December 1, 2014 - Welcome Home Edward!

Well I finished! and I am so happy! but I definitely will miss being a missionary. I think a sentimental last email will just have to be for later. But I just want to testify for my last time! I know that this is the True Church Of Jesus Christ. I know that Jesus is the Christ and God is our loving Heavenly Father. I know that Joseph Smith is a True Prophet of God and Thomas S. Monson is a Prophet here on this Earth. I know this will all my heart, being a missionary is great, I will truly miss it! In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

November 23, 2014

This week was good. We had a lot of stake meetings we are working really hard to get the stake mobile and on board with working with the missionaries. This involves creating ward mission plans, getting the tools and resources missionaries need like members to work with them and effective goals and focuses. It isn't always easy to sit in those meetings, sometimes your suggestion is not taken to account, but we are seeing progress. We are trying to mold our ward as the model right now and it is going pretty good. We had such good coordination this week, to be honest it has been hard to get it going but our bishopric is inspired so things are rolling now. We had a hard time with lessons with just busyness in our schedule. But the work is real in all phases, I am enjoying my last few days, but I am so excited to see everyone in 10 days. I know this church is true, this is Christ's church here on this Earth. It has been fun being part of it. I know this in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

November 9, 2014

This week was super awesome. We had a baptism! We have been working to reactivate and complete the Abargos family. We still have had no luck with the father, which is our next goal before I go home. I want the father to be part of an eternal family, but the baptism was great. It was crazy cause the motor to run the water in the chapel broke, so we had no water.. but luckily we went running around looking for a water truck. We got one who came and filled the font. Which was nice.. thing about living in the Philippines, there are just water trucks.. ready to be used haha. Anyways we had a nice baptism and it was just a stressful but good time. Kyle Abargos might be the last baptism I have.. in these last 23 days! Crazy. Anyways, we had nice experience with our investigator Brother Juancho. He is the coolest investigator I think. He truly was prepared, and we have had a hard time getting him to stop smoking. We showed up one day and Juancho seemed like he was crying. We had a nice leasson and it was just one of those times where I was speaking but it felt like someone else was speaking. Out of nowhere my companion started sharing about the atonement and when i started, baptism for the dead was what I decided to start sharing. In a regular planned lesson .. that is weird. But our lesson just kind of made sense to his needs. We left the lesson with confidence it was good. Last Friday, brother Juancho shared with us that he was thinking to maybe quit. Thinking he was unworthy of the gospel. He didn't want to waste his time thinking he being as wicked from the things he had done, had a change for us. Especially because of his actions it cost him his family. He said it was not by chance that we showed up the day before he would quit trying to follow Christ. But the message he shared about saving his family through the temple was what he needed the most. We had a crazy week yet, the Lord prepared the way. I see his hand in all of this, and how he has a plan for this father who can save his children through saving ordinances of the temple. I was touched and humbled this last week by that. I know that this church is true. It truly has that priesthood to bind us to our families. It also has the authority from God to redeem our dead. Thomas S. Monson said that we are temple attending people. I believe we should strive to be that. Let us all aim for that holy place and stay worthy and active attending that place. I know this is true in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

November 5, 2014

This was kind of a reality check for me. I realized I am coming home ... really really really soon. I had a zone conference, I bore my last testimony there in front of the other missionaries. I had a mission tour with President Robbins. That was cool by the by the way to hear from the general authorities for the 4th or 5th time in my mission!!!! He talked a little bit about marriage... that is kind of on my mind now. I had to get finger prints in immigration where I saw some people I was with in the MTC getting ready to go home. Some, I might add, are going home before me! My batch is extended 3 weeks... I guess I am important or something. Haha Just kidding just how the dice rolled I guess. Than today I had a temple day, ... my last one for a long time in the manila temple. I can't believe it is all ending. As I look back though, wow I can't believe how I have grown. My testimony, the lives of others and myself, it is all changing but yet I like who I am and where I am now more than I did two years ago. I unfortuantely don't have much to report on but I know this, The church is true. This is the Church of Jesus Christ, which was restored onto this earth by Joseph Smith. He is a true prophet and he did restore the Gospel here onto this Earth. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, it truly has a power unlike any other to bring others unto Christ. I know that Thomas S. Monson is the prophet God speaks to now here on this Earth who hold the priesthood authority to act in his sacred name. I leave this in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

October 14, 2014

We had a busy week. We had a zone training meeting, followed by our exchanges with the AP's, followed by exchanges with some of the trainees in our zone, followed general conference. Work in our area was a little bit of a struggle, but overall it was a spiritually uplifting week. I just want to remark on what a great conference we had. I think this conference was that of a call for overall change. I was really touched on how many messages seemed to call us to look inward, than to follow the master and his teachings, and than to truly live the gospel. I liked in Priesthood how Dieter F Ucthdorf related his talk to the study of how many people cannot judge themselves for who they truly are. I think we are too involved in the faults of others, do we truly look inside of ourselves. I was called to serious reflection on this matter. I also was inspired at how many of the talks were about how we need to live and keep the basics of the Gospel. The Gospel is simple, why do we make it seem so hard? Why do trials cause us to doubt what we know as fundamental truths. We need to renew our conversions and remember why we converted in the first place. I love this Gospel, I love how the atonement gives us the power to change. I love this church and I know it is Christs church here on this Earth. It's teaching when lived refines us and makes us more worthy and righteous until the day we are perfect and able to return to his presence. I know that we have a living prophet, and his apostles are guided by God. I know this in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

September 22, 2014

This week has been super crazy. First off.. our area got flooded! So cool! .. but so lame. We couldn't leave the house again.. i was so hungry!! I hate staying in the house! Secondly, we just had huge success!  We girded up our loins and went to work. So many people, i don't know their names, but we were able to dish out 3 baptismal dates. Next month we are expecting 3 baptisms, and we got them all committed to come to church. And smooth and simple! People are keeping commitments and coming unto Christ! Also the best part was we had 12 less actives make it to church, which was crazy cause we didn't spend much time in our area. We had zone interviews, which is a all day thing, plus the flood, so it was crazy to see those things! I had a friend told me that sometimes when you are busy with things, you worry about how things will get done. But, he left me a promise that, if I leave it to the Lord, things will work themselves out. I prayed that things would work out this week, and sure enough, with how busy we were and our little numbers in lessons didn't effect our productivity! I know the Lord loves us, and this is his work. His hand is in it and I have seen it. I know he lives, and this is his Church in which I represent him. I leave this in the name of Jesus Christ Amen

We had a flood! .. We also had a BIG CRAVING FOR A BIG BURGER!

