Hey everyone,
Well I'm sad to hear that Paula passed away this week. We actually had a member pass away last week, and it kind of dawned on me that we are really lucky that we have the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. We know exactly where we are going to go and we can trace a person every step of the way. It is hard to loose our friends and relatives, but we will see them again. Its up to us if we live with them for eternity. When Great Grandma Westwood passed, Mom said, "we can't cry because died, because she is happy now, she's not sick anymore, the reason we cry is because she's not here anymore with us, it is only temporary though."
We just got back from Abucay at the transfer meeting where we found out that my companion will be transferred, one of my old companions, Elder Cuartocruz, and one of my batch mates, Sister Suminguit. Sister S will be training like me but her training will be a lot harder, she is going to be opening a new area for proselyting with her new companion. My trainer will be training again for the 4th time. That is a new record.
I'm a little nervous to be training but it will be fun. I know that I can make the difference in this new missionaries whole mission, and I'll either be the companion that he loves, or the companion that he hates. I'm hoping for first. I will go up to the mission home tomorrow where we will have trainers training, then Thursday, I'll come back here with him, and we'll break him in. I sure hope he's ready ha ha. Don't worry I'll be nice, but I won't baby him.
Honestly not much happened this week, we taught a lot, my companion got sick with LBM so we spent one afternoon in the apartment while he sat on the toilet.
Last night we went to a members and they threw a little party for my companion and for a missionary that goes home. That was fun. well I'm sure I'll have lots to report next week, the new companion, his first experience tracting and stuff like that.
Until next week.
Elder Westwood.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
8 Nov 2010
Hello Everyone,
In case you didn't know already, fasting works!!!! Oh my, last week we had 2 investigators come to church, yesterday: 9! Its not a record by any means but its good for this area and we were way excited, especially Elder Memes. He hasn't had a lot of chances to fast here in the mission, so he was flying high yesterday (high on life of course). We had a baptism scheduled for next week but we're gonna have to push it back a little because they are not quite ready, but its alright, I'd rather have them prepared than not.
One of the families that came to church yesterday, has a son that is blind, and he can't walk, he started puking in Sunday school yesterday, so that wasn't very good, but after he did it, he felt fine and it didn't happen again. Then Sister Fe's 2 nieces came too and loved it. When asked if they were gonna come to church again, they replied, "yes, every week" it was really cool.
We actually had a fight yesterday too, ha ha 2 of the pioneer members, got in an argument about doctrine, the base problem was they were both really prideful and didn't want to admit that they were wrong or the other was right, one brother started swearing and stormed out of class and said he wanted his name taken off the records. That is one of the weakness' here and I think everywhere, sometimes we get to the point where, when we've been in the church we get proud of what we know, then we get a little too confident and people start getting offended. I think we all need to remember that we are all converts, all investigators, just at different spots on the conversion path. Neither conversion nor humility will happen over night it is a life long process that we all need to continually strive to do and perfect our ways and attitudes.
Last night and Friday night we were coming in from a place in our area that is really close to the sea, its high tide season right now and both days this week we have walked barefoot home. ha ha With water up to our knees, last night we had a member with us, she walked through the flooded streets in her heels. ha ha I was astounded, but it was cool.
We won't be having specialized training this week, which means that we get to work for the whole week. We are way excited. Hopefully this week will be a memorable one, because Elder Memes is transferring next transfer. Oh yeah, I'm training next transfer. It is pretty crazy, I'm a little nervous, but I've been wanting to try it for a little while now. I'm still nervous though.
Last week, after we went and emailed, we went to this really high mountain, hiked to the top and took pictures, we didn't end up going to the monument, that I think will be next transfer, or possibly next Monday, it was still really pretty where we went, we could see the whole city of Mariveles on one side. On the other side we could see Quezon or Maynila. Ang Ganda Naman!
I went and did exchanges last week with a new missionary, that kid is soo teachable it was crazy. He was a sponge, he sucked in everything I told him.
It was a pretty good week, now for next week and preparation for next transfer. Wish me luck.
