Arrived in the Phillipines and assigned to Naval, Biliran area! Pictures!

Kamusta Pamilya ug Amigos! 

I'M IN THE PHILIPPINES! Seriously so much has happened I don't even know where to begin. The Philippines Tacloban mission has three islands. Samar, Leyte, and Biliran. I arrived in my area Naval, Biliran Thursday evening. My companion is Sister Newton from Boise, Idaho! They speak Cebuano here! As well as Tagalog and Waray,... But our area is mostly Cebuano.

So I am the one lucky soul who got assigned to an area that actually uses what we learned in the MTC, pure Cebuano. But I know nothing... Seriously, they talk so fast and mumble and it's hard, but I love the Philippines. The people are so funny and friendly. And they use their eyebrows so much! Haha it makes me so happy. 

Missionaries haven't been in this area for a whole transfer and so we are whitewashing the area. It is Sister Newtons last area, but first Cebuano area, Her whole mission has been in Waray. Naval is a huge area and there are only two of us, but the branch members of the church are so friendly and willing to help teach. It's a good thing too because half the time Sister Newton and I have no idea where we are. But we are slowly learning the area. We met this super cute member family who have been members for just a few years and have worked with the missionaries a lot. We have one progressing investigator who has been taught almost all of the lessons from previous missionaries. His name is Kim. He is a part of that family who has been showing us around. And the only non-member who lives here in Naval. He is kind of shy, but a really sweet kid. 

People weren't kidding when they said I would stick out! Everyone here is SO short. haha and I am a tall, white, blonde, Americana. A lot of people stare and do double takes. haha And it is so humid here! Thank goodness we have fans in the apartment. I don't think I will ever wear my hair down my whole mission because it is just too hot. 

It's definitely different here, but I haven't had too much of a culture shock. It's not bad. Just different. :) Yesterday Sister Newton and I taught an “on the spot” lesson with a family and I was able to give them a Book of Mormon! They seemed a little curious and we got a return appointment for today! We've talked to so many people, (or at least I have tried to) and it feels so amazing being out serving and sharing the gospel. I know that I am doing the Lord's work and I truly love these people. And Filipino children are seriously the cutest.

I know that God loves each and every one of us and He has a plan for us to be happy and to return to live with Him again. I love you all and hope you are all doing well. And please. Share the gospel with others. Of course don't force it on anyone, and respect others beliefs, but make sure you are being a member missionary because the Lord's work is the most important. 

Live your life by these two principles and you are set:

1: Love God.

2: And love each other. 

When we live our lives service oriented, that is when we feel the most joy and happiness. 

I love you all! Have a good week! And don't forget your daily prayer and scripture study! It seriously makes SO much of a difference. 

Until next time! Amping!

Sister Healey

Note:  An "on the spot" lesson is when you meet someone and teach a lesson right then instead of making an appointment to visit before teaching.

                                                Arrived safely in the Tacloban Mission

                                President and Sister Maurer, Sister Healey and Sister Newton

Sister Healey, Sister Newton and the member family that has been such a help to the missionaries.

Thankful for the opportunity to serve the people in the Philippines.

Kamusta pamilya ug mga amigos! (Turns out "higala" is deep Cebuano and rarely used)

This will be the last time you hear from me while I'm in the States! Next week we fly out on Thursday so we will miss our P-day! So I don't know when I'll be able to email next, because I'll be in the PHILIPPINES!!!

Yesterday we got to Skype with some Filipinos again! And they complimented my Cebuano! I'm sure they were just being nice... haha but It was so exciting! The sister's whole family was there and they all were so excited to talk to us, we didn't really get to teach a full lesson. But we bore our testimonies and they did too. I am so pumped to just be there already. I have no clue if my first area will be Cebuano or Waray-Waray, but I'll let you all know next time!

Yesterday was also In-field training, but it was with everyone who is leaving within a week so everything was in English. I'll tell you what, it was weird teaching and testifying in English. And WAY easier! But I'm so thankful for the mission I have and wouldn't want it any other way. I love the people in the Philippines already. It has been such a humbling experience learning a new language. I know there would be no possible way for me to do this without God's help.

 Ether 12:26-27 “…the Lord spake unto me saying: “Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness;

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness.  I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.”

It is through our Heavenly Father that I have strength and will be able to do anything. It won't be me changing peoples’ lives in the Philippines, it will be Him. I'm just a tool in His Hands.

Kanusa kamo magampo nga ihatag mga salamat para inyong mga panalangin. Count your blessings.

Gihiguma kamo sa Dios.

Keep on keepin on.

Sister Healey

Famous hair and flight plans to the Philippines!

Kamusta pamilya ug mga higala!

It feels like I have been here at the MTC forever, haha, and the language is slowly improving. My spelling was bad before my mission and... well Cebuano is making it worse! haha In Cebuano things are spelled how they sound! The other day I was writing in my journal and I accidentally wrote "cud" instead of "could." It's a good thing I have spell check on email, or this email would be a mess.

For the Tuesday Devotional, Elder Dallin H. Oaks came and spoke to us! It was really good! He spoke about the importance of teaching with the spirit. My companions and I were in the choir and sang "Lead Kindly Light" and the devotional was broadcast to the MTC's all around the world! There was a video feed that showed where all the MTC's around the world are, and it was really cool. And… the top of my bun was in the video shot, so you know, my hair is famous around the world! (And a few bobby pins.)

And guess what?!?! I got flight plans today!! I will be leaving the MTC on September 17th at 3:30 am! Crazy right?! Between layovers and the time change, I will arrive in the Philippines on the 18th at 10:35 pm! So. Exciting!!

Don't get me wrong, I am kinda (really) nervous, BUT I am SO excited!! It will be so amazing! Our teachers who have served in the Philippines have been telling us some of the stories from their missions and it has gotten our whole zone so pumped! Last night we got to Skype with some Filipinos, in the Philippines, and get to know them and share a spiritual thought. It was nerve wracking, but so cool. They are soooo friendly and I could actually understand most of what they were saying!! It was so awesome and I can't wait to do it again next week. In 2 weeks, I'll be in the Philippines!!

Malipay Kaayo ko! Salamat para nagbasa ka akong e-mail ug naglaum ko imong kinabuhi sa maayo!

Amping!

Sister Healey

Maddie's entire district:  From Left to right: (Top row: Sis. Mower, Sis. Saafi (from Tonga), Sis. Powell,
Sis. Healey, Sis Allen.
Mid Row: Elder Clark, Elder Allen, Elder Eberhard, Elder Butterworth
Bottom Row: Elder Kuraotio (from Kiribati), Elder Robison)

Sister Powell, Sister Healey and Sister Allen