Well....I have one thing to say I have fallen in love, with BOHOL!!! It is the most spectacular place I have seen in person, and I thought Bogo was beautiful....sometimes I just lose my breath looking at the jungles and jungles of palm trees and the rolling mountains with the bright green miles of rice fields. But before I go on my Bohol adventures I have to finish up talking about my Bogo days. So Thursday I got another encounter with my stalker. You know how elder frecker went to his house to tell him off 2 weeks ago. Well I saw him on my way to say goodbye to two of my favorite recent converts and who was behind me? My cockeyed, drunk stalker. He followed me and went INSIDE the house and wouldn’t leave...he just kept mumbling his love to me and one of the brothers was going to try to punch him, but they had to hold him back. The stalker finally went outside after 20 minutes of declaring his love and was waiting for me outside aand I snuck out around back after saying my goodbyes. Then I had a wonderful FHE with my favorite family and recent converts...I love them soo much, of course I cried. and tell sister honey I miss her and Im making her a BR. I love Bogo soo much, but I feel satisfied with my work there of course I ache for my Bogo but I know they are in good hands.
Transfer day was hard I knew that was the last time I would see a lot of the missionaries who I love, so it was really hard. B/c I think I will be spending a while off island and a lot of them will be going home. yes i am tigulang (an old person) in the mission. I didn’t really get a to talk to e. johnson, I think he’s in toledo now?
So the boat ride To Bohol was sweet, tons of little islands on the side and it was just awesome!!! Bohol is sooo beautiful...rice fields!!! our apartment is okay but I think they are gonna make us move. I’m gonna be known as the moving sister....grrrr... I hate moving. We get to our apartment and it is a mess b/c there were elders there before. Plus they leave us a note that said this is a HARD area and they have had very little success. I look at the area book they usually only have 10-14 lessons a week. But I have FAITH...I am soo excited, I just love challenges and I LOVE hard areas. Never seen an easy one yet. Everything I hear about how hard it is just gets me excited. So after lots of planning and strategy we meet the president of the branch (super nice) super willing to help and we schedule PEC meeting with them on Sunday morning. I don’t think they’ve ever had one...haha. But i learned from Bogo success starts by meetings.
We spoke on Sunday and I gave the story about the sons of mosiah and about them being assigned to a super hard area -the lamanties. and having tons of success through fasting. So I decided I was gonna fast- then BOOM miracles!! That afternoon about 10 members of the branch went on splits and we visited less active members plus we scheduled to have members work with us all week, PLUS we received 11 referrals. They loved the elders but after 3 days they were like its super nice to have sisters :) I love them already soo much!!! I told them through faith, fasting and prayer we will see miracles. YES!! I am soo excited to work everyday. WORK WORK WORK...I am as happy as ever. But yes ITS HARD!!! We were left with 0 investigators...not even one!!
Tuesday I climbed a mountain to visit some referrals...it was awesome....breath taking views...you can see cebu island. Then today I went to the chocolate mounatins (they were formed b/c Bohol used to be entirely underwater, that’s why there are sea shells on the ground everywhere in the philippines..hha) AMAZING and yes I held a tarsier....so creepy and sooo funny and cute. Its illegal but we paid the guy under the table...shhh. :)
My companion is fun, good worker...we get along. Im just expecting so many miracles....I want you to know though. My mission is not easy. Its hard, hardest time of my life. I have spent soo many times crying myself to sleep over people that have rejected us, people that I have loved. I have felt physical pain from the intense emotional pains I have felt. I have never felt such horrible emotional pain in my life where my body aches and I just cry out to heavenly father to help me. A mission is hard, I have soo many trials and weaknesses. But I’ve learned not to focus on them, once I learned to completely forget about myself is when I learned to love my mission. AND I LOVE MY MISSION!! I don’t focus on the disappointments and the trials, that’s just wasting my time. I am soo happy, I have never been happier, despite everything, I am happy and soo full of love for everything. I can’t wait to come home and just teach...I love teaching- just wait for my family home evenings. :)
oh by the way got your package...it was perfect-loved it all, your the best mom ever i mean it. Loved the pictures but just wait till you and dad come to the philippines you’ll have an adventure of a lifetime.
By the way elder frecker just ordered a plate of chicken butts, he thought it was chicken nuggets...haha.
I love you all soo much, I feel your prayers. Im in a hard area and I love it. Pray for miracles, this is gonna be the sweetest experience of a life time.
I’m in paradise, working for the lord, with all the potential to happen in the world. priceless gyud.
