Apartment:
2 floors
Not cleaned by previous missionaries
Starting to shape up
Lots of ants and other bugs...
Move has been all right. Schedule is a little hectic. We are doing what is called a fresh start in the area, meaning that both of us in the companionship have never been here before.
The previous missionaries didn't leave a lot to work with either.
WHICH IS GREAT. Because you never find your way as well as when you get lost.
Just about every ingredient I'm used to using in my food is expensive here....
Lemons, rare
Tomatoes, rare
Olive oil, rare
Cheese, rare
...
So yeah, I'll just have to figure out my budget, and then we'll see about cooking.
Until then: RICE!
And stop making me hungry! I miss Spanish food.
Haven't gotten a package yet... hopefully it gets to the mission home and they send it to me.
Hopefully.
By the way, thank you, thank you, thank you for what you send me!
Not a ton of time to email, but I'll try to cover everything.
My companion?
Elder McQuarrie. Here from Provo Utah, he's already been accepted to BYU. He's been in the field for 1 year and 3 months, I believe. He speaks like a native, he's all about obedience, and he doesn't get frightened too easily by the mountainous task placed before him. Likes to joke the way Filipinos do, but relatively less emotional when it comes to some things. That being said, it does come out when he bears his testimony. Good stuff.
Apartment?
For the Philippines, it's nice. 2 floors, lots of space. The previous missionaries, however, left us with a lot of disorganization, as well as very little area information. It is clean, but that doesn't mean that we don't get bugs...
Cold water showers, one flushing toilet... but I'll get used to it.
We put everything in the fridge. That's the only place the ants don't go.
Hopefully we won't have a cockroach infestation.
Mission field?
We are in Pamplona, las Pinas city (pinas has an enye). Actually relatively middle class. Not as poor as other areas, but still.
It's suburbs, so I get to see green
Lots of crazy traffic...
And that's that.
I'm basically out of time.
I'm working on a poem right now, will send it next week
Thank you so much for keeping in contact.
I will try to act with wisdom.
And I will always seek the spirit.
And hopefully, if I serve with obedience, faith, and love,
I will have no regrets.
From,
Elder Streeter
P.S. Really sorry, but I can't visit that webpage you made. You are welcome to keep using it, and I receive everything about it, but I can't do anything to it.
Let Nikolai know I love him. So much.
And also, I have forgotten for a whole month now, to tell Mama that there is a Facebook page. I believe it is: Philippines Manila Mission Moms.
Talk again next week.
Monday, October 26, 2015
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Last Day in the Training Center (Oct 20, 2015)
October 20, 2015
Last Day in the Training Center
I've tasted some flavors of home as well. Not exactly the same, but the closest thing in the Philippines to lentils is manggo bean soup. It's funny, because now that I miss home, I love it.
I realized that though you won't be getting as much pork as you used to, I won't be getting much beef. Cows really aren't a thing in the Philippines... which means milk tastes weird, cheese is expensive, and the only one who'll make beef is you...
But it's cool. Everything still tastes good.
Filipinos like everything sweet. Sometimes that's good. I like a cheese filled loaf with sugar on top.
Sometimes not so much. Pasta sauce could be a little less maple syrup...
Thanks for the words of encouragement and the money... please tell me if I'm making too much use of it. Otherwise, I might not think of it.
Also, at the end of my mission, I'm thinking that I might want to buy, if I can, temple clothes from here. They are super comfortable! You don't tuck in the shirt and you don't wear a tie. It's styled after Philippines traditional dress clothes, called barong, I think.
The typhoon didn't really bother me... sure, it was powerful, but I was in the MTC, which is built with so many more modern amenities than most places, and wasn't even fazed. I'm sure if I had been outside or in Manila, it would have been scarier, or more exciting. But this typhoon wasn't too bad. It was only a 1.5. Other typhoons have been like, a 3 or 4, which would be scary. However, I'm not happy about it because it means flooding, and that means mosquitoes, and that means dengue fever, which, if I get it, will be no fun at all...
I'm not exactly sure what I'm doing with Tingle yet, but I think I'll carry him around with me everywhere. I'm not too worried about losing him.
I'm glad to hear you are getting a house soon. It will be good for you to actually live somewhere, and I'm sure Nikolai will like the opportunity to get back onto LoL when you get internet. Make sure he knows, though, that there is a good chance the internet won't be favorable...
I will try to continue to write poetry, pero it'll probably be sa Tagalog next time... that's my goal. To get good enough with the language to be able to write poetry in it. That would be cool.
I'm trying to memorize the articles of faith sa Tagalog. Here goes:
1. Naniniwala kami sa Diyos, ang Amang Walang Hanggan, at sa Kanyang Anak, na si Jesucristo, at sa Espiritu Santo (We believe in God, the Eternal
Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in
the Holy Ghost.)
2. Naniniwala kami na ang mga tao ay parurusahan dahil sa kanilang sariling mga kasalanan, at hindi dahil sa paglabag ni Adan. (We believe that men will be punished
for their own sins, and not for Adam’s
transgression.)
And that's all I know...
Well, If I'm going to have time to respond more, I need to end.
Remember, Kung may anumang bagay na marangal, kaaya-aya, o magandang balita, o maipagkakapuri, hinahangad namin ang mga bagay na ito.
That's from the end of the 13th article, last sentence. (If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.)
See ya Monday,
Elder Streeter
I realized that though you won't be getting as much pork as you used to, I won't be getting much beef. Cows really aren't a thing in the Philippines... which means milk tastes weird, cheese is expensive, and the only one who'll make beef is you...
