Americana! Americana! Americana!

Maayong Buntag sa gwapo nga pamilya nako!!

 

How's it going?! Thanks to all for your emails this week. They were most splendid. I love y'all. Heck, I love you A LOT. You're pretty great. Yesterday was definitely my hardest day here....I haven't been sleeping super well so the tiredness has caught up. Anyway, I pulled out my photo album and when I saw your beautiful faces I thought, "If they think I can do this, I can do this! Kaya nako!!!"

 

So let's see. Oh. Last Thursday we had Sisters Training in Cebu City which was GREAT. Oh, I loved it. And you know, I've had a lot of "firsts" here in the Philippines. Including my first car crash. Don't worry, I am fine. We were taking a van from Balamban to Cebu City. We were literally FLYING down a hill and I heard someone scream so I looked up and....saw some parked cars straight ahead of us probably like 20 yards away. I thought to myself, "Umm...sir....we're going to hit those cars." Before I knew it, BAM. Turns out all of those years of practicing "Brace Yourselves" growing up PAYS OFF! My first reflex, you may ask? To brace myself!! So yeah, we were probably going about 50 MPH and the drivers here are crazy (the driver claims the brakes went out....) and we  hit a parked truck. We smashed the truck and pushed it into a buliding. Miraculously (sp?) my companion and I walked out with just beat up legs. But all is well, not even any whip lash.

 

We were rejected a lot this week. Which was hard. I have to keep myself from blaming all of our problems on me. I just worry a lot. Because my Visaya isn't very good and then I teach a lesson and I feel like I can't ever fully express myself. I know I need to have more confidence in myself. My companion always says. "You can speak!!! Be more confident!" So yeah, keep me in your prayers.

 

Otherwise we are doing well. We had 15 less-actives attend church last week and taught 30 lessons. So I feel like we are getting a lot done. I just wish I could help out with the work more, but that is why I have a trainer. She's great. I am learning so much for her!

 

So we hiked the bukid this Sunday again. It was fun. I like the bukid (mountain). I can't wait to come back here (hopefully with Mom and Dad) and show people what we do everyday. It's crazy. I had a friend tell me that only humble people are called to the Philippines. I now disagree. Heavenly Father sends those he needs to humble to the Philippines. I've had to forget myself since I've been here and that is pretty hard, believe it or not.

 

I am always dirty. ALWAYS. Haha. I look down and I am covered in mud. Or I am soaking because of the crazy rain here. But it's fun. This is an adventure not many sister missionaries get to experience!

 

Well I hope you know that I think of all of you often and that you are the best! I love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are so lucky to have the gospel and so lucky to have parents who raised us in the gospel. So many of the parents here go inactive and then their families fall apart. So thanks Mom and Dad for always being such a great example to all of us.

 

I LOVE YOU!!! Nahigugma ko kaninyo!!

Sister Nicole Trayner

 

ps. While you read this I'm probably eating the MOST DELICIOUS mango ever!! Oh, I love them!

Nagpuyo ko sa JUNGLE!!!!

PAMILYA NAKO!!!!!

Hello my beautiful family! I am so excited to FINALLY be emailing you. First. ZACH!!!!! I mean: Elder Trayner. FREAKING NINDOT!! I can't believe that 4 of the original 7 of us are serving at the same time. I am so happy for you brother! Rach, you know it's not too late to go ;) Haha. THAT would be crazy.

Ok. So I am on Cebu island in a city called Balamban in the Toledo Zone. It's a jungle. Seriously. On Sunday we hike up in the mountains and visit the less actives. We walk, walk, walk. I love it! There are dogs, cats, goats, cows, frogs, lizards, chickens you name it just wandering around everywhere. We will be teaching a lesson and all of the sudden I will "moooooo" right behind me and lo and behold! A cow is just right outside the house. Hilarious. I laugh every time a rooster "cock a doodle doos" and then I wonder why my companion doesn't laugh....probably because it's normal for her. Anyway, we are working in a branch here and it's pretty small but we are slowly but surely bringing those less-actives back! In order to get around they have these tricycles. Basically it's a motorcycle with a little caddy (is that the word?) attached to the side. And they drive like MAD. Seriously, it's worse than China. It's funny.

