Final baptisms of my 2 year mission in the Philippines

HOLY COW! This is my last full week here in the Philippines! Like... Whaaaaaa?! It's pretty cray cray. This past week was a good one though - we had 2 baptisms. Which are my final baptisms for my mission. It is great to see my goal, of achieving at least 1 more baptism before I go home, was achieved! Also, during this week, actually the day of the baptism, was probably one of the BEST days of my whole mission! We saw some amazing things happen.

I have really been enjoying my time out in San Bernardo.. even though at first I was a little worried about getting transferred there.. it has actually become one of my favorite areas. The members are very lovable, and the area has so much potential! It's sad to hear that the missionaries in the past hadn't done anything to help the area progress, so there has been a big gap the past year or so.. but I have definitely been doing my best ,to put to use all the skills I have learned these last 2 years, to help this area progress again! 

Earlier this week, the day of the baptism, while we were out working, I had the thought "How can I go home right now when there is so much progress that I want to see through!" or "How is it fair that I need to go home now that I am THIS good.." hehe - it's totally the cliche thing to say, but its so true! It really is what comes in mind at the end of the mission!

But the day of the baptism was great! We had our baptism in the chapel that is 35 minutes away riding a Tricy. So that was interesting.. carrying 12 of us over a bridge and through the town to the church for the baptism, but it ended up working out ok, and it was a great baptismal service! We even had a piano for the music! Which is a huge thing here... hehe. Plus - I was the baptizer! Which was special for me since it was my final baptism here in the mission.

After the baptism, we went back to our area and went out and while we were working, we contacted a couple of new Less-Actives. One is a young women, and her parents are not yet members. So we sat down and her Dad seemed to be a little angry, but the mother was very nice and inviting from the beginning. We tried our best to have an effective BRT with them, which I feel was one of the best BRT'ing I've done my whole mission! I definitely recognized the Lord's hand in helping me in that moment. Then we shared with them, and throughout the lesson, the mother kept tearing up. We taught from Mosiah 23:21-22. About Trials. Even though they aren't members, we were able to use the BOM as our reference, and the spirit was so very strong during that lesson. After the lesson, we invited Nanay (The mother) to pray for us, and after her prayer, she just broke down and started to cry. She explained to us how happy she was that we were there and that we took the time to teach them and get to know them. Both Elder Elicay and I could feel how she felt, and that was one of the more special lessons I have had my whole mission. 

Also, I was totally blessed with the gift of tongues during that lesson. I was able to fluently explain in Tagalog, and discern all their needs and answer all their questions,without missing a beat. I definitely said a quick prayer of thanksgiving after that! #Endofmissionexperiences

Also, on Sunday - both my companion and I were asked to be speakers, right on the spot. We only had 35 people at church because it was raining all morning - and if it is raining on a Sunday morning out here in the Philippines, chances are 50-75% of the members, even the active ones, won't go to church. I'm not quite sure why,  but that is what happens! So we spoke, then I also had to teach Elder's Quorum which was fun... the topic was on Eternal Marriage, which I found out - is VERY difficult to teach in Tagalog! haha. I had some struggles teaching that topic in Tagalog.. but I feel like overall I did a good job and the few people who were there understood me. 

So I am very excited for this last week! It is going to go by SO fast! I feel like I won't have enough time to say goodbye to everyone I want to, and teach everyone I want to, and pack everything, and find more new investigators, and yeah... it's just gonna FLY by!  It'll be good.

Well, I love you all! I hope you all have a good week! The final week in July! #1weeknalang!

Stay True!

See you all soon

Elder Walstad

The Adventure of the Ceiling construction... #2 weeks

"Once there were 2 missionaries who lived in a decent apartment that was owned by a VERY nice landlord, named Chris. One day, Chris called these 2 missionaries and informed them that he would be having some renovations done to the house. The missionaries agreed that it was a good idea and allowed the Landlord to instruct the carpenters to start constructing the ceiling. However... very quickly the missionaries realized how bad of an idea it was to have those people in the house working on ceiling... blocking off the entrance to the bathroom and kitchen. These missionaries did, however, quickly learn the wonderful virtue of patience and Charity. ;)" 

     So this week we had some carpenters constructing the rest of the ceiling in our house... and when they started, they came at the worst time. We hadn't showered yet, and we hadn't eaten yet, and their scaffolding had blocked off both our bathroom and kitchen, so we were unable to even go pee, and cook our breakfast/lunch. So we had to really exercise patience that first day until they finished enough that we could move around enough to at least shower and go out. It is looking nice though, so although it was bad timing/planning, eets okay. ^.^ We took that time to talk to them. Kind of. They were busy, so it was difficult to talk to them sometimes. But they were very nice! 

