29 April 2013

Magandang Hapon!

It has been quite the busy week for us here in Gamu! This week we had the annual "specialized training" activity called Amazing Grace. Sister Carlos really is amazing at creating and pulling off fun and interesting activities and trainings. It was a spin off of the tv show Amazing Grace, but held just in the chapel. Then a couple days later we were back in Ilagan to have the privilege of receiving a special training by Elder

Nielson of the Quorum of the Seventy and counselor in Philippines Area Presidency. I believe this is my 3rd time being able to meet with him. He had us all read an article by Elder Bednar about the Atonement before we came, and that was his main topic. I realized that the Atonement isn't only for people who have sinned and need to repent to become clean again, but it is also just as important for the "good" people. The main purpose of the Atonement is to make bad people good, and good people better. Throughout our whole life, we need to be using the Atonement to receive the enabling power to exercise our agency wisely and apply all the Christ like attributes. Rather than asking God to change our circumstances, we need to ask Him to help us with the strength we need to get us through problems. He also gave some interesting training as he emphasized that we need to spend more time finding "people with cars"-because pretty much every where on the roads traffic is crazy packed with cars, but on Sundays, very rarely are people with cars at church. He reminded us to not be intimidated or afraid as we approach the really nice houses that sometimes require talking to security guards and big gates to get into. It was also interesting that he actually encouraged us to use English more often, because it will lead us to the richer/more educated people.

We also spent a good chunk of our time trying to find an apartment in order for our area to be split in half, possibly by sisters. With how many times I have looked for and made arrangements for new apartments, I feel like I could take over the Shaners job of apartments! Haha. We finally found a place that is much nicer than the one we are in now, but still not sure if President has decided to split the area yet or not. I guess we'll find out next week on transfer day! Crazy to think that another cycle has gone by. I also received what is known as the "trunky letter", or the paper asking to confirm where we are going home to. That was weird. I'm guessing they'll email my travel plans to you within a month or so.

The branch here is really supportive of us and missionary work, and every Sunday we are able to go on splits with members so that we can go to more people. It is such a great help when people are willing to work with us and at the same time it is a great opportunity for the people working with us to learn more seems how most of the time, I feel like I am teaching our fellow shippers just as much as our investigator or less active. Haha.

I will greatly appreciate when the Philippine Election day is over in a few weeks, because the trucks driving by all the time blasting songs and campaign information are starting to give me a headache. It is funny to see how different elections are here compared to back home. For most people voting, they will will just vote for whoever gives them the biggest chunk of money. Elder Sulla told me he got 1,000 pesos once for voting for someone. Haha. Awesome. 

You should also be getting a package within a few weeks of some wood carving stuff I ordered. I spent about an arm and a leg on it and packaging (which was over 100$), but it should be worth it. Unfortunately the Captain Moroni carving didn't work out, but I bargained a little and got some other things.

Thank you for everyone that wrote and glad to hear everyone is doing well. 

Mahal Ko kayo,

Elder Nay

The following is "borrowed" from Sister Carlos' mission blog:

                                     

Each year we have had fun putting together a Specialized Training that focuses on an important aspect of missionary work and presented in an "out of the box" way. This year we decided to focus on Elder Bednar's talk "Becoming a Preach My Gospel Missionary." In his talk he speaks of 5 Requirements. We developed 5 energy-driven challenges-one for each of the 5 requirements. At the end of the challenge zones  participated in a 5-minute debriefing session where they looked up scriptures, read quotes and discussed in detail each of the 5 requirements.

Burgos Zone

During the activity, zones collected a puzzle piece upon the completion of each requirement challenge and debriefing period. The first three teams to gather their puzzle pieces and find the Winner's Mat won prizes.

Requirement #1(The Gottfredson's)

PMG Missionaries Understand that they serve and represent Jesus Christ

Activity: Scripture Search for names of Christ/ Word Search to find those names

Requirement #2(The Assistants)

PMG Missionaries Are Worthy

Be Ye Clean—Members are given a rag with a stain. Each member must take a turn to wash it clean. If they can’t do it after so many minutes they can ask for a clue. (For the clue they knew they had to find their priesthood leader who could help them--It was President Carlos who traded their stained rag with a clean one.)

Requirement #3 (The Shaners)

 Preach My Gospel missionaries treasure up the words of eternal Life. This requirement will be a treasure hunt.

