Week 64

Hello po! It was a great week. We are really seeing progression in the area! On tuesday we went to Legazpi for zone conference which was super fun. We got to see a bunch of friends from the mission. And learned a ton. I really realized how if I want to see more success in the work I should focus on families. I remember how amazing it was to have the Besmontes baptized, and I want to have that again. We actually have a father and daughter who are really progressing right now. And have come to church many times. We thought there was going to be a problem, because we thought Tatay wasn't marrried. But found out yesterday that he is! (His wife doesn't live here though). We are so excited! They are really studying all that we are teaching them. It is so great. We also have another investigator progressing! He is SUPER DEVOUT CATHOLIC. Like the most I've come across here. He was in Seminary to become a Priest for a few years but stopped. But still really active. Oh and he is only 18. Ha. But he has A LOT of questions and of course this gospel has his answers. So he has been loving meeting with us. And I am learning a ton from teaching him because before we teach him we really do prepare a lot. I love it! He came to church yesterday and enjoyed it. This past week has been a ton of work. Work work work- in the rain rain rain. Oh rainy season- how I love you. Not. Anyways- I hope you are all doing well! OH and MERRY CHRISTMAS! It's now -ber month so its the start of Christmas season in the Pines. Super masaya! Ha! Mahal ko kayo!

Sister Ianuzi

Week 63

It was a good week. we are really seeing progresison in our investigators and like we are just doing goodfinally. we have some amazig investigators. like Alpapara. its a dad and his daughter. the daughter is 12 and ready for binyag but we are waiting to rty and get them together. tatay is finally showing progression. hes come to churc h2 weeks in a row now. and then there is Angelo- super super catholic. they have a HUGE saint in their living room (its really weird to teach next to it) and he had a ton of questions like almost debating. but when a member testfied to him it like stopped him. since that lesson he has been sooo progressing. we really thought he'd go to church yesterday but he didnt. we are going back tomorrow. oh! mount mayon is on level 2 alert. haha does that scare you that im next to an active volcano? i think its cool.... anyways we can see lava like flowing out from it. and a ton of smoke. but level 3 and up is when its like bursting and stuff. but yeah bc its like active its superrr hot. and solike it rains a lot to like counteract the heat. andddd i dont have an umbrella. it broke a few weeks ago. so i have been going around like a wet dog all week. sis mercado trys to share hers but then i feel bad cuz like then she gets wet too. id rather just me. but yeah now i have a cold. dont worry i bought an umbrella earlier. its my 8th one in the mission. bad luck talaga. 

im upset about you not picking me up. i had expected you would this whole time. but like i realize its such a short time period. so yeah im upset but ill get over it. it will be good to see grandma and grandpa too. i love you both! have a good week! oh! JB looks so big! thats crazy hes like my height! i was shocked! hes no longer my little brother... :( i miss you! 

mahal ko kayo

sister ianuzi

Week 62

Hello po! This past week was long. We had exchanges on tuesday which seems like weeks ago. But it was just like a week ago. Crazy. While on exchanges we tracted this family. Who are like super super interested. But it's been hard getting back with them as a complete family. But we are trying! On saturday we got to teach Estel, she is a great investigator who has come to church for 3 weeks now. But she is only 12 years old (which I realized that Jacob is 12 the other day... but Estel seems really mature. And I think of Jacob as like 4 years old still...) so we are trying to really teach her father. He has always been busy every time we went until saturday! We taught him! And it was great! He even said closing prayer! And committed to church on sunday. And sure enough! Yesterday we walk into church and Tatay and Estel are there! It was so happy! Then right as I am talking to them and saying hi the first counselor in the Branch Presidency comes up to me. And tells me I am speaking. Oh the joys of a small branch. Missionaries speak almost every week and its always by surprise. It's a miracle I've made it this many weeks without talking. So I talked about the Book of Mormon. This past saturday I finished reading the Book of Mormon for the 4th time here. And my testimony of the Savior has grown so much. I really really love the Book of Mormon and learn so much from it. And I encouraged all the members (and all of you ) to read it daily. Because when we are reading the words of Christ we will receive strength to live this gospel and to share it with others. I hope you are all doing good! Namimiss ko kayo!

Sister Ianuzi

week 61

Hello po! This past week things have started to go back to normal. We are working like normal (well with a 6pm curfew) and trying our best. But luckily the electricity came back to our area on Saturdaymorning so we no longer have a 6pm curfew! And we are moving back to our apartment in our area later today. I missed it ha. We had zone training this week which was super sad because a ton of missionaries here in the zone are going home. We have one investigator, Estel, who is progressing. She's come to church two weeks in a row now. The only problem is she is only 12 years old... We are trying to teach her father with her so please pray we can! She is really interested. This week I have really learned about prayer. It is such a blessing that we are able to pray to our God, our Heavenly Father. I really encourage everyone to pray every morning and night. It's a simple commandment that means so much. Too often people forget to pray and thank for all the blessings we have. One thing I've learned in the Pines is gratitude. So make sure to pray and give thanks! Time is really flying. I can't believe its almost the end of summer over in the US. It's so hot here. Like its kind of sickening. But hey- only a few more months of heat. I'll enjoy it before I have to come home to freezing temperatures.. Namimiss ko kayo!

Sister Ianuzi

Week 60

Hello po sa inyo lahat. This week hasbeen well. Still no electricity in our area so its been hard to the work but its all good. There is electricity in the town- just where we live and where we work there isn't. But we moved to live with other sisters in town until we get electricity. and just travel everyday to our area. annoying but worth having a fan to sleep with ha. we did have one great lesson this week. we were teaching about joseph smith, and the investigator had great questions. and RIGHT as I go to say the first vision, HUGE RAINFALL that is so loud and impossible to speak. We just all laugh. Our investigator is like "Please God I want to hear what these Sisters are saying! Stop the rain!" and after like 3 minutes it stopped. She was amazed ha. But we continue with the lesson and the Spirit was strong. She is really interested so hopefully we can continue to help her. Ummm what else? Oh the new sister in the district is Sister Maualuga, she was in my district in Legazpi for 4 months. So it's fun being with her again. Sorry this short! Hope you are all good! Mahal ko kayo!

Sister Ianuzi

week 59

Kia ora,

I am emailing on behalf of sis Ianuzi. We have had a typhoon past through the area but thankfully none of the missionaries were affected by the strong winds and rain. all missionaries have been accounted for.

At this time there is no internet connection or electricity in the area where sis Ianuzi is assigned.

Your missionaries are fine and well and send their regards to you.

Thank you