Carry on!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
5/24 - Last Week In Bogo, On To Bohol
Sooo....I am all healed, my fingers are great but the medicine has made me sick but its okay, I have had a FANTASTIC week. First of all the transfer call just came this morning.........I am reopening an area in BOHOL!!!!! yes!! I thought that I would never see that island. I am the second american sister to be in Bohol and first in the zone-Calape zone and we are the first sisters in Calape area!! I am soo excited. My companion is sister manarin and elder frecker my zl now will be transferring there with me. The area its super out in the middle of nowhere. there is nothing but a market. its going to be a crazy experience and super difficult, especially reopening. I know its just gonna be super difficult. But thats my mission, I have always started out in a non-progressing area and my favorite thing is to just watch it grow and blossom. I actually prayed and fasted for another hard area, I want to grow and I need trials to increase my faith. Im a person that has always liked to learn the hard way. and by the way Bogo is super progressing!!! I mean its incredible the progress, when I first arrived there was no meetings, no progressing investigators, no referrals...and now. we have all of our meetings, the ward members just keep loading us with referrals and they are all doing a branch caravan every sunday and visiting all the inactives or less actives. they are even visiting maricar and her family for me. I can honestly say I put my heart and soul in Bogo and my work there is done. I can leave happy, even through my heart is heavy. I am leaving members of my family again. But this week I have been trying to leave a legacy of my testimony and let these people know how much I love them. We had a super strong lesson with my favorite family and I told them what examples they have all been to me, and everyone cried...even Jerson (my 14 yr old convert) we were all balling, it was an incredible experience. I know I have left a legacy I can be proud of and thats the most satisfying feeling.
So we found a new house...its awesome, looks like a house from doctor suess...haha. the sink only does to my knees and the tiles are awesome. But ill never live there.
I know if we continue to trust in god everything will be all right. and BOGO zone has overcome all these things....even pres. hansen said that we are going through trials b/c of how well the zone is doing and its true. These missionaries and people here are my family, I dont know what Im going to do with out them, they are a part of my heart and I will be leaving a piece of my heart here in Bogo. But I know that I need to leave and experience this new area that needs me just as much as I need it. I love you all....keep strong and dont get distracted. Love ya!!
Carry on!
So we found a new house...its awesome, looks like a house from doctor suess...haha. the sink only does to my knees and the tiles are awesome. But ill never live there.
I know if we continue to trust in god everything will be all right. and BOGO zone has overcome all these things....even pres. hansen said that we are going through trials b/c of how well the zone is doing and its true. These missionaries and people here are my family, I dont know what Im going to do with out them, they are a part of my heart and I will be leaving a piece of my heart here in Bogo. But I know that I need to leave and experience this new area that needs me just as much as I need it. I love you all....keep strong and dont get distracted. Love ya!!
Carry on!
5/17 - "So DON'T WORRY"
I'm pretty sure she knows I'm going to worry! Ha Ha! ~Jeanette
Well...I am now known as one of the most hazardous sister in the mission. Yes, I am back in Cebu City again b/c yes, I had to go to the hospital again!!! I think I am soo much of a hazard, I will probably never get to go off Cebu island. I have three very swollen, infected fingers, so I have been put on anitbiotics. President Hansen said we are doing so well in Bogo we need to go through some trials. I am taking very good are of them b/c I DONT want to lose my fingers so DONT WORRY!!! I am doing all that I can. We don’t know why they are infected really and three at the same time. But I got a blessing and in the blessing elder Neufeld said DONT WORRY!! so DONT WORRY! We just partied down in the hospital and I got to see Elder Pasikala so tell his mom hi and I got to see Elder McBride and Sister Person. So I am happy. Sister Hansen also takes such good care of us, so DONT WORRY! haha
As for this week...Its been good, we had an amazing baptism, loved it. I just love Christian...we took him to Danao with us the next day to see the Jubilee; the area presidency got to be there. It was soo fun, but Christian got really carsick...hes not used to riding in cars and threw up the whole time...and we kept feeding him too haha. and we also went on the most amazing drive in the mountains...im taking you there if you come, there is a huge mountain that looks like a sleeping giant. Even though Christian was sick the whole time he said he had fun...haha. He just laid in my lap the whole time, and I kept buying him Pepsi. All the dances were so cute by the way...the Filipino culture is amazing!!
So we’re pretty sure our house is haunted and full of termites so we have been looking for a house to move into, but I think I’m transferring next transfer so I don’t really have a say in what happens. I’m going to cry...I HATE TRANSFERS! and I am just so in love with the people right now. We had an amazing lesson with Reya and I see how much she wants to change. I know she will be baptized. I’m going to miss soo many people here. One of my converts- Montessa asked me if she could save up her money so she could take me on a Ferris wheel ride before transfers...haha. I just love her, she has a notebook I gave her where she drew all these hearts and said sister Robison is her favorite missionary, I was soo touched. .
I told sister H that you are looking for a man for her in America, she says you have the go ahead,,, she said GO GO GO! haha. Now your giving my ward members referrals huh? ahaa....
