King of Arabia

Epistle from the Philippines #33

December 10, 2012

Aayong aga! Good morning! I send this good morning to you from the wonderful city of Kabankalan! But this time, I have no intentions of returning to Sipalay, nor will Sister Palai be accompanying me in my travels.

This last week (Tuesday), Sister Palai and I were both transferred out of Sipalay, replaced by elders, and then reassigned to new areas! I am the newest sister missionary assigned in Kabankalan! It's true! It's like a dream come true. I love Kabankalan! My new companion is Sister Arabe. She is from Luzon in the northern Philippines, and we, just like Sister Palai and Sister Molina my two previous companions, is from my batch, meaning that we all entered the mission field at the same time. How many missionaries get to serve with so many members of their batch? Not many, I imagine. There were 8 sisters in our group, and I've served with 4 of them so far (Arnold, Molina, Palai, and Arabe). Only three left, excluding myself. Challenge accepted.

We weren't the only ones transferred either. President Lopez told us that we should be prepared to be transferred at any time, not just every 6 weeks. So, at this point, anything goes.

Being transferred to a new area is both fun, sad, and hard. It's fun because I get to see new places and people. It's sad because I may never see the people from my previous area ever again. It's hard because I am now expected to learn dozens of new homes and neighborhoods, and hundreds of new faces and names. In Kabankalan, the church is much more established than in my 2 previous areas. I'm now serving in a Ward. There are so many members here actually, that there are two companionships of missionaries (the other missionaries are elders, our zone leaders).

I am having a lot of fun with Sister Arabe. My language ability is already accelerating, and I expect that by the end of our companionship, I will feel much more comfortable with the more difficult grammar of the language.

This week I had fun meeting many of the members and investigators here in Kabankalan. Among my favorites is a recent convert. He is 35 years old, single, but has a desire to follow God. His mother is active in another Christian church, but has been attending most of the missionary lessons with her son. Now that her son is baptized, we can spend more time focusing on her. Last night we taught her, and she agreed with everything we said. We committed her to pray about our message and Joseph Smith. She's so kind. I can't wait to see how things turn out.

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat. Please put a penny in the old man's hat. Christmas is definitely in the air right now. Some people have completely covered their homes in Christmas lights.

Some of you have expressed concern regarding a super typhoon that hit the Negros Island this last week. It came the day of our transfer, actually. Sister Palai and I left Sipalay safely and took the bus to Bacolod. No problems, it just rained a little bit. The same goes for most of the day. Sister Arabe and I went to the market, and it was rainy, but nothing threatening. The strong rain and wind didn't co me until night time. We just stayed in the apartment. We were very safe. But I heard that the storm was much worse in Sipalay, where I'd just come from earlier that day. I heard there were fatalities in Hinoba-an man, which is next to Sipalay, and we have elders there. There's also news that the storm is returning to the Philippines, but to Luzon, not Negros. So Sister Arabe has expressed some concern for people she knows there.

I am fine. New area, new adventures. I've met some Interesting people: There's a member here who's an old mail man. He can't read the Book of Mormon anymore because of his old eyes, but he sure does like to talk. He's filled with old sayings (many of which are in English) like "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy and wise!" and "You can't grow rice or camote or any other crop by just cooking it. It takes actual work. You need to do it." He rambles about FDR and America and stuff a lot. I've had some encounters with animals this week. While teaching a lesson, a duck walked into the house, and just pooped right there on the floor. Fun fact: Duck poop is very splurty. Then the duck just walked away. They cleaned up the mess by putting some ash on it first. The Kabankalan mosquitoes are enjoying the fresh American blood. As for interesting food, everything is normal for me now. I eat fried fish and rice a lot. I even eat the fish head.

Tonight our Zone and the San Carlos Zone are going to Bacolod for a Christmas Zone Conference! We'll sleep over at the mission home, and have some good training too, I'm sure. If we're lucky, President Lopez will give us a toothbrush for Christmas (that's what he gave the people with birthdays at the last Zone Conference).

I've decided that for Christmas this year, I want all my friends and family who are members of the church to do two things 1) Make a new friend at your respective ward or branch. You get extra points if you find a less active member to be friends with. 2) Make a friend with someone who isn't a member of the church.

