Day 271 Allen, Philippines let's go to the beach beach

Allen continues to be an adventure. I still feel like we just got dropped off in the middle of nowhere and we're the farthest from everything, but fortunately there's 8 of us missionaries that live here. I'm really loving the area. :) White, coral beaches, maiha grass (a type of grass/fern that closes up when you touch it!), etc. The language is still pretty CRAZY because it really isn't one language. There's a sister missionary here from Bicol and this is not Bicolano either . .. haha. Basically there's no rules to this language. Just whatever. They constantly slip into different languages and people will just talk to each other in different languages, but they both understand (except for me of course). Once we started teaching lessons, things got better because then I was more in control of the subject of the conversation. My only hope is to learn Tagalog because no one speaks Cebuano here and the Waray2x is different. Then they just make up words that only people in this town use. Welcome to the Philippines. :)

This morning we went to the beach near UEP (University of Eastern Philippines) for our zone activity. I looooove the ocean! I've misses it when I was in Cebu because I was never really near it there.

The work is going well and Sister Sprouse and I are increasing our unity. . . by picking lice out of each other's hair!!! Ewwwwww! Well, that's part of life here, I guess. But for reals we get along really well and it's weird to be with an American again. I actually miss eating rice all the time, but it's nice to be able to communicate more directly and study the language together. We definitely get a lot of attention from the people here.

It's amazing to realize that all the experiences I have gone through thus far are for my good and will become a part of who I am for the rest of my life. But only if I choose for it to be that way. I can't control where I serve or when things will change, but I can control my attitude and how well I look for opportunities to improve myself. I've found that being able to laugh at myself and recognize my weaknesses and need to rely on the Savior has helped me endure through everything that's come my way. I feel completely healed from everything that I've gone through and sooooooo much stronger and wiser. I am actually grateful that I was able to experience Typhoon Yolanda, despite all the difficulties. My mind is completely broadened to understand the full scope of the enabling power of the Atonement and how quickly we can just turn everything over to the Lord. He will strengthen us that our burdens seem light.

The gospel is the only way to turn all of our experiences into worthwhile opportunities to grow. We all encounter trials, but the gospel consecrates them for our gain and our refinement.

Sorry my emails are going to be short now. . .We only have one hour in this mission. LOVE YOU ALL! Press forward Saints with steadfast faith in Christ!. :)

Day 267 I'm speaking. . . Allenese???

After two hours of sleep and another airplane ride, I'm safely back the Philippines Tacloban Mission!!! I've been reassigned to Allen (Catarman zone) in Samar (the other large island). Allen is about 6 hours north of Tacloban by van. I'm in one of the very farthest areas from the mission home. (The mission home has returned to Tacloban and is no longer in Maasin.) My new comp is Sister Sprouse from Vernal, Utah. She's also 20 years old and she's my junior batch. Fortunately, this was her area before the typhoon so we're not opening the area completely from scratch. Funny thing was, when we arrived in Tacloban, we were asked to do a musical number on the spot for our meeting before we traveled. Right after we sang a duet together, President Andaya announced we would be companions!

Elder Ben Banks, an Emeritus General Authority is working with President Andaya here to help things get going and stay organized. He checked all the apartments in the entire mission for approval and decided that we all need flushing toilets and showers (instead of just a bucket and a ladle). He says if the Philippines is ever going to rise out of poverty, they need to start somewhere and it will start with the missionaries. All of our apartments have been cleaned up and renovated in preparation for our arrival. :) We also met some of the first missionaries ever in the Philippines! They had come to volunteer to help. There're a lot of RMs from the Philippines here helping. :) (Speaking of which, I saw dad's co-worker!)

As we landed in Tacloban and drove to the mission home, we went through my old area: San Jose. I was a little nervous to see it, but things are looking much better than I expected. Things are actually green now and homes have been remade out tarps and the army is stationed there still. There are even some jeepneys up and running! It was also good to visit with my old ward there. The bishop is still living at the church, but plans on returning to his home hopefully this week. The members cannot wait for missionaries to return to their ward, but it may be a year at least until missionaries return to Tacloban. . . we'll see how things go.