I would LOVE it if you bought a house boat!! I cant wait to finally go in the water again....
by the way got my package from the Mcpeaks!! LOVED IT!! IT WAS PERFECT! I wrote them a letter, hopefully they get within the next couple weeks.
By the way pray for our zone Bogo is a very sad zone right now. One elder has tuberculosis, so he is in exile right now...no work for two weeks. Another just came down with us to the hospital to get surgery on his mole that might be cancerous. We took videos and pictures during the surgery...haha. and then my fingers so our zone could use a little extra prayers we have only 1 1/2 weeks left until transfers.
...obedience is key as a successful missionary. If you’re doing all you can that’s what counts. I have learned that it is not to be recognized by others that matters its only what Heavenly Father thinks. I can always improve; I want to improve myself too as a missionary. We’ve had a tough transfer being completely focused b/c of all the problems in the zone, moving houses sickness, stalkers...Satan has thrown everything at us to get us distracted and honestly it has worked a little so I learned these past couple days I need to become more focused again and get back on track and focus on what really matters...THIS WORK. THESE PEOPLE. You’ll understand more when I come home and talk to you about everything....
Just know I am still soo happy. Even though my fingers are about to fall off...haha. I have pictures pretty gruesome. But I am taking such good care of them, which I usually don’t do. You would be proud and sister yanoyan is a nurse.
Well I just want to let you know....love skype, miss you soo much!! Im working hard. We had a little hardship this week, One of my converts has completely hardened her heart, it has nothing to do with us....her little brother was supposed to be baptized this week but the whole family that came back to church has just totally fallen. So please pray for them. I don’t know what is happening. I’m really worried. They don’t come to church any more and always have excuses. That is the most difficult heartbreaking part of a mission. Seeing someone you love just fall away, especially after they were baptized. Soo please pray, the mission isn’t always success and miracles 95% is disappointments and hard work....but its worth it for the 5% success...well I love you all. I feel you prayers!!
Well...I am now known as one of the most hazardous sister in the mission. Yes, I am back in Cebu City again b/c yes, I had to go to the hospital again!!! I think I am soo much of a hazard, I will probably never get to go off Cebu island. I have three very swollen, infected fingers, so I have been put on anitbiotics. President Hansen said we are doing so well in Bogo we need to go through some trials. I am taking very good are of them b/c I DONT want to lose my fingers so DONT WORRY!!! I am doing all that I can. We don’t know why they are infected really and three at the same time. But I got a blessing and in the blessing elder Neufeld said DONT WORRY!! so DONT WORRY! We just partied down in the hospital and I got to see Elder Pasikala so tell his mom hi and I got to see Elder McBride and Sister Person. So I am happy. Sister Hansen also takes such good care of us, so DONT WORRY! haha
As for this week...Its been good, we had an amazing baptism, loved it. I just love Christian...we took him to Danao with us the next day to see the Jubilee; the area presidency got to be there. It was soo fun, but Christian got really carsick...hes not used to riding in cars and threw up the whole time...and we kept feeding him too haha. and we also went on the most amazing drive in the mountains...im taking you there if you come, there is a huge mountain that looks like a sleeping giant. Even though Christian was sick the whole time he said he had fun...haha. He just laid in my lap the whole time, and I kept buying him Pepsi. All the dances were so cute by the way...the Filipino culture is amazing!!
So we’re pretty sure our house is haunted and full of termites so we have been looking for a house to move into, but I think I’m transferring next transfer so I don’t really have a say in what happens. I’m going to cry...I HATE TRANSFERS! and I am just so in love with the people right now. We had an amazing lesson with Reya and I see how much she wants to change. I know she will be baptized. I’m going to miss soo many people here. One of my converts- Montessa asked me if she could save up her money so she could take me on a Ferris wheel ride before transfers...haha. I just love her, she has a notebook I gave her where she drew all these hearts and said sister Robison is her favorite missionary, I was soo touched. .
I told sister H that you are looking for a man for her in America, she says you have the go ahead,,, she said GO GO GO! haha. Now your giving my ward members referrals huh? ahaa....
I would LOVE it if you bought a house boat!! I cant wait to finally go in the water again....
by the way got my package from the Mcpeaks!! LOVED IT!! IT WAS PERFECT! I wrote them a letter, hopefully they get within the next couple weeks.
By the way pray for our zone Bogo is a very sad zone right now. One elder has tuberculosis, so he is in exile right now...no work for two weeks. Another just came down with us to the hospital to get surgery on his mole that might be cancerous. We took videos and pictures during the surgery...haha. and then my fingers so our zone could use a little extra prayers we have only 1 1/2 weeks left until transfers.
