Sunday, November 17, 2013

Ten sisters on the roof

This is the link to the story about the ten sister missionaries who punched a hole through a wall to wait out the storm on the roof.


http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865590735/Surviving-the-typhoon-A-story-of-fear-faith-and-what-it-means-to-be-prepared.html?pg=all

Elder McGuire has been reassigned to the Cebu City Mission.  They flew out earlier today.  This is the island that had the earthquake there last month.  He is excited because he will get to speak the first language he learned on his mission--Cebuano.  There is a temple there and he is with a proselyting companion.  He is very happy about that.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Getting to the airport

Here is a link to Sister Ralph's experience as told by her Mom.  Sister Ralph was in Jessica's ward before her mission.

http://sistersarahralph.blogspot.com/?m=1

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

"...and they did not doubt their mothers knew it."

These are some of the stories JT (Elder McGuire) has told us over the last few days.  As a mother I am grateful that the information we did have going through all of this was not exactly how things played out.  Had we known what the conditions were at the time they were really happening it would have been too much to handle. Pernell and I have felt like we needed a safe place to share this with you as much as JT has needed help remembering and recording what this last week has been like.  Thank you--a gazillion times over--for your kind thoughts and prayers in his behalf.  The first time he Skyped home it was just me and him.  I told him that hundreds and hundreds of people had been praying for him.  Learning about all of you and your faith and prayers brought the first tears of relief.  Thank you for caring about him and our family.

Currently, (11/13/13) he is with 204 missionaries from the Tacloban Mission at the Missionary Training Center in Manila, Philippines.  They are allowed to Skype and call everyday while they rest and regroup and wait for their new assignments to come in.  He has ten months left to serve.  There are 7 missions in and around Manila.  If he got assigned there it would mean improving on a fourth language.  He is hoping, through different interviews that they will go through, to be reassigned to the Visayas area....northeast of the Tacloban area. I don't know completely what I'm talking about, but it would mean out in the country again where they speak one of the three dialects that he already knows. When they were driving into Manila he said, "This looks like Phoenix.  This is not the Philippines I know."  He has definitely been living in a third world country this year.

Before JT left on his mission, really before any of our kids leave home, I grill into them two things that will ease my mind the most when they are away.  The first is to be obedient.  JT is naturally cautious, but when it comes to following the mission rules or doing his best to keep the commandments he is absolute.  There are quite a few references in the Book of Mormon about young men who were called into battle inspite of their inexperience and how they were miraculously preserved because of the things their mothers had taught them.  I have reflected on this a lot over the three days that we didn't hear from him. His obedience has sustained my faith and I knew he would be alright.

The second thing that we have taught him is to listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.  After you are baptized into our church there is an ordinance after that which is called a confirmation or being confirmed.  Sometimes it is referred to as receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.  We believe that as we live worthy of this gift (keeping the commandments, having daily prayers and studying the scriptures) the Holy Ghost is able to prompt us in times of danger or give us direction when we are trying to make an important decision.  It takes practice to learn how to read and feel those promptings.  I think this is one of the reasons we baptize our children when they are eight years old.  They are old enough to begin to know the difference between right and wrong and yet have roughly ten years before they leave home to grow up and learn what a prompting of the Holy Ghost feels like and gain confidence in themselves in their ability to ask for that help.  Long story short, He knows how to use this gift.

From what we understood the missionaries were waiting out the storm in Stake Centers and church buildings.  Next to the mission office is his apartment.  A little ways off is the chapel and across the courtyard is the mission home where the mission president and his family live.  They have four children.  All of these buildings are within a minute of walking distance.  On the night of the typhoon there were five elders waiting out the storm in JT's apartment--two elders who came from the southern part of the city and  a threesome because JT was in the process of training someone to take over his job.  The AP's (assistants to the president) were staying in the mission office next door.  At 3 a.m. the electricity went out.  He woke up because his fan had stopped.  If you don't have a fan blowing on you all night you are instantly hot and sweaty. He is in basketball shorts and t-shirt.  The storm had already started.  He tried to go back to sleep.

  At 5a.m. the AP's came over and said they needed help because the office was starting to flood.  JT put on his flip flops and went over to help...using mops and cardboard to try to keep the water out and the computers dry.  JT went back to his apartment to put on better shoes because the flip flops were just too slippery.  He grabbed his backpack, proselyting clothes, scriptures, favorite Expos tshirt and put his ministerial permit and temple recommend in his pocket. After a few more minutes one of the other elders yells-"We have got to go now!!"  JT looks up to see a wall of black water coming over the top of the desk.  All seven elders make their way out of the office and over to the chapel.  By this time the wind is starting to pick up and by that I mean literally picking up JT.  Elder Johnson (from Dallas who is finishing his mission in two weeks and will be tracked down by Kristin and Cameron)  is holding onto the side of the building.  He reaches up and grabs JT with both arms around his waist and pulls him back down to the ground.  JT's papers fly out of his pocket.  They get into the chapel and stay for about 30 seconds before they determine that this is not going to be a safe place either.  The men take one step out of the church.  The water is up to their ankles.  By the fourth step the water is up to their thighs.  They make their way through the water over to the mission home, which gratefully, is a two-story home.  They are all banging on the windows and trying to yell above the storm to be let in.  JT said it was probably only about 30 seconds but it felt like an eternity before they got someone's attention.

