The Typhoon passed by us and we got TONS of rain....it's been nonstop pouring for the past 3 days

These are pictures from our mission tour and training with Pres Ardern and his wife. I am in the picture below just to the right of center next to Sis Wilson and my roommates and Sister Ika My Comp for the last 3 months. There is a lot of us huh?

Well Congratulation's to Jade for getting baptized :) So happy for you guys to be a part of that special day for her and how great that both wards came to give their support. The pictures were great, and I'm just so happy that she made the decision to follow the Savior, She looks happy! 

  Sister Wilson and I at missionary training day. It's always so fun to see her and talk with her.

 Well Sister Ika and I got some big news this week for the both of us...turns out that I will be staying here for another transfer...and I've been called to be a trainer again! and....Sister Ika is being transferred to the Island of Mindoro! haha..yah both things that we weren't expecting BUT we are so excited and I'm excited for her to go work in Mindoro. I hear it's tough out there, it's straight up province. No stores, you pump your own water, they have black outs all the time and the ward there is not very organized. There are only 4 sisters from our mission there at a time, and they usually stay 3 to 6 months....and TONS....of less actives...and YES MOM....I am a LOT jealous of her new area. I have always wanted to serve there...it's all beach. haha.
I am also excited to be training again, a little nervous...change is always hard to adjust to but I know this is happening for a reason. Sister Ika and I are sad to be separated, we've shed a few tears the past few days because we knew were being split. We bore our testimonies to each other last night and talked about our area and all the miracles and experiences we've had teaching the people here. She expressed to me her gratitude for all the things I had taught her and told me that she would never forget me...man...I'm sure you can imagine the tears I had coming by that point ha! I'm so grateful for her; I too in turn have learned many things from her as well. This will be my area for 6 months of my mission, that's 1/3! There must be a reason for me staying here for so long, something I've needed to do, and people I've needed to meet and help.
 
This area is so special to me, as we've been waiting this past week to find out about transfers I've thought about all the people we've taught here...all their faces have gone through my mind, the people we've had to drop, the less-active families that we have grown to love so much, Brother Al...Jenny...My time here has been sacred to me. I'm grateful that I get to stay for another 6 weeks. How blessed my new anak ( new missionary straight from the Provo MTC) is to come into the mission in this area. This is a great area to be "born" in. Now that I've trained once before I have been able to look back at the things I could have done better and improve myself this time, and work on my weaknesses.
 This past week we had mission tour and were able to hear President Revillo and his wife speak and also Elder and Sister Ardern of the area presidency. It was really great; I cane away feeling inspired and motivated to be better.
 I feel like I've been blessed by the Lord, Through him showing me this week the things that I need to improve on. I always imagine myself on the airplane taking off to go home and watching the Philippines fading away and thinking to myself....did I do enough? That thought drives me everyday; I want to be what the Lord expects of me. I am his representative, and this time is so sacred. I'm so grateful for the atonement and how it allows us to change and be better every day.
To be honest not a whole lot to update this week on our area, I haven't been able to work much this week. Tuesday morning I woke up with a 102 fever and it lasted for 3 days. Sister Hepworth and Strebel did splits with us so that at least Ika could go with one of them to our area and to appointments. One of them would stay with me at home they are angels!....and they are both staying this transfer too..yay. I have had a bad cough ever since and my voice is almost gone.
The Typhoon passed by us and we got TONS of rain....it's been nonstop pouring for the past 3 days...today it's finally let up a bit. It's been nice and cool though, it's felt so good! I haven't' even slept with my fan on the last 3 nights. We have continued to teach two families that we found last week and they've continued to accept return appts so I'm excited to continue to teach them. We also visited a lot of less-actives this past weekend too. It's been great. I really love teaching them.
I really look forward to this coming week and I’m excited to meet my new companion tomorrow.  Next week I’ll include pictures of our first week together! I love you all so so much, be safe this week!  Good luck with all the activities you have planned, I think about you all every day and miss you so much.  Ingat palagi sa inyo lahat! 

Me getting a little "trunky" for my favorite music. Haha

nagmamahal, Sister Jones

 

Hi family:)

 

Dad thank you for all the videos of Andelyn dancing at the game and of Ruby.  I loved them! Andelyn your dance looks great and it looks like you are a really talented team.  How fun for you! and what great news about Jades baptism is this weekend! Tell her congratulations for me please, that's so special that you all have been such a big part of her conversion process.  You will always be in her memories of the day she was baptized and that is something really special, way to go Fam! Can't wait to see all the pictures from her baptism.  

