Looking for the perfect get-away? How about a cock farm on the beach...

Sister Lyons has arrived safely in Manila! She is having quite the adventures already, as you shall see in excerpts below from her very first foreign-sent email. Enjoy!

THE MISUNDERSTANDINGS BEGIN… EVEN BEFORE SHE LEAVES AMERICA

So after I talked to you on the phone at the airport, the Elders and I went to check in. It was only the three of us, because we got separated from the rest of our group. (which was no big deal.) But anyway, Elder Pappas and I were talking a lot (cause Elder Carr is always off in his own lala land...so cute) but anyway we were waiting in line and taking when elder Carr's turn came to go check in. So Elder Pappas and I were just waiting (don't worry elder carr was still in sight and sound) when another line comes open, so Elder Pappas goes to take it and I wait for my turn (it is not busy at all) When all of the sudden elder Pappas is like, "Sister Lyons, come here." So I go over thinking he has a problem and he want his older sister to fix it, but when I get there he is beet red and supper flustered (this kid never gets flustered...ever!) I'm thinking what is going on? I ask him what he needs and he is like, "I don't know, they just told me to get you." He is stuttering and can’t even look me in the eye. They lady helping him comes back and asks for my passport. I hand it to her, and she started talking to us, and I realize that she thinks we are together. Not like missionary together but together together. So I don't know if she told Elder Pappas to get his wife or his girlfriend, but it was classic! She was talking to him like he was the head of our household. She handed both of our tickets and passports to him and told him not to worry we were sitting next to each other. I probably should have corrected her, but I was dying of laughter (on the inside) and Elder Pappas was too shocked to say anything! I have never seen him want to be with his companion soooo much! It was the best moment of my life!

THE MISUNDERSTANDINGS… Continued…

I don't understand hardly anything anyone says to me, but I'm pretty sure that's normal. But it makes my head spin. I totally conked out during RS yesterday. Great way to build trust with the sisters! But oh well! Good thing they are super nice. 

THE WORK

I work in a branch probably about the size of 3 of our stakes. It is huge but it is split between us and the elders. Oh, my companions name is Sister Stonick (stone+ick) she is really good, but I have a lot to learn and she is not afraid to tell me. :) It will be good! :)

Our investigators are great. I wish I could tell you more about them, but I don't remember their names. We actually have a lot of men interested, but their wives are not. That's a switch from the usual. They are really good and nice and do not laugh at me when I bear my testimony of pray (because that is all I can do... and even then it is hit and miss). 

THE SCENERY

I am in Naic, which is right next to the beach. Yep that means I get to walk ON THE BEACH almost every day. Naic is rural. So while it is not in the city, it is never quite. I have taught in places that are cardboard boxes nailed to some ply wood to cement houses, and everything else in between. My perception of poor and rich has changed significantly over that last couple of days. Cement with windows means they have money. Kinda makes you grateful. I am spoiled because the Fornash's have a dryer and a washing machine, so I don't have to wash clothes by hand yet, and my shower is a normal one (kinda... we'll call it normal.)

THE PEOPLE

So I live in a triplex thingy. Right next to us is the Fornash's, a senior couple. They are kinda like our parents... make sure we are eating enough, going to bed on time. Stuff like that. The 3rd apartment is where the elders live. They are funny, like most elders are.

The people are amazing. I am kinda a freak show because I am white and tall. They all want my white skin. There are places here and creams to make your skin whiter. Strange how we all want what we can't have. We'll be teaching a lesson and I'll look out the window and 5 kids are just staring at us. One time I was walking and I felt something on my arm. I looked down and a little girl was playing with my skin. When I smiled at her, she ran away. The adults don't stare, because they are too polite, but they try to do it without being as obvious as the kids. Filipino babies are the cutest. They are so chubby and CUTE! I'm in love if you can't tell.

THE WILDLIFE

We live right next to a fighting cock farm, and we know it every morning about 3. We also have these house lizards, which are so cool, that chirp at each other all night long. It is beautiful here! I got chewed alive a couple of night ago and a member told me it was because the mosquitoes could see me because I was so white. Ants are super common here. I no longer am afraid of germs or bugs or anything like that. Coming back I think will be a bigger shock than getting here.  

