Monday, December 30, 2013

Week #12

Guess who finally ate balut?! This girl! It wasn't that bad the second time. It's really all just a mental thing. So most of the time I bring my journal with me so I can remember what happened during the week and I can share my experiences! Unfortunately I forgot my journal today. So we'll see what I can remember about the week as most of the time it's a blur. My mission really has flown by so far! Crazy.

This week was awesome! The best thing about it was Skyping my family on Christmas (of course). I miss them lots, but I have to admit I don't miss the cold weather. Christmas was very interesting. We spent the morning trying to find an internet cafe that was actually open so we could Skype our families. It's so weird to spend Christmas without the snow. It still feels like August to me and I'll probably think it's August for the rest of my mission.
Christmas night, our district had a potluck. The elders aren't too bad at cooking! Not great, but not bad. I'm actually really grateful for all they do for Sister Ganzagan and I. I love my district and I'm going to miss Elder Young and Elder Robles who are being transferred this week!

This week marks the halfway mark of my training! We had our interviews with President Reeder and I think it's safe to say I have the best mission president and mission mom ever. President and Sister Reeder are so hospitable and they have helped me feel so welcome here! 

Our district and the ward also pulled together a church tour/open house on Saturday. The members are so awesome and I have loved getting to know them. We wouldn't have been able to put it together without their help. It wasn't as successful as Elder Nebeker would have liked (because he did one in his last area), but I think it was successful considering church was full yesterday with people who came on Saturday! And not to mention, Rose and Jessica are becoming more excited about their baptism in January and they've enjoyed coming to church.

One thing that's been on my mind this week is temples. I've had some very special personal revelation given to me and I wrote that in my journal, but I'll share some of the other thoughts I've had. I love how Heavenly Father teaches me! This week Sister Ganzagan and I taught a lesson on celestial marriage at the beginning of the week, and even though that's a long way off for me, it got me thinking a lot about temples. If there's one things I really miss, it's going to the temple! As the week continued, we had a combined lesson yesterday at church about family history and I obtained a copy of the General Conference talks from the October 2012 session. That's the same conference they changed the mission age and probably one of my favorite conferences. There's a talk by Elder Scott D Whiting titled "Temple Standard." I'll put the link on here. He talks about how the Lord requires the very best for His temples. In an excerpt from the talk, Elder Whiting says, "As we moved through the temple, I watched and listened to Elder Walker and his associates as they inspected the work and conversed with the general contractor. On occasion I observed one man running his hand along the walls as we moved from room to room. A few times after doing this, he would rub his fingers together and then approach the general contractor and say, “I feel grit on this wall. Grit is not temple standard. You will need to re-sand and buff this wall.” The contractor dutifully took notes of each observation." He continues to tell his journey of how he came to understand that we build the temples with the finest things we have because it is the House of the Lord! As I was pondering that, I thought about how important it is that we give our very best to Heavenly Father in all that we do. We have such great potential to become like Him. I'm trying to figure out how to put all of my thoughts into this email. It all makes sense inside my head but I'm not completely sure how to explain it. Just go read the talk! I was just reminded that we really do need to give the best we have to the Lord. I'm so grateful that there is such great carefulness in building the temples of God and that because we have temples, I can be with my family forever. I can find peace there that can't be found anywhere else. It's such a blessing that Heavenly Father has giving us a place to go where we can be completely free from the world and become closer to Him. Here's the link, now go read!http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/temple-standard?lang=eng

I love all of you so much and I hope that you have enjoyed this holiday season! Just want to wish everyone a Happy New Year.

Love,
Sister Stettler

Monday, December 23, 2013

Week #11

Start singing the Handel's Messiah because we have progressing investigators!!! ...and because it's Christmas. This week was a very humbling week. I've started to realize the harder the day or week is, the more I learn. It comes to a point where you have no where else to turn to except the Lord for help. Which is EXACTLY what I should be doing as a missionary, right? This is His work. This is His gospel and I must have His help. I think it was Abraham Lincoln that said, "Sometimes I am driven to my knees with the conviction that I have nowhere else to go." I have had a lot of those experiences lately and I think I've about prayed for everything there is to pray for. haha

I've started to improve in the language, teaching, and adjusting to the demands of missionary life in the past two weeks and it has been evidence to me that Heavenly Father is there and is helping me because I wouldn't be this far if it wasn't for His help. I've become more confident in my abilities and maybe a little over confident, especially as I've been told by some missionaries how well and fast I'm progressing. I've had to be careful and remember not to become prideful about it. I have a great trainer and I am so blessed. Well, as I've been progressing, I thought... "Oh no." I knew what was coming. I knew Heavenly Father was about to chastise me again and remind me that He's the one helping me. That was last week then this week He really put me to the test and he constantly humbles me. I'm really working on the whole humility thing still. And I know I will be for the rest of my life. I'm so far from perfect I wonder if I'll ever get to that point one day!

I went on exchanges on Tuesday with one of the STL's (Sister Training Leaders). Sister Simbol was my companion for a day and I learned so much from her! I was really sad to find out she's leaving this transfer. It was a pretty busy week. We had the New Missionary Workshop and we all sat in a circle and laid our feelings out. That was weird. I don't like telling a bunch of strangers my deep feelings. That was where I realized how great my trainer really is. Some of the new missionaries are having a really hard time adapting to the mission life. I have the same feelings about learning the language, but that's about all. It's frustrating not to be able to understand what people are saying of course. But I can carry simple conversations now and sometimes I just say, "Ay, talaga?" and "Opo" though... I usually know the subject of the conversation so that's good I guess. It's coming along. Then Thursday we had a Christmas Conference! I ended up being in the talent show... I didn't even know we were having a talent show... I accompanied Elder Young and that was, well, interesting. They called him up to the stage and I went up with him to go play the piano and one of the AP's, Elder Colipapa was like, "No, not you Sister Stettler!" And I just said, "I'm just playing the piano!" Everyone got a good laugh out of that. Yay. My life is full of moments like that. But I got to see Sister Coons again and I was so so so excited to see her! I think we hugged twice in the MTC and when we reunited Thursday, we didn't let go forever. So there's the little tidbit from our Christmas celebration.

