4am, Fish Heads, And Elder's In Zion

Hey everone!! I made it to week 2 baby. It's been a good week as some of the initial nerves are wearing off but that also means the novelty is wearing off and the classes are feeling real long. This email will be in sections again so buckle up, hunker down and only read what you want. LOL

P DAY ACTIVITIES
- P days are my saving grace. They could not come faster. Each p-day we go to the Manila Temple and it is literally gorgeous. Lots of missionaries here (including our new room mates), go through the temple for the first time in the MTC. They were asking me which temple I had been to and I felt like such a pampered brat when I listed of like 5 different temples. It just made me realize how much I take it for granted. 
On p days we also get to go to "the market". They straight up let us walk out of the MTC and go to this super cute grocery store. It reminds me of a Harmons. Last week I finally got a Mountain Dew and it was warm but I still had a spiritual experience. Also I freaked out for a second when I spent 350 Pisos but then I realized I had spent like 4 US dollars and I got a drink, some chocolate, bandaids and dried mangos. #inflationcapitalismandstonksfrfr. We also get to call home obvi. And it is one of the best parts of my week. My family is mega precious. 

SUNDAYS
- Really everyday here is a Sunday but the actual Sundays are a nice break from our usual schedule. This past Sunday Sister Bentley and I had to teach Relief Society and it actually went so well. Teaching by the spirit is ligit. During sacrament meeting they randomly choose 4 missionaries to speak so you just have to be prepared every Sunday with a talk and pray you don't get called on. Sundays are sandwhich night in the Cafeteria which is a nice switch up. Sunday nights we have choir practice and then we get to watch a church movie. Anytime there are characters in love in the movie the Elders LOSE THEIR CHILL. Anyway, its a good time to relax a bit.

SISTERS
- This week especially I've been trying to focus on role specifically as a Sister. Between small comments and high key sexist choir arangements (more on that later) there are some interesting attitudes towards Sisters. The sisters here are few in number but mighty in strength, kindness and faith. Because we are few in number we some Elders and occasionally leaders make comments that sometimes makes me feel like an accessory to the Elders. In particular there have been several times that an Elder has voiced that he didn't think they sent Sisters to this mission because it can be rough living conditions. He also has asked multiple times if the sisters are allowed in the jungle. I am taller and eat more of the crazy crap than most of the Elders here. ANYWAY. That was already on my mind and then the choir arangements. This past week we were literally singing a version of Sisters in Zion written directly for sister missionaries and our choir director had the Elders sing every line that had to do with strength or power. And before we sang that we sang Ye Elders of Israel and Sisters only joined on the chorus. These are small things but they are a great reminder to me that strong and fearless Sisters are needed and should not be discounted simply because they are Sisters. I have to say though 90% of the Elders and leadership I have met have been really great about this, its just the 10% that is still have more of an impact than they should. 

FOOD
- This week they really decided to go all out with the crazy food. Some of it was delicious and some of it mmmmm not so much. We had a day where we wore gloves and ate everything with our hands. We had a tray with squid, oysters, unknown fish and some sort of slimy green veggie. There was also a large pot of soup that at first glance seemed innocent but upon further investigation contained a full fish head. Sister Bentley and I named it Marcel and gave it a little kiss. Some delicious food we had this week included: squid balls, deep fried bananas, spring rolls and pineapple cake. Also every Wednesday and Friday we get ice cream cones and its the only cold thing we ever eat and it literally makes my life. 

MIGHTY IN SPEECH
- This week I've really realized that speaking off the fly does not come natural to me. I am great when I've written something I've previously written but otherwise, not so much. I've made the analogy several times that I often feel like Moses when he told God he was not mighty in speech. My Kaupod is a great speaker so it can be hard not to compare myself to her. It's been especially daughting because we start learning in only Hiligaynon tomorrow and are supposed to speak in Hiligaynon as much as possible. I  was feeling pretty discouraged and then we had a devotional where one of our leaders shared a verse in D & C that talked about how the Lord chooses the weak and simple to be his mouthpieces. It was then I realized that it didn't matter if I was good at speaking english or Hiligaynon. It only mattered that I spoke by the spirit.

CHOOSE YOUR FIGHTER
- There are so many fabulous people here and I want to introduce you to some of them!

1. Sister Selario
- fabulous teacher, served in Iloilo, recently married, girlboss.
2. Brother Cagioua
- PM teacher, puts up with us, sweet teacher, also served in Iloilo.
3. Elder Gardeneir
- Ginger
4. Elder Walker
- From Seattle, knows clouds
5. Elder Moon
- He's a BIG chocolate orea ice cream guy.
6. Sister Estralia and Sister Davidas
- do their laudry at 4am, our new room mates, so sweet
7. Brother Smith
- Medical advisor, helped translate the Book of Mormon into Navajo.
8. Sister Ha, Sister Tran and Sister Ngyuen
- In their own district, fashion goals, love playing basketball, all serving in Vietnam.

These are just a few of my favorite people I have met here!

MAKING WEAK THINGS STRONG AND RUNNING FASTER THAN WE HAVE STRENGTH.
- This week I have been really loving all of Mosiah 4 but specifically verse 27. and Ether 12:27. God knows me and knows my abilities and limits. Through the Atonement of Christ my weak things can be strong. I love this gospel and all the hope, light and strength it gives me.

Sorry for the long email and short spiritual message!

Palangga Ka Kamo!

Pictures below





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