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

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 

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

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

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