New

New area, New companion, New language, New people, a New adventure.

I just had my first transfer! I was SO nervous and a bit surprised. We got the text Saturday morning that I would be transferring. I may or may not have cried a little bit. We did cleaning and I packed Saturday. That night we went on splits with the ward missionaries so I got to work with Merasol which I loved being able to work with her before I left. She is amazing and I miss her like crazy!

We went to Bishop’s house that night because Merasol said that we would meet Sister Talataina and Jonelyn there. I wasn't sure why, but I went with it and it turned out they did a little going away party for me. As soon as they found out I was transferring (They didn't know until Saturday afternoon) they wanted to do something for me. I LOVE THEM. I miss everyone there like crazy! Gina found out I was transferring at church on Sunday and she just started to cry. I cried a lot on Sunday. I really loved my first area and the people there. She was really sad I wouldn't be at her kid’s baptism. I told her that it's okay that I won't be there because it really matters that they are going to be baptized and I'm lucky I got to help them get there.

Now don't go thinking I'm still sad because I LOVE my new companion and this area! It's Carigara! The language is Waray Waray-H and before I was speaking Waray Waray-S, so it’s not totally different but it's pretty interesting. Wish me luck! ;) I haven't been in the area much yet but it's so nice and quiet! Haha. We don't have to share an apartment and it's super nice! My companion is Sister Pui. She's too cute! She's a Filipina and is from IloIlo. She is so sweet and an AMAZING COOK. I'm living the good life ;) She's even going to teach me! Yay!! She learned english from watching movies. Her favorites include Transformers and Fast and Furious. We found out that we are a going home batch! :) I can't wait to tell you more next week when I actually experience the area! :)

Mom-WHY ARE YOU SO AMAZING?! New beginnings looked so good!! Love it! And THANK YOU for your packages!(Family included! I got the Valentine’s one and the one full of food! Elder Anderson (Him and his wife serve in the Mission office) said he answers the phone as "Wilde and Cotcher storage service" because we have so many packages! Haha too funny!

Kaden-Thank you for the billion emails with one picture in each. You're killin me! ;) So many dances! Can't wait for you to get your mission call! The wait is hard for me! PHILIPPINES!!!!

I love you ALL!!!
Sister Wilde

All our transfering from Catarman except for Sister Talataina.

Beach pictures were a must.

My little get together at Bishop's house! LOVE these people!

Last district meeting!

I just love these people!!

Taught everyone the cup song!

Saying goodbye to Sister Lyka!

They came to church again and said goodbye :)

Gina and I

Merasol and I

Trying to be creative!

Saying goodbye to the Sarmiento and the Gabiana family. (The hardest!)

Gabiana Family

The longest bridge in the Philippines

The driver pulled over and let us take pictures!!!

Saw Sister Brereton and Sister Malu for the first time since October and it was THE BEST! Sister Malu just hugged me and started crying. It was pouring rain outside, but she didn't care!

Here is a bit of my area! Muddy feet everyday!

Pigs galore!

Happy LOVE Day! I LOVE being a missioinary, I LOVE these people, I LOVE my area, I LOVE this gospel, I LOVE you!

Hello Everybody! I hope all is well! This week is the 6th week in the transfer and I couldn't be more nervous! (Transfers are Monday so I won't email until Tuesday) There is a chance I could transfer areas and that does make me sad, but I know that whatever happens is what Heavenly Father wants for me, and being here on my mission I have really learned to be Humble and trust in Heavenly Father because I know He knows what's best for me.