But it's cool. Everything still tastes good.
Filipinos like everything sweet. Sometimes that's good. I like a cheese filled loaf with sugar on top.
Sometimes not so much. Pasta sauce could be a little less maple syrup...
Thanks for the words of encouragement and the money... please tell me if I'm making too much use of it. Otherwise, I might not think of it.
Also, at the end of my mission, I'm thinking that I might want to buy, if I can, temple clothes from here. They are super comfortable! You don't tuck in the shirt and you don't wear a tie. It's styled after Philippines traditional dress clothes, called barong, I think.
The typhoon didn't really bother me... sure, it was powerful, but I was in the MTC, which is built with so many more modern amenities than most places, and wasn't even fazed. I'm sure if I had been outside or in Manila, it would have been scarier, or more exciting. But this typhoon wasn't too bad. It was only a 1.5. Other typhoons have been like, a 3 or 4, which would be scary. However, I'm not happy about it because it means flooding, and that means mosquitoes, and that means dengue fever, which, if I get it, will be no fun at all...
I'm not exactly sure what I'm doing with Tingle yet, but I think I'll carry him around with me everywhere. I'm not too worried about losing him.
I'm glad to hear you are getting a house soon. It will be good for you to actually live somewhere, and I'm sure Nikolai will like the opportunity to get back onto LoL when you get internet. Make sure he knows, though, that there is a good chance the internet won't be favorable...
I will try to continue to write poetry, pero it'll probably be sa Tagalog next time... that's my goal. To get good enough with the language to be able to write poetry in it. That would be cool.
I'm trying to memorize the articles of faith sa Tagalog. Here goes:
1. Naniniwala kami sa Diyos, ang Amang Walang Hanggan, at sa Kanyang Anak, na si Jesucristo, at sa Espiritu Santo (We believe in God, the Eternal
Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in
the Holy Ghost.)
2. Naniniwala kami na ang mga tao ay parurusahan dahil sa kanilang sariling mga kasalanan, at hindi dahil sa paglabag ni Adan. (We believe that men will be punished
for their own sins, and not for Adam’s
transgression.)
And that's all I know...
Well, If I'm going to have time to respond more, I need to end.
Remember, Kung may anumang bagay na marangal, kaaya-aya, o magandang balita, o maipagkakapuri, hinahangad namin ang mga bagay na ito.
That's from the end of the 13th article, last sentence. (If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.)
See ya Monday,
Elder Streeter
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Regarding the Typhoon (Oct 18, 2015)
October 18, 2015
Dear Parents and Loved Ones of Our Missionaries,
Thank you for sending such faithful sons and daughters to serve the Lord here in the Philippines Manila Mission. We love them very, very much. They are doing an amazing job in their calling to invite others to come unto Christ.
As you may have seen, a major typhoon has come to the Philippines this weekend. We are praying for those who are affected. Fortunately the storm is passing well north of our mission. We have experienced some wind and rain, but nothing out of the ordinary for this time of year.
However, we always want to be well prepared. Every missionary is equipped with a 3 day emergency kit, cell phones will full charge and instructions to avoid any flooding that may occur. We checked each emergency kit in detail during this transfer and our missionaries are well prepared.
As a reminder, I invite you to write to your missionaries every week, even if it is by pouch mail. They need your encouragement, your love and your inspiration. They especially love to hear about the missionary experiences you are having.
Sincerely,
President Creg D. Ostler
Philippines Manila Mission
Dear Parents and Loved Ones of Our Missionaries,
Thank you for sending such faithful sons and daughters to serve the Lord here in the Philippines Manila Mission. We love them very, very much. They are doing an amazing job in their calling to invite others to come unto Christ.
As you may have seen, a major typhoon has come to the Philippines this weekend. We are praying for those who are affected. Fortunately the storm is passing well north of our mission. We have experienced some wind and rain, but nothing out of the ordinary for this time of year.
However, we always want to be well prepared. Every missionary is equipped with a 3 day emergency kit, cell phones will full charge and instructions to avoid any flooding that may occur. We checked each emergency kit in detail during this transfer and our missionaries are well prepared.
As a reminder, I invite you to write to your missionaries every week, even if it is by pouch mail. They need your encouragement, your love and your inspiration. They especially love to hear about the missionary experiences you are having.
Sincerely,
President Creg D. Ostler
Philippines Manila Mission
Friday, October 16, 2015
Poem: Light (Oct. 16, 2015)
October 16, 2015
Poem: Light
And then there was light…
And there was breath, and life, and sound and smell, and then there was father and mother and the whole of the world and destiny began.
And then there was light…
And the first day of man began. The sun rose on the first day and the children of God knew that he loved them, because he took them out of the night.
And then there was light…
Light in the mind and the soul: Invention and philosophy and art and music entered the world, as man embraced the light and sought to make it real.
And then there was light…
And the wise men followed that light, which made night as day and shone above the city of David over the town of Bethlehem, where was born in a stable the king of kings. He was the light of the world, a pinprick in the darkness, which shone as bright as the sun, but only for those who could see. It was man’s hope, and his salvation.
And then there was darkness…
The son of man paid for the sins of the world in an everlasting atonement, and the world descended into darkness. Greed and corruption and malintent and error twisted the words of God. Wars and plagues, as well as the fog made by the philosophy, theory, and religion of man, which is the worship of the world, and things contrary to God, closed the eyes of many men, and few saw the light. And darkness reigned in destruction, destruction and perversion of all things that come with the light.
And then, one man sought the light…
And the darkness noticed…
Why?
Because his search was the spark…
And it had to be extinguished.
