Kumusta sa Pilippinas!!

Hello! 

Well, I made it.! What an adventurous week it has been. I love the Philippines, it's such a unique culture. I guess you could describe as an Asian Hawaii, sort of. The people are so nice and humble. Everyone drives like a madman, I can't understand anything and I've got rice coming out of my ears. Pretty much everything is out of my comfort zone, but I will get there. 

On Wednesday we landed in Manila around 10:30 pm, and we stayed the night at the airport hotel. The next morning we rode a bus to Urdaneta and President Monahan was there to greet us. We stayed at the mission home for 2 nights because transfers are on Friday's. It was fun, one night they had a few lady's from the ward cook for us and it was the most delicious food I've had. They made lumpia and it was to die for! Way better than American Lumpia. (sorry mom!) Oh man it was so good, of course we had rice, Pankain, some chicken dish, and rolls. For dessert we had Mango Graham. It's layers of graham crackers and sweet cream with mango on top. Deliciuous! 

Friday was transfer day and I met my companion, Sister Gomez! She is adorable and she's from the Philippines. When president announced sister Gomez and I, he said those two were a match made in heaven. It was so cool! We get along really well and she is such a great trainer. I'm sure I will soon find out what president meant when he said that. My first area is Sto. Thomas B, Rosales. It's a city close to Urdaneta and it's great, I love it so far. 

After transfers we went to our apartment and unpacked and then we went out for Pizza Hut, it was delicious! Our apartment is pretty small and when I first saw it, i'm not gonna lie I was freaked out, but I'm getting used to it. We shower with a bucket in this tiny bathroom with like 2 feet of space between you and the toilet. Our kitchen is tiny too, I will try to send pictures. Thank goodness I haven't had any problems with bugs yet... yet. I've only seen one cockroach so far and it was outside and I just about had a panic attack.Eww they are sooo nasty.. and huge. Ew EW Ew!

After we unpacked we had a teaching appointment, I was so nervous. It was going good, I wasn't talking much and then middle of the lesson a bat starts flying around. Scariest thing of my life. They only had one light bulb, and I swear I thought it was going to attack me. We have been teaching a lot of lessons and I've having a really hard time. It's true that once you get here you don't know a thing. I hate to say it but I feel like I didn't even go to the MTC because I don't remember squat. It's been really really hard to adjust to this culture and not knowing anything. President Monahan told us that in order to be successful, you have to go through the difficult times first. I just keep telling myself that. This is by far the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Many times I was doubting why I came and why I'm here, but I know the lord will help me and that if I can just get through the next few months then I will be ok. I know that great things await me. 

The kids are so cute and they love the missionaries, they see us and say "HI sister" and to me they say "what is your name?" "are you English?" it's pretty hilarious! Other than the fact that I don't know what's going on half the time, I am having the time of my life. It's so fun. I love the Philippines and the culture. 

Here is my address 

Sister Katie Chancellor

Philippines Urdaneta MIssion

P.O box 7 

Brgy. San Vicente East

Urdaneta City 

Pangasinan 2428

Philippines

TOP 10- Highlights of the week 

1. Landing in Manila!  

2. Lumpia at the mission home

3. meeting sister Gomez

4. My first ride in a trike

5. First lesson

6. PIzza Hut!

7. We gave out 3 book of Mormons this week

8.First Bucket shower

9. I tried a "hot dog"- Nasty..(it's not a hot dog! )

10. driving to Urdaneta

sorry this letter is really scattered but there is so much I want  to say but I am almost our of time and I haven't ready any of my other emails yet :(

also I can't figure out how to attach pictures:( I will try to manage my time better next week 

Mahal Kita, 

Sister Chancellor 

Goodbye America!

Goodbye America!

"GOD BLESS AMERICA"!

Just kidding, but seriously I am sort of freaking out here. I leave on Monday. Monday.. What the...

oh! My flight plans have changed. I am going to LA, then Tokyo, then Manila. No more 8 hour layover.. thank goodness. But there is a con, all of my connections are really close so I'm not sure if I will be able to call home :( But no need to worry, I will figure out a way to make it happen! 

It literally seems like my MTC time was like 2 weeks. Missionary time is so weird.

