22..Scary thought!!

Sorry again that there are no pictures-not sure what is going on. Next week!

BUT! Happy New Year officially! ..and Happy Birthday to me! Thank you so much for the birthday wishes! 

Monday- New Years, we had PDAY, went shopping and I bought a ton of cheap material and one of the members is going to MAKE me skirts instead! haha But, that night we went to two families home and had FHE and tons of food! I am so glad the holidays are over so that I can get back to my healthy eating! so much junk and left overs! But, it was lots of fun! We "jumped" at midnight here because "jumping at new years is a sign that you'll grow taller here the next year because they are all so short! The parties and fireworks/music, no joke until 6:30am! We were all exhausted at District Meeting the next day because we we got no sleep!

Tuesday- District meeting and work. This was such a rewarding day because the investigators we've been teaching have officially overcome their Word of Wisdom! Even the investigator who hasn't been able to over come it for two years! It helps that the price on alcohol and cigarettes has gone up here so that they can hopefully cut down the smoking/drinking problem here in the PI..it's bad. So, they are all headed to the WATERS of BAPTISM!

Wed- So fun! We worked and then had a FHE with the Ward Missionaries. I saw gay at the mall and she came as well and so it was a mutual birthday party..I am so grateful for her and them beause it wasn't until then that it became special! I have videos and pictures that you will laugh at when I get home and show you..they are insane here, but I was so grateful to share my birthday with Gay as you all can see from Facebook! Love her like a sister-wish I could bring her home with me! :)But, I made crepes, bought a cake, made no bake cookies and carbonera! Then we did a gift exchange and I got a picture frame..so fun!

Thursday-Sat we continued with work. There were tender mercies in our work because just when we thought some of our investigators weren't going to progress, they blossomed! here in the Philippines because divorce is next to impossible, we run into candidates for baptism who had a previous wife, separated and then have a new live in partner..they can't get baptized unless they meet the long list of requirements that they have given us for them to meet! We thought this was a problem for one of our investigators, but it isn't and at first brother who we are reactivating wanted her to be a member before they got married so that they were "the same", but after explaining the point behind it, they agreed to get married! I wish I had BEE here to help me plan a wedding! :) haha SPEAKING OF WEDDING! Of course, another wedding I'll most likely miss, but CONGRATS JEN AND YOUR SOON TO BE HUBBY! Age is just a number-the Lord was just preparing you for the right guy! love you!! When is the wedding??

Sunday- I can't even describe how happy I was for today! We had almost all of our investigators at church (8) and 20 less actives coming back to church! It is amazing to see them change their lives. I am thankful for a new year, and their desire to set New Years Resolutions and get back to church!

The church is true! The work is blooming here and I love it here in 5th ward! Just like I testify and hear all our investigators stop their problems and receive their answer that the church is true, its priceless. For my birthday and Christmas, it was truly an amazing one because I didn't have the gifts, but instead I was GIVING-the gospel and so many are receptive here! I also am starting my Young Women Personal Progress again for the second time around and it alone has strengthened my testimony tremendously! I love you all and thank you for your love and support you continually give to me! 

xo

Sister Arnold

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Years to all of you over there!! New Years celebrations started weeks ago, but is officially starting today! It's so loud and we're excited for it! We have a FHE planned for the family's computer shop that I skyped at and another one..i'm going to gain so much weight..and it doesn't help with any New Years Resolutions because my birthday is Jan 2-go figure! Haha But, we were given the clearance to work normal night today but we need to be cautious. Thankfully it's PDAY and we'll be able to just do FHE's and not proselyting!

