Week 64: Such a Time as This

So this has been a week of growth for me, I think that's how I'd like to put it, and I don't really want to be the focus of this email, because this week, on Tuesday night, President Craig came to our apartment and informed Elder Walker that a tragedy happened in his family. I don't think I need to go into specifics, because it's not really my experience to share, but sufficeth to say, Elder Walker has shown a strength this week that very rarely has to be displayed. So many things happened to him this week that he had no control over, but he took the one thing he could control (his reaction) and used it to show his commitment to this work.
I've been pondering a couple verses this week in response to this situation, one coming from the book of Esther chapter 4:14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
This is Mordecai (Esther's uncle/ father figure) trying to convince Esther to put herself in danger to save her people (the Jews). Specifically, I've been looking at the bit where he says: "and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"Most of the time, we don't know god's exact plan for us until we're looking back and we see the result, which can be VERY frustrating in the moment, but that's when our faith comes in. We need to trust that we have been placed in this specific situation for "such a time as this"
I've been thinking about how the Lord has prepared both Elder Walker and I to deal with the tragedy before us, and I'm humbled to see the hand of the Lord in my life, from the new privilege we have to call our families each week, to other tragedies that have happened in my life and the ones I love, which have allowed me to better help Elder Walker and comfort him. Sometimes we have a terrible trial in front of us, and we question if the Lord is there. I testify to all who read this that God's plan is perfect, and maybe it would help if we asked ourselves more often:"who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

Love,
Elder Menzie

Pics from MLC

Week 63: (Two for Three) Missed One, but it's Still On

So it was Transfers this week, and for the first time in my whole mission, I had a normal transfer! It was crazy, because it feels like I just got to Bambang and I'm already gone. I'm in Santiago city now, which is one of the 3 "big" cities in the mission, which makes me happy. Bambang was pretty and all, but there were way more mountains than people to teach there. Also the work in Santiago is popping. I don't know why I italicized that, but I don't regret it.

This is a cool area because my trainer was assigned here right after he trained me, and someone that he started teaching almost a year ago just got baptized. It was super cool.

It was great to be here for Brother Mario and Sister Maribel's baptisms. They're both super cool and have a lot of support from the ward which made me really happy to see.

This is my last picture in Bambang right before I got on the Bus. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Just kidding. Bambang was great, and I'm sure Santiago will be just as great, if not better.

Here's a picture with me and some fellowshippers on Sunday:

Aren't they just the best.

Love,
Elder Menzie

Tagalog for the soul:
Ang Kaluluwa -- The Soul

Week 62: Fastest draw in Nueva Vizcaya

Howdy folks. It's been quite a week this week. We had to travel to Cauayan again this week for a meeting which was pretty dang cool, mostly because I got to see Elder Pino again, who, for those who aren't up to date with my companions, was my companion up in Tuguegarao. He's a sweetie and it was super good to see him again. Here's a picture:

There are more people than just him in the picture, but he's really the most important, cuz he's the most filipino, also he's the best boy out of the bunch.

That meeting was actually a really crazy time. It sorta marked the end of the transitory era in this mission, as in the transition of mission presidents. Obviously President Craig has been in complete control of the mission since he got here, but there were a lot of rule changes and it really seems like we're beginning to see how different a President Craig Philippines Cauayan Mission is from a President Hiatt one. It's really interesting to see how different two mission presidents can be without compromising what missionary work is. I don't know if that makes sense, but bottom line is I've been pretty darn blessed to have two great mission presidents, and I mean blessED, like how they pronounce it in the Bible. BlessED.

Here's another picture with two Elders from the MTC that I saw in Cauayan:

They're good elders.

If you're wondering who that handsome lone gunslinger casting that shadow is, you might be surprised to know that the shadow in question is mine. That's right, President Craig explained which kind of hats are appropriate for missionaries, and he specifically said that "Indiana Jones hats" were allowed. It looks much better in shadow form than in person, so it's probably going to live in my room, but I like this picture a whole lot.

Love,
Elder Menzie

Tagalog in a hot spot:Kulang  --  Inadequate

Pics from MLC

Week 61: The Kasibu: Nice Dealers

It's been a tough week on the hard streets of Bambang. I thought my days in Worcester would do something to prepare me to deal with some dealers, but Bambang is something else.

We weren't actually in Bambang when we ran into the dealers. Elder Herrera and I were in a diferent Municipality called Kasibu, which is VERY far away from Bambang, but still in our area for some sinful reason. We were trying to get a ride to go back to Bambang (which was hard, and it was getting late) so we were getting kinda desperate. Vans weren't stopping, and Jeepneys weren't stopping, until this knight in shining armor with his chariot:

That right there is a "vegetable dealer" jeepney. it's basically what would happen if you took a normal jeepney and held down the shift key and moved the mouse to the very end of the mousepad. It was pretty darn fun.

Kasibu is really pretty.

It's a super cool area, but just because of where it is, it hasn't really seen actual missionary work ever, but we're trying to work out a solution for that.

Here are 2 pictures of me wearing hats:

This was an interesting week as well because in the midst of all the veg dealers and hat wearing, Elder Herrera and I had to go to the hospital, because Elder Herrera has an ear infection. I sympathize, because I too had an ear infection years ago, and it was just the worst. Everyone who's ever had an ear infection, give Elder Herrera a pat on the back with your mind powers.

Love,
Elder Menzie

Tagalog if you're in a pinch:
Dapat trece na lang -- it should only be 13 (pesos)