Work, Work, Work

It was so great to hear from you guys today.  It always gives me comfort knowing that you guys are doing well.  It helps me feel like I'm still part of the family.  I love hearing about your experiences. It gives me a new drive to work even harder in the upcoming week, improve on my weak areas and do a little bit better than yesterday. You will never understand the influence that you guys have on my life. Everyday I'm reminded of my family and come to a realization that I would never be where I am today without you guys.  It's cool to step back a little bit and observe the character traits that I've learned and developed because of your examples. Man, I sure miss you guys.  I've expressed this before but I just want to reiterate a statement from preach my gospel that has really influenced my work as a missionary.  "I have often said one of the greatest secrets of missionary work is work! If a missionary works, he will get the Spirit; if he gets the spirit, he will teach by the Spirit; and if he teaches by the Spirit, he will touch the hearts of the people and he will be happy. There will be no homesickness, no worrying about families, for all time and talents and interests are centered on the work of the ministry.  Work, Work, work - there is no satisfactory substitute, especially in missionary work." I often reflect on this statement and I have learned of its truthfulness.  This is a universal principle and can be applied to every aspect of our lives.  When things aren't going well, work a little bit harder.  Show the Lord that you are willing to work your hardest and willing to do anything you have to do.  I testify that this is true.  

So a little bit about this week. Jhoana and Carmelino continue to astonish me.  They make me the happiest missionary on the earth.  After we leave lessons with them, I'm smiling from ear to ear.  They attended church yesterday again and we taught a lesson last night. We taught about the Book of Mormon.  It was fantastic.  Brother Carmelino wouldn't let go of the Book of Mormon and repeatedly affirmed to us his desire to read this book.  He has the strongest desire to know that this church is true.  He's going to be a future leader of the church.  I wish you guys could just meet this family.  They are just awesome.  

Another one of our investigators is making huge progress.  His name is Mark.  We have noticed a huge change in his life.  He has gone from turning down missionaries to changing his work schedule in order to attend church.  He will be attending church this upcoming Sunday and I'm so stoked.  He's also an amazing cook.  He cooks for us every time we go over to his house hahaha another reason I love this guy. 

Elder Villoso is officially half way done with his training! This past Wednesday was transfer day, but since I'm training, we didn't experience any changes in our area.  My whole district actually remained the same.  We didn't have any transfers.  I'm way happy about it too because I love these guys.  And I love my team, yeah I love my team, I would die for these ... missionaries (name that song chandler).  I sure love being a district leader. It's so awesome being able to grow close with so many missionaries and take interest in each of their investigators. It's definitely frustrating at times like when I get home, exhausted, and realize I have to follow up or when I receive the report that an area only had 9 lessons for the whole week. I love it though.  I love teaching district meetings. Life is just good. 

I've been really missing a couple things this week.  1. Soccer.  I find myself daydreaming about soccer and my glory days.  I sure miss it.  I always used to say that I wish I would have played basketball or football instead; not anymore.  Now that I'm not playing soccer anymore, I miss it even more. 2.  Golf.  I can't wait to be on a quiet golf course with my dad and brother.  No jeepneys honking, no second hand smoke, just the lush green grass and chirping birds. 3.  My bed.  The thing I sleep on here is a rock.  I don't even think it qualifies as a mattress.  I would kill to be sleeping on one of those air mattresses we have stored downstairs.  Heck, I would even take the one that has a hole and leaves you lying on the ground after 1 hour. 

Our apartment is falling apart.  We have so many problems it's not even funny.  We need Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to intervene. We have mice, our refrigerator (here they call it ref) is broken, we have a leak in our sink, spent two days this last week without water and we're afraid to open some of the drawers because we're afraid of what we might find living inside. Our toilet's broken as well. We have to take the top of and reach in and open the plug whenever we want to flush. I miss home in Layton, UT. It makes it even more difficult when I'm the only one motivated to clean.  Mom, I finally understand what it feels like to tell people to clean their room, return ten minutes later and discover that nothing has been done. It's so frustrating!  I'm so sorry for my inability to clean and the stress that I caused you.  I promise I'm changing. 

Gotta love life as a missionary. I wouldn't trade these experiences for anything.  I love the Philippines. 

PS Elder Villoso tried to say the following expression: Kill two birds with one stone. hahaha Epic fail.  This is what came out of his mouth: Yeah we'll be able to throw two birds at a stone hahahaha I was rollin. It was even better because it was during coordination.  So funny.  Did I mention that I love missionary work?