Dateline 8/23/2011 Balamban, Cebu, Philippines
Dear Friends and Family,
Great News! Balamban is great!
First off, last Wednesday was great. We had a fun beach-side activity and played lots of fun Filipino games. Then, Thursday was the going-away party for the elders transferring off of Bohol. Thursday night right around midnight, just as the Elders in my room were about to fall asleep, Elder Rebojo and Elder Buque and Elder Narvasa burst into the room with a birthday poster, 1 candle used for blackouts and empty plastic bottles for noise. Then, Friday was transfer day. Friday morning we got up early to catch the fast craft headed to Cebu. It was just me and Sister Akiatan going to Cebu, so that was some “risky business.” :) The coolest thing ever happened though. As we were sitting in the boat, waiting for our marine voyage to set off, Nanay Carol Billarmeno, the nicest lady in Bohol, ran onto the boat, and gave me a big bag of birthday food; cupcakes, peanut cookies, a canvas bag, and a t-shirt. So nice! She isn't even in my branch, but she found out it was my birthday and got me all that stuff just moments before I put Bohol in my rear-view. It was great, the three of us sang “happy birthday” on the boat then she had to get off because we were about to leave.
Then, the transfer meeting was great. I saw some of my batch; Elders Taylor and Prescott. Then we made it up to Balamban which is kinda far away, but a really sweet town. It’s definitely the most lively area I've been assigned in, but that being said, it’s not as lively as Cebu City, much less Toledo [biggest town near Balamban]. It is the shipbuilding capitol of the Philippines, though. My companion here, Elder Natividad, is super nice, and pretty Tagalog[-speaking]. But he is diligent, obedient, and very kind. Also the sweet side is that the other Elders in Balamban also live in the House. They are also Tagalog speakers. So in just this last week, I've been learning a little bit of Tagalog. They are all really nice and fun. I like being in the house with 4 people because it helps having lots of people to talk to and unwind with at night.
The work here is sweet, too. We have a couple investigators that are committed, and we almost had one more last night, but she said she still isn't ready. Elder Natividad was saddened greatly.
So I had a great Birthday. I hope you did too Josh. Did I mention I got the singing hamburger card? It was a hit in District meeting. I miss you guys, but not too much since I like the Philippines so much. Thank you also to the Biddison's for the E-card.
I love you all very much, this church is true, read the Book of Mormon, it’s a true book.
Be good. Stay Crazy.
Gugma Elder Abbott
Photos:
Great News! Balamban is great!
First off, last Wednesday was great. We had a fun beach-side activity and played lots of fun Filipino games. Then, Thursday was the going-away party for the elders transferring off of Bohol. Thursday night right around midnight, just as the Elders in my room were about to fall asleep, Elder Rebojo and Elder Buque and Elder Narvasa burst into the room with a birthday poster, 1 candle used for blackouts and empty plastic bottles for noise. Then, Friday was transfer day. Friday morning we got up early to catch the fast craft headed to Cebu. It was just me and Sister Akiatan going to Cebu, so that was some “risky business.” :) The coolest thing ever happened though. As we were sitting in the boat, waiting for our marine voyage to set off, Nanay Carol Billarmeno, the nicest lady in Bohol, ran onto the boat, and gave me a big bag of birthday food; cupcakes, peanut cookies, a canvas bag, and a t-shirt. So nice! She isn't even in my branch, but she found out it was my birthday and got me all that stuff just moments before I put Bohol in my rear-view. It was great, the three of us sang “happy birthday” on the boat then she had to get off because we were about to leave.
Then, the transfer meeting was great. I saw some of my batch; Elders Taylor and Prescott. Then we made it up to Balamban which is kinda far away, but a really sweet town. It’s definitely the most lively area I've been assigned in, but that being said, it’s not as lively as Cebu City, much less Toledo [biggest town near Balamban]. It is the shipbuilding capitol of the Philippines, though. My companion here, Elder Natividad, is super nice, and pretty Tagalog[-speaking]. But he is diligent, obedient, and very kind. Also the sweet side is that the other Elders in Balamban also live in the House. They are also Tagalog speakers. So in just this last week, I've been learning a little bit of Tagalog. They are all really nice and fun. I like being in the house with 4 people because it helps having lots of people to talk to and unwind with at night.
The work here is sweet, too. We have a couple investigators that are committed, and we almost had one more last night, but she said she still isn't ready. Elder Natividad was saddened greatly.
So I had a great Birthday. I hope you did too Josh. Did I mention I got the singing hamburger card? It was a hit in District meeting. I miss you guys, but not too much since I like the Philippines so much. Thank you also to the Biddison's for the E-card.
I love you all very much, this church is true, read the Book of Mormon, it’s a true book.
Be good. Stay Crazy.
Gugma Elder Abbott
Photos:
The Tagbilaran Zone. I'll miss these guys. Back Row: E. Rebojo, E. Buque, S. Bruno, E. Narona, Ako [me], E. Fisher, E. Gubb, E. Tingabngab (good luck pronouncing that.) S. Tamolo, S. Fernandez Bottom: E. Manansala, E. Santia, E. Deguidoy, S. Akiatan, E. Adolfo, E. George
The Sign Elder Rebojo, Buque, and Narvasa made for me.
