Dear Family,
It was great talking to you. I am glad that I got to hear your voices. Thank you to everyone I was able to hear. Thanks to Saxon for talking to me, that was way cool. Sorry I didn't pay attention to the time, when 39 minutes had passed, it went quiet, then nothing. It told me I have no more time. Anyway. I love you all!! Talk to you in 5 months.
This is the new address to mail letter and packages to. The mission office is moving. They built a new office by the Buendia Chapel, actually on the same land. It should save money and it will be good.
Philippines Manila Mission
P.O. Box 1997
0714 Makati City, Metro Manila
Philippines
Merry Christmas and congratulations to Ethan and Lindsay. You are getting married so soon. I will think of you when I am in the temple. I am glad your Christmas was good. I ate so much food. Christmas is a wonderful season. love, Elder Woolf
December 12, 2011
Hi Family -
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM... So I am glad things are going well. Thanks for sending some pictures of the family. So I am glad that you got to see Austin. Keep being his friend, he is a great guy. He will always be my friend. I wonder sometimes how he is doing. Also, have you heard anything about Michael, Dallin, or Saxon. I wonder how they are doing.
So the phone call. We get 30-40 minutes to call home on Christmas. So I think I will call on Christmas and it would be Christmas eve for you.
So, we had a district meeting in Binan, 40 minutes away or so. President Teh and his wife spoke and also President and Sister Stucki. It was really good, then we got to watch the Christmas Devotional. The devotional was one of my favorite things. The messages are so happy and awesome. I'm doing better at Tagalor, I can get me message across. It's getting more fun to teach. I love it when the people progress.
We have another temple tour on Saturday. We, as a zone, are taking our investigators and some recent converts to the temple. There we will teach them about the ordinances that are performed inside. They get to see the temple and feel the spirit there. We want to get people baptized so they can go to the temple. We are trying to get one family ready to be baptized in December. We will do what we can to teach and the Lord will help them as they are willing to keep the commandments and read.
I love you lots. Until next week, Elder Woolf
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM... So I am glad things are going well. Thanks for sending some pictures of the family. So I am glad that you got to see Austin. Keep being his friend, he is a great guy. He will always be my friend. I wonder sometimes how he is doing. Also, have you heard anything about Michael, Dallin, or Saxon. I wonder how they are doing.
So the phone call. We get 30-40 minutes to call home on Christmas. So I think I will call on Christmas and it would be Christmas eve for you.
So, we had a district meeting in Binan, 40 minutes away or so. President Teh and his wife spoke and also President and Sister Stucki. It was really good, then we got to watch the Christmas Devotional. The devotional was one of my favorite things. The messages are so happy and awesome. I'm doing better at Tagalor, I can get me message across. It's getting more fun to teach. I love it when the people progress.
We have another temple tour on Saturday. We, as a zone, are taking our investigators and some recent converts to the temple. There we will teach them about the ordinances that are performed inside. They get to see the temple and feel the spirit there. We want to get people baptized so they can go to the temple. We are trying to get one family ready to be baptized in December. We will do what we can to teach and the Lord will help them as they are willing to keep the commandments and read.
I love you lots. Until next week, Elder Woolf
December 4, 2011
Hi Family,
I am doing good. Life keeps on moving. So my new companion is Elder Welch. He has been in the field for a year and 4 months. He is one year ahead of me and is from Georgia. He is very positive and pretty cool so far. He speaks alright Tagalog, it's good, and he helps me to speak. I really like the Tagalog language. There are four elders in my apartment. Elder Welch, myself, Elder Cuch and Elder Jacinto. Elder Jacinto is from the Philippines and this is his last transfer. Elder Cuch's old Companion Elder Ward is now our zone leader.
So we have 9 progressing investigators. One is Sister Beverly Siapoc. She is the sister in law of a member, Jocelyn. Her husband isn't a member. Her oldest boys are 12 and 9, they are strong and come to church every Sunday. Sis. Jocelyn comes most of the time. We try to teach her husband but he isn't very interested right now. Beverly came on our temple tour. She reads almost every day. I think she knows that the Book of Mormon is true. Right now we are working on getting her married to her husband, they have 3 kids, then she can be baptized.
Then, there is Sister Jocelyn Ramos. She is married and they have one son, Reginon. He is 12. They have the desire to be members. Reginon came to church for 3 weeks and his mom for the past 2 weeks. They are receptive and willing to learn and keep commandments. The dad listens to us, but doesn't want to tray. I think he is scared to pray and isn't exactly sure how.
Next, there is the Almarez family. There are several in that family that we are teaching. Theressa has been working a ridiculous shift at the factory in San Gabriel and her shift changes often. The dad can't read. The last two nights we have taught everyone. They accept it well and we are trying to get them to read every day, and have someone read to the dad.
