Funny the Things You Find...

....When you research your family history.

My forehead matches my maternal great grandmothers:

Not my favorite feature. You'll notice I always wear bangs.

#1's Weekly Email: Week #54

Here comes the rain again, falling on my head like a memory....

And this week.... If I could describe my week in one word... that word would be.... insanity! It was soooooooo crazy! So many things happened. 

Monday: P-Day! woohoo! But for some reason I was annoyed for the whole day. just not in a good mood. Until we got to teach two lessons and then headed to the mission home for a FHE with all the missionaries of the August batch that are going home. I love all those guys and they're all going home. It's so sad. I'm gonna miss them. 

Tuesday: We had a district meeting and we were the workshop! (Didn't find that out until that morning...)Our workshop was about finding and it was super fun. But afterwards, Sister E got sick so we ended up staying home. I got time to finish 3rd Nephi and write in my journal and take a nap and clean the house. woohoo!

Wednesday: The typhoon hit. But before it did, me and Sister C ran to the market again (Sister L and Sister E were both not feeling well) and then we got home and the Elders texted and said that we had to stay home until they said we could go out. That was a very eventful day. The wind was soooooooo strong. And so we said a prayer and then Sister C immediately started freaking out. She and Sister L started packing. I sat and watched and laughed at them :) Around 4 pm they texted and said we could go back out and work but Sister E still wasn't feeling well and so we stayed home. 

Thursday: Just a normal day but we heard that there was another typhoon coming so we were very cautious. We went out and worked and saw that everyone was ok in our area. It just rained a whole bunch. Thank goodness for boots and umbrellas :)

Friday: Just another day. There was a bit of drama as we learned that we were going to have to pick up all of the kids that were going to be baptized on Saturday because the family didn't have money to come. But that all worked out too.

Saturday: There was a baptism! P.A., Jer, G, Je, and Ju were all baptized. YAY! It was so happy :) Happiest baptism I've had so far

Sunday: And then they were all confirmed! YAY! And Sunday was an interesting one because we went to teach the kids after church and found out the Nanay A was super sick. She had a really high fever and her stomach hurt and her head hurt so badly that she was hitting it with her fist and she kept trying to cough stuff up but nothing was coming up. It was not good. So we went and bought her medicine and called the elders. The came right away and gave her a Priestood blessing. And immediately, her fever went down and she said that her headache was gone. Thank goodness for the Priesthood and for Elders who are worthy to hold it. Also P.A. was so happy when we taught him yesterday and the 4 kids were too. YAY for the gospel!

So this week... 1-missionaries 0-Satan. Booyah!

This was a very eventful week to say the least. The church is true. God loves all of his children. The Gospel blesses lives and changes people.

I love you all. Take care!

-Sister Hess

#1's Weekly Email: Week #53

Bad trip.... Bad trip, bad trip.

So this week was not one of my favorites. A lot of little annoyances occurred. Satan is on the rampage... But that's okay. I love proving people wrong when they make me feel like I can't do something… hehe

Here's the low down on what happened this week... Brace yourselves.

Monday: The usual support day. We went to Olongapo. I don't like big cities anymore. They're stressful. I think I'll become a hermit when I go home haha joke.

Tuesday: We had mission president interviews. Super fun but definitely different. No more Tagalog… 

But for some reason we were super punted on Tuesday. So we went out and went to every single appointment and no one was home so we just went to the top of the mountain for H's birthday party/FHE. That was fun. We went up there and got to teach one of P.A.'s friends, J. And then we ate sopas and played Booga-Booga. We have some new members here. 

Wednesday: Wednesday was a good one. I think. Don't really remember it super clearly. All I know is we got a lot of lessons in and of course ended our day at the top of the mountain. We're trying really hard to make sure that all 5 of our investigators that are going to be baptized on the 19th are ready. And they're awesome. But of course, as we get closer to the baptism, Satan starts working harder. So we've got to work even harder than him. Good thing that I like climbing mountains :)

Thursday: Weekly planning. And then we went out to work. We hung out at the P. family's house for a while and shared with them. And then we headed up the mountain again. We taught them all again and had a good time.