 My experience at the MTC has been really great though. Besides the fact that I've gained like 10 pounds, I have learned and grown so much. I remember how I felt when we pulled up to the curb. Holy crap my heart was beating so fast it was crazy.. I was a deer in headlights for sure. Haha I really wish I could see my face that first day.  I have grown so much in the last few weeks, it's incredible. I am so grateful for all of the people I've been able to meet, they have had a major impact on my stay at the MTC. My most memorable moment at the MTC would have to be General Conference. I will never forget how strong the spirit was throughout those days. There's nothing like being a missionary, it the greatest thing ever. I am going to miss the MTC so much. But, I am on to bigger, and better, and scarier things! 

On Tuesday we had Dallin H. Oaks of the twelve apostles come a speak to us! It was a great experience. We got so lucky, having him come right before we leave. The devotional was broadcast live to all the MTC's around the world! It was so cool. I love when he said this 

"Your time belongs to the Lord, don't waste it".

 That really stuck with me because it's so true. I mean 18 months really is like nothing. Some days I think 18 months is all I get? and other days I think 18 months is FOREVER! IN reality though, it's not long at all. I can't even begin to express my gratitude for the opportunity I have to be a missionary. So far, it has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. I know that it will only get better form here. I came across a scripture in 3 Nephi 5:13 it says

 "Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life".

I'm going to be honest, I am scared out of my mind for the Philippines. But I have been called of God, and I know without a doubt that there are people in the Philippines waiting for ME to find them and share the gospel with them. I know that I have been called there for a reason and I am going to find those people. I need them and they need me. I cannot wait to share my love for the gospel with them and bring them the happiness that it brings me. 

We have been told that there was a major flood and earthquake in the Philippines, I'm not sure how bad it is but Brother Cohen got an email from his mission president and it said the they will be without power for 2 weeks. So I might be in that situation and I'm not sure if I will be able to email next week. Just know that I didn't die. I think... I hope. This is going to be the longest and hardest week of my life, guaranteed. But I know I can do it, and I know Heavenly Father will help me. I can do it because I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. It's also guaranteed that I will have to speak in church on Sunday. That's going to be hilarious.. I wish you all could be there to see me completely butcher it. 

Here is the mission home address: 

Sister Katie Chancellor

P.O Box 7

Brgy San Vicente East

Urdaneta City, Pangasinan

2428

Philippines

TOP 10

1.) Elder Oaks

2.) My new nickname is Sister Chancy 

3.) I met 2 Sisters from Urdaneta this week!

4.) I met a sister from Norway this week!

5.) I saw sister Laskie- an old roomie from fall semester!

6.) I got 2 packages :)) Thank you!!

7.) Pizza for dinner last night

8.) last temple day today 

9.) LAST WEEK HERE! 

10.) Last American anything!!

 

Mahal Kita, 

Sister Chancellor

Pictures- Our teachers 

1.) Brother Ward

2.) Brother Cohen- that's a sing in the PHilippines for handsome :) 

Kumusta and Happy One Month!!

Can you believe that I have been out for one month?! Seriously, where has the time gone?. 

Your not going to believe this but WE ARE MOVING BACK. Yep you heard me, We are moving back to Main Campus. The Lord is testing my patience. We are moving on Tuesday, so that will be all fun and games again! Yipee! 

Alright, on to better things.. It's true. Watching General conference in the MTC is AMAZING. Holy cow, it's just so great because all the missionaries gathered in 19M and it was so special because there was a distinct spirit there with us. Like I said, I've never watched all 4 sessions before but the second the first session started I could not contain myself. for some reason I was just crying. As president Monson entered the room, we all stood up and it became dead silent and the spirit hit me like a ton of bricks. I will never forget how strong the spirit was all through conference that weekend. President Monson is a man of God, he is a true prophet. I just love him so much! Also, if you didn't see Russell M Nelson's talk during the Sunday PM session go watch it. That was my favorite talk, it was so good! My favorite quote was from Elder Holland's talk when he said "If the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong". I love that. Elder Holland is one of my favorites. 

I was already having a marvelous weekend with conference and then Sunday night's devotional we had BYU VOCAL POINT come!! I just about died. Talk about distracting sister missionaries. Whew... They have voices of angles and they sang all of my favorite songs. It was the best moment in the MTC so far. If you haven't listened to Vocal Point then go find them. You won't regret it.  I promise. 

