December 8, 2013

Family,

Our week has been full of miracles! Last Monday during my personal study, I was reading about faith and miracles in the bible dictionary (side note: the bible dictionary is my new best friend) and it lead me to read about all the miracles that Christ performed. Whenever I read about miracles in the scriptures, it reminds me of one lesson we had in Young Women's when I was a laurel. I think it was Sister Parks who said it, but it was along the lines of how miracles are still happening every day. They might be really amazing like Christ's miracles where they're too special or spiritual to share with others, or they might be smaller but we're either too preoccupied or too lazy to recognize them. And so, my goal this week was to not only have the faith that miracles would happen, but to try to recognize Heavenly Father's hand in our missionary work. And, it worked! Especially because when you focus on the miracles or blessings we're receiving, it's so much easier to forgot about the less than ideal things happening. 

So, short recap of the highlights of our week:

Miracle #1: T

He's already in 2 Nephi! Seriously, I know I talk about him every week, but it's because he's worth talking about every week. He's just an amazing example to me about the power of faith and truly how the gospel blesses a person's life. He's even already sharing the gospel to the tiyangge owner by his house! And yesterday, as we were waiting at the church for the elder's baptism, we walked into a room and there he was sitting at the table reading the gospel principles book and taking notes on a sheet of paper! The elders saw him, and they came up to us and was like "let's just baptize him already". I'm so excited for his baptism on Christmas.. I seriously can't think of a better way to celebrate Christmas other than maybe skyping you all :)

Miracle #2: The G Family

So Brother and Sister G have been less actives for a loooooong time. They used to be really active in the church, he was in the bishopric, etc. But for the past who knows how many years, no change no matter how many missionaries would visit him. It's hard because he knows what he should be doing, but just won't do it. You can't try talking to him about the importance of scriptures or church, because he'll literally say to your face "I already know that it is important" But this past week, we went visited and he said "Sisters, we're going to church on the 15th this month" And of course, we don't really know what to say because we're trying to figure out what's happening. But he was telling us that his daughter has been trying for so long to get them to return to church, and that he finally promised her that he would. And then he was saying how missionaries have been trying to reactivate them for years, but nothing has been working. But then then he said that we found his weakness, because every time we visit, most of the time we would just sing and share a really short message. He said that our songs have been the only thing that's been softening his heart. So that night, we sang How Great Thou Art because he said it was his favorite, and he was a little teary afterwards and sister was mouthing along with us. It was such an amazing experience. I felt the Spirit so strongly and I know that I'm seeing a miracle happen right in front of me.

Miracle #3: Brother P

I'm not sure how much I've shared about him, but he's the dad of J and used to be very indifferent to our lessons. He would listen, but no sign of interest, not even curiousity. But he came to church this past week, AND he's been reading in the Book of Mormon, AND when he asks questions now, it's not because he's trying to debate, but it's because he's actually curious and wants to learn. I think we still have a long time before we get anywhere close to baptism, but his change in countenance has definitely felt like a miracle.

In other exciting news, we bought a Christmas tree! It's only a foot tall, and 63 pesos (about $1.50) but now our house feels all Christmasy! We created a little cove underneath our stairs for the tree, and we already have two presents because Sister Smith's package came this past week! And they cut some snowflakes to put on the walls. Merry Early Christmas! 

Overall, this week was really good! We got punted pretty badly on Tuesday, but that's just a part of mission life. I love you all and am so grateful for your support, letters and prayers. I'm especially excited to skype all of you in a couple of weeks!!! It's going to be here in no time and I'm so excited!

Love you!

xoxo

Sister Fitzgerald

The little girls that come to our English class every Saturday. They're adorable!

Sister Dean (a ward missionary who has worked with us for three months)!

Last week while walking back from Vista Alegre, the workers on the side of the road we're chopping down the sugar cane. They stopped us and asked if we wanted some, and of course we said yes, so they peeled off the skin with their big machetes and gave us each a huge branch! I guess I can now cross off eating sugar cane from my list!

