Jan 19 - From Pio Duran near Ligao

This last week has been difficult but so rewarding. On Saturday, the 18th, we had a baptism. It was my first. The sister that we were baptizing was one that the missionaries before me had found and done most of the teaching, and the role I played in her conversion was pretty minimal, but it was still a great experience. I got to do the baptism itself, and I was really nervous. Because we don't have a baptismal font nearby, we perform our baptisms out in the ocean. We waded out waist deep (which was chest deep for this sister) and I performed the baptism. As I baptized her, I could feel the very real power that exists in that sacred ordinance. 

I know that baptism by a person holding the Holy Priesthood of God is the way that Christ has set forth to follow in his way. I know that great blessings lie in that ordinance and the ordinances that follow it. I'm so grateful to be a part of bringing others to that path.

Elder English

January 13 - From E Pio Duran near Ligao

I feel like this last week, the focus for both me and my companion moved away from me and towards the people we teach. We have stopped preparing cookie-cutter lessons in the name of training and started preparing lessons specific to the people we teach, which has been such a relief. I talk much less, but I feel like the lessons we do give actually make a difference in the lives of those we teach.

For example, we recently taught this brother who's a new investigator and has several Word of Wisdom issues. We taught him the Word of Wisdom as our first lesson due to the guidance of the Spirit. He seemed to receive it alright, and committed to giving up cigarettes and coffee, which were his only problems with it. We weren't quite sure how committed he was however. This last visit with him was about a week after that, and he said he'd been living the Word of Wisdom. I'm so glad that we've made that transition to teaching people not lessons, or we never would have started with the Word of Wisdom with that brother.

I know that God is guiding His work and he's guiding us. It hasn't always been easy, but I know that the outcomes will be worth the effort. I know that without righteous effort on our part, we can't receive His guidance, just like Nephi say in 1 Nephi17:23. 

January 6th from E Pio Duran, near Ligao

Wow, I'm actually here. It's been a whirlwind of a week. A lot has happened and there's a lot that I'm adapting to. There have been more than a few frustrating times, but when I think about it, there have been so many tender mercies. For example, yesterday was Fast Sunday, where I introduced myself to the ward. I was pretty worried that fasting would be miserable because we do so much walking and it's already hard enough to get enough water in me to make up for how much I lose because it's so hot here. To my surprise, it wasn't a problem. I didn't even notice that I was hungry or thirsty until we were on our way to our dinner appointment with a family to break our fast. I know that God sustained me in my fast.

My companion's name is Elder Carpio, and he's wonderful. He's a native to the Philippines, so I rely on him to converse with the people. I can teach lessons pretty well, and when we're talking about spiritual subjects I can pick up what others are saying, but I don't have a firm enough grasp of the language to converse well. I've been teaching him English, which he's actually quite good at for never having been immersed in the language, and he's been teaching me boatloads of Tagalog. I'm really glad I've been given such a competent and supportive trainer.

First Companion and Trainer:  Elder Carpio

Found a Crab on the Beach

Teaching the people has been difficult, but so incredibly worth it. A lot of our effort have been in reactivation, though we have some promising investigators. We have one sister that we're almost certain is going to be baptized in less than a month. She's seventeen years old, and she only heard the message of the missionaries who were here before us about a month ago, but she has such a powerful testimony. Another sister has many questions about the LDS faith itself and our specific beliefs, but she has a very well rounded knowledge of the bible and believes firmly in serving God, which is already such a powerful basis upon which we know we can build.

The Philippines itself has a lot of things that I've had to get used to. For example, transportation. In the Philippines there are two main types of public transit: Jeepneys and Tricycles. Jeepneys are old WW2 looking jeeps with the back sawn off and extended back about twenty feet. On each side of the back is a bench which people cram into like a can of sardines. Tricycles are motorcycles with a roof and a metal sidecar welded on. Aside from the driver, Jeepneys can put about twenty people inside, and Tricycles can fit about six people inside. However, both types of transportation have metal grating welded on to the sides and roof at random places, so if the inside is full, people hang off the sides and climb on the top. I've had more than one opportunity to hang off the back of Jeepneys, and you quite literally have to hold on for your life.

My Closet

Mayon Volcano as the Plane Lands

The Philippines is a wonderful place, and I'm so blessed to be able to live and serve the people here for two years. It's difficult, but I know that the words of Nephi and 1 Ne 3:7 are true, and that the Lord will make a way for me to accomplish the things he wants me to. I hope that when time are rough, you know that you can turn to the Lord and he will buoy you up.