Elder Derek Davis

Wen anak ko.

2008-12-21T20:26:00.000-08:00

This monkey almost killed me. Ill tell you the story someday, but i thought i would just post the picture as a good memory.
No explanation.
Thats quality Filipino transportation right there. We only take the best buses...
Christmas Zone Conference. Thats our zone and candon zone combined.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-21T20:13:00.000-08:00

Thats what im talking about. Funky flavored tunafish on a pile of rice. Elder Thornton and I's favorite/specialty.
Elder T. and I were thinking about moving into this house. We couldnt get it approved though.
Beautiful!
Vigan City! These buildings go back to the days when the spanish ruled the philippines. There are some pretty cool sights to see here.
Its not christmas without the c-mas tree. Last night we put lights on our tree and plugged it in next to our beds to get the real spirit of christmas filling our home. We are pretty cool.

2008-12-21T19:05:00.000-08:00

More from Badoc

2008-11-09T20:50:00.000-08:00

Just posing on a bridge for a good scenic shot. I have no idea how to spell scenic.

E. McGee wanted me to get a snap of that as we were ridding in a jeep the other day. He is indeed a sexy rider.

Last zone leaders council.

Bro. Rudy Reyes. We were really excited for Rudy to get baptized and are just as excited as he will get the priesthood in a few weeks and begin strenthening the ward.

E. McKee and I on an exchange. This is who Elder McGee will be replacing as the assistant. E. McKee is opening a closed area and training for the last two transfers of his mission. Good guy. You might see him on USU hoops before i get back. He's a giant out here. They say im tall but the philippino kids run in horror when he walks around the corner. He is 6'7".

Just a little love from your fam!

2008-10-30T11:18:00.000-07:00

Heyoo

2008-10-19T20:05:00.000-07:00

This is in the mission home at zone leaders council. That's elder mcgee on the right and his former companion on the left. Last transfer they had jumpsuits made and were wearing them when president came to their house for interviews. They are some pretty funny dudes. haha
Happy B-Day to me. Our celebration was pretty lame but memoral. I blew out candles a smashed cupcake that brittany sent me.
I was trying to show my unexpressable joy upon recieving so mush love and goodness. American food is a coveted thing amongst the forieng missionaries so i was everyone's best friend for a while there.
That is balot my friends. I made a failing attempt at swallowing that half developed duck egg. E. McGee loves balot. The taiste in reality is not that bad, but just looking at the thing makes me puke a little bit.
These are the kids and neighboors of one of our investigators, sister shirley. Cute little pinoys if i do say myself.

Goodbye Camalaniugan

2008-10-13T21:07:00.000-07:00

This is the baptismal service the saturday before i got transfered. The two wee-boppers are just 8 year old member's kids. The picture below is of Brother Gonzaga. (He is the former gambling lord who has diabetes and we gave a bap date to on our first appt.)
Laquindanum Family. I got word that they have been interviewed and are going to be baptized this saturday the 18th. We worked with that family for a very long time. Almost my whole three transfers there. Too bad I wont be there for their big day.

Urubio family. If you can get past the fact sister is breastfeeding in the picture you will notice she looks to have been shedding some tears. That was tender good bye. Im in love with her kids. They got baptized the saturday after i left.
E. Liwanag and I posing before I headed out of Cagayan and onto Ilokos Norte.

Love from OHIO

2008-09-21T18:59:00.000-07:00

This is the boring one. We thought we were funny cause we only know one chord on the guitar....but watching it back, it's not as funny as we thought. Oh well.

Happy Birthday anyway! Lots of Love!!

Chelsea & Jerr....sorry Elliot was in bed when we made this, but he loves you too!

More LOVE FROM OHIO

2008-09-21T18:27:00.000-07:00

This is the exciting one! Happy Birthday! We love you.

ps: just in case you don't have sound where you are we threw in actions for your visual enjoyment :)

Blowin' Out The Candle!

