Last update! She's comin home!

Well. This is my last update

Its weird. I just got transfered to Santa Fe, in Bacolod City. Its a BEAUTIFUL area. I'm living in a nice house with two other sisters! And both of them came here with me at the beginning of the mission! So, its been a party;) My new companion is Sister Foote. Shes fantastic. Shes my first, blond hair blue eyed American companion so its insane how much attention we get ahahaha. But its fun. WE've been teaching a ton. Yeah what does the word "trunky" even mean?! I dont know! But i'm sprinting to the finish:) I guess it sill hasnt hit me. I'll be pinching myself a lot this next week. 

We have some awesome people lined up for baptism. The ward is AMAZING. So we have a ton of appointments because people usually invite the missionaries over. No one knows when im actually going home. I've been trying so hard to be as vague as possible. I guess its a good thing i got transfered. I wont die when i leave the area. I'll just cry when i leave the island. 

WE have new missionaries this week from the Tacloban mission. They are now officially Bacolod missionaries. I hope they adjust well here. WE have the best mission and the BEST mission president in the Universe. I dont know why Bacolod was spared, but we're here. The people i taught my whole mission and learned to love, are still alive. They still have thier homes and their families. We're still working hard. Yolanda took one of our proselyting days, but she took a lot more than that from others.

Its so weird seeing how much i've really learned in the past year and a half. I really HAVE been learning stuff this whole time! Hahaa, i've become very sarcastic. We have been spending most of our companion study sharing and talking about the scriptures. Its so cool how much we're both able to learn from each other. 

This is my last update. The mission is wonderful. If you want to go, you should. I dont think anyone reading this is missionary age or interested but, COME JOIN US! I'll be a regular member missionary soon. I cant wait to have thanksgiving dinner. I'll probably get so fat.

There are so many people to pray about. The new Bacolod missionaries, the people of Samar, Leyte, Bohol. And a trillion more things. 

This has been the hardest and most difficult thing i've ever done. And i'll never trade it. For a trillion dollar? Nope i wouldnt. I know i'll see the blessings of this for the rest of my life. But most importantly, I've grown closer to my Savior. NOthing else in the world would give me that blessing. I love you all. And i'll see most of you next week. 

Love you all dear family and friends

Sister Martinez

She's alive!

Hello everyone!

I'm alive!

After the flu and a super typhoon, i made it!

Its crazy how sooo much is happening my last few weeks of my mission. I have two weeks so we'll see what ELSE is in store. 

The storm was crazy! We were home the whole time. We had to stay indoors until the storm passed. The only thing i could see out of my window was this huge coconut tree and i was just waiting for it to fall! The wind was so strong! It was interesting how CLEAR the sky was before it hit! There were people talking about how the storm wasnt even going to hit because Negros never really gets big storms. But it did hit! Just goes to show how we should always be prepared! Not just storms and calamities, but the trilas that come to us in life. We had a good number of people come to church. At least the storm reminded people of that need for spritiual preparation. But we didnt see any big damage companre to areas closer to the mountains. There were a lot of fallen banana trees:)

This week was great! The flu was going around the mission and of all the people in the mission (200+) I was the lucky winner! I had to give training for my zone and our mission nurse made me wear a stinking mask! I felt sooo silly talking about the sacredness of the BOok of Mormon with that terrible thing on. AND the Assistants to the President were there. Haha. But it was wonderful. I really enjoyed sharing my testimony i've gained about the Book of Mormon here on my mission.

I'm doing so much better now. We've been working hard, teaching and comforting our brothers and sisters that were affected by the storm. People are so wonderful. Even after all of this, Sister Alvarez just wanted to be baptized and we celebrated two birthdays. I love my mission. 

My bishop just emailed me and I already have an assignment ahaha. I'll be speaking at Monica Ward on December 8. Youre all welcome to attend and see my cry and talk about my Filipino people:0

I love you all!!!!!

Maayong aga sa tanan!

Ay, I cant believe we're so close to November already. I had such a wonderful opportunity to watch General Conference this past week and WOW!

Its was super intense and really inspired me in so many ways. I cant even pick one because alll the talks were so wonderful! My companion and I have been spending hours talking about the things we've heard and our goals to apply what was said. I hope you are all doing the same:) Especially in becoming a member-missionary. There are 80,000 missionaries but there really should be 15 million:)

My last few weeks on the mission will be FILLED with lots to do! We just had General Conference, this week, the Area Seventy will come and visit our mission, on November 2, Elder Anderson of the TWELVE is coming to visit us! THEN, we'll have my last zone training. Ay na ko!

