April 20, 2014

Happy Easter Everyone!

     This has been a great week. This past week is known as "Holy Week" and it is a huge deal here. Tons of people outside and well, it is just a big celebration. We have had a curfew for the past three days due to it. But it has been a great week, as always! 

     One of the big highlights was the Zone Conference we had. President gave a GREAT (and timely) advise on "How to Receive Personal Revelation" focused on concerns after the mission like, "What to study?" "What jobs/careers?" "Who?" (Wink Wink Nudge Nudge) haha but it was very good. President is always concerned not just about us as missionaries for these two years but also what we will do and who we will be for the rest of our lives. The Reeders are awesome! 

     So, since we are in Iriga Zone we ALWAYS have power outages. This week we had TONS! One day this week we didn't have any at all but it was rainy so it wasn't TOO hot... but let's be real it is SUMMER IN THE PHILIPPINES! So that was a hot day. You know when you are just WET, like your whole body, I know that feeling haha. The worst is when it is at night though. Two nights this week I woke up to a lack of electric fanage and that equals sweat my friends.

     Speaking of sweat.... I have basically started the Davis Den Gym here in Baao, I am the only member. So I don't know if it is up to date with the gyms back at home, I have been gone 2 years... but it is pretty ADVANCED! (see pictures) I had the husband of one of our members make it for me. I am ASSUMING this will be my last area... if I get transferred then that was not a wise financial investment. But it feels good to lift again, even if it is just that. 

      I can't even begin to tell you about some of the cool new investigators we found! One of them, the most golden of the bunch, let us in when we came to their house and he just started telling us about how he is (insert biggest religion in Philippines) but doesn't agree with all their doctrine because it just simply is not in the Bible. We shared with him about The Restoration. And how that Doctrine he longs for has been Restored to the Earth through a prophet. Then he started telling us about Moses! He said, "How many years has passed since Moses' time and we STILL have the same problem... why do people pray and worship and honor THINGS MADE BY MEN'S HANDS?" I said, "Brother I feel ya- It is almost like we need a Prophet now MAYBE more than ever before!" "Brother, did you know there is one on the earth, and when we come back here next we want to tell you all about it!" HOW AWESOME IS BEING A MISSIONARY! By the way when we found him was one of those times that we were just WET... "hard work will never hurt you." -gramps! 

        Yesterday, Easter Sunday, I spoke in church. I was the concluding speaker and I knew that there was another Elder from my district speaking but we both figured we weren't the only two. BUT we WERE the only two and I was left with like 25 minutes left... sweet haha. It went okay though. If only I didn't inherit Dad's tear glans. My topic was on accepting calls and service. So I told them about John Tanner. It went okay. I LOVE BAAO BRANCH! My last week here is going to be ROUGH!!!!!!!!! 

         I don't know how long it has been since I told you this, but Mom and Dad you are the best! I have been born of goodly parents. Thank you for all you do for me. A kid couldn't ask for better parents. Haven't seen you in two years but I can still hear your voices in my head when I have to make a decision. To put it in Taglish- you are DA BEST! (They say "Davis" and "The Best" the same way sometimes... isn't that the best? (pun)) 

       Mom said something pretty cool in her email to me today, I have heard it from her about every Easter, it comes from President Hinckley who said, "If it wasn't for Easter Sunday Jesus would have been just another babe born in Bethlehem." I always share with those we teach the most simple Resurrection Lesson I learned back when I was a wee little lad. I remember when we would open those 12 eggs and all of them had something inside of it signifying the life and death of the Savior. Then I always remember opening the last egg, I was the youngest so it was usually me and then NOTHING WAS INSIDE! And I remember thinking, "Mom, you forgot the candy." But then you would explain WHY there was nothing inside. And of course it is because that is how they found his EMPTY SEPULCHER. I am His missionary. I wear His name. I also bear testimony that He does live. And that this is the "Living Chruch" and He stands at its head! And as He has done in the history of this world He guides us through a Living Prophet. Well, I have typed long enough, and I am sure you have read long enough. I love you all a bushel! 

Elder Davis 

Corn patch

Homemade barbells:)

Kalabaw

Elder Davis

Sunday April 13th 2014

MUSTA?!

