Narvacan!

Naimbug Na Malim!

   Hahaha I have no idea if that was correct. That is good afternoon in Ilokano! So so much has happened this week including transfers so drumroll....I am now in...Narvacan Ilocos Sur! Mama I didn't get to read your entire email yet pero I saw that you were guessing where I would be transferred. I love that you know so many areas! Haha I don't think I saw Narvacan in there. Although you did guess Santa Maria which is an area right by ours! In the beginning of this week Sister Nott and I were sad to know that it would soon be goodbye and I was especially sad to know I would have to leave Baguio, my second area on the mission that I have grown to love so much. On Wednesday I got a call from President Balledos asking if I would accept the calling of becoming a sister training leader. I was happy to accept the calling but maybe a little hesitant as well. But then he asked if I would serve as an STL in the Narvacan zone. I couldn't say yes quicker! I had been wanting to go to Narvacan since it became a zone!

     There are 3 main regions that make up our mission. The middle region I was in in San Fernando, the southern region I was in in Baguio, and I had really really been hoping to serve in the northern region! The thing is that foreigners are not normally sent to the northern region just because it can be less safe at times lalo na sa (especially) in times of political conflict like elections. I had been hoping to go to Candon or Narvacan and my wish came true! I am actually the only foreigner sister in the zone which is way intimidating but way exciting! I hope to really polish my tagalog and hopefully begin really learning some Ilokano up here. There are some people that we are teaching who only speak Ilokano so the sooner I learn some the better! My beautiful companion is Sister Perez! She is from Cebu! She actually went to BYU H for 2 years! She speaks really great english and is so sweet and patient with me. She and her former companion opened this area the transfer before, so she and I are both pretty new to the area and to being STLs. But we are so excited for this transfer! We really see some great things ahead :)

      In the 5 days that I have been here we have already been able to work with many members from the ward, set specific dates for baptisms of our investigators, and find some great new investigators and even some less actives! Since this area was just opened, we don't know everything about the area and seem to meet another less active every hour or so haha. So there is lots to do kaya (therefore) Sister Perez and I are napaka(so very)excited for this transfer! I have already started to get a tan and I really do feel like I am where I am supposed to be here in Narvacan. Sorry this is such a cheesy email but I am just really excited to be here. Of course there are times where I miss the amazing people of Baguio, including Sister Nott! But I know this is where I am supposed to be.

      To hopefully give this email some sort of substance I would love to share an experience we had yesterday. We had Brother and Sister Ruiz work with us. They are a somewhat newly wed couple in our ward. They are both return missionaries and since they don't have kids yet, they spend their time travelling, doing photography, and working with missionaries. They are the coolest people ever! Brother Ruiz's sense of humor reminds me of my brothers in law so that makes working with them even more of a joy. But anyway so we were on our way to the home of a less active and Sister Perez and I were a little caught up in our conversation until we finally noticed Bro and Sis Ruiz weren't right behind us anymore. Brother had stopped to talk to a man sitting with his son. This man that I never even noticed. His name is Henry. Bro Ruiz was talking to him about his shirt and hat because they said Hawaii on them. He told the man that I was from Hawaii and we got talking. (Side note: there are soooo many people here who have family in Hawaii kaya there are so many hawaii things all around! Little pieces of home everywhere haha.)

       Anyway so Brother Ruiz is way magaling and got this man who seemed not very interested in speaking to us, to let us into his home! We entered in his front gate and saw his wife was sweeping their front yard area, (yes people here sweep grass) and she seemed even LESS interested in meeting us. She looked up for a second and looked back down to her sweeping immediately. But in that second she looked up, Sister Perez was able to catch her eye and so she looked back up from her sweeping and asked "Are you the ones that I hear speaking Bisaya all the time?" Sister Perez's native dialect is Bisaya and so was her former companion so I guess in the last transfer, she would hear Sister Perez and Sister Rozal speaking to each other in that dialect. Sister Perez said yes and the woman lit up automatically. She started talking with Sister Perez and I probably understood 3 words haha but it was alright because she was so happy tears seemed to coming to her eyes.

