We are Now the Lord's Missionaries

The Happy Map Picture

 

 

 

My dearest family and friends!

 

Another week has past and I don't know where the time has gone! It really is so true that time flies by here. But in the most weird and longest way possible haha. I liked how someone put it that each day is like a week and each week is like a day. There is so much that happens each week that I literally had to write down what I wanted to say in this letter.

So to start off, I have to give a little tribute to my companion and another girl in my district. Of course the poly ones. My companion (Sister Ulu'Ave) who is Tongan, and Sister Barlow in my district who is Maori. I found out that they are like legit polynesian dancers. Like they can do what all the chicks at the PCC do in Hawaii. My companion supposedly is best at Tongan dancing and she actually danced for the Queen of Tonga when she went over there. How cool is that? And Sister Barlow is apart of the Living Legends at BYU and they tour all over the place telling the story of the Book of Mormon through dances. I was amazed. Not only can they dance, BUT THEY ARE HILARIOUS. We laugh. All. The. Time. And I can't help it. I am so blessed to be able to be with them here at the MTC. It is so great. Us 3 have also all had some tender mercies while being here, and I just love that I have been put with people I can relate to, and it seems like we have been friends forever.

So how did you all like the Worldwide Broadcast last Sunday? I am so lucky that I got to be here for it! I loved it. It is cool that technology will be used more in missionary work even though I am pretty sure tha won't have an affect on us in the Philippines haha. After that though, it made me think that I should have been a better member missionary before I came out here. I challenge you all to make an effort to be better, because it is something I wish I would have done better while I had the chance. Now I am a full-time missionary, which is AWESOME. :)

We had a devotional on Tuesday and Janice Kapp Perry came and spoke/sang to us. It was so stinking cool. Mostly the singing part. Because she had all of us missionaries sing every song. The last song we sang literally send chills through my whole body. We sang the Army of Helaman and Sisters of Zion song. Imagine 1/2 of the Marriott Center full of missionaries singing this song. Not only that, but the girls sang the first part, and when it was the elders turn to come in, the STOOD AND SANG IT! Like I wanted to cry so hard it was so cool. To see how many amazing righteous young men were in that room was absolutely incredible. Everyone, THE RIGHTEOUS GUYS ARE THE BEST. So when we started both singing at the same time at the end, everone stood and yes that is when I started crying. They changed the words for us and the last phrase we all sang was "WE ARE NOW THE LORD'S MISSIONARIES TO BRING THE WORLD HIS TRUTH." How cool and powerful is that? I still can't get over it.

The lessons/language are coming along! I would never ever be able to do it without the Lord's help. We taught our fifth lesson, and now we teach again on Monday. Our teacher Brother Ward had us go through each lesson and find out what the base of it is. I never realized it, but all of them come down to GOD'S LOVE FOR US. Everything we teach and say is because GOD LOVES US. I thought that was so cool. And that is what most investigators need! Funny story, we were teaching Ellen the other day and at the end we were trying to set up a time to come back. I was trying to say for us to come at 8. Well walo is 8 in tagalog and wala is nothing/none in taglaog. She kept asking when and I kept saying wala because that is what I thought it was and I kept repeating it, and she was looking at us like what in the crap? Finally she just said bye, and we walked out. HAHA I WAS SO EMBARRASSED AFTER I REALIZED WHAT I WAS SAYING! I never knew one letter can be so crucial hahaha! So yeah, it is an adventure, but I love it. My goal for this last week was to focus on studying the doctrine and allowing the language to come, and I have seen a change. I am so blessed! I liked the quote that our teacher gave us "Language is the medium, not the focus." It is totally true and I need to keep reminding myself that.

I want you all to know that I love this church and I don't know what or where I would be without it.

 

Alam ka po na

tutoo and po ang aklat ni mormon

muhal ko ang aking ama sa langit

si jesu cristo ang ating mununubos

mahal ko si jesucristo

ipananumbalik ng Diyos ang kanyang ebanghelyo sa pamamagitan ni Joseph Smith

sa pangulan ni jesucristo, amen.

 

I love you all. Thank you so much for all the support and prayers. I can truly feel it!

Until we meet again (next week).

 

Mahal Kita,

 

Sister Wood

 

 

Day 1 - Complete

 

 

Cool Pic

 

 

We just taught our first lesson in Tagalog

 

 

District Leader - This one is for Clara

 

 

 

The District

 

 

 

Temple Day

 

 

 

My Awesome Kasama (companion) and I

 

 

 

 

 

As Courtnee and her companion were sitting here a random Elder (as she says) walked by and said to her, "Did you just leave your Sadie Hawkins dance?" another Elder then walked by and asked her if today was 50's day at the MTC. Judging from her expression, she wasn't amused.

