But honestly, who needs a hot shower in the Philippines?

Dear Pamilya and Mga Kaibigan,

Holy moly, I'm in the Philippines!! What??? Crazy stuff. So I left the MTC on Wednesday. We got to the chapel and met our new trainers. My trainer is Sister Collins. Sound familiar? It should if you've been reading my emails ;) She was my kasama when we went proselyting for the first time in the MTC. How awesome is that? She's really great. She's from Samoa, and has been here for 7 months I think. Waaay longer than me at least. Our area is Fairview 2. We split all of Fairview with some other Sisters that we live with. They are Sister Plame, Sister Pristopher (yes, with a P...) and Sister Yagemai. They are from the Philippines, Pakistan and Micronesia.

So I'm the only American in our house. It's kind of weird actually... But it's good!

Being out in the mission field is so weird! Obviously, it's way different from the MTC. Even though I was in the Manila MTC, I still had a little culture shock when I was going to my area. It is still crazy to me to see kids smoking cigarrettes, and trash all over the streets. The poverty here is insane, but the people here are fantastic. They are all so kind! Although they do tend to stare at me quite a bit. Maybe it's something I'm wearing...? Oh wait. It's because I'm white. I can't even imagine what their faces would look like if I was a red-head or blonde. One little boy even called my hair golden. A couple girls called me beautiful, so that was cute. But some of them aren't so nice. A few teenagers that we were walking by yelled "Foreigner!" when I walked by. But oh well. It's the truth. Some people just wave and ask me where I'm from. Little kids just usually stare. One little boy was full on staring at me. Like open-mouthed, wide-eyed staring. It was hilarious. Even the people at church seemed quite curious that I was American. I can't wait until I speak fluently in Tagalog. Then they'll really stare =]

So a lot has happened this week. I guess I'll start with our house. We have a little house that we share with those other 3 sisters. It's a very old house, but it's functional... For the most part. We don't have hot water, but honestly, who needs a hot shower in the Philippines? The cold showers feel good. Our sink always leaks, but at least we have running water! And I get to wash my clothes in a bucket today! Woo! I'm excited. The first night that I was here, I found gecko in my closet. It was a cute little thing, but we could not figure out how to get it out of the closet. It was way too fast for us. Eventually I think it just climbed into one of the other Sisters' closets. That'll be a nice surprise when she finds it ;)

So that's about our house. The weather. Woo man. It is hot and humid here. Even my books are looking a little damp. We don't have AC in our house, just fans. But it's all good. The fans keep us quite cool, especially at night. I walked in the rain for the first time without my umbrella the other day! It was so nice. It was hot out, but the rain felt so good!!

The food. Well. We have our very first dinner appointment on Tuesday! I don't think the members really feed the missionaries here, so we cook for ourselves a lot. So I'm eating a lot of peanut butter, bread, eggs and cereal. It's a good diet ;) So. If anyone has some simple recipes (preferably without  rice...) that only take a few ingredients, I would love you forever.

We went to church on Sunday, and it was awesome! The chapel has AC, which apparently is a real treat here. We just sat in plastic chairs, which seems to be the norm. I had to bear my testimony after Sister Plame (from the Phillipines), and Sister Yagemai (from Micronesia, but has been here for 18 months, just waiting for her flight to leave). That was a tad embarrassing since I don't speak much Tagalog, but I tried my best.

Our investigators! Well, we really don't have any. The progressing investigators that they had all got baptized last Saturday, so this week we mostly visited less-actives and recent converts. Sister J* and the M* family are the best. They are the ones that just got baptized, and they are awesome!! I'm so lucky that I could see the happiness that the gospel could bring to people's lives. Their testimonies strengthen mine so much every time we got to talk to them.

I think that's about all this week, so let me just say a few more things. Basically, you have no idea how lucky you are. Especially for all the people who live in America. I didn't realize how lucky I was, even just to have a house, before I came out here. There are kids here that beg for money on the streets, there are people who live in huts of dirt and few pieces of wood, there is trash on every street corner. You are so lucky to live in an amazing place like America. At one point this week, we were teaching an investigator who lived in a hut. Literally a hut in the middle of a bunch of other houses just like hers that were nothing and had nothing in them. We were teaching about the first few points of the first discussion. We extended the commitment to be baptized. She accepted. It amazing to me how you can teach the gospel to someone who lives like she does. It is amazing how blessed we are to have to gospel. Don't ever forget that.

Oh! Have a fun Thanksgiving this week!! Eat some turkey, pie, mashed potatoes, rolls and everything else for me! I love you all! Thank you for your prayers and support!

