Family and Friends! How was everyone this week and how was your Easter!? I loved hearing all about what the family did and I wish I could've gotten some homemade Easter dinner from the Arnolds/Christiansens. I sure missed everyone and it was weird not being at home for my first holiday on the mission..and I only have more to go! But, I'm happy to be serving the Lord at this time and am just loving it!!!
Where to begin??!! Well, I know! Flight plans!! I finally got them and there are so many of my friends, etc that i've made here that leave the same day and they all leave BEFORE me! I don't fly out of SLC until 9:36pm..rough I know! But, I'm excited! It's crazy to think 9 weeks ago where I was, what I was doing, priorities I had vs others, and how I am now. The mission has changed me so much in 8 weeks than I ever imagined. And to think that I'll be in the actual mission field, with buckets for showers, no toilet paper, floors as beds, bugs surrounding me, contaminated water that I can't drink, etc. And yet, I couldn't be more excited to get there! On that note, last week I set some goals for myself on the mission as I'm leaving and one thing I wanted was to get a feel for the culture 100%. And I decided, that at holidays and birthdays, I'd prefer you to save the money you would spend on me and spend it on the boys, etc. It takes so long to get packages, there's risk of not getting it, but it's not even that. I want to experience having nothing for that year and a half. Those people in Bacolod have hardly anything and yet they are the happiest people out there! So, that's what I want, too. To appreciate it all, and put the other stuff aside. :) You can save it and put it towards the wedding, school, etc. hahahaha Thank you and I love you all!
My flight plans are as follows..
We report at 6:30 to the travel office and I'm the travel leader of 7 people.
We leave SLC at 9:36 and arrive in San Fran. at 10:55pm
We leave there at 1:10 am and arrive in Hong Kong at 6:15am
WE leave Hong Kong at 8:05am and arrive in Manila at 9:55am.
We leave Manila at 2pm and arrive in Bacolod at 3:15pm.
**Keep in mind all the time changes, etc.
So, I know it will be a late night phone call, but I hope you will be up! I'll have a while to talk to people and I don't know if I'll get to call anyone else because everyone will be asleep! (i.e. grandparents, etc)
Man, it's so unreal. None of us feel ready language wise, but that's not even a problem for us! We know the Lord will bless us like He has already!
I don't have much time, but just a few things that have happened this week:
-We are still not allowed to shake hands, etc. but I did stay clear of the flu. I don't know anyone with it anymore, phew!
-We are still not allowed to shake hands, etc. but I did stay clear of the flu. I don't know anyone with it anymore, phew!
-I found out Bro Howard, the 2nd counselor in my branch presidency is related, well 2nd cousins with Dod Hyre..small world!
-On Easter Sunday, Elder Packer and President Packer came and talked to us..father and son! It was so cute to see Pres. Packers personality outside of conference..he's so cute!! But they talked on the Atonement and Resurrection and it was awesome! IT wasn't the first presidency, but it was the next best thing!!
-The two new sisters that became our roommates and I have bonded like crazy..it's funny how you meet people here that you could see yourself best friends with, but they aren't going to your mission, nor are they from the states..well Sister Tivalu is from Australia. It's finally nice to have someone with my same personality who can be focused, but still have fun at the same time! She is my medicine with laughter and every night I go to bed happy because of them. But, it couldn't be awesome.
-My companions birthday was this week and we didn't really do anything, hah. Not much to do here in the MTC.
-Lastly, I just wanted to share an impression I got this week. well two! One was there was an elder in my district who sleeps in class, is disobedient, etc. I pray every night and he was so rude one day that when the teacher left, I spoke my mind. I hoped that it would hit something and trigger SOMETHING that he would think "Gee, maybe she's right" haha (I hope my husband doesn't read this haha) But, the next day, he came in, he stayed awake,and after made a public announcement to the class that he was really sorry and realized that he needed to step up as a missionary. We all just sat and gave thanks because it was the moment we've been waiting for for 4 1/2 weeks! The spirit has been in every class and we are as close as we were in the beginning! Finally..I see miracles every day, even if it is in the MTC.
-The other was I wanted to sit down as a 6 week missionary and pray and dissect my patriarchal blessing. I had a feeling that I could benefit from something in there, and as I sat down, I took pages of notes and only got half way. The blessing is only one page, but oh man, the revelation I received from it is incredible, especially with the mindset of a missionary, this work and my purpose. It was incredible!
Well, I'm out of time! But, I can't wait to talk to you all soon!! I am so excited and as my roommate, Sis Tivalu would say, "I LOVE THIS WORK!!!"
Funny story before I go about the Philippines:
If someone sneezed in the Philippines, they think it's because someone didn't shower.haha crazy!! So instead of saying "Bless you" they say "naligo ako" which means "I showered. It's not me! " hahaha
If someone sneezed in the Philippines, they think it's because someone didn't shower.haha crazy!! So instead of saying "Bless you" they say "naligo ako" which means "I showered. It's not me! " hahaha
I can't wait to get out in the field and put into action all I learned and finally meet the people that I've been hearing about for over 5 months now!!
Happy Belated Birthday to J, or Elder Gifford :) And mom, Happy Birthday on Monday!! The big 40! Eat a piece of cake for me!
Mahal Kita to all!!!!!!!!
Sister Arnold