Maupay nga kulop everyone!
This is last week of my first transfer in the Philippines! I can't believe newbies are going to be here in a few days. That means it's transfer week, gihap (also). I'm 99% positive that I'll still be with my nanay (mother), Sister Clark. :) I definitely still need her to learn the ropes around here. I feel like I still have so much to learn. I'm looking forward to see how I will continue to grow these coming weeks. Even though last week was a rough time, I LEARNED SO MUCH. Truly, the harder the times, the stronger you can become, only if you choose to learn and change.
So this past week we were in Tacloban yet again. I think I've been there almost every week, haha. We spent five days there just doing some checkups for my comp. We only expected to be there one night, but things kept working out for us to stay longer. I forgot to bring a towel so I used my skirt, hahahahaha. But they have a washing machine in the STLs' apartment so it was all good, haha. Basta, my comp switched doctors and has been diagnosed with diabetes. I can't even imagine what that must be like for her, especially away from home and friends. We'll be going back tomorrow for who knows how long. Hopefully, her condition isn't too severe.
Now I totally understand how boring the mission office is. We spent most of the week just sitting around, waiting in the office. Now I get why Christian was so antsy to get out, haha. I pretty much just read or slept most of the time. But I did get to meet a lot people, since a lot of missionaries come through each day. AND I finally got to see Sister Malietoa again!!! After she recovered from her surgery, she flew here by herself. I think she got here two weeks ago. I talked to her for almost 3 hours before we dropped her off at the hospital. Her health has dropped again. :( I miss her so much! Such a sweetheart.
Last week I forgot to write about an awesome family we're visiting. Since we weren't able to teach any lessons since the last time I emailed, I'll write about them. :) The Pilande family has been investigating the Church for a while now, but haven't been able to be baptized. Brother has a previous marriage he just recently annulled and now we're waiting for them to get married. They are such dedicated members and are SO excited to get baptized!! They've been actively attending church for the past 2 years now. Talking to Sister about her desire to get baptized has really made me appreciate the importance of baptism.
We haven't been able to visit the super cool investigators yet, but hopefully I'll have stories about them next week! :) I can't wait to followup with them.
I'm continuing to study charity like crazy and I'm still learning so much! Charity is incredible! So I was reading Nephi's Psalm (2 Nephi 4) and I came across a verse that meant something different to me in the context of charity than it usually does. In verse 21, it talks about how Nephi is filled with God's love "even unto the consuming of [his] flesh." Just like we are encouraged to do in Moroni 7:48, Nephi desired to be filled with charity. The footnote for "consuming" leads to D&C 84:33 which talks about sanctification and renewing of the body by the Spirit. So, charity is how we are to overcome the "natural man." Cool stuff to think about.
I still can't believe school is starting up again! So weird!!
DAD: HAAAAAAAAPPPY BIIIIIRTHDAAAAAAAAAAYYY! :D :D :D :D :D Don't worry, you still have something special coming in the mail. :)
LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!
Sister Amanda Smith
Monday, August 26, 2013
Monday, August 19, 2013
Day 74 Carigara, Philippines one month in the field. . . a rice field
Kamusta inyo?
Today marks Day 77 on my mission and exactly one month in the field. :) I am starting to get used to looking out for low clotheslines and doorways so I don't wack my head every few minutes, haha. And I need my spoon. I can't go back to eating with just a fork. I'm becoming accustomed to being swarmed with children yelling SISTER!! or rather SEESDER! Haha, too cute.
So I know you're all probably wondering why I haven't been talking much about investigators, etc. Well, there was a point where we hadn't taught a lesson in over two weeks, due to many factors. BUT, don't worry, I have plenty of stories for you this week. We've been really productive the past few days.
