Week 1: MTC Arrival / My First P-day

Part 1: MTC Arrival (Jan 24, 2018)

Maayong Hapon (Good afternoon),

I just arrived to the MTC and we got put into the classroom RIGHT AWAY, and I'm not kidding it was right away! And they didn't speak any english! And I'm in a classroom with only Elders (Men) and I'm the only Sister (Woman). I know it will be a very fun and interesting week!
Have a great day everyone!

- Sister Ventura 😁

Part 2: My First P-day (Jan 26, 2018)

Maayong Umaga (Good morning),

First off, I have a nametag!!
So today is my P-Day or my preparation day where I do laundry, email, and etc. So I've been here for about 48 hours and I've learned and done SO MUCH already. I found out that I will be here at the Missionary Training Center for 6 weeks total. I feel so productive of my time and I'm not wasting any minute because I'm always doing something. So I guess some important information to know is that I'm learning a language called Hiligaynon or Ilonggo. So normally I'm supposed to have a companion with me (another Sister) at all times but I'm a special case since like I've said previously, I'm in a classroom learning my language with 4 other Elders (2 companionships) and then its just me! So I'm in a companionship trio, and my two companions are in another classroom learning Tagalog and have been here for 3 weeks already. And wow they are like pros, I really hope I'm that adjusted when I'm 3 weeks in.

So these first 2 days have been crazy and jam-packed with a-lot of experiences. Though I don't have time to say it all I'll choose the low/highlights. I'm going to be honest and say that yesterday I had my first breakdown (trust me it gets better). I guess the reason why I had a breakdown was because I had received exactly what I expected. I expected that when I got here, there would barely be any people learning the language I'm learning, and specifically I had a feeling that I would be one of the only Sisters in my class. And man was I tsakto (that's right in Hiligaynon 😂). I guess I just really felt the pressure from  having to do everything on my own, for example, there tends to be a lot of companionship study and when it's time to do that, I basically study on my own. Additionally, since I'm not in the same classroom as my companions, I don't feel as connected with them as I would like. Like they've been here for 3 weeks and are together all the time so they've established a relationship that is so strong. Anyways continuing on, yesterday I basically had to tudlo (teach in Hiligaynon) my first investigator (someone who is curious about our church). Since I am a solo, I had to teach on my own (which is SO HARD).. and not only that, it was all only in Ilonggo. The person that was pretending to be the investigator was really nice and even said I had good Ilonggo at the end of my first teaching lesson, but when I walked out of the room I couldn't help but cry. I was so embarrassed to cry in front of the Elders in my class so I ran into another room and was just bawling tears. After many tears my teacher came up to me and really comforted me and said "Sister Ventura, this experience may be hard but just know that from now until the end of your mission, you will appreciate every companion you get." Those were just the words I needed to hear. And it gets better, because the Elders in my class are super nice and really comforted me when they said "We're here for you, whatever you need." And lastly, I met who would be our Branch President (this person is the one who leads and watches our church meetings for Sunday and he's basically there for whatever concerns we have about anything) and we had a one-on-one interview. He asked me if there's any concerns I have and I vented to him about everything and he shared such encouraging words that I hope I'll never forget. It as along the lines of "you are here to help people of Iloilo, so if you are ever feeling down just remember your purpose and get lost in the work of preparing as best as you can to meet with the people of Iloilo."

I know that I'm here not only to better myself and grow closer to Jesus Christ, but I'm mainly here to go to Iloilo and share with them the true message of Jesus Christ. They may never have the opportunity to know how to have faith that God loves us and we are His children if I don't make it out there to the Philippines! Another thing that my Branch President said was "Sister Ventura, do you know how to take a break?" and I was like so confused but then he said "you have been here for 2 days! We don't expect you to be fluent in Hiligaynon!" That honestly made me laugh, but it is very true. Sometimes I can be to hard on myself but I know that Heavenly Father never gives us a battle that we can't overcome. And the way we can overcome all our battles is through JESUS CHRIST. He will get us through anything if only we let Him in!

Okay no more tears haha! Subong nga adlaw (Today) I went to my church Temple and it was an amazing experience before I even got there. I decided to try harder to get closer to my companions and so I go with them wherever (except the bathroom of course) and today they did language study in Tagalog, not in my language, but I joined them anyway because my Branch president told me that it would help me when I go to the Philippines and encounter people that happen to speak Tagalog. Things are looking up!

There was a scripture that we read yesterday that really gave me comfort and I'd like to share it with tanan (all) of you. It's in the Book of Mormon in Alma 26:27 :

"27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success."

I know that I need to be more faithful in God's power because like it says here, HE WILL GIVE ME SUCCESS!

Enjoy your day!

- Sister Ventura😁

P.S. if you'd like to write me letter or send me care packages anytime before me 6 weeks wends here you go!

P.P.S. (or however you say it) I like Lindor chocolate, Jalepeno chips, and Sour Patch Watermelons😉

​left pic - my companions! Sister Veras on the left and Sister Lindstrom on the right
right pic - my other roommates that are learning Tagalog

literally winter wonderland

outside of the Provo Temple

*Some names have been changed or omitted to protect the privacy of individuals.