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!

 

Happy Birthday

This was a crazy week.  We went on three exchanges with the Bago zone leaders and it was good.  So, I am transferring again.  This time to Ma-ao.  It is actually a barangay of Bago City in Negros Occidental.  Anyways, there have never been missionaries there before.  It is what is called an open area.  President know there is one member family there, but other than that he knows little about it.  Elder Peralta and I kinda feel like someone hit us over the head with a 2x4.  We had 25 baptisms planned in our area for December, including 10 on Christmas Day and now we are opening an area, meaning a big 0 for baptisms in December.  O-well, such is life right? 

My birthday was good--much better than the last one.  I was actually on exchanges in the morning and then I went home around 10:30 and opened my presents.  After that Elder Peralta and I went to work together for the first time all week.  While we were out, Elder Doane texted us and told us to meet them for pizza after we were done working.  They all treated me to pizza and wings for my birthday dinner which was awesome!

I heard a quote the other day from one of our new missionaries straight from the MTC.  He said, "You have two years to work as hard as you can, and an eternity to think about it."  I loved that!

So far, being an AP has sucked!!!!!  Just kidding.  I have had fun, but I have been sick for two weeks because we are so busy and I don't have time to get better!  I like the expectations that are placed on us though. 

Hope everyone has a great week. Love you all!

Happy Thanksgiving

This was a great week!  It started off extremely spiritual with the meetings with the new missionaries and then we were able to get some great work done.  Being an AP is a great opportunity.  I have very humbly prayed and asked for divine help as I try to do what I feel so inadequate at being able to do by myself.  It is so great being with three other missionaries that have the same desire to work and to see the blessing this is in people's life as I do.  I am so excited to watch the work in this ward!

This week is going to be a pretty busy one for us.  We have exchanges coming up with Bacolod North, Bacolod South, and the Bago zone leaders.  I am excited and know that we will have another successful week with many more miracles.  We have a great investigator named Sister Nieva.  She is a perfect example of the rich and the learned.  She truly has been so prepared by the Lord to accept this gospel.  She is very excited and is extremely in tune with the spirit.

I was really hoping to have great news about the football game, but it's okay.  I told Elder Doane earlier today that no matter what happened with the game, I wouldn't be more proud than I was the day that Kody told me he was going on a mission and nothing would stop him from serving.

I want to share an experience that I had a couple of days ago.  I was really trying to figure out what I have gained from my mission that has changed my life.  That sounds weird, because every week I share experiences that have changed my life here.  But, this was more like what has really changed me.  I thought about it for a couple of days actually and I just barely received my answer--actually during emailing you!  I now know that this gospel is true.  Before it was just something that I felt or something that I "hoped" to be true because I didn't have a lot of other things to go on.  I said I knew and I used that when I bore testimony because in my limited knowledge, I really thought I did know.  But now I KNOW it is true.  I know it, not just feel it.  I hope I never lose it, because I am more genuinely more happy than I have ever been in my life right now.  It sucks being away from you all, but the fact that I wake up every day with a smile on my face is because I am doing the things that bring true happiness.  So, when I get home and start complaining because I don't know what to do, just slap me in the face with this email!

I hope you all  have a great week!  I love you all so much!  Hope you have a good Thanksgiving.

First training as an Assistant to the President

Feeling the effects of no sleep

Elder Peralta and me

The food is always the best part of our meetings

New Assignment

This was a good week.  Yesterday we had 134 people at sacrament meeting in Canlaon.  Much better than the 77 my first Sunday here.  Elder Edem, Elder Bragas, Elder Cudac, and I have truly witnessed miracles in this area.  Together we had 16 investigators at sacrament meeting.  This area would really explode if another companionship was placed here.  The field is white all ready to harvest--we just need the laborers!!!

So here is the news . . . I was assigned as an Assistant to the President today.  Honestly, I have mixed emotions about it.  I am excited because it is a great opportunity, but I am a little sad about some of the changes.  Please pray for me.  I am going to need them!

It is my first day as AP and I am already not going to get a P-day!  I have until noon to do what I need to get done and then we are super busy.  We have 15 new missionaries from Tacloban arriving today and I have to give one of the trainings for them.  I can't believe they are adding missionaries to our mission.  We are already over capacity, but it's all good!  The more, the merrier!  I really am praying that I show up and I see Elder Murdock, but I don't think I am that lucky!

