One more picture!

Have you ever seen cuter little brown faces??

Hey Family, So, first off it's so sad to hear about Uncle Bob. This might be odd but I'm not sad for him. I'm sad for us, for Aunt Tonna of course, and obviously we will miss him but, I imagine that before we came to this earth we were glad to hear that we would eventually die. Without death we wouldn't be able to GO HOME. TO GO HOME. As Alma says in Alma 40:11 "The spirits of all men are taken home to that God who gave them life." I teach The Plan of Salvation to people everyday. How lucky are we to have that knowledge? I know that there is a life after this one. And through the sealing keys that are found in the Priesthood of God we can live forever with our families. As Christ tells Peter, "whatsoever ye shall bind on Earth shall be bound in Heaven." The Martins are SEALED. Aunt Tonna and Uncle Bob are SEALED. That same priesthood and those same Keys were given by Peter, James, and John to Joseph Smith and they are held today by President Monson and the 12 Apostles and they are used EVERYDAY. THERE IS SO MUCH MORE THAN THIS LIFE. We have Eternity. I am sad right now. I already miss him. I can't imagine how Aunt Tonna feels. I want to give her a huge hug and tell her I love her. I do love you Aunt Tonna. And I want you to know, and everyone in this blessed world to know that this church is true. It's doctrine is PERFECT, because it is His Doctrine. And with that Doctrine comes the knowledge of God's plan for us as his children here on Earth. The Plan of Salvation is amazing, because we know (1) "Where we came from and who we were", (2) "Why we're here on Earth and WHO WE ARE." and (3) "Where we will go after this life and who we can become." As sad as everything is, and WE ARE ALLOWED TO BE SAD I THINK, everything will be so much more happy. Never Endingly Happiness can await us. I know God loves us, has given us a Plan of Happiness and we can live with him again through living that plan. I owe a lot to Uncle Bob and Aunt Tonna and just the Martin's in general. Such great examples they are. I taught a lady last week who's husband had died about 5 years ago. I testified to her of how she will see him again and how death is not the end. I am serving a mission because I want this whole world to know that we WILL live again, because Jesus Christ lives. It is a free gift to us. We will see God and Jesus Christ. We will see them. We live on a Earth that WAS CREATED BY GOD. And we will return to him. Sorry I'm "preachy" but I am a missionary. My only purpose is to "Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the Restored Gospel, through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the End." We are children of God. We live on a Earth that was created by him, for us. It is a test. He's given us a plan to get through this life and be happy in this life and eternally happy in the life to come. He sends missionaries out to share that message. He's given the Holy Ghost as a way to know and feel that this plan is true. The Book of Mormon contains the fullness of his gospel, this same Plan of Salvation. Eventually everyone will know this message. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. He loves us and in and through Him we are saved. This is His church. So, on a lighter note. Since this is a Plan of Happiness. Here are some pictures of me as a VERY HAPPY missionary sharing his message so that they can be comforted when we are faced with things like death. Also as far as Happy goes, EL PATO never hurt. Even though I don't think Uncle Bob was a fan. I don't remember. I need to go, it's time to go and share the message I just spent the last few paragraphs writing about... oh yeah but it is in Tagalog. I love you ALL. I pray for you all. I love you so much Aunt Tonna and the Martin Family and my prayers go out to you. Elder Chantz Davis

pictures

Pictures. Tatay Domingo Banares' BAPTISM! Me at a cool rock Me with cute little kids. Tatay's Baptism was awesome- His son (who is a big guy by the way) baptized him and confirmed him a member. It was PERFECT!

September 17th 2012

Hey Everyone,     What a week! We had our first BAPTISM! It was awesome. It's not MORE cool that it was in the ocean but it's also not LESS cool that it was in the ocean. His name is Domingo Banares, we just call him Tatay. When he walks he looks like he will fall over, he moves so slowly and you can't help but just respect this man. He's incredible. I respect him so much. I will always remember him.He reads in the Book of Mormon amazingly, I can't even explain it. His son, Jimmy, was the one who baptized him. Jimmy is in our branch here in Pasacao and the baptism and confirmation couldn't have been more perfect. However, earlier that day (the day of the baptism) the ocean was STRONG and it looked like it was going to rain. If the ocean would have been as strong as it was in the afternoon as it was in the morning Tatay wouldn't have been able to get into the water. I remember as we went to work that day I prayed, Heavenly Father we need it not to rain and we need the ocean to calm down. I remember saying how I believed that Jesus Christ calmed the storm as he lived on earth and that I believe that all thing were created by him and he has control of the elements. NOW I'm not saying the ocean was calmed that day and that it didn't rain that day because I prayed, but I do know that I WATCHED THE DARK RAIN CLOUDS DEPART and the Ocean was calm enough for the baptism. I believe God answers prayers. And that miracles happen because of faith. Weather or not it was because of my prayer isn't important, what is important is knowing that God does answer our faithful prayers and that God does have ALL POWER. QUESTION: How cool is it to be a missionary? ANSWER: VERY COOL!      What else happened this week? Oh yeah- my first transfer is over, fastest six weeks of my life. Elder Vogelsberg and I only have six more weeks together, sad day. Also, in TWO WEEKS I have to talk in church, PRAY FOR ME. hahaha It will be a great experience and I pray for the gift of tongues, as I do everyday. I will speak on missionary work, I hope it is good. Mostly I hope it is understandable hahaha MAHIRAP ANG TAGALOG! Pero Itinitulugan ng Diyos ang mga tao sa daigdig. Thanks for your prayers, I feel their strength. I know this work is true, it either is true or it is not. If it is true, nothing else matters. And I know it is true. I have prayed and God has answered, IT IS TRUE. And everyone will get that same answer as they sincerely seek for it. Dang I love being a missionary. CAN IT LAST FOREVER? It sorta can I guess.       Well if you want me to write about anything in particular, let me know and I shall. I hope you enjoy the pictures. Have fun at Disney Land Dad and Mom and you other two nippers (you know who you are). Next week should be awesome. Also Mom the "rotten egg thing" you were talking about is called Balut- AND I haven't tried it yet, but I WILL! hahaha NASTY! I'll send pictures. Yummy Duck Fetus ANYONE? I love you all and pray for you daily. Elder Davis P.S. Elder V: "Elder Shavis." Me: "That sounds an awful lot like Davis." Elder V: "Maybe that's why he became a Shavis." don't worry about that^^ inside joke. "I'd love to be a part of one someday"

