The End of Summer

I started my mission on January 7th, 2015. At that time, I had (i think it was) 544 days till I went home. Now I have 7 days. I first opened my call on October 5th, 2014 in between sessions of General Conference. I have 94 days from that point until I was to report to the MTC and I remember my mom telling me it was going to fly. And it did. 

I remember on Mother's Day, in 2015, I had 1 minute left of my skype call with my family, looking at 7 months of not being able to see their faces ahead of me, and hearing my mom again say "it's going to fly". Next thing I know it's Christmas. I blink one more time, it's Mother's Day again, and now I'm sitting in a little internethan, in Cebu City, while every missionary that walks in says "It's your last p-day right?" 

Sorry, I don't mean to reminisce so much, but it's been a sweet ride. To be honest I didn't want it to fly, but it did. I think every new mission, when they first get to the MTC feels that fear, most of them being away from their family for the first time. I remember as well my first night in the MTC, crying myself to sleep, not knowing how I was going to make it through the second day, let alone the rest of the 18 months I had ahead of me. Now I just laugh about it, and I'm happy whenever I hear of new missionaries going out into the world to serve the Lord.
So that leads me to this week specifically. Happy Birthday Mallory! Happy 4th of July America! I actually saw fireworks on Saturday.. not sure why, but I personally celebrated by watching them for a minute. 

Wednesday: we spent the entire day cleaning the apartment! Not super exciting but boy, did it shine!
Thursday: We had a wonderful day, HenrieLyn worked with us, and we saw miracles. 2 new investigators, and a day PACKED FULL of work. We got to work with some Less actives, and recent converts as well. That evening though we got hit with a huge flash flood. yep, just walking down the street in dirty flood water up to our knees while the rain just pelted us. 

Friday: my (LAST) weekly planning. I was so thrilled. hehe:D We went out, got punted 4 times, got 1 appointment and then... the rains came down and the floods came up.. for 5 hours.. The whole city was hit with bad flash floods. Unfortunately we did not have a house built upon a rock, and ended up getting soaking wet for the rest of the day. Not super pleasant... But we endured. 

Saturday: IT POURED AGAIN!! But we still managed to teach a days worth of lessons. Although like 50% of our FTE's for the day were making fun of us because we were all wet. And our 2 set appointments called and canceled on us. 

Sunday: Fast sunday, my favorite! I bore my testimony, and yea... it was nice. I gave a bunch of my candy away to the little kids at church. And then a british sister missionary in my zone called me Father Christmas. We were punted again, but we had a good day of FTE's. We hit our goal for the week. 

Monday: The district leader asked me to read my call letter in front of the district and explain how I felt about being set apart. "Let's just invite sister Dunn up here, because she's about to go home, not to rub it in or anything". :P
We walk and walk but punted anyways. so, okay...we were walking up the hill and we look forward and see two missionaries and I was thinking "wait, this is our area, who is that...?" and then they got closer and I saw that it was sister tago and I just started running and we hugged and it was super cool. Last time I get to see her.

We've started teaching this new part member family, and the daughter in law is super good. She understands so fast, and asks a lot of questions, and I'm really enjoying teaching her!
We ended up at Nanay Santiago's calendaria and we were sitting there and another LA showed up and it was perfect, because she's never at her house when we go by, but the Lord created an opportunity for us to teach her anyways.
Two sets of STL's stayed at our house and they brought us pizza from the MLC sister's meeting.. yes!! 

Tuesday: I didn't feel so hot but we went out to work, and we hit our goals anyways!

So this is my last email as a missionary.. i think... so I'll share my last thoughts I guess. I was trying to find the perfect scripture to share this week and I just kept thinking and thinking and I decided there is no perfect scripture, because this work is described in so many different verses. I thought about 2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" and also I really liked 1 Thessalonians 1:5 “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” which are both good scriptures. I have let myself change for this time that I've been given. I've tried to be the very best, so I could be effective. 

But the verses I liked the most is actually an entire chapter. 2 Corinthians 4. I read it this morning just feeling like... happy with what I've accomplished. "For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." 

I have tried to see the eternal things. I have seen the impact the Savior has had on my life. I know he lives. I know his church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only true and living church on the earth. I know Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, and that through him this church was restored. I know President Thomas S. Monson is his servant today, and I know that the Book of Mormon is true. 

