Week 74: Tuesday November 5, 2014

Dear Family,

   Happy Halloween! The pictures were so great and I loved everyone's e-mails. I loved the kids costumes as well. Good job! I hope Krue and Axzelle didn't get sick from all of the candy they got! My Halloween was fun. It's different here in the Philippines. There is no trick-or-treating. Halloween is a time of year to remember and celebrate the lives of those who have passed on. Actually, it's very religious and big amongst the Catholic and other Christian faiths, but in general, it is mostly just a cultural tradition. Halloween here is called "kalag-kalag". "Kalag" means "soul", and if translated to English means "all souls day". It actually takes place on the 1st and 2nd of November. Families go to the cemetery and just spend time with one another. For me personally, my day was no different than any other day. It was a great time to share the gospel, especially the plan of salvation.

   There's a small background as to what Halloween is in the Philippines, but the highlight of my week was our Missionary Leadership Council. This is the first time that I was able to attend MLC when I wasn't assigned 5 minutes away from the temple. What an experience! We have been traveling and having meetings for the last 3 days. I can't tell you how tired I am. It will make for some good journal entrees. The travel to Cebu was crazy. We ran into some...unusual circumstances and had to change our travel route. Needless to say, we arrived to the temple in Cebu at 4:00 am on Tuesday morning and had our meeting at 9:00 am. I have probably had about 12 hours of sleep in the past 2 and a half days. Today is our preparation day, so I  think that I am just going to go home and sleep for the rest of the day so that I can have some energy tomorrow. Despite the craziness of everything, MLC is still one of my very favorite things about my mission!

   It's been another awesome week. Things only get busier and there is not a day that goes by that I don't absolutely love. Thanks again for all of the pictures! Pictures are the best thing that you can send! I love you!

Elder Staheli.