UPDATE on Amanda

For those who don't know, on Thursday November 7th at approximately 5pm, typhoon Yolanda or Haiyan made landfall in the Philippines. The storm was 3 1/2 times the size of Katrina and had wind gusts up to 235mph. It is reported to be the strongest storm in recorded history. The storm devastated the island Amanda was on and the death toll continues to rise. This area now resembles the effects of a tsunami.

11/11/2013 -As of 6am this morning, this is what we know.

We have been contacted by the church 3 times and this is what we've been told:

- Amanda is safe and being provided with clean water and food.

- They were unable to tell us where she had been relocated to.

- The mission home was hit by a 12'storm surge and is now under 8' feet of water and the mission cars are under 6' of water.

- There is no electricity, cell or land line service. Only a few satellite phones are in operation which the church had brought in.

- There are still missionaries that have not been contacted, but the church is confident they are safe. They are using all means available to get to them and confirm this: boats, helicopters, etc. (as of 12 November 2013 - 9:28 am Philippine Time = 6:28 pm UT time - the church posted ALL Tacloban Missionaries safe and accounted for!!!!)

This is what we have read or been told by others but not confirmed by the church:

- Some missionaries are or have already been transferred to different missions like Cebu and Manila at least temporarily until there are safe places they can stay with food, water, and electricity (they are declaring marshal law in some areas where looting, lawlessness and shootings have occurred). They are going by boat and then plane.

-  This was posted on one site then quickly removed (but I copied it before it was and also wrote to the poster asking if it was valid - he said yes, but that it was removed in consideration of all the families who still had not news of their missionary):

LDS Philippines

Emailed By TACLOBAN MISSION PRESIDENT, read by Elder Brent H. Nielsen, Philippines Area President

During the stake Conference at Cauayan.

"The missionaries are safe. Our mission home was flooded, we have no current (electricity), no water, no clothes, no garments, and no food. But we help each other members by wearing yellow vest helping hands.

Please pass for help."

I asked the poster if that meant the missionaries needed clothing and garments and he said yes.

- At least 2 days prior to the typhoon, missionaries were told to have a 72hr bag ready to move. Our guess is that did not change and that is why some have little else. We are guessing Amanda was one of those that lost almost everything - her apartment was close to the mission home and airport where there is little left and her apartment was on the ground floor with big windows. Some of the zones that are being transferred out only have those 72hr kits with them. (Her apartment was 1/2 mile from the mission home and 2 1/2 miles form the airport)

- We've heard there was a temporary spot set up in Tacloban for internet access, but it is not safe for the missionaries to go there.

- We saw pictures  in Tacloban City with the mission president, his wife and other missionaries passing out supplies to the people that included missionaries that were in Amanda's apartment.

- As of 2 days before the typhoon, Amanda was still sick but had received a blessing: this info was given to us by Sis Resolme, a sister that was in her apartment and went home on a medical release 2 days before the typhoon.

Amanda's apartment in Tacloban

A) shows where Amanda's apartment is B)shows where the mission home, mission office and chapel are. Out on the peninsula is where the airport and runway are.

Helping Hands in Tacloban City
Sis Andaya (with the water bottle in her pocket), Sis.Malietoa, Sis.Schaap

Pres Andaya is in the front right in the yellow shirt with the backpack and name tag.
Sis.Guy (with the red headband and shirt), Elder Parsons, Elder Tofilao 

Tacloban Airport

Day 161 Tacloban, Philippines November already???

Time is flying waaaaay too fast. Tomorrow is my 5 month mark!

First off, I am DYING of laughter looking at the Halloween pictures---especially the one of Jared. :)

There was one day this past week where we were super blessed with crazy cool experiences. The Spirit was soooo strong in all of our lessons! We usually teach R at the church with his girlfriend A. When we got there, there was someone in the room where we usually teach. It turns out he's a recent convert named E so we invited him to join the lesson. During the lesson, he brought up a concern that actually was the same as R. It helped to have him there to give R someone to relate to. E had a lot of his questions and worries answered during our lesson. He told us he's not even from the area, but his feet just carried him to the church. It's amazing to see how God works.

