Rubber shoes and tin roofs

So I went proselyting for the first time this week. It was quite the experience! I wish I could show everyone the houses and such pero I can't. Just imagine a room with broken tiles and dirt as floors. Plywood for sitting and beds.  And big pieces of tin for roofs. Rooms are like as big as my bathroom. And the people...well they couldn't be happier. I love that. I love that the only thing that could possibly make them happier is the gospel of Jesucristo. When I got out, i met up with my new kasma (for the day) in a 3 story lds chapel. We began walking in the 94 degree weather/ pouring rain in my rubber shoes. Not as good of an idea as i would have thought. My feet were slipping out so much!.. Anyway, My kasama told me I was going to be leading for the day! SCARY! But missionaries do hard things so I said "ok!" and we went to our first lesson with R and C. I thought R was like 8 maybe 9 or 10..he was 17. They are all so tiny here! Anyway, we sang a little and I asked them to pray sa Tagalog (woop woop) and then shared a scripture on prayer (Alma 37:37) sa Tagalog and testified sa Tagalog! I was so so so suprised! like woah.that just happened...I have never felt the spirit's help so much! it was amazing.. Walking through the streets i hear little Filipino children's voices yelling "Seester! Seester!". They are such a beautiful people! We also taught a less active family about prophets which was really nice since general conference wasn't too long ago. I said a prayer sa Tagalog and even though it wasn't perfect, they all understood. Which goes to show the Espirito Santo (Holy Ghost) is really the teacher and I'm just the mouth piece!

Today I read Alma 28 where Alma wants to be as good of a missionary as an Angel which I completely understand meow! Like geeze...why am i imperfect! haha as a district this week, we also read alma 26 and Jacob 2.

Alma 26is about Ammon's mission and I all iIcould think is how I really hope this is how I am at my homecoming! Jacob 2 was about pride and selfishness and as I read I was all " Wow. these people are horrible. How could they be so selfish?" But was quickly yet gently reminded by the Espirto Santo of Elder Hollands talk. Obviously if he taught it, this generation (including myself) needs to hear it and furthermore, FIX IT! "Give what you can" has been running through my mind since then. And what I can give meow is the magnificent Light of the gospel! I love that!

I only have 12 more days here at the mtc! time FLEW!  i am soo soo excited to get out to the field! I have really loved it pero its definitely time for me to go out and start bring people unto Christ! I am going to miss not being across from the temple pero i am excited to serve! I feel so lucky to be here.

Well, have a great week everyone!  Love all of you!

-sister norman

Kassidy and her Kasama

He's Been There Before

He's Been There Before by Elder Whittle

The alarm bell rings at 6:30, I stumble to my feet

I grab my companions bedding and pull off his sheets

A groan fills the room, is it already time to arise?

It seems like just a second ago, I was able to shut my eyes

The morning activities follow- study, prayer and such

When it's time to leave the apartment, you feel you haven't accomplished much

"We have a super day planned,"

My comp. says with a grin

I lowly utter a faithless breath,

"Yeah, if anyone lets us in."

With the word of God and my faithful Schwinn, we ride off in the street prepared to

Face another day of humidity and heat

It's 9:30 in the evening, the day is almost through

My champion and I are riding home not accomplishing what we thought to do

We ride up to the mailbox, hoping to receive a lot

Only to look inside and hear my echo reverberate "air Box"

We go up to our apartment, the day is now complete

The only thing to show for our work is a case of blistery feet

It's past 10:30 p.m. My companion is fast asleep,

Silence engulfs me all about and I begin to weep

In the midst of sadness, I kneel down to pray

I need to talk to father, but I'm not sure what to say

"Oh, Father" I begin, "What happened to us today?

I thought we'd teach somebody, but everyone was away

My hands, my aching hands- worn, hurt and beat;

If our area was any smaller, we'd have knocked every street"

"Why on missions are the days so much alike?

The only difference about today was the flat tire on my bike

Will you send some cooler weather? The heat is killing me

I sweat so bad, it gets in my eyes, it's very hard to see"

"Why do I have to wear a helmet, isn't your protection enough?

People always laugh at me, and call me stupid stuff

Please send us investigators so I may give them what they lack

I want to give them Books of Mormon, the weight of them hurts my back"

"And what about my family: They don't have much to say

I'm sick of not hearing from home day after day after day

Oh Father, Why am I here am I just wasting time?

Sometimes I just want to go home, I'm sorry but that's on my mind"

"My companion, Heavenly Father, what are you giving me?"

The way he rides his bicycle, I don't think he can see

Now you have it, I can't go on, I don't know what to do

That, my Father in Heaven, is the prayer I have for you"

My prayer now finished, I stand up, then jump right into bed

I need my rest for tomorrow, we have another long day ahead

Sleep start to overtake me, I seem to drift away

Then it seems a vision takes me to another time in another day

I'm standing alone on the hill. The view is very nice

A man walks to wards me and says, "My name is Jesus Christ"

Tears of joy well up inside, I fall down to His feet

"Arise," He states, "Follow me to the shade. You and I need to speak"

My attention's towards my Savior, total and complete

He says, "Your mission is similar of what happened to me

I understand how you feel, I know what you're going through

In fact, it would be fair to say I've felt the same as you"

"I even know how you felt when no one listened to you

At times I felt not quite sure what else I could do

I know you don't like to ride a bicycle, for you a car would be sweet

Just remember the donkey I rode wasn't equipped with 21 speeds"

"I understand you don't like sweating, in fact it's something you hate

I remember when I sweat blood from ev’ry pore, oh the agony was great!

