"power and great glory"

My blog post is a little late this week.  Elder Williams asked me to keep a lot of his letter out of the blog this week.  I felt like I needed time to read it several times to decide if I needed to leave out more than he asked and I did.  Our family is really missing him and are counting the DAYS until his return.  It has been and incredible journey and cannot wait to see him again.  It has been 2 years since he received his mission call and at times it feel like it goes so fast and other times it feels like time has stopped.  We have been blessed from his service to the Filipino people.  It is amazing that you can really love and appreciate people you have never met.  We love the people of the Philippines and they will always have a special place in our hearts. 

Mar 3

Work started today immediately after church, we taught Angelica about baptism today. Linglingay was pretty disappointing today, but soon it will have two missionaries of its own... eka. We finally taught Reino today (the guy Elder Weimer and I taught), it was great! The only other memorable part of the day was we ate barbeque & had Sprite at the Soriano Family's home (they have a son on a mission right now, so we go there pretty often.) Then we had dinner at the DeGracia Family: Munggo at tinapa kasama ng saging. (Legumes and along with dried bananas) Ayoko magpamataas, ngunit mahal talaga ako ng Diyos

Mar 4

P-days lately are the best they've ever been. I think it’s because life is sometimes that like it’s like life. I know my English is awful lately, but can't you all just cut me some slacks?

OK sorry. trip ko lang kasi. We had practice for our musical number in Zone Conference on Wednesday; it helped a lot having Elder Fort teach us. And reporting today was so easy! I love the new MCR so much. Today wasn't too busy of a day. After email we ate at Hubby's then went to Friendship. We got home around 2:30 then cleaned the house and enjoyed some kwetuhan with the San Anton Elders

Happy Birthday McKenzie! 

Mar 5

This time last year, my dad wrote me a letter and said "Well, it's that time of year again. The time when the town stops to celebrate McKenzie's birthday with a week-long celebration." haha. Today was a good day.  We went tracting today in Bagong Sikat and nobody would talk to us. It was bad enough na we went to the Fort's home to ask for referrals, but I forgot they can't speak the language so they don't really know anyone

Mar 6

Today at Zone Conference I saw something that has changed everything about me and the way I look at life. This morning we were sitting in the chapel waiting for the meeting to start, and Sister Martino was saying hello and talking to the missionaries. It was during this time that I looked into her eyes and I actually saw "power and great glory" (1 Nephi 11:28). I don't know how to describe it adequately, but it's something I've never seen before in my entire life. And I'm sure I saw it, because I saw it again during the opening song. I saw a husband and wife, eternal companions, who had lived in such a way that the only thing keeping them from exhalation was death. We talked about the Doctrine of Christ today, but it was the same stuff from ZLC. Once we got home we walked from house to house and got punted over and over

mar 7

We taught Lola Aniana today, her house is HUGE! The upstairs was so big to get from one side to the other we had to walk back downstairs and up a different staircase. We taught a lady today about baptism and she comitted to Apr 6, but then told us shewas going to Pasay and wouldnt be back until May. patay.. Why can't I ever have a story like they put in the Ensign or Liahona? We knocked on a bunch of gates today but nobody would let us in.

mar 8

Today Guimba 3 had a baptismal interview, so Elder Weimer and I worked in their area. The baptismal interview was.. a very edifying experience (see D&C 50:22). It was someone who was first taught by Elder Abuan almost two years ago but then she moved to Leyte and just recently got back. 

Not much else happened today, we ended the day with pandesal and hot chocolate

Mar 9

Elder Bellen and I went to Linglingay but only taught one lesson, but she's going to Manila in a few weeks, so we can't do too much to help her out. 

We stopped by the Espiritu Family, nobody was home. Once we got back to the bayan we taught Mae and her Friends, then the Oneza Family.  the hardest thing I've ever had to do is watch people make the wrong choices, even when some of them have mad  the right ones previously and turned away from that. And my entire mission its been pretty easy to get baptisms and help people come back to church, but what's happening to us is strange, almost foreign, because up to this point in my mission I've had pretty good success and the people have been pretty nice.

ok my times up. I love you!

