YouuuuuuuuWhooooooo. Did ya miss
me last week?! Sorry I couldn’t send a long email home. I was actually almost
done writing SUCH a detailed email about the storm and everything. Then….
Brownout. I guess the generator stopped working. Dang, but the good news is, Cento
has power now! So that shouldn’t happen again. In Camaligan, my town, they say
we won’t have power for probably another 2 weeks to one month. All the electric
poles are still knocked down and have halves of trees dangling from them, so I
think even within the month would be ambitious! But we can hope! On the bright
side, dinner by candlelight isn’t the worst thing. You wanna know the worst
thing? Sleeping in the Philippines without an electric fan! The no fridge thing
isn’t so convenient either, but hey! Like they told me when I got here, it all
makes for a good journal entry, right?!
Ok, so
I’m guessing you want to hear about the typhoon mother?? I heard it didn’t
really hit the news, so that’s good hopefully you weren’t too worried. You had
reason to be though, let me tell you! Shoot! I literally thought I was going to
die that night. But lots of prayers and living with a tough Tongan, and here I
am! Ok so let’s see. Monday night (as in like 2 weeks ago Monday) we went to Centro
to get the rest of our food for the storm. It was insane. People everywhere!!! The
ATM lines literally were like 200 people long. The shelves in the grocery store
were just empty. People were literally preparing for the end of the world! So
we got our stuff and got back home. Got a text from the Zone leaders that the
storm was worse than they thought and we would be on ‘lockdown’ until at least
Wednesday morning. That’s when I started getting kinda freaked out! So Tuesday
just started pretty normal. Started with a bowl of oatmeal (of course) and then
studies. We started watching some Mormon movies but around noon on Tuesday the
power went out. SO I’ll be honest, the rest of the afternoon was pretty
uneventful. We just sat on the balcony. The winds were picking up fast so we
were just “storm watching” in the afternoon. I did some cleaning and extra
reading. The storm was at first scheduled to hit around 3, but the Zone Leaders
kept texting updates that it had been delayed. The trees were already looking
like they were going to snap and the storm was still hours off. SO then around
8ish is when it got real bad. I was like shaking, haha, my journal entry is
hardly legible. Around 9 is when I really thought it was the end. You know in
The Wizard of Oz when the roof just flies off, ya. That’s what I kept imagining.
So I laid there (on sister Sekona’s bed cause she let me so I wasn’t on the top
bunk by the window.) The wind was SO LOUD and SO STRONG on our window. Water
started coming in some cracks in the window so sister Sekona went out, in the
HEART of the storm, and covered the windows with plastic haha. So brave!! So
yes, Naga was in the middle of the signal 4 typhoon for about 4 hours. Needless
to say, I didn’t sleep a wink that night! Even with the ear plugs. I hope you
all know how much I love you. When I really thought I might die, I just thought
of how blessed I am with the best family and friends in the world!
Ok.
Onto Wednesday. Got the text first thing from the ZL’s that we could go out and
do service. So we got dressed real quick and were gone the whole day. We have
5:30 curfew (even still) since there are no lights in the town. So in the
morning we went out, the 4 of us sisters, and we went around to our
investigators houses. Helped them clean and there was one family! Ahhh so sad.
We got there and just the husband was there. The house is totally and
completely gone. It was just a pile of wood and sheet metal. So for a few hours
we helped him dig through the remnants of his home and find anything they could
save like clothes and dishes and stuff. Then I went down to the river and
washed and ahh. Heartbreaking. But these people are so strong! The next day we
went back and he had rebuilt most of it. They lost everything and then they’re
just back up and at it again. They don’t let the material things get them down.
I have learned so much about this experience. SIMPLIFY!! When it comes down to
it, most of what we have doesn’t even matter. His family was safe and that’s
all he cared about. It was truly Amazing. SO then that afternoon we met up with
the zone leaders. Went to some members houses and helped them cut apart trees
that had fallen on their house and stuff like that. It was a good day. The next
day was pretty much the same stuff too. Served and what not. We were told not
to teach until we got the OK cause people needed help first. Thursday we went
around with the Branch president and a few branch members. We put together bags
with rice, canned foods, and noodles. Took them around to some members and it
was great to see the Branch President really reach out and show the members
that he cares. Friday was great. A much needed interview with President Reeder!
We had the zone interviews and ahh. Was just so honest and open and the
greatest. He gave such great advice as always. Even though pops isn’t here to
talk to me and give me good fatherly counsel, I’m grateful for President and
that fatherly figure in the mission.
So Camaligan, ever since the
typhoon has looked like a war zone. Everyone is burning all the trees and such
so the whole town is just smoke. Poles and houses knocked down everywhere and
just crazyyyy!!!!! There have been some little storms since, but no typhoons!
There was a lightning storm the other day. Came right as we were walking
through the middle of an open field and ahhh so close! So scary. I think my
phobia is getting a little bit better though!
Ummmmm
ok as I said, I have the best family and friends!!! MOM AND JENNY!!! Got your
packages last Monday! You are the BEST!!!!! Mom’s packages are always so good,
but then get two ladies in Target together and shoot. You two know how to do
it! Glad you figured out the LBC thing mom! So much good stuff! Love all the
clothes and candy! Laughed so hard when I read in Jenny’s card that she has
made adobo plenty of times while I was at her house! Dang! Didn’t know what I
was missing! I’m looking forward to that one day. Anyway. Love you both. Too
much good stuff. THANK YOU!
TOMORROW IS
TRANSFERS!!!! Sister Ril is getting transferred, so tomorrow I will know who
the new companion is. I will still be here in Camaligan so I’m excited about
that. And I am pumped for a new comp!!! ;) Please pray for a runner so we can
put an end to the weight gain! Love you all!
This week was pretty uneventful. We
got to go back to teaching with the occasional service project! Had a great
exchange with the STL’s. I was in Canaman with Sister Barlow. A needed day.
Love her! I’m still learning lots and enjoying this time I have been blessed
with! Thanks for the love and support and concerned emails! All is well here! Getting
used to living like an Amish person!
Love, Sister Richmond
Ps- Megan Bertha asked if loom
bands were a big deal in America too cause they are in England! Crazy how a
little bracelet can just sweep the whole world in a few weeks haha. Everyone
here makes them and they are everywhere!!! I’ve had like 3 people make me one
now!
Top 10
1. Service!
2. Interview with President Reeder
3. Helaman 5:12, really came in
handy the last few weeks
4. Packages from Mom and Jenny
5. Survived the wrath of Glenda
6.
McDonalds by candlelight
7.
Last day of the transfer!!!!! NEW COMP
8. Exchanges
9. Dunkin
donuts this morning!
10. Did
I tell you it’s the last day of the transfer?!?! J J J J
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