December 6, 2010
One of the neatest things we discussed in class was the mission field in the Philippines. The Filipino people are super nice and love to say yes in order to make someone happy. They will never say something to intentionally hurt another persons feelings and they are incredibly friendly. Because of all this, the First Presidency of the Church has instated several restrictions on who the church is able to baptize. They want to make sure an investigator is sincerely interested in the church, instead of saying yes because they want to make the missionaries happy. They are required to have all the lessons before baptism, attend church consecutively 4 times, and even a few other things. The exact requirements aren't that important.
These requirements have helped the Philippines become the country with the highest retention rate! (meaning that the people being baptized are actually remaining active in the church) The Philippines missions also have a really high number of baptisms each month. The Gospel is spreading so fast to so many people. To me, this demonstrates just how prepared the people in the Philippines are to have the gospel in their lives. The field really is white, the people are ready, they are just waiting to hear the fullness of the gospel. I feel so privileged to have the opportunity to bring the message of the Restoration to them.
Mahal Kita!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Gratitude
November 29, 2010
This Thursday was Thanksgiving. I had the opportunity to listen to several missionaries speak about what they are thankful for, and here are the two that stuck out to me most.
One elder who spoke is serving at the MTC mission. He has cystic fibrosis and didn't actually expect to live to the age where he could serve a mission. He spoke of how glad he was that he could wake up every morning, walk into a room, and spend the rest of the day on the telephone or chatting online with people who had questions about the church. His mission is so different from mine, and he had so much gratitude just that he could do it.
The other was a Sister from Asia, I'm not sure which country. She had written her testimony with the help of her companion, she gave it in broken English asking for help on how to pronounce words, and the spirit of her testimony was so strong. She spoke of how she knew God loved her because he sent his son to die for her. She knew that Christ suffered so that she could be clean. And she was so thankful for all of God's creations that make her happy. Her testimony was short and simple, it took her a long time to say it all, she stumbled over words I have long thought are simple. But she had such a strong desire to share her gratitude with us that it didn't matter what she sounded like.
I'm so thankful for these missionaries, who helped remind me of the blessings in my life.
Ingat
(Take Care!)
This Thursday was Thanksgiving. I had the opportunity to listen to several missionaries speak about what they are thankful for, and here are the two that stuck out to me most.
One elder who spoke is serving at the MTC mission. He has cystic fibrosis and didn't actually expect to live to the age where he could serve a mission. He spoke of how glad he was that he could wake up every morning, walk into a room, and spend the rest of the day on the telephone or chatting online with people who had questions about the church. His mission is so different from mine, and he had so much gratitude just that he could do it.
The other was a Sister from Asia, I'm not sure which country. She had written her testimony with the help of her companion, she gave it in broken English asking for help on how to pronounce words, and the spirit of her testimony was so strong. She spoke of how she knew God loved her because he sent his son to die for her. She knew that Christ suffered so that she could be clean. And she was so thankful for all of God's creations that make her happy. Her testimony was short and simple, it took her a long time to say it all, she stumbled over words I have long thought are simple. But she had such a strong desire to share her gratitude with us that it didn't matter what she sounded like.
I'm so thankful for these missionaries, who helped remind me of the blessings in my life.
Ingat
(Take Care!)
Friday, November 26, 2010
Speaking 2
November 22,2010
First- I just thought everyone might want to know that dear-elder letters are not printed on Saturday or Sunday. This means that if you send me a DearElder Friday afternoon or over the weekend, I usually do not receive it until late on Monday evening and at that point I usually don't have time to respond to it. So- if you want me to write you back within a week of sending me something, send it before noon on Friday so that I receive it Friday night.
So- as I mentioned in my last post, I got to speak last Sunday. While speaking I was scared and mostly just trying to focus on what I was saying and making sure I said anything I felt prompted to bring up. Several people mentioned how great it was and how they really felt the spirit. I didn't quite understand what impact I had until several days later.