       We soon came to the knowledge of a major financial problem that she and her husband were facing. Earlier that day the husband had payed for something with 1000 peso bill but he thought it was 100. The person didn't give any change back and he left. That 1000 was going to support them and their 4 children for at least the next week. I didn't fully understand the problem but for some reason they really didn't think they were going to be able to get the money back. But we were able to express that we knew there was a reason we had met them and we shared with them right away about how Jesus Christ has a gospel and can help us no matter what our trials may be. They were listening so attentively and I think it was because they were in such a humbling circumstance. Brother Henry had to get up and go somewhere about half way through but we taught Sister (we learned her name is Baby :) how to pray. We all testified of how the gospel can bless us especially can bless our families. Then we asked Sister Baby to give the closing prayer and ask God to help them through their problem. She got about halfway through but was crying to hard to finish. Brother Ruiz finished it for her and right as he said Amen, brother Henry, came up on his motor scooter and had gotten the money back.

     Sister Baby threw her arms around us and thanked us. We told her never to forget what she was feeling and that she is a daughter of Heavenly Father who is always watching out for her. This is now my invitation for you all. Never ever forget that you have a Heavenly Father who doesn't only love you, but is all powerful and will give you what you need, in the time that you need it. But we need to do our part by keeping the commandments. All of them whether great or small like prayer. This is all I will have time to share! I have my camera but no place to plug it in on this computer :( So next week na lang. I am so so excited to show you the beauty of Narvacan and my companion! Hope everyone has an even better week than the last! Love you all!

- Sister Sawada

Magulo Pa Rin!

Hey everyone!

    Sorry this email will be way short because I am chatting with you mom which is so great! It is making me so sooo happy :) But this was a great week! Most likely my last full week here in Baguio. And now I am a little more than sure that my time has come to transfer. I am one of the few missionaries here in the Baguio zone that has been in Baguio for 6 months and the rest are all 4 1/2 or less months out here. But anyway I will find out for sure this week Wednesday and if I am transferring, I will transfer on Thursday.

    This week was a little different with another typhoon hitting our area pretty strong, we were told to stay inside for Friday evening and all of Saturday and even the church attendance on Sunday was a lot less than usual. And since Saturday was such terrible weather, the Bamba's baptism will be postponed yet another week :( but they are only getting more prepared and excited as these weeks go by so that's great haha.

     My teary eyed moment for this week came when Brother Bamba and Stephen came to church even though most people used the weather as an excuse not to come and Benilda has the chicken pox. They came! Then, since brother Ben received the priesthood last week, we was asked to bless the sacrament. He went right up to the stand, shaking people's hands on his way up, and sat there with such confidence! Enough to bring a couple tears to my eyes. He said the sacrament prayer flawlessly and just solidified my testimony of the Priesthood and the power that it really holds. I love this gospel! I have seen it bless my own life and now I get to introduce it to others to have it bless them as well! We had some other great lessons this week including with the Cases family but they still haven't come to church :/ I hope that will change! Well I have a lot of pictures to send to you guys and am running out of time. I just hope you all understand how blessed it can be to have a knowledge of the truth, and then to act upon it. There is nothing better that we could do in this life. I love you all! Have a great week! I will most likely be emailing you from my new are next week! Bye!!

- Sister Sawada

P.S. Congratulations Chloe Kava on your mission call!!! I am so so sooo proud of you and happy for you! I know you will not regret this decision no matter how hard it may get. Email me! Also, Aunty Cathy thank you so much for your letter and the pictures of Cassie's wedding! She and Christy and everyone else in the pictures look so great and so happy! And by the way, yes we eat so so many papayas here! I actually buy a big papaya all for myself each week because it is my favorite to eat for breakfast and sometimes for dinner! That is so funny you would ask about that specific fruit because it is probably my favorite here. Also frozen bananas...jac ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24/7 Missionary

Hello Family!

