Week 30

Manigong Bagong Taon! 

(Happy (well actually it means prosperous) New Year!)

I hope everyone had a great Christmas. My experience was of course a little different this year because I am in the Philippines. But it was still great! I got to skype with my family which made me like soooo happy. We had a ton of members invite us over for like every meal on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It was actually a little stressful because we had so many appointments- but they were all with active members for eating. None for like teaching. Everyone told us they were too busy to be taught so our lessons this week were low again. But hopefully after this week (because its still holiday- New Year) things pick up again. So we had curfews this past week so we spent a lot of time at home so I wrote people a lot of letters so be looking forward to that. And more curfews this week- more letters ha! Oh we had transfer announcements- Sister Dumas will be transferred! It was quite a shock. We had expected to stay together for double transfer since she goes home after this next transfer. But nope- she has 1 more area to go! Tomorrow is transfer day so I'll get my new companion then. I hope everyone has a good New Years... I haven't really thought about any goals yet so maybe I'll talk about that in next weeks blog...if I remember ha. I miss you all!

Sister Ianuzi

Week 29 MALIGAYANG PASKO SA INYO LAHAT!

So first- some different Christmas traditions here

1- Caroling like is done by groups of kids who go around singing and when they are done you are suppposed to give them something like a peso or a candy. 

2- People decorate their cars or motorcycles or triceys or pudjuks. Like with lights and all. Its really festive. I wanted to get a picture but they always end up blurry

So we had our Christmas Party as a mission this past week which was fun. We were all asked to prepare a short talk about 1- "What is Christ's gift to you?" and 2- "What is your gift to Christ?" I wasn't picked to talk luckily! Ha. But I did enjoy pondering on these topic ha. And I invite you all do think about them too. Think about ALL that Christ has given to you and what you can give to Him? As a missionary I have given my whole life for this period of time to Him and it still doesn't feel like enough to even start to repay Him for all He has given me. I am so grateful for my Savior. And at this Christmas season it really important to celebrate His birth, but remember the only reason He was born was to die to us. I know Christ is my Savior and I rely on Him more and more everyday here. I know His Atonement is real and it is everything to me. I receive forgiveness and strength from Him. And as President Monson said, "To catch the real meaning of the spirit of Christmas, individuals need only drop the last syllable of the word, and it becomes the Spirit of Christ."

I miss you all! I hope you have a good Christmas and remember the real reason of it!

Mahal ko kayo

Sister Ianuzi

Week 28

Hi!

This past week was pretty much the same. Sister Gamba ( a sister in the apartment ) made fruit salad this past week, which like isn't like fruit salad in the US at all. It's like super desserty and super yummy. It has like coconut in it and so obviously I love that. Um well I don't really have any stories about the work. Our area is struggling. It's really starting to take its toll on me. The stress of all this is what was causing me to feel sick last week. I don't understand what the Lord is testing me on right now but I am trying my best to stay positive and learn from it all. I am trying to be as obedient I can be, even if those around me aren't. I know that why I am here is to help people accept this gospel and return back to our Heavenly Father. And even though it is hard, I still love it. I love the people and their kindness. I am exciting for this upcoming week and the Christmas conference here in the mission. I'm hoping to learn a lot and have that help me in this work. oh- last night I watched the Christmas Devotional by the Church. It was so good and I encourage everyone to watch it. It really brought me the true Spirit of Christmas. I miss you all and hope you are doing well!

Sister Ianuzi

Week 27

This past week. Well nothing really happened. I have been sick with I don't know what. I've had every test done here and no results. But I am in pain to breath. So that's fun. We haven't worked since Wednesday. I have been to the doctors but no result yet. I really don’t have a ton to say… all the doctors and nurses are always impressed that I speak Tagalog to them so yeah that’s cool. Oh. For my address, if you use this

Sister Kendal Ianuzi

LDS Chapel Rizal Street

Poblacion, Daraga

4501 Albay, Philippines

It  will get to me faster J but the other one works as well. So yeah I really don’t haveanything to sayin the blog this week I am sorry. I just have like sat around this past week. I miss you all! I hope you are excited for Christmas being so soon!

mahal kita

sister ianuzi 

ps i got a ton of mail this week. thank you everyone!!! :) ill getback to people as soon as possible!

Week 26

This past week! Well I experienced my first flooding in the Philippines. Complete with kids swimming in the dirty mud water and us having to walk through knee deep water to get to our apartment. What a joy! Ha. Yeah it rained REALLY hard for a day and a half this past week. We learned that our bedroom has leaks so we had to move around all the furniture away from the leaks and had buckets everywhere. That was fun! Our room is still arranged all weird until we get it fixed incase it rains again like that. I am trying my best to learn the new area but it is so hilly and crazy! We are trying to drop maps for our teaching records and it is impossible... we just like say "go up this mountain then turn left at the tree that looks like this and then walk up that mountain" so yeah that my area. We had exchanges this past week. It's weird that that will be my ONLY exchange this transfer after being companions with STL's the last two transfers but it was fun. I worked in their area so yeah. It was fun :) Sister Donato (STL) is super funny and nice. Ummm what else happened this week- oh a member gave us ube. It's like my favorite dessert so that was nice :) OH! LAST MONDAY! By far the most stressful night of my mission so far. We were invited to a FHE on sunday so that was our plan for monday night after pday. But while we were out we got a text inviting us over to dinner. So we were like "ok we will go to dinner then the FHE after" while we were at dinner we get ANOTHER text inviting us over for dinner that night too. So we felt bad so we said yes... So we had THREE dinner appointments (Because the FHE had dinner too) in ONE night. It was really stressful and hard to eat. Because all the food is so good but yeah. We suggested this past week to start a dinner calendar here in the ward. The members here are great just they always invite us over last minute ha. Hopefully it gets fixed! But that they still feed us :) So yeah that was my week. I have been studying about diligence and I know I really need  to improve. My area needs a lot of work and the only way it will get fixed is if I am diligent in everything I do. I miss you all! 

Mahal ko kayo!

Sister Ianuzi

Week 25

Magandang hapon sa inyo lahat!

Ha. I have no idea if that’s right but it should be good afternoon to you all. I swear my Tagalog is improving though. Like really. Since I am in a new area everyone keeps complimenting me. It feels so good. I realized yesterday that like I am speaking Tagalog, I couldn’t even say a  word of it 6 months ago. And now I am speaking it to anyone. Of course I cant understand everything and everything I say isn’t perfectly correct. But I can get by. And as time goes by it gets more correct. So transfers! I am now in Legazpi city! It was where I wanted to go! (Because it has the only mall in the whole mission hahaha I haven’t even been to the mall yet!) But yeah it should be fun. The area is way different than I expected. Since it’s a city you would think like flat? But its not. Its SO HILLY. I am so tired always. The hills are so long and steep like its crazy. But its an adventure. We have a couple farther out areas too and like we are in the jungle and crossing sketchy bridges of bamboo. What a life  of a missionary haha. If I didn’t have the extra guidance from the Holy Ghost to keep me safe I promise you I wouldn’t be walking up some of the dirt (mud… its always raining) hills that we do. And don’t get me started on walking down these hills. Oh gosh. So scary. But we do it ! So my new companion is Sister Dumas, from Manila area. She is nice but I am still just adjusting to how she does things. I don’t have a ton of time so yeah this is my blog post this week. Sorry! I am doing good!

