2016-8-1 First Baptism & Tigers

Kamusta po!

This week has been amazing, and I've definitely realized I'm here for a reason. Back in the MTC someone suggested writing down the reason why you're serving a mission in your journal every night, and it changes every day. This week's highlight was S's  baptism!

So S- approached the missionaries after church, and is the definition of a golden investigator. He's already talking about serving a mission after school! His girlfriend is a member and that's how he heard about the LDS church, but his testimony is his own. The most memorable part of the baptism was afterwards we were going to sing some hymns and S- says "it feels like I'm dreaming." We could all feel the spirit there, and it was a powerful experience for all of us.

I had balut for the second time! I still feel really bad for the baby duck whenever I feel the bones crunching, but the taste is actually really good! put some vinegar and salt in there, and you're golden. JJ and I went on splits and we helped each other out with language. I explained that the 'qu' sound is like 'kwa' and that made a lot more sense to him. Whenever we are teaching, sometimes it turns into a language study for me if we know the people pretty well, which is great. They're pretty kind about helping out with learning, and I've made leaps and bounds.

I've had a few moments where my Tagalog is effortless in the lesson, and this just testifies to me of the gift of tongues, because usually it takes all of my focus to speak in Tagalog. These moments are so full of the spirit, it's really amazing to me.

I was reading in Acts and when Stephen is stoned, he says "lay not this sin to their charge" which is a testament to his Christ-like character. It reminds me of Christ himself asking Heavenly Father to "forgive them, for they know not what they do." I'm really trying to work on humility and forgiveness this week, and worrying less about being right (those who have had an argument with me know I have to have the last dig) and more about being kind. It's not easy to break this habit, but I have some good examples to follow in the scriptures.

Super creepy mural next to the formal bishop's place

 I got a little tiger spray (you don't want to know from whence it came) and I'm thinking about starting a new cologne line called El Tigre. Let me know if you're interested.

 This is Elder Wood, and I don't know how he isn't related to Elijah Wood, because he looks just like Frodo!!

  I got to hold this little guy! 

 They've definitely got Disney World beat, trust me. Heck, half of the cages were unlocked or the keys were in the lock. Redefining ghetto.

Thanks for reading, love you all!

Ingat po kayo!