2008-09-21T17:20:00.000-07:00

Hey Dies, you will need to turn your volume up for these videos. We hope you enjoy them!

Happy Birthday To You!!!

2008-09-21T16:17:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Derek!!!

2008-09-21T15:48:00.000-07:00

We had a birthday party to celebrate your birthday Dies! I hope you know how loved you are!

Grams and Gramps came over and ate dinner and then watched the boys play in the backyard.
Tyrali's new braces! Isn't she cute.
The King family, minus Max!
Me, TJ, and my cute Hayden bug.
Carter hit homeruns all day!

He is growing his hair out, what do you think?
Dad loves you!
This is Max, and his best friend TY!

Cupcakes in your honor.
Carter and Kenzie made this poster for you.

Grams, and her best friend Hayden.

We sure do love you Dies. We hope you had a great Birthday. Thanks for being such a great example to all of us.
XOXOXO, Us

Who's Toes Are Those!!!

2008-09-21T15:26:00.000-07:00

Here's a fun game! Can you guess who's feet each one of these are? Whitney wouldn't participate for fear of breaking the camera with the webs! :)

Love you! :)

just a few

2008-09-07T21:57:00.000-07:00

That's how many people can fit in Bro. Arteta's jeepni. Investigators and members alike. District conference was a good experience.
Guwapo! that is bro laquindanum you can see over elder liwanag's left sholder.

They keep coming

2008-08-17T23:29:00.000-07:00

Dont throw up! Thats the best attempt filippino medical has at fixing a broken ankle. Grabi Talaga!
That's elder asuro. He had a head ache one night and i gave him some ibuprofen. He had an allergic reaction and we ended up going to the hospitle. Haha good memories! His face looks way better here than it did at its worst point. It was totally will smith style in hitch. Ah, still miss the old Asuronaiter.
Community Service Project back in the day. Little late on the postage. Good times.
One of our investigators. She has a handicapped little girl and they are so sweet. Couldnt get baptized because she is not yet married to her husband who is living in california. Shucks!
Tatay Laquindanum. Haha- they fed us this 90 course meal early today before coming to aparri. So kind. Im going to miss the philippino food some day. Masarap!

pics of yours truly

2008-08-17T22:53:00.000-07:00

Bro. Pedro Binaroa Barillos "Eddie." What a guy for real. I have probably learned more from him by far than I have any other investigator thus far on my mission. Great example of humility and gratitude. I love Bro. Eddie in unexplainable ways.
Bro. Eddie and I waiting in the church before changing into our white duds on one of the best days of his life.
This is Tatay Tacdol. He is officially 100 years old and still alive. Pure Ilokano and formerly a die hard catholic. He prays aloud in his room for approximately 2 hours every night before going to bed. We asked him if he wanted to be baptized (his daughter in law and grandkids are members) and at first he was all for it. But when we told him about the not drinking coffee part, i think he began to think our church is of the devil. He said coffee is the only thing that has kept him alive for all these years. He is way funny. He cant hear worth a lick so anytime we attempt to form an Ilokano phrase it is more like we are shouting at the top of our lungs into the ear of this innocent little old man. I hope hes still around at the end of the mish so i can introduce you moma.
Just proof that we really do do all of our laundry by hand in the back of our house. Our laundering facilities are complete with water pump, bucket, soup, scrubber board, and small chair for the tall americano.
Another guy we met that I cant believe is still alive. When he saw me, being not of filippino decent on our way to aparri, it triggered a million memories from his days serving in world war 2. The rest of the 30 min ride consisted of him telling me story after story of how his life was spared although coming close to death on more that one occasion. He told me he was thankful god had blessed him and was greatfull we were sharing his word to the people in his country. We mad good friends. Im a sucker for the old tatays.

Word!

