November 25, 2012

Howdy Howdy! Well sounds like Thanksgiving was good. I was, believe it or not, with family at Thanksgiving haha. My Zone Leader, Elder Farsworth from Gilbert Az was here. BUT he is originally from KIRTLAND NEW MEXICO and he says he is related to the Sherwoods there? It's a stretch but he's family in my eyes haha. He was companions with Elder Vogelsberg and he is just awesome. So yeah family at Thanksgiving on CATS! And less mashed potatoes than usual and much much much more rice. But it was great... I hardly knew it was Thanksgiving. So now to the important things (haha)... I have been told my whole mission that I would "spoil my pants before my 6 month mark." I always boldly reply that it will not happen to me, and then I say but if it does I hope I am wearing my brown slacks (Dad's favorite joke). This last week I came closer to "The Swift and Mighties than anyone ever has without pooing the pants haha. We were doing morning work and it hit "Swiftly and MIGHTILY" and luckily we were near a neighboring missionaries apartment and my comp has the keys (D.L. siya) I BARLEY made it. Their bathroom is TINY and it was HOT... my knees could almost touch the facing wall in the bathroom (hopefully the pictures will upload). It was terrible, but as I have said, "It will not happen to me!" But I have a question... If it does happen- Do you want to know? I think I have the courage to tell IF that dreadful day ever comes. Let me know. I am almost to 6 months wish me luck. So NOW to the important things, I have dreamed my whole life of being a missionary. I remember as a children Race and I would ask Dad for a scripture story or one of his mission stories, those are some of my fondest memories, and I am grateful for Dad's example of missionary service. I remember also as a child taking cold showers because "that is how it would be on my mission." I was right, but I never knew it would be with a bucket and a scooper. Ever morning I shower our bucket of water is filled with dead bugs that I try to scoop out but there are many and you can't get all of them. I never practiced for that as a child haha. But I now have a few "mission stories" I would love to be able to share with my own children. There is nothing better than being a missionary! A couple weeks ago Rylee sent me a picture that Ryder had drawn in church. It was a picture of his Uncle "Elder Davis" it was awesome and it you looked closely you could see a little name tag on my chest, it was great. I hope I am an example to my little nieces and nephews right now. That name tag that I wear, that Ryder associated with missionaries, means so much to me. There are 3 names on that tag 1 The name of the church 2 Elder Davis 3 Jesus Christ, I am a representative of 1 this church 2 my family name and 3 Jesus Christ. On the back of my tag is a sticker that reads "Return with Honor, Philippines Naga Mission" I strive to do that daily. I can't tell you what that name tag means to me, but it is more than any jersey I have ever worn. So Grandpa Sherwood would always tell me, "I am not worth my groceries." We ate at a members house a few days ago and while I was eating I could tell that the kids at the house hadn't eaten yet. This family was baptized a few years ago and are STRONG in the gospel. I imagine they sacrificed food and money so the missionaries would be fed. I ate VERY light as you might imagine as I sat at the table looking at children would hadn't eaten yet. That family LOVES missionaries, they are thankful that missionaries taught them the gospel. I work everyday hoping I am "worth my groceries." I saw at that dinner appointment that some groceries though not expensive, are very valuable. I am astonished at how strong some of these peoples testimonies of the Gospel is. Funny moment of the week, I was offered a wife haha. We were talking to this guy on the street and telling him about the church and what not, it was great and then he asked me "can you get married?" Haha Elder Datu and I looked at each other and the guy said as he pointed, "because my daughter is right there." hahaha Obviously we said that was Bawal and what not but it was funny. I should have pulled an Ammon and said, "No sir, but I will be thy servant instead." haha It was funny and awkward. So a little about my area. Our chapel is very nice and some rooms even have AC! It is beautiful and the branch is strong and good. We walk a lot in this area and it is great. I have seen a lot more monkeys here on the island than in my last area. Not wild ones, just pets, but as cool as they are I am scared of those little things. They creep me out! We gave one a pass along card haha. Also there is a family here that eats sea turtles, masarap daw, I want to try it. Another thing, we eat rice all the time of course, and we have no rice cooker haha. I have learned to Mag-sain... to cook rice on the stove and I am pretty good at it now. I said in one of my first letters, that you could always know a few things about me... It is ALWAYS hot (but now I like it a lot more) there is ALWAYS bugs on me (but I am used to it) I am ALWAYS obedient (I promise mom) and I am ALWAYS HAPPY (I am a missionary of Jesus Christ)! Things are great. The language is hard, but getting easier. The food is DELICIOUS, I have fallen in love with the fish (see pict) and the people are awesome. I am trying my best to follow President Hickley's advise, "Forget yourself and go to work." "To lose my life in this work and in Christ's gospel and by so doing find it." In case I have never told you before... the church is true, I would die for it in a heart beat, and right now and for the rest of my life I will LIVE IT. The church is not only true it is REAL! Well I best get going. I love you all and I pray for you. I am thankful for your prayers. Mom keep being an Enos for me haha. Well, in case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and goodnight. Elder Davis P.S. I have more pictures but I was lucky to get these two.