President Andaya heard them and came down to let them in.  The bottom story has already started to flood so they all make their way upstairs.  He couldn't remember how many people waited out the storm there. They also helped to keep what food they had off the ground and dry while they waited out the storm.   In a lot of the homes there, on the second floor is a window which has a padlock on it.  They open it if the flood waters have risen so high that they can't escape through the doors to the home.  The problem today was that the key to the padlock was downstairs.  Pres. Andaya said, "Elders, break that lock."  Elder Johnson, rockstar of the day, found a hand barbell with weights on it.  He took the weights off and used that to start banging against the padlock.  At the same time the rest of the elders stood in a circle and listened while Elder Parsons offered the prayer.  Elder Parsons kept praying and Elder Johnson kept hitting that lock.  In the middle of that prayer the lock broke free and Elder Johnson let out a yell.  They didn't have to use that window in the end, but a great story nonetheless. After the storm the mission office was reported to be under 12-18 feet of water.  Also, after the storm someone found his temple recommend.

JT estimated that the storm lasted until the early evening.  News reports have described the duration of Typhoon Haiyan to be a Class 5 typhoon that lasted for two days.  His apartment is two-storied so after the storm they slept there for the next few nights amidst gunshots and looting and the smell of death that he said was "...just unbearable."  Also, coming to learn that no planes were coming in or out of the airport, no road had access to them and no communication was able to go out was very hard.  The missionaries spent the next few days helping to pass out food for the city down at city hall.

At home, we knew that it would take several days for help to arrive and communications to get re-established.  (see story below)  The scripture that sustained me during that time was Doctrine and Covenants 115:6--

 "And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth."

 That probably sounds a little naive knowing what we know now, but I don't see it that way.  The organization of the church is an amazing force.  From the chain of priesthood leadership that watches over us at every level to the nameless people who provided clean clothes and shoes and food and shelter and blankets and computers and cell phones and hugs.  We are organized from the First Presidency to the individual and to see it all in action is a testimony to me that the Lord's way is powerful.

The details of that story took three times to put together.  It has been sobering for me to listen to Pernell gently phrase the questions and give JT time to process his answers.  I am so grateful for this time and resources (computers to skype with) to help these missionaries get a handle on what they have survived and endured.  Clean clothes, sleep,  and good food bring a sense of normalcy and structure to the schedules they are used to keeping.

Here are some bits and pieces of the other stories we are working on.  After the storm the missionaries were put to work passing out food at City Hall.  Somewhere in there JT went out to look for water.  He was digging through rubble and found a sealed case of Coke.  He found it and was carrying that and a large bottle of water over his shoulder.  He stepped on a nail. A sister missionary removed it and later, Sis. Andaya bandaged him up. One of the mission rules is to avoid standing water or being in the water at all.  The danger is in the snails that live in the water.  They can get into your system through an open wound or if you were to drink it, lay their eggs and then the snails party on your insides....nasty.  JT was able to get a tetanus shot at City Hall somehow.

This is from a news article that Kristin found:

"It's overwhelming,"  Air Force Capt. Antonio Tamayo told the AP.  "We need more medicine.  We cannot give anti-tetanus vaccine shots because we have none."

On Sunday they had a short sacrament meeting at 6:15a.m. JT said he would never forget it because of the meager little crackers they found to use for the bread and the beautiful spirit that was there.  They then went out to help distribute food again.  He got heat exhaustion and passed out from being dehydrated.  Pres. Andaya helped him away and Sis. Andaya took care of him by pouring some cold water on his head and finding him something to drink. There are no words to describe the energy and tenderness with which they have fought to protect these men and women.

JT has a cell phone with him. Not every missionary does, but he does because he needs to communicate with all of the elders in the mission to coordinate the supplies they need.  As the Office Supply Manager he has traveled all over the islands of Leyte and Samar.  He is not allowed to use this to communicate with us or friends back home.  Occassionally on the days he writes home he will send a text to say hello, or I'm thinking of you.  About three days after the typhoon had passed a crude cell phone tower was put back up.  Sometimes he could get a signal but it wouldn't last long enough for him to send a text message.  So he prepared the text and continued to try to send it over the next two days.

 Meanwhile, back at home, we had received one phonecall from the Area Presidency's secretary  on Saturday night saying he was alive and accounted for and another phonecall from the missionary department in Salt Lake on Sunday afternoon confirming that.  We were fairly confident that that was true but by then the reports had started that 80 missionaries from the Tacloban mission were still missing.  Jessica and James (Pernell's brother) were working tirelessly on social media to track down any bit of information they could.  We had been in Denver that weekend for our granddaughter's blessing and drove to Albequerque.  Both of our phones continued to go off with the buzz of notifications.  At one point, after we had just settled into bed I told Pernell, "Please turn that off.  I can't handle anymore today."  He rolled over and checked his phone.  "IT'S JT!!!"   The text said---Dad I'm alive JT--.  Receiving this news at midnight on Sunday was earthshattering.  We tried calling back and texting back, but there was no response.

