Week 9: Philippines Is Great!

Hey yall!
The Philippines is great. Life is not hard like I thought it would be. I actually dont struggle with the trash, bathing out of a bucket, no oven, killing cockraches, and washing my clothes by hand. I thought it would be hard, but I guess all the camping Ive done has prepared me haha. The thing that is hard for me is lack of similar spices or ingredients in their markets. I DONT KNOW HOW TO COOK HERE haha. Apparently I am a super american cooker cause Im useless here and my companion cooks for me. I will get better Im sure.
The other hard thing for me is not understanding all that the natives say to me. I have been learning a lot of Ilonggo. Its sometimes overwhelming cause I can speak basically what I want to say all the time (regarding religious stuff) but I cant understand conversational stuff outside of church yet. I was talking to the Zone Leaders (The elders in my ward) and they are both Kano (american) they said that I am super sagad (skilled good), but understanding just comes with time. Im so excited to know more and the Lord will teach me in His time. The plus side is I know what people say when they say "gwapa" people are so nice to americans here and its crazy cause in America I was made fun of for being pale when I was younger haha and here people ask if they can trade! haha  Theyre beautiful and cute people (Im also tall here Im 5'2....). Also people speak Tagalog too here... Aparently Im learning both right now haha.
This week:
Ive figured out what the dogs all over the streets look like: they look like the zombie dogs in "I am legend" haha! They are laway gid! (Ugly haha) because hair is falling off and theyre skinny but every once in a while I come across a dog that looks like it is somewhat in tact and Ive become close with this one dog by the house and I pet it (no worries, I use alcohol to clean my hands after).
We worked hard this week and I was exhausted, but we got 19 new investigators! Guila is one of them and she is trying to earn english so she asks me to speak english to her and she reasponds in ilonggo/english. She is 19 as well and has so many questions. She says she is so grateful that we answer her questions about where we go after life and what the purpose of life is. Whats awesome is that she can feel the Holy Ghost tesifying the truth and I extended a baptismal invitation and she said yes. So Im excited for her. All of this is so true.
Another family we said hi to and started talking, they have a bamboo house with one room and we started talking and shared a short lesson and taught them how to pray sincerely how Christ taught and she prayed in the end and started crying with joy she felt the spirit so strong.
Also today I have been out on my mission 2 months! 16 more months! I cant believe its been that fast.
My spiritual thought today is this:
I am not here in the philippines for fun, to learn a language, or just because. I am here because after submitting my mission papers, this is where the Prophet Thomas S. Monson and the 12 apostles God has called today knew I need to go by revelation. I am here because the Book of Mormon changed my life and I know it will change the people's lives here for the better, and answer all the questions we will ever have in life. I know it will change YOUR life.  We were given it because God loves us. It testifies of Christ. He lives and He is our Savior.
Love yall,
Love Sister Masters

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