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| October 28, 2012 |
Sunday, November 4, 2012
October 28, 2012 E-Mail!
Top of the mornin to ya!
Well 'tis truly a saddening week. I found out that I will be leaving beloved Ternate.. But other than that its been a wonderful week! I got some stories for you all. Just you wait.
You know that when you get home you have to give a report to the stake leadership, right?
Yeah I know. And Sister Demers told me that Pres Lunt is gettin released.. I was really sad! I really wanted to be able to sit down with him and get released by him.. But yeah I'll be ready to report. It'll be complete with slides, graphs, etc. It's going to be the best report they've ever seen! haha What am I even supposed to do when I report to them?? haha
Any chance of being transferred this time?
Yeah its pretty final now.. I'm going to be transferring and Elder Handy gets to stay. President Stucki told me that he really thought that I'd be staying here in Ternate and training a new missionary, but as he prayed about it he really felt that I should instead become a Zone Leader. So next transfer I'll become a ZL, and according to the "daw" it will most likely be in the San Gabriel Zone. But President did tell me at the same time he told me I'mma be a ZL that that I will be training before I go home so we'll see what all goes down.
So like I said I got a couple stories for you! They're kinda like black and white.
So one day we had to go to Manila so we got up and had to get ready real quick in the morning and the cold shower was especially cold! Cuz of the broken bridge in Naic we had to take a tricycle and a mini-bus just to get to the bus to get us to Manila. And normally that bus should be able to pick us up in Ternate and we just ride it all the way there.. To make things worse it was raining all day and I didn't have an umbrella! So I had to ride on the outside of the tricycle and I got really wet and with the wind coming at us it was really cold! Then we finally made it to the mini-bus! Luckily the mini-bus has windows that can go up and down... Sure enough.. I got the window that didn't wanna stay up! So I got wet and cold on the mini-bus as well! Then we finally made it to the bus and we were pretty wet then we got on the Air Con bus and it was freezing! We finally made it to the city and fetched a taxi.. it took us like 3 taxis before someone took us.. And this driver was pretty inappropriate and it was just weird... We gave him a Law of Chastity pamphlet.. hahaha =) Next, Elder Handy had to go to a meeting in which I wasn't included so I just had to sit there forever.. and wait.. BORING! haha So finally that got done and we started heading back home. The taxi we took to the buses dropped us off at the wrong spot.. so we waited for a while in the POURING rain and tried to get a bus but cuz of where he dropped us they were all full. And like it was seriously pouring.. we got SOAKED! So then we had to eventually take another taxi back to the spot where we shoulda got dropped off at.. So that cost extra money and it was a short ride. But finally we got on the bus and made it home. So yeah.. it was a greattt... day.. =) haha
So day number one (see above) was actually AWESOME! So story one was essentially all that happened, but this version is how we all, or at least me, saw it. So in my planner I recorded that day as the best worst day ever cuz it was a blast! haha It's all about perspective! So after the mini-bus and stuff we made it to Tanza where we met Elder Pugmire and Elder Cooper, probably two of my favorite missionaries ever! haha Plus we ate at McDo before we headed to Manila so I had some good 'ol pancakes! So then we traveled on to Manila and I got to catch up some with Elder Pugmire. We finally made it to Manila for the Trainer's Meeting but before the meeting we got pizza! And I haven't had pizza forever! So that was awesome and Sister Lopez, another one of my favorites!, hooked me up with an extra piece.. Then before the meeting President pulled me aside and talked to me a while and told me I was going to be a ZL and so that was kinda cool but bitter-sweet at the same time.. So during the meeting was actually okay cuz I went and helped Elder Grob. I got a lot of filing done for him and we were able to catch up a little bit too. So at first when the taxi dropped us off at the wrong spot on the way home it kinda did suck but then we got soaked and me and Elder Pugmire were just like "Come what may and love it!" hahaha so it was actually pretty comical. Especially when we decided we had to cross the 8 lane freeway to get to the other side to get a taxi.. Just imagine 4 white guys in shirts and ties, one of them carrying a big cardboard box, running across the freeway and climbing over the median. Waiting there for a little bit while the cars went flying by and then sprinting across the other four lanes to get to the other side. It was pretty hilarious. Then when we finally got on the bus we even got a seat! So it was awesome! We usually have to stand. So we sat down and I started reading Sister Demer's letter and it was super awesome and uplifting especially for having had somewhat of a cold, wet day cuz she was kind of enough to share her testimony with me. Then on the way home the Paddocks offered to pick us up in Naic and take us the rest of the way to Ternate. So not only did they pick us up but they had a nice hot home cooked meal ready for us! Then we actually had time to get one appointment in, and that was kinda fun cuz we ran to that as well cuz of the rain. And it ended up being a really awesome lesson. The end. haha
So my point was that even when a day could possibly suck.. You gotta look at the positives. You gotta rock the "come what may and love it attitude." You gotta notice the tender mercies of the Lord and just enjoy the journey and the company. =) Cuz I actually remember saying a prayer in the taxi after having the realization that we are going to get SOAKED, so I prayed and asked if Heavenly Father would stop the rain or just somehow make it so we didn't get too wet but eventually I just asked for a tender mercy whatever it may be. And you can see all kinds of tender mercies that were sprinkled into my life. So I gotta get running this week. I had lots of other awesome stuff to tell you about this week but I've run out of time.. Sorry! So basically... never allow yourself to have a bad day! Stay positve! Stay fresh! haha Hope you guys all have great weeks even if its the Best Worst Week Ever! haha
Love you all!
Elder Michael Gadberry
Well 'tis truly a saddening week. I found out that I will be leaving beloved Ternate.. But other than that its been a wonderful week! I got some stories for you all. Just you wait.
You know that when you get home you have to give a report to the stake leadership, right?
Yeah I know. And Sister Demers told me that Pres Lunt is gettin released.. I was really sad! I really wanted to be able to sit down with him and get released by him.. But yeah I'll be ready to report. It'll be complete with slides, graphs, etc. It's going to be the best report they've ever seen! haha What am I even supposed to do when I report to them?? haha
Any chance of being transferred this time?
Yeah its pretty final now.. I'm going to be transferring and Elder Handy gets to stay. President Stucki told me that he really thought that I'd be staying here in Ternate and training a new missionary, but as he prayed about it he really felt that I should instead become a Zone Leader. So next transfer I'll become a ZL, and according to the "daw" it will most likely be in the San Gabriel Zone. But President did tell me at the same time he told me I'mma be a ZL that that I will be training before I go home so we'll see what all goes down.
So like I said I got a couple stories for you! They're kinda like black and white.
