198 days left

hey this is some free time that i have! So that's super cool that you are going to visit great grampa Smith.

 SO... I will tell you what happened for Easters... So as you know, the catholic church here is so prominent and huge. It dominates the smaller religions here. So They are so crazy, so evil,(in my opinion) so twisted in their logic, its almost sad. So i don't know if you know, but  at least here, the catholic people gather every Easters and celebrate the death of Jesus. Every "good Friday" they abstain from alcohol, they don't eat meat, and do other silly things. Everyone stays home and basically pretends like its the sabbath day. Like for example, all the stores close, people don't come out of the house, they just go to their annual church mass and go back home. One things that they do here that might be exclusively here is Human Crucifixion. The church chooses one member to take upon himself the role as "Fake Jesus". they in turn believe that by crucifying him, they are forgiven of their sins.SO, this man starts his journey by walking to the large catholic chapel, they then give him a whip and he then starts whipping himself. at one point they take the whip and give him something with shards of glass embedded into it which he then rakes his back with. After that, they give him the cross. he carries the cross until he reaches the large church. They then (2010 was the last actual) nail him to the cross for a period of time. They have people who are dressed as roman guards that watch the crosses. This year they had a man do all of that except the actual nailing to the cross. We drove by the catholic church as they were closing the roads to let the man walk to the church. We saw the three crosses put up and saw that they used a doll/dummy instead of the real guy. We took some pictures of some scary guys that the church uses to get money. They go door to door with no shoes knocking and then asking people "Where is Jesus?" they then ask for money. Some of the Elders that live in that area had them come to there house. This all takes place in Palo. its like Springville to Provo distance wise. so just a few mins away from Tacloban. I will attach some pictures. We weren't allowed to work on Friday, so we stayed home and cleaned the apartment.

Ok. well i love ya lots and stuff! Be safe of your journey to California!
Love Elder Smith

questions:

get the package yet?  do you like the tie?  do you like the treats?  what's your favorite? did you share with mulitple  people?

Maybe it will be here today, we will get the mails later.

what're you doing for easters?

Cleaning!!

what did you do this last week?

Lots of paper work! This week i get to drive the MTC president around. he is speaking in a youth conference.

favorite pday activity?

Prolly B-ball.. we were going to go golfing, but not enough people wanted to. so this next monday.

213 days left

hey mom, so nothing really new this week.but this last week was transfer week. on wednesday, we picked up the new missonaries from the airport. it was cool being able to pick all 17 of them up. when i saw sister nelson, it was wierd cuz she looked completly different than from what i remember.. haha it was kinda like a hey hows it goin.... then thats all.. we really didnt know each other that well...she got me confused with jensen cuz she didnt think that i had been out for as long as i had.. haha.. but apparently her little sister is really "Tight '' with Tyler.. so that was cool to find out. so we pretty much just hung out with the new missionaries on wednesday, then thursday, we had the newbie orientations. President asked me to make a PowerPoint presentation of my responsibilities. it was fun. i made it a few minutes before i delivered it.. haha..

 

then friday was kinda a mess. in the morning, during transfer meeting president texted us and told us to take his wife to the store so she could get cooking ingredients for the lunch. so we did, then went back just in time for the lunch. after that, we are supposed to take the missionaries to the bus station so they dont have to pay so much for their luggage. but we went to the hospital cuz elder mahoni was sick. He had a super high fever and stuff.. they diagnosed him with UTI..not fun. so after that, we ferried people to the bus station and then President called us and told us to come to his house after. He then served us some yummy ice cream. it was nice. then saturday we were able to work. it was also nice. we just went around finding people. knocking on doors, you know, the normal missionary stuff. We met a guy called kuki. we told him about the book of mormon and who we are and stuff and we set a return appointment for later tonight. we will see what will happen. We are especially looking to teach a family. We made a goal to find and baptize a family. i hope we can find one. it shouldnt be to hard...

 

Well thats about it for this week. hope you didnt get to many pinches... We had no idea it was st. patricks day. But yesterday was Sister Andayas birthday. We sang her a song. Also, i found a Tagalog childrens hymn book. its sooooo awesome!! all the child songs but in tagalog.

 

Well i love ya very much.

Love Elder Smith

questions:

in your last letter you mentioned that you had some scallops...you likey? or is that on your do not ever eat again. I LOVE them.

They were pretty good, not my favorite thing in the whole world, but i would try them again.

 also, you mentioned that you sang hymn # 58...did you sing it in english? or cebuano?

English... it was cool. we sang it in parts and did a staccato version for the second verse.

 

what's new in the office?

ummm.... nothing really... hehe

 

Newest bug or spider or lizard you've met?

im not sure... i will find one this week hopefully

 

Can you send pictures this time about cleaning the bukid? or anything?

yeah...... i totally forgot... i will send some to you.

220 days left

Hey mom, this week was pretty filled.. ill try to remember everything exciting thta happened. so last monday we played basketball. All the Zone Leaders came and it was super fun. tuesday, I had a meeting with the Mission Presidency. it was ok.. long and boring, but this time we went to Ochos. one of the nicest places to eat in all of region 8. It was super good. i had some scallops, some pork shishkabobs. and Lapu Lapu. a kind of fish in a marasa sweet and sour sauce. so wednesday was not really rememberable... (is that a word?) thursday, was....pretty much the same.. actually, the system we use was down all week so it was a really stressful time. i couldnt contact the people to arrange ticktets for the returning people and for the arrival people. so then friday we had a service project. We cleaned all of Basey. (Ba-Sigh) it is a small town in the bukid. we cleaned it all.. ha.. we did that with the zone.. i will send some pictures. then saturday, i finished all the paperwork and stuff to give to the new missionaries. it took a really long time to finish it. sigh...* but its all done now... so sunday was cool. we sung a special musical number in sacrament. it was pretty sweet. we are the next big thing.. we sung Hymn number 58. Come ye children of the Lord. then we had our staff meeting. thats about it... hehe oh on tuesday, we were able to visit our investigator Jonathon. he is doing ok... his GF wants to be Re-baptised.. we are going to teach her that she doesnt need to be rebaptised to be cleansed from sin.. its really sad that people that have been members for a long time dont know this. We are helping in a big way. teaching all the simple doctrine to the people of the mountains.. 
Well thats about it..

