Elder Dallin Tracy

January 19, 2015 at 1:18:50 AM

 hahaha sorry about the story we were short on time and you know that my English is just getting worse and worse everyday so if I'm rushed its like a 6 yr old haha but Wow This week has been so amazing! to start the pope is here in the Philippines so everyone is going crazy! and another typhoon came through it turn up to Manila though so no problems here.

QUESTIONS

Did you get any of the packages yet- I think one might have came but I'm not sure, the zone leader just said they have something for me. 

Gabriel- doing great, hes still growing after his baptism which is really good. we are gonna try and work it out so he can work with us sometimes 
James- he is still set for the 24th but the thing is last couple time we visited he has said his concern is that he is afraid of a falling away after awhile and he doesn't like how much Satan is working on him right now! but we had some amazing lessons and on Saturday me and E. Tolentino split with people in the branch and i went with pres. egoino and he shared his conversion story and it was a lot like his so it was super powerful and i think it really helped him but of course we said again we cant help you with that but god can and you can ask for help through prayer so hopefully next time he gives us the green light! he is so ready though he understands everything and is reading in 2 nephi and understanding a lot. its crazy how much hes changed and grown, but if he doesn't get baptized on the 24th he will within the next couple weeks 
Rodrick- so after a week of like avoiding us we ran into him at the Hamitic festival ( its a big party every like city throws for a pageant and performances. they blast music till like 3am haha) turns out he was just super busy and his phone broke so he couldn't get a hold of us. but he canceled his trip to go to church but unfortunately  since we didnt visit him for a week we are super behind for the lessons so he wont be ready for the 24th but he is re-set for the 14th of Feb. he really is like a golden invest. he just stopped all the bad things cold turkey and hasn't had a problem. its crazy!
Mary Ann- Are you still meeting with her or waiting till she is 18? yea we just have to wait.... it sucks but ok 

Abong Family- doing great as normal and we had them work with us this Sunday and they really enjoyed it! its cool to see how much they have grown in the 3 months Ive been with them! they are one of the strongest family's in the branch now..
Aban Family- we didn't get to visit them this week and they were out of town for church so idk.. 
Did you get them to church? James and Rodrick went to church! even though we had a really small number there it was good! (it was small cuz the Hamitic party..) 
Any new investigators progressing- not really progressing but new so this week was super cool. this week has been the best week we have and it was amazing everything seemed to work out  we found 21 new invest. and we still have about 20 more to contact i really don't know what we did different but i think its just cuz of our effort and prayer and obedience because it was a miracle! i love this work there is  some hard times but its nothing compared to all the good times. it was crazy so we went from 3 to now 24 with a lot more to talk to, now of course they all wont progress but its alot nicer to have people to visit then no one! 

How is the construction coming on your house- They finished it kinda sucked cuz on Tuesday morning we have district meeting in San Jose at 8am so we have to be really fast in the morning but we had to move all or furniture to the other room so we were like 45 min late hahah....:/ and the sessions (couple missionary's) got mad at us. 

That is super crazy that cade is only got 6 more weeks, i bet your happy about that! 

HIGH- there was a couple highs this week! the great work and amazing success we had this week for our area and that we had our zone activity we hiked to a waterfall i hope the pics upload!

LOW-there really wasn't anything bad but i ripped my pants...bad haha but im getting them fixed 

STUFF THAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK 

- my comp was texting a girl in the other area behind my back... but it turn out to be no problem but still really against the rules...

- my back started hurting again, like it did in football so idk what i did but its been bugging me i hope it starts feeling better 

- we went on splits with the zone leaders and i went with E. panganiban (he goes home next Monday) so hes a really good missionary he taught me so much about teaching and missionary work. its nice to work with someone that's been out awhile and knows a lot! I ripped my pants when i was with him haha. he said though that Ive got great potential and he said he could see me doing some great things here! and he had no complaints of really improvement for me just to keep working on the language and keep striving to grow. so that was super cool and made me feel good! 

- our zone activity like i said we went on a hike to a waterfall it was super crazy to get there and it was amazing! then we ate fresh coconut up there it was super fun 

- our FHE was so funny this week its hard to explain over email but I love this branch there so fun and awesome i wouldn't mind well i kinda hope i could stay here for 6 months..

- The kids here are crazy and they go even crazier cuz im white they just run and jump on you if there nice and cute its super fun but when they start punching you and hitting you is sucks cuz there can be like 20 of them 

- we started running every morning which kinda sucks but is nice and the runs are super cool cuz its right at the sun rise

- E. Tolentino made bical? (i think that's how you spell it) bical express its super hot and that's rare here cuz people don't really like spicy but i loved it I'm gonna learn to make it!

-you'd be so proud of me, because literally i do every dish! for every meal haha i really don't even mind dishes anymore!!

 - we go down to iloilo for zone training tomorrow so that will be fun 

so if you send another packages nesquick would be super good just btw... and I'm withdrawing 100$ today cuz I'm buying that terabyte and I'm buying some stuff for the house but i get reimbursed tomorrow so if you don't wanna replenish this one you dint have to! I'll keep looking for the packages! I think that's it, it was a great week and it flew by 

until next week, 

Elder Tracy 

Elder Dallin Tracy

  Mon, Jan 12, 2015 at 12:14 PM

This week has been alright!  We had some ups and downs, but it's all good!  Everything is finally setting down from the holidays and we are returning back to a full work weeks and stuff which is good, cuz we need the time!  So this week at church our numbers were high, but not as big as last week!  But still strong and higher than usual.  The bad thing was and probably the low for the week, was we had 0 investigators at church, so we will have to move their baptismal dates back....:(   Our weakest part of our work is new investigators, so we spent a lot of our week finding and trying to make our teaching pool a little bigger.  We have about 15 people we need to contact next week, so that's good and could really boost the work here in Hamtic!! 

Garbriel- Of course he's not finished cuz he got baptized, the goal now is the temple!  And his wife is a Returned Missionary, and he has a little boy.  So they, of course, want to go to the temple, so we are starting to prepare them (the little boy eating the coconut was their little boy)! He's so cute!! Haha!
Josh- josh? James...James had some great things and some bad things this week.   We met with him 2x this week and they were really good lessons, and he's stopped drinking coffee and is reading the Book of Mormon a lot, he read over 20 chapters in 2 Nephi this week, and is understanding it and getting deep things out of it, which is really great, but....he said last time that he doesn't feel worthy to be baptized, and wants to make sure he is 100% on his decision. So I told him, "For that there is nothing I can say to really help you, but, I can tell you something to do, and that's pray to our Father in Heaven."  So we challenged him to pray, and ask the same question every night until we visit again, and then re-evaluate where he's at.  But then he didn't go to church, so we are forced to move his baptism date back at least 1 week right now.
Rodrick- He's progressing well, but we just have so much more to teach before his date, and his work schedule is super hard.   And so it hard to get him when he's there, and hes going to Aklan next Sunday, and if he doesn't go to church next Sunday, we have to move his date back. So we told him, if he really wants to baptized on the 24th, we are gonna have to meet with him everyday, so we can prepare him 100%, and then he's gonna have to choose church over a trip to Aklan.  So it's all up to him and his choices now!  I really hope he makes the right choices!!
Robert- Still same!!   We just can't talk!!  When we are there, he isn't, and they live far in the mountains, so it's not easy to get there!!
Mary Ann- her parents said NO! to being baptized, but she really wants to be, so the only thing we can do is wait till she turns 18, which is in April, I think.
Anyone new? No one really new.  There is a lot of people we found, but need to contact and really teach them.
Less actives-
The Abong Family is doing great!  They're my favorites and their faith is just getting stronger and they are getting callings and starting to help the branch!!
The Aban Family- Their whole family came to church, even the inactive older sons!!  It was awesome!! ( The crazy girls made weird faces are them)

Even though our investigators are low, we have seen so much success with our less actives and it really is just as rewarding, and it helps out our branch with leadership and attendance!  Our branch looks like its on the up and up!!  Changes are being made and its looking good!!  I just hope they stay with it!  We are close to getting our budget back as a branch, so that will be super nice to do activities for free!! Haha!! 