Namimiss kita! (I miss you- Taglish) Mahal kita!

Sister Ianuzi

Week 24

This past week! Wow last week of the transfer! It was so fast! Tuesday was had exchanges again with Sister Pace and Sister Siola’a. Me and Sister Pace went to their area and it was fine. Except for the HUGE rainstorm. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a hard rainstorm- even the day of the bagyo here! We ended up waiting under  a waiting shed (a place you wait for a tricey to drive by to pick you up) for like a while. We couldn’t even walk through. So that was fun. We were wet the rest of the day. Oh the Philippines and its rain. The best day of the week wasSaturday. We had a Branch Family Home Evening. It was the first time 11 investigators came to like anything! Ha. Yeah that’s right- We had ELEVEN investigators! That’s just us, the other Sister’s had some too! And we had a ton of SUPER less active members show up! To call it a success would be an understatement. Plus it was super fun J All the different auxiliaries (Relief Society, Elders Quorum, Young Men/Young Women, Primary, and us missionaries) all did some type of talent. And we showed The Restoration Movie. It was such a good night. And the following day, Sunday, we had a really high amount of people come to church. It was so great. And to top it all off- the Besmonte’s  got callings! And Kazzter finally passed sacrament J These are the things that make me happy now J It was a great week. So yeah, transfer announcements came Saturday night. I am being transferred! I’ll find out where I am going tomorrow. I’m sad to leave these people that I love so much. But I know that more work is to be done by me in some other area. I’ve studied about diligence this past week and realized being diligent means doing the work with a willing heart. We need to be willing and love the work or our diligence won’t get us very far. So no matter what you are doing- find a way to love it! And it will be easier and you will be happier! I hope you all are doing good!

Mahal ko kayo lahat!

Sister Ianuzi

Week 23

Hello po EVERYONE

 I am alive! Ha everything is fine here in Tabaco. It only reached a level 2 storm here so it wasn’t anything like you have heard on the news. (For those who are serving missions- there was a super typhoon here in the Philippines this past week. Like super. Worst one to happen to date. 10,000 + people have been reported dead and thousands more not heard of yet. It is devastating for everyone here). But first lets start this week off with Tuesday- MLC! (Mission Leadership Council). We went to Legazpi for Sister Evans (STL) so that’s always fun. I got a huge headache that night but we went out to work and had an amazing lesson with Budz, a really progressing investigator. Wednesday we had exchanges and I went with Sister Mwea (she lives in the apartment, foreigner as well) in their area. SO neither of us knew the language very well yet we taught a ton of lessons and got through them. I’m not totally sure what everyone would say back to us but yeah we taught them hahaha. We taught one lesson, Fasting and Fast Offerings. WOW that was hard. It was to a less active and she kept saying how it’s not fair to give fast offerings because she needs the help herself… Sister Mwea just looked at me and had no idea what she was saying. I’m not really sure how I answered her to be honest. Anyways we did it! Ha. Thursday was zone training because they moved the day because of the storm coming. It was good, I learned the same thing that we did at MLC (importance of companionship unity!) and then we had a curfew that night because of the storm coming. We went back and did some studies at night and just watched the wind. It was very eerie outside…Friday we wake up and the feeling was so bad. It was calm (calm before the storm is the only way to describe it) but the clouds were dark. We were told by text to not go out to work that day. We did weekly planning and just hung out. It started raining hard and there was a ton of rain but nothing terrible. We get a text at like 5 saying the storm passed and we could go out to work- so off we went! When we went out we heard just how terrible things were in places more southern of bicol and how lucky we were here. Saturday was a lot of going around and seeing if people are OK. We saw A LOT of Nanays (old women…) with machetes walking around. It was a very funny site. Sunday was pretty normal. A lot of meetings at church and then teaching- so yeah. Monday morning we went to the waterfalls here and took pictures. It was fun!J So yeah that’s my week. It was very crazy. It is so sad  to hear about the people affected though. Everyone keep them in your prayers please! I’m doing good! I can’t believe this is the last week of transfers! Anyways until next week!! (make guesses about where I'll go... or if I'll stay!)

Mahal Kita- Sister Ianuzi

Week 22

This past week was good. Starting out with last Monday- we had finished emailing and we out doing other things we needed to do. When we get a text at like 5 saying we had a curfew and had to be back home at 6! We had to cancel our appointments and hurry home! Ha that was crazy. We just spent the night writing letters and hanging out because we had already finished studies in the morning. We had exchanges on Tuesday with Sister Pace and Sister Siola’a. I really enjoyed working with Sister Siola’a and learned a lot from her. I learn and grow so much from all the exchanges I have the opportunity to go on. It challenges me on my language skills especially. So Sister Evans and Sister Pace worked in our area and ended up teaching Tontons mom and it was a really great lesson from what I heard. We are having a family home evening with all the Besmontes this Tuesday and I’m excited for it! Have I told the story of Tonton yet? I’ll tell it again! He is the nephew of the Besmontes and lives right next door. We have tried to teach his mom in the past but haven’t really been able to. He ALWAYS comes and listens in on the lessons with the Besmontes. He come to church every week and attends Gospel Principles class instead of Primary the 2^ndhour because he likes it more. He wants to be baptized so badly. And reads the Book of Mormon daily. Says the cutest prayers. He wants to be a missionary too! And he is NINE years old. OH and he goes to Seminary everyday with LK Besmonte (the 15 year old daughter). He is really amazing and I’m hoping his mom continues to be interested so she gets baptized so he can be too! Me and Sister Evans both ended up getting sick and not being able to work on Wednesday but are back to feeling well and able to work our hardest. Thursday was a good day and we were able to teach some new people which I am excited for. Friday was a little difficult with the curfew and no one was home who we had planned (and back up planned) to teach but we didn’t let that stop us. It was a holiday here in the Philippines. Like All Saints day or something? I’n not sure… Like everyone goes to the cemetery and like has a party with their family… the dead included? So yeah its interesting. Its like a Spanish holiday. We ended OYMed and tracted and found people to go back to! In an area where we don’t have a lot of people so it was still very productive. Saturday was a great day though! We had a total of 5 member present lessons in one day! And we can see how it is helping our investigators when we bring members. With one, Brother Borais, his wife is a member and he has had many sets of missionaries teach him in the past. We brought 2 male members from the branch here to fellowship him and it was so good. They are both really excited to keep working with him. He has a lot of potential and really is searching now. He had been working a lot this past week and had a lot of overtime and me and Sister Evans felt like he wouldn’t have read the Book of Mormon or prayed about Joseph Smith but he did both! That was such a testimony builder to me because even though he was busy he made time. And he feels like this is all true. We are working on resolving his concerns and continuing to grow his testimony. We are having a challenge in the area with investigators attending sacrament meeting, even when they had committed. They have members’ fellowshipping them and we just don’t understand. I am trying my best to not get discouraged. So I studied this week about Humility. If you are being humble you have confidence you can do ANYTHING IF you have help from the Lord. You rely on the Lord in all things and do your best. You need to be obedient, hard working, and selflessly serve others and you can work to being more humble. I am trying my best because I know if I want to be more Christlike I need to be humble in every aspect of my life. So yeah this was my past week. It was good! So fast! Yet it feels like FOREVER since last Pday. This upcoming week we have MLC (for Sister Evans the STL) and then Zone Training on Friday so that will be fun. Until next week!

