I survived to my 1st transfer!

I can't believe I've made it this far, it seems like forever, but somehow at the same time, it's flown by. This week we had a couple of really cool events happen:

The first was last Saturday we had what we call "White Christmas." Dec. 8th is President Zapanta's Birthday, and to celebrate the occasion all companionship's tried to get as many baptism's for that date as we could. Unfortunately all of ours fell through(more on that later), but we had a total of 17 Baptisms for our zone. And the coolest part was that they got to be baptized in the ocean. That was a neat experience, and it was cool to see all those people be baptized.

 

As far as our investigators go.... uhhhhh. We have to keep pushing back all our PBD's because they won't go to church. We originally had four from the Chasow Famly, but two decided they didn't want to be baptized, and the other two kids(who are both under the age of 12) have problems with Dip (welcome to the Philippines). And they also wont come to church. Which I will admit is a hard for a lot of families, Sunday is either the day they do their cleaning(because there working on all the other week days), or the day they get most of there selling done(if they run a tindahon, or other market). And it's hard to ask them to completely keep the sabbath day holy, because here people live on a day to day basis, they don't buy stuff in bulk like we do, and they receive there payment daily instead of on a planned basis. So it's hard, but were trying our best. 

 

So besides that, not much has happened this week, we're still trying the best we can though our area has gotten a little less accessible because of the events last week, but were doing are best. And as far as Tagalog is concerned, it's getting better. I hold basic conversations, and can kinda pick apart what people are saying(if they don't speak to me in Bicol, the Dialect here). So were getting better everyday. 

 

All is Well 

Elder Bills

 

1. A cool sunset, rice fields make it look awesome 2. The White Christmas Baptism's 3. Elder Richards eating sugar can, my favorite snack in the Philippines 4. Just me chillin on the way up to our Recent Convert in J-key

 

Parts from his email to me (Shawn): 

Christmas time in the Philippines is different, yet pretty similar. It certainly doesn't feel like Christmas because it never gets below 85 here, so that's different. People still put up lights though, and we've had caroler's stop by a couple times, and they'll blast Christmas music(they have louder speakers here than I do, and play music more, there basically my people). Most of the traditions are the same, they vary from family to family but Christmas here is very Americanized, so it's not that different. Me and Elder Richards are still getting along great, we work well together, and doing the best we can. Our Investigators are a more difficult matter, but we're trying our best. We face little rejection here, but people are simply not willing to keep commitments, or take the gospel seriously, or they wont give up alcohol, or cigarettes or dip. It's hard, but were doing our best. The language is getting there, I can hold basic conversations, and can teach some lessons in Tagalog, but It's still hard to understand people, they talk so fast! And to answer your latest email, yes I did get a Machete,or a itak as it's called here, it's named DarkStar, as custom to name you knife in the Philippines. And I'm going to watch the Christmas Devotional right after this, so that will be fun. I can't wait to talk to you guys at Christmas! I love you and miss you, give everyone a hug for me.