Week 7 - I ate Baloot!! (Watch the Video!)

Oh my goodness Maayong Hapon (or Aga sa Amerika) but it has been so long since I have last talked to y'all! So I am happy to tell you I am officially in my mission and in my area Sipalay. Which is the very most south zone of bacolod. 

First though- I will let you know that I can, now indeed, say that I have tried the infamous baloot. Yeah that's that duck egg thing that they don't cook until it's almost hatched. Did I gag many times? Of course. Did I eat the whole thing? Of course. Did it taste horrible? Actually no. PERO I could not get my mind off the idea that I was eating feathers and crunching on things I didn't know what it was. So yeah. Will not be doing that again- but I had to be able to say I did it. Hopefully I will have time to attach and send pictures and my video of eating it. It really does not look appetizing. I hope you're proud that I put that thing into my mouth. 

After 7 weeks together, it was super hard to say goodbye to Sister Bergman. I actually ran into her today because my companion and I are in Bacolod for a doctor appointment of hers. So that was an extra special treat and my heart burst for joy over seeing her. She really is such a special soul to me. Has such a dear part in my heart for all she did for me. But yes, I am here in the field and yes I am loving every second! Of course, the language is a struggle but nothing more than what I prepared myself for. I have been able to testify in every lesson, as well as share how I receive answers to my prayers for one of our investigators named Raul. It was such a neat experience and I can just see the light of Christ in his eyes. But yeah, my new companion is Sister De Leon and she is from Manila. And she has 6 weeks left on her mission, so I am going to be the one to "kill" her (be her last companion). But yeah, she is super pro at the language and everything missionary work related so she is sweet to have patience with me as I figure out what I am doing. But truly- I love it here and this work is so real and so rewarding. She already has like 20 baptisms on the schedule for the next few months. This place is crazy prepared. 

One funny thing about the Philippines, is well- I am a skittle in the midst of a bunch of M&Ms. Meaning I am the only white one basically here and so in result, EVERYONE stares at me. Like doesn't try to hide it either. Just stares. It's quite funny. And as soon as I introduce myself to anyone, one of the first things they say is "Guapa ka" which means "You are beautiful". Everyone here wants to have white skin. Like literally- their body washes and soaps have "whitening detergent" in them so they can become more white. They relate white skin with beauty. And blonde hair. So yeah, I am complimented a lot here. It's quite funny but so sweet. These are just a few of the comments I have gotten: "Guapa gid sister" (You are so beautiful sister) or "You look like a doll, you are so perfect" or "You look like barbie" or "You are going to be so sexy here" hahah those were her exact words. Didn't really know how to respond to it. And then some young men have called me hot and one pretended to kiss my hand like I was a princess but I kinda freaked out and awkwardly laughed it off. Hahahha but yeah people here are super nice and I feel very showered with compliments. And they will say it over and over in the same conversation and I don't really know how to respond. Like do I say thank you every single time? I don't know. Still figuring things out(:

But anyways, yeah it rains a lot here. I got some rubber shoes at the Manile MTC that I wear everyday because my other shoes would get ruined. I also have the water shoes we got from amazon that has been awesome, they just don't dry as fast. But I wear both of them. Yesterday, church was in Ilonggo which was fun hahha and it was testimony meeting, but the Branch President asked my to bear my testimony first, so I did. I got some giggles when I said sorry for my being white but overall, it was good. The saying here is "sagad" which means pro. And every time I speak, basically, someone, usually my trainer, says "sagad!" So that is always comforting. I think I am well on my way to learning the language but definitely have soooo far to go, naturally. 

I love y'all so much! And since I am in Bacolod, I do not have all my notes of my spiritual promptings and insights I usually have for emails, but I will just leave with a simple thought. I read, in one day (because I could not put it down), "Our Search for Happiness", by M. Russel Ballard. And holy smokes. So good. Literally anyone who reads my letter needs to get their hands on that book. It explains so well what we believe and why we believe it. It is good for members of the church and non-members the same. It is so stinkin good. I just was reminded that I am so lucky to have grown up in this church. The immense eternal blessings that come from living this gospel are so much greater than anything in this world. I am so happy I get to share this happiness with the people of the Philippines. I know this is the true church of Jesus Christ and that Joseph Smith really did restore the fulness of the gospel on the earth. And wow, how grateful I am that he did.

I miss you family! I love you! Keep being awesome!

Sister Robertson

Me with President and Sister Sumagpao, my new mission president and his wife 

All of the new missionaries that arrived in Bacolod with me

This is Baloot. Gross looking. 

This is one of the dishes they served us and it was superrrr yum. At the Manila MTC. I later found out what it was and let us just say I was happy I found out after

This is one of the dishes they served us and it was superrrr yum. At the Manila MTC. I later found out what it was and let us just say I was happy I found out after

This is UBE ICE CREAM! It was super yum. I can't explain the taste but yeah super yum. And super cheap. Like 25 cents.

And this is outside of the church building in Sipalay. THIS ISLAND IS SOOOO BEAUTIFUL I DIE!! And my area is right by the ocean which is gorgeous and I will get a picture of the beach another time.

Here is the Manila Temple. SOOOO pretty. We got to do a session and it was super small but super beautiful. Luckily it was in English!