March 10, 2014 - From Pio Duran

This week was a whirlwind. I'm grateful that I'm the companion of a District Leader, because it means that I get to go on exchanges with other missionaries often, and that means that I get to sample and "taste" the teaching styles of lots of different people. The Elder I got to exchange with this week was one of the most humble and loving missionaries I've ever met. The way he acted and talked made me realize that I haven't been doing my companion justice in how I treat him. I think it's resulted in a better relationship with my companion. In particular, I've learned this lesson: If you're truly charitable and loving towards your fellow man, the way they treat you doesn't change how you feel towards them. When Christ was crucified, he pleaded on behalf of those who were committing the act. Do we have the strength and courage to love our enemies? If the answer is no (and I certainly fall into this category) the next step is to pray to our Father in Heaven to ask for that strength. The Atonement brings with it a powerful ability to make us more than we are or really deserve to be, but we have to seek for that change. I promise, that as you sincerely pray to love your enemy and for those that spitefully use you, God will help you obtain a greater capacity to love than you yourself could gather. 

Elder English

March 2nd, 2014 (part 2) - From Pio Duran

Just a few more random pictures from the week.

I tried dinuguan for the first time... It's made of pig's blood, misc. organs that Americans would throw away, (intestines, liver, etc) and pig fat... It was, interesting.

Ill let the picture speak for itself.

I caught this little one in our apartment, and thought she was pretty, so I took a picture.

March 2, 2014 - From Pio Duran

Family- I got a letter full of cards on Thursday! Thank you all so much. I love the drawings and the messages in them. I keep them next to my bed so that when I write my journal at night, I can pull them out and look at the handiwork of my family. After seeing some missionaries that don't have the support of their families, it makes me all the more appreciative of a family who does support me and expresses that support. Thank you.

General- This week has been a roller coaster of a week. On Thursday, we had a Mission Tour, where Elder Ardern, a member of the Seventy, came and toured the mission home, was shown a few parts of the mission, and spoke to all the missionaries in the mission. The extent of my participation in the Mission Tour was listening to him speak, but it was a powerful and enlightening experience. 

In terms of proselyting, it was both an up and down week. One family that we thought had a lot of potential has started hiding when we come around. People in the Philippines are too nice to tell you they aren't interested anymore, so they hide instead. Unless something drastic changes, we're going to have to drop them from our teaching pool. That actually really bothered me, until I read a quote by Gordon B. Hinckley: "There's no compulsion in the work of the Lord, but there must be opportunity.

On the flip side, a new finding of ours, the Nicos family, accepted a baptismal invitation, and we've scheduled them for April 5. They specified that if they got to that date, and didn't feel ready, that they wouldn't be baptized. We assured them that of course the most important thing is that they're prepared, but that it's also important for them to have a date in order to realize that becoming prepared should be a priority. Definitely a wonderful experience.

As members, a lot of times we share the gospel once, are rejected, and then get discouraged and figure our job is over. While sometimes being rejected is frustrating, we need to acknowledge others' agency. At the same time, however, we owe it to those around us to share the good news. The introduction of the Book of Mormon states that its purpose is to "tell men what they must do to gain peace in this life" among other things. If that's true, then why wouldn't we share that with others? I know that while I've been out here trying to spread the good news, there have been discouragements, but as I've prayed for opportunities to find those who have been prepared, God has showed me where I need to go and what I need to do. I know that the same applies to members of Christ's church who are trying to spread His word.

With his beautiful wind blown hair, the missionary takes the obligatory selfie!

Gorgeous rice patty

3-Mount Mayon. Still just amazing to look at.

Dangling feet off the Jeepney.

Misc. toploading views

Moar selfies!

That is a jeepney, packed full of people. Elder Rennaker's first comment: They could probably fit another dozen people onto that Jeepney. His estimate was probably a little bit low.

February 24th - From Pio Duran

It's been a strangely rewarding in a "wow, those are terrible numbers, but I still feel good about the work we've done" kind of way. Definitely a week of testament to the fact that numbers don't matter if you lose sight of the people behind them.

Anyway, one thing worthy of note is that I learned a few things about leadership today from watching my companion. He's a District Leader, and I think there are definitely a few things that he's learned as well this week. I won't go into detail, but I will say this. We sometimes assume that an apology or a genuine acknowledgement of fault or weakness is itself a sign a weakness. It isn't. If you make other feel that you're perfect, and that you don't need their help or input, they will not follow you or back you up in your decisions. When others become angry and bitter and believe you're in incompetent leader, one of the best ways to soften their heart and regain their trust is to apologize, tell them that you aren't a perfect leader, you have specific weaknesses and faults, and that you can't lead without their support. If you tell someone that you need them and their input, and reflect that in the way you act, rarely will someone refuse to follow you. Humility is the sign of a strong leader, not a weak one.