For all my other friends, be good, love one another, don't be dumb, and have a great Christmas or Hanukkah or whatever!

Salamat gid kaayo sa inyong pagpalangga kag mga pagpangamuyo! Palangga ko kamo!
Thank you so much for your love and prayers! I love you!

Everybody's got a water buffalo

Hello again from Sipalay! Today is a nice warm day. The weather has been really rainy. I believe you can thank Typhoon Karen for that.

Remember the lady who yelled down to us from the cliff saying that she wanted to be my friend? Well, Sister Palai and I returned with the Adams couple as well. The woman told us that she had a relative in another town who was a member of the church, and she was interested in learning more about the church. It went way better than I expected from such a first meeting. She said we could come back too.

Sister Palai and I have been teaching two young girls (13 and 9) and they will be baptized this coming Saturday! I'm so excited! Anticipate pictures. I finally bought my own memory card reader (the computers here don't have memory card slots) and I'll be using it now!

It's amazing to think that I've been "Sister King" for 6 months. I've been an official representative of the Church of Jesus Christ for over half a year. It's weird. It's awesome. It's amazing. Sometimes I miss home, but I don't let myself get distracted. There is work to be done, and I have no time to be sad and homesick. That's not my purpose. I purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ. My purpose, and yours (no matter who you are) requires activity. Do you find yourself sitting around feeling useless? Then wake up! and do something more. Help someone. Spread the love. Learn something new. Use your knowledge to make the world a better place.

  My Mission President told me that I'm going to be a trainer someday. He said that I get to decide when that happens. I feel like I could be a trainer someday, but I think I need at least one more companion who actually speaks the language before I'm ready to train someone. My language has so many holes in it, and I'm still not completely comfortable. I've only been in the Philippines for less than 5 months! You're right. Becoming a senior companion saved my life. I felt like a prisoner as a junior. I could go back to being a junior, but I also look forward to my present and future experiences as a senior. Right now I find myself realizing that I may be making my companion feel how I felt with my other companions. This week, I strive for improvement.

  It's so exciting that there is so much commotion about the church in America right now. Most of the Filipinos (especially out here in the middle of nowhere) the people don't know/care about American politics. That's sad that the church isn't being portrayed in a good light. Does anyone know how the campaign is affecting missionary work? Let me know!


 I often find myself thinking, "Dad was right" when I think of those times to urged me to practice piano before I left on my mission. This week I volunteered my service to play during church. It was awful, but hey, it's better than nothing. At the church they have a simplified hymnbook, so I'm considering taking time each week to practice my playing.

There are a lot of chickens here that just walk around the streets! They probably lay eggs too. Sometimes they wander into our yard. We also enjoy frequent visits from a goat, a cow, and a caribao. A caribou is like a big cow It's a kind of water buffalo.

Open your mouth

Hello friends and family once again! This is Sister King, and I'm writing again about my exciting excitement that envelops my life on a regular basis. Not to say that I'm hang gliding or parachuting, but I am in fact teaching people the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Missionary work has its ups and downs, but it is always rewarding, even if a lesson doesn't go well. "Bad" experiences are merely learning experiences. Every experience is good if you have the right mentality. I thank Heavenly Father for my trials as well as my blessings.

This week the work blossomed here in Sipalay! Last week, we really didn't have any progressing investigators. Not very many people came to church, etc. So this week, we set goals to really work hard find the souls who are searching for the truth, who are searching for a mighty change, who are searching for peace, happiness, and salvation.

We are able to find some investigators that the Elders taught before we arrived, and they came to church. We also found some part member families. This week we began teaching 3 young girls (age 9, 9, and 13) who have family members in the church, but they are not yet baptized. They were already attending church regularly too! To we set a baptismal date, and we'll get them baptized soon! I'm so exciting. They are my first investigators that are MINE. I feel a special kind of pride for them because I'm the senior companion. Since Sister Palai doesn't really speak the language well, I do most of the teaching. Of course they are OUR investigators, but you know, I'm so proud of them, and I really want to do a good job. As missionaries, we are responsible for the understanding, and spiritual development of our investigators. Of course they themselves are responsible, but we the missionaries are guides along their way.

