September 30, 2013

Hey there,

        Well, just another great week! Weeks go by too fast in the mission. Do I say this every week? Probably, but every week I mean it. I am doing great and I am happy. We are getting close to transfers, can you believe that? Which means we are about to get SUPER busy. But that is okay. I just wish we could teach more. But it is what it is. Anyway, I hope this email is good- my mind is a bit blank right now of what happened this week.

       For sure the highlight of the week was SUNDAY! We were a bit depressed because not all of our investigators came to church. We were sitting and it was about ten minutes past the start and in walks TATAY SAN CARLOS! He and his family are the ones I sent pictures of. We have been teaching that family for a few months and the kids love, and want, to go to church! They have been less-active for YEARS! When we started teaching the family was really not very open to us or to the idea of coming back to church. We were pretty persistent with them, mostly because we saw the desire in the children. They come to church even if their parents do not. Through the past months we have gotten to be close to them, they look forward to our lessons and I can truly say I love them. I still don't know how I will leave all these people I love so much. Anyway, the kids love church and the parents struggle due to some things that have happened. We have challenged them for WEEKS! This past week Tatay came to church! Him and his family, except Nanay! He is related to about everyone there and it was great to see the members fellowship him, their long lost cousin came back to church! I pray that Nanay will come back as well and they will endure to the end. Is it weird that that is the highlight of my week? If you think I have a dull highlight, think again, Because it is hard to describe the joy that comes when you see those you are teaching Come to Chirst! Thanks for all your prayers for me. 

       I also thought I would share something I do, I don't think I have shared it before to you, I hope not. This is something I heard in the MTC and I have done my whole mission. A speaker once told us to put a coin in one of your shoes, and every time you feel it- Think of Christ. Every week at church we covenant to "always remember Him." I really enjoy doing this. When I was brand new in the mission I used a nickle, for obvious reasons. But now all my American money is gone so I just use a peso. It is pretty cool too because if you remember from my poem, when we teach we often take off our shoes to enter the house, unless it is a dirt floor. So a lot of the times when we are done with the lesson and we are putting our shoes back on the peso is gone. The same thing happened to my nickles- thus I stopped putting in nickles. But while we are teaching little kids come along, see a peso, snag it- quite innocently. I love it when I come and the peso is missing because i know a little nipper has just bought a snack. We can't give money away so it is nice when one goes missing. Anyway, if you can tell I am struggling with stories to share. So there's that quan of a quento. Wala akong quento ngayon. 

      Sunday was also cool because our concluding speaker was a blind person. He's only like 30 or so. He gave a great talk about temples. He is awesome. He has a very different way of thinking. He listens to EVERYTHING and he is a great speaker. He is pretty darn good at English too. I just thought that this man's testimony of the temple is amazing. He knows it is the house of the Lord not because he's seen it, but because he's felt the spirit there. Can you imagine the temple experience blind? Anyway faith doesn't come from seeing. I am struggling to think of cool things to tell you about if you can't tell. We had a zone activity earlier today and we got up EARLY! My mind is a bit slow right now and we have a lot to do today and tomorrow to get ready for the training we have to give so I am hoping to get a nice P-Day nap in later on today. 

       I love you all. I am thankful for your prayers. I pray for you everyday. Is General Conference this week in America? It is one week delayed here- i am super pumped! Don't miss that. Well we have MUCH MUCH MUCH to do here, I need to go. I love you all and I promise this gospel is true! 

Elder Davis

P.S. One of our new missionaries showed me a picture of a 6 foot long- GREEN-NA-GREEN snake with a blue tongue. They came across in on their way to church. Naga Mission =Best in all the Land! 

The San Carlos Family that he LOVES!

An unnamed but delicious fruit!

Monday night surprise! September 23rd 2013

Elder Davis, Sister Campbell, Elder Datu

Elder Davis, Elder Campbell, Elder Datu

Elder Davis

Sister Davis,

I thought I'd send a couple of pictures of your son and his companion, Elder Datu, as well as one of Elder Campbell and myself - so you can see what this Senior Couple looks like.