Love,

Sister Wilwand

A light that is endless that can never be darkened

Dear Family and Friends,

This week was absolutely crazy. First of all, the typhoon. All of the missionaries in Tacloban are safe and accounted for. They are all staying here at the MTC until they get reassigned to a new area around here, or until they go home. The first that we heard of the missionaries coming here was just a few days ago. On Tuesday night, we were having a devotional, and our MTC president announced that they would be coming here. He also announced that most, if not all, were coming with just the clothes on their back, and the few belongings that they were able to gather. He asked all of us to gather the clothing and other things that we could do without, and to bring them to the basement to be donated to these missionaries. Of course, my kasama and I went up to our room and got everything that we could do without for the next 18 months. Luckily, I had brought waaay too many clothes. So I gave away 5 skirts and 5 shirts. Don't worry. I still have enough to last =] I'll just have a little bit less variety. But it's all good!! 

(Just found this picture on the Mormon Pinoy Newsgroup facebook site - McKelle is back by the window)

My kasama and I were the first ones down into the basement, and since we were the senior sister training leaders, we stayed to help organize everything. Let me just say, missionaries are amazing. I don't know that there was one missionary here that didn't donate something. Even if all they were bringing was one tie, or one shirt, it helped. There were so many clothes and shoes and other things down there. It was remarkable. We all thought that we had packed just enough for the little while that we'll be out here, but when a disaster strikes, we found that we had more than enough. Sister Clark and I were the main ones down there organizing clothes, so we got to see when the first missionaries started coming in from Tacloban. Wow. That is all I can say. They were the dirtiest, smelliest, yet happiest people ever. They all came in smiling and laughing. Most of them came in with nothing. A few had backpacks of the stuff that they had grabbed, but there were a few people who had brought nothing with them. 

There was one Sister that I was helping, and she quietly told me and my kasama that she had absolutely nothing. Everything that she had brought with her on the mission had been destroyed. But, she was almost crying because of the generosity of all the missionaries here. We helped her find some clothes, and she left, grateful beyond belief. How amazing is that? These missionaries were in a disaster that left hundreds, if not thousands of people dead, and here they are, ready to go to work again. One of them had us read Mosiah chapter 16, verse 9. Go read it. It's about the light of the Lord never going out or giving into darkness. 

9 He is the ^alight and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death.

These missionaries are amazing. Let me also just say that Heavenly Father protects his children. Out of the (I think) 206 missionaries, not one was lost or even seriously injured. That is amazing to me. And from the stories that we've heard, some of them probably should not be alive right now. I won't go into any details, but things are devastating over in Tacloban. There is nothing left. I mean literally nothing. For everyone who is reading this, please pray your hardest for the people over there. Even if you have never prayed in your life, now would be a good time to start.

Actually, you guys probably know more about what happened in Tacloban than we do. I feel like we're always getting the news way late. On Wednesday morning, we watched a live devotional from Provo, and they were talking about how the missionaries had been flown out of Tacloban by an army guy's cargo plane. He took three trips to get those missionaries all out. The rest were on commercial flights. The first missionaries couldn't get on their flights, even with their tickets, because people were paying to get on the planes. Anyway, there are some crazy stories, but that one was a miracle for sure.

Not much else happend this week that was quite like that experience. We went proselyting again on Wednesday. It was fun again, yet disappointing at the same time. The sisters and two of the elders went to the biggest chapel. It's the biggest in the Philippines, if not in the world. It is at least 3 stories high. I think there might have been 4 or 5 levels. But it was huge. We went over there to meet out new companions, and what we found was incredible. There was relief work going on throughtout the entire chapel. There were thousands and thousands of bags of food, clothing, toilietries. Everything. It was crazy. That just made it so much more real for me. People in Tacloban need our help. 

Anyways, proselyting. I was with a Sister Anderson, and a Sister Tagbucog. They were awesome! One is a native, and the other is still training. We were going to teach two little boys who both have baptismal dates, but that appointment fell through. I was excited to go and teach, because I would have been leading the lesson. But it's ok. All of our other appointments fell through, so we ended up just OYMing. Open Your Mouth. Which basically means that you talk to anybody on the street. They showed me how to do it, and then it was my turn. It was so scary!! I was just trying to talk to random people on the street, in a language that I barely knew. The sister that was still training was a little nervous to do it too. So eventually, I just bucked up and did it. It really wasn't that bad... Until they started to talk back to me. But that was when my companion would come in and take over since she knew the language. So I can say that I did it! Twice! Crazy. It's like I'm a real missionary now.

