Week 64

Week 64
6/9/14

The Tower Burger

Another really great week. We had 25 lessons this week. We started out good, we tried going to a less active house but she wasn't there so we went to a different one and when we went to the second one she had a friend there that is not of our faith and we were able to share with her and it turned out to be a good lesson. We asked her if we could teach her again and she said yes. She said she really admired that we always walk to all of our appointments even when its really hot or when there is a typhoon outside. So she said when ever shes not busy we can go over and teach her. So that was pretty nice to hear someone say that. I guess people do notice us. But yeah this was a really good week we worked hard. I went on exchanges with my zone leaders on Friday and that was good fun; played some monopoly deal that was really fun also. I also got a package from my Aunt Cara and that was really good! I got 4 big bags of beef jerky and a huge thing of trail mix. We also had a really good family home evening at a less actives house and we invited all the members in the area to  come and it turned out to be a good lesson and the food was way good but the walk home almost killed us but it was worth it. We were able to have 2 of our investigators come to church as well. So really happy about that and we have a couple that are progressing and hopefully are getting closer now to baptism. I also ordered an ab wheel so I am planning on getting some rock hard abs, lol. Pray for me... but can't believe its already June. Time is going by super fast now and the weather was cold one day but then it got super hot again.  A big congratulations to my cousin Jase, he just got married so can't wait to see the family when I get home. We had a lot of fish this week for some reason but its been good. This week coming up is going to be even better. Tomorrow we have another family home evening, this time at our recent converts house and on Thursday we are going to the other elder's area with other members of the ward to find and teach less actives. I am looking forward to it because its right next to the beach and on Saturday and Sunday we have Stake Conference so this weeks work is going to be less but still a lot of good things happening.  I also find out on Saturday if I am going to be transferred or not but I have a feeling I am, I've been in this area for 6 1/2 months now. But yeah still having an awesome time here. Thank you all for all the emails and letters that are awesome and encouraging. Also good luck to those who have finals I'm glad I ain't you. but thanks a lot and I'll talk to you all again next week again

Mini-me

Elder Llorens

Week 63

Week 63
6/2/14

Hello Friends and Family,

So this was an okay week. We started the week off strong got like 5 lessons on Tuesday and then we went to bed early Tuesday night so on Wednesday morning we got up at 4:15 or at least I did so we could meet other missionaries in Goa. Then we went to Naga to listen to a general authority. But we met in Goa to get on a jeepney that we rented to pick up all the elders from our area all the way to the end of our mission zone. So it was a good day I got to see all my former companions in Naga and found out that they are all doing well and having a good time in all of their areas. I was able to gain a whole lot of great knowledge from Elder Neilson of the 70. He's a really awesome guy I was lucky enough to shake hands with him. When they introduced themselves they said they loved Mexican food so afterwards I told them I can make some pretty good tacos now... We are going to meet up some day and I'll feed him some good old fashion Mexican food! So during part of the conference, for all the birthdays we took a picture together and we also got a free snickers bar for our " birthday present". estig!  I'm glad that I have good friends and family that sent me those nice boxes full of treats. So thanks again. The rest of the week got a little hard. A lot of people were busy and not at home. So we only got like 3 lessons a day but I guess what matters is us focusing on the people rather than numbers.To make the week even more interesting I came across another giant spider I drowned it in poison so the numbers are really adding up. And the good for the week is that we went back to one of our new investigators from last week and we taught her and we invited her sister in law that was there too and so she listened and actually participated a little so that was the high light of my week, that was on Saturday afternoon. But yeah I am just trying to just keep a positive attitude even though it was a rough week. But thank you to everyone for all the nice emails and hopefully this week coming up will be a good one. Love you all and see you next week.

Elder Llorens

WEEK 62 Ms.Piggy

WEEK 62

5/25/2014

Hello everyone for this week. This week was a good one with a lot of hard work and a lot of sweating still. We are still in the middle of the summer and it’s a rough one. Earlier this week we went on exchanges and I got teamed up with one of the other elders in my district Elder Manzanas. That was fun, but we just have been working hard. One of the members told me when we went to their house that in the morning around 4 o clock, a huge python came close to their house and started to eat their chicken.

AWwww! Elder Llorens and his companion are helping the sleeping piggy! 

