Kumusta!
Thanks for the emails! This past week has been great as usual. We went out this past Monday to work and we couldn't do any appointments, they all fell... but then we visited a less-active family and God blessed us by letting us finally know the reason why this less-active family doesn't come to church... that helped us out a lot because now we know where to start off with this family. The reason is that they don't have a testimony. The only reason they had joined the church in the first place was that the Church built them a new house... so we're glad that we know the reason. God helped us out a lot. On Wednesday, we went to work, as usual. It was great. We decided that we would go to Jesse's house. Jesse is 18 years old and is a former investigator of some previous missionaries a couple of years ago. Out of the blue, as we were walking, he called out to us and told us that he would like to learn more because it helped him out before.... that happened last transfer. But we have been busy so we were unable to go there and when we did, he wasn't there... so we finally went back there this past week. He was at work but his family was there and that was great! His mom has 12 children and his grandma has 15 children... so small amounts of children indeed. When we taught the family, it was the mom, grandma, the brothers, and a couple of sisters...so around seven in all. It was pretty cool, they want to know more and they're really good. The brother remembers some things that were taught to him years ago (he's around 16 now) and we're excited to work more with this family. On Thursday was our mission Christmas party (with the whole entire mission, except those on Palawan)... it was pretty much the whole day and it was great. We had President and Sister Stucki speak to us, then a gift exchange, then we ate lunch that was high quality. Afterwards, each zone did a few musical talents... it was pretty neat. President and Sister Stucki are so nice to all of us. They even gave each missionary an apron with our mission name on it... Yes, I just need to cook now, hehe. Actually, I'm starting to gather Filipino Recipes because I want to eat these foods when I get home...so it looks like I might cook when I get home, haha :) On Friday, we went to Pulang Lupa (a mini-city, type complex) and we didn't get to meet with very many people...but we had the ward list with us so we were trying to find these long lost people in this area (the inactives). God blessed us by leading us to this one family. The parents are not members but their four sons are. It was pretty exciting because they also agreed to come to Temple Tour this week (on the 23rd). So that was pretty exciting. God is blessing us a lot....
I guess some of you wanted to know a little bit more about the Philippines, food, etc... so I decided I would tell you about the common food joints here in the Philippines. Of course, I eat the normal Filipino type food but they have a lot of fast food joints all over the Philippines. The most common (besides 7-11, haha :)) are McDonalds, Dunkin' Donuts, KFC, Dominos Pizza (which is delicious), Pizza Hut and many others... they're all over in the Philippines, not just in the city-city type area. I'm not sure what else to say about that....so anyways. Next week I'll tell you more about Christmas. They start Christmas in September but I decided I would tell about it in December to all of you :D It's been raining a lot this past week and I like it. I love the rain... it was pretty great. Also, on Sunday, they had a stake Christmas musical devotion. All the wards did a very good job. Then at the end, an elder from the seventies spoke.... I forgot his name but I really enjoyed it. Well, this seems longer than usual... hope you don't mind, haha... Thanks again for everything!
Mahal ko Kayo!
Sister Mohrman
Monday, December 19, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Las Pinas- week 8.... exciting
Kumusta!
Salamat po! Thank you very much again for the package with the tree, etc... I loved it. I have to admit, I really love fruit snacks and the one thing that the Philippines doesn't have are fruit snacks... so I have to admit they were consumed in about one day :) hehe I stuck the laffy taffy's and chocolate in the freezer and they tasted great. I loved the decorations! Thank you so much! Thanks for the emails... I appreciate it! Things are getting excited as the time draws even closer to Christmas! Mahal ko ang Pascol!!!
Some of the less-actives came to church yesterday and it was so exciting. One of them is named Gilbert. He lives with his cousins and only the mom typically comes to church. Yesterday, he and his two cousins came to church with the mother. He also is going to work with us this week, he's around 22 years old. So we're pretty excited. We're still working at it and hopefully they'll continue to come to church.
Besides the miracle of seeing the LA's at church, we also had some investigators. One of them is Annabethina (Annabeth for short). She has three little boys all under the age of 4 (I think). The youngest is a baby and he's very cute. Well, she actually came to church yesterday and I was so happy when I saw her come in. We were sitting on the stand because my companion was conducting the music. She missed the Sacrament but she came right after it ended and she stayed for the Gospel Essentials class with her baby. She left her other two kids at home with the grandma. She's amazing. Her husband works out in the province, so she doesn't see him on a daily basis but she really wants to know more... Sorry, I'm not good at telling these stories, but it's a start :) hehe There's also exciting plans for the Christmas week next week! I'm so excited but I'll tell you all about it when it comes to pass :) Sorry this is short but it will improve... with time. :S
Mahal ko Kayo!