20 months

 All of these pictures are old ones.  They have been sitting in his camera for some time.  Glad he finally decided to share.

Feb 24

When we got to church this morning, the alarm was going off... President Pajarito was the one who set it off but doesn't know the password eka to turn it off. So we listened to the siren for about 20 minutes before someone who knew the password showed up. Do you know what its like when someone uses their agency and decides to come back to church? I can't read their mind or know what they feel, but it makes me so happy. Today we had SMC with President Javier, one of President Martino's counselors. He told us na President Martino was in Cabanatuan for stake conference. Basically he just told the entire branch president they need to be better at what they do. Also he told us to be better in PEC meeting. For lunch we went to the house of Nanay Duran's mother, who's been dead for years but today we celebrated her 'death anniversary'. In the Hpilippines kasi they like to celebrate deaths be throwing big parties with tons of food. We gave a blessing to Lolo Saddi, a really old guy who hasn't left his bed in months. We had dinner at the DeGracia Family, ginataang langka. Ang sarap kumain sa bahay nila!

Feb 25

I love E Bellen. Because of him, MCR day is no longer a hassle. I dont know how he does it but today he made it painless. We had zone goals, email, ate lunch, then went to Milka Krem. at 3:00pm we came home and tambay'ed for a few house. At 6:00 we visted the Costales Family, afterward the Minda Family, where we were fed popcorn and bread with cheese. ZLC na bukas! hindi ako makapaghintay!

Feb 26

Today was great. We woke up at 2:40am to make it early on the bus to go to Tarlac. Once we got to the mission home, we had interviews with President and the AP's/ Sister Martino made toast and juice with yogurt and a banana for breakfast; I felt like I was in America. We're strating a new reprorting system this month so we spent the day talking about it, kagulo naman kasi!! We talked about the Doctrine of Christ, because President Martino feels like for the last year our focus has been way to much on less-actives. To end the day we had a testimony meeting, it was one of the best ever. There was alot of ZLs there for the first time, but that didn't matter (see 3 Nephi 26:16,18). Then President pronounced a blessing upon us and if I ever had any doubt whether he was called of God, today it has all been removed.

Feb 27

 What a day. I woke up early this morning so I could be the first one to shower (Baka mamaya kasi kindi na mainit ang tubig). Sister Martino made us cinammon toast for breakfast, and we ate lunch in Cabanatuan From Cabanatuan to Munoz, E Giffor and I talked about snowboarding and skiing and Targhee & BigSky and the book Freakanomics, nakakatrunky naman! I didn't really want to work today, but on the brightside the bathroom is fixed! Literally nobody was home today, and everyone we talked to said they don't want to listen. It's ahrd to be motivated when everyone says no; I have alot more respect for missionaries in other countries. Ano kaya ang kailangan para magkaroon ng tunay na pag-unlad dito?

Feb 28

This morning was really disappointing. After jogging I was tired all through personal and companion study, and we went out to work. We tried to teach people but not a single person let us in. Then I bought sinigang na baboy from a street vondor, but he gave me almost no gabi. Ang damot naman. this afternoon was better ,we taught a guy who wanted to quit smoking and couldn't hear very well. We went tracting in Bagong Sikat and talked to an old lady who was locked in her house because she didn't have a key to the gate. After about an hour passed we walked by her house again and it was open. She was sitting outisde with two other people, so nag-tao po kami ulit. Her friends looked at us but didn't move. After a while, one got up and went inside and the other came and talked to us. She might have been baliw and we didnt understand her. So E Bellen mumbled something really fast, the old lday said "oo, sige!" and we left. For dinner we ate gulay and popcorn.

