Sister Masters in the Philippines

Dear Family and friends,  Time is a flying! I just hit my 13 months on the mission! Only 5 months. There is so much I have learned. I wish I were a better write to describe it. But here is a little note as I dont have much time.  There is a quote I read this week from Prophet Russel M. Nelson that I hope to apply for the rest of my life that says:  "  R each out to those you do not know and greet them warmly. Each Sunday extend a hand of fellowship to at least one person you did not know before. Each day of your life, strive to enlarge your own circle of friendship. "  This week we talked to the most people I have talked to in a while just trying to invite people to come unto Christ by listening and acting on our message. We talk to people and I usually just start by asking "Ano po ang pangalan ninyo?" Whats your name and just like that I start to talk to people about life and our happy message that brings "Kalipay" (joy) and "Katawhay...

So first off, I do not have much time today to email, but I will send a little update. :)  Sister Abubo has transferred so now its just me and Sister Doria, a little sad because Sister Abubo was such a light to be around :) But she is needed in her new area I guess :) This week rainy season has started and so if you want to know what our mission life is like: Imagine me walking all over our area through the little flooded areas, muddy paths and holding my beloved umberella in my little croc flats. SO GRATEFUL :)  I used my 1 cardigan I brought which I never thought I would use. But hey! I guess my body is now acclimated to the Philippines as I was SO COLD the other day all wet from the rain haha. Crazy :) But I am still happy as the rain is actually kind of fun when you keep your attitude in check :)  There have been NO people out because of the rain. So as we walk I make sure to talk to any one we see. We were walking and saw a man, Butchoy, and talked t...

Maayong hapon :)  This past week was focused on the members. In our mission, our mission president has "bawal"ed or has restricted tracting (knocking on doors) for quite some time now (since January). He wanted us to visit members and become more united with them to get referrals to teach people. So after a few months, our president then received a revelation that we have been using which is this amazing tool to help members know how to help their friends become ready to receive the missionaries (us) and gospel. Well guess what: we went from having no referrals last week to this week of 30 names (referrals) received from the members of the people they are working on to receive the message of the Restored Gospel. BLESSINGS. So that's been amazing. That happened in Roxas (my last area) too :) So now we will be busy following up with the members.  We also are a little low on investigators here so I have been exercising my faith and talking to people everywh...

Magandang hapon po sa lahat ulit :) Good afternoon again This week had many adventures as we proselyted just as being a missionary here in Kalibo.  I will share the spiritual first:  This week we were blessed to take part in preparing and seeing the baptism of: Sister Dialin (sounds like Jolleen) and her 3 children: John Ritch, Kate, and Christian Carl but better known as "Cano" (who I claim as my kapatid or brother because "Kano" sounds similar which means american and I am "kana" the female american haha) and a cute child of the Basarte family, Donald.  Donald and Cano were perhaps the cutest as they were wearing these massive baptismal clothes, but were oh so happy to be partaking in the sacred covenant of baptism. Sister Dialin was also such a delight to hear her testimony after her baptism and it is such a blessing and so happy to take part in their conversion.  As we went to the Vallejo home and other investigators, man...

Magandang hapon po sa inyo lahat! :) (Good evening to you all!) Natutunan ko na ang tagalog at Aklanon dito sa Kalibo :) I am learning Tagalog and Aklanon (pronounced Akeanon) here in Kalibo.  SURPRISE! I have been transferred and I am now a Sister Training Leader (STL) here in Kalibo. I was surpise transferred on Friday and I have been rather successfully speaking (amazingly, and totally from God- Gift of tongues is REAL) Tagalog. I have been able to differentiate the words of Aklanon, but I will jhave to learn that little by little as I want to learn Tagalog so bad and people here will speak Tagalog to me if they know I dont know Aklanon :) HAPPY DAY. I speak a mixed form of Hiligaynon and Tagalog, but in only 3 days the Lord has already blessed me with a great newfound knowledge of Tagalog :) BLESSINGS.  I have 2 companions (one of them is expected to transfer in about 2 weeks on the actual transfer day) and they both speak Tagalog because they are from T...

Maayong hapon sa tanan :)  (heres a picture so yall arent too bored with so much text) So this email has a great subject line for 2 reasons:  1) I have now been out on the mission for a FULL YEAR. Dang! That was fast. I only have 6 months left to serve the Lord and I feel that so much more of His work needs to be done, but what a blessing it has been to take part in His work for the past year.  I havent seen my parents in person for a whole year now, but WHAT A JOY it was to speak with them and video call for Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day lovely Mamma :)  2) Last night I learned a great tip for all those who will ever visit the Philippines. There's a bit of a back story so you get the full history of how I came to know this. It was very hot last night and the electricity came on and off so the fan was not much use. I got the grand idea to lie down on the tile and found myself happily asleep for about 10 minutes when I woke up to a feeling of som...