Paalam Pilipinas (farewell Philipines)

You know that feeling when it is your last day of school and you have that surge of excitement and you just start counting down the seconds until summer break... But at the same time you feel a little sentimental, nostalgic, and a little sad to say goodbye? I guess that is how you could describe the feelings that I am having right now. 

This last week, I've been thinking about everything that I will miss, either about the mission, or the Philippines in general. 

1. I will miss the dancing traffic enforcers that always bring a smile when I pass by. The first time I realized they dance was the most hilarious moment.  I realized, "It IS more fun in the Philippines!"

2. As weird as this might sound, I will miss meetings. Tuesday, I had my last district meeting and I just realized how much I love to learn to feel inspired.

3. I will miss the various forms of transportation here. All I have to do is clap my hands or wave my hand and in an instant there is a tricycle ready to take us wherever we need to go. I think tricycles should definitely be a thing in the US!!

4. I will miss my Nanays. In every area, there are always Nanays to take care of us missionaries.

5. My boyfriends that call at me and sing to me every day. How will I survive not hearing, "you're so beautiful americano/Snow White/Elsa/Anna".

6. The fruit. ohhhh the fruit!!  While we walk, there are always different people that just go and get whatever fruit they have off their trees. It's so fresh and so delicious!

7. I will surely miss the people. Generally, people are so humble and willing to give all. It has taught me so much. Even though the people here have so little, they are willing to sacrifice so much to help others. They are amazing.

8. My name tag. I don't want to take it off EVER!!

9. Having a companion. There is always someone to talk to, so I never get bored.

10. I will miss seeing the spiritual progress of others and seeing when they have excepted the gospel, that they know Heavenly Father knows them and loves them. The best feeling in the world is being able to witness a life change for the better.

There are so many more things/people that I will miss, but I'm also super excited to be able see everyone back home again.

I just am so thankful for everything I've learned. Before my mission I heard a quote from CS Lewis about this little cottage that was being remodeled. The cottage thought that the builder was just going to fix a couple of things here and there, but was surprised when it was being almost completely knocked down and torn to pieces. In the end the little cottage turned into a beautiful mansion. That is kind of how it has been on the mission. When I came here, I instantly started being knocked down. It was tough learning the language. It was SO SO SOOO HOT. And I definitely thought I was not good enough. There were so many more trials that I had to endure though, like being rejected, seeing no progress for a time, and witnessing the pains and hardships of others in their life. But, it was through those trials, I really understood how much we are loved and I better understand what Jesus Christ has done for us. Those trials were but a small moment and have helped me to see the potential that Heavenly Father sees in me and what I have/will become and will how I will continue to improve.  But even amongst the trials, there were good things, tender mercies and amazing miracles that happened everyday.

This was the scripture I chose for my mission plaque back home: 

Ether 12:27--And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. 

I have truly come to know the truth of this scripture along with ...

Alma 26:12--Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.

They have become some of the most inspiring verses in the Book of Mormon for me. I know they are true. The Lord has definitely made, me, his humble servant, strong in every way. Even if my mission here is over, I know I need to never stop improving, always move forward and endure to the end. Heavenly Father only knows my full potential, so I never want to stop growing, learning and serving him...

​Mahal ko kayo lahat!
Sister Koncurat​

I only dream in Tagolog

Sister Ramono, a future missionary and me 

Well...This week was awesome. It was my last normal week of the mission so we used it to work the hardest ever. It was great! We even reached higher than our usual goals! The two more memorable moments this week, was showing up to our recent convert's house to find that Ezy, our 10-year-old convert, teaching her younger sister that just turned eight about the Book of Mormon. When we got there, they were so excited to see us and tell us what they had learned. At the end of the lesson, Ezy taught her younger sister, Kim, how to pray. It was really sweet. I so love the kids here. Sometimes they can be a bit rowdy and obnoxious but they have such a spirit about them. I'll miss all the kids here. At least once a day I get called Elsa or Anna, referring to Frozen, as I walk past a group of kids...I remember when it used to be Snow White before my hair lightened up while here...sheesh I am almost blonde now!

This guy will be an awesome missionary someday!