We visited the Mangadtos again this week and Brother Mangadto told me that he is praying I stay in this area for another Cycle. Grabe I love the people here so much! They are always thanking me and telling me how grateful they are that I respect their culture, and do things the way they do things. For me it hasn't been hard because they are the NICEST people in the world, and I love the culture here! I tell everyone I'm a Filipina at heart :) For Valentine’s Day Sister Talataina and I woke up at 4:30am and Heart attacked the Mangadtos door for Valentines! We wanted to do Sister Lyka, but we almost got attacked by a dog. Then we tried to go to the Gabiana’s and Sarmiento’s but it started pouring rain. The struggle was real, but we got one door heart attacked and got our exercise in! (It was vertical running-not horizontal running)

We had exchanges this week with our STL's Sister Newton and Sister Zaballa. Sister Talataina led our area with Sister Zaballa, and I worked in the Catarman 2 area with Sister Newton. It was interesting to have two Americans walking around together. Got double the stares ;) We did a lot of finding and we were able to find a former investigator. She ended up knowing one of the Recent Converts in my ward so it was great to make that connection because she feels like she has a friend at church so she isn't so nervous to come. She also said she (Glecy-the RC) is always so nice and she notices that Mormons are nice and always happy and she likes that :) So don't lose that smile, people are always watching!! :)

I'm not sure if you all remember Iggy. He's the one who approached me in the candy shop back in November asking, "How do I apply to be a Mormon??"  Well the Elders lost contact with him because he was in Manila for work. Then the Elders told me that he came back and that they were teaching him! I got so excited and they said that he was great! A few days later Sister Talataina and I walked past his shop when I heard a yell, "SISTER WILDE!!!" I turned around to see Iggy and he came up to me and said, "Sister Wilde! I'm getting baptized on March 21st. I would love for you to be there since you were the one who helped me know how I can become a member of the church!" YES!!! I'm so excited for him!!! I told him I might transfer but we will see what happens :) He's the bomb!

The Gabaina children will have their baptism next Saturday and their interviews this week! I have been teaching them since the beginning of my Mission, and I have loved seeing their progress. I might not be here for their baptism which does make me a bit sad (or a lot sad) but either way they will be baptized and do great things in life :) I know it!

At Church yesterday Sister Lyka came!! Along with her husband Brother Igmar and their little girl Elisha.(She's one) Have I mentioned she's pregnant? Cause she is. Basta, she's due in 2 months and she hasn't been progressing the last month, but lately as we've been visiting her and talking with Brother Igmar and having him help us teach her he has realized the importance of attending church and helping Lyka because after all he is a member. I think he realizes now that it's not too late, it's never too late, to come back to the church. I sure love them and hope they both continue to progress!

I hope you are all well and I want you to know I LOVE YOU ALL! I pray and think of you often! Happy late Valentine’s Day! :) Take care!

Love,
Sister Wilde

I failed to mention we had Zone Training meeting. It was good! Sister Rodrigo always wants me to hold her since I'm big and she's small. She's a crack up!

The Elders are just so fun!

My first coke! It's allowed now, just need to limit ourselves! Sister Talataina thought it was funny is said Babe

We got locked in our bedroom and took a picture because we're so dumb! Sister Zaballa and I broke the doorknob a while back, and we can usually get out with scissors but they were in the kitchen so we were stuck for an hour before we got let out!

A cool bamboo bridge in the STL's area. I honestly thought I was going to break it! But no harm done :)

Not something you see everyday! At least not where I'm from ;)

Random kids in part of our area! They love us! It started to rain so we all huddled under my umbrella.

The little girls just love taking pictures!

The Mangadtos heart attacked door!

Here we are with our STL's/house mates on Valentine's Day ;)

We taught Fritz yesterday after church and boy I just love him! He LOVES the "Future Missionary" bracelet, and wears it everyday!

His little brother and cousin are in the picture as well. They love being taught!