Yesterday, Sister Rose and her kids and Sister Jessica came to church again! I hope they continue to progress and are prepared for their baptism date which is in January. The thing I've loved about a mission is learning what charity is. I pray for people I barely know, yet I'm coming to love them so much and learn so much about them and try to do all I can to help meet the needs of those I teach. What a marvelous work it is to help bring salvation to the souls of others! Heavenly Father trusts us so much and I hope that I can do my best in fulfilling the responsibilities He's given me.

I hope everyone has a great Christmas!!! I keep telling people to enjoy the snow for me, so I hope you all do! Mahal ko kayo!

Love,
Sister Stettler 

Monday, December 16, 2013

Week #10

Hello all! So happy to hear from lots of you. Everybody is all abuzz over Christmas and I love all the holiday cheer and wishes I've received.

Well, this email will probably be really short. My companion got sick again and then I spent the better part of this week in bed wishing I was dead. Let's just say having a high fever in the Philippines is NOT the funnest thing I've ever experienced. I think sickness just hangs over our apartment. I mean, I am very diligent in taking my vitamins and eating pretty healthy! This is probably my punishment for rolling onto the floor in the mornings and stretching for most my morning exercise. Flexibility is good... right?? I need to work on that... haha But the Elders are awesome. They came over and gave me a blessing and brought us food. Elder Nebeker joked awhile ago about seeing if we could get our whole district to the hospital and I told him that wasn't going to happen. So I am so glad I'm feeling better.

Also, church was awesome yesterday! We had four investigators come to church and I almost cried because I was so happy they came! They also all came to the First Presidencies Christmas Devotional that was broadcasted last night. I really hope they enjoyed that. They said they did. The spirit was so strong and I just prayed that they would feel loved and welcomed and feel the spirit as well.

I absolutely loved the Christmas Devotional. I know everybody saw it last week, but I wanted to put in my two cents. If you haven't seen it, it's on lds.org! Go watch! I really enjoyed Thomas S Monson's message. He said, "Giving, not getting, brings out the Christmas spirit." I've heard that a lot, but I've come to realize how much happier I am when I am giving to others rather than getting. To see others' reactions when I give them something from my heart is priceless. Especially when I share the gospel. Sharing the thing that makes me the happiest in this life, the gospel of Jesus Christ, is the most wonderful thing I've ever done. When I see others who have been blessed from putting their lives in the Lord's hands, I know that nothing can replace the joy I feel from being apart of that. That's really all I have to give this season. Myself. My time and service and that includes the Lord's time.

Sorry this is so short! I love you all!

Love,
Sister Stettler

Saturday, December 14, 2013

week #9

Well this week was definitely an adventure! I started off the week by eating balut! Of course I said I would try it and that I did. After our district taught our first English class, we headed to Open Sea, the restaurant our district eats out at all the time. I'm pretty sure I'll end up trying every single weird thing on that menu by the end of this transfer. haha Anyways, I tried eating the balut, ran to the bathroom, threw up, then went home and ate oreos. Yup... So much for having a strong stomach! It took an hour for my district to get me to eat it. I promised I would actually swallow it before the end of the transfer. Oh goodness. I've had a hard time making sure I keep everything down that I eat this week. Crazy food here! It really is delicious..... but not all of it. haha
We also went to the beach this morning and had a picnic! The Elders cooked for us and actually did a pretty good job. I was impressed. Except for the part where they forgot to salt and pepper everything. haha I appreciated their efforts though. So Merry Christmas to us! Going to the beach in December. I keep forgetting it's December it's so hot here. So everyone back home enjoy the snow for me and I'll enjoy the beach here for you! ;)

I loved really getting into the work this week! My companion is feeling a lot better. Prayer works. And that is all. We have been teaching a family that just soaks up our message and asks a lot of questions every time we go. They love everything we've taught them but they won't come to church! Just like one of the sisters from the district says, "Just come to church!!!!!!!" Really though. It is so disheartening when your investigators commit to church and then don't show up. But on the bright side, we've been getting our less actives to come and they've been doing their reading assignments. It makes me so happy because I see how much happier they are as they work on becoming closer to our Savior.
I really want to focus on the importance of member missionaries. I have before, but it is SO CRUCIAL that members help in missionary work!!! Try to put yourself in the shoes of an investigator or new member. The "Mormon world" has it's own culture and language, without really meaning to, and I think we forget that they don't really know what's going on. We really are a peculiar people, are we not? haha That's why it's so important to fellowship. Baptizing is pointless if these sons and daughters of Heavenly Father come to know the truth and then fall away because they don't feel welcome at church! It's like baptizing someone in a bucket with a hole in it. Pointless. That's what happens a lot of the time. To me, it reminds me of the scripture where it would almost better that they didn't know the truth at all than "dwindle in unbelief." Something like that. So simply put, take the time to become friends with those who are learning about the church or are new to the ward. The blessings will come to both you and them.
I, myself, have come to learn how important the members are. I have sometimes felt alone here as I'm experiencing a new culture and new language, and a different lifestyle and don't know anybody. Funny how the Lord picks a stranger as your companion and then you're "stuck" with them 24/7 and expected to learn how to trust them, open up to them, and then teach in unity! But it works. It just does. Because the Lord has a perfect plan. But the members have helped me feel so welcome here and I can honestly say that I might of thought of giving up if they hadn't helped me feel like I belong here. The young adults and youth are so eager to work with us missionaries and that is a huge blessing! I just love how I can walk into the church and have such a warm welcome and feel like I'm family. Yesterday after church they kidnapped Sister Ganzagan and I, made us jump into a tricycle, and drove us to a huge fiesta! My goodness. Those tricees can fit so many people on them. 13 people were riding on it! Inside, outside, and on top. Do you know what they look like?! Everyone knows I'm a huge Harry Potter fan (nerd alert. No shame), but just picture the little bike and side cart he has. That's literally what we ride all the time. That and these things called pajuks which is someone riding a bike, and then we sit on this cart attached with an umbrella over the top, kind of like the tricycles, but it's manual labor. I love transportation here! Anyways, the members were so silly about it and they find so much joy in feeding us missionaries and making us try all these weird things. Filipino parties are fun. Especially when you fit the entire ward into somebody's house! So if there's anything more that I can say, BE A MISSIONARY! It doesn't mean you have to submit your mission papers, although that's one way, but serve. Be a friend. Be an example. BE LIKE THE SAVIOR! I can promise you that as you do so, the spirit will fill up your life and you will feel the joy from helping others come unto Christ.
I love you all so much! Remember the reason for the season. So cliche but such a true statement. Jesus Christ is my Savior. He died for you and me and I know that to be true from the bottom of my heart. Let him be the center of your lives!
Love,
Sister Stettler