Our family is very sports oriented.  No offense against cheerleaders, but I was one in High School for a few years and my kids think this is hilarious.  I always take it in stride and tell them that's why I am such a good mom...because I am very good at cheering them on when life or sports or relationships or finding themselves gets  hard. As a means of lightening the mood of this staggering text I posted a screenshot of  JT's text to Facebook with the caption....."and then he takes an outside shot from the other side of the planet.......nothin but net.....the fans go wild!!!!"  When I was trying to explain this to JT he was worried that he would be in trouble for sending a text.  I quickly explained how worried we were and how grateful we were to know that he was alive.  He has been through some very serious trauma.

The scripture I found to describe our feelings at this point is Mormon 9:15-16 from the Book of Mormon.

"And now, O all ye that have imagined up unto yourselves a god who can do no miracles, I would ask of you, have all these things passed, of which I have spoken?  Has the end come yet?  Behold I say unto you, Nay and God has not ceased to be a God of miracles.  Behold are not the things that God hath wrought marvelous in our eyes?  Yea, and who can comprehend the marvelous works of God?"

On Sunday night they stayed in the mission home.  Early the next morning they walked about 3 km to the airport.  Some of the missionaries had to walk upwards of  50km (30 miles) to get to the airport. If you have seen any of the news reports you can only imagine what they saw along the way. I don't know if JT was not privy to the information of the arrangements that had been made or if they had simply put themselves in the right place at the right time and the Lord took it from there.  He said the church was trying to purchase several airplanes to transport the missionaries out.  Pres. Ardern (1st counselor in the Area Presidency) was with them. Each time it fell through because the authorities didn't or wouldn't believe they had the resources to really do that. Pres. Ardern also had with him a mini-ipad that had boarding passes for all of the missionaries to get on that C130 that you saw in the ABC newsclip.  However, because they were not paper boarding passes they were not accepted by those who were loading the planes.

 JT saw an American Marine. He came up to them and asked them how they were doin and what they were doin in Tacloban...just small talk.  JT said, "You know, just building a relationship of trust."  JT said that they were missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  "Oh yeah, I used to be a member of that church."  "Well, if there's anything I can do to help you out...."I'm a marine.  I've been all over lately, Afghanistan.....I'm not really sure why I'm here today."  To which Pres. Ardern spoke up and said, "You're here to get God's missionaries out of here." "Great, I'll see what I can do." Next thing he knew he heard the man say, "Let's get these Mormons out of here."   JT's group of 71 missionaries was divided up between two osprey (helicopter/plane--awesomely cool but unless you're a marine you don't ride on these) and the C130 plane.  He likes the idea of having the bragging rights to that.  It took two and a half hours to get to Manila.  About 20 rode on the one he was on.

I cannot begin to imagine the level of stress Pres. and Sis. Andaya have been under through all of this.  Not only are they worried about their own family, but the lives and safety of 204 missionaries and their extremely worried families.  JT said at one point Pres. Andaya had a phone on each ear with Apostles (leaders higher up in the church) on the other end expressing their concern and frustration as to how they were going to get these kids out. I assume multiple plans were tried to figure out the quickest way to get them out of Tacloban.

When the missionaries landed in Manila a bus was waiting to take them to the MTC.  JT called us at 3a.m. Tuesday morning.  We woke up the kids and talked for two hours. Alyssa asked JT what he did to wait out the storm after he got to a safe and secure place.  JT replied, "Once we were inside the mission home we sang hymns and prayed but I haven't felt safe until about half an hour ago.

___________________________________________
First phone call from the Area Presidency's secretary....(from a letter to JT)

I knew from the church's website that it would take a few days to establish even minimum communications so I was at peace going into Saturday (your Sunday). I thought I was doing just fine until I got the call from the Area Presidency secretary.  We had gone to the movies as a diversion from all of the news reports that just seemed to be getting worse by the hour.  I had turned my phone to vibrate.  It went off with 4% battery ....augh! ...from "unknown".  As I scrambled to get out of the theatre I cut her off.  Gratefully, she called back.  She told me that you were safe, had food and water and that you were helping with the cleanup.  I countered,  "You mean to tell me exactly, that you know Elder McGuire is alive?" "Yes, Sis. McGuire, he is." [I gathered myself somewhat and asked, "Do they have food?"  She said, "they have some and are working to get more in.]   I choked out a "thank you" and began to sob.  ....my eyeballs hurt...After we got it back together and got to Lindsay's we had a chocolate milk toast, hugs all around and promises to Rick that he would be called to serve in Kanab, UT.  We posted that on Facebook, to which Aunt Doris said, "I'm sure the people of Kanab, UT will be grateful for his service."  I love her.
[At home, away from the public eye, we knelt in family prayer and thanked Heavenly Father for preserving your life and the many, many people involved who had helped to get you to Manila.] (sleep would come tonight)

Linda sent me this sweet passage, again from the Book of Mormon..."that we may rejoice in the great privilege of our church, and in the cause of our Redeemer and our God.  Behold, I have sent a few provisions unto them, that they may not perish until ye can come unto me."  ....tell them to fear not, for God will deliver them..."