We've been finiding sooo many people, like 50 plus in these last few weeks. CRAZY! We're so busy and just sooo overjoyed at the people who are coming up to us and wanting to listen to our message. 

This past week was a little scary because one of the families we're super close to is having sooo many trials!!! Brother Joemarie was writhing in pain as we taught him and turns out he has an ulcer. He was able to get some help from the ward and they got him so medicine. MY goal is to be back here in Negros for their temple sealing next year!

WE met an AMAZING family. The Bechayda family experienced a terrible tragedy a few months ago where they lost their daughter. She slipped on a bridge they were crossing and she fell into the water where her head made contact with a rock. They are so open and ready to accept the message of the Plan of Salvation. Sister Novie was so happy to hear that she can be with her daughter again.

So many wonderful things are going on here in the Philippines Bacolod Mission. I just have to honestly say, not in a boastful way,BUT, this really is the Best mission in the Universe;) I'm so blessed to be serving with President Lopez and all of the other wonderful missionaries here. My companion will be leaving next week!!!!!!! And i'm so sad! We've been having so much but,but i guess I'm a little excited to see who my new companion will be. I'll find out next week!

WEll my dears. Have a wonderful week!

from today:

Magandang Umaga<3

This week was wonderful.
We had more training this week and we really enjoyed it. We're very excited to start the basketball clinic for girls which is something President wants us to get started here. Basketball for girls is unheard of so its super cool! We will be working with the youth so we can start this coming Saturday. There are usually young men who come and play so we will start the girls out in the morning. We will also give church tours so people who have never been inside can come in. I am also very excited to start Facebook here in Silay.We'll have a page for our ward maybe in a few more weeks. So add us! hehee

You know, I never thought I would use Tagalog on my mission. IN the MTC, my main focus was learning the doctrine and the fundamentals so I can be good at teaching. We have a wonderful investigator who just came from Manila and he doesnt know how to speak Ilonggo! Its so difficult to teach him. I throw in the words i remember. BUt, it was such a spiritual lesson. It was completely guided by the Spirit. HE made up what we lacked in our language skillls. I know brother Jedrek felt that and he will be so much more prepared for his baptism on September 14th. He has already come to church so many times and has friends in the young mens. We are so excited to see him progress even more!

The Solinap family is soo excited for their baptism. it was interesting to see how much of a difference a few weeks made in their preparation. They really needed that extra time to ponder and realize the commitment they were making in being baptized. They passed their interview no problem. i'm excited to see the Solinap family enter the waters of Baptism.

Other than that, sister Maloata is doing much better now. She had a really high fever a few days ago but she has so much faith.She received a Priesthood blessing and it hasnt come back again:) I'm very glad to be with sucha great companion. I realize how much more i need to step it up.Shes so spiritual and in tune with the needs of our investigators. I'm stretching even more in this companionship and its great. Its a good stretch.

Exchanges went well. I like visiting other areas and seeing how they work and what works for them.

We will be in Cadiz doing exchanges this week!

Amo lang ina. Hawlong ya'll:)

from August 11:

What a wonderful week!

We've been so busy. We went to Bacolod 3 times!!! In one week!

The first time, we traveled to Bacolod for MLC or mission leaders council. We got to stay the night with my companion from the MTC, Sister Sanders! It was so great to see her and catch up a little bit. MLC was such an amazing experience. We now have 2 sets of Assistants to the President because our mission is just growing so much! The training we received was so spiritual and inspiring. We've been applying what we learned to our area and we really are seeing some great things come of out of it. Miracles miracles miracles!

The second time we went to Bacolod was for exchanges and that was so fun! I met a gentleman who is really interested in the church. His father is paralyzed and he still gave so much service to the church. He was really curious to know about the church and we answered the questions he was asking. I hope he went to church. We also met a super cute kid, Marjoe, and he looks so much like my brother Diego, i wanted to CRY! He's getting baptized soon and he's so excited. Anyway, Bacolod is doing well. I was with a sister who has been here about 7 weeks and it was cool to see how I was like that when i was first here. It was an interesting time of reflection on my mission so far and being able to see how I can improve. 

The third time we went was to get our fingerprints taken for our visas and we got to see a lot of elders and sisters we hadnt seen in  a while. It was a nice and busy week.

We came to a bit of a halt on saturday when we got back from bacolod. My companion got sick! So we were home all saturday and sunday. We're back on it today and hopefully she feels better for this week because we have TONS to do. Like, 3 exchanges, mission President training and we have to find a new apartment because we'll have two new sisters added to our area next transfer! Yay!

