Week 49

Good morning!!
Wow, I can't believe all that's happening... here and there!
Congratulations to Jarom's family, who had Emma sealed to them this
last week.  And also mom and dad who are about to leave for their
mission soon!  BTW, Thanks for my birthday package!  It actually came
really quickly, almost 2 weeks ago. I forgot to mention in my last
letter ;D  I was very happy to see all the cute drawings and letters
from my nieces and nephews :D I also finally got my Preach my gospel,
so thanks so much!!!
The week before last, I had my first experience teaching someone who
was deaf.  A deaf member in our ward, Joven, worked with us that day
and helped us to communicate with them.  We weren't able to get a
return appointment, but it was still a good experience.  I gave my
very first sign language prayer... :)  I had thought that experience
was hard... but this week we experienced something even harder.  There
are two deaf men, Mario and Freddy, who attend church every sunday and
we just found out that they haven't been baptized yet.  I am excited
to teach them, but the hard thing is that they don't know sign
language and they don't know how to read either.  They didn't have any
schooling. :(  The plan before we went is that I would sign to Joven
what we wanted to teach and he would help us act it out because he has
experience trying to communicate with them.  When we went to visit
them however, Brother Joven was sick and wasn't able to come with us.
:(  It was the weirdest lesson I've ever taught... we basically just
showed pictures of Jesus Christ and nodded and smiled really big to
them, haha.  We tried to show how there was a God the Father and God
the Son and how they have bodies and about the holy ghost, but I
honestly have no idea if they understand a thing we are trying to help
them understand!  They want to be baptized though... I think... when
we act out being baptized they nod, haha.  And at the end of our very
short lesson, Freddy pointed to the calender on the wall and we
pointed to the next Thursday for our return appointment and he gave a
thumbs up.  Hopefully Joven will be able to come next week, but even
they have a hard time.  Freddy gave the closing prayer... a very long
silence... when I peeked, he was still closing his eyes and folding
his arms very reverently. :)  I wonder how he prays... not with words,
but with thoughts?  Are they organized thoughts? Does he understand
who he's talking to?  I think so... I felt the spirit at least, and I
think he does as well.  Why else would he come to church every Sunday?
I think it's election week?  All this week, there have been vehicles
driving around blasting really loud music and jingles and stuff about
those running for mayor and other things. It's all part of their
campaign and the picture of the person running is all over the vehicle
and all over the city.  It's a bit distracting during lessons when one
of those vehicles comes down the road... because it's REALLY loud, but
it's interesting to listen to!
Saturday, while walking from an appointment, we were walking close to
another women and we started talking to her.  The next thing we know
she is sharing her life story that is really, really sad!!!  Her son
was killed and she has no husband and so many other things and she
feels as though God has forgotten her and she started crying... right
there in the middle of the road.  We immediately assured her that God
has NOT forgotten her and we testified that God has a plan for her and
loves her.  We gave her a Plan of Salvation pamphlet and got her
contact information.  Later in the day, we found her house and she was
there.  She had already read the pamphlet and was planning on coming
to church, which she did yesterday.  It's so wonderful when things
like that happen.  People really are prepared to accept the gospel,
and think.. if we hadn't talked to her while passing her on the road,
she would still be so sad!  Of course her life is still sad, but I
love that we have such a wonderful message about hope.  I am excited
to continue visiting her!
We have been really overwhelmed this week with all the work we have to
do!  I feel bad, like people are being left out, people who need the
gospel just as much as everyone else.  We still haven't had the time
to contact all our referrals.  We have so many investigators that are
progressing that we need to focus our time on right now.  Yesterday we
had 8 investigators come to church!  Brother Roxas is so funny.  After
sacrament meeting he almost went home, but he was taking his time
(purposefully I think) because he really wanted to stay.  We ran out
and convinced him to stay.  He's just shy, haha.  And we had a
wonderful lesson for them about temples and family history work.  For
the first time, instead of talking nonstop, he listened and even asked
a few questions!  This stuff is all new to him and I'm excited to
share about our life after death in our next visit with him.
The best thing ever though was this guy named Roger.  One day, a
random guy with an interesting style came up to me and said "Hi, I'm
Roger!" and was very kind of overly friendly... we invited him to
church and he said he would come.  Yesterday, he DID!  He's not our
investigator yet, but it was exciting to see him there.  In the
parking lot before church, he saw Sister Harvey and thought she was me
and kissed her on the cheek and asked if she remembered him.  She
didn't, but encouraged him to come inside.  Then I came up behind them
and he realized it was me!  He then kissed me on the cheek as well!
haha... both of us just froze when that happened, not knowing what to
do, haha.  He said he had to get a haircut and would come back.  We
said his hair was fine the way it was, but he insisted.  During Sunday
School, he did come back - with a new haircut- and it was a really
good lesson and experience for him.  In the middle of class, he
whispered to us and said there was something really important that he
needed to go to and if it would be okay if he snuck out... we said it
was fine, but he didn't.  I think he was too shy to leave in the
middle.  Shortly after, talking about temples, he stood up to ask a
question.  He explained that he lost his misses and asked what he
needed to do to be with her again.  It was so wonderful!  I was so
happy to share what I know with him and promise him that he can!!! He
stayed to the end of the lesson and then shook hands with every person
in the class before leaving.  He's an interesting character, but I'm
excited to start teaching him!
I'm really enjoying the work here.  Sister Aurelio and I are enjoying
the area, and enjoying each other. I've been having fun teaching her
the piano whenever we have a few minutes or how to beat box and do
sign language.  She has also been a big help in expanding my
vocabulary in Tagalog.  I'm enjoying learning both Tagalog and Karay-a
and I'm continuing to study Hiligaynon as well for if I get
transferred back to a Hiligaynon speaking area.
I love you all, take care this week :D
Sister McClellan