WEEK 20: NOT A GREENIE ANYMORE !!!!

  So last Tuesday after I called my family we were walking along the street when this random white guy stopped me. I was first surprised to see another American and then I was even more surprised he was from Utah and then even more surprised when he said he was a member.  He isn't active though. He's been living here in the Philippines for 9 years now with his Filipino wife.  He's not active but he still gives referrals to the missionaries.  We met with him for a little bit and he was just talking politics and we have no idea whats going on in the world so we listened but were always trying to direct the conversation to something else. It was weird in English too.  I forgot how to do small talk. I kept almost saying things in Tagalog. He was talking about all these conspiracies in the government and stuff. That's why he moved here to the Philippines and he also said we need to be prepared for anything and so he showed us his homemade crossbow he made. It was actually pretty cool. He made it from everyday objects around the house. later that night we received a great referral from a member which was to teach at a part member family. it was a great lesson and a great find. Members are so helpful out here. it helps keep people active and helps in finding. then we taught the Hernandez family. they are so awesome. They are honest seekers of truth. They've listened to other religions but we're the only ones where they've felt something different and want to keep listening.  it was so cool as he shared his experience with us and the hard thing is that they work long and late hours. its so hard to get them all there but we can do it. They're such a great family and they live right across from the church so when it opens it will be good.
 On Wednesday we taught a part member family, his wife is a member and he's been taught by the missionaries before a while ago. We had a lesson planned but the lesson we taught was completely different. it was totally by the spirit and when we finished he thanked us and said that he understands better now. it helped me understand the power and the importance of the spirit in missionary work and in touching peoples hearts. it was such a cool experience.  They gave us chili and it was so delicious.  
   I finished my training so I'm officially not a greenie anymore. I'm a regular missionary now and so we go out one hour earlier now which is way better. It's better being out teaching.  We also had a great FHE at a less actives house. they're slowly coming back to the church and its cool to see their progress. 
    Thursday we had a very busy day, we taught a lot and worked with members all day. We had two members work with us the whole day,  it was awesome. we worked with a young man who is finishing his mission papers and a young women who has a call to serve in Peru. It was funny because she doesn't know any Spanish so I taught her a little.  It was weird to speak in Spanish after all this time.  haha.
    We have this one tatay who loves to talk. I think I've mentioned him before. We went off for 10 minutes about how Alma doesn't have a last name. Its funny, but a little frustrating sometimes, he loves tangents.  A lesson later that night we had an investigator who had an allergic reaction and so her tongue swelled up and she had to write her questions on paper,  that was interesting. I've noticed Tagalog comes so much better when I'm focused and inviting and listening to the spirit. It can be hard sometimes because there's a lot of distractions sometimes in a lesson, whether its a bug, heat, little kid or something else.
    Friday it was pretty normal, we visited the American less active again. He says come by anytime even if we just want food, he is so friendly.  We're going to reactivate him and get some referrals from him, he's cool.  He also showed us his homemade spears that he kills rats with. they were pretty cool.
    Saturday we had an early curfew so we went out at 8 A.M and did our studying at night, we had to be in by 5 P.M. because it gets crazy on new years. There was videoke everywhere and fireworks and people were starting to get drunk.  We found a new family as we were in a part of our huge area where we've never been. They want to change their lives and are already interested in baptism, It's so cool. the Lord really guides us because how else would we have randomly gone to that part of our area.  We taught Ian again and he had a really hard question. We tried to answer it and then honestly told him that we would study and on the next visit help him understand.  He really appreciated that because he said the old missionaries used to just keep saying the same thing and he got frustrated. it was a good experience.
   Sunday we had an early curfew as well. We tried to pick up investigators but they were all sleeping in, hungover or busy. frustrating. Also 10 minutes before church we were asked to speak.  I was thinking on what I should speak on and the thought came into my head to speak on prophets, it was pretty good, the Lord helped me. I didn't speak any English. I don't know why I needed to speak on prophets but i did.  Sunday morning at midnight we woke up. We didn't need an alarm there were so many fireworks, it was like a war.  It was constant noise and horns and explosions and lights flashing. It was pretty crazy.  It lasted for about 45 minutes and then it just got quiet. It was cool.

    We didn't have any transfers so I have the same companion.  We're working hard and well together.  We're loving this area. Love you all and miss you. Kaya ninyo. Mahal ko kayo

Elder Snyder

Homemade Crossbow 

Chicken heart I ate