   Sorry this is going to be a short email. Today has been quite a crazy day! I am not sure how much the news is talking about it in America, but a typhoon has hit the Philippines and for the first time it is pretty close to us! We are lucky to be safe and our area has not much damage. But we are in a brown out right now. Luckily this internet cafe is somehow open so we are just quickly getting some email time in and will try to find somehwhere that we can shop.

    This was a really great week. It was tough at the beginning and I was really starting to feel drained and like I have been in this area for just too long. So our trizone conference came just in time! President Balledos had really been preparing for this conference. Weeks in advance he had been giving us things to study in Preach my Gospel and other things to do in preparation. Sister Nott and I were also asked to give one of the workshops. The entire conference was focused on Chapter 10 of PMG which is teaching skills. We also focused on how to utilize our missionary daily planners. It's funny because teaching is something we do every day and of course our planners are something that we use every day. So you would think that we would be pretty magaling (talented/good at) in these areas. But this conference helped me to realize just how much I can improve in these areas!

    I wish I could explain the entire conference but it was so well done. There was something I learned with each minute but to summarize it all. I realized that I needed to be striving more to be a 24/7 missionary. I had been going most days being pleased with being a 10-12 hour missionary. After getting home from proselyting, I would enjoy just sitting in my chair doing nothing for as much as 30 minutes because of being so tired haha. But the Lord hasn't given me 10-12 hours a day to be a missionary. He has given me every hour of ever day of 18 months to be His missionary. At some points in the conference I found myself thinking that President was asking too much of us. He introduced new ways to set goals and teach lessons and I thought that it just wouldnt be possible to do what he was asking of us. But the thought came to me that if I decided to use every hour to it's fullest, it might actually be possible.

    Sister Nott and I applied the things we learned right away and saw such success! We found 9 new investigators this week, 8 of which we found after the conference which was on Friday. We also were able to extend a baptismal invitation to the Cases family and they accepted! It was the most progress we have seen in the area this transfer. God has seen our desires to repent and change and because of our hard work, he has blessed us for it! Oh and real quick about the Bambas, their baptism was supposed to be Saturday but Brother Bamba didn't get the priesthood until yesterday, so he will be baptizing them this Saturday instead! We are so excited for it and they are even more excited! That's all I will have time to share this week. I love you guys so much! Please pray for the people who are in more danger as typhoon Luis continues. Love you!

Love,

Sister Sawada

Mabuting Gawain

Hi Everyone!
    Another week has come and gone here in Burnham! Hard times keep hitting Sister Nott and I but I'm excited to share about the wonderful fast and testimony meeting that we had that helped me really change my attitude at this point of my mission.

    This week was another rough one where Sister Nott and I and I started getting pretty frustrated and even just wanted to give up. I just kept thinking to myself "I just need a new week so I can start over." It was like I was being prepared to really have a humble mindset at this fast Sunday approached. We got to the church earlier than usual and were expecting to see the usual attendance of the Bamba family, some less active members and hopefully some investigators that we had invited. The minutes kept ticking and none of them were showing up. I thought "well that's not a huge surprise considering the week we had." We went in and sat in the front of the congregation and even with the frustration I wanted to feel, I couldn't help but be content sitting inside the church, partaking of the sacrament and feeling the sabbath spirit that can make me so happy.

    Then our fast and testimony meeting started and it seemed that everyone had just as rough a week as Sister Nott and I, if not worse. Sister Escote our relief society president shared about humbling herself in tough circumstances. Then Brother James Velasco, a single adult preparing for his mission shared a tear filled testimony and scriptures in D&C 122 about overcoming trials. Before too long, after a few more testimonies along the same theme, the whole congregation seemed to be in tears. It was such a crazy feeling. Because although we all seemed to be at some of our weakest points as a ward, there was a strength we were all receiving from being together, and sharing these words with one another.