I'm grateful for the Philippines Cebu Mission that changed my life :D
I love being a missionary (because this is only the beginning)
-Sister Katrina Dunn

Sunog

Week 3 blues got me down... but it's week 4, so it's in the past. And as Edna Mode puts it "I never look back darling!" 

Wednesday: we got punted that evening after P-day.. curse of week 3 i'm telling you! 

Thursday: It was a better day. HenrieLyn worked with us, i love her so much! She's so much fun, and she's a really good missionary. We hit up all our appointments that day, and we ate barbecue, there is a surplus of street food in Apas. It might be the best and worst thing that's ever happened to me. 

Friday: We got a call from the zone leaders that morning about a giant fire in our area, luckily it was far away from where we live. We did a temple tour with one of our investigators. We could feel the spirit really strongly. It was nice walking around the temple, and explaining the various ordinances, and relating it to the restoration. I learned a lot too, mostly through the spirit. 

Saturday: We went to go teach one of the members, and when we were walking to her house we were like "It's lighter here that normal.." and we looked up the alleyway and all the buildings were gone. It looked like skeletons, all the structures of the buildings that used to be there. All the houses and everything in them was completely destroyed. We ran around the wreckage and down the mountain to where the Sister works, and we found her just cooking food for her little calendaria, and I said "sister, we went by your house!" and she just says "there is no house." but she didn't seem very upset about it. She lost everything, and she was just joking around with us like normal. And then she insisted that we eat before she would let us leave.

Sunday: She even came to church! She is going to be so blessed. She's been such a big example to me the past few days! We were also able to teach our investigator at church as well. Also later when we were on splits I experienced a moment of breaking in and trespassing at a members house.. hehe :) I'll save that story for another day. 

Monday: THE PACKAGE CAME! in all of it's wonder! we have been eating like queens! Thank you so much Debbie and Mother!! We went on exchanges to Basak. We had a member work with us the whole day (I got to work with sister Quinney again!) and she brought her daughter with and she's like 7 and the cutest thing ever, so we were just running down the streets, swinging her around because she kept wanting to hang on our arms. We got kind of punted in their area,but everything still worked out ok. 

Tuesday: because of traffic,it tooks us an hour to get home through the jeepney network. super tiring! We found 2 new investigators!! this week looks better! Still seeing miracles from/in the mission!
I've been thinking a lot this week about the resurrection! my study this morning led me to 1 Corinthians 15:54-58

"54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

I really liked that part.. o death, where is thy sting? After thinking about all the people I've met, and hearing the sorrows that they've experienced because of death, I've loved the opportunity to teach people that it 'isn't the end'. Naa pa jud, even if we don't see it yet. For this is my joy, to teach the people of Cebu that they will live again, with their families. In my last week and a half of work I will be steadfast, and always abound in the work of the Lord.

I love being a missionary! 

-Sister Katrina Dunn

Mission Tour

Happy birthday Sawyer and Grandma!! 92 and 3! Some big birthday's no? Hehe :D
So bad news.. I did not find out where the sword of Laban is. But we heard a lot of other amazing things. Have no fear.

Wednesday: It was the normal.. We were doing laba in the afternoon and then the AP's call us and are like "Yea we're with Elder Ardern on the way to your house." luckily the house was already clean! But we jumped into action and did the touch ups in 5 minutes. He brought a really good spirit into our house, and he was telling us the secret to getting names up on our baptism board. And then he finished with this quote: "Those who honor the Lord, the Lord honors." Anyways it was an interesting experience.

Thursday: Got up early, got ready, headed down to the chapel. My interview was really awesome. I got some really good advice and insights for my life, it was a really special experience. I got to see everyone I love before I go home, last conference, last chance to take pictures with everyone. It's been a roller coaster. We learned a lot of really amazing things from our president and from Elder Ardern. When General Authorities talk to missionaries, they mean business.

Friday: We got this referral from the Elders, so we went to go teach her. She talked for SO LONG, but she has a lot of really good questions. We tried to keep her on topic so that she would understand without confusing herself.

Saturday: A very successful day. We went to one of our appointments and this man was outside and he was smoking so I asked him to put it out, so he threw it away and then I invited him to listen, so he came inside and now we have a new investigator! And we're teaching his wife too. 

Sunday: We had a Japanese investigator come to church. He really would prefer Elders to teach him. No I'm not offended, I understand haha... He was taught before by the Elders here but they got transferred out and now it's just Sisters in the ward... so... yea...
We had a lot of kuyogs work with us, but we managed to make it work. The day was ultimately a success.

