The Lone Americana

Kamusta man??

More on my new companion, Sister Paragas! So she is from Pangacina (the northern part of the Philippines), turning 23 TODAY, and is almost finished with her mission! She goes home in 3 short weeks. Needless to say, she is so awesome and I love her so much! We have the greatest time together and I'm so lucky to have her! So obviously I live with Sis. Paragas, my companion, but we also share our apartment with two other sisters, Sis. Dala and Sis. Enlacinto. I'm not going to lie - when we're not working our butts off being missionaries, we have a lot of fun in our apartment! It's so funny because if the four of us go anywhere, everything thinks that I'm the mom walking with my three children, just because I'm a solid foot taller than the three of them haha 

So something that has been a little different, but really just a HUGE blessing and so much fun, is the fact that I'm the only non-Filipino in my apartment and in my district. Hence, I'm really immersed in the language and culture, but I absolutely LOVE IT!!!!!! I've also come to find out that the mission is the best foreign exchange program ever! I learn so much from all of the Filipino missionaries, especially the sisters I live with in my apartment, and I even get to teach them a thing or two (:

It kind of goes like this: 

-They help me with my Bisayan, and I teach them English slang words. 

-They taught me how to pick lice out of my hair, and I taught them that the fly swatter was not intended to be used as a back scratcher (which is what they originally thought it was haha). 

-They've taught me to learn all sorts of fun and yummy native foods like canned hash (my nickname for it is "Mystery Meat"), fish head, and chicken feet. And I've successfully got them hooked on imported American food, peanut butter and oreos!

-They teach me the right way to wash my clothes (we have to wash them by hand here, and I didn't know how to do that my first 2 transfers here.Which brings up the question - Exactly how well were my clothes washed for the last 3 months?) and how to go to the bathroom without toilet paper! And it's a work in progress, but I'm slowly helping them understand what it means to sing on pitch haha 

Really it's a beautiful thing! And probably my favorite thing about living with Pinays is that they are so happy, so loving, and giving. There really is such a special spirit here in the Philippines! The people here are so jolly and always celebrating, even if from an outsider's perspective there might seem little to be happy about. They are positive and strong in spirit, and it really is such a blessing for me to be assigned here in the Philippines. I absolute love my mission! And especially for the opportunity I have to be surrounded by so many Christ-like people! I love my calling and I love my work! Hope everyone is doing FANTASTIC!!!!! 

From a super super super happy Sister Lauck (:

P.S. Here's a pic of my companion Sister Paragas and I! Next week I'll send a picture of the 4 of us sisters in the apartment so you can get a good head of the height difference haha

Happy Mother's Day!

I have like zip time, but I wanted to shoot out a quicky for everyone (:

Okay so.... what's been going on with me.... So I have a new companion! Yup, I'm officially done with my 12 week training! Sis. T moved to a new area, so I stayed put here in TagBi. And my new companion is..... drumroll..... Sis. Paragas!!!!!! My first native companion! She is lights out awesome, the full package! We've only been together for 5 days but she already is my favorite person in the world haha more on her and my new Pinoy-style life next week!

Also, last week we had the best zone activity ever! We went to the beach and played volleyball! Does life get better than that? I think not haha of course we weren't allowed to get in the water and swim, but chilling on the sand was the next best thing (:

Also, there was a hopping party over here in TagBi last week! Every May 1st-3rd, there's a HUGE celebration in Tag Bilaran to celebrate and honor their saint aka lot's of street dancing and eating and drinking. Which of course as missionaries, we weren't allowed to participate in haha though we did have a drunk man dedicate a song to us while he was karoaking as we walked by - that was pretty sentimental lol jk actually we did participate in the eating! ISome very sweet members in our branch invited Sis.T and I over for lunch. I had the kiss of death experience where I mistakenly filled my plate with what I thought was beef teryaki, only to find out the hard way that it was indeed not beef teryaki, but cow liver and tounge haha don't know why I thought home cooked Filipino food was like Panda Express lol but I promise that is a mistake I will NOT make again haha

Anyway, Happy late Mother's Day to all of the amazing women in my life! Whether it be friends and family, I'm so grateful for all of your support and love! And of course I'm grateful for my own mom (: Anyone who knows my mom knows she is the most giving, loving, caring, sweetest woman in the world. I know my Heavenly Father loves me because He blessed me with her as my mother. Love you so much Mom (: And I love everyone else too! Hope you enjoy all of life's many blessings each day!

