tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83498705361972906442024-03-12T19:08:51.338-06:00Elder Trevor Obray Called To Serve in the Philippines, Manila MissionTrevor Obrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293400105611098616noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349870536197290644.post-27174439244556873422015-02-08T16:18:00.000-07:002015-02-09T16:18:51.522-07:00Everlasting Beginnings<br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hey Familly!</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I can't believe that this is it. This is the final email I’ll send from the Philippines as a full time missionary. I'm not really even sure where to start. I guess I’ll just start this email like I start all the other ones. </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We began the week with more zone interviews. Elder Thurber and I pretty much spent most of both of those days at the chapel. It's been great having interviews though because you get to see all the missionaries in the mission. </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The biggest part of the week occurred on Thursday, which was MLC. It was a great meeting. We talked about numerous subjects, including goals for 2015, budgeting, using time wisely and many more. President Ostler never ceases to amaze me. He is such a great teacher and great example. He taught a little bit about integrity, a quality he has really developed himself. He mentioned that one of the meanings of integrity is being the same person wherever you are; school, work, church, at home, ect. This is an attribute that is not very common in the world today. I've placed that on my top list of attributes to develop right next to charity.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We extended an invitation to a sister training leader companionship to teach about budgeting during the meeting a few days before the meeting. At the end of their portion, they began to pass out a little handout to all the missionaries. When the missionaries looked at the handout, they would immediately start to laugh. We were pretty excited to see what everyone was laughing at. They finally made it to us and gave both Elder Thurber and I a copy. Turns out they had photoshopped pictures of Elder Thurber and I on 100 peso bills hahaha they thought they were pretty funny. They came up to us after and said, "that's what you get for calling on us to teach in MLC!" It was pretty hilarious.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It was a great MLC to end on. Eight of those in attendance are heading home this week (that's a lot). At the end of the meeting, President called on a couple to bear their testimonies. I was one of those he chose. It was my first "going home" testimony and it was pretty tough. Not gonna lie, I got a little emotional. Overall, it was a great experience. We also had some of the best food we've ever had at an MLC so that was just the icing on the cake. </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">On Saturday, I attended a meeting called "the Finish Strong" meeting. I was supposed to attend in December, but I wasn't able to because I was on Palawan. It was a great meeting though. President and Sister Ostler talked about all the things that would come our way when we get home like choosing a major, career and finding your eternal companion. I learned some very valuable things from them both. Right after that meeting, we turned right around and took part in the "new trainers" meeting where we oriented and taught the missionaries that have been called to train the new missionaries coming in on Wednesday. Great stuff. </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Later that night, we had a couple great experiences. We found a former investigator in our area book from Africa and decided to give him a call. When he answered his phone, he got really excited and told us to meet him at his house in an hour (that never happens). We obliged. It turns out that he's very ready to receive the gospel. He has numerous questions and he's really trying to find "the truth." We only had time to share a quick message with him, but we are excited to see his progression over the next little while. </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After that, we flew over to our next appointment with some of my best friends here in Makati: our recent convert, Nino, his non-member friend, Bucai, and 2 other members from Makati 3rd, Edward and Diane. We had a great dinner at a nearby Chinese restaurant and then returned to Nino's apartment to share a message. It was one great lesson. Boca has had some exposure to the church in the past and was ready to listen and learn. We decided to share about the Book of Mormon for numerous reasons. It was amazing. Everyone was involved and the spirit was strong. It was impossible to not feel the truthfulness of the things we were sharing. You can bet I’ll be staying in touch with them, Probably forever. </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sunday was a very difficult day. I was asked to bear my testimony in one ward and then say the opening prayer in the next. I am so lucky to be serving with the wonderful members of the Makati 3rd and 4th wards. I have truly loved working with them. There was a lot of goodbye's, which was very tough. I am so grateful that face book and Skype exist so I can stay in touch with all of these amazing people. I had a very special moment after church. We were teaching Wilma, Lynn and shahmire (3 of our recent converts). Throughout the whole lesson, Shahmire was not really himself. He didn't talk as much as usual nor did he crack any jokes.I turned to Shahmire and commented, "you've been pretty quiet. Do you have any questions or is there anything you would like to add?" He looked up, cracked a half smile and just said, "I'm just really gonna miss you Elder Obray." It was a very special moment. </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I can never express in words how much it has meant to me to be a full time missionary. I can't say I have loved every second of it, because I haven't. It has been by far the most difficult 2 years of my entire life. However, it has also been 2 of the most rewarding years of my entire life. I often reflect on the promise found in Preach My Gospel which states, "More happiness awaits you than you have ever experienced as you labor among his children." I have felt of that happiness. I have truly come to realize the blessings of the gospel in my own life. I have embraced the desire to share those blessing with everyone around me. I love how that blessing is conditional upon interaction with others. We can never find true happiness by ourselves. I've been lucky enough to realize that with these amazing Filipino people. I sure am glad that "in His plan there are no true endings, only everlasting beginnings."</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nor can I express in words how excited I am to be reunited with you this upcoming week. No matter how hard saying goodbye can be, the thought of being reunited with my family wipes the tears and calms the soul. Thank you so much for your support over the last 24 months. I cannot even wait to see your beautiful faces again. I'm so happy that the next phase of my life will be spent with all of you close by. You're not gonna be able to get rid of me so easily next time. </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Love, </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Elder Obray</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Trevor Obrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293400105611098616noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349870536197290644.post-27403226939602880872015-02-01T16:07:00.000-07:002015-02-09T16:08:50.510-07:00Both Are Edified And Rejoice Together<br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Magandang hapon sa inyo lahat,</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I just love Mondays. Monday is probably the craziest day of the week for us. It's supposed to be preparation day with time to unwind, but we always have meetings and assignments so we never really get a chance to sit back and relax. There will be plenty of time to relax when I’m retired. I can wait. I'm glad to hear you had a good week. Life sure is good, isn't it? It sure is over here in the Philippines. We had a pretty epic week and have an even more epic week ahead of us. We will be teaching a lot on Tuesday and Wednesday at interviews and then again on Thursday at MLC. It will be my 15th of 16th and final MLC. What's really cool is that Elder Haynie, Elder Washburn and Elder Clarito (all the Elders I’m going home with) will be at MLC at well. By the way, thanks for the Birthday wishes! I can honestly say that being 21 feels absolutely no different than 20. It's a great day non-the-less. One of the members invited me over for dinner last night and she made mashed potatoes and bacon. It was so great. We'll also be going to our Bishop’s house later tonight for a birthday shindig. I'm pretty stoked. I love the members in this ward so much. When you've been in a ward for this long and you can finally speak the language, you get to know the members really well. It's going to difficult to leave all the great friends I’ve made. But I’m just not going to think about that yet because it's still a long time away. </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We had some pretty amazing experiences this last week. One of the greatest experiences happened the other day while on exchanges. I had the wonderful experience to go back to Manila 1st ward. It was a great experience. It's great to see the results of the work the Lord did through you with your own eyes. We had a very spiritual experience with one member who was very active when I was assigned there. I got to know her really well while teaching her non-member husband. This active member ended up becoming less active about 8 months ago. I was so excited to see her and even happier because she was also excited to see us. Thanks to inspired questions, we were able to find out the real reason she fell less active. We had one of the most powerful lessons I’ve had in a long time. At the end of the lesson, she stated, "There is a reason you had to come back. You woke me up." It was a great moment. Those types of moments are described very well in D&C 50, "Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understanding one another, and both are edified and rejoice together." I also learned a very important lesson when we were discussing why the course of her life had changed over the past 8 months. I asked her if she had been reading her scriptures and praying. She responded that when she stopped coming to church, she also stopped reading her scriptures and praying. A couple months later, she was swearing, easily angered and drinking coffee. We often underestimate the importance of the "little things" that are required for daily conversion. A testimony is something that has to be regained and strengthened every single day. The little things truly do matter.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The other two amazing experiences both revolve around food and foreigners. Well, let's just say that food is a great missionary tool. I've mentioned in some of my previous emails that we are currently teaching a young man from Sweden. We had the opportunity this last week to go to his house and meet his family. It was amazing. They have been living in the Philippines for about 9 years and his mom is a very important employee at an international bank. They have a beautiful house. Probably the most beautiful house I’ve been in since I’ve been to the Philippines. We had a wonderful dinner and had a great time socializing and discussing the gospel. They have very different religious views than most or all of the people of the Philippines. We had a good discussion the restoration and hopefully will be going back in the near future. </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The next experience occurred at a dinner appointment set up by one of our members. She has a couple friends from the Netherlands she invited to this dinner appointment. We ate at a very nice seafood restaurant (it still surprises me that I love seafood so much) and had a great time. It's so cool learning about the cultures from other countries. He was trying to teach us some Dutch words and it honestly sounded like he was clearing phlegm out of his throat. Fun fact for ya. During times of war, if the Dutch suspected someone to be a German spy, they would have him say a single ward that no one can say correctly. If they couldn't say it correctly, they knew he/she was a spy. We also came to find out that they actually live right down the street from our apartment in a condo unit. You bet we'll be teaching them again soon. They will hopefully be coming to church as well this upcoming Sunday. </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have wonderful news. Brother Cares is now the Young means president in the Manila 2nd ward. He's the man. It won't be long before he's a Bishop. I also got an email from them today with pictures from their sealing!! Oh my gosh. They are the cutest family ever. I just love it. </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
Trevor Obrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293400105611098616noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349870536197290644.post-64689722584485493102015-01-25T15:55:00.000-07:002015-02-09T15:57:52.210-07:00Life Is Good<br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We had a cool experience this last week. One cool thing about being in the only international ward in the Philippines is when someone cool comes into town that's a member, they visit our ward. Yesterday, a man walked up to us an introduced himself. He told us he'd be here for the next 5 weeks because a part of the traveling cast for Beauty and the Beast! Can you believe that? It's not a little production either. This show has been advertised for months. There's a huge billboard not far from where we live. This guy's name is Adam. He's also one of the main characters. It's been over a decade since I’ve seen that movie so I don't really have any idea about the story, but he plays Gaston. We're pretty good buddies now. He actually showed up to the Tagalong ward so he just hung around with us the whole time. It was pretty cool. He's also a returned missionary. </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A little bit later, we had another visitor. His name is brother Goodson and he's a legend here in the Philippines. He was one of the first 4 missionaries that came over to the Philippines from Hong Kong. He opened this place up. He was then called back to the Philippines numerous years later as the mission president. Pretty cool. </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oh, and I haven't mentioned that one of our members is a famous super model here in the Philippines. Hollywood has nothing on Makati 4th ward. </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This week has been pretty crazy. We had mission interviews where President Osler meets with every missionary individually for about 20 minutes or more. We are there at the same time conducting different trainings. This week, we taught about the importance of learning Tagalong (for the foreigners) and English (for the natives and non-English speakers). We taught that class about 3 times a day and also taught a leadership training in addition to the language class. It's amazing, some missionaries here are trying to learn English and Tagalong. It truly is amazing. I could barely handle learning one language, let alone two. We have a couple missionaries from the Middle East who speak very little English and they amaze me every time I see them. They always have the biggest smiles on their faces. </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We had a bowling activity earlier with all the Elders in our district. It was awesome. Bowling is honestly one of my favorite things. I'm starting to rethink the BYU application. I might just be a full time bowler. I'd love your support on this one. I really do love the Elders here though. One of them is actually from Layton Utah! His name is Elder Bell and he went to Northridge. I'd never heard of him until I met him here. We've lived about 5 minutes away from each other our entire lives and don't meet until we're on the other side of the world. Life is so silly sometimes. </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
