1 Week to go

This week was a really great week!... it went way fast and I feel like so much has happened, but here I go!

So I actually got kind of sick this week, so our work kind of slowed down, but Elder Tadeo and I had so many laughs... and now that he only has 1 more week left, it is kind of sad that we are done being companions, but we are gonna cherish this last week for sure!!! We also had to drop all the rest of our investigators because none of them are interested anymore, and some of them even hide when we go to teach them! So yeah... it will be an interesting next week. 

We had one lesson this week that was super awesome. I really felt the spirit strong. So we were teaching a lady who is active, and after our lesson, she opened up with us about a problem that she is having right now with her brother.  She was telling us how she has been praying for Karma against him, and for revenge.. and she has been having "not so nice" feelings towards him.  Just earlier that morning during my studies I was reading D&C 98.  That section is ALL about forgiveness and being patient in affliction... and it was almost an audible voice that told me "have her read D&C 98." I heard it 3 or 4 times, while she was talking, and after she finished, I immediately asked her where her scriptures were.  The spirit entered the room and it was so strong. I then continued to tell her about the background of Joseph smith and the Saints.  I knew, 100%, that that was for her. I am so grateful for that experience! Those are the times when the mission is ALL worth it. :)

Today (for P-day) we hiked up a mountain to a cross, as a zone, and it was such a beautiful view of all of our areas. And it was still early enough so that it wasn't insanely hot.  It was awesome :) 

There is 1 more week left in this cycle.  It's hard to believe. I feel like it just started. I am really trying to enjoy it all, and I have really grown so much and learned so much in the last 4 1/2 weeks. #Blessed ;) 

Well, I hope you all have a great week! Remember who you are ^.^

Stay True!

Elder Walstad

Zone Conference week

We did so much this week! It's crazy. Every day seriously flies by, it is hard to believe that I have already been here in this area for almost a cycle. It feels like it's only been a week long. But it's all good :) 

We had Zone Conference this week, on Tuesday, and it was super awesome.  We really learned a lot from President and Sister Rahlf on the Sabbath day.  It was super inspiring, and Elder Tadeo and I have been trying to teach the members here the importance of the Sabbath day, and that they should be giving more respect to our Lord and Saviour by following this commandment. Also, Elder Tadeo and I got to teach a "workshop" and it was super awesome! I love teaching :) It's super fun! 

Wednesday, we went to our 2nd furthest area... which is about a 30 minute Tricee ride.... or probably just under 2 hours walking. It's insane.  And we have another area that is another hour or so away... so that is fun. 

We actually found a family that we are going to go back and teach again, so I am hoping and praying that they will continue to show interest.. because the church is kind of far from their house and they are kind of super poor. But God never gives a commandment without a way to accomplish it! (1 Nephi 3:7) :) So KAYA NILA! (They can do it!)

Since we have been going to our further areas lately, we decided to borrow some bikes from members, and we were very blessed and found a member who was more than willing to let us borrow their bikes! It was super nice being able to use the bikes... we were able to more effectively use our time, and accomplish more! Plus, we saved a little bit of money, which will add up over time :) So that's always a bonus.  And it's a nice workout - so pretty much, it's just blessings all around. 

Bikes!

I also got to go on splits with on of the new elders in my zone, and it was nice to be able to be on the other side, and help him out... I can TOTALLY relate to him 100%... so being able to help him, and give him advice... I realized how far I've come, and how much my Father in Heaven has helped me, and is aware of me... but really is aware of Each and Every single on of us! What a blessing. 

Going on splits with Elder Perkins

Well, my week has been great! It went so fast, and is getting faster. I'm just enjoying every minute :) 

Have a great week! 

Stay True

Elder Walstad

WoW - where did this week go?!

This week was so fast.  Elder Tadeo and I were up in Cauayan a few times this week, which takes up a whole day when you include travel, and we had other things to do such as going to other areas to do interviews, doing service, and going to members houses for birthdays/celebrations. 

Leadership Training in Cauayan

Also we had a baptism on Saturday, so that was awesome!  This week has seriously flown by, it's hard to believe that I'm sitting here writing another letter. But here I am :) 

Our baptism this week was a girl named Nicole. She is 17 years old, and has been an investigator for almost 2 years! She was finally allowed to be baptised, and when the members heard that she was being baptised, they thought it was a joke. Everyone thought she was already a member. It just shows how active she's been! She is super strong, and we hope that her family will start to accept the missionaries. 

(Tanner, Elder Tadeo and Nicole.  The other family in the pictures had Tanner baptize their little girl)

Also, my companion this week had an "English Test." Here in the Philippines, they give all the Native missionaries an opportunity to take a test where they can receive a certificate stating that they are good at english, which will give them great opportunities in work and other aspects of their lives.  The test is around 8000 pesos, or almost $200... which is a lot of money.  But here it's free. 

And as a bonus, we get banana splits as a companionship. #blessings. 

I have really had a lot of time to meditate this week and ponder on the things which I have been studying, and I have really been focusing in D&C.  Especially in sections 130-132.  There is so much to take from that, but I just realize how important it is for us to follow the commandments, and make sure that we are living worthy for all the blessings that our Father in Heaven wants to give to us.  I have been trying to help the Less-active members here realize that our Father in Heaven has SO many blessings in store for them... they just have to show him that they want them by going to church, and becoming an active participant in his gospel. I can't imagine my life without the gospel and spirit... I'm so grateful for it!

Well - I hope you all have a great week! Keep doin'work! The church is true!

Stay True

eLdEr WaLsTaD

Beautiful Double Rainbow!

Lovin' life

This week has got to be one of the busiest weeks yet! We had something almost every single day! Luckily we did have a couple of days to just focus on our own schedule and get some work done in our area. But we have really been going back and forth and been having meetings and whatnot.  I really feel, though, that I have really grown A LOT and learned a lot in just one week.  It's a huge blessing to be serving as a Zone Leader. It's busy, and a lot of work - but at the end of the day, I feel good and I sleep very well! :) 

In our new leaders training this week, President Rahlf talked to us a little bit about talents, and how we need to help our zone's really discover their talents, and use them to their best ability.  He also challenged us as leaders to find our talents, and then try to use them in our callings.  He told us to write down in our journals 10 talents that we have.  He said that it isn't being cocky, but it's recognizing the blessings that we've received and then we can both thank our heavenly father, and then use them.  It's so true! I testify :) So I challenge you all this week to do that! It can be as little as having patience to being the best nun-chucker of all time! ;)

I have really felt the guidance of the Lord in my work/personal life the last couple of days.  Going out and working - the Devil really tries hard to make us not work by telling us we are tired, or telling us that we should just stay in (Cause we have aircon... hehe) or to go home super early - I have really tried to focus on what the SPIRIT is telling me, and yesterday we were about to go home, and I got a thought to visit a family, that I haven't even met yet, but that I have heard of.  When we got there, we talked to Nanay and Tatay for about 20 minutes. (nanay is the member, and the brother has been taught before but he doesn't want it right now.) They were telling us how all of these trials had come into their lives, so I had a small voice, almost audible, tell me to share Mosiah 23:21.  The Spirit was SO STRONG during the lesson.  Nanay cried and she told us that that was exactly what she needed. I'm so grateful to be guided by the spirit, and then to see the blessing of acting on those promptings. 

Well, I hope all is well! It's crazy that school has already started again. Crazy. 

Everyone just work hard :) It'll be worth it.

Have a great week! Love you all!

Stay True

Elder Walstad

A delicious cupcake made by some members who are professional "bakers"