We are never alone

I have to start off by saying...HAPPY BIRTHDAY KADEN! I LOVE YOU! I can't believe you are 18! You are now officially missionary age and I can't even begin to explain how excited I am for you to go on a mission yourself and experience the many great things Heavenly Father has in store for you. I also know that there are people out there waiting to hear this gospel from you! Have a great Birthday Kade :)

This week! We went to Tacloban which is a 7 hour van ride. I'm sure I have mentioned this before, but this 7 hour van ride was a rough one. Our driver was crazy and the roads are extra bumpy from construction due to damage done from the typhoon. We got to Tacloban Tuesday night and you will never guess what I got to eat....MCDONALDS. Yes. McDonalds. The best day ever ;) I got up and ordered my Chicken Nugget meal then he asked me, "Would you like rice or fries?" Um...fries! I was a little confused by the question! Only in the Philippines :) We then had our Sisters training meeting on Wednesday and it was AMAZING! I loved every minute of it! We even had the opportunity to watch the movie "Meet the Mormons". We watched the couple who lives in Costa Rica, and then the Missionary Mom. Yes, I bawled. It was just so good and it reminded me of my sweet family and of course my Mom, who is my best friend!! We focused on the talk that Elder Dallin H. Oaks gave this last General Conference, “Loving Others and Living with Differences”. I read it at least 7 times and every time I was able to mark something else I liked or learn something new from what I already had marked. It is a great talk! I would definitely encourage you all to read and study it!

We got home late Wednesday night and I woke up in the middle of the night freezing cold which is really weird, so in the morning when nothing changed we realized I had a fever of 104.3. Woah. I don't think I have ever had a fever that high before! So I wasn't able to work Thursday or Friday :( Saturday I was determined! I prayed that I would be able to work and we worked from 10am to 8pm nonstop! Grabe it was the best feeling in the world to be able to go to all of our area and see the people I love! We had taught 2 of our investigators (Lyka and Rosalie) when the prompting came to stop by a member family’s home that was nearby, the Mangadtos. They are the sweetest. We went over and Sister Mangadto was so happy to see us. She is the cutest little old lady. Brother Mangadto had left to their farm we found out while we were talking with her when all of the sudden he came through the door! He sat down and I asked if it was okay if we shared a message. I had the prompting to share a scripture in Doctrine and Covenants about Angels among us and to share an experience I had last week when I wasn't able to walk. I know I didn't walk by myself. It was as though I had someone on my left and someone on my right to help me walk. I get chills every time I think about it. Sister and Brother Mangadto cried with me (how could I not be a little emotional?) as well as Sister Talataina. After our lesson Brother Mangadto said he was the only one on the tricycle going to the farm when he had the thought to have the driver turn around and go back home. He said he knew it was because the missionaries were at his home and he needed to hear from them. I love that as a missionary I can not only help Investigators, Less Actives, Recent Converts, but also members of our ward. What a sweet experience it was :)

We taught Mark Gundaya later that night and we taught him how to pray! His lessons are always interesting because there are 8 kids 9 and under. CrAzY! I love it though! We had to teach him the steps at least 12 times, but he eventually remembered and even prayed after the lesson! Yay! His parents are Less Actives and so we are working with them as well. They are sweet people :) His Mom said she will even help him to pray and pray herself!

The Gabiana kids have been to church 14 times in a row so they are right on track to being baptized! I love them so much! I always tell them how proud of them I am and they say "Yeah we know we are happy that we will get to be members soon!" Such good kids! I've been teaching them since I first arrived here in the mission field and they call me "Ate" which means Older Sister.

Yes, the last few weeks have been challenging, but I have learned so much and I'm so thankful for our loving Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ who have been helping me every step of the way.

I love you all! Have a great week!


Love,
Sister Wilde

Sister Maurer and I! We were both laughing in this picture because of President! He's a crack up! Have I mentioned how much I LOVE my Mission President and his amazing Wife?!

Eating McDonalds!

Candy watches! Yummy!

Saw this cool little bird!

A playground here in the Philippines

Here are some homes that we saw on our way to Tacloban.

And this is the runway which we go through everyday to get to our area.

And the trials continue...

