The Tagalog Blog: BERRRRRRRRRRR months doesn't mean cold.....

WE'RE IN THE BERRRRRR MONTHS!

Can you believe it is SeptemBER! Here in the Philippines once you hit the BER months: SeptemBER, OctoBER, ect it is PWEDE NA to start the Christmas Spirit! Yesterday was September FIRST and we sang a Christmas Song in Sacrament and another one Sunday school and Elder Datu and I listen to it in the car haha. There are already some Christmas lights out on Panganiban Drive haha! Is that not an awesome cultural quan!? I think we should adapt to the "Ber Months." It is never to early to get into the Christmas Spirit! Anyway the time is flying by and I already know Christmas will be here before I know it.

This week was so magulo! It seemed like everyday we were traveling somewhere, it was a bit frustrating because we weren't able to teach as much but it was still a rewarding week. We had three missionaries finish their missions last week and they were pretty impressive. Return missionaries have some strong testimonies. We also had 29 FRESH missionaries! That means we had to open up 13 new areas- that is not an easy thing to do haha. Next transfer will be a little easier but still not easy. We just keep getting further and further out in the boonies! I hope when I leave the office I will be opening a BRAND NEW area way out there.

We had to travel to one of those new and far areas this week- TWICE. The first time I was more scared than I have ever been on my mission. I won't mention where we went or who I was scared of but it was a far area where foreigners aren't allowed to be assigned. This is a brand new area- as in the first sacrament meeting will be held in the missionaries apartment in like two weeks! Awesome no? Anyway we dropped off the Elders there and it was night time. Everyone there was asking us super creepy questions and THEY looked scared for us. There have been some hold up on the roads there before. And Elder Datu and I were fairly convinced that we had a 50 percent chance of getting held up on the road. One of the friends of the missionaries told us before we left, "Do not stop for anything." We were scared, but we prayed and made it our safe and sound. Anyway we aren't allowed to travel there at night anymore. There is a risk of kidnapping there. So it is a good thing my mom is a worry-wart and prays for my safety everyday.

I saw Tatay Abner yesterday! If you don't remember who Tatay Abner is he is an investigator we taught in Ocampo. He went to church at my ward yesterday! He calls the mission office every two or tree weeks and chats with me haha. Yesterday he came to church in Canaman! He is still one of my favorite people I have met here, he also is the one that causes me the most sadness. He is still as hard as ever haha. He just can't seem to "apply his heart to learning." But I love him anyway. We got to chat for a while and he sat with me for the whole three hours. I have lost MUCH hope about him ever becoming a member in this life but every time I see him I ponder about what our conversation will be like in the next life. Anyway it was good to see him. Me and him are buds- not as close as me and Gramps are buds though.

Also this week I FINALLY got my TIRE SANDALS! Aren't those awesome!?! Those things will last me the rest of my life- and they are comfortable even though they don't look it. The best part was it cost me just over 2 bucks! Filipinos can make cool stuff out of nothing! I am still going to do some things to the sandals to make them even cooler. I am sure I like them more than anyone else likes them but that is a good thing.

Next week we have Stake Conference right here in Naga! President Ardern of the Area Presidency will be coming, which should be fun. He came when I was in Goa and that was awesome. One thing that might not be awesome is I might have to translate for him- yucks! Elder Vogelsberg had to translate for him when he came to Goa. That is some pressure haha. I hope I don't have to do it. But this week should be great- all weeks are. I am still loving my mission, I am happy, and I love the Reeders.

This is a pretty short letter. But that is okay. Time is flying by here. It goes by so quickly. Also just an FYI I am writing a poem about missionary's shoes. It comes from Tatay Vogeslberg's shoes. I hope you guys like it. It could be a while or a month or a transfer before I finish it- we hardly have anytime for that. We usually get home pretty late. Well I love you all. Eagar looks beautiful, I am grateful we are getting rain there but I am jealous that you are enjoying it while I am not. The church is true everybody, it really is- so what else really matters?

Elder Davis

P.S. Question of the Day- Why does the Bible end? Think about that one...