235 days left

Hey mom, hows it goin? I'm doing OK here. im not sick or hurt at all or anything. the subject was a joke (he put facial reconstruction surgery...after not hearing from him for two weeks!). hahaha hopefully you laugh and not think that is was a sick joke..:) Anyways, These last two weeks have been so stressful. I have never been stressed like this in my life. i think this part of my mission is like the experience Joseph Smith has in the 122nd section verse 7. When i ask why is it so crazy stressful, this is my answer... experience and benefit.. Its good enough for me to keep on enduring. haha. so we are just plugin away at all the office work and finalizing all the flight schedules for the departing missionaries.

 We were able to play basketball this morning. it was nice, some of the more athletic people transferred out of our zone, but it was still a fun time. Im still not good.. haha.. i wish they played more soccer. ive been practicing some of the tricks we used to do at home. its fun and nice to do something that feels natural.

So here is prolly the highlight of the week. Sunday, we were in Sacrament meeting. It ended, and all of a sudden, we see a small black man talking to our bishop. then i just kinda went on with going to the next class and didnt think much of it. The assistants talked with this man (who will later been named) and the man told them that he wanted to be like them. so he rushed back to his house, and changed into an all white outfit. odd but ok. so by the time he got back, we were almost halfway through Elders quorum. After that we went up and talked with him. His name is King Solomon. nope, not kidding. He is from Nigeria. He has a diamond and gold business in Africa, and he owns a restaurant here in Tacloban. So he told us that he had "been fighting the devil" and during his "spiritual fight", he saw the steeple of the church and ran to it. So he asked us to help him. so we decided to teach him. So Elder Nelson(AP) and i started teaching him the Restoration. We felt it would be best if two english speakers taught him cuz he had a big accent and was hard to understand sometimes. So we taught him and he just ate it up.. He one time threw up his hands and said "thank you Jesus, Thank God" then drop to his knees and start bawling, then lay on his back and start rolling around shouting "thank the Lord Jesus, Thank God". He also told us that when he walked into the church, he felt like he was at home. It was really great to hear how receptive he is. But, he might just be a crazy man. Well maybe not crazy, just.. maybe scattered? that would be a good word to use for him. if he had proper molding i think he could be normal. so we will see what happens from here on out. hopefully he will stay in contact with us..

So yea. thats about it this week. Also, i have a few questions. maybe this week you and dad could look into applying to schools? I have been getting a strong feeling that i need to start that process now. 
Also, my next question is: How far back do we have our genealogy? and if you could maybe attach something with that... i think thats about it... i will prolly remember some later, then forget them when i write you next week. haha we will see.OH.. haha DAD, what lvl are in perfect world? are you still noobing around in that game?

Well i love ya lots. hope your week is great!
Love Elder C-Dog/Chadsdude hehehe :)

Is your camera only taking pictures in black and white? or is there a setting?  It seems like lately that you're only sending black and white photos.  and that's ok. just wondering.

No... i dont know why it sent them in black and white... i will check the settings

You said last time (this was my first time on my own so it was a bit bumpy seeing as i had to do it with completley zero knowledge of how to do it. but it went over smoothly.) that you had no knowledge of how to do it...didn't you have someone training you last time during elders leaving?  

yeah i did but  it really didnt help me at all.. it was not clear at all... lots of guess work.

I find it interesting that you send me a picture of another elder with marks all over his body...now..did he send his mom a picture of YOU with welts all over your body so she wouldn't (or I) get worried?  Do you have a picture of your welts? Oh...wait you're too good to get welts right?  You have arnis sticks skills?

we were just fighting and his body got all welted up.. so we just took a pic to show it... he was the only one that got welts on his body....

I think I ask in another email why you can't hold babies?  why is that?  

i think its just for precautions sake...it says in the missionary hand book not to do it cuz of increasing legal complexities and what not....

any package yet?  I know it's too soon but maybe...I sent it on Sat. Feb. 9.  

maybe tomorrow.... we get the mail then.

How are you feeling?  sick lately? 

ive had a bit of a cough and runny nose. but other than that im all good.

