I'm Trying to be Like Jesus!

John Thomas McGuire

This past week has been pretty good! It was supposed to be 5 straight exchanges (120 hours), but things worked out a little bit differently.

It started off with exchanges with Tolosa zone on monday night and tuesday morning. I went with Elder Ganados. He's from Samal, Davao. (look it up it's a pretty cool place!) We went and taught the Dado family and then went to an FHE of a less active family. Tuesday morning we went and taught our investigators John Ray and Cherrylee. They said that they hadn't read the Book of Mormon but they talked about it and said that they didn't want to be baptized and switch religions. So I told them that our purpose wasn't to force them to change religions, only to invite them to learn more about the restored gospel and come closer to Christ. They both breathed a huge sigh of relief. Clearly there was miscommunication in setting up expectations. We then proceeded to teach the plan of salvation and they invited us back for a return appointment.

Tuesday afternoon I went with Elder Adair. We took a little time getting underway because we had to drive out to the airport since the departing batch of missionaries just got back from Manila to get fingerprints for their exit visas. I don't want to call them all trunky, but they are all very excited to go home. After waiting in traffic for an hour (not that bad of a sacrifice anyways... bonus points for chapter 6) we went out and taught the Malatbalat family and their neighbors. The Malatbalat family is going to be baptized this Saturday!!! So excited that I get to be part of that. Jules Viray, our Ward Mission Leader and Bro. Viray's son, came and worked with us. He's the MAN! He just got back from Baguio Mission not too long ago. We went to our english speaking investigator. He said he'd looked up some stuff about the Church on the Internet.... really frustrates me. Said he'd come to church but wouldn't exchange phone numbers for reminders. I really don't like when people lie straight to my face and I know they're lying. But it gives me the chance to learn patience and forgiveness.

Wednesday, We found this nice old man who invited us in but wasn't incredibly interested. We shared with him about the Book of Mormon and restoration. Wednesday night I worked with Elder Santiago. We went to our investigators who speak only Tagalog. My grammar is not the best. That's why I like Waray so much because they're aren't really any grammar rules.

Thursday was a mess. Catarman Zone was staying at our apartment. They were here for the specialized training. They left our apartment a mess. They wouldn't listen to us to get out on time or to go to bed on time. There's a lot of missionaries up there who have an attitude of "I'm gonna do what I want and I really just don't care what you think." On top of that, Elder Centeno got sick with a 104 fever. He rested in the morning while I went with both the Borongan Zone Leaders and we went finding. After Lunch, I dropped them off at the terminal and took Elder Centeno to the Hospital. We cancelled our exchanges with the Catarman Zone Leaders which is a real bummer because they're the ones that probably need it the most. I sent the Zone Leaders a text to light a fire under their feet and have them spread that fire to everyone else. Last cycle their zone was the top baptizing and finding. This cycle it's like they've fallen off the map.

Friday was my first "day off" in a very long time. Elder Centeno was confined to bed rest. So I had personal study and cleaned the apartment. We have so much trash and junk! But I moved the furniture around so that it has a different feel. 

Elder Centeno's fever broke down to 100 on Saturday and he kept taking his antibiotics. He was feeling up for another exchange so we decided to go with the Tacloban ZLs. I went to Basey with Elder Vaclaw. It was a pretty low key exchange. We just reviewed baptismal interview questions with their investigators. It was really good and what I needed. There's nothing like planting seeds, which we have been doing in our area for the past two weeks without a whole lot of success, but it sure is nice so see the harvest. After the exchange we went to Burgos Chapel to have the Malatbalats' baptismal interview. Then we went to the office so that Elder Centeno could rest. I just studied.

I've been studying a lot in the Book of Ether. It's so awesome because it's basically the entire Book of Mormon in only 15 chapters. I've been really applying it to myself just because I feel like Moroni out here, the last of my people. I like how Moroni says that he "finishes" or "proceeds" or "proceeds to finish" in the first verse of some chapters. It's a reminder to me that the Lord needs disciples that will press on and continue and finish  and endure to the end. 