Mahal Kita

Sister Ianuzi

Week 21

This past week was really good. Me and Sister Evans are really getting along and working well together. And the work in the area is really progressing which I love! I am loving all the people here and want them to progress so badly. That is a problem we are facing is we have a lot of investigators but very few progressing. Oh well we will fix it! So this past week I studied about faith a little. I really liked Ether 12. If you have faith you will overcome ALL your trials and be strengthened. I know this is true. Time really has been going fast. Everyone told me I’d learn a lot and that time would go by fast during my follow-up. It is SO true. So this past week has been really rainy. And its so cold! I keep wishing I had warmer clothing... and I think why didn’t I bring warm clothing with me? Then I remember that my thinking of cold is still like really hot for the USA… Like 80’s… Yeah it will be fun getting home winter time…  So there have been local elections here this past week and so that’s been crazy. People are everywhere and there are motorcades of people (like parades of motorcycles…). And its loud… And a lot of people aren’t home. So teaching has been a little difficult but still good. The overall best part of my week was getting Tatay Berces to church. I may or may not have once made a comment saying “he is just a stubborn old guy and won’t listen to anyone” because I was angry he wouldn’t come to church. He commits everyweek but doesn’t come. (He is less active by the way). But HE CAME. It was such a shock. We get to church (like with 2 minutes to spare) and go sit down and look over and see Tatay Berces! What a shock. I was so happy. The whole branch was surprised to see him. It was a great accomplishment. One time he made the comment to me that he would come to church once I could speak Tagalog. I’m taking this as a sign that I can speak Tagalog now. Joke-lang. Ha. I still sound like a 2 year old when I speak. But I am improving! I swear! Anyways that was my week. I hope you are all doing good.

Mahal Kita

Sister Ianuzi

Week 20

"We set goals to show our faith- we follow up on goals to count our blessings" (Liahona October 2013.) I know that at times I can be a bit too realistic. But positivity is so important as a missionary and it really increases your faith. If you are positive about things your faith will grow in the Savoir and you will see all the little miracles of life. And when you are grateful for even the small things, our Heavenly Father is more likely to give you more. Being appreciative is so important. So have faith and be grateful!! I studied a lot about patience this past week too. I realized just how the Lord works on His own time. And we can't be angry when the Lord plans things and it isn't on our timing. We need to remember that the Lord has the perfect timing for the perfect plan of happiness. Alma 34:40-41 is really great!!

So yeah this past week was fine. We have a new baptismal date investigator and he is really excited. He reads the Book of Mormon like crazy! And is willing to learn. We will see how it all works out! I've learned that the most spiritual lessons we have here in the mission are either the ones where we have no power and have to use like a candle or our flashlight from the cell phone or its the lessons where we are sitting on the ground. Those have become my favorite! It's weird... It's rained pretty hard lately. It's hard to teach when it rains because it's so loud on their roofs and so people can't really hear us. And when we get stuck walking around in the rain... yeah thats fun... and happened a couple times this past week. And its not like we are walking on like a paved ground... no we are in mud... So our legs get really gross. What a life as a missionary! ha. So this past week we got fed FOUR times! That is a record! We usually get 1 consistently. But we had 3 lunch appointments this week and 1 dinner. Yesterday (sunday) we had both a lunch and a dinner. It was so great. I love when we are fed... even if the food isn't that good! We got taken to a Japanese restaurant once this past week too... it wasn't as good as I wished being so close to Japan...but still good! So yeah that was great. My Tagalog is well... I was started to feel good about myself but that has been lost again... Since my companion is a foreigner as well people see her and she speaks fluently and then they see me and are like "why can't you speak like her..." So that is discouraging. But I guess I can only improve that means! Right??

Ok well I hope you are all doing well! Mahal Kita

Sister Ianuzi

Week 19

Meet my new companion: Sister Evans, taga New Zealand. So this past week we have just been trying to go around and teach as many people as we can so she can meet people. Things have been a little crazy because it was conference weekend here and then the Sisters from Catanduanes couldn't get a boat back to the island because of bad weather. So they have been staying in our apartment and going on exchanges with Sister Pangilinan and Sister Mwea everyday. Well last night we did some but only for a short time. So that has been a little crazy but fun! I love them! General Conference was great. I felt like a lot was about the importance of enduring to the end. My feeling is that the end is near and it is so important that we continue to live righteously until that time. Basically if we stay on the path of the gospel of Jesus Christ we are going to be happy despite trials. "As we patiently, faithfully, and consistently follow this past throughout our lives, we'll qualify for eternal life" I know this is true. So another thing from conference. Elder M Russell Ballard challenges everyone to prepare someone before Christmas. I hope everyone tries to! You don't need to baptize someone before Christmas but at least attempting to share the gospel is so important. Planting gospel seeds really helps missionaries later on. What an exciting time it is. God is trusting us all so much and is letting so many miracles occur. I know this is the true gospel and the way for us to have eternal happiness. Not much has happened so sorry for the short letter this week. the Besmontes are doing great and we were told they have some callings in mind. I love that the Branch is taking care of them. I also want to invite everyone to read Matthew 20. It is about how the Lord loves us all and wants us all to have the same reward. There is no need to be bitter because someone gets the same blessing without having done as much "work". I hope you are all doing good. 

Mahal kita

Sister Ianuzi

Week 18

This week went by really fast! I know this is long, if you want just read from saturday to the end! :)

Tuesday we went to Legazpi for Mission Leadership Council because of Sister Andrada being the Sister Training Leader here. It was fun. I felt a little weird being there and not being a leader but hey it was all good! Ha. 

Wednesday nothing happened, just the usual missionary life of studying and teaching. 

Thursday was me and Sister Andradas last weekly planning session together! And in the afternoon we ended up going to the hospital because Sister Pangilinan had been sick for a few days and Sister Guanzon told us to take her. Well, we went to the hospital close by, not knowing it was public and TERRIBLE. Like I've never seen a grosser hospital. It terrified me to ever get sick and need to go to a hospital here. Little did we know...I'll tell you later. 

Friday was zone training and it was good. Except I had learned the workshop already at MLC on tuesday. Ha oh well. The zone leaders did great! 

