More personal letter to her family, October 5, 2014

Hi family! 

So I went and got my hair cellophaned... absolutely no difference. Probably should have gotten a haircut first but I don't want to, it's so long! It was sooooo funny though cuz there's so many gay people, mostly men being women and they're called "bakla's." It's a trend here. So a bakla did my hair and they were so excited to have a foreignay who could speak Tagalog. Like, it was the highlight of their week.  Also, can you tell me who won the BYU Aggies game? It was on in the chapel as we were waiting for women's conference and I was the only one who understood the significance or even what it was. ;) 

Can you guys send me pictures of fall? I miss fall. :'( No matter what season it's always the peak of June here. We started singing Christmas songs in sacrament meeting this week and Christmas trees started going up at the end of September. Please shoot me now?

I have a question. Did any of you think I could handle my mission? I'm just wondering your thoughts as you sent me off on my mission. I didn't realize what I was getting into but I'm getting to my half way mark next month! I can't believe I'm doing it. Crazy. 

Mom, as for your concern, I got the opportunity of having scripture study with President and Sister Bertin in their home right before we went to bed that night when the 5 of us sisters slept at the mission home. We just went around in a circle and shared a verse from our personal study and why it touched us and it lead to a discussion and bringing up spiritual experiences and other conference talks and it was amazing. If everyone takes it seriously and you invite the spirit through prayer, it will be a good experience. 

Lauren, I've thought about your concern a lot too. When me and all of my house mates are praying at the same time, I'm wondering, "How does Heavenly Father hear and answer all of us at the same time as well as everyone else in the world that is praying right now?" Heavenly Father is our creator, and we have a veil over our eyes. It's meant to be that way and we're not meant to understand everything. That's the test of life, to see if we'll have faith. But he's omnipotent. He can make mountains move. He doesn't have limited capabilities like we do. We're weak, pathetic humans who can't even begin to comprehend all that he can. He has our whole lives planned out, we just don't know it. So why wouldn't he be able to hear the prayers of his children simultaneously? He doesn't have a veil over his mind, he's not confined to a mortal body, and he knows us and our hearts individually. As it says in the BOM, God is still a God of miracles. :)

I love you all! Dad, I'm glad you had a great trip and hope you get home safely. I've made it a goal this week to take more pics of the culture and cool things you guys might enjoy so you can see more of what life is like here. Signing off!\

Bug

October 5, 2014

Masayang Monday!

My faith in humanity was restored on the way here. I saw a college student on a motorcycle that we drove past on the jeepney drop his wallet and thousands of pesos fell out. He didn't notice and nearly drove away when everone on our jeep started shouting, "WALLET! WALLET!" And he scrambled to pick it all up. About 5 minutes later he managed to chase down the jeep to thank all of us. These are good people. :)

The work this week has improved a lot. The YSA we baptized last week, Jhanice, has two twin cousins that came to us saying they want to be taught and baptized. When I wasked them what gave them the desire, they said that they could see how Jhanice has changed since we started teaching her and they want to be as happy as she is. I about cried.

 

We visited one of our investigators with a bap date and were super disappointed to find him there with a hangover headache having been wasted the night before... this is the third time we have found him in this condition after having taught the WOW. He resisted letting us in to teach him so I had to go a little out of my comfort zone and be bold. I can't believe in retrospect that I actually said this, but I said, "Brother Pomposo, do you want to keep feeling liek this? Is this the life you want to live? Is this the life you want your family to have? Why did you accept the invitation to be baptized? You said you wanted to improve your family life through living the way Christ would have you live and that's what we're here to help you with." A little speechless he let us right in and we taught a powerful lesson on the atonement. The spirit was so strong. We recommitted him to live the WOW for his family's sake so we're hoping to see some good progress.

Sister Gison and I have gained a testimony of fasting this week. We opened up our fast really seeking progress from our investigators but instead had a bunch of new people dropped in our laps and the old one texted us not to come back. It was like Heavenly Father was saying, "Here, take these people. You don't want those ones, they're not ready yet." It was like our heads were being pulled the opposite direction. We went to visit an investigator who was not home so we went to the less active sister next door. About 60 seconds later a lady shows up at the doorstep with a BOM in hand. She asked, "Are you Mormons? I was given this book a long time ago but I have no idea what it is. I always see you two and I was wondering if you could tell me about it." Immediately we sat down and taught her the restoration. We answered every question she had in the BOM and she was amazed. After we came out of that lesson a jeepney driver asked us the same question, "Are you Mormons?" which opened up a 15 minute discussion righ tthere on the jeep! Miraculously we wer ethe only passengers (which NEVER happens) and by the end he asked, "So what are the restrictions on coming to church? What do I wear?" I cannot even describe the feelings of excitement. The next day at church was an even bigger miracle - Carlota, our recent convert, has an autistic son who has panic attacks in public so she's never been able to bring her husband or son to church. Well that morning she brought both and as a tender mercy, her son was able to sit through sacrament meeting. They're going to expose him little by little to the world so that her husband can attend church and be baptized. I am absolutely thrilled. Everyone was at church! Fasting really does work as long as we have the faith to match the desire! 

