Week 31 ~ Bago ka ba?

For the 4th time this cycle somebody has asked me if I'm new or a trainee. Probably the worst feeling in the world, next to hitting your ankle with a metal scooter.

But what's going on everybody? I didn't write last week kasi lazy ako (Cuz i'm lazy). But honestly, not a lot has happened any different here in Daraga. I've been here for 15 weeks so to be honest I'm kind of ready to experience something new. But there is still work here to do, and we've definitely experienced miracles.

One of the main blessings we've seen is this part-member's family who was having trouble makipag simba (have the ability to go to Church). The Yung Perez family have started to come back to church and the non-members of their family are also coming to church now. Hopefully as my spanish friends say, we can throw a "Fecha" sa kanila (Baptismal date to them). 

Tagalog, hehe: I think the hardest part of my mission has been the language, no doubt about it. Maybe I overlooked it when I read my mission call but I honestly thought by 7 months in I'd be "fluent", But I've been truly humbled. 

What I've been taught is two things (1. Ether 12:27) Tagalog encapsulates all my weaknesses. For one it's not fun to study, It's a difficult language, and a lot of memorization is involved and I'm terrible at memorizing. What I've learned from it is I have to trust the Lord to open the ears of the person I'm talking to, so they can hear the message I have for them. Even if they can't understand because of my grammar, pronunciation or accent, if they can feel what I'm saying is true, they will come unto Christ. The second thing I've learned is that I'm unique. Because when I hang out with other foreigners here our Tagalog is so different. Nobody is the exact same or knows the same words, grammar or phrases. I draw a relation to our lives, because we all have strengths and weaknesses, nobody's better objectively. These 2 valuable lessons will influence my life far after my mission. I feel that "I can do all things through Christ" is so true.

Tagalog word of the day - ipinagpatuloy: Continued 

Have a great week,
Elder Spackman

Americano Exchanges. Fun fact - Elder Brewer is still in training so it was a fun Exchange, haha

Exchanges with the ZL

Mas guapo ako tapos sa inyo 😉

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