Pure Joy and 15 months

Elder Williams has been serving for 15 months.  It has been such a transition for our family.  Looking back a year ago I was not sure how any of us were going to make it through this.  He is such good friends with his sisters and you could see the loss of him in their lives.  Many times I would find one of them crying or having a hard day because they missed him so much.  Kelly and I had some really hard days and we often thought "how can we make it one more hour without him?"  I missed my daily text of questions or random facts, watching him run cross country every weekend, feeling his presence in our home, his grocery list he would text to me when we would visit him at college.  Even though we still miss him just as much it has become easier to have him gone.  I am not sure if anyone could have prepared our family for such an event.  Looking back and reflecting now I would never want him anywhere else! (Not even Arizona).  Our family has learned a great lesson and we will be better for this experience.  We love the filipino people and will be forever greatful for them. The journey has been great and the growth for all of us has been worth it. 

It is time to raise our sights, to get a vision of the magnitude of this great work. The Lord expects it of us. It is not enough just to be members of the Church and go to sacrament meeting. That is good—but that is not enough. The Lord expects us to be missionaries, to live the gospel—yes, wholly, and to help to build up His kingdom. - Ezra Taft Benson, “

John 3:16   For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Hello Family

 We went to the dagat and then ran into tons of problems so we are super late.... Gil? haha thats funny, did he talk to you? Dagat means ocean. sorry i'm so late, we went to the dagat until about 11 (in dingalan) and then took a 30 minute trike ride to Gobaldon to use the internet, but it was shut off daw so we wasted some money for nothing. When we came back to Dingalan (30 more minutes) the internet shop was full,. so we walked 15 minutes to another shop, but they had no internet... so we came back to the other shop earlier in Dingalan and they had one computer open so I started so I could send reports to the mission president.

ok so because of the kabagalan (slowness) of the internet here the pictures might not work.

huwag kang magalala (do not worry)  because someday I’ll be assigned in Angeles or Tarlac and I’ll have internet all the time and we won’t have this problem. also I was thinking about the filipino foods, you should try to make adobo nang may pinya. seriously the best. the adobo is way better if you put pineapple chunks in it and add just a little bit of sugar. You can use either pork or chicken, it tastes basically the same.  pancit is the filipino version of ramen noodles. It sounds super gross but we RARELY go a meal without eating rice. Elder Bustillo didnt make rice once for breakfast and it kind of shocked me.

 oh yeah I got the package this week! Thanks a ton! RJ was so happy to get the long sleeve garments, but he asked if they make long bottoms as well?

Na-enjoy ko pala ang p-day! baka ayow ninyo maniwala, ngunit totoo iyan! Nag-email kami kay President Martino, hindi pala in-update ang monthly report ni Abuan! Nakaka-asar naman! Ginawa ko ang reports ng isang buwan so loob ng isang araw. After noon, nagbili kami ng groceries, tapos naghiwalay kami ni Bustillo. Any DL/ZLC kasi bukas, so pumunta sila ni Kaahanui sa Bongabon Nag-FHE din kami kila Sister Adonis, ang yaman pala nila! Naku! Noong gabing iyon, kaming apat nina Tumala, Ambao, at Andrus ay nasa bahay nila! 

 

Tuesday we had DL/ZLC, it was the best. I left that meeting with literally no disposition to do evil. I don’t know how long President Martino has worked at it, but he said "I think I'm getting to the point where I actually abhor sin". I hope someday I can be like that. He also gave a talk and used one chapter in the Book of Mormon (I won't tell you which, I'm going to use it for my homecoming talk) to solve every problem or concern everyone has ever had. If he isn't called of God, he is doing a really really good job at pretending to be. After the meeting I got the package (thank you mom, I love you). After the meeting we went home.

Wednesday we had a meeting in Palayan, and because we live in the mountains, we showed up an hour late. Then we got home and were handed an electric bill that hasn't been paid in 5 months, so guess who doesn't have any money? Our work today was pretty mababa (low) but that’s okay because we bumawi (better) on Thursday.

