3-1-2020

No pictures or generic email from my son this week.  He wrote Brad and I a quick email though so I'll share a few highlights here.

He has had some firsts this week:

Mom dad this week was a party. I held a gigantic sea snail. I ate stingray (it is really good) I ate really exotic fish. The coolest thing that happened was I held in my hands a real sea horse (that fool was deader than a doornail of course) Our investigators gave it to me, (it is all dried out) for a souvenir. 

He is struggling with the grit in the air in the Phillipines:

Also I decided of my eyes keep turning a ripe shade of pinkl I will try glasses and see if that changes anything. I am pretty sure it is jsut the dust and nastiness in the air here. 

He is having normal companion struggles and normal human struggles (he'll probably be back to not being as bugged today when I speak with him):

My companion told me to not listen to classical last week and this week thought he had the right to chastise me for singing songs that aren't hymns sometimes. So that pissed me off a little because it isn't like I am sitting in a lesson and singing "BABYLONIAN" songs. I am sorry but this kid is a huge city slicker sissy. He has depression and some mental problems and I can't wait to have a new companion so my companion doesn't break down once a week. 

He has to deal with his own mistakes:

Other than that I will have to rebaptize the sister who I didn't know the right middle name of from last Saturday this next Saturday (she said V instead of Valdenor when I asked) Also we have to reconfirm the mother of the family next Sunday because this Sunday the first COunsellor forgot to say "RECIEVE THE HOLY GHOST" so that is a ltitle lame. At least we will have 4 baptisms the Saturday after this coming Saturday that I know for sure I need to make sure EVERYTHING is done right. 

2-23-2020

BACK SCRATCHES

To preface this email I would like to say I have never been a fan of Missionaries giving their companions back scratches. I don't care how united missionaries are in their companionship, I have always thought it was a little weird when I saw missionaries

giving their companions back rubs. It is just a personal thing. This week on Friday we were on our way back from DCM. We were sitting in what is called a jeepney and packed in there like sardines. The new Philippino companion of my friend Elder Graham seems to like giving people back rubs and was rubbing Elder Graham's back in the jeepney. To prank Elder Capinig, Elder Graham decided to return the favor. So he started rubbing Elder Capinig's back, it was at this point Elder Capinig said to Elder Graham don't rub my back there because I am ticklish in that spot. So Elder Graham did what any smart missionary would do who is attempting to prank their companion. When Elder Capinig's eyes closed Elder Graham put his arm around Elder Capinig and tickled the ticklish part of Elder Capinig's side. IT WAS AT THIS MOMENT HE REALIZED THAT THE PERSON HE TICKLED WAS FAT. ELDER CAPINIG IS SKINNY. When he looked over he made eye contact with the random philippino lady he had just tickled. He immediately withdrew his hand embarrassed that he just tickled a random Philippino lady on a jeepney.

MORAL OF THE STORY: COMPANIONSHIP BACK SCRATCHES LEAD TO RANDOMLY TICKLING SOME RANDOM PHILIPPINO LADY YOU DON'T KNOW!!

Other than that we are preparing to baptize the Basibas family and sister Jessalina this Saturday. They are amazing people and truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ!

scriptural thought: Helaman 3:35

35 Nevertheless they did ^afast and ^bpray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their ^chumility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the ^dpurifying and the ^esanctificationof their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their ^fyielding their hearts unto God. 

If we do not yield our hearts unto god than they cannot be sanctified. If he does not have all of our heart, might, mind and strength he cannot sculpt us into the person that he wants us to be. He cannot produce a finished product if we are not moldable.

A super awesome talk I read this week talked a little bit about this,

 In THE FOURTH MISSIONARY by Lawrence E. Corbridge it reads,  

" Alma also said to Corianton, that we may partake of the waters of life freely and be satisfied, if we choose to, but if we don't want it we will not be compelled to drink. "Therefore, O my son, whosoever will come may come and partake of the waters of life freely; and whosoever will not come the same is not compelled to come..." (Alma 42:27) . 

It is up to you. You cannot be changed to become more like God, if within your heart you fight against God; if within your heart you resist, resent and hold fast to what you rather would do."

THAT'S ALL FOLKS!!

A cool local waterfall:

Yes, that is supposed to be a swingset but instead it is some sticks wrapped in chains.

A dirtbike chain on a pedal bike with a sidecar.

FHE with the squad:

2-16-2019

This week was busy as always with transfer day. Thankfully I did not transfer. We did get a new missionary in our Cobalay though his name is elder Capinig.

This week I almost got robbed!! I was buying groceries and as I was about to get my wallet out of my back pocket to pay (it was night and fairly dark) I felt something needed my immediate attention to my left. As I came around I looked into the eyes of a Philippino man about 25, unusually close (maybe a foot away) walking directly towards me. When I made eye contact with him he immediately rerouted and went the opposite direction because he could see that I knew he was going to try to grab my wallet and run. It all happened very quick but the moment I saw his eyes I understood what his intention was. He aborted the mission to steal my wallet when I saw him silently walking towards me from behind. That was pretty spooky.

