This week has been amazing, we haven't had a lot of lessons, but we have had really good lessons! Tuesday we had a training in Tolosa and it was just great. The mission has new standards for all the missionaries, to make sure we are ready for any kind of calling in the mission. It involves a lot of memorization of scripture and I have memorized the articles of faith and d&c 4 in 2 days. It's awesome! The mission is going to have a really big change here really soon. So just a minute ago I got to see elder mits again (a companion from the MEC) but he is going home for surgery on his ankle and to have his tonsils out. But I got an email from elder leichman saying he is in the MTC and will be back in about 3 to 6 weeks. Its really cool, he is working in the referral office while he is healing. We have had some really good lessons this week. One was with a family where the wife is a member but the husband and here kids aren't. They are super fun to be around, they have 3 small kids and are just trying to get by. The only real reason why he isn't baptized yet "is because he works on Sunday". We just think his testimony isn't strong enough, but he is getting there. He is reading the BofM (Book of Mormon) almost every day and he is learning a lot. We are just hoping to find that one thing that causes a change in him.
On Thursday we were invited to a birthday in a really far away part of our area. We went and another member came with us and we talked and helped with all of the stuff they did. Then went to another members house and waited for their motor to come get us. It poured rain on the way home, and we were on the back of a motor cycle so not to fun. Got a little wet, but that's ok because we bought rubber shoes for like 4 dollars the other day so my shoes are fine.
Friday the 13th, lol, it was cleaning day for the whole mission. so no work but our apartment looks so good! We did whats called haras, its cutting the grass, but you use a stick and a machete! Its really fun but we got lots of blisters. Then we cut down some banana trees in our yard that are dieing so that they can grow again. Then the mayorga elders decided to punch one down! It was amazing! All we did was punch it over and over again until it was weak and the top half fell over. Then I grabbed my machete and jumped up and chopped it in half with one swing. It was awesome! Elder ostler has a video, I'll get and send to you all some time.
Saturday we had a really great lesson with a family where all the kids and the dad are inactive but dad has been to the temple. We shared with them and left smiles on their faces. They were all good members before but dad stopped going so his sons did too, not good. But dad came to church, so if we keep that going it will only be a matter of time before they all come back. Then we taught one more lesson and went to another training in tolosa for all auxiliary leaders. The stats for the Philippines are ridiculous. They basically just said, you all are not good enough yet and have to step up. There are 170,000 single adult members in the philippines but only 17,000 are active! Not good. The prophet has said that if we don't save the rising generation, in the next 50 years or so there will be no more church in the Philippines. We have a huge job to do!
Sunday we had 42 attendance again but had 10 people who weren't there the week before. We could easily get 50 plus. oh well, it'll happen some day.
The reason why this email is coming a little late is because we had a zone activity this morning we played foot ball and Frisbee on the beach and got a little sunburned, but its all worth it. Our zone is amazing but I guess it has to be since it is the most struggling zone in the mission. But every week attendance is going up and members are returning. I know in a few months this place will be amazing. One problem is I don't want to leave yet and everyone tells me I'm leaving and that I have been here for too long. I just love it and not sure how I will take to the difference in work. Oh well, it all depends on the Lord.
I love you all and miss you a lot, but its going so fast I'm not too worried. well until next week
ingat sila sa iyo
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