A Portal for Demons!!!

May 25, 2014

Good Morning po!!!

This week has been great! Last Monday we went to the Bishop's house for dinner. Just as we got there, the Bishop left, saying he was going to go grab something. We didn't understand what was going on, but went inside anyways. One of the Bishop's daughters came up to me and Sister Judd and said, "Who's birthday is it?!" I was so confused at what was going on, and Sister Judd just looked at me and said, "Shoot..." Apparently the day before she was joking that tomorrow was her birthday, but the Bishop's wife didn't get the memo that she was kidding... The Bishop came back an hour later with a fancy cake for her... SO we celebrated her birthday!!! It was soooo funny and she felt awful, but I didn't mind because we got fed good food!!

This week Sister Rupp got to work with me and Sister Judd for two days while Sister Racaza had some things to do in Marikina. It was so fun to work with her and see how she teaches. I love being able to observe other missionaries and see how they do things. On Thursday it was her 1 year mark, so we decided to celebrate!! We went to JolliBee for dinner (super exciting..) haha and then on Friday we got a big cake and celebrated with our district after our service project! Hitting my 1 year marks seems like ages away, but I know that it is going to come faster than I can imagine... Ah! Just got to keep enjoying every single minute!

Guess what?! I had Spam for my very first time ever!! And it actually wasn't bad! We went over to Sister Marivik's who has two special needs boys, and helped her clean her house. Afterwards she fed us fried spam sandwiches. My first two sandwiches were fine.. They actually tasted pretty good! But then Marivick made me have a third... Oh man.. It took everything within me to not hurl! I think I can go without having a spam sandwich for quite some time now!

We had our ward family home evening on Saturday and invited all of our investigators and less actives. It actually went pretty well and was fun, except there were hardly any members there.. Just the ones that were in charge to bring food! Oh well! I think everyone had a good time! We gave some workshops about the basic beliefs of the church and missionary work and then played water balloon volleyball and had a sack race. It was HILARIOUS watching the Relief Society and the Elders Quorum get involved in the games- even some of the old men were doing the sack race!! All in all, it was a fun activity!

Well on Saturday we have the baptism of Nathaniel and Jetro Efondo, two young boys that we have been teaching for about a month now. There Grandma is a member and very active, and she takes them to church each week. Their Dad is a less active, and since we have been teaching his boys, he has started coming back to church! It has been great to see what an influence the example of his young boys has had on him!

 

NAKAKATAWA

So we have a new investigator, May, who is the daughter-in-law of Bro Benedicto, one of the members in our ward. She has been having a lot of trouble sleeping lately and every time we talk to her or Bro Benedicto, they just keep saying that something is so wrong with her body and they can't quite figure out what it is. While at the ward FHE, Bro Benedicto was talking about May's situation and was saying how May has been using a medication called Vick's to try to help her sleep at night. Then out of nowhere, he turned to Sister Judd and asked, "Do you think Vick's could be a portal for demons?!" Hahahaha sooooo basically they think May is posessed with evil Spirits... Hmmm.... not quite sure how to deal with this situation! Haha

Well things are still going great here in the Philippines! I love every single thing about it here and I wish you all could come and join in on all of these great experiences here- There really is nothing like it. I know that I have been called here for a reason and I am so grateful for each opportunity that I have everyday to try to understand more so what my purpose is and how I can fulfill it. It's definitely really hard work, but it makes me so happy. Last night it started raining really hard and so all 4 of us sisters ran outside to play in the rain. As I looked around and stood peacefully in the pouring rain, I couldn't help but think how privileged I am to know that we have a Heavenly Father who loves each and everyone of us so much. I know that he is so aware of me and each one of you. He is in the details of our lives and I know that His plan for us is perfect.

Thanks for all of your love and support! I pray for you all and hope you have a wonderful week!!

Mahal ko kayo!!

Sister Anderson

 

 

Night Time Visitors

Well Hello Once Again!!

I really cannot believe how fast these weeks fly by here! I knew that time was going to go by fast, but I never understood how fast it really would go! This week has been great! We weren't able to get a lot of lessons in, but the ones we were able to teach went really well.