And then there was darkness…
It gathered all of its strength against him. In fury and fear it sought his skin, his nose, his mouth, his eyes, his soul. It wished to choke him and crush him and blind him so he could not see. It wished to leave nothing behind.
And then,
There was light…
“…just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me…I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description…One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”
…
I flipped the switch,
And then there was light…
And I looked at the blank page,
And I knew what words I would write.
I knew I must be for the light.
And there was breath, and life, and sound and smell, and then there was father and mother and the whole of the world and destiny began.
And then there was light…
And the first day of man began. The sun rose on the first day and the children of God knew that he loved them, because he took them out of the night.
And then there was light…
Light in the mind and the soul: Invention and philosophy and art and music entered the world, as man embraced the light and sought to make it real.
And then there was light…
And the wise men followed that light, which made night as day and shone above the city of David over the town of Bethlehem, where was born in a stable the king of kings. He was the light of the world, a pinprick in the darkness, which shone as bright as the sun, but only for those who could see. It was man’s hope, and his salvation.
And then there was darkness…
The son of man paid for the sins of the world in an everlasting atonement, and the world descended into darkness. Greed and corruption and malintent and error twisted the words of God. Wars and plagues, as well as the fog made by the philosophy, theory, and religion of man, which is the worship of the world, and things contrary to God, closed the eyes of many men, and few saw the light. And darkness reigned in destruction, destruction and perversion of all things that come with the light.
And then, one man sought the light…
And the darkness noticed…
Why?
Because his search was the spark…
And it had to be extinguished.
And then there was darkness…
It gathered all of its strength against him. In fury and fear it sought his skin, his nose, his mouth, his eyes, his soul. It wished to choke him and crush him and blind him so he could not see. It wished to leave nothing behind.
And then,
There was light…
“…just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me…I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description…One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”
…
I flipped the switch,
And then there was light…
And I looked at the blank page,
And I knew what words I would write.
I knew I must be for the light.
Old Men and Pools and Piranhas (Oct 16, 2015)
October 16, 2015
Old Men and Pools and Piranhas
I actually did receive the newsletter things, but I don't entirely know what was said in the Tagalog one. Something about a sister in Ortigas..., and something about being comforted by my writings, especially about toilet paper...Oh, and something about my day off....but yeah, not much else.
I really hope to get an email from Nikolai before Tuesday. Those make me feel great...
I hadn't seen any houses with y'all... also, send me a picture or two... I know I've sent, what, 3? So send that many if you want, but send some sort of picture.
I went proselyting for the second time. The visit was to a very poor old man. Like I told you, he had some pools of water where he had fish, and he also had some chickens. iIn one of the pools he actually had piranhas...scary... He is less active, but the reason is, he hasn't been going to church because he is afraid to leave his stuff, because people come and steal it. Because he was so old, we called him tatay "father" and we touched his hand to our foreheads, which is a sign of respect. He had a strong testimony, and loves king Benjamin. It was cool to teach him.
Then we just did some tracting, so nothing special. One referral and some passing out of pamphlets and such, but definitely nothing amazing.
I rode in a tricycle again. That was kind of cool.
So yeah. That's about that on proselyting.
I'm starting a book for people to write to one of two groups of people: my current family, or my future family. So they can write to mom, dad, brother, future wife, or future children. I won't look at what they write unless the respective recipient decides to share it with me. Hopefully in two years it'll be quite an accumulation.
Learning Tagalog slowly. I've been understanding everything, and grasping the concepts really easily, but that doesn't mean that I can just speak it...Every once in a while I get a complete sentence out, pero not usually.
So yeah, it's been cool. The most spiritual thing, to be honest, was general conference. Most of the week has been language study, because we've gone through most of the gospel topics already. Does that mean I'm ready to just go and start teaching...no...
But I'm sure I'll do fine. If the spirit guides people to me, there's not much I need to do but be guided by the spirit. Truth will be made apparent in their hearts if they have been prepared by the Holy Ghost and God beforehand. If not, then I can try, but there won't be a certainty that they will feel anything.
As is standard, rice at every meal. I'm also improving my ping pong skills. I've been able to put enough top spin to smash every once in a while. Pretty cool. But that's just during gym. I doubt I'll do ping pong in the field. If I do get the opportunity...well, count your many blessings, right?
Anyways, I will get one more chance to email while at the MTC on the upcoming Tuesday, and then my next p-day will be the 26th, I believe. Then the schedule should be relatively regular, at least, until I get another companion with different preferences for p-day. So yeah.
That's all I got. Seek all good things, and let them improve your perception of creation.
Salamat po, and talk to you next Tuesday.
With love,
Kris-Tyan Streeter
I really hope to get an email from Nikolai before Tuesday. Those make me feel great...
I hadn't seen any houses with y'all... also, send me a picture or two... I know I've sent, what, 3? So send that many if you want, but send some sort of picture.
I went proselyting for the second time. The visit was to a very poor old man. Like I told you, he had some pools of water where he had fish, and he also had some chickens. iIn one of the pools he actually had piranhas...scary... He is less active, but the reason is, he hasn't been going to church because he is afraid to leave his stuff, because people come and steal it. Because he was so old, we called him tatay "father" and we touched his hand to our foreheads, which is a sign of respect. He had a strong testimony, and loves king Benjamin. It was cool to teach him.
Then we just did some tracting, so nothing special. One referral and some passing out of pamphlets and such, but definitely nothing amazing.
I rode in a tricycle again. That was kind of cool.
So yeah. That's about that on proselyting.
