The Tagalog Blog: Sunday April 14th 2013

OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY!

Wasn't General Conference great? I loved being able to watch General Conference though it was time consuming and we couldn't teach near as much as I would have liked. Either way it was great, Elder Holland didn't disappoint. President Monson's talks for me however were the best of the best. Usually they are not my favorite but EASY favorite this conference and the facial expressions were classic. What a great time to be a member and a missionary. If you didn't catch it by conference... we need to share the Gospel with EVERYONE! It scares me to death to think about not sharing it.

NOW! Rulon is going to Arkansas!!! He may not need "the gift of tongues", but he will for sure need the "gif u interpertatin u tonges!" hahahaha! How exciting! And fittingly he is leaving on may 22!!!!! The pictures you sent are awesome, he looks so ready so serve! Rulon.... classy. However, now when I get home my best friend and my brother will be on a mission and married. What am I going to do? haha

So I really liked something President Monson said in Conference, "Missions are a family affair." How true that is, I hope you know how thankful I am for you family. You are ALL examples to me and I feel your prayers across this massive world, they make it over the oceans and land and I feel them in my heart. I think Mom's must be the most powerful though, or maybe just the most often. But they give me strength and faith to go when the work gets hard. Thank you.

Our week was super slow this week, almost two full days were dedicated to Conference and we had a full day with no work due to a "Trainers Training" so the week wasn't near as much work as I would have liked but it was great week none the less and Conference was sooooo motivating!

I hear the wind is HOWLING there? Not surprising haha Good ol Eagar. Even when it is windy here it is a HOT WIND. But I will take it. A good breeze makes a big difference here. It is hotter here right now than it ever has been before my mission. IT IS PAMBIHIRANG MAINIT! Also, we won the "Zone Activity" which means earlier today we had a Zone Activity with President and Sister Bliesner at the ocean. It was beautiful, but HOT! Makes me want to swim hahaha! I have a couple of pictures from there but that is about it. And a picture or two with members at General Conference. Also the picture of The Mayon Volcano was taken while riding a bus, little blurry sorry.

Also yesterday I had the responsibility to have two Baptismal Interviews. It was a very spiritual experience and humbling. Quite frankly I would rather not have to give interviews, it is a lot of eternal pressure. No small thing. But two interviews and all went smooth and it was a good experience.

I am thankful beyond measure for this mission. I am also thankful for the pure gifts God has given as I have served. That includes but is not limited to Tagalog. How is it that I understand these people? I still feel like I need to learn so much Tagalog, and that is because I do, I am still progressing obviously, but I am so grateful for what I do have. It is a privilege to be a missionary in this army right now! I feel very much like a soldier at times. And I am trying to fight with all I have for this SHORT TIME!

I do not have to much to say right now. Our area and investigators are progressing and I just love this work. Elder Villamor is awesome. It is great to be in the same district as Elder Vogelsberg too. No one has influenced me on my mission here in The Philippines as he has in my training! Good ol tatay V-berg!

Well, I need to go and teach the word people... different tongue... same word though. And it touches and changes hearts the same way it does in English. The "language of the spirit" is FAR MORE IMPORTANT than any other language. Hopefully I will have some "cool stories" next week. And I will try to get good pictures for you Mom!

I don't need to say it, but I will. Share the Gospel. It is going to nations and it will consume the whole earth. I sure hope we are all a part of that in our close lives and in our own worlds and own friends. Stay classy and smiling. Like is too short to EVER complain. Love you all and pray for you.

Elder Davis

P.S. it still hasn't changed, at all times there is a bug on my person and sweat 24/7.