Monday November 25th 2013

Maray na aga sa indong gabos!

     It snowed in Eagar. I am now studying 20 percent Tagalog and 80 percent BICOL! What a great week?! How is everything back home? It is always better when there is snow. Well Elder Datu is now home! And Elder Colipapa is here as my new companion. I miss Elder Datu but Elder Colipapa is the MAN! He is from Cebu and I think he speaks better English than I do... not a joke. You'll meet him at Christmas. I have never taught with more power and authority than I have with him- he's an answer to prayers. I am exciting to see what we might be able to accomplish with the Lord's help. We are opening an area right now. We currently have 0 progressing investigators! How exciting is that? We are ready to go preach this Gospel though- to a people who have 2 members ONLY in their entire barangay! We are excited! We may stand on a corner or two and literally PREACH THE WORD! 

      Well this last week was crazy! Transfers are now over and my headache is going away haha. Elder Datu left on Monday and that meant I was the only one on Tuesday (I was temporary companions with the other office Elders) but we had tons of stuff to do and I had no companion haha. But we got all the transfers and all the transfer announcements made and everyone in their area and the new missionaries here and the trainers trained and we drove A TON as well. We've been busy. Now we are planning next transfer- here we go. We have another 10 areas opening again I think. Needless to say we are busy. So I have a goal- by Christmas I will bear my testimony to you guys on Skype in BICOL!!!!!! Remind me that I need to do that when we skype.

      What else happened? Sorry we have been so busy I can't even remember what happened this week.It feels like it was one day and a week went by! Also I have a REALLY bad headache right now and looking at a computer screen is not helping. Sorry if this maybe the shortest letter you get from me in my whole mission. 

     So I have been asked by the young women in the ward to share my testimony of Christ for the ward Christmas party. They told me I needed to send it to my angel mother, so that is what I will do now. I wish I could do it to you in Tagalog because that would just be RIGHT! But I do know that Christ lives. I know he loves us and watches over us. He never leaves us and when we feel we need him the most- I testify that he is there. He stands at the door and knocks- but we are the ones who must open the door and let him in. Everyday we have the choice to open that door or shut it, but no matter how many times we shut it I promise he won't leave. He loves us with a perfect love. Nephi in the Book of Mormon quotes Isaiah and says, "Behold I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me." I know that that is true. President Gordon B. Hinckley says that, "There would be no Christmas if there had not been Easter. The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the Resurrection."     In this Christmas season I testify that he was born, lived died and lived again. He is our mediator with the father and only through him can we return to our home above. I am a set apart representative of Jesus Christ. I know this church is his true church. I feel part of his love for this people as I teach them. I have felt his love and his forgiveness. I love him. It is amazing to be a missionary- it means so much to me to be a representative of Christ. He lives, he is the head of this church and I know that because he lived again so will we. I can't express exactly what I feel in my heart. Being away from home at Christmas is enjoyable because of him (see last years Christmas peom). I love you and I know he loves you andI invite each one of us to come unto Christ more fully in our lives. He waits with open arms. He does live, in the name of Jesus Christ our TAGAPAGLIGTAS amen. 

      Have a great week and be good. I love you a bushel. Your examples to me are inspiring. I pray for you everyday. I love all. Have a great week. Things are great here. Elder Colipapa is the man and Eric- I am learning a bit of Visayas too pero DILI KO! Love you all. Have a great Thanksgiving- we have more to be thankful for than you know! Try to remember those affected by the typhoon this thanksgiving. I think that is one thing God really dislikes- a unthankful heart.

Elder Davis

Good bye Elder Datu - doubt they will meet again in this life.

New companion and brother - Elder Colipapa!

Out with the old, in with the new but some things never change! RATS:)

Monday 18th November.... Business as usual in the Naga Philippines Mission.

