Week 20? wut.

HELLOOOOO! Magandang Buhay! Talaga...

So this week was another crazy, stressful, blissful, incredible week being a missionary. Have I mentioned yet that I love it? Maybe just like once or twice.. haha

So last P Day we went to the house of the other sister's recent convert and had a "boodle fight" which is pretty much you eat food off of a banana leaf with your hands until you literally are unable to eat more. It was great. I seriously love how I'm just starting to get the hang of the language. Like, I can make conversation and have a good time, despite the language barrier.

I'm so blessed to have Sister Routhier. Talaga. She's a gem and she's WAY better at everything than I was when I entered the field. We have been working our tails off with PLANNING. Haha this week has been ridiculous because when Sister Tarantan and I opened our other area, we didn't open it correctly and there are so many investigators that just never were taught after the other missionaries got pulled out. So we sat down and planned and figured things out and the next weeks and months are going to be incredible. We're gonna get to work and change people's lives. We're gonna leave this place better than we found it. I'm so excited!

So this week we had zone training and that was fun! I love that I can actually understand all of the counsel they give us now! haha Tagalog, man. I love it.

This Saturday we have the baptism of Rosalio and I'm beyond excited! He's so ready! We have been working a lot with one of our investigators named Gloria. She's Catholic, about 60 years old, her husband passed away about a year ago, and she always rejects our baptismal date. i was feeling like we just needed to drop her, but then we had a lesson with her and very clearly, the Spirit told me to keep visiting her. We're trying to get her to come to church now. She reads all of the assignments. When I first met her, she said she thought we were angels. She's thanked us openly for being her guides and for helping her. I love her so much. It's just hard to get people to actually do things sometimes. haha. But I'm grateful to be able to help her.

Anyways, love you all! Have a great week!

Sister Wilkins

Pictures Week 20

1. Boodle fight!

2. Self timer action, man.

IM TRAINING A FOREIGNER

Wowowowowowow. This week man.

So early Tuesday morning we left for transfer point in Sorsogon. Sister Tarantan has been assigned as the newest Sister Training Leader in Legazpi. We then got in the AP's car and headed to the Daraga chapel. I got pretty carsick. these roads man. But then I got to be temporary companions with Sister Delgado and I absolutely adore her! I met her in my first transfer at zone conference and we got along from the start! The rest of Tuesday was trainer's training in Legazpi. Then I slept in the Legazpi sister's apartment which was super fun!

The next morning we went to the Legazpi chapel to meet our trainees. The night before, one of the AP's had accidentally let it slip that I would be training a foreigner. So basically I was pretty freaked out the whole time. Turns out that I'm the very first sister in the entire mission to ever train a foreigner after their training. There has been one other elder who did it. It was weird and it is weird because people are expecting a lot of me and it's sort of overwhelming sometimes. But it's all good! So the night before, I knew I would be training a foreigner and sister Guanzon showed us a list of the incoming missionaries and I saw where this one missionary was from and I knew instantly that I'd be her trainer. She's from Taylor, Arizona. Her name is Sister Routhier and I love her to death. Sure enough when we sit down and president announces the companionships, of course I'm last being Wilkins, and she's the only trainee left. I can't even explain it. I just knew. But like it's so weird. Because she knows my cousin, Britt Adcox, and she lives on Love Lake Road. And it's named after my however many greats grandma. And my ancestors founded that place. Like it's so weird. It's just proof it's meant to be!

On Thursday we headed back to Bulan! The people love her! It's just so good! And guys, I like never realized how much my progression in the language had been, but like I can make conversation. I can teach. It's so weird having to lead out in lessons, but I can do it. I did it. I can do this! It's scary being a trainer when I feel like I know so little, but I'm so very grateful that Heavenly Father has trusted me with this. Sister Routhier is a gem and I know there's a reason that we're together. It's going to be a lot of team work to do this, but I know this is right!

Basically it's been an insane week and there just simply isn't time to write everything, but I love you all and thank you SO much for all of your support and prayers! I can definitely feel them! I love you!

Sister Wilkins

Re: pictures week 18

The greatest ever. Them caribou though.

Re: pictures week 18

1. Splits! I love them!!!

Magiging Nanay

Hi. Oh my holy cows. This week.

So on Friday night we attended Tatay Aldrin Nares' funeral. They're different here. They bring the body in the casket into the house and we had the service there. So it was just like 15 ward members surrounded by other family members who are all catholic. We had a little service. I was the chorister and led music right next to the casket. It was different than your average funeral service, but the Spirit was so strong. Sister Tarantan and Sister Sebia spoke as well as Apple (Tatay's daughter) and Tatay Alfredo (Tatay Aldrin's father who is a member). I'm a very lucky missionary to have known him and to be able to help the family in this time. Nanay Merly (his mother) isn't a member and we're hoping this is the thing that gets her interested in the gospel. She cried during the talks about the Plan of Salvation. So we're crossing our fingers!

Saturday night we went on splits! Sister Tarantan went with Sister Mary Rose and I went with Sister Shazel and Sister Cally. It was the best! We made them cute little name tags too! I adore them.

So transfer announcement was on Saturday night. Andddd I'm going to be training a new missionary. The words freaking and out are a complete understatement. I literally finished my training today. And now I'll be training a new missionary. Oh boy. But it's okay! I'm very humbled and grateful for the opportunity! I'm going to learn A LOT in the next 3 months. Tomorrow we head to Legazpi and I'll attend trainers training, and wednesday I'll meet my trainee. Oh man. I was reading my scriptures the other day in Tagalog during language study and 1 NE 17:8-9 really stuck out to me. The Lord commands Nephi to build a boat to carry him and his family across the ocean. Nephi doesn't know how to build a boat and he's never done anything like that before. But he doesn't question it. He doesn't doubt for one second. He simply asks the Lord where to go to get the materials to make tools so he can start right away. I plan on taking this approach. I know I can do this, but only if I rely on the Lord. So, please pray for me! haha I need all the help I can get.

I love you all! I wish you all the best! And never forget that "In His strength... [we]... can do all things"! Mahal na mahal kita!

Sister Wilkins

pictures week 18

1. FHE

2. You can see Mount Mayon!