July 28,2019

Family and friends! We're quickly approaching transfer week here in the Philippines Cauayan Mission and my gut is not giving me any clue as to what's going to happen to me - but no worries hymn 270 (I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go) is my answer to that one.

Anyway, it's been a good transfer cycle. I really do love Cabatuan or being close to the bukid (farm). The people here are awesome. I'll share some of my favorite stories with the people here.

We have the Angco family. They're just awesome and they're related to members! We found them while we were contacting. They welcomed us in and want to come to church, but they have a handicapped child. That makes them shy but they're sweet and really understand the lessons. At our last lesson with them they gave us a free pomelo!

We have Sister Lamorena and the Betori family. I say Brother and Sister, but they aren't members yet. I love this family. We also found them contacting. Sister  Lamorena is the daughter of Brother and Sister Betori. They were all taught in the past - and they even went to church before there was an actual meeting house built. The crazy thing is Sister Lamorena is the toughest person ever! Her child and husband died in a car accident where she was the only survivor. In spite of that hardship, she's super sweet. She even gave me soap for my face. 

Then two weeks ago while walking to a lesson a little girl ran up to me and handed me a flower. haha! It really made me so happy and I think the other kids could tell so they all ran up to my companion and I and just gave us a bunch of flowers. haha! It was a cool experience and gave us a little boost.

I really am grateful to be serving a mission and count myself lucky to get to meet people of all backgrounds and walks of life. Spiritual thought: this week I finally took a picture with a sign that I love. The sign says "Say no to drugs yes to God". Initially, I thought it was a true and awesome sign but just not a sign you'd expect to see. Then I thought about this sign some more. Whats the reason people do drugs? To be cool or to be happy, maybe? But true happiness doesn't come through such physical or worldly things. In fact, my mission President said, "Joy is a gift of the spirit that comes from aligning your will with God's will and from knowing that you are on the path that He wants for you". So that addresses one of the reasons people do drugs. But what about being cool? Well, simply how far will being cool get you when your standing face to face with God? My mom once told me that our self worth should come from our relationship with our Father in Heaven. No matter what your drug is, say no to that and yes to God. 

Love and miss you all!