Trevor Obrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293400105611098616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349870536197290644.post-78538713783964295922015-01-11T15:42:00.000-07:002015-02-09T15:44:02.623-07:00Never Delay A Prompting!<br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The highlight of the week was on Saturday when Elder Thurber and I went on exchanges. You'll never guess where I worked, yep, Boni 4! It was one of the best days of my life. Honestly, it was such a great experience seeing all the members again. I'm going to give you a breakdown of all the major events that happened so you can fully comprehend how amazing the day was. Upon my arrival at about 8:20 at night, Elder Francisco (the missionary I worked with) took us straight to Jenna ‘s house. When we got there, we saw MJ through the window and her face lit up. She ran further in the house and then a few minutes later she comes running out the door with Jenna. I was so happy to see them. They are honestly the cutest family ever. Unfortunately, Edmar is still abroad so I wasn't able to see him. We only stayed for a couple minutes and chatted for a second. She invited us back the next day for lunch. We started the day off at the bakeshop where Junjun works. I love that kid. He's doing great; workin hard making the best bread in the Philippines. We then met up with Junard (one of my best friends here in the Philippines) and declared repentance to the people of Bonifacio. A while later, we made our way to the house of Jamie and Ciara (do you remember them?) and had a wonderful lesson. They are doing so great. If it had been the first time I met them, I would never have guessed the Ciara has only been a member for a couple months. We talked about the temple and they expressed to us how excited they are to get sealed as a family. We exchanged information so you know we'll be skyping after the mission. After our visit with them, we made our way back to Jenna's for lunch. We met up with Jio (one of my other best friends here) along the way and he's still Jio. A little later we were able to visit Princess with Jenna and Jio and had another great lesson with them. When we walked into their house, all the great memories came flooding back into my head about the good times Elder Diamse and I had sharing the gospel with her and her family. As we were walking back to the apartment at the end of the day, Jenna told me that I need to come back to the Philippines next year when their family gets sealed in the temple. It's little statements like that that make me love missionary work even more. It doesn't get better than this (at this point in my life). As I sat thinking about all the people I’ve taught and grown to love, I was filled with an overwhelming joy. It's going to be very difficult to leave this country and these amazing people. Luckily, that's still far into the future. You build relationships on your mission that are very strong and will be cherished for an eternity. I'm starting to get a glimpse into what was meant by the scripture "how great shall be your joy with [them] in the kingdom of my Father." Thinking about those amazing people that I have been blessed to get to know and share the gospel with brings me great joy. I can only imagine what it we will be like when we meet again in the "Kingdom of [the] father." </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The rest of the week was great. The work is progressing at lightning speeds. We met with Wilma, Lynn and Samuel yesterday and it was pretty much the best lesson ever. Yesterday, Samuel told us a really good experience he had last Sunday that tells us how amazing these three members are. Samuel was trying to decide whether he should attend church or not. He only had enough money to make the trip to the chapel. He decided that he would skip out that week and attend the following week. As the morning continued, he felt more and more inclined to go to church. He finally make the choice to get dressed and go to church. He recounted that he though in his mind, "the Lord will provide." Samuel ended up having an amazing experience at church. After church ended, he didn't have a way home. We called him over to join in a lesson with Wilma, Lynn, Elder Thurber and I. Great lesson. Afterwards, Wilma and Lynn came to the rescue and were the answers to Samuel's prayers. Even though it was out of their way, they took Samuel all the way back to his house. Samuel concluded his story by saying, "I should have known better than to think twice about going to church. The Lord always provides." After he said that, I looked over at Wilma who had tears running down her cheeks. She then told us her side of the story. After our lesson, she felt prompted to ask Samuel if he wanted to ride with them. She initially planned on having the taxi take them all to her house and then that would be the end. As they were approaching their destination, Wilma heard a still, small voice whisper in her ear, "take care of Samuel." They arrived at Wilma's house and they started to get out. Then, the voice whispered again, "take care of Samuel." She told Samuel to stay in the taxi and paid the driver to take him the rest of the way to his house without knowing that he didn't have any other means of getting home. The Lord truly does provide. This amazing story reminded me of a statement by President Monson that goes something like this, "there are few things greater than learning that you were the answer to someone's prayer." Whenever I feel prompted to do something, I always remember that statement and think, "Maybe i'm supposed to answer someone’s prayer by doing this act." Never delay a prompting, you might just be an instrument in the Lord's hands in answering a prayer. </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
Trevor Obrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293400105611098616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349870536197290644.post-60963859382934398312015-01-04T15:24:00.000-07:002015-02-09T15:29:08.770-07:00The Lord Truly Answers Prayers<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>466</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2658</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Associated Food Stores</o:Company>
<o:Lines>22</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3264</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>466</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2659</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Associated Food Stores</o:Company>
<o:Lines>22</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3265</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Another week has flown by here in the Philippines.
It's amazing how fast weeks go by. We had a crazy week with transfers, new
companion, New Years and all that other fun stuff. I have a ton to tell you
today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I got an email from Bishop this week. He informed
me that I'll be speaking in sacrament on the 15 of February. That's a wake up
call. I'm super stoked for my topic. I'll need to try and put the last 2 years
of faith building experiences into a short talk. Wish me luck. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I'm happy to report that transfer week went great.
We sent off an amazing group of missionaries this week to move on with the next
parts of their lives. I'm sure going to miss seeing them around. It was
especially sad to see Elder Diamse and Elder Hawkins leave. I'm expecting
wedding announcements from them in the next couple weeks. They're going to move
fast. Hopefully I’ll be able to hook up with them before too long after I get
home. Maybe we'll meet at the Y! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Enough about these past companions. Time to tell you
about my new companion. Like I mentioned last week, his name is Elder Thurber
and he's pretty much the man. We are just killin it here in Makati. We get
along really well. He's from Virginia, but studied at BYU before he came out.
He's a little overwhelmed at the moment with all the new responsibilities that
have recently fell onto his shoulders but he's a great missionary and will do
great. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Had a couple amazing experiences this week. On new
years eve we were call by President Osler to conduct an emergency transfer
(when someone is transferred to a new area on a day other than transfer day).
We were called to be the Taxi service. The missionary we were transporting
lives in my old area, Boni 4. Upon arriving at the apartment we made our way
down the hall and stood outside the apartment of the missionaries. All of the
sudden a dog runs out of the next door over and skips our way. Right after the
dog comes out also comes the owner of the dog. My face lit up when I realized
it was Polo, one of my best friends from Boni 4. He recently moved to a new
apartment right next to the missionaries. That's not even the best part though.
He also lives with Elsi! The women I taught and baptized while assigned in
their ward. He invited me inside his house and as I walked in, Elsi came out of
the door and upon seeing me let out a squeal of joy and jumped on her tippy
toes. She ran over and nearly tackled me. It was one of the most extreme
handshakes ever. I was so stinkin happy to see her. She later told me that she
had said a prayer earlier that morning and asked to see me that day. It was a
humbling experience. The Lord truly answers prayers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Speaking of miracles. we have a baptism this
Saturday!!! Her name is Sheila. She is 14 years old and is so awesome. She's
extremely smart and is always happy. She's one of those people you just love to
be around. She'll make a wonderful member of the church. Sheila lives right
next to one of the strong members of our ward who has helped her out a ton.
They are always willing to bring her to church and other activities. We are
currently teaching Sheila’s mom and hope she will find the desire to baptize
soon as well. It'll definitely happen with time!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Trevor Obrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293400105611098616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349870536197290644.post-73885465902129938842014-12-28T15:11:00.000-07:002015-02-09T15:33:08.448-07:00.......and a Happy New Year!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Elder Avila is transferring! He has two transfers left and the Lord is going to have him train for those last two. Crazy. That means I’ll be staying here for the rest of my mission and will be getting my final companion. My new companion will be Elder Thurber. I'm super stoked to be companions with him. We were both in Bonifacio at the same time and he lived the floor above me so I know him pretty well. He'll be a great companion. I sure am gonna miss Elder Avila though. He's a great missionary and is fun to be around.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So you mentioned getting an x-ray in your email. Lindsay was exactly right. All the going home missionaries are required to get a chest x-ray before they head home to check for TB. It's actually quite funny that you mention that because I will actually be getting mine later today. Cross your fingers it'll come out clean. Just playin, I’ve never heard of a missionary actually getting TB so I think I’ll be ok. Another thing we'll be doing in the next couple weeks is fingerprinting. The word on the street is that you sometimes see missionaries from other missions so there's a chance I’ll be able to hook up with Elder Hale while I’m there. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I had a great experience at church yesterday. In the international ward, Bishop Hill asked me to offer the closing prayer during sacrament. It was the first time in my life to give a prayer in Sacrament meeting. Wow. You bet that went into my journal. About an hour later, 5 minutes before the Makati 3rd sacrament started, Bishop Espi came up to me and asked me to speak about missionary work. I was happy to. I've spoken more in this area than I have in any other. I sure do love these wards though. It is a pleasure to be a part of this work and work with these wonderful members. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This week's a pretty crazy one. In about 30 minutes we will be participating in going home activities with all of the missionaries that head home tomorrow. It's a sad day because all of my best buds head home. Elder Hawkins and Elder Diamse are included in those going home. It's going to be very sad when they head out. I'm spent a lot of time with those two and we have become great friends. They're both planning on going to BYU though so I’m sure I’ll see them again in no time. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Well that's about all I’ve got time for today! We're just about to head out. Have a wonderful New Years! We'll be dodging all the drunken people and firecrackers! I sure love ya!</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
</span></div>
</div>
Trevor Obrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293400105611098616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349870536197290644.post-37386151256747137222014-12-14T11:52:00.000-07:002015-01-20T12:25:08.540-07:00God is Mindful of Every People<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>934</o:Words>
<o:Characters>5325</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Associated Food Stores</o:Company>
<o:Lines>44</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>10</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>6539</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">What a wonderful week. Isn't the
Christmas season the greatest time of the year? I just love Christmas so much.
It's an amazing time to be a missionary because you can share the wonderful
story of Christ's birth with every living creature you see. It truly doesn't
get much better than that. Well I have so much to tell you today so I’m gonna
dive right into this email. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">First things first. Christmas came
early for me this year. I received the most joyous news that I have ever
received this last week. In church yesterday I received a text from the zone
leaders in Pasay north. They informed me that the Caras family will be sealed
in the temple on January 9th at 7 am. Just writing that brings tears to my
eyes. This is truly what it's all about. I have been looking forward to this
day for the past year and it's finally happening. I could not be more happy for
that wonderful family. Families truly are eternal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I learned a valuable lesson this week.
That lesson was that you don't really know how important something is until you
no longer have it. Unfortunately, I had to learn it the hard way when someone
stole both of the side mirrors off our car in the middle of the night. Yep,
some random person stole the side mirrors off our van. Isn't that so sad? I
don't understand some people. I was thus forced to drive around the streets of
Manila without side mirrors. That was quite the experience. A very scary
experience. Luckily as a missionary you always have a companion. He was
therefore my side mirrors while driving. Unified in all things. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Saturday was amazing. It was the
baptisms of Samuel, Wilma and Lynn. Unfortunately, Noah wasn't baptized this
last week, but he will definitely be getting baptized in the next couple
months. It was such a great day. Out of all the baptismal services I have
attended, this was one of the best. It was the very first baptismal service
I’ve attended on my mission where everything was in English! It was kinda
trippin me out. Lynn requested that I be the one to baptize her and I was more
than happy to oblige. What was truly amazing though was Mike was able to
baptize Wilma. They have the best story ever. It's quite amazing how far they
have come and the steps they are making. Wilma informed me this last week that
she and Mike will probably getting married (civilly) in June of 2015...in
UTAH!! I LIVE IN UTAH. You bet I’ll be there. She told me that I better be
there because she won't know anyone else. Wouldn't miss that for the world.