     I decided to go up and share my testimony about doing good. That is the title of my email. Mabuting Gawain or "Good works". I wanted to encourage the members. They all were sharing about how they had faced difficult times, yet they continued to choose the right while amidst these trials. I got up to the pulpit and looked out to see the congregation about double in size than it was when sacrament meeting had started. The whole Bamba family was there, including Brother Bamba wearing a white shirt and tie for the first time. Tears came to my eyes before I even got to start! But I shared D&C 64:33 that says something along the lines of "Be not weary in well doing for you are laying the foundation of a great work." I wanted all of the members who were struggling to know that just by small and simple choices for good, they are laying a foundation for something great. Like Nephi, we may not know what we are laying the foundation for, but we can be confident that if we are following the commandments and teachings of our Savior, it will be great.

      Then Brother Bamba went up and shared the greatest testimony I had ever heard! So sayang because I don't have anymore time to email! But I will share more about his testimony next week and the progress of their family. (Spoiler alert: they are doing soooo great!) After that meeting I literally felt like a new person. Don't be afraid to turn to your fellow members and try to gain strength from them. Or if you are feeling extra strong some days, find those that you can strengthen. That is my invitation for you all. Love you guys so sooo much! I wrote you all a letter and will be sending it today. Hope you get it soon. Hope you guys have a great week. Take care! Bye!

Maligayang Season ng Pasko!!!

This is Julia. Please make sure you read the post right after this one too. My mom was in Utah so we're giving you both messages today...sorry about the delay :)

 

Happy "Ber" month everyone!

    Today is the first of September which marks the official start of Christmas season here in the Philippines. It has got to be one of the greatest tradition they have here. They already have ornament being sold in the malls and mini Christmas trees! They don't have Halloween or Thanksgiving to get in the way of pure, Christmas celebration :) I have attached a picture that Sister Nott and I took a couple of months ago in anticipation of Christmas season haha. We are really stuck on this whole gangster thing...not sure why. Hope you enjoy!

     Other than that, this has been a really rough week. Sister Nott and I have been going from door to door getting punted and rejected. It's funny though because my attitude is better than some other weeks! It was almost satisfying getting rejected so many times. And the people here in the Philippines are so courteous, they never reject you directly. But this week, we finally experienced a man flat out tell us "No. I don't want." and it was so refreshing! haha of course him saying "yes! yes! please come back to visit me!" would be a lot more exciting. If only life were perfect.

      The reason I think I can still be satisfied with the way this week turned out was because we were still working our very hardest. We were literally running some days to try to get some more enthusiasm and energy for the work. And our positive attitudes have seemed to help with the few that let us teach them haha. The Bamba family is doing so so great. Brother and Sister both have callings now. Brother Bamba is preparing to receive the priesthood and we are planning him to be the one to baptize Stephen and Benilda! They have an official baptismal date for September 13 :) We are so so excited and confident that they are prepared. 

     The Cases family, the family who I mentioned in my last email are doing great as well. Unfortuantely their daughter got sick and they didn't come to church. But we are hoping they will come next week! The father of the family is so honest with us and we really appreciate it. He tells us it's hard to believe. Especially as we have been teaching him about our pre earth life and how we will still have a life after this one on earth, no matter how kind he is and how much he wants to take our word for it, he questions us and expresses how it's a difficult idea for him. It's perfect that he isn't willing to take our word for it because then we explained to him the power of prayer and personal revelation. People mistake revelation to be some huge thing that only really holy people can receive. But everyone is entitled to revelation or in other words communication from God. Feelings, thoughts, and things we read in the scriptures are the most common way God will give us revelation. He will give us an answer. What is important is our approach and our follow up. As we ask God our question or bring to him our concern, the Prophets have taught us how it is important to be specific, sincere, and faithful. Then after we have felt, thought of, or read the answer, then we need to act on it. It continues to show our faith and hope in God. I know this is true and as we shared this with Brother Cases, he seemed excited to take his question to God. We can all be excited to talk to God every day!