Jessica found Psalms 91

Elder McGuire told me that the scripture that got him through was Alma 44:4--
"Now ye see that this is the true faith of God; yea, ye see that God will support, and keep, and preserve us, so long as we are faithful unto him, and unto our faith, and our religion; and never will the Lord suffer that we shall be destroyed except we should fall into transgression and deny our faith."

I don't think it is ironic at all to recognize that this is the Neavitt's (Cameron's family) family motto. Shout out to the families from Queen Creek and their amazing faith.  Kristin is already planning to send JT one of their t-shirts.

And to whoever chose the song for the Relief Society meeting in Denver on Sunday....Keep the Commandments.....thank you.  That was a tender mercy for me that day.

"Keep the commandments, keep the commandments.  In this there is safety, in this there is peace.
He will send blessings, he will send blessings. Words of the prophet. Keep the commandments.  In this there is safety and peace."

I also don't know how to begin to thank God for the multitude of blessings that have been given to us other than to bear you my testimony that God is real. He lives. He knows each of us personally and answers prayers. He is anxious to teach us the things we need to know to return to live with Him again.  Life is so good and beautiful amidst the chaos when you come to know these simple truths. The Jesus Christ I know provided a way for me to repent when I need to change so that I can continue to grow to be like Him.  I love the simpleness of knowing that I can talk directly to Him through my personal prayers.  He will always answer me if I put myself in a position spiritually to keep that channel clear. These are the things that ground me as the world around us becomes increasingly wicked.  I am privileged with the great blessing of being a mother in these latter days. I can build my children's confidence and give them opportunities to develop themselves, but the one thing that will bring them the most happiness is coming to know for themselves these things that I have described. The man I married cherishes and protects this role of mine and I love him beyond measure for it. 

Keep the faith, stay strong and hold on!

Pernell and Nancy McGuire


Sunday, February 24, 2013

I don't normally go hiking in flip flops and my whites...

but when I do you know I'm going to baptize a child of God!

This week was a great week. There were quite a few setbacks but it's better to look up. It's better to look forward.

A lot of appointments fell through. We didn't nearly accomplish most of our goals for lessons or for our investigators. Church attendance was kind of low There is a lot of potential for everything but it seems like everything is in a standstill. 

Despite all of this things are still fine. The baptism went wonderfully. It was such an amazing experience for the both of us. The Spirit was so strong. The ocean felt great. Words can't really describe how I felt.

Being here in Villaba has made me realize the importance of the priesthood. The 2 baptisms we've had have both been young boys. We've been working really hard to find families and potential priesthood holders. We've found them but now the task is to help them understand and accept the Gospel. Our branch has been without an Elders Quorum President and Branch Mission Leader for half a year now. Our Branch President is probably the best in the entire world. He is giving his all in serving everyone and simultaneously preparing his family to go to the temple in April. He's only been a member for 6 years, but he has such a firm grasp on the Gospel and truly does magnify his priesthood.

My thoughts have been very clustered lately. Somehow it all revolves around Charity. Haven't quite made all the connections just yet but it is a subject that has been on my mind lately. In cebuano its gugma nga putli or pure love. I've been thinking about how true it is. It is the pure love of Christ. It's loving others the way God loves us. It is a Christlike attribute that I don't yet have but I am  striving to work for.

On Tuesday we had a district meeting about Charity. I never really put a whole lot of thought into why I came on a mission before. Last year my thoughts were oh everyone else is putting in their papers I should do the same. Everybody else is getting a call I should get one too. I've realized that that is quite a pathetic reason to come on a mission. I was reading in my journal about the week before I came on my mission. I wrote about a family scripture study we had about courage. I had written 2 Tim. 1:7. Basically there are two reasons to do anything. One you can do it out of fear. (Fear of punishment that you're not going to fit in with your peers or not fulfilling priesthood duties.) Or you can do it out of Love. I've been trying to change the way I think about things. About the way my Father in Heaven loves me. About the way He has a plan for me. About His expectations for me. About my expectations for myself and who I want to become;  not what I want to be when I grow up but who I really am.

I read a great talk called the Fourth Missionary. What I've learned from it is that this isn't a sacrifice. God gives us everything we ever have. We can CONSECRATE ourselves to Him. It's not about the 2 years. It's about giving your whole will to the Lord and surrendering all of your righteous desires and wants for His will. We can serve with our might and strength but it doesn't mean a thing if we don't serve with all of our heart and mind.

Big growing week this week. I have a long way to go still. But that's part of the plan, Everyday we make choices that bring us closer or further from our Father in Heaven. Choices that help us become more or less like Him.


All in all, I am feeling great. I love my area I love my companion I love my mission president. Life is really good. 

Love you all

Elder McGuire
 






 

Sunday, February 17, 2013

5 months ba?!