Anyway, the baptismal service was so spiritual. The entire ward came to support
Samuel, Wilma and Lynn. It was a cool sight. One of my favorite lines of the
day was stated by Samuel. Right after he was baptized he told me, "Man, I
didn't want to come out of the water! It just felt so good!" Samuel, Wilma
and Lynn all had the opportunity to bear their testimonies after and if I
hadn't seen the baptismal service, I would have thought they'd been members for
years. I was quite impressed. One of the statements I love hearing the most is,
"I've read the book of Mormon and I know that it is true." There are
few things that compare to that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">So I’m going to go off on a little
tangent here about Wilma. Wilma grew up in a very religious household. Here
entire family was very dedicated to their religious beliefs. She explained in
her testimony that she reached a point in her life where she realized that
something was missing. She searched a lot looking for the church. One day she
came across LDS.org and felt something different. She began to research more
and was struck by the story of Joseph Smith. She recalled that she felt exactly
what Joseph Smith felt; confusion. Therefore, she did exactly what Joseph Smith
did; she prayed. We all know what happens when true seekers of truth humble
themselves before God and seek divine guidance through prayer. The rest is
history. Now she's a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Now for Samuel. He told us about an
experience he had while still living in Ghana where he met an American
missionary of another faith. He volunteered to translate for this missionary
while he was serving in their country. He spent a lot of time with him and got
to know him very well. One day, this missionary told Samuel, "One day you
are going to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." That
statement made an impression on him considering it came from a missionary from
another faith. He didn't think much about it though until he was walking the
streets of Singapore and he saw two sister missionaries with nametags walking
near a train station. He approached them, stuck out his hand and asked,
"Hi, how can I be saved." The sisters calmly replied with a smile,
"That's a great question. Why don't you come to our church on Sunday and
we'll tell you." That Sunday, he did exactly that. Looking back now he
stated, "I've never felt more welcome in my entire life. I knew then that
I wanted to be a member of the church." That week he made his way to the
Philippines, sought out the church and that's when we found him. He commented, "I
now know that God has a plan for all of us and will help all of us return to
him." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Finally, Lynn. Lynn has
gone through some very tough experiences in her lives. There were numerous
occasions where she felt lost and unsure of the path that she should take in
her life. She told us about one particular experience where these thoughts were
the most intense with the stresses of finding a job on top of that. She fell
down on her knees one day and asked the Lord to help her find out what she was
supposed to do. A few days later, she found her answer. Those answers are named
Mike and Wilma (yep, the same Mike and Wilma). She was hired by Wilma to help
her around the house at the same time Wilma was starting to investigate the
church. One day as Lynn was cleaning the house she spotted a book sitting on
the table. She took a second and began to examine the book. She opened to the
first few pages and began to look at the pages on the front. As she did so, an
indescribable feeling embraced her. One thing led to the next and before we
knew it, Elder Limocon and I were teaching her about the Restoration. Lynn made
big steps very quickly. She was willing to do anything. "Now my brethren,
we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in;
yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the
earth." </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o1x-pvoI8yI/VL6pYpAD1QI/AAAAAAAAAXY/tsY22AWBMFY/s1600/get-attachment-21.aspx.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o1x-pvoI8yI/VL6pYpAD1QI/AAAAAAAAAXY/tsY22AWBMFY/s1600/get-attachment-21.aspx.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mCsYLNWR6jc/VL6pCLP8mUI/AAAAAAAAAXI/cyHqNjLpCOE/s1600/get-attachment-22.aspx.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mCsYLNWR6jc/VL6pCLP8mUI/AAAAAAAAAXI/cyHqNjLpCOE/s1600/get-attachment-22.aspx.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0FNo4tSv4Ys/VL6pPqVqWfI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/r0mO2v-FLUo/s1600/get-attachment-24.aspx.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0FNo4tSv4Ys/VL6pPqVqWfI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/r0mO2v-FLUo/s1600/get-attachment-24.aspx.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Trevor Obrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293400105611098616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349870536197290644.post-71047448240229117672014-12-07T10:51:00.000-07:002015-01-20T10:51:30.253-07:00The Calm Before the Storm
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>732</o:Words>
<o:Characters>4176</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Associated Food Stores</o:Company>
<o:Lines>34</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>8</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>5128</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We are currently sitting in a computer shop during
"The Calm Before the Storm." Typhoon Ruby (the Filipino name for the
storm) has slowed down a bit and won't be arriving here until a little bit
later this afternoon. Unfortunately, when storms slow down, it's not a good
thing. It allows for a lot more rainfall and thus, a lot more flooding! Our
area flooded pretty bad the last time a typhoon hit so we're expecting to be
stuck in our apartment for quite a while. Don't worry, I’ll take pictures and
send them to you next week. I'm glad to hear that everything is going well at
home! I'm so glad to hear the Christmas season is finally upon you over there
on the other side of the world. Christmas hit the Philippines about 3 months
ago, but has drastically increased over the past couple weeks. I can't explain
just how much I love the Christmas season. Hearing Christmas music, seeing Christmas
lights and trees and, most of all, teaching about the birth of our savior are a
few of my favorite things. Not gonna lie though, it doesn't really feel like Christmas
without snow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Well this week has been very busy and very epic. We
have been running around mad trying to get everything ready for this typhoon to
hit. Not only that, but we also had MLC this last Thursday. MLC is always a big
project. I'm letting Elder Avila take charge in most aspects of the work so he
can get used to leading the area and getting all the fun office work done.
He hasn't really spent a lot of time with computers so it's been quite exciting
teaching him how to use word, excel, powerpoint and also, how to type. Elder
Avila and I had the great opportunity to teach again in MLC this past week. We
had about 60 minutes to talk about Talking With Everyone. I sure do enjoy
teaching. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I have to tell you about the greatest experience
ever that happened this week. It all started on Saturday afternoon when we
visited Samuel. He expressed to us that he found a job!! After weeks of
searching and hardship, he's found a job! I was so excited for him! He
definitely deserves it. He's so humble and willing to do the will of the Lord.
However, finding a job was only half the battle. He know has to somehow find a
way to get a workers visa which is not cheap. Then, on Saturday night we
received a text from our bishop in the morning that stated the following,
"We just received a text from Noah's explaining that his mom has cleared
him to be baptized on the 13th!" Gotta love those kinds of texts. Like I
mentioned last week, his mom has been insisting that he wait for a while. This
is evidence that prayer and fasting can truly soften hearts. Wait though, it
gets better. The following day (Sunday) after church Wilma came up to us and
said, "Elders, I’m going to get baptized this Saturday (Dec 13th)!"
She then expressed that her boyfriend has been working with the bishop and is
going to be the one to baptize her. That nearly brought tears to my eyes. It
was a very special moment. That is one of the experience I’ll look back on in the
future and my heart will just melt when I do. Right after that, Samuel ran up
to us and excitedly exclaimed, "ELDERS! One of the members has agreed to
sponsor me and help me buy the licenses I need in order to work! I'm going to
be able to get the job!!" By this point, I was so happy and excited and
everything. But wait, there's more. Our bishop then pulled Wilma, Lynx (Wilma’s
friend we've also been teaching), Samuel and us into his office. He then gave
each of them an opportunity to share their testimonies and how they were
feeling. It was one of the most spiritual experiences ever. After that, through
tears of joy, Lyn and Samuel both agreed to be baptized this Saturday. Words
can't describe the feelings I had nor the feelings I have now. I love this work
so much. Luckily, it was stake conference that day so all the missionaries were
at the church including the one that would be conducting the interviews for
these amazing people. We pulled him aside, explained the situation and before
we knew it, Wilma, Lyn and Samuel passed their interviews. My mind captured the
picture-like moment as those three future members walked down the hall with
their white baptismal clothing in hand, smiling from ear to ear, a moment that I
will never forget. This next week will be a fun one. We have a lot to prepare
and a lot left to teach! Noah's interview will be here in one of the upcoming
days. The church is so true. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The Lord is truly blessing me. These past few
months have been a few of the most difficult and rewarding times of my entire
life. I am so happy to be serving in this wonderful country. I'm so grateful
for the people I’ve met. Some people look at a 2-year mission as a sacrifice,
but the Lord blesses us far more than we sacrifice. I would never say that I
have sacrificed these two years. I have gained more out of this time than I
have at any other time of my life. A member of our area presidency stated,
"there is no such thing as sacrifice in the gospel sense. The Lord blesses
us so richly." It's true. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Trevor Obrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293400105611098616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349870536197290644.post-65225663473388552862014-11-30T10:37:00.000-07:002015-01-20T10:41:11.511-07:00A Feast Without Rice!
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>802</o:Words>
<o:Characters>4576</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Associated Food Stores</o:Company>
<o:Lines>38</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>9</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>5619</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I'm glad to report that Thanksgiving was great on
this end. The Keys invited us over for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner and it
was amazing! It's been far too long since I’ve had thanksgiving. I've only
missed it once, but once is far too many. They had numerous families from the
ward over as well. It was a fun time. It was Elder Avila's first thanksgiving
ever. He finally knows what it's like for all the Americans because the only
language spoken was English and it was a houseful of Americans. I felt right at
home. It was also amazing to have a feast that didn't include rice. My stomach
was actually full, not just bloated. It was an amazing day. I sure love the
Keys family as well. They are a great family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I'll take some time here to give you a quick update
on some of the great people we are teaching that I’ve told you about over the
past little while. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Noah is the man. He texted me this last week just
to tell me how excited he is for his baptisms. Every time I see him at church
he lights up. He loves the gospel so much. I'm super excited for him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">My boy Samuel is doing pretty well. He's going
through a pretty hard time right now looking for work. He was hoping to pick up
a job pretty quickly right when he got here, but unfortunately, it didn't quite
work out like that. He's pushin along though. One thing I love about him though
is he always puts church first. He lives a good hour away from the chapel, but he
always makes sure that he has enough money and time to be there on time. I know
the lord will bless him because of his efforts. We're hoping he can be baptized
on the 13th. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">Wilma is doing great. She has made some huge steps this last week. Her baptism is also set for the 13th of December. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19px;">Sheila is an investigator I haven't talked too much
about. She's a 13-year-old girl that lives next to a member family. One day,
this member family brought her to church, she loved it and now wants to be
baptized. We've been teaching her for the past few weeks and she's just
amazing. She's extremely smart. Our focus right now is teaching her mom and
brothers. We finally taught them for the first time this last week and it was
great. It was a quick lesson, but the spirit was definitely testifying to everyone
there. There's no way its presence could not be felt. She'll be baptized on the
13th as well. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Genesis is another one our great investigators. Her
mom is a recent convert that was baptized in another ward, but when moved here,
fell less active. We luckily found her, and brought her and her 2 daughters
back to church. One of those daughters is already a member, but the other is
not. Don't you just love completing families?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Patrick is still doing great. He's pretty much my
best friend. He's so ready for baptism, but is just struggling with some family
situations right now. His mom (who is so against the church) will be coming
into town this month so he's going to use that opportunity to invite her to
church and I have no doubt that everything will work out. It's funny because he
always mentions how excited he is to get married in the temple. His girlfriend
is a member and it makes me chuckle how excited he is. He's got his priorities
in the right place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Those are our focuses right now. I sure am blessed
to be serving in the ward that I am right now. I would love to finish my
mission here. Who knows what will happen. I'm definitely going to enjoy it
while I’m here though. I'm really grown to love the members and all of the
people here. Life is good. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">One last story. Yesterday morning we received a text
from our bishop. It said, "Hey Elders, can you both speak in sacrament
later today?" So yep, we spoke during sacrament yesterday and it went
quite well. Our topic was service and how to serve. I focused on the verse
D&C 4:2 specifically the part that states "serve him with all your
heart, might, mind and strength." It was interesting because I had a
simple plan before sacrament started, but as I sat on the stand pondering, I
was prompted to take a different course with it. I spent the next 5 minutes reconfiguring
my talk, then I gave it. I shared about different experiences in my life that
have taught me how to serve with those 4 qualities. One of the experiences I
shared about was being the home teacher of Sister Call. I shared about the
change we saw in her as the years went by, a perfect example of what happens
through dedicated service. We might not always see the impact we'll have or the
importance of a particular act of service from the beginning. We sometimes
don't realize the impact we had after the service is over. However, the impact
is real. That act of service may be cherished by the receiver over a lifetime.
