Monday May 27, 2013

Kumusta Kayo Doon?

     Hello everybody! So first of off, Nabinyagan na si Mary-Kate! What the matanda?? She's so old and big. And she kept the tradition of getting baptized in Grandpa's Pond. That is awesome!!!!! When I did it it was FROZEN. And I heard when she did it the cows were drinking pretty close by? That's the best thing I have ever heard of hahahahha! Good ol' Eagar! Tell MK I'm proud of her and that I'll sing her a Tagalog Baptism song when I get home! Also I saw some pictures, the picture with her with all her Priesthood Legacy in the background is POWERFUL! She comes from good stalk, especially on her Mom's side ;) just kidding Tom!

      So this week, we had no water in the morning to shower, that is pretty common, no shocker and it actually happened earlier today too! Anyway, we had no water on thursday and we also had a District Meeting, so we got permission to shower at the ZL apartment (vogelsberg's place) we got on a bus and rode to Tigaon, where they live and where the district meeting was. As we rode, I stood at the door, that's what I like cuz it's breezy, I watched rice fields go by and in the distance a smoking volcano. How cool is my mission? It is the mission of my childhood dreams! When we do have water it is gross and cold, and when we don't we just make do. I love my mission haha. 

      Earlier today we had a District Activity at the beach since it is the last week of the transfer, it was a blast and I will send a few pictures from it! I will miss this district tons, we got super close but there will be a lot of transfers next week. But I think I need to explain a few of the pictures:

      1.)First of all the Sand Picture, that is our whole district climbing or descending Mount Mayon, based on our age in the mission. That is me at the TUKTOK, TOP, Since I am now one year. Scary stuff, pababa na! 

     2.) I hope I like the spider picture. That picture says a lot, I have my hat on, Barangay Tanod, shows the crazy language, then I have an Itak in my hand, they live off the machete in this country, I killed that spider with that itak right after the picture! It was epic. Then we have the Stippling Warriors Momma's Boys shirt, I am that haha. BTW that spider isn't close to the biggest I have seen. But I was pretty scarred to get that close, those things are creepy and FAST! 

      3.) You better believe I knew exactly what to do with the  El Pato you sent me. I have been holding on to that until Avocado Season! And then I spent BIG MONEY on AMERICAN CHIPS! But it was so worth it haha! It was way good! I hope you enjoyed the Finding Faith in Christ video with the picture haha, gotta fulfill my purpose haha!

       Also this week I hit my head on a low hanging bar in the street, bled a little. It isn't low for Philippinos but it is low for me. Hindi ako kasya sa Philipinas! That was cool.

      I got your package for me! Thank you so much the candy was great! Yes Mom, I shared haha. Thanks a lot!

      Have I ever told you that there are basketball courts everywhere here?! And in "courts" I mean a hoop and a lot of the time dirt or on a back street. Anyway, they always want me to dunk it, so if I have time I dunk it for them I do haha. They love it and it helps us build good relationships with everyone in the town. They say, "you're the one who can dunk it haha" Anyway thought that might be fun for you guys to know.

     Now I am sorry that this message has not been to "spiritual" but this next story won't help haha, but it is too classic not to tell. So Elder Villamor and I were on the bus this week when it stopped for construction. My eyes gazed around until I saw in a near by creek, a kid, PERCHED on a rock near the edge. He had no shorts on, which isn't odd here, even though he was 8 or 10. So I kept watching and then I see his face begin to concentrate and he starts in a very awkward squatting position. Yes, he was doing what you think he would be doing with no shorts, perched on a rock, near the creek. Elder Villamor and I and the Nanay next to us couldn't help but laugh, and we couldn't help but watch hahaha. We watched IT hang and fall. I shouldn't tell this as a missionary but it is jsut too classic. Then this kid splashes some water where one would need to splash water, no way was it taken care of nor sanitary and runs off. I think the Nanay next to us laughed even harder than we did haha. I love this country. I am super close to almost ALL the kids here in Ocampo. They all know my name and it is way fun. They always want high fives and they crowd around me in the teens and sometimes twenties. ALL THOSE LITTLE HANDS HAHAHA. Always bring alcohol! Haha so classic! I bet that "perched" kid has given me a high five sense haha.       

