Multiple Mass Emails (Mom's catching up)

My apologies. I have been lazy about getting on the computer to share. I'm grateful that only 52 more days until he's home. I'm feeling somewhat burned out on getting these emails to the blog.

This email was sent Oct 18:

We were hit by a massive hurricane. It was bigger than the entire Philippines, and it went right through Manila! we are on the far coast, shielded by a mountain, and we are still without power for three days. we had to travel to the nearest big city to email! (big city? ha! Bacnotan doesn't  even have Jollibee!)

For the first time in my mission sacrament was cancelled, so we were stuck in the house. in the evening we played board games. unfortunately our gas ran out, so we were eating cold canned food! yuck! power should be back tomorrow :D

President has declared all missionaries are in training again, so we are doing "the first 12 weeks" again, but in my case it's "the last 12 weeks"

Just got my temple recommend renewed. It was soooo cool to hold that little piece of paper :D I felt the peace :D

That's all for this week! I love the Phillipines!

This email was sent Oct 25, his bday was Oct 23:

Happy happy happy Birthday!

My verse last week was D&C 29:7 what I learned was that the work of salvation is a passive experience, much like a roller coaster. we are not the source of energy, our Father in Heaven is the source. we are just along for the ride! we are however called to be the catalyst, (to bring to pass) so what we do is just try as many times as we possibly can, and the Elect will just come to us.

I am sure you remember my "With-out Guile" picture last year,

well It's almost December, and I have chosen my 3 words for this year. It is best found in this article https://www.lds.org/new-era/2010/09/truth-will-prevail?lang=eng

This email was sent Nov 1:

attached: my personal study, and my 3 words. (But it's so blurry!)

I got in a fight with one of my roommates. last Monday we found him in a computer shop by himself. he wasn't even wearing a tie! goodness gracious!

He was bullying his companion into paying for everything, and told him he wouldn't work if the other Elder didn't pay.

Now, I let them have their own disagreements at first... stay out of other people's business. but then he wanted to do exchanges with us, (like last week) a second time. and I said no, because my area is so not progressing, I need to find like crazy. but he kept going on about it. so eventually I let them do exchanges, but as soon as we were out of the house I called the zone leaders.

I don't really care too much if he is disobedient in his own area, but if he is disobedient in MY area, that's when I get furious! they didn't even go out and work that morning. It hurt my work.

He hasn't talked to me since then. it's been a full week now. what ever. He said he can't handle the stress of working. heh heh maybe he's not ready to be on a mission then? maybe that's a harsh judgment...

On the other hand, we do have one little hope in our area. the one progressing investigator we have is getting baptized this week! Her name is Dianne, she is a dropped former investigator, but she called us my second day here and asked to be baptized, and has kept every commitment since then.

We also found 15 new people this week, but I think only 1 of them will actually let us come back.

we just got news that Elder Castillo is transferring next week... to my old area with Elder Jones! say what?!

Yesterday was "Araw ng mga patay" pretty much like our memorial day

​we were given so much food, and only taught one person. everyone else was at the cemetery! Elder Castillo had a hard week, because he was remembering his family. at first I got a little frustrated, because he wouldn't talk about hit, until things finally cracked, and I think we became a lot closer. I just testified about why I'm on a mission, and that he is stronger than he thinks.

Of course you and I also have people to remember, and the things they did are written on our hearts, and to them I say:

Dios ang inyong kasama, hanggan sa muling pagkikita natin.

Ah! I have to retake the picture! I spelled prevail wrong! I even used a spell checker on my phone! 

My Verse

1 Nephi 13:37 (I think one of you sent this to me last week, but it was ironic, because I had already chosen it.) I learned the difference between the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and the Power of the Holy Ghost. It is in fact the same difference as those who are called and those who are chosen, and the only thing the Lord asks us to sacrifice is a broken heart and a contrite spirit. The Holy Ghost is peace. we might not expect constant guidance, but we CAN expect constant peace, and guidance when necessary :D

This should be all caught up and ready for his email tomorrow!

10-12-2015

Reference referred to in this letter: 

D&C 4:4 For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;

Okay, so I didn't have time to finish writing out my week, so I will now continue from here. please read the attachment first.

Here's where I left off.

Sunday morning, I was awestruck, Sunday afternoon I was enlightened.

Then SUPRISE! my companion books it. as in, he hopped a bus without telling anyone. Conference was held in San Fernando, Balaoan in an hour north. right after morning session, he just disappears. he called the zone leaders. " Hey, I'm on my way to Balaoan. I forgot my bag. could you please give it to Elder Cook."

