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