Monday, March 16, 2020

BINYAG SA ILOG

March 16, 2020


I decided to make the subject something besides COVID-19 because I'm sure that's all that everyone is going to talk about! Sounds like people are going crazy all over the world, and that includes the Philippines. Last week everything was fine and then things exploded! People seem to be overreacting a little bit, but then I realize that there are a lot of cases around the world, recently. Lucky for me I'm on an island and it seems to be pretty safe here. All transportation got cut off and we are in a community lockdown at the moment. We can't travel to the city area which is usually where we go to the computers on pday because we have none here. Lucky for us, we're also the clerks, so we have a little time to use the one computer here. We bought a ton of emergency food this week and are prepared for the worst! 

Friday I had exchanges with the Zone Leaders and we spent the day shopping for supplies and traveling to different areas doing baptismal interviews for those ready to be baptized in the upcoming weeks. Saturday, they were all baptized, and then immediately confirmed. I got to experience baptizing in the river for the first time, during my mission. We showed up at the spot we had chosen, and there was actually like a birthday party thing going on, with loud music, but we were able to find a quiet spot and it turned out well! 





For now the work continues :)) 

D&C 45:31-32

"31 And there shall be men standing in that generation, that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall cover the land.
32 But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved"

Called to Survive

March 9, 2020

This week was one of those weeks where everyday you get back to the apartment and you're dead tired, but it feels so good because you gave it your all in the work of the Lord. We have been stretching our goals here, and slowly but surely we've made our way up to 34 lessons a week, which is a lot because of how few people are here and how rural the area is! The Lord has definitely been blessing us!

Funny story that happened this last week:

We were searching for this referral that we got from a member (who lives the farthest away of the active members) and we finally found her house. We taught a great lesson with the member present, and then the member told us that we should visit this less active member. I asked where she lived and the member, pointing to a distant hill, said, "just over that hill". She told us that her house was next to the tree - which was a terrible marker because there was a ton of trees and it was far away. But we bid her farewell and set out to make the journey. We got over the hill, just to find 10 more hills and no houses?! Haha we were so confused and just kept going where we thought the house was.
We eventually ended up in barb wire cage with a bunch of cows?? Then we had to army crawl under the barb wire, hike some more, just to find out we were in another one! We couldn't army crawl under this one, but we did find a nice tree to climb and make an impressive dismount over the fence. We were lost. I was prepared to use every Bear Grylls tip I've ever learned, because we were starving and out of water, with not a single person in sight. Finally we spot a house, just to find out that... NO ONE IS THERE! We are feeling pretty defeated at this point and we start walking to where we think might lead us back to the highway, when all of the sudden we hear a yell towards us. We look and it's a lady waving! We go to her and find out that she was the one we were looking for the whole time! We shared a nice message and she was nice enough to give us a lot of water! We then took an hour walk back to our next appointment! What an experience haha!

Just a quick thought from my personal study the other day in Alma 37:17
"For he will fulfil all his promises which he shall make unto you, for he has fulfilled his promises which he has made unto our fathers." Hit me pretty hard that every single promise the Lord has ever made in all of holy writ and through the mouth of His prophets, will absolutely be fulfilled! I've decided that I want to become more familiar with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's promises and strengthen my trust that they will be fulfilled. I invite you all to do the same. :)

 We were teaching a lesson and these 2 little girls kept looking at my name tag and then hiding behind my chair. When the lesson was over I found out that they drew my name in the dirt! You can't really see it but it's the thought that counts!

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

CODE RED

March 2, 2020

A quick 6 weeks and Elder Arakaki gone. My new comp is a Filipino, Elder Ombing. I was actually in his district in my last area so we already know each other. We get along really well and he's a good cook, so that's something I haven't had for awhile!

This week, I got to work with one of my closest friends in the mission, Elder Hall. We actually enjoyed working together for 2 days! We all slept over on Wednesday night, and then on Thursday we also met up and worked with the zone leader, as he was also getting a new comp, who was stuck on the other side of Mindoro. 

My comp is adjusting a little bit to this tough area, and he has realized that he's gonna lose a lot of weight with how far we walk and how few dinner appointments we have, as the people here are so poor. He also wants to lose weight through jogging and working out, so I'm super happy that he likes working out with me!

