A Week of Service

My day is amazing thanks to Brock and Natalie.  So now I have energy to write a nice letter.  So you can thank them.

     This week was the bomb.  We had a lot of things happen.

1) I went on exchanges with my nanay here in the mission.  She is going home in February so it’s very sad. But at least we got to be companions again before she left.  She’s the best and I freaking love her.  It was cool to be able to be companions because you could see the difference from when I was a newbie to now. I’ve come from not understanding a single thing and probably not being understood to being able to teach a full lesson. Starting and being able to talk to the investigators and so much more.  Of course there are always times when I get down on myself but I guess you just have to remember where you were when you started and that’s when you really appreciate where you are now.

2) We had a zone service project of candle making!  We all went and helped through the whole process.  They had huge bags of wax of all different colors that they had collected from who knows where. Then they just dumped them out and we had to sort it by color so they could recycle the used wax.  It took forever.  And it wasn’t even close to all the way done.  Me and some other American elders just sat and talked and sorted the wax for literally like 3 hours.  It killed my back but it was a good time to be able to just chat.  Then there was other missionaries who dipped the candles in the wax and hung them and stuff.  At the end we got to make our own candles.  They had some candle molds and we made them but the one I made  was  pretty pangit and it wasn’t all the way cool and it couldn’t stand up by its self so I just gave it away.  But it was a good time. 

3) We went to the house of one of our less actives to teach but turns out some one in their family had just got in a motorcycle crash so they were at the hospital. But one of the members was there.  And we found out that there was laundry out back that really needed done so we just had an on the spot service project.  It went really fast cause we had 3 people washing and so we finished in an hour.  Afterwards I saw on her shelf some cans of refried beans.  I was super excited cause you can’t really find those here. So I asked about them.  She gave them to me and one can of apple sauce as well cause they didn’t like them and didn’t know how to cook them.  The apple sauce they tried to make into juice and they had no idea what the beans were for.  So they just threw them out to the dog.  And even the dog wouldn’t eat them. Haha it was funny and I was fine with it because it meant she gave them to me for free! :)

Well the elders are standing behind us telling us to hurry so that’s all I’ve got for this week.  Love you all!  Don’t forget to see the blessings in your life.  Remember that the things we sometimes take for granted are the things that are luxuries for others.  You are all the best! Keep on keeping on! :)

   XOXO

-Sister Van Tassell

Practicing my summarization skills 

Well the good news is that I’m almost at my year mark.  The bad news is that I read my mom’s email about choosing my college major and that kind of took all of my energy so this email is going to be pretty short. I’m going to do the bullet system like walker does to make it short but effective. 

-1-This week I have been battling sickness. Our entire district has had like a 3 day fever except for me and one other sister.  So were fighting for the death.  Who knows?  Maybe this week is my turn. I really hope not!

-2-I have two elders in my going home batch in my zone right now. They are worse than I am.  They are counting the days we have left.  They are insane.  And it makes me count days too.  Bad bad influences haha

-3-I’m more than halfway done with the Old Testament. I just got to Ezra this morning.  Even though there are some hard parts....I love it.  It is awesome. I love reading it and knowing the situations and what things were like and how the time lines line up. Example: I saw in one of the Old Testament institute study guides that Lehi was born before Buddha.  Is that cool or what!?

-4-Maybe I’m getting the hang of Tagalog because I keep typing darn Tagalog words when I’m answering and writing emails and I have to keep back spacing. Nakakinis! haha

-5- We had an oym that asked how many wives my dad had.  Arghhh gotta love it

-6-Our area is super blessed with being able to find families to teach. Now I just hope they will progress. It is just amazing how people let us in and let us keep coming back.  They are pretty great.

Alight that’s about all I’ve got. I hope you all have had a good week.  Just remember that if it wasn’t the best week...opposition in all things hah. I feel you.  But the good won’t be nearly as good if you don’t have some bad. So keep on keepin on and keep the missionaries in your prayers!

Love

Sister Van TASSELL

It’s COLD in the Philippines

So I just want to start this email out by saying I’m sorry that you have all been freezing over there in the good old USA.  But I also want to say that it’s COLD here in the Philippines haha. Yesterday almost froze me to death.  But its ok because today is back to being nice and warm.

 This week was good.  We had interviews with president and sister Tye. We had a district lunch. I ate fried blood. We got sick. And I learned how to cook a super masarap filipino food. And we taught a whole bunch of lessons.  That about sums up missionary life for you all. 

