I'm never coming home!

Wow. No words for this week. I'll try anyways. 

Best birthday of my life. The Disneyland one was amazing, so was the one when I went to visit Nan and Thad, so was the one where Sera and I went to Boulevard Home Furnishings and watched tv on the lazyboys for hours, but this topped them all. 

The day before, last Pday, was basically like a birthday, but it was an "end of the age" celebration rather than "start of the age". First, after emailing we went to Robinsons and I went and scoured the internet shops for Sister Judd, I didn't see her but I saw Sister Becerra!! I LOVE HER SO MUCH. Heavenly Father just placed all my very best friends in this mission, I swear. So I got to see her and catch up with her. Heaven. Then we go downstairs, I'm trying to be calm but I'm searching the crowds like a murderer is after me, looking for Sister Judd... we come down the elevators and I look into a picture shop and see familiar dark hair (yes, even in the Asian crowd of dark heads)... and after months of waiting.. there she is. SISTER JUDD. I just walked up to her. I couldn't even talk. We just stood staring at each other for about 14 years, smiling so big, then we started screaming and hugging and all the very "quiet dignity" missionary things. It was not real life. Then Sister Becerra came down and came in with her companion and Sister Char was there, of course, and I was just in a room with all my favorite people (who are in the philippines ;) ) and I was about to explode with joy. I felt like on Shrek when fiona is transforming and her face goes all beam of light. I was being such a spaz, as you can imagine, but I couldn't care less. We went and did our shopping with her and tried to catch up on a year in 20 minutes. I was nervous that seeing her the first time it would be really hard to say goodbye, but it was totally okay. And I will see her on Pday at Robs every day this transfer. BEST PRE BIRTHDAY DAY EVER. 

Then the next day, Heavenly Father just went and outdid Himself. Sister Becerra's companion was in the hospital and she had been with her and hadn't showered or eaten in a few days so we got permission to go get her and feed her and let her hygiene herself. So I got to spend my birthday with Sister Becerra. * HALLELUJAH*. The coolest part was just getting to catch up on everything. It's been months since we were companions and that first bit was really tough on her. But wow. She did it. She changed. She has BECOME. Its a night and day difference to where she was and I want the same for me SO bad. Its going to sound so dumb if I try and put it into words. But she had her "moment" and she isn't the same. She is infinitely better. Okay, this isn't going to make sense. TO THE MISSIONARIES (specifically Mom, Dad, and Cam): When did you have that moment in your mission where you just changed? Where you understood it? What brought you to that moment? What did it effect in your mission and life? Sister Becerra did it. I wish we could be put back together just to try what we could achieve now. But she had a profound effect on me and my work has completely changed. I have.

Basically, I love Sister Char. I have never gotten so many sincere compliments in my whole life haha. She IS the light of Christ. When we teach together it just works. The Spirit works. Our area is booming, we've actually had to stop trying to get new investigators because we are getting too many to keep up with. We had to split up each part of our area to a single day so that we can effectively get to everyone. Time has never gone so fast. And I've never been so anxious of it going fast. This transfer is going to FLY and I hate it. I love my companion. I love our investigators. I love the members. (speaking of members, we got our new Ward Mission Leader who is AMAZING). I love my mission President. Ah, I just can't speak today! Which is weird considering I am NEVER at a loss for words haha. Its just been the absolute best. And I don't wanna come home ;)

Okay, I'll try talking about you guys and maybe my thoughts will get back together. Dad, I sure did miss the pictures but 13 minutes of laughing from the sauna story definitely made up for it. Mom, you are just the best. Basta. I can only HOPE to be HALF the mother and wife that you are. Aaaaaaand you're my best friend :) I can't wait for your race! I've been bragging to everyone about it! What are the dates again? I'm so excited for our "conversation!" ;) Cam! I love you even though I have to just guess at most of the amazing things you are doing! Your birthday email made up for all the others you didn't write though ;) Alyne that goes for you as well! You also win the prize for best Sister-in-law because you make my brother so happy. Thnk yu pls. Sera, whyyyyyyyyyyyy you are just marykate and ashley and okay besties now with Shania Twain and yes I totally remember that song because you would be such a poop and I would have to play it all the time when you would get pouty so that you would stop and just be fun again hahahha. And Enzo is home??? Where did THAT time go? Weren't we just at his call opening? "Hurry Cameron!" "Strawberry swirl cake". SO WEIRD. Jayce! I feel like I should write to you because you are now a member of the family. I hope you are enjoying all of our movies and food. You have probably moved into my room and I bet they call you "meg" but thats cool. Just know they love me most. Also, we've never met, so this can be an informal meeting. Or formal. You choose. Hannah! I'm sure you're totes gorgz as always. And starting seminary? Say what?? Nate and Clay! Your birthday emails made me cry. You two are the best. 

I hoped that would center my thoughts. Nope. I'll just tell you random stuff. 

Sister Char and I made green rice. We got down to the end of our groceries this week and we made this rice/egg/milk/buko flavoring confection in the rice cooker. It tasted like a pancake and it was strangely so good. 

