Hello All!
Well what a week! This was my last week in
Canaman and my last Sunday was actually pretty hard. I was joking with
President that since I have been in this ward for so long that people
started calling me Brother Davis rather than Elder Davis haha. They
think I am just "moving" and not getting transferred haha. It seems like
I am just a part of the ward. It was rough saying bye. The best family
ever, the Bienvenuto Family fed us Sunday night, like they do every
Sunday night and that was really hard to tell them goodbye! It was like
leaving my Filapinang Mother haha. But I am already assigned to speak in
Sacrament Meeting in my next area... it is still a group but very close
to becoming a branch. So that is our goal in the next 4 and a half
months, become a branch! But as sad as I am to leave Canaman, I am just
as happy to leave the office and go back to the pasture!
So I have said goodbye to all the luxuries of the office (see
pictures) and embracing the pasture. Truth be told I can't wait to get
out of the office, I wasn't designed for an office. I feel like Nemo in
the tank, but fear not- the toilet is close and I can smell the fresh
air! "We're not meant to be in a box kid, it does things to you." -Fin.
Anyway now that I have made myself sound quite weird I am excited for
my new and presumably last area. You will know next Monday where I am
and with who... as for now just know that I am opening an area and
training and I am as excited as excited comes!
Are you ready for some crazy calculations I have done
these past days... I hope so because they are coming! Okay- first of all
I have been here for 9 months, in the past 9 months I have traveled
11,330 miles!!!! And that is only in our van not including the MANY LONG
TRIPS I HAVE TAKEN IN PRESIDENTS VAN! The equivalent of that is going
from San Diego California to New York, New York ROUND TRIP, TWICE! And
then there is extra 286 miles give or take and that is ONLY in our van.
Yup! Now what makes that even more amazing is our furthest trip we do
generally is from Naga to Daet and that is only 52 miles. So you can see
why I might be excited to leave the office hahaha. Just kidding. Anyway
that is what we call here in Bicol HARAYO, meaning far!
Second calculation, I have been here 9 months. When I got
here we had 51 companionships in the Naga side of the mission (We still
had Legaspi mission back then) and in the past 9 months we have gone
from 51 companionships (102 missionaries in the current Naga Mission
Boundaries) to 109 companionships (218 missionaries!) That is 58 open
areas.... and we are still growing with no end in sight!!!!!!! Do you
think the work is hastening? The Mission Compliment is 230 missionaries,
meaning that Salt Lake "shouldn't" send us more than that but in March
we will exceed it and we have no new compliment. How exciting is that?
Anyway that is a lot of open areas and apartment finding and what not!
But it causes a lot of stress on a mission president.
Third and last calculation. Last week I finished the Book
of Mormon in Tagalog, again. This is my second time in Tagalog. That is
1,554 pages of Tagalog text. 777 of which I didn't skip a word that I
didn't know the meaning of without looking it up. So if I were
guestimating, and I am, I would guestimate that I have read over 2,000
pages of Tagalog scripture all together. And I have learned MUCH more
than just Tagalog in in those 2,000 pages or so. I hope I don't sound
boastful in these calculations, see Alma 26.
This week was also my last MLC, I couldn't help but smile
when President asked what would like to be discussed next month because I
knew that I would just be in my area worrying about my little pasture!
So I told you that we were fed on Sunday night, we had fish and I
FINALLY learned how to eat the head of the fish properly and completely.
They taught me how and it is true what they say, the head is the most
delicious. To quote them, "It is where the juice is." The coolest part
is eating the eyes... you just suck them out and eat away. But the black
part of the eye is hard and you don't eat just in case you are planning
on trying any time soon. Anyway, it was really good. They also made me
write on their wall that I will come back before 2020... I hope so! Just
have to do it before I am a Dad and it would not be possible! They made me
write it on ink haha. Me and that family are really close. We baptized
one of their referrals to us. They are awesome, the heart of Canaman
ward!
Did I mention that a lizard pooped on me in a lesson
yesterday? That happened. That makes a chicken and a lizard both in my
mission. But it was a good lesson nonetheless. Well next week when I
email I will be in very different circumstances, I am excited out of my
mind! I will miss a lot of the stuff I have come to love here but it is
time for me to go finish my mission nang maayos!
Thank you for your prayers and everything. I love you and I
love my mission. Not a day goes by that I am not thankful that I am
here. I don't want to waste any time. Keep the prayers a'coming! I love
this Gospel and I know it is true! Have a great week and a Happy
Valentines Day. Love you all a bushel!
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