Birthday

Hello.
It's my birthday.
I'm 21.
And it's been an awesome day.
Ha , honestly it's been a really really good day. For starters may I please thank all of those emails today? It was a bit shocking to log on and see 27 new emails ... hahah. But I'm grateful for all the love. It's been a strange day but I'll get to describing that in a bit. We've had a pretty fast week filled with lots of fun and a lott of firsts. It's funny that even this long into my mission there are still so many things that I've not yet tried or done. So last Monday , after emailing , me and Elder Hyatt got something made that I'll show you guys when I see you , hahah. We were pretty excited. Later that night we had a pretty sweet lesson with this guy that came up to us when he was drunk and is now reading the Book of Mormon like a champion .. we're trying to get his family involved as well but his wife isn't yet open. Hahaha also later that night we went to this house of a less active woman to try and share a lesson and her little grandson [whose maybe 4 or 5] comes out. This kid is pretty rude ,ha , and so he's giving us directions as he immediately says she's not there [as parents always send their kids out to do [to lie]] and so we ask him where his grandma is and he's giving us these ridiculous directions and waving his arms around to point pretend directions .. so we test him and ask him if she's near the river and he just goes 'yes' then we ask him if she's under the river and he says 'yes' so at that point we couldn't take anymore and just left. Filipino kids are hysterical and it's so obvious when they're lying.
Tuesday we had another zone gathering as we're practicing this song for our zone conference in a couple days when Elder Ardern comes. So we're the zone assigned to sing ... and we cannot song... so it's a challenge. You all know how bad my voice is - multiply that by 20. So after that we went on exchanges and I went with Elder De Jesus in their area. It was pretty good, but unfortunately nothing too too memorable. [side note- there's a pepsi drink here called pepsi pogi. 'pogi' means handsome. It's delicious and it makes you more handsome.]
The next day we switched back and had a full day of good work in Laoac [our favorite part of the area which is also the furthest]. Something awesome happened as we were leaving the Cacho family [we're teaching a young husband and wife] .. the wife is super elect and always goes to church , but the husband is really smart but still not all for it. As it gets to the end of the lesson we committed them to be baptized. The wife is all for it without the question but the husband not exactly , so the wife pulls an amazing card - haha - she tests his .. manhood? And goes okay , well I guess I'll just go to church on Sunday so I'll just call my dad to come pick me up. So obviously what runs through the husbands mind is how he is now offended as his manlihood is questioned and the wife wants to instead call her father , so he responds with 'no , we're going together. I'll find a way , but we'll go.' hahaha. She just looks at us beaming and goes 'Elders! the answer to my prayers!' It was a good moment and they did end up coming and had a great experience. Also after that we watched the restoration video with another family and it was a really powerful lesson as these devout born agains requested a copy.
So besides lessons we've had a really good week in that we keep finding new people and I think it's time to tell you ... I will be transferred next transfer. We found out about a month ago and it's certain now. President Monahan wants us back in the center of Urdaneta to have better access to the zone and to strengthen the stake ward ... so we'll be in Urdaneta 3rd Ward next transfer with the Assistants. Also ... will be staying in the nicest house in the mission. Nicknamed and revered by all 'the big house' ... it's huge. But I'm a bit bummed. We've got so many good things coming through Binalonan that we'll be leaving a great area for the next missionaries. Nevertheless ... not mine will but thine be done. So I think what I'll talk about most is Sunday. We had a really good church service with so so many less actives and 4 investigators. Really good classes and.. and member had bought me , Saturday , a huge cake for my birthday haha. So we got that as well .. waiting to eat it later. Then after church we had a couple members come work with us: a recent RM and the high priests group leader. So we had some really good lessons , but the second less active we went to was interesting. First we find her house and discover that it's this enormous white house we had been admiring for a month now. We always wondered who lived there ... Sister Tink after all - a member and wife of an Australian[o]. So first... she serves us cranberry juice ... which I haven't tasted since the MTC. Wow. Next ... she serves us duriyan. ...get scared because you will be trying this in a couple months. I will make you it eat. Everyone LOVES this fruit. It's a legend here for being unique to the Philippines and so delicious. I have never tasted anything quite disgusting as this. It was like rotten cheese with the worst smell. Elder Hyatt pretended to like it , but gave up as well. Hahaha. They were all ripping on us. Later that night we taught a few good lessons and got fed at the Fabia family [who looove us... maybe it's beacuse we're two americans.]
So now we're on to today. We woke up at 6 , went to the stake center by 8 , and did a zone jeopardy again. Then we practiced the song , then watched a church movie while we ate cake that Sister Monahan had baked for the zone and I bought ice cream. Now I'm here! I was so so happy , honestly , with all the emails and hopefully more come. REmember I don't handwritten letters if you write emails [but handwritten are always welcome!]

Okay , so that's all I've got today.

Mom- Me and Cody were going to live at Nauvoo House.

Love you all.. and I'll drink a root beer today. :)

-Elder Austin White