As you complete each activity you will earn a scripture clue. After you’ve earned all six scripture clues you will huddle as a zone and solve the scripture puzzle. Give your answer (which will be a scripture reference) to the hosts and if you are correct, you will receive your Debriefing Card

 

Requirement #4 (The Mills)

PMG Understand the Holy Ghost is the Ultimate and True Teacher

Missionaries were given a host of objects and a few minutes to use the object to help investigators overcome a concern. Then role play in a spirit-filled exercise.

Requirement #5(The Lakers)

Preach My Gospel Missionaries: Understand Teaching is much more than talking and telling.

Activity:  3 Minute to Win It Challenges and a debriefing session to help missionaries understand this important concept. The challenges were: Open Your Mouths (oreo challenge); Lift Up Your Voice ( Panty hose with orange in one leg knocks over bottle with words under it. One missionaries calls out the words while zone unscrambles the words and forms a sentence) and Quick to Observe (study a table full of 20 missionary related items and recall as many as you can)

22 April 2013

Magandang Hapon!

Kumusta sa inyong lahat!

Happy birthday party to Jenna! Haha next year maybe we can just combine ours. I was super surprised to see how big Jenna and Gracie are now. Weird. I ended up being rather spoiled this week because on Wednesday we ended up going to the mission home again to have another party. Elder Sulla and I were surprised and didn't really know what to expect because all we were told was be at the mission home at 6:30. Once we got there there were several other missionaries, including my batch from the MTC and Elder Allen, and we found out it was a party for the Assistants to the President because it is a tradition that they throw a party for every AP. That is the benefit of having an MTC buddy as an AP. :) We ended up sleeping over at the mission home too, which was super weird to sleep in aircon and take a warm shower. And for my birthday, I had my last interview with Pres. Carlos. Of course he came bearing treats. Overall, it was a pretty good week.

It has also been getting ridiculously hot lately and sometimes I feel like I will melt away and my whole body will just end up in a puddle of sweat. Even some of the asphalt on the streets is melting and is sticky to walk on. People are saying it is 40 celsius, which is about 104, then add the humidity. If you ask me, I think it is about the same temperature as the sun. It is also fun at night when it decides to go on a random brownout. The other night I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, then I realized it was because the power was out and my fan was off. Good times in the Philippines. :) 

Earlier for P-day we invited some other Elders to our apartment as Elder Sulla made up another yummy lunch. I was surprised earlier when I was putting on my pants that I actually have to suck in a little bit to get them on. 

Gamu is continuing to progress very well, and we just gave a baptism commitment to one of our investigators. She is 16 and already has a baby, but she is also the caretaker of her 8 year old brother because her dad is a drunkard and left many years ago, and her mom working in Saudi Arabia for 3 years to earn some money. Her husband (that she isn't married to yet) is working several hours away from here carrying rocks from a river and loading them onto a truck to make money. It made me appreciate the importance of having a good family structure because once parents leave like that, it is very difficult for children to stay on the right path and do what is right. When I asked her about how she could tell that this is the true church, she replied that when she prayed about it, it felt like her hairs stood up as a warm feeling passed through her and that if she had any doubts, she wouldn't be coming to church every week and asking to be taught by us. 

Thank you for all of your support and everything you do. Thanks mom and Nat for getting my classes all worked out for Utah State. Hopefully they are all still classes I want to take. Haha.

Mahal ko kayo,

Elder Nay

15 April 2013

Magandang hapon!

It has been a great P-day so far because President invited us to the mission home so that Elder Sulla could make some lunch (which was yummy) and hang out and play basket ball with a few other missionaries (one of which happened to be Elder Allen). I was also able to use the internet there for a few minutes for free, which is why I was online a little earlier than usual. I was also given a yummy piece of carrot cake and ice cream as an early birthday snack. I also got my birthday package you sent with the eggnog, jerky, cashews, and other goodies. I should just have more birthdays! Haha. Tomorrow for my birthday I get to have my final interview with President Carlos before he goes home in July. That will be really weird. Other than that, it will just be a regular day of district meetings and work! Although the Lapitan family did offer a birthday dinner under one condition-I brought the ice cream. Haha. 

Why can't we just listen to conference every week? There were several really awesome ones-but of course there weren't any bad ones. :) I thought it was interesting how much obedience and following the example of Jesus Christ was emphasized. Because this is His church, we do what He did. That is why missionary work is so important. Missionary work has always been a unique feature of the church, and it always will be. That is why we need to minister to all and reach out to the poor, hungry, widowed, needy. That is why we have Sacrament meeting. That is why we baptize the way He was baptized. In short, EVERYTHING we do in the church is after His example. The more I study the life of Jesus Christ and how he established His church when he was on the earth, the more I realize how true this church is. What we need to do in this life is simple-if we want blessings, be obedient to His commandments (D&C130:20-21). It made me sad on Saturday to see how very few people showed up to watch conference so they could also hear these great words. When Elder Sulla and I got there at 8am when Priesthood was supposed to start, there was one other person there. And we couldn't start it on time because we had to wait for the District President to come with the projector. By the time it started, and throughout the remaining sessions, I counted a grand total of 5 other people that were not full time missionaries. On Sunday morning, there were a decent amount of people, but during the lunch break everybody went home, leaving about 11 people that were not full time missionaries for the afternoon session. Their loss!

