Week 42

Dear Family!
This has been a fun week!  The first part of the week, I was with
Sister Harvey and I wasn't able to teach as many lessons because we
were working in both our areas.  It was fun though and I was able to
see a little bit more of Antique.  On Thursday afternoon, we went to
Iloilo with Elder Bianin who is training as well (we were his
companions for the day) and after dropping him off at the church, we
slept in the sister's apartment that night in City.  The next morning,
we went to the Trainer's meeting, which was really good. And then we
met our batas. These meetings made history... it was the biggest group
of trainers and batas that this mission has ever had.  There were 30
new missionaries, including two senior couple missionaries.  6 of them
were sisters.  Only one of those sisters though was from the Provo
MTC.  And the one from the Provo MTC is Samoan, haha.  So, my
companion is Filipina... and she is probably the only one of them who
understand this dialect... so lucky me!! haha.  Her name is Sister
Aurelio, and she is wonderful!  She is one of the sweetest people I've
met.  She's 25 years old and is from Manila, but lived here until she
was 5 and her parents still spoke the language for a while in Manila,
so she understands the language here perfectly, unlike some other new
Filipina missionaries.  She can't speak it yet, but of course the
people here understand her Tagalog, so it's no problem.  I am getting
a lot more practice at my Tagalog though, because that's the language
she speaks to me in most often.  I love it :D  I have been learning a
lot of new things from training... a lot more than when I was
trained... because every day we have an extra hour of studies and we
do a lot of practicing and I have to explain a lot of things, so I am
loving this new assignment :D  We have been working hard and are
excited to continue to fulfill our purpose. :D  Next transfer the very
first 19 year old sister will be coming... I won't be the lucky one to
train her because I will still be training Sister Aurelio, but I'm
excited for her to come.  The very first 18 year old elder in our
mission has yet to enter the MTC.  But we are also excited to see when
that happens.  Our mission is definitely growing, because next
transfer 21 new missionaries will be coming, and only 7 are going
home.  New areas are being opened and big areas are being split. The
work is progressing! :D  Missionary Work is so exciting :D  You should
all try it! hehe
Love you all,
Halong!
Sister McClellan

Week 41

Well, I have some exciting news... I have been called to be a trainer!
 In mission terms, I am "busong" which means pregnant and am about to
have a "bata."  I am excited and nervous and stressed and overwhelmed
and just about every other emotion at the same time... I hope I do a
good job!  I don't know yet if she is Filipina or American.  If she is
Filipina, at least she will be able to communicate with the people
through Tagalog... if she's American... I will be teaching lessons and
doing everything basically all by myself for a while.  President
Pagaduan called me just a couple days ago to tell me.  I accepted the
call of course, but I can't believe I'm already a senior companion.  I
still feel brand new! Sister Patricio and Sister Caceres are both
going home now.  They left for Iloilo this morning and will be flying
home to Manila maybe tomorrow, leaving me and Sister Harvey as
companions until we go to Iloilo on Thursday for trainer's meeting and
transfer meeting and pick up our batas, coming back on Friday.  Sister
Harvey is going to train as well!  But this is already her 3rd area.
Anyways, It's going to be fun!  An adventure for sure! :D
Sorry for the foreign words I used last letter.. sometimes, it's hard
for me to find the right words in English now.
amat-amat means... gradually, or as time goes on... something like that
basta-basta means ... whatever goes... or "just like that"...
medyo budlay means... kind of hard
I can't think of what else to write.  Brother Ronnel is really
progressing a lot. We are excited for him to be baptized, but we still
need to help prepare him a little more.  Brother Jornell and Renato
are both still struggling in some areas (they still need to be married
and have to work on WOW)  but I have faith in them.  We have another
really good investigator, Geraldyn... she is 16 years old and she has
come to church the last 2 weeks and Saturday night, she went to a
youth dance (prom) at the church and the youth were very good
fellowshippers.  It's been nice because the youth volunteer to come to
our lessons with her and they invite her to the activities. She also
lives right next to the church so she doesn't have a hard time coming
every Sunday.  She is also very very gwapa (beautiful).  I'm excited
for her.  Her dad is an active Aglipay, but he is very willing to
listen and to allow her to listen as well.  He had a stroke a couple
years ago and is still trying to recover... he has a hard time
speaking and walking, but he understands everything and we love
teaching both of them.  Yesterday we had 5 investigators at church
which was wonderful, all of them were from different families, so it
was a big deal.. :D  And also several less actives were able to attend
as well.  Our area is progressing.  :D
Take care everyone... and pray for me!!! I can't do this on my own! :D  Thanks!
Love, Sister McClellan

