The Pig

This week was wala'y klaro. If you speak visaya then you will know what I'm talking about. There was a lot of crazy/interesting things! 

Wednesday: There was a zone activity.. i think it goes down in history as the craziest zone activity ever. We go out to Calingling with the Dunne's and meet the rest of the zone there. We are right by this river and everyone is working hard to prepare the food. We have people skinning bananas, cracking open coconuts, scraping the coconut out of the shell, building what looks like a fire altar out of stones and banana tree trunks, and then me and my companion organized the vegetables.
So the zone leader shows up with a pig, pulling it behind him with a rope around his neck. When I was told we were going to eat pig, i didn't imagine we would see it alive. But alas, it arrived alive. The elder's ended up killing it (it was very loud, lot of blood, can't say I've ever seen anything quite like it before), preparing it, and putting in this homemade altar oven thing. It cooked so fast, and it was super delicious. I think our zone should get a reward. 

Thursday: We deep cleaned the apartment. It needed it badly. We spent a good 30 minutes looking for a less active. We found her singing in the videokehan. Mom, she sang "when you say nothing at all" and dedicated it to you. Just letting you know. Later that day we saw our investigator also singing videoke at the top of her lungs so we couldn't teach her... we're losing everyone to videoke.
This tatay we always walk past in campo 7 finally told us his name. tatay mente.
We had an FHE with the Lopez family, had a lot of fun. 

Friday: went out to eat for lunch, witnessed a guy from canada have a fit over his food because he didn't like the turkey. peasant..
I met the CUTEST little girl on a tricycle, she's 5, her name is Babylyn. she reminds me of Taylor, she kept asking me a bunch of questions.
Saturday: We got papers organized so one of the baby's of our less active can have a free cleft lip surgery! I hope it works out,their baby is so cute.
we were late to district conference because they told us it started at 5,, but it actually started at 4.... ka-awkward. 

Sunday: I ran out of milk. rough morning. District conference was really good. I really enjoyed the talks, we're trying to help sancarlos become a STAKE! It's going to happen, I can feel it.
I made this american flag out of these block things and it looked like a rocket so I called it a "freedom rocket" like those popsicles in america. we followed up with this member family on their reading, they haven't read since last year. I'm shocked by how few members of the church actually read their scriptures daily. I need to step up when I come home. 

Monday: we led zone language study, it was a blast. jokes... but i love having a native speaker as my companion. we met this old drunk tatay putting pink lipstick all in his beard so that he could "get rid of the white hairs" he found the tube on the side of the road. 

Tuesday: Some man walked into our lesson and tried to debate with me. I've been getting that a lot lately in my mission. I don't know why.. i think it's to help build my patience and kindness.... i'm getting sent the difficult people now.. I'm a seasoned missionary apparently.
the past few days have been really rainy and cold so we heated water and I had my first hot shower in the past year. It was glorious, i forgot how good it feels. all y'all are lucky with your hot water just saying. 

Love and miss you all!
I love being a missionary!
-Sister Katrina Dunn
P.s. we made our plates out of coconut tree leaves. #fabulous #bukidlife

Oh My Gulay

I started my 5th journal this week. Journal #4 was the biggest one so it took a whopping 5 months to fill in. I have many journal goals for when I come home as well, that's something I wish I did more as a teenager.

Wednesday: We had a productive day at the market, buying fruits and vegetables and fish. (BTW we cooked the fish later and it was delicious! its called bilongbilong). we're trying to eat more fresh foods instead of chips and other snacks. Hence, the homemade popcorn as well. Char. 

Thursday: I got hit with a mad cold and cough. I've been coughing all week. i think that is my biggest challenge on my mission, i can't stay well for very long. i think my health is almost back.
We taught a less active who stomped around her house like a 5 year old, i felt my patience being tested but i endured. Loving kindness, kana lang.
Shout out to the Reantuco's for feeding us Lechon Manok for dinner, still one of my favorites.

Friday: the ever thrilling weekly planning. we taught a woman who spoke mostly in Illongo so I had no idea what was going on. okay, i had a little bit of an idea, but it's quite different from the language I've been speaking for the past year.
some woman on a random trike kept taking pictures of me on her cell phone.
Also Cristale Mae, one of our recent converts is an absolute rock star. She's 12 and she took her book of Mormon to school so she could share with her friends. i was so proud of her example. I love the Castillo family. 

