Business as Usual

Yet another week gone by. I hardly even remember what happened the last 7 days...Hmm, Elder Hall got transferred. Pawin's new companion is Elder Betancourt, who is from Virginia. He's a pretty chill dude. The four of us are already all pretty tight. This is his last cycle in the mission, so there will probably be a lot of partying going on out here in Angadanan these next six weeks haha.

This last Saturday, everything went well with our baptism for Jazel and Mary Grace. Let me attach some more inside scoop on my thoughts:

I may have mentioned this in the past, but when I first got here in Angadanan, Jazel was a pretty long time investigator and was kind of addicted to coffee. But we challenged her to give it up a little bit at a time and once she did, I think that was when the changes really started happening and she was able to take those step towards coming unto Christ and being ready for baptism.

It was awesome to see the changes that occurred within these two young women because of the gospel and the lessons we taught them and the spirit they felt. The gospel of Jesus Christ and this church truly changes lives. However, baptism is not the end of the road. We need to continue on helping them strengthen their testimony and growing in the gospel.  

So yeah, the gospel is incredible! Other than that...well I guess we are still just doing our thing teaching people and bringing souls unto Christ. I apologize that it's come to a point in time that I struggle to produce long, extravagant messages. But as for now, my mind is kind of blank and I truly don't know what to say. Sorry fellas..Have a great week!

The Meat Loaf Thief

So last week I started to tell a 'mystery story' but today I realized that I never finished it. You were all probably rather confused about why having the kitchen in a separate building is so mysterious haha. But anyways, last Sunday night, we got home from working to find that someone had visited a kitchen. No valuables were taken-just a lot of food. And they were very selective about which food they took. The thief seemed to have a preference to meat loaf, because they stole all of that. It was kind of annoying, but I also found it kind of funny and a nice little story. So that is that.

Today we got the transfer list. I was pretty much fine either way on staying or leaving but anyways, I will be spending a fourth cycle here in Angadanan. We extended a baptismal invitation to Mary Grace this last week and she says she is ready to go. Her and Jazel fellowshipped us in our work yesterday, which I think was good for them in their preparation for baptism, which we actually moved up to this upcoming Saturday the 24th, instead of the 31st. So hopefully everything goes alright with that.

Other news for the week: I went on splits with our DL Elder Young this last week, which went pretty good. (For a picture of us, refer to last week when we are kicking it on a large rock) Also, my MTC teacher Brother Ward was here in the Philippines so he shot me an e-mail and stopped by to visit. How chill is that! 

With Brother Ward

And lastly, yesterday was the baptism of Naneng Valencia. She recently turned eight years old and comes from a family of all members, but I think something is kind of wrong with tatay's hand, so they requested that I be the one to baptize her. Well that's it for now. Hope everyone has a good week!

Pagbibinyag ni Naneng (Baptism)

Last district pic

Aglipay Caves Pics

Happy Mother's Day! I personally am so very grateful for my mother and all she has done for me in my life. I was thankful for the opportunity I had to Skype with my family so like I said last week, I will keep things short.

This last week I finished the New Testament, 'Jesus the Christ', as well as the Book of Mormon for my 3rd time. All these books are so incredible, especially the B.O.M and I encourage anyone who hasn't read it cover to cover, to do so.

Yesterday we had 70 people attend sacrament meeting which is the most in quite some time. Among them were Jazel Paggao and her cousin Mary Grace, marking their 3rd straight week. We actually gave Jazel a baptismal date for May 31 so I'm hoping that goes through. Our transfer day is May 21 and next Monday I find out if I'm transferred or not, and I would say there's about a 50/50 chance.

A nice little mystery story: Our kitchen is in a separate building. Once again, love you all. As promised, here are the pictures from Aglipay Caves last week. Enjoy!

 Some of the bros

We had to crawl through this hole 

Elder Phippen and me

 Elder Young and me

 Emerging from the depths of the cave

Don't Stop Believing

Hello friends. It's been a pretty fun week. Quick investigator update:

Yesterday two of our investigators-Jazel (Paggao) and Mary Grace-attended church for the second consecutive week. The problem for Jazel in the past about coming to church was she didn't want to come alone but we recently started teaching her cousin Mary Grace and they have also both made a lot of progression in the lessons and we are hoping that we are about ready to extend them a baptismal date.

Exciting right! Anyways, this week we also had a service project with our district at Angadanan High School, hauling bricks and pulling weeds together. It is pretty cool that even though we see those from our district once or sometimes a twice a week that we have developed unity with each other; So Wednesday was one of the funnest (and yes I know that 'funnest' is gramatically incorrect...) times that I have ever had pulling weeds haha. 

 District service project

The other Angadanan elders had splits this week so Elder Hall worked in the area of Elder Seiuli and Seiuli came and worked with Elder Pawin. He is from Samoa and he is pretty sweet. I have never met a Polynesian I didn't love. They are so friendly and way chill. And they eat a ton haha. I hope I get a Poly comp sometime in my mission.

Earlier today we had a zone activity and went to the Aglipay Caves. Although they are close to my first area Cabarroguis, I never had the chance to go in my first two cycles this was my first time and they were pretty awesome. I've got some sweet pics but it's getting a little late right now so I think I will just let you guys wait until next week to see our pictures. But I will include a sneak peak-so we rode on top of a jeepney on the way there. The fresh green hip hop shirt made an appearance and with our hair flowing in the wind, singing joyous tunes as we went-from Journey (see also: Title. It's a good motto for us all in life!) all the way down to Soulja Boy-the two hour ride itself was a jolly old time in and of itself.

On top of the jeepney

Well Mother's Day is next week so I am looking forward to Skyping home! It seems like I was just barely Skyping for Christmas, so time is really flying by! So I am looking forward to that but until that time, have a good week everyone!

P.S: Happy Birthday this last week to two of my main men, Jeffrey Leon Hurst and Dirty Bouls Couls Rich. Love you guys!