Gugma gikan sa Philipinas!

Live from the Philippines.... for the very first time.... this is Sister Lauck!!!

Yes, I am still alive and happy and kicking it here in my new home (: And I have to say the first thing I said when I got off the plane in Manila is "I'm not in Texas anymore....". Haha I am truly in a foreign country, that is for sure!

So my first area is the coveted and beautiful island of Bohol! It really is like the (really hot) Hawaii of the Philippines! And I live about a minute from the beach, so there's really no complaining here (: My nanay (my mom aka missionary lingo for my trainer) is Sis.Tuipulotu from Tonga! She's been out for about 6 months so we're hobbling along together in our broken Bisayan (that's what they call my language Cebuano here) She has the biggest heart and is so sweet! We crack jokes everywhere we go and it helps make the work so fun! Together we've learned that the true universal language is the Spirit. The Bisayan is coming along! Needless to say, I understand about 30% of what is being said because they're going at a rapid pace. Also some of my confusion is due to the fact that people here mix different dialects and languages with Bisayan hahaha what the heck! Most of the time when people talk to me and I just smile and nod and say "Oo (yes)" or "Nindot na (that's awesome)" For all I know they could be cursing at me and I'd have no clue haha that's the beauty of being new (:

So I'm not going to lie, I have laughed everyday my first 2 weeks here. Mostly at myself, but also at the Pinoy's here! Every time Sis. T and I walk down the street, everyone just stares. Like hardcore stares, they don't even try to hide it haha so I've chalked it up to 3 possible reasons

1. They've never seen anyone over 5'6" (seriously, though)

2. I'm super sweaty and gross (also very plausible)

3. I have a third eye (okay, not plausible, but with the way people stare....)

I still haven't cracked the case haha and I don't think it's because I look American because EVERYONE, I repeat, EVERYONE, thinks I am part filipino here. Everyone always says, "Artista siya!" when I walk down the street. Which I thought meant "artist", but actually means actress. I guess all of the filipno actresses are half pinoy, half white, so because I'm mixed they think I look like an actress. It's very flattering, but NO haha I am so not.

So everyone probably wants to know that one gross thing that has happened so far. Well, I drank ants. Yes, I drank ants. And it was all an accident haha believe me, it was not by choice. There are all kind of critters in our apartment (lizards, cockroaches, huge spiders, mosquitoes, and snakes, yes even snakes - we've all really become the best of friends) and unknown to me, about 30 of them crawled into my cup. So I chugged the whole thing, put my cup down, and then started to feel something in my mouth. I went to the mirror, opened my mouth, saw the ants, realized I really hadn't had much protein since I've been in the Philippines, and got more water so I could swallow the rest of them. Hahaha well I'm just kidding about the last part! But that was a fun experience (:

I am so out of time, but I just wanted to let everyone know that I love you! Thanks so much for all prayers on my behalf as I've been out here in the Philippines. I really feel the love and support even though we may be thousands of miles apart. I am SO HAPPY and I LOVE my mission. I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to be serving the Lord in serving in such humbling circumstances and the opportunity I have to become so acquainted with Him. Everyone have a FANTASTIC week!

Until next week,

Sister Lauck (:

P.S. I'm really sorry if I don't respond to everyone's emails every week, but I will get to them eventually! I love getting to hear from everyone and what's going on in your life (:

Sister Lauck lives just a short distance from the beach!

Sister Lauck Has Arrived in the Philippines!

