So my new comp is Elder Naylor, from Kaysville Utah. He graduated 2011.
He was into wrestling. We have many common interests and finding
ourselves having to return from random tangents of conversation during
our studies and planning etc :) He actually came from being companions
with Elder Petersen, my to-be-companion on the plane ride home. Aside
from slight frustration due to the change of language, he seems to be
happy with the area and I know we'll accomplish great things together.
As hard as it was, the past week was successful. If nothing else, we
were thrilled to see a less active RM and his non member wife at church
yesterday, after having met and visited with them last week and
encouraging them to be faithful in order to receive all the blessings
our Heavenly Father has in store for them. Other than that, we had a few
great lessons with some newer investigators we are working with, and
the home teaching was even organized yesterday! We are grateful for the
desire of the men in the group to serve their fellow members and fulfill
their responsibilities as priesthood holders. As for today, we went to
Pandan, a very distant part of our area (actually in Antique, not Aklan)
where many of our members live, and went on a hike near our branch
mission leader's house. The culture here is funny: upon arrival, about 9
30, they rushed to make "merienda", or "snack" before we took our hike.
I was a little confused and said "I thought we were going to have lunch
after the hike?" And they said "of course! This is just a
snack!" So they cooked some scout-camp like meat/potato/egg topping for
our rice, and a few fish and shrimp. I was feeling pretty full after our
little "snack." Then we hiked up in the mountains behind their house
for about 30 to 45 minutes, arriving at a small pool of water with
little water fall flowing into it. The members (the one family, the
Angeles family from here, and a few other members) enjoyed the chilly
water while us 4 Elders (including the 2 from Tangalan) watched on the
dry land and took pictures :) After hiking out around 12, they had a
large lunch prepared for us: another big batch of rice, a few more rice
toppings, with mangos and bananas on the side. After eating, we talked
for a few minutes, and then told them we'd have to be leaving soon.
Brother Miague (the branch mission leader) says "we have to have a snack
first!" Another snack! So they mixed up fresh "buko juice" made from
coconut water, and flesh, mixed with milk and sugar. Mmmmm... We finally
got out of there and came straight here to email before the day is
over! It was a fun activity, and we were glad to be able to bond with
the members more. Unfortunately, I think I am going to feel the results
of the hike tomorrow on my legs...