Last week was an exciting week in Gamu branch because 2 families were able to go to the temple and be sealed for time and all eternity! Talking to them about their trip was fun-not surprisingly, they all loved it and said there is no better feeling in the world. 

With the surge in Sister missionaries coming, President is frantically trying to find apartments/areas good enough to put them in. For some reason the standards for apartments must be a little higher when it comes to sister missionaries.... Something about them wanting to be in an area that they don't need to walk long distances at night and them actually wanting to use a toilet seat and rooms that actually have paint in them. But for Elders, that is okay. Hmph. Interesting. Haha. He told us to start looking for a sisters apartment to split up our area-and if possible, by transfer day in 3 weeks. That should be fun. 

As for your talk next week on Book of Mormon, good luck! There is no other tool more useful for conversion than getting people to do diligent reading in the Book of Mormon. I've seen it numerous times that investigators don't really seem to progress much, but as soon as they commit themselves to reading it, their progression surges.

Salamat po sa mga birthday wishes and ingat palagi!

Mahal ko kayo,

Elder Nay

8 April 2013

Magandang Hapon!

Kumusta!

Mabuti lang hindi kayo pinatay at nakauwi kayo na ligtas! Haha. Sounds like an awesome trip and as expected, great adventures to be had. Cool seeing the pictures of RPG's and stuff you got to shoot. 

Last week I got to experience my second earthquake here in the mission. How cool is that!? Haha. Of course it wasn't anything big enough to do any damage, but just big enough that as I was reading in personal study I felt like my chair was being wiggled and I noticed that my fan was starting to rock back and forth and our mirror hanging on the wall was moving. Kind of fun. :)

We also had the last Zone Leaders Council to be held because it is now being changed to Mission Leadership Council. Now "Sister Trainers" get to join in the meeting to better the needs of the Sisters in the mission-and more and more of them keep coming! It will be nice because in the past if there was ever a concern with a Sister companionship, basically all we could do was let President know about it seems how we obviously can't go on splits with them to give them counsel and advice. It was interesting though at ZLC because President pointed out that I have been a Zone Leader longer than any other current ZL. I never thought I'd be considered one of the old people in the mission! It will be really weird after transfer day because me and 3 other Elders in my batch will be the oldest in the mission for our remaining 3 months because the batch ahead of us is going home early. And even though President's training is always amazing, I must admit the mexican food and dessert Sis. Carlos made was heavenly. At least, all of the Americans really loved it. Haha some of the Filipinos don't have that acquired taste. 

I'm glad you were able to enjoy watching conference. As usual, we have to wait until this weekend to watch it in the District Center. I hope there will be an English version available because here in the bukid, there aren't as many people that are educated enough to understand English. In bigger cities like Tuguegarao, English is all they broadcast to everyone. 

Earlier today we crashed a wedding of some member because it was just in the Church, and it was surprisingly good food! haha. This week I've come to appreciate the meaning of Eternal Families and getting married/sealed in the temple much more as I have been teaching many broken families lately. Even though there are some families that are happy even though they aren't sealed in the temple, we are trying to help them realize that they could be even MORE happier and be tied for eternity if they just set the goal to go to the temple.

Dad mentioned a possible conflict in time on mothers day because of you being gone. Because Pres. Carlos is the best ever, he doesn't really care when we get to chat, as long as sometime around mothers day and good for everyone. So, the only important thing is we get to chat. Just let me know what works for you. 

Maraming Salamat po sa inyong lahat,

Mahal ko kayo

Elder Nay

1 April 2013

Magandang Hapon!

Kumusta!

Pambihira I can't believe you were able to shoot machine guns and RPGs and throw hand grenades! Definitely sounds like a blast (haha....). It sounds/looks very similar to the Philippines. I'm glad you also got to experience eating dragon fruit. Pretty good stuff! Maybe if we come visit again I can talk to a member here that is a a retired colonel in the army so he might have hookups to let us do cool things too. :) There is a pretty big army base here in Gamu, so a few days ago I got to see an Armored Personnel Carrier just driving down the road like nobodies business. 

