January 27th, 2013 - CAN ANYONE SSSSSSSAY SSSSSSSSSLIMEY SSSS SSNAKES, OCTUPUSSSSSSSS AND SSSSSSSSSSNAILS?

Maray na AGA. Maray na aga rin! I love those few Bicolono words I hear everyday! Well I am back in Camarines Sur! I am in the area Ocampo, District Tigaon, and Goa Zone! Believe it or not I am in a WARD! With a Bishop! Way cool stuff. My companion has changed race from Tongan to Philipino, lost over 200 pounds, a few shoe sizes, and shrunk more than a foot in height, his name- Elder Guanio. I am very excited for this transfer and it has been great so far! I did get a downgrade for an apartment though... sayang. (see picture of our shed/kitchen) haha So, a lot has changed but a lot has stayed the same: The people are still nice, the kids still cute, the poverty still a plenty, I am still preaching the everlasting word and I am HAPPY! Life is awesome! Of course it is, I am a missionary! But it's also very hard- I am a missionary! Anyway our ward is awesome but needs a lot of help, which is why I am a missionary hahaha. So, first to explain all these pictures. The stuff you see with the octopus is SNAIL. The snail was OK to me, but Elder Lavaka LOVED IT! As far as the octopus, the tentacles were SARAP (good) but the ULO (head) was NOT! It took some stomach to get the head down! We were at a Family Home Evening when we ate it, it was a great FHE and then they brought that out.... you never know what you will eat. But you are always thankful you have something to eat. FHE- have it every week! With or without octopus. Also, the SPIDER! Big hug? I have seen bigger, but I FINALLY got a picture! And to give you a reference of the size, IT IS EATING A BUTIKI meaning LIZARD! See the blood, me too. We found that guy about 5 feet from my bed... truly. And if you think, that thing must be slow- you are dead wrong! It is SOOO FAST! I don't think I will ever not be scared of them. But Elder Lavaka smashed that with his shoe.... only his shoe was big enough hahaha! May dugo.... yucks! So now the PYTHONS! Or in Tagalog SAWA! Elder Guanio and I were walking to our first lesson of the day when we saw those monsters in a guy's front yard! I thought they were alive but don't worry they were dead... too bad! The owner pointed to the small river just right by the house where he had caught them. I was so freaking out but to them it is NO BIG DEAL, they only freak out if it is a BLACK COBRA! Still waiting to see one of those! Anyway a member lives close by and we stopped and talked to them and told them about the snake They said it makes for great meat. That night when we were finished with our work and on our way home we stopped by their house to say goodbye Turns out they had bought the snake and cooked it up! DELICIOUS! I kid you not I think it is the best meat I have ever had. It has an element of fish, maybe it's just the bones di ko aram! It's also like chicken and like steak. To really know- go to your nearest sawa store and try it for yourself. ANG SARAP! I live in the mission of my childhood dreams! I love it, but lest we forget, it's no paradise, it is easily the hardest thing I have ever done. But the blessings outweigh it more than Elder Lavaka outweighs Elder Guanio! What this mission has done to my spirit and to those spirits I have taught is worth every bad octopus head, nasty kitchen and bathroom, and frustration of insanely hard languageS. It is great being a missionary! So I have already told you one thing you should do in this email- hold weekly- Family Home Evening let me tell you another thing that is a great thing to do in our lives. Every night I pray ABOUT every night 99% of the time, I say 2 nightly prayers. First of all let me tell you I have learned and am still learning to pray on my mission, I had no idea before hand. There is a lot more to prayer than I ever knew. And I imagine the older I get the more meaningful my prayers will become. You spend a lot of time on your knees as a missionary! So pray, pray with your whole soul. But I said I say 2 prayers.... that second prayer is this- I pray with all my heart JUST FOR THANKSGIVING of my many blessings. Not requesting for a thing. And I count them. My numbers get higher and higher the more I do it. I thank God for specific things that I am TRULY thankful for. And the more I do it the more I realize how much he has given me, and I recognize it during the day. FALL ASLEEP COUNTING YOUR BLESSINGS! I see everyday people who are truly truly struggling, it is humbling. Remember to be thankful. We gave a blessing just a couple days ago to a man who was convulsing in his small hut during the whole blessing. He passed away just a day or two later. We have no idea how blessed we are. As you say this "second prayer" remember the day, what you did, what you saw, what you felt, smelt, thought and everything and give thanks to God for it. See the things YOU HAVE in this world... not the things YOU DON'T HAVE! And remember the knowledge and testimony of yours should be near the top of the list. But always at the top is Jesus Christ and his Atonement. I have gotten so much closer to Him as I have done this on my mission. Anyway, be thankful- PLEASE! I have seen the richest of rich Americans that are ungrateful and unhappy and I have seen the poorest of poor Philipino saints that are grateful for their small hut, clothes and food and MOSTLY This Gospel of Jesus Christ. "The most important things in life, aren't things" as my mom always says. Elder Davis P.S.I had a way vivid/fun dream that Me and Race and Uncles Richard, Dwayne, Dennis, and Charlie were golfing in Eagar. Random but awesome

