Monday 26th August 2013

Tough life!

Anyone recognize these 2?

No thank you!!!

Howdy Howdy!

       Well, this week was great- but I didn't get to go to Pasacao so it wasn't as amazing as last week haha. I am way jealous that Eagar is so green and beautiful right now, this is the best time of year to be in Eagar. But let's be real, anytime of year is a great time to be in Eagar, maybe not a "beautiful" time in Eagar, but a great time in Eagar. Eagar is a little slice of heaven. But speaking of heavenly lugars, The Philippines is STINKING AWESOME! I am still convinced that I will have a harder time with my transfer back to America than I will with my transfer to The Philippines. Anyway this week was good, and it went by SO FAST! All weeks go by so fast!

        This past week was the last week of the transfer which means we are BUSY! We did all our Transfer Planning and Travel Planning this week and it was super time consuming. It is fun work, but nothing beats missionary work- actually hitting the streets and rice fields and preaching the word. It would be safe to say that I miss the regular missionary work, too bad I still have 6 months to be caged in an office haha. It is okay, it is worth it just from all the things I learn from President and Sister Reeder.  But President Reeder knows that I am "field trunky" I am ready to hit the streets again. Anyway this week has been crazy hectic but way fun and I have learned a lot. 

       So as far as cool things go- I ate a goat. Or maybe I should say, I ate goat. I didn't eat a whole goat that is just nonsense. But I did have goat or kambing as it is called in the blessed language of Tagalog. It tastes really good, it is tougher than beef. It is sorta like a beef and pork mix. Anyway now I can say I have eaten goat- can you? Try it some time. 

      So to elaborate a little more on what "transfer and travel plans" mean, that is when President Reeder assigns missionaries to their new areas and assignments and who will train and all that fun stuff. We help and council and suggest things to him about transfers and then when it is finished Elder Datu and I go into the logistics of all these things. How the transfer will work so that no one is left alone and everyone will be using their time wisely and just so that everyone and everything is in the right place at the right time. It takes forever but it took even longer when we weren't split in half yet and when we had two islands to take care of. But it is still pretty complicated especially because we are opening up 13 brand new areas this transfer alone! And all of the missionaries who are opening these areas up are TRAINING! We have so many new missionaries, we are getting flooded with missionaries. It is awesome. The work is going forth faster than ever. We don't know where to put all of these missionaries! 

      The highlight of my week was yesterday after church. We had a great lesson with one of our investigators and invited him to baptism. It was a great lesson and he TIMIDLY accepted the invitation that was given quite boldly haha. Anyways he is progressing and so is his family. Nothing compares to inviting people to come unto Jesus Christ. My Purpose as a missionary is to invite others to come unto Jesus Christ and they do it in the most noticeable way through following Jesus Christ's example and be baptized by immersion with someone holding the proper authority of God. Anytime I am able to invite others to come unto Christ I am a happy happy missionary! When they actually do it, I am BEYOND happy! But I haven't had a day on my mission so far that I am not happy! 

       Just earlier today before I started emailing Elder Datu and I were walking by a store and a man came running behind me, grabbed me by the back, turned me around, and shook my hand like we were old friends. I was shocked, especially because this person was American. I said, sorry but do I know you? Turns out we don't know each other, he just wanted to talk to us. His name is Jimmy from Arkansas! And he talks like a "Jimmy Boy" from Arkansas! Haha he also knows some Sherwoods there apparently. I told him I was related to them and that my buddy Rulon Udall was serving in Arkansas doing the same thing I am doing here. He thought that was pretty cool and so did I, It's a small world. But the most interesting part was he wanted to ask us about the church. He is a very firm member in his religion, which I won't mention, and wanted to know how many missionaries we have in the Philippines. Sadly I didn't know the exact number but I told him how many we had just here in Naga and he was shocked!  He said and I quote, "Sadly my religion doesn't do a lot of things we should do."  He was a very nice man and had a great testimony of Jesus Christ. I was pleased at that, we talked about our belief in Jesus Christ being the number one most important thing and that is true. But he mentioned so many things that he thought wasn't right about his religion. I am so glad I have no doubts about this religion. We wanted to go visit him at his house, because he was staying here in Naga, but he is leaving to go back to the states later on today so we couldn't. He was just lost, he believes in Christ and is a good man- which says a lot I think but you could see it in his eyes that he wants more. Anyway, open your mouth and talk to people about the Gospel. Sometimes they come up to you but sometimes you need to be the one to open your mouths first. Isn't it great to know what we know, and to have what they need. Maybe Rulon will talk to that man in a couple of weeks- that would be  a real small world.