Another theme I drew from the Book of Ether, was the importance of being a righteous man a influencing the generations. There's one chapter that says "he filled the steps of his father" then it refers to his son who "walked in the steps of his father." I thought that was very interesting. We can walk in the ways of righteousness and do all the right things, but if our heart isn't in it or if we're not filled with love then it might not have the best outcome. The king who only walked in the steps of his father died in peace but his family became dysfunctional and they had a giant war.

The most important thing I got from the Book of Ether comes from chapter 12. I have been pondering a ton on what I'm supposed to learn these next 3 months. I know with all my heart that Heavenly Father wanted me home for those 3 months after Yolanda. Which means He also wants me here in Tacloban with the same intensity for these 3 months. Which means there is something very crucial which I have to learn. I read verses 39 and 41 and I think I got my answer.

 39 And then shall ye know that I have seen Jesus, and that he hath talked with me face to face, and that he told me in plain humility, even as a man telleth another in mine own language,concerning these things;

 41 And now, I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever. Amen

When I come back for reals this time, I want people to know that I have seen Jesus in my life. That He has spoken with me. I want them to see in my face that I have come to know him. I want the Holy Ghost to abide in me forever and I want the enabling power of the Atonement to strengthen me every single day. So for the next 3 months, I'm going to be studying the life of Jesus Christ and His words and teachings and trying to pattern my life after His. Granted, this is what a missionary is supposed to do during his mission and what we're all supposed to do during our lives; but I want to make this my focus and goal to drive and inspire me to the finish line.

This week should be a fun week. We have MLC and then Zone Interviews. I'm stoked for General Conference! With the way it will work out, I might be in Biliran for the broadcast, meaning I will have watched General Conference on all 3 islands in the mission and in the MTC. We don't get the broadcast until the 11th and 12th so try not to spoil it for me next week :)

Love you all! Keep on praying and keep on trusting in the Lord. Things work out. They always do! Romans 8:28

Quite a few tender mercies this week

John Thomas McGuire

Sep 22

One of my favorite gospel metaphors has to do with cars. Humans are kinda like cars. We're on this journey through mortality. Often times, we run out of gas and we need to fill up. The questions are, who fills our tank? How can we increase our mileage so we don't run out next time? Why do we even push the gas pedal down anyways? It all comes back to Christ. He is the reason and answer for everything. He is the one who fills us up. He increases our capacity to work and serve others. He is the reason we go to such great lengths. He is the one who fixes us up when we're broken. We rely on him for everything.

I can explain that metaphor better in waray. some of the words aren't coming to me in english but anyways.

This week was a really great week. I was really stretched in my capacity to serve. We had some really cool spiritual experiences! Just some highlights. We went on 96 straight hours of exchanges with zone leaders here in our area. Since we're opening an area, we went finding a lot! And the results of it, we have 13 new investigators and 6 of them are professionals and we have 1 family of 4. 12 of them are men and the 1 women  is part of the family. 3 speak tagalog to us, 3 speak cebuano to us, 2 speak english to us and 5 speak waray to us. Ah the joy of being quadrilingual... It really fries my mind trying to switch back and forth, but I have a firm testimony that everyone should have the opportunity to hear the Gospel in their native tongue. The two english speakers are pretty great. One of them is going to be a little bit of a challenge. We're pretty sure he's paid money to have someone killed.... Aside from that fact, he said he stopped believing in God after his dad died and he really wasn't into religion. He asked us if God really does exist, why would he let His children suffer terrible things like Yolanda. We had him read from the Book of Mormon, Alma 60:13 and then testified that God has a plan for each of His children that didn't start at birth nor does it end at death. We gave him reading assignments and he has read them already. We're going back sometime this week with Bro. Viray who seems like the perfect fellowshipper for him. The other english speaker, Alfonso, is awesome! I found him with Elder Maguale on exchanges and he said he was busy but to come back tomorrow at 6. I came back with Elder Burton and we had one of the most spiritual lessons I've had on my mission. We taught the restoration in english. I was really surprised at myself that I still knew the First Vision in english. He is born and raised Catholic but he is willing to change and said he really wants to be closer to God. He was super excited to read from the Book of Mormon. 