Natalie's baptism

Add caption

Natalie's baptism

Maray na aga sa indong gabos! (Bicol)

        How is everyone? I am doing great. We had a great and busy week. A lot is happening right now in the mission. We are right smack dab in the middle of transfers and we are BUSY! But you wouldn't believe who came to church yesterday... ready? I hope you are because I am about to tell ya... THE WHOLE SAN CARLOS FAMILY! This is the family that we have been working with for the past few months. Tatay is BACK and he was the one who hadn't been to church in 10 years. Nanay actually went to church yesterday- the first time in AT LEAST 10 years and all, save one, of their kids were there. Their kids always come. But it was a happy day to see that family all be at church! The kids have been waiting a long time to come to church with their parents. Now you REALLY won't guess who I also saw at church. I walked into sacrament hall and I see something I haven't seen for a very long time- white people. There was a couple from Delta Utah (they sorta know the Blads) who was there visiting his old mission. He served in the Philippines in the 70s and is just now coming back to visit with his wife. Back then they spoke English and I am pretty sure there were only two missions in all of the Philippines! He was in the Manilla Mission serving down here close to Naga City. Anyway it was fun to chat with them. They are from a small little town supported by a power plant- sound familiar? It makes me want to come back and visit my mission before I die. I heard him talking to one of the people he baptized after church and he was saying how happy he was not only to see that she was still in the church but also to see her family in the church- her kids serving missions and too see what happened because of ONE kid serving ONE mission. Anyways church is great! I hope stake conference went well.

          So do you remembering me telling you about the perfect example of member-missionary work? The family that referred us to their niece and then in the first lesson they were the ones that pretty much taught? Anyway this past week she was baptized! It was a great baptism and it was Elder Datu's last one. He will cease to be my companion in about 4 hours... Elder Datu is my Filipino brother. I will miss him. We've been together for seven and a half months- that is a long time. People have children in that amount of time on occasion. Anyway his replacement will be here tomorrow. I am excited but I will miss Elder Datu. Seven and a half months worth of journal has something to do with what Elder Datu and I did on that given day. Anyway that was his last baptism and Natalie is so happy now. It came as no surprise to us that she was baptized. PLEASE give referrals to the missionaries! After her baptism she just kept saying, "I am a new Natalie. I have changed." What she has really done in repented. What a great thing. Maybe when I am an old man and come back to my mission I will see her with her family and with sons who have served missions and all of that. You never know.

        Well, we are stinking busy. The woods are lovely dark and deep, but I have promises to keep and miles and miles to go before I sleep and miles and miles to go before I sleep. This week will be full of training trainers and driving people to areas and DON'T forget we are going to find those who are looking for the truth and we will teach them God's plan for them. That is more exciting than anything in the whole world! I hope all is well. I thank you for your prayers for me and for those affected by the bagyo they need your prayers. I love you all a bushel. I am excited to Skype with you in a months. Be good.

Elder Davis 

Monday November 11th 2013..... alive, well and dry! Much worry for no reason!

Howdy Everybody,

     First of all. I am alive and well! Second of all I am going to refer to the storm you all are worrying about as a"bagyo." Because that is what they call it here and I'm not sure what the exact right name for it is in English. But this Bagyo was HUGE! Now, before you get too worried it was not huge in the Naga Mission. We are very safe. We got rain and a bit of heavy winds but we had very little damage at all! 

     Anyway this week was HECTIC! Monday we had our preparation day and then after work that night we got a call from President saying we needed to go to the mission home, 99%  of the time that is not a good thing. The other 1% means there is dessert. Anyway there was no dessert, we had a problem and we needed to go to Goa that night. So President asked if we would go with him, and by go with him he meant DRIVE HIM haha. He doesn't like driving when it is night and we had a lot to do. Anyway we fixed everything up there and got back into town just a bit after midnight. It was fun though, we just talked about BYU and sports and spiritual things all the way home. But don't worry about the "problem" no one was being disobedient. Anyway that was Monday and Tuesday morning we had MLC. Wednesday we had trainer and new missionary workshops in Naga, and Thursday we had Trainer and New Missionary Workshop in Pamplona. After that workshop we drove to Daet... trying to get everyone to their apartment before the storm, which we did. Then we stayed the night in Daet on Thursday. 

      So Friday we got the orders that we were on Lock-down and were not to leave our apartments. So ALL OF FRIDAY we stayed in Daet in the Zone Leaders apartment. That was a long day... I read so much haha. But the storm wasn't bad at all. Just strong winds and rain but I've seen worse. On Saturday morning we went to Pambuhan- one of the farthest areas in the mission because we hadn't heard if they we okay, they don't have great cell phone service there. Anyway we went there and they were fine. The only thing I saw was a few banana trees get knocked over but banana trees aren't strong at all, they are soft. Anyway everyone here in the NAGA MISSION is safe and sound. There wasn't even any real floods. The Bagyo missed us. 

