Elder Derek Fisher

Hey everyone! To start off I just want you to know I'm doing great. Having a challenging time with "shotgunning" the area but it's been a real growing experience to be sure. This is the 2nd time I've transfered into an area with no idea where to go, a very poorly updated area-book, and next to no investigators left behind to teach.
Regardless I love it, The difficulties we face are forcing us to do things out of our comfort zone, thus making us stretch and grow. Sincewe have no investigators we've been doing a ton of finding on our own efforts, Bahay-bahay (house to house tracking). I can really understand why people say it's not that effective, even though I have the american factor going for me I've had a lot of doors closed in my face lately. Despite the disappointment I feel a real rewarding
experience knowing I'm giving it my best to help everyone come to a knowledge of the gospel.  
Since coming into this area we've been lead one way or another to some really great Part-member/Less-active families. Despite being new to the area, we've already got a lot of progress in the works.  This last Sunday we had 7 of the Less-active members we taught this week come to church (A lot of love with a touch of boldness goes a long way). Not only that but we had 3 Investigators at church as well.  I have to say most of it is due to my companion Elder Yambot.  He is a MACHINE! He is working me to the bone.   Not only that but he is amazing at inviting the Spirit in a lesson. With companions like this it is really a humbling experience for me seeing all the spots that I can improve on. Elder Yambot is probably the most dedicated missionary I've ever met when it comes to the work.  I've learned so much from him in these past 2 weeks. Despite him being the only member in his family, suffering from epilepsy, and having his mom pass away while he was in the mission field, he truly understands his purpose and goes forth each day like it's his last. It's a true inspiration to me to take this work just a little bit more seriously despite the efforts I'm already making.
This week has mostly been about the work though.  Our mission president wants us to establish a model area for all other missionaries to reference off of this month before our New Mission President arrives. It's been a challenge but the Lord has been giving us a lot of tender blessings along the way. 
Lately I got some good news as I found out that one of the "Seeds" that I planted in my 3rd area (San Pedro 3rd) finally got "Harvested."  It's such a good feeling to know that your efforts weren't wasted and that all that we do really does help people grow closer to the Savior. 
Last new bit of info.   We (Cavite Mission Assitants/Office Elders) have been borrowing the extra Manila Mission cars(two 2009 Toyota Corolla's) for a week while we waited for our new vehicles.  On Wednesday we went in to trade in the cars, the office Elder got a sweet 2013 Ford Ranger. I was super excited to see what we'd be driving, I got an interesting surprise, a 2013 Toyota Hiace Super Grandia!  That thing is not a van, it's a freaking TANK!  It's been a blast trying to drive it around the Philippines(No casualties yet).  I've decided to name it "The Fishtank". 
Well that's just about it for this week, we just finished up some last minute CSP for the new Senior couples moving in so our P-day is cut a little short. Gotta get washing some clothes! Hope you all have a great week, Sorry if my emails aren't the most spiritual messages ever haha.
Love you all!
Elder Fisher

Quote of the week from a 12 year old investigator "Do you know the prophet who gave the 10 commandments?" "... um Moises?"(tagalog for Moses) "That's right, what about the one who built the Ark?" "..." "Nooo..." "Noises!!!". I don't know if you find that funny but we had a great laugh.