Week 46

i! It was a great week! We got 35 lessons AGAIN! And we are in training so like we have less time to work. But we did it because Sister Jemino is super hard working and amazing! We had exchanges this past week which were OK. Fun as always.  Oh cute story- last Monday we were walking to go teach someone and we pass this group of little girls. One screams “AMERICANA!” And she comes up running and hugs me and WONT let go. And then keeps screaming ‘kiss! Kiss’ but like yeah I’m pretty sure that’s against the rules so I didn’t. But she was so upset. But yeah we go teach then on the way back she is still there. She runs and hugs me again. Then a few days later we are back over there and it happens again! She like grabs on and won’t let go. Its so funny and cute. I should ask what her name is… OH! So this past week we decided we wanted cake… but like we should have a reason. SO! We decided to tell the other sisters in the apartment it was Sister Jeminos birthday on Friday. THEY BELIEVED IT. And I’m pretty sure they still think it is… We haven’t told them yet… But we got cake out of it! It was great ha. We probably will tell them this week.. Maybe ha. Oh I have a new addiction to Jollibee. I used to hate it. Then this past week I’ve eaten it every day of the week. The workers recognize me now. That’s a sign I should stop… but I don’t think I will. I also have been drinking a large amount of Mogu-Mogu lately. Which isn’t good either… I don’t know how to explain it. It’s like a drink with Nata de Coco in it. Ha. Anyways. That’s my week! It was great! Full of teaching and Jollibee and mogu-mogu! And this morning we went to the beach and took cool pictures. And I got a sunburn! YAY! Ha. Hope you are all doing well!

Mahal kita

Sister Ianuzi

oh- and this morning I had a nice visit from a mouse. I wake up and go to the CR (bathroom) and at this point I wasn't wearing glasses yet and you all know I am blind. But yeah I go and see a black thing on the toilet seat before I sit ha and turns out its a mouse. I scream SO loud you can't imagine. Then climb up onto the top bunk bed and screamed until someone got it out of the house. #ilovesmallcreatures #mice #cockroaches #lizards #philippineslife

Week 45

Hello po! So this past week not a ton happened ha. It was Holy Week, so like everyone was busy. We had curfews some of the days so that just meant less work. We experienced the meaning of “walking alone” this past week. There was a big parade starting down the street in about 30 minutes so we hurried to get out of the area. As we walk down the street EVERYONE ELSE is walking the opposite direction to go get seats to watch the parade. We literally were the only ones going the one way. It was very lonely ha.  We had a training workshop for new missionaries this past week which was fun. Good food. Ha. We were able to find a new investigator this past week who is great! His name is John. We were out working last Monday night and it was raining and I was tired after a long preparation day. We were out and went to all the people we had planned but unfortunately none were home. So we start to tract. Sister Jemino gets the impression to stop at one house that I would have walked right by. They had the TV on loudly and there were a lot of people. But of course we stop and knock. They let us in! And brother is so nice and interested and already committed to church next week. We were able to set up an appointment to go back later in the week. We go back and continue to teach and he opens up to us and I can tell he really needs this gospel in his life. He did come to church yesterday and he was sharing a lot in classes and told us he really enjoyed it. I am so excited for his progression. SO yeah it was great! And the yesterday ha. Nagbihis ako ng damit ng patay. Which in English is- I changed the clothes of a dead person. Ha! I still can’t believe it happened. We just finished teaching then we were going to the next appointment but planned to stop at the viewing of this old lady member that died last week. When we get there they were getting ready to change her clothing and SOMEHOW they got me and Sister Jemino to do it. That was… yeah. But at the end she looked really pretty. At least we know she is in a good place. SO yeah that was my week. We didn’t do much for Easter. Just changed a dead person’s clothing. Hahaha. Anyways hope you are all doing good! Namimiss ko kayo!