       How do you like the pictures of who used to be Elders Walker and Adair? Someone asked me, "Hey do you know these guys, it says they are from Eagar." I said yes before they said their names. If they are from Eagar- I probably know them haha. Also a district mate of mine from the MTC (Elder Atwood from Australia)  trained Elder Ryder Neilson from St. Johns, cool no?

     Do you see the size of that bug? By my body language you can probably see that I was a bit scared of it- haha the funny thing is Filipinos play with these things like it is nothing. The kids even put strings on it and then they let them fly around in the air. But when they started putting that thing on me (and by put I mean they would throw it on me and where it landed it just sticks to because it's grip is crazy good)  it was basically on my neck at one point and I was squirming they thought that was pretty funny! Big tall massive white guy scared of a "tiny" little bug! 

       Well I don't have much to say this week. We were in the office a lot and we will be in the office a lot this week, we will be training all the trainers and greeting all the new missionaries and send out all the old missionaries and all of that. It should be a good week. But sorry the letter wasn't great. But I do have a favor to ask, I would love it if all of you who read my blog would send me your testimony. Just a quick little testimony. I haven't heard the testimonies of my family members in over a year. I would love to hear them. And all of you who may reads this I would love to hear anything you have to say! I would love it if you could do that. Thanks for that. Well have a great week. Find joy in the journey, life's too short to only be enjoyed in retrospect.

Elder Davis

       

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!

PASACAO!!!!!!! Just for a day but still... a WHOLE DAY!

Taytay Domingo Banares

 

The "Land of My First Inheritance"

Same Alley...... minus the 'gift'

4 Future Missionaries!!!

First "Super" Companions!! Who hopefully "did some good".

 

Monday 12th 2013

Howdy!

       Well, I don't think you need to worry too much about the typhoon headed our way. The rain is super strong, the wind is decent but nothing too dangerous. So don't worry Mom, but I know you will haha. Rain here in the Philippines makes rain back in home look like nothing. When it rains here- it Typoons! Anyway the typoon here isn't bad at all. So pray for the folks where it is strong. 

        Second- Eagar looks so pretty! Prettier than usual and I think quite highly of that little patch of land. It is so green here in the Philippines so I am used to it, but there are no seasons here. It is just always pretty. That might be the biggest thing I miss is different seasons! I miss fall and winter and spring. Right now I live in summer, and then summer with more rain haha. BUT I LOVE IT HERE! Anyway it will be good to see pine trees when the time comes. But I hope that time is still a while from now! Because I know one I see the pine trees I will miss the banana and the mango trees and the papaya trees and LAHAT! So I will enjoy this while I am here. 

      Dad sounds super busy! hopefully your trip to Utah is relaxing. Markee is having her baby- that's exciting! And who knew Eric has to leave again- I don't know a lot what goes on I think back home. 

        Biscuits and gravy in the dutch oven huh? That is always a good time up at Sherwood forest, I hope the Hadlocks liked it. Is there anything that tastes better than that? When I get home I fully expect Gramps and me to make some biscuits and gravy the way it is supposed to be made- Dutch Oven. So keep those dutch ovens handy Gramps. 

