September 7, 2014

Family,

First of all, congratulations to Maddy and Garrett. I truly am so excited for the both of you and will be counting the days for you until December 30! 

Second, Merry Christmas! It's now the "ber" months here, so technically it's officially Christmas season! Although it' weird to think I'll be home when Christmas actually rolls around. And even more exciting to think that Maddy will be married a week later too :)

Anyways, it's been a pretty good week here in the field. We've still been doing a lot of finding, trying to really focus on the members, because referrals really are so much more successful than personal contacting. This past weekend we had stake conference, and President and Sister Lopez attended and spoke. It was so good, and I really think it inspired the members. They mentioned how the Lord is hastening his work, and how we as members need to be moving at the same speed he is. They mentioned how the Lord might be hastening is work, but that means that Satan is hastening his as well, and we need to do all that we can to help in this battle. Sister Lopez mentioned about not being afraid to open our mouths to invite our friends and neighbors to hear about the gospel, invite to church, etc.  She mentioned that fear we have to share the gospel needs to be replaced with faith. And then President Lopez is always so inspiring when he speaks. Listening to the two of them, you can't help but catch the missionary spirit. I truly feel so lucky to have them as my mission president. We visited some members last night and I hope that missionary excitement will stay with the members and we continue to see some progress and positive results from it.

We're continue to find and to teach, and to find joy in missionary life. The members have been really willing to come and work with us this past week, and that's always a blessing. We've also found some promising potential investigators, so hopefully we'll continue to see some progress this week. But it's always hard at this point because all of them are still so new and you can't really predict who will progress and who won't but we're keeping the faith that all will work!

The men of the L family though are slowly softening their hearts which has been such a miracle! Last week E came to church with N and now they all come out to listen whenever we come so it's a slow process, but I hope things continue to go well with them because it would so amazing beyond words if the men joined their wives in the gospel and church. We'll keep working on them :) Last week we had FHE with them and it was really fun and they enjoyed it!

Anyways, there's other miracle stories but they'll have to wait until next week because we're now the last missionaries in the computer shop and we still haven't written president.

love you!

xxxx

Sister Fitzgerald and her companion at Stake Conference

August 31, 2014

Mayung aga!

It's been an interesting week, but a good week. It's rained all week which makes proselyting really hard. It started last Monday. All day during preparation day it was fine. We wash our garments in the afternoon and I told sister maybe it'll rain so we'll hang them up inside to dry so they don't get wet. Then five minutes later, it starts to barely sprinkle. And then we leave a little before six, just barely sprinkling. We get on the tryke to take us to the highway to catch a jeep to our area, and then it starts down pouring. As in, downpouring. So then we get off the tryke half-way soaked already and run to hide under the waiting shed. The thundering is so loud, and then you can see the lightning bolts strike. It was Sister Vaitohi's first real rainstorm. But since then, it's rained the whole week. Which sometimes makes it hard to proselyte, at least to find. But we're trying. We just baptized the last of our progressing investigators, so I think the next month is going to be a little rough because we kind of need to start over with the whole finding process, but I think we'll be okay. But speaking of baptism, it was J and V's baptism this past weekend. It was so great even though it was kind of small event. It's kind of fun being with a new missionary, because I notice things that she points out that I feel like are just so common now. I've forgotten what's normal and what's different here in the Philippines. But they shared their testimonies and of course I teared up. It's always such a humbling experience being a missionary, and teaching the gospel.

Anways, it really has been an okay week. Yesterday we had our combined third hour in church, and it was on temples and family history. They had a couple of LDS videos and Mormon messages we watched, and I was crying through it. The blessings of the temple truly are worth all the trials we go through in life.

Also yesterday at church, Elder and Sister Mower came. Elder Mower told us that he went up to Brother V and said sorry that they couldn't make his baptism a couple of weeks ago, but then Brother V said "It's okay, you can just come to our sealing next year." They're seriously the best family ever. Brother V already is in Moses, he already finished the D & C and the Book of Mormon.

I love you all!

Sister Fitzgerald

August 24, 2014

Mayung aga!

