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