 

He was with Elder "The King" Wilson. This is one tough customer. This kid is an Ex-gang, covered in tatoos, and the assistants are scared of him. He's been in Sudipen (next city north of Balaoan) for 8 months because the Ap's said he was transferring, and he said "no."

So he got very angry angry with his companion, and kidnapped mine.

I was then put for the day with the district leader and his greeny. (Elder Wilson's 2 companions) I had a GREAT time. It was super weird being on exchanges on a Sunday. But here's the reason it was so great:

after work it seemed like I was going to have to sleep in Sudipen. I was not so much looking forward to this. since all three of us just transferred in, and it wasn't my house. we had no groceries, bale no dinner. 

but we started talking and I mentioned a talk I just read about how some missionaries held their own testimony meeting, in their appartment. I mentioned how I would love to be in their house, but I didn't think there was anyone in our mission who would be down for that kind of Spirit. you would just get made fun of "oh! you want to be a prophet do you?" suddenly I realised something. I was with two other Elders who would be down. It was a good feeling. one Elder gave me a letter to read. It's called the Ricciardi letter. It was quoted by President Uchtdorf in part in the talk "Fear No Man" but this was the complete letter, and I was EXCITED to read it. 

I settled down to read, because I thought I was going to be sleeping over in Sudipen. it's 21 pages long, but incredible inspiring. The Spirit testified that there is a reason I was there in Sudipen that night. the second I finished the last page, and I mean the very second, Elder Wilson bursts in to the room. "I decided to sleep here tonight, so I can go to the gym tomorrow." Elder Castillo walks in smiling. and we go home. I was happy to be going home again. after reading this letter, and listening to conference, I was overflowing with the Spirit, I testified to the tricycle driver the whole way home, and I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.

now lets get back to ponderizing. I want to explain why I chose this verse.

Elder Ricciardi shared an interesting perspective on this verse. "The field is white already to harvest. not brown ready to plant. not yellow ready to water. If you are not harvesting, you are not finding the Elect of God, who hear His voice. you are not fulfilling your call. It's not my call to plant.

The next thought is my own, but I don't remember thinking it. I checked my copy of the D&C. I had a single word underlined. "the field is white already to harvest, and lo he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not at the last day, but bringeth salvation to his soul."

after all we do there is one person we are laying up for. our own salvation. the more we forget our selves, and help others, the more we save our own neck. it's a beautiful paradox.

I have a small statue of the last supper, on my desk, and I put my verse in Christ's arms. what's your verse? let's hold each other accountable :D\

Have a GREAT GREAT WEEK!

(from another email)

the first two are my old area, the last is my new. big difference no?

10-5-2015 mass, not so mass, and a story from mom

To save time by explaining the whole story, I was being hunted down by the orc overlord, but His right hand man turned on him and saved our necks! Truth Conquers All!

This week was SUUUUPER productive! we have 3 potential baptisms, all three came to church, and one of them even paid her fast offering. woo!

Not much other wise to report , I will be transferring Thursday to train, but I still don't know where I'm going! whew! adventure!

Note from mom: This is what Andrew sent. Luckily I realized it was a game reference. It had to do with some drama he was experiencing with his mission. All cleared up! Whew!

This next part wasn't a part of his mass to anyone but rather a fun thing we got to share and I thought would be fun to allow you to participate in.

My children and I went to the Bean Museum at BYU. They have taxidermy animals there. I sent him a picture of what was labeled, "Philippine Duck." This is the picture we took:

This was his response:

looks NOTHING like a philipines duck. I'll get yuou a picture. aw aw!

This is the picture he sent with that response:

He then sent the following, with the subject:

i actually took this picture

Who can argue with the duck? My only response was, "Maybe your duck isn't classified as a "Philippine Duck" even though it's Filipino. Maybe the Philippine Duck lives in the southern Philippines." I hope you enjoyed our adventure in water fowl!

9-28-2015

We received another referral from the same family that referred BlesmeLord. Sister Janine. actually, I tried to teach her 5 months ago with Elder Anota, but it was COMPLETELY different this time!

She will be marrying the relief society president's son on October 24. (good day) and she came to church!

we taught a really really powerful lesson about covenants, and how baptism leads to celestial sealing! we discussed how the church will help her develop a personal relationship with her Savior.

we invited her to be baptized the week after the wedding, but that is a national holiday "araw ng mga patay" or "all saints' day." which is like our memorial day. In my experience this is the most celebrated holiday right up there with Easter, and Christmas.

she asked if she could be baptized the week after that. of course we said okay.

We keep having brown outs, everyday, for hours at a time! It's also been a heat wave. 

here is an unsolicited math equation: heat - electric fans =  ,:P   (that's a sweating emoticon)

have a great week everyone!

