Week 16

Dear Family,

This was a super good week! Two of our investigators, Aillene and
Karla, had their baptismal interviews yesterday and are all set to be
baptized this coming Saturday. I am so excited for them!  They are so
prepared and excited.  They know the covenants that they will be
making and are willing and desirous to make those covenants to become
clean and to receive all the promised blessings.  They are also ready
and willing to take the sacrament every week for the rest of their
lives and continue to make and keep those and other covenants.

I'm still the ward pianist, and I have been asked to play for stake
conference this coming Sunday as well.  So that will be fun.  The YSA
choir of our stake have also been chosen to sing for Elder Bednar when
he comes to Iloilo on the 28th of this month.  I wish I could sing for
him too!!! haha.  I'm still excited to go listen to him though... and
to have a few hours to relax as we travel :)

This morning in my Personal Study, I was studying about Charity... and
since I can't think of anything else to write about, maybe I'll share
some of the things I learned or thought about.  First of all, the
whole reason we are here on earth is because of charity.  We are here
because our Father in Heaven loves us so much and desires our
happiness. He wants to give us the opportunity to become like Him.  He
also sent His Only Begotten Son to the earth to suffer and die for us.
 Now, the love of Jesus Christ... his sacrifice... is what enables us
to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father.  He accomplished the
Atonement so that he would know how to help us, so that we could be
forgiven, and be saved.  He did this even though the people persecuted
Him so much.  He forgave them.  He also lived a perfect life, always
having compassion on others and setting a good example for us.  God
and our Heavenly Father have both done their part and yet they still
bless us daily and continue to help us even though we make so many
mistakes.  Now, we need to do our part.  If we don't have charity, we
are nothing.  God knows this, which is why he gave us the commandment
to have charity.  God gives us commandments to help us!  He knows what
we need to do in order to return to His presence.  Charity is also a
gift.  We need to pray for it "with all the energy of heart."  Charity
leads to sincere action.  As I was studying and pondering and making
connections, I learned a lot that I think will help me in my
missionary work. Each of you should also strive to study this topic
more completely, to try to develop the attributes of Christ, and to
pray for help and guidance as you do so.  It is a life-long process to
completely understand all that we need to, so we can't afford to slack
off a single day! :-)

I still need to work more on making my Personal and Companionship
Studies as meaningful and productive as they could be.  What I know
for sure though is that they are so worthwhile.  I know everyone
always says this on their missions and right after and some don't end
up continuing, but I really have seen the benefit of studying the
scriptures daily.  I really do want to continue to do this for the
rest of my life, even when things get hard or busy.  I know that life
gets hard and busy, but I know also that you can do anything if you
have enough desire.  Make this an important part of your life.  Make
your daily scripture study a priority.  I know it will bless your
lives.

Halong!
Sister McClellan

Week 15

Hello Family,
This week was good!  Our baptisms scheduled for this last Saturday
were postponed, but it's okay.  They are still preparing and hopefully
will still be prepared to be baptized in the coming month.  In the meantime, we have two other baptisms scheduled for August 25th.  I am so so so excited for these, especially for Karla.  She has really been
changing her life and has gained a testimony that all she has been
taught is true.  She is doing her very best to prepare and I have no
doubt that she will be ready by her baptismal date.  She is super
progressing!  We love her so much!

We heard about that typhoon in Manilla, but it didn't really affect
us.  We just got a notice from our mission president reminding us to
make sure that our 74 hour kits are up to date.  I wish we had more
service opportunities where we are at... not meaning I wish there was
bad storms here, but other than helping with laundry occasionally, I
haven't had many opportunities to physically serve the people yet.
I'm keeping my eyes open though :-)

So... yesterday I got a new companion... Sister Ilaga joined us and so
now we are a three-some for a few weeks.  Sister Swarna, Sister Ilaga,
and me.  It should be fun!  We had a fun time moving her bed into our
tiny room :)  She is really awesome!

Good luck Dad with your court case. Sounds exciting!  And Mom, it
sounds like you're loving life!  I'm so glad you both are doing so
well!  :-)

I'm running out of thoughts...  so... I'll attach a few pictures.  The
first is my district celebrating my companion's 24th birthday.  Elder
Wilson is missing because he is taking the picture.  The second one is
my zone at our zone meeting last week.  And the last one is in the
backyard of a couple of our investigators.  Pretty sweet, huh?  It's
so beautiful!

Well, pasensiya gid for the lack of new exciting news.  Next week I'm
sure I'll have more to write about :)   I am so grateful to be here
and to be learning so much and to be meeting and helping so many
people.  I know this church and this work is true!  Continue to "Lift
Where You Stand!"  I think that's our mission motto... anyways, love
you all!

