Week 80

Week 80
9/28/14

Hello everyone. this was another good week here in the City. So at the beginning of this week, last Monday actually, we went to our far area to teach some investigators and less actives we also got to help someone carry some rice to their home and because of being friendly we were able to teach them, the only thing that sucked was walking back all the way home because there were no more rides available when we left. The next day we did a little small community service project for a less active member in the morning we basically cleaned his house for him. So that was good he came to church this week and in the afternoon we taught a couple of lessons. The next day was really nice we had a member work with us and because he worked with us we were able to teach  8 lessons, we can't go into houses if it is just a girl or a women so when we have someone working with us we can teach a lot more people so that was really nice. Also it really nice to have someone there thats not a missionary it helps to make the setting more comfortable. The next day we went on exchanges with the other Elders Anderson and Allred. We had a great day a lot of tracting and teaching but it was great working with some of our Elders and helping them during their teaching and giving them some advice. The next day we had interviews with our Mission President, it was funny that some of my interview was about what my plans are for after the mission But it pretty much made me think how close i am to going home now.... 60 something more days left.  But we had a Branch family home evening and before that we went to help one of the members carry food from their house to the church and before we actually carried the food they offered us some KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUTS!!!!.... what the heck, it was the most glorious thing I have tasted in 2 years. The activity was fun we weren't prepared to do an activity so we sang Joy to the World, pretty lame but what ever. The next day we went back to our far area and taught our new investigator and other investigators and unfortunately our less active was a little drunk so it got a little interesting as well. Yesterday was crazy so while we went out working one of our investigators that we teach literally came out of now where and was drunk grabbed me by the arm and started to tell us how much he loves us. So we told him that we were going to go back later in the week and teach him, because he wanted to be taught at that very second. So we left thought it was pretty funny until we came back to the church and some of the members told us that the same person came by earlier before we came and asked to know where we were. Sometimes its hard in the city because the culture is one that enjoys alcohol. So those experiences were pretty funny but this was a good week, we were hard working. Me and my companion are trying to finish our missions out strong  so we are always tired, between the work and working out every day we stay busy.  We cleaned our house today and I killed 3 rats so I call this a successful week already. But thank you all for the email they are great and can't wait to hear from you all again next week!

Elder Llorens

Week 79

Week 79
9/21/14

Hey so this is my update. So this week was good but also hectic at the same time. This week was the Pena Francia So all the people went to the centro of naga and partied the whole week but we couldn't go... bummer but we stayed back and tried to find people to teach even though there was hardly anyone back in our area. So we just basically looked for anyone to teach and it acutally worked out all right. But we also got to go on exchanges with some of the elders this week and got to attend their district meeting in Calabanga. We also had to hurry and do an emergency run for a baptism I guess the chapel that they had a baptism at had no more clothes so we had to get our baptismal clothes from our chapel and take it across town to the other one so it was a little hectic but it worked out and we got to watch 6 great baptisms! But the work is going great but District Leaders are really hard working. So I am getting use to my new position. I am getting along well with Elder Finau most of the time we just talk about the funny things we did back in the MTC together and its crazy that we are getting ready to go back home now. But the mission is going really well a lot of new people that we are teaching. Its fun also to be with a good friend, makes the time go faster. Earlier today we had a community service project with our church we picked up trash around the community and this Friday we have a nice branch family home evening and hopefully we can get our investigators and less actives to come to that. But I got a really nice package from my Nana so thanks Nana can't wait to eat all the food! and thanks to everyone that wrote me. The emails are great. But I am getting ready to get off now so thank you everyone and I love you and I'll talk to you all soon.