 

Can I just say that it's so weird that summer’s over and fall semester is starting next week... also another missionary just pointed out to me that I only  have 16 more weeks, or four more fast Sundays if you want to count that way. say what?!

Our missionary work is going okay. We have J and V's baptism this weekend  which is really exciting! They're so prepared! They're two amazing YSA-aged, future missionary elders! So precious and so funny. When we taught V about the law of chastity, he was wearing an earring and then R (our recent convert) was explaining how we shouldn't have tattoos, only one piercing for sisters, and none for boys. and then immediately, V was like, oh! and he took out his earring and was like "well, I guess I'll just throw this" and was going to throw it into the bushes. They're the best.

 

Also exciting news, V blessed the sacrament this past week! and he's already half way through the Doctrine and Covenants! He's one of the dads we baptized a couple of weeks ago... totally the next bishop.

 

We spent this past week finding.... which is always depressing and hard. But we're doing okay. We finally rearranged our areas within the ward so we have a new area to explore. But yesterday two mothers with their kids finally came to church for the first time! They've been taught for so long, and are so receptive, but have never really committed to church, but we're starting to finally see some progress with them which is always exciting. We almost were about to give up on them. Hopefully we'll continue to see some progress in them this week.

 

Tomorrow we have exchanges with the STL's and Sister Vaitohi is a little nervous because she's staying in the area, but I think she's going to do great! I will be going to the sa magsungay ward and their area :)

 

We're both doing well. we're both happy, and working on our area. It's been pretty hot the past couple of days but we're both healthy... considering. my hair is falling out. You know how it's always falling, but it's ten times worse. like a wad of hair every morning when I comb my hair. I know of other missionaries that's having the same problems..

I  miss you all! I have to go but I'll talk next week!

Love,

 Sister Fitzgerald

August 17, 2014

Family,

This week has been pretty crazy and different, but it's been good. Here's a quick review:

Monday: My last day with Sister Canimo. We emailed, went shopping, packed, and prepared her to head home. We had our last family home evening with the S families and then came home and packed. It was pretty depressing but I guess there comes a time for everyone. She really is an amazing missionary and has a special gift. I was talking to another missionary that was companions with her at one point, and we were commenting about how she truly is just amazing. She has this unique gift, and miracles just follow wherever she goes. Her faith and testimony is so strong. She has a promising future ahead of her.

Tuesday & Wednesday: Transfers! I dropped off Sister Canimo at the mission office. We said our goodbyes which wasn't as depressing as I thought it would be. Then I waited around until everyone showed up for transfers. Because the new arrivals don't show up until Thursday, all the trainers were paired up for the next two days. I ended up being in a trisome with Sister Batalero and Dixon working in Talisay Ward. It was so fun. We were together Tuesday and Wednesday. We called it our little "retreat" before our trainees showed up. 

Thursday: Thursday morning we had our trainer's training meeting at the mission home. All the trainers meet together before the arrivals come and we receive a little training from the assistants and from President Lopez. There's no one else from my batch training... :( but all is well. Almost all the trainers are going home either in two or three transfers. So for most of us, this will be our last companion and area because President wants to keep us together for all 12 weeks of training. But since some of us still have three, I'm not sure if he'll transfer us for the last transfer or keep us here.  Anyways, we had our training, and then all the arrivals came and we met our companions! My new trainee is Sister Vaitohi. She's from Utah and went to BYU for the past two years and was on the track team. She's beautiful and is so kind. I think we'll have fun together.

