Sad News from EB Magalona

What a week!  It was kind of a roller coaster ride, but we got through it.  The early part of the week was disappointing because a lot of the people we have been teaching are not progressing as much as we were hoping they would be.  A big problem that Elder De Vera and I found is that none of them really understand the great apostasy.  It sounds like a simple fix, but no such luck!  At least five of our seven companionship studies this week was specifically centered on the apostasy and how to teach it more simply so they could understand.  When we tried to apply those things, they STILL didn't understand it.  That was frustrating beyond belief.  We really couldn't tell what we needed to do to help them understand.  I finally just flat out told them that because the authority was lost, their church  wasn't the true one.  They still didn't understand though!  It was a little ridiculous, but we are going to continue looking for ways to make it better.

We had a Stake Conference with Elder Adern.  It was really good.  It was great to be able to listen to him and be around that intense spirit he brings. He said something to Elder De Vera and I that was really cool.  He said, "You are doing a divinely appointed work, and you are doing it very well."  I'm not exactly sure why, but it seemed to lift our spirits.

Something interesting happened this week as we were out walking.  We passed a house and a lady stopped me to tell me that I looked like Jesus Christ.  At first it was kinda weird because obviously I don't look anything like our Savior.  But, as we continued walking it was really cool to think that when she saw me she thought of the Savior.  Now, I am nothing compared to our Savior, nor am I hinting that I am.  I just though of the scripture in Alma 5 that talks about having " . . . His image engraved
upon your countenance. . " as you strive to become like Him.  It made me feel like I am really becoming the best missionary I can be at this moment.

And now for one of the toughest "missionary related" things that has happened to me on my mission.  I got a text Monday after I got off email that Sister Antonano had passed away.  She was the lady with one leg in EB Magalona that Elder and I taught and baptized with her husband.  I took it kinda tough, but I was instantly filled with peace that I helped her to be prepared for that time when Father called her back into his presence.  Thinking back on how hard it was to get her baptized, I was so glad that we were finally able to help her.  Her husband, Brother Antonano (my favorite baptism and a man I love with my whole heart) is still active in the church and now has the Melchizedek priesthood.  I am hoping after June 1, 2014, he will go to Manilla with his daughter who is a member and get sealed to his wife in the temple.

That was my week.  Things are going well. Next week I will be less than five months away from coming home. 

Love you all!

Cole and his "Man Purse"

Life is good!

Bago Stake Conference with Elder Adern

Elder Adern speaking with the missionaries

Loving Life

This was another good week.  We were able to have a lot of investigators at church again.  However, none of the families we are teaching were able to come.  That was a little frustrating for me because I feel like the area isn't progressing as fast as it should be.  I know that I need to have patience, but as you know, I don't have a lot of that!

I love my life!  These last six months I am seriously giving it all I have and it is awesome!  Right now I am becoming the best I can be.  I am confident and sometimes a little too bold with people, but that really is the only way to preach this gospel!  I have the opportunity to tell people exactly what they need to do to be happy.  I tell them, "If you don't do these things, you won't be as happy as you could be."  It is so evident in the lives of the people who are trying to do the things we are sharing with them that they are happier.  The time is even starting to go by faster right now.  I feel like yesterday was New Years, but it is almost February already.  Cool huh!

I am seriously thinking about talking to President Lopez about coming home a few weeks earlier so I can get into summer school.  I want to work hard and get school finished as fast as I possibly can.

I love you all so much!  I hope you are all seeing the blessings that come from me being here and the sacrifices you all are making for supporting me while I am here.

Another Week in the Books

Another week in the books!  We had another MLC (Missionary Leadership Conference).  I had to give a training about accountability.  I definitely worked the Spartan Army into my training when I talked about accountability in a companionship.  I had pictures from the movie "300" and everything.I love the training that President Lopez gave us on serving with all your heart, might, mind, and strength.  It was awesome.  I thought it was one of the best I have heard.  He even talked about how that doesn't mean forgetting about family and home.  He talked about how that becomes a problem when missionaries use that as a crutch to make them work less.  Elder De Vera and I both talked about it the whole way home.  I really feel like it helped us in our work this week.  We had a very successful week and were able to teach in Ma-ao four days.