Numerous members came up to me after and paid me some very nice compliments
that really meant a lot to me. It was a great experience. Keep on serving. It
may change someone’s life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Well that's about it for today. I sure do love you
all. I remember at the beginning of my mission, mom mentioned that I would only
be gone for 23 more fast Sundays. Our ward had fast Sunday this last week due
to conference next week so that leaves 2 fast Sundays left. Where has the time
gone? Luckily, there is plenty of work to be done, numerous lives to be saved
and a whole lot of difference that needs to be made in that time. </span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Trevor Obrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293400105611098616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349870536197290644.post-43565991877520149652014-11-23T10:28:00.000-07:002015-01-20T10:53:11.984-07:00The Work of Salvation<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>692</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3948</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Associated Food Stores</o:Company>
<o:Lines>32</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>7</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>4848</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">I imagine that it's that time of year
over there where the fireplace is on and the family is gathered around in the
living room, fighting over the white Christmas blanket hiding from the winter
chill. However, just in case you're wondering, it's 86 degrees right now in
this Island Paradise. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Well this week has been another great
week. It's been ridiculously busy with transfers. We were running non-stop
trying to get everything ready for the big day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just to give you an idea at what we have to deal with when it
comes to transfers, I’ll tell you a quick experience we had the other night. It
was Tuesday night and we had to drive the going home missionaries to their
hotel room. We just concluded the testimony meeting and it was about 9:15 PM.
We loaded everybody in the car and raced off through the dark streets of Manila.
Unfortunately, the city never sleeps so there was still stop and go traffic at
that hour. We ended up making it to the hotel around 10:30 or so, dropped
everyone off and then embarked on a great journey to return two sisters to each
of their areas which are on opposite sides of the mission. We finally arrived
home at around 1 am and jumped into bed to get as much sleep as we could. It
felt like minutes later our alarm was going off at 5 am informing us that it
was the day of transfers and time to get ready to head to the MTC to pick up
all of the new missionaries. We tackled the busiest day of the transfer on 4
hours of sleep. The enabling power of the atonement is real. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">So one might think that after a week
of miracles like last week, there's no way that this week could ever compare.
I, myself, thought that at the beginning of the week. However, the Lord proved
me wrong. Thursday, the day after transfers, our bishop from the international
ward sent us a text saying, "Noah, a young men in our ward boundaries, has
requested to be baptized. He has been going to seminary and has numerous
friends from the ward. The Bremner family has agreed to open their house to
allow you to teach Noah there. The lord is answering our prayers. Act
quickly." Oh my gosh. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Again, I had
to restrain myself from shouting for joy and "dougie"ing on the
nearest table. I've learned some very valuable lessons from the experiences I’ve
had in the past couple weeks about how to hasten the work of salvation in a
ward. I truly believe that the success is coming to our ward because our ward
council is directing missionary work and they are utilizing the full time
missionaries, not the other way around. I'd like to share an experience we had
the other day in a ward council meeting and then point out some important
principles about the work of salvation found in the text I received from our
bishop. It all started at a ward council meeting led by our bishop about
missionary work in our ward. He shared a spiritual thought and then set a goal
for the number of baptisms by the end of the year. He then encouraged everyone
in the ward council to continually pray for this goal and seek opportunities to
reach it. The standard had been set. Action then soon followed. The combined
prayers from the members and us were immediately answered. Things just started
to fall into place with investigators that we're currently teaching. Concerns
just started to melt away. Baptism, which once seemed like a long term goal,
became feasible in December. Now for the text from our bishop. The first thing
to point out is the invitation from a member to join seminary. The next point
is the fellowshipping efforts made by the youth enrolled in seminary and the
parents of those students. Third, a member volunteered their home as a place of
teaching. (Not only that, but they lived their lives and directed their home in
a way to make their it a place where the spirit could reside amplifying the
teaching experience). Fourth, an invitation to act quickly and accountability.
We were able to teach Noah on Saturday and it was one of the most uplifting
experiences of my mission. The Bremner family (which includes their son, Noah's
classmate in seminary) was present and were ready to share/teach anything they
were asked to. As full time missionaries, we led the discussion, but as often
as we could, gave this wonderful family the opportunity to share. Right after
our lesson, Noah and Connet (the son) left to a ward activity. He came to
church on Sunday, had an amazing experience and is excited to be baptized on
the 13th of December. The Lord pours out blessings when members and
missionaries come together. There is no greater work than this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">I sure do love this great work. I
could not be serving in a better place. The Philippines Manila Mission is
exactly where I’m supposed to be. The Lord truly does know his sheep. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Trevor Obrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293400105611098616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349870536197290644.post-63290239950972911132014-11-16T15:32:00.000-07:002014-12-18T15:34:41.186-07:00This Could Be One Of The Best Weeks Of My Entire Mission!
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>742</o:Words>
<o:Characters>4234</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Associated Food Stores</o:Company>
<o:Lines>35</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>8</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>5199</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Well this week has been one of the best weeks of my
entire mission. When I look back over the last 21 months, there are certain
events that stand out above the rest. This week contains one of those events.
Don't worry though, I’ll wait till the end to address that! However, there were
numerous other things that happened this week that were just tender mercies
from the lord. I hope that I can do this email justice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">All right, let's begin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Early this last week, we received a text from some
missionaries on the other side of the mission that would make any missionary
rejoice. They informed us that a guy from Ghana randomly showed up at their
ward last Sunday who was taught by missionaries in Singapore and was
"about to get baptized." Answer to our prayers. The next day we
cruised cross-country. Upon arriving at the address given to us by the
missionaries, we heard a voice yell "Elders!" We turn around to find
two men from Ghana with ice cream cones in hand and huge smiles on their faces.
That was the first time we saw Samuel and Eric. We started to chat and made our
way to a nearby chapel to talk about the gospel. As we began to talk, it was
evident that these two men were prepared by the Lord from an early age for this
very moment. I have never met anyone so ready to receive the gospel. They had
met the missionaries a week before flying to the Philippines. The missionaries
taught them three times and they had already started reading the book of
Mormon. Samuel began to share how he had already gained knowledge that the book
of Mormon is true. A quick story about our 2nd meeting with Samuel will really
show how prepared he really is. We decided to share with Samuel about the Word
of Wisdom. Upon concluding the lesson we committed him to live the word of
wisdom. He responded, "of course. When I get home, I'll throw out all the
coffee we bought yesterday." Miracle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The next amazing event happened last Thursday. We
had a super busy morning with numerous meetings and choir practice. Right after
our final meeting concluded, I received a call. The Canadian man on the line
excitedly greeted me and explained that he just arrived in the Philippines.
He's a member of the church, but has been inactive for about a decade. He
explained that he drove by one of the chapels earlier that day and decided that
he wants to come back to church. Later that night, Elder Avila and I visited
him and had a great discussion. We learned about his life and quickly
discovered his new found drive to return to church. He came to church yesterday,
sat down next to me and exclaimed,” I am so happy that I decided to come back
to church." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">All right, you're probably thinking, "there
couldn't possibly be anything else that happened last week as good as those
last two experiences." Just like my boy Brad Paisley says, when you think
it can't possibly get any better, it does. Last week, I receive a text (never
in my mission have I received such amazing texts and calls) from the zone
leaders in Bonifacio. They excitedly told me that Jenna, the wife of Edmar, my
favorite family ever, is getting baptized. That news alone made me the happiest
man alive. Luckily, there was more. Then continued to say, "Jenna has
requested that you come back to the ward so you can be the one to baptize
her." At this point I was on top of the world. I was so stinkin' excited.
I immediately texted president Ostler and asked permission. He responded,
"It would be wonderful if you could be the one to baptize her. Last
Saturday, we made our way to Bonifacio. As we approached the chapel, memories
came flooding back to my mind. When we walked in the chapel, I was greeted with
smiles and pictures by some of the ward members. It was a joyful reunion. Jenna
had not yet arrived so I went to change into my baptismal clothing and then
waited for her arrival. A little while later, a crowd walked into the building.
At the back of the crowd I see Jenna stand on her tippy toes with a huge smile
on her face frantically waiving hi. In her other hand was the hand of MJ, her
young daughter. It was one of the most tender moments of my entire mission. I
cannot express how happy I was at that moment. Unfortunately, Edmar is working
abroad right now so he wasn't able to make it. I then began to realize that the
crowd that she was with was her entire family, none of which were members. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The baptism was one of the most memorable baptisms
I have ever attended. The first speaker of the baptism was Princess, our last
baptism before I transferred. She spoke with confidence and clarity about the
importance of baptism. The actual ordinance was picture perfect. The look on
Jenna's face as she came out of the water is unforgettable. I will never forget
that beautiful day. That's a memory I will cherish throughout my life. How
great is full time missionary service. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I guess you can say that it was a pretty good week.
It's one of those weeks that make every hardship and every trial worth it. I
love being a missionary for the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints. I
love you all so much. Have a wonderful week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Trevor Obrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293400105611098616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349870536197290644.post-73727591600732919632014-11-09T15:23:00.000-07:002014-12-18T15:23:50.961-07:00I Will Sure Miss Sister Call!
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>311</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1778</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Associated Food Stores</o:Company>
<o:Lines>14</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>3</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2183</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">This is a pretty tough email to start out. As I
read your emails, I couldn't hold the tears. As I write this email, memories flood
my mind of tender moments I’ve shared with Sister Call. I can see myself as a
young man sitting on her couch, shaking as I struggled to present my first home
teaching message with her. I remember the realization that even though I was
the one that shared the lesson that day, Sister Call was the one that taught
me. I always left uplifted spiritually and emotionally. It feels like just
yesterday, Dad and I, as a newly ordained Elder, visited Sister Call at her
home and gave her a blessing, the first blessing I ever participated in. I'll
cherish the words she spoke through streaming tears, "thank you so
much." My soul is filled with joy as I relive the moment I peered out over
the congregation while giving my farewell talk and spotted Sister Call sitting
on the left side of the gym. Little did she know that she was the one I was
most excited to see. I'll never forget the impact she has made on my life, the
example she has set for me and her kind words of encouragement. I'll never be
able to repay her for the things she has done in helping me become who I am
today. Sister Call will always have a special place in my heart. I'll
always be her missionary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Went on two exchanges this week to some interesting
parts of the Philippines. The first exchange was back to the Compton of Manila,
Tondo. I didn't think it was possible to construct an entire neighborhood out
of garbage and other random objects, but I was proven wrong. This place is known
in the Philippines as being the most dangerous part of Metro Manila. It was
super exciting. We began changing that town one person at a time. It was a fun
exchange and I saw sights and smelled smells that I never thought existed. By
the time is was time to head back to Makati, I didn't want to leave! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We had another Choir practice this week. Dang, we
are started to get good. A choir of 150 missionaries speaks in a way that
nothing else can. It's pretty powerful. That being said, we have a lot of work
to do! I'm so excited though. It's going to be a blast. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Trevor Obrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293400105611098616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349870536197290644.post-27202840016241314902014-11-02T15:14:00.000-07:002014-12-18T15:14:53.330-07:00Life Is Good<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>679</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3871</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Associated Food Stores</o:Company>
<o:Lines>32</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>7</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>4753</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>679</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3871</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Associated Food Stores</o:Company>
<o:Lines>32</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>7</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>4753</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Well this week has been exciting to say the least.
Elder Avila and I have been crazy busy so this email should be pretty exciting.
