Week 14

Hello again!
It really seems like I just wrote my last letter yesterday!  I'm
trying to think about what else has happened since I last wrote...
it's difficult.  So, maybe I'll just write more random stuff.  I'm
sitting in an internet cafe right now.  P-Days are hard for me because
we go to the Market and places like this and we can't avoid all the
music.  Everywhere we go, there are American songs playing... songs
that I like... and I have to concentrate really hard so I don't start
tapping my foot or harmonizing along with them.  I have to just start
singing a hymn to myself.  It's a weakness of mine for sure.  In this
area, we get everywhere in tricycles.  They are motorcycles (In some
areas, regular bicycles) with a little box thing attached to the right
side of it.  Two smaller people can fit inside... but it's common to
see three or more people sitting behind the driver and a few people
hanging on the back, and another person on the opposite side on top of
the wheel.  There are so many tricycle drivers around... so whenever
we need to go anywhere, we just stand on the side of the road and wait
for one to come by and take a seat wherever there is room.  It's so
much fun. (-:

I think I have a problem eating coconut. Whenever we go to someone's
house, they usually will feed us.  Sometimes, they will go outside and
cut down a coconut for us and have us drink straight from it and then
eat the inside.  Sometimes they make a special drink with it too.
Anyways, whenever I eat it, I feel sick.  It think the taste is fine,
but my stomach can't handle it.  I don't want to tell them no though,
so I eat it anyway.  I hope my body will just get used to it and soon
it will be fine.  Other than that slight uncomfortable feeling when I
eat coconut though, I've been really healthy.  I haven't been sick at
all, so I've really been blessed.  Thank you for your prayers!  Most
foreigners get sick when they first come, but I haven't had any
problems at all.

I'm still enjoying getting to some of the houses.  This last week, we
went to one house and the water in the area was much higher than
usual.  We took off our shoes... and I was glad I wasn't wearing a
long skirt.  We were walking on a super muddy, slippery path about a
foot wide with deep water on either side and I almost fell twice!
Usually, the path is more dry and we can see where we are stepping,
but since the water was high, we couldn't see where the path was at
times and had to just hope for somewhat solid ground when we took our
next step.  It's an adventure for sure!  And... a frog jumped on my
foot which of course startled me as well.  It was actually pretty
funny.  At least this time it wasn't raining too. I love it here so
much!  Some other houses, we have to walk across all these bamboo
paths with water below.  I trust them completely, but sometimes Sister
Swarna gets scared it's going to break.  It's her Birthday today!  I
have to figure out how to make it special for her.

More than anything, I enjoy all the spiritual experiences though.
When you see someone finally understanding what you are trying to tell
them or when they are keeping their commitments, it's one of the
happiest moments ever.  Especially when you see how your testimony can
bless someone else.  I love missionary work so much.  I really do.  I
am so grateful for this opportunity that I have to be an instrument in
God's hands.  Each of you have the opportunity to be a missionary now
as well.  You all have neighbors and friends who may not have
testimonies or know anything about the gospel.  Invite them to
church!!!  Or refer them to your missionaries! :-)

Elder Bednar is going to come on the 28th of this month and I am so
excited!  He's going to speak to the YSA's on the Panay Island which
we are also inviting all our investigators in that age bracket to come
to, and then he's going to speak to all of us missionaries in a
separate meeting.  I am so excited to meet him!  He's one of my
favorite apostles!

Okay, times up!
Bye!
-Heidi