August 25, 2013

Family,

It's so easy to get caught up in my own trials, in my own problems or challenges I'm facing here in the Philippines. But yesterday I had the realization that this mission isn't about me. To stop focusing on what I'm struggling with and instead focus on others, our investigators, our ward members. Everyone has their own trials, their own struggles in life and that's why I'm here- to help them, to give them hope and courage to face them with faith. And then I sit here and read about Grandma and I'm crying, but I'm reminded once again of the trials we each face. It's so hard to hear, but that's the beauty of the gospel- the comfort the knowledge of our plan here on earth gives us. I'm truly am so grateful for Grandpa and Grandma's example in my life. I always love telling stories about them, they seriously amaze me. What they do each day on the farm, what they do each day for our families, they truly are an amazing example of living a Christlike life. Please send them my love. What's kind of funny is that on Tuesday, I was waiting to be interviewed by President Lopez so I was talking to Sister Lopez. And she kept repeating how our families are being taken care of at home, to not worry about what might happen and to just realize how they'll be blessed and comforted even though I might not be with them. And I was sitting there, and in my head I was like, my family is fine, everything is going okay, so what's gonna happen now... And then I read the email. But this is not the end. We're sealed as a family for a reason, and we'll all be reunited once again. I love you all, and I love the gospel.

The rain hasn't been too bad this week, except when we were visiting a family in our ward. It downpoured for about two and a half hours. They had on the news and it showed the floods in Manila. Oh my gosh! The roads were seriously four foot deep in water! Hopefully it never gets that bad here... But to your question on how I stay dry.... usually I don't, but we try.

I'm glad you got to see some pictures on Facebook! All four of us were definitely surprised yesterday to see President and Sister Lopez drive into our church's parking lot... because none of us knew they were coming. But he is seriously the nicest guy, so funny, especially when he was giving us training last Tuesday.

We had another good week with our mission work. Finding investigators is slow, but we're hopeful that things will pick up. President Lopez keeps repeating about how we should harness the power of the members, because they know who are ready to receive the gospel and those efforts are so much more successful than tracting. But within our ward, we definitely have the less active side... I can only think of three families that are actually active members in the church. But this past week we found a sister, C (17), and she came to church and actually read the pamphlet before we even taught the lesson! She's so sweet and so cute, so we're really hopeful that she'll continue to progress. Also, this past week Sister Bendoy had no voice for a whole day. As in she couldn't say a single word... basically the most terrifying experience of my life. Thankfully two sisters from our ward came with us because I'm pretty sure I would have cried because I still can hardly understand them. When they talk about church/gospel related things, I can usually understand them or get the gist of what they're saying, but the whole conversational aspect of Ilonggo... I'm terrible at it. I still usually have no idea of what's happening but I know that the language will come eventually so I'm trying not to let it bother me.

It's weird to think that on Thursday, I'll have been in the Philippines for a whole month! It definitely doesn't feel that long, missions go by so fast. Especially when I think that Maddy is coming home next month... pretty sure she just left. It just comes to show that we really do need to take advantage of every minute while on the mission, because it will be over before we even know it.  

Every day is hard, but every day is so rewarding. I truly love this gospel and I love seeing others come closer to Christ. It's so spiritually gratifying, especially when you see those members you visited come to church, or they say they've read the Book of Mormon between our visits. It seriously makes me so happy because I know how much the gospel can help each of us in our lives. It makes sense why nobody ever wants to come home from their mission, or they miss it, because missionary work truly brings you so much joy and happiness. What's better than helping others come to the knowledge of our Heavenly Father and His plan for us.

I love you all and am praying for each of you. Please send my love to both Grandma and Grandpa too. 

Love always,

Sister Fitzgerald

 P.S. Christmas season has basically begun already. Yesterday we visited a less active sister in our ward, and her Christmas tree was already up! I'm so excited. Here's to four months of Christmas celebrations!