      Saturday I found out I got bed bugs... yeah. I don't know how many times I was told, "not to let the bed bugs bite." But bite they did. I got it from the Daet Zone Leaders apartment, the mattress I slept on was old, gross, and about 2 inches thick- oh and it has bed bugs. Anyway now I can officially say I have been bed bugged! Saturday we searched for apartments all over Daet zone and got home late that night. Needless to say- we were busy this week. 

       To make it sound worse though, we did loose power and water in the Daet Zone Leaders Apartment. But truly we were safe as safe can be... other than the unseen enemy- the bed bugs. Today we are in Daet again- they won the "Zone Activity" and so we are here- still looking for apartments. I wish you guys could see how pretty it is here. The drive to Daet is beautiful and the beach is beautiful too. The road up here could be on like car commercials for how many turns are on it. There are a few that are like 360 degrees. 

        So now lets talk about bagyos- or typhoons or hurricanes or tropical storm or whatever the correct term is. Bagyos happen all the time in the Philippines. In almost every home I go into they tell he about how it has been flooded 6 to 8 feet in their home. I know MANY people who have lost their homes in bagyos. It is part of life here. I have a companion that about two months ago his grandmothers house got washed away by a bagyo- it happens all the time. This past bagyo, they call it Yolanda here, was big apparently. You guys probably know more about it that we do, we can't watch TV or listen to the radio. Anyway the Tacloban Mission really got hit hard with this one. From what we have heard there are still 80 missionaries in Tacloban that are unaccounted for due to the lack of communication and transportation. I pray everyone is safe. I don't know why God designed The Philippines to be prone to bagyos but that is how it is. As odd as it sounds I see God's love in it. Things get destroyed in Bagyos, but God also made coconuts that grow so that when there are disasters and water is bad you can drink coconut juice that is a miracle as far as health goes and as far as hydration goes.  I admire this maybe more than anything about Filipinos, they are happy no matter what! A bagyo might take their home, but they are ready to build again, and they'll do it with a smile. 

         I don't know how to tell you how I feel about the area that just got hit badly with this Bagyo. If it had been here I don't know what I would have done. I love these people. I love them, I love teaching them, I love who they are. Even though I have never been to Tacloban I love the Filipinos there. I pray for them now. We will be having a fast for them on Tuesday as a mission. I hope and pray they are okay. I have learned volumes in my mission, much more than a language or two, but of all the things I have learned I have learned that we are in a great need to be thankful. Oh I hope we are thankful. I truly can't think of a person on this entire world, not kings, presidents, apostles or anyone who needs to be more thankful for a loving Father in Heaven than I do. And for our savior Jesus Christ. It amazes me how merciful they are too us. And our sufferings are no sign or their lack of love, in fact it might as well be an expression of their love for us. No one suffered more than Christ but I do believe God loved Him. 

        One of the best scriptures we share to people here is found in Helaman 5:12:"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the^arock  of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your ^bfoundation ; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty ^cstorm  shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." In Tagalog it reads "BAGYO" rather than "storm." I don't know how many Family Home Evenings I have given using this scripture. We get rocks from very small to very big- too VERY BIG. And we ask the members of the family to try to blow the rocks off the table. Of course they can when they are small but they can't when they are large. Then we talk about the foundation we need to build on, that foundation being Christ. If you like that FHE idea it comes from my mother- that was just one of the many lessons I learned in Family Home Evening as just a small boy that I have used on my mission. 

        I don't know how terrible of a situation some of these people are in that were affected by this storm but I do know that the church is true and that we are built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ. That now matter what "Bagyo" comes into our lives, be they real bagyos or just trials, we CANNOT fall if we are built on Christ. Even death is not a fall, but a rising. I thank God for His merciful plan for all of us and the love he shows us everyday. WE ARE SO SHORT ON TIME. I wish I could write more. I have a lot I could say. I wish I had more pictures as well but pictures weren't on the top of the list this week. I love you all so much, a bushel worth in fact. 

