Troubled, Yet Not Distressed!

Dear family, 

     Are you ready for some cool stories about what happened this past week????!! I hope you laugh along with me. Many funny things happened.

THIRD TIME'S A CHARM

     I have come to the conclusion that my stomach is not the strongest part of my body. And by that I don't mean abs-stomach. I mean stomach-stomach. The insides-of-my-stomach stomach. For the third time since being here in the Philippines I had the stomach flu this week! That's right. Diarrhea. Or "Loose Bowel Movements" (LBMs), to be more scientifically accurate. 
     It was really fun and lasted three days. The first night of the flu I remember waking up and feeling so bad and dry-heaving over the kitchen counter at three a.m. in the morning and wanting to cry because everyone else was asleep and I missed home and basically I was a little girl again and I missed having my "Mommy and Daddy" stay up with me and give me all the medicine in the world and comfort me and soothe me to sleep. The second night I woke up every single hour to use the bathroom. When Karyssa (Sister Wilhelm) gets off her mission and reads this - if ever she does - I want her to know that I officially, sort of know how she felt when she had diarrhea/the stomach flu for weeks straight and was almost sent home due to sickness. My stomach, my best friend. 

"SOMETHING LIKE HIVES"

     The story doesn't even stop there! So my LBMs started on Wednesday morning and ended on Friday. By Saturday afternoon, after the LBMs had died down...guess what attacked next! Red splotches! The same kind that I got on Palawan, three weeks ago. Good thing they weren't as big and widespread as they were the last time--the last time they literally covered my entire body. This time they were just at random places and they were smaller in size. 
     Sister Lemmon (our medical coordinator here) probably shed a few tears of laughter with me as we wondered how these things were just coming at me one after the other. First the LBMs, then this allergic reaction. She and I STILL have no idea what I am allergic to; could be chemicals in the air...or maybe there are just insects crawling in my closet that I don't know about. IT'S MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES! Sister Lemmon also concluded that these splotches were "something like hives." HIVES! I had hives this week. Diarrhea and hives. 

I BROUGHT PALAWAN HERE WITH ME

     No one in Manila, at least the missionaries, ever gets their water cut in their apartments. Especially not here on Manila. Palawan is a different story. But water going out here in the missionaries' apartments in Manila? Unheard of, said President Ostler. I met and spoke with him on Saturday (right before the hives) and he was saying that this Palawan luck must be sticking with me...because the night before, meaning Friday night (as well as last night), our water got cut. It was only for an hour or two, nothing big like what we experienced on Palawan, but this event brought much needed comic relief to an already stressed-out week of physical ailments. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself! Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, if you want water in your houses, don't let Sister Teo in! 

A REUNION

     Alright, alright. So those three things were more or less the big physical roadblocks of my past week. In the middle of it all I definitely felt a little discouraged, but the start of the week balanced it all out and made it all worth it, because...I saw SISTER LOCKWOOD AT ZONE CONFERENCE ON TUESDAY! As well as fellow missionaries from my batch, from the MTC! Elder Clark and Sister Muller (my companion at the MTC!). I was estatic! 
     When I left the MTC on November 19, 2014, and flew to Palawan as the lone ranger of that batch, I never again saw these friends and fellow missionaries. You can only imagine my joy when I saw the very people that I started out this journey with. I was most grateful for the time I spent with Sister Lockwood. I met my "kapatid" (sibling) - her name is Sister Narag and she is Sister Lockwood's second trainee. Here in the Philippines they like to call the trainers "Nanay"s (mothers) for sisters and "Tatay"s (fathers) for elders. The trainees are called "anak," meaning child. Thus, Sister Lockwood has two children, myself being the "panganay" (eldest) and Sister Narag now being the second. Which makes us siblings! Either way! I loved seeing Sister Lockwood! 
     I could go on and on and on and we didn't get to speak a WHOLE lot but whoever arranged the zone conference groups must have been really nice because they put both our companionships together, meaning we sat in workshops together and were able to catch up on all that has happened! Some friendships are from God. I love Sister Lockwood. 

ERLINDA AND MARY CHRIS

     If there is any one thing that I have learnt since now being in my second area, it is that this truly is the Lord's work. It was a little hard for me to understand that on Palawan, but this past week, what with not having been able to leave the apartment at all to teach, our investigators STILL came to church on their own. They STILL progressed. Even without us having gone to their houses, they still acted on their own. This has proven to me that as missionaries, we do our part, but these people do theirs to. And the Lord helps them. Nanay Erlinda and Mary Chris are two of our investigators getting baptized this Friday, at 3 p.m. I am so happy for them and I know that they are ready to start anew, to start afresh. Keep them in your prayers! 