       Mom you asked if my living conditions are better here in the office than they were before. Answer: yes. We have a hot shower here and a washing machine! WE ARE SO SPOILED! But I miss the buckets and the bad apartments- I really do. Getting out of the office and back to the field will be a happy day. I can't wait to hit the streets and teach the Gospel ALL DAY AGAIN! But yes Mom the  loiving conditions are better but I'd take a small nasty apartment again any day! As long as it meant I could train a missionary and spread the Gospel full  time. So send some prayers that I get "set out to pasture" before my time comes up.

       This week was great! We had a Family Home Evening- I love FHE's by the way- but after the lesson we played a game called BAKA BALAKA (Insert body part) NG BAKA (Insert different body part) NG BAKA! It was a way intense game. I was neck or leeg in Tagalog. It is a tongue twisting game so whoever messes up 3 times first is the loser. I don't know how many times I said, "Baka balaka leeg ng baka (paa, tainga, chen, ulo, mata, ect)  ng baka!" Anyway I am proud to say that I beat at least one person in that game! An american tongue beat a philippino tongue in a Tagalog tonge twisting game. We won't mention how old the loser was though. Because if I told you the truth that she was only 10ish years old then my story wouldn't be so impressive. So I won't tell you she was 10ish even though she was. But it was hilarious the whole household ganged up on me because they wanted to see how long I could say that crazy tongue twister. Anyway the only reason I tell you the baka balaka story is because I want you to know that Heavenly Father really is amazing, "The Gift of Tongues" is real- promise. 

       We had exchanges in Daet this week- our furthest zone so I had a long time to drive, especially on the way home that night when it was raining cats and dogs. So I took the time I had to drive and just prayed the whole way home. I hsve learned how to many things on my mission that I thought I knew how to do before the mission and prayer is very high on that list. Serving a mission is so important, I didn't even really know how to pray before my mission, you learn a lot on a mission. Anyway I prayed for every single one of you back home and I felt God's love for you. I am so very grateful for prayer.

      This past week we taught a family and for the lesson we just read and discussed 2nd Nephi 31. That chapter is incredible! The Gospel of Jesus Christ would be hard to be found more plainly and powerfully anywhere else than it is in this chapter. Anyway this family has gone to church before and reads a little in the Book of Mormon but they haven't really been to progressing toward baptism. We read this chapter and Tatay had a lot of questions that the Book of Mormon answered so well. He asked about what happens if a baby dies without baptism because we know baptism is essential and and if he needs to be baptized again even though he has already been baptized and so on. It is a great thing that God gave us the Book of Mormon to answer these important questions. We invited him to be baptized and he said.... "no,  not yet." But he said once he knows this is true that he would be baptized. Missionary work is awesome! Even if the people don't accept the work right away. My purpose is "to invite others to Christ." Any time I get to do that I am happy, even if they don't accept right away it feels so good to be an instrument in God's hand. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!

          I heard that we are getting a BUNCH of new missionaries in Eagar? That is because the same thing that is happening here is happening there! The world is getting flooded missionaries. We will open some 50 odd new areas in this mission after we reach our peak here- just so you know that is A LOT!!! We are opening areas that have never had full missionaries in there and we will be going places no missionaries have ever been- I hope that is where I get sent. Anyway the wold is getting hit by this wave of missionary work. But the only way it will be successful is if members share the Gospel with their friends. We have to fill the missionaries' planners that are assigned in our wards with names to teach. We have to. The work is hastening and I hope we are all on board as it starts running! So start opening your mouths and share the HAPPIEST AND BEST AND MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE ANYONE WILL EVER HEAR IN THIS LIFE! And don't be scared you get to do it in English. 

      I love you all so much. I pray for you and I know you pray for me because I feel your prayers. I am going great. I am happy and working hard and doing my very best. Have a great week, try to talk to someone about the Gospel every single day.

Elder Davis

       

       

TWO GREAT FAMILIES IN HIS WARD!

Auugust 5, 2013

Church building.....And to think they tore down our beautiful old Eagar building because it wasn't structurally sound.

Dewormed and feeling a whole lot better!

