I Just Wanted to Have Some Franks! - Week 34. Last Week in Santa Maria

It was fantastic to talk to all of you - it made my day! I loved every word and it was great to hear your voices too! I felt really homesick for a minute afterwards.

Christmas was great - not eventful but I loved it. I got a present from my companion, Elder C. It was a cookbook as my cooking blows and he always knew it. Much appreciated though.
Okay, now for a review of the week. It was nuts!! Never thought that I would be a ZL and all the way in Cagayan.
On Monday last week, all the elders in the zone came over to the Narvacan apartment and we went out caroling in Santa Maria. It was awesome. When we got back, everyone split up and went to get supper in different restaurants in Narvacan. Me and my comp, Elder C, went to Franks - a little burger and hotdog stand that is usually quick and cheap. Good 'ol Franks.
 As we sat and waited for our food to be cooked, some drunk guy sat down and started talking to Elder C. While we waited, Elder I and Elder M (ZL's) showed up. Elder I stood behind us and Elder M was on the other side of the stand. Then the drunk guy started being a bit of a tool, asking Elder I if he was from Afghanistan and why he's so fat etc. Elder I got angry but didn't say anything - just glared at him. There were several other friends of the drunk guy there too and they were all taking interest in what was happening.
Elder C and I realized it was time to leave so we pushed Elder I away from them. Then all the guys at the stand surrounded us and it was me and Elder C between them and Elder I. Elder M was still in the back.
Then one guy started slapping Elder I's face with his hand and a towel! He got so mad and was about to hit them when I saw a pistol come out and point at him. I told them all that we were going to go home and that we didn't want any trouble- but they were all riled up. There were around 12-14 of them.
We edged our way out and I grabbed Elder M's arm and pulled him as he was about to fight. I dragged him away. We got a little way down the street when they started throwing rocks (we got stoned on our mission!!!!). One hit Elder M in the head and he got really mad and started trying to run at them but I grabbed his wrist again and pulled and pulled. Elder C was pulling Elder I too. Then, as we got to our street, they all ran at us and Elder M broke loose and punched one in the face (upper cut) and he collapsed. I remember Elder C screaming, "Elder M, no!!" as the first punch landed. Then another got punched by Elder M but he didn't fall, he went after Elder I instead and Elder I hit him too and then his knees buckled and he fell by a tree. Then they were all around us and one had a swtich blade. I lost track of Elder M as I saw a bunch of people coming at me.
This is the weird part - I had a Samuel the Lamanite moment. There would be one guy that would come at me and be about to punch me and I would get ready to defend myself but it was as if, at the last second, he would get distracted and walk away. I can't quite explain it but that happened six or seven times!
 One guy kept pointing at me and yelling, "Get him!" and then when they started to come at me, it was as if they would almost forget what they were doing and walk away. There were huge pieces of loose concrete being thrown as well, and one about the size of a soccer ball went right past my head. There were lots flying around but none of the rocks would hit me. They also had hot coffee as they had all been getting coffee at Franks and three of them tried to throw coffee on me but it didn't go far. Instead, it drooped out of the cup! Looking back it seems really weird. Then a guy on a motorcycle went kamikaze and ran into Elder I and cut his leg a bit. He swung to punch the driver but missed by inches which was good or the guy may have died!
Then I saw Elder M so I grabbed him and dragged him in the house. Elder C did the same with Elder I. We put the Samoans in the room and locked the front door.
Then the gang of guys went to the front gate of our neighbour and landlady and frightened her. She was almost crying. That made the ZL's even more angry. They left the room and we had to stop them from going back outside again. Then we realized that all the other elders were still out in town somewhere buying food. So we all decided to go back out.
Once we went out, we saw that the police were down the street and the drunk guys were somewhere else shouting. We saw two of the elders coming and yelled for them to get in the house. They were freaked. Then the policemen (volunteers only) came over to us and told us to go inside so we asked them to get the other Elders. We went inside and waited a bit and then elders started filtering in.
Once everyone was in, we (my comp and I and the ZL's) met on the roof and talked about what was going to happen. The SWAT team then showed up and wanted to talk to us. We chatted with this nice guy holding a huge automatic weapon (freaky). He said that they (the drunk fools) were known for this kind of thing (we were told later that they were the "Narvacan Murderers" but they must really suck at it because once stuff happened, the gun disappeared).
The ZL's went to the police station and then to the hospital for a bit. Then they called the mission president and he suggested we give them Preisthood blessings so we did. I thought the area was going to be closed but it wasn't.
 I thought the ZL's did well restraining themselves from fighting for the most part and when they did, they only ended up fighting in self defense.
 Later, Elder C asked me if I regretted anything I did that night. I thought about it and said no. He said he didn't either. Neither of us threw a single punch. The fact that I was guided by the spirit to act as a missionary was a sweet feeling. It still is. And if I had started punching people, I wouldn't have had a Samuel the Lamanite moment. Elder C said the same thing happened to him.
 It is such a sweet experience and testimony builder to see the hand of the Lord in protecting me. I can never thank him enough (so you guys will have to help me).
 The reason the ZL's were singled out by that gang was because they were Samoan. But they were men of Christ first and Samoans second. I realized that in my life, I sometimes forget that too (not the Samoan part though, as I am a Samoan like 50th or something) but I mean I need to be a missionary before all else.
It's the same for everyone - a representative of Christ first, above all else. A mother before all else, a father etc.
Anyways, during all of this, people asked us a few times what was going on and every time, my response was, "I just wanted to have some Franks!"
Anyways, I am safe. The Lord is watching over me at all times. I know that for a fact and as long as I do what I should, that's the way it will be. Thanks for all the love and support you guys all provide me. I love each of you so much.
On a side note, can someone send me an easy recipe for rice pudding? I can't believe people here don't eat it! "Rice Central" and no pudding to go with my rice!
So that's all for now - I gotta bounce! I can't wait to hear from you again. Do your best to live worthily of the blessings and protection God wants to give you. He always delivers.
Love you!!