     One thing that has really made me already miss this area is our current GOLDEN investigator. She is 15 years old, (Her name is Glenda) and at first we thought she was just listening because of "The American.." but as we have been returning and teaching her, she has opened up to us and told us how she has been really curious for a while now of what it is exactly we do as missionaries, and what we believe as "Mormons." She is also retaining EVERYTHING we are teaching her like a sponge, which makes teaching her VERY enjoyable, and she is one of the few investigators that I have had in my mission that has shown such an interest and continued to listen and learn and follow through with our commitments.

     We also have 2 baptisms this coming weekend! We had the interviews this past Saturday, and it is one youth (13 years of age) and one primary (9 years of age.) I was very hesitant to teach the primary at first, because if there is not a lot of support from the parents/grandparents, then it is almost better to just wait instead of just trying to get a #... rather waiting to baptize the SOUL; but he has gone to church every single week, and has great support from his grandmother and aunt. It has been fantastic! As well as our investigator who is a youth - her older sister is a Recent Convert and they are very active every week as well. So we are excited for this coming Saturday, and I will be the one baptizing. It will be a great way to end my mission! With a couple of Baptisms, and a Golden Investigator. 

     Also, CRAZY story!!!! So earlier this week, one of the "mayors" of the towns here was ambushed and was killed, along with her husband and 2 of her 3 kids... it is such a tragic story! I refused to believe it at first because that is just so evil.. but it is true. It is sad that even all the way out here in the "wilderness" of the Philippines, there are people who would still think to do those kinds of things. We are going to try and find the family members of those who were killed this coming week, and at least try to give them our condolences. It's such a tragic thing that happened. .. But How blessed are we that we have the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the fullness at that! And we know the Plan of Salvation, and how we will see all those who have passed on, again! #blessedtalaga

     Well, as the end nears, I am really trying to go out with a B A N G! I wanna make sure I leave behind a legacy that is good, that when people talk about "Elder Walstad," it's good things. That he helped this area really improve from what it had become. That was one of my few goals when I got here to this area, and I am seeing it fulfilled. The Lord really works Miracles. I believe that with 100% of my heart!

I LOVE SERVING A MISSION! 

Well........ I love you all! You are all amazing! Thank you for your love and support.

Stay True!

Elder Walstad

#3 weeks left.... A lot of progression in San Bernardo!

Well this week absolutely FLEW by. We had the chance to meet President Hiatt, shake his hand, and receive some training from both him and his wife.  Actually... what's funny is Sister Hiatt, when I first saw her, reminded me of Ellen Degeneres. She looks almost exactly like her! It's so funny! They will both really help this mission grow.  They have brought in a new set of skills and new views where the Cauayan mission will only continue to progress.  They are both very enthused about missionary work, and will do all they can do make sure that the Lords Gospel will continue to spread throughout the beautiful land of the Philippines! :) What's cool is they actually served a couple mission a year ago, in Manila. They hadn't even been home for 6 months when they got the call to serve, again, in the Philippines, but this time as a Mission President. They have really devoted their lives to this work, and you can really see it and feel it. 

After meeting them, we returned to our area, SAN BERNARDO, and we were surprised to see that some of the youth in our ward had some referrals for us. They actually brought them to the mutual activity talent show that they had on Friday. We were invited to be judges there, and it was great to see the youth bonding.. it reminded me of the days when I used to be a young man.. which is no more. hehe.

So in our area, it is one of the more "Dangerous" areas, so we have a curfew of 6:30 p.m.  We are supposed to be home before it gets dark. There have been some shootings and there are some crazy people, they say, so it is better that we go home earlier than later. The Lord has definitely protected us though, and as we are out doing His work, we will be blessed. But of course, we need to be obedient to those rules :) It's been awesome though, to see the progression in our area. It has been struggling for the past year or so, but I really have felt that I was sent to this area to help it take off again, which it has! I have also been helping our members have more hope and be more positive, and this past week, during our counsel meeting, I could really feel the difference in everyone's attitudes. It was great! :) It really made me happy.. seeing the members working together, wanting to help the branch continue to grow. 