I'm learning so much from sister Maloata, like how to slow dooowwwnn. I'm always in a hurry and this is the first companion that has forced me to slow down without driving me crazy. Yay i've learned a lot of patience! We have a few people we're teaching who are Tagalog speakers and its soo difficult. I was so suprised at how much my companion rememebered from the MTC. I was super impressed!

I'm excited for the week. WE have so many pepole going home soon. But at the same time, SOO many coming into the mission. 4 will leave and 24 will replace them!~ EXCITING!

I love this work and the love and care that comes from our Mission President. He says thank you to my family for supporting me and letting me be here. I thank you all as well. 

Love, Sister Martinez

Kassi's companion

from August 4:

This week was great! I wasnt too sad leaving sister Roos. I knew she was ready to move on and share her knowledge and train. She really is a great missionary and i cant wait to see her grow even more! I was so happy to be companions with sister maloata. We actually met in the MTC and we joked about us being companions and here we are! We've been together for a few days now and i've already learned so much from her! I want to be samoan when I grow up:)

We are really working on applying the trainings our mission President gave us about the 10 minute lessons to members and church tours! We have a few people to visit this week and will be sharing the blessings that come from sharing the gospel with family and friends from Alma 31:34-35. We're excited to work closer with our members. We want to train and gain the trust of the members so they can work on retaining while we focus on investigators. We've already have been seeing so many blessings and miracles! 

The Solinap family have been investigators since the previous missionaries were here. Brother Joe Marie would lie to the sisters about his cigarette smoking and we just taught him and were bold and loving and he started to trust us and is being super honest! He hasnt smoked in 2 days now. He says he's getting stomach aches but he says he just prays and he feels better! Yesss! Sister Cecilia has been ready for a long time now. Through them we met Phoebe and Marisel and they will be getting baptized all together on August 24. THEN, we met their daughter-in-law who is a part member and now has a baptismal date for August 31. We met two previous investigators on sunday afternoon and they have dates for September 14. Can you believe it!? Its only been less than a week and we've already seen so much progression! We're already giving dates in september!!

I'm so excited to do more work here in Silay. We also are doing the church tours on fridays at 6pm. We have so many young men who have committed to come and play and last week we met someone who acutally came in and was soooo prepared! She said she has been looking for the truth and we were able to teach her the message of the restoration. She prayed and she said she felt so good about what we taught her. It was my first time teaching a lesson in all english! it was so difficult describing things i've been used to describing in Ilonggo. Also, the First Vision, I should learn it in English:) We will be doing church tours every week now!

Sister Maloata and I will be doing exchanges with sisters in two zones! Its going to be a little stressful but it'll be fun:) Shes soo amazing. I'm just glad i'm doing this calling with her. Shes just so calm and super confident. Its great;) The house i'm in is great. We have sooo many cockroaches but i prefer them over mosquitoes. We have to shower outside in the back of our house cause our bathroom inside is upstairs and the water pressure isnt strong enough hehee. Its a little colder here too! i've actually been wearing my cardigans that i brought! Its nice;) We get a nice breeze at night. 

We're teaching a young man and he speaks tagalog! its sooo hard to speak tagalog! I just taught in a mix of english and ilonggo. Sooo hard! I need to brush up on my Tagalog skills, which are non existent because i havent spoken that language in over a year now! I'm praying in spanish now, and it takes me FOREVER. HOpefully i can get the hang of it soon:) 

I met this young man this week. His name is Michael and hes amazing. He used to be the leader of a gang here in the Philippines. He was being taught and was baptized in May of this year. Now he comes and works with us every week. He is getting ready to serve a misson! SO cool! He has such a strong testimony. I cant wait to see all the miracles he'll be doing on his mission. Seriously such a humble guy. 

Anyway, my week has been amazing. I miss Talisay but i'm excited to be here in Silay:) Lots of work to do here!

~Tofa soifua~

(take care in Samoan:)

Loveyou allssss:)

from July 28:

This week was so full of the spirit! Brother Alan Mana was baptized this past Saturday. Words cannot explain how happy I felt that day. It was really a miracle that we were able to see the baptism go smoothly. We showed up early because we knew we needed to fill up the font somehow because there was a  black out. The first thing we did was kneel down in prayer and asked heavenly Father to help the baptism go well. We didnt know HOW that would happen but we knew brother Alan was important to Him, and that his baptism would go well so he could feel the spirit. It was quite an adventure getting that font filled. We found out there was a water well in the back of the church, so we emptied two 20 gallon garbage cans and used little ones to scoop water out and fill the 20 gallon can. We did like 30 trips. It took us like 12-14 scoops of water to fill one 20 gallon can, then it took 30 times to fill the font enough to immerse Brother Mana. You do the math. Honestly, it was all heavenly Father giving us the srength to do that. We had two brothers helping us take the 20 gallon to the font. So what we did mostly is fill the 20 gallons. AHh! and I'm not even that SORE! Yeah, I have superwoman strength. It was so worth it when, as we sang "I am a child of God" at the conclusion of his baptism, he teared up and told us how happy he was to be baptized. I was filled with such an overwhelming feeling of love for Brother Mana and I just KNEW, God was happy because one more of His many children made that special promise to Him, to follow His Son, and that regardless of the situation, nothing can stop miracles from happening. 

His children had a date to be baptized on August 3, but they will be baptized on August 10 instead so Brother Mana can baptize them. We just know that as he feels the power and love from using his Priesthood, he'll gain a stronger testimony and endure to the end. 

The Barreto boys are going to be baptized on the 17th of August and the young women in the Despi family will be baptized on the 10th. We're working so hard. We know there will be more miracles. We need to be at the right place and the right time and as we are exactly obedient and study out where we need to be, we'll be there and find those who are ready for this gospel. 

So ya, crzyy. Another funny story. We went to a memebers hhouse cause we're teaching her son. Well, its a little down hill and when it rains it FLOODS! As we left her house, we noticed how dirty and flooded stuff was and the memeber was telling us how we should use her rain boots to walk through the water! Only problem, there was only one pair:) So, did I mention my companion is a cheerleader and shes been lifting girls for the past few years? FOr a competitive team? Well, she got to use her skills on the mission because she put on the boots and carried me out to higher land:) it was pretty hilarious. We couldnt stop laughing. But yea, that was my adventure for the week. 

For sister Rizas baptism, we had a problem with the font water. It was like, mountain dew yellow and nasty. So we improvised and used a tampon to filter out the water;) Thanks Tampax!

Theres a seven 11 here in Silay! Like 10 minutes away from us! I cant wait to go get my slurpee:) I've been dreaming of it forever now! yay!

I love my mission~!

sorry I'm a little behind. this is from July 14:

Maung hapon sa tanan mga ambian kag pamilya ko!

WE had a really great week this week! We finally bought umbrellas and our ward is so happy!

We're seeing some great progression with the Despi family! Sister Priscilla, the mother, came to church! We are still trying to work on brother Juan. He fishes on Sunday so we shared the story about Christ and him telling the fishermen to cast their nets on the other side of their boats and they were so much more blessed when they did so. He seemed to enjoy that and says he will go to church this coming week. He read in the Book of Mormon! We did a little dance because we were soo happy to know he had exercised his faith and experimented on his own by reading. He really enjoyed what he read and committed to continue to read. His children ask us for reading assignments every time we visit. They're seriously so stinking cute!

The baptism was wonderful! Joy joy and Em em were so excited and happy to be baptized. I dont think anyone else was glowing as much as their mother was. She was soo happy to see the blessings pouring in to their home. We're now working on Elmer John and trying to get him fellow shipped and feel the love of the gospel and the Spirit its bringing to his home. Sister Evelyn really has such a powerful testimony and started crying when we told her she can fast for Elmer John. 

Sister Riza will be entering the waters of baptism this coming week. She as well has such a powerful testimony and love for the Gospel. 

Brother Alan will be baptized this coming July 27. He too, just blowed us away when he shared with us how he came to know about the Gospel. People really are being prepared to accept these things:) Its a miracle! 

I've really been enjoying reading about the Stripling warriors and about Captain Moroni. I love how brave and how commited and diligent Moroni was to the cause of his country, people, and religion. I have been striving daily to become like him in his diligence with the work. Seriously, il'm obsessed, all of our reading assignments are  in Alma:) 

Great week! I love it:) 

UPDATE!

This week was a little exhausting.

On Friday morning, I wake up to do some exercising(which i've been
doing a TON lately yay me!) and my companion comes in and doesnt look
too good and says that she thinks she got a fever in the middle of the
night. We dont have a thermometer so we called the sisters that live
down the street from us and they brought us theirs. I checked her temp
and it wasnt too bad but she did have a fever. As I was getting ready
to do studies, she walks in and tells me she wants to rest for a
second, I look up and see a SUPER pale Sister ROOS. I yelled at her
telling her to lay down and started freaking out and saying, "My
companion is dying!" THEN, I checked her temp and AHH! She was at
100.3...thats when I really started freaking out. Long story short,
she had some sort of virus thats going around the mission and we've
been stuck at home for the past 4 days with me playing nurse! I'm
pretty good at it:)) Cause shes not dead! I was so scared cause I
think the last time I had a fever was when I was like 10 and i've
never had to take care of a super sick person. Ayy, so scary but I"m
good, its good, anyone else in the future, you get sick....I GOT YOU!

