I get the feeling that there are going to be a lot of changes here in the next week or so. So its transfer week which means a lot of missionaries are on the edge of their seats to see if they're the one! So turns out that my companion, Elder Saguire, will be transferred. As well as my zone leader Elder Volpe (who is now going home to apply the principle of "finding", he learned from his mission).
So this week has been great! We had splits again this week with the district leader. I was with Elder Larson again. He's an awesome guy and an awesome missionary! We got to work in our area and it was a good experience to talk and teach people we knew without Elder Saguire! But that's how its going to be from now on ha! I'm really super super super super super grateful to my tatay/trainer Elder Saguire. He was truly the one that Heavenly Father wanted me to be companions with, and I could see evidence of that everyday!
So one super amazing thing happened yesterday at church! We have really been focusing on member-missionary work so we can really work together with the members here! And yesterday we saw some of the fruits of that effort! A few young women brought 3 of their friends to church! We got to know them and they want to be taught by the missionaries! So we have an appointment with them this week!
Also Brother Vinson (a 16 year old young man) invited his best friend to Family Home Evening with us and he really wants to know find out more about the gospel!
This work is literally being led by Jesus Christ and its amazing to be a witness of the hastening! And as a side note.. Elder Volpe got really sick again.. so he gave his final talk yesterday kneeling on a chair... just in case haha. And then while he was talking all the Branch Presidency were on the edge of their seats! (in case you dont know.. he passed out in the middle of his last talk)
But we are also teaching a man named Shan. He is half filipino and half pakistan. so naturally, he grew up as a muslim, but is really interested in Christianity so he loves to talk to us! We had an awesome awesome lesson about faith with him and I pray that his heart will be opened so his faith will grow!!!
I'm super super super thankful for the Gospel! Its true! The Book of Mormon is the word of God! The Atonement not only covers our sins... but it enables us to do more than our own capacity.
Love you all! Thank you for all you have helped me with! Have a great week! Sorry this is a long letter!
Elder Navarro
Monday, January 26, 2015
Monday, January 19, 2015
The Work of Salvation
Hello everyone!
Hope things are going well over there and I dont forget you in my prayers! The work over here has been a little slow lately.. The bummer thing is that there are a few of our investigators who we really feel could be progressing and really starting to come closer to Christ but due to work or school... some of them are rarely home.. so thats been a real bummer.
This last week we had an Elder's Quorum activity for bonding and just having a good time at the farm
of one of our members. He has a lot of this land for i'm not sure what, but its right next to a river and its just beautiful!!! This spot specifically reminded me of Idaho! Ha but the night was awesome! We had food, activities, a devotional, testimony meeting.. it was just an awesome time with the priesthood holders of our branch!
Then this last week, after the father had already gone back to his work... the family again came to church! Awesome because Sister Eneja hadnt been to church in a loooong time! But during the meeting when we were talking to her she said, "dont worry elders... I wont be leaving anytime soon" Wow!
Its been a fun week! The Church is true! Miracles are happening every day and the heavens are open!
The only bummer part is the odds of Elder Saguire transferring are pretty high since he's been here close to 8 months.. but we'll see what happens.. anyway love you all!
Elder Navarro
Hope things are going well over there and I dont forget you in my prayers! The work over here has been a little slow lately.. The bummer thing is that there are a few of our investigators who we really feel could be progressing and really starting to come closer to Christ but due to work or school... some of them are rarely home.. so thats been a real bummer.
This last week we had an Elder's Quorum activity for bonding and just having a good time at the farm
of one of our members. He has a lot of this land for i'm not sure what, but its right next to a river and its just beautiful!!! This spot specifically reminded me of Idaho! Ha but the night was awesome! We had food, activities, a devotional, testimony meeting.. it was just an awesome time with the priesthood holders of our branch!
So theres a family we visit pretty often, the
Eneja's. And they're an awesome family! Their father works really far away and is only home ever so often.. but this family doesnt usually come to church. But the father came back this last week and the first time i met him was on sunday when he came to church with all his kids! Such an awesome guy and an awesome family! We visited their family that night and their family started to really open up to us! Talking about family and how much it means to be sealed in the Temple of God for eternity! Needless to say it was an amazing experience.. to feel the Spirit of God as it pertains to families.. That really is the essence of the Gospel.. How important the family is in God's plan. Love is an amazing thing.
Then this last week, after the father had already gone back to his work... the family again came to church! Awesome because Sister Eneja hadnt been to church in a loooong time! But during the meeting when we were talking to her she said, "dont worry elders... I wont be leaving anytime soon" Wow!
Its been a fun week! The Church is true! Miracles are happening every day and the heavens are open!
The only bummer part is the odds of Elder Saguire transferring are pretty high since he's been here close to 8 months.. but we'll see what happens.. anyway love you all!
Elder Navarro
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| new ride |
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| Sporting a rice farmer hat |
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| haha preparation day baller |
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| riverside with Elder Saguire |
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| Elder Volpe's last meeting with the zone before homebound |
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| Polynesisan Haka warrior dance |
Monday, January 12, 2015
Elder Volpe Overcome with the Spirit
Its amazing to see the progression of the work of the Lord! Highlight was in our branch yesterday with our "Member-Missionary Fireside/Workshop." Huge success and amazing to see the members in Bagabag-Lamut coordinating efforts in hastening the work. We were instructed as well as instructors in how to be effective teachers with an emphasis on home/visiting teaching to less-actives. Really instructive, spiritual, and fun experience for us and I'm sure for the members as well. The Lord is hastening His work and what an amazing opportunity we have to live in this time!