So one day we had to go to Manila so we got up and had to get ready real quick in the morning and the cold shower was especially cold! Cuz of the broken bridge in Naic we had to take a tricycle and a mini-bus just to get to the bus to get us to Manila. And normally that bus should be able to pick us up in Ternate and we just ride it all the way there.. To make things worse it was raining all day and I didn't have an umbrella! So I had to ride on the outside of the tricycle and I got really wet and with the wind coming at us it was really cold! Then we finally made it to the mini-bus! Luckily the mini-bus has windows that can go up and down... Sure enough.. I got the window that didn't wanna stay up! So I got wet and cold on the mini-bus as well! Then we finally made it to the bus and we were pretty wet then we got on the Air Con bus and it was freezing! We finally made it to the city and fetched a taxi.. it took us like 3 taxis before someone took us.. And this driver was pretty inappropriate and it was just weird... We gave him a Law of Chastity pamphlet.. hahaha =) Next, Elder Handy had to go to a meeting in which I wasn't included so I just had to sit there forever.. and wait.. BORING! haha So finally that got done and we started heading back home. The taxi we took to the buses dropped us off at the wrong spot.. so we waited for a while in the POURING rain and tried to get a bus but cuz of where he dropped us they were all full. And like it was seriously pouring.. we got SOAKED! So then we had to eventually take another taxi back to the spot where we shoulda got dropped off at.. So that cost extra money and it was a short ride. But finally we got on the bus and made it home. So yeah.. it was a greattt... day.. =) haha
So day number one (see above) was actually AWESOME! So story one was essentially all that happened, but this version is how we all, or at least me, saw it. So in my planner I recorded that day as the best worst day ever cuz it was a blast! haha It's all about perspective! So after the mini-bus and stuff we made it to Tanza where we met Elder Pugmire and Elder Cooper, probably two of my favorite missionaries ever! haha Plus we ate at McDo before we headed to Manila so I had some good 'ol pancakes! So then we traveled on to Manila and I got to catch up some with Elder Pugmire. We finally made it to Manila for the Trainer's Meeting but before the meeting we got pizza! And I haven't had pizza forever! So that was awesome and Sister Lopez, another one of my favorites!, hooked me up with an extra piece.. Then before the meeting President pulled me aside and talked to me a while and told me I was going to be a ZL and so that was kinda cool but bitter-sweet at the same time.. So during the meeting was actually okay cuz I went and helped Elder Grob. I got a lot of filing done for him and we were able to catch up a little bit too. So at first when the taxi dropped us off at the wrong spot on the way home it kinda did suck but then we got soaked and me and Elder Pugmire were just like "Come what may and love it!" hahaha so it was actually pretty comical. Especially when we decided we had to cross the 8 lane freeway to get to the other side to get a taxi.. Just imagine 4 white guys in shirts and ties, one of them carrying a big cardboard box, running across the freeway and climbing over the median. Waiting there for a little bit while the cars went flying by and then sprinting across the other four lanes to get to the other side. It was pretty hilarious. Then when we finally got on the bus we even got a seat! So it was awesome! We usually have to stand. So we sat down and I started reading Sister Demer's letter and it was super awesome and uplifting especially for having had somewhat of a cold, wet day cuz she was kind of enough to share her testimony with me. Then on the way home the Paddocks offered to pick us up in Naic and take us the rest of the way to Ternate. So not only did they pick us up but they had a nice hot home cooked meal ready for us! Then we actually had time to get one appointment in, and that was kinda fun cuz we ran to that as well cuz of the rain. And it ended up being a really awesome lesson. The end. haha
So my point was that even when a day could possibly suck.. You gotta look at the positives. You gotta rock the "come what may and love it attitude." You gotta notice the tender mercies of the Lord and just enjoy the journey and the company. =) Cuz I actually remember saying a prayer in the taxi after having the realization that we are going to get SOAKED, so I prayed and asked if Heavenly Father would stop the rain or just somehow make it so we didn't get too wet but eventually I just asked for a tender mercy whatever it may be. And you can see all kinds of tender mercies that were sprinkled into my life. So I gotta get running this week. I had lots of other awesome stuff to tell you about this week but I've run out of time.. Sorry! So basically... never allow yourself to have a bad day! Stay positve! Stay fresh! haha Hope you guys all have great weeks even if its the Best Worst Week Ever! haha
Love you all!
Elder Michael Gadberry
October 21, 2012 E-mail!
Dear Super-Cool Family,
Apparently, according to my mother's email, I'm Elder Super Cool. So apparently there has been some court case in which the last name Gadberry was changed to Super-Cool and rightfully so. I'll be sure to get that change into the mission office as soon as I can so I can get an Elder Super Cool name tag made. The sad thing is that I don't think most of the Filipinos will think its as legit as I do.. #TagalogIsADifferentLanguage
Howdy kid, how are you doing?
Also, much to the surprise of my mother's family, she's now a full blooded midwesterner. I'm so proud of her. A hardy, darn-tootin howdy to you to mother! And all of you reading this email! #MidWest4LYFE haha But this week has been another awesome one! It had everything from 5 baptisms and no confirmations, to a 42 year old less-active with 10 kids, to an 82 year old lady that topped him with 15, to a very young naked child that threw a fit when his dad got baptized, to a guy thats read almost all of 1 Nephi in a week or so, to seeing a 4 day old baby, to hearing lots of news about Coron, to the Spirit helping me better understand where people are coming from, to us missing the opportunity to eat some more wild boar, to unknowingly wandering unto the property of the ex-mayor, all the way to the highlight of the week... hearing my toddler-hood favorite song.. Achy Breaky Heart... haha My aunts better have read this email.. if not you better tell them that I heard that song and thought of them.. haha
I bet it feels good to have people accept the Gospel and to be an instrument in God's hand!
There's pretty much nothing that feels better than knowing that you were an instrument in God's hands! President Monson always says that he knows no better feeling than knowing that you were used as an instrument to answer the prayer of someone else. And its so true! There really is no better feeling that seeing the Lord's hand in your life and knowing that the Lord placed you there to help someone. Like for example, I had exchanges this week with Elder Caliao. And while we were studying he asked me a couple questions and raised a couple concerns that he hadn't yet been able to find answers to. And when he asked me the questions it was just really cool to see that the Lord had helped me find answers to those questions previously not really for myself but also that I could help others and in this case Elder Caliao. One of the answers came like over two years ago... and another one stemmed from something insignificant that Elder Handy said about a week ago that I just happened to remember. While I was answering his questions I remember thinking to myself that the Lord gave me those answers so that I could help him and I was like whoa! Cool! He was impressed and thought I knew like everything but if he had asked me anything else I probably didnt know the answer.. haha
So is the rainy season over? What is the weather doing for you?
Yeah! Oops.. Let's not jinx it.. I think/hope so.. haha It only rained once this week! And sure enough we were caught in it without an umbrella cuz it just out of nowhere started pouring.. haha but all is well.
Yeah mom! 3 Nephi 19:9 rocks! I feel like I've felt the Spirit a lot recently. And I've LOVE it! Its something that I'm reallyyy grateful for. But like I said last week. Feeling the Spirit absolutely rocks but its even better when we follow what its telling us to do. Still trying to get better at that part! But I've had lots of cool spiritual experiences this week. Especially with the scriptures! I've only read like the first 10 verses of 2 Nephi 2 and I felt like received oodles of new insight for myself. Its been really awesome to study that. Another really awesome thing I've started studying was about Captain Moroni! So a couple weeks ago I was thinking about it and the scriptures teach that at the second coming/millennium, Satan will eventually be bound. But the scriptures and living prophets also have said that Satan won't be bound because Christ binds him, but he will be bound because of the righteousness of the people (1 Nephi 22:26). So I was like well.. how are we so righteous that we bind Satan? So I thought about Captain Moroni who, "if all men had been and were and ever would be like unto Moroni...the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men (Alma 48:17)." So I thought that thats the key! We gotta become like Moroni! or at least acquire attributes that he has. So I've started to do an in-depth study on his life and characteristics. Which so far I've found mostly isn't anything out-of-reach for the normal person. As Elder Hales said two conferences ago, "You may say that sounds like just being a faithful Latter-day Saint! You are right. The standard for temple recommend holders is not too high for us to achieve. It is simply to faithfully live the gospel and follow the prophets." Elder Hales was talking about holding a temple recommend but really most of the attributes that I've found in Moroni so far "sounds like just being a faithful Latter-day Saint."
