28 Dec 2009
Hey everyone!
I hope everyone's Christmas was great! mine was! I got to call my family in the morning, which was great. Surprisingly I wasn't too homesick like everyone said you get when you call home, so that was a big blessing. After we called we went around to member's houses and ate food ALL AFTERNOON!!!!! I was soooo full oh my gosh. My companion looked at me and said "oh yeah, you're only supposed to eat a little bit at each place" I didn't think about that at the first house. I guess its like a challenge for Philippinoes to feed you more when you start looking full. ha ha. And they would rather give you all their food than see you hungry. Elder Lebbon said its like an honor for them to have American's eating their food. Kinda weird but oh well. Then we went back to our apartment at 6 and listened to all the drunks try and sing outside our apartment until midnight, it was actually quite funny. ha ha. Then it was even funnier to watch all our neighbors with their hangovers walking around the next morning. I guess Christmas and New Years get pretty crazy over here! ha ha
Oh by the way. Happy New year to all of you!
Tomorrow we have Zone conference and we have to perform a musical number as a district and we have no musical talent in our district. So that should prove interesting. Elder Lebbon and I had to come to Guagua today to meet the rest of our district and luckily they have a computer shop here that has a backup generator, because all of Pampanga (the province I'm in) is in a brown out (black out) until 6 tonight. So I almost didn't get to email today.
Other than that, we've been teaching, but not a lot. They say that Pampanga is the hardest part of our mission, because the people just really don't care so its hard to get them listen to us. We were walking down the road the other day and Elder Lebbon pointed at just about every house and said they don't like missionaries and they don't like missionaries. So we've been trying to find new areas. One thing I enjoy about Elder Lebbon is he doesn't care so much about stats as long as we have true conversions. And he doesn't waste time going to people that have stood us up over and over. Its been neat to see how he works. Oh and another thing about Pampanga, we get Joe'd a lot more than I did in Zambales.
We had one ol' boy that we taught last Sunday then we went back yesterday and he had his friends there, we thought we were in for a debate but it ended up they were really interested, they just had some concerns about Joseph Smith. It was really cool though.
Another time last week we went to this place called San Jose and they have a hospital there, we started walking out to the hospital and Elder Lebbon said we might as well just turn around there's no one out here, so we turned around and left. Then later that night it turns out one of our new converts daughter had a miscarriage and was in the hospital she was actually asking for us. Sister Arlene (our new convert) saw us but something told her not to call out to us. (Dag gum Satan, I really don't like him) We ended up going back out to the hospital later that night and teaching about the plan of salvation. It was crazy to see how we were in the right place at the right time but we missed a chance because of the adversary. Oh well, it turned out good in the end.
Well I'm outta time. I love you all. Happy new year.
Elder Chase
Monday, December 28, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
21 Dec 2009
Holy crap, Friday is Christmas!!!! And it doesn't feel like it! Its still way too hot. I got transferred and my new area is called Floridablanca, its in the middle of the city, and its a lot hotter than San Marcelino because its farther south. I was really nervous about my new companion but he's real cool. He's a buffalo rancher from Oak City, Utah. We just sit around at nights and tell stories, he tells me about the buffalo and I tell him about vet stories, we have a lot of fun. AND I can talk like I used to and not have to worry about him making fun of me! Its great. He goes home in January, so President Aquino says my job is to make sure he doesn't get lazy. We're having a blast! Its a different experience having an American Companion but i love it.
We had our branch Christmas party on Saturday and I got to meet a lot of the members, it was real neat to be able to carry on a conversation with them. Ha ha I took my rope and was roping the little kids it was a blast. Then they wanted to try. I gotta say, the Philippinos are fast learners. it was fun. And they had lots of pancit canton, which is one of my most favorite dishes here in the Philippines.
The branch here is actually kinda weak so we get to try and strengthen it and find new members. We actually had a baptism on Saturday before the Christmas party. We baptized 2 ladies, it was really neat. They gave great testimonies after that, one of them had committed abortion and in her testimony after her baptism (it took us 3 times to get it right and we almost drown her once) that she finally felt like she'd been forgiven of her sins, it was real neat.
Ha ha for Christmas we have to be back inside our apartment at 6 pm. talk about early! But we'll have some time for studying and telling stories. It'll be fun still.
OH, I got to weld the other day!!!! It was so much fun! At our Community Service Project we had a brother who the ward started building a fence for him but then last time all the welds broke on the makeshift frame for the chain link fence, so they got an arc w
elder when they found out I could weld and let me go to work. Here's the kicker, I was in Sandals, shorts, t-shirt, and all I had was a pair of oxyceltalyne cutting goggles, luckily my eyes didn't get hurt, I've got burns all over my face, and my legs, they kinda hurt! ha ha but oh well, it was fun to do it again. Elder Lebbon says I was an answer to his prayers because he's wanted to get this CSP done for the last month. So it was cool how I was able to use my knowledge from back home to help here. I love it! The welds sure weren't pretty. but by dang they'll hold ha ha ha.
I've got a lot of work to do here in Floridablanca but I'm excited to do it.
Merry Christmas to you all. You are all in my prayers.
Love,
Elder Chase
Holy crap, Friday is Christmas!!!! And it doesn't feel like it! Its still way too hot. I got transferred and my new area is called Floridablanca, its in the middle of the city, and its a lot hotter than San Marcelino because its farther south. I was really nervous about my new companion but he's real cool. He's a buffalo rancher from Oak City, Utah. We just sit around at nights and tell stories, he tells me about the buffalo and I tell him about vet stories, we have a lot of fun. AND I can talk like I used to and not have to worry about him making fun of me! Its great. He goes home in January, so President Aquino says my job is to make sure he doesn't get lazy. We're having a blast! Its a different experience having an American Companion but i love it.
We had our branch Christmas party on Saturday and I got to meet a lot of the members, it was real neat to be able to carry on a conversation with them. Ha ha I took my rope and was roping the little kids it was a blast. Then they wanted to try. I gotta say, the Philippinos are fast learners. it was fun. And they had lots of pancit canton, which is one of my most favorite dishes here in the Philippines.
The branch here is actually kinda weak so we get to try and strengthen it and find new members. We actually had a baptism on Saturday before the Christmas party. We baptized 2 ladies, it was really neat. They gave great testimonies after that, one of them had committed abortion and in her testimony after her baptism (it took us 3 times to get it right and we almost drown her once) that she finally felt like she'd been forgiven of her sins, it was real neat.
Ha ha for Christmas we have to be back inside our apartment at 6 pm. talk about early! But we'll have some time for studying and telling stories. It'll be fun still.
OH, I got to weld the other day!!!! It was so much fun! At our Community Service Project we had a brother who the ward started building a fence for him but then last time all the welds broke on the makeshift frame for the chain link fence, so they got an arc w
elder when they found out I could weld and let me go to work. Here's the kicker, I was in Sandals, shorts, t-shirt, and all I had was a pair of oxyceltalyne cutting goggles, luckily my eyes didn't get hurt, I've got burns all over my face, and my legs, they kinda hurt! ha ha but oh well, it was fun to do it again. Elder Lebbon says I was an answer to his prayers because he's wanted to get this CSP done for the last month. So it was cool how I was able to use my knowledge from back home to help here. I love it! The welds sure weren't pretty. but by dang they'll hold ha ha ha.I've got a lot of work to do here in Floridablanca but I'm excited to do it.
Merry Christmas to you all. You are all in my prayers.
Love,
Elder Chase
Monday, December 14, 2009
14 Dec 2009
Hey everyone!
Christmas is right around the corner and I hope everyone is ready for it!!!! ha ha I'm not exactly how they do Christmas over here in the Philippines, but after Christmas I'll let you know!
Last night we went to the Christmas devotional it was awesome, even though I only understood about half of what they were saying. It was really neat to hear the tabernacle choir sing.
This week is transfers and I learned earlier this morning I will be transferred. I'm to be at the Olongapo bus station tomorrow morning at 7 am. early eh! I was a little disappointed. I've been trying to prepare myself for this day, and I thought I had, but it seems I wasn't. As I've had time to think I'm moving because the lord needs me somewhere else and so its alright. Then I talked to president Aquino earlier and he told me my new assignment is to keep my new companion busy. I guess I'm getting assigned with an elder whose time is almost up, so it should be fun.
We had an American couple move into our ward last week and we went out to meet them. Well when we were sharing, we were sharing in English, and I was struggling so bad. Then when I gave the closing prayer I couldn't keep the thoughts going so I had to just talk in Tagalog. I hope that's a sign that I'm getting better in Tagalog cuz it was sure a lot easier to talk in Tagalog than in ingles.
Then last week
we had some of our investigators tell me that they could understand me, I've been waiting for that to be said for a long time so it was really cool but I'm still not where I'd like to be.
Yesterday in church we had the primary program, it was really funny. One of the little girls ended up doing a lot of the program and she knew everything by heart it was really cute. Then a few of the girls got up to sing I am a Child of God and forgot the words so the whole congregation started singing with them. It was really neat and the spirit was so strong there! I loved it. Great for my last Sunday in San Marcelino!
Well that's all I've got time for. I love you all, thank you for your support and I hope you all have the opportunity to do something for someone else this Christmas season to make theirs even better!
Until next week
Elder Chase
Hey everyone!
Christmas is right around the corner and I hope everyone is ready for it!!!! ha ha I'm not exactly how they do Christmas over here in the Philippines, but after Christmas I'll let you know!
Last night we went to the Christmas devotional it was awesome, even though I only understood about half of what they were saying. It was really neat to hear the tabernacle choir sing.
This week is transfers and I learned earlier this morning I will be transferred. I'm to be at the Olongapo bus station tomorrow morning at 7 am. early eh! I was a little disappointed. I've been trying to prepare myself for this day, and I thought I had, but it seems I wasn't. As I've had time to think I'm moving because the lord needs me somewhere else and so its alright. Then I talked to president Aquino earlier and he told me my new assignment is to keep my new companion busy. I guess I'm getting assigned with an elder whose time is almost up, so it should be fun.
We had an American couple move into our ward last week and we went out to meet them. Well when we were sharing, we were sharing in English, and I was struggling so bad. Then when I gave the closing prayer I couldn't keep the thoughts going so I had to just talk in Tagalog. I hope that's a sign that I'm getting better in Tagalog cuz it was sure a lot easier to talk in Tagalog than in ingles.
Then last week
we had some of our investigators tell me that they could understand me, I've been waiting for that to be said for a long time so it was really cool but I'm still not where I'd like to be.Yesterday in church we had the primary program, it was really funny. One of the little girls ended up doing a lot of the program and she knew everything by heart it was really cute. Then a few of the girls got up to sing I am a Child of God and forgot the words so the whole congregation started singing with them. It was really neat and the spirit was so strong there! I loved it. Great for my last Sunday in San Marcelino!
Well that's all I've got time for. I love you all, thank you for your support and I hope you all have the opportunity to do something for someone else this Christmas season to make theirs even better!
Until next week
Elder Chase
Monday, December 7, 2009
7 Dec 2009
Hey everyone,
The work is still moving forward here in San Marcelino Philippines. Last Saturday we had the baptism of Sister Jane Fontillas, she was baptized by here cousin, which was awesome, her whole family is iglesia and has been harassing her about her decision but she just told them that she knows the church is true, and she has a special feeling when she goes to church with us. We were very excited. When she bore her testimony on Saturday at her baptism she told us about how she knew that this church is where she's supposed to be. It was amazing.
Then yesterday we had 3 baby blessings, of older children that hadn't been blessed yet, then 1 confirmation (sis. Jane). It was a busy day. oh, funny story, I invited an old drunk guy, he speaks 15 different languages or dialects and he said he wanted to come to church with us. So of course we said that's great! So he came and then during testimony meeting he got up and started preaching about Jesus Christ's Earthly Ministry, it was....interesting to say the least we were listening to false doctrine and I think we only heard a little bit but it was so out there that we didn't need to worry, the branch president was on the edge of his seat the whole time, but it turned out alright. ha ha We were a lil nervous.
Crazy food of the week: a
re you ready for this?.......last night I had dog yes like the ones that are peoples pets. It actually wasn't too bad. One of the member's had it and I had adobong aso. The meat kinda has a spicy type taste to it. But now I can say that I've eaten dog. ha ha.This last week we transferred houses into a bigger house that is right next to our old one, its got an upstairs and its a lot cooler. The other house was like a tin can. We were very grateful for the move. The transfer happened because we had the brown out, then the next day we had to go to interviews and we were both out of it cuz we didn't get any sleep so president said "find a new house" then it just so happened that the family next door had moved out. (Blessing)
All my other investigators are doing good, Brother Jonathan (asawa ni Jane) (husband of Jane), we are still working with him, we are thinking we will be able to baptize him before Christmas which would be an answer to our prayers! The members are starting to really help out with the missionary work and we are getting to be a really strong branch I'm excited. We started doing a weekly program for sacrament like we have in the states and everyone loved it. So we will do it again for next week and see if we can't make one for every week.
Well, that's about all I have time for this week. I'll write more next week,
I love you all, and thank you for your support
Elder Chase
Sunday, November 29, 2009
30 Nov 2009
Hey everyone!
How was everyone's Thanksgiving? I hope great! I made spaghetti not even thinking about it, then the next day I talked to some other missionaries and they asked what we did for Thanksgiving. I said nothing, then I thought about it and I said oh, I made spaghetti, (we don't usually have spaghetti) ha ha
Things are still good over here in the Philippines, they have been talking a lot lately about the upcoming election. I guess the governor of the Philippines had a bunch of people killed that were gonna run against him in the next election. I was astonished when I heard that, I thought that politics in the US were dirty! ha ha
Oh, then last week we had a brown out (black out) I dunno why they call them brown outs but it was because the workers went on strike because they wanted the manager to step down. They said that it was going to last until Dec 3 and I thought I was gonna die! ah it was so hot that night! then the next evening it came back on! we were all excited!
