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| Since Jordan didn't send a picture this week, we thought we'd include this one from last year from the MTC |
We're in Victoria right now for our Preparation Day, but
I really wish we were in Tarlac, because the internet here is reaaaaallllly
slow. Anyway, such is life. . . . Wait a minute. Life is too short for slow internet. I’ll be right back.
Okay, we just moved to the Cordato’s brand new internet
shop with really nice computers and fast internet, so now we’re good. (And by “good” I mean really
good.) Sorry, however, for not sending
any new pictures. I have not been good
about taking pictures lately. Speaking
of, this nice new internet café, it is what Mak-Mak has been working on with
his cousins for the past month and it's really nice here. We came here last night to celebrate the
grand by eating dinner. Guess who gave
the spiritual thought? This guy. Guess who also had to speak in sacrament
meeting on the next day? This guy. (I love opportunities to teach and testify.) I gave a talk about How to Raise a
Righteous Generation.” That is one
of the Area Presidency's goals here in the Philippines, and I was given 20
minutes to prepare something before sacrament meeting. I just said a quick prayer and began flipping
through the Book of Mormon for some inspiration. I began my talk with King Benjamin's counsel
provided in Mosiah 2 when he teaches his people to raise their children to
serve God and to eliminate contention in the home. I then related what happened to that rising
generation after King Benjamin, told in the later chapters of Mosiah. It is interesting that Mormon provides a
description of wayward children who could not understand or believe the words
of King Benjamin. I wondered why that would
be. Did their parents fail to them? Did parents teach, but the children were more
interested in following the enticings of the world? We don’t know. However, I am very glad that I was raised in
a gospel centered family that taught those principles in the home, so I would
know of Christ, His Atonement and the Father’s great Plan of Salvation for all
mankind. I know the purpose of life,
where I came from, why I am here, and where I am going when this mortal life is
over. I am so grateful for that
knowledge. When our children have knowledge
and are ever reminded of truth, they will not likely forget.
Well, this week had the usual ups and downs. What would you like first, the ups or the
downs? Let’s just start with the downs
to get them out of the way. I admit
it. Sometimes I get discouraged. My faith and strength is tested when I allow
bad decisions made by our investigators to bring me down. I feel we teach by the Spirit, they
understand (mostly), and they feel the Spirit, but they struggle putting the
gospel principles into action (like something as simple as going to
church). It is hard at times not to feel
like we are wasting our time with some of the people that we are teaching. I know I can't control how other people
exercise their agency. But, I just don't
understand why these people don't come to church when they know everything is
true. Even many of our less actives are
like that. It is just really depressing
at times. Like on Wednesday, we changed
our schedule this week and went to one of the recent converts in the ward,
Tatay Ben, to teach him and his non-member spouse. When we got there, Tatay had been drinking
and didn't know we were coming on that day.
He quickly got up and apologized to us and his wife told him that he was
really tired from working, so that's why he drank. That was disappointing. (You know, there's a thing you can do to
handle fatigue, it’s called sleep.) I
felt really bad for Tatay, though. He's
an awesome guy. He's really smart in the
gospel, but he doesn't go to church much.
We taught his wife on Saturday and we gave her a baptismal goal date,
but she's been visiting with Inglecia ni Cristo members, so she's leaning
towards joining that church. She's felt
the Spirit in every lesson we've taught, but (like so many of our
investigators) doesn't listen to the Spirit.
I bore my testimony of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and
all the priesthood authority. I was very
bold, and felt the spirit as I spoke.
But, sometimes that what we are called upon to do - teach, testify, invite,
and then move on. The moving on part is
very difficult.
On the brighter side, we have two investigators set for
baptism: Jomer and Korin Lucas. There
are from part-member familes who a recently returned to church. They have progressed really well. They'll be baptized on December 29th. I don't know if I'll be here for that. The transfer ends on December 12th,
so I could be in a new area for Christmas, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to be
here. Elder Rabino and I are do
well. We are both pretty quiet, but we
teach well together.
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| Wanna see a pretty Filipino rainbow? There ya go! |
That's funny that Dad sent a note from Elder Brockbank’s
father, because he's in my zone. He's
just as shell-shocked as I was back during my first transfer here. He's a cool guy. The Filipino members can't pronounce his name
correctly, so it was pretty funny watching him trying to teach it to them. He'll just have to get used to no one being
able to pronounce his name correctly here in the Philippines. Speaking of the Philippines, I've been here
for almost a year now (Nov. 30)! I can't
believe how fast that went by.
Thanksgiving already?!? I
could've sworn I was just in the MTC for Thanksgiving. Didn't one of my brothers break his wrist a
year ago a year ago? (Ha.) Wow.
Christmas will be here quicker than I realize. Speaking of Christmas, we've been celebrating
Christmas since the first week of September.
The Filipinos really love Christmas here.
Before I forget, I better answer Mom's question really
quick. No, I haven't received the shoes yet
and Christmas Conference is on December 20. Okay, that's it for me today.
I hope that you guys are doing awesome there. Happy Thanksgiving! Mahal Kayo!
Elder Jordan "Dreaming of a Big, Juicy, Stuffed
Turkey” Royal
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