7/28/13
We went and contacted a new investigator that we have, Dennis, that invited us into his house. He sat us down, and we started talking about the Book of Mormon (He had come up to me and Sister Schaap last transfer and asked to have one). In the middle of our discussion, he asked me a question. He said, " If someone had a gun to your back, and said, say you aren't Mormon, or die, what would you do?" I started crying a little bit and told him with as much spiritual power I had in me that I would do anything for the Lord, even if it meant dying. He told me that every missionary that comes to his house gets asked that question. He said they all say yes, but no one ever cries, or really means it. He said that he had been searching for the truth most of his life, and he is really interested now because he said that he knows that I sincerely believe in this religion.
It got me thinking. I always thought that I would say yes if that situation ever happened, but now I know that I would. In that moment, I felt the love that my father in heaven has for me, and how much he appreciates me serving a mission. I love this gospel, and I am so happy to be a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Laugh Lines--July 28, 2013
July 28, 2013
Maupay nga aga!
Well, this week I have seen more miracles and have had a ton of success. We have... ready for this?... 16 new investigators. And at least 7 of them speak English. And at least half of them are from referrals. Referrals change my life. We have 2 people with a baptismal date for next month, and we are teaching 3 really golden families. I'm super excited!!! We're going to commit all of them to a date next week! Hopefully they all come to church this week! Feel free to pray that all of my investigators come to church, you can even fast for it if you want!
I accidently volunteered to be the choir director a few weeks ago... I thought they were just asking me to be in it.... But, actually, it's going way great! I have a ton of people come every week! Yesterday there were 30 people there. That's more than any choir I was in at church in Utah....
It's so cool! Our choir is for district conference coming up next month, and a general authority will be there. They sound good, so I'm really looking forward to it! It's super fun, and we have investigators that are in it as well, so It's a super cool way to do some fellowshipping, and get them involved!
So, something else really cool happened these past few weeks. Last transfer, our Branch mission leader wouldn't really work with us. He had it in his head that sister missionaries were kind of useless. But, based on the evidence of the past sisters, I can see why he thought that. But recently, I've really been trying my best to have daily contact with him, and keep him updated, and schedule meetings and such, and now, he works with us a ton! And he gives us referrals!!!! All of these referrals are professionals, and really prepared for the gospel! It's great!
Brother Nikki is his name, and he's kind of an interesting character. He was baptized by my MTC teacher a year and a half ago, and he has a super socal (fancy) job. So, he knows a lot of high up people. Anyway, he is also kind of a perfectionist. And he likes to point out people's flaws. That's not really rude in the Philippines like it is in America. Anyway, last week He commented on how because I laugh so much and smile all the time, I have premature laugh lines and wrinkles. I then told him that Jesus said, "Be of good cheer." So, being happy is a commandment. Then I told him that if you don't have laugh lines, you can't get into the celestial kingdom. He thought that was the greatest thing he has ever heard. Since then, he always says, "Oh, Sister Bingham, Good for you! Working on your celestial mansion!" whenever I laugh.... which is a lot...
But, I used to be really annoyed with brother Nikki. He has said some really rude things to me in the past. But, I decided one day to love him. I decided that that was one of my challenges for this area. Now, I recognize the good in him, like he just does his best everyday.
Yesterday, after some appointments, he told me that he saw me in Catbalogan and how much enthusiasm I had, so he prayed that I would get transferred to Calbayog. This is a quote. "God is so merciful, because two weeks later, you got transferred. I know that God answers my prayers because now I can refer all of my friends to the missionaries because you are here."
It's really good that we get along now. The work is progressing so much faster, and so many more people are coming closer to Christ. I never thought that I could have such an influence on people just because I love life. Someone else told me that they love coming to choir because of how excited I am about it, and they don't want to make me sad. hahaha
Funny things:
1. We found this new family, and taught them the first lesson. I committed them to baptism( which they said yes!) And then Sister Stoehr asked if they would go to church yesterday. This is what the mom said, "hmmm we really want to, but I'm probably giving birth that day... But if that doesn't happen, we'll be there!" I didn't notice that she was pregnant because she was sitting down the whole time and her kids were all sitting in front of her, but I almost died laughing right there. It took everything I had to not laugh.
2. We taught the plan of salvation to one of our favorite families, and Sister Stoehr was talking about the Celestial kingdom. there are two words. Ginpatay= to kill, matay=dead. She said that even though her grandpa was a killer, they could all be together in the celestial kingdom. I corrected her, because they all had very horrified looks. hahahahahahahaha classic. I really love training, and I really love Sister Stoehr. We have a lot of fun together, and we are pretty unified already. That's good! Yay for missionary work!
Thanks for all of your prayers, and love.
Mahal kit,
Sister Bingham
Maupay nga aga!
Well, this week I have seen more miracles and have had a ton of success. We have... ready for this?... 16 new investigators. And at least 7 of them speak English. And at least half of them are from referrals. Referrals change my life. We have 2 people with a baptismal date for next month, and we are teaching 3 really golden families. I'm super excited!!! We're going to commit all of them to a date next week! Hopefully they all come to church this week! Feel free to pray that all of my investigators come to church, you can even fast for it if you want!
I accidently volunteered to be the choir director a few weeks ago... I thought they were just asking me to be in it.... But, actually, it's going way great! I have a ton of people come every week! Yesterday there were 30 people there. That's more than any choir I was in at church in Utah....
It's so cool! Our choir is for district conference coming up next month, and a general authority will be there. They sound good, so I'm really looking forward to it! It's super fun, and we have investigators that are in it as well, so It's a super cool way to do some fellowshipping, and get them involved!
So, something else really cool happened these past few weeks. Last transfer, our Branch mission leader wouldn't really work with us. He had it in his head that sister missionaries were kind of useless. But, based on the evidence of the past sisters, I can see why he thought that. But recently, I've really been trying my best to have daily contact with him, and keep him updated, and schedule meetings and such, and now, he works with us a ton! And he gives us referrals!!!! All of these referrals are professionals, and really prepared for the gospel! It's great!
Brother Nikki is his name, and he's kind of an interesting character. He was baptized by my MTC teacher a year and a half ago, and he has a super socal (fancy) job. So, he knows a lot of high up people. Anyway, he is also kind of a perfectionist. And he likes to point out people's flaws. That's not really rude in the Philippines like it is in America. Anyway, last week He commented on how because I laugh so much and smile all the time, I have premature laugh lines and wrinkles. I then told him that Jesus said, "Be of good cheer." So, being happy is a commandment. Then I told him that if you don't have laugh lines, you can't get into the celestial kingdom. He thought that was the greatest thing he has ever heard. Since then, he always says, "Oh, Sister Bingham, Good for you! Working on your celestial mansion!" whenever I laugh.... which is a lot...
But, I used to be really annoyed with brother Nikki. He has said some really rude things to me in the past. But, I decided one day to love him. I decided that that was one of my challenges for this area. Now, I recognize the good in him, like he just does his best everyday.
Yesterday, after some appointments, he told me that he saw me in Catbalogan and how much enthusiasm I had, so he prayed that I would get transferred to Calbayog. This is a quote. "God is so merciful, because two weeks later, you got transferred. I know that God answers my prayers because now I can refer all of my friends to the missionaries because you are here."
It's really good that we get along now. The work is progressing so much faster, and so many more people are coming closer to Christ. I never thought that I could have such an influence on people just because I love life. Someone else told me that they love coming to choir because of how excited I am about it, and they don't want to make me sad. hahaha
Funny things:
1. We found this new family, and taught them the first lesson. I committed them to baptism( which they said yes!) And then Sister Stoehr asked if they would go to church yesterday. This is what the mom said, "hmmm we really want to, but I'm probably giving birth that day... But if that doesn't happen, we'll be there!" I didn't notice that she was pregnant because she was sitting down the whole time and her kids were all sitting in front of her, but I almost died laughing right there. It took everything I had to not laugh.
2. We taught the plan of salvation to one of our favorite families, and Sister Stoehr was talking about the Celestial kingdom. there are two words. Ginpatay= to kill, matay=dead. She said that even though her grandpa was a killer, they could all be together in the celestial kingdom. I corrected her, because they all had very horrified looks. hahahahahahahaha classic. I really love training, and I really love Sister Stoehr. We have a lot of fun together, and we are pretty unified already. That's good! Yay for missionary work!
Thanks for all of your prayers, and love.
Mahal kit,
Sister Bingham
Trainer ako na! July 21,2013
July 21, 2013
Maupay nga Gabi!!
This week has been a great week. I am training now! Her name is Sister Stoehr from Colorado. She's great! She is super excited to work, and to teach, and she keeps all of the rules! So, that's fantastic!
Also, something really cool happened to me this week. I'm basically fluent. I understand 95% of what people say to me, and I know what's going on when they speak Tagalog. Also, they understand me as well. The gift of tongues is cool. We were in a meeting, and I asked everyone to speak English so that Sister Stoehr could be involved, and I guess halfway through everyone switched to Waray, because after the meeting, Sister Stoehr said something like, "Well, that English didn't last long." I didn't even know the difference. I can understand Waray like it's English. I love being a missionary!!
We teach this girl who is blind, and she called us the other night to see if we could take her to church. Anyway, she started speaking Tagalog, and I didn't understand her, so I handed the phone to an elder that speaks Tagalog. This is what I heard from the conversation.
"No, Sister Bingham is from Utah."
"No, she can't speak Tagalog."
"Yes, I promise she is American."
And then Elder Smith hung up with her, and told me that she thought I was Pinay this whole entire time, and that I have an amazing accent. How cool is that?!
I love training! It's so great! It's helping me become a way better missionary, because I really want to set a great example. Because, it is basically guaranteed that she will be training after I'm done training her. How crazy is that??? But she's great, I know that she can do it.
Thank you for all of your prayers, support, and all of your love. I feel it everyday, and I'm so grateful for all of you in my life.
The best way for missionaries to have investigators that will progress is from referrals. Alma 30:9 talks about how it is our privilege to serve the Lord. I challenge all of you to think about your friends, family, co-workers, or any other people that you know. Think about how much you love them, and how much they need the gospel. Then, prayerfully help them have the joy of the gospel in their lives.
I love all of you!
Till next week,
Sister Bingham
Maupay nga Gabi!!
This week has been a great week. I am training now! Her name is Sister Stoehr from Colorado. She's great! She is super excited to work, and to teach, and she keeps all of the rules! So, that's fantastic!
Also, something really cool happened to me this week. I'm basically fluent. I understand 95% of what people say to me, and I know what's going on when they speak Tagalog. Also, they understand me as well. The gift of tongues is cool. We were in a meeting, and I asked everyone to speak English so that Sister Stoehr could be involved, and I guess halfway through everyone switched to Waray, because after the meeting, Sister Stoehr said something like, "Well, that English didn't last long." I didn't even know the difference. I can understand Waray like it's English. I love being a missionary!!
We teach this girl who is blind, and she called us the other night to see if we could take her to church. Anyway, she started speaking Tagalog, and I didn't understand her, so I handed the phone to an elder that speaks Tagalog. This is what I heard from the conversation.
"No, Sister Bingham is from Utah."
"No, she can't speak Tagalog."
"Yes, I promise she is American."
And then Elder Smith hung up with her, and told me that she thought I was Pinay this whole entire time, and that I have an amazing accent. How cool is that?!
I love training! It's so great! It's helping me become a way better missionary, because I really want to set a great example. Because, it is basically guaranteed that she will be training after I'm done training her. How crazy is that??? But she's great, I know that she can do it.
Thank you for all of your prayers, support, and all of your love. I feel it everyday, and I'm so grateful for all of you in my life.
The best way for missionaries to have investigators that will progress is from referrals. Alma 30:9 talks about how it is our privilege to serve the Lord. I challenge all of you to think about your friends, family, co-workers, or any other people that you know. Think about how much you love them, and how much they need the gospel. Then, prayerfully help them have the joy of the gospel in their lives.
I love all of you!
Till next week,
Sister Bingham
Mission tours, English speakers, and Ear infections--July 14,2013
July 14, 2013
Maupay Nga Gabi Tanan,
So, this week has been really interesting. On Tuesday, we had a mission tour, and Elder Teh of the 70 came and spoke to us. That was really cool. He is a really inspired man, and I learned a TON from his trainings. It was great, I got a lot of my concerns and problems resolved from it.
We met 4 new investigators this week who speak English. One of them, Rafael, is Filipino (obviously) but he is American. Get this, He grew up in Kirtland, Ohio, 1 mile away from the Kirkland Temple. And he started an online paper for Calbayog, so he will put our announcements about our English class up and our service projects, so that is great! He is cool.
I got an ear infection this week, and Sister Andaya (the mission president's wife) made me go to Tacloban to the Doctor. So, Saturday morning, we were waiting at the Van terminal, and this lady started talking to us (in English) and she said that some Mormons came here a few years ago with some church relief aid program, and that they became her friends. Then we asked her if we could visit her, we gave her a pamphlet and a Book of Mormon, and she said, "Thank you so much sisters, I really really need this in my life right now." I almost died.
Also, one of our old investigators is in love with Sister Schaap... That's awkward. We might have to hand him over to the Elders because he keeps trying to call us at like 10 or 11 at night.... hmmmm... But, he also speaks English, so, that's a plus. It's kind of hilarious.
We didn't work as much as we wanted to this week, but even though we only worked 3 and a half days, Those days held a lot of miracles, and answered prayers. This week I learned that when we are exactly obedient, the Lord will be able to trust us with these super prepared people.
Transfers are this week. My president has said things to me like, "We will be expecting a lot more from you this transfer," "You need to get ready for next week, sisters." and, "Oh good, It will be helpful for next transfer that you are teaching a lot of people that speak English." So, you know, pray for my trainee.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers, and love, I really appreciate it, and I'm so happy that I have such a great support system back home.
Gugma,
Sister Bingham
Maupay Nga Gabi Tanan,
So, this week has been really interesting. On Tuesday, we had a mission tour, and Elder Teh of the 70 came and spoke to us. That was really cool. He is a really inspired man, and I learned a TON from his trainings. It was great, I got a lot of my concerns and problems resolved from it.
We met 4 new investigators this week who speak English. One of them, Rafael, is Filipino (obviously) but he is American. Get this, He grew up in Kirtland, Ohio, 1 mile away from the Kirkland Temple. And he started an online paper for Calbayog, so he will put our announcements about our English class up and our service projects, so that is great! He is cool.
