Zone Conference and a busy, busy week

The work is done!

Haha just kidding. But that's what we kind of feel like. This week was crazy! We didn't even have a full day in our area this week. But we're excited for this upcoming week because we have NOTHING going on =]

Alright, so this week. We'll start on Tuesday. Tuesday we had our zone training, where all of the missionaries in our zone get together and then we all talk about what happened at MLC. The best part? Sister Sia and I got to give a workshop. We were so nervous! But it actually went pretty well. We talked about committing people to read the Book of Mormon and go to church and why those are so hard. After zone training, Sister Sia and I went on exchanges with two sisters in our house. One of them was sick, and so they hadn't worked for about 5 days or so. I stayed home with the one that was sick and Sister Sia took the other one to their area. It was a bit boring just at home, but we got a lot of cleaning done =]

Wednesday was zone conference. Actually, it was way good! We had two zones get together, and then the APs, ZLs and President all gave workshops. And then Sister Sia and I gave another workshop! We were even more nervous for this one because President and his wife were there, and there were a lot more missionaries. But again, it went well. This time we talked about using the new pass-along cards that we got. We learned a lot during the conference! We talked a lot about the plan of salvation and using time wisely. And then I got a cupcake for my birthday! (They give out cupcakes for birthdays when we have zone conference every 3 months.)

Wednesday night and Thursday, we had exchanges! I got to go on exchanges with a fantastic sister. Sister Pullicar is the best! She's so tiny, but she has a strong personality. And she's a fantastic missionary. 

On Thursday night and Friday, we had exchanges again! This time I got to go with Sister Cagicaucau. She is also another fantastic missionary. She's from Fiji and it was cool to go with her! I had a lot of memories coming back from my training when I went with her =]

Speaking of training, Sister Wilwand got to say goodbye to Sister Lavador (her follow-up trainer) who is finishing her mission and heading home.

On Saturday, we were supposed to do a service project, but it was raining. So we went our to our area, and nobody was there. And we didn't have anyone to work with because all of the relief society had an activity. So we just came back home and did our weekly planning instead.

On Sunday, we had church and then some meetings with some of the church leaders.

It was a full week!! But it was a good one too. I learned a lot this week from workshops and our exchanges. But we're also excited to have a full week in our area. We're going to visit all of the people that we possibly can. It's going to be great.

I love you all, and I hope you're all doing well!! I know that this work is true, and I know that this church is the true church of Jesus Christ.

Ingat kayo!

Love,

Sister Wilwand

Sister Wilwand's current missionary apartment

The view from their balcony window

Eastern Washington (and Utah!) may seem a bit dry when she comes home after this!

Boodle Fight!

Hi!! This week has been such a great week!!

Since I emailed last Wednesday, I guess my week will start with Thursday. Actually, Thursday was a really good day. We had our MLC, or missionary leadership council, and it was way fun. We listened to some workshops from our President and the APs and then gave accountability about what's going on with our sisters. I actually learned a lot, and it was a neat chance to see how things really go in our mission.

Missionary Leadership Council

On Friday, we have our weekly planning! For those of you who are not yet missionaries, weekly planning is 3 hours or more, because you sit and talk about the people you're teaching. It's such a great opportunity to really discuss everything, but sometimes it gets a little long. This week it was even longer because we were planning for the two workshops that we get to give tomorrow and on Wednesday. We're excited though!! Hopefully they will go really well. Wish us luck!

Sister Sia and Sister Wilwand

On Saturday, we were so excited because we finally had a full day in our area!! It was so fantastic. You never realize how much you love working in your area until you never get any time there. So it was fun.

Sister Wilwand and some of her kabahays

Sunday was so great! We had so many investigators and less-actives come to church, most of which were priesthood or potential priesthood. It was so great!! It was so awesome to see all of these people that we've been teaching come to church and realize how important it is for them.

Sister Wilwand already has little fans in her new area :)

And today was so fun! We started out having a zone activity, where we played a whole bunch of games. We played basketball and ultimate frisbee and some other little games. I mostly just played ultimate frisbee. It was way fun!! And then we did a little something called a boodle fight. What is that you may ask? Well, let me tell you. So us Sisters in our zone spent all of last night and this morning cooking ulam (kind of like a main dish.) We had fish, lumpias, pork, boiled eggs and menudo. And then everyone brought their own rice to eat with all of this. But it's not just a regular feast. We layed out palm leaves on a table and then poured all of the rice and ulam on them. And then you just stand around the table and eat with your hands. It's the best =] If you're in Walla Walla when I get home, we will probably be doing that!

Enjoying the Boodle Fight!

Ultimate frisbee players

Anyway, I just want you all to know that I am loving being out here as a missionary!! I am slowly coming to realize that we really don't have much time left here, and time is going so fast, but I love it anyway

. If you ever have the chance to go on a mission, do it. It's the best.

I love you all!!

Love,

Sister Wilwand

P.S. Here is a picture of what our boodle fight looked like before we ate everything =]

Miracles!

Hello to everyone!!

Well, this week was such a great week!! We've really been seeing so many miracles here in this area, and we love it!!

The first miracle we saw this week was... We got lost! Ok, just kidding. But it was actually pretty fun. If you know me at all, I'm not really great with directions, but I've been doing pretty good in this area. This week though, we got completely lost. And so we just kept walking and walking until we saw something we recognized. And you know what? Now we know our area even better, so it was really a blessing in disguise =]

Another thing that happened this week was that we had another mission tour! So we got to see everyone in our mission, and then we were able to hear Elder Lyn G. Robbins speak to us. His talk was fantastic! He talked a lot about being obedient and having goals, and then he talked talked about doing and becoming. His point was that as missionaries (or as anyone), we can't just go around doing good things. We have to become more Christ-like as well, or it doesn't really mean anything. With that, we can't just be Christ-like and then not be doing anything good either. He talked about setting goals for what we want to do and be during our missions and after our missions.

Sister Wilwand, Sister Clark and Elder ? during the Mission Tour.

Mission Tours are a favorite, as Sister Wilwand gets to see many good friends from all over her mission.

Sister Wilwand and Sister Sia

This week was also the first week that I really felt like I was an STL. We finally went on exchanges this week, and they were super fun! I was able to go with two of our sisters, and I loved it! I was super nervous at first because as STLs, we have to do evaluation with the sisters after our day. But it actually ended up being fine. I learned a lot from both of the sisters that I went with, so it was great =]

This coming week, that is when we'll feel even more like STLs. We have a conference tomorrow for all of the leaders in the mission, and then next week we have to give workshops in our zone conference and zone training. It should be fun!

Another thing that just happened yesterday was that we found a family to teach!! We've been praying and fasting to find a family here in this area that is ready for the gospel, and yesterday I think we may have found them. It was only the first time that we've taught them, but they had some really good questions and were so so very nice. I'm excited to go back to see them!

Another miracle that happened was today! We got to go to the temple! I absolutely love the temple, and I was very excited to be able to go again. It really is one of the best places to be on this entire earth. There you can really feel Heavenly Father's love for you. It was great!

Well, I just want to all to know that I absolutely love being a missionary!!! It really is the best thing in the entire world. I love you all!

Love,

Sister Wilwand