Spaghetti is for Birthday's

 Last Monday we had our apartment checked by the senior couple.  We were able to get the apartment clean before they got there.  The senior elder said something like  "you are either fast or you keep it pretty clean."  We had our district activity and we watched How to Train your Dragon.  It was so weird watching a movie.  Later that day we had a dinner appointment and went out to another area to teach that one family that had a death recently.  When we returned to the apartment I made french toast because the Philippino elders have never had it before.  It didn't quite taste right because the bread here is different and I had to use milk powder.  I thought it still tasted good but the other elders weren't that impressed (probably because it isn't fried or have rice in it).   

     Tuesday we wen to Narra for zone meeting.  On the way back from the meeting Elder Beltran and I got really car sick.  Elder Beltran threw up but he was lucky because the shuttle was at a stop and he was able to jump out just in time.

     Wednesday was a pretty normal day.  

     Thursday we worked hard.  The weather has been sunny but cool with a little wind so it has been nice.

     Friday we had lunch with the family of the parents we just baptized.  They were celebrating a birthday party.  They a lot of food and also spaghetti.  In the Philippines they only eat spaghetti on special occasions like birthdays.  The spaghetti is also a lot more sweet.  That is why when I make spaghetti for a meal the other elders think it is kind of weird.

     On Saturday we helped a part member family make a cement floor in their house.  It was pretty fun.

     That is pretty much everything for the week so I guess I will tell more about life and other things here:  In Quezon there are a lot of churches here in Quezon and I assume all of the  Philippines.  There is one church in particular called the Iglesia ni cristo.  It is next door to  our church.  The rumor is that it was started by an apostate member from our church who claimed to be a prophet.  They have a lot of members and we refer to their chapel as the "great and spacious building"  They believe in the Book of Mormon but only their leaders have copies.  I think they try to keep their members ignorant.

     Also in the Philippines it seems like people have a lot more superstition.  If I were to tell someone that their baby is cute they would want me to put my spit on the baby or else it might get sick or something.  It might be fun to try.  Also in some places they think that if a stranger taps you you need to tap them back or you will get sick.

Transfers are this Wednesday so I still don't know what will happen.  I think my companion will be transferred and I will stay because you usually stay in one area for 6 months and I have been here for 3.  For Christmas I just see decorations up in people's houses and some lights on people's houses.  It is still the rainy season but it has been more dry lately.  It usually rains every other day or less.  I thought it would be more rainy in the rainy season. 

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Love, Elder Harkness