I don't feel any older now. That’s ok with me though.

My New Tie

I'm always sore as it is because of how much walking we do out in the heat of the

day (normally between 4-10 miles a day) I had a good birthday though. It was a regular work day as normal, but we went out to dinner after we finished for the day. We went to Jollybee. It’s the most Americanized restaurant here. It’s like a McDonalds or BK back home, but they still serve rice with a lot of the dishes. Anyway, I spent the most I ever have on food at a restaurant too and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was like 340 piso! (That’s about $7.90)
 I also saved Steph's b-day present to open till my b-day. It’s so fun! It’s a story book with an "invisible ink marker." you color over the pages and pictures appear. I was coloring it all up this morning and while I was doing it, Elder Tangi was reading the story that was printed in it. It was of the new cars 2 movie and it was super sick! It made me think a lot of Caleb. :) That cute little booger. :) Oh, picture. We took one at dinner. I think it was just me and Elder Jackson, but I have one.

At the Zoo with the Elders...
Jackson and Me

I got the other package with the other croc in it. I cannot say how much elders here look forward to mail and packages from home.

Congrats to my bro Eric! Good job on the grades buddy! Keep it up! The Scouting too!!!

So, something really cool happened last p-day. It’s also the reason why I couldn't write very much last week.

My district went to the Santa Victoria Caves/zoo/waterfall!

It was a grand adventure!! :) We started off at the bird section of the zoo, then crawled/walked through the caves,

Caves at Santa Victoria

and then came to the other end of the zoo. It was soo cool. I held a python on my shoulders with elder Jackson;

Jackson Python and Me

I saw a bayawak (an iguana like lizard that is very huge.

I actually ate one of them new years eve. The AP’s bought one and had a member cook it and I got to try some. it was delicious!), it was super cool.

The whole zoo and caves and water fall were out in the middle of the jungle so it was way cool and real.

Over all things are going very well here. We got 45 lessons this past week! :) I’m excited about that. Our area is finally starting to open up to us. Well, I got to get going I have other things to get done before p-day is done.

I Love you. Thanks! :)

Janury 23, 2012 - Elder Lundy's Birthday is Saturday

Hi! :)

(Stuff for Mom)... My Companions name Elder Deriada pronounced just like it looks. ( De - ree - ia - da) say it with what you think a spanish accent would be and you hit it right on.
I got a package! flip flops with the piece between the toes, the most awesome bacon in the world, and the pocket reference book. Thank you! I'll likely get the rest on wednesday when I am in cauayan for zone day. thank you!!!!!


Isaw is chicken intestines. marinated and grilled Isaw tastes amazing!!!!! :)

These two pictures are what Isaw looks like...

I'm sorry, but we had no time to email today. I promise I will write more next week. I'll have some pretty cool stuff to share then. :)
I love you all!!!!!!!!

January 16 email

Mom,

I’m so sorry.

I’ve spent the past 45 minutes writing you an email and then my screen just flashed and it all disappeared. I can't rewrite it all. I’ll give you the main points though.

I have a new companion. His name is Elder Deriada.

Elder Deriada is pretty cool. He is my follow-up trainer. I am learning a lot from him, and president has asked me to teach him several qualities that he has seen in me. That felt good that he trusts me and knows me that well already. I like president a lot; I just wish I could be around him more.

Elder Schmidt went to Nueva Vizcaya.

Elder Jackson has a new comp. His name is Elder Tangi. (A Samoan from New Zealand)

I received packages from you (the pepperoni package, which I absolutely love!!! thank you!),

and a package from

Amanda Harper,

and a package from

Robert Gardner (from the Waukesha ward. Please give him a shout out on the blog for me saying Thanks and that I loved it!)

and a package from

Steph Cuzner (please let her know I got it, and I haven't opened the birthday present. I’m saving it for my birthday.)

We had another baptism this past week; the niece of our neighbor. She was taught in manila, but came here for her grandma's funeral and because of her work situation. I have never met a smarter investigator. We baptized her, and she asked me to confirm her, which I gladly did.

About the computer. If you moved it into my old room, I request that you take the door off the wall while the family computer remains in that room. I wish I never had a computer in my room before my mission and I hope you pass that request on to Eric when he gets one.

Health wise I am doing very good. The med's helped a lot. I’m starting to get used to it here.
I love you Mom, I love you Dad. I’m sorry this isn't longer today, but it is the best I could do. Both of you look up Helaman 12:3 “And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him.” . Apply it to all aspects of sorrow, pain, grief, and basically anything covered by the atonement of Christ. Even the loneliness of home life without many kids there.

I love you both so much!

-Elder Lundy

Pictures sent this week:

My New Companion Elder Deriada

January 9, 2012

Hey!

Transfers are this Thursday on the 12th. :) Only a few more days. Everyone in the apartment feels like big changes are coming for our Ilagan companionships. We’ll find out on Tuesday when we get the text that says who needs to get ready to transfer. That customs dealio was really weird. They had it for so long! If it made it here without getting lost after that, I should get it Thursday.