On Sunday, the stake president, President Aban (who is the MAN!) came to 2nd ward and gave the lesson for the 3rd hour. It was amazing! He taught about the law of the fast from Isaiah. He is such a great teacher! The stake really wants to split 2nd ward but the line that they have right now has 19 melchizedek priesthood holders on one side and only 5 on the other. It's really cool to see the members more excited about missionary work. Last year the attendance averaged 130 and this year it's averaging 230! We're actually going to have a baptism in October. We picked up some investigators from the other elders and they're super prepared for baptism. The Malatbalat family. Roel is 22 and Marivic is 16. Both really want to go on missions. They know the doctrine very well. The elders really did an amazing job teaching them!

the 96 hours of exchanges were pretty taxing on my mind and body. I went with Elders Compao, Panganiban, Maguale, and Burton. I had a really cool experience with Elder Maguale. We were finding in Apitong and having no success and so we stopped and said a prayer asking where we should go. I said amen and then said "UTAP" which is the name of a barrangay. (neighborhood) We went there and were walking around and I got the impression to go visit my convert Sis. Dado. We went to go find their house. They had a new one because their old one was washed out. We found Brother Dado though. He welcomed us in and said Sis. Dado had just got back from the hospital. She had high blood pressure. Also she's pregnant again! She asked us to give her a blessing. It was a cool experience! We were able to share a spiritual thought as well. Jacob 2:8. Brother Dado said that it was great we had come by. They were talking earlier that morning wishing that the elders would come by so that Sis. Dado could get a blessing. Not a coincidence that we stopped by. Prayer is real. Promptings of the Spirit are real! It is such an amazing feeling to know that you were the answer to someone's prayer!

On Friday night and Saturday Morning I went with Elder Burton. By this point I was mentally exhausted (I had also had to take a sick break during one of the exchanges because of a migraine and fever) I told him that I was sorry if I wasn't all there for the exchange. That's always an interesting way to start off. After we set up the plan I went and prayed in the bathroom asking for the enabling power of the Atonement to help me just get through this exchange. I stood up and a feeling of peace came over me and a thought came into my head saying "you're going to be just fine. I'm going to help you out." After that, we had the most amazing exchange. We taught two lessons to our 2 professional english speakers. Elder Burton was the right missionary for these 2 investigators. I am thoroughly convinced that there are no such thing as coincidences. Everything absolutely happens for a reason. God really is in charge of this work. His hand leads and guides us. Our responsibility is to be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost so that we can be there to answer the prayers of his children. Elder Burton helped me out a ton! He got me rejuvenated and feeling the Spirit. It was in my top 5 of all time favorite exchanges. Oh yeah and then he cut my hair for free. It looks pretty good!

I just want to thank you all for your prayers. I'm praying for each of you every single night. I know that the church is true and that this is the work of God. He is at the head. Prayer and revelation are real. There are no coincidences. God has an individualized plan for each of His children. I love you all!

Matanglay...Pagal...Butlaw...Kapoy...

John Thomas McGuire

Yes those are all waray words and they all mean the same thing but it depends on the city that you're in. Each one is used in a different city but they all mean the same thing. You wanna know what they all mean? 

Tired.

I don't know if I've ever been so tired in my mission. Transfer week is a huge production no matter how you swing it. I've probably orchestrated more than anyone else under the age of 22.

Anyways, it's all manageable. It keeps me on my toes and it all comes back to finding the right balance.

This transfer week was pretty great. Not gonna lie, I was in a pretty rough spot last Monday and Tuesday, seeing my batch go home and knowing that I"ll still be here. But I have gotten over that now. The Spirit has spoken peace to my heart and I am ready to give my all for these next three months.