THE TRANSPORTATION

So to get around we walk, take a bus (they don't have jeepnys here, but the buses are just as decked out) and our favorite… the tric. Which is just a motorcycle attached to a seat on two wheels. You will have to see if you can find some pictures. I have seen whole families fit in these things. But only one fat American. Oh, yeah, everyone calls me fat here, but it is not an insult, it's actually desirable. Oh, why wasn't I born Filipino? Hehehe!

 I love it here so much! 

:) ;) & !!! = She's excited

Below is Danielle's final email from the Provo MTC. I highlighted the !'s, :)'s, and ;)'s for your convenience in recognizing the tone of excitement and anticipation throughout. The next email we receive will be from a jet-lagged, bucket-showered, go-to-the-bathroom-in-a-hole-in-the-ground, "I love my mission!" sister missionary. Bye-bye bubble. Hello world.

Kamusta pinakamahal ang pamilya ko!

I got your package yesterday. Mom your cookies were a super big hit! Confession... they are almost all gone. :) Thank you for the pictures and other things you sent me. And jen, how did you know I was craving a reese? :) By the many smilies you can tell that I am so excited!!!!!!!! This might be my most random email yet.

Travel plans- start: Monday

I leave provo at 1:30

Leave SLC at 4:50

Get to SanFran at 5:53 and don't leave until midnight. (so this is when I will probably call you, yippee!) Thank you for the cell phone number but you had so little faith in me that I wouldn't remember my home phone?!? ;) (That's a winky)

We will get to Hong Kong at 6:45am  (HK time)

and then fligh to Manila right after that! Gaahhhh!

End: Feb 22 Talk about jet lag!

Anyways to continue with the randomness, my mind has gone blank and everything I once knew about this week is gone. Hummm...

I am sending you a package with all my winter stuff today. That's exciting.

My next email will be from the Philippines.

President Stott and his wife gave us beautiful pink/orange flowers for Valentine's Day. That's true love right there. On Val. Day we had Don Clarke of the 70 come and talk to us. It was all about love and working hard. He said, "the day you truly love the people, is the day that you will truly be happy." Also, the scripture in D&C about heart mind and strength? that one? Well he said first you have to love the work, then you have to think the work and THEN do the work, and that is how you will be successful.

We said goodbye to our teachers on Thursday and it was so sad! They were so great, but surprisingly it was harder to say goodbye to our progressing investigators. (they were our teachers role playing an investigator for us). At first it was hard for me to see them as separate people but when we said goodbye to them it was really sad because they felt like real people. I can't imagine how it will be to leave real people.

So yesterday was in-field orientation. During our whole time here we have focused on the language and teaching, so yesterday was the day we learned everything else. Like how to work with the members, how to contact, how to set weekly goals with the key indicators and such. It was really good but so much information all at once. They really stressed baptism, working with the members and mormon.org (which if you haven't gone there in a while, is a super cool site.) They did this play about working with members and there was a Primary president who stuck stickers on all of the ward council's foreheads. So the Bishops sticker caught the light and it looked like a laser pen on his forehead. So the facilitator got so mad at us and told who ever it was that they were a clown, which lead us to all busting up because we all knew it was a sticker. A few minutes latter he sheepishly said sorry. So funny! They are starting this new program called the first 12 weeks. We are some of the first missionaries to try it. For the first 12 weeks you get two hours of companionship study a day, and they have these dvd's that you have to practice certain things with and they for that week you are in charge of that area of teaching. By the end of the 12 weeks they are hoping that we could train a missionary it needed.... WHOA! Three months in and I could be training someone. Let's pray for a little more time. :) That probably didn't make any sense, but oh well.

So Sister Hoopes couldn't sleep one night so she came and slept on the floor by my bed, and proceeded to tell me a story about Cody and Neeko, they were best friends and loved to hunt dragons. The floor then became uncomfortable and so the story stopped. Sister Hoopes wanted me to tell you this story. So there is the story. :)

We had to explain to Sister Snow what a Harlot was. Just imagine 6 19 year-old boys trying to explain that story. Then imagine the 21 year old female's face after they choke out and explanation.

Mahalkita lahat!

Sister Lyons.... soon to be in the Philippines!