On Wednesday night we had a practice session with another district in our zone. We were paired up with another companionship, we taught them and then they taught us. I didn't speak up much as I was teaching but when I felt prompted to (or when I had nothing else to say) I bore testimony about whatever my companion had taught on. After the lesson, one of the elders asked to speak to me. He explained how just two weeks ago he had received news that his best friend passed away. The grief and pain from this news caused him to begin to doubt the reasons he was here and the truthfulness of the church. He told me that he had been ready to go home.
Then he said "You have a very powerful spirit when you teach. I felt it when you spoke last Sunday, reminding me of truths I had forgotten and testifying of things I had doubted." He explained how I re-ignited his testimony and gave him reason to stay. When he and his companion then took their turn teaching us, the spirit was so strong. I know that the things he was testifying of are true. More importantly, I know he believes them.
I didn't think I would have the opportunity to change someone's life before even leaving the MTC. I'm so grateful I had the chance to help someone make that decision to stay and continue on their mission. I believe many of the missionaries stop and have to make that choice. They realize it is a lot harder than expected, they miss friends, and they have to find their own motivation to continue. I know I had to make this choice, the choice to stay where I knew the Lord needed me. I'm so glad that I did, that I stayed and spoke and helped someone else when it was his turn to decide.
First- I just thought everyone might want to know that dear-elder letters are not printed on Saturday or Sunday. This means that if you send me a DearElder Friday afternoon or over the weekend, I usually do not receive it until late on Monday evening and at that point I usually don't have time to respond to it. So- if you want me to write you back within a week of sending me something, send it before noon on Friday so that I receive it Friday night.
So- as I mentioned in my last post, I got to speak last Sunday. While speaking I was scared and mostly just trying to focus on what I was saying and making sure I said anything I felt prompted to bring up. Several people mentioned how great it was and how they really felt the spirit. I didn't quite understand what impact I had until several days later.
On Wednesday night we had a practice session with another district in our zone. We were paired up with another companionship, we taught them and then they taught us. I didn't speak up much as I was teaching but when I felt prompted to (or when I had nothing else to say) I bore testimony about whatever my companion had taught on. After the lesson, one of the elders asked to speak to me. He explained how just two weeks ago he had received news that his best friend passed away. The grief and pain from this news caused him to begin to doubt the reasons he was here and the truthfulness of the church. He told me that he had been ready to go home.
Then he said "You have a very powerful spirit when you teach. I felt it when you spoke last Sunday, reminding me of truths I had forgotten and testifying of things I had doubted." He explained how I re-ignited his testimony and gave him reason to stay. When he and his companion then took their turn teaching us, the spirit was so strong. I know that the things he was testifying of are true. More importantly, I know he believes them.
I didn't think I would have the opportunity to change someone's life before even leaving the MTC. I'm so grateful I had the chance to help someone make that decision to stay and continue on their mission. I believe many of the missionaries stop and have to make that choice. They realize it is a lot harder than expected, they miss friends, and they have to find their own motivation to continue. I know I had to make this choice, the choice to stay where I knew the Lord needed me. I'm so glad that I did, that I stayed and spoke and helped someone else when it was his turn to decide.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Speaking
November 15, 2010
This week has been pretty great, other than the fact that it's cold and rainy. But ignoring the weather, I had the opportunity to teach again, which was a little easier than last week, I got to speak in church on Sunday, and I got 4 letters just on Monday and it made me feel super special.
So- the most exciting thing, speaking in church. At the MTC, the branch president announces the topic of the following week, everyone is supposed to prepare something, and we don't find out who speaks till after church has started. This week I was called on. The topic was faith in Jesus Christ, something I've been studying a lot since I've come into the MTC. I walked up to the pulpit, shaking like I leaf, and started to speak. I'm really glad I didn't pass out.
I spoke of how faith in Christ is a form of confidence. It is having the confidence that you can do something despite your inadequacies because you will receive the help that you need. Confidence that no matter how hard it is, you can make it through because He is with you. Faith is displayed through our diligence. When we have faith that God will help us through our trials, we also need to diligently press through our trials and try to overcome them. He can't help us if we sit on our rears and wait for the trial to go away. That was what my talk was on. I finished with a short testimony in Tagalog- Alam ko po na mahal ako ng Diyos dahil sa ang anak siya ako. (I know that God loves me because I am his child)
Mahal Kita!