I'm starting a book for people to write to one of two groups of people: my current family, or my future family. So they can write to mom, dad, brother, future wife, or future children. I won't look at what they write unless the respective recipient decides to share it with me. Hopefully in two years it'll be quite an accumulation.
Learning Tagalog slowly. I've been understanding everything, and grasping the concepts really easily, but that doesn't mean that I can just speak it...Every once in a while I get a complete sentence out, pero not usually.
So yeah, it's been cool. The most spiritual thing, to be honest, was general conference. Most of the week has been language study, because we've gone through most of the gospel topics already. Does that mean I'm ready to just go and start teaching...no...
But I'm sure I'll do fine. If the spirit guides people to me, there's not much I need to do but be guided by the spirit. Truth will be made apparent in their hearts if they have been prepared by the Holy Ghost and God beforehand. If not, then I can try, but there won't be a certainty that they will feel anything.
As is standard, rice at every meal. I'm also improving my ping pong skills. I've been able to put enough top spin to smash every once in a while. Pretty cool. But that's just during gym. I doubt I'll do ping pong in the field. If I do get the opportunity...well, count your many blessings, right?
Anyways, I will get one more chance to email while at the MTC on the upcoming Tuesday, and then my next p-day will be the 26th, I believe. Then the schedule should be relatively regular, at least, until I get another companion with different preferences for p-day. So yeah.
That's all I got. Seek all good things, and let them improve your perception of creation.
Salamat po, and talk to you next Tuesday.
With love,
Kris-Tyan Streeter
Friday, October 9, 2015
Repentance: A Poem (Oct. 9, 2015)
October 9, 2015
Repentance: A Poem
(a rough draft)
Repentance
(please, understand, it's sad because you are sad when you repent, not because repentance is a sad thing. If I ever write one called forgiveness, it will relieve the sadness of this one)
Lord, I come to thee now in prayer.
Humbly, I speak to you, which is rare.
Lord, I wish to say at this time:
I'm sorry...
For my crime.
O Lord, how I have sinned!
O how I succumbed to Satan's guile!
I fell when he sent his wind!
I failed in this trial!
I'm sorry Lord!
I'm so sorry.
Lord please make me clean!
Let me feel thy light again!
I do not want it to be seen.
I was not ready for the pain.
Lord release me from his grasp!
For lightning flashed and thunder crashed
And I was fearful and did not spy
The lightning rod that stood nearby
And so I turned and in despair
I stood in rain and waited there
For my impending doom to come.
I did not think to call the Son.
Something deep inside said, "Run!"
But too late. The deed was done.
And so in darkness here I am alone
And hope
Seems
Lost.
What I have done has chilled me to the bone.
I did not
Know
The cost.
Lord of creation, please, forgive me!
All desolate I had been when,
My will a slave to evil's,
A still small messenger fluttered by
And with that same sweet symbol which
Betrayed the Christ so long ago
It gave to me a kiss.
A light, and gentle, kiss
And then, only then, did I remember you...
O Lord I am a weak and faithless servant indeed!
I am fallen, and can't get up!
I'm chained, my wrist's are cuffed
And the tempter fights me now
I struggle just to kneel,
I cannot even bow.
Now!
Now when I fave failed
After I've given in
And can never remove
The consequences of sin
I come to you with final breath
and ask:
Lord!
Please!
Free me at last!
(please, understand, it's sad because you are sad when you repent, not because repentance is a sad thing. If I ever write one called forgiveness, it will relieve the sadness of this one)
Lord, I come to thee now in prayer.
Humbly, I speak to you, which is rare.
Lord, I wish to say at this time:
I'm sorry...
For my crime.
O Lord, how I have sinned!
O how I succumbed to Satan's guile!
I fell when he sent his wind!
I failed in this trial!
I'm sorry Lord!
I'm so sorry.
Lord please make me clean!
Let me feel thy light again!
I do not want it to be seen.
I was not ready for the pain.
Lord release me from his grasp!
For lightning flashed and thunder crashed
And I was fearful and did not spy
The lightning rod that stood nearby
And so I turned and in despair
I stood in rain and waited there
For my impending doom to come.
I did not think to call the Son.
Something deep inside said, "Run!"
But too late. The deed was done.
And so in darkness here I am alone
And hope
Seems
Lost.
What I have done has chilled me to the bone.
I did not
Know
The cost.
Lord of creation, please, forgive me!
All desolate I had been when,
My will a slave to evil's,
A still small messenger fluttered by
And with that same sweet symbol which
Betrayed the Christ so long ago
It gave to me a kiss.
A light, and gentle, kiss
And then, only then, did I remember you...
O Lord I am a weak and faithless servant indeed!
I am fallen, and can't get up!
I'm chained, my wrist's are cuffed
And the tempter fights me now
I struggle just to kneel,
I cannot even bow.
Now!
Now when I fave failed
After I've given in
And can never remove
The consequences of sin
I come to you with final breath
and ask:
Lord!
Please!
Free me at last!
TP letter (Oct. 9, 2015)
October 9, 2015
TP Letter
I can't think of anything I need or would like. Thanks for asking though.
I'll be at the MTC for about 2 more weeks. Yeah, I'm almost done.
I don't think your packages will get here in time. I'd suggest you send to the mission home, I'm sure they'll hold onto it. Be wary though. These first packages will be an experiment, and then we will see if they make it through for later decisions. If they don't make it, I may have to forgo packages. If they do... I just might try sending Tingle back... I don't know... I suppose I'm a little afraid because the people talked about floods during typhoon season, and though no missionaries are injured yet, personal belongings have definitely been destroyed... so yeah, I'm worried, a little.