Elder Llorens

Week 78- New Area

Week 78

9-14-14

So I am transferred. My new area is back in the city and is called Camaligan.  The area and the members are great. But it's such a weird feeling coming from the jungle to such a nice part of the city. I have a nice apartment with nice clean running water, no more brown outs and we can get food any time we want...  if we really wanted to, we could order McDonald's haha! But my new companion is Elder Finau who is actually part of my batch in the MTC and we were roommates in Buhi way back when... So we are really happy that we are together and having fun teaching the Gospel everyday. So this week we have had so many teaching appointments its hard to fit them in our schedule but we are trying hard to teach everyone we can or just at least talk to them and build a good relationship with them... its funny how its a Mexican and a Tongan speaking Tagalog or Bicol  to all these people. This week is crazy because the Catholic Church here has this thing called Pena Francia... the same as the one from last year... where there are all these parades and stuff going on... a lot of fire works and people drinking so there are more people than usual here in Naga for the celebration... I'll try to get some good pictures later today. I think another funny thing is that Elder Finau and I have been working out everyday so far... we had a tropical storm on Saturday and every morning at 6 we wake up and either run or weight lift.... on Saturday we ran in the storm so that was fun... we got a lot of crazy looks from people on the street... they were mostly laughing at us. But its been fun being with someone I've known it  definitely helps me get through the work... crazy thing is that there are more sister missionaries than elders in our district.  They are all nice and they are fun... hopefully I can get some pictures to you guys next week. my computer for some reason won't recognize my Sc card. But last night I had such a great dinner, the people  fed us this super good tasting  fish with cookies and brownies from the oven with coconut salad and blue lemonade... so I am pampered here now and will most likely will get fat. But I love the area and the work, and thank you to all the people who continue to  send me emails . They are really great to get. And I hope you all have a good week this week. Salamat ulit!

Elder Pogi Lloren

Pictures

Pictures
9-8-14

Week 77 - I'm transferred!

Week 77
9-8-14

So this week was actually a really fun week. We started the week out really well trying to work hard... its still really hot and humid and sometimes rainy. But this week was really slow a lot of our appointments fell through so a lot of walking these last couple of days but its been good. I found out that I am transferred! So hopefully I don't have to worry about  big spiders, dirty water and brown outs all the time... But I am super glad for all the things I basically had to endure here in this area. Its been a big growing up part in my life and it will be a great help when I get home. Another awesome thing this week is that I rode my first Kalabaw(water buffalo), it was so fun but totally freaked me out when it started to walk haha. We also had a party this on Saturday as we waited to see who was going to be transferred. Felt like the NFL draft because we have to wait for the phone call to tell us... it was a long wait but I am really excited to go to my final area and end my mission there. But I am going to really miss this area once again, mostly because  all the members here are really nice and they are super friendly. It was really sad saying goodbye but I am definitely not going to forget all the awesome people here. So  this morning I probably played the best pick up game of basketball of my life and what happens.... jam the crud out of my finger so bad.... and of all fingers its my middle one.... full erect. And then it  sucked  when I was emailing my parents totally brown outs for an hour and then I had to wait like 30 mins to for the people here to fix my computer.  This week had been good like I said we also had a zone training so it was fun again to see all the other missionaries and see how they are all doing. I sort of got a little sick this week also... Sore throat but its been better now I jugged some emergenc and jugged some vitamins and I am doing a lot better now. The only thing that I am not looking forward to this transfer is that later to day I still have to pack... its the absolute worst and the commuting part. But I am trying  just trying to finish my mission out strong...  I will admit that all the Christmas lights and music is really making me miss home. haha. But just want to say good luck to everyone at school and thanks to everyone who has been writing me and keeping in touch. I think that's all this week thank you and see you all soon.

Elder Llorens

Week 76

Week 76
08/31/14

Hello everyone. So this week has been a really great one certainly one to remember... one of our investigators was baptized and I was blessed with the opportunity to baptize her. What a great feeling it was the highlight of the week! I rented a jeepney for the members and some of our investigators to come and  support the baptism... another great blessing was me going to the city and eating an 7/11 ice cream LOL oh and to see the other Elders in Ocampo have a baptism as well. Another great blessing was having a lot of member and investigators come to church this last week... so sooner or later our little group will soon become a branch and more progression can happen in our little area.

  Also me and Elder Jalocon have been trying to find new people to teach this week. We went out tracting the other day and found some nice people... One of them is a really nice Muslim, she is so nice she made us some really delicious rice dessert things that looked and tasted like donuts! SO we are trying to work hard and find more people to teach. The weather this week has been weird super sunny and hot in the morning and then rain in the afternoon because of the humidity... it sort of gives you a killer head ache because of the change in temperature but I am starting to get used to it. SO funny story I left one of my umbrellas a long time ago in Naga during transfers so about every week I buy a new one because I tend to break it some how...the other week I broke one by using it as crutch because I was getting ready to fall and slip.. so it broke in half and this week I broke another one...but I found the one I lost! haha This week has been good for lessons as well. Next  week we have another zone training so I will be able to see some of my friends again. Also we find out if a am transferred or not on Saturday. So we will see what happens... later today we have a family home evening at a Far far area and I dont know but its raining pretty good right now so well see if we can make it or not because the house is like a 2 hour walk from our house and in the middle of the jungle. So we will see... thats about all for now but thank everyone again for the emails and I hope you are all doing well, hope you like the pictures.

Elder POGI LLorens