Yesterday was awesome! Our Bishop rented a jeep for our investigators to attend church.  We literally invited EVERYONE to come to church.  We were hoping for more than 20 people to come to church, but we woke up yesterday morning to the hardest rains that have come in a long time.  I was pretty sad because I knew with the rains there would be some that didn't come.  We didn't have 20+ at sacrament meeting, but we did have 8!  Our February is looking pretty solid as far as baptisms go.  We also found a great place for our baptismal font.  I am so flippin' excited to get some sweet baptismal pictures!

The work is going well right now.  It is funny to notice the little things that happen and know that Satan is still working against us in Ma-ao.  That's okay though, because I am up for the fight!  Right now I would say we are winning and he is fighting a losing battle in Ma-ao.  It is just a matter of time until we can get our sacrament meeting there and then watch us go.  I am so thankful for this opportunity to open this area.  It's challenging, but I love it!  I am also so thankful for my Savior and the help He has given me on my mission.  The relationship I have been able to develop with Him is stronger than I ever could have imagined.  I know that for these next six months, it is even going to get stronger.

I had a pretty cool personal study on Thursday.  I seem to always have cool insights when I read out of the New Testament . . . meaning if I was smart, I would probably spend a lot more time there.  But, I'm all about the Book of Mormon and here in a couple weeks I am going to be starting the D&C Challenge.  You start at Section 138 when you have 138 days left and read one section every day until you go home.  I have170 left as of now . . . yes, I have a running count in my planner!  I think you all should do it with me.

Anyways, back to the spiritual side.  I was reading in Matthew 9.  This is when the Pharisees tried to condemn Jesus for eating dinner with the sinners of the generation.  I absolutely LOVE the reply Jesus gives them in verse 12:  " . . . They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick."  It is hard to explain, but as I read that it struck me that we need Him.  If any of us was perfect, Jesus Christ would be just another human being to us.  But we aren't perfect, and so that means that to us He is everything!  He came to this earth to help us and literally save us.  To make us feel better, both physically and spiritually.  Also, another thing I got from this is that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father are fully aware that we aren't and never will be perfect during this life.  That was all part of the plan.  We are supposed to make mistakes and to feel the effects of those mistakes so that we can learn the gospel and the plan of salvation.  How could anyone ever have true faith in Jesus Christ and honestly be able to bear strong testimony of Him if they were perfect?  It's not possible.  Now, I am not saying it is okay to go and sin willfully--that is not good!!!!!  But, isn't it comforting to know that when we mistakes, we are (in some ways) fulfilling the plan of salvation.  I know that Jesus DID suffer all that, for us (the sick) not the whole.  Seriously though, I am so thankful for my Savior, and all the Angels He has sent me to help me get through the trials of life!  I love you all so much!

Assistants to the President

Mission Leadership Training Schedule

Mission Leadership

Serving waffles

Baptismal Font

Happy New Year!

This week was pretty cool!  Tuesday we had our transfer meeting with President Lopez and also I had my personal interview with him. This is only the 5th one I have had on my mission, so it is kinda a big deal when they happen.  But guess what we talked about . . . . Mom and Melissa.  The first question he asked was, "How is your mother?" and the second was, "How is she (Melissa).  I was able to happily say that they are both doing wonderful and I couldn't be more blessed.  Then President said, "I know that the Lord is blessing you, your family, and your girlfriend, Elder Wilstead, because of your hard work and obedience throughout your mission."  And then he said something very interesting.  He said, "Sometimes those blessings that the Lord is giving all of you won't come until you are home, but I promise He hasn't forgotten about those blessings and to whom to give them to.  He also told me that I won't go home as an assistant, so not to be offended when I get released and I told him that is fine by me!  He also told me he was proud of me.

Elder Peralta transferred on Wednesday and I have a new companion, Elder De Vera.  He is awesome!

Thursday I got to see Elder Stagg at our training  That was super awesome!  He is doing great and his trainee (my grandson in the mission) is a stud too! 

Friday thru Sunday we worked in Ma-ao.  That place is sweet.  It is tough starting from nothing, but we are hoping, praying, and fasting for the opportunity to find males who are ready to lead from the start.

Just remember, only five more Fast Sundays and only 25 more Sundays and I am home!

Love you all!

Cole and Elder De Vera

Happy New Year!

Starting the new year off right

Elder Cusile, Cole, and Elder Stagg

Six months left

Merry Christmas!