Anyway, our ward ROCKs and they stopped by and gave us food and just
came by to lift sister ROos up. SOOO nice. We had to come email
because if she doesnt email her mom she will probably think shes dead
and come after me.

We have some super sweet stuff coming up. Our investigators came to
church but unfortunately we didnt get to see them because we didnt go
to church. Our ward visited us to make sure we dont go less active:))

But we're sooo excited to get out there and get back to work!

We had a really fun time with one of our investigators earlier in the
week. He was drunk and we didnt really realize it so he started
telling us how he believed Joseph Smith was a scientist. hehehe soo
funny.

Also, to cheer my companion up, I danced to the Mormon Tabernacle
Choir hehee, it was EPIC, I know you all wish you were there.

Anyway, this is a really long update. My mom hasnt emailed me and i'm
killing some time so you all have a more detailed account of whatst
going on in Talisay.
I've had tons of time to read the scriptures which is always super
sweeet. My mom just sent me an email. Later ya'lls, i guess i better
start working on my Texas accent.

Love ya'll critters

Take caree

Updattteeee

WE can now email other fulltime missionaries so this is going to be short. I have some catching up to do:))

I love Talisay. I love my companion. And I love my mission. 

I had a nightmare the other night that i was serving a mission in Texas.

I have ten minutes left. 

Basically i'm having the time of my life and just loving the work and oh man, how I love the people. I'm obsessed with Filipinos:))

I am officially pinay. I get told all the time now!

We have some fun stuff coming up. We're having a missionary fireside and the whole ward is involoved and super excited. We have been getting tons of referrals and we have some exciting baptisms coming up. 

I love love love.love.love.lovelovelove. my msision.

I dont think you all got that.
BUt i do

Have a great week all!

here's an update...

i dont have a shift key or a v...well it works sometimes

so here goes

hello friends and lovely family

i am now in a city called Talisay. i'm a mom! my trainee is sister roos from san antonio texas. shes suuuper funny so i have like a total six pack from laughing so much. i'm whitewashing again and its soooo fun! sort of , of course its tough but its great because we hae awesome support from the ward! we have ward missionaries working with us eery single dayyyy. aweeesomeee. our priesthood leaders wear suits here which doesnt eer happen cause hello, we're in the philippines. but its so awesome to see them dressed up super nice for church. i saw a brother that was in my ward in my first area so that was cool. he's now married so he lives in my area now. we hae such strong relief socity members here. lots of temple marriages;)) i loooove the bishop here, he offered to work with us on friday!! woohooo. his wife is also sooo amazing. i want to be like them when i grown up;] we hae an area right by the ocean and we always go there right around time to watch the sunset. it blows me away how beautiful it is here. my companion was telling me about all the stuff ive been missing, like moies and music and stuff and i just thought how i'm not missing anything. you are all missing out on thissssss. hehee;] i love teaching and we hae a senior copule here and they rockk. 

we are living in a brand new house. eerything was brand new when we walked in so basically i am sooo spoiled in this area. we have a awesome ward missionary leader, awesome leadership and ward, house, area, and my companion. so pretty much i'm super spoiled and i'm so blessed to be in such a nice and established area. one of the pioneers here in the ward knows how to speak spanish. it was really funny cause i couldnt een speak anyyyy. ahh. like my cousin cory said, i'm not mexican anymore hehe. its coool cause een the filipinos tell me i am super pinay. yay score!

i reached my year mark so i started sleeping with my nametag;] i'm just going to enjoy the rest of the time i hae here and work work work. 

loe you alll

i have no shift buttons and the v button works only sometimes. i love this work. its great. you should all try it sometime.

palangga kamo namon

Heres an update for the homies

Mauri!

ITs SO HOT! I've been showering like 3 times a day hehee..

Anyway, our area is split and we're starting to get the hang of it. The problem is my area is a little sketchy and we're always left hanging. So we do a ton of finding and oym'ing. Its a ton of fun. There were elders here a few years ago and they seem to have visited everyone! Most of the people we find were previously taught so they already have a background on the church which is cool. We found a less active who was baptized when she was 9 and hasnt gone to church since and she was soooo happy to see us. She really wants to come to church. I thought that was pretty cool. Even how many years after she still remembers the good feelings and wants that again and she knows she can get it through the gospel. 