It all started last Tuesday when president asked us to go on emergency
exchanges with some Elders in our mission. They've been struggling a little bit
with obedience and other things so we went in like Seal team 6 to put an end to
it. It was actually a really fun and successful exchange. The one I went on
exchanges with was my apo (grandson) or in other words the trainee of Elder
Villoso, my trainee. You always have a special bond with your "mission
posterity." We worked in the ghetto of the ghetto. If you googled
"Ghetto of the Philippines," you would probably find this exact place
with us proselyting in the background. At the end of the exchange he was
extremely thankful and told me, "I feel like I can go out and talk to
anyone now!" We got a picture and then I left my apo to convert the world.
It was a fun time. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The next few days were a blur as we prepared for
MLC and the arrival of numerous general authorities. MLC was great. President
Ostler is giving us a lot of time to teach and I love it. Elder Avila and I
taught for a total of 1 hour and 30 minutes about different missionary
subjects. We have two major pushes going on in our mission right now and they
are "Becoming Master Teachers" and "Talking with Everyone."
This mission is really going to bloom under the direction of President Ostler.
I'm amazed at his leadership ability and his sensitivity to the spirit. I am
learning so much from him. It's a blessing to be serving with him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Friday was even crazier then Wednesday and
Thursday. It was jam packed with different activities and meetings. The first
meeting was a New Missionary and Trainer follow up meeting which is conducted 3
weeks after the new missionaries arrive in order to check on their progress and
encourage them further. It was a great meeting. President asked me to teach
about "being a new missionary." In preparation I looked back over my
journal entries from my first area and got a good laugh. It's amazing to see
how much you progress over the short period of two years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Right after that meeting we had our first choir
practice!! All I can say is it ain't Christmas until the Philippines Manila Mission
sings about it. We will be singing 5 songs, 3 of which we went over during the
practice. We have a lot of work to do. Word on the street is that we also have
a chance to sing on TV. One of the members might be able to hook us up. Have I
ever mentioned how much I love singing? I could sing all day, e'ryday. Just to
warn you, upon arriving home, I will be singing non-stop for at least a month.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">THEN, we had our special missionary meeting with
Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the presidency of the Seventy. Also in attendance was
his wife, Sister Robbins, and my boy Elder Ardern and Sister Ardern. Elder
Avila and I were sitting on the stand when they walked into the chapel. As
Elder Ardern, the one who was supposed to conduct the meeting, takes his seat
on the stage, he leans over to me and says, "I'm going to have you conduct
this meeting so hurry and take a look at the program." hahahah Little did
he know that all that was written on our program was, "instruction lead by
Elder Robbins." So yep, I pretty much just had to play it by ear and go
with it while two general authorities were in attendance and over 200
missionaries. NBD. In all honesty, I’m so thankful for the experiences I’ve had
on my mission. It truly has been a blessing. Not everyone can say they've
conducted a meeting that two general authorities were speaking in. President
Eyring and President Uchtdorf need to be careful, I might be conducting at the
next general conference. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The meeting was amazing. Every time I hear a
General Authority speak it amazes me more and more. Their ability to teach is
unbelievable. We unfortunately were not able to meet Elder Oaks. However, we
did watch a nation wide broadcast last night that he spoke at. It was
interesting because the first speakers (Bishop Causse, Elder Ardern and Elder
Robbins) all taught about the opportunity it was to be with Elder Oaks and how
thankful they were for his example. They didn't want to take any time away from
Elder Oaks. It seemed as if they were only preparing us to hear what Elder Oaks
was going to teach us. One thing that I feel was a key part of the weekend and
the things taught to this wonderful nation was the importance of exact obedience.
We need to be 100 percent obedient to the commandments. We can't choose which
commandments to follow, we must follow them all. Either we're on the Lord's
side or we're not. There's no in between. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--></span><br />
<!--EndFragment-->Trevor Obrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293400105611098616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349870536197290644.post-42996263207181735142014-10-26T20:41:00.000-06:002014-11-02T20:55:35.464-07:00Santa Is Not The Only One Coming To Town!
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>531</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3031</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Associated Food Stores</o:Company>
<o:Lines>25</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>6</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3722</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19px;">One of the highlights of the week was one of our
new investigators. Because we were so busy last month, we weren't really able
to work in our area very much. However, over the past few weeks we've built it up into something wonderful. We
were introduced to a teenage girl named Sheila this last week who was brought
to church by her neighbor. She's a genius. We went an taught her this last week
and I felt like I was talking to someone my own age. Long story short, the
lesson was great and she's going to be baptized. She came to church again
yesterday and is loved by everyone. Sheila also became the new fellowshipper of
one of our less actives that came to church for the first time yesterday.
Sheila's not even a member yet and already understands a few principles of
being an effective member missionary. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Another cool experience from yesterday. In our
international ward, there are people from all over the world. During sacrament
meeting, a Chinese lady stands up to speak accompanied by her son. She explains
at the beginning or her talk that she isn't too good at speaking English so she
is going to give her talk in Chinese and have her son translate. Little did she
know that that was an answer to our prayers. Sitting in the congregation was a Sister
Montilla, our Chinese investigator. She was able to listen to a wonderful talk
in her own language. It was quite amazing. Not only that, but it helped her see
that the gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone. The two talked after sacrament
and are pretty much going to be best friends for life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Speaking of the Mantilla family, we had some
amazing lessons with them this last week. Over the past few weeks we have
watched both Finding Faith in Christ and The Restoration in Chinese. That is
something I never thought I would ever do. Sister Montilla is really starting
to understand. Her faith is truly beginning to grow. She is embracing the
gospel. She loves going to church. I just love that family so much. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">So we have a recent convert who is from the Middle
East. He's awesome. It's been so fun getting to know him and we have great
experiences while teaching him. This last week we made our way down to his
apartment to share a message with him. Upon arriving, we noticed that there was
a new face in the room. It was his friend, who was also from the Middle East.
So yes, Elder Avila and I taught two men from the Middle East this last week in
English. It was quite interesting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">You'll never guess who's coming to the Philippines
this week?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19px;">Elder Oaks of the quorum of the 12! He will be accompanied by Elder Robbins of the presidency of the seventy and Bishop Causes of the presiding bishopric. Unfortunately, we don't get to hear from them all, but Elder Robbins will be conducting a special missionary meeting that all of the missionaries from the Manila Mission will be attending! He will be accompanied by my boy Elder Ardern. I guess you could say I’m pretty excited.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19px;">A few hours before the meeting all the missionaries here on the mainland will be taking part in a Christmas choir practice. Over the next few months, the Manila mission will be touring Metro Manila. We'll be singing a repertoire of Christmas songs in some of the major malls here. We will be singing about our Savior and filling Manila with the joyous news that our savior was born. Isn't that just great? We'll also be handing out DVDs to those who are interested. Music can reach people in ways nothing else can. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19px;"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1nCl3U0Crws/VFb6QAQ0KwI/AAAAAAAAAWE/-ZszJK_PEhQ/s1600/IMG_1466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1nCl3U0Crws/VFb6QAQ0KwI/AAAAAAAAAWE/-ZszJK_PEhQ/s1600/IMG_1466.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U_hhqc89m14/VFb6TZse3SI/AAAAAAAAAWU/nrhS18EuyJ0/s1600/IMG_1467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U_hhqc89m14/VFb6TZse3SI/AAAAAAAAAWU/nrhS18EuyJ0/s1600/IMG_1467.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-argFbUSYYwY/VFb6O-XQOGI/AAAAAAAAAV8/TYWL5NXeEj0/s1600/IMG_1459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-argFbUSYYwY/VFb6O-XQOGI/AAAAAAAAAV8/TYWL5NXeEj0/s1600/IMG_1459.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9k0dsrZHgpQ/VFb7kMiUMPI/AAAAAAAAAWg/I4ejkM5cFYw/s1600/IMG_1460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9k0dsrZHgpQ/VFb7kMiUMPI/AAAAAAAAAWg/I4ejkM5cFYw/s1600/IMG_1460.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</span><br />
<!--EndFragment-->Trevor Obrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293400105611098616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349870536197290644.post-26018852037838027782014-10-19T19:56:00.000-06:002014-11-02T19:56:53.729-07:00Life Is Good!!
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>626</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3572</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Associated Food Stores</o:Company>
<o:Lines>29</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>7</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>4386</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Life in the Philippines is great. The temperature
took a drastic drop this week (about 2-3 degrees). A couple nights ago I was
able to turn my fan to the lowest setting and actually had to use my sheet. The
second coming must be near. Things like that just never happen in the
Philippines. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I would like to fill you in on some common
"Filipino driving techniques" I see everyday and others that I’ve
actually picked up while I’ve been here. First, hazard lights somehow make your
car exempt from traffic laws. My favorite sight to see is when a car is parked
in the far left lane with no one in the car. Usually that would be against the
law. Not if you have your hazards on. I don't think the word "hazard"
is understood correctly here. They take it to mean, "turn these lights on
if you're about to make your car a hazard to all the other cars on the
road." Second, using the car horn is a technique. Sometimes I feel like
cars are trying to use some sort of morse code with their horns. One honk just
makes your presence known to other drivers. You use two honks if someone
slightly cuts you off and are kind of irritated. Short, repeated, sporadic
honks means "I’m coming through, you better move." A prolonged honk
can either be used when someone cuts you off really bad and your furious or
when you want to tell the person in the lane next to you, "I’m coming over
and I’m not stopping. Get out of the way." It's honestly a language of
it's own. I've adjusted my sitting position in our car. I've moved my seat
forward, which allows me have my hand at 12 o’clock on the wheel and to rest my
forearm on the horn for a quick response to the dangerous driving of others. I
love driving in the Philippines! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Here are some fun facts about Makati city. It's one
of the nicest cities in the Philippines. There are McDonalds on every corner.
There's a corner we drive by pretty frequently that has a McDonald’s on each
side of the road and then another about 50 yards down the street. It houses
people from all walks of life. You'll find some of the richest people in the Philippines
living on the 40th floor of a high rise and then a "squatter" home
leaning against the side of that very building where a family of 6 lives day to
day wondering if their going to be able to eat their next meal. You have people
from Europe, America, Australia, the Middle East, and numerous other countries.
It's kind of a "melting-pot." I pass a countless number of people
everyday. As I’m walking, I often find myself thinking,” Every single person I
see has a story of their own." It's quite a crazy city to be assigned in.
I sure love it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Missionary work has been great this week. It was
the first week where we spent most of the time in our area. We had some pretty
amazing things happen and some pretty tough things that have happened. One of
those experiences happened yesterday after church. Before church, my boy
Patrick (our investigator whose 26 and has been coming to church forever) came
up to us and told us that he needed to talk to us after church. There wasn't a
lot of emotion on his face when he said that so I could not read from his
expression if it was going to be a good talk or bad talk. He's been having a
hard time recently with his parents. He comes from a family that is devoted
catholic. He's brought the church up with his family before and his mom
completely shut him down and expressed how much she did not want him to be
baptized. After church we took him to a room in the mission office and he asked
if we could start with a prayer. We obliged. He then said, "about my
baptism. I know I’ve been putting it off for a long time. I now feel like it's
finally the right time for me to be baptized!" That's what I’m talking
about. I wanted to jump, scream and dance. I was so happy!! He then continued,
"I'm talking to my mom tomorrow and I’m going to tell her that I’m going
to be baptized. I'm going to show her the changes I’ve made in my life and I
know it will soften her heart. I hope I can be interviewed by the end of this
week." Holy crap. It was pretty much a scene out of a movie. I was so
happy. Patrick and I have become really good friends over the weeks and I am
just so happy for that guy. He's already expressed how much he wants to get
married in the temple. It just doesn't get better than this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Trevor Obrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293400105611098616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349870536197290644.post-80621102760804037652014-10-12T19:45:00.000-06:002014-11-02T19:48:52.293-07:00I Could Watch Conference Every Single Day!
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>512</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2922</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Associated Food Stores</o:Company>
<o:Lines>24</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3588</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The beginning of the week was absolutely crazy. We
spent Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday preparing for and executing transfers. It
was epic. Nothin is quite as great as going to bed at 12 and waking up at 4:30.
