There is so much throughout the week that I think: hmm I really should email about that on Monday. However, I usually end up forgetting what that event was by the time emailing day comes.
It seems like there is not enough time in the day for me to accomplish all that I would like to do. Every single day I feel more and more excited that the Philippines in my home for the next two years of my life. One of the best parts of my area is the people. Everyone we talk to is so willing to listen and is respectful to our beliefs. We are trying hard right now to build the trust of the members because I know that we will be a lot more successful if we have help from the ward. Now that I have been here for two weeks it is a little easier to distinguish different members in the ward. A constant thought on my mind is that everything I am doing is for the investigators and the people in my area. Even if that means I need to take a break for a second and sing a hymn after studying the language. A really spiritual experience I had was when we were teaching a part member family with an investigator there as well. I took lead on the discussion which at first was slightly terrifying. However I really felt prompted by the spirit and I was able to communicate better than I ever have in Tagalog. I know that that was the hand of God. During that lesson I felt prompted to slightly change topics and share a personal experience where the Gospel had blessed my life. Turned out that what I said was directly applicable to a Brother present at the lesson. It felt so great and it really built my own faith. The Lord works through us, especially when we are worthy.
Tagalog is really difficult guys... there are some words that have way too many vowels in a row that confuse me so much. All the stuff that I learned at the MTC was really great, but I feel like as soon as I came out here I forgot it all! Probably because it was so much information every day. As I listen to the Filipino people speak, I have to really concentrate to try and figure out what they are saying. Often I still do not understand. For some reason whenever I am listening to Tagalog for a really long time, it makes me exhausted mentally and I start to almost fall asleep. I have to pinch myself to stay awake! I am figuring out better study plans that work for me. I am constantly carrying around a little notebook and write down any words that I do not know, which sometimes is really hard since they speak so fast. Every spare moment I have I am studying Tagalog because I cannot effectively communicate my message to others unless I can speak to them. Plus the Filipino people really love to joke around all the time, which I love! They always get a good laugh when they ask where I am from and I say "Taga Samar" (from Samar, which is a place in the Philippines). They look really confused, and then after an appropriate amount of awkward silence, I clarify and say "Taga sa Merica" (I am from America) which almost sounds exactly the same. Man, I love these dumb jokes, so I am glad they like it too! I use the "Dad Jokes" that my home skillet Eli would say all the time, and my companions love it! Haha, it is a jolly good time here!
Speaking of my companions, we get closer every single day! I love them so much. They are both Filipinos and are very hard working, which is good because I am truly here to work hard. ALSOOOOO they are both really good cooks, and I am a really good eater so it works out! Elder Eleazar loves cooking so he insists that he cooks at every possibility. Elder Eleazar has the funniest dances and Elder Buque says most hilarious things. Such weird Elders, which I am glad because I am pretty weird too :)
Ok so I decided that I am going to try a new weird Filipino food every week because they LOVE food here! This week I tried Dugo, which is PIGS BLOOD! They let the blood harden and then grill it. Honestly it was not nearly as bad as I thought, just a very strange texture. I give it 7/10. Very nice.
So to describe the area that I am in right now: I am in a very populated area, not quite city but almost city. Though each of the neighborhoods are spread out so it takes a while to travel from area to area. Preferably we use Jeepneys since they are cheap. Which reminds me, I am so impressed by Jeepney drivers. They drive in the craziest conditions (driving here is 100 times more chaotic than driving in California) and at the same time are being the cashier for the business. Without stopping they collect the money and give change. Maybe one day I will be a Jeepney driver since I am pretty talented at multitasking while driving... like eating and driving. Probably not the best talent to have, but Christ did say to develop our talents! Hehehe! Anywho, San Jose has so much trash everywhere. It is kind of sad to me because I see so many people just throwing their trash on the ground. Plus people just stop and pee wherever they want, which is often right in public. And there are tons of stray dogs and cats that poop just about anywhere. I cannot walk anywhere without looking down, which can be a problem sometimes because I end up hitting my head on random things that Filipinos are too short to hit. Despite all this, these people are the happiest people in the world and the most giving. When I go inside people's houses they offer me the best food that they have and insist that I eat it. Every day I am truly humbled. Somehow with all the trash and pollution I find the Philippines the most beautiful place in the world. I had a strange realization when I looked around and was ok that I could not see any mountains. I don't need that right now. I am here to serve these people.
Something that I do need right now though is a washing machine... I never realized how spoiled I was! Here I have to wash my clothes by hand which I am not used to. It is quite the process to do, and gives me blisters. It is an experience for sure. After washing my clothes last P-day, I was determined to use as little clothes as possible so it would be easier to do laundry.
It is hard to sum up my week in just a short email, but time really is flying by already. Till next weeks adventures!
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| Us in the richer area of town thanks to the technology of timer on a camera |
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| PIGS BLOOD |
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| One of my favorite families who made the most delicious fried chicken (sorry White Fence Farm) |
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| Brother Glen is the Ward Mission leader. He served in Sacramento and is such an amazing example to me! He gives me so much advice and is very helpful with Tagalog questions since he is fluent in English |
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| Some of my Favorite people in the ward after Choir Practice! |
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| A truck that said Colorado! Made me miss home a little :) |
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| A nativity made of literal trash, so beautiful |
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| Me with a lamb and a Lamb of God pamphlet |
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| Me being Pogi (handsome :P) |
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| We found the greenest part of our area! |
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| Our Apartment |
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