   Let’s see.  One of the best parts was we had a family home evening.  We played a game that had counting and stuff like that.  It was fun but then if you lost they would draw on your face with lipstick.  Then the next person that lost, you got to draw on their face.  Good times good times.  In the games here, there is always a punishment for the loser.  They either have to get stuff on their face or do a talent or do something embarrassing haha.

      Our interviews were good.  They weren’t very long.  Just ten minutes in each one.  So it’s not that big of a deal. But kind of fun to talk to them and just see what is going on. Sister Tye made us treats….but they were all peanut butter.  Thankfully I have learned that nothing should go to waste and I was able to trade for Skittles and some Cheeze-Its. So I count that as success.

   Sister Aguinaldo bought me the blood or it’s actually called Betamax.  So I ate it.  It wasn’t bad actually as long as I didn’t think about it.  It’s better than intestine for sure.

     That’s about all I’ve got for now. I don’t have that much to tell.  Oh but one really kind of cool experience.  Oh one of our investigators is keeping the word of wisdom!! And another one offered to let us come teach every day!! Those things are amazing. But this is cool too.  Soo we were walking out of a subdivision and we were going to go to a different one. But we were looking for a place to Xerox some sheet music.  Anyway we found a place and she started copying but there was a lot and Sister Aguinaldo really had to go to the bathroom haha.  She couldn’t wait so we just asked if we could use their CR really fast.  Of course they said yes because they are super nice here.  So we go in and while she is using the bathroom I chat with the mom.  And we come to find out that a long time ago they were taught by missionaries!  She pulled out her Book of Mormon and was telling about how they used to come teach and stuff.  They didn’t get baptized but they listened to the message.  But it was hard because the old missionaries only knew English. So they couldn’t really answer their questions.  So then we asked if we could share with them. They said no but then were asking questions anyway like what is our purpose as missionaries and what is God’s plan for us.  And we were like wow that’s a great question sister…..can was share with you?  And so she said yes.  I mean we don’t know if they are going to progress or anything but I thought that that was such a cool experience about how the weirdest things can lead to teaching situations.  And how so many people have a background with this church.  Even if they aren’t members. They know about our beliefs.  And that’s missionary work right there.  So if you are afraid to do missionary work just remember that it doesn’t have to be a big deal. Just start by being a good example and sharing a testimony by your actions.  Actions speak louder than words.  And maybe their time isn’t now but maybe years later they will meet missionaries and pull out a Book of Mormon or remember their friend who was Mormon….and your actions could either make or break it J  so make it count. 

** Stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places**

 Love you all and hope you have an amazing week! Keep on keeping on!  Don’t freeze to death.  Summer comes no matter how cold the winter may be.

XOXO from Trece!

---Sister Van Tassell

No longer a teenager!!                           

One year older and wiser to! I am now done with my first and last birthday in the mission! And I’m quickly approaching my one year mark.  I just like to testify what Nami said in her email.  That there almost isn’t even time to straighten out your thoughts.  I don’t think I have thought a complete thought in a few weeks now.  Maybe it’s true that when you get old you start forgetting things haha I’m seeing the signs!  Joke lang.  But it’s true.  The time is flying by. 

   So this week we had a lot that we did.  On Monday we cleaned our apartment.  Deep cleaned.  It was disgusting.  There was spiders and dirt everywhere.  We were so exhausted after that.  But it feels a lot better now that it is done.  Our house is like infested with cockroaches.  There’s like no way to get rid of them.  It’s nasty. But such is life. And this morning I was rearranging my closet and I moved some shirts and there was a crazy huge spider right on the wall and I had almost touched it!  Ahhhhh it’s so creepy. I got my companion to come kill it but she just tried to catch it and throw it at me.  SO I had to take care of it myself. I’m growing up here in the mission haha I can kill my own spiders now. 

   Also this week we had zone meeting.  Which was fun and a good spiritual uplift for the week. 

  Then on Thursday we had to go to SM Bacoor because my companion had an allergy that she had to get checked at the clinic.  So that took the entire day.  2 hour ride there and back on busses and then we sat forever at the doctor. 

   Finally we got to do some work on Friday and Saturday and then Sunday we went with the relief society to visit less active members.  We rode in a car to most places but then there was a house that was kind of close so we just said we can walk.  So all of us got out of the car to walk and me and sister Aguinaldo took off in our missionary walk and the we got to the top of a hill and looked back and they looked like they had barely made it 10 feet. haha we are used to walking fast I guess. 