Sister Mohrman
Salamat po! Thank you very much again for the package with the tree, etc... I loved it. I have to admit, I really love fruit snacks and the one thing that the Philippines doesn't have are fruit snacks... so I have to admit they were consumed in about one day :) hehe I stuck the laffy taffy's and chocolate in the freezer and they tasted great. I loved the decorations! Thank you so much! Thanks for the emails... I appreciate it! Things are getting excited as the time draws even closer to Christmas! Mahal ko ang Pascol!!!
Some of the less-actives came to church yesterday and it was so exciting. One of them is named Gilbert. He lives with his cousins and only the mom typically comes to church. Yesterday, he and his two cousins came to church with the mother. He also is going to work with us this week, he's around 22 years old. So we're pretty excited. We're still working at it and hopefully they'll continue to come to church.
Besides the miracle of seeing the LA's at church, we also had some investigators. One of them is Annabethina (Annabeth for short). She has three little boys all under the age of 4 (I think). The youngest is a baby and he's very cute. Well, she actually came to church yesterday and I was so happy when I saw her come in. We were sitting on the stand because my companion was conducting the music. She missed the Sacrament but she came right after it ended and she stayed for the Gospel Essentials class with her baby. She left her other two kids at home with the grandma. She's amazing. Her husband works out in the province, so she doesn't see him on a daily basis but she really wants to know more... Sorry, I'm not good at telling these stories, but it's a start :) hehe There's also exciting plans for the Christmas week next week! I'm so excited but I'll tell you all about it when it comes to pass :) Sorry this is short but it will improve... with time. :S
Mahal ko Kayo!
Sister Mohrman
Monday, December 5, 2011
Las Pinas- week 7.... new charge given...
Kumusta!
Transfer meeting was pretty interesting... it was also a specialized training too, so it was longer than normal. The area presidency has given a new charge to us missionaries in the Philippines... we're now reclaiming the less active. No more tracting. By that I mean, that in the planner if you have an hour of no appointments, a lot or missionaries will put tracting and go out and find new investigators.... but not anymore. All open slots available will now be visiting the less-active. We're still finding every chance we can get so we can continue to find and baptize new people, but that's on the way to wherever we go. So pretty interesting and exciting... did you know that in the last 50 years, over 500,000 were baptized but over 400,000 are less-active... really high numbers. I already gave you some of the recent numbers in the last couple of years but I thought I would share about the last 50 years too... The area presidency has also directed us missionaries to be more bold in everything we do and do the jobs that the wards aren't doing and taking the initiative while still realizing that the Bishop is the leader in the ward and respecting his authority. But apparently, the area presidency is visiting all the bishops and stake presidents in the Philippines and telling them that the missionaries will be bold and direct with them so that's what they're going to be expecting from us... the standard has been risen and we're on a mission now to find those that are lost. All those baptisms and them turning inactive... Things are changing a lot over here. They're going to be changing the standards of excellence and now there's going to be a special report every week about the less-actives and new things are being added in the area book about them. We get to track they're progress in the church and if they come to church four consecutive times then they're not less-active anymore. They even changed the price of the quad scriptures to 77 pesos! That is extremely cheap and only in the Philippines... no where else in the world. This is so that the less actives can have the opportunity to have all the standard works in their homes. The church leaders are very concerned about this part of the world- in the Philippines and that's why missionaries are now being called to step in to stay close to the recently converts (so we can strengthen them even if they don't have a fellowshipper) and reclaiming the inactive now... I think the church is doing this also as a way to generate work in the wards and branches about fulfilling their callings... so it's getting to be rather interesting. We're teaching the lessons to the less-actives and make sure that they get to hear all of the doctrine... there are a lot of other things but I don't have time to write about all the changes that are over here... sorry but I'm trying :) Thanks for the emails... I really appreciate them. Congrats on the baby!
Mahal ko Kayo!