Congrats on your calling!!  I knew you'd be back in the Young Women soon!! Haha!  But for New Years, I didn't care, I just went to bed early!!  I was so tired!  I'm trying to upload pictures, but is super slow so there might not be all of them!!  Sorry, I have them saved on my sd.  Thank you for the recipe, and ya,Elder Tolentino's tooth is fine!!  No problems now!! Haha!!  But ya, it's gross. 

A lot of the pictures are at Family Home Evening at the Abong's again, with some of the members along with.  And then with the Aban kids, and if the mountain ones got uploaded, I'll explain them in a minute...  

- Mom, can you thank Sue Green??  She is still sending me things, and I really appreciate it!!

Things that happened this week-- 

-Zone training, and it was really good!! I learned some good things and then had lunch after!! Super good!! Haha!!

-Some members gave me a hammock and I hung it in our house!  It's super nice!! Haha!!  I love it!!   Oh, and our house is kinda under construction!!  The tiles broke cuz of the earthquake, so our room is all torn up!!  Haha!!  I tried to upload of picture of it, but I don't know?? 

- So to cross water, or gaps, there are these sketchy bamboo bridges and they're made for Filipinos, but this week I broke one, and almost went swimming, but I jumped and made it!! Haha!!  It was crazy~! 

 THE BEST PART OF MY WEEK 

So, back ground information, we were just waiting for the bus, and this guy came and contacted us.  And his family are all members and his sisters even served missions, but when he was taught, the elder only knew English, so the guy couldn't understand.  But he asked if we could visit him on Sunday.  Well, on Sunday, me and Elder Chapman went on a split, so we set off to find this guy.  His house, he said, was in Casanlang, which is like a 20 minute bus ride in the mountains, and we get there and start asking around, and everyone says "taas" or "sa baw baw," which just means higher, or up!!  Haha!!  And they all said, just close.  So we start walking and we are contacting everyone we see,  and everyone is super nice and was good to introduce the gospel to them,  and they helped us a lot, but then we got to the next like village which is "Bot Bot" which is like a 45 minute hike straight up hill in the mountains.  And we get to "Bot Bot" and they speak Tagalog!!  Now, me and Elder Chapman are really new still, and can barely communicate in Illonog/Krya-a,  so we were lost!! Haha!!  Just walking and walking and we get to a basketball court, and we are about 1 and 1/2 hour walk from the round, like literally the top of the mountain!  And we find his son at the basketball court, so he shows us their house, which is another 30 minute straight jungle climb, and we get there, and he's not even home...:(  but, we taught his family and it was a great lesson and was sweet!  But, when we were done, it was pitch black and we had one flashlight and a 2 hr walk ahead!! Haha!!  And to make it better, all the people were asking if we were scared, and we said "No" and they said, "Well be careful, cuz there's a lot of rebels in the mountains that kidnap Americans!" (we are both Americans...)!!  We thought they were just joking??!! Haha!!  We got home safe, but it turns out they weren't joking.. but it was so cool up!  Even though it was a straight hike on rocks, it was amazing!  I'll try and get the pictures up! 

I'm excited for the packages, but I think that was about it!!

Love and miss ya, 

Elder Tracy 

Elder Dallin Tracy

January 4, 2015 at 8:35:40 PM 

Hello, 

This week has been a crazy and fast one again! And probably the best one so far!  So I haven't gotten the packages...and I don't think you can get packs of lime jelly for slush, so could you throw some of those in there please.. haha!!  So you were already doing the letters thing?  Or just started it.  Basically this whole month of December we have had things going on, so the work kinda slowed down, so there aren't really any new investigators. but we did see some great progress in the ones we have...

YES!! Gabriel got baptized!!!  My first one, and it felt so good, even though I didn't perform it!!  I was still overjoyed and his father-in-law actually performed the baptism, who is President Egoino (from our branch).  So that was really cool, and the spirit was just so strong!  I couldn't stop smiling! 

James- as for James, we weren't able to meet with him, because on Tuesday we had another little typhoon and his road got washed out, so we couldn't visit, and then on Saturday,  he went to a funeral, but..he came to church!!  And he seems excited for his baptism!!  He just needs 2 more Sundays, and then he will be baptized!!  When that day comes, I will baptize him :)  So I am super excited, and hes a really big guy and our font is kinda small so...we are seeing if we can get approved an ocean baptism!!!  Haha!!  And we are gonna start talking to his family about the gospel, and his wife is the Barngy Captain (city mayor) kinda, so if we could get her, she could help with that whole area!
Rodrick- HE is so amazing!  He changed his work schedule to go to church, and so that's 3 in a row now!  And we visited him 2x this week, and both times were amazing!!   So his baptism date was February15th, but once he knew transfers were January 29th. he moved it up to January 24th!!  So now, we have to like visit him 3x a week, so he is 100% ready for baptism!  Then the next time we visited, he said that after he joins the church, he wants to serve a mission!  Haha!! He told us a story of when he was at a chungit (a little store thing), a guy said he had seen the "Mormons" at his house, and he said "Oh, you mean the missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!"   It's cool, cuz what investigator does that??  Haha.! 

Robert- He wasn't there when we visited, but his little brothers that are baptized haven't been coming to church, so I think his dad isn't letting them come.  So that's not good!:(
Anyone new?

Just one, her name is Mary Ann - shes wants to get baptized, but it's her parents who are not excited about it, so probably in February she will be!!

Less actives: this is where we have seen a lot of our success, because we have so many in our area!   So we really focus like 15-20 lessons a week on Less Active's, but its working!

The Abong Family- We had an Family Home Evening with them a little while ago, and we actually have another one again tonight, but they are awesome and the kids have fully reactivated, and the dad is like 2 Sundays away from baptism!  They are really strong members now, and are gonna get callings and be leaders, and even cooler, Andrew, their son, says he wants to go on a mission after his school! But his relatives don't really want him to go, and they don't have a lot of money! 

The Bulac Family- we visted them for like 3 weeks and nothing happened, but after this week, they came to church! 

ABAN- almost reactived!! 

And we have a ton others that we are working on!  They come off and on to church.  Re-activating is just as cool and important as a baptism I'd say, even more, because they have already made that promise with God, and they will be judged more if they turn away from it! 

The branch is making some changes for New Years!  We had 217 people at sacrament!!!!!  I just testify that fasting works!  It was packed and we had the leadership meetings, and we are trying to implement home and visiting teaching, and make sure all the auxiliaries are filled, and people have callings.  And then, we are starting kinda a mission fund for Hamtic, so every Sunday, we ask that they just put 1 peso in a jar, and by the time they go on missions, the branch can help them out! Super cool!!  Haha!! 

The idea is even getting kicked around to split our branch into 2, and to put us farther down in our area, because there is a lot of less actives that are down there that would go to church, but don't have the money, and then we could actually get to the far part of our area that I have never been to, just cuz it's to far, and we need to use our time effectively.  The only problem would be leaders. So we need to find/prepare some, if that is gonna happen 

You mentioned that New Years is bigger than Christmas there, so what was that like? Were you on lock down New Years Eve Night?