My companion's name is Sister G and she is from Quezon City, Philippines. She is soooooooooooooooooooo awesome. Basically the best I could ask for. Oh, I love her! She is so patient with me but also pushes me out of my comfort zone which is awesome. She's super small but of course she thinks she is fat. Oh, so I'm on a diet. Haha. I just laugh because people are like "Hey, you're fat. Tambok ka." And I'm like, "Hey, thanks. Salamat!!" Sometimes the truth hurts, haha. But yeah. They call me fat then they try to feed me all of this rice and then they get mad because they think I'm not eating enough, haha. Okay, back to my companion...Basically, just know that I am in good hands. I never really understood the missionary lingo "mom, dad...son, daughter" but I DO NOW. Seriously, she is the reason I am still alive. Don't believe anybody who tells you the Filipino people speak English!!! (at least they don't really here)

Let's see. Oh, I ate balut. If you don't know what it is, look it up. It was...alright. The juice was pretty good. Like chicken broth. And the rest was like a softer hard boiled egg. I also have been showering with the bucket. It ain't so bad although our bathroom is pretty ghetto. Today I also hand washed my clothes. My knuckles even got all bloody and stuff from the scrubbing. My companion always checks up on me and I tell her, "Filipina ko!" (I am a Filipina) That's my philosophy. I am now Filipina.

My hair is CRAZY here. Imagine me as my 8th grade self. Minus braces. Plus sweat and dirt. That's what I look like. Yikes. 

My Visaya is alright....here they drop L's from their words so I'm just trying my best. That's all I can really do. I understand what's going on in our lessons but heavens...real conversations? haha. nothing.

So yeah, that's basically it. I have a bed with a tiny little mattress but it's actually quite comfortable. People here are super nice and I always feel welcome. Most of the people we teach have nothing. Their whole house is seriously the size of my bedroom. Even smaller. They have no furniture; their houses are made out of bamboo with tin roofs. I feel so humbled here. I can't believe how many things I have and how little these people have. I hope you are all grateful for everything you have. If I had the choice (do I???), I would sell my car and give the people here the money. I am just speechless about how little they have. But I know that money isn't what will help them most. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

My first week I've learned that it's okay to get dirty. It rains and I am seriously covered in mud when I get home. But that's okay because I have my bucket shower. It's the same for all of us. We all make mistakes and commit sin. None of us are clean. But that is okay because through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can become clean again. That is the best bucket shower on earth :) I hope that each of you will evaluate your lives and take advantage of the redeeming power of the Atonement.

I love you all and think of you often!!!!!!! GWAPOS UG GWAPAS!!!
Sister Nicole Trayner

Kumusta from the Philippines!!!

HI FAMILY!!!!!!

 

So I have made it to the Philippines....after just about 36 hours of travelling :) It's super hot and humid here....like 90 degrees! But I am loving the sun :) We had a great lunch at the Mission home and now we are just having orientation and such. We are going to walk over to the temple later because they are doing temple tours and hopefully I will stay awake until 8 pm....and then we get to hit the hay :)

 

Anyway I like it so far...it reminds me of a tropical China...hahaha.

 

Well I love you a lot!! My Pday is Wednesday so I will write more then. But know that I got here safely and that I am SO excited to be a missionary. I may stay on Cebu island or I might get sent to Negros...I will find out tomorrow!

 

Love,

Sister Nicole Trayner

HEY ALL!!!!

PAMILYA NAKO!!!!!

Can you believe it?!?! I leave for the Philippines TODAY. Maglakaw ko sa Philippinas karong adlaw!!! EXCITED ug NERBYOS ko!!!

So this is weird. But yes, I am leaving today. My plane takes off just after 4:45. How am I feeling? I can't even put into words. All I know is that the next time I sleep in a bed, I'll be in the Philippines. And that's nuts. And I am so excited!

I hope that you will all have your phones turned on this evening around 9 or 10 your time(s) because you will be receiving a call from yours truly :) I don't think it will seem real until I hear all of your voices wishing me good luck :)

Mother dearest, OF COURSE I said great things about you to those missionaries! Did they use the "solimente los guapos" line on Dad? I told them that no matter what...they have the best mission president and wife :) I won't ever argue about that. I may argue about what the best mission is, but don't worry...you've already won that debate!

Oh, also, guess what? This happened last week but I forgot to tell you about it in last week's email. I spoke Cebuano in my sleep! Isn't that awesome?? My roommates tell me one night I just started to ramble off in Cebuano. They just got here, so who knows if it even made sense but boy! I was so excited that I am immersed enough in Cebuano to think about it while I sleep.

Tell Kara congratulations on her pregnancy!! That is NUTS. She just had a baby!!! I am so excited for her. She's a great mom.

Keep me updated on Zach's assignment....each day I patiently await something to come in the mail.....

Well I don't really know what else to say but NAHIGUGMA KO KANINYO!!!!!! I will talk to you all tonight. I am so excited. This is real! I AM going to the Philippines.

I hope you all know that I love the gospel so much and I know with all my heart it is true. The MTC hasn't been an easy or super fun experience for me but I have learned so much here. As Dad said, my embryonic stage of my mission is over and I am about to be born! Thank you all for your prayers, packages, letters, and words of support. I love you all and I hope you know I pray for you often.

LOVE YOU!!!

Sister Nicole Trayner

Humang semana!!