Last Tuesday morning something scary happened. I woke up in the middle of the night and saw my companion missing. It turns out the other Filipina sister in our apartment was gone too. I woke up Sister Sousa---it was only 5:15 am----and we found a cellphone our companions had left behind. There was one text saying to close up the house because they were at the hospital. All the lights were still on and the front door was wide open. We called the zone leaders when our comps wouldn't answer the phone. They were with our comps in Tacloban, an hour away. At midnight, my comp stopped breathing and Sister Talatagod rushed her to the local hospital, and then to the doctors in Tacloban. The doctors told her she stopped breathing because she's too stressed. My comp spent two days recovering and she seems to be feeling a lot better now. In the meantime, please please keep her in your prayers! The doctors have no idea what's wrong with her. They've guessed everything from kidney stones to diabetes to a heart condition. But it started on her mission and it gets worse when she's stressed.
We contacted a referral from our ZLs yesterday. We ended up teaching the man's son because he wasn't home, but got back right as we finished the lesson. Basta (anyways,), the son---in his mid-twenties---was really receptive to our message. Our discussion with him was really short, but powerful. I started out by introducing the BoM. I've gotten into the bad habit of not asking enough questions because I can't understand their answers, but this time I started out by asking him several questions. One of them was: Why do you read the Bible? My comp told me he said he reads it to search for what God wants him to do in his life. I was then able to teach him how the BoM can do just that. It really helped to understand his needs and how to make such a simple lesson more personal and direct for him. He seemed really interested and sincere. As we were leaving, he was already thumbing through the first pages. I can't wait to go back!
Thursday was the first real day in our new area, since we switched with the Elders in our ward. I love it already! It's closer in the city and all the houses are fairly packed together, so it's actually a lot easier to do missionary work. People become very familiar with who we are and see us all the time. Just in three days, we got 10 new investigators! And 9 of them attended church. :)
Part of that new group of investigators are what my comp and I call the Visoria boys---Visoria is a barangay (neighborhood). There's 7 teenage boys who came to church with two of our Less Actives last week for ward conference. They support and remind each other to come to church and come to our lessons. It's exciting to rekindle the LA's testimonies as they help their friends learn about the gospel.
Most of our work is with Less Active families to prepare them to come back to church or be sealed in the temple. We're very focused on families.
My comp is really good with the people here. She can get in almost any door. I wish I knew what she was saying to figure out how to do the same, haha. But we've taught 13 lessons in the past three days! I love LOVE staying busy, especially after weeks of nothing. It really helps me to lose myself in the work. With the challenges that I'm facing right now, it helps so much to just forget what's happening and become so involved and consumed in the work.
Have you read The Bonds That Make Us Free yet? I've been thinking about it a lot with the things I'm going through. It helps me remember to keep a wide perspective about everything.
I've never heard more fervent prayers than in the Philippines. And I've never said more fervent prayers. So I've been learning a lot about how to really plead with the Lord and turn our routine prayers in to conversations. There is power in prayer.
I'm adjusting to the food just fine. I eat a lot of rice, but I'm actually used to it now. I need my rice, haha. The bugs, yes they eat me alive. Especially my legs. When I wake up in the mornings, I find lots of new bites from during the night.
Congrats Alex on your Triathalon!! I want to see pictures! :)
And Moo: send me your notes from Education Week! I love Education Week!!
Oh, so one of our investigators offered me some candy. I looked at it and it turns out it was cough drop, basically. They call it "Menthol Candy" haha. They eat them here for dinner mints.
Basta. . . (anyways)
Salamat for everything you do! Your help is helping me get through this rough patch. LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Sister Amanda Smith
Today marks Day 77 on my mission and exactly one month in the field. :) I am starting to get used to looking out for low clotheslines and doorways so I don't wack my head every few minutes, haha. And I need my spoon. I can't go back to eating with just a fork. I'm becoming accustomed to being swarmed with children yelling SISTER!! or rather SEESDER! Haha, too cute.
So I know you're all probably wondering why I haven't been talking much about investigators, etc. Well, there was a point where we hadn't taught a lesson in over two weeks, due to many factors. BUT, don't worry, I have plenty of stories for you this week. We've been really productive the past few days.
