Monday, October 27, 2014

Monday, October 27, 2014

   EVERYONE!!!

How did the last week just fly by like this?! I cannot believe that we are into our second week now. I don't know where all that time went. The first week was definitely SOOOO long and sooooo challenging, but this week has been a good one. I received so much strength and comfort from reading you guys' emails last week and I thank you all so much. As usual, we have an hour of emailling and as we all know, that is not enough time to say everything, but here are some of my highlights of the past week.

MY RELATIONSHIP WITH SISTER MULLER IS GOING WELL. I am so, so happy about this. So, so grateful. The first week was a little tough because like I said, we aren't the same person, but after going with her to the temple last week and being able to laugh with her and be more of ourselves, we get along well now. I've been praying alot about this because I wanted to be able to develop a relationship with my companion, and God truly answers prayers. Can't stress how important that is and how amazing it is to know that there is a Heavenly Father who answers my prayers. We had our first companionship inventory this week and it went really well. We tol each other things to improve on as well as things we liked about each other. It was a neat experience. For all you guys who know me....I HATE talking about my feelings. (Ahem Ether) It takes me FOREVER to say what I am thinking, and so before we began the inventory I was sooooo scared. But...you know, that was a new moumntain I conquered, and for that I am grateful!!!! Can't wait to tell you  more about Sister Muller and I as these next weeks go by.

TEO HOUSEHOLD, REPRESENT!!! First in line to eat, first to speak in sacrament meeting on my FIRST Sunday?!?!?!?! For real though, the elders and sisters in my district always laugh at me because I am always the first to get food. And on Sunday, it was whoever-gets-called-up-by-the-President-gets-to-speak, and GUESS WHO HAD THE BEST LUCK IN THE WORLD (sarcasm)?! ME!!! Good thing I went prepared and that they picked me to talk on the topic I had already prepped myself on. Wonderful! :) The MTC is great. I LOVE THE MANILA MTC SO MUCH. It is so small and that means you basically know everyone. Well, almost everyone. What a blessing. I surely wouldve felt SO lost in the Provo MTC. I guess all things happen for a reason!!!

SO I FORGOT TO SAY LAST WEEK, I AM A SISTER-TRAINING-LEADER! Speaking of last week though, I was honestly SO out of it. Started crying immediately when I opened my email. This week I'm doing good, so....not a whole lot of tears :) Although I definitely still miss you all so much!!! BUT UMM, YES! I am an STL. Sister-training-leader. How cool is that? It's a funny story, pretty long one that I won't get into right now, but basically there were like 2 times that I thought they would release me from being an STL. And both times, NOTHING! President Beck (MTC President) said that he wanted me to keep being an STL. Sooo...I'm an STL! Our jobs aren't too hard. Not as hard as being District leader or Zone leader. STLs just look after the sisters and report to the meetings every Sunday. It's pretty cool stuff :)

WENT TO THE TEMPLE AGAIN TODAY! So blessed to be right across from the Manila temple. Went with my entire district and it was the best. The peace and quiet that I feel when I am in the temple...can't beat that feeling. Especially since missionary schedules are so packed, 24/7 (aside from sleeping), being able to have quiet time is AMAZING.

WE ARE STILL TEACHING PROGRESSING INVESTIGATORS THIS WEEK. One is Adam Pascua and the other is Janny Dela Cruz. I love them so much and want them to know of the happiness that I know of and feel. It's tough learning to prepare for the lessons, especially since I have to speak in Tagalog, but...you know! It'll come along. Still trying, still learning- that's the key, right?!

WE SAID BYE TO THE SENIOR BATCH OF MISSIONARIES ON WEDNESDAY, BUT WE RECEIVED NEW ONES TODAY! Largest intake of the year. 120 missionaries in total. It was HARD saying goodbye to the missionaries on Wednesday, especially to the Filipinos. I know that I probably won't ever see them again and I just felt so...proud of them, seeing them go out into their missions. But today we welcomed the new kids and I cannot believe that I was just in their shoes 2 weeks ago. How insane?! I'm trying to be as welcoming as possible. They are definitely in for a ride!!! The first week will be tough. But I am excited to grow with my new friends and help them feel at home.

