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.