The heat has begun.

This week has been a hot one!! I actually got sunburned a little bit! My companion and I have also been trying to talk to more people on the street, which has really helped us find more people to teach.  It is amazing that, when we come out of our comfort zones, we are blessed with opportunities and other such things that we probably wouldn't have received otherwise.  Though, being out of the Comfort zone isn't always fun, or easy. But worth it, I think yes!  

As I said above, we have found a lot of new people to teach this week, and it is awesome to see how receptive they are, and how willing they are to listen to our message, and to hear how we are similar to them.  The key is to meet on common ground.  Then the people are more willing to open up which then allows the spirit to work within them.  It is such a great experience to see the spirit work within a person, and then the person has a change of countenance.  We actually have one new investigator right now who is a 61 year-old lady and her name is Jesse.  We call her Nanay (It means mom - it's what you call all the old ladies here) Jessie; and she asked us yesterday "Why are there so many religions?!"  It was such a perfect question, and we were able to enlighten her, and help her realize that there have been a lot of different religions brought up from the Apostasy; but now we have the FULLNESS of the TRUE gospel back on the earth, today! I hope that she will continue to be prayerful about our message and hopefully accept it into her life!

Today for P-day, we played football with our 2 zones here in Santiago City.  There is the Santiago North and South zones.  I'm in the south zone, and it was a ton of fun to get out there and play some football again.  It's been a long time since I have played some football, and now I am really starting to feel it in my body.  hehe. But it's awesome to have such great missionaries here, who work hard, and we play hard! It's great :)  I also made Goulash this week, which was insanely good, and my zone leader actually told me that it tasted so much like American food that it made him a little trunky.  Awesome ;) hehe.

In my studying this week, I have really been getting into Jesus The Christ, and I am so impressed with how wise, and intelligent Christ was/is.  Every time the Pharasis or other "learned" people tried to "tempt him" with questions, his responses would leave them embarrassed and wishing that they would never had attempted to "tempt" The Christ. :)  His example really makes me want to learn and grow in my knowledge so that if there are those people out there who try to "tempt" me, I am able to respond in a wise, yet intelligent way.  That is important to do as a missionary, as well.  A lot of people here want to "Bible Bash," but really they just want to argue with the missionaries, and try to prove us wrong.  But when we are able to respond in a way that is wise and intelligent, they realize how ridiculous they're being, and most of the time they end up listening and accepting the message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.  

I am so grateful for the Gospel in my life, and for all the blessings that it has brought to me and my family.  Let us all strive, as members of the church, (Since every member is a missionary) to try and share the gospel, whether it be through example, or speaking, or some other way.  Everyone should experience this happiness, that will eventually be eternal :) 

Stay True!

Elder Walstad

I love learning!

This week, I feel like I have really learned a lot.  More than usual.  We had our quarterly Zone Conference, and I am more and more impressed with President Rahlf (My mission president) every time I hear him teach.  He is so smart, and it is so great to learn something new from him every time.  

This week, he taught us about the Light of Christ, and how it is the literal light in everything.  Even the Sun.  Without Christ, Light would be no more.  And also, how every single person who is born is born with that Light of Christ in them.. it is just up to the person if they continue to get more light, or if they diminish that light.  And as missionaries, we are blessed because we have some extra light :) It's awesome!!! I want to continue to do all that I can to make sure I have that light in my countenance.

We also have some new mission goals, and they are really putting a lot of emphasis on talking to new people, and really trying to spread our message.  And it is really hard, because that would have to be one of my biggest weaknesses... talking to random people.  But the more I do it, the more confident I feel, and it is amazing that when I have the spirit with me, it doesn't necessarily become easier, but the people become more receptive, and they are willing to listen.  It is still something that I am trying to improve, and I hope that it can become my strength by the end of my mission. 

Well, Jesus the Christ is amazing.  Like I have said in the past, if you have the chance, you should get it and read it! :) Jesus Christ is such an amazing example, and we should all strive to accept his invitation to "be thou perfect, even as I am." I accept that challenge! :)

Other than that.... we have had a lot of eating appointments this week, so that has been fantastic.  The Filipino people really know how to cook... but they also shouldn't cook certain things. Like rat, frog, etc.  It's super fun! :P hehe.

Love you all! Stay True

Elder Walstad

The fun week of Dengue and whatnot

So not too much happened this week... again.  I just sat in my apartment, and healed up from Dengue!  The Filipino people fear the Dengue.  It is a "HORRIBLE" disease here.. and of course I got it! Oh the joy.  But it just felt like a bad flu mixed with a really annoying cold.  Luckily I was able to take medicine and get over it pretty quickly without the loss of a little blood! (Because I had to go get my blood drawn.)

I also studied Revelation a lot this past week, and the second coming.  I feel like the more that I know about it, the better prepared I feel for whatever will happen.  Some of the things that will happen to the wicked don't sound very fun.  I'm glad that I am working my way towards the righteous side, so I don't have to be around when all those horrible plagues and whatnot happen to the wicked.  

I am hoping to get out and get working really hard again this week.  As fun as sitting around doing absolutely nothing was.... it wasn't really. Hehe.  Working is where it's at! It already feels good to be out of my apartment, not having to lay down.  I kind of don't wanna go to bed tonight, because that means I have to lay down again... haha.  Oh well.  I guess that's kind of important huh?

Next weeks update should be a little more exciting ;) Given that I have Zone Conference again! :D I am SO EXCITED! :D So, notes to come, for sure! :)

Stay True!

Elder Walstad

I started dreaming in Tagalog!

Not too much happened this week.  I got super sick, so I was confined to my bed for the majority of the week, so that was super fun!  But the last few nights, some of my dreams have been in Tagalog!  People will speak to me in Tagalog, and I will respond back in Tagalog.  It's kind of weird, but it's almost like my brain knows more than I thought!  

I am learning how to make some super good Filipino foods, so that's gonna be exciting for when I come home!  I'll make sure I hook everyone up! :) 

That's about it for this week... :P Super fun, I know!

Stay True!!!!

Elder Walstad