Last Tuesday morning something scary happened. I woke up in the middle of the night and saw my companion missing. It turns out the other Filipina sister in our apartment was gone too. I woke up Sister Sousa---it was only 5:15 am----and we found a cellphone our companions had left behind. There was one text saying to close up the house because they were at the hospital. All the lights were still on and the front door was wide open. We called the zone leaders when our comps wouldn't answer the phone. They were with our comps in Tacloban, an hour away. At midnight, my comp stopped breathing and Sister Talatagod rushed her to the local hospital, and then to the doctors in Tacloban. The doctors told her she stopped breathing because she's too stressed. My comp spent two days recovering and she seems to be feeling a lot better now. In the meantime, please please keep her in your prayers! The doctors have no idea what's wrong with her. They've guessed everything from kidney stones to diabetes to a heart condition. But it started on her mission and it gets worse when she's stressed.
We contacted a referral from our ZLs yesterday. We ended up teaching the man's son because he wasn't home, but got back right as we finished the lesson. Basta (anyways,), the son---in his mid-twenties---was really receptive to our message. Our discussion with him was really short, but powerful. I started out by introducing the BoM. I've gotten into the bad habit of not asking enough questions because I can't understand their answers, but this time I started out by asking him several questions. One of them was: Why do you read the Bible? My comp told me he said he reads it to search for what God wants him to do in his life. I was then able to teach him how the BoM can do just that. It really helped to understand his needs and how to make such a simple lesson more personal and direct for him. He seemed really interested and sincere. As we were leaving, he was already thumbing through the first pages. I can't wait to go back!
Thursday was the first real day in our new area, since we switched with the Elders in our ward. I love it already! It's closer in the city and all the houses are fairly packed together, so it's actually a lot easier to do missionary work. People become very familiar with who we are and see us all the time. Just in three days, we got 10 new investigators! And 9 of them attended church. :)
Part of that new group of investigators are what my comp and I call the Visoria boys---Visoria is a barangay (neighborhood). There's 7 teenage boys who came to church with two of our Less Actives last week for ward conference. They support and remind each other to come to church and come to our lessons. It's exciting to rekindle the LA's testimonies as they help their friends learn about the gospel.
Most of our work is with Less Active families to prepare them to come back to church or be sealed in the temple. We're very focused on families.
My comp is really good with the people here. She can get in almost any door. I wish I knew what she was saying to figure out how to do the same, haha. But we've taught 13 lessons in the past three days! I love LOVE staying busy, especially after weeks of nothing. It really helps me to lose myself in the work. With the challenges that I'm facing right now, it helps so much to just forget what's happening and become so involved and consumed in the work.
Have you read The Bonds That Make Us Free yet? I've been thinking about it a lot with the things I'm going through. It helps me remember to keep a wide perspective about everything.
I've never heard more fervent prayers than in the Philippines. And I've never said more fervent prayers. So I've been learning a lot about how to really plead with the Lord and turn our routine prayers in to conversations. There is power in prayer.
I'm adjusting to the food just fine. I eat a lot of rice, but I'm actually used to it now. I need my rice, haha. The bugs, yes they eat me alive. Especially my legs. When I wake up in the mornings, I find lots of new bites from during the night.
Congrats Alex on your Triathalon!! I want to see pictures! :)
And Moo: send me your notes from Education Week! I love Education Week!!
Oh, so one of our investigators offered me some candy. I looked at it and it turns out it was cough drop, basically. They call it "Menthol Candy" haha. They eat them here for dinner mints.
Basta. . . (anyways)
Salamat for everything you do! Your help is helping me get through this rough patch. LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Sister Amanda Smith
 |
| a throng of little girls that follows me around my area SO CUTE. And behind them is the wall of death. We have to walk across this stony wall across the swampy area and it drops off a good 10 feet on either side. Scary stuff, dad. |
 |
| my comp and the two sisters in my apartment Sis Talatagod, Sis Clark (my comp), Sis Sousa, me |
Monday, August 12, 2013
Day 67 Carigara, Philippines and the weeks fly by!!