Put this on twice to make us thankful for Turkey and mashed potatoes:)

Tiny potty for a 6'3" white boy!

November 19th 2012. Lets be Thankful!

THANKSGIVING: Let's be thankful.

Howdy Howdy

        Where do I even begin? It has been an awesome week. Yesterday I gave a talk in sacrament meeting and it went really well. I was extremely blessed. However, I am still struggling with the language BIG TIME! But I feel God's help all the time. It amazes me how often I am able to say words that just into my mind. I am so blessed despite being far from fluent. I am ALWAYS able to teach and testify even though I am still struggling. It is hard to remember sometimes just how blessed I am. I get discouraged at times and wonder why I am not fluent yet. But I had an experience yesterday I hope to never forget. . . 

     Yesterday we heard a less active of ours was at the hospital with her four year old son. We decided to go and visit and see what we could do. I am still not sure what was wrong with the little boy, but it was nothing too bad. I can still remember how he kicked in the bed in sheer discomfort. I felt so bad for him. We had to walk through most of the hospital to get to that room. As we went through I saw what true suffering was like. I felt like I was in a war there were so many people lying in pain everywhere. I don't know if you have ever been to a third world hospital but it is a humbling experience. VERY QUICKLY I forgot about my "suffering" in learning this language. I looked around a Hospital that was full of pain, sickness, uncleanliness, and it was HOT with no Air Conditioning. I don't know if I will ever forget how that boy was kicking in discomfort as we gathered around his bed and I said a prayer for him in Tagalog. It was a humbling experience for me, and yet my companion wasn't phased, this was something regular and common for him. I thought I knew before my mission what it meant to be thankful. I had no idea, I am just beginning to know. I can't begin to tell you how blessed we are. If there is anyone in this world more blessed than I am, I don't know them. 

      So my companion, ELDER DATU is awesome. He is the only member in his whole family. He converted to the church two years ago or so. His friend was a member and invited him to church one week. He said when he walked into the doors he felt something like never before. He went through the church services and felt the spirit. After the meetings were over he went and talked to the missionaries and said, "Could you come teach me at my house... and WHEN CAN I BE BAPTIZED?" He's incredible. So the missionaries did come OBVIOUSLY. And they taught him and he liked it. Then one day he was thinking and praying (like the missionaries said) to make sure that the church was true. He was on his was to college on a jeepney and was just thinking "is this really true? Is the Book of Mormon true? Is Joseph Smith a true prophet?" And all the sudden the jeepney stopped and he looked out- there was a church there and he said "I imagined seeing a light at the church, and then I imagined I saw Joseph Smith holding a Book of Mormon." The jeepney stopped randomly and he didn't even know their was a church there. He felt the Holy Ghost and he knew for sure it was true. When he was baptized him and his family were on the way to the church and they got a call that there was no water for the baptismal font. He said he prayed and so did the missionaries and somehow when they got there, there was water in the font. The branch president and missionaries told him it was a miracle. If you ask him he will tell you the same, "it was a miracle." 