Week 40

Hello Family, This has been a great week!  I am really, really,
really, really, really... enjoying it here.  :D
It is sooooo beautiful!  This morning, our district went hiking up to
this hill in Dao where there is a fantastic view!  We had a little
devotional up there where Sister Patricio, Sister Caceres, and Elder
Montecer, shared their testimonies because they are going home next
week.  Afterwards, we had a picnic and then we went down the hill and
played some Ultimate down on the beach.  I felt like I was in heaven!
:D  Needless to say.... I'm a little tired now, haha.  I want to post
pictures soooo bad... but unfortunately, this computer's USB thing is
out of order... my camera card is now getting pretty full... and it's
making my camera slow as well :(   I tried putting my pictures on a
flash drive that I bought, but for some reason it won't work... I hope
I don't end up losing all my pictures one of these days... that
happened to Sister Schocker....
Our investigators are doing okay.  They weren't able to make their
scheduled date... but they will be baptized sooner or later :D
hopefully sooner. But of course, it's better that they wait, than for
them to be baptized before they are ready.  I'm beginning to
understand more and more the importance and significance of repentance
and baptism.  It's not as easy as I used to think.  Some people have
to overcome really challenging things that I never even considered
before.  It's interesting to be here and see how their lives are
changed amat-amat through the gospel.  Accepting the gospel of Jesus
Christ is a process... and a very important and fulfilling process...
and it isn't completed after baptism.  We continue to develop and
exercise faith every day, we continue to repent daily, we continue to
keep our baptismal commitments and renew them weekly, and we continue
to live worthy of the spirit and follow his guidance throughout our
lives.  It's not just basta-basta.  We are really playing a role in
helping these people to come closer to Christ by helping them receive
the restored gospel.  It's medyo budlay sometimes, but it's so worth
it.
I haven't given an update on the language in a while... I'm doing
super well! I love Kinaray-a!  I actually like it better than
Hiligaynon.  It sounds cooler.  Anyways... It's really coming.. but I
still make mistakes sometimes.  I'll share one.  The other day, we got
to the church to teach our investigator, Brother Ronnel, and it looked
like he had gotten a haircut.  Instead of saying "Nagpagunting ka?"
which means, did you get a haircut?, I said, "may gunting ka?" Which
means, do you have scissors?  haha.  He was looking pretty confused at
why I was asking him if he had a pair of scissors just as we were
about to start our lesson.  Brother Ronnel is great, I just love him
and his fiance.  They plan on getting married this month and I'm so
excited for them.  They are so cute together :D
Love you all... and I hope you are loving your life. Life is to be
enjoyed, not just endured... When we look back on our lives, we don't
want to wish we had spent more time smiling and enjoying the time we
had, the people we love, and the gospel we have been blessed with.
Happiness is a choice.  :D
Halong! :D
Sister McClellan

Pictures... this morning! :D

Week 39

Hello Family, Kumusta kamo?
Mayad gid ako, nagapunko lang ako dya, naga-email kaninyo... :D
Gusto ko magshare kaninyo kung ano natabo kanaken sini nga simana! sige? Sige
This was a good week, full of inspiring lessons and surprises... as
well as some disappointments, but I guess that is to be expected. We
had some new investigators attend church and the members were great
fellow-shippers for them. I expect them to come to church again!
I've been doing a lot of self-evaluating these past few weeks and I
have noticed many changes in myself. I have always been shy by
nature.. and when I was younger, I never really wanted to serve a
mission. However, when the time came, I knew that it was what the
Lord wanted me to do, so I came despite my weaknesses. Since coming
here to Antique, I think I have learned more than I have so far in the
mission. I overcame I barrier, and that barrier was myself. I am so
grateful for Sister Patricio and the things that she is teaching me.
I have really learned to rely on the spirit in the work. I am
learning to walk by faith rather than by fear. In the past I would be
afraid... afraid to say anything that was unplanned or to change the
subject or to do anything spontaneous that might upset my companion.
And then when problems would come up, I wouldn't understand why. I
was trying to be a people-pleaser, rather than a God-pleaser... and
for the first time in my life... it wasn't working. At times I have
had to learn the hard way, being forced by complete silence to make
the decision of what to teach and in what way, even when at times I
had no idea what they needed, but somehow I was able to find something
about which I could then testify. Now it has become easy for me... if
a scripture comes to my mind, I don't hesitate to share it and help
them apply it to their situation. We have really become unified and
my love for the gospel and the people increase each time I open my
mouth. Sometimes problems still come up and at times I don't
understand the cause, especially when I feel like I am putting forth
all my effort, but I have learned that I don't need to become
discouraged as long as I am doing my best. If I know I am doing God's
will, I can be happy and optimistic through any trial that comes.
That is one weakness that has been made stronger for me. I still have
many more to overcome, but I know now that I can, with the Lord's
help.
Thank you all for everything! I hope you have a wonderful week and
lots of spiritual experiences :D
You are in my prayers,
Sister McClellan