 

Well...Family it finally happened! Jennie was baptized! It was a great service, not many people were there but the spirit was present and it was strong.  She was so excited.  Both of the speakers didn't show up so we had to improvise and it all worked out, and Sister Ika and I sang a duet for it as well.  Her 3 nieces came with her for the service and a few members were there as well, even the missionary couple that has been helping her in the career center came, they are such nice people and they just love Jennie.  Brother Madz was even there to give his support.  Jennie also bore her testimony at the end, and it was so sweet.  She was also confirmed and given the gift of the Holy Ghost yesterday during sacrament meeting. She cried through the blessing and continued to cry through the sacrament, I think she could feel the spirit really strong.  Getting the holy ghost is something she's been really looking forward to for a while.  I'm just so happy for her, I think that I was sent to this area for her.  I look forward to keeping in touch and seeing how she progresses in the gospel.  

This is Jenny and John Tago-on he is a recent convert.  He was baptized last December and this was his first time baptizing someone.  It was a great opportunity for him:) 

 

This has been a pretty interesting week for us I must say.  We had a pretty cool experience the other day.  We left the house on Wednesday morning and were walking to our area when we ran into one of the Nanays from the ward Sister Bonrostro.  She told us she was free for the day and would like to work with us,  of course we said sure and we went to our area.  S. Bonrostro is a hoot let me tell you, she's been a convert for 3 years and has a great strong testimony she was awesome to work with.  At one point during the day we walked by a big group of women, and normally as missionaries we try to find families to teach and teach people in there homes so it's more quiet and refrain from teaching big groups of people cause it's hard to get to know people that way and discern their needs.  But as we were passing by to go to an appointment we turn around and find that S. Bonrostro had stopped and was talking to this group of women so we turned back and started talking to them as well.  They agreed to hear our message and so Sister Ika and I sat on this little wooden bench in the middle of the squatters area and taught literally a small multitude of people haha at first it started out around 10 people and than within a few minutes grew to about 30.  Not gonna lie I was so nervous! But I know the lord was with us and gave us courage.  We taught all about God's plan for us and how he restored his gospel to the earth through the prophet Joseph Smith.  We than handed out pamphlets and scheduled return appointments.  It was pretty awesome! Hopefully some of them will really be interested and we can teach the rest of their families.  

A few days later we were teaching a lesson at Jennies' brother in laws house and these two women start screaming at each other right outside the door where we were teaching.  I thought I was going to see a murder take place, I have NEVER heard two people fight like that before, it was terrifying.  I just felt the spirit leave immediately and I just felt so dark inside.  I just closed my eyes and started singing a hymn to make the feeling go away.  It just scares me to know that Satan has such great power to make people get so angry at each other like that :( 

 

I also had some crazy dreams this week haha      
basically you all came to the Philippines to visit me on my mission and we were all riding around in Jeepneys around the city.  and than I kept begging you guys to let Andelyn come out for the day and work with us so that we could get more member present lessons.  haha I have no idea but it was just funny.  

All 4 of us sang in church on Sunday and everyone loved it! the whole ward was telling us how good we had done and how we need to take it on the road haha I tell ya the way to get to a Filipinos heart is just sing to them..they love it! 

I got to see S. Wilson twice this week and I'll see her again in 2 days. One of the times we got to sit and chat for a little bit which was so nice:) 

 

Reminder: Next week is Transfers so I'll be emailing on Tuesday.  this transfer went by so fast! I'm pretty nervous, I have a feeling I am leaving and Ika will stay and lead the area, but who the heck knows.  I just know whatever happens will be the best.  I am excited though to see what happens.  I'll fill you in next week:) 

 

Today is also my 8th month in the mission!  ahh one more month and I'm already half way through. That's not much time left:(  Grabe.. it really does go by so fast, I'll be coming home before we know it.. Sometimes I daydream about that day..haha I just miss you all sometimes.  

Sobrang Nagpapasalamat po ako sa lahat ng mga bagay na ginagawa nyo para sa akin.  Mahal na Mahal na Mahal ko kayo:)  Enjoy all the pictures I sent this week haha your welcome mom! ingat hah!
 