 

Friday: We went around and taught a bunch of lessons. We climbed the mountain again to teach the kids. And then out came the concerns and the little doubts because we have to get permission from for the 4 kids to be baptized… 

On Saturday night we went and talked to Brother G. He told us that it's up to the kids. If they want to be baptized then it's ok with him. 

Sunday: We went to church and all the kids show up and they tell us that they're going to be baptized. YES! I'm so proud of them. So that was the week. There were little annoyances but it's ok because the blessings definitely outweighed them. Heavenly Father is here for us and He loves us. 

The church is true. You better believe it.

Love you all. Take care!

-Sister Hess

#1's Weekly Email: Week #52

this transfer is FLYING by.... Time flies when you're having fun I guess.


So this week has been another really good one. I don't know what it is but there's just something about this area. I love it so much.

Monday: We went and taught S. She's one of my favorite people here. She's so funny and just awesome. After teaching her, we went up to H's house and had a family home evening. I got to burn cotton balls again (best thing ever) and then we played "Kuwawang Pusa". Needless to say, S is really good at that game.... I lost.
Dangit.

Tuesday: We got a lot of new investigators. We went out to try to contact the new investigators that we got a couple of weeks ago and they weren't home, so we went to their next door neighbor's house and we taught that whole family. They're awesome. Woohoo! And then we went and taught a lot more lessons. We also went up to H's house again and we got to teach his older brother, G. G is a member of their old church. He listened and then said that we could come back.

Wednesday: We went out and taught a lot more people and then headed over to H's again to teach G. I literally prayed the whole way there. I hate debates and I am not very well versed in the Bible (haha get it?) so I was so scared. We got there and taught him the best lesson 1 that I've ever taught in my whole mission. The Spirit was so strong and we extended a baptismal goal date to him and he accepted. Woohoo! Best feeling ever. I literally sang and danced for the rest of the day.

Thursday: We went back and taught G (literally taught him every day this week). We taught him Book of Mormon intro and told him the history of the BOM and how it came to be. And then we found out that he's already been reading it and that now he's in Alma. Say Wha? But that's ok. At least now he has the background of what he's reading. The problem is that he's reading it straight through like a comic book. What? The invitation in the Intro is to read, PONDER, and then ask God if it's true. If you don't PONDER it then the Holy Ghost can't testify to you that it's true. easy as that.

Friday: We had MLC. Best MLC ever. It was so spiritual and we learned all about the Law of Consecration. Super awesome. And then we had pizza afterwards. YES! super super great. After MLC we went out and worked and taught P A and Brother G. That was the longest lesson 2 that I've ever taught. Brother G had so many
questions. But that's ok. We answered them all.

Saturday: Taught a bunch of lessons again. Had a good day and of course, invited everyone to come to church.

Sunday: We got 6 investigators at church. Brother G didn't come because they had somewhere to go but all of his kids came and his dad came. Super awesome. And church was great of course. I got to translate for Sister D in relief society. That's good for me and her because sometimes I almost fall asleep in RS. #missionaryprobs.


All in all, another super good week. Love the work. The Church is true. If you don't believe it, go read the Book of Mormon.

Mahal na mahal ko kayo. Ingat kayo palagi!
-Sister Hess

#1's Weekly Email: Week #51

One year ago I was in the MTC, eating tons of watermelon sour patch kids and wondering how on earth I was ever going to learn this language...

And now, a year later, I'm in the Philippines and I have a hard time speaking English to people... Who'da thunk... 

So this week was a very very very good one :) There were lots of blessings and lots of cool experiences. 