One of the great things that I realized this week as I reflected on my mission is this:  When you look for faults in people, you find them.  As you may have noticed, it has been over a month since I have complained about President Lopez.  I took a long time one day and thought about everything.  I realized that I had started looking for faults in him.  I stopped looking at the things I admired about him when I got here, and started looking for reasons to complain and to do my own thing.   Funny how during that time, it was probably one of the harder parts of my mission.  For the last month I have really tried doing what President Bangerter told me to do.  I'm trying to look for the qualities he has that qualifies him to be such a great mission president.  It actually started about a month ago when Elder Nielson of the Quorum of the Seventy came to visit.  He said that missionaries are assigned to mission presidents, not missions.  I think this can apply to all of us though, no matter what situations we are in.  Looking for the bad in people is not the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It stands in horrible opposition of it.

On Wednesday we had our zone training with President Lopez.  He showed us a video of what it looks like in Tacloban right now, and within seconds I was bawling.  I cannot believe the destruction over there. I hope all of you know how much I love these people,  I have really grown attached to them.  Somewhere between getting mad at being called "Joe" 24/7 and all the poverty, I have truly fallen in love with these people.  The worst part is that even if you were to visit here, you could never understand by just spending a week with them.  I have never met a kinder people in all my life.  They would bend over backwards just to help a complete stranger who doesn't speak their language and is fresh out of America.  So many times I have seen people who own little more than the shirt on their back take a family into their home because the family lost theirs.  Everyone here believes in Jesus Christ (except the Muslims in Mindanao), even if that faith is a little misguided.  It hurts to know that such good people had to suffer so bad, because they don't deserve it.  But, if there was ever a country that will pull together, it is this country.

Also on a sad note, Brother Contreras, the father of that family that I haven been teaching in Canlaon, the ones I really care about, came to church on Sunday!  Okay, that part isn't sad, but it is kinda sad that the day he comes is my last day in the area.  I guess now is the time I really need to trust in Heavenly Father.

I love you all so much!  Kody is going to bring home a state championship!  I'm telling you, it is meant to be!!!!!!

Post Typhoon Yolanda

I am so glad to hear all of the missionaries are safe.  One of my best friends is serving the Tacloban right now and I have been a little worried about him. I know that the Lord takes care of His missionaries, so I am sure he is fine.

Being in San Carlos for three days was a little crazy.  By the end of it I was fighting to get out and just be outside!  It is amazing how much better it is being out and about working.  Being inside for all those days was just torture for 9 people who are used to being out of the house 10+ hours a day.  We only proslyted two days last week and it had to be the longest week of my mission!  By Friday afternoon, I was ready to tear some heads off!  I am sure all of you can imagine me after 24 hours non-stop with 8 other guys!  All in all, it was fun.  Elder Shaffer, Elder Ellis, Elder Pulsipher and I just pretty much sat on the balcony for three days watching the storm, talking about life, etc.  I was good, but it got me super trunky!  All of these natural disasters are pretty crazy experiences for a kid from St. George.  I mean earthquakes, typhoons, and an active volcano that burps smoke about once a week is a little sketchy for me, but I guess it is all part of the experience!

I sure hope all of you have your 72 hour kits ready.  Why?  Because we were stuck in a house for how many hours?  72!  Hmmm, I think that must be a coincidence!  Seriously, one thing all these things are teaching me is that the prophets are for real.  Two weeks ago, Neil L. Anderson warned all the people he spoke to here that they needed their 72 hours kits.  What more evidence do we need that these men know things that we don't!  Also, all of these things are getting me so excited for the second coming!  It is close, I am just praying I get to see it happen.  If not, I am going to have a front row seat from the Spirit World!!!!!!

Coming back to Canlaon on Saturday was interesting.  We got to our house and it was flooded.  We spent the first three hours just trying to fix up our own house.  After we got all the water out, we went out and visited investigators and members.  The good news is that most of the houses were left intact and not too much damage was done to anything but banana trees. There were a couple of homes that fell over because they were only made of bamboo, but the church was open so they were able to stay there during the storm and nobody was seriously injured.  After that, we both had the impression to go to the church.  We went and the relief society was passing out relief goods, so we helped for a bit.  We kinda felt like we were wasting our times, so I was unsure why we had both felt inspired to go there.  As we were about to leave, six kids showed up and asked to borrow a basketball to play.  Elder Bragas immediately said, "Yes, but first we are doing a devotional."  And, that is the story of Canlaon Branch's first basketball day! What started as a church tour with six little kids turned into over 50+ young and college-aged who showed up.  Honestly, we were unprepared for that many people, but we are going to talk about ways we can improve.  I just thought it was pretty amazing that something unplanned had such a crazy turnout.