9-21-2015

I had a really great week. I had everything straitened out Tuesday. 

My companion on the other hand is super sick. He's got rashes, joint pain, and a high off and on fever. Dengue!  yikes! people wont let us teach them sometimes "you should be in a hospital!" but we have a no admittance policy in the mission. If he needs it, he gets sent to Manila. The only cure for Dengue is time. so there is not much more the hospital can do than we can. lots of water!

There's been a lot of miscommunication, which was the cause of my troubles, but everything has been sorted. :D 

The result has been a good talk. my companion and I have been a lot more effective, and I feel the Spirit in our lessons. what else can I ask for?

9-14-2015

Dear Family,

     Another up and down week!
The week started really bad. We, for the last transfer, have been progressively more and more disobedient. I felt so bad. I didn't like it. but I didn't have the courage to stand and say "no!"

     I emailed my stake president to ask for advice. He told me a similar experience from his own mission, and said "my only regret was not doing it with full disclosure to the mission president. Elder Cook, Roar like a lion!" so I set an appointment with the mission president to tell him of my stress.

     Tuesday, things continued to progress. I was an object being acted upon. I wasn't acting for myself. and then a member saw us, and called the zone leaders. what added to my stress, was what the zone leader said "Just be more careful next time, so that you don't get caught. I don't want President finding out about this"

     Then Thursday came around. before this I couldn't sleep. It was hard to focus. But I told President, and I asked for a blessing. I felt really really good. At first Elder Jones was upset, then he seemed okay. after that he got really sad. We had a great talk. I told him what I want to do. I act. I am agent to myself. I am responsible for my situation, for better or worse. and now, we joke and laugh like nothing happened. 

     We were riding a tricycle home, and I sat on the outside. I felt soooo good! I thought "I roared like a lion! no, wait! Juda is the lion! What is Ephraim?" And then I remembered. I ROARED LIKE A UNICORN!!!! I tried to imagine this, but nearly had a heart attack, and fell off the tricycle!

     everything was going great!!! Until this morning... We had particular discussion with the zone leaders. We told them last night, we would not be attending the zone activity. They told us in text that we would not need to attend. But this morning, they called and said that President Balledos told us our "P-day privileges" had been revoked. we thought they were saying that we would stay home until after the activity, but they said we had to stay inside all day! I know this is not what President does, because he would have us instead go out and work. so I called him. The zone leaders called again "You need to call President right now." I snapped! I told them that we were buying phone minutes, and then I would call, and I hung up, because I was so angry.

I did talk to President, and everything he told me was different than what they said. He said that he gave them permission to do what ever punishment they felt necessary for us, because he trusted them as zone leaders. but they told us that President chose to make us stay in the house all day. The zone leaders called us "disobedient loosers" (I used their spelling) but President just told me it sounded like a miss communication, and told me to talk to the zone leaders, and if necessary elevate to the assistants to the President.

The zone leaders told Elder Jones (I talked to President, he talked to them. we played to our advantages.) that they were going to "revoke the punishment" but when I snapped, they decided to let us still be punished

I am just sick of highschool type drama. I graduated 5 years ago for crying out loud! It was never like this at RadioShack, and sometimes work drama was pretty hot!

I am including my email to President:

Dear President,
First, my report: Elder Jones and I had a talk, and everything is going great. I saw an immediate change in our lessons, and even though it was only 3 days, even our stats reflect the change! We found six investigators in 3 days, which was really important, because we haven't gone finding in 6 weeks before now. and the best part: I feel the Spirit in our lessons :D I'm not concerned now about how I am going to handle disobedient choices. before I was too afraid to stop us, but now I have courage, and I think Elder Jones also really really wants to do the right thing!

But, I am having a really reeaalllly hard time with other missionaries. especially the leaders. I know this is bad, and It's probably my fault. we just have a difficult time communicating. I specifically hate getting insulted. and they say they are joking, but it doesn't sound like a joke to me. I'll be honest, I'm shaking right now, almost crying, because I am so angry. but I know it's just because of my own communication skills. I want to just give up and emergency transfer, but I don't think that will actually help. I wont learn anything either. I have tried soooooo hard to be obedient my entire mission. the only thing I want, is to preach the gospel. but one transfer changed everything! instead I have to deal with other missionaries. I get most angry when missionaries insult me for doing things I KNOW they did before. they don't even chastise, they just insult. I didn't even want to be doing disobedient things anyway, (and we haven't since I talked to you in your office.) which is what makes it even worse. I just need to learn how to talk to people.

how can I learn better communication skills?

what I learned about agency: Agency is acting as an agent, in one's best interest. if we are agents to ourselves, then we are making choices in our own best interest; choices that will lead to everlasting life. It's like you said making the right choice every time. Agency is stewardship of our own choices which is made up of three things:
1. knowing our responsibility. The Lord will make clear to us the difference between right and wrong.
2. actually making the decision. 
3. taking responsibility. since we are able to make decisions, we are response-able. responsible. and this means we are accountable to the consequence of our actions. if we admit we are responsible, sometimes we also must admit we are irresponsible. It might be difficult, but this is maturity, and allows us to repent. It's hard, but when you accept it, it makes you feel great.