Friday-Sunday: Our first weekend together! It's been good, completely exhausting, but good. I forgot what it's like to first arrive in the Philippines so I'm trying to remember to help comfort and help Sister Vaitohi in the adjustment. All the members were really nice to her so I think that helped. We're back to the very, very beginning with the language which has been kind of a weird adjustment but things are going well. The work is going okay. I have members set up to work with us for the week which will be a huge blessing so I won't be the only one doing all the talking in our lessons. The youth in the wards here are amazing. They're all so prepared for their missions and are always so willing to go work with the missionaries as long as there is no school. But this past weekend we've been doing a lot of finding because we have a lot of hours to fill during the day and because Sister Canimo and I just baptized all of our investigators. We're kind of back to the beginning stages again but I'm confident that in time, we'll see those weekly baptisms again. I'm trusting in the Lord that we'll be lead us to those who are prepared to receive us. One of my favorite scriptures is Alma 13:24. Angels truly are preparing the hearts of many to receive the gospel in their lives. We just need to do our part to find them :)

I love you all! My favorite moment from this past week is when we go the S's house and V (one of the fathers we baptized last week) was sitting at the table studying, with a notebook, scriptures, and pamphlets just scattered all over. He's already finished reading True to the Faith! He's so great and his testimony is so strong. 

 

Love,

Sister Fitzgerald

 

Cami's New Companion, Sister Vaitohi

President and Sister Lopez Visiting Cami's Apartment

Cami Meeting Her New Companion

Cami Playing the Piano At Missionary Orientation Meeting

 

August 10, 2014

Family:

This past week has been so amazing. We had the most amazing baptism this past Sunday of the S brothers. Seriously the most spiritual, rewarding experience on the mission- completing families. V's family is the pregnant mother and daughter that we baptized last week. He's seriously the next bishop. Truly, and I'm not just biased because he's our convert. His testimony and conversion that he shares every night when we visit is so powerful. They're already preparing for the temple to be sealed next year! That's when we get to come back to the Philippines :) And then Brother J is from a part-member family. Since J started coming to church, all of his sons have returned. They have three potential missionaries and now they're all starting to prepare! They truly are two amazing families. When we come each night, their two families along with a neighboring family all gather together for our lesson. We sit in this big circle and all we need is a fire in the middle and you call it a bonfire haha. 

But this week has been so fun! On Tuesday we had our last MLC at the mission home, Wednesday was zone training meeting, on Thursday President came and interviewed the brothers for their baptism, Friday we celebrated J's birthday. He's the little son of Brother V and the cutest little thing. Then Saturday was the baptism and we had a ward family home evening, and last night was Sister Canimo's last night of proselyting. We've been busy but it's been so fun being companions with Sister Canimo. She's an amazing missionary. Truly amazing. Her spirit and testimony are the strongest I've ever seen, and she truly knows how to love and serve our ward and investigators. I'll definitely miss her but I know that she has an exciting road ahead of her.

I don't know what else to share but with Sister Canimo leaving, I'll be staying in our area and training a new missionary. All trainers and trainees will meet each other on Thursday morning and then we have three months to look forward to together :) 

I love you! Thank you for all your prayers, you are always in mine :)

xxx,

Sister Fitzgerald

August 3, 2014

Family!

I can't believe it's already August! Sister Canimo goes home next week! Last night President texted us saying he doesn't want us in the office this week so the Elders find out what they don't know and  they can learn before Sister Canimo leaves. So as of today, technically I'm out of the office! The elders are freaking out because we were supposed to have another week to train them in everything... but now they just get to call haha. We were in the office all morning trying to teach them as much has possible. But we have unlimited call so I think they'll do okay this week. We still get to attend MLC tomorrow though :) But this week we'll be full-time proselyting in our area!

It's been such a great week. You know how at the end of a school year or semester, the last couple weeks are so fun and perfect, and it's almost like you don't want them to end, you just want to extend another week or so? That's how it is for Sister Canimo and I, except she's the only one going home and I still have four more month. But our area is doing amazing, our investigators are progressing, and this past weekend we had our baptism of M, R, M, and V. They all are so precious I just want to smile all the time. 

M is a referral from one of our members in our ward. The member referred us to his family but they didn't really want anything to do with us from the start. But M, who is only nine, was so interested and precious. He comes every Sunday by himself and he's always the first one there! We teach him every Sunday morning at the chapel before Sacrament starts. We never thought his parents would let him be baptized because they won't even really let us teach them at their house, just come to church but after a miracle, his mom signed the baptismal form and he was confirmed yesterday in Sacrament Meeting!

