Week 14ish
It's been a good crazy week!
Monday started strong with two good contacts in a tricy (tricycle taxi). The driver and passenger gave us their contact information for us to visit them. One was iglesion ni cristo (i'm not sure on that spelling) the other was a nice catholic mom. The INC tricy driver invited us to his church later that night - so we concluded that our message had been lost in translation. The other contact we visited yesterday.
She was a nice lady named Carol Lummay - she seemed to understand everything we taught her and she invited us back. The funny story with her is that she gave us merrienda (a snack) afterwards. We could chose Nutella or mayonnaise and bread. I was so excited because Nutella is expensive here. So I go for the nutella and by the time it was in my hands I notice the MANY ants crawling up and down the jar (and right then Carol comments on how delicious nutella is). So I'm committed - I proceed to open the jar and find MANY ants inside the jar as well. I just spread some Nutella and ants on my bread and go for it. It wasn't even bad! because Nutella is so strong, but still..... that happened.
Then this week for our lunches I figured I'd just cook all the recipes my previous companion taught me. I was excited to put this new talent of mine to use. I made us adobo and that went well then the next lunch we decided on fried chicken. I hadn't seen my comp make this meal but she said it was easy. Just dip it in the flour and fry. I read the back of the season/flour package and it gave similar instructions, cook till golden brown. Which is what I did. The chicken looked good, crispy. We sit down to eat it and the first piece I ate was somewhat slimy - maybe a little sketchy. The next piece I cut into is pink and just not cooked. Needless to say this week we're buying ingredients for sandwiches.
The weather has been good, not too hot or cold. The language is coming - I still am not sure how to speak it but my vocabulary continues to grow which is good. My ability to memorize has increased on the mission and that's definitely thanks to our Father in Heaven.
It's been a hard week work wise because people don't keep commitments and which is unfortunate because that means they don't understand the importance of it all. I'm just about starting over in this area, but it's good. I think I've told you about the Cahucomes and Marianos. The Cahucome family aren't progressing. Not only that, but they're INC and I've learned this is the most confrontational sect here. The Cahucomes aren't doing the confronting however on 2 occasions their church friends have come and "discussed" with us our two religions. It's really sad and uncomfortable at times but I've been grateful for the experiences because it has only strengthened my testimony. The first time was a week ago the other was this week. My answer to them is the Book of Mormon is proof this church is true, and you can't know that until you read and pray about it's contents. The Marianos are doing well they've been busy this week so we haven't been able to teach them much and they're pretty Catholic.
Spiritual thought: This week was a hard week. It's horrible to admit but I have countdowns by days, weeks, or cycles till I return home. But here's the deal.... things that are daunting at first are of most worth later on. I was really lucky to watch a stake conference broadcast here in the Philippines where the area presidency and Elder Holland talked. One of the Brothers said that his mission was the best education he ever received. That was nice to hear. But to make this applicable to you - scripture reading and praying can seem daunting tasks at first but, like a talk by Elder Bednar, I know it's the paint strokes of different colors that makes the bigger picture that much prettier or of more worth. I think there's a verse in Mormon that says "Your wages are to your works" its much better phrased than that but what I take from it is if we aren't working hard or giving our best efforts how are we to expect great wages in return? How are we to expect a beautiful picture when it's all said and done? Elder Holland in his talk said he doesn't know when the second coming will be but we're a day closer today then we were yesterday and we need to look like his church when he comes. In households where Heavenly Father's WILL is done Satan is BOUND and the millennial has begun in that household. Interesting things to think about - do the Will of Heavenly Father and do the seemingly daunting things and satan will be bound and our wages will be according to our works.
Love and miss you all
