on the radio

Monday, November 5, 2012

Molo, Iloilo City, Philippines

To protect privacy, some names in this post have been altered.

This week was pretty crazy, with things that were awesome, and others that were the opposite.  I doubt I'll be able to do it justice.

Last Monday, as I had mentioned, we played football.  We played pretty darn hard, and we played for quite a while.  It was nice to not be playing basketball.  Anyway, I woke up Tuesday morning pretty darn sore.  It lasted until Sunday, each day feeling a bit better, but I could feel it all the way to Sunday.  I don't know why football killed me so much.  It was only flag football.  I thought that I was a sissy, but then I found out everyone else here was feeling it too.

I got my ecclesiastical interview last Tuesday.  When President asked the question about grooming standards, I said “If I go to BYU, then I will cut my hair.  It was good enough for him.

Last week's district meeting went just fine.  It was about using the Book of Mormon in teaching.  We practiced reading the Book of Mormon with investigators and pointing out key ideas.  It was a nice meeting.  Nowadays, I prepare the lessons by re-reading the Preach my Gospel sections about the subject, and then writing down a few questions to start a good discussion.  It is an approach we learned from Elder Bednar when he came.  He talked about how everyone should be able to say something it they want, and a teacher should be a leader of a discussion, not the discussion.  The people in my district tell me they enjoy district meeting because of how interactive it is.

Schools here have had semester break for about two weeks now.  It meant all the college students are on "vacation."  So we lost our "member present" work force.  Out total number of lessons with a member present dropped down by half this week.

I went on splits in Mandurioa this week.  The ZL's have this new thing where they can have DL's go on splits with other DL's for training reasons.  That meant I got to go on splits with Elder Thayne!  It didn't serve much purpose, since both he and I go home in 15 days.  It was fun none the less.  I love working with him.  He and I have been pals since the MTC, and it's sweet to see what kind of missionaries we've become.  It was also so sweet to get out of Molo.  Molo is like a war zone.  Mandurioa kind of is, too, but they brought me to their "bukid" area.  There weren't any mountains, but there were at least rice fields!  It was so cool to get mud on my shoes again!  I got to walk on rice paths again.

Elders Sparks and Thayne

Elder Thayne's is training his second kid.  He is Filipino, but from Idaho.  It freaks me out to see a person who looks like him but acts like an American.  It was just weird.  Anyway, Elder Sparks is way cool.  He's better at Ilonggo than most people three transfers ahead of him.  He's darn near fluent, and he's still in his first transfer.

Elder Thayne raved about some restaurant they had near their house.  He said that I had to eat there, so we did.  It was a nice place, but not really worth three hundred pesos!  ($7.50)  I got a smoothie.  I thought "Can't go wrong with a smoothie."  I was wrong.  It tasted great, but they served it in basically a shot glass.

I made homemade ice cream.  Our crazy tag-iya (house owner) gave me the mix as an early going away present.  I made it into cherry/vanilla ice cream.  I bought cherries in a jar.  It turned out great.  Then one of my comps turned off the fridge to let it thaw.  It wasn't so great when it froze again.  It was still good.

It was All Saints Day here this week.  That's when all the folks here go to the cemetery, light candles, and pray for their ancestors.  It was pretty crazy.  It killed most everybody’s work.  Our investigators must have longevity in their bloodline because it didn't hurt our work too bad.  I did buy some sweet candles though.  They were selling them everywhere.  The light in the bathroom I use died.  I figured candles could substitute just fine.

On Saturday I worked with Elder Kaaa.  He's from Hawaii, and acts a lot like Elder Eror.  That was fun.  We did some good work.  We got kind of punted, but we didn't mine.  We also bought firecrackers.  We had some fun with them, but not too much fun.

Sunday was pretty cool, but it was scary for a while.  About 9 am, I got a text from Maria saying she couldn't get to church.  That was lame because it meant she couldn't be baptized before I go home.  I was kind of down about it.  I called her to let her know that we'd have to push back her baptism again.  She said OK, and sorry.  I didn't try and push her or anything.  Then five minutes later she arrived at church.  She was pulling my leg.

