Highlights:

-So, remember how I was frustrated with faith, agency, and unanswered prayers last week? Well the Lord gave me a sweet reminder that he DOES always answer prayers and gives us what we ask for if it is in faith and if it's right. I had fasted and prayed ALL night last Saturday for tatay villanueva to come to church and he didn't show up. I prayed specifically the lord would prompt him to come. When we came back the next week Tatay looked straight at me and said "Sister Walters, I couldn't sleep all night because God was telling me to go to church." YES!! I was so humbled, and happy. I smiled and asked him what he would do so he could sleep better this week. He said he was gonna force himself to stop his work and come to church. THEY ALL CAME TO CHURCH as a fam and their baptism will continue for the 25th. God answers prayers. 

-Hazel said she wants to be baptized as soon as possible so we had to teach the Word of Wisdom right away because they have to keep it for a month before they can be baptized. Her face when we said we shouldn't drink coffee was SO funny but at church she told us she stopped right away and when we husband was a little annoyed she said he could drink hot water with salt in it if he wanted but they weren't drinking coffee because God said it will make them sick. She is amazing. 

-Also my heart melted when she was reading out loud in relief society and struggling a little bit so sister Ortega comes behind her and puts her own reading glasses over her eyes. The ones we bought her got lost and sister ortega's kindness came to save the day!! 

The Other Sister Training Leaders

- Remember that group of little kids we taught last week? They came RUNNING up to us the other day so excited and said in one big burst "SISTER WALTERS! I read every day and I prayed and asked if the sister missionaries were true and I felt something like God said yes, it's true. We believe you." Um, am I surprised that Jesus Christ ministered to little children and angels surrounded them? Not at all. Their faith is incredible. That particular one is Mark and he turns 8 today. 

- No big deal um....I have been on my mission for 1 YEAR! We had a meeting with the other sister training leaders and zone leaders on Friday and they were looking at my pictures I keep with me- one was the day I came into the MTC and the they noticed the back said February 10, 2016. They were like TODAY YOU HAVE BEEN HERE FOR A YEAR! I was like..oh yeah..haha that's a long time. Mission is too fast everyone. 

Missionaries can Laugh Too:

Filipinos say their "p"s as "f" and "f" and "p"s. We were talking in english with the Macabuags for dinner and I said "how was your day brother Alex?" he cleverly replied "Fine- like a fine apple" (meaning pineapple) Maybe you had to be there but I DIED. Filipinos talkenglish SO funny. 

You Know You're in the Philippines When:

You have a list like this to count church attendance :

hahaha 

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Tagalog:

"Kinakonscienca ako ng Diyos" That's an example of "Taglish" They made "conscience" a verb and said God was making them conscience. That's what Tatay said when he couldn't sleep haha.

Spiritual Thought:

Basically, I am inspired again by my amazing friends and this week I want to comment on Sister Hardcastles study of submitting to the will of the father. No matter how happy the mission is there are definitely still hard times, and times where you are treading water and close to running out of strength and breath, wondering when the rescue ship is coming. But I take comfort in studying about the atonement of Jesus Christ knowing that anything coming my way is something he himself has overcome. There is a scripture in 1 Nephi 9: 19 or 19:9 something like that that lists all the pain he went through and after every one it says "and he suffereth it" because of his "long-suffering kindness towards the children of men." We press through these trials on the mission because we love our investigators, and our companions, and mostly our savior. I know with whatever you are facing if you study his sacrifice and his atonement you will find the strength to break the surface of the water and start swimming strong- whether the waves have subsided or not. 

I'd like to close with what my grandma sent me when people are going through hard times and they ask their Heavenly Father why:

"Why are you taking me through such troubled waters?"

"Because your enemies can't swim." 

Love you grandma :) and LOVE YOU ALL!! 

Sister Walters

 

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Kalayaan na Pumili (Agency)

First off I would like to formally apologize to everyone- before the mission I was definitely an email reader who got tired of the really long emails from missionaries and just looked at the pictures. Now I am that missionary who can't help but write everything about the week because I think everyone is obsessed about the mission, the Philippines, and the people we get to teach as I am. So I will try to be more simple from now on and fill you in on the details when I am home (just kidding I'm not going home)

Highlights

• My beautiful comp's birthday today! Of course she got breakfast in bed. 

