This was my last full week with Sister Woodruff! :( She goes home in two days . . . . definitely an eye opener with how quick my mission is also coming to a close. We met some volunteer American RMs earlier today who explained that going home is really hard, but it's time to move on and upwards.
Miracle of the week: from the simple choice of a hymn, our investigator (Sister Fe Estreller) opened her heart and committed to read the Book of Mormon Daily! Sometimes, as missionaries, we don't really think much about the opening hymn for our lessons. Usually it's just I Am a Child of God but this time we chose to sing As I Search the Holy Scriptures. In the third verse, I noticed that my investigator became quiet and very focused on reading the lyrics. After the prayer, she was still very touched. She shared with us that she loved the promise of healing for her wounded heart and spirit if she searched the scriptures daily. This particular investigator is still struggling a lot from the effects of the typhoon Yolanda, especially after losing her sister. She has been searching for peace and why Yolanda happened. She was excited and ready to find the answer in the Book of Mormon. This experience was such a testimony to me of the simple power of music to invite the Spirit.
I was reading in Preach My Gospel the other morning about how to make the best of difficult circumstances. It's a story of how two missionaries decided to focus and listen despite children running around and the uncomfortable heat. I had a similar experience in a home after a heavy rainstorm. The rainwater caused all the cockroaches to come from the streets and fields into the home. Soooooooooo there were cockroaches crawling/flying everywhere! It was so hard to focus and I was praying so hard during the opening prayer that we would be able to teach well. Sure enough, none of the bugs landed on me and we could actually feel the Spirit during the lesson.
Random questions: how does having diabetes cause someone to get an amputation? And can you send me the talks:
-"Beware of Pride" by Ezra Taft Benson
-Elder Holland's talk about angels
-and Elder Holland's Easter talk about Christ on the cross (why hast thou forsaken me?)
I had one of the most amazing and deeply moving studies about the Atonement this week. I read from Jesus the Christ about Christ's last words and phrases while on the cross. I can't really describe what I felt or learned, but I guess my eyes were opened to understand how great Christ's suffering truly was, as expressed in his plea, "My God, my God; why hast thou forsaken me?" In order for Christ's experience and glory to be complete, He had to do it alone. His victory is complete.
Love always,
Sister Amanda Smith
Monday, July 28, 2014
Friday, July 25, 2014
Another earthquake...
It will be interesting to hear from Amanda this week - depending on where she was, she may or may not have felt this one. It doesn't sound like it was too bad though.
Earthquake strikes Leyte
Phivolcs map showing area of the earthquake that struck Southern Leyte Friday morning
InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5
The online news portal of TV5
MANILA, Philippines -- A magnitude 5.4 earthquake shook Leyte Friday morning and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said aftershocks could be expected.
The US Geological Survey measured the tremor at magnitude 5.3.
Phivolcs said the tectonic quake struck at 7:57 a.m. with its epicenter eight kilometers south of Hinundayan, Southern Leyte and traced its possible source to the Leyte segment of the Philippine Fault Zone.
The agency said the quake was felt at Intensity 6 in Hinunangan and St. Bernard towns in Southern Leyte, Intensity 4 in Tacloban City, Intensity 3 in Palo, Intensity 2 in Cebu, Talisay and Surigao cities, and Intensity 1 in Lapu-Lapu City.
Phivolcs said the quake may have caused damage.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/91918/earthquake-strikes-leyte
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Day 418 Tacloban, Philippines Typhoon Glenda, exchanges Downtown, Typhoon Henry, exchanges in CARIGARA!!!!
So apparently there are several missionaries being pulled out of their areas because of these typhoons hitting. In my old zone up in northern samar, there is no power and clean water. Let me know if you hear more about that. I'll ask the APs at lunch today.
Another week flew by! With two typhoons and two exchanges, we didn't have much time to work in our own area this week, but I know we were doing exactly what the Lord would have us do. I went on exchanges with Sister Asuncion in Downtown Tacloban and with Sister Kaun in Carigara. They are both still finishing up their training.