So my new companion is Elder Centeno. He is the man! He's from Gapan City, Nueva Ecija. He's the 5th of 6 kids. His younger sister just got her call to serve in Legaspi Mission. He also went home after Yolanda for 5 months. So his batch went home a long time ago. Now we're both basically the Patriarchs of the Mission. He goes home next cycle. For those of you keeping track at home here's a couple cool stats for you. I have had one companion on my mission that is from a younger batch. And when I was companions with him I was in a tri-panionship with another missionary older than me. for the past 4 cycles I have had a companion for only 1 cycle and that will be the case next cycle too. Anyways, Elder Centeno is very humble and is great at following the Spirit during finding and teaching.

In fact, we finally got to work in Tacloban!!! We worked in Downtown because we switched areas from 1st ward to 2nd ward. That means I'm back in my home ward :) I'm happy to be working here and getting the closure that I need. Yesterday we picked up 5 new investigators. 2 from finding and 3 from member referrals. John Ray and Cherry Lyn are 20 and 21 and they have two young boys. We just found them while we were walking around in our old area and Elder Centeno was prompted to talk to them while they were walking the other way. We ended up teaching them the restoration, testifying that families can be together forever and that we have a living prophet today. They committed to read 3 Nephi 11 and we have a return appointment tomorrow. Our referrals came from our 1st counselor who used to be a bishop in Manila. We had FHE with them and shared a Mormon Message with them. We have a return appointment tonight.

We are going to be super busy. I'm planning on doing all 10 exchanges with ZLs and I just found out that we still have zone interviews before the transfer day. I'm also planning on getting some baptisms in October or November. I refuse to be the AP that just sits in the office and does office work. We're going to be out preaching the gospel and helping others come unto Christ. 

Personal Study has been pretty great. I was reading ether 2 yesterday and the last verses of the chapter really got me and made me think about the typhoon and the mission and life and everything. 

 24 For behold, ye shall be as a whale in the midst of the sea; for the mountain waves shall dash upon you. Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea; for the winds have gone forth out of my mouth, and also the rains and the floods have I sent forth.

25 And behold, I prepare you against these things; for ye cannot cross this great deep save I prepare you against the waves of the sea, and the winds which have gone forth, and the floods which shall come.

Basically, the Lord lets us go through storms because He is preparing us. He's preparing us because we can't cross through this crazy life unless He prepares us with winds, rains and floods (trials) (which come from him) If we keep that in mind, trials make more sense. These crazy things happen in life because the Lord is preparing us for the promised land (celestial kingdom). I especially like when the Lord says, "Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea" For those that trust in God, He really will bring them out of the depths of trials and tribulations.

Thank you all for your prayers and love! That's super awesome that Sarah is getting baptized!!! Many prayers headed up in her behalf this week!

Love you all!

Mormon 8-9

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John Thomas McGuire

A lot of my thoughts this week come from Mormon chapters 8 and 9. I love the way it starts out. "Behold, I, Moroni (Elder McGuire), do finish..."  He continues on to describe how his people were destroyed and how he was the only one left.  

"My father hath been slain in battle, and all my kinsfolk, and I have not friends nor whither to go; and how long the Lord will suffer that I may live I know not."

More or less that is how I feel. "I ever remain alone... they are gone... I know not... whither I go it mattereth not...I know not..."

And then what does Moroni do? He bears powerful testimony like none other. He stays faithful. Angels and translated beings minister unto him. He is going to be my hero for these last 3 months. I need to be a finisher. The Lord needs all of us to be finishers. Despite hardship, despite feelings of loneliness, we can press on with a bright hope. Some of the most beautiful passages of scripture come from Moroni in his lonely journeyings at the end of his life. I kinda hope that I can follow that example and have the best time of my mission for these next few months. 

