Transfers This Week

Kumusta!

Me on the right at the Zone Leaders Conference

I’m doing pretty good.  Transfers are this week and there are going to be a lot of changes in our zone so I’m working on that stuff right now. The zone is being overhauled this cycle, and my area is being split so I will be showing three elders around and figuring that out while juggling the rest of the zone. I’ll definitely get something good to write about out of transfers.

I moved again earlier this morning. Haha. That’s the fourth move between transfers I’ve made in the mission I think.

I guess Noah figured Boys State out better than I did. That’s my boy!  I haven’t seen Elder Allred since he came in last transfer but I have been trying to talk to him.  I will get to see him tomorrow though, and finally get a chance to say, "Hey, we are somehow distantly related through marriage. How’re you doing?"  It’ll be great. Elder Volpe is doing much better, I’ve actually seen him a bit this cy

Me photo-bombing Elder james

cle.  He just wants a new companion because his comp right now it the trunkiest kid on the planet and still has a cycle to go.  He calls me dad. So yep…I am a mission parent.

Mahal ko kayo,

Elder Allen

Elders James, Proctor, Nielsen and Me...eating!  Yay!

A Few More Questions

Kumusta!

Here are some answers to recent questions:

When is the next Transfer Day?

Next Transfer Day is June 19th, I will be getting a new companion, and will be splitting the area once again. (like Ramon).

Who are you teaching?

We have a bunch of investigators but none that are progressing. We are doing our best.

What do you like about your new area?

The best thing about Baluarte is that it is close to the big city of Santiago but its far enough away that we are working in the fields and mountains and forest of the Philippines.  The fresh air with the convenience of the city.

Have you seen any interesting animals lately?

We have seen an unusually large number of smushed cats in the road lately.  That’s a strange animal.  And we found a crab in our bathroom. That was weird. No idea where that came from.

When are the Carlos’ leaving?  Are you prepared for that?

The Carlos's leave on July 1st.  But I think it will be fine. There isn’t much to worry about. I think the new president will be great in his own way. But as President Carlos pointed out in my last interview, President Rahlf will love me, but not like President Carlos loves me. Ha!  It’s true.

Pres & Sister Carlos

Mahal ko kayo,

Elder Allen

Pres & Sister Rahlf

New Area and Companion

Kumusta!

My original MTC batch 18 months later. Elders Nielsen
Proctor, James and me. 

I am in a new area with a new companion.  My new area is Baluarte, just south of Santiago.  My new companion is my old friend Elder Proctor who was in my batch in the MTC.

This last week started with a very intresting P-Day. We had a lock-down (meaning we were not allowed to leave our apartments) that started at 12pm and lasted the entire day.  All because of the elections. They get pretty heated.  But it was also the day we get to Skype our families to talk on Mother's Day. So it was a great day to talk to my family for the last time in the mission before I see them face to face.  After Skyping briefly in the morning, we ran around getting a few errands done, and then, since we were locked in our appartmens for a ridiculous amount of time, president allowed us to watch some Disney movies.  Wreck-it-Ralph is awesome. 

This week Elder Proctor and me have been chased by children, dogs, crazy people, members, and girls.  It was a great week. It's interesting how different people act or treat two Americans as opposed to 1 American and 1 Philippino. but me and Elder Proctor are keeping things together here in Santiago North Zone and having a blast. I'm Elder Proctor's first American companion too, so you can imagine the fun we are having. I love you all.

Mahal ko kayo,

Elder Allen

My new companion Elder Proctor and me.  If I look
apprehensive, its because I know him well.

New Photos

Kumusta!
   Now that I have a camera again I can start sending pictures.  Like these:

My new companion Elder Volpe.

Sunset at Naguillian

Me with Elder Betancourt after his first baptism.

I love you all.

Mahal ko kayo, 

Elder Allen

20 Questions

Kumusta!

I actually got the package you sent on Feb. 2 earlier today!  Elder Needs called and said "Guess what. Your Package is here!" I was so excited.

So we don’t have to worry about that anymore. It cost me 1,575P ($38) personal money though because of the stupid taxes and stuff.  I don’t dare to check my bank account from here because I don’t trust the computers. There are some crazy bugs and viruses.

I love you. Thank you so much for the package. We opened it and immediately threw all the candy in the freezer to harden up. We are going to party later tonight!

