04.04.16

Dear Family and Friends,

Our transfer day was this last week and I'm pretty sure I mentioned it in last weeks letter, but I and NOT being transferred this cycle! Wahoo! I have another cycle with Elder Pandaog in Cauayan, so I'll be going on 6 months in this area. But we had a really busy transfer day, however, the best part of all of it, was being able to stay and watch the transfer meeting with the trainers and their new "Anak's" or trainees. Its really a humbling and an excited thing to be able to see new faces and their energy and enthusiasm for the work, its CONTAGIOUS! But along with this time, we had to say goodbye to some friends. One of my best friends in the mission, Elder Monilla finished his mission and is home now... Crazy to think how fast time goes! When I met him, he wasn't even a year in the mission yet!

But Brother Francis Gonzales is on FIRE!!! He is such an awesome guy! We met him probably about a month and a half ago, just contacting house to house one night and he was super excited to meet us that night. I had a feeling that we should go back to him afterwards, but we got busy and things happened, that we weren't able to return for about a month. Then one day as we were walking down that street again, we had a feeling again to follow up with Brother Francis. Again, he was very excited to see us! Since that day, he's come to church twice (once for District Conference with the District Presidency and President and Sister Rahlf speaking) and has been keeping all his commitments! One of the most important, however, is that he is consistently reading the Book of Mormon. That really makes it or breaks it for people! THAT IS THE TOOL the Lord has given us for conversion in these Latter-Days!

Something that Elder Higgins taught from one of our MLC's has really stuck in my mind. There was a story of kids playing football in the field every day. They loved football so they would play as much as they could. One of the kids liked football as well, but HATED playing in the dark. There were trees and rocks and creeks in the field that when he would go out for a pass, because it was so dark, he would run straight into the tree. Even though his head hurt pretty bad, he didn't want his friend to think of him as a wimp, so he just brushed it off and kept playing. He would suggest to his friends that they should go inside and do something else when it got dark, so he wouldn't get hurt, but they just said, "its not that dark out yet." He needed to find a way to get them out of playing in the dark. No matter what he said or suggested, they still did not want to go inside and stop playing football.

One day he found the solution. Instead of suggesting anything else to do, one day when it was getting dark he said this, "Hey, we've been playing hard! I'm a little tired and thirsty. Lets just take a break and grab some juice from inside. Then we can go back out and play." Of course the boys were all for that. They were thirsty as well and juice sounded really good! So they all went inside for juice. After that as they went back outside. All the boys started saying, "Wow! Its pretty dark already! It'd be hard to play in this." That little boy was happy that he wouldn't get anymore bruises on his head. What was the difference? As the boys went inside into the lighted house of their friend, they were exposed to the light. As they were playing outside, the light gradually got darker and darker and darker. Because of the gradual decrease, the boys hardly even noticed it was dark. But when the boy took them into the light and showed them brightness again, they then realized the dark surroundings they were playing in.

I've noticed this pattern in my own life. There are times when we can get complacent or give into just little things or bad habits until we become numb to it and don't even notice it, like the gradual decrease of light on the field. We can take others into the light. Show them that it is so good live as a disciple of Christ in His restored church! That light is discernible  

"That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day." (Doctrine and Covenants 50:24)

I love this work and I know it is true! I see miracles so much in the lives of the people around me! A recently returned member of the church talked to me about his family who is starting to come back to that church, "I don't really understand what's so different, but we are so much happier at home..."

Have a great week!

Elder Navarro

Pasko ng Pagkabuhay! (Happy EASTER)

Just a quick update! I'm not being transferred this cycle! I love this area! And I'm actually pretty happy that I'll be staying here! That means I'll be here in Cauayan for 6 months! WAHOO! And another cycle with Elder Pandaog... and AWESOME Elder and great companion!

Let me just update you real quick on a really awesome thing we did yesterday! First things first, we had a baptism! Sister Emelyne Andres was baptized yesterday afternoon after the District Conference (I'll give an update on that later) But we had one of the most well-organized baptisms I've ever been part of haha! And what I mean by that is everyone was on time!! For the first time EVER!!! haha jokelang. But we were all ready to go, the pictures had already been taken, people were dressed, the speakers were there, and everything was ready to go 30 minutes before we were supposed to start! After the baptism, she bore an awesome testimony! Even started it in English! haha But we have been a little worried that she was just getting baptized for her boyfriend and his family, but I honestly feel that she was doing it for the right reasons.