Sister Mohrman
Transfer meeting was pretty interesting... it was also a specialized training too, so it was longer than normal. The area presidency has given a new charge to us missionaries in the Philippines... we're now reclaiming the less active. No more tracting. By that I mean, that in the planner if you have an hour of no appointments, a lot or missionaries will put tracting and go out and find new investigators.... but not anymore. All open slots available will now be visiting the less-active. We're still finding every chance we can get so we can continue to find and baptize new people, but that's on the way to wherever we go. So pretty interesting and exciting... did you know that in the last 50 years, over 500,000 were baptized but over 400,000 are less-active... really high numbers. I already gave you some of the recent numbers in the last couple of years but I thought I would share about the last 50 years too... The area presidency has also directed us missionaries to be more bold in everything we do and do the jobs that the wards aren't doing and taking the initiative while still realizing that the Bishop is the leader in the ward and respecting his authority. But apparently, the area presidency is visiting all the bishops and stake presidents in the Philippines and telling them that the missionaries will be bold and direct with them so that's what they're going to be expecting from us... the standard has been risen and we're on a mission now to find those that are lost. All those baptisms and them turning inactive... Things are changing a lot over here. They're going to be changing the standards of excellence and now there's going to be a special report every week about the less-actives and new things are being added in the area book about them. We get to track they're progress in the church and if they come to church four consecutive times then they're not less-active anymore. They even changed the price of the quad scriptures to 77 pesos! That is extremely cheap and only in the Philippines... no where else in the world. This is so that the less actives can have the opportunity to have all the standard works in their homes. The church leaders are very concerned about this part of the world- in the Philippines and that's why missionaries are now being called to step in to stay close to the recently converts (so we can strengthen them even if they don't have a fellowshipper) and reclaiming the inactive now... I think the church is doing this also as a way to generate work in the wards and branches about fulfilling their callings... so it's getting to be rather interesting. We're teaching the lessons to the less-actives and make sure that they get to hear all of the doctrine... there are a lot of other things but I don't have time to write about all the changes that are over here... sorry but I'm trying :) Thanks for the emails... I really appreciate them. Congrats on the baby!
Mahal ko Kayo!
Sister Mohrman
Monday, November 28, 2011
Las Pinas- week 6... preparation day is today- hehe oops :)
Kumusta!
Today was transfer announcements and I'm staying in Las Pinas with the same companion. That's nice.... I don't have to pack up any luggage :). My zone isn't really changing much this coming transfer so we were told our preparation day is today instead of Wednesday. But for Wednesday's transfer meeting, all missionaries are being told that they need to attend... apparently some big changes are happening. Pretty interesting... Thanks for the emails... despite the day change :). I appreciate them! It's amazing that in each transfer, I've learned so much and I'm still continuing to learn a lot. I appreciate the lessons I'm learning and in realizing more of my weaknesses more and more. God is so very merciful to me. Sorry this is short but I decided I would write all that have written me emails... but next week will be a longer email!
Mahal ko Kayo!
Sister Mohrman
Today was transfer announcements and I'm staying in Las Pinas with the same companion. That's nice.... I don't have to pack up any luggage :). My zone isn't really changing much this coming transfer so we were told our preparation day is today instead of Wednesday. But for Wednesday's transfer meeting, all missionaries are being told that they need to attend... apparently some big changes are happening. Pretty interesting... Thanks for the emails... despite the day change :). I appreciate them! It's amazing that in each transfer, I've learned so much and I'm still continuing to learn a lot. I appreciate the lessons I'm learning and in realizing more of my weaknesses more and more. God is so very merciful to me. Sorry this is short but I decided I would write all that have written me emails... but next week will be a longer email!
Mahal ko Kayo!
Sister Mohrman
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Las Pinas- week 5...... temple week!
Kumusta!
Thanks for the emails! I was a bit surprised with all the email and I really appreciate it! :) Today was temple day for me (hence why there was no email on Monday). And it was really great. Going to the temple really helped me out a lot and it's such a beautiful place! Time has flown by and I can't believe that next week is transfers again! I'm not sure what is going to happen but it will be God's will and I'm excited. Next week my email will be on Wednesday again because of transfer week, by the way. This Saturday is temple tour for the city! Which means that the sisters who are in the province areas will come to the temple and teach our (all the city zones) investigators and recent converts who haven't gone to the temple. So that's pretty exciting. God is helping me out so much over here. We had a baptism this past Saturday and it went really well. Reultio (the one baptized) is 19 years old and will be going on a mission a year from now. I'm excited for him. I don't know.... baptisms over here vary, depending on the ward and ward mission leader. Our ward mission leader (and his family) are great. He just barely returned home from a mission in July and is pretty close to getting engaged. Since just about every email every week asks me this... my Tagalog will eventually come. I'm learning this language in a variety of ways and I guess considering my major... it's helping me for the future. So yeah... but no worries. I can feel God helping me and that's what is really important. I love the lessons I'm learning every day and sorry this is short!
Mahal ko Kayo!