WELL IF I EVER HAD WORMS- THEY SHOULD BE ALL GONE! Howdy everybody! How was my introduction? Haha this last week I was positive that I had an ulcer, I was convinced of it and my stomach hurt for a few days. I didn't really know why I was hurting but I swallowed my pride and told Sister Reader I was hurting and then I swallowed a WORM PILL she gave me. Since that day my stomach hasn't hurt- I have seen no visual evidence to say that I had worms, but it is much like the Holy Ghost, though I haven't seen anything I can feel it and I just KNOW that I had worms. Anyway, all I know if as once I was wormed- now I am dewormed! Speaking of my stomach ache and my theory that it was an ulcer, we (Sister Reeder and I) texted Doctor Jackson. Now I had heard Doctor Jackson's name before I came to the mission because Uncle Paul Blad told me, "If you ever get sick in the Philippines you'll meet my friend Doctor Jackson." I told him, "I hope I never meet him then haha." Anyway when we texted him I told him that Paul Blad from Kanosh Utah says hello! His response was, "How in the world do you know that ol' retrobate. He is one of the best people in this world, but don't believe all his stories he tells about me." He told me to tell Uncle Paul HI! So Uncle Paul- Hi from Doctor Jackson! He told me "I couldn't have a better uncle in the world." That was word for word! Doctor Jackson is awesome and he helps out our sick Elders and Sisters all the time! But don't worry about my sickness that I had, it never was bad enough that I couldn't work. I have been blessed very much in my mission with health. This past week was had to travel to a very far area with President Reeder to give a baptismal interview to a lady who- who needed the Mission President to interview her for baptism and not just a missionary. Anyway we went up with President and I had the privilege of being President Reeder's translator. It was an amazing experience to see how much change had happened in this sister because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She has been christian all her life but she said she found God and the truth in this church. She continually used the words, NATAGPUAN and NAHANAP, which basically means DISCOVERED or FOUND, as she told us about her conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She talked about be spiritually hungry and thirsty and that the gospel gave her that drink and food she needed it. She kept referring to the Book of Mormon and how it was so easy for her to come to know who Christ in that book. It was a great interview and she passed. She had truly repented of her past sins and it was quite apparent, you could see it in her face. She had an countenance of a happy, repentant person who had discovered the Restored truth. It was an awesome experience and I learned a lot. I took a picture of where we had that interview. It is that cinder block building you see. It is about 50 yards too the prettiest ocean you will ever see. The water is like turquoise! Anyway it is extremely beautiful there, jungle and ocean beach! That cinder block building is also the chapel! A bunch of saints gather there every week to take the sacrament and go to church- awesome right. If you think that is a "bad" building you should know we have a branch here who meets outside! They meet in a place with just a grass roof extended off a building like a porch but with dirt floors and the primary meets under some mango trees jsut a little was off. Is that not awesome. The most powerful sacrament I can remember on my mission was in San Vicente- I already wrote you about taht one a few months ago. With the deacon who was passing the bread and water with no shoes or sandals. Anyway I hope we all realize what we have and I hope we are all thankful. We are opening 14 new areas this next transfer! That is right- 14! We have 3 missionaries going home and 30 missionaries coming in in 2 weeks! Our mission is growing so fast! If you haven't noticed in the past 6 months what the word "Hastening" mans, you have missed something We are starting to flood the earth and I hope we are using missionaries in our wards back home. I hope you are FIGHTING over them in their schedule on when they can teach your friends. Anyway it is an exciting time to be a missionary- actually I take that back- it is an exciting time to be a member or a missionary in this restored gospel. I hope you guys enjoy my emails. I love hearing from people that enjoy reading the blog my mom makes. I have gotten a lot of emails over my mission who say they love reading the blog. It is great to hear from you. I hope I am doing missionary work even in my emails home. Anyway thanks for all your prayers- from family and non-family alike. Well, I had better get going. We have MLC tomorrow and then Trainer and New Missioanary Workshop the next day and so much more! I love you all, I am thankful for you and all the blessings my Heavenly Father has given me. One of the largest sins has to be the sin of ingratitude. If I have learned anything on my mission it has been to be MORE grateful. Love you all a bushel! Keep those prayers a coming! Elder Davis