Saturday. the BIG day :) First off in the morning we had Missionary Coordination Meeting with the Branch Leaders and Branch Missionaries. We had it at Cumon, the group off the branch here. Their "meeting house" is like a tarp off the side of a members house... They get like 40 people! Anyways after the meeting we had a farewell party for Elder Aldredge who is going home this week. There was SO much food. like SO SO much. It was all good :) They even had ice cream which is rare! It was super hot out though and I started feeling sick but we had a lot to do that day so I tried to ignore it. Then we went to the church in hopes of watching the relief society broadcast. But we ended up having to clean the baptismal font... Oh well! But so then the Besmontes show up :) We get the dressed in white :) And while they are dressing the baptizer shows up, any guesses who? It was President Guanzon, the Mission President! HA. Sister Besmonte requested him, and He did it! So yeah it was an amazing baptism. After they were baptized they each gave a testimony. It made me so happy to see how strong they are. They all felt so clean and different after being baptized. I was so glad for that. I really can't put into words the joy I felt seeing them baptized :) I love this family. So yeah I was still feeling sick after the baptism but we were invited to a birthday party of a branch member and the Besmontes were going as well so we went. Wow. Philippinos know how to party. There was SO SO SO much food. And it was SO good. And So fun. But I just felt so sick. My stomach was in pain. And my head hurt. We finally went back to the apartment and decided to call the Elders over to give me a blessing. 

Sunday I woke up still not feeling good but we had to go to church because the Besmontes were being confirmed! It was really special. They are all so happy :) After church I still didn't feel good and Sister Guanzon (we had called her) told us to go to the hospital. I started feeling even sicker at the thought of going to the hospital because of the experience on thursday with S. Pangilinan. But we found a private "nicer" hospital close by and went there. It wasn't as bad but still not great... Yeah so that was an experience. We figured out what was wrong and all. But trying to explain to a doctor what is not feeling good when you can't speak their language very well- kind of just makes you feel worse. Later sunday night we were invited with all the other missionaries and the Besmonte family over to the Branch Presidents house for a small family night and dinner. It was so kind of them and really fun. The Branch here really is so great. Yeah so that was my week.

So training is over. Sister Andrada is the one being transferred  I'm staying here and happy with it :) What I have learned from training :) 1. You need to be positive as a missionary 2. The Lord DOES prepare people 3.You cannot get frustrated when people don't progress the way you want them to. Everyone has their agency 4. Missionary life in the Pines is nothing like I expected, but I love it nonetheless. 5. The ONLY way to learn Tagalog is to SPEAK Tagalog. So yeah IT was a good 2 transfers with Sister Andrada and I feel she did a great job at training me. I am excited to continue to learn more next transfer. I hope you all have a great week :)

Week 17

Well this week was busy! We taught a total of 7 lessons haha. Compared to our 20+... But it is because we went to the island! Catanduanes! From tuesday until thursday. The boat ride there was super long. I wrote letters and took a nap. But it was so long. The water was a little rocky but not as bad as we had been expecting. Once we got to the island we had to take a tricey! to the city where the Sister missionaries are. Yeah a tricey, not a jeepney. For like 30-45 minutes. On like not paved roads. It was rough... I think that made me more sick than the boat ride. Catanduanes was super pretty. And the work there is great- missionaries have a lot of people to teach. BUT, well conditions are hard. Like I think I'm roughing it here in Tabaco, but man there- its hard. We didn't have water for like over a day. For no reason at all. It was frustrating. That's just how it is on the island- they commonly lose water. But yeah it was fun. Guess what I did there- WORKED IN A RICE FIELD. Yeah ME! It was super dirty and hot but what an experience. Basically we like were weeding in the rice field with all the old men who like farm there. It was a service activity. But the best part- I got to where one of those cool hats! Sorry I don't have a picture I really wish I did. But yeah like you know those straw hats that you see like Asians wearing in the rice fields? I wore one. And felt super cool... The exchanges were cool. Their area is legit jungle. Let me tell you a story, we took a tricey for about 20 minutes until we hit the end of the paved road then the tricey wouldn't take us any farther. Then we walked for about a mile on a dirt road. Then that road ended. Then we took this small path in the tall grass for a few minutes til we hit a river. Then we CROSS THE RIVER by stones. Then we enter legit jungle. Like where monkeys live. And we HIKE (I'm like sweating from this) up the mountain jungle and I'm just thinking- there is NO WAY someone lives out here. But behold. There was! Two houses actually. And we taught a less active and it was so peaceful and the Spirit was really strong. I am still amazed at how far out they live. Basically all they eat is coconut because the market is so far and they are really poor. Which is really sad. It amazes me how people have such strong faith despite their terrible circumstances. But yeah that's basically my story for Catanduanes. It was fun but living there is a lot harder which makes me really hope I don't get transferred there ever... Speaking of- TRANSFERS. This is my LAST week as a trainee. It's been interesting and I really have learned a lot. This upcoming Saturday we will find out who is being transferred and who is staying (me or Sister Andrada!) I really have no idea and no preference. I'm excited for whatever is next. 

So the rest of this week, we focused on the Besmonte family of course. Their baptismal interview was on saturday. It was amazing. LK went first (the daughter) and she was super nervous, but came out SKIPPING. She was so excited (and still is) for her baptism. Next was Brother Besmonte, he wasn't really nervous but he is excited as well. Next was Sister Besmonte. Her interview was AT LEAST 45 minutes long. She is such a talker. But she came out and was excited and is sure she wants to be baptized this upcoming saturday :) YAY. Last was Kazzter. He was super nervous. He even had me review all the questions with him while the others were going. But he came out excited. It was the first time my district leader had interviewed people for baptism so he was all excited too. He even noted- This family is GOLDEN. They were prepared by Heavenly Father long before we came along. This family has strengthened my testimony, seeing their faith but also seeing how the Lord's promise to missionaries, that He is preparing people, yeah I see that fulfilled. I love this family so much and am very grateful the Lord trusted ME with them. After their interviews we asked them who they wanted to baptize them. We had thought it would be one of the Brothers who came with us a lot to teaching appointments and has been a great fellow-shipper for them. But sister surprised us all. Who she asked for made us all laugh and wonder if it was possible. I'll tell you all next week after the baptism to tell you WHO is baptizing this amazingly golden family :)

Yeah I don't have much else to say. We have a new family we are starting to teach who seem really interested as well. They came to church yesterday which surprised us! We have only taught this family once, and asked them to come to church but weren't super like pushy about it. Then they showed up! So that was a great surprise. I am looking forward to teaching them again later this week. Problem is that the father works in Legazpi during the week and is only home like on weekends. Another problem is that they speak Bicol and very little Tagalog. Which is just a JOY for me. I hardly know Tagalog- and all I know of Bicol is how to say Yes, No, and Good morning, afternoon, evening. Oh well! I trust that Heavenly Father will help them! 

So yeah my tagalog is coming. I am pretty confident to teach anything and can say almost anything I want while we are in lessons. But conversations are pretty bad. Like impossible. And understanding is difficult. People speak a lot of Bicol so that's an added difficulty to understanding. But when they do speak Tagalog, and they speak slow, I can get an idea of what they said MOST THE TIME. I keep working. I wish that one day I would wake up fluent, but I don't think Heavenly Father works that way. Who knows- He can do miracles! Ha.