Lots of love,
Sister Lauck (:

Akong primero (:

Kamusta mo!!!!!

I'm doing just peachy keen over here in Bohol! This week was filled of firsts for me, so it was a memorable one! This week I experienced my first:

- Earthquake: That was so fun! No worries, it was a super minor one, no crazy shaking! We were in the middle of a lesson and then just like that, the ground started shaking. Everyone here on Bohol is a little spooked when it comes to natural disasters because a pretty strong earthquake hit last October that caused a lot of damage and death. And then one week after the earthquake, the big Typhoon Yolanda absolutely rocked Tacloban, which is the next island over. Elder Anderson, one of the 12 Apostles, made a special trip to Bohol and when speaking to the missionaries about the recent natural disasters he said, "This is just the beginning." Needless to say, we're all anticipating some kind of gigantically huge storm or earthquake this year, but every missionary has their 72 hour kit ready to go and the protection of the Lord, so there's no fear over here (:

-Lice Infection: Woooooo! Haha it only was a matter of time, considering how much all the kids like playing with my hair. Lice is a totally normal thing here, so it's no big deal (: My awesome companion will just have to spend hours picking out lice in my hair and smashing it with the comb! How fun is that!

-  BAPTISM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!: Yup, three months in the field, and I finally got my first baptism! Actually two (: Sis.Tita and Bro.Jake! It definitely did not pan out as I had imagined haha - the baptismal service started at 3pm, but NO ONE, I repeat NO ONE even started showing up until 3:30, there wasn't enough water so the font could only be filled up about knee deep (I'm not going to lie, watching poor Elder Lagahit try to baptize with the low water level was pretty entertaining), and they didn't have baptisimal clothes their size, so Sis.T and I just kinda had to make it work! Haha but the strong Spirit and amazing happiness that I had been hoping to feel for my first baptism was definitely there in full force, which was a huge blessing for me! It was especially neat to see Sis.Tita get baptized because it truly was a miracle! Her mom is strongly opposed against the Church and did not give her permission or blessing for Sis.Tita to get baptized, which had us in a rut for a month or so. But Sis.Tita, Sis.T, and I had a special fast and what do you know, the next week her mom randomly changed her mind and gave her permission. How cool is that! Just one of the many miracles I get to experience everyday here as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! I love my calling! It's the best thing I could be doing right now in my life! Thanks for being so amazing and supporting me out here in the Philippines! I feel everyone's love, whether it's through letters or emails or prayers!!!! You guys are so amazing! I love everyone so much (:

Sister Lauck!

P.S. This week's pictures: Bro.Jake & Sis.Tita and Sis.T & I being tarshiers! They're like these creepy little monkeys with leemur eyes that are the trademark of Bohol haha

Easter in the Philippines!

Kamusta mo??? 

First of all, I know this is so like 2/3 weeks late, but I finally got to watch General Conference here in the Philippines and I just want to say - it was SO GREAT!!!!!!! (: I'm so grateful for living prophets and apostles and inspired leaders who were able to deliver messages straight from our Heavenly Father to me (:

Moving on... Wow, my first Easter here in the Philippines! It was quite a fun one! Let's get to the nitty gritty!

1. I thought I'd try to be cute and "celebrate" Easter over here by eating Balut. For those of you who don't' know what balut is, it is a developing duck embryo. Basically like a fermented egg that's almost a baby chick, but not quite there yet. So yeah I ate that. And it was SO.GROSS. Hahahaha it was SO. GROSS. I slipped about half of it into my mouth, swallowed it, then threw it up in my mouth, then swallowed my throw up. No one should ever have to go through what I went through. Lol and the worst part about all of this was that the natives told me my tounge would be loosened and I would become Bisdak (translation: very fluent in Bisayan) if I drank the juice of balut. They lied. They straight up lied haha

