Going "Home"

Me and some of my adoring fans in the ward. What can I say, little 14 year old girls love me!

Me and the best Ward Mission Leader ever! Brother Richards! He is handicapped physically, but super strong spiritually! Same with my mom. :-)

June 30, 2014

Well, tomorrow I leave for INDIA!!! Ahhhhh! I'm going home!!! I can't wait! Yes, I do love the Philippines, and I'm very glad I got to serve here, but I'm ecstatic to go back to my mission home. It's kind of like how going to India has made me love America more. Yes, I LOVE India, but being in that country has made me appreciate my home country so much more. That is exactly what the Philippines has done for me in relation to India. I can't wait to go get some spicy rice again!

To be honest, I've probably been getting pretty area trunky here... it's just tough to stay motivated, knowing in a couple of days you will be leaving this country never to return again. Hopefully, I won't get trunky at the end of my mission, because at that time I'll be leaving another country (India) never to return again. Well, actually I might go back to India, but not for a while at least. Mostly it was just with learning Tagalog that I got trunky with. It's hard to put effort into learning a language that you know you will never speak again in a matter of days! Haha well, at least I learned my Tagalog testimony while I was here, so that's pretty good, right? :)

This week we had the Baptismal interview for Apple DeVera and her children! Apple has been an investigator for THREE YEARS! But at long last she is ready to be baptized! I'm a little sad that I will be missing her baptism this Saturday, but it doesn't really matter whether or not I personally baptize them, only that SOMEONE with proper priesthood authority from God does the baptism! 

These last couple of weeks we have been working on building Apple's faith that now is the time for her to be baptized, and that this is the right thing for her to do in her life. She comes to church every week, but she was hesitant to make the commitment that this is what she needs to do for her WHOLE life (and beyond!) Inch by inch though her testimony has been strengthened, until now she is ready to go! I'm excited for her and her family. :)

This last Friday was also Apple's birthday, so me and Elder Consego bought her a delicious chocolate cake! She was very very grateful for it. In fact, she said thank you like... 20 times. Haha no joke. I was happy that our small offering could make her so happy! This actually illustrates something I have learned on my mission: how to SPEND money, especially on other people! Most people say they learned how to spend money on their mission, as in they learned how to NOT spend money, but really I have learned how to blow money on my mission! Haha before my mission I was very stingy with ever penny, but now I've learned money is meant to be spent, and it brings me joy being able to spend a little bit of money to bring happiness into the lives of others. Just one of the many things I've learned on the mission!

Also, I wanted to tell you something that I think Dad would be most happy to hear. On my mission I've finally come to realize that I wasted far too much of my life on video games and Facebook.... :P They have a lot of internet shops here in the Philippines, and the shops are always loaded with teens playing their online games. And all I can think is "You're wasting your life away!!!" There are so many good things to be doing right now, and you are going to spend the next couple of HOURS playing League of Legends?! And then when I'm at members homes, sometimes some of them won't join us for the lesson, because they are too busy on the computer... are you kidding me? You're going to message your friends pointless things on Facebook instead of coming and hearing the word of God? REALLY? Truly, I am going to spend significantly less time on FB and gaming after my mission. And much MORE time in the scriptures! I'm ashamed that every day I would spend 2 hours on Facebook, and barely more than 2 minutes in the scriptures... Was I even active in church?? Barely. I will do much better post-mission!

Well, I'm gonna go email some of my peeps, and then go to the biggest mall in our mission before I leave back to my Un-American home that I love oh so much! Have a grand week!

Sick

From June 22, 2014

Well, the highlight from this week isn't very exciting... the biggest thing from my life this week is I got really sick. Blah. :P I had to stay inside for 3 days! I'm not really sure why I got sick, although every couple hours my companion would throw out a new reason as to why I possibly got sick: the pollution, the food, the heat, etc. haha so maybe it was a host of reasons for why I got sick! Right now I'm feeling... hmm... maybe 85% better. Pretty good, but I hope to recover more in the next day or two.