So yeah.. I don't know if I have anything else too exciting to tell you about.. haha Oh and about the baptisms.. The sisters in Manda 3rd came here to do their baptisms so they could do it in the ocean. So we joked that they were our baptisms.. haha We spent a lot of time this week working with our guys with baptismal dates. We should have a 2/3 more getting baptized this upcoming Saturday! Woo! But I'm really excited still for Brother Arthur. I'm still trying to figure out whats softened his heart and told him that its time to seriously listen to the elders. He's almost made it to 2 Nephi and is really enjoying it! He's asking us like legit questions that actually matter and you can just tell that he's committed. Its really exciting. Right now we're projecting I think 4 baptisms of guys that will get the priesthood and thats really exciting for me. Well.. I better get going I gotta get a lot of stuff done on the computer this week so this is a short one. Sorry! Ask me questions and you'll get better responses! haha
Well have an awesome week!
Love
Elder Michael Gadberry
Mom! Tell Andrew King Happy Birthday for me on Tuesday!
October 14, 2012 E-mail!
Hey again!
So I emailed you not too long ago, but of course lots of stuff happened since I last emailed you so you get to hear about it! I'll try to keep my conference thoughts to a minimum so not to bore you. But as always it was on AWESOME conference. haha
Did that baptism happen in the office? That awesome that you and your comp were the ones to get her started.
Yep! I don't know where the source is but I heard that that was the first baptism in the office for 12 years so thats pretty cool. From talking with Elder Grob and Elder Pugmire things seem to be going pretty good in their area now. But its still super stressful trying to get everything done and get out to the area every night on time. Speaking of Elder Pugmire, he's now joined me out here in the Naic Zone! He's in the other district but I saw him at conference and it was awesome.
Well.. I didn't have many questions to answer so lets get to my week! Well I guess its only last Thursday - Monday so its only a few days. So this week has been really exciting! We had 7 more people accept baptismal invitations! And that was mostly if not all just from Thursday to Sunday. So its been an awesome last few days!
Well.. I didn't have many questions to answer so lets get to my week! Well I guess its only last Thursday - Monday so its only a few days. So this week has been really exciting! We had 7 more people accept baptismal invitations! And that was mostly if not all just from Thursday to Sunday. So its been an awesome last few days!
One of our new families, the Angeles family, is awesome! They used to be taught back in the day but kinda stopped for whatever reason. We started teaching them the Plan of Salvation because family is super important to them and they really liked it. And Sister asked us last night what she needs to do to become an eternal family. So they're really exciting! In other news, last night they fed us wild boar, and on Wednesday we were supposed to eat monkey with them but we went to the temple instead.. hahaha
And another family that I've talked about a fair amount, the Dingco's, have even more excitement! So Totoy Dingco was the one guys we baptized since I've been here. Well when of Mom's children is less-active and lives there with them. She's been coming to church more recently and her husband is not a member. He used to be taught but stopped probably cuz he didn't really wanna change his ways. But now for whatever reason out of the blue he's decided to take it seriously again. He's like expecting to get baptized this time around. And told Elder Handy that he's realized that he really needs the Lord in his life. And then Mom's brother-in-law lives there and apparently he's been there for a little while and something has always told him to go and listen to us but he never did. But the same night we unexpectedly started teaching Arthur. He listened as well and said something like "I've listened to a bunch of churches, but this is different. Their message is right and beautiful." So its pretty exciting!
We had some more part-member excitement! About a week or two ago, we decided to ask this one dad if we could come and share a message with him and his family. And to the surprise of his family he agreed! So we got to teach him this week and it went awesome! I feel like we might have overloaded him with info, but he believes that it could be true but we encouraged him to pray about it of course.
So I better get going we got lots of stuff to do today.. haha I didn't even get to tell you about Gen Conf. maybe I will next week.. I don't know.. we'll see.
I'm out!
Love,
Elder Michael Gadberry
October 7, 2012 E-Mail!
Hey ya'll!
So this has been a pretty normal week I think, but you know what that means... Its been awesome! haha I love being here and doing missionary work. It rocks! You guys are lucky though cuz you got to see conference and I haven't yet.. =( haha
Hey Elder, you ready for some young missionaries?
Yeah I am! That's awesome! We had fast and testimony meeting on Sunday and the District President got up first spilt the beans. But thats awesome and exciting! I hope everyone takes the opportunity to serve earlier cuz obviously there's a reason that its been bumped up! Well theres probably a bunch of reasons why it got bumped up. But we need more missionaries! "It's getting late." -- Elder Holland. But yeah, thats exciting. I'm pumped! I heard rumors even while I was at BYU that they were bumping up the girls to like 19 or somethin like that but I don't know if they were well-based rumors or just girls at BYU that wanted to serve missions and didn't think it was fair that they had to wait while we didn't.. haha
What are you doing for shoes? Are you getting them anytime soon?
Umm.. I'm gettin by! haha My black ones that I inherited from Stirland, the soles have fallen off.. haha The nice brown ones I brought with me were the ones that I wore everyday after the black ones broke but now they have holes in the bottom so they get lots of mud and water inside them.. haha And so now I'm wearing the brown ones Elder Hopkins gave me way back.. haha I stopped wearing them cuz they turned into an ant home but then I cleaned them and now I wear them everyday but they're in pretty rough shape too. So I'll get some new shoes.... sometime. hahaha
So first things first, we got some exciting news from the office! They had the first baptism in 12 years (daw) just a couple weeks ago. It was a girl named Angie that lives with a Less-Active family. She started listening to us way back with me and Elder Spencer and we taught her the Restoration, but then she kinda disappeared for a while. One night she was at the Locanlale's house again when Elder Pugmire and I planned to teach the Plan of Salvation. It went really well, and Elder Pugmire thinks that thats what got her really interested because apparently she's lost both her parents and thats why she's living with the Locanlale's. So that was really cool to hear that! Last Friday, we went into Makati for an appointment and so I got to go help around the office while Elder Paddock and Elder Handy headed to the area office. So that was fun. Hence the random picture of Elder Pugmire with the HUGE pizza.. haha Going into the office is always good cuz I got to help Elder Grob out with some stuff so it was perfect. And they've always got all kinds of stories for me. And Sister Dietrich hooked me up with a bag of candy! hahaha
In other past area news, the Nepomuceno's from Coron had their baby! It's their second, after Josh. Apparently they named him Lyle, after President Stucki! hahaha #IMissCoron
We've had some exciting stuff happen in our apartment.. haha Our shower faucet broke.. Like the part that screws into the wall rusted and broke off.. So now everytime we want to use water we have to go outside and turn on the water and then afterwards go back out and turn it off... And then when its on it just gushes out of the wall like a fire hose.. hahaha We've had to be pretty creative. It's hard to wash dishes without running water but hey its me we're talking about.. I make it work. hahaha
So we got really exciting news the other day. May's husband, Eduardo, finally brought his Book of Mormon to work! He even told his boss last week that he was Mormon, and even stood up for the church when his boss told him that he thought that we didn't believe in God.. hahaha And so the other day May told us she got a text from his last night saying something like "I'm just now getting to bed. I was up till 11 reading that Book of Mormon." How awesome is that?? Pretty cool!