We met a less-active man and taught him an awesome lesson about the power of the Atonement. At least I thought it was awesome----I couldn't understand a word he was saying because he spoke Cebuano. But as we taught, I somehow understood what he meant and was able to know what to say. It's such a testimony to me that the Spirit is the teacher and interpreter.

There's lots of cool names here. Like Cinderella, or LaLa or Queen Elizabeth, or JohnJohn. :)

We didn't work a ton this week because of Election Day and Saints Day when we weren't allowed to go outside after 6pm. And then I got sick. But we have a baptism next week! Sister R had her baptismal interview on Saturday and she is sooooo ready to be a member!

Sister Henshaw gave me a cool idea to try with my patriarchal blessing. She told me to identify all the actions I need to do to obtain the blessings. So I made two columns: action and blessing. I made soooo many more connections and learned a ton about my patriarchal blessing. You should all try it. :)

Funny: So Sister Henshaw and I both woke up sick one morning, so we laid in bed for an hour or so. Then our cellphone rang and it was President Andaya!! Turns out he just wanted to talk to someone else in our apartment, haha. We were both like, "Really?! the one day we sleep in?" We had a good laugh.

Sorry this week's letter is sooo short. I'm still sick so I don't feel like typing much, haha.

Scripture of the week: Alma 27:10

Hymn of the Week: 145

LOVE YOU ALLL!

Day 154 Tacloban, Philippines Election day in the Philippines!

Happy Election Day in the Philippines! Everyone practically is out of town to go vote in their hometowns, so it's going to be rough finding people to teach this week. The streets are crowded with people who have been out of town for work.

First off, my shoes came that you sent me!! Salamat hin duro! (Thanks so much!) They fit perfectly and I'm wearing them right now. ;) Good timing too, because my reddish-brown flats that I wear all the time are about worn out. I don't really wear the Dansko shoes because they're heavy and aren't easy to take off and on when we go inside people's houses.

We had such a great week! We taught R., the investigator who told us he wanted to be taught 3 times a week. He's incredible!! I love meeting people that are so crazy prepared for the gospel that they are so willing and ready to keep commitments. He's easy to understand (plus we can slip in a little English since he's a college student) and we can easily tell if he has questions or is confused. He told us at the beginning of one of our lessons that he feels like Joseph Smith---he's so curious and hungry for the truth. During our lessons, he just drinks it all in and really thinks about it. He's already reading the Book of Mormon, attending institute, and sacrament meeting. :) I love watching the light click on in his mind or when he learns something new. I can't wait to hear what experiences he has while he continues to investigate.

We found an active teenager that we want to help reactivate to serve a mission. We decided to not ask about his scripture study and prayer, but rather just build him up. We asked him to pick a picture from our gospel art book and then we'd tell him how it applied to his life. He picked the 2,000 stripling warriors. Since our scriptures are in Tagalog, we had him read it and then explain it to us in Waray2x. I think it gave him confidence to be able to explain the scriptures to us. We also had him accompany us to an FHE with new investigators. It was exciting to see him teach alongside us and rekindle his testimony.

Sister Henshaw had a cool idea of how to go finding. We were exhausted one night and weren't successful in our attempts at finding. So my comp was like let's ask that nanay (mother) if she can teach us how to make chicken curry. Turns out it was a perfect ice breaker where we were able to get to know the whole family and share a little bit about the gospel as they gave us the recipe. (The chicken curry was delicious, by the way. We used fresh coconut milk squeezed from lubi!)

We did a lot of experimenting with food this week. I found out I really like eggplant. We eat it all the time here. I'm still not quite used to cheese in my fruit salad though . . . But I think I've developed an addiction to choco swirl peanut butter. And mangoes. And I love cucumbers. :)

There's a lot of crazy people on the streets. It's sad to see there's not much help for those with mental diseases/disabilities. 