My mailing address is the same as before the typhoon. I don't have it written down anywhere. . . Can you send it to me? haha. . . It's the Fatima, Leyte one.

My new area reminds me of my first area: Carigara. It's an absolutely adorable little pier town right on the ocean. It wasn't affected at all by the storm so everything is still beautiful here. :) The weird part is the language. I have no idea what to call it! It's a combination of Tagalog, Bicol, Waray-S, and Cebuano. I only know Waray-H and Cebuano. I think I'll just try and learn Tagalog now. . . haha. Good thing my comp knows what she's doing! We joke that we speak Allenese. It's so different from everywhere else.

We spent our P-day today trying to find an internet cafe. . . we couldn't find one in Allen so we jeepneyed to the next town over: Catarman (about 1 hour away). After trying a couple places, we finally found a place that has internet access. Hopefully this doesn't become routine. . .

It feels good to be back, although I miss Cebu terribly. I know that is a great work for me to do here and this is where the Lord called me to serve. There is a great purpose for me to accomplish here in helping move forward the work of God. I'm excited to finally settle into an area after so much moving around. I feel like Tacloban mission's culture is going to improve with missionaries from so many different mission presidents. It'll be interesting to see how things change, especially when we get a new president in July!

My P-days are now on Mondays again (I'm only emailing today cuz that's when we arrived).

I hope you are all learning so much from the things happening and I know they are opportunities to draw closer to our Father in Heaven.

LOOOOOOOOVE YOU ALLLL!!!

Look at who I saw at the Fatima Chapel in Tacloban! - dad's co-worker, Nicole

Day 266 Apas, Philippines I'm in Manila. . . MISSION: Part 3

My zone leaders told me Thursday morning during transfers that I'll be returning to Tacloban! I am a part of the 4th batch returning (I think there'll be about 80 of us now) We're guessing that I'll be in Catarman (northern Samar). Don't worry, it's really safe there. They were hardly affected by the storm. I'm here in Manila staying the night in a hotel before we travel to Tacloban early tomorrow morning. Apparently, all the other missionaries got to skype and call their parents before they left, but somehow someone forgot to tell us we could. . . so I'm going to ask if I can skype or call tomorrow. :) Hopefully! I feel like I'm starting Part 3 of my mission. . . By the time I go home, I'll have a third mission president, third language, third mission home, and third pillow (I left my pillow behind in Cebu, haha).

After transferring to Apas, I spent about 3 days with Sister Palu, a beautiful Tongan sister who just finished being trained. The area there is really neat: practically all stairs! We started at the bottom of the stairs and walked all the way to the top of the hill. . . the stairs seem to climb forever!!! Kapoy jud (tiring) but that's mission life. :) The people laugh when they see my reaction at the stairs continuing on and on and on. . . 

Since I'm returning to Tacloban, my area in Apas is closing and Sister Palu is emergency transferring when I leave. So it feels kind of useless to get to know any of the members, so we've been focusing on our progressing investigators. Actually, most of the people I've met have been from Tacloban! So they know Waray2x! It was weird to teach lessons in my previous language. . . it's hard to switch back and forth. My tongue gets confused, haha. :) I love having this secret language that practically no one knows here. There are a lot of members from Tacloban that have relocated temporarily to Cebu. I actually saw a few members from my previous ward in my ward in Apas!!!

President Schmutz allowed us to go to the temple for the last time. (Have you seen the new instruction video???) It was weird to think as I sat inside the temple that the next time I attend the temple, I'll be on my way home! I've been so spoiled here in Cebu. P.S. Cebu temple is gorgeous! I like it better than Manila. :)

Saturday morning we had a devotional with the Area President: Elder Nielson. Then later that evening we attended a fireside by one of his counselors, Elder Ardern (the man who saved us in Tacloban), the Relief Society General President, and the 1st Counselor in the Young Women's Presidency. No biggie. I don't think the Filipinos understand how blessed they are to have that privilege. 