I love you all!

PS -- NO, we have not seen conference yet. We will always have a week of delay. We will see it next week so no spoilers please!

Sister Wilson

September 9, 2014

Ang bilis! Bagong transfer ulit.

So Sister Mabini finished her mission this morning. The whole district was over at our house to send her off. It was so hard. We all sang God Be With You Til We Meet Again as she climbed into the AP's car. I'm going to miss her so much. Right now I'm in a tri-some with the other two sisters I live with until I go pick up my trainee tomorrow morning, fresh from the MTC. In preparation for Sister Mabini's departure, we had to go to Manila and spend the night in the mission home again (no complaints here!) so that she could attend a departure meeting the next morning. We were stuck on a bus in deadlock traffic for 5 hours when the mission home is only 1 hour away... that was pretty miserable. But the next day while she was in her meeting, I got to go on exchanges with the sisters in the area around the mission office. And guess who that is? My dearest trainer, Mama Surio! I got to teach with her again, it was like we had never even left each other. It was so much fun catching up. She's excited to have a grand daughter!

Saturday was Danielle's baptism after a long, long road. It was so satisfying. She brought her mother to her baptism who, at first, was very opposed to it but softened her heart. When Danielle bore her testimony, it brought her mom to tears. I hope it stirred something in her and that we'll be able to teach her whole family. The next day at church, our two recent converts and the elder's two recent converts bore their testimonies. Every single one was powerful and pure. It was the most spiritual sacrament meeting I've been to in the mission and it was an amazing reminder of my purpose here. It's so satisfying and rewarding to see results of our work.

This morning we got to go to Barasoain church, the oldest church in the Philippines where the country was established as a republic. There's a lot more than just the church there - there's a museum inside. The director of the museum is a member of our church so not only did we get in free, we got a personal guide explaining all the history to us as well. I didn't like the negative light that it shed on Americans, focusing on the Imperialists and the Malangiga Massacre during the Philippine-American War... kinda gruesome. Nonetheless it was probably my favorite p-day ever!

Thank you for the continued prayers. I know I wouldn't be 7 months into a mission without them. I love you all and I miss getting letters... hint hint. :) That will do.

Sister Wilson

September 28, 2014

Mga minamahal kong kaibigan at pamilya,
 

We've had a wonderful week of growth and learning and I'm so pleased with everything that happened. Sometimes I don't even feel like I'm training a new missionary. Sister Gison is so humble and Christlike and has not struggled with any homesickness at all. I'm amazed at her willingness to work as hard as she can and how she teaches by example. She is even teaching me to cook new foods and has gotten us into the habit of working out pretty hard core in the mornings. We are a great team.

I've gained a stronger testimony of many things this week, the first being that when you have a plan, you allow yourself to be guided by the spirit. We planned for a person who ended up not being home last week so instead we felt prompted to tract the house next door. The woman who opened the door let us right in and explained that her father had passed away 2 days previously and it turned into a very spiritual lesson about Heavenly Father's love for us through His plan for our families. It was perfect. The next person we went to was a referral but the person we were referred to was not home. His wife, however, was, so we asked to share a message with her. She said yes and we found out that she has some very serious problems in her life and when we taught she opened up to us like a book. When we invited her to pray, the spirit was so strong. I don't think I've heard a more sincere prayer on my whole mission. It's amazing how Heavenly Father will place you in the right places when you have a plan.

Friday we had the sister training leaders with us right after we were told not to leave our apartment because of a huge storm. The floods were up to peoples' necks in the elder's area and it sounded like our roof was going to blow off. When we went to bed, I woke up at 3 AM from rain spraying on my face from the window on the other side of the room, haha. From them I found out that these two sisters from my last area (Nadel and Joyce) that I found and taught for 3 transfers were finally baptized last weekend. The happiness that brought to me is indescribable!

Saturday we had our exchanges and I went with Sister Cestona. I learned so much from her, she is an incredible missionary! Because she is fearless in tracting we found 2 new less-actives. We went to tract a house that I was skeptical about because it was creepy and looked abandoned but she insisted we wait. Then the nicest person came out and agreed to let us teach him. Sister Cestona also showed me that even if you share your message hitting every doctrinal point clearly, it will not change them if they are not touched by the spirit. I really needed that reminder after a lesson on the restoration where they said, "The Bible states that those who are well need no physician." I'll admit that this frustrated me and that's probably why they were not touched by the spirit, even though we taught the restoration clearly.