During fast and testimony meeting, the daughter of one of our coolest, most progressing investigators, bore her testimony about forever families and how happy she is that her dad (he's 64) is coming to church. I looked back at him and he was crying like a baby... The spirit hit me so strong. These are the moments that make everything worth it. He always talks about how he is looking forward to his baptism on March 21st and I'm so excited for him!

Yesterday night, during the last lesson of the day, we were teaching a powerful lesson about temples to a less active family. The spirit was strong, maybe too strong? because my nose started bleeding (If any of you know me well, you know that my nose has a tendency to bleed whenever it wants to (#codered @Steven Ferguson). I tried to sniff it up a little because my comp was in the middle of a powerful testimony and I didn't want to disrupt the spirit, but it was one of those gushing ones. I finally tried to politely interupt, and asked them if they had a napkin. Suddenly, everyone looked at me and just about fainited at the sight of blood gushing from my nose. Someone quickly gave me a handkerchief, but I didn't want to ruin it so I was like "ARE YOU SURE??!" And as blood was about to get on my clothes, everyone is screaming at me to do it! So I gave in and destroyed that hanky... Then they proceded to take a 10 minute break to tell me ALL the reasons that are, apparantly, contributing to my occassional nose bleeds. My comp threw out the idea that maybe it's because I work out and shower at night??? Everyone there quickly agreed and told me it is forbidden for me to workout and shower at night anymore. And they went on to say that if I want to shower, it has to be at least 2 hours before I sleep, haha. They all warned me that if I keep it up, I'm going to die young... I just kept agreeing, but in my head I was thinking, "These people are crazy!  I'm not gonna change a thing." Some of the little beliefs and superstitions the Filipinos have about bad voodoo and forbidden things just cracks me up, haha.

Still don't have running water, but good thing CHRIST IS THE LIVING WATER!

Have a great week :)

Probably the cutest thing I have ever seen
My view this morning from the window. Guy washing his caribou.
Little kids and the dead chicken we killed for one of their birthday dinners.
Elder Arakaki made these delicious Hawaiian spam rolls. I know... SPAM... but it was good!!!


Apples, Allergies, and Constellations


February 23, 2020
Week #4 with no running water...

This week was a good one! I have a new favorite nightly routine. I go outside at night with an apple in hand, and eat it while I sit and look at all the stars (so many!) While I am sitting there, the neighbor's cat always comes up to me and rubs its face on my legs and arms until I feel the effects of my allergies (I'm allergic). When I can no longer stand it, I go and take a bucket shower to get rid of the allergens. Haha I love apples and I love stars. I don't really love allergies, but the cat is super nice so it's worth it.

On Saturday, we had interviews with President Cauilan. Thursday is transfer day, so because it's so close, he just told us what was going to be happening with transfers. Elder Arakaki is going to be training and re-opening an area so I'm excited for him, and I'll be getting a new comp here. President gave me a special assignment to motivate my next comp. I actually know him and he's a super nice Filipino elder, but apparently he's struggling with motivation. I'm hoping things go well this next transfer! I'm excited for yet, another challenge :) I'm sad to leave Elder Arakaki, we had some good times and we motivated each other (especially in working out). He is shredded and knows a ton about how to build muscle mass. Sometimes I would just point to a muscle and tell him that I want that muscle bigger, and he would give me little workouts, specifically for strengthening that area.

Yesterday President and Sister Cauilan decided to come to our branch because he had heard from us that it was struggling a little bit. They gave really good (and much needed) messages and it actually turned out to be a good meeting. Our mission President was surprised to see just how big of a role the missionaries play in sacrament meeting. I blessed the sacrament and confirmed someone a member of the church, my comp played the piano and gave the opening prayer, and then one of the sisters was the chorister. Elder Arakaki and I are also the branch clerks and yesterday we actually found a little training video for clerks, so we watched that, but we're still confused half the time haha.

Yesterday we extended a baptismal goal date to Brother Edgardo for March 21st. He accepted and he's so awesome. He's 64 and has suffered from a mild stroke for a couple years, but despite his challenges, his faith is so strong. He said some of his neighbors are trying to tell him how bad The Church is, but he says he doesn't listen because he knows in his heart that this is the true Church of Jesus Christ.

Mahal ko po kayo! 