It was the best thing in the whole wide world to go back to my first area in Carigara. Actually, I entered Carigara exactly one year ago! The day i arrived was July 18, and that's when i returned!!!! Tender mercies all over the place. It was beautiful to see the progression and remember all the good that happened during the early months of my mission. And i could actually communicate with the members finally, haha! I went back to some of my old investigators and they had been waiting for missionaries to come back for so long! One of them has been waiting to be baptized! (Aldrin Guiwan). I left a note with another investigator, Maria Paz Adizas to remind her of the amazing lesson we had about the Book of Mormon. We'll see what happens when i go back next month for exchanges again.
Have you heard of Vanuatu? That's where Sister Kaun is from. There are so many little islands that I have never heard of!
I bought a dragon blade. . . :)
So, apparently I only talk to crazy people. Or only people that are crazy talk to me. Anyway, there's this lady named Susan that we invited to learn more about the gospel. Well, she calls us randomly now and asks us weird stuff and then says: "Wait lang." Then she hangs up. We edited her name in our phone to be Crazy Susan.
Interesting thought: In Moroni's invitation for us to read and pray about the Book of Mormon, he uses the words: "ask if these things are NOT true," instead of "ask if these things are true." Why would he use the negative? The sisters here were discussing how maybe it's like a challenge: we'll never be able to find adequate evidence against the Book of Mormon to claim that it is not true. And often it is easier to discern a 'no' answer than a 'yes' answer. Thoughts?
Well, I love you all! Sounds like cherries is great. . . .not jealous at all. Keep up the family history work! Great to hear all the stories. :)
Love always,
Sister Amanda Smith
Another week flew by! With two typhoons and two exchanges, we didn't have much time to work in our own area this week, but I know we were doing exactly what the Lord would have us do. I went on exchanges with Sister Asuncion in Downtown Tacloban and with Sister Kaun in Carigara. They are both still finishing up their training.
It was the best thing in the whole wide world to go back to my first area in Carigara. Actually, I entered Carigara exactly one year ago! The day i arrived was July 18, and that's when i returned!!!! Tender mercies all over the place. It was beautiful to see the progression and remember all the good that happened during the early months of my mission. And i could actually communicate with the members finally, haha! I went back to some of my old investigators and they had been waiting for missionaries to come back for so long! One of them has been waiting to be baptized! (Aldrin Guiwan). I left a note with another investigator, Maria Paz Adizas to remind her of the amazing lesson we had about the Book of Mormon. We'll see what happens when i go back next month for exchanges again.
Have you heard of Vanuatu? That's where Sister Kaun is from. There are so many little islands that I have never heard of!
I bought a dragon blade. . . :)
So, apparently I only talk to crazy people. Or only people that are crazy talk to me. Anyway, there's this lady named Susan that we invited to learn more about the gospel. Well, she calls us randomly now and asks us weird stuff and then says: "Wait lang." Then she hangs up. We edited her name in our phone to be Crazy Susan.
Interesting thought: In Moroni's invitation for us to read and pray about the Book of Mormon, he uses the words: "ask if these things are NOT true," instead of "ask if these things are true." Why would he use the negative? The sisters here were discussing how maybe it's like a challenge: we'll never be able to find adequate evidence against the Book of Mormon to claim that it is not true. And often it is easier to discern a 'no' answer than a 'yes' answer. Thoughts?
Well, I love you all! Sounds like cherries is great. . . .not jealous at all. Keep up the family history work! Great to hear all the stories. :)
Love always,
Sister Amanda Smith
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| CSP: washing laundry at the boomba, folding clothes, and painting :) i'm at the water pump |
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| Old Carigara friends!!!! Quebec Sisters |
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| the Pilande family |
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| San Juanico bridge. . . Zone activity (yes i've been here before with Sister Henshaw!) :) |
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Day 411 Tacloban, Philippines Exchanges in Palo, Sisters Devotional, and Zone interviews!
Another awesome week! Another FAST week! Time goes by so much quicker now that there's more going on here.
Cool news: You remember the investigator Irene from Allen? Turns out, her best friend's son lives in my ward! So they told me that she went to church for the first time!!!! yayayayayy!
I went on exchanges in Palo this week with Sister Duke! I love being able to see the other areas and help spread the enthusiasm for finding professionals (that's my favorite!). It's really interesting here in Tacloban; people are still stuck about the storm. They just can't seem to move on; it's all they talk about when you meet people. It's actually nice to be able to tell people that I was here with them during the storm so then they listen to our message more.
