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