I got an ear infection this week, and Sister Andaya (the mission president's wife) made me go to Tacloban to the Doctor. So, Saturday morning, we were waiting at the Van terminal, and this lady started talking to us (in English) and she said that some Mormons came here a few years ago with some church relief aid program, and that they became her friends. Then we asked her if we could visit her, we gave her a pamphlet and a Book of Mormon, and she said, "Thank you so much sisters, I really really need this in my life right now." I almost died.
Also, one of our old investigators is in love with Sister Schaap... That's awkward. We might have to hand him over to the Elders because he keeps trying to call us at like 10 or 11 at night.... hmmmm... But, he also speaks English, so, that's a plus. It's kind of hilarious.
We didn't work as much as we wanted to this week, but even though we only worked 3 and a half days, Those days held a lot of miracles, and answered prayers. This week I learned that when we are exactly obedient, the Lord will be able to trust us with these super prepared people.
Transfers are this week. My president has said things to me like, "We will be expecting a lot more from you this transfer," "You need to get ready for next week, sisters." and, "Oh good, It will be helpful for next transfer that you are teaching a lot of people that speak English." So, you know, pray for my trainee.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers, and love, I really appreciate it, and I'm so happy that I have such a great support system back home.
Gugma,
Sister Bingham
Sorry about last week...July 7, 2013
July 7, 2013
Hello everyone!
I'm sorry I didn't send an e-mail last week, the computer I was on was super slow, and the space bar was broken, so it was really difficult to e-mail. Anyway, This week was kind of hard, but it was really productive!
This week we have 9 new investigators, we pretty much have more of them than we can handle now. I think the hardest part of missionary work is deciding who will progress, and who won't, and deciding who you will spend your time on. But the coolest thing is when you meet people who are super prepared, and super ready for the gospel and they just soak in everything the spirit teaches them!
One day, we were walking past a well, and we saw a lady doing her laundry, so we offered our help. Usually the people say no because they are kind of shy. But this lady, Rowena, said yes! So we were just talking, and all of the sudden she says, " Can you sisters come to my house and have bible study with my family?" And we were like, "YES!!!" So, after we were done with her laundry, we helped her carry it all to her house, so we knew how to get there, and then she said, "So, you need my number right?" and then, "Can you come when my whole family is here?" I almost died. Our lesson was scheduled for a few days later, and it was amazing. All of them committed to baptism. They didn't come to church because they had a family thing, but they promised that they will come this week.
Another man basically told us that he knew the Book of Mormon was true on the first lesson, and that he would call us and text us with the questions he has when he reads it.
There are so many people that the Lord has prepared and is preparing for us. Sometimes it feels like we aren't doing something right because we don't always see the immediate results. But, miracles come when you just keep going, even when it's hard.
Thanks for all of your support and for all of your prayers!! I love being a mission, and I love all the opportunities that I have to serve the Lord everyday. And I love seeing his hand in this work everyday.
No matter what our problems or difficulties are, as long as we are keeping the commandments, and doing our best, our Lord will never let us fail.
Sincerely,
Sister Bingham
Hello everyone!
I'm sorry I didn't send an e-mail last week, the computer I was on was super slow, and the space bar was broken, so it was really difficult to e-mail. Anyway, This week was kind of hard, but it was really productive!
This week we have 9 new investigators, we pretty much have more of them than we can handle now. I think the hardest part of missionary work is deciding who will progress, and who won't, and deciding who you will spend your time on. But the coolest thing is when you meet people who are super prepared, and super ready for the gospel and they just soak in everything the spirit teaches them!
One day, we were walking past a well, and we saw a lady doing her laundry, so we offered our help. Usually the people say no because they are kind of shy. But this lady, Rowena, said yes! So we were just talking, and all of the sudden she says, " Can you sisters come to my house and have bible study with my family?" And we were like, "YES!!!" So, after we were done with her laundry, we helped her carry it all to her house, so we knew how to get there, and then she said, "So, you need my number right?" and then, "Can you come when my whole family is here?" I almost died. Our lesson was scheduled for a few days later, and it was amazing. All of them committed to baptism. They didn't come to church because they had a family thing, but they promised that they will come this week.
Another man basically told us that he knew the Book of Mormon was true on the first lesson, and that he would call us and text us with the questions he has when he reads it.
There are so many people that the Lord has prepared and is preparing for us. Sometimes it feels like we aren't doing something right because we don't always see the immediate results. But, miracles come when you just keep going, even when it's hard.
Thanks for all of your support and for all of your prayers!! I love being a mission, and I love all the opportunities that I have to serve the Lord everyday. And I love seeing his hand in this work everyday.
No matter what our problems or difficulties are, as long as we are keeping the commandments, and doing our best, our Lord will never let us fail.
Sincerely,
Sister Bingham
Rain, Rain, Rain, oh! and more Rain--June 23, 2013
June 23, 2013
Maupay nga gabi!
This week has been busy busy! On Tuesday, we had exchanges with the Special assignment sisters (their special assignment is to travel to every area in the mission and go on exchanges with all of the sisters. There are 3 pairs of them for our mission). That was cool because I wasn't really looking forward to it, because I didn't want to teach one of our investigators without Sister Schaap, but it turned out really really great, and we ended up finding an inactive member that had been inactive for like 8 years that we had never met before. We taught her, and she said that she would think and pray about coming back to church. She didn't, but I know that she felt the spirit, and that our lesson touched her heart. At the start of my first area I was kind of disappointed because my ideal timeline of our investigators and less actives progressing didn't really happen after we worked super hard to help them. I learned that the Lord's time is super different than our time. And that people have agency. We have had a few investigators tell us that they weren't interested in our message. It made me feel sad for a second, but then I realized that literally, I did everything I knew how to do, and that hopefully they will want the blessings and happiness that the gospel brings later on in life.
On Wednesday, we traveled to Tacloban for 5 hours. The van rides/bus rides here are super scary. The whole time I was just thinking, "hmmm any second a giant snake is going to appear and we will be surrounded with fire and a statue face that will tell us we will die now." I used to think that the Indiana Jones ride was just a made up ride-WRONG! It's insane. People use their horns here to tell people that they are close to them. There aren't any stop signs or traffic lights (the only one I saw was in Tacloban). The police don't enforce traffic laws at all. So basically, everyone does what he wants to do. But, I haven't seen a single crash at all since I've been here.
We had an all sisters meeting in Tacloban all day Thursday. It was fun! I got to see every sister from my batch, and we hung out with all of our friends! On the plane ride to the Philippines, me and sister Woodruff were saying how cool it will be to speak Waray-Waray to each other instead of English...AND NOW WE CAN! It's super sweet! And since Waray-waray isn't a written language, it's like a secret language! And only a handful of people in the entire world know it. After I get fluent in Waray-Waray, my next goal is Tagalog. A ton of people speak it here. We will be talking to people, and then all of the sudden I will have no idea what's going on. That's how I know when people switch to Tagalog. hahaha
On Saturday, the elders had a baptism. We attended, because it is our branch as well. And since it was on Filipino standard time, it started pretty late. But the new member is super cool! In his testimony after his baptism he talked about how he was going to do his best to go to the celestial kingdom. He is super excited to be a member, and is super excited to serve a mission in a year.
That's about all that happened... I didn't really step in anything interesting this week. Just lots of mud! Because it rains 4 or 5 days out of the week. And it will stay like that until January. hahaha It's kind of hard to hang our laundry because of the rain... We are working diligently to find a solution.
I love being a missionary! And I super love feeling the spirit in my life. The other day I was thinking, "hmmm I don't really feel the spirit anymore, what am I doing wrong?" Then I realized that I just feel it so much that I don't notice it sometimes. hahaha
Thank you for all of your love and support! If you could keep praying that I will get fluent in Waray-Waray soon, I would really appreciate it! You are the best family in the world!
Love,
Sister Bingham
Maupay nga gabi!
This week has been busy busy! On Tuesday, we had exchanges with the Special assignment sisters (their special assignment is to travel to every area in the mission and go on exchanges with all of the sisters. There are 3 pairs of them for our mission). That was cool because I wasn't really looking forward to it, because I didn't want to teach one of our investigators without Sister Schaap, but it turned out really really great, and we ended up finding an inactive member that had been inactive for like 8 years that we had never met before. We taught her, and she said that she would think and pray about coming back to church. She didn't, but I know that she felt the spirit, and that our lesson touched her heart. At the start of my first area I was kind of disappointed because my ideal timeline of our investigators and less actives progressing didn't really happen after we worked super hard to help them. I learned that the Lord's time is super different than our time. And that people have agency. We have had a few investigators tell us that they weren't interested in our message. It made me feel sad for a second, but then I realized that literally, I did everything I knew how to do, and that hopefully they will want the blessings and happiness that the gospel brings later on in life.
On Wednesday, we traveled to Tacloban for 5 hours. The van rides/bus rides here are super scary. The whole time I was just thinking, "hmmm any second a giant snake is going to appear and we will be surrounded with fire and a statue face that will tell us we will die now." I used to think that the Indiana Jones ride was just a made up ride-WRONG! It's insane. People use their horns here to tell people that they are close to them. There aren't any stop signs or traffic lights (the only one I saw was in Tacloban). The police don't enforce traffic laws at all. So basically, everyone does what he wants to do. But, I haven't seen a single crash at all since I've been here.
We had an all sisters meeting in Tacloban all day Thursday. It was fun! I got to see every sister from my batch, and we hung out with all of our friends! On the plane ride to the Philippines, me and sister Woodruff were saying how cool it will be to speak Waray-Waray to each other instead of English...AND NOW WE CAN! It's super sweet! And since Waray-waray isn't a written language, it's like a secret language! And only a handful of people in the entire world know it. After I get fluent in Waray-Waray, my next goal is Tagalog. A ton of people speak it here. We will be talking to people, and then all of the sudden I will have no idea what's going on. That's how I know when people switch to Tagalog. hahaha
On Saturday, the elders had a baptism. We attended, because it is our branch as well. And since it was on Filipino standard time, it started pretty late. But the new member is super cool! In his testimony after his baptism he talked about how he was going to do his best to go to the celestial kingdom. He is super excited to be a member, and is super excited to serve a mission in a year.
That's about all that happened... I didn't really step in anything interesting this week. Just lots of mud! Because it rains 4 or 5 days out of the week. And it will stay like that until January. hahaha It's kind of hard to hang our laundry because of the rain... We are working diligently to find a solution.
I love being a missionary! And I super love feeling the spirit in my life. The other day I was thinking, "hmmm I don't really feel the spirit anymore, what am I doing wrong?" Then I realized that I just feel it so much that I don't notice it sometimes. hahaha
Thank you for all of your love and support! If you could keep praying that I will get fluent in Waray-Waray soon, I would really appreciate it! You are the best family in the world!
Love,
Sister Bingham
I love Calbayog! June 16, 2013
June 16, 2013
Hello everyone!
So, sorry I was late e-mailing today. We had a zone activity earlier in Catbalogan. We were supposed to go hiking, but because of the typhoon, we decided to play dodge ball at the chapel instead. It was a lot of fun!! I love my zone! I also got to say goodbye to my mommita in Catbalogan, because she wasn't in town when I got transferred, so that was nice.
This week I had a lot of adventures. A very old driver asked me if I would come to his house... but not so that I could share the gospel with him... he told me I was very nice to look at... In English... that is even more awkward than when it happens in Waray-Waray. Mostly because I could understand him.
Then one day I stepped in a sewage gutter. That was super gross! It was around 6 at night, so we decided to go home so that I could bleach my leg. haha just kidding. I didn't use bleach. I used like a gallon of rubbing alcohol! I guess the Lord didn't want us to go anywhere else, and the only way he could stop these missionaries is if I stepped in a sewer.
I also experienced my first Filipino funeral. A really amazing lady in our branch died last Monday. She was super great! I had only met her a few times, but she worked with the missionaries, always did a ton of visiting teaching, and she was an awesome teacher. She was super Christ like. She died while she was praying. Last Sunday, I was in sacrament meeting, and I thought, "Wow, I am feeling the spirit sooooooo strong! I feel so much peace and I just am loving this sacrament meeting! hmmm... I wonder why..." After, we learned of Sister Layam's death the day after, I realized why. When I was working as a CNA, I would take people really close to passing on, and there would be such a unique spirit there. I think that I felt that spirit at the sacrament meeting because the veil was a little thinner than usual. It helped remind me of how many people (seen and unseen) are helping me with my missionary work, supporting and protecting me. I am really sad for the Layam family, but I'm also super happy because this has opened a lot of opportunities for us to help strengthen the branch. A lot of inactive people that knew sister Layam attended her funeral, and a lot of them agreed to let us teach them. Death is kind of a funny thing. It's really sad, but it helps people realize how important the gospel really is. I'm really thankful for the knowledge that I have of this gospel!! It blesses my life every second of everyday!!!
We also have 4 new investigators!!! wooooo!! In Calbayog, everyone is super devout Catholic. A lot of people want to talk to us about America, not really about the church... But these new investigators are great! One of them is American!!!! He is from California. His name is Rod the American. Actually, we just call him that because we don't know his real last name. But he's nice! Unfortunately, none of them came to church yesterday, but that's ok, because they will next week after we teach them more!
I basically love my mission! I have so much fun with Sister Schaap everyday! I'm so grateful that she's my companion!!! It's good because we both don't really know what we're doing, so we have to rely on the Lord every single day. Which is good because even though we don't speak Tagalog (which a lot of people do here) and we aren't super fluent in Waray-Waray, all of our lessons seem to work out. I've taught more lessons this week than I have in any other week of my mission, which I'm super happy about!!! I just love life all of the time! woooo! How can I not with being apart of such an amazing gospel, and serving these amazing people??
I hope all of you have a great week! Thank you so much for all of your prayers and for all of your love!!! You are the best!!!!
Love,
Sister Bingham
Hello everyone!
So, sorry I was late e-mailing today. We had a zone activity earlier in Catbalogan. We were supposed to go hiking, but because of the typhoon, we decided to play dodge ball at the chapel instead. It was a lot of fun!! I love my zone! I also got to say goodbye to my mommita in Catbalogan, because she wasn't in town when I got transferred, so that was nice.
This week I had a lot of adventures. A very old driver asked me if I would come to his house... but not so that I could share the gospel with him... he told me I was very nice to look at... In English... that is even more awkward than when it happens in Waray-Waray. Mostly because I could understand him.
Then one day I stepped in a sewage gutter. That was super gross! It was around 6 at night, so we decided to go home so that I could bleach my leg. haha just kidding. I didn't use bleach. I used like a gallon of rubbing alcohol! I guess the Lord didn't want us to go anywhere else, and the only way he could stop these missionaries is if I stepped in a sewer.