Christmas was so much fun!! I loved talking to you all and wow, how great you all look!! I couldn't even believe it! Yet, still my head hasn't wrapped around the fact that I haven't seen you all in almost a year.. crazy, no? But, all of you asked about Christmas here in the Philippines. TO be honest, we hear "oh we're so poor" all the time and only the rich really enjoy Christmas. All the others just want to skip to New Years. So, after we skyped, we were invited to our Bishops home to eat lunch..so good! I have so many recipes for you when I get home. We were there, it rained allllll day after we finished skyping so we had to proselyte in rain and no dinner appointment was offered, but our last appt. we got close to them as a family and she gave us food to take home. yummy. the end. It wasn't very eventful, unfortunately. ha

We also had a ward christmas party that Benny updated you on and sorry, no pictures today because he has my memory card and is copying all the pictures off it. But, it was SOOO much fun. President said at first we weren't allowed to attend unless we had a part, so benny saved the day. ha Sister Person was the chorister, and I the chorister. salamat!! (thank you) The talent show and games were so fun and we had so many people there-so many investigators and LESS ACTIVES!

Our investigators are progressing sooo much! WE have officially committed 11 with a date in 2 1/2 weeks here in Bacolod 5th.  We got here with only one and he was baptized that first Sat. we got here.  We had 13 investigators attend church and sister Person and I are sooo grateful for the blessings in our work! ...the Lord truly works miracles and softens the hearts of those who are ready to accept the gospel! We still had even a few that weren't at church that we are still working on because of illness, etc. 

One of my favorite experiences this week, and this has been a question on my mind for my whole mission.  I sit and wonder why I haven't been able to help baptize but one family and i was transferred right before their baptism in 6th ward. But, I wanted to experience a family because it's always teenage males..Yet, I realized my true purpose in the mission...to help prepare those missionaries to serve.  I have helped bring in future missionaries and all who are at that age have opened up to me and expressed their desire to serve a mission! We are reactivating a less active now who is 17 and gave us a referral of his friend who is 18, Benjie who we are teaching.  While they walked us out, they expressed to me that because of them seeing us and going with us to teaching appointments they both have a desire to serve a mission! Together! Huh? Benjie, isn't even a member but expressed how right it all felt.  Sister Person and I caught the Jeepney, both sat to ourselves and at the same time said "WOW..." The Spirit was incredible! And because of their example, their family is returning to active members of the church!

I have counted my many blessings this 2012! Oh the experiences, testimony builders that I've had, and the people who have come into my life and forever changed my life!! Yet, I am so excited for 2013! I am grateful for the opportunity to continue in the mission as I have watched a few of my friends be medically released from their missions, Alex Simons being the most recent. Yet, I know the Lord is in every detail of our lives.  Everything that happened and will happen is for a reason and there is something that we can learn from it! I love this work and am excited to see what 2013 will bring..

Fun thing from the talk of Benny: His challenges that I extend to you all as well for 2013:
Husbands- Say and show "I love you" more to your wives

Wives- Be more patient with your husbands

Children- Be more obedient.

SIngle adults- Serve a mission

Single adults that are older or RM's- Get married, don't settle, and keep your standards!

2013 awaits all of us! Happy NEW YEAR! Drink some Martinelli's for me! You probably won't notice anything different because I'm usually sleeping before midnight..just this year, you won't have to worry about waking me up!! I love you!! :) xo

Love, 

Sister Lauren Arnold

Merry Christmas to all!!!

Merry Christmas to all my friends, but lucky for the family-I'll make it a personal "Merry Christmas" to you all!

I can't even believe Christmas is here and I'll be honest- the Christmas spirit isn't the same here..I definitely was missing our "traditions" at home. But, here it's just been normal days of work, work, work! :)

