Tender Blessing of the Gospel

This week has been crazy! I want to start by expressing how incredibly happy I am right now! So my anak sent me some pictures from the baptism of the Macarubbo family last week, and when I opened them up, it was just a completely overwhelming feeling of happiness that came over me! Gosh I'll probably forward it so you can see but it was the best thing in the world! That was honestly one of the best feelings I have felt thus far in the mission! :)

But this last week we had splits with two companionships in the zone. On Tuesday, I was with Elder Llanda from Bataan and on Thursday with Elder Swensen from Sandy Utah. We really wanted to show them a good day as a missionary! But I really got to know both of them! Its so amazing the different stories that missionaries have of how they ended up on a mission! And for both of them, it really was a miracle that they were able to serve missions!

But then we got to go to Cauayan on Wednesday because Elder Paea was taking the English test. And in the Cauayan Mission, when you or you're companion comes in to take the test, you get a DELICIOUS BANANA SPLIT! compliments to the Shorter Couple! That was absolutely wonderful!

But we have a baptism this week! Another one of the Dultiao family! Sister Junalyn. She's a 25 year old single mother and the 3rd member in her family to be baptized! The night before her interview, we went over to review about baptism and the things that were going to be asked to her the next day. After that was done, I just asked her why she wanted to be baptized into the Church and then she bore one of the most powerful and tender testimonies I've heard. She mentioned about how she knew that the church was true and she had felt the love and the support of the members and the change in her family because of it. Then she talked about her 3 year old daughter and how she wants her to grow up knowing who Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father are! One night, she said, she was praying and her daughter asked her what she was doing... of course she answered, praying. Her daughter then asked where does God live. And then that started a gospel conversation between her and her daughter and now she really wants to join in her prayers every night! Gosh just tender things and feelings like that really make everything worth it! I think I've said this before but their goal is to get their whole family baptized into the church! This family is awesome and I really want to help them achieve that goal.

We have another busy week with zone conference and Philippines National Family Week going on here! I'm excited for all that the Lord has in store for us and I'm so grateful that I have an opportunity to share this wonderful, unique, and life changing message. Which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know He lives and guides this mission and all His missionaries! He loves us! His plan is real and this life is our time to prepare to meet God!

I love you all and have a great week!

Elder Navarro

p.s. I also randomly thought of some mistakes I've made in Tagalog a long time ago that I thought you'd get a kick out of!

One time we were talking to a family and I saw two kids who looks really similar in age... I thought "i know that word in tagalog" so I asked the nanay, I said, "nay, magkambing ba silang dalawa?" Hahaha what I accidentally said was if they were both goats. haha the real word was "kambal" haha oops.

Macarubbo family baptism

 

Is it really September?

I cannot even begin to think that the reality of this year mark is coming in... feels like yesterday I was trying all this crazy food for the first time and now I'm on what they call the "down hill".... But thats the longest I'm ever going to think about that again :)

 

So this week has been busy and really fun! We got to go to Cauayan and have splits with the Assistants. My companion for the day was a great Elder named Elder Monilla. He's Filipino but grew up in Saudi Arabia and he is one of the awesomest elders I've ever met! I met him back in Tuguegarao and he's the coolest nerd ever haha! But he is probably the best teacher I've worked with so far in my mission! The way we taught the investigators and recent converts that day was incredible! He has a gift of helping people understand in such simple ways, and he uses stories and examples from their lives to help them more fully understand the gospel of Christ and I felt like a sponge trying to soak in as much as I could from working with him. But we really had a good time that day! He called me earlier today to check for something and then told me that all the investigators we taught that day came to church!! That was fun to hear as well! But the way he taught really reminded me of the way the Savior taught.. It wasnt just pure doctrine in a memorized, recited phrase of belief, but rather it was according to the needs and understanding of the people. When the Apostles asked the Savior why he taught in parables, his response was this " 11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should beforgiven them.

Thats how I desire to teach.. the way the Master does!

