Malipayong Pasko

Hello Everyone! MERRY CHRISTMAS! Or Malipayong Pasko in Visaya, my favorite language!

I'm so excited for Christmas! I'm excited about working hard and learning more about Christ and especially about His atonement and sacrifice. I was reading the other day about the condescension of Christ, and that "condescension" means to voluntarily step down from Diety. If you look in 1 Ne 11 it says it over and over again. I always thought about Jesus's sacrifice by the means of what He did for us, but it added a new dimension; it's also about what He gave up. He voluntarily gave up all the power and glory that he had to come to earth in the humblest of circumstances. He came as an infant who had to rely completely upon His mother and father. And after that, He received of the fullness grace by grace, so that we could follow His example and do the same, like it says in D&C 93. My Mission President is being really strict about Christmas. He wants us to work the whole time and only take half an hour to forty minutes to skype my family, but I'm glad because this is my last cycle, and I was worried that it would be wasted by too many Christmas celebrations. I'm excited to experience a Christmas without all the bright lights and shiny things so that I can get down to the heart of it all. 

We have three baptismal interviews that will take place tomorrow. (That's going to be hard because we'll be on exchanges, but it has to be done.) They are the Peregrino kids. There is one who is 15, one who's 13, and one who's 9. They are so cute and so excited for their baptism. Their parents were inactive as in, but the sisters before us reactivated them. We finished the lessons with them yesterday, and they seem like they're doing great!! The youngest one, Leann, is SO cute. She just goes to the back of their beauty parlor and reads and memorizes the steps of repentance and our baptismal covenant. We've talked to the dad about baptizing his kids, and the mom about giving a talk at their baptism! We're so excited! There's also one more sister who is getting interviewed tomorrow. Her name is Rae, and she's AWESOME! She's actually been going to church for around 4 years, (she's 22) but she never took the lessons because she was afraid of the missionaries. She is SO smart and she knows everything. She's getting interviewed tomorrow but wants to get baptized on the 3rd of January because it's a special date for her. 

Sorry sorry family, that's all I can write about right now, I LOVE YOU ALL! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

Love, Sister Sprouse

I love Ormoc !!!!

Date	Sun 20:22

 

First of all, my ate' is engaged!! I'm so excited I can barely type!! 

So forgive me if I don't answer all the questions as usual. I will try to be more thorough but I am so excited that my brain is anything but clear. 

This week has been great!! I forgot to tell you all why Ormoc is a dream come true. There are very many reasons. 1. I was assigned here! Albuerra and Baybay are both part of Ormoc Zone. 2. (the main reason) They speak CEBUANO here! No more Waray Waray. I am so so so happy about that. I switched back to Cebuano with no difficulty at all because of my love of it and my loathing of Waray x2 (: 3. It's just magical (:

I know that some Elders got reassigned in my old area, but I don't know who. I think that they won't have power there until after Christmas, so I feel kind of bad for them. But at least the damage isn't bad enough that no missionaries could be assigned there. My anak is in Sogud which is sooo good (; and also Cebuano.  As for the area and the work, I will just give you what I gave President. Haha. 

Hello President! 

How are you this week? Things are great in Ormoc! 

So far, I have loved being here in Ormoc.  We are planning on doing a Sister's Devotional tonight for the sisters that we're over. We called them all last night, and they all seem to be doing great!! But we will keep following up and trying to help with any problems  that might appear. We scheduled exchanges with the Polompon Sisters and also Ormoc 1, so we will be writing you about that next week. 

So last night was the showing of the Christmas Devotional. We had planned to have an investigator there so that we could stay and watch the devotional ourselves, but she was having a health concern and couldn't come. We were already there, and I won't lie, I wanted to stay reaaally badly. But I thought about being an example, and also just about the importance of being obedient, so Sister Flores and I left and taught two lessons. I was so glad that we had done it. The feeling I got while walking home was better than I would have gotten from staying at the devotional. It was a feeling from the Holy Ghost telling me that Heavenly Father was proud of me for being obedient. There will be plenty of opportunities to go to more Christmas Devotionals in my life, but no other opportunity to be an obedient missionary and endure to the end. 

The area seems to be really good! There are a lot of part member families. There is one in particular that is really cool. They're called the Peregrino family. The husband and wife were both inactive a couple months ago, but they're officially returned now and there three kids have a baptismal date for the 27th. We just finished L3 with them, so we still have to cover L4 and L5 with them before they can get baptised, which means that we're going to have to visit really often. But it should be good. As of now, we're trying to get their Dad to baptize them. He says he doesn't feel worthy since he was inactive, but we told him to pray about it. 

That's what I've got this week. Thank you for everything President! I am so happy to be here. 

Love, Sister Sprouse

I love you all! Have a good week! Love Sister Sprouse

Message 11 of 230

Hello Everyone !

Date	Today 03:44

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Hello Everyone! It's been kind of a crazy week, so I'm sorry that I can't write everyone back who sent me an email. We got permission to write our families on a day that's not pday because we couldn't email on Pday. 

What happened started last week on Friday. We got a call in the morning that Sister Asug and I were transferring. The Zone Leaders said we should leave at a time that was best for us, and so I decided we should leave as soon as possible. We packed within one hour and left really early. That was really good because about half way through, we received a message that transfers were cancelled because of the storm. There were a lot of Elders and Sisters who couldn't find any rides, so if we hadn't left early we wouldn't have been able to either for a long time. When we got to Tacloban, we just went and bought lots of canned food and rice so that we would have food if the bagyo was really bad again. We waited inside of the sister's apartment for a day and a half before the storm hit. We started the fast on Saturday night. That's really cool that all of you fasted too. I didn't know that. But I do know that it made miracles happen. 

When Ruby was out in the ocean, it had gusts of winds stronger than Yolanda. If it had continued to hit land at that rate, it would have been devastating. Many people were worried that Ruby slowed down, because usually when storms slow down, they have more time to build up more power. But this storm slowed down from a category 5 to just a 4 before it hit land. It was still strong, and my area got the eye of the storm (I still don't know how my area is; there's no cell service there.) but all the missionaries were really far from danger. I thought the roof was going to come off the apartment in Tacloban a few times, and there were floods everywhere, (only about an inch in our apartment though(:) But the storm that they thought was going to devastate the whole mission tilted off into a different direction completely away from the Philippines. I know it's a miracle and I am so blessed that I get to continue my mission for the next month and a half ? (I don't remember how long it exactly is) I was really scared that I was going to have to go home early for awhile there. Thank you to everyone who fasted for our cause. I know that miracles happened because of it. 

In other news, I am back in Ormoc, which is a dream come true. I'm in the same zone as Elder Simmons! He's training a cute little Pinoy elder. Sister Adasme gets to be my companion for 4 days before she goes home! (She stayed a little longer so that she could go home with her sister.) She's going to show Sister Flores and me (Sister Flores is our other cute companion.) around the area so we can figure it out. We're going to be doing a lot of work with the other sisters in the zone, and I'm really excited to give it my all. 

I have to go. I love you all!! Talk to you on Monday. 

Love, Sister Sprouse

Hello Everyone!

This week has been a fun one!! A lot has been happening. Because Sister Smith went home, Sister Asug and I have a new companion for the week, Sister Chu! She is SUPER cute, and it's been a lot of fun so far. She is from Taiwan. We are going to mostly be working in their area this week, because they have a lot of progressing investigators and IBD's in their area.

This Thursday we did Thanksgiving! Sister Smith was still here. There's no turkey in the Pines, unless it's really expensive, so we bought a roasted chicken instead. (; Sister Smith made mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables, and I made a pumpkin pie! It was really good! (: This next part I'm just copying from my letter to President, because I'm too lazy to write it again haha. 

One cool thing is that this family that we've been working on for a really long time came to church. Not the whole family, but a huge chunk. They have 10 kids, and they brought 6 of them. This is a really big feat, because they live in Dolores, so their pamasahe was 70 pesos just to get to the church, and 70 on the way back too. The wife normally only comes with two of the kids, but after we did a family home evening with them (it was at 4 because of the curfew, so I guess it was really a family home afternoon haha) and after that so many of them came. I was so happy to see them there. The husband didn't come yet; that's been a really hard part of the Less Actives in this area. The wifes are usually pretty willing to come back, but the husbands just won't do it. But the oldest brother came, and he hasn't come to church once since I've been in the area. So I was very happy about that. 

Oh yeah, last week, I lost about 440 photos again.. Sister Asug used my card to print photos, and the computer there had a virus so it got onto my card.. It's a bummer! But I have just kind of come to accept things like that now. I'll just keep my card tucked safely in my camera until I go home. At least I sent some cool pictures to you all before they got deleted. (; 

Okay, that's what I've got for you this week! The church is true! We just need to remember to be true to the church by not compromising our standards for anything! I know that we will be so blessed by doing so. We will have peace in our hearts and we will know that our Heavenly Father is pleased with us. 

I love you all! Have a good week! (: 

Sister Sprouse

Hello Everyone :)

So this week has been fun! Here's part of my email to president.

"Hello President! 

How are you this week? 