It was way fun though. I love spending time with the going home missionaries
and missionaries coming in. One of the missionaries that went home was Elder
Limocon. I miss that kid so much. The day before missionaries go home they have
the opportunity to go to the temple and to a famous American war cemetery,
receive counsel from President, have a testimony meeting and eat a lot of food.
And we get to tag along. It's awesome. It's amazing to see the changes that
Elders and Sisters undergo while they are on their mission. It's really put
into perspective when we see the brand new missionaries come in the next day.
It's amazing how much more the Lord can do with our two years than we can. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">While we were waiting for conference to start
(which I will talk about later by the way), I received a call from John. He had
been sick for the past couple days and wasn't expecting to be able to make it
to conference. As I answered the phone, he said, "Is it ok if I still come
to church?" Me: "Of course! Are you feeling better?" John:
"Better, but still not good. But I really want to go to church." As I
heard those words come out of his mouth, I was filled with a humble joy. It
amazed me to see this man, who is not even a member, have such a strong desire
to go to church regardless of being sick. Our actions during trying times truly
do reflect the desires of our hearts and our faith we have in Jesus Christ. He
was able to make it to the Sunday morning session and hear the prophet of the
Lord speak. It was an amazing experience. I've thought a lot about his great
act of faith and reflected upon experiences I’ve had in my life. One thing that
President Ostler taught us the other day is this: "You learn in life that
excuses don't get you very far." All they really do is rob us of blessing
the Lord was willing to give us. John was a great example to me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Oh my goodness. Conference was great. General
Conference is my new favorite TV show. When I get home, that's all I’m
watching. I can't even begin to describe how much I loved so many talks from
General Conference. One of my favorite talks was given by Elder Christofferson.
I really look up to that man. When he speaks, you can feel the vast knowledge
behind his words. He speaks with power and authority. I love the way he
addresses not only spiritual principles, but also logical concepts. One example
he used that I really liked was the following, "Resenting the law of
gravity won't keep a person from falling if he steps off a cliff." The
reason this stood out to me was because this describes the Philippines. The
majority of people here can't comprehend the concept on eternal truths. Just
believing in Christ and going to church will not save you at the last day.
There's so much more to the gospel then that. The phrase I hear numerous times
a day is this: "We all worship the same God. How you worship isn't really
important as long as you just believe." One day, they will come to
understand that there is more to the gospel than just belief. I've got a lot
more work to do while I’m here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I also love hearing and learning about the
connection between mercy and justice. The more I learn about those two
concepts, the more I realize how perfect God's plan truly is. He is perfectly
just and He is perfectly merciful. I just loved conference so much. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Trevor Obrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293400105611098616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349870536197290644.post-33202727787944467212014-10-06T23:12:00.000-06:002014-10-09T23:13:16.397-06:00I've Already Noticed Those Feelings<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>552</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3149</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Associated Food Stores</o:Company>
<o:Lines>26</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>6</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3867</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">This week has been absolutely crazy. As
I look back now, it just feels like a blur. Here's a quick look into what we
did this week. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19px;">Monday-Prepared for MLC and zone conference. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19px;">Tuesday-Had a
meeting with all the senior couples about transfers then flew out to Palawan.
Wednesday-zone conference in Palawan. Flew back to Manila. Arrived at around 11
pm. Thursday-woke up at 4:30 to head to the office and get the rest of MLC
ready. Started MLC at 9. Afterward, took missionaries to the airport. Then, we
returned and met with president to work on transfers. Friday-Began preparations
for transfer week. Saturday-held a new trainers meeting in the morning.
Finalized transfers in the afternoon. Sunday-attended our two wards, finished
some special projects we've been working on to help the mission in the quest to
become master teachers. There you have it. That's what our week looked like. It
was awesome. I couldn't love life more. I'm learning so much and enjoying every
second of it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Now for the good stuff. We met with our
boy John this last week. He's the man. He's really starting to embrace the gospel.
We watched the Restoration video with him and then talked with him about some
other stuff. For some reason we felt impressed that we need to help him
recognize the spirit. That's exactly what we did. We began to discuss what the
spirit is and how it speaks to us. We encouraged him to really focus on how he
feels when he's at church, when he's praying or reading the Book of Mormon. He
stopped us and stated. "I’ve already noticed those feelings. I wonder if
that's the reason I always want to meet with you guys and be at the church.
Whenever I’m here I feel different. I feel warm and welcome." That was
amazing. That's exactly what you're supposed to feel. John truly gets it. We
also had the opportunity to share with him last night. We were at a member’s house
and we shared a Mormon message about the Atonement. We then shared some other
thoughts. Afterward, he came up to us and stated, "That was a really good
speech!" hahah speech. He's the man. He's going to be baptized one of
these days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Quote for the week: "The very
essence of leadership is teaching." One of the things I like most about
where I am right now is I have the opportunity to teach. I have the opportunity
to teach those that aren't yet members about the gospel and I also have the
opportunity to share with missionaries. This last week, we taught during zone
conference, MLC and the new trainers meeting. It was great. We taught for an
hour in zone conference, an hour in MLC and about 30 minutes in the new
trainers meeting. It's amazing how the Lord teaches you new things as your
teaching. Another quote that I like is this: You don't really own something
till you can give it away. In other words, you don't really know something
until you can teach it. It's not enough just to merely know something. We need
to know it in and out. We need to know it so well that we can share it with
anyone that wants to hear it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We had the wonderful opportunity last Sunday
to sing in sacrament meeting! I forgot to mention it in my letter last week so I
have to put it in this weeks. All the missionaries in our ward sang an
arrangement of Joseph Smith's First Prayer. It was really nice. We had a member
of our ward play the flute as well. Oh man, it was great. It directed
everyone's attention away from our horrendous voices. Gotta love the flute. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Well, that's about it for this week.
I'm just going to video one of our days so you can really understand what goes
on here. It's so hard to do it justice over text. I guess I’ll end with a
little spiritual thought. We will never be able to <b>earn</b> exaltation, but
because of our Savior, we can <b>qualify</b> for it. I'm so thankful for my
savior and his perfect mercy. I know that he lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Trevor Obrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293400105611098616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349870536197290644.post-35023502537107047232014-09-28T22:58:00.000-06:002014-10-09T23:00:48.927-06:00"Isn't the Gospel Just Perfect?"<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>505</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2879</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Associated Food Stores</o:Company>
<o:Lines>23</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3535</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Well this week has been a fun one!! We've been
running around like crazy coordinating zone conferences. We've completed three out
of the four. The final zone conference will be held this upcoming Wednesday on
Palawan. Yep, I’m heading back again!! It's been really fun participating in
the zone conferences though. We're focusing on Becoming Master Teachers.
President Ostler asked Elder Limocon and I to lead the whole thing so we had
about an hour in each zone conference to teach and lead a practicing
demonstration in front of 60 plus missionaries. I sure do love teaching. I've
never had the opportunity to teach the same thing three times in a row, but it
turned out pretty good. It's amazing how the spirit prompts you to focus on
different things on different days. You really have to do everything in your
power to prepare, but when the time comes when you actually start teaching, you
have to be willing to put your plans aside and follow the spirit and let it
direct the lesson. I sure am thankful for the opportunity I have now to learn
these principle. They will be principles that I will use for the rest of my
life! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Elder Limocon and I had the great opportunity to go
on exchanges this last week with the Elders from Pasay North! That zone is my
baby. It was great to walk those same streets and visit the people that I loved
so much. I found out while I was there that two more of the investigators that
Elder Carlson and I found and began to teach have since been baptized and now
are thriving in the church. We even had the opportunity to visit and teach
them. Those are the "pay days" that really help you understand the
difference your helping others make in their lives. There is no greater calling
than this. I was able to visit Hector!! I don't know if you remember him, but
he was the less active member that Elder Carlson and I got really close with.
He's still going strong, coming to church, and he even gave a talk in sacrament
the other week (I hear that his talk was amazing). Unfortunately, the Borejon
family has moved away so we weren't able to visit them. It's amazing how much
you grow to love the people that you serve as a missionary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We had an amazing lesson with Wilma this last week.
For her whole life, she's been active in another church and this last week, all
the questions and concerns came out. However, the spirit directed us and
through the scriptures, we were able to help her overcome all of her concerns
and answer all of her questions. By the end of the lesson she was stating,
"It all makes sense now. I finally understand it." It was quite
amazing. It's so great that in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
we don't have to take someone's word for it. We have the opportunity to find
out for ourselves if something is true. That's exactly what we have been
focusing on with Wilma and because she has real intent, faith in Jesus Christ
and a sincere heart, she's receiving answers. Isn't the gospel just perfect? I
just love it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Guess what? Elder Limocon is going home in about a
week. I'm so sad. I can't even explain how sad I am. I love that kid so much.
We've had such a great time this past transfer. We've worked extremely hard,
seen miracles and shared laughs. It'll be hard to say goodbye to him. I wish he
could stay for a couple more transfers. He's the type of guy that makes
everyone else around him happy. That's a very special gift. On the other hand,
we still have a week and we're going to live it up!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Trevor Obrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293400105611098616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349870536197290644.post-64515790487377976742014-09-23T22:52:00.000-06:002014-10-09T22:54:13.746-06:00It's Amazing What the Lord Can Do With Your Life!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>694</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3958</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Associated Food Stores</o:Company>
<o:Lines>32</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>7</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>4860</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Well, to start this letter off, I have some really
exciting news. Don't you just love exciting news? The first part is about one
of my investigators from my last area, Sister Ciara. I got word that she has
passed her baptismal interview and will be baptized this upcoming week!! Yay!!
Not only that, but her husband is now active in the church and will hopefully
be the one to baptize his wife. Don't you love missionary work? I don't think
there's anything better than this work. I feel like I’ve been a full time
missionary my entire life and I don't feel like I’m ever going to be released.
Enjoy it while it lasts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The second part of the great news is just as exciting.
This one has a story as well. Earlier today, right after we had let all the
missionaries out to eat lunch, we noticed a few girls sitting at the back of
the room. One of them was our ward member who is preparing to go on a mission.
She told us yesterday that she would be coming so we expected to see her, but
we couldn't tell who she was with. As we drew closer, I quickly realized who
she was with. She was with Angel!!!! One of the girls that I baptized while
serving in Manila 2nd!! It's been about ten months since I saw her. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I began to talk with her, she gave me
even more exciting news!! (don't you just love good news?) She's getting ready
to serve a mission!!!! She's getting ready to start her papers in the near
future. I was overjoyed. Words honestly can't describe my excitement in that
moment. I'm so excited and so thankful that I have had the opportunity to get
to know her. Seriously, I’m so happy right now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Alright, so what else happened this week? I've got another
amazing story about finding. I actually wasn't there for the initial experience
because we were on exchanges, but I’m going to tell you anyway. While I was
serving in another zone, Elder Limocon was working in our area with another
missionary. They had just finished an appointment on one side of manila and had
to make their way to the other side. They didn't have the car because I’m the
only one with a license and it was rush hour. The taxis, jeepneys and all other
forms of public transportation were loaded with people. So, they decided to
walk. Little did they know that it was actually part of a divine plan executed
by the Lord. As they walked along the busy cities of Manila, a random car pulls
over and a man rolls down the window. He tells Elder Limocon that he's seen
missionaries in the past and he wants to be taught. Uuuuhhhh that never
happens. They set up an appointment for the next day. Luckily, I was back the
next day and was able to take part in one of the greatest lessons ever (He's
also fluent in English and even prefers it, so we taught him in English). He
began by telling us about his life as a 26 year old man that owns his own car
dealership and tells us why he called Elder Limocon over. He expressed that
more and more responsibilities are falling on his shoulders and that he wants
to put away the old life that he used to live, and start a new life that will
help build a strong foundation for the rest of his life, for his future family,
and other things. It sufficeth me to say that it was an amazing lesson with an
amazing investigator that wants to change. When we are humble and willing to
let the Lord change us, amazing things happen, we become new men and new women.
