Week 102

MAOPAY NA KALOP SA BUONG MUNDO

Hello peoples. Musta mo? I got transferred! I'm back in Samar! I'm excited to keep working here as it's been half a week here in Calbayog! My companion is Elder Fernandez and my kabahay is Elder Bullo and Elder Theurer. They're awesome. The house was a little messy when we arrived but nothing this pday didn't fix. We cleaned a lot and were able to get most everything neat and tidied up. The area we are in doesn't have any progressing people and the maps are all wrong. But we have seen many miracles. Here's one exactly that we sent to the Zone!...

"Maopay na aga Elders and Sisters! Ini an daily miracle namon kakulop!

Yesterday afternoon we went to a far area to find a member and interested friend. They were both punted/ we couldn't find them. We decided to go finding and we went into a village and 5 min later we stopped at a house and started talking to a sister. She originally said she was busy, but then it started raining and she said we could come inside. As we talked, we found out she was a part member (her family are all members but she's not) and we had a great BRT and little lesson! We really felt the Spirit during that time. By the end she was asking when we could come back!!!

There's always opportunities that the Lord has prepared for us everywhere. Keep looking for miracles Elders and Sisters! And feel free to share as well!"

The Lord has prepared a way for all to accomplish the things He has asked of us. I like what a great missionary said here: that as we use our agency to choose God and not ourselves or our wants, God will use us and we will have the confidence that we are being guided. This is especially what we need right now as we are in a challenging situation. 

My biggest focus and want right now is to be an instrument for the Lord. To be an instrument that the Lord wants to use (musical instrument, I'm thinking trumpet in this scenario). Then we need constant care for it, use it often and shine and clean it,.. why? Because out of all the trumpets in the world we need to be as clean as can be so the Lord can use us and also be shiny for the rest of the world to see and listen to the beautiful sound of God's love for them.

And God will use us if we choose to and prepare ourselves everyday to be an Instrument in the Lord's hands. It's been a great week and I hope the best week for you all. Love you all and remember that Heavenly Father loves you more than anyone. Think of ways to share this love this season! One thing we did was sing a Christmas song for the Branch on Sunday. It was one simple way of spreading the Joy of Christ. 

Hinay kam pirme! Lublub.

Temple Taxi

Week 101

Ako moadto ug mobuhat sa mga butang nga ang Ginoo nag sugo.

Hello my beloved friends and families around the world. I write to you this day of my adventures across the sea in the tropical Philippines. Our purpose is greater than any other, to bring others to the truth of Jesus Christ. He is our Redeemer, Savior, and King. And that only through His eternal invitations can we gain the blessings of eternity. It is amazing to think with all He has and is doing, our purpose in His whole plan. He really wants us "to become all He is." - Brad Wilcox. 

So everything we do must have a purpose? Well surprisingly our choices have outcomes, even eternal. It also depends what purpose we have. There are infinite possibilities of choices and outcomes. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is God's plan for us to receive eternal blessings. If our purpose is centered on Jesus Christ. We will make the Eternal decisions necessary for eternal blessings! So many have inspired me as well about this. 

My 2 favorite speakers of this are Jesus Christ and our living Prophet, Russel M. Nelson. Our Prophet has said simply, Think Celestial! And of course the writer of His message, Jesus Christ, had said long ago for our purpose to be with an eye single to His Glory. If our eye is single on something it means we are headed towards it or it's our sole focus. Why would the Lord provide a destination (His Glory) without allowing us to arrive? I know God loves us and has given us a way to become all He is. Let us focus our purposes on Christ and His glory and then he will support and provide. 

This week we had many miracles and were able to set a baptismal date for sister Evangaline! This Jan 11. Sister Chin² passed the interview and will be baptized this Saturday and then Sister Charito will be baptized the next Saturday. I am very excited for them and am grateful for all the Lord has helped us with, and that we were so privileged to be a part of their conversion. 

I will be transferred so won't be able to witness their baptisms in person, but still excited!! I will be transferring to Calbayog City. In Samar. We are whitewashing (replacing both missionaries) and I will still be a Zone Leader and will be training Elder Fernandez on how to fulfil his assignment as a Zone Leader.  I was kind of worried about it but when I remembered what I talked about earlier I realized my purpose is the same. I just have to give my best for the Lord! 

I will miss Elder TaringTing. He is a great companion and friend! Here's his email if you want to send a friendly message to him. He is from Pampanga! Nicko. taringting@missionary.org . 

I also ate some great food! I can't wait to cook all these things for you. Especially rice! Amping ug kaon kanunay aron dili mamatay!