End of March

March 25, 2012

Since I've transferred to Kalibo, I've told every one that I have three months left of my mission. Last night someone asked me again, then asked specifically what months. I told them March, April, and May. They laughed at me and pointed out that March is over. I say it's still March so I still have three months left of my mission. I know- I'm kinda stubborn.

Anyways- It's been another great week.  One of the members invited us over for "Language Study" and we had a great time learning Aklanon.  It's fun stuff. It doesn't feel as hard as everyone says it is, the only difficult thing is remembering to us it. It so much easier to not think and speak Hiligaynon.  We also spent a morning helping our Bishop (the local church leader) and his family pull weeds in their front yard.  I love doing service work, it's just very relaxing.

Last night, we had a chance to go over to the home of the Couple missionaries (an older couple who is also serving in Kalibo, typical missionaries are individuals in their early 20's).   We had a short spiritual message and delicious food.  The message was about noticing the tender mercies of the Lord.  Tender Mercies are different from typical blessings in their timing.  Blessings are given to us every day, the food we eat, the homes we live in, etc.  Tender mercies are those special blessings that come to us just at the right time.  It is the way we really feel the Lord's love for us.  They are not just random or mere coincidence, these are the little things that make our day and lift our spirits when we feel warn out.  The opportunity to eat with the older missionaries was, for me, a tender mercy.  Sunday morning started at a rushed pace and from there I never felt like I really had a chance to relax.  Like most Sundays, I had a retched headache and it wasn't helped by one of the members children deciding to be extra load throughout Sunday school class.  I had already known about the dinner appointment, so it wasn't a huge surprise.  The blessing came from walking into their house and being greeted with the smell of fresh muffins, chicken soup, and warm smiles.  It was a very simple meal, a very simple lesson, but it's timing touched my spirit, calmed my nerves, and left me with the reminder that Heavenly Father knows when I will have bad days and has already planned how to help me through them.

Kilala Niya ikaw kag palangga Niya ikaw. Importanta ka Kana.

Sick Again!

March 18, 2012

I've managed to get sick again.  It seems to be a regular part of my life as a missionary.  It's just a cough, but it's interesting how much a simple cough can wear one out when they are trying to go out and walk all over Kalibo every day.  

Anyways- this week was really great. we had a few days where we had basically no lessons the whole day. The funny thing about it is that all of our investigators were busy for the same reason. On Wednesday, all of our investigators were at a meeting at the near by school that didn't get out till 5. So, we had lessons after 5, but until then we were going from house to house trying to find anyone who was home.  Friday, for some reason beyond my understanding, they all decided to go to Iloilo.  I asked around to see what was going on in Iloilo, there must be something exciting because everyone was there, but I couldn't figure out what it was.  Yesterday (sunday) they just all weren't home.  My companion has a theory for this one.  While at church, many of the members who heard me speak in my lovely raspy voice offered their advice on how I can most quickly get better.  Most of them told me to not worry about appointments but to go home and rest and visit them today.  Today is Preparation Day- the only day we don't visit investigators- so that wasn't really an option. I felt like I was doing okay so I told my companion that we would head out and work anyways.  No one was home. We thought of a few other people we could visit, like members who hadn't been at church.  None of them were home either.  My companion turned to me and told me it was a sign from Heavenly Father that I really ought to be resting so I can get better.  So we went home, ate spaghetti, and enjoyed the evening resting. It was probably a good thing, I'm feeling significantly better now, but I'm still on mission-presidents orders to visit a doctor.  That's really all for the week, so I'm going to head off now and get healthy, hopefully.

bukon kamo masakit man, palihog!

500

March 11, 2012

Guess What! I've been a missionary for 500 days as of today. Isn't that weird.

sorry- that's really all I have time for today. I promise- you'll have a better email next week.

Dahan!

No P

March 4, 2012

...and no mouse either. Both the P key on the keyboard and the left click on the mouse of the computer I'm on don't really want to work. If I want to use either I have to push them really hard two or three (or four) times. It's kinda driving my crazy, so my email might not be as long as normal because I want to stop typing.

Anyways. This week has been pretty good. One of the biggest highlights of the week was the free food! I like free food. But more than the free food, it was the feeling of belonging that really lifted me up. Earlier in the week I met one of the recent converts, Brother Gumban, and his wife who is also a member. I could tell within minutes that they really loved the missionaries who baptized Brother. At the end of the lesson, they invited us to come over for lunch on Sunday after church. The lunch was fun and simple. I know that I will never replace those missionaries who initially started teaching brother, but I felt like the family really has a desire to make me a part of their lives too. They are so sweet and loveable.

The next was later Sunday evening. It was really an answered prayer. I've been praying and trying to get to know all the members in the ward. A few nights ago, after an appointment cancelled on us, I felt like I should have my companion take me to the nearest member, not even knowing who it was. I was introduced to Sister Jasmine. Sunday afternoon, Sister Jasmine called and invited us to dinner with them and a few other members in the ward. We went to the restaurant of Jasmine's sister-in-law, sister Annie. It was closed, so I felt super special that we were the only ones there. Just one table was still set up and it was completely covered in Sister Annie's specialties. She made me mashed potatoes and Filet Mignon wrapped in bacon, it was amazing. Best of all, I had the opportunity to meet and really get to know more of the members.

I've been struggling a little the past week. I know I don't have much time left and I see that there is lots of work to do in this area. I've been feeling like I need to completely set aside who I am (someone who prefers not to talk much and enjoys just being by herself most of the time) in order to do what I feel needs to be done. I've gotten to know most members as I've had companions who are good at talking to members and I can just come along and listen to them talk. I don't have enough time to do that. I've been wondering and even doubting if I could do all I need to do in the short time I have. I've been wondering if I could spend three months NOT being myself. In church, however, I was reminded that Heavenly Father doesn't ask us not to be ourselves. He asks us to be our best selves. I realized that the person I am may not typically talk to very many people, but I do talk a lot to those I love and am close to. I don't have to learn how to be someone else, all I have to do is learn how to love the members as our Father in Heaven does and I'll be able to be myself around them- the talkative version of myself.

Kaya Ko!