In all honesty, I'm really going to miss Cebu, especially President and Sister Schmutz. If I had a choice to stay, I would. But, I know that I was called to Tacloban for a reason and they really need the help right now. This mission was never about me anyway. I know the Lord needs my willingness to go wherever I am needed. I'm excited to see what miracles will happen in the lives of those I will teach. I'm really excited to see how God has prepared the hearts of the people in my mission to hear and accept the gospel. I keep hearing reports of people flooding to the churches and how attendance has skyrocketed! It sounds like we'll never be bored or in need of investigators.

I know God gives us enough trials and experiences to continually stretch and refine us, but not so much that it is impossible to endure. He has promised us that if we are with Him, we can do all things which are expedient in Him. Nothing will be impossible unto us. We should not wish for an easy, care-free life because we will learn nothing from being pampered 24/7. The more changes and surprises that come our way, the more we learn how to bounce back and be resilient. I know that no matter what may happen in my life, I know in whom I have trusted. God is my strength and I trust in His will completely. It brings such comfort to know that I am in His hands and He will never let me fall. Everything that is out of my control will be taken care of. All I really have to do is worry about the things that are within my power to change and improve. God's grace covers those things that are out of our control, those things we cannot do for ourselves.

I LOVE YOU ALLL!!! I know things are happening in order to bring us closer together as a family and we'll be so much closer after all of this. :)

Cebu temple w Sis Dumas

Day 260 Carcar, Philippines Transfer Week! I'm going to Apas!

Surprise! I'm transferring to Cebu city, as in city jud! AND Sister Robidillo is transferring too! (she's going to Negros, the other island :(. . .) AND our area is closing. WHAT?! We are being pulled out of CarCar! Everyone is soooo surprised because nothing is wrong with the area or anything else like that. The only thing is there are nine missionaries in one ward, which has been pretty demanding on the leadership with such small attendance. So they cutting it back to 6 missionaries. The other sisters in my apartment will be covering my area now. I feel sad that I only got a month with Sister Robidillo, especially since we were on fire and have incredible investigators, but this is what is best for the work at this point. We both feel like we have done our best and served with all our heart, might, mind, and strength. That's all we can do. And now the Lord needs us elsewhere. I was surprised to be transferred because I thought I would just stay in one area until I go back to Tacloban, but it'll be interesting to see how different the city is.

I have so enjoyed the time I've spent with Sister Robidillo. She is an incredible missionary in everyway and we are good friends. I learn so much from her example and how she cares so genuinely for everyone around her. She is so humble and sensitive to the Spirit. And of course, very obedient. I love her and will work to have the same unity in my next companionship.

We had an awesome lesson with a less-active/inactive family. We watched Together Forever---which turned out to be absolutely perfect for their needs. We had a very emotional and spiritual lesson about the importance of families and how they need to be our priority. Brother experienced a change of heart, allowed his wife to work with us, came to church, invited us for FHE, and worked with bishop in visiting other members! We pray his heart may continue to soften and prepare to enter the temple of the Lord.

I've been studying the importance of the sacrament and the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost. If we worthily partake and renew our covenants, we become cleansed by the reception of the Holy Ghost. The sacrament is an ordinance we participate in each week. The Holy Spirit of Promise watches our hearts and actions to see if we are worthy to receive the blessings promised by renewing our covenants.

I know God loves us with a perfect love. He understands us completely and is waiting and longing to help us, if we but turn to Him and realize He has always been there.

Love you all. :)

I got to attend the family sealing of the Baran family!!!!

Day 253 Carcar, Philippines Waterfalls, cheese ice cream, and green mangoes :)

I feel so blessed to be here in Cebu mission. When I received my temporary call, I was encouraged to serve here as if it had been the mission to which I was originally assigned. It was not hard to continue my mission here in Cebu. I feel I have done my best to adapt to the many good things this mission has to offer and I love it here! I feel like I have given my all, even though this is not my original mission; this is still the work of the Lord and it really doesn't matter where we serve but how. It'll be bittersweet to have to leave, but I know great things are waiting back in Tacloban! :) :) :)

Sooo we had Zone interviews last Thursday. Basically, President and I just talked about Tacloban mission reopening the whole time, haha. He told me that a new batch arrived there a few days ago, I think 26 missionaries or so, three of which are from Cebu (Sister Vea, Sister Brown, and Elder Santiago). They are opening up a thirds zone in Catbologan, Samar! That's super far from Maasin and Sogod. . . I wonder how transfers will work because they'll have to either travel by ferry or drive through the destruction of Tacloban city. . . Also, it is presumed that all Tacloban missionaries will be back in Tacloban mission by the end of March or so. And new missionaries will be there by the end of this month! I have no idea when I'll be going back. Just waiting for a phone call.