       Be good. Stay anchored to the Gospel. Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith. Thank you for your prayers. We are safe as safe can be here in Naga. Pray for those who were actually affected by the storm. I think this storm, no matter how big it was, was TERRIFIED of coming to the Naga Mission because of my mother'r prayers. No storm is stronger than that! 

Have a great week.

Elder Davis

      

No time for pictures this week although MOM likes this one!

November 4th 2013 and NEW MISSIONARY FROM SHOW LOW AZ TO ARRIVE SOON!

nakuha mo na ba Nay?  (whatever that means)

Howdy! We had a great week. That being said, it is weeks like these that make me REALLY miss be out in the field. We were busy this week, but didn't get to teach much. I love teaching, driving isn't all that fulfilling, teaching people this Gospel is very fulfilling. So it was a great and busy week, but we didn't get to teach a lot. Anyway I am doing great and happy. How are all of you people? So on Tuesday we were on exchanges in Tigaon in Goa Zone and while we were out working I got what Race's mission calls, "The Swift and Mighties." My stomach hurt really bad, but luckily enough we have a van and Elder Dumaicos and I drove home real quick. I made it to the apartment but my stomach was really sick. After about 30 minutes of wondering to what extent I would be using the bathroom I decided we could still work. So we went out and finished work and then we had our little "evaluation" with the Zone Leaders at seven. After the evaluation was over, at about eight we were ready to go home, it's about an hour and a half drive back to Naga. Anyway I was NOT feeling well and so I had Elder Datu give me a blessing- the first one of my whole mission. That's well over a year! Anyway we made it home- I only had to stop once or twice because I thought I was going to throw up. Once we got home I sent straight to bed. That night was one of the worst nights of my life- I don't know how many times I woke up that night throwing up and having some "Swift and Mighties." But luckily it was a quick recovery. Wednesday night I felt good enough to work. Anyway thanks for your guys prayers for me. I feel very blessed to have not been sick very much at all so far in my mission. I had a small fever with it too. Anyways it went about as fast as it came. Also President and Sister Reeder went to the Mission President's Seminar in Manila this past week. I don't enjoy dropping off the mission president at the airport and him saying, "Call me if there is an emergency Elder Davis." But I do enjoy picking them up at the air port and saying, "We didn't have any major emergencies haha." Anyway they said they had a good time and they brought back a food I have not had in a very long time: Krispy Kreme Donuts! That was delicious! So in two weeks we get a new load of missionaries, and Elder Datu goes home! Guess who is coming to the Naga mission on that day? Sister Janae Coons. Now are you saying, "I don't her?" Well I don't know her either. BUT she is from SHOW LOW ARIZONA! Went to Blue Ridge High to be exact, I think. Anyway she is from SHERWOOD Drive in Pinetop! I told president we need to find her a great area and a great trainer haha. So Mom I imagine you are going to be the angel mother you are and see if you know any of her family. If you do get a hold of them tell them she is serving in the Best Mission in all the Land! We love how many missionaries we are getting- the only problem is we have no place to put them haha. We are opening so many new areas and finding so many new apartments that it is not even funny! I don't know how they get it ready in 6 weeks. This week we are super packed! Tomorrow we have Missionary Leadership Council, Wednesday we have Trainer and New Missionary Work Shop, and same thing on Thursday, Friday we will have exchanges in DAET, with a Zone Training, and so much more. Sorry the email is short. We are pretty busy right now. I hope everyone is great back home. I love you all so much! I am thankful for your prayers. Sorry this is short and sorry there is only one picture. I should have taken a picture while I was sick. Oh and Happy Halloween! Halloween here is crazy- EVERYONE goes to the cemetery and does something there. A lot of them just go there a drink. Anyway I hope you had a great Halloween and that Thanksgiving will be awesome and Christmas will be better. Did I mention that the cemeteries here are ABOVE GROUND? Anyway I love you all and sorry this is so short. We're busy. Elder Davis

PICTURES!!!!!!! Monday October 28th 2013

Howdy Howdy!

        This was a GREAT week! I don't even know where to start. I have so much I could write a page about! But I'll just start... So on Monday we had P-day and then work that evening. Tuesday we had exchanges is Camaligan. Wednesday we had Mission Tour with ELDER ARDERN in Pamplona. Thursday we had a mission tour in Canaman with Elder Ardern. Friday we had exchanges in Iriga. Saturday we had a Baptism in Pasacao and we toured the Lubigan area after that. So- we've been a bit busy! But it has been amazing! What a great week. 