Monday, December 2, 2013

Week #8: Naga

Hello all! Thank you for all the Thanksgiving wishes! Glad to know people still know I exist. ;) hahaha

So I've been trying to decide if I wanted to send out a letter this week, honestly. My poor companion, Sister Ganzagan has been very sick and we didn't get much work done this week because she's been bed ridden. We ended up spending most of the day Saturday at the hospital. So while she has been sleeping and trying to get better, I've had plenty of time to do a lot of studying! I just feel like I don't have much to share. But here we go.

Last Monday was so awesome! P-days are great! For obvious reasons. I love this whole, 'Do your laundry by hand thing.' I'm really not joking. It's such an adventure! Even though it did take 3 days for my clothes to dry... Whenever I try to leave my clothes outside, it starts raining!!! I can't win. Sister Ganzagan thinks it's funny that I love the rain so much and would rather not use an umbrella. But I have to use it because people don't like to have us in their house if we are sopping wet (of course). The rain here is crazy. There's barely any warning. It just starts pouring and then downpours for hours. Part of our area flooded and we weren't allowed to proselyte. The zone leaders told us they didn't want us to get electrocuted. Okay? Has that happened before?? Scary... Anyways, Monday was a long night of tracting, so Sister Ganzagan and I went and bought ice cream before going home. She had the brilliant idea of eating out and I looked at my watch and told her we couldn't because it was past curfew. She laughed and made herself comfortable outside with her half gallon of ice cream and a spoon. So now our idea of "eating out " includes eating outside on our porch under the stars (which are so beautiful here!), with our ice cream, and listening to Mo Tab. I will pretend it hasn't happened three times this week.

I think Friday was the most exciting. Sister Ganzagan felt well enough to go out to teach. It was pouring and my umbrella broke because the rains and winds were so strong! We went to a less active's home in Bombon and we had to trudge through the rice fields! There's a teeny cement path we stayed on to get there and it was raining so hard that the water was just pooling up around us so we had to walk barefoot (ummm). We had a member present, Jean Rose, and she is just the cutest. She's the youngest seminary teacher I've ever met! We just all sang and laughed the whole way there. After we taught the family, we taught one of our investigators, Femarie, and she is still deciding if she wants to be baptized. We encouraged her to pray about it again and we will see what happens next time we visit! After visiting with a few more people, we ended up going home early because Sister Ganzagan started feeling really sick again. :( I asked her if she wanted a priesthood blessing, so the Elders came over and gave her such an incredible blessing! My testimony of the priesthood has grown so much. I am so grateful to have always had priesthood holders in my family. I am so blessed!
After the elders left, I had been writing in my journal for about an hour and this lizard kept circling the room and my companion is terrified of lizards so I finally decided to catch it. Even though I don't mind having them around because they eat the mosquitos. I caught it alright, but I forgot the part where lizards tails come off if you grab them by their tail. It started wiggling around my hand and the rest of the lizard started running off and I couldn't stop screaming. I probably drive Sister Ganzagan nuts. But, I finally caught the lizard and threw that poor thing out the door. How come weird things like this happen to me?...

Saturday was crazy. My body is freaking out because of the climate. I keep getting random rashes everywhere. haha. And I'm starting to get used to all the bug bites I have. I'm also trying to figure out what I'm allergic to because I keep breaking out in hives. I find this all hilarious, by the way. Because the weirdest things are happening! There's nothing I can really do about it anyways. 
So Saturday morning we went into Naga to withdraw money, which is about half and hour from my area. Oh. And I just found out we are only a few minutes from the coast! So we will probably go there next P-day as a district. While we were there in the city, we made a trip to the hospital and found out that my companion is internally bleeding. Oh my goodness... She's doing alright though. I know it's because of the prayers in her behalf from the missionaries and the priesthood blessing. I just hope we can really get to work this week and that she heals soon! We had to cancel all our appointments for the day and we made it home that evening, soaking wet, just in time for missionary coordination meeting with the bishop. The bishop is so nice and he works well with us! He likes to make fun of my American ways, but then again, so does Sister Ganzagan. She thinks that Americans shaving their legs is the weirdest thing ever. I don't blame her. It is really weird if you think about it. After the meeting, we went to a members house for dinner with the elders and then I took a hot bath with a bucket and pail. Yup. That will probably never happen again because it took too long to heat up the water, but it was one of the best things I've ever experienced in my life! And for the record? Showering with a bucket and pail is actually fun. Bahaha! Who would have thought?

