Holy smokes time flies! It is going by so fast. So first thing is first, we had Zone Conference and it was awesome, I actually got called on to speak. It was a great meeting and President Bliesner is AMAZING. I learned a lot that conference, I learned something very personalized to me.... that is I weigh 165 pounds! (Sister Bliesner brings scales to all the conferences.) I AM NOTHING! If a stiff breeze comes I might get thrown in the ocean. I am near 6 feet 3 inches and 165 pounds. IF I TURN SIDEWAYS I CAN"T BE SEEN! I need to put some weight back on haha. And I eat a lot too. I have lost close to 20 pounds and I didn't have 20 to lose haha. But it's better to lose 20 than gain 20 I guess?
So this week I was all over the place with exchanges and the conference and we had a baptism and what not but it was great. While I was on exchanges in Codon I saw the island were they say "Survivor" is filmed? Don't know if that is true but if it is I saw it. Also while I was there we had a classic example of Philippino kindness. We were walking down the street right next to this beautiful beach and there were people getting Buko (coconuts) from this tree. Naturally I was amazed at how easily he climbed the tree and they saw us watching. They called us over and said they would give us Buko if we wanted. We accepted and the man through some down. The tree was TALL too. It was such a nice thing to do and they do things like that all the time. I can't remember how many times I have walked by people eating food and they just yell "kumain kayo" "Eat" they are willing to give even though they don't have much themselves. But they are such a kind people and I love them so much. They will give you rice, buko, or anything they are so kind and humble.
I still can't get over how pretty it is here. This island especially. It reminds me of the island on "LOST". It is really fun and pretty. The boat ride over here is so awesome, I thought I know what the color blue looked like... I had no idea something could be so blue. It's BLUER THAN BLUE. The green is greener than green and it's just awesome. And as long as I am sounding girly I will admit another thing I love about being here, there are fire flies everywhere! They bunch up in trees and it looks like Christmas sometimes there are so many. I can't see how people can live on this life and not recognize God's hand in it everyday. "All things denote that there is a God" and that he loves us.
So do you remember Sister Estilita that I told you about? The little old lady I want to carry around with me everywhere? She's like my Philippino Granny Hamblin! Well she was baptized this week (pictures to come). It was such a great day and then the next day she went and was a "member present" for a few of our lessons. It is so rewarding to watch people be blessed with this Gospel. I will remember sweet Sister Estilita forever and I hope she will remember me. That is one blessing of a mission I don't think missionaries get until after this life. The seeing and rejoicing with people they helped on there missions after this life. What a great day that will be.
So two quick funny stories. First off remember how I said the boat ride is three hours? Make sure if you ever find yourself needing to ride a boat for three hours in the Philippines that you don't eat anything that may make you need to quickly go to the bathroom. Or as Race would say, nothing that would give you the "swift and mighties." Because if you do you are in for a BUMPY and NASTY experience haha. Second Experience: This week I got a rash, I looked like RULON UDALL I had so many little red dots all over me. And it was the ITCHIEST THING EVER! I have never been so uncomfortable in my entire life. And for those thinking my "experience two" was caused by "experience one" your wrong because the rash came first haha. It was sooooo itchy I just wanted to yell and punch things it was so bad. It was from my chest to my knees and all over my back. And of course it was HOT AND HUMID on top of everything! I have never been so miserable. It was so hard not to think of myself but I got through it. And I learned a lot. I have no idea what the Savior must have gone through but I am so thankful for him. He felt our pains. He felt our sicknesses and sorrows. He's felt my trail of not knowing Tagalog. EVERYTHING. He performed an Infinite Atonement and He knows how we feel when no one else might. His sufferings I can't even imagine or comprehend but I am grateful for him. He truly is our Savior and Redeemer. And through him all things that are wrong can be made right.
So life is great. There are a lot of trails but nothing worth being discouraged about. I am trying to forget myself and go to work. The Lord has blessed me so much and he will continue to do so. I love my mission so much. It is the hardest thing I have ever done but also the best thing I have ever done. I have to go now. I love you all and I pray for you daily. I hope this language gets easier. But like Mom always said, "That which we persist in doing becomes easier, not that the manner of the thing has changed, but our ability to do good has increased." Love you all.
Elder Davis
P.S. Remind me next week in your emails to talk about Elder Datu
And I had more pictures but only this one would upload! Sorry
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