Unfortunately, there is nothing cool to update you on--just a super boring week!  I love you all and hope you are all doing well!

Monkeying Around

I hope everyone had a good week.  It was a good one for Elder Cudac and I.  We were able to reach our highest key indicator totals for the transfer.  That is probably because this is our first full week when we didn't have anything that took us away from working.  It was also rewarding because we were able to have another baptism.

The blessings have really been with us this month.  When you told me I was training again and especially with me not even knowing the new language, I was terrified.  I didn't know what was going to happen.  But again, as He has throughout my whole mission, Heavenly Father showed me that as long as you just "go and do," He will prepare the way for you.

Elder Cudac told me this week how President Lopez described me in his first interview with him.  I laughed as he told me he was actually pretty worried to meet me.  President had told him I work hard, I am competitive, I want to be the best, I am obedient, and I don't care for my companions!  Everything is true except the not caring for my companions.  I will be the first to admit that I have had a few companions that I have struggled with, but I really do care about them.  I told Elder Cudac that I hope I have been able to show him that I really do care about him.  I was having a pretty good laugh when he was telling me all about that.

So this letter might skip all over the place.  I am sorry, but I will try to clearly move from one point to the other.

First, I want to talk about my personal experience with the prayer challenge.  It was a little harder than I expected.  I came to the realization that sometimes I am pretty selfish in my prayers--just asking, asking, asking.  I realized just how blessed I truly am.  Another thing I realized is all of the hidden blessings in our trials.  This week was full of them for me, but I think Heavenly Father was just testing me to see if I could really do it, and I did!  Another thing I realized is that by doing this, it became more like I was just talking to my Father in Heaven--not so much like a drive-thru order.

Next, I want to talk about something I realized this morning while I was studying.  It is this--ENJOY THE JOURNEY!  Gosh, this life sucks sometimes, doesn't it?  Haha, there is no other way to say it, but we need to enjoy it.  That sounds hard!  As I was thinking about it, if I were to list all the parts of serving a mission, it would sound like hell.  That's the honest truth, but I am happy almost all the time.  I have no idea why though!  The only thing I can say is making that happen is because I read and pray every day.  Sounds silly and super missionary of me, but that is it.  That stuff invites the Spirit and the Spirit won't give feelings of sadness.  Here are a couple of scriptures to study if you want.  It will be best if you study them in order.  2 Nephi 2:22, D&C 95:1, Alma 7:11-12 and D&C 58:3-4.  I think you will see what I tried doing by placing them in that order!

Next, Book of Mormon reading.  I heard something this week that I think could put all of our hearts at ease.  let's be honest.  I don't know if any of us understand everything we read in there.  But I hope this story helps:

There was a grandpa and his grandson sitting by a fireplace.  The grandson turns to the grandpa and says, "Grandpa, I don't want to read the Book of Mormon.  I don't understand anything in it and I don't get anything from it."  The grandpa paused for a second and said, "Pull some of those coals out of the fireplace and put them in this basket (the basket had holes in it).  After the grandson did that, the grandpa told him to go to the pond in the backyard and fill the bucket with water.  The grandson, a little confused knowing the water would drain, hesitantly did as he was told and returned.  The grandpa said, "I need a buck of water, go do it again please."  Without objecting the grandson did it again and returned.  The same thing happened--the water drained and only the coals were left when he returned to his grandpa.  The grandpa again said, "I need water, please go get me a bucket of water.  The grandson then asked, "Can I get a different bucket?"  The grandpa replied, "No, use the same one."  Grudgingly, the grandson continues for five more trips.  Finally the grandpa asks, "Was the bucket able to contain the coals?"  The grandson replies, "Of course not, it has holes."  Then the grandpa tells him to look at the coals.  The grandson looks down to see the coals which were once dirty and dull, now they were clean and shining.  The grandpa then said, "Just because we have holes in our spiritual capacity to learn, it doesn't mean the affect will be any different.  We may not retain all we read, but the affect is the same.  It will polish and clean us and make a difference in our lives, even when we don't see it.  So that being said, read the Book of Mormon every day!  Even if it is just a verse.  YOU WILL BE HAPPY!  I promise you that.  I dare you to put that promise to the test.

Next, I was looking at myself in the mirror yesterday . . . a little vain, I know!  But, I realized that sometime in the past 16 months, I became a man.  I don't look like a chubby kid anymore.  My face looks like a man's face, I can grow a beard in like two days, my voice is deeper, I handle situations a lot more maturely now and . . . I look like a man.  It kinda freaked me out a bit!  I mean, I am a very good looking man, but still I look like a man!  Haha!  Just a little food for thought!

