May 26, 2019

Another awesome week here in the mission. 

This Monday we took the normal mode of transportation here in Cauayan: a “jeep-me” home. In Tuguegarao it was mainly “tricys”, but here it’s Jeep-mes. Jeep-mes are crazy! Because I've noticed the driver can turn the wheel almost a whole 360 degrees without the vehicle itself turning. Don't ask me to explain the physics of that because I'm still working it out myself. And they PACK the people in on Jeepmes! Like there’s negative space by the time the jeep-me will get going. So, anyway, we sit on this jeep-me with all of our groceries. Super claustrophobic! And then a member gets on with us. We start talking to him and then he tells us, in front of everyone, that almost everyone on the jeep-me were less active members! ha-ha! It was awkward but very eye opening. The retention rate here is really not great. I start talking to some of these people and they’re super nice. One was even planning to serve a mission but hadn't been to church in a long time. Super interesting. 

Tuesday: There was the prettiest sunset ever! And a drunk man approached us and tried confronting us about the Book of Mormon. Asking, Who’s Nephi?” and if we call the laws of Mormon the laws of God. Misconceptions are super frustrating - so let’s all try to help enlighten our friends and neighbors. Because I'm sure we have friends just like this man who has no idea of the truth. 

Wednesday: 1/2 WAY MARK! I'm half way there and I'm living on a prayer for sure.

Thursday: Splits with the STLS

Friday: Stepped in dog poop in front of a bunch of kids. Hahaha! - they point and yelled "YUCKS". I was slightly embarrassed. 

Saturday: Found a new investigator who gave us a bunch of mangos after the lesson.

Sunday: On the fourth Sunday of the month this branch eats lunch together to celebrate the birthdays of the members with birthdays that month. The food was great - I only struggled with one dish: chicken feet. I’ve had chicken feet before, and I didn’t love them. I was given two - needless to say I did not want to eat one yet alone two again! But I was worried they'd think I'm rude. Long story short, I forced myself to eat them - they tasted just as they did before. Like toe nail and bones with a soft slimy coat! Needless to say it triggered a gag reflex that I could not force back. One member saw and she busted up laughing. Good times. 

Spiritual thought: The world does a good job of painting things which are of no value as things that should be sought after. We learn in Corinthians that things of ETERNAL worth can not be seen and things of worldly worth can: money, phones, clothing, etc. Materialistic things. I think when people chose to seek after the things of the world wickedness creeps in so I have two verses to share: 3 Ne 13:33 and 1 Ne 20:22.

gift of mangos after teaching a lesson

birthday lunch celebration

beautiful sunset

I went to open my umbrella and it flew off the handle

Hope all is well love and miss everyone.

May 19, 2019

Hi family and friends from CABATUAN B CAUAYAN PHILIPPINES 

After 8 months in Tuguegarao I've been transferred to the middle of the mission and life is good!

Its more farm land here in Cauayan and its Beautiful! I really love it. It's insanely hot in the day but it pours rain at night/ late afternoon. Anyone from Washington knows that umbrellas are more of an option than a necessity. Or at least, so I thought. It's different when you're forced to walk far in the pouring rain. My poor companion tried sharing her umbrella with me only for us both to end up drenched hahaha.

I had recently washed a pair of my shoes that are a canvas material and I guess I didn't bother getting the soap out because as we walked in the rain, bubbles were just coming out of my shoes like crazy! To say I was embarrassed is an understatement.

To give a little more of an update: Its summer here - I've purchased a sweat rag. I frequently wipe my face and neck throughout the day because I'm dripping. I'm training again! and I love my companion. Sister Trinidad. She worked with missionaries a lot before her mission so she's maggaling (excellent). She's 19 and quiet - until she's on the phone with her family (haha). And we're opening an area.  Its awesome. I've been told I'm a little fluent in tagalog - I'm still not quiet sure what that means but I'm QUICKLY APPROACHING MY HALF WAY MARK so hopefully I'll become fluent.

This week we spent a lot of time learning the area and contacting a long the way. We made a deal with our kabahays (roommates) that if we reach our goal of 30+ contacts we'll go buy ice cream. I'm talking 15 peso chocolate vanilla swirl ice cream! And the colors are blue and pink!!!! MASARAP TALAGA (really delicious). Do we have that at 7/11 in the states? idk but we both reached our goal and the next day I decided I deserved another one (haha). We also ended up with 14 new investigators so all in all it was a good week 

To give some insight to the personality of the kids here in the Philippines - this 8 year old boy and his little sister were riding a bike with a side car attachment. He sees us moving into our house and offers to bike our luggage to our house!  He then lifts the suitcase (it's as big as he is!) onto his cart. Then leans against the luggage, looks at the other missionary moving in, and tells her with his hand on his hip, "That's just not gonna fit". And wipes his head (hahahahaha). So sweet!

I've also put on some weight and broke a chair

and found 5 pesos on the side of the road

Life is good. My spiritual thought has to do with the story I shared: There's a verse in the Bible that states what you've done to the least of these, you've done it unto me. (Or along those lines). Do we see everyone as we see ourselves? As our brother or sister? Do we have a strong enough testimony of the gospel that we want others to know of it? Or to simply provide little acts of service? Or are we too scared or to caught up in what we have to do to stop and do something for others? Sister Groo, my seminary teacher, emailed me about the restoration of the name of the church. Along those lines, she said the name restoration will make no difference if we ourselves don't take upon ourselves Christ's name. If we ourselves aren't true disciples of Christ. So simply, gang, let's all try to be truer disciples of Christ this week and all the weeks to come. 

Love and miss you all 

Sister Crawford