What a Week!!!

This week was quite different because we hardly worked! Haha Not because we're lazy or disobedient but a lot was going on! Haha :) Promise. 

It started off with going to Lipa again for Zone Conference! It was great! We had a lot of fun together as a zone and kinda had a mini vacation. Ate with chop sticks at this Chinese restaurant (which I can do!!) and just played in the mall. I have some great Elders in my zone and it was fun to spend time with them. 

Zone Conference was amazing. I learned a lot! And Sister Malig and I won the Kwan Challenge! It's being tested on how good we've been in our work. Like "Did you get 70 OYM's this past week? Did you sweep and mop your floor?" Haha But we totally won and got carmel corn from it! Yippie! 

Then we came home on the slow boat, like 3 hour ride and didn't get home till late. Then we both woke up sick! Ya, not fun but it was a blessing in a way to stay home after all the traveling and everything. It's just never fun to be sick though. Sister Malig had it worse though. Yesterday we had to leave church early because she was in severe pain and just wasn't doing well at all. She even started to cry at church and the branch president joked around asking if we were fighting. Haha I said yes because I thought he asked if she was hurting or if she was sick. Haha I need to stop saying yes to everything because I don't know what I'm agreeing to most of the time! Haha But she's doing a lot better now. I even made her the best banana pancakes last night which I believe made her all better :) Haha :) 

But I'm doing fine now, just a little cough left but all is well :) We weren't able to work that much this week but I do have some incredible stories. So we were going to this one home that Sister Malig meet last week while on exchanges and he sadly wasn't home. It was raining hard and the neighbors saw us standing outside his home shouting "Tao po!" Haha I think they felt bad for us and invited us into their home. We just visited and shared a simple beginning lesson (how to begin teaching) and Sister Minerva began to cry when we talked about families. She has some family problems, mostly financial problems but our message brought her comfort into her life. I pray that she'll become a progressing investigator for us. But I believe that it was no accident that she invited us into her home. 

We also have this other investigator- Jun Jun he's about 19 and he accepted to be baptized. He takes in everything we teach him and he really ponders when we ask him a question or teach. I know that the Holy Ghost is testifying to him. He was so sincere when he said yes to being baptized. It's amazing how the these people have been prepared by the Lord and how I see this message and the Book of Mormon change their lives. It's amazing to witness and I'm grateful that I get to be a part of it, to be trusted by the Lord to be given these people to share this message to the people He has been preparing for me. I love it and it's the greatest calling I've ever had. 

I love you all and I'm so grateful for my family and friends back at home who love and support me. I couldn't do this mission without you all. And I feel like you're in this with me. Because I can feel the strength from your prayers each day. I love you and I miss you all! But I love you more :) Have a great week and always look for the miracles that the Lord gives us each day. 

Mahal ko kayo!

Love, Sister Burnham  

Caramel Corn! 

She is just the cutest missionary ever!!!

I for sure that that's Sister Malig is in the middle and Sister Burnham is second to the right! What a cool picture!  

1st Baptism and Planting Seeds!

Kumusta!!

So this week has been CRAZY with lots of things going on!! It was really good though and I had my first baptism!! Sister Jane, it was probably one of the most beautiful baptisms that I've been too. Very simple yet beautiful. And the Spirit was so strong, especially during her testimony. I was just so happy to be a part of her life and a part of her conversion process. It's true about how great will your joy be, I could feel that last Saturday night. 

I love Sister Jane's story too, so exactly 10 years ago she received a Book of Mormon from two Elders but nothing came from it. 10 years later, Sister Malig (my companion) and her last companion meet her in an OYM (open your mouth). She tells them that she already has a Book of Mormon and invites them to come teach them more. Well, the seed was planted 10 years ago, Sept 13, 2003 when she given the Book of Mormon. Then 10 years later she was baptized on Sept 14, 2013 and confirmed on Sept 15. Cool, huh? Those Elders planted a seed and with that she was prepared when Sister Malig and her last companion found her. It just shows you never know what seeds you are planting :) 

Our other investigators are doing good- I invited Sister Dorina to be baptized while I was an exchange with the Sister Training Leader. There's something about inviting people to be baptized, it's a time when I feel the Spirit work through me and I know it was as Sister Dorina answered with a sincere yes and had tears in her eyes. She's amazing and super funny, I love her! She's also our neighbor and her and her family are great. Haha whenever we have problems, like running out of gas, we run over to the neighbors for help. They are just great and we celebrated Oliver's birthday yesterday with them. Oliver is one of her kids and he's so good, he's reading the Book of Mormon as well and always love to read from it when we share a scripture in the lesson. They're a great family. 