Kumusta pamilya?!?! How are you doing this week? Every family represented themselves via writing this week so I know that all is well. I am so excited to hear about Zach's assignment in the next few days. PLEASE keep me updated! I am so happy for everyone!

Oo, gidawat nako ang akong flight plans!!! Here they are:

(13 Mar) Delta 4657 SLC-SF Departs 4:49pm, arrives 5:56 pm

(14 Mar) Cathay Pacific Airways 873 SF-HK 1:05 am, arrives 6:45 am on 15 March

(15 Mar) Cathay Pacific Airways 921 HK-Cebu 9:05 am, arrives 11:45 am

Can anybody say JET LAG?! Haha. Oh goodness jolly, I am excited. EXCITED KO!!!!

I've had a fantastic week here at the MTC. Guess who came to Devotional last Tuesday? THE Jeffrey R. Holland!! It was amazing. His talk was similar to his "Missions are Forever" talk and I LOVED it. I sang in the choir and I knew somebody big was coming because we were singing "Come thou Fount" He talked a lot about how we are our first converts and how we must be converted before we can convert others. He also talked about how we shouldn't come back the same person we were before our missions. Hearing him speak really helps me remember how important missionary work is and how much I need to do better. He is an amazing man.

Then on Sunday Alex Boye (you know...the black guy from the MoTab) came! And they chose me and my companion to sit on the front row (I know, I am so blessed) It was so great and definitely the funniest and most entertaining thing to ever happen at the MTC. If you ever have a chance to go to one of his firesides, GO. He is a convert to the church and he talked about how we will always be special to those people that we convert...how they will always remember us. He brought me to tears because I am so excited to bring the gospel to the people of the Philippines.

Our english fast went alright. I feel like my Cebuano is pretty good although I know it's defnitely NOT perfect. I loved Mom's comment about how she is happy she got to learn Spanish and not some crazy language. Haha. I guess it's been a huge testimony builder for me. Learning this language has been a huge humbling experience. I know I won't really be able to use it a lot when I get back....especially because it's not even a written language. But that's not why I'm on my mission. I'm here because others deserve to hear the gospel in their native tongue. That is so special. I know everything I do while I'm here is going to help me during those 16 months and not much after the mission and I am 100% okay with that. That's how true the gospel is! And mom, you are right, the Cebuano Book of Mormon IS huge. Have you looked at the length of some of the words? It's crazy. Supposedly it is hard to get people to read it because it is pretty deep- who ever translated it used deep words that most of them don't understand. And, most people learn how to read Tagalog and so we have to teach them how to read Cebuano if they don't already know how. It's a good thing I love to teach!

Sister T and I are still doing wonderfully. We had a few bumps on the road but she has been way more open with me lately which has helped tremendously. She is such a great friend and source of strength to me. I love her. You know what? Chances are pretty high that I will have all brown companions! I am so excited!!! Y'all might have to help me know how to talk with white girls when I get back, haha.

I just want to let you all know how much I love you. Naa ko'y sa pinakamaayo pamilya. I just think the world of all of you. I hope you all know that I think of you often and pray for you each individually. While I've been here at the MTC I have gained an even stronger testimony of prayer. The Lord's hand is involved in our family. Through prayer other people's lives can be changed. I love the BD definition of prayer. You should go read it, like NOW. Prayer is the act of bring our will and the Lord's will in harmony with each other. The Lord is wanting to bless us but it is conditional on us asking for it. One of my favorite stories in the Book of Mormon is about Enos. One day he was out hunting and his "soul hungered". So he kneeled down and prayed all day and night. The Lord then blessed him because of his exceeding faith in Jesus Christ. What are your prayers like? Is your soul hungry? I know through faith in Jesus Christ that Heavenly Father will bless us with anything we may need. Nasayud ko nga pinaagi sa hugot nga pagtuo ni Jesukristo nga ang Langitnong Amahan makapanalagin kanato uban sa kada butang. Our family has witnessed a miracle these past few weeks. I know that prayer played an essential part in it. Importante ang pag-ampo!

So yeah, the big day is almost here. We are all getting pretty antcy....but it's time to buckle down and make this last week count!!

Also, Dad...did the new missionaries try the "solimente los guapos" line on you? haha! I hope they all showed you the pictures we took. Esp. Sister Ramos. Don't worry Mom, she took it after I had taken off my makeup. I'm not homely. Well...not yet, haha.....

Oh, and this week can everybody just email me? I don't know if I'll get the mail in time through dearelder...atleast if you write me on Sunday night. I'll check my email before I head out next week. BAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, well I think you're all really good looking, but PLEASE don't let that get to your head, okay? Thanks for not making me the orphan missionary. Nagpassalamat ko kaninyo.

Love you all,

Sister Nicole Trayner