• Stake Choir was a hit. We even got awesome costumes and called the Bacnotan Tabernacle Choir. 

• Sister Hazel told us she wants to be baptized as soon as possible despite other influences telling her to think twice
• Met 10 new investigators on one day because a bunch of kids latched on to us and told us to come back on sunday and teach. Little by little their parents and grandparents and others living in the neighborhood just came to sit down until it was a huge group of people just listening to the incredible message of the restoration. One of them was apparently the neighborhood official and told us we could come back anytime and he would gather the people. 
• Carol Villanueva came all the way down to the stake center for church because she didn't want to miss a Sunday for her baptisms    

On the other hand..we had a couple hardships this week


In short we've had some investigators that were really strong use their agency in contrary to things that will help them progress towards baptism. I fasted and prayed so SO hard and bore testimony as powerful and heartfelt as I may have ever done, searched for the perfect scriptures, contacted ward members and other missionaries to pray...and I have realized after all we can do the Lord will never take away our agency or anyone's agency. I was pretty discouraged BUT I realized a couple things I'll write about later.

• The poverty is something that has struck more on my heart this week. One of our investigators is so so poor and it may be 5 pm when we get there and her kids haven't eaten lunch because they don't have the money. We are excited to buy her reading glasses today though so she can read the Book of Mormon (thanks grandma for the birthday money! It's going to a good cause). And her faith is so strong she still committed to find a way to save money every week to come to church.



Missionaries can Laugh

We thought we made friends with the monkey next to our house but it's actually like rabid so thats too bad.

​​​​Tagalog

Alam mo ba na ito ang mga chips ng Panginoon? (don't you know these are the Lord's chips?)

Know You're in the Philippines when

The ward rents a jeepney to go home in after conference. Also they put soft drinks into plastic bags with straws.

Spiritual Thought

I had to ponder faith this week because I had that temptation come into my mind to be a little bit upset with God. I remembered the scripture in Moroni 10:23 that says we can do all things through our faith in Christ. I didn't understand why things hadn't worked out with our investigators, why they chose the things they did or didn't understand or read...or how we could bear the strongest testimony of truth and they could say they have nothing to say. It hurt because we asked in faith and fasted and prayed and worked hard. But the last of that verse says "which is expedient to the Lord". All things will happen on HIS timing and according to HIS will, not ours. He still expects us to do our best but then humbly accept his plan and the agency of others, being satisfied that we have shown our faith still. I've been humbled and will continue to work hard for those investigators and try to submit myself even further to God's will to be an effective instrument in his hands.

Doctor Walters

Add caption

Well it was a different week for sure but blessings on blessings pa rin. oops that means still. Seriously I think in Tagalog now. 

We were in and out of the ospital (yup that means hospital) a lot this week but now we have a set schedule there for Physical Therapy! Anyways instead of being stressed about time we just found ways to be missionaries where ever you are. 

1) Met the CEO of Lorma Hospital. He's super nice and old. He showed us the graves of his parents in the hospital chapel and we told him families can be together forever. He believed it. His secretary/ HR manager offered me a job cause I studied Psychology. So mom I am just gonna work here after the mission okay ba iyan? 

2) Got to translate for German Interns and this 15 year old girl with a foot/ nerve deformation that they are trying to solve. Our timing was PERFECT going at that time, at that part of the hospital. The doctors were like "Uh..we can't speak english?" so I was like "Hey wanna translator?" Then we got to testify of the gift of tongues. 

3) Had exchanges again and this missionary was suffering from some anxiety and depression that had gone unnoticed so we did a ultimate search of "our purpose" through prayer, scriptures, preach my gospel, and President Hinkely's words on Optimism. I had to pray hard how to help and then left her a "prescription" of things to do every day, things to write in her journal, a picture of our Savior to look at...we'll see how that goes. She is an incredible missionary but no one is exempt to the feelings of discouragement and inadequacy on the mission. 

