This week has been flippin' nuts. We went to Zone Leader Conference on Tuesday and Wednesday. I hate that bus ride.
We always sit at the back of the bus so we can spread out more. Hanging on the back seats were some clothes. More specifically, a dirty old pair of briefs and a stinky pair of socks. Turns out they belonged to the conductor. After carefully making sure they didn't touch any part of our skin we moved the dirty clothes to another part of the bus and the conductor came back and asked where the pair of briefs and socks went!
The bus broke down and we waited a long time but still got there on time (way lucky there are no speed limits in this country).
We have President O coming to work with us on Wednesday!!! There is a zone conference in Claveria zone on Tuesday and then ours is on Thursday so he will work with us Wednesday..... just a little nervous. We are also in charge of conducting the zone conference and getting programs ready and assigning people to do stuff. I never knew that there were rules for conducting. Pres. Packer gave a great talk on it but I can't remember what it's called.
We had fun making the programs though. Who knew font styles were so hilariously named??? We settled on "Goudy Old Stout", but it was close. We almost went with "Wide Latin". That is something I will put on my resume: "Yes I speak Wide Latin".
We have a baptism this Saturday. The little daughter of the 1st counselor in the branch presidency. She should have been a child of record baptism but her previous three baptism attempts didn't work out. She is afraid of water. She is sooooo cute though - it's all I can do not to pinch the cheeks off her little face! She's so shy too - Possibly the shyest person I have ever met. So I will keep you posted on that.
We had to sleep in Aparri on Wednesday night last week. It was fun. One of the Elders there is terrified of spiders. I saw one of the biggest I have ever seen in their apartment. They were going to kill it but I stopped them. I just hate seeing such a big creature getting killed. It's clearly very skilled at bug killing because it has gotten so flippin' big (it might be eating small dogs too though) so it makes no sense to kill it. Turns out it's a really jumpy little guy and was really hard to catch.....in that we didn't... in that it ran into their bedroom and hid in the floor boards and they were both really mad at me for keeping it alive. "Shelob" will be back for them!
I slept on the half-couch-thing there as mattresses here tend to give rashes and little red bites. The couch was pretty bad though too. Aparri is right on the ocean so it was really windy and cold and I had no blanket so I was in and out of sleep most of the night.
I was called upon out of nowhere to give a talk on Sunday. A little nerve wracking. I also got mail!!!! I got THREE letters from TB. She is way flippin' masipag about writing. It was good timing too as I had a long bus ride ahead of me. So as soon as I have a spare minute I will write back.
We have been a little stressed with all kinds of new meetings and responsibilities but it's crazy how our past experiences prepare us for the future and also just how specific the promptings of the spirit can be. So simple but when you really sit and look at the in's and out's of it, it's so crazy! Like dad taking me home teaching when I was younger was a great preparatory experience that I didn't even realize until my mission.
I finished the Book of Mormon for my 3rd time. I felt again that it's true. I'm finding that a mission is giving me a great opportunity to learn about some of my strengths and I realize that I have recognized and added upon those strengths because of the things I have gotten from the Book of Mormon. It also helps me see my weaknesses and that is so important as I know I need to keep getting better. If you do what you always did you are going to get what you always got.
I am still enjoying my mission even if I am more tired than I have ever been before. Thanks for your encouragement as well as from the whole stake back home. I always feel loved.
I love you lots.
-Elder Dustan
Friday, February 17, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
"Where's Elder C?" - Week 40. Serving in Camalaniugan
This week was possibly the craziest other than the night a fight broke out at Franks (I haven't eaten there since). It was my first week as a senior ZL and being a DL at the same time in a new huge area.
Let's start with Monday night. After P-day ended, the other elders came over and then we went out to work. I was nervous for Elder C to leave. He's a very fun guy and speaks just enough Ilocano that they all love him. So it seemed we spent the whole week going to the people we are teaching and hearing them say, "Where's Elder C?" and then being visibly disappointed when they found out it is just us two now.
On Tuesday we ran out of propane (no ovens or anything, just those propane camping stoves). Then we got our electric bill. It's a 5 week month so we only got to withdraw today so I had very little money last week. I, at one point, had only 9 pesos left - all coins. It's like paying in quarters for everything you buy. Our area is now huge and as we were a little short on money till today, we walked A LOT (my legs feel like death!). As a result, we were out a little later and then got to bed late from doing laundry so this week was a little rough.
