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...