2008-08-03T21:23:00.000-07:00

Spider the size of my face!
Elder Asuro and I the day he flew to aspen and out of my life. No worries, I'm sure we'll meet again.
Mylene Columna and Christopher Lozano!
Tolento Family. They are moving up in the most favorite family i have ever met category. They are awesome. They live on the second floor of this building and have this sweet view of the whole camalaniugan. Coconut trees and rice fields forever. Its beautiful. They only have free time at night and have no electricity so we teach them by candlelight. Pretty stellar! They have a baptismal date for Aug 30th.
This pic was just taken earlier this morning as we were riding a trike to the computer shop. You would love the forms of transpertation we roll with here in p-country. Ill try to take a few more pics to give you an idea of how we get around.

Picture Central

2008-06-22T20:14:00.000-07:00

Camalaniugan Elders Quarum Service Project. We built a house.
Elder Asuro putting out the vibe.
Our area is beautiful. They havent planted the rice yet but you can see the fields behind me. Rice fields and coconut trees everywhere you turn. This is the Tacuban Family. Just wanted to post a picture of them so you knew what they all looked like. They are neat.

More Pics

2008-05-25T22:33:00.000-07:00

A few kids on the street had a guitar. We were passing by on our way home, stopped and played a few tunes for them. It was a blast.
Gapusan Family except for Tatay. He was at work. That is nanay on the left then Teddy Boy, Billy and Normi.
So solid. Paralyzed from the waiste down and his family lifts him into a trike every week to go to church. Such the man. He is a Lakers fan though and was rubbing it in that they beat the Jazz. In every other area he is a good guy. He reminds me of dad. Never complains, such strong faith, so close to his father in heaven.
That is our ward mission leader Bro Wilfred with the stripes and Bro Allen in white. We went on a split on sunday and took this picture outside our apartment when we met back up as a last memory before I leave sta maria.

Sta Maria

2008-05-25T22:23:00.000-07:00

McDonalds, Wow! Some of the happiest and most americanized times of my life.
Elder Zafra's idea. He's a funny guy.
Sister Cypress. She will be getting baptized on the 31st. She is nervous E. Zafra wont be able to get her back out of the water. Im sure everything will be fine.

Some cute kids.

Ninja Swards

2008-05-04T23:27:00.000-07:00

I dont really have time to give an explanation, but the pictures pretty much explain themselves. I think we had a little bit too much fun pretending to be ninja turtles.

Service Project

2008-05-04T23:04:00.000-07:00

Our service project Sat. morning was awesome. We chopped up these big old dried up coconut tree leaves using our samari swards. The sison family should have enough fire wood to cook at least a few pots of rice. Although I suffered 3 painfull blisters on my right hand, a lassuration on the left leg, and a sun burn on the back of my neck where my collared shirt usually covers, the experience as a whole was a success. After we finished they couldnt let us leave without treating us to a few coconuts picked out of the tree in thier back yard. I cant help but feel like tom hanks in cast away everytime I drink coconut milk, but I'm actually aquiring a taste.

2008-05-04T21:38:00.000-07:00

Nalvo Beach

2008-05-04T21:21:00.000-07:00

Im standing right in front of one of our investigators houses. We didnt catch this picture just right, but the sunsets here are often outstanding. I love being able to work right on the ocean. Beautiful!

Sison Family

2008-05-04T21:10:00.000-07:00

Beautiful family portrait with the missionaries present. Have I already told you that I love this family? Well now the fact is established. They are great- had to post another picture with them.

Kiddie Kandids Pictures

2008-04-27T19:09:00.000-07:00

Elder Zafra

2008-04-20T21:25:00.000-07:00

Although he looks nothing like his father, he is still quite pogi. Haha- He is a good missionary. We are going to be A-okay!

Snapping Turtle

2008-03-16T21:00:00.001-07:00

Im becoming quite the Steve Erwin. You may think we spent a day visiting the petting zoo. But no, just your average day on the philippino islands.

Goats

2008-03-16T20:56:00.001-07:00

Ilocos sur is famous for goats. There are so many goats. Goats everywhere. Cambing in tagalog.

