Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
INIT KAAJO!
FAMILY NAKO.
Wow, so much has happened these past few days....we arrived here in Valencia, Bohol and it is an AMAZING place. Definitely my most beautiful area. Okay so last Thursday I woke up at the wee hours of the morning (3AM) and hopped on a bus headed to Cebu. It was sad to leave Sister Houston behind. She will always be one of my closest friends and we were both expecting that I'd be her last companion. But the Lord had a different plan ;) I arrived in Cebu around 12pm and headed straight to the temple grounds where I saw lots of my missionary friends. Then we waited a little bit until the APs said it was time to head up to the mission home to pick up our new companions. The American/foreign missionaries had just arrived that morning because the Church's flight agent messed up on their flight plans....poor missionaries. Anyway at the meeting I was paired with Sister Vui....from Samoa!!! Yes, so awesome. Both of my "daughters" (the missionaries I trained) are brown so I am happy to say that while I may be somewhat white on the outside (I have a tan now!!) I must be brown like I always wanted to be on the inside!! It was also fun to see Sister Prasad there....she looked happy with my "apo" (grandchild)...a Filipina ;) We were rushed to the boat heading to Bohol and made it JUST IN TIME. Then we got to Bohol and because our area is pretty far away we stayed at another sister's apartment.
Then we came to our apartment. I hate to use this word but none other will do justice. It was an ABOMINATION in the sight of all sister missionaries. The elders had done a service project before we got there but I'm not sure what exactly they cleaned because it was a mess. The elders were keeping pet spiders, rats, you name it. It was soooo dirty. It's also huge so we call it the haunted mansion. Anyway we spent a good day and half deep-cleaning the place. Heavens, I'll never forget when we entered the apartment. Papers thrown every where, spiders, rat poop stuck to the floor (my comp is a champ and cleaned it all up), and pictures of Jesus taped all over the bed frames?? what the??? I'm happy to say I participated in an extreme home makeover!!
The area is so beautiful here and the members are so great. Oh, I wish you could all see it here!! AMAZING!!! We have the ocean in our backyard and the highway runs along bright blue ocean. We have bikes to ride here as there is not much transportation and we ride motors too (crazy!!). Our area is huge and we have so many people to teach that live so far away. It is an adventure. The members here are so nice and they treat us like celebrities, haha. They are all so kind and all want to feed us every meal. I am excited and happy to be here. My companion is great and I am so happy she is my companion because I know this would be a hard adjustment to make for other sister missionaries but she is doing so well. It's so cute to hear her speak visaya,....reminds me of when I was still a new missionary. Now look at me.....so old in the mission!!
On Sunday we had district conference in Tagbilaran and I saw Uncle Dick and Aunt Joann :) Fun to see them. I was also able to see the members from my last area here in Bohol. They were all so excited and shocked to see me. I love those branch members. It was a happy Sunday.
I love the gospel of Jesus Christ so much. My companion was asking me questions about the changes I have seen in myself here on the mission and there are so many. I was a good person at the beginning of my mission but I feel the Spirit has helped to mold me into a better person. I still have weaknesses and am far from perfection but I am so grateful here on the mission I learned how to truly repent and become better. I know that repentance is a daily event. I have so much further to go and so may more things to improve but I am grateful for this time on my mission that I've learned how to be a little better. I hope we all take advantage of the opportunity to repent (read Alma 34:32!)
I LOVE YOU ALL. Keep writing me. Haha.
Love
Sista T #2
Wow, so much has happened these past few days....we arrived here in Valencia, Bohol and it is an AMAZING place. Definitely my most beautiful area. Okay so last Thursday I woke up at the wee hours of the morning (3AM) and hopped on a bus headed to Cebu. It was sad to leave Sister Houston behind. She will always be one of my closest friends and we were both expecting that I'd be her last companion. But the Lord had a different plan ;) I arrived in Cebu around 12pm and headed straight to the temple grounds where I saw lots of my missionary friends. Then we waited a little bit until the APs said it was time to head up to the mission home to pick up our new companions. The American/foreign missionaries had just arrived that morning because the Church's flight agent messed up on their flight plans....poor missionaries. Anyway at the meeting I was paired with Sister Vui....from Samoa!!! Yes, so awesome. Both of my "daughters" (the missionaries I trained) are brown so I am happy to say that while I may be somewhat white on the outside (I have a tan now!!) I must be brown like I always wanted to be on the inside!! It was also fun to see Sister Prasad there....she looked happy with my "apo" (grandchild)...a Filipina ;) We were rushed to the boat heading to Bohol and made it JUST IN TIME. Then we got to Bohol and because our area is pretty far away we stayed at another sister's apartment.