I also experienced my first Filipino funeral. A really amazing lady in our branch died last Monday. She was super great! I had only met her a few times, but she worked with the missionaries, always did a ton of visiting teaching, and she was an awesome teacher. She was super Christ like. She died while she was praying. Last Sunday, I was in sacrament meeting, and I thought, "Wow, I am feeling the spirit sooooooo strong! I feel so much peace and I just am loving this sacrament meeting! hmmm... I wonder why..." After, we learned of Sister Layam's death the day after, I realized why. When I was working as a CNA, I would take people really close to passing on, and there would be such a unique spirit there. I think that I felt that spirit at the sacrament meeting because the veil was a little thinner than usual. It helped remind me of how many people (seen and unseen) are helping me with my missionary work, supporting and protecting me. I am really sad for the Layam family, but I'm also super happy because this has opened a lot of opportunities for us to help strengthen the branch. A lot of inactive people that knew sister Layam attended her funeral, and a lot of them agreed to let us teach them. Death is kind of a funny thing. It's really sad, but it helps people realize how important the gospel really is. I'm really thankful for the knowledge that I have of this gospel!! It blesses my life every second of everyday!!!
We also have 4 new investigators!!! wooooo!! In Calbayog, everyone is super devout Catholic. A lot of people want to talk to us about America, not really about the church... But these new investigators are great! One of them is American!!!! He is from California. His name is Rod the American. Actually, we just call him that because we don't know his real last name. But he's nice! Unfortunately, none of them came to church yesterday, but that's ok, because they will next week after we teach them more!
I basically love my mission! I have so much fun with Sister Schaap everyday! I'm so grateful that she's my companion!!! It's good because we both don't really know what we're doing, so we have to rely on the Lord every single day. Which is good because even though we don't speak Tagalog (which a lot of people do here) and we aren't super fluent in Waray-Waray, all of our lessons seem to work out. I've taught more lessons this week than I have in any other week of my mission, which I'm super happy about!!! I just love life all of the time! woooo! How can I not with being apart of such an amazing gospel, and serving these amazing people??
I hope all of you have a great week! Thank you so much for all of your prayers and for all of your love!!! You are the best!!!!
Love,
Sister Bingham
Drowning in the Philippines! June 9, 2013
June 9, 2013
Hello Everyone!
So, I had a super fun week in Catbalogan!!! Last P-day we went to a fish spa! It was crazy! It's where you put your feet in this thing of water, and then little fish eat the dead skin off of your feet! It's super great! And then we had some super amazing lessons. Me and Sister Pongyan were super unified, and our investigator was crying. Most everyone kept their commitments, and I was super super happy there.... I should have known... I got transferred last Thursday.
I am now assigned in Calbayog! And my companion is Sister Schaap...AGAIN! We have tons of fun!! All the time! The challenging thing is that we both aren't fluent in Waray-Waray (and now I'm speaking Waray Waray S. Not H. So they have different grammar, and some different words. So, once again I sound like a kindergartner. wooooooo). hahaha But I love the people here more than I thought I would. I cried a lot when I found out I would be transferred. I never expected that I would love Catbalogan so much. My last night there, we had a budole fight with all of the youth and single adults. That's where you lay all of the food on the table, and everyone basically has to fight to eat. It's not as intense as I thought it would be, but it was super fun! My area now is about 1/4 the size of my last area and I can walk everywhere. That's good, because most of the drivers try to charge us ridiculous amounts of pesos because they think we're rich.... which we are not. haha But for 100% sure, we are both going to be training next transfer.
We've already had a ton of fun adventures like eating oatmeal everyday because we don't live with Filipinos who like to cook anymore, almost drowning (ok not really) because it is raining season. And, terribly ruining adobe.... every Filipino I talk to is like, "Adobo is sooooo easy to make! You can't mess it up if your tried!" WRONG. It's actually kind of hard to make. Don't listen to them!
But I super love this area already, and I love the people! I think the hardest thing about missions is transferring. I think a piece of my heart will always be in Catbalogan, and I will be forever grateful for Sister Pongyan, and all of the lessons I learned there, and how much I've changed for the better. I'm really looking forward to how much this area changes me for the better as well.
Lots of love,
Sister Bingham
My English is super improving! We try to speak Waray all the time... but sometimes we forget. hahaha Sorry mom! I was going to get a picture, but then I got transferred. We don't have a beach in our area... But I will try really hard to get one this week. SORRY!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRAYDEN!!! I didn't forget. I just remembered after I logged off last week. Don't kill the pedestrians! You do NOT get extra points for hitting them.
Hello Everyone!
So, I had a super fun week in Catbalogan!!! Last P-day we went to a fish spa! It was crazy! It's where you put your feet in this thing of water, and then little fish eat the dead skin off of your feet! It's super great! And then we had some super amazing lessons. Me and Sister Pongyan were super unified, and our investigator was crying. Most everyone kept their commitments, and I was super super happy there.... I should have known... I got transferred last Thursday.
I am now assigned in Calbayog! And my companion is Sister Schaap...AGAIN! We have tons of fun!! All the time! The challenging thing is that we both aren't fluent in Waray-Waray (and now I'm speaking Waray Waray S. Not H. So they have different grammar, and some different words. So, once again I sound like a kindergartner. wooooooo). hahaha But I love the people here more than I thought I would. I cried a lot when I found out I would be transferred. I never expected that I would love Catbalogan so much. My last night there, we had a budole fight with all of the youth and single adults. That's where you lay all of the food on the table, and everyone basically has to fight to eat. It's not as intense as I thought it would be, but it was super fun! My area now is about 1/4 the size of my last area and I can walk everywhere. That's good, because most of the drivers try to charge us ridiculous amounts of pesos because they think we're rich.... which we are not. haha But for 100% sure, we are both going to be training next transfer.
We've already had a ton of fun adventures like eating oatmeal everyday because we don't live with Filipinos who like to cook anymore, almost drowning (ok not really) because it is raining season. And, terribly ruining adobe.... every Filipino I talk to is like, "Adobo is sooooo easy to make! You can't mess it up if your tried!" WRONG. It's actually kind of hard to make. Don't listen to them!
But I super love this area already, and I love the people! I think the hardest thing about missions is transferring. I think a piece of my heart will always be in Catbalogan, and I will be forever grateful for Sister Pongyan, and all of the lessons I learned there, and how much I've changed for the better. I'm really looking forward to how much this area changes me for the better as well.
Lots of love,
Sister Bingham
My English is super improving! We try to speak Waray all the time... but sometimes we forget. hahaha Sorry mom! I was going to get a picture, but then I got transferred. We don't have a beach in our area... But I will try really hard to get one this week. SORRY!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRAYDEN!!! I didn't forget. I just remembered after I logged off last week. Don't kill the pedestrians! You do NOT get extra points for hitting them.
Hiking in the rainforest is AWESOME! June 2, 2013
June 2, 2013
Maupay nga gabi!!
Hello everyone! I hope you all had good weeks! I had a super great week!! I got to go hiking two times this week! One as a branch missionary activity, and the other time with my district. Both times were very very fun!!! And now I have some exciting pictures to send! woo! hahah I am feeling completely better now, so that's good, and we had 7 investigators attend sacrament yesterday!!! We have all of them scheduled for baptism on June 29th!!! I'M SO EXCITED!!!! I love all of them sooooo much! They are all actually really new investigators, but they are all progressing really quickly. Most of them are youth. But because our youth welcomes them so much, and are their friends, they love the gospel already! It was really really cool to see them all walk into sacrament. They were a little late, so we didn't sit by them, but our youth Did! yay! The youth in the Philippines are most of the time more active than the adults. We actually have more youth attend this Sunday than adults. None of the primary people came... So my companion and I were primary teachers. My goodness. I have never been more tired in my life. There are a lot of kids, and they like to run away... hahah
So, it was testimony meeting yesterday! And I was really touched by one of the testimonies. Her name is Jade, and she's a returning member. She is 18, and she works at Jollibee (equivalent to McDonalds.... kind of) Anyway, most of the time, when we skip our dinner hour to teach more, we go to Jollibee around 8;45 at night to grab some food. She said that she came back to church because of us. Even though we never taught her a lesson. She would see our messy hair, sweaty faces, no more makeup because we sweat it all off, and how tired we are. And she said that even though we are always super tired when she sees us, we were never mean to her, and always were excited to see her and gave her hugs and talked with her. She said that she realized how much missionaries sacrifice, then one day she thought that if the missionaries sacrifice that much, how much more did her Savior sacrifice for her? She started coming back to church because she realized how much the missionaries really loved her, and if the missionaries loved her, that means the Savior loves her even more. I thought that was so neat! I didn't even realize we were helping her come closer to Christ. All I did was be her friend. The only members here who are active are the ones that have a friend or two. It is so important to be friendly to everyone. We never know how our behavior effects other people.
So, basically I love my companion!! All we do is laugh. It's super great!!!! :D I love my mission!!! And I really love the Philippines!!! It's the greatest!!! Transfer week is this week. We don't know what will happen. I hope that my companion doesn't get transferred. I really love her. She taught me the importance of patience, and obedience. Our district activity was on Saturday morning. In the afternoon, we were working, and the rest of our district was playing basketball at the church. When we went there for a meeting, our branch president expressed to us how happy he was that we were obedient. He told us how the other branch president is frustrated with the missionaries in his branch, and how happy our branch president is that he can rely on us to get the work done. I'm super happy that we are obedient missionaries. I have seen some super great blessings because of it!! I LOVE LIFE!!
Love,
Sister Bingham
#Ilovemymission!!
Maupay nga gabi!!
Hello everyone! I hope you all had good weeks! I had a super great week!! I got to go hiking two times this week! One as a branch missionary activity, and the other time with my district. Both times were very very fun!!! And now I have some exciting pictures to send! woo! hahah I am feeling completely better now, so that's good, and we had 7 investigators attend sacrament yesterday!!! We have all of them scheduled for baptism on June 29th!!! I'M SO EXCITED!!!! I love all of them sooooo much! They are all actually really new investigators, but they are all progressing really quickly. Most of them are youth. But because our youth welcomes them so much, and are their friends, they love the gospel already! It was really really cool to see them all walk into sacrament. They were a little late, so we didn't sit by them, but our youth Did! yay! The youth in the Philippines are most of the time more active than the adults. We actually have more youth attend this Sunday than adults. None of the primary people came... So my companion and I were primary teachers. My goodness. I have never been more tired in my life. There are a lot of kids, and they like to run away... hahah
So, it was testimony meeting yesterday! And I was really touched by one of the testimonies. Her name is Jade, and she's a returning member. She is 18, and she works at Jollibee (equivalent to McDonalds.... kind of) Anyway, most of the time, when we skip our dinner hour to teach more, we go to Jollibee around 8;45 at night to grab some food. She said that she came back to church because of us. Even though we never taught her a lesson. She would see our messy hair, sweaty faces, no more makeup because we sweat it all off, and how tired we are. And she said that even though we are always super tired when she sees us, we were never mean to her, and always were excited to see her and gave her hugs and talked with her. She said that she realized how much missionaries sacrifice, then one day she thought that if the missionaries sacrifice that much, how much more did her Savior sacrifice for her? She started coming back to church because she realized how much the missionaries really loved her, and if the missionaries loved her, that means the Savior loves her even more. I thought that was so neat! I didn't even realize we were helping her come closer to Christ. All I did was be her friend. The only members here who are active are the ones that have a friend or two. It is so important to be friendly to everyone. We never know how our behavior effects other people.
So, basically I love my companion!! All we do is laugh. It's super great!!!! :D I love my mission!!! And I really love the Philippines!!! It's the greatest!!! Transfer week is this week. We don't know what will happen. I hope that my companion doesn't get transferred. I really love her. She taught me the importance of patience, and obedience. Our district activity was on Saturday morning. In the afternoon, we were working, and the rest of our district was playing basketball at the church. When we went there for a meeting, our branch president expressed to us how happy he was that we were obedient. He told us how the other branch president is frustrated with the missionaries in his branch, and how happy our branch president is that he can rely on us to get the work done. I'm super happy that we are obedient missionaries. I have seen some super great blessings because of it!! I LOVE LIFE!!
Love,
Sister Bingham
#Ilovemymission!!
Recovering. . .-- May 26,2013
May 26, 2013
The worst part about my sickness is that I have NO energy. Even though I haven't had a fever for like 5 days, we still have to sleep a lot, and take naps. Just walking down the street exhausts me!!!
We tried to teach some lessons last Wednesday. They were HORRIBLE. Like honestly, the worst lessons we've ever taught. My companion and I just walked away laughing from all of them, because they were so bad. But, surprisingly, one lady actually felt the spirit and was crying!! Our lesson was about prayer. We use a Tagalog Book of Mormon because the one in Waray-Waray only has selected chapters. Anyway, Instead of sharing a scripture on prayer, I accidently turned to a scripture about how the scriptures tell us all things which we should do. As she was reading it in Tagalog, I read my English version. Realizing my mistake, I then added, "So sister, the scriptures tell us to pray always, so that's what we need to do!" then she started crying. It was super funny afterward. My companion looked very stunned. I felt very stunned. It was interesting for sure!! Anyway, our other lessons weren't much better than that.
The next day, we went to the top of a mountain. NO one was home, and we were so tired from traveling, we had to sleep the rest of the day.
Friday was "clean your entire house day, no work allowed." For the whole mission. So, I spent hours making our kitchen SPOTLESS. Then, exhausting all of my strength, I slept for 8 hours.
Basically, I'm super excited for this week because I get to be a missionary again!!! I've gotten super far in my "Jesus the Christ" book! That's been a blessing! And I've been able to study and write a lot of letters!
AND! Mildred came to church yesterday!!!!!! WOOOOO!! And I gave another talk, and my companion didn't have to help me at all!! And no one said I sounded like I was Chinese anymore!! So that was all very exciting!!!
It has been quite an interesting couple weeks. And despite my inability to be a normal missionary, I've learned so much! I learned how much I really love these people. I was sooooooo sad that we couldn't go teach. I just wanted them to be super happy and learn the gospel, but I couldn't leave my house! IT was terrible. I felt so helpless!
But now, I should be back to the normal teaching schedule this week, and all will be well... And then, next week is transfers week! We don't know who is getting transferred. That scares me! I love Catbalogan so much!!! I never thought that some random city on an island in the middle of the ocean, thousands of miles away from my real home could feel so much like home. I love these people, and I love helping them receive the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It brings so much happiness and peace. I know without a doubt that this is the true church, and happiness only comes by living its' standards and being obedient to the commandments. I love the lord, and I love being his servant.
I loved in General Conference when President Monson said, " The Lord knows that whenever He needs an errand run, that he can count on Tommy Monson."