Wow time just doesn't even feel normal anymore. It felt like this was a super long week but at the same time I can't believe it's been 5 months. I feel like I am in a time warp or some strange dream that feels real most of the time until I look at a calendar or clock. Overall though, things are looking great!
Tuesday was great! We went to Ormoc for our zone meeting and received some great training on asking inspired questions. It has been really helpful in asking investigators what they really understand about what we have said, but it's also great for me to ask myself and see how much I understand the doctrine. It's crazy, you'd think after growing up in the church for 19 years I would know quite a bit about the Gospel. Every day I learn something new though. Tuesday night was awesome! We got to teach a new investigator in English! He is super smart. He is the manager of the bank and super interested in the Book of Mormon. I hope he keeps on reading and has more questions. We teach him again tomorrow!. 

We also have a baptism this Saturday for a 10 year old that we've taught. I finally get to baptize someone in the ocean!!! Other exciting news is that I bought a sundang (it's basically a machete.) And yes mom the purchase was completely justified because I need it for service projects. They don't have lawn mowers here.

Wednesday was pretty good. We taught some more investigators that are somewhat progressing. I am still trying to understand why it's so hard to scrape up 10 pesos to come to church. In the evening we went contacting with the Branch President and we are gonna start teaching some new families. We also got the announcement that there is no transfer for either of us so Elder Cottle and I get at least 4 more weeks in Villaba. 

Thursday and Friday were kind of rough.  We taught the Balombao family both days. Once with a member and one without. Nanay said she was content to stay Catholic and didn't want to change. It's so hard because Tatay really wants to be baptized but not without his wife. We had to drop them because we can't waste anymore time there trying to invite her to change when she doesn't want to.

Saturday night was great! We taught a new family with President Jose. The Gorillo family is actually related to him somehow. They call each other cousin so I'm assuming they are haha. The lesson went really well. President Jose is an amazing Branch President. He's been a member for almost 6 years. It is so amazing to hear the change in his life from the time he investigated until now. Living the Gospel brings so much joy and happiness to people. He is an amazing example of that. I've really learned from him that I need to find people that are willing to live the Gospel and professionals. They will build up the church after we leave. I've made that my new goal to baptize a family. Funny enough I read in Preach My Gospel the other day that that is exactly what I should be trying to do. Love how that works out.

All in all I'm doing great. The power of the Atonement is real. The blessings from living the Gospel are real. This church is true. 

Keep praying no matter what. Ether 12:12 The miracles come after we show our faith!

Love you all, 

Elder McGuire

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Still alive and feeling great!

This week has been a crazy one.

Tuesday was alright. We went to Palompon in the morning for district meeting. We really do have an awesome district. We discussed the Book of Mormon and how we should be using it. It really is the word of God. I know it to be true. That is the way people are converted. When they read and understand the doctrine and apply it to their lives. In the afternoon, we went to Silad. I really need to obtain more patience. We keep teaching families that say they will come to church and then they never do. It really frustrates me but then I see one or two of the families that we did teach come to church and it's all worth it. 

On Wednesday we went back to Palompon and had exchanges. It was a great experience. I went with Elder Arganda my district leader. We taught some solid lessons to a semi active family and an investigator. I also got to have the experience of eating botbot and the sabao of lubi as well as the lubi. There are several words for coconut in Cebuano. It was delicious and I'm really gonna miss the fruits here.

Thursday was really good. In the morning we did weekly planning and in the afternoon we visited Bro. Brigoli, the returning high priest. He has some amazing stories about his life and when the missionaries first came to Villaba back in the 90s. He reminds me so much of my grandpas it was great! He is on track to return and be sealed with his wife this year in the temple.

Friday we woke up at 3:45 to catch the bus to Tacloban. There was a training meeting for all trainers and training. It was really good. They split us up and gave us training on how to make study more effective and how to set better goals and be more focused on achieving them. Unfortunately there are no return rides to Villaba until the next day. So we got back on Saturday around 2. No mom the package isn't here yet but transfer day is on Friday so I might be headed back, if not my new companion can probably bring it to me.

Saturday night was alright. We taught Angelo Arique. our closest investigator to baptism. The problem is he hasn't learned to read yet so we are teaching him how. He has really improved this past month and I'm hoping that he can get past his baptismal interview tomorrow. After that we went and taught the Sabarez family. We started teaching about faith. Somewhere in the middle of the lesson someone got offended and turned on the TV. We were able to apologize and close with a prayer. Hopefully it wasn't something we said that offended them. Praying hard for them.

Sunday was good. We are still averaging 70 people. I just wish we could get one more family to come. We got some referrals from the ward and President Jose is going to come with us to teach them this week. Hopes are high. Last night we also talked to a professional. He knows English. We gave him a English copy of the BoM a few weeks ago. He has some questions and wants to learn more. I am really hoping he accepts our message and continues to read.

Overall I'm doing great. I feel heavier and need to do more cardio and eat healthier. All in all though I'm doing fine. 

It sounds like you all are having a great time over there. :) It's great to hear that you're all having lots of experiences in life that will help you grow!

I love you all. Thank you for all the love and prayers and support and letters. I could not do this without you all. Salamat kaayo!

akong gihigugma ang pamilya nako!

