3-15-2020

BAKLA'S AND SMALL AND SIMPLE THINGS

To start off my letter today I would like to give some backstory for my letter to make sense. Here in the Philippines gwapo is handsome and mahusay is pretty. When I am walking down the street and see someone I will immediately call them gwapo or mahusay. If there is a group of sisters or brothers I will say Mga gwapo or mga mahusay (plural). It has become my classic way of greeting people because it seems to bring a smile to almost everyone's face. As I have been in this area for a while there are people who will yell out gwapo to me as I pass before I can say it to them. It is pretty entertaining when you walk down the street and you hear people yell gwapo at you as they pass you. It will put a smile on your face even if you are having tough day. My response of course when they yell gwapo is "diri, mas gwapo ka" or "no I am not handsome, you are more handsome". Now that you have that backstory I can dive into the story of the week.

As I was walking in a barangay this week I yelled out my classic meet and greet phrase to an older man probably in his seventies. To give ya a good idea of the surroundings this man was sportin' the batman underwear and that was all. No shirt, no pants this man was walking down the concrete in the barangay in his batman underwear. What is funny is I am not even phased by this because this is an everyday sight here in the Philippines. So I SAID "GWAPO!" to this man. His response was
"HULA, BAKLA KA!" In English that means, "hula, you're gay" I immediately responded and told him, no no no. I am not gay brother it is just a compliment. I explained that it was just a compliment and I was not gay, we talked about the Church of Jesus Christ and introduced ourselves to him, after which he shuffled off with the same ol grumpy face that he had when I greeted him. So even though he thought I was a gay I won't quit calling people gwapo because it seems to bring smiles to most everyone's faces except this old man. Even if it doesn't bring a smile to their face it introduces an opportunity to talk to them about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that will put a smile on anyone's face. When they receive this gospel and the joy accompanied with it they will have a smile on their face. A light in their eyes that will hint they have an enduring source of joy. That enduring source of joy is knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That enduring source of joy is Jesus Christ himself.

Though a smile may be a very smile thing it can brighten a day. Reading the scriptures can strengthen your testimony, attending church can anchor your faith, and praying can build your relationship with your father in heaven.

As we do these small and simple things daily we will draw closer to god.

In President Dallin H. Oaks talk "Small and Simple Things" he said, 

"President Brigham Young was reported as saying: “Our lives are made up of little, simple circumstances that amount to a great deal when they are brought together, and sum up the whole life of the man or woman."

Nephi wrote, “And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things” (1 Nephi 16:29)."

In Alma 37:6 it reads, "Now ye may suppose that this is ^afoolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by ^bsmall and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

It may seem easy to do these small and simple things, sometimes so easy that we forget to do them, or take the little things we do daily for granted.

In Alma it discusses what happens when we become lazy and do not do the "small and simple things" everyday to build our testimony.

In Alma 37:41, 43, 46 it reads

41 Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by ^asmallmeans it did show unto them marvelous works. They were ^bslothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey; 

43 And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a ^ashadow; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual.

  

46 O my son, do not let us be ^aslothful because of the ^beasinessof the ^cway; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would ^dlook they might ^elive; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever.

47 And now, my son, see that ye take ^acare of these sacred things, yea, see that ye ^blook to God and live...

  

Love ya all!!

A picture to show you Jordan inherited some weights to work out with!  Yay!

A couple of pictures Jordan sent me to show me he is still problem solving the rat issue.  I guess the rats will come up through the drains in the sewer and before these didn't have grates on them to preven the rats from coming up.  He made and glued these grates in to prevent the rats from entering his apartment.  And yes, that is the shower bucket there in the corner.

 The jungle:

Exchanges with Elder Capinig

Baptisms:

3-8-2020

MAY I SEE YOUR ID and LAMANITE ARMIES

Ladies and gentlemen I am back and better than ever. Sorry I didn't have time to send a weekly last week. This week was a roller coaster for sure. 

So I found out last week I did a baptism wrong, when I asked the sister's middle name she replied with the first letter of her middle name not the full middle name so I got to redo that over again this last Saturday. The baptism is not correct if the full name isn't used. Right as I was about to pat myself on the back for fixing the problem I had created I got hit with another problem. When we explained to our family that we recently baptized why the other sister had to be rebaptized it came out that their daughter had a middle name that was not provided at the time we did the paperwork or at the time when I asked her full name. I was calmly explaining why I had to rebaptize the other sister this last Saturday when the dad said to us, "ohhhhh I get it, it is the same as if you had baptized sister Jannah (their daughter) by the name Jannah Antonette Basibas instead of the correct name Jannah Antonette Asebias Basibas." At this point my heart stopped, I swallowed my tongue and pretty much wanted to keel over and die right there. I let out a long groaning NOOOOOOOO. Than I said well we will have to do that again as well.  So the moral of this story is that I will ask from now on, "MAY I SEE YOUR ID" so that I don't make any more mistakes. The good thing is that I can at least learn from this mistake and not make it in the future. Although missionaries and members alike are not perfect what is important to remember is that the gospel of Jesus Christ is perfect. 

Spiritual thought: WE CAN ONLY DEFEAT OUR PERSONAL LAMANITE ARMIES WITH STRENGTH FROM GOD.

Today I was reading in Alma2 and 3 and I noticed it talked about the nephites defeating ANOTHER lamanite army.

The Nephites defeat another Lamanite army.  

at times in our lives we will have Lamanite armies to defeat, we will have lamanite armies to defeat, at times our lamanites and amlicites or our OBSTACLES and CHALLENGES metaphorically speaking will be  as ^anumerous almost, as it were, as the sands of the sea, came upon them to destroy them.  - C2, Verse 27. At times we may think that our trials outnumber us 10 to 1. You may feel you do not have enough strength to overcome your trials. That is why we have something that Elder Bednar calls "THE ENABLING POWER OF THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST" 

Elder Bednar's "Strength of the Lord" helps us understand how to overcome our trials that outnumber us with the atonement of Jesus Christ.

As you and I come to understand and employ the enabling power of the Atonement in our personal lives, we will pray and seek for strength to change our circumstances rather than praying for our circumstances to be changed. We will become agents who “act” rather than objects that are “acted upon."- Elder Bednar

In this talk Elder Bednar talks about praying not that our "circumstances will be magically changed" but that "we will be given strength to change our circumstances"

That is the enabling power of the atonement, that is how we can use it to overcome the obstacles that seem to numerous to defeat.

In the very next verse of Alma 2:28 the nephites do not pray that they will magically defeat the army of lamanites and amlicites but that they may be given strength from the lord to defeat them.

28 Nevertheless, the Nephites being ^astrengthened by the hand of the Lord, having prayed mightily to him that he would deliver them out of the hands of their enemies, therefore the Lord did hear their cries, and did strengthen them, and the Lamanites and the Amlicites did fall before them.  

As we pray for the strength from the lord and use this enabling power of the atonement our metaphorical Lamanites and Amlicites will fall before us.

You will receive strength from the Lord that you will be able to overcome your challenges.

Love ya'll!

Tribute to Durango.  A sea rock cairn.

Some souvenirs I get to bring home with me.  A giant sea slug.

A sea horse.

Some local cuisine.  An exotic steak fish (steak because there is no bones).

This sweet side dish actually caused WORLD WAR 3 in my stomach this week, fortunately the only fatality was the three toilets I used.

The Americano squad

Brightly shines our Father's glory.

Some cool local caves.

The work of a missionary.  Teaching the entire police station.

Baptisms and rebaptisms.

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.