Elder Westwood
In case you didn't know already, fasting works!!!! Oh my, last week we had 2 investigators come to church, yesterday: 9! Its not a record by any means but its good for this area and we were way excited, especially Elder Memes. He hasn't had a lot of chances to fast here in the mission, so he was flying high yesterday (high on life of course). We had a baptism scheduled for next week but we're gonna have to push it back a little because they are not quite ready, but its alright, I'd rather have them prepared than not.
One of the families that came to church yesterday, has a son that is blind, and he can't walk, he started puking in Sunday school yesterday, so that wasn't very good, but after he did it, he felt fine and it didn't happen again. Then Sister Fe's 2 nieces came too and loved it. When asked if they were gonna come to church again, they replied, "yes, every week" it was really cool.
We actually had a fight yesterday too, ha ha 2 of the pioneer members, got in an argument about doctrine, the base problem was they were both really prideful and didn't want to admit that they were wrong or the other was right, one brother started swearing and stormed out of class and said he wanted his name taken off the records. That is one of the weakness' here and I think everywhere, sometimes we get to the point where, when we've been in the church we get proud of what we know, then we get a little too confident and people start getting offended. I think we all need to remember that we are all converts, all investigators, just at different spots on the conversion path. Neither conversion nor humility will happen over night it is a life long process that we all need to continually strive to do and perfect our ways and attitudes.
Last night and Friday night we were coming in from a place in our area that is really close to the sea, its high tide season right now and both days this week we have walked barefoot home. ha ha With water up to our knees, last night we had a member with us, she walked through the flooded streets in her heels. ha ha I was astounded, but it was cool.
We won't be having specialized training this week, which means that we get to work for the whole week. We are way excited. Hopefully this week will be a memorable one, because Elder Memes is transferring next transfer. Oh yeah, I'm training next transfer. It is pretty crazy, I'm a little nervous, but I've been wanting to try it for a little while now. I'm still nervous though.
Last week, after we went and emailed, we went to this really high mountain, hiked to the top and took pictures, we didn't end up going to the monument, that I think will be next transfer, or possibly next Monday, it was still really pretty where we went, we could see the whole city of Mariveles on one side. On the other side we could see Quezon or Maynila. Ang Ganda Naman!
I went and did exchanges last week with a new missionary, that kid is soo teachable it was crazy. He was a sponge, he sucked in everything I told him.
It was a pretty good week, now for next week and preparation for next transfer. Wish me luck.
Elder Westwood
Monday, November 1, 2010
1 Nov 2010
Hey everyone,
Well I got one more week done and we saw some great things happen, where we were in the right place at the right time. One time, was on Friday, I thought I was just hungry, we had missed lunch and I was really craving this thing called "Fish bowl" they are really good and I sweet talked a member into making the sauce for me. I would just buy it on the street but they just bawal-ed it, or ban it. it really blows! Anyways, so we thought we were going to buy fish bowl and we found squid bowl too! so a double bonus. Then as I was standing in the check-out line, I had this lady start talking to me, come to find out that she was a member, that had been excommunicated. I don't know why she got excommunicated but her husband committed adultery. I only know half the story but she expressed her desire to be baptized and go to church again for her children, then she told me she was an RM. To make a long story short, I told her that there was still hope, and not to lose hope, she has been told 10 different things from 10 different people, but I gave her the number to the Mission President, and I'll follow-up tomorrow if she called him or not.
In another one, Saturday, we went to get haircuts, the place we usually get our haircuts from was still closed so we were just kind of roaming around. We walked by this barber-shop in the market and had one of the barbers run after us and asked us if we were Mormons. We replied "yes" then he gave us a Book of mormon that someone had left in the CR across from their little shop. It was cool. We are looking for its owner right now, but it opened a door for us to be able to share and meet those men, and we got good looking haircuts as well! (double bonus again) ha ha.
Well I'm writing you guys from a little place called Mariveles today, it is beautiful. It's just a small little place surrounded by ocean/sea and its all green and mountainous, and stuff, I love it! We are going up to a monument after we get done emailing and stuff so that should be fun. The Elders are getting ready to move apartments and so president sent me and my comp. as well as the ZL's down to clean the apartment, and fix the stuff, it was fun. I let a little blood, sweat, but luckily no swear words. I even got invitations for marriage to 4 different girls ha ha.