Yesterday in church I spent the day in Primary! Can you believe it!? I can't believe I made it through. Holy cow there were some rowdy kids in there! ha Elder Erispe ran the stuff then I just kinda helped and tried to keep my cool!
On the bright side we had 8 investigators at church yesterday! it was so great! One of them was Sister Jane Fontillas, the sister who will be baptized this upcoming Saturday! We are so excited for her.
I had the opportunity to go on splits last week with an elder who I wasn't really fond of, we used to live with him before we transferred to our San Marcelino apartment, he was always joking and I didn't think he knew how to take anything serious then when we were working I saw a totally different side of him! It was amazing and I learned a lot from him! It just goes to show that you can't judge a book by its cover. I went into that split with an open mind and hoped for the best and it turned out great.
The crazy food for this week was chicken head, it wasn't that great. Its far to boney for my taste. I'll stick with the other stuff. ha ha.
Well I'm outta time! so I love you all! take care and until next week.
Elder Chase
Hey everyone!
How was everyone's Thanksgiving? I hope great! I made spaghetti not even thinking about it, then the next day I talked to some other missionaries and they asked what we did for Thanksgiving. I said nothing, then I thought about it and I said oh, I made spaghetti, (we don't usually have spaghetti) ha ha
Things are still good over here in the Philippines, they have been talking a lot lately about the upcoming election. I guess the governor of the Philippines had a bunch of people killed that were gonna run against him in the next election. I was astonished when I heard that, I thought that politics in the US were dirty! ha ha
Oh, then last week we had a brown out (black out) I dunno why they call them brown outs but it was because the workers went on strike because they wanted the manager to step down. They said that it was going to last until Dec 3 and I thought I was gonna die! ah it was so hot that night! then the next evening it came back on! we were all excited!
Yesterday in church I spent the day in Primary! Can you believe it!? I can't believe I made it through. Holy cow there were some rowdy kids in there! ha Elder Erispe ran the stuff then I just kinda helped and tried to keep my cool!
On the bright side we had 8 investigators at church yesterday! it was so great! One of them was Sister Jane Fontillas, the sister who will be baptized this upcoming Saturday! We are so excited for her.
I had the opportunity to go on splits last week with an elder who I wasn't really fond of, we used to live with him before we transferred to our San Marcelino apartment, he was always joking and I didn't think he knew how to take anything serious then when we were working I saw a totally different side of him! It was amazing and I learned a lot from him! It just goes to show that you can't judge a book by its cover. I went into that split with an open mind and hoped for the best and it turned out great.
The crazy food for this week was chicken head, it wasn't that great. Its far to boney for my taste. I'll stick with the other stuff. ha ha.
Well I'm outta time! so I love you all! take care and until next week.
Elder Chase
Monday, November 23, 2009
23 Nov 2009
Hey everyone,
Things are going great here in the Philippines. I'm still teaching and teaching and teaching some more ha ha. My companion, Elder Erispe, got called as the district leader and as the district leader he goes on splits with all the other missionaries in the district and as his companion, i get the elder who he is not evaluating. The other day we did the first one, and I learned so much it was a great experience! Just seeing how other missionaries teach and do things different than I learned. It is a blessing at least for me. ha ha.
Our next transfers are on Dec 15 so Elder Erispe and I are trying to figure out who will be transferred. It will be weird if I am because he has already been here for 4 1/2 months but he is the district leader so that could keep him here. Only time will tell and its up to the Lord.
Interesting food for the week: Chicken Intestine or Esaw is what they call it here, it was actually really good. ha ha Elder Erispe said its so good that it'll make you forget your girlfriend, ha ha, it was funny. They grill it then put this spicy sauce on it! ha ha MASARAP! (DELICIOUS). We'll see what i can come up for next week, I'm thinking chicken head or foot.
Our Iglesia couple are still progressing but Brother Jonathan said that he's not ready, so he may not be getting baptized on the 5th with his wife Jane, we are fasting and praying for them. Jonathan really is ready, but I think just because he is coming from Iglesia it is a big change, so he's just a little nervous. We'll see what happens. They have a little boy named Santi and he is so dang cute, he'll shake hands and every time I say Kamusta he always says Ayos Lang ha ha he is the only little kid I know that will answer me. ha ha
Our President gave us a Book of Mormon challenge and we are supposed to have it read by like January 15 it is amazing how much I am taking from it. He has us look for different things and highlight it. Example, every time it says a name that refers to Jesus Christ, or every time it mentions Christ-like attributes, or anything like that we have to highlight it. It is great, and he is doing it with us. Even better, Elder Teh of the 70 and the area presidency is doing it with us, he is such a great guy.
Because it's harvest season things have been kinda slow. A lot of our investigators are busy, between cutting the rice and the whole harvest process we've had a pretty good chance to find new investigators. We are teaching the people next door and the kids have been coming to church with us, and they bring their friends, its pretty cool.
Then, the drunks are great too because they always say yes, so you can get a return appointment. And we actually have found several good investigators like that. Every Sunday Elder Erispe and I do splits and we have the branch missionaries be our companions but one of the kids who was with me was so nervous when I started talking to one yesterday, he was like Elder, lets go, i don't like drunks, but I have an appointment with him on Thursday. They are all so nice here! ha ha I love it. Maybe my past friends were a blessing in disguise ha ha. They prepared me for this. Oh, then Elder Erispe got a big hug from a drunk Bukla (gay guy) the other day, then he asked for Erispe's number. It was hilarious, I laughed about that the rest of the day.
The gay's here take gay to a whole new level like short shorts and low cut shirts and well WOW!!! I thought I knew some gay people, they were nothing compared to philippino gays, its nuts! But its part of the culture I suppose.
I love how industrious everyone is here, most have literally nothing but its amazing what they can do without the advancements like we have in the U.S. like I saw a drill rig the other day, they had a tripod and a deal at the top that kept the pipe straight up and then with a rope and a pulley attached to the weight at the top they drove a pole into the ground it is truly amazing here. And its not like the quality is bad either I have seen some amazing work done here without machines. I love it.
Well I'm outta time, thank you all for everything, for your prayers and support. I love you all.
Elder Chase
Hey everyone,
Things are going great here in the Philippines. I'm still teaching and teaching and teaching some more ha ha. My companion, Elder Erispe, got called as the district leader and as the district leader he goes on splits with all the other missionaries in the district and as his companion, i get the elder who he is not evaluating. The other day we did the first one, and I learned so much it was a great experience! Just seeing how other missionaries teach and do things different than I learned. It is a blessing at least for me. ha ha.
Our next transfers are on Dec 15 so Elder Erispe and I are trying to figure out who will be transferred. It will be weird if I am because he has already been here for 4 1/2 months but he is the district leader so that could keep him here. Only time will tell and its up to the Lord.
Interesting food for the week: Chicken Intestine or Esaw is what they call it here, it was actually really good. ha ha Elder Erispe said its so good that it'll make you forget your girlfriend, ha ha, it was funny. They grill it then put this spicy sauce on it! ha ha MASARAP! (DELICIOUS). We'll see what i can come up for next week, I'm thinking chicken head or foot.
Our Iglesia couple are still progressing but Brother Jonathan said that he's not ready, so he may not be getting baptized on the 5th with his wife Jane, we are fasting and praying for them. Jonathan really is ready, but I think just because he is coming from Iglesia it is a big change, so he's just a little nervous. We'll see what happens. They have a little boy named Santi and he is so dang cute, he'll shake hands and every time I say Kamusta he always says Ayos Lang ha ha he is the only little kid I know that will answer me. ha ha
Our President gave us a Book of Mormon challenge and we are supposed to have it read by like January 15 it is amazing how much I am taking from it. He has us look for different things and highlight it. Example, every time it says a name that refers to Jesus Christ, or every time it mentions Christ-like attributes, or anything like that we have to highlight it. It is great, and he is doing it with us. Even better, Elder Teh of the 70 and the area presidency is doing it with us, he is such a great guy.
Because it's harvest season things have been kinda slow. A lot of our investigators are busy, between cutting the rice and the whole harvest process we've had a pretty good chance to find new investigators. We are teaching the people next door and the kids have been coming to church with us, and they bring their friends, its pretty cool.
Then, the drunks are great too because they always say yes, so you can get a return appointment. And we actually have found several good investigators like that. Every Sunday Elder Erispe and I do splits and we have the branch missionaries be our companions but one of the kids who was with me was so nervous when I started talking to one yesterday, he was like Elder, lets go, i don't like drunks, but I have an appointment with him on Thursday. They are all so nice here! ha ha I love it. Maybe my past friends were a blessing in disguise ha ha. They prepared me for this. Oh, then Elder Erispe got a big hug from a drunk Bukla (gay guy) the other day, then he asked for Erispe's number. It was hilarious, I laughed about that the rest of the day.
The gay's here take gay to a whole new level like short shorts and low cut shirts and well WOW!!! I thought I knew some gay people, they were nothing compared to philippino gays, its nuts! But its part of the culture I suppose.
I love how industrious everyone is here, most have literally nothing but its amazing what they can do without the advancements like we have in the U.S. like I saw a drill rig the other day, they had a tripod and a deal at the top that kept the pipe straight up and then with a rope and a pulley attached to the weight at the top they drove a pole into the ground it is truly amazing here. And its not like the quality is bad either I have seen some amazing work done here without machines. I love it.
Well I'm outta time, thank you all for everything, for your prayers and support. I love you all.
Elder Chase
Monday, November 16, 2009
16 Nov 2009
Hey everyone,
How is everyone. I'm great, we had another baptism last Saturday and now I have a little bit of a break until December 5, and that will be my Iglesia couple, who are golden investigators. We would have gone for the 28th but she has the board exam for nursing. Everyone here goes into nursing, I guess its because there is such a high demand for it abroad. Its pretty cool because they are all very smart. ha ha.
Oh, the other night we had dinner at an inactive members house, and we had steak! it was my first steak in about 4 months. and she was apologizing because she said it was a bad meal. But I was soooo excited! ha ha. She was sick, she had some wine the other night and had an allergic reaction to it. It was her first time drinking and it was her last too. But we talked about blessings from God and about the Word of Wisdom and about life, it was really fun.
I have had a fun time this week talking to drunks, I don't know why this week but we seemed to run into drunks everywhere, they are very nice! ha ha It is amazing how good they can speak English when they have a little liquor in them, so before we'd leave we would give them a Word of Wisdom pamphlet and figure out where their house was so we could go visit them again and stop their drinking! It's what we do. Then we ended up debating a guy for a while the other night who was drunk and a catholic. He was very knowledgeable about the bible. That was kinda fun. The whole conversation was in English. ha ha. Usually they were construction workers. I was watching them work the other day and it is amazing to me how they use everything around to do things. They are so industrious and because most of them have never seen the "easier" way or the American way they are totally content with it. Really its how life is over here, with everyone, it is really amazing to see what they can do with their limited utilities and with what little they have they do great things.
We had a new missionary come in this week, I met him briefly in the MTC then today we went to Pundaquit as a zone and I got to visit with him. He's gonna have some challenges, but I hope I will be able to help him. He has been spoiled all his life and never had to work for anything but we talked about that today and I think he will come around as soon as he realizes what his mission is. I'm sure I was (am) the same way in some aspects. ha ah
Well I gotta run, Thank you all for your prayers. And thank you to all of you who make it possible for me to be here
Love you all
Elder Chase
Hey everyone,
How is everyone. I'm great, we had another baptism last Saturday and now I have a little bit of a break until December 5, and that will be my Iglesia couple, who are golden investigators. We would have gone for the 28th but she has the board exam for nursing. Everyone here goes into nursing, I guess its because there is such a high demand for it abroad. Its pretty cool because they are all very smart. ha ha.
Oh, the other night we had dinner at an inactive members house, and we had steak! it was my first steak in about 4 months. and she was apologizing because she said it was a bad meal. But I was soooo excited! ha ha. She was sick, she had some wine the other night and had an allergic reaction to it. It was her first time drinking and it was her last too. But we talked about blessings from God and about the Word of Wisdom and about life, it was really fun.
I have had a fun time this week talking to drunks, I don't know why this week but we seemed to run into drunks everywhere, they are very nice! ha ha It is amazing how good they can speak English when they have a little liquor in them, so before we'd leave we would give them a Word of Wisdom pamphlet and figure out where their house was so we could go visit them again and stop their drinking! It's what we do. Then we ended up debating a guy for a while the other night who was drunk and a catholic. He was very knowledgeable about the bible. That was kinda fun. The whole conversation was in English. ha ha. Usually they were construction workers. I was watching them work the other day and it is amazing to me how they use everything around to do things. They are so industrious and because most of them have never seen the "easier" way or the American way they are totally content with it. Really its how life is over here, with everyone, it is really amazing to see what they can do with their limited utilities and with what little they have they do great things.
We had a new missionary come in this week, I met him briefly in the MTC then today we went to Pundaquit as a zone and I got to visit with him. He's gonna have some challenges, but I hope I will be able to help him. He has been spoiled all his life and never had to work for anything but we talked about that today and I think he will come around as soon as he realizes what his mission is. I'm sure I was (am) the same way in some aspects. ha ah
Well I gotta run, Thank you all for your prayers. And thank you to all of you who make it possible for me to be here
Love you all
Elder Chase
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
9 Nov 2009
Hey everyone,
Today I got to really one of the beautiful places in the Philippines we went over to Pundakit which is a resort and its on the edge of the South China sea, it was awesome, and I got SUNBURNED gosh dang it. ha ha I forgot my sunscreen.
We were out proselyting the other day and we were visiting a member and I found out that her next door neighbor is a veterinarian so we got talking about vet stuff, it was really fun, ha ha then we got taking about vaccines and he said that if we have parvo vaccine in America he was going to call me. It was funny, then he offered his services to the church if the mission ever needed anything for an animal service project, it was really neat, oh, and he showed me how they neuter dogs it was pretty crazy! no sedatives! but I won't go into the details.
