Week Six

Kumusta kamo akong pamilya ug mga higala!!

What an eventful week it has been. Lots of awesome things happening.

So Tuesday was a great day. We only have one class and then its the devotional. We got to usher so we got amazing seats in the second row. Larry Echo Hawk of the 70 was the speaker. He gave an amazing story about his conversion. It also included lots of football. I'll send it home in a handwritten letter (I also sent parts to Lindsay) After the Devotional we got to meet him and talk to him for a little while. His wife made the comment that mission applications are up 471%!!! 4000 applications per week. Elder Echo Hawk also said that there were going to be 50 new mission fields!!!!

Wednesday was good... We have early morning service at 6:15 and so far we've only cleaned bathrooms. It kinda sucks. It's no longer a shock to me though to see the new missionaries coming in. We can actually be hosts next week. 3 districts in our zone left for the field last week. 2 to Portugal and 1 to Cape Verde. I'm gonna miss Sister Llano. She's actually from Southern Leyte and speaks Cebuano. She gave us her parents address and told us to baptize them. I'm super stoked to get to the field!

Thursday is super fun. I love the TRC! I seriously speak my best Cebuano there. Everything just flows and I dont have to think about grammar. It's such a cool experience.

Friday was long and weird... I think everyone was a bit burned out. SYL is great though. We speak at least 10 hours of cebuano only per day.

Saturday is the best day because to me its like Friday night for the rest of you.

Sunday is the best day of the week in my opinion. Rest from classes. Going to church. Taking the Sacrament. Singing in the choir. Walking to the temple and taking pictures. Going to the fireside and watching a church film afterwards. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Sunday. Gotta love the day of rest.

I'm starting to read from the Basahon ni Mormon at least 1 chapter per day. The words are finally starting to make sense. It's incredible how real the gift of tongues is.

I'm about halfway done with Jesus the Christ. It's a tough read but I'm absolutely loving it! I know that Christ is the Savior of the world. He suffered for each and everyone of us. We can turn to Him and He will comfort us.

Thanks for the pictures and letters Kristin!

Loved the Pie and Cookies Jess! You're a Maayo Kaayong Manluluto! (Amazing Cook)

Thank you Alyssa for the Letters. I'm sorry I haven't had time to respond. I got your letter on Monday night. We got our mail after we wrote emails. I hope your presentation went well and that you went ahead and borrowed my hat. I'm okay with you borrowing my things as long as you remember that they are my things and return them :) I hope you know I love you and I'm praying for you.

Lindsay thanks for the letters and questions. I've been praying for you and I think you didn't get my letter until after you sent the second one. Isn't it amazing how God answers prayers?!

Mom thanks for the package. Voting is such a fulfilling experience. Kinda catching wind that there's gonna be a huge storm on the east coast that could affect the election.... any truth to this?

This week is kinda of the downhill week of the MTC. We get a new Cebuano district on Wednesday. Next week we get our travel plans on Friday and then the week after we have In Field Orientation. 3 weeks from today I'll be on a plane over the Pacific Ocean!!! This is CRAZY! But I absolutely love it. I know what my purpose is and I know that the Big Guy upstairs is looking out for me.

I love you all. And I can feel your love and prayers.

Until next Monday,

Elder McGuire

Number 5 and Still Alive

Iiiiiiiiiiiiiittttttt's MONDAY!!!

We're off to a great start to a new week! We went to the Temple at 5:40 this morning! It was nuts! but now we have so much time today!

Last week was great! lots of humbling and learning experiences. Isn't great to be humbled. Then we can be taught and learn how to be better. I've been trying really hard to become a better planner. Writing down everything and having every minute planned is definitely not what I'm used to haha. It sure does make life easier though. We're starting to teach 4 investigators this week. Can't really afford to not be organized and not planned out.

Elder Shayne Bowen came and gave the devotional. It was awesome! It seems like everyone who talks in the MTC hits on Exact Obedience at least once during their talk. It's so important though. This is also the week where everyone I know is leaving for the field. My zone leaders are leaving. All my BYU friends are leaving. It's nuts to think that now I've hit the month mark that I'm one of the older ones here.

My Cebuano is coming along great. I gave a talk in Sacrament meeting yesterday in Cebuano. My district could understand me but none of the Portugal and Brazil missionaries could. Except for Sister Llano and Camillo who are both from the Philippines headed to Cape Verde.

I'm super stoked to get to the Philippines. We have a new Cebuano district coming in on Halloween! It'll be great to sort of talk to someone else in Cebuano again. Trying to talk to the Hiligaynons and Tagalogs is very difficult because the words are slightly different. They also updated LDS Maps with all the new meetinghouses in the Tacloban mission. I can't wait to get to a Waray or Tagalog area where I have to start learning a language all over again! No sarcasm at all. I loved this quote this week. "If you can, run to your appointments. If you can't run, walk. If you can't walk, crawl. If your hands and knees are bloody from crawling and you can go no further, then lie on your back and shout to the world that the Gospel is true."