September 15, 2014

This has been such a busy, busy, busy week! First off, my area is called Meycauyan and it is sweet. it has been raining like crazy.. so wet.. my shoes area always wet.. haha dang. Also, it floods a little in our area! Man .. i miss swimming! haha Also.. We are out in the province! so .. we see lots of rice fields! and farms. But we also have a lot of suburbs place looking things.. so we got a little of everything. I arrived though at least,! This will be my last area and man oh man I am so excited. We haven't spent much time in our area, we had to go to the Dentist because my new companion had some dental work to be done, that was the whole day thursday, Friday we had a training for the newly called leaders in the mission, and than we had weekly planning, we had a service project on Saturday, and Sunday we had church. All I have to say though is this ward is so big and all the members are so nice. I am afraid of this ward though... they feed us TOO much! haha I have felt so full since we have gotten here. I don't remember what being hungry is like! Anyways I am really happy with the ward and with the new companion. I think things will go really really smooth. Next week I guess I will have some stories. Here are some pics though... the farmland! where the oxen cow.. looking thing gets to chill harder than me, and the horses are nice! haha

September 9, 2014

This week was really good. We had transfer announcements yesterday, I am transferring. to Meycauayan. I am also now a new ZONE LEADER! Whoah.. that was a suprise! Anyways.. I am so excited, my bestfriend and also batch mate Elder Asuro has family in that Ward. It is going to be SO FUN! My new companions name is a Philipino.. his name is Elder Barillas, we were in the same zone here in San Jose Del Monte two transfers ago! Crazy right?

Anyways the work side has been crazy fun. We have been doing this think called Unknown Address files, we just look for members who have no confirmed address... It is basically we just go house to house looking for these people... haha But we get a lot of tracting done. We met this new family! He didn't seem too interested or willing to talk to us. But as we were talking to some guy who was buying snacks at his snack shack, he started listening. We have shared him 2 messages now, and he has been way excited to listen. He ask really good questions too. He right now is way into prophets! haha So cool. Anyways.. I am leaving.. so I won't see where this goes. Anyways, another cool thing was this less active family, the Amphil family. We have been for 6 months pushing them, persuading them, teaching, and exhorting them to go to church. Last Sunday THEY CAME! I was so stoked! They are the coolest family. Very strong testimonies, they are the sweetest people, I still to this day don't know why they aren't more active! But they came. Anyways, our ward had 2 baptisms, one was a members son, and the other was from the sisters area, and our Less Active member we rescued Sister Quannie, she is the best. She brings referrals with her to church, and she brought another one to the baptism of her son!. She is truly hastening the work. This last week has been crazy good! I am so sad, I am leaving. I have had my ups and downs here, but 6 months makes you really attached to a place. I am sad to go, but I am also excited to go to my next area. SO CRAZY! MY LAST AREA AND COMPANION! Anyways, This truly is the Lords work. I testify of it and know that it is true. I have seen his hand, preparing the hearts of the children of men. The Amphil family has been slow, but the prepartion is there and I think this was a good start. We have our own efforts and the efforts of others really building the ward right now preparing for the blessings the lord has. It is an exciting time here in La Mesa Ward! I just want to say again I know this is the true Church of Jesus Christ, and I leave it in his name Amen.

August 31, 2014

Anyways, this week was pretty busy. I had exchanges, and so many baptismal interview it was pretty hard to teach and get things in order. We went on exchanges. That was the most tiring day of my life. We went up to this mountain and we triked to the house, taught a lesson and we walked back down.. it was so far. Nobody was there! haha. Anyways, it rained all day for like 2 days straight my shoes are SOAKED! Our area is doing well. We have decided to restart the finding process. It has been just so much problems, so much effort, pushing some of them, and nothing. So we want to find those really golden ones, The Lord said that his Elect will hear his voice. So this week we are going to tract the world. I am going to leave this area the best I can.. if I am leaving.. we will see.
I was thinking about testimonies while I asked each investigator I interviewed this week to bear me their testimony! Anyways, it is kind of cool how the testimonies build you up.I was touched by each of them, whether child or adult, it built me. I remember in Jeffrey R. Hollands talk he said to those whose faith are wavering lean on his. and than Fan the flame of your faith. To the people who have built my faith, and to those that I could help, I just want to testify that this is the true church, and that Joseph Smith is a true prophet. The Book of Mormon is the word of God, and Thomas S. Monson is a true Prophet on this Earth today. We have a loving Heavenly Father, and his Son who through their mercy have given us Salvation if we will but accept and apply their Gospel into our lives. I know this to be True, and I invite all to Come unto him whose name, I leave this, Jesus Christ, Amen.

August 24, 2014

Anyways, our week was a bit slower, we have been just frustrated with our investigators, so we decided it is time to move on, we have some who are progressing and others who we thought would be really good, and turns out they aren't as good. Anyways... this week was super busy and things just didn't go our way.. but doesn't mean we give up. We have way more time to start doing work! It is time to get things going! I just wanted to share with you about how many not how my companion and I did miracles but how a member in our ward has started to magnify his calling and has brought forth great works. There were some less actives in our area we weren't able to focus on, the struggles getting to work, rallying the members, and getting someone to come with us so we can actually enter the home and teach. But our new Elders quorum president sat down, looked at our focuses and said "ok I will figure it out" Him and a very close friend of that less active family in the ward came and invited this member to share what her problems were, he suggested how they could help, and simply just told her to prove the Lord today, that if she would be obedient would he not bless her family. She has came to church twice now. How inspired was this member. I remember how even in our own family, we had a ward who seemed to not care as much for us. I don't remember ever seeing a home teacher or visiting teacher. Compared to a ward when we moved to Kansas, where one member, who decided to reach out their hands and give us a push. To be friends and make going to church an exciting thing. Where someone would be waiting for us. I have had a strong testimony and as a missionary I am nothing without the ward. We need members who will facilitate the work. We are just the authorized teachers, but members are the finders, the fellowshipper, the key to everything. Everyone calling, is important and every member can be the difference. I know this is the Lords church, and we are all a part of it. Let us continue to work miracles within our callings and within our strengths. I leave this in the name of Christ, Amen.

August 17, 2014

The work is GOING GOOD! We finally finally finally finally!! Pushed SOO hard and we got 3 investigators to come to church!! WE WIN! haha Not yet, but we made so significant progress with that first step of coming to church. So .. YEAH! This week we also had the privilege to have my 3rd mission tour!!! Elder Bowen from the 70 came and spoke to us. He is truly an inspirational speaker. I have changed my mission and my life because of what he told me! One of the things I enjoyed was he was just going hard on us over obedience. He gave us a formula, obedience+faith/work=miracles. He explained this thing, which in a way I knew that, but he took it further! He began to ask us questions on how obedient we were, if any of us were hesitant he asked, "where is the power in that?" When he asked how many of you wake up on time, and we had to think about it, no power, our obedience was powerless. How many of us get out on time everyday, again a hesitation.. no power. I decided, how can we as set apart ministers be so powerless. When we are asked if we are obedient and we say "I try" how weak. The second was he asked how many of us work with faith. He asked how many lessons we teach, we told him average 15 to 20. He said, well double it. You are walking with people everyday, you should at least have 50 contacts a day. Harsh to hear, but true. Were we not commanded to raise our voice as a trump, yet we walk and show nobody that we are willing to stop them for 5 minutes and faithfully invite them to the gospel. Our mission was changed. We were given invited to be powerful ministers through obedience, and with faith and hard work raise our voice to all people, expecting our results to be double, which is a miracle. I have been so uplifted, that is a leader of our church and I support him. I think I have been at fault for murmuring and lacking in some ways in the close of my mission saying, Am I not doing a good job? Am I not doing work? But the fact is I have precious time to serve the Lord, and now is not the time to be weak. We went out and we saw a Miracle this week, I hope as we go out this next week we will see more. I leave this in the name of Christ Amen.