We had a really great service day with our whole zone. We went to an area called Punta Taytay. The beaches here in Bacolod are suuuuper nasty. The ocean is the peoples backyard so they just throw all of their rubbish and we dug through at least a foot of rubbish. We had so many garbage bags full! I wish I had taken a picture, and we only cleaned up a small area. SO crazy. So, just dont litter kay? :)

We had exchanges and I was with a sister Davis whos been here for like 3 weeks. Shes such a sweetheart and it was so funny seeing the reactions of the Filipinos to her blond hair and blue eyes. They were a little confused why if she's american and I am too, and why we look so different hehee. I had to speak mostly English and we did some practice teaching in English and it was so hard! Its so difficult to express myself and explain and give examples.  

We have a zone activity later on today which should be fun. The Sinemas are so great! I love senior couples. OUr Kiribati sisters taught us one of their traditional dances and its sooo fun but ahhh, sakit! it hurts to sit and the arm movements ay, my arms are sore;)) But its so fun. I'm so going to get into this stuff, its a workout and so fun. We're going to perform at our zone activity hehee.

Nothing much else going on in Magsungay. I'm so excited for Claudias wedding and so proud of ALe's graduation. My mom was called to be Relief Society President and Diego is bringing home medals everyday from swimming and art and math competitions. Show off;) 

My grandmother is pretty sick so any prayers for her would surly be appreciated. I was told she might not make it before the time I get back. Its so weird that such an important person might be gone when I get home. Cge lang, plan of happiness no? 

I love you all and miss you dear friends and family. 

Palangga ko kamo<3

::Update::

Yay for crazy mission changes!

We had two new sisters move into our apartment this week! 

Sister Teunaia is from Kiribati and Sister Billings is from New Mexico. Its been a ton of fun! But the catch is our area is splitting up! So I had to figure things out like the boundaries and the people the new sisters need to teach. I had to make a new area book for them and i've been going out with the S. T to show her the area, then coming home and exchanging and going to our area with my companion. It has been a little stressful! But i'm just so excited to do more work. Area B belongs to the new sisters and has more members and more work. I'm super excited for area A cause we need to find work to do since we dont really have people to teach. But I know the Lord will provide and we'll be guided to find some great people! Paula got baptized this sunday and we're so excited. She's been a wonderful example and now her brother wants to be baptized and her mom as well! Sister Ritchel has been a long time investigator and she accepted a baptismal date for April 27! AhHH! Sooo excited......

Other than that, our elders got switched around and transferred out so our zone is going to be so different on wednesday. It makes me sad! I get so attached to these people! BUt thats the mission. One of my mtc companions got transferred to our zone so i'm suuuper stoked for that! 

My companion and I have great goals for this transfer! I'm really happy that i'll be staying in Magsungay. Its really grreat and exciting to be a part of this new stuff going on! 

HuraahhH for Israel! 

:)

Itangirigo<3

Mayyong aga para sa akon kag gabi para sa inyo


I told my mission President about the miss Universe comments last week and this is what I got in response.

"I'm so proud to have Miss Universe in my mission!"

haha, President Lopez is super funny. We have a zone activity later on today which i'm super excited for. We're having it at the Sinema's, the couple that makes awesome mexican food. I'm excited to sit in aircon for a few hours and just have some fun. We have zone conference next week! I'm super excited. its always like missionary holiday. yay for warm showers!!! Its also my companions birthday next week so theres a ton going on!

We just received an email. the missionary handbook changed!
"Missionaries are to write to their families each week and are also authorized to communicate by email with friends, priesthood leaders, and new converts... "

So yay. I can actually respond to emails from my lovely friends:)) Instead of writing letters cause honestly, I have NO time!

Anyway.

The work is great. We're getting ready for our baptism on the 30th. We're soo excited! We've been meeting a ton of new people and getting lots of referrals. Its still hot, just in case you thought it might have changed, it hasnt:)
We did CSP at an investigators house last saturday and we had a blast! We were going to clean her house and help her prepare to rent it out. So we came in to work and she had already cleaned everything in preparation for our visit! Ay ahha. So she served us a super nice lunch and we cleaned up for like 30 minutes. But she still appreciated us coming in a willing to serve her. It felt good to do that. I hope we can find more service opportunities. We actually found a new family because of our visits to her and theyre so great. We're excited for the Plame family. Super receptive sila:)

Other than that, its going to be another busy and fun week. We have 27 new missionaries coming in at the end of the month and only 3 going home. Uhhh, crazyyyy. 10 of them are sisters! So cool!
We met an Elder last week who is from Cavite, Manila. He speaks PERFECT english and has a little ghetto to it cause he grew up in a "black community" Who knew!? Only in the Philippines. Its fun meeting all these great and interesting missionaries. Its cool to see all the different personalities coming together to serve the Lord. We're all so different but our purpose is the same.