Another really cool thing we did yesterday was we put together an Easter Missionary Fireside! The idea came from one of my batchmates, Sister Labis, who attended an event that the missionaries did in her home town. We just put together a lot of musical numbers describing the life of Jesus Christ. From before the world was until His resurrection. There were whole group numbers, solo's, duets, and small groups. In between each number, there were missionaries reading selected scriptures describing what the next song was about. It was an awesome activity and a lot of people were there! I played the piano for a lot of the songs... (oh yeah I haven't told you... I'm like the go-to piano player in sacrament meeting every sunday!) And then I sang a solo as well! Gosh I was not too excited about that when Sister Labis told me I had to do that a few weeks ago. I sang "Be Still My Soul" to describe the world at the time of Christ's death. After all the songs, there were some recent converts who bore their testimonies afterwards... It was a great activity.

Love you and have a great week!

Elder Navarro

P.S. I got to see some Elders and Sisters before they went home! Including Elder Monilla!

Welcome to my life!

the Baptism Board on the most we've had in the mission since President Rahlf has been here! Last Saturday

What are the odds?? #BNav flashbacks!

Awesome Week!

This week was great!

We had a couple of super powerful spiritual experiences this last week. We've been working with an investigator named Henry Canta for probably about 2 months now, a middle aged man with 3 sons. He's been super interested in the gospel and actually was an investigator for some time a few years ago, but never continued because for some reason, the Elders didn't come back one day. Anyways, the only problem we've had with him (and this is the problem we see with most of the people we teach) is that he hasn't completely grasped the idea that there is only one true church. His belief is that if you believe in Christ and do good and be nice, you will be saved... which to an extent is true. Exaltation is a different conversation. Anyways, we felt that we should watch the Restoration video with him, just so he could see and have a good idea of who Joseph Smith was and what really happened to him. (It makes a big difference in my opinion when investigators have a real visual so they can really see what it was like). As always, it was powerful to watch that video and feel of the spirit testify of Joseph Smith and the Restoration. And after discussing it and testifying for a few minutes after, we invited him to pray to close. And while he was praying, in the middle of his prayer, it was a like a wall just came out of nowhere and I felt one of the most powerful manifestations of the spirit that Joseph was a prophet and that our message was true. I could tell I wasn't the only one feeling it because I started to hear in Brother Canta's voice that he was starting to cry! He included in his prayer this, "Please make it manifest to me if Joseph Smith was a true prophet" After that, he was just thanking us for teaching him and for the things he had been learning. He then said over and over, "Iba talaga ito" which is something like "this feels a lot different." We couldn't let an opportunity like that pass, so we testified that it was the Holy Ghost testifying to him that the message was true. It was one of the most powerful moments of my whole mission. While we were driving home, I asked Elder Pandaog, "Did you feel that during his prayer?" He said, "Yeah I did!"

Haha tell Toby that I totally understand what his job is like! Haha moving things like crazy and almost becoming the moving squad! But this last week, Elder Jones (a senior couple missionary over the housing) had us come with him out to Naguilian (where the storage unit is) and we just did a whole home makeover of the place. We had 2 storage units, but we "consolidated" it all into one unit. Which means we took almost everything out of both and packed it all into one. One of the funny things was we got rid of a lot of the desks and extra stuff that no one is going to use and told the people really close there that they could just have it... when they saw that people started taking the stuff we just set out, people FLOCKED! It was like people just started coming out of nowhere to grab a desk and some stuff! It was a funny sight!

But I know this work is true! I join in the millions that say "Hallelujah" for the Savior! I know that God lives and that Jesus is our Savior! He loves and is aware of all people! Thank you for the love and support!

Elder Navarro #1 (Brandon)

Don't worry that's soup! haha

And that guy is our Branch Mission Leader, Brother James

03.07.16

Just an update, my birthday went great! I remember thinking on that day, "wow... my parents are probably at the Idaho Center right now!" I had a moment of 10 second homesickness, but then was back in the game and focused! We had a great day that day! There was a baptism that we attended that morning of the Sister Training Leaders. But the funny thing was that the person in charge of the baptism, didn't get there until 7:55 with a baptism that was supposed to start at 8.. now that's normal considering the culture here. But the problem was he didn't start the font until that time. And you know those things take 2 hours to fill up! So we had hoses from outside running into the font and we got buckets from the mission office to fill up and bring to the font to speed up the process... it was a fun experience haha!

I decided on my birthday that I was going to work EXTRA hard. So that's what we did! We met and exceeded our goals for the day and when we were on the tricycle going home, I just had the calmest and most wonderful feeling of peace in the whole world. I felt the Lord was pleased with what I had done that day and where I was as a missionary. At that moment I knew that He knew me. It was funny because that feeling that overcame me came when the motor of the tricycle was buzzing and cars were flying to and fro, but that feeling was undeniable. THIS WORK IS THE BEST!