September 10 2012

Hey Everyone, What an awesome week. It rained like crazy. And I don't mean to brag but, I live in the most beautiful place in the world. Eagar does rival it closely though. Everyday I look around and I'm amazed at how cool it is here. It feels like a dream. Everything is too real to be real here. It's awesome. First off, REX's companion is Miles Waltman???? You're kidding me! That's so cool. He was my room-mate and a way cool kid. That's awesome, and Elder Waltman would be nice to him anyway- but because Rex knows me he'll be EXTRA good to him! So awesome, I always told Miles that All Roads Lead through Eagar! ..... So I just re-read the email... his companion is Elder Morgan- which is Elder Miles best friend. But still the same principles apply. I wish it was Elder Miles though. Well still cool. Rex will be such a good missionary. Also our BYU/Superman picture sounds like it took off. That's awesome. I must say it was all Elder Vogelsberg's idea though. And BYU is ranked 25? That's awesome- BYU football with 2 wins under the belt! Also Mom, my F.B. supply as we will call it is good. I don't think I will need any more than I have right now. It works, but I don't use it very much at all. Ryder and MK are going to Disneyland next week... what a hard hard life we live. So awesome though, they will have those memories for the rest of our lives. I wonder who's more excited? Ryder or Mary-Kate? ANSWER: MOM! So let me tell you about the AWESOME people I teach everyday. First off Tatay Domingo, He's getting baptised this week! He is an old man that walks slower, if you can imagine, than Grandpa Sherwood. Just kidding gramps I still can't keep up with you and I'm 19 years old. But he is old and awesome. He loves the Book of Mormon. He reads it everyday and I swear we go teach him, and I learn more than he does. He tells us how he knows the B.O.M. is true and it is awesome. He's given up Alcohol, Coffee, Tea, ect. and it is not because of a Book. It's because of the TRUTH that is contained therein. He believes that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, some little kid that lived in 1820 in New York was a prophet. I am 100% confident that if I showed him a map of the world he wouldn't know where New York is. Or maybe where the Philippines is. But he's so willing to believe that a 14 year old boy was a prophet BECAUSE he prayed and God answered his prayers, as he will to all who truly want to know the truth. I'm so excited for his baptism- his son is a member and I think he will baptise him. PICTURES TO COME! Next person, Judith. My first found investigator. She was also the first person ever I asked, "Gagawin po ba ninong sundin ang halimbawa ni Jesucristo at magpabinyag sa isang tao maytaglay ng tamang awtoridad ng Diyos?" and she said "OP" or YES! She will be baptised soon. She has two of the cutest kids ever, Alihana the little girl is so cute. Her husband will join with her as well I think in the church. He's injured so she works and he stays at home. Right now, in order to make more money, Judith is leaving to work in Quatar. She won't see her kids for a long time- YEARS PROBABLY. And she's leaving because she loves them and they need the money. WE HAVE NO IDEA HOW BLESSED WE ARE IN AMERICA. She is leaving soon. Good thing we have The Church in Quatar! She accepted the invitation to be baptised on the first visit. She tells us all the time about how during our lessons, when she reads the Book of Mormon, and when she prays, she feels these weird Hot, Light and Good feelings. We taught that those feelings are the Holy Ghost, and they are telling her that our message is true. SHE"S AWESOME. I think about how she has to leave her family and HER CHILDREN. I am so glad that she will have the knowledge that she can live with her family for forever! That after this life she can live with her family, never having to be separated again. What a hard life these people live. They have NOTHING. I don't care if you have nothing or are the richest man on this earth- the gospel is true and will bless you. IT'S TRUE! If you're not sure pray and ask- GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS. Because we are his children and he loves us. And if we ask the right question with the right intent he WILL TELL YOU EVERY TIME through the power of the Holy Ghost. So I'm going off like missionaries do. But that's okay. I know the BOM is true and the Jesus Christ lives and loves us and the church is true the EXACT same way that those whom I'm teaching know it. Through reading, praying, and going to church and the Holy Ghost told me. It's amazingly simple and simply amazing as the saying goes. SO here are some fun pictures too. In my dreams I think of baptising someone in that water. Well again, I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! Thanks for your prayers, TAGAGLOG is hard. But with the help of God I will learn it. I love you all. Elder Davis

September 3, 2012 and fun pictures!