To be honest, this week has been the HARDEST week for me to endure to the end. This area is just a killer for me. We had a lot of people drop us, including one of our IBD's, and I have to be honest and say that there was one day that I was very close to just not going on to work and rolling up in a ball on the ground and staying there all day. 

Luckily, one of my friends had sent me a copy of the 4th missionary, that really awesome talk that teaches us not only how to serve but how to serve with the right heart. So I just got up and went out to work. Usually getting out of the house on a bad day is the only hard part and then the day gets better, but this day didn't get any better. We just got punted a ton like usual, and I still had the thought of just going home crossing my mind. But I wanted to stick it out, because I wanted to learn what Heavenly Father wants me to learn. That night, after we studied and planned, I just laid on my bed exhausted, but I pulled out my journal and wrote, "I made it through this day. I did it. I DID IT!" I had such a big feeling of relief that even though things were disappointed, I wasn't disappointed in myself. 

The next day was Sunday. I prayed REALLY hard just for at least one investigator to come to church. To be honest, I didn't even really care who. I had a few in mind that I thought might come, but I just wanted to know that Heavenly Father could help us with this small thing (if it was His will of course.) 

The next day at church, we had two ladies who we thought were less active but they actually hadn't been baptized. They are kind of old to be honest, and a little bit bonkers, but they brought their awesome friend with them who is actually quite good! We had taught her once with them but she had just sat in the back and we hadn't really noticed her. But she came! And she actually has quite a few members who are her friends and told her how nice she looked and fellowshipped her. \

At this point, I can't say if I think she'll be baptised or anything like that, but I can say that I know that Heavenly Father showed his love to one struggling missionary through her. "

Sorry I can't write anything else, but I just want to say that salvation isn't cheap. If it was, our work as missionaries would be really easy. But it's not, and that's why we have to work hard for it. But Heavenly Father helps us along the way if we trust Him. I know that's true. We can all trust Him a little bit more and look for the tiny miracles in our lives. 

I LOVE YOU ALL! I hope you have a wonderful week!

Sister Sprouse

Hello :)

Hello my dear loved ones!  I am finally attaching some photos. Of me and my anak! And mom, you can see that the kids love the stickers you sent me! (; Sorry it's been so long! 

This week was not too shabby! (: We had one rescue baptism, (his mom was less active and she returned and he was baptized) So that was fun! It was combined with Sister Smith and Chu's baptism, and President and Sister Maurer actually came! So that was awesome! Alfie is our baptism's name; he is a sweetheart. He's 13 years old, and he bore his testimony and cried. It reminded me of girl's camp. Haha. 

Thanks for praying that we will find people to teach! We've been able to teach a few new investigators who are professional; we'll see if they have promise. If not, our job as missionaries is to invite, and TRUST THE LORD. We can't make anyone say yes, and we shouldn't either. I've come to realize that certain areas are hard so that you'll come to know Him better. I feel like I should definitely use the opportunity to do so. 

The English classes were fun! Mostly kids came, but we're working on it. If anything, I've realized that I DEFINITELY want to do something with kids for a career. 

Also, Mom, I finally had the chance to look at my one memory card that wasn't stolen. I had thought it had like 400 pictures on it or something.. It actually had almost double that! My whole time back in Allen (the second time) and almost my whole time in Naval was on it. So I'll actually come out of my mission with some 1000 plus pictures! No problem!! (: Also, I've written a weekly letter every week of my mission, so I can hopefully go back and make a journal out of it for what was lost. I'm super grateful for that!! (: 

Okay, I'm sorry this has been really random. I love you! I hope everything's great back home. Keep your heads up, and trust in Him. Everything will work out (: 

Love, Sister Sprouse

---

Hello Everyone!

This week was very sad as far as work in our area goes. We were only able to work for one day! We went to Calbayog with the STL’s, which was a good exchange; it’s just that the travel takes like a full day! But it’s okay, we will hopefully get to stay in our area this week and make some progress there. Elder Santiago had the district do one hour finding in our area last Tuesday so we have a lot of referrals to contact, which is exciting. (:

I had a really cool experience yesterday with bearing my testimony. Normally I don’t like to go up and bear my testimony because I get to bear my testimony every day and so I let the members have the time. But this week, I just had a burning desire to go up! So I got up and bore my testimony about establishing the church through our personal conversion. They talked about establishing it through missionary work and turning branches into wards and then wards into stakes, so it was very fitting. I talked about how the gospel is like a recipe for our happiness. We don’t get to pick and choose which parts of a recipe we will use, and we can’t pick which parts of the gospel that we will live. If we do, of course our recipe isn’t going to taste good, and we’re not going to want to share it with our friends.  We can’t gain that desire if we haven’t received a witness and a testimony that the gospel is true. And we can’t gain that witness if we don’t live it exactly. I talked about how it’s not enough to read the scriptures every day and go to church every week if we don’t apply it. And as soon as we do so, it will be easy to establish the church because we will have that desire. I felt the words flowing out of me from the Holy Ghost. For the first time since I left Cebuano I felt like I didn’t have to worry about the language, and I know that wasn’t from me. As I was speaking, I saw all the members nodding in agreement and I know the Spirit touched their hearts. One lady came and thanked me for my testimony. Most importantly, the Spirit touched MY heart. I love the Spirit, and I have learned just how vital it is. Also, I have gained a lot of optimism about trusting Heavenly Father that if I do my part in my personal conversion, the rest doesn’t matter because I’ve done my part.

I LOVE YOU ALL! 

Sister Sprouse

Hello my beloved family and friends!

Hello! I'm sorry I'm sorry, this is not going to be a long email,
because I got on earlier and waited for about 2 hours and 15 minutes
and it never loaded, and now I'm very tired haha. But some news: Jamie
I sent your transferly letter today.
We're going to be teaching English lessons as a finding activity! I'm
excited; I've never done that before! I hope it's not going to be too
hard for me to teach my native language.
Remember how I said that the language in Allen was ridiculous? My
companion is from Bikol, which is also the language that they speak a
little in Allen. So now we talk to eachother in Bikol sometimes. It's
pretty fun! I knew there was a reason I was assigned in Allen(;.

Like I said, this isn't going to be very long. But I want to include
something from the letter I wrote the mission president earlier about
my scripture study so that it's not just an altogether awful email.

"I've really enjoyed my personal studies this week. I am in the last
chapters of Alma. I've tried to do what you said and ponder about why
these things were chosen to be included in the Book of Mormon. I
thought about how there was a lot of scripture that Mormon chose not
to include in the abridgment, and so the parts that he chose to
include are very very important, even if we are sometimes shortsighted
and don't understand why.  Even the part where Moroni mistakenly
chastises Pahoran is important. Even though Pahoran wasn't guilty of
the things that he was accused of, we often are very guilty of
expecting Heavenly Father to do everything without us ever lifting a
finger.  |The council Moroni gives is one that is very important to us
and will bless us a lot if we apply it to our lives. Heavenly Father
wants to help us and He will, but a big part of that help has already
been given to us in the form of technology, medicine, priesthood
holders who are ready to give us a blessing if asked, etc. For
missionaries, maybe we are guilty of wanting a better area and more
progress without ever using Preach my Gospel or other tools that we
have been given.
Later, Pahoran showed great humility when he received Moroni's
epistle. Pahoran had been struggling quite a bit himself with all the
rebellion in the government. He had to flee from those who were
against the liberty of the country, and right in the middle of all his
struggles he gets this mail from Moroni. He might have been glad and
expecting encouragement or just some good news to lift his spirits,
but instead he was chastised and told to repent. I know what I would
do in a situation like that, and it's not pretty.But Pahoran showed a
perfect example of humility when he replied and told Moroni that he
was not angry, but actually joyful for the greatness of Moroni's
heart. He then calmly told him about the situation and expressed his
regret that he was not able to help.
I've learned that there are two kinds of learning in the Book of
Mormon (probably more than two, but these are the two I've noticed):
From what the prophets say and what they do. What they say is sound
doctrine that we need for our salvation, but what they do is also
important. Their actions are examples of them applying what they have
preached. The Book of Mormon doesn't always say what they do and their
reaction, but their following actions tell us a lot about their faith
and what they did to be more like our Savior. As I watch for their
Christlike attributes, I am inspired to do the same in my life and my
special circumstances."

I LOVE THE BOOK OF MORMON!
That's all for now family! I love you!
P.s I love spicy foods now! Sister Asug has showed me the joy of sile peppers!(:

I have no time I'm sorry!

I have no time ! I'm sorry!
Hello President!
This week has been one of the weeks that I just know Heavenly Father has a lot of personal growth planned for me. It started out when Sister Asug had a small open wound on her foot where her shoe was, and so it got infected. We went out and worked because I thought that what she said about yellow on the inside was from Hydrogen Peroxide. Halfway through the day she said she wasn't feeling well and she was reaally hot so we took her home and cleaned out her wound and she slept for a day and a half. It was really scary because it was probably really minor but I've never had to deal with something like that and I was worried she was really sick. We still need to figure out our languages. I can understand her Tagalog better than her English but I know she needs to learn English and so I think she should speak that but then we have scary misunderstandings like that.. I think it's just something we'll have to work on. Maybe I'll make her say everything twice, once in Tagalog and once in English. Or just three times and we'll throw Waray Waray in there.. Just to be sure. Haha just kidding.