March 1

This mornin we had a Zone Training Meeting and the power was out. It was a good meeting, but because the reporting changed it was super sakit sa ulo. When we got home, E Bellen cooke some tsamba-tsamba for lunch and Kuya Baldo worked with us. We went to Bical and found little success, I enjoy the bayan so much more. We taught Lola Hidalgo again and comitted her to baptism. We saw Sister Sylvia and got invited to dinner this evening at their house. But it was the birthday & wedding anniversary of Brother Sylvia pala. Also Brother Oneza's birthday as well, so dalawang kainan! E Bellen hurt his foot today, but he 's not sure what happene.

MArch 2

This morning we taught Angleica again at the Costales home and ate curry-curry and pinapaitan. I dont like the fact that I'm used to the culture here, because  I rarely make note of cool or interesting things. But today I made a list because I talked about it with E Bellen"

1 We ate pusit (octopus) for lunch

2 A spuer drunk guy was shot-putting rocks at someones house and everyone just watched

3 A small kid was pooping in the uncovered drainage ditch that runs through Camachile, and his friends just watched while they waited for him to finish.

4 A lady in a tricycle sidecar was breastfeeding

fasting each Sunday

Dear Family

Feb 17

I've decided to start fasting each Sunday. To quote Bishop David H. Burton: "[You] must understand this program was not instituted primarily to save money". But that's kind of the reason. Also I'm too lazy to cook. Today was great. We had tons of people at Linglingay today, 22! then we taught three old ladies who we met this week, they wanted to know how to get to heaven. But they're old and couldn't remember a thing, it was actually really funny. We invited one to say the closing prayer, and while she was praying she said "Guide us and protect us in this, the... uh.. Terrestrial world, are we in the Terrestrial? Guide us in the Terrestrial world every day." To finish the day, we had dinner at the DeGracia Family. I LOVE missionary work.

Feb 18

Another great P-day! We played basketball this morning, but I'm awful at basketball. Afterwards I did laundry and we emailed. After a quick stop at Friendship and the palengke, we went home and cleaned the house and then Elder Bellen and I put together a workshop for interviews tomorrow. I love being in our house when it's clean. We were supposed to have FHE at the Corpuz Family, but they came to our house around 4:00pm and they said they had to go to Cabanatuan because of a patay. For two hours we tried to call people and set up appointments, but everyone was gone or too busy. We ended up visiting Tatay Ramos and talking to him for a few minutes, then we shared a short message and went home. Napakabilis ng panahon.

Feb 19

When I was in my first area, my mom wrote me a letter and said "4 months down, only 20 more to go!" and I was depressed for the rest of the week.  I have only 4 months to go and I would give anything to extend that time another year. We had interviews with President Martino, it was the best. Ever. I don't know how to adequately describe what happened or what I experienced. The most concise way to put it is it was sort of what happened when Jesus ministered to the Nephites (see 3 Nephi 17:17). I asked him why the time goes by so fast and he said "Eventually you get so involved in the Lord's work, time just becomes... Obsolete." The interviews took up most of the day, we didn't get to work until 5:00. Our workshop was about a good diet and exercise and how that helps personal and companion study. natutuwa si (glad of) Sister Martino. The AP's worked with us afterwards and we just drove their van around to appointments. Our last appointment was at Kuya Baldo's house. Litson Manok na naman. I never ever want to go home.

Feb 20

Today was... too much to explain in one word (diskarte ko kasi). This morning I talked to a Filipino who joined the U.S. Military in 1983 and only got home a few years ago, so he was great at speaking English. And mayroon siayang 65% na pagkabaliw. (He might have been crazy.) He talked about President Bush and how he never paid this guy we were talking to for all his years of service in the military and he told us all about his wives from other countries he was stationed in. He is the most... interesting man I've ever met in my entire life. This afternoon literally nobody would talk to us. That almost never happens here. I also met a less-active guy today, baliw din siya. They didn't have any ulam eka so they killed a dog, and when we showed up the dog had a huge hole in his neck and they were scraping the hair off the dog with boiling water. It was a very traumatizing experience. We almost didn't teach anyone today. Today was one of those days that makes me excited to go home.