The best part of this gospel is that we can do better everyday to prove to the Lord that he can trust us and count on us.
Enjoy your week everyone!!! Lots of Love from the Philippines!!!
Love,
Sister Bingham
Mom: I am happy that you all are having fun. But, The Philippines is 1 million times more awesome than Hawaii, so I'm not jealous!
The worst part about my sickness is that I have NO energy. Even though I haven't had a fever for like 5 days, we still have to sleep a lot, and take naps. Just walking down the street exhausts me!!!
We tried to teach some lessons last Wednesday. They were HORRIBLE. Like honestly, the worst lessons we've ever taught. My companion and I just walked away laughing from all of them, because they were so bad. But, surprisingly, one lady actually felt the spirit and was crying!! Our lesson was about prayer. We use a Tagalog Book of Mormon because the one in Waray-Waray only has selected chapters. Anyway, Instead of sharing a scripture on prayer, I accidently turned to a scripture about how the scriptures tell us all things which we should do. As she was reading it in Tagalog, I read my English version. Realizing my mistake, I then added, "So sister, the scriptures tell us to pray always, so that's what we need to do!" then she started crying. It was super funny afterward. My companion looked very stunned. I felt very stunned. It was interesting for sure!! Anyway, our other lessons weren't much better than that.
The next day, we went to the top of a mountain. NO one was home, and we were so tired from traveling, we had to sleep the rest of the day.
Friday was "clean your entire house day, no work allowed." For the whole mission. So, I spent hours making our kitchen SPOTLESS. Then, exhausting all of my strength, I slept for 8 hours.
Basically, I'm super excited for this week because I get to be a missionary again!!! I've gotten super far in my "Jesus the Christ" book! That's been a blessing! And I've been able to study and write a lot of letters!
AND! Mildred came to church yesterday!!!!!! WOOOOO!! And I gave another talk, and my companion didn't have to help me at all!! And no one said I sounded like I was Chinese anymore!! So that was all very exciting!!!
It has been quite an interesting couple weeks. And despite my inability to be a normal missionary, I've learned so much! I learned how much I really love these people. I was sooooooo sad that we couldn't go teach. I just wanted them to be super happy and learn the gospel, but I couldn't leave my house! IT was terrible. I felt so helpless!
But now, I should be back to the normal teaching schedule this week, and all will be well... And then, next week is transfers week! We don't know who is getting transferred. That scares me! I love Catbalogan so much!!! I never thought that some random city on an island in the middle of the ocean, thousands of miles away from my real home could feel so much like home. I love these people, and I love helping them receive the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It brings so much happiness and peace. I know without a doubt that this is the true church, and happiness only comes by living its' standards and being obedient to the commandments. I love the lord, and I love being his servant.
I loved in General Conference when President Monson said, " The Lord knows that whenever He needs an errand run, that he can count on Tommy Monson."
The best part of this gospel is that we can do better everyday to prove to the Lord that he can trust us and count on us.
Enjoy your week everyone!!! Lots of Love from the Philippines!!!
Love,
Sister Bingham
Mom: I am happy that you all are having fun. But, The Philippines is 1 million times more awesome than Hawaii, so I'm not jealous!
Dengue Fever--May 19, 2013
May 19, 2013
Well, This week was not fun. Me and my companion had Dengue Fever. I was basically bedridden the entire week. So... that was super not awesome. hahah But, My testimony grew of priesthood blessings. We thought we had a really bad flu and that it would go away after a few days... After I got a blessing I thought, "This didn't work! I'm still sick! blargh!" But, then, we found out we had Dengue. And actually, people die from dengue. But we didn't! There were tons of times when the spirit told me how to take care of myself. Random things like, "you need to take two vitamins now," "Get your neighbor to go buy you bananas and Gatorade," "Take this medicine right now," And I even got promptings to start dragging myself to the bathroom before I had to throw up, so by the time I got there, I had to. The Lord really took care of us! I'm so grateful for that!!
Now, we are in Tacloban because the hospital is monitoring our red blood cell count to make sure we are better. We got medicine!! woooo!
I'm super excited to go to work this week!!! yay!!! Not working is not so fun.
I love being healthy again!!! :D
Love,
Sister Bingham
Well, This week was not fun. Me and my companion had Dengue Fever. I was basically bedridden the entire week. So... that was super not awesome. hahah But, My testimony grew of priesthood blessings. We thought we had a really bad flu and that it would go away after a few days... After I got a blessing I thought, "This didn't work! I'm still sick! blargh!" But, then, we found out we had Dengue. And actually, people die from dengue. But we didn't! There were tons of times when the spirit told me how to take care of myself. Random things like, "you need to take two vitamins now," "Get your neighbor to go buy you bananas and Gatorade," "Take this medicine right now," And I even got promptings to start dragging myself to the bathroom before I had to throw up, so by the time I got there, I had to. The Lord really took care of us! I'm so grateful for that!!
Now, we are in Tacloban because the hospital is monitoring our red blood cell count to make sure we are better. We got medicine!! woooo!
I'm super excited to go to work this week!!! yay!!! Not working is not so fun.
I love being healthy again!!! :D
Love,
Sister Bingham
Yay for being on a mission! May 5, 2013
May 5, 2013
Hello Everyone!!!
First of all: Tell Congratulations to Mark, Aubree, and Ben for me! That's super exciting!!! I'm so happy for all of them!!! Aubree will love it!!!
Second: I saw a lady wearing a "Vote for Pedro" t-shirt the other day. It made me think of home, and it made me smile. Although, she didn't know who Pedro was.... That's ok!
Third: I HAD AN ENTIRE CONVERSATION WITH SOMEONE COMPLETELY IN WARAY-WARAY WITHOUT HELP FROM MY COMPANION!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! I'm very excited. hahahaha Then they asked me how many years I had lived in Samar, when I said 7 weeks she called me a liar hahahah I'm not completely fluent, but I'm getting there! I love the work a lot more now that I mostly know what people are saying to me!! Thank you for all of your prayers!!!
So, I found out why Roly's dad won't come to church. He doesn't feel like he's worthy enough. We thought he already gave up smoking, but he relapses every once in a while, so he doesn't feel like he's clean enough to enter Heavenly Father's house. I felt really bad after he told me that, because I was thinking that he didn't understand the Sabbath, or that he didn't care. But he's a really sweet and humble man. I really hope we can figure out more to help him.
One of our scheduled baptisms fell through because he now keeps avoiding us. And, when we text him to confirm appointments, he says that he loves me..... so.... to avoid a continuation of inappropriate feelings on his part, we are going to wait until the elders get here next transfer and refer him to them. So..... yeah.....
Not so awkward: We have 6 new investigators this week!!! YAY! And one of them, Mildred, will be baptized. She has an incredible story! She used to be a Pentecostal preacher, and her husband was in the military intelligence. He got assassinated along with one of their sons about ten years ago. Since then, the people of her church rejected her because she stopped coming for a bit. Then she never went back. She still prays, and she tells us that she knows that we are servants of God, and that her prayers are being answered through us. She told us that before we started teaching her. I wanted to cry, I was so happy!!! And, she speaks English fluently!!!!!! yay!!!! I love sharing the gospel with her because she knows the bible super super well!!!! So it's cool watching her put together the pieces. I love her! She's cute! and she always feeds us! I had a feeling that she is one of the reasons that I was sent to the Philippines. IT was a really special moment. And all of the tears that I've shed over my decision to come here, and all the heartache I've felt is all entirely worth it to tell this woman that she won't be lonely anymore and that she can be with her husband forever. MISSIONS ARE THE BEST!!!
Thank you so much for all that you all do for me, especially prayer wise! I know that without it, I wouldn't be so blessed in learning the language, and I know that it is keeping me safe.
I love all of you so much!!!
Love,
Sister Bingham
Oh! two crazy things happened!!!! 1. We went to a new investigator's house in an area we've never been before, and TONS of kids followed us. When we got to the house, no one was home except for the teenaged girl. Anyway, all of them wanted to hear our lesson. So I taught 47 kids ages 6-25 at one time. It was the closest thing I've ever gotten to being claustrophobic, but it was really cool! The spirit was so strong, and they understood. It was about prayer. It was cool! My companion was going to pass out though, because she actually is claustrophobic! 2. There was a brown out in the whole city! A brown out is what they call a black out. Anyway, the whole city was dark and I saw SO MANY stars! It was the most beautiful thing I have seen in my life. I didn't know that many stars existed. It was amazing! I'm so amazed at how beautiful the Philippines is every day! I love it here!
Hello Everyone!!!
First of all: Tell Congratulations to Mark, Aubree, and Ben for me! That's super exciting!!! I'm so happy for all of them!!! Aubree will love it!!!
Second: I saw a lady wearing a "Vote for Pedro" t-shirt the other day. It made me think of home, and it made me smile. Although, she didn't know who Pedro was.... That's ok!
Third: I HAD AN ENTIRE CONVERSATION WITH SOMEONE COMPLETELY IN WARAY-WARAY WITHOUT HELP FROM MY COMPANION!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! I'm very excited. hahahaha Then they asked me how many years I had lived in Samar, when I said 7 weeks she called me a liar hahahah I'm not completely fluent, but I'm getting there! I love the work a lot more now that I mostly know what people are saying to me!! Thank you for all of your prayers!!!
So, I found out why Roly's dad won't come to church. He doesn't feel like he's worthy enough. We thought he already gave up smoking, but he relapses every once in a while, so he doesn't feel like he's clean enough to enter Heavenly Father's house. I felt really bad after he told me that, because I was thinking that he didn't understand the Sabbath, or that he didn't care. But he's a really sweet and humble man. I really hope we can figure out more to help him.
One of our scheduled baptisms fell through because he now keeps avoiding us. And, when we text him to confirm appointments, he says that he loves me..... so.... to avoid a continuation of inappropriate feelings on his part, we are going to wait until the elders get here next transfer and refer him to them. So..... yeah.....
Not so awkward: We have 6 new investigators this week!!! YAY! And one of them, Mildred, will be baptized. She has an incredible story! She used to be a Pentecostal preacher, and her husband was in the military intelligence. He got assassinated along with one of their sons about ten years ago. Since then, the people of her church rejected her because she stopped coming for a bit. Then she never went back. She still prays, and she tells us that she knows that we are servants of God, and that her prayers are being answered through us. She told us that before we started teaching her. I wanted to cry, I was so happy!!! And, she speaks English fluently!!!!!! yay!!!! I love sharing the gospel with her because she knows the bible super super well!!!! So it's cool watching her put together the pieces. I love her! She's cute! and she always feeds us! I had a feeling that she is one of the reasons that I was sent to the Philippines. IT was a really special moment. And all of the tears that I've shed over my decision to come here, and all the heartache I've felt is all entirely worth it to tell this woman that she won't be lonely anymore and that she can be with her husband forever. MISSIONS ARE THE BEST!!!
Thank you so much for all that you all do for me, especially prayer wise! I know that without it, I wouldn't be so blessed in learning the language, and I know that it is keeping me safe.
I love all of you so much!!!
Love,
Sister Bingham
Oh! two crazy things happened!!!! 1. We went to a new investigator's house in an area we've never been before, and TONS of kids followed us. When we got to the house, no one was home except for the teenaged girl. Anyway, all of them wanted to hear our lesson. So I taught 47 kids ages 6-25 at one time. It was the closest thing I've ever gotten to being claustrophobic, but it was really cool! The spirit was so strong, and they understood. It was about prayer. It was cool! My companion was going to pass out though, because she actually is claustrophobic! 2. There was a brown out in the whole city! A brown out is what they call a black out. Anyway, the whole city was dark and I saw SO MANY stars! It was the most beautiful thing I have seen in my life. I didn't know that many stars existed. It was amazing! I'm so amazed at how beautiful the Philippines is every day! I love it here!
Hello! April 28, 2013
April 28, 2013
So, this week was super super busy!!!!!!
I transferred!.....................to a new apartment!!! WOOOOO! It's so nice! It has a huge terrace, and brand new appliances!!! And it's adorable! It's three stories! It's little, but it's cute! So, we spent 1 day cleaning both apartments (because the elders moved into our old one) and moving and we spent all day Saturday putting together appliances and closets and such. So, I was sad that we didn't really get to teach that much.... but that's ok. We'll do way better this week!!!
WE HAVE TWO INVESTIGATORS COMMITED TO DATE!!! yay!!! I love baptisms!!! One is June Labrauge! We finally got ahold of him and we teach him three times a week now! And he came to church!!!! YAY!! And one of our inactive families that we've been visiting all came to church this week!!!! That was as exciting as a baptism!!! I love them, and I'm so happy that I got to help them come back to the church!!!
This week is going to be really really busy, because we have 5 new investigators! And hopefully we can commit 4 people to date by the end of next week! Our branch really needs the priesthood holders! Our branch ended up not getting elders this transfer. But, next cycle, Hopefully! There is too much work to do for two missionaries. But I'm also really sad, because I don't want to give up my investigators! That's ok, I'll just have to baptize them before the Elders come! haha
I love the Philippines!! When I first got here, I didn't think that I could feel comfortable, let alone feel at home here, but I do now! I love these people so much! I love their culture, attitudes, openness, and good hearts! Missions are the best things in the world!! They are really hard, but they are so worth it!!! I'm so grateful that I have the opportunity to get to know these wonderful people! The lord has blessed me so much!! I am so happy to be able to put on his name tag everyday and do his work.
I know that this church is true with all of my soul! Through this gospel, all of your problems will be ok, you will find solutions, and most importantly, eternal happiness. I've never felt this close to my Savior before, but I'm so so so glad that I get the chance to grow this way.
You are all in my prayers.
Much love!
Sister Bingham
Oh! I FINALLY got my birthday package!!! Thank you!!! I love the skirt!!! IT's really light!!!!! And The chocolate is already gone... hahaha I got it two days ago. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!
So, this week was super super busy!!!!!!
I transferred!.....................to a new apartment!!! WOOOOO! It's so nice! It has a huge terrace, and brand new appliances!!! And it's adorable! It's three stories! It's little, but it's cute! So, we spent 1 day cleaning both apartments (because the elders moved into our old one) and moving and we spent all day Saturday putting together appliances and closets and such. So, I was sad that we didn't really get to teach that much.... but that's ok. We'll do way better this week!!!
WE HAVE TWO INVESTIGATORS COMMITED TO DATE!!! yay!!! I love baptisms!!! One is June Labrauge! We finally got ahold of him and we teach him three times a week now! And he came to church!!!! YAY!! And one of our inactive families that we've been visiting all came to church this week!!!! That was as exciting as a baptism!!! I love them, and I'm so happy that I got to help them come back to the church!!!
