Well, I can say this has been one of my most paradigm
shifting weeks here in the Philippines. And what I mean by a paradigm shift is
that my definition of success has changed. I sometimes forget that this mission
is not a numbers mission. We aren't looking to get the most numbers possible,
such as so many baptisms and so many lessons a week. Rather, we're looking to
have quality lessons and planning in order to help people come unto Christ.
Although our number have been low this week, in regards to lessons taught, Elder Barrow and I have spent a lot of time this
week getting into the homes of less actives, getting referrals and setting up Family
Home Evening (FHE) with them. We've also been having very miraculous and
spiritual lessons with Sister Donita, Alice and other people as well. So, from
what we've done this week next week is going to be extremely busy. We have 3
referrals for investigators we're going to meet at an FHE and have Sister Alice
help us teach them. Then, we have 4 less actives we're going to visit for the
first time next week including one RM (returned missionary) who wants to come
back so we're excited for that. We've been meeting a lot of people for the
first time (that I couldn't meet before last transfer) and we just sing a hymn
to leave the Spirit and go. That was our plan for a few people just so they can
feel that Spirit. It doesn't count in the numbers, but I think it's more
successful in cases with 1st contacts than trying to force a lesson on some
people.
Everything else is fine over here. Elder Barrow and I
have been planning and preparing a ton this week prayerfully and miracles have
been happening. The people we plan and role-play for have had intense spiritual
experiences…Sister Janine for example. She was not reading the Book of Mormon
because of school and homework and such. But after a very spiritual lesson, she
started crying because she was feeling the spirit and we recommitted her to
read the book of Mormon every day, and now she takes it to school! She's now at 1 Nephi chapter 9…just after 5
days! Yes!!!
Elder Barrow finally was able to meet Sister Alice and he
loves her testimony and desire to serve.
We're having her try to share the gospel with her friends and such.
Actually, we didn't even ask her to. She just asked us, “Hey elders, I just
have this strong desire to share the gospel, can you help me out?” AHH!!!! So,
we're going to see if she can come with us to teach Sister Janine. Mom, Dad…it's
like this area has been just so prepared for the gospel. I can see much success coming out of it. It has a ton of potential! Elder Barrow and I
are so excited! We don't think that one transfer
is going to be enough to finish all that we have planned for the area right now.
Haha! Hopefully, we'll go another
transfer together because there is so many fruit that just needs to be prepared
a little bit more before it can be plucked. Elder Barrow keeps saying how
wonderful this area is. The ward is very participatory, except for the low home
teaching. Haha! But Brother Ormond, our
ward mission leader is doing so much to help us.
Many Miracles have been happening this week to us. I've
learned from personal experience now that blessings are waiting for you if you
only but ask the Lord. Then he will prepare a way for you to be able to
accomplish what you ask, if it be righteous.
1. Earlier this week, we set a goal to get an LA1C on
Tuesday, which is a less active 1st contact. It was one of our daily goals.
Earlier that day I had decided, you know, this is going to be a great day! We
had all of our appointments answer their door and we taught a few good lessons.
Then, it was around 6 o’clock and we just had our dinner plan canceled so we
decided to go to the church to attend a baptism and confirm appointments there.
On the way to the Church in a jeepney, a guy across us asked if we were
Mormons, we said yes, and found out he was a less active who was baptized in ‘06.
Boom!!! First contact right there! We got his name and we'll be following up
with him. Once we got to the church, we met our two new zone leaders and talked
to them for a bit and I informed them about the zone. Then afterwards, a food
caterer, who is a member, invited us to have dinner with them before the
baptism. He catered the baptism party. LEGIT!!! We had dinner! Everything that
day was just grand.
2. This week I had the opportunity to teach the
Restoration to a taxi driver who was very receptive and Elder Barrow gave him a
Book of Mormon and a pamphlet. What I mean is Elder Barrow gave me the nudge
that helped me realize I should give the message of the restoration to him…in
Tagalog. It was a lot easier than I had
expected so I knew it was from God and I just kept going with it. ^_^ It ended up working very well!
3. We had an FHE with a recent convert family. We had the Arduo's, a less active family,
Sister Ortega and her kids, and an investigator and her family, the Viray
family. It was a great opportunity to bring many people together, share a quick
powerful message and play Filipino games. Haha. Everyone had a great time. The
miracle was that It rained hard an hour before and everyone still showed up!
4. Elder Barrow was thinking that we should really work
with the members more in order to get referrals and locations of less actives
in the area. I agreed and was like okay. So then, we went to a member's house
who we thought was less active, but it's okay because one of the daughters of
the member came out and said, “Elders!!! There are some friends I have that I
want you to share the gospel with!” Then, she spent an hour talking about them
and how scared she was to share the gospel with them. So, we decided on a friendly FHE activity
night so that we could build trust through that. Then, she also gave us the
names of 3 or so less actives in the neighborhood. We're going to go with the Mom to teach on
Thursday. So, we're really excited about that! After wards, we were like... Oh
my gosh, what just happened? We just had
a small desire to get referrals and less actives and we were handed a bunch
without even bringing it up! So, that was another great miracle that happened
just by asking for it. Of course, it was the right place at the right time. So,
I know that Lord had just prepared the way for that to be accomplished.
I remember reading Jacob 5 about the Allegory of the
Olive Tree. What I noticed was that the Lord called workers to work in his
field. What I didn't realize the first time was that the Lord is already in the
field when he calls people to help His work in it. Principle: The Lord is
already in the field and knows where the ripe fruit are. Ask him and he'll show you where the prepared
people are. ^_^ I know that this is true
because I have experienced it myself here in the field…in the name of Jesus
Christ, Amen.
And especially if you do good planning…prayerful
planning. This week I've also learned the importance of planning!!! Many great
miracles have happened because of it too. Our number may be a bit low this week
but it's all in preparation of the weeks to come! Just you wait, Elder Barrow and I have many
plans in the works with the area and I believe that great things are going to
come from it. Just you wait!
Doing you Proud,
Elder Froude ^_^
Wow, so that was the great part of my week. Here are some
Filipino worldly observations:
There is an obsession with Angry Birds here.
There is also an obsession with the song, Teach me how to
Dougie.... >,< I hated that song
before my mission!!! I hate it more
now!!! Haha.
What else? Oh it’s been raining lately, nothing too bad
though…I'm expecting worse in the coming months.
Oh!!! OUR HOUSE IS CLEAN!!! Elder Ochavo asked us all to clean it on P-day
last week and we’ll clean again today. I can feel a greater spirit from a clean
house!
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