Feb 21

I had a much better day than yesterday. We saw Tatay Ramos this morning and he took us to a few less actives who live close by. This afternoon we went to Crystel De Belen's birthday party and ate adobo tsaka pancit. I felt happier today ,but something was missing pa. We taught Nanay Borrie & her son, it was pretty good I suppose. Her son is a working student, so its a bit harder to find time to teach him. Today we talked about being more effective in OYMs during companion study, napakahirap pala! Brother Eligado today told us he is offended at some leaders in the branch.

Feb 22

This morning Elder Bellen and I went with the Forts for house checks, ang saya!(the fun) At lunch we printed off reports for SMC on Sunday and I bought paksiw for lunch. We went to Bical and taught this really poor lady who was super nice. Afterwards Elder Bellen and I had a long discussion about why people don't listen when they have a lot of money. It just bothers me because every single one of them agreed to come to this world, but no matter what they can't seem to recognize that. I suppose I dont understand because I grew up in the gospel so I've never lived any other way. Sa bagay, the people even rejected Jesus. I also met a 10-yr old kid who is so small he looks like he's six. He can't to basic math or read or  write because  his mom can't afford it. They're so poor he never eats breakfast, and his typical lunch is mangoes and bagoong sauce with rice. If that's not sad enough, his dad has been dead for years, and his 2 sisters and 1 brother where shot and killed a few years ago. As I listened to him and his friend tell me his story, I just wanted to cry. More than anything I wanted to take him home and wipe the dirt from his chin and give him a plate of food and a place to sleep. but I'm under strict rules as a missionary, I can't just do that, can I? We got punted a lot today so we were early at the DeGracia Family and finished at the Francisco Family.

Feb 23

I wish I could explain what it feels like to recieve revelation. Sometimes, especially when I ask questions, it's like my head opens up and answers or information or instruction just flood into my brain. it's one of the hardest things to put into words, but there's no mistaking it. When you're really truly receive revelation, it's the difference between sitting in a dark room with the light off or the light on. And sometimes it happens that quickly and its overwhelming. Anyway, this isn't doctrine, just my personal feeling concerning the matter.

Today we taught Angeline, Kevin Costales' friend and classmate, at the Costales' home. Talagang inihanda siya. Afterwards, Nanay fed us sinigang na baboy, best ever. After lunch Kuya Baldo went with is to Linglingay;  In the Bayan, we got punted everywhere. Tomorrow we have SMC, and all our neighbors are singing videoke right now Isda ka ba? Bakit? Ano'ng konekt? (If you translate that it probably wont make sense)

LOVE YOU Elder Williams

Missionary work makes people happy

Feb 10

Today we fasted because we don't have any food in our house. Not a single investigator came to church today, and only 9 people went to church in Linglingay. I don't understand. I feel like I've been more dedicated and hard-working in the last month than I ever have, but I don't feel like anything has come of it. Can't they see this? Why don't people get it? Don't they know that at one point in their lives they agreed to and accepted this? 

Feb 11

Today was the best P-day I’ve had in months. We woke up at 6am and cleaned our house spotless. Around 10:00am, we emailed, then I bought groceries and we were home by 1:00. At 2:00pm we were so bored we went to MilkaCrem and had Oreos and milk while we listened to Elder Elep (who is the funniest person in the whole world ever.) talk about really funny things like different colored eggs, seminary, and his friends. Our FHE was at President Sylvia's house and I learned he was assigned in San Clemente on his mission. napakaliit ng mundo! (very small world) He was the first missionary to open Bamban and he baptized the Eugenio Family! Today was.. great.

Feb 12

I know a lot of people who believe in coincidences, but is it too far-fetched to say that God can get certain people to meet without taking away their agency? We left our house this morning and it was a bit cloudy, but we didn't bring an umbrella. As we were walking, it was kind of umaambon. (showery) When the rain got super strong, we stopped at the first house we could to take shelter, and this old lady let us into her house. Once we sat down, she said she would have rejected us if it wasn't raining. Then we talked to this other old lady and she said usually she tells people she's Iglesia ni Cristo so they'll go away, but for some reason she let us in. We taught Vena and she wouldn’t hardly talk to us, I was surprised. I think she's still nahihiya kay (shy with) Elder Bellen. Kuya Baldo's Kuya was in town and he made some of the best ulam I've ever tasted: Gulay na ginisa nang may kremdensada.( Ginisa vegetables with kremdensada) I was so full I had a hard time walking.