 

Crazy traffic. This is what it looks like when it rains which is all the time. It can take us hours to get home sometimes.

 

Sister Ika, Me, Jenny and her cousins.

 

 



This is how we drink soda here in the Philippines. A straw and a plastic baggy. Weird huh?





 

 



He was prepared to hear the gospel and I'm glad we were able to find him that day.

 Magandang Araw and aking Pamilya!:)

  haha we took Jenny to lunch after her employment workshop one day.  We took a few silly pictures.  isn't she a doll??





just me...

Walking home in the rain.

More Rain

Jenny and Sister Ika. I love these two girls.

 

 

First off, Andelyn congrats on being oh so close to finishing Personal Progress that is awesome! You will feel so good after and you'll always remember it and you will be proud of yourself for completing it, So proud of you!  Amelia...I'm working on sending more Filipino hair bands..it's been busy lately so I haven't had much time and I'm trying to figure out a way to get a bunch to you through a small package so just be patient and I will try my best.  Also I got Andelyn's letter and the postcard  from Hollywood last week, thank you so much for that, it was thoughtful and definitely made my day.  Mom your trip to grandma's cabin sounded fun and I'm glad you could work on some family history with her.  I can't wait to come home and get working on Family history. 

This week has been great! The other part of our ward, in the other sisters area had a baptism on Saturday.  The baptism of Brother Madz.  It was such a special day, and the spirit was strong at his service.  Me, Sister Doucette and Sister Medina my last transfer trio comps actually found him 3 months ago.  We went out tracking one day and knocked on a few doors, we were walking down his street and felt prompted to knock on his door so we did and we got no answer, then we were actually knocking on his next door neighbors house when he walked up and we started talking to him and asked if he would like to listen to our message about the restored gospel and he said yes:) We only had time to teach him 2 lessons and than the area got split so I haven't been his missionary since, but for the past 3 months I've seen him every week at church and we've become good friends.  I spoke at his baptismal service  about Faith and talked about the day that we found him.  He was crying through the whole service, I think he could feel the spirit very strong.  Every time I looked at him while giving my talk I started to cry.   He was  prepared to hear the gospel and I'm glad we were able to find him that day and that he continued to accept the gospel from the other missionaries.

Jenny is officially getting baptized this Saturday the 14th! :) yayyyy:) It's gonna be a great day and she is so excited! In the morning we have temple tour so we are taking her to the temple with us along with some of her less-active family members and than in the evening at 3 she will be baptized and then on Sunday confirmed and given the Holy Ghost.  Can't wait:) thank you for all the prayers in her behalf my sweet family.  I told her that my family has been praying for her too and she smiled and said how nice that was.

We've still been busy visiting less-active families and it's been hard but a real great joy.  Most of them have non- member family or friends who also live with them and we have started to teach them as well.  So we've just been really blessed:)
 Me and Sister Ika just continue to get along great, and I'm sad we only have a few more weeks left together.  She's been a great companion, she's always willing to work hard and serve.  Sometimes I'll come up stairs from eating breakfast and my bed will be made.. just little things like that she always does and I  really appreciate her.  We've had some great experiences together here, and I'll never, ever forget her or this area. 

 

Family, I love you guys and I pray for you everyday.  It was great also to hear about the things that President Anderson spoke to you about.  wish I had been there to hear an apostle too, I am look forward to General Conference coming up here in a month eeekk soo excited! anywho...mahal na mahal ko kayo lahat, ingat! muah!

nagmamahal- Sister Jones!
p.s.

enjoy the pics:) some of them are from the rain we walked home in, they turned out kind of fun:)

So...let me tell you..we've been working our fannies off trucking up the mountains and teaching lessons.

 

Kamusta!

 

Me at the Temple

 

 

My toes that Jenny did.  She used to do it for a living.  They are strawberries!

 

 

 

1. Jenny's mom and son (AJ) he is a sick little guy right now. :(

 

Magandang Hapon po family I hope this letter finds you all well:) Andelyn you looked so cute in your Pommie uniform and it sounds like you are really enjoying your self.  Wish I was there to see you perform but know that I think about you and miss you.  and Amelia Ba-delia, I'll try to send more of the cool hair scrunchies to you when I can haha they are pretty fun eh? Wow! Niel L. Anderson is coming to speak at Stake conference this weekend for you guys? wooww you lucky ducklings!  I'm so grateful for an organized church that sends it's Apostles and Prophets all over the world to talk to the Saints, we are so blessed! 

