Press Onward

 

Well I will just say the highlights this week:

Zone interviews.  I cannot tell you what a blessing it is to have President Peterson as my mission president.  He is an incredible man.  I was really looking forward to going in and asking him what to do about my different concerns and such, but he already knew them all!  He just started giving me counsel and what I could do or change.  He told me how I need to listen and discern.  Asking inspired questions is critical!!!  I am so grateful for the counsel of president.  He is a wise and inspired man.  I truly felt his love and care for me and it is exactly what I needed when I feel like I have no one to listen to me... (besides the Lord haha)

A member said this to me, marveling at my white skin, "You need more sun, and I need more moon." hahaha I tell ya, everyone still stares and takes pictures.  It is flattering yet very awkward.

As for investigators, we extended the baptismal invitation to two people!  And both rejected!  We're working with them, they just don't feel ready.  I actually teach a lot more in English than you would think.  But I am working on my Tagalog.  I love it more and more here.  I hope life is treating you all well.  I miss you dearly and love you tons!  I heard about how Prince William named his son after George, wow, who would've thought that our family would be connected so closely with royalty!  Cool!  hahaha ok Ingat po kayo!

Mahal Kita!!!!!

Sister Waldrom

 

Doctrine and Covenants 112:10

I am learning so much

It is simply amazing how the Church is the same all over the world.  The church is amazing in that it has the same leaders, doctrines, and beliefs everywhere.  When I sit in church on Sundays, I almost feel like I am at home, then I look up and around at the people, and then I realize, psych!  You are in the Philippines!  Silly Sister Waldrom!  I just admire the LDS church.  It is so well established.  Oh yeah, and it is TRUE.  Oh how my testimony has grown here!  Basically because it is all that I can rely on... and the Lord through prayer.  I truly have learned so much.

I lovelovelove our investigators.  Seeing them understand and ask questions warms my heart. Something that has been hard on me is that we "reopened" this area so we had to find a whole new teaching pool.  I wish I was seeing more success sooner. I have to wait for the people we are teaching to accept.  We have already dropped a lot of people and they have dropped us.  That is always a sad moment.  It's ok because we always find new people to teach, but that just means that they just rejected their salvation.... (I just pulled out the big guns) But seriously!  How can you say no to this wonderful gospel?!  Are you afraid to read the word of God or pray?!  That is all it takes!! (Oh and keep all His commandments... that is actually really hard) But goodness, I just love the people too much to hear them say "Pasensiya, catolico ako.  Salamat."  (Sorry, I am catholic.  No thanks.)  We have some investigators who seems to be doing pretty well.  We taught a sister last night the second lesson on the plan of salvation.  This was our second lesson and we brought a couple from the ward that she said she already knew!  She already has a support system!!!  She seems to understand the doctrine, now it is a matter of praying about it and to know the truth for herself.  I am excited for her and I see a lot of potential!  We have many other investigators, but not much to report on yet.  We are teaching a part member family's son and he came to church on Sunday!  He could be our first baptism.  He is ten and sure is a cutie.  He is real quiet so we shall see!!!

The Philippines are truly a blessed country.  They live such simple and great lives here.  They see the importance of family and religion.  I love the culture and the traditions.  I can't wait till the day that I can speak fluently and learn all about everyone's lives. That has been really a struggle this week. Mostly because I have been here for about 3 weeks and I am simply not fluent yet!  (haha) It's a constant personal battle.  I don't complain much to my companion, but I wish I could understand what people say to me.  I wish I could communicate. I guess my best effort is my short sentences, smile, and my heart.... cheesy but true.  

I am loving it here.  I hope this week we can have some more stories of spiritual progression, but hey, those will come.  Also, it just started POURING out of nowhere.  So that's cool.  I LOVE the rain.  I need some more umbrellas.  I love my crocs.  I love the food.  I love the transportation.  I love the members.  I love the people.  I love you all!!!! Thank you SO MUCH for all your support and love.  Remember that you are a Child of God and He gives you trials to help you grow!  Be sure you handle every situation in a Christlike way because if you do, He will bless you beyond belief!! (Romans 8:18)  Keep the faith burning!!!!

Mahal kita,

Sister Waldrom 

Doctrine and Covenants 58:16

 

I LOVE it here!

 

 

Ok, so I love it here! The language is still rough.  I can understand a lot, but I don't know how to reply to a lot because I feel embarrassed about how I don't speak well.  Thankfully alot accept English, but I am trying!!!  I can receive dear elders, letters, and pouch so write me!  I got a letter from the US in 9 days!!!! Holla.  I love district meetings.  They are a highlight in the week!  So grateful for them.  I love having my friend Sister Smart from the MTC to help cope through all this change.  I only get 1 hour and 15 mins to email and also email my mission president.  This time is so stressful for me cause I had 28 emails in my inbox.  Oh how I love you all! 
 