  When they started to hear the ruckus the tatay came out and beheaded the python with his machete and for lunch they had a sort of a snake soup.  I had some fun playing with the water buffalos at one of our member’s house.

It’s been really hot but at times like yesterday there were random times where it rained for like 5 minutes only. But the awesome part for the week is we got a new investigator; it’s a part member family and mother really wants to learn more about our religion. Her husband is a member but is working in Manila. We had a really good lesson and we got a return appointment with her again this week. So I finally get to go to Naga for some meetings; we get to listen to one of the leaders of the church here in the Philippines and he is going to come and shake hands with us and give us a little work shop for our mission. So I am super excited to see the other missionaries and my friends on Wednesday for that. Also super exciting news my sister made the El Dorado Dance Team so that’s exciting! Big congratulations to her. I am looking forward to this week. We are going to have a set back for the conference I mentioned but just planning on killing time by working it to death! Thanks everyone for the emails they are awesome.

Happy Memorial Day to everyone as well.

Thanks again Elder Llorens

Week 61

Week 61
5/19/14


So this was a pretty interesting week. Basically its been just a huge party for all the people here in my area. They  have these huge fiestas here and they just get out of control. A bunch of drunk people and people being dumb basically. I thought it was funny when this dude started following me for like 25 yards wanting me to come drink with them. We saw some people with some gnarly cuts from bar fights. Overall not a great week for teaching. But it helped me see a different side of people and how they live. Some of the good is that most of the members aren't drinking and they invited us to eat with them. so a lot of free food this week! We also have a couple of the people that we are teaching, they are slowly progressing and getting ready for baptism, so hopefully in the middle of June they can get baptized. Later on tonight is the last day of the fiestas so hopefully this week will slow down and we can resume working hard. But good week just some  little distractions but some of the days were good. 
On Friday we had a zone training so I got to see some of my other friends in our zone.So that was a nice break from the outside world. I got to report about our district and our zone with our other district leader here, Elder Sorensen. So overall the GOA ZONE is doing great we took a not so progressing zone and made it really good, we still have some weaknesses but we are adjusting like everyone else. Some of the hardest things in the mission is not just the work but also being a leader in the mission. You have a lot of people to take care of and you are the example so if you mess up it doesn't look good. Some missionaries if they were in my position would just not really care but I know that this is the only time in my life to do this and the time is winding down so I am just trying to work hard and make the best of it. But I loved everyone's happy birthday cards and wishes they were awesome. Yesterday was fun we played with some of my recent converts kids and watched them while the parents are getting ready for the fiesta.  I got some funny pictures with them and I am going to have to send that next week.  But I hope everyone at home is doing well and are safe. My sister is getting ready to try out for El Dorado dance so everyone wish her some luck but I am pretty sure she doesn't need it, cuz shes a pro! But thanks for the emails as well I'll try and reply to all the emails next week.  Love you everyone and I hope you have a great week.

Ang elder ninyo,

Elder Seth Llorens

Week 60

Week 60
5/12/14

Mothers Day/Birthday Skype

So this is just going to be a  small email home. So today was awesome I had a good time talking to my family through Skype. everyone is doing great that was a blast so that was a good birthday present for me. Seeing my family keeps me going!

But this week was a hard week, most of our investigators that we got the previous week aren't interested anymore. But that didn't stop us we got 22 lessons this week so that was a good accomplishment for us. But we have been working hard we have 3 solid progressing investigators right now 2 of them came to church and the other one didn't because his wife just had her first baby so that was awesome we got to see their new baby boy. But that has been it for most of this week so I go my birthday presents from home from everyone. But my favorite present had to be from my friends Adriana and Brian they sent me, wait for it…A  Victoria Secret box full of chocolate and candy so that made me happy. But Yes I enjoyed all my presents from everyone and thank you for the Happy birthday wishes as well, they are awesome. But thats all I really have to say this week I am healthy again..... and I am just trying to focus on finishing strong  so I don't get to side tracked.

Thank you again to everyone you are great !

Elder Llorens

P.S. Happy Birthday Jake!!

Week 59 - Parasites and things oh my!

