Sunday, December 29, 2013
Gifts from God
October 28th
Hello from the Philippines family, its seems like there are a few things that your all curious to hear about so here they are enjoy them.
What crazy food have I ate.
Well whats kind of interesting is that I really haven't ate anything to crazy yet, but I've heard of some really wild things, in some of the outer islands people get a little crazy with their food. I've heard of people eating scorpions and lizards, and my companion said that where he lived they would eat cobra.
At most member houses they'll give us food even if we're there for just a few minutes, they almost always pull out a thick glass bottle full of coke, or lime soda they drink here then they'll give us a few different things to eat, here are a few of the things I've ate.
turon- a banna that has been dipped in a bater and fried, then they put a sweet syrup almost like caramel on the outside. Really good, its one of my favorite things here.
Or Halo-Halo its ice and rice mixed up with fruit, another one of my favorite things.
I had one the other day thats a roll except it has coconut jelly on the inside, Masarap, (delicious) its so good. The first week I ate a sweet roll that was almost like a cinnamon roll. So there are a lot of different kind of breads and there all very good. Here in the Philippine there are a lot of bakeries and little stores that sell candy, drinks. and snacks, so you can by food almost anywhere you want. The people that have stores usually work right from there home. They have barred window that they pass the food to you from I'll show you a picture of what it looks like next week its a little hard to explain.
Also there are vendors everywhere that sell fried chicken, fruit and vegetables, I've even some some trikes that are set up almost like a restraunt, the food is already cooked and they'll just drive around and sell it.
Another thing is that there are people who sell peanut butter and corn on the streets. They put a pole or a stick across there shoulder and they'll tie buckets of corn or peanut butter or what ever there selling onto the ends. Then they walk the streets yelling peanut butter! or corn!.
I've had a lot of rice. Every single day rice! But its actually really good when you have chicken or Ulam (Ulam is the name for anything you eat with rice its usally some kind of pork, or beef, there are a lot of different kinds and you buy it at the store in a can and cook it up at home) The rice here is also different then home its sticky rice, very tasty.
I've had a bunch of Filipino dishes its so hard to remember the names though. There all made of some kind of beef or chicken, cut up into small chunks and mixed with vegtables. Very good, there has been a few that i don't like so much, but I've adjusted to where I like some of the things that I didn't used too.
I've seen a lot of things, and there things I'll never forget, the world is so much more than the United States. And its impossible to understand what that really means unless you've been outside of it. Culturally people are very different and what they value in life is very different. Here its all about your family, people do everything for there family, in every Filipino home you'll will find picture of family, usually its pictures of there children. But they also love God very much. I've seen a few jeepney's that have gift of god printed on the side or blessing from heaven panted on the side.
Very busy week this week, went on my first exchanges to the city of Bulihan, where I worked with a zone leader. We did some street contacting so I got to hand out a few restoration pamplets, and in a lesson I explained and gave a book of Mormon to someone. Then in another lesson the zone leader who is Filipino leaned over and told me to ask if they would be bapized. So I did and they said yes. Maybe I make tagalog sound likes it easy its really not, learning a new language i tough. The toughest part is learning to patient and know that with time and work you'll learn.
Got to see the Elders from the mtc this week, it was good to hear their stories and see how here doing, my companion from the MTC has a trainer who doesn't speak any english so thats been interesting for him.
Things are going good family, thank for your emails, I like emails because there easier for everyone but if you want you can write letters to, and I got ashely and dads letter this week, while at follow up training.
Until next week
Elder Creager
here are a few extra pictures found on Sister Tyes' blog and Coreys MTC companions Elder Johnstons Blog
Corey and Elder Johnston
look at that happy face:)
I'm so glad that Elder Creager has found such a good friend in his MTC companion. It sounds like Elder Johnston was a "gift from God," and that Corey being a missionary is a blessing. I know that all missionaries are gifts from God and there helping others see him. Inviting someone to be baptized and testifying of the truthfulness of the gospel is what missionaries do best:) Nice work brother
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Week 2/3- the same goal
Week 2.....no email:( That was sure a sad thing, and my mom may have been freaking out a little but I guess we can forgive him just this once;)
Week three! yes email this week. Corey sounds super excited to see the Elders that he was with at the MTC. He keeps saying over and over how he has made so many friends out on the mission. This just helps you see how strong and powerful missionary work really is. How else would a bunch of 18 year old boys become such great friends and give such a powerful message to the world?
Hello family, sorry I didn't send you an email last week, I was trying to send some pictures, there should be a lot this week. Things are great. We had are first splits with some members yesterday, I went with three people and Elder Villa went with three other people. Taught three lessons. The member here are great, they work with us every day, we have one family that helps us a lot they're the Glori family. They come with us to less actives give us referrals and take us to there nonmember friends. Also the youth in the ward love missionary work they come with us all the time too.
We're having a follow up training this Wednesday for the new batch of missionaries, so I'll get to see Elder Johnston and the other Elders from the MTC. Can't wait to see those Elders again, were all good friends.
