Given that I am writing this from the
province, it should probably be 100% Tagalog, like everything else
here. But since I want you to actually get something from my experiences
this week, I'll attempt to English you--just don't judge me if my
grammar gets a little sloppy. ;)
Our first
week in Magsaysay was definitely interesting, to say the least! After
doing our shopping and whatever here in San Jose (the "city", if you can
call it that). Elder and Sister Barlow drove us out to Magsaysay and we
got to see our new home for the first time! Now, let me preface this by
saying I have never whitewashed an elders area before, nor visited any
elders apartments, so I was not quite prepared for the house when we got
there. It actually is a nice house (it used to be the meetinghouse
before they got a chapel in Magsaysay)--one story, 3 bedrooms, a fairly
big kitchen and "living room" (which is where Sister Panugaling's and my
study desks are). And we have a front and back porch area! There are
windows everywhere so we hardly ever use lights during the day because
it is super bright. The house itself is really not bad at all, and the
elders who went before us were super sweet and (with the help of Sister
Barlow and a couple of the San Jose sisters) cleaned up as much as they
could for us. We still had to clean again before we felt comfortable
unpacking or sleeping there, but I quickly realized how blessed we are
to be assigned in Magsaysay. Especially because our cleaning was
interrupted almost immediately by our district president dropping by to
introduce himself and welcome us, followed a little later by 3 of the
cutest and funniest Nanays stopping by to meet and chat with us as well.
:) I am sure having Sisters instead of Elders is a hard adjustment for
them as well, but they are all so nice and welcoming and helpful to us!
We are SO LUCKY to be in Magsaysay!!
Tuesday,
we got to venture out of the house to meet our new branch president
(just two weeks into his new calling) and his first counselor. We were
able to figure out a little bit what the boundaries of our area are
supposed to be, and basically just digested how much we need to do. We
spent the rest of the day with Nanay Baiza (the cutest and coolest old
woman ever), visiting less actives in the other sisters area. It was a
fun day, though a little scattered teaching in a 4-some with no plans,
and cool to get to know the members a little better.
Wednesday,
we finally got to work in our area! Our area is what is known as
"Boundary" (as in, the boundary between Magsaysay and San Jose), or in
other words, hardcore province/farmland. Like legit rice farms. It is
BEAUTIFUL!! More on that later though (Friday). Wednesday, we walked to
Boundary, using the impressively helpful hand-drawn map that the elders
left us, met Nanay Roja, and toured the "neighborhood" there and got to
meet some members and teach a solid YM recent convert. And we got a ride
home from the branch president! :)
Thursday,
we explored our area a little more, tried to find a map of magsaysay to
figure out where our area actually is (turns out those don't really
exist at all, even on the internet, hence there being no information),
taught some investigators (finally!) and then Sister Panugaling got
stolen by the Barlows to come to San Jose and be Sister Delasan's
temporary companion (Sister Kahui had to go to Manila to get
fingerprinted to renew her visa) and I was left in a threesome with
Sister Alailima and Sister Panis.
Friday, our
personal study was interrupted by Nanay Roja showing up at our house
(mind you, she walked about 2 miles just to get to our house from hers)
to take us to visit another part of our area we've never been to. After
awkwardly consulting with the other sisters, we decided instead of
making her sit outside for an hour, we would just go work first and do
companion study later. Turns out, we really were not prepared for what
the day had in store for us.
Firstly, we walked at least 5+
miles, in the midday heat, without any water or lunch. Our poor little
city-accustomed bodies were dying by the time we got home at 3pm. But it
was an experience of experiences. Our area out there is SO INCREDIBLY
BEAUTIFUL. Like, I honestly don't even have words to describe it. Sister
Alailima and I just kept marveling. If you asked me, all I can say is I
couldn't get over the fact that there were sights that beautiful and
perfect in existence. I just kept trying to soak it in, wishing I could
take a picture of every single sight. Sister Alailima sang "For the
beauty of [Mindoro]!" and I thought about how amazingly talented and
perfect our Creator truly is to construct such breathtaking beauty that
is often overlooked or taken for granted.
Despite sucking ALL
my energy (I was so glad not to have to walk anymore by the end because
I really didn't think I would make it), and being SUPER sunburnt when
we got back, it was so worth it! I'm excited to go back and work there
for real with Sister Panugaling. The less-active members there have so
much potential. Especially the Priesthood holders, which is what we
(Magsaysay) really needs right now.
Saturday,
not much to say. I woke up with a fever and just slept most of the
morning. We went to our branch activity in the evening, which was a
success. Heavenly Father is truly amazing to give me the strength to be
able to go and fulfill our part in the activity. I was made very aware
how much I rely upon Him for strength though, when just as soon as the
activity ended, my fever hit again and I didn't think I would be able to
endure it. I went straight to bed when we got home and miraculously was
able to sleep.
