Feb 21: Unforgettable

The week has been immaculate. I cannot say I have attended a better fireside. We were taught from on high last Monday when Elder Scott spoke at a special zone conference. Before it started he shook everyone’s all the missionaries’ hands – except for those on Palawan because they were not able to come. This experience only is enough to make me grateful to be in Manila. He spoke of goals, spiritually (missionary skills is not enough), revelation, the Holy Ghost, prayer, and others inspiriting topics. I wished it would never end. It is amazing what intelligence comes to a man that is truly living God’s laws. His concluding testimony was like none other I have previously heard. He left no doubt in my mind that he knows that Christ lives. Learning to retain that magnitude of the spirit and then sharing it with other is what this work is about. The gospel, righteousness, the ordinances; such things truly bring happiness to lives because the spirit comes into life. We are not physical creatures that have spiritually experiences. We are spiritual beings that feel unnatural when we don’t obey the laws of God.

I shall not finish my sermon, but needless to say, I was truly edified.

The morally strong Allan Jackson (part American, but Filipino) played basketball with us today at a members apartment. Allan is progressing amazingly. He has no vices because of some health problem that does not seem to hinder him except he does not work. He reads the Book of Mormon more than I can, and truly delights in the spirit it brings. He arrived at church last Sunday at 7:00AM when church starts at 7:30AM but actually started at 8:00AM. He did not mind at all. He even brought the kids he takes care of even though he is still single.

Another great investigator we were blessed to find is Bro. Marcelo. About a week or so ago we were walking by his house at night and I ask my companion if we had visited the house before. He said no, but it seemed familiar so I tried it out. They let us in and he has been progress ever since. Although he is busy every day at work, is separated from his wife, and stays with his sister. He came to church the first week we taught him.

I love this work in a way that works cannot express. The Lord has seen it fit to humble me as far as I would permit and now I am just trying to give myself up the rest of the way. I know that prayers have helped and I am eternally grateful for the influence of the gospel in my life, and then also for the impact of my incredible family and other such people that have directed my life.

Feb 14: True love

Holiness to the Lord. I was able to visit His Holy House earlier today and, boy, have I forgotten what I have been missing. There is so much to learn and feel in the temple I pray I shall always have the chance to worship my God in that holy place.

My companion, Elder Jonathan Acob, is as kind and humble as ever. He is a convert to the church, maybe a year or two ago. Thus, he is 25-years-old and was also able to finish schooling before the mission. I have been greatly blessed with each of my companions. In the back of my mind I feared that I would get stuck with companions that I could not get along with, but each of my companions have been so great that I have never had a fight or even a heated argument. My mission is surly not over yet, and I am aware of the Lord statement, “My people will be tried in all things”. So I shall just have to wait for those unpleasant learning experiences. I was able to go on exchanges with my follow up trainer the other day, Elder Masangcay. He is the assistant zone leader here in the Paranaque zone. We both came of Palawan at the same time, so it is nice to have such a good friend. I have learned to love all of my companions, but he was the quickest and easiest to love. From him I learned to just cook for your companion without even asking. That has helped a lot. I also have Elder Murray, my MTC companion, in my district and Sister Svedi (also from the MTC) in my zone here.

Our wonderful area of Bicutan has been blessed. Although I have not been the best example in obtaining the “Standard of Excellence” in the Zone or District for OYMs (Open Your Mouth) or for new investigators, we have some great families and individuals, progressing towards baptism.

We recently finished baptizing the Canlas family, whose mother and son became members last week. It is a joy to see people learn to love the gospel and then fulfill their church callings. Bro. Canlas is already a faithful home teacher.

The Babor family was found just before I arrived, so I was able to follow up on them and the came to church that week. They also came to the Canlas’ baptism therefore was unable to attend church because of her arthritis problem after walking so far. We have yet to teach Word of Wisdom to them so we pray that Bro Babor will take to it quickly.

Our part American friend, Brother Allen Jackson, has no wife, but many kids that he takes care of. He loves to read which greatly expedited his testimony. He has no Word of Wisdom problems because he was compelled to give them up by a loving God. So he will soon be baptized and hopefully his family will follow.

Just a quick glimpse of those I have been thinking about a lot lately. Although it is Valentines Day, the usual valentines thoughts have not entered my mind. But rather, those of gratitude and joy for this time I have to serve and give all I can to the God that I truly love. I pray for that same love and joy in your lives on this Valentines Day. Because true love only comes from God.

Feb 7: Still learning

Getting accustomed to my new surroundings, I faced a new trial this week: fatigue. Fortunately, I deflected another incoming dart that presented itself as sometimes resembling hopelessness. For almost my entire mission I have waken up and fallen asleep consistently. Strangely, without an apparent change, but body for a couple of days was constantly tired on the boarder of sleep. The work did not really suffer, and the sacrifice made me more humble and grateful. Not if I would have let the other firey dart penetrate, I am not sure if I could have handled the fatigue. On Friday night, we had a PEC meeting the more resembled a military planning meeting – us against all the enemies. It was interesting and a one times thing. Will hard work, sacrifice, love, and diligence we will improve this area, Bicutan.

Bicutan is actually one of the more urban areas. Yards do not exist because the houses are amazingly built by just filling in free space. Yet they still have home addresses here or missionary work would me much harder. It is dubbed a swatter area because that is who mostly live here. Concerning the work, it seems a bit easier because the people are more humble, there are more people, and a lot less fence sitters (lukewarm or careless towards religion).

On Sunday we had Stake conference which was great. We were able to take two families of investigators, plus and load of members because we chartered a jeepney (mini-local-type-bus). The Canlas family will be finished being baptized this Saturday (the father and daughter went before the mother and son). They are a great humble family who truly has a testimony because there live was completely changed after giving up drinking and enjoying the spirit in their lives.

We have found many other new investigators, but I am not too familiar with them all. Are mission goal for each companionship is 16 new investigators a week and 4 baptisms a month. I have no idea what other missions are like but I do know that the work here is moving so fast that it is hard to keep the needed skills fresh and trained. I forgot to talk about my companion, but he is good too. I feel I have been blessed with all great companions and will explain more next week.

I love the Lord and I love this work. I will fight a good fight and finish this course. Thank you for your love, thoughts, and prayers.