Transfer week!

So this week was the last of the transfer,

(Our last district photo...sniff, sniff)

 so naturally... Sister Black was stressing out a little bit towards the end of the week (she was wondering if she would transfer). For me, I wasn't too stressed because I am still new to this area, so there wasn't much of a chance that I would transfer. The only thing I did really worry about was if Sister Black would transfer. I wasn't sure how I would feel if that happened.

I know for me, transferring was the start of a whole new adventure! There were lots of things that were really hard about it, but there were other parts that were really great! Like meeting a bunch of new and amazing people, getting to see a new place, and having so many great opportunities to learn from a new companion. And I didn't know if Sister Black would get to go through that.

But when we got the transfer announcements last night and I learned that Sister Black would not transfer, I actually remember feeling more happy and relieved than I had expected. Sister Black is super masipag (hard working), she always does her best and puts in her best efforts and I don't feel like I'm done learning from her quite yet.  Besides, we've been having too much fun here! 

She can't leave yet!

Like last Monday for example, we had an awesome district activity in these really pretty mountain/hill area!  (I posted lots of pictures last week but here's a few more!)

It was super fun! 

Especially since it is the first district activity I've got to have since I started my mission. We got to play some fun games 

and hike over to eat adobo and fried chicken

  next to this beautiful lake, 

I don't think I have ever wanted to jump into a lake so bad! Since it was SUPER INIT (HOT) outside. I don't think I have ever enjoyed a cold shower as much as when we got back to our apartment later that afternoon. The only thing that was hard about p-day was that we didn't get the "proper" amount of cleaning time... so my room is in need of just a little bit of a clean again. I'll have to work on that today especially since we've been seeing some of these bad boys...

which basically makes me feel like this...

 Sadly, Sister Sosoter (our roommate) did get transferred so we had a kabahay going away breakfast for her.  

We're going to miss her!  We've all had so much fun together!

 Speaking of food, I got to try squid this week!

We went out to lunch

and we've eaten a lot of watermelon which I LOVE!!!

YUM!!!

This week we have been really busy! I have basically buried myself in the area book trying to get it all organized and finding people that might have the potential to progress... it has been a project! But I am FINALLY finished and I really think all of that work might help our area to progress. In addition, I think I have a word of wisdom problem: with ice cream! It has been so hot here that I feel like I am always craving a nice cold ice cream, halo,

 or soft drink. Especially when it feels like no matter how much water I drink, I can not seem to stay hydrated. Oh well... only one month to go of the sun daw, so I'm not too worried. I can handle that! I just keep picturing all the weight I am going to sweat off and the summer bod I am going to get, which really helps keep me motivated

Finally, our investigators are awesome as usual 

and I absolutely LOVE the kids here! 

We have a couple of baptisms in the upcoming weeks, which I am really excited for and I have seen so many of our investigators grow and change so much! I have seen people gain testimonies, gain hope, and gain smiles. I have seen people cut down on cigarettes and other bad habits and watched as they testify that they know this church is true.

In addition, I have also had a couple heartbreaks. I felt my heart rip in half this week when we went over to find one of our investigators drunk. He has really been struggling to overcome the word of wisdom and it is hard to watch him start to slip, especially when I literally have no idea of what more I can do!

It's so weird! I feel like I give all I have and it's never enough. There is always more that I could or should be doing. At the very least, looking back at this transfer I feel good. I feel like we worked hard and really did our best to help this area to progress. I feel like we made a difference. But I do not feel satisfied. I know there is still more we can do! We can love more, laugh more and help more people and I know if we just do that, we can see even more progress in our area in these upcoming weeks.

I think that is what I have learned the most from this transfer: that a mission really teaches you how to love. I feel like people come and go here so fast! You finally get to now someone and the next thing you know, they are gone! Which means you've got to start leaning to love them REALLY FAST!

So I guess that's about it... another transfer come and gone and I'M STILL ALIVE!!! And ready to work. 

and to be honest, I can't wait to see what this transfer has in store for us.

I love you all and hope you have a great week full of love, laughter, service, and smiles

Sincerely, Sister Matheny