Good Times

Things are going awesome over here! This morning we got up early so we could play some basketball with another zone who does their p-day over here in Solano! And I have a friend here named Elder Poulter. He played for Rigby high school and is just a year older than me. And I remember playing against him in the summers! So we played against them this morning (4 on 4 and 5 on 5) and gosh it was so fun! It was super nice to be able to play and talk about basketball with him! He's a super nice kid and a good player so we had some battles out there on the court! It was especially nice because I've been having some basketball withdrawals lately. We agreed to get together after the mission and ball it up!

But the work here was a little slow this week. People going out of town, not being there for appointments, and a TON of walking. Sometimes days and weeks like that can be really discouraging and frustrating! I definitely felt that these last few days. But I really learned that it really is a choice to have a good day or not. And Heavenly Father knows my limitations, and won't give me anything I cant handle.. But that doesn't mean it will be easy. A lot of times we have challenges that will really push us to the brink of giving up.... But one of my favorite scriptures has helped me for sure in 2 Nephi 31:20. And the words "press forward with a steadfastness in Christ" really have a new meaning to me.

But another thing that is really saddening is people's situations. Whether its money or a bad day or family troubles, it sucks to have to see people going through that! And even though we cant help them with money or changing their situation, we can give them the best gift this life has to offer which is the gospel. And I'm discovering every day how much and in how many ways the gospel helps us live and its literally endless! A huge example to me of this is Sister Lina. She really doesnt have a lot of money and her and her husband split a while ago so she's raising an 11 year old kid by herself now. She's super strong tho and always seems to be happy even when her situation is hard. There are so so so many other examples of strong saints who continue to press forward even in hard times. I'm super grateful for tender mercies! They are everywhere!

But yeah this week we were able to give people baptismal dates and I feel good about the direction we are going with them! But yeah this week was a slower one for sure. We did however get a surprise visit from the District Presidency and other leaders in our Branch last Sunday so that was awesome and the church is in good hands in this part of the Philippines.

But anyways, Thank you for the update and know that I love you guys!

Elder Navarro

 

Teaching part of the Plan of Salvation

 

 

Indiana Jones pose on a hanging bridge

 

My comp Elder Baclea-an

 

We got to fly kites on Prep Day with Elders Volpe and Larona

 

Girl in the middle Afrilyn, an investigator. She's a stud!

 

with ZL Elder Kocherhans, He's awesome!

with Elders Larona, Kocherhans and Baclea-an

 

 

Transfers and some new faces!

Hello!

So this last week was transfer week and unfortunately, my tatay, Elder Saguire, was transferred...But thats alright! The work still continues! My new companion is Elder Baclea-an from Cavite. He's an awesome guy and are already getting along really well! So thats been a tender mercy for sure! Another crazy thing is that he's taller than me! Thats another change haha!

The work this week has been going really well! A highlight this week was actually my first full day with Elder Baclea-an. We were in Sta. Lucia and we were getting punted like no ones business! And I was also pretty nervous because Elder B didn't have any idea of the area, let alone people to go to. So I've been praying a TON for some guidance in figuring out where we need to be.. I had an impression that we needed to visit one of our old investigators, Mardi. And it was a longshot because she's rarely at her house because she goes to school far away. But we went for it. Getting there was a little discouraging because there was a ton of drunk people and men hitting on us, it was sketchy. But we got to Mardi's house and her little brother or cousin comes up to us and tells us that she's there! And amazingly she was! So then we got to talking and eventually got to share with her again about the gospel! And during that lesson it was confirmed to me without a doubt that we needed to be there! She was super receptive and was asking us questions and really opened up to us about her situation with the Gospel! She believes its true and wants to be baptized but she gets discouraged because the teaching is always cut off by her at school. But anyway, I fasted this last Sunday for a solution to help her. So we'll see where this goes!

But yeah as always the language is a roller coaster. There are days of complete confidence and thinking to myself, "holy crap im fluent!" and then there will be a day or two of "I'm pretty sure they're speaking chinese." But all is well! All is well.

I'm realizing every day how imperfect I am and how imperfect we all are. And there are times when that is super discouraging. But I'm so thankful to people around me who have helped me through those times when it feels really hard. Its amazing how the Lord makes up all that you lack when you just try your best! I saw this last week when we found a ton of new people to teach in one of our areas.

But sorry this is long again. But I thank you so much for the prayers that have been said on my behalf... its humbling to think that. thank you. The Lord is taking care of us over here! :) Love you all! Have an amazing week!

Elder Navarro

It's almost February already!

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

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!

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

new ride

 

Sporting a rice farmer hat

haha preparation day baller

 

riverside with Elder Saguire

Elder Volpe's last meeting with the zone before homebound

 

Polynesisan Haka warrior dance

 

 

 

 

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!

Zone Activity pictures (click pict to zoom in):
	"One day old" as the locals call it.
I prefer Balut
Helped bury a dog	All dogs go to Heaven

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