Typhoon Update .....

Sister Carlos said,
"NO electricity but all our missionaries are doing okay. There's another storm brewing and will be here on Wednesday. We say, "enough already!"
PS: I am writing this using a generator. Thanks goodness we're not totally cut off from the rest of the world.

Another Typhoon is Heading Their Way

(Posted by Sister Carlos on the Mission Blog)

Another Typhoon is Heading Our Way

We just got word that another typhoon is due to hit our area pre-dawn tomorrow morning and is now categorized as a Level 3. Level 3 will bring high winds and lots of rain, but nothing that should keep us down too long. We have evacuated a number of our missionaries to higher ground as lots of rain is expected. All other companionships have been instructed to have several days of water, food and candles on hand. We are prepared!Most of us just got back power since the typhoon on Tuesday. We will update this blog if we have power as soon as it passes. Please join with us in prayer that these storms will be tempered and somehow diverted.

Thanks to all for your concern.

Typhoon Pedring

September 28, 2011 - An Update by Sister Carlos posted on the Cauayan Mission Blog!

Typhoon Pedring

We received word that a typhoon was headed our way but it was categorized as a Level 2, which means lots of rain and wind but nothing too crazy. In the middle of the night it was elevated to a Level 3, still nothing compared to the huge Typhoon Juan we had in October 2010. The worst part of this typhoon actually bypassed us and swerved more towards Manila. So there is lots of flooding and problems in Manila. Throughout our mission we have had massive tree damage and lots of brown outs (no electricity) there are a few areas where missionaries have been moved because of flooding, but all in all we are in great shape. We feel very fortunate! (The mission home and office has been without electricity since yesterday morning 32 hours so far. We have a generator so we have a few lights, refrigeration, fans and the Internet! Many of our missionaries are using candles for the next few days. Luckily the temperatures are cooler than normal so the heat isn't too bad.Our sources in Manila told us that we could go ahead and send our departing missionaries on the bus this evening. They say the problems in Manila are more in the side roads and that the major highway to Manila is passable. So with a prayer in our hearts for a safe journey we put our 11 belved departing missionaries on the bus. Tomorrow they will go to the Manila temple and then catch flights, buses and boats to their homes on Friday.

New Transfer, New Companion (Elder Molino)

Elder Ward and Elder Molino (Elder Ward is the new District Leader in Ilagan Zone)

Illagan Zone - 7/7/2011

Ilagan Zone (Elder Mulliner and Elder Katoa--Zone Leaders)

05/29/2011

Hey Mother dear so our investigators are going to be baptized this Saturday. I can’t wait to get that done but now we’re the only ones because the other Elders investigators didn't make it to church. So there will only be 8 baptisms on Saturday instead of 10. But ya so nothing else has changed here. I told you all the good stuff last week.

So this week we were supposed to have an even nastier storm than last time and I’m in the area that it would hit the hardest but it missed us. So we lucked out even though I was kinda excited for it. So what’s the deal with all these tornadoes? It’s kind of crazy.

Sounds like you’re all having fun with Andrea back. Are you guys excited to see Matthew in a couple weeks haha crazy.
but anyways love ya guys talk to you next week!
Jas

Jason & Elder Baiting (?) during a Zone Meeting

Sister Carlos said ... In Ilagan the missionaries were asked to simplify their teaching. After a period of time to plan, the door opened and in marched their "investigators." Children who had volunteered to work with our missionaries. It was really fun to watch the missionaries teach these darling kids.

04/24/2011

Hey so we had another baptism this weekend. It was great! She is such a cool lady. I’m a little mad how only 2 people came to her baptism - the bishop and another lady we asked to speak that was it. I’m not joking there was the two, me, my companion, and 4 other missionaries. It was pretty sad that that’s the kinda support we get being in a Ward. I thought it would be different but I guess not. Also the other person we asked to speak texted us an hour before the baptism saying he has to work. Why he didn’t text us a week ago or say something the numerous times we reminded him, I don’t know. Then I had to give a talk with a 2 minute notice before sacrament. Haha! I love the Philippines. I really do love it, I’m just telling you the mentality of the people haha. But ya anyways we have been having fun the same old stuff.

Yes my companion is Filipino and he’s from Lagos. It is way far from here. His Tagalog isn’t that great because they speak a different language there where he’s from. We are kinda close to the mission home it takes about 1 hr 30 minutes to get there or so.

I can’t wait to get home and go to dollar movies because it’s gonna be like going to the expensive ones for me! haha. Eric is starting a lawn mowing business? Why does he need a new lawnmower for it? Who is his partner in crime?