We have 2 baptismal interviews this weekend, so we are excited for that! That was one of my final goals in the mission, to get at least 1 more baptism (Which was a big challenge, considering I was getting transferred to a new area..) but seeing it be completed is awesome! It just shows how hard work pays off, and the Lord will bless us in our endeavors as long as they be good. We have also been trying to help rescue those lost members... which has definitely been more of a struggle. We will definitely be working along with the branch leaders these next few weeks in making an effective plan to help bring back those members who have been lost. It'll be a good challenge! 

Final Companion - Elder Elicay

With Elder Elicay, the Branch President, and a YSA member

So a funny story... Saturday night, my companion and I had some leftovers from the night before (At the youth activity, we were given some food to bring home with us.) So we reheated our leftovers, and then made some mini pizzas as well. After eating the leftovers and finishing off the last off the pizzas, I was SO full. I could barely finish the last few bites of the pizza. I was to the point where if I put anymore food into my body, I would start gagging. However, my companion is a beast, and was still hungry! So as I was sitting there "whining" about the fullness I was experiencing, my companion turned to me and asked me "Do you want some fries?" It was totally random, and the funny thing was he was serious! Haha! It made me laugh so hard because I was so full, and he wanted to keep feeding me! We just had a good laugh... but at least you all know that I am definitely not starving here.. hehe. EVEN THOUGH we are out in the wilderness, somewhat.

Anywho, Love you all! The church is true, and Pizza is super yummy.

Stay True!

Elder Walstad

With Elder Valdez for the last time

San Bernardo... The wilderness area. #4 weeks left...

Happy 4th of July to every body... and their dogs! So far so good out here in San Bernardo. The area is finally starting to show some great potential. Actually this past Sunday we had some leaders come from the Stake to inform our branch that the San Bernardo Branch is now the new focus of the Tuguegarao South Stake. They are really putting their focus on bringing back Priesthood. There are a potential 79 Less-active priesthood holders that we can help return. It is a big task, but it is VERY doable. There is just a lack of positivity among the members, most especially with the Priesthood holders that are active. Which is difficult to deal with. When they speak negatively about a situation, or say that something is impossible... everyone else believes them. So I spoke up after one of the leaders said how hard it will be.. I just said "We need to stay positive and have Faith, and the Lord will bless us." It kind of humbled the one who said the negative things.. #powerofthespirit.

While we have been putting a heavy focus on rescuing Less-active members, we have been trying to bring some balance into our work by finding new investigators. We have been blessed this week with 5 new investigators, and one of them is a part member family.. so we are hoping to teach the rest of the family this coming week. Their mother is the member, and has been less-active/inactive for the past 20+ years; however, we had a powerful lesson on Faith, and we saw the fire spark in her eyes, again. So we are hoping that over the next few weeks her heart will soften and that she will attend church along with her family, before I leave! We also have a few progressing investigators with baptismal dates for the end of July. They are primary and youth age, but they have a lot of support and are super willing to listen, pray, read and go to church. It's great to see such youth progress so quickly through the gospel.  

Well...as most of you know, it was my birthday yesterday, and I am now 21 years old. That is kind of weird, but it's exciting! I'm now a legal adult! hehe. We also went to a super yummy burger joint today for my b-day lunch, and when I got the burger.. there was banana on it! I gotta tell you.. I really didn't expect that. Haha. I was super shocked, and I wasn't quite sure that it was gonna be good... but it was actually good! I will definitely be encouraging everyone back home to try putting a banana on their next cheeseburger. (Make sure you boil it first ;) Not raw..) Also, another thing that is interesting here in the Philippines... when it is your birthday, you will treat everyone else to a meal, or you will make food, or do something.. but whatever you do, you treat others.  Unlike back home, it's your day to be treated. Hehe - it's very different here! So everyone was asking me what I was going to prepare for them.. and I had no idea.. haha. But I will be bringing some ice-cream for them maybe, just so they feel like they are loved. 

Sooo... as I near my last days here in the mission, I have felt more and more of an urgency to help my area the best I can. It's been a challenge, but definitely something that I have been enjoying. We also have a new mission president right now, President Hiatt. President Rahlf is now back in America, touring around the states visiting all their family that they have missed for the last 3 years. President Hiatt seems like a great man, and I am excited to learn from him (Even though it will only be for 4 weeks.) I know that he will do a great job in helping this mission continue to grow and progress.

Well I love you all! Hope you have a super duper great independence day! 

Stay True!

Elder Walstad

p.s - sorry I don't have pics this week... next week I will remember my camera.