Christmas

We had the opportunity to skype with Tristan on Christmas Eve for 2 1/2 hours. It was Christmas day for him as he is 15 hours ahead of us. We couldn't get the video to work for the first little while, but once we got it worked out Tristan was all smiles.
He is doing well. The lifestyle is so different there, he has had to get used to a lot of difficult changes. He has kept a very positive attitude and laughed a lot as he told us about some of them. His diet has changed dramatically, but he said he is really liking rice. He eats a lot of it. There are other things he hasn't enjoyed so much like chicken feet, ballot, dog etc. But I am so proud of him for trying. He has had some stomach issues due to the changes in diet. He had a great sense of humor concerning the lack of toilet paper issue, and says he keeps alcohol with him at all times for sanitizing. Before Tristan left, he would throw shoes to kill a spider and only ate cereal. He said the spiders there are huge and is thankful for the lizards in his apartment because they eat them. He said the apartment is the size of our kitchen. There were four elders living in it. They had small upstairs room with beds. They cook on a propane stove and shower with a bucket of cold water. Makes you feel super spoiled doesn't it? They walk mostly, but when they get rides it is on jeepneys or motorcycles with carts. He currently had 2 strong investigators with january baptism dates. We asked him how he feels he had changed the most and he told us that he had been humbled. He said that as soon as he got off the plane in the Philippines that he noticed the poverty. There were children only wearing a tank top for clothing and he commented on how dirty they were. He has seen children sleeping in the streets. He said some of those who do have homes do not have roofs. He said how grateful he was for the work he had. He said he could not believe what some of the people have to do for work and how little they are paid for it. He said our home is like a mansion in comparison. He said the kids toys are rubber bands. He said they don't have toys like we have. He said they are happy. He had a lot of children come Christmas caroling to his apartment during the Holidays for money. They have a mission rule that they are not allowed to give out money.
 He was able to email us again on Christmas for us, the day after for him. He had his camera stolen. :( so that was disappointing, but said he had a great Christmas night with some of the members that had them over for a Christmas party. They sang some Karoke and had dinner. He said he had a great time and really likes the members in his area. I asked him if he sang and he said yes, he said even if it sounded terrible he just kept on singing. He said that a mission is hard, but that he is doing well and is enjoying it. He also said to tell everyone hi and wish you all a Merry Christmas!
Carrie Herrin

December 15 2014

some christmas lights oh and they also celebrate new years here!:)

We asked if there was damage to his apartment and he said  .....no damage to our apartment it didnt hit are area as bad as others! but we just stayed at the church for a day and night then it was over! the bad parts happened at night with the storm so it wasnt bad and I was asleep haha!
We asked what they do for Christmas there and he said ..... So its pretty much the same different food but they have christmas trees mostly homeaide but some are the fake ones! they have lights but not everyone puts lights up.. oh they have lots of fireworks too haha! I will send pics but I have none of the storm! something cool is we drove through a huge river in a shallow part but my feet got soaked it was awesome but intense haha!:) So idk merry in tagalog but I know christmas is PASKO! so thats cool haha! But I dont really know much about christmas cause it hasnt happened to me yet haha sorry!
..... tell Lucas its so important everything he does now with the church! And tell him that Church is more important than school haahahaha jk idk if I would tell him that but its true!:P I just have faith that no matter what happens I will be safe cause I have promised blessings!
....Oh I totally for got we had another Tongan move in and a white guy named Bodkin in our appartment the old AP he goes home though the end of december! Oh and with the fight thing our zone leaders said I have a character of christ which is called The Peace Maker!!:) I am super excited to skype and I will find out when and what time we are going to skype so I will make sure that happens and I will also send pics right now!:) I am glad to hear all is well and I love all of you and thank you again for all you do mom, you are a blessing in it self! Mahal Kita Elder Herrin.. PS we are still teaching alot and tracting a ton to find more investigators!:)

December 9, 2014

 ....Ya it was a cool storm, but we got to a good safe spot at the stake center! The sky was dark for like 4 days and the wind blew super hard and same with the rain! but I am good! not alot of work last week too because of the rain and the storm! but we have been doing good and I am so glad the wedding went well and I think the pic of me is super funny haha! ..... I am doing good no problems and excited for the next storm haha jkjk! but I enjoyed it I am coming along with everything and just super happy for Anthony and Ty and Katey for catching the flowers haha! ..... Tell card board me hi and give him a kiss on the check hahahaha......but ya we got moved to the church and stayed the night there with a ton of members and investigators so it was pretty cool and fun! I am safe and doing well today is are pday this week because of the storm!:)

December 4th 2014

Hey just want to say good luck Anthony Love you and can't believe its really happening! I wont be able to email tomorrow or call so I love you guys and so proud of you! please send lots of pics and just know that no matter what challenges are ahead your Heavenly Father knows the best ways for you guys to get out of them so pray to him often! love you guys and so excited for you! Ty I am glad you are apart of the family!!!!!:) Love you guys miss you, Love Elder Herrin! Just by the way me emailing you is bad but I had to haha sorry but Love as always your favorite brother Kevin Malone!;) Oh and love you family and mom!!! oh and thanks for the letters and cards again they are hilarious and I am so happy to read them!