Next, the monkeys!  I hope you all like the photos.  Yes, I did get bit by one of them, but it was my fault.  I was teasing the monkey and he actually slapped me in the face first!  It was the funniest thing ever.  I was like, holy crap, I just got slapped by a monkey!  So what did I do?  I kept teasing him like an idiot and he bit the hand I was holding the bread in!  Anyways, I had no idea that they were literally going to climb on me.  The ran right up and jumped on me.  I was so shocked that I dropped my camera.  Yes, it broke and now I have to buy a new one or try to get mine fixed.  Nevertheless, it was the coolest thing I have done on my mission.  When we come back to visit, we are definitely going there.  It blows my mind how much they act like humans!  Monkeys have always been one of my favorite animals, so I was definitely like a kid in a candy store.  I am sure you can tell by some of the photos.

Anyways, I love you all so much!  I hope you all have great weeks.  I can't wait for football to start again.  Hey-16 months as a missionary and only 8 more to go.  Guess what that means!  If mom and dad wanted to give me another little brother I would be there for the birth!  Haha--just a thought!

Love you all!

Lots of Photos

This was a great week.  It started off on Tuesday with an earthquake!  The epicenter was two islands over, but it was still 5.6 magnitude here.  We were studying when it happened, then all of a sudden the picture of Melissa on my desk fell over and the world started shaking!  It was crazy!  Much stronger than the one that happened on my first day here.  Then there were three others throughout the week--none of which were as strong.  I didn't even feel the last one because we were out proslyting, but we got a call from President because we hadn't texted them to let them know we were okay.  We honestly couldn't even feel it!

The mission tour was great.  We got to listen to Elder Brent H. Nielson of the Seventy.  He did a great job and so did his wife.  At the end, they had a question/answer session.  I asked the first question and it was about how we can deal with the stress of missionary work.  Sister Nielson actually answered and she totally disregarded my question and answered the real question that I was too afraid to ask.  She talked for a bit and then said, "Elders and Sisters, do you want to know if your Heavenly Father is pleased with your work?  If you feel the spirit, then that means He is.  That is how Heavenly Father will communicate his love for you."  I was like, holy crap, this chick has the spirit of discernment . . . and ever since then I have just felt super calm about things.

Another thing that Elder Nielson said in reply to my question is something I think all of us could try to do in our lives, and that is to "SHOOT FOR STEADY."  So simple, yet so true.  Life is such a rollercoaster and one thing I want to do from now until the rest of my life, but specifically through the rest of my mission, is just shoot for steady--not get super high or super low.  That is much easier said than done, but I will try.

A little bit later today we are going to a monkey sanctuary.  It is sweet because there are no cages and if you bring food, the monkeys will climb on you and stuff.  I am super stoked!  Monkeys have always been one of my favorite animals.  Hopefully there will be lots of photos next week!!!

Hope you all have a great week!

This week's baptisms

The three elders I have trained on my mission

Results from the Philippines diet

 

I even have my own drink

Members showing up to help with the service project

 

Taking a break

I was in charge of tearing down this structure

Mission Tour with Elder Nielson

Masskara Festival

General Conference

We were able to baptize Sister Corson this week.  She is the one that missed her husband's baptism because she was at the emergency room with her grandson.  It was a great service.  Even though there wasn't a lot of people there, the Spirit was very strong.  Sister Corson was a little confused about what a testimony was, so she stood up and prayed.  It was a little funny at first, but then Iheard the words she was saying.  It was amazing to hear her pray and bear her testimony to her Father in Heaven.  Her and her husband are not the rich, nor the learned.  They are both pretty old and I don't know how much strength they will give the ward, but I don't think I have ever baptized anyone with more pure faith in our Father in Heaven.  It has been such a privilege for me to get to know them.

I absolutely loved general conference--especially the Sunday morning session of conference.  I feel like all of the talks were in some way catered to me!  I guess that is how we are all supposed to feel though.

This coming week we have the mission tour with Elder and Sister Nielson.  I remember when Elder Evans came and the spirit that I felt there.  I am excited for the rejuvenating effect that I know this will have on my mission!

Hope you all have a great week!

Our American breakfast before going to watch General Conference

Sister Corson's baptism

Saturday morning session of general conference--
never a big turnout except for the missionaries!

These little girls run up to escort us home every time we come home!