The Sign Elder Rebojo, Buque, and Narvasa made for me.
The Balamban District: E. Catipon, E. Menor, Ako [me], E. Natividad
Elder Taylor (my batch) and Me, he's in Siaton right now, my second area!
Elder Prescott (my batch) and Me, I forget where he is right now, he looks like dad right.
Dateline 8/30/2011
Dear Friends and Family,
I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! Even though most of the Happy-Birthday e-mails were a little late, I digged it. I had a good week, it was hard, but lots of good things happened.
First, Mission Tour. That was a blast. We started by Wednesday night heading into Toledo to sleep at the Zone Leaders House. Actually before that, let me clear up the confusion about my area. Yes, it is on Cebu Island, but it is no where close to Cebu City. It is arguably one of the furthest areas from the city. It is a nice little “lungsod,” though, or town. It’s more lively than my other areas which is nice, but it isn't anything like Cebu, or Even Toledo (the nearest city). To find it on my mission map, it’s on the backside of Cebu Island facing Negros Island. It is separated from Cebu City by a big mountain range.
I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! Even though most of the Happy-Birthday e-mails were a little late, I digged it. I had a good week, it was hard, but lots of good things happened.
First, Mission Tour. That was a blast. We started by Wednesday night heading into Toledo to sleep at the Zone Leaders House. Actually before that, let me clear up the confusion about my area. Yes, it is on Cebu Island, but it is no where close to Cebu City. It is arguably one of the furthest areas from the city. It is a nice little “lungsod,” though, or town. It’s more lively than my other areas which is nice, but it isn't anything like Cebu, or Even Toledo (the nearest city). To find it on my mission map, it’s on the backside of Cebu Island facing Negros Island. It is separated from Cebu City by a big mountain range.
Anyway, so the second we show up on the doorstep of the ZL's house we find out that all the Elders (just about the whole zone was there that night) were going to take a Greenie, Elder Fluckiger (thats his real name), out for his first Balut. The kid could not do it. He put it in his mouth twice and spit it out both times. I really enjoy balut now. I had a couple. Then we head back to the house and make Hot Chocolate (its actually Milo, and its kind of like Instant Breakfast) and did "Zone Shining Moments." That is where everyone in the Zone went around and said something they noticed that’s good about their companion. It was good. We felt the Love. Then, we hit the hay, and woke up at 4:00 AM. The Leaders had to show up at Cebu at 7:00 sharp for a special training with Elder The, the Philippines Area President. The training was good, then straight to the Zone Conference, which was also good. I learned a ton. Elder Teh taught about the Pwede na Current (meaning “It’s sort of allowed”), or the “PNC” that sometimes missionaries slip into and ride in their missions. It’s just a casual look at obedience. He wanted us all to work above that current in the Standards of Excellence. He explains better than I do, and it’s hard to explain in English what "Pwede Na" means. Then we had lunch, pictures and going home. Pretty much after the Zone Conference, though, the week got hard.
Sunday was the climax of the hardness, since no one came to church, the most devastating thing ever!!! And all of our appointments got cancelled. So we just tracted for hours in some of the hottest weather I have ever experienced. Even into the night, we weren't able to share with anyone. Not even at our dinner appointment, with an Investigator, who fed us. The food was great, but then they had other visitors so we had to come back the next week. Discouraging night. But, the last 2 days have been infinitely better. We have been finding people to teach, and this morning we played volleyball with the members, also fun.
So, the other cool thing that happened this week was …. I hit MY 1 YEAR!!!!!!!!! Crazy. So fast. This last year has been the best of my life, no doubt. No doubt about it. So I burned a polo shirt.
Sunday was the climax of the hardness, since no one came to church, the most devastating thing ever!!! And all of our appointments got cancelled. So we just tracted for hours in some of the hottest weather I have ever experienced. Even into the night, we weren't able to share with anyone. Not even at our dinner appointment, with an Investigator, who fed us. The food was great, but then they had other visitors so we had to come back the next week. Discouraging night. But, the last 2 days have been infinitely better. We have been finding people to teach, and this morning we played volleyball with the members, also fun.
So, the other cool thing that happened this week was …. I hit MY 1 YEAR!!!!!!!!! Crazy. So fast. This last year has been the best of my life, no doubt. No doubt about it. So I burned a polo shirt.
It was good, and liberating.
I look back on this last year and I can see how much I've changed. I still feel like the same old Nik, just with a strong testimony, a purpose in my life, and I'm in great shape (minus the rice belly). Plus I'll definitely be able to grow a beard when I get home. So I have a rock solid testimony of what we call the "The Miracle of the Mission." It is a miracle, for me and more importantly for other people. I love helping people.
Anyway, I love you. I love my area. I love Elder Natividad, my companion. That last transfer with Elder Rebojo was tuff, 3 transfers is a long time to be with anybody.
Be Good. Stay Crazy.
Gugma Elder Abbott
Anyway, I love you. I love my area. I love Elder Natividad, my companion. That last transfer with Elder Rebojo was tuff, 3 transfers is a long time to be with anybody.
Be Good. Stay Crazy.
Gugma Elder Abbott
No comments:
Post a Comment