I can't wait for the General Conference talks to come out in the Liahona! My comp and I have been studying this past spring conference and the talks are so awesome! I highly recommend studying talks from past conferences, especially as a family. :)

Funniess of the week: We were teaching a family of investigators about the temple and showing them the special edition of the Liahona/Ensign all about temples. An investigator walked in late, halfway through the lesson, and saw a picture of the celestial room. He looked at us and asked, "what does the kitchen look like???" My comp and I just about died trying to keep in our laughter! It was even funnier because he said it in English.

Sooooooo pretty much life is great. :) We have the best area, the best investigators, the best ward, the best companionship, and the best experiences. Every day is an adventure because we're still both very new to the area, but we die laughing whenever things go wrong. (like getting caught and soaked in the rain, getting lost, trying to figure out how to cook Filipino food, etc) We've found that it's really our attitude that turns everything into an adventure. When bad things happen, if we learn to just laugh at ourselves and our ridiculous circumstances, things don't seem so bad.

"Improve the shining moments;

Don't let them pass you by.

Work while the sun is radiant;

Work, for the night draws nigh.

We cannot bid the sunbeams

To lengthen our their stay.

Nor can we ask the shadow

To ever stay away."

-Hymn 226

LOVE YOU ALL!

cleaning the CRs at the church for CSP

cutest Filipino boy  :)

Day 147 Tacloban, Philippines this girl is on fire

Since we're whitewashing our area, we've been having a lot of adventures trying to figure out our area (both the people and the actual roads/pathways). We feel like we're brand new missionaries because we both actually feel like missionaries now. We've had a few lessons that we even got to teach in English! It feels so weird to talk in English now about the gospel. I kept wanting to revert back to Waray2x.

I forgot to mention Sister Henshaw is from Holiday, UT. We actually have a few friends in common and we even took the same religion classes at BYU! We pretty much have the best companionship in the mission. Super crazy united. We have the same thoughts and inspiration, we transition well in lessons, we have the same goals, we're open with each other. . . =bliss.

We've had so many referrals! This past Sunday, we had an investigator come up to us and ask us if he could be taught three times a week! We were like, ummm SURE! Of course!! So many of the members are willing to give us referrals now. Both Sister Henshaw and I have realized that we shouldn't be dragging anyone to church but that those who are ready for the gospel will keep their commitments. We have certainly been blessed with so many new and receptive people to teach. It's crazy.

The nice thing about being in Tacloban is that a lot of people speak English so they aren't as naawod (shy) about talking with us. People actually come up to us to talk to us now---especially since they want to practice their English on us, ahaha. 

We had Zone Conference and Exchanges this past week. This is the second time that I've gone on exchanges with a brand new STL (as in, I'm their very first exchanges) and I'm brand new to the area. So we both have no idea what we're doing. But, things always work out, amazingly enough.

I've never really been in an earthquake before. I expected it to be more rumbley and shakey but it was more like we were swaying and dizzy. It was weird to feel the whole house moving and see the power lines swaying back and forth outside. Have you heard about how much damage there is in Cebu?

I'm learning how to lead a lot more with Sister Henshaw. We take turns leading each day (leading out in lessons, studies, finding, cooking, etc) as advised by our mission president. I'm grateful for the opportunity to teach more, even though I don't feel as comfortable with my teaching skills yet. It's really helped me to see how much I need to improve.

We contacted one of our new referrals this week and we ended up sharing the 1st Vision with her. After I explained Joseph Smith's experience, I asked her how she felt and what her thoughts were. I expected her to be like that's crazy or disbelieving, but she just thought for moment and then said, "Hopeful." Then she went on to explain how she likes the idea that he was able to get an answer in a world full of religious chaos---that God continues to speak to us today. Then, we went on to explain that either the 1st Vision happened, or it didn't---which also means Christ's church has been restored or it hasn't; there's no gray area. When we said that, she whispered to herself: "it happened." Sister Henshaw and I looked at each other like "no way! so coooool!" We super excited to continue teaching her.

