My how time flies

I was reflecting on the week the other day and realized that the first week of school is now over. It seems like school had just gotten out! My how time flies, and yet can still drag sometimes. This last week went by pretty fast. One of our branch missionaries left on his mission on Friday. He was the one to always work with us (because he was so close to leaving). He went to Bacolod on Friday to be set-apart by President Tobias and then fly to Manila, stay the night in a hotel then enter the MTC Saturday morning. Wednesday was his farewell party. It was a nice presentation of musical numbers, messages given and a couple of games. We were running a little late to make it on time, but we didnt feel too bad because we had the guest of honor with us. He had worked with us that day.

I've now learned how things are just a little bit different in the Manila MTC. It's all basically the same, just a few changes. One, they dont have people coming in every week. Two, everyone is only there for three weeks. Three, it's all just one building.

We obviously have people from different religions come to church with us here, but we invite them of course! Either way, I've seen similar things. Some investigators want to just take it in for themselves and be in the lesson, and if they have a question they will ask. It's great once they feel comfortable to do things themselves in the church. They willingly go to the classes and participate in the lesson by asking questions and adding their own comments. Naturally not all investigators are like that or get like that really fast, but I have seen some that are and did.

I also reflected on my email from last week, it being ridiculously short. I remembered how I am a man of few words, the mission has changed that little. I still dont say much, but what I do say is plain and simple, and if my Ilonggo is correct, easy to be understood. I did notice earlier today that I made a lot more comments in district meeting than in all the district meetings from the last four transfers, even if the comments still followed my "man of few words" pattern.

Tomorrow we have a special "Zone Conference." It's not really zone conference, it's mission tour! Elder Ko, the second counselor in the Area Presidency is touring the mission, and our zone's day is tomorrow. So we get to get up early and head to Binalbagan (I sure hope I spelled that right). Oh, I rode a Ceres for the first time in a little over three weeks this morning; it was an awesome experience! The rush, the crazy driving, the being tossed side to side passing everything else on the road. Gotta love the Ceres!

Since there is never any really big changes in mission life, it's always the same day to day, you lose track of time. Without the fact that I have to turn the calender over and you all telling my about the changes back home I would find it hard to believe that time is even moving. But the timer on the computer is also evidence that time still flows. My birthday is coming up soon, less than a month now! When you asked about my birthday i was throw off, thinking it can't possibly by my birthday yet! But it is. It seems like just yesterday I turned 19 and started working at Meridian Title.

Well, as always, hope you all have a good week. Good luck to Kathryn, Natalie, and Andrew with the second week of school! And to all others who may be in school to and happen to be reading this! Until next week!

Elder Phelps