So yeah I don't really have a spiritual thought... I didn't really plan my blog out this week like I normally do... I was busy! We had a district activity this morning. It was... well we meant to go to waterfalls but then we got to this place called Aqua falls... and it was just a swimming pool. SO that was a no... We ended up playing volleyball. It was fun but I'm really bad. Thing's are good. I do like it here but it's tiring. It never ends. We have a busy week. Tuesday is Missionary Leadership Council so me and Sister Andrada have to be in Legazpi for a meeting at like 8am. Which means leaving here at 6am. We have zone training on friday which will be fun. And saturday is SUPER busy. We have NO time to proselyte on saturday. We have a meeting in the morning, then the relief society broadcast in the afternoon, then the Besmonte's baptism at 4. Then we have a party for a member that we were invited to go to. And there will probably be A LOT of less actives at it so we need to go. But yeah that's my upcoming week :) I hope you all have a good week! 

Mahal ko kayo!

~Sister Ianuzi

Week 16

Hi everyone

This past week was so long. For no reason at all really. We should of had a really productive week and been teaching a lot but we just got punted (like people weren't there for us to teach or were busy and wouldn't let us) A LOT. We taught 16 lessons the whole week. Normally we are like 10 higher than that. But I guess it's OK. We tried our hardest. We are working hard to prepare the Besmonte's for baptism. They are sure that this is the path for them (hearing that is like the best thing in the world- all you other missionaries know!) but of course like many are, they are a little scared. The kids are scared for the interview itself but not for the actual baptism. The parents are more scared just because they understand how big of a commitment this is and really want to live and follow all of the covenants they will be making. They are really golden- like seriously. I feel blessed to be able to help them and bring them the gospel. 

This past week I studied about faith a lot. And realized how important it is to ACT on your faith. Like the bible says- Faith without works is dead! We teach a lot of people who say they have faith in Jesus Christ and all that He did for them, yet they don't follow His example. Jesus Christ is clear that we are to follow the example He has set for us, and through that example we will be happy. True faith means working hard EVERYDAY to become more like your Savoir Jesus Christ. Believing without acting is weak. Really if you had true faith in Christ, you would act on it and do the things He has asked you to do. The bible dictionary says "Faith is to hope for things which are not seen, but which are true and must be centered in Jesus Christ in order to produce salvation." Our faith is really important! It is what leads to salvation! Remember to act on your faith :)

Other things from this past week, um I finished a journal? For like the first time ever. The food is good. Like really good- which is a problem because I am eating a lot. And probably gaining weight. Oh well! I blame the rice! There is a typhoon happening up north so we have had intense winds here. Which means a lot of brown outs. And like it makes wearing a skirt kind of difficult! Haha! And it's a problem because the pudjuk drivers don't want to take us to our apartment because it's up a hill, and they don't want to go against the wind. So that is fun- it means more walking for us! That's probably good because of all the food I eat! We are going to Catanduanes this week for exchanges- its an island here in the zone. I'm excited to see how it is different. But also a little scared. If this wind keeps up the boat ride will be rough... It's about a 4 hour boat ride but with wind it may be longer! Oh well! It's all an adventure!

I hope you are all doing good

Mahal Kita

Sister Ianuzi :)

p.s. I still don't know tagalog. The day I wake up fluent I'll be sure to mention it in the email, but until then just assume I continue sounding like a 2 year old babbling...

Week 15

This past week flew by. Time is really starting to go by fast! We had mission tour this past week. We had Elder and Sister Neilson visit us, of the seventy. I learned A TON. Sister Neilson talked a lot about how it's important that you choose the perspective you have, and that you look for holiness in everyday life. Elder Neilson talked a lot about how important it is to use the enabling power of the atonement and not just the redeeming power. I loved an example he used saying, look at how old the leaders of our church are. And look at how old the missionaries are. Neither of those people could do what they do without the help of the atonement. 80 year old men would not have the energy to do the work they do if there wasn't divine help. And 18 year old boys wouldn't have so much success in sharing the gospel if it wasn't for divine help. That help all comes through the enabling power of the atonement. It is so amazing to see and to use!

Well this past week we had more exchanges. Every exchanges I am learning to love Sister Andrada more and appreciate our companionship more. I don't want to get a new companion in a few weeks! We are still teaching and preparing the Besmonte family for baptism on October 5th- they are just as excited as we are! And yeah I am just living life as a missionary. I study a lot and am out teaching as much as we can. My language is coming along... slowly... This past week though I had 3 people compliment me and comment how much I've improved in Tagalog since I first got here. So that was a really nice boost in confidence. I am now basically always able to teach- it's just conversation and understanding that I am struggling with. But I know it will come in time as Heavenly Father see's it is needed. I hope you are all doing well. I am loving life as a missionary :) I miss you all but I love it here! Ha.

Mahal Kita

Sister Ianuzi

p.s. PLEASE write me :)

Week 14

This past week I studied some about charity and love. And I realized, how much charity helps us more than it helps the person you are giving it too. Does that seem like counter-active to anyone else? ANYWAYS, I liked this scripture 

 And acharity suffereth long, and is bkind, and cenvieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily dprovoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—But acharity is the pure blove of Christ, and it endurethcforever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, apray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true bfollowers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall cbe like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be dpurified even as he is pure. Amen.

(Moroni 7:45-48) And just how like if we do something out of charity and love, we are promised by God, that we won't fail in it. Like how awesome of a promise is that? Truly, faith hope and charity are a fountain of all righteousness. 

So as I am typing this a huge cockroach just crawled across the table. And so now I am having a panic attack and I don't know where it went. GAH. Philippinesssss. Anyways, we had exchanges again this week so that Sister Andrada could be trained as a Sister Training Leader. So now this week have MORE exchanges with sisters in our district. Basically we have exchanges every week left of the transfer. We have mission tour this week which will be fun. That means traveling to Legazpi- traveling is always fun. Except we have to be there at 8 so we have to leave at like 6am. Which will NOT be fun. Oh well. Worth it! Keep sending me mail everyone- I love it :) And I am really good at writing anyone back who wrote me! Things are going good. Oh something funny. They say "gray-ham" for the word graham like graham cracker. I laughed for a while when I heard that one. So I learned how to say "are you going to go down?" this week, No joke it is "Bababa ka ba?" LIKE HOW RIDICULOUS IS THAT?! How is this even a language. Bababa ka ba? Anyways, yeah if that gives you any idea of what this language is like- you'll know how I'm doing at speaking it.

So the BEST thing that happened this past week- THE BESMONTES COMMITTED TO BAPTISM ON OCTOBER 5th! AND ARE SO EXCITED! They basically asked for the date. The WHOLE family! Me and Sister Andrada jumped around in happiness when we got out of the lesson. I love this family so much it makes me so happy to see them excited to follow Christ's example for us. Yeah, that was the best thing that has happened thus far on the mission.