Hello everyone! I hope all is well! It has been quite a week! I have been having shooting pains that go from my lower back down to my toes for a week. It was especially painful in my knees, and it became really hard to walk. I continued to go out and work because, well I wasn't dying! (It may have looked like it as I walked slower than usual) I then woke up on Wednesday with a high fever, and I couldn't eat because I couldn’t keep anything down. Gross. I had to stay in Wednesday and Thursday! NO FUN. Sister Talataina comforted me with the 4th verse of "Come Come ye Saints" while I laid in bed, and for those of you who may not know the words...here's a part: If we should die before our journeys through, happy day, all is well. How sweet. After that she then sang me the Africa, Fiji, Samoa, America, and Australia national anthems. It was quite a treat. Haha :)

Friday we went out and made a stop at the Hospital because a member of our ward, Paul, got his appendix taken out! (Pablos little brother, he is 13) While we were there we taught 2 lessons and talked to all the nurses! They love that I can speak to them. They spoke english more than I did in our conversation! Speaking waray waray is just normal to me now! (Even though I still have a lot to learn)

We now have a new investigator. Her name is Ivy and she is 16. She is so sweet, and we are going to meet her family this week! We also went and taught Sister Lyka, who is doing good! She is 20 weeks pregnant and is busy with her 1 year old! We shared a simple message with her, and offered to help her clean, cook, do laundry. (Don't worry-I do the laundry and cleaning, NOT the cooking) She was surprised, but really appreciated our offer and said that she would text us. I am really hoping that she does, but we will go there again soon for sure :)

On Saturday the pain was bad, and as I was thinking about what I should do I got a text from Sister Maurer telling me to go to the hospital and get a CBC and ESR blood test. Uh...what?! I was so nervous! I hate needles! Sister Zaballa and I went because I told Sister Talataina she needed to go to the Gabiana family. So she and Sister Newton went to teach them. We went to the hospital only to find out they don't do the tests there, instead they are at a place called SureMed. We went and I filled out a little slip, gave them money and thinking I would have to wait for a little while I sat down only to find out they were ready for me. No!! I sat down and a lady came over. I told her that my veins are hard to find, and to please be careful because I'm scared. Haha is that bad??  She laughed and said, "Oh Sister maarum ka waray waray. Waray problema," (Oh you know Waray waray? No problem.) Again, how sweet. She then realized I wasn't kidding as it took her 10 minutes to find a vain. When she finally found one I grabbed Sister Zaballas hand (Because of course I didn't have my Mom!) and it hurt. As I was looking away, closing my eyes, and squeezing Sister Zaballas hand I heard Sister Zaballa say, "Grabe Damo! Ala! Don't look Sister!" (Woah that is a lot!) Again, how sweet. (This week was just full of sweet things;)) We got my results back an hour later and Sister Maurer sent them to the mission doctor in Manilla who said I'm going to live! Yay! :) I'm just on some pain killers right now and I'm feeling so much better. (Sister Maurer Rocks. Seriously. She does SO much medical stuff it's unreal. The Manilla doctor is pretty good too;)) So I'm looking forward to walking normal and working everyday this next week.

The past few weeks have really been full of trials, but I am thankful as I have learned a lot, and have felt the prayers from home and here in my ward. Everyone told me on Sunday that they have been praying for me, and that they were happy to see my beautiful face. I love them.

Nahigugma ak kamo tanan! (I love you all!) Napapasalamat ak para sa inyo ngan para sa imong gugma, pagampo, ngan support para sa ako. SALAMAT ORAx2 :) (I'm thankful for your love, prayers, and support in my behalf! Thank you so much!) Pag hinay! (Take care!)

Love,
Sister Wilde

The petty cab struggle is SO REAL. Even if this picture doesn't look like it!

I love these people! This was after the Elders baptism. Sister Talataina, myself, and Gelaine ended up doing a musical number. Good times.

Sister Gina and I! She is doing so good! Love her! Her kids (Gabiana) can't wait to be baptized on March 7th.

This is what I go through every day to get to our apartment. It's so little!

We got cotton candy this morning for 5 pesos and it was  Marasa! (delicious!)