December 1, 2013

Happy Late Thanksgiving! And as an early Christmas present to me... I'm not being transferred! and neither is Sister Luke! or Sister Davis and Sister Smith! So we'll all be in the apartment for at least another six weeks! We're all excited and we just found out because the AP's just walked into the computer shop and told us so we're all excited to spend Christmas and New Years together!

We've had another good week! Mostly because, we're not being transferred! And it was Thanksgiving... my first major holiday away from home. But the four of us celebrated together in our apartment. We made mashed potatoes, bought a lechon chicken (sooo good), we also made corn and carrots, and bought a Buko Pie, oreos, and some ice cream for dessert. It was as American as we could get. But so fun. We went around and said what we were thankful for, etc. and made it as homelike as possible. Now that we found out that none of us are being transferred, we'll be able to start decorating our house for Christmas! 

The mission work still continues.... some investigators are progressing, some are not.... the life of a missionary. But we had some really powerful lessons this past week. We also have had some preachers following us around, teaching three different families who are our investigators. But we're not too worried, because obviously we're the ones with the truth :)

T's testimony is so strong already it still amazes me every time we teach him. He is so excited for his baptism this Christmas. The change I've seen in him has been amazing, he truly has the desire to learn and live the gospel of Jesus Christ. Every night we go to teach him, he's there reading while he waits for us. Even in the afternoon when the elders walked by, they saw him reading! So basically, he's great.

This past week, we also were able to teach the J family again. They have four little kids and are so sweet. Literally, our first lesson with them, they told us how they've been searching for the truth, and how they'll let anyone who knocks on their door in, because they're searching for it. On our third visit, we were introducing the Book of Mormon. And after explaining a little  bit about it, Sister J turned to her husband and said "What if this is the truth, and it's already knocking on our door?" We have such a good feeling about them.  Right now they are another religion, but when you're open and have the sincere desire to learn, you will, so I feel like that's what will happen with them. I'll give you an update next week what happens!

Also, a miracle happened yesterday at church. Sister Luke and I were sitting up on the stand because I play the piano and she leads, and after the sacrament as we're starting testimony meeting, in walks in Brother P and his daughter F. I almost wanted to cry! I hope he had a good experience. On the Friday before, we had a lesson with him and it's always hard to read him because he asks questions or make comments where I don't know if he's trying to contradict us, or if he's actually being sincere. But we talked about the importance of families, and he was explaining how in the past, he hasn't really been one, but we emphasized how it's what he's doing now that's more important. So, we'll see what he actually thinks when we visit later this week.

For a funny story, both Sister Luke and I got pooped on in one sitting. Right when we were starting, a lizard pooped from the ceiling and it landed on SIster Luke's arm haha. And then after the lesson, I was holding A and A's little birds/chick pet things, and it pooped on my hand! So basically, it's true, when one thing happens to your companion, it's gonna happen to you as well.

Overall, it's been a really great week!  I love you all! And I am truly am thankful for all your prayers, support, love, and packages/letters you send me :) I got Maddy's happy note in the mail and I already sent the other back to you last week so we'll have to see how long mail actually takes to get to you.

xoxo forever

Sister Fitzgerald

November 24, 2013

Maayong Aga liwat!

It's been another good week, but also heartbreaking at the same time. On Tuesday morning D texted us about Sister Bendoy's family and it truly is heartbreaking. During our whole companionship study, I was a teary mess. But from what I've heard from D, Sister Bendoy is doing great. It doesn't surprise me because she's such a strong person. She also told us that Sister Manwaring's sister, who was Sister Bendoy's trainee before me, started a fundraiser for her and her siblings. That's amazing, especially when they raised $5,000 within 24 hours! I know she must be so grateful. We also have about 20ish missionaries who joined us from Tacloban! There's one in our district that we met this past week, and supposedly one or two more in our zone. It's also especially exciting because Sister Maleatoa is in our mission now. She was the companion that joined Sister Young and I for a week in the MTC because she had to stay for surgery. 