Investigators, we have a baptism this coming Saturday and then 1, hopefully 2 next Saturday, the one this week is sister Arlene, she has one little girl and is a single parent. A great lady and helps me all the time with my Tagalog. then next week we have the golden Iglesia couple, Sister Jane and Jonathan Fontillas, Jane consented right off but Brother Jonathan is a little hesitant because he doesn't think he will be ready, so we will keep working with him but they are a great model of how a family should be, they are raising their son definitely in love and righteousness even though not members. And they are members of a great and abominable church right now ha ha.
Oh, earlier when we were at the beach, my companion (Elder Erispe) who is a nurse saved an old guy's life, he couldn't breathe and was having a bad asthma attack and so Elder Erispe knew exactly what to do, it was cool seeing him in action, then the ol' boy blacked out! that just added to the intensity of the situation then he came out of it and started breathing a little better, it was cool. Definitely a miracle from God because if we hadn't of been there he might have died. Count your many blessings!
Other than what I've mentioned it was kind of a slow week.
Oh, last week I didn't have time to mention that we went to a rice mill which was owned by a member. Those who know me know I like to see how things work so I made the operator give me a tour of the machine it was SOOOO COOOOL! ha ha but yeah.
Its been really neat to see how many little miracles happen every day, like if we get off at the wrong place or turn down the wrong road, there is someone there that needs to hear our message, I love those moment's and look for them always, I know this church is true without a doubt!
Thank you to all of you that make it possible for me to be out here, I love you all
Elder Chase
Hey everyone,
Today I got to really one of the beautiful places in the Philippines we went over to Pundakit which is a resort and its on the edge of the South China sea, it was awesome, and I got SUNBURNED gosh dang it. ha ha I forgot my sunscreen.
We were out proselyting the other day and we were visiting a member and I found out that her next door neighbor is a veterinarian so we got talking about vet stuff, it was really fun, ha ha then we got taking about vaccines and he said that if we have parvo vaccine in America he was going to call me. It was funny, then he offered his services to the church if the mission ever needed anything for an animal service project, it was really neat, oh, and he showed me how they neuter dogs it was pretty crazy! no sedatives! but I won't go into the details.
Investigators, we have a baptism this coming Saturday and then 1, hopefully 2 next Saturday, the one this week is sister Arlene, she has one little girl and is a single parent. A great lady and helps me all the time with my Tagalog. then next week we have the golden Iglesia couple, Sister Jane and Jonathan Fontillas, Jane consented right off but Brother Jonathan is a little hesitant because he doesn't think he will be ready, so we will keep working with him but they are a great model of how a family should be, they are raising their son definitely in love and righteousness even though not members. And they are members of a great and abominable church right now ha ha.
Oh, earlier when we were at the beach, my companion (Elder Erispe) who is a nurse saved an old guy's life, he couldn't breathe and was having a bad asthma attack and so Elder Erispe knew exactly what to do, it was cool seeing him in action, then the ol' boy blacked out! that just added to the intensity of the situation then he came out of it and started breathing a little better, it was cool. Definitely a miracle from God because if we hadn't of been there he might have died. Count your many blessings!
Other than what I've mentioned it was kind of a slow week.
Oh, last week I didn't have time to mention that we went to a rice mill which was owned by a member. Those who know me know I like to see how things work so I made the operator give me a tour of the machine it was SOOOO COOOOL! ha ha but yeah.
Its been really neat to see how many little miracles happen every day, like if we get off at the wrong place or turn down the wrong road, there is someone there that needs to hear our message, I love those moment's and look for them always, I know this church is true without a doubt!
Thank you to all of you that make it possible for me to be out here, I love you all
Elder Chase
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Hey everyone,
I ate bolout the other day for the first time, it really wasn't that bad! ha ha It does taste just like chicken broth then the embryo isn't too bad either. ha ha
I went to my first Philipino viewing on Tuesday, it was at one of the investigator's house, her nephew was working as a security guard in Manila and got stabbed, he was only 19 years old. It was sad, but a good teaching experience. We taught about the plan of salvation.
I made it thru transfers and both Elder Erispe and I are still here in San Marcelino, I'm so excited! and to make it even better, we have a house here now too. We transferred apartment's today, I'm so excited to actually be here. We will save so much time and money on travel now.
We had a baptism on Saturday, Mark (13) and Bernadeth (12) Peralta, it was really neat. We have been teaching them since I got here and this day has been long awaited. I was so happy for them. We will probably have another baptism in 2 weeks I'm excited for that too.
Sunday was all Saint's day and that is a very big deal, the whole town was out at the cemetery all day so we couldn't teach in town. So we went out to the cemetery and taught plan of salvation and talked with some of our investigators. It was an okay day, but not really productive, but oh well, as a missionary you have those sometimes.
I'm really sorry this is so short but I had a big email then the internet kicked me out and I ran out of time, I'll write more next week
Love you all
Elder Chase
I ate bolout the other day for the first time, it really wasn't that bad! ha ha It does taste just like chicken broth then the embryo isn't too bad either. ha ha
I went to my first Philipino viewing on Tuesday, it was at one of the investigator's house, her nephew was working as a security guard in Manila and got stabbed, he was only 19 years old. It was sad, but a good teaching experience. We taught about the plan of salvation.
I made it thru transfers and both Elder Erispe and I are still here in San Marcelino, I'm so excited! and to make it even better, we have a house here now too. We transferred apartment's today, I'm so excited to actually be here. We will save so much time and money on travel now.
We had a baptism on Saturday, Mark (13) and Bernadeth (12) Peralta, it was really neat. We have been teaching them since I got here and this day has been long awaited. I was so happy for them. We will probably have another baptism in 2 weeks I'm excited for that too.
Sunday was all Saint's day and that is a very big deal, the whole town was out at the cemetery all day so we couldn't teach in town. So we went out to the cemetery and taught plan of salvation and talked with some of our investigators. It was an okay day, but not really productive, but oh well, as a missionary you have those sometimes.
I'm really sorry this is so short but I had a big email then the internet kicked me out and I ran out of time, I'll write more next week
Love you all
Elder Chase
Monday, October 26, 2009
26 Oct 2009
Hey everyone,
This last week was really neat. We had a Zone Conference with Elder Micheal Teh of the 1st quorum of the 70. He is a really neat guy and he interviewed me and all the elders that were in my Batch. He doesn't hardly have a Philippino accent at all. He probably actually speaks better English than me! ha ha. A lot of the zone conference was about being a good missionary and applying what we learn in the Zone Conferences in our Mission work.
It's pretty cool over here because its just like a big camping trip. There are bugs everywhere, I'm getting eaten! Tapos (then) we cook on a propane stove, and sleep on foam mattresses. The only difference is, that you can throw your garbage anywhere and no one cares. And surprisingly with that things aren't too dirty looking. We use my leatherman for a knife for cutting food open and the can opener on it (I'm really glad I brought that).
The work is still progressing so things are good I suppose. I will have another Baptism this next Saturday, the 31st, a 14 year old kid named Mark Peralta, he's funny, and he went out proselyting with us last night after District Conference. His little sister is getting baptized too on the same day.
Yesterday we had 5 YM from the branch receive the Mel. Priesthood, it was really cool, so Elder Erispe and I are working pretty closely with them to make sure they head out on their missions year or so. Most YM here don't go out until they are 22 or 23 but hey at least they are going.
We are teaching the old branch president's son's girlfriend (sorry if that confused anyone) but Sister Inez is pregnant with Ralph's son and they are not married. We went on splits last night and I was with the Elder's quorum president (Brother Portolaso). Bro. Portelaso and I went to their house and had to tell them that Inez couldn't get baptized if they didn't get married and if they lived too long like that it could bring other problems. So we'll see what happens. Inez is a golden investigator though, we are flying through the lessons because she understands everything. It is really cool.
My investigators are progressing. The Iglesia couple especially, you should look them up and tell me a little about their religion. All I know is that they are a great and abominable church here and most of their members are stubborn and rude to the missionaries.
Our daily goal is to find 3 new investigators every day and on Friday we ended up finding 8 it was pretty cool. Elder Erispe at ako ay naramdaman Mabuting mabuti (elder erispe and I felt awesome).
I haven't eaten any bugs yet that I know of, but next Saturday we are returning to an investigator that cooks it so we are gonna eat some then. I'm so excited!!!!
We haven't had a rain storm this week yet, I don't think but its possible that they can happen at anytime. Who knows. Not having a TV or radio we don't really know the weather until its on us or a member tells us to get home cuz i typhoon's coming.
Oh, they start celebrating Christmas in September here, so I arrived and I think the second day I heard carolers, ha ha it was funny. Its a little different seeing Christmas lights and decorations in September.
They say that every American gets called "Joe" here. Because of my Korean background I've only been called Joe once and it was after 3 weeks of being here.
There's a chance that I could be transferred next week. I'm not exactly sure how to feel about it because I've gotten attached to the people here in San Marcelino.
Oh! We may be able to move into our new apartment this week. They keep moving the date on us though. So every day we have to travel 15 minuted from San Antonio down to San Mar. It gets kind of expensive (actually its only the equivalent of about 95 cents. But peso wise it gets mahal (expensive) oh well. We keep praying things will go through.
Oh just some tips from my mission president if any of you send packages:
Put the amount the package is worth, less than 40 dollars or it cost like 2000 pesos for me to get it.
Wrap packages really good with lots of tape and put pictures of Mother Mary or Jesus Christ on it.
Don't send perishable items,
and send it to
Elder Chase Westwood
Philippines Olongapo Mission
Km 140 National Hwy, Mangan-Vaca
2209, Subic, Zambales
Philippines
Well I'm outta time so until next week. Thank you for all your prayers!
I love you all,
Elder Chase
Hey everyone,
This last week was really neat. We had a Zone Conference with Elder Micheal Teh of the 1st quorum of the 70. He is a really neat guy and he interviewed me and all the elders that were in my Batch. He doesn't hardly have a Philippino accent at all. He probably actually speaks better English than me! ha ha. A lot of the zone conference was about being a good missionary and applying what we learn in the Zone Conferences in our Mission work.
It's pretty cool over here because its just like a big camping trip. There are bugs everywhere, I'm getting eaten! Tapos (then) we cook on a propane stove, and sleep on foam mattresses. The only difference is, that you can throw your garbage anywhere and no one cares. And surprisingly with that things aren't too dirty looking. We use my leatherman for a knife for cutting food open and the can opener on it (I'm really glad I brought that).
The work is still progressing so things are good I suppose. I will have another Baptism this next Saturday, the 31st, a 14 year old kid named Mark Peralta, he's funny, and he went out proselyting with us last night after District Conference. His little sister is getting baptized too on the same day.
Yesterday we had 5 YM from the branch receive the Mel. Priesthood, it was really cool, so Elder Erispe and I are working pretty closely with them to make sure they head out on their missions year or so. Most YM here don't go out until they are 22 or 23 but hey at least they are going.
We are teaching the old branch president's son's girlfriend (sorry if that confused anyone) but Sister Inez is pregnant with Ralph's son and they are not married. We went on splits last night and I was with the Elder's quorum president (Brother Portolaso). Bro. Portelaso and I went to their house and had to tell them that Inez couldn't get baptized if they didn't get married and if they lived too long like that it could bring other problems. So we'll see what happens. Inez is a golden investigator though, we are flying through the lessons because she understands everything. It is really cool.
My investigators are progressing. The Iglesia couple especially, you should look them up and tell me a little about their religion. All I know is that they are a great and abominable church here and most of their members are stubborn and rude to the missionaries.
Our daily goal is to find 3 new investigators every day and on Friday we ended up finding 8 it was pretty cool. Elder Erispe at ako ay naramdaman Mabuting mabuti (elder erispe and I felt awesome).
I haven't eaten any bugs yet that I know of, but next Saturday we are returning to an investigator that cooks it so we are gonna eat some then. I'm so excited!!!!
We haven't had a rain storm this week yet, I don't think but its possible that they can happen at anytime. Who knows. Not having a TV or radio we don't really know the weather until its on us or a member tells us to get home cuz i typhoon's coming.
Oh, they start celebrating Christmas in September here, so I arrived and I think the second day I heard carolers, ha ha it was funny. Its a little different seeing Christmas lights and decorations in September.
They say that every American gets called "Joe" here. Because of my Korean background I've only been called Joe once and it was after 3 weeks of being here.
There's a chance that I could be transferred next week. I'm not exactly sure how to feel about it because I've gotten attached to the people here in San Marcelino.
Oh! We may be able to move into our new apartment this week. They keep moving the date on us though. So every day we have to travel 15 minuted from San Antonio down to San Mar. It gets kind of expensive (actually its only the equivalent of about 95 cents. But peso wise it gets mahal (expensive) oh well. We keep praying things will go through.
Oh just some tips from my mission president if any of you send packages:
Put the amount the package is worth, less than 40 dollars or it cost like 2000 pesos for me to get it.
Wrap packages really good with lots of tape and put pictures of Mother Mary or Jesus Christ on it.
Don't send perishable items,
and send it to
Elder Chase Westwood
Philippines Olongapo Mission
Km 140 National Hwy, Mangan-Vaca
2209, Subic, Zambales
Philippines
Well I'm outta time so until next week. Thank you for all your prayers!
I love you all,
Elder Chase
Monday, October 19, 2009
19 Oct 2009
Hey everyone!
My baptism went great on Saturday! It was really neat to be able to baptize Brother Noel on Saturday. He is such a good kid and one day I know he will make a heck of a missionary. At the baptism he bore his testimony and that was the most I have ever heard him talk before. It was awesome. The other two missionaries said we'd celebrate...then they told me I was buying for the celebration, it was funny.
My companion and I did splits yesterday and he sent me out on my own! That was a little scary but I think I did alright, I taught a guy that we just located on the side of the road and randomly he came to church yesterday, it was awesome. He's great! His name is Ordorpo Labrador, and it is very apparent that he is a drunk but I have always liked drunks so I didn't mind, ha ha.
Then we have quite a few other progressing investigators. Oh, we are teaching an Iglesia ni Christo couple, they are golden, the spirit was so strong in our first lesson I couldn't believe it! Wow. The reason this is so cool is part of the Iglesia religion is that they are not allowed to listen to other gospels, not allowed to read any scripture, and usually we get dirty looks and turned down right away with them. They are very nice people, their names are Jonathan and Jane Fontillas.