Really the work this week has been really good. I love doing the Lord's week! I've come to realize the truth of something Sister Demer's wrote me in a letter. I don't know if she meant it in this context, but really liked it. She said, "Feeling the Spirit is wonderful and following (it's promptings) makes the experience all the better." I thought about that and I was like YEAH! Its great and wonderful to feel the Spirit but what makes it even better is when we act upon that feeling. So I've been trying to do that as much as I can. Acting upon the promptings that come to mind.
In other news, I swear I saw Jake Bowlin in San Juan, Ternate the other day.. I even laughed when I saw the kid cuz I totally though it was him.. haha Sorry for those of you that don't know him... Also, I spent half a lesson yesterday in what's called the Filipino squat, something I have been working on forever! haha If you don't know what that is, it is how the Filipinos squat down when they're just hanging out. It's like in the position of a catcher in baseball but the main difference is that they keep their heels on the ground.. its hard! Try it! But I was pumped when I could hold that position comfortably for half the lesson.. I still have a long way to go cuz Filipinos can stay there for like hours.. haha
Hope you all have a great week! Just a warning.. I'm goin have all kinds of Conference Commentary next week... hahaha Sorry! But at least you got a warning! Love you all! Keep being awesome!
Love
Elder Michael Gadberry
Pictures
0017 -- Me in a tricycle! haha
0004 -- Looks like prison no?
0007 -- I look good with spiked hair.. haha
0008 -- Goats are like the weirdest animals ever.
0009 -- Big pizza.
0010/0011 -- The guy in the yellow is Joel. He plants rice in the mud. He reads his scriptures everyday. And he is a Mormon.
0013 -- Tut, tut. Looks like rain.
0015 -- Don't know if you guys have seen this yet but this is my silently scary looking frog wallet/coin purse. I got it from the mentioned above, Nepomuceno's.
So this has been a pretty normal week I think, but you know what that means... Its been awesome! haha I love being here and doing missionary work. It rocks! You guys are lucky though cuz you got to see conference and I haven't yet.. =( haha
Hey Elder, you ready for some young missionaries?
Yeah I am! That's awesome! We had fast and testimony meeting on Sunday and the District President got up first spilt the beans. But thats awesome and exciting! I hope everyone takes the opportunity to serve earlier cuz obviously there's a reason that its been bumped up! Well theres probably a bunch of reasons why it got bumped up. But we need more missionaries! "It's getting late." -- Elder Holland. But yeah, thats exciting. I'm pumped! I heard rumors even while I was at BYU that they were bumping up the girls to like 19 or somethin like that but I don't know if they were well-based rumors or just girls at BYU that wanted to serve missions and didn't think it was fair that they had to wait while we didn't.. haha
What are you doing for shoes? Are you getting them anytime soon?
Umm.. I'm gettin by! haha My black ones that I inherited from Stirland, the soles have fallen off.. haha The nice brown ones I brought with me were the ones that I wore everyday after the black ones broke but now they have holes in the bottom so they get lots of mud and water inside them.. haha And so now I'm wearing the brown ones Elder Hopkins gave me way back.. haha I stopped wearing them cuz they turned into an ant home but then I cleaned them and now I wear them everyday but they're in pretty rough shape too. So I'll get some new shoes.... sometime. hahaha
So first things first, we got some exciting news from the office! They had the first baptism in 12 years (daw) just a couple weeks ago. It was a girl named Angie that lives with a Less-Active family. She started listening to us way back with me and Elder Spencer and we taught her the Restoration, but then she kinda disappeared for a while. One night she was at the Locanlale's house again when Elder Pugmire and I planned to teach the Plan of Salvation. It went really well, and Elder Pugmire thinks that thats what got her really interested because apparently she's lost both her parents and thats why she's living with the Locanlale's. So that was really cool to hear that! Last Friday, we went into Makati for an appointment and so I got to go help around the office while Elder Paddock and Elder Handy headed to the area office. So that was fun. Hence the random picture of Elder Pugmire with the HUGE pizza.. haha Going into the office is always good cuz I got to help Elder Grob out with some stuff so it was perfect. And they've always got all kinds of stories for me. And Sister Dietrich hooked me up with a bag of candy! hahaha
In other past area news, the Nepomuceno's from Coron had their baby! It's their second, after Josh. Apparently they named him Lyle, after President Stucki! hahaha #IMissCoron
We've had some exciting stuff happen in our apartment.. haha Our shower faucet broke.. Like the part that screws into the wall rusted and broke off.. So now everytime we want to use water we have to go outside and turn on the water and then afterwards go back out and turn it off... And then when its on it just gushes out of the wall like a fire hose.. hahaha We've had to be pretty creative. It's hard to wash dishes without running water but hey its me we're talking about.. I make it work. hahaha
So we got really exciting news the other day. May's husband, Eduardo, finally brought his Book of Mormon to work! He even told his boss last week that he was Mormon, and even stood up for the church when his boss told him that he thought that we didn't believe in God.. hahaha And so the other day May told us she got a text from his last night saying something like "I'm just now getting to bed. I was up till 11 reading that Book of Mormon." How awesome is that?? Pretty cool!
Really the work this week has been really good. I love doing the Lord's week! I've come to realize the truth of something Sister Demer's wrote me in a letter. I don't know if she meant it in this context, but really liked it. She said, "Feeling the Spirit is wonderful and following (it's promptings) makes the experience all the better." I thought about that and I was like YEAH! Its great and wonderful to feel the Spirit but what makes it even better is when we act upon that feeling. So I've been trying to do that as much as I can. Acting upon the promptings that come to mind.
In other news, I swear I saw Jake Bowlin in San Juan, Ternate the other day.. I even laughed when I saw the kid cuz I totally though it was him.. haha Sorry for those of you that don't know him... Also, I spent half a lesson yesterday in what's called the Filipino squat, something I have been working on forever! haha If you don't know what that is, it is how the Filipinos squat down when they're just hanging out. It's like in the position of a catcher in baseball but the main difference is that they keep their heels on the ground.. its hard! Try it! But I was pumped when I could hold that position comfortably for half the lesson.. I still have a long way to go cuz Filipinos can stay there for like hours.. haha
Hope you all have a great week! Just a warning.. I'm goin have all kinds of Conference Commentary next week... hahaha Sorry! But at least you got a warning! Love you all! Keep being awesome!
Love
Elder Michael Gadberry
Pictures
0017 -- Me in a tricycle! haha
0004 -- Looks like prison no?
0007 -- I look good with spiked hair.. haha
0008 -- Goats are like the weirdest animals ever.
0009 -- Big pizza.
0010/0011 -- The guy in the yellow is Joel. He plants rice in the mud. He reads his scriptures everyday. And he is a Mormon.
0013 -- Tut, tut. Looks like rain.
0015 -- Don't know if you guys have seen this yet but this is my silently scary looking frog wallet/coin purse. I got it from the mentioned above, Nepomuceno's.
September 30, 2012 E-mail!
Muzta na kao!
Thats a reference to Tagalog text language... Its ridiculous.. You thought brb, ttyl, ppl, whts up, etc was bad. . .You have no idea! haha Sometimes it takes some real deciphering.. Like if someone, not me cuz I spell stuff out, were to text "babalik tayo mamaya kay Jhun-Jhun para kumain (We'll go back to Jhun-Jhun's later to eat)" They would probably text it, "ba2lik tao ma2ya ky Jhun2x pra kain" Its napaka-confusing sometimes but I kinda love it at the same time. Elder Stirland was a big fan of it..
