February 23, 2014

Family,

It has been an amazing week! One filled with happiness, joy, excitement, and spiritually edifying experiences. One where I truly felt the joy of missionary work. This past week, I was reading in Alma 26 and the whole chapter just talks about their missionary experiences and how much joy they feel every day--- and that's truly what I've felt almost every day this week. Some were just simple instances, sharing a scripture in a lesson, and some where large, like R's baptism, but everyday there was something to smile about.

Wednesday, we had a CSP... we built a house! Well at least made the bamboo foundation. It was so fun! It doesn't look like we did too much because we didn't get too far, but it was fun. The most exciting part is when you a take a machete and clean off the sides of the bamboo poles. I have blisters just from doing it.

Then, on Saturday, we had R's Baptism. His whole conversion story is kind of miracle. The past couple of months, we've been teaching his family, and he hasn't ever shown too much interest. The past couple of weeks, his two little sisters have been coming to church, but he's always been too shy. Then, one Saturday we had FHE at their house to introduce him to the ward missionaries, and the following Sunday he came to church! At church, the young men seriously just welcomed him with open arms. They even had him sit with them up in the front where they pass the sacrament. The next day he couldn't stop talking about church, and we gave him a Book of Mormon in English because he was saying they all use English versions and he wants to get better at speaking it. The next night when we visited, he had a whole page of notes/translations/insights and even found slacks, a white shirt and tie to wear the following Sunday. And now, he's officially a member of the church. On Saturday at his baptism, there was so much support from the ward. The YSA gave a musical number that was so powerful, and we had several talks from members of the ward. It really was a spiritual experience and I have so much hope and love for R. He's going to be an amazing member and future missionary.

The past couple of weeks, I've realized that the key to any success in missionary work is the members. It's in the fellowshipping that makes anyone comfortable and welcome at church each Sunday. I love missionary work. I encourage you all to help the missionaries. It really is impossible without their help. Investigators and recent converts need, more than anything else, a friend if they ever want to progress. That's mostly the defining factor between our progressing and not progressing families and investigators. I love missionary work...and I love the Philippines. I miss you all, but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

I pray for you all every day, send my love to everyone!

 

xoxo,

Sister Fitzgerald

 

Building the foundation of a house with bamboo

 

February 16, 2014

Family,

Happy late Valentines Day! To celebrate, Sister Rey and I were just going to stop by the bakery downtown to get a piece of chocolate cake, but instead it was so much better because the Rasmussen's surprised us with a visit (!) and with them brought my package and mail! It feels like Christmas every time they come. And it was perfecting timing because the night before, my right shoe completely got torn apart and I had to wear the crocs I hate for a day, but because of the package, I now have shoes! Thank you so much for all the goodies, I love it all! and we may or may not have already gone through an entire bag of trail mix :) But the shoes are perfect, and the chocolate covered cinnamon bears are delicious, and Sister Rey loves her New Testament, so basically it was a perfect Valentines Day. And also, because they brought mail and with it included a letter from T. He had a picture of his baptism and wrote the sweetest letter about how grateful he is for Sister Luke and I for finding and teaching him. He said he feels so blessed to now be a member and how he'll never forget us. The whole day, all I could do was just smile.

And Sister Rey and I are still smiling because R is getting baptized this Saturday! He's only 15 but he's the most precious young man. Last week, we gave him a Book of Mormon in English and the next day he had an entire paper of questions, words he translated from Tagalog because he didn't understand. And yesterday, he surprised us by showing up at church in a white shirt and tie rather than his usual jeans and t-shirt. We're really excited for him because we can just see him as a future missionary, he's going to be an amazing member. We've been teaching his family, and his sister was originally supposed to be baptized this Saturday because she's been to church more times, but she's still a little unsure/shy and wants to wait, but R's desire was so obvious. We weren't sure if he would be able to because he hasn't been to church too many times, but since we felt like he's prepared enough, we got the approval! 

Other exciting news... or not so exciting news, it's now hot again. I'm back to sweating all day,--fabulous. And our water is now fixed!

A couple weeks ago when you sent the Deseret News I thought it was going to be about the new stake presidency but then I remembered you said not until February. That's exciting though about President Kasteler. I'm sure he'll be great.

I love you all! Sorry I don't have too much news to tell this week. Next week should be pretty exciting because we have a CSP this Wednesday (we're building a house supposedly!) and then R's baptism. Send everyone my love!

xoxo,

Sister Fitz

February 9, 2014

Family,

All in all, this week has been pretty ordinary even though every day always feels so different and exciting. It's just that by Monday when I sit down to write all of you, I never can think of anything new to say...

Yesterday, we spent eight hours at the church. We were there forever. Now I finally understand you Mom when you say that you spend all day at the church. So we were there for church from 9 to noon, afterwards, we always have missionary coordination meeting with the ward missionaries and leader. And then afterwards, we had ward council meeting but not until 2:30, so we stayed at the church and had lunch. But then, the meeting didn't get started until 3ish, and then we spent close to 2 hours just discussing missonary work, and afterwards deciding on the new 15 focus names for reactivation. It was such a long process, but it's nice having so much support from the ward. The Bishop really cares and even sat in on our mcm since our ward mission leader wasn't there.