Something else that was interesting that happened this week is that we got told by a catholic sister that it is taught in their church it is a mortal sin to entertain missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ. 

Other than that me and my cobalay have just been monkeyin around, interviewing baptismal candidates, doing missionary work, and of course climbing coconut trees to get coconuts.

This week at one point we had an investigator ask a particularly deep question about marriage. This question that they asked was the first opportunity that I have had on the mission to respond with I don't know. Sometimes as missionaries or members we get caught up in all this knowledge that we become shy or afraid to say I don't know. A scripture in Mosiah 4 talks about this, verse 9 says:

" Believe in ^aGod; believe that he is, and that he ^bcreated all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all ^cwisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not ^dcomprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.?

 I replied to their question with the basics. 

"I don't know the answer to that question. What I do know is that this gospel is true, god loves you and me and everyone else. What I do know is that as missionaries (and members alike) our purpose is to invite others to come closer to Christ." 

As we teach and learn about the gospel if we stick to the basics we will always be grounded through our faith in Jesus Christ. The gospel of Jesus Christ is simple but life changing. I promise if your faith is centered in Christ that when the whirlwinds come, the advanced questions come, the policies change, "that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds... when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat up on you, IT SHALL HAVE NO POWER OVER YOU TO DRAG YOU DOWN TO THE GULF OF MISERY AND ENDLESS WO, BECAUSE OF THE ROCK UPON WHICH YE ARE BUILT, WHICH IS A SURE FOUNDATION, A FOUNDATION WHEREON IF MEN BUILD THAY CANNOT FALL." (Helaman 5:12)

The gospel is built upon basics, built upon Christ, if you ever feel you are lost in the storm of today's world turn to to the basics, turn to the five principles of the gospel, turn to your faith in your redeemer and savior. As we do this we will better understand the gospel, god's plan for us, and how to find calm in the storm.

A few Pictures:

Blinded by the light.

Me on my bike

FHE with my favorite people from Osmena.

 A monkey asking for a filipino "up here" (high five) with his foot.

This place is unreal how pretty it is, rock straight up right next to white sandy beaches.

2-9-2019

This week was a party for sure. As we were working on Tuseday we were walking our bikes in between some bushes and a water barrel to park them next to our investigator's house. As we did so, a snake that was allblack on top, and bright yellow on bottom darted 6 inches in front of our feet. After we talked with our investigator we found out that it was a very poisonous cobra. So that was pretty cool. Not sure if it was a cobra or a different type of snake but it was bright yellow and jet black.

To add onto all the other fun crazy things that have happened here in the Philippines so far we have heard from members that a Corona Virus is starting to spread from China to the Philippines. Could just be rumours, I don't know for sure. I do know that the people who are affected by this need your prayers.

This week we were pretty busy with exchanges, moving our stuff from Marabut apartment to Basey apartment, and DCM. So unfortunately we did not get to work in our area as much as I would have liked. I am excited for this week to work twice as hard to make up for last week.

Transfer day is on Wednesday so I will keep you posted if I get transferred or not.

Part 2 on overcoming fear from one of my favorite talks from Elder Holland, "CAST NOT AWAY THY CONFIDENCE"

"Yes, there are cautions and considerations to make, but once there has been genuine illumination, beware the temptation to retreat from a good thing. If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now. Don’t give up when the pressure mounts. You can find an apartment. You can win over your mother-in-law. You can sell your harmonica and therein fund one more meal. It’s been done before.

Don’t give in. Certainly don’t give in to that being who is bent on the destruction of your happiness. He wants everyone to be miserable like unto himself. Face your doubts. Master your fears. “Cast not away therefore your confidence.” Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you.  "

Master your fears, win over your mother in law, find that apartment, sell that harmonica. Don't let fear paralyze you in the moment a decision needs to be made. Look to your savior Jesus Christ, in him there is peace.

FHE

The boys

A cool Acacia tree

Zone picture

A random lady sleeping on the bus.

2-2-2020

JUST ANOTHER MANIC MONDAY

wish it were a Sunday, cause that's my fun day

(shoutout to my gurls, the bangles)

Highlights this week

FHE, First baptism, of course my funday SUNDAY\

FHE This week before FHE started we were arming the Philippino kids with their starter "roast americans in the street kit" we taught them the famous english phrases that we always encounter while proselyting. As we walked the kids followed us from the street into the house we had FHE. They saw we (Basey and Marabut elders) had food and followed us to the house where we had FHE planned, The other American from Basey was teaching them english filipino phrases that every Philippino must be equipped with. As he taught he would say the phrase and they would repeat it. The first phrase was, "WASH YOUR NAME" an infamous english filipino mash, it is a must have for the streets. The second phrase was, "WHERE YOU GOING" yet another undying phrase here in the Philippines for use only against Americans. The third phrase was very special so Elder Graham introduced in just that way, "THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PHRASE SO LISTEN CAREFULLY... HEY JOE KAON KA TAE!!" This is a classic here in the Philippines only to be used if you especially don't like the white dude you see. It means "hey white dude eat poop" Of course after he said it they all yelled it perfect pronunciation all in unison. It was so funny, all four elders cracked up.