Maupay nga kulop!
This week went by really really quickly because we spent three days in
Tacloban. My comp had some testing to get done at the hospital so we
stayed at the STL's apartment (sister training leaders). It was a good
change in pace, environment, etc. And I got to see someone from my
batch (someone who came in the same day i did).
Christian knows about the certain struggles I'm going through
currently and he was able to give me advice while he taught our zone
in our zone training, since there really is no time for one-on-one
conversations. He and his companion gave an awesome training about
unity. He said to start with the "inner vessel" first before you work
on companionship stuff. It gave me hope that there is something I can
do about my situation; I can't change anyone but myself, so I might as
well be learning something and changing from this experience. The ZLs
also interviewed me and my comp---they usually interview all the new
missionaries. Christian's companion said something like "we're so
excited to get to know you" and then I looked at Christian and we both
busted up laughing; it was hard to stay serious the whole interview,
haha.
Oh I got more letters through pouch this week! Dad, your DearElder
came on August 7th!!! Super quick if it was sent July 29th like you
said it was. Sweet.
I was studying using my hymnbook this week and I came across a hymn
I've never heard before. It's called School Thy Feelings (336). I
really like the first part of the fourth verse:
"Rest thyself on this assurance:
Time's a friend to innocence,
And the patient, calm endurance
Wins respect and aids defense."
So have you been to the temple recently?? I heard there's a new temple
video. What are your impressions?
We had ward conference this past week. The ward choir sang two songs
and I accompanied, of course. :) I've had to become a lot more
confident in my singing because they prefer to learn songs by hearing
someone sing rather than the piano. I love meeting and getting to know
the members.
I'm not sure if we're going to do our open house thingy for
investigators. Our bishop isn't too keen on the idea. So we'll see.
Soooo, have you ever tried using just sweetened condensed milk for
syrup??? Um, YUM! Over here, they use sweetened condensed milk like
crazy. They even put it in spaghetti sometimes. Also, my apartment
made that mango float stuff we tried (the mango, cream, and graham
cracker frozen stuff). Super yummy, liwat (also). I also tried a
lychee shake. They put corn in it. But it was good. ;) (lychee is a
type of fruit. idk how to describe it. . . it tastes like candy
though.)
Since I spent a lot of time in the waiting room at the hospital this
week, I got a lot of extra study time in. One of the coolest things I
learned was about charity. I was reading in 1 Nephi 19:9-10 where the
Savior is being persecuted by the world. He was able to endure
"because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the
children of men." In other words, the secret to endurance is CHARITY.
I think this Christlike attribute is sooooo overlooked. It's tied to
everything if you really think about it. Charity is more than service
or friendly actions. Charity runs so much deeper---it's who you are.
I also studied fear. I studied the relationship between love and fear.
1 John 4:18 teaches that "perfect love castest out fear." If I am
scared or afraid to do something, then I don't have enough love. Love
should be the motivating factor behind everything I do, for so it was
with Jesus Christ. Also, love should be able to motivate me to do
whatever necessary to become more Christlike. The key to overcoming
fear is learning to perfect your love and charity for others. It means
overcoming the natural man. It means turning outwards in love and
service, rather than inward in fear, pity, and selfishness. It means
having the character of Christ. (if you haven't looked up that talk by
David A. Bednar, you need to.) "THEN shall thy confidence wax strong
in the presence of God." (D&C 121:45)
And then there's my mission scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7. God has given us
His Spirit, charity, and knowledge to overcome anything we fear. Also,
study D&C 67:3, 10. Good stuff, gihap (also).
Missions are awesome. It's mind boggling how much I've grown in just
these few weeks here. God is truly in charge. And He has the power to
change us if we'll let Him.
Well, love you all! Send me pics of Moo and Alex's wisdom teeth
experiences, haha. :)
Gugma,
Sister Amanda Smith
This week went by really really quickly because we spent three days in
Tacloban. My comp had some testing to get done at the hospital so we
stayed at the STL's apartment (sister training leaders). It was a good
change in pace, environment, etc. And I got to see someone from my
batch (someone who came in the same day i did).