We had MLC this last week that was completely focused on Leadership skills. President and the Assistants talked about "Higher-Law Leadership" that really focused on how to lead like Christ. It was cool how he compared the Law of Moses to the Higher Law and then put it into a missionary leadership perspective. It was great!

But we had some really interesting things happen this week in terms of the work! We had a good week this week! We have worked hard even though we had some time taken out of our schedule. We had some unexpected people come to church yesterday! The Bulacan family, an inactive/part-member family whom we have been working with for several weeks now, our investigator with a baptismal date at the end of March, and our neighbor at our apartment complex! She was totally unexpected! Elder Pandaog and I were sitting in Elder's quorum and I saw her and her son walking into the chapel. I said to Elder Pandaog, "Elder.... is that our neighbor??" "Oh wait... it is!" We ran out to greet her. That was a fun experience! Other than that the work has been going well. We've been talking a lot more about how to solve investigators concerns. Finding help as well from each other, the branch, and personal and companion prayers.

We played some basketball again this morning with Elders Higgins and Antenor cruz. They are awesome to play with! But usually on P-days we get haircuts, email, grocery shop, study, and then go out to work... its not really that glorious of a day haha :)

But sounds like youre doing well back there! Good to see pictures of you and of Jason and Megan's family! They're getting soooo big!!!! Love you and have a great week!

Love,

Elder Brandon N

you'll never imagine, but it got cold in Cauayan one day.

Hearts can be softened!

We had quite the week this last week! Here's a story of a man that we're working with right now. His name is Brother Dellona, I can't remember his first name, memory was never one of my strong suits. Several years ago, he was one of the most active members of the church and a teacher of seminary and institute. He was and is also one of the jolliest people I've ever met in my life! He loves to speak English and it just makes listening to him that much funnier as he does his best to express all his feelings in English! Then something happened a few years ago in which he was offended, which I won't go into detail, that caused him to separate himself from the church and no longer participate in any church activities or meetings. His 2 kids, 18 year old Roundy and 16 year old Jovina quite unexpectedly decided to come to church last August and have been active ever since. Brother Roundy even works with us every week! But Brother Dellona and his wife, whom we see so often while teaching Jovina who was baptized about 5 months ago, showed up at sacrament meeting out of the clear blue! After 2 weeks of this while not knowing the reason, we visited him and for the first time he let us share with him a spiritual thought. In the middle of the lesson, President Castillo and his 2 counselors showed up. And it was such a special moment as President Castillo shared his feelings with Brother Dellona about back when he was investigating the church and how Brother Dellona was his hero in the investigating process. Even Brother Dellona realized what a reversal of roles it was! The one visiting now was the one being visited. I wish I could describe what the scene looked like and how strong the spirit was! That was definitely the start of me again realizing what missionary work was all about and what our purpose is. I know that Brother Dellona felt that spirit. This is what he said to us, "There have been many things that have happened to us that made us fall away. And even now, my intentions in coming back to church are not the best. I just hope that this will be the start of me feeling the way I did before I left the church." It was one of the most powerful moments I've ever been on in my mission. The spirit was literally thick and even I was holding back the tears in seeing what was taking place and feeling the Spirit of the Lord work with Brother Dellona.

I'm sorry I spent so much time on that story... I just wish that you could have felt what I felt in that moment. It was surreal.

But We have been struggling a little bit these past couple weeks helping investigators really progress. Its something that has been in almost all of my prayers for the past week or so. Those prayers were answered as Elder Pandaog and I resolved that in order to help our investigators prepare best, we needed to focus more on giving baptismal invitations. Not that we weren't giving any, but we just needed to make it a priority and the focus of our lessons. Yesterday, when we had splits with an RM and some other branch missionaries, we were both excited to come back having given 1 solid baptismal date, and a baptismal invitation to a family who already believes in the church. Last night I had an overwhelming feeling of peace come over me, feeling that I had done the right thing and was fulfilling the purpose.

I love you and take care!


We also had a very very busy week in terms of deliveries and dropping off some missionaries, but we got to go back to Tuguegarao again, and with all the things we did we were there for the whole day. When I was brand new we took a picture at this waiting shed with some other missionaries... but now I'm the only one left! haha

02.08.16

Hey everyone,

The transfer list came this morning! And it looks like I'll be staying in this area for at least another cycle! Wahoo! But sad news is Elder Treyes will be transferring. We've had a great 2 cycles together and he is a great missionary and friend! I've learned a ton from him especially about understanding others and how to be positive at all times! He comes from Bacolod which the "City of Smiles" in the Philippines! He represents that title well.