Brother Abrar taught us to speak some of his dialect from Pakistan. Aap ka keya haal hai! We asked him who it is that will put you to death in his country for being Christian, the government or families and he said "Oh no, its just if you are out on the street and someone hears you then they will call over this guy and that guy and you're a gonner. That's the most common way." Also he said that all the dogs in his country just bite people always. So hey! Let's go on vacation there! :D

We needed a girl with us so that we could teach one of our investigators because it's just him and his brother in their house and we usually get this old less active lady next door to come but she was napping so we look and this like 97 year old lady is walking past the house and we just look at each other and Sister Char goes up to her and I go up to the door and call for the investigator and Sister Char is like "Hey! Can you come here for 5 minutes? Thanks you're the best!" And pulls this confused little lady into the house and she just chilled on the couch while we taught. She is also now a new investigator and we're going to meet her family this week. #Winning

Okay, thats all I got. Sorry! I love you all soooooo much and you're the best and I love your emails and I'm so glad you're all doing great and I really really do love you but I'm not coming home. This week has been amazing. I love everything in the whole world. I am so blessed. And I love it here. #peterpansyndrome #stayinginneverneverland

ALL MY LOVE FOREVER AND EVER

Sister Manwaring 

Pics! 

Me and sister judd!

Oh the anticipation, Transfer week!

Hello hello hello!! SO excited for this week. Oh my gosh. 

Okay, sad/happy news first. Sarah is gone :( Last Monday we went to speak with her aunt about getting permission for her to be baptized and found out that her real mom had called, was really upset about what had been happening to Sarah (gani) and was having her sent to Manila with her... and Sarah would leave in the morning. Ah! SO bittersweet! Because we had been PRAYING that her situation would improve, which it totally will, her mom works in Dubai but will be in Manila for a few months and once she leaves again Sarah will live with her moms brother and sister-in-law there and she said they are super nice and don't have any daughters and they love Sarah. But on the other hand I'm so sad that she is gone!! As in. That night we went to say our last goodbye to her, I brought her a Tagalog Book of Mormon that we had been planning on switching for her ilonggo one (the ilonggo was super deep and she couldn't understand super well) and I gave her a personal progress book, and one of the "I love you" notes from Clay (thanks Clay!) and one of my bracelets from Disneyland with my name on it- she has been asking to know my first name for weeks haha. We made her PROMISE to find the church there, that if she saw missionaries on the street to go up to them, ask around in her class if there was any mormons, if she saw a church to go inside and ask for the missionaries. I also gave her my address here in the mission so that she can write me. I KNOW she is going to be baptized in Manila. I can't wait until I get a letter in the mail from her with a picture of her at her baptism. (Also, family, she is going to try to find me on facebook, so if she requests me make sure you get on and accept it!) All in all, I'm just so glad that she is going somewhere where the people love her!! She deserves it so much. 

We had exchanges this week! I went to the Bacolod 1st area with Sister Rosdahl (one batch ahead of me) and Sister Henshaw came here with Sister Lisaca. Sister Henshaw was my batch in the MTC so it was so great seeing her again! She came from Tacloban and is one of the missionaries re-assigned here. It worked out perfectly that her and Sister Lisaca were together because they are both from that mission so they had a really good time reminiscing! I had a great time with Sister Rosdahl. Oh my gosh, I learned SO MUCH. As in. I LOVE exchanges because ever since I finished my training I've been the Trainer or Senior companion, so its soooo awesome to be able to work with someone who is ahead of me!! Plus, you learn so much seeing someone else's teaching skills and so forth. It was a super good exchange and the rest of the week in my own area is basically night and day difference. 

I'm dying right now over our investigator, Ton Ton. Don't remember if I've talked about him before? He is 10, we met him when he came up to me and Sister Becerra and asked if we could please come teach him and his family. We've been teaching him for over 2 months and he's super progressive, super sweet hearted, just great. He's come to church a few times, went to the ward christmas party all on his own. We've been trying really hard to teach his whole family but his dad is always working and the others are only home at random times so it hasn't been successful yet... butttt we went by on Saturday and his mom was there and was suuuper nice and invited us in, called Ton Ton to come in, and joined in the lesson. We taught the Plan of Salvation and were really surprised when his mom kept answering a lot of the questions.. like knew a lot about it. Turns out she's a member! She was baptized about 10 years ago and has been less active for most of them. When she first was baptized she was obviously hoping that her family would join her but the timing wasn't right. Well, it is now, Sister!! ) Ton Ton got way excited when he found out and he fished out the baptism consent form that we gave him like a month ago and was like "mom! mom! Sign it! I want to be baptized!", totally Matilda with the adoption papers, and she signed it!! Ton Ton came to church the next day, begging to see the baptism font, double checking how many Sundays left until he could be baptized. And we'll be moving ahead this week teaching his family!! Yayayayayayayay. The Spirit is seriously working in all the children here!!

I had the funniest/scariest/coolest lesson this week. We met this woman in our area with all the crazy people (LITERALLY THEY ARE ALL BONKERS) and we oymed her outside her house and made an appointment to go back. I could tell she was off when we oymed her, but hey! Everyone needs the gospel! So we went back to teach her and she invites us in, the house is pitch black. Like, so dark. Sister Lisaca had a flashlight, so that made it a little bit better. She lives in this old cement factory-turned-apartment-building so its all big and spacy and echoey, and we're in this dim lighting with this crazy woman. So we start to teach the Restoration. She is being nutso, trying to repeat every word we say and randomly laughing hysterically, and saying things like "Kaluoy" (mercy) "Kabay pa" (hopefully) and every time she show a picture with Jesus from the pamphlet she says "Papa Jesus!". So I'm swaying between trying not to laugh and being terrified, and I get a prompting that I need to say her name a lot as we teach. I start using her name (Menda) and she slowly starts to stop murmering and starts focusing. We get to the First Vision and I knew I needed to quote it for her, so I said "Okay, Sister Menda, I'm going to tell you what Joseph Smith said happened to him, Menda, it's very important, Menda, so listen verrry carefully, okay?" and turn to the page witht he picture of the First Vision. She gets dead silent. I shared Joseph's experience and she is quiet the whole time. When I'm done I pause for a second and she points at the picture and says "Subo. Subo ina." (Sad. That's sad.) as she tries to explain the feelings of the Holy Ghost. She then points to Heavenly Father and Jesus and says "Papa Jesus. When will I go back? When will I go back to Him?" and I said "Sister Menda, we are representatives of Jesus Christ. He loves you so much Menda, and He was sent us here to tell you how to get back to Him. You knew this Menda before you came here to earth and we will help you to remember it". We closed with prayer and once we were finished she starts laughing hysterically again (sooo creepy) and muttering and everything like before. Dang. I'm excited to go back haha. And scared haha. 