Elders Waggoner and Johnson on the radio

Later that evening I got to go and sing and talk on the radio.  I was paired up with Elder Johnson.  He's a really nervous guy, but we talked it through and he didn't do too badly.  We talked about trials, and how they are part of God's plan, not just Satan getting in the way.  It was good.  We also sang Nearer My God to Thee and Did you Think to Pray.  I played the guitar and sang harmony.  I didn't sing the harmony too great on the second song.  My throat was kind of dry by then.  The program lasted about an hour.  We sang the first verse of "Nearer My God to Thee" in Tagalog.  The radio station owner was apparently listening, and called and asked us to sing another one.  We were already planning on it, but it was a nice that he liked it.

I fasted this week for last time on my mission.  I was pretty hungry.  I broke my fast at the Katipunan's house at 6 pm.  I really like them.

I had a crazy dream this week.  I dreamed that I was back home, and had been there for a few days, and realized that I had never been released.  I asked Dad about it, and he said "Oh yeah, that's right, let's go take care of that."  We went to the stake center, and I went into the stake president's office.  It was a guy with messy blonde hair and a Hawaiian shirt on.  He was joking about my mission.  He was talking about it real casually.  I got offended and walked out.  Dad was in the other room.  I said something like "That's the new stake president?!"  Dad told me it was just a joke, President Richards was in the other room.

We played football again today.  I started feeling it real badly again afterwards.  Elder Christian helped me stretch, but it wasn't helping much.  He told me that I should probably get my muscles warm again, then stretch some more (he used to work at a gym.)  I didn't want to be sore this whole week again.  He was hoping to work out after the football game at a gym in Arevalo, so I accompanied.  I rode a stationary bike, and did a few more things to help my leg muscles.  I stretched in between the exercises.  For the most part, it got rid of my sore muscles, but I can still feel it in my upper leg.

The Elder who was so difficult recently has not improved and his behavior has been an impediment to the work. He has offended a number of less-active members, and caused several investigators to quit taking discussions. The issues include his in-your-face teaching style, being overly critical when people fail to keep commitments, being disruptive during discussions, and playing inappropriate pranks. It also appears that he has been going through the possessions of other missionaries and sending unauthorized text messages. When he gets caught, he becomes angry and abusive. Even members have been complaining.

When members complain to me, I follow the good companion approach and say things such as "Well, no missionary is perfect, and he's only been a member for two years." Still, I was tempted to join in on the complaining.

I hate to see the sun go down

Monday, October 29, 2012

Molo, Iloilo City, Philippines

To protect privacy, many names in this blog are changed.

My Week was pretty crazy, but I only have three of them left, so I hope they are all crazy.

We've been having some problems with a rebellious elder acting inappropriate around some girls in his ward.  President had previously asked me to keep track of the situation, so I talked with him about it.  In turn, President talked with him, and that elder was angry at me, as well as others.  I didn't care.

Later that day, I got a call from President, who wanted to talk with me in private.  When we talked, he asked me to have a discussion with him.  Later that night we did, and it started out fine.  Once we got to the main point of discussion, it got ugly.  He yelled at me, left the room, and didn’t return when I called him back.  Elder Maneateata also tried talking with him, and a while later he asked me how to call the AP’s.  I showed him, and they later arrived to try talking with the elder.

When they went on upstairs to talk with him, he was almost done packing his bags.  He was being very dramatic.  He yelled some things at us, most of them ridiculous.  Elder Domincel told him to calm down, and he went into the other room to pack more things.  I explained to Elder Christian what had happened, and then he also joined the discussion in the other room.  I waited downstairs, talking with Elder Foshee' (the designated driver.)   After a while, I was invited to join the conversation.  We talked him out of going home, and had a direct discussion about his real problem.  It was nice that I wasn’t the only one who knew of the problem.  We got everything worked out, and were finished about midnight.

This past Sunday was stake conference.  It was okay, but none of our investigators came.  The talks were good, but the musical numbers were ruined by the sound systems.  The piano was plugged into to the speakers in the church, and they were set at full blast.  During both the hymns and musical numbers, you could only hear the organ.  It was so loud that it was distorted.  It sounded more like Steppenwolf than Mormon Tab.  