I feel like I am on my favorite ride in Disneyland 24/7.  The jeepneys are so jerky and crazy and life here is just fast and wild! 

Even though I already said this, I LOVE the ward here!  They have come out with us so many times and when they join in on a lesson and add another witness, it makes such a difference.  Being in this City is an amazing blessing.  I love it here.  I could stay here for 18 months.  There is so much land to cover and so many things to do. 
 

Our lessons this week have been wonderful.  It is amazing to see where the spirit leads us and who He has us talk to.  I don't always know why He puts us in some people's pathways, but I know there is always a reason.  We were looking for a less active in the rain, but they weren't home. We had some time to spare, so we were walking, and I felt an inkling that we should stop at this house.  We said "Tao po" (person in tagalog, you don't knock, just holler for a person to come out) and this mother let us in and gladly accepted our message.  I really hope she prays and knows the truth for herself.  Pray always for our investigators.  I love them all so much.  Honestly, here are just some pics of what has been going on.  This week was a lot of first lessons.  I am sure next week after we follow up, we will have some more amazing stories.
 

To answer some questions, the food is so great!  I love Porksilog.  It is rice, a poached egg, and fried chicken. It costs about 43 cents in American money.  The bread here is to die for. And the Mangos are unreal.  I want to eat them all the time. The heat is bearable and I LOVE the rain. 

I have felt your prayers tremendously.  I was really struggling, but all those fears are gone now and I know that is the answer to your prayers.  Thank you for your prayers, love and support.  I miss you all so much and pray for you all!!

Love,

Sister Waldrom

Morgans BYU friend, Madeline who
will serve in Argentina this fall.

 

Hardest. Week. Ever.

This week has been the most difficult and rewarding week of my life!  I don't know where to begin.  The MTC felt like a century ago.  Talking to the fam on the phone was so great!  It was good to hear from all of you.  The strange thing about it was that it made things more difficult for me.  I almost felt like I was at the airport to come home, but the truth was that I was going even further away.  My faith has been tested more than ever before.  The flight to Manila I got super sick, and the nerves and stomach aches haven't stopped.  But after a day and a half of traveling, we arrived in Manila and went to bed in a hotel at 12:30 am on Wednesday morning.  We woke up at 3:30 to be ready by 4:30.  We calculated about 6 hours of sleep in about 3 days.  I was exhausted.  We took a bus to San Pablo which was about a two hour drive without too much traffic.  And there was President Peterson, Elder and Sister Hansen (senior couple) and the President's assistants waiting for us!  Oh how happy I was to see their faces.  We waited for the missionaries from the Manila MTC to come and then we had breakfast.  There were about 25 new missionaries!  We then had an orientation and dinner.  Then president let us go back early and I was knocked out by 7 pm.  The next day was transfer day!  We had some meetings and I met my Companion!  Sister De Castro!  She is from just north of San Pablo in Quezon City and has been out for about 5 months.  She is so wonderful,  but doesn't speak english very well so that has been a struggle.  We share an area now with two other sisters who are amazing.  They have helped me understand this area and how missionary life goes.  They truly are a blessing from God.  Without them, I am not sure where my sanity would be.  My area is all city.  Lots of people, cars, and houses.  The ward here is AMAZING.  What a blessing.  On Thursday we went out with a member who is a returned missionary and she gave us two referrals and we taught two lessons!  Teaching a lesson is a feeling that is indescribable.  I am honestly more surprised with the homes than I thought I would be.  Many are made of mud blocks with sheet metal for ceilings.  They are so humble and many are willing to listen to us... so far.  Saturday we went tracting.  We got 15 OYM's (open your mouth) where the mission daily goal is 10!  Score!  And we got 5 new investigators out of it.  It is hard because we have to find all our investigators by ourselves because the other sisters keep theirs.  It is ok because we are working hard!  Sunday was a faith booster to see how strong the ward is.  We had a ward fireside on members working with missionaries and I am coming to know the members now.  There is a good amount of very faithful members and I am thankful for them since this is my first area.  Ah, honestly, this week has been so difficult because of my emotions.

1. this is all so new to me: lifestyle (different from mtc), language, culture

2. I am scared out of my mind.  I dont know anything!  

I know it all just takes time.  What has been helping me is this quote by David A. Bednar, "fear departs when faith endures."  Oh how true it is.  

