January 6th from E Pio Duran, near Ligao

Wow, I'm actually here. It's been a whirlwind of a week. A lot has happened and there's a lot that I'm adapting to. There have been more than a few frustrating times, but when I think about it, there have been so many tender mercies. For example, yesterday was Fast Sunday, where I introduced myself to the ward. I was pretty worried that fasting would be miserable because we do so much walking and it's already hard enough to get enough water in me to make up for how much I lose because it's so hot here. To my surprise, it wasn't a problem. I didn't even notice that I was hungry or thirsty until we were on our way to our dinner appointment with a family to break our fast. I know that God sustained me in my fast.

My companion's name is Elder Carpio, and he's wonderful. He's a native to the Philippines, so I rely on him to converse with the people. I can teach lessons pretty well, and when we're talking about spiritual subjects I can pick up what others are saying, but I don't have a firm enough grasp of the language to converse well. I've been teaching him English, which he's actually quite good at for never having been immersed in the language, and he's been teaching me boatloads of Tagalog. I'm really glad I've been given such a competent and supportive trainer.

First Companion and Trainer:  Elder Carpio

Found a Crab on the Beach

Teaching the people has been difficult, but so incredibly worth it. A lot of our effort have been in reactivation, though we have some promising investigators. We have one sister that we're almost certain is going to be baptized in less than a month. She's seventeen years old, and she only heard the message of the missionaries who were here before us about a month ago, but she has such a powerful testimony. Another sister has many questions about the LDS faith itself and our specific beliefs, but she has a very well rounded knowledge of the bible and believes firmly in serving God, which is already such a powerful basis upon which we know we can build.

The Philippines itself has a lot of things that I've had to get used to. For example, transportation. In the Philippines there are two main types of public transit: Jeepneys and Tricycles. Jeepneys are old WW2 looking jeeps with the back sawn off and extended back about twenty feet. On each side of the back is a bench which people cram into like a can of sardines. Tricycles are motorcycles with a roof and a metal sidecar welded on. Aside from the driver, Jeepneys can put about twenty people inside, and Tricycles can fit about six people inside. However, both types of transportation have metal grating welded on to the sides and roof at random places, so if the inside is full, people hang off the sides and climb on the top. I've had more than one opportunity to hang off the back of Jeepneys, and you quite literally have to hold on for your life.

My Closet

Mayon Volcano as the Plane Lands

The Philippines is a wonderful place, and I'm so blessed to be able to live and serve the people here for two years. It's difficult, but I know that the words of Nephi and 1 Ne 3:7 are true, and that the Lord will make a way for me to accomplish the things he wants me to. I hope that when time are rough, you know that you can turn to the Lord and he will buoy you up.