I also got to see a lot of people that I really like.  I got to see folks from Guimaras and San Juaquin.  It was nice to see them.



Arrietta and Elder Waggoner

Thursday we had interviews with President.  I don't when it happened, but President seems very comfortable with me now.  He told me how much he trusts me, and we discussed helping some people develop their potential.  He even used names, too, and before he has been pretty general.  It was a nice interview.  He told me he was glad I extended, and will hate to see me go.  I know that’s an easy thing to say, but I felt like he meant it.

I saw Elder Arrieta this week.  He was in town for some business and stopped by.  He only stayed for a bit, but I got a picture with him.  I was happy to see him.  Working with him was an enjoyable experience after I’d had a difficult beginning. 

Elder Waggoner, Julie, Danielle

Danielle is the coolest convert ever.  She loves missionary work.  She has been working with the sister missionaries in Jaro, and they thought she was a returned missionary.  She is reading Preach My Gospel, and is way deep into the Book of Mormon.  She often sends us text messages, asking questions such as "Who is John Calvin?” and “What is the reformation?"  She’s also asked about the meaning of “lord of hosts" and why it is no longer wrong to use animal blood in food.  It's so much fun to see someone continue their conversion.

One investigator's father has withdrawn his permission for her to attend church.  We talked with him and he changed his mind, but then Saturday night he changed his mind again.  Lame.

I wrote a new song.  It's one of my best, I think.  I got some disappointing news about someone, and I wrote it in response to that.

Brother, why did you lie to me

don't you know the truth will set you free
brother please explain, why you locked yourself in chains
don't throw that ball into the ocean deep

David became a fallen king

a moonlit night Bathsheba was bathing
if he'd turned his head, he's have never been to bed
he's have never lost his royal crown

i know it takes strength to dig up your mistakes

 but if the levee breaks, where would you be found?

so brother don't you wait, come on and tell it straight,
find your way back to the high ground

Peter denied the savior thrice

that rock wept bitterly that night
and when that cock crew, peter yeah he knew
what he'd done, I know you do too

Is the light much too bright to take

are the truths you've killed keepin' you awake
in the dark do you hide, wrestling with pride
the one's up high have so far to fall

chorus again

We had two FHE's this week.  Neither went as planned, but both were fun.  At one, none of the investigators came; at the other, half of the family was gone.

There is white guy over in the Mandurriao Ward.  I was talking with the couple on Guimaras when he interrupted.  About a minute after he interrupted, he turned the conversation to politics.  It didn't naturally go that direction, but that's what this guy wanted to talk about.  It wasn’t as much about politics as it was just complaining.  I am glad that I'm not in the U.S. right now to hear the pointless bickering.  It seems so prideful.  I look forward to so much - taking warm showers, wearing long sleeves, seeing you guys, playing the banjo, recording my new songs, getting some hamburgers, seeing familiar faces, getting a church calling, going to the temple, studying algebra, sleeping in, eating loads of ice cream – but I am not excited for politics.

Last night, Elder Andal ding-dong ditched our neighbor and ran off.  He told us to run too, but I didn't.  I waited for him to come to the door, and told him “Sorry, we didn't mean to ring the doorbell.”  Elder Andal thought it was funny, but Elder Maneateata and I didn't.

This morning we played football.  I haven't exercised like that in a while.  We played with bandanas and socks tucked into out pants because we didn't have flags.  It rained and was super slippery.  It was a blast.  The only exercise I’ve had the past two years has been basketball and running, so it was nice to switch it up.

Life is good.  We are doing pretty good work.  I do think about home a bit more than I should, but I'm not feeling lazy.  I’m still enjoying working hard.

hard work is good

Monday, October 22, 2012

Molo, Iloilo City, Philippines

Many names in this blog are changed to protect privacy.

Watching some of my batch go home two weeks ago was difficult, and I was a little bummed.  I knew that I could have been going with them.  However, that didn’t last long, and I don't feel that way right now.  I am pretty darn focused.

This week I hit my two years mark.  Weird.  As of yesterday, I have one month left.