Last Wednesday we had Zone Conference for the entire day in Cubao. We had wonderful workshops and the theme of it all was "Increase Expectations". It was such a great experience to me and I am so excited to start increasing my expectations and my faith. I know that this area is so ripe and there are SO many people who are ready to hear the gospel, but I just need to have that faith that the Lord will lead us to these people and that He will provide miracles in this work.

The Honrejas Family is doing great! We were only able to teach them once last week, but they are really progressing. We had to move their baptism to June 28th because they missed church and Brother was struggling with the Word of Wisdom. As of last time we visited them though, Brother Allan hadn't smoked it quite some time- YAY!! This was such a miracle and I think he is finally understanding more so the importance of this commandment and the reason why Heavenly Father asks us to obey all of His commandments.

Yesterday was ward conference and because no one showed up last week for choir practice for ward conference, Sister Judd, Rupp, Racaza. and I got to sing both of the musical numbers yesterday! I think it turned out okay... Maybe... Then again, a good portion of the people here are tone deaf, so it probably sounded just fine to them!

The language is coming little by little. It is definitely not as discouraging as it was. I have never prayed so much and so hard to receive help with something, and the Lord is literally pouring out his blessings upon me. I am still so very far from being fluent, but I know that Heavenly Father is blessing me with the gift of tongues. There is absolutely no way that I could be speaking this language without the help of the Lord. I am feeling more and more comfortable conversing with people... although I definitely don't understand everything that they are saying. I just smile and nod and say, "really?" a lot and it seems to really work out in my favor!

Nakakatawa... Funny... or maybe not so funny..

So you are probably wondering what the title of my email means... Well on Wednesday night, Sister Judd and I went to bed at the usual time and everything at the house was normal. Sister Racaza and Sister Rupp had gone on exchanges in Marikina, so it was only the two of us our our apartment. During the night I woke up to a huge crash somewhere in the house. I woke up startled and had a feeling that someone was is our room. I tried to adjust my eyes to the dark, but couldn't seem to get a good look at our room because it was pitch black. Sister Judd didn't wake up, and so I just tried to go back to sleep, hoping that the big crash wasn't anything to be worried about.

In the morning, I went outside the door that is connected to our bedroom to the place where we hang our laundry. It is fully exposed to the sunlight, and the wall is just iron and wire. I noticed that one of wires to hang our clothes on was on the floor with all of our laundry. I quickly made the connection that that was what the huge crash was. Sister Judd and I couldn't figure out how it happened, but just figured that the wire was weak so it just fell. I was eating breakfast downstairs when Sister Judd called down to me and said that she couldn't find the cellphone. She then went onto say that she saw that the wire on the wall in the laundry room was slashed. The whole was pretty small- too small for an adult to fit in and that only a small child could fit through. As we were talking, the doorbell rang and we went downstairs to open the door. It was our district and zone leaders. They asked us if we had our phone and we told them that we couldn't find it. They went on to show us some text messages they received from our number last night at like 1 and 2am. They were like, "I love you, babe," and that kind of stuff. Elder Masula said that he called our number this morning and that a grown man answered. Elder Masula asked where Sister Judd and I were and they said that we had a sleepover at his house last night and that we were still asleep. Elder Masula asked if he could talk to us, and the man hurried and said the we just left... AHHHHH!!! How creepy is that!! There was, just as I had felt, a person in our room... Right next to our beds and could have been watching us sleep... AHHHHHHH... And they went through Sister Judd's bag which was sitting right next to her bed and got our phone. I am just glad they didn't take anything else!! The next night I didn't sleep at all and kept having dreams that people were breaking in and reaching their arms through the windows and grabbing me... EWWW!!! We still don't have a new phone yet, but the District Leaders talked to President and he says he highly suggests that we move... Man!!!! I don't want to move! Our house is way too nice.. Man!! So until we have to move, we just set up boobie-traps so that if people try to break in, we will here them!!! Don't be worried, Mom! I am fine, I promise!!

Welllll that was the excitement of my week!! Pretty cool, huh? I really am loving it here and I cannot imagine serving anywhere else!!! The Philippines is the BEST!!!!!! Thanks for everything!! Hope to hear from you all soon!!