Monday:We got to play games! We didn't have an FHE but we taught the little kids that are gonna get baptized on July 19th and what better way to end the night than to play a quick game of "Kuwawa ang Pusa"?! It was sooooo funny. They loved it so much. We also taught P A, their uncle. He's gonna get baptized on the 19th too. They're all super awesome. 

Tuesday: Tuesday was district meeting and goal setting so we headed out to Olongapo. Let me tell you, foreigner Elders that have to drive in the Philippines are TERRIFYING. I'm gonna have trauma when I go home... But we got there alive. That's what matters right?

After district meeting we went to McDonald's and then headed home. We went out and work and were kind of punted but that's ok. We taught to Nanay A and to Sister N and to Brother F. It was a good day. 

Wednesday:Wednesday was packed with appointments. We basically forced our way into the house of one of H's friends. That was super funny. He's 20 years old. He was willing to listen and his mom listened too. That was funny because his mom kept saying how she wanted him to change and to get better. Then I asked her how she would feel if she changed too because of our message... Her eyes kind of bugged out of her head for a second and she was like "I can change too?!" I think sometimes we forget that we need to constantly be changing. No one's perfect. Her response made me chuckle. Of course you can change. And we can help you :) That was my favorite appointment this week. 

Thursday:Weekly planning. Woohoo! The only problem with weekly planning is that we're sitting there planning and we can hear the rain just pouring outside and I'm sitting there thinking "oh poop. I'm gonna get soaked..." But out we go anyways. No choice. The life of a missionary is hard but it's also a lot of fun. We went and taught P A again. He's really been improving and changing. He's not super quiet anymore when we come over and talk to him. He's opening up. His problem is that he's overwhelming himself with all the commandments that Heavenly Father has given us. There's a reason why Heavenly Father gives us knowledge a little bit at a time. If you've seen the Indiana Jones alien movie, you understand what happens when we get too much knowledge at one time. Our brains explode. That's not a very pretty picture… 

Friday:Friday was really good too. Man, this was just a good week :) We got to go teach all the people in Sitio Bukid because it hadn't rained in a while so we only had to jump around a couple of puddles :) We taught S, Nanay M, H O, C, T, and all the little kids again. Good day. We got in 8 appointments. First time in a long time that I haven't been punted. A missionary with a day full of appointments is happier than a fat kid with a giant chocolate cake :)

Saturday: We got to go to Olongapo for a giant baptism. It was super awesome. So many people were baptized and they were all sooooo happy. We didn't get much work in but it was worth it to see all those people "go swimming" :) 

Sunday: We got 4 investigators at church. H went and got J (YES!) and then we brought Je and Ju and P A. I love the people in this area and I love this area so much. After church we went over to the mission home for lunch and got to say goodbye to President and Sister Q and say Welcome to President and Sister D. Before he left, President Q gave us a Father's Blessing. I'm gonna miss him so much. He was a great mission president and Sister Q was great too. But I'm also excited to work with President and Sister D. I think they're great and they're gonna do a really good job. 

Yup. So that was my great week. The Church is true. I know for a fact that THIS is the ONLY true church here on the face of the earth. I am so blessed to be a member of this church and to be a missionary here in the Philippines. I love this mission so much. I know that the Gospel is God's plan for us and the way for us to get back to Him. 

Thank you for all of your love and support. Mahal ko kayo lahat!

Ingat kayo palagi!

-Sister Hess

#1's Weekly Email: Week #50

Lay-away coffins (how ironic...), mountains (workout!), floods (time to buy boots), new friends, little miracles, and I am the only American in my house(I need to learn Cebuano...)! oh and now they all think I'm Tinkerbell :)


I TRANSFERRED! :D Goodbye Bataan. And Hello again, Zambales. 

Also I hit my 1 year mark on Thursday! Woohoo! 6 months to go :)

It's gorgeous. Zambales is so green. I almost feel like I'm at home. Especially right now that it's officially rainy season! I'm buying boots today. I hate having wet feet :P

So this is how the week went. 