Thursday we worked in Bugnan and when we got home I was so tired I didn't even write in my journal until Friday. We ate lunch at nanay Amy's house and RJ worked with us. The best thing ever happened this morning: I was reading my Book of Mormon and felt pure joy.  People can read self help books and see therapists, but the Book of Mormon will solve problems so much faster. Adequately explaining its affect on a person who seriously studies it is like adequately explaining what salt tastes like. You can think of a few things and explain it a little bit, but actually doing it will answer the question much better

Friday was great, but not much happened worth mentioning. But this one lady told us she didn't read the assignment we gave her because it rained during her work meeting so she was nahihilo (dizzy). I love these people

 

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

9-24-12

Sorry to all of you faithful blog followers that did not get a new post last week.  Elder Williams had a tooth filling fall out and had to visit the dentist last week and have it refilled. This caused his email time to be 5 minutes and only really had time to email Pres Martino.

hey I'm back from the dentist everything went great and there's no problems but I only have time to write to President Martino. Next week I'll recap everything from last week and this week na darating. I love you!

Monday was my last P-day with Elder Abuan. Nakakalungkot naman (Sadly again)... I went to the dentist to fix my tooth filling; I was super impressed with the dentist office! Based on my experience in this country, I expected an old, dusty office with a brother chair and leather straps to hold me down. But it was really awesome! The entire place was clean and professional, and the dentist even had a tiny camera and showed me all my teeth! After that we went to the mall, but neither of us bought groceries because transfers are coming up.

Tuesday was a pretty average day; we worked pretty hard considering transfers were Wednesday. In the morning we taught an old retired guy who is less active and he just preached to us from his weird bible. He doesn’t understand a word of English. After that we ate Litson Manok for lunch on the terrace in our apartment.  After that, we taught an investigator at his new house (he moved last week and didn't tell us). Then we came home and planned for tomorrow and I was up until 12:00 washing my clothes, but it wasn't that bad. It's the closest I can get to running by myself so it’s fine with me

Wednesday was transfer announcement! This morning we played basketball with the Dingalan Elders and some punks at the high school who kept asking us for lighters so they could smoke. While we were showering the ZL's called and announced transfers over the phone. Elder Abuan got transferred to my old area in Kaptian Pepe, and my new companion is Elder Bustillo. Elder Rabino's new companion is Elder Montierth, my ka-bahay  (my home) in Cabanatuan! So we said goodbye to all the members and got home around nine, even though our goal was to get home around 6. It’s amazing, last time we were companions he wasn't even 1 year in the mission, now he is basically pauwi na (almost home). He might be going to his last area.

Thursday we left Gobaldon around 6:30am for Cabanatuan, where we met all the other missionaries transferring to other areas. I spent a lot of time talking to Elder Johnson, we were nagka-zone in cabanatuan. About 9:00, the missionaries going to the other side of the mission got on a bus and left. Everyone coming from Tarlac should have been to Cabanatuan around 11, but they didn't show up until 12. Then I met Elder Bustillo, my new companion. He came from Paniqui Zone on the other side of the mission, and he's been here 4 and 1/2 months. I like him but he is masyadong tahimik. (very quiet)  On the way home we were sabay-sabay (simultaneously) with Dingalan Elders. I forgot how much Elder Montierth likes to talk but that is not a bad thing. When we got home, we ate dinner at President Someras house. After nightly planning, Elder Bustillo went right to sleep. nakakapagod kasi mag-byahe (tedious because to travel)

Friday we worked in Bugnan to invite people to the baptism. I found out Sister Marivi's maiden name is Bustillo, literally EVERYONE we talked to asked how they were related. I told Elder Bustillo to bring his camera, and he was a little reluctant because his last area was bukid (field) also. But then he saw the river rafts and was amazed!

Saturday was such a good day I didn’t even want to speak tagalog because I couldn’t express how happy I was. We had the baptismal service for 3 people. We took a Filipino tractor towards the mountains in Bugnan to some incredibly blue water. After the actual baptismal ordinance, they shared their testimonies and one of the baptismal candidates started crying!

Sunday we had a record high 90 people come to church! My first week we were only at 57. Then we had some meetings, choir practice, and worked a little bit. Elder Bustillo is still really confused about the area, but he'll figure it out. To end the day we had sopas at our branch president’s house. Last night was the first time I ever saw Elder Bustillo express any emotion. Maybe he's just shy because it’s a new area.