We went to a waterfall for our zone activity last P-day and it was so gorgeous! It reminded me of our family vacation to Puerto Rico. On the ride up, we stopped by a dairy and had some fresh ice cream! (yayay for real milk, ahaha).

Random: Cheese ice cream. Just think about it. It's a specialty here. My tongue doesn't quite understand it yet. . . I prefer ube ice cream, a type of root crop. It's purple. :)

I love Filipino kids. While I was walking by a new road being carved out of a mountain in my area, we passed by some kids sitting on top of a HUGE pile of dirt that they had climbed to reach the mangoes from the tops of the trees. As we walked by, they called out my name and yelled, "You like mangga?!" (mangoes) I held out my hand as if to catch one and they came running down the hill towards me to share their mangoes. :) In return, I gave them the Articles of Faith in Bisaya (Cebuano), haha. Cute kaayo ang mga bata. (Kids are so cute.)

The typhoon that hit a few days ago wasn't too bad in our area. Nothing much, just flooded rice fields. But that's crazy that the sisters in Maasin were hit by the flashflood after only two days of returning to Tacloban!!! They basically went through the same thing I did. They need to find apartments on higher ground. . .

We had a pretty busy week: exchanges with the STLs, interviews, cleaning checks, a baptism of some missionaries in our zone, etc. Despite having a busy week full of workshops, interviews, and our zone activity, Sister Robidillo and I were still able to make the extra effort to surpass the mission standards for lessons and FTEs. Everyday, we are both amazed at how we are able to achieve our goals despite the many setbacks we occur. I can really feel the Lord working with us, leading us when we are punted and giving us words when our investigators are gahi (hard-hearted). I feel a sense of confidence in this work because I know the the plans we make may not happen exactly as we would expect, but the Lord will guide us to know HIS plan if we are obedient. My testimony of obedience has been strengthened so much because of the countless times we are lead from place to place, the timing so perfect.

We are continuing to work with our IBDs: Lorana and Ulysses Paraz, and Marites Zafra. The first couple is really progressing and they attended church together. Currently, we are working with members in the ward to help them finalized the papers they need to get married. They are on track for the 22nd of March. Marites Zafra has been busy, so we haven't taught her in a while. Her brother fell from a mango tree and broke his arm so she's been taking care of him in the city.

Right after I finish emailing today, I get to attend the family sealing of the Baran family!!!! (the first family that befriend me here in Carcar---the ones who know Waray2x). I'll send pictures next week. :)

During my time with Sister Robidillo, I've improved my understanding of how to set effective and useful goals. Goal making has increased my faith and stretched my expectations for myself. They help me to stop being content with good and goal for the better and best. When we first became companions, we were meeting the mission standards and even higher; I was content with that. But we set even higher goals and then followed through each night, analyzing our work and progress towards those goals. Now, our capability and capacity to teach and open our mouths has been stretched. Goal setting is truly the power to actualize our full potential and keep progressing.

I've become more humble this week as we continue to do our nightly evaluation and admit our weaknesses and mistakes to each other. I have learned how to more fully recognized the mistakes I've made, instead of make excuses or shrug them off. I am able to complete the repentance process.

I know this is the work of the Lord and each day I am so grateful for the opportunity and privilege I have to participate in this great and marvelous work. There is nothing more important than preparing for the exaltation of mankind.

LOVE YOU ALL!!!! :D :D :D

FHE - I'm so white...