-Elder Dustan

Oh, That I Had the Voice of a Samoan! - Week 33. Serving in Santa Maria

So in answer to a few of your questions: yes, we are still in the Narvacan apartment as the one in Santa Maria is too small apparently! I will be calling from a cellphone but I don't know the number yet. I CAN tell you that it will be my own cellphone. It's transfer list day and I just learned I will be transferred to Camalaniugan tomorrow at 6am! I will be a zone leader. Terrifying right? I had a hard enough time trying to get my head around being a DL!
 I will have a phone to call you on. I got the calling code from Mum and will call at around 6am our time on the 26th. That way it's 5pm your time on Christmas day.
Anyways, I am healthy, still filtering my water, eating really well and working out daily.
We slept outside the other day as there were typhoon winds (no rain and the winds weren't dangerous - just the type of wind you have to lean into if you're walking) and it was nice and breezy. But in the morning, the winds stopped and I got eaten alive by mosquitoes!!!!
We have been fine for weather - no floods or even rain really. Rainy season is done here. Summer is coming. It's going to get "hot" here (I thought it was already hot!!).
 I exchanged with Elder M and it was fun. He's flippin' hilarious! All kinds of jokes and stories and just chats people up and they open right up to him! He and his companion (ZL's) met some guy at a music fireside. They were singing in their awesome Samoan voices. He made an unkind comment of some sort. So the ZL's said that Samoans are the best singers in the world (honestly a fair statement - they sing beautifully even when they are just doing laundry). They were ridiculed for saying so but I was impressed with Elder M. He didn't fight back. He held his peace even though he was prodded on a few times. It was a strong testimony to me of how big changes are wrought on a mission! It's unbelievable. I don't see it as much in myself but if I could step outside of myself I would see it better. I notice it with all the other Elders - hearing what they were like before and seeing how they are now. It's amazing.
This week has just been another testament of our actions and the effect they have on others. All we have to do is analyze our thoughts a bit more before they turn to actions. Like David (when he was younger) in 1Samuel 18 - it mentions a few times how he behaved wisely and strangly enough, the Lord favoured him for it as well as the people! I have been trying to do this better. I really need to think more before I speak.
 I wish I had more time but I have to print off some stuff for tomorrow as I have to help with transfers! My new comp is Elder Cawley, my trainer's trainer! I will also be in the same apartment as Elder Thurston (from my MTC group) who will be my DL!!!! Cool eh?
 I ate custard yesterday (from the package you sent). It was masa-freaking-rap!!! Thanks! I will be eating haggis and peas and potatoes and more custard this Sunday for Christmas! I'll open my can of snow too!
I love you guys so much. Thanks for all you do. I loved each of your emails too. Everything you say is treasured like you don't even know. Got a Dear Elder from DW too and it was the bomb dot com! Got a postcard from TB and it was great.
I will be talking to you all in a week  Take care of yourselves!!!!!!!!!!!
-Elder Dustan
ps-Jamon, instoflopsta! Don't stop till you get enough!