I hope you are all doing well. My life is going good. I am happy! I like it here! I miss you all! Mahal Kita -Sister Ianuzi

Week 13

So we studied about the Book of Mormon all week in companionship study. And I really just how important it is that my investigators read the book DAILY. When you read the Book of Mormon you have the Holy Ghost with you. And that feeling will lead to baptism. Only from reading it can you know that is it true. But notice how for years, since it was published, people have tried to dispute it and say it is false. And yet they haven't been able to prove it. And while so many people try to say its not true, hundreds of people every year learn for themselves that it IS true. The Book of Mormon is the most correct book on the earth, as said by Joseph Smith. I know this as well. I love reading the Book of Mormon and can clearly see the difference it makes in my day when I read it. I hope everyone who reads my blog will take the initiative to read the Book of Mormon and find out for themselves if the book is true. Honestly what do you have to lose? Just spend 10 minutes a day reading it and say a year from now you'll be done (probably sooner). And then you will know. It is true. And it will help you in your life. In ways you can't imagine. You will be happier. I promise. And President Hinckley said "Without reservation, I promise you that if you will prayfully read the Book of Mormon regardless of how many times you previously have read it, there will come into your hears the Spirit of the Lord" I really hope you all read it. It's changed my life. It's why I am here.

So about this week, Sister Andrada was made a Sister Training Leader. Which means a lot of traveling for us this transfer. We have meetings in Legazpi, and then exchanges. Which means- I'm going to the island! (Our zone has one of the small islands thats in the mission) I'm a little excited if you couldn't notice. We got a new sister in the apartment, Sister Mwea! She is new and in training. She's from like an island in the pacific... I can't remember where! Sorry! Somewhere I've never heard of before. She is still adjusting to the area, I remember my adjustment was hard. Um what else, oh I'm learning to cook a lot which is cool. I'm getting terrible tan lines on my feet. And probably the highlight of the week would be the Besmonte family! They ALL came to church yesterday. I started tearing up when I saw them all walk in as a family. They love this gospel and they love the branch and the branch loves them. They were so prepared for this gospel in their lives it is amazing to see how Heavenly Father works. I love that family so much. I really hope that I see them baptized, but of course I recognize that it is all up to Heavenly Father!

Anyways, I don't have much to say. Or much time. But I hope youare all having a great week!

Mahal Kita

Sister Ianuzi

Week 12

This past week went by pretty fast! We had exchanges on wednesday (which now feels like a month ago). They were fun. I am proud of myself and the leading I did in the area. I was able to get us on the right tricey and to the right houses and I was even able  to speak to people and make conversations. I am kind of proud of myself. I was able to get myself around the area in the Philippines. And I've only been here for 6 weeks. So on exchanges we found another family of investigators. I love how many families we have. I think we have 5 families of investigators now! It is so amazing. And it makes me really excited. Yesterday we had 4 investigators at church- our highest yet. It was great. Some other things happening, well my camera broke which kind of sucks. Hopefully I either  get it fixed or buy a new one this week. Transfers are happening this week so there will be a new Sister in the apartment. Oh and I have 23 bug bites on my legs. It looks pretty terrible. But oh well. 

This past week we studied a lot about prayer. I liked this quote "as we pray with faith, sincerity, and real intent we will see God's influence in our lives." Prayer is a two way communication- it's not just talking to God. It is God talking to us too- if we let Him. If we are sensitive and are sincere we can receive answers to our prayers. I know we can. I do. I also really liked this definition from the Bible Dictionary: "Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings." I hope everyone is making the most of their prayers. And I hope you all realize the importance of them!

So yeah I have been having a good week. I had a good first transfer here and I'm excited for this next one and to see all the more growth we will get in the area. I really am seeing miracles everyday here.

Mahal Kita

Sister Ianuzi

Week 11

This week was so much better! It was fast- we had a lot of meetings and just other things I felt like we hardly had a chance to teach. But we had 13 lessons at the end of the week so I guess we found time to teach! We are getting some great investigators. The Besmonte family is so golden. I love them. They came to church yesterday for the first time and loved it and all the members loved them. It is amazing to see how the Lord is preparing people. I never really believed it before my mission, but now I am seeing it. This family has been so prepared for the gospel and they are just taking everything and accepting everything. I LOVE IT. We have another family, well, issue, they aren't married. But they are loving the lessons and the gospel and want to be baptized. But they are poor. So poor. By far the worst off that I've seen here. They have no electricity but we can only teach them at night because that is when the man is home from work. It really breaks my heart to see them. They aren't married because they just simply can't afford it. And then we have a few couples that aren't married because they have had previous marriages and are not annulled and cannot afford to get an annulment. I just hate how people are prepared for the gospel and then there are so many obstacles, like mostly financial ones, in the way.

So this past week we had new missionary training in Legazpi. That was fun! I got to see friends from the MTC and just get a change. The next day we had zone conference in Tabaco. We learned a lot about the importance of planning. It is so true, when we have a busy and planned out day we get stuff done. But if we just leave the day to "finding" we end up walking all day and nothing gets done. Planning is so important in missionary life- I just wish it didn't take so long. My zone won the zone activity this transfer, we had the highest number of investigators coming to sacrament meeting. We went to Mount Mayon (the volcano) but it was cloudy and rainy and really windy so we didn't actually see anything. We just played games outside and talked. And then had lunch together. But it was fun regardless. The weather has been cold (I SWEAR- it was really cold! I have been wearing sweaters! and wishing I brought warmer clothing!) It makes me wonder how I am ever going to live through a real winter... I ate balut for the first time this week. And the last time. For anyone who doesn't know what that is... don't find out. It is the most disgusting thing. I like took one small sip of the egg juice and gagged. And then one small bite of the yellow part, and it was gross. And then I just couldn't bring myself to try the duckling part. I could see it's little webbed feet and fur and eyes and beak. I couldn't eat it. 

I was studying about how to recognize the Spirit earlier this week. I liked this quote by President Monson, "The language of the Spirit is gentle, quiet, uplifting to the hearts, and soothing to the soul" A lot of investigators, and even members, feel that they will get a sign if something is true or if something should happen a certain way. Most of the time- we are not given signs because those do not add to our faith. Recognizing the Spirit is the most important and sometimes hardest part of missionary work. But as we seek for the Spirit it will be there. And we are promised by God, if we learn to recognize the Spirit, He will help you, He will guide you, He will give you power, and He will shower blessings upon you. Recognizing the Spirit is hard- no one is perfect. But as we all improve to get better at recognizing what Heavenly Father has in plan for us, we will be happier and get farther in life.I hope you are all doing well :)

Mahal Kita,

Sister Ianuzi

Week 10

This week was long. All the other missionaries keep talking about how time is flying by but it really does not feel like that to me... But so this past week we have taught a lot. We have a family that I am really excited for. We will be teaching them tonight for the third time. Last meeting the wife said "I think this is what we've been looking for" HOW GOLDEN? But really they are. A great miracle for the week was yesterday at church we had 13 Less Actives that we've been teaching show up. A lot of them for the first time in years. We were so shocked- they just kept coming! Our biggest struggling right now is getting referrals. If anyone has a way to do it- please share! 