   Ok so also it was my birthday and that was fun.  The sisters in my apartment surprised me with a cake and a pizza so that was really nice of them. The cake had a huge candle in it.  Not a cake candle haha a candle to use in the house for light.  It was funny.  Also the members fed us.  And some of the youth made me some birthday cards even though they don’t really know me that well.  It is really cute that they put in the effort even though I’m just new to the ward. I love it.  And also president and sister Tye called me and sang happy birthday.  It was so nice of them. Once again I have to say that they are the best mission president and wife hah. 

   And I had an awesome birthday present this week.  We found two families.  One was a referral and one was an OYM but then one of them came to church this week so that was even better.  

  And also this week our district leader shared a scripture with us.  Mormon 9:20-21.  Because we were saying that we didn’t have good numbers and stuff.  This scripture is about how you don’t see miracles because you don’t trust in God and stuff and then if you believe in Christ then you will see the miracles.  It was a joke when he shared it but it is really true.  Sometimes we hope we see miracles but then when we look back at our effort and our faith...it wasn’t really enough.  Of course there is a way and we can see miracles in our lives and sometimes even every day. But we need to know where they come from and we need to trust in God with all our hearts and doubt nothing.  And know that his plan for us is bigger than this earth.  So just take each day and learn and grow and make it a day that is worthy of miracles.  

  I love you all and I love hearing from you. Don’t be afraid to write. :) Paper is cheap hahah.  Keep on keeping on and keep on strengthening your faith!

XOXO from Trece!

--Sister Van Tassell

5th area 8th companion 12th month! Im on a roll!

Manigong bagong taon sa inyo lahat!   So new area and new companion and New Year and new everything!  So I’ll try and give you a quick overview of what happened!  

   This was like the longest week of all time.  I kind of feel like this week was like 3 weeks but that’s how the first week of a transfer is.  It kind of takes the energy out of you.  We found out our transfers on Monday and then transfer day was Tuesday morning because on Wednesday we all had to be in our apartments early for new year’s..more info about that later.   So we packed all night and visited all of the people we could and cried and took pictures and it was so sad. Because we really really weren’t expecting to be transferred so quickly. So that was sad and kind of really hard.   4 of us out of the one house were transferring so it was like a bomb went off.  It’s always kind of a miracle that everything fits in our suitcases because it gets soooo spread out over the course of a few months. But it’s ok though.  The office elders came to pick up our luggage in the morning.  They are the nicest!  They had to bring both of their cars!  So we looked pretty official because we had two cars pull up to our house and guys with ties carried all of our luggage out.  I’m going to miss being by the office!  So then It was transfer day.  And we just went with our new companion.  It took like 3 hours to go to our area because there was a lot of traffic.  But my area is really pretty.  My companion is Sister Aguinaldo and she is Filipino.  She is amazing.  Really full of energy and reminds me a lot of my nanay Sister Lizada.  Speaking of which I am in her area again!  She is the STL over this area so that means we get to go on exchanges and be companions one more time before she goes home.  I’m sooooo excited!

   The new area is good.  Lots of trees and lots of cows.  It’s more up in the high lands I think.  pshh I don’t really know where I am but its cooler here and there are hills.  The pamasahe or money for travel is really expensive because our areas are really far but it’s fun. Our house is pretty nice and we have a balcony with a hammock so that’s enough for me.  The two filipinas in our house cook so they cook for us every day.  We don’t have water in our house at night though for an hour...but unfortunately that is like the only hour we have at home.  So right when we get home we turn on the water and store it in tubs and then we just bucket shower.  It’s not too bad. I kind of like it.  We just shower in the laundry area because it’s inside and when it’s cold I just boil a pot of water to put in it so that I don’t freeze to death haha.  But it’s a fun experience.  and it’s better than showering in the morning.

   The New Year was also cool.  We had to be inside by 6:00 because it’s too dangerous to be out. Because people light off fireworks like crazy.  And there’s not many restrictions on fireworks.  Like I guess the hospitals are pretty full on the day after.  So we had to be inside.  Anyway we didn’t do anything fun. We just slept and then woke up at midnight to take pictures and be excited and stuff.  And then we went back to sleep again.  But it was crazy because when I woke up at midnight it was soooooo loud.  Everyone was lighting fireworks and blowing these huge loud noise makers and it was great. We couldn’t see many fireworks but we saw a couple and we just heard the noise.  It was so loud and I can’t even explain it haha I’m surprised you all didn’t hear it over there in America. 