I love you all so, so much. I think of you guys often and it drives me. It motivates me. Families can be together FOREVER. I KNOW that. I feel so blessed to be sharing my beliefs with the people of the Philippines, WHO, by the way, I am starting to love SO much. Also, filipino food is the bomb dot com. Gotta learn to cook.........!!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK EVERYONE! Dad, thank you for your email. I definitely think of your own mission experience alot. It always brings tears to my eyes when I think of what you had to go through to serve for 2 years. If you could do it, then I can too. Mom, thanks for being worried about my jewelry being snatched off. Don't worry, I'll save my bling just for the MTC. When I go out I'll wear less bling :)

Gladys and Krystal- MISS YOU GUYS' PRETTY FACES!!!!!! STUDY HARD IN SCHOOL! I promise you won't regret it.

EVERYONE ELSE- UM SEND ME HANDWRITTEN LETTERS?!?!??!?! It is hard to read everyone's emails in one hour...and I'd love some snail mail :)

BUT I LOVE YOU ALL! I Pray for EVERYONE always.

With love,
Sister Teo

P.S More pictures in separate emails!

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P.P.S Sorry these pictures come in separate emails!!! This email thing only lets us send 15 MB pictures at one time.......grh.
P.P.P.S I thought I would miss technology. Like my iPhone and everything.....but...I'm doing well! No withdrawals :) Maybe music withdrawals, but I solve that by singing with my district :) We're a cool bunch :)

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Saturday, October 18, 2014
Pictures:



FAMILY AND FRIENDS:
     At the time of me writing this I have not yet opened up ANY of you guys' emails! I don't want to yet because I have so much to tell you all and honestly, when I turned the computer on I didn't even know where to start with telling you all that I love you and miss you. I HAVE SO MUCH MAIL IN MY EMAIL INBOX I LOVE IT! Also because I am a crier, I am legitimately crying as I am writing this email. I miss you all so much and I feel like I am getting free time out of jail or something! Well, just kidding. The MTC isn't prison. But you guys get what I mean! I LOVE YOU ALL! I LOVE THESE 60 MINUTES OF EMAIL TIME BECAUSE YOU BET I AM HITTING AWAY AT THIS KEYBOARD!!!!!!!!!!!! FRANTICALLY HITTING AWAY! And also weirdly sobbing in front of this computer.
      BUT LETS GET STARTED.
      KUMUSTA PO?!?!?!?!??!?!?! How are you guys?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!
      SO MANY THINGS TO SAY, NOT SURE IF I HAVE ENOUGH TIME. I WROTE AN ENTIRE LIST DOWN BUT NOW IM TOO AFRAID TO TAKE IT OUT BECAUSE I DONT WANT TO WASTE TIME LOOKING AT IT AND THEN THINKING IT THROUGH. I AM LITERALLY SO HAPPY TO WRITE THIS EMAIL AND I AM JUST GOING TO TELL YOU ALL ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING THAT COMES TO MY MIND.
     FIRST THINGS FIRST ---- although seriously though, guys, I am so happy to write to you. Lots of tears being shed among the sisters now. We are an emotional group. But I love them all ----
     GOD IS GOOD, GOD IS GREAT. My MTC District is the greatest. We are the NEPHI District (GO NEPHITES!) and I am the only Chinese girl here for MILLLLLLEEEESSSS. No kidding. I kid you not. Everyone else here is Filipino, or Polynesian (but from New Zealand/Australia), or Micronesian, like my companion. I am the only Chinese girl here and I guess I feel...special?!?!?!?!? Just kidding. The Lord loves us ALL no matter what. But YES!!!! Best MTC district. We have bonded so well over this last week and I don't even know where to begin. There is a great unity and I can feel it. I am so blessed. On Tuesday (or Wednesday...I forget which day) each of us sisters were feeling SOOOO down and homesick and we all got a blessing from the only 2 elders in our district, Elder Brunt and Elder Clark. They blessed us so beautifully and in my own blessing, Elder Clark said something that stuck with me so deeply that I want to share with you all. He said, "God knew that this would happen and so He blessed you with a sisterhood of unity. We bless you to be able to draw strength from this sisterhood."
     SAY WHAAA? God knows us, yes? He does. I testify of that. That blessing I got was so powerful and gave me strength to keep going. I know, I know. Only the first week and already needing blessings? Well, who doesn't? We should always remember that the Lord is there to give us guidance and comfort whenever we need it. His love is unconditional.
     THE LANGUAGE IS TOUGH TO PICK UP, BUT I'M GETTING THERE. Something way cool, though, this last week we taught our first investigator here at the MTC, and I think it was after our second lesson...but Sister Muller (my companion) came out of the room with me after we were done and she just looked at me and said, "How did you say all of that in Tagalog?" I was shocked. I couldn't even remember what I said, but I KNOW that I was talking. It was amazing, realizing that the gift of tongues is real. Because it IS. Because that whole lesson, I had no idea what to say. But I tried my best. I prayed so hard. Sister Muller prayed so hard. And the words just came, I guess. I pray so hard everyday that I will be able to get the language down. Because I WANT to be able to teach the Filipinos. I know that teaching happens through the Holy Ghost, yes, I know, but...you know, I've got to put in my effort to get something in return!!!!!!!!!
     SO IF YOU GUYS THINK THAT THE CHINESE DRIVE CRAZY, WAIT TILL YOU GET ON THE ROADS HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES. The first night I got here, the driver that took me to the airport was a CRAAAAZZZZYYYYYYY driver. It was INSANEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. Also he played music really loud so...you know, tender mercy of the Lord right there because you BET i was jamming to music on the way to the hotel!!!! I mean, not like in a crazy, non-sister-missionary-like way, but...still jamming nonetheless. So thankful that the Filipinos love music. Can't wait for Christmas to come around!!!! They'll be singing karaoke all night longggg!!!!!
     I'M NOT SURE IF I'LL BE ABLE TO SEND YOU GUYS PICTURES TODAY :( MOM/DAD/ anyone at home, did I have a camera cord when we bought the camera????? The SD card for the camera doesn't fit into anything at this computer and so....until I am able to get a camera cord to connect it to the computer...I have nada pictures :( And I AM SO SAD ABOUT THAT!!!! I took a lot of pictures!!! Wanted to send them all :( But.......we'll see. Maybe next week. Don't worry! I am still healthy. Not gaining any weight because I control my food portions, and also we have rice like every meal and I LOVE RICE AND I KNOW HOW TO CONTROL MY RICE PORTIONS. SO it's all good. But YAAAA be rest assured, I'll have pictures for you when I can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And please if you find a camera cord back home.....probably in the box or something but I'm not quite sure.....CAN YOU SEND IT OVER!!! Like DHL it or something to the MTC address:

