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..