Feb 13

Today was awesome. E Elephant (we call him that because he's fat and it’s okay to make fun of fat people here) gave a workshop in DDM about the Atonement. I was so tired I almost fell asleep, and I had a nap planned for lunchtime. To finish his workshop, he made me read a poem about a missionary complaining and then Jesus appears to him in a dream. Then I felt guilty so I read the Book of Mormon instead. We ate lunch at the Costales' home. Kuya Baldo worked with us today, it was great. We talked to a guy who lived in Australia for 4 years, and his 7-year old daughter and I talked to each other in English. Then we met an old lady who can't see a thing and today us to visit her friend’s tomorrow. We've really tried to teach rich people lately, and it’s actually turning out okay. I think usually missionaries avoid rich people because they don't want to get rejected, but it’s not been too bad for us pala. On Friday Elder Weimer and I are working together again, we're going to try to speak 100% English to the rich people.

Feb 14

Tinatamad na kami ni Bellen. Si Pangulo kasi, nagsama siya ng dalawang pauwi na. Kanina, nakilala namin ang isang nanay na talagang makalimutan. Hindi niya raw alam and edad niya o kund ilan sila magkakapatid. Tawa kami nang taw ni Bellen. Nagsimula kaming magturo, pero hindi mapigilan ang tawa namin. Kamote. Kahit ano ang sinasabi niya,  sobrang nakakatawa dahil lahat na daw nakalimutan niya. Tinuruan namin si Nanay Borre; mga Americano pala ang katapat niya! Nagturo kami kina Vina at Tatay Corpuz. After nila nagpunta kami sa Bagong Sikat. Nagwork sana si Teody, ang labo niyang kausap! Sa una, mag-work daw siya. Tapos sasakay p lang. Tapos bibili pa raw saiy ng bulaklak. Iniwan namin siya; bukas na lang. Pagdating namin Kila Baldo, naturuan namin ang kapatid niyang babae. Kumain kami ng imbotido at isda. SZobrang sarap. Ayaw na ayaw kong umuwi. Dito na lang ako sa mission

Feb 15

 Elder Bellen worked in Guimba today, so Elder Weimer and I were in Munoz. We taught a (rich) guy, it was the best ever! At first he told us he was bust, but after a few minutes of talking he let us in and we taught him the first lesson. Seriously the best lesson ever/ honestly he only let us in because we spoke about 60% English. He also mentioned it makes sense that families should be sealed together, and agreed to pray about Joseph Smith. A person like him is worth 100 people saying "Oh, we're Catholic" or "No, I'm busy. Don't come back." The rest of the day was pretty dismal. We didn’t teach much, and almost nobody was home. But kahit papaano, we had a good day. Naks!

Feb 16

This was one of the best days I've ever had. Elder and Sister Fort came with us to see the Valderama Family; we helped them understand how badly this branch needs them and their experience. Teody came with us to Linglingay, it might not be so bad after all! We taught a guy last Wednesday and he told us moment before we showed up he just felt like he should go outside. Anyway we stopped by his house and he wasn’t there, but we stopped at Mercury Drug on our way home and saw him there! Anyway, he says he's coming to church, but we'll see. I was feeling pretty down for several days this week, but after the last two days I feel great. Today even though I was super tired literally felt the Lord carrying me from place to place (see D&C 84:33). Even though I didn’t sleep well and I hated the BYAHE and everything wasn't too great, I had so much energy today. I kept thinking "Why is Elder Bellen walking so slow? Doesn’t he understand we're in a hurry?" Missionary work makes people happier that anything else in the whole world

Love you Elder Williams