This week is going to be really really busy, because we have 5 new investigators! And hopefully we can commit 4 people to date by the end of next week! Our branch really needs the priesthood holders! Our branch ended up not getting elders this transfer. But, next cycle, Hopefully! There is too much work to do for two missionaries. But I'm also really sad, because I don't want to give up my investigators! That's ok, I'll just have to baptize them before the Elders come! haha
I love the Philippines!! When I first got here, I didn't think that I could feel comfortable, let alone feel at home here, but I do now! I love these people so much! I love their culture, attitudes, openness, and good hearts! Missions are the best things in the world!! They are really hard, but they are so worth it!!! I'm so grateful that I have the opportunity to get to know these wonderful people! The lord has blessed me so much!! I am so happy to be able to put on his name tag everyday and do his work.
I know that this church is true with all of my soul! Through this gospel, all of your problems will be ok, you will find solutions, and most importantly, eternal happiness. I've never felt this close to my Savior before, but I'm so so so glad that I get the chance to grow this way.
You are all in my prayers.
Much love!
Sister Bingham
Oh! I FINALLY got my birthday package!!! Thank you!!! I love the skirt!!! IT's really light!!!!! And The chocolate is already gone... hahaha I got it two days ago. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!
Hello!! April 21, 2013
April 21, 2013
Hello!!
So, this week was probably one of the greatest weeks of my entire life. NO joke. MY FIRST BAPTISM!!!! YAY!!!! I am so happy for him! His name is Roly Comique. He is 16. When we first were teaching him, he hardly ever smiled. But now, he smiles ALL of the time! I'm so happy that I was able to help him feel the love of his Savior. He really wants to serve a mission, and the branch has been really really welcoming to him. So, that's great!!! He's super excited to get the priesthood! woooo!
The sad thing was that his parents are our investigators as well, but they didn't attend the baptism. I don't know why, because they also didn't go to church the next day. I don't know what happened. I'm afraid that someone might have offended them or something. Roly said that he didn't know why his parents didn't come to his baptism, but they didn't come to church because they were busy. That made me really sad for Roly. I could tell how disappointed Roly was that his parents didn't come. I think it might be because they don't understand the importance of church. We visit them quite frequently, so maybe they feel the spirit from us so much, that they don't feel like they need to come to church. Investigators need to come to church 4 consecutive Sundays in a row to be baptized Every time they reach 3 in a row, they don't come the next week. It's really frustrating! But all of their kids always come. They are really really really good people and they seem to understand our lessons. They answer our questions, and they always participate a lot. We just have to figure out how to help them......
Anyway, thank you for all of the birthday wishes!!! My birthday was great!! We had district meeting, so afterward, we went to a restaurant for lunch. It was good! and then we taught. A lot of members gave me cards! Especially kids!! They are adorable! So, that was nice!! When we went to the Comiques', they had snacks for us. I know that was a sacrifice for them, because they are really really poor. They don't eat rice, they eat root crops. That's when you know that someone is poor. But, it was so nice of them!!!
I got proposed to. Like legit. Actually, it was a man proposing to me for his son. He said in not so lovely terms that he wanted grandchildren that looked like me. I'm really glad I couldn't understand what he was saying. So, that was an experience.....
I gave a talk in church yesterday! It was entirely in Waray-Waray!!! I was proud of myself! I had to write it out that morning so I made sure I said everything I wanted to say, but I thought it went really well! It was about Charity. :) Charity is the pure love of Christ. When we have charity we are forgiving, loving, we serve others, and we do the will of the Lord.
Seeing someone I taught, pray for, love, and am concerned about get baptized was such a special experience for me. I really really really LOVE being a missionary!!! Helping them come unto Christ and receive the gospel makes all the hard times worth it. Missions are hard. But, they truly are so great! I love Catbalogan!!! I love the people, and I love helping people know how much the Savior loves them!!!
Thank you for all of your prayers and love,
Kinsakasingkasing,
Sister Bingham :)
Hello!!
So, this week was probably one of the greatest weeks of my entire life. NO joke. MY FIRST BAPTISM!!!! YAY!!!! I am so happy for him! His name is Roly Comique. He is 16. When we first were teaching him, he hardly ever smiled. But now, he smiles ALL of the time! I'm so happy that I was able to help him feel the love of his Savior. He really wants to serve a mission, and the branch has been really really welcoming to him. So, that's great!!! He's super excited to get the priesthood! woooo!
The sad thing was that his parents are our investigators as well, but they didn't attend the baptism. I don't know why, because they also didn't go to church the next day. I don't know what happened. I'm afraid that someone might have offended them or something. Roly said that he didn't know why his parents didn't come to his baptism, but they didn't come to church because they were busy. That made me really sad for Roly. I could tell how disappointed Roly was that his parents didn't come. I think it might be because they don't understand the importance of church. We visit them quite frequently, so maybe they feel the spirit from us so much, that they don't feel like they need to come to church. Investigators need to come to church 4 consecutive Sundays in a row to be baptized Every time they reach 3 in a row, they don't come the next week. It's really frustrating! But all of their kids always come. They are really really really good people and they seem to understand our lessons. They answer our questions, and they always participate a lot. We just have to figure out how to help them......
Anyway, thank you for all of the birthday wishes!!! My birthday was great!! We had district meeting, so afterward, we went to a restaurant for lunch. It was good! and then we taught. A lot of members gave me cards! Especially kids!! They are adorable! So, that was nice!! When we went to the Comiques', they had snacks for us. I know that was a sacrifice for them, because they are really really poor. They don't eat rice, they eat root crops. That's when you know that someone is poor. But, it was so nice of them!!!
I got proposed to. Like legit. Actually, it was a man proposing to me for his son. He said in not so lovely terms that he wanted grandchildren that looked like me. I'm really glad I couldn't understand what he was saying. So, that was an experience.....
I gave a talk in church yesterday! It was entirely in Waray-Waray!!! I was proud of myself! I had to write it out that morning so I made sure I said everything I wanted to say, but I thought it went really well! It was about Charity. :) Charity is the pure love of Christ. When we have charity we are forgiving, loving, we serve others, and we do the will of the Lord.
Seeing someone I taught, pray for, love, and am concerned about get baptized was such a special experience for me. I really really really LOVE being a missionary!!! Helping them come unto Christ and receive the gospel makes all the hard times worth it. Missions are hard. But, they truly are so great! I love Catbalogan!!! I love the people, and I love helping people know how much the Savior loves them!!!
Thank you for all of your prayers and love,
Kinsakasingkasing,
Sister Bingham :)
My favorite picture! Love these cute faces!!!
Happy 20th Birthday Hillary!
W0ooooooo I'm 20!!! -- April 14, 2103
April 14, 2013
Hello People of America,
AH! GENERAL CONFENCE WAS AWESOME! And, as a birthday present from the Lord, I got to watch it in English!!! yay!!! I decided that General conference is better than Christmas because it comes twice a year!!! hahaha
This week the coolest thing I ate was Crabs!! Like huge, crack-it-open-yourself crabs! I know that they have those in America, but it's cooler to eat them in the Philippines! haha
My first baptism is this week!!!!! And the only thing that is keeping his parents from getting baptized is that they aren't married. And getting married in the Philippines is a huge process, so it could take a while. But, even though they are super new to the church, their testimonies are SO strong, and they have a TON of faith. We taught them about temples, and the dad said, "No matter what it takes, we will go there someday!" I almost cried because I was so happy! This man is amazing! He quite smoking before we taught him about the word of Wisdom because he just felt like it was the right thing to do. I love this family!!
We went to a really super rich neighborhood this week, and we have 8 professional potential investigators!! It was so cool! We were looking for our investigator family who just moved there, and we had to ask a lot of people where they live. So, we had to talk to a lot of people, and they all said we could teach them. This is good, because the Philippines needs leaders.
We're also focusing on the Belarasa family this week. They are a family who got offended a couple months ago and haven't been back to church since. Brother Belarasa is the second counselor to the Branch President. So.... We really need them to come back. Especially because worthy priesthood endowed brothers are in really short supply here. It's ridiculous. The reason people leave the Church here is because they can't afford to get here, or because they are offended. It's so frustrating!! It's like when they teach you about suicide at school. Most teenagers leave notes saying they don't want a certain person to come to their funeral, or that they want to prove whatever point. What they don't really realize is the reality of what they are doing. Committing Suicide. When someone leaves the church because they are offended, they are committing spiritual suicide. I wish these people could just see how important going to church is!!!! But, I guess that's one of the reasons I've been called. To help them realize that.
I feel like I'm a really good missionary (finally). I now can talk to everyone on the streets about the gospel. I didn't know how to do that before this week, so now, we have a lot of potential investigators. I'm also sad though, because one of our progressing investigators keeps blowing us off. He is working all the time, and never has time to visit us. It's funny, because he told us that he wanted to be baptized, and he found us because he wanted us to teach him. Hopefully he will have time for us this week!!
We went on exchanges this week. That was really nice! It was good to see how someone else starts lessons and things. I feel like it really helped me improve, and have more confidence in my teaching skills.
Well, I hope that everyone watched conference and is applying the principals to their lives!! I love all of you so much! Thank you for all of your support!!!
Love,
Sister Bingham
Hello People of America,
AH! GENERAL CONFENCE WAS AWESOME! And, as a birthday present from the Lord, I got to watch it in English!!! yay!!! I decided that General conference is better than Christmas because it comes twice a year!!! hahaha
This week the coolest thing I ate was Crabs!! Like huge, crack-it-open-yourself crabs! I know that they have those in America, but it's cooler to eat them in the Philippines! haha
My first baptism is this week!!!!! And the only thing that is keeping his parents from getting baptized is that they aren't married. And getting married in the Philippines is a huge process, so it could take a while. But, even though they are super new to the church, their testimonies are SO strong, and they have a TON of faith. We taught them about temples, and the dad said, "No matter what it takes, we will go there someday!" I almost cried because I was so happy! This man is amazing! He quite smoking before we taught him about the word of Wisdom because he just felt like it was the right thing to do. I love this family!!
We went to a really super rich neighborhood this week, and we have 8 professional potential investigators!! It was so cool! We were looking for our investigator family who just moved there, and we had to ask a lot of people where they live. So, we had to talk to a lot of people, and they all said we could teach them. This is good, because the Philippines needs leaders.
We're also focusing on the Belarasa family this week. They are a family who got offended a couple months ago and haven't been back to church since. Brother Belarasa is the second counselor to the Branch President. So.... We really need them to come back. Especially because worthy priesthood endowed brothers are in really short supply here. It's ridiculous. The reason people leave the Church here is because they can't afford to get here, or because they are offended. It's so frustrating!! It's like when they teach you about suicide at school. Most teenagers leave notes saying they don't want a certain person to come to their funeral, or that they want to prove whatever point. What they don't really realize is the reality of what they are doing. Committing Suicide. When someone leaves the church because they are offended, they are committing spiritual suicide. I wish these people could just see how important going to church is!!!! But, I guess that's one of the reasons I've been called. To help them realize that.
I feel like I'm a really good missionary (finally). I now can talk to everyone on the streets about the gospel. I didn't know how to do that before this week, so now, we have a lot of potential investigators. I'm also sad though, because one of our progressing investigators keeps blowing us off. He is working all the time, and never has time to visit us. It's funny, because he told us that he wanted to be baptized, and he found us because he wanted us to teach him. Hopefully he will have time for us this week!!
We went on exchanges this week. That was really nice! It was good to see how someone else starts lessons and things. I feel like it really helped me improve, and have more confidence in my teaching skills.
Well, I hope that everyone watched conference and is applying the principals to their lives!! I love all of you so much! Thank you for all of your support!!!
Love,
Sister Bingham
Another PDay--April 7, 2013
April 7, 2013
Hello world!
So, the spirit is really great in protecting the missionaries. This week, we were going to the bocud (mountains) to go teach a lesson. On the way, we have to cross a really wide river. There are two options, the highway, or a bridge that comes out of a neighborhood. We usually walk on the smaller bridge. But this time, we felt that we needed to cross on the freeway. We found out later that there was a riot near the other bridge. A lot of people got stabbed, and a ton of people were drunk. We don't know the details, be we figured out that we would have walked right through it when it started happening. I know that I would have gotten hurt. Especially because I'm white. And a girl. So, I'm really grateful that we have the Holy Ghost to protect us!!!!!!! And I'm really really glad that I'm following the rules so that I'm worthy of that protection!!
This week I've been studying in 1 Nephi. I decided to start reading the Book of Mormon all the way through again. Anyway, a verse that I really found interesting was 1 Nephi 15:30. It talks about the justice of God. Look it up right now!!!
Ok, now that you've looked it up, we can talk about it! So, the thing that sticks out to me is where it says "hath no end." This means that it goes on forever. So, we can't go around, over, or under the judgment of God. We have to go through it. There is a talk that we saw at zone interviews. It talks about why we don't keep commandments.
1. because we think that it doesn't apply to us
2. because we think that it isn't important
3. because we think it is too hard, so why try.
These reasons are all really really silly. Commandments apply to EVERYONE. And it would be really really sad to do a lot of good things, and then get to the judgment of God, and not be able to live with him because you didn't want to keep one commandment. Commandments are there to protect us. When I'm teaching about repentance, my favorite thing to say is, " When we sin, our souls become dirty. Through repentance, our souls become clean, and we become happy again!"
I know that that is true! Before my mission I justified breaking some rules because I reasoned that I was a good person and already kept the most important ones... That's not good. Some important apostle said, "The most important commandment is the one that you are having trouble keeping now. So, work on that, then when you are done, start on the next commandment that you are having trouble keeping." Commandments really do keep us safe. And besides that, we are so much happier when we keep the commandments!!! I have a very very strong testimony of that!
Want to hear a pathetic story?? Ok, so we went to Tacloban the other day for my follow up check up. After we did that, we went shopping in the big store there. After that, we bought our tickets for the van ride home. Then, we went to McDonalds!!!!! I was SO EXCITED!!! When I opened the door, the smell of America hit me like a slap in the face. It was like heaven! The menu was the same! So, I ordered. My mouth was watering. And I was greatly anticipating eating my double cheese burger with fries and pineapple juice. Then, I realized I didn't have any more pesos. And they didn't accept cards. I literally almost started crying. My companion said, "Sister, it's ok! It's just McDonalds!" Oh, but I was soooooooo homesick! I decided that I shouldn't go into McD's anymore... hahaha I can laugh about it now, but it really made me super depressed. haha
They are putting Elders in Catbalogan, so every branch will have two sets of missionaries. We will most likely be in charge of the less actives and rescue/retention. But, we have a baptism next week!!!!! YAY!!!! I'M SOOOOO HAPPY!!!!!!!