All my friends are going home this week. I'm slowly reaching the point where I am the patriarch of the mission. Only Elder Centeno is older and he goes home in October. He also went home after the typhoon and came back. 

The thing I realized most this last week is how important these next two transfer cycles are. These last 3 months are the Lord's gift to me. If I had chosen to stay in Cebu, I wouldn't have been healed and not as effective nor helpful to other missionaries. These next 3 months are an absolutely amazing learning opportunity for me. I figure since I've never felt so strongly that the Lord wanted me home for three, that these next three are part of the reason why He wanted me home. Since (not if) Heavenly Father wanted me home for those 3 months so I could get healthy, then these 3 months are what He wanted me to experience here in Tacloban. There is something really important He wants me to learn and I'm starting to figure it out. I'm pretty certain it revolves back around to my original goals of developing charity and becoming a Christlike leader.

Long story short, This is the real start of the 4th quarter. I'm here to finish what I started.

I was really exhausted at the beginning of the week. I had some thoughts of inadequacy. I just wish people would realize that a lot of the time I don't have it all together. I wish people wouldn't just assume that I have no problems. I really am just a normal guy not a superhuman despite those *2nd batch perfectionist-workaholic tendencies. (*an affectionate description of himself and his sister, Jessica)

This past week was kinda interesting. MLC went alright. A lot of changes are being made with the way we count key indicators which kinda frustrates me but I'm not too torn up about it. For me, numbers will never build up the church. People build up the church. I know that numbers are the way we measure effectiveness, but I am much more content to focus on people and making sure people have testimonies deepened and strengthened. We're getting to the same end. It's just the means that worry me. Things will hopefully work out.

We also had the new trainers meeting and zone training meeting.

I'm really going to miss Elder Quinco. I was companions with him twice for a total of 6 months. He is one of the most humble, diligent, innovative and assertive missionaries I know. He was hands down my favorite companion of my mission. He's the one who taught me how to better follow the Spirit and rely on it more and to really get to know each of the missionaries that we're called to watch over. He's an incredible leader and teacher. He was an answer to many of my prayers. He was a heaven sent blessing and was the right missionary to get me back on my feet and back into missionary mode. I'm so incredibly grateful for his example and the chance I had to meet him and learn from him.

This week is transfer week. I'm actually really excited. Basically all my friends that are left are going to move into my house... Elder Carlson, Elder Lowe, Elder Vaclaw, Elder Tumagoy, Elder Oakes. It's going to be a party. Pray that I get enough sleep this week!

The big thing is I'm going to be assigned in 2nd ward again in downtown!!!!!!! I'm super stoked for that! The goal is to prepare at least 2 people for baptism before I go home.

Earlier we went golfing believe it or not! We just went out to the driving range and hit a bucket (crate) of balls. It wasn't too fancy but it was a lot of fun! I'm looking forward to going with Dad and the boys when we all get back.

Love you all! Thanks for all your prayers. Keep on sharing the gospel!

Earn Your Stripes

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John Thomas McGuire

We go pretty hard here in Tac City. My new favorite sayings are, "Workhorse gonna work" and "Earn your stripes" referring to the bags under my eyes.

I'm doing fantastic though! We finished all 10 exchanges this past week! I went with Elder Johnson to Basey. It was a cool exchange because Elder Quinco went with Elder Centeno in Burauen. One benefit of having cars and lots of branches to cover is the fact that you can do exchanges on 2 different islands at the same time. We taught these two teenagers who need to get married so she can get baptized. He's already a member. We taught them the plan of salvation and actually committed to get married and set a goal date for when they're going to do it in September. That's the first time in my mission where they haven't shied away because of a financial situation. After that we taught a really great investigator that they found a week or two earlier. We had a great RM who was actually the WML from Capoocan work with us. He'd worked with each of us before last year but it was so random and cool that he was there to work with us on that occasion. He is such an amazing member. It's so evident to see if an RM keeps up their study and teaching habits.