Brother --- is doing fan-fricken-tastic!!!!! :) He just got the Aaronic priesthood this past Sunday and will be putting it to use blessing the sacrament this coming Sunday! :) He is really growing and as he does more in the gospel he is gaining a better understanding of it all. He said he wasn't sure about all of the priesthood things before he got ordained to the Aaronic priesthood, but when he was being ordained by bishop, it just snapped in his head. He understood it. Many blessings come from obedience and trying your faith. :)
Sister --- is very happy still. I just gave her her baptismal pictures this past Sunday and she exploded with joy. :) She is also progressing. She will be getting a calling very soon. Bishop is already on it.
My teaching is coming along. There are good days and bad days. Yesterday, for example, was both. I was able to teach my part of our gospel principles class (Elder Schmidt and I teach one every Sunday) really well and Elder Schmidt didn't have to go over anything I said again. It was very clear and well said. Later in the day we were working with some fellow shippers and they made fun of my Tagalog for quite a while. It was hard, but I know that the only Tagalog I need is the gospel. If the rest comes, I’ll be all the better teacher for it. But it is just hard to deal with people making fun of how you speak. Whenever that happens, you just get distracted and hurt and you lose the spirit because that’s all you can focus on. I know that if I just continue to do my best, I’ll be ok though. I try to look on the bright side. I haven't even had a Filipino companion yet, but I can already do all this. I know I’ll be fine.

That being said, can you say a prayer for me? We all feel things are going to be happening with our companionships this transfer day, and no matter what happens with me, it is going to be very hard to deal with.

Mom and Dad, I love you both so very much. I pray for the family every day. Well, several times every day. Usually averaging 3 or so times. I love and miss you all so very much. I know the Lord is and will continue to bless you as you continue to do what is right. He has done so with me, and no child of his is more special then another. He loves and treats us all the same.

I have time for one last thing to share. This is my favorite part of this past week. It happened on Saturday the 7th.

We were working with Elder Jackson in his area that day. We taught a lesson to an inactive 15 year old boy at his grandma's house. After that, she asked us to give her a blessing of healing. We agreed. Elder Schmidt anointed the sister. I thought that Elder Jackson was going to give the blessing since it was his area and he is zone leader and all. He told me that he wanted me to do it. After a little encouragement from him, I agreed. I was very nervous. I had never before given a blessing, only anointed. I didn't even really know what was wrong. All I got was that this sister was sick and wanted a blessing. I gave my first blessing. From what I remember, I didn't even really address the sickness. I can't really remember what I said. But it’s not important. The point is, the Holy Ghost guided my thoughts and I was able to put it into words. It was an amazing feeling for me, and I know the sister appreciated the blessing as well. I said it in English, so I’m not sure what she understood. She said she understood it though. (Most people here can understand English; they just can't speak it very well.) But after the blessing was done, I looked down at her. She was crying. I may not have addressed the sickness, but I know I said what the lord wanted me to say. Through the power of the Holy Ghost, I was able to tell this sister what she needed to hear.

Mom, Dad, I know this is the only true gospel of Jesus Christ here on this earth. I know the power of the priesthood is real. I know it, and I know we can and will be together forever through this gospel. I love you and I thank you for all you have taught me. I love you all!

Till next week,

Elder Lundy

Happy New Year! 2012

Hello! :)

I only have a couple minutes to write today because today was mission wide cleanup day. We 3 elders of Ilagan (notice the we three kings reference ;) ) have been cleaning our apartment the entire day till now. Our only break was a quick break for a late lunch. But it’s so nice now. We’re all proud of it. The Carlos' are going to be doing a drawing for all the elders that participated in the cleanup day...the winners get a free trip to Cauayan and a meal of their choice as extravagant as they would like if they are the chosen winners. So the day was well worth it. We get a super clean apartment and a chance of a great huge meal. :)

I loved the thought for the week. It made me laugh pretty good and made everyone around me look at me funny. :)

“Here is what I sent:

Thought for the week:

May peace break into your home and may thieves come to steal your debts.
May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips!
May happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy
May the problems you had, forget your home address!
In simple words .............
May 2012 be the best year of your life!!!”

I got a package from you guys!!! Thank you! :) My shoes really thank you too! You saved them.

I spent my new years at Cauayan. We ate a ton of great food from the Carlos' and we stayed up till midnight and watched a movie "17 miracles" I think. It was a great movie! I loved it. Then we had a countdown to midnight outside while watching the fireworks. We slept at the mission home then they made us breakfast, and we headed to church. :) It was really fun. I got to play basketball and ping pong too! I love being close to the mission home. It’s nice being around the leaders. They are really awesome.

I love you mom. The longer time goes on, the longer I am here in the mission, the more I realize just how wonderful you and dad are. As a kid at home, you don't really see it. But now, I do. I love you two so very much.

Your son,

Elder Christopher w. Lundy

A message from Elder Lundy for the Priesthood.

A word for all Priesthood holders:

Don’t you dare live below your Priesthood. I’m serving in a country where very few people live up to their priesthood. Many priesthood holders here have NEVER used their priesthood. Not once. As a result, the church here is not flourishing as it should. There are over 600 thousand members here, but over 500 thousand are INACTIVE. Do your home teaching. Remember, every single deacon in this church holds more power and responsibility than the Pope. If you hold a higher priesthood, how much greater your responsibility and authority, how much greater your accountability to God. Your priesthood is a gift from God, for you to use in the blessing of others here on earth. Remember, John the Baptist, as great as he was, only held the Aaronic priesthood. Yet, how many souls did he save through exercising his priesthood? Don’t ever forget why you are here. It is to bless the lives of others by exercising the priesthood God has given to you.

A snack food Elder Lundy likes

A close-up of the snack.
He says they are even good with milk on them, if you eat them fast enough.