Sister Tanner

Missionary Madi LOVES Sister Tanner. She is thankful for the love and support that President Tanner and Sister Tanner have extended to her since her arrival in the Cebu East Mission. The sister missionaries wanted to surprise Sister Tanner for her birthday. Missionary Madi is pretty proud of herself because apparently she made the Happy Birthday banner. Sister Tanner has been a great support for Missionary Madi as she has worked through the overwhelming emotional and physical challenges of dealing with the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda.

"Sister tanners surprise party ( her bday was actually sun but we celebrated early) and so we decorated the office and then surprised her with a cake and ice cream. It was really fun except for the fact that president decided to ignore the fact that he was supposed to bring her at 2 and they didn't come till 4. hahaha Those two are crazy. Sister Tanner also rapped for us to thank us for the party. I have no doubt in my mind that we aren't related somehow. She is moms long lost sister."

Serve Learn Grow

Missionary Madi has been busy working hard as a STL. She is working with different sister missionaries every day. Her and her companion split up and train other sister and their companions in their area. They call it splits. It gives the sister missionaries an opportunity to be trained by working with the sister training leaders. It increases their knowledge to be more effective missionaries.

"We went on splits with Sister Fiti and Sister Diangco. Sister Fiti is from Samoa and is bffs with Sister Goano (my MTC comp). So that was really fun! They are very similar people and it just took me back to the MTC days haha and I loved their area because it was swarming with bata (kids) and they were teaching me all sorts of stuff. To weave those weird leaf things (we put rice in those and cook it) and to say naughty words. I didn't know that until after tho.... and Sister Fiti was super funny to talk to because her English is sketchy and so she says talks in English, Samoan and Cebuano all mixed together. It was a fun game to try and understand her."

Missionary Madi states that she is the "Big White American" She does stick out just a little.

Tacloban Missionaries Farewell - Mission Reopens

Missionary Madi finds it bitter sweet that the Tacloban Mission has been reopened. These Sister and Elder missionaries have had some unfathomable experiences. Going back to serve the people they love who have lost so much is their desire. Facing the devastation and the new challenges awaiting them in this area ravished by the storm is daunting. The Filipino spirit truly is waterproof!

When you come out of the storm you won’t be the same person that walked in.

That’s what the storm is all about.

-Haruki Murakami

"We had a Tacloban party last week at the mission home where all of the Tacloban missionaries got to come together for a day before Sister Duke, Lindsay and Elder Murdock and Mack (newly announced) go back to PTM. It was really fun and super sad at the same time. When it was all over none of us wanted to leave and then we said those awkward goodbyes, but maybe not cuz I could be back with you in Tacloban in like 2 weeks.(hahaha) Overall we just had lots of fun all together eating and playing basketball. :) "

Peace Out Sister Bray!

Big Hat! Big Party!

Sister Duke One of the first Sisters to return to the Tacloban Mission

Busy is a Blessing

Missionary Madi is keeping super busy as a Sister Training Leader and is so busy it is hard for her to think about herself. She was able to go the Mission Home and spend time with the other sisters who are also STL. She said they had a sleepover and spent a lot of time planning lessons and trainings for the sisters in their area.

Missionary Madi finally received her Christmas package from home. I happened to put in some Pop Tarts and apparently I answered one of her American Dreams. She said "Mom, you are an inspired woman. I loved them so much. I was actually going to ask you for them this week." Glad that sending Pop Tarts in a care package is all that is required to be considered "Inspired!"

"We also went on splits with some sisters in our zone and my companion was a newbie that has only been here 3 weeks and speaks no English or Cebuano! It was a very interesting day. We made it work though and we had lots of fun together. That is the thing I love most about being a STL I get to meet and get to know so many different people and all of their stories and they all teach me something."
She also had the Filipino equivalent of a having a door slammed in her face experience this week. She said the people in the home yelled something in broken English and then ran away. She seemed delighted by this event. As if she had been missing out or had failed until this moment.

Missionary Madi was entertained that this sweet lady wanted to show them her bedroom and have them take pictures with her. However I think this is a pretty beautiful bedroom. I can see why this little lady was proud of her interior decorating. She has created her happy place.

All of this hard work was overshadowed as Missionary Madi was informed that they were sending the first batch of missionaries back to the Tacloban Mission. She is concerned with the prospect that she will soon be asked to do the same. At this time she struggles to know what she should do.Tears were shed and Prayers were said. Pleading and seeking wisdom and guidance.

“The right choice is hardly ever the easy choice.”

-  Rick Riordan

Run4Philippines

Due to Missionary Madi's experience and emotional struggles after the Typhoon we have gained a greater respect for doing what little we can do to support the many efforts that are being extended to the people of the Philippines. It is awesome to witness the many simple measures that grow into major events that provide much needed money and support to the storm ravaged island of Leyte. I am thankful for many who are willing to give of their personal time and create venues that keep the focus and assistance headed to the Filipino people.

“But the thing about remembering is that you don’t forget.”

-Tim O’Brien 
Such a great event hosted in Provo. It turned out to be a beautiful day considering it was January 25th in Provo, Utah. The weather could have been severe instead it was sunny skies and the perfect temperature to promote attendance. The event was a HUGE SUCCESS!

It was fun to also meet Sister Sousa's (Cindy Sousa) mom at the event. Sister Sousa was one of the three sisters who lived with Missionary Madi in the apartment in Ormoc. They weathered the storm together. We also ran into the Lowe (Gordon & Janice) family that we met previously at the impromptu Tacloban Missionary Family Pot Luck on New Years Day 2014.

Our crazy family was interviewed as part of the event. They sent us this fun link promoting the fund raising efforts for the Philippines. Provo Channel 17  Run 4 The Philippines.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=g5ifdtvj_NA&feature=g-high-u

RUN4PHILIPPINES IS A COMMUNITY AND HUMANITARIAN EFFORT TO SUPPORT THOSE AFFECTED BY TYPHOON HAIYAN. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO UNITE AS A COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT THE THOUSANDS WHO HAVE NOT ONLY LOST THEIR HOMES AND LOVED ONES, BUT HAVE LOST HOPE.

TO DONATE VISIT WWW.RUN4PHILIPPINES.COM

Missionary Madi served with Elder McQuire (he returned home after the typhoon) the guy next to me and Brother Johnson the guy next to Scott was her language trainer in the MTC. He told us he was the first person to train her Cebuano.