Love,

Sister Anderson

                                                               Shanin and Eunice

Mother's Day

May 11, 2014

Hello and Happy Mother's Day po!!

It was so great to talk to my family today and see their cute faces and hear their voices! I was afraid that talking to them would make me homesick, but it actually just gave me the motivation to keep pressing on. I feel so blessed that they are supporting me 110% and giving me all of the love and encouragement that I need. They are the best! And to my mom and all the moms out there, Happy Mother's Day!!

On Monday we went over to Sister Agcamaren's house because it was her son's birthday. We brought over a cake and she made pansit for dinner. It was a fun night, and Sister Agcamaren was feeling quite a bit better. She is still struggling to get money so that she can pay for all of her medical bills, so she made homemade peanut butter to sell... You know me.. I LOVE peanut butter!! And so I bought some and it is so sugary and good! Man, I have never eaten so much peanut butter in my whole entire life since being here in the Philippines. Who would've thought?!

On Tuesday we went to Cubao for a Trainer- Trainee meeting. President Revillo spoke to us and said something that I found really profound. He said, "Whenever you need help, call on the Lord to send angels. You are entitled to that." Wow. How amazing is that? Not only as missionaries, but as literal children of God, we are all entitled to the help of Heavenly Father to send us angels. These angels can be our neighbor, a family member, or really anyone who may cross our paths. We can also receive help and strength from the other side of the veil. I know that because Heavenly Father loves each of us so much, he is just waiting to send help our way; we just need to ask. Not only that, but we too have the opportunity to be that angel in others lives. How amazing!!

We were finally able to meet with Judy Ann and Philip on Wednesday!! And they had food! We went back and taught them again on Friday and things were great. Judy Ann has gotten a job at a Chinese restaurant and so we thought that that would solve their money problems. Yesterday before church though, Judy Ann texted us and asked us to come over. We went over and they said that they have no food or money. Judy Ann doesn't get her paycheck for a while, and Philip doesn't get any money until Friday. I hate being in this situation!! It is the hardest thing to see.. and I don't know what more we can do to help because as missionaries we can't be giving money and food out to everyone. It is so hard!!

On Saturday was the baptism of Shanin and Eunice!!! It was a little hectic at first because we didn't have a baptismal suit large enough to fit the baptizer, but we were able to get it all figured out and it was a wonderful experience for everyone. So many people were there to support the girls, but most importantly, their mom (Beth) came. She was refusing to come to the baptism, making excuses that she didn't have any clothes and yada yada yada.. BUT we got her to come and she was so glad she did. After the baptism, Shanin got up and bore a sweet testimony and began to cry. Beth was so touched and began to cry too. The Spirit there was so special and I really feel so humbled that Heavenly Father allowed me to be a part of this process for Shanin and Eunice. Their faith is such an example to me and they have taught me more than they will ever know. Watching them enter into the waters of baptism was one of the best joys I could ever imagine. I really don't have words to express how blessed I feel.

Nakakatawa

The other day we went to the ATM to get money and we saw a lady who we have taught a few times. She came over to us to say hello and then out of nowhere, she started rubbing my stomach and back up and down and just kept saying, "Sexy, sexy!!" Ahhhh I felt so violated!!! Haha

Well all in all this past week was great! I just LOVE serving in the Phlippines!! I really cannot imagine a greater place to serve. I love everything about it here and I know without a doubt in my mind that this is where the Lord needs me to be.

And of course I can't end without expressing my thanks to my sweet mom! I am so grateful to have grown up with such an amazing mom who has taught me to love the gospel. I couldn't have asked for a better example in my life. She has so many amazing qualities and it is evident by everything that she does that she loves the Lord. She is so selfless and always puts others first. She has always been there for me, and although we are far away right now, she is always is my thoughts and prayers. Thanks to all of the women in my life who have taught me and loved me and supported me. Happy Mother's Day to you all!!

Love,

Sister Anderson

Just Chugging Along

April 29, 2014

 

Magandang Umaga Po!!