...obedience is key as a successful missionary. If you’re doing all you can that’s what counts. I have learned that it is not to be recognized by others that matters its only what Heavenly Father thinks. I can always improve; I want to improve myself too as a missionary. We’ve had a tough transfer being completely focused b/c of all the problems in the zone, moving houses sickness, stalkers...Satan has thrown everything at us to get us distracted and honestly it has worked a little so I learned these past couple days I need to become more focused again and get back on track and focus on what really matters...THIS WORK. THESE PEOPLE. You’ll understand more when I come home and talk to you about everything....
Just know I am still soo happy. Even though my fingers are about to fall off...haha. I have pictures pretty gruesome. But I am taking such good care of them, which I usually don’t do. You would be proud and sister yanoyan is a nurse.
Well I just want to let you know....love skype, miss you soo much!! Im working hard. We had a little hardship this week, One of my converts has completely hardened her heart, it has nothing to do with us....her little brother was supposed to be baptized this week but the whole family that came back to church has just totally fallen. So please pray for them. I don’t know what is happening. I’m really worried. They don’t come to church any more and always have excuses. That is the most difficult heartbreaking part of a mission. Seeing someone you love just fall away, especially after they were baptized. Soo please pray, the mission isn’t always success and miracles 95% is disappointments and hard work....but its worth it for the 5% success...well I love you all. I feel you prayers!!
5/10 - Bogo
Note from Cari's mom: It is my goal to never misss a week of writing Cari. She has been pretty consistent about what time she sends her emails every Tues., so I thought I still had time to write, but this week she was about 1 hour early, so when I sat down to write her, I got this sad message... Well, it turned out ok, since we were able to email back and forth for a few minutes.
So even though I don’t have an email from Mom, I am still emailing, the only reason I am not crying is b/c I can skype tomorrow at 9 am. So be there at the computer or you will have a very disappointed missionary daughter. week has been successful. We had 3 inactive families come to church that we taught this week. We had an area attack in the zone leaders area and I went on splits with two amazing nanay's that just love to share the gospel. If we had more members like them the world would be Zion. They were on fire and we found three amazing new investigators for the elders... I just loved them! I think they will be baptized even though it was only the first lesson.
On Sunday we were blasted with the spirituality of president Hansen at district conference. I was just amazed about what he said about sustaining our leaders, he is so inspired. I will definitely think differently when I raise my hand to sustain callings. After that we had a missionary fireside with the district and we taught a work shop on sharing the gospel with our friends so we could get referrals from the members. I had an object lesson where I had two pieces of cake and I explained that the blessings from the gospel are like chocolate cake and I asked who wanted chocolate cake. One of the elders was so excited he almost stood up when he raised his hand, and then I called on another member of the audience. So the member came up got his cake and was eating it and then the elder came up to get his cake and I just shoved it in his face and smeared it all over his ear. Everyone was laughing and he was shocked. I told them that the blessings are the same from the gospel and it depends on how we deliver it and share the gospel to see if they really want those blessings. Everyone loved it and one of the members told me he wants to use the idea for the presentation he is giving at work. so hopefully we get a lot of referrals now...haha.
This week was Elder Swicegoods birthday...we made him a fiesta float and ate the rest of the cakes...and he treated us to american pizza!! I forgot that i missed american food. haha. Theres a pizza shop in Bogo where all the old american joes hang out...haha.
Right now we are getting ready to go to the temple...yes!! I love it. Oh by the way, I ate sting ray and loved it!! AND this week we are going down to Danao for the jubilee celebration!! I am sooo excited!!! We are bringing our investigator Reya, we cant wait!!
By the way this is the email from president we are all on cloud 9
“I too have witnessed a miracle this week in connection with the Bogo District that takes the number one spot in the multitude of miracles I have witnessed over the years. I know that the Lord has His eye on that district and that the future is very bright for it. Your zone has truly contributed to the miracle by loving the people. This is what the people have lacked for so long.......I hope your example transposes to the members.....Thanks for your email. It is indicative of your testimony. Pres.Hansen”
Also the fact that he announced that Bogo has one of the best sets of missionaries they have ever had right now and that is coming from president Hansen. I just love our Zone, don’t let me transfer in two weeks....ahhh!!! Hopefully not!! Well I hope I can skype with you all tomorrow.
Love,
Cari
So even though I don’t have an email from Mom, I am still emailing, the only reason I am not crying is b/c I can skype tomorrow at 9 am. So be there at the computer or you will have a very disappointed missionary daughter. week has been successful. We had 3 inactive families come to church that we taught this week. We had an area attack in the zone leaders area and I went on splits with two amazing nanay's that just love to share the gospel. If we had more members like them the world would be Zion. They were on fire and we found three amazing new investigators for the elders... I just loved them! I think they will be baptized even though it was only the first lesson.