Another miracle is the S family that I've been mentioning the past couple of weeks. Seriously the most prepared family I've met on my mission. M (the 8 month pregnant mother) and V were baptized this past weekend and it was so beautiful. I cried through M's entire testimony afterwards. There's really just nothing more rewarding than missionary work. I've just felt so much joy and love this past week that's really just undescribable. But a miracle happened last night! We've been working with the father, and he's been so receptive but hasn't committed to his baptismal date on August ninth. He just kept saying that he hasn't decided yet, that he still has a lot of questions, things to learn, etc. But, last night we asked how his prayer went, and he said that he's ready to be baptized! So he, along with his brother (who's married to the less-active returned member who referred the S family in the first place) will be baptized this Saturday! 

It's been a good week and hopefully it continues. I feel like on the mission you have a really good week, and then a bad one, and then a good one, etc. and we've had two good ones in a row so I'm a little scared, but I think everything will be okay :)

MLC is tomorrow, and it might be my last one now that I'm out of the office but I'm excited. It's always fun to see everyone, but it's always just so spiritual and uplifting.

Send everyone my love!

 

xxx,

Cami

Missionary Leadership Council

 

 

July 27, 2014

Maayong hapon!

It's been such a good week. Maybe even the best one yet. I've truly just felt so much love and joy this past week and I've seen so many miracles and blessings. We had M's wedding, followed by her baptism on Saturday which was everything that I hoped it to be. She was sharing her testimony afterwards and I was just crying. Our Relief Society president let her borrow her wedding dress, another member did her makeup, we bought her shoes, and I curled her hair with the curling iron I haven't used since the MTC. Almost all of their family was there to witness it as well. President and Sister Lopez came too! Then after the wedding, she changed her into her baptismal clothes, was baptized, and then we had dinner. It was an amazing experience, and I am so happy for her. After a couple months of praying and fasting, she was finally able to. 

But this week was also great because of the S and S Families. I mentioned them this past week, but another family where I just smile thinking about them. In the S family, the whole family are members except the dad. They were baptized a couple years ago, but they've become less active since then. But, she's been returning and a couple weeks ago she gave us a referral to her sister-in-law and her family, the S family.All of them have been coming to church the past couple of weeks but we've haven't been able to teach the fathers. BUT, this past week we finally have been able to teach them. The S Family reminds me of Robyn and Trevor, but Philippino version. They have three precious little kids the same age as them, with one baby on the way. The dad is so receptive. He's hasn't committed to a baptismal date with his family yet, but his prayers each night when we kneel down are so sincere. They're such a golden family. And then the S family is another miracle as well. They have four ysa/youth aged children who are all members but the father has never been interested in the church. But this past week, he joined us for our lessons and was saying how he's just sick of it all and is ready to join his family. The most beautiful thing though that happened this past week is that both of their families came to church. All of them! They took up three rows! They've just been such a blessing.  We had FHE at their home last night, and it actually felt like "home'" if that makes sense. We're afraid that Sister S is going to have her baby any day now because she looks like she's going to pop so we might try to move their baptism to this Saturday rather than next... but we'll see.

I love that there' so much missionary excitement in your ward! Looking back, one of my biggest regrets is not being as involved in missionary work as I should have been. I didn't even know who the missionaries were! No wonder they always said that Gig Harbor was the place that no missionary wanted to be assigned to! Here, missionary work is the essence of the ward. Granted, it has a lot to do because 90% or more of the members are converts from one time or another, so they're very aware and involved. But I look back and just see my lack of sharing the gospel to my friends. I completely failed at doing my part at just fulfilling my calling as a member of the church. But I'll try to make up for it.

Sister Canimo is leaving in two weeks so we're trying to baptize everyone before she leaves.... just kidding, but seriously. We're afraid I might be transferred out too since we've both been there for so long, but I don't know if president would white-wash the area by pulling both of us out but I guess we'll find out in a couple of weeks.

I love you all! Stay safe! Rest, and enjoy the summer because it always goes by fast.

xxx,
sister Fitz