         I wish I could tell you more about Elder Ardern's Tour here but it was amazing, He is a very spiritually and scripturaly  powerful man. He taught us so much and motivated us even more. He gave us some great vision of where this mission can go in the future. He taught us about becoming a "Teacher come from God" it was awesome. In our exchanges in Iriga we had just tracted into this family and taught them the first lesson. We tried hard to teach so that they would recognize us as teachers sent from God. After the lesson was over we walked out and I heard the Nanay lean over to the little boy there and say, "Do you want to grow up to be good boys like those boys are?" I hope I teach in a way that people recognize me as being a "Teacher come from God." Anyway my whole mission I have tried to serve with this attitude, "Be the kind of missionary my mother and father think I am." I still think that was but after the mission tour I added, "Be the kind of missionary I will one day as my sons to be." I hope to serve with honor- serve the way it says to serve in D&C 4! Anyway I learned A LOT from that Mission Tour, Elder Ardern is pretty amazing. His wife is too and we chatted about Papa Hansey! 

       I am getting way better at finding new investigators! We have to talk to everyone! I hope this will help you guys when you try to share this Gospel will others. Elder Ardern taught that when we see people say to yourselves, "There goes someone of great importance to God. what am I going to do about it?" When you are with your non-member friends say that to yourself, "This person is of great worth to God, what am I going to do about it?" 

        NOW! The baptism in Pasacao! I was so excited when I got news that this family was ready to be baptized! They asked them who they wanted to baptize them and they all said, "Elder Vogelsberg!" And may I add that would be the only thing that would have made this day more perfect. Anyway they settled with Elder Davis in Elder Vogelsberg's absence. When we got there and were making our way to the beautiful beach we crossed a half-broken hanging bridge right near the mouth of a river into the ocean. Once we were over the bridge I heard Erica's little voice, "Elder Davis! Elder Davis!" Beside her I see the other little nippers running to me, with little puffs of sand with every step. I bent down and they just hung on me! I love this family. I started talking to them and they said, "Hey you're way better at Tagalog now!" I just laughed and said, "Yeah, it's been a year!" Anyway we walked to where my beloved Pasacao Branch was waiting, the whole time with all those kids clinging to me! Side note- they are in the process of building a chapel in Pasacao so they won't have to keep meeting the basement of that building. 

        We got there and had a great visit and then had a wonderful program and then had the baptism! First off, as missionaries we can't go swimming, so it was quite nice to finally get in the water. It was so blue and clear and the sun was perfect! It made me think of Christ's command to his apostles in the last chapter in Mathew in the last two verses, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." I baptized them having been commissioned of Christ ... on the edge of the world... in the name of The Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 

        Elder Vogelsberg and I loved this family. We loved teaching them. When we were there their father wouldn't allow them to go to church or be baptized. Their mother is a member, when we were there she had just given birth to that little baby in the pictures. As much as we loved them we had given up much hope of them being baptized. They live far from the church and it is a big sacrifice to go but they finally softened their Dad enough to let them go to church and to be baptized. I think sometimes we don't realize what effects we have as we go about doing what the Lord asks us. I didn't think they would be baptized- but a year later to my surprise and delight they were ready. Don't give up on people! You can count the seeds in a single apple- but you can't count the apples inside one single seed. "by small things are great things brought to pass." 

        Saying goodbye to those kids was terribly hard! They would come hug my leg, look up at me and say, "Elder Davis, I'll miss you..." I told them I will miss them too! I told them I love them. I asked them if they remembered about "enduring to the end" and they said yes. I said, "Well if you endure to the end, go to church, say your prayers, read your scriptures, follow the commandments, etc. Then we'll see each other again in heaven. I say Elder Vogelsberg and I will endure to the end, we will try our very best and then, "Magkikita-kita tayong lahat sa langit!" I will miss that family. I went to the Dad, who attended the baptism but wasn't super happy, and said, "Thank you for allowing your children to be baptized." I don't think he has a clue what path they just entered. And remember they just entered a path- a long one that will lead them to Eternal Life but baptism is not a destination, only a beginning. I could go on about baptism for a while, children baptism, immersion, proper authority, etc but I'll leave that for another day. 