Mahal kita

Sister Ianuzi

Week 44

We had a long week of tracting but we had a lot of fruit. We got 5 new investigators this week. We got this 1 new couple witha  bunch of little kids that live super close to the church. we even went to them like at 830 last night and they let us in even though they were getting ready to sleep. Turns out that brother works with a member too. Its the Abinion family. So hopefully things work out! we've taught them twice now. we extended a baptismal date but they said yes to the baptism but no to the date beacuse they dont want to promise and then it not happen.. thats kind of usual for an answer. but hey! it was actually realyl good. so they have a 12 yhear old daughter but we havent met her yet... and then 2 young kids under 8. oh yeah! We watched conference this past weekend! (in english... our investigator didnt show up :/)  i loved like them all! probably my favorite were

a priceless heritage of hope

i have given you an example ( loved this one! probably because of all the examples that have helped me get here )

let your faith show

your four minutes

obedience through our faithfulness

where your treasure is (ha of course. its was from the philippino! when he talked everyone was like "YAY!")

ha thats kind of a lot. :) everything is just so good! i really felt like i learned a lot about the importance of our faith. i love general conference!

So i didn;t even really realize it was Easter this upcomng sunday until I read your email... sooo yeah so far we have no plans. But we do have a curfew this upcomnig weekend because things are kind of crazy... its really catholic here so its holy week. And like people react the like Crucifixion here... and yeah its kind of weird. ivejust heard stories but hopefully i dont see anything like that... 

tell sister sands thanks for the package in advance before i forget ha. it takes about 1 month or so to get packages. letters take liek 2 weeks... you should send me letters (i dont really ahve a right to say that... i havent written you in forever... sorry! ) mostly i just need your prayers for ellaine. she just hasnt been coming to church anymore... we keep moving her bdate. she says she wants to but then wont come to church :/ its really making me sad. i love her so much. she was so close and now seems so far. idk what changed. 

So thank you! i hope you have a good week! and a good easter! enjoy the company. i miss everyone from back home but its all good. when is mothers day? i really need a calender hahaha i never know when anything is. that will be fun to skype! our last one before i get home! woah! ha. malapit na! (but not really... ) so yeah! i love you!

mahal kita

sister ianuzi

Week 43

Hello po sa inyo lahaT! 

The cap on the T is because I realized I really suck at pronouncing the T in Tagalog. And Sister Jemino has been helping. Kahit I know Tagalog- I still speak it with an American accent. So MEET MY NEW COMPANION: Sister Jemino! Taga Davao, Mindanao area of the Philippines. So like the southern part. She is SO SO sweet and kind. And like basically pretrained. But lets first tell the story of how she got here. So the plan was on wednesday we go to the church (the trainers) at 8 and wait for them to show up around 9. But then it was like 10 and no one had showed up yet. There has been a big festival going on lately so there is a lot of traffic but we were worried. Then I receive a text from the AP saying "flight canceled" thats it. ha. So yeah all the new missionaries didn't show up. Then everyone like the APs and leaders goes on super stress mode and tries to find them a new flight- but the earliest flight isn't until Friday. So then they end up feeding us lunch and tell us to go out to work in my area. Ha. They ended up deciding to BUS the new missionaries down from Manila to Legazpi. That's like over 12 hours! kawawa sila! But they get here on thursday! They are all so tired ha but they are so nice! We have a training and get to know each other and it was a good day- just long. The new missionaries were all SO tired. Friday we had our first day of work together! Wow she was so good! even though it was kind of an off day and a lot of walking she was so good! I am so excited to be her companion! So on saturday night we were out teaching and we get a text saying "magsasalita ka bukas" meaning "you will speak tomorrow" WHAT?! Thanks for the heads up. SO yeah thats the life of a missionary- when people cancel last minute the missionaries always speak! Grrr. But yeah sundaymorning comes along. Church starts and midway though the opening song- brown out. So yeah I get to speak without a mike and its SUPER hot. But ha I did it. Sympre about missionary work. But yeah it was all good. And at church yesterday we had a less active come for the first time in about 5 years! Miracles are starting here in Legazpi! Gotta love it! I am excited to continue to work here and serve with Sister Jemino! Hope you all have a great week! Mahal kita!

Sister Ianuzi