Dearest pamilya at mga kaibigan ko,
How are you allllllll??!!? I hope all of you had a wonderful week in all the various activities you are doing. How's the weather there? Is it cooling down? How is school going for the kids?
Here sa MTC, weeks and days are packed! I am finally getting into the schedule mode of things. Learning tagalog has been so wonderful! It is a beautiful language and the Lord is blessing me so much to understand others and remember the things I have learned! Some of my favorite words... Masaya- it means happy! And I think of how the Messiah makes us happy every time I say it! Also Tagapagligtas- it means Savior. It literally translates as Taga-title Pag-of Ligtas-saving, title of saving. Also the Atonement, Pagbabayad-Sala, literally translates as payment of Sins. There are so many beautiful lessons learned from other languages.
It has been very humbling to teach other people in Tagalog! You have to really rely on the Spirit and on bearing your testimony, and very simple messages. And as you do, the Spirit can teach the person. For that reason I am grateful that I haven't been assigned to teach in English, it would be easier to rely on your own abilities. Every lesson we taught Angelo, I would be desperately praying for help! Haha and after three lessons, Angelo, aka Brother Williamson, came into our classroom and became our teacher. It is very odd to be taught by your investigator, I have to say.
I love our zone!! For anyone who doesn't know, our zone is a bigger group of missionaries, ours is all Tagalog assigned missionaries. We have the kindest Elders, they take our trays every meal, and we have the best volleyball games! It is so fun to communicate sa Tagalog with everyone, I am laughing every day. Not only is the MTC a place of learning and of feeling the Spirit, it is also a place to laugh and love and serve others. I absolutely love the other 3 sisters in our zone also, I'm sending a letter about them more.
My personal hour of study and companion study has become so rich! It is so incredible to learn from the other sisters and to be humbled by their opinions and views. I am actually senior companion, just because my last name was first in the Alphabet haha, but it has been so good for me to learn to listen and not just try to do things my own way. I have learned this week that the Savior is our perfect role model for everything, that if we just do the things he would do, and focus on others rather than ourselves, we will feel true joy and purpose in our lives. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true, and I am so grateful to be led by living prophets and apostles! I don't think we realize what an incredible blessing that is. I know that Jesus Christ lives and loves us so much, that he can help us if we are humble and turn to him in every thought in prayer. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us more than we can comprehend! I love you all!!!!!!!
Mahal kita!!!
Sister Andelin
P.S. If you want to send me a letter, set up a Dear Elder account, and I'll have more time to read them! Ask Jezebel if you have questions hahahaha