Then on Friday we had splits again with Elder Canencia. And he's another missionary that I really admire. He really has a desire to change and become a better missionary! And the Lord has given him some new assignments that have helps him do that! I love the gospel that it gives every person the chance to change and be better! I know in my time here I've definitely learned and seen so many weaknesses in myself that I must repent and change as well.

 

So yesterday we had some of the ward missionaries work with us and one of the recent converts here in Baluarte is named Karen. She was baptized just last may and ever since has been faithfully keeping her covenants! And she's a really shy sister and so I assumed it would be me and the ward mission leader doing most of the teaching... but when we got into the lesson, she was like a rockstar of a teacher! We were teaching the Natividad family (a part member/less-active family that has really sparked an interest in the gospel again) and we were teaching about the Book of Mormon and when we gave her some time, she taught and bore one of the most powerful testimonies I've heard on my mission. The spirit was definitely there and we were just so excited for her and the investigator!

 

This Natividad family is really progressing! They have been reading the Book of Mormon together and sister really really wants to learn if its true. They are an awesome family and I hope that one day Brother will come to realize that all those things he learned in primary were true as well as sister for the first time.

 

Well... I love you all and hope everything is going well over there! I did hear sad news that Boise State lost... but we know that all things will be worked out in the Second Coming so thats alright.

 

The God of Israel Leads This Mission!

Elder Navarro

p.s. we're still out playing basketball when the chance comes! :)

 

Kumusta mga mag-anak at kaibigan!

This week has been really busy! But I really want to start out by mentioning that I got a really really exciting email from one of my best friends in the mission Elder Larona! He told me that the Macarubbo family had all passed the baptismal interview and will be baptized as a family on Sept. 12!!!! WAHOOOOOOOO!!!!! Gosh I wish I could be there but that makes me soooooo happy that they are all going to be baptized! I cant believe it! Just thinking about how we first met them and then chasing down the Tatay to try and talk to him and now, on Saturday, they will be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! Thats the best news that I can receive right now! Gosh...

 

But this week was full of meetings and surprises! We had the MLC meeting this last Wednesday talking about the importance of our Attitudes in Missionary work as well as the importance of accountability. And from that meeting and from my personal study in accountability I really come to realize that there will be a day that we will all give an accounting of all the things we've done here on the Earth! But the person who will be accounting to us will be the Lord Jesus Christ! So just like in so many ways the mission prepares us for life now and in the eternities, we account for all the things we accomplish. This is how the Kingdom of God is organized. And one of the coolest thing that President Rahlf has been teaching us is that even Jesus Christ accounts for His actions as we remember our covenants in the temple.

 

Then on Thursday we had the new leader's training in Cauayan... so it was travel to Cauayan, come home and the next morning travel to Cauayan again. The meeting was obviously very inspiring and even though I've the same things taught before, the spirit helps us learn new things for each of our situations! Think of General Conference, theres no brand new topics or ideas brought up in each conference. The Lord has a pattern of repetition for us to continue to learn based on our own preparation.

 

But this week we have another investigator named JonnaLynn who is also really progressing! Her siblings were also baptized within the past year and they even shared with us that their goal is that eventually their whole family will join the church! And one by one... they are! :) But their testimonies are really really strong! The Ate (older sister) shared her testimony this last sunday and shared of her powerful experiences in the gospel! So COOL!

 

But keep up the good work everyone! We all must sometimes "be still and know that [He] is God" :) Let us always stay true to our covenants and DRAW UNTO HIM!

Nagmamahal,

Elder Navarro (the real better of the two Elder Navarro's ;) )

p.s. reunited with my Tatay again!

heres a lot of my batch!... and some others... and Sister Rahlf! :)

Part of my new area.... its not ALL like that.. haha

 

New Adventures and Time Flies!!

Hello Family and Friends!