Manila Ice

For all who have not yet heard, Sister Danielle has been reassigned to the Manila Philippines Mission. There was a chance of being reassigned to California or Alaska Tagalog speaking, but luckily she still gets to go foreign and have all the cultural experiences and sicknesses that come with such an adventure! Although disappointed about not being able to go to Baguio as initially called, her spirits are high and she is happy to still be going to the Philippines. Below are some excerpts from her most recent email. Enjoy :)

Ice, Ice Baby... She's going to Manila...

"Manila ice, ice baby! Don don don da da don don. Bam bam. Ok is it wicked that that song has been stuck in my head all week? No... Anyways, it's a know fact that I am now going to Manila. I still haven't been offically informed that but I knew I was medically cleared for it. The doctor actually thought is was foolish they were so worried about my asthma. When the last time you had a major asthma attack? 10 years ago. Were you ever hospitalized? No. Will you breath into this tube. Yes, but I have a cold, just so you know. Ok. Wow that's pretty good for having a cold! That's right! Anyways that's kinda how my appointment went."

"So the night i found out I wasn't going to Baguio, i of course bawled all day and night, but that night I was lying in bed, still crying, when i started to pray. When i finished my prayer, i realized i had stopped crying like half way through. This intense peace and calm came over me. It defiantly did not come from within me, because i was still having why thoughts and worries and complaints coming to my head, but i just kept feeling it would be okay. The next morning i read a the talk by Elder Hales from last general conference. (I would suggest you all read it and study the scriptures at the end) anyways, I prayed again and told God that I would go anywhere and I would serve with all my heart, but that He should know that a tiny part of my heart would always stay in Baguio. And then the thought came... I have NO CLOTHES FOR ALASKA! Gahhhhh! But God once again told me that it would all be ok. And it was. Cause I am going to Manila!"

Nineteen year old boys are special... 

"Elder Amataga makes thank-yous out of his left over food. He usually makes faces and then writes, thank you or salamat, or GET ME OUT OF HERE in ketchup or fries"

"Elder Bird and I had a half hour conversation about his love for Dinosaurs. In a package he got this dinosaur that's skin comes off and then it's just a skeleton. So cool. And the first day he got it he never stopped holding it. We decided he could use it in a lesson about resurrection."

The pressure of having a time limit when one is so full of things to discuss...

"Oh, there are so many more funny and great stories that I wish I could tell you all but, I only have 2 minutes left and when the time turns red, my brain stops working and then I just mumble on and on about the time turning red......" 

And because of that... that's just what she did :) More to come...

Hot dogs are so predictable...

For all of you Sister Lyons followers out there... a couple of snippets from her most recent email. Her Tagalog is coming along extremely well... and her English spelling is getting really creative, don't you think?

"So this week has been another rollercoster. So let's get started. Sunday was amazing! For Relif socitey we usually have some one from one of the womans auxillerally board members come and speak to us, but this sunday we had Sister Wixom, the gerenal primary president. It was so good! She started off saying that 1 million primary children are praying for the missionaries, so we cannot fail. Isn't that so cute and so true! He whole talk was based off the primary song, "I am a child of God." She told us this is one of the most important messages we can share with the children. She challenged us to learn it in our language and then teach it to every child we meet. Because everyone needs to know they are loved and they have a loving heavenly father."

"So after this spritual high, Branch Pres came in our room and wanted to talk to me. He asked me to be the new coordinating sister. Whaaaa? That's what i said and you probably are saying the same thing, but more like what is a coordinating sister? It's basically the female zone leader/closest thing there is to a RS pres in the branch. It means I have to go to a ton of meething, do orientation of the new sisters, interview all the sisters, and report back to President Stott. Gah! I of couse said yes, but then felt extreamly underqualified and stressed. But no worries God loves and so all is well!"

"Sister Snow is still the best. She is doing so well with the language, and we taught our first lesson without any notes! English or Tagalog! It was one of the best lessons we have ever taught. We also added another investigator the week. We will be teaching on of the other companionships. That means we have 3 progressing investigators that we have to teach 2times a week... plus TRC. If I have done my math right that is a lesson a day! Ano byon! Anyway super cazy and super exciting!"

"Sister hoopes' sister went to Bagio on her mission (and her sister's first name is danielle, how epic) anyway sister hoopes said that after about a year her sister had to have someone make her a jacket because she was cold. So I am planning to send you my coat but keep my black cardigian with me. So I will just wear that to the airport. Let's pray for good weather. I do not have a backpack, but all the teachers say all you really carries is a Book of Mormom, your planner and a TON of water. We are required to drink a certain amount each day. Oh, and a hankerchif to wipe off the sweat."

