Pamplona

Well hello from Pamplona!

I am currently serving in a really small town called Pamplona. (I don't think they do running of the bulls unless it is caribous, which I don't think they run or actually gore because their horns are backwards.) Pamplona is a small town laying on the outskirts of Naga, so we will get to go to there every week. The trip is like 45 minutes by jeep.  It’s not a bad area, just is going to take some time getting used to is all.  My new companion is another Native who is a convert to the church. He is a really cool guy. It will be really fun and a new adventure to learn and serve here. My new apartment is not the best thing I have ever lived in but it has a bathroom, beds and a place to cook. I am actually in a more rural area. I can look out our window and see rice fields, so its is a very fun area. (Don't tell mom but we have a rat, but planning on taking care of it.) The one advantage to being out here is that there is no mountains making it difficult to go and meet people and prevent them from coming to church. However we are just in a small branch, so the church is quite a distance away. The branch members who are there seem really strong. I actually get to do some tracting (whohoo!) First time in like 5 months.

  

This week was kinda a whirlwind trying to do all sorts of things at once. Like, learning names and landmarks, remembering what I need or want to say, and thinking if I even know how to say it in the language. But I have been blessed in all those aspects.  Especially the language. I have not had to ask for so much help with some of the small words I should know. However, I have not been blessed with a sense of direction to know where I have been immediately after leaving there. I say this is because we have to travel by Jeepney everywhere, because the area is so far spread out. 

 The other thing that is exciting is because I am done with training, I have a whole other hour now to go and work. So, we have planned up to like 6 lessons a day and mostly we get them, sometimes though we aren't able to meet some people. But, I guess we can't change some things.

I got the package thank you very much it was much needed and arrived at a very timely manner The candy was in much demand by my tongue, but the sour punch straws must have been my favorite. They lasted like 5 minutes.

Well that's all for this week there will be more once my head stops whirling from the change.

Elder Westenskow