I'll probably send a handwritten letter home today so look for it soon. Big shout out to Mom for the package and homemade rolls and jam. It was infinitely more delicious than the cafeteria food. I love you so much!!!!

My time is just about up so until next time I love you all and I deeply appreciate your love, prayers, and support.

Ayo-ayo

Elder McGuire

Number 4

Well hello everyone,

This week has been great. In fact 6 out of 7 journal entries start off with "Today was great" or something similar. First off, We got to hear from Elder Bednar on Tuesday night! He said it was funny to hear what people were saying about why they think the age limit was changed when he was on the council and actually knows why it changed. Apostolic humor haha. He said the reason for the change was #1 This is the Lord's work and He is directing it. #2 The Lord is hastening His work and needs an increase of laborers in the field. Elder Bednar then proceeded to give his talk. He really is an amazing speaker. Basically to summarize, (and this applies to all those who read this) Go back and re read the conference talks. Look for Doctrines that are being taught, Look for the Invitations being extended, and Look for the Promised Blessings from the Apostles and Prophets. When an Apostle or Prophet makes a promise or a blessing, it's not a matter of "if" it will happen, but "when" it will happen.

I sent some handwritten letters out to everyone but Flagstaff family. I promise I will write one later when I finish the family name endowments. I only have 4 left. Also can someone figure out how much postage I need to put on a letter to Lithuania? I'm trying to reply to Elder Maliwauki but I'm not sure how much to put on there haha. P.S. If you can please write before Monday. Monday is when I write. You all can email on any other day. Like Sunday or Even Saturday.

There is miracles in EXACT Obedience. You wouldn't think that 5 minutes could make a difference in your day when it's super early in the morning. The Lord has set His guidelines though. When He says 6:30 He means 6:30 not 6:35. So this week I'm getting up 5 minutes earlier. I can already notice and recognize His hand in my day. On Mondays Tuesdays and Wednesdays it's easy because We get up and go to the temple, have 6:05 gym time, or 6:15 service. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are a little more rough. Thursdays and Saturdays are especially rough. I also must say thanks to those who wrote me throughout the week. It's such a blessing to read a letter from home at the end of a long day. We don't get to read our letters til 9:20 because of a Branch rule. So send some extra letters on Thursday and Saturday or some extra prayers up for me :)

Gym time is awesome. We had a Filipino vs European Soccer match the other night. We kinda got pasted 4-1 but it was a lot of fun! We also did a Cebuano vs Hiligaynon volleyball match. Philippines East vs West. We won 3 games to 2. I also am lifting when I can. There's machines above the gym with a track around so I can lift and run and it's great. I gained 10 lbs. in the first 2 weeks so I've been really watching what I've been eating now and getting a really good work out in every day. I'm back to 170 now. I think 1 pound of it is muscle. (I hope)

Back to the obedience principle. When you do all the things the Lord asks of you, He is bound to bless you. Yesterday was one of the best days I've had at the MTC. I felt the Spirit almost every second of the day and really understood what the gift of the Holy Ghost can be. It was so peaceful and uplifting all day long. After you realize your blessings, count them! It's easier to find happiness when you recognize the Lord's hand in everything in your life. Seriously take a half hour every now and then to reflect on your life and count your blessings. Write them down. Then think of all the people who would love to have those blessings. Then go serve those people. Thats my recipe for happiness.

As always I love you all! Can you believe I'm done with my first month of my mission this Friday? I still feel new here even though I'm technically one of the old ones now.

I'll leave you all with my Cebuano testimony.

Nasayud ko nga tinuod ang ebanghelyo ni Jesukristo. Nasayud ko nga Manluluwas ug Manunubos si Jesukristo. Naa ta'y Dios sa langit mao ang atong mahigugmaon Langitnong Amahan. Nasayud ko nga propeta si Joseph Smith ug gihapon nga buhing propeta si Thomas S Monson. Nasayud ko nga tinuod ang Basahon ni Mormon. Sa ngalan ni Jesukristo amen.

Until next week,

Elder McGuire

Number 3

Kumusta ninyo!?

How is everyone! What an amazing week it has been! I finally got some photos for you all :) Also EVERYONE needs to go rewatch conference!!! Seriously so good. We have been blessed to live in a time where we can hear Prophets of the Lord with a click of a button. Go Do It NOW!!!

 It's nice to have P-day on Mondays. Its kind of like a fake weekend with Sunday. Conference was so good! President Brown let us write a letter home Saturday night so look for it in the mail all you Flagstaff folk :) Mostly its addressed to Rick and Malcolm because of the recent age change in missionary qualifications. There's also a paragraph with some things I need. If anything in the letter sounds selfish please disregard it or cross it out or something. On Sunday after I sent the letter I was spiritually humbled and called out just a little bit after I sent it. One thing that I do need for sure is my line of authority printed out and mailed to me.