In the evenings we make ice candy, fudge, and whatever else. Or we are out with the elders at FHEs and stuff because they have cars. :) Yup! I write in my journal daily. :)
Thanks for sending the talks! I just got the Good, Better, Best. Can you send me O Remember, Remember by Henry B. Eyring? Salamat! Also, what is your favorite conference talk about the Sacrament?
Zone Interviews were awesome. :) We just had quick interviews with President to give him an opportunity to meet all the missionaries. He has all the skills that this mission needs at this particular time to build upon all the work President Andaya has done. I'm so excited to see the changes that will happen in the culture of this mission!
Remember Fe and Carlos? We found the perfect fellowshippers for them! Turns out, there's an old stake president and his wife who live just down the street! They connected really well and promised us they would continue to help and friendship them. Fellowshippers and members make all the difference in the world!
We had an incredible devotional/sleepover with the sisters in my zone last night. We all read and discussed Moroni 10. We ended up talking about the plan of salvation, focusing on what "perfect" really means. We decided that perfect means being perfectly converted and having full access to the grace of God. It was so refreshing and uplifting to just focus on the doctrine and learn so much from the other sisters' insights. :)
Cool news: You remember the investigator Irene from Allen? Turns out, her best friend's son lives in my ward! So they told me that she went to church for the first time!!!! yayayayayy!
I went on exchanges in Palo this week with Sister Duke! I love being able to see the other areas and help spread the enthusiasm for finding professionals (that's my favorite!). It's really interesting here in Tacloban; people are still stuck about the storm. They just can't seem to move on; it's all they talk about when you meet people. It's actually nice to be able to tell people that I was here with them during the storm so then they listen to our message more.
In the evenings we make ice candy, fudge, and whatever else. Or we are out with the elders at FHEs and stuff because they have cars. :) Yup! I write in my journal daily. :)
Thanks for sending the talks! I just got the Good, Better, Best. Can you send me O Remember, Remember by Henry B. Eyring? Salamat! Also, what is your favorite conference talk about the Sacrament?
Zone Interviews were awesome. :) We just had quick interviews with President to give him an opportunity to meet all the missionaries. He has all the skills that this mission needs at this particular time to build upon all the work President Andaya has done. I'm so excited to see the changes that will happen in the culture of this mission!
Remember Fe and Carlos? We found the perfect fellowshippers for them! Turns out, there's an old stake president and his wife who live just down the street! They connected really well and promised us they would continue to help and friendship them. Fellowshippers and members make all the difference in the world!
We had an incredible devotional/sleepover with the sisters in my zone last night. We all read and discussed Moroni 10. We ended up talking about the plan of salvation, focusing on what "perfect" really means. We decided that perfect means being perfectly converted and having full access to the grace of God. It was so refreshing and uplifting to just focus on the doctrine and learn so much from the other sisters' insights. :)
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| Catholic church in Palo, center of Catholism in Region 8 (my mission) |
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| exchanges with Sister Duke |
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| ruins from typhoon Yolanda |
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| my old apartment in San jose |
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| zoom in on the picture of the side of my old apartment, you can see a gray, block wall with a little bit of tin nailed on top. i think that is what i was walking on in the water to get on to the lower part of the roof, to get on to the higher roof. (it's on the lower right corner of the picture.) |
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| this is the school we went to right after our apartment flooded |
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Day 404 Tacloban, Philippines America, AMERICA!!!
What an incredible week. :) I went to my first MLC! (Missionary Leadership Council) It was held in the Mission home!!! (Usually it's in the chapel.) We discussed the mission culture as it is now and what we want it to become. Then next month (MLC is monthly) we will discuss a theme for the mission, set policies, etc. I love finally knowing what is going on. Sometimes it's so confusing being a normal missionary, being out of the loop about new policies, procedures, announcements. It's exciting to be a leader during this time of change. I was so grateful to be able to attend MLC for my first time. I hope to be able to carry on the vision we have for the mission to the other missionaries here. Sister Woodruff and I are planning our training for the Zone Training Meeting tomorrow morning. We plan to give a small training on what it really means to serve God with all our heart---how to really find happiness as we lose ourselves in this work. No more robot missionaries. No more floating through the mission. If we have not charity, we are nothing, despite all the other attributes we may have.
