Yea! Its been pretty crazy! Im no longer in Calamba, Ivebeen called into the office as financial secratary and office elder! Pretty different, but its been fun, I'll write an update now!
Do you have any pictures? there was a massive typhoon here, I got some good pictures to show you :)
(These never came...maybe next week;))
Family,
Wow what a week, it was so full of changes, Im no longer in Calamba, Ive been called into the office here in Alaminos Laguna, My companion is the biggest man in the mission a former professional rugby player, and accountant, an Australian Tongan named Elder Talanoa, He's my first companion from the islands, and its been really fun the past few days, he is about 300 pounds of pure muscle, but has the heart of lion and the gentle nature of a mother hen. He's an awesome guy and were ready to take on the immense challenge that will be coming our way as the office couple, in charge of finances near the end of their term here and we as the office elders will take on all the responsibility of the office on both sides of the spectrum, on the service and logistics side as well as the finance, Its going to be something really new for me, but something that will teach me alot, and work the analytical, organizational, and logistic side of me as much as life in the field has worked the spiritual. It feels good to see that the things we do each day really do help the mission to function.
The typhoon that came through really messed things up, We have spent most of the waking hours we have the past few days in the car accounting for Elders and Sisters and assessing damages on apartments, we've been around the whole mission and seen the destruction that the storm caused, power lines are lining the roads, there was no water or power from Tuesday to Thursday evening in most of the mission and in about a third they still don't have either. Yesterday we made a trip out to Lopez with a literal ton of water in the back of the truck to the Elders and Sisters out there who were running low on both funds and fresh water, Were still trying to figure out what we can do to get the internet back up and running in the office, its been pretty messy as more days pass, we get further and further behind, but I know we'll be able to pull out fine. The next few weeks really will be spent cleaning up the mess that mother nature made here, we looked out our window and watched rooves blown off of houses and trees and power lines collide as the wind made even the biggest trees look like a toothpick, we didnt really realize just how bad it was until we drove around and saw, teaching appointments have been put on hold as missionarys fill their days with service, many members who really had nothing left went to church yesterday, it was amazing to see that kind of faith, I know that a midst the destruction were seeing now that good will come of it, The filipino people are responding amazingly to it all, the morning after the storm we saw stores open back up, a midst a flood that was waste deep in his home, we saw a man go out and sell fish to earn a little money, when you ask anyone how their doing the resounding response is, were ok, or still smiling, These are people that take this kind of beating from nature every year, and their just happy if even a portion of their roof stays on, Its inspiring!
The work is different here, its fun to be around president each day, I learn alot form his attitude and humility. Even though its different it dosent mean the spirit has left, we look for those ways to feel the spirit and crave those experiences when they do happen, Im excited for the next few months and anxious to learn all that the Lord wants me to learn, I honestly never thought I would become an office Elder, but too much has told me that it was the wrong choice, I know it was revelation and Im excited to throw myself in to this new assignment from the Lord.
Max! Keep emailing me, I hope your well, you sounded great in your letter! I love the MTC, just make sure you dont eat too much of one thing, I remember one Elder in my district did that and after 4 bad days they had to give him the "blue torpedo" nobody likes the blue torpedo. and one more thing, have you found the "pillow room"?
You all sound great at home, its very strange to me that Bailee is in highschool, I cant handle it, The pictures look great,
Tuck I know you'll find a better job, Try In- n- Out! I left that place on a good note, maybe they'd pick you up??
Aimee and Coop,
Keep enjoying summer, its a fun time! I love you!
I love you all, thanks for your prayers,
Elder Johnson
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