Another Week in Allen

So, I have not had an area yet in my mission without getting headlice. This isn't technically a new area pero it's a new transfer and I got it again from my new companion. She had SO many. It was crazy. We don't know how long she had it but it must have been LONG because she had tons. So that was a fun Sunday afternoon pulling them out of each other's heads. The first time I got headlice, I was freaking out. Now it's more like, "oh head lice? Cge na let's take care of it" It's like no big deal. Haha kind of sad. I am becoming desensitized!

This week has been good. Sister Smith has been an amazing companion! She is so good, and she really understands that we are doing people a favor teaching them the gospel, not the other way around. She is so bold and good at pushing commitments. I am really learning so much from her in every lesson! It was so cool to see Sister Bessie! She is so cute and it was so fun. And Nanay Casanas! She came to church again last week even though it was hard for her cuz she is getting weaker. She is so cute. She told us she was looking at the picture I gave her the other day and that's why we came back. Also I might have told you that already. I can't remember. But anyway. I had a good week learning to follow the spirit and find those that are prepared for the gospel. 

Today we went to the beach. I tumbled on with one of my zone leaders. It was so fun! I have the coolest picture of me doing a tuck on the beach but I can't send it because it's not pwede here in this cafe. 

I'm sorry it's so short. We only have one hour here. Love you all tons!!!

Sister Sprouse

Temple trip with Jeaneveb

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

Aaaand slowly but surely we are all going back to Tacloban

So I was thinking this morning about how my mission has been anything but normal or predictable. I never thought that I would go through anything like what has happened. But if those things didn't ever happen I wouldn't have grown the way that I have. In every thing that happens there is a purpose. I used to think that that purpose was that somewhere in the bad things that happened only good things would come of it, but here I've learned that sometimes the bad things that happen are just bad. There's not a lot of good in a natural disaster. There are some circumstances that we go through and they don't turn into a good circumstance the next day or even for a long time. The good sometimes can't be found anywhere except in your own soul. But I testify that it's there. When we endure all of our trials with faith in Jesus Christ, there is not a single thing that we experience that we won't grow from. I know that every day of our lives is filled with trials but also growth. As we endure, we become not only what we want to become, but what our Savior and our Heavenly Father want us to become.

Okay, so that was a longer tangent than I thought it would be... But what I was really getting at was that another change has been happening for our mission. We are slowly going back almost every week. 2 weeks ago there were 18 PTM missionaries in Tacloban, and now there are 12. Word on the street is that I will probably be going back next week, because they're opening my old area. I don't know if I believe that though. I don't want to accept anything and then be surprised when it doesn't happen. I don't know how I feel about going back or staying. As of this week, I have been in both missions for the exact same amount of time. So I guess I'll have a better idea of how I feel in next weeks email cuz right now I have no idea what's going on (:

So something fun this week.. Let's see.. I went to the dentist! We had to travel to Mindaue which was about a half an hour from Liloan. It was cool though because I did it without getting lost! It's really cool to be able to ask for directions in Visaya and know what they are saying back. But we had gone because it hurt when I drink water that's really cold and sometimes it hurt when I would eat candy. The dentist said two of my fillings had leaks? And so he redid them. And then I just had one cavity and so he did that one. That one was a little interesting because he did it without anesthetic because he said it was really small. It hurt a little haha. But it was cool because he was a member so he gave me 50% off. My whole treatment was 1,450 pesos, or the equivalent of about 25-30 dollars. Right now it still hurts to chew on things but I'm hoping that it's just normal for getting fillings and not the fact that it was a pretty ghetto dentist office. 

Also, there was a 711 and we got SLURPEES! It was so cool! I didn't realize how much I had missed just little things like that. 

Okay that's about it for this last week. Sorry it was kind of boring! Haha love you all! 

Sister Sprouse

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

Rescue Mission

So, random Tuesday Pday last week and random Monday Pday today. Actually, it's really not that random. Last week we have an area 70 visit us so we changed Pday's and this week we have our Christmas conference on Pday. So next week should (hopefully) be a regular pday! 

First off, I want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! I was super bummed because your birthday was on Sunday and it's Monday here but I forgot about how you are all a day after us! Wow! Lagas na huh? Ug gwapo pa! Mahimo ka mas gwapo kada adlow! Really though, Dad, I love you so much! I know I wouldn't be here serving a mission without you and mom's excellent example for me. You have truly been a light in my life(: I hope your cold is getting better! 

So this week has been really great!  We had a really great seminar last week taught by President and Sister Tanner, and Elder and Sister Echo Hawk, the area 70. They taught a lot of important things. Sister Echo Hawk talked about how she really didn't know the difference between God and Jesus and the Holy Ghost and how truly important that is to clarify for them. So this week we back tracked and made sure everyone who we have been teaching knew that. Not one of them knew exactly the fact that they are three distinct beings, and some of them have been being taught by the 

missionaries for a really long time. It just shows how important it is to really listen to the investigators and REALLY make sure they know what's going on. It's cool because we have been applying that and there has been a completely different spirit in our lessons. We are focusing on the investigator now instead of who gets to talk next. 

So a really cool story! There is this RM in our ward, Jason. He is really great! S. Lolesi asked him if he knows anyone we can teach. He told us about his housemaid and his two inactive sisters. The only problem was that the sisters didn't want the missionaries to come because they don't like questions and the maid was really shy. But he invited us for dinner na lang. So we went there and just did what we do best as a companionship, which is love them. And we do. They're so incredible! So we just have visited the once but we ran into one of the sisters on Saturday and were so excited to see her. Out of nowhere, she was like Yeah, we will have dinner tomorrow night and I will bring my baby girl to church tomorrow! Those were her exact words (she speaks English to us) "And I'll bring my baby girl to church."