Funny story: So this morning as we were preparing to leave for P-day shopping, Sister Henshaw had a feeling like she forgot something. I joked and said she forgot to give me chocolate. She said, "well we do have some chocolate in the fridge!" In the fridge, she found her P1000 that she had been searching for forever that she needed for grocery shopping. So my chocolate craving was an answer to her prayer. Yay chocolate. :)

There's soooo many cultures mixed into the Filipino heritage. I don't think I would be able to recognize a Filipino right away in America. Some Filipinos look super Chinese or Korean, while others look Hispanic. And others look Polynesian. They're so diverse! 

A few more thoughts from our past General Conference:

We need humility to more fully understand and recognize our answers to our prayers. We also need more humility in order to help others become humble and softened.

I also really loved how Henry B. Eyring reminded us that God has designed means to save each one of us and given angels charge over us. I've heard this before, but when he said it, it really struck me more personally. There is a specific plan for ME and each of my investigators to return to live with God.

And as our prophet said, "may you ever be found doing the work of the Lord."

Zone Conference October 2013

exchanges with Sister Quijada 

puddle hopping! tracting and traveling to our appointments is NEVER boring. we usually follow little kids and have them show us the best way around the puddles. super muddy.

Earthquake

Hello family!

Don't worry, I'm safe and sound. We were instructed to email home to let everyone know we're safe from the earthquake. There was an earthquake in Cebu and I think it was 7.2 or something. We're safe here, but we definitely felt it! This morning, during personal study, we felt something and then my comp and I both look at each other like "are you feeling this too?" Then we looked outside and the powerlines were swaying back and forth. Crazy. There was an aftershock while we were teaching, but it was fine.

Please pray for everyone in Cebu! Love you all!

Sister Amanda Smith

Day 140 Tacloban, Philippines Transfer Week!!

Yet another surprise. . . I transferred!!!! I am now in Tacloban zone, in the San Jose area (in the actual Tacloban city, but not downtown) and my new companion is Sister Henshaw!!!!!! We actually met each other before at BYU and saw each other everyday on campus last semester!! We are both stoked to be companions and we are crazy united. We are so ready to work miracles because we are both so in tune with each other and the Spirit. So pumped for this transfer. :) :) :) Also in my apartment is SISTER MALIETOA!! We both transferred into the same apartment! What are the odds that I would be with my MTC comp again???! We are in the apartment that all the sick, visiting, or new missionaries stay. Also, the STLs used to live with us but they transferred two days ago to another apartment. :( So we're in the same ward as all the office elders, APs, mission president, etc so there's 5 companionships of missionaries in our ward. Crazy.

Super funny, when I got the text that I was transferring, my travel instructions were to take a bus, then a jeepney, then "ask inspired questions" to figure out where the chapel was downtown in Tacloban, haha. Luckily I had a Pacific Islander elder travel with me so he helped me with all my lugguage, haha.

We have a huge area! It's weird to be using jeepneys to travel to our appointments. I love this ward already. Members are willing to work with us and we actually have a Ward Mission Leader. We tried doing our language study with a group of members and it helped a ton to figure out the grammar! They speak English really well here so they were able to help us translate a lot and actually explain the conjugations and stuff :)

As Sister Henshaw and I have made new goals, we've been soooo blessed!! For example, we were riding in a pedicab and talking about how we want to find less active members that we can help reactivate and prepare for missions. When we got out of the pedicab and talked to our driver, it turns out he's an inactive member and he's mission age! We were so excited to see how the Lord is willing to give us opportunities if we are willing to look and have the desire. People to teach and help us are literally set in our path. In just these few short days together, we have been so blessed. 

We're pretty much whitewashing our area; Sister Henshaw has only been here 3 weeks so we have an adventure everyday trying to figure out the area, who people are, etc. We're hoping to really change this area, especially since it's one of the oldest areas in the whole mission. We both truly believe that as long as we're obedient and following the Spirit everything will work out, even though we're both really new (she's only 6 weeks ahead of me).