It has actually been COLD this week!!! Like, COLD. Its been really rainy and windy and I've been wearing my rain jacket every day (thanks for the tip James!). 

I found a mexican restaurant!!! :D I die. It was divine. I haven't had mexican food since cafe rio in the airport before coming here. Sister Lisaca said it was her 3rd time ever eating mexican food haha! She just ordered a burrito because it had rice in it. She said my "Kay-sa-dill-ee-a" looked gross hahahaha. #Tinacomegetsomeham

Dad- I LOVE the pictures you send!!! Keep it up!!!

Mom- I'll ask if we are allowed to get videos. I got one way back when, when you sent the one of Sera's dance, and I watched it so it works and everything. But I'll ask just to be sure that its okay!

Still loving my nightgown. You are the best. 

Dad- I LOVE the food here! And the food LOVES to make me fat haha. So, I eat really healthy when I'm on my own, and then try the things I want when we eat out at members houses. Not too worried though, considering I have MOM to help me get back in "Manwaring Family Shape" when I get home ;) 

Sister Lisaca will go home tomorrow and have a few weeks before she is re-assigned to the Manila mission until the Tacloban mission re-opens. I've loved my transfer with her!! Challenging at times, as anything is, but she is my favorite little golum/dobby :) 

I'm sure you will all feel the explosion of my happiness clear over there if Sister Judd and I become companions. I FIND OUT LATER TODAY. SEAGULLS IN MY STOMACH. 

I love you all so so so so so so so so so much!!!!! I hope you have an AMAZING week! Thank you for all your emails, prayers, and LOVE. 

Sister Manwaring <3 <3 :)

Scripture study by flashlight with the girls. (They are already in alma!)

This is lorenza (shes the one who asked if christ had come back yet hahaha) see how she is touching my face

With one of the familys i teach. look at me with my pino squat whaddup

Youths.

Well, I just love you all to pieces and die over your letters :) I don't think a single week of emailing goes by that I don't get weird looks in the computer shop for laughing out loud or gasping, etc. Bahala na lang ;)

So the theme of this week is Sarah. I think I talked about her a few emails back? Shes the 10 year old girl with a ton of family problems that we miraculously met and is super elect. On Thursday night Sister Lisaca and I were just walking up to the gate of our complex on our way home when we see Sarah and a few of her friends and she tells us that she was kicked out of her house earlier that day and had no where to sleep and was hoping to be able to stay with us :( We explained to her that as much as we wanted to we couldn't let her stay with us. We thought of some members that might be able to let her spend the night until we could figure something out, and I remembered a family that lives close to her aunt's house and are super sweet people, so we went to try them. Poor Sarah was so shy she just hung back a few houses while we talked with them. We explained the situation and they were more than happy to let her spend the night. They invited her in and started getting food ready for her and her friends and assured us she was in good hands. We let them know how grateful we were and made a plan to go with them to talk with her aunt the next day. Sarah spent the whole day with them, probably the first time she has ever experienced a happy family atmosphere. That night we all went to her aunts house to figure out what to do. Her aunt came out to the gate, yelling in Tagalog (so I couldn't really understand) and saying that Sarah was a brat and didn't want to follow rules and she wasn't going to be responsible for someone like her. Even though I couldn't understand everything, I could definitely see the effect it was having on Sarah. She just put on this stone face, and her eyes and focus just kind of disappeared, like she had gone somewhere else :( Brother Minosa calmed down her aunt until she agreed to let Sarah come in and sleep. But Sarah wouldn't go in. She just stood like a statue, clutching the gate, and refusing to go in. OH my heart was breaking. I went up and started rubbing her back and whispering in her ear that it was only for the night, we would come see her in the morning and everything always seemed worse at night anyways, that she was strong and could stay one night. She started crying and would not go in, repeating "Indi ko ya, indi ko ya" (I won't I won't). HEART BROKEN. It was far past our curfew and the Minosas asked us to go, promising they would stay until it was resolved. So we just had to walk away. Praying like crazy the whole time. Sister Minosa texted us later to say that Sarah had gone in after they had promised her that she could come to their house first thing in the morning and have breakfast with them and even spend the day if she wanted, as long as she promised to sleep at her aunt's house. 

The next day we went and met Sarah at the place at the park where we usually teach her. She was better, smiling and happy again, eager to talk about her Book of Mormon reading. She said the night before she read almost the whole night and felt like she was in the arms of Jesus. We had a great lesson on Plan of Salvation and she was super excited to come to church the next day. She said that her aunt had been upset gid the night before but that the house help held her back from doing anything to Sarah and that this morning she just ignored her. We promised to see her at church the next day and went about the rest of our work. That night as we came home, there was Sarah at the gate again. Kicked out again. She had come home a few minutes late for her 6pm curfew. We went with her to her aunts house to try and talk with her. The aunt wouldn't answer the door. So we went back to the Minosas again and they let her stay again. Sarah came to church with them in the morning and then we walked home with her after. Speaking to her aunt AGAIN. and convincing her to let Sarah back in. She only agreed because school is starting back up the next day. We haven't met with Sarah since but we'll go visit her later again tonight. 

