Week 28: It's Been A Hard Day's Night

Hey all you party people, this is Elder Menzie, calling in to report on a week that was less crazy than last week, but was honestly one of the most rewarding weeks of my whole mission.

First of all, a kind of crazy thing happened. So Jeffrey R. Holland is in the Philippines for the groundbreaking of a temple in Urdeneta, and while he's here, he went ahead and did an area-wide broadcast on Sunday, which was super freaking cool. It was awesome to hear him talk about the Philippines with such affection, and it really reminded me that even though we're on the other side of the world from Salt Lake City, The Philippines are still in the minds of the brethren who lead this church. Also Jeffrey R. Holland said he was jealous he didn't get to serve his mission here, which was pretty gratifying for me.

As you can probably tell from the subject line, we worked our freaking butts off this week. I've been working like a dog, and if I'm being honest I really could be sleeping like a log right now if I wasn't sitting in a teal plastic chair in a netshop right now. I swear, I'm gonna look freaking pogi after this area because of just how much we're walking everywhere. It's hard work, but we're seeing some breathtaking results. This area is awesome, and there are some straight up miracles taking place here that I am so humbled to have been able to witness. I love this work, and this week has been a testament to me that God blesses those who consecrate their whole lives to him.

Love,
Elder Menzie

The Half Blood Tagalog:
Pogi -- good looking, often accompanied with a check-mark looking hand gesture right under the chin

Me, Elder Adams and 2 of our fellowshippers

Week 27: From Ang Probinsyano back to a City Kid

So, I know I start a lot of these out by saying it's been a pretty crazy week, but I'm really serious this time, it's at least in the top 27 craziest weeks I've had on my mission.

It all started on Tuesday, when Elder Anderton and I got word that he would be transferring (to the area right next to ours) and I would be staying in Aurora for at least one more transfer, but probably more, because my new companion, Elder Guancia was on his last cycle.

Anyway, Elder Anderton said his goodbyes, and if it was a different week, I might tell you about some of the stuff we did that day, but we've got more pressing matters to deal with.

Wednesday came, Elder Anderton left, and I picked up Elder Guancia, and I was super excited! Finally, I've got a filipino companion, I bet my Tagalog is really going to improve this cycle! We worked in Aurora all Thursday and I could tell we were going to get along super well. Everything was pretty much prefect.

I was doing some laundry right before bed, and Elder Guancia tells me to turn it all off. I'm a little confused, but I do it anyway. He hands me the phone and it's actually President Hiatt. He informed us that there was and emergency transfer taking place (not because of anything that we'd done) and I'd be transferred to Tuguegarao, which is one of the three big cities in our mission, and Elder Guancia would stay in Aurora.

Long story short, I stayed up till 1AM packing, and my body just got super mad at me for it. I felt like a freaking old man. my whole body was aching! Anyway, I finally got to bed, and I woke up, finished packing, and got packed into a van like a sardine to head over to Tugue, which was one of the worse travel experiences I've had in my life. I didn't even know I could get carsick, but this van did the trick.

But that's the long and short of it. Now I'm here in the big city, and I've got another American companion, it's okay though, cause Elder Adams (my new companion) is great, I can already tell we're gonna do a lot of good work, even if all my clothes smell a little mildewy now.

Love,
Elder Menzie

The Goblet of Tagalog:
Ang Probinsyano -- Somebody from the province, basically like a filipino redneck. Also the name of the most popular show here, which is kinda like 24, except a LOT more filipino

What do we want? Pictures! When do we want 'em? Now:

 Pic 1 & 2: At the Roxas terminal getting ready to leave for Tugue

Elder Adams and I at a baptism that I arrived just in time for