Maria and Angel are doing great.  They came to church and seemed to really enjoy it.  I was glad that they came.  We are having some good lessons with them.  Maria is working towards baptism on November 10th.  Angel wants to be baptized, but if she is, she will lose her scholarship for school.  That's a tough situation.  She told us that our church is way better because she feels something, but at her church, she just has fun.  

Last night we went to teach them.  We usually teach at Jessa’s house.  We were going to teach about tithing.  On the way there, Jessa stopped us and told us to go to Angel's house.  When we arrived, we found out that it was Angel's birthday!  We didn't get to teach, but we got to meet a lot of family and neighbors.  It was a really fun time.

I went on splits with Elder Foshee and Opoc this last week.  Elder Opoc is the new mission secretary.  He's way awesome!  He reminded me of Elder Monecer, and of course we got along great.  From 8 to 3, we did studies and I helped them with their office work.  They were swamped, and I was glad to help out because it meant they actually got to leave before 5 pm!  It was fun.  I got to call owners of the missionary apartments from all across the mission.  I got to use Aklanon, Ilonggo, Tagalog, and Kinaray-a!  I hole punched stuff, licked envelopes, counted money, filed papers and even mopped up the floor from spilled juice!  It was a blast.  I suppose that, besides calling the landladies, it was kind of lame work, but the company was great.

The work outside of the office was great.  We taught five lessons, and they were awesome.  We only took two minute turns at teaching, and it was the best unity ever!  I had a blast.  It was like a jam band that knows each other, or a basketball team that depends on each other.  It was so much fun.  In the evening, we bought a tub of rocky road ice cream and ate it all.  That's actually Mom's advice.  I had never done it before, and I’m glad we tried it.  Good recommendation, Mom!

Lanielle didn't go to church. Her father said it was too far!  That's kind of lame.  He used to be all on board for her getting baptized, but lately we've been getting a weird vibe.  We'll have to talk to him.  We used to teach the whole family, but only Lanielle kept commitments.

Last week’s district meeting was excellent.  It was the best ever.  I know I say that a lot, but I mean it.  We talked about the Holy Ghost.  I knew what I needed to talk about.  I actually didn't have a lesson plan.  I just had a paper full of good questions and scriptures, and we had a great discussion.  It was great.  Everybody told me in interviews that it was good.  I was glad to hear that.  We talked about how being too playful can drive the spirit, but being happy invited it.  We talked about where to draw the line.  We decided that if you would say or do that thing with the Savior in the room then it's okay to do.  Kind of simple logic, but it really gives a defined line.

We had quite the correlation with Bishop.  He was kind of angry.  He came down pretty hard on a ward member who has been kind of lazy with his calling.  Then he went off on Elders Andal and Christian about their talks in sacrament.  Both had told the congregation that they had just been asked and weren't prepared, and I guess it kind of embarrassed Bishop.  Also, we had written in our reports to the stake than sacrament meeting was too loud, and Bishop received a call from the stake president.  I think that ticked him off.  Bishop told us to not dwell on the negative.  I didn't get chewed out, so I took it well, but other missionaries in the ward did not.

We taught a lady who literally was telling us her life's story.  About 45 minutes into it, she took a breath, and I said "Thank you for what you have told us.  It helps us know how to help . . ."  I was trying and wrap it up, but she cut me off right there and said "I'm just getting started."  She went another 45 minutes without breathing.  I'm not joking.  That's the sad thing.  I can't wait to tell you more about all these things around the dinner table.  Some things here are so ridiculous.



Elder Andal

I wrote a song in Kinoray-a.  The first two versus wrote themselves, but then it got more difficult because I've never tried to rhyme in another language before.

Elder Andal and I are seeing more eye to eye.  We are teaching in better unity.  Most elder expect me to kill him.  I haven't, and really don’t feel like doing so.  

Life is great.  I'm working hard.  Elder Maneateata is getting good at Ilonggo.  He's come a long way.  We have two FHE's planned this week.

My grandchild is from Utah.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Molo, Iloilo City, Philippines

To protect privacy, some names in this blog have been changed. 
 