On Sunday we were blasted with the spirituality of president Hansen at district conference. I was just amazed about what he said about sustaining our leaders, he is so inspired. I will definitely think differently when I raise my hand to sustain callings. After that we had a missionary fireside with the district and we taught a work shop on sharing the gospel with our friends so we could get referrals from the members. I had an object lesson where I had two pieces of cake and I explained that the blessings from the gospel are like chocolate cake and I asked who wanted chocolate cake. One of the elders was so excited he almost stood up when he raised his hand, and then I called on another member of the audience. So the member came up got his cake and was eating it and then the elder came up to get his cake and I just shoved it in his face and smeared it all over his ear. Everyone was laughing and he was shocked. I told them that the blessings are the same from the gospel and it depends on how we deliver it and share the gospel to see if they really want those blessings. Everyone loved it and one of the members told me he wants to use the idea for the presentation he is giving at work. so hopefully we get a lot of referrals now...haha.
This week was Elder Swicegoods birthday...we made him a fiesta float and ate the rest of the cakes...and he treated us to american pizza!! I forgot that i missed american food. haha. Theres a pizza shop in Bogo where all the old american joes hang out...haha.
Right now we are getting ready to go to the temple...yes!! I love it. Oh by the way, I ate sting ray and loved it!! AND this week we are going down to Danao for the jubilee celebration!! I am sooo excited!!! We are bringing our investigator Reya, we cant wait!!
By the way this is the email from president we are all on cloud 9
“I too have witnessed a miracle this week in connection with the Bogo District that takes the number one spot in the multitude of miracles I have witnessed over the years. I know that the Lord has His eye on that district and that the future is very bright for it. Your zone has truly contributed to the miracle by loving the people. This is what the people have lacked for so long.......I hope your example transposes to the members.....Thanks for your email. It is indicative of your testimony. Pres.Hansen”
Also the fact that he announced that Bogo has one of the best sets of missionaries they have ever had right now and that is coming from president Hansen. I just love our Zone, don’t let me transfer in two weeks....ahhh!!! Hopefully not!! Well I hope I can skype with you all tomorrow.
Love,
Cari
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
4/26
Yes Hillary I am an idiot and keep reading b/c this will just solidify your opinions...haha. So Bogo Zone has just been FULL of problems...our car keeps breaking down so the Elders are exhausted from pushing around a car and trying to fix the dang thing. One of the Elders from our Bogo Family just went home for 6 months...but he will come back. It was really hard to see him go, but Mom he will probably friend you on facebook he has a ton of good pictures...haha. His name is Ryan Galdonez. So you can make another friend. I see Elder Bennett sometimes hes a good friend in the mission, but I am always soo overwhelmed by all the missionaries I never get to see I never get to talk to anyone very long. I see Elder Stirland sometimes his trainer is our new zone leader so we share stirland stories all the time..haha. And I have only seen Elder Johnson once for 2 minutes a long time ago. So I have no idea how he's doing.
So starting on Wednesday I got to climb a house and of course all the Elders had to try and follow...haha. I'm not a very good example for them. But, they arent good examples for me...I have been suffering from large deep cuts on the bottom of both my feet from our service project on saturday. Me and Elder frecker only got into the mud thigh deep planting in the ocean. It was soo fun I ignored the pains in my feet and when I got out their were very many pretty deep cuts, haha everyone from the district knows who I am all the leaders now b/c I was the only sister out their running through the mud...haha. So yes hillary I am an idiot and I am suffering for it, but do I have any regret? no way! haha. Dont worry I clean them three times a day and am using lots of medicine so they will not get infected. After the CSP everyone doctored me up as we waited to fix the car again! and a nanay found us sitting on the side of the road I was SOOO MUDDY she felt sorry for us...we almost looked homeless so she made us lunch. and we finally got cell phones!! yay!! Oh so when we FINALLY got home we showered and had a wonderful baptism!! That we almost had to do in the ocean b/c the water was pretty dirty, I wanted to do soo bad, all the elders usually get to baptize in the ocean. But we cleaned the water (only a little...haha) But I just LOVE montesa soo much!! She had such a beautiful testimony that she did on the spot b/c we forgot to tell her she would give one...ooops. she was soo nervous but I explained to her what to do and it was such an amazing testimony. Such a little girl with a huge spirit!! She wants to serve a mission someday just like us sisters :) I was on cloud 9. then Sunday we got to celebrate FHE with the elders montesa and the susvilla family ( myFavorite family) it was sooo fun!!! I love them soo much!!! I dont know how I will ever say goodbye. uggghhh!!! Hurts my heart... I just keep getting closer and closer to people. why is the mission full of goodbyes?
Well sunday we had an area attack all of the missionaries worked in on area to help the area, We got to hear from an area authority yesterday on how to strrengthen branches. I will seriously use all the stuff my whole life...invaluable information for future leaders of the church. Its amazing.