Sister Kimberly Teo
Philippines Manila Mission
Philippines Missionary Training Center
13 Temple Dr, White Plains Ave
Greenmeadows Subd, Quezon City
1110 Metro Manila
Philippines

PACKAGES AND MAIL ALIKE CAN BE RECEIVED AT THE PHILIPPINES MANILA MTC. JUST SAYING.
     I love you all so much, I would tell you every single thing but now I realize what people mean by the saying that "A MISSION IS YOUR BEST KEPT SECRET."
     Keep praying for me, because I pray for all of you. It is SO hard. So, so hard. Sometimes I wonder why I even came out here. Some days are harder than others. Sometimes I go to sleep at night crying. Yesterday I had the WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO ESCORT MY COMPANION, SISTER MULLER, THROUGH THE TEMPLE and when I got into the Celestial room i just BAWLED my eyes out. I was so humbled and so strained down by this last week that I just cried to my Heavenly Father and begged Him to help me do this. Because I don't know that I can, alone. But I know that WITH HIS HELP, and through the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I will be able to.
     I LOVE YOU ALL AND I MISS YOU ALL AND 1 HOUR IS NOT ENOUGH TO SAY EVERYTHING THAT I NEED TO, BUT I LOVE THE PHILIPPINES AND I AM TRYING MY BEST, EVERY DAY. Every day I wake up and tell myself to keep going.
     I got this here. Take care of yourselves and know that I pray for you guys ALWAYS. (Starting to cry again)
BE SAFE. Pray. Love God. He is good. and He is great.

With love,
Sister Teo
P.s Looks like there won't be pictures this time...I apologize :( NEXT TIME!!!!!!!!