Farming for salt
Little excursion Elder Arakaki and I went on earlier this morning. We're planning to have our next baptism here.





Tuesday, February 18, 2020

MASS MARRIAGE

February 17, 2020

Guys I'm sorry, lately I have been loving procrastinating these grouply emails until I almost have to go. Which means, I have to rush through them and they're pretty short, but maybe someday I'll fix that... 

This week we got to witness the marriage of some of our investigators! Every Valentine's Day, the Mayor does a free mass wedding kind of thing, so we decide to go witness! Turns out there were 186 couples that were getting married, and it was no small event! They had so many speakers and the whole thing seemed super political. Just when we thought they were finally gonna get married, there was an intermission which included a couple of dance numbers and a mini concert? Yah it was interesting, but to be fair, the singer was insanely talented. The whole extravaganza ended up taking 8 hours!!! The senior mission couple were good sports and wanted to tag along, but by the end we were all like, "FINALLY IT'S OVER!"

We have also had some really cool experiences with getting people to church through using the sacrament and focusing it on the Savior. Two investigators made their way to church this week, that had previously been taught by the missionaries for over a year, and still hadn't come to church. Everyone has a place in their heart for Jesus Christ, and when we're reminded of the reason and sacrifice for this sacred ordinance, we feel impressed to make steps to come closer to Christ.

Saturday night I had an impression that I would be asked to give a talk on the spot in sacrament meeting, so I decided to prepare a little something, and sure enough I was asked to speak with no notice. I talked about Joseph Smith and his sacrifices in helping to provide a strong foundation for the restoration of Christ's church, so that it would never be shaken in this dispensation. I invited everyone to remember and act upon President Nelson's challenge, he gave to us, in preparation for this upcoming special General Conference.

Earlier this morning we went on a really cool hike to a little waterfall! We walked through a river pretty much the whole time! No, we did not go swimming. Yes, we did go under the waterfall. :)




MGA BINYAG

February 10, 2020
Another week of no running water :)

This week was a good one! I'm going to play soccer (finally found some people who actually know how to play) in 15 min so I'll make this quick!

Highlights:

1. Had 2 great baptisms that I've really seen progress in the gospel. The mom has a severe knee injury so when she walks to church it takes her about an hour and a half, but that doesn't stop her! 
2. For a weekly activity, we went to a zoo and there was a super cool hanging bridge!
3. I love fruit. It's a fact. I eat so much everyday.
4. Washing dishes with no running water is kinda hard.
5. Found out if you say double quarter at McDonalds they'll give you a half pounder. 
6. We did a service project where we cut down a bunch of fallen down trees into small pieces. I got SO BURNED. 
7 Comp and I started running long distance. Wake up at 6 and run for like 40 minutes

We're also putting in a lot of work in the area, and last week had a lot of people come to church for the first time! This area was not looking too hot a couple weeks ago, but it's picking up!!


Pics: 
Baptism!

Tamaraw - rare species of water buffalo. They're almost extinct and you can only find them in Mindoro.

Me with the tamaraw!
Someone in the district brought an American flag to our district activity and he took my pics with it. He was joking that I was Filipino and just got called to Kaysville, Utah and I leave July 1st.




Monday, February 3, 2020

got water? cuz we don't...

February  3, 2020

Not a whole lot of updates this week. We haven't had water for five days now, so that's fun. Not as bad as it seems because we have a water pump thing in the back, so we just haul buckets of water for us to use, but washing dishes and doing laundry isn't too fun...

Church, this past Sunday, was the first time that we have had power for sacrament meeting. I found out you can actually feel the spirit stronger when you hear the speakers haha. Testimony meeting was pretty powerful, as members spoke about how some of them overcame trials during and after all the recent calamities (2 super typhoons hit this area in the last couple months). A less active came to church for the first time in a couple years. She has faced a crazy amount of challenges with her house getting beaten up from the typhoon, and then her cousin died a couple weeks ago. She recounted what had happened by sharing that after the storm hit, workers were trying to fix some of the power issues, so they cut everyone's power and told them it would be back on January 25th. Her 15-year-old cousin was swinging from the power chords on the 21st, when all of the sudden they fixed the power and it came on early. The substantial voltage killed him on the spot. Super sad! We taught her again this morning and talked about temples and Heavenly Father's plan for His children. Spirit was strong and I know she felt God's love for her and that the spirit was telling her that she'll see her cousin again. Her dad, who's not a member, joined the lesson and then said he wanted to learn more about our church, as well as baptism! We just happen to have 2 baptisms, coming up on Saturday, that we invited him to, and he said he'd come!