Saturday: sister Angar and I took a nice walk in the morning, and a pack of stray dogs wouldn't let us walk down one street so we had to back track. they just told us to leave, barking at us and such. "okay okay, we get the message"
We got asked if we were nuns... that was pretty funny. I bought a refillable star wars cup from 7/11, Kaylyn you have have it when I come home considering you like it so much. also, we don't know who the character is on the side of it, but he's wearing all black and he has a red light-saber so we just call him Satan.
there was a woman on one of the trikes who wanted to debate about religion, but all the stuff she was saying was a bunch of lies, i think she'd been misinformed. 

Sunday: Sister Angar gave a beautiful talk on reverence in sacrament meeting. It was so quiet, it was nice.
We learned about the tree of life in sunday school, we need to hold fast to the rod of iron. buot pasabot WE NEED TO READ OUR SCRIPTURES. somehow that doesn't click enough with people.
We went to a less active, she's only 15. she was skipping school with a bunch of her friends. bad environment, i wish she'd just remember what she knew before, and realize what she needs to do.
Trying not to get tired, trying to keep going here. I do love San Carlos, it's just truly difficult as well. that may have less to do with the area, and more to do with the fact that missions are just hard. staying optimistic, imma keep smiling :D

I love being a missionary!

love,
Sister Katrina Dunn

The One Year

I'm almost finished writing in this journal. That will be 4 journals filled in only 1 year. I've been kind of slacking lately. Only doing a page. I used to do like 2-3. At least I have something written. Cge... this week. 

Wednesday: Surprise interviews with President. Mine was good. :D But that's all I'm gonna say! SECRET!! 

Thursday: My one year mark. Officially. We celebrated with balut. Which by the way I have eaten 4 times this week alone. I haven't taken pictures yet, maybe next time. 

Friday: We shared about the Atonement with our recent converts and their family. It was a really good lesson. they are an example of a family who has sacrificed everything for each other. They are amazing. 

Saturday: We were teaching a lesson and the neighbor across the tiny path had a very loud argument with herself, and so we had to close the lesson because there was no spirit. One of our LAs knows what she needs to be doing, but she's being lazy... and not doing it. We're trying to help her.
I ate balut, but it was only 16 days so it wasn't very good, so i moved up to 18 days, much better. 

Sunday: many small miracles. we had an MCM, and were able to discuss the work. it was really good to see the involvement of the branch. I was so happy.
There was a broadcast for the philippines area, and it was late getting started so we missed most of it, but what we did see was good. They talked about the goals for multi generational families in the philippines, and also keeping the sabbath day holy.
one of our favorite members fed me bananas and sinkamas. 

Monday: I've been learning tagalog. I'm getting pretty good if i do say so myself. I'm learning it through visaya because it translates better than through english.
We got in this tricycle and this woman took a selfie with me without asking, so i just smiled really big haha, I'm famous here. jokes!!
We read to gemma out of 3rd nephi 11 because it's her favorite story in the book of mormon.it was really neat getting to read it aloud with her. she loved it. 

We went to get balut again, and when I peeled the first part of the shell off the little duck head was right there and I was like "hold up, usually I don't see it" so i was a little bit apprehensive, but i just drank the sabaw out of it and peeled the rest of the shell off, and put some salt and vinegar on it. and then when I tried to shove the whole thing in my mouth, the body broke away form the rest of the balut and fell into my hand, so I'm just holding this dead baby duck in my hand and chewing what actually got into my mouth and my companion just goes "come on sister dunn, you can do it, that's the best part!" so i take one more look and the adorable little beak and feet and eyes and then I pop it in my mouth and start chewing., I think I'm a changed person. Then I ate a second one. delicious. 

Tuesday: a long difficult day. sigh, it wasn't too bad. I think we're making progress with one of our investigators so that's good. 

Oh family, i love the philippines. It's my favorite.
I was reading in Mosiah 8:20 this morning and what struck me was the fact that the lord continutes to 'suffer with us' even when we're off the path. It made me feel better, how much he loves us and is willing to keep going along with us. He wont leave us alone.

I love being a missionary!
-Sister Katrina Dunn

New Years (wala'y resolution)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
January 6th. Exactly 1 year ago was my last day as a normal person. I remember getting set apart, with the best blessing, and then sitting in the living room of my home with Debbie and Logan discussing mission life, terrified out of my mind, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and I think on the plane I did a weird mixture of the two.