I've tried some new foods this week...balot. Yep, the fertilized egg. But I couldn't eat the chick! And Sister Malig wouldn't let me because she doesn't like that part either. But it's weird! First you drink the juice of the egg first and then eat the chick. I just drank a little bit and ate the yellow yoke part but that was it. I couldn't do the chick. But the other missionaries and members told me that I don't become truly Philippino until I eat the chick. So sometime I'll have to. Yikes! Haha I also had squid which was good! It's deep fired and anything deep fried is good :) Haha :) 

I got to go to Training Check-Up this past week which was good but lots of traveling and lots of boat rides. Which I get to do again this week for Zone Conference. Yay! Hopefully it's not wavy again...may sakit ang ulo!! (headache) :( But it was really good and it was great to see my friends from the MTC. Just a good reunion and fun traveling to Lipa and San Pablo. But I think I like Calapan more :) It's starting to become home to me :) 

Well I guess I should end my letter but something that I wanted to share that Sister Malig shared with me last night. I was just getting frustrated and discouraged about the language and wanted to break down last night. She pulled out her scriptures and shared 1 Nephi 3:15 with me. And said "Don't give up, no matter what." I won't. I know that coming here wasn't by accident and that the Lord didn't call me here to fail and he knows that I can do it. Even to speak tagalog. I won't come home till I've accomplished what the Lord has given me to do. It's not easy but I know that He'll make the way for me and give me the strength to climb this mountain. And I know that He will for you in any of your challenges and trials in this life because it's promised. 

I love you all and thank you for your prayers, love and support. I know that they help me everyday and I appreciate them so much. I'm praying for you all as well. 

Mahal ko kayo!

Love, Sister Burnham 

 

Ewwwww.....

 I showed this picture to my roommate and she just about lost her breakfast! GROSS!!!

 



You Can't Teach Without the Spirit!

Family and Friends!

Another week has flown by for me! I can't believe that I'm emailing again on p-day because this past week went by so fast!! I'll actually reach my month mark in the Philippines on Saturday!! Crazy huh? I'll be home before you know it! Haha :) 

First off I got your packages mom!! You sent two, right? Because that's how many I got! Thank you so so much for them! Haha the toliet paper made me laugh. Thank you for that, I've found it here in the grocery store here so all is well but it's good to have anyways. And I'll save it- who knows if my next area has any toliet paper. Haha Also I loved the chips and salsa and fixings!! Totally knew that was Devon's idea- you're right, you've got my back! Haha Anyways, thank you :) Oh and the monkey butt powder was funny...clever...haha :) 

So this past week was fun! I feel like I've gotten to know my district better and know the members in the branch better. We had a district meeting on Wednesday and afterwards we ate at this restaurant where they give unlimited rice. So much rice!! I was good with what I had but Elder Sasagi kept calling them over to give me more and more rice. But everytime he did I make them give him more rice. Haha we were toppled with rice on our plates!! Gotta love rice here in the Philippines! I think I'll be so used to eating it with every meal that by the time I come home I won't be able to break that habit. Haha :) 

I love the branch I'm over- they are so great and they all love being my tagalog teachers. Haha It's fun to get to know them and to work with a few of them in lessons we teach. We even had an ward missionary council activity today on the beach with them and it was so much fun! I've taught them "dip dip dip" and we were all dying laughing. I love how Philippinos find joy in the simple things of life. And how they are always happy despite any problems they have. I learn so much from them everyday. It was fun to hang out with them on the beach this morning, but it was hard to not be tempted to dive in the ocean. Haha  

So Sister Jane's baptism is this Saturday- she's so excited. She had to be interviewed by Pres. Peterson yesterday because of abortion she had two years ago. (They couldn't afford to have anther kid). This though has caused her grief and pain for years. But because of the gospel of Jesus Christ and through the power of repentance and baptism- she can be freed from this. And already she has through repentance. It's amazing to see the change take place in her life and I think we'll see even more after her baptism. 

I could really feel the Spirit speak to another investigator we taught the other day about the Plan of Salvation. There was a moment of silence during the lesson after Sister Malig asked Justin a question but it wasn't uncomfortable. Because the Spirit was speaking to him. And I could tell that it was confirming in his heart that our words were true. I realized again how I'm not in control of the teaching. It's the Holy Ghost and it has amazing power that I will never have. It's so important in our teaching because it's not us that convert people, it's the Holy Ghost. 

Well, this next week is going to be another fast week for me because on Wednesday I am heading to the mission home for training check up! Woo hoo! Boat ride!! Hopefully I don't get sea sick again. Haha I kinda did last time but I think it was because I had been traveling for the past three days. But I think I'll be ok, just as long as it doesn't storm. And also I'm going on splits with the Sister Training Leaders. I'm a little bit nervous because I feel like I still don't know what I'm doing. Haha I'll just be praying that everything goes well with that. And it will be weird to be away from my companion! We have a lot of fun together and she's a great Nanay. But something exciting though that's happening next transfer is that we're getting another set of sisters in Calapan! Their going to be living with us which will make living quarters a little more crowded but I'm excited to have another set of friends and it will be nice to not be the only Sisters here. Haha the Elders are fun and all but I miss Sisters. Haha :)  

Mahal ko kayo! I love you all! Thank you for your love and prayers. I can really feel the power from them everyday and it makes all the difference. We missionaries need them, especially because this is a very important work and we can't do it alone. And I know that the power from your prayers helps me through everyday. Salamat :) Take care and I'll hear from you next week!

