So many weddings

So in the Philippines, if there are couples who have lived together for 5 years or longer, they qualify for baptism. Since the way that they go about getting married in the Philippines is a little different, the Church has made that the rule here. We have an investigator who, before Friday, has been an investigator for nearly 1 year, and has been living with her, then boyfriend, for only 2 years. However, we were so very happy to hear that she was getting married, and we had the opportunity to attend! It was a really nice service, and they were So happy! Now their next goal is to be sealed in the temple in a year. Her name is Sister Kemy, and her baptism is this coming Saturday! 

A funny story... after the wedding, we were invited to their home (out in the middle of nowhere) where they had a very nice reception set up with a lot of really yummy food! But when we showed up, there were no available seats... but a few of the members saw us and started moving, what seemed like, heaven and earth, to get us some seats. It was super awkward... What you need to understand though, is that is how it is here. The people try to be super hospitable, and will do anything to make sure you are comfortable and that you are able to enjoy yourself. Which there is nothing wrong with that.. but sometimes the way that they go about it can be very awkward, especially when everyone is staring at you like you just disturbed them. Hehe. It is something that even some of my Filipino companions have been shocked by. 

We also had a few other weddings happen this past week. Some other members, and just other neighbors of ours. This must be the month of weddings! We also ran into the same group who hosted the reception for Sister Kemy, clear across the other side of our area. They must be the group to call when you have a party! 

So this past week I have really seen a HUGE improvement in my language. It's cool to see how I am still improving, even this close to going home. I have been focusing on trying to speak more like the natives, and it has really helped me grasp certain ways of saying things, and certain vocabulary words. It's fun to be able to communicate with the other natives here, and see their looks of surprise when I am able to converse with them. It's funny.. sometimes they will be so shocked that they won't know what to say to me and will just laugh. It's fun. 

Our branch has been struggling lately, but my companion and I have been trying very hard to help them grow and improve, and we have started to see small changes which have been making a big difference in their progression. There were some really great talks given in Church yesterday about being more diligent in their callings, and not relying so much on the missionaries, and trying to strengthen their own faith in the Church. There is a problem with branches relying too heavily on their missionaries, then when they are transferred, the branch starts to struggle and the work diminishes. That has been a big focus of ours here in Roxas, and I'm happy for the challenge. It has helped me realize the importance of the members in a ward/branch. 

Well, this week has been a good one! Full of experiences where I have definitely grown. Though at the time it may be difficult, looking back, I am always grateful for the hard things :) 

Have a great week!!! I know this Church is true. And I love the Scripture Ether 12:27.

Stay True

Elder Walstad

Grabe ang init dito

Well, this subject kind of roughly translates to "this heat is insane." 24/7. all day, every day.

So we had a zone meeting earlier this week, which went pretty well! We taught about effective elements of teaching, and how to improve our BRT skills. I think it was a really good meeting for our missionaries, and it seemed to help them realize the importance of that first meeting. Without an effective BRT, the people we come in contact with will keep their walls up. Even in real life. When we talk to others, there needs to be an "ice-breaker" of sorts, otherwise the conversation can come to an ending pretty quickly.

That is something i have really learned to improve on here in the mission. Without an effective BRT, even if we get in the door and we are able to teach a lesson, they don't feel like they can really trust us, and then it is harder for them to feel the spirit. but - if we are having an effective BRT with those we come in contact with, then the lessons that we are able to teach end up being much more effective. They are more open to the spirit, and more often than not, are willing to continue hearing the lessons. we also learned how to better teach our investigators, members and others. One thing that I noticed while teaching is that Listening is such an effective tool in teaching, and it is connected to so many other things. Sister Rahlf shared a quote with us that goes "The problem with our communication is that we don't listen to understand, we listen to reply." It really made me think about the importance of listening, like when we are listening, we are able to more effectively discern their needs, and then we can ask inspired questions. Questions that will require some thinking or soul searching. Asking questions that require more than a yes or no answer. we can always be more effective in all aspects of life if we ask more inspired questions. 

We have two baptisms scheduled for April 30th, so we are excited for that! 

A quick funny-ish story.. so after church, we were invited to go attend a wedding reception for lunch. We toldthem we didn't want to go at first, but they insisted, so we went with them. When we showed up, there were, i swear, 100-150 people there. SO many people. And the bride and groom were dancing in the center while loud annoying music was playing, and people were taping money to them. One of the hosts had us walk through the "dance floor" which was super awkward. All eyes turned to this giant American .. then we walked inside the house, and waited for 10 minutes or so while they prepared the food. As soon as the food was brought in, immediately 20+ members almost literally were shoving each other out of the way just to grab some food. it was like watching ants.. haha. As I watched them eat the food, it was as if they hadn't eaten in days... (which for most of them, it could have been days since they had a decent meal.) so my companion and I decided to leave, since we weren't THAT desperate for food. fun times!

well, I hope you all have a great week! enjoy the cold while you still have it... heat is not fun. not fun at all. :)

stay True!

