I Ate a Snail for Breakfast

And it was not that bad.  This week has been filled with fun and I do not know where to start.  Let us see…Allan Jay Unida is now a member of the Church.   Allan has gone through so many trials, especially in the past weeks.  He was scared and decided 3 separate times that he did not desire to be baptized.  But he knew that this is the true Church and he needed to be baptized like Christ by the authority of God.  Since his confirmation yesterday,  I have never seen him so happy.

This week we also taught Walter, a referral from some other sisters in the branch.  The other sisters gave him a pamphlet about the Plan of Salvation.  When we began to teach him he brought up the kingdoms of God immediately.  Sabi ko sa kanya, “Naniniwala po ba kayo sa mga kariang ng Diyos? (Do you believe in the kingdoms of God?)”  He said yes!  The gospel is true because it is logical.  The Restored gospel answers the questions of all of God’s children. Walter accepted an invitation to be baptized because he feels the peace that the truth of the gospel brings into his life.

Lessons learned this week as a foreigner:

1.       Pinoy (Filipino) Dora the Explorer is all in Japanese here.  So this means that a Mexican child is traveling around the world speaking only in Japanese.  I thought the purpose of Dora was to create a bilingual generation but Dora is having an ethnic identity crisis here.  I do know how these young children can learn from Dora is Dora does not even know who she is herself.  

2.       The Americans in the apartment tried to cook again and we made soup.  We put many vegetables in the soup, including okra.  The Filipinos were really confused as to why we put okra in the soup.  Why not?  (This is an example of American and Filipino differences.  It is funny because Filipinos are very traditional but Americans are not. Americans believe there are a million ways to do everything, but for Filipinos, there are specific ways to do everything.  For example, my companion tried to teach me how to wash the dishes this week.  Since when was there “A WAY” to clean the dishes?)

3.       You cannot read if you have recently had a baby.  Our investigator, Irene, gave birth to a baby boy this week.  We have since taught here, but under the very medically sound advice of her mother, she cannot read for one month or her eyes will be damaged.  Only in the Philippines, di ba?

I am off to Ballesteros today and Laoag tomorrow!  We have Christmas Conference with the entire mission.  I am excited to be accompanying like 10,000 musical numbers, especially because I have not been able to touch a piano in weeks.  I am excited to see all of my mission friends and begin to celebrate this important season with them.

Jesus Christ, born in a humble manger, lived a life worthy of our praise each day.  Let us worship Him by sharing His Life and His gospel with all of His Children.  Kellee sent this to me a few weeks ago and I think we should all take a second to ponder it:

Dear Child,
You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Earth mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of years pre-determined by your Father in Heaven.

You should report to your Earthly Mother and Father upon your birth. You will prepare to preach the gospel in your native language (and another language of your choice, should you choose to use your talents to learn a language). Your assignment may be modified according to the needs of the Mission President, whom you must seek in daily prayer and scripture study in order to receive instructions.

You have been recommended as one worthy to represent that Lord as a partaker of the restored gospel. Upon your baptism, you will be an official representative of the Church. As such, you will be expected to maintain the highest standards of conduct and appearance by keeping the commandments, living all rules, and following the counsel of your Mission President. As you devote your time and attention to serving the Lord, prioritizing all other personal affairs, the Lord will bless you with increased knowledge and testimony of the Restoration and of the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Your purpose will be to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. As you serve with all your heart, might, and strength, the Lord will lead you to those who are prepared to be baptized (living and dead).

The Lord will reward you for the goodness of your life. Greater blessing and more happiness than you have yet experienced await you as you humbly and prayerfully serve the Lord in this labor of love among His children. We place in you our confidence and will help you become an effective missionary.

You will be set apart as a missionary the moment you are able to open your mouth and/or set an example for others. Please send your acceptance prayer promptly.

Sincerely,
You Heavenly Father—Mission President

The Church is true!  I love you all!