Last, the Danao family. Their daughter that is 15 is the most interested. Edylene loves to learn and to read. We are trying to get her to seminary. She is 15. She is kind of shy, we just need the young women to step up and fellowship her.
I got the packages you sent. I put them in my suitcase so I wouldn't be tempted. I also got a letter from Bro. Walz. It was good. I am sorry to hear about Rob and Marianne's accident. That stinks. Walang cotse. I think that means no car. The spelling is hard. Anyway, I am glad everyone is safe. Christmas is here. They play Christmas songs all during the "ber" months - September through December. There are Christmas trees in some homes. Most are small fake ones. Only the richer famlies have a bigger Christmas tree. On the 15th of December we are having a mission Christmas party. Everyone, except those in Palawan, will get together at the Buendia Chapel. Dad have you been there? It is the first chapel in the Philippines. It should be fun, lots of food, and a talent show. We also have a temple tour on the 17th and then a temple day some time.
So to end, I want to say, I finished the Book of Mormon. Hooray, now I get to start again. I just want to say that I know the Book of Mormon is true. There is nothing as good and fun as reading the Book of Mormon. I know it is the Word of God and that through it everyone can become closer to God. I encourage you all to keep reading. It makes the day better, it really does. Anyway, I love you all. I am excited for the 14th when I can start to open my package. I love you and I love the Philippines. I am doing better with the language and understanding more. As I have guided the area the past week and shown Elder Welch the way it has really built my confidence. I can do this work. I can teach and bear testimony. It isn't the greatest but people can understand most of what I say. I love being a missionary and studying for 4 hours a day. I am excited to talk to you in 3 weeks. I am focused, but I still pray for you. I know the Lord will bless me and you too. Thank you for supporting me. Continue to be awesome.
Love Elder Woolf
I am doing good. Life keeps on moving. So my new companion is Elder Welch. He has been in the field for a year and 4 months. He is one year ahead of me and is from Georgia. He is very positive and pretty cool so far. He speaks alright Tagalog, it's good, and he helps me to speak. I really like the Tagalog language. There are four elders in my apartment. Elder Welch, myself, Elder Cuch and Elder Jacinto. Elder Jacinto is from the Philippines and this is his last transfer. Elder Cuch's old Companion Elder Ward is now our zone leader.
So we have 9 progressing investigators. One is Sister Beverly Siapoc. She is the sister in law of a member, Jocelyn. Her husband isn't a member. Her oldest boys are 12 and 9, they are strong and come to church every Sunday. Sis. Jocelyn comes most of the time. We try to teach her husband but he isn't very interested right now. Beverly came on our temple tour. She reads almost every day. I think she knows that the Book of Mormon is true. Right now we are working on getting her married to her husband, they have 3 kids, then she can be baptized.
Then, there is Sister Jocelyn Ramos. She is married and they have one son, Reginon. He is 12. They have the desire to be members. Reginon came to church for 3 weeks and his mom for the past 2 weeks. They are receptive and willing to learn and keep commandments. The dad listens to us, but doesn't want to tray. I think he is scared to pray and isn't exactly sure how.
Next, there is the Almarez family. There are several in that family that we are teaching. Theressa has been working a ridiculous shift at the factory in San Gabriel and her shift changes often. The dad can't read. The last two nights we have taught everyone. They accept it well and we are trying to get them to read every day, and have someone read to the dad.
Last, the Danao family. Their daughter that is 15 is the most interested. Edylene loves to learn and to read. We are trying to get her to seminary. She is 15. She is kind of shy, we just need the young women to step up and fellowship her.
I got the packages you sent. I put them in my suitcase so I wouldn't be tempted. I also got a letter from Bro. Walz. It was good. I am sorry to hear about Rob and Marianne's accident. That stinks. Walang cotse. I think that means no car. The spelling is hard. Anyway, I am glad everyone is safe. Christmas is here. They play Christmas songs all during the "ber" months - September through December. There are Christmas trees in some homes. Most are small fake ones. Only the richer famlies have a bigger Christmas tree. On the 15th of December we are having a mission Christmas party. Everyone, except those in Palawan, will get together at the Buendia Chapel. Dad have you been there? It is the first chapel in the Philippines. It should be fun, lots of food, and a talent show. We also have a temple tour on the 17th and then a temple day some time.
So to end, I want to say, I finished the Book of Mormon. Hooray, now I get to start again. I just want to say that I know the Book of Mormon is true. There is nothing as good and fun as reading the Book of Mormon. I know it is the Word of God and that through it everyone can become closer to God. I encourage you all to keep reading. It makes the day better, it really does. Anyway, I love you all. I am excited for the 14th when I can start to open my package. I love you and I love the Philippines. I am doing better with the language and understanding more. As I have guided the area the past week and shown Elder Welch the way it has really built my confidence. I can do this work. I can teach and bear testimony. It isn't the greatest but people can understand most of what I say. I love being a missionary and studying for 4 hours a day. I am excited to talk to you in 3 weeks. I am focused, but I still pray for you. I know the Lord will bless me and you too. Thank you for supporting me. Continue to be awesome.