On Tuesday (transfer day) we took everyone to the junction. All those in the areas around here being transferred go to the junction (in Magapit) where the buses come by. As zone leaders, we are responsible for overseeing the transfer of missionaries to and from our zone. We waited for a bus and then waited for the others to arrive on another bus.
We had a crazy day Saturday!! We have been getting punted all week. We were out in Fusina, a far but beautiful area and after getting punted, went to see D who is the coolest investigator. She is so prepared. She is 19, loves reading the Book of Mormon and really thinks things through.
On Our last visit we taught about our relationship with Christ and it was a reallly good lesson. Then on Saturday, her uncle and his family were there so we taught them all. We started talking about the Book of Mormon and even though we were just trying to see if she had a testimony of it yet, she ended up testifying of it's truthfulness to her family. It was amazing!
Her uncle is wayyyy cool (he has a handlebar mustache!). He has never tasted alcohol before and never has smoked. He has been wondering lately about his relationship with God. He was doubting that God loved him at all but lately he has been trying to find answers and blessings have been coming. He was so excited to read the Book of Mormon and loved that he has his own copy now.
I had a huge realization as never before of the power of the Holy Ghost, the truth that God has a specific plan for each of us and that as long we follow those simple promptings of the spirit it will all work out for good.
Anyways, I am doing well. this was a bit of a rough week, but we still had tons of fun, laughed lots (not gonna lie, some of those were by myself...). My companion is way nice and we are getting along well. Still loving my mission - no change there. Tons of crazy experiences and tons of lessons that would take me years to learn if I wasn't here. Serving a mission is honestly just common sense.
I am also feeling really comfortable with the language. I feel like I can get by anywhere here in Tagalog and can see the progress now. Language study is something I really look forward to every day - can't wait to learn a new word. Also we were worried we would get really low numbers this week (which we actually did) as we got punted a ton and are both new and the area is too. But on Sunday we had 29 progressing less active members at church, while the average and a respectable number to have, is around 8 or 9. We owe every bit of it to just going out and doing what we should, having fun while we do it, following the spirit, and specific, sincere prayers. For reals, I have seen so many specific answers to my prayers this week, it's crazy.
Anyways, I love you guys lots.
-Elder Dustan
Let's start with Monday night. After P-day ended, the other elders came over and then we went out to work. I was nervous for Elder C to leave. He's a very fun guy and speaks just enough Ilocano that they all love him. So it seemed we spent the whole week going to the people we are teaching and hearing them say, "Where's Elder C?" and then being visibly disappointed when they found out it is just us two now.
On Tuesday we ran out of propane (no ovens or anything, just those propane camping stoves). Then we got our electric bill. It's a 5 week month so we only got to withdraw today so I had very little money last week. I, at one point, had only 9 pesos left - all coins. It's like paying in quarters for everything you buy. Our area is now huge and as we were a little short on money till today, we walked A LOT (my legs feel like death!). As a result, we were out a little later and then got to bed late from doing laundry so this week was a little rough.
On Tuesday (transfer day) we took everyone to the junction. All those in the areas around here being transferred go to the junction (in Magapit) where the buses come by. As zone leaders, we are responsible for overseeing the transfer of missionaries to and from our zone. We waited for a bus and then waited for the others to arrive on another bus.
We had a crazy day Saturday!! We have been getting punted all week. We were out in Fusina, a far but beautiful area and after getting punted, went to see D who is the coolest investigator. She is so prepared. She is 19, loves reading the Book of Mormon and really thinks things through.
On Our last visit we taught about our relationship with Christ and it was a reallly good lesson. Then on Saturday, her uncle and his family were there so we taught them all. We started talking about the Book of Mormon and even though we were just trying to see if she had a testimony of it yet, she ended up testifying of it's truthfulness to her family. It was amazing!
Her uncle is wayyyy cool (he has a handlebar mustache!). He has never tasted alcohol before and never has smoked. He has been wondering lately about his relationship with God. He was doubting that God loved him at all but lately he has been trying to find answers and blessings have been coming. He was so excited to read the Book of Mormon and loved that he has his own copy now.
I had a huge realization as never before of the power of the Holy Ghost, the truth that God has a specific plan for each of us and that as long we follow those simple promptings of the spirit it will all work out for good.
Anyways, I am doing well. this was a bit of a rough week, but we still had tons of fun, laughed lots (not gonna lie, some of those were by myself...). My companion is way nice and we are getting along well. Still loving my mission - no change there. Tons of crazy experiences and tons of lessons that would take me years to learn if I wasn't here. Serving a mission is honestly just common sense.
