RIP Sister Healey

Maupay na kulop brothers and sisters. 

The time is far spent. Who knew that an adventure of a life time came an went in a blink of an eye. Unforgettable and irreplaceable friends, memories, laughs, lessons learned, and a spiritual growth through service to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

It's my last few days as a set-apart missionary. I'm in Tacloban, Leyte right now and in a few days will be on a plane ride home, back to America. I love my mission. Even though I'm still in denial, it's all so very real. Kabalo man mo nga kahilakon ko. haha I can't describe how I feel. But I am just happy, sad, excited, but at the same time I feel like I'm leaving a big part of my heart here in the Philippines. The people, the culture, the friends I have made, and the 18 months of my life that I wouldn't sell for anything. 

As my time as a set-apart full-time missionary comes to an end, I know that I'm about to start a whole new journey and adventure in my life as an RM. haha Now it's is just a matter of applying all of the things I have learned on my mission and continue applying it once I'm home. 

I'd like to share my testimony sa inyo for the last time as a full-time missionary and representative of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

I know He lives. He loves us. And because our Heavenly Father lives and loves us too, He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer and die for our sins that through Him we may be saved; through our personal faith in Jesus Christ, daily Repentance, Baptism by someone holding the proper authority (Priesthood of God), which Priesthood was lost after the rejection of Jesus Christ and the following rejection of His 12 Apostles. BUT that same Priesthood has been brought back onto the earth today. Jesus Christ restored all of His truths and He guides us in these Latter-days so that we can return again to Him someday. Through this Priesthood, we are able to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and be cleansed from our sins. Then it all depends on US. If we will choose the right. IF we will have the courage enough to recognize and face our sins and mistakes and humble ourselves and continue to follow our Savior unto the end.  

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's only true and living church on the Earth today. No church or religion can save you. Only you can, through Christ, BUT you have to be baptized by one authorized of God and follow HIS laws and commandments so that we can enter into HIS kingdom. There is "ONE Lord, ONE faith, and ONE baptism." (Ephesians 4:5 New Testament) I know with all my heart and testify to all of you that this is the one that is right for all. I'm not perfect. No one is. I respect and believe strongly in the freedom of religions. But right now, I stand as a witness to the world, for whoever stumbles across this blog, that all these things are true. 

I could go on and on. But I'm running out of time. I love this time that I have been blessed with to serve the people here in the Philippines. I will NEVER forget it or regret it. Brothers and Sisters, let us repent and come unto Christ. The only one that is stopping you . . . is you.

All of these things I leave in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

The next time we see each other, I'll be in the states. :) Bittersweet kaayo. Amping/hinay/hirot/ingat kamo perme. 

love, 

Sister Healey

The countdown begins!!

Maayong Utdo!

Happy Chinese New Year! haha This past week we had 3 FHE's. Celebrated Maria's Birthday (early), had a zone conference in Ormoc, AND Stake conference again in Ormoc, a 2 hour drive away. Woooh! Busy week.

I honestly think the longest part of the mission is the MTC. haha Every day and week going faster until before you know it, you're about to head home. There was also another special missionary broadcast this past week, and even though I only have 1 week left of full missionary service, I'm glad I could be a part of it. Some new schedule changes and focuses of the missionary work.

Palompon is doing well. I've made some awesome friends and made some great memories. We all went on a road trip to and from our Stake conference as a branch.

A member gave us half a sack of kamote for free.

I tried a kids dulaan Plastic Balloon for the first time.

Sister Cornites and I eat Balut almost everyday. I actually like it now. We eat about 3 at a time. Their favorite costumers. haha

Loving that missionary life. PTM is the best.

Love you all. Amping kanunay. Eat Balut.

Sister Healey

Eating balut

kids dulaan plastic balloon

FHE

The Plan of Happiness

Maayong Buntag Families and friends!

Kamusta man mo? Ulan pa more diri. It has flooded in other parts of the Philippines because of all of the heavy rains recently, but we are ok here in Palompon. Just wet. haha

This past week we have really been focusing on teaching the Plan of Salvation to everyone. It is such an important thing to not just know but to understand because it is a guide for our lives. It answers SO many questions and is the hope that all of us need to overcome our trials. It is also the reminder that we need like in Alma 34:32-34 (The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.)

32 For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life
is the day for men to perform their labors.

33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of
you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life,
which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.

34 Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that
ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.

Heavenly Father has a plan for us. Our lives here on earth have purpose. It's just a matter of whether or not we apply the Atonement of Jesus Christ in our lives or not. Whether we take advantage of the tools and guides to help us. Scriptures, commandments, church, prayer, REPENTANCE, the gift of the Holy Ghost if we have been baptized and confirmed by the proper authority of God.

