-- Pictures -October 30, 2017

A Pretty Great Week! -October 30, 2017

Magandang araw sa inyo lahat!

This email is gonna be pretty short because I sent a lot of pictures :)

We had two baptisms this week.  We baptized the Umbrero couple. They are the ones who I said sell sticky rice and the like.  Their baptism wasn't anything too big, but that's what they wanted.  It was a great service, and we are setting up their children to be taught. We are pushing them to start preparing for the temple so they can receive the blessing of an eternal family :)

I would like to share just one thought I gained from my studies this week. I was reading about the plan of salvation, more particularly our purpose of our life here on earth, and I came across references in Moses 5 and 2 Nephi 2. After studying these references, I pondered over the meaning of the purpose of this life. I started with the well known reference of 2 Nephi 2:25, stating "men are that they might have joy" which I had always felt was a little broad in stating what our purpose in this life is. However, upon reading the Moses 5 references, I realized from the testimonies of Adam and Eve, that the joy they are blessed with is the joy that comes from receiving a remission of sins through obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel, all of which is possible because of the great atoning sacrifice of our Savior. I also began to connect these thoughts with references found in Lehi's Dream, partaking of the Love of Christ and gaining a desire to share that same Love with others. 

I realized now that this life is meant for us to receive joy through forgiveness of our sins, which can only come through the gospel of Jesus Christ, and my purpose as a missionary is to invite others to partake of this joy. To show others the way to be completely cleansed and start over. I'm so very grateful for the part I play in helping others partake of this wonderful gift.

Mahal ko kayong lahat!

Have a great week!

Another Week, Another Email -October 22, 2017

Magandang araw sa inyong lahat!

This week was pretty great actually. We had many teaching opportunities this week and really saw progress in our investigators. We set a goal this week as a companionship that, before we could go home, we had to find at least five new investigators everyday. This goal really helped us in the work this week. It helped us remain alert for the promptings of the Spirit and become more active in our finding. It also helped us prepare for our other teaching appointments as we were already primed and ready with the Spirit. Although this goal wasn't extremely high or anything like that, it was definitely something that helped us refocus and improve as a companionship and was a great help in the progress of our area.

We have two baptisms coming up this Saturday. Remember that one family we found who made that sticky rice stuff? Yeah, well Sister and Brother Umbrero have passed their interviews and are preparing to make their first covenant through baptism! Also, this week we will be able to start teaching their ten year old daughter! We hadn't been able to teach her in the past lessons because she was at school but now is the semester break for all of the students, so we will hopefully be seeing her baptism coming up soon.

This upcoming week we will be having exchanges with the APs, which means we have to travel tomorrow to Laoag, a fantastic, beautiful, scenic, nauseating six hour bus ride :)  I am actually really excited though because one of my Elders in my MTC batch is the new AP, and I can't wait to work with him.

This week, I would just like to add some thoughts concerning member-missionary work.  We all know that, as members, we are supposed to share the gospel with others.  However, many times we are too scared or shy.  We hesitate because we think about what they might say.  We worry that our relationships with others will be destroyed if they reject the gospel.  Whatever the reason, these doubts definitely do not come from the Holy Ghost.  Those doubts come from the adversary, who does everything to slow the progress of this great and marvelous work.  So, how can we overcome these doubts and fears? The answer can be found in Doctrine and Covenants 6:36

"36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not."

As we remember the promises the Lord has made unto us, we can let go of our fears.  We do not have to be afraid of what "might" happen if we think about the blessings that we could share with others.  This isn't just another religion here on the earth established to simply teach good values and help others gain meaning in life. This is the truth.  This is the only way to salvation and exaltation.  Therefore, we should not hesitate to invite others to receive all of the blessings the Lord has in store for them.

One phrase that may help calm our doubts is this,

"We succeed when we invite."

Others have their agency, but we do too. Let's strive to at least give others the opportunity to receive the greatest joy they could possibly experience in this life.

Have a great week!

Mahal ko kayong lahat!

Transfers Came And..... -October 16, 2017

I'm still in Camalaniugan :) Yep, it looks like I will be staying six months here in this area! I'm so grateful for this opportunity I have to serve yet another transfer cycle in this beautiful area.  I know this is where the Lord wants me to be, and I know there is a reason I have stayed here so long in this area.

This week was pretty great actually. We were able to gain two more solid Baptismal Dates for the month of November and we were strongly commit two of our investigators to keep the Word of Wisdom and so far they have been doing good. We now have 2 almost 100% sure baptisms scheduled for the 28 of October. We had to move the Baptismal Date of our part-member investigator due to an illness causing him to miss church too many times, but his baptism is back on track for the first week of November.

Elder Ronquillo and I continue to get along great, and I am so thankful for the opportunity I have to work with him here in Camalaniugan for another cycle. Although I was expecting to be transferred, I know this is where the Lord needs me for at least one more cycle, and I know there is a reason why I am here. I will do my best to continue to help this area progress and to help my investigators come unto Christ.

This week I really focused on the purpose of "religion". A common concern with investigators here is that they always say, "We all worship one God." or "All religions are great, it just depends on where you want to go to church, all of us will be saved anyway," which is quite possibly the most frustrating thing in the world.  So, in my study I came across James 1:27 which is this,

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

Which I came to interpret in this way: Pure, true religion is centered on the Father and His Son.  It is centered on charity, feeling love for those around us and helping others who stand in need.  It's purpose is to also keep us unspotted from the things of the world, not just sin, but those things that can distract us from God and focus on other, less eternal things.  It provides us a way to return to our Father and the only way to do all those things is through His Church and His Gospel.  No other church can back up any claim of their of "divinity" except The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. No other church has done more good for the world and for the salvation of man. I know that this Church is true, and as we strive to be faithful to living "pure religion" we are also striving to become closer with God.