I never thought I would say this, but crocs and fanny packs are the necessities of life. Watch out fashion police! Is it just me or am I already getting weirder?... But who cares. I'm loving it here! Even the Tagalog is slowly coming. I'm starting to pick up on words and I usually can figure out what the conversation is about. That's the frustrating part. I want to be able to participate more and I can't. I've never been this quite in my life. haha They speak some Spanish here too. So I know a little bit of Tagalog, a little bit of Biccol, a little bit of Spanish, and a whole lot of English I don't need. Even though a lot of people try to speak in English to me. They always say that they get a "bloody nose" because it's so hard to speak English. Speaking of which, we are starting an English class! I'm really excited, even though I don't know how we are going to go about doing it exactly. 

Also, I felt like I was back in America as we were able to go to SM, the mall in Naga. The Filipinos definitely LOVE their malls! The customer service is WAYYY better than any customer service I've ever received anywhere back home and all the employees are dressed up. But the mall felt like one of the big ones I went to in Vegas. Totally don't remember what it's called, but it was just really fancy! And they were playing Christmas music and I found out that they've been celebrating Christmas here since September. I'm so excited! We have a Christmas party with the whole mission in a few weeks and I can't wait to get to know more of the missionaries and see my previous companion from the MTC! I keep forgetting it's Christmas time because it feels like August. I only remember because there are Christmas decorations everywhere! But it's not the snow or the decorations, or the presents that makes Christmas. Christ really is the reason for the season and it's exciting to share the beautiful message of the gospel at this time of the year! 

Yay. Me pointing to the Philippines!

All the missionaries going to Naga in my batch!

Random pic. But it's so beautiful and green here! Kind of missing the snow. Hahaha

My Kasama! We like ice cream

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Week #7: Naga Philippines!

Hello from the Naga Philippines! I am currently in an internet cafe dying of heat. I feel so moist all the time. I don't know how else to explain it... But that is ok! Because I'm a missionary! Right?... Anyways, it is so good to hear from everybody. I can honestly say I'm surprised how much support and encouragement I've received from everybody.

I need to start this off by apologizing to my parents and other family members for complaining on road trips and asking every 20 minutes how much longer it would be till we reached our destination. You will be happy to know that I did not ask anyone "Are we there yet?" The last time I did that, the family played a huge practical joke on me for a week. I think I learned my lesson... And this trip tops off the longest trip of my life by far. I know some are interested in how I got here so here's the shpeel. We took a shuttle, front runner, then trax to the Salt Lake airport, flew from SLC to Seattle and that was about 2 hours, Seattle to Tokyo Japan and that was the longest 10 hours of my life. I had a row of seats to myself and I napped and when I wasn't napping, I read almost the whole book of Alma. True story. Oh, and Japan is absolutely beautiful! I wouldn't mind serving there, then again, because Heavenly Father and I made an agreement before I got my call and I told him I wouldn't Japanese, Mandarin, French, or Russian. Too hard of languages. I just didn't want to learn a new alphabet. I'm stubborn. I don't know why I included that. Kudos to those who serve in those wonderful places and are a lot more humble than I am. Anyways, then we flew from Tokyo to Manila which took 4 hours and stayed the night in a hotel. The next morning, we flew from Manila to Naga and it only took an hour. When we arrived at the mission home, we met President and Sister Reeder and I just absolutely LOVE them! I was so nervous my mission president would be really intimidating. He is so kind and reverent but he knows when to be firm with us. We stayed the night in their home (7 of us from the Provo MTC) and the next day met our companions! I have the cutest companion, Sister Ganzagan. She is a sweet Filipino from northern Luzon (The big north island that the Philippines is composed of). She speaks really good English and I have to remind her to speak in Tagalog/Taglish in our apartment so I can learn the language. But she pushes me when we talk to people and I'm starting to pick up some more vocabulary.

I'm surprised I'm taking pretty well to the food here. Thank goodness I love rice! I don't even think twice when we have rice for breakfast. We really do eat rice with everything. I'm still trying to get over the fact that the people throw the whole entire animal, usually excluding the head, but not always, in a pot and cook it. I've learned not to ask what something is until after I've eaten it. And I just don't really look at my food when I eat it. hahaha Oh my. It's definitely an adventure! We also eat with a spoon in our right hands, and scoop with a fork in our left hands. Why don't Americans eat like that?? It's actually a lot easier! Ok, the first time I tried in the mission home and I scooped everything into my skirt. Whoops. After the second or third meal I was actually used to it. Yay! It's the little things...

Well Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in America! I keep forgetting it's the holiday season because I'm so used to snow. Even if there are Christmas decorations everywhere because the Filipinos LOVE Christmas. I don't blame them. It's a good holiday, di'ba? We are having a Christmas party with all the missionaries in a few weeks and I'm excited because the WHOLE mission is getting together! So I get to meet more of the missionaries. My district leader is Elder Nebeker, and his brother was actually in my zone in the MTC! His companion is Elder Young. He totally reminds me of the Elder from the RM. He's tall and blonde and has these Harry Potter glasses that are bright green. I love it! He talks to everyone and that companionship has gotten so many investigators in just this past week! Then there's Elder Robles who has been in part of this area for 6 months. His companion is Elder Snyder and he is one of the nicest Elders and he just got here one transfer ago. Really small district. Oh yeah. Sister Ganzagan and I just opened up a this new area! We are in Calabangan. We spent most of our Friday going over teaching records. Such a long day. We finally went tracting on Sunday, and we met a family who we didn't even have to commit to come to church! They asked us if they could come on Sunday. I just sat there in the lesson and I didn't contribute much because of my lack in the language, but as Sister Ganzagan taught about the restoration and I bore my testimony, I was just overcome with the spirit. Heavenly Father reminded me that He is there. That He loves His children and that the spirit is a universal language, and even though the people don't really understand what I'm saying, they can still feel the spirit. It was a witness to me that I will eventually learn Tagalog if I keep doing my part. And the Lord will help me with the things I cannot do. It was so incredible! Right after, I thanked Heavenly Father for that little tender mercy.