Christian knows about the certain struggles I'm going through
currently and he was able to give me advice while he taught our zone
in our zone training, since there really is no time for one-on-one
conversations. He and his companion gave an awesome training about
unity. He said to start with the "inner vessel" first before you work
on companionship stuff. It gave me hope that there is something I can
do about my situation; I can't change anyone but myself, so I might as
well be learning something and changing from this experience. The ZLs
also interviewed me and my comp---they usually interview all the new
missionaries. Christian's companion said something like "we're so
excited to get to know you" and then I looked at Christian and we both
busted up laughing; it was hard to stay serious the whole interview,
haha.
Oh I got more letters through pouch this week! Dad, your DearElder
came on August 7th!!! Super quick if it was sent July 29th like you
said it was. Sweet.
I was studying using my hymnbook this week and I came across a hymn
I've never heard before. It's called School Thy Feelings (336). I
really like the first part of the fourth verse:
"Rest thyself on this assurance:
Time's a friend to innocence,
And the patient, calm endurance
Wins respect and aids defense."
So have you been to the temple recently?? I heard there's a new temple
video. What are your impressions?
We had ward conference this past week. The ward choir sang two songs
and I accompanied, of course. :) I've had to become a lot more
confident in my singing because they prefer to learn songs by hearing
someone sing rather than the piano. I love meeting and getting to know
the members.
I'm not sure if we're going to do our open house thingy for
investigators. Our bishop isn't too keen on the idea. So we'll see.
Soooo, have you ever tried using just sweetened condensed milk for
syrup??? Um, YUM! Over here, they use sweetened condensed milk like
crazy. They even put it in spaghetti sometimes. Also, my apartment
made that mango float stuff we tried (the mango, cream, and graham
cracker frozen stuff). Super yummy, liwat (also). I also tried a
lychee shake. They put corn in it. But it was good. ;) (lychee is a
type of fruit. idk how to describe it. . . it tastes like candy
though.)
Since I spent a lot of time in the waiting room at the hospital this
week, I got a lot of extra study time in. One of the coolest things I
learned was about charity. I was reading in 1 Nephi 19:9-10 where the
Savior is being persecuted by the world. He was able to endure
"because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the
children of men." In other words, the secret to endurance is CHARITY.
I think this Christlike attribute is sooooo overlooked. It's tied to
everything if you really think about it. Charity is more than service
or friendly actions. Charity runs so much deeper---it's who you are.
I also studied fear. I studied the relationship between love and fear.
1 John 4:18 teaches that "perfect love castest out fear." If I am
scared or afraid to do something, then I don't have enough love. Love
should be the motivating factor behind everything I do, for so it was
with Jesus Christ. Also, love should be able to motivate me to do
whatever necessary to become more Christlike. The key to overcoming
fear is learning to perfect your love and charity for others. It means
overcoming the natural man. It means turning outwards in love and
service, rather than inward in fear, pity, and selfishness. It means
having the character of Christ. (if you haven't looked up that talk by
David A. Bednar, you need to.) "THEN shall thy confidence wax strong
in the presence of God." (D&C 121:45)
And then there's my mission scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7. God has given us
His Spirit, charity, and knowledge to overcome anything we fear. Also,
study D&C 67:3, 10. Good stuff, gihap (also).
Missions are awesome. It's mind boggling how much I've grown in just
these few weeks here. God is truly in charge. And He has the power to
change us if we'll let Him.
Well, love you all! Send me pics of Moo and Alex's wisdom teeth
experiences, haha. :)
Gugma,
Sister Amanda Smith
 |
| French toast with bananas |
 |
| Downtown Tacloban |
 |
| Pedicab |
Monday, August 5, 2013
Day 60 Carigara, Phillippines two months into my mission!!
Today marks two months into my life as a missionary! And almost 3 weeks in the Philippines. Time zooms by here.