Well, Howdy! This week has been crazy! We had three Zone Conferences and SOO MUCH MORE! The "so much more part" I won't include in the email but just know we have been busy! A lot of driving in these last few days. I can't express how much I am learning here in the mission. I feel like I am living a mini life in 2 years! I am convinced that I could do nothing in these 2 years that could prepare me better for life than anything else on this earth. I truly believe that. Anyway, I am doing great! I love my time here on my mission. In our Zone Conferences, we still have 2 to go this week, we are watching "The Work of Salvation" Broadcast! That thing is incredible! I love the title, Notice how it is not "missionary work" In fact I am pretty sure they never use the term "missionary work" in the whole two hours! They use the term, "member missionary work" because "The Work of Salvation" is not the responsibility alone of the missionaries but of everyone who knows and loves this Gospel. So if you aren't inviting your friends are ANYONE else to listen to the missionaries DO IT! But I know you guys are doing that, sorry I always bug you about it, actually I am not sorry I bug you about it- it is the work of salvation! We've spent quite a time in the car with the Reeder's! They are amazing! They are strikingly similar to Mom and Dad! First off, President Reeder and Dad both went to BYU accounting at the same time, as far as I can figure right, and they both worked moving Soda Pop for a job while going to college, as far as my memory is correct. Sister Reeder loves Dorris Day and President loves John Wayne. They grew up just a town apart in the same stake, sound familiar? Sister Reeder is the loud one and President is the quieter one who describes himself as boring- is this not Gary and Kathleen!?! Anyway I have been laughing at all the similarities haha, there are more too I can't remember them right now. Anyway they are great people just like Mom and Dad! I have been a bit sick this last week, I think it is due to the lack of sleep and the driving we have had to do and the stress due to the "so much more part" I mentioned above haha. But I hadn't been feeling all that well. Sister Reeder told me that I was to "go home and go to bed." I told her, 'I will go home and go to bed. . . in 11 months." I can't even begin to describe how fast my mission is going! I can't go to bed on some day or I might miss something awesome on this mission! But when I do get home, I will be going to bed haha! I will sleep for like 3 days straight haha! The thought of going home makes me want to cry, I love you all a ton but I hope that "going home day" is far from now! I hope to become a more diligent missionary, President Reeder's stories from his mission are some really good examples of diligence, I want to be like that. This morning we were cleaning our apartment, we just switched apartments, and we changed the water filter- I think the picture can describe it better than I can haha. That thing was gross, but I have seen worse. When I was still new in the mission my batch, Elder Vaki, told me that their water tasted like blood. Then like 3 weeks later they changed the filter and that filter was WAY WORSE than the one you see Elder Datu (pogi) holding! Anyway I thought you guys would get a kick out of that one. If you were wondering why I was not feeling very well this week, this picture might hold part of the answer... After our Daet Zone Conference we got to go to Pambuhan for President to give a baptismal interview. That is where we took the pictures by the ocean- this place is in the middle of nowhere but it is beautiful! Not only is it beautiful but the members in that branch are so strong! Sister Reeder loved it there! She had the little kids sing, "I am a child of God" while she videoed them. They don't know English but they could sing every word of that song! They didn't have very much money, it was obvious, but as a typical best people in the world Pinoy they gave us food. There is not a nicer country in the world, to me. Sister Reeder said Heavenly Father was smiling while they sang and she was right- they are some cute little kiddos! Now, why is Elder Davis holding a tire with black stuff on his face you may ask? The answer comes from last night, we had a family home evening at a part member's home and it was awesome! But after the lesson we went out to the car and started to drive away, first off we are so spoiled to have a car but anyway, we started to drive away and there was an obvious problem haha. The car had a flat, completely flat haha. It was night time and raining a little and we had to change it. A member came and helped us a little bit but he was no mechanic haha- anyway we got it all fixed, but got a little dirty in the process. I enjoyed it though, I really miss that kind of work. We haven't had great luck with the car the past few weeks. Speaking of which, when I had to tell President about the fender bender I said, "President I have good news and I have bad news- let me tell you the good news first because it will also let you know the bad news." He said okay and then I said, "The good news is the accident wasn't very big- I think you can now guess what the bad news is." haha but he took it well and it's over now. We didn't get to teach very much this week do to all the mission business we had to take care of but it was still a great week. I cherish lessons now because we don't get to teach them very often. There is nothing like teaching the Gospel to God's children! But since we don't get to teach very much and we are always with president speaking English, plus we don't have much time for language study my Tagalog is plateauing haha. But that is okay, I am thankful for every word of Tagalog that comes out of my mouth. I love all of you. I miss you, but not too much haha. I know this Gospel is true. I have told you before and I will tell you again, I know it is true. If it wasn't i wouldn't be here. I don't understand everything in this Gospel, I don't know all the mysteries of God, but I do know he loves EVERYONE of us. I know this is his church and that he has called prophets in these are times. I know the message I share with others is his message and that we are his messengers. There is no doubt in my mind about that. This church is true, and living and real! The plan of salvation is happening, how blessed we are. May we do nothing of which we can't be proud. Elder Davis