August 10, 2014

This week was crazy long! I am doing my 4th transfer in this area... and man oh man.. things seem to just be like the same things everyday. I really miss change right now. But, as for investigators and less actives, we are making some progress. Our real problem right now is getting them to church. We have been pushing so hard, and none of them will do it. We even set it up where we would go pick them up, when we got to their house, they were just sitting around and they told us they were busy! ... I was not happy with that. Salvation is on the line and our investigator did not take us seriously... Anyways the ones we planned to pick up were not are super great receptive ones so we were hoping they would come to church and maybe have a good experience there and want to get serious with the lessons. But we planned, we texted, we stopped by the night before even to confirm.. and than just bam .. flaked. It is frustrating. Anyways.. Patience and Long-suffering, and some gentle persuasion are things I need to still work on I guess.
Anyways we had a cool experience. Part of my mission has been searching for the lost sheep. As we look for the 100's of less actives, we find investigators on the way. It has been way effective, and really cool sometimes. This week, we especially had a good find. We found this family, we probably passed by their house a ton, and they never even seem to notice us. Finally we found their name on our list of members, we searched, we found them, and we taught them. They were so nice, and receptive. They were also a Part-Member family... things could go well. I was way stoked we taught them and good lesson, and I haven 't been this excited in forever! It seems to sometimes when things seem hard, the Lord is always preparing a way to strengthen my faith. I am way stoked teach this family, they already commited to go to church and we will see miracles I hope. This Church is true and this work is true. It is hard, but this transfer I think will have to be a lot of patience and long suffering, with some gentle persuasion!.. the Lord will provide and miracles will be seen. I know this in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

August 3, 2014

This week we had a slow week. Transfers, and just overall the weather slowed us down. Our area is so muddy and my feet are always so wet! haha I am so sick of it! Anyways the rain really seemed effect everyone in my district. We as a district, had a pretty slow week. Anyways, We had some good things happen though. We set out tracting again to find some new people to teach. We had a lot of less actives come to church. Also .. yeah things are just the same ol same ol. Anyways, a lot of things happened this past week and my thoughts were drawn towards the plan of salvation, mostly the sealing power here on this Earth and Families. I have grown a deep understanding of how important that promise is, especially as I read D&C section 2. It is also found in Malachi, of how the hearts of the children will turn to their fathers, and the hearts of the fathers will turn to the children. We need each other in this world, whether this life or the next. Salvation lies within the family, generations of generations. I think when the Lord planned the world and in it he created a place for us, to live and to be happy. But also to keep that happiness for the next life. Joseph Smith mentions in D&C .. I can't remember what section 128 I think how we need each other to obtain salvation. How important is it now than that we live as eternal families in the faith. How important is it that we stay faithful to our covenants. Even more now, as I am tracting and looking for investigators, how important is it that we search for families. Help them receive eternal and everlasting covenants and to create a heritage of faithful members who will support one another in the eternities. Even more now.. the work of the dead how many of our relatives need us to finish their work here on this Earth. I just want to leave my testimony that Families are Forever. I know that the Plan of Salvation is centered on families, and a loving perfect God has given us families to be happy. Let us all be faithful to our covenants as a family, and help others to receive the true blessings from families.

July 28, 2014

Well the storm has passed, it is hot!! But we are doing good. This was the last week of the transfer and .. I am staying in La Mesa for 1 MORE TRANSFER!.. Its kind of a long time, but its all good. I am excited about it. Anyways.. We had a cool experience this week. It was a cool story of just how our Heaveny Father carries out his work and how the hearts of others are prepared. We met someone just walking, he was just an ordinary guy, and we didn't pay him much attention, but suddenly he was so happy to say hi. It was him and his family with him. The wife seemed in a rush, but he had to just say hi. I kept pressing for maybe something, I asked him if he knew us and met anyone like us. He said a long time ago missionaries came, and never came back after. We grabbed his address real quick, and he told us just come by whenever.. typical line of people who don't really seem interested. I let it go, and so one day when we seemed to have some extra time, I felt like, well maybe we should go try to find them. So we did, I new vaguely the area, and we went and found them. It was just easy really we asked the first person we saw on his street if they knew him. She literally escorted us to their house, and we were able to right then and there share. The lesson was great, he gathered his whole family, and we sat and shared the whole restoration lesson very carefully, but in an overview setting. The whole family was way receptive and they didn't forget an inch of it. I was way surprised. Who are these people? They are way receptive. Even better, when we came for our followup appointment, they had read the assignment, they knew the chapter in Mosiah chapter 18 better than I did... not really but they were almost teaching me. This is what I have been looking for, this is the ones the Lord has truly prepared. I was so surprised, but even more I was so happy. My joy was full. I just want to testify, that people are prepared, and we just need to be sensitive to the grand scheme of things. Even more I want to testify of the joy of families. It seems in my mission I have never met a family.. that was ready to be complete and sealed in the temple! This family seems so prepared! I never know what is going to happen, but as of Right now it was an extraordinary week.The Lord really did bless me this week. I know these things are true. I say them in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

July 22, 2014

Rain Rain go away come again some other day!This week has been so long... We have been just crazy going around the mission and I had so many meetings plus a typhoon to battle we couldn't get much done! The typhoon was pretty weak!!! haha just kidding.. it knocked out our power for 2 days.. we ate a lot of chips those past two days. Haha but we had water.. and we were just sweating miserable in our apartments. It passed by my area within the first .. 5 hours of the afternoon. We watched it the winds were pretty strong.. it was kind of cool. Anyways.. lots of trees uprooted but that is about it! Anyways, besides that.. yeah this week was pretty hectic. We had an official meet the president, that was cool. President Bertin is a very cool guy and.. we got to meet him and his family through a video they made. Also, I had a district leader training, I got some cool training from President Bertin about baptismal interviews and how we should prepare our investigators. Last but not least, I had to give some baptismal interviews. It is always special to me in hearing a converts testimony. My favorite time of an interview is to hear what someone bear their new found testimony about he gospel. I have seen tears but always followed by a big smile. I can't help but to feel jealous that I never have seen the big difference that a convert may see, but I do remember those days, before my mission when I thought I was solid in the Gospel compared to now as I have been building and beefing up my testimony. This is just my chance to mirror my witness like those investigators I interviewed, that I know this is the Church that Jesus Christ restored though a prophet Joseph Smith. I know that this is the way to true happiness, and that our loving Heavenly Father wants nothing but for us to accept it. I know that we need to do all we can to be strong and faithful to those things we know are to be true. Let us help those I have seen change their lives by showing them through our testimony that it truly is worth it. I know this Church is true and I leave this in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