But not too badly.
Anyways, most things are relatively cheap here, so hopefully if I pull on personal expenses, it won't be too much of a drain. I haven't yet, but when I do, if it is even a minor annoyance, please tell me. It's possible to live on mission funds, and I will do so if need be.
I'm a little afraid of the field... it turns out most missionaries give up on toilet paper by the end of their mission...ugh...
Oh, and washing machines are... not... so it's all hand washing......................................................................................................................................................hoooh boy...
We went proselyting yesterday. I don't feel like I said much, but I wasn't being overly bad at understanding... It's funny, but I can tell it's inspired of God, because though I wanted to learn Spanish, and it holds a special meaning for me, Tagalog seems easier...and it seems nicer, for some reason. I don't want to lose my Spanish, but when I finally learn it, I may have a Filipino accent...or maybe it'll be the other may around. I prayed at a recent convert's house yesterday, and when I said "amen" I said it with Spanish pronunciation, and the little girl told me: "No! it's not ah-men, it's ay-men!" Plus, when ever I read the Book of Mormon, I pronounce Nephi as Nefi like the Spanish do, even though it is most definitely Nephi in Tagalog.
I don't feel like I did much during proselyting. It was peaceful, and poor, but the most I think I accomplished was making someone smile... oh well...
I've been feeling very sad lately... I'm not sure why... which is even more frustrating, but hopefully conference will clear it up. Hopefully. Please reassure me that nothing bad has happened at home. If I've lost a family member and only my spirit knows... I just need to figure it out.
But it's not too bad.
My companion will try to give me another couple of photos to send you. Just letting you know in case I don't, that I'm trying.
Now that I think of it, if you send anything, send a camera. Even if I can buy things when I get in the field, I have no idea when I will find time to buy a camera, which you won't find at your average store here...
That's all I got. I have had spiritual experiences, but none are coming to mind. I did write a poem, which I will send if I have time, but it's kind of sad, so I don't know if you want to read it. I wrote it before I started feeling sad though, soooo.....
Let me know when you guys get a house. Thanks for continuing to send me lyrics and such. Please send me my "light" piece when you can. See if you can figure out how to send what Nikolai wants to. I wish him luck with laser tag and whatever else. Papa's school does sound cool. And yeah, that's what I got.
I love you all
see you next week.
By the way, I could be wrong, but I believe p-day is Friday next week. Please still send me whenever you feel inspired though. It kind of would suck for it to turn out to be on Thursday and me to not have anything because of it. But if you wait till Thursday night and it does turn out my p-day came and went, I'll wait. It's all good.
I'm not entirely sure why they give up on toilet paper. Something like:
Hard to carry around everywhere, considering the rain and the fact that we don't get backpacks, but rather shoulder bags.
You probably can't flush it most places.
And apparently, you feel cleaner when you take the cup/bucket, fill it with water, run it down your backside, do one smooth sweep with your left hand, use what's left in the bucket to wash it off your hand, and also to rinse off your posterior once more...
I don't know if I'll give up on toilet paper...
Washing machines... aren't in the apartments, as far as I know. Laundromats do exist, if you have the money, but you can't send garments to the laundry people...so...
The no suit thing, is definitely not because of hand cleaning. It's because it is really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really hot. 2 hours in it, I had taken my second shower of the day, this one without soap. It's unfortunate that most of the people are poor enough that they don't care what you smell like, but it's also a good thing, since I don't think I'd smell good.
I don't know how Tagalog is easier. That's the thing! It's almost certainly connected with the Spirit, because it certainly isn't how diligently I'm studying it...(oops) and nicer, it just seems, for no perceivable reason, to not twist my tongue as much as Spanish.
Proselyting I felt like I didn't do much because we taught a recent convert, and all I did was pray and say one or two things to him, the missionary did most of the talking, and then we decided to go
teach an investigator but she was busy...with a man... so we didn't go into their home...
After that we just tried some tracting, but success was limited at best, and I had no idea what I should say, so I didn't say very much at all.
I'll be at the MTC for about 2 more weeks. Yeah, I'm almost done.
I don't think your packages will get here in time. I'd suggest you send to the mission home, I'm sure they'll hold onto it. Be wary though. These first packages will be an experiment, and then we will see if they make it through for later decisions. If they don't make it, I may have to forgo packages. If they do... I just might try sending Tingle back... I don't know... I suppose I'm a little afraid because the people talked about floods during typhoon season, and though no missionaries are injured yet, personal belongings have definitely been destroyed... so yeah, I'm worried, a little.
But not too badly.
Anyways, most things are relatively cheap here, so hopefully if I pull on personal expenses, it won't be too much of a drain. I haven't yet, but when I do, if it is even a minor annoyance, please tell me. It's possible to live on mission funds, and I will do so if need be.
I'm a little afraid of the field... it turns out most missionaries give up on toilet paper by the end of their mission...ugh...
Oh, and washing machines are... not... so it's all hand washing......................................................................................................................................................hoooh boy...
We went proselyting yesterday. I don't feel like I said much, but I wasn't being overly bad at understanding... It's funny, but I can tell it's inspired of God, because though I wanted to learn Spanish, and it holds a special meaning for me, Tagalog seems easier...and it seems nicer, for some reason. I don't want to lose my Spanish, but when I finally learn it, I may have a Filipino accent...or maybe it'll be the other may around. I prayed at a recent convert's house yesterday, and when I said "amen" I said it with Spanish pronunciation, and the little girl told me: "No! it's not ah-men, it's ay-men!" Plus, when ever I read the Book of Mormon, I pronounce Nephi as Nefi like the Spanish do, even though it is most definitely Nephi in Tagalog.