Well, Kita Kits next week!
Love,
Sister Bingham
Hello world!
So, the spirit is really great in protecting the missionaries. This week, we were going to the bocud (mountains) to go teach a lesson. On the way, we have to cross a really wide river. There are two options, the highway, or a bridge that comes out of a neighborhood. We usually walk on the smaller bridge. But this time, we felt that we needed to cross on the freeway. We found out later that there was a riot near the other bridge. A lot of people got stabbed, and a ton of people were drunk. We don't know the details, be we figured out that we would have walked right through it when it started happening. I know that I would have gotten hurt. Especially because I'm white. And a girl. So, I'm really grateful that we have the Holy Ghost to protect us!!!!!!! And I'm really really glad that I'm following the rules so that I'm worthy of that protection!!
This week I've been studying in 1 Nephi. I decided to start reading the Book of Mormon all the way through again. Anyway, a verse that I really found interesting was 1 Nephi 15:30. It talks about the justice of God. Look it up right now!!!
Ok, now that you've looked it up, we can talk about it! So, the thing that sticks out to me is where it says "hath no end." This means that it goes on forever. So, we can't go around, over, or under the judgment of God. We have to go through it. There is a talk that we saw at zone interviews. It talks about why we don't keep commandments.
1. because we think that it doesn't apply to us
2. because we think that it isn't important
3. because we think it is too hard, so why try.
These reasons are all really really silly. Commandments apply to EVERYONE. And it would be really really sad to do a lot of good things, and then get to the judgment of God, and not be able to live with him because you didn't want to keep one commandment. Commandments are there to protect us. When I'm teaching about repentance, my favorite thing to say is, " When we sin, our souls become dirty. Through repentance, our souls become clean, and we become happy again!"
I know that that is true! Before my mission I justified breaking some rules because I reasoned that I was a good person and already kept the most important ones... That's not good. Some important apostle said, "The most important commandment is the one that you are having trouble keeping now. So, work on that, then when you are done, start on the next commandment that you are having trouble keeping." Commandments really do keep us safe. And besides that, we are so much happier when we keep the commandments!!! I have a very very strong testimony of that!
Want to hear a pathetic story?? Ok, so we went to Tacloban the other day for my follow up check up. After we did that, we went shopping in the big store there. After that, we bought our tickets for the van ride home. Then, we went to McDonalds!!!!! I was SO EXCITED!!! When I opened the door, the smell of America hit me like a slap in the face. It was like heaven! The menu was the same! So, I ordered. My mouth was watering. And I was greatly anticipating eating my double cheese burger with fries and pineapple juice. Then, I realized I didn't have any more pesos. And they didn't accept cards. I literally almost started crying. My companion said, "Sister, it's ok! It's just McDonalds!" Oh, but I was soooooooo homesick! I decided that I shouldn't go into McD's anymore... hahaha I can laugh about it now, but it really made me super depressed. haha
They are putting Elders in Catbalogan, so every branch will have two sets of missionaries. We will most likely be in charge of the less actives and rescue/retention. But, we have a baptism next week!!!!! YAY!!!! I'M SOOOOO HAPPY!!!!!!!
Well, Kita Kits next week!
Love,
Sister Bingham
This is my zone!
They are taking away my e-mail privileges--March 31, 2013
March 31, 2013
Hey, So..... I kind of got on Facebook last week.... and my companion told my mission president. So, I had to go to Tacloban again to have an interview. He said that he was really really disappointed in me. He took away my e-mail privileges. He said that I can send one last one so that you don't worry about me. I'm so sorry! I fail at life!
APRIL FOOLS!! hahahaha I'm hilarious.
Anyway, Happy Easter!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!! If I were home, I would buy you a walker! But... that would probably cost like 10,000 pesos... so... I'm not going to do that... haha Jokesla! You're not that old dad! And, I did remember all by myself, thank you very much! I didn't need to be reminded so many times! hahaha But Easter here isn't exactly that exciting. It's mostly just a Catholic holiday. This week has been super quiet on the streets because people are either at mass all week, or they are drinking somewhere together. They set up like a ton of these station things that have statues of Jesus, or Mary, in like parks and outside of churches. People go there to pray and worship. I don't really know what they do... ky waray ak catholica. Usually you can hear people outside until like the early hours of the morning, but it was like a ghost town! It was really creepy! haha They don't really do Easter egg hunts/Easter bunny stuff here. I actually forgot it was Easter until about halfway through church. Church yesterday wasn't really centered around the atonement either. Instead, the first counselor was lecturing the branch on keeping the facilities clean in sacrament. I'm actually really glad I couldn't understand what he was saying, it made it easier to do some good scripture study! haha
We have 6 new investigators this week!!! YAY!! And we have one more committed to baptism!! yay!!!! It is such a cool thing to watch someone's testimony develop! You can see the change in the way they act, and the way they smile, because they smile a lot more! Our new investigators came from teaching one of our investigator families, the Comiques. Whenever they go there, all the kids that live around them come and listen to our lesson. Their house is probably about as big as our kitchen (maybe a little smaller), and it's always packed with kids! That must be how Jesus felt when he taught people. It's a really cool feeling! But anyway, a 22 year old named Jestoni happened to be there when we dropped by to teach. He paid a ton of attention to our lesson, and asked a lot of questions! Now we are teaching his whole family! This guy has made a lot of mistakes in his life. I won't go into details, but he sincerely wants to change. He can feel the spirit of our lessons, and he says that he believes what we are teaching him. Every lesson we teach him (we're on number 3), he brings more people to listen to us. It's really great!
When I was doing some scripture study this week, I came across Alma 17:11. I was trying to find a way to teach our branch about reverence. This scripture talks about teaching with patience and by example. And really, that's how Jesus taught. And since he is perfect, we can all probably agree that that is the most perfect way to teach. That's why missionaries have to live by certain standards, so that they can teach people without being hypocritical. But, we've gotten to know most of the branch members, and I can almost remember everyone's name! I still can't really have a normal conversation, but I'm getting really good at teaching lessons! It's really amazing to me, because most of the time after we're done teaching, I don't really know what my companion said, and I don't even know what I said half of the time, but my companion always tells me that what I said fit in perfectly with the lesson. I love helping people feel the love of the Savior!
In Mark 11:12-14, Jesus goes up to a fig tree because he is hungry. When he discovers that this perfectly good fig tree doesn't have any fruit, he gets really frustrated with the tree and curses it. The moral that I got from this story is that when we don't keep the commandments, he can't use us for good. What good is a fruit tree that doesn't grow fruit? That taught me that I really need to try my absolute hardest to do my work. I was before, but that was just a good reminder.
I'm glad that smiling is a universal thing, because if it wasn't I would be in trouble! A brother in our branch told me that I look like a doll because I'm always smiling. haha I thought that was funny. And a little girl told me that I look like her Barbie yesterday.... There obviously aren't very many white people in Catbalogan. haha
I talked in the recorder last Friday! It was good Friday, so we weren't allowed to work in respect of the local traditions. So, I dyed my hair! yay! haha I'll send it off maybe next week! I listened to it all again, because I was feeling kind of homesick, because I wasn't working. I find that If I work hard, I don't have time to get homesick. But, I'm trying to talk a lot so that you don't get mad at me for keeping it for so long! haha
Sorry that Kaleb is a crippled! That's too bad! unsamana! Glad that Brayden is going back to civilization... even though that metaphor didn't really make any sense Bray! haha I'm glad Alyssa's play went well! send me pics! Good luck with the house!
I love all of you! Thank you for all of your love ngan support ngan damo pagampo!!!!
NAHIGUGMA KANINO!
Love,
Sister Bingham
Hey, So..... I kind of got on Facebook last week.... and my companion told my mission president. So, I had to go to Tacloban again to have an interview. He said that he was really really disappointed in me. He took away my e-mail privileges. He said that I can send one last one so that you don't worry about me. I'm so sorry! I fail at life!
APRIL FOOLS!! hahahaha I'm hilarious.
Anyway, Happy Easter!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!! If I were home, I would buy you a walker! But... that would probably cost like 10,000 pesos... so... I'm not going to do that... haha Jokesla! You're not that old dad! And, I did remember all by myself, thank you very much! I didn't need to be reminded so many times! hahaha But Easter here isn't exactly that exciting. It's mostly just a Catholic holiday. This week has been super quiet on the streets because people are either at mass all week, or they are drinking somewhere together. They set up like a ton of these station things that have statues of Jesus, or Mary, in like parks and outside of churches. People go there to pray and worship. I don't really know what they do... ky waray ak catholica. Usually you can hear people outside until like the early hours of the morning, but it was like a ghost town! It was really creepy! haha They don't really do Easter egg hunts/Easter bunny stuff here. I actually forgot it was Easter until about halfway through church. Church yesterday wasn't really centered around the atonement either. Instead, the first counselor was lecturing the branch on keeping the facilities clean in sacrament. I'm actually really glad I couldn't understand what he was saying, it made it easier to do some good scripture study! haha
We have 6 new investigators this week!!! YAY!! And we have one more committed to baptism!! yay!!!! It is such a cool thing to watch someone's testimony develop! You can see the change in the way they act, and the way they smile, because they smile a lot more! Our new investigators came from teaching one of our investigator families, the Comiques. Whenever they go there, all the kids that live around them come and listen to our lesson. Their house is probably about as big as our kitchen (maybe a little smaller), and it's always packed with kids! That must be how Jesus felt when he taught people. It's a really cool feeling! But anyway, a 22 year old named Jestoni happened to be there when we dropped by to teach. He paid a ton of attention to our lesson, and asked a lot of questions! Now we are teaching his whole family! This guy has made a lot of mistakes in his life. I won't go into details, but he sincerely wants to change. He can feel the spirit of our lessons, and he says that he believes what we are teaching him. Every lesson we teach him (we're on number 3), he brings more people to listen to us. It's really great!
When I was doing some scripture study this week, I came across Alma 17:11. I was trying to find a way to teach our branch about reverence. This scripture talks about teaching with patience and by example. And really, that's how Jesus taught. And since he is perfect, we can all probably agree that that is the most perfect way to teach. That's why missionaries have to live by certain standards, so that they can teach people without being hypocritical. But, we've gotten to know most of the branch members, and I can almost remember everyone's name! I still can't really have a normal conversation, but I'm getting really good at teaching lessons! It's really amazing to me, because most of the time after we're done teaching, I don't really know what my companion said, and I don't even know what I said half of the time, but my companion always tells me that what I said fit in perfectly with the lesson. I love helping people feel the love of the Savior!
In Mark 11:12-14, Jesus goes up to a fig tree because he is hungry. When he discovers that this perfectly good fig tree doesn't have any fruit, he gets really frustrated with the tree and curses it. The moral that I got from this story is that when we don't keep the commandments, he can't use us for good. What good is a fruit tree that doesn't grow fruit? That taught me that I really need to try my absolute hardest to do my work. I was before, but that was just a good reminder.
I'm glad that smiling is a universal thing, because if it wasn't I would be in trouble! A brother in our branch told me that I look like a doll because I'm always smiling. haha I thought that was funny. And a little girl told me that I look like her Barbie yesterday.... There obviously aren't very many white people in Catbalogan. haha
I talked in the recorder last Friday! It was good Friday, so we weren't allowed to work in respect of the local traditions. So, I dyed my hair! yay! haha I'll send it off maybe next week! I listened to it all again, because I was feeling kind of homesick, because I wasn't working. I find that If I work hard, I don't have time to get homesick. But, I'm trying to talk a lot so that you don't get mad at me for keeping it for so long! haha
Sorry that Kaleb is a crippled! That's too bad! unsamana! Glad that Brayden is going back to civilization... even though that metaphor didn't really make any sense Bray! haha I'm glad Alyssa's play went well! send me pics! Good luck with the house!
I love all of you! Thank you for all of your love ngan support ngan damo pagampo!!!!
NAHIGUGMA KANINO!
Love,
Sister Bingham
I Survived my First Week--March 25, 2013
March 25, 2013
Hello Everyone,
The best thing in the world happened!!!!! Ready for this???? Ok! so! There are 400 members in the Catbalogan branch ! (where I'm serving) And only about 60 of them attend regularly. This week, guess how many came??!? 100!!!!!!! Woooo!!! And all of the inactive members that we visited this week came! And all of our investigators!! WOOOOOOOO!! I'm so happy! We have half of a family committed to getting baptized in April!! The parents can't quite yet because the dad has a smoking habit he needs to stop, and they aren't actually married. They have been living common law for 34 years. So, they just need to get married first. They're going to do that soon though! I'm so happy for the Comique family! It's so great to see how people were really prepared by the Lord to hear our mensahe. And the best part is, that even though I don't know Waray very well, they still understood what I taught them. I think that's a miracle!
I love being a missionary! This week has been a little slow though because since I got off the plane my ankles have been HUGE like if you looked at my ankles, I look like I weigh 500 lbs. Don't worry, I'll include a before and after. So, we had to go back to Tacloban last Thursday so I could go to the doctors. They don't have a good one in Catbalogan. But I got medication! So they are really getting better!! I was reading 1 Nephi 7:17 and it's when Laman and Lemuel tie him up. So, Nephi prays and has faith, so the Lord loosed his bands. So, I applied it to my life. I told Heavenly Father that I had faith that he could heal my ankles. And he did! I love the Lord! haha So, this week will be a lot better because I won't get tired because my blood will actually be circulating my body instead of just being in my feet. All the women in my ward kept telling me that I looked like I had pregnant ankles... So.... that was flattering.
I have some stalkers.... Don't worry! They are all kids! They follow us around saying random English words at me! Most of the time it's like "Happy Birthday! Good morning! Good evening! Apple!" just random stuff! haha it's funny. I love the kids! I love practicing my Waray on them. Most of the time they laugh at me because they don't know what I'm saying. Oh well, I'll get better!
It's started raining! The rain here is crazy! It's like when you go to the behind the scenes tour at Universal Studios! You know how they turn on the rain thing and make it flash flood? That actually happens in real life! And they think that if it rains on your head, you have to take a shower or else you will get sick. I know, it doesn't make sense to me either! But after it rained the other day, I had a massive headache! So, I believe! It's actually a really good opportunity to meet people, because no one is on the street when it starts to rain, and people will just tell you to come into their house because they don't want you to get sick. Sweet, right??
It surprised me how dirty this place is. And I used to be shocked at how people could live in some of the houses and not get sick. But, despite that, these people are all really clean themselves. And, they are so humble!!!! They just have a lot of love. And everyone respects the missionaries. It's great! They are taking us more seriously now! :) I love it! Our branch has all of the right pieces, but they just don't know how to put them together. But it's ok! The members are really great here! We always have people come with us to lessons. So, that's really good! Especially because addresses don't really exist here! It's nice to have tour guides!