Then we came to our apartment. I hate to use this word but none other will do justice. It was an ABOMINATION in the sight of all sister missionaries. The elders had done a service project before we got there but I'm not sure what exactly they cleaned because it was a mess. The elders were keeping pet spiders, rats, you name it. It was soooo dirty. It's also huge so we call it the haunted mansion. Anyway we spent a good day and half deep-cleaning the place. Heavens, I'll never forget when we entered the apartment. Papers thrown every where, spiders, rat poop stuck to the floor (my comp is a champ and cleaned it all up), and pictures of Jesus taped all over the bed frames?? what the??? I'm happy to say I participated in an extreme home makeover!!
The area is so beautiful here and the members are so great. Oh, I wish you could all see it here!! AMAZING!!! We have the ocean in our backyard and the highway runs along bright blue ocean. We have bikes to ride here as there is not much transportation and we ride motors too (crazy!!). Our area is huge and we have so many people to teach that live so far away. It is an adventure. The members here are so nice and they treat us like celebrities, haha. They are all so kind and all want to feed us every meal. I am excited and happy to be here. My companion is great and I am so happy she is my companion because I know this would be a hard adjustment to make for other sister missionaries but she is doing so well. It's so cute to hear her speak visaya,....reminds me of when I was still a new missionary. Now look at me.....so old in the mission!!
On Sunday we had district conference in Tagbilaran and I saw Uncle Dick and Aunt Joann :) Fun to see them. I was also able to see the members from my last area here in Bohol. They were all so excited and shocked to see me. I love those branch members. It was a happy Sunday.
I love the gospel of Jesus Christ so much. My companion was asking me questions about the changes I have seen in myself here on the mission and there are so many. I was a good person at the beginning of my mission but I feel the Spirit has helped to mold me into a better person. I still have weaknesses and am far from perfection but I am so grateful here on the mission I learned how to truly repent and become better. I know that repentance is a daily event. I have so much further to go and so may more things to improve but I am grateful for this time on my mission that I've learned how to be a little better. I hope we all take advantage of the opportunity to repent (read Alma 34:32!)
I LOVE YOU ALL. Keep writing me. Haha.
Love
Sista T #2
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
DTJH? Did that just happen?
Hello family! Yes in the subject line is my favorite acronym here in the Philippines. Sister Houston and I are always saying that to each other....the Philippines is just crazy!!!
Okay so last week I said there was no big news.....haha, well I've been slammed with lots of surprises this week! So here we go....
#1- I am transferring. I will be returning to Bohol! This time I will be white-washing an area in Valencia, Bohol (yes, round 2....but this time I'm sticking it out!!) and I will also be training. Bahh! Add on the stress. But it will be okay. All of the American missionaries missed their flight so they are delayed. Earlier we got a text telling me that I wouldn't be going to Cebu until Saturday (meaning for sure I was training an American) but then the APs texted and told me that I am going tomorrow at 5AM....so I'm not sure if I will still be training an American? I know I shouldn't really care, it's just the fact that I would really love to help an American sister out! But of course I know that President Schmutz will choose by revelation. ALSO my daughter in the mission (Sister Prasad!) is also training!! I was excited to hear this! It will be great to have my 2nd child and 1st grandchild be born at the same time!! (yes, that is missionary lingo...)
#2- They have changed Rescue Mission. We are now visiting ALL "active" members here in the Philippines. Isn't that just NUTS? It's actually really sad to me but it is so obvious that it is what needs to happen here. So we have been told to visit all members- even if they are the stake presidents or church leaders- and teach them all of the missionary lessons. It is so crazy. They reported that over 3,500 members were returned to the church last year in the Cebu Mission but there is only a 800-900 sacrament attendance increase. Meaning- the active members aren't holding on to those less-actives and that those "active" members are also following the pattern of going into inactivity. Ugh, it's so hard here!! So we will work on converting members now so that new and returning members will stay. Cleaning the inner vessel!
#3- NEW EMAIL POLICY!!! Yeah!! Maybe Dad knows about this....but now we are allowed to email our friends!! Crazy, and we can email for up to 2 hours on Pday. Wow, so crazy, I never saw that coming....
Oh my goodness, I have so many things to get done before I leave Dumaguete. I really love this area and I have learned a lot. I have felt disappointed many times by the leaders here in the branch. We had another frustrating PEC meeting (in which the Branch President never attended) with the leaders making excuses about why they won't go visiting...they basically told us that people never change. It hurt my heart. Especially thinking about the role Nana's ward played in helping her to return to activity and helping convert Forrest. Just like President Monson's talk last Priesthood Session of GC, men are not leopards. They can change their spots any days. I have loved this area but I have definitely learned what a true follower of Christ is by observing members of the church here.