I am also feeling really comfortable with the language. I feel like I can get by anywhere here in Tagalog and can see the progress now. Language study is something I really look forward to every day - can't wait to learn a new word. Also we were worried we would get really low numbers this week (which we actually did) as we got punted a ton and are both new and the area is too. But on Sunday we had 29 progressing less active members at church, while the average and a respectable number to have, is around 8 or 9. We owe every bit of it to just going out and doing what we should, having fun while we do it, following the spirit, and specific, sincere prayers. For reals, I have seen so many specific answers to my prayers this week, it's crazy.
Anyways, I love you guys lots.
-Elder Dustan
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Tag-araw is Here! - Week 39. Serving in Camalaniugan
Today is transfer list day and some crazy stuff happened. Last night we had a brown out and it started around 7pm and went until 1 am. I would have been totally fine with that but the tag-araw (the summer time) has started! It was so cold here up until this week. I asked around and apparently it's now summertime and it's sooooooo flippin' hot.
Last night we were at the apartment for accounting as we do every Sunday night. We had no fan because of the brown-out and were tormented by mosquitoes. We couldn't shower before bed because the water pump uses electricity. We all went to bed but couldn't sleep. I finally drifted off at one point and woke up totally soaked and could hear the buzz of mosquitos all around me.
Finally at one a.m. everything just jumped on all of a sudden. I thought everyone else was asleep but we all cheered when it did (yay!). I had to sit in front the fan for a while to dry off before I went to bed again. Now I have to wash my sheets again. Laundry takes a long time because it's all done by hand in a pail with a washboard but it will be easier now as there will only be two of us in the apartment. Camalaniugan-2 is no more as there is just one big area now. My companion, Elder C is transfers tomorrow to Callaguip, a tiny little area by Laoag. It was actually Elder T's first area - he was there for four transfers! It's not much bigger than my home town of Morewood and it's been open to the missionaries for a long time. In most areas the people call us Brother, Brud, Pastor, Joe etc. But in Callaguip, everyone in town knows them as the elders, even non-members.
As for me, I am going to lead the zone and Elder T will become my companion and a new ZL. I was a little freaked out there as I am a brand new ZL and now have to show someone else what to do. I was a little confused about who the DL's would be but apparently we are the DLs too, so we are in charge of....everything. It's going to be a challenging transfer.
The other areas in our district are Lal-lo 1 and 2 and it's a well known fact in the mission that some of the most effective and attractive sisters are assigned those two areas right now. So we are going to be poked fun at a little for that. It used to be the same in Vigan and they started calling it the Relief Society district.
Yesterday, church was a little different. We usually have little to no members, investigators or less actives from our area attending. They are all from the other area. But yesterday we had all kinds of people show up. Even Tatay U, the less active member who is afraid of going to church because Satan always puts huge obstacles in his way when he tries to. He really knows the gospel too - he could just never overcome that. But he did yesterday!
Tons of others came too. I think I mentioned that last Sunday, a little old man was kind of hanging around outside the church and you could tell he wanted to come in but was shy. The members noticed and talked to him and he came in and attended all 3 hours. Turns out he speaks a dialect of Ilocano called Ifugu or something like that (he speaks no Tagalog). So as much as we tried we couldn't help him out - just smile and shake his hand.
Then yesterday, just after sacrament meeting we saw him moseying along the path up to the door. But then he turns around and leaves so some members run after him but he disappeared. Then I see a figure in the door window on my right, the one by the sacrament table (like back home) and he's standing there looking in. So the clerk ran over and opened it.
After church, we were walking to the apartment for lunch and there is all kinds of construction going on there. I accidentally kicked this huge piece of dicarded concrete at this old man with crutches who was sitting at a waiting shed (like a dilapidated bus stop made of concrete). It rolled across both his feet, and I felt soooo bad and apologized a bunch. The missionaries will have to work hard with that guy to get him baptized.