This week of work has been great. Even with MLC, baptisms, and some housing tasks, we still met the standards of excellence for the week, which felt really good as we were reviewing our week last night. We have an investigator who was coming to church a while ago but for working reasons moved to Tuguegarao for a little while. Now he just got back and is back into the flow of coming to church! His name is Angelo and what makes it even better is that his best friend at the church is our Branch President (They were co-workers some time ago). He seems to be enjoying his experience at the church and said he has been learning a lot. Excited to be able to meet with him again in the coming week. Also faced some disappointments with some investigators fully committing to coming to church, but on Sunday morning, texted and cancelled on us. But keeping our heads up!

I've been ponderizing a scripture this week that Elder Andersen shared in the missionary broadcast. Its Moroni 8:26 and this is the phrase that has really stuck out to me, "because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love." The Holy Ghost quite literally "fills" us with this hope and love! And I've learned a lot about this phrase actually from times NOT reading the scriptures! Dont freak out I read them. But the difference between reading AND pondering the scriptures, thinking about the Savior in sacrament meeting and ESPECIALLY while the sacrament is being passed, is a difference that you literally feel, and is very real. You might think "oh its just in his head" but try it. Not because you're just curious, rather because we all need the "filling" power of the 3rd member of the Godhead, the Holy Ghost. 

I love this time on the mission! Excited for the changes and the things the Lord has in store for this area! Ingat!

--

Elder Navarro

Philippines Cauayan Mission

When you don't have a stoller... make one. #filipinostyle

The crew in Cauayan!

 

Its been SUPER COLD  here for the past couple days! Everyone is wearing jackets and sweaters! Its like 70 degrees! BRRRRR!!!!! ;)

 

February

Hello

Things are going really great over here! Yesterday we actually had a Special District Conference with President Rahlf presiding. They released the current District Presidency here in Cauayan and called a new one to replace them. But that wasnt even really the coolest thing that happened! At the chapel yesterday, it was filled all the way to the back and the comment was made several times of the size and strength of the Cauayan District, so when President Rahlf got up to speak, the first thing he said was, "Wow! This looks like a stake!" Then the counselors in the mission presidency, mentioned several times about making Cauayan a stake! They even gave a time frame, they said in 2 months "the new district presidency will be released... to be called as a stake presidency!" The Cauayan District has an awesome vision for their future and I'm almost 100% sure that I will be here to see it become a STAKE! WAHOO! There's just one more branch that needs to be built up just a tiny bit more to reach our goals and that is the assignment of the new senior couples, Elder and Sister Jones from Oregon (they were also excited to hear that Jordan is serving a mission there). But I'm excited to say the least to be a part of Cauayan becoming a Stake!

We had interviews this last week with President Rahlf (its crazy that its already my 4th interview with him! time goes so fast!) But it was a great meeting and super encouraging! Because its been over a year, he went over with me some of the goals that I had set last year and if I had accomplished them! Then got to set some new goals. He taught me a lesson as I shared my very broad goals about "specificity." After that I set some new, more specific goals. But he thanked me for being the missionary that I am. He also mentioned that sometime after their mission they will be in the Meridian area! President told me that they might call you guys up and take you out to dinner! Probably with some of the parents of other missionaries as well from the Boise area! But that'll be awesome to see! You guys with President and Sister Rahlf! 

But I am getting Ty's emails. I just emailed him today! He'll be a great missionary!

But we met an AWESOME family this week! They are the Bulacan family and their Grandmother was a super active member of the church and they used to go to church with her. But when she passed away, they stopped. Now that their older and some have families of their own, they're realizing how big of an impact their grandmother made on them! There are 8 brothers and sisters and some of them were baptized a long time ago, but the others havent yet. So excited to continue to teach them! And plus we have their aunt, who is an active member who comes with us to every appointment!

But this last week as well, I finally got to go to back to my first area! We had a delivery in Bambang and Solano and I got to see my first area again! But that was a LOOOONNNNG day! Bambang is like 3 hours away and then making stops all along the way makes for a long trip. Got back home and just collapsed! haha

But we get to watch a worldwide broadcast to all the missionaries in the world tomorrow. The speakers are members of the quorum of the twelve and some other general authorities! Super excited to watch it! But love ya! Have a great week!

Elder Navarro