Hey Joe!

A lot happened this week, mostly  because it was transfers. I got to see my trainer Elder Richards again, which was super cool. I also got to see Elder Caratao because he's heading home now (honorably served).  So Elder Nalbog is gone, and I finally have another American Companion. His name is Elder Lougee, he's from Casper, Wyoming. This is his last transfer in his mission, so I get to kill him (send him off). He's sobrang astig though. He was our AP before he came here to Iriga, so I'm learning a lot from him. It's also just nice to have an American again.

We've been working really hard this week, and making some significant progress. We've expanded our teaching pool quite a bit, and all of our PBD's are on track still.We just did a practice interview with one of them the other day, and he was good to go, so He's still on track. We have an official date now for the Advincula family, and there still coming church, and keeping their commitments. So we doing pretty good here in Iriga. We also had one of our RC bear his testimony is Sacrament yesterday which was really cool to see. 
 
Besides that, nothing super exciting happened. Just really kicking it off now. Learning how to be a better missionary from Elder Lougee. Just doing the work (even though it's blazing hot right now), putting in the long hours. Until next week though!
 
All is Well
Elder Bills
 
1. Me and the legend himself. 2. Sister Ambiera (really cool Sister in my District). 3. My fearless Zone Leader (the tricycle was really packed) 4. Mt. Iriga

 
Shawn's Note: 
We talked with Isaac last night. He is doing SO MUCH BETTER now that he has a new companion. This has been a HUGE blessing for Isaac to have this change. After learning some things about his most recent companion, we asked Isaac if he was ok mentally and emotionally. He just said, "It's been a hard mission". It seems that the past 9 months can only be summed up as "hard". Since Bekah and I have served missions, we understand the difficulty of mission service, but we also understand the joy and "fun" of missionary work, too. We hope that Isaac can experience that half soon. He was positive last night as he looks forward to the next year or so. He said, "it can only get better from here, right?" We certainly hope so. 
 
All in all, we think his positivity and optimism is remarkable given the circumstances and predicaments he's been given. 
 
The language is coming along and he loves to share with us about his interested people and recent converts. Lately, Brother Joshua has been their most recent convert and is making great strides in becoming converted to the Restored gospel.  I think part of Isaac's optimistic perspective is due in part to seeing how others have a "lot in life" much more meager than his. 

No one tells parents that a child's mission becomes a sort of mission for them as well. We are riding the currents, ebbs and flows with him -- we only wish we could helicopter in once in a while to give  a hug and a kiss on the head and let him know that he CAN do this. So grateful they can call once/week now. So grateful.

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