Ride to the waterfall

Day 246 Carcar, Philippines haha it's warm here

What a funny week. I made a cake in a rice cooker. WHO NEEDS OVENS? For that matter, who needs washing machines, dishwashers, etc. People could save so much money living Filipino-style. :) Other funny things that happened: We keep "magically" finding the houses of people we meet on the street. One day we'll briefly introduce ourselves to someone, and the next day the Spirit leads us directly to their house! This has happened 4 times now this week!

I just love missionary work. Sister Robidillo and I agree that there is no bad day in missionary work as long as we're being obedient and striving to follow the Spirit. Everyday we come home happy and strengthened by the experiences we went through. Even if we are punted all day, we recognize the Lord's hand to guide us to people we would normally look over or not have time for. I see so much potential for Carcar! We've been blessed to find so many people willing to read the handouts and invite us to come back. Our goal for this next week is to make sure to followup with those new investigators to help them all progress.

We met a couple, Roberto and Mary Ann, who just drink up the gospel. Seriously, when we teach them, I understand the metaphor of feasting on the words of Christ and drinking deeply from living waters. They accept our message so well and allow it to sink deep. At the end of our second lesson with them, Roberto said amen like 5 times, haha.

About Tacloban, I am completely willing to follow revelation. Wherever the Lord needs me I am willing and ready to go/stay. Honestly, I can't make up my mind about whether I want to stay or go. I'll be fine with whatever happens. :) One day I'm set on returning ASAP, and the next I want to stay in Cebu forever.

This past week we committed three of our new investigators to baptism! They have each attended church, but have complications with their marriage. We are planning on helping them work a way to either separate or get married.

I absolutely love deep doctrine! In my free time I love to read and search for answers to my questions. I exchange questions with other missionaries when we meet at District Meeting and I'm learning so much. Every morning I can't wait to start my studies to see what the Lord has to show me. The more I focus on the scriptures instead of manuals, the more I am able to figure out for myself. The scriptures are becoming new to me as I realize how much there still is to understand. I am just beginning to understand.

Every night my companion and I have been doing a nightly evaluation where we admit our mistakes and assess our own successes. As I have done this, I have felt the process of repentance and progression speed up. I am continually recognizing my faults and striving to become more humble and change.

I know that Christ has all power to fulfill both justice and mercy. He is the light of the world. We had an absolutely INCREDIBLE workshop by President Schmutz about "Finding the City of God." Um, I was like MIND-BLOWN. I can't really explain, but my mind was really opened to understand what the Celestial Kingdom really is and how unimportant all the other things the occupy our time and interest during this life. Read Hebrews 11: 8-10, 13-16 and D&C 130:2-11. The secret to obtaining eternal life is daily repentance----living in a state of perpetual forgiveness and sanctification.

Love you all.

Sister Amanda Smith

Comp T-shirts

Mantayupan Falls in Barili
January 29,2014 - the whole zone talisay stake

Day 239 Carcar, Philippines Adventure team!

For the first time, besides the typhoon, I shivered in the Philippines! This past week has been kinda chilly. I actually had to sleep with a blanket on last night and turn off the fan! Hahaha. You should see all the grandmas here with giant sweaters and coats on when it's probably only 70 degrees or something ridiculous. We went to our bukid (jungle-y/mountains) area with the Baran family last week ( the family that speaks Waray2x!). The area up there is really awesome, but too far away to go tracting for new investigators. I'd be hard for them to attend church because of the fare. We'll maybe go there once a week or something.

I'm getting kinda antsy about returning to Tacloban. I keep hearing news of other missionaries returning!!! There's at least two from Cebu returning that I know of. But I hear nothing about me yet. I'm excited to go back, but at the same time I'm in my favorite area and we're having a lot of success. I feel like I'm well adjusted here, so it'll be weird to just up and leave again. But I know the Lord has a plan for if/when I return to Tacloban. I know that wherever I'm called to go is where the Lord needs me to serve. For now, here's what my mission president sent me:

Dear Elders and Sisters,

I am sending this letter only to those missionaries who were originally called to the Tacloban Mission. A few days ago, we received our first message from the Area Presidency with details about when and how the Tacloban Mission would be reopened and missionaries be assigned to return. I know all of you are very interested and impacted by the events in Tacloban and so I want you to know all that we know as soon as possible.