Besides that, we are pretty sad about our area. It just kind of died. All our progressing investigator's just kind of dropped off the face of the earth. That's why I say Heavenly Father wants me to grow. And to stretch, and to use my faith like I've maybe never used it before. So that's where we're at. We're going on exchanges with the STL's tomorrow and we'll see if I can think of ways to help the area.
Also, I was reading in Alma 42 today about mercy and justice; that chapter is MINDBLOWING! It's so good. I love the scriptures! More than I ever have in my life. Also, in the Bible I'm in Isaiah and I'm actually understanding it. So that's wonderful.
Okay thank you President! Have a great week!
Love,
Sister Sprouse

Hello Everyone!

I have like no time, because my letter to President was really long. Here it is:

Hello President!

How are you this week? This week has been kind of a disappointing one for us, because our IBD, Sister Arlyn Gayo, didn’t come to church again and can’t be baptized as we had planned on the 18^th. Sister Asug was especially bummed, but I guess if she hadn’t come to church for two weeks she wasn’t ready to be baptized and it’s better to have no baptism at all than to have a baptism where someone doesn’t understand the commitment they will be making. We will continue to work with her and see what we can do. As for miracles, we have seen quite a few this week. We have been a little low on investigators, so we decided to go tracting one day. I had been praying really hard that morning for Heavenly Father to help me find those who would be ready for the gospel, and I was really hoping for a miracle. So we went out, and taught a couple lessons, and as we were heading back to the meetinghouse to eat our lunch, I had glanced at a house and for some reason it really stood out in my mind that I should go there. It happened again with one other house. So after we ate we went to them. At the first house I saw, our ward member hesitated and said that he didn’t think those people were ready for the gospel but I REALLY wanted to try! So we stopped in; I didn’t really know what to say at all but I just felt like I should testify of the love of Heavenly Father for them (it was a husband and a wife). I felt really awkward actually haha but then the husband had a lot of questions that we actually didn’t even have time to answer and so we made an appointment for Friday. The second house that I saw was one of the most powerful lessons of my mission. This lady always actually waves at us and this time we almost passed by, but I couldn’t let that prompting go. So we stopped and talked to her. Her name is Dolores. Her husband just barely died in August. We started to share to her about the Plan of Salvation, and when we started to talk about our purpose in life, and how we should always be ready, and she started crying and talking about how none of them expected her husband to die and she knows that he’s with the Lord but it still hurts. At that exact moment, one of the strongest members of our relief society came walking down the road and joined our lesson. Her husband also died, and she was sealed to him in the temple. She is also lifelong friends with Sister Dolores. They hugged, and Sister Dolores cried, and after that we were able to teach about what happens after this life. Sister Clarita bore her testimony about families being together forever, and it was just beautiful. We have an appointment with her this Wednesday, and of course Sister Clarita is going to come too. I am so glad that I didn’t ignore that prompting from the Holy Ghost. I have also realized more than ever how much I need to let Heavenly Father run our area. I could look forever and not find those He has prepared. Only He knows. Only He can make miracles like that happen. That’s what my General Conference goal is: Not to try and do things by myself.  It’s so silly that I always do that, but everything is so much easier once you give it up to Him.

Well, this email is REALLY long, so I am going to end it. Thanks President! Have a good week!

Love, Sister Sprouse

Hello everyone !

My life is insanely busy!! I'm putting my letter to President on this(: :
It’s been another good week in Borongan! I was happy because we
actually got to stay in our area ALL week! That was awesome!! Sister
Asug is doing great. She was kind of having difficulty speaking the
language last week. I can understand why; she is completely fluent in
Tagalog and of course the Filipino people can understand Tagalog. I
can also understand Tagalog, and it’s not a struggle for her to speak.
But I remembered how hard it was for me in my training and how much I
hated speaking a language I didn’t know (and how much I still hate
it.. Haha. ) My faith grew as a result of having to put myself out
there and speak, even though it was so hard every lesson, and even
though the people all told me to just speak English anyway.  But as I
spoke, I really got better and felt more and more comfortable in the
lessons and most importantly, I more clearly understood the way that
the Lord brings forth His purposes.  He said that the gospel will be
preached to people in their own tongue, and He makes it happen if we
are faithful. I learned that the Lord doesn’t just hand us solutions;
the gift of tongues doesn’t make you efficiently fluent at a language
in 3 weeks. He expects us to work at things, and even struggle a bit.
He wants us to show our dedication, and mostly faith. So even though
it would be perfectly fine to let Sister Asug to just teach in
Tagalog, I wanted her to have that learning experience. So we talked
about it, and she’s doing GREAT this week! Her Waray Waray is so
amazing. I knew she would be really good; her native language is still
a type of Visaya and they usually pick up other dialects very quickly
because there are a lot of similarities. But it just took that leap of
faith. And she understood that, and she is doing so so great. This
Sister came Pre-trained, President. I’m not even doing anything. Haha.
Our area is doing okay. Just working on those Less Actives! Arlyn, our
IBD, didn’t go to church, so we’re really sad about that! She is still
doing well, just said she had no time this week to go to church. So we
focused on getting her to read the Book of Mormon this week so she not
only will start going to church but will know why she goes the church
and have the desire to do it. That’s the magic of the BOM. We’re
trying to get everyone to focus on reading it every day.

In other news, no we haven't gotten to watch conference yet, as it
comes a week late in the Philippines. But I am SO excited to watch
it!! I can't believe it's already been 6 months.
Okay, that's about it! I love you all! Thanks so much for the support
and love! (:
Sister Sprouse

The week of Tacloban!

I'm copying and pasting part of my letter to President Maurer so I
don't have to type it again haha. Kapoy!

Hello President!
This week was kind of sad because we only got to work in our area for
2 days. You actually already know this, because we were in Tacloban
all week. Poor Sister Asug has a pretty mean ear infection that she
didn’t tell me about for a week! She’s so cute, she said she was shy.
But I have straightened her right out about that she doesn’t need to
be shy to me because I just want to help her. So she’s doing good now.
Apparently there’s still a discharge from her ear but it’s different
from the one before in a good way? .. (I don’t fluently speak Tagalog
and she doesn’t fluently speak english so sometimes our communication
isn’t completely clear.. Haha.) But anyway, it’s been a good week!
Lots of companionship bonding. The funny thing is, no matter what the
reason is that I can’t work, I’m never fully happy or content with
just sitting around. I guess I’ve been blessed to learn the value of
good, hard, work. It was only for two days, and our number of lessons
is kind of small because we have a ward member who translates
literally everything I say into understandable Waray Waray, but
there’s really no acceptable substitute. I go home feeling SO tired
that I just want to drop and sleep, but it’s like the best tired
feeling in the world. I guess that is my miracle this week. It’s that
I further understand the healing power of the atonement. It doesn’t
happen when you’re giving all the attention to yourself, it happens
when you “forget yourself and go to work!” It’s like they always say
in Preach my Gospel, I’m so tired and I don’t know why, but I’m so
happy! And I feel a sense of peace that I don’t think I could find
anywhere else. About the language.. from what you read you already
know that I’m not doing so hot. I think my anak speaks better Waray
Waray than I do! Haha but for me it’s just an Ether 12:27 moment. I am
glad that Heavenly Father cares about me enough to teach me about
trust in Him. As for the work, it’s going good. We had more
investigators come to church, but unfortunately some of them are
children that have been previously taught without their parents. So
we’re going to try to get their parents to listen and see how that
goes. We have seen a LOT of less active or inactive members and we
want to focus there, because it’s pretty pointless to bring more
people to a ward that’s losing them as fast as they comes. We’ve
already had a couple of stories of success with that, and one even
brought her live in to church with her! So we’re just going to press
forward with faith and rescue the sheep that had previously been found
but were lost again, though we will of course be looking for new
investigators also.
Well, that’s about it this week. Thanks for everything President!
Love, Sister Sprouse

Okay, I might do that more often. That's such a time saver! In
addition, we went to Tacloban (a five our van trip) for specialized
trainings. It was so fun! We got lots of good instruction from the
APs, Zone Leaders, and President. Then my favorite workshop was Sister
Maurer. She's concerned about the health and nutrition of the
missionaries, so she taught us to cook and then we ate the lunch we
cooked! Best workshop ever! Haha (: After that, we stayed in Tacloban
for 2 days for Sister Asug's ear infection. We were literally out of
our area from Monday to Friday! But like you read, we got to work for
two wonderful days in Dolores and DapDap. Dolores Branch is so good!
President Cesista told the youth that they have to work with the
missionaries to get their makeup work done so we have members to work
with us every day!! It's so funny at MCM it's like an auction for who
can work with us on what days. I've never felt so popular! They're all
yelling "Waray na utang!" Which means no more debt!

Arnilyn, the awesome one who came back after being inactive since
April, began the Book of Mormon after our last visit to her, and is
now in Alma 5 as of Saturday. She also brought her live in partner
with her to church and has a desire to get sealed in the temple. She's
amazing! Also, because of her, her less active mom has come to church
for the past two weeks and her little brother wants to be baptized and
also came to church with her. This all happened after just one visit
that I didn't even think seemed that insignificant! Lesson learned; we
never know what lives we can change from one visit to one person, even
if you don't think you did that much. We're just working on her father
and younger sister so they can all come back as a family (:.