Working With Less Active Members - Week 32. Serving in Santa Maria

This week was surprisingly long for only half a week of work. First things first though - I have some good stories. We are teaching this one guy that is sooooo receptive. He is obsessed with repentance. Then we found out he is defending himself in a court case right now. We don't know exactly what it's about but we know its about something that happened when he was in the army and that he is really upset about it. He is so excited to learn about the Church though. We left a pamphlet the first time and then when we came back, he came out and sat down and started praying without even being asked!!! So cool. He asks all the right questions and reads what we leave him. Then the other day he gave us two sheets of paper with all of his personal info and his identification cards and stuff. He said, "In case anybody asks you who I am."......then we got a little freaked out. I emailed the President about it today. That would suck if the NBI broke up his baptism mid dunk or something.

We also got invited to a lunch appointment this week at a recent convert of the ZL's. The nanay is a member but her kids aren't. One of them looked like she was only 17. Then we see two little kids go by around 3 or 4 years old. We asked who's they were and they said they were hers!!! She has two kids and she's younger than me!
As we were about to leave, a man walked into the house and he was kind of crazy looking. He told us he was scared and trying to hide from Jesus because apparently Jesus told the man that he was going to kill him!!! (What the kwan?). Then after trying to calm him down, the man squatted and hugged Elder M's legs and started moaning!! After we calmed him down again he got up and asked if we could bless him but before we could say anything, he went to each of us and rub our chests!!! I guess my chest has healing powers - I was uninformed... All in all, a weird week.

 As for the less actives, we got a huge list and then went out to find them. Some are dead, some are in Dubai, Alaska and Canada, some are in different churches, some were just happy to see us. I realized everyone has at least one problem. With less active members it's a little more easy to find what their issue is, as they know, and you know that there was a reason they stopped coming to church. The only problem is sometimes it is really difficult to hear.
One man told us his daughter, in grade 5, was raped and he thinks he can't go to church as he feels evil because he can't forgive the guy who did it. Another one told us she got offended because she was eating at church and someone told her to stop eating as that food was for the kids.....weird reason to throw away you salvation.
The worst one was the other night, just after the baptism in fact. We finally found this one sister we'd been looking for for a long time. She is only around 30 years old, and she got married a few weeks ago. We realized we'd heard about her a few times. Some of the ladies at church gossiped about her because she "married one of them African n****rs". They say it in english too!
 She married a guy from North Carolina. He's back there now but he'll be returning in a few months (I feel so bad for filipina's as they always fall for that - so many here just endlessly wait for their husbands who are abroad. They're such trusting and loyal people....too bad so many of the men never return).
 People often don't see the effects of gossip because the effect is that people just don't come back. I know that we should be slow to offend but if the ones offending were more cautious then we would all be happier.
I still feel terrible. She was honestly the nicest and most down to earth girl I've met on my mission. We will keep working with her and reading the Book of Mormon with her (she said she's still happy when she reads it) but it will take a while to repair that damage. I also spoke about this in church yesterday in sacrament. I shared a story about Socrates and a man who was going to share some gossip with him about one of his friends, but socrates stopped him and asked him to "filter" what he was going to say in the "TUG" filter: Is it "True"? Is it "Useful"? Is it "Good"? President O shared that with me and I promised in front of the whole ward yesterday that I would never gossip again. I challenged them all to filter their words, as words, like water, if not filtered, will make the consumer sick. Gossip is poison. This was a huge wake up call. The things I do, really do affect the salvation of others in some way.
 In Matthew it says we'll be judged for the idle words we speak. I decided to watch myself more, to make sure I set a good example for others about the church. Every kind word and smile makes a huge difference and as less active members come back to church, I see that more and more.
 I love you guys and you have always been a great example for me in every way. Please make sure you do the same for every other member of our family and every other member of the church.