Mahal Kita

Elder Williams

thats a filipino version of a tractor. people use them in their bukids and if you're walking down the road and you see one going your way its totally cool to get on the back and makisakay (hitchhike) with him.

 

 

9-10-12

hello! sorry we're late, we nagpunta (went) to the dagat (SEA) earlier. I am super sunburned.

This week was awesome. I got the new debit card today! Also we got a new cellphone! Man I learned something awesome this week. So I don't know what the problem is, but I get canker sores about once a month. This one old lady gave me this idea to cook rice, and when its cooked I put a spoon in the pot and collect steam; when the spoon is hot I put it on the canker sore. It works really well, actually. you should try it sometime when you're cooking rice and you have a canker sore at the same time. (but what are the chances, right??)

So we have this  guy that is getting ready to enter the temple in December and we teach him about once a week. He's kind of losing hair but not quite bald. (Almost nobody is bald here... weird.)

So I lost a tooth filling this week. Remember the one that fell out in college? It's the same one. I don't know what the problem is but this is the second time it's fallen out.

I have to tell you the funniest thing ever. So every day we have language study after lunch, and Elder Abuan has this voice recorder he uses for different things. Anyway this week he did this thing where he asked questions in English to the recorder, and he would try to answer them in English as well. Seriously the funniest thing ever. It was like he was having a conversation with himself through a voice recorder. He speaks way better English than he did last time we were companions.

This week we had Zone Conference, it was sweet. President Martino and Elder Howell (who is the Perpetual Education Fund representative for a few missions in the Philippines) both spoke to us. 

Earlier we went to the beach, it was awesome. The same beach we went to last time, so I didn't take too many pictures. But go ahead and check the server, there's some pictures from Zone Conference and two awesome videos. 

Sister Lutz is the best. Last Friday we had house checks and then companion exchanges, so we just got a ride with them to Dingalan. Her and I had the best conversation ever in their truck:

"Sister Lutz, do you eat rice very often?"

"Oh sure, we cooked rice last night!"

"Really? What do you usually put on it?"

"Oh, sometimes we have vegetables or I'll cook some meat or something"

"How often do you eat rice? Have you ever had it for breakfast?"

"Breakfast?!?! NO!! Who in the WORLD eats rice for BREAKFAST?"

"....Can I tell you what I had for breakfast yesterday?"

"Oh sure, go ahead."

"We had rice, and we ate it with hot dogs, eggs, and ketchup"

"What?! Don't you have bread or something? Eggs are good with toast for breakfast, but not RICE! "

"Actually, I used to eat bread all the time, but lately I haven't felt a need to eat bread. Its been about two weeks since I've bought a bread loaf and I don't mind it at all. Plus hot dogs are good for the nighttime when I'm too tired to cook a meal. It's quick and not too messy."

"I don't understand!! Don't you just have bread and peanut butter so you can make a sandwich when you're too tired to cook?"

"We don't buy peanut butter often, it's too expensive for the amount of money that we have each month"

"Well, we don't really look when we buy things at the store.. So what are you eating for lunch today?"
"A lady down the street from us cooks ulam every day, we'll probably just buy from her, and then cook rice when we get home. It's way cheap, too! Only 15 pesos for 1 ulam"

"So she just cooks chicken or whatever and you just cook your own rice? I guess that's a pretty good idea."

"Yeah we eat it about 3 or 4 times a week. Want to try it?"

"But our house is an hour away! Where would I put it?"

"She'll put it in a plastic bag for you, so you don't need to worry about it."

"I can't handle that, its too long. If I had a cooler or something.."

"Sister Lutz I can tell her to double bag it if you'd like!"

"No. No no no. It's too much for me. What if the food is cold by the time we get home??"

"Then when your rice is cooked you put the ulam on top of the rice and let the steam warm it up. For us it usually takes about 5-7 minutes"

(Then we got out of the car and didn't finish the conversation. Sister Lutz is great. I also attached a picture of when we cooked the mac and cheese a few weeks ago.

Love you

Elder Williams