Elder Jacobs arrived in the Philippines!!

AHHHHHHH!

Now that that is out of the way, let me just say: I apologize, mother, but I don't think I'm going to be coming home. I love it here WAY too much!!! It has been less than a week of being here and I'm in love. I couldn't even count how many times people told me that, when I get here, I'll hear a language that I swear I have never heard in my life. Not true!! It's AWESOME! Haha I love this language!

So we got here on Wednesday and stayed in a hotel that night. The next day, we got up and came back to the mission home to meet our companions and get our area assignment. 

BEST COMPANION EVER. His name is Elder Ferris and is from New Zealand. He has been here in the mission for 6 months and he is the best trainer I could've ever asked for. So awesome. We have so much fun talking to people. It's so important to have fun doing what you're doing. Not worldly, short-lasting fun, but truly enjoying spreading this true gospel to people in another country. The people here really are very nice. I love them. 

Anyways, we got assigned to "White-Wash" an area called Pardo. That basically means that there weren't missionaries here for a while and so they put both of us in here to re-open the area and start from scratch. Typically you have some past teaching records of the previous missionaries to work with. But we just have to start all over. But it's so cool.

The first full day we were in our area, we just walked around to get used to it. It's HUGE! And one specific part of our area is very bukid (mountain/forest) so that's always a party! ;) We have two other companionships of sisters in our area, so we have 6 missionaries in our ward. Hahah daghan mga misyonario!

Man I don't even know where to begin. We have done so much in this short week. While we were walking the first day, we started talking to this nanay (older woman) and set an appointment to come back to teach her and her husband. Her name is Ludy and her bana's name is Bernard. He works every day all day doing construction. So we went back last night around 6:30 to teach them and he really didn't want anything to do with us - but Ludy is so interested and has so many good questions! Well that's good, because this gospel can answer all of them! 

As I was trying to get to know her a little more, I asked if she has ever had any questions about religion or anything like that and she said "it's funny you should ask that, because ever since I was a little girl, I wondered where I came from. I would always ask people and they said 'from your mommy's stomach'. But I feel like there's something more than that." 

HELLO! "That is a great question, Ludy. Let me just pull out this pamphlet from my bag titled THE PLAN OF SALVATION. Anyways, she is going to be great. Last night we taught her, her daughter, and another couple that wanted to join in on the lesson. We shared the first lesson and we have an appointment to go back and visit with them tomorrow.

Our ward is so great. Elder Ferris said that it is so much more organized and structured than his last ward. He was just transferred over here from Negros (another island in our mission). It was so fun getting to know the members in our area. Because we are white-washing the area, all six of us were new this last Sunday so we all bore our testimonies in the meeting. It was so great. We have meetings with the ward every Sunday before church at 8, and then after church we have Ward Council at 4. We have a Christmas Party coming up on the 13th of December! We're gunna go caroling and everything. I can't wait for that! 

Okay sooo what next? The kids here? They are the best. We always talk to them and they love it. Most of them know a little bit of English too because they learn it in school. But they literally follow us around EVERYWHERE. I have some pictures of some. Hopefully I'll be able to send them today.

Hahahah one thing that is a little bit different is how many bayods there are... There are so many!. Haha bayod means gay.  There are like communities of them. Cross dressed and everything.That will take some time to get used to. :/

Okay lastly, I just want to share a quick something. There is no place in the world where young men and young women could go - nothing they could do - that would allow them to learn a language as quickly as this. Like I said, everyone told me how lost I would be when I got here. That what they speak here doesn't even sound like Basayan. I didn't let myself think that one time. I just studied as hard as I could in the amount of time that I had. I am so grateful for the blessings that my Father in Heaven has given me. I feel very comfortable in the language. Don't get me wrong, I am far from fluent - but I know enough to get by. And I know that as I stay optimistic and keep pushing on - I will continue to progress very quickly. It is just like all of us. We don't know everything, but we know enough to keep us going. To keep us on the right path. In my personal study yesterday, I found a scripture that I love. It is in 2 Nephi 7:8,11. I know that as I continue to walk in the light of my sparks, it will turn into a fire. I love it. And I know the power that a good attitude and faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ can bring to each one of us.

I love you all so much! Know that I am constantly thinking about all of you, and praying for you, but I know that I am doing what I need to do right now. I love this work and I love these people. Nasayud ko nga tinuod ang ebanghelyo ni JesuKristo. Kon dili tinuod, dili magalagad ko. Nasayud ko nga gihigugma kita tanan sa Dios ug nasayud ko gihapon nga naa siya og plano para kita.

I love you all so much! Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Jacobs

*Baby Jacobs out*