How is life back in the states! Hope all is well and that things are going great! Thank so much again for all of the emails and support that you are all sending my way. I am so blessed!!

This week was temple week, so I was able to wake up this morning at 4 to go to the temple. I love the temple and I feel so privileged that I get to attend once a transfer. Temple week always seems to come when I need it most and when I am in need of an extra boost. I am grateful that we all have the opportunity to attend the temple and receive the many blessings that await us all in doing so. It is so easy to feel Heavenly Father's love there, and going to the temple always helps to put my life back into perspective.

This week we got to go to a birthday party for one of the Less Actives in our ward. She is the mother of 2 special needs children and her husband, who is also a member, recently became very anti-Mormon. He wouldn't even come downstairs to celebrate his wife's birthday with everyone because he knew that the missionaries were there... It is so sad! I pray that he'll have a change of heart and remember the feelings and testimony he once had. The party was really fun though! There was soooo much food, the people were so nice, and they were all doing karaoke.. Filipinos, (generally speaking), are pretty tone deaf, but they all LOVE to karaoke! It's so great!

Things with the Honrejas Family are doing great! The parents have come to church twice, and they are really enjoying it! We are now really trying to focus on getting all of their kids there so that their whole family can be baptized. I love to see the changes and progress they make each and every time we visit them. I know that the Lord has prepared them and I feel so blessed to be an instrument in His hands to do this great work.

Judy Ann and her family are still really struggling. They are completely out of food still and I don't know what to do. I feel so limited as a missionary as I can't give them money and food, but at the same time, if we don't do anything about it, who will? It is such a difficult spot to be in and I wish I could do more. Judy Ann, who is already skin in bones, is just withering away. All the food she gets she gives to her kids, and she honestly looks sickly. It breaks my heart!

This week has been kind of hard because I have been sick. It started on Easter when I started getting a little cold. I tried to not let it get to me and just kept working. Everyday kept getting worse and then on Saturday night when we were having a lesson with on of our less active families, I got so sick! I tried to keep a smile on my face and did my best to share a message. After doing planning when we got home, I climbed in bed, hoping that I would be able to sleep it off, but I couldn't sleep at all! My head was so full of fluid and pressure, which carried a bunch of pain down to my jaw. I was up all night blowing my nose, and then to top things off, I had a fever. When morning came, I literally looked like death and felt like it too. I texted the Mission President's wife and she told me to get some antibiotics. We went and got the medicine and went straight to work. It was AWFUL!!! My temperature was 101*F and then walking in the heat here made me want to die. I felt like my skin was boiling and I kept looking down to check to see if I was steaming yet because I literally felt like I was on fire. We went to church and made all of our appointments that day. I honestly have no idea how I was able to make it through! Heavenly Father was definitely blessing me!! I still felt pretty sick on Monday and by the time we came home for the day, I felt really sick again. I went to gradb my toothbrush so I could brush my teeth and get to bed, but of course- being the klutz that I am- I totally slipped in a huge puddle of water on our floor and landed flat on my butt. I seriously just wanted to sit there and cry... It was so sad... Haha but I am feeling much better now!! Thank heavens! Just got to keep chugging along no matter what!!

Nakakatawa:

We met with a woman named Belle this week for the first time. Out of nowhere, she turned to me and asked, "Do you believe in enchanted places?" I was totally caught off guard and asked her to repeat her question. She looked at me again and said, "Do you believe in enchanted places? Like dwarfs and those kinds of things?" I couldn't help but start to laugh... and then I realized she was being completely serious... Whoops. I had to explain to her that I don't believe in those things... It was super awkward because she told me that she was convinced that "enchanted places" have healed her illnesses... Some people!!

We also went to teach a less active this week, but when we got to her house she was having Bible Study with a missionary from the Iglesia Church. So since we couldn't teach her, we tired to just tell her that we would come back another day... She did not like that idea though. Her daughter who is in her 40s, made us come into the house and sit down. She thought that we would like to know more about her brother who passed away in January, and so she turned on a DVD that had her brother's funeral recorded on it.. So we watched a funeral. Thank you, sister! That is exactly how I wanted to spend my morning- watching a funeral!