Another memory I will treasure, is seeing our investigator so involved with missionary work. He wants to be a missionary. He went with one of the ward missionaries visiting less active members yesterday and then reported what they did in our coordination meeting yesterday. He is golden! I just wish I could be here for his baptism. I guess I'll just have to skype in to see it ha ha. We have really been blessed to be teaching two investigators. Jake, the one I mentioned, and Erwin. Erwin is super active too, but he will be baptized on the 29th. So I will miss it by two days. 

another future sister missionary in the works 

So, this week will be pretty busy. tomorrow we have quarterly interviews with President Rahlf. Wednesday I have to attend a career workshop, for all the missionaries preparing to go home. Then on Saturday we will be holding a One-day mission for our ward in efforts to find the missing people in this ward. There is this address unknown project here because there are so many members that are no where to be found, all over the Philippines. So we will be finding lost souls.

I feel like this week it going to be unbelievable fast! Next week I will still get to email, but I'll probably just write my last blog post and that will be it. Just like that, my 18 months are up!

Oh and Yes...I only dream in Tagolog these days.

Love ya!
Sister K

I lent my pen to someone and this is how he returned it...everyone keeps reminding me ; (

Enduring to the End

Yep I had a pretty busy week, but busy has kind of become normal for me. Last week, my district went to Ilagan Sanctuary where I got up close and personal with a rather large snake, that was fun. Tuesday, we visited the Burgos Zone for district meeting. Then Wednesday we went to Cauayan for MLC (mission leadership counsel). Thursday and Friday we had splits, and then Saturday we had a baptism. Then Sunday again (I was surprised when the bishopric asked me to speak right before the sacrament started because the person that was supposed to speak didn't show up). These weeks are going fastest than ever! The time just never stops to let us breathe, but it's all good. The people in our ward here keep teasing me about how many days I have left in Ilagan. Today, I'm at 12. I don't want to count down, but it is now in my head. I can't even sleep at night because I'm thinking too much. But when I finally do get to sleep I just dream about teaching people. It is kind of funny but so annoying...can't catch a break even at 2am!

The baptism went great. Her name is Kathlyn, and the other sister's investigator, Rodolfo. Kathlyn's two older brothers are both members and it was so cool to see Her oldest brother being able to baptize her. The other brother gave one of the talks at the baptism. It turns out it was his birthday and he said one of the greatest gifts that he has received on his birthday was being able to witness his sister become a member of the true church. Ang sweet naman.

Rodolfo's story is pretty cool too. The missionaries found him while him and his friends were walking past the church, checking out some people playing basketball. Him and his friends wanted to listen, so they went into the church and began listening. They soon found out that he had a pretty rough past, turning him to being involved with harmful substances, but when he learned about the word of wisdom, he instantly gave it all up, even though he was the only one of the group of friends. The biggest thing that surprised us is that he is fully committed. There are so many temptations around him, but he said that he has started on the right path and he never wants to go back; he can't go back. I love that. It is all part of enduring to the end. It's not just for enduring the trials we face daily, but it is actively and willingly living the covenants we made when we are baptized. 

Love,
Sister K

P-Day fun! ...note to Miss Regina--do not read!

Pday, that fun day...Today my district and I went to the Ilagan Sanctuary. They have a very large snake that I held and we hiked through a couple of caves and up to a water fall. There was this one cave and it was filled with millions of bats just flying everywhere around our heads. I might have peeped out a little scream... haha But it was a fun trip. Just something else to do other than the normal pday routine.

The work here is good. We have another baptism coming up on Saturday, and a couple more on the way too...sadly I won't be able to witness the others because I will be home by then... :( but we have some pretty great people we teach and some very interesting ones too. Even though people just keep reminding me how many days I have left, I still can't believe it. I don't feel like I'll be home in just a couple of weeks. I'm definitely still really focused and I don't feel a bit trunky! I am so glad because I want to finish strong, to focus and what is going on here and give it all my best for my last month.

Love,

Sister K

LISTEN

One thing I learned this week: LISTEN TO THE HOLY GHOST!

As I was preparing my bag for the day, I took out my umbrella thinking, it's probably not going to rain today and it hasn't been as hot lately. I took a second glance, but I denied that prompting. Note, don't get caught in the rain with out your umbrella. You'll only get drenched. 

Here in the Philippines there are only two seasons, rainy season and hot season. But being part of this Isabela province, the rainy season is more of a drizzle and dark clouds every once in a while. They say the storms don't hit here as hard because this is where they go to burn out--which I can testify to...generally. Nothing really happens around here. But one day, every once in a while, the clouds decide to flip a switch and just pour. I've learned my lesson. Always take an umbrella, whether you think you need it or not. 