What a week!  I say that like it was super busy, which it was for two days.  Unfortunately two days kinda got wasted because of the LTO (Land Transportation Office) and the fiasco that was me trying to get my license.  The first day we went and after waiting for about two hours they told me I wouldn't be able to get my license right then.  They said I needed to come back the next day and take a test and they charged me  2,500 pesos. The next day we went back and waited for another three hours.  They charged me more pesos, took my picture, got my signature, and told me all they need now is my passport to verify that I have a current visa.  I guess when the area office scanned my passport, the visa they scanned expired in March 2013.  So that is all I am waiting for now to get my license.  I am hoping it doesn't take another four weeks to get scanned and sent. 

It was another great week of work in Ma-ao.  In just two days we were able to teach 13 lessons and find 37 new investigators!  Some of the things we did to find those investigators were first for me.  We taught a lesson in the Barangay Hall to a few of the Barangay officials and also met with and talked with the Barangay captain.  We invited him to church and he said he would come, but then he didn't.  O-well, maybe next week!  We also went to a funeral open house.  We taught a lesson to a family of 11 with the casket of their dead brother right next to me.  It was such a great lesson and we are going back this week for a return appointment. 

I am super excited to Skype with the family on Christmas.  Thirty minutes isn't going to be long enough, but just being able to see and talk to you all will be the best gift ever!  After that we have a baptism.  Sister Nieva Cenidoza is going to be baptized by President Lopez.  We thought it would be a good gift to him to be able to baptize someone on Christmas day.  Sister Nieva is awesome.  She is super wealthy and is actually from Chicago.  She was born and raised in the Philippines, but moved to Chicago for work.  She gets mad whenever we try speaking Illongo to her, so all the lessons are in English and it is tough!  I don't know if I have ever taught someone who I know with surety will endure to the end.  She has had a very tough past and made a lot of mistakes, but she is incredibly repentant and all she wants to do is go back and live with Heavenly Father.  She told me after one year she is going to come to America and go through the Salt Lake temple.  She wants me to go there with her and I promised I would.  The sad thing is that her husband died and she does not want to be sealed to him.  I think it is sad, but I am sure everything gets worked out in the next life!

This week I have been thinking a lot about angels.  I have studied a little about them, but honestly I still don't know all that much.   I do know that they are here though.  I am the luckiest person in the world because I have five very special angels in my life.  One that is beyond the veil that I know is with me more than I realize.  Grandma Wilstead has taught me more about God's love than anyone else in my life.  The other four are on this side of the veil.  First, and foremost, is my mother.  She truly is an angel.  No other word could accurately describe her.  If it weren't for us four boys, she would have gone to heaven a long time ago.  I don't know how dad got her, but good job pops!  Grandma Olcott has always been one of the most loving people I know and has never been too busy to spend time with us grandkids.  Of course Melissa was one of the more literal angels that was sent to me.  I don't know what else to call the answer to a prayer, and that is exactly what she was and is.  Her mother, Natalie, has the best timing ever!  Whenever I feel super homesick, I can expect to be getting a package from her.  Even if it is just candy and a card, it is always just what I needed!  I'm not going to call Dad, Kody, and Logan angels, but they are definitely blessings in my life!

Merry Christmas!  I love you all!

Erick Cayao, Elder Peralta, and Gami

Welcome to Ma-ao

Still Waiting for the Passport

Our week was good.  My passport still hasn't come in, but we were able to go and work in Ma-ao on Sunday and it was an awesome experience.  We were able to find six new investigators and I can say that the people there are so ready to hear this gospel.  After being there for a day, Elder Peralta and I cannot wait to go back on Wednesday to work more!  I feel like miracles are going to happen there.  As I only have six months left in my mission, I hope that is where I get to finish off my mission.

I want to share just one experience that we had yesterday that kinda shows how prepared these people are for this gospel.  We met the Barrientos Family.  They have listened to the missionaries before but nothing really came of it.  When we first got there it was only the mother that we were teaching.  She was telling us how badly she wants her son Michael to change.  He is 21 and has a lot of bad habits because of his group of friends.  As we were promising his mother that our message will change her entire family's life, she was just bawling.  Then her son Michael shows up, and I swear I have seen this kid before--but I haven't.  (Sounds weird, I know)  Anyways, he comes in and sits down.  He tells us about his desire to give up some of his bad habits and how he wants to feel "light" and not feel so heavy all the time because of his sins.  It was way cool.  I was able to bear testimony to him that I know this gospel will change us because I have experienced it in my own life.  We committed the mom and Michael to be baptized on January 17, then after we got home we got a call from the mom saying she had talked to her husband and they all want to be baptized on Christmas Day--they said January 18 was too far away.  Unfortunately, they have to attend church four times before they can be baptized, but I just thought it was awesome that they want it so bad.  Michael also told us during the lesson that he would really like to try serving a mission one day.  It was just super cool.  I  haven't known that family very long, but I seriously love them so much.  That is what happens here, you fall in love with the people so quickly that it is insane!