What else... Oh! Someone (or everyone) please go watch Star Wars. Apparently, the eewoks speak Tagalog. No joke. Our teachers were telling us that it is true. I can't wait to come home and be able to understand that. It'll be the coolest thing ever. So if you ever want to hear what language I'm speaking, just go watch Star Wars =D

I have probably said this before, but my district is the best. This week, we had an amazing prayer circle for the people of Tacloban. We all knelt down and said an individual prayer out loud for them. It was fantastic. I'll be sad to leave them in a few days. Even if we are (most of us) going to the same mission, it'll be weird not seeing them everyday. And since I can't email them or write them letters, I won't get to talk to them for the next 17 months. (Yes, I only have 17months left! I've already been out for more than a month!!) 

Our teachers are way awesome. One of them can draw really well, so he's going to draw everybody in our district, and make us district T-shirts. How sweet is that?? It's pretty awesome.

Seriously, not much else has been going on... I've played more basketball than ever in my entire life. Crazy right? We pretty much play Bump/Lighting/Knockout every single day during gym. I've actually gotten decently good at it. I still usually get out during the first or second round because I can't make a layup to save my life, but every once in a while I get a few 3 pointers and stay in till the final 5 or so. So it's fun over here =]

Mom, you asked about Christmas. I honestly can't think of much that I need. Maybe one of those half ts that we almost got? That might be handy.

Otherwise, I leave out into the field on Wednesday! I actually have met my mission president. He was here setting a missionary apart, and my kasama and I saw him in the lobby. It was sweet! He even knew who we were! But yeah, I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. It'll be great. And my p-days in the field are on Mondays, so I won't email until then next week.

I really can't think of anything else... So I hope everyone is doing well! I love you all! Go read Mosiah 16:9.

Love,

Sister Wilwand

 Sister Wilwand sleeps here :)

Notes in Tagalog 

I'm OK; Pray for Tacloban and other devastated areas.

Hi!

 

We've just been allowed a few minutes to let you guys know that we're ok. The typhoon didn't really hit us, but it has devastated many cities, Tacloban especially. The missionaries there are all ok, but we've heard some horror stories about what's going on there. Please keep them in your prayers!  I know we are. I love you all!

 

 

Love,

Sister Wilwand

What's your name? What's your name? (And not a single mention of the massive typhoon!)

Dear Family and Friends!!

 

Kamusta po kayo??

 

Alright, I may or may not have time to email each of you separately, so here's one big email to start out with. A lot happened this week.

 

First of all, congratulations Dad!!! I can't believe you're an IronMan! I told all of my district, and they were very surprised that you actually finished, so yeah. You're awesome.

 

Last Sunday was probably the best Sunday I have ever had. It was amazing. It was testimony Sunday, so all of the missionaries that were leaving this week got up and bore their testimonies. They were so awesome! Everyone was trying so hard not to cry. It's amazing some of the testimonies that you hear from some people. They will all be great missionaries. After the testimony meeting, we had Sunday School. My kasama and I taught about the Atonement. Let me just say that there was not one dry eye in our district. My kasama shared a story (the one about footprints in the sand), and I shared a story about Steve, the pushups and the doughnuts. None of you probably know what I'm talking about, but go look it up. It's an amazing story. That was the greatest lesson ever. After the lesson, we had a little bit of time, so one of the Elders in our district shared his testimony about the Atonement. It was so great. So that was Sunday.

 

We've also had a couple of other really cool experiences with our districts. On Tuesday, some of us were just talking about some semi-deep doctrine, like the Second Coming and the three Kingdoms and things like that. It was cool to just sit down and talk about things like that to a bunch of missionaries who all have different insights and thoughts.

 

A funny thing that happened this week. So all of the Filipinos here love the Americans. The Elders especially. So with the last batch of regular training missionaries that just left, there were a bunch of Elders who always said hi to my kasama and I. We always just said hi back and then just kind of laughed about it afterwards. Then one of the Elders asked us for our emails. So we gave them to him. And then, the day before they left, I was talking to one of them, just telling him good luck before he left. The next morning, I found that he had left me a note where all of the letters are. It was super funny. Of course, my whole district made fun of me because it said "See you in 2 years!" But don't worry, misyonero po ako.

 

Sister Wilwand, her kasama and the Filipino Elders

Here's the best thing that happened this week. We went proselyting on Wednesday. At first, I was waaaaay nervous, and a little bit scared to go out. Things are pretty safe here in the MTC, and even in the store that we go to on P-days (although there are policemen with big shotguns outside the store... it's weird). But anyways, going out into the real world sounded quite a bit intimidating, especially since we've only been learning Tagalog for four weeks. Sounds like a lot right? Not. 