In the last two weeks, a general authority toured the mission with President Andaya in order to determine where suitable apartments can be located and what areas could be ready to receive missionaries again. As a result of that tour, the Brethren have made the decision to start sending missionaries back into the mission. Therefore, the first batch of returning missionaries have been identified and their areas and assignments have been given. As a result, there will be 28 missionaries who have been assigned to return to Tacloban Mission and placed in southern Leyte on January 28th. Two new zones will be opened in Maasin and in Sogod.

You might be aware that Tacloban missionaries were reassigned to 11 of the Philippines missions following the storm. The missionaries returning now to Tacloban are being taken from most of those missions. Two of our missionaries who have been here in Cebu are included in that group of returning missionaries -- Sister Sousa and Sister Bingham.

The Area Presidency has informed us that the next batch of missionaries will be returned to Tacloban in about three weeks, so probably about the time of the next transfer. We do not have any names of those missionaries to be assigned in the next batch, but they will probably come in the next couple of weeks. The Brethren have felt that missionaries received their callings to Tacloban mission by inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Elder Nielson, our Area President, has told us that all of the missionaries called to Tacloban are likely to be reassigned back to that mission; however, he asked that Mission Presidents inform him of any instances where there may be circumstances that might indicate a missionary should remain in his current mission.

If any of you want to talk to me about this personally, please tell me your feelings in your email, or text me and I will arrange to talk to you either by phone or in person if that can be arranged. For those of you who have not yet been interviewed for zone interviews, we will be able to talk in the interview.

We love you all and we know the Lord has his purposes for your missionary service. Every one of you are a blessing to the Cebu Mission. I look forward to seeing you or talking to you again.

Love,
President Schmutz

Things are going better than ever her in CarCar. Both Sister Robidillo and I both love to explore the area so we call ourselves the adventure team, haha. We got punted a lot this week, but it actually helped us find some awesome new investigators! I could really feel how we were lead by the Spirit to know where to go, what to say, etc. We met one sister whose best friend is a member, but is living abroad. She was totally prepared to hear about the Book of Mormon. She is looking for answers to her problems in the Bible and wants to know how to find peace by reading and praying. She felt that our religions were the same until we talked about the power of the Book of Mormon and how it will bless her life. The Spirit was strong and she is eager to try reading it.

Another day when we were punted, I felt like we needed to return to a referral we had contacted, but hadn't been able to teach yet. He is a businessman and is usually very busy with work, but is really interested. When we walked into his shop, it just so happened that the 1st counselor in our bishopric was there ordering supplies! It was perfect to set up a time to meet with him again, with his old customer of 20 years as his friend and fellowshipper. Perfect timing.

Our recent converts continue to stay strong. Matt Cerojales is now a priest and blessed the sacrament last Sunday. Isay continues to work with us as a ward missionary! Their testimonies are a good support for the ward.

I have been striving to cut anything away that doesn't comply with the missionary handbook. As I have done so, I have felt a greater ability to be lead by the Spirit. Sister Robidillo has been an amazing example to me of how exactly the Spirit can lead us in His work. One day she just decided to walk down a path we've never been down before and she walked right up to a house of someone we had FTE'd the day before!

Once of my goals this past week is to improve my knowledge. I had an amazing study about intelligence, God's glory, and obedience as I studied from D&C 93, 77, and 130. God's glory is intelligence---truth and light. We are to be glorified in truth. And obedience to law is a mark of intelligence. My studies helped me to understand that intelligence is gained by applying the knowledge we have gained, not just merely acquiring gospel learning. I want to strive to implement the things I am learning through effective goals.

I feel like my personal progression is continuing to skyrocket the more I focus on the work. This great and marvelous work continues to change the lives of all who are involved. I have truly felt such excitement and happiness because of the fruits of this work. This is really nothing like missionary work.

Well, I love you all! Ta-ta for now. :)

Just in case anyone wants to send me anything *hint hint* here's my address again:

CJCLDS Temple Complex
Gorordo Ave, Lahug
Cebu City 6000
Philippines