The other day I was reading parts of the books of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel and couldn't help but see the difference in their missions. Ezekiel and Daniel both served in kings courts. They, of course, both had trials and problems, but Jeremiah was left to teach the people - an in-the-trench type mission. He had times where he was almost overcome with his trials. He was even put in the stocks and was eventually stoned. But even when he was almost overcome, and even a bit angry with the Lord, his testimony was so well rooted that he almost couldn't help but preach the gospel. I loved that. We have had so many times here where we have been overcome because of stuff that happens on a mission (seeing people you teach make poor choices, getting sick, persecution etc) but even when I felt like I couldn't do it anymore - couldn't open the apartment door one more time, my testimony almost wouldn't let me give up. It's then that I turn to the Lord (I have almost made it a kind of habit, which is the best habit I have ever made) and without fail, literally in every instance, I received the appropriate help - help that is perfectly suited to that situation. It's pretty sweet. I also have to mention the great
stories that come from a mission, the hilarious things that happen are a huge part of me being able to keep going. Thanks for helping me get my testimony rooted on the foundation of Christ. I love you guys LOTS! INGAT
-Elder Dustan
Last night we were at the apartment for accounting as we do every Sunday night. We had no fan because of the brown-out and were tormented by mosquitoes. We couldn't shower before bed because the water pump uses electricity. We all went to bed but couldn't sleep. I finally drifted off at one point and woke up totally soaked and could hear the buzz of mosquitos all around me.
Finally at one a.m. everything just jumped on all of a sudden. I thought everyone else was asleep but we all cheered when it did (yay!). I had to sit in front the fan for a while to dry off before I went to bed again. Now I have to wash my sheets again. Laundry takes a long time because it's all done by hand in a pail with a washboard but it will be easier now as there will only be two of us in the apartment. Camalaniugan-2 is no more as there is just one big area now. My companion, Elder C is transfers tomorrow to Callaguip, a tiny little area by Laoag. It was actually Elder T's first area - he was there for four transfers! It's not much bigger than my home town of Morewood and it's been open to the missionaries for a long time. In most areas the people call us Brother, Brud, Pastor, Joe etc. But in Callaguip, everyone in town knows them as the elders, even non-members.
As for me, I am going to lead the zone and Elder T will become my companion and a new ZL. I was a little freaked out there as I am a brand new ZL and now have to show someone else what to do. I was a little confused about who the DL's would be but apparently we are the DLs too, so we are in charge of....everything. It's going to be a challenging transfer.
The other areas in our district are Lal-lo 1 and 2 and it's a well known fact in the mission that some of the most effective and attractive sisters are assigned those two areas right now. So we are going to be poked fun at a little for that. It used to be the same in Vigan and they started calling it the Relief Society district.
Yesterday, church was a little different. We usually have little to no members, investigators or less actives from our area attending. They are all from the other area. But yesterday we had all kinds of people show up. Even Tatay U, the less active member who is afraid of going to church because Satan always puts huge obstacles in his way when he tries to. He really knows the gospel too - he could just never overcome that. But he did yesterday!
Tons of others came too. I think I mentioned that last Sunday, a little old man was kind of hanging around outside the church and you could tell he wanted to come in but was shy. The members noticed and talked to him and he came in and attended all 3 hours. Turns out he speaks a dialect of Ilocano called Ifugu or something like that (he speaks no Tagalog). So as much as we tried we couldn't help him out - just smile and shake his hand.
Then yesterday, just after sacrament meeting we saw him moseying along the path up to the door. But then he turns around and leaves so some members run after him but he disappeared. Then I see a figure in the door window on my right, the one by the sacrament table (like back home) and he's standing there looking in. So the clerk ran over and opened it.
After church, we were walking to the apartment for lunch and there is all kinds of construction going on there. I accidentally kicked this huge piece of dicarded concrete at this old man with crutches who was sitting at a waiting shed (like a dilapidated bus stop made of concrete). It rolled across both his feet, and I felt soooo bad and apologized a bunch. The missionaries will have to work hard with that guy to get him baptized.
The other day I was reading parts of the books of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel and couldn't help but see the difference in their missions. Ezekiel and Daniel both served in kings courts. They, of course, both had trials and problems, but Jeremiah was left to teach the people - an in-the-trench type mission. He had times where he was almost overcome with his trials. He was even put in the stocks and was eventually stoned. But even when he was almost overcome, and even a bit angry with the Lord, his testimony was so well rooted that he almost couldn't help but preach the gospel. I loved that. We have had so many times here where we have been overcome because of stuff that happens on a mission (seeing people you teach make poor choices, getting sick, persecution etc) but even when I felt like I couldn't do it anymore - couldn't open the apartment door one more time, my testimony almost wouldn't let me give up. It's then that I turn to the Lord (I have almost made it a kind of habit, which is the best habit I have ever made) and without fail, literally in every instance, I received the appropriate help - help that is perfectly suited to that situation. It's pretty sweet. I also have to mention the great
stories that come from a mission, the hilarious things that happen are a huge part of me being able to keep going. Thanks for helping me get my testimony rooted on the foundation of Christ. I love you guys LOTS! INGAT
-Elder Dustan
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