We are not allowed out on Christmas Day except to attend church, as people go crazy here with guns and fireworks everywhere. Last night was my first time experiencing that. It's only the 12th and there were CRAZY fireworks and bullets flying everywhere until 1am. (don't worry though, we're safe. It's mostly in the stadium, not near us.).
 Gotta go!!! LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!
-Elder Dustan

Christmas Onions Are the Sweetest to Cut - Week 31. Serving in Santa Maria

We had our Christmas Zone Conference on Monday and Tuesday. The trip to the mission home takes three to four hours but so worth it! We took a Partas bus (which I think I said before, is Ilocano for fast) and they are crazy! They fly around corners and there is no way at all to be comfortable on them. It's nice that they have air conditioning but I feel the whole time like I'm going to die! The nasty thing is, I think we hit something on the way back.  We swerved all over the road and heard a huge thump and then the driver got control again and it was fine. I'm pretty sure there were angels on either side of the bus holding it up though so don't worry. ZONE CONFERENCE!!! It's the bomb! We got there and just sat in the mission home doing nothing and just that would have been worth the trip! I love that place. Some elders even come back and honeymoon there!!! (Kind of weird but it's realllly nice).
Then we had training with the President and he introduced to us the new direction of missionary work in the Philippines - every mission here! It's  called, "Dressed in White Twice" and is all about seeking "real growth".
We are not going to go door to door anymore.....or fence to fence.....or shack to shack. No more tracting is the point I'm trying to get at. We are still encouraged to talk to everyone but our real focus is less actives. They showed us the stats on membership in the Philippines and it was really sad. Most baptisms don't lead to priesthood ordinations or endowments or missions. So we are now teaching mostly less actives (starting today) and seeking real growth. They explained it like this: picture a tree - the branches and leaves are members or baptisms and the trunk is the priesthood. If the branches get too big and there's not enough trunk to support it, then the tree can't last ("..and it grieveth me that I should lose this tree."). So we are trying to strengthen the members that we already have. I'm really excited about it too.
Then we carolled around Laoag and San Nicholas for an hour and a half and gave candy to little kids! It was soooo much fun and my voice was dead by the end of the night. Weird thing is that, here they do carolling but always for money and they don't go away until you pay them. They seriously sing loud and terribly until you get sick of it and pay them. We had carollers come to our apartment. I ended up giving out stickers and candy and told them we had no money. They were all kids so that worked. So when we told people that we didn't want their money they were so surprised and happy! Great experience.
 I had lots of fun with the other missionaries too. We sang White Christmas together just like back home. I also talked with Elder Y a lot too (one armed elder). He's so funny - always happy, never ever heard anything negative come from his lips.  He had to go home for a while because he tore all of the muscles in his good arm.....which happens to be his only one too. Imagine how much that would suck. Just not being able to do anything. He showed me how to put a watch on with your tongue and how to tie a tie with your foot and one arm! Way cool, but way beyond my skills!
 Also had lots of fun with some of the Samoan elders. They taught us how to do the Haka! It's crazy. They performed it for Sister O too and she loved it (she's part Maori and loves islanders and everything about them). I'll try to remember the Haka and I'll do it for you when I get home. It's scary though. Elder F was the scariest doing it as he looked so deadly and he's usually so quiet. Our skit went well too.
 Sister O shared a great idea with all of us. She gave us each a nice little card to write down something we would give Christ for Christmas (because for some reason, on HIS birthday WE get gifts). It was a great
idea. I got some really good insight on myself and how to improve. I would suggest you all do the same - think of one thing you can give our Saviour for His birthday.
Then she gave us each a little stocking with goodies in it and they each were hand made and had a little Elder made of felt on it. President O told us that members in Las Vegas made them, and then older members from Utah all collected money and bought us chocolates (Russell Stover yo!). I almost cried when he told me that (I mean, I was just cutting onions when he told me that...). There is just so much selfless service and kindness in the world and being on the receiving end is almost overwhelming.
  I feel the same way with the Atonement sometimes - unworthy of how kind and loving my Saviour is. I realized that I often focus on what I am not good at and ways in which I am inadequate (there are many). I then realized that that is really not good at all. Before this life I sustained my Saviour and now that I am here, I know that He sustains me in what I am doing. I know that He has full trust in me and loves me more than I know. I learned I should focus on the things I am good at and realize that it all comes from His help and love. I am nothing without Him. I know that's true. I know that as long as I look to Him for help, He will help me do ANYTHING I need to. It's an amazing thing. I know that Christ sustains each of you too. Don't forget to look to Him for help.
 I found out yesterday that my converts in Vintar are not at church anymore except for D and it broke my heart. They have their own branch there now though. I will be writing them soon. My work doesn't stop at the gates of baptism. It goes until they are safely in the covenants of the temple and even after that.
I am so glad I have each of you to be a good example for me and that you each saw me through until I was safely in the promises of the temple. I love you all and pray for you. Thanks for being the pinkabest (aka: bestest).
That's all I've got for now as we only have two hours of p-day today and I still need to shop. I love you!!!!!!
-Elder Dustan