Tomorrow is my one year since I entered the MTC. I think of all the amazing people I've met, and I don't want to get nostalgic but I have a lot of thank you's to extend when I come home. I have the most amazing support system. I love you all!

Wednesday: We had a district activity. I watched them play, so that I could write in my journal, but then a group of 11 year old boys sat with me and we talked for a few minutes, so I was successfully distracted. The store was so busy so we did our shopping at the Mercado. It's okay, I'm native now.

Thursday: I got asked by my recent convert if animals could talk in the garden of eden, i think she was a little disappointed when I told her that they were just normal animals. We went to the Dunne's that night (sister Angar made tsamporado, my favorite!) to watch movies as a zone. We were supposed to watch Inside Out and Big Hero 6 which I was SUPER excited for, but inside out wouldn't download so we watched BH6 and Frozen. Sad to say I've never been so disappointed to watch Frozen. It was still enjoyable. 

At midnight was one of the loudest things I've ever experienced. People were setting off bombs and fireworks. In the Philippines, the objective is to, at midnight, make as much noise as you possibly can. It was fun, but I was exhausted, and as missionaries, it is impossible to catch up on sleep. 

Friday: EVERYTHING WAS CLOSED! It was difficult. 

Saturday: Our IBD's are giving me a hard time. I'm still working at it. I love them, and I want them to come to church. 

Sunday: So we went to their house to pick them up and they refused to come with because one of them was kind of sick. Okay, we will keep working at this, because I want them to succeed. I don't give up easy.
I finally cooked the pasta and mashed potatoes you sent me Mom and Debbie. They were delicious. No i have not yet seen a sighting of the package, but I have a hope that it will appear tomorrow!
I consumed more food on Sunday than any human should. I couldn't stop eating, I don't know why. Oh and I gave Clark his very own bible for Christmas, so we went to his house and talked about it with him. He's the most diligent 13 year old to read the scriptures ever! And his grandma, nanay po is the best! 

Monday: Exhausted does not look good on me. We practice taught on the Dunne's. In English. It was so hard! I'm not a good missionary in the english language. I have very limited abilities. They wanted to come work with us, so we went to our IBD's and she opened up more to us about what's holding her back. We went to my favorite LA and we're trying to help her get married. I saw some real miracles there, I see her faith building. She's so strong. 

We went to Trozo to the Castillo family whom I LOVE and ADORE! They are the best.
Tuesday: we finally managed to pay our electric bill. We waited in line for 1 hour and a half. Have pity on me please, it was a madhouse. At least the teller was still kind and not in a bad mood, that's good. 

The security guard at 7/11 started making fun of me because I eat there all the time. They have cranberry juice, don't judge! and their hot dogs, y'all know I love hot dogs.
We went to San Jose, Rosie is doing do good! She's coming to church, she just has to. Of all the problems in mission life, getting investigators to church has to be the hardest. 

Wednesday: The construction on our street this morning was SOO LOUD! Studying was difficult. But we're alive. I have no plans today, just boring shopping. Maybe something crazy will happen that I can tell you about next week. 

San Carlos is my hardest area, but I LOVE IT! I'm stretching and growing, and it's always a challange, but I'm stronger now than I've ever been before. Tomorrow is one year. that only leaves 6 months. See you all then. Kita kits, halong mo!

I love being a missionary!
Love,
Sister Katrina Dunn

The Anak

FAMILY!! I'm alive!! I'm no longer sick!! Miracles!!! I'm seeing so many blessings in my life right now! I'm healthy, I have a fabulous new companion, and San Carlos is progressing! #work

Wednesday: I was crying like a baby in Toledo. I miss my first area. I saw so many wonderful things there. It was a blessing to pass through, even if only for a moment. We got a jeepney express with the other trainers to Cebu and got there pretty late. We weren't allowed in temple complex because we might see the new missionaries so we walked right on past and saw some senior couples! These lovely people pulled 1000 pesos out of their pocket and told us to get something good to eat! We found this fabulous chocolate cafe and got these delicious things called Frio's! and I got this like dark sipping chocolate. Mom, you would love it. pure dark chocolate. it's that tiny glass because it's soooo rich. we all shared it. Then we went to this super fancy build your own pizza place that reminded me of one of those fancy restaraunts in Seattle. We built our own DELICIOUS PIZZA's and then went back to the apartment. Sister Abenoja was there because she's training too! BEST FRIEND! 