New area, new friends?

Snakes are friends..... NOT FOOD!

This 'little' man is eating a lizard if you can't tell.

January 21, 2013

YO YO I am transferred AGAIN! I can't believe I am already leaving Catanduanes! It was a fast time. I will miss that Island SOOO MUCH! I will miss those people so badly especially Sister Estilita! I have no time since I am transferred. And also, I am emailing in the mission office so I can't send pictures. But beware I finally got a good picture of a massive SPIDER... it's epic. So I still don't know where I will be assigned! But we "go where he wants us to go." I am glad you all liked the pictures last week. San Vicente rocks! Blakers is going to Honk Kong? I have a friend there. Tell her to look out for Elder Siebach... we were in the same Elders Quorum at BYU! THat's awesome! So I have no time. And we are going to eat, don't want to make the AP's wait on me haha. It will be good to eat in the city again, fast food here I come haha. I'll find out tomorrow where I am getting assigned! I can't wait! President Hunt told me in my setting apart that there are people here waiting for me, and for my testimony, so they can accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope I find all I need to find. If I talk to EVERYONE I surely will. Everyone needs it and everyone loves it. They have chosen the plan once... we just have to remind them and they will chose it again. The Plan of Salvation is INCREDIBLE! I love being a missionary! So no time and sorry it is short but I will email you next week telling you everything! I love you all tons and I pray for you daily. Keep reading, praying and going to church. Keep those testimonies bright. "Share the gospel at all times, and when necissary use words."- Saint Francis of Assisi. You all rock and I promise with everything in me that this church is true. I know it is through the power of the Holy Ghost. It's a simple testimony but this Gospel is also a simple truth. Love ya all Elder Davis (sorry I have no time) P.S. Octopus tentacles are delicious... the head is gross. And snail is good too. Pictures to come.