Elder McGuire
 



 

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Week 20

This week has been really good!

To start off we went to Ormoc on Monday afternoon. We got talking to this one guy on the van ride down. He knows English but we decided to speak Cebuano. He was really nice and we ended up giving him a Book of Mormon. Turns out we had already met his dad who is a Brgy Capt in Suba. We followed up and taught them the Message of the Restoration on Wednesday. The son  said he would be baptized if the Book of Mormon was true. I really hope he will be.

In Ormoc we met up with Elder Cottle's grandparents who are serving in the Cebu temple but came to visit for his birthday on monday. It was awesome. They took us to Moon Cafe. You would not believe it but there is actually some decent Mexican food here in the Philippines. Granted it wasn't really spicy at all but man it was the best meal I've had in a long time. I had a chimichanga a fajita salad a beef taco and  a pineapple shake. His grandparents also got me some garments and a copy of Preach My Gospel. My plan is to give one away and get the other bookbound. 

On Tuesday We had a really good district meeting in the morning. In the afternoon, we taught another new investigator whose son is a member in Manila. We taught another investigator and more less active families.

On Thursday we went on exchanges with our Zone Leaders to get certified. Elder Cypers is an awesome missionary. He really knows Cebuano and is a phenomenal teacher. It was awesome that I got to work with him. We got punted in the morning from some of the less actives so we went finding. We gave away some copies of the Book of Mormon but I don't think it's going to go anywhere fast with them. We had my stew for lunch. They said it was awesome. In the afternoon, we actually got to teach some families. We taught the Porquiado family and shared about Alma the Elder praying for his son and the Angel experience. We committed them to pray for and invite their less active son to return. After that we went to Suba to teach a less active priesthood holder but he said he was busy. So we went to the hospital and left copies of the BoM with the chief nurse, who is actually the wife of one of the Brgy Capts. Hopefully something comes of that. After that we took a ride to Bangkal and taught one of the Brgy Capts and his wife the Message of the Restoration. It frustrates me so much when we teach it as clearly as we can and then they say that all religions are the same and we believe the same thing. After that we taught another less active family. We went back home and  did evaluation and certification. I am now certified for the first level. Which means I could be a senior companion if called upon by the Lord and President Andaya. 

On Saturday we taught the Balombao family. We read the reading assignment with them and then proceeded with a lesson about baptism. We shared from Mosiah 18:8-14. There was such a good Spirit there. When we asked the question What have you against being baptized so the Lord can pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you. Bro. Balombao answered with verse 12 saying this is the desire of his heart. Sister Balombao still doesn't see the difference between the religions no matter how many times we try to explain it. She can't read very well because her eyes are old. We asked her to read one verse from 3 Nephi 11:26. She read it. We asked her to pray about it and she did. She asked for an answer. I think that is the first time she may have ever read from the Book of Mormon and prayed about it in public. We invited them to a baptismal service on the 16th. I really wish Nanay would have an Alma the Younger experience.

Sunday was really cool. We woke up and had studies then went to Priesthood meeting. Halfway through an investigator walked in. He was from Tabango which is about 15 km north of here. He asked to know a little bit more about the church. Apparently he had read a lot from his neighbors copy of the Book of Mormon. We talked to him in the sunday school room and explained a little more about Joseph Smith. He basically quoted the Testimony of Joseph Smith and knew about several Book of Mormon prophets. We gave Oliver his own copy of the BoM as well as all of our proselyting pamphlets. We asked President Andaya if we can go teach him or if Tabango can be opened and have some missionaries there, He has yet to respond. I really hope we can go there. The members here are totally willing to help open the area.

After Sacrament meeting we attended branch council meeting and urged everyone to get started on temple recommend and patriarchal interviews now so everyone is prepared. Thankfully they listened. I heard they were at the church til 5 doing interviews. The attendance was pretty good but there were still a lot of people absent. We need some consistent growth here. 

Overall I'm doing great. Thank you all for your letters and prayers. You really make it a lot easier on me knowing that you're all following the Gospel.

Love you all

Elder McGuire

Sunday, January 27, 2013

4 months already?!

Time sure does fly when you're on a mission. I can't believe how fast it's gone. It does not feel like 4 months since I said goodbye.

However, it was another good week here.

On Tuesday we got some new investigators. The brothers of a recent convert were over at his house and invited us in. They had questions like who was Joseph Smith? so we jumped right in to the message of the restoration. We gave them a Book of Mormon each and committed them to read it. Unfortunately they were not there for the return appointment on Friday because there was a huge fiesta over the weekend. I hope they read it and have more questions and that we can find them again. They live in a pretty bukid (out in the middle of nowhere) area. Also the recent convert is less active now because he is offended by someone or something that happened last year. That seems to be the story with a lot of people.

On Wednesday morning, we got up at 3 and went to Tacloban for a conference. We got to hear from the Mission President of President Andaya, President Leishman. He gave a really good talk. There is a big difference in Returning with Honor and just returning. He also said that President Hinckley told him that the church would be well known in the Philippines when his children's children were serving missions. Which is now!