4) Villanueva couple are killing the no coffee thing. Survival Kit was a success! Tatay ( the dad) used to be so closed off but bore the sweetest testimony in our lesson that he feels so peaceful finding the true way to worship the Lord, they've been converted or convinced, and he prays that their baptism will continue. The GOSPEL WORKS! Please keep them in your prayers. 

5) Stake choir is still going strong. This ward is SO much like family that I made a joke and the woman next to me literally spanked me like her own child and then almost fell to the floor she was laughing so hard. (There's the You Know You're in the Philippines When and Funny Moment combined hahaha) 

6) Julia is still so solid and continually progressing, always excited to come to church, answering questions, even started her Personal Progress. Church is true. 

7) Accidently talked for like 40 minutes in church and there were 2 other speakers. 

8) Kamball (Brooklyn) came back and visited!! Missed that YSA bunches. (but almost not single adult anymore woop woop) 

Sorry this format is different but in closing... BE OPTIMISTIC. Everyone should read the Liahona this month and the section on President Hinkley. I quote Abby's letter this week that we need not "wallow in self-pity" we can find the good in every situation. That is how we stay away from sickness, and pain, or at least how we get through it. No. Matter. How. Hard. you think what you are going through it's always easier just to smile. It takes less than 2 seconds and you immediately feel better. Ask your savior for love and comfort, then recognize he suffered it all so we can DEFINITELY make it through, then in the words of my sweet and intelligent mother "Stop thinking about yourself and serve someone else." 

This church is true. I know it and I will never leave it because HERE I truly get to know my Savior Jesus Christ. 

Sister Walters 

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wwoooaahh we're half-way theerree (with sister swainston's training)

Highlights:

We took district family pictures before Elder Decosta got transferred to Baguio

I can't remember if there is a lot to say this week or not much...they are just so fast and blurry haha 

We had MLC again this week and just as I got there the new Trainers of the batch coming in where leaving aanndd I SAW SISTER BERRY!! My beloved anak (child) is training so now I have an apo! (grandchild) and My nanay (mom or trainer) is training again as well so I have a sister too. That's how family trees go in mission life. 

Pretty cool experience this week but the story starts a couple months ago. I was jogging on the beach in the morning and really wanted to just "be alone" cause thats how I like jogging (even though my comp was there too haha) anyways I had this way strong impression to talk to this family playing there. So I got over myself and talked to them. Long story short last week I saw her name in the phone and texted her- she said she cried cause we still remembered them and was excited for us to come to their house- we brought the Ortega family to come teach with us. BOOM she felt the holy ghost so strong she cried again and didn't know why she got goose bumps as soon as I started talking in the lesson- then she came to church (early- that's unheard of) and told me she will start saving every week to pay for their transportation to church because it feels so good there. THE LORD PREPARES PEOPLE! Her name is Hazel. Please pray for the Assistente family :) 

We taught the Villanueva couple the Word of Wisdom and they will have to give up coffe so we bought them a survival kit for the first week haha :) 

For the Villanueva couple 

We had more time at the house because my companion gets pretty dizzy with the foot medicine so she would need some more time to nap. But hey the Lord blessed us a lot because the four or five hours that we could work we had a FULL schedule. Our president is really pushing weekly baptisms or at least 4 in one month so we are trying our best and are praying what we've lined up for February will work out. 

A missionary's To Do list when the comp is sleeping 

Missionaries can Laugh:

Our italian investigator told us about Mother Teresa in his broken english and just repeated "I love you too much, i love you too much" while holding a book about her. It was pretty funny cause he was staring at Sister Swainston so i teased her saying she had new boyfriend :) 

Know you're in the Philippines When:

Emotions get kind of high kind of fast so at stake choir practice the pianist / leader walked out and I ended up teaching and playing. While teaching the tenor's their part the cute old bishop (Brother Aguilar) was so tone deaf we were dying haha. I checked their notes individually on the word "no" and we get to him and it was like I don't even know where so everyone was like "NO!" cause his note was wrong. Good times. I love the Philippines. 

Tagalog:

Maraming butiki- lots of lizards. That's what scurries around the walls and floor here. 