January 13th 2013

IF YOU ARE GOING TO SAN VICENTE... Well everyone, this has been maybe the coolest week of my mission. If pictures are worth a thousand words.. I hope to send you about 20 thousand words today! I hope you didn't freak out that I didn't email yesterday, our P-day was switched today by President because we had a "district activity." So yeah, I'm not transferred or anything just an odd week. So I am basically The Mormon Missionary Version of CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW... go go go go a mission life for me. So this week Elder Blakel (good buddy of mine), who is also assigned is Virac, had a case of "The Swift and Mighties." And they are over 2 areas, one in Virac and one VERY FAR AWAY in San Vicente. Because Elder Blakely was otherwise detained I went in his stead. It was the EXCHANGE of my dreams, San Vicente is the farthest and most remote area in our mission and I wish I could stay there for the rest of my two years... but that's not how the revelation works haha. So buckle up for some stories and good pictures. It was the experience of a lifetime, the mission I always dreamed of. So early Wednesday morning Elder Balad (my Filipino companion for the week) and I sent out for San Vicente leaving Elders Lavaka and Blakely at Virac. In order to get to San Vicente there are two real options 1, take a bus owned by a man named Mr. Suave who is said to say has NO SUAVE but does have a nice mustache daw. Walang Suave si Suave. His Jeepnie/bus is the only real vehicle that goes to San Vicente and it goes twice a week-ish. It is a ride of about 5 hours daw, all the way to the north part of the Island with sketchy roads, and they often break down.. Option 2, take a bus about 2 hours and then take a banka... a small fishing boat to San Vicente mismo or a near village and walk the rest of the way. We went with option 2 and it was good that we did because Mr. Suave broke down and there was no travel during the week. So we had our bus ride, the usual happened, TONS of people, a few pigs on board, our driver was crazy-shirtless and smoking, and the view was breathtaking. That was the usual, but still awesome. Once we got to the village of Bugga Manok (sp) we went to the boats. We were extremely fortunate to find a boat willing to go straight to San Vicente. Generally this time of year the fisherman wont dare go to San Vicente because the ocean is too strong and the passage too dangerous. But we found someone willing to go. So we shipped off to the deep blue... I felt like Jack Sparrow, just not drunk, and I was going to Preach the Everlasting Gospel and not plunder haha. Still cool. The boat ride was AMAZING, and a little scary. To get to San Vicente you have to pass through a stretch of water- guarded one side by the rocky cost and the other side by a small island. Because of this the waves get very disorderly and gives the reason why most fisherman don't like going. Once you have passed through that you hit the mouth? tail? of the river and ride into the jungle for a bit and then YOU'RE THERE. San Vicente! We made it alright but a little wet. Also flying fish still amaze me. "It MAY not be on a story sea..." Once in San Vicente you are in San Vicente. Real small and not much too do except go into the jungle. It reminded me of Eagar, and as we all know IT IS ALWAYS BETTER IN A SMALL TOWN! The life is very simple there. You wake up early, work and get your ulam (whatever you want to eat with your rice) and come home to your family. Very simple and just great. We sleep in the meeting house there that is connected to the Branch Presidents house- PRESIDENT MOLINA! The living conditions are pretty poor but the food is DELICIOUS. The Molina's feed us. I have never loved the food here more. I LOVE IT! Also, our "mattresses" there are pretty gross. I've been a lot more comfortable sleeping out camping than I have on those THIN, GROSS, mattresses. Basically like sleeping on the cement but I was grateful we even had that- most people don't around here. The mosquitoes are crazy over there! Every morning when we wake up we would see who had more blood spots on their sheet from rolling over on mosquitoes in the night. Had a few bits, hopefully I don't get Dangay Fever (sp). This week subdued my