Pagpapasalamat - Gratitude (3)

Pagpapasalamat is the Tagalog word for Gratitude

 An interesting contrast of a title considering my last epistle. I hope this one uplifts you, enlightens you, and gives a better perspective of my life.

First, what has changed in a month? To be honest, nothing except perspective. My brother wrote me an email today laying it out perfectly, he told me of how I should view the glass (the half glass analogy) but broke it down a bit differently. The point is, I am in an incredible country, doing incredible things, and becoming a man. God has almost literally spoon-fed me answers to my problems through emails from you, promptings, and my leaders out here in the field. For example, my father sent me an incredible email about this very thing, gratitude and thanksgiving, and then my Mission President gave a workshop about "Joy in the Morning" which he spoke about being grateful from the moment we wake up for who we are, what we have, and what we are doing. I am happy. Its not an optimist's view to be grateful, its a realist's view. Being grateful for what we have is to take into account what we have and then notice how freaking great it is. It also shows humility when we are grateful, it demonstrates our willingness to appreciate what we have and what God has blessed us with. My next planner for the next transfer is titled "Gratitude is happiness in humility.".

 I am grateful for your love, your emails, your words of wisdom, your prayers, your support, and your help.

One of many computer shops

A little bit more about the culture now, because many have been requesting that. Well, the people are the kindest in the world. The only one's that come close are those people who live in the Bahamas, but they are more just chill and relaxed with life while here they are not only loving life with nothing, but they try to help you and feed you because you are simply visiting. We have been blatantly rejected when trying to teach but when we are just talking they often offer us food after the rejection. Its pretty funny. The food is amazing. Everything goes with rice though, but mostly my diet consists of rice, chicken, pork, vegetables (most you have never seen before), and soy sauce. Its great because all the food is fresh killed that day and the vegetables with a few days are at the palanky. It is delicious. There are tindahans everywhere. A tindahan is a small store usually built onto a house or a small shack where treats, snacks, small toys, and sodas are sold. It is a plague because it teaches children to splurge spend, and it has an effect. It doesn't help their is one about every 30 feet no exaggeration. Its a problem. A lot of people carry or ride a bike with food, ice cream, peanuts, and balut for sale. They walk around yelling and ringing bells and its dirt cheap. The dirty ice cream is great, its my favorite so far. Its cheese and chocolate ice cream put into a soft bread roll. Yea, its amazing. Surprisingly there are a ton of computer cafes everywhere, but I think that is because I am in a bayan (a small city or town) and not completely in the sticks or bush.


 Life in the Philippines is good. And I just discovered I am indeed transferred. I am leaving Rosario, Lipa.

Its been an interesting ride. I must admit I am really going to miss my crew here. Elder Park, Sister Warnick, and Elder Gonzalez really have helped shape my mission, and leaving them is going to be tough.

Elder Mace, Park, Gonzalez, and Sister Warnick.

However, I am ready to start tearing it up. My Tagalog is good enough to do whats needed. Its dirty, and ugly, but I can teach like a teacher should, I can communicate and be personal, and now its time to leave behind that generic style of teaching and break free in finding what these people need. To search for what causes them darkness and pain and lead them to the comfort of the great "I AM" through sincere guidance and counsel. This isn't the work of converting people, this isn't the work of baptizing people, or getting people to church. This is the work of bringing people to the knowledge of the truth, for that is what the Gospel is. In one word, it is truth. It is simple, pure, and precious. And I will do everything I can to share this with those willing to leave behind their love of worldly things (money, sex, prestige, power) and elevate to a higher state of being...

...for that is the purpose of the Gospel. To progress us. That is all this life is meant to be, is one giant string of progression towards Godhood; and once we leave this mortal life, progression will infinitely continue "For the course of the Lord is one eternal round."

I love you all. I pray for you all. God be with you!

 -Elder Mace