Anna is baptized! She is so so great and I can't explain how
incredible it is to observe this kind of growth in people. We have 3
(not 5) more baptisms next Saturday. (We have transfers on Wednesday.
I think I'll probably get transferred, but will let you all know next
week. I really want to go to Pangasinan and learn some ilokano...)
I remember one time during a lesson we taught in Lubao to a man named
Noel Jimenez, he asked me how I knew that we were all brothers and
sisters. He responded and told me that if we peel off all of our
skins, and compare our insides, we're all the same. I enjoyed his
literally view on 'being human.' For anyone that feels so inclined to
offer/email me their thoughts on 'being human' I would love to read
that.
A story:
During our conference with David Bednar a few weeks ago, my former
companion Sister Lumanog told me a story about a person (I forgot
their name!) that became an investigator (or decided to be taught by
the missionaries) in her new area in Olongapo City. Their new
investigator's father, David Bernardino is a member in Lubao and has
been inactive for many years in the church.
During my last transfer in Lubao, I strongly felt like we needed to
visit David Bernardino several times. David is basically deaf and our
lessons consisted of me and Brother Jerome (a member in Lubao)
writing on paper to communicate with this man. He could speak fine but
had almost no hearing. He spoke really loud and I actually really
enjoyed our lessons as quickly wrote down questions/ideas for him.
I've never experienced teaching like that.
Anyway, David Bernardino's son somehow came across the paper and the
notes that we used to teach his father and gained an interest in the
church. I wasn't sure why I felt so strongly to go and visit David,
but I now realize that it was probably for his son. Sister Lumanog and
her companion were street contacting (I2L) and met this man's son, who
is now being taught. He relayed the experience about reading the notes
and papers that we used, to Sister Lumanog. Sister Lumanog said that
he probably wouldn't have been very receptive to meeting them if he
hadn't had that prior experience.
I think it is times like that, that I realize that I am a very small
part of a much larger plan/world/existence.
Amos 3:3-Can two walk together except they be agreed?
I ate eel for breakfast Friday morning. It was electrifying! JK. It
wasn't an electric eel. I wish it would've been though.
Christmas started a few weeks ago. Everyone's pulled out their
Christmas decorations. Christmas in the Philippines is the best.
We were passing some people on the road and they said this as we
walked by - "Maging mabuti may bahay" Rough translation= She'll make
a good wife.
I was so confused at where that statement came from. I walked by and
from me passing them, it was somehow determined that I'll make a good
wife someday. haha. I love filipino culture.
:)
BYE.
-I was sitting at our kitchen table during our lunch and realized that
I was hearing the little 'cheep-cheep' that chicks make. I looked over
at our back door that was open and was surprised to see a momma
chicken and her little chicks that had wondered into our apartment. I
caught this picture on their way out.
-Field.
receptive, especially in regards to family. She really loves her
kids...