He quickly began to show his real intent the next day by coming to church. He
loved it. He's best friends with everyone in the ward (it helps when half of
the members in our ward are SAs). Not only that, but he just ate up the
doctrine. He wanted to know everything. He had so many questions and he was
ready to receive the answers. He's going to be baptized. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We were hit by a pretty epic storm this last week.
It rained forever. We had flooding up to our knees outside of our apartment. We
were told that we couldn't go out and work. It was a pretty long day spent in
the walls of our apartment. We got a lot of washing and cleaning done. That's
pretty much the extent of the storm. Nothin too exciting when you're stuck
inside. It's funny to see all of the kids run out in the middle of the storms
to play in the water. Well it's funny until you realize what they're swimming
in. After that, it's not too funny anymore. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">That's pretty much all I got for this week. I just
want you all to know that I love my mission. There is nothing I would change
about where I am right now. It's really cool to see how the 19 years before my
mission were spent preparing me for these two years. Now, these two years are
preparing me for the rest of my life. It's amazing what the Lord can do with
your life when you give him control. His hands can shape our lives a lot better
than we can. We just have to be willing to let Him. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Trevor Obrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293400105611098616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349870536197290644.post-43236113042823087172014-09-14T22:26:00.000-06:002014-10-09T22:26:57.252-06:00"Yes, I Eat Shrimp!"<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>507</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2892</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Associated Food Stores</o:Company>
<o:Lines>24</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3551</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">All right. About his week. We had a lot of really
cool experiences with some of the members in our ward and some new
investigators! I'll start with an amazing experience that we had yesterday!
There is this young couple (not yet married) that have been attending our ward
for a while (the international ward). The man, Mike, is a member, but his
girlfriend, Wilma, is not. They have been coming to church for the past couple
months, but because hey live outside of our mission boundaries, the elders here
have never taught them. We talked with them last week and finally coordinated
where we could meet in order to share with them. Yesterday after church, we
were finally able to share with them for the first time. It was one of the most
amazing lessons of my life. Wilma has been taking online lessons for quite a
while and she's been taught the first three lessons, reads the book of Mormon
consistently and has already gained a testimony of it's truthfulness. She told
us a story about her experience with the Book of Mormon. She expressed to us
that she went weeks without missing a day of reading. She loved it. However,
she was afraid to ask if it was true because she felt like if she found out
that it was true, she would be abandoning her belief and everything she grew up
in. She stopped reading and was filled with guilt. She said a prayer and said,
"If the Book of Mormon is true, please take away this guilt. If it's not
true, leave the guilt." The next day, she attended church, read the Book of
Mormon and the guilt went away. She had her answer that the Book of Mormon was
true. That was only the beginning of the testimony that she now has the book of
Mormon is true. She's an amazing person and really wants to know the truth.
She'll be baptized on October 4th. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">In one our wards we have a part member family that
is extremely wealthy. This last week they invited us out to dinner. Holy crap,
it was one of the best dinners I have ever had. They took us to this Italian
restaurant that was really nice. This member was a regular at this restaurant
so we were taken very good care of. Before we knew it, we were getting served
all different types of food. We ate shrimp (yes, I eat shrimp. It was the size
of my fist and it was amazing), buttered corn, chicken wings, and other things.
They were only the appetizers. Then came the pizza. It was baked in a brick
oven and was just amazing. One of the best pizzas I’ve ever had. We ended the
night with some amazing ice cream. It's was a great night. That's one of the
really good things about the wards I’m serving in right now, they love feeding
the missionaries. I sure love these wards. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We had MLC this past week. It was great, like
always. We spent 2-3 days prior to the meeting to prepare everything. We had to
prepare slideshows, handouts, agendas, transportation, everything. It was epic.
It turned out really good though. President and Sister Ostler have a love for
music so we spent some time doing "music appreciation." They are
allowing us to listen to a wider variety of music now, which is great. It's
amazing the effect that music can have on us. President Ostler said,
"Music is so powerful because it communicates directly to our
emotions." That is so true. Music is a very powerful tool that can be utilized
by the Lord, or a weapon wielded by the devil. The music we listen to can
affect us in ways that we don't even realize. Hopefully, the music we listen
too builds us up and doesn't break us down. “Mo Tab or die.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Trevor Obrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293400105611098616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349870536197290644.post-18270910046954284682014-09-08T22:01:00.000-06:002014-10-09T22:16:11.069-06:00Eternal Memories<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>798</o:Words>
<o:Characters>4551</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Associated Food Stores</o:Company>
<o:Lines>37</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>9</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>5588</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">So this week was the mission tour. I spent the last
week with a general authority and it was pretty much amazing. I don't even know
where to start right now. I'll just give you some of the highlights. It all
started on Tuesday with a mini MLC. Elder and Sister Ardern addressed all the
zone leaders and sister training leaders. He taught us some very valuable
skills about leadership and how we can reach our potential as missionaries. The
truly amazing part started after the meeting was over when President Ostler
invited Elder Limocon and I to have lunch with them and the Arderns. Holy crap.
That was quite the experience. Having lunch with a member of the quorum of the seventy,
a mission president and their wives. I kinda felt out of place. It was a great,
awkward experience. Then, Elder Ardern grabbed President Ostler and us, took us
to the other room and began to give us instruction on how to fulfill our
calling. We received 30 minutes of direct instruction from a general authority
in person about how to magnify your calling. Wow!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The next few days were spent addressing three large
groups of missionaries. One conference per day. We were able to attend each one.
The first stop: Palawan. Man, it was great to be back in the Celestial kingdom
again. Unfortunately, the only sights we were able to see were the airport, the
zone leader's apartment, and the chapel. However, just being in Palawan was
amazing (we'll be heading back in less than a month for another conference. I'm
stoked). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The teaching that we received was quite inspiring.
I attended three conferences and each one was different. Elder Ardern commented to
us that he "teaches people, not lessons." The way in which he was
able to teach was quite impressive. These are not short conferences either. He
taught for about three hours in each conference and it was based 100% on the
spirit. A few of the secrets to being a master teacher are to ponder
continually the words of life, to prepare every needful things, and then be
willing to let it go and follow the spirit when prompted. There was not a
moment when Elder Ardern was not teaching. When we were eating, flying,
driving, he was always teaching. What was truly inspiring was he didn't only
teach through his words, he taught by example. Whenever he taught us something,
he would demonstrate it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">As you can see, my thoughts are kind of all over
the place. There are so many things going through my mind and it's difficult to
organize them. Here's a couple more random events that occured:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I drove a general authority through the city of Manila.
I had two emotions and thoughts going through my head. 1st: This is terrifying,
there's a general authority sitting in my van as we speak and I need to get him
from point A to point B safely and I’ve only been driving in this city for a
week. 2nd: I have nothing to worry about. The lord will never let anything bad
happen to the car that his general authority is driving in. I'm happy to report
that we made it safely. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">A recurring theme in the conference was finding a
spouse. More specifically, what to look for in a spouse. hmmmm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I've never been so sleep deprived in my life. We
woke up at 4:30 am <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>three times
last week. The other days we were out of bed by six . Didn't go to sleep till
10:30. Exhausting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Well that about sums up mission tour. I wish you
guys could just have been here to experience it with me. It was such a blessing
witness the things I witnessed and learn the things I learned. I learned a lot
of life lessons that will never be forgotten. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I have one more experience that I would like to
share with you today. I occurred yesterday as we taught the family I told you a
couple weeks ago that randomly showed up to church. We finally had the
opportunity to teach them for the first time yesterday and it was one of the
most amazing lessons ever. Emma, the wife, is Chinese. She grew up in China and
has no Christian background whatsoever. This is the very first time of my
entire mission that I’ve taught an investigator without a belief in the God
that we believe. Her family was Buddhist, but she's been looking for something
else, something else that would be better for her own family (don't you love it
when people are looking for that?). Well we spent the first lesson talking
about God and his role in our life. We explained how we are all children of our
Heavenly Father and that he loves us. She wasn't really buying it. She was
completely open to our message, but years and years of Buddhism had taught her
differently. She truly wanted to believe, she just couldn't. We then focused in
on how we can ask our Heavenly Father directly if He's there and if we are his
children. We taught her how to pray and asked her to offer a prayer. She agreed
and we all knelt in humble prayer. The words that came out of her mouth amazed
me. It sounded like she had been praying for years. Half way through the prayer
she began to cry. The spirit filled the room and we were surrounded by the love
of our Heavenly Father. As she closed her prayer, we all looked up with huge
smiles on our faces. He husband (whose been a member for 2 months) exclaimed,
"She's been touched by the spirit." We were all touched by the spirit
in that moment. No one could deny the things that we felt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Sister Ostler invited them yesterday at church to
come to a family home evening at the mission home. No one could have a family
home evening with the Ostlers and not want to get baptized immediately. It's
over. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-026kUtOKCn0/VDdc2k-szkI/AAAAAAAAAVs/_EbFaaf4frc/s1600/picture2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-026kUtOKCn0/VDdc2k-szkI/AAAAAAAAAVs/_EbFaaf4frc/s1600/picture2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jw4VdHA8SqU/VDdcRIZne0I/AAAAAAAAAVk/3gcLE1LsOO4/s1600/picture.aspx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jw4VdHA8SqU/VDdcRIZne0I/AAAAAAAAAVk/3gcLE1LsOO4/s1600/picture.aspx.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Trevor Obrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293400105611098616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349870536197290644.post-44442878525998989732014-08-31T21:47:00.000-06:002014-10-09T21:47:56.878-06:00Bigger and Better Things
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>558</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3186</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Associated Food Stores</o:Company>
<o:Lines>26</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>6</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3912</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">All right, well this week has been another crazy
week. I don't even know where to start. I guess I’ll start with last Tuesday.
Last Tuesday was going home activities. The day before the departing
missionaries end their mission, they spend the day with the Ostlers and cruise
around the city and do some fun stuff. Because I am one of the only
missionaries in the mission that has a license, I was the one cruising them
around (Did I mention that I drive a 12 passenger van? Yeah, no one messes with
me on the manila roads). We went to the temple, the American war
cemetery, then to the mission home for some food and words of wisdom from President
Ostler and his wife. Fortunately, we don't have to be at the portion when
President counsels the missionaries, because all they talk about is getting
married and starting a family. That's the fastest way to make a missionary
trunky. During that time, we were taking luggage to hotels and getting all the
other things ready. It was a good experience though. A lot of the
missionaries were some of my good friends. Sister Grant, the sister in my
district at the MTC, was also in attendance. You know you're old in the mission
when the sisters you came into the field go home. That's crazy. It's amazing to
see how much we grow over years. They had an amazing testimony meeting and the
spirit was very strong. The lives of those missionaries has been forever changed.
President made a very profound statement that I would like to share. It's quite
applicable to everything going back at home. He shared with the
missionaries,"Your missions are the greatest things you have done thus far
in your life. However, it's not the greatest thing that you will ever do. There
are bigger and better things in the future." Missions are the greatest
foundations for those "bigger and better" things. It is a stepping
stone that takes us farther in life then we could ever have gone without it.