Saturday night we had a missionary coordination meeting with the Bishop of the Calabanga ward, and Elder Nebeker volunteered me to speak in sacrament meeting. He likes to give me a really hard time with the language and I just wonder if he remembers what it was like to learn Tagalog. I don't think so because he just laughed. So guess who spoke yesterday? I spoke about the Atonement mainly because that's the only thing I'm ok at talking about in Tagalog. Nah, I actually felt like that was a topic that the ward needed to hear. So I hope I got my message across. And church isn't even in Tagalog! It's in Biccol! haha So I get to learn Biccol in a few months when I'm better at the first language I'm learning. So many dialects here! Also in the meeting on Saturday, the Bishop asked me something, and I didn't understand him (of course), so in Tagalog I asked him what he said and he was taken aback because he didn't know I could speak a little bit. Everybody just laughed and I'm the only one that doesn't find these things funny. It's frustrating not knowing what anyone is saying! It will come though. I know it will. With hard work, faith, and diligence. I just need to remember to laugh at my mistakes. :)

Hm, I have so much to say, but I can't remember everything. Oh, there are A LOT of bugs here. Like, weird looking ones that are huge. I used to be freaked out by them, but now it's second nature to squash them. Hahaha Random. So I don't mind the bugs. Except they like to eat me. We have screens in our windows in our apartment though! And benadryl cream is one of the best inventions of all time. Also, we have a shower head! So no bucket and pail for bathing this transfer! Even though the toilet is in the shower. It's the weirdest thing... Also, my companion laughs at my attempts to get used to the heat. This morning I just stood in the fan and squirt my self with water. After doing this for about 15 minutes she was just like, "Just take a bath!" So I usually shower twice a day. haha

This morning was the first time I've ever washed all my clothes by hand! Even though it was work, I thought it was a lot of fun. I don't know. I just try to find the joy in the simplicity of life here and learn to value hard work. I'm so grateful for parents who taught me to work hard! So many rewards come from working your hardest, and I hope I can continue to apply what I've learned to missionary work.

I love you all and I love hearing from you! Hopefully I'll actually have more spiritual stories to share next week. Mahal ko kayo! :)

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Week #6: Last week of MTC

Hello all!

This week flew by and was filled with many tears and much laughter. I have felt every single emotion this week as I have prepared to head out into the field on Monday (AH!). So here are a few random things from this week:

Last P-day two of our districts (there's twelve of us and we are all leaving on Monday) had the chance to go to the temple cafeteria after doing a session. The food was heavenly compared to the food here at the MTC! haha Nah, they actually do have pretty decent food for how many missionaries they have to serve. But I am so ready for some Filipino food! Even if it does make me sick for the first few weeks. Our whole zone tries to avoid rice as much as possible because we will be eating so much of it for the next year and a half/two years. Good thing I love that stuff.

L. Tom Perry came and spoke to us on Tuesday!!! He talked about how important it is to get along with your companion. I have been so blessed to have a companion I get along with. One who puts up with my humor! She helps me work my hardest and I love that about her! Elder Perry also explained how important it is to have two witnesses. We are both able to testify with power. He said so much and my notes are really just a lot of personal impressions so I'm not sure what else to say about it. He and Sister Perry also both started off their talks by talking about the disasters in the Philippines. I'm not sure if I said this in a previous email, but our branch president told us at the beginning of our MTC experience to start praying for the people of the Philippines. That their hearts may be open to the gospel. And especially that we would come to love them. So from the beginning I have come to have a deep love for these people that I haven't even met yet! And when I found out about the horrific storm, I just cried and cried for them! I mean, disasters are devastating of course, but when you have a connection, it's so much harder! I pray for them every single day. I just want to get out there and help them so bad! Even if I don't know the language. The spirit is definitely a worldwide language and I'm so grateful that I will be able to use that because that's my greatest tool! Anyways, when the Perrys talked about all the missionaries being accounted for, I was just overcome with such a peaceful feeling. Heavenly Father really does take care of His missionaries and I have no need to fear. One thing I wrote down was that I won't be able to keep up with the Lord. I feel like I have grown so much in the past few weeks, yet I just can't keep up with the work the Lord has for me! I love that we can always improve and learn. Life would definitely get boring if there wasn't more to learn. Dad always taught me that.

The new members of our zone are so cute! They always come to us with questions and I'm surprised that I can answer their questions about the language with the little bit I know. I just think it's funny how we always thought the people a few weeks ahead of us were so mature and ready to go out into the field and now here we are! About to become the greenies! And they still think we know a lot more than them... Sike!

Oh hey. It's snowing today! But most of you already know that. I didn't think I would get to see snow before I left the MTC. I'm wearing basketball shorts today because I had to wash my jeans. #missionarylyfe (that just happened). I didn't realize how much I'll miss snow! So tender little mercy from the Lord. I sat on my bed this morning reading my scriptures and watching the fluffy snowflakes. And we've been singing Christmas songs all morning. Great day!

As I said at the beginning, this week was filled with lots and lots of emotions. We're still not exactly sure where we are going when we get to the Philippines. Last week we were told we might be reassigned to Manila for awhile, but then were told by the MTC that we will probably be taking ground transportation to Naga instead of flying. So... I'm pretty sure we're going to our mission! Just driving a loooooooooong ways. The storm didn't really hit our mission though. So we will see! It's a little scary to not know! But Heavenly Father will send me wherever He needs me! I'm taking a giant leap of faith. I can't believe they try to teach us as much of Tagalog as they can in less than six weeks then send us to a foreign country. But it must work because they've been doing it for years! Last week in sacrament meeting I prayed that I would be guided and comforted and Brother Christofferson, one of the counselors in the branch presidency got up and talked about how we might be feeling that very moment. I know it may have been for some of the other missionaries, but he looked right at me as he spoke. I just knew it was for me. He said that some of us may be feeling very inadequate to go teach a people of a different culture in a language we don't know. That we may feel like we don't have enough knowledge to teach. I thought I knew my scriptures pretty well before leaving, but as I've been reading, I learn more and more every time from the Book of Mormon. As he spoke, he told us that that doesn't matter. He related us to Joseph Smith. He was not a learned man, but look at all the amazing things he did because he was taught by the spirit! That's the only example I remember. But I was just overcome by the biggest feeling of peace and spiritual strength. I know that Heavenly Father will help me become fluent in the language. He will help me teach by the spirit as I rely on Him. And I will learn so much on my mission! Again, the learning NEVER ends! To add onto it, we had In-field training yesterday, and we talked about the pioneers. They didn't know what they were doing exactly. They were doing what the Lord had commanded them. This whole week has taught me to completely take a leap of faith, not always knowing the outcome, but knowing that Heavenly Father has a plan and purpose for me. I KNOW that He will never leave any of His children alone. He loves us so very much! And with that, I will talk to you next time in the Philippines! Mahal ko kayo!