Yesterday was an interesting Easter Sunday because the Elder I replaced here (Elder Wooden) attended church here with his parents and 3 brothers because they came to pick him up/tour the mission. And President/Sister Carlos decided to come with them too, which meant there were a lot of visitors yesterday! It also meant I had to translate sacrament meeting for Sister Carlos and Elder Wooden's parents as he gave about a 20 minute talk. I got to laugh at Elder Sulla (my new companion) when he had to translate for Sis. Carlos as I was teaching Gospel Principles class. It is funny because most Filipinos understand English and can speak it okay, they are just really shy and don't like to. His dad and mom also spake, so it was weird to hear so much English in Sacrament meeting. Some of the primary children also did a really awesome musical number of a song I hadn't heard before (Gethsemane?) that really brought in the Spirit and caused me to reflect more on how important Jesus Christ and his Atonement really are. 

Despite it being Easter weekend, I didn't get to see anybody crucifying themselves or anything cool like that. Too bad. Haha. It was interesting to see how many more people decided to go to church though-especially the special saturday night services that almost every catholic church hold. 

I am looking forward to this new cycle with Elder Sulla not only because he is a hard worker and we are already picking up a bunch of really awesome potential investigators, but because he is an amazing cook! I still can't decide if he or Elder Llorin are better, but I am happy because hopefully in the process I can gain a few pounds. He is from the southern islands of the Philippines. 

We just picked up a new investigator because a member took us to her neighbor's house and said that there was an inactive there. During the lesson, this inactive's husband joined us and after listening intently, he told us he has been looking for a long time for a church that is true because it is too hard to decide which one is "the right one". Basically, doctrine on the Gospel of Jesus Christ changes just depending on where you go to church here. We told him the good news that God has given us a great gift to be able to find out such things for ourselves-prayer. People can lie and change doctrine, but God can't-so just ask him directly which one is true. Throughout the lesson, the Spirit could be felt and at the end, the inactive sister agreed to pray and prayed that we would be able to come back again. I am looking forward to sharing more with them to help them understand why there are so many different churches and why prophets are important. How lucky we are to already know such information!

Thank you for your support and love,

Mahal ko kayo.

Elder Nay

25 March 2013

This is a letter from the mission president to the missionaries.

Easter in the Philippines…..

March 25, 2013

Beloved Missionaries:

As you know, Sister Carlos maintains a mission blog for your family and friends to be able to get a different perspective of your mission. For the last 3 years, she has also posted insights about the unique things we find in the Philippines.  Accompanied by pictures, she tells the story of these interesting items. She titles this: “Only in the Philippines.”  Today, I am borrowing from her original thought, regarding a unique thing about the Philippines.

Only in the Philippines, do you see people carrying the cross for miles under the heat of the sun during Easter Week. Only in the Philippines do you see men actually get nailed in the cross as a symbol of their repentance. Still, others flog themselves with sticks and rods to get rid of sin. Yes, Easter in the Philippines is most unique and so much different than what we see in other parts of the world.

In Section 19 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord made clear the need for repentance: “For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; but if they would not repent, they must suffer even as I; which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit….”

The Easter celebration in the Philippines focuses on the crucifixion. Yes, Christ suffered much there. Unimaginable suffering. But the suffering He endured on the cross was just a portion of what He endured in the garden of Gethsemane. He did it all, so that you and I do not have to. No, we do not need to be flogged. We do not need to be crucified on the cross. We do not need to be paraded across town to demonstrate our repentance. All we need is to accept His Atonement by coming unto Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

In Gethsemane, all humanity "hung on the hinge of Christ's character" (Elder Neal Maxwell). Gethsemane was a working olive garden. The first virgin press of the olives results in pure, extra virgin oil. So pure is this oil that we use it to heal the sick. That night in Gethsemane, like the purest oil, the purest Son emerged to take upon Himself all grief, all pain and all sickness and sin from Adam to the end of the world.

Like any precious gift, faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement must be accepted by those who are ready to receive it. The healing power of the Atonement begins by yielding our hearts to Christ. We must offer Him "our whole souls" (Omni 1:26). Elder Maxwell taught, "There are no conditions in unconditional surrender."

Some of us continue to withhold from Christ portions of our inner selves, be it our will, our love or our trust. Like Ananias and Sapphira of old (Acts 5:1-5), when we hold back a portion, we not only lose the Spirit but we deny ourselves the eternal blessings the Atonement offers. The Savior set the standard for those blessings: "...what manner of men ought ye to be, verily I say unto you, even as I am" (3 Nephi 27:27).