Heidi

Week 14

Hello again!
It really seems like I just wrote my last letter yesterday!  I'm
trying to think about what else has happened since I last wrote...
it's difficult.  So, maybe I'll just write more random stuff.  I'm
sitting in an internet cafe right now.  P-Days are hard for me because
we go to the Market and places like this and we can't avoid all the
music.  Everywhere we go, there are American songs playing... songs
that I like... and I have to concentrate really hard so I don't start
tapping my foot or harmonizing along with them.  I have to just start
singing a hymn to myself.  It's a weakness of mine for sure.  In this
area, we get everywhere in tricycles.  They are motorcycles (In some
areas, regular bicycles) with a little box thing attached to the right
side of it.  Two smaller people can fit inside... but it's common to
see three or more people sitting behind the driver and a few people
hanging on the back, and another person on the opposite side on top of
the wheel.  There are so many tricycle drivers around... so whenever
we need to go anywhere, we just stand on the side of the road and wait
for one to come by and take a seat wherever there is room.  It's so
much fun. (-:

I think I have a problem eating coconut. Whenever we go to someone's
house, they usually will feed us.  Sometimes, they will go outside and
cut down a coconut for us and have us drink straight from it and then
eat the inside.  Sometimes they make a special drink with it too.
Anyways, whenever I eat it, I feel sick.  It think the taste is fine,
but my stomach can't handle it.  I don't want to tell them no though,
so I eat it anyway.  I hope my body will just get used to it and soon
it will be fine.  Other than that slight uncomfortable feeling when I
eat coconut though, I've been really healthy.  I haven't been sick at
all, so I've really been blessed.  Thank you for your prayers!  Most
foreigners get sick when they first come, but I haven't had any
problems at all.

I'm still enjoying getting to some of the houses.  This last week, we
went to one house and the water in the area was much higher than
usual.  We took off our shoes... and I was glad I wasn't wearing a
long skirt.  We were walking on a super muddy, slippery path about a
foot wide with deep water on either side and I almost fell twice!
Usually, the path is more dry and we can see where we are stepping,
but since the water was high, we couldn't see where the path was at
times and had to just hope for somewhat solid ground when we took our
next step.  It's an adventure for sure!  And... a frog jumped on my
foot which of course startled me as well.  It was actually pretty
funny.  At least this time it wasn't raining too. I love it here so
much!  Some other houses, we have to walk across all these bamboo
paths with water below.  I trust them completely, but sometimes Sister
Swarna gets scared it's going to break.  It's her Birthday today!  I
have to figure out how to make it special for her.

More than anything, I enjoy all the spiritual experiences though.
When you see someone finally understanding what you are trying to tell
them or when they are keeping their commitments, it's one of the
happiest moments ever.  Especially when you see how your testimony can
bless someone else.  I love missionary work so much.  I really do.  I
am so grateful for this opportunity that I have to be an instrument in
God's hands.  Each of you have the opportunity to be a missionary now
as well.  You all have neighbors and friends who may not have
testimonies or know anything about the gospel.  Invite them to
church!!!  Or refer them to your missionaries! :-)

Elder Bednar is going to come on the 28th of this month and I am so
excited!  He's going to speak to the YSA's on the Panay Island which
we are also inviting all our investigators in that age bracket to come
to, and then he's going to speak to all of us missionaries in a
separate meeting.  I am so excited to meet him!  He's one of my
favorite apostles!

Okay, times up!
Bye!
-Heidi

Week 13

 Hello Family!
This was a good week. I'm excited for Family Home Evening tonight.
Every Monday night, we have FHE with a family and teach them how to
hold an FHE.  Every time, I bear testimony about how having FHE every
week with my family growing up really strengthened our relationships
with each other and helped me to learn about the gospel and hear my
family member's testimonies.  I really loved having that, along with
daily scripture study and family prayers.  I really have a testimony
that FHE is so important and can really be a blessing in your lives if
you take advantage of it.  If any of you haven't been having FHE every
week, I would really encourage you to start now.  It doesn't have to
be super complicated or even very long.  In case anyone who reads this
doesn't know what Family Home Evening is, it is a time once a week
when you gather your family together.  You start with an opening hymn
and prayer, have a spiritual thought or scripture, a lesson, activity,
closing hymn and prayer, and anything else you wish to include
(talent, treats, testimony, remarks from the head of household...).
It is such a powerful thing that will really bring your family closer
together.  Please, each of you commit yourselves to have a meaningful
FHE every week with your family so you can receive the promised
blessings.