Just a little about ourselves.  Elder Campbell was born and raised in Star Valley, Wyoming.  If you've never heard of it, it is located 70 miles south of Jackson Hole, WY.  I was born in Utah.  He and I have been married 51 years, have two sons, 9 grandchildren and one great grandson.  We put in for a 23 month mission, and will be going back to Utah around the 4th of May.

We love being able to serve the Lord as a Senior Couple (Elder is the Supply Manager and I am the Recorder).  I record all of the baptisms and send the information to Salt Lake City via the internet so that these Filipinos can be official members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I love my necklace so very much.  Elder Davis is so thoughtful and kind.  He is very focused and sets such a great example for the other missionaries.

Hope you like the pictures.  I took the picture of your son in the office just a few minutes ago.  Today is the 24th, but my camera's date is set for the U.S.

Sister Campbell

September 23, 2013

Hello Everybody!

     Your letter was awesome Mom! I wouldn't be telling the truth if I told you I didn't tear up at what Gramps said! Mom I think we should take that advise of his and find a big enough box for him to be shipped to me for my Christmas gift! I miss him. At the top of everyday in my Daily Planner I write two words, "Earn It!" that was Gramps last advise to me for my mission- Earn It! But the last words he said to me before I left were, "Give'm Hell!" I try everyday to "Earn It" and give'm HEAVEN! Haha anyway I really don't need a package at Christmas! Being a missionary is quite easily worth it. 

       I can't believe BYU lost- we're pretty bummed here in Naga! Well, all of us but one, Sis Christensen is a die hard Ute and she's pretty happy. But President Reeder and I aren't amused haha. Well, there is always next year. 

        Time truly does fly on wings of lightning I can't believe Uncle Bob passed away over a year ago. I wonder how he is celebrating his year mark on his second mission? Aunt Tonna I love you so much! I can't wait to hug you! I hate how time goes by so fast. It is a good thing we know WHY we are here on this Earth! I love teaching that to people! We were in a lesson this last week and in the middle of the lesson this cute little kid (see pictures) falls asleep kneeling at the table! He reminds me of Nash, me and this kid are way tight! But we were teaching the Plan of Happiness/Salvation/Redemption whatever you want to call it- I call it the Plano ng Kaligtasan! But when he fell asleep I used it as a object lesson. I told them about how when Jesus was on the earth he said we need to, "Become as little children." Then we talked about the importance of being clean and pure and humble. We spoke of the necessity to repent and become like little children. It was a great lesson. I have been asked what I will miss the most when I have to go home, I will miss teaching God's children! Teaching will be the number one miss of mine I think! I have too many to count! Anyway I know God has a plan for us, we come from Him, we will return to Him, and there is an obvious reason in my mind that He sent us here. The answers to all of lives great questions are found in His plan for us! The Plan of Happiness even makes the passing of Uncle Bob comforting and even happy. Uncle Bob is just teaching a storm up there I bet, and singing in the choir!

       This past week has been BUSY BUSY NAGA CITY! This is the biggest celebration Naga City has! It is called Pena Prancia, look it up if you would like to know more about it. Anyway it is a religious celebration, I won't get into the details but it makes me want to share the truth even more! There were so many people here! I don't know if I wrote about Elder Thunnel and mine's experience during the NBA finals- we were tracting during GAME 7! Fruitless haha. Well we had exchanges again and wouldn't you know it it was PENA FRANCIA! Our day of excahnges I drove for over 5 hours and didn't go over 15 miles easily from point A tyo point B! We were in HUGE TRAFFIC. Eagar kids don't do well in traffic haha. Anyway we still were able to find some people to teach and it was a great time! 

      We have on investigator that is INCREDIBLY close to the spirit. In our first visit we taught all of lesson 1 and gave her a Baptismal Date! That's the first visit mind you! She excepted and she reads the Book of Mormon like nobody's business! She knows the truth. She lives in a strong member's house. The problem is she is only 17 years old and when she told her parents they wouldn't allow her to be baptized! We are going to go visit her parents and explain what our purpose is as missionaries- "To invite others to come unto Christ." We pray their hearts will be softened. But she's way strong- she says I turn 18 in January and I WILL BE BAPTIZED then, I'll sign my own baptismal recommendation! She is way cool haha. I LOVE SEEING PEOPLE AS THEY COME TO KNOW FOR THEMSELVES THAT WHAT WE TEACH THEM IS THE TRUTH! 