2. So balut aside, Easter Sunday is honestly not a big thing here in the Philippines. Sadly, about 70 % of the people we visited on Sunday, didn't even know what Easter was. They just know Easter Sunday as that Sunday after Good Friday where they all go to the beach. But do you know what is HUGE here?? Holy Week! Because most of the population is Catholic, it's celebrated here in full force over here, especially Good Friday. Basically the entire city shuts down and at night they have a big procession of floats with plastic figures of the crucified Jesus and the Virgin Mary. And they believe that because Christ was dead by Friday, the night of Good Friday they can commit any sin they want without consequence. Hmmmmm, pretty sure that's not how the whole thing works, but who am I to judge haha. Oh, and do you know what else they do here for Holy Week. THEY LIVE CRUCIFY PEOPLE!!!! Like exactly the same as Jesus Christ was. Thank goodness I didn't see it for myself, but we heard of someone being crucified the next town over. It's really so sad.

Even though the circumstances were a little different here than back home, I am so grateful for my Easter Sunday that I had here. Though I didn't get to die easter eggs or receive an awesome basket from the Easter bunny, I got to reflect on the most important aspect of Easter: my Savior Jesus Christ. I'm so grateful He loved me enough to not only die for me, but to suffer for my sins, pains, afflictions, and trials. Because of that atoning sacrifice, He can understand me perfectly, and be my best Savior as well as my best friend through all of the ups and downs of life. I'm especially grateful that He was resurrected from the dead and that He lives now. He is real. He leads and guides the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on the earth today. He knows me. He loves me. I really am so grateful that I get to be His representative, doing my best to become like Him everyday. Though Easter is gone and passed, I hope we always remember our Savior in our minds and hearts and honor Him by trying our best to be like Him. Love everyone tons and tons! Hope everyone is doing just amazing! Happy days aren't given, they are made!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Gugs!

Sister Lauck (:

Sa mga bata!

Kamusta mo! 

As the saying goes here, "Everything's better in the Philippines",and it's so true! I love each week here and I'm having experiences of a lifetime.

Something that I've been SO impressed with while I've been here is how truly amazing the children are! Many of our investigators and recent converts are children and youth ages 8-12. They have such a sweet spirit and I love getting to teach them because I really do closer to the Savior each time. It really blows me away that at such a young age they have a desire to learn of Christ and His Gospel. Especially Sis.Hazel! She's 10 and a recent convert who got baptized in December. She's the only active member in her family and every week without fail she goes to church by all herself. Last week we asked her if she could try to invite her family to church and low and behold, next week she showed up to church and brought her entire family with her. She is a true shining example for her family, and most definitely for me! It's not hard to understand why Christ asks us to become as little children: humble, meek, mild, and honest. They are SO honest. Sometimes too honest! They always ask without fail:

1. If Sis.T is pregnant

2. Why my Bisayan is worse than a 2 year-old's

Hahaha needless to say, they always bring tons of laughter and energy to each day (: I'm so grateful for the time I have to be serving as a missionary, doing the Lord's work! I know that as we all strive for those Christ-like qualities that we will have a closer relationship with Him and see a better change in ourselves. Hope everyone is loving life (: Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ love you all! And me too (: Amping mo!!!!!

Sister Lauck (:

P.S. Here's a pic of Sis.Hazel and I and a picture of Sis.T and I with by far the rowdiest, but sweetest kids in all of Bohol haha they really do encompass the definition of a troublemaker

Snakes & Things

Kamusta mo? 

Okay, so I want to pay tribute today to the LAMI JUD (really delicious) food here in the Philippines! I promise you that you won't find more yummy bread or more sweet fruit (mangoes, papayas, dragon fruit, pineapple, watermelon - they've got it all) than here in the Philippines! They are also really big here on noodles, chicken and beef on a stick, adobo (marinated meat), lumpia (eggrolls), rice, and Sprite and Coke! Whenever people feed Sis. T and I, they literally put out the spread for us! haha  There are AT LEAST 6 or 7 dishes! Sometimes, the food is super delicious, and sometimes we are scared out of our minds to try whatever unidentifiable body part of an animal that they put in front of us! haha  Sis.T and I play this unspoken game for each dinner appointment that we have where we try to dish the gross food on the other person haha. It goes like this:

*Member brings out fish eyes*

Sis.T: Thank you so much but I am SO stuffed. But you know what, Sister Lauck LOVES fish eyes, don't you?