Sister Mohrman
Thanks for the emails! I was a bit surprised with all the email and I really appreciate it! :) Today was temple day for me (hence why there was no email on Monday). And it was really great. Going to the temple really helped me out a lot and it's such a beautiful place! Time has flown by and I can't believe that next week is transfers again! I'm not sure what is going to happen but it will be God's will and I'm excited. Next week my email will be on Wednesday again because of transfer week, by the way. This Saturday is temple tour for the city! Which means that the sisters who are in the province areas will come to the temple and teach our (all the city zones) investigators and recent converts who haven't gone to the temple. So that's pretty exciting. God is helping me out so much over here. We had a baptism this past Saturday and it went really well. Reultio (the one baptized) is 19 years old and will be going on a mission a year from now. I'm excited for him. I don't know.... baptisms over here vary, depending on the ward and ward mission leader. Our ward mission leader (and his family) are great. He just barely returned home from a mission in July and is pretty close to getting engaged. Since just about every email every week asks me this... my Tagalog will eventually come. I'm learning this language in a variety of ways and I guess considering my major... it's helping me for the future. So yeah... but no worries. I can feel God helping me and that's what is really important. I love the lessons I'm learning every day and sorry this is short!
Mahal ko Kayo!
Sister Mohrman
Monday, November 14, 2011
Las Pinas- week 4 (I think)................milk or juice?
Kumusta!
So it's been an interesting past week. As usual, I've learned a lot of lessons that I'm so grateful for. We found a lot of investigators and my companion and I are working even harder this week to help them become progressing investigators. Oh yeah, about a week and a half ago was the mission tour. Elder Ardern and his wife came to our mission to speak with us. It was incredible! They're from New Zealand and I learned a lot from them. They spoke about retention and other things. They said that the Manila Mission was doing well but he was speaking as the Philippines as a whole. The statistics were staggering. for example; around 15,000 people (give or take a few thousands) were baptized into the church in 2005, but of those 15,000, only 3,000 are active in the church. So he went through all of the years and the stats were staggering. Over 75,000 (more than this actually) converts from 2005 to this past years are lost, they're inactive.... that was surprising news for the missionaries who have come in within the past 6 months. There's lots of work to be done. Sorry this is short but I don't have much time. Before I forget, I bought my first milk this past week and it was terrible. It wasn't the worst but I would never buy it again. I was going to attach photos but I don't have enough time... sorry :) A lot of their milk, they keep on a regular store shelf. It's liquid but the shelf life expires within 4-5 months...you just need to put it into the fridge when you buy it... and it wasn't the best drink I've tried so I'm sticking with water and juice. Although, maybe if I tried a different kind that was already cold, but I don't know. I've really come to love drinking water and juice. There's this orange-mango juice that is delicious! Also, Coconut juice/milk. That is very delicious! Thanks for all the emails! Sorry I don't have much time to respond to everyone!
Mahal ko Kayo!
Sister Mohrman
So it's been an interesting past week. As usual, I've learned a lot of lessons that I'm so grateful for. We found a lot of investigators and my companion and I are working even harder this week to help them become progressing investigators. Oh yeah, about a week and a half ago was the mission tour. Elder Ardern and his wife came to our mission to speak with us. It was incredible! They're from New Zealand and I learned a lot from them. They spoke about retention and other things. They said that the Manila Mission was doing well but he was speaking as the Philippines as a whole. The statistics were staggering. for example; around 15,000 people (give or take a few thousands) were baptized into the church in 2005, but of those 15,000, only 3,000 are active in the church. So he went through all of the years and the stats were staggering. Over 75,000 (more than this actually) converts from 2005 to this past years are lost, they're inactive.... that was surprising news for the missionaries who have come in within the past 6 months. There's lots of work to be done. Sorry this is short but I don't have much time. Before I forget, I bought my first milk this past week and it was terrible. It wasn't the worst but I would never buy it again. I was going to attach photos but I don't have enough time... sorry :) A lot of their milk, they keep on a regular store shelf. It's liquid but the shelf life expires within 4-5 months...you just need to put it into the fridge when you buy it... and it wasn't the best drink I've tried so I'm sticking with water and juice. Although, maybe if I tried a different kind that was already cold, but I don't know. I've really come to love drinking water and juice. There's this orange-mango juice that is delicious! Also, Coconut juice/milk. That is very delicious! Thanks for all the emails! Sorry I don't have much time to respond to everyone!
Mahal ko Kayo!
Sister Mohrman
Monday, November 7, 2011
Las Pinas- week 4......answers I suppose :D
Kumusta!