I don't feel like I did much during proselyting. It was peaceful, and poor, but the most I think I accomplished was making someone smile... oh well...
I've been feeling very sad lately... I'm not sure why... which is even more frustrating, but hopefully conference will clear it up. Hopefully. Please reassure me that nothing bad has happened at home. If I've lost a family member and only my spirit knows... I just need to figure it out.
But it's not too bad.
My companion will try to give me another couple of photos to send you. Just letting you know in case I don't, that I'm trying.
Now that I think of it, if you send anything, send a camera. Even if I can buy things when I get in the field, I have no idea when I will find time to buy a camera, which you won't find at your average store here...
That's all I got. I have had spiritual experiences, but none are coming to mind. I did write a poem, which I will send if I have time, but it's kind of sad, so I don't know if you want to read it. I wrote it before I started feeling sad though, soooo.....
Let me know when you guys get a house. Thanks for continuing to send me lyrics and such. Please send me my "light" piece when you can. See if you can figure out how to send what Nikolai wants to. I wish him luck with laser tag and whatever else. Papa's school does sound cool. And yeah, that's what I got.
I love you all
see you next week.
By the way, I could be wrong, but I believe p-day is Friday next week. Please still send me whenever you feel inspired though. It kind of would suck for it to turn out to be on Thursday and me to not have anything because of it. But if you wait till Thursday night and it does turn out my p-day came and went, I'll wait. It's all good.
I'm not entirely sure why they give up on toilet paper. Something like:
Hard to carry around everywhere, considering the rain and the fact that we don't get backpacks, but rather shoulder bags.
You probably can't flush it most places.
And apparently, you feel cleaner when you take the cup/bucket, fill it with water, run it down your backside, do one smooth sweep with your left hand, use what's left in the bucket to wash it off your hand, and also to rinse off your posterior once more...
I don't know if I'll give up on toilet paper...
Washing machines... aren't in the apartments, as far as I know. Laundromats do exist, if you have the money, but you can't send garments to the laundry people...so...
The no suit thing, is definitely not because of hand cleaning. It's because it is really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really hot. 2 hours in it, I had taken my second shower of the day, this one without soap. It's unfortunate that most of the people are poor enough that they don't care what you smell like, but it's also a good thing, since I don't think I'd smell good.
I don't know how Tagalog is easier. That's the thing! It's almost certainly connected with the Spirit, because it certainly isn't how diligently I'm studying it...(oops) and nicer, it just seems, for no perceivable reason, to not twist my tongue as much as Spanish.
Proselyting I felt like I didn't do much because we taught a recent convert, and all I did was pray and say one or two things to him, the missionary did most of the talking, and then we decided to go
teach an investigator but she was busy...with a man... so we didn't go into their home...
After that we just tried some tracting, but success was limited at best, and I had no idea what I should say, so I didn't say very much at all.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
First missed mailing (Oct. 1, 2015)
October 1, 2015
First Missed Mailing
Why didn't you send me anything this week? I was kind of looking forward to that.
Nikolai will depress me if he doesn't send anything this week either... Seriously, you and Papa are fine, but you just... don't satisfy...
I'm emailing you with as much as I can... so here goes.
Learning more Tagalog... I can actually sort of make sentences now, like I'm getting it, but I still need to work at it. I also need to learn more vocab.
I've got the invitation to baptism, the first vision, and 1 Nephi 3:7 down in Tagalog... here goes:
Susundan mo ba ang halimbawa ni Jesucristo sa pamamagitan ng pagpapabinyag sa isang taong may taglay ng awtoridad ng priesthood ng Diyos? Magdaraos kami ng serbisyo ng binyag sa (date).
Ihahanda mo ba ang sarili mo na mabinyagan sa petsang iyon?
Acko ay nakakita ng isang haligi ng liwanag na tamang-tama sa tapat ng aking ulo, higit pa sa liwanag ng araw, na dahan-dahang bumaba hanggang sa ito ay pumalibot sa akin...
Nang tumuon sa akin ang liwanag, nakakita ako ng dalawang katauhan, na ang liwanag at kaluwalhatian ay hindi kayang maisalarawan, nakatayo sa hangin sa itaas ko. ang isa sa kanila ay nagsalita sa akin, tinatawag ako sa aking pangalan, at nagsabi, itinuturo ang isa--ito ang aking pinakamamahal na anak. Pakinggan Siya.
At ito ay nangyari na, na ako, si Nephi, ay nangusap sa aking ama: Hahayo ako at gagawin ang mga bagay na ipinag-uutos ng Panginoon, sapagkat nalalaman ko na ang Panginoon ay hindi magbibigay ng mga kautusan sa mga anak ng tao, maliban sa Siya ay maghahanda ng paraan para sa kanila upang kanilang maisagawa ang bagay na Kanyang ipinag-uutos sa kanila.
Those were, in order, invitation to baptism, the first vision as written in the restoration pamphlet, and 1 Nephi 3:7. See if you can figure out any words and send me back what you come up with.
This week I also got sicker. It affected me. I let it affect me.
My demeanor depreciated, my attitude depreciated, my study depreciated...
not good.
But I feel better now.
I had an immensely spiritual experience, but it was so good, I don't feel comfortable sharing the details...
suffice it to say, that even though I and a few other missionaries weren't in the temple, we felt the Spirit as strongly as if we were. Really crazy.
