Too busy to email

I'm sad to say that Sister Stewart didn't get a chance to email this week.  

She is doing wonderfully and said to tell you all hello.  

She did send me some pictures, which makes me happy.  😊 Enjoy!

*Gary Mogas got baptised!  It was a very happy day!

*A couple fun pictures from last weeks service project day (rice fields)

*Sister Stewart and Shan in a Jeepney

email her if you get a chance: sydney.stewart@missionary.org

Awkwardness

pictures:

*Morong and Siniloan Zone Conference was held this week (Syd's in Siniloan)

*Her mission president, President Alder and his wife are right behind Sydney on the left 

*Service project time

*Planting rice fields is messy, back breaking work

*Just munching on some chicken intestines, again

sydney.stewart@missionary.org

Ok so this week I hit my half way point, so 9 months on the mission! It's crazy. So I've been thinking about a lot of things... and one thing I've realized is how awkward I've gotten when it comes to anything other than missionary work here in the Philippines.

We all know those awkward returned missionaries right? The ones who have forgotten how to speak English, who everytime are asked about dating or flirting or anything in that context freeze or freak out? They hear regular music or a bad word and it almost brings them to tears? IT'S ALREADY ME!!!!!!

We have this American that just moved into our branch with his cute Filipino wife and every time I talk to him I don't know what to say. Our cultures are just so different! Wow, I just realized I'm an American so our cultures are technically the same... But I feel more and more Filipino as the days go by!! Like the first time I talked to him, I almost asked him how old he is, exactly where his house is... which is completely normal in Filipino culture right when you meet someone!! Luckily I realized and stopped myself from saying things like that, but still, I probably said something that seemed weird to him.

It's ok though, I'll just embrace the awkwardness!! I'll just need help from you all when I get home.

This week has been stressful but so rewarding! We are excited for Brother Mogas' baptism on Saturday. Earlier today we were able to plant rice in a rice field! So fun!!!!

Enjoy your week and remember... Heavenly Father notices the small good things that you do! Even when you feel like He has no reason to be proud of you, He notices even the smallest efforts you make and appreciates them more than you can imagine.

Ingat po,

Sister Stewart

Life is an Adventure!

pictures:

*A service project with machetes! 

*Team work makes the dream work

*Priscilla and her cute girls

*Rheysa made this puppet of her as a future missionary for a school project...she reminds me so much of my cousin Libby

*Just popping in to say hello

sydney.stewart@missionary.org

We got to watch General Conference! WOOOOO!!!! One of the coolest realizations that I had was during Elder Uchtdorf's talk... that life really is one big adventure!

So here's what my life adventure here on the mission looks like:

• We sometimes hike up mountains to get to people's houses
• I've seen fireflies for the first time in my life!
• Everyday I get multiple men who I don't know telling me that they love me...
• Dogs are no longer cute in my eyes... almost all the dogs here have their skin falling off from whatever weird diseases they have
• I'm learning so much everyday, especially about myself
• The market is a fun place where you get to stare hanging pig heads in the eye
• Food is a HUGE deal here, especially to my companion. I swear half of her thoughts are what she's going to cook later:)
• Tricycles are literally like going on a roller coaster ride everywhere 

Life is pretty great here in the Philippines, but the word adventure doesn't mean things are easy. I know that whatever your adventure looks like, it isn't easy. But when you do what you're supposed to and keep on trekking, you'll reach a destination more beautiful and amazing than you can even imagine! I love you all. Keep pushing through and don't forget to notice all the magnificent things around you along the way. 

Love,

Sister Stewart

I checked a man's pulse...

pictures:

*teaching

*2 rats (in the past week, while they were teaching at 3 different homes, rats ran across the kitchen counters)

*doing service...she's now a laundry expert (all by hand in tubs)

Drop her an email or letter:

sydney.stewart@missionary.org

Sister Sydney Stewart

Antipolo Mission Office

Ligtasan St., Brgy. San Roque

Antipolo City 1870

Philippines

Good morning! And in case I don't see ya, good afternoon, goodevening, and goodnight! (Truman Show) How are yall doing? I'm just chilling here with a fever in the Philippines;)

So last night, we were walking back from a lesson on this thin road in between rice fields and it was pretty dark. I saw this weird pile of something in the distance and we were like what is that? When I realized it was a man and a bike, I ran over (thinking he was either dead or dying because he got hit by a tricycle or something) and screamed "CALL 911!" and then rushed and checked his pulse. Then I had two realizations... First, calling 911 is only in America. Second, this man was breathing and had a pulse, he had just gotten completely drunk and passed out on his bike ride home. The member who was working with us knew him, woke him up, and dragged him to the side of the road. As she was lecturing him for his stupid decisions, he smiles and just says "Hi Sisters!" like it was completely a normal thing to be laying in the middle of the road. We encounter drunk people every day here in the Philippines. Another time we had this man just keep shouting to us "I wanna be a Mormon!!" and so we invited him to church! It keeps things entertaining.

One amazing experience I had yesterday was in the middle of Sacrament. I came to church completely sick and I could barely talk like a normal person, so I was just really looking forward to seeing all the people we are teaching come to church to lift my spirits. But, as missionary work tends to slap you in the face, not a single person came to church. We had 9 people almost guaranteed to come. SO at first feeling frustrated, heart broken, sad, and utterly exhausted and sick, we sat next to our recent converts, Rheysa (10 years old) and Leonisa (her mom). It was testimony meeting and the Spirit was really strong. The AirCon was on so low and we all got so cold where we were sitting so I put my arm around Rheysa and Leonisa (with my face in the other direction because I didn't want to get them sick haha) and I had an incredible realization! The Spirit whispered to me that these two girls are what is important. I realized why I'm on my mission... not to find and baptize this amount of people or to hit a certain number of people who attend church, but for these two daughters of God right next to me. I am finding scattered Israel. People who are ready for the Gospel of Jesus Christ come to church. I brought these two amazing people back to the fold and I can look forward to seeing them and celebrating with them in heaven.

Love,

Sister Stewart