*Member puts fish eyes on my plate*

Me: Wow, why thank you so much! *Give dirty look to Sis.T* This looks so yummy! *I smile/gag/painfully swallow the fish eyes*

*5 minutes later, member pulls out chicken heart*

Me: Hey, is that chicken heart? That is Sis.T's favorite! She just told me earlier how much she wished she could have some

*Member gets super excited and dumps it on Sis.T's plate*

And we usually go back and forth like that for a couple of courses until we're about to puke haha, so that is one of our favorite games we like to play (:

Oh and I have to share my most exciting news this week! I committed my first person to baptism this week!!!!!! Or more like she committed herself haha  Her name is Sister Pearl and she had been attending church for 2 weeks before we actually got to meet with her. So it's our first lesson with Sister Pearl and after we opened with a prayer we asked her if she had any questions for us and she goes, "I know your church is true. When can I get baptized?" I thought at first that I did not understand her correctly, but I looked at my companion and her jaw dropped, so I know I did haha  Then we both basically gave Sister Pearl the biggest bear hug ever and she started crying and we started crying and laughing. I thought I knew what true happiness was before my mission, but in that moment of celebrating with Sister Pearl, I had never felt that much pure happiness before in my life. There is nothing more special to me than getting to watch people find the Gospel and come unto Christ. I love what I get to do everyday, I really do. I love the pure joy that comes from the Gospel. There really is nothing more sweeter and more precious that we can have in this life than our families, our Savior Jesus Christ, and His Gospel!!!! For those that have this, hold onto it. For those that don't have it, get it and it will change your life forever. Love you all SO much!!! Thanks for being the best support crew around (:

Nahigugma ko kaninyo!!!!

Sister Lauck (:

Kamusta mo?!

I am doing so great, just happy as can be here in Bohol! I love all of the fun surprises each week here in the Philippines (my personal favorite this week: when I went to the bathroom, only to find that there was no toilet paper, but just a ladle and a bucket of water. I will not expand on that story haha). 

I have completely fallen in love with the people! To be honest, most people here in the Philippines come from extremely humble circumstances. Their homes are literally a tin roof with some bamboo walls and they live from paycheck to paycheck, doing their best to make it. But they are so kind and so loving and giving! Maybe they're too kind because if we are tracting they will always let us come in and share a message even if they have no interest what soever haha. But also, the people here are SO FUNNY! They can't really pronounce my last name "Lauck", so they always say "Luck". And they crack themselves up telling me "Sister Luck, we are so 'luck'y to have you in our home" and various other really corny puns. Haha I love it! But perhaps the thing I love most about the Filipino people is their enthusiasm for karoake. It doesn't matter how poor a family is, somehow each home has a karoake machine. And boy, are they proud of their karoake. Whenever they sing, they make sure they crank up the volume as loud as possible so EVERYONE in the neighborhood hear them sing as worst as humanly possible hahaha I get the biggest kick out of them! Good thing Simon Cowell isn't here or he would rip them to pieces. But really, my ears almost bleed when I hear them sing, they are just the absolute worst! But I love that they just belt out each song with all of their heart, I gotta give them that (:

So I obviously I love the people. And I love the Philippines. But most of all, I LOVE my calling! It is so neat each week to try and help people come closer to Christ. I literally get to witness miracles each week. I can honestly say that I have never been happier in my life than I am now. I know that my happiness is because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It really brings infinite and eternal happiness into my life! It is true and restored and I know that everyone can have the same happiness that I have as they live its principles. When everything else fails in life, the Gospel is always there. How great is that! Anyway, love you all so much! Enjoy normal food and hot showers for me (and toilet paper too) (:

Lots of love,

Sister Lauck

P.S. Here's my comp and I , Sister T, doing a service project - aka cutting grass with a machete in the jungles of the Philippines! It was awesome, but I recommended to the family that they look into a automatic lawn mower haha those are a little more efficient (:

We are not sure if we should worry about Sister Lauck cutting herself or breaking her Teeth!