Elders Waggoner and Lowry

Life here in Molo is okay.  Last Monday was a little rough, though.  Some of my favorite elders went home.  My MTC roommates, Elders Tran and Doig, and some good mission pals, Elders Lowry and Light, and just a lot of people I've known from the beginning.  It was sad to say goodbye, and in the back of my mind, I knew that I could have gone home with them.  I didn't think about it much, though.  I had too much to do.  They all slept at my house Monday night.  We ended up playing Uno and talking until it was late.  Then, after a few people passed out, Elder Lowry and I talked for a long time.  I did not get much sleep that night.  I've only stayed up a few times in my mission, and I haven't regretted them.

The following morning I had to say goodbye, and then write down some plans for zone meeting.  I pretty much knew what I was going to say, and just had to write it on paper so I wouldn't forget anything.

Zone meeting went pretty well.  First Elder Naylow started it off with accounting and other stuff.  Then Elder Domincel, the AP, did a follow up of last month’s zone meeting.  Then he and I led a session about balancing time.  We talked about evaluating our area and then choosing how to best use our time amongst less actives, investigators, and recent converts.  We had did an activity that turned out to be a way fun.  We got out a ton of chairs, and Elder Naylor and I put sticky notes on them.  We had three elders stack chairs, each elder stacking chairs with a different color sticky note.  In the end we compared the stacks.  Then Elder Naylor trained about teaching doctrine to change behavior.  I then finished it up with a training about inviting, committing, and following up with investigators.  Most people were way dead.  I don't know why. They didn't stay up near as late as I did!  I tried to make it a great discussion, but no one was offering insights.  I said some funny things and got some more people involved.  I said stuff like "Remember when Elder Bednar came, and we had a great discussion with him?  I know I'm not Elder Bednar, but we could at least give it a shot."  Even at the end of it, some people where just too dead to interact.

Most people said they enjoyed zone meeting a lot.  That means something to me, because up until I went to Antique I always dreaded zone meetings.

Maria came home, and we had our first lesson with her since she returned.  Elder Galloway wanted to come because he was getting transferred and wanted to say goodbye to them.  It was one of the best lessons I have had in my mission.  The spirit was super strong.  We had the most crazy follow up ever.  She let us know where she had been, what she had done, and how she felt.  We then moved on to what her desires were.  We hardly taught anything.  We just asked questions for about an hour.  The spirit kept on getting stronger and stronger.  By the end of the discussion, Maria had committed to never break the Word of Wisdom again, and to be baptized November 10.  I felt so good.  Elder Galloway let me know afterwards that the lesson had "made his mission."  We left her with an assignment to read the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15.

The new missionaries slept over Wednesday and Thursday night.  They all said stuff like "you're going home soon."  That makes me laugh.  Compared to two years, what is five weeks?  But five weeks is still a long time.  (I'll tell you if I still feel like way in a week or two.)



Elders Maneateata, Waggoner, Banks, and Sefeti

We were asked to sing in transfer meeting.  We sang "I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go."  I played the guitar.  We invited Elder Sefeti to sing with us too.  So, I sang with my two kids.  Elder Maneateata sang low harmony, Elder Sefeti sang high, and sang did melody.  We made President cry.  It's the first time I've seen President Pagaduan cry.

Also, great news: I have grandkids.  Take that dad!  Elder Sefeti is training.  My grandchild (apo) is from Utah.  How strange, I have two Polynesian kids, but an American grandchild?  How does that work?

I'm in a threesome now, and the third companion has struggled with some things on his mission.  I'm surprised he hasn't been sent home yet.  He is a bit of an anarchist, and listens to no one.  I am learning charity, humility and patience.  I knew I had to learn it sooner or later.  It is the end of my mission, so I guess it's my last shot to learn it.  I'm praying, and received a lot of guidance for it during General Conference.

Conference was a spiritual feast.  I used to think that five sessions was an eternity, but man, it went by way to quick.  I can't wait until it arrives in the Ensign.  I will probably want to watch it at home when it comes out on DVD.  Aren't I such a nerd?  Weird.

Elder Galloway is in Miag-oa.  That's cool.  I’ll get to see him at zone conference and stuff.

Well, I love you guys.  Pray for me and my companions.  We're doing alright.

not getting trunky

Monday, October 8, 2012

Molo, Iloilo City, Philippines

Many names in this blog have been changed to protect privacy.