So we are in the middle of a tropical storm. I didn't think it was that bad (it is only a level one or two I think). But last night was crazy. The wind and rain was so loud it woke me up. And the power went out so that meant no fan. It really sucks sleeping without a fan. But! actually- yesterday was cold. Like I wore a sweater. I was cold! In the Philippines! How am I going to live in a New York/Utah winter 16 months from now?

So this past week I studied a lot about Jesus Christ and His Atonement. I started rereading Our Search For Happiness by M Russel Ballard and so far have just gotten through the first chapter about Jesus Christ because I get so into detail lol I really just don't understand how people accuse Mormons of not believing in Jesus Christ and not being Christian. Do they not realize the name of our church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?! This is His church. We do everything in His name. I really enjoyed the talk The Purifying Power of Gethsemane (thanks dad!) I encourage you all to read it! It made me feel so much love for my Savior. I was reading in Jacob and the story about how the Lord will not give up on us gave me a lot of comfort. Jesus Christ knows me, and you, personally. And I was to remind everyone, to go to Him, not just for forgiveness of sins, but also when you feel alone, He will help. He has helped me a lot while I am serving. The scripture I want to share this week is Helaman 5:12
"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." 

Realize that only through a strong foundation in the Savior can we endure. With the strong winds of the tropical storm here in Albay area, I know I will not be moved because I know my Savoir lives (too corny? sorry!) But really I know that in hard times our strong foundation of faith will let us endure. It may not seem easy at the time but we will endure. 

Mahal Kita

Sister Kendal Ianuzi

week 9

So having a new area means a lot of walking. I feel like the pioneer children.. they walked and walked and walked andddd walked. And so I am really tired every night. We are starting to get a few investigators but very few. None are really progressing at this point. But hopefully soon! My companion is very good at staying positive and saying we are doing good planting here in the new area. I have been getting a little frustrated with Tagalog. I want to help these people so much and feel as though my lack of Tag skills is keeping from helping as much as I could. But I know that's not good thinking. But I feel like I only get 18 (actually 16 left) months and I don't want to have so much time go by and be lost. So if anyone has tips for  this language- please give them to me! 

So my personal study this past week has been like amazing. Seriously. I really needed it. I have been so much more positive and enjoyed my time so much more and I know it is because I have put more effort into my personal study. I really enjoyed the scripture D&C 136:31 "My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom." Like wow that is kind of bold right?! But think about it- God gives us trials so that we grow. So that in times of trial we turn to God and grow and improve and become what He needs us to be so that we can live with Him again after this life. I read the talk "As Many As I Love, I Rebuke And Chasten" by Elder D. Todd Christofferson. It sounds harsh but read it. I felt a lot of love at the end. And I realized that right now when I feel like I am going through the hardest thing in my life by serving, it is all in preparation to become what Heavenly Father needs me to be so I can live with Him again. And of course remember the scripture 1 Nephi 3:7 and know no trials are more than we can handle. Trials and hardships come because Heavenly Father needs YOU to improve to be worthy of returning to Him. He wants you to return to Him and the only way is through the path He has set for you. Serving is difficult and not what I expected at all. But I am learning to love it. Sometimes different can be good and in the case of serving it is! 

So as for other things, the weather is how I expected. Its hot. When the suns is out I just am dripping sweat. Its lovely. And when it is raining it is POURING. They don't have a light drizzle ever. They have either blazing heat or POURING rain. Like I think the world is ending every time it starts raining because it is so extreme. And a lot of people have like metal roofs so the rain is really loud inside. It makes it difficult to teach. Oh we had a brown out for a day this past week. That was fun. Not. It was pouring rain of course that day too. Oh my first umbrella broke. 1 down- who knows how many to go. Anyone wanna make a bet of how many umbrellas I go through here? The first one lasted 2 weeks...The food has been ok. I had peanut butter last night and was basically in heaven- I miss american food lol. This food isn't bad and like some of it I like alright. But I would give anything for steak and potatoes. The bugs haven't been a huge deal. I've gotten over the ants in our apartment and just smush them with my finger. I saw my first cockroach in our apartment- that freaked me out. It was huge. But it was just one. I haven't seen anything else yet which I am thankful for. Overall I am doing a lot better. Thank you everyone for keeping me in your prayers. And know that you are all in mine.

Mahal Kita

Sister Ianuzi

Week 8 ....A hard week

So its been another week. And it has been a lot harder than I expected. We have a new area so we have very few investigators and so we walk around ALL day OYMing (open your mouth- talking to people on the streets sharing small bits of doctrine and then asking to visit them in their home and try making appointments). We talked to 52 people this week. Most people do around 20 in a week. Because they have appointments. We have no appointments lol. We try to see inactive members but those appointments have always fallen through. So its A LOT of walking. A LOT. But we did meet a couple families that I'm excited to teach and hope it works out. They actually seemed interested and set actual times to see us, unlike most people who are polite and talk to us but when we ask to visit them at home they are vague about it. OH well, I'm hoping those special people are ready for this gospel.  I am always really tired because we walk like all day. Tagalog is a struggle. And like I said last week, people speak Bicol. But honestly I don't notice the different because I can't understand either. People kind of laugh a lot when I speak Tagalog but I'm used to that by now. And when I say something correct they are all amazed. So Tabaco is so weird. Like one minute we will be walking around and there are normal (well for the Philippines normal) houses and the next minute we will be in straight jungle. Like surrounded by trees and rice fields and you see nothing but one house like 3 miles ahead of you. It's almost a little scary. The food is ok. I still really miss steak and potatoes. I haven't gotten sick of rice. Oh I ate fried fish- like legit a whole fish that is just fried in a pan to cook it. It was gross. Not I'm going to eat that again. But I had halo-halo for the first time last week. So yummy. I really don't know how to explain it besides a mixture of a bunch of yummy things... that was poorly explained sorry. So sorry I don't have a ton more to say. We basically just walk around all day trying to OYM. I hope you are all doing well!

"And thou must open thy mouth at all times. declaring my gospel with the sound of rejoicing. Amen" (D&C 28:16)