Here's a fun story. On Thursday we found ourselves in a far away place with no mode of transportation to get back except our feet. So we started walking back to town. Along the left side of the road, the land was hilly, like a cliff. On top of the cliff was a house, and inside the house was a lady yelling down to us, saying that she wanted to be my friend. I'm not at all surprised at this. After all, I am really really popular, and really really likable. Also I'm white and American, and people here like that. We humored her, and we got her name, and asked if we could visit her next week. I have no idea how much success we'll find with her, but hey, when the fish are asking to be caught, go ahead and catch them.

Later that very same day, our Zone Leaders challenged our whole Zone to increase our street contacts to speak. "O.Y.M." "Open your mouth." Here in the Philippines this year, we are emphasizing referrals, and contacting less active members, and strengthening the recent converts. We actually don't go door to door, or invite ourselves in like many missionaries do, or have done in the past. So for the past few days, we've had fun talking to complete strangers, and gaining the courage to give them pamphlets, and ask them if they would be interested in hearing about the church. We found a lot of potential investigators this way. I'm so excited.

To finish off this week, I give you a scripture. Alma 13:27-30.

27 And now, my brethren, I ^awish from the inmost part of my heart, yea, with great ^banxiety even unto pain, that ye would hearken unto my words, and cast off your sins, and not ^cprocrastinate the day of your repentance;

 28 But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and ^awatch and pray continually, that ye may not be ^btempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be ^cled by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, ^dmeek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering;

 29 ^aHaving faith on the Lord; having a hope that ye shall receive eternal life; having the ^blove of God always in your hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his ^crest.

 30 And may the Lord grant unto you repentance, that ye may not bring down his wrath upon you, that ye may not be ^abound down by the chains of ^bhell, that ye may not suffer the second ^cdeath.

This is my plea, my desire to all. Repent and come unto Christ. Life really is better if you let the love of God fill you and heal you.

Love always,
Sister Kelli King

Mommy, WOW! I'm a big kid now!

Sep 3, 2012

Happy Labor Day! Being so very far away, I forgot it was a holiday until my father mentioned it in his email. I hope the "Kanos" and "Kanas" aka Americans are having fun on their day away from school and/or work. Today I am in Kabankalan again. There is a mall here called Gaisano (sp?) and there's an internet cafe on the bottom floor.

This week has been quite exciting! After I emailed last week, Sister Molina and I headed home to pack up all her things. The next morning we enjoyed waking up at 2 a.m. in order to catch a 3 a.m. bus to Bacolod for transfers. We arrived at the mission office at 7 a.m. (an hour ahead of schedule) and we waited for our new companions. Soon enough, they came. I am now the brand spankin' new senior companion of Sister Palai. I love her so much. We were apart for one whole transfer, and it was too much! That's why Pres. Lopez put us together. Ha ha, joke lang. This companionship (like all of the companionships in the mission) is inspired.

I won't lie, at first I was pretty intimidated about being Sister Palai's companion. Although we've been in the mission field for the same amount of time, she barely speaks or understands any of the mission language. She is from Kiribati, the Pacific Nation that no one has ever heard of before, and she's also a recently returned member of the church, meaning that she spent most of her life not going to church. She still doesn't know a lot of the doctrine. Her English isn't the best either. But that doesn't take away from our love for one another. I actually find sheer joy in being able to help/teach Sister Palai. And although I barely speak the language myself, we somehow manage. The first day that we went out teaching, I was sort of afraid to leave the house. "Can we do this?" I thought. "Is this going to be a total disaster? Maybe we should just stay home." But we prayed, and we did absolutely fine. And we continue to teach, and we feel the Spirit! It's amazing!

I never thought that becoming a senior companion to a person who doesn't speak the language would be the answer to my prayers. I've been struggling with feelings of inferiority and uselessness, because I wasn't as talented at the language or as good of a teacher as my companions. But now... I'm needed. Sister Palai needs ME. More importantly, the Lord needs me. So, as good ol' Nephi says, "I will go and do the things the Lord hath commanded."