I have been really lazy with taking pictures. I’m sorry - it just doesn’t seem like anything new to me anymore so I rarely see anything too exciting. You need to tell me what kind of pictures I need to take so I know when to take them. Haha! You think you do the same stuff everyday haha missionaries are the most routine people on the planet! Haha! Nothing changes here. Also you should probably send me a whole letter about what I should write about haha because I haven’t got a clue anymore haha.
Are you guys getting excited to see Matthew again? Its crazy how soon it’s gonna be. Its probably not even going to wear off that he’s home and then I’ll be in the airport – haha!
Anyways love ya lots family! Tell dad hunt deadlines I know are sometime in June so get them done early before you forget!

Love ya
Jason

Easter in the Philippines

President Carlos said this about Holy Week ...

“Remember, this is Holy Week in the Philippines. That means many of the services (banks, stores, etc) will be closed at least Friday-Sunday. I doubt any ATMs will work between Friday and Sunday...Some will be closed all week. Plan your business needs early in the week. Be mindful of the local religious traditions pertaining to Holy Week – AND be respectful of their practices. In some areas of the Philippines, real live crucifixion actually takes place. If you see anything unusual, please be sensitve to the fact that to these people, these are sacred religious observances. Be mindful also that Catholics do not eat chicken, pork, or beef during Holy Week."

04/18/2011 - Letter to Andrea

I’m like 90 percent sure that’s what’s happening. President said Nov 30 like last week again so I think so. I’ll find out for sure sure in about 2 months then its gonna be crazy. It’s so close it feels weird that I’ll be home that soon! Anyways how’s everything going getting ready for the move and what not. Nothing really new with me. I cut my finger pretty bad the other day cutting rice for a service project. It was pretty gnarly - it cut my finger nail in half but its fine. I didn’t even go to the doctor. It’s still sore but it looks like its healing fine. I didn’t want to call our nurse lady and be like I cut my finger. That’s the most exciting bit I have to say haha!

But anyways I’ll talk to you later.
Love ya
Jason

PS: Don’t forget … figure something out with mom so we can talk in May alright - love ya jason

04/18/2011 - Elder Biating

Companion: Elder Biating - from Lagos Philippines

Okay so its gonna be short again! I’m sorry but anyways nothing a whole lot has changed. I have actually been sick all week but it’s kinda funny because now I got everyone else sick. I still have a runny nose but its getting better.

When I got transferred I got a new companion - Elder Biating so he is my companion for a while. Also we have some really good investigators one is getting baptized on Saturday and then 6 more should follow in the next 3 weeks. So we’re doing good.

Anyways all is great here - just living the missionary life. Yep Matt’s home in 2, I’m home in 7! Matt was a little surprised that I’ll be home only five months after him. I’m about 95 percent sure me and Elder Riner will be leaving the Philippines on Nov 30 so that’s soon.

Anyways love ya
Jason

03/27/2011 - Transfers!

Transfered to Ilagan.

Okay mom – don’t panic I’m sorry I didn’t email. I was at the hospital with my sick companion. He is okay now. Actually he was okay after they gave him medicine he was fine in like 15 minutes so we just hung out and played with the gadgets haha. But we didn’t get a chance to email.

But anyways everything’s great here. I did get transferred. It’s a bit different but it’s okay. I am now in Ilagan. It’s actually a ward so it’s so much different. Nothings changed except my area this is probably my second to last area crazy huh. Time goes by so fast. Matthew will be home in 3 months – that’s crazy! He will be home before we know it.

When you get home and aren’t touring the whole world without us would you find out what I have to do to apply for school in January? I want to go to school January and summer and have fall off. Let me know what you think.

Anyways everything’s good here. I wish I had something more interesting to tell you. Sorry my emails are getting so lame I just don’t know what to tell you cause there is nothing too new.

Love ya Jason

PS: I almost forgot … me and Elder Dahlin live right next to each other haha as in our houses are connected!

03/13/2011 - Moved to Higher Ground!

Hey mother!

So sounds like you guys are excited for the vacation. It’s been getting really really hot lately but its okay I think I’m used to it now and have accepted it, haha! But anyways not a whole lot is new. At our baptisms there usually is nobody to play the piano so we just sing without one it sounds terrible. I think they could even give a Ward Family Reunion a run for their money it’s that bad! Haha!

Transfers are getting close. I’m pretty sure I’ll be transferred but I’m not sure. They are on the 24th.

So earthquake update … so we where sitting there teaching a lesson and I look down at the cell phone and we had 6 missed calls. We already heard that there was something big that happened in Japan and everyone was freaking out here in the Philippines so I knew after getting 6 calls we were getting evacuated. I called our Zone Leaders and they said go buy 72 hours of food and get to Tuguie so we took off to Tug. We hungout and played games then in the morning they texted and said false alarm go back. So I don’t know if something happened in other parts but nothing happened to us. I haven’t heard anything about it yet!