Monday: Right when we got to work we saw one of the members (we teach her mom) so we were like "hey come with us really fast to teach your mom okay?" and she went with us and worked better than if it had just been us.
We helped a disabled woman hike a giant container of water up a mountain. and then we climbed another mountain to get to a lesson. Lot's of mountains, very tired ang akong legs. 

Tuesday: Long Evil Punted Day... LEPD... Basta, it was no fun. Almost every appointment we tried... they were either gone, or selling bananas, or getting water, or doing laba, or a multitude of other things so we couldn't teach. We were so discouraged by the end of the day. Everything was not looking good.

Wednesday: I realize after this I only have 2 more P-Days left... make your emails good...
My spiritual thought for today comes from my personal study this morning. After a totally awful day yesterday, I was like "okay, what do I need to learn here?" and I happened to be studying in Mosiah 8. You might be wondering, "what's in Mosiah 8?" Well I'll tell you.
Ammon and his friends are chilling with King Limhi, and King Limhi asks Ammon "hey, do you know how to translate?" Ammon doesn't, but that's not what I'm getting at right now. Limhi, after his people went through so many persecutions he was like "Okay, I want to get my people out of captivity." so he sends 43 strong men into the wilderness for the purpose of finding the Land of Zarahemla.

In verse 8 it reads: "And they were lost in the wilderness for the space of many days, yet they were diligent..." they were lost.. but because the were diligent they found the 24 plates that is the book of Ether. They went looking for the Land of Zarahemla, but the Lord had a greater purpose, and they ended up finding the record about the BROTHER OF JARED! That is just so cool to me! But anyways, I know that if we in this work, continue in diligence, even if it's 100 degrees outside, and people are rejecting us left and right, there is still a greater plan for us than we have for ourselves.

I love being a missionary!
-Sister Katrina Dunn

Donut

            

okay i have to have my hands fly like the wind, completely out of time. enjoy selfies in krispee kreme and pictures of my beautiful area. I'll be sad to leave this all behind, but I'm excited for the next few weeks that I have here! 

I've gotten to work with many amazing people this week, and tomorrow will be extra fabulous, because the AP's called and told me that I'm one of 10 people in the entire mission that get's to be interviewed by Elder Ardern of the 1st quorum of the seventy for the upcoming mission tour! So I am through the roof ecstatic! I'm going to ask where the sword of laban is.. just kidding, i'll be serious. I'm really excited! 

We have a new IBD, and we're going to hopefully start extending more IBD's this week to a few more people. 

I went to a lesson this week, and one of our investigators had started the BOM all by himself, and had a ton of good questions! 

Anyways, I love you all, be safe, see you all very soon! 1 month na lang!
I love being a missionary!
-Sister Katrina Dunn

The Land of Stairs

HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY TAY!! I can't believe you're already 8!! that's insane!! okay family.. apas is fabulous. we have this massive IT park in my area, let's just talk about this for a second okay...i have like 3 mcdonalds in my area, a burger king, starbucks, KFC, 2 jollibees, 2 7/11's and wait for it... A KRISPEE KREME!! Can we just address this for a second. I HAVE AN AMERICAN DONUT SHOP IN MY AREA and i couldn't be happier.. i've already eaten there, don't worry. 

The area is so full of miracle people as well, so it's worth it to climb a million miles of stairs every day, even though it's exhausting.
and it's tigulan right now so... that means FLOODING!! sister larsen knows what im talking about.. it's not just flooding..it's a river! It is dirty rivers.. everywhere. it means wading up to our knees. But my legs are like super buff now, from months and months of bukid, so i barely even lose my breath anymore. feeling fabulous. not skinny, but strong. 

We had 2 elect investigators at church on sunday, and almost all of our recent converts came to church on sunday. 

We went on splits on sunday and I worked with HenrieLyn and I'm pretty sure she's my new best friend, I absolutely love her.. 

so my batch is my new district leader, so that's a bit weird,. especially when he introduced himself to the district and he said "so i've been out for a while, about 1 year and a half...' so that hit me really hard. my mission is down to embers, but I'm going to make it a burning fire. We are killing it in the work, and I ADORE MY AREA!! The city is the place to be, seeing the temple every day..