Haha!!  So we actually had 4 lunch/dinner appointments.  I had zero to eat until then!! Haha!!  We ate so much, and basically partied with them.  It was super fun!  It's crazier, cuz everyone buys crazy fireworks, and gets super drunk.  But we were going home and we missed the bus, so we were walking and it looked like a zombie movie!! Haha!!  All the drunk people were stumbling in the road and it was smoky because of the fireworks!!  It was cool looking! 

We had some earthquakes this week!!  That was kinda cool, cuz I've never felt one before, and we had and a small typhoon. Elder Tolentino had a toothache, so we went to the dentist, and it's so ghetto!!  I hated it!!  And they clean their stuff with a tooth brush nasty!  That was my week!!  Super fun!! 

I wrote down to share Mosiah 4:27 with you guys, but I don't have my scriptures, so check it out! Mosiah 4:27 "And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength.  And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize;  therefore, all things must be done in order."

Haha!  Good luck on the remodeling, and with the "-ites" thing, it really is true, if we all just loved and treated each other the same, things would be so much better!! 

I hope you liked my present, Mom and Elle 

- recipe for no bake 

Love you all, 

Elder Tracy 

Elder Dallin Tracy

                                     Elder Dallin Tracy in the Philipines!!


December 28, 2014 at 9:10:09 PM

Happy New Year!!

HEY,

READING CHALLENGE;  January 1 we will start on page 1 of the Old Testament, by Sunday we will be on page 21 of the Old Testament

This week has been a good one! of course because Christmas and being able to call home and talk to everyone! But we also had our branch Christmas party and the couple missionary's invited over our district for Christmas dinner!  A lot happened this week!!  It went by way fast, but every week goes by way fast!  That's great its snowed!  I kinda miss the snow, but we've had over cast for the past couple days, so its been a lot cooler, which is super nice!  Something I just learned is New Years is a lot bigger deal than Christmas here!!  I guess cuz everyone party's and drinks on New Years. Ha ha!! But every Filipino loves to do karaoke and they love to do it especially when there drunk, and on huge speakers so everyone can hear!! Ha ha(kinda hard to teach with that) 

That's scary!!  Elle driving!! Haha JK!!  But really, the biggest concern is just dad, when shes practice driving... 

Gabriel - Gabe went out of town this week but yes!! he's a sure baptism on Saturday!!!! And he has his interview on Wednesday and then we just need to prepare for it. I'm so excited!
James - We had a great week with James!!  We went on splits on Tuesday, so I was with the new (5 days new) elder and we went to James and I really followed up with him on everything about Church,...reading,praying,Word of Wisdom, and we talked about it, and then I asked him about his baptism, and HE set the date for the 24th of Jan!  It was a super spiritual lesson and I think it really got to him. I love James, cuz hes the one guy I truly can communicate with and understand, and I think he likes me cuz I'm American too!!  But then, he came to church too!  So it's looking good!!
Rodrick - He's made some great progress!  He's gone to church 2 times in a row and understands all we say!  He said he's made his final decision, but he won't tell us, but he seems happy about it... so I don't know if it's good or bad??  He's set for Feb 15!!
Robert - We didn't get to talk to him, but kinda some bad feelings,  So his dad is against him being baptized, but the wife is a member (recent convert)!!  She was like a golden investigator, but I guess they got in a little argument and he hit her...so we really don't know how to go about it, cuz if she pushes him she might get hurt!!  So we are gonna try and talk to the dad. 

How did you branch Christmas party go? - Super good!!  Our branch has zero budget, so it was kinda hard, and we really only planned one day, but it turned out great and super fun, cuz everyone just brought a dish of food and we divided the other stuff!  I sent a lot of pictures!! 

Were the members able to focus on the true meaning of Christmas?- Ya, we've had some good with this because some single adults asked if they can come work with us, which is great and really helps us out!

 Elder Tracy at the Ward Christmas Party

                       Elder Tracy always attracts the girls!!

How is your cold? Are you feeling better?- Ya, I'm good its almost gone, just a runny nose, but okay!

We went on a split so I can practice really leading everything in our area, and it went actually really good!  We are gonna do it like once a week, but I'm excited for it!  And also, the Traveling AP's came to Hamtic this week and went on splits with the other elders, and they checked our apartment. but the day before the house owner came and changed curtains and cleaned all the windows and picked up, so we got like a perfect score!! Haha!! 

-MOM so Elder Tolentino's mom does this thing and i think its super cool so...she prints off every weeks letter and builds a book of the letters and so you can see the growth and like change over the 2 years!!  I know its a little late, but I think it would be super cool if you could go back and put it together, and maybe even Cades! 

-Can you send me the slush recipe??  I know it's easy, but I don't know...

-I still remember all the digits of PI!! Haha it was part of this girls homework!! Haha!!

-I found this homemade peanut butter!  It is so much better then normal stuff!!

For the next package, it doesn't have to be soon, it can be in a while, like with my retainer could you put in?

-Vivo fit wrist band thing, mine is just starting to break!! 

-The coconut chocolate cover nuts! 

-Cliff bars/granola bars ( I cant find anything like them)!!

  

Mom, you would love it here, cuz there is so much coconut stuff!! Haha!!  The word buko=coconut There is buko drink, buko salad, dried buko!!  It's so good! 

And I think it was Grandma Tracy, but thank who ever sent it, we use it everyday!! Haha!! 

It was great to talk to ya last week!! 

Love you all, and miss ya tons!! 

Happy New Year!! 

Elder Tracy 

Elder Dallin Tracy

 December 21, 2014 at 8:22:00 PM

Malipayon nga pasko!!  I hope everyone is having a great holiday season, cuz I am haha!! even though it doesn't even feel like Christmas, its ok!!  So, I just wanna start by saying these mini scriptures are the bomb and literally ever person that has seen them has asked if they can get one!!  So if its ok, could you send even more haah... if not, it's ok!!  I can tell them I can't, so it's totatally up to you....!!  Ya, this week has been a pretty good one!  We did go down to Iloilo again for trainers and trainnes meeting and it was good!!   We learned some things that can help us! and ya, I got to see all my MTC batch so that was great!!  I've missed them!  We all did really bond for those six weeks!!  It's crazy that I'm already half way done with training!! haha!!  It feels like 2 weeks.

Are you going to be able to skype?
Yes, haha
Do you know what day and time you will be calling us?

10am my time on 26th and so 7pm on the 25th for you guys

How is the language?
It's coming!  When we went to Iloilo they speak Ilongo and I noticed I understood a lot and actually could hold my own, and I can communicate ok, but in kayr-a, it's still a little harder, but its coming. Down in Iloilo another trainer complemented me on my language and how far I am already, so that was good to hear!
Where there changes in your apartment with transfers?
Well, Elder Chapman had (house mate) had some big changes this week.  He is a turn around trainer.   After 12 weeks, he's training and he was made district leader, but those were the only changes in my house, but in the Antique zone there was lot, like half the zone is new, and I mean new!!  5 people are training and 2 others are still in training!
Did you get another key made so you don't have to break into your house?
Hahaha!! Ya, we got a new key, so that's nice.  We don't have to break in now, Haha!!
Update on the investigators??
Gaberil- so he's gonna be out of town now on the 31, so we just moved him to the 3 of January, but he's a sure baptism, and he's really changed and grown so much in the past couple weeks!  I'm so excited for that!!
James- :( so James has got me worried, cuz he hasn't been to church for 3 weeks, and every Saturday he says hes gonna be there.  And he bails on us every time we try and visit him, so we really don't know whats going on, but we are really trying for him, so we will see what happens!
Rodrick- this week has been awesome with Rodrick!!  So we taught him on Saturday and he really opened up to us, and he told us some things that happened in his childhood.  He's been holding them in his whole life, so we really had a super strong and powerful lesson!  And he said he really wants to join our church, and then he came to church on Sunday!!!  Which was awesome!!  The only problem is his work, so getting 4 weeks in a row is gonna be hard, but if we can, he will probably be baptized!!
Robert- we were actually able to meet with him and we recommitted him to February15th, just because the only problem is, his dad doesn't want him to be baptized, so we need to talk to his dad and help him let him get baptized
Any new ones?  We have a lot of people that are just in lesson 1 but look really good and promising, so we just need to keep going, but we did have a lot of success of just tracking and finding people this week, so that was great!!
Baptism dates?  No
Did you get the 2nd Christmas package yet?  Not yet.  But I'm looking for it...when you send it, can you track it, or is just a waiting game? 