Well, off to have some fun;) Love and miss you all!

Bula Vinaka!
Thats Fijian:)

So many languages! But its cool how the gospel is the SAME wherever you go.

I've been experimenting with food this week and my companion rocks! She eats everything I make and I never hear any kind of complaint! Its awesome!

Life is good. We found a new part member family and they have a baptismal date for March 30. The mom is super busy with work but amazingly has a change of schedule for the next month so she can be taught and be baptized:)) Ahh! GOLDEN:))

The Torres family's progression went down hill. We feel bad for their daughter but if her dad isnt coming to church, she doesnt come. Siyempre, shes 9! Brother Joseph just doesnt want to let go of his cigarettes. But we're giving him some space. He needs a change of heart. He needs to feel conversion. So I guess its not their time now. I was super bummed. I LOVE this family. We worked so hard to make sure theu were fellowshipped and just taken care of. But we all have our agency. Theyre just not ready yet.

We taught a new investigator who was a referral. She failed to mention that she speaks a different language! So we taught a whole lesson then come to find out she speaks Cebuano! Ayyy.

We had sister exchanges and it was soo fun! I went to another area and I learned a ton. We were able to apply a lot of what we learned to our area and its been pretty effective. We taught this man and he was sooo crazy funny and just so ...off. After the lesson we found out why, because he's always drunk! Haha. We laughed so much!

Other than that thanks for the letters from loved ones and friends. I will try to write back as soon as I get a chance:)

Its still hot, the church is still true. I was called Miss Universe twice this week so life is really great!

Love and miss you all!

Tiapo<3 Pronounced sapo:)

Update update update!

Mauri!!!

Mauri isnt Ilonggo though, I'm learning Kiribati language:)) 

Anyway. I had a fantastic week. I hit my 9 months! Whoop! And I still feel so new. Ay. I got to say farewell to my trainer. She went home last week:(( I miss her already!

We have an amazing senior couple in our area and they spoil us every once in a while with browines and mexican food;)) Seriously, we made flour tortillas!!! Ahhh! It was magical. We had green enchiladas, fajitas, frijoles charros and spanish rice. And they gave us leftovers and we made it last for a few days. Its all gone now so we need to visit again soon;)

We're having a ton of fun teaching the Torres family. Their 8 year old daughter is so excited to be baptized. She reads her Book of Mormon in between teaching appointments and offers to pray every visit;)) Her older brother Julie(Julie is a boy name here) is also really excited and we just love visiting and teaching them. The spirit is so great with them. We are in need of new investigators so we're having fun just talking to random people. I love my companions attitude. Even though she doesnt understand or speak the lanugage very well, she always shows her love to the people and she can make just about anyone laugh. Makes me feel ashamed of my discouragement and attitude when i was first trying to get it. I've been learning a ton about fishing from her cause in Kiribati all they do is fish and eat it. So Island life is interesting. I would like to try it;) I just hate the mosquitoes. I havent used bug spray since my first area and its been such a blessing that I haven't gotten dengue or something. 

Anyway, we're staying busy in this great work! I love it. I'm staying focused and just giving it my all every second that i'm out here. 

I love you all! 

Thanks for the love and support from friends and family:))

Tiabo!<3

Maayong udto!

Cge, nami gid ang semana ini. Good week this week. Sort of. I've had the flu all week but didnt really pay much attention till about Sunday when I actually had time to sit. We've been working so hard this week trying to find new people to teach and getting our investigators ready for baptism next month:)) We have 5 with a date and I'm so excited for them. I found out this week I'm in the hardest area in the mission with the hardest companion. It came as a huge suprise cause we get along soooo well and have been having so much fun. And the area ROCKS! I really loooove the people so much. I guess it just depends on the missionaries. You just need to get out there and work. Its been great seeing how really nothing can stop this work, not even my weaknesses. Last week I was soo worried about how I would lead this area and help it improve but this week, I've felt so inspired and motivated to really be a useful instrument to the Lord:)) I love this work! Its such a blessing to be here. We're also working with a few youth to prepare them for their missions so we always have people working with us! I love my mission:)) I'm pretty much fluent now. I've learned more this week than I have the past 6 months! Ahhh, exhausted and it feels so good. It was weird that P-Day came so quickly. 