Well that is it for now- sorry there isn't very much exciting stuff! Hopefully there will be more next week. Thanks for all the prayers you are sending my way- I am DEFINITELY feeling them. There is so way I could be doing this work without the strength of the Lord. I feel so blessed to be serving and I am so grateful that I have this amazing opportunity to be serving in the Philippines. I love it so much here and the people are amazing. I am so grateful for all of the experiences I have had so far, and all of the experiences that are to come. I love the gospel so much and I hope I will be able to share this love with the people here. I love you all and can't wait to hear from you soon!

Ingat po kayo!
Love,
Sister Anderson

Cat Eyes

April 21, 2014 

 

Hello Hello!!

How are you all? I Hope things are going well and that you had a wonderful Easter Sunday!

Life here is going well! I did not get transferred, so that means at least 6 more weeks here in Cogeo. I am super excited that I didn’t get transferred because I feel that I still have a lot more work to do here. One of my kabahays, Sister Houser, is getting transferred though, so that means we will be getting a new sister in our apartment. I am so sad Sister Houser is leaving- she’s honestly one of the most amazing people I have ever met! She was so full of love and encouragement and she always gave me great advice, especially concerning the language.

Well the work here is going. It’s definitely hard, but it is good as well. One of our investigators, Imelda, who had accepted a baptismal date with her two kids, is really struggling. We went and visited her Sunday morning, and as soon as we got to her house, we saw her walking slowly up the hill. She was completely drunk. She invited us into her house and she began to sob because of the decision she had made. She really was not stable and we just helped her realize that through living the commandments and through the Atonement of Jesus Christ she can overcome this trial and find joy and peace. We think that her husband is the source behind this problem, and we are going to go back over again tomorrow. We tried to go back yesterday and help her figure out a recovery plan, but her husband was home so we weren’t able to. I have never felt so much sorrow for someone as I did when we were talking to Imelda and I want more than anything to help her see the power of the Atonement in her life. She is kind of giving up on herself, but we won’t let her.

We went over to Philip and Judy Ann’s this week, and when we got there, we noticed that one of her daughters was gone. They are completely out of food again and so they had to send their oldest daughter, Julianne, to live with Judy Ann’s parents for a while because they cannot feed her. This completely breaks my heart! The bishop has been providing some food for them, but they run out of it in a day’s time. We think they have been sharing it with Philip’s brothers and their families who live right next door. It is so hard because if they can’t even get their basic needs met, there is absolutely no way that we can continue this work. It’s so awkward to go to teach and they talk about how they have no food, and then we are like, “Can we share with you about repentance?” It’s definitely a hard situation, but they are staying faithful.

The Honrejas family is doing amazing!!! I am sooo excited for them! The lessons with them are going great and they even came to church on Sunday. We haven’t been able to teach a lesson with all of the kids there, so that’s our next goal. They have 6 kids, 5 of which are of baptism age. If all goes as planned, their whole family will be baptized on May 24^th! 7 of them! I am so excited! It’s so miraculous the see the change in their lives since we have been teaching them. There is a new joy that is there and there family is so much stronger. I feel so privileged to be a part of their conversion experience.

Eunice and Shanin are still doing great and their friends still always join us in the lessons. It’s so cute! They all take turns saying the prayers, and we help them each time. They are so adorable!!Their parents gave the OKAY to be baptized, and so they will be on May 10^th!! It will be my very first baptism and I am so excited for them! They are so strong and their examples shine far brighter than they know.

On Saturday we went back up to Cluster C to do another service project for them same man as last week. He’s rebuilding his house, so we went to help with that… Ya… did not work out to well. He just had the sisters sweep all of the leaves and what not from the pathways above his house, and then we just ate coconuts for the rest of the morning. It really was such a waste of time, but at least it was fun!