Alright, that's what I have for you this week! Missionary work is the best!!
LOVE YOU!
Sister Sprouse

Hello, Everyone!

It's been a good week! I've really enjoyed training for these last two weeks. That's probably because I have the best trainee ever! Sister Asug is already teaching in Waray Waray! She still uses Tagalog, but she's learned so much faster than I thought she would! It is pretty funny though how diverse my languages are. We were riding on a trike and I started talking to the driver. Turns out he worked in Cebu so he knows Cebuano! So I started talking to him in Cebuano, he answers in Waray, and my companion speaks to him in Tagalog. I just chuckled a bit to myself because it was just so weird that we were speaking 3 different languages but we could all understand. Gotta love the gift of tongues!

Anyway, this week, Sister Asug committed this sister, Sister Arlyn, to baptism this week! She was really nervous, especially since she committed her in Waray, but she did great, and she accepted! We're preparing her for baptism on October 11. = She's really good! She has a daughter who is active and she had already come a couple times before we were able to teach her! She came again this week. We actually had 3 investigators come this week. Training is funny because I was more excited to see Sister Asug's reaction than I was about them being there. (Not that I wasn't excited about them being there.) She just lit up! We also had one sister and her mom come back too.. She's been inactive since April. But she was there! Sister Asug was really excited because last week the attendance was 45 and this week it was 61. We just have to keep being diligent and obedient and I know we can make miracles happen here. This week we have members scheduled to work with us every day! (:

Mom! I forgot to tell you last week! I got your package! Thank you so so so much! It was perfect!! I am now very loved by those who live in my apartment. We made the Pasta Roni and it was perfect because this recent convert always brings us seafood (her husband's a fisherman) so we put fresh shrimp in it too! It was really good! Thank you! You're such a good package sender! 

Okay, I think that's all for this week! I love you all so much! Have a wonderful week!  

The whirlwind Week!

WOW. It's been a crazy one. this week went by so fast I can't even remember everything of what happened!

First things first, what you're all wondering, I did get to see Elder Simmons. He looks great! I almost didn't even recognize him, not that he looks any different, but because he just has a glow about him.  He was just beaming the whole time and gave the best testimony out of the lot of them. He's going to be a spiritual giant I can tell.

It was so funny because all of the new elders knew me. They were like, oh so you're the famous sister sprouse! (the shift bar on this computer doesn't work, i'm not even gonna try haha) they already knew me, and my companion already knew him. It's a pretty big deal when you have someone from your ward come to your mission. Also, and this is the coolest part, HE'S ASSIGNED IN ALBUERA! So I gave him a list of all the people he really needs to visit since I was literally the last missionary in that area. I'm so happy it's him there! He's going to love it. and they were smart to send the military man there haha (:.

My anak (child, or trainee) is Sister Asug. She's Philipina and she's the CUTEST thing ever. She speaks tagalog, so it's good that I know it. she has a really big desire to be obedient and diligent and share the gospel. I love her SO much! I wish I could send a picture but I don't have a card reader . anyway, just know she's the cutest little thing you've ever seen.

I'm now speaking waray waray h so it's been interesting. I've only ever spoken the s variety and it was different because of allen. But so far so good!
also, sister smith is also training in the same house and district as me. It's going to be the best two cycles of my life!

Okay, i have to go! Love you all so much!

Sister sprouse

 

Baybay, week 2

How are you all doing?! This week has been a busy one! Baybay is doing good! We've found a couple of investigators with good potential! Besides that, there's been a lot of walking around looking for people to teach, but where there's a will, there's a way! There's also a Sister who was almost baptized before but there were some problems, but we're pretty sure she can be baptized now, and she wants to be! So we'll definitely go back to her. Also, I am THE LUCKIEST girl in the world. I found the last October and May editions of the conference talks in my new apartment. They pretty much occupy any free time that I have! 

We had a sister's sleepover last night at the STL's apartment! It was super fun. I'm sending a picture. 

Well... Mom, I know you're going to kill me because this is all I wrote and I'm SORRY! 

Oh wait, I can tell you one more thing. We went on splits and we started teaching this boy who said he'd been taught by the missionaries when he was 16 (he's 22 now) but he hid from them because he didn't want to change religions. So we started teaching him, and he didn't want us to come back, but at the end of the lesson, I was getting ready to commit him for baptism, and he asked "can you come back here?" Then he said ÿou're different from the last missionaries. And he didn't say how in words, but he touched his heart. It was such a cool testament to me of how important the spirit is. He committed to baptism if he knew it was true, and reading the book of mormon to know if it's true. It was so cool! I love times like that! 

Okay that's all I love you so much! Sister Sprouse

Saying Baybay to Albuerra

Hello!

This last week has been crazy! There has been lots of crime in Albuerra, and it's not safe for sisters anymore, so we picked up our belongings, left our beautiful, progressing area, and left for Baybay, a city that's just about 45 minutes away. Elders will come in on September 11. 

BUT before that, great things happened! Brother Dino got his cenomar! Which you all don't know what that means, but it was the only thing that he needed to be able to be baptized, and is usually a HUGE obstacle for the baptismal candidates. He's hopefully going to be baptized Sept 6, and we get to come to the baptism!! Also, Nelson did a turn around! He's coming to seminary now too! 

Here in Baybay there is a Muslim church that has mass. Loudly. Every morning. At 4:30 a.m. I'm investing in ear plugs! Haha. This area is a little bit slow, but I'm excited to get working and change that. We're the 1st sisters to serve in Baybay since the storm! 

Also, one sister has a sister who is serving at Temple Square right now!! I want to visit her when I get home!! 

I'm sorry this is so short, but I've kind of run out of time! I love you all so much! Have a wonderful week! 

Love, Sister Sprouse

Nindot Kaayu .......

So I just glanced over at my companion's screen and she's writing the mission president. She wrote: How's mission life is threatening you?" I'm trying really hard not to laugh right now. I know I should probably tell her but it might be weird that I'm looking at her screen... Anyways. 

This week was AWESOME! Yesterday we had 11 investigators come to church! There's this family that is SO ridiculously golden but the wife had a c section, but she's finally better and she showed up with her family and their baby! So nindot. And this family that we barely contacted but hadn't even gotten to teach also came to church. The husband afterward was like "everything we talked about in church was so cool! Do you have any books I could have to read?"  It was a great day. Lloyd moved to Ormoc but he showed up at the Church there and he's in the STL's area, so they called and assured me that he was there (I was really sad because I thought he was lost in the wilderness) and that they'd teach the new member lessons to him.

We helped garden this week! It's a lot different than gardening here because we just go to the rain forest and chop things with machete's haha.

Besides that,there's not a whole lot that's new. Nelson doesn't want to be baptized anymore :( once Lloyd left he took a turn for the worse. Just praying for revelation on how to help him. But I trust Heavenly Father that if it's his time, he'll be baptized. And if not, it's better that he doesn't if he's not ready!

Love you all! If you know Sister Ruppe, email her and tell her Happy Birthday!

Sister Sprouse

The weeks go by faster and faster!

Hello everyone! I can't believe I'm already writing you again! Where is my life going?

This week has been kind of interesting. I've learned so much during my mission about how important keeping the mission rules is, ESPECIALLY the small ones like the morning schedule and waiting to write people until Pday. We had a problem with that in our companionship and I was shocked to see a lot of tolerance and even stubbornness in breaking the small rules, even after the rules were made known. It caused quite a problem but then I decided to pray to Heavenly Father for help in what I should say and do to help the problem. We opened our daily planning with a song and a prayer, and I found the words that I needed to say and the questions that I needed to ask being put into my mouth. It really built my testimony that if we rely in Heavenly Father, He will help us, even if it just means being tactful and solving a problem in an effective manner. Since then, obedience has really improved in our companionship, and we have better been able to accomplish the work.

We have two girls who have been going to church, and want to be baptized. The only problem is that their parents are inactive and have been for about 10 or so years. I want them to be able to be baptized, but I know that the bigger picture is that this gospel is for families. So we are praying for their parents hearts to be softened. The mother seems to be almost there, but the father has a long way to go. So everyone's prayers for the Mistola family would be much appreciated!!

I got to go on exchanges with Sister Vea from the MTC. You might remember that she's the Tongan who loved chocolate and hated exercise haha. I had so much fun! She's so cute! She still loves chocolate but she's changed a lot! It was really cool to see someone who began this journey with me and all the progress that she's made with the help of Heavenly Father.

Also, I still talk in my sleep in Visaya! I wonder if it will be like that for the rest of my life. My subconscious is a Philipina! Also, my companion hit her 1/2 way point this week! I remember when I did that! It feels like yesterday! My mission is going by in the blink of an eye!

Okay that's all I love you all so much!!