     His family has not yet joined. His mother said, "time will come." I asked him if it is hard to be the only member and what not and he said it was. But he loves his mission, he works extremely hard he knows it is true. We serve missions because we know it is true and FOR NO OTHER REASON! I hope and pray his family will come to know of the truth as well- "Time will come I guess." He is a great missionary and an awesome companion. I love teaching with him. When we testify of Joseph Smith it is always powerful. I love teaching all the lessons we teach but there is always a strong spirit when we teach of the First Vision. When the words, "noon 1820 nabuhay ang isang bata nagngangalang Joseph Smith" come from my mouth I can feel the spirit strongly. And YES THAT IS REALLY HOW YOU SAY IT. As my father has said before, "It all depends on that one experience, did God and Jesus Christ appear to him that spring morning or did they not." Those words from my beloved father ring in my ears. I testify as a missionary of Jesus Christ that that really did happen and that this is his church. I KNOW IT, like my companion Elder Datu knows it. This is Jesus Christ's Church not Joseph Smith's. Joseph Smith did not write the Book of Mormon- he translated it. I know it with my whole heart, mind, and body. 

      The great thing is this, we ask no one to believe that we know it. But we ask them to ask God and see what he says to you. This church believes in revelation from God. We believe in Prophets and MIRACLES and Gifts of the Spirit like the GIFT OF TONGUES. We teach "All Nations" like Jesus himself commissioned his Apostles to do. This really is the truth. I promise. I can't tell you one tenth of what I fell and it is even harder in writing. But if you don't know this is true... read, ask with faith and you will know.

      I am such a missionary, testifying to my own family. To people who already know these things. I always just end up bearing testimony hahah even in my emails home, what a lameo! But I know there are those who read my letters that are not my family and not of this church... not yet haha. I am glad you enjoy my letters and I am thankful for your nice letters and emails to me. 

      So Thanksgiving is this week they say? Weird! Time is flying. I will miss you family, but not too much haha. I am much to busy serving a mission at the moment. Obviously I would love to spend Thanksgiving with you BUT remember what I just told you? This church is true and the living prophet has asked that I serve a mission right now- and for eternity we can have "thanksgiving" together- after these two years. So I have written a lot and I hope you enjoy it. I have so many pictures here but the computer won't let me update them, I will be lucky if I get one haha. Sorry. 

        But life on the island is good. I still am not fluent but I am improving. I love my mission. I am working hard and being obedient (that was for mom). Things are great and I love being a missionary. I have never done anything harder nor anything quite as exciting. I can't believe how fast time is going by. I hope you are all doing well. I hope you are thankful for your blessings. If you feel you are not yet thankful for your blessings, go get a bucket and wash all your clothes... you'll become more thankful I promise haha. I NEVER KNOW WHAT TO WRITE ABOUT.... LET ME KNOW!

Elder Davis 

P.S. Have a great Thanksgiving....... BE THANKFUL FOR EVERYTHING!

november 11th 2012 . Philippino version of Granny Hamblin gets baptized!

         Holy smokes time flies! It is going by so fast. So first thing is first, we had Zone Conference and it was awesome, I actually got called on to speak. It was a great meeting and President Bliesner is AMAZING. I learned a lot that conference, I learned something very personalized to me.... that is I weigh 165 pounds! (Sister Bliesner brings scales to all the conferences.) I AM NOTHING! If a stiff breeze comes I might get thrown in the ocean. I am near 6 feet 3 inches and 165 pounds. IF I TURN SIDEWAYS I CAN"T BE SEEN! I need to put some weight back on haha. And I eat a lot too. I have lost close to 20 pounds and I didn't have 20 to lose haha. But it's better to lose 20 than gain 20 I guess?

        So this week I was all over the place with exchanges and the conference and we had a baptism and what not but it was great. While I was on exchanges in  Codon I saw the island were they say "Survivor" is filmed? Don't know if that is true but if it is I saw it. Also while I was there we had a classic example of Philippino kindness. We were walking down the street right next to this beautiful beach and there were people getting Buko (coconuts) from this tree. Naturally I was amazed at how easily he climbed the tree  and they saw us watching. They called us over and said they would give us Buko if we wanted. We accepted and the man through some down. The tree was TALL too. It was such a nice thing to do and they do  things like that all the time. I can't remember how many times I have walked by people eating food and they just yell "kumain kayo" "Eat" they are willing to give even though they don't have much themselves. But they are such a kind people and I love them so much. They will give you rice, buko, or anything they are so kind and humble.