July 13, 2014

Anyways, This week was really great. We were tracting and really just searching for those who would really accept the gospel. Sometimes it seemed we were just getting no where, and yet we had a great Sunday. My companion and I decided we need to be more prayerful and fast, so we fasted for some help. After our fast.. I wasn't really sure what to expect. Really it seemed nothing changed. But trusting in the Lord we worked hard, knocked on doors.. which again .. is way weird to do in our mission for some reason, but yesterday on Sunday the Lord truly blessed our ward. We had the highest attendance I had ever seen since I had been here. The sister missionaries in our ward got all their investigators to church, We the day before got a Part Member family to come for the first time in a long time. It was just an outpouring of blessings. There was an excitement, It could truly be felt. I know the Lord is with us always. He does hear us, and he knows how to help us. I feel so blessed this week, and I feel so empowered almost. When Alma wrote about his brethren, the sons of Mosiah, he knew the cause of such miracles. Through diligent scripture studies, and the power of faith and prayer. I know that as we fast and pray we will see miracles. I leave this in the name of Christ Amen.

Anyways.. this week was a great one. I really felt inspired, on the flip side.. i have lost 97 pounds, and if things go the way I think they will I will by next week report that I am now 100 pounds lighter than when I started my mission! haha. And.. I had a great birthday, my zone .. really made me feel great! We had a CSP and than we all had a little birthday lunch.. they bought me a cake! haha.

June 29, 2014

This week has been so crazy! We first off have a new mission president. He showed up yesterday! His name is President Bertin. He is from Salt Lake! We will be meeting him in 2 weeks for the first time. It is such an excited time. But not only that, my district, I am pretty sure, is one of the highest if not the highest district in numbers. That is just a guess, but I was so surprised at the miracles we are seeing in our district.It is crazy how much progress we are having, how many people we have with baptismal dates, how many of those are progressing, and how many new investigators in general we were able to find. It has ALL been so astonishing! I truly believe the Lord has prepared many people from beyond the vale, for this is the time it seems that the Lord is truly hastening his work. Even my companion and I have had a good 2 weeks of finding through our own efforts.We were able to find some investigators who seem excited to hear us. It has just been a fun week. Even though we are still struggling to schedule them in and really get things going, This next week is going to be GOOD. I can feel it. Anyways, with all this excitement I can hardly think of anything to really talk about specifically. I just want to leave my testimony, that as I go about everyday to tend to the Lord's vineyard.. I am so amazed at how this truly is his work and his church. I have a strong conviction that all my efforts though hard are going to be worth it. We are preparing God's Kingdom here on Earth. I know we have a loving Father in heaven who sent his only begotten, that through him we might be saved. I know that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God who did restore Christ's Church and that Thomas S. Monson is leading the Church of Jesus Christ right now in our time. I am happy to be a missionary and I want to leave this in the name of Jesus Chirst Amen.

June 22, 2014

This week was super good. A new transfer and companion can really spark the work. I am still in my area, but I have a new companion his name is Elder McKinney. He is pretty swell kid.. he is pretty new but gives me more motivation show him how good missionary work can be. I have felt like our work in our area has been going really slow. I think my last companion and I got kind of comfortable and that can be in turn kind of a hindrance, blinding you from what is out there. I decided with my new companion, we have things to do. It won't be easy, but we need to get out there and flip the table. We have to find more and teach more, we are too comfortable where we are at, and we aren't progressing! So we did, we dropped some of our non-progressing and we went hard in finding. We set goals, prayerfully went out with faith, and Heavenly Father provided a way. It seems to me that sometimes we are so preoccupied, going around the routine of things, especially in missionary work, we forget about Heavenly Father himself. Faith is a principle that I have been seeing in so many new ways. It isn't just wind, we can feel, but not see. We don't just blindly follow. But it is surety, it is hope, it is charity. Moroni gives a good description on it. I have been pondering a lot on the scripture, and I don't have my scriptures so it is not completely correct. But it says, "And Christ hath said if he have faith in me, ye shall have power to do whatsoever is expedient in me." Does it really mean we can do whatever? No, but we can do whatever he needs us to do. I think as members, as children of God .. we need to have that faith! Sometimes I think we are so busy in the motions that we truly miss the faith in things. Let us all have faith and do what we need to, not by routine, but by action, by prayer, and by obedience. I know that we will be blessed as we act in faith and do the things the Lord has asked us to do and expects too. I leave these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

June 16, 2014

We had a great week! It was a week of a lot of things to do. We had district meeting, transfers, exchanges, and family home evenings/firesides.What a crazy week. It hasn't been raining too much, its really nice to be in this area. We have transfer announcements, I will be getting a new companion next week. His name is Elder Mckinny.. or something like that. Elder Crabb will be leaving its pretty sad. We had fun. But life must move on. Anyways, its crazy.. I'm on my last 4 transfers.. wow! Anyways this week I have been really thinking about what my Ward needs. What is it that can make them better, they are great, but how can we improve. We seem to have such a small number who seem to be coming weekly, though they are not considered less active, are they truly active? I have had the impression that everyone as members could step up their faithfulness unto the lord. I have been trying to finish all standard works.. the Old Testament.. seems like fairy tales to me haha. But something I was interested in was how the Lord chastened the Israelite. He had things, like giving them manna, that required daily faith and obedience. Most members, not just here, but in the whole world seem to forget their daily manna. Daily Scripture Study, Prayer, week Church attendance. Do we also not need our daily bread? Elder Christiansen gave a talk on this, on Mormon messages, and I am truly inspired by his words. I think we need to become strong in the Gospel, and do those little daily things that make us stronger. I know this Church is true, and we as members need to act as though it is true. I leave this in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Anyways, we had a lot of dinners.. I am so fat... curse transfer week! haha

June 8, 2014

This week was really good. We finally seemed to be able to get stuff done, we got another new Ward Mission Leader, and he has been on top of it working with us. We finally got to some of our investigators that we weren't able to go to for a long time and sweet! We finally got back to teach. We also were able to teach this other guy, his name is Albert. Haha, the first time we met him it was like we were in the 1980's he greeted us like this. "Hey Boys top of the morning" Than he ended with, "Welp see ya later boys!" yep .. we were speechless haha. Later that week we saw him and gave him an equally good greeting. Now we are teaching him. Crazy! Anyways, besides that we were so busy this week. I had my first exchanges as a District Leader. I went to an area, they have juts about the same problems as we do. That is no one is working with them. I felt bad as we got 0 appointments that day and the trainee junior seemed pretty sad that that is the exchanges. I encouraged him to work with their priesthood and talk to everyone to work, or their work will always be that way. Just like how our work  has been. Also our Zone Leader got sick and wasn't able to give his stake workshop. Yeah .. he asked me to fill in. It was easy, just a huge waste of my time. Anyways we were able to really get some ward missionaries inspired to use Preach my Gospel in their teachings and lives. Basically, our stake is about to pump our some missionaries soon. So I am pretty excited! I love Missionary work and Good things are about to happen!