Well, I'm almost out of time, But I love all of you!!!!! So much!!! I'm happy that Eryq's parents are moving here! Hopefully I'll run into them!!! I'll try and think of stuff that I need.
Lots of love camping from the Philippines!!
Love,
Sister Bingham
P.S. When has Kaleb been such a ladies man???? jeeze!! hahaha Good for you bro!
Hello Everyone,
The best thing in the world happened!!!!! Ready for this???? Ok! so! There are 400 members in the Catbalogan branch ! (where I'm serving) And only about 60 of them attend regularly. This week, guess how many came??!? 100!!!!!!! Woooo!!! And all of the inactive members that we visited this week came! And all of our investigators!! WOOOOOOOO!! I'm so happy! We have half of a family committed to getting baptized in April!! The parents can't quite yet because the dad has a smoking habit he needs to stop, and they aren't actually married. They have been living common law for 34 years. So, they just need to get married first. They're going to do that soon though! I'm so happy for the Comique family! It's so great to see how people were really prepared by the Lord to hear our mensahe. And the best part is, that even though I don't know Waray very well, they still understood what I taught them. I think that's a miracle!
I love being a missionary! This week has been a little slow though because since I got off the plane my ankles have been HUGE like if you looked at my ankles, I look like I weigh 500 lbs. Don't worry, I'll include a before and after. So, we had to go back to Tacloban last Thursday so I could go to the doctors. They don't have a good one in Catbalogan. But I got medication! So they are really getting better!! I was reading 1 Nephi 7:17 and it's when Laman and Lemuel tie him up. So, Nephi prays and has faith, so the Lord loosed his bands. So, I applied it to my life. I told Heavenly Father that I had faith that he could heal my ankles. And he did! I love the Lord! haha So, this week will be a lot better because I won't get tired because my blood will actually be circulating my body instead of just being in my feet. All the women in my ward kept telling me that I looked like I had pregnant ankles... So.... that was flattering.
I have some stalkers.... Don't worry! They are all kids! They follow us around saying random English words at me! Most of the time it's like "Happy Birthday! Good morning! Good evening! Apple!" just random stuff! haha it's funny. I love the kids! I love practicing my Waray on them. Most of the time they laugh at me because they don't know what I'm saying. Oh well, I'll get better!
It's started raining! The rain here is crazy! It's like when you go to the behind the scenes tour at Universal Studios! You know how they turn on the rain thing and make it flash flood? That actually happens in real life! And they think that if it rains on your head, you have to take a shower or else you will get sick. I know, it doesn't make sense to me either! But after it rained the other day, I had a massive headache! So, I believe! It's actually a really good opportunity to meet people, because no one is on the street when it starts to rain, and people will just tell you to come into their house because they don't want you to get sick. Sweet, right??
It surprised me how dirty this place is. And I used to be shocked at how people could live in some of the houses and not get sick. But, despite that, these people are all really clean themselves. And, they are so humble!!!! They just have a lot of love. And everyone respects the missionaries. It's great! They are taking us more seriously now! :) I love it! Our branch has all of the right pieces, but they just don't know how to put them together. But it's ok! The members are really great here! We always have people come with us to lessons. So, that's really good! Especially because addresses don't really exist here! It's nice to have tour guides!
Well, I'm almost out of time, But I love all of you!!!!! So much!!! I'm happy that Eryq's parents are moving here! Hopefully I'll run into them!!! I'll try and think of stuff that I need.
Lots of love camping from the Philippines!!
Love,
Sister Bingham
P.S. When has Kaleb been such a ladies man???? jeeze!! hahaha Good for you bro!
President & Sister Andaya
Hillary & Sister Pongyan
Hillary's Bed (blue sheets)
Hillary is her own washing machine!
Hello! I'm Alive!! March 18, 2013
March 18, 2013
I'm sooooooo sorry!! I tried to call from Tokyo, but the directions were entirely in Japan. Oh, la! Grabii! And as you know, I don't know speak Japanese.... And, I don't speak Waray-Waray. Which is what they speak in Catbalogan! My first Area!!! We had training and stuff at the mission home Wed-Thursday, and then on Friday, we got our area assignments.
Catbalogan is crazy!! Not really, It's just really really different from anything I've ever seen before! It's really crowded, and dirty. It's ok, though! I'm used to it. The first night, I kept thinking that I was going to die because traffic laws don't exist, and there are just TONS of people. My companion kept saying, "It's ok! Only a 50/50 chance that we will die!" haha I think the weirdest thing, though, is that EVERYONE stares at me. All the time! I feel like a movie star. haha But, people tell me that I look like a doll, a movie star, a model, and that I have a beautiful nose. Weird right? Whenever anyone is sitting next to me (usually the women and kids) they touch my hair and my skin. I usually just smile a wave and say, "Maupay" to everyone who is staring at me. Some people reply with "Mausay!" Which means Beautiful. We've gotten to start a lot of conversations about the gospel because everyone wants to know why a white girl is in the middle of the Philippines. We've gotten a lot of teaching appointments that way. So, it's really good!! The only hard thing is that I don't know Waray. Waray and Cebauno are similar like a Giraffe and an elephant are similar. They are located in the same place, and they are both mammals. Other than that..... not much.
I love my Nanay! Her name is Sister Pongyan. She is SUPER nice! And really really smart. She's Filipino and she speaks Tagolog, Waray, Cebuano, and Iloilo, and English! So, at least I understand her! haha Actually, a lot of people know some English. But, everyone knows that I'm trying to learn, so they speak Waray to me anyway. haha
Um, the coolest thing that happened this week is that we were lost, and we went by this park where a ton of kids were playing. I LOVE talking to the kids! I think that Asian kids are the cutest kids in the world! haha A little girl came up to me and asked me what my name was. She told me I was beautiful and asked why I was here. I told her that I was a missionary, and that she was more beautiful than I was. She wanted us to meet her family, so she took us to her house. Her family was really nice! All the adults there were drinking, and one lady told us that she had a sister who was Mormon and that she wanted to learn more about our gospel. We gave her our number, and told her to text us her address (because she couldn't remember her number or address...) We haven't heard from her yet, PERO we are teaching the family this week! We brought Alyssa, and her sister Alisa to church with us last Saturday. During Sacrament she kept drawing me pictures. It was really cute! She is learning English at school, so I help her learn English, and She helps me learn Waray. It was really sad though, because she asked If I would take her home to America with me. It broke my heart! I love that girl!
I love all of the Filipino people!! I don't like Elders. We are white washing the area, which means that they took out the Elders and put in sisters only. And unfortunately, we inherited their gross apartment! So, we've spent a lot of time scrubbing walls and mold off our mattresses. It was super awesome. But, now our apartment is super beautiful! Sister Gaono and her companion, Sister Luano live with us! It's fun! Everything is pretty cool!! Our toilet doesn't flush. We have to dump a bucket of water in it to make the water drain. At least we have a shower head though!!
President Andaya is a really nice man! He doesn't talk a lot, but he told me and sister Pongyan that he put us in this area because we are both really happy, and can show the less active members the love of Christ. There is currently only about a 30% attendance rate, so our main objective is to strengthen the branch. After we strengthen the branch, then we can mainly focus on nonmembers. The only problem is that the ward doesn't have a lot of confidence in us. They treat me like I'm 5 because I can't speak their language. Pero, diri worry!! That will change really sooooooon!!
A lot of the times, youth come with us to the less actives' houses and help us teach! That's really cool! Everyone needs a friend at church. It's a lot easier for them to feel comfortable around us if someone who's permanent in the ward comes with us. President's motto is: "We help them dress in White twice." So really, Catbalogan is a rescue mission. Rescue the souls! I encourage all of you to work with the missionaries in your ward. I wish I would have done more to invite the less active and non members. You don't have to be a missionary to spread the gospel. I think that really, as members of the greatest gospel in the universe, it's our jobs to help people come unto Christ. I don't really have much of a spiritual message today, I've been so busy today! But next week, you will get a really good one! so, be prepared!!
I love all of you!!!! SO much!! Thank you for all of your prayers, love, and support!!!!
Sincerely,
Sister Bingham
Oh, I joined choir. It's funny! They sing Hymns in English, so their accents are great! haha I'm sorry!!! I wanted to send more pictures but it's taking literally forever. I love you!!!!
I'm sooooooo sorry!! I tried to call from Tokyo, but the directions were entirely in Japan. Oh, la! Grabii! And as you know, I don't know speak Japanese.... And, I don't speak Waray-Waray. Which is what they speak in Catbalogan! My first Area!!! We had training and stuff at the mission home Wed-Thursday, and then on Friday, we got our area assignments.
Catbalogan is crazy!! Not really, It's just really really different from anything I've ever seen before! It's really crowded, and dirty. It's ok, though! I'm used to it. The first night, I kept thinking that I was going to die because traffic laws don't exist, and there are just TONS of people. My companion kept saying, "It's ok! Only a 50/50 chance that we will die!" haha I think the weirdest thing, though, is that EVERYONE stares at me. All the time! I feel like a movie star. haha But, people tell me that I look like a doll, a movie star, a model, and that I have a beautiful nose. Weird right? Whenever anyone is sitting next to me (usually the women and kids) they touch my hair and my skin. I usually just smile a wave and say, "Maupay" to everyone who is staring at me. Some people reply with "Mausay!" Which means Beautiful. We've gotten to start a lot of conversations about the gospel because everyone wants to know why a white girl is in the middle of the Philippines. We've gotten a lot of teaching appointments that way. So, it's really good!! The only hard thing is that I don't know Waray. Waray and Cebauno are similar like a Giraffe and an elephant are similar. They are located in the same place, and they are both mammals. Other than that..... not much.
I love my Nanay! Her name is Sister Pongyan. She is SUPER nice! And really really smart. She's Filipino and she speaks Tagolog, Waray, Cebuano, and Iloilo, and English! So, at least I understand her! haha Actually, a lot of people know some English. But, everyone knows that I'm trying to learn, so they speak Waray to me anyway. haha
Um, the coolest thing that happened this week is that we were lost, and we went by this park where a ton of kids were playing. I LOVE talking to the kids! I think that Asian kids are the cutest kids in the world! haha A little girl came up to me and asked me what my name was. She told me I was beautiful and asked why I was here. I told her that I was a missionary, and that she was more beautiful than I was. She wanted us to meet her family, so she took us to her house. Her family was really nice! All the adults there were drinking, and one lady told us that she had a sister who was Mormon and that she wanted to learn more about our gospel. We gave her our number, and told her to text us her address (because she couldn't remember her number or address...) We haven't heard from her yet, PERO we are teaching the family this week! We brought Alyssa, and her sister Alisa to church with us last Saturday. During Sacrament she kept drawing me pictures. It was really cute! She is learning English at school, so I help her learn English, and She helps me learn Waray. It was really sad though, because she asked If I would take her home to America with me. It broke my heart! I love that girl!
I love all of the Filipino people!! I don't like Elders. We are white washing the area, which means that they took out the Elders and put in sisters only. And unfortunately, we inherited their gross apartment! So, we've spent a lot of time scrubbing walls and mold off our mattresses. It was super awesome. But, now our apartment is super beautiful! Sister Gaono and her companion, Sister Luano live with us! It's fun! Everything is pretty cool!! Our toilet doesn't flush. We have to dump a bucket of water in it to make the water drain. At least we have a shower head though!!
President Andaya is a really nice man! He doesn't talk a lot, but he told me and sister Pongyan that he put us in this area because we are both really happy, and can show the less active members the love of Christ. There is currently only about a 30% attendance rate, so our main objective is to strengthen the branch. After we strengthen the branch, then we can mainly focus on nonmembers. The only problem is that the ward doesn't have a lot of confidence in us. They treat me like I'm 5 because I can't speak their language. Pero, diri worry!! That will change really sooooooon!!
A lot of the times, youth come with us to the less actives' houses and help us teach! That's really cool! Everyone needs a friend at church. It's a lot easier for them to feel comfortable around us if someone who's permanent in the ward comes with us. President's motto is: "We help them dress in White twice." So really, Catbalogan is a rescue mission. Rescue the souls! I encourage all of you to work with the missionaries in your ward. I wish I would have done more to invite the less active and non members. You don't have to be a missionary to spread the gospel. I think that really, as members of the greatest gospel in the universe, it's our jobs to help people come unto Christ. I don't really have much of a spiritual message today, I've been so busy today! But next week, you will get a really good one! so, be prepared!!
I love all of you!!!! SO much!! Thank you for all of your prayers, love, and support!!!!
Sincerely,
Sister Bingham
Oh, I joined choir. It's funny! They sing Hymns in English, so their accents are great! haha I'm sorry!!! I wanted to send more pictures but it's taking literally forever. I love you!!!!
Read Asap! March 9, 2013
March 9, 2013
Dear Mom,
So, our travel plans changed and we are leaving the MTC really early on Monday morning. They are going to let me call you today!! For 5 minutes. But, since I have one less day to prepare for things, I need to discuss some things with you really quick.
So, I asked the front desk, and they absolutely absolutely don't let anyone drop off packages anymore for any reason. They told me to have you same day deliver my camera and my iPod today if I want to get it by the time I leave. So frustrating! I guess they just wanted people to stop waiting until the last min... I guess you could try to call them if you don't want to do that... Maybe they would let you talk to someone... idk?? So... that's all I got... I'm sorry! I know that dad didn't want to mail it, but it looks like there just isn't any other option... I guess that saves you the trip down here, right??
Please don't see me off at the airport. I really miss you, and I would LOVE to see you, but that would really make me sad. And maybe not even want to go anymore. I know that the MTC has a lot of rules, but I really want to be obedient so that I can get the blessings of being obedient. I don't want to hurt your feelings! Because I love you both so much!!! And I agree, there should be advantages. But I also know that there is a reason that it's a rule... I don't know why, but it is. I love you Mom!! I'm sorry!! I know that 's not what you wanted me to say... I really appreciate how supportive you are!! You're amazing!! I will talk to you about when I'll call you on Monday. I'm going to go buy a phone card today, so that should be good! I'll probably call you from SanFran... I don't know yet... I also don't know if I should tell you what time my plane leaves in the morning... that way you won't be tempted! haha I actually don't have my plans in front of me, so I don't quite know what time it leaves... Oh, stop trying to convince Aaron to stalk me as well! hahahahahaha I thought that was really funny. I wonder what's going on with him... His mom sent me some candy for Easter and a nice card! That was a nice surprise!