Dante Calibuso

2008-03-16T20:17:00.001-07:00

Dano Family and Dante Calibuso

2008-03-16T20:05:00.000-07:00

Christain, far left, baptized his mom and sister, Maria Linda and Chonalyn. Dante is the stud on the right.

Sison Family Baptism

2008-03-02T19:12:00.000-08:00

Serge and I

2008-03-02T19:01:00.000-08:00

2008-02-24T20:01:00.000-08:00

Yaon!

2008-02-17T21:01:00.001-08:00

Hanging Bridge

2008-02-17T20:57:00.001-08:00

Pinsal Falls

2008-02-17T20:51:00.001-08:00

Sunday Snow Day!

2008-02-03T17:56:00.000-08:00

We just thought we would show you what we are doing while we wait for your letter. It snowed so much last night, which just added to the load we already got. Andy, Ty, and Shar built a fort outside for the boys to play in. It has a little hole that they can peak out of. They loved it! They tried to walk through the snow and it was up to their waist. Tanner kept getting stuck and yelling for help. We can't wait to get your letter. Check out the Davis boys blog, and the Haynie blog to the right on your screen, they both have cute new pics. We love you!

President Hinckley

2008-01-28T09:55:00.001-08:00

"President Hinckley was known, even at the age of 97, as a tireless leader who always put in a full day at the office and traveled extensively around the world to mix with Church members, now numbering 13 million in 171 nations.
His quick wit and humor, combined with an eloquent style at the pulpit, made him one of the most loved of modern Church leaders. "

For a full story click here

Yikes!

2008-01-27T21:26:00.000-08:00

Happy Baptismal Day!

2008-01-27T21:06:00.000-08:00

Guwapo

2008-01-27T20:47:00.000-08:00

1 salt 3 peppers (the newest philippino boy band)

2008-01-27T20:33:00.000-08:00

Jay Nino Diego Gapusan

2008-01-27T20:11:00.000-08:00

Sison Family and Neighboors

2008-01-13T21:00:00.000-08:00

This was my first lesson in the philippines.

Sta Maria Ward Christmas Party

2008-01-13T20:55:00.001-08:00

The kids love to take pictures. Say eee!

Yumm

2008-01-13T20:51:00.000-08:00

Me and E. Kulbeth sitting down to an Ilocano specialty dish.

Christmas

2008-01-13T20:22:00.000-08:00

Turn this picture around for me, I dont know how. Thanks for christmas!

My 1st baptism.

2008-01-13T20:13:00.000-08:00

Mac Mac and I right before his baptism.

2008-01-13T19:40:00.000-08:00

Temple Groundbreaking in Philippines

2008-01-06T15:16:00.000-08:00

Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Quentin L. Cool of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles led a simple groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Cebu Philippines Temple. Elder Oaks offered the dedicatory prayer, and Elder Cook gave a short message.
The Cebu Temple is the 132nd temple announced or under construction. It is planned to be completed within the next two years, and will be the second temple in the Philippines; the first was the Manila Temple.
Additional buildings will be built on the temple complex including patron housing (for visitors from outside Cebu) a distribution center, a meeting house, and residences for the temple and mission presidents.

CJH

Elder Ballard Urges Students to Use New Media

2008-01-06T15:11:00.000-08:00

At a commencement address on December 15, 2007, Elder M. Russell Ballard urged graduating students at Brigham Young University-Hawaii to use blogs and other forms of “new media” to contribute to a national conversation about the Church. For full report: click here

CJH

Sun Valley Family Pic

2007-12-30T21:25:00.001-08:00

Hey Derek,

This is going to be fun! Send us lots of pictures. We love you!

Mom & Dad

NEW BLOG FOR ELDER DAVIS

2007-12-28T23:33:00.000-08:00

I thought it would be a sweet idea to blog Derek's emails and pics throughout his mission. It will be a great journal for him to enjoy when he gets home. It will also be fun and uplifting for all to read!
And so....

ENJOY and be UPLIFTED!

We love you Elder Derek Davis!!!