District Meeting was good last week.  It was our best discussion.  I talked about helping people first develop faith and repentance, instead of jumping straight toward baptism.  It was quite a good discussion.  I had been thinking about that for a long time, and knew quite a few scriptures about it.  It was easy to lead the discussion.

I got a little sick this week, with just a head cold and a runny nose and a headache.  I didn't miss a day of work, but I did lie down a few minutes several times.  Man, it made me tired; it just stole my energy.  Also, it made me kind of impatient.  Usually, when I’ve felt tired, I've just shaken it off and gotten on with things.  Considering how much help Elder Maneateata needs, I can't afford to be impatient.  I love Elder Maneateata, I can barely understand his English, and it is a lot of work to teach him Ilonggo.

We had a good FHE last night.  We had it at the Katipunan's house.  They may be my favorite family here.  We invited Lanielle and her grandpa over.  We shared about apostasy and the need for a prophet.  We played telephone line where someone whispers into the ear of person next to them, and they in turn whisper the same thing to their neighbor.  After it passes on through about five people, the message is different.  We talked about how that happened to the doctrine of Christ, and that's why God restored his word again.  We even got into different things that had been changed.  For the games, we just sang songs with either me or Elder Maneateata playing guitar.

Hey, it would cost $150 to bring my guitar home on the airplane.  That's kind of expensive, so I think I’ll leave it with Elder Maneateata.  That way all his future companions will be able to hear him sing his beautiful islander songs.

I went on splits with Elder Galloway this week.  He's a real slow teacher.  I don't really teach slow like him. but because I was working in his area i gave way to his style.  He really listens hard to people, even when they are drifting into different subjects.  He doesn't get many teachings in a day because he takes so long at each one.  That isn't good because then when somebody only has 30 minutes, they won't let you teach.  Still, it is good because he really knows his investigators well.  Most of my lessons are 25 to 45 minutes.  Most of his are 60 to 90 minutes.  I learned some stuff from him, and he said he learned some stuff from me.  He says I know the bible pretty well.  I don't know if I know it well, but I do think the New Testament is way cooler than most other scriptures we have.  If I weren't LDS, I think I'd be Baptist.

I also went on splits with Elder Nunez this week.  He's a great missionary.  He's secretly one of my favorites in the district.  He's way funny, and hard working.  He's the Mission Recorder.  He's not too great at English, so I speak Ilonggo with him.  Our teaching styles are very similar.  He's better at the language than me, though.  It was like teaching with myself.  It was so sweet to work with him.  He would just pause, and I intuitively knew if I was supposed to talk or wait.  We just had that perfect teaching chemistry.  We both talked about how much we loved the split after our work that night.

One of the lessons was absolute magic.  We taught someone for the first time.  We went to this one house by the beach, and the lady we were going to visit wasn't there.  We just taught the lady who answered the door.  We did "How to Begin" and it was the best ever.  We got her to really open up, and then showed her how the gospel was going to help her.  I wish I could be there for the 2nd lesson.

The house there was sweet too.  It was lifted up on stilts, and the wind from the ocean was blowing hard.  The cool ocean air was coming up through the slabs of bamboo.  It was like an air hockey table.  That may have added to the spirit of the lesson, but I’m not sure.

The first time I went on splits, Elder Maneateata had a hard time.  It was his first time leading the area.  He got on the correct jeep, but going the wrong direction.  That meant they headed downtown at 5:00 pm, during heavy traffic.  They missed two appointments.  I laughed about it.  It's pretty funny really.

We gave a blessing to Brother Katipunan this week.  He had gotten pretty sick.  We had left our oil back at the house, and so we had to go get it.  I don't think I've given a Priesthood blessing to a 45-year-old before. It was my first time.

Last Saturday morning, I was still on splits with Elder Nunez and the office elders got invited in to President Pagaduan's office.  Apparently, there was an Iloilo mission reunion in Provo, and he was on Skype with them.  I got to say hi to some people I really miss and love.  Seeing them wearing flannel shirts and stuff made me a little trunky.