Sister Fitzgerald with her companion and Sister Lopez

Bacolod 2nd Ward

Sister Fitzgerald and Sister Bendoy (her companion)  at a missionary training meeting

August 18, 2013

Family!

So that past week has been really good. The language is coming slowly, but I'm understanding them more and more each day.  We're continuing to teach investigators and visit members in the ward. Sometimes they come to church, and sometimes they don't... the life of a missionary. What's a little sad is that one of our investigators, A, who is really sick, couldn't come to church yesterday because of his health. But he's reading the Book of Mormon which is always exciting, because that's when you know they're really becoming converted. 

So we had a couple days of downpouring rain, and then three days where I'm pretty sure I've never sweated as much as I have in my life. Especially one night when the power went out so we had no fan in our room.... I was so sweaty and it was so gross. But the other day, we were walking home and it had been raining all day. A jeepney drove by, and I was standing right by a puddle--pretty sure you can predict what happened. I got completely soaked by the side spray. Basically what only happens in movies happened to me. The funny thing is that Sister Bendoy just hid behind me so she didn't get wet at all! That probably won't be the last time that it will happen though. I also have a ton of mosquito bites... I tried counting them last night and then gave up. They love my ankles! They're just all around my feet and ankles... not my arms or legs. But I'm trying to be better at using the spray each day. I can't tell if it's actually working or not. When the packet says to bring stuff for 18 months, it's ridiculous. You seriously can find anything you need here. Pretty sure they have more options for shampoo, lotions, face wash, etc. than we do. 

Saturday night we had a Ward Fireside. It was a musical fireside and it's amazing how strongly you can feel the spirit through songs and hymns. 

I love you all! I love missionary work and am really excited to be here in the Philippines. Things are really good with my companion and we find things to be excited for each day. I think it was Thursday, and it was just one of those days where it was just so hot, and nobody was home, and we're walking home... and then we go and buy ice cream--turned into the best day. Definitely what was needed. But I miss you all! I love this gospel and it's amazing how much my testimony grows each day. It's funny because I'm supposed to be teaching others, but in the process I'm learning so much. 

Until next week!

xoxo,

Sister Fitzgerald

August 11, 2013

Family,

I miss you all! But I also love the Philippines. Things are coming along a little more each day, but it's still definitely really hard. But I'm trying, and continuing on in faith. Thank you so much for prayers and support. It's so comforting knowing that I'm not in this alone, and that you're helping me even though you're not here with me.

It's definitely been really rainy/stormy the past week... welcome to typhoon season. Our lights even went out this morning during personal study, but they came on ten minutes later. 

Okay so to answer your questions:

1. I'm in the Bacolod Central Zone, in the Bacolod 2nd Ward. Dad, I don't know how you survived in the Philippines not knowing how to speak the language. I feel so lost all the time. There are families that know English, especially at church, but when proselyting in our area, no one knows it. The kids know a little because of school, but that doesn't really go anywhere. Our ward is pretty strong.  The youth are really strong in the church and are always willing to come work with us most days of the week. I think I told you this but we split the area with the ZL's in our ward, Elder Johnson and Elder Orlanda.

2. There's quite a few members in our ward... 150ish yesterday... I'm not very good at estimating so I could be way off. But they had to rebless the sacrament because there wasn't enough water for everyone so that's a good sign. The three less active families that we visited the past week came so that was exciting. Our investigator, A, came as well. His health isn't really good so we weren't sure if he would come, but we had his son who is a member rent a tricycle to bring them. He's really quiet and shy, so it's hard to figure out what he's thinking about our lessons, but I think he's definitely interested.

3. Most days, we wake-up and have studies from 8-12... then lunch, and are out proselyting from 1:30ish until 8. Being new to the area with no area book, the past week we've been visiting less actives and the few recent converts, and are trying to find investigators, talking to strangers, etc. Sister missionaries are supposed to be home by 8 for safety reasons, so then we just have dinner afterwards. Most places we walk or take the Jeepneys.