       We had another amazing lesson this week, we got to teach A LOT this week- which is awesome! It was the first lesson and after we got done sharing we were sharing our testimonies of how we came to know of this truth. The eyes of our investigators looked so hungry! They heard my testimony and then with eyes and ears eager to hear more turned to my companion and said, "What about you? We want to hear your story." Elder Datu gave a great testimony and then they turned to our member present and asked the same question. The best part was after it was over and I said, "you can all know for yourselves as well." "We sere sent here to share this message that you might find the truth as well." I asked one of them, "Do you remember the first time you held your first born child? What was that experience like?" The response was, "It was an incredible feeling, I can't explain it." I said, "You will feel like that when you read the Book of Mormon and pray to know the truth to God and when HE ANSWERS YOU!" I can't wait to go back there! I know this is the truth! I hope she did read and pray, because if she doesn't she won't know. But if she does, with a sincere heart and with faith she will know. And the feeling is indescribable! The best part is that anyone reading this letter can have the same experience, member, less-active, recent convert, or non-member. 

       Anyway I could blabber for days. But we are way short on time. We have training to give in the morning and we are super busy. Thank you for your prayers! I love you and pray for you! Keep sharing the Gospel! Have a great week. OH I HAVE A REQUEST! I would love to hear from ESPECIALLY MOM AND DAD (but the more the better) I would love you to write me next week and start the letter, "An amazing missionary is. . . " and tell me what an amazing missionary is! Please include your testimony! If Gramps is willing to do it that would be AWESOME! But I know he's not much for writing. 

Love you all a bushel!

Elder Davis

So sweet!

Who is this skinny boy?

Pena Prancia

I hope this means diligence!!!

Holy or holey shoes???

9-16-13

Howdy Howdy! 

      This week was great! We got to teach a lot this week which always makes it a great week! Our investigators are progressing AWESOMELY! Elder Datu and I are some happy campers in our work here in Naga! We are enjoying the work and finishing Elder Datu's last nine weeks stronger than ever! He's got nine weeks and I have nine months- neither of us want to waist that time! We are doing great- Elder Datu truly is like a brother to me.

        I wrote another mission poem this last week, I will  include it into my letter and I hope you enjoy it. I can still remember quite vividly my first day in Naga. I remember when the announcement was made on who was going to be my trainer. The announcement was that Elder Vogelsberg was to be my trainer. Our names were called and we sat down by each other and that was the first time I saw his shoes. I was sitting there comparing his TERRIBLY worn out shoes to NEW my shiny black shoes. I knew I had a long way to go before I was to be a missionary like Elder Vogelsberg. One of the very first things I told him was, "We need to get some mud on these shoes." There is no substitute for work in missionary work. So this one is for Tatay Vogelsberg, I owe a lot to him. He helped me so much in my mission and in my life. Also, shout out, my batch-mate, SIster Christensen, gave me the "I think the Lord likes worn out shoes" line. So if shoes could talk. . . 

“How Beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings…”

Isaiah 52:7

By: Elder Chantz Davis

Philippines Naga Mission

I heard once that Lord likes worn out shoes

I even think it makes Him smile

For with the wear and tear that comes

Conversion takes place of style.

So if you only knew my story

Why I look the way I do

I think you’d change your view about me

‘Bout being “Just an old nasty pair of shoes.”

For I was once black and shiny

And I looked pretty sharp with a suit

But I been through a bit since then

And now these dress shoes have tuned into boots

I know the life of a missionary

And even better the life of his shoes

Because I am the shoes of a missionary

And we’ve been about everywhere declaring this good news

I got to see most of the lessons

When the family only had a dirt floor

But when they had cement or tile

I was left listening at the door

And listening was just terrible at first

I remember his language when I first heard him try

But I saw his tongue get loosed

As the miles and miles went by

My sole continued to wear daily

And the holes have grown so fast

This mission has passed so quickly

I don’t know where the time has passed

They arrive in the field quite the same

Missionaries and their shoes so new

Both fresh, both clean both ready to go

But neither knowing what they’re about to go through.