Monday: Normal p-day. The first one we'd had in a while. It was super relaxing and I got to pack everything up :) all ready for transfer day. We went and taught Brother R M (his last name literally means "to ask a question") and his mom. They're super awesome and willing to listen. Then we went to Bishop's house for FHE. It was a lot of fun and it was all about father's day. 

Tuesday: We went and worked and worked and got 3 new investigators. Super fun. And then we went and worked some more until 7:30 when we got the text that I'm transferring back to Zambales! :)

Wednesday: Transfer day. Elder and Sister W gave us a ride to Olongapo and then to the mission home. Sister R is training so I got to go with her. We got to the mission home and I met my new companion, Sister E (we got here to the mission at the same time last July). She's awesome and so funny. She also thinks I'm the most hilarious person on the whole planet. That's weird... haha We went out to work and I got to see my area for the first time. It's little but most of it is either mountain or flooded. This is gonna be a fun area. The people here and also super nice. I love Zambales. 

Thursday: We went out and worked again. And we weren't punted. Super nice. And all the people are so welcoming. We got to try to figure out some fun little paths around ginormous puddles and got to climb some mountains. We also got two new investigators :) 

Friday: We went finding and it was successful. We got 4 new investigators and they really really like to talk. 

 

Saturday was a day full of miracles. We went out to work in the morning and got 3 appointments in (that's a miracle because we usually get punted in the morning). After lunch we went out to work and we were punted right off the bat. It wasn't fun. We walked around for a little bit wondering where on earth we should go. And then we get a text from H, our recent convert. He said he wants us to teach his 4 cousins. So we say We'd love to! and headed right up the mountain to his house. They're 4 cute little kids from the ages of 14 to 8. They were actually taught before by Sister L and Sister B but they had to stop because their dad said they couldn't listen anymore. And now for some reason, he's said that they can and that they can be baptized too :D Woohoo! After that we were kind of punted again but we went to visit two of our new investigators that we taught earlier in the week and Brother R dragged in his cousin, JR. So there's another new investigator. So even though we were punted we still got in 6 appointments and 5 new investigators. Heavenly Father's taking care of us.

Sunday: Sunday was a great day this week. We had 5 investigators come to church and 3 less actives. And I'm also in a great branch. Everyone's super nice. After church we went out and worked and S, another recent convert, worked with us. She's hilarious. The work was a lot of fun. 

All in all, it was a great week. I know that Heavenly Father loves all of us and he's always looking out for us. Missionary work is so important and it's also one of the funnest things ever. The secret is just to get lost in it and trust in Heavenly Father. The church is true. 

I love you all. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support. 

Take care! Ingat kayo!

-Sister Hess a.k.a. Tinker Bell ;)

#1's Weekly Email: Week #49

Irregardless.... hahahahaha Wrong wrong wrong :) We need to re-learn how to speak English


So this week was another really really really long one .It honestly feels like years since last monday…

Monday: We went to the mission home and had another activity. It was awesome :) We had a relay race, a tug-of-war, jeopardy, and to top it all off, I got to wear my jeans! Needless to say, Sister Hess was very very happy. But it was also exhausting. That's ok :) 

Tuesday: Just your normal missionary day. We went out and worked. Sometimes I think of that one quote, "Adventure may hurt you but monotony will kill you." It's true. But that's ok. Just keep on going. We shared with a bunch of people and made them really happy. Yay us!

Wednesday: We had mission president interviews. This was really good for me because last week was a really not good week for me. I was a tad bit depressed. So I got to talk to President and everything got better. Then we went home and went out to work and got to teach Brother T again. He's hilarious. 

Thursday: We got to stay inside for the whole morning and do weekly planning. Got that done.We went out and tromped through the mud to get to Sister Li's house. that was fun. Oh I also forgot to mention that I went on exchanges with Sister J. It was fun.

 

Friday: Went out and worked again. We shared with a bunch of people too and tried to make them remember to read their scriptures and pray and then to top it all off, spend three hours on Sunday and go to church. 