Love,
Sister Stettler

                     Hair is all gone!

The two districts who are leaving on Monday. I will miss them!

This is my district! The elders are outnumbered by the sisters. Hahaha

Monday, November 11, 2013

Week #5: MTC

Kumusta!

Thank you all so much for the birthday wishes! I think everyone here was more excited about my birthday than I was. We had a small birthday party and at devotional that night, President and Sister Howard (our branch president) had us sing and dance to Happy Birthday in Tagalog like 5 times. 

This week we got to teach two Filipinos! They just laugh at us because we aren't very good at the language. And then they like to correct us. Hey, at least we laugh along. But they are such a loving people and I am SO excited to go teach the people in the Philippines! Sister Coons and I skyped one of Brother Pearce's (our teacher) converts. We didn't get to teach very much of our lesson because we just got to really know her and her daughter. Missionary work is about so much more than teaching the gospel. It's really about loving the people you teach and helping them receive the restored gospel so that they can have happiness in their lives and return to Heavenly Father again someday.

This week just flew by. Nothing much happened. I've been working really hard on the language and I have come to have a deeper love for the scriptures. The Book of Mormon IS the word of God. I know that. I know it is true. And it truly testifies of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Let's see. We also did intitatory last week. That was an incredible opportunity. The spirit is so strong at the temple. I also chatted with a returned sister missionary who teaches at the MTC while waiting and although I don't really remember what she told me, I was just filled with peace and gratitude for this chance I have to share the gospel with others. By the way, I'm totally making myself a prayer pillow when I get home. My knees are getting calused from praying so much! When in doubt, pray. When you're happy, pray. Just pray all the time, okay? It's the best thing ever!!! :)

We were supposed to get flight plans yesterday, but only some of my district got theirs. Hopefully I'll get mine on Monday! I can't believe that my group is the oldest group of missionaries in our zone. The new missionaries come to us with questions about the language and I surprise myself when I am able to give them answers. We'll see how that goes out in the field. haha. Part of our zone left on Sunday and that was actually really hard. These missionaries become your family and you really come to have a love for them. Thank goodness for modern technology. I'm so grateful I'll be able to continue to communicate with you all when I'm all the way around the world!

I feel like my emails right now are just really random. I can't wait until I actually have mission stories to share! So... here are some more random things... 
Now that I cut my hair really short, 5 other sisters in my zone have decided to do so as well. Gah! It's going to be so nice in the Philippines. I thought I was going to regret chopping it all off, but I absolutely love it! And that is all.

Anyways, I don't really know what else to talk about. Life is great. The church is true. The book is blue. Missionary work is AWESOME! Missionaries sing A WHOLE lot. Um, I love being a missionary! Not much else to say! It's the hardest work in the best way possible! I love you all and can't wait to hear more from you!

Mahal kita!
-Sister Stettler

The sisters decorated my door for my birthday

Roommates working out after I got out of the shower

Ran into Sister Prestwich from home! :) Love her :)

I'm a photographer :D

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Week #4: MTC

Kumusta!

Hey everyone! This week was the best, yet hardest week I've had so far. First off, I just chopped my hair off about an hour ago. So there's that. A lot of us decided to cut our hair shorter because it's going to be so hot in the Philippines. I told the hair stylist I wanted it past my shoulders but um... it ended up a few inches shorter. So I just sat there in the chair and died inside. But the great thing about hair is that it grows back, and my hair grows fast so it should be long by the time I get back! :) (Crossing my fingers really hard right now). Everything is changing so I guess that hair has to go with it to, right? Haha

Ok so I was really excited to talk about how I've been so diligent in taking my vitamins and haven't gotten sick, I've been using hand sanitizer like it's lotion, and of course, who gets the sickest out of the whole zone? I feel like I live in a petrie dish. Life of a germaphobe. I get mad at the people who don't wear their shower shoes. Haha But on the bright side, DayQuil and NiQuil rock my life. Also, Halloween we had a small party before bedtime with glowsticks and everything. We dressed up and Sister Campbell, Sister Moulton, Sister Coons and I taped nickels to our back and we went as "Nickelback" and held up a photo and said "Look at this photograph." It was a huge hit. I went to bed early that night because the NiQuil kicked in and apparently I'm kind of loopy when I'm on it. Is that even legal to say in here? Ha just kidding. Oh ya. My companion also talks in her sleep and will wake herself up when she does. It's funny except for the part where she wakes me up. But I love her. She's a doll!