 

 

 

"OMG, It is Carlee Holmoe! I am her biggest Fan"

(Courtnee's words)

 

 

 

The MTC can get Crazy.....

 

 

 

Polynesian Princess and the "wannabe"

 

 

 

In my "Happy Place"..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our First E-mail - She really is a missionary!

Hi Everyone, we just got our first e-mail from Sister Wood today. It was so great to hear from her and see the growth that has already taken place in her in just a few days. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did:

 

 

 

KUMSTA PAMILYA!

It is weird that we are actually on the computers emailing right now. I am trying to figure out how to upload pictures, so hopefully we get it done before time runs out.

WOW. I didn't think I could learn so much in three and a half days. It has just been crazy, and the days are so long right now. The tagalog is coming along really well though and I am so happy about it.

This is our typical day:

6:00 am - Yoga/Work Out

6:30 am - Get ready

7:00 am - District Prayer/Hymn

7:30 am - Breakfast

8:00 am - Class (Tagalog)

11:00 am - Personal/Companion Study

12:10 pm - Lunch

12:55 pm - Personal Study

2:00 pm - Lesson Stuff

3:00 pm - Special meetings/lessons from teachers

5:00 pm - Dinner

6:00 pm - Class/Teach

8:00 pm - District Meetings

9:00 pm - Go back to apartment

YEAH. The days are way long. Everyone says that time will start flying by, and I already hope so! There are some people that are getting ready to leave and I am kind of jealous. Sister Ulu'Ave and Sister Shrack are going to Laoag and all the rest are going to Olongapo. Not very  many are going to Laoag, and I don't think hardly any elders are. So its not very common.

 

You will get my letter today I think that has my tagalog simple testimony on it that I have learned. Still amazes me I can do it.

Sister Ulu'Ave and I taught our first investigator Ellen last night and OH MY GOSH. We were so prepared for it and everything and man, I just don't even know how to desribe it. There were ups and downs. We taught her about God's love for each of us and how he has a plan for us. Pretty simple stuff, because it was ALL in tagalog! Unlike most of the other companionships, her and I had all of ours memorized to give off of the top of our heads. No notes no nothing. Yes, I was proud about that. So right as Ellen "opened the pinto" for us to go in, I started laughing. BECAUSE I WAS NERVOUS! It's just what I do. Well, note to self, don't laugh when trying to teach a lesson. So I relaxed and we began talking to her all in tagalog. After we talked about the doctrine we taught we were going to have her read a scripture. So Sister Ulu'Ave invites her to read. Right as she did she looks at me and says "WE FORGOT THE SCRIPTURES!" I look at her with this blank OH MY GOSH look and start LAUGHING again. I mean WHO WOULDN'T? It was so embarrassing. AND SHE KEPT A STRAIGHT FACE THE WHOLE TIME. But after that, I shared my testimony in taglaog and sister gave a prayer, and surprisingly the spirit was felt in the last part of it. The Lord helped us through it and because we had worked so hard to memorize our stuff, you could tell she appreciated it, and she understood, and really enjoyed it. So we got an invitation to come back monday! WOOHOO. We get to redeem ourselves. Next lesson is on prayer. Right as we walked out of the room from teaching her, we literally stumbled to the next class, fell on floor and started crying because we were laughing so hard about the fact we didn't even bring the scriptures with us. I may or may not have almost peed my pants. Anyways, I am glad we got the first one out of the way.

So as you can guess our P-Day is on Saturdays! I actually love it. It is like we actually have a weekend. We just get the stuff done we need to, go to the temple, (so excited to get off the mtc campus). Tomorrow is the big meeting at the Marriott Center. We get to walk over there and I am SO excited to go to BYU. Our dress standards are so strict for it, actually all the time now. We aren't allowed long skirts anymore. Sad day. They just barely have changed the rule. They say we can't look like we are FLDS. Our branch president is Elder Anderson. you can tell he is like a big fancy business guy. I could just tell by his suit and shirt. And his wife had the coolest heels on! I haven't personally gotten to talk to him, but he seems awesome.

We have gym time about 3-4 times a week and we go with our zone. This last time I just went and ran around the track and then did the elyptical then road the bike. Nice little workout, then I went and shot hoops. I was the only girl shooting haha. Which I don't mind, I actually loved it. BUT, since everyone is so friendly here, when anyone is by themselves, there is at least one or more people than come up to you and try to be your friend haha. So these two girls came over and started talking to me and shooting, and I know it was just to not make me feel "lonely." But I was perfectly fine! I like being by myself! It is a rare thing anywhere now to have a 20 ft radius around you where no one is! So yeah, I think they felt bad for me, even though I was loving it haha.