This past week has been good. Some investigators are starting to really progress, and some... not so much. But that's always the process of missionary work. J and R are two teenagers we've been teaching for the past couple of months and hopefully will get baptized in the next couple of weeks. R has been too shy to come to church, but Saturday night we had FHE at their house with the ward missionaries, and then the following morning he came with us to church for the first time! Another investigator, Sister R, is the wife to a less active, and they have a 5 yr-old son. They came to church yesterday as a family (!) which was exciting, so we're really hopeful with them. The situation with our investigator E is still the same. Her best friend is our Relief Society president, so the members will do all that they can to help her, but I don't think she'll be able to get baptized anytime soon. She bore her testimony to us last night, and she was explaining how the gospel is what has given her the strength to face everything in her life the past couple of months. Sister Rey and I are really sad about the whole situation but we'll continue to pray for her.

Also this past week, I have fallen in love with reading Doctrine and Covenants. I made this goal to read a section a day until I finish, but every day I end up reading two or three... depending on how long they are. But there's so much to learn from it, and it's all about missionary work so how can you not just love it. I also have been reading general conference talks, everyone I have read is so inspiring. These men are truly called of God and given revelation to share to the world.

I love you all. Send the littles, Grandma Fitz, and Grandpa Bodily my love! I wish I was there to hug them personally.

xoxo,

Sister Fitzgerald

February 2, 2014

Family,

It has been such an exciting week! And the week with the biggest regret because I didn't have my camera! But it's okay and hopefully I'll have another opportunity. Because this past week we had companion exchanges with the STL's (sister training leaders). Sister Rey stayed in our area, and I went to the STL's area in Sipalay. If you look at a map, it's the farthest city south on our Island... and it's right along the beach. We traveled by bus for four hours, up and down through the beautiful green mountains, right along the coast. There were some of the prettiest views over the ocean, especially because the sun was setting. And so then the next day, we had studies and then headed out to proselyte in her area. Their area includes an island, so then I got to ride a boat to the island! Basically, it was exactly like The Other Side of Heaven.- the small boats with bars on each side to keep it from tipping. It was so beautiful, and peaceful, and exciting. The views were gorgeous because the mountains are just right there covered in trees, and then the ocean and beach... basically it felt like vacation... except for the fact I couldn't just lay out on the beach and tan. The city kind of reminded me of Seaside, just because the beach is on every side, but of course, the houses and neighborhoods don't exactly look like Seaside, but the feeling is the same. I'm hoping that next transfer when we have exchanges I can go back with a camera so I have digital evidence of how beautiful it was and to have a picture of me on the boat, but who knows what will happen.

Anyways, I always love companion exchanges because you learn so much. You get to see how others explain a certain principle or more clearly teach something, and you get to know other missionaries as well. I've been lucky as well because I've been able to visit other areas which is always exciting. However, I'm always glad to be back in my area with my companion, because I always miss them by the end of it.

Our work in Binalbagan is still peddling along. We have a lot of prospective investigators with baptismal dates, but these things are always so uncertain so I always hate to mention them, because it's even more sad when they don't happen. We also have other families that we're trying to prepare for baptism. This week has been a really spiritual week, more spiritually edifying and uplifting than others. Of course I learn so much every week, but this week, I truly have felt the Spirit. That's one of my biggest goals while being on the mission, to truly understand, feel, and learn how the Spirit speaks to me personally, and little by little, I'm learning it. 

I love the mission. Today marks six months being in the Philippines, and I love this country and people more than ever. Of course it's hard and frustrating just a little when I feel like I should be better or smarter considering I've been here for so long, but I know I'm doing what the Lord wants me to do. And every day I try to be the missionary that He and you all would be proud of. I love you all! Send my love to everyone!

xoxoxo,

Sister Fitzgerald

January 26, 2014

Dear family,

This week has had its ups and downs, but mostly it was just filled with spiritual experiences, where I truly feel so blessed to be on a mission. Last week was one of the downs, but you know how they always say that no matter how many depressing, frustrating moments you have on the mission, you only remember the joys? Well that's what I'm experiencing. We have so many things that can just bog us down and make us feel inadequate, useless, unworthy, and I think last week I let that get the best of me, but this week I truly feel the peace, love, and joy that comes from missionary work.