Besides that, same old, same old in the Philippines!! I get to eat so much fruit everyday and we started running every other morning! So that's a huge perk about the island life!

KIDS WILL DO ANYTHING TO DISTRACT THE MISSIONARIES FROM TEACHING...





Super cute kid posing with me and my comp

Sunday, February 2, 2020

My First Comp From Utah??

January 27, 2020
Soooooo turns out my comp isn't actually from New Zealand...

Last Wednesday we were walking around,when my comp looked at me and said, "Want to hear something funny?" And then he continued, "I'm not actually from New Zealand, I'm from Utah!" He told me that he was tired of doing the New Zealand accent with me anymore, and there was so many things that he wanted to talk about, but he couldn't because I thought he wasn't from America! This man's not just from Utah, but PROVO, Utah hahaha! Ever since he confessed, we've gotten super close and had way more to talk about. Elder Arakaki is shredded! We've been working out together. We go on runs every other day and do ab workouts together. Let's just say my abs have never been so sore, and every time I cough or sneeze my abs hurt so bad! It hurts so good!

Also, here on the island, we proselyte early in the morning on Monday and then we take a trike to San Jose -- a nearby city -- because our area has no computer shops. After that we have the rest of the day to do our shopping here in the city and then chill at the zone leader's place. Tuesday morning is our district council, and it's also in San Jose, and since there are no trikes that can take us back Monday night, we just sleep over at the zone leader's. It's the same situation with the whole zone, so it has become our routine every Monday: We proselyte in the morning, chill at the zone leader's, play volleyball Monday night -- because no one is awake at night -- and have a mega sleepover haha! 

Spiritual experience of the week:
We taught this lady, Nanay Castro, who has been taught for 4+ months, yet she has never come to church. We decided we'd try teaching a powerful lesson centered on Christ, Saturday night, and if she didn't come to church the next day, we might consider dropping her. We taught a lesson on the sacrament, emphasizing the authority from Jesus Christ and that the priests have to bless the sacrament. We wanted her to understand that Jesus  Christ is the reason behind every speaker and discussion in His church, and especially His sacrament. We promised her that if she came to church, she would feel the spirit. I gave her a kind of bold statement. I challenged her by saying, "Try coming to church and during the sacrament, if you feel the spirit that means that this is the true Church of Jesus Christ. If you don't, then we won't come back." Well, she came to church. However, right when the sacrament started, the power went out! Satan was really trying to make it so she didn't feel the spirit! I was praying most the time for her to feel the spirit, despite the circumstances. I think she had a good experience, but we'll follow up with her tomorrow night! We were also able to have 10 people we are teaching come to church, which is 7 more than last week!

RIP Kobe Bryant! So sad! Found out while I was buying some pastries this morning.

Also don't take running water for granted! Haven't had it for 3 days and I would appreciate it if it came back :)

Filipino kids!

So many dogs here.


Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Back to Mindoro!!

January 20, 2020

Well, I got transferred back to the island of Mindoro!

This time, I went to the other side of the island, in the most southern and province area, called Magsaysay, which used to be in the Quezon City Mission, so now I've seen 3 mission areas...

My new comp is Elder Arakaki from New Zealand, and he's super sick! We both like working out so we get along well. We're planning on running every other morning and working out together in the morning. Only problem is that he's way HUGER than me and he used to play rugby. I feel like he's joking, but he always tells me I'm massive haha!

So many things happened this week but I'll give y'all the highlights!


1. We had a couple more baptisms on Tuesday! This super nice tatay (older guy) and his grandson. When we extended the baptismal date back in December, he didn't think he'd be alive for his baptism in January because of his severe diabetes, but he made it!! Hopefully, he got confirmed yesterday in church!

2. We had to proselyte with masks on because of the volcano


3. We were told to be at the mission office at 6 in the morning, on transfer day, because I was going to Mindoro and there was a van that would be taking all of the missionaries that were transferring there. The text I received said "the van leaves at exactly 6 in the morning and THE VAN WAITS FOR NO ONE". I was stressing it a little bit, so I set an alarm for 2:30, then we could have a little cushion time and get some pancakes at McDo and be at the office by 5:30... but somehow we slept threw the alarm and woke up at 5:10! I was freaking out! Long story short, the van waits for no one... except for Elder Wolferts.