        I still can't get over how pretty it is here. This island especially. It reminds me of the island on "LOST". It is really fun and pretty. The boat ride over here is so awesome, I thought I know what the color blue looked like... I had no idea something could be so blue. It's BLUER THAN BLUE. The green is greener than green and it's just awesome. And as long as I am sounding girly I will admit another thing I love about being here, there are fire flies everywhere! They bunch up in trees and it looks like Christmas sometimes there are so many. I can't see how people can live on this life and not recognize God's hand in it everyday. "All things denote that there is a God" and that he loves us.

      So do you remember Sister Estilita that I told you about? The little old lady I want to carry around with me everywhere? She's like my Philippino Granny Hamblin! Well she was baptized this week (pictures to come). It was such a great day and then the next day she went and was a "member present" for a few of our lessons. It is so rewarding to watch people be blessed with this Gospel. I will remember sweet Sister Estilita forever and I hope she will remember me. That is one blessing of a mission I don't think missionaries get until after this life. The seeing and rejoicing with people they helped on there missions after this life. What a great day that will be. 

       So two quick funny stories. First off remember how I said the boat ride is three hours? Make sure if you ever find yourself needing to ride a boat for three hours in the Philippines that you don't eat anything that may make you need to quickly go to the bathroom. Or as Race would say, nothing that would give you the "swift and mighties." Because if you do you are in for a BUMPY and NASTY experience  haha. Second Experience: This week I got a rash, I looked like RULON UDALL I had so many little red dots all over me. And it was the ITCHIEST THING EVER! I have never been so uncomfortable in my entire life. And for those thinking my "experience two" was caused by "experience one" your wrong because the rash came first haha. It was sooooo itchy I just wanted to yell and punch things it was so bad. It was from my chest to my knees and all over my back. And of course it was HOT AND HUMID on top of everything! I have never been so miserable. It was so hard not to think of myself but I got through it. And I learned a lot. I have no idea what the Savior must have gone through but I am so thankful for him. He felt our pains. He felt our sicknesses and sorrows. He's felt my trail of not knowing Tagalog. EVERYTHING. He performed an Infinite Atonement and He knows how we feel when no one else might. His sufferings I can't even imagine or comprehend but I am grateful for him. He truly is our Savior and Redeemer. And through him all things that are wrong can be made right. 

     So life is great. There are a lot of trails but nothing worth being discouraged about. I am trying to forget myself and go to work. The Lord has blessed me so much and he will continue to do so. I love my mission so much. It is the hardest thing I have ever done but also the best thing I have ever done. I have to go now. I love you all and I pray for you daily. I hope this language gets easier. But like Mom always said, "That which we persist in doing becomes easier, not that the manner of the thing has changed, but our ability to do good has increased." Love you all.

Elder Davis

P.S. Remind me next week in your emails to talk about Elder Datu

And I had more pictures but only this one would upload! Sorry

     

IT MAY NOT BE ON THE MOUNTAIN HEIGHT OR OVER THE STORMY SEAS.... BUT SOMETIMES IT IS!