Elder Walstad

Conference Weekend

Well, this past weekend, we had the fanTASTIC chance to sit down and listen to our living prophets and leaders teach us about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One of the missionaries in my zone was sitting next to me, and told me "Haven't you noticed that almost all their talks are about the things that we already know?" It's true. When we go back and study the talks and listen to what our leaders have taught us, they are usually the simple doctrines of the Gospel. 

I actually remember.. maybe it was last Conference, or 2 Conferences ago, but I think it was one of the Apostles who said that the only thing we need to gain salvation is "Faith, Repentence, baptism (Sacrament), gift of the holy ghost and Endure to the end." Those are the 5 main points of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and as missionaries we teach that almost every single day, in some way. Even when we teach it every day, it is easy to overlook the importance of such simplicity. So when that missionary asked me that question I responded in turn by saying "Yeah. Isn't it great?! At least we know the gospel of Jesus Christ like the back of our hands." And when we know the Gospel that well, our testimonies will automatically be much stronger. 

 We will be able to ,more easily, discern the right and wrong in the world. The revelation of the "Good being called evil, and evil being called good" is coming true. We see it all around us, every day. If we understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ, if we have faith and are repenting, we will know if we are falling for the views of the world, or if we are choosing what Christ would want us to choose.

I REALLY loved Elder Christofferson's talk and Elder Hollands Talk. I love what Elder Christofferson said about Fathers, and how we should be an inspirational example for our Children. He really inspired me to want to be the best Father that I can be. Elder Holland also said that we are always given credit for trying... that is the beautiful thing of the Atonement. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that as long as we are trying our best, Christ is ALWAYS there to make up for the kulang..... oops. Sorry, that's Tagalog. I mean he will make up for what we haven't been able to do. 

Well, This week has been a good one! It has been insanely HOT. Too hot. I am trying to endure every day, the best I can. I am going to try and put ice in my bed.. see if that helps. hehe.

Well, I love you all!

Stay True!

Elder Walstad

Transfer week

So this past week was our Transfer day.  It was a little crazy. We have a few new missionaries in our zone, so that is always exciting! (One is literally new in the mission.) My companion, Elder Martizo, and I, are still companions. We are each others longest companions thus far. We have had such a blast together so far, and we are going to try and make this last cycle (we are pretty sure this is our last cycle together) of ours the best! 

So some good news.. earlier this week, we met with our NEW Branch Mission Leader, and some other leaders in our Branch, and we had a lot of great progress.  Now that it is their "summer vacation" here, and they aren't going to school anymore, we will have members working with us. We are so excited!!! When members are involved in the missionary work, the progression/success rate seems to increase by AT LEAST 50%. Most especially when we receive referrals. I have definitely felt the urgency the Leaders of the church have when it comes to members working with missionaries, and I will definitely be doing all I can when I am home to help the missionaries. 

A little later in the week, on Saturday, we went out and started working. We had 2 members with us, and it was SO hot. Literally one of the hottest days yet.. but we went out in hopes to have some lessons. We were punted for about 2 hours straight. No one would talk to us. Everyone was "busy." Which is the universal term here for "We don't want to talk to you right now." But we continued on, and the 2 members we were with were cracking some jokes, and we were having a good time. Then we passed a recently baptized member on the street, and she told us that her cousin is interested in the church and wants us to teach her! #Blessing. Well, that made us happy! We quickly accepted and went over to her house to teach her cousin. On the way I made sure to say a quick pray of gratitude! We got to the house, and taught this girl. Her name is Den-den. She was very receptive, and the following Sunday attended church! We have set her date for April 30th, and we are feeling super good about it. I'm so grateful for members! And their referrals! (The Recent Convert's Cousin.) ^.^

It has been so incredibly hot. I am sweaty 24/7. I have kind of just accepted that I will be insanely hot for the next few months. So I am grateful for every single little breeze and opportunity that I have to go into a building with aircon or anywhere else that is cold. Oh how much I miss the Cold. 

Well, I am excited to listen to Conference this coming weekend! I've heard that it's a really good one!! 

I know that the Church is true. I know that we are led today by modern day prophets who receive revelation applicable for our time and current situations. I know that Heavenly Father loves us each individually, and has a plan for each and every one of his Children. We are so blessed to have this knowledge. 

I love you all!!!

Stay True!

Elder Walstad