 

Well this week has been full of blessings and tender mercies from the Lord.  We are waiting for the approval from the Area Presidency to create a group here in our area.  So for now it's in the Lords hands and whatever is his will is what is best for this area.  I'm thinking it's going to happen though...I just feel it.

 

 (and about the group- because of the lack in worthy priesthood members on the mountain the Pres will probably take the sisters out of this area and put in elders so that they can help run the group with the Priesthood.  It makes sense...I'm thinking we will all be transferred this upcoming one and they will put elders in.)  

 

 I've  felt prompted lately that we need to prepare this area and find as many less-actives as we can to prepare them to attend the group if it does in fact happen.  There are many less-actives here in the mountain and we only know of half of them! It's so hard to find people because they don't have addresses and there are teaching records but they just have maps and it's nearly impossible to figure it out.  One of the blessings we've received is a returning couple in the ward who lived here for 15 years and left for the province a year ago and they have just now returned and they live in our area.  The Sullivan's! Man they are great.  They don't have to much to do during the days so they told us they can come out with us 3 days a week and introduce us to families they know that are members that are up higher on the mountain than we usually go.  So...let me tell you..we've been working our fannies off trucking up the mountains and teaching lessons haha.  The Sullivan's are so great though and they add a great spirit to the lessons.  Sister Sullivan is a bit feisty too and she's been rounding up some of them to bring them to church so this past Sunday we finally had some less-actives there! We were so happy to see them there:) One of them is a 16 year old girl named Jemie-Rose.  We visited her and her grandmother on Saturday night shared a message with them.  Than the next day she showed up at church and even went up and bore her testimony at the pulpit.  She talked about how she comes from a broken family and doesn't go to church, but than the missionaries showed up and taught a lesson and she felt like she really needed to come back.  Her sweet testimony made me tear up and made me feel so good inside and grateful for the gospel. Sometimes it's easy to get discouraged when we visit so many less-active families every week and each Sunday no one shows up and sometimes it makes me ask myself if what we are doing even makes a difference... But hearing her say that she was grateful that the missionaries came and helped her to come back just testified to me that what we are doing IS important.  We have met some more families this week and I fall immediately in love with them and  look forward to visiting them and helping their families come back to the gospel.  

 

Also this week is seems that some of the other members are more eager to work with us.  I never realized till my mission about how important members are and their role in missionary work.  I think back to my pre-mission life and wish I would have done more to help fill the missionaries planners with lessons.  It's so hard to find them by ourselves.  Tracking is great and all but it's so much more helpful when we have members who introduce us to their friends and than they have someone to come with to church and to answer their questions when we aren't there. 

 

Jenny had a family emergency this past week so she wasn't able to attend church again, we will have to move her baptismal date again.  It's okay though, we can just continue to help her prepare.  She's been trying to find a job now for a month and has had no luck.  We took her to the employment center in our area and she is attending a 10 hour workshop right now.  I hope it helps.. Also, last week we taught her about Prayer and Fasting and we invited her to fast this past Sunday to ask Heavenly  Father to help her find a job.  She text us yesterday that she had been fasting and knows that she will be able to find a job soon:)  man...she's just awesome, gotta love her.  We've also had some more luck with her niece Brenda who is a less-active.  We've been visiting her family more often and when we can't teach them she will come to Jenny's house and listen to us there.  Which is an improvement because usually she's one of the ones that hides from us when we come knocking... ha.  But this week has been great, our numbers were greater than they've ever been since Ika and I have been together.  also our health has been pretty good, I've been good and healthy for a full 3 weeks now woohoo!  I'm just loving it here, I'm loving the work and helping these families remember the covenants they made at baptism.  it truly is so important to bring back those who have lost their way.  

 

I'm so grateful for you my sweet family and all the prayers that you send my way, Maraming Salamat po talaga sa support na ibibigay ninyo sa akin palagi araw-araw.  Sobrang blessed ako:) Mahal na Mahal ko kayo lahat.  Maging Liktas ah?! Ingat na long kayo! 

Nagmamahal, Sister Jones