  Just for you Lindsay... Everyone who reads this should go read Chapters 9 and 10 of PMG. There is no line that separates Temple Work from Family History Work. Also go re watch Elder Scotts Talk. "There is no greater protection from the influence of the adversary than doing family history work." He is so right! Doing Temple sessions for my ancestors is completely different than other temple names. Family, Do what Lindsay asks you to regarding family history work.

  This week has been great! It's hard to believe I'm a third of the way done with my MTC stay! We are teaching 2 "investigators" Mildred and Tintin. My Cebuano is continuing to improve. SYL is tough as nails. We got to go to the TRC this week for the first time. It was a really cool experience to teach RMs and answer their questions about the gospel. When all is said and done though, testifying is the surest way to bring the Spirit which is a far better teacher than any missionary ever could be. As a common theme of Conference I noticed that many speakers mentioned A mighty change of heart and that Seeing things with your heart is far more important than seeing with your eyes.

  Chad Lewis came and did the fireside last night! I'm so stoked and pumped up for my mission now! It was so cool to hear all of his stories.

  What I learned about our Savior this week is that when the natural man in us would turn in to fulfill selfish desires, the character of Christ turns out in service to others. Elder Maxwell said that the Atonement would not have been possible without the character of Christ. You will find in the scriptures that Christ always turns to serve others. That's my goal this week to serve others before my own needs are met. I would challenge you all to put the Boy Scout Slogan to work and Do a Good Turn Daily.

  You are all in my prayers

  I love you all Naghigugma ko ninyo

  Elder McGuire

Mga pagsulat nga Duha

its pronounced (man-ga pog-Sue-lot nah Do ha)

  It also means letter two

  What a week its been! Lots of good lots of bad and lots of humbling.

  I'll just pick up where I left off last time. On Tuesday I kind of had a rough day. I was starting to get a cold. We slept through our 6:05 AM gym time. and study for that day was not as good as it could have been. At the devotional we heard from Elder Stephen Golden from the 70. His words gave me a new motivation for the week. quoting sister Nelson, "Obedience brings blessings. Exact obedience needs miracles." If i was going to get over this sickness I would need a miracle and exact obedience.

  On wednesday I upped my game. Elder Shields and I set goals to become better at planning and studying. It was a good rebuilding day.

  Thursday was a real heart breaker. We taught our investigator for the 5th time. We extended an invitation for baptism. Cixto said he wanted to, but he wanted to know the difference between our church and others. In my broken Cebuano I tried to explain that our church was the only one with the Priesthood Authority. He said he wanted us to prepare a list of differences for next time. When we got back to the classroom we were told later that night that we wouldnt be teaching him again. there was a video journal of him that we watched...turns out he totally speaks english btw... i was really bummed and couldnt focus at all for the rest of the night. I talked with Elder Sorenson my zone leader and I felt much better. I also got a blessing from Elder Shields, Elder Kingsbury and Elder Reimann. What a blessing it is to have Melchizadek priesthood holders on sight and willing to give a blessing.

  Friday was a much better day. When I walked into the classroom, there was Cixto with a suit on and a tag that said Brother Young. I was nearly floored and just gave him a big hug. Turns out Brother Young is going to be our teacher as well as Sister Blonquist. He is such an amazing teacher and really brings out the best in me. He lives so close to the Spirit and you can tell he loves the Gospel. His only flaw is that he goes off on tangents sometimes but for the most part they have a purpose or are cool stories.

  Sunday was amazing! I feel like they should call it Testimony Sunday instead of Fast Sunday. My testimony was strengthened over and over again throughout the day. Every fast sunday is Mission Conference where we get to hear from the MTC Presidency. Such great messages about obedience and diligence. My favorite quote came later that night from Brother Swensen the Director of missionary services. "There isn't a language in the world that is so difficult that a 4 year-old cant speak it" Even though they grew up with it, it is so true. 80% of my prayers are now in Cebuano.

  At Sacrament Meeting we bore our testimonies in English because our branch is Portuguese and Cebuano. I told a few stories about dads mission to Lisbon because thats where a lot of these missionaries are going. I also bore my testimony that I know God is our loving Heavenly Father. Such an amazing day!

  Today we went to the temple again and I got 6 of those family names done. It's such a different feeling when you go through the temple for an ancestor!

  I love getting letters from all of you! Please keep writing and tell everyone else to write too :)

  That's so exciting to hear Dad! It sounds like the perfect calling for you! Thanks for the story about the Philippines too!

  We don't really have any culture classes... mostly I just pick up tidbits from my teachers and the older districts. They leave a week from today!

  I love the pictures of Gray and Nash! They are getting HUGE!!!!!!!

  I love you all!

  The church is true. these words are simple but they are so indescribably profound. Joseph Smith saw what he saw. Either this is true or it is not. there is no inbetween. and I know it to be true with every bone in my body.

  Elder McGuire