Monday-Pday as usual..we went with another sister companionship to the mall. of course :)
Tuesday- WE worked like crazy where we taught 3 investigators who are preparing to be baptized.
Mercy: is the wife of the less active who we are reactivating and she is progressing so well!
Aguado: we struggled with him because his girlfriend was in the last lesson and is hard core Iglesia ni Cristo and sat there laughing at the lesson the whole time..
Melvin is a less active that we are reactivating who brought the investigator Benjie who it extremely nice!
Wednesday-We worked so hard and that night we went to the mission home.  It was so fun to see everyone you haven't seen in forever-like a family reunion..our training was all on companionship and how to have the divine companionship..it made me miss Sis. Boncales because we truly had the perfect companionship, but even though Sis. Person and I are complete opposites, I'm grateful for the opportunity to love and serve her.  That's when we see and feel the true love of Christ!
Thurs- The conference continued as we received training on repentance again and how to become more Christlike.  But, one thing that I loved that Pres. Lopez said was in 3 Nephi 27:13- Do we see yourself in Christ? Do you see Christ in you? Christ condescended and yet we did too as missionaries...from our comfort zone of families, friends, home, cars, etc. to a missionary! Christ had the result of his work when he condescended and saw people change.  The question I ask is: What will be the result of my work? We left that conference on such a spiritual high and it continued throughout the day.  WE committed people to be baptized, our lessons were 100% led by the spirit with Less actives and all we could say was "it's raining ..spirit".
Fri- We saw progression of Bro. Cruz who is our investigator who has been an investigator for 2 years not but smoking is keeping him from baptism.  Well, he started at  7 sticks a day, and we committed him to get down to 5 by that day, but he was already down to 4.  WE continued with our investigators and less actives so we could see their progression on Sunday-if there was any...
Sunday- 12 NEW LESS ACTIVES ATTENDED CHURCH AND WILL START ELIGIBILITY TO RETURN AS ACTIVE MEMBERS..INCREDIBLE.  That truly was our tender mercy of the week and I am so excited to help them continue.  We were speakers and I talked on gifts we can give to the Savior emphasizing kindness thanks to Grandma Jolene's talk and told the story of Tyler being asked to GR.  And bishop followed us and one thing that really impressed me as we're closing the year of 2012 is:

Where did you want to be 5 years ago? Did you make it?
Where do you want to be IN 5 years? How will you get there? ..food for thought!

I am so grateful for this holiday season here in Bacolod..I am grateful for the best gift that I can give which is the gospel.  I truly become so excited when I see progression even in less actives all the way to investigators accepting change and the gospel! I am grateful for the power and authority of my calling and for the love and support that I've felt at this time of year.  I definitely am missing all of you at home, but like you all noticed...it'll be no time before I'll be home..In the mean time, I have work to do! xo
The church is true! I know that Christ performed the perfect act of kindness through the Atonement.  The Atonement IS the gospel and we have every opportunity to apply it in our lives.  I am grateful for the support and guidance the gospel has given to me as I've grown up and grateful for the path that I am on now. 

Merry Christmas to all!! xoxoxoxoxo :D
Sister Arnold

Week 2 in the Bacolod 5th Ward!

Maayong udto pamilya kag amigo/amigas!

     I am so grateful to be a missionary!  I have seen a difference in my work, and in my time as I have tried to adjust how I use my time wisely.  The first week here was a confusing one and I felt like even though I was constantly working, I didn't feel like I was using my time wisely.  Yet, as I set the goal this week, I truly saw the progress and blessings in our work.  I studied chapter 5 of Alma and evaluated myself through the inspired questions and know that we all still have so much work to be our BEST, but am grateful for the opportunities that we have and experiences that shape us into the missionary that we need to be! I finally feel comfortable with the area and most of the people here that we are focusing on for week 2, as well as visiting new less actives! We have met so many families and members who are elect and ready to come back!  We have had experiences with them as we visit them and show they are missed truly by the members! We had 6 less actives at church and are all excited to return back! We introduced them to members so that they had friends and they became reliant on the ward and we weren't chauffeuring them everywhere we went.  One in particular started with an "I'll try", but showed up to church and even brought an investigator referral that we will begin to teach!  The blessings of our work and the spirit is unreal.  The members and ward missionaries are supportive and especially Bishop who noticed even the little details.  We wanted to ask him for his goals for the ward, but instead, that was his first questions was "We have had elders for the longest time, what can you SISTER bring to our ward?" It was a self evaluating question and in my personal study I listed goals I have for the ward and what I want to accomplish with the help of my companion:

-We need to strengthen the Priesthood in the ward because the congregation is mostly women and those who are men are wearing jeans, a t-shirt and that leads me to the other goal that I have which is to get all priesthood holders worthy and wearing a white shirt, slacks, and a tie.  

-Bishop also expressed that the members and organizations are still getting used to us as "sisters", and we need their help!! I remembered a study in PMG that said the best way to gain the trust of members is to serve them.  I want the members to trust us, and be excited about this amazing work--through our service to them: whether it be a teaching visit to them to help strengthen them, etc.