Overall though, our week was good! Missionary work is continuing to move forward, and I love it more than ever. Our time as a missionary truly is precious and  I want to take advantage of the limited time we have. But I feel like it's going by so fast... especially because this past week was my five months mark! Where has the time gone?! I love the Philippines and feel so blessed to have been assigned here. It truly is an amazing place.

Transfers are next week so this might be our last week with Sister Luke and I together :( I don't want to be transferred but I've been in the area a while now and President likes to switch trainers after six weeks... but we're hoping I'm staying. Especially because the four of us in our apartment want to be together for Christmas. 

Overview of the week:

1. We're continue to teach our investigator T. He's our last appointment most nights, literally the highlight of our day. Every time we come, he's waiting for us and reading the Book of Mormon. He's preparing for his baptism on Christmas and he truly has been prepared by the Lord to accept the gospel.  Every time we visit, you can just see the light of Christ in his eyes. 

2. We had our first English class this past weekend! The Elders taught the older kids, and we took the younger kids... it was a little iffy at first, but it turned out be a really fun experience and hopefully the kids had fun too.

3. We came home one night to six cockroaches in our apartment. SIX! I can deal with spiders, etc. but cockroaches are the nastiest insects. Sister Luke and I literally spent twenty minutes trying to kill all of them... and it doesn't help they have ten lives. We trapped one in the sink, and it still wasn't dead after having the faucet pour on it for five minutes. But, we survived. Before we moved in, they sprayed something that kills all of them during the night. I don't know how it works, but by morning, they're all on their back dead. We're now starting to collect them underneath the stairs.. we're up to five.

4. I'm now obsessed with Buko shakes. I don't know how to make them, or what even Buko is, but you should try making them at home. they're delicious.

I feel like nothing especially exciting happened this past week to tell you... but do know that I'm happy and loving the mission. Thank you so much for your prayers and support and letters each week. I truly appreciate them. I love you all.

Anyways, I love you all! 

xoxo,

Sister Fitzgerald

November 17, 2013

Family,

It truly has been one amazing week here on the mission, and I know I say that basically every week, but this one has probably been the best one yet. Every day this past week, I've truly seen the hand of Lord guiding and blessing the people here in the Philippines. Even this morning, Sister Luke and I were discussing during studies how blessed we feel to be here in the Philippines. I think of my life and those decisions and moments in my life that have led me to the place I am now, as a  missionary, and all I can think about is how thankful I am for you. Because no doubt, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the amazing examples I've had growing up. I feel so blessed to have grown up with the gospel in my life, and now I truly feel joy sharing it with others. It truly is the Lord's work, and it is so spiritually gratifying knowing that I'm helping Heavenly Father's work here upon the earth. 

This week, I've felt the joy that they always reference in the scriptures. There are so many people that are prepared to receive the gospel, and I feel so honored to be able to dedicate all day, every day, to finding and teaching those who will be blessed with the gospel in their lives. This past week we taught T... I don't remember if I mentioned him last week. We met him, talked for maybe 5 minutes, invited him to church, then the typhoon happened so we didn't see him. Then Sunday morning, there he comes walking in! It was a miracle. But since last week, we've taught him twice. Last night we introduced the Book of Mormon, and before we even explained what we have to do to gain a testimony of it, he was like, you need to pray about it. His testimony is already so strong, but I don't think he even realizes it. We invited him to be baptized on December 25, and he got so excited, he was even like, "I would be baptized on Christ's birthday, yeah!" This whole story might seem so corny, but it was truly the most spiritually gratifying moment. People truly are prepared to receive the gospel, and it just fills me with so much joy, knowing that people are changing and becoming closer to Christ through us. 

Other exciting news, Saturday we were trying to find this less active family that lives in our area. We have the street address so basically every few houses, we'll ask if they know them or where they live. After going down basically the whole street, nobody still knows them. But at one family, when we ask, they're like sorry we only moved in three months ago. So we're talking a little bit, they let us in, we share a little message with them, we invite them to church, and they said yes! Then we got to pick them up Sunday morning, and they're there, with their three teenager girls, all ready for church! It was so exciting. We're going back to teach them tonight and were excited. Those are those most exciting stories I have that happened during the week, overall it's been good and I feel like I'm finally starting to see progress. We have a lot of new investigators, and I'm excited to continue to teach, etc.