         Anyway I don't have too much time to write we are super busy and have places to go and people to see! I love my mission. I love my purpose and I love these people. I am sorry for the lack of spirituality of this letter haha, next week. But President Hinckley said, 'In all of living have much fun and laughter, life is to be enjoyed not jsut endured." You just never know what you'll see while your serving a mission here haha.

     Love you all a bushel! Thank you for your prayers, I need them. My mission president could use them  too in this next transfer assignment too due to the fact that our mission will be splitting next transfer and he has to assign who goes where and who the our next mission president will be. I love you all a bushel. 

Elder Davis

All downhill from here. (almost)

stripling, sweaty, spider, slayer.

Probably won't be as good as his brother's guac but you can't go wrong with El Pato.

Rough P-day!

Monday May 20th 2013

I need this in my back yard!

I know he has an umbrella!

Funny boy!

Not quite grandpas cows but a close second.

Well, Maray na Uran, yup, just spat BICOL haha

      I just said to you, "happy rain" in English haha and a Happy Rain it is. SUMMER IS ALMOST OVER HERE!!!! Rainy season is starting, and I would rather deal with mud, and being wet from rain, than be wet from sweat haha. It is going from Hot season, to LESS-hot season, with A TON of rain! I am excited and welcome it with open arms, I feel like Andy Dufrane (sp) when he's standing in the rain after the prison break haha. I've only seen the edited version of course.

      Also, Skype was GREAT!!!!!!! It was way great to see all of you. It blew my mind when I was skyping you all in Eagar and then on top of that I am seeing people on your  i-phones in Florida and Utah, what the crazy technology? Anyways it was a great Mother's Day call! See you in Christmas! 

      So this morning as I was doing my laundry, in my glorious bucket haha, I saw a spider about 4 inches across. Elder Klassen killed him, but I was just amazed at how desensitized I am now to those kind of things haha. I didn't even take a picture haha, it is a everyday kind of thing. I am so SANAY to this place hahaha I love it here. Though I will admit that a washing machine will be a welcome quan, and the lack of massive spiders will not hurt my feelings. I have showered (with my bucket) with big, unwelcome, jumping frogs and that just doesn't even faze me, where am I haha. It is a good thing we have a long time until I HAVE to come home haha.

     Rulon has already had his farewell? Holy smokes it will be fun to talk to him in 2 years! I miss that kid. He will have a very different than me, but it will be perfect for him, that's for sure. The language will be easier, not easy, but easier haha. But lets be real, Tagalog is quite honestly the language of the Celestial Kingdom hahaha.

     Mom I am glad to hear the garden is planted. That's important stuff haha. And all but one of the calves is on the ground? Sounds like fun work, but nothing beats missionary work haha. Though that one is a close second.Sounds like Gramps is still strong and well, that's good. He looked good on skype. Too bad Grandma and Grandpa Davis couldn't make it. I hope they got my letter I sent them, I can't remember if they got it?

     So I have no "knock your sock off stories" but I would like to talk about The Gift of Tongues, or Ang Kaloob ng mga Wika. Just the title in Tagalog really says it all for me. I want all of you to know from the bottom of my heart, "I did not learn Tagalog!" Rather it was "given" to me, thus GIFT of tongues. Of course I am still learning and I am not perfect, but I know the language of Tagalog, crazy to say that. And not only that, I am pretty good at it. I have lived in the Philippines CLOSE TO 10 MONTHS, that's all. Also I can understand Bicolono pretty well. It comes from God. I hope no one who reads these letters believes in anything else. Chantz Davis CAN'T speak Tagalog. Elder Davis CAN! But it is only due to God. And I believe He could take it away from me too. It truly is a miracle that 18-21 year old BOYS learn the worlds hardest languages and in almost every case are extremely good only being in the country for less than 10 months. There are so many organizations in this world that will spend a lot of money if they could have their employees fluent in any language in 10 months. But we have the power of God to help us. It is not bought by money, but by obedience, diligence, sincere prayer and desire, and finally the grace and mercy of God- as a GIFT. And we use it to bless the lives of his children and Preach His Gospel. To bring it forth to all the world. I believe that is one of the "signs" Jesus spoke of when he gave the commandment to the Apostles to "Take the Gospel to all the Earth" the sign that Those who do that work will speak with "new tongues." Why on earth would bless me with this gift if I weren't teaching truth?