That's one of my favorite scriptures to share to people (especially less active members) when we teach. That's also why I've memorized it in Ilonggo! This is my new goal. I'm memorizing scriptures. I know memorized scriptures were like, required back in the "discussions" days, but here it's not. But I'm going to do it now. It will help me with my vocabulary, grammar, and teaching. I've also memorized Moroni 10:4-5 in Ilonggo. "Kag paagi sa gahum sang Balaan nga Espiritu, mahimo ninyo nga mahibal-an ang kamatauran sang tanan nga mga butang." "And by the power of the Holy Ghost, ye shall know the truth of all things."

This transfer, Sister Palai and I are going to learn a lot. I'm going to learn how to teach, and we both are going to learn the gospel really well. As well as the English language. Everyday when we read from the Missionary Handbook (the "white Bible") together I define difficult English words for her and stuff. It's so fun. I'm so glad I have this opportunity.

This week, Elder and Sister Adams, a senior missionary couple came and moved into the house where the Bevans couple was in Sipalay. We went with them yesterday to some of our visits to Recent Converts and Less Active members. It was so fun. So out of the 4 of us, assigned to this area, I'm the only one who speaks a lick of the language. But this is going to a great experience.
 
Much love! I enjoy every single message I receive! Yours always!

Love,
Sister Kelli King

Missionaries in Paradise

Maayong udto! That means "Good noon!" It's noon as I write this, so there you go.

 Every week of the mission field has adventures to bring. This week Sister Molina and I had to joy of exploring Sipalay, our new area. I'm pretty sure that Sipalay is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. This is a resort town. Tourists come here for snorkeling in ship wrecks, white beaches, and a gorgeous sunset every night. This is the kind of place my parents would like. But at the same time, it's very humbling. For example, of course, right next to the beach are the homes of the very poorest of people. There are only 4 public internet cafes.

Fun fact: Internet Cafes are almost always filled with young people who wish to spend what little money they have on  playing video games.

 This week I learned a fun lesson about watching what I say to people. You see, many/most people love to talk to me/see me, because I'm American. Others resent me. Yesterday I politely asked, "How are you?" to someone on the street. "Pigado," she said. "Poor." Next time, I'll just say "Good afternoon."

There in America, it sounds like everyone is starting up school again. In the Philippines school is already going. The school year started in June. Not that it really affects me much. Fun fact lang. 

I don't really know what to say about this week, except that I've had the opportunity to develop a lot of character. Hopefully for the better. When you're a missionary, Satan wants to hit you with everything he's got. His best tool of destruction is discouragement. He can get anyone with it. I've refocused my efforts, and I'm doing my best to do the work.

Missionary work has an interesting balance of things. Here's a Sister Molina acronym for you all. In our priorities we should always have JOY: Jesus Christ, Other, Yourself. I also have to consider the fact that in order to serve the J and O in JOY, I have to refine myself. I need to spend the time learning the language, and keeping myself close to the Spirit. Without the Spirit, we cannot teach. We should not teach.

 Okay, here's the funnest fact of the week. TRANSFERS! This transfer went so fast (maybe it's because I was transferred twice?) They switched things up this transfer: Instead of waiting for a phone call, we simply checked our emails. So this next transfer, I will be staying in Sipalay, but Sister Molina will be transferred! My new companion will be my dear friend, Sister Palai! If you recall, she and I were in the MTC together, and she was my housemate in Sagay for 2 transfers. It's very, very likely that I will be her senior companion. SENIOR COMPANION. Transfer information will be confirmed later today via phone. I'm honored at this responsibility. I have a feeling that this next transfer will be just as trying and character developing as each of my transfers have been thus far.

Missionary work is first and foremost... work. It's hard. It's also so fun to have success, to have this time to lose myself in the sharing of the gospel with the people of the Philippines. It's a wonderful honor.

It's time for scripture sharing! This week, I found great comfort/meaning in the following:

The Book of Mormon: Alma 5:7 & Alma 7:22. I feel like my whole life I've been asleep to my duty to God. I (We all) have a responsibility to share to good word today and always.

Ether 12:27 - At times I feel like all I have is weaknesses. But with humility and faith my weaknesses can become strengths by the power and love of God.