Gosh, I can't even name all of the people that I know here. The list would be ages. Like the most random people ever! But its sweet that we are all here together doing the Lord's work. It is pretty powerful. It is essential to have the spirit with you at all times here. Without it, things are so much more difficult. Not only will our investigators learn through the spirit, but so will we. I would never be able to learn this much tagalog without the Lord's help. The gift of tongues is amazing. In Preach my Gospel it says that we must put all of our effort in and struggle to "qualify" for the gift of tongues. No one likes to struggle, but I think it is awesome that if you give it your absolute ALL and are doing all you can, the Lord is bound to help. Kind of like your favorite scripture mom!

JUST SO EVERYONE KNOWS, IT IS FUN TO GET PACKAGES! (hint hint)

Today I started learning how to pray in Tagalog, so by the end of the day I am sure I will have that down! It is SO cool. I am so impatient though, I want to be fluent right now. Tagalog is all I want to study and that is my problem. My goal for the upcoming week is to put focus on the doctrine of the gospel. If we don't know that, how are we supposed to teach even if we do know tagalog? Leaders here promised that if we take time to learn doctrine and scriptures that the language will come so much easier. So I will update you guys next week on how that is going.

Well, this is probably a super long email now. I need to save time to get some pictures sent over!

I love you all so much! Like SO MUCH. Thanks for all your support. Mom, for the package, all the rest for the letters (i haven't got yet). I am so blessed!

There are some people here that have some hard family situations, and I am so blessed to have the family I do. I am truly grateful.

More than ever I know that we can be truly happy here. I love being surrounded by the gospel all the time. I really am happy all the time.

 

Salamat! (thank you)

Paalam! (Goodbye)

Mahal Kita! (I love you)

 

- Sister Wood

MTC Bound

 

Hi everyone! This is Kim, Courtnee's Mom. I will be taking over Courtnee's blog for the next 18 Months. Be patient with me, I'm not a blogger. So..... yesterday was the big day. I've heard for months about how brutal the MTC dropoff is and it pretty much lived up to its expectation. But before that we had lunch as a family at Courtnee's favorite Mexican place in Provo.

 

Los Hermanos

 

Most families will go up to Provo temple to take pictures before heading to the MTC but Courtnee insisted on having pictures done at South Field (BYU's soccer field). It was so fun to be back there one last time. She even ran into a couple of players while there.

 

 

 

Just seemed fitting to have last pictures done here. She absolutely loves this field, this school and this team.

 

Courtnee's oldest sister Cassidy and her family. Derek (hubby), Baby Dawson and Creighton.

Courtnee loves these little boys!

 

Baby Dawson

 

Court was so excited to run into teammate Kat. Thanks for stopping to say goodbye.

 

 

Courtnee's brother Stetson. These two are really close and so much alike. They won't see eachother for 3 years. Stetson will leave on his mission 6 months before Courtnee gets home.

 

 

After pictures we all piled into the truck and headed to the MTC. It all happens so very fast. We were able to get a few priceless pictures.

Sweet Elder's and Sister's waiting to greet her and carry her unbelievably heavy luggage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saying goodbye to her sister Channing.

 

 

One last hug for Cassidy

 

 

Love you big baloogy!

 

 

The hardest thing I've ever done. I love you Sister Wood!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paalam!

I get set apart as a full-time missionary in a few hours, so I figured I would get on and say my last goodbye! My mom will be taking over this blog and posting all of my letters, adventures, and crazy pictures I send home! Thanks to everyone who even reads this thing haha. You're all the best. This card has my addresses and all that jazz on it, and this is my MTC address for the 6 weeks I am there:

Sister Courtnee Christina Wood

JUL30  PHI-LAOG

2007 N 900 E Unit 32

Provo, UT 84602



 

I am sure my mom will post if anything changes.

See you in 18 months!

xoxo

Farewelling

Holy smokes. Can I just say that I love all of you that supported me and came to my farewell today? I am so stinking blessed! It was such an amazing day. I loved every second of it. Thank you to everyone that made it awesome. Today was another day that just confirmed to me that what I am doing is right. I am so grateful for the  spirit I felt, because it was the most wonderful thing EVER! I hope that all the people that were there felt it as well. Next stop: becoming a full-time missionary! Woohoo! I hope you enjoy the photos just as much as I did! :)

My nephew Creighton and I.