     Okay this week was just crazy. About 3 hours after I emailed you last week President Reeder called telling me I would be going to Manila to get my fingerprints taken. Something to do with immigration so I will be able to go home. He said we fly out on Thursday, crazy no? So that was Monday, Tuesday I had exchanges and Wednesday night we stayed in Naga for our flight the next morning. Thursday was spend getting drove around MASSIVE MANILA and GOING TO THE TEMPLE! I have never been so Temple Trunky in my life... but don't worry I am not trunky! But truly though, it has almost been 2 years since I have gone. My mission will be the longest stretch in my life that I won't be at the temple haha. It was amazing to be out of this world once again. Also, I am super glad I am not serving in Manila. I am a country boy now and forever. 

     So to explain the pictures. The drink thing I figured you would like to see. I have no idea what it is, I just know it is delicious. It is hot (stove hot) and yummy. No idea what the ingredients are- all I know is when they walk around yelling TAHO! I am there to buy it. The snake, python, to be exact is a pet of one of our investigators. You should see that thing eat a mouse or a rat! Also that little girl I took pictures with is the cutest thing this side of the world! She makes me miss the nippers back home. Prepare their minds (aka brain wash them) for the return of the Uncle Chantz (The Favorite Uncle) Sorry Race. 

     Also speaking of that weird drink that I have no idea about. TAHO!!!!!! You should hear them yell that, it is classic. Anyway about that, I have a friend in the mission here, I won't mention any names, but he showed me a picture at General Conference of a 9 inch worm that came out of him last week.... yeah! That was for you Mom ;)

     Okay now for some General Conference Highlights from my notes: Hope is the attitude that the future will be better than it's history! 

If you ever find yourself in a place you shouldn't be- GET OUT! 

Be the same person in the dark as you are in the light.

Don't do that which is easy, do that which is right.

Elder Holland was just Elder Holland. When he yells I scream.

You are infinitely more important than a tree. 

Oh, things will work out.

Elder Scott has game...

We learn  obedience as we become obedient. ERED  (ERED is what I type on his letters every week, meaning Every Rule Every Day)

And the prisoner shall go free. (How cool is it that angels watch us?)

Be grateful in all situations.

Something within us resists endings because we are eternal beings! 

Elder Ballard totally used his mission skills to get his wife haha. (No that is not on my mind)

Praying doesn't change God, it changes me.

Of all the sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these: It might have been.

There are things that can't be taught but can be learned! (quote of the conference for me)

Be careful who you follow.

Elder Perry's talk was my favorite maybe, when he talked about His "Heavenly Boyhood" and his relationship with his Grandpa and the advise his Grandpa gave him about "The spiritual bit in his mouth and the driver who sometimes gives a tug on the reigns so that we know where we should go." A tug of the reigns on an obedient horse will completely change it's course!  Obedience is the emblem of our faith. Basta.... it was a way good talk. It hit home. 

Truth is always accompanied with opposition! 

Joseph was either a pretender or a prophet... not a lot of options.

Be a bit better. 

      It was a great conference! I can't wait to study the talks. I believe and know with everything in me that they are Prophets, Seers, and Revelators! God changes not, the heavens are not closed. God has not ceased to talk to men. Miracles have not ceased, angels have not ceased to minister unto the children of men. God lives and loves us. I know that more than anything else. I love teaching that one principle- God lives and loves us. Speaking of that we need to teach some people about that living loving God. So have a great week. I pray for you and I love you all a bushel! 

Elder Davis

Sunday April 6th 2014

Hello All!

     Well, all of you have seen General Conference now! We have to wait til next week! But I am very excited! Elder Teh spoke I heard, that is GREAT! He is awesome! Pinoy Pride! Anyways, I am sure you had a great April 6 Sunday... but I am betting it wasn't quite as great as the April 6 Sunday here!

     Yesterday, April 6, 2014 Baao Group was organized into Baao Branch! Now that is awesome! April 6, 1830 The Restored Church of Christ was again organized on the earth! Making our organization of Baao Branch just that much more awesome! Yesterday was amazing! We had over 100 people OVERFLOWING our tiny little hot SACRED meeting house! Can you believe that- first meeting of this Branch and there are over 100 people there... can you smell ward and stake? I hope so in the future! And lets just build a temple while we are at it... I already know the hill we'll build it on haha. I am joking but truly yesterday was amazing! 

     The newly called Branch Presidency gave their testimonies and seeing there was some time left President Reeder asked me from the pulpit if I would come bear my testimony to them about "how the missionaries feel about this." So I went up and gave a very short testimony... but I did 25 to 30% of it in their native language! I had no time to prepare, but the spirit allowed me to speak some Rinconada to them as well as the Tagalog, of course. I can't really accurately tell you however just how great the meeting was! It was 90 degrees and probably 90% humidity (people are fasting) and we were CRAMMED in there but it was AMAZING! I could go on and on... but I will stop.