This week has been pretty great, other than the fact that it's cold and rainy. But ignoring the weather, I had the opportunity to teach again, which was a little easier than last week, I got to speak in church on Sunday, and I got 4 letters just on Monday and it made me feel super special.
So- the most exciting thing, speaking in church. At the MTC, the branch president announces the topic of the following week, everyone is supposed to prepare something, and we don't find out who speaks till after church has started. This week I was called on. The topic was faith in Jesus Christ, something I've been studying a lot since I've come into the MTC. I walked up to the pulpit, shaking like I leaf, and started to speak. I'm really glad I didn't pass out.
I spoke of how faith in Christ is a form of confidence. It is having the confidence that you can do something despite your inadequacies because you will receive the help that you need. Confidence that no matter how hard it is, you can make it through because He is with you. Faith is displayed through our diligence. When we have faith that God will help us through our trials, we also need to diligently press through our trials and try to overcome them. He can't help us if we sit on our rears and wait for the trial to go away. That was what my talk was on. I finished with a short testimony in Tagalog- Alam ko po na mahal ako ng Diyos dahil sa ang anak siya ako. (I know that God loves me because I am his child)
Mahal Kita!
Monday, November 8, 2010
SMILE!
November 8, 2010
This past week has been really great. The best part was Tuesday night. Each Tuesday there is an MTC devotional, and this week Elder Russell M. Ballard came to speak. He spoke a great deal about how the most important thing we do is communicate. If we don't communicate, how can we tell people about our wonderful message. For a long time, I felt like I was listening to a talk saying everything I already knew I needed to do, but I didn't feel like I was getting any advice on how to do it. Then he said something that has stuck in my mind ever since. "The most powerful thing you have is your smile."
Now- I have trouble talking to people. I hate asking questions. But I can smile.
So I decided to spend Wednesday making sure I smiled at people, Then Thursday I decided to make it a little more challenging by saying Hi as well(or rather, I said Kumusta! because that is hi in tagalog). Now- well, I'm still not a particularly great communicator but at least I feel like I'm getting a little bit better.
For those of you who want an update on the language- I'm LOVING it! It's so much fun. I really believe that my calling to speak a foreign language was inspired. A- learning Tagalog gives me something really fun and academic to do, I feel like I'm back at school. B- it let's me stay here for 6 weeks longer than English speakers so that I can get better at the previously mentioned communication problem. It's a crazy language with over 20 ways to conjugate verbs and the sentences are structured the way Yoda would say them, but I'm having so much fun!
Mahal ko Kayo (I love all of you)
This past week has been really great. The best part was Tuesday night. Each Tuesday there is an MTC devotional, and this week Elder Russell M. Ballard came to speak. He spoke a great deal about how the most important thing we do is communicate. If we don't communicate, how can we tell people about our wonderful message. For a long time, I felt like I was listening to a talk saying everything I already knew I needed to do, but I didn't feel like I was getting any advice on how to do it. Then he said something that has stuck in my mind ever since. "The most powerful thing you have is your smile."
Now- I have trouble talking to people. I hate asking questions. But I can smile.
So I decided to spend Wednesday making sure I smiled at people, Then Thursday I decided to make it a little more challenging by saying Hi as well(or rather, I said Kumusta! because that is hi in tagalog). Now- well, I'm still not a particularly great communicator but at least I feel like I'm getting a little bit better.
For those of you who want an update on the language- I'm LOVING it! It's so much fun. I really believe that my calling to speak a foreign language was inspired. A- learning Tagalog gives me something really fun and academic to do, I feel like I'm back at school. B- it let's me stay here for 6 weeks longer than English speakers so that I can get better at the previously mentioned communication problem. It's a crazy language with over 20 ways to conjugate verbs and the sentences are structured the way Yoda would say them, but I'm having so much fun!