Is his mission badge not the cutest thing you've ever seen? "Elder Denney"

My good pal Austin Green.

MY SOCCER TEAM IS GORGEOUS.

Close pals, Ally and Shelb.

The best picture I could get with my big little bro.

Cute Tay Tay.

Cutest baby Dawson.

My sister Cassidy and I.

This could be one of those awkward sister/elder missionary photos.

Everyone deserves an Ann Flint in their life. 

FAREWELL everyone! This may be my last blog before I leave. If so, my mom will be taking it over and updating it every week with my letters/photos I send home! I love you all and want you to remember that our Heavenly Father loves us more than we could ever imagine! (But lets be real, I am sure this won't be my last post.)

P.S. My mom is the best. 

Realizations

While I was sitting in the chair at the nail salon today getting my last pedicure with my mom and sister and the little lady was painting Philippine flags on my toes, the realization hit me that my farewell is tomorrow. TOMORROW. If my farewell is tomorrow, that means I leave in 4 days! I am so happy it is finally here. :) My talk is written and I'm ready to go. Time has felt so slow, yet FLOWN by.  So yeah, I just had to quickly say I am so excited, and everyone is invited to my farewell! 

MY #1 FAMILY

WOOD

This is MY FAMILY. The people that have made it possible to be where I am at today! They are the first people I have to thank for all the support I have gotten on my choice to serve a mission. 

They are the #1 people in my life in every way!

#1 people I laugh with. 

#1 people I fight with.

#1 people I cry with.

#1 people I make fun of.

#1 people I drive crazy.

#1 people that drive me crazy.

#1 people that make me happy.

#1 people I love.

#1 people I am going to miss.

Left to Right: Clara, Me, Stetson, Channing, Cassidy

I love my brother and sisters and am going to miss them so much! I am so grateful for all the things they have sacrificed so that I could live my dream! I don't think any of them will sit through one more soccer game because they have been dragged to them their whole lives. I don't blame them haha. I am sad that I will miss 18 months of their lives, but I know that the blessings will be far greater! I want to wish my brother Stetson the best of luck in his senior season of football, I know he will tear it up. He will leave on his mission before I get home, so we won't see each other for a few years. I am going to miss my tall brown haired buddy.

I love my blonde haired sisters! They are beautiful. Each one of these girls has impacted my life in a different way. They are the best friends you could ever have. I have been blessed with the most amazing parents in the world. I am grateful for my dad and his willingness to support me in sports even though I was never up to going hunting/fishing with him like all of the rest of my siblings were haha! He is the one that has made it possible to allow me to get to where I am. My mom...is a saint. She has been my best bud my whole life, and that will never change! She does everything for me, and would be willing to do ANYTHING too. I am so lucky to have her. That is one question so many people ask me, "What are you going to do without your mom for that long?" I will have to figure it out. :) 

I am incredibly grateful for the knowledge I have that I will be able to be with my family FOREVER. Through Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, they have made it possible, and I will do everything possible to be able to be with Them again, with my family by my side!

Soccer Family. #makeitcount

As the time is creeping closer and closer to me leaving, I have been reminiscing on the people that have allowed me to get where I am today and have influenced my choice of serving a mission. For all of you that are apart of a sports team, you have to agree that there is so much more of a bond when it comes to a team than some may think. They become your family. Though some may drive you crazy half the time, it doesn't matter and you forget about it, because you are a team. You all have the same goal. It is amazing how when each of you have the same goal, it automatically brings you closer to each other in every way! Well, my soccer team has become my 2nd family. I am so grateful for all of the lifelong friends I will have because of it! Not to mention, I am going to miss playing with these girls for a while! 18 months seems FOREVER to not play soccer. I used to think our 4 week break after the season was long, but whoa. I want to thank each of them for being such great examples to me on and off the field! Seriously, they are the greatest girls ever. I am so grateful for how hard they would push me because it has made me so much better! I really do believe that our team does so well because we are a family. Enjoy all the photos from my fabulous freshman year of BYU soccer! :) 

Our first game as freshmen.

Family

5-0 win over Texas!

Costa Vida after a freezing game!

Last game with these girls for a while.

Soccer girls were the intramural CHAMPIONS.

Obviously something exciting happened.

Soccer team vs. volleyball team in volleyball

I'll take the credit for this photo. NCAA tourney.

The 2013 schedule is out and if you are a BYU soccer fan, you won't want to miss it. Go here to see the exciting schedule ahead of our team this fall! #makeitcount