Here we have 7 endowed members so you guys have more than 20 times the amount we do. Haha we don’t even have a piano player, needless to say sacrament meeting is interesting but it really isn’t too bad. Lang Kasi the branch is getting way better and they will have a church all finished in April so that’s cool.

Anyways have fun on your vacation.
Love ya, Jason

03/07/2011

This week we had a baptism. It was good! I got to be the baptizer and conductor because nobody really could go so there were about 8 people not including missionaries. But it was good we have a bunch of people that should be getting baptized in about a month so I’m excited for them the only problem is I’m pretty sure I’m getting transferred. I’m not positive but I think so. I’m kinda tired of getting transferred to areas where I basically have to start by scratch and then when I leave the other Elders get all the fruit of my labors haha! But oh well – I’m sure they will remember me either way but ya so nothing else really happened this week.But I did get your package thanks it’s awesome. I’m trying to figure out how to get music on the ipod. It’s harder than I thought because I guess the ipod has some protection so you can’t put the music from just anywhere on there. But I’ll figure it out. It’s way cool though it has some pretty cool features on it. Another problem is that my speakers don’t work with it but that’s okay because I can get new ones that will work for super cheap here so it will work but anyways thanks a ton I can’t wait to use it.

Well I don’t have anything else to say!
Love ya, Jason

Tuguegarao Zone Conference 02/2011

02/28/2011 HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Jason!!!

I think that kid's scripture is my favorite too! Haha! (An 8 year old in primary shared this scripture in closing exercises … Jonah 2:10 "And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.") But anyways so everything is good here. We do have a baptism this Saturday. We should have a ton coming up soon if I’m not transferred. We had 7 investigators at church this week. It was awesome and that’s usually the hardest for them to do is to go to church so I think we’re gonna get a bunch of baptisms soon. It’s so much easier now that I can actually speak Tagalog it makes it a ton simpler.

As for my birthday … it doesn’t feel like my birthday at all! Haha! It just feels like any other day for the most part not to exciting! I can’t believe I’m 23 either. Scary.

I want to see Brad’s truck. It’s probably like my dream truck haha. But that’s way cool.

I bet we will all be going to a wedding soon. Charles swore he wouldn’t get married again until I get back and I have a feeling it’s gonna happen when I get back haha.

Still no package. It’s probably stolen or on its way back to you! haha I’m just joking I’m sure its sitting at the mission home waiting for me! I don’t know too much else to tell ya.

Last week was stake conference and although I’m in a district and not a ward we got to go too. There was a speaker from Manila that is part of the 70. He was awesome. He told all these corny jokes that made everyone laugh a ton. It was good - especially his talk but he said one thing that was so awesome but everyone probably got mad at him. He talked about the Proclamation to the Family and how the mother is supposed to preside in the family. He said in order to preside you have to be present then he said how many mothers are abroad working in Samaria or China or other parts of the world. How is it that they are presiding when they aren’t present? It was good because here wives always go abroad to find work. I would say 30 percent or more. But anyways he said that he is Filipino and he knows it’s tough but mothers have no purpose leaving there family. It was way bold. The whole congregation was silent. Thank goodness that’s something we never had to worry about thanks to my lovely hard working parents!

I don’t know what else to tell ya! Everything’s good!
Love ya, Jason

Elders Apin, Hale, Dahlin & Ward

4 HAPPY MISSIONARIES!!

02/20/2011

Well sorry mother I don’t have much to say again. This week was the same as last. We were really really busy this week and taught a ton of people which is awesome. Normally we have way too much time to tract which isn’t very fun in the sweltering heat!! It is so so so hot. But this week was better.

Anyways so sounds like everything there is the same as usual. One thing I can’t wait for are the new movies. There are a few I really want to see that I’m pretty sure have been out for a while now. I really really want to see the new Robin Hood and Prince of Persia so I’m expecting a whole collection of movies to watch when I get home so better start now. Haha!

I need you to send me the littlest Bible you can find. Just a cheap one cause I have a tiny Book of Mormon. It’s nice to cut back on the weight I’m packing all day. I usually have a Tagalog set of scriptures and an English set then one to give away so it’s heavy.

So what did you get me for my bday. I really don’t feel like it’s almost my birthday or that I’m going to be 23. it’s kinda weird it’s just like huh whatever.