Yay for handkerchiefs. Nay for hot dogs. How much do you think she'll be willing to pay for a hot dog once she realizes she's stuck with fish every day? 3, 4, maybe 12 completos? :) 

The Sister Missionary Diaries

In an attempt to protect the author of these writings, I have left out the "Hey mom, can you send me some more underwear?" style comments and have copied over what you've all been waiting for... excerpts from the Sister Missionary Diaries. Abridged, but unedited. Pure Danielle. Enjoy.

Welcome to the MTC... Her very first email...

"My companions name is Sister Snow. She is from Alberta Canada. She has so much energy and is so happy all the time, it''s great! We live in a doram room with 4 other sisters. So it''s like freshmen year, just with all of us in the same room. The first day was a whirlwind! I haven''t time to be homesick ever since. So no worries. They started in full Tagalog right away. No English. Crazy! It takes basically all day so I barely have time to think in english. But I think that is a good thing because I can pray, bear my testimony, and tell people where to find things in the scriptures. Tagalog is like a mix between spanish, samoan, and japanese. Funny story. Here we great people in our lauguage, so we say Kamusta! which sounds an aweful lot like como esta. The spanish elders look at us like were stupid and then when we answer back Mabuti! they just look confused. It is one of sister snow''s and I''s favorite things to do. Their faces are priceless."

I'm sorry for saying I'm sorry... I promise I'll never say it again...

"So to start off I want to share with you my new most embarrassing moment ever. It was just a great day all together I tripped on nothing and totally biffed it right in front of a whole group of Elders. Pretty sure I flased them on the way up and the way down. I also fell asleep during personal study which casued be to startle awake and drop my pen much to the amusment of my Elders. And then here comes the cake. So we were teaching Rodrigo (Our pretend Investigator) for the 3rd time. All in Tagalog. Anyway, he was telling us this whole sob story about his family... yada yada yada... when I decied to give him a heart felt we're sorry. Sorry in Tagalog is 'Pacensiya' (Pronounced pa-sent-cha) and out came.... wait for it... placenta. That's right I said as clear as day placenta. Good thing he was pretending or eternal savaltion down the drain! Anyway I turned bright red and my companion started businting a gut, so we just walked out. When we got back to class, all the Elders wanted to know why we were laughing so hard. Um... yeah. So finaly they dragged it out of us. Two busted up laughing. Two laughed because they felt awkward and then the other two laughed because everyone else was. Can you imagine the converstation they had that night? "Hey, so um... Elder... What's a... you know... a placenta?"  Classic!"

She's such a missionary!

"On to more spritual stuff. So a few days ago we sang God be with you till We Meet Again in tagalog. I almost started to cry. I had this feeling that someday I would sing this song for reals. As in the right words, but more importatnly with people that I love and will leave and probably not see them until the next life. I already miss people that I haven't even met yet. Also, Sister Snow and I taught the First Vision yesterday (without any books) for the first time. It was sweet to see how even simple phrases of broken tagalog can bring such a spirit into the room. But there really is power in saying, "I know that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, and he resotred Christ gospel on the earth." Also reading the accont of the fist vision, even though I hardly understand anything, brings a feeling of excitment and the spirt. I am finding out the meaning of pure testimony even more and more here. That is because that's all I can say, but that is all that is needed. The language is hard, but they keep stressing the language of the sprit is the most important language to speak. Although sometimes I wish they had called me english speaking. But sister snow and sis hoopes both put no language. So The Lord send you where you are suppose to go. The language is really hard for sister snow (although she is doing better then she thinks) but I keep getting the feeling it will be ok. God will be with me and helping me."

And just a little extra snippet for fun...
"Mom, just so you know, I love your cooking. These past couple of days I have not felt like eating. (Don't worry I do, cause I'm starving all the time) I just miss your food and all the different flavor so much! While I like 19 year old boys, I do not like the food they eat. So thank you!"

Note: I hope Sister Lyons will forgive me for including her embarrassing moment in a blog for the world to see. For any potential blushing this post may someday cause, I am truly placenta.