The language is starting to get a little better, I am understanding more and more, except on the way back from Olongapo today an old lady started talking to me and I couldn't understand a thing she said so I had to yell at my companion. Kind of embarrassing. Oh well, its part of life.
Its amazing over here, The people here are great! I hate the idea of having to leave here in 2 weeks maybe.
Oh well its part of missionary life I suppose. The church is true, definitely in the Philippines.
I gotta run, I love you all, thank you for your prayers and support.
Love,
Elder Chase
Hey everyone!
My baptism went great on Saturday! It was really neat to be able to baptize Brother Noel on Saturday. He is such a good kid and one day I know he will make a heck of a missionary. At the baptism he bore his testimony and that was the most I have ever heard him talk before. It was awesome. The other two missionaries said we'd celebrate...then they told me I was buying for the celebration, it was funny.
My companion and I did splits yesterday and he sent me out on my own! That was a little scary but I think I did alright, I taught a guy that we just located on the side of the road and randomly he came to church yesterday, it was awesome. He's great! His name is Ordorpo Labrador, and it is very apparent that he is a drunk but I have always liked drunks so I didn't mind, ha ha.
Then we have quite a few other progressing investigators. Oh, we are teaching an Iglesia ni Christo couple, they are golden, the spirit was so strong in our first lesson I couldn't believe it! Wow. The reason this is so cool is part of the Iglesia religion is that they are not allowed to listen to other gospels, not allowed to read any scripture, and usually we get dirty looks and turned down right away with them. They are very nice people, their names are Jonathan and Jane Fontillas.
The language is starting to get a little better, I am understanding more and more, except on the way back from Olongapo today an old lady started talking to me and I couldn't understand a thing she said so I had to yell at my companion. Kind of embarrassing. Oh well, its part of life.
Its amazing over here, The people here are great! I hate the idea of having to leave here in 2 weeks maybe.
Oh well its part of missionary life I suppose. The church is true, definitely in the Philippines.
I gotta run, I love you all, thank you for your prayers and support.
Love,
Elder Chase
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
11 Oct 2009
Hey everyone,
I hope this letter finds everyone as well as I am right now! ha ha ha. I had a friend tell me, don't even think about being dry for the next 2 years... couldn't be more true. ha ha I love it here but between the humidity and the micro-bursts of showers I don't stay very dry.
I'll have my first baptism this coming Saturday and I am very excited! This kid's name is Noel Gabutin, I told you about him last week, but be is definitely ready to be baptized.
Other investigators, we have a 72 year old whose wife is a member and we invited him to be baptized on November 7 and he's gonna do it! Then we have one on the 31st of this month so the work is definitely progressing. And I love being a part of it! I hate the thought of maybe having to leave in 3 weeks! ahhhh. Oh well its part of being a missionary I suppose. ha ha.
The language is coming along. I'm really starting to understand at least where we are in the lessons so I can chime in my 2 bits at times. But usually I can't understand the whole message but I have fun trying!
We got to watch Conference yesterday and Saturday! Wow, we had a bunch of our investigators there! It was really helpful to help us explain about the 12 apostles, the prophet, and definitely the spirit! It was weird though not having to fight for a seat in the priesthood session, there was only like 30 people there in the whole chapel. I really enjoyed watching it though.
Sorry this is short but The church is true, even here in the Philippines!
Thank you all for everything. I love you all!!!
Until Next week,
Elder Chase
Hey everyone,
I hope this letter finds everyone as well as I am right now! ha ha ha. I had a friend tell me, don't even think about being dry for the next 2 years... couldn't be more true. ha ha I love it here but between the humidity and the micro-bursts of showers I don't stay very dry.
I'll have my first baptism this coming Saturday and I am very excited! This kid's name is Noel Gabutin, I told you about him last week, but be is definitely ready to be baptized.
Other investigators, we have a 72 year old whose wife is a member and we invited him to be baptized on November 7 and he's gonna do it! Then we have one on the 31st of this month so the work is definitely progressing. And I love being a part of it! I hate the thought of maybe having to leave in 3 weeks! ahhhh. Oh well its part of being a missionary I suppose. ha ha.
The language is coming along. I'm really starting to understand at least where we are in the lessons so I can chime in my 2 bits at times. But usually I can't understand the whole message but I have fun trying!
We got to watch Conference yesterday and Saturday! Wow, we had a bunch of our investigators there! It was really helpful to help us explain about the 12 apostles, the prophet, and definitely the spirit! It was weird though not having to fight for a seat in the priesthood session, there was only like 30 people there in the whole chapel. I really enjoyed watching it though.
Sorry this is short but The church is true, even here in the Philippines!
Thank you all for everything. I love you all!!!
Until Next week,
Elder Chase
Monday, October 5, 2009
9.05.2009
Hey everyone,
Its been raining here like crazy! I guess the typhoon we had last week was just a typhoon, the one we had on Saturday was a super typhoon. I spent most the morning wading around in water just below my knees. It was awesome!!!! Oh and I went and bought me some rubber shoes for the rainy season so I don't ruin my leather ones! ha ha.
Its so much fun here. The people here are still great and I'm finally starting to remember who people are (remember I have memory problems) ha ha. We currently have 4 progressing investigators, which means that they are progressing towards baptism. One is named Noel Gabutin. He lives with his aunt and Uncle, and when we get into our apartment in San Marcelino (my area) she will be the one that does our wash. (clothes only).
Nanay Dumindin is hilarious. She always calls me guapo (handsome) and says I smell like a Utahn. I love her!!! ha ha. Her husband is in the Branch presidency. Then we have a couple ladies named Arlene and Inez (not sure of the last name) that we are teaching that had a lot of questions about the Book of Mormon but I think we got them resolved for them. Then 2 teenage kids named Mark and Bernadeth Peralta, they are good kids and they have 2 older sisters that are members but their parents aren't so that could prove to be a problem for us when they are ready for baptism.
Oh then we had all 4 of them at church yesterday, it was awesome!! Oh, another cool thing. We had a baptism yesterday of a young man whose parents are members, right before we started the Elders quorum President Brother Peralta, came up to me and told me I was confirming. I was so nervous but it was so cool! I asked my companion if he wanted to do it but he said no way! I already know now its your turn. It was real neat.
I am starting to understand the language a bit better. I was really struggling for the first couple days then I realized that I wasn't praying for the gift of tongues or interpretation of tongues. Stupid me, I know. But I started praying for it and the next day I still didn't know everything they were saying but I understood a lot more, enough to add tidbits here and there. So...Prayer works!!! But as far as people understanding me goes... usually they can piece together what I'm saying but sometimes they have to turn to my companion and he has to translate what I'm trying to say. Its funny, but oh well. Pres. Aquino says don't worry, it'll come with time just magsanay magsanay magsanay (practice practice practice).
Today we went up to Mount Pinatubo, that's where the volcano erupted and buried one of the biggest cities in this area of the Philippines. A lake that covers it now, there is a little town thats at the top, while there today we looked out on the lake and the only thing you can still see is the big old cross from the old church that used to be there. Its pretty crazy to see what mother nature can do. The ride up there is Magandang maganda (very beautiful) its so green and...well beautiful!
The rain here is soooo much fun!! Its like Mitch said. Don't plan on being dry for the next 2 years! ha ha.
I sweat like crazy over here but I'm lovin it! I might not come home! bero lang! (just kidding) thank you everyone for your prayers and love and support.
I think the best way for any of you to communicate with me is thru email. I probably won't be able to email back but I can write then your not waiting a month. instead only 2 weeks (give or take).
Until next week,
Love you all,
Elder Chase
Hey everyone,
Its been raining here like crazy! I guess the typhoon we had last week was just a typhoon, the one we had on Saturday was a super typhoon. I spent most the morning wading around in water just below my knees. It was awesome!!!! Oh and I went and bought me some rubber shoes for the rainy season so I don't ruin my leather ones! ha ha.
Its so much fun here. The people here are still great and I'm finally starting to remember who people are (remember I have memory problems) ha ha. We currently have 4 progressing investigators, which means that they are progressing towards baptism. One is named Noel Gabutin. He lives with his aunt and Uncle, and when we get into our apartment in San Marcelino (my area) she will be the one that does our wash. (clothes only).
Nanay Dumindin is hilarious. She always calls me guapo (handsome) and says I smell like a Utahn. I love her!!! ha ha. Her husband is in the Branch presidency. Then we have a couple ladies named Arlene and Inez (not sure of the last name) that we are teaching that had a lot of questions about the Book of Mormon but I think we got them resolved for them. Then 2 teenage kids named Mark and Bernadeth Peralta, they are good kids and they have 2 older sisters that are members but their parents aren't so that could prove to be a problem for us when they are ready for baptism.
Oh then we had all 4 of them at church yesterday, it was awesome!! Oh, another cool thing. We had a baptism yesterday of a young man whose parents are members, right before we started the Elders quorum President Brother Peralta, came up to me and told me I was confirming. I was so nervous but it was so cool! I asked my companion if he wanted to do it but he said no way! I already know now its your turn. It was real neat.
I am starting to understand the language a bit better. I was really struggling for the first couple days then I realized that I wasn't praying for the gift of tongues or interpretation of tongues. Stupid me, I know. But I started praying for it and the next day I still didn't know everything they were saying but I understood a lot more, enough to add tidbits here and there. So...Prayer works!!! But as far as people understanding me goes... usually they can piece together what I'm saying but sometimes they have to turn to my companion and he has to translate what I'm trying to say. Its funny, but oh well. Pres. Aquino says don't worry, it'll come with time just magsanay magsanay magsanay (practice practice practice).
Today we went up to Mount Pinatubo, that's where the volcano erupted and buried one of the biggest cities in this area of the Philippines. A lake that covers it now, there is a little town thats at the top, while there today we looked out on the lake and the only thing you can still see is the big old cross from the old church that used to be there. Its pretty crazy to see what mother nature can do. The ride up there is Magandang maganda (very beautiful) its so green and...well beautiful!
The rain here is soooo much fun!! Its like Mitch said. Don't plan on being dry for the next 2 years! ha ha.
I sweat like crazy over here but I'm lovin it! I might not come home! bero lang! (just kidding) thank you everyone for your prayers and love and support.
I think the best way for any of you to communicate with me is thru email. I probably won't be able to email back but I can write then your not waiting a month. instead only 2 weeks (give or take).
Until next week,
Love you all,
Elder Chase
Monday, September 28, 2009
9.28.2009
Hey everyone,
The work is going great here in the Philippines. After 36 hours of straight traveling we finally got to the mission home in Subic Bay. I even got to teach both lesson 1 and 2 and the Word of Wisdom and about tithes and offerings to this Philipino he lives in Angeles, his name is Mike Lecap. It was pretty cool.
My new companion, Elder Erispe, is a native Philipio from Mindanao. And a great cook and missionary, we are opening up a new area that has been closed for the past year or so. Its fun and a great experience.
For the past 3 days it has rained non-stop and they make rubber shoes here and because we have been wading in water up to our knee's, I bought some to try and save my leather ones. It was so fun, on Friday a typhoon came in and it was a signal 2 (the highest is a 6 and there's no houses left in a 6) but it was pretty crazy we were walking down the main road and I was drenched, head to foot and my umbrella was doing me no good whatsoever. It was a blast!! The work must go on no matter what and we were gonna keep working. And I love the rain so I had no problems with it!!!
The exchange rate here is like 47 pesos to the dollar so it was kinda cool feeling rich but we had McDonald's today for lunch and a double with cheese cost me 143 pesos. That food tasted so weird. We eat rice with EVERY meal Its awesome. I've tried tuna and eggs, sardines and eggs, and Tilapia (bones are horrible), and a lot of adobo. The food here is great.
dearelder I guess is just like regular mail it takes 2 weeks to get here then anywhere from 3 to 4 weeks after that for me to get it because it goes to the mission home
Philippines Olongapo Mission
Elder D Chase Westwood
140 Km. National Hwy, Mangan-Vaca,
2209 Subic, Zambales
Philippines
Its fine though. I'll send letters out but just know the info in them is 2 weeks old.
Thank you so much for all of you who made it possible for me to be out here. I pray every night for all of you.
Love,
Elder Westwood
Hey everyone,
The work is going great here in the Philippines. After 36 hours of straight traveling we finally got to the mission home in Subic Bay. I even got to teach both lesson 1 and 2 and the Word of Wisdom and about tithes and offerings to this Philipino he lives in Angeles, his name is Mike Lecap. It was pretty cool.
My new companion, Elder Erispe, is a native Philipio from Mindanao. And a great cook and missionary, we are opening up a new area that has been closed for the past year or so. Its fun and a great experience.
For the past 3 days it has rained non-stop and they make rubber shoes here and because we have been wading in water up to our knee's, I bought some to try and save my leather ones. It was so fun, on Friday a typhoon came in and it was a signal 2 (the highest is a 6 and there's no houses left in a 6) but it was pretty crazy we were walking down the main road and I was drenched, head to foot and my umbrella was doing me no good whatsoever. It was a blast!! The work must go on no matter what and we were gonna keep working. And I love the rain so I had no problems with it!!!
The exchange rate here is like 47 pesos to the dollar so it was kinda cool feeling rich but we had McDonald's today for lunch and a double with cheese cost me 143 pesos. That food tasted so weird. We eat rice with EVERY meal Its awesome. I've tried tuna and eggs, sardines and eggs, and Tilapia (bones are horrible), and a lot of adobo. The food here is great.
dearelder I guess is just like regular mail it takes 2 weeks to get here then anywhere from 3 to 4 weeks after that for me to get it because it goes to the mission home
Philippines Olongapo Mission
Elder D Chase Westwood
140 Km. National Hwy, Mangan-Vaca,
2209 Subic, Zambales
Philippines
Its fine though. I'll send letters out but just know the info in them is 2 weeks old.
Thank you so much for all of you who made it possible for me to be out here. I pray every night for all of you.