This has been a busy week for Sister Lauck! She left the MTC in Provo on noon Monday, caught a 5pm flight to LAX, had a three hour layover in Los Angeles, boarded a flight headed for Manila at 9pm, had an unexpected 2 hour layover in Guam and then on to Manila, had a brief layover before boarding a flight headed for Cebu, and eventually landed in Cebu on Wednesday morning after spending most of Tuesday in the air and changing time zones! We were fortunate to get a brief email from her in the middle of the night on Wednesday night and then also a follow up email and pictures from her new Mission President and his wife, President & Sister Tanner.  The following is the brief email and pictures that we received:

Hey everyone! I'm alive - made it safely in Cebu! I only get like 2 minutes, but everything is good here (: Spending the day doing orientation at the mission home and tomorrow I get my new comp and I'm all set to go! Every thing's great here, but SO DIFFERENT! Mosquitoes, super humid, and very humble surroundings!  I love you all! Thanks so much for fasting for me (: I'm doing great! 

Love,

Sister Lauck ((((((:

This is the incoming group of missionaries that Sister Lauck arrived with. Go girl power! We believe that the new missionaries are seated and their newly assigned companions are sitting behind them.

This is a picture of Sister Lauck with President and Sister Tanner.

Miaging Semana sa MTC!!!!!

Kamusta sa tanan sa akong pinakamaayonga mga higala ug pamilya,

(How's that for some Cebuano^^^^^^) So I'm just about wrapping up my final week at the MTC before I head off to the Philippines! How crazy is that! So, as an appropriate farewell email from the States, here are some of the reasons why I have grown to love the MTC (in no particular order)

1. I have been able to make lifetime friends from all around the world - Australia, Samoa, Tonga, Singapore, India, Taiwan, New Zealand, the Kiribati Islands and even some far away places like Utah, New York, Washington, and California (: I truly feel like I got to work with the brightest,  happiest, most hard working missionaries in my zone and district and I've been so blessed by their example! One person in particular that has really made such an impact on me is Sister Matialagan. I was her host at the MTC her first day. So get this - she's from India, no one in her family are members of the Church except her older sister, she is a recent convert, and her mother passed away recently. And what did she decide to do? Sacrifice so much to serve a mission because of her faith and trust in the Lord. Despite trials she has had in her life, she is just the most positive, radiant, bubbly person you will ever meet and I'm so glad our paths could cross so I could be blessed by her!

2. In 6 weeks, I've been able to learn the same amount of Cebuano that what would have normally taken six month's time if I had learned it anywhere else. And I have grown to LOVE the Cebuano language, even if  sometimes it makes no sense to me and I don't know if I'm saying "This Gospel was restored by Joseph Smith" or "The camel ate the bubble gum off my shoe" (I'm pretty sure I will provide enough entertainment for the entire nation of Cebu within my first week there)

3. Each week at the MTC Devotionals I get to hear from amazing and inspired men and women (especially Elder Bednar!) who have been led by the Spirit to give divine counsel that was the answer to many of my prayers

4. I have never been happier (: I can say that honestly and whole heartedly. I have loved getting to do what I do everyday at the MTC because I get to immerse myself in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no sweeter or rewarding work than that and I can't wait to share this love and joy and happiness with my Filipinos in Cebu! I haven't met them yet, but I already love them to death and I know that some have been prepared to receive the message I have to share. I love this Gospel and I know it is absolutely true. I know that is the only source of true and lasting happiness and that if one seeks to find out more of the Gospel through prayer and reading the Book of Mormon, they will find their answers to their questions, their peace, their solace, and everlasting happiness. I know that not only does this Gospel bless lives, but it changes lives. I can certainly testify of this truthfulness because I have seen eternal happiness and blessings pour into my life as I have lived the Gospel in my life.

Salamat kaayo (Thanks so much) for all of the love and support and prayers emails and letters and packages that I have received from everyone! I really do feel like the most loved and spoiled missionary in the MTC (: If I don't make it past my first week in the Philippines (jokelang (just kidding in Cebuano) - I totally will), I want everyone to know how much I love them and how much I love the Gospel! I'm wishing everyone the BEST week of their life yet! And if it's turning out to be an uneventful week, make it the best week yet (:

Nahigugma ko kaninyo!