This was my first real time getting sick on my mission. I've had a couple minor ailments here and there, but those have past in a couple of hours. This is the first sickness that has really hit me hard for a longer period of time. But, I guess I've done pretty well for not getting sick for so long considering the countries I've been living in! ^_^

One night, as my sickness was beginning to decrease, I told my companion I wanted to go out and try teaching some of the investigators and recent converts that live close to our apartment (like a 5 min walk away). He jumped on me saying that, because he was more than ready to get outside after being indoors for so long.

One of the families we went to is the Bobilies family. Without a doubt, they are my favorite family to teach in this area. One, because they speak English, so they can understand me. But also because half the family is super awesome recent converts, and the other half are great investigators. A perfect family for missionaries! 

Well, we ended up teaching them a very basic lesson on the importance of scripture study. But... even with that I struggled! Haha my companion taught for a couple of minutes, then turned towards me, indicating it was my turn to teach, and the rest of the family shifted their attention to me, expecting me to say something, but I couldn't think of anything to say! My brain was still so out of it... For a couple of seconds everyone just stared at me, and then finally the mom asked "Elder Anderson... are you okay?" I replied "Ya... I'm okay. But just okay." After a little more thinking, I was finally able to come up with something to say, but I'm glad I had such a big brain fart with a family that we already have a very good relationship with. It would have been really embarrassing to have had that happen with other investigators!

On a side note, the mom is still an investigator because of Law of Chastity problems. The problem here in the Philippines is it is virtually impossible to get an official divorce in this country (it costs a lot of money, like a million pesos). So people very very frequently just separate, and then start living with someone else, because that's free. So, that's what Sally Bobilies did. She is a great woman, very kind and caring, a very good mom, comes to church every week, reads her scriptures every day, but can't get baptized because technically she is living with a man that isn't her husband.. This is a very common problem in the Philippines, and the church has made some rules and exceptions to help these people, but it's still difficult.

Also, Crizel Bobilies (I think I mentioned her last week) came to church this week! woo woo! Awesome possum! She also knows that I really like anime, so she drew me a sweet anime pic and gave that to me at church! Wow, what a great blessing after being sick - having your investigator come to church for the first time ever AND give you an anime drawing!

My Philippines District

Game Night

Law of Moses

From June 16, 2014

So, here are a whole bunch of random things.

Remember on my Mother's day call I told you guys that I had heard the Philippines had very disobedient missionaries? Well, I learned that our mission USED to have a ton-oh disobedience.  Since then, President Sperry has worked very very hard to create an exactly obedient mission. I applaud him for his work, because the mission is quite obedient now, but it has definitely come at a price. Now this mission is... without a doubt living the law of Moses. Example: in this mission, you can sleep in on p-day if you want, but only if you get up at 6:30 and say your prayer. THEN you can go back to sleep. Because the handbook says Arise at 6:30, so you need to be obedient to that! Or, another example, the other day we were with a 17 year old investigator named Ryel, and this guy is a total computer junkie. He had his laptop right by him, so I had the thought "let's introduce him to Mormon Messages! He is always on the computer, so then he can be on the computer AND feel the spirit!" So, I got him to Google Mormon Messages, and was about to watch one with him, but my companion stopped me and said we're not allowed to. We're not allowed to watch Mormon Messages?? Apparently we are only allowed to watch them on Mondays, so we weren't allowed to watch one with Ryel right then... because THAT would be disobedient!  

I'm grateful that President Berrett (in India) emphasizes principles, because having 10 bajillion random law of Moses rules kind of frustrates me... Plus, I feel like I have gained a lot more life wisdom that I will use after my mission thanks to my strengthened ability to understand/live principles. 