King Benjamin also showed us how to access the full blessings of the Atonement. He taught that we must "yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and put off the natural man and becometh...as a child..." (Mosiah 3:19). The Savior spoke in absolute terms: "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18:3). Little children are full of love and without guile. Charity, then, is the hallmark of the Atonement. Disciples of Christ put off selfishness and put on the selfless character of charity.

In the Philippines, they call this week “Holy Week.” Today is Holy Monday. Friday is Black Friday. If one were to visit any of the Catholic church this week, they will find all statues of Christ, Mary, Joseph, etc., are covered in black or purple, as a symbol of mourning. On Easter Sunday, these statues are again unveiled. Again, “only in the Philippines” do you observe this very outward and public expression of faith and repentance. This is in direct contrast to the admonition to “pray in secret” and to engage in a very personal and private spiritual transformation from the natural man to a true disciple of Christ.

This week, as you teach about Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement, let us help the people focus on the inside and not the outside. Let us teach them about sincere “Coming Unto Him.”  Let us teach them about true conversion and the real power of submitting themselves to the Savior. Let us teach them to labor mightily for this change. Let us teach them to focus not so much on the crucifixion, but on the majesty and power and mercy and love of the Savior and His Atonement.

As we teach faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, may we ourselves become fully converted to Jesus. The surrender of our will to Jesus is the only surrender which is also a victory. As we do so, we will enjoy the richest blessings of the Atonement, even to the "measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). We will know true joy with the life that is and "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Cor 4:17) in the life to come.

Ever grateful for the love of the Savior and the cleansing power of His Atonement,

President Rudy A. Carlos

25 March 2013

Magandang Hapon!

Kumusta sa inyong lahat!

Pretty weird to think about how close you are to the Philippines now. Now there is only a one hour time difference between us! Haha. Can't wait to hear about some of the fun adventures you are having in Cambodia/Vietnam. I'm guessing there is a lot in common with the culture to the Philippines. It will be great for mom to experience a true Nay/Gibby adventure. 

Last week I thought I wasn't going to be able to survive because one of our electric fans died while I was studying. It is starting to get ridiculously hot again, and there is no way I could have survived with just our one not as powerful one going back and forth. As I laid in bed, I started sweating. Fortunately, I texted the Shaners for a new one and they were able to bring it by less than 24 hours later. It pays to know people in the right places. :) It was good to see them and talk to them again, and super weird they are going home in about 2 months. 

We have also had to deal with our water being gone several times this week. It was a perfect time to use our water storage that I never thought we would use so we could still shower and flush the toilet. I even thought we would have to ask the neighbors if we could use their well to refill our big bucket reserve, but fortunately it came back. Water is kind of like electricity-you just never know when it will turn off here! 

Due to the MTC changes and number of missionaries arriving, our transfer day is coming up this Wednesday. The end of our 9 week cycle is already done! Because transfer day was moved up a day, we now find out who is getting transferred on P-day. Fortunately, I get to stay in Gamu for at least another 6 weeks! Elder Villania is getting transferred, but I am excited for a new start with a new companion. I am grateful for the many things I learned from him though. It is so true that with every companion, there are certain new things that you will learn that you wouldn't have learned with other people. It is weird because after Wednesday, I only have 2 more transfers left. It is crazy to think that Gamu could be my last area, but there is a chance I'll have one more. Maybe I'm just destined to not see any part of the mission south of Cauayan. Haha. I have spent my entire mission in the northern half of the mission.

Sister Mills birthday

Last week was also Sis. Mills birthday, and it also happened to be on Tuesday, which is when we have District meetings. Seems how there are 2 districts in the Burgos zone, we arranged it so I was with the Mills in one district meeting and stalling time so the other district could have time to arrange and decorate the cultural hall in preparation for her surprise birthday party/lunch. They were definitely surprised! Haha

Another thing special about being in Gamu is that we randomly have birds that fly into the holes of our ceiling and fly around our apartment. It is kind of exciting watching them fly right at your face then wait for them to dodge at the last second as we try to shoo them out the door. Philippines. I love it! 

Most of all, seeing the change in others as well as myself because of a better understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the best part. President Carlos sent us a really good letter today about Easter and Christ. I'll try to forward it to you. Here in the Philippines, some people walk many many miles in the heat of the day carrying a cross so they can "crucify" themselves for a few hours like Jesus Christ did. Some others even flog themselves in an attempt to "repent" of their sins. The good news for us is that we don't have to do that to show our devotion and love for Jesus Christ. D&C 19. He suffered and died so we don't have to.

Mahal ko kayo

Elder Nay