Sister Lauck

P.S. For the pictures this week I have:

1. A picture with my new companion (which brings my total companion count to 3) Sister Porter, who is serving in New Zealand, Samoan speaking. She was SO great, and a perfect companion to end my time here at the MTC with

2. A picture with some of the greatest friends in the history of greatest friends!!!! Shoutout to Mics, Maris, Kie, Ian, Max, Mitch, and Dusty for giving me the BEST surprise ever - intercepting me on my way to the temple to give me farewell wishes and the best hugs ever (only from the girls of course (: ) I love you all so much!!!! Thanks for being the cherry on top of what has been a perfect 6 weeks and putting the biggest smile on my face (: You fubecas are the best!

Nahigugma Ko Kaninyo!

Kamusta to all of my wonderful family and friends!

 

First of all, a huge thanks to everyone that has sent me mail! I set the zone record this week for receiving 9 letters in a day, which made me feel the coolest missionary in the world!!!!! Everyone in my zone thinks that I'm super popular or something, but I tell them that somehow the nicest people in the world agreed to be my friends and I'm just really blessed as a result. Life can not get better at the MTC! Another week of learning, studying, growing, and mostly a bunch of fun! In my zone, I have been serving as the Zone Music Leader (I'm not that musically talented - I'm just the only one in my zone that can play the piano, so I was kind of a shoe in haha). I absolutely love my calling! I'm in charge of coordinating the music portion of our sacrament meetings, including special musical numbers. When I first asked the missionaries in my zone if anyone had any musical talents there was an unanimous cricket noise haha but we've been pulling out SATB numbers, a six elder barbershop choir, flute/piano duets, and gorgeous vocal solo's each week. I love to see all of the amazing talent that all of the missionaries have in my zone, and their music making abilities always bring a special spirit to sacrament meeting each Sunday. One of my favorite parts of each day is gym time. We can run, lift weights, play four square, basketball, and volleyball! All 14 of us Cebuano speakers have the same gym time as the Fijian/Kiribati/Marshaliese/Samoan/Tongan/Hilgaynon speaking missionaries aka it's Islander Central, which is super fun! Except for the fact that I like to play volleyball. And everyone knows the Poly's love them a good competitive game of volleyball. And they usually slam the volleyball in the ground like Donkey Kong would. So basically every time one of the Polynesian Elders go up for a spike I just pray for dear life that my face won't get smashed hahaha but it's all in good fun! This week I was able to reflect on why I decided to take 18 months to serve a missionary. I'm so grateful that I am able to be Sister Lauck because I have the opportunity to share what brings me the utmost happiness with others who do not know the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ! This Gospel is His Gospel, and I know that as we follow its teachings we will be able to come closer to Christ and be eternally and infinitely blessed as a result. I am so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and how He has been my advocate, my comforter, and most of all my friend throughout my entire life, and especially during these last 3 weeks. These truths have been manifested to me over and over and over again as I have been here at the MTC and I add my own witness. I hope everyone is doing wonderful and loving their life as I am mine!!! I am praying for everyone!!!!!!!

 

Lots and lots and lots and lots of love,

A very happy Sister Lauck (:

 

P.S. Here's a picture of me on the floor where I usually spend a 4 solid hours everyday haha it's my favorite place to study!

Kamusta!!!!

Hey everyone! Coming to you live from the MTC this is Sister Lauck!

Sister Lauck is official with her name tag!