What will be happening this Friday is one of those "bigger and
better" things. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The next day was transfer day, the craziest day
ever. We welcomed 28 new missionaries into the mission. Elder Limocon and I
awoke at 4:45 am to get everything ready and were running till 10:30 pm. It was
quite the day. It was great to experience that day with all of the new
missionaries. It reminded of me when I was in that situation. That sure was a
long time ago. The first real day of the best 2 years. I loved seeing the
excitement and joy on their faces. They have no clue what they've got
themselves into. They will experience the most difficult, rewarding, joy filled
years of their entire lives, years that they wouldn't trade for anything. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The rest of the week has been great. We had a
baptism this week!! We began to teach a kid right when I got into the area and
he was baptized last Saturday. His parents are members, but had been less
active for quite some time (sound familiar #lessactivepartmemberfamilies); they
had a "come to Jesus" moment and decided that they wanted to return
to church. We were right there to help them do it? They are now active in the
church and their son, Daejiro, is now a member of the church. It was great. I
sure love missions. Nothing better than witnessing a family take major steps to
being sealed in the temple. Actually, there is one thing better than witnessing
a family take those steps. Being a part of that process is a lot better then
just witnessing it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Well that about wraps it up
for this week. We have an awesome week coming up. Elder Ardern, the area
president, will be visiting the mission this week and I’ll be spending quite a
bit of time with him. I'm stoked. I just hope I don't make a fool of myself.
This week also includes a trip out to Palawan! I'm headed back to the Celestial
kingdom. Unfortunately, I won't be visiting my previous area, but it'll be
great to be on Palawan soil</span><!--EndFragment-->
Trevor Obrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293400105611098616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349870536197290644.post-29074388215377032532014-08-25T21:35:00.000-06:002014-10-09T21:48:39.848-06:00Expect Miracles<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>698</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3981</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Associated Food Stores</o:Company>
<o:Lines>33</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>7</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>4888</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Well, I have so much to tell you this week.
Missionary life has changed very drastically in the past week and I hope I’ll
be able to write an email that can do this week justice. But before that, I
need to tell you the story of Jamie and Shala. So here it goes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Elder Diamse, some ward missionaries and I were
looking far and wide for a man we had met a few days earlier on the side of the
road. We were not having any luck. We checked numerous houses and asked countless
people. As we were checking a house, Jio (the ward missionary) decided to ask a
man that was about to get on his motorcycle if he knew the man we were looking
for. This was his response to Jio: "Are you a Mormon?" Jio responded,
"yes". The man then replied, "me too, I have someone that I want
you guys to teach." That was the first time we saw Jamie. He then took us
down a little alley way and brought us into his house where he explained that
he's been inactive for a couple years, but finally wants to come back. He then
introduced us to his wife, who is not a member, and told us that he wants us to
teach her. She then exclaimed that she really wanted to learn more about her
husband’s belief and why he was so set on returning to his church that he had
mentioned numerous times to her. The rest is history. They're going to be
baptized. No doubt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I am officially a licensed driver in the
Philippines! Holy crap, some of the scariest moments of my life have occurred
in the past couple days driving on Manila roads. However, I’m finally getting
used to it and getting comfortable with the whole "there's no traffic
laws" thing. Just a glimpse into what it's like to drive in the Philippines:
there are no stop signs or yield signs. The one that is bigger has the
right-of-way. People don't really pay attention to the street lines. It's not
uncommon to see five lines of cars on a three lane road. It's also not
uncommon to see people perform left turns or u-turns from the far right line
(crossing three lanes of traffic). There are no cops on the road so everyone
can do pretty much whatever they want. I believe that most people participate
in the game "Who can cut more people off today?" The drivers don't
really anticipate turns that they will be making down the road. When they find
themselves in the wrong lane a couple yards from their desired destination,
they are not afraid to make everyone wait as they maneuver their car
perpendicular to oncoming traffic to make the turn. So pretty much, every time
you get in a car, you're in for an adventure. Welcome to the Philippines.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">So this upcoming week is transfer week so we have
been crazy busy trying to get everything ready for all the changes that will be
happening this Wednesday. We have one of the biggest batches of new
missionaries we have ever had coming in this week (28 new missionaries). It's
been crazy. There's been a few times where President Ostler has called us up
and stated, "I need your assistance. Come to the mission home." So
that's what we did. We don't have a lot of time to work in our area, but I sure
have seen the miracles that the Lord provides if you work hard. I'll talk more
about those miracles later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We have spent the last week in a threesome. I've
been with Elder Stephens (he's going home tomorrow) and Elder Limocon (my new
companion) and we have had a great time. We've been working hard and laughing
hard. You have to enjoy the journey. A wise general authority once said,
"If you're missing the joy, you're missing it all." That's the way to
do missionary work. You work as hard as you possibly can and have a good time
doing it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">So here's some of those miracles I mentioned
earlier. In this area we are over two wards. One of the wards is Makati 3rd,
the most organized ward I have ever seen here. The other is the international
ward. Yep, all of the services are in English and half of the people are American.
It's pretty amazing. I feel like I’m back in the states. We attend 5 hours of
church every week. It's great. A little more background before I mention the
miracles. When I was talking with President Ostler, he told me to expect
miracles and miracle baptisms. We don't have a ton of time to proselyte in our
area, but somehow the work still moves forward. This last week, that phrase
came to life. We entered the chapel to find a new family. As we talked
with this family we learned that the father was baptized 2 months ago in New York
while visiting his brother. Now that they are back in the Philippines he wants
his wife and 2 kids to be taught and baptized. So he brought the whole family
to church. It was amazing. Everything is just falling in to place right now.
These wards are just amazing. Everyone is so kind and they just love the
missionaries. I'm so excited to work in these wards for the next couple months. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Trevor Obrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293400105611098616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349870536197290644.post-36656846548167962542014-08-18T21:26:00.000-06:002014-10-09T21:28:05.132-06:00That Changed Fast!!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>695</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3963</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Associated Food Stores</o:Company>
<o:Lines>33</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>7</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>4866</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Well... this week has been a crazy one. I have so
much to tell you and so little time to do it in, so prepare yourselves.
Probably been one of the craziest weeks of my whole life. I received the
package! It was such a great surprise to see it here. I'm stoked to throw out
the yellow shirts I’ve been wearing for the past little while. When I noticed
the Reeses pieces... I almost started to weep. I miss those so much. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Elder Diamse and I had the most amazing lesson this
past week with Jamie and Shala (a less active part member family). I
can't remember if I told you how we found them or not. Great story. If I
haven't, let me know and I’ll tell you next week. Anyway, at the conclusion of
our lesson, Sister Shala said one of the most amazing things ever. She
was telling us about her experience with the Book of Mormon. She explained that
since she has started meeting with us and reading the Book of Mormon she has
felt an increase of peace in her house and in her relationship with her
husband. She then made the connection that such a blessing can only come from
the Lord testifying to her of truth. It was such a special experience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">My boy Elias. He is the investigator I told
you about last week that we found through the great example of our member. This
past week we have shared with him a couple times and it turns out that he is
prepared by the Lord. He is very familiar with the Bible. That knowledge
sometimes makes it hard for him to accept anything else as scripture, but he's
coming along. He is truly searching for the truth. He often tells Jio that he's
so excited for our next lessons because we can answer all of his questions.
Elias is such a fun guy to teach because he really makes me think. He asks
questions that other investigators don't ask. He's the type of person that will
lead the church when he's baptized. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">All right. Now for the crazy stuff. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I received a text from President Ostler on Saturday
night requesting an interview the following day. During the interview, he
extended a new assignment to me. He then informed me that I would be starting
the next day (Monday). What the. My mind was blown. I would have to leave my
beloved ward and some of my great friends. The rest of the day was full of
amazing experiences with some really great people. I made the announcement at
the close of our coordination meeting and it was bitter sweet. In the meeting,
Junjun (our recent convert) began to cry and it was quite emotional. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We then began to go about our day and go to our set
appointments. One of those was with Edmar and Jenna. I cannot tell you how much
I love that family. I will miss them so much. I was expecting to have a couple
more weeks with them before I would have to leave. However, the Lord has
different plans. It was hard to say goodbye. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Later that night, we gathered at a family home
evening at the house of a member. It was super sweet. At the close of the
family home evening, those in attendance took turns saying a couple words of
thanks. It was super embarrassing, but super nice of them. We then had a
wonderful meal. They bought a cake and had a message written on the top of the
cake dedicated to my service in the ward. I truly was blessed to serve in one
of the best wards ever with some of the best members ever. I will never forget
them. I sure do love 'em. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">At the end of the night, I made a call to sister
Pia to inform her that I was transferring. After I made the announcement, she
began to cry. It was so sad. She stated through tears, "You can't
transfer. You promised that you would be the one to baptize my family." It
was one of the most heart wrenching conversations of my entire mission. We
stopped by her house earlier today and the tears began to flow again. It was a
tough goodbye. I know that family will be united through gospel ordinances
before too long. I will really miss them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">That takes us into today. There are so many more
things I wish I could tell you about yesterday, but that will have to due for
now. All I can say is that I love that ward and I always will. I'll never
forget them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Not quite sure exactly everything that I’ll be
doing in this calling but hears a glimpse into some of the things that will be
happening in the upcoming weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Getting my Philippines drivers license and begin
driving on Manila roads (probably the craziest roads in the world. Look 'em
up).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Coordinating transfer days and other special
conferences. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Working close with Elder Ardern of the area
presidency in the upcoming mission tour. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Monitoring the work of the mission and working a
lot with President Ostler (one of the most amazing guys I have ever met
(besides my dad)).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">It's going to be a crazy couple transfers. I'll let
you know more about it next week when I actually have my head on straight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Trevor Obrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293400105611098616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349870536197290644.post-20184743799669314272014-08-10T21:17:00.000-06:002014-10-09T21:18:06.296-06:00Share the Gospel With A Smile<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>450</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2567</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Associated Food Stores</o:Company>
<o:Lines>21</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3152</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Well here we go. Remember
how I was telling you about making changes in style and appearance to switch up
the whole missionary schedule? Well this last week, I went to the extreme and
got myself a new haircut. Decided to go with the buzz hahahaha you should see
me. It's not too short (that's against mission rules), but it's definitely the
shortest it's ever been in my entire life. It's pretty nice not having to use
gel anymore, and it allows for a cool head. Not sure if I’ll be doing it again
though. The wonderful thing about hair is that it grows back (in most cases). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Had zone meeting again this
last week. It went well. It was probably my last zone meeting here in
Bonifacio. Who knows what will be happening next transfer, it could have been
the last zone meeting of my mission. Speaking of the zone though, Bonifacio
zone is killin' it right now. We only have 7 companionships, but we're lookin
at 17 baptisms and 18 reactivations for the month of August. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gotta love working with these great
missionaries though. There are some great people here that I’m working with.
It's so cool to get to know people from all over the world and learn about
their background. It truly is a blessing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">I have a great story to tell
you about the importance of members and the huge difference you can make just
by being yourself. Here is a little background. We have a recent convert, Jio,
and he's the man. I've really gotten to know him well since I’ve been here and
he is a great example of a member missionary. He's very outgoing and just loves
everyone. All right, so here's the story. Elder Diamse and I were walking down
the street when a man caught our attention and waved us over to him. We walked
toward him and he introduced himself. His name is Elias. He then began to tell
us about his new coworker, Jio. Elias told us that he and Jio had met at work.
He then began to explain how Jio was one of the happiest guys he had ever met
and he wanted to know why. Jio had mentioned that he was a member of the church
and Elias concluded that that was one of the main reasons Jio was so happy all
the time. He then expressed the desire to learn more so he could find out how
to find that same happiness. That is missionary work at it's best right there.
Let's all share the gospel by being ourselves. Let's realize how blessed we are
to be members and let it show on our faces. Let that happiness shape our lives
and become who we are. Never underestimate the power of a smile and a happy
attitude. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Just a couple more highlights
from this last week:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Went on exchanges<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Witnessed a drunk man
threatening another man with a butcher knife. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Witnessed some more drunk men. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">I decided to count how many
pregnant women I saw in one day. I made it to 12 and then stopped. Everyone and
everything is pregnant here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">And finally, we have a baptism
this week!! Her name is Princess and we've been teaching her for a while now.
She's 18 years old and just loves the gospel. She is pretty much already a
member. She's taking part in institute, all the activities, she even paid
tithing already. That's dedication. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Trevor Obrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293400105611098616noreply@blogger.com0