Yesterday in church I got assigned to talk. The bishop came up to me and asked, Elder I have something to ask of you, I was like whats up? He said is there anyway you can speak today, I replied, "yeah no problem, how long? 5-10 minutes," he kind of looked away for a second, then was like can you speak for 15 minutes? I was like, hmmm, I'll try, I actually only ended up speaking for 10 minutes but it went by really quickly. Its probably a good thing he didn't tell me sooner, I tried preparing a talk a week before I was supposed to give it, it was soooo BORING! I lost everyone's attention. From that I learned, its easier to just get up and start talking, then let the Spirit take the wheel. ha ha. I talked about missionary work and how we needed to members help. I was bold but not overbearing...I think.
Last week I mentioned an old lady that we had given a blessing to because we were in the right place at the right time, well, I'm happy to report that she is okay now, but she is still in the hospital because her family can't pay the bill yet. I asked her son-in-law yesterday how much it was and he said 100,000 plus! I was like holy cow that's a lot of money, even in US dollars that's expensive, so hopefully they can find a way to pay it or come up with the money soon.
Well thats all I can think about this week, We opened up a new area for proselyting this week and we found a bunch of inactive members so hopefully we can give some projects to the Elders Quorum and the Relief Society.
Until next week
Elder Westwood.
Well I got one more week done and we saw some great things happen, where we were in the right place at the right time. One time, was on Friday, I thought I was just hungry, we had missed lunch and I was really craving this thing called "Fish bowl" they are really good and I sweet talked a member into making the sauce for me. I would just buy it on the street but they just bawal-ed it, or ban it. it really blows! Anyways, so we thought we were going to buy fish bowl and we found squid bowl too! so a double bonus. Then as I was standing in the check-out line, I had this lady start talking to me, come to find out that she was a member, that had been excommunicated. I don't know why she got excommunicated but her husband committed adultery. I only know half the story but she expressed her desire to be baptized and go to church again for her children, then she told me she was an RM. To make a long story short, I told her that there was still hope, and not to lose hope, she has been told 10 different things from 10 different people, but I gave her the number to the Mission President, and I'll follow-up tomorrow if she called him or not.
In another one, Saturday, we went to get haircuts, the place we usually get our haircuts from was still closed so we were just kind of roaming around. We walked by this barber-shop in the market and had one of the barbers run after us and asked us if we were Mormons. We replied "yes" then he gave us a Book of mormon that someone had left in the CR across from their little shop. It was cool. We are looking for its owner right now, but it opened a door for us to be able to share and meet those men, and we got good looking haircuts as well! (double bonus again) ha ha.
Well I'm writing you guys from a little place called Mariveles today, it is beautiful. It's just a small little place surrounded by ocean/sea and its all green and mountainous, and stuff, I love it! We are going up to a monument after we get done emailing and stuff so that should be fun. The Elders are getting ready to move apartments and so president sent me and my comp. as well as the ZL's down to clean the apartment, and fix the stuff, it was fun. I let a little blood, sweat, but luckily no swear words. I even got invitations for marriage to 4 different girls ha ha.
Yesterday in church I got assigned to talk. The bishop came up to me and asked, Elder I have something to ask of you, I was like whats up? He said is there anyway you can speak today, I replied, "yeah no problem, how long? 5-10 minutes," he kind of looked away for a second, then was like can you speak for 15 minutes? I was like, hmmm, I'll try, I actually only ended up speaking for 10 minutes but it went by really quickly. Its probably a good thing he didn't tell me sooner, I tried preparing a talk a week before I was supposed to give it, it was soooo BORING! I lost everyone's attention. From that I learned, its easier to just get up and start talking, then let the Spirit take the wheel. ha ha. I talked about missionary work and how we needed to members help. I was bold but not overbearing...I think.
Last week I mentioned an old lady that we had given a blessing to because we were in the right place at the right time, well, I'm happy to report that she is okay now, but she is still in the hospital because her family can't pay the bill yet. I asked her son-in-law yesterday how much it was and he said 100,000 plus! I was like holy cow that's a lot of money, even in US dollars that's expensive, so hopefully they can find a way to pay it or come up with the money soon.
Well thats all I can think about this week, We opened up a new area for proselyting this week and we found a bunch of inactive members so hopefully we can give some projects to the Elders Quorum and the Relief Society.