I had a really rough week with the language. And my brain will try dreaming in Tagalog. It's so weird because I'm just speaking gibberish in my dreams. Well, I learned that the spirit can't help you learn the language if you get really frustrated. I mean I already knew that, but I'm really learning to rely on the Lord in everything I do. The spirit is the real teacher! Heavenly Father is aware of our needs no matter what we are going through. And he will help us with our smallest problems because He knows that those little things mean so much to us. We were listening to 'Daughter of a King' by Jenny Phillips in Tagalog and I was so grateful I know the words in English because it gives the analogy of how God has numbered every sand of the sea. That's us! He knows each of us by name. Our strengths, weaknesses, fears, joys, EVERYTHING. And as a missionary, it gives me a greater desire to go find those children that He has specifically prepared to hear the gospel at this time. Because he knows when they are ready to hear and accept the true church. So every time I have a rough time with the language or feel like I'm inadequate to do this great work, I remember that Heavenly Father knows what he is doing. He is not going to let me do this by myself. And it's been so amazing to just let Him shape me. I know I have a long ways to go, but my testimony has grown so much here in the MTC. I am so grateful for this gospel. The missionary program is truly inspired. Missionary work is for everyone so just get out there and SERVE! NOW! GO! ;) That's another thing I've learned this week. We can share the gospel in so many different ways. Whether you're a full time missionary or a ward member. Just by giving your time, sharing your talents, serving others, there are so many ways we can be good examples and friends to those around us. Not only will it bless the lives of others, your life will be richly blessed as well. And I so wish I could pay my Heavenly Father back for all of those blessings He has given me. And I hope that just by serving a mission I can do some part in helping build the kingdom of God! 

I JUST LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! And I've only been out for a few weeks. And not to mention I'm still in the MTC... but I know this will all be worth it. And I know that this is one of the best decisions I will ever make in my life. If you want to feel the spirit all the time, serve a mission. It's awesome! Aside from the spirit, we have so much fun. During the small amount of time we have to goof off. Which is really never. But the other night we were able to get in a little early so we all through on our Philippines shirts and we had probably eaten too much sugar because we stuffed pillows under our shirts and went around the residency singing 'If I Were A Rich Man'. I haven't laughed that hard in quite awhile. I'll try to attach the pictures! I also joined the choir AND I'M SO HAPPY THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO SPEAK MUSIC HERE!!! I miss playing the piano. But I'm doing a musical number next week so I'm really excited for that. Anyways, I think half the reason I go to choir is because the director is Brother Eggett and he teaches institute at UVU. He just told us a bunch of stories about Thomas S Monson the first week. The teachers here are outstanding. And they're all so young! Most of them are RM's. I thought we'd have some old men teaching our classes. Haha

One of my favorite things here is the opportunity we have to go to the temple every Saturday for P-day. Last week there was a couple taking their wedding photos and all the sister missionaries were sighing and admiring her dress and everything and one of the brethren comes up and just laughs at us and told us "one day." We all laughed and I told him if I wanted to be married right now I wouldn't be serving a mission. Seriously though, I don't even know how I can feel the spirit stronger at the temple because it's already so strong in the MTC. But I do. There's just an amazing peace that comes from going to the temple. I love it so much and it really is my favorite place on earth. The only thing that could make it better is if my family was there with me. I love them so much. I'm so grateful to have the knowledge that families can be together forever. What a wondrous plan God has for us! 

I miss you all and love you so much. Thank you for all the support! I feel your prayers and I want to let you know how grateful I am for them. I'm praying for you as well! Can't wait to hear back!

Love,
Sister Stettler

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Week #3: MTC

Well guess what everybody?? Since I leave on November 18, tomorrow is technically the halfway mark of the MTC! I'm actually really glad because this whole cafeteria food is getting old. I'll probably miss American food in general when I get to the Philippines. Good thing I like rice a lot, right? haha

So I've learned a few things this week. First off, don't sing in the shower. People try to harmonize with you and it just gets super awkward. I've resorted back to showering before bed because there's a sister who sings in the morning and I have never met anybody who knows that many songs from Broadway and Disney. So at least she can sing, but every morning I just glare at myself in the mirror brushing my teeth while she's singing and wonder how someone can be so happy and cheerful at six in the morning. And it's like 3 octaves higher than the average person sings. Maybe I'm just jealous I don't have an amazing voice like that. haha I guess I need to be a happier person in the morning.

I can't believe how organized the MTC is! Our zone sets up and takes down the chairs for our service projects and THEY MEASURE HOW FAR APART THE CHAIRS NEED TO BE!!! Who does that? Only Mormons. Really. Oh ya. Sundays are my favorite day here. The sisters get to go to Music and the Spoken word before Relief Society while the Elders go to priesthood and district meetings. I hate to say it, but even in the MTC they really do take care of and favor the sisters! 

Guess what mom? I eat bananas every single day. Remember the part where I hated bananas before coming to the MTC? And I all of a sudden love vegetables. I'm obviously lacking in nutrition if I'm craving healthy foods all the time. Besides, the fruit is really the most edible thing here. AND THE PIZZA! I was so happy when they served us pizza last week, and they ordered it again last night! Those poor people who have to deliver all those pizzas. I can't believe they even do it. 

At the beginning of the week, we had a lesson on stress and the big title on the board said, "What is stress?" I burst out laughing so hard when I walked in the classroom and saw it and was like, "That's a funny joke!" and then everyone in my district kept laughing with me because I could not stop laughing. What? Stress? On a mission? Never heard of it. (Joke lang. Haha whenever they joke in the Philippines they always say Joke lang!) Anyways... our teacher, Brother Pearce, made us run around the entire MTC, and we went up to the highest building and looked over the valley. Then he said we had 3 minutes to go find someone on campus and bear our testimonies in Tagalog. That was one of my favorite lessons. He just basically told us we are going to be ok. He also taught us a lesson two nights ago on the Plan of Salvation and related it to a mission. The MTC is like the premortal life and the airplane ride is like the veil. You fall asleep on the plane and wake up in some strange land. But it's ok because we have the Lord and our trainers to help us. And we learn step by step. Line upon line, precept upon precept. And Sister Osborn, our other teacher said to remember that we might wish we had the opportunity to go back to the beginning of our missions and change things because of what we learned, but she reminded us to "Don't look back, only change." And I've seen that in the past few weeks I've been here. I've learned how to really rely on the Lord and I wish I could go back to the first day I got here. It would be a lot easier with the knowledge I have now. But they only thing we can do in life is "press forward with a steadfastness in Christ." We came to this life so that we CAN learn. We just have to make the future better!

