Email #19...

Hey everyone! This week has been a slow and kind of an uneventful week.

[Monday - February 17, 2020 - Day 125]

Me and Elder Bybee stayed in Cabcaben for the computer shop. Had to rush cause we decided that we wanted to go on a hike but the hike was cancelled because we needed a tour guide, and it was about to rain. It also was a six hour trip one way. So me and Elder Bybee decided to do our three hours of proselyting for the day and then head to Mariveles with our house mates for the night. It got dark by the time we got to this mountain. It was pretty overlooking all the lights from the houses. After our night hike, we went and ate dinner at a members house.

[Tuesday - February 18, 2020 - Day 126]

Had our second to last District Council of the transfer. Went to our favorite place, Billy's Grill. The employees decided it was a good idea to weld inside the restaurant in front of everyone. Kind of funny.

[Wednesday - February 19, 2020 - Day 127]

For exercise time, Elder Elisan and Elder Bybee decided to dig a pit in our backyard so that Elder Elisan can burn our trash.While they were digging, I was sitting at my desk when I hear Elder Bybee yell for me. When I got out to the pit, on their shovel, was an unknown bug of some sort. None of us could figure out what it was. Then we found a few more of them. We decided to place them into an ice cream container. We left them their for the rest of the day. It wasn't until we came home that night and checked on them that we found that the ants have gotten to them and killed them. Everyone could see the ants carrying little bits of the bug away from the container. Elder Elisan had permethrin and sprayed all the ants to death.

[Thursday - February 20, 2020 - Day 128]

Me and Elder Bybee went to Alion, nothing happened today.

[Friday - February 21, 2020 - Day 129]

For this morning, we walked over to Maligaya to teach. Afterwards, we got on a bus to get a ride down to Mariveles to meet with Elder Orr and Elder Canal. Ate at this burger place for lunch called Angels and then started exchanges. I took Elder Canal back with me to Cabcaben and we went to go teach in Housing. I took the lead in a Tagalog lesson for the first time, it was rough.

[Saturday - February 22, 2020 - Day 130]

We were still doing exchanges. During our personal study, I accidently fell asleep and woke up around 10:30. We were suppose to be out by 10:00 so I hurried and got my stuff, me and Elder Canal ran out the door. So I decided to take Elder Canal to Maligaya, we found this area that me and Elder Bybee hasn't explored yet. It was kind of interesting, at the end of this trail, there is this bamboo bridge that crossed this wide river. It was a little sketchy crossing it. Elder Simene and Elder Elisan was suppose to secure this unlimited buffet but unfortunately the buffet didn't open around lunch time

[Sunday - February 23, 2020 - Day 131]

A pretty normal Sunday. But, I want to share that I have been studying the books in the Pearl of Great Price. It has helped to confirm my knowledge of things. I am grateful for this book and the Book of Mormon. And I am excited that it is what we are studying this year.

[Closing]

Thank you everyone who reads my weekly emails. I love you all and can't wait to update you all next week. Take care!

A night hike we took on our P-day

Dinner at a Members home after our hike

(Thank you Princess Diane Lopez)

Now that is a piece of fried chicken..

So, they have to dig a hole in the backyard to burn their trash. The other day this is what they dug up. They didn't really want to know what it is.. Lol

They put them all in a bucket and returned later to see the Ants had gotten to them and killed some of them. Then they sprayed everything with Permethrin. It's something they give them over there that kills bugs instantly. Patrick has to spray himself and his clothes and in his house daily with this stuff.

Pancake mix with syrup... who knew! They have the weirdest things over there..

A pig farm the came across..

A trike ride they took this week with a mirror in it.. And you can't help but take a picture.. Lol.

These 2 have had a great friendship while serving.. You couldn't ask for a better 1st companion.

We have loved Elder Bybee and will miss him. Patrick will be getting a new companion this week (Feb. 26th). 

Another interesting bridge they came upon and had to cross..

The fields of the Philippines.. Patrick is still amazed at how green it is..

Email #18 - 4 Month mark...

Hi everyone, I am going to have to make this email brief.

[Monday - February 10, 2020 - Day 118]

Took the longest bus ride standing up to Mariveles. It also took forever to get a bus. Did the norm at the computer shop. After, we went to Blueplate for lunch. We love that place. Before heading home, I bought this oreo churro, it was way good.

[Tuesday - February 11, 2020 - Day 119]

Today was a day for finding, we found some new people in Maligaya and Locanin. While on the finding journey, we came across this hidden village. Met a recent return missionary and talked about his experiences.

[Wednesday - February 12, 2020 - Day 120]

Went to Alion today, nothing much happened. Went to our ward mission leader's birthday party.

[Thursday - February 13, 2020 - Day 121]

This morning, me and Elder Bybee completed our weekly planning. Packed some stuff to bring to Mariveles so that we could go to Balanga for Zone Conference tomorrow. Ate at this burger place called Angels.

[Friday - February 14, 2020 - Day 122]

Woke up at 5:00 AM to get on a bus heading to Balanga. Arrived a little before 9:00. The health advisor brought a weight scale, I guess I have lost 40 pounds since I started my mission. After zone conference, went to vista mall. This place is awesome, Elder Hoffman and Elder Orr went with us. Elder Orr had to buy a new camera. Ate at Mcdonalds, and since it was Valentines Day, Mcdonalds gave all their customers valentines pens. Headed home in a UV (A really expensive way of transportation. Van)

[Saturday - February 15, 2020 - Day 123]

Woke up at 5:00 AM again to do exchanges with our kabahay's. We first went to Dinginin. The place where you need to get on a rescue vehicle to get through the private property zone. During teaching, all these kids see me and start storming the door. It was crazy.

[Sunday - February 16, 2020 - Day 124]

Had a baptism today! We thought I may have to baptize in the ocean again cause the water pump wasn't working but we eventually got it up and running again. Everything turned out awesome.

[Closing]

Sorry for the brief email, we are going on a hike today. Everyone please take care and I'll talk to you next week.

Blue plate restaurant our favorite place..

a view from an area we were teaching in..

A Catholic church in town..

Sister Ross and me.. One of my favorite people I met in the MTC

One of my favorite people! Elder Gonzaga and me at Zone Conference. He is actually a Filipino waiting for his Visa to come through so he can serve his Mission in Salt Lake City, Utah... We connected so well...

The group of kids waiting outside the home where we are teaching.. He loves the kids in the Philippines..

Our group at Zone Conference..

Oh, Elder Bybee... I love this look on you.. Lol (my companion)

Another Baptism! I was so excited to Baptize another kid in the family that is being Baptized. Such a great experience.. This time it was done at the church in the font.

Email #17 - Busy Week....

This week has been kind of a long week. Hope everyone is doing well! Welcome to episode 17 of the mission, I can't believe it has been almost four months since I left.

[Monday - February 3, 2020 - Day 111]

Traveled to Mariveles for the computer shop, ate at Blueplate and got a haircut. Haircuts work a little different here, you tell the barber to trim but I guess that means cut really short haha. Me and Elder Bybee went to the dentist to get Elder Bybee's teeth looked at. The first one said that he had three and then the second said he had none. Kind of confusing.. Took a trike up to the middle of nowhere on this mountain to get to this Family Home Evening. It was really fun, we played a few games and a bunch of snacks.

[Tuesday - February 4, 2020 - Day 112]

Watched Elder Bybee play basketball, unfortunately the member that Elder Bybee wanted to play with never showed up. Attended District Council and then had an unlimited rice contest at Billy's Grill, Elder Bybee won by eating six cups of rice. Supposedly the record is 12, I only got to three. After, we packed our bags and headed back to Cabcaben. Decided to go to Locanin, we went back to see this lady we talked to before and she tells us that she "doesn't want to become a mormon". I was like oof. Found out that our ward mission leader got into our house. He found the key and dropped some stuff off. Wasn't really happy about that.. I realized that I forgot my watch in Mariveles.

[Wednesday - February 5, 2020 - Day 113]

Stayed inside this morning. Elder Bybee was getting laundry done and to make up time, we decided to go out early to go proselyte. We rode a bus up to Batangas Dos and Capitol to go teach. My house mates for dinner cooked chicken heart and lungs. All I can say is that it doesn't taste that bad.

[Thursday - February 6, 2020 - Day 114]

We stayed inside to do our weekly planning. Went to our neighbors for lunch and got my favorite Afritada. I finished Saint's Vol. 1. We went up to Alion today to teach. We were teaching and the guy that we were teaching asks us if we knew anything about electronics, I said that I do and this guy brings out a CRT tv for me to fix. I guess it doesn't receive video signal from the antenna. I wasn't expecting a thing like this. I still take a look at it and unfortunately couldn't do much to it. The menus and all that were in Korean. It did look to be more of the Tv's fault than the antenna though.  

[Friday - February 7, 2020 - Day 115]

Got up and heated up some water for the shower. Headed out to Limay for exchanges. Today was a really productive day, in the morning, I went out with Elder Insik to teach this family in a buko (coconut) forest. Coconuts would randomly fall and hit the tin roof. Kind of scary. Than went to lunch at Cafe Carlos where I got a massive banana sundae. Me and Elder Hoffman got on the subject of Papa Bears Pizza in Layton Utah, does anyone else remember that!? I remember loving that place as a kid. For the rest of the day, I proselyted with Elder Hoffman. It decided to pour and I had didn't bring an umbrella. We had another Family Home Evening tonight and it was really fun, there were around 30 people in this small house. Kind of forgot about dinner so we had someone run over to Jollybees and get some fried chicken. 

[Saturday - February 8, 2020 - Day 116]

Had my first Baptism today! Kind of had a rough night sleeping on a foam pad. Elder and Sister Reeves (who are the senior couple) came and picked us up. Stopped by our house to grab my baptismal clothing and some other things. Rode to the church to wait for everyone. They rented a jeepney and so once everyone got there. Everyone piled into the jeep while me, Elder Bybee and our Kabahay's got into the back of Elder and Sister Reeves car. Drove up to Ali Asin and waited at a gas station for the jeep. We invited the mission president, me and Elder Bybee got into the car with him and he took us the rest of the way. This baptism is being held in Dinginin which is a place I have talked about once before. This area can only be accessed by four wheeled vehicles since it is illegal to walk this road. 

We get to the house and we have the ceremony and then I got to baptize in the ocean. The water was surprisingly warm, and to think that the ocean is warmer than a shower. It was a very neat experience. I realized that I left my blanket in Limay.

[Sunday - Lovemonth 9, 2020 - Day 117]

To be honest, not much happened. Went to church and our ward mission leader came with us to teach in Housing. Something kind of neat was the ocean. We got out from our last appointment and we saw the ocean crashing itself into the concrete barrier. It was cool to watch.

[Closing]

Thank you everyone for reading my emails. Have a great week and I'll update you next time.

District Council meetings..

Caught taking a little nap.. Lol

Found (luckily) a dead wasp in there apartment.. It even shrinks some when it dies. But this thing is pretty good size. If you know Patrick, these are not his favorite things...

Elder Dodd's yummy banana split..

Me, my companion and roommates..

A great guy they are teaching right now..

Family Home Evening with some members and having too much fun...

A toilet planter.. and why not! :)

Elder Dodd's first Baptism!! He was so excited and Honored to be a part of this whole family that got Baptized last Saturday. He baptized the youngest boy that is 8 and the rest of the family was done by the Bishop..

The family, extended family, friends and Patrick's Mission President and wife that attended the Baptism.

Elder Dodd, his Companion and the family they Baptized on Sunday after they were all Confirmed..

Email #16

[Introduction]

Hey everyone! This week has been a strange week. Also, what happened to January??

[Monday - January 27, 2020 - Day 104]

Decided to stay in Cabcaben for today, went to an okay computer shop. It got the job done. After we were done, we visited this new place for lunch. While we were eating, this man kind of comes out of nowhere and walks up to the fence next to us. He begins to what I can only describe as demonic noises. It was honestly pretty weird, the owner told us that there is something wrong with him. Bought a pack of mini Uno cards. Went to Sawmill for work.

[Tuesday - January 28, 2020 - Day 105]

Went to Maligaya for morning work, nothing really happened. Just went to Storage and Capitol for afternoon work. One of the members gave us a free ride home. Something I forgot to mention. So while we were in Capitol, Elder Bybee took me to this trash pit. This pit was about 20 feet deep with fire covering the floor. I was going to take just a plain picture of the pit but while I was getting my camera ready, Elder Bybee decided to pee in it. I captured one of my favorite pictures so far.

[Wednesday - January 29, 2020 - Day 106]

Stayed inside for morning work to do weekly planning. Rode up to this place called Alion. That place kind of gets weird at night. Got a ride on a trike, the person who was driving it was muslim. Me and him were talking and I think he was Bible bashing me but I am unsure. I couldn't understand what he was trying to say half the time. 

[Thursday - January 30, 2020 - Day 107]

Went to zone meeting. I had my second interview with Mission President and got Jollibee's for lunch. Went on exchanges with Elder Eiler. Me and him have quite a bit in common. We walked to this place called Locanin. Taught a few people and then headed home. Talked about scary stories. Not a ton happened today.

[Friday - January 31, 2020 - Day 108]

Slept with the aircon and it actually got cold. For morning work, I took Elder Eiler to Maligaya to one of our rice farmers. Taught him and then headed to Mariveles to end the exchange. Did some afternoon work in Housing and taught a few of my favorite people. Me and Elder Bybee were at a members house and the news was on about the Coronavirus. It actually made me kind of worried for my safety. 213 dead and over 10000 infected and a few in the Philippines in just one month. The zone leaders sent us a text on how to protect us from it. Got a ride in a car back home. 

[Saturday - February 1, 2020 - Day 109]

Got up and did really early morning work. We had to be at Batangas II around 8 in the morning. Took a selfie with these trike drivers and headed up to Alion. A family who we were teaching fed us lunch. After, we waited at a trike station for a while before deciding to hike back down towards home. Found out the person who gave us the ride in the car yesterday only knew how to drive for five days. Walked to this place called Pari Padan because there were no busses. Taught a few people and got a free trike ride back home. Ate at Jolli V's and the owner is moving to San Diego. Shout out to Elder Higgins!

[Sunday - February 2, 2020 - Day 110]

Nothing really happened today, it was fast Sunday. 

[Closing]

So I have been reading a crazy amount of Saints: Volume 1 and I recommend it to anyone that wants to learn the history of the church. It's really good. I hope everyone is doing well and I love you all. Take care and I'll update you next week. 

Mini "UNO" he had to have these..

Mini pack of Combos.. Love.

View from the area they were in..

Ocean view..

People they are teaching..

A little Chick! He loves his Animals.. :)

Waiting to get a ride on a trike.. Best time to teach is when you are waiting..

Finally on the Trike in the cart part..