Until next week,

Mahal ko kayong lahat!

Life Is Good -October 9, 2017

Magandang araw mga kamag-anak at kaibigan!

Phew! This week was most likely the busiest week of my mission so far.  As mentioned before, we did not get back from the Mission Home in Laoag until Wednesday, where we had P-day.  Then, on Thursday we had exchanges with the Gattaran District Leader. I worked with his companion/trainee and Elder Ronquillo went and worked in their area.

The exchanges started out alright.  We had district meeting and the Sister Training Leaders gave an excellent training on how to more effectively get our investigators to church.  Afterwards, we ate lunch, went home and started planning out the day.  In the middle of our planning session our landlady pulls up on her motorcycle and says something to the point of, "So are you guys moving today or what?" and we reply that we most likely wouldn't be moving until the next day because that is when the owner of our new apartment said we could move in.  She then replied "Well how is that going to work because I'm going to sleep her and invite all my friends over later tonight."

...

...

Yeah... our plans were about to change.

The four of us Elders looked at each other and silently agreed that we would in fact be moving today.  We called the former District President and informed him that in one hour we would need his help in moving apartments.  Thankfully, he had already offered his help (and more specifically his truck) to the missionaries when we would be moving apartments.  We packed all of our things and were able to successfully move apartments across town in the blazing speed of six hours.  We are now getting settled into our new apartment and things are looking up.  Luckily, our new apartment actually has clear water, an awesome landlady, and (eventually) running water!  After the move we definitely felt a wave of stress leave from the four elders of Camalaniugan.

Saturday and Sunday we were also able to view General Conference. Like was mentioned in the past, general conference here is a week later due to the time difference of the Philippines being almost one day ahead of the States.  I must say I absolutely loved it.  Even though seeing temple square, the conference center, and listening to English for several hours makes me a little homesick, the blessings and learnings I receive from General Conference are worth every ounce of missing home.  I especially loved Elder Russell M. Nelson's talk concerning the Book of Mormon. Here is one of the quotes that I really found impressive,

"Whenever I hear anyone, including myself, say, 'I know the Book of Mormon is true,' I want to exclaim, 'That’s nice, but it is not enough!' We need to feel, deep in 'the inmost part' of our hearts, that the Book of Mormon is unequivocally the word of God. We must feel it so deeply that we would never want to live even one day without it. I might paraphrase President Brigham Young in saying, 'I wish I had the voice of seven thunders to wake up the people' to the truth and power of the Book of Mormon."

I know with my whole heart, within the deepest reaches of my very soul, that the Book of Mormon is the most powerful, most perfect book on earth.  I know that no other book can help us come closer unto God than the Book of Mormon.  I have studied the words of the prophets found in the Book of Mormon, I have learned of the doctrine of Christ, and have deepened my understanding of the Gospel through my time feasting upon the words found in this sacred book.  I know the Book of Mormon is truly the word of God.  I challenge all of you to feast upon it every day and I know if you will do so, you will be able to find comfort, peace, and answers in your life.

That's all for this week, until next time!

Mahal ko kayong lahat!

Another Crazy Day, Another Short Email -October 4, 2017

Sorry again, but this email is going to be short.  I will update you all next week on what has happened, but today we had to try and secure our new house before our landlady kicks us out (even though our contract doesn't end until the 10th).  We should be able to move in by the end of this week however, hopefully tomorrow.

Also, our district leader and apartment mate, Elder Dillabaugh, is sick, so we had to do some medicine runs in order to help him return to normal and working condition. Not to mention we really kind of need all the hands we can get when we move ;)

We had a great trip as the MLC this past Monday.  We went to the tourist spots in the mission and were able to relax a little bit and enjoy the many great sites that I never even realized were in my mission.  It truly is beautiful here, and I am so grateful that I am able to serve in such an amazing place!

Mahal ko kayong lahat!

Until next week!

Homeless, Homeless, Like The Christ Child Was... -September 25, 2017

So... this email is going to be very short because we kind of had an emergency concerning our landlady.  Long story short, she suddenly decided that she is going to live in her house again, so we need to find a new apartment.... But hey, like good ol' Michael McClean said "we are not homeless, because in His love there is a hoooooooooooooome!"

We need to go find that new apartment today and hopefully move in by the end of the week. Woop de doo.  

I hope you all have a great week!

Mahal ko kayong lahat!

P.S. we had another baptism this week, and our investigators who got baptized several weeks ago finally came to church, so we just had three confirmations this Sunday :)

September 18, 2017 First Week With The Comp

Naimbag nga aldaw dagiti kabsatko!

This week was definitely busy.  We had MLC, several baptismal interviews, and we opened a new area which we took from the Sisters (with their permission of course) because they weren't having any progress and we needed a closer area than the ones we have currently.  We ended up finding many families and one of them was a part-member less-active family who really wanted to come back to church.  They came to church and we were able to set a baptismal date to one of their kids on October 14th! The sister was so grateful that we found her family and helped them come back to church.

I'll just be posting the body of my letter to the mission president because I would essentially be retyping what I sent to him.

Even with MLC this week, we were able to have a fairly solid week of work. We were able to redraw the boundaries of our area a little bit to create an area for us that is closer to the church and allow us to work more effectively on days where there is less time to work such as P-day and days with District meeting/weekly planning. We found many potential families in our new area, and we have appointments to return to them this week. We already had one of the new families come to church this week and set a baptismal date for the 14th of October. We also should have three baptisms and confirmations in our area this weekend. Overall, we are pretty happy with the results we have been seeing in our area.

Yep, there ya go! That's all I've got for this week! 

Mahal ko kayong lahat!

Sa susunod ulit!