The Doctrine & Covenants: Section 6 - The Lord's words to Oliver Cowdery are so loving. I love how he talks about talents. I LOVE the last few verses of the section. To earth and hell I say "BRING IT ON! I can take it!"

 Uh, that's all I guess. You'll hear from me next week on Monday, and hopefully I'll hear from you too!

 Thanks for the prayers and thoughts and love! I need them all!

 Sincerely,

Sister Kelli King

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful

August 20, 2012

Hello from Kabankalan again! Sister Molina and I came here to withdraw money again. It's truly amazing to me that the closest ATM to the southern part of the island is so far away. Thus is life.

So something unexpected happened this week. President Lopez decided that we were too beautiful for Inayauan, so Sister Molina and I were transferred to a new area. We are now assigned in Sipalay, (see-PAUL-eye), the neighboring area to Inayauan. So although we are  farther away from civilization (Bacolod) the city is actually more developed. Inayauan isn't even a city; it's an extension of Cauayan (Kauaian) which is the neighboring area to the north east. Sipalay is nice. If you look at Sipalay City on Google Maps, you'll see the LDS church near the big intersection east of the town. We live near there. If you can see the church, you can see my house. Wave hello!

Wow, I just realized that you can't even see Inayauan on the Google Map. Here's the coordinates: 9.899657,122.43443. The green lot you see in the picture is where the LDS chapel will be built in the near future.

Sipalay is beautiful. The main part of the city is right on the beach. The rice fields and coconut trees are also very beautiful.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. We didn't get transferred until Friday morning. Tuesday was Sister Molina's birthday! We celebrated by having a family home evening at the Branch President's house. We had a spiritual thought, played games, and we ate dinner. For dinner, the Branch President's wife made a delicious chicken dish. I took a scoop of the food, and I took a bite out of my piece of chicken. My chicken reminded me of the consistency and taste of fish eye ball. It was at that moment that I realized that I was eating chicken head. Of all the pieces of chicken I could have scooped, I got the head. BLEEECH. Fun fact: It's somewhat hard to detect chicken head, because the beak is cut off. Overall, I guess you could say that I've topped off my chicken eating experience. 

As are most of the branches and wards here, the area in Sipalay is very big. A least, it seems big to me because the transportation is so slow and (in my Filipino eyes. I've had to adjust my way of thinking about the worth of money) expensive. We're living on a budget! I'm proud of us. Sister Molina and I last 3 weeks without having to withdraw, and we still had left over money.

The branch in Sipalay is struggling with church attendance. That's why they brought us in. We're the Sister missionaries. We can do anything the Elders can do in 3/4 of the time. And we can do it while wearing a skirt. 

Before I forget, you all (or at least my Mom) need to add President Lopez as a friend on Facebook. His name is Marlo Lopez (his middle name is Oliver-something) and he posts pictures of the missionaries on Facebook. There's a great one from our ocean-side baptism 3 weeks ago (I hear). It's in black and white. President Lopez says that the missionaries should not add him as a friend. The relatives only. So go ahead and add him, and see if you can find me!

In Sipalay Sister Molina and I inherited a baptism! On Saturday, a young man of 16 entered the waters of baptism after a long struggle  of getting his Dad to give his consent. It was really fun and sweet. He cried, and the Spirit was really strong. I forgot my camera, so I'll send pictures next time. 

I am actually picking up this language. It's weird. I can actually understand a lot of what people are saying. Sometimes someone will use a big word, and I'll think "Oh no, I big word." But then I realize, "Hey wait... I know what that word means! Cool!" Sister Molina has been a very supportive companion to me. We'll do good in Sipalay, I know it!

Thanks for the love! Keep writing. Send pictures! Send packages! Send prayers most of all.

Pagpalangga ko pirme (My love always),

Sister Kelli King

P.S. Here's a joke we (Sister Molina and I) like to say to people.

Q. "Ano ang tawag sang cuto sang calbo?" "What do you call the lice of a bald man?"

A. Homeless! 

(Yes, the punchline is in English. If they don't understand, we explain, "Kay, wa'ay sila balay! They're homeless!" "Because they have no house! They're homeless!" 

Fun stuff.