I love you
Elder Smith

questions:

How cool that you got to be with Elder Wood again!  When does he go home?  It must be pretty soon now if he was your trainer...what's the best thing about him?

He went home this afternoon. I took him to the airport and said my final goodbyes It was weird.  He was a really good friend. always helpful.

Funniest thing that happened this week?

i dont think you will think its very funny but i will try my best to make it sound funny for you. i was just talking to some elders as we were eating lunch i we were talking about something, i dont remember what, but we were speaking Tagalog and i said "Ganon Lagi" Ganon, is tagalog for "like, or is like this." and lagi is cebuano as an expressi0n.. like the word "Really" it was just so super funny cuz we were all speaking in tagalog and i mixed in cebuano.. i really dont think you would think its funny... but it was really funny. and the elders here in the office still make fun of me.

who said this...Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery, but today is a gift, that is why we call it present."

President Eyring???  funny boy...it was master  ugway from kungfu panda...but really I loved that you thought it was an apostle.

you know i really thought i heard him say that in one of his last talks...

So when are transfers coming?  Did you already pick up the girl you knew from school?

transfers are this week. i will get her tomorrow.

Have you given away any ctr rings  yet? and to whom?

yeah i gave them all away. to the cebuano missionaries  and to some people here in the office

Have you held any chickens?

naw... they are gross and have gross bugs and dirty stuff on em..

Have you seen anyone kill/butcher a chicken? or any animal for that matter?

yeah.. lots! i wish i would have taken pictures, but in catarman we baught chickens live and killed them and cooked em up.. I have learned lots of ways to kill and cook a chicken..

What did you do for pday today?

today i took care of all the departing missionaries and took them to the airport.

Teagan asks...what's your favorite food?

I love a dish called Becol Express. its super spicey and has beef, coconut milk, and green beans. and NO, i dont eat the green beans.. hehe

Owen asks:  What's your favorite meeting so far?

I have special access to all of the meeting of the misson, and my favorite one is Departure meeting. All the departing missionaries saying their testimonies and sharing all the cool experiences and stuff.. really inspiring. and motivating.

Kristina asks to translate a catch phrase..."thanks for nothing, you useless reptile"

ok haha.. Salamat sa wara, waray ka gamit nga buwaya.

228 days left

Hello Mom.

I think this was one of the funniest emails i have ever gotten.. hahahahahahaa i laughed so hard when i read about the cw class thing.. hahahahahahahahahahahahaha 

anyways,  this week was an ok week. Nothing really special nothing really bad to screw it up. Just yesterday, i found a book called putting on the armor of God-How to fight your personal battle with satan.. it is so good. i would recommend it. I have a whole new perspective on fighting temptations now. its so much easier now that i understand really the whole thing going on with satan and his minions. 

Well we went on exchanges this week. I went with my trainer elder wood. we are good friends. it was nice being able to hang out with him. They had a baptism that we attended. it was real fun. Also this week, they had a cluster meeting where all the church leaders gathered in tacloban and had a training from the area 70s. i like having the responsibility to pick them up. its nice to be with people who hang out with President Monson. They are real cool guys. Maybe Grandma has heard of Brent Nielson, from twin falls. we talked about that for a minute. it was fun being able to relate to someone. He is in the area presidency here in the Philippines.

So this next transfer, we have nine missionaries departing, and 17 noobs coming in. 11 of them being sisters. its gonna be fun seeing sister Nelson from my school. im also still super excited to see Amanda.

Well i love you lots and hope you have the best week in the world!

Love Elder Smith

How is your investigator Jonathon progressing?  how bout that one guy that had to get permission from salt lake.

He just told us that he had been drinking, so we are kinda just slowing down and making sure that he understands everything before we continue with the baptism. he should have his marital papers all lined up now so that shouldnt be a problem.. we will see.

Still have all the same people in the office? 5?

nope.... just four now. Me-Travel secretary, Elder Rivera-Recorder Elder Lucenta-Finance Secretary Elder Landingin- Supply Manager. then the two Assistants. but they dont count as office elders.

 Would you like a pedigree chart MORE than what you had in the mtc?

maybe just one with my grandparents line and up.. just to rule out that we are not related to Joseph Smith... hehhe everyone and their dog asks me....

We're going to register you for uvu for now...are there other schools you'd like?

Yea... basically the five biggest schools in utah... BYU USU UOFU Etc...

can you send home your sd card yet?

well i could, but i kinda want to save them so that i can just have one big narration party when i get home..

Package come yet?  I'm getting ready to send you another one...any little requests?? it's pretty full already...

Yes! it was great!! You just send me what ever you want.. hehe i will be so happy with whatever you send me :)

who said this...Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery, but today is a gift, that is why we call it present."

President Eyring???

you asked me a long time ago about missionaries in china...what have you heard?  I have heard some rumors but I have heard nothing formal or official...

I was just wondering if they are getting sent into china yet....

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..