Elder Wolferts in Cavite: Apples, Allergies, and Constellations

February 23, 2020

Week #4 with no running water...

This week was a good one! I have a new favorite nightly routine. I go outside at night with an apple in hand, and eat it while I sit and look at all the stars (so many!) While I am sitting there, the neighbor's cat always comes up to me and rubs its face on my legs and arms until I feel the effects of my allergies (I'm allergic). When I can no longer stand it, I go and take a bucket shower to get rid of the allergens. Haha I love apples and I love stars. I don't really love allergies, but the cat is super nice so it's worth it.

On Saturday, we had interviews with President Cauilan. Thursday is transfer day, so because it's so close, he just told us what was going to be happening with transfers. Elder Arakaki is going to be training and re-opening an area so I'm excited for him, and I'll be getting a new comp here. President gave me a special assignment to motivate my next comp. I actually know him and he's a super nice Filipino elder, but apparently he's struggling with motivation. I'm hoping things go well this next transfer! I'm excited for yet, another challenge :) I'm sad to leave Elder Arakaki, we had some good times and we motivated each other (especially in working out). He is shredded and knows a ton about how to build muscle mass. Sometimes I would just point to a muscle and tell him that I want that muscle bigger, and he would give me little workouts, specifically for strengthening that area.

Yesterday President and Sister Cauilan decided to come to our branch because he had heard from us that it was struggling a little bit. They gave really good (and much needed) messages and it actually turned out to be a good meeting. Our mission President was surprised to see just how big of a role the missionaries play in sacrament meeting. I blessed the sacrament and confirmed someone a member of the church, my comp played the piano and gave the opening prayer, and then one of the sisters was the chorister. Elder Arakaki and I are also the branch clerks and yesterday we actually found a little training video for clerks, so we watched that, but we're still confused half the time haha.

Yesterday we extended a baptismal goal date to Brother Edgardo for March 21st. He accepted and he's so awesome. He's 64 and has suffered from a mild stroke for a couple years, but despite his challenges, his faith is so strong. He said some of his neighbors are trying to tell him how bad The Church is, but he says he doesn't listen because he knows in his heart that this is the true Church of Jesus Christ.

Mahal ko po kayo!