Yes it’s true missionaries and their shoes arrive the same

But they go home quite different you’ll find

One’s battered and beaten and torn to shreds

While the other goes home refined

And though battered and beaten are the soles of these shoes

And I feel bad that he can feel the rocks with his toes

I know the thinner and thinner my sole gets

The more my missionary’s soul grows.

So yes I think the Lord likes worn out shoes

I think it makes Him smile

For with the wear and tear that comes

Conversion takes place of style.

      Anyway I like the poem. Here in the Philippines you take off shoes when you go into people's homes, unless they only have dirt floors, which is often the case. I feel more comfortable in a dirt floor some times than I do in a big house. I hope we all count our blessings. We have so many in our lives. I am always amazed and impressed at these people here, they are always happy. Life is much to short to not be happy. No matter what our circumstances are, we can be happy and we can count our blessings. Anywho I hope you enjoyed the poem, I aint much of a poet- but I dabble. 

       We are teaching some amazing people right now. We have one investigator where when we get there we just say, "Well what are YOU going to teach US today!?" We give her reading assignments and when we come back and ask her how it was she basically bears her testimony to us of all the things we want to teach her! She is so spiritually sensitive. In our second appointment with her we had just got there and she told us how she believes everything we taught and is confident that it is true. She then told us, this is the second visit mind you, that she would like to serve a mission so she can tell this truth to other people! Is that not awesome!?! She is living in a house with some members here and she reads and prays about the Book of Mormon everyday! It is awesome to hear her testimony. All it takes is a desire to know, a seed of faith, reading and praying and anyone will say what she told us, "I KNOW it is true by the power of the Holy Ghost." She is awesome! I love my mission. Her name is Joy by the way. I can tell you how awesome my mission is! I love what we teach, I love who we teach, I love what effects our teaching has on these people's lives and on my life. The only thing I don't love is it has an expiration date. But not really, my mission will never really be over for me. Anyway thank you for your prayers for us and for the people we are teaching they are progressing so well and most importantly they are "Coming unto Christ." There is nothing more satisfying than fulfilling your purpose as a missionary! 

      We have two super busy weeks ahead of us here in the mission. It is exciting, I just hope we get to teach a lot still in those few weeks. Well, I don't have too much time, surprise surprise! I hope all is well in your lives. I hope we are all reading from the scriptures everyday, praying everyday and going to church every week and striving to be Christ-like always. 

        I hope BYU beats Utah next week. We have some U fans and some Y fans here in the mission and I really don't want to hear it from them. So let me know how the games goes next week, but I am sure President Reeder will let me know before that- he's a die hard BYU fan too! Anyways have a great week. Keep being missionaries to everyone! What you have to say is important and true, don't be scared to testify. Love you all so much and I am thankful for your prayers! 

Elder Davis

President and Sister Reeder.

Dear Sister Davis, I received my first package since I arrived here in the Philippines, and what a wonderful surprise to see such a beautiful necklace when I opened the package. Thank you so much! I will treasure it forever! It will always remind me of the Naga Mission and the wonderful memories I will forever cherish. I have worn it several times already and have had many compliments. You and Elder Davis are so thoughtful. I want to take this time to tell you how much we love your son. Elder Davis is a great example to all who know him. If you can imagine when we arrived over two months ago how overwhelmed we felt. President Reeder met with President Bliesner for a little over two hours and then off he went. President Bliesner said he had full confidence in the Assistance to help President Reeder. Well they, Elder Datu and Elder Davis have been such a blessing in helping the transition. As Elder Davis conducts meetings, teaches, and bears a powerful testimony, you feel his love and dedication he has for the Savior. He truly knows and loves our Savior. I love to hear him share experiences in the different area’s he has served in. He puts a big smile on his face as he speaks of the members and investigators he so loves. I feel at times we have worn him out…..but he still smiles and keeps going, what a hard worker. Elder Davis and Elder Datu have a special friendship, and oh how they make us smile. Elder Davis speaks very highly of his family. Thank you for sharing him with us. I hope one day our paths cross and we are able to meet. May the Lord continue to bless you and your family. Thank you again for the beautiful necklace. With Love, Sister Reeder

A favorite family

Father, son, grandson :)

Have you ever seen a cuter little one??? What a face!

