April 8, 2012

Hi Family -
So, you would like me to tell you some stories of what is happening here...let's see. We were able to baptize Joanna Pasion. She is 8 and her mom is less active. She is a cute little girl and she is super smart. She remembers the things we teach her and she is reading in 2 Nephi now. It is cool.

We have a family in one area called the Basa family. They are really nice. They have a girl staying with them whose name is Raquel and she isn't a member. She is our golden investigator. Her first Sunday at church was Fast Sunday and she said she felt that it was right, she liked partaking of the Sacrament. We have taught her only a few times and she loves the messages. She believes it all. When we gave her a baptismal date, she had a big smile on her face. She went to General Conference and loved the spirit she felt from the speakers. It is pretty freaking cool. She should be baptized on May 5.

So, Holy Week (the week before Easter) - People really like holy week, I think it gives them an excuse to party, sad when it's called "holy" week. There are lots of drunk people and lots of fights especially in the poorer areas. On Friday we went to one of our areas called Malaban. It is a poorer area. We went to a members house and the mom told us we should get out of Malaban because of all the drunks and fights. I guess just before we got to their house there was a fight. While we were there talking, her less active sister came home. She was way drunk. She made her way by Elder Thurgood and I and stopped. She looked at us and then she smiled and said hi. After saying hi, she started crying. Then she told us about how she is a bad person. It was a super weird conversation. She said she is a master drinker or something like that. She also said that our church has demons in it, because of plastic members or something. We talked to her for a while. We found out that she was offended by gossip. Elder Thurgood was very bold and forceful and told her that if she wanted to change, she needed to come back to church. It was a strange experience. She knew her English even though she was drunk.

On Friday we also went to the main square of Binan or Beyernes Santo. There were lots of saints and stuff on parade. We didn't see anyone nailed to the cross and we missed all the guys whipping themselves. Although on Sunday the main road going back towards our apartment had lots of mysterious spots on the asphalt. It was hard to get people to church because of all the Catholic things going on. But, now it is over for a year.

Conference was great. I liked Elder Hollands and Elder Uchtdorfs talks about forgiveness. I liked Elder Oaks talk about being grateful. Anyway, I really liked conference.

We should be moving out of this apartment this week. Our new apartment is complete on the inside, but the outside just hasn't been painted. It got stalled because of holy week. That shouldn't interfere with us moving in. This morning we started the big clean. I cleaned the bathroom that hasn't been cleaned in a long time...it was gross. We put some muriatic acid on the walls to try and get rid of some grime. Glad to be leaving soon.

You asked about our water, we have good filters here in the mission. In this apartment we have a stage 3 water filter that is good and reliable. Better than the 1 stage we had in San Gabriel. It isn't a problem.

Happy Birthday Saxon!!! - April 8.20 ka na!!!

You asked about finances, so the last time I pulled out money I bought 2 caribou belts and a wall of hollow block and cement. I just want to have money for souvenirs I find along the way. I don't foresee any more walls being built in the near future so I think I won't have to take out more money for a little while.

Keep me updated on how the family is doing. I wish I could see the video of Curtis, but oh well. I hope you have a great week and that you enjoyed my stories. I love you and wish Megan luck on the ACT. Dad, keep me posted on that lady in Rizal City. Wherever that is. Maybe I will go there someday.

Love Elder Woolf