Thursday we were on our way to Carigara to do exchanges. I got a call from President Maurer asking us if we could help with an emergency transfer. So we worked the morning. I stepped on a carabao turd (surprisingly the first time in my mission that I've done that). Then we taught this really cool investigator. He has a birth defect where he doesn't have hands or feet. He has stubs and heels but that's it. He was reading from the Book of Mormon though and we had an amazing lesson! After that we headed back to Tacloban for lunch and picked up a part-time branch missionary and headed all the way down to Maasin. We picked up Elder Oakes! He's going to be the new recorder in the office. So now my best friend lives in my apartment too. Christmas came early! :)

Friday we went and worked in Mayorga with the Tolosa ZLs. I worked with Elder Olsen. We had a pretty rough work day but we had a really good talk and evaluation at the end. It was a very spiritual and uplifting experience. It was another testimony to me that I really was supposed to get home and get healed so that I could help others struggling out here with discouragement or perfectionism or stress management.

Sunday morning I woke up and I was definitely fatigued and exhausted. We went to sacrament meeting and then I went and took a nap in the office.

Earlier we went hiking in Tanauan. It was  a blast except in rained a lot! And then Elder Johnson and I took a different way down the mountain and blazed a new trail and got our legs scraped up from spiky plants. Ton of fun though.

The next two weeks are going to be a marathon as well. We have MLC then the new trainers meeting and then it's transfer week again!

I've been studying a lot about obedience and humility. My question has been, "How do we humble ourselves?" or how do we become more humble. Essentially we become more humble in two ways. Eliminating pride and following the will of God. Pride is enmity with God and fellow man. So in order to become more humble, we have to get rid of our discordant relationships with others. It really just requires a change of attitude and change of heart. You have to realize that you don't know everything and you can't get by on your own. Everyone else has had a lifetime of experiences and lessons learned that you haven't yet. Everyone else has something to teach you. When we realize this it's a bit easier to realize how much we depend on God for everything that we have. In order to remove our enmity towards God, we should be more grateful for the blessings we've received. Disobedience and ingratitude are so selfish. Each has an "Everything-is-all-about-me" centered way of thinking and behavior. I think one of the best ways to be more humble is to be more grateful to everyone around us. Especially when it comes to the Church led by volunteers doing the best they can. 

I am super grateful for an amazing companion. He is so hard working and diligent. I'm really going to miss him when he goes home next week. Elder Quinco is such a great missionary and leader. I'm grateful for the chance to work with him. I'm grateful to be surrounded by friends and people that love me. I'm grateful for my mission president and his wife. I'm grateful for the gift of tongues. I'm grateful for promptings of the Spirit. I'm grateful for my Savior and his Atonement. I'm grateful I can serve Him with all my heart, might, mind and strength and that He is increasing my capacity to serve. I am grateful to be an instrument in His hands.

Life is so good. I love you all. Thank you for your prayers and support and love!

Have a wonderful week!

TACLOBAN ZONE

SOGOD ZONE

ORMOC ZONE

CALBAYOG ZONE

Going hard in my minivan all around Leyte

John Thomas McGuire

Well this past week was pretty great as well.

This past week was the last round of zone conferences. And we had 3 more exchanges with zone leaders on the other days. So lets start it off.

We loaded up and headed out Tuesday morning to attend the district meeting in Ormoc. They gave some really insightful trainings. I think the thing I learned most is that when missionaries teach the Restoration to members in order to ask for referrals, they need to make it super personal. They need to relate it back to Joseph Smith and his family. What did Joseph Smith do after he saw God the Father and Jesus Christ? He told his father and mother and sisters and brothers. And they believed him. What else did Joseph do? He tried to repent of his sins and stay faithful to the commandments he had been given. Because of that, his family and many of his friends found the truth. Members can be likened unto Joseph Smith and their potential referrals can be likened unto Joseph's family. We all have friends that aren't yet members. Surely we want them to have a knowledge of the truth just as we are so blessed to have.

