Last week of May, 2016..

Well this week has really flown by. Every day was SOBRANG MAINIT! (Super hot) But Elder Marano and I have fun together. We have a lot of good laughs and we are seeing a lot of progression in our area right now, so that is a big thing that encourages us to go out in the heat. 

We had one day where we walked to an area (Almost one hour) on a path without any shade, then we walked about another hour back (No shade again) and I was Soaking wet from sweat. It was probably some of the most I have sweat EVER. I could have taken my clothes and wrung them out. 

So this past week we have had another pair of Elder staying at our apartment. (Elder's Lechoco and Igleski.) Their apartment is currently under renovation, so they don't have a home right now.. so we have been keeping them at our house. It's been fun. We play some Uno at night.. and just tell some stories, jokes, etc. We have a lot of laughs :) Laughing is the bestest.

We had splits this week with the AP's. That was fun. I always learn a lot on splits. It's great because it helps me see what I am doing well at, and the things that I need to improve. During our splits, (I was with Elder Navarro) we contacted a house, and it turned out to be a GOLDEN family. The Nanay, Tatay and their 2 children were so intrigued the whole time. They even prayed at the end of the lesson, and committed to go to Church. Every time that we teach a family like that - that are so willing to listen to us, and then commit to follow our invitations, just gives me a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment. 

Earlier this week we also made "Chicken and Waffles," but instead of waffles it was pancakes. Super masarap! (Super delicious). 

Also, my companion and I are practicing with our young single adult members to sing in the choir during our District Conference. It's funny... I'm the only one there who can hit the low bass notes.. so they are all depending on me to hit those notes, with strength and volume. So that's been fun.. haha. I never thought I would sing in front of other people like that.. but I guess the mission helps us overcome our fears/weaknesses. 

In my studies this week I have been trying to finish D&C, and I have been studying a lot about the second coming and about other "Deeper" gospel topics.. and it's been interesting to see how many signs have been fulfilled, and it makes me want to really make sure I am prepared for the future... it's going to get pretty intense, but I know that as long as I am living in a way that I can have the spirit with me, it'll be all good in the hood! "If you are prepared, you shall not fear." :)

Anyways, I love good food, and Root beer; but there isn't good root beer here.. it's too bad. 

Love you all! 

Stay True!

Elder Walstad

A hot week. A funny week. A week of Allergy attacks. Yay.

This past week, we had a dinner appointment every night. #Blessing. I definitely have a strong testimony about dinner appointments and missionary work. (Alma 8:19-22) They are so necessary, and the relationship between the missionaries and the members increases one hundred fold. 

We also had a baptismal interview this week up in my first area! It was cool to go back and actually interview the Sister who, when I was there, didn't want to even be taught by the missionaries. Now she has been baptized and confirmed. It's so great to see how over time people's hearts soften and they accept the gospel into their lives. BUT! FUNNY STORY - As I started the interview off, i started to feel some allergies come on. I wasn't sure if they had a cat or not. So I just continued on, but 1/2 way through asking questions, I really started feeling it. My eyes watered like crazy, my nose stuffed up and I could barely focus. Luckily I was able to finish the interview before i started to have a sneezing fit. Then I had to run to a nearby store to buy some tissue so I could blow my nose. That was fun... and it turns out that those members have 2 cats. So that's exciting. I love cats! (I'm just kidding. I'm being sarcastic ^.^) So that was definitely one of the most interesting interviews I have ever given. 

Also, there was another time while I was praying to start a lesson, I said something that, for some reason, struck both mine and Elder Marano's funny bones. I could barely say Amen without laughing. So here, we call older ladies NANAY, which means grandma or "old lady" kind of. Anyways, during the prayer I said "We're grateful for the time we have to teach Sister...Nanay..." And then I just cracked up. Then She asked me why I was laughing, and I just told her "sorry, I just messed up." She didn't catch it, but it was hilarious. #Awkwardprayer

(Elder Marano)

Finally - during my studies this week, I have been really focusing on studying JTC along with the New Testament, and I have really gained such a deeper understanding of the importance of the teachings of Jesus Christ - Especially in Chapter 6 and 7. I have also been reading through D&C and it has really helped me appreciate Joseph Smith's life even more. My testimony of Joseph Smith is rock solid. I have no doubt whatsoever that he was and is a true prophet of God. And that he was lead and chosen to help restore the true church to the earth in these, The Latter-Days. 

Well, I hope you all have a fantastic week! I love you all!

Stay True!

