178 days left

Hey Mom.

This week was really great! We tried really hard to finish all our stuff in the office so we could go out and work. We taught so many lessons this week! SOme in waray some in cebuano and others in tagalog. i really enjoy that part of my mission. Elder Rivera is really good at teaching me Tagalog. He has even taught me some of his native language of Akeanan. (aklanon). 

So just an update with some of our investigators. This week we met with jonathan everyday! He is improving so much! One night we were late for our lesson and he thought that we werent going to show up so he prayed that we would show up cuz he missed us and then maybe an hour later, we showed up. The look on his face when we showed up. holy cow. it was really awesome! He is now PROGRESSING. he made his girlfriend move out so he could live the law of chastity, he doesnt smoke or drink anymore. he is reading the book of mormon everyday, and he is coming tochurch. his baptism should be on may 18. im really excited for that. This is the first time in my mission that the person actually stopped their "live in". He is doing great. 

We also have a new investigator. She is super professional. her house is huge! One night we were teaching her, and towards the end of the lesson her dad pulled up in a big ole car and got out and started yelling at us asking us what we were doing at his house. He was frustrated that she didnt tell him that we were teaching her. But she told us that she had talked to her dad and he said it was fine... so kinda scary. then the next day, we were finishing up work in the office and we walked out the door, but i had to go back inside and grab it (I'm on the edge of my seat...grab what?). so maybe five mins later, we left the office. we then went to the street to catch a jeep. As we were waiting, some big ole car pulls up and the guy says get it! we looked closer to see who it was, and it was her dad! he took us to the place we were going and then we talked with him and kinda gave him the rundown of what we were doing and what our purpose is. here is the cool part. the first time while he was yelling at us. kinda in mixed tagalog and english,  i looked at him and started speaking waray to him. he then was shocked and listened to me as i told him who we were and what we were doing. It really is a great thing that we as missionaries can speak to people in their own language. they are so shocked and then are super kinda taken aback. and then they want to talk with you some moe.. its really cool.

Well ive gotta go, i love you

Love Elder Smith

You mentioned that you were able to take all 17 new missionaries at once...how in the heck were you able to do that?

we took 3 cars and squished them all in.

"we ferried people to the bus station " usually when you say ferried...you mean boats...is that the case? 

no. we take missionaries by the bunch to the terminal in the car.

do you only get mail once a week? or do you get it everyday?  Is the mail system the same as here?

the supply goes one time a week. the system here is prolly the same system the US had in 1946. hehehe

did you ever get the christmas card? or ty's eagle invitation?

yeah i got those!!

keep in contact with elder ostler? or elder wood?

Not much.. i always forget to email them.

Anyone write you an email that doesn't normally?

sister Neilson did.. 

Are you on any medication?  just suffering through it?

I dont want to take meds or go to the doctor... its not that bad.

You mentioned last time that you will be there one more transfer?  when is the next transfer?  and are you starting to train someone yet to replace you?  what will you miss?  would you sacrifice all the goodies (ac...washing machines...dryers...food?)for regular ole' missionary work?

the new tranfer starts this week. hopefully, i get a trainee. im not sure yet... i will know on friday.

do you have a favorite hymn?

Yeah.. i have a couple.... Hie to kolob. Truth reflects upon our senses. isreal isreal God is calling...just to name a few.