It was so hard last Sunday because half of our zone left. We all stood in the hall and sang "God be with you till we meet again." Not only did it sound amazing, but the spirit was so strong! Every time we all sing as missionaries, my heart just wants to burst out of my chest. And two more districts leave this Monday too! Gah! I keep becoming attached to these incredible elders and sisters. I can't believe that's going to be me leaving in a few weeks!

Wowwwww, I just realized I didn't start my washer. This whole time I've been on here. So there's that........ These are normal things that happen to me so it's really not that big of a deal. hahaha

Well, I hope everyone is doing well. I love hearing from everybody! Mahal kita!

Love,
Sister Stettler

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Week #2: MTC

Kumusta!

Thank you for all the love and support! I loved getting so many emails from everyone and I apologize I can't respond to all of them this week. You all have made such a difference in my life and I'm so grateful for the prayers you have offered in my behalf.

Well it seems like I've been in the MTC A LOT longer than a week and a half. The days just all blend together and although I don't remember much of what happens, I somehow recall what I've learned in Tagalog and feel the spirit. I have the opportunity to go to the temple every week and that's such a blessing because it's nice to go and just feel peace and give me a break from overloading my brain with more language study. If the spirit wasn't present here, this place would honestly fail. It would be impossible to teach teenagers and young adults (oh, and senior couples) all these languages at such a high level in just a few weeks. I have seen the gift of tongues work and WOW. Even though I'm not fluent in the language, I have realized that praying, studying hard, and relying on the spirit helps me comprehend the language so fast. And let me tell you. Tagalog is NOT easy but so far everything is making sense. There are so many conjugations and we call it Yoda poetry here because you switch around all the words in English to translate it in Tagalog. So "God is our loving Heavenly Father" is "Our loving Heavenly Father God is." Pretty self explanatory.

Elder Oaks came and gave the fireside on Tuesday night! I couldn't stop crying when he walked in the room because the spirit was so strong and this blanket of reverence just settled over all the missionaries. We were singing when he walked in and of course we all stood and even though we kept singing, you could feel a distinct difference. You know what's funny? The spirit is so strong here that even when something even "more" per se spiritual happens, I don't really feel a difference. My tear ducts must be very close to the surface because my face becomes a waterfall and I'm like...... Ok I don't know what just happened but I just feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Haha It's so crazy! I don't know how to explain it. The spirit is just really strong. And that is all. Also, I LOVE singing Called to Serve with all the missionaries. There's just something so powerful and unifying about it. I'm so grateful to be called as one of the Lord's missionaries! I'm not perfect but I keep being reminded that "Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies."

I'm not even sure what else I should write about! So much has happened and it's so hard to put into words. I just want everyone to know that I love them and I love being here and I love being a missionary. It's such a wonderful experience and I've only been out for a short time. I'll keep everyone in my prayers! 

Love,
Sister Stettler

      PIZZA NIGHT! I was very very very happy to finally get pizza because I've been asking if we're going to have it every single day. So there's that! :D

                      Sick kasama

   Rain on our Sunday walk to the temple, but the district is pretty happy! :D Most of us... haha

    This is how I feel about the language

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Week #1: MTC

Kumusta!
Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you all know I made it to the MTC and I'm staying ;) I love it here! It is hard work, especially because of the language, but hey. I'm still alive. I have never studied this hard in my life. My companion is Sister Coons and believe it or not, we met on the Philippines Facebook group before arriving. I thought it would be funny if we ended up as companions and we sure did. We have the same sense of humor so thankfully she understands my jokes. She is such a spiritual giant and I really look up to her. We started teaching our first investigator, Vince, yesterday and we had to do the lesson completely in Tagalog. I DON'T EVEN KNOW TAGALOG!!! Haha We just went off the knowledge we already have and wow. I know that the gift of tongues is real. I've had a little taste of it and I know I wouldn't be able to speak this much already if it wasn't for pananampalataya (faith). Our investigator isn't really investigating the church of course (why would they trust us to do that in the MTC???), but he is playing the character of someone he loves. We teach him again today and I am so grateful we have learned more of the language and are better prepared so we will be able to commit him to read the Book of Mormon and bear our testimonies to him.
Like I said, the language isn't easy, but we have an amazing teacher, Sister Osbourn. She's so young! She is probably a recent RM. Yesterday in class, we were practicing praying in Tagalog, and Sister Campbell (one of the Sisters in my district) accidentally prayed that Thomas S Monson would be called unto repentance. Bahaha!!! We were laughing so hard. I love these sisters and I'm grateful for the opportunity to get to know them! Sister Coons, me, Sister Campbell and her companion Sister Moulton are all headed to Naga. There are three others in our zone (but in a different district) who are also going to Naga so I'm glad I won't be flying out alone. I don't know why that scares me. Anyways, the branch presidency talked to us a bit about our mission and guess what?! THERE'S TOILET PAPER!!! THIS MAKES MY WHOLE ENTIRE LIFE!!! Although we were told we have to carry it around with us there because they don't have it in public places. I can't wait to head out and meet the people! We were encouraged to pray for the people we are going to be teaching and I have already gained a love for these Filipinos I haven't even met yet.
The food here doesn't like my stomach. Yay for cafeteria food. That's really the only thing I remember about this place because we study so much and it feels like I've been here for weeks... and it seems like we eat all the time besides study. Haha
As for the social media addiction? Yeah... not so much. I don't even think about that kind of stuff. In fact, when we got on the computers I felt super weird about it because I feel like I'm in a completely different world with no technology. And all these crazy people bustle about in Sunday clothes. But eh, I like it. It must be the spirit, right?
I would love to hear from everybody! Thank you for the emails. I'll respond every so often because I don't have the time to write everyone back every week. But I pray for you and I love you!
Love,
Sister Stettler :)