01-28-2013 Elders, rice...

That, my friends, is the glorious, yet terrible sound that you will hear over and over in the Philippines, always accompanied by a very sick stomach, brought on by over-eating. But at the same time, it means you are about to be forced to add more delicious food to your plate which will taste so very good! But you also have to factor in the guilt you will feel for knowingly adding weight and size to your belly. It's quite a battle of mixed feelings. But in the end, who can say no to the kind Filipino offering you the bowl of rice with the expectant look on their face? Not I. And that's why I look the way I do. I like to think of it as charity. Good excuse, eh?

Well folks. I hope you are all doing so well. It has been a good week on this side of the world. We have had some killer lessons this week. But probably the most interesting thing happened on Thursday. That was transfer day. We got two new elders in the apartment! But that's because...they split my area!! Ano ba iyan??? Sad day. I admit. I am selfish and do not want to share my wonderful people with the other elders. But for the good of the people, I will share. We will be able to get out and find more people. Our area is just sooo good! There are so many people in it being prepared to receive the gospel!! And it's too slow with only 2 missionaries. So apat na lang!! It's been good. We've spent the last few days showing the other missionaries their new area. And we will continue like that until later on. One of the elders here now (Elder Sommer, who in some pictures looks like a brother to me) is only here til about Thursday. He is serving in India, but visas there only last a year. So he bounced over here while they renewed his visa. And when he leaves, we will get another one from India to replace him. In India they teach in English. So these guys don't know Tagalog. As in, none. As in, less than a greenie American from the MTC. I feel a little bad for the man's comp. It'll be an interesting transfer for him. But all good there. 

Last night, we were teaching some lady. She told us that she will not be baptized. She refuses. But she does like being taught. And she just loves our Bible. She has been praying to know if our church is true, but she hasn't received an answer. But she always feels good when she reads our Bible and she always seems to find the answers to all her questions there. Yeah, needless to say, she is pretty much a goner. We will of course continue to teach her. She doesn't know it yet, but she will end up being a member. Funny how the Spirit can help you change your mind. She just needs a little help understanding it. Dope. 

We also have a little girl that we've been teaching. She is almost 12. She turns 12 on my birthday actually. So, naturally, we are friends. But her parents are not members. Always drinking and smoking and partying. But we decided that we would much rather teach them as a family. As awkward as it might seem, we just need to get her parents to listen. Last night we were talking to Christine (the almost 12 year old) and we asked her if we could talk to her parents. They weren't home. Haha, they pulled up right after we talked about the idea of teaching them. We talked to sister. She is all down to learn. Brother, not ready yet. But one parent is better than none. And then, from their example, Papa bear can get all ready too. It is a nice process. But so momma sat in last night. Went like gold. She is very accepting and willing to try what we teach. Hopefully, she continues to be that way. 

Elder Sumagaysay and I get along very well. We've just been killing it. His English is better than he likes to admit. But we mostly just Tagalog it, which is a huge help for me. His training is going so well. He is going to hop out and destroy the mission, in the best way possible. 

Come Saturday, we've got a triple baptism coming up. I'm way excited for our people!! And I've been here long enough that these are all people that I've been teaching from the beginning. It's so cool to be able to compare the beginning to the end result. The gospel is such a huge blessing! These people are completely changed. Ah man. Just share the gospel. With everyone. And don't worry about the result. The worst thing that can happen is they say no. And then you are no worse off. But they always might say yes. And then everybody wins!! So share!!

We have a youngster that we are teaching right now. Haha, actually we have tons. But this one in particular, we have been teaching for a while. His momma is a member, but inactive. He has a hard time coming to church because she doesn't. But she wants him to get baptized. And I'm thinking, so he can immediately go inactive? Forget it! So we've been trying to help momma. But we haven't been able to find out why she is shy about the church. But we felt like we needed to teach JM about the word of wisdom. He's 9. Shouldn't be an issue. But ok. Haha!!! The Lord works miracles for you if you do what you are supposed to and follow promptings. Momma has a word of wisdom issue. Was shy about it. But then realized she didn't really know why she needed to give it up. After a wonderful lesson following to the Spirit, she understands. She gets it. And hopefully, they will all be good to go! Or maybe there is more. But if so, we'll find it and help them all be blessed as a family!! This is the best job in the world! 

And now, for my pics. Be ready. So I have tons of me with kids. Man, kids are just the greatest kids. The kids here, as long as they don't know the F word, are so cute!! And they all love to talk to the Americans! Man, it's a good time. So I've got loads of those. And then a pic of a dog that someone burned. Just out amongst the trash. Kinda gross, but I had to take a picture.  Welcome to the Philippines!! And then one of my comp, just being him. Man, sometimes nightly planning needs to get spiced up! He's awesome. 

Anyway. This email is not the greatest I've written. Sorry. But that's all for now folks!! Have a wonderful week! 

Much love, 

Elder Christensen