I hope your Easter was good! If my companion and kabahays wouldn’t have reminded me, I would’ve had no idea! Even at church, there was no mention of Easter… It was so bizarre! One of the Hymns was Easter related, but that was it. We worked just like any other day and no special Easter dinner for us. We were in meetings after church until 7:30pm and then just went out and taught. That’s okay though! Missionary work really is work! Even on Easter! Sister Racaza and Sister Houser were so cute though and made a little Easter egg hunt for Sister Judd and I and completely trashed our room with candy! And we made nachos for lunch which is completely out of the ordinary here, so all in all it was a good day! Holy Week here in the Philippines though is crazy… Did you know that they do real crucifixions here?! Insane, huh?! Google it! Or not… it sounds kind of scary! But they were doing them only like 20 minutes away from our house. Insane!!

Well the language is coming little by little. I never understood what a process this would be. I think I had really unrealistic ideas when it came to learning the language, and it has been such a humbling experience for me. It is so amazing how even though I am so far from perfect, the Lord is using my weaknesses as a strength for me to do this work here. I know that learning the language is going to be a long, frustrating process, but I know that it is something that I need to go through. I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn this beautiful language of Tagalog and share the gospel with the people here in their native tongue.

NAKAKATAWA:

We went and visited Sister Saulan this week, one of the members. As we were talking she stopped and started looking really deeply into my eyes. Then out of nowhere she said, “You have cat eyes!” Uhhh… thank you?? She then had her grandson go and grab one of their cats so she could so me the similarities between us. I don’t know if I should be honored or offended. Another man, Brother Mamboy, also told me this week that my eyes look like a cats’. Some people!! They are just too blunt!

Well that’s all from me this week! Keep chugging along and know that there is someone in the Philippines who loves you so very much! Thanks for all of your encouragement and sweet letters! I wish I could respond to them all. Love you all and can’t wait to hear from you soon!!

 

Love,

Sister Anderson

 

 

April 13, 2014

                                                                                                            April 13, 2014

Magandang Umaga!!

How is everyone? Thanks for all the sweet emails that you are sending me! My absolute favorite part on Pday is opening up all these emails and hearing how you are all doing! I love knowing what is going on in each of your lives and it is so fun to stay involved!!

I hit my one month mark of being here in the Philippines!! Can you believe it? I can't! And next week is already transfers! I have a feeling though that I will be staying here in Cogeo for quite some time though... I am totally fine with that though because I feel that I still have a lot more work here to do!!

On Monday night we went over to Rex and Connie's house for FHE and dinner. That was the second time we have been invited over for dinner by someone here and it was so fun! Rex recently became reactivated, and his wife Connie is an investigator. She is amazing! The other sisters in our area, Sister Racaza and Sister Houser, are teaching her and she is really progressing!

On Wednesday I got to go on splits with Sister Houser. I was kind of nervous and first because I am so new and I really don't know the language very well, but she totally put all my fears and inadequacies at ease. I had such a great time with her, and she gave me the encouragement that I needed, especially when it came to the language. She kept praising me and helped me to see how far I've really come. Heavenly Father answered my prayers through her. She gave me the perspective and outlook that I was in dire need of. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father answers my prayers. I am grateful that we each have the opportunity to also be the answer to others' prayers as we live worthily and strive to stay in tune with the Spirit.

On Friday morning we had an awesome opportunity to do a service project! We took a tricycle about 10 minutes past Cogeo Loob and entered Cluster C. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. It was exactly what I had pictured when I imagined serving in the Philippines. It was so green and jungly, with windy dirt paths. For our service project, we collected bamboo and then helped the Less Active man build a fence out of it. HOW COOL?! I really don't think I was much help, but it was sure fun trying and it was so amazing to experience the beautiful scenery. We worked with the missionaries in our zone, as well as some of the recent converts, and ward missionaries. One of the ward missionaries decided that we all  needed a drink, so he took it upon himself to climb up multiple trees and chopped down coconuts for each of us. Can you say cool?! I seriously am serving in the most amazing place ever!! Oh... and I fell again as I was carrying bamboo down the hill... no surprise!

Our investigators are doing well! Eunis and Shanin, the 2 young girls, are still doing great! They are so adorable and their friends still join us in the lessons. Whenever we ask questions, they all reply in unity and it cracks me up! I have never met a more well-behaved group of kids! We are going to extend a baptismal date to them next visit.