-The average attendance here for the past 4 months has been roughly 150-170.  I want us to get the attendance up to 240 on average and once we reach that goal, to keep aiming higher! I know it's possible because we had 195 last Sunday and 201 this past Sunday! 

-I want to emphasize F. History here and emphasize how every member should have a temple recommend.  If they start FH and have a temple recommend, they'll become excited about going to the temple and sacrifice to get there.

-We also want 100% RC attendance and last week there were 4/18 and this week was 12/18 so we're seeing the progress and are hoping to achieve the 100%! 

I know with these goals presented to Bishop, he'll see that we're here to help him and in return we need their help!  We have set these goals and as I studied Alma 26:26,30 it made me remember a "perhaps goal".  The perhaps goal is realistically a 50/50 chance of achieving it, but we give it our 100% effort and best to achieve it as if it was 100% possible just like Ammon and his brethren!  

We have 5 investigators with a date and they have a date for Jan. 19th.  Three had something come up and didn't attend church, but we are going to be following up and doing everything we can to get them into baptism and see the life long changes the gospel has to offer!  One investigator Mercy, is a wife of a LA and he has two more Sundays to go before returning.  She had been taught before but wasn't interested anymore.  When we got there, she went to the room but we tried fellow shipping her first and she ended up sitting down, listening, and now is keeping ALL commitments and excited about her baptism.  This was a plead from a less active to help his wife accept the gospel and we are so excited that now is her time!  And we at the same time found 18 more investigators again this week!! 

This week was amazing! I love this work! I love 5th ward! I love the Spirit that guides us, the time that we can use wisely to achieve our goals and for a companionship to be side by side! I am grateful for the opportunity given to me to serve with Sister Person!

I am excited for next week when GAY is coming to work with me in 5th ward!!! I am excited to talk to you on Christmas! Speaking of Christmas, we were asked to perform a musical number in church and guess who ended up singing? me. ha Sister Person accompanied on the piano "He Sent His Son" but it couldn't have gone better..the Spirit was so strong! The power of music!

I miss you all more than ever and am definitely missing you all at this time of the year..sorry, but I don't think I'll make it tear free! :)

Palanga ta ka!!

Sister Arnold

Back to the city!

Maayong hapon Family!!!!!

Wow, I bet you all are excited to find out all about what is going on over here!!  Can I just say that I was transferred back to Bacolod in the 5th ward..my first area was next door in 6th ward! The 5th ward is the area of the mission home and.....I WHITE WASHED! (meaning it was elders area-they were pulled out and put sisters).  I have a companion, Sister Person who has been in the mission 5 months. This was a shock to me that we were chosen to whitewash and I have to lead it, not knowing ANYTHING! Our area is absolutely HUGE and used to have 4 missionaries, but now....2! So, you can imagine the work that we have ahead of us, but I am super grateful that I have such a hard working companion who is ready to work.  President Lopez is expecting so much of us and we worked so hard this week! Our area is next to the beach, but in the city! I have wanted to have an area next to the beach, have wanted to white wash and to train in the mission...I just have one left-to train)! 

Tuesday we got transferred and then were sent back to our areas..we came into the apt and it was disgusting because it was elders before so we cleaned, got moved in and went to work immediately

Wednesday-Friday we just went to work.  We went finding members in all the areas and getting all the paperwork organized! 

Yet, I can say that I haven't felt the spirit in some of the lessons like this week.  I testify that the Spirit is guiding this area, not me and we have been led through the spirit to so many who are less active but not on the list! We have had laughs and cries, but we are so anxious to continue here! The tender mercy of our work is we found 20 new investigators that we're teaching and we're excited to help them progress!
Sat- We had a baptism of Stephen that we only taught once but he's awesome and has given us so many referrals..he "Wants to be bishop someday" hahaha

Sun- We saw the fruits of our visits as we had less actives at church, ward council, and meeting with the ward missionaries.

We have so many plans for this ward and although it was SUPER hard to say bye to Escalante because it became home to me, here is where I need to be right now with my companion, Sister Person. She's great!!!!