Week 38

Hello Family...
I don't know what to write about. I've been a little sick the last
couple days. :D But I'm feeling much better now.
There are many ups and downs in the mission... mostly ups :D but this
last week we had a couple downs. One of the families we've been
teaching decided that they aren't interested anymore in listening to
us... but it's okay. They have their agency. I hate agency, haha.
Joke lang, I am very grateful for agency :D
I've been learning a lot about myself these past few weeks... it's
been challenging in a way... because I still am trying to figure this
out. I had a conversation with Sister Harvey the other night. I was
telling her about how I didn't feel like I could be myself here on the
mission. My music, sports, clothes, etc. was the way I expressed
myself! It was my personality I felt like. Before my mission, I
thought I had discovered myself. I knew who I was. But here, I've
been rediscovering myself. Sometimes here I feel like I'm so
boring... I don't have the same things I had before and I'm definitely
not doing the same things I did before. She told me I was right!
When we go on a mission, we make sacrifices, but we continue to learn
about ourselves and find a new person within us. When we go home, we
will become yet another person because we will be doing different
things. There was nothing wrong with who I was before my mission, but
I need to accept the fact that I can't be that person here. I need to
figure out who I am - as a missionary! What have I discovered about
myself? What has changed? I'm still trying to answer these
questions... it's deep. I know my understanding and appreciation for
a lot of things has deepened... but I still haven't embraced a "new
me." I still feel like part of "me" is missing. Of course I still
have the gospel, which has always and will always be an important part
of me and who I am, but what of my personality? Haha, it's
interesting. :D Maybe I'm not making any sense. It's not a bad
thing... it's just confusing. I of course am still smiling, still
happy, and still working hard. Always :D
Mom, I love love love your idea about the cabin thing... fyi. When I
come home, I support you 100% and will do whatever I can to help out
:D
I continue to use my talents here. I was asked to sing for our zone
meeting this last week. We didn't have a piano or anything... so I
just sang acapela which was probably boring, oh well :D I also
continue to play the piano in sacrament meeting every Sunday. I enjoy
it.
I love you all. Never forget it. :D
Sister McClellan

Week 37

Mayad nga aga family,
Kumusta kamo? I am doing super good. It has been a really fun week.
Sister Patricio is going home in just a few weeks and she is super
sad... she doesn't want to go home. I guess that's how I'm going to
feel when it's my time to go home. But, since she is leaving soon,
she's been taking me to areas that we haven't gone to yet... really
far areas and the beach :) We went to Belison, which is one of our
farthest areas. We have a few less-actives out there and a few
investigators... but the investigators weren't there, so I don't know
how I'm going to go back to them... it's kind of sad. But the ride
there is so beautiful. We took a jeepney, and there were so many
fields and mountains and trees. It was amazing.
We finally have some progressing investigators! Brother Renato is
doing really well. He still needs to be married, but we have set his
baptism date for Feb 23 and we are positive he will be able to make
it. I have really seen his testimony grow since I've arrived here.
Yesterday, even though his wife (returning less-active) was out of
town, he came to church all by himself, which we were really impressed
with. Usually he is super shy. Church attendance is one of the very
hardest things for people here, so he really showed his desire. Our
other investigator Ronnel, is also progressing. He wants to be
baptized and his date is for Feb 9, but he still hasn't recognized an
answer that our message is true. So we are helping him so that he can
meet those qualifications before baptism. I love that we are teaching
men... because usually only women are willing to listen, but our two
investigators that are really working towards baptism are both men
with families who could be really valuable priesthood holders in the
church someday. I am so excited for both of them. We are also
teaching a family with 4 kids ages 2-13. I love them so much. I am
really hoping that they accept the gospel soon! I love teaching
families.
Only 25% of the members here are active. Most missionaries around the
world focus more on investigators I think... but we spend just as much
time, if not more... on reactivation and retention. The other day we
attended an area broadcast all about the new area goals for the year.
I am excited to help my area to accomplish these goals. One of the
goals is for each member to rescue a less-active this year. Good
goal, don't you think?? Also, when missionaries return home, they
need to find someone and prepare them to replace them in the mission
field. They gave several ideas to help the members put in their
effort to bring back the less-actives. Members really are important
in this work. We might be able to help someone come to church once,
but if there isn't any fellowshipping from the members, they won't be
that excited to come back. I know when I go home, I am going to be so
much more observant about who is attending church... who's new, who's
missing, who's sitting alone... and make an effort to make them feel
welcome. It's SO important!!!
I hope that each of you are having an amazing day and week and that
you are always smiling. :D Palangga ko gid kamo!!!
Love, Heidi

Beach Pictures! Sorry, it's been a while since I sent pictures.