On a side note, Taylor Swift came to the Philippines on June 6 .. that was a great day haha.

May 28, 2014

Anyways this week was probably the hardest in a while. We just were having a lot of obstacles it seems. No one working with us, our ward mission leader moved away, and we were just so busy we couldn't get out to really work. It was hard in general! But.. Things are going good and we still had some good things happen. Our one progressing investigator who just showed up with his friend, Mar, He is doing so good. He is so smart, he understand everything, and even more is he accepts thing instantly. He is sooo determined become a member it is crazy! I love teaching people like that. Anyways I am happy about that! Anyways.. it is about rainy season and it has been pouring down! Holy Moly! It gets super hot than it just pours tons and tons of rain! It has been hard with that too. It is never easy to teach with the rain keeping us from getting places. Lately I have been trying to set good goals and really come through with them. Working out was a big one. I need to lose weight to come home looking good haha. But more of all I have seen how goals are important in our lives, as well as spiritually. How can we ever become like our Heavenly Father if we aren't becoming better. We need to be better today than we were yesterday. I believe that, and I know that Heavenly Father has sen us here to do that, to become better now than last time. Anyways, that is all I really have! It has just been a rough but good week. All I know is, this Church is True, and I am proud to be here as a representative of Jesus Christ!

May 18, 2014

This week was great! We had a lot of success. We got a referral and this kid name is Mar Angelo Sy. He just out of curiosity and with a help from a friend decided to come to church. Ever since then, he seems determined to become a member of this Church. It has been great teaching him. He has accepted a baptismal date and we are looking at some good things to happen in this area by next transfer. It is insane how the work can change with the right people and the right place. We did great with finding new people, and we are hoping to be finding a couple more through referrals. The more and more I go through this mission the more i receive a firm conviction that this church is true. The work is smooth and it is a time of peace and happiness. I am sure that whatever comes in my way though is nothing, I feel so happy to be here serving and I am excited to spend my last 6 months going hard! 

May 5, 2014

Anyways mom, this week was a good week. There were a lot of suprises. first of was I was called a District Leader, I thought because I was getting a little old in the mission, President would pass me up, I was wrong. We also had just a lot of success. The kid's we baptized, their family is not complete yet. We are now working on their step dad. He is the coolest investigator though. Ever since he started reading the Book of Mormon he has just converted himself. We have been talking to him more detailed and more carefully about the Gospel, he truly has been prepared by the Lord. The only problem now is getting him to commit to a baptismal date, he just wants to take it slow, but we are Missionaries, the souls that God needs to be prepared to receive eternal salvation must be ready .. immediately. I wonder if that is selfish of me .. I really want to see him get baptized though, and make sure he gets there step by step! He is great guy. I truly have a testimony in the power of the Book of Mormon though, it truly changes peoples lives and thoughts. It humbles even the most intelligent of people to believe that Jesus is the Christ. We also found another investigator who we are excited to teach. We decided to just go through the 1st lesson with this 15 year old, he is from a different province so he isn't perfect in Tagalog. Needless to say the Spirit was really in this lesson, after struggling through the lesson, my companion who one was not keeping up with the Tagalog, me who wasn't too sure if he was understanding my think american accent Tagalog, and our ward missionary leader. We weren't sure what he understood, he is a brother of a returning member, and he answered all our questions. In the end we invited immediately to be baptized, he was way excited and he accepted! That was a crazy day, it just seemed so fast! Besides that, we also had a very crazy lesson, we went to a house, and as we were teaching .. a swarm of crazy swarming flying bugs came into the house .. it was crazy they were flying in our ears, nose, hair, everything... needless to say.. i didn't finish the lesson. haha! We ran our of their, .. that is embarrassing! Needless to say, the Church is true and I am happy to be a missionary!

April 27, 2014

Anyways this week was awesome. We were able to get a lot done and we got a baptism. We baptized two of the most smart and well behaved kids I have ever met. Their names are Markhenzie and Christine. They are so fun to teach. Even better is that their Step-dad is our investigator and he is progressing super well. He used to not be super interested, but the Book of Mormon changed it all. Anyways, it has been so long since I have had a baptism it was a huge relief. Anyways, I was kind of thinking a lot about the early saints. I just finished the Doctrine and Covenants for the first time. It is really obvious to me more now than ever that our Church is truly led by Jesus Christ himself. He uses his prophets here on the Earth to keep us in the right path. This story has like a couple of sub plots so kind of try to keep up. We were led to these people and it is just peculiar of how it happened. We met a less active named Dexter, he owns a t-shirt store in our area. He was nice, but we didn't think much about it. A week later we meet him at the bus stop with his girlfriend. Nothing strange we thought she was a member. As we reviewed somethings in the teach record, we found that they were taught, and that the sister had needed to be baptized still. We went the next day! They explained their situation, they are really good people, she is so spiritually mature and he is a RM. They are dating, and they do interact in any way against the commandment, except for the fact that they live in the same house, different rooms everything, just same house. I found myself saying to myself.. what is wrong with that? But isn't that what the Apostles and Prophets gave us a great advice and guidance about that. God doesn't change his ways, and no matter what our opinion may be, our ways are not her ways. We were led to her, she saw us in a dream, which is kind of super creepy cool. She told us she saw two Americans, they told her she needed to come back to church and get baptized. We eventually showed up and did just that. I learned many things and also gained a greater faith in Christ. We cannot change his ways, no matter how innocent the situation, they need to find a way to fit the Lords way. They need to bring their lives into harmony with the commandments. In no other way can they recieve those blessings, and in no other way can they be saved, for the sister who is not baptized. I am happy we have living prophets who guide us and lead us in our lives. My thoughts were wrong and I found that out, but we must meet the requirements for salvation. I know this Church is True and we are led by the living Christ. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

April 21, 2014

 This week was super good though. We had a lot of finding opportunities. Since it was Easter too Happy Easter! I had the opportunity to speak at a funeral. It was a part member family and as I was thinking of what to say, I first thought of the Plan of Salvation. As my turn came up, I felt that I should change it completely into a talk on Jesus Christ. I realized why, sometimes when life has troubles and hardships it is easy to rely on the atonement. In times of death times of trial we can draw power from the atonement, knowing Christ suffered these things for us. But as I continued the talk I could not help but feel inspired to relate that we can't forget the rest of the story. Christ surely did conquer death and rose again. Though we can draw comfort and strength from the atonement, we must not forget that we can also rise triumphant as Christ did. We need not just suffer and endure, but overcome.  I know that Christ lives, this Easter holiday was great. It is a great time to be a missionary. I know this Church is true and I know that we are members of the true Church here on Earth. I leave this my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

I have a baptism this week so hope you are excited for some pictures!

