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Sister Jennie Adams
Philippines Iloilo Mission
Osmena St.
Arevalo
5000 Iloilo
Philippines

November 2010 - January 2011

Monday, November 30, 2009

Culture Shock

I have no idea where to start! It has been a crazy 4 days. It is SO different here... I have ridden almost all types of available transportation: Tricycle, pedi-cab, jeepny, and a bus (the bus has a different name, but I'm not sure what it is).

My assigned area is Silay. My trainer's name is Sister Rellora (Relyora) (she is Filipino), and we have 2 wards. And the people here speak Ilanggo mostly. So I'm even more lost in lessons than I thought I would be. But no worries, I have things to learn the language, and Sister Rellora is very helpful and patient with me :) Even when I cried almost all of my first day.

The shower isn't as rough as I thought it would be. The first time I used the water that came out of the faucet, but it made me itch, so ever since, I have used filtered water. It's kind of a pain, but it's worth it to have water that doesn't smell like rust or make my skin itch. Haha, my hair is kinda crazy cause I sent home my blow drier... but I make do :)The people are amazing. I can't really describe them except that they are so nice and humble and teachable. The members yesterday were all like, "oh, sister, is this your first Area?" haha I was like "yep, I've been here for 3 days..." haha then they all told me that I would learn the language.

We are teaching several families and some individuals as well. We have a baptism on Saturday. I like to go teaching because the people are so nice, but I usually find that I have NO idea what is going on... which makes it difficult when they turn to you and expect you to add something to the lesson! haha but it's all good- I'll get it someday.I met Sister Grant! She just laughed when Sister Stadler and I said we had read her letters... it was awesome. She is just as cool in person as she is in the letters! :) We met Sister Grant, Sister Stadler, and Elder Foulds... (and their companions and some other Elders) for lunch today at KFC it was so good to see my Sister Stadler! :)

Well, it's hot, it's humid, it's BEAUTIFUL, and the work is going strong!Until next time!

Love,Sister Jennie Adams

P.S. Thanks to all those who have written me! I love reading about things that go on at home! Keep me updated if you can... Snail mail is great!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Love and LEAVING

I just want everyone to know that I LOVE my mom. A lot... there are actually no words that can describe how much. And she definitely loves me. I hope that some day I can have this same relationship of love with a child, because it's amazing.

Thanks for the package Mom!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!

We leave tomorrow!!! Our whole district is so excited! But the stress of packing and stuff is starting to descend upon us... I just hope that my bags aren't overweight. I can't believe that by Thursday night, I'm going to be in the Philippines!

This last week has been longer than any other week in the MTC, besides the first week here. But it has been good. Sister Woodward and I taught our last Teaching Appointment on Thursday, and the volunteer said our Tagalog was pretty good. And another missionary, a Filipino, said it was pretty good too... This gives me hope, that I may be able to actually communicate with the people over there. Communicate in a way that brings them closer to Christ.

I know that this Church is true. With all my heart. I am so thankful for the restored Gospel, that we have it here on the earth today. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer, that he suffered not only for my sins, but for my pains- emotional and physical, sicknesses, sadness... everything. He made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could have the chance to live with our families in the presence of God again. And I am excited to be the messenger for Christ, to tell the people in the Philippines about this wonderful news! It's going to be hard, but I know I'll look back and know that I'm a better person because of it. I know that because I can already see that I am a very different person than I was 2 months ago when I was dropped off on the curb at the MTC. My testimony has grown and I expect it to continue to do so. I encourage everyone, everywhere, to become a missionary... and I don't mean a girl or a guy dressed up with a black name tag. I mean EVERYONE share this gospel with EVERYONE. You don't get to decide who gets to return to Heavenly Father... God wants everyone of his children to have the opportunity to learn about his restored church. He loves us all the same- even those who don't believe in Him. I love you all so much, know that you are in my prayers.

Love,

Sister Jennie Adams

Thursday, November 19, 2009

MTC

Abbey Road? Missionaries

Sister Woodward and Sister Adams


Temple Visit 11/15/09


No Unhallowed Hand...




Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Firesides and FLIGHT PLANS

Kamusta po kayo!