Old filter, new filter. YIKES!

Travels to the out reaches of the mission.

Actually doing some 'work'

JULY 21, 2013

Good-bye Old Friend!!! Hope to see you at BYU!

 Head Home!!!!! Famous Davis Fist Bump!

Buhi!

DALAWANG BAGAY:Una- kinasal na si kuya! Pangalawa- Bobo ako! IN ENGLSIH= TWO THINGS: First- My older brother is married! Second- I am an idiot! So first thing first- holy smokes my brother is married! I have a new sister-in-law! I think it would be weirder if I didn't know Julie. Anyway that is awesome! The pictures looked great and they looked SUPER happy! The kiddos all looked good all dressed up! It will be so weird when I go home and May asawa na si kuya! I'll be the only one who is not married haha. Hopefully I will just never go home, I will just serve the rest of my life. But anywho, Rabbies- congrats! And remember....mintchocolatechip! Now second- I am a BOBO, i am an idiot! Do you know the feeling of getting in an accident and then having to tell your Dad about it? Try doing that and then having to tell your Mission President about it. Have you already figured out what happened? If you haven't let me tell you a quento dear friends! This morning, P-day, we played basketball and then went to the gym close by. The owner of the gym is actually a member and anyway we were there and lifted a bit and then we got in the car to go home. Now you need to know, driving is much different here in the Philippines, there are no rules. That is pretty fair to say, and even though there are no rules everyone kind of understands each other but they end up doing whatever they want. We see a lot of accidents driving around. Also parking, you can park anywhere you can as lang as you don't completely block traffic. Anyway we were in the car after the gym and about to leave to go get some delicious SioPao before showering. I had just turned the van on and extended the side mirrors (because they have an electric folder) and I began to turn into the street. This is a very small street, not too busy, just a back road here in Naga City. I turned in and clipped the end an overpassing car going about 5 miles an hour. I hadn't even moved a foot and they were only going like 5 miles an hour and we just scraped and scratched paint. Luckily it was just a small wreck and no one was hurt, but it makes you feel extremely BOBO! I also have a confession, President Reeder still doesn't know- I'm telling him later on today. Elder Cambell, who is our Couple Supply Elder, and I have taken care of it but I'll tell President later today. I am not excited to have that conversation. It will be a funny story to tell ages and ages hence though. It is ironic that the red truck had a window bread this last week too haha. Anyway I am BOBO (idiot). I still haven't been able to come to grits that I got in a fender bender. FYI I invited the second party (who is a dentist) to church on Sunday hahaha! Always share the gospel! I think the feeling of being pulled over by the cops or getting in an accident is a lot like the guilt we feel when we sin. We have done something that is not right and we know we can't just go back and re-due it. It is a terrible feeling, and it is terrible to have to admit it to "The Big Man." But unlike an accident you can always fix the sin. Repentance is a great thing. If it weren't for repentance, made possible by Jesus Christ, we would all have the feeling of "I can't believe I just hit that car, I am such a bobo." I can't take back what has happened. Anyway it is a good thing that there is repentance. Weird little comparison. I hate the feeling of being in an accident or getting pulled over by the cops!!! This week was awesome! We finished transfers and everyone is in their areas. The sad part was Tatay Vogelsberg has now gone