We ALL will be judged at the last day for the works we perform here on the earth. The question is will you prepare? Of course we are not perfect. I'm not perfect at all, but through Jesus Christ and His gospel teachings it is more than possible. WE can return to live with Him again some day. 

This week has been great.  I have loved my time as a missionary and It will carry over even after I return home. It's so important that we all prepare :) so that we can receive blessings in this life, and eternal life in the world to come.

  

It's your home girl Sister Healey here. Say your prayers always. Tell your mom you love her. ;) and peace out. 

P.S. read this tallk by our living prophet Thomas S. Monson ---> 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1999/04/your-celestial-journey?lang=eng

A 98 year old nanay who is a member and just moved into the apartment above us.

Rainy Days

Maayong Buntag!

And happy winter! Even here right now I'm freezing! It has been raining for the past week and it's SO cold. After getting pictures from back home with news about all the snow and ice -- I'm going to become a human popsicle!

Anyway... this week has been good. :) Tuesday we went to Ormoc for our interviews with our Mission President, which went great. I really like our mission President and his wife, the Maurers. They are great.

It's been a week of hard work, especially with the conditions right now. A lot of people are sick and everyone just sleeps all day long when it rains and is cold. But push pa more! It was still a good week.

This week I have just really felt how we have to keep pressing forward. No matter when we experience rejection, keep trying. Look at the bright side. Keep a positive outlook. Choose to be happy. And then when we make mistakes, we need to humble ourselves and be quick to ask for forgiveness. When others wrong us, we need to quickly give forgiveness, even when they don't ask for it. Our time here on earth is so short. Let's make the most of it. Enjoy the little moments. "Where ever you are, be all there."

Friday we had an FHE with our recent convert Maria. She is doing great. We had fun, and despite the weather, we still made the most of it.

I love you all! I hope you are all staying safe and healthy despite the cold! Amping kamo kanunay.

love,

Sister Healey

The Golden Gate of San Fransisco...lol

Palompon has a million bats. (daghang kwak-nit)

Kananga District

1st Birthday ni Baby Gordon Bunda

A Giant Ulod

FHE

Our branch president's puppy

MIRACLES

Maayong buntag sa inyo tanan!

And happy week 2 of 2017! Kamusa inyong mga new years resolution? haha

This week has been full of miracles. :) Here's a few:

-On the way back from our District Training Meeting a stranger paid our travel fee for us while we were sleeping on the van! It cost 100 pesos for one person one way, so there and back 400... which is a lot. But an angle helped us out. :)

-Had an amazing spiritual experience sharing the message of the restoration with a Less Active family

- A Baptism! Of Sister Maria Tumbiga (age 10) and she is super happy that she is now a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

- Made a contact with a professional sister then in the same day got invited back to share with her and her family the Restoration!

- Saturday met a group of kids playing around outside and invited them to church on Sunday. Around 10 kids from the ages 7-14 and even though there was a brown out (no electricity) and pouring rain, they all walked to church!! All by themselves!

- On Sunday a sister from Cebu was visiting Palompon for the birthday of her lolo (grandfather) and invited us to go eat dinner at their house

HAPPY 2017! It's been a great start to a great new year! I love you guys! Find way to continue loving and serving those around you. Amping mo kanunay!

Sister Healey




                                   
                                                 Baptism of Sister Maria Tumbiga

This spider is HUGE!!!

Hello 2017

And goodbye 2016, my full year of missionary service. Kamusta mo?

It's really crazy looking back and seeing just how much can happen in one year. All of the ups and downs, things learned. I'll miss you 2016. But it's a new year! New adventures! And my family has finally received my flight plans home..... patay.

But on another note! This past week has been good. We were safe this New Years and even got to see some fireworks from the windows of our apartment. There weren't as many fireworks this year compared to last because of the new laws of President Duterte, but it was still fun.

Yesterday we had 5 lunch appointments.... and ... yeah... we went to all of them and I am still suffering from the after effects... haha, but it all tasted really good!

This past week Sister Cornites and I took 2 hours, went to one of the richer parts of towns with plastic bags full of multiple copies of the Book of Mormon and were able to hand out 9 of them! It was a really cool experience going house to house, and even though there was rejection and no new investigators, it felt so good sharing and giving them the opportunity. At least they received the BoM, now it's just up to them to read it. :)

It was a great to start to a New Year. Let's continue to light the world and actually keep our New Years Resolutions. I love you all! Amping kanunay.

-Sister Healey

New Years

Playing scripture chase with the Olervida kids

Me and a Bumba

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