Delicious Papaya Kasi

Hey there, This was a good week- and a fast week. So it was a great fast week like all 104 weeks of a mission. It goes by too fast. So before I say anything else I messed up last week haha- I told you that President Ardern was coming for Stake Conference but he is not/ did not, he is coming for a Mission Tour next transfer. It is going to be really great to have him and his wife in the mission. But we have a lot to do to get ready for that. But thanks for your prayers thinking I had to translate for President Ardern haha. We got to teach quite a bit this week which was AWESOME! Yesterday we were teaching a lesson and the person we are teaching wants to learn English so they told me to teach in English for this one lesson! I AM OFFICIALLY TERRIBLE IN ENGLISH! I can't teach in English. I am BY FAR more comfortable teaching the Gospel in Tagalog than I am in English. Filipinos have a saying when it is hard to either speak or understand a language they say, "Nose Bleed" I was "Nose Bleeding" hard yesterday in English haha. I don't know what it is about teaching in English but it is hard. I give workshops in English and anything- but in teaching- I am NOSE BLEEDING IT UP in English. Dumudugo and ilong ko! I love my mission- I think I say that all the time but I love it! This past week we were in a meeting with President and I asked if I could extend one more transfer on my mission haha. And Mom guess what he said- he said . . . no. :( haha He said, "Elder Davis if I allowed you to stay one more transfer on your mission your mother would be on the next plane to Naga and she'll bring her shot gun and shoot me." So even though I really want to have 6 months after my time here in the office it looks like I am not going to get it. Why does my Mom love me so much haha? It is your fault Mom that I don't get the extension haha. I knew it was a long shot anyway. Ammon was lucky- he served for 14 years! So since I have no cool stories to tell you because I am stuck in an office haha- that is just a joke I am learning a lot here and I enjoy it. But since I am not in the field I will have to tell you about my friend from BYU! He is serving in Bolivia and due to all the new missionaries they, like us, are sending missionaries quite literally to the ends of the world! I am so jealous of him. He proselytes in JEANS and BOOTS. He walks 6 hours every week go get to a place with internet and grocery! And they spend 20 hours a week in service- in the corn and garlic fields! Does that not sound like a paradise!?! Plantin corn in a name tag would be awesome! Anyway we email quite a bit and we are both super jealous of each other I think haha. Guys I am boring. Haha not really but I have no AWESOME stories to tell you this week. But I can tell you this- the church is true. Yesterday we attended the Stake Conference in Naga and it struck me how the Book of Mormon has the same effect on people no matter where they are from. I know that Joseph Smith did not write that book. We had people sitting outside because we couldn't fit them all in the big stake center. I don't think we realize sometimes how blessed we are. Living in remembrance of what we know is a hard thing to do but it is important to do. I read a talk by President Hinckley this last week, and he told a story of a man who was studying in the states and became converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. When it was time for the man to leave President Hinckley asked him if was willing to make such a great sacrifice of joining the church because he would be disowned by his family and basically his country. The man responded, "It's true; isn't it? What else matters?" How awesome is that? When you know it is true- not much else matters. When you know it is true, a little Filipino lady will give up a lot of money to travel to church. I love this Gospel, I love teaching it. I love seeing the impact is has on people, once they know it is true. They believe that a 14 year old boy, from a place they don't know, saw God the Father and Jesus Christ and that God called him to be a prophet just like in olden days. They know it is true. We know it is true. What else is important? Anyway I have places to go and people to see and the Gospel to preach! Also warning- I am deadly close to finishing a poem about my trainer in the mission- Elder V-berg! I love you all a bushel. We are working hard and loving it! Thank you for your prayers, I always pray for you! Keep sharing the Gospel and be happy always. OH I ALMOST FORGOT, Elder Datu and I got a parking ticket earlier today! That stunk. There is a saying here that says, "All the illegal is legal in the Philippines" but apparently that's not always true haha. But it's not a big deal, we already took care of it. Brother Willy, the guard at the mission home, took us to the place and we paid it off. Brother Willy is the best guy in the world, I will miss him as much as I miss anyone! Elder Davis- Sorry for the boring week haha.