     We watched the Joseph Smith video this week with a family in our BRANCH (I can't help but smile when I say that) and it is just amazing to here them testify of Joseph Smith. The pioneers here are soooo strong. The Tatay we watched the movie with said that the first Sunday after he was baptized he walked out of his house to go to church and people had lined up outside his house trying to refrain him from going to church. They said terrible things. All because he was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You should here his testimony. They don't even know where New York is...but they know that a young boy that grew up there was called of God to be a Prophet and because of that knowledge no persecutions have stopped them. 

     Alma 28:8 smacked me in the face this week in my study. Hear it, a shortened version of it, "sufferings... sorrows... afflictions.... incomprehensible joy... bless their souls forever." These are the attributes of a mission served with honor. I have felt a little of all of that... but mostly I have felt the joy and the blessings. Thank you for your prayers on my behalf. Nothing better than serving a mission! Love you all a bushel! 

Elder Davis

 P.S. Aunt Tonna will you be my Rook Partner? We will kick booty at the next Family Reunion! 

    

April 6th 2014, Baao becoming a branch!

Baao 'group' appox August 2013

Baao Primary room approx August 2013

April 6th 2014, Baao branch

Sunday night surprise.

Hello,
I asked Elder Davis if I could have your email address.....

This is Sister Gardner
Thank you for the wonderful necklace, with my name

 and a map of the Philippines.

That was so thoughtful of you, and your son.
When you say I don't know you, I think I do. 

Anyone who has raised a son like Elder Davis,

 is an amazing mother. 

 So in a way I do know you.
I told him I would try not to go on and on about him,

 and I could.

He is exceptional.  Now that he is serving in the Baao area,

 I have gotten to know

him better.  He was such a good AP, whenever we see

 President and Sister Reeder,

they ask about him.  And say what a strong spirit

 he has and how they love him.

We just agree....
To see him and Elder Argunda go walking down

 the paths is really a site.

You can tell they enjoy serving with each other.

Elder Davis being so tall, and Elder Argunda is

 "maybe" 5 feet tall,

they are quite a team.
I have watched Elder Davis talk of the Savior

 many times with tears in his eyes...

He is truly a disciple.

And, he is so friendly and calming to be around...

of course you already know this.
I want to tell you of one experience we had with the two elders.

We were sitting in a very very humble home,

 dirt floor, really almost a lean to...

They were explaining the First Vision to a single sister...

and standing at her open door,  stood 5 young children,

listening to every word they said....

Elder Davis held up the brochure showing

Joseph Smith in the grove with Heavenly Father

 and Jesus Christ..

as he spoke quietly and assuredly about

 the truthfulness of this happening,

he turned the brochure to the children

 and ask them "How many do you see?"

One little boy said, "I see two".....It was so powerful,

I had to fight to keep the tears from just flowing down.

I will never forget that moment....

These children are catholic.....
I know you will be so happy to see him

 especially after he has lost his grandfather..

But we will be sad to see him go....What a future

 he has in front of him...

we are honored to have served with him...

 Sincerely,

 Sister Gardner

Sunday March 30th 2014

    First off the pictures of the funeral look awesome! Seeing Annie (the horse) with no rider was the hardest one. But don't worry, if you are, I have not been distracted one bit. In fact I don't think I have ever been more focused. We had the best week I've had for over 17 months as far as work goes... I felt on fire this week, and full of energy, like I had more than one companion. What a great week! Every week is great as a missionary! 

     So.... I am not sure if I am allowed to tell you this, but President Reeder told me and he didn't tell me not to tell anyone- SO I AM TELLING YOU! This past week, I was giving the workshop in our District Meeting and I get a text from President that says, " I JUST GOT PERMISSION FROM SALT LAKE TO CREATE THE BAAO BRANCH!" So yeah, we will be a branch soon! How awesome is that. I am so happy for Baao. There have been a lot of members and missionaries that have worked a long time before I got here to get this place to be a branch! But I will be here to see it- and I am excited! So thanks for your prayers... and don't tell anyone here in Baao hahaha. 

       So I have continued to try to improve my Rinconada skills, that's the language they speak here in Baao and it is amazing the response of the people. Something about being about to tell a tatay that "We all die, it is part of God's plan" IN HIS LANGUAGE is just cool! I have learned that I can get into doors because I know Tagalog, but I can get into hearts with RINCONADA! It says in D&C that we will "hear the Gospel in our own language." But far more important than how I speak is what the Spirit speaks to them. Man I love being a missionary. 