Some Tagalog practice

Heading out to proselyte - first time!

We drove over to a chapel where we would be going on exchanges with some other missionaries who have been out in the field for a while. My companion was Sister Collins. She is one of the Samoan sisters. (There are lots of Samoans and Tongans over here...) She was really cool. She's super nice, and very talkative. She's been out for about 5 months now. She's pretty good at Tagalog, but she also speaks quite a bit of Taglish. Luckily, most of the people here speak English, or at least understand it. So I was paired up with her, and the first thing we did was go ride a jeepney to her part of the area. Let me tell you something. Jeepneys are soo soo loud. I don't know how the driver could here anything the people in the back were saying, but he always heard them when they would say stop. It was crazy. And the driving here is like playing chicken. Mom. You would probably die. Or just get really angry at people ;) It's insane. We got to our first area, and the first thing I noticed was the sun. It is hot... Even though it's the cool season here. Apparently your umbrellas are not just for rain... (But I did use mine for rain today! More on that later...) 

The houses are all stone, and there are people and kids and dogs and cats and trash everywhere. It is not uncommon to see a nice car next to a dump, or a nice looking restaurant next to people begging for money. The poverty here is insane, and it is sad. Our area wasn't too bad, but it's definitely a complete turn around from America. The first family we went to go see were less-actives. I guess most of the people we'll be teaching are less-actives. Which is pretty sad. Anyway, the first family wasn't all there, so we just taught one sister. I couldn't really understand what she was saying at all. But I did share a spiritual thought with her, and I could understand what my companion was saying. I also bore my testimony in Tagalog. Very simply, but it was good. Then the next lady that we went to was also a less-active, but she's married to a recent convert. We didn't actually teach him. She was really nice, and I could understand a lot of what she was saying, I just couldn't respond. That seems to be what happens the most. I understand some of what people are saying, if not a lot of what they are saying, but I just can't say anything back to them. Unfortunately, the only people I can understand are the ones talking about the gospel.... But it's ok! I'm not worried yet. We only had a couple hours to teach, so those were the only people that we talked to. When we were going back, we rode another jeepney and then a little tricycle thing. That was a tight fit.

 

A couple of funny things that happened while we were proselyting. One, everyone stared at me. I mean everyone. Especially the jeepney drivers. It was a little creepy, but I suppose I better get used to it. Also, the kids here are so dang cute!! At one point, there were about 6 or 7 of them following my companion and I around. They would try to speak in English to us, and they would just laugh so hard. One kept saying to me "What's your name?? What's your name??". So cute!! But yeah, that was proselyting. I'm excited to go out again next week!!

 

Today was P-day! P-days are fun. We helped to welcome the new missionaries, and then we went to the temple!!! I LOVE the temple. It's amazing the spirit that you can feel in there. Also, I met my mission president, President Sperry today! He was here setting a missionary apart, and we got to meet him! He knew me and my companion as soon as we saw him. It was awesome! And we also met the 2 APs. One is going home before we even get out into the field, but the other is staying. So that was cool. Oh, and we finally went out into the rain for the first time today when we went to the store. (Mom, I used my card, and it worked, so hopefully it keeps working.) My crocs work! And I was way excited to get to use my umbrella!

 

Just one last thing to share. This is for everyone, whether you believe in the gospel or not. My kasama, some elders from our district and I were talking about this the other day. How cool is it to believe in the gospel? (Or how cool would it be...?) We get to believe that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to a 14 year old boy over 200 years ago. We get to believe that he saw an the Angel Moroni who then gave him actual gold plates to be translated in a book that we have today. Which book has been translated into hundreds of other languages. We get to believe that there were nations on this earth that only we have record of. Especially ones who saw Jesus Christ after he was resurrected. We get to believe that our Heavenly Father still loves us because he has called prophets today who speak to Him for us. We get to believe that they direct us with guidance directly from our Heavenly Father. We get to believe that Jesus Christ, our brother, has given us the chance to be saved, and to return to our Heavenly Father's presence again. Tell me, how cool is that? I have never thought about the gospel like that, but seriously. How cool is that??? We get to believe in all of those things!! It's awesome. I love this gospel, and I love being a missionary!! And I love you all!!

 

 

Mahal kita,

Sister Wilwand

 With Elder Westover (McKelle's Grandpa's former Bishop's son - got that?)

 With good friends

Sister Training Leaders