Ah!!! So hard!! I want so bad to just let her come stay with us! Or just get her out of that situation. I know that it wasn't a coincidence that we met her when we did. Heavenly Father knows Sarah and has given her this opportunity to know that theres more out there than what shes experienced. Through us and the other members she can feel His love and learn of His plan for her. She can get comfort from reading the scriptures, praying, going to church, keeping the commitments we give her. We are working really hard to get her baptized, she needs the permission of her parents who are currently in Manila, which is why she is with her aunt. We know they will say yes! We just need her aunt to contact them and get formal permission so that she can sign her consent form. We plan on going and talking to her about it later. Even if this can't be the time for Sarah, the things she is learning is going to bless her now and forever, whether she has the chance to fully accept it now or not. If anything, I just want her to know that we love her. Heavenly Father knows and loves her. I'm so glad that she was able to come to us when she needed help and for the covenant keeping members who opened their home to her. Please keep her in your prayers.

Basically all of our progressing investigators are kids haha. We are teaching about 16 right now. Two different groups of all these little friends. They have the best questions, read like crazy, and clamor over each other to be the one to pray for the lesson. We walked with a group of them to church on sunday and we all just filled up a whole row haha. I joked to the elders in the ward as they filed out to primary "I'm a mom!" haha ;) As we walked them home one of the houses was playing music as we went past and there I was, walking down this flora and fauna filled street in the Philippines with 5 of the cutest little kids ever, with Mumford and Sons literally playing in the background. Moments like that come all the time in my mission and I feel like Alma 27:17 ;) 

New years was great! It was definitely something else to experience it here hahaha. The fireworks are... not like the ones at home haha. They are super dangerous. And no sparks or lights. Just a deafening explosion. They are literally just bombs. Every year people lose hands, fingers, feet, and eyes from fireworks. So all the missionaries go in early to avoid them haha. The more well-off people can afford to buy the fireworks I'm familiar with, the ones that are nice and pretty and explode in the sky and don't kill people haha. From our view in our apartment we could watch the fireworks shows in the city. Pretty cool way to ring in the new year, even with the house next door sounding like it was blowing up every 5 seconds ;) 

I got tired of my usual morning workout and had the genius idea to try the stretching and jumps and kicks routine we did back in cheer. Yeah. I felt like uncle rico filming himself doing football plays -__-

Theres this one area where we work where literally, everyone is crazy. They are all insane. Luiza? Yeah, its her neighborhood. We were teaching a 5432 year old less active woman there and the lesson basically went like this, 

"How has your Book of Mormon reading been, Lorenza?"

"Fine, fine.. so has Jesus Christ come again? Did he come back?"

"... No, Lorenza. Not yet." 

I love my language study with Sister Lisaca. I feel like I'm in that "Hamburger scene" from the Pink Panther. 

Sis L: Dis are my books.

Me: No, say THESE are my books.

Sis L: DIS are my books.

Me: No, okay, say 'wee'

Sis L: WEE

Me: Great! Now say THESE

Sis L: DIS

hahahaha I love it. 

Well! This week has been super full! I can't believe its Monday again already. So so so so glad that you're all doing so well!! I love you all SOOOOOO MUCHHHHH and I hope you have a fantastic week!!!!! 

All my love, Sister Manwaring

PS. Sister Judd... 10 days..... :D :D :D :D :D 

heres a couple picsss

 Yep i live here.

Sarah and cute little friends, she's the one on the left

One of out converts made the skirt for me hahaha!

I have no clue what type of animal this is haha 

skyping! and christmas amazing stuff!!:)

OH MY GOODNESS SKYPING WAS THE BEST. You guys are AWESOME. Said it a million times, and I'll say it a million more, I HAVE THE BEST FAMILY EVER TO LIVE ON THE FACE OF THE PLANET. 

Also, good thing I had to spend the first 15 minutes de-awkwarding myself. Hahah and of course, 3 seconds after we log off my brain is flooded with tons of things I wanted to say. Oh well, Mother's Day na lang ;)

I LOVED my Christmas package!!! I have literally worn the nightgown (which I call my "starry night ((thats what its called in The Wind Boy, right?)) every night since Christmas. I spend a good 20 minutes with the back massager daily. I have enough water powder to last me about 5 months, PRAISES BE. New garments. Nuff said. Literally, the best stuff ever. You're all the best. 

So after I stopped skyping you all, we headed to the church for our Christmas baptism! Mario and Rhystyl were baptized along with John Anthony from the Elders. Our WML has decided to "do his calling on his own"(not sure how that works?) because he won't work with missionaries "who baptize unqualified candidates". He accused us of baptizing Rhystyl too young (yeah, she's 10) and of Mario too soon (been an investigator since March). So.... yeah. We didn't really know how serious he was until we showed up at the church and it was still locked... 15 minutes before the baptism was supposed to start. Thank goodness one of the ward members around the corner had a key and we were able to get in, set up, and go through with everything. It was a really nice service anyways, ward members came and bishop still came and all the families of our investigators came!! Plus, what a great experience for them to be baptized on Christmas! (Us Manwarings, so ahead of our time ;) #Hannah #Clayton). 

After the baptism we hopped on a ceres bus to La Carlota to visit Sister Lisaca's family! Oh the joys of having a short-term missionary! La Carlota is about 2 hours out of the city. It was the first time that I've been outside the city since I've been here since Sisters are generally assigned close to the mission home (not anymore!) and OH MY GOSH. GOOGLE DIDN'T LIE. The Philippines really IS gorgeous!!! I'd only seen the city, which has its beauty as well! But wow. I was dying. I couldn't believe I've been here almost 8 months and only just now seen where I live! *Pictures to follow*

Once we got to La Carlota we took a trike a little ways out to Massville, where she lives, and met all her family and friends!! That was a weird experience haha you don't usually meet your companion's family! She had me speak only english to them at first and then break out in Ilonggo during the lesson. They were like "How long have you been here?" 