      Those are the main areas of progression from this week. I saw that Jules and Lyle made it onto wheel of fortune! What the!!!! I am so proud! I will seriously tell every one that I see. Even if it's not on tv here haha. Also, mama that looks like a way great trip you had to Utah. Brother's living in new heritage? I bet he's really gonna like it. It's so nice and new and a really good social place. I bet all of heritage is new heritage by now. That's crazy. Also, I received the package from the YW and from you guys. Thank you so so much. It was so great to hear from all of you and I am working on letters to write in response :) Hopefully they will get to you in a month or so haha. That's really all I have to report this week! I love you all. My love for everything seems to grow each day. We are just so lucky to be children of our Heavenly Father who has made a perfect plan for us.

       The last picture I have attached is of Sister Galera and I! She has transferred up to LaTrinidad so we are way close! This picture was this morning at our combined zone activity. I really missed her so much! Well that's all for this week. Love you all so much! Have a great week and talk to you next week! Bye!

- Sister Sawada

 

 

Kapangyari​han ng Banal na Kasulatan

What a great week!

    I mean I don't want to get your hopes too high but all in all this was just a really good week for Sister Nott and I :) The title of this week is scripture power! I have really been able to gain a testimony of the power the scriptures hold. It makes sense that they would be so strongly endorsed by every prophet who ever lived because they are just so beneficial to us. It has made me so happy to hear about all of your guys experiences with reading the Book of Mormon in STOMP this year. I remember when reading 3 chapters a day seemed impossible and now I wish I had more than the quick hour we are given each day to study the scriptures.
     I noticed that you have all mentioned how you are blessed by reading the scriptures. Mika mentioned that both she and Justin felt that their days ran smoother and they communicated better on days that they read the Book of Mormon together. Mommy and Jaclyn shared how they love getting read the stories again and learn new lessons and also saw improvement in their lives just by doing something as simple as reading the words from a book. But this is evidence to us that the Book of Mormon is not just any other book.

     When I was on exchanges a couple of weeks ago Sister Nott and Sister Oco found a family in our area and shared a quick message with them. Since then, Sister Nott and I have tried contacting them ulit (again) but never seemed to find the time. But this week we finally shared a message with them. In the couple of weeks that we hadn't been there, they had read the first few pages of the Book of Mormon and were very very interested in what we had to share. They were so interested that they said we could come back the very next day. On that day, the son who is 11 years old had read the entire pamphlet about the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He had questions about the Holy Ghost and was already able to converse with us about how things like the Priesthood and the Book of Mormon are available to us in our day through the prophet Joseph Smith. When we shared about the Holy Ghost the father mentioned that he thinks that is what he felt the first time we visited them because as we shared, he was filled with a curiosity and desire to learn more, especially about the Book of Mormon.
     As you can imagine, we were awe struck and SO happy haha. The daughter of this family seems to be the most skeptical because although she is young, she is very active in her calling in the catholic church and school that she attends. But the great thing is that she has such a deep knowledge of the Bible. So as we teach these truths to her, although they are new for her at this time, they make sense to her because of how well she understands the holy writings of true prophets of God. They are filled with so much curiosity and I know it is the Holy Spirit whispering to them that these things we are teaching them will lead them to good things in their lives. And so they should continue learning about it. They were able to attend our ward home evening that we had Saturday night and we hope that soon they will sacrifice their attendance at the Catholic church and try to attend with us in our Sunday meetings.

