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

Week 42

Magandang linggo sa inyo lahat!

So this week was okay. I’ve gotten a small cold so that’s a little annoying. And I stepped on a rusty nail on Saturday so now it hurts to walk but hey- I just keep on going. If the pain doesn’t go away beforetomorrow I’ll go see a doctor. Or who knows- maybe I’ll come home footless! Ha. Joke-lang. So miracle for the week! We had one Nanay come to church yesterday for the first time in 10 to 20 years. It almost made me cry I was so happy. I am excited to go teach her this week and encourage her to come again. On that note- transfer announcements came on Saturday night. I am staying here for another 3 months. I got called to train. That means 7 and a half months in Legazpi. I feel so spoiled here. But anyways! I do love the people here. Sister Whaanga is transferred. I am really sad to see her leave. She is so fun! Oh sad news! My bag has finally ripped. The one I brought from home as my mission bag. It lasted a good 9 months! But now is gone. And will be missed. And I already bought the replacement. Which I probably spent too much on but oh well. Hopefully it lasts me the next 9 months. But my main pair of shoes are still going strong! I’m hoping they last the whole mission. Gotta love ya some crocs! But yeah time is really flying here. Hopefully things continue to be great! Have a good week!

Mahal kita!

Sister Ianuzi

Week 41

Hello po sa inyo lahat!

So gotta make this one fast sorry! But it was a great week! We got 35 lessons! Like what?! It’s the like mission goal here and like no one gets it ha. But hey! We do now! It was great. We are so tired from it but hopefully we do it again this week. Wednesday was fun! We were at an investigators house (Larry, he is SUPER cool) and he goes and climbs a coconut tree and gives us buko! And not like 1 buko but like 5 ha! We cut them open (well he does) and like gahh sobrang masarap! You have no idea. Like the coconut milk straight from the coconut?! Best thing ever. Really. And then the buko itself is so good. Friday we had zone training and it was good. I really learned a lot about how like I can’t get in the way of the Lord doing his work. I am His instrument and He needs me. So I hope I keep doing good and let Him do His work. Sunday was great. We went HARD. We were so close to the 35 lessons so we just kept going til curfew to get them ha! And we did! We had some members feed us lunch which was so sweet and kind. AND the best part! We had SIX investigators come to church! WHAT?! That’s unheard of ha. We were sitting in sacrament meeting and like we had 3 which is good as it is! But then a little bit into it this family we are teaching, the Legsons, come ! Nay, Tay and 1 daughter. It was so good! They really enjoyed it. I couldn’t stop smiling the whole day. The work here in Legazpi is picking up and I’m loving it. I really hope and pray this isn’t my last week here… Transfers are next week and this is my 3^rd transfer in the area. Who knows- only God! I hope you are all doing great! I need to write like a ton of people letters soooo yeah just be patient if you are waiting for a reply. Namimiss ko kayo!

Mahal ko kayo

Sister Ianuzi

Week 40

Well this week was crazy. I’ll start out on Tuesday- we go to teach John and find out JOHN IS BEING BAPTIZED ON SATURDAY! Ha. President decided he is ready and we don’t need to wait one more week. And yeah well it goes against the standards but President calls the shots soooo yeah. We hurry and prepare him! Ha. We end up going there every day of the week ha. Wednesday was my 9 month mark so yeah that was crazy. We had a really good day of teaching with a strong spirit is like all of our lessons. Couldn’t have asked for a better day! We even go to do some community service! And when I say we I mean Sister Whaanga did as I walked behind. We were walking down a mountain after teaching and we see a lady bringing 2 pals of water up a mountain. So we ask to help- and she keeps trying to say no because she said she lives far. But we couldn’t let her do it alone! It as hot! Anyways so like I’m a weakling and couldn’t lift the pal of water because it was like heavy! But Sister Whaanga could ha. So she carries one and the lady carried one. And I walk behind hahaha. But man- I was TIRED> And I didn’t even carry anything. She wasn’t joking when she said she lives far. She was AT THE TOP! But yeah its all good. She is nice and said we can go back to teach her. We just haven’t made it up the hill yet… Its really high up ha. Saturday was the baptism! YAY! John was so happy! He is a quiet person but he just kept smiling the whole time. I felt the Spirit and knew that he was ready for this. He really has changed since the missionaries started teaching him. We had another investigator show up to the baptism, Eillen. She is so funny and so great. Afterwards she says “seguro ako yung susunod!” meaning “maybe I’ll be the next one!” So yeah- hopefully! Ha. Sunday was Johns confirmation and he was ordained to  a Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood. He is excited and so happy to finally be baptized. I can’t believe this even happened still. It was all so fast but so happy and exciting. I am really happy with where I am right now. I feel like I am doing what the Lord needs me to do. And I am so grateful to be here with all these amazing people. I love this work! I hope you are all doing good too!

Mahal ko kayo!

Sister Ianuzi

Week 39

Hello po! Kamusta po kayo!? This week was good. It flew by really. We had a ton of meetings and practices so I felt like we hardly worked. But hopefully we get more time this week. We had mission tour this past week which was fun. I really learned a lot about setting goals and am motivated to become the best I can be. This past weekend we also had stake conference here is Legazpi and it was great. Somehow we ended up in the Stake Choir but yeah it was all good. We had FOUR investigators at church on sunday. We were SO SO SO shocked. We saw 2 there and were so happy and then like 2 more came up to us at the end that we hadn't even seen!! One was Eillen, our amazing investigator who loves all this. We are hoping to meet her husband this week and be able to talk more about baptism with her. Then John was able to come again. We are hoping to finalize his baptism for this month sometime. And one of the best miracles I saw was Arleen. She is a member but hasn't been to church in over 7 years. I love her- she lives SUPER far away. Part of the big problem she doesn't come to church is that it is so far away and costs so much to come. We even struggle paying to go out to visit people in the area but we love the people there so we sacrifice. But she CAME TO CHURCH YESTERDAY! And she walked half the way because she couldn't afford the whole ride. I don't think I've ever been so proud of someone. I really love her and I know she knows this Gospel is true. I am so grateful for the love from Heavenly Father for each of us and all the help He willingly gives to us to help us through life. So yeah thats my life right now. Sister Whaanga is great and I feel like she does most the work most the time. She is so enthusiastic and upbeat- I should really try to be like her more! Ha. I hope you are all doing good!

Mahal ko kayo!

Sister Ianuzi