Thursday: we got up early and headed down to the temple. President had us for breakfast at his house. peach cobbler, bacon, the whole nine yards. We are so spoiled! I love it! It felt good to eat after 2 weeks of almost no food.
They lined the new missionaries on the lawn facing the temple and then we walked out behind them and when I stood behind my new missionary I started to cry because I knew she was mine. The trainers sang called to serve and then the new missionaries turned around and saw us for the first time. It was a really special experience. 

When I walked down to distribution I saw Mai2x, who i haven't seen since my training! I cried when I hugged her, she got me through my training, and now she's in the MTC. I'm so proud of her!
We took a bus back to Toledo, and I got to FTE a sikad driver, and her remembered me from my training! I got to see Sister Atienza, my follow up trainee, she's follow up training now, it's amazing to see how she's grown. We got a boat back to San Carlos and didn't get in till late. 

Friday: weekly planning, everything is a teaching moment. It's interesting having someone watch my every move to see how I do things. That's what training is i guess, teach by example.
I'm almost out of time so I just want to give shining moments to Sister Angar. She's from Davao, her and her brother are both on missions. She's super white, like as white as me, everyone here thinks it's really funny. She's native visaya so I dont have to train in the language (thank goodness), She's so good I swear she's pretrained. I learn so much from her every day. I'm so proud to have her as my companion. She loves the people here so deeply. 

I was able to go on exchanges yesterday and I had a heart to heart with my STL sister Larsen. She was trained in the same area as me, so she loves the same people i do there. She is so down to earth and a really good listener, I'm learning a lot from her. It feels really nice to have a good support system in the house. I feel exceptionally blessed.
I always feel like I have no time, is it bad to complain that 2 hours isn't enough? 

I loved my personal study this morning. I was reading in Joshua about when the waters of the river jordan receded when the feet of those bearing the ark of the covenant stepped in. Then they laid twelve stones as tribute. I chose 12 stones in my own life that represent the things I have gained since I've started striving to make Christ the center of my life. I wrote them down and I just want to say I've gained so much strength from my Savior. Jesus Christ has done it all for me. I'm trying to now go the extra mile for him. 

I love being a missionary!! I'll see you family on Christmas! love youusss!
-Sister Katrina Dunn

Spoiled

Hello family!

I know I say that every week but I can’t think of anything else to say. This week has been long! Yet short… And I’ve been really sick. Thank you for the prayers you’ve sent my way.

Wednesday: Sister Iongi worked with us because the Gihulngan sisters were staying the night at our house because…

Thursday: ZTM! Zone training meeting. We have them once a month. This time the workshop was on the missionaries first needing to improve their attitude, and then work hard for the miracles. I agree, there’s always room for improvement.

We went out to Trozo and the Castillo’s had made us pinaypay and Bicol express. I was in food heaven! It was glorious! That night I deep cleaned the bathroom, because I wanted to do something productive. The smell of bleach was so strong.

Friday: We had weekly planning for week 5. I can’t understand/believe where this transfer has gone. Time is moving so fast. We went to Joy and we were teaching about Pre-Mortal life and she just says “No, I want to talk about heaven.” So we changed lessons haha, she’s our recent convert, I love her so much.

Saturday: I woke up sooo sick. I was throwing up, I spent the whole day nursing a large blue Gatorade. I couldn’t even make it through personal study I went into my room and passed out. I wanted to rest but we had things we had to do, so we went out to Trozo and the Castillo kids were interviewed for their baptism. They passed! Then we had to go back to San Carlos, because it’s Russel’s baptism! I was so excited! I gave the talk at his baptism, go me! I’m a trooper.

Sunday: Fast and testimony meeting. The most interested fast and testimony meeting I’ve ever been subject to, but I’ll talk about it another time. The Dunne’s had us sisters over for dinner and it was fabulous. Potatoes and Chili and creamed corn, and REAL PARMESAN! I’m so spoiled. It was amazing, and a lot of fun just talking with them!

There’s a fiesta in Campo 7 this week, so we went by to visit a family and this drunk German man approached me and asked “From what are you?” in a really thick, slurred accent and I had no idea what he was talking about, but he left us alone after a second so it’s all good. He thought I was German because of my blonde hair.