      I want to share so much more about them but I am trying to get out of the habit of sharing too much information about people and I never seem to have enough time :( haha. But I wanted to share the experience that we have had with them to support the fact that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. No one has been able to or will ever be able to say contrary. The best part about the Book of Mormon is that coming to know whether it is true or not comes at such a low cost. We don't have to pay anyone. We don't have to exert a huge amount of physical effort. All we need is a desire to know. A sincere, heartfelt effort to ask God if it is true. And then the patience and humility to receive an answer whether it is the answer we are expecting or not. It isn't easy, but it's definitely possible and definitely worth it. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know that it blesses families and individuals no matter their size, color, financial circumstance, or whatever. I know it because I have seen it and felt it in others and in myself. I leave these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

 

 

Transfers

Magandang hapon!

     Today was our zone training that we have at the beginning of each transfer and it was so good! We have a lot of new missionaries here in the Baguio zone. So yes, I am still here in Baguio! That means that I will hit my one year here and only be in my second area haha. But I think I remember mentioning to you guys how it has been my wish since the beginning of my mission to just have 3 areas. To be in each area for 6 months which would allow me to really dig deep in the area and get to know the people much better than I could in 3 or 4 months. My wish has been granted so far! And I think this last transfer here in Baguio is going to be the best. I am still with Sister Nott! We really have a great companionship going and we are ready to attack this new transfer. 

      Unfortunately this transfer is having a rough start considering three days this week we couldn't leave the house. A couple of weeks ago on exchanges I may or may not have slipped and fallen a few times. Since then my back has been really achy. I didn't think much of it and continued working. But last week it really got bad and we got it checked up. The doctor gave me some medication and told us to go back to him in a week if it doesn't improve. Tomorrow will be one week since we visited him and I feel like we are gonna have to go back to him. It feels the same and is swelling up now and then. So sadly, since we walk for about 7 hours a day Sister Balledos has recommended that we stay home. Not only that, but my amazing and caring companion has made it pretty much bawal (forbidden) for me to leave my bed haha. I'm actually not a huge fan of getting served so this has been a good humbling experience for me. But I am excited to see what we can get done when we go back to the doctor tomorrow to get back out working.

       Since we were home for most of this week, we don't have much to report. So I guess I will just share what I learned in our zone training kaninang umaga (earlier this morning) because it was sooo good! Sadly this transfer Sister Nott and I had to say goodbye to like our best friends in the mission. One of them is Elder Ete. I think you guys are familiar with him because we have been together almost my whole mission! He is my "dad" which is my first district leader. And he was for my first 2 transfers. Then when I came to Baguio, he came up as well and became my zone leader until now! Also, he is going home the same time as me!! I am so lucky because most missionaries parents go home pretty early on in their mission. It was sad saying goodbye to him but our new zone leader is Elder Masame. Another great friend of mine on the mission! It's funny how the rotation kind of works in the mission. You figure with transfers everyone gets scattered around but it ultimately turns into a rotation and those who you start out with, you kind of stay with, and there may be a few new people here and there. Which is fun, but sayang (kind of sad) because I love meeting new people! But anyway we were in San Fernando zone together before and now he's in Baguio. He gave the workshop today and it was really great.

      He started out by asking how the words, understand, agency, ask and faith relate to each other. He told us that they are all essential to ministering. What is the difference between teaching and ministering? We were all a little stumped but throughout the workshop we came to realize how ministering and teaching are relatable, but here on the mission and in life in general if you are trying to become a true disciple of Jesus Christ, you need to learn to be not just a teacher, but to be a minister as well. And then we watched this video called ministering! Can you guys watch it for FHE this week? It is so good. Elder Masame pointed out that the people in the video used the ALDT cycle as they went from home to home. ALDT stands for ask, listen, discern and teach. This is a great cycle for us missionaries but it can apply to anything important! Studying for school, gaining strong relationships, and sharing the gospel as member missionaries! Please watch the video and apply the things you learn! 

       Alright I really think that's all for this week. I am glad everyone is safe from the possible storms last week! I love you all! Have a great week! Please pray for our area and my back if you can :) Thank you! Until next week.

- Sister Sawada