Merry CHRISTmas! I feel like I say this every week but this week was AMAZING. This has been the most different Christmas ever, but I love it. Monday was the day we nearly died... laughing so hard. It was P-day so Sis Schenk and I were hanging out at the house, and we hear Joy, a ward missionary yelling, "Tagbalay" outside of our fence. We told her to magsulod and she starts telling us this story of how she couldn't sleep last night because of what we told her. The day before we told Joy we wanted to give a Toko (a huge, fat, foot long lizard) to one of the Elders for Christmas because for district council we drew names for a gift exchange. She said on her way home that night she thought to herself "well, I have a Toko in my house..." So she said she stayed up all night trying to catch it. She starts telling us all the details and we're just giggling, when all the sudden she just whips out of her back this huge plastic bottle with A LIVE HUGE LIZARD IN IT. We both immediately dropped to the floor laughing so hard. We were both in tears. We were like, "Joy what are we suppose to do with this for the next 10 days?!" She said it would be fine because she had taped the lid onto it so it couldn't get out. She also named the toko Schadams. We put it on a shelf and Sister Schenk and I went to "Light's On" here in Sagay! We have a cute little Plaza here that they went all out decorating in lights! We went there to go meet and OYM (talk to new people) because no joke the whole town was there. The funniest part was that we had people coming to us. We felt like celebrities because people were seriously lining up to take pictures with us and then we would give them a pamphlet or a pass along card. It was great. Tuesday was my birthday I'm officially an old lola. Thank you so much for all the birthday wishes. Everyone was so sweet and thoughtful on my birthday. We had district council that morning and decided it was better to give the present 1 week early, than having to watch a lizard slowly die. So we rolled up P400 (money) shoved them through the breathing hole, wrapped it up and headed to the church. During District council, no one had a clue that there was an EVIL lizard just sitting there... After Council was over I said I had my gift early for Elder Esplin and we handed him the package. He pulled out the tub thing and just starting yelling, "NOOO NOOO NOOO WAY!!!!" Sister Dapena immediately starting screaming, running, and crying. Elder Esplin said it was the best gift we could have given him since it had P400 in it. We've now gained the respect of many people. haha. We then went to lunch with the Zone where they surprised me with cake and the best chicken and rice. Don't worry we also brought Schadams with us. Once the Elders got home, they released Schadams (we don't know how because she is so vicious) and she is now living outside of their house. The entire rest of the day was eating appointments of people wanting to feed us on my birthday. At one point I actually thought I was going to cry because I was so full, and mostly because of how selfless and giving these beautiful people are. That's something really cool about the Philippines. Even if the people have nothing, they want to show their love to you by giving you food, sometimes even if that's all they have. Wednesday was Zone Conference we traveled to Cadiz and learned lots. Then we had a three zone combined Christmas Devotional. Sister And President Sumagpao spoke and then We played games and each zone sang. Our Zone, Sagay Zone sang a translated version of Mary did you Know? Missionaries translated it and it is SO GOOD! President Sumagpao was singing the song the rest of the day. We got gifts and then we headed home. On the Bus ride Elder Johnson stood up and taught all the people on the bus about the true meaning of the Christmas season and then we gave everyone on the bus Light The World Pass along cards. I wish you could see my planner for Thursday, it was crazy! We had studies, and did Finding (OYM) to start the day. It rained ALL day and it didn't stop all day long so we were freezing and soaked to the bone all day. We actually wore jackets because we were so cold! Ano ang?! We met with Barbie that night and taught her about the 10 commandments. I don't know how I can love one human being so much. Then we met with Angel and taught her and her fam CPR(Church, pray, read) with this really cool cup object lesson. Then we went back to the Plaza and did some more OYM. Friday we saw a bunch of people including Barbie again just to make sure she was good to go for her baptism, she even had a referral for us, she's already a great little missionary! We taught John, Jenifer, Syrine, and Rodjean about Tithing and Fast Offerings. They are so excited to be baptized, and have callings, and do everything they can to help the church. Saturday we couldn't stop smiling from ear to ear. We went to the church bright and early at 8:30, filled the font and set up the chairs. Soon enough, Barbie was there. It was just her and her good friend. She couldn't even sleep the night before she was so excited. She even walked over a mile to the church herself rather than waiting for her aunt and uncle to give her a ride on their motorcycle. We took pictures and started. Tapos she was glowing. I felt like my heart was about to leap out of my chest. I was so happy for her and she was so happy too. She bore her testimony. It was short and simple but powerful. I love her so much. After the baptism we visited some people and then later that afternoon we headed back to the church for a devotional and a ward Christmas Party. The Stake President and the Bishop spoke at the devotional and then we moved to the gym for the party. The ward went all out decorating and had SO. MUCH. FOOD. They sure do love to eat. John, Jenifer, Syrine, and Rodjean came. They were fellowshiped immediately and were welcomed with open arms and it made us so happy to see that once we leave, the ward will be there for them. That night they had their baptism Interviews. They all passed and when Jenifer came out she was beaming smiling ear to ear and said "I'm just so happy right now, with everything." Sunday we had church and then Sister Schenk and I visited several people singing them Christmas songs and giving them homemade No Bake cookies. It was so touching to see them have tears in their eyes after receiving something so small. Just getting a gift from someone else was huge to them. That night we visited The Francisco's, Ann, and Jerry where we sang and taught them about the true meaning of Christmas. I love what I'm doing and love that I have the chance to teach about the greatest gift of all, our Savior Jesus Christ everyday! I want to end this week's letter with a quote we found in the Ensign from Elder Uchtdorf, "You may feel your life is in ruins. But just as the Good Shepherd finds His lost sheep, if you will only lift up your heart to the Savior of the world, He will find you. He will rescue you. He will lift you up and place you on his shoulders. He will carry you HOME."
I love you all! Merry Christmas! Sister Adams
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Sister Emily Adams
Philippines Bacolod Mission April 18, 2018-October 2019 Mailing Address
Sister Emily Adams
Philippines Bacolod Mission Galo St. between Lacson & Mabini Brgy.22, Bacolod City 6100 Negros Occidental Philippines Archives
January 2020
Companions Provo, Utah MTC
#1 Sister Anna Wilde From Dallas, Texas Taylor, Arizona
#2 Sister Jamie Stuart (trainer) Pleasant Grove, Utah & #3 Sister Kendall Richards Idaho Falls, Idaho Show Low, Arizona
#4 Sister Brooke Casebolt Roy, Utah Manila, Philippine's
#5 Sister Perry Serving in the Iloilo mission from Fiji Sagay, Philippines
#6 Sister Lauren Schenk (Trainer) Syracuse, Utah Sagay, Philippines
#7 Sister Ashley Ellis Highland, Utah Pulupandan, Philippines
#8 Sister Andrea Camille Sales Isabela, Philippines Hinigarin, Philippines
#9 Sister Castillo Sta. Cruz Zambalis, Philippines. Hinigarin, Philippines
#10 Sister Natalie Miner Pleasant Grove, Utah Cadiz, Philippines
#11 Sister Kate Blakeslee Meridian, Idaho Bacolod, Philippines
#12 Sister Kalyx Christensen San Diego, California Bacolod, Philippines
#13 Sister Stephanie Garcia Pangisan, Philippines Bacolod, Philippines
#14 Sister Santa Barbara Marikina, Manila, Philippines Bacolod, Phililppines
#15 Sister Eliza Clark Corvallis, Oregon |