Mahal, Sister Burnham 

 

What!?!

Sister Malig has got to be the cutest companion ever!

Gross!!!

2 Month Mark and Pig Ears!

Kumusta!!

I just realized that tomorrow will be my 2nd month mark! That's insane! At times the mission seems to be going slow but most the time it seems to be going by so so fast! Like I'll begin my day and it seems an hour later I'm ending it. I guess that just means to make the most of your mission everyday because it really is a short time. 

So I love the Philippines!! It is the best place on earth. Yes I'm constantly sweating, eating pig ears- which is probably one of my favorite dishes now! Cameron was right, the things you eat are weird but they way they cook it is oh so good! But I love the people and I love the culture. It's more fun in the Philippines :) 

So this week went a lot better than last week. I was really stressing about the language last week and I decided to not worry about it so much. To do the best I can, come out of my bubble, and really just listen and speak with my heart. Well, it has been going a lot better! I still don't know tagalog, but I can understand about 70% of what's being said. I still struggle with speaking but I'm trying to speak more often and it's starting to pay off. I might take 3 months for me to get the language but that's ok. I have the faith that it will come and I'm at peace now about it. 

So we had yet another busy week, Sister Malig and I. Taught 24 lessons and we have a lot of potential investigators! Mostly families which are my favorite to teach. The kids here, they are the cutest! Seriously, I love them! One family, their son is this cute chubby Fhilippino. Haha He gave me the biggest hug when we left from our FHE lesson with them and kept asking when we would come back. They love so much. Also another family, Greg's family, we just barely meet on Friday- has the cutest kids. The seriously live in the shack on the beach and the dad is a tricycle driver. We found them through OYM (open your mouth) and he really desired to hear more and to teach his family. Well I can already tell that they have been prepared by the Lord. And they have been through so much. Their old son was really sick back in June and had to be in the hospital. During that time, one of their daughters got in a burn accident. All her hair was burned off and it her skin on her head and shoulders got 2nd degree burns. She was in the hospital as well for a month. But they are both fine and healthy now and this family is so happy. They have been through so much, have nothing (seriously, a one room shack with nothing in it) but they are happy and grateful for what they do have and each other. It really touches my heart to see how loving, happy and humble these people are. And they are so open to our message. They came to church on Sunday and I just know we'll be able to keep the progression going with their family. We also have a baptism next Saturday! We're really excited for Sister Jane :) 

So the other day, haha we went over to Nanay Chavez's home and gave a little missionary lesson to her and her family. Afterwards she came with us to teach some lessons. So...haha our way out of her home, there's this little bridge and somehow my shoe got caught on a piece of it, my foot pulled out of it and then my shoe fell into the little stream under the bridge. And this was no ordinary stream. It was muck and who knows what was in it. Haha but it was entertaining using a long stick to pull it out of the muck and then thankfully Sister Chavez washed it off for me. Haha it was just hilarious. We were all laughing at my shoe and I think her grandkids that it was funny that it happened to the poor white American girl. Haha Of course :) 

We had Zone P-day today! Which was fun! We went to this tiny zone that is really tiny! Haha But it was great fun to spend time with our zone and get to know the Elders a little bit better. So there's an Elder here, Elder Hansen who's from Queen Creek. Anyways, he knows Bro. Workman! He used to be his coach! And he's been to RV plenty of times for sports and what not. It's a small world. Also something cool about him, his girlfriend back at home was on the show "Something Borrowed or Something New." It's like "Say Yes to the Dress." But I guess she wrote them their story and they accepted her and she was on the show- they re did her mothers wedding dress. Haha way crazy, huh? So if you- especially Robyn, Amber, and Abby who watch those shows- watch out for a story on Jake Hansen and Hayden Foote. And tell Bro. Workman "Hi" for him :) Haha I thought it was cool :) Oh and there's an Elder here as well that's is cousins with Sam Wright! Ciera and Seth- I forgot his name but it was funny to find that out :) 

Well it's time to end this...I'm loving it out here! Mom, don't worry too much. Like you said, the Lord is watching over His missionaries. Sometimes, I can feel that protection. I truly feel blessed to be out here and to get to know these people and to  love them. Even though I miss you all, I know that I am needed here. And that I have so much to give to pay back for all the blessing that I have in my life. Thank you for all your love and support and I can't wait to hear from you again!

Love, Sister Holly Burnham 

 

Making pig ears!

The cutest sister missionaries ever!