I worked with S. Honey on sunday we laughed about you...well I laughed about you...I was like what did my mom say? and she said you said you miss your beautiful missionary...haha. I was embarrassed and just laughed...oh thats my mom. She says your super nice.
about skype I don't know how that works. and the primary program seems like a priceless experience. I saw elder mcbride, he is sooo nice! I am always blessed with good companions though. The language is something that is always difficult, even now I sometimes just wish I was english speaking, but I am thankful to be learning and humbled. Well I love you all!!! oh wait I have bad news, yes my camera is broken. I have no idea how...so what do you want me to do? use my companions only or buy a new one? I am soo sorry!!! If you dont want to buy a new one Ill just use my companions...I dont know. Ill leave it up to you.
Well love you all...I feel your prayers!!!
Love,
Cari
So starting on Wednesday I got to climb a house and of course all the Elders had to try and follow...haha. I'm not a very good example for them. But, they arent good examples for me...I have been suffering from large deep cuts on the bottom of both my feet from our service project on saturday. Me and Elder frecker only got into the mud thigh deep planting in the ocean. It was soo fun I ignored the pains in my feet and when I got out their were very many pretty deep cuts, haha everyone from the district knows who I am all the leaders now b/c I was the only sister out their running through the mud...haha. So yes hillary I am an idiot and I am suffering for it, but do I have any regret? no way! haha. Dont worry I clean them three times a day and am using lots of medicine so they will not get infected. After the CSP everyone doctored me up as we waited to fix the car again! and a nanay found us sitting on the side of the road I was SOOO MUDDY she felt sorry for us...we almost looked homeless so she made us lunch. and we finally got cell phones!! yay!! Oh so when we FINALLY got home we showered and had a wonderful baptism!! That we almost had to do in the ocean b/c the water was pretty dirty, I wanted to do soo bad, all the elders usually get to baptize in the ocean. But we cleaned the water (only a little...haha) But I just LOVE montesa soo much!! She had such a beautiful testimony that she did on the spot b/c we forgot to tell her she would give one...ooops. she was soo nervous but I explained to her what to do and it was such an amazing testimony. Such a little girl with a huge spirit!! She wants to serve a mission someday just like us sisters :) I was on cloud 9. then Sunday we got to celebrate FHE with the elders montesa and the susvilla family ( myFavorite family) it was sooo fun!!! I love them soo much!!! I dont know how I will ever say goodbye. uggghhh!!! Hurts my heart... I just keep getting closer and closer to people. why is the mission full of goodbyes?
Well sunday we had an area attack all of the missionaries worked in on area to help the area, We got to hear from an area authority yesterday on how to strrengthen branches. I will seriously use all the stuff my whole life...invaluable information for future leaders of the church. Its amazing.
I worked with S. Honey on sunday we laughed about you...well I laughed about you...I was like what did my mom say? and she said you said you miss your beautiful missionary...haha. I was embarrassed and just laughed...oh thats my mom. She says your super nice.
about skype I don't know how that works. and the primary program seems like a priceless experience. I saw elder mcbride, he is sooo nice! I am always blessed with good companions though. The language is something that is always difficult, even now I sometimes just wish I was english speaking, but I am thankful to be learning and humbled. Well I love you all!!! oh wait I have bad news, yes my camera is broken. I have no idea how...so what do you want me to do? use my companions only or buy a new one? I am soo sorry!!! If you dont want to buy a new one Ill just use my companions...I dont know. Ill leave it up to you.
Well love you all...I feel your prayers!!!
Love,
Cari
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Happy Easter!
You might be able to tell that I stressed to Cari how worried I was about her cellulitis a few weeks ago. I am now cracking up that she feels she has to constantly reassure me not to worry ~Jeanette
haha....Dad and I are connected, I split the back of my foot open by the screen door.( Cari is referring to me telling her that her dad cut his finger with a saw) But don't worry I'm okay.
Transfer day was good. I really miss our zone but our zone is pretty awesome now. My companion and I are working very very hard. Trying to focus on families...so we are FINDING FINDING FINDING!! We will hopefully be having a baptism this saturday with a 12 year old investigator who we love soo much....she is soo ready although she is only 12 yrs old. She is an example to me. Her name is Montesa and pray for her. We have a couple more on track, but we are really just looking for a lot of families now. My new companion is actually Sister yanoyan so her name is not has hard as I thought.
We had another Pday as a zone, and we ate pig ears, liver and rice on a huge banana leaf with our hands. Next week we are killing a pig, and eating him on the beach. Yes I will take a video. Oh and probaby the cd is ruined b/c our zl lost his bag and it got all rained on so I will send another one soon. sorry. This week we will be in knee deep mud planting on the beach. I\m excited even though I don't know if I will be allowed to participate b/c of my foot. The last csp we cut down weeds with machetes but I had to stop after awhile b/c we wanted to be extra careful about my foot. You know how I hate sitting around on the sidelines.
We have a bunch of plans for our ward, including area attacks where all the missionaries just work in one area for a day. I just am loving the work...I am having soo much fun, the harder I work the happier I am and the more fun I am having.