April 8, 2014

This week was a pretty fun week. We are getting slower with our work, because we decided we could spend more time finding more progressing people than the ones we were teaching. We especially are struggling in the investigator department because we are just teaching 2 kids whose parents were less active but now are coming back! So .. we want to find those really quality good investigators that will really just help the ward and make Heavenly Father so happy to have them back in the fold. Not that he isn't happy when everyone is in, but you know what I am saying. Anyways We have been tracting and opening our mouths and we haven't seen huge progress yet so that is yet to come. Anyways I had an interesting week. We were invited to a Family Home Evening, this family was great. They were so nice and it was fun. I had previously met the sister because I bought some pearls from her, and she LOVES Koreans because she is a English Teacher to Koreans. So yeah while we were at this Family Home Evening, she was working periodically to talk to these Koreans and she kept having me come talk to them. Most of them were kids, but there was one particular one who was a dentist I guess. I definitely called her "Uni" which was a term younger sisters use to their older sisters. I also definitely was very disrespectful to her because I don't know how to speak proper Korean and that is kind of offensive. But, I got out the bare details, I was a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and I wanted her to know that she could meet with the missionaries and learn about English and more importantly about Jesus Christ. I was unable to get her address or even explain how the heck I could ever get her to the church.. which made me feel so weak! haha But it doesn't matter, hopefully her life was affected and how knows maybe the missionaries will show up at her dentist office. All I know was is 2 things, now matter where you are or how you can share the gospel. This member decided it was perfect that even though she was thousands of miles away she could talk about the Church to her students, and more importantly, get a missionary who could barely speak Korean to talk more about it. Which.. maybe didn't help. The second was that no matter what God has promised all that if we do all we can he will do the rest. I was made a promise that I would not know the effects of my mission on others, but many will come in the next life to thank me for having given my service. Maybe a Korean will come say Hi to me.... I probably still won't understand her haha. Anyways I know this Church is True and we gotta get the word out. This week was fun and I hope everyone had a great conference, I haven't watched it yet. 

March 30, 2014

My new companion, my new area, my new ward! They are sooo amazing. My new companion's name is Elder Crabb, he is pretty new in the mission, but he is so cool. We just talk and talk for days and it is definitely better! I don't really remember other peoples names, and I don't really know what is going on, but all I know is that we have a lot of good people who really have a desire to return. We are in the jungle area and we walk a ton it feels! I definitely came here at the right time though. I have so much energy and people seem to need some good energy. Lately as I have been here I am notice we are working with a lot of part members, and less active families. These people are such good people and lately Elder Crabb and I decided, we definitely need to get these families a good goal to really fuel their desires. Of course we are going to get these people an idea about the temple and mostly on Eternal families. Some of the most basic gospel truths have so much power. Imagine a life where we spend so much time with our families, we give all we have to them, we grow such close bonds, only to see it all go away. Even when I hear that I can't accept it, Families are forever and I know that is true. This Gospel can unite us for eternity and I don't ever want to or could I ever accept it any other way. I am happy I am part of an Eternal Family, and I am also happy that my family are all doing their part to keep that holy spirit of promise. I know these things are true and I leave them in the sacred name of Jesus Christ amen. I am so happy to serve in this new area and it has really been a great week can't wait for next week!

March 30, 2014

My new companion, my new area, my new ward! They are sooo amazing. My new companion's name is Elder Crabb, he is pretty new in the mission, but he is so cool. We just talk and talk for days and it is definitely better! I don't really remember other peoples names, and I don't really know what is going on, but all I know is that we have a lot of good people who really have a desire to return. We are in the jungle area and we walk a ton it feels! I definitely came here at the right time though. I have so much energy and people seem to need some good energy. Lately as I have been here I am notice we are working with a lot of part members, and less active families. These people are such good people and lately Elder Crabb and I decided, we definitely need to get these families a good goal to really fuel their desires. Of course we are going to get these people an idea about the temple and mostly on Eternal families. Some of the most basic gospel truths have so much power. Imagine a life where we spend so much time with our families, we give all we have to them, we grow such close bonds, only to see it all go away. Even when I hear that I can't accept it, Families are forever and I know that is true. This Gospel can unite us for eternity and I don't ever want to or could I ever accept it any other way. I am happy I am part of an Eternal Family, and I am also happy that my family are all doing their part to keep that holy spirit of promise. I know these things are true and I leave them in the sacred name of Jesus Christ amen. I am so happy to serve in this new area and it has really been a great week can't wait for next week!

March 25, 2014

Anyways This week was good. I am transferring to my 4th area. In San Jose Del Monte.. it is like the mountain area and I am so happy to get away from this pollution. But at the same time, I am kind of sad I am leaving this place. This past week I realized just how close I really am to this area. Even though it has been hard and the progression has been slow, I really came to love this place. It is hard saying bye and leaving now. I thought about just how great missionary work is. It makes you love people you barely even know. You get so close to those you share the gospel with, and the members who you have helped and that have helped you. The Church is so great and this is one of the things that help me to testify this Church is true. The people I know, whether faithful members, or investigators who learn something new from you, they all have helped me in one way another. I am sad to go, but it is also time. I am excited. I hope the saints in Caloocan 1st ward know I love them and will miss them! 

March 17, 2014

This week was good too. Last week, I thought I might just kind of try and coast, and as I was kind of getting into a comfort zone, we were reminded in a training meeting about the parable of the talents. Each servant was given their own talent from the master. This can be represented as my area, and the master gave them time to work and multiply their talents. There was one who didn't do anything with his talent and thus was titled the slothful servant. I thought to myself, "How many times have I been the slothful servant?" I began to think, maybe the Lord is not well pleased with me right now with my attitude. Kind of the same about how I feel about the attitude of my companion. My studies have really put me a little further too, especially in Doctrine and Covenants."For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;" This part in D&C 4 really hit me. I need to thrust in my sickle with all my might, which in turn helps me to gain my salvation. This week really gave me a new perspective on my mission. Time is precious, and not to be wasted. This area has been kicking my butt, my investigator who we were going to baptized, just kind of disapperaed, I haven't been able to get a hold of him or to really talk to him. He didn't come to church like he said either. We have gone through so many different investigators, and none are really making steps to progress. We don't really have many Less Actives who care, and our area just really doesn't have active members. It has been easy to get discouraged but this week I decided I am gonna give it a last kick maybe before I get transferred. I knew the Lord had given me the motivation and I hit the pavement hard. Talking to everyone trying to just find anyone who would listen and in the end we were able to find 4 new investigators. I don't know if they will progress, but it doesn't matter anymore, I am going to give it my all to not waste my time and proclaim this gospel to everyone. I can't get discouraged no matter how hard my circumstances, People need to know. This gospel is true, and this church is true, and without it they cannot live with God again. It is that important, and I cannot get into my comfort zone. It really was an inspiring week this week. I really want to carry it on too, for the rest of my mission.