We got our flight plans this week! We leave next Tuesday at 4:30 and we fly to LA and from LA to Taipe Taiwan and from Taipe to Manila, and finally from Manila to Bacolod. We leave on the 24th and get there on the 26th. I have heard of flight plans before, but before the MTC I didn't know how big of a deal flight plans were... but the day we got them, we went crazy! It was awesome and we are SO excited!

Last night, we got to hear from Sheri Dew. And in Relief Society we heard from Sister Kristen Oaks. It is so awesome that we get to be taught by these amazing people. I'm going to miss it... but not enough to want to stay here! I am SO excited to get to the Philippines!

The other day, we learned about medical terminology. Let's just say I need to be smart about what I put into my body... and about dogs (I hear they're the ugliest dogs in the world...)Well, that's all for now folks! I can't believe I'm almost done with my MTC stay!

Love Always, Sister Jennie Adams

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Flying Pigs

Yep, we've caught it! The Swine Flu. I don't, but it's going around... We had two sisters in quarantine. We got Sister Stadler back yesterday, but we still are short one spunky Sister Ball... :( We miss her!

Every Sunday night, they show films. In the biggest room, they either show Legacy, the Joseph Smith movie, or The Testament's. You can tell that the elders in the room are a little relationship-deprived, because they are so obnoxious... whistling, cheering, etc. whenever there is ANY hint of romance. It's pretty hilarious. Anyway, there's a peek into my Sunday nights...

There is a weird time warp here at the MTC (and possibly for a mission in general...): I feel like I've only been here for like a week, but at the same time, I feel like I don't really remember my life before the MTC... It's really quite strange. This was explained to me as "the days feel like weeks and the weeks feel like days." At first, I was like, "how weird... whatever." But I know better now. :)

Our district got to host new missionaries last Wednesday, and we get to do it again this week! It was neat last week cause I hosted a sister who is also the oldest of 7 and her youngest sibling is 7.

Well, that's all, folks!

Pagmamahal, Sister Adams

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

ok, so last week, I typed in your email address wrong... sorry!

This week...If you were arrested for being christian, would they have enough evidence to convict you?That was one of my favorite lines from our Sunday night Fireside. We have a fireside every Sunday, and every Tuesday. Guess who our speaker was last Tuesday?? Elder L. Tom Perry. Yep, it was awesome!

I go to choir, and it's a neat experience. We sang when Elder Perry came.

It's not getting too cold yet... and I'm grateful for it. I love the cold weather, but I'm not entirely fully equipped for it. All I have is a coat and some sweaters. So I'd be ok if the snow waited a couple weeks to come. :)

Did you know that in the Philippines, they start singing Christmas songs in SEPTEMBER?! Haha, it's great! You can go caroling for real in September... next year, that's what I'm doing for my birthday.

We watched a talk by Elder Holland in class this week. It's called the Miracle of a Mission (or something close to that) and it was SO good. Everything he says is so powerful. Also, I want all of you to read a talk called "The Atonement and the Value of One's Soul" by M. Russel Ballard. It's so inspiring.

Well, I hope you all enjoy the pictures! We took some more with some people that are leaving today... I'll send em home like next week or something.

Loves!Sister Adams
Sent: Monday, October 26, 2009 8:51 AM

Subject: Whoa, half way done ALREADY?!

Magandang umaga!

Wow, so we are supposed to be speaking Tagalog all the time now... it's a bit of a challenge and I don't talk much :) but it's coming and I am going to have the First Vision memorized by the end of today.

Yesterday, for relief society, Sister Matsumori spoke to us. It was really good. She taught us the Primary song for 2010, "I know that my Savior Loves Me." I love it!

I gave a talk last Sunday in Tagalog. Every week, 2 missionaries are chosen (on the spot) and I was one of them. I honestly don't remember what I said other than the scripture that I read. haha oh my. Oh well!

Well, it's going great! I'm so busy, it's kind of a pain to have to do things like eat and shower and sleep... but alas, it's necessary, so I'll just press forward!

Alam ko na totoo ang simbahan! Mahal ko kayo!

~Sister Adams