Spiritual:

Basically just be obedient to the Lord'c commandments. No matter what obstacles you have or when we think we are "exceptions" God only asks us to follow his commandments and he promises we will enjoy a "blessed and happy state" (Mosiah 2:41). We could be lazy and use my comp's foot as an excuse but we are diligent with our studied and make any hour we can proselyting effective, and he is blessing us. We know all success comes because of him, not from us. So that's the message. Be obedient. Just do it. Ang Diyos and bahala sa mga biyaya na darating sa iyo. 

Sister Walters 

"Confirm you a member of the church..."

Highlights:

Sister Julia's Family (the Abenojars) and the Ortega family also baptized their son 

JULIA GOT BAPTIZED!!! Honestly her testimony was the sweetest thing- she talked about how she used to hide from the missionaries (that got a laugh because the bishop testified too about that) but something changed with the sisters came and she was thankful for all she has learned and "sisikapin ko na magtiis hanggang wakas" she will strive to endure to the end. Man I love that girl. The miracle of the gospel is definitely a real thing. *PS Sister Swainston and I sang for the baptism and the bishop said he loved it so much he wants us to come sing at his funeral. Thanks bishop :) 

Brother Ransen came to the baptism and LOVED it. He is 16 years old too, I can see how the Lord really has chosen strong youth for this generation. We felt so bad because he asked for his personal Book of Mormon on Sunday cause he was so excited and....we forgot it...minus 5 points for Sister Walters. 

BUT we had a good reason haha- we left pretty early for church to go pick up cute Villanueva couple for church and when we got there Tatay (dad) was already getting ready! He woke up at 5:30 to feed the chickens and everything so he could come to church with his wife. He said he felt so happy and wasn't bored in any of the classes. Slam dunk. 

Sister Matenga is going home (The sister I sang Sunshine in my Soul with) 

We got to teach an old Italian dude who is the boss of one of our recent convert family. That was an interesting lesson of broken English. Hopefully some Spanish will come back so we get reach him better in the next lesson. He's a great guy. 

We had exchanges with Balaoan sisters- Balaoan is the most far out white sisters are allowed to go and yeah it's a little creepy at night. Sister Brown killed a rat that snuck around during evaluations while I stood on a chair and screamed in the most dignified way. Then the next day I helped Sister Matenga clean for 10 STRAIGHT HOURS for "One Day Repentence". That's what they call every 5th Thursday of the cycle because we clean the house all day. Their house was pretty nasty and I figured I could just chastise when I came to check it OR "let the master be the servant" so I stayed and we cleaned that place DOWN. I might have broken my foot while tearing apart some rotten wood but hey it's okay because that place is a temple now. 

Balaoan house 

Also after like 10 trips to the hospital we finally got a doctor who not only knows a lot about feet but randomly LOVES the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Nice. No wonder he is a good doctor. Anyways he diagnosed my comp's foot with Neuroma and she is on some meds that make her funny and dizzy and we are advised to work only 4 hours a day..BUT she has the best attitude and we are determined that even with half the time a normal missionary gets we are still going to keep this area on fire with baptisms. 

The ortega's were so cute and took us out to some pizza after the baptism 

Missionaries Laugh too:

Sister Brown taught me how to not be annoyed or feel uncomfortable when men call out to us all the time...one yelled out "hey sexiiess" (okay side note- that is a very very common word here and it has no inappropriate connotation they use it to mean like fit or in shape- they didn't understand why I was so shocked to first time I heard it) and Sister Brown just blows this big rasberry at them like kids do in kindergarten with their tongues sticking out. I laughed so. hard. 

You Know You're in the Philippines When:

You ride a jeepney with a couple live chickens. No big deal. 

Spiritual:

I can't remember where this scripture is anymore but there is one in 3rd Nephi where the people prayed for the Holy Ghost because "this [was] the gift they most desired." This week I have been SO grateful for the power and gift of the Holy Ghost. The power because that is what converts our investigators and tells them this is the true plan of God for them. The gift because this is the best and most beautiful way the Lord has provided us to be able to endure to the end and return to live in His presence. The Holy Ghost, combined with our faith to follow it and our worthiness to obtain it, is our only way to salvation in the life to come. I know as a missionary I could do nothing without it and it is the true teacher not me. My favorite question is asking the investigator how they feel and without fail we are able to testify that that warm, light, happy feeling inside is their Heavenly Father speaking to them through his divinely designated messenger. I encourage you to take note of the times in your life when you feel the Holy Ghost the most and when it seems to drift away. Keep those first times and activities in your life and the latter..faithfully let go of. Any activity that does not bring us in line with the companionship of the Holy Ghost is not worth our time in this short life as we prepare to meet God. 

