Tori Crawford: 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.