So this past week was pretty great! Lots of exciting stuff went down...I think. haha I'll let you all be the judge! haha
First of all shout out to Sister Demers and Sister Webb and Claire and Olivia and Jordan for their salutation in my parents email. And props for Caleb for rockin the Gadberry and gettin the eagle done the week of your birthday! (Last week when we emailed Michael there were some youth at the house tying blankets for part of Caleb's Eagle Scout project, and yes, Caleb got his paperwork turned in the day before his birthday #cuttingitclose)
Hey, did you ever get my package from Japan? Also, Sister Demers sent you a package. Did you get hers? Sister Demers is wondering how long it takes to get DearElder.com letters. Please let us know the transit time on those letters.
Yeah I sure did! thanks!!! I got them both and it was awesome! We already finished listening to the Joseph Smith CDs from Sister Demers and they were awesome and a half! The dearelders I usually actually get those about a week and a half after they're sent. In the office it was usually Sister Demers would write her letter on Sunday and then not that Tuesday but the Tuesday after I would get it. And now I don't work in the place where the letters are received so it takes about 2 weeks to get to me.. But its pretty fast nonetheless!
We get to listen to General Conference next week. Do you still get to listen in English the next week?
Nope! =( It'll be in English but its not till the 13th and 14th here. But its all good! I'm pumped!! Conference is the best! I'm reading up on the past two conferences so that way I won't forget them when the new one comes up.
So this week was pretty exciting! Looking back through the week, we had a lot of success with May's (Just got baptized) family. One time this week May was like "you know der (der was what like 90% of Filipinos call Elders cuz its shorter and they shorten most everything) its really cool when you read the scriptures when its quiet and no ones around cuz its like you really feel it its just different than when you have kids running around. Its really powerful when its quiet." I was like YEAH! Thats the Spirit! haha I was so pumped to hear that 1. She's still reading and 2. She's feeling the Spirit while she reads. And then come Sunday she needed our help cuz she wanted to pay tithing but didn't know how to fill out the form.. haha So we helped her. She's incredible! And her kids now want to get baptized. We're still working on the husband. He's gone 6 of 7 days so we keep challenging him to read the Book of Mormon while he's away so we'll see..
On Tuesday we had district meeting and it went surprisingly well! I think its because I used an analogy about dating in relation to the focus of our district meeting.. haha It was pretty funny but whenever I was planning for district meeting thats what came to mind and it made perfect sense! So it was the Spirit.. haha After that I went on a half-day split with the ZLs cuz both them and the sisters had people they needed interviewed for baptism. It was awesome to work with Elder Griffin. It was a lot of fun and we had some really cool experiences. It wasn't a full exchange so we didn't really get to plan together or what not but the whole day we kept having the same ideas! The Spirit really helped us work in unity even when we didn't have the opportunity to plan stuff out real well. It was kinda like just getting the game plan as we walked to the houses... haha We met one new less-active and had a good lesson with that family. And the mom is pregnant and told us that the missionaries who baptized her family named her youngest son so of course Elder Griffin is like well this one should be named Derek! And I'm like yeah! Derek Michael! She laughed and said she would do it.... so Elder Griffin and I just might have named our very first children that aren't actually our children.. haha And then later that evening as we were walking back towards the main town part, Elder Griffin was telling me about how there's cobras out there and him and Elder Antonio saw them a lot.. I kinda doubted it but then.. I took a step on something weird and I told Elder Griffin to shine the light on it and yup.. it was a snake.. It was kinda freaky haha We think it was dead cuz it wasn't moving but I don't know if I killed it or if it was already dead.. #CloseCall.. haha
Last Sunday we talked to Brother Joel about his parents who live next door to him. He said that they used to be taught and we asked if he thought we could start visiting them again. He said, yeah! So we started teaching them this week and it was awesome! On Thursday night we went there to teach them. Well actually on Tuesday we just planned to stop by and follow up on their reading but we got in there and over the course of the conversation Joel comes over and it just led perfectly into a teaching situation. We had a short lesson prepared just in case we did teach them but what we taught wasn't even what we planned. It was an incredible lesson though! Completely led by the Spirit. There were times when I was talking and I literally thought to myself.. "okay. words are coming too easily and coming out too easily." haha It was probably the best I'd ever explained Christ's church and the Great Apostasy. It was incredible! And then Joel bore powerful testimony of how he came to know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet. Everyone in the house was feeling the Spirit. Tatay was still a little hard hearted though cuz he's like (we found out the next day) that he told his wife that we still didn't wanna change religions. #BornCatholicDieCatholic #OldPeopleHere... haha So I don't think he's denying that what we taught was true but he just doesn't wanna change...
We had to tell the golden investigator, Lolito, this week that he can't get baptized unless he leaves his wife or waits 5 years. #StupidLawsInThePhilippines It was sad.. but he took it pretty well. I think that he'll wait it out. He knows the church is true and loves going to church and what not and loves his wife as well its just too bad that he, who got snubbed by his first wife, can't get baptized cuz the country doesn't allow divorce.
In other cool news, the Balansag family is showing some good progress! We've been working on getting them back to church forever! But now Dad is around a lot and he's really pushing on getting the family back to church its awesome! But anyways, we gave the family, mostly Mark King the 9 year-old, a children's Book of Mormon, but of course the 11, 14, and 16 year old girls read it too.. haha But the 11 year old really loves Lehi's dream about the tree of life and the iron rod cuz we've taught a lesson or two about it to them and they all really got it and liked it. But Mary Jane read Lehi's dream in the children's BoM and then that night she had it! She ran up to me after sacrament meeting and told me all about it! In short, she said that it was dark and she was with another girl but didn't know who it was and they saw a really bright white tree and they started movin towards it and found the iron rod and held onto it until they made it to the tree and they ate the fruit! She said when they ate it their whole countenance changed and it was awesome! How cool is that?!?! I told her to right it down so she wouldn't forget it.
In other pogi news, I was told by a crazy 15 year-old girl that I look like Superman.
Haha so yeah.. This week was pretty awesome! Chalk it down as another awesome week in the mission of Elder Michael Gadberry. Hope you all are still doin great!
Love you!
Elder Michael Gadberry
Thats a reference to Tagalog text language... Its ridiculous.. You thought brb, ttyl, ppl, whts up, etc was bad. . .You have no idea! haha Sometimes it takes some real deciphering.. Like if someone, not me cuz I spell stuff out, were to text "babalik tayo mamaya kay Jhun-Jhun para kumain (We'll go back to Jhun-Jhun's later to eat)" They would probably text it, "ba2lik tao ma2ya ky Jhun2x pra kain" Its napaka-confusing sometimes but I kinda love it at the same time. Elder Stirland was a big fan of it..
So this past week was pretty great! Lots of exciting stuff went down...I think. haha I'll let you all be the judge! haha
First of all shout out to Sister Demers and Sister Webb and Claire and Olivia and Jordan for their salutation in my parents email. And props for Caleb for rockin the Gadberry and gettin the eagle done the week of your birthday! (Last week when we emailed Michael there were some youth at the house tying blankets for part of Caleb's Eagle Scout project, and yes, Caleb got his paperwork turned in the day before his birthday #cuttingitclose)
Hey, did you ever get my package from Japan? Also, Sister Demers sent you a package. Did you get hers? Sister Demers is wondering how long it takes to get DearElder.com letters. Please let us know the transit time on those letters.