Love Elder Woolf
November 18, 2011
Hi Family -
Sorry I didn't email. We got to go to the temple and do a session on Wednesday. Then after, we went to the mall and to a place called Divisoria. It is the most densely populated place in the world and there are lots of street wendors that sell stuff cheap. Most, if not all of it, is face but it is cool. Elder Kaka is getting two custom suits before he comes home and other shopping. It all tood forever and my feet were dead. Sorry I don't have a lot of time for this email.
But I will tell you about some of the transportation. Trikes are expensive, like 16 pesos a person. Jeepneys are 8, if it is in the area. We only use buses to go to Manila. We take a jeepney to Alabang then a bus to Manila whenever we need to go. Buses are crazy. They go super fast. Half have no windows and the other half are normal buses with air conditioning. The open buses are the craziest. The other day on our way to the temple we kept hitting bumps in the road, fun, but scary. I think I flew a foot into the air on one bump.
Our apartment is good. We have a fridge, a bucket for showers, fans, no air conditioning. We eat lunch at canteens. It takes too long to make food and we have plenty of money. For breakfast we make something quick and for dinner we just have a snack. Lunch is the only real meal we eat in a day. We have a filter for our water. We just don't have very good water pressure. Some days it takes forever to fill up a water bottle. Laundry - we pay to have our laundry done, except our garments. We wash those by hand. Laundry eats up the p-day so we wash our garments early then we can have more time. We shop only on p-day, except for buying bread or something like that. We just pick something up from a little store on the way home at the end of the night. Love you lots. love, Elder Woolf
Sorry I didn't email. We got to go to the temple and do a session on Wednesday. Then after, we went to the mall and to a place called Divisoria. It is the most densely populated place in the world and there are lots of street wendors that sell stuff cheap. Most, if not all of it, is face but it is cool. Elder Kaka is getting two custom suits before he comes home and other shopping. It all tood forever and my feet were dead. Sorry I don't have a lot of time for this email.
But I will tell you about some of the transportation. Trikes are expensive, like 16 pesos a person. Jeepneys are 8, if it is in the area. We only use buses to go to Manila. We take a jeepney to Alabang then a bus to Manila whenever we need to go. Buses are crazy. They go super fast. Half have no windows and the other half are normal buses with air conditioning. The open buses are the craziest. The other day on our way to the temple we kept hitting bumps in the road, fun, but scary. I think I flew a foot into the air on one bump.
Our apartment is good. We have a fridge, a bucket for showers, fans, no air conditioning. We eat lunch at canteens. It takes too long to make food and we have plenty of money. For breakfast we make something quick and for dinner we just have a snack. Lunch is the only real meal we eat in a day. We have a filter for our water. We just don't have very good water pressure. Some days it takes forever to fill up a water bottle. Laundry - we pay to have our laundry done, except our garments. We wash those by hand. Laundry eats up the p-day so we wash our garments early then we can have more time. We shop only on p-day, except for buying bread or something like that. We just pick something up from a little store on the way home at the end of the night. Love you lots. love, Elder Woolf
November 7. 2011
Dear Family,
Life sounds pretty crazy right now. So Bro. Evans and Bro. Standage had heart attacks, and Bro. Shepard is sick? Wow, you never know what will happen next. But, we have the gospel so even in hard times we can receive peace and comfort. When I was in the hospital for my cyst it was hard on me. I wanted to be out working. It wasn't that big of a deal and it is silly to complain, but it happened. I loved my realization that Christ is always with us. Anytime we struggle or have a hard time we can pray, read, or listen to music and it helps. God is so wonderful to provide so many ways to receive peace, comfort, and strength.
My nieces and nephews are super cute. The Neiswender family looks like they are happy and prosperiing well. I am glad that Cole is getting bigger and stronger each and every day. Curtis makes an awesom bear and Heidi is a very cute pumpkin (Halloween). She has a great smile.
Life in the Philippines - it is awesome. We have lots of study time and we have plenty of people to teach. It is hard, but good. I am trying hard to participate in the lessons. I am trying to stay focused, but listening to a different language for 8 hours straight is hard. It is coming along though. I am working on learning 6 new words a day. This week Elder and Sister Arden, first counselor in the area presidency, I think, spoke to us. I learned we as missionaries need to focus on teaching better so we retain more members. We have a lot of less actives in our branch. That is why we are still a branch and not a ward. We learned that we need to flood the earth with the Book of Mormon. We need to focus more on it because it is the key to conversion. One of the things I learned today at our district meeting with the teaching assistants, is to let the Book of Mormon speak for itself or let the Book of Mormon teach people and answer their questions.
