12-29-2019

LAST WEEK WAS JUICY BUT THIS WEEK WAS EVEN JUICIER

This week has been another busy one, I got a new companion Elder Balois. He has never ridden a mountain bike before but he is doing great at learning how. He is a great missionary.I am doing way better than I was last week, my bronchitis and my split scalp are healing. We have been having a pretty fun time in our apartment with 4 elders as well. Last night we were practicing for the song that we are going to sing at the christmas program today. As we were playing, A mouse jumped out of the guitar that was being used to play the song Nothing like playing a song and a mouse jumping out of your guitar. After lots of 12 year old high poitched screams and stomping and yelling the small furry assasin was eradicated by a broom handle and a flip flop. I don't think I have ever seen a group of 19 -21 year old men act so much like a bunch of 12 year old girls afraid of a mouse. We aren't talking a RODENT OF UNUSUAL SIZE from princess bride, we are talking normal normal amercian sized mouse

 We are currently sleeping in our District Leader's area and commuting an hour to our area and an hour back everyday.]Definitely not easy but salvation is not going to come easy. These people need to feel Christ's love and we are the way that he does that. God always answers our prayers but he usually answers our prayers through the actions of others. One of my favorite quotes by Elder Holland reads, 

"I have thought about this a great deal. I offer this as my personal feeling. I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy."

- Elder Holland

I know that this is true, I know that this work that I am doing is the most important work in the world. I am so grateful that I have this opportunity to bring people to a knowledge of their redeemer and in doing so help them, come closer to him. As I have focused on loving and serving these people my eyes have been opened to how much our god loves each and every one of us. He loves us so much he provided a way for us to return to him. in 1 nephi 10 it reads

18 For he is the ^asame yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him.  

I stand as a witness that this gospel is true. The Book of Mormon is true. Our savior, Jesus Christ knows and loves you. The way is prepared for all men to receive salvation and peace through the redeeming love of Jesus Christ.

That is the true doctrine of Christ: LOVE. As you show people your love, you are bringing them closer to god. This Christmas season try to remember to the true doctrine of Christ, the reason why we have Christmas, LOVE

I love you all, stay safe!!!!!!!!!

Message from Mom:

Jordan had Typhoon Ursula hit his area on Christmas Eve and Christmas day so I was unable to communicate with him because he has no power in his area.  A member from his area did post some photos on facebook of some of the damage incurred and so I thought I would include them in this post.  

12-22-2019

THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN... (for a day)

We finally were allowed to sleep in our area, for one night. Of course after that we got told it was to dangerous because of the looming threat of the NPA in our area. We have been sleeping in Basey and commuting to our area and working their every day. 

This Friday I went outside after I got up to admire the downpour of rain, when I went downstairs I slipped and hit my head on the cement stairs. I reached back and felt the back of my head when I drew my hand away and looked at it, it was soaked in blood. We went to the close hospital where they bandaged me up, and then we went to the nicest hospital in Tacloban. I got 4 stitches and also I got a check up on the nasty cough I have had for two or three days... The doctor told me I have bronchitis. 4 stitiches later and with bronchitis, your boy Elder Belt is still alive. I hope to heal quickly and O hope the threat goes away in our area that way we can really focus on progressing the area. 

I get a new companion on Wednesday, I will let you know how that goes.

(Sorry the email is rushed as always)

Wound inflicted:

Crime Scene:

Time for stiches:

Stitches completed (my dad said he would have done them a lot differently):  

Companion pictures before transfers:

vape shirts in sacrament:

12-15-2019

ANOTHA ONE

This week flew by. We have been working in the area next to ours because we got evacuated from our area because it is not safe. So I have been on week long exchanges with my district leader who is an american!!!! It has been tons of fun and a cobalay (4 elders in a house) is soooo funnnn. This week at District Council meeting the sisters and Elders brought food, cake, and all sorts of treats for my graduation party from my training as a missionary. It was so awesome. The scripture I would like to share quickly has to do with  being hungry (which I find I am always hungry here) not physical feast but a spiritual feast

2 nephi 26

24 He doeth not ^aanything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he ^bloveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw ^call men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.

25 Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: ^aCome unto me all ye ^bends of the earth, ^cbuy milk and honey, without money and without price.

These scriptures are talking about something that is priceless, that is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Love you all!!

(Don't have much time today)

How Filipinos travel here reminds me of two guys on a scooter from studio C.

My graduation Day.

12-8-2019

Hello all!!!! This week has been full of more work and some pretty exciting events First off the top 1/4 of our mission is getting hit by hurricane KAMMARI today-Wednesday. Second Me and my companion got told to evacuate Marabut because of the NPA terrorist threats there. Thank goodness that we got out, I pray that the people there and in the path of the hurricane will be safe. Second off my finger that was infected is finally healing!! YAY FOR HOSPITAL VISITS AND MEDICINE!

My district leader said when we arrived to their apartment last night that as he had been taking his bucket shower he realized that the water had brown things in it. He tried to scoop it out but was not able to, he finally decided to dump out the water and pour in new water because he was sure the water was really dirty (keep in mind, this is water elders have used for months without emptying to shower, they would just refill the reservoir according to however much water they used). As he dumped out the water he told me that their were worms... in the bottom of their shower bucket, THAT IS SO GROSSSS.

 Other than that not much has happened besides the daily progress of the lord gathering scattered Israel.

The scripture thought I would like to share is about the lord and his tender mercies. The lord knows each and every one of us. He knows what we have need of and he is willing to help us, if we but have faith and look to his light. I know that just as the people of moses, those who look upon god and his light according to their faith will be able to recieve his tender mercies as they direct their eyes single to the glory of god. If we do this we recieve his light and his countenance and most importantly his tender mercies. His tender mercies include every little thing, not only the huge great things in your lives but the little, small, seemingly insignificant things that brighten our day. In nephi 1 it says, 

20 And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had ^acast out, and stoned, and slain; and they also ^bsought his life, that they might take it away. But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender ^cmercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of ^ddeliverance.  

It is hardest to see the light of his tender mercies when times are hard but I promise you his tender mercies are there even in the hardest times. I know that if we take time each day to see and appreciate the tender mercies in our lives from him, we will be able to open our spiritual eyes  to see his endless love for us. I know he loves each and every one of you, he bestows you with tender mercies every day, all you have to do is look for it.

  

Until next time ya'll!!

Sometimes this is how tired I feel.

Classic Philippino lunch.

Boodle fight baby why is there no silverware you ask?  You guessed it you eat with (drumroll please)... YOUR HANDS.

Soldiers of the Philippines and a soldier of the Lord.

My Philippino family in Marabut.  They are not members of the church but feed us almost daily.  

Meli Kalikimaka is the thing to sayyy on a white sandy Christmas day.

Note from Mom:  I guess hurricanes are a pretty much a yearly or more occurrence there.  This last one was large.  All missionaries were accounted for and safe.  I have no update as to whether or not he was sent back to his area with the terrorists threats.  We will see soon.