It has been a good week here as a missionary in the Philippines! I haven't become a Filipino missionary.... YET! For I can't squat for hours on end, seriously, you give me a good 3 minutes of squatting and I panic for fear of my body snapping off my legs. I also can't speak Tagalog. BUT, I have gotten very skilled at cleaning cobwebs off the ceiling, and man, can I get my white clothes white. So white that they practically sparkle! So slowly and surly I will become Filipina.
Monday we had FHE with a Recent Convert where I tried Ilicano food for the first time. I can't tell you the name... because I don't know it. But dang, it is good. I also learned that the best part on fried fishes are the parts that us silly Americans take off. The fins, and the skin right by the head. I learn that in America we waste the good parts of food for fear of choking on a fish bone or something.... how often does that really happen? The family that had us was so very happy to have us there. The Elders did a hilarious game that got about all the children in the brgy. involved! They have such a sweet feeling in their house. Full of lots of love.
We started teaching a man named Rommie, he is about 60 or so. Him and his wife just moved back from Sadi Arabia because she was a COOK FOR THE ROYAL FAMILY!!! They have a beautiful home. Although the wife doesn't seem too interested yet, Rommie says he has a lot of questions, he reads the pamphlets but says"It's just like the Catholic Church." So we taught the Restoration and Joseph Smith, It was a very powerful lesson. Although Filipino, they speak to us in English, so we are able to teach so much in such a short time period! Sana as we continue teaching Sister will join us. There is a shirt that everyone wears here that says NEVER GIVE UP! I covet it whenever I see it because I want one so bad. But I repent. magsisisi ako.
We also started teaching a born again family. That is also a tough one. They are very dedicated in their religion (Family, you know that I was afraid the would be my main downfall as a missionary. I really like when people are dedicated to even religion. It is so rare now. Everyone here is Christian. But not religious. Does that make sense? But ever since being here I see the importance of the FULLNESS OF TRUTH in people lives. So it is easier that I thought to want to continue teaching them.) Born Again are pretty similar to LDS in a sense that they don't believe in statues of Mother Mary, or crosses in their home, or church. We are going to introduce the BOM of friday, and I am way jazzed. Hopefully they can feel the difference. Lessons are getting easier for me. I obviously have days that I struggle like a tipped over cockroach. But the spirit is much more prevalent more often!
We also had quad zone training.... guess where..... BAGUIO!!! I finally got to go. The bus ride was far too mild for my liking, and even though it was still hot. It was a nice break from the sauna I call home. Elder and Sister Ardern from the area 70 spoke to us! It was really good!!! He started out with "We weren't going to talk much about this, but we fill impressed to talk about how missions prepare you for your eternal companion!" and for the next 1 1/2 we had really good.... marriage counsel. HAHAHAHAHA! They kept telling story after story of missionaries who marry each other after they return home. I was waiting for the "DON'T DO THAT" part that never came. Oh boy, we are going to have a serious lock your heart problem in our mission now! Ha. But I guess we are never to young to learn... right? Ha he also said this amazing quote. (You can make it into a wall sticker, or t-shirt. If your heart so desires.) "Look OUT, before you look IN. Look UP to God, before you look DOWN with despair. Look FORWARD with faith, before you look BACK to what you had." -Elder Ardern Him and his wife went on to tell us amazing advice how to be an effective, respected, obedient missionary! It got me so excited to do missionary work!!!
So I am pumped, I am healthy, I am Happy!!
Love you all!!!
-Sister Nott
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