Because of the way transportation works here we couldn't get a ride home that night so we stayed in the downtown apartment. We couldn't leave until 11:45 the next morning. Which means we got back at 4 in Villaba. We did weekly planning and didn't have an opportunity to get out to work.

However Friday and Saturday were good. We taught a few less actives and got a new investigator as well. He is the "husband" of another member. That seems to be an issue here in that lots of people aren't married yet living together. However, I would say it's about the same in the US. Wildy was really interested in what his "wife" believes. He accepted a Book of Mormon and said he would read 3 Nephi 11. He also said that if it's true he wants to be baptized! Only problem is he is only in Villaba on the weekends. He lives in Ormoc during the week as a delivery driver for Coca Cola. We gave his name to our Zone Leaders and they're going to teach him while he's there and we'll teach him while he's here. 

Sunday was alright but there were a lot of absent people. We averaged 70 for the month of January. That pretty good seeing as it used to be around 40 or 50 but we need 80+ for February and March. I wish everyone could recognize the bigger picture here and see what blessings the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ can bring.

The big news of this week is that we set up a time to teach our neighbor's family tonight. He is a baranggay captain. They know some English. they have their own business selling mineral water. They have a car and a few motorcycles. They are very nice and offered dinner to us this past week before we even knew them very well. Hopefully they are prepared to receive the message. They received copies of the Book of Mormon in both English and Cebuano a couple weeks back. Hopes are very high for tonight.

Later today we are headed to Ormoc because it's Elder Cottle's Birthday today. His grandparents serve in the Cebu temple and got permission from both mission presidents to come visit us. I'm pretty excited.

Life is great. 

Keep on praying

Keep on being obedient to the commandments

Keep on exercising faith in our Savior Jesus Christ

This work is the work of the Lord

Love you all

Elder McGuire

Sunday, January 20, 2013

What a week!

This past week has been quite awesome!

To start off, we had an FHE with a less active family. We watched the Restoration video with them. It's very interesting to me how when it's the news, people can't seem to pull their eyes away, but when it's something spiritual it's like the tv is not even there. It was slightly awkward. However, at the end we testified of Joseph Smith and the First Vision and it turned out really well. There was a great spirit there and they ended up coming to church as a family yesterday.

On Tuesday, we went to Ormoc for our zone meeting. Unfortunately there wasn't enough time to get certified at the end. Elder Cypers and Elder Misalucha (my Zone Leaders) said they would come do exchanges with us sometime soon so we could both get certified. After we got back, we taught a less active family and a returning family. Both came to church. The Borja family is so sweet. They struggle from day to day but they have such great faith in the Lord. Tatay is such a good family man and is really skilled but he needs a steady job. He has amazing faith. He was one of the first converts here in Villaba like back in 1997ish.

On wednesday Tatay Borja came with us to visit less actives in the morning. If anyone deserves blessings from faith it's him. In the afternoon we visited more families in Brgy. Tumamak. We are really stressing the importance of being temple worthy and going to Cebu in April to receive endowments and be sealed. There are quite a few families that are planning to go.

On Thursday we kind of got bunted all around and didn't have a whole lot of success. We did meet a Filipino/American from Washington. He's Catholic and his wife is a member. Even though he wasn't interested in listening to the message he was really supportive and gave us a free ride home when we were walking back at night.

Friday we went back to Ormoc and had interviews with President Andaya. Unfortunately I can't buy a guitar here. They are super cheap here like 30 to 40 bucks. Bummer kaayo...  We also received some awesome training to improve our teaching skills as well as finding and working with members. When we got back we taught the Balombao family. Tatay is so ready to be baptized and is converted to the Gospel. His problem is he cant get work off on sundays. Nanay is a whole nother problem. She has a testimony that the Book of Mormon is true and Joseph Smith is a prophet but thinks that all religions are the same and no matter how many times we try and reteach the apostasy and restoration and authority, she doesn't quite get it. Also they are worried about how far away the church is. it's 30 pesos roundtrip for me and Elder Cottle but they get discounts for being senior citizens. I'm not quite sure what else to teach them. They just need to exercise some faith.

Saturday was somewhat unsuccessful as well but Sunday was fantastic! We had 85! There was a brown out and no electricity or fans but it was reverent. I spoke on Obedience and Elder Cottle spoke on how great things come to pass from small things. President Cabintoy from the Stake Presidency spoke on Tithing. It was awesome! Everyone seems to be pretty committed to returning and accomplishing this goal! It's so awesome!!!

Earlier today we did a service project for one of the Brgy Captains. Hopefully he will be prepared to receive the Gospel. Hopes are high for this week and we're hoping to keep on improving.

Thank you all for the letters and support! It sounds like the Lord is really blessing all of you. That's an answer to my prayers! :) 

Keep on keeping on! Study the scriptures pray magnify your callings and keep the faith!

Love you all

Elder McGuire

Sunday, January 13, 2013

The Stovetop Brownie Experience

I'll explain the title later.

But Hello again to everybody!

