Truthfully, the beginning of this week has been one of
the most stressful I've faced since I got here.
I received letters/emails from home, some had good news, others not so
good news. But the main thing was that I
was so worried for my friends and family back home and feeling helpless with me
being across the world. It was at the
back of my mind for some time now. Also,
many of the people we are teaching aren't really progressing so much. Basically,
I was focusing too much on the negative things so it made me quite depressed
for a little while. But then I remembered
what President Stott, my branch president at the MTC said. He said, “When times get hard, pray
Harder!" And so I have and it’s
been giving me so much strength as of late. :) I've also been reading for my own comfort and
counsel. Haha! I made myself my own investigator and asked myself what would I
tell someone who is feeling this way. It
worked so well! Especially with D&C
100:1; “Verily, thus saith the Lord unto
you, my friends Sidney and Joseph, your families are well; they are in mine
hands, and I will do with them as seemeth me good; for in me there is all
power.” and D&C 101:12; “And in that day all who are found upon the watch-tower, or in other words, all mine Israel, shall be saved.” That gave me much strength this week. It's
amazing to me, the power of prayer, how there are many blessings the Lord is
willing to give you if you but ask. When I was feeling weak and down on myself,
I turned to prayer and the Lord granted me peace of heart and strength to
continue the work. ^_^ For that I am
Grateful.
On the bright side! We have two potential baptisms this Saturday!!!
Brother Israel Pallisigue and Sister Mae Rose Gomez. They are both part-member
families that were previously less active families. So, by teaching the spouses of these two families,
we've not only reactivated them, but have them set on the road to be sealed as
a family in the temple for all time and eternity! ^_^ YES!!! I'm
looking forward to that this week. And a
nap later today. I need a nap. I woke up
at 3:20 this morning to get to the church at 4:15 to get a jeepney to the
temple by 5:30...so I am tired... *yawn* It's been also stressful getting everything
ready for their baptisms. Planning the
speakers and getting dates set up and interviews…
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| Me and my new companion, Elder Barrow |
Temple Tour
Temple tour is a day where the Mission is assigned to
bring investigators to the temple to feel the spirit and learn more about
Families. We brought many of our
investigators and recent converts there and we toured the temple outside and
had missionaries from another zone give them information at different stations.
It worked really well with a friend of
the Arduos, Sister Remy. She's our
newest investigator and we're really working with her. She felt the spirit so
strong there I think we may be on to something. Her kids really want to go back! Haha! We
also brought our other investigator, Janine, and her member friend, Sister
Nudo. Janine's a tough situation because
she has a testimony but her parents are hardcore Catholic and say they will
disown her if she gets baptized. But she's 19.
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| Visitor Center, Manila Philippines Temple |
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| With our investigator, Janine |
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| In front of the temple with some of our investigators |
I met your friends, Mom, at temple tour! While I was waiting for the Arduos I was just
playing with some of the kids at the steps of the temple and it came to pass
that someone tapped my shoulder and said...Elder Froude? And I said, Yes? I turned around and this lady said...”Oh my
gosh, you look just like your mother!” And
I replied, “Oh my gosh, you know my mom?!” She and her husband said that they knew you
from a long time ago and that Mama was a witness at their temple marriage! Or something of the sort. Then, I got their names and took a picture
with them and they went into the temple. BEST DAY EVER!!!
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| Edna and Ramon Berino...my mom's youth leaders when she was a teenager |
Temple Day
Oh, Oh!!! Today
was our Zone's Temple day. And as we
went out of the temple we went across the street to the Deseret Bookstore. Then, along with some church officials, I saw
Elder Russell M. Nelson walk up the stairs as Elder Barrow and I came up to it.
We both stopped dead in our tracks and my
heart skipped a beat as I realized I was in the presence of an Apostle of God! I froze but he saw us and walked right up to
us with this group of people and he shook our hands!!! AHHH!!!!! He said, "Sure glad to be here
with you, Elders." and went about his business. Best Day Ever!!!
I was finally able to go to the post office this week so
I sent a few letters. Yes, they are on
their way now! I'm sorry it's so late!
Heard Taylor Swift songs playing at the Jollibee on Monday.
Elder Hilbert and I looked at each other
and laughed! We both love Taylor Swift.
So, I’ve been praying and fasting really hard about
Tagalog and it’s been paying off. Lately
I've been just having this desire to speak Tagalog whenever I can. So I can get the hang of it. I've been seeing
a great increase in my confidence and understanding ability with it. I'm
becoming more comfortable speaking! Last Sunday, someone was talking to me in
just Tagalog and I was replying back like it was nothing and I was so happy
about that! Yes!!! I'm just worried
sometimes I'll misunderstand something and go on for 5 minutes about a subject
they're not talking about. Haha! But I’m
getting there, I’m getting there….
So, this is my email for you all this week. Enjoy! Alright…Elder Barrow and I will need to get
going and shop for everything for this week. Thank you so much po! Mahal Kita!!!
Tell Ryan I'm proud of his performance and can't wait to watch them when
I get back. Oh, and tell him to write me
back!
By the way, you all made the prayer roll in the Manila Philippines
Temple today ;) Love you… Bye!!!
Doing you Proud,
-Elder Froude ^_^
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