  One pretty cool thing that happened this week was that we had a mission wide fast for “Faith to do the Lords work.”  They started it at 6 though which is such a weird time...so we couldn’t go home because it was kind of far.  So we just opened our fast in a chow king (fast food place).  In the bathroom because it was empty.  Then we went to church the next day and then got a referral which happened to be a family that was super super nice.  And they decided to feed us before we left...so we had to close our fast in their bathroom!  So that is the way missionaries do fasting haha. It’s not ideal but it works and we found a family and so it’s all good. :)  All is good in the Philippines Cavite Mission.  

  Well I love you all and I’m sure this is long enough.  Sorry that there is no pictures this week.  I have so many good ones to send but this computer isn’t cooperating so next time na lang!

Keep safe and keep on keeping on haha and think of me on my birthday huh ;)

XOXO from Trece Martires

--Sister Van Tassell

I’m not jealous of the SNOW ***

So what’s up everyone!  Christmas is over and the New Year is in 2 days! Hope you all have your new year’s resolutions made.  Mine is to work hard in my new area!  I guess that’s not really a New Year’s resolution haha. But it is a goal that I will start on the New Year.  I wasn’t worried about transfers because I was almost positive that I would be staying for at least one more transfer but that plan failed and I’m going to Trece tomorrow.  Actually both me and my companion are getting pulled out of our area and its being given to the Elders.  It’s because there are too many areas and not enough missionaries so they are putting areas together.  But I always worry a little when I have to give my investigators to Elders.  But I guess Elders are ok and they can probably handle it. 

  This week was good.  We had Christmas and we all opened lots of presets.  It was so fun even though we were far away from home.  Then we skyped!!!!!!!!!!  and then just wandered around to different members houses and got left over dinners.  Because here the big thing is Christmas Eve.  So they all have their big dinners then and so on Christmas its nothing special.  But it was a good day.

   This week Marnela came to church again because she is awesome.  And I’ve been asking her for a long time to check my blood type. So she did.  She used the smallest needle she could so that it wouldn’t hurt.  She was really good at it.  I was impressed. I’m excited to find out the results.  It’s going to be great. 

  So sorry this letter is short. I have packing to do!  I’m excited but I’m so sad to leave Sister Raterta.  She is basically the best. It’s sad because you all don’t get to meet them and know all the stories.  You just have to hear it from me.  So I hope I’m doing a good enough job :)  Love you all.  Have fun staying up late and partying.  I’ll be in bed by 10:30 hah.  Oh the good life of a missionary.  Ok love you all! 

--Sister Van Tassell

Short and Sweet!

Merry Christmas everyone!  This week was kind of a rough one.  But there were a few good parts.

We had our Christmas party this week.  We all went to Dasma and partied.  Each zone had a skit and so that was fun. Some of them were kind of awkward but we just kind of laughed at everything so that was good.  Our skit was the life of president and sister Tye. I was sister Tye and so that was fun.  It was really funny…maybe only to us but that’s ok.  As long as we think it went well.  We did the part of their proposal so the Elder that was President Tye ‘proposed’ to me which was funny.  And then everyone gave me crap but it was still fun.    

And then some amazing people from over there in America had sent gifts for all of the missionaries.  So we all got presents.  That was super fun. If you know who did it or if you did it…it was awesome and we all loved it.  Thanks for thinking of us.

We also had a nativity in scripture and song. Which was really cool and really different.  That was the spiritual part.

We also had a ward Christmas party on Saturday which was fun but was supposed to start at 6 and didn’t start until 730.  Gotta love Filipino time! It’s better that Van Tassell time haha.  But here in the Philippines you perform at the parties. So the missionaries had to perform. We sang a Tagalog Christmas song and then the song from Alvin and the chipmunks.

The bummer part of this week was I got food poisoning/the flu.  So that was an awful, awful day.  And I don’t have that much else to report.  So I guess will just see what happens this week. 

Have a great week and a merry Christmas.  Enjoy it and enjoy being at home. Love you all and can’t wait to see you all again.  Remember the reason of the season J He Is the Gift.

XOXO Sister Van Tassell