This last week was a good week.We didn't have as many lessons this week and it kind of showed in the Sacrament attendance but we're not getting discouraged. In fact Sacrament meeting yesterday was really great! Angelo Sinining's entire family came to church! And he passed the Sacrament. It was so awesome! We actually taught his family the first few points of the message of the Restoration on saturday. They're all really nice. another high point of sacrament meeting was we got a really inactive high priest to come to church. Brother Brigoli was on time and clean shaven with his scriptures. Everyone was super excited to see him. There were smiles and hugs all around. He said he wanted to be active again.

On Saturday was the Philippines Area Broadcast. We went to the Ormoc stake center to see it. It was really good. It has really refocused our efforts on what needs to be done.
Now to explain the title. On the 10th I decided I wanted some brownies. However, we dont have an oven. Nor does any missionary apartment in the mission. So I decided to get resourceful and make them in a non stick frying pan on the stove. I'll have you know they turned out great! They were delicious and I ate all of it. Also the next day I made some of that vegetable stew again the next day and this time I threw in a lot of A1 steak sauce. Oh yeah! I can definitely cook.

My Cebuano is great. I have definitely been blessed with the gift of tongues. I can communicate with most everyone but I'm still a little slow. Also, Filipino humor is a lot different than American humor. Still working on that whole thing.

Next transfer day is not til February 15. I'm pretty sure I wont be transferring though. Elder Cottle has been here for 6 months and they're not going to whitewash the area. 
For any packages please send beef jerky and nonperishable american food. Filipino food isn't exactly the healthiest. However, I'm staying in shape and doing just fine.

Our investigator pool is pretty good. We're teaching the SInining and Montibol families. Both are progressing pretty well. We're also teaching the Balombao family. They are in their 60s and have been investigating for like the past two years. Tatay wants to be baptized more than anything but doesn't want to without his wife. Nanay is devoted to Catholicism. However, last lesson we really had a breakthrough. She thought that Mormonism and Catholicism were basically the same. I explained and testified about the authority of the priesthood. we have a lot to cover with her. We fasted for her to receive an answer. She didn't come to church but I'm thoroughly convinced that if she will, she'll know that this is the true church.

Just going to keep pressing on this week. Thank you for all the prayers and support.

Keep the Faith

Love you all!

Elder McGuire
 







 

Sunday, January 6, 2013

New Year, New Goals

Wow it's hard to believe it's 2013 already. It feels weird writing it and everything. This past week has been great! From all your letters it sounds like youre all making goals. It makes me so happy.:) Goals are like the greatest thing ever. If there's one thing I've learned so far in the mission is that making and acheiving goals is one of the most fulfilling things in life. For example, Elder Cottle and I made a goal this past week to get certified. Him to be a district leader and myself to be a senior companion. Part of the certification includes memorizing scriptures, daily language study, learning to cook and clean, teaching skills, and developing Christlike attributes. All the things a missionary needs to learn in order to be a leader. In the past week we've memorized 10 scriptures and their references. I've also memorized all of D+C 4. Memorizing scriptures is fun! Elder Scott actually gave a talk on it in general conference not too long ago if I remember right. Our goal is to be certified at the next Zone meeting in 8 days.
We also have a goal to get a chapel in Villaba in April. That's the branch goal too. We have to average an attendance of 80 from January to March and continue to sustain it. We set a goal to have an average of 90 to leave no doubt that the Church is growing here in Villaba. This past week we had 74. However that is an improvement because the week before was 75 but there were 2 visitors from the Stake Presidency. We are totally going to do this.

We also have another baptism this Saturday! Angelo Areque is 10 and his 3 older sisters are members. His parents are not members because they aren't married. That seems to be a common problem here. We have at least 3 couples that we need to get married in order to get them baptized. From what I can understand from asking people, it's not a totally difficult process, it just costs like 500 pesos. 

Angelo Sinining is so solid it's amazing! He passed the Sacrament yesterday. He also brought his older brother Joseph to church. Angelo also wanted to work with us so he helped us teach his family and also accompanied us to visit a less active high priest. He participated in Young Mens and Sunday School. He has just really embraced the Gospel in his life. 

Also yesterday for the first time we had all the meetings of church that are supposed to happen. There was YM/YW, Elders Quorum, Relief Society, Primary, and Sacrament. We would have nursery however the meetinghouse is not quite big enough. For now they're just with their parents or with the Primary.

What is really surprising to me is that all of this happened but we could only work for 5 days out of the week in Villaba. We couldn't work on New Years Eve because President Andaya said so (there's a TON of fireworks and it's a huge deal here in the Philippines) and on Friday we had exchanges in Palompon. The Lord definitely poured down some blessings on this area this week. I'm so grateful that He listens and answers prayers.

I'm feeling great. I finished D+C and the Pearl of Great Price so now I'm just chugging along on the New Testament. I also am eating a lot of bananas. I bought a giant bushel for 40 pesos and I think some members saw me because the next day 2 different families gave us more bananas. The people here are incredibly nice it's unbelievable!

As always I love you all and I'm praying for you! Keep up the good work and "do everything in your power to achieve your goals" -PMG ch. 8

Talk to you all next week.

Elder McGuire