I
think I gained ten pounds this week!! NO JOKE! Happy Halloween to all
in the States, and as for me here, they don't really celebrate Halloween
like we do. But, it's called Olsens Day where they all eat and save
money to cook food and go all out even if they are as poor as can be!
Then, the next day, they all go to the cemetaries because it's
celebration of "Day of the Dead"...So, that was Wednesday-we taught two
lessons the whole day because everyone was busy as you can imagine-it's
one of the biggest holidays here. We started at our investigators house
for pani-udto, or lunch, and we ate so much. We then went and visited
two members houses to say Hi and they gave us two HUGE plates of bico
which is rice with coconut milk, etc..hard to describe, you can look it
up! haha I can only eat a little of that before i'm done haha, but we
had to eat it all because it's offensive if we don't. It took us forever
as we pushed it down bite by bite..i felt sick just after that. Then
we went back to teach our investigators after they were all done eating
and visiting and the other investigator invited us for pani-hapon
(dinner). We already had a dinner appt planned, but again it's rude to
decline. Sister Boncales and I looked at eachother and about died! This
investigator kept pushing rice onto our plates saying "eat more! eat
more! Don't be shy!" ...so what did we do? WE ATE IT! We had to leave to
make it to our other appointment as I was so close to throwing up
everything- but sister Boncales actually did! That's how much we
ate..and we headed over to our next dinner appt...we had 3 huge meals in
the space of 4 hours and so much bico!!!!!!! I have never eaten that
much, not even on Thanksgiving and i'm nervous with Christmas coming up
because it's the same! My stomach is not made for all this eating here!
But, as poor missionaries, we were extremely appreciative!!
A lot happened this week as we continued to teach our investigators. We found out two of the families haven't been married and we are working on their marriage process right now. Unfortunately, we will only be here for one sister's baptism because they have all missed church once which postponed them a week...but, the sad part is that we think we're getting pulled out at the end of this transfer. We got our curfew taken off, but President wants to put a senior couple in our house because it's one of the nicest in the missions and that leaves us with no house..I think it's Presidents way of saying "Lets take a break from missionaries in this area" with all the external circumstances. We are torn, we're so far into progress with our investigators and all are progressing and we committed 2 more to baptism this week! But, I feel that the Branch can handle it if there aren't missionaries..they're awesome!
Another tender mercy this week was that Sis. Boncales and I always wonder why there's never progression in our less actives! We teach and teach and teach, but nothing. This was one of our purposes in our fast and 8!!!! less actives were at church, most who have never taken this initial step! Then, the branch presidency is awesome because from the pulpit, they welcomed all the less actives and investigators BY NAME and they all just beamed and felt so welcome! The test now is making sure we keep them!! WE have so many investigators, recent converts and now less actives to balance along with all the referrals we're getting, but I testify of the power of fasting! (I'll be fasting for the same purpose as you all this week! I hope it's just as powerful! :) ha )
I love this work! The joy I feel everyday is amazing! Sister Boncales and I are always so anxious to go out and just work and work hard. We have accomplished so much as a companionship and we're sad we only have 2 weeks left, but we're ready to make the most of it! So until we're transferred, we're continuing to give it our all! We also have our mission tour Friday that we're excited for and know that it will be another spiritual highlight in my mission! Thank you for all the love and support! I pray for you daily and just a heads up-a lot of people are emailing me, and I love it! But, just know that one of the new mission rules that is implemented here is family only. But, because I have the recorder that Grandma Jolene gave me, I will record a response and send it that way! I'm so far that it takes too long for letters, but know that I really appreciate them and to keep them coming! Love you al! xoxo
Amping kanunay!
Sister Arnold
A lot happened this week as we continued to teach our investigators. We found out two of the families haven't been married and we are working on their marriage process right now. Unfortunately, we will only be here for one sister's baptism because they have all missed church once which postponed them a week...but, the sad part is that we think we're getting pulled out at the end of this transfer. We got our curfew taken off, but President wants to put a senior couple in our house because it's one of the nicest in the missions and that leaves us with no house..I think it's Presidents way of saying "Lets take a break from missionaries in this area" with all the external circumstances. We are torn, we're so far into progress with our investigators and all are progressing and we committed 2 more to baptism this week! But, I feel that the Branch can handle it if there aren't missionaries..they're awesome!
Another tender mercy this week was that Sis. Boncales and I always wonder why there's never progression in our less actives! We teach and teach and teach, but nothing. This was one of our purposes in our fast and 8!!!! less actives were at church, most who have never taken this initial step! Then, the branch presidency is awesome because from the pulpit, they welcomed all the less actives and investigators BY NAME and they all just beamed and felt so welcome! The test now is making sure we keep them!! WE have so many investigators, recent converts and now less actives to balance along with all the referrals we're getting, but I testify of the power of fasting! (I'll be fasting for the same purpose as you all this week! I hope it's just as powerful! :) ha )
I love this work! The joy I feel everyday is amazing! Sister Boncales and I are always so anxious to go out and just work and work hard. We have accomplished so much as a companionship and we're sad we only have 2 weeks left, but we're ready to make the most of it! So until we're transferred, we're continuing to give it our all! We also have our mission tour Friday that we're excited for and know that it will be another spiritual highlight in my mission! Thank you for all the love and support! I pray for you daily and just a heads up-a lot of people are emailing me, and I love it! But, just know that one of the new mission rules that is implemented here is family only. But, because I have the recorder that Grandma Jolene gave me, I will record a response and send it that way! I'm so far that it takes too long for letters, but know that I really appreciate them and to keep them coming! Love you al! xoxo
Amping kanunay!
Sister Arnold
No comments:
Post a Comment