Love,
Elder Westwood
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
9.21.2009
Hey everyone,
Well today has been an awesome day so far here in Provo, Utah, Its a magandang maganda (Beautiful) araw (day) and I'm leavin the MTC today too so that definitely helps things out!!! It was a great morning for the temple too. It is so nice when you can go in there not really having to worry about anything. I love it! Last night we had a Zone Testimony meeting and it was amazing how strong the spirit was there.
Oh, cool deal: so there's 60 missionaries going into the Philippines today, then there is another 60 coming into the MTC next month sometime. There are so many missionaries goin there its crazy. We figure the lord is making a big final push to get all of the Philippines done so we can concentrate on China here in a bit when it opens up cool huh!? I'm so excited to be a part of this great work.
I'm so excited to get off of the plane and start talking to people. We have been told over and over TALK TO EVERYONE so that's exactly what we plan on doing.
Elder Holland came last Tuesday and talked to us. I felt the spirit more with Elder Scott but Elder Holland is such a powerful speaker and he has a great love for missionary work and it shows. He said that his mission affected every great thing that happened in his life, and I know the same thing can happen to me. If I serve with all my heart might mind and strength. Many miracles will come to pass from missionary work and as we work to crush Satan's kingdom we bring thousands of people unto Christ. Joseph Smith gave his life for this church and if it came to it I think most of us here at the MTC would too (don't worry ma, that's highly doubtful it'd come to that) This is such a great experience.
My new address is
Elder Daniel Chase Westwood
National Highway
Mangan-Vaca, Subic Bay
2209 Zambales
Olongapo, Philippines
Letters from what I've heard will take bout 2 weeks but I've heard that dearelder.com kinda works over there. Check the blog and my mom will post on there the easiest. You can also all email me but I can't email you back, is the only thing. dcw12@myldsmail.net
Oh and if any of you send me packages, put pictures of Mother Mary on the outside or Pictures of Jesus, then they usually don't get opened before they get to me :) well I gotta run.
I love you all. God Be with you till we talk again
Elder Chase
Hey everyone,
Well today has been an awesome day so far here in Provo, Utah, Its a magandang maganda (Beautiful) araw (day) and I'm leavin the MTC today too so that definitely helps things out!!! It was a great morning for the temple too. It is so nice when you can go in there not really having to worry about anything. I love it! Last night we had a Zone Testimony meeting and it was amazing how strong the spirit was there.
Oh, cool deal: so there's 60 missionaries going into the Philippines today, then there is another 60 coming into the MTC next month sometime. There are so many missionaries goin there its crazy. We figure the lord is making a big final push to get all of the Philippines done so we can concentrate on China here in a bit when it opens up cool huh!? I'm so excited to be a part of this great work.
I'm so excited to get off of the plane and start talking to people. We have been told over and over TALK TO EVERYONE so that's exactly what we plan on doing.
Elder Holland came last Tuesday and talked to us. I felt the spirit more with Elder Scott but Elder Holland is such a powerful speaker and he has a great love for missionary work and it shows. He said that his mission affected every great thing that happened in his life, and I know the same thing can happen to me. If I serve with all my heart might mind and strength. Many miracles will come to pass from missionary work and as we work to crush Satan's kingdom we bring thousands of people unto Christ. Joseph Smith gave his life for this church and if it came to it I think most of us here at the MTC would too (don't worry ma, that's highly doubtful it'd come to that) This is such a great experience.
My new address is
Elder Daniel Chase Westwood
National Highway
Mangan-Vaca, Subic Bay
2209 Zambales
Olongapo, Philippines
Letters from what I've heard will take bout 2 weeks but I've heard that dearelder.com kinda works over there. Check the blog and my mom will post on there the easiest. You can also all email me but I can't email you back, is the only thing. dcw12@myldsmail.net
Oh and if any of you send me packages, put pictures of Mother Mary on the outside or Pictures of Jesus, then they usually don't get opened before they get to me :) well I gotta run.
I love you all. God Be with you till we talk again
Elder Chase
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
9.14.09
Hey everyone,
1 week in counting! Holy cow this time has just flown by. We got our flight plans this last Thursday! I leave the MTC next Monday at 4:30 then I leave SLC airport at 8:25, fly to LAX then I have a layover there till like 1:30 in the morning. Then we get into Taipei Taiwan 14 hrs later. Then we have a 2 hr flight down to Manila, all in all we figure its about 23 hours of travel time, its gonna be a long day. Ha but it should be a fun one, I don't get to be Elder Perry's companion on that day so that kinda blows but I'll get over it.
I'm still a lil worried about the language, but all of our investigators in the Teaching Evaluations say that we are way good and ready to go but we'll see, I'm still figuring that I'll get off the plane and not have a clue what anyone's saying, oh well, I'll get the language down in about 3-6 months is what they say. Ha ha
This last couple weeks we have been hosting, thats when the new missionaries come into the MTC and you take em through the process of checking in and finding their room, and classroom, its fun to watch them. I'm glad I'm on this end of my MTC experience though. However, the MTC has been an amazing experience. I think I've got just a lil taste of what its like to be a General Authority in the sense that you have the spirit with you all the time. I love it.
Oh, its been funny to see people from Highland that I knew about 5 years ago here. They recognize me and a few of them I've recognized. It's been neat to catch up with old friends.
Well i gotta run, I love you all. Thank you for everything
Love,
Elder Chase
Hey everyone,
1 week in counting! Holy cow this time has just flown by. We got our flight plans this last Thursday! I leave the MTC next Monday at 4:30 then I leave SLC airport at 8:25, fly to LAX then I have a layover there till like 1:30 in the morning. Then we get into Taipei Taiwan 14 hrs later. Then we have a 2 hr flight down to Manila, all in all we figure its about 23 hours of travel time, its gonna be a long day. Ha but it should be a fun one, I don't get to be Elder Perry's companion on that day so that kinda blows but I'll get over it.
I'm still a lil worried about the language, but all of our investigators in the Teaching Evaluations say that we are way good and ready to go but we'll see, I'm still figuring that I'll get off the plane and not have a clue what anyone's saying, oh well, I'll get the language down in about 3-6 months is what they say. Ha ha
This last couple weeks we have been hosting, thats when the new missionaries come into the MTC and you take em through the process of checking in and finding their room, and classroom, its fun to watch them. I'm glad I'm on this end of my MTC experience though. However, the MTC has been an amazing experience. I think I've got just a lil taste of what its like to be a General Authority in the sense that you have the spirit with you all the time. I love it.
Oh, its been funny to see people from Highland that I knew about 5 years ago here. They recognize me and a few of them I've recognized. It's been neat to catch up with old friends.
Well i gotta run, I love you all. Thank you for everything
Love,
Elder Chase
Thursday, September 10, 2009
9.7.09
Hey Everyone,
2 weeks in counting!!! I'm so excited/nervous. The time here has flown by and I'm pretty sure I've quadrupled my knowledge in the past couple couple months. Holy cow. We get our flight plans this Thursday. We are pumped.
Yesterday, they split our branch in 2 I'm not surprised since we were over 100 elders and sisters, and we were the biggest branch in the MTC. It was a sacrament of mixed emotions. One of the Branch Presidency, Gary Stott, that I was very close to got called as the Branch President of the new Branch, so that was sad but I'm happy for him and I know he will do an amazing job.
We also had Mission Conference yesterday, one elder from my branch named Elder Simmons is a music major and he is an amazing violinist. He played Abide with Me Tis Eventide. It was beautiful! It ALMOST made me wish I could play something. Oh well it was really neat and our whole district was front and center, we were so proud of him.
Our learning is mainly focused on verbs now and conjugations. They have kind of a set of root words then you conjugate them to say what you want to say. For example, to go is Punta, to say I went somewhere it is Pumunta or Pinunta, then Present tense is Pumupunta or pinapunta, and future tense is pupuntahin or Pupunta, all the words are like that it gets fun.
We have to make our lesson plans very simple. It is hard for me because there is so much I have to say about the gospel and it is hard to condense it into small simple sentences but it'll be what they understand. Its a struggle but its fun.
Oh, I haven't ever told you but my district is pretty sure that one of our teachers one of the 3 Nephites he is a stud and always has the spirit with him when he teaches. It is awesome. He has some great spiels and we love to hear them. Then we just got a new teacher this past week, a native Philippino named Sister Rather, She married an American and has been in the US 4 months and is now teaching us Tagalog. Preach my gospel says there is nothing better than speaking with a native and we get to learn from one every day so we are very fortunate to have her and she is very very nice!
On a worldly note, How bout the BYU game. 14-13 with 3 minutes left!! One of the teachers here was getting updates, so we were too. That was awesome. Then we heard about it from our branch presidents too. It was really funny.
Well I gotta run, hope everyone is doing great. Love you all.
Love
Elder Chase
Hey Everyone,
2 weeks in counting!!! I'm so excited/nervous. The time here has flown by and I'm pretty sure I've quadrupled my knowledge in the past couple couple months. Holy cow. We get our flight plans this Thursday. We are pumped.
Yesterday, they split our branch in 2 I'm not surprised since we were over 100 elders and sisters, and we were the biggest branch in the MTC. It was a sacrament of mixed emotions. One of the Branch Presidency, Gary Stott, that I was very close to got called as the Branch President of the new Branch, so that was sad but I'm happy for him and I know he will do an amazing job.
We also had Mission Conference yesterday, one elder from my branch named Elder Simmons is a music major and he is an amazing violinist. He played Abide with Me Tis Eventide. It was beautiful! It ALMOST made me wish I could play something. Oh well it was really neat and our whole district was front and center, we were so proud of him.
Our learning is mainly focused on verbs now and conjugations. They have kind of a set of root words then you conjugate them to say what you want to say. For example, to go is Punta, to say I went somewhere it is Pumunta or Pinunta, then Present tense is Pumupunta or pinapunta, and future tense is pupuntahin or Pupunta, all the words are like that it gets fun.
We have to make our lesson plans very simple. It is hard for me because there is so much I have to say about the gospel and it is hard to condense it into small simple sentences but it'll be what they understand. Its a struggle but its fun.
Oh, I haven't ever told you but my district is pretty sure that one of our teachers one of the 3 Nephites he is a stud and always has the spirit with him when he teaches. It is awesome. He has some great spiels and we love to hear them. Then we just got a new teacher this past week, a native Philippino named Sister Rather, She married an American and has been in the US 4 months and is now teaching us Tagalog. Preach my gospel says there is nothing better than speaking with a native and we get to learn from one every day so we are very fortunate to have her and she is very very nice!
On a worldly note, How bout the BYU game. 14-13 with 3 minutes left!! One of the teachers here was getting updates, so we were too. That was awesome. Then we heard about it from our branch presidents too. It was really funny.
Well I gotta run, hope everyone is doing great. Love you all.
Love
Elder Chase
Thursday, September 3, 2009
9.2.09
I love the temple. I can go up there and just escape for a couple hours and I can feel at piece. It gives you time to think and pray. I think its a great thing to devote your time to.
Kyle (Broadhead) is so lucky! I'd almost rather serve a service mission, like if the church had a division just for missionaries that helped with natural disasters and clean-up that would be amazing. I know that I will get a chance, and I am so excited for those times.
My suit pants got a hole in them and I had to fix them myself. Its not a world class job, but the hole is closed. Then my temple pants lost a button so I had to sew a new button on, it was pretty cool. I'm gonna be a professional seamstressman by the time I get home.
This week is flying by, just like the rest of them. But that's better than dragging by.
I hope you all have fun at the cabin!! Even if it is without me.
Love you all, take care
Elder Chase
I love the temple. I can go up there and just escape for a couple hours and I can feel at piece. It gives you time to think and pray. I think its a great thing to devote your time to.
Kyle (Broadhead) is so lucky! I'd almost rather serve a service mission, like if the church had a division just for missionaries that helped with natural disasters and clean-up that would be amazing. I know that I will get a chance, and I am so excited for those times.
My suit pants got a hole in them and I had to fix them myself. Its not a world class job, but the hole is closed. Then my temple pants lost a button so I had to sew a new button on, it was pretty cool. I'm gonna be a professional seamstressman by the time I get home.
This week is flying by, just like the rest of them. But that's better than dragging by.
I hope you all have fun at the cabin!! Even if it is without me.
Love you all, take care
Elder Chase
9.1.09
Things are so crazy up here. With only 3 weeks left it is crunch time. We have to learn all we can and try to get ready to visit with people in the Philippines.
Grandma sent me some cookies, like the ones you make, you can send me some too if you'd like, I gave the sisters 4 cookies. 2 for each, come to find out that the one sister ate all 4. It was funny. But yeah, feel free to send Dr. Pepper or cookies anytime. seriously. I would love you into the eternities even more than I already would.
Sorry if I haven't been writing as much with things being as nuts as they have been and me keeping busy like I have been its been hard to. I still love you and I haven't forgotten about you. But every time I'm not in class I'm studying. There's still so much to get done.
How was Ramey's wedding? I want pictures!
Oh, my 4 wheeler will make it up to the cabin, and if it doesn't its down hill the whole way so you can roll it back down if it doesn't make it up. I honestly think you'll be fine. just don't go in the snow with it and you'll be fine. Caydyn, oh ye of lil faith. How dare you think that the mini-chump can't make it up the hill to the cabin. I hope you all have fun up there without me! Ya Jerks. Golly Gee.
Gary Stott is going to call you or dad at the house, just so you know.
Oh and hows my truck?
Oh, there are some pictures on the way that I'm sending today. I'll send more when I take some.
Love you all
Mahal Ako ninyo
Elder Chase
Things are so crazy up here. With only 3 weeks left it is crunch time. We have to learn all we can and try to get ready to visit with people in the Philippines.
Grandma sent me some cookies, like the ones you make, you can send me some too if you'd like, I gave the sisters 4 cookies. 2 for each, come to find out that the one sister ate all 4. It was funny. But yeah, feel free to send Dr. Pepper or cookies anytime. seriously. I would love you into the eternities even more than I already would.