2 CORINTHIANS 4:8-9

     And so, everyone, that was more or less my week for you. Thursday night we attended a double wedding at the church. The elders had two pairs of part-member couples getting married and THEN baptized (beautiful!) and I couldn't miss it (even though we had to go to the bathroom every ten minutes). The brides were GLOWING and I was so happy that they were finally taking the first steps to be man and wife. I am more excited, however, for their temple sealing in a year from now! 

     After all that has happened this week, I decided that this was a scripture that I could seek solace in:
"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed." 


Storms make trees take deeper roots.


Here's to a better, healthier, more eventful week...filled with lots of hard work!


With love,
Sister Teo

Progress

Dear family,

AND THE CITY GIRL IS NO LONGER AFRAID OF THE CITY

Here are a few of my "Manila adventures" from this past week:
     1) Tricycles zooming right past me. Bless my toes; I'd be surprised if I leave this city without having my feet getting run over.

     2) I don't remember the last time I felt so full in a week. We get fed. Alot. (That's not why I love the members! I mean, I love them for their charity and kindness, but they are amazing in overall terms!)

     3) I met Sister Dones (a member) this week and she is evidence that the snatchers of Manila do not spare anyone! One of her earlobes is split in half because a long time back, a snatcher snatched her earring right off of her ear and it bled and bled and bled and now her earlobe is literally split. All because of a golden earring. Okay, lesson learnt. Won't be wearing bling-bling out on the streets too often!

     4) RATS. Are. Everywhere. Well, mostly just the dead ones. I've seen so much run-over rats this week. Just fat blobs of dead skin with their tails sticking out. Ew!

     5) Liver. Liver, as in food liver. The Filipinos - well, just my roommates/the sisters I live with- are super surprised that I can eat what they eat. This sounds gross if you just read it out- "Ew, Sister Teo eats liver?"- but it's the normal kind of liver that we eat! The liver you cook, Mom! The Filipinos love that I eat what they eat. Well, like what you always used to say, Mom: "If I can eat this, so can you." You've raised me well.

THE POWER OF MUSIC

     There are fewer things more powerful than being transported back in time with the help of music. This past week at our zone meeting, our zone leader Elder Osguthorpe sang "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" and goosebumps ran all up and down my body. I remembered being five/six, or even younger, and being in Daddy's car. We used to own a CD with all-instrumental versions of the hymns, and I can clearly remember "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" being one of those songs. Hearing Elder Osguthrope sing that song took me back to being young, fresh, wide-eyed, innocent. Alot has changed since then but I know that the feelings of love that I had in my heart back then, as well as now, will forever remain the same. Music can carry us through many, many hard times. Especially the hymns. Treasure them. I know that they will become my children's lullabies. 

TAKING A NEWBIE OUT

     Bonifacio zone is mostly always in-charge of leading MTC exchanges. Remember when I went on MY MTC exchanges last November? When we went out into the field and worked with the missionaries in Quezon city (Sister Osumo) and then in Manila as well? Well, I got to do that with the MTC missionaries this last week! I'll send some pictures, but man! I cannot believe that it has been over half a year since I was in their shoes! It felt...it felt strange being the one leading this new sister, this new missionary. I remember being her! I remember being in her shoes! I remember being as nervous as she was. But I have so much confidence in her. Her name was Sister Loyola. She is half-Filipina as well and is from Missouri. I'll attach pictures of us later!

AND...197 PEOPLE CAME TO CHURCH

     Bishop was showing me the church attendance numbers last Sunday. We were at 185 last week (or was it 192?) and this week we were at 192! The numbers have kept increasing every week/month since January. I am so happy for this ward. They are doing SO well. There is power in the work of the Lord when the ward is UNITED. Unity drives love, and love drives the work. Sister Barrido and I had EIGHT investigators turn up to church We surpassed our goal! We were so happy. Those eight people definitely added to the numbers!!!

BRYAN

"He is clean, he is clean."

     Those were the only three words running through my head the minute he came out of the water. "He is clean." Bryan is doing so, so well. It helps that he has instant fellowshippers at church (with his girlfriend Yuchie and Yuchie's family). It helps that he is GLOWING with a new light. It helps that he has officially begun his journey back to his Heavenly Father, having been provided with the right direction and the right tools to do so. I am so proud of him. I am proud of Yuchie, who referred him to the missionaries. I am proud of her and for her missionary efforts. Bryan Delo Santos. He's a great kid. Only 19 (or 20?) but we are really pushing for him to start preparing to serve a mission in a year or so. He can do this. He is so great. GOLDEN! Now we are just going to have to nurture him, just like what you said in your email, Dad. Don't worry! The ward's got this. This ward is AWESOME. 