       This week was hot... even for the Philippines. I could feel the heat from the ground through my AIRPLANE TIRE SOLED SHOES! It has been hot! Like hot with pure humidity! And we are out walking in it in shoes and pants and a shirt and tie... and we love it! Wouldn't trade it for the world! 

    So I hope you like the pictures, I always try to take a few even though we are so busy. The one with the little girl is my favorite. Her name is Danna and she's like the most precious thing ever. We go by their little fried banana stand thing multiple times a day and she always comes out to the road and in the cutest accent says, "Good Morning Elder Davis!" Or "Good Night Elder Davis!" or something equally cute! The bananas are delicious too. Anyway, we are planning on teaching their family soon. 

     Time just keeps flying by! What am I going to do when I am not a missionary. I love going to homes and telling them that "We are here to proclaim to you that the true Gospel of Christ has been restored to the world." Like who would ever want to stop being a missionary! 

     So, I wasn't there at the funeral, but you sent him out in style! I have felt close to him, I have felt extra strength this week. I have just tried to "Forget myself and go to work." He's still out there riding fences as the old song says. I read a talk today, one of my favorites from President Hinckley called "The Women in our Lives" He says, "I have said that when a man gets old he had better have daughters about him." Grandpa was a lucky guy to be spoiled by Mom and her sisters! 

     Well, I never know what to write about anymore. I love my mission. It is hot... no other way to say it. Just hot! But thank you for your prayers! I pray for you. I love you. The time is flying by and it kinda really scares me. Anyway we have places to go and people to see so I'm out! Love you a bushel! 

Elder Davis 

spinning top

Elder Davis

favorite little girly!

He loves this little girl!

swimming caribou much better than swimming croc

March 24th 2014

Well, I lost my Rook partner! It is a good thing I still have Logan to keep me busy when I get home haha. Logan wrote me and told me "I will miss giving your Grandpa his Dr. Pepper every time he would come into eat at the restaurant, I'd have it ready before he ordered it."

Anyway, I figure you are worrying about me, don't. I am fine and dandy. President told me I could call you guys if I wanted to but I won't. It will take too long and we have people we are teaching tonight so we'll just do the last thing Gramps said to me, through Mom, "Work." Don't worry about me, yeah I cry and it is hard to concentrate but I am happy as ever. The Gospel is so comforting that it is hard to stay sad very long. 

    President called to give the bad news and obviously it was rough but in my prayers that night I couldn't even think of a complaint, not that we should ever complain. But all I could say in my prayers was, "I thank Thee that I had such a good gramps all growing up." Basta I am doing good! I sat down and wrote a poem, I didn't have much time and it was hard to concentrate and on top of that I kept using Tagalog words, but I will include it later on in my letter! 

      So I included the picture of all those Daily Planners and Scripture Case and Picture of Grandma and Gramps because 1.On every page of everyone of those planners on the top of the page is written "Earn It." That was Gramps' advise to me before I left, so everyday of my mission, MTC included I have tried to "Earn It." 2. I always have that picture on my desk, now I have 2 angels looking over me here! 3. The scripture case is new, and cool if I do say so myself, but it has on it my favorite scripture in Tagalog. "Sinoman ang naniniwala sa Diyos ay maaaring umasa nang may katiakan para sa isang daigdig na higit na mainam..." It is from Ether 12:4. I hope I got all those words right, I don't wanna check plus you don't understand it anyway. In English it is, well now I have to check because I don't know it in English. "Whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world" but it is so much cooler in Tagalog! But I have that "Hope for a better world." And it has got to be a good world because this one is pretty sweet! 

      Well, I guess we can now say with easy that Gramps lived his life "Good enough for the girl he went with" and that is saying QUITE A LOT! I really am doing good, don't worry about me. I am happy and working, those two go hand in hand. Sorry if I am a bit all over the place, it is hard to concentrate sometimes. I am going to miss one heck of a funeral. It is a damn good thing that his last ride will be on a horse, that is all I gotta say. 

       So here's the little poem I wrote, it aint much but here ya go:

Something bout ol’ cowboys

They leave their brand wherever they go

The purposely do it on cattle

But their mark is left on more than they know.

They may not be using hot irons

But just as deep of an impression is made

On the hearts of those who've been round 'em

Cause the example of a good man don't easily fade.