Love, Sister Sprouse

Oh, also, Lloyd blessed the sacrament yesterday. It was the most beautiful thing I've ever heard (:

Lloyd's Baptism

Lloyd got baptized this week!! It was SUCH a beautiful baptism! His family are all recent converts but they couldn't come.. Except for his little brother, who is the only one now of their family who is not baptized yet. He didn't get converted at the time of all of his family because he was really not on the right path, but now that Lloyd is home and became converted he has REALLY come around. It was so cute because when we ask him if he's going to church, he's like "if kuya (big brother) goes, I'll go." So he got to see all of it, especially when Lloyd bore his testimony! He talked about how he feels like a brand new person and he will continue in the church "hangtud sa hangtud" which basically means until forever ! It was so cool! 

After the baptism, all the members were so welcoming to Lloyd and they even gave him a polo and a tie! My heart was so warm and I felt so much happiness. And the next day, Lloyd got confirmed and sustained in church. He also got the priesthood! It was one of the happiest Sundays of my mission. He looked so good in his polo and tie and he told us how happy he was. He may be one of my favorite conversions of my whole mission. 

Sister Webber found out she's training this week! It was really weird because they told us like a week and a half before the transfer. But anyway, she's going to do really well and I'm super excited for her!! While she was gone to a training meeting in Tacloban, I got to have my first Philipina companion for a day! Her name is Sister Tierra and she is the sweetest, most humble person in the world. I love her so much! I want a Philipina companion. Haha. 

We stayed at the STL's house during this time. I actually slept really well, but I woke up with something literally right next to my face. It's in the photo I uploaded. Look at the corner of the bed. 95 percent sure it was climbing on me during the night. 

Okay that's all for this week! LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!

Sister Sprouse

Hitler's Grandchildren

Good week! Haha I don't know if that works like goodmorning? But it
will be a good week and so I will say that.
The title of this email doesn't really have a super long story
connected to it; it's just really funny. We met this man who is a
professor at a college here, and he asked us if we were German. We
told him no, we're Americana, and he said no, you are the
grandchildren of Hitler. We laughed so hard. That day, because of that
Typhoon "Rasmussen?" Or something like that it flooded in Baybay up to
the knee! We almost couldn't get a bus home from District Meeting! But
other than that, that typhoon didn't leave too bad of an effect here.
This week, I almost passed out. Haha. I had to get my blood drawn! We
thought I might have dengue again and actually wanted to test for it
this time, but none. We don't really know what the deal is but I've
been feeling a bit better! But I am really glad that I can't even give
blood now that I've lived in the Philippines. That way, I won't feel
guilty for being selfish with my blood because I hate getting it
drawn.
We met President and Sister Maurer! They're so great! I love them so
much. Super excited for them to get to work here. They came and
visited all the zones.
I am a year old in the mission now! We celebrated my year mark by
buying cake and having some recent converts eat it with us! I would
send pictures but this internet cafe is not loving it.

LLOYD IS ACTUALLY STAYING AS OF NOW! He is so awesome! Turns out his
dad didn'twant him to take his place in the job because it wasn't very
good. He is getting interviewed tomorrow and hopefully getting
baptized on Saturday! Cross your fingers!

Okay, I don't have much time left, but I love you all! Oh mom, I got
your letter! Thanks so much it meant so much to me! Oh also, I got the
ensign of the conference talks. The priesthood session one by Dallin H
Oakes is SO GOOD! Everyone should read it, boy or not!

HAVE AN AWESOME WEEK!

The week of July 7th - 13th

This week has been full!! We wanted to work a whole week without staying home for sickness, so we pushed through even though neither of us were doing good. But we were so glad that we did it, because we had some really successful lessons that were full of the spirit. We did come home and crash though on Sunday after church.

Lloyd might be moving!!! :( Actually he definitely is we just don't know when! He has to go to Manila to work. We're so so sad about it because he has been doing SO good. He's been reading, and GOING TO SEMINARY! And ward activities, and he even came to church even though the rest of his family stayed home. He is really sad because he has loved coming and really enjoyed himself. We can see it in his eyes that he really has been touched by the light of Christ. But it's been a cool experience because we've been able to learn how to trust the Lord and the fact that His will is better than ours, or anyone else's. I've been praying for a miracle to happen, whether it be that he gets to stay or that he will still accept the gospel even if it's not here. Either way, it's a comfort to pray to Heavenly Father and say 'Thy will be done."

We also found this really good family! Their last name is Casero, and they just had a brand new baby. We were able to teach them the first time and the Mom started crying because she said she felt so heavy before we came and it just left as we were teaching. When we came back, she told us she read the Plan of Salvation pamphlet and she really remembered lots of it! The dad is really sweet too and they both really listen. We're excited to go back! 

Oh, I also held a baby pig this week. It was really cute, but when Sister Webber held it, it started screaming REALLY loud and the mom got really mad. Haha it was pretty funny.

OKAY I HAVE TO GO. I love you all!!! 

Sister Sprouse

President Maurer

We have a new mission president! This is his address to us:

President Maurer

Missionaries of the Tacloban Mission,
It has taken me almost a whole week to review your letters, and what a THRILL it has been for me to get to know you. You are an amazing group of missionaries. Please keep up the great work and tradition that surrounds this mission.

I have just been so touched by the MANY "welcomes" and warm wishes that you have given to Sister Maurer and myself. We look forward to serving with each of you, and learning from you. Thank you for your kindness.

I was, however disappointed that a largeg percentage did not write, this week. Please be assured I will read every letter and would love to hear to from. I also hope that you write home to your parents each week. If you could share with me any insights you are learning thru your experiences or study, then that might be a great way to reflect on your own progress. In addition, if you could share a miracle that happened during the week. If we look for the miracles, then we will have them.

The Assistants, Sister Maurer and myself look forward to meeting you all this week and next. We will meet by Zone in your area. So please be reminded that we will come to the location for YOUR Zone only.

With regards,
President & Sister Maurer

I don't know how to get it off grey...Anyway. I haven't met President Maurer yet, but everyone who has says that he's AWESOME. I'll get to meet him on the 16th. We have zone interviews that day. I'm really excited. He is from New Zealand so he's got a pretty cool accent, and I'm pretty sure he served in the Philippines before and knows Tagalog. I'll let you know more about him when I meet him.

This week was a bit of a stressful one, but it had a beautiful end to it. We went to get this Recent Convert family and their two sons who are investigators (Nelson and Lloyd) to come to church. We were going to walk with them because they don't have pamasahe. They were very, however, late to get started. (Philipino time) and we were a little bit late to church. The two sons said that they would follow after on the family bike but then the other RC son biked past and they didn't come, so we were pretty bummed about it. But we were able to stop by another Investigator Sister, Wilhelmina, whose mother is also a RC. We sat in Relief Society, and then we got to teach a really lovely Gospel Principles lesson about Charity to our recent converts and investigators. 

When we got up to sacrament, we saw that Lloyd and Nelson had actually come!! We were also so so grateful to see that 5 other investigators had come to church! We had 7 attend sacrament meeting, when last week we only had 2. I know it was a tender mercy from the Lord. We had been working very hard during the week, but I still know that it wasn't from us. It was only through the Lord helping us along the way. There were a couple time when I could only pray to the Lord for the strength to make it through the day, but I received the strength to go above and beyond that. We learned this week that as to our strength we are weak, but in the Lord we can do all things. 

Also, I LEARNED TO MAKE PANCIT. I am so excited to make you all try Philipino foods when I get home (: They're really yummy! 

I love you alll!! Have a wonderful week and remember that I love and pray for you always!! 

Love, Sister Sprouse

Happy Birthday Kenna!

Happy birthday Mskenna Prouse! I have been thinking about you all week. I hope your birthday was wonderful! I can't believe how grown up you are. Mom and Dad say that you are going to EFY! I remember how fun that was for me the first time I went and that even though it was scary I learned so much from it and even applied some stuff I learned there for a couple weeks (;

Albuerra really has a LOT of promise! I have only been here for a week and I am very excited to keep working here. It is a little hard, because we have the area of the elders and the sisters from before the storm to work in, so it's very big, and we have a curfew at 6 because there are still not many lights at night, but I have learned to look forward to the hard things because I know they are given to me to achieve the growth that Heavenly Father wants for me.  

This week, we didn't have a lot of success getting investigators to come to church, but we did have one that we were excited about! Lloyd is 19, and his whole family are recent converts except for him and his little brother. He has already committed to baptism, and he came to church even though his family didn't. (We will definitely be working on getting them there too.) He did seem very overwhelmed, but I hope it was a good experience for him because we were able to get fellowshippers to sit by him and talk to him. We will be praying that he continues to progress! 

I would also like to add that I made it completely through 1 area (Naval) and 2 transfers with NO HEAD LICE! Pretty big accomplishment. And yes, I did just knock on wood. 

