Oh Yolanda
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|  Nov 10 (3 days ago) | | ||
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Buhay
pa ako. I'm still alive. I'm sorry you were worried, family. I wasn't
able to email last week because we had a crazy busy schedule and then
the storm happened and I knew you would worry but there was nothing I
could do. Sorry again. The storm was bad. Really bad. Super typhoon. But
the center was in another area of the Philippines - not here in Manila.
We only experienced strong winds and rain and were commanded to stay
indoors. But Palawan was hit pretty hard. From what I've heard, no one
was seriously injured there but there were homes that were completely
destroyed. I'm not surprised by that, because there are many homes there
that are built over the ocean and only made of bamboo. But there was
enough notice in advance for everyone to evacuate. I still don't know
the full gravity of the storm because we don't watch the news.. but
please keep the Philippines in your prayers.
Man, I have so many things to tell you but I forgot them
all. One thing I want to talk about is how our choices effect the lives
of others. Example: there is a small island near Palawan called Coron.
This story happened when I was still on Palawan. There are two elders
there. They are isolated - they don't come to zone conference or zone
meetings or anything and they have no supervision. So, it is very
important that they are exactly obedient. Well, they weren't. They had
to be emergency transferred off the island and one of the APs was
transferred there so our zone leader was transferred to manila and
became AP to replace him. This was bad because he was shotgunning an
area on Palawan that was still weak and they had to close it again when
he left. All because of the choices of one elder on Coron. Then, this
story happened last week. Sister de Leon and I were lovin' life in our
apartment that was conveniently located in the center of our area. Then,
there were two sisters who were disobedient in a neighboring area.
Sister de Leon and I have now moved into their tiny apartment to
supervise their work. This new apartment is far from our area and we
need to spend time daily to commute to and from our area. All because of
the disobedience of two sisters. So, don't forget how everything you do
does not only effect you, but everyone around you! But, I'm excited for
the new challenge to impact the mission of these two sisters and to
prove that we can still have a model area even with this extra obstacle.
It's fun.
Speaking of the new apartment. It is nice! and
clean! But, TINY. Which is just perfect because I can reach my desk and
my closet and the fridge without even getting out of bed! And the
bathroom is just a two step walk away! So we're loving it living in
Makati and serving in Pasay. hah.
This last week was so awesome and tiring. We had transfer day on Wednesday
and we had to spend the whole day helping Sister Stucki and teaching
new missionaries in their orientation and it was real fun. But we woke
up at 3:00 a.m. so we could get our studies done before we had to be there. Then on Thursday, we had MLC which is the best but we also woke up at 3:00 a.m.
so we could still have time to proselyte after the meeting. It was
totally worth it but I was so exhausted! And I know, it is not requisite
that a man should run faster than he has strength. I don't have to do
it again for another month!
I have left the best part for last. Joshua and
Gerald Samonte were baptized this last week! Even though they are
teenagers, they are so prepared to receive the gospel. I gave them one
of my Preach My Gospels and they have been studying it every day and
preparing for their missions! They're so awesome. That is the picture
that I have attached, the two hipster kids in the middle are Gerald and
Joshua respectively. On the far left is Elias Samonte, their father. His
baptism is scheduled for December because he needs time to completely
repent from his problems with the word of wisdom. But he is so golden
and will definitely be baptized next month. He used to be a pastor and
served a mission for his church and so it's really fun to teach him
because he was so many questions and is so open to learn! He's already
read the book of mormon through and is halfway through Doctrine and
Covenants. Such a boss. I'm so grateful to know people like this in my
life. They're such an inspiration.
I love love serving my mission. Even though I'm
feeling more stress than ever before, I know I can do all the the Lord
has commanded me because He is preparing the way for me. Also, maybe you
noticed how weird my writing speech sounds. I've noticed too. I don't
know how to fix it. Sorry. Hah. I love Tagalog.
I'm safe. Don't worry about me if you don't hear
from me. I promise, President Stucki will call immediately if anything
happens to me. Don't stress. I love you!
The other picture I included is me and SISTER HUNT. The best mission
nanay in the world. I got to see her one last time before SHE WENT HOME.
Yeah, she's back in Australia now and I'll probably never see her
again. Umiyak talaga ako.
Sister Mecham
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