June 9, 2013

Sweet new ride!

Another famous Davis Fist Bump!

Howdy,

       Well, that was the craziest week of my life.  If you couldn't tell from my last letter I was pretty nervous, still am, but less nervous haha. I am enjoying it, but I MISS REGULAR MISSIONARY WORK. I miss teaching tons of lessons and helping people all day long. Now I am helping missionaries all day long, still cool, but teaching God's children His gospel is cooler haha. But we still get to work and teach, it is just less. 

        I have a massive, and very possible, fear that I will get chubby here. Haha there is always food and there is always a chair. Food + Chair= Chubbs! Haha but I am working out hard and trying to cut back on the snacks. But you saw the McD's last week. Anyway I don't wanna get chubby, but it would be kinda cool if I were literally a Fat Chantz. Just sayin.

        Our mission is growing dramatically! We are starting to get wards with 6 missionaries in just one ward. Our mission is getting split in half this transfer but in a few months we will build back up to close to the same number of missionaries we had when we had the full mission, there are tons of new areas and areas splitting and it is exciting.

         I get the opportunity every transfer to both drop off departing missionaries at the air port and pick the new ones up. It is so exciting to see missionaries that have served for 2 years and will "return with honor" and in that same day to see FRESH, SCARED, but FULL OF FAITH missionaries enter the field. It gives me a great perspective of just how short the mission really is. I can't believe I only have one year left. Then again, 9 months of that will be in the office- I hope my last three months I will "be put out to pasture" and open area and train! That is my dream and I will be praying for that for the next nine months!

        To go back to the whole chubby thing, I was just interrupted due to the fact that there are delicious empanadas here, so now I'm eating three of those... while sitting hahaha. Anyway.

        Also speaking of airports, I will drop off my TATAY, Elder Vogelsberg, there next transfer, that will be a weird experience. I will forever be grateful for Tatay Vogelsberg! We'll make sure to take pictures Mom.

        So I had to leave my last area super quickly and I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to a lot of people which was super sad, but I can still write to them so it's okay. But there was one investigator who was really progressing and I really didn't want to leave them. I just found our that they got a new puppy last week and they named him DAVIS! How cool is that? A little puppy named Davis to remember me by haha.

        Aunt Tonna, due to the fact that I was transferred so quickly I didn't ahve the opportunity to share with Nanay Victorio the letter you wrote. I am sorry, but I really enjoyed it. In some ways it really strengthened me. And like you, I hope Tatay and Uncle Bob know each other. 

        I had another opportunity to go to a hospital here yesterday and give a blessing to an old pioneer in a near area, it was a great experience and I could feel so very much the love of God for that sister. I don't think I will ever be able to forget the Hospitals I have been to here on my mission. Every time I go I feel terrible about how much I complain about my life. I need to be so much more grateful, we have in very easy. 

        This past weeks we were up very late with transfer planning and trainer's training and all sorts of stuff. We were super busy but I am learning a lot. I have gotten better at driving here in the Philippines too, more comfortable now. We had to gas up on a long road trip of ours and we took pictures with those Dinosaurs. It looks like it could be in Holbrook Az no? 

         I don't have to much to say other than I really miss teaching. Teaching people the gospel is the coolest thing in the world! I miss it so much, I can't wait till things settle down here in the office and we can teach more often. But as for now I will just serve the Lord and the people of the Bicol Region this way. Thank you so much for all your prayers. I am learning so much and loving my mission. Thank you for everything.

          Mom, you asked If I will be translating for President Reeder, I imagine i will at times but only when he needs me. Sometimes I will for sure. I want to encourage them to learn Tagalog, especially Sister Reeder, she'll have more time on her hands. That will totally depend on them though haha. That is a hard thing to do... I know. 

         Thank you for everything. I would love to tell you stories of eating pythons and seeing cobras and what-not but I "ought to be content with the things that are allotted (sp) unto me." I am trying hard to serve hard here. I love you all a bushel!

Elder Davis