Magandang
Hapon po!
Kamusta
at Maligayang Pasko sa inyong lahat!
Merry Christmas Eve! Pretty weird that I will get to talk to and
see you in 2 days. It seems like I just barely skyped you like a month ago on
Mothers Day! Somebody must have pushed fast forward on time. I don't like how
fast time is going by. I can't believe Ben is already home. I still remember
when he left just like it was yesterday. Make sure and give him an extra howdy
from me.
The Christmas package still hasn't come, so I'm guessing it is
just being really slow because it is Christmas. There are also several other
missionaries in the same situation, so I don't feel too left out. And if it
never does come, at least it will be a nice Christmas gift to a Filipino postal
worker. Haha.
 |
| Mission Christmas Party |
Last week was busy with ward and mission Christmas parties, and
this week is also going to be busy with visiting a lot of people and their
preparations for Christmas/New Years. Almost our whole day tomorrow consists of
visiting people that invited us to eat. It should be interesting trying to work
and share any messages because pretty much everybody is going to be busy with
friend and family parties.
We also have plans to provide a miniature Christmas to a super
poor family. In this family, the Tatay was baptized many years ago but has
been inactive ever since the local branch was merged with Tuguegarao Ward 2 and
can't/not willing to make the extra sacrifices with time and transportation to
go all the way into the city (a common concern we come across). Over the last
couple of years, he has been bedridden due to some sickness and infection in
his hip and is very weak. They have wanted to take him to the doctor for a
while now, but can't afford it. He relies on his children to take care of him
and make food every day, because his wife is working abroad and won't be back
for another couple years. They live in a very small, modest bamboo house with
no electricity, only using a couple candles at night. The oldest child is 17,
married, lives about 45 mins away in the mountains of Penablanca with her
husband, and is the one paying for the schooling of her 3 sisters and food for
the family. Every time we go there to visit, we want to share a message to
bring them closer to God and feel more happiness in life but we never
have anybody to work with us, and tatay is too weak to join any lesson. We
asked them if any members have been by to visit them, and they said not for a
couple years. We then asked them what their plans were for Christmas, and they
said they don't have any money to prepare anything special, but that is okay
because the only thing that matters is that they are together. With the support
of some other missionaries in the zone, we are going to carol to them and take
some small gifts and provide a decent lunch. It should be a memorable
experience for all involved. It is very humbling to see how blessed I have
been throughout my whole life.
Earlier today we went to Cabagan to do a baptismal interview,
and when we got to the church I was surprised to see many members and people I
knew because it also happened to be the ward Christmas party. It is always fun
seeing people I worked with before. And now I can actually have good
conversations with them because I can actually speak Tagalog now. Haha.
Well, I will see you all in a couple days. Don't forget to take
time and remember the true meaning of Christmas-giving simple acts of service
to others because that is what Jesus Christ would want us all to do. Just like
President Uchtdorf said, we can't expect to feel the Christmas spirit if we
don't have it in our own hearts.
Mahal ko kayo!
Elder Nay
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