Thursday we had zone training from President Lopez. It is different being in such a small zone and being the only sisters, but it was fun. Trainings always give me the spiritual pump and encouragement I need. They uplift you in a way where you just want to go out and find, teach, and baptize. But President Lopez did have us teach in front of everyone. It's always a little nerve-wracking, but overall, no big deal. In our interviews with him, he always has us practice teach in Ilonggo, so we did, and then afterwards he said he would call on us, so at least it wasn't a surprise

Our area is slowly progressing. We have a lot of investigators that could have a lot of potential. Sister Rey and I came to a conclusion yesterday that it really takes only one lesson to make a terrible day good. Just one lesson, or one investigators, or just one minute where you truly just feel the Spirit. It was like that in my last area with Sister Luke where we would spend our last appointment with T every night. It was like no matter what happened during the day, how hot or punted we were, we would forget all of it because of how great the lessons were. And I think that's how the mission experience overall will be. By the end of it, you don't remember the crazy, frustrating, depressing stuff that happens, but rather remember all the experiences that are hard to even describe because of how special or spiritual they were.

This past week, E and her son didn't get baptized.  We're waiting on permission from her husband. The whole situation is a little depressing because she's so ready, her testimony is so strong, and she wants to be baptized. So, now we're just waiting for him to have a change of heart. It's sad she can't at this moment, but we feel at peace about it because we know she's already converted. She's basically already a member of the church. She's just waiting for that one last step.

Life in Binalabagan is good. It's still been relatively cool. I haven't fallen through the bamboo bridge yet, and Sister Rey is so sweet. We have our ups and downs regarding missionary work, but who doesn't. Right now, we're on our ups. Yesterday, Elder Nobleza (who's in the Quorum of the Seventy but he lives in our ward) gave a talk and reshared the story of the pioneers that we watched last week at the area broadcast. He explained how the pioneers trek, the plain was flat for almost 300 miles, and then at the end when they were the most tired, fatigued, and exhausted, they had to climb that last mountain, the most treacherous part of the journey. He was saying how we've been on the flat plains for too long and now is the time to climb the mountains in our life. He was saying how the Lord requires us to, and how that's the only way for us to become holier men. I know that there will be many mountains in my life, but I guess the mission is the first one I'm experiencing, and I'm ready to climb it.

I love you all! Help the missionaries! I know you're trying, just do all that you can! Seriously, the best way is referrals. We talk to people all we want, but it's hard when there's no support from a member. There's a statistic that President Lopez gave us, I'm not sure if it's just from the Bacolod mission or worlwide, but 1 in every 8 referrals gets baptized. BUT only 1 in every 220ish gets baptized from street contacting. That just shows how vital members are in the work.

Send everyone my love!

Love always,

Cami

P.S. Thanks for sending my package! My shoes have officially died, the hole went up the side and now they're basically ripped in half. I'll send a picture once i have a camera again.

Zone Conference Pictures

 

January 19, 2014

Dear Family,

 Another week has come and gone and I'm so excited to hear that T got baptized! We were praying that everything would get situated for his baptism and I'm so glad that they did.

This past week has been a little harder than the previous. Right before I got here, they baptized all of their progressing investigators, so other than our investigator E who will hopefully get baptized this weekend, we have none. So this past week, we've spent a lot of time just finding and teaching. We're kind of at the stand still where we've taught several families for weeks, yet they just won't come to church. That's where all the lines are drawn with investigators, they have to make the decision to actually come to church, because without it, there's no progress. It's what we see happen over and over again, they'll read, they'll pray, they'll have a testimony that it's true, they just won't use that testimony and exercise their faith to go to church, but we're not giving up. We're just trying our best and working even harder to find and prepare those for baptism.

This past week has been a little frustrating and just a little heart-wrenching. We've been teaching and teaching and teaching, and then at church yesterday we had no one. Not one investigator and it makes me look back at myself and think what am I missing? what is missing in our lessons? how can I help them more effectively to have that desire to go to church? or see the importance of it? In trainings they always say to not stress over the things that you can't control. We can't control other's agency, to listen to us or to keep commitments and we can't force them to come to church. But then I think, we can control the lessons. We can control if we teach according to spirit and promptings. We can control so many things, and I feel like I'm lacking something. It's something that's just been on my mind this past week, so this week I've made it a goal to focus on learning to recognize the promptings of the spirit, to become more familiar with how the spirit talks to me, and how I can more fully follow those promptings. Even this morning I read the talk from President Monson from October 2013 conference, and he gave story after story of him following the promptings of the spirit and the miracles that happened because of it. I just started tearing up because I felt the spirit so strongly. I want that. President Lopez always says,"Don't doubt that the spirit is not with you. It's always there. Most of the time, we just don't recognize it." This week I want to recognize it and I want to teach in such a way that those investigators can't help but feel the power of my testimony and the truthfulness of our message. 

This past week has still been overcast all week. It's been so nice. I feel like I'm back in Washington because it's just been cloudy and gloomy, but not hot. I haven't sweated allll week. The past two weeks even. It's been amazing and so nice. I hope it stays.

On Saturday, we had a CSP! We cleaned the outside of school in one of our Baranggay's!  We got all dirty pulling weeds, etc. and it reminded me of Dad :) Later that night they had the Philippines Area Broadcast where they introduced the 2014 Area goals. They're the same as last year except one. 

1. Strengthen Families

2. Save the Rising Generation

3. Establish the Church

4. Share the Gospel and Rescue the One

I love you all!

xoxoxo,

Sister Fitzgerald