     "Almost 8 months!"

     "Oh, wow! And... hows your language?"

     "Oh, its fine! I can understand quite a bit now!"

Hahaha there faces were priceless when we started teaching, genius on the part of  Sister Lisaca, they all payed attention so well ;) 

Sister Lisaca said that its tradition for visitors to share a talent. I asked if they had a violin hahaha. They were all like "Sing! Sing! Sing!" Yeah.... no hahaha. But they wouldn't stop so I had to sing! I sang Silent Night. First time I've ever sang a solo. Ever. The good side is the people here are honestly soooooo tone deaf. So if you can sing on key you are basically Whitney Houston. 

They all asked if I had pictures of my family to show, so I pulled out the ones you guys sent. They were like "Oh nice, but where are you in this?" hahahahahaha yay. Then once I pointed myself out they were like "Oh wow. You know you really look very very different. Like, you are so beautiful in this picture. Oh my, you couldn't look more opposite!" Well thanks haha Merry Christmas to you too ;) I'm basically used to that by now, a healthy dose of humility, eh? ;)

So basically, it was one of the best Christmases ever. I got to see my family, see my investigators baptized, travel, presents. Couldn't ask for anything more :)

I forgot to write down stuff from my journal so sorry if this entry is kind of scattered! I'll try and think of things haha. 

I saw a curves!!! Yes. There is a curves in the Philippines. WHAT. 

So get this- Me and Sister Lisaca were talking about holiday traditions and I was telling her about a New Years Eve kiss and she was like, so horrified. As is. She was like "Sister! no! That is soooo vulgar!!" hahahaha okay. Let's review. People here POOP, PEE, and BLOW THEIR NOSE INTO THE AIR, in public, anytime they feel like it. I have literally stepped in human poo more times than I can count. Had people powerfully blow their nose straight up into the air... while sitting across from me on the jeep. But kissing in public is vulgar. Makes sense. 

As you could see from skyping, I get stuck in this Ilonggo-English limbo all the time. My brain isn't sure what language to do. Example: I was reading a sign at a bakery that said "Affordable, quality, baking" on 3 separate signs and I only saw "baking" and I was like "Bah-keeng? What the heck is bah-keeng?" Then I realized it was ENGLISH. BAKING. GANI. Also, I guess that I speak Ilonggo in my sleep. And it freaks out Sister Lisaca hahah and in the morning shes like "Sister, you were teaching in your sleep again! You said 'Ay te! Importante gid ang pagpabunyag! Te the 3rd? Himu-on mo bala haw?' and it scares me, Sister!" hahahah poor thing. 

I met a girl named Tricia Nicole. She got her name because she was born in a "Tricycle". Yep. 

I LOVED my personal study today. Okay, I love my personal study every day haha :) But this morning I read in Alma 26. Anyone have doubts about serving a mission? READ THAT CHAPTER. 

So we met a new investigator this week, Alice. She's 10 and my goodness "the light of Christ is strong with this one". She said she wants us to teach her every day and that she loves learning about Jesus because it makes her feel super peaceful and excited at the same time and she has read the stuff we left her at least 4 times and cut out the pictures from the pamphlet to put on her walls and when we went back to visit last night she goes "Wait here! I talked to my friends and they want to listen too!" and she comes back 2 minutes later with NINE of her friends. And then helps us to teach them the first lesson. Honestly, the children are so much more spiritually sensitive than adults! Just like in 3 Ne. 26:14 when Jesus taught the children and then the children taught their parents even greater things than Jesus had taught them! I love teaching the kids here. They just group around and you and its the coolest feeling. Hahaha but sometimes the younger ones will get distracted with my arm hair or my eyes and not pay attention haha ;) Neliza, our recent convert, her daughter got a barbie for Christmas and apparently named it "Sister Manwaring" hahaha. 

Well, as always I LOVE THE GOSPEL. It's ridiculous how much more I learn and understand every day! Do we realize what we have? Who cares about all the self-help books in Barnes and Noble trying to promise happiness here and success there, we have a Heavenly Father who has given us the perfect way! Literally. More happiness that you can imagine. Just like Cam said, its like Harry Potter magic but better!! And real!! AND I LOVE MY MISSION. Just like Sister Ellsworth said, every day is an adventure! I LOVE MY FAMILY. Can't say that enough. I JUST LOVE EVERYTHING :)

Have the best week ever :) Talk to you soon! 

Sister Manwaring 

PS. CLAYTON. Just gotta tell you that YOUR BAPTISM IS MY FAVORITE :) LOVE YOUUUUUUU *point*

christmas things!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!! Well, almost!!!!!

First, big apologies that I didn't tell you that I would be emailed a day later!!! We had our Zone Conference yesterday (as I'm sure you saw from the terrible pictures from President, why must he torture us like this??) so our P Day was moved to today. Sorry gid!!

SKYPE INFO. I will be skyping you tomorrow sometime from 10-12 in the morning here. I will send you an email to let you know that I am online and trying to skype so please just watch your emails so that you can see when I am on! I will send it to Dad, Sera, and Mom, to make sure you see it! I can skype for 30 minutes! And I am SO EXCITED TO SEE YOU GUYS :D :D :D :D

Okay, I'll give you a quick update of this week but I'll just talk to you all more tomorrow ;D

Last monday we went to this place called 888, its basically a ginormous thrift store, or ukay-ukay as they're called here.It was heaven, we were there for 3 hours and only got through half the place. I found a few things and all for like a dollar each, Merry Christmas to me!