Our area is starting to pick up more. Since we are opening an area, we've been trying to build up and create our teaching pool. We've been focusing on professionals and families. So far so good! We found several couples or families who have a desire to attend church and change their lifestyle. We met a professional couple: the wife is a retired prosecutor and the husband is a retired policeman. Their hearts have been softened since the typhoon because of the death of a sister. They are searching for peace and are already starting to feel lighter as they read from the pamphlets we give them. That's one reason I'm so glad to be assigned back in Tacloban--to see all the changed hearts. It was kinda hard being assigned in an area not affected at all by the typhoon. But it is so amazing to hear all the stories and see the opportunity for the Atonement to work in the lives the people her.
In my personal study, I found a scripture I've never really come across before: Ephesians 3:16-21. It talks about how to be rooted and grounded in love. I want to be able to say when my mission term is up that I served from my heart---with ALL my heart, not just obedient and diligent. After all, if we have not charity, we are nothing! It goes along with the training Sister Woodruff and I are preparing to give on how to serve God with all our heart. :)
President and Sister Maurer (pronounced "Morah," like hill Cu-morah) are INCREDIBLE! They are so outgoing, funny, and adventurous. Plus they have awesome Australian accents. :) Just a couple days ago President just left with his wife to explore the mission and drive around everywhere. Definitely what this mission needs: enthusiasm. :) Plus we live just down the street from him! We had MLC in the mission home and they cooked us breakfast!!! I miss foreigner food.
4th of July! We went to an American restaurant called Uncle Sam's. Ate a beautiful burger. :) Sang the Star-Spangled Banner. :) Filipinos don't really celebrate their independence day from what i can tell. I think it was in June. Yesterday I cooked BBQ chicken, mashed potatoes and brownie/cookie bars!!!! (that's what we do with our 6:00pm curfew! hahaha) We had a potluck birthday dinner party for an Elder's birthday. We also had sushi and cheesecake and apple crisp. :) the joys of living in the city. Thanks for the fudge recipe!
Our area is starting to pick up more. Since we are opening an area, we've been trying to build up and create our teaching pool. We've been focusing on professionals and families. So far so good! We found several couples or families who have a desire to attend church and change their lifestyle. We met a professional couple: the wife is a retired prosecutor and the husband is a retired policeman. Their hearts have been softened since the typhoon because of the death of a sister. They are searching for peace and are already starting to feel lighter as they read from the pamphlets we give them. That's one reason I'm so glad to be assigned back in Tacloban--to see all the changed hearts. It was kinda hard being assigned in an area not affected at all by the typhoon. But it is so amazing to hear all the stories and see the opportunity for the Atonement to work in the lives the people her.
In my personal study, I found a scripture I've never really come across before: Ephesians 3:16-21. It talks about how to be rooted and grounded in love. I want to be able to say when my mission term is up that I served from my heart---with ALL my heart, not just obedient and diligent. After all, if we have not charity, we are nothing! It goes along with the training Sister Woodruff and I are preparing to give on how to serve God with all our heart. :)
President and Sister Maurer (pronounced "Morah," like hill Cu-morah) are INCREDIBLE! They are so outgoing, funny, and adventurous. Plus they have awesome Australian accents. :) Just a couple days ago President just left with his wife to explore the mission and drive around everywhere. Definitely what this mission needs: enthusiasm. :) Plus we live just down the street from him! We had MLC in the mission home and they cooked us breakfast!!! I miss foreigner food.
4th of July! We went to an American restaurant called Uncle Sam's. Ate a beautiful burger. :) Sang the Star-Spangled Banner. :) Filipinos don't really celebrate their independence day from what i can tell. I think it was in June. Yesterday I cooked BBQ chicken, mashed potatoes and brownie/cookie bars!!!! (that's what we do with our 6:00pm curfew! hahaha) We had a potluck birthday dinner party for an Elder's birthday. We also had sushi and cheesecake and apple crisp. :) the joys of living in the city. Thanks for the fudge recipe!
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| MLC group |
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| 4th of july party with the APs, ZLs, office elders and other sisters at Uncle Sam's. :) |
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