And I am excited for all my packages...Tell Rhonda thank you, and thanks mom for the clothes all of myine are pretty ruined for my horrible/lazy hand washing skills.
so here is the Filipino tradition for easter, it is huge here. They have a week off b/c they are predominately catholic here and they have these traditions where they crucify people on the cross so they can be forgiven for their sins or whip them. They don't die...well usually. So yes that is the Philippines for you. You gotta love them.
Well love you all... glad all is well, dont be to stressed mom. Love you and tell Greg thanks for the cds we all LOVE them soo nice of him!!!
Love you!! Cari
oh by the way our apartment is super weird as in SUPER WEIRD...dont be worried but we have been having our underwear stolen...underwear only, when we hang them out to dry, nothing is stolen but garments. I have now put two pairs out for bait and we have had a stake out the past couple nights. We think our apartment is haunted...if you saw it, it looks like a haunted house and we always hear noises at night, in the upstairs that we never enter. So I am living in a haunted house at this time. But we feel safe so do not worry. The Elders teased us and said we were going to be emergency transfered and I almost cried b/c I love my investigators/recent converts soo much and I couldn't stand being pulled out. But we are keeping an eye out and have to report anything else that is weird...it has happened several times since I arrived here in Bogo.
haha....Dad and I are connected, I split the back of my foot open by the screen door.( Cari is referring to me telling her that her dad cut his finger with a saw) But don't worry I'm okay.
Transfer day was good. I really miss our zone but our zone is pretty awesome now. My companion and I are working very very hard. Trying to focus on families...so we are FINDING FINDING FINDING!! We will hopefully be having a baptism this saturday with a 12 year old investigator who we love soo much....she is soo ready although she is only 12 yrs old. She is an example to me. Her name is Montesa and pray for her. We have a couple more on track, but we are really just looking for a lot of families now. My new companion is actually Sister yanoyan so her name is not has hard as I thought.
We had another Pday as a zone, and we ate pig ears, liver and rice on a huge banana leaf with our hands. Next week we are killing a pig, and eating him on the beach. Yes I will take a video. Oh and probaby the cd is ruined b/c our zl lost his bag and it got all rained on so I will send another one soon. sorry. This week we will be in knee deep mud planting on the beach. I\m excited even though I don't know if I will be allowed to participate b/c of my foot. The last csp we cut down weeds with machetes but I had to stop after awhile b/c we wanted to be extra careful about my foot. You know how I hate sitting around on the sidelines.
We have a bunch of plans for our ward, including area attacks where all the missionaries just work in one area for a day. I just am loving the work...I am having soo much fun, the harder I work the happier I am and the more fun I am having.
And I am excited for all my packages...Tell Rhonda thank you, and thanks mom for the clothes all of myine are pretty ruined for my horrible/lazy hand washing skills.
so here is the Filipino tradition for easter, it is huge here. They have a week off b/c they are predominately catholic here and they have these traditions where they crucify people on the cross so they can be forgiven for their sins or whip them. They don't die...well usually. So yes that is the Philippines for you. You gotta love them.
Well love you all... glad all is well, dont be to stressed mom. Love you and tell Greg thanks for the cds we all LOVE them soo nice of him!!!
Love you!! Cari
oh by the way our apartment is super weird as in SUPER WEIRD...dont be worried but we have been having our underwear stolen...underwear only, when we hang them out to dry, nothing is stolen but garments. I have now put two pairs out for bait and we have had a stake out the past couple nights. We think our apartment is haunted...if you saw it, it looks like a haunted house and we always hear noises at night, in the upstairs that we never enter. So I am living in a haunted house at this time. But we feel safe so do not worry. The Elders teased us and said we were going to be emergency transfered and I almost cried b/c I love my investigators/recent converts soo much and I couldn't stand being pulled out. But we are keeping an eye out and have to report anything else that is weird...it has happened several times since I arrived here in Bogo.
Monday, April 11, 2011
The Unstoppable Sister Robison
Ok...Pdays are just changed this week. President has a meeting so transfers are tomorrow. and I must really stink at english right now, b/c no I am not transferring. haha. I am getting a new companion whose name is really hard to pronounce, But i know her b/c there is only 20 plus sisters in the mission, so I know who everyone is. She is awesome and very friendly. Visyan too. Her name is sister Yangoyan. Sister Martin is transferring to mabolo. How did you get to be friends on facebook with sister Honey? haha. Thats funny.Shes in my ward. We love her. Elder allen will be a district leader in the south zone. I am soo proud of my batch. and 3 others are transferring...our zone is being split up which we are SUPER sad about...but expected. Transfer day is tomorrow...so hasn't happened yet. wow...I guess I really didnt make any sense last email.
