Merry Christmas!!

Malipayon Pasko sa inyo tanan!

This week has been great! And the best news of all?!?! The Adina family got baptized in Catbalogan.

I went on splits in Ormoc with Sister Rex. Friday was our Branch Christmas Party! It started 2 hours late, "Filipino time, but it was still a success! Sister Cornites and I even gave a small presentation. We sang Silent Night while I played ukelele. So that was a lot of fun.

There was a large chance that we would be hit by a bagyo (typhoon) on our Christmas, but our prayers were answered and it didn't landfall in Region 8. Our prayers go out to those who were affected by it.

We had a merry Christmas, hope yours was great too. :) It was great skyping my family. It's crazy how time flies and we all grow up. Let's make the moments last.

Love,

Sister Healey

                                              

Christmas Eve: Reading from the Bible when Christ was born then opening new pajamas

Christmas Day 

The Adina family got baptized

Dec 26, Skyping the fam <3

our Branch Christmas Party

'Twas the week before Christmas

Maayong Buntag! 

This week has been amazing! Here are some things that happened:

Monday we had a Family Home Afternoon and a Family Home Evening with some part-member families. So fun and a great time to draw closer to our Savior Jesus Christ and to bond as a family. 

Tuesday, while street contacting, Sister Cornites and I met a Filipina lady who actually lives in Germany with her husband and kids, but was just visiting Palompon for the Holidays to be with her siblings! I had a flashback to highschool when I took 2 years of German and when the time came to sine the only thing I could say to her was "I love you" and ask "Do you know how to spell your name?" hahaha So that was fun and made me want to study German again and more seriously. 

I received some serious revelation while doing personal and companionship scripture study of how we can better help some of our investigators, and Palompon in general, progress. It was such a comfort. Heavenly Father really does guide us and answer our prayers.

We had our Christmas Conference in Ormoc and I got to see some of my batch and other old mission friends. We received a great training and really got to feel the Christmas Spirit. Santa even visited! haha I really love Christmas. 

We also went contacting this week in the town terminal. Palompon is known for it's Barbecue stands in the evening at the terminal. It is always super busy - a lot of people. We went and talked to almost 100 people in about 15 minutes. Sharing short messages about Christmas, LighttheWorld, and our Savior Jesus Christ. Through sharing the gospel with others we receive a whole new light and joy in our lives. 

I spoke in Church yesterday on following the example of Jesus Christ and a lot of people came to church. 9 Investigators! We've been working a lot with the members, getting them on board with Light the World! Christmas is only one week away!! 

I hope you all will have a great week and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

love, 

Sister Healey

Christmas Conference with Santa (Elder Nelson)

Sister Sulunga

Sister Cornites

Eating Cacao 

It started pouring rain and none of us had an umbrella

 so we broke off a banana tree leaf and made a run for it lol

Serve pa more

Maayong Buntag!

Hello everyone!! Are you getting excited for Christmas, because I know I am!! Sister Cornites and I have been going door to door this week sharing the "Light the World" with anyone and everyone and it is so fun talking about Christmas even though I'm dripping in sweat in over 90 degree weather.... Feeling that Christmas spirit! :D

Sister Newton, my trainer in the mission, visited the mission and Honeymooned in Naval! My first area! That's crazy! One year later and she's married now. Time flies.. 

This past week we had ZTM in Ormoc! It was fun receiving the training and not having to prepare anything, but I did miss attending MLC. haha Our zone right now is really fun and big! I love being a missionary.

It's such an amazing thing, being able to gather as young adults and be unified in one purpose and in the Lord. :) A mission really is a once in a life time opportunity and has changed my life and my future. Being with Sister Cornites is so fun. We are always laughing and just loving missionary work. We bought lights for our Christmas tree. haha 

If you haven't checked out the Light the World program, or seen the Christmas video, DO IT. 

I love you all! Merry Christmas! Ug padayon ta! Let's light the world. 

Sister Healey

Lawig Festival

Maayong Utdo!

This past week was Fiesta (for the Catholics) and the yearly Lawig Festival (for everyone) here in Palompon, Leyte. Which means everyone was super busy all week preparing then partying! There were parades of marching bands, schools competing for presentations and dancing, and lots of drinking, food, and videoke.