March 10, 2014

Anyways our baptism wasn't able to go through. My investigator suddenly started working again, so we haven't been able to finish the lessons with him. Also he didn't come to Church, so now we have to restart the process until he comes to church 4 times out of 5 Sundays. It is frustrating! I won't get to see his baptism unless I stay here another transfer... I have been in caloocan for a while.. so that will probably not be happening. Oh well sometimes the harvest season is different, it doesn't matter as long as they all stay active that is my true desire for anyone I teach and gets baptized. Anyways, this week was slow we just had a lot of challeges, things just weren't working out. We had conflicts left and right. Our new investigators were reluctant to progress and now we are just on the search again. Man .. sometimes it seems I can just coast a little and teach more than walking around, but I guess the Lord has different plans. Hmm... Anyways.. it may sound way bad, but it has been worst. I can't just disregard the tender mercies of the Lord. It has been a great blessing serving in this area. I may not be able to have baptized anyone, but maybe there has been a different focus. We have been working really hard with the ward to gain their trust and to involve them in the work with the missionaries. The ward has main long strides with new plans and goals. We are actually seeing action and progression too! It is so great. Even though my area is struggling sometimes, our ward is growing, and we have 4 Elders in our ward. The other two have the majority of the ward in their areas, and they are so busy! It makes me kind of jealous, but I know that is how important Members can be in the work. Anyways, I am really going to give it my all these next couple weeks. If ever I transfer I want to make sure the area is the best it has ever been, I want to leave it telling myself even it I didn't get to harvest any, there will be fruits of my labors.

March 3, 2014

This week was really good. We just had a lot of blessings. I had been fasting and praying for my investigator Joaquin. He was progressing so well, than last week he kind of hit a obstacle. He told us to give him a week and he would decided if he really was gonna get baptized. I still don't know what his choice is we haven't been able to talk to him. But he texted us and said sorry he couldn't come to church, but he would be there next Sunday. So I take that as our answer! YES! Also, things just kind of worked out for us. We found two families to teach. One we tracted out through our own efforts! The other one was just a sweet blessing from the heavens. We had a little girl come up to us, so cute, she just asked if we were Elders. We of course said YES! She said Elders used to come teach them, but they stopped coming and she was sad. So we told her we would go to her house to teach right then and there. We got there and a whole family who seemed to have a desire to get baptized was there. They are way poor so this is going to be a tough one because we don't want them to be less active, but I am excited just because.. things are just going better. It just seems like my time here is getting so short in this area. I am probably going to be transferring at the end of this month, and things are getting better slowly. I have truly been blessed in this ward and this area. I am excited to see what else is going to happen in the coming weeks I have left!

February 24, 2014

Anyways this week was good! and kind of bad. We taught a lot of lessons this week. I am just pushing myself really hard this transfer to leave the area as good as possible. Because if my companion gets left here ... yeah ... it needs to be good. Anyways, we really have been searching for some better investigators. Most of the ones we have been teaching.. really never have time and never want to act on the message. So we have been tracting. We have a lot of follow-up appointments, but they always fall through and so I hope this week we find some good new investigators. Anyways, Our investigator Joaquin who is supposed to get baptized March 8 has hit his first real concern.H e is at a very critical point in his conversion. He kind of just got hit way hard with excitement about his Baptism from us and the ward and he kind of realized he needed to really commit. He cried in front of the Elders Quorum saying he is thankful for all of them, but he is not sure what he is going to do. He told us not to come see him for a week, this week he said he would pray and find out what God would have him do. Join our Church, or stay a Born Again Christian... I am nervous... i am so sad too. He cried telling me. I love this guy so much! I have only taught him for 3 weeks, but that is the Gospel. It makes you love the people no matter what! Anyways I am praying and fasting for this man, I have done many good things here in my 3rd area, but this is the one thing. I really want. It hasn't been a easy ride for me in Caloocan, and I just .. I have never felt so strongly that someone needed this Gospel more than Joaquin. I know he would be such a big help to the Ward and this would solidify his faith in Christ forever. I know this Church is true and I know he is going to make the right choice. Whether it be now or later, his testimony is there, but he just feels bad leaving his other friends in his old church, but a testimony is something he has. So this next week is going to be one of the craziest weeks of my life! 

February 19, 2014

Some things Change (companion), Somethings stay classy (Clss A Jazz Jersey), And some things don't change (My Love For Taylor Swift)

February 10, 2014

This week was really good. Despite the difficulties in my areas, and numbers wise we had a bad week. In terms of spiritual lessons and great progress in our 1 investigator it was the best. This week we have been just really focusing on our investigator because he has been truly prepared of God. I knew that God was waiting for me to earn this one and after 2 transfers of going through investigators and not seeing progress, this week was great. Bro. Joaquin is his name and he is just so willing to do what we ask him to and to keep his commitments. We had a special experience this week with him as our focus seemed to be in the Plan of Salvation. We taught him the Plan and he had so many questions. But the spirit always directed his thoughts and our answers. He worked out all of his concerns and we fixed so many doctrine points. Also when we explained how everyone gets a fair chance, and in the spirit world, those who didn't receive the gospel will receive a chance, he was way excited. He thought his friends and family were damned, but the spirt testified to him the God is just and the plan is perfect. I was so happy when he shared to us his hopes that he could see his family again. I just want to testify today that this week I saw the true value of the Plan of Salvation. It gives hope and comfort to all. I know that God has prepared a perfect plan for us and when we truly understand the plan and live by it, we do not need to worry about losing lost ones. We can be bound together as a family forever and enter into God's Kingdom. I know that the Saviors atonement is important, and vital to the plan. Without it we could never return to live with God clean, we would not receive the mercy we need to repent, we could not recieve a resurrection, and we would have no way of getting through this life without it. I know the Plan of Salvation is true. I leave this in the name of Jesus Christ Amen. 

February 3, 2014

Anyways this week was super good. We have been just talking and talking to so many people and it seems like everytime we come back they just aren't interested or are really good at avoiding us cause when we show up at their door when they tell us to come back they aren't home! Crazy right? Anyways, Heavenly Father has really been preparing people for us. As we were following up with a person, who wasn't home.. hmm..., we decided to talk to two people. We had talked to this lady before, but her friend was new to us. As we were talking to her, I noticed that this guy seemed kind of interested. We were just asking her about the pamphlet we gave her and so we gave him one too. Than he just started hosing us with questions and we asked him if he had time at that moment so we could teach him. We taught him about how God is our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and how they help us and our lives. He was way excited to hear that we believed in Christ too and that he thought we didn't. We gave him a Book of Mormon and he was even more excited to hear that there might be other scriptures. He is way cool. Our second lessons with him he accepted a baptismal date and I think at this rate he will be ready by next week! he is like a sponge just absorbing! We had many other experiences this week where we thought we might be able to teach one person and ended up finding someone else. This week we found 5 new investigators and out of all that the one I talked about earlier just seems so ready to accept our message. I am so blessed to be the instrument in God's hand this week. The work here has been hard, but I have seen so many blessings! Our Sacrament attendance was I think the highest since about 1 year. We had so many people come to church less actives and investigators. I have truly seen God's blessing poured out upon this area and in my ward in Caloocan. I pray these things continue and I hope all are praying for the missionaries and this work. I had a great week and I hope all goes better next week! 

