10-1-12

hello!! sorry we are a bit late, we had zone goal setting this morning so that took up some time. but now were done so I can email.. I have to do a monthly report, district leader report, and email President Martino. what happened to Chandler? did she find anything out???
My favorite Filipino food is menudo or caldereta 

So when I first met Elder Bustillo, I was thinking of ways to endure through the next few weeks until I get transferred, because I didn't think I would enjoy my time here without Elder Abuan, but I was wrong pala. maraming nagkakamali sa akala. (Many mistakenly assume) Tuesday was sweet. Almost all the investigators me and Elder Abuan found in my first transfer are gone now, so we found a bunch more. And while we were talking to people, Elder Bustillo made jokes and stuff! Our branch mission leader, Christopher (everyone calls him 'topher' but it's pronounced 'toper') also worked with us today. We met this old guy who was really masungit (rugged ) but made us laugh. He is one of those grumpy old guys that everyone laughs at because of the things he says. That evening the ZLs called and said the APs and President weren't happy with the zones work, so he told me to get mad at the other elders in my district kinabukasan.

Wednesday we played basketball at DDM, which was kind of a waste because Elder Montierth doesn’t like it and Elder Bustillo is no good. .  Our work today was great, until about 7:30. For the last two weeks our work has been great, then the sun goes down and everyone goes to sleep. We taught a Family about family prayer, it was the best ever they are one of my favorite families. During the lesson, the mom almost began to cry, and I said to myself "I love this family". Tonight while Elder Bustillo was praying to end our daily planning, it felt like only minutes had passed since we planned yesterday

Thursday we went to Bugnan and took a jeepney, so it was pretty mabagal (slow) . I sat next to a guy from the Iglesia Ni Cristo and we 'discussed' (argued) about whether Jesus was a God or Person. He actually was one of the nicest INC's I’ve ever met (generally, they INC's here hate Mormons). It was a good discussion, there wasn’t any contention or anything. Then in Bugnan, we ate at Nanay Grospe's house, she cooked for about 6 people even though I'm positive she knew only us 2 were going to eat there. Then we taught  a non member. While we were teaching, this kid named Aldrin, who everyone calls Felix was bathing naked in front of his house, and I could see him because of where I was sitting. In the middle of his bath, a Filipino tractor rolled past with his uncles and cousins in it. I don't know if you've ever seen a naked child run after something, but its so funny to watch

Friday was probably the least painful weekly planning I've ever had. Afterwards, the two of us bought ulam from this nice old lady who calls us her son all the time. I spent my lunch break reading Jesus the Christ (best book ever) and we taught 3 lessons. After that, we had branch home evening (I wish I could send pictures, but you know how these shops are) and had a dinner appointment, so we didn’t get any work done.

Saturday we had a district family week celebration, it was sweet. (Again, I wish I could send pictures) Everyone in the district (Bongabon, Palayan, Kalikid Gobaldon, Dingalan) and their members all met in Bongabon and had a big celebration. On the way home, I got to ride on the top of the jeepney (It's the equivalent of riding in the very backseat of a middle school bus) from Bongabon to Gobaldon, which is like riding on top of the suburban from Swan Valley to Idaho Falls. when we finally got home, we taught a few lessons to less actives, then I bought pandesal because we have no more makakain (food)  in our house.

Sunday we did more work than I've ever done on a Sunday because we hurried through all the meetings. We taught a lesson to this lady who complained about her kids not getting along and how bad her children are. So we read some verses in Mosiah 4 and I told her she needs to take the lead in being an example and going to church. Then I told her about when me, McKenzie and Kelsie used to not get along very well, it almost made me cry. Then we ended the day with sopas at our branch Pesidents house and I cleaned our apartment because we won’t be coming back until Tuesday afternoon (we have a meeting on Tuesday in Cabanatuan). If I learned one thing before my mission it’s that coming home to a clean apartment is the best feeling ever. (but you know me, I just did a 'good enough' job)

Mahal Kita

Elder Williams