Week 55

Hello po! This week was crazy. We taught 45 lessons! Almost pure tracting. So we knock and knock and knock (but in reality- tao po!) But I have a great story about the last lesson- number 45. It was to a recent convert from last December I think. Since then she has gone a little less active and done some wrong things. And she was feeling it. She said she hasn't felt the Holy Ghost anymore and was just so far from Heavenly Father. When she would pray or read the Book of Mormon, or go to church she just felt like a hypocrite. Sister Mercado and I taught one of the most powerful lessons on repentance that I have ever taught. I felt so much love for this girl. I felt Heavenly Fathers love for her and the desire to bring her back. It is one of the strongest Spirits I have ever felt in a lesson. It's one year into my mission but I think last night for the first time I have really felt that THIS is what Heavenly Father needed me to do. I am merely His instrument to bring these people to Him. This past week I really realized that I am needed here in Polangui. I am going to try to give it my all here. Our area is pretty far out but its pretty small and easy to get around. Oh its rainy season here. So thats a fun thing. And my (NEW) umbrella broke. It lasted only two weeks. I think I have a curse with umbrellas. But other than that- it's been fun. Sister Mercado is great and cooks for me like super amazing Philippino food. So that is like heaven. And I am just learning to love everything here. I know that this church is true. I know that Heavenly Father loves each of us so much. And this gospel is the only way to be truly happy. I am so grateful that I am serving here and doing this work to help others. Even though I am tired and my body is always sore from walking- I couldn't be happier. I miss you all but I hope it's still a long time before I see you. I don't want to leave! :D

Mahal ko kayo

Sister Ianuzi

Wek 54

Hello po! Well I am now in Polangui. That is the northern part of my mission. I have just been going around Mount Mayon my whole mission. But yeah it is like right at the boarder of the mission. My new companion is sister Mercado from the Philippines. I've known her for a long time now so its fun being companions. We are just kind of living off on our own in the middle of no where teaching everyone. We taught 37 lessons- and almost pure tracting. I'm pretty sure I'm the first white missionary here so everyone is pretty shocked when they see me and let us in. So yeah it's gonna be interesting here. It's a lot of rice fields here... so that's fun to look at. And yeah I don't have a ton to say... But I definitely feel like I am in the Philippines now. Out living in the middle of no where ha being the only whitey. But I know I am meant to be here. And I really hope to see miracles here. I know I will. I hope you are all doing good! Namimiss ko kayo!

Sister ianuz

Week 53

Magadang hapon sa inyo lahat! This week was good! We found a new family to teach who show interest. Brother is really good at Bible ha. I have a cute story about a littleboy here. Let me try to share, It is about Kingzly, he is 6. Really really small though. Anyways he just started school this past week. This was our conversation...

"Kamusta ang pasok mo?" "ok lang... (sounding sad)" "ano? marami ka bang kaibigan?" "uhhh... maghahanap pa..." TRANSLATION "how is your school" "ok..." "what... do you have a lot of friends?" "uhhh still looking" idk it was SO FUNNY at the time. It was just a sweet answer of saying like he is still looking for friends because like he is new to school. But yeah I laughed for like 20 minutes. He's just a cute kid. Anyways. We had exchanges this week and we killed it. Me and the STL got 11 lessons in one day. It was great. We also had fun with Sister Guanzon at the mission home ha. Long story. Gonna miss the mission home... Anyways. We found out on Saturday that I am transferred... big surprise. Its really sad even though it was expected. I just love Legazpi. I love the people and love it all. I've seen so much progression here. I will really miss them all. But it was a great way to end things. We got 38 lessons. We taught 2 Family Home Evenings this past week. Ate at the Dorosans. Hung with Sister Guanzon. Ate at the Embarcadero. Really lived my last week in Legazpi to the fullest ha. We had stake conference on Saturday and Sunday about hastening the work specifically here in the Philippines. It's getting busy here! Ha. Hope you are all doing good! Mahal kita.

Sister Ianuzi

Week 52

First I'd like to say Hi to all the Legazpi Young Women who are reading my blog now. Ha. That's funny. And WOO! ONE YEAR NA! Ha. I actually got sick on my one year. Oh well. Anyways it was a good week. But we had a busy week. It was fun with the on and off electricity. But you know- we got used to it after a week. Yesterday was a funny day- we 

So I made a list of 12 things because you know- its been 12 months in the mission! YAY! ha.

1. year in the mission!

2. areas, Tabaco and Legazpi. I love them both! I wonder if I'll be going to my third pretty soon...

3. journals- yeah I'm on my third journal for the mission! lots of memories to write!

