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! :)

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

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

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