Just an update on Christmas calls....President is SUPER strict so we only have 30 minutes to Skype this time and the earliest I can call here is 11 am on Christmas which is 8pm on Christmas Eve..sorry! Wish it was longer and not so late, but that's the rules!!!! I love you all and can't wait to talk to you! 

This work is real! This work is my life right now and am so grateful for how much I've grown and love this area already! The Spirit is real and will guide our lives if we let it! Enjoy and I will have more to update you next week..one pic is our zone activity earlier..bowling! 

xo

Sister Arnold

Halong pirme! ..yes back to illongo...both Sis. Person and I came from Cebuano but my Iillongo is just as good as when I left..blessings! She's starting from scratch so we're continuing to learn together!! xo

Expecting transfers unfortunately!

Maayong Buntag Family and Friends,

  This week was a crazy week and ended just as unexpectedly..

Monday and Tuesday- We were in Bacolod for Zone Nurse Training and the funny part was everyone found out I will be applying to Dental School so they were asking me..mom would enjoy this. One elder asked me "Sister, if my gums are bleeding even if I eat dried fish just now, what does that mean." I asked him "Elder, do you brush three times a day?" He looked puzzled "Well no, sister".. "Elder, do you floss at least once a day?" .."Well, does a tooth pick count?" ........hahah Different cultures, but they still have access to floss, etc. We laughed but glad I was able to help with at least the basics.  (And mom, I'm excited for you to look at my teeth..you'd be so impressed considering I brush 3 times a day and floss after every meal)....ha shocked?!!! ...me too!

Wednesday- We found out that one of the families that we just reactivated, the mom who even just gave us a referral passed away! The father has so many kids, a son with brain damage because he played computer games and did drugs, etc in college, his wife's mom living with them who is older, and has to work.  She was only 43 and it just makes us realize how fast time goes here on earth and at any time we could depart.  She also wasn't dressed in her temple clothes and the Branch Presidency asked Sis. Boncales and I to do it for the experience, but i'm pretty sure they asked President and got the no go. haha But,  I was shocked to hear that Roger Ludwig passed away..I miss him already. Man, ever since I was little those are my memories of him is him picking me up and tickling me until I would scream! So unexpected! How is the family? Was he sick still?

Thursday- We worked with the Branch missionaries and were able to have four of our investigators preparing to have a white Christmas! The Branch missionaries have been great and we have seen the help of the Branch members and especially them as they apologized for misjudging us as missionaries and realized what dad advised me in his email! So thank you!

Friday- Sick again. Same thing again with my stomach but I didn't eat any of the food that I'm not supposed to eat. I don't get it. 

Sat- We were back in action and worked so hard to make it to all our progressing Less actives and investigators so that they will make it to church! We found this really effective and we have built so many relationships with the members who were cold shouldered at first.  They sit us down and buy us pamahow (Snacks) and we just sit and are able to build on that relationship because sometimes like Grandpa Arnold said "Sometimes they just need a smile, a pat on the back, or to feel our love to realize that they are missed..and sometimes that's all it takes". How true it is and we've seen that sometimes we don't need to share a long message/lecture with them all the time, but more of a casual "Hi, we miss you".

Sun-We had church was was really great as we had fast sunday.  We fasted from Sat night to sun morning and we truly saw the blessings of it.  First time Less actives coming back to church, changes that are positive in the branch, success all around! Yet, our mission president is really pushing teaching in English to those who understand English, so if they are teachers here, they know english and are extremely educated and rich.  We had a less active I contacted for the first time and I took President's challenge and taught in english thinking it would be a piece of cake..not! Nose. BLEED! But, she was impressed! ha

Today, during personal study we were told not to shop at the market today and we received a text from President to update our area book.  We're getting white washed. This finally will be an elders area like we predicted.  President has gotten so strict here and changed so many things!  One things he changed is that we could be transferred at anytime-not just at the 6 week transfer..he noticed a tendency in numbers get low pagtransferday so he doesn't want us expecting.  Well, we were so excited to be companions still and in Escalante, but we'll find out tonight our new areas! So until next week, you'll find out! He also changed rules that we're not allowed to write letters to any other missionaries no matter where in the world they are...you all can imagine how hard that one was to hear!! ..especially with so many friends I have on missions, etc.  But, I've accepted his revelation and from it will come blessings in our work! 

