STL splits

It's been a really nice week so far. We haven't been sick enough that we haven't been able to work so it's been awesome! I don't know why, but the Philippines HATES my immune system. Haha. But it's good! What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?

So Dad, I have a funny story that I know you'll love because you say everyone here has American names. So our fridge broke and we had to go buy a new one. So we went to the fridge store (just kidding it wasn't a store of only fridges.) But BASTA (which means anyways) we came inside the store and immediately a swarm of Filipinos came and attacked us with their service, same as usual. They all had name tags. I looked at one of them and his name was Nard. Yes, NARD. I continued to read the name of the guy next to him and his name was Normz. Sister McCurdy and I promptly busted a gut. After that I was secretly trying to get a photo of their name tags but it was just too hard so I asked one of the ladies if that was their real names and I told her I wanted a picture of them because it was funny and she was like "hey she wants a picture of you!" So I now have a picture of Nard and Normz. Which I can't send to you all because I am forever forgetting my card reader but yeah. Best thing of my life.

Oh another story: People ALWAYS try to speak English to us. Always. Even if they only know 3 words they'll speak them to us. It's so funny. So we went to this medyo sketchy market a couple days ago because nothing else was open and we had no food. And this lady comes up to us and says, "Hello Sisters! What is yours?" And I was like.. "..Unsa? (what?)" And she goes.. "What is yours?!" She was being so Vanna White too just like gesturing artfully at all the things and I was still SO confused. So she just gets exasperated and says "What are you looking for" in Visayan. Haha. Also, yesterday I was teaching this man and I thought I had just randomly turned stupid in Visayan cuz I couldn't understand anything he said. And then I realized he was speaking English to me. The people here are so funny. But it's good because here in Liloan we have an English class for the people. Our district leader teaches it and it's really fun. 

Also, on Sunday I was told that I was giving the gospel principles class, which was almost the same as my preparation in Cedar City.. Haha dang it I'm the worst. But it was a little harder than home because it was in Cebuano! But it was okay. Then I was told when I walked in to sacrement meeting that I would also be giving the talk there.. Haha. Gotta love the mission. I gave it on missionary work so I think it was good. 

Also, we were invited to have dinner at one of the Senior couple's house. THEY MADE CAFE RIO SALADS FOR US. I thought I had died. It was the best thing I've ever eaten. Everyone is so nice to us here! 

We went on splits yesterday with the STL's! It was really good. We got to go tracting and we found a really good family through service. Well trying to do service. I tried to help with their laba and they screamed and ran away but yeah. We got into their house and got to share a really good lesson. The cool thing is a couple of them that we met there were going back to Leyte. (My mission) I have met so many people like that here and it would be so cool if when I went back I was able to see them and teach them. 

I learned a lot from splitting with the STL's. I learned even more to teach with the Holy Ghost by discerning the needs of my investigators. Because of that, I was able to testify and actually make the point I wanted to. That's been a struggle with a new language because you often talk around vocabulary words you don't know yet. But I really did recieve help to say what I needed to. 

Also, Sister Abubo (my STL) said that I am Bisdak (which pretty much means fluent.. NOT TRUE) but she says I will probably be training soon.. I have never been sadder to have someone tell me I was doing good. Haha that's a joke. But that is really terrifying to me. Haha I guess I can do anything I need to through faith. 

Also, we are going to the temple this Saturday with Genevieve! I am so excited and so is she! Her baptism was beautiful. We had to sing at it, but I was so happy to do so to make it special for her. She was so happy that she cried. She said she couldn't understand her feelings right now but that she was so happy. It was so incredible. I learned so much from her testimony. We always should remember that we can learn so much from anyone in all walks of life. 

TELL SABRINA CONGRATS! That is so awesome! 

Okay, I love you all so much! Have a great week! 

Follow-up Trainer!

Well, I am finished with my first week being a Sr. Companion! It's pretty weird! Haha I'm only 6 months into my mission and I'm starting to realize that I can't be a baby missionary forever. I am here in Liloan right now and the area is so beautiful. It is what I pictured when I read my call to the Philippines. I am pretty sure I am going to love the next five weeks.

My new companion is Sister McCurdy. She is one batch below me, which is why I am follow up training her. I am SUPER happy to be her companion. She is seriously so kind and patient. Which is good since I am fairly certain that I'm not exactly the perfect senior companion. BUT I'm trying! So it's the thought that counts? Haha. She is a really good gymnast. She actually had a scholarship to SUU but it fell through because she had broken her back in the past. She is twenty like me and her birthday is also in June. I think I am only a couple days or a couple weeks older than her. I can't remember which but asking means I have to pause emailing and we don't exactly have all day (; no but she is awesome. We get along really well. She struggles with the language but I have been trying to help her and it's really good for me to because I am the only one who can talk so I have to improve. 

I have actually had 4-5 people that were super surprised this week that I am only this far in my mission because of my language! Which makes me super happy! I am finally at the point where I can sit at an FHE or Birthday Party here and understand what's going on instead of continually nodding my head and pretending I know what's happening! Haha this lady kept saying "She really does know the language!" I'm like "YESSS!" haha. Also it was really funny. I met this lady from about an hour south of Allen who spoke Waray Waray S and she switched to Waray Waray S halfway through the conversation and I didn't even notice. It's cool being able to understand more than one language! 

We have a BAPTISM this Saturday! Her name is Jeaneveb (Genivive) and she is in her 30's? She is SO prepared! As in we went to teach her the last of lesson 4 before her interview and she pretty much taught it to us. She is awesome! I am happy to be able to be there to see the choice she's made! We also taught her about missionary work for lesson 5 and she told us she's taking one of her coworkers to church. I'm like.. GOLDEN! Picture the sound of angels heralding. Haha.  

Mom, don't worry about me! I am doing great! I have the best support here in the world (the Lord) and even if I will struggle in the future I know that it's for my learning and good! (D&C 121) 

Hey thanks for the package! I was happy to recieve it! Thanks for the cough drops! I have a sore throat today so just in time! Haha! And seeing that chap stick about made my life. Hah. And everything else! I was sad though because it had no words from you all! cough cough write me cough cough! Haha I guess I can't talk since I was the worst writer ever. But no thank you so much. I really appreciate it! And thank the Sprouse family for me please? I was NOT expecting two packages and when I opened the other one I was so touched to see that it was from them. It made me feel so loved to see that they were thinking of me! It made me so happy! 

JAMIE! You gwapa. You just get more gwapa every day. I can't even believe how old you are. Stop it. Hah just kidding. I love you sister and I miss you! I hope your birthday is so good! And I hope everything in your life is good too.

Love you all! 

Sister Sprouse

P.s: Our apartment right now has termites, and the babies fall on my desk, I don't know where from. So we poisoned my desk and then we poured the rest down the bathroom drain. Before we knew it, COCKROACHES were emerging from the drain like those dead bony pirates of the carribean emerging from the depths of the sea! Sis. McCurdy killed 17! (actually 16, one of our lizard friends killed one of them for us.) But yeah. Too many cockroaches for one day if you ask me! Haha