4. Boat ride and van ride through Mindoro was beautiful. We went to the top and I saw this guy just frying a pig leg for a little snack???? I talked to him for a little bit and he was super chill, haha I asked for a pic! Peep the pic below.


5. Arrived at Mindoro to no running water and no electricity. Luckily the water came back but I have only had electricity 40% or less of the time. Super hard to sleep at night with no electric fan, cuz it's so hot!

6. Turns out, my comp and I are the branch clerks AND we have to bless the sacrament every week. The branch is kinda struggling, but I'm excited to do what I can to help it!

7. I was excited to go to a progressing investigator, my comp was telling me about (one of the only progressing ones) and then we got there, and he was dead... SO SAD! My comp had no idea what happened. I guess he died from a stroke. He was 70 yrs old. 

8. I was washing the dishes one night, when I heard a thumping sound (people were saying the apartment was haunted so I thought it might be that haha). I looked behind me and it was a bat flying in the house running into the ceiling! I got the broom and was ready to act in self defense, if needed, and then it ran into a wall and fell down. I thought it was dead, but when I was about to touch it, it sprung to life and flew out the door.



9. We did service yesterday because everyone got wrecked in the typhoon that hit a couple weeks ago. We delivered some materials all day long to members and they were so grateful!

10. The church is true!

Have a great week!!!

Our surroundings


Volcano Eruption??

January 13, 2020
Yep you guessed it, a volcano erupted.

On Sunday, we arrive at an appointment around 6 pm and they point us toward their TV right away, BREAKING NEWS the Taal Volcano has just erupted... Then I find out it that it was actually super close to us! Only 37 miles away. At that very moment President Cauilan texts us that we have to go back to our apartments and to close all the windows because of the ash. We share a super quick message and then leave. 

In thinking of the volcano, fire in Australia, tension between the US and Iran, and countless other calamities, a scripture came to mind that I've never shared in a lesson. Helaman 12:3 

"And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him." Super straightforward, but it's so true. Everyone would forget about God and His Goodness if everything was always easy and had everything go the way they want it to.

Don't have a lot of time today, but I will be getting transferred on Thursday, and tomorrow Elder Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve is speaking to us, so that's exciting! 

Saturday, we had a baptism. The first counselor in the bishopric got to baptize his girlfriend. 


Hopefully we'll have 3 later today, but we're not sure haha!

LOVE YOU ALL





Friday, January 10, 2020

Obedient Unto Death

January 6, 2020
I couldn't sleep New Years Eve.

So apparently our apartment was in the middle of 2 huge parties. There were giant speakers on both sides that seemed to be competing with each other, to see who could blast their music louder. Not to mention, the noise makers, people revving their motorcycles, fireworks, car horns, etc. I didn't even try to sleep haha. I decided to get an extra workout in to make up for all the food that the members brought to us!

This week, we got lost a little bit, trying to find this person's house for a return appointment and then we "accidentally" ran into a long time less active member. She was a little busy, but she agreed to schedule an appointment for us to come back another time. When we came back, she said that she had been talking to her son about when they should come back to church, and they decided that they would find out what time and where the church is. Then, 2 days later, when we ran into her, she gave us a referral and also encouraged us to frequently visit her and her children! Super cool experience!

I also found out in interviews that I'll be transferring, but I don't know yet where. It's going to be sad leaving this area on the 16th. I've grown close to the people here and the ward is so strong! I'm focusing on building up the area a bit more for Elder Smith to lead it because he's feeling a little nervous about doing it without me! On Saturday, we extended two more baptismal goal dates to two very interested people, and also, a family should be getting baptized in February, so the area is still looking to be in good shape! 

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Ponder this passage about Jesus Christ found in Paul's writing to the Philippians. 
Being obedient unto death is the ultimate qualifying factor to our celestial resumes. This year, during 2020, let us try a little harder to follow the perfect example of He, who is the only one who can rightfully say He got a 100% on a test of His obedience.
A member gave us some sick shirts for our birthdays, and then treated us to a nice meal!