BERRRRRRRRRRR months doesn't mean cold.....

WE'RE IN THE BERRRRRR MONTHS!

      Can you believe it is SeptemBER! Here in the Philippines once you hit the BER months: SeptemBER, OctoBER, ect it is PWEDE NA to start the Christmas Spirit! Yesterday was September FIRST and we sang a Christmas Song in Sacrament and another one Sunday school and Elder Datu and I listen to it in the car haha. There are already some Christmas lights out on Panganiban Drive haha! Is that not an awesome cultural quan!? I think we should adapt to the "Ber Months." It is never to early to get into the Christmas Spirit! Anyway the time is flying by and I already know Christmas will be here before I know it. 

      This week was so magulo! It seemed like everyday we were traveling somewhere, it was a bit frustrating because we weren't able to teach as much but it was still a rewarding week. We had three missionaries finish their missions last week and they were pretty impressive. Return missionaries have some strong testimonies. We also had 29 FRESH missionaries! That means we had to open up 13 new areas- that is not an easy thing to do haha. Next transfer will be a little easier but still not easy. We just keep getting further and further out in the boonies! I hope when I leave the office I will be opening a BRAND NEW area way out there. 

      We had to travel to one of those new and far areas this week- TWICE. The first time I was more scared than I have ever been on my mission. I won't mention where we went or who I was scared of but it was a far area where foreigners aren't allowed to be assigned. This is a brand new area- as in the first sacrament meeting will be held in the missionaries apartment in like two weeks! Awesome no? Anyway we dropped off the Elders there and it was night time. Everyone there was asking us super creepy questions and THEY looked scared for us. There have been some hold up on the roads there before. And Elder Datu and I were fairly convinced that we had a 50 percent chance of getting held up on the road. One of the friends of the missionaries told us before we left, "Do not stop for anything." We were scared, but we prayed and made it our safe and sound. Anyway we aren't allowed to travel there at night anymore. There is a risk of kidnapping there. So it is a good thing my mom is a worry-wart and prays for my safety everyday. 

       I saw Tatay Abner yesterday! If you don't remember who Tatay Abner is he is an investigator we taught in Ocampo. He went to church at my ward yesterday! He calls the mission office every two or tree weeks and chats with me haha. Yesterday he came to church in Canaman! He is still one of my favorite people I have met here, he also is the one that causes me the most sadness. He is still as hard as ever haha. He just can't seem to "apply his heart to learning." But I love him anyway. We got to chat for a while and he sat with me for the whole three hours. I have lost MUCH hope about him ever becoming a member in this life but every time I see him I ponder about what our conversation will be like in the next life. Anyway it was good to see him. Me and him are buds- not as close as me and Gramps are buds though. 

       Also this week I FINALLY got my TIRE SANDALS! Aren't those awesome!?! Those things will last me the rest of my life- and they are comfortable even though they don't look it. The best part was it cost me just over 2 bucks! Filipinos can make cool stuff out of nothing! I am still going to do some things to the sandals to make them even cooler. I am sure I like them more than anyone else likes them but that is a good thing. 

       Next week we have Stake Conference right here in Naga! President Ardern of the Area Presidency will be coming, which should be fun. He came when I was in Goa and that was awesome. One thing that might not be awesome is I might have to translate for him- yucks! Elder Vogelsberg had to translate for him when he came to Goa. That is some pressure haha. I hope I don't have to do it. But this week should be great- all weeks are. I am still loving my mission, I am happy, and I love the Reeders.

       This is a pretty short letter. But that is okay. Time is flying by here. It goes by so quickly. Also just an FYI I am writing a poem about missionary's shoes. It comes from Tatay Vogeslberg's shoes. I hope you guys like it. It could be a while or a month or a transfer before I finish it- we hardly have anytime for that. We usually get home pretty late. Well I love you all. Eagar looks beautiful, I am grateful we are getting rain there but I am jealous that you are enjoying it while I am not. The church is true everybody, it really is- so what else really matters?

Elder Davis

P.S. Question of the Day- Why does the Bible end? Think about that one... 

      

Perhaps the first white guy these kids have seen!

Tatay Abner - stubborn but still buds!

Tire sandals!