Today was P day of course, we spent the morning with study and then it was the half hour Jeepney ride into the city to get food. We love food. You can buy it almost anywhere, there are vendors on ever corner in the cities, and you can go to San Jose for food, they have fish, chicken, vegetable and fruit stands, but its not the cleanest food so we go to puregold it is the store to go to here in the philippines. Most the time I eat oatmeal in the morning, then its rice and ulam for lunch. I don't exactly know why I'm talking about food I must be hungry.
I keep here a lot of songs from home, the music they listen to here is a lot of what is at home. The people are very aware of the United States and what happens there. And they love basketball, they play wherever they can. I've seen hoops nailed to trees, and houses, and they have some cover-courts too. Were going to go play at the church next P-day. Everyone here plays basketball its not even a question, and they watch it too, just last week Brother Glori a member in our ward was telling me how the Pacers and other teams from the U.S. come and play against Filipino teams. He said that the Philippines used to be first place in Asia in basketball until China overtook them last year, he wasn't to happy about that. The members become like a family here, the people in this area are great.
I miss you all, I'm glade Ashley got a dog, and that things are going great for you. So I guess Andy's dogs Rolley, and Ashley get Beary. Is Andy done with Cross Country? how'd he do. Until next week, keep letting me know how I can help you experience these things with me, because I do want you too and I'll do it, enjoy the pictures.
Elder Creager
Here are the rest of the "a lot" of pictures from the Elder...
Week three! yes email this week. Corey sounds super excited to see the Elders that he was with at the MTC. He keeps saying over and over how he has made so many friends out on the mission. This just helps you see how strong and powerful missionary work really is. How else would a bunch of 18 year old boys become such great friends and give such a powerful message to the world?
-see...18 year old boys right here;)
All that I know is that the gospel is true! If not there is no way that missionary work would be so powerful. From this gospel so many people are blessed and so many people come together for one purpose.
Hello family, sorry I didn't send you an email last week, I was trying to send some pictures, there should be a lot this week. Things are great. We had are first splits with some members yesterday, I went with three people and Elder Villa went with three other people. Taught three lessons. The member here are great, they work with us every day, we have one family that helps us a lot they're the Glori family. They come with us to less actives give us referrals and take us to there nonmember friends. Also the youth in the ward love missionary work they come with us all the time too.
We're having a follow up training this Wednesday for the new batch of missionaries, so I'll get to see Elder Johnston and the other Elders from the MTC. Can't wait to see those Elders again, were all good friends.
Today was P day of course, we spent the morning with study and then it was the half hour Jeepney ride into the city to get food. We love food. You can buy it almost anywhere, there are vendors on ever corner in the cities, and you can go to San Jose for food, they have fish, chicken, vegetable and fruit stands, but its not the cleanest food so we go to puregold it is the store to go to here in the philippines. Most the time I eat oatmeal in the morning, then its rice and ulam for lunch. I don't exactly know why I'm talking about food I must be hungry.
I keep here a lot of songs from home, the music they listen to here is a lot of what is at home. The people are very aware of the United States and what happens there. And they love basketball, they play wherever they can. I've seen hoops nailed to trees, and houses, and they have some cover-courts too. Were going to go play at the church next P-day. Everyone here plays basketball its not even a question, and they watch it too, just last week Brother Glori a member in our ward was telling me how the Pacers and other teams from the U.S. come and play against Filipino teams. He said that the Philippines used to be first place in Asia in basketball until China overtook them last year, he wasn't to happy about that. The members become like a family here, the people in this area are great.
I miss you all, I'm glade Ashley got a dog, and that things are going great for you. So I guess Andy's dogs Rolley, and Ashley get Beary. Is Andy done with Cross Country? how'd he do. Until next week, keep letting me know how I can help you experience these things with me, because I do want you too and I'll do it, enjoy the pictures.
Elder Creager
Here are the rest of the "a lot" of pictures from the Elder...
UTAH STATE
Haha, so three pictures:) The good news is that he's wearing a great schools T-shirt.
-The Philippines seems like it is such a different place. However, when you think about it we all love the same things. We all care about our families, love food, basketball, music and we all have so much in common. These missionaries all have the same heart and the same goal. Keep working hard Elder Creager! We know you're helping so many and are truly focused on the work.
First week in the Philippines
This kid is so happy! look at that smile:)
We got an email from him updating us on his life and how things are going so far. His companion sounds amazing, district leader, trainer and working in an new area. That's pretty amazing so Corey is learning from the best.
He is already learning so much about the language. Check out his spelling in grammar in this email. You know that missionaries are truly blessed to be able to learn a language so quickly
-Here is the email that he sent in reply to mine:)
October 6th
The Philippines are great, life is much different here than in the United States, but it's a good life. Planning on trying balluet very soon so I'll let you know how it goes.
The people here are very happy, caring and friendly. My apartment is very nice, and my companion is too. He's a district leader, a trainer, this is his last area, and we're in a new area, so he has a lot of responsibility.
Tagalog is going well, I can bear my testimony, and teach portions of the lessons, and can prayer, I'm working on expanding my vocabulary so I can say more. I know that with gods help we can all learn the filipino language, and I know that when we do are best he makes up the rest.