248 days left

Hello Mates! This week was the week for the departing missionaries. I made all the certificates and fancy papers and great things for them. This was my first time on my own so it was a bit bumpy seeing as i had to do it with completley zero knowledge of how to do it. but it went over smoothly. Last night we had The departing devotional. It was so spiritual. All those spiritual giants bearing thier individual witness of the truthfullness of the Gospel. Its great. i love having my testimony boosted in those situations. They really do help me keep my eye focused on the glory of God.
     So this next transfer is going to be a fast one. It will only be four weeks long. So i have a lot of stuff to do in a shorter amount of time.. hopefully it will all be well.; buyag.. 
OK so i found what i have been looking for my whole mission. Arnis sticks. they are martial art sticks that are padded a bit. so it still hurts like no other, but it is sooo fun. Attached is the result of our fights. its great!! we went absolutely crazy last night. well, i hope this next week week goes smoothly. its transfer week again. ha..

Well i wish you all a happy valentines day.
Love you all.
Elder Smith

questions

so did you get amanda's information?

Yes i sure did!! it was sooo cool finding her profile and stuff.. 

weirdest thing you ate? 

umm... i had a lot of fast food this week. we are treated a lot for food the week before and of. its great.

How high (on your body) has a flood gotten?  Like have you had to walk in flooded areas before?  

Just up to my shoes.. I havent been in a huge flood yet.. sayang.. 

Where/when was your scariest moment on your mission? (it's ok...you won't scare me)

ummm.. im not really sure.. there have been lots.. i will think of some...

Is Valentine's day celebrated at all?  or something similar?

yea.. its here too.. all the wards are having different little parties and get togethers and fun dating stuff.. we are not allowed to go to any of them.. i wonder why??? hehe

Poor old chap!  Christian is holding his shirt.

256 days left

Dear mom, this week was ok. 

We were able to visit an investigator of ours named Francis. he is half Indonesian and half Philipino.. He is the son of one of the recent converts in our ward. we teach him in english cuz he doesnt know how to speak waray or any other language.. its really weird teaching and speaking to people in english. Our other  investigator is progressing pretty well. he is still having a hard time with work.. he always has to watch over the construction site so it doesnt get stolen from. He is doing well in our lessons. We have asked for help from the ward to get ahold of his birth certificate. he cant get married without it. He said all his documents got lost or destroyed in a storm. sad really.. basically you have no legal proof that you exist. im glad that i have been blessed to be born into a country where the legal systems is "organized".. (i hear obama is doing some dumb stuff). so We also have been visiting a less active.. she is pretty great.. she is a fun person, with great faith, but just maybe lacks the motivation to come to church. She thought that she could just be baptized and say all is well, i donthave to go to church anymore. We told her that one of the most important parts of life is endurance. Something that i have come to find out in my mission. There are some things that have happened in my mission that have or are causing me to endure. Im greatfull for the mountains that i must climb. Without opposition, there would be no good, no progression, or no positive. Over the last.. However long i have been out here, ive also learned that the hardest things in life are not overcoming trials, but overcoming your self. (wow, wow...this stuff is amazing!!)  i am continually humbled, and brought to my knees in humble prayer asking for divine help and guidance. im happy with the progress ive made so far in my life. I hope that i will always be able to progress like this throughout the rest of my life. \

Im super excited for amanda to come here! i think she will love it.

I love you all 

Elder Smith

as far as your qs...

I will get some sundangs.... tell Brother Ostler that he is a bading. say Bading ka daw..

--
ELDER CHRISTIAN SMITH

(questions from last time, not answered)

Would you ask some sisters (from america) what they wished they knew, brought, didn't bring, etc to the mission.  They'd like a very detailed list or answer.  Maybe if you could ask a couple gals.

Yea.. i will ask..

I can't remember what you've said about drinking water...do you always buy bottled water?  boil it? I think you've said that you drink other people's water but what do you at your own apartment?

the mission provides purified drinking water to all the missonaries.

Are there always elders in the office never sisters? (don't laugh)

Nope.. just elders... in other missions, they have senior missionaries do our job..

Last time it seemed like maybe, perhaps you were having a better time in the office...I guess it depends on what you do for your pday?

umm yea.. im not in love with it.. but its ok.. im making it work..

Since you sent home your coat...will amanda need a sweater at least?  Does it ever get cold cold?  when I looked at the temp there...it's not been lower than 77 these last couple weeks.

nahh... she wont need one at all. just a really stable, small umbrella. i have had to buy soooo many umbrellas here..