Week 36

Hello family, it's been a good week! New Years Eve. The Sister's in
our house prepared a meal for ourselves. We had Pasta, Fried Chicken,
Rice (of course), Pizza, and Icecream! We ate outside while listening
to the fireworks all around us. The other sisters hardly were able to
sleep at all. I was actually lucky. We went to bed at the normal
10:30, I was able to fall asleep around 11. Woke up at 12 from what
sounded like a battle going on in our front yard (all our neighbors
were setting off fireworks at the same time. I could see the
explosions on the ground from where I was laying in bed) and then was
able to sleep again from 1 until 6:30. It was super loud!! But I was
grateful I was able to sleep.
On Tuesday we had a really good district meeting. I felt enlightened
as we discussed about prayer. We too often get into routines while
praying - especially me as I'm trying to learn this language. It's so
important to realize that when we pray, we really are conversing with
the Lord. We should "speak to the Lord as one man speaketh to
another" -Pres. Hinckley. Elder Scott, one of the couple missionaries
in our area shared an experience when he and his wife were in the
temple and as they listened to one man pray, they really felt that he
was speaking to God and it was so sincere, as though God were really
there. They felt as though if they had opened their eyes, God would
have been standing there in the room right in front of them. When we
pray, we really ARE speaking to God. And he really IS listening.
Elder Scott then gave one of the most sincere prayers I have ever
heard... and it reminded me of the way that Dad always prays. I
testify that God hears and answers our prayers. I am so grateful for
my parents and the wonderful example that they are to me and for all
the things that they taught me without even noticing it at the time.
So Dad asked me to describe a typical day. I will attempt to do so...
On a typical day... I wake up at 6:30 exactly, we pray together as a
companionship and then say our personal prayers. We go outside or in
the front room and exercise for half an hour. I do jumping jacks,
jumprope, sretching, whatever I can think of. Then I take a shower
out of a bucket... It's becoming very routine. I'm beginning to
realize just how much water we waste when we shower back home. I eat
my breakfast... usually a mango and toast. Then at 8, we start our
personal study which begins and ends with prayer. I've been working
on reading the bible all the way through. I prepare and study for my
lessons that day and if I have any extra time, I'll read from the
Liahona. Then at 9 we start our companionship study. We sing and
pray together, read from the handbook, and share what we learned in
personal study. Then we practice teach or study or whatever else if
we have extra time. 10 should be language study, but usually we have
too many lessons and don't get that hour for language :( We eat lunch
together, usually rice and pork or adobo or something like that. Then
we pray and go out. We walk out to the main road and flag down a
tricycle. They drive us to the area where we will be proselyting in
that day... in San Angel, Mala-iba, Comon, Dalipe, or other places.
We don't usually have set appointments... we usually just drop by each
house. If we get punted, we just walk to the next investigator's or
member's house. When they let us in, we teach them a lesson according
to their needs. I'm really starting to enjoy teaching actually.
Especially when you see their understanding and faith growing. We
teach from house to house... sometimes we see someone on the road and
we stop and talk to them, give them a pamphlet, invite them to church
or ask if we can visit them. If we have time we will ask if we can
teach a short lesson right then and there. This continues until 8pm
and we catch a tricycle home... tired... and sometimes very much in
need of the CR (comfort room aka bathroom). I really don't like to
use people's restrooms here... it's scary. Once they guided me to a
small little wall made of leaves out in the open and just told me to
go behind it.... where there were open fields behind the wall. I
couldn't do it. When we get home we pray and talk about the day...
who and what we taught, and plan for the next day and set goals. At
the end of our planning, we pray again and then update our area
book... each person we teach has a record where we update what we
taught them and how they are progressing. Then we eat dinner... and
then have some time to write in journals, wash laundry, whatever...
until 10:30 when we pray and sleep.
It's hard and tiring... but I love it. Not every day is the same...
sometimes we have additional meetings or service projects... but this
is basically my life. It's fun. And it's time to go :D I get to
play FRISBEE today!!!!!! I'm SOOOOO excited!!!!!!! I can't wait. :D
Anyways, love you all. Have a good week. I hope everyone is doing
well. Halong pirme,
Sister McClellan