Until next week
Elder Westwood.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
25 October 2010
Hey everyone,
A couple weeks ago it was as if time had slowed down a ton, but not anymore, it is back to going very very fast. Holy cow. We went to Specialized training last Friday and had a good time. Learned a lot. And actually got to teach a little bit this week
We've been battling typhoons lately. That's been pretty fun. Getting soaked. It wasn't bad here (dang it), but up in Pangasisinan, where I came from, It was a signal 2 There was quite a bit of damage from what I heard. Then 1 missionary in my District is from Isabela, where the typhoon hit hardest (signal 4). So we are hoping that his family is okay.
Last week I fixed electric fans, and rewired some broken outlets in the house. I've got more to do this week. I had to bum some electrical wire off a member that is kind of a Mcgiver (I don't know how to spell his name, the guy that fixes anything). Me and Brother Valero get along really well. We go to his house every Thursday.
Work is still good here in Balanga, This area has farm land, and city in it, so i really look forward to the days that we are in the bukid, it gives me a chance to breath and relax a little.
Yesterday we went to pick up an investigator that is blind and he can't walk because of a brain tumor that he had when he was 9 years old. He's 10 now, well we went clear out to his house and couldn't find his mom, so they weren't able to go to church, it kinda stunk, If it weren't for PMG I'd say that we wasted our time going out there, but it says in PMG that "No effort is Wasted" at least we showed them our determination to get them to church. Satan is hard at work. He's affecting this work in so many ways. ahhh!! The health of the missionaries, the minds of the missionaries, the last minute problems that arise so that the member can't give the investigators a ride to church.
I had an interview with President Aquino on Friday, he got mad at me for doctoring myself. ha ha. I burnt my warts off with a nail and he got mad at me for that. Then on the other one, I cut the top off with scalpel blade then cauterized it. ha ha. He told me to buy silver nitrate then stick it on it.
On Tuesday, we were tracting, and all of a sudden the rain just came pouring down. So we ran to the Stake President's house to wait out the rain. They ended up feeding us dinner, Sinigang it is delicious. Then I kept thinking, we oughta go as soon as the rain lets up. But every time, I got ready to go, it got strong again. So we stayed, then we were talking about King Benjamin with President Baluyot, and His mother in law started having a really hard time breathing. Then everyone started running around crazy. Brother had to run and get the tricycle, Me and Elder gave her a blessing then we ran her out to the tricycle and they ran her to the hospital and me and Elder Memes walked home. When we were in the middle of nowhere the rain came shooting out of the sky like bullets and we got drenched! oh my gosh. There wasn't any skin that wasn't wet, then a Jeepnee driver had mercy on us and gave us a ride into the banyan. The cool part of the story is that we were supposed to stay at President's house so that we could bless sister. I am happy to report that Sister is doing fine now.
Yesterday we had a whopping 50 people at church, but the great thing is we got the bishop to call 2 more branch missionaries, and we had a great PEC meeting with him. I still have a lot of things I want to help them do before I transfer but we'll see how much the Lord lets me do.
Well, I gotta run. I love you all, Thank you for your support.
Elder Chase
A couple weeks ago it was as if time had slowed down a ton, but not anymore, it is back to going very very fast. Holy cow. We went to Specialized training last Friday and had a good time. Learned a lot. And actually got to teach a little bit this week
We've been battling typhoons lately. That's been pretty fun. Getting soaked. It wasn't bad here (dang it), but up in Pangasisinan, where I came from, It was a signal 2 There was quite a bit of damage from what I heard. Then 1 missionary in my District is from Isabela, where the typhoon hit hardest (signal 4). So we are hoping that his family is okay.
Last week I fixed electric fans, and rewired some broken outlets in the house. I've got more to do this week. I had to bum some electrical wire off a member that is kind of a Mcgiver (I don't know how to spell his name, the guy that fixes anything). Me and Brother Valero get along really well. We go to his house every Thursday.
Work is still good here in Balanga, This area has farm land, and city in it, so i really look forward to the days that we are in the bukid, it gives me a chance to breath and relax a little.