This week, we got caught in the rain. I'm pretty sure it was a signal 2 typhoon. I've never shivered so hard in the Philippines! But we were really able to see Heavenly Father's love for us. First this adorable old man gave us plastic bags in so that our stuff wouldn't be ruined, and this lady came and shielded us with her umbrella (we didn't bring one.. not the smartest idea) until we were able to get a ride. This wonderful couple who had a jeepnee but were not accepting passengers turned around to get us! Their engine got wet and stopped working, but we said a really shaky (from shivering) prayer and it started up again. It was a really faith promoting day. I definitely know that Heavenly Father will help us with the big things, and the small, like being caught in the rain. (: 

We met Russians this week. Kaitlyn! They spoke German. So I said Guten tag to them and it was the most they could understand me. Haha they spoke English but it was NOT good English. They kept telling us that Mormons were good but the founder of Mormons is Jewish. Hahaha. They invited us in, and we quickly saw that we would not be able to teach them. We told them we would just sing and the Tatay started doing some crazy dance and talking about how they went disco-ing with the Catholics. After we sang we told them we would pray. The daughter (she's about 37) looked up and said; "Sister Webber. All religions cook in the same kitchen. A Jewish kitchen." It was the weirdest, funniest, thing that ever happened to me. My mission is so insane. The Tatay kept telling us he was in the army and was so strong. He kept saying "ten men? NO PROBLEM! No problem." So funny. 

So there's just a little from my insane mission. Haha you have to love it. P.s keep Sister Webber in your prayers. She's been having some health problems. We went to the hospital on Saturday, but they don't know what it is yet. It's really weird for me not to be the sick one. I don't really know what to do! But I am doing my best to be uplifting and helpful! 

I love you all! Hope your week is wonderful! (:

Sister Sprouse 

Aluberra na

Hello everyone! I hope this last week was a happy one for you! It was really good here. Sister Adasme and I were able to make a bunch of our goals that we set at the beginning of the month even though I transferred a week early.

Oh, by the way, I transferred! Hahaha. It was a surprise to me that I wasn't the one to stay in Naval, because Sister Adasme had been there longer than I have. But she will be staying there for 2 more cycles, because she is TRAINING! I was so super happy for her. She has made so much progress in the last cycle, and I know she'll keep growing and becoming better. 

As for me, I am here with Sister Webber. She is one transfer behind me. She's from Tooele and she's really cute. I think we'll have a good time together. I was a little surprised about transfers, because my STL's were pretty sure other things were in store for me, but when I found out where I was going and who I was with, I just had a really big confirmation that I am where I need to be right now. It was the same feeling that I got when I read my mission call. I am just waiting for further instruction from Heavenly Father right now. But I am really excited. 

Albuerra is a small town outside of Ormoc. It is Visaya again, so I don't have to change languages. It was actually hit pretty hard by Yolanda. There were only about 30 deaths because there was no wave of water, but there were SO many houses that were washed away. I actually have seen this tree that is the size of those really big ones we saw in California.Hopefully you know what I'm talking about. But it was pulled out by the roots. It's crazy! But the cool thing is that we've seen so much help from the church. We ate at this member's house last night, and their entire house was from the Church. It is really cool how much the members have been able to flourish. I see a lot of potential and am excited to get to work. 

The one downer is that the area has a history of really disobedient missionaries. But I know that if we set a good example by obedience we can gain the member's trust. 

I love testifying as a missionary. I love feeling the Holy Ghost work through me and realizing that it was never me alone teaching this gospel. I am so humbled to realize that there is not a thing that I could be doing in missionary work by myself, and I love having to trust and rely on the Lord. I hope that we all could strive to humble ourselves every day and align our Heavenly Father's will with ours. 

I love you all and thank you so much for the support!! 

Sister Sprouse

The 6 week time is up again

AKA almost transfers! I don't know where this transfer went! It was so so quick. I think the longer I'm on my mission the faster it goes. Which is bad because I don't have tons of time as it is! Lots to do, and little time to do it!!

So, this week I ate SNAKE! This Elder ordered it, and offered it to us all. Some people asked him what it was, and he was like "Oh, I don't know. Try it." And after they did he told us what it was. I of course hadn't tried it yet but did after I found out what it was! It was not too bad actually! But there were loooots of weird little bones that made it a little hard to eat. Anyway, now I can say I've tried snake!! 

We have exchanges with the STL's this week. I am so so super excited! I love them so much. It has been so wonderful living with them for the past two cycles and learning from their example. I am so grateful for the opportunity.

We had a tiny bit more success getting investigators to church this week (5) but the problem is that they were all children from the same family. The oldest is 14. Her name is Jimarie and she loves English and is cute as a button when she tries to speak it. The only sad thing is that we taught them with their mother, who was the only one not to go to church, and the gospel is for FAMILIES! We are just going to keep praying, hoping, and trying to make a difference. After all, the biggest factor in missionary work is your FAITH and your ATTITUDE. So that is what we will work on!! 

I should have lots more to tell you, but I forgot to bring my notes.. I'm sorry!!! 

Just know that I am super happy and doing great. I am amazed at the changes I've been able to see in my life while I've been here. It's wonderful that I will keep getting to see them as long as I am being obedient and doing what I am supposed to do. 

I LOVE YOU ALL ! Have a great week! 

Sister Sprouse

P.s We have one baptism scheduled for July 5. She is 13 years old also, but the great part is that her Aunt, Uncle, and cousin that she lives with are all active members, so she will have LOTS of support! (:

First and Last birthday in the Philippines

Hello!!! Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes! It was a wonderful day. Mom and Dad, I got the package just in time. IT WAS THE BEST PACKAGE EVER! I was so so happy to get it. I can't wait to give the rings and stickers and suckers to the kids! (I'm kind of wondering if I might just eat the ring pops myself.. Haha:) But thank you so much really. I couldn't believe how lucky I was and how kind you were to send me all those awesome things! I can't wait to cook the brownies in our rice cooker! (: And to put those ADORABLE stickers on my planner!

My birthday was on a fast Sunday, but it was fun because I got to practice Philipino tradition and cook dinner for everyone in our apartment! (Here if it's your birthday it means you treat everyone haha) I made chicken adobo, mashed potatoes, beans and carrots (there's no broccoli here) It was a really good meal. I'll have to make adobo when I get home. It's super good. I think you all will like it. The STL's also gave me wonderful cards that were so kind. My companion told our Branch President to  announce my birthday over the pulpit so I got a LOT of well wishes.. Haha it was really embarrassing. 

This week we went to this restaurant that felt like America! They were even embarrassed when a dead spider was in S. Adasme's water! It was high class for sure! They even had brownies!! It was awesome! 

We also got a lot of work done this week-25 lessons and 10 New Investigators! It was awesome! We found out that our mattresses were molding and we think that's why I kept getting sick. So now we've been sleeping outside our room on clean mattresses and I've been doing lots better. So that means we get more work done! We've been getting a lot done and we hope to continue to do so. This week we taught the Barangay Capt (it's a pretty big deal for the neighborhood) and his wife. It was awesome! I just ask for your prayers that the people's hearts will be softened to accept the gospel in our area. We just have to be diligent and obedient because that will bring forth blessings! 

We had zone interviews this week. It was good to be able to be interviewed by President Andaya and just talk to him about our area, and then be interviewed by Sister Andaya and talk about my various health problems (; Just kidding but it was good. It's sad that they'll be leaving in just a few weeks. But I am really grateful for them and their service. 

That's all for this week, but I love you all so much! Thanks tons for everything! 

Sister Sprouse

Beverly :)

Last week was the most stressful week probably of my mission. (Just kidding. There's tons of those in all reality.) But really. Beverlyn disappeared from Sunday until FRIDAY! I was freaking out so badly. I am actually about 75% sure that last week gave me an ulcer.. Hahah. But no I really have one of those now. It's good though because I literally have to eat healthy if I have one of those. ANYWAY She had to go home to get her BCR(baptismal form)  from her mom (she works here in Naval) and when she got home she got a fever. After that she ran out of load so she didn't text us back. I figured God was going to test my faith until the last second, and sure enough, about 5 minutes after we asked our branch President if we should cancel her baptism we got the text that she was home. It was crazy. I hyperventilated a little bit not gonna lie (: But at least it was the good hyperventilating that comes when you're relieved. She told us that her family was telling her not to come back cuz she still had a fever and she still did! And also her family tried to put a cross in her room to help her get better and she told them not too! And she just had a ton of crazy things happen that help me see just how prepared and faithful she is.

AND the best part was that her baptism was super worth it. (Obviously haha) She was baptized in the ocean and she came up with the biggest smile on her face. She was really nervous to bear her testimony after, and she kept fidgeting, but she did so good! What do you all think about adopting her? Haha just kidding (kind of).

So fun fact. The kids here try to say my name but they just can't do it. It's something like Sister "Sprax" And one time it was Sister "Craps" Haha cool gihapon!

Also I shaved my legs for the first time in a month haha. Yuck mom I'm so gross!

Oh. Cool story. This investigator, Mindy, asked us this question and I could not for the life of me understand it. So my companion started to answer and I felt like I should answer even though I didn't know what she asked. After the lesson my companion was like " Your answer was so perfect!" Yes for the Holy Ghost! He's the man!! (:

That's all I've got for this week. I love you all so super much!

Well this is embarrassing!

Okay so the Apostle Elder Nelson did not visit our mission. Haha I was just very very confused. President Nelson is the Area President of the Philippines. But our mission conference was still very good. It was SO good to see everyone!! My batch is just as gwaps as ever! Seeing Sister Woodruff was awesome. I was even happier to see her than I thought I would be. She is an STL now.