Okay well I love you a lot. I AM SO HAPPY TO HEAR RACHEL'S NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I dreamed the other day that I was playing with baby Owen....then I realized that he ain't no baby no more....haha! But yes it made me trunky. So I'm glad I'm transferring, opening an area, and training so that I can stay busy in the Lord's work these next few days.
I LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Sista T #2
Okay so last week I said there was no big news.....haha, well I've been slammed with lots of surprises this week! So here we go....
#1- I am transferring. I will be returning to Bohol! This time I will be white-washing an area in Valencia, Bohol (yes, round 2....but this time I'm sticking it out!!) and I will also be training. Bahh! Add on the stress. But it will be okay. All of the American missionaries missed their flight so they are delayed. Earlier we got a text telling me that I wouldn't be going to Cebu until Saturday (meaning for sure I was training an American) but then the APs texted and told me that I am going tomorrow at 5AM....so I'm not sure if I will still be training an American? I know I shouldn't really care, it's just the fact that I would really love to help an American sister out! But of course I know that President Schmutz will choose by revelation. ALSO my daughter in the mission (Sister Prasad!) is also training!! I was excited to hear this! It will be great to have my 2nd child and 1st grandchild be born at the same time!! (yes, that is missionary lingo...)
#2- They have changed Rescue Mission. We are now visiting ALL "active" members here in the Philippines. Isn't that just NUTS? It's actually really sad to me but it is so obvious that it is what needs to happen here. So we have been told to visit all members- even if they are the stake presidents or church leaders- and teach them all of the missionary lessons. It is so crazy. They reported that over 3,500 members were returned to the church last year in the Cebu Mission but there is only a 800-900 sacrament attendance increase. Meaning- the active members aren't holding on to those less-actives and that those "active" members are also following the pattern of going into inactivity. Ugh, it's so hard here!! So we will work on converting members now so that new and returning members will stay. Cleaning the inner vessel!
#3- NEW EMAIL POLICY!!! Yeah!! Maybe Dad knows about this....but now we are allowed to email our friends!! Crazy, and we can email for up to 2 hours on Pday. Wow, so crazy, I never saw that coming....
Oh my goodness, I have so many things to get done before I leave Dumaguete. I really love this area and I have learned a lot. I have felt disappointed many times by the leaders here in the branch. We had another frustrating PEC meeting (in which the Branch President never attended) with the leaders making excuses about why they won't go visiting...they basically told us that people never change. It hurt my heart. Especially thinking about the role Nana's ward played in helping her to return to activity and helping convert Forrest. Just like President Monson's talk last Priesthood Session of GC, men are not leopards. They can change their spots any days. I have loved this area but I have definitely learned what a true follower of Christ is by observing members of the church here.
Okay well I love you a lot. I AM SO HAPPY TO HEAR RACHEL'S NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I dreamed the other day that I was playing with baby Owen....then I realized that he ain't no baby no more....haha! But yes it made me trunky. So I'm glad I'm transferring, opening an area, and training so that I can stay busy in the Lord's work these next few days.
I LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Sista T #2
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Init na!!
Family,
Summertime has arrived here in the Philippines (yes, to us Americans it is always summertime here!) and it is SOOOOO hot! There is actually a difference...oh, how I miss the rain! It is crazy to think that within the next 10 or so days I will hit my one-year mark of being in the Philippines. Time has gone by so very,very fast. I remember feeling like I was going to die here in the Philippines and now the time is just slipping through my fingers.
We had a great week here in Dumaguete. We conducted splits with 2 companionships which was great. I stayed in our area while Sister Houston worked in the other areas. We arranged it this way as she is still new to the area and can't really lead it. So I am jealous she was able to work in other areas! I realize it will be the same way next transfer when I get another new companion, I will be left in the area while they go and work in the other areas! But it's okay because I really do love this area in Dumaguete. It was fun to go on splits with the other sisters and I am certainly learning a lot from them. However, I won't lie, Sister Houston and I are always happy to be reunited. Too bad she'll be leaving me here pretty soon at the end of March...
Not too much shocking news this week....which is a good thing because I feel like this past month or so there has been crazy things happening in the mission or just in my life. Lots of surprises! But the work here is progressing. We have made a goal to find new less active members here. There are 600 plus names on the branch record and on average only about 150 go to church each week. So there are 450 plus members that are lost. We set an appointment with some long-time members here, President and Sister Salayog, so that we could go over the records with them and ask them about who else we can look for and teach. The appointment was kind of pointless as they went through the list and just told us they didn't recognize many of the names, or the people were dead, or they had moved, and so on. But we will continue to look for those Less-Actives (come out come out from wherever you are!!) It is hard work looking for less-actives here in the Philippines. People are constantly moving around...so transient.