I'm surprised by how fast my body adapted to the heat and humidity here. I don't even think it's very hot. I wear my hair down and sleep with the fan off. I am going to FREEZE when I get back!
This week was ok. I feel like we could be working a lot harder. We only taught seven lessons this entire week. And most of our actuals (reporting numbers) are big fat zeros. I've been told I'm in a difficult area, but I don't believe it. The low numbers are from not using time wisely; the people are just fine. :) I know the Lord will bless us as we continue to strive to be obedient. But He can only bless us as we both do our part. I'm praying for ways to help motivate and encourage without seeming overbearing.
I've really come to appreciate the power of prayer here. We pray so much! We open and close with a prayer in everything we do. And since most of them are audible prayers, my conversations with my Father in Heaven are becoming more real. I can really feel my reliance on Him. I know I'm speaking with someone who listens and answers. I had an experience this week where I desperately needed His help. I decided to pray. I felt Him there, feeling exactly what I was feeling, and understanding completely. He knew exactly how to help and comfort me. By the end of the day, I could hardly believe that only that morning I had gone through that struggle.
So the picture I sent of the dictionary page was something I came across during my language study, haha. I had to laugh at how many words they have related to rice. Also, the word for rice here is kan-on which literally translates to mean "the thing we're going to eat." True story. Rice, rice, for every meal! (actually, I eat peanut butter sandwiches for breakfast, haha). But we got a rice cooker this week! It makes things so much quicker for cooking, since we only have one burner to cook on.
I love the food here!! Especially the bakeries. There's this bread cart that rides by every morning (it's attached to a bike) playing the same song. You just call from the window: Julie's! (the name of the bakery) and buy breakfast. Super cheap. Super yummy. :) They have these rolls with coconut and sugar inside called panicoco. My favorite---or at least one of my favorite. Also: orange juice + grape juice =DELISH. (the orange juice might have been Tang, though. . .). Try it and let me know what you think. :)
Part of my zone is putting together an open house called "Meet the Mormons" in order to create a friendly environment to find investigators less aggressively. For decor and exhibits, I get to help make posters and life size paintings/drawings of prophets and stuff. I'm pretty excited. I also got to help a lot with the ward choir this week. I love working with the members and teaching them music.
I discovered a new favorite hymn: Truth Reflects Upon Our Senses, 273. It has good words and it sounds good a capella. :)
I have a question: is it impossible to be exactly obedient? That is my goal as a missionary, but I've been told that I'll never be able to achieve it as a missionary. It was discouraging to hear, but I don't believe it. God would not give us commandments unless they were all possible to keep.
Tomorrow, we'll be switching areas with the Elders in our ward. That means goodbye beautiful rural areas, but hello to a fresh clean start. It'll be really nice to start off without any former expectations. Also, the people in that area really want Sisters, so it'll be nice to have members willing to work with us.
I went on exchanges with a Sister Training Leader this week. It was a nice change in my schedule. I was able to ask any questions I wanted. Sister Fina'i helped to boost my confidence in myself as a missionary. At the end of our exchange, we had a self-evaluation where I talked about how I perceive myself as a missionary. It really helped to take a step back and see how much I have accomplished and how much I need to learn. It was a very positive experience.
I love my life as a missionary in the Philippines. I get to spend time talking about my favorite thing in the whole wide world, people love me for my white skin and large nose, and I don't have to worry about money each month. I get to spend my days talking about the gospel of happiness, comfort, and peace. Seriously, what's better than sharing the gospel? Soooo, I would like to stress the importance of members in missionary work. Members are CRUCIAL in finding, teaching, and fellowshipping people. You first need to bear your testimony so we have a chance to bear ours. :)
LOVE YOU ALL!! Thanks for the emails/letters! (Thanks Brie Johnson for your letter!! it was the first one I've received so far!) Sorry if it takes super long to respond, haha.
Love,
Sister Amanda Smith
I'm surprised by how fast my body adapted to the heat and humidity here. I don't even think it's very hot. I wear my hair down and sleep with the fan off. I am going to FREEZE when I get back!