Tyler looked sooooo HANDSOME in his date with Jessica! I truly admire her and send my respect to her. As a sister, it truly shows the character of a person when they can ask a special needs child to a dance, esp when she's popular and a cheerleader..sometime those people fear what others will think, but man I think he got as pampered as me for the dance and looked like a stud! That's my brother! Esp. on the dance floor! I agree with Grandma Jolene, I wish I was a fly on the wall for that one! 

Congrats to Cade on his baptism!
Branden is getting so big!
Happy Birthday to Ashley! I hope she had fun in Disneyland!

Grandma Jolene-take it easy, but missing Christmas music :)

Grandpa Earl- Love you!

Grandma Valerie- Thank you for all the pictures and updates

Grandpa Christiansen- Little by Little I'm adjusting to family history..i take after my mother, but hopefully the mission will change that. I"ll make you proud! haha

Jen- updates!!!!!!!

The church is true! I love this work, no matter where I'm placed and know that the Lord needs me in that area for a reason! Stay safe and happy this holiday season! Escalante is going big this Christmas Season..it's lighted all up! I pray for you all the time! 

xo Sister Arnold

Transfers...STAY :)!!

Maayong buntag!!

This week was such a great week!  It definitely had it's disappointments, but what made it so great was how we were able to overcome them all.  We had so many investigators that we committed to baptism but because reasons here and there, we decided to focus on the truly serious and elect.  We have one investigator Jessica who has had unshakeable faith despite her family, especially her husband not giving her the support she wishes.  She was supposed to be baptized last Saturday but because Satan made it hard for her to attend church her fourth week, she was unable to continue.  We re-gave her a new date in 5 weeks so that she has time to strengthen her faith, and truly be converted through the trials that will come up.  We are wanting to work with her husband so that he can have a change of heart and that progress has already started.  Jessica was given an experience to share her testimony with him and that's just the planting of the seed.  Sis. Jessica has already started giving tithing and she's not even a member and it's strengthened her testimony ALREADY.  She testifies of the truthfulness and blessings that come from paying tithing as she has been blessed tremendously! 

We also have our recent convert Jay and his girlfriend Ronelyn that attended the YSA activity held with Pres. Lopez and others!  Pres. Pancito, our branch president, met with him and asked if he had the desire to get married in the temple and he then expressed a desire to serve because of your talk to them and Pres. Plaza.  They both have the desire and are looking forward to his one year mark to serve.  They then have the desire to attend the temple to get married.  I was so excited to watch their desire and even if we said you should get married, they wouldn't agree..that's how strong their faith and desire is! The light and excitement in his eyes is amazing!

We have had challenges with the branch missionaries in our branch , but through my personal studies I have understood how to overcome them and it all starts with my conduct and example as a missionary! We have changes to change here and I know that this extra transfer with Sis. Boncales is going to be a good one.  We will have been together for four transfers now because none of the sisters got transferred, but we have so many goals and things we want to accomplish.  We are so grateful for the companionship we have, one that is divine, that makes the things we want to accomplish possible because of the Spirit we have!

Attached is pictures of me and sister Boncales, because of the rain...you can just see what happened..we both ate it!
The other is a picture with the Branch missionaries and all them will want to add me on FB and for you guys to post it on FB for them to see! haha ..there's a reason why my face is like that..inside story!

I am so excited for Thanksgiving! ..even though it's not Celebrated but I will be eating Chicken in honor of it! take lots of pictures so that you can send them to me! Happy Thanksgiving to all! Stay safe and remember the true meaning of Thanksgiving! This week, I am thankful for my family, the gospel, and my testimony of this gospel and work! I know it's true and thank you for all the love and support and LETTERS...I've been nicknamed "Miss popular" by the mission because I am the missionary who receives the most mail, but its thanks to you all! Love you all! xo
Sister Arnold

Thank you President,
Sister Arnold