On Friday we had exchanges in Ormoc with our Sister Training Leaders Sister Rex and my niece in the mission, Sister Estrera! :) Lingaw kaayo.

We also had a really cool experience. After teaching a few part-member families in a area further out (took a jeep), we were trying to catch a ride back into town, but all there was was a few single motorcycles. So we were walking, then after about 20 minutes of walking in the blazing sun (it seemed like we were going to have to walk all the way back) a miracle happened! A fancy car pulled up next to us and a Joe (White person) stuck out his hand and introduced himself. At first we thought it was one of the many foreigners coming into Palompon for the Fiesta, but turns out he is an Returned Missionary that was assigned in Palompon in 2007. He was on his way to Palompon to visit for the first time after his mission with his wife and kids! We were so surprised and got a free ride back into town!! 2 RMs married and going back to visit their old missions. #lifegoals 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, especially since I got a small package from home (thanks mom) with a paper Christmas tree in it! Even though its still SO HOT, there are people going house to house singing carols and Christmas lights are everywhere. I'm getting excited! I love you all and hope you are finding a way to get involved in #LighttheWorld

Lets look for ways to serve others! Happy month of December!

Sister Healey

LIGHT THE WORLD

Maayong Buntag sa inyo nga tanan, 

This past week flew by! It's basically been a week of being toured around Palompon. We are slowly getting an idea of where things are. It has been a fun, busy week of finding and meeting new people. 

Sister Cornites and I are doing great! Just more work work work work work. :) I completley forgot about thanksgiving last week.... until the day my American STL texted us... haha So Happy Thanksgiving!! 

Speaking of holidays, even though it has been Christmas for a long time here in Phlippines, (September pa) It's now Pasko in America! So Merry Christmas and go check out Mormon.org and LIGHT THE WORLD! :) It's an awesome way that we can draw closer to our Savior by serving others in the way that He served. In 25 ways over 25 days! 

Get Involved! I love you all! Enjoy the pictures! And have a great week! 

Love, 

Sister Healey

PALOMPON, LEYTE

Maayong buntag sa inyong tanan! 

Alums na! I am now reporting from my last area in the Ormoc Stake, Palompon, Leyte! 

And it is VERY Cebuano! haha Nosebleed kaayo! It has been difficult to change and I miss Waray Waray! I still understand and remember a lot, surprisingly, from my first area (almost a year ago) when I spoke Cebuano, but it is hard to speak! I am no longer translating from English to Cebauno, but I'm now translating from Waray to Cebuano! because I kind of think in Waray Waray now! Haha I love Tacloban Mission. Now I'm worried I will forget Waray Waray. Agiiii

Pero it's ok lang because my anak is Bisdak (Fluent in Cebuano). She is from Monkayo, Compostela Valley, Mindanao! Under Butuan Mission: Sister Cornites! 

She is really nice and super funny! We whitewashed and are still trying to get on our feet, but Palompon is great and the members are really nice and helpful. 

We didn't make it to our area until Friday night because there was a miscommunication of where our key to the apartment was. In the end we picked it up from LBC, OYM-ed some people and then found out where our apartment was. 

This will be my last area and last companion. I don't like thinking about it... I'm just going to keep working hard, and pretend I still have a long ways to go! Missionary work is SO important because people are important. And we have the tools and guidance to get us through. I love you all! Take care always! (And please keep my dad in your prayers because he is really sick.) 

Amping mo kanunay!

Sister Healey

 

 With some Palompon Branch missionaries

 When I got my Anak it was pouring rain so we didn't stay at McCarthur park, we went back to the church for the transfer announcement (please ignore the backdrop I have no idea what that event is)

I'm lucky because Sister Cornites knows how to cook :) 

Good Bye Catbalogan

Maupay na aga ha iyo ngatanan, 

And yep, you guessed it. Transfers. Sadly the announcement is still later today, so I don't know where I'm going yet, BUT I have good news!! Burod na ako kay I'm training for my last 2 cycles. Whitewashing! Haha just like my first 2 cycles in my mission. Going out with a bang. 

The last few days of saying goodbye have been hard. Tears have been shed. I think I have sung "God Be With You til We Meet Again" more in the last few days than I have my whole life combined. 6 months flew by. I love the people here in Catbalogan and will miss them SO much. BUT, this is not goodbye talaga, because "I shall return!." 