On a complete different note, the girls here in the Philippines wear short shorts about 90% of the time. However, that does not mean they shave their legs 90% of the time... haha oh man, I have seen some hairy legged girls the last couple of weeks! I think one girl at church hasn't shaved her legs for like 3 weeks... tasty, huh? ;)

On a mission, you have communication errors with your companion a lot. YSA boys are bad at communicating in general, and when you need to communicate/coordinate with another YSA guy 24/7.. there are bound to be some misunderstandings. ESPECIALLY when you and your companion don't speak the same language! Haha my comp speaks English to me, but English isn't his strong suit, and for the first week or two he would sometimes throw Tagalog words into his sentences, not realizing they aren't English words... haha but now he speak at least English words all the time! But, I only think that if I can learn to effectively communicate with someone that doesn't speak much English, than communicating with a wife that speaks perfect English should be a cinch, right?

One of my favorite investigators we've been working with is a young woman named Crizal. She is almost exactly like Katy Coons! It's exciting to work with her, because with each lesson she doesn't make leaps and bounds, but slowly, steadily, and consistently she is improving. At first, she wouldn't even join her family for the lessons. Then we helped her to come sit in the same room. Then later she started reading some of the Book of Mormon. Then later she was willing to say the closing prayer. And now she says she will come to church this Sunday! Woo woo! I'm excited to see the life changes she is making. :)

How do you define success?

You know, it's interesting you mentioned in your letter about how baptisms don't determine the success of a missionary, because I was actually just thinking about that this past week. One day I was just thinking "You know... I haven't had any baptisms for a long time! In fact... I think I'm one of the lowest baptizing missionaries in our mission (in comparison to people that have been out for a similar amount of time)" But, I also thought how I have many people compliment me on what a good teacher I am, and many elders compliment me on how obedient I am. And yet, I don't baptize many people! But, I never ever feel like an unsuccessful missionary. According to the principles in PMG that define what success is as a missionary, I continually feel all of those things. If I had the choice between getting baptisms or being a successful missionary, I would take being a successful missionary any day of the week! :)

Our bishop is awesome! Bishop Bautista. With almost every leader I've ever worked with on my mission, it's like ripping teeth out to try and get them to do anything to help with the work of salvation. It almost feels like I've had to work against some leaders, rather than working with them. But, Bishop Bautista is on the ball! We asked him Wednesday evening "hey bishop, when do you think you could come out with us and help us teach?", and his response was "Hmmmm... how about tomorrow?" Tomorrow??? What! "Uhhh... well, we are actually meeting with our best investigator on Friday. Could you come with us then?" "sure elders! I'll come with you on Friday." And then you actually DID come with us on Friday! Huuzaw! AND he was actually helpful during the appointments and contributed in meaningful ways! I told him afterwards he is the best Bishop I have ever worked with on my mission. One, because he is the only bishop I have ever worked with. (haha) And two, because he actually helps us and wants to the work to progress! Incredible. Simply incredible. 

Me with Bishop Bautista and my companion Elder Consego

Here in the Philippines they have a decent number of languages (similar to India, but not quite as bad). And they have developed a saying that when you can't understand what someone is saying you have a "nosebleed". I don't understand why. All I know is people complaining about having nosebleeds a lot when they talk to me! haha. Another interesting point: In India, people recognize that I'm American, and do their best to talk to me in English. However, here in the Philippines everyone speaks to me (at least at first) in Tagalog! I just think "Uhhh.. do you see what color my skin is??" Haha maybe they are just used to elders speaking Tagalog. The church is very well known here! It's weird hearing nonmembers call me elder. But, I like it! 

A lot of the missionaries ask me what India is like in comparison to the Philippines, and one thing I usually mention is that the Philippines is SO much like America in comparison to India. But, I always feel a little rude saying that, because I always remember a mutual activity years ago where sister Wright talked to us about being Classy or Tacky, and one way of being tacky was trying to show people up/one up them. I know all of the Americans think the Philippines is so different from America, and I feel like I'm one-upping them by saying India is WAY more different, but it's true! I don't want to lie to them! I guess I'll just be an honest but tacky person. 