Yesterday I received my flight plans! I leave on October 21 and I fly to Los Angeles, I have an 8 hour layover there, and then we head straight to Manila from LA. I am soo excited! JUST 9 DAYS! It's getting down to the wire now. I thought that I would be freaking out about the language but I'm not. I actually feel pretty confident, I can understand more than I can speak which I don't know if that's a good or bad thing but I know that once I get there it will start to come faster because I will be immersed in the language. 

It has also been a great week in class. I have been learning so much and every time my companion and I teach we get so much better. It's amazing how much progress I can make just within a few days. The gift of tongues is so real.

Well, this week I am just going to study my heart out and try to reach my goals. My goal sbefore I leave the MTC are to memorize the first vision in Tagalog and be able to share a strong testimony in Tagalog. I think I can do it. Here is some of what I already have.. 

Alam ko po na Si Jesucristo ang ating Tagapagligtas at Si Jesucristo ang ating Manunubos. Alam ko po na Totoo ang ebanghelyo ni Jesucristo at Totoo ang Aklat ni Mormon. Alam ko po na Ang Aklat ni Mormon ay naglalamanng ng kabuuan ng ebanghelyo at Ang Aklat ni Mormon ay naglalaman ng salita ng Diyos. 

Also it would be so great if you  could start sending things to the mission home now so that I have it when I get there. It  takes about 2 weeks for letters to get to the Philippines. Sorry I don't have the address with me but it should be on my blog. 

And here is my new address for Main Campus

Sister Chancellor 

OCT 21 PHI-URD

2011 N. 900 E. Unit 235 

Provo, UT 84602

TOP 10 

1.) VOCAL POINT

2.) FLIGHT PLANS 

3.) General Conference

4.) I'm going to the temple today :) 

5.) I got to take a nap this week and it was GLORIOUS 

6.) Teaching our investigators 

7.) Only 17 months left! :) 

8.) Last night our teacher rapped for us in Tagalog- it was sick!

9.) I love gym time- I get to go running! 

10.) Class with brother Cohen is always so fun! 

Mahal Kita, 

Sister Chancellor 

Pictures- 

1.) Waiting for Vocal Point 

2.) Flight PLans- HOlla!!

 

Happy General Conference!

Hello, 

Happy General Conference! I am so excited for conference because I keep hearing that conference in the MTC is amazing! It better be because sitting all day in uncomfortable chairs does not sound appealing. But it will be better because SECRET CONFESSION- I have never watched all of the sessions of general conference before. Ever, which I do feel sort of guilty about but at least I watched some of them right?! I want to invite all of you to pray about general conference before watching it. Pray that you will be able to receive answers and revelation, ask what it is that you should know. I promise if you do, then conference will be a great experience for you! Also try to watch ALL of the sessions. Don't be a slacker like me :) 

Just another great week at the MTC! I'm sorry that my emails are so boring, but you know nothing too exciting happens here. We literally just have class all day and go to the cafeteria for meal times and then to bed and we start all over! Some days are most definitely harder than others but that's the whole experience of the MTC. It's sort of an emotional roller coaster.  

The Tagalog is coming along. Of course I am always frustrated with myself because I know what I want to say but I can't say it in Tagalog. It's so hard not to get down on yourself. One of the sisters in my district told us that all that matters is that you improve each day. As long as you know more than you did the day before you'll be fine. I have really been trying to focus on that this week. It's helped me a lot, I'm just trying to make the most of my time at the MTC because I know I will really miss it once I leave. By the way I get my flight plans next FRIDAY! Say what?!! yeah I'm freaking out and I haven't even got them yet. Leaving the MTC is going to be very bittersweet. But I don't need to worry about that yet. I still have 17 days left :) 

TOP 5 (only 5 because it was so boring! ) 

1.) I got so many dearelders. Thanks so much! It really makes my week :) 

2.) I got to eat at Great Harvest and it was SOBRA MASARRAP!

3.) Both of our investigators have committed to reading the BOM.!

4.) Mission Conference on Sunday was so uplifiting. 

5.) Feeling the spirit so strong everyday is such a blessing!

I really am sorry that this email stinks. I promise next wee will be better. Because it is so boring here are some lively pictures of myself and some sisters in my district! 

Mahal Kita, 

Sister Chancellor 

Pictures- Sister missionaries at your best :)