As for J, she still doesn't have permission from her dad for baptism. Every time we visit, she takes ten minutes just to explain what she read in the Book of Mormon. It's just heart breaking because she's so ready, yet once again, other people get in the way. 

We heard yesterday that Tacloban missionaries are coming. We think some might be staying at our house tonight... It's heartbreaking. The other day we saw an article talking about it and it had some pictures of the missionaries. Both Sister Luke and I recognized someone we knew in the MTC because the Tacloban missionaries were in our zone there. 

I love you all! I'm safe, and everything is back to normal here in Bacolod after the storm. We even got our water back so no more bucket showers from typhoon water! Life is good. I miss you all but am so glad to be serving a mission! Send my love to everyone!

xoxo,

Sister Fitz

November 10, 2013

Pamilya!!

Maayong aga! This will forever be known as the week that Typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines... and definitely far from a normal week here on the mission. It all started on Wednesday, when we were finishing zone meeting, and the ZL's said that there was one last annoucement from President Lopez and prefaced it by saying "Okay, so don't freak out while we read this text from president" so we knew then something bad must be happening. So they read the message that a typhoon was heading towards the Philippines and that we need to get enough food to last three days, and to be prepared to stuck inside starting Thursday night until Saturday. Within two hours, we got another update saying we should have plenty of food, buy candles as well, and that starting that night, we'll not be able to head outside. That afternoon as well, our bishopric called us asking us to go to all our member and less actives, to warn them of the storm and to tell them that they would be able to evacuate to the church at anytime if they feel unsafe and that there would be water and food there if needed. So all day wednesday, we just went house to house. We came home wednesday night, prepared to be stuck inside for a long time. We were inside all day thursday, but other than a little rain, not much happened. We would get updates every few hours, but not that much information, we didn't know when we should expect it, or how strong. We waited all day Thursday, but other than a little rain, nothing. Friday morning is when it got stronger and heavier... and we were told that it would hit around noon, but that during the night it turned a little bit and was heading towards China and we would only get the tail part of it. At 11, the power went out and the it was hard to hear each other because of how heavy the wind and rain was. We finished our studies by candlelight and had PB&J sandwiches for lunch. It was weird being inside for so long... we were all going a little stir crazy, we definitely had cabin fever. We would have studies in the morning as usual, and then just spent the afternoon talking, lounging, etc. Friday afternoon, we got a text saying that we would have a CSP Weekend, and to be prepared to head out the next morning helping fix the damage caused by the storm. But there really wasn't that much, there was debris all over, and several trees fell over, but no major damage to any of the houses in our area. But on Sunday, when we went to church, that's when we learned of how much damage happened to other parts in the Philippines, especially Tacloban, entire baranggays just completely demolished. It' s crazy to think if that had happened here in Bacolod. I don't even know where you would even start to help/clean-up/rebuild an entire city. (I don't know if that made any sense but I don't have time to go back through so sorry if it's all over the place)

So it was definitely one crazy week. But most of Bacolod is okay, not too much damage that we've have seen. Our power came back on Saturday morning, but we still have no running water... we're back to taking bucket showers from rain water, which really isn't that bad but it's hard because we have no water to wash dishes or wash clothes.... So hopefully, it will come back soon. 