Since I've gotten emails complaining that I don't really answer many of the questions, I figured that I would answer them here. I don't know the most interesting food I've eaten recently... it's pretty normal for over here. I've eaten a crab that was the size of my hand, with the eyeballs, legs, etc... all still attached to it. Is that what you're looking for?
It was pretty difficult eating it because the one that I had before was a tiny one and you could just suck out the stuff you eat. This one I had to figure out out to open the shell and what to eat inside. Then I was told I needed to snap open the claws and legs too and eat what was there. It was a pretty new experience for me, and the Bishop, his wife and my companion got a big kick at me trying to figure out how to eat it. It was pretty funny. I'm actually the average size (bordering on tall, but still average) for a Filipina. You just saw pictures of really short Filipinos and I get the opportunity to be their companions. It's pretty funny. The Philippines is rather large in land and with a lot of people. The map just makes it look small. Sure, it's small if you compare it with other countries but when you're there it's actually pretty big and crowded. I guess I'm spoiled this transfer. I have a shower in the nice apartment. No bucket showers, that's pretty nice but it was nice the other way too. I like what I'm learning and I'm learning a lot.
Sure, many people do speak English, I just happen to get the opportunity of meeting people who don't speak or understand English very well..:D I love the growth that I'm experiencing, I'm learning a lot and I'm so appreciative of these lessons.
I love it over here. I'm learning a lot about this culture and about other cultures too. I've learned about Samoan culture (not American Samoa), Indian culture, Pakistani culture, and of course... Filipino culture, not to mention about their different languages too. It's all pretty exciting. I've still got a very long ways to go, but I'm enjoying the journey as usual. I like my study hours, it's helping me a lot and our companionship. Our companionship is becoming stronger each day and we're learning a lot from each other. Our apartment is rather nice. Food is great. The work is moving forward and I'm striving to be better and working even harder. I'm pretty excited for this coming week. Sister Rodalia (the one I met in San Pedro.. that story I told you about) wasn't able to meet with us at all this past week so this week, we're going back there to teach her and it's the Plan of Salvation. That's coincidentally what I'm supposed to be studying this week... it's fate. There are so many problems over here and it's exciting to bring the gospel to the people in creative ways and seeing their lives get blessed. I don't really remember what other questions you all had so sorry if I haven't answered them.
Mahal ko Kayo!
Sister Mohrman
Since I've gotten emails complaining that I don't really answer many of the questions, I figured that I would answer them here. I don't know the most interesting food I've eaten recently... it's pretty normal for over here. I've eaten a crab that was the size of my hand, with the eyeballs, legs, etc... all still attached to it. Is that what you're looking for?
It was pretty difficult eating it because the one that I had before was a tiny one and you could just suck out the stuff you eat. This one I had to figure out out to open the shell and what to eat inside. Then I was told I needed to snap open the claws and legs too and eat what was there. It was a pretty new experience for me, and the Bishop, his wife and my companion got a big kick at me trying to figure out how to eat it. It was pretty funny. I'm actually the average size (bordering on tall, but still average) for a Filipina. You just saw pictures of really short Filipinos and I get the opportunity to be their companions. It's pretty funny. The Philippines is rather large in land and with a lot of people. The map just makes it look small. Sure, it's small if you compare it with other countries but when you're there it's actually pretty big and crowded. I guess I'm spoiled this transfer. I have a shower in the nice apartment. No bucket showers, that's pretty nice but it was nice the other way too. I like what I'm learning and I'm learning a lot. Sure, many people do speak English, I just happen to get the opportunity of meeting people who don't speak or understand English very well..:D I love the growth that I'm experiencing, I'm learning a lot and I'm so appreciative of these lessons.
I love it over here. I'm learning a lot about this culture and about other cultures too. I've learned about Samoan culture (not American Samoa), Indian culture, Pakistani culture, and of course... Filipino culture, not to mention about their different languages too. It's all pretty exciting. I've still got a very long ways to go, but I'm enjoying the journey as usual. I like my study hours, it's helping me a lot and our companionship. Our companionship is becoming stronger each day and we're learning a lot from each other. Our apartment is rather nice. Food is great. The work is moving forward and I'm striving to be better and working even harder. I'm pretty excited for this coming week. Sister Rodalia (the one I met in San Pedro.. that story I told you about) wasn't able to meet with us at all this past week so this week, we're going back there to teach her and it's the Plan of Salvation. That's coincidentally what I'm supposed to be studying this week... it's fate. There are so many problems over here and it's exciting to bring the gospel to the people in creative ways and seeing their lives get blessed. I don't really remember what other questions you all had so sorry if I haven't answered them.
Mahal ko Kayo!
Sister Mohrman
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