I love you all and am really feeling your prayers out here in Bacnotan. I love this place. I love this mission. I love my Savior Jesus Christ. 

Sister Walters 

PS SHOUT OUT TO MY MAGANDANG MAMA WHO IS 50 AND ROCKIN IT. She is my inspiration and my strength. All are lucky to meet her. Please tell her how amazing she is on January 17, 2017. And any other day you feel like it :) 

No Effort is Wasted

Highlights:

So many amazing things happened this week and I couldn't be grateful for the miracles the Lord sent our way that started out by "small and simple things" 

- The Macabuag couple had been on vacation all last week but we stayed in contact with them through the phone giving them reading assignments in the Book of Mormon (they are so awesome). Then they surprised us by inviting us over the night they came home and they brought 5 of their 6 children!! We were able to meet and teach the whole family, with the help of our bishop and his wife who came as well. The spirit was so strong as we taught the Plan of Salvation for families and they would like to be baptized as a family :) We just have to get the missionaries to their kids in Leguna! 

- Brother Omar was a referral for sister Aurelio and I about two months ago. We were able to teach him and saw how much potential he had but then we switched our areas around and the Elders now had charge over that barangay (neighborhood). We let them know where he was and on Saturday he got baptized!! His testimony was so sweet- He spoke on how he used to send missionaries away but he was touched when Sister Aurelio and I came to him and he felt God telling him to try the gospel and so he did! 

- The old old bishop of this ward had gone less active for a couple years but Sister Aurelio found him one day and just spoke to him of God's love for him and how he isn't forgotten. Then he came to church the past few weeks and bore his testimony yesterday, mentioned how much it meant to him that the missionaries stopped by. I can see the old bishop in him returning..good ol Brother Socrates :) 

- Our investigator Lyn came to Omar's baptism, and LOVED the feeling of the church when we gave her a tour. Omar actually worked with us missionaries yesterday and was able to testify to Lyn of the change in him and why he was baptized, then sister Lyn accepted a baptismal invitation! (We actually want to get them together because they are both in their 20's but we can't actually initiate it so...just in our prayers haha) 

- We have this couple we teach who we love so much but they need a lot of prayers because the mom has breast cancer and her husband just recently had a stroke which leaves him almost paralyzed, and bed ridden. We brought a member with us last week and she was able to find out that sister Espiritu needs a blood donation to be able to do her chemo therapy and so she volunteered to donate for her! It was such a sweet moment to watch Sister Espiritu's tears by wiped away by the comfort of this member (who had perfect timing coming with us that night) and from her readings in the Book of Mormon

- JULIA PASSED HER INTERVIEW WITH FLYING COLORS AND WILL BE BAPTIZED THIS SATURDAY! 

Missionaries can Laugh too:

Yes mom my accents are coming back..particularly the mexican one...the members dig it. 

You Know You're in the Phillippines When...

Taking the time to heat up water on the stove, to pour in a bucket, to take a hot shower is a reaaaallll treat. You really just get used to fresh cold showers 

Tagalog :

Itago mo and isang piraso ng mais para sa akin para mamaya "Save me a piece of that corn for later" - Nacho Libre 

Spiritual Truths:

Okay so after all these things I typed i had this little voice of the brother of Ammon in my head that said "I fear thou carest thyself away in boasting" (okay I don't have the exact right words memorized). And all that happened this week was awesome but "I do not boast in my self...as to my strength I am nothing...but I boast in my God.." or something like that is Ammon's response. We know as missionaries any success that happens on our mission is not because of us because, ourselves, on our own, are just some teenagers who are trying to figure out how to preach the gospel in another language in another country, and we have way too many weaknesses for this to be possible… BUT when coupled with the spirit and strength of the Lord to guide us where to go, what to say, miracles can really happen. It is my favorite feeling in the world being an instrument in God’s hand to reach those of his beloved children that have strayed a little from the path, or just didn’t know where to find it.

