Sister Nott went into the Provo MTC on December 4. Let me tell you this, having your sister leave for a year and a half is HARD. Don't worry, this blog won't be about how much I miss her, and how you should feel bad for me. I just want you all to know how wonderful a sister she is, and what a fantastic missionary she has already been.
Here are her first and second emails from the Philippines.
January 15
"Family and beloved friends.
I have 10 minutes to speed write you to say that I'M HERE IN BAGUIO!!!! The plane ride was very very very very very long. the bus ride was very very very very very very long. so after about 30 something hours, and skipping Tuesday completely. We made it! I will write you in more details Monday. Listen, I want to apologize for the lack of phone calls Monday.... I had very little time, and my phone card didn't work. I am sorry that you all probably woke up early, and stayed by your phone all day! But please know my love for you!
My mission President and his wife seem AMAZING!!! They wanted me to thank you (mom and dad) for letting us come to Baguio! what dolls right? They have a blog it's http://
They will be posting pictures, and keeping you lovelies updated!
I am more excited then ever, The Philippines is the most beautiful place I have ever laid eyes on. It is humid, and hot beyond all get out. But if we all have big hair, and are sweating cups a day. Then it's fine by me.
missionaries that sweat together, stay together in the work!
I just thought of that. impressed?
Love you all
Sorry again for the phone calls!!! especially to Mary! I love you sister, I loved our short conversation together! all we need is 4 minutes to laugh and cry together!!
I love you all!
-Sister Anna Nott "
Post from January 27
"So.... our Bahay (house) is for real haunted. We have heard, and seen some pretty crazy stuff.... Nothing to worry about. Me and Sister Rea have a separate apt. then the other 4 sisters, and MOST of the crazy stuff has happened in ours. We had our very nice, and willing Zone Leaders dedicate our house. However, we have gotten permission and have taken all 6 of our mattresses into one room to sleep every night, it is a party. We just all pray we don't have to use the CR at night! HA! We think the mumu (ghost) is just a lost soul that wants to hear the gospel, so we take pitty on him! Since it is probably a boy, we will try to refer him to the Elders, because we can't teach the opposite gender. Ha!
Also, I have had the craziest food while being here. While working with some members we bought BBQ on the side of the road. The BBQ here is quite.... different.... Ha! I had a cube(that's right a CUBE, it is solid for some terrifying reason) of pigs blood, chicken intestines, and chicken feet.... They didn't taste that bad. But thinking about eating the blood brought me grief a few dozen times throughout the rest of the day! They have good food as well though. Mary, look up these recipes: fish balls (they taste like pastry) egg pie, and fried banana!!!! holy smokes, fried bananas are my new favorite food!
So this week has been another confusing one. They don't have addresses here. They all just live in certain areas, so to find people you have to ask another human where they live. They will go "doong", and point with their lips one direction. You go that direction, and you ask again, and again. until someone points right to their house. It's crazy! Lessons, are decent language wise. Church terms are the only ones I understand.... even then.... I don't understand.... HA! I can contribute a little, but they can't understand my accent. My Zone leader says that you have 3 levels of accents. The normal American, the harder country accents, then. On a whole separate level, you have Sister Nott's accent. hahahahaha. it is too true. I was in a lesson trying to say 'after' which in Tagalog is pagkatapos, but I was pronouncing it pagtapos. So the family thought I was say octopus.... these stories go on, and on, and on..... Ha. So lessons when I talk turn into a good old time, everyone laughing, pointing at me, and patting each other on the back. It is for real the best!
We have a family of four that had a baptismal date before transfers, the mom and the 2 kids are going to be baptized Feb. 8 (Happy Birthday to Mary!!!!!!) but the dad hasn't come to church enough times. They have to come to church for 4 consecutive weeks in order to be baptized. He had only come twice. We were so nervous to tell the family, but let me tell you. It went awesome! They are so ready to be baptized, you walk into the house and you just feel the power! I am excited for what is to come with them!
We are trying to focus more on less active members. The active attendance rate is crazy low. It has been fun to go visit the less actives, but it gets disappointing when they commit to come to church and they don't. I guess I will get a lot of disappointment these 18 months!
I have a good time here washing my clothes in a bucket, and showering with cold water, It is like a camping trip, only wearing a skirt! Ha, you, and your clothes get clean.... enough!!! It is hard work, but I am having a blast! thank you for your love, and support back in good ol' Utah! Lots of love!!!!
_sister Nott"
These are the children that "jump on us" as Anna writes.
Again, I apologize for the lack of color in this blog... I will get to it.
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