Another thing I learned is to be happy in spite of everything. One of our lessons was with this old woman who has literally nothing. Her husband is disabled from a stroke and the two live alone in a tiny cement house with one window, one room. No electricity or running water. I asked her what she does all day. She says she takes care of her little garden out front during the day. At night, she says, "I just sit in this chair." When it gets dark, she sits by a candle and watches kids play out the window. One of the sweetest, happiest people I've met.

Yesterday at church I really prayed that we would find someone through OYM-ing and I was amazed at what happened -- we got a text during church from someone we contacted on the street over a month ago who wouldn't give us his information. He said he finally got around to reading the pamphlet and really appreciated the message in it about the plan of salvation. He had tons of questions and agreed to give us his information and we set up an appointment immediately. We were also pleasantly surprised that the husband of our recent convert, Carlota, even though he can't come to church because of his work, made it a goal to some day be baptized. He listens to the hymns when he works on Sunday and has started reading the Book of Mormon. I know that no effort is wasted, ever.


Sister Wilson

P.S. This pic is of me picking up my anak on her first day. <3

September 21, 2014

Sitting in the house waiting for the storm to pass... the Pakistani one just had her wisdom tooth out. Heheh.

 Panda pao. Delicious puffs of magic.

Mga minamahal kong kaibigan at pamilya, 

We've had a wonderful week of growth and learning and I'm so pleased with everything that happened. Sometimes I don't even feel like I'm training a new missionary. Sister Gison is so humble and Christlike and has not struggled with any homesickness at all. I'm amazed at her willingness to work as hard as she can and how she teaches by example. She is even teaching me to cook new foods and has gotten us into the habit of working out pretty hard core in the mornings. We are a great team.

I've gained a stronger testimony of many things this week, the first being that when you have a plan, you allow yourself to be guided by the spirit. We planned for a person who ended up not being home last week so instead we felt prompted to tract the house next door. The woman who opened the door let us right in and explained that her father had passed away 2 days previously and it turned into a very spiritual lesson about Heavenly Father's love for us through His plan for our families. It was perfect. The next person we went to was a referral but the person we were referred to was not home. His wife, however, was, so we asked to share a message with her. She said yes and we found out that she has some very serious problems in her life and when we taught she opened up to us like a book. When we invited her to pray, the spirit was so strong. I don't think I've heard a more sincere prayer on my whole mission. It's amazing how Heavenly Father will place you in the right places when you have a plan.

Friday we had the sister training leaders with us right after we were told not to leave our apartment because of a huge storm. The floods were up to peoples' necks in the elder's area and it sounded like our roof was going to blow off. When we went to bed, I woke up at 3 AM from rain spraying on my face from the window on the other side of the room, haha. From them I found out that these two sisters from my last area (Nadel and Joyce) that I found and taught for 3 transfers were finally baptized last weekend. The happiness that brought to me is indescribable!

Saturday we had our exchanges and I went with Sister Cestona. I learned so much from her, she is an incredible missionary! Because she is fearless in tracting we found 2 new less-actives. We went to tract a house that I was skeptical about because it was creepy and looked abandoned but she insisted we wait. Then the nicest person came out and agreed to let us teach him. Sister Cestona also showed me that even if you share your message hitting every doctrinal point clearly, it will not change them if they are not touched by the spirit. I really needed that reminder after a lesson on the restoration where they said, "The Bible states that those who are well need no physician." I'll admit that this frustrated me and that's probably why they were not touched by the spirit, even though we taught the restoration clearly.
Another thing I learned is to be happy in spite of everything. One of our lessons was with this old woman who has literally nothing. Her husband is disabled from a stroke and the two live alone in a tiny cement house with one window, one room. No electricity or running water. I asked her what she does all day. She says she takes care of her little garden out front during the day. At night, she says, "I just sit in this chair." When it gets dark, she sits by a candle and watches kids play out the window. One of the sweetest, happiest people I've met.

Yesterday at church I really prayed that we would find someone through OYM-ing and I was amazed at what happened -- we got a text during church from someone we contacted on the street over a month ago who wouldn't give us his information. He said he finally got around to reading the pamphlet and really appreciated the message in it about the plan of salvation. He had tons of questions and agreed to give us his information and we set up an appointment immediately. We were also pleasantly surprised that the husband of our recent convert, Carlota, even though he can't come to church because of his work, made it a goal to some day be baptized. He listens to the hymns when he works on Sunday and has started reading the Book of Mormon. I know that no effort is wasted, ever.