desire to camp for a while. I was in The Jungle of The Jungle haha. And hopefully the pictures go through, I am having some trouble right now. San Vicente is beautiful. So the work of the Lord is progressing even there in remote San Vicente. And a large part of that is due to The Molina's! The Molina's are incredible. Even better than there cooking (which is amazing, did I mention that?) IS there conversion to the Gospel. EVERYDAY, EVERDAY, EVERYDAY, they meet as a full family- sing a hymn and pray and then read the scriptures together. They are so awesome. There would be no Branch there if if weren't for them. They do everything. They are so awesome, I wish I could get to know them more. But I will say this, to all those who may struggle reading from the Book of Mormon and Bible everyday. If the Molina's, in the middle of NOWHERE, with NOTHING, can set aside a time everyday to read so can WE. I will everyday for the rest of my life. And that includes Family Home Evening weekly too. You should see the spirit that is in each member of that family's eyes. They are so happy- as ALL people are that are converted to this Gospel. They need not earthly things, they have Heavenly things and Heavenly things await them. So yeah I love the Molina's! The best part of the whole week was of course TEACHING! The boat rides were cool, but not near as great nor as LASTING as teaching. I met a lot of great people and we felt a great spirit in some awesome lessons. It reminded me of 2nd Nephi 29:7 "... I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the ISLANDS of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men. yea, even upon all the nations of the earth" SO AWESOME to be his missionary! Weather you serve in Naga Philippines or Wisconsin- you teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Children of God and THAT is the best part! The week flew by, we had a great time and sadly it was already time to go back to the noisy city. San Vicente is so quite, I miss it. The problem was we didn't know how to get home... Mr. Suave was still broke down, and we couldn't find a boat out of there. One member said he would take us but his boat was broke down as well so our option was WALK haha. We woke up at about 4ish a.m. grabbed our bags and walked about two hours in the dark. It was raining and the jungle road was turned into a half muddy river. But we made it to the village of Bugaw where they told us we could find a boat. We got there about an hour and a half early so we just sat there on the beach, found AWESOME shells, took pictures, and watch the sunrise. Then we nag-banka(ed) our way out of there. Again such an AMAZING boat ride. And it cost 25 pesos (about 50 American cents). I almost fell over with one wave that came out of nowhere but other than that is was smooth sailing. We made it to Bugga Manok and hit that same bus back home. It was the coolest week of my mission. I forgot one part, the best part. SACRAMENT MEETING! Sacrament meeting there was perhaps the best one I have ever participated in. It was a small, but sacred house of God and I felt God's love and learned of The Atonement of Jesus Christ in so much more detail. We sang two grate songs, "I Stand all Amazed" and "I'll go Where you Want me to go." You'll remember we got there "over stormy seas." Elder Balad and I blessed the sacrament, a massive cockroach got both on my high thigh (under the pants) and my face. I was freaking out, luckily no one noticed. Gross. But I don't even care anymore... it's the place I live and love. One of our deacons didn't even have sandals, he was barefoot. How ungrateful I sometimes am. I learned so much of the Atonement. HEY- if you can, SERVE A MISSION (to whom it may apply). haha What an awesome week. And today, we had our p-day, with a district activity that was awesome! So I am happy and doing well. Talk to you next week. Love you all a bushel! Keep reading, keep praying, be thankful, come to Christ and he'll come to you. Go to church, take the sacrament and "ALWAYS remember Him." I love you all and pray for you daily! Elder Davis P.S. Watch our for the white of my thighs... they haven't seen the sun in a very long time! And did I mention that sometimes I forget that I am white and tall? Well I do. Pinoy na ako!