After District meeting we started exchanges. I went with Elder Carlson. Yes this is the Elder Carlson that I lived with for 6 months in Tacloban. It was a ton of fun! He kinda has this perfectionist mentality when it comes to the language. He's struggled a lot his entire mission but he's never lost hope. I'd never worked with him so I was excited to see how he actually is. He's actually really really good at the language. He just psyches himself out. Regardless he is a great missionary. We taught 2 families of returning members and went finding a lot in some rich neighborhoods.

Wednesday was zone conference with Ormoc and Biliran zones in Ormoc chapel. Ormoc chapel is probably my favorite chapel in the mission. That's where my first zone meeting was as well as my first stake and general conference was. It's HUGE and has carpet. The conference itself was pretty great. I was pretty tired and found myself falling asleep in the back. I love giving trainings though. I love bearing my testimony to the missionaries of what I know to be true.

After the Conference we went down to Bato. I wasn't super excited to work in Bato. Especially since all throughout the night and in the morning it was storming and raining. But the rain broke after studies and Elder Rivas and I went to work. This was my 2nd exchange with him because I was his zone leader back when I was in Calbayog and he was in Catbalogan. It was a ton of fun! It really made me realize that the area just depends on the missionaries' attitude. I had a horrible attitude when I was back in Bato. We had a great day. We taught 2 less active families and went finding and it was great. We talked a bunch throughout the exchange about how much our families have been blessed since we've come out on missions. It's so great to have good friends to talk to.

Friday morning we drove from Bato to Sogod for the last zone conference. It was great. By far this one had the best lunch. We had chicken curry and adobo beef steak and mango floats. Sogod zone leaders win all the bonus points in my book. It was great to see Elder Oakes again. He's one of those friends that is just kind when you feel like you don't deserve it. I'm really grateful for him.

Friday night we worked with the Sogod ZLs. I went with Elder Carling. So we were in the MTC together but he is one batch ahead of me. He extended as I'm really glad he did. Working with him was great. We mostly just went finding and found this really nice woman Daisy. She's not Catholic. She accepted an english Book of Mormon and said she would read  it. She's a teacher and her husband is a security guard. They have a really big house. I hope things work out for the zone leaders there and that they can teach them. We also taught their recent convert and his family. The dad is awesome because even though he's new, when we read scriptures he asks his kids what they understand. It's so awesome to see fathers who care that their children understand the Gospel and try their hardest to live it.

Saturday we were going to build a house for a service project but it was high tide so the plot was flooded so we couldn't continue. We decided to just go home to Tacloban. When we got back we had a FHE with a less active family here in Tacloban 1st ward. I gave the lesson. I did an object lesson. I showed a 1000 peso bill and asked who wanted it. all hands in the air. crumpled it up and asked again. all hands again. smooshed it under my foot. still all hands. threatened to put it in the toilet. everyone still wanted it. I related this to the love that Christ has for us. No matter how crumpled, torn, dirty, or worthless we think we are, the Savior wants us so much. His love immeasurable and all he wants is for us to follow him. I shared 1 Nephi 19:9 and Alma 5:33. We all had a really great time playing games and dinner was great too.

Sunday was great. We were back in Tacloban 1st ward. The Zone Leaders have a baptism for an older man this coming saturday. I sat next to him and fellowshipped him during sunday school. His name is Bayani. really cool guy. After church we did studies and started preparing trainings for MLC.

Earlier today we played ultimate frisbee with our 1st counselor. It was a ton of fun. Also, I finally cleaned out a room of our apartment so much that we can actually walk in it and see the floor. It's amazing what happens when you clean.

This coming week should be pretty awesome. We have 3 exchanges left; Tacloban, Tolosa, and Carigara. I'm super excited.

It is unreal how fast time is flying by

The work is going great. I'm doing well. I'm working on humility and charity this week. 

Love you all! Keep on keeping on. Thank you for praying for me.