November 25, 2012

Howdy Howdy! Well sounds like Thanksgiving was good. I was, believe it or not, with family at Thanksgiving haha. My Zone Leader, Elder Farsworth from Gilbert Az was here. BUT he is originally from KIRTLAND NEW MEXICO and he says he is related to the Sherwoods there? It's a stretch but he's family in my eyes haha. He was companions with Elder Vogelsberg and he is just awesome. So yeah family at Thanksgiving on CATS! And less mashed potatoes than usual and much much much more rice. But it was great... I hardly knew it was Thanksgiving. So now to the important things (haha)... I have been told my whole mission that I would "spoil my pants before my 6 month mark." I always boldly reply that it will not happen to me, and then I say but if it does I hope I am wearing my brown slacks (Dad's favorite joke). This last week I came closer to "The Swift and Mighties than anyone ever has without pooing the pants haha. We were doing morning work and it hit "Swiftly and MIGHTILY" and luckily we were near a neighboring missionaries apartment and my comp has the keys (D.L. siya) I BARLEY made it. Their bathroom is TINY and it was HOT... my knees could almost touch the facing wall in the bathroom (hopefully the pictures will upload). It was terrible, but as I have said, "It will not happen to me!" But I have a question... If it does happen- Do you want to know? I think I have the courage to tell IF that dreadful day ever comes. Let me know. I am almost to 6 months wish me luck. So NOW to the important things, I have dreamed my whole life of being a missionary. I remember as a children Race and I would ask Dad for a scripture story or one of his mission stories, those are some of my fondest memories, and I am grateful for Dad's example of missionary service. I remember also as a child taking cold showers because "that is how it would be on my mission." I was right, but I never knew it would be with a bucket and a scooper. Ever morning I shower our bucket of water is filled with dead bugs that I try to scoop out but there are many and you can't get all of them. I never practiced for that as a child haha. But I now have a few "mission stories" I would love to be able to share with my own children. There is nothing better than being a missionary! A couple weeks ago Rylee sent me a picture that Ryder had drawn in church. It was a picture of his Uncle "Elder Davis" it was awesome and it you looked closely you could see a little name tag on my chest, it was great. I hope I am an example to my little nieces and nephews right now. That name tag that I wear, that Ryder associated with missionaries, means so much to me. There are 3 names on that tag 1 The name of the church 2 Elder Davis 3 Jesus Christ, I am a representative of 1 this church 2 my family name and 3 Jesus Christ. On the back of my tag is a sticker that reads "Return with Honor, Philippines Naga Mission" I strive to do that daily. I can't tell you what that name tag means to me, but it is more than any jersey I have ever worn. So Grandpa Sherwood would always tell me, "I am not worth my groceries." We ate at a members house a few days ago and while I was eating I could tell that the kids at the house hadn't eaten yet. This family was baptized a few years ago and are STRONG in the gospel. I imagine they sacrificed food and money so the missionaries would be fed. I ate VERY light as you might imagine as I sat at the table looking at children would hadn't eaten yet. That family LOVES missionaries, they are thankful that missionaries taught them the gospel. I work everyday hoping I am "worth my groceries." I saw at that dinner appointment that some groceries though not expensive, are very valuable. I am astonished at how strong some of these peoples testimonies of the Gospel is. Funny moment of the week, I was offered a wife haha. We were talking to this guy on the street and telling him about the church and what not, it was great and then he asked me "can you get married?" Haha Elder Datu and I looked at each other and the guy said as he pointed, "because my daughter is right there." hahaha Obviously we said that was Bawal and what not but it was funny. I should have pulled an Ammon and said, "No sir, but I will be thy servant instead." haha It was funny and awkward. So a little about my area. Our chapel is very nice and some rooms even have AC! It is beautiful and the branch is strong and good. We walk a lot in this area and it is great. I have seen a lot more monkeys here on the island than in my last area. Not wild ones, just pets, but as cool as they are I am scared of those little things. They creep me out! We gave one a pass along card haha. Also there is a family here that eats sea turtles, masarap daw, I want to try it. Another thing, we eat rice all the time of course, and we have no rice cooker haha. I have learned to Mag-sain... to cook rice on the stove and I am pretty good at it now. I said in one of my first letters, that you could always know a few things about me... It is ALWAYS hot (but now I like it a lot more) there is ALWAYS bugs on me (but I am used to it) I am ALWAYS obedient (I promise mom) and I am ALWAYS HAPPY (I am a missionary of Jesus Christ)! Things are great. The language is hard, but getting easier. The food is DELICIOUS, I have fallen in love with the fish (see pict) and the people are awesome. I am trying my best to follow President Hickley's advise, "Forget yourself and go to work." "To lose my life in this work and in Christ's gospel and by so doing find it." In case I have never told you before... the church is true, I would die for it in a heart beat, and right now and for the rest of my life I will LIVE IT. The church is not only true it is REAL! Well I best get going. I love you all and I pray for you. I am thankful for your prayers. Mom keep being an Enos for me haha. Well, in case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and goodnight. Elder Davis P.S. I have more pictures but I was lucky to get these two.

Put this on twice to make us thankful for Turkey and mashed potatoes:)

Tiny potty for a 6'3" white boy!