“I get to wake up..at 5:30 in the morning..and [preach the gospel], it’s the beeesstt” – Also our very wise Nacho Libre

Sister Walters 
(from Michelle:  okay the video works until about 50 seconds in, than goes crazy...sorry!, but still fun to listen to the first part!)  

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Maligayang Bagong Taon (Happy New Year)!!

STL from San Fernando. She is also in my batch coming into the mission and I LOVE her :) ​

The white kids at MLC- Apparently Elder Smith also went to Alta. Small world huh? ​

Highlights:

Sister Julia is still strong for her date on the 14th of January and it is so awesome seeing the gospel light build in her eyes. 

Brother Omar used to be an investigator of ours but we ended up giving him to the Elders because we switched around areas and he is being baptized this Saturday!! The ward is excited to have some weekly baptisms again :) 

I had exchanges with Sister Bleak again!! We got to experience the non-training schedule of noon to 9pm straight proselyting and we were pretty beat from the heat and walking but we taught some awesome lessons, that sister's spirit is SO strong and I've loved having the chance for us to come from the MTC together and see each other grow along the way. Also it was fun to sing with her again before every lesson :) 

We met this new less active named Sister Arcely and it was such a cool experience with the spirit! She let us in and told us she was going to go to the market with her son, like they were ready and everything, and then something stopped her feet and she just told her child they would go later for some reason. Then she heard "tao po" (that's what you say when you are at the door of a house) and we came in! It was powerful lesson about the love of the Savior for her and she wants to come back to church and introduce her family to the gospel too. 

We had our MLC meeting with President in Baguio! We set some new goals for the new year, including a 1000 baptism goal for the whole mission! It was at my old chapel and it brought back a ton of memories to be in my first area. I wasn't allowed to coordinate with my old investigators or converts so it was kind of sad to be so close but hey it's okay. Also it was FREEZING. A really weird change to feel cold again. 

Banging pots and pans of course!

NEW YEARS!! Was very loud haha- we had to be home by 6 pm but we couldn't sleep until after 12 because it sounded like guns outside our house it was SO loud. But we had some yummy cake, ice cream, and watermelon, then the neighbors of course gave us...wait for it..macaroni salad and spaghetti. So crazy that it's 2017. 

Midnight new years food

Light Moments:

Yes all my brothers can be proud of their sister who definitely not "maarte" (like high maintenance) because this sweet investigator gave us tons of juice and afterwards of course you need to go to the bathroom but I didn't want to take time out of proselyting by going home- it was only 3 in the afternoon- so yeah there was some woodland like trees on the side of the pathway we were walking and yeah. My comp stood guard. She said she was very proud of her trainer. You have to teach the new missionaries survival skills too right? 

You Know You're in the Philippines When:

Your white skin and blonde hair is shone from a mile off (now combined with my companion too) so you get "Americana" or "Barbie" shouted at you all the time with fingers pointing, people waving, cars honking...it used to be annoying but now me and my comp are just trying to soak up the celebrity life. I tell her just smile and wave. and share the gospel. :) 

Tagalog:

Busog na Busog na ako = I am so full now (thats how you feel every second of the holidays) 

Spiritual:

I love in Mosiah 26 where it talks about how the Lord accepts all who turn back to him- every time we repent, with real intent and full purpose of heart, he accepts us an forgives and forgets. He doesn't care nearly about where we have been as he does about where we are and were we plan to go. There are so many amazing things I have been able to do this past year, but as always there are mistakes I have made and times when I could have done better, when I could have lived up to my divine potential more, times were I could have served more, been less selfish, been more faithful in trials, fought worldy temptation, and many more workings of Satan. I see 2017 as an incredible opportunity to set new goals for myself to not only realize that divine potential the lord sees in me but to LIVE and USE it, to be worthy of his trust and his never ending love. I encourage you all to get on your knees and "counsel with the Lord" (Alma 36:37) and evalaute your past year and let him know what you want to accomplish this year. Listen to what his will is for you and ask for the strength to accomplish that. I know he will strengthen and lift me and do the same for you. 

Love you all!!

Sister Walters