I’m pretty sure if mercury was around the floor here they wouldn’t care whatsoever. I don’t have much else to say.
Love ya Jason

01/23/2011

Yep so I think you’re a bit better at finding things to say when nothings happened cause I’m drawing a blank. But this week was good but one of our investigators, a family, called us and told us they don’t want to get baptized anymore and to not come back (haha ya right we’re not coming back – we aren’t giving up that easy). She said it’s cause her husband doesn’t want a different religion. But it’s ok they just need a good slap to wake up. I’m not worried. I’m sure they will see the light of things soon enough.

But anyways thanks for sending the package. I can already see him thrilled not knowing where it came from haha. But ya it’s sad! I can’t believe that anyone would do that. I mean if I came home and said I wanted to be Catholic or something I doubt you would be like see ya. That’s just stupid. Isn’t a different religion son or daughter better than no son or daughter? It’s all worldly pride. But anyways I’m sure his parents will wake up someday and realize if it was worth all that to Elder Rondillia maybe they better figure out why.

As for that book ya i got one forever ago. But ya as for music its easy all the computers here have something like itunes. and lots of stolen music! It’s funny they know how to pirate stuff – movies, music, anything. I don’t think they have copyright laws in the Philippines.

But ya anyways - thanks for the update on everything! It’s funny to hear little stories!

I’ll talk to you next week!
love jason

01/16/2011

k so I have an explanation for the email - I was in the middle of typing your email and of course the power went out and I didn’t get it sent and the draft got saved but it was only about 3 sentences so not a lot of good. But I always save you for last cause yours is always the longest so I guess I save the best for last.

But anyways so today we went bowling as a group. It was interesting! It was Canadian bowling but with 10 pins. It was weird and even though I usually hate bowling it was fun to do something normal for a change.

So ya I got Andrea’s and Grandma’s package - needless to say I have a ton of junk food. You guys are always the best at sending packages. But speaking of packages - I was wondering if you could do me a favor in the next week or so it needs to be soon but could you send a package of whatever it doesn’t matter just treats and stuff to Elder Rondillia? So why am I asking this is because Elder Rondillia is the best missionary I know and his story is that he became a member and got kicked out of his house and told that he didn’t have a family anymore. After that he tried to talk to his parents almost every week and they would never talk to him. After about a year he decided to go on a mission and that just kinda sealed the deal with his family since then he has been on his mission for about 20 months now and he has written to his family every single week for 20 months and has never received a single letter. So needless to say he has never gotten a package or anything like that but I think it would be nice to get one. Don’t write anyone name on it just send him a package you can put a return address and stuff but don’t put a name. And also write a letter or something if you want just saying how you’re thankful for people and missionaries like him if you want to - it doesn’t have to be anything big or expensive just a package of some sort that he can share with other elders and stuff. Also he has about 3 months left. He doesn’t know what he will do when released, he has no home to go to and no money to live on. But he’s an awesome guy. So that would be great!

Also - everything is good here with me. I asked Charles to bring you my ipod so if you could send that and pictures that would be great also a charger for it. I don’t need one to go to the computer I have one I need a wall charger. I had a crappy fake ipod rip off here but it broke so just send me the one Charles brings you. Don’t need to worry about sending it in a big package just send it when you get it with some pictures thanks mother.

Everything is good here just enjoying the mish we have a few baptisms on the 29th and a couple in Feb so everything is going good but thanks again for the Christmas stuff - me and my comp have fun with it. Especially the fly shooter haha!
love ya jason

01/03/2011 - New Companion

Same Area: Tuguegaro Zone
New Companion: Elder Galang from the Philippines

Wow I miss the states so bad. It’s the usual HOTTTT here - i added the ts cause it’s that much hotter than you realize (actually I couldn’t remember if hot had two ts or just one. but I think 1 got it now) so anyways New Years here sucked. I was sleeping nice then all the sudden at 12 fireworks started blasting off then they didn’t stop till morning so I didn’t sleep much. Also there way way loud ones - not the little girl fireworks we have in the states but more like the good ones dad makes. But anyways not a whole lot new here. I got a new companion from the MTC – he’s Philippino. His name is Elder Galang. He’s pretty cool.

I actually had my first t-bone steak on the mission. It was good but it was so over cooked it was a bit hard but o well it was good all the same. But mostly the foods the same. That’s weird that Matthew might extend his mission. That’s funny! He said he was in his email but I thought he was joking! That means we’ll get home pretty close cause my batch will come home early and his late! Haha! That’s weird but anyways that’s the update. Everything’s good here. It was nice to talk to you guys. I wish we could talk once a month that would be nice and then I would know what to talk about and not be overwhelmed! Haha!

Also, do you know where my ipod is? If you do, can you send that to me?
Love ya,
Jason