I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Look to the Savior

This week was another good week.  We were expecting to be heading off to Ma-ao, but because of the delay in my passport we were unable to.  President Lopez doesn't feel comfortable with us going there without a car because we will have to be traveling back and forth from La Carlota.  Our house won't be ready to move into until the 23rd of December.

We were able to witness a tender mercy from the Lord this week.  Our baptism was not looking so promising as of Friday afternoon.  However, we never lost faith that our investigator would get the long, very long, awaited okay from her father.  It is so tough because she is only a year away from not needing permission at all and knowing how badly she wanted to be baptized was testing all of our faith.  But between the four of us trying just about every other hour to catch her very busy father at home, finally Elder's Doane and Sablan were able to talk with him and remove the miscommunication that was causing his worry.  I think he was under the impression we were trying to get his daughter to become a nun!  Anyways, he finally agreed and now we have a return appointment with his family.

Yesterday we went to Bago 1st Ward.  It was a great experience.  When all the members knew we were assigned to Ma-ao, they were more than eager to give us referrals.  We also found two young men preparing for missions that want to work with us!  They are both over 18, so we have the perfect set up for member exchanges once we have learned the area.  We have one active member who is also a recent convert, but just wait and see--he will become our first branch president in Ma-ao!!!!

So this week in my personal study, I came across something really cool.  I was reading the Bible in Matthew Chapter 14.  In this chapter there is the story of Peter walking on the water.  I always kinda read right over this and never really tried to think about how this story could apply to my life.  Anyways, the apostles were on a boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee and a big storm came.  As they were trying to make all things ready so the boat wouldn't flip, they saw a man in the middle of the tempest.  They were very afraid until the man spoke, saying, in verse 27, ". . .it is I, be not afraid."  That was the point they recognized that being as Jesus Christ.  Peter instantly begged the Lord for the opportunity to walk out to Him on the water and the Lord permitted him to.  Now this is where the lesson comes in.  When Peter starts walking, he has not trouble at all.  It says in verse 29 that he walked on the water to " . . . go to Jesus."  When I read that, I figured his eyes were set on the Lord with nothing wavering--not his vision or his faith.  But then we read in verse 30 that the winds became boisterous and Peter got afraid.  At this point I am sure Peter took his eyes off the Savior and began to look at the storm that was encircling him.  This fear caused him to start sinking.  When at that time in desperation he returned his focus to the Lord and cried, " . . . Lord save me."  Immediately Jesus set his hand out and caught His sinking Apostle.  Then in verse 31 it says, " . . . Oh thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"  The Lord knew the whole time all Peter needed to do to continue walking on the water was to continue to focus on the Lord.

Now for the application to our lives.  So many times we, like Peter, are so confident in our faith and truly feel like we can walk on water.  We start and everything is going so good because our view is fixed on our Savior.  Then Satan comes in and throws doubt into our lives or sometimes Heavenly Father sends us trials to make us stronger.  We start to worry and start focusing on ourselves.  We literally take our eyes off the Savior and His power to help us.

Another scripture that came into my mind as I was reading this was in D&C 6:36-37.  In verse 36 the Lord says, "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not."  I love that He uses the word look.  It works perfect with this story.  He is pretty much saying to us, please don't worry about this.  Don't be afraid--I got this one!  But then even to add to it, in verse 37 He gives His own qualifications for deserving our faith.  It says, "Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet . . . "  That verse hit me with a lot of power.  I seriously feel like Jesus is begging us saying, "look at these scars in my hands and on my feet, look at the wound in my side.  I have every single one of your fears, sorrows, trials, pleadings, etc. written into my body.  If anyone can help you, it is me.  So don't be afraid, I will help you!"

I just want to end with my testimony that being members of this church doesn't mean we live a life full of joy here on this earth.  If this church wasn't true, Satan wouldn't even pay attention to us. All the trials and doubts and struggles we feel is a testimony to me that this is true. I know that our Savior lives and I know He loves each and every one of us with a love that is far, far beyond our ability to understand.  All we need to do is try our best, and He will take care of the rest.

I love you all so much.  I hope this is able to help someone in some way!