Another lesson I've learned is that everything happens for a reason. God really is mindful of all his children and he will prepare a way to help them.

We had planned to have a family home evening with a less-active family that has a couple of children that haven't yet been baptized. We have been struggling to help them, so we were excited that they agreed to a FHE (family home evening--family time activity) to help strengthen them as a family. One of their concerns was that they wouldn't be able to provide any food while we were over there. We told them not to worry and that it isn't necessary to have food at an FHE. Without them knowing, we prepared food to take with us there, but unfortunately they cancelled last minute. We had already prepared the food, so instead we split it up to take to them anyway as well as another family that lives near by. Without realizing beforehand, the other family had been having a hard time and really needed some food for their kids. The mother of the family was feeling very sick that day and her husband had just gotten home from his job as a tricycle driver and he was taking care of their two week old baby. We really were happy to help them in the time they needed it. Without knowing, we were the answer to their prayer.

If we listen to the spiritual promptings and act upon it, we can be the means in helping those around us. We truly can be an instrument in God's hands to be a source of comfort and happiness. OH, how it makes me happy to be HIS instrument!

Have a most awesome week all,
Love,
Sister K

This and That

NOTE from Mom--I have been bad at updating the blog, sorry. Erin has been ill the last few weeks with a little lung infection/cold thing, but she is feeling much better now. She hasn't really written a blog post for me so I will post a few excerpts from emails home the last few weeks and lots of pictures.

It is the weirdest feeling that I will be in America in 6 weeks {we are down to 4 1/2 now}. I feel excited of course that I get to see you all again but I don't feel like my work is finished. We have this one golden investigator but I won't be able to see his baptism because I'll be home by then. Happy and sad at the same time.

We have some really awesome people we are teaching. This coming week is transfer week and I just hope I'm not transferred yet because I love these people. {she stayed in Illagan} But if I am, it is for the good. Diyos ang bahala. I really can't think of English today. Sorry. I've started an English class here and we've had a couple members and investigators come. I didn't realized how hard it is to teach a language. I told the class that Tagalog is not allowed inside the room. They are all speaking English, but I'm the one that is mixing my English and Tagalog up. Sorry in advance if you don't understand what I am saying when I get home.

This week, I felt the spirit most as we were in a lesson with one of our investigators. She has a lot of problems going on in her life but we testified how much Jesus Christ knows exactly what is going on and the things she wants changed, he will help, but there are things we have to do as well in order to help ourselves. Through the grace of the Savior we can have our weaknesses be made strong.

You all might be trunky, but I most definitely am not. Still working hard. I'm good though. The work is good. We have some solid people we are teaching, but I don't think I will be able to see them be baptized. They live in our farthest area and we can't get to them every day, but they come to church every week and were most definitely prepared to hear the gospel.

Hope all is well with you,

Love,

Sister Koncurat

Gwapa!...always

[note from mom--all is well with my girlie this week, although she said she is absolutely exhausted and plans to sleep for an entire week when she gets home.  The computers were super slow; she ran out of time to write a blog but she downloaded a few photos, which I love anyway! ]

Gwapa=beautuful oh? thank you for saying so!

and beautiful Illagan

 Right to left...Crazy, I'm down to two months!  3 months in and two with one year down.

super excited to teach this cute family!  

we are besties, seriously!

"ummm, want to buy a duck...a what?" : )

YES they do dance!

The traffic police actully DO dance here in Illagan!!

I's so funny. Other than the dancing traffic enforcers there isn't much out of the ordinary this week. We have been street contacting a lot lately and there all sorts of interesting people we talk to. Some who don't want to talk to us and make up crazy excuses. I think it is rude to actually say "no" for some reason, so a simple, "I'm not interested" is not something we hear very often. Unfortunately instead, we get other rejections that are more hurtful. Some people literally run away. I promise I don't bite and I don't think I smelled that bad today!! ha ha ha

Last night we held a missionary fireside and really emphasized having the members find referrals. One of our recent convert kids really wants to be a missionary and she has seen us street contacting before, so last night after the fireside she really wanted to do something missionary-ish, so she asked for a pamphlet to give to someone. Right outside the church there is a line of tricies that wait for people to ride. So as the three of us walked out, she stops and looks at us and then looks back at the tricey driver and looks at us again and she hands him the pamphlet and looks at me to to explain what it was and what not. It was pretty funny. I see why Jesus loved the children and I know why there are many times the scriptures say become like little children. They really will just talk to everyone and they are so enthusiastic and kind. As we were leaving, she then went back to the tricey driver and gave him a sandwich. Sweet right? OH, I love these people!