High-   Getting to see my MTC batch this week at the trainers meeting in Iloilo

          Low- James!

That's kinda cool she talked about goal setting, cuz in training we learned about planning and goals  and why they are super important!  I really enjoyed it!  The work is pretty easy here we can find people pretty easy, the hardest problem is the branch!!  Like they have no budget, so we are paying for a lot of the party and events, which makes things a little more difficult, cuz I'm already low on money for this month cuz of all the trips to Iloilo, and now we have to pay some for the branch Christmas party...but its ok!   I'm excited for it!!  It is on Christmas Eve!!  It should be a good time.  And the branch presidency has no unity, which makes it hard, but we are really try to improve it! 

Iloilo is pretty cool though we got to go to SM and Robinson, which is like the biggest mall here, and they are big!!  They even have a lot of American stores, but they are American prices, haha so super expensive! 

I'd have to say the best part of tracking at night is that old lady's just set up a little charcoal grill and sell bbq (blood,intestines,pig) it is sooo good!!  And super cheap haha !!

I think that's about it!  Love you and miss you all!!  Can't wait to see ya!! sa pasko!! Tell the Tracy family I love them and miss them! 

          Love,

         Elder Dallin Tracy

Elder Dallin Tracy

December 14, 2014 at 8:15:13 PM

Another fast week, that's for sure!  Because it was basically a half week, cuz we went to Iloilo for 2 days for the Christmas conference, so work wise, there was just a little, but it was a lot of fun this week haha!  And, we go back down next week for a meeting for the people that are training!!  So next week will be a little messed up too!  And this week is transfers!!  I shouldn't change anything, but our house mates will!!  Elder Dactutan has been here for 6 months, so he will probably be transfered!  

How was you Christmas Conference in Iloilo?

So fun, haha!!  President Aquino knows how to throw a party!  It was super fun, and I got to see some of my batch from the MTC, so that was cool.  I really enjoyed it, and I met and made some new friends in the mission!! 

Did you find the flip flop things you were talking about getting?

The rubber shoes?  Ya, I got a pair!   I'll send a picture of the other shoes!  They're about done, haha!!  But, I'm surprised they lasted this long, cuz they were super cheap shoes! 

Update on your investigators please…

Gaberil, James, Rodrick & Robert's baptism dates are still on for the end of the month?
So, Great news for Gaberil!  I gave him a blessing last lesson to help him fight the temptation to smoke, and we came this week and followed up with him!  And he said thank you, Elder Tracy, your blessing worked!  Wow that was the best feeling I've had on my mission!  He said he didn't even have a problem, and so now, he's a for sure baptism!!  We had to move it to Jan. 3rd cuz he's gonna be outta town the 31, but it's ok!! 

James: We couldn't meet with him and he didn't go to church, so I don't know about him? 

And we weren't able to meet with the others this week, so we're kinda worried! 

Do you go to the same family every week for family home evening?

No.  We have gone to a couple, but when we don't have a FHE, we go to the Abong family!   They're sweet!!   They're one of my favorites here!! 

How is the language coming? Are you feeling more comfortable and being able to converse with the people?

It's improving, that's for sure, but not close to where I want to be!  But this week, I started to lead and I'm gonna lead for the next 6 weeks, so when my training is over, I can do it all by myself!! So it's been a little hard this week, but that just cuz I'm doing more and trying to do more!  But i like it!

What was your high for the week?

Definitely our lesson with Gaberil!  That was straight up amazing!! 

What was your low, if any?

Just that James didn't go to church!!  I'm really worried for him 

Are you still breaking in to your own house? Can't you get another key made?

Haha!! Ya, we are gonna get one today, so hopefully we won't have to do that anymore!! Haha!! 

Awesome!!  I'll be looking for the packages and thank you for sending everything!  I really do appreciate it!  Ya, Christmas is weird here, that's for sure, just cuz it doesn't feel like Christmas at all!  But, sounds like the same back home!  When I get more information on skyping, I'll let you know!  I don't think the videos will make me home sick!  I'm doing good, but I'm excited to see it and see you guys!  That's awesome!!  Elle is starting!  I would love to see the pics! 

It blows my mind that my first transfer is already over!!  I love it here and I love this work!! Thank you so much for the packages and support!!  I love you guys so much!!

Elder Tracy 

Elder Dallin Tracy

November 17, 2014 at 1:50

This week has been every emotion possible! Fast,homesick, frustrated,angry,doubtful,happy,excited,loving and but other than that, it's been great!!  I can't believe it's already 2 weeks!!  But the reason why I get down and start having a hard time is when I just sit there and think, and this happens a lot because I really don't know the language and I let Satan just work my mind, saying, "This sucks!!  I have to do laundry by hand, or I don't have toilet paper or a hot shower, or I'll never get this language, or I miss home and want to be home," but then the time is super fun and flies by when I work and don't think about myself(it got better through the week, I'm good now!!)  I'm not struggling, just some of those thoughts came to my head, and I didn't like it, but it definitely has given me a new found appreciation for you and dad and how much we are blessed and how much I took it for granted!!  I'm sorry for that!!  I will never not put my clothes a way again, or not do the dishes!!!  That's for sure!  Haha!! but now to the fun stuff

How is the language coming?

My talking has gotten so much better and I feel like I can at least get across some points I want to say and it's getting better everyday!  I'm learning illongo, and then I'll learn kray-a, but the hardest part is listening and understanding, cause its sooo fast and different!!  But that will come, I know it will just take some time!!
How is your teaching pool?

So we have a lot of people just contacted, but not progressing cause they haven't taught them enough!!  But we have 6,  I think?

James: He's a white guy from the US, and he speaks English, so I love teaching him!! Haha and at the end of the lesson I was talking to him about coming to church and he said I should go into politics or car sales, and I just started laughing, cuz you say that all the time!!  It was awesome!! He understands it all, but won't commit to a date yet!!  He wants to know more about President Thomas S. Monson and he's struggling making it to church!! 

Gabriel: He's a 35 Filipino and hes got a date for the 30th of December, which is awesome!!  I've only taught him once, but hes smart and understands!!  It's good!!  He has a word of wisdom problem and is going to church, but we are gonna keep working on him! 

Robert: 13 yr old boy, who wants to get baptized but his dad wont let him, but his mom was like a golden investigator!!   So we'll see how that goes!! 

Duran family: The dad and 2 little girls!!  They are awesome!!  We are gonna try and give them a date!!  I'll try and get pics with all these people 

How is the branch? Actually not good!!  That is our main concern as missionaries!!  In the branch there's lots of leadership problems, and no fellowshipping!!   They have over 350 members, but only about 80 active, so we spend a lot of time in rescuing and less active teaching, but once we can get the branch behind us, we will explode on the work!! 
Are you getting a feel for the town & the people?  Kinda!  I've got all the people we teach down, almost all their names, but the area is big, so it's kinda hard, but I've only been here 2 weeks!!  I think by another 2, I will for sure!! 