Church was okay.  We changed location, and are now attending in Jalandoni.  Most people were informed about it.  We had two investigators come.  It was a better than normal church, although one lady basically screamed at the congregation during her testimony.  It was nuts.  Putting my head down, it was all I could to keep from laughing.  She was being so extreme.  She didn't even close in the name of Christ, she just said "malapit na ang ikaduwa pagabot ni jesus christ". That means. "the second coming is close."

Most of my batch from the MTC is leaving tomorrow.  Elder Lowry is also going.  Man, it's crazy.  I have only six weeks left.  I'm glad that I extended.  It is hard to see some people all excited to go home.  I said goodbye to Elder Light earlier.  That seems weird.  They will all be sleeping at my house later.

I'm not getting trunky, though.  I still have work to do.

I have been asked to help teach Zone Meeting tomorrow.  Elder Naylor's companion is going home.

my kids get along

Monday, October 1, 2012

Molo, Iloilo City, Philippines

Many names in this blog have been changed to protect privacy; the editor’s comments are in italicized, purple text.

on bamboo walk, between homes, over water

Last week we had way too much p-day.  We went souvenier shopping.  I am glad to have that out of the way, although I guess it's not really completed.  We also blew way too much money at a pizza place.  Then again, it was a very reasonable amount if you translate it to American money.  I also bought eight cans of root beer.  I don't find it all that often, so when I do, I load up.  So, yeah, I was pretty poor this week.  My funds came in today, so I'm fine again.  Anyway, p-day was ok, and I enjoyed it.

I also got a hair cut last p-day. My hair is now the shortest it will be for years to come. :)

Last week I was well prepared for district meeting.  I got there early, was well shaved, and had all the analogies a man could ever need.  The topic was how to begin a discussion with an investigator.  That is the easiest topic ever.  However, President and Sister Pagaduan decided to come.  Suddenly, comparing “the beginning of the discussion” to “making a good first impression on a girl” no longer seemed like a good idea.  I went halfway with it, looked at President, and did not continue the analogy.  I ended up getting kind of stiff and so the teaching didn't go great.  Everyone who is usually upbeat and happy to answer was super quiet.  Everyone was afraid to say anything that wasn't a quote from Preach My Gospel.  As a result, the district meeting was good, but not all that great.  To save anyone else the pain, I paired myself up with President for the teaching practice.

After district meeting, I was feeling way tired and light headed.  I decided to lie down.  Now, our landlord loves to talk to us every chance he can get, and before I got into the house, he caught me and held me there, trying to have a conversation.  I just told him "Bro Daku, I'm not feeling well, I need to go lie down."  While I was taking a nap, he decided to repair something in our house.  When I got up to do studies with Elder Maneateata, he heard me.  We had prayed and were getting on our way when he came upstairs.  He had a thermometer and a blood pressure thing.  For the next ten minutes, despite my protesting, I got examined by my landlord.  I turned out to be fine.  No one here believes you when you say that you’re feeling fine, and it’s sometimes annoying.  Brother Daku also added that I seem malnourished.  That's what skinny is called in the Philippines.

I went on splits with Elder Domincel later that evening.  He's the AP.  I enjoyed splits, and we taught four lessons together.  He likes to joke around, and I do too.  He and I were in the same district when I was in San Joaquin and he was in Tigbauan.  He was also my ZL in Antique.  We had a good time talking about old times.

We have been visiting a less active, nine-month pregnant girl and her boyfriend.  That's a difficult situation, but this last time the boyfriend's family joined the lesson.  Now we are teaching an eight person family.  We had an awesome "how to begin" with them.  We haven't been able to visit them again yet.  The baby was supposed to come Saturday, but hadn't come by Sunday evening.  I don't know medically what that even means.

Danielle joined us on a lesson with long time investigators Dale and Maia.  Maia is awesome and reads, but Dale is evasive.  We decided to go for broke and challenge them to baptism.  Maia wasn’t there for the lesson.  We were going to extend them a date, but it didn't happen.  Dale just gave excuse after excuse about how he can't get baptized because he needs to change, but needs to change on his own terms.  He can't be forced so he won't commit to a date.  He wouldn't listen to reason.  Danielle asked us why we even teach him after the lesson.