I love being a missionary!!
-Sister Katrina Dunn

Ad2 sa Apas

okay.. big apology for my bad memory..
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAIMIE AND NICK!!!. i knew i was missing something. i had it written in my planner and everything and i forgot to email it, but anyways i hope you ate lots of cake and loved life.. 

family... we worked super hard this week and... bahhh im so sad we had so much success this week, and then last night nagtapok me sa balay dayon transfer calls came and our area is closing!! so i'm not dying in Aloguinsan.. I'm headed to the city!!! going to see lot's of miracles, and i get to see the temple everyday! Apas here i come!! 

I just want to let everyone know that i have approximately an MTC's time length until i see all of your beautiful faces again. it's my last transfer, i'm gonna make it count. I love my mission to pieces, i've seen and felt so many miracles. I know the Savior loves us!!
I only have 5 more emails left!! So that's a bit crazy!!!

Love you all!!
I love being a missionary!
-Sister Katrina Dunn

Miracle of Zone Conference #50

I saw miracles. I saw happiness, and tears, and love. 

Wednesday: the activity at Hermit's Cove didn't work out. It's okay though, we can't swim anyways.

 
Thursday: Trying hard not to debate with people.. hehe... the struggle is real. But sometimes my scale of kaya is low. 

Friday: Oh my gulay we were so punted... but, we continue in faith bitaw? haha..

Saturday: day of miracles!! Day full of people that were at home, and willing to be taught. And I love that things go up and down and that the Lord knows what we need when we need it. And we totally walked up this hill and saw a ton of wood reindeers, and I was really confused for a second and then we asked what they were for..: EXPORT daw. So whenever you all see those vine-like reindeer at Christmas time.. I know a dealer haha. 

Sunday: It rained all day and it was SUPER HUMID. just saying. i taught gospel principles again, and yea.. it was on repentance and we ALL learned some important lessons.
We had to reserve one of our gahi investigators... maybe it's not her time yet.. but i had a really interesting moment with her when i bore her my testimony. I know the things that i've been teaching these 16 months are true.. and we can be so blessed if we just hang on a bit. 

We traveled to Pinamungajan and slept at the sister apartment. We got up @ 4AMand took a ghetto V-hire to the city.. and the driver totally hit a dog when we were riding and i was front seat so I saw it (and felt it) and i screamed and the elders all started laughing at me.. my life is super exciting..
We went to that tablea chocolate shop again and i got that fabulous chocolate frio and i was in heaven... i suggest it to all who come to the philippines. 

I gave my photos for immigration to sister nelson and she tacked them on my page.. and when i saw sister quinney she told me that our flights have already been scheduled. im like mentally losing it.. time is too fast!!!
The zone conference was AMAZING oh my goodness. We learned a lot, but the biggest thing that stood out to me was "know the why" of the work we are doing. Love truly is in the center of all of this. 

After Lunch we saw a bunch of missionaries that served here before and are back for a humanitarian project, and my brain was like flipping because I saw so many people i knew from my training... and then i bore my final testimony to all the missionaries on cebu island... and i was trying not to cry as I released 16 months worth of testimony and feeling to every body.. it was a really good experience.
I saw a bunch of my old companions... sister quinney, sister tago, and sister atienza.. and then just people i love like sister hartog... 

after the conference was over, we were all taking pictures outside, and i was talking to some of the RM's that were there and then i heard someone say "peasants sila bitaw" and i recognized the voice and i turned and it was Sister Beyer! I screamed and cried and just hugged her.. I haven't seen her since she went home in August and it was super fabulous and everything just came flooding back from before and we just had a few minutes of our old deep talks and.. it was the cherry on top of the whole day. we walked out to the street, and she took a jeepney, and i took a taxi... and im really excited to see her again in July. I love her so much! 

My zone got another v-hire back to Pinamungajan and we played a bunch of car games, and like half of them couldn't get them, but it was a lot of fun, and we were a bit loud but hahah, i don't think the driver hates us too much.
We slept at the sister's again because it was too late to take a tricycle back to Alo.. 

Tuesday: we woke up, took a trike, and then did our studies as normal. and then we worked our butts off all day. We are exhausted but it was totally worth it! we found a ton of new people to teach, and that are ready now. #scatteredIsrael. and we did some service... we like.. shucked corn... i think thats what its called.

Anyways family... i love you!!!!!
I love being a missionary!
Love,
-Sister Katrina Dunn