January 26, 2014

This week was good. We have been just searching and searching and searching. All our less actives and investigators we are working with always just seem sooo busy that in 1 week we teach them maybe 2 times. So we are really looking for some new places to go. We have been looking through the ward records and finding people. Addresses in the Philippines is way unreliable they are either incomplete or inaccurate so we sometimes search for 1 house for hours. But the Lord has really strengthened us and we found a lot of the houses. Sadly, most of them are dead or have moved out. We were able to find through our searching a sister of one of the less actives. Her name is Sherna and she was really nice and hopefully we can rescue her! Besides that, we found other ones... who were ... a bit hard hearted. This was probably the 3rd time somebody yelled at me on my mission. I understood everything this inactive that we found told me and I hope she knows she is lucky I am trying to be more christlike! Haha Anyways are tracting efforts are slow. I came to know that all the big houses in our area that we thought are houses are actually factories and warehouses. But like sometimes they look like houses and people answer the door like its a house... so yeah ... that was a bit awkward! Anyways we had a fun experience this week to. Me and my comp were walking in a market! Some guy stopped us and asked us if we were Mormon. We said yes, than he asked us where our church was so we told him and than we introduced ourselves. Yep this guy ... was an active members but he just had the worst questions cause we totally thought he was some sort of golden investigator. So yeah whatever! but right after we took a right turn, and some lady called out to us. We almost ignored her because it happens all the time and we thought she was just trying to sell us stuff. Turns out though as she talked she said she remembers missionaries like us when she was a young girl. They gave her a pamphlet and she liked it. So she wants us to come teach her. Yep what a coincidence right? Crazy! The Lord is always helping and preparing people! Anyways it was good week, I guess in a way ... I lost sight of what I should really be thankful for. The little things. 

Just celebrating my 1 year in the field... Korean food! and Looking good! MOM! and my gross area!

January 22, 2014

Hmmm ... where to start.. This week was about the faith to find! So we decided that most of our investigators we have been working with are just not progressing and .. honestly most of them won't even give us the light of day. Also our less actives are just about the same way. So me and my companion are just DONE! We want new people who want to progress and we want them now. So we really thought about who we should teach, focus on, and who we should maybe give some time too. So that really hit our schedule hard. There were some days where all we did the whole day was tract and look for inactive members. To be honest, it was long and hard. Finding an address in the Philippines is like throwing a needle in a haystack. It is impossible! But we found some. They were either dead or moved out haha. Also all our tracting efforts had no outcome... yet. Overall we had a good week in the sense we worked and worked and worked. I think Heavenly Father is satisfied. We are tired and I have never felt like I couldn't walk one more step before, but we keep going! You know before I leave I am determined to make this a good area! Anyways, we had the chance to teach one of our investigators who, we thought just didn't care for us. It turns out that she has a testimony of the restored gospel but what is holding her back is church. She told us that people take church to lightly, kind of like a social gathering and not a time to worship God and remember him. It kind of touched me that what she said had some truth to it. I told her Sister you are right, and we want to fix that too. I remember a talk I read once about how we are losing our sense of sacred things. Too many times we really overlook how sacred scriptures are, church, prayer, all these things really are. I think every member can one way or another say they may overlook these things. I realized this week that I am truly lucky to have gained a testimony in the restored gospel. I am truly lucky that I know my Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. I am truly lucky to have scriptures from prophets that teach me truth. Because I am truly lucky, maybe I can show it more too. I hope for a greater love for these things and I hope that all members will also show it too, especially in this case because we have no idea who is watching. I just want to leave this thought in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

January 12, 2014

We had a good week. A week for building faith, but a good week. We decided that we need to do more, we need to find new people, we need to stop teaching these people who aren't progressing. So we set out with good plans. We decided to stop focusing so much on people who were always busy and we were going to go find new people. We talked to everyone... Everyone I swear! Door to Door, people on the streets! Everyone! Man ... times have changed...people really don't care. But God is preparing and we had some success talking to people. We decided to find New Less Actives to teach.. yep they are all dead or gone. But God is preparing... In the end... we looked at the numbers and it was a little sad to see how we probably had the worst numbers. But I know that God is preparing. My point to all this is God comes in his own time. I think I had to learn this lesson this week that Faith sometimes takes a little bit of trials. But I feel like I have never worked this hard. Also I look back and think, God really is working with us. I looked back, we had our Less Actives starting to come to church... they missed sadly but that is just a funny story because why, but they really were like at the gates! The guard wouldn't let them in and they got in a fight with him... haha Also another one woke up late and went to another ward! So that was good. We found new investigators and opend up our teaching pool some more. We saw the Ward who seemed to be uninterested in helping us now giving us an hour after church to coordinate with us and help us. This truly was a good week and I am excited for next week. This church is true and this work is important. It takes time and patience and really in its not easy. But we all need to do our part. I am happy to be a missionary and this year is off to a good start!

January 5, 2014

Things are going better. We got 4 missionaries in the house and in the ward. We saw a lot of good things happen this week within the ward. We switched back over to 9 o'clock in the morning. I had a feeling our attendance was going to be low and when sacrament started and yep... there was like 20 of us. I remember giving a sigh and thinking.... man. Ten minutes passed and man everyone was late! We had a way high attendance and we even saw some of our less actives show up to church. That was good. We continued just feeling the energy of the new year. I asked Bishop if we could have a meeting earlier this week and so he gathered the whole ward council together and we set so many good goals! I am excited to just get going and go. We have been struggling but now is the time. I am feeling the call for a higher standard. I hope as the weeks go I can grab it! I am really excited to get going. I have been really thinking about it and yep my faith is coming back, for the first time in my mission I think I am going to tract for reals! Door to door. person to person, until I find that miracle I need. I know this Church is true and I know that Jesus Christ is at the head. I feel inspired and ready to follow. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

December 31, 2013

This week we had a fun time. People were so busy with the holidays, it was hard to get things done. But we went out and we tried our best. We actually didn't get many lessons in. But, I kind of had a good experience just thinking about myself in my mission. I feel like lately I have been in such a rut. Things aren't going right and I just felt like .. I was done I didn't want to go on anymore. But, I have been praying and it seems the Lord would do the opposite of what I asked. We couldn't get any investigators to Church, and we nobody we were working with were responding. I thought to myself as I reflected on the year saying what is making the difference why is it that right now is different the rest of my mission. I came to realize .. it's not, I have been going through the trials and hardships with my head held high and my faith as my strength. I guess my attitude changed and I kind of felt like maybe it is time for me to reflect change and adjust. I think Heavenly Father loves us, but as much as we pray and we try, we can't always see the blessings immediately. I don't know what is going to happen this next transfer, but I still have a good comp who is going to stay with me one more transfer. I also have a renewed attitude and I am going to do what I set out to do which is to bring souls unto Christ. To rescue the lost and to strengthen the church. I love the Gospel and I hope this year is just as good as last year! So here is to the new year with a new transfer! Also .. not be trunkie, but .. I come home this year... WOO HOO! haha!