Sorry if I haven't been writing as much with things being as nuts as they have been and me keeping busy like I have been its been hard to. I still love you and I haven't forgotten about you. But every time I'm not in class I'm studying. There's still so much to get done.
How was Ramey's wedding? I want pictures!
Oh, my 4 wheeler will make it up to the cabin, and if it doesn't its down hill the whole way so you can roll it back down if it doesn't make it up. I honestly think you'll be fine. just don't go in the snow with it and you'll be fine. Caydyn, oh ye of lil faith. How dare you think that the mini-chump can't make it up the hill to the cabin. I hope you all have fun up there without me! Ya Jerks. Golly Gee.
Gary Stott is going to call you or dad at the house, just so you know.
Oh and hows my truck?
Oh, there are some pictures on the way that I'm sending today. I'll send more when I take some.
Love you all
Mahal Ako ninyo
Elder Chase
Monday, August 31, 2009
8.31.09
Hey everyone,
The temple was amazing this morning holy cow! The Spirit was so strong there. It seems to just get better every time I go.
The language is coming along great, Elder Perry and I had a Teaching appointment with one of the teachers, we were both real scared cuz we didn't know if they'd be able to understand us. We went through it and I'm not exactly sure of what I said but the teachers said that we spoke Tagalog great and they understood everything we said. It was awesome. And the spirit was there when we were teaching. I know that it was only because of the spirit that they could understand us. We taught last week to some other missionaries because the people that we were suppose to teach to didn't show up so that made it a little easier.
Last Tuesday we had Richard G. Scott come and talk to us for our Tuesday night devotional. It was so amazing! One thing he said that stuck out to us is "I know Jesus Christ lives because I know him." It was so crazy and the Spirit just flooded the room when he walked in! It was funny because as the MTC President was reading his introduction Elder Scott got up and said make sure you say this! And he was pointing at the sentence that said "I love missionaries." President Brown replied with a smile, I'm getting to it ha ha. It was funny. Then he invoked 2 blessings upon us. One for protection then one for those of us learning a language that we would receive the gift of tongues. It was really neat!
Elder Perry says to tell you all Kamusta. He's a stud, and we are getting along great and teaching great with the spirit.
I can't believe I'm leaving here in 3 weeks that seems so crazy! Time has just flown by here and I'm not sure where its gone. It is another testimony builder to me that thru the spirit you can do anything. There is no way that anyone could learn a language as good as we have in 2 months. Only by the spirit can such miracles take place.
I was in the RC the other day and I got an email back from an investigator named Thomas. He's read the Book of Mormon and D&C and wants to be baptized, however he doesn't want a calling, especially in the temple, and he only wants to go sacrament and Sunday school. And he doesn't want the priesthood. I've got to go see if he's replied back to my reply. I testified how important the priesthood is and invited him to pray to know if the Book of Mormon is true and if Joseph Smith was a true prophet. We'll see how goes.
Well I'm runnin out of time, I Love you all. Thanks for everything.
Love,
Elder Chase
Hey everyone,
The temple was amazing this morning holy cow! The Spirit was so strong there. It seems to just get better every time I go.
The language is coming along great, Elder Perry and I had a Teaching appointment with one of the teachers, we were both real scared cuz we didn't know if they'd be able to understand us. We went through it and I'm not exactly sure of what I said but the teachers said that we spoke Tagalog great and they understood everything we said. It was awesome. And the spirit was there when we were teaching. I know that it was only because of the spirit that they could understand us. We taught last week to some other missionaries because the people that we were suppose to teach to didn't show up so that made it a little easier.
Last Tuesday we had Richard G. Scott come and talk to us for our Tuesday night devotional. It was so amazing! One thing he said that stuck out to us is "I know Jesus Christ lives because I know him." It was so crazy and the Spirit just flooded the room when he walked in! It was funny because as the MTC President was reading his introduction Elder Scott got up and said make sure you say this! And he was pointing at the sentence that said "I love missionaries." President Brown replied with a smile, I'm getting to it ha ha. It was funny. Then he invoked 2 blessings upon us. One for protection then one for those of us learning a language that we would receive the gift of tongues. It was really neat!
Elder Perry says to tell you all Kamusta. He's a stud, and we are getting along great and teaching great with the spirit.
I can't believe I'm leaving here in 3 weeks that seems so crazy! Time has just flown by here and I'm not sure where its gone. It is another testimony builder to me that thru the spirit you can do anything. There is no way that anyone could learn a language as good as we have in 2 months. Only by the spirit can such miracles take place.
I was in the RC the other day and I got an email back from an investigator named Thomas. He's read the Book of Mormon and D&C and wants to be baptized, however he doesn't want a calling, especially in the temple, and he only wants to go sacrament and Sunday school. And he doesn't want the priesthood. I've got to go see if he's replied back to my reply. I testified how important the priesthood is and invited him to pray to know if the Book of Mormon is true and if Joseph Smith was a true prophet. We'll see how goes.
Well I'm runnin out of time, I Love you all. Thanks for everything.
Love,
Elder Chase
Friday, August 28, 2009
8.26.09
I'm sorry you missed me, but if it makes you feel better, I sent my email with 2 seconds left on my time, then it kicked me out!!
I can say what I want! I'll repent, or as J Golden Kimball said, "No way they are sending me down to hell, I repent to damn fast!" I'm just quoting him, haha!
If you want to see what a lot of food is, you should some see our cafeteria. It's crazy how much food they put out here, and most of it gets eaten.
I'm really hoping that something like a typhoon will happen during my mission so I can spend some time just doing service. I bet Kyle (Broadhead) is loving it, I know I'd love to do that.
So here's the cool thing. Tonight we had a usual Tuesday night fireside and guess who the speaker was!! Richard G Scott! It was so amazing, when we walked in it was like a wall of the Spirit just flooded the room, then he invoked 2 blessings on us. One was the gift of tongues and the other was the gift of protection. The whole room was completely silent! Oh my gosh!! Then we all stood as he left and with a wave to everyone he left to room, but the Spirit stayed!! When he pronounced the blessings on us the Spirit was so incredibly strong and when he bore testimony he said I know that Jesus Christ lives because I know Jesus Christ! It was so so crazy, I loved it. WOW!!!
Love Elder Chase
I'm sorry you missed me, but if it makes you feel better, I sent my email with 2 seconds left on my time, then it kicked me out!!
I can say what I want! I'll repent, or as J Golden Kimball said, "No way they are sending me down to hell, I repent to damn fast!" I'm just quoting him, haha!
If you want to see what a lot of food is, you should some see our cafeteria. It's crazy how much food they put out here, and most of it gets eaten.
I'm really hoping that something like a typhoon will happen during my mission so I can spend some time just doing service. I bet Kyle (Broadhead) is loving it, I know I'd love to do that.
So here's the cool thing. Tonight we had a usual Tuesday night fireside and guess who the speaker was!! Richard G Scott! It was so amazing, when we walked in it was like a wall of the Spirit just flooded the room, then he invoked 2 blessings on us. One was the gift of tongues and the other was the gift of protection. The whole room was completely silent! Oh my gosh!! Then we all stood as he left and with a wave to everyone he left to room, but the Spirit stayed!! When he pronounced the blessings on us the Spirit was so incredibly strong and when he bore testimony he said I know that Jesus Christ lives because I know Jesus Christ! It was so so crazy, I loved it. WOW!!!
Love Elder Chase
8.25.09
I was so excited to hear from everyone!! I got letters from dad, mom, Caydyn, Denise and Kayla. It was a pretty good day!!
Great Grandma sent me some money in my get well card, Thanks Grandma!! It helped pay for all my co-pays and meds while I was sick.
We went to the 9th Session of the Temple Dedication, with President Eyring and M Russell Ballard. It sounds like they had similar topics in all the sessions. It was pretty cool, but a lot like the Draper Temple Dedication. The Spirit was definitely there.
My teacher chewed us all out last night for not speaking in Tagalog all the time, so we are working on it a lot better now. My vocabulary is expanding, but I'm still having trouble with the sentence structure. It will come, it just takes time.
Love you all
Elder Chase
I was so excited to hear from everyone!! I got letters from dad, mom, Caydyn, Denise and Kayla. It was a pretty good day!!
Great Grandma sent me some money in my get well card, Thanks Grandma!! It helped pay for all my co-pays and meds while I was sick.
We went to the 9th Session of the Temple Dedication, with President Eyring and M Russell Ballard. It sounds like they had similar topics in all the sessions. It was pretty cool, but a lot like the Draper Temple Dedication. The Spirit was definitely there.
My teacher chewed us all out last night for not speaking in Tagalog all the time, so we are working on it a lot better now. My vocabulary is expanding, but I'm still having trouble with the sentence structure. It will come, it just takes time.
Love you all
Elder Chase
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
8.24.09
Hey everyone,
This last week has been so hectic here at the MTC. We are at the point now where in and out of class we are only to speak Tagalog. We are doing it most of the time. Ha ha its kinda hard where our vocabulary is sorta limited. But we have fun trying to understand each other. This week we start teaching our lessons in Tagalog. So that should prove to be quite interesting. I'll let you know how it goes.
On Saturday when I was in the Referral Center I talked to a 64 year old gentleman that wanted to be baptized but he didn't want the priesthood and he didn't want a calling. Especially in the Temple. I had to go but we are emailing each other and I'm going to see what I can do. My plan is to talk about how everything in our church is done with the priesthood and try to help him see how vital it is. I'm excited to go see if he's emailed me. Then I helped this sister with questions about repentance. And I even talked to a guy in Alabama that was willing to have the Missionaries come talk to him. Its been a pretty great week.
Elder Perry and I are getting along great and it definitely shows when we have to teach lessons and in the way we do everything. The lord has definitely been blessing me. We got to go to the Temple Dedication yesterday for the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. It was really cool. And most the Elders I'm with have never been to one so they liked the experience. And chances are, we will be able to go to one in the Philippines. They are currently building a temple in Sebu. So that would be neat to attend.
I can't believe that I'm already half done here. Time is flying by so quick and doesn't look to be slowing down at all. I love it.
I gotta run, But thank you all for everything.
Love you
Elder Chase
Hey everyone,
This last week has been so hectic here at the MTC. We are at the point now where in and out of class we are only to speak Tagalog. We are doing it most of the time. Ha ha its kinda hard where our vocabulary is sorta limited. But we have fun trying to understand each other. This week we start teaching our lessons in Tagalog. So that should prove to be quite interesting. I'll let you know how it goes.
On Saturday when I was in the Referral Center I talked to a 64 year old gentleman that wanted to be baptized but he didn't want the priesthood and he didn't want a calling. Especially in the Temple. I had to go but we are emailing each other and I'm going to see what I can do. My plan is to talk about how everything in our church is done with the priesthood and try to help him see how vital it is. I'm excited to go see if he's emailed me. Then I helped this sister with questions about repentance. And I even talked to a guy in Alabama that was willing to have the Missionaries come talk to him. Its been a pretty great week.
Elder Perry and I are getting along great and it definitely shows when we have to teach lessons and in the way we do everything. The lord has definitely been blessing me. We got to go to the Temple Dedication yesterday for the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. It was really cool. And most the Elders I'm with have never been to one so they liked the experience. And chances are, we will be able to go to one in the Philippines. They are currently building a temple in Sebu. So that would be neat to attend.
I can't believe that I'm already half done here. Time is flying by so quick and doesn't look to be slowing down at all. I love it.
I gotta run, But thank you all for everything.
Love you
Elder Chase
8.20.09
I think I'm getting better, I'm not 100%, maybe 75% though. I went to the health clinic, they are so good to you there. Then there's the Urgent Care Center and you get to go out into the real world, it's so cool! I saw Jonathan Wright there, that's where they do blood work, x-rays and where the pharmacy is. I've been there twice.
Elder Gonzales broke his foot playing volleyball when Elder Ron Daly (from St George) landed on it, it sprained his ankle too. Then he got my cold, oops.
So, was it harder for Caydyn to have to drive my truck for the day or for dad to have to drive his car? Bet they were both hating life. haha.
Remember when you told me that I'd probably want pencils and I told you no, but I put one in anyway. You were right, I use my pencil for almost everything except writing you.
Funny Story: Elder Gonzales' parents parents sent a big package and inside it had a 6-pack of Dr Pepper!! He gave me one!!!! It was pretty much amazing.
Tonight is our last night of teaching in English. For the rest of the time we teach in Tagalog. I'm kinda nervous, but I guess I'll figure it out.
Love
Elder Chase
I think I'm getting better, I'm not 100%, maybe 75% though. I went to the health clinic, they are so good to you there. Then there's the Urgent Care Center and you get to go out into the real world, it's so cool! I saw Jonathan Wright there, that's where they do blood work, x-rays and where the pharmacy is. I've been there twice.
Elder Gonzales broke his foot playing volleyball when Elder Ron Daly (from St George) landed on it, it sprained his ankle too. Then he got my cold, oops.
So, was it harder for Caydyn to have to drive my truck for the day or for dad to have to drive his car? Bet they were both hating life. haha.
Remember when you told me that I'd probably want pencils and I told you no, but I put one in anyway. You were right, I use my pencil for almost everything except writing you.
Funny Story: Elder Gonzales' parents parents sent a big package and inside it had a 6-pack of Dr Pepper!! He gave me one!!!! It was pretty much amazing.
Tonight is our last night of teaching in English. For the rest of the time we teach in Tagalog. I'm kinda nervous, but I guess I'll figure it out.
Love
Elder Chase
Thursday, August 20, 2009
8.18.09
I got an invitation to Will and Ramey's wedding. It was amazing, she does such good work.
Remember what it says about conservative ties? I don't think they really enforce it, I've seen some crazy ties up here.
I saw Jim on Sunday, it was so good to see him. He had some Korean Elders with him, I'm sure glad I don't have to learn to speak Korean, it sounds a lot harder.
Most of the guys here have never seen a temple dedication, so I'm really excited for them to see what it's all about. I hope you guys are planning on going.