Yesterday we went to pick up an investigator that is blind and he can't walk because of a brain tumor that he had when he was 9 years old. He's 10 now, well we went clear out to his house and couldn't find his mom, so they weren't able to go to church, it kinda stunk, If it weren't for PMG I'd say that we wasted our time going out there, but it says in PMG that "No effort is Wasted" at least we showed them our determination to get them to church. Satan is hard at work. He's affecting this work in so many ways. ahhh!! The health of the missionaries, the minds of the missionaries, the last minute problems that arise so that the member can't give the investigators a ride to church.
I had an interview with President Aquino on Friday, he got mad at me for doctoring myself. ha ha. I burnt my warts off with a nail and he got mad at me for that. Then on the other one, I cut the top off with scalpel blade then cauterized it. ha ha. He told me to buy silver nitrate then stick it on it.
On Tuesday, we were tracting, and all of a sudden the rain just came pouring down. So we ran to the Stake President's house to wait out the rain. They ended up feeding us dinner, Sinigang it is delicious. Then I kept thinking, we oughta go as soon as the rain lets up. But every time, I got ready to go, it got strong again. So we stayed, then we were talking about King Benjamin with President Baluyot, and His mother in law started having a really hard time breathing. Then everyone started running around crazy. Brother had to run and get the tricycle, Me and Elder gave her a blessing then we ran her out to the tricycle and they ran her to the hospital and me and Elder Memes walked home. When we were in the middle of nowhere the rain came shooting out of the sky like bullets and we got drenched! oh my gosh. There wasn't any skin that wasn't wet, then a Jeepnee driver had mercy on us and gave us a ride into the banyan. The cool part of the story is that we were supposed to stay at President's house so that we could bless sister. I am happy to report that Sister is doing fine now.
Yesterday we had a whopping 50 people at church, but the great thing is we got the bishop to call 2 more branch missionaries, and we had a great PEC meeting with him. I still have a lot of things I want to help them do before I transfer but we'll see how much the Lord lets me do.
Well, I gotta run. I love you all, Thank you for your support.
Elder Chase
Sunday, October 17, 2010
18 Oct 2010
Hi Everyone!
Oh my gosh I love general Conference! We finally got to watch it yesterday and Saturday. There were so many talks that helped me so much with my investigators and helped me as well.
This last week has been a lot of travelling. I am so tired! Yesterday I was struggling to work. I couldn't keep my eyes open! Friday, Saturday, and Sunday we had to go to Orani which was about 1 hour away and we spent the whole day over there sitting and listening. On Friday we had Specialized training where I had to give a workshop. So that was fun. I have to do it again this week on Revelation thru the Book of Mormon. That should be an adventure.
On Tuesday I taught Elder Memes to extend the baptismal invitation. Ha ha every place we go he invites them to be baptized. It reminds me of Elder Calhoun in Best 2 Years. ha ha but our "investigators with a
baptismal Date" went from 4 to 15 ha ha. So that's good. We just need them to keep their commitments so they will be ready for baptism.
We have 1 investigator, 10 years old, and last year they found a tumor on his brain, leaving him blind and not being able to walk. But I tell you what. He is such a smart kid and he's so positive. ha ha I have never heard any negative thing come out of his mouth. He has a sweet personality. ha ha He'll sit there and joke with us and tell us secrets about his family. Next week we are gonna start going to his house and carrying to a nearby member so that he can go to church.
One sweet thing that happened. On Sunday, our funds were suffering a little bit, but luckily we ended up riding with some members and they took care of our fare. That was such a blessing. Oh my gosh. The members are really good to the missionaries over here just as long as they know you are doing your job as missionaries.
I'm finally getting used to life in the City.
Sorry this is short but we gotta go to a neighboring zone and clean their apartment and I gotta fix the broken appliances. Ha ha I'm the mission fix-it Elder.
Well gotta run.
Elder Chase.
Oh my gosh I love general Conference! We finally got to watch it yesterday and Saturday. There were so many talks that helped me so much with my investigators and helped me as well.
This last week has been a lot of travelling. I am so tired! Yesterday I was struggling to work. I couldn't keep my eyes open! Friday, Saturday, and Sunday we had to go to Orani which was about 1 hour away and we spent the whole day over there sitting and listening. On Friday we had Specialized training where I had to give a workshop. So that was fun. I have to do it again this week on Revelation thru the Book of Mormon. That should be an adventure.