Monday: We’ve been doing this 22 days closer to Christ program for Christmas and its super awesome. Also our DL gave a really good workshop in District Meeting, I was impressed. We went on exchanges and I worked with Sister Iongi, and we were able to visit Charlyn and she was sick, but let us teach her anyway. We’re trying to help her feel the love in the church, and not feel so discouraged.

Tuesday: We had a CSP in the morning, it was fun, and we pulled rocks from the river, so I got to hang out in a really warm, beautiful river. It was all great until I started feeling sick again, so when we got home I had to rest. I feel sad, I want to be working but I’ve been so weak lately.

Wednesday: I woke up this morning and I thought I was going to die. Be thankful that I have enough energy to give a full accounting of my week. I do in fact love San Carlos, do not fear, I just have not been feeling so great lately. This week I hope I’ll feel better because we are headed off to Dumaguete tomorrow for Christmas conference. I hope the bus ride doesn’t make the situation worse. Anyways, I love you family. Always remember that Christ is working alongside us!

I love being a missionary!

Love,

Sister Katrina Dunn

Lechon Thanksgiving

Yea, we celebrated thanksgiving here! It was delicious do not worry! Also big happy birthday shout out to Dad and Kyle! Happy birthday:D I love and miss you guys! Basta, this week, was long but short at the same time. Missionaries understand what I mean. Also I have had an ongoing headache for well over a week now and it won't go away. Ouch. 

Wednesday: We celebrated Thanksgiving with Filipino style. Lechon Manok and rice. It was delicious, lechon is my favorite. Y'all don't know what you're missing. While all the missionaries played frisbee I sat and talked with Sister Dunne about the mission. I love her, she's so cool! Everyone was playing barefoot and one of the elder's cut his foot on some glass and it was bleeding pretty badly, but he's okay. 

Thursday: EXCHANGES with Sister Jopson. She's such a stellar missionary, and she's my kabalay! She gets it DONE! I'm so amazed whenever I work with STL's because they've got it together gyud. We met some really amazing people that I'm excited to continue teaching. 

Friday: Weekly planning, a huge stress-er for me. Organizing interviews and baptisms and everything. But it'll all work out. 

Saturday: We went out to Trozo and it started POURING down rain at the end of one of our lessons and we had no umbrella. So we had to run through the rain to the next house, it was quite interesting trying not to slip. My goal for Saturday was to smile at everyone I saw, and I got pretty darn close to hitting my goal! I was able to talk to more people because of it, everyone just says my face is so isog! I'm working on it, i'm working on it! 

Sunday: No impromptu talks, thank goodness. 5th sundays are always interesting though. There's a family visiting the branch from Utah and the little girls only speak English and it's so hard for me to talk to them. Because everyone here that speaks english also speaks bisaya so i can mix them together.. the struggle is real. I don't think I can talk when I come home.
We were able to teach Evelyn! She was home finally, and she had some friends with her. She's a LA who was baptized a few years ago, she's 16. She's really awesome! I'm trying to get on her good side haha. Her friends were excited to join in as well. 

Monday: the leaders all headed off to Cebu for MLC so we had the apartment to ourselves for 2 days, it's pretty cool hahaha. in district meeting we were practice teaching and I got super distracted by the elder's thumbnails. They've started this new disgusting thing where they think it is appropriate to grow out there thumbnails several inches long. NASTY! 

Tuesday: I pulled out all of the former investigators that I thought were potential to go back to and we tried to contact all of them but most of them weren't home or still weren't interested. At least I tried. We worked our butts off tracting yesterday but it was to no avail. Lisod kaayo, apan padayon lang mi. there's nothing else we can do. 

So I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S ALREADY DECEMBER. I was looking at the date and I realized I hit 1 year next month. Who can believe I've already been gone that long? I can't, that's for sure. Time moves SO RIDICULOUSLY FAST as a missionary. Have pity on me that's it's going by too fast, i blink and I transfer, or another month has come and gone. I swear it was just my birthday, but that was 2 months ago. A LOT IS HAPPENING! And members keep telling me I need to get married IMMEDIATELY after my mission, like within a few weeks and I'm just like 'WOAH WOAH calm down there!'. But it's funny too, anyways, keep the prayers coming. I could use them!

I love being a missionary!
Love, Sister Katrina Dunn