One of our other investigators, Imelda, is also really progressing. We met her when we were up visiting one of our less actives. She agreed to stay for the lesson, and now we have been meeting with her ever since. She has accepted a baptismal date and two of her kids, Madelyn (12) and Justin (8), also told us that they would like to be baptized. We invited them to come to conference, but did not think they would come, BUT they did! It was a great experience. We were able to tech her again last night and she said that she prayed and knows that Joseph Smith is a true prophet. You can literally see the change that has developed in her heart. I could not be more excited for her!

 

Judy Ann is doing amazing. Her faith is so strong despite the terrible circumstances in which she lives. She went to conference with us on both Saturday and Sunday and stayed for all 4 hours. Even though her 2 little girls can be hard to handle, she did not let that keep her from hearing the prophets voice. She is so amazing! We are hoping to get the marriage plans in order really quickly.

Speaking of conference, IT WAS AMAZING! It felt like Christmas, anticipating the time when we got to listen to the Prophet. I went into the conference with a prayer in my heart and many questions. I am so happy to we have a living prophet. Through his words, and those of his apostles, my questions were answered. My very favorite talk was President Uchtdorf's- the one on gratitude. I can't wait to study these talks in more depth.

The language is coming!!! It really is!! I am still soooo far from fluent and it don't understand a lot, but I am getting a better hold on it! Last night we met a lady named Rhosalin. Sister Judd was talking to her neighbor, and so I decided to speak to this sweet women. I was able to understand her and we talked back and forth for about 15 minutes.. WHAT?! It was amazing! I gave her a pamphlet and she kept thanking me over and over for stopping by and talking to her. It seemed as if she is really yearning for something more in her life and I know that the gospel can be the answer to everything in her life. We had a great time conversing, and when I walked away, I could not have felt better. I could understand her, I was able to say everything I wanted, and the Spirit was there. I feel so grateful that Heavenly Father really is blessing me with this gift.

Well nothing very funny happened this week... Too bad! But I am enjoying every minute here!! I love serving the Lord and I love being on his errand. It is definitely hard- the hardest thing I have ever done, but I have also experience more happiness than I ever have. I know this is where I am supposed to be and my heart is so full of gratitude to have this opportunity. I know Heavenly Father hears and answers each and everyone of our prayers. I love Him, I love the Savior, and I love serving the people here.

Thanks for everything! I can't wait to hear from you again next week!

Love,

Sister Anderson

Not Again

Hello po!!

How is everyone doing! I had Pday last Wednesday because it was temple day, so now I get another Pday only 5 days later! Wahoo!

This week went by so fast! I cannot even believe it! I guess time flies when you're having fun, right?

The work here is going well. Definitely hard, but I know it is not supposed to be easy. We taught quite a few lessons this week and were constantly on the go. Walking around in the heat all day everyday can sometimes be a chore, but I LOVE it. There is never a moment where I am not drenched in my own sweat and am dripping from every inch of my body, but I am so very glad that Heavenly Father sent me to the Philippines. I know that this is where I am supposed to be and that I have so many things to do here that have not yet been completed. The work here can sometimes be intimidating, but I have witnessed everyday the power and strength the God gives to His missionaries. I am so grateful for His hand in my life.

So last Wednesday I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the temple. The temple here is absolutely gorgeous, and the Spirit there is even more amazing. I am so blessed to be able to attend the temple every transfer. I was feeling kind of discouraged last week, especially about the language, and going to the temple was exactly what I needed to be able to give me the strength and hope I needed to press on. I know that the temple really is the House of the Lord and it really is a refuge from everything hard, discouraging, and uncertain in this world.

We were able to get three new investigators this week! The first was Jen, who stopped us last Sunday as we were walking around inviting our investigators and less actives to church. We have only taught her once, but I really think she could be potential. The other two investigators we have are Shanin(14) and Eunice(11). These cute girls are the nieces of one of the less actives we teach- the Almusara's. The girls parents were sealed in the temple and are no longer active. They actually thought that because their children were born  in the covenant, they didn't need to be baptized. Well we definitely told them that was not the case, and the girls as well as their mom are excited for us to teach them. Both times we met with the girls, they had their cute friends join our lessons too- May-May, Rain, Al, and Princess. They even bring some of their friends to church. Even though they aren't members, they are great examples to me of what it means to be an everyday missionary.