Mahal Kita,

Sister Kendal Ianuzi

Week 7

So I am in the Philippines! My first area is the Tabaco zone and I am in the Tobaco district as well. Just wow. This is soooo not what I expected. It is hott but not as bad as I thought it would be. And the people here are always complaining about the weather- you'd think they'd be used to it by now?! It's actually the rainy season so its not as hott as it will be later. But today like right now is the first time it has rained and its not even too bad. We carry around wash cloths to wipe sweat off us throughout the day- such as gross concept but you have to do it! Like yeah it is hot but I expected worse. I don't use any blankets when I sleep though and have to have the fan RIGHT on me. I heard there is a chance there will be a city wide black out for the next week (please pray it doesn't last a week) and I am wondering how I am going to sleep without a fan... The power outage is because the city isn't paying it's bills. Like what?! So yeah, all the other Americans in my district are always REALLY sweaty and I don't think I'm as bad. Maybe because I'm a little bit more used to humidity from New York? So the food here is okish. A lot of rice. I kind of just eat whatever is given to me- I haven't been a huge fan of anything yet but nothing has been like gross. I had Jollibee (it's their big fast food chain) and it was gross. They all loved it (the Filipinos). I really want like steak and potatoes and cord on the cob with chocolate cake from the moa. That is my dream food right now. Oh well. in 16 months. Oh and I miss like breakfast food- we just usually eat like left overs which is gross and like I just want like cereal! My companion is a native, her name is Sister Andrada. She speaks really good English which probably isn't a good thing because I am always just wanting her to explain to me in English what is going on- I need to learn Tagalog. Yeah basically I know NOTHING. And everyone laughs at me when I speak. But oh well. I had to talk in church yesterday and I'm like pretty sure the people couldn't understand a word I was saying. Because I speak terrible Tagalog and speak it with an American accent. Oh and yeah they speak Bicol here- I did not learn Bicol. That is a problem. But at this point I don't know Tagalog or Bicol so I don't know when they are talking what.  It is annoying because some phrases like good morning/evening are different. Basically I sit around most the day lost because I have no clue what is being spoken. And I can def tell that this is an Asian language. The bugs here are ehh. I haven't seen anything HUGE but we have an ant problem in our apartment which freaks me out. They are tiny though so I just flick them away. Oh the lizards! There are lizards just chilling. And they CREEP me out. A LOT. So yeah I get a bucket shower... The first pour of ice cold water is always a shock but since it is the only way to get clean I do it. I sweat and get gross so I need to wash myself. We have a toilet in our apartment-but not toilet paper. There are 4 of us in our apartment and I'm the only non-filipino. So yeah. It's different. Not a good different. Oh I rode on the pudjuk and tricey (idk if i spelled those right) but they are like  bike or motercycle things. They are really dangerous in my opinion but yeah. We ride pudjuks all over. They are so small and cramped. I rode on the back part of a motorcycle for the first time yesterday-scary. People drive crazy here. So I did laundry by hand for the first time earlier today- it made my arms REALLY tired. I am really desiring American life. The people are nice here. I always notice them staring at me because I am white which is funny. And when I speak like even a little Tagalog like "My name is" they are amazed. The little kids (and some adults!) have come up to me and called me pretty- its weird but sweet. So me and Sister Andrada are opening a new area in the district and so we don't really have any investigators or know anyone. So we have been doing a lot of street contacting and trying to find less actives. I really just want to start teaching people! But yeah it's really different here- I can't even explain it. I am amazed at how differently they live. We were in a jungle-y part the other day and like the houses were literally made out of straw. I could tip it over if I wasn't careful. It is sad to see. But also it that part like the views were so pretty. Yeah I don't really know what else to tell you all. It is just so different here and I am just constantly amazed. I can tell I am going to be a very different person at the end of this. And while even though this is hard I will keep working. I know once we start teaching people I'll be so much happier here. I can't wait to help these people!

Week 6

Hi! This week FLEW by. I haven't even started packing... and I leave on monday! Hopefully I get to packing later today. I don't know what I even did this week. I learned a ton but hardly remember it. I got to skype and talk with a Filipino one night and teach him about the gospel. It was really hard- I could hardly understand him. It's going to be interesting in the Philippines. All my teachers here have told me a ton of stories about their missions and it makes me excited...and terrified. I had a melt down last night (friday) actually because I realized how much is going to change in this upcoming week. But I know it will be OK. I know that Heavenly Father only gives us challenges that we can endure. And if we let Him, He will help us in our trials. I trust my Heavenly Father and know that in 17 months I will be so sad to leave the Philippines. A year ago I never would think this is where I would be right now. But now I can't imagine being or doing anything else. I love my Heavenly Father and love that I am able to be a representative of Jesus Christ. The MTC was hard at first but now I am sad to leave. I know that's how the field is going to be as well. I'm sorry to have this be a short post but I can't really remember anything super interesting happening. Next time you all hear from me I will be in the Philippines! AHH! Mahal Kita- Sister Kendal Ianuzi

Letter Mailing Address:

Sister Kendal Marie Ianuzi

Philippines Legazpi Mission

Blk 8 Lot 2 & 3 Ridgeview Subdivision,

Boraguis, Legazpi City
Albay Philippines

Package Mailing Adderss:

Sister Kendal Ianuzi

Philippines Legazpi Mission
LDS Chapel Rizal Street,

Poblacion, Draga

Albay Philippines

So the situation with mail: I only will get my letters and packages every 6 weeks at transfers. Or that s what I've heard. But still send me stuff :) I love you! 

Week 5

This was such a fast week! There was something happening EVERYDAY. On Linggo (sunday) we said goodbye to the "older" districts in the zone. They left early on monday morning. Making my district the "oldest" in the zone. Meaning we should be the smartest with the language but I'm not sure if thats true. On Lunes (monday) it was July 1! The day the Legazpi mission opened! We celebrated as a district with Martinellies Sparkiling Cider. It was fun and silly. On Martes (tuesday) nothing really huge happened but they are always a good relaxing day. We have devotional on martes and heard from Brother Richardson of the General Sunday School Presidency. I learned so much of my purpose as a missionary and got even more excited to go serve in the Philippines. On Mierkoles (wednesday) we got newbies into the zone. 40 of them!!! That was unheard of. There has never been 40 new people in one week. Usually they get 20 at  time. The week I came in they only had us 10 though. They are all so great and have learned so much so fast. Me and Sister Carr have tatlo (three) of them in our room. On Huwebes (thursday) it was the 4th of July! We had a normal day up until the night and then they let all of us missionaries watch 17 miracles. I love that movie and appreciate the Pioneer Saints so much. I could not have done what they did. So many gave their life because they had such great faith to go to Utah and be near a temple. On Biyernes (friday) we got our flight plans as a district which was so fun. On now is it sabado (saturday) and it is P-day and so relaxing. Sadly, because the Provo Temple is closed for the month we don't get to go. But it is still a nice day.

 

The MTC is amazing. I have learned SO much in such little time. I amaze myself constantly with how well I know Tagalog (watch- 2 weeks from now I will being crying because knowing Tagalog will be useless in Legazpi where they acutally speak Bicolano). Me and Sister Carr have grown so close and I am sad to have to say goodbye to her in a week. But she will be such a great missionary in Urdaneta (spelling?). Luckily we get to fly to Manilla together but from there separate. We have done so well with teaching our "investigators" here in the MTC. I hope all my investigators in the Philippines desire the gospel as much as they do! I am so excited to go and it is always on my mind. I always love the people and haven't even met them. And I know after the initial adjustment to the heat and bugs and culture that I will love it.

 

To end I'll share a scripture that I loved this week. D&C 121:7-9. It is all about how you should have peace because you are NOT alone. And all of our trials will be only for a short time. Alam ko po na Diyos helps us in our trials. When we struggle He helps me and you. I love Heavenly Father and am grateful for this opportunity to serve Him and the people of the Philippines. Mahal Kita.

 

Sister Kendal Ianuzi