Last Saturday we had a temple tour. We had 11 people come. A recent convert mom, Sister Siapoc and 3 of her kids, her husband's brothers wife, wo is an investigator and their 3 kids attended. Also Bro. Santa Anna and his 2 kids. We rented a bus as a zone. It was packed. It held 58 people or so and we had maybe 65 on the bus. The temple is awesome and some other missionaries taught about the ordinances that go on in the temple. It was in Tagalog and my companion and I were trying to keep the kids from distracting the parents. We did an ok job. Hopefully they will remember the spirit they felt there. At the end of the day after we had eaten it started to rain hard. Then the bus got stuck in traffic on its way back. It was a long day but good.
I think I am healing. There is a space still but getting better. My comp and I get along alright, Elder Kaka is awesome. He is one of the best in the mission. He is good at planning and teaching. He has been zone leader for about half of his mission. He helps me with Tagalog, maybe not as much as a Filipino comp. could but he teaches me about the people and the culture, how to find people, making lesson plans and setting goals. I am glad I have an awesome trainer. Luckily for the both of us he doesn't have to pack the wound. He just puts oitment on gauze and tapes it to the wound. The tape is the worse part.
So Tagalog is one of the easier languages. They throw in some english words as well. The hardest part is making sentences on the spot and having decent grammar. There aren't many words to describe gender. They just say brother or sister in english. I like it. It is hard but I know I can do it.
Thank you for your letters. I love you lots and wish you the best. I love to hear from you and how life is in Arizona/California/Utah/and Iowa. I love you lots and wish you another awesome week.
Love Elder Woolf
Life sounds pretty crazy right now. So Bro. Evans and Bro. Standage had heart attacks, and Bro. Shepard is sick? Wow, you never know what will happen next. But, we have the gospel so even in hard times we can receive peace and comfort. When I was in the hospital for my cyst it was hard on me. I wanted to be out working. It wasn't that big of a deal and it is silly to complain, but it happened. I loved my realization that Christ is always with us. Anytime we struggle or have a hard time we can pray, read, or listen to music and it helps. God is so wonderful to provide so many ways to receive peace, comfort, and strength.
My nieces and nephews are super cute. The Neiswender family looks like they are happy and prosperiing well. I am glad that Cole is getting bigger and stronger each and every day. Curtis makes an awesom bear and Heidi is a very cute pumpkin (Halloween). She has a great smile.
Life in the Philippines - it is awesome. We have lots of study time and we have plenty of people to teach. It is hard, but good. I am trying hard to participate in the lessons. I am trying to stay focused, but listening to a different language for 8 hours straight is hard. It is coming along though. I am working on learning 6 new words a day. This week Elder and Sister Arden, first counselor in the area presidency, I think, spoke to us. I learned we as missionaries need to focus on teaching better so we retain more members. We have a lot of less actives in our branch. That is why we are still a branch and not a ward. We learned that we need to flood the earth with the Book of Mormon. We need to focus more on it because it is the key to conversion. One of the things I learned today at our district meeting with the teaching assistants, is to let the Book of Mormon speak for itself or let the Book of Mormon teach people and answer their questions.
Last Saturday we had a temple tour. We had 11 people come. A recent convert mom, Sister Siapoc and 3 of her kids, her husband's brothers wife, wo is an investigator and their 3 kids attended. Also Bro. Santa Anna and his 2 kids. We rented a bus as a zone. It was packed. It held 58 people or so and we had maybe 65 on the bus. The temple is awesome and some other missionaries taught about the ordinances that go on in the temple. It was in Tagalog and my companion and I were trying to keep the kids from distracting the parents. We did an ok job. Hopefully they will remember the spirit they felt there. At the end of the day after we had eaten it started to rain hard. Then the bus got stuck in traffic on its way back. It was a long day but good.
I think I am healing. There is a space still but getting better. My comp and I get along alright, Elder Kaka is awesome. He is one of the best in the mission. He is good at planning and teaching. He has been zone leader for about half of his mission. He helps me with Tagalog, maybe not as much as a Filipino comp. could but he teaches me about the people and the culture, how to find people, making lesson plans and setting goals. I am glad I have an awesome trainer. Luckily for the both of us he doesn't have to pack the wound. He just puts oitment on gauze and tapes it to the wound. The tape is the worse part.
So Tagalog is one of the easier languages. They throw in some english words as well. The hardest part is making sentences on the spot and having decent grammar. There aren't many words to describe gender. They just say brother or sister in english. I like it. It is hard but I know I can do it.
Thank you for your letters. I love you lots and wish you the best. I love to hear from you and how life is in Arizona/California/Utah/and Iowa. I love you lots and wish you another awesome week.
Love Elder Woolf
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