As for this past week, on Tuesday we had a specialized training for all the sisters. Half of the mission (just sisters) gathered in the mission home and we cooked!! It was called "Master Chef Pinoy Edition" We had a race splitting up into teams and one companionship going to the grocery store and the other to the wet market. A race. Then a cooking contest! The good news is my team placed in each category of prizes. 3rd in Budgeting. 2nd in Time (Fastness...?) and 1st in Taste!! :D We cooked Chop Suey and Fried Rice. The bad news is.... I sliced my finger pretty good... haha but it's ok and healing! I'm still alive, and despite the war wound am still preparing to be a great mother who can cook! ;) 

We also had a Branch Family Home Evening and a combined FHE with the Duena, Bustillo, and Sanico families. 

Overall it has been a really fun last week in Catbalogan! Catbalogan I'll miss you! Hinay kamo perme! 

Love, 

Sister Healey

Strong Finishers

Maupay na kulop ha iyo ngatanan! 

Kamusta man kamo!? I'm doing great! Going on the last week of the cycle still here in Catbalogan, my third area and I love it! The people here are amazing and I'm FOR SURE going to cry on transfer day. 

This past week we had MLC, which means travelling to Tacloban and having a meeting in the mission home with other STLs and Zone Leaders, which is always fun. Then we had our Zone Training meeting the next day in Calbayog. Grabe kapoy ha pagsakay ha van. Pero ok la, nakasurvive gihap. :) There was this really good talk given by President Gordon B. Hinckley called "And Peter Went Out and Wept Bitterly." ( https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1979/04/and-peter-went-out-and-wept-bitterly?lang=eng&_r=1) You should all read it. We all sometimes fall short. The tragic story of "Strong starters and weak finishers." It is never too late to change so long as we are still alive here on this earth, but that doesn't mean that we can wait to change. Heavenly Father doesn't force us into heaven. It's through our faith AND works, and through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that we are able to return to them. But that all depends on us personally. It depends on you. Siring pa, "What lack I yet?" 

Right now, Sister Russon and I are teaching this amazing family of Investigators. There are 10 kids and some have their own families now! We found them during our 2nd week as a companionship and they just really get it! Every time we go back to teach them, they keep inviting their family and friends to join in the lessons. Saturday, we taught about the 10 Commandments, reading from Exodus 20, to more than 20 people!! In that one house!!! 

I love missionary work. :)

Speaking of Saturday, we also went and cleaned the church in the morning. This Monday morning we had a zone activity in Calbayog. Tomorrow have a specialized training in Tacloban!! So much travelling!

I love you. Pray always, keep the faith, and cherish your loved ones. Lets all help each other finish strong. 

-Sister Healey

 

Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel

Maupay na aga ha iyo ngatanan! 

Happy Halloween! Man I've missed 2 now!! But that's ok. I don't miss the scary, but I do miss the dressing up, games and free candy. haha Have fun and stay safe! 

Yesterday at church Sister Russon and I were asked to be speakers, 5 minutes before Sacrament meeting started. I gave an on the spot talk on Service in the church and callings. While I have been on my mission, I have really learned the importance of magnifying our callings. In different branches and wards, I have seen first hand the successes and struggles that come when people do and don't magnify their callings. The church just doesn't function how it is supposed to. 

Also, yesterday some of our Less Actives came to church for the first time in a long time. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is perfect. He is perfect. But we are NOT. The church is for the perfecting of the Saints. As we attend our church services happily, with a good attitude, looking to learn and magnifying our callings, we will be uplifted, blessed, and our burdens will be lightened. 

"Put your shoulder to the wheel, push along! Do your duty with a heart full of song. We all have work, let no one shirk, put your shoulder to the wheel." There are people waiting for YOU. That only you can help. Only you can be their saving angel through your service, so put your should to the wheel! 

I love you all! Don't have too much fun without me this Halloween! ;)

Sister Healey

p.s. send me pictures of your Halloween costumes! 

Time is passing too quickly!!

Maupay na kulop!

This past week has been good. :) We had our zone interviews with our Mission President. Exchanges with the Sisters assigned in Sulat, Samar. I am always shocked when it is P-day again, because it all just goes so fast. I LOVE the Philippines. I cannot believe how fast my time has gone here. Almost 3 months left.... that's scary.

