Lovely Siaton

Good Morning, Friends and Family;

It’s a brand new area here in Siaton and its fantastic! I'll start with the journey. Like Mom said, I came from about as far away as possible. So, I had to leave Camotes in the afternoon on Thursday. By myself.  I made it to the Temple all by myself. So, I got there at night, and it was cool. Now that I'm not afraid of the public transportation, it’s sort of fun travelling around the Philippines. Thursday night, I slept at the City Zone Leaders apartment, which was fun since that’s my trainer, Elder Tan's house right now. Then, Friday, we had the transfer meeting which was great since I got to see a bunch of my Batch (missionaries who came out of the MTC with Nik). We had a good ol' time and President Hansen gave a great talk. In his talk he said in the next couple of months some huge changes would be coming that probably won't be happening in any other mission. Mystic. Then, we started the really long convoy down to Negros. We took a bus down to the bottom tip of the island of Cebu and then took a boat that the bus drives onto over to Dumaguette. Then, we slept with the missionaries in Dumaguette. Then, we take another bus to Siaton in the morning. It’s only like an hour out from Dumaguette, but it is way amazing. It’s gorgeous, it feels alot more like Asia than Camotes did - a lot of rice fields and rolling hills. I'll take some pictures. The house we live in is huge and it’s just me and Elder Angeles, who is a boss by the way. He is my first senior in the mission. The area is really big so we have to take busses out to our tracting areas. It’s cool cuz Siaton is a nice little town, although bigger than San Francisco (Camotes) but no where near as big as Dumaguette or Cebu. It’s a bit like Provo. We usually work out in the outskirts though, because the people aren't as busy. The Chapel is really big too. The only problem is there are a lot of inactive members.

The best part of Siaton is we have a member who takes it upon herself to be our mother. She is fantastic. She cooks us lunch and dinner EVERY DAY. She also does our laundry. She is also super sweet. The misionaries have been eating at her house everyday for 9 years now. Sister Garcia. She is amazing. This may be the only area that like that. So I'm crazy lucky.

But, Utah sounds nice, too, guys. Sounds nice and chilly, just as you like it, Dad.

Also a special Shout out to Tania and Alexis and the Wallins. They are my real friends.  (These are the people who have registered as followers of this blog)

Next week, I'll put up some pictures of Camotes and my batch here in the mission. We actually look like missionaries now, because we aren't in the MTC and wearing suits all the time. You all stay crazy. Remember how much I love all of you.

Gugma, Elder Abbott.

P.S. I forgot, I got the Andersons Christmas Card. Thank you very much! I'm glad I have a picture of you guys. I almost forgot what Josh looked like.

 P.S. (In response to Dad’s question) Bukid means Mountain. We just use it to describe an area if it’s rural and full of farms and stuff. Siaton is Bukid. Another good word for describing areas is Mingaw. It means there aren't a lot of people. It means like quiet, but quiet in a ghost town sense. It also means "to miss", fun fact.

Adto na Ko

Dear Family!

Big news! As you could probably tell from the title, I GOT TRANSFERRED!
Tomorrow, I leave the Island Paradise of Camotes probably for good. Which is too bad, but the good news is: I'm headed to Negros, in the city called Siaton (Shaw-tone). I hear it’s gorgeous. It’s like Camotes, "Bukid" which is exactly how I like it. I'm really pumped.

 Follow this link to see more information on Elder Abbott's new area. 

(Siaton is on the southern tip of Negros.)

Camotes has been a blast, though. I have learned a ton, especially Bisayan. After the first transfer, it wasn't so bad, like you said I'm more used to the culture here. There are some things here I will probably do still when I get home, like the smell my hand thing. I feel like it just does a better job than what we use in America. I'm gonna miss the people here, though, especially the Estrera family. They are wicked awesome. This week was cool. We picked up a bunch of new investigators this week. It’s a lot different here, I hear, than America. The people are super nice and they will listen, but follow up appointments are a joke, since a lot of them don't have any clocks or know what day it is. And, they don't really like changing religions, since Catholicism is easy and what they are used to. But I love them. I really like the food. I'm a big fan of the bread here. Also, fun fact; Camotes has gone green! Which means we don't have any power any more. Sometimes at night we do. That’s why I'm emailing right now. But I've learned I don't need it. We just iron our shirts beforehand, and stop using the refrigerator. But we don't have lights I guess, and Electric Fans are a luxury. Except there was a crazy storm that rolled in, and we were a little worried since we weren't going to be able to get fresh water, or go to Cebu, if it turned into a serious storm. It turned out alright, and it didn't keep us from "Kicking Satan’s Butt."