Like I said, I'm understanding the language somewhat. For instance, the main grammatical structure of Tagalog is: VAOL. Verb, Actor, Object, Location/receiver. Meaning, that first you put the verb, then you put the thing that is verbing, then you put the thing that's being verbed, and then you put where it happened, or to who the whole thing is happening. Like I teach math to my brother becomes: teach(V) I(A) math(O) to my brother(L/R). It's always the same structure, but sometimes weird things happen. Also, there is a concept of focus. The entire sentence can look different but have the same English translation just because of focus. Ng, ang and sa have no word equivalent in English. They simply are the non-focus marker (to mark things that aren't the focus of the sentence), the focus marker (to mark the thing that is the focus of the sentence) and the location marker (to mark the location, unless the location is the focus, in which case you use ang for it) so "I teach math to my brother" could be "Nagtuturo ang 'me' ng 'math' sa 'my brother'" or it could be "Itinuturo ng 'me' ang 'math' sa 'my brother'" or it could be "'location conjugation of teach' ng 'me' ng 'math' ang 'my brother'" and they all mean "I teach math to my brother" but they all mean something different as well. Confusing....
I'll send another email....
Oh how I hope that I hear from you before I have to get off.
So anyway.
P-day schedules change all the time.... which is why my email is so much earlier this time.
Next week, my P-day will be Thursday instead of Friday, so be aware of that, but I can't guarantee when it'll be in the day, only that it will be before 3:00 pm my time.
Not much else happened this week though. All pretty steady. My investigators, our investigators, are progressing, as I assume they are supposed to, but it's also slow going. Definitely get lost sometimes on what we are supposed to do.
I seek constantly for the Spirit. I tell you, there is no more amazing feeling than when you realize that you just got inspiration from the Spirit. You just thought of something you never would of thought of, or just understood something you never would have understood.
The only thing I need to work on, honestly, is that I need to love my investigators. It's tough, because they are only half real. They are based off of real people, pero they are still your teachers. It's sometimes hard to feel as though they are investigators and not mga guro.
But anyways.
I got stuff from the distribution center and Rustans again. I got another Tagalog Bible because my first one disappeared. I'm sure whoever has it doesn't know it's mine, but I kind of wish I had gotten it back. No biggy though, each one costs less than 2 dollars, so it wasn't really a financial loss.
Then I decided to get a mini hymnbook, one that I can take with me to places more easily. What threw me for a loop was the fact that that cost OVER FIVE TIMES THE AMOUNT OF THE BIBLE!
But whatever.
So yeah. that's...what I got for you...
send me some poems or songs if you would.
And some actual emails... other than...a comic...
I miss you.
If I can, I will check the email again today. I really hope that there is something there for me to read...
I found out that though I hate most Cheetos, I actually like the jalapeno ones... so that was weird.
I don't know if I told you about this, but in Australia there is a cookie called a Timtam. It's a brand, like Oreos. They are actually really good, but I would like them more in dark chocolate, and the only ones they have here are milk chocolate. Still, I was surprised. Think a piece of chocolate, sandwiched by two chocolate cookies, and covered in chocolate. that's basically what it is, but it doesn't taste as overpowering as it sounds. Very tasty.
Food here has reached an unfortunate monotony. I can tell you that dinner will be: 1. rice 2. some sort of vegetable mixture 3. some sort of meat in sauce and 4. some sort of sweet thing for desert, with a little fruit on the side, either apple, pear, banana, orange, pineapple, or melon. There may or may not be soup, but it'll be watery, not creamy. It's always savory soup, you know, has lots of flavor, but even their cream of mushroom soup wouldn't hold form...
So yeah, I kind of wish they would give us another fried fish, but so far, not happening...
What else can I say? I got the scripture masteries from one of my district mates, so I'm marking them in my scriptures in highlighter to make sure they stand out. That's a fun process... make one highlighter line, dab it with a paper napkin, make another highlighter line, dab it with the paper napkin. You know, so it doesn't leak through...
Anyways.
Almost out of time. I would send Lala stuff, (again, through your email!) pero I don't know what the heck a crocidolite is... I hope it's not Spanish I should remember but don't...
In terms of the life here, just share with her the emails I sent you. I didn't need them to be only for you three. You can send any of them to her...or anyone for that matter, I think.
Once again, I miss you. Wish I would have had some stuff waiting for me, but, maybe next week, yeah?
...
Please?
Wow!
Thanks for emailing me!
Great stuff.
So much happier.
Nikolai will depress me if he doesn't send anything this week either... Seriously, you and Papa are fine, but you just... don't satisfy...
I'm emailing you with as much as I can... so here goes.
Learning more Tagalog... I can actually sort of make sentences now, like I'm getting it, but I still need to work at it. I also need to learn more vocab.
I've got the invitation to baptism, the first vision, and 1 Nephi 3:7 down in Tagalog... here goes:
Susundan mo ba ang halimbawa ni Jesucristo sa pamamagitan ng pagpapabinyag sa isang taong may taglay ng awtoridad ng priesthood ng Diyos? Magdaraos kami ng serbisyo ng binyag sa (date).
Ihahanda mo ba ang sarili mo na mabinyagan sa petsang iyon?
Acko ay nakakita ng isang haligi ng liwanag na tamang-tama sa tapat ng aking ulo, higit pa sa liwanag ng araw, na dahan-dahang bumaba hanggang sa ito ay pumalibot sa akin...
Nang tumuon sa akin ang liwanag, nakakita ako ng dalawang katauhan, na ang liwanag at kaluwalhatian ay hindi kayang maisalarawan, nakatayo sa hangin sa itaas ko. ang isa sa kanila ay nagsalita sa akin, tinatawag ako sa aking pangalan, at nagsabi, itinuturo ang isa--ito ang aking pinakamamahal na anak. Pakinggan Siya.