Thank you for understanding, and still loving us. I know I can trust you to do the right thing, and It makes me feel secure, especially in such a dark and dreary world. I know I can endure to the end. the Lord has lessons for us to learn, and when I go home I will be a different person!

But I know that those with the Truth need not fear, and I am doing my absolute best to be obedient. I want to live after the manner of happiness, and I must admit, I chose this situation, and I can choose a new one for the future. and I'm still happy. Because I know how to choose my future! I just gotta keep going. forget myself and go to work.

I got some really good news from President last Thursday, after my interview. I was told I will be opening for a third time! and not only that, I will be training. Unless of course something happens. who knows. but that's what's going on right now!

Have a great week! ROAAAAAAAAAAAR! 

9-7-2015

Note from Mom: I haven't been on the computer. I've read and responded to letters but getting them posted to the blog is a different animal requiring the computer. Sorry!

I have to say, that Brother Covey's book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People has been really, really helpful. I am really glad I'm allowed to read it! (I was told President also said we could read How to Win Friends and Influence People, but we don't have a copy in the house) I've been taking a chapter, and identifying every gospel quote (that he doesn't he doesn't credit) and finding a chapter in the Book of Mormon (or Doctrine and Covenants) that teaches the same principle. I will be using the language from the book, so if not everything makes sense, go ahead and read the book!

     The first section is about Paradigm. This is natural Law. I have described Law, (a Gospel Doctrine) in terms of Programming. 

if(boolean_expression)
{
   /* statement(s) will execute if the boolean expression is true */
}
else
{
  /* statement(s) will execute if the boolean expression is false */
}

for example: D&C 82:10

if(Do_what_I_say = TRUE)
{
   Lord = BOUND;
}
else
{
  Promise = NO;
}

     Now, mind you, this gives justification to the word 'should'! if you WANT something then you SHOULD do what is necessary for that blessing. (see D&C 130:20-21)

     The next bit is about Agency, and Accountability (Gospel Principles) 

The best thing I remember is when he said, "if you are in a bad situation, you chose it." 

     D&C 58:

28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents untothemselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall innowise lose their reward.

     2 Nephi 2:26 And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be actedupon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given.         I remember this concept making me really really happy! I realized If I chose to be where I am now, I can choose a better way!
     The this Principle I found was Spiritual Creation. (refer to Abraham 4 section heading, and Abraham 5:1-5)
     In order to act and not be acted upon, we have to plan to act. He gives a lot of techniques, but I haven't quite mastered this chapter, so I won't explain it :D

 

    I've only read the first three habits (private victories), but I am not quite ready to move on to the next four. I saw quite a bit of difference between the beginning of the week, before I read anything, and the last few days, as I've tried to apply new skills. for example, Wednesday, I got ready to work, and stood waiting for two hours, while my companion just sat on the bed, playing cell phone games. he wasn't dressed, but at 12:00 (when we should be going home) he insisted he had been ready since 10:00. 

later that day, I studied 

​the habit ​

"be proactive" 

​     ​The following Friday, in a similar situation, I very quickly, (and with a big smile I might add) said "Hey! I'm ready! let's go find" and we were out the door in 15 minutes.

​     Now, I haven't quite found a solution to all my paradigms.​ for example, that same Friday, we did in fact go finding. However, while I was talking to people, he just sat down on the side of the road, and waited til I finished talking to everybody on the street. I think this is a case of P/PC. I can get the eggs, by talking to everybody myself, but I have not yet figured out how to encourage the goose... I mean Elder Jones.

​     I asked him the next day: "what keeps you going on your mission?" he said "I'm not​ doing it for President. I want to go home at least somewhat honorably. I want to work harder. I want to find at least one more family.

​     For those of you that have gone through POC, I think they "plagiarized ​shamelessly" the principles they teach seem to come strait out of 7 habits, with their own stuff added in, and the expound quite a bit. But I like this book a bit better, because the author is obviously LDS, and even though he never comes out and says he is quoting the scriptures, he doesn't hesitate to :D

Everyone have a really great week. or in other words, act to have a good week!

love you all!