This week was a busy one for the bois. I was able to baptize Nanay Lugasan this past Saturday. It was so amazing to see her bear her testimony and to see the tears in her eyes because of how appreciative she was. Her testimony revolved around the love she felt from her savior. I know that love is the true doctrine of christ and as we strive to attain a christlike love for all men we will be able to become more like him. 

We were also blessed as well with a ton of people at church. We had 12 investigators attend Church and 77 people attend church. It was another tender mercy to see God's hand hastening his work in Marabut Branch.

The scripture thought I would like to share relates to ACHIEVING OUR TRUE POTENTIAL

the steps to achieve our true potential from what I understand are as follows

1)understand our potential, scripture Psalms 82:6  I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are ^achildren of the most High.

If we don't know what we are aiming for we will never hit anything

2) Change our attitude

Nephi, Laman and Lemuel all experienced very similar things but the difference was their attitude. Laman and Lemuel murmured, Nephi said, I WILL GO AND DO

push forward in faith, ask and ye shall receive, move forward and you will receive guidance if you have a true desire.

WAYS TO OVERCOME DOUBTS AND FEARS

Doctrine and Covenants 6:36  ^aLook unto me in every ^bthought; ^cdoubt not, fear not.

If we are focused on our savior and the hope he brings we will never let doubt ovrwhelm us and darken our minds because he has overcome the world, so you and I can do the same

Jhon16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have ^apeace. In the ^bworld ye shall have ^ctribulation: but be of good ^dcheer; I have ^eovercome the world.

Last but not least is what Jesus said to his apostles when they were afraid of the strong tempest and the powerful winds while at sea.

Mark 4:37-40

37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, ^aPeace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great ^bcalm.

40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so ^afearful? how is it that ye have no ^bfaith?

WHY ARE YE SO FEARFUL, if we focus on our savior on our faith in him, we will not be distracted by our doubts or our fears.

Last but not least

Matthew 14:27

But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good ^acheer; it is I; be not afraid.  

BE OF GOOD CHEER, HE WALKS BESIDE YOU EVERY DAY

Quick note from me, Mom:

A picture of the jungle there.  Jordan says the minute he walked off the plane onto the Phillipine land the song he heard was Welcome to the Jungle by Guns n' Roses.  He keeps saying in his letters it is by AC/DC so I had to correct him.

1-26-2020

This week was amazing. There was a lot that happened and one of those things that happened was the 45TH BIRTHDAY of my good ol' mom. Before I start I would l like to thank my mother for all she has done for me. For her patience, for her guidance, and most especially for her love. I can remember growing up and my mother reading to me every night. I can remember the lullabies that she sung to me as I would fall asleep. I can remember her encouragement as I struggled to remember the 12 articles of faith and the FAMILY PROCLAMATION. I know that she is by far the best mother in the entire world. Without her I would not be the same person I am today. The teachings and guidance from her as I grew up helped me to make the decision that I wanted to serve a full 2 year mission. Even when I am being the worst child ever and antagonizing my siblings she is patient and shows her love for me. My mother along with my father have taught me one of the most important lessons I have learned so far in this life. That is that love at home, love for your family should be unconditional, always. I have learned from my mother that family is always there for you. That your family will always love you. I would not be the same person I am today without my amazing family.

A quick verse about some amazing mothers in the book of mormon

Alma 56

47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the ^aliberty of their ^bfathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their ^cmothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their ^amothers, saying: We ^bdo not doubt our mothers knew it.

I love ya mom I hope you had an AMAZING BIRTHDAY YESTERDAY!!

The work this week is still booming. We will have a family Baptism this week on Saturday for the Lugasan family if they are ready and I am so excited for them. There is still Philippino sized vans, monkeys and coconuts everywhere out here. I have been soaked to the bones 3 times this week from biking several miles in the rain from one investigators house to the next. Interestingly enough I am still happy even if it is raining on us while we are working. I know that this Church of Jesus Christ is true. Joseph Smith was called of God to restore the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth. He sealed his testimony of this church with his blood. The Book of Mormon is true, it can answer some of your deepest questions. That book is from god. It is "the most correct of any book on earth". I promise as you read the Book Of Mormon and "abide by it's precepts" you will "get nearer to God. I promise as you read, pray, and go to church every day your testimony will never wilt from malnutrition but grow stronger every day.

If you do not doubt, God will deliver you from whatever trial you may be facing now.

I love you all, 

Elder Belt over and out

A full moon:

Some good advice if I do say so myself:

A beautiful sunset: