Getting a Trainee!!!- January 29, 2018

What a week! I guess we will start out with the beginning which for a missionary is on P-day... ;) Last P-day after emailing we went to Bacnotan to go to the beach there. It was way fun even just walking on the beach looking for seashells! I love seashells, they are so beautiful! I found some really good ones so that was fun! 

Later in the week we were finding and went up to one house to find a white guy inside! That's weird when you are in the Philippines... He was a super nice guy and we learned that he is from the Netherlands! The Netherlands is where my Dad served his mission over 20 years ago! I loved being able to speak to a Dutch man with a name tag on just like my Dad did just around 20 short years ago ;) 

Then we went finding in a barangay (mini city) that is way up in the mountain. It was super steep and super fun to climb to the top. It was through rainforest like paths and stuff and it was just super fun. We got to the top or were caught up into an exceedingly high mountain.. ;) when we found this cow. It was super chill, super nice. It really liked us and tried to follow us after we were done petting it. I decided to teach it a lesson and it seemed pretty interested ;) So ya, now I'm pretty tight with some mountain cow in the Philippines. 

And finally... Sunday! We had church as usual where I had another opportunity to speak in sacrament. Then we got to teach primary cause the primary teacher left after sacrament... Which is alright cause I love kids. So I had them all just draw pictures of their families. That meant we got to draw pictures too, and it was way fun haha. So that was church then last night before we went to bed we got a call... and I'm training! I'll meet my trainee on Thursday. I'm way nervous cause I want to teach him right and help him love his mission! But WAY excited too! It'll be good! 

oh and update. I have now finished all the treats I got from my Christmas package... :( But thank you so much to ALL who thought of me and put in a little note or treat! It all meant so much to me!)

Anyways, sorry for the long email! Busy busy busy! Love you all and take care this week!!! 

Elder Payne

Here are some picture descriptions:  

The view we got while finding in a mountainous area of balaoan and my friend the cow. 

In one of those pics you can see the beach! And probably all the way off into Laoag mission!

I just liked this sign because it had a minion on it haha 

the spider eating the lizard and an ants nest

P-day at the beach last week!

Another Week in Paradise-Take 2 January 22, 2018

What a wonderful world! We had a great week this week! We were able to have a zone conference where President Bangal was able to give a great talk that nailed some of the concerns I have with the work here in the Philippines. We had some really good role plays and then we were able to watch the video released by the church announcing the new first Presidency and introduction of President Nelson! What powerful messages they shared! It is an interesting feeling having a prophet pass away on you mission but also a wonderful testimony builder of the divinity of this work! I testify that President Nelson is a prophet of God! I also shook his hand a few years ago sooooo.... haha 

We were able to have some powerful lessons and work with some really amazing people this week! We will continue to try to help them keep commitments and come closer to our savior Jesus Christ. It is such a trial and a blessing to be a missionary. There is never a dull moment! Always something to learn. I'm not going to lie, there are growing pains but It's all for the better! I would like to testify that God lives and loves us. He is in the details of our lives, all we have to do is look. He is willing and ready to bless us, let us trust in him and feel his love more powerfully in our lives. 

Much love, watch another Disney movie or two for me ;) 

-Elder Payne

P.S. The picture with the kids is a magic trick that turned into a magic show. They totally figured me out... but we still had fun ;) 

Zone Conference

Another Week in Paradise!- January 15, 2018

Hello family and friends! Love you all and hope you have had a wonderful week! This week has been a fun and adventurous week! We have been finding the most random pets that people keep out here. There are a ton of people who have monkeys so that's to a point where it's not too crazy now... but this week we found an eagle with just a string tied to it, a bat that was just in a fan's cage, and of course many many many more dogs, pigs, and chickens. I love it! Everyday is an adventure! haha 

This week I was able to speak in Sacrament with a grand total of 3 minute advanced notice. That was the 10th time I've been given to share in sacrament for the 18 possible weeks to share.. haha I just counted off weeks from transfers and took out fast Sunday meetings where I wouldn't have to share haha. That's okay, I am getting more comfortable with sharing and have fun being able to share my thoughts. I shared the story of Ammon when he was "boasting in the Lord" because he knew as for himself he was weak. I then shared in Ether 12:27 that God gives us weaknesses so we can be humble and turn to him. Joseph Smith himself realized his weaknesses and turned to the Lord  for he lacked wisdom because of that he truly was able to see God the Father and Jesus Christ. I am grateful for weaknesses, though challenging as they are, they provide opportunities to grow closer to God and our Savior Jesus Christ. I am far from perfect, my weaknesses show every day but I am trying to be what God needs me to be. I feel so blessed to be able to turn to him in my trials and my weaknesses. He is there and he hears our prayers. 

Take care this week and please pick someone up who looks like they are down. This world needs more kindness, more selflessness, and more smiles. :) And do me a favor... watch a Disney movie or two, maybe Beauty and the Beast and Hercules.  Thanks in advance ;) love you guys!

Elder Payne

A pet pig

A pet bat

A pet eagle

A Santa decoration made of tires

Pictures Again!!! - January 8, 2018

Sorry, I haven't had pictures the past couple of weeks. The computer shops that have been open the past two weeks have been pretty sketchy... But this one is good and pictures are coming up way fast!!! Anyways...  

Pretty good week this week! Got some good work done, met some new people and am starting to get closer to the members of the new branch I am in! Sacrament is wild and there are kids going wild the entire time. It is way different then home but it is pretty entertaining to see what these kids come up with to entertain themselves! 

This past week we were walking through a pretty poor neighborhood. Tin roofs and dirt floor sort of stuff. We were just walking along and I looked on the ground and found a 500 peso bill. At first I thought, SWEET I just got 500 pesos but as I started walking along I started to look around me and I saw the world around me. I couldn't take that money. I couldn't see anyone to give it to and it probably wouldn't be the best to just give it to someone or we would have all sorts of people coming to us for money. So I found a playing card on the ground and slipped it under there. Hopefully that money will go to someone who needs it and can really help them. 

I love you all and hope you are doing well! Be happy, smile at someone who is down, lift up someone who has fallen, and always remember Christ! 

Love,

Elder Payne

That centipede was like 4 inches long!

A pretty exotic caterpillar

The tobacco farm right next to my apartment

My hospital stay in December

Hospital Food

The APs (Assistants to the Mission President) came to visit me

Normal-sized snail

Dead/ colorful snake

The next two pictures are of my kitchen.

Cool view

Man farming with carabao

I loved the bottom sign.

Got a hold of a rat in our kitchen (outside)

The one, The Only, Original Knock Off of Chips Ahoy

Balut Salesman

Celebrating the new year with apple cider

Knock off Crunch bar

This is a dead spider we found in our house.  Naturally, I studied it. LOL

One of the most beautiful flowers I've ever seen

Johnny Bravo

Another Beautiful Flower

Sunset!!  It was way better like 30 seconds before I took that picture.

Ya, that's a grasshopper