I'm sorry I haven't been able to send an email yet after 17 days...haha  I promise I didn't die (though the shrimp nuggets they served at the cafeteria almost killed me).  Basically the last 17 days can be summed up with one simple statement - I LOVE being a missionary.  I am just so happy all the time.  I am happy to wake up at 6:30am each day (and anyone who has ever lived with me knows that this is a miracle)!  I am happy to spend 10 hours in a classroom studying each day.  I am happy to be learning how I can help invite others to come unto Christ - I am just a happy sister missionary!  Learning Cebuano has been quite a party.  I feel like this statement from my Cebuano grammar book best sums up my feelings, "The Cebuano language is both varied and unpredictable".  Yup, I feel like that's pretty accurate haha because Cebuano (or Bisayan as it is called in the Philippines) is strictly an oral language. There's really no "right" way to say something. When my district and I are learning Cebuano and we ask our teacher for an explanation they usually say, "It's just what sounds right".  Haha thank you.  I'm slowly learning what "sounds right" and I am really learning to love the language.  It's really neat to see how far I've gotten in just two weeks and I'm coming along just great.  One of our teachers told my district that one Elder left the MTC fluent in Cebuano.  Challenge accepted.  Speaking of my district, it is an all-sister district which is such a rare occurance!

The All-Sister district with Sister Mataipule from Australia, Sister Poteki from Tonga, Sister Lauck, Sister Crow from Buffalo NY, and Sister Holmes formerly from Cypress Texas!

We spend literally 24/7 with each and I love all of those girls to death! In my district are my two companions Sister Holmes (who's originally from my home stake in Cypress,TX - how cool is that??!) and Sister Crow (she is from Buffalo,NY and is basically amazing at everything). They are both fantastic and together we make a pretty solid companionship. Also in my district is Sister Mataipule and Sister Poteki, from Australia and Tonga. They are just a ball of fun and when you get the 3 of us together it's guaranteed we will end up on the floor in laughter. I guess that's what happens when you get the full tri-fecta of Polynesians together (:

Nothing but fun when you hook up three Polynesians!

I have already learned so much and have had so many special experiences here, especially pertaining to prayer. I want everyone to know that no matter what your relationship is with your Heavenly Father, whether you pray to him everyday or you haven't in years, that He loves you and wants you to talk to him and share your thoughts and feelings with Him. I know that He will listen to you and bless you beyond measure because He loves you. I hope everyone is doing well! I feel so blessed because I am pretty convinced I got THE BEST family and friends in the world. Thank you everyone for all of the letters and Dear Elder's, they make my day! I love you all!

Much love,
Sister Lauck

P.S. Here's a picture of my district, the poly connection, and me with my name tag on which totally makes everything official!

The Wait is Over!!!!

(The wait is over! We apologize for the delay for all of you who have been waiting for an update from Sister Lauck.  After 10 days in the Missionary Training Center we finally got out first email! It was actually an audio file that we have transcribed. She also said that she has yet to figure out how to send pictures, so stay tune for next week. Her P-Day's are on Friday, so look for updates then!)

Kamusta!  As you know we did not get our P-day the first week, which is a little frustrating because we went 10 days w/out one.  I know you want to know what happened on the 1^st day here in the MTC.  It was a bit overwhelming: there were a lot of orientation mtgs., how tos, showing us around, meals, and we met our Cebuano teacher who was spewing Cebuano as soon as we entered the room.  It freaked me out a little. 

I know that I mentioned in my letter that I was feeling a little overwhelmed, homesick, and sad that weekend.  Once the weekend passed I started feeling so much better-now I feel so great, I know my purpose, I have learned so much, and have had some awesome experiences. The language is going pretty well!  We started off with 1 teacher, then they added a 2^nd, now we have 3.  Cebuano is going good.  The language is interesting- there is no right way to say something, one Cebuano word can mean 6 different things in English, and there is no “to be” verb.   It was hard for me to convey my thoughts especially because I have a lot to say, and it was hard to do that w/my limited knowledge.  We have been progressing and have improved so much since day 1.  I can pray in Cebuano, ask someone to read a scripture, bear my testimony, ask some questions, and make some statements.

My companions are Sis. Holmes(used to be in the Cypress Stake), who is super awesome, and so poised,  and Sister Crow who is super cool, from Buffalo, NY, and our District Leader.  Our district is made up of all sisters- the 3 of us, and another sister companionship- Sis. Poteki from Tonga, and Sis. Matepule, from Australia.  They are so fun, I love them!   We are always laughing and get a little crazy together.  Sis. Crow and Sis. Holmes help to balance the district and bring us back in.  We all get along so well.  It is really rare to have a district of only females, so we are told.  

