First Transfer...Sister Sabiano and I are staying together!

WEEK TWELVE

they sit here while I study by the window, this is out our door.. they chant SISTER WIIIIIILLLLLLLLLLINNGGGG

so after their chanting.. we got a picture :)

 Hello my magandang pamilia!

Have I told you lately how much I love each and every one of you? Grabe, I really do.  Something reminds me on a daily basis just how blessed I am to have you as mine.

I can hardly believe that I'm a transfer down! I wonder if all the transfers will go by this quickly.  It's exciting and terrifying.  I have so much to do.  So much to learn.  I don't want to waste a single minute or take a single moment for granted.

Thankfully Sister Sabiano and I are staying together.  However, Sister Houser got called as a Sister Training Leader and will be leaving.  I think I cried real tears when I found out.  I'm going to miss her a whole lot.  I'm losing my "go-to girl" my running partner, the person who I talk to when its been one of those days.  But I know she's needed and will do so much good in this new calling.

But guess who I just found out is moving in.. drum roll please.. Sister Morrell)! This is the closest thing I have to having my best friend McKayla out here with me.  I can't wait for her to get here tomorrow!!

Sister Houser and Welling....just to confuse everyone who already thinks they look like twins!

We worked really hard this week.  If any of you are ever wondering the secret to happiness, it looks like work.  I'm still trying to figure out if I actually sleep or not at night.  Because as soon as my head hits that pillow I'm out-and then all of a sudden its morning. up again, ready to do it again.  The work is good.

Last Monday, (Mom's birthday) we taught Sister Jose.  She is a mother of eight boys.  She's so receptive to the message and has a set baptism date.  However, she's relying on her boys to read and to pray when she's not.  So we decided to change our lesson plan and read with her about the stripling warriors.  What they were able to overcome and accomplish because of the example of their mothers.  We taught her of the importance of her calling as a mother.  And the sacred responsibility she has to lead her boys in righteousness by setting a strong example.  I was able to bear such a personal testimony of what my mothers testimony and example has meant in my life.  I still get emotional thinking about it.  But my sweet mom, I want you to know you were very much apart of my day on your birthday.  I'm so grateful for you and the person you are and your constant perfect example.

I feel like I'm finally learning how to recognize promptings from the spirit while I'm teaching.  Something I've been praying and pleading for.  I finally finally realized I need to act on the thoughts and questions that come to me during lessons (duh Jenna) But I was amazed as I did so this week our lessons went entirely new directions.  It was amazing.  We were able to learn of concerns of our investigators and then be prompted in how to help them.  i really feel like we were able to help this week.  That’s the best part of missionary work.  Helping people.  Helping people come unto Christ.  Helping them recognize and feel of His peace, love, and strength.

A few happenings this week:

We decided to stop by a members home to see if he could teach with us. We see him from a distance standing outside.  Something bright is in his hand.  When he sees us he flings it beheind his body.  It didn't take me long to pick up on the cigarette smoke.  Grabe siya! I tried not to laugh at his guilty face.  So a word to the wise, if you ever decide to break a commandment, be careful, because you never know when the missionaries will show up.

I lead everything this week.  I lead the area, the planning, the scheduling, the teaching, the updating.. lahat.  I'm slowly, may I repeat slowly, starting to figure this missionary thing out.

I'm learning how to cook like a Filipino!  Something I'm very proud of.  I'm cooking with vegetables I had never seen or heard of before.  I'm learning how to cook all sorts of fish.. I'm figuring out things I like.. I'm learning a lot through trial and error.  It’s so fun!

Someone told us this week that the only reason people join our church is because

we have American missionaries.  There you have it people, the secret of the church.  we just bring the foreigners in.

I love Taytay, its kind of the "in between" half city, half province.

Its known for its fabrics.  So they have tons and tons of fabric, and inexpensive clothes that are made very well.

They also have really nice dresses, which seems so out of place, but I might just buy Maddie's prom dress and send it home so I can still be apart of it :)

look up the song Give it All to Him- Tel Dyer

Yes.. I put on my bug repellent araw araw :) I've had a few bites.. sometimes a lot, but its never been a problem, they go away fast.

I woke up with a huge spider on my chest this week, rude awakening.

I got your package!!! wow, it truly was heaven in a box.  Everything, absolutely perfect and so thoughtful! Thank you thank you thank you!

I've already given away the CTR rings to three of my investigators who will be baptized in March, they were so excited! 14 year old Dianne, 12 year old Totoy, and 9 year old Makmak. It was a perfect reminder for them to "choose the right" reading the scriptures and praying every night.

Well family the work is so good.  The language is still non existant.  and the church is absolutely true.

I'm so happy to be here, to be learning of my Savior and striving to learn the ways He would serve, love, and teach and so I can be an instrument in my Heavenly Fathers hands to bring others to the happiness of this gospel.

We're so blessed to have the truth, share it with everyone :)

I love you all!

Love Always,

Sister Welling

"we will get promptings of the Spirit when we have done everything we can- when we are out in the sun working rather than sitting back in the shade praying for the direction on the first step to take"