Alright! Saying goodbye to all the families and friends I had grown so close to in Tuguegarao was HARD! Thats definitely one of the hardest things about being a missionary, leaving areas where you've worked so hard and gotten close to the people! But thats how it has to be sometimes. I dont think the Lord wants us to get so comfortable in life that we stop learning and progressing. I believe its the same with all parts of life. I remember something President Eyring said about the topic, that if life seems so easy and you don't really have any troubles... just wait.

But now, here I am in my new area! And that area is...(drum roll)... SANTIAGO NORTH ZONE! In the Baluarte Ward. And my new companion is my first foreigner companion! His name is Elder Paea from Tonga. He's an awesome hardworking missionary and super funny! I feel like I'm living in "The Other Side of Heaven" haha. But turns out "koli poki" means nothing. Its not a word. But I'm so excited for this next cycle. I was talking with Elder Paea and he says he has a really good feeling about this next cycle, so we'll see what the Lord has in store for us in the Baluarte Ward!

Another little twist in my new area is when President Rahlf called and said I would be serving as the zone leader as well. Its a humbling experience for sure and I've felt the Lord expand the capacity to love all the missionaries in a way that I hope Christ would.

But the Macarubbo family was doing really well when I left! When we said goodbye I told them that I wanted to come back in a year when they are about to go through the temple to be sealed as a family! :) And the work here in Baluarte is also exciting! Going around getting to know all the investigators the members and the people has been great! One of them is Sister Lynn who has been coming to church for months and has been watching her family around her accept the gospel! Hopefully one day they'll all come into the gospel! We also found another family from a referral of a member! The Natividad family and they are super interested in the gospel! The tatay was introduced to the church when he was a kid, but now that he has a family he said that the church has a different kind of meaning to him. We'll be praying for guidance to know how to help nurture this seed that brother has in his heart.

But thats about it for this week! Just want to add one thing that has stuck out to me in my personal study from Moroni 7. All things that invite and enticeth to do good and be good comes from God and is inspired of God. We all have a divine gift of the Light of Christ given to every person ever born on the earth. This helps us distinguish right from wrong in all things and helps us come to know that the gospel is true. I hope that we can all recognize and help people recognize this divine gift of the spirit!!!! I've seen it in soooo many people! ITS REAL! This Church is true and is the only living church on the face of the earth!

Take care errbody!

Elder Navarro

 

 

PAALAM TUGUEGARAO!

Well to start off with the transfer list came in and looks like I'll be spending my last day in Ward 4 tomorrow... I wish I could describe how thankful I am that I was assigned in Tuguegarao! I've learned so much and I cant believe I'm leaving! Its super sad! But if I were to leave on any week, it would be this week! Gosh yesterday was again super exciting! Just seeing our investigators and other members we love and especially ones that havent been to church in years come into the church building is a feeling that I wasnt expecting I would have before I came on the mission! Seeing the progression of the Macarubbo family, Brother Angel Curioso, Erlinda Durwin, Aiza Idagan, the Pastores Family, Merly and then just the love of all the members in Tuguegarao Ward 4 is something I'll never forget! Just thinking about it, since I've been here since March, literally half my mission so far has been in Tuguegarao! :)

This last week, I got to conduct a few more interviews for investigators. These last two this past week was Brother Dexter and Brother Christopher (an investigator we were teaching for several weeks at the church, but because he lived in a different area, we had to pass him on to the sister's assigned in his area). And both of them had amazing stories of how they came to the point where they were. With Dexter, his son became an "instrument of God" as he said, to get him interested in the church. His son asked him "Dad, why don't you come to church with us?" And that started him on a conversion story of complete humility before our Father In Heaven. And with Christopher, this one was awesome because Elder Claudio and I already loved Christopher because we had taught him for several weeks! but I also got to hear a story of a man who really became a prodigal son, but when he "came to himself" he also humbled himself in a way I havent seen in many people, including giving up several vices and diligently studying the word of God! But an amazing thing is the Spirit that I've learned, how He really testifies to us of the things we know, and I could feel the depth of these two brother's testimonies ,and if nothing else it was a completely humbling and testimony building experience that God places things, trials, and people in our lives to help us on the right path and become who He wants us to become! Makes me think of Nephi as they returned to Jerusalem and after his brothers had beaten him with a rod. He returns into the city, "not knowing beforehand the things which [he] should do" nevertheless, he "was led by the Spirit" If only I could have this kind of trust in the Lord! Thats what I saw in these two men. Even though there were trials of different kinds, he still did what he knew was right, "not knowing beforehand"