Also, MY PACKAGE IS HERE!!!!!!!! :D :D It came last friday with the couples, I haven't opened it yet, you know me, I'm waiting for CHRISTMAS MORNING, gani ;) THANK YOU THANK YOU.

Sister Lisaca said the F word hahahahaha funniest thing ever. We were walking past a group of punk 7 year olds and they were flipping each other off and I asked her what that was called in ilonggo and she says "**** you" and I thought I misheard so I stupidly asked again, and she repeats "****you!" hahahahahahahaha I tried to explain how that was such a not good thing to say and she was like "I know, but you asked, and thats what its called!" hahaha I almost died.

Randomly I'll get these moments where I want to go on a run SO BAD. Like, this huge craving to just RUN. I blame you mom, remember when I didn't even want to run one mile with you? and you said "I know that if you run you will fall in love with running, you'll get addicted." and I was like "Nuh uh! I'm only doing this to make you happy, I know I will hate it." hahahahahahaha yeah. I'm addicted. I even have dreams of running. Ridiculous.

The other day like 8 high school kids asked to take a picture with me as I walked by #SoTotesPopular ;D

Sister Lisaca wants so bad to be fat. It drives me nutso hahahaha. We will walk home after a dinner appointment and I'll be cursing myself and my lack of self control and swearing that I'll never eat again and she'll be holding her non-existent stomach and saying "Awwwww! So skinny!!! I just want a very big stomach! Where is my stomach? I want a fat stomach!" and I could just about kill her hahahaha.

Sister Lisaca also had a few sick days this week, she came home from her mission in the first place because she was sick so sometimes it still hits her, but I loved it because I had a whole day to just read the Book of Mormon and the general conference talks!! And we still got to go out that night to a few appointments.

I want to wait until tomorrow to tell you about things like investigators and so forth!

The other day there were these two people caroling with a uke and a harp. Yep, a harp, and I'm pretty sure the guy had made it himself. They actually sounded really good! Hahahahaha but still #onlyinthephilippines

Okay, I love you I love you I love you!!!!!!! I'm so glad that you're all having so much fun!!! And okay, you saw Mitt Romney at church??? hahahaha that would happen to you guys!!! Sige!!!! SEE YOU TOMORROW!!!!!! :D :D :D

LOVE, Sister Manwaring <3 <3

I believe in miracles!

Wow, where to start! The theme of this week is MIRACLES. 

We had a zone meeting on Wednesday and our zone goals were raised again. Instead of telling us about teaching tips, or some smart new way to introduce the Book of Mormon, our leaders told us we just needed to be exactly obedient to the rules and standards of the mission. Simply lang. At first I couldn't help but be a little discouraged, this area has been a little tough work-wise! But I've been studying a lot of Christlike attributes lately so I decided to HUMBLE myself and stop trying to rely on my own skills and abilities, as well as to do everything I could to be EXACTLY obedient to every mission rule. Disclaimer: Not that I haven't been obedient, but the fact of making it a central focus to everything I do and not forgetting to apply the faith that blessings WILL come. 

The next day we leave the house for our first appointment. We had two people planned before lunch and as we were walking to the first I felt that we should go to the second plan first, so we changed routes to go there. About 2 minutes later a woman rides by on a trike and stops and yells to us and runs over, introduces herself as a member from Galo (a ward just a ways over) and tells us that God has placed us here at this very moment to answer her prayers. She then proceeds to tell us that a few nights ago a 10 year old little girl showed up on her doorstep after running away from an abusive situation. The girl spent the night and then in the morning the member contacted her parents so they could come pick her up, reassuring the girl that she would help her. When the parents came this member took an opportunity to share her testimony of the gospel and told them she was sure that the church had everything they needed to fix their family problems, the family then agreed to learn more. The member woke up Thursday morning and told Heavenly Father what she was trying to do and asked for Him to guide her to know how to help this family. She then felt impressed to go visit the family and on her way she saw me and my companion walking, only two houses away from the family's home. She told us all of this and then took us to meet this family, a mom and dad, aunt and uncle, 5 little boys, and the one runaway girl. The member explained to them what had happened, told them it was God telling them they needed to listen to us, and then we sat down and shared with them the first part of the restoration of the gospel, explaining their relationship with Heavenly Father and how His plan is to bless their family in every aspect. As we taught I for whatever reason felt a really special connection about the girl, Sarah. I don't know whether its just because I feel so tender about anyone who has to deal with abuse, but I really feel that she is special. Me and my companion walked away from the appointment with our jaws to the floor. I just kept saying "Milagro gid, Sister!!!". It really was a miracle. And I'm so so so grateful the Spirit prompted me to change plans last second so that we would be right in the path of the member. Sarah and Jason, one of the boys, came to church with us on Sunday and we'll be extending baptism dates to them and their family when we meet with them later in the week. 

Next, we went to visit a less active man, Brother Teotimo, he is about 2484 years old, skinnier than a broom handle, and has this one eye thats all silver. We go by a few times a week and read the Book of Mormon to him. We went by on Thursday and when we walk up to the spot where he is always sitting he says "Ay, Sisters, seguro magkadto kita  sa balay didto sa piyak. (Sisters, maybe we'll go over to that house.) and gets up and walks towards a house, so we just follow... Living in the house is a former investigator that Brother Teotimo knows and he surprised both us and her with the visit, walked in and said "Ara mga Sisters diri, pamatii ka sa ila ha!|"(The sisters are here, listen to them!). We are now in the process of teaching her again. We asked Brother Teotimo why he decided to introduce us and he said that God told him this woman needed the gospel and he knew that we had it, so he waited around all day for us to come so that he could introduce us. This work is moving forward and Heavenly Father will use anyone, even an old less active man, to accomplish what He needs done! 

