On Monday after we emailed we headed to Angeles for a zone activity. We literally just sat around for hours and played games. Not even really fun games, like 'what if' but in Tagalog-thus nothing was funny to me. I was confused as to what the purpose was of this 'activity.' Because it felt like we were just killing time. Then all of the sudden everyone is pulling out cameras and people are disappearing And then they all reappeared with a birthday cake and started singing. Surprise birthday party! It was really nice of them, apparently they had all been talking about it in front of me the other day. But obviously I had no idea what was being said. And then on Tuesday on my actual birthday we went home for our lunch/study/nap time and I was offering up M&Ms for the birthday treat and one of the girls said' well it would be better if we had cake and ice cream.' I thought to myself well yes it would but we obviously don't have any. Then next thing I know they are pulling out a cake and ice cream. So tricky. Well not even tricky. It just helps that I am oblivious to all things. It was super nice of them as well.
Monday night after our zone activity we convinced the ZL to let us come to their FHE because we didn't have one to go to. So we all went to Sister Pinks house. She loves pink, facebook and her camera. The AP's were both there too, so I think we had 10 missionaries. We played these role play games, the sisters tried to sing a song-but one line in we sounded so terrible and started laughing that we couldn't even finish, and they also fed us a big dinner. Since I was the newbie they wanted me to try everything, including the chicken feet and neck. Um... I put it on my plate but I couldn't bring myself to try it. So one of the Elders, that has taken mercy on my well being, ate it for me. But now my comp thinks it is funny to tell everyone that my favorite food here is chicken feet, it is not really funny at all. But oh well. We were at their house pretty late and we were about an hour away via jeepny, but there were no more out for the day. So our AP's drove all of us home in the van, so squished. But it was great because it only took about 20 minutes.
For our service project this week we met with our district and had to take off the outer layer of this stone wall. Hard to describe. Basically it was the most pointless thing, we used hammers and just hammered away. It was so ineffective. And frankly there was really no purpose to it. But oh well. The owners of the house just sat there and watched us for three hours. I literally sweat through my entire outfit. Seriously I keep getting mystified on how much I can apparently sweat. Also apparently this was this was a rare type of service because we usually do something easy for half an hour and then just eat and talk. So it was hopefully a one time wall tearing down activity.
Everyday I get told I am beautiful. So that is a plus. Granted it isn't always but the most trustworthy of people. A lot of the people we talk to on the street say things like 'I won't remember your name but I'll always remember your face,' or 'I will only let you come to my house if she comes (aka me).' So flattered all of the time. I have even been proposed to. One old my probably 60+ asked if I could help him get to the US. Um no. Continuing our conversation I realized that he wanted to marry me so that he could get a green card and then we could just get divorced. Up no thanks. Another lady who was playing poker chased me down and asked my name and begged for my first name. So I told her. No big deal. But now every time I'm on that street she yells Lindsay. And she always questions me about boyfriends and things like that. She pretty much wants me to marry her son. Um again no thanks.
My comp saw a 'white' man the other day so she made me chase him down, although he didn't look American to me. Surprise he was German. And only spoke a little English and a little Tagalog. Somehow he gave us his address. So we showed up at his super nice home later and met his wife who is Philippine so be basically had a lesson in Tagalog, English and German. It was pretty entertaining.
One of our investigators Jessie, I think I mentioned him last week? We'll I memorized the whole baptismal invitation and our last meeting went well so we invited him to be baptized. He said he believes in the BOM, JS, everything. He has been to church for three weeks in a row. He was a pastor and knows the Bible through and through. BUT.... he wants to have a knowledge of the BOM. He believes it, but wants to completely read and know it all. I told him he won't ever have a perfect knowledge, faith is enough, he has the rest of his life to study. Alas still a no. But he said maybe in a month or even a year after he studies it more. Well okay then. He is pretty cool though.
Another investigator Berline. We passed her on Tuesday said Hi, she investigated a few years ago but wasn't interested enough. So we went on our way. Then suddenly Sunday morning she texted us and asked if she could go to church with us! Well of course.! She loved the entire thing! (funny-it was ward conference which apparently means here that everyone stays and eats a big meal afterwards in the church). Later last night we went to her 'house' I use that term lightly, because it was probably the poorest shack I have been in yet. But we taught her family and they were super interested! So hopefully that goes well this week!
The lifesavers you sent me. Random. But you know how every once in a while you get a really soft one? Well here they are all like that. Sobra masarap! So yummy! Also a member has a little fried food vendor street spot thing. So she had me sample all of her food the other day. Pretty much it was fried sweet potatoes and bananas in sugar. It was a great treat.
The people here are very honest. All of the dogs bark and hate me for some reason. And one of my investigators told me it was because I have crazy hair. Which is totally, true. A bunch of little boys told me that I am really 'long' aka tall. Which is true here, I look like a huge giant. I'm not even tall! I can't send pictures again this week, but when I do you will see that I am now a giant.
Well tapos na. Finished. Everyday I get a smudge better at the language. Everyday is a good day.
Talk to you next week!
Sister Hall