We have a new investigator with a baptismal date, Sister Mila Francisco. She is a sister of a member here and she is GOLDEN. In our first lesson with her she just expressed her want to repent of her sins. That is such a good thing to see in people. She is in her 60s and has had a really hard family life- her husband died a couple of years ago and her kids have pretty much abandoned her. She is looking for the light of Christ. She told us that every time we teach she just feels so different and good. It has been a great first few lessons with her and she is just soaking everything in. She is so willing and committed to changing.
We had a few moments of frustration with our branch here this past week and it has all just been a learning experience for me. The branch here basically refuses to take part of any service projects. We asked the Relief Society to find some members to help us wash clothes for one of our Less Active members who just had a new baby, has a toddler, takes care of her other siblings, and can't wash except for Saturdays because her husband is working and no one can watch her kids. The Relief Society Presidency told us that we need to tell the member to be more self reliant. I was so disappointed in that moment. They then made excuses about how they are too old or too busy to help. While they sat there and made excuses I just kept thinking of Mosiah 2:17, "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn awisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the bservice of your cfellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." Oh, the lessons I am learning here on my mission. I hope we will all make the effort, no matter how old we are, what our physical conditions are, or how busy we are to serve our fellow men. Charity never faileth....well I guess it's failing here in Dumaguete....haha
Anyway we have an activity today so I've got to sign off but know that I love all of you and pray for all of you!!! Thank you for your support. DO YOUR HOME AND VISITING TEACHING!!!!!!!!!!
Love you
Sister Trayner #2
Summertime has arrived here in the Philippines (yes, to us Americans it is always summertime here!) and it is SOOOOO hot! There is actually a difference...oh, how I miss the rain! It is crazy to think that within the next 10 or so days I will hit my one-year mark of being in the Philippines. Time has gone by so very,very fast. I remember feeling like I was going to die here in the Philippines and now the time is just slipping through my fingers.
We had a great week here in Dumaguete. We conducted splits with 2 companionships which was great. I stayed in our area while Sister Houston worked in the other areas. We arranged it this way as she is still new to the area and can't really lead it. So I am jealous she was able to work in other areas! I realize it will be the same way next transfer when I get another new companion, I will be left in the area while they go and work in the other areas! But it's okay because I really do love this area in Dumaguete. It was fun to go on splits with the other sisters and I am certainly learning a lot from them. However, I won't lie, Sister Houston and I are always happy to be reunited. Too bad she'll be leaving me here pretty soon at the end of March...
Not too much shocking news this week....which is a good thing because I feel like this past month or so there has been crazy things happening in the mission or just in my life. Lots of surprises! But the work here is progressing. We have made a goal to find new less active members here. There are 600 plus names on the branch record and on average only about 150 go to church each week. So there are 450 plus members that are lost. We set an appointment with some long-time members here, President and Sister Salayog, so that we could go over the records with them and ask them about who else we can look for and teach. The appointment was kind of pointless as they went through the list and just told us they didn't recognize many of the names, or the people were dead, or they had moved, and so on. But we will continue to look for those Less-Actives (come out come out from wherever you are!!) It is hard work looking for less-actives here in the Philippines. People are constantly moving around...so transient.
We have a new investigator with a baptismal date, Sister Mila Francisco. She is a sister of a member here and she is GOLDEN. In our first lesson with her she just expressed her want to repent of her sins. That is such a good thing to see in people. She is in her 60s and has had a really hard family life- her husband died a couple of years ago and her kids have pretty much abandoned her. She is looking for the light of Christ. She told us that every time we teach she just feels so different and good. It has been a great first few lessons with her and she is just soaking everything in. She is so willing and committed to changing.
We had a few moments of frustration with our branch here this past week and it has all just been a learning experience for me. The branch here basically refuses to take part of any service projects. We asked the Relief Society to find some members to help us wash clothes for one of our Less Active members who just had a new baby, has a toddler, takes care of her other siblings, and can't wash except for Saturdays because her husband is working and no one can watch her kids. The Relief Society Presidency told us that we need to tell the member to be more self reliant. I was so disappointed in that moment. They then made excuses about how they are too old or too busy to help. While they sat there and made excuses I just kept thinking of Mosiah 2:17, "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn awisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the bservice of your cfellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." Oh, the lessons I am learning here on my mission. I hope we will all make the effort, no matter how old we are, what our physical conditions are, or how busy we are to serve our fellow men. Charity never faileth....well I guess it's failing here in Dumaguete....haha
Anyway we have an activity today so I've got to sign off but know that I love all of you and pray for all of you!!! Thank you for your support. DO YOUR HOME AND VISITING TEACHING!!!!!!!!!!
Love you
Sister Trayner #2
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