January 6th 2013

Kumusta kayo? What a crazy week! It went by so fast, I swear P-day was yesterday! It was a great week though full pf great experiences. I read your emails and being in 5 degree weather sounds WONDERFUL! I can't wait to be in cold weather once again, but then again I get cold now if we are in AC room for to long haha. It is so foreign to think of COLD. Mainit lang! Anyways life is great here. Missionary work is always great, but it is funner when you understand what is going on haha! Here's a little nugget, a little nugget of advise for ya, if you can avoid showering in the well water from your neighbors yard, keep avoiding it. Because that stuff smells bad, at least from my experience. Mabaho naman! So yeah, don't shower in that if you can help it. There is the nugget of the week. So good news, our church attendance for Less Actives and New Members was at an all time high! We have been super blessed and people are coming to church, meaning them and we are happy. It was great to see the church filled with those people I love. Our area is really progressing and the youth especially are very excited about missionary work. They give us referrals and come with us to less actives houses and invite people to church it has been great! I love this branch and I hope I don't get transferred but I think I will. We'll see. So shout out... CAMILLE BLAD, my dearest cousin- email me would ya? I leave you for 7 months and you get married and have a kid on the way? Let me know about your life! I knew I should have took you with me haha just kidding- but for real EMAIL ME! Talk to you soon Camilio! So update on my shoes, since I know you are all dying to hear, I am getting air plane tire slapped on the bottom of those boys! They call them "eternity shoes." Or shoes na walang hanggang! I am excited and I'll let you know how they turn out in a week or two! I am super excited. So yesterday morning was a day I will always remember. We had to go to the hospital to visit a member and I had an experience there I will never forget. However, some things are to sacred to be sent to the world or be put on a blog. So family, remind me to tell you about Jan 6, 2013 and I'll read you my journal entry. Needless to say it was a very spiritual experience. I'll tell you in person when I get home. So I've mentioned Elder Farnsworth in a few emails. He's from Az and he's my ZL. And a super good mission buddy. He's my first real good "mission buddy" to be going home. He leaves this transfer and it is weird to see him leave. It makes me want to work super hard. I seems like the mission will never end but it definitely will. I hope I am ready to go when that time comes because right now I just want to stay. And I hit my 7 month mark yesterday too. I am getting too old! Iyaw ko! I hope you enjoy the pictures I send home. I took some classics this week. The picture with me and the sign is a perfect example of English in the Philippines! Just spell it how you want and IT'S CORRECT. My kind of country! Also we had to cross an ilog (river) last week and well, you do what you have to do to get to the places and people you need to get to. If a river comes across your way you roll up your pants and cross it. If it's not too deep. So that's always fun, it doesn't happen too often. Mostly only when in floods. But that is how it goes when you serve in Naga. Anyways I hope you enjoy the pictures! So I do have another hospital story that I will share. But first, I haven't heard of much crime or violence in this country. The people here are very kind and loving and I have never been scared here. So nothing to crazy happens here, especially outside the big cities. But despite that, people still do dumb things when they are drunk. So follow the word of wisdom haha. Anyway during the holidays one of our members was coming home from central when out of nowhere came a motorcycle with two guys on it and a 2x4. They drove by and smacked him cold on the back of the head. He had to go to hospital obviously and has been there for a few weeks. We went and visited and gave him a blessing as soon as we found out, he's doing a lot better now and literally two hours ago we found out he is back at his house so WAY GOOD NEWS! Moral of the story, don't drink, and always watch your back. Well that was a fun random story. I love what Elder Holland has said, "Missionary work is not easy, because salvation is not a cheap experience!" I was told in the MTC by a teacher of mine, "If your mission is easy, you're not doing it right." I am happy to tell you that my mission is hard, I hope that means I am doing it right. But truly I never understood before my mission what a mission really was. Or just how hard it really is. I guess when reading about The Sons of Mosiah of I always just focused on the success they had and how happy they were, and didn't pay much attention to the difficulties they went through. They went through some rough stuff before they had the success they were given. But despite all the hard things that happen. It is so worth it. I would do this, If asked, for 14 years like they did. When we think about what really matters, and what really is true, choices become easier. The two years from 19 years old to 21 years old, are looked at by the world as "party time" in God's eyes it "mission time." I am so glad I am here. I will be glad, I imagine, for the rest of my life and eternity. No I don't imagine that, I know that. We will NEVER be mad we followed God or His prophets. So, yeah. I am good, I am happy. I am trying very hard to be the best I can be and I see miracles in my life everyday! I am blessed, so are you. Be grateful. The language is still coming along, but still a long way to go. I think I can feel my mind changing, literally changing haha it's weird. It's like it is about to make one giant CLICK and I will know Tagalog, We'll see if my "feeling" is legit haha. No matter how it comes, it comes from God and I can't deny that, not for one half a second. If he wasn't giving me these words I wouldn't be this good. So I love you all. Enjoy the cold weather for me. Praying for you everyday! Mahal, Elder Davis (2013 what is this???) p.s.Well I love you tons! I gotta go. Take car of My Gramps for me. ERED is what we DO! Love you a bushel. BYE!