Kumusta, So I knew today was too good to be true, we had RUNNING WATER in the morning. Usually we have to wait until like 9 or so to get water. But today we had water and a lot of pressure... but I knew it was too good to be true because now we don't have electricity! It happens on occasion here but hopefully we will have it back on tonight! Usually nights are pretty darn hot but it's not too bad with a fan on you... tonight may be my first no electricity night... Sweat and Hot will be the only two words to describe what it will be like. But I hope it will be back by the time I get home from emailing- we'll see. Also as far as the "Earth Quake" goes, I never felt it. It's probably because I constantly rock. But our furthest investigator said there was one she had felt... so there was one but I didn't feel it. I think some other Elders in the Mission did though. But yeah, I didn't feel it. So two things: 1 Nash's arm is NASTY 2 Markee's having a BABY? Holy smokes I'm going to have a bunch of nippers when I get home that I've never met. Also YES Markee I give you permission to name your child after me so just quit asking! haha. But congrats! What else is cool here? So I took a picture of my favorite food here. It's called Sinigang... but me and Elder Vogelsberg make Elder Vogelsberg's special recipe it and we call it Vogelsberg Davinigang! It's delicious. I'll attach pictures of this dish.YUMMY My goodness it is good. It may not look good but it is, as the our name suggests, Divine! So since you can't drink the water here because it will kill you in the face- a lot of missionaries drink a lot of soda. But since I don't want to come home chubby I just drink water. But I made a rule where if we get a baptismal commitment we're allowed to have a soda of our choice. Hopefully with this rule I will drink TONS of soda and still not be chubby hahaha. I think I have lost weight though like maybe ten pounds, but I don't know. Also this week I rode a Calabao (pronounced Caribou) basically a WATER BUFFALO! We had just taught at this members house and they have one. They use these massive beasts here for a bunch of work. Especially in the rice fields. But we totally got on and took some pictures. I've felt manly many times in my life, but I tell you this now, I may have never felt quite as manly as I did mounted upon that beast hahahaha It was fun. I'll attach pictures of course. Also, Elder Vogelsberg and I took BYU/Superman Pictures today. They're awesome! The Caption for them is... "The Real Heroes" hahaha I hope you enjoy. So now that I've told you all the "fun" things. Let me tell you about the happy things. The things that make everything worth it. We're teaching this investigator named Sharlyn. She committed to be baptised this week. She came to church and is going to a youth activity soon. It's incredible to see people take the first few steps of coming to Christ and starting the make covenants with him. We're also teaching a family and the mother is named Judith. She's incredible. She committed to be baptized in the first visit with her. In the next month or so we'll have a few baptisms. And seeing people's conversion to The True Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ makes everything worth it. It makes, not having running water, not having electricity, NOT KNOWING THIS LANGUAGE, and eating weird things ALL WORTH IT. I love being a missionary. I find myself just wanting to teach people all day. Obedience is what brings happiness. There are missionaries that waste time and break rules so they'll "have fun." But fun and happiness comes when you crawl into bed at night DEAD TIRED knowing you tried as hard as you could and you kept all the rules and you saw and felt the fruits of your labor. And you know you get to do it all over again starting at six thirty tomorrow morning. I love being a missionary. It's all worth it. I can't wait until I learn this language much much better. I am still pretty lost. But I study hard, I'm obedient and I've never prayed more in my life. I have faith I will learn this language and hopefully soon. I'll skype home at Christmas, hopefully I'll be pretty good by then. That's the goal- feel confident, not perfect obviously, but feel confident in Tagalog by then. Thanks for your prayers. I need them. Also we teach tons of Less Actives and Recent Converts and I about cry every time we teach about family prayer, scripture study, and Family Home Evening. I am so glad I can honestly say those things are huge reasons I am serving a mission. I tell them about how I remember growing up and I heard DAILY prayers in a family circle that always included getting Race and I on missions and the EVERYONE would get to the temple. Family Home Evening was one of the best times of the week. I am so thankful for that. Thanks Family, especially Mom. I knew that family was important, I knew I was loved, I knew/loved the Scriptures, and that prayer was real BECAUSE we had those things in our family. What a blessing. Well I must go. I hope all is well. Little baby Brighton was blessed, that's cool, but it would have been cooler if her name was Chantzy... You all know it's true. hahahha Just kidding. Hug the Mga Bata for me. I hope you enjoy the pictures. Elder Davis