Missionary work makes people happy

Feb 10

Today we fasted because we don't have any food in our house. Not a single investigator came to church today, and only 9 people went to church in Linglingay. I don't understand. I feel like I've been more dedicated and hard-working in the last month than I ever have, but I don't feel like anything has come of it. Can't they see this? Why don't people get it? Don't they know that at one point in their lives they agreed to and accepted this? 

Feb 11

Today was the best P-day I’ve had in months. We woke up at 6am and cleaned our house spotless. Around 10:00am, we emailed, then I bought groceries and we were home by 1:00. At 2:00pm we were so bored we went to MilkaCrem and had Oreos and milk while we listened to Elder Elep (who is the funniest person in the whole world ever.) talk about really funny things like different colored eggs, seminary, and his friends. Our FHE was at President Sylvia's house and I learned he was assigned in San Clemente on his mission. napakaliit ng mundo! (very small world) He was the first missionary to open Bamban and he baptized the Eugenio Family! Today was.. great.

Feb 12

I know a lot of people who believe in coincidences, but is it too far-fetched to say that God can get certain people to meet without taking away their agency? We left our house this morning and it was a bit cloudy, but we didn't bring an umbrella. As we were walking, it was kind of umaambon. (showery) When the rain got super strong, we stopped at the first house we could to take shelter, and this old lady let us into her house. Once we sat down, she said she would have rejected us if it wasn't raining. Then we talked to this other old lady and she said usually she tells people she's Iglesia ni Cristo so they'll go away, but for some reason she let us in. We taught Vena and she wouldn’t hardly talk to us, I was surprised. I think she's still nahihiya kay (shy with) Elder Bellen. Kuya Baldo's Kuya was in town and he made some of the best ulam I've ever tasted: Gulay na ginisa nang may kremdensada.( Ginisa vegetables with kremdensada) I was so full I had a hard time walking.

Feb 13

Today was awesome. E Elephant (we call him that because he's fat and it’s okay to make fun of fat people here) gave a workshop in DDM about the Atonement. I was so tired I almost fell asleep, and I had a nap planned for lunchtime. To finish his workshop, he made me read a poem about a missionary complaining and then Jesus appears to him in a dream. Then I felt guilty so I read the Book of Mormon instead. We ate lunch at the Costales' home. Kuya Baldo worked with us today, it was great. We talked to a guy who lived in Australia for 4 years, and his 7-year old daughter and I talked to each other in English. Then we met an old lady who can't see a thing and today us to visit her friend’s tomorrow. We've really tried to teach rich people lately, and it’s actually turning out okay. I think usually missionaries avoid rich people because they don't want to get rejected, but it’s not been too bad for us pala. On Friday Elder Weimer and I are working together again, we're going to try to speak 100% English to the rich people.

Feb 14

Tinatamad na kami ni Bellen. Si Pangulo kasi, nagsama siya ng dalawang pauwi na. Kanina, nakilala namin ang isang nanay na talagang makalimutan. Hindi niya raw alam and edad niya o kund ilan sila magkakapatid. Tawa kami nang taw ni Bellen. Nagsimula kaming magturo, pero hindi mapigilan ang tawa namin. Kamote. Kahit ano ang sinasabi niya,  sobrang nakakatawa dahil lahat na daw nakalimutan niya. Tinuruan namin si Nanay Borre; mga Americano pala ang katapat niya! Nagturo kami kina Vina at Tatay Corpuz. After nila nagpunta kami sa Bagong Sikat. Nagwork sana si Teody, ang labo niyang kausap! Sa una, mag-work daw siya. Tapos sasakay p lang. Tapos bibili pa raw saiy ng bulaklak. Iniwan namin siya; bukas na lang. Pagdating namin Kila Baldo, naturuan namin ang kapatid niyang babae. Kumain kami ng imbotido at isda. SZobrang sarap. Ayaw na ayaw kong umuwi. Dito na lang ako sa mission

Feb 15

 Elder Bellen worked in Guimba today, so Elder Weimer and I were in Munoz. We taught a (rich) guy, it was the best ever! At first he told us he was bust, but after a few minutes of talking he let us in and we taught him the first lesson. Seriously the best lesson ever/ honestly he only let us in because we spoke about 60% English. He also mentioned it makes sense that families should be sealed together, and agreed to pray about Joseph Smith. A person like him is worth 100 people saying "Oh, we're Catholic" or "No, I'm busy. Don't come back." The rest of the day was pretty dismal. We didn’t teach much, and almost nobody was home. But kahit papaano, we had a good day. Naks!

Feb 16

This was one of the best days I've ever had. Elder and Sister Fort came with us to see the Valderama Family; we helped them understand how badly this branch needs them and their experience. Teody came with us to Linglingay, it might not be so bad after all! We taught a guy last Wednesday and he told us moment before we showed up he just felt like he should go outside. Anyway we stopped by his house and he wasn’t there, but we stopped at Mercury Drug on our way home and saw him there! Anyway, he says he's coming to church, but we'll see. I was feeling pretty down for several days this week, but after the last two days I feel great. Today even though I was super tired literally felt the Lord carrying me from place to place (see D&C 84:33). Even though I didn’t sleep well and I hated the BYAHE and everything wasn't too great, I had so much energy today. I kept thinking "Why is Elder Bellen walking so slow? Doesn’t he understand we're in a hurry?" Missionary work makes people happier that anything else in the whole world

Love you Elder Williams