Because this upcoming transfer has been expected, the ward was being real funny yesterday... Haha they had me get up and bear my testimony and then closed the meeting by singing "God Be With You Till We Meet Again"! Haha talk about a nail in the coffin! But I can already tell these next day of saying goodbye to people will be a little sad... But I choose to trust in the Lord that He has some more things he wants me to learn or people I need to find in another area! But next week I'll definitely update where I'm at! But Maybe this will be all for now!

 

But SALAMAT for the support! Mahal ko kayong lahat! Lagi kayo magbasa ng mga banal na kasulutan at magtiwala sa Diyos katulad ni Nephi :)

Take care everyone!

Elder Navarro

OH SHOUT OUT TO ELDER JORDAN NAVARRO ENTERING THE MTC THIS WEEK! GO GET EM!

The GOD OF ISRAEL LEADS THIS MISSION

 

Draw Unto Him

Kamusta, mga family at friends!

Wow. We have seen miracles in our area both large and small! But we met an interesting guy this last week! We were just walking down the street trying to find some new investigators in part of our area, when we hear this peculiar voice coming from one of the homes. He said "Hey dude, wats up man how ya doin?" in like an Italian accent! This was strange 1) because you do come across a whole lot of pure english speakers here and 2) why was it Italian? So we come up to the door and start talking to him. Turns out he grew up in Arab and is a Muslim, but got married to a Filipina. He invited us in and was just the funniest guy in the world! He goes off just saying how he knows more about God than us and just all this funny stuff telling us his whole life story.. (which is really sad!) but then I could tell he enjoyed talking to another english speaker. He accepted a pamphlet and we were on our way. I dont really know why I'm including this but it was just a really funny experience in the moment so I asked to take a picture with Uncle Sam.. That was his name. Anyway.

The Macarubbo family has been doing awesome! One thing I remember was talking about the Holy Ghost with them. We explained how the Holy Ghost testifies of truth and guides us to do the right thing and then Sister Macarubbo's eyes just lit up and she jumped in and said that was so true. Then she shared a powerful testimony of how she had been feeling His influence as she'd been learning about the gospel and going to church! Then Tatay has really been concerned about repentance and how we know when we are forgiven... His faith is so strong in the Atonement and all he wants is just to be forgiven of his mistakes! Its been amazing because he's been so faithful in fasting and giving up his vices like drinking/smoking as well as a ton of other things that he has just straight up given up! Which is nothing short of a miracle in itself! But its such a privilege to know them! Aaaannndddd they've fed a time or two.. which isnt too bad either :)

 

Also we had interviews this week with President and Sister Rahlf which is always a spiritual experience! He gave me some advice that really hit me to exactly what I needed to improve on. He talked about really burying yourself in the scriptures especially when us as people need and ask for divine assistance in a more than human work. "If we draw unto Him, He will draw unto us" he counseled. And so that is what I've really been focusing on this week... Just immersing myself in the scriptures as much as I can. And I have faith that the Savior of the world will help all those who seek to "draw unto Him."

 

Another miracle, real quick has been the Pastores family. They've all been less active in the church for years, except their daughter Lyka. And we've been visiting their family consistently ever since I've gotten here in Tuguegarao. But for some reason just last week Brother Pastores decided to come to church! And he was a RM and a seminary teacher in his younger years so he knows a lot about the scriptures and the gospel! But he just felt like he needed to come back to set a good example for his family. So he came with just him and his daughter Lyka and just yesterday his whole family was at church! Oh man how good that felt! And he even asked for a calling as a home teacher. Then I looked at our Ward Mission Leader and he looked at me and we just did a silent celebration as we heard that!

