A Crazy New Year's in the Philippines!

So much has happened this last week, I almost don't even know where to begin. We celebrated our New Years Eve at our bishop's house, and we had a great time there! We watched The Son of God... which is an odd movie; then we ate a TON of super good food!  Then we jammed on some of the instruments that our bishop has.  It was super fun! 

Then, about 11 p.m., the fireworks began.  The fireworks here are insane!!! Definitely not anywhere near being legal in Utah. Hehe. They were going on from 11 p.m.... and when 12 hit, the sky lit up, almost as if it were day! It was incredible. Then we went to our Zone Leaders apartment, and we had to stay there.  We weren't allowed to go out. It is literally like a war zone out there! There are so many things flying everywhere. Cardboard. Sticks. Ashes. You name it, it was probably exploding.  But it was super fun! And I cannot believe it's 2015!! Time flies!

This week was a great time to reflect on the past year, and look at how I can make this next year better.  I made a bunch of really great goals to help me grow and continue to become the best that I can be.  I want to take advantage of this time, and I know that when I set goals, I am helping myself to achieve those goals.  So I encourage you all, if you haven't yet, to sit down and take some time to make some goals that will help make this year the best yet! 

I heard a great quote at Church yesterday. It goes "A saint has a past, and a sinner has a future."

Speaking of church.. I have 7:30 a.m. church here! Can you believe that!? Of course it isn't hard for me, since we are supposed to be up at 6:30 erryday.. but I couldn't imagine that back home! 

My companion, Elder Maagad, and I, have been working really hard, and we are enjoying every second of this companionship.  I definitely have been blessed to have him at this time as my companion.  I have learned a lot from him.  It is awesome!!

The language is starting to come along.  I am able to understand... I would say... about 75-80% of everything people say.  There are still quite a few words that I don't know.. but sometimes I can figure out what the words are if I understand the rest of the sentence.  I am just trying to catch up my speaking with my understanding. That is one of my goals this year :)

Finally... I had a zone activity today (on P-day) and we went and visited some falls in a place called Madella.  It was a really pretty area, and it was up in the mountains, so it kind of reminded me of Utah.  I would say that the surrounding was better than the actual falls... but hey. It was an experience :)

I love you all, and Happy New Year!!!!
Stay True,
Elder Walstad