So, I'll share a spiritual thought this week. From my personal study this morning actually, I read D&C 45 (I think) verse 8. And Jesus mentions how he was rejected when he lived here on the earth, and at the same time I've been reading Jesus the Christ, and I'm at the Crucifixion right now (Almost done, cuz I'm a boss) and I realized, that people rejected him when they saw miracles, and heard him speak, and he was the Son of God. I'm just a missionary, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised at how many people reject our message. But not everyone rejects us, because God has a plan for us. All of us. So I don't know, think about it, it doesn't really apply as well since you’re not all missionaries, and if you are, you probably shouldn't be reading this. But I thought it was nice.

Anyway, Josh told me that he wanted to hear the grossest thing I ate lately. After Balut, it was probably just some really ugly fish. It was good though. I just realized I'm going to miss Elder Deguidoy's cooking. Maybe Elder Angeles, my new companion, will be a chef, cuz I'm not.

That’s about it tonight. I love the heck out of all of you. I wish Erika Luck with the baby. Send my love to Josh and Carrissa. I can't believe Michael is walking. Tell Jasi she is great. Tell Omi I got her postcard and it was great.

Stay Wild.
Gugma, Elder Abbott      

Photos

The first picture is me at arguably the most beautiful place I've seen, I'll send more pictures later. 

The second is Us with Elder Ko. The 2 elders on the Far left are the AP's (Gatdula and Elmer), then Elder Torrie, Elder Deguidoy, Elder Ko, Sister Ko, Elder Bajan (my companion), Yours Truly, Sister Hansen and President Hansen.

 Then, the Third is my First baptism. I don't think I've sent these yet. It goes Elder Gwapo, Benjamin Tinguha, Lorena Sandal, Gwenn Tanza, Maylyn Sandal, and Elder Tan (my trainer). Oh, and that is the white sandy beaches of Camotes.
 

I hate the rain

Dearest Family and Friends: I love you. This week was really good. Actually it was really hard but I learned a lot.

First off the Christmas packages were the best!

Sister Brownlee - Thank you so much! I think I know what the tissue is for, so let me just say thanks. Also the pictures from the kids were great. There was this one from I'm not sure who, but it said "Thanks for making sad people Happy." Bingo, that totally nailed it on the head, I thought. I'll probably laminate it or something. The snacks were great, there are 4 elders in my house, so they went pretty fast. Filipino elders are a big fan of Trail Mix. I had no idea.

Dear Mom and Dad- Your package was amazing. I'm not sure where the rumor that I love sunflower seeds came from, but I ended up with 3 big bags of them. It’s a good snack while I wade through Jesus the Christ. The best was the Nutella. The bread here in the Philippines is like the best I've ever had, so the Nutella went by way fast. The Pinoy elders loved it. The Skittles are boss. Elder Deguidoy thought there was chocolate inside, so he was a little disappointed. The Summer Sausage was inspired. Unfortunately, one of them got eaten by rats on the plane/boat ride over to the Philippines. It was really disgusting and moldy when I opened it, but the other one was the best thing in the world, so don't worry. Elder Torrie and I destroyed that thing! We even splurged and bought Cheez Whiz for our crackers. That probably felt and tasted most like Christmas.

So, that was a great start to the week. This week was really hard. We've been struggling to find some new investigators, but we have some promising progressing ones right now. But finally, these last couple of days, we've finally found some really awesome new Investigators! So, hopefully it will work out. It’s been really rainy lately, which is the worst, since we walk in the mud all day. And people are nowhere to be found when it rains. Funny story: we were walking to an appointment on Sunday night, and we were walking down an actual paved road and a guy in a truck pulls up and says get in. So, we hop in the back and he takes us to the appointment. So, of course, we set up a date to teach him and what not. Then, yesterday evening we're walking to an appointment and the same thing happens, a guy on a motorcycle pulls up and says he's headed to Lungsod (town) and will give us a ride for free. So, we hop on since our appointment is on the way into town. We hop off and take his information. Bingo! God literally just gave us 2 investigators. It’s awesome! Also, that ride last night puts my new maximum for people on one motorcycle to 5! I've seen 7, but I've only experienced 5. Actually, public transportation here in the Philippines (the city, not some bukid areas like Camotes) is really, really good. However, it’s a lot like that time I fit 13 people in my car.  It’s wild how many people they put in those jipneys! There is a joke that goes, “How many people can you fit in a jipney? Always one more.”

Anyway, long story short I'm still a missionary, so it still rocks. I feel like I'm getting a belly from all this rice, but at the same time I feel like I'm in the best shape of my life.

I love you all. You should all write me or even email me I'm ok with that too.

Be good.

Gugma Elder Abbott

p.s. I just got your e-mail. The news about SDSU is huge! I loved it. Also, I thought I made it very clear when I said there was not toilet paper that I just had to become accustomed to the culture. People do usually check their hands when we shake, but we always carry rubbing alcohol, so it’s no big problem. A dirty hand won't keep me from saving your soul! Sometimes, when I give the kids high fives their hands are very dirty and I'm a little suspicious as to what I just slapped. I love everyone alot, tell Chris and Erika to drive safe and be good and teach their daughter how to say my name before I get home.

