Hello!
I am not sure if I should admit the things that I have done wrong first or if I should tell some stories. My mind seems to be going blank with the stories. Actually they just came back, I will tell stories first.
This last week was pretty exciting, on Wednesday I took a plane to Manila for Zone Leaders Council but they flew us out a day early. Because of the frequency of storms and flight delays they want us to be there early, as opposed to possibly missing the meeting.. At least that is my guess, but maybe I am wrong. We had a day in Manila, I am not used to having a day without work, but we were told not to go to different areas and work with other missionaries, especially in our old areas. So we took the opportunity to go out to eat, we went to Wendy's and it was delicious. It was a bit expensive, it costs about the same as it does in America but it used about 10% of my month's food support. I will not miss any meals though because of my one expensive one, I usually have money left over, so you do not need to worry Mommy. We than went to National Book Store and looked around, when I go back in January I am going to buy a Bible there, one that has English and Tagalog. We looked at a few and the translations were so far off, they add and take away from the Bible left and right. We found the versions of the Bible that are supported by the church combined into one.King James and Magandang Balita. We also had the opportunity to attend the temple. That was a very strong spiritual experience, I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to go, I really had a strong purpose for being there, and received some direction. We went back to the mission home afterwards, I have not been there since it was remodeled. It was amazing! I felt like I was in a million dollar home, the Stucki's took good care of us, and made corn dogs. President Stucki even gave me two ties, and I will have to say I look rather Gwapo (guapo). We slept in an airconditioned room and took hot showers, it was a once in a year experience, well... It will be once a month until I change areas. :) Only 6 missions get to experience that every month, and I will likely be one of them at least for a few months. We had our council meeting and we changed our focus, we will still be trying to baptize a lot of people, but we will focus heavily on reactivating those who have gone astray. I will not mention numbers or percentages.. but it needs a little bit of work.
Alright, now I need to admit my faults, and my crafty ways. I would first like to say thank you to the Burnhams and to my family for sending me Christmas packages, :) it made me super excited. I was told not to read the customs paper so I would not know what was in the pack my family sent. So I did not read it, but another missionary did, and excitedly exclaimed to me that I got a new frisbee! And he mentioned everything else, the suprise was a little bit destroyed, and I basically came to a knowledge of everything in the box. So I was excited, and I may have opened it. I wanted to wait till Christmas, but my companion said "Ya right Elder Munk, just open it now!" So I did. I than realized that everything was individual wrapped. I grinned, and came to the realization that I had not really opened it all the way, so I would not get in trouble. Than I began feeling the packages, and I figured out where the watch was. So I was tempted again.. Because I always have to ask what time it is, so I opened it. And I love my new watch, it is legit! In TJ terms. In Elder Munk terms it is also legit. I slowly gave into temptation again, and opened the Burnham's package, because they did not tell me not to open it. I am currently wearing the tie they sent, I tell my housemates that Alivia sent it, so I can tell them a girl sent me something, but I do not really know who did. But I appreciate it a lot :) I continued faithfully to my Mom's email (by not opening everything) and earlier today I also came to another realization! That because the frisbee was wrapped tightly I could still play with it, without removing the wrapping. So we did! After about 10 minutes the paper was wore and fell off. I currently have one unopened gift, which I have shaken, smelled, and evaluated, it is a chocolate orange. I think I will open it on Christmas.
I will admit, I thoughtfully opened my packages, I quickly realized that no one would get mad at me if I opened them. Because you are all so proud of me, and I am really far away. I also realized that Mommy would be worried because I do not have any gifts to open on Christmas, but I still have a chocolate orange. Due to my planning, and tactfully giving into temptation I feel I have accomplished the best possible outcome. I also am super happy.
Haha. Anyways, I love you all, I will be better about writing spiritual things in the upcoming weeks, but I had fun writing this letter, I hope you are all doing well. I also heard that Spencer would be coming home due to health problems, Trevor sent me an email, how is he doing? Keep me updated, and give him hugs and kisses for me. I love you Spencer!
Elder Munk
P.S. Also I heard that Elder Oaks was in Bellevue on November 19th, I have read through what he taught, it was very helpful and I will end up using it in the next few days :)
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