That's awesome that Caydyn won the 4-wheeler. Don't let him jump it into Lower Sand Cove. If you do, send me the pictures and video!!
I had one of my teachers tell our class that you get sick when your being disobedient, so I've been trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong.
Did I tell you that I am in the Swine Flu hall! When they had the bad outbreak of Swine Flu at the MTC, this hall is where they put everyone. In my residence hall!!
This week we've been learning how to talk about everything in our lives, family, school and work. Then extending commitments and teaching to pray. That is our language goal for this week, it should be fun.
Love you all
Elder Chase
I got an invitation to Will and Ramey's wedding. It was amazing, she does such good work.
Remember what it says about conservative ties? I don't think they really enforce it, I've seen some crazy ties up here.
I saw Jim on Sunday, it was so good to see him. He had some Korean Elders with him, I'm sure glad I don't have to learn to speak Korean, it sounds a lot harder.
Most of the guys here have never seen a temple dedication, so I'm really excited for them to see what it's all about. I hope you guys are planning on going.
That's awesome that Caydyn won the 4-wheeler. Don't let him jump it into Lower Sand Cove. If you do, send me the pictures and video!!
I had one of my teachers tell our class that you get sick when your being disobedient, so I've been trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong.
Did I tell you that I am in the Swine Flu hall! When they had the bad outbreak of Swine Flu at the MTC, this hall is where they put everyone. In my residence hall!!
This week we've been learning how to talk about everything in our lives, family, school and work. Then extending commitments and teaching to pray. That is our language goal for this week, it should be fun.
Love you all
Elder Chase
8.14.09
I miss the county fair, it was so much work, but so fun.
I really do miss work and getting dirty and the Doc's, that was so much fun.
I can't believe I've been here almost a month!! Crazy!!
I got a letter from Weston today. It was so good to hear from him, I need to write him back.
I got a haircut yesterday, I was so worried!! But it turned out ok, Sara would have done better, but it's okay for an MTC haircut.
Tell my girls (his FFA officers) hi, I miss talking to them.
I taught the 2nd discussion, The Plan of Salvation and I was not feeling the spirit at all until the very end when I was testifying. I think it was cuz I'd been calling my comp out on things all day when he did something I didn't like. I think being sick is making me mean. I need to work on having charity. It's tough sometime though.
I miss the county fair, it was so much work, but so fun.
I really do miss work and getting dirty and the Doc's, that was so much fun.
I can't believe I've been here almost a month!! Crazy!!
I got a letter from Weston today. It was so good to hear from him, I need to write him back.
I got a haircut yesterday, I was so worried!! But it turned out ok, Sara would have done better, but it's okay for an MTC haircut.
Tell my girls (his FFA officers) hi, I miss talking to them.
I taught the 2nd discussion, The Plan of Salvation and I was not feeling the spirit at all until the very end when I was testifying. I think it was cuz I'd been calling my comp out on things all day when he did something I didn't like. I think being sick is making me mean. I need to work on having charity. It's tough sometime though.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Hey everyone,
This week has been pretty regular, except elder Gonzales, an elder that I room with broke his foot. He's been getting waited on hand and foot and loving it! He got to experience the outside world for a bit going down to the BYU Urgent care center. his companion and him thought it was pretty cool. Ha ha.
Next week we start teaching the lessons in Tagalog. I'm a little nervous though. We have the main structure down but I can't say my vocabulary is too extensive. Oh well, the lord will provide. I can now carry on a little more conversation in the language but its crazy because the older district will sit there and talk to you and you can catch maybe 3 words outta their 10 word sentence. I usually just have a blank stare on my face and ask them to Paki-Ulit (please repeat) 2 or 3 times. But its a good way to learn. I'm glad I don't have to speak Mandarin or Russian or one of those languages. That would be real tough.
Oh, I joined the choir. Ha ha I know me singing! But this way I'm guaranteed a good seat for the Tuesday night devotionals! The lord also provides in blessing me with good singers around me so they can't tell I'm horrible at it! Its fun. Next Sunday we don't have sacrament because we are attending the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Dedication. I am so excited. It is going to be standing room only in the gym. Wow. I passed my interview barely. I was sweating bullets! ha ha.
Every week we get to go to this place called the Referral Center. That's where all the calls come into when people see the commercials for our church on Mormon.org so we get to chat with them and teach them. I chatted online with this guy that wasn't sure if he had a testimony anymore. By the end he knew he had one. It was amazing how the lord can tell people what he wants others to know through you.
Well my time's running out. I love you all. Thanks for the packages and letters. You're all in my prayers. Till next week.
Love, Elder Chase
This week has been pretty regular, except elder Gonzales, an elder that I room with broke his foot. He's been getting waited on hand and foot and loving it! He got to experience the outside world for a bit going down to the BYU Urgent care center. his companion and him thought it was pretty cool. Ha ha.
Next week we start teaching the lessons in Tagalog. I'm a little nervous though. We have the main structure down but I can't say my vocabulary is too extensive. Oh well, the lord will provide. I can now carry on a little more conversation in the language but its crazy because the older district will sit there and talk to you and you can catch maybe 3 words outta their 10 word sentence. I usually just have a blank stare on my face and ask them to Paki-Ulit (please repeat) 2 or 3 times. But its a good way to learn. I'm glad I don't have to speak Mandarin or Russian or one of those languages. That would be real tough.
Oh, I joined the choir. Ha ha I know me singing! But this way I'm guaranteed a good seat for the Tuesday night devotionals! The lord also provides in blessing me with good singers around me so they can't tell I'm horrible at it! Its fun. Next Sunday we don't have sacrament because we are attending the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Dedication. I am so excited. It is going to be standing room only in the gym. Wow. I passed my interview barely. I was sweating bullets! ha ha.
Every week we get to go to this place called the Referral Center. That's where all the calls come into when people see the commercials for our church on Mormon.org so we get to chat with them and teach them. I chatted online with this guy that wasn't sure if he had a testimony anymore. By the end he knew he had one. It was amazing how the lord can tell people what he wants others to know through you.
Well my time's running out. I love you all. Thanks for the packages and letters. You're all in my prayers. Till next week.
Love, Elder Chase
Thursday, August 13, 2009
8.13.09
I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was sick, mom. I will try to write to other people more, but I don't think I'm even supposed to write you as often as I do.
I got a 10 lbs bag of jerky!! It is great!!
I miss your cooking. I think you should get a cold shipper from the clinic and send me some food. Between getting sick and just sick of the food, I've lost 5 lbs. Thought you were supposed to gain weight in the MTC. Oh well.
It's been a little chilly up here in the morning, compared to St George, but I like it.
We taught the plan of salvation last night to another missionary. I think it went really well. The language is coming, but lately I've been spending a lot of time sleeping and not studying. But it'll come.
You asked about my zone, they are all people that are going to the Philippines Missions. We have the biggest zone in the MTC, almost big enough to have our own ward. We lost about 35 missionaries last Monday and Tuesday, but we will get 50 more in the next couple weeks. Crazy!
This week in the choir I'm trying out the tenor section. It's not working out so well for me, think I'll just stick with baritone. Ha Ha!
A kid broke his foot today playing indoor volleyball. He started crying because he thought they were going to send him home. It was so sad!! They just put him in a boot for the next 6 weeks. Yuck.
Keep me posted on life in St George!
I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was sick, mom. I will try to write to other people more, but I don't think I'm even supposed to write you as often as I do.
I got a 10 lbs bag of jerky!! It is great!!
I miss your cooking. I think you should get a cold shipper from the clinic and send me some food. Between getting sick and just sick of the food, I've lost 5 lbs. Thought you were supposed to gain weight in the MTC. Oh well.
It's been a little chilly up here in the morning, compared to St George, but I like it.
We taught the plan of salvation last night to another missionary. I think it went really well. The language is coming, but lately I've been spending a lot of time sleeping and not studying. But it'll come.
You asked about my zone, they are all people that are going to the Philippines Missions. We have the biggest zone in the MTC, almost big enough to have our own ward. We lost about 35 missionaries last Monday and Tuesday, but we will get 50 more in the next couple weeks. Crazy!
This week in the choir I'm trying out the tenor section. It's not working out so well for me, think I'll just stick with baritone. Ha Ha!
A kid broke his foot today playing indoor volleyball. He started crying because he thought they were going to send him home. It was so sad!! They just put him in a boot for the next 6 weeks. Yuck.
Keep me posted on life in St George!
8.10.09
Hi everyone,
This week at the MTC has been great. We learned the basics of conversation. I still need a lot of work and my kasama (companion) still can't understand much of what I say but its fun to try and make up stuff to say! We started last thursday this thing called SYL it stands for speak your language, so whenever we are out of class all of our conversation is supposed to be in Tagalog. usually we speak Taglish because our vocabulary is limited! Today and tomorrow we loose about 30 of the elders and sisters in our zone because they are heading to the philipines. I can't believe i've almost been here 3 weeks already. Time is flying by SOOO fast! Its great! With the loss of some elders, we will gain a few more on wednesday and my district will be the ones they look up to, That right there is a scary thought in itself! ha ha ha!
We have 2 scheduled teaching appointments every week, then my companion have signed up for additional ones and I think this week we're gonna end up teaching like 5 lessons, hopefully we'll get better. Oh, last week I had a bad headache and stomach ache going into our teaching appointment. We said a prayer, and as soon as we sat down to teach my headache and my stomach ache had gone away! The spirit is so helpful and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to function much here without it!
I heard a quote up here, it's from President Hinkley I think. It says no matter how talented you are, if you don't teach with the spirit you're mission will not be successful. I am coming to know of the truthfulness of that quote more and more every day!
It is amazing up here! I gotta run and do laundry, but thanks everyone for your prayers, I've enjoyed getting all the packages, and letters from everyone! Thank you so much!
Love you all,
Elder Chase
Hi everyone,
This week at the MTC has been great. We learned the basics of conversation. I still need a lot of work and my kasama (companion) still can't understand much of what I say but its fun to try and make up stuff to say! We started last thursday this thing called SYL it stands for speak your language, so whenever we are out of class all of our conversation is supposed to be in Tagalog. usually we speak Taglish because our vocabulary is limited! Today and tomorrow we loose about 30 of the elders and sisters in our zone because they are heading to the philipines. I can't believe i've almost been here 3 weeks already. Time is flying by SOOO fast! Its great! With the loss of some elders, we will gain a few more on wednesday and my district will be the ones they look up to, That right there is a scary thought in itself! ha ha ha!
We have 2 scheduled teaching appointments every week, then my companion have signed up for additional ones and I think this week we're gonna end up teaching like 5 lessons, hopefully we'll get better. Oh, last week I had a bad headache and stomach ache going into our teaching appointment. We said a prayer, and as soon as we sat down to teach my headache and my stomach ache had gone away! The spirit is so helpful and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to function much here without it!
I heard a quote up here, it's from President Hinkley I think. It says no matter how talented you are, if you don't teach with the spirit you're mission will not be successful. I am coming to know of the truthfulness of that quote more and more every day!
It is amazing up here! I gotta run and do laundry, but thanks everyone for your prayers, I've enjoyed getting all the packages, and letters from everyone! Thank you so much!
Love you all,
Elder Chase
8.10.09
Hi family,
How is everyone doing? Staying out of trouble? Are you all ready to go back to school? I just got thinking about that the other day, you all will go to school together! ha ha ha! I guess i'm kinda already in school, just in an accelerated course! oh, one of my teachers Brother Ward, served in Quezon City which is where Mitch Day served, Brother Ward trained Mitch so it was pretty cool that we knew each other. Then Brother Ward told me he was hanging out with Mitch the other night, so I told him to tell mitch hi for me next time he saw him. Small world! Happy Birthday this week mom! I hope you have a good one! Everyone else: make mom's birthday a good one! I'm sorry I won't be there for it!
How is everyone (friends) back home?
Thank you for having grandma send me the distilled water and contact solution, she was smart by sending me just a water bottle full of water instead of the whole gallon! I love having connections up here.
I hope everyone is ready for whatever life brings. Keep your heads up, I love you all. They told us we have to basically leave our old life behind and make a new one to be an effective missionary. I guess i'll never be an effective missionary because I REFUSE to leave behind all my memories of home, the good, the bad, and the ugly. They don't know how great of a family i have. You are a one of a kind family
Until next week,
How is everyone doing? Staying out of trouble? Are you all ready to go back to school? I just got thinking about that the other day, you all will go to school together! ha ha ha! I guess i'm kinda already in school, just in an accelerated course! oh, one of my teachers Brother Ward, served in Quezon City which is where Mitch Day served, Brother Ward trained Mitch so it was pretty cool that we knew each other. Then Brother Ward told me he was hanging out with Mitch the other night, so I told him to tell mitch hi for me next time he saw him. Small world! Happy Birthday this week mom! I hope you have a good one! Everyone else: make mom's birthday a good one! I'm sorry I won't be there for it!
How is everyone (friends) back home?
Thank you for having grandma send me the distilled water and contact solution, she was smart by sending me just a water bottle full of water instead of the whole gallon! I love having connections up here.
I hope everyone is ready for whatever life brings. Keep your heads up, I love you all. They told us we have to basically leave our old life behind and make a new one to be an effective missionary. I guess i'll never be an effective missionary because I REFUSE to leave behind all my memories of home, the good, the bad, and the ugly. They don't know how great of a family i have. You are a one of a kind family
Until next week,
8.7.09
Things are going pretty good here. Today we started a thing called Speak Your Language, which means that from now on we have to speak as much as possible in Tagalog. I'm a little nervous, but in D&C is says that the spirit will make up for your lack.
My comp gave me a blessing the other night. It was his first blessing and he was so nervous, but he gave me a great blessing.
I was talking to a lady from the Philippines today, she said the food is much better over there, cuz the ingredients are fresh. But I'm not supposed to eat anything that is uncooked.
Don't tell mom, but I've been really sick. I went to the Doctor here, he gave me some medicine. Didn't work, so I went to the Instacare. They did all sorts of X-rays and test's, but nothing tested positive. They decided I have the flu. For the first couple of days while I slept, my whole district took turns sitting with me. It was amazing.