Our schedule is like so:  Wake up, eat, class for 3-4 hrs., then eat have class for 3more hrs., then eat, and class/study time.  We do get gym(50min.) 4x’s a week!  We are constantly studying.  It has so cool that I am not zoning out.  I am enjoying studying and learning as much as I can.  The MTC is not without trials, but I am happy.  I really enjoy the devotionals every Sunday night & Tuesday-they are always so comforting and motivating.  One of the greatest things that I have learned is to realize that the command of the language is not what will convert the people, neither will my words,  but the Spirit that will touch the hearts through my words.  It is a really good lesson for me to learn, and helps me not to stress out so much, not to worry so much about the language and to put my faith in the Lord and because I am His representative and called to do this work, He will make a way for me to teach the gospel.   Though I am not fluent,  I am so grateful for prayer I have had some of them answered this week.  It is so wonderful to feel the Spirit here.  I feel it often testifying to me of the truthfulness of the gospel on a regular basis.  It is so awesome!

Our Zone is made up of our district, a district of 3 Sisters & 3 Elders, then one made up of 3 Elders-all Cebuano speaking.  There is one district of 8 missionaries Ilongo speaking that are leaving next week.   We have a lot of fun together.  I was asked to be the zone music coordinator- responsible for putting together musical numbers on a weekly basis.  It is fun, but a few people have bailed on me.  Not cool, but life goes on. 

I wish I had more time, but we are asked to only write on P-days.  We are asked to also do things as a companionship on P-days, which doesn’t allow me to spend too much time doing any one thing or to do everything that I want to do.  I love you all so much!  I am fine and don’t want you to worry about me.  I am so excited to be a missionary and to bless other people’s lives because of the gospel.  An experience I had two days after I arrived I had an opportunity to practice what little language I had learned.  I brought a picture of our family and was able to say that “I know families are forever, and what a blessing they can be in our life when they are united”.  I felt the Spirit so strong, and despite the limited language that I had learned at that point, I know that the investigator felt it too. 

Thank you so much for the letters.  I really look forward to reading them, and they are so fun to read!  Each and every day I want to bring everything I have to serve the Lord in bringing others to Him.  I want to keep a positive attitude in all I do.  I am learning so much and doing super good!  Hope everything is going well at home.  I pray for you 5 times a day-I am not kidding, and I love y’all so much!

 

Sister Lauck

The Journey Begins!!

What a way to start the new Year!  After setting Sister Lindsay Lauck apart on New Year's Eve and getting very little sleep due to packing and arranging the departure of 10 people from our house, it was off to the airport and then down to the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.  I thought that maybe after being a veteran at doing this it would be easier the second time around, but it is always hard to say goodbye.  The great news is that Sister Lauck was ready and excited to begin her mission, and we are so excited for her to have this amazing experience.

While I am kicking off day one with a post of my own and some pictures to accompany the post, this blog will really be focused on Sister Lauck and her weekly emails, photos, and adventures in the Philippines.  We appreciate your love, support, and prayers for Sister Lauck while she is away serving.  Each one of you have played such an important part in her life, and I know how much your friendship means to her!

Stay tune for weekly updates from Sister Lauck!!!

Here is a picture of our family last night on New Year's Eve after Sister Lauck was set apart as a full time representative of Jesus Christ.

Here is Sister Lauck at the airport with her two brothers.  She had a 1st Class ticket on the flight to Salt Lake City, but in a typical show of selflessness, she gave her seat in 1st Class to Dustin.

One last family shot at the front door of the Missionary Training Center.  What a way to start a new year!  There were more smiles than tears, but we will miss our Pretty Pretty Princess!