Mahal ko Kayo (I love all of you)
Monday, November 1, 2010
Magandang Araw!
November 1, 2010
That means "Good Day" in Tagalog. Tagalog is officially the funniest language in the world. A few reasons why include the fact that araw (day) rhymes with the word cow, ng is both a letter and a word, the word diyan sounds something like jen, and the word Hi is Kumusta (nearly 4 times as long). But I've really loved learning it so far. It's the hardest thing I think I've ever done but it's so worth it.
I'm totally loving the MTC. The people here are super nice, our zone is huge, and so many of us are going to Iloilo (my mission). 28 new missionaries came in on Wednesday, so there are a ton of us all on the same page. Life is kinda crazy, and the schedule is way strict, but that almost helps make it more fun. We spend most of our time laughing or rambling in unintelligible, poorly pronounced Tagalog.
To finish off- here is the most important thing I think I've learned while being here: Alam ko po na totoo ang simbahan ni JesuCristo ng mga banal sa mga huling araw. Alam ko po na tunay na propeta ng Diyos si Joseph Smith. Nagpapasalamat ako na Aklat ni Mormon. (I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true. I know that Joseph Smith is a real prophet of God. I am thankful for the Book of Mormon)
Mahalakita!
(I Love you!)
That means "Good Day" in Tagalog. Tagalog is officially the funniest language in the world. A few reasons why include the fact that araw (day) rhymes with the word cow, ng is both a letter and a word, the word diyan sounds something like jen, and the word Hi is Kumusta (nearly 4 times as long). But I've really loved learning it so far. It's the hardest thing I think I've ever done but it's so worth it.
I'm totally loving the MTC. The people here are super nice, our zone is huge, and so many of us are going to Iloilo (my mission). 28 new missionaries came in on Wednesday, so there are a ton of us all on the same page. Life is kinda crazy, and the schedule is way strict, but that almost helps make it more fun. We spend most of our time laughing or rambling in unintelligible, poorly pronounced Tagalog.
To finish off- here is the most important thing I think I've learned while being here: Alam ko po na totoo ang simbahan ni JesuCristo ng mga banal sa mga huling araw. Alam ko po na tunay na propeta ng Diyos si Joseph Smith. Nagpapasalamat ako na Aklat ni Mormon. (I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true. I know that Joseph Smith is a real prophet of God. I am thankful for the Book of Mormon)
Mahalakita!
(I Love you!)
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Another Week
October 19, 2010
I only have one week left... this thought kinda scares me. In one week I have to make sure I have everything I might need for the next 18 months and then try to find some way to fit it into 2 suitcases. In contrast, the 8 month collection of stuff I brought for my first two semesters at school filled the family car. I'm slightly less stressed knowing my living arrangements will be fully furnished.
Isn't it interesting though, how much we can simplify our lives. We really don't need all that much in order to survive. Of course we need some clothing and it's always a good idea to have a basic first aid kit on hand, but it's the pleasantries in life that really take up space. I'm sure I could have made it through my freshman year just fine without bringing along my electronic piano, guitar, temper-pedic mattress topper, and other such items. So this next week is about figuring out how to simplify. The next 18 months are about trying not to go crazy with my simplified living style.
I only have one week left... this thought kinda scares me. In one week I have to make sure I have everything I might need for the next 18 months and then try to find some way to fit it into 2 suitcases. In contrast, the 8 month collection of stuff I brought for my first two semesters at school filled the family car. I'm slightly less stressed knowing my living arrangements will be fully furnished.
Isn't it interesting though, how much we can simplify our lives. We really don't need all that much in order to survive. Of course we need some clothing and it's always a good idea to have a basic first aid kit on hand, but it's the pleasantries in life that really take up space. I'm sure I could have made it through my freshman year just fine without bringing along my electronic piano, guitar, temper-pedic mattress topper, and other such items. So this next week is about figuring out how to simplify. The next 18 months are about trying not to go crazy with my simplified living style.
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