At ito ay nangyari na, na ako, si Nephi, ay nangusap sa aking ama: Hahayo ako at gagawin ang mga bagay na ipinag-uutos ng Panginoon, sapagkat nalalaman ko na ang Panginoon ay hindi magbibigay ng mga kautusan sa mga anak ng tao, maliban sa Siya ay maghahanda ng paraan para sa kanila upang kanilang maisagawa ang bagay na Kanyang ipinag-uutos sa kanila.
Those were, in order, invitation to baptism, the first vision as written in the restoration pamphlet, and 1 Nephi 3:7. See if you can figure out any words and send me back what you come up with.
This week I also got sicker. It affected me. I let it affect me.
My demeanor depreciated, my attitude depreciated, my study depreciated...
not good.
But I feel better now.
I had an immensely spiritual experience, but it was so good, I don't feel comfortable sharing the details...
suffice it to say, that even though I and a few other missionaries weren't in the temple, we felt the Spirit as strongly as if we were. Really crazy.
Like I said, I'm understanding the language somewhat. For instance, the main grammatical structure of Tagalog is: VAOL. Verb, Actor, Object, Location/receiver. Meaning, that first you put the verb, then you put the thing that is verbing, then you put the thing that's being verbed, and then you put where it happened, or to who the whole thing is happening. Like I teach math to my brother becomes: teach(V) I(A) math(O) to my brother(L/R). It's always the same structure, but sometimes weird things happen. Also, there is a concept of focus. The entire sentence can look different but have the same English translation just because of focus. Ng, ang and sa have no word equivalent in English. They simply are the non-focus marker (to mark things that aren't the focus of the sentence), the focus marker (to mark the thing that is the focus of the sentence) and the location marker (to mark the location, unless the location is the focus, in which case you use ang for it) so "I teach math to my brother" could be "Nagtuturo ang 'me' ng 'math' sa 'my brother'" or it could be "Itinuturo ng 'me' ang 'math' sa 'my brother'" or it could be "'location conjugation of teach' ng 'me' ng 'math' ang 'my brother'" and they all mean "I teach math to my brother" but they all mean something different as well. Confusing....
I'll send another email....
Oh how I hope that I hear from you before I have to get off.
So anyway.
P-day schedules change all the time.... which is why my email is so much earlier this time.
Next week, my P-day will be Thursday instead of Friday, so be aware of that, but I can't guarantee when it'll be in the day, only that it will be before 3:00 pm my time.
Not much else happened this week though. All pretty steady. My investigators, our investigators, are progressing, as I assume they are supposed to, but it's also slow going. Definitely get lost sometimes on what we are supposed to do.
I seek constantly for the Spirit. I tell you, there is no more amazing feeling than when you realize that you just got inspiration from the Spirit. You just thought of something you never would of thought of, or just understood something you never would have understood.
The only thing I need to work on, honestly, is that I need to love my investigators. It's tough, because they are only half real. They are based off of real people, pero they are still your teachers. It's sometimes hard to feel as though they are investigators and not mga guro.
But anyways.
I got stuff from the distribution center and Rustans again. I got another Tagalog Bible because my first one disappeared. I'm sure whoever has it doesn't know it's mine, but I kind of wish I had gotten it back. No biggy though, each one costs less than 2 dollars, so it wasn't really a financial loss.
Then I decided to get a mini hymnbook, one that I can take with me to places more easily. What threw me for a loop was the fact that that cost OVER FIVE TIMES THE AMOUNT OF THE BIBLE!
But whatever.
So yeah. that's...what I got for you...
send me some poems or songs if you would.
And some actual emails... other than...a comic...
I miss you.
If I can, I will check the email again today. I really hope that there is something there for me to read...
I found out that though I hate most Cheetos, I actually like the jalapeno ones... so that was weird.
I don't know if I told you about this, but in Australia there is a cookie called a Timtam. It's a brand, like Oreos. They are actually really good, but I would like them more in dark chocolate, and the only ones they have here are milk chocolate. Still, I was surprised. Think a piece of chocolate, sandwiched by two chocolate cookies, and covered in chocolate. that's basically what it is, but it doesn't taste as overpowering as it sounds. Very tasty.
Food here has reached an unfortunate monotony. I can tell you that dinner will be: 1. rice 2. some sort of vegetable mixture 3. some sort of meat in sauce and 4. some sort of sweet thing for desert, with a little fruit on the side, either apple, pear, banana, orange, pineapple, or melon. There may or may not be soup, but it'll be watery, not creamy. It's always savory soup, you know, has lots of flavor, but even their cream of mushroom soup wouldn't hold form...
So yeah, I kind of wish they would give us another fried fish, but so far, not happening...
What else can I say? I got the scripture masteries from one of my district mates, so I'm marking them in my scriptures in highlighter to make sure they stand out. That's a fun process... make one highlighter line, dab it with a paper napkin, make another highlighter line, dab it with the paper napkin. You know, so it doesn't leak through...
Anyways.
Almost out of time. I would send Lala stuff, (again, through your email!) pero I don't know what the heck a crocidolite is... I hope it's not Spanish I should remember but don't...
In terms of the life here, just share with her the emails I sent you. I didn't need them to be only for you three. You can send any of them to her...or anyone for that matter, I think.
Once again, I miss you. Wish I would have had some stuff waiting for me, but, maybe next week, yeah?
...
Please?
Wow!
Thanks for emailing me!
Great stuff.
So much happier.
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