Sister Wilson

September 14, 2014

This is a girl who lives on top of a rice field. The houses are connected by sidewalks in the middle of it. Pretty cool. Ignore how fat I am...

Hanging out at the park before a service project. :) A bunch of old ladies were doing Zumba... it was so hard to resist the Latin beat rushing through my veins.

Us and Danielle... I love her SO. Much.

This is facing the Barosoain church. It's a statue of one of the heroes of the Philippines. Being at that church didn't feel like the Philippines... it felt like being in Mexico or Spain. This culture has so many influences it's crazy

The old church.

An old, old piano in some sort of exhibit... it's in horrible condition but it's cool anyway. :)

Creepy wax dolls at the museum... these guys are important but I can't remember why, haha!

They have cool wall murals like this everywhere!

 The first week of training has been a great success! :) 

I absolutely love my anak, Sister Gison. She's from Ilo Ilo, Philippines. Their dialect there is different so sometimes she has a hard time speaking Tagalog. Haha, I definitely didn't expect that. But she's great, such a cutie and very sweet, humble, teachable and willing to do anything. I love the diligence. Even though she had a cold and received very little sleep she was willing to work when we got home from training. 5 hours out of the MTC, I took her out to work and she extended a baptismal date on the first appointment. They accepted, too! (I found their house by accident (but I know nothing is ever an accident in this work).) I love seeing her apply the things we study and practice. I'm really gaining lots of confidence being a trainer and finding I can do so much more than I realized... 

We've also been trying extra hard to follow the spirit. One night we were looking for the house of a referral and it was kind of dark but I didn't think anything of it. Then I felt very strongly I needed to quickly turn around and go back. Sister Gison didn't question, she just followed me. As we walked back I saw a man lurking in the shadows that I didn't see the first time, watching us very closely. I'm not sure what would have happened, but after that we ran into a woman selling fish that really wanted us to visit her. She was leaving so we never would have met her if we hadn't come back. I'm so grateful for the Holy Ghost in my life!

Many are asking about the typhoon that's happening right now. It's pretty rainy and the wind is really strong (strong enough to turn my umbrella into a satellite dish) but there's no damage to anything yet. We swept some leaves off the porch this morning... We still worked in the storm last night despite the flood water and we were pretty much the only people out in it, heheh. 

I got to see the movie 17 Miracles about one of the handcart companies last p-day and it really opened my eyes to how very involved our Heavenly Father really is in our lives. We sometimes simply become desensitized and stop noticing it. Especially as a missionary, I know I see miracles daily that I don't even recognize as miracles. Consequently I've started reflecting at the end of each day what miracles I've seen throughout the day and writing them in my journal. It's been a huge eye opener to me.

I love you all!

Sister Wilson

August 31, 2014

Our zone at mission tour with Elder Bowen of the 70 and our mission president and wife

Yep, I'm training!

I'm soooooOOoOooo excited. :) Well, that's all I have to say about that. I'll find out next week who I'm training.

It's officially Christmas in the Philippines... I'm not very excited about that. Makes it seem like it's later in the year than it really is. I guess the "-ber" months mean Christmas to them.

So I actually don't have a lot to say about this week. The work was way slow because we have to keep going back to Manila to take care of things in preparation for Sister Mabini going home *next week*. Freak, I'm getting trunky having a pa-uwi companion.

We have another baptism thanks to the mission president! President and Sister Bertin visited our ward in Malolos. It was perfect timing because we have a baptismal candidate who was supposed to be baptized this weekend but at the last minute was denied permission because she lives in the other sisters' boundary. She has gone to hell and back, facing 7 months of tribulation trying to get to this point. She has been attending seminary, institute, young women's, almost finished with Personal Progress, she's basically a member of the ward already. After a lot of explaining from the ward, us missionaries and Danielle herself, President Bertin mercifully over-rode the boundary issue because she has a secondary address for college here in Malolos. We were so excited. DANIELLE IS FINALLY BEING BAPTIZED!

I also learned an important lesson this week about not being selective about who you teach. The Lord puts us where we are at the time we are there for a reason. We went to teach an investigator who wasn't home so instead we ran into the older woman next door who is a member. I was hot and tired and thought it would be a waste of time to teach someone who probably was too old to comprehend everything anyway but Sister Mabini insisted we teach her a short lesson. So we talked about enduring to the end and she broke down. She explained all the family problems she's been having and how grateful she was that we remembered her and brought the spirit into her home again. I was pretty baffled at the result of this lesson and it was a great testimony to me.

Love,

Sister Wilson

PS The attached photo is of our zone at mission tour with Elder Bowen of the 70 and our mission president and wife.