        Anyways keep working sharing this gospel. You never know what will happen in a years time. Miracles will happen- languages may even be learned. 

        Finally I will share one more story. When we were in Iriga we contacted a member of the church that had been less-active most of his life. He grew up in Cotnogan and then moved to Iriga- but he lives pretty far from Iriga Centro. So he lives kinda far away but he saw the missionaries and told them they needed to come to his house. So we went to his house and started talking to him. Since he moved from Cotnogan he hasn't been going to church except once or twice a year when he goes home to Cotnogan. He then showed me three books (see attached pictures). The three books were: The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ, The Holy Bibly, and The Hymns of the Church! 

       This man, though less active, still reads from these WORN books. His house was flooded, like 6 feet of water flooded. And that is why those books look the way they do. That's why you see mud on "Silent Night." Anyway he showed me these books and while my companion talked to them I just kept looking at it and staring at it- half smiling and half crying. They asked me why I was so intrigued and I said, "It's so old- but it's still true." I asked him if he still reads them and he said, "Yeah I still read it." Then I said, "Can I take a picture? I need to send this back home and tell everyone back home to make sure they read their scriptures!" They agreed and now I am saying- Read your scriptures! 

        Well I love you all! I am thankful for your prayers! I am doing great here! This is my home and my people for the time being. I know, with everything in me, that what I am teaching them is true. I see the difference is brings to their life. I see the light that goes into their faces when they know it is true and when they live it like they know it! I pray for you. Be good. Be better, serve with charity. Read your scriptures. Go to church. Love God and his children. I miss you all, but all these sacrifices seem like nothing- they always do in the service of God.

Elder Davis

Everyone came out to the baptism in the sea!

The Bunion kids!

A picture is worth a thousand words!!!

Eating with the hands!?

Well worn scriptures

Headed to the sea!

Headed to the sea!

Monday October 21, 2013

There are pythons and cobras in that grass!

Still got hops:)

"Chapel" in Ragay. Only white face in the crowd!!