So also yesterday in sacrament meeting we had a fun experience! haha Elder Volpe was giving a talk and his last official talk in the Philippines and in our branch... He gave a beautiful talk about faith in Jesus Christ! His testimony is super solid! in fact, as he was bearing his testimony he said "I just want to say to you all... i love you all..." then he leans towards the microphone (i'm thinking "oh wow he must be searching for some revelation or something!" then to my complete shock and surprise he just collapses! falls straight to the ground! I dont think I've jumped up and ran as fast as I did yesterday ever! Everyone was rushing around trying to get him water and putting fans on him and what not. People were checking his pulse to make sure he didnt just die! THANKFULLY he came to and got up, gave the audience a salute and thumbs up... then finished his talk standing on his knees on a chair. Makes me think of that story in the Book of Mormon about King Lamoni passing out and waking up testifying of Jesus Christ! Because thats really what happened! hahaha it was a scary and awesome experience.
But this work is true! And just like Elder Volpe didnt let himself get in the way of the meeting, nothing will stop this work from progressing! I know that is true!!!!! Jesus is the Christ!
Love you all have a great week!
So also yesterday in sacrament meeting we had a fun experience! haha Elder Volpe was giving a talk and his last official talk in the Philippines and in our branch... He gave a beautiful talk about faith in Jesus Christ! His testimony is super solid! in fact, as he was bearing his testimony he said "I just want to say to you all... i love you all..." then he leans towards the microphone (i'm thinking "oh wow he must be searching for some revelation or something!" then to my complete shock and surprise he just collapses! falls straight to the ground! I dont think I've jumped up and ran as fast as I did yesterday ever! Everyone was rushing around trying to get him water and putting fans on him and what not. People were checking his pulse to make sure he didnt just die! THANKFULLY he came to and got up, gave the audience a salute and thumbs up... then finished his talk standing on his knees on a chair. Makes me think of that story in the Book of Mormon about King Lamoni passing out and waking up testifying of Jesus Christ! Because thats really what happened! hahaha it was a scary and awesome experience.
But this work is true! And just like Elder Volpe didnt let himself get in the way of the meeting, nothing will stop this work from progressing! I know that is true!!!!! Jesus is the Christ!
Love you all have a great week!
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Monday, January 5, 2015
Banaue
Kumusta!
We just got back from the Banaue Rice Terraces! Gosh it was super fun as my first zone activity! Super rural over there! Haha saw some naked kids jumped in and out of the pools of the terraces. "Its more fun in the Philippines" :)
But no this week was also great! Had an awesome new years! We had the Elders from Lagawe come over to our apartment (with permission of course) and had a nice dinner and just had a good time! We had a 6:00 "Lockdown" for the whole mission... So Pres. gave us permission to watch a few different movies than are normally allowed! We watched "Son of God" which was pretty awesome. Different honestly watching those things from a perspective without the benefit of modern revelation! But still good that the message of Christ is being spread!
We definitely have seen the influence of the spirit in people's lives! We met a person who hadnt been taught by the missionaries for a while! Then we had an awesome lesson with her... and then she asked if we could share to her cousin! Then when we started talking about the restored gospel blessing families.. there was no doubt that the spirit was speaking to her! she had to just stop because there was a lot of emotions going on... but just a testimony to me that Heavenly Father is preparing people! He loves us!!!!!!!
I ate a ton of balut this last week. funny because i just told my parents that i hadnt had any yet... yeah that night i had some... but surprisingly.. it was super good!!! like i had a few more after that! hahaha.. i admit it had salt and some flavor on it.. but still.. delicious. I also had something called "one day old" which is like balut... but its been born. that wasnt my favorite haha
Anyways mahal ko kayo!
Elder Navarro
We just got back from the Banaue Rice Terraces! Gosh it was super fun as my first zone activity! Super rural over there! Haha saw some naked kids jumped in and out of the pools of the terraces. "Its more fun in the Philippines" :)
But no this week was also great! Had an awesome new years! We had the Elders from Lagawe come over to our apartment (with permission of course) and had a nice dinner and just had a good time! We had a 6:00 "Lockdown" for the whole mission... So Pres. gave us permission to watch a few different movies than are normally allowed! We watched "Son of God" which was pretty awesome. Different honestly watching those things from a perspective without the benefit of modern revelation! But still good that the message of Christ is being spread!
We definitely have seen the influence of the spirit in people's lives! We met a person who hadnt been taught by the missionaries for a while! Then we had an awesome lesson with her... and then she asked if we could share to her cousin! Then when we started talking about the restored gospel blessing families.. there was no doubt that the spirit was speaking to her! she had to just stop because there was a lot of emotions going on... but just a testimony to me that Heavenly Father is preparing people! He loves us!!!!!!!
I ate a ton of balut this last week. funny because i just told my parents that i hadnt had any yet... yeah that night i had some... but surprisingly.. it was super good!!! like i had a few more after that! hahaha.. i admit it had salt and some flavor on it.. but still.. delicious. I also had something called "one day old" which is like balut... but its been born. that wasnt my favorite haha
Anyways mahal ko kayo!
Elder Navarro
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