Many other things happened this week, miracles one and all, and I know its because when you obey with a willing heart Heavenly Father will bless you! I think that Heavenly Father has just been waiting for me to learn a few more things before answering my prayers about this area ;) 

Sister Lisaca is hilarious, a mixture of Dobby and Golum. She gets scared so easily and always repeats loudly the last thing she said, heard, or thought, when she gets shocked. For instance a plate drops and she is singing silent night "Night night night night night night!" or her pen drops when we're planning "Mary lou lou lou lou lou lou lou lou lou!" its sooooooo funny! Also, I don't remember if I told you about everyone's love here for... chicken heads?? Yeah. At the BBQ stands here you will find chicken heads, chicken feet, intestines, and blood. No joke. And I didn't recognize at first what it was and then when I did Sister Lisaca was like "No! Its not yuck! Its delicious! Namit gid! The brain is the best part, I love to eat the chicken brains, they are like chocolate!" She kept trying to get me to try some... I'll make sure when I do that I'll video it for you guys. 

All the kids here call me "Bulbolan-on" (Sister Judd, ask your teacher what that is ;) ). 

There are carolers EVERYWHERE here. All night every night the kids go around caroling. When I first heard that they did caroling here at Christmas I got so excited, but they just sing Tagalog songs :/ I was so excited to hear "Jingle Bells" and all the rest. Its really cute to see, but the problem is the kids here carol for money... so when they see a white person walking around they think its their lucky night. I am constantly SWARMED with carolers hahaha. And I feel so bad cause all I can give them is pamphlets hahaha. I'll try and send a picture, I was attacked by about 12 of them and I had to give them all the pamphlets that I had, it was like being robbed by a bunch of little kids, and I took a picture and they're all holding up like Law of Chastity pamphlets and Tithing pamphlets hahaha. One time, this little boy came up all on his own to carol and just started singing for me while I was at a chungey making change, so I bought him a little cookie and hurried and gave it to him and walked away so the other kids wouldn't see and want one too. 

Its so weird to be walking down the street, in 100 million degree weather, hearing "Last Christmas" playing from houses. And its so weird to think what I was doing this time last year! Talk about changes! I honestly love it though. Sometimes I just look around and recognize where I am and what I'm doing and its so hard to wrap my head around it! Going on a mission is literally the best decision I have ever made. Its changing me in all the important ways. In the MTC my companion, Sister Roos, kept talking about how much she wanted to change before she came home, and I was thinking "I don't wanna change!!" hahaha but I've realized that its not that I'll lose my sense of humor, or my interests, or my personality, those aren't the changes that matter. I'm becoming the person that I need to be. I'm becoming the person that I WANT to be. Stupidly, before my mission I thought I was soooo ready to get married! HAHAHAHA. I have no idea how I could be the kind of wife and mother that I need and want to be without these 18 months!! Sometimes when I'm sitting in someones house that is 5ft by 5ft, eyeing rats in the corner, trying to block out the smell of human waste coming from somewhere wayyyy to close, and tuning out the neighbors fighting next door...

 and somehow loving every second of it... I think back to the girl who took a screwdriver to the movie theater because she was afraid of being locked in. To the girl who screamed bloody murder at any hint of a spider. To the girl who was terrified of strangers. To the girl who didn't like riding in a car that was too cluttered. The girl who didn't want to repeat an outfit more than once in two weeks. The girl who couldn't live without music or talking to her family every day. The girl who read scriptures for 30 seconds before bed at night, AFTER spending an hour on facebook, pinterest, twitter, and instagram. The girl who was a notoriously picky eater. The girl who was so grossed out by sweating. I COULD GO ON FOREVER. Heavenly Father knew this girl and sent to her the exactly perfect place where she could experience the most growth and learn how to reach her potential. One night when Sister Becerra and I were first put together she was telling me how she was so impressed that I was so confident and unaffected by anyone and anything. I don't say this to brag but to show to those who know me what Heavenly Father has done for me. And this is only the beginning! When I come home, I won't be a stiff who doesn't think anything is funny. I won't have a different personality or different taste and likes. But I will be different :) THANK GOODNESS :)

Once again, I LOVE hearing how you all are doing!!! Sera, hope you feel better! Hannah, you are gorgeous as always! Clay, I know you did amazing at your piano recital! Nate, I am soooo proud of you buddy! You are a warrior! Cam and Alyne, I ruv yew tew sewwwwww mech! Mom and Dad. No words :) Thank you all for being the BEST family that I could ever imagine being apart of!!!! I hope you all have an amazzzzing week! 

All my love, Sister Manwaring

transfers!!

So as you all heard last week, I transferred from my very bestest friend and favoritest companion, Sister Rachel Becerra.

But!