IT MAY NOT BE ON THE MOUNTAIN HEIGHT OR OVER THE STORMY SEAS................ BUT SOMETIMES IT IS. Well Kumusta? I have learned two things... I don't get sea sick and I flying fish are real haha. You don't know where I am or who I am with or ANYTHING. I have been assigned to the ISLAND OF CATANDUANES with my companion ELDER DATU! Holy smokes it has been crazy. Elder Datu is amazing. He's so humble and kind. He is the District leader here on the Island and he is AWESOME. He is good at english and wants to be better... I am BAD at Tagalog and NEED TO BE BETTER. SO we help each other. He's awesome. I am excited to be here. But it's a big change. Once you go on Cats (Catanduanes) you are generally here for a long time. So I am sure I will be here at Christmas. Hopefully with Elder Datu but we will see. CHRISTMAS ON CATS! It has been a crazy week. I have tried some different food and just had some crazy experiences. Cats is often called the TESTING GROUNDS because it is far away from President and has a bad reputation for disobedience. But Elder Datu and I are working hard and being obedient.I can't even begin to describe what this last week was like. CRAZY! Mom you told me once, "Remember Heavenly Father gives his hardest battles to his strongest warriors!" I hope you are right because I need to be strong for what is coming up. I am excited though, and I feel God's help everyday. So we have tons of Investigators here! One will be baptized next week, her name is Sister Estilita! She's TINY and just old and wrinkly. She's probably the cutest old lady EVER. She reminds me of Granny Hamblin (Philippino Style). I want to just pick her up and carry her around with me wherever I go. She's precious. She said, "totoong-totoo" when she was describing the church meaning. REALLY REALLY TRUE. She's precious. So with transfers I of course had to leave My Tatay Elder Vogelsberg, sad day but we go where we are called. They loaded me in the van and just started driving south. I stayed the night at a Zone Leaders apartment, ELDER SALAS's apartent (he's the man) and he actually trained Elder Datu. Then the next morning we went to the chapel meeting place where they told me I was going to Cats. Three Elders took me there and after a 3 hour LONG AND PUMPY boat ride I made it to the island. While we were on the boat we saw FLYING FISH- I thought that was a myth haha but I promise they are very much real and very much cool. If you've never seen them either come to the Philippines or U-tube is a cheap alternative as well. Once I got to the Island I took about a 45 minute tricy ride to my area VIRAC! I didn't think the Philippines could be prettier than my last area but it can apparently haha. It is so pretty here, pictures to come for the next few months. Also while on the ship I got my first real look at the volcano- Mt Mayon and I took a picture from the boat. And yes that is real smoke coming from the top. I made it alive and I'm happy to be here. I don't know how to describe this but I will try... I feel like I have seen my mission before. It's like dejavu (if that's how you spell it) but different. Sometimes we go to a house or meet someone or just are in a situation and it just seems RIGHT. It seems familiar and like it has happened before. It feels like whatever is happening is right and good. I don't know how to explain it. I don't know what it is but it happens all the time. So take that as you will haha. Also I think I have told you this before but maybe not... I have dreams all the time that I am back home with everyone and if feels so real. In the dreams I am home AFTER an honorable mission but I KNOW NO TAGALOG. Haha they freak me out haha and they encourage me to study harder haha. I have never had more vivid and real dreams than those. That was a random paragraph. I feel very much like I imagine Ammon felt (though I am nothing like Ammon) he said, "Yea, I desire to dwell among this people for a time; yea, an perhaps until the day I die." I love my mission so much. It is easily the hardest thing I have ever done! EVER! But I love it. I love these people and I love the TRUTH that I am called to preach to them. I love the man that is the center of that TRUTH that I share- Jesus Christ. I am one of his missionaries in his church and I LOVE IT. I know this work is true and I don't want it to end, hopefully Tagalog comes soon. Like the hymn says (which we sang at my farewell), "It MAY not be on a mountain height or over a stormy sea... My Lord will have need for me" BUT MAYBE HE WILL. I will go where he wants me to go and say what he wants me to say (even in Tagalog) I will do what he wants me to do and BE what he wants me to BE. I am glad to hear that people like to read my emails home. I have received emails and word that people enjoy reading them on the Blog my mom makes. I am thankful for you. I am glad to hear that I can be a missionary in my emails. I get frustrated with Tagalog and I feel discouraged at times. But it is nice to know that people can read my letters and hopefully get closer to CHRIST and HIS RESTORED CHURCH. This is a long email. I love you all. I hope you know I pray for you daily. I am blessed beyond anyone in the world despite my hard circumstances. No matter what happens God knows us and loves us. That is one thing I am good at saying in Tagalog- "God loves you, you are his child and he is your father. He has given us a plan, and if we follow his plan and his prophets (both ancient and modern). Everything will be GREAT! As it ways in Ether 12:4 we can "hope for a better world." IT WILL ALL BE WORTH IT IN THE END! Are my emails boring hahha??? Let me know what you want me to write about. I am doing good and I am happy, I am being obedient and working hard. I love you all. Elder Davis P.S. Hunter Hamblin got his call? Tell him congrats! I love that kid. California, that will be awesome! What a stud.