     I am humbled every time Tagalog flows off my tongue, and shocked when Bicol flows from it. And I am still learning. Thank you so much for your prayers as I have been here, especially from my family. I still remember Race telling me, "If you are obedient, you will learn the language." That one is written in my missionary handbook.

      Anyway the Gift of Tongues is a cool experience. And the more you NEED to say something, example in teaching God's Children His Restored Gospel, or when your in a tight spot the better your Tagalog will get. Anyway it is cool. You said it was cool to hear me speak it on skype, but I want you to know HOW I am able to speak Tagalog.

     Anywho, I better get going. It is raining HARD HERE! I'll try to send it to Eagar, but that's a bit of a travel. Mahal ko kayong lahat. Ingat sila sa inyo. At maraming salamat sa mga panalangin po ninyo. Nararamdaman  ko iyan araw-araw. Have a great week.

Elder Davis   

Love you all a bushel!

May 17th 2013

I received a nice email today from Sister Paula Ardern. Her husband is in the 1st Quorum of Seventy and was at a conference where Chantz is serving and is a daughter to "Papa" Hancy's wife. Chantz visited with them and said he was from Eagar and they immediately said "Mindy Hamblin. Sister Ardern was nice enough to take a picture of Chantz with Elder Ardern and send it my way.

Elders Davis and Arden.

Mothers Day May 12, 2013

“An On-Looking Mother”

By Elder Chantz Hamblin Davis

Philippines Naga Mission

I heard once a man’s success depends largely on his mother,

And if that’s the case the future looks bright for me and my older brother.

Mothers always seem to be there, especially in our moments of crisis

And no matter what the issue is, mothers always handle it the nicest.

“Mom” generally is the first kids us kids learn to say,

And from babe until adult we learn from her every day.

They’re classified as “worriers” and it’s probably good that they are

Cuz, you never know what us boys’ll do when we’re 17 with the keys to the car.

“I’m not doing my job if I’m not worrying” was ever quoted by my mother

And she still worries about me every day in some way or another

Of all the many attributes all mothers tend to master

I think the best of all is they know how to help when we’re in our biggest disaster

When we need a note, forgot our lunch, and our socks we cannot find

Mom goes to the spot we just looked and finds it as though you were blind.

Selfless and caring with the heart of a angel sons should never break

They live in service every day and we love’em for the food they make

They care about us so much but we too truly love them in return

We want to be the best of sons and, of course, it’s Christ from whom we learn.

So I’ve sat down to write a poem Mom and it’s taken a transfer of two

It’s hard to get the right words but here’s what’s come to view

In those last anguishing moments that finished His earthly ministry

While hanging on the cross after his suffering in Gethsemane

The Savior gave one final plea, a last request, before he went above

Ensuring the care take of his mother to the “Apostle that He loved”

Yes before he whispered it is finished to show his work was done

His thoughts were moved to His on looking mother, “Woman behold thy son.”

From the lowly manger of His miraculous birth

To the lifted cross when his soul left this earth

The mother of the Son of God had an essential role to play

I’ve tried to ponder from the manger to the cross, what did Mary say

I wonder while still in swaddling clothes what lullabies she whispered to her child’s ears

I wonder while He bore His cross what flashbacks she saw as she watched through transparent tears

I stand with so many other sons who can’t thank our mothers enough

For helping us out, and cheering us on, when we feel our situations rough

How special the bond is that Mothers and Sons will always possess

To us sons our mothers are our angels and no one will convince us of less

So from half way around the world I hope the poem to Mom will reach

With all the thankfulness a son’s heart can’t translate to speech

I hope she knows that I’m thankful I’ve always had an on-looking mother.

But of all the things I hope she knows, this trumps all, I’m thankful and I love her.

May 5th 2013

Missionary arms/legs:)

More!

And more!

Ride em cowboy!

And MORE!

Lunch?

Nasty!