I love President and Sister Peterson.  Honestly they remind me so much of you, Mom and Dad.  I cannot wait to see them again in a few weeks.  

Funny story time.  I am completely serious when I say this, everyone stares at me. It is not common for white people to be in the Philippines at all.  So, when I am walking around, eyes follow me.  People have said to me, "Hey babe", Hello beautiful" and so on.  This sister that we met tracting just pulled out her phone and took a picture of me.  I was like what the heck?!  It was so weird.  I hate being a spectacle here.  It is so awkward.  But whatever lets me talk to people, right?  hahaha weird.  Ok love you all!  And I forgot my camera so here are some pics from my companions. 

Sister Waldrom

Helaman 6:3

 

 

Public Blog

Morgans blog invitations have exceeded the amount allowed so we decided to take her blog public. 
Today is a big day for Morgan as she heads to the Philippines.  Since she may not have a p-day for a while, here is some information about Morgans mission:

Morgan left for her mission to San Pablo, Philippines on May 22, 2013. She’ll be gone for 18 months. The first 6 weeks were spent in the MTC (Mission Training Center) in Provo, Utah. In the MTC she was enrolled in an intensive language training program and learned the basics of being a missionary.
The MTC helps them make the transition from being college kids with little more than themselves to worry about to individuals who can represent the church with a spiritual message in an area that is far from home and the comforts they are used to. The mission rules are strict. The idea is that these “kids” leave their lives completely behind them to focus on serving God and others. While they are on missions looking to help convert others, they also go through a conversion process themselves. They leave behind their families, friends, books and their music (unless it is worshipful and uplifting) even their “names”.  Morgan will wear a name tag for 18 months identifying herself as Sister Waldrom. She will be with a companion 24/7. They wear conservative skirts and dresses 6 days a week. On the seventh day, called p-day or preparation day, they can wear normal clothes. This is when they do all of their errands; buy groceries, do laundry, send and receive email, write letters, go to the post office, etc. They are allowed to call home twice a year (Christmas and Mother’s Day ☺).
After the MTC the missionaries go to the area they were called to serve in. Parents entrust their kids to a Mission President and his wife who oversee them. The MP and his wife arrange airport transfers and help the incoming missionaries get settled. They meet with the missionaries throughout their terms of service, and encourage, counsel and help with health or other issues that need to be resolved. A mission might have about 200 missionaries, so the MP and his wife keep very busy. The missionaries check in nightly with a zone leader (a more experienced missionary) who reports to the MP. The MP is also responsible for assigning each missionary a companion and sending them to the area where they will serve until they are switched. This switch is called a transfer.
A typical day starts at 6:30 am with prayer, exercise, showers and breakfast, followed by personal scripture and language study. After this they pray together and plan their day around any appointments they may have with people they are working with. By 10:30am they are out the door. Some days they knock on doors offering to tell people about our beliefs, or they may just talk to people in the street. On other days they might do service projects or teach people English. They are usually back in their apartments by 8 pm when they check in, have dinner, do some more language study and get ready to start again the next day - lights out at 10:30pm.
This is voluntary service.  Besides religious benefits there are others too. Although it seems like she has put his education on hold, she’s learning a new language, and she’s in an accelerated course about life. All this human interaction is teaching her empathy, tolerance, awareness, dependability, communication skills and insights on human nature and relationships. It is even teaching how to deal with rejection and developing her sense of humor (which she has always said is “underappreciated”). These are skills that will prepare her to be a better employee, wife, mother and for a lifetime of serving others.
Yes we miss her. We miss her a lot, but we are also grateful that she has chosen this path.

I am leeeeeavin on a jet plan, don't know when I'll be back again.....

 

Pamilya!!!

The time has come.  And I feel about every emotion in the book.  My MTC experience has been so amazing.  But, I am so ready to get to work in the Pilippinas!!!  Gahhhh last night our teach did a Q&A and showed us pictures from San Pablo and oh man, my excitement increased about 137%.  I am going to the Philippines!!!!  This is NUTS!  Ok let's start this email organized.

Sunday, June 23rd, I had the amazing opportunity to participate in the MTC choir for the World Wide Broadcast for Hastening the work of Salvation.  I knooooow I was never seen on camera, but I promise I was there!  But after re-watching the broadcast, I found half of my body on the camera!  I am at the top in the green shirt and pink belt.  I think they purposefully cut my head off because I may or may not have been tearing up....  it seriously was just sooooo powerful!!!!  I am apart of this great movement of missionaries.  I have been called to serve and am going to hearken the nation of the Philippines!  It was an amazing experience to sing live to the apostles and listen to their amazing words about this great work.  I hope you all have a renewed excitement for member missionary work.  Seriously, without the members, my job as a full-time missionary would be a thousand times more difficult!  Thank you for all you do!  Don't be afraid to give referrals and don't be afraid to speak up about this wonderful gospel in your lives to your friends.  I also got to sorta talk to Elder M. Russell Ballard through his car window.  He told us, "You are doing an amazing job and I am grateful for your service."  Yeah, cool moment.  