It' weird because the two days stuck inside the house, I was reminded of life back at  home. No agenda, no appointments, just a whole day to spend however you want... and it made me realize how easy it is to return back to my life before the mission, to just waste entire days lounging around, which isn't necessarily bad to do some days. But missions are really just a time to reprioritize everything in your life. My mission has helped me see everything so clearly. Everyday during studies, I think to myself "What was I doing with my life before the mission?" "what was I doing with all that time?" I think that's one of the blessings from serving a mission. I've realized what's really important in life, there's so many things that I've already learned from the mission that I don't think I would have learned any other way, or at least wouldn't have learned for a long time.I'm so grateful to have the gospel in my life, to have had the courage and faith to serve a mission, and to be here in Bacolod. And I'm excited, knowing that I still have over a year to continue serving, to continue growing, and to continue sharing the gospel, so they can feel that comfort and love from Heavenly Father I feel every day.

I love you all! 

xoxo,

Sister Fitzgerald

November 3, 2013

Maayong Aga!

It has been such a good week! So spiritually inspiring and so fun. Every week I feel like I was just sitting at the computer writing you, and I know that I probably say that every time, but it's because it's true.

I officially completed my second week as a trainer! Sister Luke is seriously the most inspiring and courageous girl I know. Her batch didn't waste anytime in the MTC because I feel like she knows so much of the language already. She has such a great desire to just head out each day and talk to everyone which I truly admire. At times I feel a little overwhelmed, especially in lessons just because I'm afraid I'm not able to explain something clearly enough for them to truly understand the importance of our message. Especially because everyone in the Philippines already believes in Christ. They already accept him as our Savior and Redeemer and understand how He should be the center of our lives. And that's a blessing, because of course people want to hear a message about Christ, but it's also our struggle, because they think what they're doing now is already enough, that they're already following Christ's example in their life, and that their church and religion is what they need. And it's hard for them to accept or understand about the Restoration, and about Apostasy, and about Priesthood Power, and I feel like maybe they're not fully comprehending that aspect because I'm not teaching it effectively enough. But I'm trying, and I know that what I lack as a trainer, as a teacher, and as a missionary, Heavenly Father will make up for it and help me strengthen those weaknesses that I have. 

On Friday, was Old Saint's Day (maybe Old Soul's Day.... not exactly sure) but all missionaries had the opportunity to proselyte in the graveyards. On that day, families go to the cemeteries to honor those family members that have passed on. So they pack up food/tents/etc. and spend the day on top of the grave of their deceased family members. Sister Luke and I were a little hesitant at first, because how do you just walk up to people as they're sitting on a gravestone, but I'm pretty sure we probably handed out at least 15 lesson two pamphlets about the Plan of Salvation. And we were fed at least four meals from random families we talked to. I've never been so full in my life. But it was definitely a fun experience.

On Saturday, Elder Anderson came! It was definitely an exciting meeting. And even though we were one of the last ones to walk in, they squeezed us into the front row! We got to shake their hands, and I definitely made eye contact with Elder Anderson several times and he would smile. The whole mission was there, all 234 of us. Both Elder Anderson spoke and Elder Clayton, focusing on missionary work and the Atonement. If there's one thing I learned from them and from President Nielsen visiting us last month, is how connected the Atonement is to missionary work. There's so much I have learned about Christ and the Atonement the past couple months on the mission, and I know that there's still so much I have yet to comprehend or maybe never will fully understand. But this much I do know, that Christ is there to help through every aspect of our life. Whether it's to be cleansed through the redeeming power, or be comforted during trials, or to be strengthened through his enabling power as we try to become more like our Savior. Often I feel unprepared or incapable of doing something, especially as I'm training and still learning the language myself, but then I realize that my trust and confidence shouldn't be in myself, but in Christ. Because when you put your faith and trust in him, it's easy to continue, because of course He's able to do everything, and of course he'll help me accomplish what he would do if he was here.

We've seen some progress in a lot of our investigators this past week. I never know what stories to tell you because it seems like they come and go every week, but we found a new family that we've taught twice this past week, and Sister Luke and I are really excited to continue to teach and see what might come of it. In other news, we taught J, the 13 yr-old we've been teaching for a while now. She is one of the sweetest girls I know and one the first investigators  where I've truly seen her become converted to the gospel. She has a testimony already that is so strong of the Book of Mormon and has that desire to be baptized. But the sad news is that this past week, she told us that her dad and grandma said before we ever started teaching her, that we can teach her and she can go to church, but that she can't be baptized. So that was our sad news this past week, but we're not losing hope. We taught about Heavenly Father preparing a way, and I know that as her testimony grows, and as her family sees her desire, that their hearts will be softened and eventually she'll be able to be baptized.