And she came to church! Along with the other sister! They were such a beautiful sight to see. And that night, we had an FHE along with dinner. At the end of it, the whole family bore their testimony and the sister told us how we inspired them to come to church again. It was such an incredible testimony to me that even though we can't necessarily teach everyone, they will be touched by our presence if we are striving to be like Jesus Christ. I know it definitely made a difference to them! 

So about skype mom, I think it's a pwede. That same family I just talked about offered us to use their computers which will be good because I think that any internet cafes here would be so so slow. But because my companions are both foreigners I will probably be skyping you on Christmas Eve for you guys in the evening. Which will still be good! I'm so excited to see your gwapo and gwapa faces! And Kaitlyn, that is one gwapo fella of yours. Hopefully that's not awkward to write in an email; the Philippines made me forget what's awkward or not, not that I ever knew before haha (: So I'm excited to meet him too. 

Mom, please tell Marcy thanks so much and Grandma also! That is so so kind of them. I have pretty much gotten what I need. Thank you for sending another package too even though you didn't have to. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful Nanay. (P.s, mom and dad, my kids are going to speak Cebuano, so be prepared to be called Lolo and Lola (; ) 

I love you all more than my heart can even explain. AND I LOVE MY MISSION AND I LOVE THE GOSPEL! I am understanding more and more why it's called the best two years! (18 months haha) 

Have such a wonderful week! 

Welcome to the Cebu East Mission and Temple!

Soo.. I LOVE my companions. This is the coolest companionship I've ever had! Sister Lolesi and Sister T are the best! It's really weird because we're all batch and none of us have had a follow up trainer but we are all learning together and doing super well .I wish you could meet them!! I guess maybe you will? I don't know. Depends on if we will be skyping. But we just all love eachother a lot and we have so much fun because of it. We have our six weeks together for sure so we planned "cycle birthdays" for each of us and mine was today! We had the elders over and we must have made a million pancakes and eggs and hot dogs and rice (siempre, it's the Philippines!) We brought our table outside and we ate out there and it was so fun! Our elders in our ward are super nice also.

So we had a cool experience yesterday. We went to teach a family but they weren't available. So we kept walking a little bit and we saw a few people washing dishes and one lady was getting water to wash her pigs. Sister T just went and grabbed her bucket. I learned from her that you don't ask people if they want help; you just do it. So while she and Sister Lolesi did that, I helped this lady do her dishes. She kept saying ako na lang (only me, not you) and ulow  ko (I'm shy) and basa imong sayal (your skirt is all wet.) But I just said ay basa na so okna man! Ayaw kabalaka (It's already wet so it's all good. Don't worry! ) And I know she appreciated it even though it is hard to ask for help. After I was finished, I noticed that a few people had come out of their houses and were watching. This lady had a 2 week old baby with her. She asked me if we do bible study. I told her we just want to help people bisan unsa (even if it's with temporal work, etc.) . I said we teach people and asked if they would be interested and she said she was. I gave her a plan of salvation pamphlet and told her that it would help her know how her family could be together forever. 

That was a really cool experience because I know that if we hadn't stopped to help people with their stuff we wouldn't have had a chance to find this girl who was obviously prepared for us by our Heavenly Father. It was so cool because I wasn't even afraid to ask her if we could return to her when I normally might be. I knew that I had help in that moment. I wasn't worried because I knew that this is Jesus's work and he isn't going to let me screw it up if I have the right intent, because this is His little sister and He really cares about her. 

Also for the weird part. My first pday we hadn't picked Sister Lolesi up yet and we went shopping in this Uki uki (DI in the Philipines) and this Baptist pastor asked us if we had the King James version of the bible and we said yes to he wanted to do bible study. I thought it was just because they had a different version of the bible or something so they wanted to look at the differences and we could just get a quick message in after ward so we agreed. As soon as we sat down they went off on this lengthy sermon and they wouldn't let us ask questions or talk! They just said unya unya (later  later) We were in there for about 2 hours when I finally told them that we had an appointment and we needed to go. It was scary to do that but we need to be using our time wisely as missionaries and teaching to those who will hear our message. So they made us stay for five minutes longer to finish. They don't believe that we need works to be saved, so they asked us something along the lines of "will you accept Jesus Christ and be saved?" So then it was our turn. We just smiled and told them that we already have. They asked if we know what happens after death and if we are ready. We smiled and gave them a Plan of Salvation pamphlet.  They asked if we could return and we told them that our purpose is to help others come to Christ so we could return only if they would let us share with them also. They said they would. I am not sure about returning back there but my companions want to so I guess we will go back one time and guage from there. 

It was just kind of cool because I have always been afraid to learn about other religions because I was scared that maybe my faith isn't strong enough to withstand. What I didn't know was that learning about other religions would just make my faith even stronger! As soon as they started talking there was no spirit there. Now I understand what it means about not having the complete gospel. There was a lot that was correct but there was just a lot of lacking. They made up for the lacking with the doctrines of men. My faith in the Restoration is just a lot stronger now. I know even more how true our gospel is. Okay so that's all for this week! Love you all so much!! 

Sister Sprouse