This week was my first week where I had a few bad days.  Just days of frustration, irritation, and a whole lot of dumb feelings.  Having those bad days was really frustrating because I feel like my day was less productive, but really though, this week I think I worked the hardest I have worked yet.  I made super good use of the study time I had, our district had an english fast (only Tagalog all day) and I learned so much in class.  This week we were pounded with information before we leave; for example, yesterday we had in-field orientation.  That thing was amazing!  The amount of effort the MTC and teachers put into it was awesome!  The classes were all themed and interactive and I really learned a lot to prepare me for the field!  Some people don't like in-field orientation because it is long and can be boring, but it really is what you make it... just like how the rest of this mission is. 

Ok, so I am real excited and real nervous to leave.  Where has time gone?  I feel like I got into the MTC last week!!!  But I came up with a list of what I learned in my first 6 weeks of my mission and want to share it with you so that not only I remember what I learned, and for my friends who are coming into the MTC (Emily Dahl, Madeline Foutz!!!), but also for you family and friends. These points can also be applied in life!  So here goes:

The 6 Most Important Lessons I Learned in the MTC

1. Know your Purpose

If you don't know this, then you might as well go home.  This is what life revolves around as a missionary.  I knew that coming into my mission, but didn't realize how amazing each word in that statement is.  I wish I would've internalized Our Purpose moreso prior to my mission, but I have gained a great love for it and it solely is the reason for missionary work and my desire for being here.

2. Make Friends

Life as a missionary is wayyyyyy different, and if you make friends with other missionaries along the way you just bond so much!  Making friends gives you sanity and time to help each other out.  And you know you are always uplifting others when you talk to them and help them, cause this thing we call life ain't easy.

3. Be Diligent

When receiving a mission call, you are called to dedicate all your time to serving a the Lord and leaving behind all personal matters.  I have learned that this is the Lord's time.  I cannot waste it.  I am only dedicating 18 months for this work, so stinkin use it wisely!  When there is a spare moment of a few extra minutes here and there, be productive.  Read some scriptures, study some language, comfort a friend, ask your teacher questions, say a prayer, do something! 

4. Forget Yourself

I kinda mentioned this last week, but seriously, this mission isn't about me, or you, or anything.  It is about the people who need the gospel in their lives and Christ.  Seriously, this mission is supposed to change a person, and that change is supposed to be permanent.  Don't return to the old habits, keep the new ones!  This is all about serving others.

5. Don't Compare

This means don't be hard on yourself when others progress faster than yourself.  I have struggled with that here.  "Wow that companionship is better than mine.  She is better at the language.  She is more spiritual. She is more popular.  She is prettier.  They work harder.  They are practically fluent.  I am no good!"  It is hard when you feel like there is no encouragement.  There are no cheerleaders here, there are no parents or old friends, there is just you and the Lord.  And you have to learn to listen to the Spirit when it is cheering you on and inspiring you.  Know that you are a Child of God and He has blessed each of us differently.  We all go at different paces, even if it is different than what you would want.  He is always with you and help you be prepared and ready to perform His work.

6. Turn Outward

This comes from Elder David A. Bednar's talk on the "Character of Christ". Christ turned outwards unto others when many of us would turn inwards.  Every person is different and often times it is difficult to understand and love every person we come in contact with.  But if we come to understand how to turn outward and become Christlike, then you are doing something right in this life.  This applies to missionaries and everyone at home, love everyone.  God loves us all and we are all His children.  We must love them all too, especially by bringing them the Koloob (intangible gift in Tagalog) of the Gospel.

Ok, just thought you might be interested in what I learned, and please share this with anyone who may be going on a mission so they can learn these things far before I did!  I miss you all and the next time I email, it will be from halfway across the world.... Mahal kita lahat!  Ingat po!