On Tuesday I taught Elder Memes to extend the baptismal invitation. Ha ha every place we go he invites them to be baptized. It reminds me of Elder Calhoun in Best 2 Years. ha ha but our "investigators with a
baptismal Date" went from 4 to 15 ha ha. So that's good. We just need them to keep their commitments so they will be ready for baptism.
We have 1 investigator, 10 years old, and last year they found a tumor on his brain, leaving him blind and not being able to walk. But I tell you what. He is such a smart kid and he's so positive. ha ha I have never heard any negative thing come out of his mouth. He has a sweet personality. ha ha He'll sit there and joke with us and tell us secrets about his family. Next week we are gonna start going to his house and carrying to a nearby member so that he can go to church.
One sweet thing that happened. On Sunday, our funds were suffering a little bit, but luckily we ended up riding with some members and they took care of our fare. That was such a blessing. Oh my gosh. The members are really good to the missionaries over here just as long as they know you are doing your job as missionaries.
I'm finally getting used to life in the City.
Sorry this is short but we gotta go to a neighboring zone and clean their apartment and I gotta fix the broken appliances. Ha ha I'm the mission fix-it Elder.
Well gotta run.
Elder Chase.
Monday, October 11, 2010
11 Oct 2010
Hey guys!
Well, I made it through my first week in my new area! Barely! I'm assigned in an area called Balanga, Bataan. And its a City. ahhh. Can you believe it? I'm trying to still come to terms with it but I'll be okay. The Lord saw it fit to put me here and boy is it going to be a project.
We need to find a bunch of new investigators and help the ward out a ton. No problem though, its kind of the same situation I was in when I got assigned in Bani. The people are way nice here and yesterday we had the Primary program. We, as priesthood holders got to be part of it and stand in front of everyone and sing. The Bishop wasn't around though, they said he was at work. I dunno. But the stake president was there so I got to meet him. He's a very nice guy.
Last Tuesday I left Alaminos with 3 other missionaries; 2 of which traveled clear to Balanga with me. We got here about 4 pm that afternoon, wow was it a long day. Then we went to a couple appointments after I got here.
My Companion is from Bacolod, his first language is not Tagolog, so we're working on that, and his english. Then he does have the Philippino accent so he's helping me with that. After 6 months with an american I lost it and people couldn't really understand what I was saying. His last companion was trunky and ready to go home so he didn't learn to much from him. So I've had to train him again on a few things. Its gonna be fun. He's a good kid and he's pretty agressive, he'll talk to anyone anywhere. So that should pay off.
One cool thing is that everyone thinks I'm Filipino cuz I have squinty eyes and dark hair and I'm skinny, and kind of dark skin. I LOVE it!
Wish me luck on my project and until next week.
Elder Westwood.
Well, I made it through my first week in my new area! Barely! I'm assigned in an area called Balanga, Bataan. And its a City. ahhh. Can you believe it? I'm trying to still come to terms with it but I'll be okay. The Lord saw it fit to put me here and boy is it going to be a project.
We need to find a bunch of new investigators and help the ward out a ton. No problem though, its kind of the same situation I was in when I got assigned in Bani. The people are way nice here and yesterday we had the Primary program. We, as priesthood holders got to be part of it and stand in front of everyone and sing. The Bishop wasn't around though, they said he was at work. I dunno. But the stake president was there so I got to meet him. He's a very nice guy.
Last Tuesday I left Alaminos with 3 other missionaries; 2 of which traveled clear to Balanga with me. We got here about 4 pm that afternoon, wow was it a long day. Then we went to a couple appointments after I got here.
My Companion is from Bacolod, his first language is not Tagolog, so we're working on that, and his english. Then he does have the Philippino accent so he's helping me with that. After 6 months with an american I lost it and people couldn't really understand what I was saying. His last companion was trunky and ready to go home so he didn't learn to much from him. So I've had to train him again on a few things. Its gonna be fun. He's a good kid and he's pretty agressive, he'll talk to anyone anywhere. So that should pay off.
One cool thing is that everyone thinks I'm Filipino cuz I have squinty eyes and dark hair and I'm skinny, and kind of dark skin. I LOVE it!