We had Zone Interviews of Thursday so we got to go up to Antipolo for almost the whole day. We had workshops that were great and I got to meet with President Revillo. He is amazing and I feel so blessed to have him as my mission president. He is so full of love and concern and he really has a wonderful spirit about him. Just being in his presence gives me the hope that I need to keep pressing on and doing this great work. I was also able to go back up the Antipolo on Saturday to watch the General Women's Conference. It was great! I sat their with tears in my eyes the entire time and I felt so strongly the love that Heavenly Father has for all of His children, especially His daughters. It was an amazing conference, and it was SO weird to see white people on the screen! I'm used to just seeing beautiful, brown, Filipinos!

NAKAKTAWA

On Saturday night, Sis Judd and I went to go visit one of the less actives, Sis Carmona. She doesn't like missionaries, but she let us into her house. We sat down and she went straight to her sewing machine to work on her projects. We tried asking her questions and she would not reply.. Talk about awkward! Sis Judd and I sat there trying so hard not to laugh.. I mean if you don't want to talk to us, just tell us you are busy and don't want us to come in!

The other day we were walking and a drunk old man came up to me. He grabbed my hand, put it on his bare sweaty chest and began to breath down my throat with the lovely smell of alcohol. I kept taking a step back and when I did, he would take a step forward. I literally had to pry my hand from his and tell him I had to go. It took FOREVER for me to be set free and I just had to keep reminding myself, "He's a child of God too. Heavenly Father loves him!!"

Last sunday when we were walking, two salesmen came up to us, trying to sell us coffee. We told them that we didn't drink coffee as it is against our beliefs. They went on to tell us that we should promote their coffee to all of our investigators as well as all of our family back home who isn't Mormon.. Ya, of course we will help you sell coffee! Especially to all our investigators who were are telling to stop drinking it! Some people! The best part was that the salesmen was walking around with a pink child's sized jacket with embroidered flowers, a stethoscope around his neck, and a safari hat on his head... Ya, not sketchy at all!

Sooooooo basically I am the biggest dork in the ENTIRE WORLD. Yesterday after church, I was walking down those dumb stairs... and yup... you guessed it... I fell down AGAIN... and rolled my other ankle. Not again... I seriously don't know what to do with myself! I was trying to be so careful and take one step at a time, and the next thing I knew, I was flat on my back. I think I win the biggest goof award.

Last Friday we went to one of our investigators, Sister Judy Ann, the 18 year old with 2 children. She didn't attend church last week and so we asked her why. She said that she didn't have any food so she and Philip took the girls to her Mom's house for three days so they could eat. I knew that people struggled here financially and I knew that some people didn't have much food, but I didn't understand the extent of this until we spoke to Judy Ann. They have no food. Like literally zero. If they are lucky they get a tiny cup of ulam or rice from their neighbors. It is not uncommon for them to go days without eating. They are all skin and bones, and her youngest daughter looks like she is going to evaporate. It took everything in me to not break down into tears when she was telling us all of this. I really take everything I have for granted. My life is so easy. Sis Judd and I left heartbroken and knew that we couldn't let them live like this. We bought rice and some other things from the store and took it to her. We didn't want her to get the wrong idea about missionaries and were hesitant to drop it off, but thank heavens she was sleeping when we brought the food. We placed it inside her home with a note saying that it was from the ward. I pray this food will last them and that they will be able to see the blessings that come through the gospel.

Life here all in all is going well. The language is still a struggle, but it's definitely coming! I am trying so hard to not let the language be a barrier and showing my love in deeds, rather than words. I am so grateful for the gift of tongues. It is real. There is no way I would be where I am with the language without the help of the Lord. I know he is aware of me and that he wants me to succeed. I am doing my best and He is making up the difference.

Hope all is well back on the home front. I pray for you all multiple times a day!! Keep being amazing and can't wait to hear from you soon!!

Love,

Sis Anderson