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      No time!!!!! but here are some [pictures] hopefully they send through.
      MOM DAD I REALLY NEED A CAMERA CORD BECAUSE WE ARE ALL ONLY SHARING CORDS AND IT SUCKS BECAUSE THERES NO TIME FOR US ALL; TO DO IT.....what should I do!??!?!?!?!?!??!?
      Ok but um while the pictures are loading I'll keep typing ummmm.....
     Lets see...what other cool things...
     Oh so my original companion's name is sister lookubaloosooriyage.............but she didn’t show up :( i pray that she is alright though and that heavenly father is still watching over her ever if she is just back home now but um yeah but companion NOW is Sister Muller from Micronesia. We are definitely not birds of the same feather but I LOVE HER and I am trying my best to love her and be a good companion myself.
      What else...
"Adam fell that men might be and men are that they might have joy:
      I know this is so true. I am so grateful for the plan of salvation and grateful for the fall and grateful for everything that has come to pass in the eternal scheme of things. I know that heavenly father is wise and knows what he is doing. I may not entirely know what my purpose is here in the Philippines yet but I am trying. I am trying so hard. I know I’ve said that a lot now but I really am. I say a prayer literally every hour, in my heart, because sometimes I don’t know how I’m going to get through it. The mtc is SOOOO tiring. But so fun. Especially because I have a good district to work with. I have good friends. And that is blessing I am so thankful for.
      I bear my testimony that I KNOW this church is true. I KNOW that there is a god who loves his children.
     Today we teach a new investigator and I pray that the spirit will guide us.
      SO MANY STORIES GUYS.
     Also yes i see that the pictures are sending through. sorry there are only those few but ummmm i will send some more next time.

I LOVE YOU ALL BYE!!!!!!!!

With love,
Sister Teo

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     EW I JUST REALIZED I SENT UGLY PICTURES....HAHA JUST KIDDING WE ARE BEAUTIFUL SISTERS.
     Um I promise I have more flattering photos though but the email only lets me send 15 mb of pictures each time!!!! urgh!!!!! Okay next time next time.
     UNTIL THEN!!!!!!!

WITH LOVE,
SISTER TEO

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

the last two weeks before 18 months

Wednesday, October 8, 2014


Over these last couple weeks that I have had with my family, here is a look at some of the things that have happened:
+ I have flown from China to the Philippines and back



+ I have officially been to and fallen in love with the temple 
(I honestly cannot think of many more places in the world that are beautiful-er than LDS temples)





+ I have also fallen in love with this mustard-y colored skirt, hence the 5 million pictures of me in it



+ I have enjoyed the still-green weather of fall in Shanghai, 
though I will admit I miss my fall shades of red and orange and pink in Utah




(Also, big shout-out to Shanghai weather, thank you for being on point recently. Yours is a wonderful farewell gift)




+ Ate at Tony Romas' steakhouse for the first time, major points for their buffalo wings but their pasta portions were ginormous 
(Should've gotten a steak at a steakhouse, oh well, next time)




+ Also ate Indian food, can't stress how much I love Indian food
(no more food pictures, I promise)



+ Hung out with my sisters 
(Ain't quality time if there aren't selfies, ya'll)
(#halfjokinghalfnotjoking, because, you know, we are the selfie generation)




(also, this chocolate cookies & cream shake was the BOMB DOT COM,
thank you Sheffields for introducing me to one of my new favorite drinks!)




+ Watched and enjoyed "Into The Storm" with the fam-bam



+ Enjoyed a delicious backyard BBQ 



+ DIY-ed some hours away



+ Babysat 



+ Said goodbye to this sweet girl (and her siblings) during my last Sunday at Church



+ Enjoyed navigating the large, sweaty crowds of Shanghai city during the weeklong Chinese National Day holiday 



I have loved living this last month as a normal person before heading out for a life-changing experience! 

Just kidding, I'll still be a normal person in Manila.

All jokes aside though,

I know that it was no coincidence that I was assigned to labor, love and serve in the Philippines, Manila mission. I know it. It was about time, anyways, for me to embrace my own "best of both worlds". You know, half Chinese, half Filipina, that sort of thing. With that said, I will never take for granted this adventure of a lifetime that I am about to embark on. 

(Krystal & I with our cousins on our Mom's side)



If anything, just know this, regardless of whether you are friend, family or stranger (hi):

I love the decision that I have made. I could not be prouder to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I will follow through with my decision to the end. 18 months sounds like a long time, but what is 18 months in the span of a forever? I could not be any more elated to join the other 83, 999 missionaries(*) of my church that are out there, serving voluntarily, all around the world. 

I'll keep you guys posted weekly! 

Until then,

I'll see you all in 2016.



With love, 
Sister Teo


P.S. Any posts put up on my blog from here on out will be posted by my younger sister Krystal/ by my Mom! 


With love, Sister Teo © 2014