We have two baptisms scheduled for August 11th which we are excited
for.  Joan and IB are two young girls, 11 and 12 years old and they
are very excited to be baptized.  Their parents don't listen to the
lessons or seem very interested, but they are very supportive of their
daughters, who go to church every week by themselves.  Of course we
have a member pick them up and they sit with us at church, but I am so
proud of them.  They love coming to church and they love primary.
They are so good!

Kabalo ko matuod ang Simbahan ni Jesucristo sang mga santos sa ulihing
mga adlaw.  Kabalo ko nga nagbayad si Jesucristo para sa aton tanan
mga sala.  Siya ang aton Manluluwas. Paagi sa iya, makabalik kita sa
Diyos kon maghinulsol kita.  Kabalo ko nga matuod ang libro ni mormon.
 Matuod nga propeta si Joseph Smith kag paagi sa iya, ipinanumbalik
sang Diyos ang iya ebanghelyo sa kalibutan.  Kabalo ko nga kon
magpangamuyo kamo sa Diyos adlaw-adlaw, mabaton ninyo ang mga
blessings sa inyo kabuhi.  Pwede kita estoria sa Diyos paagi sa
pagpangamuyo kag nagapamati ang Diyos sa aton tanan tungod palangga
niya kita tanan.  Palangga ko kamo tanan. Nagapasalamat ako para sa
inyo hemplo sa akon. Ginibilin ko ang ining butang sa ngalan ni
Jesucristo, Amen.
Pili sang Maayo!
Heidi

Week 12

Dear Family,

This last week, we went to the farthest part of our area.  All of the people in this area are less active because it's so hard for them to attend church.  I wish there could be a branch or something closer to them all, but there aren't enough active members to make it possible.  Our Stake President works with us usually about once a week for an entire afternoon and I love it when he does.  We always are able to make it to our appointments on time and we have his added testimony.  It's especially nice when visiting the less active families because he is able to show them that the members care about them and miss them.


While there though, we met with a little 11 year old boy and his name is Daniel.  His parents are members, but he is not. He is the cutest, sweetest little boy ever!  I've never met a little boy so polite.  He was also very interested and was listening so intently to our message as we taught him about prayer and explained how to pray.  When I was speaking, he was encouraging me in the look on his face (Because I was struggling to say what I wanted to)  :)  And when our stake president gave him a gift, at first he didn't want to accept it, but when he finally did, he expressed so much gratitude... and it was just a little juice snack.  I really loved  getting to know him.  All the people here are so hospitable and kind. They are so, so easy to love.

We now have two more investigators with a baptismal date.  They are so good... and of course, they are referrals from members... soo.... give your missionaries referrals!!!  It is SO much harder to find
investigators willing to listen when you just find them.  Although we do have a few progressing investigators that were found from tracting as well. I love to see their desire to repent and change their lives.  Sin is a painful thing... it causes guilt and shame and has other consequences as well... but because of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for us, we have the ability to repent and become free from that burden.  Our Savior and Redeemer, our Brother, Jesus Christ, suffered everything!! for each of you individually.  He made that sacrifice because he LOVES you!!! SO much!!!!  We ALL have made mistakes.. and do every day of our lives.  It is SO important that we repent DAILY and use the power of the Atonement in our lives.  It is ONLY through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that we can return to live with our Loving Heavenly Father again.  I am SO grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and for my Father in Heaven, who sent his Only Begotten Son to
the earth for that purpose.  Again, sin is a painful thing... but your Lord Jesus Christ knows EXACTLY how you feel.  He experienced every pain and sickness and trial.  He and your Father in Heaven know you
perfectly.  Never forget that.  And never forget the perfect love that they have for you.  Go to them in prayer.  Pour out your whole souls to them.  They DO listen.  They DO care.  And they DO answer.

I'm attaching a couple pictures of my apartment.  It's so nice and big.  We are so blessed!  I mean... we still get rats and spiders and lizards and other weird creatures in there, but we have a lot of space.  The bathroom is super tiny... I have to duck every time I go in.  Sometimes early in the morning, I forget and end up hitting my head on the ceiling.  hehe.  For some reason the other missionaries want to get a different apartment... but I like the one we have.  If we move... I hope it's to a tiny bamboo house in the middle of the
jungle :)  joke lang.  They always give the Sister Missionaries the best apartments and they are always in the city. So, no worries, I'm safe :)

FYI, Missionary Work is hard!!! haha :)  And, I love it!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!  I'm glad you had a good time.  I am so blessed to have such wonderful parents who love each other so much.  You are such good examples to me.  I love you both so much.  And
thanks for the email addresses.  Next week I will work on emailing some individuals.  (:

Halong! (take care)
Heidi

Week 11

Wow, what a week! (:
I'm beginning to see little miracles already!  We taught 7 new
investigators this week and that is a huge improvement for us.  One of
our investigators has been struggling a lot because he lost his wife a
couple years ago and he and his son both are struggling to believe
that they can ever see her again. We taught them the plan of salvation
and I saw hope in his eyes. It was such a powerful experience and the
spirit was so strong. I can't wait to see more experiences like that.
It makes me so happy to see others faith growing even though it makes
me sad to see them suffering so much.  I know that God has prepared a
plan for us that enables us to live with our families forever.  Our
message is such a happy one and I am so grateful for the opportunity
that I have to share that message with others.  I love all these
people so much.
My umbrella broke a few days ago and the next day I lost it somehow...
and I was really worried because it rains so so often here and we are
always walking in the mud and rain and we wouldn't have time until
today to buy a new one.  Incredibly it hasn't rained since I lost it
and it will probably rain again tonight just after I buy a new one. I
am super blessed!
Also, this morning for P-Day, our district went to the beach and I
caught my first 4 fish ever!  It was a very exciting hour :)
Ano pa? I've been understanding much, much more of the dialect.  I
still can't say a whole lot, but I can follow the lessons pretty well
now and add a sentence here and there when my companion turns to me.
I want to say more, but I know they understand.  I've always been so
shy that I wondered how I would be as a missionary.  I'm definitely
not the best missionary, but at least I feel my desire to testify to
them increasing daily.  I want to communicate with them so badly.  And
my companion is so great.  She gives me so many opportunities which
allow me to push myself and progress.  I love her.
Sorry the pictures aren't the best... but they are the best I have so
far.  The Philippines is such a gorgeous place.  Every time I see
something awesome, I want to take a picture of it, but we shouldn't
look like tourists :)
I hope you are all doing well!  love you all!
Halong!
Sister McClellan

Week 10

Hello my wonderful family... I've attached just a few pictures from
the MTC, and the only one I have of my new companion.  I can't send
many because it takes a really long time for them to load.  Maybe next
time I will send some of the Philippines.  I know you are probably
just dying to see them :)

This week has been busy busy busy of course :)  We attended two
Necrological Services for members who died recently.  They were both
able to be sealed to their families in the temple before they passed
away which was a huge comfort to those they left behind.  Their
cemeteries are a lot different than I've seen before.  Instead of
burying the coffin in the ground, they have little "boxes" that they
put the coffins in and stack one on top of the other.  It was
interesting, but a neat experience.

At church, I play the piano.  I enjoy playing the piano and I am so
grateful to know how to so that I can help them.  When there is no
piano available, they always have me lead the music and here, the one
who leads the music does a short solo as the introduction.  I'm trying
to imagine how I would have reacted to that a few years ago.  I'm so
glad I'm confident enough in my singing to be able to do that now
without becoming to self conscious. :)  This last Sunday there was an
American man who came and spoke in Sacrament Meeting and I didn't
understand everything he was saying because it was in perfect
Hiligaynon, but he was here visiting the place where he used to serve.
 He knew a lot of the people and the part of his talk that I
understood was that even though we all look different, we are all
children of God, here for the same purpose and I know that to be true.
Even my companion and I have different cultures and I've found that to
be more of a blessing than anything else.  Even when you are among
people who look like you and who were raised the same way as you, you
can learn things from them and understand that you are all children of
our loving Heavenly Father.  We were all raised and taught by Him as
spirit children before we came to this earth.  And each of us retained
different qualities that we learned while in the pre-existence that we
can use to bless the lives of others and help build the kingdom of
God.  This is something that I've been pondering a lot about lately,
as well as my relationship with our loving Heavenly Father.

On Wednesday, my companion Sister Swarna and Sister White's companion,
Sister Ilaga, left for Iloilo for a training meeting.  They were there
until Friday evening, leaving Sister White (my previous companion) and
I alone to unleash chaos on the town :)  hehehe... it was an
interesting few days.  I learned much though.  I'm very grateful that
my companion is back now... she is my guide!!!

I'm still struggling to learn Hiligaynon.  As I've been beginning to
replace the Tagalog words I know with the Hiligaynon words, I've
completely forgotten all my Tagalog... and I feel like I can't
communicate hardly at all anymore... but I know that over time it will
come.  I just need to trust in God and not become discouraged.  I have
complete confidence that the Lord will bless me to learn this language
as I study and just continue to do my best.  This work is fun.  It's
so, so easy to love the people because they are so willing to love me
despite my weaknesses.  They are such good examples to me and I learn
from every one of them.  

I love you all! Have a wonderful weekend!
Halong kamo!
Heidi