Things are going pretty good here. Today we started a thing called Speak Your Language, which means that from now on we have to speak as much as possible in Tagalog. I'm a little nervous, but in D&C is says that the spirit will make up for your lack.
My comp gave me a blessing the other night. It was his first blessing and he was so nervous, but he gave me a great blessing.
I was talking to a lady from the Philippines today, she said the food is much better over there, cuz the ingredients are fresh. But I'm not supposed to eat anything that is uncooked.
Don't tell mom, but I've been really sick. I went to the Doctor here, he gave me some medicine. Didn't work, so I went to the Instacare. They did all sorts of X-rays and test's, but nothing tested positive. They decided I have the flu. For the first couple of days while I slept, my whole district took turns sitting with me. It was amazing.
8.3.09
Oh mom, I wish I could tell you how much I miss your cooking. I am so sick of the food here.
I'll only be here for 2 month so the biggest thing they tell us is we're not learning a language, we're learning with the spirit and that's how it works.
My comp and roommates make fun of me and call me "cowboy", but I don't mind.
Did I tell you that I miss your food?
Oh mom, I wish I could tell you how much I miss your cooking. I am so sick of the food here.
I'll only be here for 2 month so the biggest thing they tell us is we're not learning a language, we're learning with the spirit and that's how it works.
My comp and roommates make fun of me and call me "cowboy", but I don't mind.
Did I tell you that I miss your food?
Friday, August 7, 2009
8.4.09
I have decided that dearelder.com or letters is the best way to write to me. I don't have time to read emails sent to my email address. I have gotten a few packages, they are great!!
I had the most amazing time in the temple today. The Spirit was so incredibly strong.
Me and Elder Perry are getting pretty good at teaching, but we still have a lot of work to do.
Faith is the only thing we have to hold onto, so you have to hold on with all your heart, might, mind and strength. Then everything just works out.
Oh yeah, I've been playing sand volleyball for gym time. I still suck...but its fun.
8.1.09
To kind of outline my days: we get up at 6:00, eat breakfast at 7, go to class for a couple hours. A lot of it is up to us to learn though, our teacher explained himself as a walking, talking textbook. Lunch is at 11:30. Then we have 1 hour of personal study, then 1 hour of companion study, here we focus on the gospel. I started reading the New Testament today, I want to finish before I leave.
Then we have Missionary Directed Language Study, then Missionary Directed time, during this one we can choose what we want to study. I usually don't study language during this time, my brain can't take anymore. Sometimes we go to the Referral Center. Dinner is at 4:30, its strange to eat that early.
Side note about dinner: Some of the Elders mixed up a concoction of Tilapia, chicken, fries, tapioca pudding, pepper and marshmallows. They bet me $50 bucks I wouldn't drink it. I smelled horrible and tasted worse, but hey it was $50. Do you think I need to pay tithing on it?
Evenings we have different things, Tuesday we always have a devotional, some nights choir practice. From 9-9:30 we plan for the next day, in detail. Planning is serious stuff here. Lights out at 10:30. I usually lay there until at least midnight most nights.
I have decided that dearelder.com or letters is the best way to write to me. I don't have time to read emails sent to my email address. I have gotten a few packages, they are great!!
I had the most amazing time in the temple today. The Spirit was so incredibly strong.
Me and Elder Perry are getting pretty good at teaching, but we still have a lot of work to do.
Faith is the only thing we have to hold onto, so you have to hold on with all your heart, might, mind and strength. Then everything just works out.
Oh yeah, I've been playing sand volleyball for gym time. I still suck...but its fun.
8.1.09
To kind of outline my days: we get up at 6:00, eat breakfast at 7, go to class for a couple hours. A lot of it is up to us to learn though, our teacher explained himself as a walking, talking textbook. Lunch is at 11:30. Then we have 1 hour of personal study, then 1 hour of companion study, here we focus on the gospel. I started reading the New Testament today, I want to finish before I leave.
Then we have Missionary Directed Language Study, then Missionary Directed time, during this one we can choose what we want to study. I usually don't study language during this time, my brain can't take anymore. Sometimes we go to the Referral Center. Dinner is at 4:30, its strange to eat that early.
Side note about dinner: Some of the Elders mixed up a concoction of Tilapia, chicken, fries, tapioca pudding, pepper and marshmallows. They bet me $50 bucks I wouldn't drink it. I smelled horrible and tasted worse, but hey it was $50. Do you think I need to pay tithing on it?
Evenings we have different things, Tuesday we always have a devotional, some nights choir practice. From 9-9:30 we plan for the next day, in detail. Planning is serious stuff here. Lights out at 10:30. I usually lay there until at least midnight most nights.
Monday, August 3, 2009
8.2.09
Probably I'm thinking the best way to get stuff to me faster is letters, or DearElder.com. because I can only check email on Mondays and that is for 30 minutes. It is fun having something to open through the week. I hope I'll get more time in the field.
Have fun going back to school. I'm glad I'm away from that for a couple years. Ha ha
Vera Jean sent me a Schow scoop. It was pretty cool.
Love
Elder Chase
Probably I'm thinking the best way to get stuff to me faster is letters, or DearElder.com. because I can only check email on Mondays and that is for 30 minutes. It is fun having something to open through the week. I hope I'll get more time in the field.
Have fun going back to school. I'm glad I'm away from that for a couple years. Ha ha
Vera Jean sent me a Schow scoop. It was pretty cool.
Love
Elder Chase
7.30.09
The days are starting to go much faster. The language is presenting a bit of a challenge, but I'll manage. I can pray now, so that's pretty cool. We taught our first lesson it was really cool. We did practice earlier in the day and butchered it. Then the spirit came thru and we hardly even stuttered. It was awesome!!
There is a guy here that is a professional actor that we can practice teaching to and I testified to him the other day. We were kind of just messing around, but the Spirit was so strong! There is so much I should have learned before I got here. I've outlined Caydyn on it so hopefully he will be better prepared than me.
I think I'm finally coming down with the cold. But it's all good.
Love
Elder Chase
The days are starting to go much faster. The language is presenting a bit of a challenge, but I'll manage. I can pray now, so that's pretty cool. We taught our first lesson it was really cool. We did practice earlier in the day and butchered it. Then the spirit came thru and we hardly even stuttered. It was awesome!!
There is a guy here that is a professional actor that we can practice teaching to and I testified to him the other day. We were kind of just messing around, but the Spirit was so strong! There is so much I should have learned before I got here. I've outlined Caydyn on it so hopefully he will be better prepared than me.
I think I'm finally coming down with the cold. But it's all good.
Love
Elder Chase
Thursday, July 30, 2009
7.29.09
They have been keeping me really busy here. I haven't had much time to do anything but what they tell us. Please don't think I'm heartless, but I've been too busy to really miss anyone!! I'm starting to adjust to the schedule though, I can stay awake all day, but the days are still very mentally draining.
The food is ok, not as good as yours, but better than cafeteria food. I usually only eat two meals a day, I'm just not that hungry. It'll help me with weight gain in the MTC though.
I'm in the choir at the MTC and its pretty fun, I'm surrounded by people that can sing!! (fyi Chase can't carry a tune). But I'm guaranteed a seat when the General Authorities come.
Oh, I can pray almost now!! (I'm hoping he means in Tagolog, cuz I think we taught him to pray at home!!)
Love
Elder Chase
They have been keeping me really busy here. I haven't had much time to do anything but what they tell us. Please don't think I'm heartless, but I've been too busy to really miss anyone!! I'm starting to adjust to the schedule though, I can stay awake all day, but the days are still very mentally draining.
The food is ok, not as good as yours, but better than cafeteria food. I usually only eat two meals a day, I'm just not that hungry. It'll help me with weight gain in the MTC though.
I'm in the choir at the MTC and its pretty fun, I'm surrounded by people that can sing!! (fyi Chase can't carry a tune). But I'm guaranteed a seat when the General Authorities come.
Oh, I can pray almost now!! (I'm hoping he means in Tagolog, cuz I think we taught him to pray at home!!)
Love
Elder Chase
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
7.27.09
Hey everyone,
The first 5 days here has been great! I am learning a lot about the language, and the culture in the philippines. I am so excited to get over there.
They are keeping us pretty busy here, we get up at 6 am every morning so we can beat the rush. Oh, and i found out that I am in the swine flu hall! Oh well. Classes are long but fun, my companion's name is Elder Perry from Mesa, AZ. He is 6'2" and pretty much towers over me! Actually a lot of elders here tower over me. ha ha.
I have learned how to bear my testimony in Tagalog. This week sometime we will learn how to pray. Church yesterday was cool, although I couldn't understand any of it except a few words here and there. I could still feel the spirit. They have us prepare a 5 min talk every week and they just randomly choose 2 people to talk. Then one of the presidency and their wife talks.
The spirit is so strong here in everything we do. Wow It is amazing, even in my semi-casual conversation I can feel the spirit. I guess after 4 or 5 weeks they have us only talk in tagalog. That should be pretty interesting.
I've seen a few of my friends here from the outside world so its been pretty fun. The food isn't actually half bad either. I've really missed my morning Dr. Pepper and I miss gum too! They outlaw gum at the MTC! Can you believe it. They have a lot of rules here but I haven't really had a hard time with any of them. I definitely have been blessed. Well, my time's runnin out. Hope to hear from you. Thanks for everything.
Hey everyone,
The first 5 days here has been great! I am learning a lot about the language, and the culture in the philippines. I am so excited to get over there.
They are keeping us pretty busy here, we get up at 6 am every morning so we can beat the rush. Oh, and i found out that I am in the swine flu hall! Oh well. Classes are long but fun, my companion's name is Elder Perry from Mesa, AZ. He is 6'2" and pretty much towers over me! Actually a lot of elders here tower over me. ha ha.
I have learned how to bear my testimony in Tagalog. This week sometime we will learn how to pray. Church yesterday was cool, although I couldn't understand any of it except a few words here and there. I could still feel the spirit. They have us prepare a 5 min talk every week and they just randomly choose 2 people to talk. Then one of the presidency and their wife talks.
The spirit is so strong here in everything we do. Wow It is amazing, even in my semi-casual conversation I can feel the spirit. I guess after 4 or 5 weeks they have us only talk in tagalog. That should be pretty interesting.
I've seen a few of my friends here from the outside world so its been pretty fun. The food isn't actually half bad either. I've really missed my morning Dr. Pepper and I miss gum too! They outlaw gum at the MTC! Can you believe it. They have a lot of rules here but I haven't really had a hard time with any of them. I definitely have been blessed. Well, my time's runnin out. Hope to hear from you. Thanks for everything.
7.27.09
We did a fast yesterday that our district would learn the language. What a bunch of whiners! Everyone was complaining how hungry they were, but it wasn't bad.
My patience is running thin with a few people in my district. Hard to believe, huh!! Don't worry, I'm praying for patience and so far I haven't ripped anyone a new one!
It is so amazing here!
For church we have to write a 5 min talk every Sunday, and they randomly pick one us to give our talk, in 2 weeks we have to start giving it in Tagalog.
Could you send me some more silly putty? There is an Elder from New Zealand in my district that has never seen it! He thinks its pretty cool. haha!
Some of the Elder's in my District:
Elder Sanders from Pleasant Grove, very cool, we tend to hang together
Elder Erickson from Dallas, every knowledgeable about the gospel and has an amazing spirit
Elder Gonzales, a convert, very knowledgeable about the bible, gets very excited
The Sisters are the glue of the district
Sister Smith, from Long Beach, smart and funny
Sister Tuana from American Samoa, very cool
We did a fast yesterday that our district would learn the language. What a bunch of whiners! Everyone was complaining how hungry they were, but it wasn't bad.
My patience is running thin with a few people in my district. Hard to believe, huh!! Don't worry, I'm praying for patience and so far I haven't ripped anyone a new one!
It is so amazing here!
For church we have to write a 5 min talk every Sunday, and they randomly pick one us to give our talk, in 2 weeks we have to start giving it in Tagalog.
Could you send me some more silly putty? There is an Elder from New Zealand in my district that has never seen it! He thinks its pretty cool. haha!
Some of the Elder's in my District:
Elder Sanders from Pleasant Grove, very cool, we tend to hang together
Elder Erickson from Dallas, every knowledgeable about the gospel and has an amazing spirit
Elder Gonzales, a convert, very knowledgeable about the bible, gets very excited
The Sisters are the glue of the district
Sister Smith, from Long Beach, smart and funny
Sister Tuana from American Samoa, very cool
7.25.09
I was wondering whether being here was for me, but the Spirit has been so strong and has told me this is where I'm supposed to be. This place is amazing.
Gotta go, I'm not supposed to be writing, hope I don't get struck!! haha
They told me I fly out Sept 21.
PS Mom, the Branch President came last night and told us they wanted us to make our beds. Mine was the only one made in our room. This morning all the Elder's were belly aching about it. I just laughed, thanks for teaching us to keep a clean living space!!
I was wondering whether being here was for me, but the Spirit has been so strong and has told me this is where I'm supposed to be. This place is amazing.
Gotta go, I'm not supposed to be writing, hope I don't get struck!! haha
They told me I fly out Sept 21.
PS Mom, the Branch President came last night and told us they wanted us to make our beds. Mine was the only one made in our room. This morning all the Elder's were belly aching about it. I just laughed, thanks for teaching us to keep a clean living space!!
First letter, written July 22
This afternoon was such a rush when you dropped me off...it hasn't slowed down. They've been ruling us to death, oh my gosh there are so many rules!! But I can manage them.
My companion is Elder Perry, he is 6'2" and from Mesa, AZ. He's a good kid and I think we'll get along great.
PS I haven't missed my phone at all!!
This afternoon was such a rush when you dropped me off...it hasn't slowed down. They've been ruling us to death, oh my gosh there are so many rules!! But I can manage them.
My companion is Elder Perry, he is 6'2" and from Mesa, AZ. He's a good kid and I think we'll get along great.
PS I haven't missed my phone at all!!
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