4. umbrellas- ha i should say 5... because I'm on my fourth right now but its broken... I might buy a new one later today

5. watches - I have the worst luck. They always get wet and break. or I leave them places. I only buy super cheap ones now

6. companions - Sister Carr, Sister Andrada, Sister Evans, Sister Dumas, Sister Whaanga, Sister Jemino- I can't pick a favorite!

7. people baptized- The Besmonte family, John, Joseph, and Julie

8. new favorites foods- Sinegang, Bicol Express, Adobo, Toasted Siopao, Tinola, Monggo, Pakbet, Filippino Spaghetti (its so different here!) 

9. planners

10. lessons in one day- the most i've ever done. keep trying for 11 but haven't gotten it yet. this week! ha

11. new best friends- i love the little kids here. and they love me because i'm white. so im automatically their best friend if I ask to be.

12. new scars on my legs- ha probably more actually. gotta love the bugs here

So yeah! It's the last week of transfers so who knows what will happen. Only our Father in Heaven. I am loving in here in Legazpi and would love to stay. Or go anywhere I am needed. I hope you all have a good week! Mahal ko kayo

Sister Ianuzi

Week 51

Hello po! Well it was a crazy week. Legazpi City currently doesn’t have electricity. Its so… hot. Here is what happened- some transformer thingy broke for the electricity for the ENTIRE city. solegazpi is hot. hot hot hot. they like got it sort of fixed like short term- now its "roaming power" so like some places have electricity while others dont. it changes every 5 hours or so. so like we willhave power then none for a day or so. then have it again. its so so annoying.that started on saturday. but fromwednesday until saturday there was none. as in none. but saturday night wehad somefor like 5 hours. then we lost it. then sunday we had it  in the morning (for church! yay!) then none all day. but then we had it lsat night. but lost in while we were asleep. we dont have any now. But beside that it was a good week! Julie was married and baptized! After 5 years of being an investigator! It was a great day (really hot but great). She was so happy. But oh- I should tell the story. Well we get a text on Thursday saying that the wedding was postponed because the papers weren’t complete. So I went to bed super hot and super sad. It was a long night. Then on Friday we were studying and I was like “hey lets have Maricar work with us” (she is the niece of Julie… a member) So we text her. And she replies “don’t we need to decorate for the wedding” So after calling a bunch of people it turns out the wedding in on! And we have less than 5 hours to decorate the entire church and get everything set. It was so tiring. And so hot. But it turned out so nice. She is really happy now. But yeahwe had zone conference and exchanges this past week. It was ok. I just am so tired- you try sleeping in the Philippines without electricity. Yeah you can’t. Ha. What a life. Hope you all have a good week. Pray we get real electricity back…. Mahal ko kayo!

Sister Ianuzi

Week 50

I dont have much time... as always. But it was a good week! Sister Jemino is just so good that every week we keep improving and seeing more progress here! We were able to get an investigator to church for the first time yesterday. We are teaching the whole family, but only the wife came to church. But she really loved it and was excited to tell her family and bring them next week. So sana! The members here are so great. They keep texting asking to work with us... Only 1 time this week did we go out to work without a member. ONCE! We always have people with us and helping so its so much more fun. We have been super busy with planning with wedding for Julie. All the papers are ready to go so we just have to get it all together! We have a family home evening later tonight with their family. They are all so excited that it is so fun to teach them now. Julie is really progressing and so ready to be baptized. Speaking of which- Joseph was baptized! It was great. As we were singing the opening hymn we lose power... so it was hot. But the Spirit was strong. His testimony made me proud. Like I really see how much he has grown from the gospel and I am so glad I was able to help him. This week is crazy busy but will be great! I hope you are all doing well! 

Sister Ianuzi

Week 49

This week was SO good and so full of miracles. I always think I can't be any happier- then the Lord just shows me more miracles in the work. I was a little homesick after skypeing with my family last week but like it so went away. I remember praying that He would give me work to do so I could be distracted and focused on the work and the people. It happened! We have had a ton of members working with us. And then on Saturday our one day mission was a super success. We visited a part member family and then they attended church all together yesterday- Yay! Sister Jemino is really taking the lead in this work. And in the area. She knows the members really well and they all love her. We have been getting texts from members asking if they could work with us- we don't even have to ask! They really are excited to help. So Bishop was finally able to talk with a different part member family after church and have helped them set a date for marriage. So after the wedding there will be a baptism for Sister! It was probably the biggest miracle I have seen on my mission. It has been 4 years that she has been an investigator and I am so so happy that now is the time to change that! She is really excited to get married and baptized as well. The current date is May 30 but depends on the marriage license arriving. Keep it in your prayers! Ha. I really am seeing that through our obedience and diligence the work is happening here in Legazpi. I am so happy to be serving here and am excited for this upcoming week. Our planner is already full and I just can't wait to do this work again. I love being here. I hope you are all doing good!

Mahal ko kayo!

Sister Ianuzi