home. We drove him to the air port this last week and after they left we picked up the new incoming batch! As awesome as the new batch is, they can't replace how awesome the batch is that just left! I will miss Tatay Vogelsber so much! Elder Kornegay will be a big one to lose too, and jsut that WHOLE BATCH! They did the Davis Power Fist for me (see picture). That is my go to pose here in the mission! I will forever be grateful for Tatay Vogelsberg, I still remember my first day when me and him got to our apartment and it was FLOODED! He had no bed, just a foam mattress on the floor and he slept on a half wet mattress that night and gave me the bed. Our whole time he slept there on the ground while I was on the bed. He is a great missionary- but an AMAZING TRAINER! I am very grateful for him, the beginning of missions are not easy but he helped me BIG TIME! I am excited to see that kid again at BYU we'll toss the football around and speak some Tagalog to each other and watch BYU sports! Anyway, he's awesome. Wednesday is always a interesting day as far as emotions go. You drop off amazing, experienced missionaries who are ready to see there families after a well served 2 years and then you pick missionaries up who are just starting their journey! You see shoes, like Elder Vogelsberg's, that are FALLING TO PIECES and then you see BRAND NEW ones by the new missionaries! There is a poem there coming up- I'm still working on it in my mind. Hopefully it will be finished this transfer! The Buhi pictures are pretty cool huh? We had to drive people to Buhi! It is a way cool place and there is a member there that can make you ANYTHING! I bought two ties! She makes this cool material and then makes anything out of it, scripture cases, bags, jackets, blankets, towels- ANYTHING! IT is a way cool place! I will buy a lot of that before I leave! This past transfer we opened a new area and this last week we were informed that they will not have water or electricity for the next month! That is no good haha, they'll just live in the closest area to them and travel to their area and work everyday. As much of the luxuries that are found here in the office I CAN'T WAIT TO GET INTO THE FIELD AGAIN! There in nothing like being in the field teaching God's children ALL DAY LONG! I can't wait! Anyway I love you all! Thank you for your prayers, I pray for you daily! Mom, way to invite people to be taught by the missionaries! You are the bomb! Keep it up! Have fun in ol Eagar and smile and be thankful because we have much to be thankful for! Love you all, have a nice week and don't crash the car! Elder Davis

IN WITH THE NEW! July 14th 2013

I love being a missionary,

      I really do love being a missionary. It is incredible. Anyway, how is everyone? I hope all is well and good. Things are great here. We are right in the middle of transfers and things are MAGULO! I can't think of a great word to translate magulo, it means that things are like all-over-the-place, kinda thing. I am struggling right now with both English and Tagalog- I speak English all the time in the office and I forget easy English words and then I speak Tagalog after not speaking it all the time and I forget easy words- it is the worst! haha Earlier today I called soap- broth. Like soup broth haha. Because I mixed up sabao and sabon (sp). Easy mistake but it happens because everyday i speak so darn much english! It's okay, I am happy and blessed to speak when I need to speak. Elder Datu laughs at my Englsih and my Tagalog though hahaha- I am a MASTER AT TAGLISH though! I can speak Taglish like nobody's quan! Are you kukuning what I'm ilagaying? (Are you picking up what I'm laying down?) Okay that is a bit extreme Taglish but I love speaking Taglish to Americans, it is so awesome. 