Random observation: In both India and the Philippines I have noticed a trend that the richer/more westernized you are, the more embarrassed you are over natural/bodily things. Going to the bathroom, washing your undergarments, burping, having your period, etc. They are perfectly natural things, and totally fine, but westernized people seem to be ashamed of these sort of things, where as poor people or non-western people don't seem to be bothered by them. In American, everyone is westernized, and almost everyone is rich, so I guess that's why all Americans think it's shameful to go poop. :P

This week I had a first: the first time I had NO distractions while teaching an investigator the first vision! Sounds like a good thing. right? But no, not really. It was one of the weakest lessons I've ever given, and the investigator clearly wasn't really listening. I guess Satan didn't even bother distracting him, because there was no need...

On the opposite side of the spectrum, we DID have a really spiritual lesson this week! One night all of our plans fell through, so we just started talking to people out on the street. We started to one group for a while, and then while we were talking to them a young woman (14) came outside of the house we were talking out in front of. My companion asked her is she was a member, and she said yes! So we asked if we could come in and teach, and she said yes. So we went in and met her family, and started to teach them. The 14 year old, Precious, and her brother Nepadi (10) are members, but the parents aren't members. We taught the dad about being sealed with his family. He loves his kids a lot, and this doctrine definitely caught his attention. But what touched me the most during the lesson was when we asked Precious "Do you feel that God answers your prayers?" "yes, of course." "could you give an example of a prayer that he has answered?" "Ya... I prayed that elders would come to my house someday and teach my dad." Wow. What a great young woman. I'm glad God answered that prayer. :')

Have a great week family! Go invite one of your friends to church!

Philippines Quezon City North Mission

Smelly

Me with Elder Magnum

This week my mission actually had the first mission conference they have had for a very long time! Guess I came at the right time, huh? It was cool getting to meet so many other missionaries, but also a little awkward at times as everyone was hugging all of their past companions, and Elder Mangum and I just feel like 211th and 212th wheels... :P BUT, I learned a lot, and even made a friend of a sister missionary from PAKISTAN! Pretty cool stuff! I also met a girl from my BYU Ward! Wow! Small world! 

A few things about my new country...

Everyone calls Americans Joe here. I guess named after GI Joes? Haha I've gotten it a lot the last couple of days!

The weather here is a furnace! Gee wiz, I miss my nice Bangalore weather! 

EVERYONE plays Basketball here! Everyone in Philippines wants to be a baller (and of course they all watch the NBA and wear jerseys everywhere), everyone in India plays Cricket, and I guess everyone in America channel surfs? haha ^_^

The saying here is "It's more fun in the Philippines!" 

Here's an example of the way girls dress here in the Philippines: We invited a 15 year old girl named Let Let to church, and she asked what she should wear. We told her a dress or skirt. She then asked how long it should be, and we said it should come to your knees or lower. She and her sister then busted out laughing, and told us she didn't own any dress of that length! haha oh Philippians...

Here's a story I think all of you will enjoy (especially Noah). So, one evening this last week our ward mission leader pulled all of us elders aside, and said something he needed to talk to us about. He said though he didn't want any of us to get offended. And after a few minutes of us PROMISING him we won't get offended, this is what he told us: Elder Anderson and Elder Mangum, I've been getting some complaints from the members that the two new elders from India stink really bad. haha what?! Apparently quite a few people had mentioned they were offened by our smell, but didn't have the guts to tell us, so they told Brother Richards to let us know... I guess we've lived in India for too long, where EVERYONE smells bad, so it just became normal to smell the way we smelled... (curry bleeding out into your sweaty pores does not smell very nice). So, this week I got some new deodorant and body spray. Hopefully I won't offend so many people! I've gotten Elder Mangum hooked on Noah's prayer as well "Please bless us that we will look good, smell good, and be good!" haha, fun times.

Regardless of my smell though, everyone thinks I'm super hot, so that's a bonus. I can't tell you how many people tell me that I'm handsome! My white skin, rosy cheeks, and nicely shaped nose are all hot stuff here in the Philippines!