We had a FHE last Monday at a members house and had ice cream!  Which is a big deal here and played games!!   It was super fun!!  And, I had my first mango this week!! Haha!!  They are so good and sweat and juicy!! I love them!

We had zone conference and set a goal of 50 plus baptisms for December so we can have a white Christmas, so we all are working really hard for that.  It's hot all the time!!  I am always sweating!! Haha!! And it rained this week, and let me tell you, when it rains, it rains hard, and this isn't even the rainy season, so it got way muddy!!  I'm almost caught up from all the laundry and it's not that bad, just way time consuming.  We eat rice every meal!  I don't mind that, and I lost like 5 pounds this week which is good, cuz I put on like 15 in the MTC!!  We've met 2 people that would be basically golden investigators, but don't live in our area, so we just referred them over which sucks!  I got these otter pop like things, which are 4 pesos (like 2 cents) and they are so bomb on a hot day!!  You don't even know, hahal 

Funny story: So we teach and she's holding a baby with no pants, and the baby farts on her arm and then like 2 seconds later starts pooping and peeing on her!! Haha!!  It was one of the funnest things.  I love the kids here, they always make me happy and relieve any stress!!  They're way cute too!!  We did a service project for a less active to clean up their yard, and it was like 10x worse than grandpa's, haha!!  And we didn't have lawn mowers or weed wackers, we had machetes!!  So that was a fun time.  We had a couple inactives come to church, so that was awesome, and I spoke in church this week!! Haha in illongo, and I don't mind speaking, it's just difficult in a different language, but it went really well!!  We had 2 lessons on Sunday that really hit me.  The prodigal son and the 2,000 stripling warriors, and the reason why they hit me was cuz I related to them so much and I feel like they're are both like me.   I was way selfish and wanted it my way, now, and didn't care about others, but now, I'm starting to get away from that and come back!!  And then I thought about how you have prepared me for a mission by teaching me to have faith and love and trust God!  Already in this mission, I have found a new love for God and the scriptures and my Savior, Jesus Christ, but also, you guys, I can't explain how much I love you guys, but I know that because families can be together forever!!  I can give up 2 yrs of my life. 

love and miss you tons 

P.S. Give the picture of the power lines to papa and say "even in the Philippines it's not as beautiful as a eci line in Cedar" and tell Ryley to email him!! I'm in the same district as his last companion, and tell Miles I ran into Mark Christansen in Maniia.  He was going home!!  He should know who he is!! 

Love you guys!!  Keep the questions coming and put pics/videos in the drop box 

Elder Tracy 

Elder Dallin Tracy

November 10, 2014 at 12:20:08

Holy cow! its been a long time since I emailed!! Sorry we didn't get a chance to email when we arrived in iloilo.
Where is your first area?
Hamtic, Antique
What is your companions name?
Elder Tolentino
Where is his from?
He's Filipino
How do you get your mission money? On a card or cash?
We go and withdraw 8000 peso a month and then have cash for the jeepnys and trics
What is your apartment like?
Not bad really, it's a nicer one I think
What is the city like?
Awesome! there's bukid moutains and also beach in my area and kinda city so it's cool and it's way beautiful!Is it true there is no toilet paper?
Ya no paper! That was a weird experience, but hey, what ever gets the job done haha!!
How is the food?
So good!!  I haven't had a thing yet that I haven't liked, well except for this one a members house and it was good, but the texture was like snot!
Are you speaking ilongo?
I try to speak illongo but they speak karry-a(ya different language haha!! I told you it would happen)
Are you sweating constantly?
There is really not a lot of time when I'm not and this is the cold season haha!! but I don't mind it
Did you get the greenie package?
Yes, thank you!  I loved it and I actually have a list of things, if you could send one more by chance... if not ok A micro fiber towel like a big one, I like the small you sent but for like showers.  A small sized Book Of Mormon, Old and New Testament, but hard backs because the big ones are so heavy to carry everyday.  A consecrated oil can to carry, I lost my on the trip. And 1 set of unopened g's for a 72 hour kit!  I know it's a lot, but that would be nice!!
Are you in a branch or a ward?
Branch, it's kinda small, like 80 that attend and the rest are all inactive
Have you have any night terrors?
I don't think so, but i have so weird dreams haha!!
What is your favorite thing so far?
The people!  They're so nice and try and help me understand!
Have you had any fresh fruit?
I just bought some mangos today!! I haven't had them yet, but I'll let you know
Are there big bugs?
Not really, but lots of spiders and flies and mesquitos!
How is your pink eye?
It's gone!  We're all good!
Have you been sick?
No, not yet!   I feel great and I haven't even had lbm yet (the poops) but i was like constipated for a little cuz all the rice I have been eating, but don't worry it's all good now!