Wish me luck on my project and until next week.
Elder Westwood.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
4 October 2010
Hey everyone,
Well we had the baptism yesterday for Mary Jane Bautista. It was sad because only a few members stuck around for it but she seemed pretty excited still, I was disappointed though. But that’s how it goes sometimes. She will be confirmed in 2 weeks. I hate waiting that long but that’ll be how it has to be because next week we have General Conference. Sadly I will not be around for the confirmation.
Today we just got out of our transfer meeting and I will be transferred. I am so sad about it but I know that the Lord needs me in another area to help someone else. This last couple transfers have been very rewarding, Our area is flourishing and we have been having 10+ investigators at church lately. Even though I am leaving I know that I am leaving the area in good hands.
Christmas season has now started here in the Philippines. Ahhh. Elder Pennock is already singing Christmas songs ha ha ha. I don’t know why but I’m such a scrooge. Its crazy how much times flies.
Saturday we went to Bolinao to do a baptismal interview because they told us that it was gonna be at 10 on Saturday. When we got there, we found out that there were no people at the church. Then the Eders showed up and were like we moved the time to 1:00 because our CSP time got changed, I was a lil frustrated. There is a serious lack of communication here in the Philippines that I really have a hard time with. It is so ingrained in their culture, I don’t know that it will ever change but one thing I try and teach to my companions is to be on-time always or run on gospel time. And always let people know what’s going on.
The husband of the lady that got baptized last week, he is golden! Oh my gosh. Since we taught him the first lesson. He has been reading the Book of Mormon every day. He cooks breakfast for his family and then sits and reads. The joy of his family is indescribable, he used to drink but not anymore and when he saw his wife get baptized he said that he wanted that to happen to him too. And he wanted the same feeling that he felt when she went under the water. We told him that it will happen and he will have the same feeling every day of his life, as long as he stays worthy. My only regret is that I won’t be around to see him be baptized but he is ready and will be baptized and that will have to be enough.
Huellas family is about there too and I think that they will be baptized soon enough. I just am praying that they will continue to investigate and grow in the gospel after I am gone.
Well I gotta run.
Until next week, in my new area,
Elder Westwood
Well we had the baptism yesterday for Mary Jane Bautista. It was sad because only a few members stuck around for it but she seemed pretty excited still, I was disappointed though. But that’s how it goes sometimes. She will be confirmed in 2 weeks. I hate waiting that long but that’ll be how it has to be because next week we have General Conference. Sadly I will not be around for the confirmation.
Today we just got out of our transfer meeting and I will be transferred. I am so sad about it but I know that the Lord needs me in another area to help someone else. This last couple transfers have been very rewarding, Our area is flourishing and we have been having 10+ investigators at church lately. Even though I am leaving I know that I am leaving the area in good hands.
Christmas season has now started here in the Philippines. Ahhh. Elder Pennock is already singing Christmas songs ha ha ha. I don’t know why but I’m such a scrooge. Its crazy how much times flies.
Saturday we went to Bolinao to do a baptismal interview because they told us that it was gonna be at 10 on Saturday. When we got there, we found out that there were no people at the church. Then the Eders showed up and were like we moved the time to 1:00 because our CSP time got changed, I was a lil frustrated. There is a serious lack of communication here in the Philippines that I really have a hard time with. It is so ingrained in their culture, I don’t know that it will ever change but one thing I try and teach to my companions is to be on-time always or run on gospel time. And always let people know what’s going on.
The husband of the lady that got baptized last week, he is golden! Oh my gosh. Since we taught him the first lesson. He has been reading the Book of Mormon every day. He cooks breakfast for his family and then sits and reads. The joy of his family is indescribable, he used to drink but not anymore and when he saw his wife get baptized he said that he wanted that to happen to him too. And he wanted the same feeling that he felt when she went under the water. We told him that it will happen and he will have the same feeling every day of his life, as long as he stays worthy. My only regret is that I won’t be around to see him be baptized but he is ready and will be baptized and that will have to be enough.
Huellas family is about there too and I think that they will be baptized soon enough. I just am praying that they will continue to investigate and grow in the gospel after I am gone.
Well I gotta run.
Until next week, in my new area,
Elder Westwood
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