This week was ok. I feel like we could be working a lot harder. We only taught seven lessons this entire week. And most of our actuals (reporting numbers) are big fat zeros. I've been told I'm in a difficult area, but I don't believe it. The low numbers are from not using time wisely; the people are just fine. :) I know the Lord will bless us as we continue to strive to be obedient. But He can only bless us as we both do our part. I'm praying for ways to help motivate and encourage without seeming overbearing.
I've really come to appreciate the power of prayer here. We pray so much! We open and close with a prayer in everything we do. And since most of them are audible prayers, my conversations with my Father in Heaven are becoming more real. I can really feel my reliance on Him. I know I'm speaking with someone who listens and answers. I had an experience this week where I desperately needed His help. I decided to pray. I felt Him there, feeling exactly what I was feeling, and understanding completely. He knew exactly how to help and comfort me. By the end of the day, I could hardly believe that only that morning I had gone through that struggle.
So the picture I sent of the dictionary page was something I came across during my language study, haha. I had to laugh at how many words they have related to rice. Also, the word for rice here is kan-on which literally translates to mean "the thing we're going to eat." True story. Rice, rice, for every meal! (actually, I eat peanut butter sandwiches for breakfast, haha). But we got a rice cooker this week! It makes things so much quicker for cooking, since we only have one burner to cook on.
I love the food here!! Especially the bakeries. There's this bread cart that rides by every morning (it's attached to a bike) playing the same song. You just call from the window: Julie's! (the name of the bakery) and buy breakfast. Super cheap. Super yummy. :) They have these rolls with coconut and sugar inside called panicoco. My favorite---or at least one of my favorite. Also: orange juice + grape juice =DELISH. (the orange juice might have been Tang, though. . .). Try it and let me know what you think. :)
Part of my zone is putting together an open house called "Meet the Mormons" in order to create a friendly environment to find investigators less aggressively. For decor and exhibits, I get to help make posters and life size paintings/drawings of prophets and stuff. I'm pretty excited. I also got to help a lot with the ward choir this week. I love working with the members and teaching them music.
I discovered a new favorite hymn: Truth Reflects Upon Our Senses, 273. It has good words and it sounds good a capella. :)
I have a question: is it impossible to be exactly obedient? That is my goal as a missionary, but I've been told that I'll never be able to achieve it as a missionary. It was discouraging to hear, but I don't believe it. God would not give us commandments unless they were all possible to keep.
Tomorrow, we'll be switching areas with the Elders in our ward. That means goodbye beautiful rural areas, but hello to a fresh clean start. It'll be really nice to start off without any former expectations. Also, the people in that area really want Sisters, so it'll be nice to have members willing to work with us.
I went on exchanges with a Sister Training Leader this week. It was a nice change in my schedule. I was able to ask any questions I wanted. Sister Fina'i helped to boost my confidence in myself as a missionary. At the end of our exchange, we had a self-evaluation where I talked about how I perceive myself as a missionary. It really helped to take a step back and see how much I have accomplished and how much I need to learn. It was a very positive experience.
I love my life as a missionary in the Philippines. I get to spend time talking about my favorite thing in the whole wide world, people love me for my white skin and large nose, and I don't have to worry about money each month. I get to spend my days talking about the gospel of happiness, comfort, and peace. Seriously, what's better than sharing the gospel? Soooo, I would like to stress the importance of members in missionary work. Members are CRUCIAL in finding, teaching, and fellowshipping people. You first need to bear your testimony so we have a chance to bear ours. :)
LOVE YOU ALL!! Thanks for the emails/letters! (Thanks Brie Johnson for your letter!! it was the first one I've received so far!) Sorry if it takes super long to respond, haha.
Love,
Sister Amanda Smith
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| kids I taught my first lesson to |
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| Sister Clark's 20th birthday |
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| a picture of all the words related to rice in my dictionary, lol |
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| my crazy study mode |
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| me in the beloved CR:) yes, it's really that tiny |
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