OTHER NEWS

     The elders will be having a double wedding-double baptism this coming Thursday! I am so excited! Bishop Bongolan is probably the most excited of them all. He gets to marry them! It'll be held at the chapel, 3 p.m. Can't wait!
We are going to have two more baptisms on May 29. Mary Chris (17 but turning 18 this year) and Erlinda (50s).They are neighbors and Erlinda is "part-member" because her son Gerald (14?) is one of our recent converts! Yay! Keep praying for them!

+ + + + + + + + + +

I love you all so much! Mom, you were right. The first couple of days that I was here were transition days. I love the city. I'm not afraid anymore. The sounds, the non-stop sounds, they don't bother me anymore. I'm back where I first started. 

Let's keep on going,

With love,
Sister Teo

Dear family, 

Skype Call

     I cannot, cannot, CANNOT tell you how much it helped me seeing your faces on Saturday! Getting to talk with you all! Getting to feel of your love and support for me. I hope that in more ways than one you were able to sense how I have (hopefully) grown over the last few months since Christmas. I hope that I was able to represent my part as a missionary. I hope that you were able to see that I am no longer a little girl. You did a good job sheltering us all while we were growing up, Dad, but this mission has really opened my eyes to the things of this world. To what it takes to be an "adult." NEVERTHELESS, I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! I love my family! That's you guys! These last seven months have really strengthened my love for you all. I hope that you had a great mother's day, Mom! You are the best! Thank you for all that you have done for Gladys, Krystal and I. Your example has meant the world to me. 

The city girl......was afraid of the city

     Won't lie; the transition was hard. Well, this is just information for the rest of the world that hasn't already heard about my struggles to get back into living the city life. Before boarding that plane to leave Palawan, I didn't think much about how big of an adjustment I would have to make. There is so much of a difference serving here than on Palawan. But a thought that I keep drawing myself back to, a thought that gives me strength, is this: If my trainer, Sister Lockwood, could do this 24 weeks ago, so can I. She made the move back here. If she could do it, I can too. 
     Besides...I mean, I was born and raised in cities. It's in me, right?!?! I just have to rekindle that spark, that flame, that LOVE I have for polluted air, millions of people around me, and, well...not having a single second of quiet. Place the city girl back into the city- well, "city missionary"- and she's got to be bound to get right back into what she came from! Manila is beautiful. It is definitely one of a kind. I feel like I am in the "Taken" movie where that tall actor (oh man, how have I forgotten his name) is in Turkey. This feels like Turkey. Not that I know anything about what it feels like living in Turkey. 

Brian

     SO GUESS WHAT?! Brian passed his interview on Sunday, meaning that he will get baptized...THIS SATURDAY! The 16th! AHHHHHHHHHHH! I've only been able to teach him twice since I got here, but we are going to have to have daily contact with him everyday for quite sometime from here on out...and I am so privileged/honored to be experiencing the harvest. He is so prepared. His girlfriend, Yutchie, introduced him to the gospel. I read his teaching record just last night and he only started taking the lessons at the start of April. And look where he is now! A month and some later! All ready to enter the waters of baptism. I am so happy for him. He is still YSA-age, 19/20 years old, somewhere along those lines, and he is planning on serving a mission after a year. The elect, or WHAT?! May 16th can't come any faster! 

Brian...and three others!

     Yes. There will be four baptisms happening this Saturday. The other three are children! They are all turning eight sometime this week and will be baptized with Brian. May 16th is going to be a sweeeeeet day. I remember when I was baptized! How was that 12 years ago? Where does all the time go? 


It hasn't yet been a full week since I've been here in Bonifacio but I know that there is work to do here. I have faith that I will be able to pull through the first couple of weeks of adjustment-making. I did it on Palawan; I'll be able to do it here. I love you all SO much. Have faith. Press forward. Believe, and have hope.


With love,
Sister Teo

No Greater A Calling

Dear family,

Aller-aller-allergy!

