Magandang Hapon Francis Family,
This
week has been of stories I will never forget and memories that I will
treasure forever. So this week was great for me and Elder Lobaton. We are preparing our investigators for baptism next week. Sister Sola is 32
years old and her young daughter Cristel is age 8. They are so
excited to be baptized and follow the example of our savior and they know that this is the true church.
We taught them the
gospel of Jesus Christ and how Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer
and he suffered, and died for us and through his Atonement we can be
cleansed and forgiven but we need to have Faith in him and believe in
him and always trust in him. I used an example of wind and how we can't
see it but we can feel it, that's faith where we can't see our heavenly
father and Jesus Christ, but we know they are always there for us
because of their love towards each and every one of us.
Repentance- It is
a way for us to come closer to Christ and feel the power of the
Atonement in our life. Through repentance and praying for forgiveness
we can be forgiven of our sins and become clean. Baptism- following
the example of Jesus Christ and being baptized entering into a gate way
for us to return unto our Heavenly Father. The gift of the Holy Ghost- A
constant companion to us to guide us and keep us safe from sin and it
is there to testify of the truth of the gospel. And last of all Enduring
to the end- always continuing to live the gospel of Jesus Christ in our
life, continue to live god's commandments and continue to keep the
covenants we make with him. That is the gospel of Jesus Christ. So that
was a really great lesson for us.
On Wednesday we went and took
pictures at the bridge at lunch time and had a blast but I was feeling a
little sick and I had to go to the bathroom. I was near a huge river and a forest of trees, so i decided to go deep into the woods and do
my business and I really felt the difference with the culture here in the
Philippines and America is and that is the first time ever in my whole
mission to use the bathroom in a forest of trees hahaha,
But I really and truly love the Philippines.
Also this last
week we had two Funerals, one here in Magapit. A member's father died and
then also one in Gattaran. When I went on exchanges with Elder Peck I
was one of the speakers for both of the Funerals and we got to dedicate
the graves, that was my first time ever doing that, so that was a cool
experience to have and feel the spirit with us while we where dedicating
the grave. But our talks were on the Plan of Salvation (Ang Plano ng
Kaligtasan) and I gave my talk on where we come from and why are we here
on earth. I talked about how we as God's children came from him and he
loves us all and knows all individually. He wants us to be happy
and return unto him, so he gave His only begotten son Jesus Christ to
Atone for the sins of the world. I really focused on the part of how God loves all of his children and he wants us to be happy always and
wants us all to return unto Him. Then our life here on earth, God gives
us tests and trials to test our faith in him, but we are never alone, he
wants us to prepare to come back to him by attending church, reading
scriptures always and praying to him. He wants us to be happy so he
gives us a family to have but when we put Jesus Christ at the center of
our life and family, we will be happier, be as one with him, and we will
always be guided throughout life and we can always look unto him. So
that's what I talked about and I know it to be true. I know how much God loves us all and his plan for us to return to him.
Also this week on
Saturday (I did have Dengue two weeks ago) the
symptoms came back and I really felt sick. I had headaches, body aches,
warm body and sometimes really cold, coughing, and my temperature was 40
which I think is 100 something. But I just need to take pills every day
and just get some rest and just to keep praying for help from my
Heavenly Father. He will help me and he will give me strength to
overcome this sickness. I am doing fine now and fighting my way
through this obstacle and just focused on the Lord's work and why I am
here on a mission. I love what dad sent to me "Strive to build a
personal testimony of Jesus Christ and the atonement. A study of the
life of Christ and a testimony of his reality is something each of us
should seek. As we come to understand his mission, and the atonement
which he wrought, we will desire to live more like him ". That is very
true and when we build a testimony on Jesus Christ and His Atonement we
start to live more like him and start to put our faith and trust in him.
I love being a missionary of the "THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER
DAY SAINTS", because I know this to be the church of God and how much
the gospel makes the difference in each of our lives. I love being
able to share about Christ and his Atonement and being able to help
people repent and become baptized and come closer to him. I know that
missionary work is not easy and it will never be easy, but it's worth it
helping others understand God's love for them, baptizing someone and
seeing them in the after life and how much love and happiness they will
have for you.
I have had so many miracles and memories here on my
mission the last 17 months and I will continue to have more. I thank you
guys for all the love and prayers you give to me and helping me become
the missionary I am today. I will continue to be the missionary that
Heavenly Father wants me to be. These are two quotes that I have heard
the last couple days that I love and I will always remember
1. "REMEMBER
WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU STAND FOR" I love this quote - always
remembering I am a representative of Jesus Christ and his church and
being a member of this church and my family also, and what I stand for,
my beliefs and knowing what's best for me.
2. "WHAT YOU ARE AFTER YOUR
MISSION WILL REFLECT THE THINGS YOU DO ON YOUR MISSION." That always
helps me to strive to be exactly obedient to the mission rules and God's commandments. Because the things I learn here on my mission I will take
home and the attitude I have for the mission is the attitude I have for
my Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. So I need to make sure to watch
the things I do and things I say, and strive to be an obedient
missionary. Thank you all so much and I love you all too. I miss you all
so much and pray for you all too. Take care and stay safe Francis
family.
Mahal ko kayo
Elder Francis
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