The Tagalog Blog: August 18th 2013 LAND OF MY BIRTH???

PASACAO THE LAND OF MY BIRTH! LET'S DO SOME GOOD!

Almost exactly one year ago I arrived in the Philippines and was assigned in PASACAO with my trainer, Elder Vogelsberg. This past week I got the very luck opportunity of returning to THE LAND OF MY BIRTH, PASACAO! Now, I am a happy person, I always try to smile to people wherever I go, but the day I got to go back to Pasacao I could not keep the smile off my face! It was the happiest day of my mission so far I think. I am so grateful that I got to go work there for a day. We were assigned by President Reeder to go work there and try to help the missionaries in their area. I was quite happy to hear that "assignment." And now I am bugging him to be able to do it one more time because I wasn't able to go see everyone. But anyway it was awesome!

Elder Datu and I drove into Pasacao, parked at the pier and headed STRAIGHT to Tatay Domingo Banares! Tatay Banares is Elder Vogelsberg's and I's convert there in Pasacao. He has given me more happiness in my mission than any other person has. He is awesome. But we went straight to his house and when he saw me it was like he saw a ghost! He said- ELDER!?! And I couldn't have been happier. It truly was like what Ammon talks about in the Book of Mormon when, he "did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord." I was so happy to see him and he was so happy too. THE ONLY THING THAT COULD HAVE MADE IT BETTER WOULD BE IF ELDER VOGELSBERG WAS MY COMPANION. It would have made Tatay Domingo happy too see him too, he asked about you Tatay. But I am pleased to tell you that Tatay Domingo is "still my brother in the Lord." He still loves the Book of Mormon and finds strength in it and goes to church and just LIVES THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.

We taught them later on that day and I gave a "Endure to the End" lesson. I told him about if we live the gospel the best we can our whole lives and try our best that the Lord will bless us with Eternal Life. I told him we won't have to wait one year to see each other and all the other great things that will happen if only we will Endure to the End! He has sacrificed so much for the Gospel. He doesn't hang out with his old friends because they aren't uplifting, he does drink or smoke or anything like that and now his youngest son Domgy (sp) is getting baptized in just a few weeks. Yeah that is right Tatay Vogelsberg- DOMGY is getting baptized! "And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!"

All I know is I am a very happy missionary! I also got to see all the quotes and goals and such that Elder Vogelsberg and I put on the wall by our study desks. Every time we went out to work we would say, "Let's do some good." And I am here to tell you Tay, WE DID SOME GOOD. I could write quite a bit about all the families I saw while I was there and what not but I don't have that much time. I just know "there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we." I want to go back to Pasacao with you "Ryan" haha.

One of the best parts about it was that I was able to SPEAK TO THEM. Obviously when I was still an "aki" or "kid" in the mission I didn't know how to speak Tagalog very well at all, V-berg can testify to that. But V-berg was fluent from the womb. Anyway I was so limited in what I could tell people. I was a fresh missionary with a burning testimony inside my heart that wanted so badly to share it with others but I was limited. That is why I am so lucky to have been able to go back now and teach the people I love so much again, but this time be able to tell them whatever I want. To be able to tell them what is in my heart and how much the Restored Gospel will bless their lives! I am so grateful for the gift of tongues and all the blessings Heavenly Father has given me on this mission. I didn't get pictures with everyone and I didn't get to see everyone but hey, I still have 6 months left in the office I could still convince President to go back I think!

So Markee had her baby huh? Sadee Janette, that is a cute name, especially because she was born on Grandma Sherwood's birthday! I hope Markee is doing good. I think lots of stuff happens back home without me even knowing haha. But that is okay, I would rather focus on right here in the mission and just pray all of you guys are okay. I know everything will be fine, as long as we do what we know is right.

Well the church is true everybody. It really is. I know it is. Elder Ballard talks about this life being like a small string tied onto a rope that stretches forth into eternity- both ways. Then he says that string represents the time we will spend on this earth compared to pre and post. So, be good. Choose the right and follow Christ. It will all be worth it in the end. I know this message is true. When we go talk to people and we ask if we can share a message with them I tell them that this message is the "most beautiful" and "most important" message they will hear in their whole life and that is how I feel about it. Thank you for all your prayers and I pray for you everyday. I am happy, I never haven't been happy on my mission I don't think. Anyway this was a great week, I wish I could just bring you with me for a few days into my mission! Love you all so much.

Elder Davis

P.S. Mom thank you for the package, in it I found two of my favorite things: Starburst and Laffy Taffys. And on an unrelated Laffy Taffy note, Why was the tomato blushing? Have you given up already? It was because HE SAW THE SALAD DRESSING! Anyway I got a kick out of it. Have a fantastic week! Share your testimony with someone!