Yeah I sure did! thanks!!! I got them both and it was awesome! We already finished listening to the Joseph Smith CDs from Sister Demers and they were awesome and a half! The dearelders I usually actually get those about a week and a half after they're sent. In the office it was usually Sister Demers would write her letter on Sunday and then not that Tuesday but the Tuesday after I would get it. And now I don't work in the place where the letters are received so it takes about 2 weeks to get to me.. But its pretty fast nonetheless!
We get to listen to General Conference next week. Do you still get to listen in English the next week?
Nope! =( It'll be in English but its not till the 13th and 14th here. But its all good! I'm pumped!! Conference is the best! I'm reading up on the past two conferences so that way I won't forget them when the new one comes up.
So this week was pretty exciting! Looking back through the week, we had a lot of success with May's (Just got baptized) family. One time this week May was like "you know der (der was what like 90% of Filipinos call Elders cuz its shorter and they shorten most everything) its really cool when you read the scriptures when its quiet and no ones around cuz its like you really feel it its just different than when you have kids running around. Its really powerful when its quiet." I was like YEAH! Thats the Spirit! haha I was so pumped to hear that 1. She's still reading and 2. She's feeling the Spirit while she reads. And then come Sunday she needed our help cuz she wanted to pay tithing but didn't know how to fill out the form.. haha So we helped her. She's incredible! And her kids now want to get baptized. We're still working on the husband. He's gone 6 of 7 days so we keep challenging him to read the Book of Mormon while he's away so we'll see..
On Tuesday we had district meeting and it went surprisingly well! I think its because I used an analogy about dating in relation to the focus of our district meeting.. haha It was pretty funny but whenever I was planning for district meeting thats what came to mind and it made perfect sense! So it was the Spirit.. haha After that I went on a half-day split with the ZLs cuz both them and the sisters had people they needed interviewed for baptism. It was awesome to work with Elder Griffin. It was a lot of fun and we had some really cool experiences. It wasn't a full exchange so we didn't really get to plan together or what not but the whole day we kept having the same ideas! The Spirit really helped us work in unity even when we didn't have the opportunity to plan stuff out real well. It was kinda like just getting the game plan as we walked to the houses... haha We met one new less-active and had a good lesson with that family. And the mom is pregnant and told us that the missionaries who baptized her family named her youngest son so of course Elder Griffin is like well this one should be named Derek! And I'm like yeah! Derek Michael! She laughed and said she would do it.... so Elder Griffin and I just might have named our very first children that aren't actually our children.. haha And then later that evening as we were walking back towards the main town part, Elder Griffin was telling me about how there's cobras out there and him and Elder Antonio saw them a lot.. I kinda doubted it but then.. I took a step on something weird and I told Elder Griffin to shine the light on it and yup.. it was a snake.. It was kinda freaky haha We think it was dead cuz it wasn't moving but I don't know if I killed it or if it was already dead.. #CloseCall.. haha
Last Sunday we talked to Brother Joel about his parents who live next door to him. He said that they used to be taught and we asked if he thought we could start visiting them again. He said, yeah! So we started teaching them this week and it was awesome! On Thursday night we went there to teach them. Well actually on Tuesday we just planned to stop by and follow up on their reading but we got in there and over the course of the conversation Joel comes over and it just led perfectly into a teaching situation. We had a short lesson prepared just in case we did teach them but what we taught wasn't even what we planned. It was an incredible lesson though! Completely led by the Spirit. There were times when I was talking and I literally thought to myself.. "okay. words are coming too easily and coming out too easily." haha It was probably the best I'd ever explained Christ's church and the Great Apostasy. It was incredible! And then Joel bore powerful testimony of how he came to know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet. Everyone in the house was feeling the Spirit. Tatay was still a little hard hearted though cuz he's like (we found out the next day) that he told his wife that we still didn't wanna change religions. #BornCatholicDieCatholic #OldPeopleHere... haha So I don't think he's denying that what we taught was true but he just doesn't wanna change...
We had to tell the golden investigator, Lolito, this week that he can't get baptized unless he leaves his wife or waits 5 years. #StupidLawsInThePhilippines It was sad.. but he took it pretty well. I think that he'll wait it out. He knows the church is true and loves going to church and what not and loves his wife as well its just too bad that he, who got snubbed by his first wife, can't get baptized cuz the country doesn't allow divorce.
In other cool news, the Balansag family is showing some good progress! We've been working on getting them back to church forever! But now Dad is around a lot and he's really pushing on getting the family back to church its awesome! But anyways, we gave the family, mostly Mark King the 9 year-old, a children's Book of Mormon, but of course the 11, 14, and 16 year old girls read it too.. haha But the 11 year old really loves Lehi's dream about the tree of life and the iron rod cuz we've taught a lesson or two about it to them and they all really got it and liked it. But Mary Jane read Lehi's dream in the children's BoM and then that night she had it! She ran up to me after sacrament meeting and told me all about it! In short, she said that it was dark and she was with another girl but didn't know who it was and they saw a really bright white tree and they started movin towards it and found the iron rod and held onto it until they made it to the tree and they ate the fruit! She said when they ate it their whole countenance changed and it was awesome! How cool is that?!?! I told her to right it down so she wouldn't forget it.
In other pogi news, I was told by a crazy 15 year-old girl that I look like Superman.
Haha so yeah.. This week was pretty awesome! Chalk it down as another awesome week in the mission of Elder Michael Gadberry. Hope you all are still doin great!
Love you!
Elder Michael Gadberry
Sept. 23, 2012 E-mail
This week rocked pretty hard. From my memory I can't think of anything terribly exciting that happened but I don't know I guess we'll see if I can think of anything.
Any changes on transfer week? Was it nice to finally not have to run around like a crazy guy taking care of other people's problems?
Umm.. Nope! Not really. My district stayed the same for the most part. Elder Handy and I stayed. Elder Bollena and Elder Caliao stayed. Sister Afu stayed! But her comp left. Her companion this transfer is a ward missionary. And then one of my ZLs moved. And Elder Gagnon my ZL in the office came over. Which is pretty funny cuz I told him that we'd always be in the same zone.. haha But yeah it was nice! We didn't even have to go to transfer day! We had to go to the area office though which was an adventure in and of itself... but at least I didn't have to solve everyone's problems! Well actually the solving people's problems part of finance was kinda cool I kinda liked it. It was the other stuff, the more like bookkeeping stuff that kinda gets old.. haha
Grandma's turn!
What happened to the papaya lady and her husband? Is he going to be baptized also?
Well the papaya lady and her family is different than the one with the husband that we're working hard on. The papaya lady is doin pretty good this week. She wants to go to church and do all that jazz but the care-taker of the land that her family is living on told them that if they change religions then they were going to get kicked off the land... #dumb. So we're trying to work on that.. Ate May's husband, the lady that just got baptized. Is still progressing I guess little by little. He seems to have good feelings towards us but he's not home for 6 days a week so its hard to teach him. So we'll see what happens, but his times will come. We're trying to get him to take a Book of Mormon to Makati with him so he can read it after work but I think he's forgotten every time. But seriously.. if he would do that he'll come to know its true!
BTW, what did you do with the papaya?
Umm.. I kinda put it on the fridge till I forgot about it and it went bad.... #oops!