Elder Davis

San Carlos Family

Well howdy! I hope everyone's week went excellent! Mine was great! This week we watched two precious souls enter into the waters of baptism and it was perfect. To top things off- BYU won and The U lost to U of A... living the good life! So the San Carlos kids are baptized! This is a great family. The first time we went there they seemed pretty hesitant to be taught again. They had been less-active for over 10 years. We kept visiting those first few weeks even though we didn't see much progression and as we did we grew to love this family and see some of the challenges they are facing. We grew to be close to them and they grew to trust us as the listened to our lessons. The kids had not been baptized due to how long they had not been in church and we taught them about baptism. I could make this a real long and better story but I don't have a ton of time and there is a lot more to write about BUT they have sacrificed these past few months to come to church. These little girls and their older brother got their father to come back to church! He even stood in the circle when they were confirmed members of the church! The baptism was perfect! They were all there and Tatay came straight from work- hammer still in hand! I can't tell you how great it is to see them pass in the gate toward eternal life! I wish I had more time to write about them. Enjoy the pictures. This Sunday was awesome! We went to two sacrament meetings! One of them was in RAGAY! Ragay is one of the newest sites we have a church in. They are still a group and as you can see in the pictures they meet in a chapel with a dirt floor and bamboo walls and a grass covering on the walls and roof. The first time they met about 7 weeks ago they had 6 people attend... when we were there they had over 20! The church is growing there. The missionary that opened that group is my son in the mission- Elder Villamor! I'm so jealous of them, out in the middle of the jungle, preaching the gospel and going to church in a hut. There is something special about the sacrament that has been blessed while kneeling on dirt. Hopefully I get assigned somewhere like that when I get out of the office! After Ragay we attended sacrament in our ward and it was the Primary Program! Is there anything better than cute little Filipinos singing in the Primary Program? It was awesome and our new convert had a part in it... it was hilarious! All you could see was their black hair sticking over the pulpit and their cute little English accents quoting scripture! This past week we had exchanges and I was with an elder from Cebu... if you didn't hear about the huge earthquake in Cebu then you should look it up- it was MASSIVE! Anyway we got to teach a lot of lessons and in this one lesson the family was asking where he was from, he said Cebu and then they started asking about his family and what not. This good missionary told them, "I don't know how they are doing. As missionaries we can't email except on Mondays. I think they are okay, I'm praying for them." They were quite impressed with the sacrifice he makes to serve on this mission and the focus he had on teaching people this gospel. At the end of the lesson I told them that the reason we missionaries do what we do... and volunteer to do it.... is because we know that what we are teaching them is true. Missionaries amaze me everyday! It is incredible the sacrifices missionaries have made just to share this Gospel. This work is THAT important. I've seen missionaries serve though family members die while they are serving, though their family doesn't have money and they have no one with a job to support their family, two weeks ago the house that my companion grew up in (his grandma's house) washed away in a hurricane, and now earthquakes and missionaries just keep serving. They go in peoples homes with big smiles and tell them about a message that makes everything sad about life become okay. Why do over 80,000 missionaries, ages 18-21ish, serve missions all over this world? It truly is "a marvelous work and a wonder" it's a miracle! So help those 80,000 out as we take this message to the ends of the earth, be it Ragay or your own neighborhood. Now I am going to share something with you that President Reeder just shared with us. Yesterday he was at a stake conference in Daet and one of the members of the stake presidency gave a talk about fasting. Now for any of you who read my letters who are not members of this church, we believe in fasting. Fasting means not eating and drinking for a period of time. Once a month we fast for 2 consecutive meals and then give at least the money we save from not eating those meals to the church who then gives that money those who are in need of help. Now the story this man shared yesterday at Stake Conference was that there was a mother who joined the church. She was taught all about this gospel and accepted it with all her heart. She was taught the commandments, including fasting. Some church leaders had heard that this sweet sister and her family were fasting for two days at a time. Meaning they were not eating or drinking for 48 hours! President Reeder shared with us that the leaders went to visit them and make sure that they understood how to fast. This sister shared with her leaders that the missionaries taught her that fasting was going without food and drink for 2 consecutive meals. This sister and her family only have 1 meal a day- so being the faithful sister she is, they fasted for 2 days (wich is 2 meals for them)! She had such simple and amazing faith. "The missionaries taught me that fasting was a commandment in this church- and I know this church is true." How amazing is that faith? How is it that I sometimes complain about fasting? I think I can go without dinner and breakfast just to help those who are in need. I think the commandments, in general, whether it be baptism, or tithing or fasting or whatever, the Lord wants to see our faith. I think we can all have a bit more faith, try a bit harder at being obedient and be more thankful for the blessings we have. I love you all a bushel! I miss you- but not too much! Thank you for your prayers! HOLY SMOKES I ALMOST FORGOT THE BEST PART! So this past week I found out the best news ever! The Bunion kids are getting baptized! This family is Elder Vogelsberg's and mine's favorite family! They are a part member family, only the Mom is a member and she's been less-active, the father doesn't like our church too much but the kids love it! They wanted to be baptized last year when Elder Vogelsberg and I were there but they live so far away from the church that it is hard for them to go and their dad didn't want them to. Anyway the missionaries in that area asked me if I remembered this family and of course I told them I did. The kids are finally going to church and they are going to be baptized! The missionaries asked them who they wanted to baptize them and they said, "Elder Vogelsberg! Elder Vogelsberg!" The missionaries said he's already home and then they said, "Elder Davis! Elder Davis!" So President Reeder has allowed me to go and baptize them this Saturday right there in the ocean! It is the going to be awesome- the only way it would be better would be is if Elder Voglesberg were here as well! Anyway I love you all a bushel! Be good and say your prayers, read those scrips and go to church- mostly choose the right and Do Some Good! Elder Davis

Monday, October 14. 2013

As a missionary every morning I really only have one choice to make... which tie do I wear today? I know I am going to wear slacks (granted I can pick from 4 colors) and I know I am going to wear a white shirt, but the tie is where I can really use my imagination. Color- blue? Red? Brown- dare I? Stripes? Solid?Fat? Skinny? It is the biggest decision we Elders make as we get dressed in the morning- so next time you see an elder, compliment him on his tie. I love getting compliments on mine. Anyway- hey everybody! How was your week? Mine was great! General Conference never ceases to improve from 6 months to 6 months! It is amazing! It is great to have that guidance in a world that is like it is.

