sat in a little bit of our studies...they are soo great, I absolutely LOVE them. But...I do Have to tell you I was a little nervous when he said, Sis. Allen, don't be surprised if this next transfer, you'll be training again. My mouth just dropped...and he just said...don't look at me like that...I know you're up for it. haha It was soo funny...and he told me he's excited for me to go home. He said he's excited to hear what my parents have to say about my thick accent when I go home. I just laughed and seriously asked...I have an accent?!
....to add to that...we had stake conference, and Sis. Leuluai was talking with one of her batch mates...whose trainer was an american...and now his follow up trainer is a pinoy..He said when he was training he and his trainer would just talk in english...and that his tagalog didn't get any better. When Sis. Leuluai was telling me about their conversation they had...she said that Elder asked her how her tagalog was...expecting her to respond like...oh yeah its totally gone down hill, we just talk in english. And she replied...it's going great. He asked her if we spoke enlgish in the apartment....and she said NO. She's like...'sometimes i just look at my companion and i'm like...she's white...why is she speaking like that?' haha she says my english most of the time doesn't make very much sense, and when it's english i have an accent. hahaha I don't know what i'm gonna do. But i'm really trying to just talk in tagalog to her...because I don't want that to happen to her (where she doesn't learn anything or her tagalog gets worse), I want her to be fluent so she feels more confident in her teaching and communication skills.

We went to a barangay (which is like a town) called Santiago....and I felt like I was in Baguio...it was straight hills...it was soo steep...we got such a good work out...I loved it...hahaha but it was crazy we have walked miles and miles every day for this last week. We have found 16 new investigators...and found 7 more less actives for the first time...All of which came to church this last sunday. Every less active appointment that we had this last week- they all came. Sis. Leuluai was like...wow...I didn't know missionary work could be like this. Ah...I love Sevilla. We are seriously witnessing so many miracles every day. The other night when we were laying in bed getting ready to sleep she just said to me. "My body has never hurt this bad before". haha I just laughed and said...thats when you know you're doing your job right. haha I love it....the spirit has been soo strong at every appointment. The leaders here, especially our Bishop and his wife, Bishop & Sis. Baro are sooo masipag...or diligent at their work. Bishop stayed at the church till 11 oclock last night...and he spends every saturday and sunday there. Sometimes he works with the missionaries, and he is such a leader. I know that if we can just work with them, we will see many miracles here in Sevilla. Our first miracle we saw, is I asked Bishop if we could invite a represnetative from every auxilary to sit in MCM meeting to coordinate with them, and he said YES, and told me it wasn't a problem...not to mention I asked him if would could start training for the ward missionaries, so they could start teaching the recent converts. Because we have a lot of recent converts here- 9 of them...so if we get the ward missionaries to know how to teach and they can take over those appointments; so that will free up 9 teaching slots for us to work on the investigators and less active members. Oh man, the standard of truth really has been erected. No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing.
I love you all and pray for you always.
Love


For anyone whose reading this, I forgot to mention my flight
plans got sent to me!  I'll be home March 28th......aaaaaaahhhh!

WELCOME TO BAGUIO!
Last week they had their flower parade.
I wasn't able to see it...but at least we
got to see some of the left-over flowers.




Just...Cool!