But I'm sure it will come with time! As this week has gone by, I have already learned so much. The food here surprisingly is pretty mabuti (good), The classes are pretty intense. The first day a big group of new elders and sisters tried to teach 3 different investigators with different backgrounds. All of them had different stories but it was good to learn how to handle them. When we met our zone, it was different then what I expected.
I have to remember that we are all still human just barely adult guys. They are really laid back and relaxed. Everyone here is super friendly. It's weird to think about how the most experienced elders have been here for about Walo (8) mga Linggo (weeks). Even our zone leaders were here for only Tatlo (3) mga linggo when I first got here. It doesn't seem like that long, but they seem so much more experienced. It's amazing what can happen in a space of a few weeks, and I'm excited to see what happens in time!
It's really cool to see all these people that I know that are at the MTC with me for the same purpose! I've seen several people I know who I have been friends with, including people I met at EFY.
My companion is Elder Odermott from Blackford, Idaho. He is really quiet and reserved. He tells me he takes a while to really trust people but he listens well and is really nice. We get along super well. We get everything done quickly and are on task (most of the time.) I think we are a good pair. I was told I got to be the senior companion for the first 3 weeks, and I'm not even sure what I'm supposed to do yet. Our branch president is really nice, and recognized my middle name due to my Tito (Uncle) Benson who used to be an Area Authority in the Philippines.
Seems like once everyone learns my name that is either speaking tagalog or spanish remembers it pretty well. When I first introduced myself to the Zone, or introduced myself to anyone they think the fact that my last name is "Spirit" is amazing. So I'm not too worried that people will forget it, and even if they do, my name is on my chest. Some workers at the MTC even took a picture of my name tag because they thought it was so cool.
Well as a whole, I love the experience so far. I love the language and have always wanted to learn it from my mom. I'm grateful I finally get to learn it. On Friday, we taught our first investigator, and we could only speak Tagalog, no English. Let's just say it wasn't my best moment in teaching, but that's okay. There were so many pauses during the lesson and my kasama (companion) and I could not figure out what to say. I understood more Tagalog than I ever would at the beginning of last week though. but it's very hard to try to comprehend. I am thankful that Filipino's use hand signs a lot, because it really helped. Yet it was still one of the hardest moments I had.
But afterwards we talked as a district about kaloob ng mga wika (Gift of Tongues). We read in Preach My Gospel, that it only comes to you through labor and struggle. (I definitely struggled for sure.)
Throughout this week I have already learned so much more Tagalog, and we have taught our investigator Apat (4) times now. We still make lots of mistakes though. The worst/funniest mistake I have made so far was when I thought I asked si Daniel to read the 2nd "paragraph" of a pamphlet. then from his reaction and answer I believe I accidentally told him to read the 2nd "Can Opener" of his pamphlet.... Lot's of mistakes happen like that when learning a new language but I've gotten used to it already. it's all part of how you learn. Life goes by trial and error, and you get credit for trying. It is only the beginning, and I'm sure it will come in time.
This whole experience so far is surreal to me, but at the same time I love it so much! I wouldn't want to be anywhere else right now. Everyone told me it was maharip (hard), especially the first few days, and to me it wasn't too hard, just long. But that's okay, dahil (because) I'm loving every second. I am so proud to be able to wear that name tag that shows I am a proud representative for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am a misyonero that gets the amazing opportunity to go back to my roots. i couldn't be more masaya (happy).
I am so grateful for kaloob ng mga wika. It is such a pagbabala (blessing) as a misyonero. The Espiritu (Spirit) I feel here every day makes me so masaya. I feel it so often, and it helps so much.
I am so excited that in 5 weeks now, I will be at the Manilla MTC getting ready to serve the people of Laoag! I love you all! I really appreciate the letters and packages that everyone has sent, and would love it if you kept sending your love and words of advice, even just updates on your life! Trust me when I say it is really comforting to receive a letter or package here. When you get one, it is basically like opening a present on Christmas. I read the letters multiple times throughout the week. It is such a blessing to have people that love you.
Can't wait to write next week! Love you all!
Love,
Elder Espiritu
P.S. Pasensya (sorry) if my tagalog is hindi mabuti (bad/no good) to Mom, Dad or any other Tagalog Speakers. I'm still working on it! :)