We gave a blessing to a five-year-old boy named Lester.  His mom is a less-active.  He had a real bad fever and has asthma.  We gave the blessing, and then Elder Maneateata did his amazing Polynesian head massage on the kid.  He got the kid to relax and fall asleep.  He had screamed and cried during the blessing.

We have a 17-year-old investigator who is a punk rocker.  He moves around a lot, and has been through so many missionaries.  Now we are teaching him.  He comes from a part member family, and we are just trying to help him develop some interest.  Each time, we do a 15-minute guitar lesson and then a 15-minute gospel lesson.  If he didn't read the pamphlet, then we skip the guitar lesson.  We've done it twice now.  Maybe that's not the best strategy, but it's one way that would have gotten my attention as a 17-year-old.

We've been looking for a new house.  We found a perfect one, but it's a little expensive.  It's not too much higher than our budget, but we can't extend our budget.  Elder Nunez tried to talk the old lady down, but she wouldn't budge.  President really liked the house and asked us to try again.  She’s Chinese, and Elder Nunez says they won’t budge on price.
 

On Saturday morning we had a double stake activity.  We all wore yellow shirts.  We first had a program where the institute students did a Korean hip dance that, apparently, is all the rage right now.  It was cool because Danielle participated.  We then walked along the river for a mile and a half or so.  They have this nice paved sidewalk near the river here in Iloilo.  The paved sidewalk is great because motorcycles aren't allowed to drive on it and run you over.  I mingled with a few different members during the walk.  When we returned from the walk, it was zumba time.  Zumba is exercise dancing.  There is a guy on a platform in front who “shakes his booty.”  You try to follow him, and in the mean time sweat like a pig.  We received permission to participate.  It was crazy to be able to move like that in public as a missionary.  We took advantage of the opportunity, but after four rounds of booty shaking we called it quits.  It was too hot, and only about 8 am.

Later in the day I went on splits with Elder Foshee.  We were trapped in the office until 5:00 p.m. with financial secretary work.  I helped him out.  I was the secretary to the financial secretary.  After 5:00, we taught two lessons and then got a call at 7:00 pm that we needed to go to St. Paul's hospital to pay for an Elder’s bills.  So our 7:00 p.m. appointment didn't happen, but we made our 8:00 p.m. appointment.  After that, Elder Foshee and I stayed up way too late talking.  I can't wait for him to get off his mission so we can hang out.

We visited Tatay Sanz twice this week, once with the guitar.  He likes our visiting.  He had a stroke and can't talk, but cries tears of joy when we visit him.

Last night taught Danielle a new member lesson.  She had a question about LDS beliefs on hell.  We then taught a four-minute discussion on hell.  That's the first time on my mission that I taught about hell.  I really enjoyed it.

There's sad news.  Maria has been having some pretty severe family problems.  We hadn't been able to visit her for a while, and we were sad about that, but we got even sadder last night.  She ran away from home, quit her job, and hasn't told anyone where she is.  She's not with anyone that her best friends know.  She's been gone four days. She won't answer calls from her family, and has only replied a few times to the texts of her best friends, Angel, Jessa and Isabel.  She doesn't have a change of clothes and is flat broke, and won't let anyone help her.  

Jessa suggested that I call her because she might answer our call.  I tried, but she didn't pick up.  I was bummed.  Later that evening, while closing the day, I got the impression to call her that moment.  She answered.  I got to talk with her for a few minutes.  I offered help, and told her that her friends and family love and miss her.  She said she can't go home, and she doesn't want help.  I didn't ask her location, but did find out she's sleeping in a cemetery.  At one point, I asked her how I could help.  She said that she is fine and content with her life.  I told her I didn't believe her.  She cried, and restated that she is content.  It was a heart breaking phone call.  Jessa was thrilled that I got through to her.  It at least shows that she is still alive.  Also, I'm told that Maria has started smoking again, and I'm guessing is doing drugs too.  I'm so down about this.  I wish I could search all over Iloilo for her, but of course I can't.  It's such a bummer.

Elders Maneateata and Sefeti

Today I met up with Elders Lowry, Sefeti, Galloway, Johnson, Domincel, and Nunez for lunch at my favorite Indian place.  Elders Maneateata and Sefeti got along great.  It was great to see my kids get along.