Maray na Aga? Aga ba? Whatever Howdy! So first of off? Dad has no mustache?? Gary's Power has been lost! I always said that "Never underestimate the power of the Gary Stache" and now it is gone! That is so weird to me haha. I think if I came home and saw Dad without his mustache or our house painted pink with yellow swirls everywhere I would be more freaked out about Dad with no mustache haha. Anyway congrats Dad on the calling. Now again I feel like I need to tell you about all the pictures haha. So yes that is Balut. Sarap no? The pictures pretty much tell that story by itself. Also I will be getting my "One Year Mark Worm Pill" soon. I think Race called that "The Bomb?" haha. Anyway I think I have worms, we'll see and if I see... you'll see. Haha I'll fish it out if I have to haha. Now the "Name Tag and the Rat" we watched this guy die on the street, it ran across and got hit by a motor cycle, too bad. This guy is pretty small. These rats are "taga bukid" meaning from the fields. They live in the rice fields and they get pretty big. And apparently they are DELICIOUS. For real. Haha Elder Datu, my former companion, loves them. I want to eat one really bad, of course. haha Now the spider! We found another one, or maybe two, I can't remember. Basta marami sa bahay namin! This guy was fast and we just keep finding them. But they are still small, now don't get me wrong they are huge, but they are small for their kind haha. I am scarred to death to find these guys Mom and Dad, they're going to eat us for killing all their kids haha. Also I hope you enjoy the stains on our walls. Delicious no? Now for the Calabao or "water buffalo" guy. This was Elder Villamor's first time to ride on one, he was so excited. He really likes these kind of things because he's never done it, he's from the city haha. As for me it just makes me miss the farm haha. But there is nothing cooler than a big strong calabao with big old horns. They are super nice too haha, don't let them fool you. And the picture of my arm... that is my arm resting on my leg. I think the whiteness of my leg exceeds the whiteness of the driven snow haha. Haha I have a big time "farmers tan" but now it's "missionary tan" haha I should take a picture of the tan line on my neck from my shirt collar haha. Anyway it is hot and I mean HOT here haha. But the rainy season is coming and I can't wait. So those are all my pictures haha. I know you love pictures Mom and that's why I take them. I can't wait to skype next week though! It will be good to see your smiling faces, even though Dad's stache is off haha. This week was great we are teaching a couple in their late twenties and they are awesome. The sister has already read to Helaman in the Book of Mormon and she told us last week that she prayed and know's it is true. She reads all the time, Helaman!!! In like 4 weeks. They are awesome. The brother is having a little harder time finding time to really read, he is super busy with work, He makes these awesome bamboo chairs all day and works in the rice fields too. But I have never heard more sincere prayers from any investigator my whole mission. His aunt is a member, when we talked to her about teaching them she kinda shrugged her shoulders and said "go for it, but don't get your hopes up." Apparently Brother has had a bit of a past but that same aunt told us yesterday that she can see such a change in him since we've began teaching. That is what his wife said too. They say there fighting has gone way down and they are happier and there family is blessed more. The first thing we share with people generally is "The Gospel of Jesus Christ Blesses Families" It has been so fun to watch and continue to watch people be blessed by this Gospel. PEOPLE CAN CHANGE! And the best change comes through the Gospel. They still have a way to go on their conversion but they are starting there journey on a great start. I love love love love love my mission! Have I ever mentioned that? I know what I am doing is right. Not only is it right it is true. Not only is it true it is real. This Gospel is real, it is happening, it is a living Church with the living Christ is it's head. And I am so blessed to have a knowledge of this truth, we all are. So I hope we are sharing this Gospel. With everyone. Even people who "have a past" or we think, "they aren't interested." People can change and it is through Jesus Christ and His Gospel. How blessed we are that He restored his church and that it is "rolling forth to cover all the earth." I love you all. I can't wait to Skype next weeek!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Almost Mother's Day!!!! I am 11 months now in the field, which means I have 13 months to go. I will use that time wisely, WORK WORK WORK! I love being a missionary. Hope all is well there. I pray for you everyday and feel your prayers here. I can honestly say I sweat 24 hours all day. Yummy ba? I am wanting raining season haha. Invite whoever you want to Skype, I am sure Logan and Rulon will want to come and the Hamblins, of course all the family, and just whoever you think. But it is Mother's Day so just make sure you are there Mom haha. Elder Davis P.S. Going to get my hair cut, let's hope it is not a "coconut cut"