Hello Family!
This week was quite a busy one for me here on the
islands. We had tons of traveling and tons of fun as well. It has
really hit me this week just how close Christmas is now. I think with
it being so hot and stuff... it has tried to just sneak by me this
year. I think one thing that helped me realize that it was indeed
Christmas was the Christmas themed zone conference we had and then, of
course, the First Presidency Christmas Devotional I got to attend last
night. It is weird to think of where I was this time of year last
year. I was still with my trainer up in Banga, Aklan and worrying about
never being able to speak this language. I was only three months out
on my mission and, compared to now, knew absolutely nothing about the
Filipino culture. I think this Christmas will be alot more enjoyable
for me just because I know how to interact with these people more and
learn how to enjoy Christmas the Filipino way.
So lets break this week down a bit. I will start with the Christmas
Zone Conference. We had an awesome conference in Iloilo this last
Friday. Sister Pagaduan went all out for a way nice lunch. I mean it
was some of the most delicious Filipino food I've had on my mission.
Then we had a sweet talent show. All the districts had to come up with a
presentation to show off. I think my favorite was this skit where the
Elders made the Luke 2 story into Ilongo. I was laughing the entire
time. Maybe even funnier than the skit, however, was the fact that all
the couple missionaries attended and I don't think they understood a
word of what was going on. Everyone in the room was crying laughing and
then the couples were just confused. I felt bad for them. They did
have a good time though. OH I almost forgot. I met a couple from
Lethbridge. The Boehme family I think it was. He was a doctor in
Lethbridge... They worked with Grandma and Grandpa in the temple! He
actually went to University of Alberta as well... so we had a nice
hockey talk and just left thinking of how small the world is. We also
had a gift exchange! The gift had to be between 100- 200 pesos. I
found this big native Filipino hat made of strips of bamboo. This thing
was big... like probably 2 1/2 ft in diameter. Then we drew names and I
got none other than Sister Pagaduan. SHe LOVED it. Originally the
gift was meant to be a joke, but she really liked it. I have a picture
of us two while she is wearing the hat. Sister Pagaduan is just the
best ever. She is literally just my mission Mom. She even says that
she wants to visit my area on Christmas day and go to church in our
little group. All that and I got to see Elder Balmeo again... he was my
companion back in Manoling. I think he will probably end up being my
favorite companion. I think he is just the Filipino version of me... or
I am the White version of him... I'm not entirely sure. It was way
good to see him and get to talk to him for a bit. I hope I get to be
companions with him again... ah that won't happen. I did tell him,
however, that if he ever migrate to America he was welcome to live at
our house. I think you all would just love this guy. He is hilarious.
We also had a way good Sunday yesterday. We had a Branch conference
in San Jaoquin, the town next to ours, and even though it was far away
we had great attendance. We had 6 investigators at church! We also had
alot of our priesthood attend and all wearing white shirts and ties. I
was way pleased with how everything went. Then that evening we went to
Iloilo again to go see the Devotional. I thought it was awesome. I
thought Pres Uchtdorf's story was great. I also really enjoyed the new
movies they are releasing online. These videos are all done by the church as like their Christmas present to everyone. I thought it was way good.
This week was kinda rough for me health wise though. I have had a
bit of a fever all week and just been feeling sore and always had a
headache. It seems like it is about passed right now. I am feeling
alot better that I was a couple days ago. Despite being sick, Elder
Workman and I got alot of work done and I am really satisfied with what
has happened here this past week. I am ready for another one!
So we for sure have a place to use video Skype to call home on the
26th (here... 25th for you all). I could get up early here and even get
to call you around evening time in Georgia. It will be sweet to see
you all this time around! I will just need the skype name or address or
whatever it is called so I can contact you all. I am way excited to
see everyone.
I am doing well over here in the Philippines. I miss you all so
much, but I am soaking up my time in the Philippines while I can. It
really will be weird to leave here one day and know that it ill be hard
for me to ever come back. This just kinda feels normal and homeish to
me now. (I don't think homeish is a word... it has that red squiggly
line under it.) I hope everyone is doing well over on your side of the
world. Have a very Merry Christmas!
Halong,
Elder Lowry
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