     As I am writing this I am thoroughly amused at all that has happened this past week, especially with the FULL-SCALE RASH that covered my body! I have no idea what I am allergic to, but I am definitely allergic to SOMETHING, alright! I'm not quite sure what else I have not experienced here on this island (Lice? Heaven forbid!) but now I can add "full-body rash" on that list! This really brought me to a new level of humility - Heavenly Father is stripping me of all my pride, I swear - as I realized that I was now like the people in the Bible with leprosy/skin diseases that begged Christ to heal them and make them clean and whole.
     I freaked out because I thought I'd have the red splotches all over my body until 2016 and I was despairing that I'd return home like a zombie and I was not the happiest sister missionary...but thankfully I got a blessing, took Benadryl (that stuff knocks you out; I was out for two nights), and now you wouldn't be able to tell that I had the worst allergic reaction of my life this week! 

"You have learned what you needed to learn"

     We had interviews with President Ostler this week and...I love him. I love President Ostler. It was a much needed period of time for me to talk to him because I'd been feeling really down with the slow progress of our investigators, PLUS I got that rash and thought it was the end of the world...you know, just a bunch of factors combined. It was a hard week. And I was feeling really defeated. I struggled to remember why I wanted to come on a mission. I struggled to understand why I was even sent to Palawan. 
     But President - bless his heart. A minute into our conversation he said, "It's been hard, hasn't it? I'm sure you have experienced some trials recently. But you have grown. The minute you entered the room I could feel the maturity that you've undergone. I could sense the change in you from five months ago." And then he said, "I remember the first time we all met and had dinner at the mission home with your parents. I remember you being so young and so innocent then." And he continued, "But I know that you've really matured since. You've experienced alot of things since." 
     I cried; no surprise there. We cried together. And as our conversation went on, he said, "Before sending you over, I got on my knees in my office and prayed about where I should send you. And I felt very strongly that you needed to come to Palawan. But now...now I feel that you have learned all that you needed to learn here. 
     "You have learnt the lessons that Heavenly Father sent you here to learn." 
     Since leaving President's office I have not stopped thinking about all the things that I HAVE learned here. Of the hard things and the good things. Of the happy times and the sad. Five and a half months have gone by just like that. A missionary's first area is where they learn to be a missionary. Santa Monica, Palawan, will forever be sacred ground to me. 

Putting the city girl back into the city

     And so on that note...I'M GETTING TRANSFERRED BACK TO MANILA THIS WEEK!!! My new companion will be Sister Barrido, Filipina, two transfers my senior. I will be in BONIFACIO (rich people area), and Mom, I asked where that was and they said it's basically the area of SM Aura. No idea where that is and if we've been there together as a family, BUT AHHH! I AM GOING BACK INTO THE CITY! I couldn't fall sleep last night after President's phone call to me. 
     This will be SUCH a change! It makes me think of Sister Lockwood and how she had to make that transition as well twelve weeks ago, and now it is my turn! Back to tall buildings and city people and having to actually CARE-care about how I look like. It's different serving on an island and in an area of humble people where they're not money-minded/particular about how "fashionable" or how "presentable" you look. And now I'm going to enter that world! Mixed emotions, right and left. My first area and my second, upcoming area could not be more different! 

Leaving behind miracles

     Sister Lockwood and I experienced the miracles of re-activations when we were together and until now the families that we loved/still love so much...are still active! They still come to church! They are doing SO well! The light has returned! They are more beautiful than EVER! The Lopezs. The Segovias. Joy Custodio. Keep praying for them! I love them SO much and I cannot wait to come back and see them again! 
     MYETH AND JARWIN- Dad, thank you for your emails every week in which you remind me that planting is just as important as harvesting. Yesterday (Sunday) we had two YSAs come to church on their own and they are two of our new investigators from this past week. 
     Myeth is a miracle story all in itself and I am sad that I have to leave behind a new friend. She is so ready for the gospel, I KNOW she is. She really has a desire to find out for herself what the truth is and the greatest blessing of all was when we all walked into the sacrament hall and she spotted FIVE friends from school! She had NO idea that they would be there! But already she has immediate friends at church! I pray and pray and pray that Sister Quilicot and her new companion will continue to help her come to know the truth! 

Mother's Day Call!

     Saturday, May 9! I am not sure yet the exact time of when I will call but President has given us permission to check our emails again this week to confirm with our families when we will call...I'm thinking probably in the morning around 10 am or maybe noon? I'm not sure yet! I'll have to talk with Sister Barrido when I get to Bonifacio. But in the meantime, PREPARE YOUR SKYPE ACCOUNT BECAUSE A MISSIONARY IS GOING TO CALL HOME! 


I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! Thank you for all your prayers. This week has been hard but it has also been one where I have come closer to the Lord. I love Him and I know that He has great things in plan for the people of Bonifacio that I will get to be a part of. 

With love,
Sister Teo