Week 59
5/5/14

Well good afternoon America! This has been an okay week for me. As for missionary work, I have taught the most lesson ever so that was awesome!  The worst was me being sick with loose bowel movements or LBMs. ugh...Which simple means I had some killer moments in the restroom this whole week. I took some pills but now they think it could be a parasite so I'm just waiting till I get this pill to kill what ever is inside of me. But yeah like I said we had a lot of work this week. On Monday night we went and taught a lesson, while at the lesson I found out that President Obama was in the Philippines so I got to see him get off  Air force one and him talking to the President of the Philippines. So I had some people talk to me about it. 

This is a funny story: so we got done teaching a less active member, after the lesson she told me that there is a nanay ("member") who is really sick and she was wondering if we could go over and see how she is doing.  It was night time around 7. We go over and we say we are there  to visit. So they eventually let us in and when we go in and start talking, we find out she's not a member... But we asked if we could share a message with her and her family. They said yes and  we got 3 new investigators that night. The nanay is really sick she's diabetic and they can't afford to buy medication so she is super skinny and just lays on her side all day.It felt good to at least talk to her because I'm guessing she is just a little lonely. So that was a good moment. 

To add to my sickness my back is starting to kill me my bed frame broke like 4 months ago and I haven't gotten a new bed yet so my back is starting to go Quasimodo on me. But its all good. Well I'm a little sad we have 4 missionaries that are transferring out of my district and I am going to miss them. Tomorrow we are getting 4 new ones to replace them. Another horrible thing that happened is I lost all my pictures on my camera  and I am still a little confused what happened. SO just another day in the Philippines. But to make me happier I get to Skype home on my birthday to my family for Mothers Day. Yay! So after this I will have about 7 months til I go home. We also found out that we are going to have an Area President  visit our mission for a mission tour. SO a lot of exciting things are happening new investigators and more baptismal invitations... I am getting skinner because of the LBMs.... I'm pretty sure its because I drank unclean water. 

But i just want to say thank you to all of those who have sent me an email you are the best and sorry if I cant get to them all. But I just want you to know that they help me get through the days.  I am enjoying my time here and I hope everything is good back at home.

Dios mabalos sa indo gabos -bicol

Elder Llorens

Week 58 - Treasures or small pleasures in life!

Week 58
04/28/14

Sharing a Tricy with the kids..

Cone Volcano Legaspi Mission

So this was a great week for work. On Tuesday we went to Naga really early and I got myself some McDonald's breakfast. I cried a little when they tried to give me rice but I told them no thank you just give me the biscuit. So that was delightful. Naga was good we were able to learn more about the Gospel from our Mission President. The only thing that sucked is that I have heard it before, because I had already been through this training. But I was able to see some friends and I got my package from my Nana and it was full of treasures...Jiff Peanut butter and beef Jerkey anddddd Rice Crispy Treats. I couldn't hold back the tears as well. So I got motion sick on the way back got home, yay! we were on a jeepney and a bus so it took while and I totally forgot the next day we had exchanges and because I  totally forgot  we hurried up and cleaned the apartment the best as we could and I went on exchanges with Elder McBride from Arizona. We forgot our mga payong"umbrellas" so we got wet…drenched  actually but it was fun. All of our appointments basically got canceled so we just started going to houses asking if we can share a message finally we got a house and they were wealthy we were allowed  in and gave a whole lesson in English... It was the first time I have ever done that in my whole mission. Really sweet experience. Then the next day we were locked out of our church building So we had to have district meeting in a park right across from the catholic church we got a couple of funny looks. But I got to say hi to a bride who was getting ready to get married. The next couple of days we were able to teach a lot of new people, mostly people who are related to members of our church. I had some really interesting conversations but I wont go into detail. But there were others that said they wanted us to come back and teach them. We were also able to give a baptismal invitation to one of our investigators and he said yes soo we need to follow up on that. This morning we went to the beach and had a great time. I got to hang out at a really small resort and play games, spend time in a tree house with a snake... I dont think it was poisonous? And I was able to see the perfect Cone volcano in the Legaspi mission across the sea. So it was a beautiful day until there was a brown out and I couldn't e-mail my family for a long time.. its okay. As for other cool things this week I got to eat at some fiestas(celebration of a small town) And I got to interview some people for baptism. So overall a positive week. I am happy and hopeful this week coming up will be good also. Thank you all for your love and I hope you have a good week. Sorry I couldn't email back I am kind of swarmed with stuff right now... Keeping busy.Love you all

ELder Llorens