So like the awesome thing about missionary work is that like you're pretty much always led by the Spirit even when you don't know it! Just one example from this past week on one night. So we were running late and we had to decided to visit this one family or the other and not really thinking about it I was just like I feel like we should visit the Atip family rather than Macmac and his family. So we did that. So we get there and we find that the members who live next door had a kid that had a really bad fever/flu and he couldn't even get up off the ground and could barely open his eyes. So we gave him a blessing, and the next day he was like four times better he wasn't hot. His feet/knees were still kinda swollen so he had some trouble walking but he was still outside playing with the other kids.. haha And then later that night we were heading to Lolito's but Elder Handy said maybe we should go to Balansag instead. We said, nah.. we'll go there tomorrow or somethin. So we go to Lolito and find out that he's not there.. haha So then we go to the Balansag family and it was perfect because the father who is NEVER there was there! So thats why we needed to go! Cuz he was there and was leaving the next day.. The spirit rocks!
I noticed something on Sunday that was kinda sad. There was a total of 5 families at sacrament on Sunday that both parents were there. And of those 5 only one of them have been sealed in the temple already... And thats the problem across the whole country.. It really made me realize how lucky I am to have my family and to be sealed to them forever.
In other news, the song Starships really makes me wanna dance... hahaha
Well I better get going, I'm starving! Time to go eat some rice and chicken at Mang-Inasal!
Love
Elder Michael Gadberry
Pictures
The crazy pictures with Filipino's -- those are the majority of our Branch Missionaries. They're crazy! But awesome!
Sunday, October 7, 2012
September 16, 2012 E-Mail!
Hey hey heyyy!
I know I remind you of this like every transfer, but after this one, only 6 more transfers and then you are heading home. Strange, huh? Do you think any changes are coming with this transfer? It seems like probably not in your companionship, but how about in the district?
Ah geeez guys! I knew I was getting old in the mission but I actually didn't know that it was only 6 transfers!! That's ridiculous! This is going wayyyy too fast! I think its pretty official that Elder Handy and I are staying. The ZLs were saying I might step up to ZL in our zone cuz one of our ZLs is transferring, but I was like nahh I'll just stay in Ternate.. thanks anyways.. haha But we got pretty official word from President that we're staying. The other night he called and said that me and Elder Handy were both ready and going to train but as he continued to pray on it, he felt that we should stay one more... That means we got work to do!
How was church attendance this week? Are you still getting strong numbers?
Umm.. it was decent this week. I don't know the number exactly. But it was raining so people tend to skip out on church when it rains.. dumb. Since Elder Handy and I have been here though in Ternate the average church attendance has gone up by like 15 people since before our time, so its pretty cool.
How is the home teaching going in the branch? Are the home teachers and visiting teachers helping in your re-activation efforts? (Home Teaching/Visiting Teaching is a church program where members visit other members share a message and check to see to how they are doing.)
Well thats the problem over the whole Philippines... there essentially is no home teaching. And thats why we have a ton of less-actives! Woo! haha not. The Relief Society (Women's organization) here is sometimes pretty good..except I think its just the Relief Society President that visits anyone.. haha But President Vicencio (one of Pres. Stucki's counselors) came to our branch on Sunday and organized-ish home/visiting teaching! What we have now is every third Sunday everyone will come to the church and then break up into small groups to go visit some families. #ItsAStart
How was your baptism? Is the one husband who is only home on the weekends still receptive?
It was awesome! Her whole family came and really enjoyed it! It was a really rainy day and we were really worried if we'd be able to have it cuz the font is outside. I prayed the whole time we were sitting in the chapel having the first part that it would stop. I had faith, but as I stood up to announce that we would go outside now to witness the baptism...it started raining harder.. hahaha But no sooner had we actually gone outside did the rain let up to an extent. Let up enough that we could have the baptism. Then right after it was over and we had gone inside....it started pouring again. The father attended and really seemed to enjoy it! I talked to him a little bit before and after and he seemed really sincere and impressed by it.
Well this is a pretty lame email I'm sorry... but the pictures are pretty good! I'm short on time today and need to get goin! Sorry! Hope you guys have a great week!
Love
Elder Michael Gadberry
I know I remind you of this like every transfer, but after this one, only 6 more transfers and then you are heading home. Strange, huh? Do you think any changes are coming with this transfer? It seems like probably not in your companionship, but how about in the district?
Ah geeez guys! I knew I was getting old in the mission but I actually didn't know that it was only 6 transfers!! That's ridiculous! This is going wayyyy too fast! I think its pretty official that Elder Handy and I are staying. The ZLs were saying I might step up to ZL in our zone cuz one of our ZLs is transferring, but I was like nahh I'll just stay in Ternate.. thanks anyways.. haha But we got pretty official word from President that we're staying. The other night he called and said that me and Elder Handy were both ready and going to train but as he continued to pray on it, he felt that we should stay one more... That means we got work to do!
How was church attendance this week? Are you still getting strong numbers?
Umm.. it was decent this week. I don't know the number exactly. But it was raining so people tend to skip out on church when it rains.. dumb. Since Elder Handy and I have been here though in Ternate the average church attendance has gone up by like 15 people since before our time, so its pretty cool.
How is the home teaching going in the branch? Are the home teachers and visiting teachers helping in your re-activation efforts? (Home Teaching/Visiting Teaching is a church program where members visit other members share a message and check to see to how they are doing.)
Well thats the problem over the whole Philippines... there essentially is no home teaching. And thats why we have a ton of less-actives! Woo! haha not. The Relief Society (Women's organization) here is sometimes pretty good..except I think its just the Relief Society President that visits anyone.. haha But President Vicencio (one of Pres. Stucki's counselors) came to our branch on Sunday and organized-ish home/visiting teaching! What we have now is every third Sunday everyone will come to the church and then break up into small groups to go visit some families. #ItsAStart
How was your baptism? Is the one husband who is only home on the weekends still receptive?
It was awesome! Her whole family came and really enjoyed it! It was a really rainy day and we were really worried if we'd be able to have it cuz the font is outside. I prayed the whole time we were sitting in the chapel having the first part that it would stop. I had faith, but as I stood up to announce that we would go outside now to witness the baptism...it started raining harder.. hahaha But no sooner had we actually gone outside did the rain let up to an extent. Let up enough that we could have the baptism. Then right after it was over and we had gone inside....it started pouring again. The father attended and really seemed to enjoy it! I talked to him a little bit before and after and he seemed really sincere and impressed by it.
Well this is a pretty lame email I'm sorry... but the pictures are pretty good! I'm short on time today and need to get goin! Sorry! Hope you guys have a great week!
Love
Elder Michael Gadberry
September 9, 2012 E-Mail!
Top of the morning to Ya'll! haha
While I was in Japan (kirk) I managed to send a 9 lb. package to you. That doesn't sound like much, but it is. Normally our packages are about 4 pounds.
Now that's why I have the best parents in the world! haha
How do you avoid getting peed on? (his last email mentioned his current companion, and several others, had...well, let's just say, "accidents happen")
Well its easy. You just have to be weary of the little children, especially the ones not wearing any pants. Which you might actually come across more frequently than the little children that do wear pants.. haha I think Elder Handy was teaching and wasn't paying attention.. haha I chalk it up to what Sister Dietrich described as my ability to know whats going on all around me all the time even when I'm busy doing something myself. Yay for sports! haha
Were you nervous going across that bridge? (It's in a picture he attached)
Nope! I was pretty pumped! They were telling me about their area a while back and I was like when we go on exchanges there you are taking me on that bridge! haha Its pretty sketch if theres lots of people on it but the times we crossed it there usually wasn't too many people.