Ok!  So we got to Manila at like 11 at night, after like a whole day of traveling!  I took a couple pics!!  We saw a truck full of pigs haha!!  That was my first experience in the PI, and then we got to the hotel and had dinner and then crashed haha!!  We had to get up at 05:30 a.m., so we got like no sleep, but we stayed in a way nice hotel for the PI and had running water and hot showers and great food.  We went to the MTC and basically had orientation all over again.  So that was boring, but after that we got the great opportunity to go prosylete in taglog, in the Quezon City Mission and that was a trip!!  We just walked around, didn't say a word, but it was still way cool!!  The kids loved us cause we are white!  Next day I woke up like sick, sore throat and head ache!!  It was a great Sunday though!  We had some great speakers and lessons.  Haha but then Monday, on our way to the MTC we hit a car and really I wasn't surprised at all!!  The traffic here is a joke!  They had 6 lanes in a 4 lane road and it's a mad house!!  No one follows the laws.  Well, I'm not even sure if there are laws.  That was a great day, cause we went and finalized our visa's and so we got to got to Central Manilla and the immigration office was guarded by a guy will at m-16!!   I wish I could of got a pic!!   It looked like a movie with all the people and stuff and inside!!   It was straight up like the Division of Motor Vehicles x100 and you just know how much I love the DMV!!   After, on the way back, our district convinced the driver to get us krispy creme donuts haha!! So that was a great day!!  They were soo good!!  Then we just practiced teaching the rest of the day.  Nov. 4th! So this was the day I got pink eye!  Ya, the Manila MTC kinda sucked cause I was sick the whole time, but I got drops for it and ok, so this actually turns into a hilarious story!!  So they give us alcohol to wash our hands in like a little drop bottle (similar to my eye drops) and they both had the caps off and I wasn't paying attention and yes, I accidently put it in my eye!! Wow that burned hahah!!  I wouldn't advise that for anyone!!  Then we got to go to the temple and both my eyes are just super red, so I look like the devil.  The temple was so sweet!!  You don't wear a regular white shirt, it's like a Chinese style dress shirt!  It's kind of hard to explain, but way comfy, and no tie.  It was weird to think that was my last temple trip in 2 years, but even weird to think, like the next time I go, it will be with Cade, so I thought that was kinda cool.  Then we played basketball with Filipinos for like 2 hrs!!  They're actually pretty good. That was the end of the Manila MTC, so we had to pack again and then wake up at 03:30 again!! Ha, I loved it. The flight was like 1 hr, not bad compared to what we just did. 
We got there and were met by the office staff and our mission president!   He's a cool guy, I like him.  Then we got our first jeepny ride to the mission home!  Jeepnys are sweet, it was fun!  Then we had another orientation, but it was more mission stuff, so it was ok.  I met Elder Singley!!  I know his sister from high school, and then after that we got to go on splits and tract!!   It was fun and I could actually say stuff cause they speak illongo and we had this one lesson with a recent convert and her daughter, shes 16!!   She was so funny and sassy!! She reminded me of Elle a lot!  After that, we went and stayed in our hotel, and let me tell you, it was not even close to as nice!  We got to experience our first bucket showers!!  They aren't that bad, just kinda an inconvienence.  Next morning, we got to meet our trainers, and mine was called late, so he was late by like a couple of hours, so I had no idea with whom or where I was going.  But turns out, it was Elder Tolentino from Manila!  He's been out 5 months!  He's a great teacher, and fun too, but we are assigned in Hamptic B area in Antique where they speak Karry-a!  We took a 4 hour bus to our area.  I stood like the whole way, cause it was full, but when we got there we went and bought food for the week, and I had no idea what to get, so I was just following my trainer haha!!   Then I got time to unpack and thank you for the mattress covers, they're just old foam pads and kinda gross so I really appreciated those!  After I settled in, we went to the old branch president's house.  His son just died, well 3 weeks ago, and they still haven't buried him, but that's kinda normal.  Deaths are usually like 2-3 week things, and I just sat and smiled the whole time cuz I had no idea what they were saying!!   That's kinda of the main theme of this week, but its ok!   It's so pretty here and so green!!   I love just walking around, cuz I just look at mountains, or the beach!!   It's pretty, and very hot haha!!  I'm always sweating and I like that there are 1/5 only white people here so I kinda stand out!!  But the kids love me and people love trying out there English on me!!  It's super funny. The next day was like the first real day, and I had no idea what to really expect.  But we got punted like 6 times in a row, but it gave us time to just oym (street contact) well for my companion to, haha!!  I said very little.  We ran in to this sweet old lady, Elizan, and it was a great lesson and we're going back to teach her here tomorrow. Then we went to the Akolan family and there 4 kids that just got baptized!!   They are the funnest kids ever!!  I love them and they just messed with me like the whole time!  I can't really tell you much about the investigators, because I didn't understand much, but every lesson went really good!!  Our Progression investigators are James, Gabreal, Robert and 2 girls (I cant remember their names), but James actually doesn't speak Filipino, he speaks ENGLISH!!  So that was awesome haha!!!  I actually taught and we taught about tithing and fast offerings.  He has a concern that  President Monson isn't a true prophet and I really taught a lot!!  It was awesome!!  He also asked a lot of difficult questions, like what's the church's stand on the death penalty and abortion.  But I answered them really good, and it felt so good to actually understand someone and then teach and help with their needs.  With Gabriel we set a baptism date for Dec. 30!!  That was really exciting!!  That was last night, but he has a word of wisdom problem that we are really trying to help him through.  I haven't taught Robert yet, and with the 2 girls, it was just the second lesson, but they are awesome!  The next day my trainer said that I was going to take the lead on lesson and try to introduce it and explain it a little!!  I was really nervous, but it actually went ok, and I felt like I did good!  And I had to do the oyms, and if I was struggling he would help, which was like everytime haha!!  It was a better day cause I actually was saying things, and not just sitting there quiet, and you know for me that is pretty hard and I just think and so the days go slow, but it was faster that day!!  Sunday was a good day though, and it seems like each day is just getting better!!  At church, I got to introduce myself and bear my testimony and I wasn't nervous really!!  It went well.  But then we went to a less active family, and we thought it was just gonna be a basic lesson, but then they really opened up and said there concerns and during the lesson I didn't really understand the problem, but I just felt the spirit and I just went for what I was feeling and it turned out to be exactly what we were talking about and I was super happy!!  It just shows the power of the spirit haha!!
Ya!!  So it's been a long time since I last emailed, but I think that's all of my week.  My trainer said, though, I'm actually really good at the language, and he wouldn't be surprised if I was like good in 6 weeks.  He says already I'm better than the other trainey who's in my apartment, who's been out 6 weeks, just cause I actually open my mouth and am confident.  I love these people so much and this place so much already!!  I can't wait till I can actually understand, and I'm not just sitting there thinking all day, cause I don't like it!  The cultural change hasn't really affected me much!!  I'm good with everything.  Just working hard and trying my best!!  l
Love and miss you!!  Happy birthday Dad!!!  Love you!!  
If you have any other questions ask! 

Love from the other side of the world
Elder Tracy 

P.S. Brian, I know there is a lot of spelling errors!! I had to type way fast to fit it all in an hr!!  I'm sorry!! 

Elder Dallin Tracy

September 17, 2014

So, how does it feel to wear the badge?

-it is one of the best feelings I've felt in my life to know you are a Representatvie of Christ and hold that authority to changes life for eternity is amazing
Who is your companion?

-I got put in a 3 some Elder Robertson and Elder Maalaelu
Where is he from?

-Elder Robertson is from Orem and is a very nice kid and knows a lot about the gospel.-Elder Maalaelu is from Samoa and he struggles with English so I feel really bad for him because that must be the hardest thing ever and he's 25
How are you guys getting along?

-We are great, we are starting to teach and learn a lot more from each other which helps so much 

Is there just 1 other companionship in your room?

-There's 1 other companionship and they're kinda goof balls, 1 is from Cincinnati, Ohio and the other from American Fork
How many are in your district?

-Has 2 other companionships that are going to Bacold, Philippines.  I have not really met them yet
Are they all going to your mission?

-no half and half
How many Elders  how many Sisters?

-all elders in our district
How many hours did you spend in class your first day?

-3 hours language and -3 hours workshop on our purpose as missionary(basically teaching investigators and loving them)
How are you sleeping?

-I lay in bed so much is on my mind  because I'm learning so much.(not like in a bad way, just trying to remember the language stuff)
Does your companion run with you in the mornings?

-we actually get 1 hr each day for gym so we don't have to wake up early to go
What are you doing for exercise?

-volleyball,basketball,running,gym anything
What do you think of the food?

-It's ok
Is there anything that you have found that you need that we forgot to pack for you?

-No not really I'm doing good right now. 

HIGH-saying my first prayer in illongo with out help it was very slow but the spirit I felt and how happy I was was so amazing. (that was last night) I cant wait till I know more and I'm excited to go to class. 

LOW- uhh I wouldn't say there has been a low because even though the mornings are a little rough you have to do it because so much needs to be done. 

WOW! 3 days already gone it feels like you guys dropped me off this afternoon! I love the MTC so much its weird, people say that the MTC is hard and you might hate it but I haven't at all.You PRAY SO MUCH hahaha you say like 10 prayers a day and then like a million little ones in your head. I'm just constantly asking to be blessed with the spirit and I ask for the Lord to bless my companions. I'd say my hardest struggle is the mornings, but haha I'll take that struggle. The first day come check in and then you drop your bags off and go straight to language class and our teacher didn't say 1 word of English till the end.  I was so lost but it got me excited about the language and then we went to a thing on our purpose and start to learn to love everyone and see them as our Heavenly Father sees them.  At first I thought it would be difficult but the spirit is sooo strong that by the end I caught myself caring for these fake investigators. Which was awesome!  We got to go to the temple and it was weird cause I didn't feel different from when I was in the MTC and the temple because the spirit is basically the same!  Its surprised me the most  how much the Lord can bless you when you just simply ask for his help and I've seen myself grow so much in just this short time.  Like I'd never say this before but now, I look forward to personal study and actually diving in and being lead 100% by the spirit.

