I Am Not A Hugger

October 3, 2011

Ok, transfers went almost exactly as expected. I got the phone call at 11:10 PM Monday night and got the announcements for the whole zone, which as zone leader, that's how it works in our mission. It was then my responsibility to call the district leaders so they could announce it to their districts. I had to wait until the morning cause they were all already asleep like good missionaries. So, Elder Felix transferred and I stayed! I am still zone leader. Elder Johnson is my new companion. He has been in the field for 6 months. So still kinda new. It's interesting...


So, we don't get to watch Conference until this weekend, but I'm cheating and downloading it now!! I can't wait for Saturday though!! And Sunday.

This week was pretty normal, but not really a good week. It was just "off" the whole time. Maybe it's just because it was transfer week.

We had two of our investigators come back after a two week absence. They had to go to their home town to get the needed paperwork for marriage. But now they have it all and will get married and baptized soon! YAY!! It was nice to have them back, and they liked being back at church. Their home is way far away from the actual city so they couldn't go to church.

As far as the storm goes, we have been having a lot of those lately, and there are more coming. Here on Negros we just got a ton of rain, no real damage. In Manila it was really bad. Lots and lots of rain. So much rain! Wading in water a lot this last week.

Yesterday we had a very interesting experience. We were waiting to catch a jeep back to another part of our area. While we were waiting this drunk guy was on the otherside of the street. He starts crossing, because we, as missionaries and white people, seem to attract drunks. So, he comes over and starts "talking" to us. I couldn't understand a word he said. He couldn't speak English or Ilonggo straight. Then he did the unexpected, and I have had many experiences with drunks so I know what to expect. He hugged me... He got really close and just hugged me... And I'm just standing there, any one who knows me well knows that I am not a "hugger." Like, it was a real embrace. He held me close, and rested his head on my chest (I am at least a foot and a half taller than him, and quite possibly twice his overall size). Across the street a group had gathered and was watching the events. Also there was a large business behind us and another group had gathered at the entrance. I just looked around at them, and they just stared back. So, in an effort to get this guy off me, I put my arm around him, and then tried to pull and push him off. But he came back. Then we saw the jeep we wanted and I pushed him off with more force and jumped on the jeep. Escape.

So, with transfers, Elder Hinckley was made the new Assistant to the Mission President. Now I have to take on more. Elder Hill is my companion zone leader, but he just became ZL so I am doing most of it so far, then have him take on more too. He also goes home this transfer, so next transfer I will have to do it all again. Zone leader is hard. You have to think about A LOT. And worry about A LOT. The whole zone to be exact. Their work, and their personal welfare, how you can help them progress and improve, and the such. But it's all good.

Looking forward to a good week.
Elder Phelps

PS. No packages yet, but I asked Elder Hinckley to keep a special eye out for them, because he knows how bad I need the new shoes. We have Zone Leaders Council this week so I can hopefully pick them up if they are here.