I see you don't like your companion- you'd rather have someone else-

I once had a companion named Judas who sold my life for wealth"

"It's hard to wear a helmet and have people make fun of you

I remember when they put thorns on my head and called me King of the Jews

So you feel burdened down by the weight of your pack

I recall how heavy the cross was when they slammed it on my back"

"Your hands hurt from tracting and knocking on doors all day

I guess when they pounded nails into mine, I ached in a similar way

It's hard not to hear from home when your family's not there to see

I lost communication on the cross and cried, "Father, why hast Thou forsaken me?"

"We have a lot in common, but there's a difference between us you see

I endured to the end and finished my mission, so follow and do like me"

He embraced me with His arms and His light filled me with His love

With tears in my eyes I watched as He went back to the Father above

I stood with awe and wonder when a beep rang in my head

I listened and heard the alarm, then realized I was in my bed

My companion let out a groan, "6:30 already, no way!"

I sat up and said, "Come on, I'll even carry your scriptures today!"

No matter what we go through,

When we feel we can't take more

Just stop and think about Jesus Christ,

He's been there before!

By Elder Troy Whittle

Texas Houston Mission

                                      

Sister Ahern warned me........

Sister Ahern warned me....heaps of rice at EVERY MEAL is really starting to catch up..haha

So this week has gone crazy fast. PERO it was jam packed with great spiritual and uplifting moments. I had the opportunity to watch general conference and allll the talks were so great! I also got two devotionals afterwards.They were so interesting and very educational. one was on praying to our Ama sa langit (Heavenly Father)  and the other was on  the Pagbabayad-sala (atonement). they were awesome! I learned so much by what they said but mostly by the feelings i got! LOOOVED IT:)

My district is great! Everyone is working very hard at the language and feeling the spirit while teaching. My kasama, Sister Nuku, is quickly becoming one of my best friends! I really appreciate her compassion and dedication to our purpose here! 

My "investigator" , Brother Michael is really progressing. He says he has a testimony of the Aklat Ni Mormon, or Book of Mormon and is very interested in our gospel and the principles of our gospel. I really love teaching and talking with him.

Everyone here sings amazing. I've probably said it before. It hasss to be like an Islander thing. in between classes, at night, during class, during meals -- everyone is singing.

I can't wait for Wednesday...Wednesday i go proselyting for the first time out in the city with a sr. companion. I'm a bit nervous but mostly excited! I can't wait to see how it's like out in the mission field.

I also got to go to the temple today again. I feel so lucky that we have it right across the street! Sorry if the picture is a bad one...this computer is being lame and wont let me see which one i chose....so hopefully its a decent one:)

there's a lot to share this week but no time left for messaging....Well mahal po kayo..or i love all of you!

Paalam

- sister norman

KAMUSTA PO KAYO?

So this week has been a bit crazy. It went by so so quick! I can't really believe it! I am already Middle Batch...one month from meow i'll be out on the field. I love the people here!

So this week at the cafeteria: I think i ate dog...but like 3 guys said it tasted like crocodile...so theres that. I'm really trying to learn the language...I'm sure it'll come pero it will just take time. Yesterday I had the opportunity to teach a missionary, rather than an "investigator", which was incredibly humbling. It might have been one of the most powerful, spirit-filled messages I have shared yet. There are so many accents here and i love it! apperently its super rude if you assume someone is from Australia when they are "most obviously from New Zealand"... they sound the exact same to me. Apperently i have a cool accent so YAY. theres one life goal accomplished.  I think I have finally mastered the 2 minute shower thing pero its still a struggle...I love my district.  a large amount of them are from the islands so they are like amazing singers...actually like everyone except me are like pro-status singers. We sing in between classes, in the room, during classes, during church, at meal time...ya...its pretty cool. I'm also probably going to be NBA ready after the mtc....thats all i can really do at gym time...

I love the mtc and i love being a missionary. Being at the mtc is like it being sunday everyday. Since we have the temple across the street we get to start going once a week. I went today and it was amazing. Although it is very small and simple, it is so beautiful! I love feeling the spirit so much. Since we pray ALL THE TIME, I feel so incredibly close to my Ama po namit sa Langit (Heavenly Father). I can't wait to go out into the field! Well love all of you!

Paalam:)

-Sister Norman

I Ate A Fish Head

Yup..you read it.. a fish head. I gave my eyes to one of the elders though.. I am really enjoying this here! It reminds me a lot of Chile. Even the language! Like they say Po after everyyyything! The lang is really hard.. my favorite word is faith which is, Pananampalatia. My teacher, Brother Garcia, is super cool. The Filipinos are so sweet and polite! My district is kinda my new family now.. the elders and like brothers and sisters are my roommates and are super great.. My district is super diverse. Like we have a Tongan, 3 New Zealnders, 2 other americans, 2 Australians, 1 c. islands, 1 Tuvalu, 1 Canadian. and there are 8 of us going to Angeles!!! I love them! on my second day we had an "investigator" who knew noooo English...that was interesting.. i can say a prayer in Tagalog and commit people to baptism properly and a few other things. i really love the language, i'm just not good at it yet!  My companion is Sister Nuku. She is from New Zeland.

  So on my first day here, we had a workshop about teaching and loving our investigators. while i was fixing my hair, they thought i was raising my hand and chose me. Even though i was pretty nervous, I taught infront of everyone and words just came to me which was an amazing feeling. I bore testimony of things i know are true. Even though I have been on a spiritual high, that was probably the highlight of my week! Oh ya...i'm a Sister Training Leader. I didn't feel like i would get called to anything like that buuut i did! My kasama (companion) is great. She gives me chocolate and got quite a few of my movie references annnnd has a cool New Zeland accent...so ya, she qualifies for friend status. ;)

   Sorry for just the one photo.. I only have 5 more minutes left and it takes 10 minutes per picture... anyway. Mahal Kita! (i love you!)

Paalam-

Sister Norman