Something I'm really am trying to focus on is being more Christ like and trying to show my faith in Christ by acting as he did.  It is hard at sometimes, but the Lord is always there. I love this work it is the greatest work on the earth and I cant wait to get the Philippines and learn to love the people for real.  Thank you so much for your help and support,  I can feel your prayers and I'm always praying for you.  I've seen a few friends from high school which is cool, but it weird at the same time.  I hope everything is going good at home. I bought a handkerchief for the temple dedication, so I'm good 

ngasapasalamt ako sara kay jeso christo kag ngasapaslamt ako sara sa regalo sang mga hinambalan.( idk if the spelling is right) lol 

Let me know if that was how you want me to email or if you'd like it different 

Love you so much 

Elder Tracy 

September 26, 2014

What is your favorite thing about Elder Robertson?

He's kind of a sheltered grown up kid but he really knows his scriptures and keeps me on time, which I'm not like way late but he just keeps me in line
What is your favorite thing about Elder Maalaelu?

He's one of the funniest kid in our district(cause he can't really speak English)
How many people are in your district?

9
What is your favorite thing about the MTC?

The spirit and just how hard everyone works.  There's nothing better! 
What is your least favorite thing about the MTC?

The food its starting to get old, but that's ok!
How is the language coming?

It's one of the hardest thing in my life, but also one of the most rewarding things ever, I'd say it's coming good though
What session of the Ogden Temple re-dedication did you get to attend?

10

I'm glad things are going good back at home! I do miss you guys and I think of you always, mom and dad you'll love this.....I make my bed every morning and not only that, I have been trying to serve more so I make everyone's in my room haha!! This week was even better than last, started on Friday night and I had a way bad night terror and got an awful night sleep so Saturday was rough but I got through it and then I had another one on that night, so I was just exhausted Sunday.  But I got a quick nap before the temple re-dedication.  Wow that was so cool the spirit was just absolutely amazing and the hosanna shout looked so cool!!  After that we went to sacrament and right as I walked in I knew I would be giving the talk(they have us prepare a little talk for every week and then pick someone) and of course I did so I have talked 2 Sundays in a row!   It was good though, it went really well.  Then we got to go on a Sunday walk around the temple.  It was a nice break to go and we were told to ponder what was said in the temple blessing, then we went to choir practice oh yea hahahah I got picked to sing in the MTC choir at priesthood of General Conference which is going to be so sweet. but choir is fun the guy is way funny. Then we went to the devotional and we reviewed and talked about how to be a successfull missionary and it was a great talk and really inspired me to be better.  Then haha we went watch a talk by Elder Bednar and it was called "Character of Christ."   Look it up and see if you can watch it.  It's one of the best talks I've ever heard and the spirit was so strong and I felt so empowered.  I've only felt that way a couple times in my life it was a great feeling.  When we got back to the room, I had a impression to ask my companion, Elder Robertson to give me a blessing for my sleep and I have not had a problem since which has been sooo nice. SUNDAY WAS AMAZING  

I restarted the Book of Mormon and I've been looking for Christ-like actions and acts of faith and I've gotten so much more out of my studies. We taught our first lesson in illongo haha!!  It was so hard and we really struggled because we really don't know much, but it just made me wanna work hard and learn more.  My district is soooo funny and they keep making fun of me for the letters and packages I keep getting.  So if you guys could send even more that would be awesome hahah!!  Tuesday, Elder M. Russell Ballard came and talked to us and it was weird because Cade wrote me that day and they said a lot of the same things.  It was a great experience to hear one of the 12 talking straight to you.  We then taught our investigator again last night and we had a lesson plan but we got in there and she asked like how to pray correctly and about the Godhead(stuff we have never studied or looked at) and we just ran with it, but I was just flowing with the spirit and I was able to say what she needed to hear.   After I had never been so happy!!  I can't wait till its a real person!!  We committed her to read the Book of Mormon and pray about if its true!! 

This week flew by, but I love every second of it!!  It's amazing to me a missionary and we had a testimony meeting and an elder in my district said something super cool!!  We wear Elder on our name badge just like the apostles and representative of the church which is way cool!!

Sorry for the spelling errors, I'm in a hurry 

love and miss you all 

Elder Tracy 

October 3, 2014

How did the pineapple fair?

Actually really good
Questions for the week...
How was it teaching Ryley this past week?

It was way werid at first, hahaha!!  The first question he asked was where I'm from and it was funny but after we started and got going it was good and it was nice to see him.
How is the language coming? It's extremely hard, haha!! cause you want to say so much and tell your investigators about the truthfulness, but you don't have the words, but I'm working hard and it will come I know!
Are you noticing increased understanding & vocabulary?

Oh yes, everyday it's growing!!  The hardest part is speaking in the sentence structure, I think, cause it's Verb, Actor, Object, Location and then there's certain words that make them those things, but it's getting easier!!
Are either of your companions singing with you in the choir?

Elder Roberston is!
How exactly did you get picked for the choir? Do you sing now too? I will be watching  & hoping that you get on TV so I can see you!

We had to fill out a survey kind of thing with past choir experience and I had like high school and jr high and then he would kinda walk around and listen and if you couldn't do it you got kinda kicked out or an alternate but I made it!!   I will be sitting behind the prophet tomorrow!
Are you able to go to the temple every week?

Yes, but these past 2 weeks we have had choir and so we haven't been able to go, but we will next week.  Want to send a stack of names and I'll give them out and get them done?
What would you & your zone like in the next package?

Donuts, cookies, and surprise they say! hahah!! Honestly, they love you so much and  its so funny!
High:I guess the opportunity to be in the choir it going to be such a cool experience but everything else is great 

Low:  We bombed a lesson and it really sucked hahah!! 

This week went by soooo fast it's insane!!  It feels like yesterday I was emailing you guys!!  This week has been a lot of studying and choir.  Nothing really special but great at the same time it has been super fun.  No, the talks were in English.  This week I had some really great lessons and a really bad one!  We just really stuggle and it sucked and it really made me mad and it was probably the worst time at the MTC so far, but I've also notice we learn so much from our mistakes and it can make us prepare more and be more diligent with our studies.  The Lord won't let us fail if we have faith and trust Him.  I really do believe it and because of those road bumps I feel like I've grown so much more than I would have if it was a good lesson. Elder Maalaleu did the haaka that was pretty cool!!! Uh, we really just sing and teach all week!  We learned 3 songs in 7 days and now we are gonna go sing in front of 5 million people!!  It's insane.  I'm super excited for conference not only because I get to sing and be at priesthood, but the spirit that its going to bring here and it will be way cool when one of them talk about missionary work and hastening the work and that's us!  That's me, and it will be probably the first conference I really listen to every talk and try and get the most out of it 

I love you guys keep me updated on everything!   I absolutely love being a missionary and I wouldn't wanna do anything else!   It's flying by already and it's kinda scares me.  Thank you so much for your support and prayers! I do feel them 

Love 

Elder Tracy 

October 10, 2014

Where you able to go to the temple this week?

Yea, we went to today!  It was good!  I really love going to the temple!  It's weird that I'll only have a few more times for 2 years.
How are you doing with doing your own washing of clothes?

I'm fine! Come on I can handle myself!
I want to know who all is in your district:

Elder Robertson

my comp. from Orem, kind of a weird kid haha!! but I like him! 

Elder Weddle 

from Ohio hes is super funny and is the class clown kinda kid so we get a long great!

Elder Nuttle 

from American Fork, his movie quotes are on point and they're hilarious!

Elder Ashton 

he's our District Leader from Washington.  Way chill, likes sports, so we get a long good. 

Elder Rivera 

from Canada and he's probs my fav!!   Like we would probs be friends if we weren't in the MTC! 

Elder Prepchuk

Canada, he's super weird, but that's what makes him funny! 

Elder Goodmanson 

Idaho and he's a scout geek and super nerdy and just loves to read.  He bugs me a little, but not that much!