      It rained there in Eagar? That is aweome, prayers work huh? It is good to hear that we had rain, we get plenty here in the Philippines. I hope that rain helped with the fires that are all over the state. We know as good as anyone that fires are no fun!

      So Race gets married this week right? That is crazy! And awesome! Send pictures. Also, another big thing happens this week, my Tatay in the mission- Elder Vogelsberg goes home. I will drive him to the airport this week! I am so stinking sad he is going home! I owe so much to him as my trainer! He was the perfect trainer for me. He is such a good missionary. It will be sad to see him go, but I'll see him at BYU. 

      This week has been way busy. Our mission is split in half- when we still weren't split in half we had close to 200 missionaries- now that is in the whole mission before it was cut in half. NOW we are expecting just our half of this mission to have 230 missionaries!! That is 30 more missionaries than the old Naga Mission in just half the area. What does that mean? It means there are new opening areas everywhere! Wards are having 6 missionaries in it and new branches and groups are opening everywhere! Almost everyone in our mission is training (even extremely young ones) because we are getting about 30 missionaries arriving and only like 6 or so missionaries are going home, and it will be like that until we get to 230 missionaries! The work is HASTENING! The wave is here, jump on or you'll miss it! How exciting is that? Our mission is just exploding with tons of new missionaries! I love it! It is happening all over the world! We have people finding new apartments and opening areas and stalking apartments and it is awesome! President Reeder told us that the apostles told all the new mission presidents at the Mission President Seminar that, "There has not been a more exciting time in the church than right now except for the Restoration." And I am a missionary at this time! I love it! But the biggest vision the brothern seem to have is that of missionaries and members working hand in hand- so share the Gospel with everyone. This is not just the job of the missionaries, this is the job of all those who have been blessed with the knowledge of the truth.

      Anyway my preaching is about over for the email, I think. But this week has been great, a lot of late nights and planning for transfers and things like that but it has been good. I am starting to enjoy this type of work more but I still really really really miss missionary work. We didn't get to teach much this week and this next week we won't teach very much either, we will be teaching missionaries, which is good and fun, but I miss investigators! Anyway, life is great. 

      The picture of the corn fields are way pretty aren't they? I saw it and, of course, instantly thought of Grandpa Sherwood. There are some things that no matter how many times I will see them, I will first and always think of Gramps! 

       Also if you will notice, and I am sure you will notice, of the picture of balut- the half-fertilized duck egg. We were going out to dinner and then Elder Datu said he really wanted balut, I said I was need a little munchy  myself. So he bought balut and I got donuts!!!!! I enjoyed the donuts as much as he enjoyed the balut haha! Just look at that head! I can't believe I have eaten that before, and I want to eat it again before I leave. I think I will enjoy it better the second time.

      We had Sixto's baptism this last week! I love the Ramos Family! I love them! Baptism is a very simple but a very specific commandment. It is also has huge consequences, whether you chose to be baptized or not, and then if you choose to follow the covenant you ahve made at baptism. I don't know why it was chose that we needed to be baptized and confirmed (born of water and spirit) to enter into the kingdom of God, but that is how it is. It is such a blessing in our lives and eternities. Sixto was so happy both at his baptism and his confirmation when he was given the gift of the Holy Ghost. he told me, "I feel different." After the baptism we went by the family and taught them a lesson about eternal families. We talked about how baptism can unlock the gate for heaven for an individual but for a family they need that and to be sealed in the temple. They have a date and goal set for next year to go to the temple! They are awesome, they don't have much of anything to call there own in this life as far as material possessions go but they have a treasure of truth and knowledge that no one can take from them. We are all so blessed, both physically and spiritually! I hope we are all so thankful!

       Anyway, I need to go. I love you all. Keep me in your prayers, you are in my prayers! Have a great week, we will have a great one here. Thanks fore everything. 

Elder Davis

I would choose this.....

instead of this!

President Reeder, Sister Reeder, Sixto and family.