Peace 'n blessin's,

Sister Waldrom
Go read 1 Samuel 25

 

I am going to the Pilipinas

 

Who got their travel plans yesterday?  THIS SISTER MISSIONARY DID!  Wooooooo!!! I leave next Monday, July 1st!  Right on time.  So stinkin pumped to fly to Portland, then Tokyo, then Manila, and then drive down to San Pablo!  It will be many long hours of traveling, but I couldn't have better people to do it with!  So pumped.  Ok now I will inform you on my true feelings.  I am so thrilled to finally be immersed in God's work.  I am so excited to be where God has called me to be.  I know that this is the mission that He wants me to serve in.  I am so humbled to have this opportunity, but man there are moments where I am a little terrified.  Some people say they are not scared at all, I think they are all wack.  I have never left the North American continent.  I won't have air conditioning, a washing machine, a real shower, or any of the simple necessities in America.  But if I have learned anything on the mission it is this: many people say the saying "forget yourself", but I say "leave yourself and never go back".  This mission is supposed to change a person's life; when a missionary comes home from their mission, they should not return to their old lifestyle, they should continue the ways they have lived on their mission.  Does that make sense?  I haven't even gotten to the Pilippinas, but I know I will always continue to live like a true servant of God.  I still don't know why I am so blessed to be a missionary in the Philippines, but I do feel incredibly humbled for this amazing opportunity.  I just have to keep remembering that this week and then I won't wet my pants out of nerves to leave.  I am mostly nervous for the communication barrier.  Gosh, I love Tagalog, but dang is it hard to say everything I want to.  GAH I AM SO EXCITED THOUGH!!!!! 9 days and counting! (in other words, I am ready to leave the MTC)

 

So something not so cool, I tore a muscle in my leg last week.  What?  Right when I start taking up running, this happens.  It happened two Monday's ago so when it didn't feel any better this past Tuesday, I wanted to be sure nothing was serious so I went to the doctor.  So glad it is just an inflamed muscle tissue/tear, but seriously, how long are these things supposed to take to heal?  I can't run cause it hurts and my body is starting to get restless. 

 

We had an amazing blessing come into our lives this week.  On Sunday one of the Districts left, but there was one sister who has been having some health problems and couldn't leave for the Philippines yet.  So she was reassigned to stay in our district.  She became my beloved Sister Mafi's companion since we were a trio.  My heart broke when I heard that she wouldn't be with me 24/7 anymore.  It is now just Sister Hellewell and I and we keep looking back for Sister Mafi but then we realize she is not our kasama anymore. :( But I couldn't be happier because we have inherited the one, the only, Sister Aruwititi!!! (pronounced ar-oo-wee-sees) She is is from the Kirabati Islands smack dab in the middle of the Pacific.  This sister knows how to make an impact on people's lives.  She is very softspoken, sweet, and gentle.  I have seen more examples of Christlike attributes in her than anyone I have ever met.  She has eye problems in one eye and has some other problems with her health.  She is in my room and gosh she is hilarious!  I was looking for her because she was my companion when we were on a split, and I was getting nervous... Then I see her walking down the hallway with a fresh cup of "cup of noodles" and I hollered, "There you are!  Where have you been?!"  And then she booked it into the bedroom and slammed the door!  I could hear her laughing and I was laughing sooooo hard.  Good thing I had a key, and I walk right in and she says, "Hindi Mabuti!" {no good} hahahahaha she is a gem!  So glad to have her join our companionship, we are like a quad now. 

 

Hard to think I have been out for a month today!  I still couldn't be happier.  Mom you mentioned how you don't think I am telling you how I am feeling (haha), I am being dead serious, I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!  The MTC is so awesome and to think I will be doing this for realzzzz next week, is so nuts!  This week I felt old cause I got to host!  That is when you pick missionaries up off the curb and help them enter the mtc.  It was way less fun than I expected hahaha... But it was cool being able to serve these crying newbies.  hahaha Just kidding, but I hosted two sisters and I know they will both be amazing missionaries.  We got three new district this weeks, 20 sisters and 11 elders.  Ha!  Go sisters!  They are awesome, but I already miss our old districts so much!  Our zone was sooooo close.  But oklang, they will be amazing in the field!!

 

So tomorrow.  This is happening.  I get to sing for the prophet and his apostles.  I am so thrilled.  I am so grateful.  I hate singing, but it will be so worth it! So look for me!  I will be wearing a lighter/pastel green shirt (the one I wore when I entered the MTC).  I will wear my hear half down so it's not in my face.  Look for meeeeeeee!!!  So excited to hear from the prophet before I head to the field!!

 

Lastly, please remember this.  As missionaries, we simply "invite" others to come unto Christ.  You can do it too.  If you simply invite a friend to a church activity or to sacrament meeting, or invite them to read an article or invite them to do something, then what is the harm!?!   Remember, no one would be offended by a simple invitation.  That is something that I have learned this week.  Just do it.

 

Mahal kita at nagpapasalamat po ako para sa pagkakataon ito,

 

Sister Waldrom

 

Omni 1:26