Farewell, Siniloan

Sister Stewart got the call that she was getting transferred to Taytay yesterday.  She has been in Siniloan for 7 months...that's a long time in the mission world.  It was hard for her to say goodbye to the many friends she has made there, but she looks forward to more adventures.  She is leaving the beautiful countryside for a big city and even more heat.  I'm sure she will love it there, though.  Her address and email stay the same.  Drop her a Valentine note if you get a chance.

sydney.stewart@missionary.org

Sister Sydney Stewart

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Antipolo Mission Office

Ligtasan St., Brgy San Roque

Antipolo City 1870, Philippines

SINGGGG

Pictures:
*TinTin's baptism

*visiting the Vergara Family

*2 more with TinTin....she's so cute!

email: sydney.stewart@missionary.org

HELLO BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE OF THE WORLD!!

I'm a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I have the opportunity to share some of the most precious principles that I know are true to people that I loved before I even met them. God loves us, we are literally His children. Jesus Christ suffered and died not only for our sins but for our hardships. He knows everything we feel because He felt it before. Even though He died on the cross, He lives again! And because of that, we will too!

I know with all of my heart that the things I share everyday are true. I have every inch of my testimony because Heavenly Father gave it to me. He gave me my faith, my strength, my life. EVERYTHING. He gave me His Son. And for that reason, I am here. I'm here in the Philippines, in a mentally, emotionally, and physically demanding atmosphere that is also the happiest thing I have ever been a part of. I'm here because I get to love people the way that my Savior loves me. 

Whatever we go through, the Savior is right there. Our Father is listening. He is proud of us, even for the small things we do. So let's keep going:)

Sister Stewart

Wars and Rumors of Wars..?

pictures:

*life in the province is beautiful (Laguna, Philippines)

*a trike with an American flag on the ceiling

*the tunnel from the MTC to the temple

*lucky girls got to go to the Manila Temple

email: sydney.stewart@missionary.org

Magandang hapon po!!! Si Sister Stewart po ito. Sorry it's been a while! 

According to the people on the streets in the Philippines, America is at war and we are lucky to be here where we are safe.  Glad I can call home and get the truth.  HaHa

This week my companion and I got to go to the temple! How amazing is that?! I love the temple so much. 

We have a baptism this next Saturday so let me tell you about her:

Her name is TinTin (Christine) and she is 13 years old. She's super smart and pretty and it's pretty much like teaching a member when we teach her. She had been baptized before but her records couldn't be found, so we get to reteach her and rebaptize her this Saturday!:) I wonder if the people I teach know how much I love them...

I wonder if you guys know how much I love YOU!!!!

Sister Stewart

Maligayang Pasko!

Photos:

*Bryan's baptism

*Trying to capture a beautiful sunset

*Syd loves her roommates!

*Sister Doney (on the right) is from our home ward and happens to be one of Sydney's roommate! She's been a HUGE blessing!

email her: sydney.stewart@missionary.org

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! Holidays are fun here in the Philippines! Lots of food of course:)

We had a week full of miracles, but one of my favorites was Bryan's baptism! Bryan is one of those people that was just so prepared and ready for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love adding on to my family! That's seriously what it feels like haha! So joyful and the testimony that he gave was incredible.

Don't worry, I'll avoid fireworks and gunshots! Stay safe and happy everyone! I love you all!

Sister Stewart

Exchanges and Birthday Surprise!

pictures:

*Shaina (Sydney's best bud)

*The 4 roommates at Syd's surprise party

*They party hard in the Philippines

*Shaina calls Sydney her 'little big sister' (notice the stool) 

This week was awesome! We had exchanges twice this week with the sisters in our route so I got to go with Sister Doney in our area and Sister Tan in their area. It was so much fun, I love these sisters like sisters!!

I got soooo spoiled for my birthday, oh my goodness!! Shaina went all out and threw me a full on surprise party! She cooked, decorated, bought me a cake, invited all the YSA, and made me a video of my family saying happy birthday!! 

Thank you for all of the birthday wishes. I feel so loved! I love celebrating my birthday as we celebrate the Savior's birthday. I love my Savior with all of my heart and there is nowhere else I'd rather be than here, serving Him in a place where He is loved.

I love you all! Keep being amazing.

Sister Stewart

THIS WEEK WAS INSANE

pictures:

*Armando's baptism

*Look closely.  You can see Sydney standing on the retaining wall.  This was before the typhoon got really bad. Already flooded!

*I'd listen to these sweet sisters 😊

WOW!!!!! The typhoon was the real deal. We weren't allowed to go outside all day until about 4. It had been raining all day, but it didn't seem too bad. But when we walked outside, we were wading in flood water. EVERYWHERE in our whole area was flooded.

Some houses got destroyed and a million trees are on the ground. Everyone was safe though, thank goodness. We may or may not have gotten stuck in the middle of the storm... We went out to help people get water out of their houses and then the storm made a come back! The whole town was a river so we had a hard time getting back home haha! We were blessed though because the water did not make it into our house.

I got to go to the temple twice this week! It was amazing. My companion's sister was endowed (entered the temple for the first time) so she got to be her escort. The second time was the next morning, where we went with all the other STLs and zone leaders before our leadership meeting. I had missed the temple so much! I got to see my trainer, Sister Gaspar! She was there dropping someone off at the MTC.

I saw this one quote on the back of a truck that really inspired me! I changed it slightly though because the English wasn't perfect haha.

"Pray, hope, and don't worry. God is there." So simple but such a good, often needed reminder.

I love you all!!!! Thanks for all you do and all you've done to get me where I am today.

Sister Stewart

BAGYO

pictures:

*Thanksgiving Filipino style

*going on splits

*the next 3 show the approaching typhoon (Category 3 hurricane).  Pray for the people of the Philippines!!!

helllllooooo please pray hard for the people here! There is a "super typhoon" heading towards us. I'm confident that the missionaries will be safe, we've been prepared well, but our friends have not. The people's houses here are not built for storms. 

This week was good, I went on my first exchanges as an STL and I didn't really know what I was doing haha but that's all good! Sister Maximo was a champ. We had some unexpected things happen that day, but everything worked out in the end!

So some people here are evacuating while others just refuse to believe there's a storm coming... so I don't really know what to expect. Basta, just keep the people here in your prayers. Prayers are powerful!

Sister Stewart