Mount Mayon. This was taken while toploading out of Ligao, the closest major city to Pio Duran.

So, apparently after it rains you can find these tiny little frogs on the riverbanks. One of the members is really good at catching them. I think we counted a dozen, at least before we took the pictures. Though, as soon as he opened his hand for a picture, some of them started hopping out so they only show a portion of the bitty frogs he originally had

Not going to lie, it took some getting used to, eating small fish whole. Once you do though, they're pretty tasty. They're really salty and a bit crunchy, so I always eat them with a mouthful or two of rice, but still, really good.

February 16th (part 2) - From Pio Duran

***I asked Ethan to send some pictures of his apartment so we could get an idea of how he is living.  These are what he sent.

Kitchen

Bathroom Area (the toilets don't flush, they use the facilities and use the ladel to dip water from the bucket and wash it down)

 

Laundry Area

Washing Machine:  Three buckets, some water and me

February 16, 2014 - From Pio Duran

***Ethan's Mom Here.  Ethan and I are often able to coordinate the time we are on the internet and have lovely back and forth conversations.  Some of the most interesting things he writes are in some of these exchanges.  I will share some of these with my comments denoted by three asterisks

We actually had three baptisms this last Saturday. Technically none of them were our investigators, but all four missionaries go out to baptisms when they happen. I only baptized because Jessa requested that I perform the ordinance. I'm not exactly sure why, I only taught those three siblings twice, but I was honored to have her ask me to baptize her.

***They look very young, how old are they?

Jessa is 13, Hazel, the other girl, is 12, and Aaron James is 9. They all have really powerful testimonies, and the other companionship is working on getting their parents to sit down for lessons, but they're really busy.

***So their parents aren't members? How did they come to be interested in the Gospel?

Elder Carpio and Elder Surio found them. They were tracting, and the parents happened to be home, and they weren't all that interested, but the children requested that the missionaries come back.

***Tell me about teaching them the lessons that you were involved with.

Um, the first lesson I got to sit in on was the Word of Wisdom. Elder Nierves explained the don'ts, and I helped explain the things that God has ordained for the use of man. One of the kids asked why we shouldn't partake of those things, and Elder Nierves deferred to me, since we'd been talking about that exact question on the way to the appointment. I explained that many people try to come up with reasons for why those things are harmful for us, but the most basic reason is that we don't know why, only that God has commanded us not to, and anything that God commands is right.

The other lesson I don't remember as well. We retaught scripture study and prayer. At that point, they'd already had all the lessons they needed to be baptized, but they needed four weeks of church attendance in order to be baptized, and they missed a week at some point, so they were waiting. We talked about the reasons we pray and read scriptures, and the great miracle that is prayer.

This last Sunday, I had the opportunity to confirm Aaron James, a recent baptism of Elder Nierves and Elder Rennaker, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and with that came the gift of the Holy Ghost. During the blessing that followed, I could feel the Spirit. I could feel his guidance in the words I said. It came out in a muddled mess of English and Tagalog, and there were several pauses where nothing was said, but I know it was what I needed to say. It was such a powerful experience. If that's what's it's like every time a confirmation is done, I can see why it's called "baptism by fire."

***I love you, you crazy kid.  Keep spreading the good news.

Hahaha, okay mama. Love you. Magpapatuloy ako! (I will continue!)

Four Elders with Jessa (13) Aaron James (9) and Hazel (12)

With their Family

Baptizing Jessa

February 9, 2014 - From E Pio Duran near Ligao

I feel like every week there's so much that's gone on and not nearly enough time to write it all. This week I'm just going to share something that I've learned.

Sometimes, in a companionship, things about the other person drive you nuts. Honestly, when you're with a person 24/7 for six weeks (or more) that's kind of inevitable. There are two things I've learned from this. 

First, communication is important. If you aren't talking about the things that are annoying you or bothering you, bad things happen. Luckily for me, I've only had to witness such bad things. I think that principle goes for just about any relationship.

Second, people are people. Be patient with their faults. Be quick to forgive, and quick to offer your help. You'll find that as you give people the benefit of the doubt, often they'll do the same for you. 

Mark 11:25-26, D&C 64:9-10

Elder English