Sister Brittany Robertson: Week 2 - I love hiligaynon so much

Hello Hello Hello!!!

Oh what a glorious week!! I loved your letters and the analogy with the Piano Tuner learning to enjoy even the tedious work. Applying it to missionary work is something new to me. I read it to my companions because I think there is something to learn for all of us from that story. I have endlessly heard missionaries say that are so tired of the MTC and want to leave more than anything, so I have been extra conscious to not be like that. Sister Bergman and I tell any new missionaries coming in: "Just don't wish away your days at the MTC, just love it." And it has helped us to keep that mindset as well. I love it here. I do not think I will ever stop loving it here. Although I am so excited to go to the field, I would not wish to have any less time here, because I need all the preparation I can get. Class twice a day can sometimes feel long, but my way of thinking of it is that every minute that I am in class, I am progressing in knowledge. Both with the language and about the gospel. I love learning. I love that everyday there are more words and more sentences I can put together to communicate in the beautiful language of Hiligaynon. Oh also, sidenote, for those who are wondering. I figured out that Hiligaynon and Ilonggo are, yes the same thing, because "Ilonggo" is how you say "Hiligaynon" in hiligaynon. So like Spanish and Espanol are the same thing, so are Hiligaynon and Ilonggo. So when we are speaking Hiligaynon, we will refer to it as Ilonggo, because that is the correct translation. And that is why natives only understand Ilonggo, because that is in their language. But "hiligaynon" is english. I don't know if that made sense, but that is the explanation I got.

My week wasn't anything special or different, but I just love it here. The devotionals are amazing here. Did I tell you last week's devotional was M. Russell Ballard? I think I did but just in case I didn't there is that. This week was Elder Cecil Samuelson who used to be a member of the seventy. It was on Pioneer Day so he started by telling a story about one of the Pioneer's in his family and how much it has impacted him. He said that our missions CAN, if we let them, bless lives for generations. And then he continued to say that the group of missionaries out now is the best group of missionaries since missions were organized, which was a pretty profound saying. He said, later, that "to obey is better than sacrifice" and when we met as a district to discuss it afterwards, we agreed that it is one thing to sacrifice 18-24 months of your life, but that time can mean very little and bring about very little change if you are not obedient. Being obedient to God and His commandments is preparation for God to use us in a greater way. We can be tools in His hands, but first we must sterilize our lives of all ungodliness. His talk was beautiful and we talked about it for a long time.

Our lessons have been going well. We started something called TRC that is where we teach members. So this means we will focus on doctrine that will specifically be helpful in their lives rather than teaching them the first lessons of the gospel. It went well and we are getting the hang of going off script more and more. Yesterday, we decided we will go off script the whole time and rely on the spirit. It definitely was harder, but it is amazing how much the Lord can work through you if you rely on him. Of course we prepared, because we need to do our part before He can do His, but the promise in D&C 33:10 that says "open your mouths and they shall be filled" is so true. The Holy Ghost was able to work through us more than when we went in with a script. It was powerful.

Other than that, not a whole lot to report on, but we have been learning grammar in class, so I can finally put together correct sentences without guessing. I am learning so much and it is remarkable how my companionship can teach a 25 minute lesson all in Hiligaynon and get our point across the whole time. The gift of tongues is so real and I love it. I love hiligaynon so much. I have been sick since Wednesday so that was definitely a test of my faith, because there is not really compensating for sickness here. You just need to deal with it, so I have been extra relying on the Lord and he is pouring blessings down on me. My companions are awesome and have been so selfless, so I know the Lord is watching our for me. I am feeling better today and will be good as new so soon. Oh also, we are instructed to write talks for every Sunday we are here, because they do not tell us who is speaking until they announce it, so that is always exciting and nerve racking going into sacrament haha.

Oh, I almost forgot! So you know how the one thing about my companions you said I don't want is an "essential oil" companion. Yeah so I have an essential oils companion. It is so funny. We laugh about it all the time and I told her that y'all said that and she thinks it is so funny. She wants me to tell y'all that she is going to convert me to essential oils and to tell y'all I will never go to a doctor again. Of course, she is not actually like that but I think it is funny that my very first companion is one. But hers smell delightful and she keeps giving me oils to help my sickness and I just laugh. They definitely help but Nyquil helps more hahaha. She puts it on her toes and neck and just weird places so I mess with her about it. It is Sister Bergman. We are buds. I love her. She loves being exactly obedient with me and so we do it together and love every second. Missionary work is so wonderful and it is such a blessing I get to do it for the next 18 months. It is crazy I have already been here for more than 2 weeks. It has felt like a few days. I am just happy as can be.

I just need to plug in some Hiligaynon because I can't not do it:)))

Kabalo ako nga ginsulat sang mga propeta ang Libro ni Mormon para sa aton kag ginahatag sang Dios ang pagpahayag paagi sa mga propeta. Kabalo ako nga paagi sa pagbayad-sala, mahilway kita halin sa aton mga sala. Magpalangga ako sang ebanghelyo. Sa ngalan ni Jesucristo, amen.
(I know that the prophets wrote the Book of Mormon for us and God gives revelation through the prophets. I know that through the Atonement, we can be freed from sin. I love the gospel. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen)

Love always,

Sister Robertson