Saturday: We got to go to the adult session of Stake Conference. It was really nice. And all about missionary work.

Sunday: Went to church. It was nice too but the broadcast was all in Tagalog! I didn't understand some of it because they were using really really deep Tagalog.

That was my super long week. It was fun but I'm also really glad that this week is over. 

Ok gotta go now. Sorry this one is short too but not much happened. 

Thank you for all your prayers and support. Mahal ko kayo.

-Sister Hess

#1's Weekly Email: Week #48

This is the short little email that you get right now because there won't be one on Monday.


So yup. This Monday we have another mission activity. We got 187 baptisms last month and beat our own record and that standard of excellence. Because of that we are having a mission activity. Woohoo! Not sure what we're gonna do. I kind of hope we get to go to the beach. I don't really care as long as I get to wear pants for a while :)

So this week has been pretty uneventful. 

Monday: We went and taught. Just kind of got sick of the family home evenings so we just went tracting instead. And we found Brother H. He's also really awesome. He's actually a former investigator that never got baptized because he thought that his family would get mad at him if he did. Back in the day, he got rid of all of his word of wisdom problems, he went to church, he did everything. But then he just stopped and has gone back to his old ways. The only thing is he still remembers EVERYTHING. He remembers about the great apostasy, he remembers the iron rod, he even remembers what he learned about the Millennium for crying out loud. He just was never baptized. So we're gonna teach him again and hopefully, he'll be more willing to get baptized this time.

 

Tuesday: We had MLC and it was super good. I learned a lot and it was exactly what I needed to hear because it was about working with the members and getting them to work with you. 

Wednesday: Work, work work.

Thursday: Weekly planning. 

Friday: We had district meeting and Sister R and I went on exchanges. That was fun.

Saturday (today): I'm emailing all of you. Yup. And we're gonna work after this. That's about it. Not much has happened this week.

The most exciting thing was meeting Brother H. 

Thanks for everything. And now my super short report of what's happened so far this week is over. Have a great one everybody.

Ingat kayo palagi. Mahal ko kayo!

-Sister Hess

#1's Weekly Email: Week #47

I've fallen behind on posting #1's mission emails. She went through a rough time there for a bit, so I wasn't sure how much I should or shouldn't post. I'm going to play a little game of catch up this evening. Starting with this (don't ask me why she gives them the titles she does….The world may never know)….

"It's called a lance... hellow?"

Hello world! 

How's life? 

Everything's good over here. Not much new has happened this week so this email is gonna be very short. 

Monday: We had a family home evening at the V's house. It was super fun. A sister who served here came back to visit and she had her husband with her. And this ward, for some weird reason, had never even heard of Booga-Booga... So me and Sister M made everyone there members. It was awesome. 

Tuesday: We had a district meeting. And we left early because Sister M had to go to the doctors and get a check up. Everything's ok. We went and taught some lessons after that and did our thing as missionaries. Woohoo.

Wednesday: We got tons of appointments done and taught all the usual people. Not much new stuff to report. 

Thursday: Weekly planning. And then going out and teaching and trying to convince people to come to church on sunday. 

Friday: This day was full of appointments too. We realized that I can use my white-person-ness to get anyone to talk to us. It was pretty useful. And because of that we got 7 new investigators. 

Saturday: Brother T got baptized! Woohoo! And he was very happy about it. And then we went out and worked and visited a lot of less-actives. Sometimes I don't understand how people can get less-active but then I realize that I just need to be understanding and help them realize how to be happy again.

Sunday: Went to church. And had a good time. Learned lots. We went and visited Sister Li and Le again and taught them and then helped them cook dinner too. Super fun.

So that was a brief summary of my week. Sorry super short because there's no time. Mahal ko kayo lahat. The church is true. Life is good in the Philippines.

Ingat kayo palagi!

-Sister Hess