I love you all! And I received my Christmas package in the mail this past week.... do I really have to wait for Christmas? or is this just a Halloween/Thanksgiving present and you're sending another package for Christmas? :)

Anyways, thank you for all your support and love and prayers.

xoxo,

Cami

October 27, 2013

Family!

It's true, I'm training! The assistants called Sister Bendoy and I last Monday, we found out that Sister Bendoy would be transferred and I would stay in the area to train! Pretty much all day Tuesday and Wednesday I both wanted to puke and cry at the same time, but since actually meeting Sister Luke on Thursday, I've felt at peace and almost excited to train and be the one to help not only her but our area progress and grow. At times I definitely feel like I'm not ready, especially when I feel like I just finished training and still have so much to learn, especially regarding the language, but this gives us both an opportunity to learn together and become better and successful missionaries.

This week has definitely been eventful! Sister Bendoy left on Tuesday, I had a temporary companion until Thursday, Sister Luke arrived on Thursday, A was baptized on Saturday (!!!) and now it's p-day again! It's been an adjustment now having an American companion, because now the stares and comments have doubled haha, but it's been fun. This week we've really tried to focus on expanding our investigator pool, and we found the most precious family. We've taught her and her kids twice now, and we're really hopeful that she will progress, especially because she totally accepted the aspect of prophets, about Joseph Smith, and especially Thomas S. Monson today. I felt the Spirit so strongly during the lesson, I even teared up a little bit when Sister Luke was saying the first vision. In that moment, I truly just felt the power of the gospel and the conversion process, and how truly blessed we are to have it in our life. That it truly is for everyone, and as a missionary, I feel blessed to spend each of my days trying to help others realize what we already know. We also taught this older, retired couple last night. We were walking home, and this lady was opening her gate about to walk inside, so we stopped to talk to her. She invited us inside, and we ended up teaching her and her husband. And, the exciting news was that we could do it in English, which was a weird but really fun because I'm so used to teaching in Ilonggo. He had a lot of questions about the Mormon beliefs (maybe because he figured this would be the first and last time he would let the missionaries in) so the lesson was all over the place, but they were both really receptive and I could see their interest to know what we believe. I feel like a lot of the time, especially back at home, people just think Mormonism is just one big secret, but if they actually just took the time to listen, to read and to learn what it is we actually believe, they would realize the truthfulness of it. We're really hoping we have the opportunity to teach them again. J and F also came with us to church yesterday (!) which is always exciting

Now, to tell the story of A's baptism. So Friday, the district leader came to interview him. It was one big hot mess, because at first he wasn't home, so the DL's left, and then two minutes later he arrived home, so then they came back to interview him, and then I didn't bring his teaching record, so we went back home to get it, and then we came back, and almost didn't have the BR but thankfully we did. So he was interviewed and everything was set for Saturday. So then Saturday comes, and there was leak in the water, so the font had brown water... (which wasn't too bad), but then bishop said to wait for him to get there, so the baptism which was suppose to be at 2, started at 3:30....but in the end it was a spiritual and happy experience.  After he was baptized, he shared his testimony, and the Spirit really did testify to me that he was ready, and I felt that joy that I think comes when you know that you're helping Heavenly Father's work here upon the earth. That's definitely something I"ve been thinking about a lot the past couple days, because over and over again in the scriptures it talks about that joy that all these missionaries in the BOM feel while they're teaching. And that truly is what I've felt the past week, pure joy. I truly love being a missionary, and I'm so grateful that I decided to serve, and I truly can't picture myself anywhere else, than here in the Philippines at this time. 

I love you all! Anyways, send my love to everyone! 

xoxo,

Cami

 

Sister Fitzgerald and her new companion, Sister Luke