Have a great week!
Love you all,
Sister K

Pananampalataya (faith)

I know I haven't been the best at updating this blog, sometimes there just isn't enough time. It is funny how time works. It feels like you have all the time in the world until all of a sudden, wala na, it's gone. I think it is funny how the new missionaries come in and people ask them how much time they have left and their response is, "I have until the second coming." I remember myself getting here and thinking, I have so much time and how I feel like it will last forever, but the crazy thing is, it just flies! Time for me is running short here in the Pines and I can't help but reflect on the time that I have spent and think how I can improve in the little time I have left. One thing that we all have is, the opportunity to improve, but it takes so much faith.

I remember in the MTC, one of the first words I learned and really liked because I thought how ridiculously long it was for such a short English word.  The word is "pananampalataya" and  it means FAITH. Yesterday, the Philippines had the opportunity to hear from Elder Neil L. Anderson in a general area broadcast. He testified that faith isn't just something we have or we don't have. It is a something that we can grow. As I have had my faith tried and tested a ton in this last year, I can firmly say that I have faith that Heavenly Father hears our prayers and that he loves us.  Jesus Christ, our Savior is always there to help us as we draw closer to Him. 

Sometimes we have to experiment upon the things we know before our faith can grow. When we are in the process of improving, it takes great faith to know that improvement is possible through the help of our Savior. Sometimes faith is tested when we don't receive that instant witness, but know that Heavenly Father answers prayers in His own time, and in His own way.

Last Monday and Tuesday were the norm. But, Wednesday we had Mission Leader Conference, this is where this weeks miracle happened. So I decided before Sister Romano and I went to Cauayan that I was cursed and shouldn't be allowed to hold anything. The first time I went to MLC, I lost my wallet. The second, even worse, I lost my scriptures. I accidentally forgot them on the bus we took to get back to Ilagan. I know...typical me, I loose everything. So I made it a point that I was not going to loose anything this time. As MLC ended I was talking to one sister who knew that I had lost my scriptures and I had told her that I never found them. But as we were talking, an elder over heard and said he found them sitting on a bus one day. I had left them on a bus a over month a ago and he just so happened to ride that very same bus were he found them in the same place that I had left them. AMAZING! He gave them to another elder to bring into Cauayan because he thought the other elder would be heading up before him. Our timing was off but hopefully I will get them back this week. I AM GOING TO GET THEM BACK!! AND an even bigger miracle... I didn't loose anything else this past MLC. I've broken my curse!!! Can I just say how much Heavenly Father loves me, despite my air-headed moments. At first, I was hopeful I would see my scriptures again but after time passed and never finding them everytime I had a chance to check, I started to loose hope thinking there were probably loooong gone but hoped whoever found them would read them and feel the power of the true gospel. OH! Prayers are answered! I just can't get over how amazing it is! #grateful

Mahal ko kayo!

Unstoppable

This week we had the chance to have an all sisters conference and it was all about becoming unstoppable. I loved this quote,

"You are unstoppable, not because you do not have failures or doubts, but because you continue on despite them. You are unstoppable because you realize that God's plan for you is bigger than the human mind can comprehend." 

I think I can add to the first line that being unstoppable is also getting rejected but we continue to keep trying. This week's biggest rejection was when we show up to one house. As we begin talking to the man standing at the gate he receives a phone call. He proceeds to answer it and then tells the person on the phone, "Just wait, I have to find some way to get rid of the Mormons."   R E J E C T E D!

   

Everyday we go out and try to teach people, but we barely have any control over anything. This past week happened to be one of those weeks were it seemed that no one was available to be taught. Here, we call that "punted." It was a punted week, but one thing that we can control is realizing that there was a purpose in that. Because we were punted this week, we were able to contact many new people that we haven't met before. Although getting rejected is a big part of it, and it is exhausting walking out under the hot summer sun, we were able to find some new potential investigators.


