District Leader

How are your lessons going with investigators? What kinds of things stop people from attending church or from being baptized? 

Usually people just straight up don't go to church. That's the biggest thing keeping them from baptism. In the whole Philippines, an investigator must attend 4 consecutive weeks and at least 4 weeks keeping the word of wisdom. In years past they had problems with people joining the church to take advantage of the support they'd get from it. 

This week was... hard. I got made district leader this week  I can safely say this has been the hardest week I've ever had since I've been here. I am thankful for the call to be District Leader, it has helped me in just the past few days be more organized and responsible. I want to be a good missionary, and I am trying. It's so hard. Being a missionary is the most difficult thing I've ever done emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. 

We found a great family this week, I am especially happy about it because even the father wanted to listen! Usually when a situation like this occurs, the father just leaves or goes in the house and doesn’t want to talk to us. This family is absolutely wonderful. I feel something different when I share with this family than I have with other families, but I can't explain it.

I actually didn’t take any pictures this week, not a lot happened that was worth taking pictures.

Over 7 months mark!

This was a pretty good week. We had a meeting on Thursday in Tarlac for all the trainers and trainees. We just talked about the same stuff I heard when elder Casilac was my trainer, but it was good to be there again. Saturday we had three baptisms, I ended up doing all three because elder Basilan's stuff didn't get here in time. Two of them I had to do over because their hair did not go all the way under the water.
natutututoako na mag-ilocano. huwag kayong gamitin ang translator kasi ito ang dialect ng mga taga-ilocos. naragsak ak dahil madi pai ammok kung kailan malilipat ako. ibig sabihin na ayos pa rin ang work namin kasi. natutunan ak met na sabihin 'ana tinagan mo' at 'tagmamano'. ammok met na 'makilabas kami!' ang expression dito sa pilipinas.
dont try to translate the bold lettering. its not Tagalog. its another laguage, ilocano.
Elder Basilan is doing great, our area is so much fun to work in. for the last 6 months  I've never wanted to leave. I've been here way to long. the same people at the same bakery give me the same bread every Monday morning on our way to Camiling each monday. The same less actives still don't come to church. The same guy with the red trike takes us to pit ao (a barangay in our area) regularly. We eat at the same restaurant every Wednesday before we go to district meeting. But i still love it here, its just getting so boring sometimes. ELder Gifford showed me some pictures from some of his friends who work at the Sled Shed in Rexburg, they went snowboarding at teton pass and places in the same canyon as Kelly's and somewhere in Montana. I don't know how they did it, but they found snow somewhere. I miss the snow so much 

That is super awesome about the baptisms.  You will be a pro when you get home. Hopefully you have as much success in the other areas that you serve in.  The roadkill pictures are well....fun.  Where is Elder Gifford from?  How soon are transfers?
the roadkill is on the highway near one of our areas. elder Gifford is from Rexburg. i thought i mentioned that, but maybe not. transfers are on Wednesday, but i know for sure i still have 6 weeks left


WARNING!!! GRAPHIC  ROAD KILL PICTURE BELOW!!!

This week was great

This week was great, we spent a lot of time with the Bamban Elders, Elder Revillio and Elder Bell. On Wednesday we had a zone practice for a song we never ended up singing. Thursday morning we had a zone conference with Elder Teh (The Philippines area president), so the Bamban Elders slept at our apartment Wednesday night. Thursday night they slept again at our apartment because we had exchanges on Friday, so Elder Revillio and I worked together. Then Saturday morning the four of us had a service project. The zone conference was great, but sister Martino kept falling asleep, it was kind of funny. On Friday we had three baptismal interviews for three of our investigators, they're all getting baptized on Saturday. One of them is the girl I told you about last week.

I also got  mail from Alex and Caroline last week, look what they wrote: 

"OH, here's something cool....the Indoor D1 Nationals are being held HERE in the NAMPA at the indoor track. And guess what team gets to help out?? US!!! So we get to help out and see and meet all of the insanely fast famous people :) It's so great and exciting. "

p.s. what are people saying on the blog? And did Kenzie and Kelsie find the music?

What an amazing week! That is really exciting about the little girl and the other baptisms.  I have actually thought of her often this week. Are you sending any pictures this week?   We would love one of you and your companion.  Did you guys feel the earthquake or hear about it? Not many people leave comments on the blog but at least 2 or 3 times a week somebody tells dad or I how much they love your blog and that they appreciate us keeping it up.  We are not sure we can get the sheet music.

That sucks about the music, but good people are still reading the Blog. Transfers are next week, which means Elder Revillio is leaving, everyone is so sad about that.

The other day I walked into one of our less actives home and was reminded of how poor they are. At this point, it’s natural and not even a surprise when I walk into a house with a dirt floor and no electricity, but for some reason I really noticed it that day. I also miss running a lot, even though those two are not related. But I almost never think about home or worry about anyone not in San Clemente. I heard about the quake, but that was on the other end of the Philippines. nothing happened to us here the Philippines is a huge area. I'm doing just fine. I'm sure if something happened Sister Martino would tell you right away.  I love you!

Elder Revillo, Elder Bell, Elder Basilan, Elder Williams