BALUT !!!!

Dear Family;
It totally happened. I ate balut, but I'll talk more of that later.

(Click here to find out what Nik is talking about.)

First, I got the pictures, surprisingly the picture of my car made me most homesick, I really miss driving.

Second, I got two Christmas packages (Bingo!) but I haven't opened them yet since we just got home from Cebu, so my reactions will come next week.

Third, I have a ton of way funny stories this week. The first is on Sunday. We woke up to a “brown out,” not too weird, then the power came back and surged on and off, then on again. This time when the power came on there was a really loud noise like something going to blow up. Elder Deguidoy starts running around shouting that the car is going to blow up. I actually believed him for like a second, then Elder Torrie and I realized how little sense that made. So he runs away to the CR and Elder Torrie and I look outside where the truck is and we see a powerline is on fire and buzzing out like crazy. So that was cool.

Then, Sunday afternoon we went to Cebu, and had a really sea sick journey over there. There's a pretty big storm over the pines right now I guess. But I'm still wearing short sleeves.

Then, Monday we were in Cebu for leadership training, but I'm not a leader so I worked the city again with 2 elders who are even newer here than me. Fortunately one of them was from Mindanao  and he knew Bisayan, so it tuned out alright. I realized that I knew more Bisayan than I thought.

Then, that night I ate Balut. It was 18 days fertilized, they hatch at 21. Elder Torrie tried to order me 20 day balut, but I heard him and I knew better. Most Pinoys don't even like 20 days, it has too many feathers. Anyway we sit down on a street corner, (there isn't a non-sketchy way to buy balut) and we crack a hole in the top. Then, you pour a little vinegar in there. I have really developed a taste for vinegar since I've been here. We drink out all the juice. Try not to think about what that is. Then, you peel it and it’s like a huge Hard Boiled egg, except that it is obviously a baby chicken. Put some salt on it and then I just popped the whole thing in my mouth and chase it down with straight up vinegar. The scariest part of it was how much I enjoyed it! I have no doubt that I'll eat it again, soon.

Then, we had a super long time trying to find a way back to Camotes which was a drag. The boat we usually take forgot it’s anchor. So we got home a day late, and now we're here. Coolish week. It was different, but all in all I've got the best job in the World!

I love all of you a ton, I miss you all a bunch, Happy New Year.

Dear Family and Friends,

I just called home 4 days ago, which, by the way, was great! I'm glad we got the phone thing figured out. It was great to talk to Jasi too. I don't really have anything else to write about. After Christmas it’s been pretty slow, but since not everyone was on the phone with me I'll just talk about all that stuff.

Christmas was a blast! We had a baptism in the morning, then went to a Christmas party on the beach. You could say I had a white Christmas, white sand that is. Seriously, that sand is white! Then, we went home and called our families. It was great. Then, we went to a member’s house and ate some cake and stuff called Bico. It’s a favorite here around any holiday. It is this brown sticky rice with like brown sugar and coconut, it’s really good. It’s the Philippines version of like fruit cake - everyone gives it to you and everyone has a different recipe. Sister Estrera's was the best. The worst was at the Christmas party. I accidentally tried some savory Bico. It was NOT sweet. It was pretty terrible but there was a stray dog there that was happy to finish it off for me. On the other hand, I ate some Lechon pig and my belly felt fine and had some really boss pancit. 

At that member’s house we watched most of this terrible, terrible Book of Mormon movie that was not made by the church. I think it was made by Halestorm entertainment, because Kirby Heybourne landed the role of Sam. Never watch it, it was terrible. Then, we went to another member’s house and watched The Restoration movie in Bisayan. They totally have it. Its really good and it is really modern Bisayan, not deep scripture Bisayan that NO one understands. I recommend watching it. Throw on the subtitles in English and be like, wow! this is the language Nik can't speak. Then, me and Elder Torrie made mashed potatoes and fried chicken, and we scored some gravy from the ZL's in Cebu so we did it up right. The only problem was that Elder Torrie did not cook the chicken well enough at all so it was totally dangerous to eat. The potatoes were only ok. Maybe next Christmas package throw in some potato pearls or whatever.

That was my Christmas and it was boss. Mission Christmas's are the best!
Aside from that, the mission is still rocking. We are having a problem with our investigators coming to church, but that's not your problem so I won't worry you over it.
I guess that’s it. I love you all a ton. I'll be heading back to Cebu this week so maybe I'll get my package then.

Be good, Drive Safe, those roads are icy. Pray everyday, and read the Book of Mormon. 

Gugma, Elder Abbott