I figure he's got a sunrise in front of him

and on his arm his girl named Mary J

So with the tip of a hat and a whip of the reigns

An old cowboy rides away.

I love my mission. I know that God has a merciful Plan of Happiness for us. We are his children and He is our Loving Father in Heaven. I didn't call you today family because we have a few people to teach tonight that need to know that they can be with their families forever. We're already blessed with that knowledge- plus I'll just cry and you'll just cry if I would have called. We'll just wait til Mothers Day. I think the day of the Funeral will be the hardest for me, I would love to hear The Aunts and Uncles talks and voices and see the horses and what not. Anyway, I just keep on blabbing on. I am off to teach the Gospel that I heard Gramps testify of so many times, and the Gospel he lived til the day he died.

Elder Davis

Tell everyone I love them. We all know I was his favorite... just kidding, but seriously!

scripture cover

missionary planners, missionary guardians

ANOTHER spider

ANOTHER spider:)

church building

primary room

"sorta" real hotdogs

Sunday March 16th 2014

Hello,

     Every week when we get on to email, before I open my emails I always hope that my Gramps is okay. This week I opened it with the same thought and read that "Grandpa was alive, but that he died." Well, these keyboards are wet with tears. I don't know what to write about anymore. I am glad he wants to make it til June, I pray he does. Since I have been a deacon I have prayed that he would die either before or after my mission, just not during it. Truly, since I was a deacon.  I just want him to be happy though. CAN YOU BELIEVE MOM FOUND A NICKEL!?! SOOOO COOOOL! Well you can tell gramps that he better not be like those girls that say they will wait for the missionaries and then flake out... but then again Mary J is waiting for him haha. Like I said, if you go Gramps, just stop by Baao Philippines first and tell me good bye. But I would prefer June if that's okay! We'll go feedin cows and any other chore we have and you can go then. 

       Well, I don't feel much like telling stories right now but this week was pretty cool. Elder Arganda and I did get pretty sick though. I think it was because we had two days in the shoes of the assistants and that is not fun. We were their temporary companions on Monday and Tuesday because of our meeting. We were up til 11 and drove A LOT, like a lot. and Didn't get home til late, anyway we got sick, but nothing too bad- we're fine. But I had two highlights of the week!

     1.) We taught this great less active guy, like he could be your uncle he's so cool, and it was a great lesson. One of the best I have ever had with a less active. We read with him the story of the Prodigal Son! It was powerful! This man has a testimony of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and reading with him was amazing. When we hit the part of "The Dad seeing his son afar off and running to him and embracing him" the spirit was so powerful! The man said, the Dad didn't even think twice about taking his son back, he asked no questions, he was just happy that his son came back to him. 

     I testified to him that our Father in Heaven is waiting for us, and when we go back to him he will run to us, all he wants is for us to return back to him! "To be eternally wrapped in the arms of his love will be a real, and not a virtual experience." -Elder Bednar. Anyways, I hope he doesn't take too long to come back! Prog... Progin.... MY SON RETURNS! (some of you are laughing right now). But it is a great story for every one of us. 

      2.) Seeing from the corner of your eye that a recent convert is paying their tithing is one of the happiest feelings in the world. The sacrifice they are making to pay their tithing just makes my heart jump within me for the blessings that are coming their way. Tithing, out of all the commandments we teach, is my favorite, because I teach it to people who need financial blessings from heaven! No sacrifice is too great for the rewards awaiting us. Anyway, those were my highlights. 

     After reading the letter earlier I still don't know what to write about. You just tell Gramps that he doesn't need to wait for me. Mary J is probably pretty mad at me, she about had him back and then he pulled a Lazarus! Anyway, I love you all. I truly do. I love my mission. I have learned so much here. Above all that I have learned is that of the pure love God has for us (see #1). I can feel it as I teach his children. I can feel that they are special to him, he cares for them, he is aware of their needs. If only my mission could just last forever. Anyway I better get going. Have a great week. I hope you enjoyed the pictures. I promise I won't be distracted from my work because of what is happening back home, I will work everyday of my mission until they kick me on that air plane. My Gramps taught me how to work too well for me to not finish my mission strong. Also I just texted President and told him I won't extend anymore despite my desires. I love you and I am thankful for your prayers! Love you a bushel.

Elder Davis

P.S. "Life and Missions are like a roll of toilet paper, the closer you get to the end, the faster they go." Revision of a Larry E. Sherwood quote!   

      

Baao Philippines

The new assistant Elder Klassen