4. Basically I don't speak any English.... except to my companion, or to the few members who know it at church. But when meeting people, teaching investigators/members, etc. it's all Ilonggo which makes me a very quiet person most of the time. This week I'm gonna try harder to be more talkative/etc. What's hard about the language is that since it's not an official language, there's no set dictionary/study materials. We have a couple of different books, but they all have different word meanings, different definitions, different spellings, then half of the words are either Tagalog or are too deep of meaning for the people to understand...but it will come. Some days are worse than others, but I know it will happen.

5. We live with another companionship, Sister Acio (Philippino) and Sister VanSlooten (American). Sister Van Slooten is being trained too, but she's in the batch before me. My companion is really nice. She's been sick the past two days though, so hopefully she feels better. 

6. Adjusting to the food and weather hasn't been too bad yet. Sister Bendoy always makes us lunch and then leftovers are usually dinner, so that has been really nice considering I don't know how to cook. Also, the peanut butter here is delicious. SO good.

Thank you for your letters and support. The mission has definitely been hard, but I know it will be a little easier hopefully soon, when I can actually speak the language. Maddy reminded that people have done it before me, and more people will do it after me, so it is possible, and it's not the end of the world. I'm just trying to remain faithful and strong.

I love you all!

xoxo,

Sister Fitz

August 5, 2013

Family,

Well, I eventually arrived in the Philippines.... crazy past few days. On Thursday I met my new companion, Sister Bendoy. She's Philippino (you probably saw from pictures... and I probably looked like death...) but anyways, when I had my interview with President Lopez, he just laughed when he realized who my companion was, because she's so short and I'm one of the tallest new sisters. By the way, regarding President Lopez, he is such a snuggle bug. He is so funny, and just laughs all the time, he seems really nice.

But Sister Bendoy and I are both new to the area. They put us in a ward with the zone leaders so we split the area. It's been a little rough the past couple of days teaching, etc. just because we had nothing in the area book to go off of. But the ward mission committee has been really helpful. We've always had at least one or two sisters from the YW's come with us to show us the area and meet some of the members which is especially nice probably for Sister Bendoy considering I can't understand anything they say and there's someone else there to talk with them, share a message, etc.. But I'm trying.

We live in an apartment with two other sisters, and its surprisingly nice. , Good news though, there's a shower head, so I don't have to take a bucket shower for at least three more months (#tendermercy). However, later today it will be my first experience handwashing my clothes... I'll let you know how it goes. I haven't gotten sick yet! Granted it's only been four days, but considering I've had three meals at ward member's houses already, I would say that's pretty good. I'M SWEATY ALL THE TIME. It's kind of gross, and I'm sure I'm smelly and have an oily face all day long, but all is well. Especially, because they think every American is beautiful. Seriously, if you ever have self-esteem issues, come to the Philippines because they will just tell you over and over again how pretty you are. 

Yesterday was my first experience at church... Guess how long sacrament meeting went til... 11. Two hour long testimony meeting.  Granted we started fifteen minutes late, but still. Phlippinos loooove to talk. Which is a good, because they're very approachable and you can figure out how they're feeling, etc. I don't understand a single word. I just sit there and smile, but I knew the language would be hard, I just hope it will get better soon, because I feel useless right now. It's funny because my feelings toward the Ilonggo learning process can change within minutes. One minute, I'm like I can do this, I got this, and then two minutes later I'm like, What am I doing here?! Why did I want to come?! I'm trying to be optimistic.

I have to write President Lopez so if I have more time after, I'll try to write a little more. I love you all and despite the challenges I'm facing right now, I love this gospel and know that I've been called by God to share the message of the gospel.

Thanks for you emails and uplifting messages. I really do appreciate and they really do help.

xoxo,

Sister Fitz

Sister Fitzgerald' with President and Sister Lopez

 New Companion - Sister Bendoy

New Sister Missionaries

New Incoming Missionaries (19 Sisters and 10 Elders)