3 Jan 2011

Well, Happy happy new year to all of you,


How did you spend your new year?

I was at the Mission Home washing dishes until midnight ha ha GREAT! It was actually really fun cuz the Mission Presidents wife was there and we were joking around and having a good time. ha ha. So maybe your asking the question, Why was I at the mission home? Well, we had Zone Leaders Conference, oh yeah, I'm a Zone Leader now. There are 5 new Zone leaders this transfer and there will be 4 next transfer. Its pretty crazy.

To be honest I'm a little overwelmed with the new assignment of being a ZL but I know I can do it. Just every time I think about how many missionaries that I get to serve its crazy. We have 3 districts with 4 companionships in each district; 24 missionaries I think. President Aquino has been on a math kick lately and he always makes my head hurt when he starts going off adding stuff and multiplying then dividing and doin all that stuff.


Maybe I should back up though. On Tuesday I transferred and got here to Olongapo. Upon arrival at the bus terminal I thought that I was gonna be going back up north, but it turns out that I got assigned here in Olongapo, a City even bigger than Balanga. HA HA! I jinxed myself when I said the Lord loved me because all my areas have been farm land. ha ha. My companion is Elder Gerbolingo, good luck saying that. Its pronounced like JerbOleengO. Parang ganon (kinda like that). ha ha. He was my house mate up in Alaminos when I was assigned in Bani. He is a great Elder and I am so excited to be able to be companions with him. He is very Christlike and maybe I can learn something from him. He will be going home after this transfer so I have to hurry up and learn everything I am supposed to do.

One great thing about being here in Olongapo is that I have really just about anything I need here. There are some really good tailors here so I'll probably try them out.

Tuesday, because of a miscommunication, I ended up going out to Lubao, where a Zone was having their district meeting because they didn't get the memo that they were supposed to be in Olongapo. The AP's took me out it was fun; 3 Americans in a mission vehicle. Elder Erickson drives like a Philipino ha ha its great. But I didn't know what I was supposed to do! ahhh!! My companion told me that I was gonna go with them and he was gonna stay and handle the other zone. I think it turned out alright. Talk about baptism by fire.

On Sunday the same thing happened. I was planning on just trying to get to know people, and taking it easy. Yeah that didn't happen. I confirmed a new member that I didn't even know. I bore my testimony, taught Gospel Principles, gave a blessing. It was crazy, but fun. My companion said that is how the members will get to know you best. It was really neat to confirm that brother yesterday because I didn't know his background, or even know his name before I did the ordinance I had to rely wholly upon the Spirit to give the blessing. It is always amazing the blessing that are promised that come thru you.

Then last night after a training with the Branch Presidents, auxiliaries, and missionaries from Pres. Aquino, the Pres. Manglicmot worked with us, the BP and we went to rescue some inactive members.

I love the mission and things are looking positive for the next little while. I'm way excited.

I love you all, be happy, be positive, be true.

Elder Westwood.