Elder Walstad

Transfer Week/Mother's day

Well Mother's day has come and gone, and it was great to have some time to skype with my family. It is crazy. Everyone has changed. Some more than others. Madilyn is kind of the same.. maybe a little more matured. Kassidy looks more mature and taller! Sydnee and Afton have probably changed the most. They are growing up so fast! (Literally.) I think I definitely have the most gorgeous sisters ever. And of course my parents are still looking young and beautiful as ever. ;)

Earlier this week we had Transfers. I got a new companion, Elder Marano. He is a brand new ZL, so I am training him right now. I'm taller than him. Of course.. So that's a +.

Also earlier this week we had Air Conditioning installed in our apartment, so now, pretty much, our apartment is just full of happiness. (And cold air)

We had our Zone meeting earlier this week and we taught about Prayer. It was a great topic to focus on, and it really helped me realize how important prayer is. How important that relationship is that we have with our Heavenly Father. Sometimes when we pray, especially the people here, they sometimes forget that our prayers are aimed towards our Father in Heaven, through the name of Jesus Christ. When we are praying, we are strengthening that relationship we have with our Father. President Rahlf shared an interesting thought about that. He said "Heavenly Father is all powerful. All knowing. Busy. Yet, he created us. His Children. And he takes the time, and wants us to turn to him in prayer. He wants to hear from us. How are days are. What we are grateful for. The things we need. How blessed are we to have such a loving Father in Heaven?" When he said that, it really clicked with me of how important prayer is, and when we teach members or investigators, we need to make sure we are showing them that we believe that through our example. 

I'm not quite sure where I would be right now without prayer. I have said some of the most heartfelt prayers and some of the most genuine prayers here in my mission. I have a testimony that our prayers are heard and answered. Not always in our timing, but they are answered. As long as we are doing our part. Just like Gordon B Hinckley said "Pray as if it all depends on the Lord, then do all you can as if it all depends on you." Something along those lines.. :)

We have 4 new investigators, and 5 more on the way (hopefully) who we will be giving baptismal dates to this next week. So we are hoping that everything will turn out ok and that we will be blessed to save 9 more souls, at least, through the sacred covenant of baptism! 

Also, during my personal studies this week, I have been really studying 2 Nephi 4, and the more I read that, the more I feel the urgency that Nephi felt, to be better and improve, and to give our all to our Heavenly Father. 

Well, I love you all! Have a great fantastic week full of Kaligayahan and kabaitan. ;)

Stay True!

Elder Walstad

  

 

Baptisms!

Well earlier this week we had a Zone Conference. Funny Story. So right before we left, I had to lie down because of some stomach pain, and we ended up leaving later than we had hoped. As we got into the Jeepnee (our transportation), about 5 minutes into the ride I realized I had forgotten my Nametag.  I freaked out a little bit. Of all days to forget my name tag, it had to be the day when we were gathering with multiple zones to have training from our Mission President and his Wife. Luckily one of my zone mates had an extra name tag, so I just wore that for the day... and I got some good looks. ;) So for the day I was Elder Riparip. One of our District Leaders. Haha. Even Sister Rahlf joked with me and said "Oh, so you're Elder Riparip for today huh?" then she laughed. At least it turned out to be more of a funny thing. Haha. #stress

We also studied about the BOM at the Zone Conference. It was amazing to learn more facts about the BOM, and about Joseph Smith, and studies that scholars have done that have proved how true the BOM is. People who have tried to disprove Joseph Smith and the BOM have usually ended up proving it right. Proving that it's true. My testimony of the BOM and of Joseph Smith has become So strong. I have NO doubt in my mind. No doubt whatsoever. I know with all my heart that Joseph smith was and is a true prophet of God, and that he translated the BOM for us. For our time. 

Then, Later in the week we had 2 baptisms. The service was super great! It went really smoothly, and both of our investigators were very engaged and ready to enter into the waters of baptism! I love to see investigators enter the water, and then come back up with a huge smile on their face. I can just see the "change" in their face. Some missionaries don't have the chance to have a baptism while serving.. which can be rough. But there are other fulfilling things besides baptisms. However, I am so grateful for every baptism I have been able to be a part of. For every "lost sheep" I have been an instrument, in the Lords hand, in saving.

So if any of you want to experience what the heat is like here in the Philippines, I would invite you to go to a Sauna, and then wear your "Sunday's Best." Just for 30 minutes. I think that would be the closest to what it feels like here. :) Haha. I'm just kidding, don't do that. I wouldn't wan't you to experience that.. it's not very fun. 

Well, we will probably be moving this next week to a new apartment. We have been working with some of the senior couples and have got a new contract signed, and our new landlord has informed us that the apartment is about ready to be moved into. So we are excited to move... it is in a much quieter area, and it is much cooler. It'll be nice. 

I hope you all have a great week! 

Stay True!

Elder Walstad