Beverlyn is as awesome as ever. I have been praying for her really hard! We gave her a birthday present but she was sleeping so we just left it close to her.. And she was SO excited. When came back the next lesson she was so happy and grateful; she actually prayed about it and cried and was grateful that we were here and ready to teach her and it was so cute! But then she did the CROSS after her prayer! Needless to say we were concerned because it wasn't the first time she's done it and we had already explained to her that it was not okay for us.. So we were really concerned and we planned a lesson to tell her again gently. We read the part about it with her in True to the Faith, and we committed her to stop. Then she said something that shocked us both. I'll just write it in English obviously. She said: I know, President explained it to me! I've been trying to stop but sometimes it's a habit. But when I went home for my birthday party I asked my whole family as a birthday request not to do the cross when we prayed for the food. And then I taught my grandma what you taught me about the gospel of Jesus Christ. It feels good to share the gospel! 

Then at church she turned to me while the members were bearing their testimony and she was like, can I do that? I was like uhh YES! She was too shy to do it last week but she said she would do it next month on Fast Sunday! Which is my birthday! (: And after YW class she came out and was really happy and she was like "I bore my testimony to them! " Isn't she amazing?! I love her so much! 

We also taught this former investigator. It was a really cool lesson. It was just God is Our Loving Heavenly Father and The Gospel Blesses families, but her countenance entirely changed during the lesson. When we came she didn't really want us to teach her and by the end she was praying that her husband would be there for the next visit. It was cool what the Holy Ghost can do along with explaining the true purpose of missionary work. 

So this week has been pretty good! To answer your question, Dad, I don't think I've gained 30 lbs (: Actually I think I may be about the same. It's possible like 2 pounds more or less. I can't really tell. Everyone tells me I'm skinny? Haha not sure. And with Mother's Day, I will TRY really hard to make it around the time I normally can chat with you all, but transfers are Friday so I am not really sure how that will go. I'm sorry to tell you that you might just have to stay by the computer.. SORRY! :( 

I have to go but I love you all so much! 

Sister Sprouse

Beverly is Amazing!

Okay so Beverlyn is the most AMAZING investigator ever!! She's so good. I'm gonna ask a favor of you all to pray for her that she keeps making progress. Last week at church she told me that she likes English a lot and only writes in her journal in English so that she can learn it quicker. So last week we taught her before the FHE at president's house and we brought her an English BOM. When she turned around and saw it you might've thought we'd given her a car or something from the look on her face. She was SO so excited. Probably one of my favorite moments in my mission. She also is a genius at references. Like we shared a scripture with her and the next lesson I was like "like it said in that scripture we shared with you last time.." and she's like "Oh yeah! Alma 34:32!" And I felt a little like she's a genius because half the time I can't even remember that reference.. Haha. She told us that her mom said she can join whatever church she wanted as long as she had faith and she was like "promise mom?! promise?!" And it's so cute she even says promise in English. Also she told us that she had a different feeling than she's ever had before when she went to church. And that she knew all the answers in church but she was too shy to say them! She's so incredible. And she said that she's never connected with the bible the way she does with the BOM. She says that she understands how the bible needs the BOM to stand. One reallly cool lesson we had with her, we found her asleep on her bed with the BOM open in Visaya and English and the pamphlets we gave her and also the marker I gave her to mark her scriptures in her hand. She's so adorable. Also, President taught her about the temple and she wants to go really badly. The only bad thing is that she goes home again about a week after her baptism :( So we have to pray that everything works out for her and she'll find at least a meeting house where she's from. So prayers from home will help a lot!! (:

So our water is broken at our house. We don't really know what the deal is with it. But on Friday we cleaned our whole house (they gave us a cleaning day) And we needed water for that. So the sisters prayed (I wasn't with them at the moment) and it immediately turned on even though the pump had been going on for hours with nothing happening. Pretty cool. Then a couple days later it broke again. So I just said a prayer to myself. And.. nothing. The pump still didn't work. But I just thought to myself; if Heavenly Father answered every prayer immediately, we wouldn't build the faith that we need. So I just turned the pump off to let it rest and wen't into the house. About 20 minutes later, the STL's came home and S. Schaap turned the pump on. And it worked! I was really glad that my prayer was answered. Then on Sunday, Beverlyn didn't show up for sacrament. My stomach dropped. But I just prayed really hard that she'd show up. About 5 minutes before it ended, she came!! She couldn't find a ride, but she still came! And the YW said she participated in class and made friends! I've definitely gained a stronger testimony of the power of prayer this week. 

The 26th was National Day of Service! We went to the beach and picked up trash. I gained a pretty impressive sunburn even though I used sunscreen. It was awesome though. Another investigator of ours, Genevieve, came too! It was awesome because she got fellowshipped really well. She also came to church! I just am worried that for her it's more about the friends. We just need to go visit her a little more. 

Also, the shoes that I got in Cebu broke, and I had been wearing S. Schaap's that got rubbed against a tire so there was a hole in them. But S. Lindsey gave me this really nice rubber pair from Crocs. She's so nice! She said she already had a pair. This is someone who lost everything in that house in Yolanda (her and S. Schaap) They're both amazing. 

Okay that's my week! I love you all!!! I will be praying for you!! (:

Sister Sprouse

Good Friday and Easter Sunday

Hello my beloved loved ones! I am happy to write you all and also receive your wonderful responses. I love you all, and I'm sorry for all the English I have already forgotten. Haha.

This week, we got an opportunity to teach the most golden family I have ever met. As in, they were taking notes of what we were teaching them! They are so cute! They are also not ours :( We live with the STL's and they need them to be taught but don't have time to do it themselves with splits, so we got the priveledge of teaching them. The fun thing for me is that they are Tagalog speaking, taga Manila. So I got to take a break from Visaya and teach them in Tagalog! It was awesome! When the STL's went back to them later that week, they came home and said "Sisters, I think they like you more than they like us! Sister Sprouse, they kept talking about how you sat on the floor and it's so cool and how you don't even know Visaya!" It was so funny! I definitely have a testimony about the gift of tongues! 

Also, we have been teaching the house help of our branch president, Beverlin. She is stinking adorable! We watched the Restoration with her and she was so cute afterward. She was like "gitouched ko" or I'm touched haha. We committed her to be baptized May 17! We are really excited! She also went to church this last Sunday and we think she really enjoyed it! She said she made friends so I hope so! It was cool to get to sit by her and kind of explain what we do in our church (she's catholic so it's very different to her) Tonight she will be at our FHE and we're also teaching her too! I hope she will make even more friends. 

Well.. Thursday was my halfway point in the mission. It's crazy how fast the time went. I guess it helped that a super typhoon ate our mission.. Haha but still it's crazy to me. Usually I feel like I'm still only 2 months old in the mission. I am on the downhill now but I can't think about that because I have too much to do!! (: But for my "birthday" we had french toast and then we went out to eat BBQ for lunch. Then we got to work.

Easter Friday is kind of crazy in the Philippines. They call it good Friday, and they have these festivals where they actually crucify people. It's terrible. And even though it's been made illegal the Catholics still do it, so we missionaries aren't allowed to work. Instead, we went to the meeting house (we don't have a chapel yet in Naval) and watched The Best Two Years and The Other Side of Heaven. It was cool to watch movies about missionaries! You appreciate them much more when you've been a missionary. 

Also on Friday, the STL's surprised us with an Easter Hunt! It was so cute! They made a cute poster for us and hid candy. It was nice; felt like home! (:

Khia's baptism was Friday! It was so cool! We rode on President's truck and we went to Beliran, which is about 45 minutes away. With Khia, she is not a very expressive person at all, but after she was baptised she bore her testimony and it was so good and the spirit was definitely there. Also, she thanked the missionaries and almost cried! It was so cool. I was so so happy for her. 

Okay that's all I've got for this week, but I am just really happy to be here. Missionary work is hard for sure, but I'm definitely not praying for my burdens to be lighter. I am just praying for my back to be stronger to be able to carry them. I have never in my life felt this much importance in trying to become like Jesus. Obviously I'm not there yet, but I am working hard to get there! I LOVE YOU ALL! Have a wonderful week!!! 

Sister Sprouse

Lunch with the Andaya's

This week was good! The problem is I forgot to bring my outline AGAIN! So I will do my best!  Dang it. Sorry. Haha.

Mom, I'm glad you enjoyed the picture of the spider. Haha. The lucky thing about that kind of spider is that even though it's giant, it actually isn't poisonous or harmless. When I saw it I was actually excited because up to that point I hadn't really seen the "giant" spiders everyone talked about.

Hmm. So this week was really good. I finished reading D&C all the way through for the very first time in my life! Sad to say that I hadn't done that till my mission, but I am glad to say I've done it now. It's so amazing and teaches so many vital doctrines of our church. Or I should say it supports tons of vital doctrines that are in the Book of Mormon.

So one interesting thing that happened to us this week is that we destroyed this bunk bed that was infested with termites in our apartment. It was pretty bad. Dust fell on it every day and it was like heavy sawdust. I was sleeping on the top and every time I got on it I felt like Yolanda was back again. Haha. So we (the four of us living in our apartment) took a tiny screwdriver and tried to dismantle it nicely. When that didn't work we just kicked it until it broke. It was remarkably more easy than it should have been to have four Sister Missionaries break it.