LOVED conference!! Its like missionary christmas...and to think before I would accidently fall asleep while these spiritual giants talked. I just recieved revelation in each talk. I am really studying about temples, the priesthood and motherhood and how they all work together. Ive been getting into some pretty deep doctrine and LOVE studying. Its amazing how close to the spirit and how there are no secrets just sacred things that the Lord has to open your heart too. But literally everything is in the scriptures. I am really finding out how little I do know.
So my foot is basically healed. The Lord must love me b/c I gave it literally no rest. I figure I have one time to be in the philippines on a mission and it is short...But, don't worry I still take care of myself.
We had a beautiful baptism with Maricar. I remember when she cried the first lesson b/c she was soo afraid of us and terrified of elder hardin for the interview but she overcame it all to bless her inactive family and herself. Amazing blessings.
So yes I have ringworm now...haha. and we have termites in our apartment. yes!! haha the philippines. But ill just borrow the medicine from one of the elders...he just had it. We just printed four cds of our amazingly fun times here in Bogo...so you will love to get those. I don't know what picture your talking about...but the american elders are frecker, allen and hardin. You probably dont know their moms..haha.
Yes I heard about the sedgwicks in the talk by Elder cook. I was proud, but conference always makes me a little homesick. Its okay.
I just got back from the temple. AMAZING!!! I just saw a couple that has just been endowed and I moved from the couch so the could sit together. They were an older couple so I assumed they were converts and I was just filled with joy to the point of tears as I looked at them and thought of my converts and how they will be able to have the same experience one day b/c of their baptism. I am learning more and more the blessing of temples that I never understood before. Its amazing how real everything becomes to you on your mission, Your testimony just comes alive.
So I decided I miss american food. Even though I love the food here. I could use your cooking mom. I cannot wait to just come home and have a big family dinner. And I want all the food youve been talking about. Oh by the way we havent received americans in our mission for the past few transfers and not until August b/c there are no mtc teachers for cebuano in provo. So our american numbers are shrinking...haha. But its okay b/c I love the filipinos. I'm really gonna miss sister martin...we had soo much fun together, and worked soo hard. But at least I know she will take good care of my Mabolo and all my people there.
Well I love you all. I ate Goat this week....sooo good and balut again, I'm about eating that every week. By the way one of my favorite filipino elders is moving to utah after his mission and wants to write courtney so I'm giving him permission and pray they marry....yes!! haha Love you!! Carry on!
Love Cari
LOVED conference!! Its like missionary christmas...and to think before I would accidently fall asleep while these spiritual giants talked. I just recieved revelation in each talk. I am really studying about temples, the priesthood and motherhood and how they all work together. Ive been getting into some pretty deep doctrine and LOVE studying. Its amazing how close to the spirit and how there are no secrets just sacred things that the Lord has to open your heart too. But literally everything is in the scriptures. I am really finding out how little I do know.
So my foot is basically healed. The Lord must love me b/c I gave it literally no rest. I figure I have one time to be in the philippines on a mission and it is short...But, don't worry I still take care of myself.
We had a beautiful baptism with Maricar. I remember when she cried the first lesson b/c she was soo afraid of us and terrified of elder hardin for the interview but she overcame it all to bless her inactive family and herself. Amazing blessings.
So yes I have ringworm now...haha. and we have termites in our apartment. yes!! haha the philippines. But ill just borrow the medicine from one of the elders...he just had it. We just printed four cds of our amazingly fun times here in Bogo...so you will love to get those. I don't know what picture your talking about...but the american elders are frecker, allen and hardin. You probably dont know their moms..haha.
Yes I heard about the sedgwicks in the talk by Elder cook. I was proud, but conference always makes me a little homesick. Its okay.
I just got back from the temple. AMAZING!!! I just saw a couple that has just been endowed and I moved from the couch so the could sit together. They were an older couple so I assumed they were converts and I was just filled with joy to the point of tears as I looked at them and thought of my converts and how they will be able to have the same experience one day b/c of their baptism. I am learning more and more the blessing of temples that I never understood before. Its amazing how real everything becomes to you on your mission, Your testimony just comes alive.
So I decided I miss american food. Even though I love the food here. I could use your cooking mom. I cannot wait to just come home and have a big family dinner. And I want all the food youve been talking about. Oh by the way we havent received americans in our mission for the past few transfers and not until August b/c there are no mtc teachers for cebuano in provo. So our american numbers are shrinking...haha. But its okay b/c I love the filipinos. I'm really gonna miss sister martin...we had soo much fun together, and worked soo hard. But at least I know she will take good care of my Mabolo and all my people there.
Well I love you all. I ate Goat this week....sooo good and balut again, I'm about eating that every week. By the way one of my favorite filipino elders is moving to utah after his mission and wants to write courtney so I'm giving him permission and pray they marry....yes!! haha Love you!! Carry on!
Love Cari
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