The reason why rejections are OK is because that just leads us closer to the one who will say yes. This coming week, we have an investigator that will be baptized. He is one of the fruits of contacting. The sisters accidentally went to his house, when it was supposed to be his neighbor, but they took the opportunity to talk to him and teach him. He was really prepared before they even taught him but even more so now.
  

For all of us, we can become unstoppable and fulfill God's plan as we keep going, despite the failures, rejections, or even doubts that are put in our path.

Mahal ko kayo!

Sister Koncurat
Philippines Cauayan Mission
February 2014-August 2015

a great mother's day

{note from mom--sorry I forgot to post this last week...got all wrapped up in being able to see my girl through Google Hangouts. It was so great seeing her cute face and hearing her voice. She looks great and is doing amazingly well. She definitely has a fun accent and has forgotten a few english words. How bizarre to listen to her easily carry on conversation in a completely different language. Oh man, we can't wait to see her for real! Here is a couple of "family photos"}

From May 10th- Mother's Day

Thanks again for all your prayers that have really kept us safe from this past storm. Typhoon Noul was a Category 5 storm that was directed to hit our mission but the center ended up being off the cost. We did experience some good rain and some strong winds, and power outages for a short time, but the day still went on as normal. Apparently our mission is where the typhoons go to melt, so they tend to not take such a big effect as it could.

I don't know what it is but these last few typhoons keeping happening on Sunday mornings, right in the middle of our church time, but a few people did end up attending. During the sacrament, the power went out and all we could hear was the wind ferociously blowing outside, yet I felt such a great feeling of peace.

I thought back to when I just had received my mission call. I was so excited and terrified, mostly terrified because shortly after I found out where I would be serving, the great Typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines. I suddenly had a connection to the people here, but at the same time, I thought to myself, "I'm going to die!" ..Yeah that was a little over-dramatic, but hearing of the damage that it caused and all the devastation, you could only imagine the feeling of soon, that is where I will be.

Now I have been in the Philippines for over a year and I love it here. I felt at peace during this last storm, mostly because as I sat thinking about the Savior while listening to the wind and just feeling like He knows us and is protecting us.

During this past year, I have felt the Savior more at my side then ever before. We need not to fear of anything because He has a plan for us. As we do what He wants us to do and look to Him, we can feel of that peace and comfort in knowing that He is there. He loves us and will protect us.

Work still went on, whether there was Typhoon or not. Around 6, the rain finally stopped, which made it a little easier, but still the ground was very wet. We visited a family, but getting to their house was pretty tricky with the ground being very soft, thick mud. But we made it to their house! It took two brother helping us and a couple of random planks of wood, but I was just proud to say I didn't end up falling...just my feet and legs were it bit covered in mud. hah!

Love you all! Have a great week!

Sister Koncurat
Philippines Cauayan Mission
February 2014-August 2015

crazy busy...or maybe just plain crazy?

 There is not much to say other than speaking Tagalog in a southern accent is very very funny! This week has been so crazy busy. Sister A and I have been non-stop on the go, but there are always times for being completely ridiculous and laughing. Some misconceptions people might have about missionary work is that is it is boring because all you do it work-work-work. But what some might not understand, work can be fun! It all just depends on your attitude. One great thing about this calling is that I was called to be Sister Koncurat, not just a robot. There are times that call for seriousness and others where we need to make things a little happier. For all those preparing for missions, remember to find the balance, but don't forget to always be obedient. Exact obedience brings blessings.

This week I've seen some of those blessings. It is hard to number them, but one things is contacting. At the start of this year, our mission made a new goal to talk with at least 70 new people about our unique message of the gospel and invite them to act upon it. Before, I thought reaching out to talk to people was really intimidating, but it has become one of my favorite things. As we have tried our best to be obedient to this goal, there have been people put in our path that have really made a difference. In the next coming weeks, one of our first fruits of contacting will be baptized. Miracles do happen as we try our best and the Lord makes up the rest. 

Love this work! Love you all!
Have a great week!
Sister Koncurat
Philippines Cauayan Mission
February 2014-August 2015

P.S.  so...I received my "trunky letter" ...not sure how I feel about that.  Guess my time here is winding down, but there is so much more to do, so I'm just not going to think about it.  (trunky letter definition-the letter telling you when your time is up and how you're getting home, boo!)