Highlights from the past week...

Yet another successful week past and gone. I really feel like I learned a lot this week, and have really been inspired to really finish strong. It is so easy to maybe give up, or just "coast" now that it is coming to an end, but I have really felt that, and noticed, as I try to give my best and try to really make the best of the time I have, it really effects the way that other missionaries, hopefully, will spend their last 6ish months.  It's just as you say dad - now is the time when I know the most, and am effective in the language - so I should really be taking advantage of this time to do as much as I can for the Lord! What an amazing thing :)

Earlier this week we had MLC again, and it was such an inspired meeting! I really felt the spirit. We were trained/taught by President and Sister Rahlf about Leadership, and how to be more effective leaders. Not only as Zone Leaders, but also as leaders in our every day lives, and when the time comes - as parents. President Rahlf taught us a very interesting concept. He compared leadership to the Lower Law and the Higher Law. Before and After the time of Christ. I really like a quote that he shared with us. it goes "A lower law leader will do things right, but a higher law leader will do the right things."  I loved that! There aren't always rules written down for us on how to handle every situation, but as we are guided by the spirit, we will know what is the right decision, and as we follow the guidance of the spirit accordingly, we will be doing the right things.  We will, essentially, become a Higher Law leader. As Jesus Christ would lead. I loved that! 

  
(Me with my MTC Batch)

 

(Our Zone - Roxas Zone)

We also did splits this week, and we ended up visiting a member whose son had fallen from a tree and dislocated his elbow.  He is only 6 years old, and we felt So bad for him! We shared with his mom (Who is a single mother) Mosiah 23:21 - that "The Lord seeth fit to chasten his people, yea, he trieth their patience and their faith."  I know that trials are in our lives for a reason that we may not totally comprehend at this time, but as we strive to be worthy for the companionship of the Holy Ghost, we will better understand those trials, and in turn be able to learn from them and overcome them - and then we will see that the Lord has tried our patience and Faith.  I really felt that the spirit touched this young mothers heart! She expressed to us, with tears in her eyes, that she knew it would be ok. :) We knew it was the spirit testifying to her! And what is amazing is that she has just returned to the Church, from being Less-Active for almost a year. I know these trials will make her stronger in the church. 

It is getting pretty hot over here in the pilipins! it's taking me back to those good ol' months of when I had Dengue last summer.... grabe! (wow) hehe :)

It's getting harder and harder to speak straight english now! I almost always am using a tagalog word when I talk to people... since there are certain words in Tagalog that just make sense when describing certain situations, that can't quite be said in English. You will all know what I'm talking about soon enough ;) hehe. 

Well, I love you all! 

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." -John Quincy Adams

<Shout out to my cuz Quincy! ^.^>

Stay True!

Elder Walstad