We're watching conference, this saturday and Sunday the 13th and 14th, they watch it English which is nice.
I wish USU would of won, (I told him we lost the BYU game:( sad day) did I tell you that while we were at the MTC they had the BYU Utah game? we all gathered around the back fence behind are building to try and listen to it. We could hear the cheering and the announcer but it was clear enough to understand what was happening.
I'll send the pictures as soon as I can.
Your Brother
Elder Creager
-here is the email reply in response to my mom's email
Your right that we should always work hard mom, the whole purpose of the gospel is Happiness, gods plan is often called the plan of happiness. I know that if we live the gospel we will be happy Alma 27:8, the humble penitent seeker of happiness will find it, and when we look at life happiness is really all we want and true happiness is only achieved through the gospel of Jesus Christ its important that we let people know that.
Sorry about some of the spelling, this tagalog study is messing with my English! joke lang. (just a joke)
Ok, my apartment is very nice inside, nicer than most places in are area: We do, do our laundry in buckets and it is very hard work be thankful every day for a washing machine last week it took me about 2 hours for a week of laundry; My area is GMA, and specifically San Jose in Gma, if you look at a map of Cavite it in the center of the Eastern side of the mission near Laguna bay;
It is true that filipno's use there hands and water for toilet paper, but don't worry I buy T.P. at the store, and sister Tye gave us some for the first week. On p-day we go to the store to buy food, e-mail and we've eaten at a restaurant both of the P-days I've been here. I've seen pictures of people going to zoo's or on hikes so I hope that we'll be able to something like that soon. My companion and I are doing great, like I said sometimes he doesn't exactly understand English but we still understand each other very well, this is his last area, he's a trainer a district leader, and we're in a new area so I"m sure it's a little difficult for him but things are still good.
Mom you wouldn't believe how much different it is hear, but in good ways, the culture is different, and the things that people value the most are also different takes some getting used to, you really accept the culture. I'll try to get you the pictures as soon as possible they're great.
Your son, and your missionary
Elder Creager
-first week! Check done:) here's to many more!
picture with his mission president and mission mom
picture with his first companion
We got an email from him updating us on his life and how things are going so far. His companion sounds amazing, district leader, trainer and working in an new area. That's pretty amazing so Corey is learning from the best.
He is already learning so much about the language. Check out his spelling in grammar in this email. You know that missionaries are truly blessed to be able to learn a language so quickly
-Here is the email that he sent in reply to mine:)
October 6th
The Philippines are great, life is much different here than in the United States, but it's a good life. Planning on trying balluet very soon so I'll let you know how it goes.
sister insert here: bulluet is a nearly developed egg...yummy right? We still don't know if he has tried one yet..
The people here are very happy, caring and friendly. My apartment is very nice, and my companion is too. He's a district leader, a trainer, this is his last area, and we're in a new area, so he has a lot of responsibility.
Tagalog is going well, I can bear my testimony, and teach portions of the lessons, and can prayer, I'm working on expanding my vocabulary so I can say more. I know that with gods help we can all learn the filipino language, and I know that when we do are best he makes up the rest.
We're watching conference, this saturday and Sunday the 13th and 14th, they watch it English which is nice.
I wish USU would of won, (I told him we lost the BYU game:( sad day) did I tell you that while we were at the MTC they had the BYU Utah game? we all gathered around the back fence behind are building to try and listen to it. We could hear the cheering and the announcer but it was clear enough to understand what was happening.
I'll send the pictures as soon as I can.
Your Brother
Elder Creager
-here is the email reply in response to my mom's email
Your right that we should always work hard mom, the whole purpose of the gospel is Happiness, gods plan is often called the plan of happiness. I know that if we live the gospel we will be happy Alma 27:8, the humble penitent seeker of happiness will find it, and when we look at life happiness is really all we want and true happiness is only achieved through the gospel of Jesus Christ its important that we let people know that.
Sorry about some of the spelling, this tagalog study is messing with my English! joke lang. (just a joke)
Ok, my apartment is very nice inside, nicer than most places in are area: We do, do our laundry in buckets and it is very hard work be thankful every day for a washing machine last week it took me about 2 hours for a week of laundry; My area is GMA, and specifically San Jose in Gma, if you look at a map of Cavite it in the center of the Eastern side of the mission near Laguna bay;
It is true that filipno's use there hands and water for toilet paper, but don't worry I buy T.P. at the store, and sister Tye gave us some for the first week. On p-day we go to the store to buy food, e-mail and we've eaten at a restaurant both of the P-days I've been here. I've seen pictures of people going to zoo's or on hikes so I hope that we'll be able to something like that soon. My companion and I are doing great, like I said sometimes he doesn't exactly understand English but we still understand each other very well, this is his last area, he's a trainer a district leader, and we're in a new area so I"m sure it's a little difficult for him but things are still good.
Mom you wouldn't believe how much different it is hear, but in good ways, the culture is different, and the things that people value the most are also different takes some getting used to, you really accept the culture. I'll try to get you the pictures as soon as possible they're great.
Your son, and your missionary
Elder Creager
-first week! Check done:) here's to many more!
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