I have a new companion, Sister Maryjoy (Jhophoy is her preferred name because everyone and their dog here is named Maryjoy and she hates it hahaha) Lisaca, she is a short term missionary and she is a DOLL. I ADORE her. So he is from here in Bacolod, La Carlota, and she was assigned in the Tacloban mission- she served there for two months but was super sick and came home (timely, she came home before the storm hit!). She stayed home and rested for 2 months then President Lopez asked her if she would be a short term missionary for one week... then asked her to extend another month.. during which her mission was hit by the storm and now there isn't a mission there for her to return to, so she'll be re-assigned just like the other missionaries from Tacloban. But when her transfer was finished, President called her again and asked if she would re-extend... another transfer! She assumed it would be with her current companion (Sister smoot from my batch) in the same area, so she agreed, because it would mean that she will be here in the mission for Christmas and New years and she lives only 2 hours away... then he told her she would be transferring and have a new area and companion! Kaluoy sa iya!! So! I now am the lucky missionary that gets her for the holidays :) Like I said, she is adorable. She's 25, probably nathan's size, and is this little firecracker! She is perfect in the language (because its her mother tongue) and so she helps me so much!! I haven't had a companion that was better than me in the language since my trainer, so its SO NICE to have some of the pressure off and to be able to become more fluent! We teach well together in lessons, she serves me left and right, I can't even keep up! And she is super hilarious! Don't take this the wrong way, but she is like a really adorable golum (I know I spelled that wrong), you know, from Lord of The Rings? Hahahaha, I'll explain it better when we skype in a few weeks ;) (SO STOKED). So yes, even though I miss Sister Becerra TO DEATH. AS IN. Like, eternal best friend siya, I'm really happy to be with Sister Lisaca :) :)

Speaking of the Tacloban missionaries, a few from my batch in the MTC were re-assigned here!! I saw one, Sister Hogge, on transfer day, oh my goodness it was SO GOOD to see her. I was able to talk to her about everything and find out what has been going on from their side... you know the email you sent me with the moms story of her daughter? Yeah, when I read that I had this weird feeling that I knew the missionary.. yep, she was Sister Lindsey from my MTC batch, she was my STL and we were really close! I love her to death! I even have pictures with her from the MTC. So my heart just ACHED to know that it was her!! But Sister Hogge said that she is re-assigned and doing well!! The Lord qualifies those He calls!!

Our teaching appointments this week have been great, lots a miracles! It's also sooooo much easier now that we understand 100% what everyone is saying, rather than the general gist I've been going off of, and I don't have to worry if I say something imperfectly because she can rephrase it to be better understood and then I know where I'm making mistakes and how to fix it! (Honestly, my language wasn't like bad before, but I literally had to teach myself the language. My trainer didn't really know how to help me learn it, so I've literally learned it my mimicking everyone here and doing my best to remember what I learned in the MTC, so its such a blessing to really have the opportunity to become fluent!!). People also open up well to Sister Lisaca because they feel really comfortable with her, people will sometimes be intimidated by foreigners here, so we've been able to find out more backstory from our investigators. It's really easy as well to be in unity and we just feed off each other as we teach. So much fun! 

Last night we went to one of our investigators, Mikayla, she is this baptist youth (the one I think I mentioned who is kind of an air head? haha) and is super obsessed with Americans, so we're working to help her see the gospel, not the whiteness of my skin hahaa. Anyways! We had made a plan last week to teach Law of Chastity and then we went by and her boyfriend was there... not wanting her to think we were just teaching it because he was there and we wanted to call them to repentance, we changed and taught something else. We go back last night, same plan to teach Law of Chastity, and now not only is her boyfriend there, but another 15 year old boy. So we took the hint that Heavenly Father wanted them to hear about the Law of Chastity hahahaha so we taught it to these 3 baptist youths! It was actually a really great lesson! They were reaalllyyy accepting of it- which they showed by chiming in with "Amen!", "Praise the Lord!", "That is EXACTLY right, amen Jesus!", "Yes, Lord YES LORD", "The spirit speaks to me!", and so forth, throughout the whole lesson. (Sera, it was just like the people from Joyful Noise hahahahahahahahahaha). They had a ton of stuff to add, all about how this is so inspired and it prevents teenage pregnancy *Amen!* and broken families *Yes lord!* ... and then headed into all this stuff about the passion of christ and adam and eves transgression and how we all have a sinners heart that must be rooted out of our sinners breast *amen jesus hallelujah!*.  Long story short, they totally committed to live the Law of Chastity and what I thought was going to be a very awkward lesson turned into probably one of the funniest lessons ever. When I said the closing prayer they kept adding in all the "amens" and everything and it was soooo hard to concentrate and keep praying normal hahahaha... then when we got home later that night Sister Lisaca did that to me while I prayed and I had to stop cause I was laughing so hard and she finished my prayer hahahahaha. 

Other funny things from this week: 

Sister Lisaca is working really hard to become fluent in english so whenever she pronounces something off she wants me to correct her, while reading the white handbook she read "opposite sex" and pronounced "sex" weird, so I corrected her, and then she kept repeating it to herself for the next 20 minutes or so to make sure wouldn't forget how to say it right hahahaha so I'm just sharing my personal study and she's whispering "sex" hahahaha. 

One of our investigators, Abrar, prayed that the Holy Ghost would "be with us and control us" in the lesson hahahahaha I'd actually rather not that it "controlled" any of us, lets just stick with influence. 

.... Other funny things happened, I just can't remember right now.. maybe later in the email haha.

Oh my gosh, I can't believe the snow there!!! Those pictures are nuts!! I literally cannot imagine how it feels to be cold. Like, its impossible. AND I LIVED IN IDAHO. Hahaahah, just a testimony of our amazing bodies, I don't even know how my body can live in both rexburg and bacolod. Couldn't be more opposite! (yes dad, 2 Ne. 2:11 hahaha :) )

   I can't wait to actually skype you all!!! Will we have one more monday of you at home before you leave? When do you leave? Ah! So excited for you all :) 

I'm so so glad that you all are doing so good!! I know I say it every week haha, but you're all doing great and I love it! Okay, I'm gonna try and send some of the pictures from this week. I love you all to death!!!!! Hope you have the best week ever!!!!!! 

All my love, Sister Manwaring <3 <3 <3 :)