Huck Finn & a Rabid Rooster - Week 30. Serving in Santa Maria

Doostmans....Bustans....Batmans....
Dustbans...who'd have thought that name was so hard to say eh? But our whole world seems to have a really hard time with it. The names I just said have all been the results of people reading my tag.
Our ward is pretty small. It's a ward though, and we have our own chapel complete with ping pong table. The attendance is around 40 people per week. .
This week has been ridiculously busy and possibly the most stressful week of my whole mission. I had my first District Meeting with everyone present and didn't have much time to prepare for it as I also have to write a sketch for Christmas Zone Conference. Every zone gets to go to the mission home for two days of food and fun and gospel study. They go two or three zones at a time and we are going with the Vigan zone. We have to do a skit about Christmas and it has to be funny and spiritual.
 On Monday last week we went to the ocean in Santa Maria! My first time in the Pacific (we can walk in it if it's not deep and the waves aren't bad, which they weren't. I got some photos of it). There were no sharks so it was really nice. Its a beautiful place.
We taught a few lessons after P-day. The next day we went out to a middle-of-nowhere brgy and got punted a lot. At district meeting we discussed the skit we will have to do at zone conference. I pitched an idea and then Elder Cayanan did too and we put them together and now it's about elders who tract into a guy who doesn't believe that Christmas is about Christ but about Santa and about presents and gifts which he believes are the source of real happiness. Then he whips out Zechariah 2:6 (which I've been sitting on for some time and now I love that I get to use it for this!!!).
"Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the Lord: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the Lord."
Then the sisters tract into him after the elders are kicked out for not handling it well and the sisters save the day and he gets converted. The best part is at the end - everyone leaves except the investigator and he thinks quietly for about 30 seconds and then starts singing the 1st verse of Silent Night. Then everyone else is somehow in his house and singing with him - it's going to be matamis (sweet)!
I got attacked by a fighting cock! I had to use my bag as a shield and it scratched it good. It was actually terrifying!
 I am really in love with the concept of daily improvement. The doctrines of the gospel are so simple and easy but only those that use their agency properly and exercise a particle of faith and act on the doctrine get to know the joys of them. I don't want to go back to being that person I was before my mission. I think you have a copy of my patriarchal blessing too right? It mentions something about this in there and that's the first time I've seen something from it come to fruition with such an impact.
We found a new apartment in Santa Maria which is sweet. We also had Stake Conference yesterday and President & Sister O were there, so.......I GOT YOUR CHRISTMAS
PACKAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Salamat (thanks)! I loved everything in there. The Senators pennant is right above my desk right now. I'm going to have haggis and snow for christmas (didn't know either came in a can!). I loved my ties too! Where did you even get those!!!??? They were awesome. I offered some candy to the ZL's so most of it is gone now (I kept all the chocolate for me and my companion though).
 I made leggo for the first time in years (from your package) and I really want to give it to this kid named J who follows us around this one neighbourhood we work in. He looks exactly like a dark Huck Finn. He is so funny. He sits in our lessons and the investigators ask who he is and we don't know what to tell them. He wears overalls with no shirt underneath.
Just know that everything you sent made me so happy - not because I get to have new stuff but because of the underlying meaning to everything. It all reminded me of you guys and that's the best gift of all. AND I get to make the little nippers here happy with some of the stuff....(maybe I'll keep one leggo for myself though... we'll see).
 Sister O gave a talk yesterday about how they were so poor growing up in New Zealand that all their presents were things they made for each other and the time they spent together. President O also said that presents are better when they have an underlying spiritual meaning.
Anyways, I love you guys so much and will realllllly miss you this Christmas. But either way, we all get to celebrate the birth of our Saviour no matter where in the world we are - and the fact that, through Him, we can all not only have eternal life, but we can have it together! Make sure you do what Mum had said about not getting wrapped up in the commercial side of Christmas but focus on the Saviour and our eternal family.
 But all that aside you HAVE to watch either Home Alone or A Charlie Brown Christmas.
There's so much more I want to say but I'm out of time. I love you guys more than I can say. Have a great Christmas season. And for goodness sake, if you see a rooster, run the other way! If they had the chance they'd eat you and everyone you care about!
Love ya!!
-Elder Dustan