       So we survived another transfer week! Transfers are over and things are calming down again. We are getting swamped with missionaries. Our wards are stuffed with them and we are constantly making new areas and putting missionaries where they haven't been before! IT IS AWESOME! This next transfer we will open up an additional 13 areas! So we have 4 to 5 weeks to find all their apartments, get the contracts, get them stocked and EVERYTHING! The more missionaries we get the farther out we put them and the harder it is to find apartments and everything, so send a prayer our way haha. This is an awesome work, I am amazed to see how God allows us to do it. What I really don't understand is how President Reeder knows which trainers and trainees go together. They've never met them before! It is amazing to witness. There was clear inspiration when I was assigned to be trained by Elder Vogelsberg. It is fun to be a part of. 

       So since last week was transfer week after we did Trainer's Training and they all met their new companions and got assigned to their areas Elder Datu and I took many of them to their areas so they can get to work as soon as possible. We didn't get back until SUPER late at night and on the way there I killed a cat :( it's a good thing I don't like cats too much :). To put it in office words, "It's as dead as any dead animal that ever died." We were extremely busy this last week though with getting everywhere where they needed to go but we were still able to teach and teaching was far more enjoyable! We had some amazing lessons and general conference was just a spiritual feast! 

      This past week we taught a lesson with an investigator that a family referred to us. PLEASE GIVE REFERRALS! But anyway we asked her how her reading was going and how her prayers were and she said, "I think I have an answer." She says she just feels it is all true, she feels happy and peaceful. She has been a bit wayward so far in her life and this family that has taken her in and the Gospel is helping her find her way back to the "line in the middle of the road" as gramps would say. "Life's like a highway, I don't expect you to stay right on that middle line, but I DARN sure expect you to stay between the fences."-Gramps.I've used that a time or two on my mission as I teach the Plan of Salvation. But you should just see this daughter of God make her way back to straight and narrow. She is reading and praying with sincerity and God is answering as he always does. No matter who we are, whether we think we deserve it or not God loves us. As President Monson taught us, God's love is simply always there! Anyways I love teaching people that are truly looking for the truth. Member-Missionary work is the BEST! 

      As for General Conference- it was awesome! I would like to share with you a few "one liners" I really enjoyed: "It's not where yous serve; it's how!" "A grateful person is rich in contentment, a ungrateful person is rich in discontentment." "Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith." "There is room for you here, come join us." 'You can do it now." "Will you falter or will you finish." "There is no superior career than a mother.""Man's laws cannot make moral what God has declared immoral!" "Sin, even if legalized by man, is still sin in the eyes of God." "Were there no sorrow, we would not grow." "You must become the rock the river cannot wash away." "We will each have a personal interview with Jesus Christ after this life." BASTA this general conference was awesome! The world is crazy, it is "flooding" like in the time of Noah, but if we follow the living prophet we will be found in the safety that has always been enjoyed by those who follow the prophet, just like those who on the boat with Noah. God doesn't change, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. I am thankful for the knowledge of a living prophet. 

       I love being a missionary. I love my mission. Things in life are too good to not be thankful for and not to enjoy. I am happy. I love the people who I serve. I love this Gospel and I know it is true. I often say to those I teach that we don't 'Share Information" we "Offer Salvation" and that is how I feel about it. Time is flying by. This is Elder Datu's last transfer. We will ahve been together for SEVEN AND A HALF months of our mission. That is basically one third of out whole missions. We are brothers! Also thanks for the package Mom. It got me REAL excited about CHRISTMAS! The Forgotten Carols! That night we went over to President and Sister Reeder's and had snickers and listened to the Forgotten Carols! It was a great night. Felt like home. I have a feeling that this will be one of my favorite Christmas's of my whole life. I remember someone, I think Elder Perry, say something like, 'What better Christmas gift can we give to the Savior than that of missionary work." Anyway I hope you all have a great week. I love you and pray for you. Thank you for your prayers! Sorry the letter is a bit short.

Elder Davis

I think he might have a little muscle left!

Gotta have THE FORGOTTEN CAROLS to get through the BRRR months!

Oh dear!!