Week #3? I can't believe I'm already half way done with the MTC!
This week was momentous! We have now taught multiple lessons in
Hiligaynon with no notes. And not just translating and memorizing but actually
following the spirit and having conversations with our investigators.
Obviously it takes 10 years to say things because you're conjugating while you
go, and a lot of what we say is dumbed down because I only know so many words,
but in the simpleness of our message, the Spirit testifies of truth. I
love being able to better help our investigators and I know it will only get
better over time.
For TRC (Teaching Resource Center), my companionship got to
teach a real Filipino who moved to Utah from Bacolod! Since she grew up
there, she definitely knows Hiligaynon backwards and forwards. At first I
was intimidated when I found out we would be teaching her a simple
message. Even though she's LDS, I was a little scared because of my lack
of language skills. But one of the Elders, Elder Schow, could tell I was
nervous and said, "There's no fear in faith, sister." I
immediately calmed down and realized all I could do was my very best and the
Lord would do the rest. There is never a reason to fear (freak out in my
case). Anyway, as we walked in, I realized we were the LUCKIEST companionship.
Sis. Konichi is so wonderful and kind and happy and the type of person you want
to be around all the time. We were almost laughing the whole time
because of all the jokes she was telling. The crazy part was that we
could actually understand her. I gave her a short message about God's
love, after we got to know her, and read a few scriptures. We always read
out of the Book of Mormon because that's all we have translated into
Hiligaynon. That experience reconfirmed that I know I will Love the
Filipino people. I was called to the Philippines for a reason and God is
aware of me, He loves me, and helps me with Everything.
Our companionship does a weekly inventory of goals, what's going
good, bad etc. This week my companions told me to be careful about
laughing too much. I know there are times when it is not appropriate to
laugh, but I thought I was doing really well. Regardless, I started trying to
laugh quieter and less often. But I realized it was sort of making me
depressed. Our teachers have individual coaching hours where we can ask
any questions about missionary work, language questions, or anything, and I
asked whether or not my laughing was a distraction in class. He just kind
of chuckled and I realized it was a really dumb question. But I just wanted to
be respectful of everyone's learning and respectful of the spirit. He
told me it was totally fine and my laughter actually helps the class relax a
little because everyone's kind of getting really stressed out. I know I
will continue to laugh while trying not to annoy my companions. But my advice
to you sisters: Ally, Megan, McKenna, (sure why not Lilly too), is to laugh
laugh laugh. It makes you happy, healthy, and not depressed and it really
does affect your day. It reminds me of that general conference talk from
forever ago about laughing when you are about to cry. Don't worry, I do
it all the time. Plus, your eyes never get puffy that way!
This week I was assigned to be our branch music
coordinator. I get to pick sacrament Hymns and assign musical numbers.
There's so much musical talent in our district, it's insane.
Also, some funny things happened as well. We played
softball for gym one day with just the 13 missionaries in our district. Elder
Morgan, from Australia, and Elder Manu, from Tonga, had never played before.
They didn't know any of the rules. Plus, some of us sisters who are a little
"challenged" at the sport were there as well. On the flip side, we
have two Sisters who played in High School, two elders who played baseball in
High School. Let's just say it could have been really awkward and
embarrassing. Which is sort of was. But it ended up being so much fun.
Sometimes it's weird How nice and supportive and helpful everybody is. We
just laughed the whole time, which usually annoys the people who can actually
play, but they were joining in and helping to teach everyone. It was like
a big bonding love-fest. I love the unity that the spirit can bring to a
group of random people from all over the world. Another "funny"
moment of the week was when our teacher, Bro. Oldroyd was flipping through his
old planner while he was teaching us how to use it to plan for lessons and
such. Then he randomly pauses in the middle of one of his sentences and says,
"I wrote as one of my goals to buy a pet crab... I better get on
that." He's more of a serious teacher, so when he said that, it kind of
shocked all of us and we just erupted in laughter. I'm realizing I find just
about everything funny... which I guess is not a bad thing, but I'm sorry if
this is just really boring.
On Sunday night, after the devotional, we were able to
watch Sis. Monson's funeral. It was so hard to see the prophet in so much
pain, but is was also really neat to watch Sis. Dibbs talk so fondly about her
mother. I had an impression before the video started to write down all of
the attributes of Sis. Monson. So throughout all of the speakers, I wrote down
all the qualities and characteristics of Sis. Monson. I love that
list. I've looked at it a lot over the past few days and I really feel
like they are things that I want to develop in my life as a current relief
society member, and future wife and mother. I 'm so grateful for all the
learning and growing opportunities I have been given here. There is so
much good around me, I feel kind of selfish sometimes, but I know I am so lucky
to be able to serve and help the people in the Philippines. I know that Heavenly
Father loves all of his Children and He wants all of us to be happy. I
know the Church is true and I know I am where I am supposed to be. I love you
all and thank you so much for your positive examples and support!
Pallangga ko
kamo! (I love you all)
Sister Smoot
Pictures of the Week
Laundry in the Dungeon!
Our
thermostat has been broken for the last three weeks and stuck on 63 degrees. It
has been so cold that one of the Sister, Sis. Van Slooten got sick and couldn't
get better, so her companion Sis. Livingston sent this in to management. I just
thought her wording was funny!
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