So there is the issue about the recorder... I could do one today, but I think you would rather hear about the Philippines! If you want it back from here though, I could do it tomorrow and give my friend money to mail it on Monday. So it's up to you! Let me know about it when I call you today.
I don't know if I should leave my blanket or not... what do you think?? Also, I'm leaving my straightener and probably hair dryer... I haven't decided yet... I don't even know if I will have electricity in some areas... hmmmmm. I guess it depends on how much weight I have.
I have to post mart all of the things I want to leave to Aaron today by noon. The mailroom closes at noon. But any package that I get today, they will just call my name down at the front desk when it gets here. I'm pretty sure the camera will be ok, because it will be in my case, and I'm wrapping my coat around it.
I will call you today around 9 or 10 this morning! I love you!!!! I don't have time to write a p-day e-mail today, which is really ok... I mean... It will be sure more exciting next week anyway!! haha
Love,
Sis Hill Bing
Dear Mom,
So, our travel plans changed and we are leaving the MTC really early on Monday morning. They are going to let me call you today!! For 5 minutes. But, since I have one less day to prepare for things, I need to discuss some things with you really quick.
So, I asked the front desk, and they absolutely absolutely don't let anyone drop off packages anymore for any reason. They told me to have you same day deliver my camera and my iPod today if I want to get it by the time I leave. So frustrating! I guess they just wanted people to stop waiting until the last min... I guess you could try to call them if you don't want to do that... Maybe they would let you talk to someone... idk?? So... that's all I got... I'm sorry! I know that dad didn't want to mail it, but it looks like there just isn't any other option... I guess that saves you the trip down here, right??
Please don't see me off at the airport. I really miss you, and I would LOVE to see you, but that would really make me sad. And maybe not even want to go anymore. I know that the MTC has a lot of rules, but I really want to be obedient so that I can get the blessings of being obedient. I don't want to hurt your feelings! Because I love you both so much!!! And I agree, there should be advantages. But I also know that there is a reason that it's a rule... I don't know why, but it is. I love you Mom!! I'm sorry!! I know that 's not what you wanted me to say... I really appreciate how supportive you are!! You're amazing!! I will talk to you about when I'll call you on Monday. I'm going to go buy a phone card today, so that should be good! I'll probably call you from SanFran... I don't know yet... I also don't know if I should tell you what time my plane leaves in the morning... that way you won't be tempted! haha I actually don't have my plans in front of me, so I don't quite know what time it leaves... Oh, stop trying to convince Aaron to stalk me as well! hahahahahaha I thought that was really funny. I wonder what's going on with him... His mom sent me some candy for Easter and a nice card! That was a nice surprise!
So there is the issue about the recorder... I could do one today, but I think you would rather hear about the Philippines! If you want it back from here though, I could do it tomorrow and give my friend money to mail it on Monday. So it's up to you! Let me know about it when I call you today.
I don't know if I should leave my blanket or not... what do you think?? Also, I'm leaving my straightener and probably hair dryer... I haven't decided yet... I don't even know if I will have electricity in some areas... hmmmmm. I guess it depends on how much weight I have.
I have to post mart all of the things I want to leave to Aaron today by noon. The mailroom closes at noon. But any package that I get today, they will just call my name down at the front desk when it gets here. I'm pretty sure the camera will be ok, because it will be in my case, and I'm wrapping my coat around it.
I will call you today around 9 or 10 this morning! I love you!!!! I don't have time to write a p-day e-mail today, which is really ok... I mean... It will be sure more exciting next week anyway!! haha
Love,
Sis Hill Bing
PDay Karon--March 4, 2103
March 4, 2013
Akong mga Pamilya!!!!!! Kamusta ka??
This week was super cool!! It was filled with amazing spiritual experiences!! Last Tuesday, M. Russell Ballard came and spoke to us!! Have any of you been front row, dead center, 5 feet away from a general authority?? Because This misyonaryo has!!! It was soooo cool! I think the best thing about it was the spirit that he brought. You can tell from his voice, and the light in his eyes that he truly is a disciple of Christ. It was awesome!!!!
I got my travel plans this week!! My flight leaves at 11:30 next Tuesday! I get a layover in Tokyo!!!! And, I only have 16 fast Sundays left in my mission. That is buyong. Seriously, this month flew by! I think I'm going to miss the MTC a lot. Not the food. I'm going to miss the MTC because of the amazing spirit that is always here. It's really really cool to just be happy and peaceful and feel the love of your Savior ALL the time! Without the distractions of the world, the spirit is unconstrained. Dad said that this is prob one of the coolest places on earth, and it totally is!! They told us that by August, they are opening up another MTC campus because the number of missionaries at one time is going to go from 3,000 to 7,000. That is amazing!!
I love Sundays! It is probably one of the most spiritual days at the MTC. This week we had church, mission conference, devotional, and watched a fireside. That's like 7 hours of spiritual direction, plus the three or four hours of personal study. I love it!! I get so much more out of my Sundays now!! My favorite thing about yesterday was the Fireside video that they showed. It was by Bednar, and it was amazing!! I'm going to go over a few things that he talked about because it was so good!
He talked about the natural man and developing the character of Christ.
When we are putting on the natural man, we act like the cookie monster. "I WANT COOKIE NOOOOOOW!!" Acting this way is very much turning inward. We turn inward from service to our fellow man, the spirit, and most importantly, to God. He basically told us to get over ourselves and our problems, because this mission isn't about us. It's about the people we are bringing to Christ. And he said that the biggest convert on our mission would likely be ourselves, but if that's our goal, that isn't going to happen. The more we focus on others, and being an instrument in the Lord's hands, the better our missionary experience is going to be.
He told a really touching story about a relief society president.
He received an emergency call one morning from a relief society president in his area. Three girls had gotten into a car accident. One of the girls in the accident was her daughter, and also, one of the girls were dead. The other two were being transferred to critical care. The bodies still needed to be identified.
She called president Bednar because he was closer to the hospital, and he needed to go and identify all of the girls. As he was talking to the women on the phone, he could hear her talking to a nurse on the second reciever she was holding. (so she had a phone in both hands, talking to two people, at the same time... sorry I don't know if I explained that well enough). He heard the nurse on the other phone tell the women that her daughter had been positively identified as the girl who was dead. The next thing the women said to Elder Bednar was, "Hurry and get down there while I call the other two moms to tell them where there daughters are."
The car accident had terribly disfigured all three of the girls. He recieved another phone call from her a couple days later saying, " President Bednar, I'm so sorry that you saw my daughter that way. The mortuary fixed her up really well, and she looks beautiful. I don't want you to have to live with that being the last memory of her, so If you want to, we would love for you to come with us before they shut the casket to look at her so you can remember her as she was."
The next day was the day of the funeral. A couple hours before the funeral started, a woman in the ward called the relief society president. The woman was mad that no one had brought her a meal since she had developed a cold. So, on her way to her daughter's funeral, the R.S. president dropped a meal off that she had made.
The example of this woman is amazing. In her darkest hour, she turned outward instinctively. She took no thought to her pain, and her suffering, rather she took the time to think of basically everyone else. That's what Christ would have done in that situation.
This story was really powerful to me. I don't know if I would act like that if my daughter died.
I found another really cool scripture chain!
Matt 5:48
D&C 67:13
Moses 1:39
We aren't expected to be perfect now. However, we are expected to try our hardest to repent and turn outward. To turn to Christ. When bad things happen to us, we need to turn outward. We need to serve and turn toward Heavenly Father.
"Testimony is what you know and believe. Conversion is what you DO and BECOME." -David A. Bednar
If we are truly converted, it will show in the way we live, serve, and love.
I know that this church is true, and I know that Heavenly Father loves us more than we could possibly ever imagine!! He knows who we are, he knows what we go through, and he knows what we need. He want us to be successful and happy! And, he wants us to return to him. I know that If we try to live with charity, we can become like Christ. It isn't going to happen soon, but it should be our life long pursuit.
I'm so thankful for all the letters and love that everyone sends me!!! I appreciate it soooooooo much!!!
Sister Latai was so happy to get all of her letters!!! It was cute! She said, "I wish I could call your mom and tell her how much I love her!! I just wnat to hug her all day!!"
Issues: -my teacher told me that I'm going to get robbed If I take my camera to tacloban. He said that Tacloban is ghetto as all ghetto. So.... I was thinking that maybe I could leave my camera in my box that Aaron is going to pick up, and switch someone cameras for a year and a half??? I do have my pink one that I left in my purple purse that works, but the only issue is that the charger doesn't work very well, and I have no idea where it is.... So, if you could dear elder me your ideas about this issue today, I would much appreciate it!! It's also in really good condition still... you could take it back still probably if you want to... so that's an option... I love it!!! It's super nice!! I should have listened to you and gotten a smaller one...... I have leaned that you are always right, parents!!!
I'm so sorry!!! -Can you send me a pair of tube socks so I can do sock buns?? just one or two socks would be awesome! Even like some old ones would be great! I love you so so so so so so so so much!! Can't wait to hear you!!!
Love Always,
Sister Hillary Bingham
You're the best family in the world!!! P.S. I LOVE MY BAG SOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!! IT'S PERFECT!!!!!
Akong mga Pamilya!!!!!! Kamusta ka??
This week was super cool!! It was filled with amazing spiritual experiences!! Last Tuesday, M. Russell Ballard came and spoke to us!! Have any of you been front row, dead center, 5 feet away from a general authority?? Because This misyonaryo has!!! It was soooo cool! I think the best thing about it was the spirit that he brought. You can tell from his voice, and the light in his eyes that he truly is a disciple of Christ. It was awesome!!!!
I got my travel plans this week!! My flight leaves at 11:30 next Tuesday! I get a layover in Tokyo!!!! And, I only have 16 fast Sundays left in my mission. That is buyong. Seriously, this month flew by! I think I'm going to miss the MTC a lot. Not the food. I'm going to miss the MTC because of the amazing spirit that is always here. It's really really cool to just be happy and peaceful and feel the love of your Savior ALL the time! Without the distractions of the world, the spirit is unconstrained. Dad said that this is prob one of the coolest places on earth, and it totally is!! They told us that by August, they are opening up another MTC campus because the number of missionaries at one time is going to go from 3,000 to 7,000. That is amazing!!
I love Sundays! It is probably one of the most spiritual days at the MTC. This week we had church, mission conference, devotional, and watched a fireside. That's like 7 hours of spiritual direction, plus the three or four hours of personal study. I love it!! I get so much more out of my Sundays now!! My favorite thing about yesterday was the Fireside video that they showed. It was by Bednar, and it was amazing!! I'm going to go over a few things that he talked about because it was so good!
He talked about the natural man and developing the character of Christ.
When we are putting on the natural man, we act like the cookie monster. "I WANT COOKIE NOOOOOOW!!" Acting this way is very much turning inward. We turn inward from service to our fellow man, the spirit, and most importantly, to God. He basically told us to get over ourselves and our problems, because this mission isn't about us. It's about the people we are bringing to Christ. And he said that the biggest convert on our mission would likely be ourselves, but if that's our goal, that isn't going to happen. The more we focus on others, and being an instrument in the Lord's hands, the better our missionary experience is going to be.
He told a really touching story about a relief society president.
He received an emergency call one morning from a relief society president in his area. Three girls had gotten into a car accident. One of the girls in the accident was her daughter, and also, one of the girls were dead. The other two were being transferred to critical care. The bodies still needed to be identified.
She called president Bednar because he was closer to the hospital, and he needed to go and identify all of the girls. As he was talking to the women on the phone, he could hear her talking to a nurse on the second reciever she was holding. (so she had a phone in both hands, talking to two people, at the same time... sorry I don't know if I explained that well enough). He heard the nurse on the other phone tell the women that her daughter had been positively identified as the girl who was dead. The next thing the women said to Elder Bednar was, "Hurry and get down there while I call the other two moms to tell them where there daughters are."
The car accident had terribly disfigured all three of the girls. He recieved another phone call from her a couple days later saying, " President Bednar, I'm so sorry that you saw my daughter that way. The mortuary fixed her up really well, and she looks beautiful. I don't want you to have to live with that being the last memory of her, so If you want to, we would love for you to come with us before they shut the casket to look at her so you can remember her as she was."
The next day was the day of the funeral. A couple hours before the funeral started, a woman in the ward called the relief society president. The woman was mad that no one had brought her a meal since she had developed a cold. So, on her way to her daughter's funeral, the R.S. president dropped a meal off that she had made.
The example of this woman is amazing. In her darkest hour, she turned outward instinctively. She took no thought to her pain, and her suffering, rather she took the time to think of basically everyone else. That's what Christ would have done in that situation.
This story was really powerful to me. I don't know if I would act like that if my daughter died.
I found another really cool scripture chain!
Matt 5:48
D&C 67:13
Moses 1:39
We aren't expected to be perfect now. However, we are expected to try our hardest to repent and turn outward. To turn to Christ. When bad things happen to us, we need to turn outward. We need to serve and turn toward Heavenly Father.
"Testimony is what you know and believe. Conversion is what you DO and BECOME." -David A. Bednar
If we are truly converted, it will show in the way we live, serve, and love.
I know that this church is true, and I know that Heavenly Father loves us more than we could possibly ever imagine!! He knows who we are, he knows what we go through, and he knows what we need. He want us to be successful and happy! And, he wants us to return to him. I know that If we try to live with charity, we can become like Christ. It isn't going to happen soon, but it should be our life long pursuit.
I'm so thankful for all the letters and love that everyone sends me!!! I appreciate it soooooooo much!!!
Sister Latai was so happy to get all of her letters!!! It was cute! She said, "I wish I could call your mom and tell her how much I love her!! I just wnat to hug her all day!!"
Issues: -my teacher told me that I'm going to get robbed If I take my camera to tacloban. He said that Tacloban is ghetto as all ghetto. So.... I was thinking that maybe I could leave my camera in my box that Aaron is going to pick up, and switch someone cameras for a year and a half??? I do have my pink one that I left in my purple purse that works, but the only issue is that the charger doesn't work very well, and I have no idea where it is.... So, if you could dear elder me your ideas about this issue today, I would much appreciate it!! It's also in really good condition still... you could take it back still probably if you want to... so that's an option... I love it!!! It's super nice!! I should have listened to you and gotten a smaller one...... I have leaned that you are always right, parents!!!
I'm so sorry!!! -Can you send me a pair of tube socks so I can do sock buns?? just one or two socks would be awesome! Even like some old ones would be great! I love you so so so so so so so so much!! Can't wait to hear you!!!
Love Always,
Sister Hillary Bingham
You're the best family in the world!!! P.S. I LOVE MY BAG SOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!! IT'S PERFECT!!!!!
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