Sunday, I got my companion
back!!!! We had just said our prayer before leaving to go to church when
we hear the Barlows pull up and Sister Panugaling was back! :) Elder
Barlow gave me a priesthood blessing (even though he didn't have any
consecrated oil), and we headed off to church!
Church in
Magsaysay was the most unique experience I have ever had. The fact that
we lost power partway through the first hour (they have Sunday School
first, then auxilaries, then sacrament last), was actually the least
strange. The low attendance was also something I had been warned about.
The thing that struck me the most was just how uncertain the members
seemed to be--even the leaders. As I sat in Relief Society, trying to
combat my own pride and "this is how things should be" feelings, I tried
to see and listen to these sisters as the Savior would. It was amazing,
and my heart was really touched as I realized how each of us has our
own trials and struggles, and this branch is doing all it can with what
it has. There may not be that many active members, and they may not have
any role models to look to really, in terms of what it means to really
be firmly rooted in the Gospel, but they have faith and a testimony of
the truthfulness of the Gospel, and they are doing their best to live
the commandments and serve faithfully in the Church. My love for the
members grew even deeper, and I realized how much trust has been placed
in us sisters to be assigned here in this branch. As Sister Panugaling
and I did our planning yesterday and set goals, that seemed to be the
prevalent theme. We just really want to help this branch. It may take a
LOT from us--super obedience, super faith, super diligence--but we will
do whatever we possibly can to help them.
I've
been thinking this week about how blessed I am that this is where the
Lord has placed me right now. When we drove out there for the first time
last week, Sister Panis, Sister Panugaling and I all said "I feel like I
am home!" (we are all from province areas). Every day as we walk around
the small town of Magsaysay (picture a small town in the middle of
Wyoming, but green with lots of tropical plants, and that is pretty much
Magsaysay), I just think about how happy I am, and how small town life
is so simple and so appealing to me now. Haha I used to think I wanted
to live in a city, but I think not any more. I would be so happy to just
live in Magsaysay forever. :) But maybe an American version will have
to suffice. At any rate, I think this is the Lord's way of reminding me
of my roots and lessening the culture shock of coming home. I can't even
explain it, but I just feel like I am seeing insights into His wisdom
more and more every day. God is so good!!
Also, Gladys is wonderful and sent me pictures from R.J.'s baptism on Saturday.
I
nearly cried when I say them. :) I seriously love this family so so
much. First step down, next step: prepare to enter the temple and be
sealed as a family for eternity. THE LORD'S PLAN IS SO PERFECT AND
BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Other random notes about life in Magsaysay:
1)
I have eaten more fish (that I actually enjoyed) and veggies in the
last week than my whole mission, I think. They say missionaries get thin
on Mindoro, but I am pretty sure that is a lie. Especially not living
with two Filipinas who love to cook. :P
2) Whitewashing is
definitely a test of your missionary skills. EVERYTHING is suddenly the
most important thing: finding, teaching, planning, inviting to baptism,
working with members, everything. More than anything I feel like it is a
test of faith and our ability to discern revelation from the spirit in
all that we do. Definitely a cool experience. :)
3) Sister
Panugaling is a great companion! She is so cute and energetic and loves
being here in the province. She is diligent and obedient and most of the
time a better missionary than me, I think. Just another blessing I can
count in my free time.
Wow, this is super long
already. I guess I will close this now, since I can't think of anything
else to share at the moment. I just have to say how grateful I am for
this Gospel and all the blessings that it has brought into my life. I
was pondering to myself earlier what exactly are the blessings that the
Gospel has brought to my life that nothing else could have and it really
made me appreciate what a beautiful blessing it is. We have access to
so many gifts and so much power, real Priesthood power, the power of
God, and through that, we are guided by continuing revelation. We have
scripture both ancient and modern, as well as the gift of the Holy
Ghost, to guide us in our daily decisions and give us the confidence
necessary to obey and trust in the Lord's commandments and His plan for
us. We have the opportunity to gain a personal witness for ourselves of
the truthfulness of the Gospel as we live it and pray about it. That
personal witness is the source from which we can draw strength to
withstand the temptations of the world and hold fast to what we know to
be right and true. The peace and happiness that this knowledge brings is
unique, priceless, unlimited, and everlasting. We are so, so blessed.
:)
I pray you all have a wonderful week, and
take a moment to count to yourself the blessings that the Gospel has
brought into YOUR life. I love and miss you and pray for you always!
Stay safe, and good luck in your adventures this week!
Love always,
Sister Emma Franks
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