Anyway, having a great time teaching and just dropping the spirit wherever we go. We got invited  by a minister to go to his church and discuss religion. He was really nice and its good to see others have the same desire to serve the Lord regardless of the religion. Should be a fun week!

Hurrah for Israel!

Palangga ko sa inyo tanan!

Okay, let's try again, here's a link to Kassi's phtobucket, let me know if this works!



http://s1152.beta.photobucket.com/user/cassandramartinez89/library/

UPDATE 1/20/13

Maayong aga sa tanan:)

I was feeling a little lazy today but I just have to send out an update to congratulate Claudia! YAy! I'm sooo excited that you are getting married. I'm sorry I won't be there (again). I think i've missed pretty much any important Duran function but I love you all. I am soOo happy! Please send me tons of pictures. Tia Delfina sent me a picture of your invitation and you WOULD do something funny like that. Congratulations! Also, to Lupe! yay! I'll have a cute new baby cousin to hold when I come home. I love and miss you all. I'm sorry I'm missing out but I know this work is important and requires sacrifice and that means missing out on a few things. But I know I will be blessed but mostly, my family because you are all supporting me and being so great about everything. Thank you so much for your love and support. I couldnt be out here without it. 

Crazy week. One of our companions got transferred last week but she'll be back tonight. My Pakistani companion is going home tomorrow morning and I helped her pack all night. I learned some Hindi! And we got to eat fresh, hot, soft tortillas and fajitas. ::sigh:: I miss mexican food. Eating Filipino food isnt the same anymore since that day haha. But I will survive. 

Love you alL!

Here's a link to see a TON of pictures of Kassi!
let me know if anyone has trouble viewing the links!

http://s1152.beta.photobucket.com/user/cassandramartinez89/library/


UPDATE 1/13/13

Maayong Hapon sa tanan!

I am terrible at updates;(

BUt here I go!

Great week. I have two new companions. One is from Pakistan and is going home in a week and the other is from the biggest country in the world, Kiribati! Joke, its really tiny. I cant find a map that shows the island. But anyway, we've been having a blast. I love my new area. I'm in the main City of Bacolod now in an area called Magsungay. Our ward is great. The missionaries have done a lot of work here which is nice. The leaders are really great and I'm excited to be working with them. We have one of the senior couples in our ward and they're so funny! Elder Sinema loves cooking mexican food and we have a dinner appointment on Tuesday so I am SOO EXCITED> I miss real food! hah. An tortillas! Yay! Their house is soo big and their backyard is the ocean. Its pretty awesome.

Anyway, about the memebers. Theyre a ton of fun. We will be eating a ton this week because of my companion that is going home. We have a ton of ward missionaries and its so great working with them. Some of them can teach better than i can! Our Ward missionary leader is soo super nice to us. Maybe cause we're gwapa:) Haha Joke. 

Its still hot, I dont think thats ever going to change. 

We're going to be having 26 new missionaries this next month! So crazy! I'm excited to see all the changes and the new areas opening up. Its so exciting to see so many new missionaries coming in. I finally feel comfortable speaking the lanugage. I even speak it with people who speak english. When I spoke to my family for Christmas, I kept switching to Ilonggo, especially when i was trying to speak to my dad in spanish. My spanish is terrible:(( It makes me sad. I wish I had brought my spanish Book of Mormon. 

Well, I'm excited to see what 2013 has to offer. I hope you are all well and are doing missionary work wherever you are. Its a great responsibility and so important. I love this gospel, its such a blessing. Thank you all for the wonderful encouragement in your emails and letters. Keep them coming:))

I'll continue to send updates whenever I have time! 

I love you all. 

Padayon maging bakod sa inyong pagtuo kay Jesucristo. Kabalo ko nga, buhi na siya kag kabalo ko nag palangga niya kita. 

Halong Kamo

So, I'm a terrible cousin and haven't updated in a while, but Kassi is doing great! I'm going to post her updates from the last few weeks, sorry it's so late!


12/23/12

UPdate

Merry Christmas!

I dont even know how to say that in Ilonggo. Everyone just says it in English.

Its finally cooling down here in  Bago. The wind is so strong sometimes, it freaks me out a little.

Doesnt feel like Christmas but its ok:) We're just going to do a lot of work. Maybe sing a Christmas song or two. 

I hope everyone has a really great Christmas. 

I'm excited for the new year. There will be a TON of missionaries coming in so i'll be suuuper busy. Can't wait!

I hope you all have a really great Christmas with your loved ones.

Love,

Sister Martinez