One thing that I have learned in my mission and really noticed recently in the work here in Catbalogan, is there are people waiting and ready for the gospel in their lives. Sister Russon and I have seen many miracles recently and so many people that are progressing. Finding those people and sometimes, even them finding us! I love missionary work and seeing how the gospel and the Atonement of Jesus Christ have blessed my life and the lives of those around me.

I hope you are all doing well! The Church is true! Our Heavenly Father knows and loves each and everyone of us! Don't forget it!

Until next week! Hinay kam perme.

Sister Healey

Pictures:
This morning we got up early and went to Parola to watch the sunrise. A part of our area where the "I <3 Catbalogan City" sign is.

This morning we got up early and went to Parola to watch the sunrise.

 A part of our area where the "I <3 Catbalogan City" sign is.

Sunrise part 2

Sunrise part 3

Typhoon Karen

Maupay na kulop, 

Kamusta man kamo? The weather sure has been crazy here! But we have been safe. :) It has been much worse in other parts of our mission and further north west. Saturday we had a signal 2, so we just stayed in the apartment almost all day for safety. 

As far as the work, it's great! We have some awesome investigators right now working towards baptism and some new potentials that have great faith and are asking the right questions. I love being a missionary! I still have little moments, even now, when it just hits me -  I am speaking with the people in their language, easily understanding, joking around with them about life and then introducing the restored gospel to them. Being a missionary is really hard, but at the same time, you know, it's really easy. 

Sometimes I forget I'm in a foreign country speaking a foreign language. It's almost like this is my home now. These people are my family. I will never forget them. :)

Last night we got locked out of our apartment, because we locked the keys inside. Haha the sisters were trying to get in from this ghetto hole in the cement that just has a piece of nailed plywood. BUT I jimmied the door open with Sister Russon's Insurance card!!! (She volunteered it) My first time!! It really was a miracle! There was no extra key. So basically,you better watch out. Cause now I'm a pro at getting into locked doors ;) 

Anyways, Paghirot kamo perme!! Until next week!

Love, 

Sister Healey

General Conference

Sisters trying to get into the apartment

A locked door? no problem :)

Keep life simple

Maupay na odto! 

Kamusta kamo ngatanan?! I am so happy we were able to watch General Conference this past week! One thing I have developed on my mission is a love for General Conference! Receiving revelation and a spiritual boost 2 times a year! Yesterday was awesome. We had 3 new investigator families come to church for the FIRST time! And it was General Conference! So exciting! 

Yesterday was so crazy because I was entertaining and trying to control the kids in the back of the chapel while the families listened to General Conference. Thanks mom for sending those coloring books. They were a life saver. :) It was chaotic, kids fighting over crayons and tattling on each other. Made me think back to when I was a kid.... that makes me feel old. It was so tiring, haha There were about 30 kids in all. With my luck, when I come home my first calling will be in primary. I do love kids and when they weren't being too crazy it was fun and entertaining to see how easily entertained they are. 

Life really can be so simple, but we have to choose to keep it simple. Not getting caught up in the worldly things around us and forgetting what truly is important. I love how life is so simple here. Kids are so creative with the games they have, and the people are so happy. 

When I come home I'm going to have culture shock, I just know it... haha

Love,

Sister Healey :) 

I'm sorry I can't send pics today because my stuff has a virus... next week hopefully. :) 

Short but sweet :)

Maupay na Kulop!

Happy Birthday Sister Russon and Emie Delacruz!! They are both 21 today!!! This has been a crazy week! We had another MLC meeting in Tacloban Tues-Wed and then on Friday we had a Zone Training meeting. Because we have been travelling so much this week, we have not been able to work as much. 

Tomorrow is Transfers, but I'm staying here in Catbalogan!! Sister Russon and I get to stay together for another cycle!! We are so excited!  

I'm sorry, I forgot my old planner (new cycle = new planner) therefore I cannot remember details of what happened this past week. haha SO, next week I will share all the fun stories!  But I love you all! Take care, and listen to the Prophets' voice!  

In the mean time, at least enjoy these pictures. :) 

Sister Healey

 Zone Leaders Elder Woolston and Elder Ferrer

Sister Training Leaders Sister Russon and Sister Healey

Happy birthday Sister Russon

 The Duena Family + Danica, Emie, Lanie, and Jaira

Wife of the deaf Tatay