Mount Mayon Volcano erupting 

This week was full of ups and downs. Elder Del Pilar and I were laughing by the end of this week because we noticed a pattern where one day was ABSOLUTELY AWESOME, but then the next day was ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. I do not kid when I say that that pattern lasted for the full 7 days of this last week. But by about the fourth day we had learned our lesson to be happy and energetic despite anything that could possibly happen.

We had some really good investigators totally fall through. What I mean is, we are starting to really doubt if they are going to be able to progress any further in the Gospel. This area is getting progressively more and more difficult, because all of the people are really starting to hate us. For example, we have this one small little area that we work in called "Waterworld," and I swear, the SECOND that we step foot in that area, ALL of the doors shut and everyone runs inside. It's fantastic, it's like we have some sort of superpower. We have a lot of investigators that live in that area, and a lot of them are getting pulled under and listening to all of the evil that is spoken about us as missionaries. We are also having some problems with the other churches here as well. We respect them and their beliefs, but they have certain pastors or priests or whatever it is that offer money, or "scholarships" to those who join their church. So when they discover that we are teaching someone and they are developing interest in the Gospel, those church leaders quickly move in and offer them money and such to join their church... It seems like we are no match for them haha. But we press forward nonetheless and try our best to share, because even though we don't have money to give them, we have the truth and we know that the truth is worth more than any amount of money that can be given.

Elder Del Pilar and I are just focusing on finding (as usual). We share the Gospel SO MUCH every day, but no one cares. It's funny because you can talk to someone for as long as you want, and they will be SO KIND to you, but the second that you mention God or Jesus Christ or ANYTHING religious of any degree, they turn their back on you. Just the other day we were having a really nice conversation with an old lady about her life, and as soon as we mentioned "the Gospel of Jesus Christ" she literally stopped speaking to us and would not even notice our existence... super weird stuff. But I think it's kind of fun dealing with people of this caliber. It's like Expert Mode missionary work!

Mount Mayon Volcano erupting 

Last week we also went mainland to Legazpi to have our missionary leadership council, and while we were there, Mount Mayon (which is the giant volcano right next to Legazpi) erupted! It wasn't very huge, but it was definitely a once in a lifetime thing to see.  We are now back on our island safe and sound. But the missionaries in that area have to wear masks in their proselyting because of the ashfall.  

Remember the Ramos family? The really uneducated family that didn't really understand how to divide by ten? Well, Tatay Ramos was a real drunkard before his baptism, and we thought he had totally stopped drinking. We had asked him about 5000 times if he was drinking and he always said that he hasn't been drinking at all. Well just the other day, we learned that he didn't actually understand the meaning of "not drinking at all." He told us that he has COMPLETELY stopped drinking - except for a couple of drinks here and there. He hasn't been trying to lie to us or anything, he just honestly did not know the meaning of "No alcohol." So we explained to him that no alcohol means that he can't even have a tiny little bit, because even that is harmful to his body. We think he finally understands now because he said, "Oh, well that's different. But still easy, I can do it!" It's so interesting trying to teach to their level of intelligence. But we love them to death and they are SO WILLING to follow Christ.

Day time photo of Mount Mayon 

Last week we also found some great new investigators, the Ibanez Family. They are really searching for Christ in their lives, and they really like what they are learning with us about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. Sister Shannie Ibanez shared with us that her neighbors were telling her a lot of bad stuff about "Those Mormons." Their neighbors told her that our God isn't Jesus Christ, but that our God is a guy named Mormon. Oh, and they live in Waterworld, the place where everyone hates us. But they aren't listening to them, and Shannie actually defended us, saying that the only thing we have taught them about is Jesus Christ. We are very excited to see where their progress in the Gospel takes them.

That's all for this week! Love you all and I'll write again soon!

Elder Austin Cook

Marimar Ramos is a really heavy sleeper, compliments of siblings

The Ramos family always writes the things we teach them
on the wall of their wooden home so that they won't forget
Super Awesome