Elder Maalaleu

the funnest kid!! His English is getting  better, but he messes up sometimes and it's the funniest thing!
Do you know when you will get travel plans?

Probs in like a week.  The other districts fly out next Thursday
I want to send you a calling card, but I want to make sure the everyone in your district will be able to call their families, so find out what plans they have in calling their families, I don't want you to be the only one with a calling card, you know what I mean. So I need info.

Everyone is calling so just send me one that will work international
How is the language coming?

Good!! We have been focusing on learning with the spirit and it helps so much!!  At first I was scared to teach, but now it's my favorite part of the day!!
How did the lessons go this week?

Great!  With one of the our (Fake investigators) we are going to ask to prepare to be baptized next week and even though its fake the spirit that is there is really and make you so happy!!
Now that you are at your half way point in the MTC, what are you going to focus on these last 3 weeks?

Just the language of the spirit and learning to go with your feelings, even if they are weird.

Well this week has been one of the best!!  It started off amazing and with the highlight of the MTC and a great start of my mission.  Singing in conference was crazy and seeing dad was a good surprise!!  He got me good!! He wrote me and said he was going to be there and it was ok and then he was standing there when we were walking in.  It didn't even make me home sick because I'm really in the zone and it just made me wanna serve more cause you guys are doing ok.  Did we sound good, because our practice before didn't sound good and all of us were worried!  Angels were definitely helping us sing!!  It was unforgettable!!  Nothing really special else happened this week, but its flying by and I know my purpose and I'm just trying my best to prepare for the field. We got to host new missionaries!!  That was cool and to meet new people was fun!   I'm getting pretty good at 4 square haha and mornings are easy now!  It was kinda nice when choir was over, because then we could have personal study again. But I love it here and I love the packages and letters you guys send!!  It makes my day so don't stop hahaha!! 

I've seen myself grow so much and it's amazing my knowledge of the gospel and the language!! It's truly amazing!!  I've been speaking Illongo for 23 day? and I feel pretty confident in teaching without preparing even though it is broken Illongo and awful grammar, the spirit bridges the gaps and makes it good. 

Love and miss you all 

Elder Tracy 

October 24, 2014

Ok, so that thing for Hong Kong is like an emergency flight if there are visa problems.  It's in 30 days of getting there, but shoud be used its just in case.  So we go from Tokyo to Manila and then we are in the Manilia MTC for 5 days!   And I don't know what we do there for that long but then we fly to our missions. Could you send me a new toothbrush, mine like shorted out!  idk what happened! sounds like you've had a crazy week haha!! It's a good thing though!  This week flew by!!  It is so crazy!!  It really hasn't hit me that we leave on Thursday, because it still feels like we just got here!

What was your high for the week?

Uh, probably the Tuesday night devotional.  It was amazing!!  It was by a guy from the seventy, but he gave 4 steps to see miracles 1.repentance 2 work hard 3.continually pray 4.have faith and he broke them all down!  It was really cool and then at the end he just talked and said we need to serve our missions in a way that if our parents could see they would be proud and how they might not be able to see but our Father in Heaven can, and it was cool.  On the Sunday night one, he said if you're on a mission cause your dad wants you to be here, you're ok, because you're just like Jesus and it was funny, cause I never really thought of Jesus and that as like a mission like what I'm doing.
What was your low for the week?

I cant remember anything bad though. 

Have you been able to do another lesson with Skype to the Philippines?

Well, this time it was an RM from Iloilo, so it was cool, but not as cool as last week!
What will you miss about the MTC?

The special spirit that is always here, and the great environment it is!
What won't you miss about the MTC?

The food!  We ate breakfast at the temple today and it was amazing! haha First time having real food in 6 weeks!!  I love getting to going to the temple every week!!  I will miss that!  And the special feeling of peace you get from going.  I'll also miss the devotionals.   They're are always so good and spiritual recharge!  I'll miss my district!!  I really do love them!!  We've became really close and its cool. 

This week has been great and they said we were gonna see "Meet the Mormons" on Sunday, so hopefully that would be cool!  I will be able to email on Wednesday before I leave!  There's really nothing else that happened! Just a lot of studying and teaching!!  The lessons are going good, but I feel like I teach like the whole thing and always take charge of it, but they're good!  The language is hard, but I've already come to terms that my first area will be a different language than I learned here (teacher says that's a high chance) but I don't really care!! I'm just excited to get out there and start helping real people and effecting there lives! 

Send me all the letters/packages now cause in a week it will be a lot harder hahah jk...but really though 

Love and miss you alll your always in my prayers 

Elder Tracy 

October 29, 2014

It's crazy huh?  It really doesn't seem like we leave tomorrow!  This MTC has felt like 2 weeks! It's crazy and I've learned so much!!  This week, and like them all, it flew by!!  This week has been so good though, cause it was our last one!!  I'm just finishing some last laundry and then my bags are packed.  I put my books in them so they're both around like 40 lbs so I should be good!  I'm excited to talk to you, too!!  I will call you once I can, how was your week?

I'll call everyone I have the number for and who I can remember. Can you thank Bonnie and Kent?  They sent me some cookies and they were amazing!  I just don't have time to send one back!   I would appreciate that. Yes, we got the package and we are saving it for tonight and so we're having our "last super" tonight! haha!! Some of my district wants to talk to you tomorrow also so if that's ok haha. 

This Week  

This week we got to skype again and it was actually kinda cool!!  We didn't really get time to prep, so I was kinda really nervous, but then we got there and I just had the spirit and it just went so well and at the end he said I teach with power and the spirit!!   It was really cool to hear that from someone else!! I loved it!

We had a devotional on leaving and going out in the field.   It was cool,  but it was kinda more for in state missionaries, but it was still good and then we watched a talk from Elder Bednar and it was becoming a missionary, and there were a couple of things that really hit and something that if I work on, I can have the spirit even stronger and I can see miracles. I heard a story about carrying yourself in a way that people already know your a representative of Jesus Christ, and that's what I want. 

Me and another elder from my district and we are kinda racing trying to finish the Book of Mormon the fastest! It's cool, cause I wanna read and wanna learn even more and then we can talk and discuss it after.  It's way cool.  My desire for the scriptures has grown so much!! It's crazy!!  And my knowledge has grown! It's so amazing to see the Lord's hand in my daily life. These past 2 days have been amazing!  We taught Chris (fake investigator) and it was about repentance and forgiving!  It was straight up the most spiritual lesson we have taught!!  And, we listened and helped him through everything, and it was so cool, and even though we couldn't understand all he was saying, we could make sense of it because of the spirit!! And after, he said that we are so good at teaching to the needs of the investigator and teaching by the spirit!  It was so good to hear with our last lesson. 

But the definite high of the week is my companion from Samoa gave me and Elder Robertson a Lava Lava he said so we can always remember him!  It was so nice and I love it, and I love him!!  I'm so glad we got put together and we were able to grow together.  It's amazing, cause he came in here and couldn't speak English, but now he can understand almost anything!  I just think that's what we are gonna be like for our first transfer!! We won't understand anything, but if we can have faith and pray always for help, like Elder Maalalau, the Lord will help us. I got to go!! Talk to ya tomorrow! Love and miss ya, 

Elder Tracy 

October 31, 2014

mom! I made it and I'm safe, just a little sick! But it's way cool here and I love it already!!  We got in at like 12 last night and woke up at 6:30, so I'm way tired, but ok!!  Lang and Manila have so many big buildings!! We have to go teach in tagolg this afternoon!  I don' know how that's gonnna go!   I'm excited though.  We are staying in a way nice hotel for 5 days and doing immigration things and then we will go to our missions.  I'll email you on pday love ya