 

But this work is true! I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God and is a big way, along with the Bible, that all of us can "draw unto HIM." He will help us and we will be showered with the Lords tender mercies. (1 Nephi 1:20)

Mahal ko kayo!

Elder Navarro

 

Happiest Sunday Thus Far!

Hello family and friends!

 
The Lord is so good to those who have desires to serve Him! Yesterday was one of the happiest Sunday's I've had so far in the mission. We know that there is always an opposition that comes up whenever people are really starting to make a change in their lives for good and to follow Christ. Elder Claudio and I have seen that happening with so many people. But we've also seen how they've reacted in a positive way to strengthen even further their testimony of the gospel.
 
So we were a little worried about the Macarubbo family just because last week they had a lot of things to do at the house and decided not to come to church. Elder Claudio and I decided we were going to try and pick them up just so they would feel comfortable all coming together and entering the church. They rejected the offer saying that they would just meet us there, which made us a little more worried because you never know whats going to happen. But we were sitting in our PMG Class for our ward missionaries when 2 of the Macarubbo kids walk in! I immediately asked them where their family was and they said they were just outside! We left the class to see if they were really there and when we came out of the church THERE THEY WERE! Including Sister! They were in their Sunday best and waiting to come in! Many reasons why this was an awesome experience! 1) it was the first time that Bro. Macarubbo's wife had come! 2) They were all their as a family! 3) They were in Sunday best! 4) it was the first time they made it in time for Sacrament Meeting! And we have investigators come to church pretty often but this was just soooooooo incredibly exciting because it was the Macarubbo Family all together! All 6 of them! :) They had an awesome experience at church and this family is the buzz of the whole ward! :) Tatay Macarubbo even said he really felt something different in the sacrament meeting that he had never felt before. And as I looked over at him while they were passing the bread and water, he had his head bowed and I could tell he was praying! Oh I was prayin too that everything would fall in place for them to be baptized and eventually make it to the temple!
 
Another amazing miracle was at church as well! I saw a man all dressed up in a suit and thought this guy must be from Church headquarters or something! (because no one wears suits....#mainit.) He was teaching in the classes and just seemed like a regular guy! When I heard who he was it shocked me! It was Brother Pastores! A less active man who hadnt been to church in years! And we've been trying to get in contact with him in vain since I got here in Tuguegarao! But thanks to the prayers of his active daughter, he felt inspired that he needed to come back to church to be an example to his wayward son... miracle.
 
Yesterday was just an amazing day because just a ton of people came to church that we werent expecting! People we have been visiting for months with no results until now! It was an exciting day for sure!
 
Wow! Other than that we've had a lot of opportunities these past couple weeks in doing service projects! The cool thing about these service projects is that its not just for members but its for the actual Barangay! (or little towns is probably a close description) So people will walk by and ask us why we're cleaning up the place and who we are. And of course we are sooooo happy and proud to say, "We're Mormons!" :) Its brought up a lot of interest for many of the leaders of the Barangay!
 
And then today we had a zone activity to the Callao Caves again! You know you've been in an area a while when you have an activity in the same place 3 times haha. But was just a really refreshing experience! This country and this world is absolutely beautiful! God's creations are all around us and the beauty and complexity is breathtaking! Just like Alma's encounter with Korihor, I've come to know and feel that his statement is true, "Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator." Another really cool thing we got to do was BOATING! WAHOO that was super fun! And the cool breeze and the cool water and the blue sky and the gorgeous mountains was just the best medicine to any kind of stress or mental fatigue! And also it was super fun to have an activity with some of my best friends in the mission!
 
I love the work of the Lord! I testify that The Book of Mormon is true and that it is the evidence to the truthfulness of the gospel in the Latter Days! The Lord will prepare a way for those who are seeking to know the truth and nothing will stop the work from progressing! :)
 

Hope you have a fantastic week! sorry this was long!