Eli, here are some questions that have accumulated, which you can answer if you have time:

Have you felt any earthquakes?

There have been a few earthquakes lately, but I haven’t noticed them.  I just hear about them from others. I don’t know how I miss ‘em.

Elders Ilagan, Needs (in squint mode), Coronel  and me.

Have you eaten dog?

I actually ate dog about two weeks ago, but I forgot to tell you. It’s very interesting. Not actually very meaty but it doesn’t taste very bad. Yum.

Do you still love the fruit?

I still love the fruit. It’s not really much of a fruit season right now though. In the fall is when I get excited about the fruit. I’m afraid that I wont like fruit when I get home. I’ve been spoiled for two years. haha.

What do you have for breakfast? 

For breakfast I usually make a bowl of oatmeal and add some slices of banana. It’s delicious. I’m still skinny though.

Tell us about your new companion.

Elder Volpe is from Cary, NC.  His dad joined the Church when he was 17, just like my dad. And his mom goes back to the pioneers, just like my mom.  He was very homesick when he arrived, like most of us, but he is getting better.

Who is the nicest Filipino you have met?  

The nicest and most impressive Filipino I have met is definitely President Carlos. haha.  But besides him, missionary wise, Elder Ilagan.  People wise, Brother and sister Fernandez (the man that baptized the Gumaru family) and the Gumaru family. I love them.

Do you have access to laundry in Cauauyan?  Or you still doing it by hand?

We actually have a laundry shop here, and we can give them everything but our delicates.  We still wash those by hand.  Way easy... just don’t smell me.

Where would you like to go finish your mission?  

I actually want to go up to the north end of the mission.  Go die in the hotness.  I haven’t been assigned up in the north half of the mission, yet. I’ll be okay if that doesn’t happen though. “I’ll go where you want me to go.”

What was the best training you have had on your mission?

Elder Arden came and gave a super wing-it lesson to a few of us at the mission home one time. It was all about learning by the Spirit... which is what every general authority speaks on, I’ve noticed.

We get to talk to you on Mon, May 13 (your time, Mother's Day our time.) We are terribly excited.

I can’t wait to talk to you all on Mothers Day either.  We'll chat then.

I like it more when there are specific questions to be answered. Feels more like a conversation.

Hope you enjoy this email. ;)

Mahal ko kayo,

I love you All.

Elder Allen

The Gumarus are Baptized

 Kumusta!

The Gumarus are baptized! Including Mikaela.  Behold the effects of your prayers!  I asked Brother Fernandez, a recent convert, to baptize them. Their journey of faith has begun, but they can always use your prayers.

Elder Oldem, Bro. Fernandez, Edison holding Heart,
Josephine, Mel, BJ, Mikaela, AJ, and me

Happy birthday Grumps! But there is no St. Patricks Day in the Philippines.

I hope you are all doing great.  I am doing great out here. I love you all.

Mahal ko kayo,

Elder Allen

Interesting Change in Missionary email Policy:

Date: February 27, 2012

To: General Authorities, Area Seventies, and Mission Presidents

From: Missionary Department (801-240-2222)

Subject: Adjusted Missionary Email Policy

Missionaries are to write to their families each week and are also authorized to communicate by email with friends, priesthood leaders, and new converts. Mission presidents should allow sufficient time on preparation day for missionaries to write emails and letters. While in the mission field, missionaries should receive authorization from the mission president before entering into communication, including via email, with converts and others of the opposite gender within the mission boundaries (see Missionary Handbook, 36–37).

Getting Ready for Baptism

Kumusta!

The Gumaru family did not get baptized this last week but are ready for their March 16 baptism. Except for Michaela, who doesn’t want to be baptized and wants stay in Iglesia ni Cristo, but we heard that second hand from her father after she had passed the baptismal interview.  It’s going to be interesting, but I’m going to bring it up with her and the Gumarus.  However, brother Edison and sister Josephine are more than ready with BJ too.  So I’ll let you know what happens this week, next week.

I am good.  We never think about daylight savings over here. No affect on us.

This picture is awesome. 

What are the chances of you being able to send me a tie exactly like the one I’m wearing in this picture.  It’s the one you sent me for Christmas.  It’s a 'Jonathan David' tie.  You know its good because the guy has 2 first names.

Mahal ko kayo,

I love you all.

Elder Allen