We watched General Conference!!! It was absolutely amazing, as usual. We sat with our ward missionaries and investigators. One of them said the Conference center looks like a spaceship, bahahaha! It was hard for them to understand the actual words and they would translate to each other to figure out what the speakers were saying (it's all in English!), but they felt the Spirit of the message nonetheless. I noticed that some of the biggest themes were endurance, protecting the family, and covenant keeping. Please, everyone pray for missionary opportunities! I KNOW the Lord will put someone in your path. Remember, missionary work means "invite others to come unto Christ," this means ANYONE, not just non-members. :) There is plenty of missionary work to be done no matter where you live. Also, wasn't Elder Bednar's talk the best tithing talk ever?? Loved it. I can't wait to go back and study all these talks again (especially since the connection wasn't so great during the broadcast. . .). Remember, the things we learn from conference are nothing unless we actually APPLY them. Just like we can't get in shape by watching a basketball game, we can't become spiritually strong by watching conference. The power of conference will come when we change our lives to match the message.

LOVE YOU ALL BUNCHES!!!

Sister Amanda Smith

Gooodbye with Carigara sisters

Sister Henshaw and I!

San Juanico bridge with some elders from our zone

Day 133 Carigara, Philippines

First off, MY PACKAGE CAME!! I got it on October 3, so less than a month! Awesome! THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!! I haven’t watched the video of Alex yet but I’ll let you know when I do and I’ll try to record it. J I love the PJ shirt----both the color and fit. Perfect for nighttime in the Philippines. Also, I loved the notes inside from Mom and Moo! I love seeing handwritten letters (hint hint!). ;) Everything looked fine inside. The CD case was a little cracked but other than that I don’t know if anything was missing. No bugs or anything. I don’t think it was opened at all.

I chose to serve because I can’t stand living my happy life without everyone else knowing how to be happy too. I just don’t feel content living my life just for me. There’s so much more value when you live and serve for others---for God.

Yeah we cook everything from scratch. Nothing prepackaged. It’s cool to see how to create certain flavors completely from scratch. Also, I learned what Filipino food really means: cooking with the most random ingredients in the shortest amount of time and STILL having enough food and it tastes crazy good. I don’t know how they do it, haha.

Yeah CSP is service, sorry I forget we have missionary lingo.

Haha, I showed my comp the picture of Mf. Loafer you sent me and she said, “what’s the yellow??” And I told her how the leaves change color and she was like really????

We watched the Relief Society Broadcast just this past Saturday. Everything here is a week behind so General Conference is this coming weekend. They forgot to announce conference so there was only like 15 people from the whole stake at the RS Broadcast so we’ll see how many show up for General conference. Not a lot of people come from what I’ve heard because it’s in English and most people get bored because they can’t understand. But we were able to bring one of our brand new investigators to the RS Broadcast. When our prophet spoke, I was able to point out to her: that’s our prophet! Her first response was: he’s old! Hahaha! I missed the first speaker because we were 30 minutes late. . . any chance you could send me a copy of the talk so I can print it out and read it later? I also liked the idea of preparing the day before for the Sacrament. I want to try and remember to prepare both physically and spiritually for the Sabbath. Did you notice that most of the talks were about covenant keeping? They really focused on the basics: the doctrine of Christ. Also, during the Broadcast I started out taking notes for myself only and then realized that I’m a missionary and should be focused on helping OTHERS understand too, especially since it’s all in English. After I switched my thinking, I found the broadcast to be much more meaningful. President Uchtdorf teaches that if we only focus on ourselves, we may miss some of the most profound revelations of our lives.

I haven’t used the permethrin yet. I don’t have much time on P-days. . . maybe next week???

Don’t worry the typhoon hasn’t affected my area much. Maybe in Borongan (Samar—the other large island in my mission), though. I’ll have to write to Sister Malietoa---that’s where she’s assigned right now. And we’re safe from all the military stuff.

Where else has Alex raced? And has Moo applied for college yet? I want to hear her thoughts about Snow.

Sorry this is really random this week! LOVE YOU ALL!!!

fhe at the Bardiago family

last Zone Training Meeting with Christian

thanks for the package!!! Happy Amanda :)