We had Zone Conference this week. It was the first zone conference to take place since Yolanda!  President and Sister Andaya will be going home on June 29. They seem not to be excited. It was so cute; Sister Andaya gave us advice for the rest of our lives also because she's "not going to be around" It was a really good, uplifting zone conference. When we drove home I was just kind of reflecting on all the things that I heard, and I was able to feel such peace. It was a bad van drive home because everyone was getting sick (the van drivers are crazy ) but I just felt Heavenly Father's love for me so deeply in that moment. It was an incredible feeling in a really unlikely place.

We got to go to Women's Conference also. It was really cute because Sister Andaya was there with her daughter and her arm around her when it talked about smiling at your mom in gratitude. Mom it made me sad to think about not being there and it definitely made me miss you, but I think that the time we will have to spend away from each other on my mission will make the time we have together when I come home even more worth it.

After the conference, President and Sister Andaya gave us a ride home, which was a relief because it meant the ride would be 20 minutes instead of 45 to an hour in a nice clean car instead of a dirty jeepnee. After that they took us to lunch also! It was really cool just having the two of us out to lunch with them. They are so nice and it was really good getting to know them better. I will miss them when it's time for them to go home. (Which will probably seem really fast since my mission is kind of flying by)

Okay that's all for now. Sorry if I forgot anything!! I love you all so much!

Ingat po kayo palagi!

Sister Sprouse

Leaving Allen (part 2)

Hello! Well, it's been a crazy week! Transfers came around, which none of us were actually expecting because we all just barely got back to Tacloban. Honestly, I thought I'd be staying in Allen for the next couple months. But it didn't work out that way! I'm in Naval, (no it's not pronounced how it's spelled) Beliran. LEAVING ALLEN WAS SO HARD! It was actually harder than it was the first time.

After we got the call, we went around and said goodbye to everyone. It was good but really bad. Haha. Bessie was one of the very first that we went to. She was napping but I would be leaving early the next day so we had her Lola wake her up. She told her I was transferring. Bessie just sat there for a second, and then she just grabbed this teddy bear and buried her face in it. It reminded me of when we first tried to teach her and she was too shy, except this time she was just shy because she was crying. Which made me cry. I am going to miss that little girl so much. I'm really glad that I was able to teach her while I could though. Also, Sister Smith is an amazing missionary so I am glad that I am able to leave her in good hands. We went and said goodbye to Nanay Casanas and I got a video of her so you all can see her once I get home. She's the adorable Lola who I told you about in Manila the first time I got to talk to you all. We went and said goodbye to Maria and Julie Ann too. It's a bummer that I won't be around to see those baptisms, but I feel thankful that I was able to be a part of helping them and teaching them. I am going to miss Allen so much but I am really thankful that I had to opportunity to go back there and serve a second time. It's funny; I'm almost halfway through my mission and I'm just leaving my first area (; Haha. 

Naval is great. It's Cebuano speaking. Which is hard. I keep speaking Tagalog to everyone. Haha. I think I'll get used to it after about a week. It's always a little difficult to switch from one language to the other. I am glad that I speak Tagalog now though. We went to Tacloban City for transfers and I don't know Waray Waray H but I know Tagalog so I was able to talk to the people. 

When we got to Tacloban E. Lowe was there, aka my favorite batch/ best friend from the MTC. He's so awesome! Only 3 brand new elders came to Tacloban mission this batch and he's trainer to one of them! He's nervous because he's only been in Cebuano for 1 transfer now but he's gonna be great. 

Things are okay here in Naval. Sister Adasme is my companion again. The only problem is that she doesn't really know the area because her companion before was super sick so we're basically opening the area. We've been able to do a lot of good finding though. I will let you know more about that next week since I haven't been here too long yet. 

I attached a picture of the spider that was in our house when I got here. He's about as big as my hand. Maybe like an inch smaller. 

Habal habal !

This week has been a good week. Except that I wrote everything down that I could tell you all and then left it at home.. Dang it! It's really cool though mom I have this tiny little calendar book and I write in it every day and every week about cool things that happened so you can look at it all when I get home! At least for this whole year. Then read my journal for the spiritual ones.

OH! This part I definitely need to tell you! My companion and I got charged by a caribou! Thankfully the charge was incomplete. But I didn't know I could run that quickly/awkwardly/in a skirt/ through puddles of mud. It was hilarious! 

So we met this guy yesterday who was like "I think that the people in other churches don't even read the bible for themselves. Then their leaders just use scriptures out of context. And then the bible is kind of not clear anyway." He literally said in his own words that the bible is lacking! And he said that he thinks that we need a different book/guide to clarify the bible. Isn't that insane! We just like sat there shocked for a second. Then we started to teach him. He's a little kapoy to teach because he like questions every single thing, but in like a good way because he has real intent. It's awesome! If he gets converted he's going to be so strong! 

Yesterday it was raining so hard! That's the problem with members here sometimes; they hate rain more than they love coming to church. We had like half attendance yesterday :( But Maria came! Her cute belly was hidden by her cute HUGE almost winter coat! And she was wearing a beanie too! It was so stinking cute! I love her so much. We are doing an FHE at their house tonight to hopefully gain her husbands trust. Pray for her! She wants to be baptised SO BADLY! 

Also, last night, we rode home in the rain on a habal habal which is basically just a motorcyle. I was not even fully seated on it either. Haha it's funny how things that are so bad back home are totally normal in the Philippines. Okay that's all! I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! Have a good week! 

Sister Sprouse

Hello Everyone !

Hello Everyone!

 Last week was a great week! I got a little sick again, but I was only out for one day of work even though I had a fever for like three haha. So because of my adjusting still to the 1 hour email thing, I'm sorry that I'll have to do a small email again.. IT'S SO HARD! Haha. 

ALSO. McKenna, you CAN'T be driving!! You're not big enough yet! That's INSANE! 

One cool thing about this week is that we had this excommunicated member that we had been teaching before. We had taught him a couple times before and he was good but he said he just would decided whether he wanted to come to church or not and that was all. The last time we went to see him we were just really bold and said that marraige is a commandment and they need to have an actual lawful wedding. The wife didn't want to because she's super catholic and was afraid that she had to be married in the "mormons". But when we came back to them she ran up to us and basically said "We're getting married in the Mormons! And we're going to church with the Mormons too! " And they did! It was such a miracle!!! They looked really happy too! We'll keep praying for them! They already got their papers I guess! 

We had 9 investigators come to church last Sunday! And it was a really good uplifting Sunday so I was really glad to have them all there! 

We have a date for Maria Amairia on MARCH 29! That's right Kait, celebrating your birthday with a bunyag! She is so cute! But she's also really pregnant so we're afraid that her belly might not be able to go under the water then someone will push it down and she'll go into labor.. Hahah jk but I guess that really happened. We're just hoping she can get baptised before she has her baby. Her mother in law is a member and they're really close. Even though she can't read her MOL reads to her! And testifies to her all the time. Super awesome support system. We watched the Restoration with her and she cried and said she knows it's true! Super exciting! 

Okay sorry so short! Love you all so much!!! 

Sister Sprouse

temple trip with

Hello Everyone! This week was.. interesting. A lot of stuff happened but I don't really feel like a lot was happening in our area. We had transfer calls on Monday and I'm just staying put. That is until I am returned to Tacloban. I think that's the reason why they didn't move me or Sister McCurdy.

So this week, Joann almost got baptized. I was really sad that it didn't go through. She got really sick the day of and so she couldn't. (This is all what I'm hearing from Sister T because obviously I'm not in that area anymore) She now has to wait four more weeks for complications or something like that. I'm not sure; Sister T was never a big one for details haha. But the cool story is that when she had her Baptismal interview she told the DL that during our first lesson with her I had told her that God wants to help her with anything she has a problem with. So her husband came home from work with a problem and she remembered that I had told her that and she prayed. I guess at like 2 in the morning someone texted her husband with the solution to his problem. So that was really cool! I am going to write her an encouraging letter and give it to the sisters in that area now so that hopefully she will continue. 

Like the title, we went to the temple on Friday. We didn't get to go inside, but it was really cool because Sister Tagalog (Jeaneveb's mom) had a sister who died and so we went to the Family History center and she was able to print out her name for her sister to get her work done. It was a really good trip. We took a lot of good photos, But I don't know if this computer will be good for sending them. Maybe I will just print them and send them to you like usual. Also, I hope that maybe you guys can save all the photos I send because sometimes a theif steals them from my camera.. Haha. So I would really appreciate that. 

Oh also, we have this little boy we're teaching. He's 8 years old and he has a brother who is 12 who passes the sacrament every week. He's really cute. I call him ungoy (monkey) and sometimes he hangs on my arm like a monkey and I walk around carrying him places. I have a really cute photo of it I will have to send it to you. But he's going to be baptized. If I hang out long enough here I will get to see it! The only problem is when I got that package from Suz and Ralph I gave them all some of the chocolate so whenever his older brother sees me he asks me where the chocolate is.. Haha. It's pretty funny. 

So that's about it for this week! I love you all! 

Sister Sprouse