So is the rainy season over?
Hmm... I don't know. It still rains multiple times a week but its not like nonstop rain for like weeks straight like it was for a while.. The ground still doesnt ever get dry so my pants still get muddy all the time.. haha
Grandma now!
The cows, oxen (?) are interesting too. Especially when you are sitting on one. What exactly are they?
They're called Carabao. They're essentially a cow/oxen mix I guess cuz like the one we were on was a female but she was huge! And had huge horns! So yeah... I don't know. Just google it or somethin.
btw, what is a bakla? Is he like the apartment manager? (From last week's "locked out of the apartment" story)
Umm.. I wondered if someone would ask that.. He's not exactly the apartment manager.. I'd tell you to google that too but I would actually discourage that.. Baklas are the third gender in the Philippines.. They are boys that decided they're gay but went even further and dress, act, and talk like women. And its terrible cuz they usually wear like super tight/short stuff and they're always very flamboyant about trying to get your attention... Yeah.. probably not one of the things I'll miss about the Philippines. haha
Speaking of food, you said you really like the food there. What exactly are you eating?
Umm.. yeah. Rice! If its me and Elder Handy we usually just make simple stuff like chicken and potatoes and rice and whatever else. But like the other stuff has lots stuff in it. I don't know exactly whats in this stuff, so I can't make it but its good! Some of my favorites are Tinolang Manok, Chicken Adobo, Menudo, Caldera, and they're gulay (vegatable) ulams are usually pretty good too! Oh speaking of food and why Filipinos are awesome.. So you may have noticed my pictures this email with a green thingy. Thats a papaya in case you didn't know. Well we taught this family a couple weeks ago and over the course of just talking to them I told that that my favorite ulam was Tinola. One of the main parts of that is papaya. So this week we went back to that family and after our lesson. The mom was like we've got papayas growing over there, take one! So I did. So yeah.. now I have that papaya and to be honest I have no idea what I'm going to do with it but it struck me as to how kind and friendly and giving the people are here! She remembered from like a couple weeks ago that tinola was my favorite so she gave me one of their papayas! #PhilippinesRocks
And since they live so near water, must eat a lot of fish? What else? Favorite Filipino dessert? Every culture has a favorite dessert.
Yeah they eat a lot of fish here too. But we don't get fed terribly often here so I don't have to eat it that often.. haha Desert..? Hmm.. Here they eat fruits a lot as deserts and its good! They also sometimes have like sticky rice and like other stuff that for me is a little more sketch. Well, thats weird. For a guy that loves junk food more than anything (I had cookies for breakfast this morning.. =D ) (wish I were surprised), I actually like their main dishes and fruits a lot better than their deserts.
So this week has been another awesome one! We're going to have another baptism this coming Saturday so we're pumped! This lady is more than ready! And her family is coming around, too. Its the one that we saw a big change in her husband over the course of last week. But her husband is only home once a week so we're going to go ahead and baptize her and keep working on her husband cuz he'll probably be a while. But the missionary that interviewed her said that he's never interviewed anyone that has understood repentance better or that was more penitent, so that was like awesome and a half to hear. We're so pumped for her!
So Tuesday I had to teach district meeting. Something I still feel inadequate to do.. haha But this time it went really well. One of the things I did was that I assigned everyone in my district a missionary from the Book of Mormon. They were to study that missionary and find at least one way we can apply what they did into our work. I was looking over stuff I could do for district meeting and just that activity popped into my mind cuz its a little bit of an adaption to one of the suggestions we had. I swear it was the Spirit that gave me that idea cuz it went really good! The BoM missionary, that I pretty much just randomly assigned each missionary, had seemed to even be given to each missionary for a reason. Almost every missionary started their 3-5 minute presentation with "Well obviously So-and-So is the best missionary in the Book of Mormon and this is why. . ." It was pretty funny but afterwards, Sister Paddock came up to me and said, "That was awesome. Home Run." So I'm grateful for the help of the Lord with that!
Also May, the lady getting baptized this Saturday, has really started to learn how to study the gospel! We gave her last General Conference's Liahona and she read it and loved it! She even took notes on it, like thats that came to her, so we had the great opportunity to explain to her that she was learning by the Spirit and she didnt even know it! Woo! That was the same day though that we had to get up at 2:30 AM to get to the temple cuz we're supposed to attend the 6am session... #Sacrifices haha But it was good though! Just more than just a little bit exhausting.
We had lots of new investigators and less-actives just kinda come out of the wood work and thats really exciting to see! I even had a few experiences this week where I felt that I was following spiritual promptings from the Spirit and it was cool! Thats definitely one of the hardest but most exciting things for me.
We had an awesome lesson with the family that gave me the papaya. We taught the Restoration and after we taught it we asked them what they thought/what they were feeling. And the mom was like, "I felt it is true. It was like I was there and I saw what Joseph Smith saw." Let me tell you, I don't know if there's a sound sweeter than that. Like I think I told you guys last week. When you have someone you're teaching say that what you're teaching is true that they've been touched by the Spirit. Its such an incredible feeling! Its so awesome!
In other news, if you notice the beautiful sunset pictures we took. Yeah.. we saw the awesome sunset so we just started heading towards the water. Apparently we wandered onto some private property cuz a guard there, shortly after we had taken the pictures, came up to us and told us we weren't supposed to be there! Oops! haha But I talked to him and apologized.. haha As we were walking away Elder Handy was like "well Elder what's that make you 9 for 9?" Referencing my track record in the office.. haha
In sad news, Elder Osumo has less days left than I have months! Aw.. =( Hence the slightly awkward picture we took.. haha
Oh and for all you guys going a little too fast please see picture 610, follow its counsel, and slow down. I'm just looking out for your safety. haha Well I'm out!
Cya! Love ya!
Elder Michael Gadberry
While I was in Japan (kirk) I managed to send a 9 lb. package to you. That doesn't sound like much, but it is. Normally our packages are about 4 pounds.
Now that's why I have the best parents in the world! haha
How do you avoid getting peed on? (his last email mentioned his current companion, and several others, had...well, let's just say, "accidents happen")
Well its easy. You just have to be weary of the little children, especially the ones not wearing any pants. Which you might actually come across more frequently than the little children that do wear pants.. haha I think Elder Handy was teaching and wasn't paying attention.. haha I chalk it up to what Sister Dietrich described as my ability to know whats going on all around me all the time even when I'm busy doing something myself. Yay for sports! haha
Were you nervous going across that bridge? (It's in a picture he attached)
Nope! I was pretty pumped! They were telling me about their area a while back and I was like when we go on exchanges there you are taking me on that bridge! haha Its pretty sketch if theres lots of people on it but the times we crossed it there usually wasn't too many people.
So is the rainy season over?
Hmm... I don't know. It still rains multiple times a week but its not like nonstop rain for like weeks straight like it was for a while.. The ground still doesnt ever get dry so my pants still get muddy all the time.. haha
Grandma now!
The cows, oxen (?) are interesting too. Especially when you are sitting on one. What exactly are they?
They're called Carabao. They're essentially a cow/oxen mix I guess cuz like the one we were on was a female but she was huge! And had huge horns! So yeah... I don't know. Just google it or somethin.
btw, what is a bakla? Is he like the apartment manager? (From last week's "locked out of the apartment" story)
Umm.. I wondered if someone would ask that.. He's not exactly the apartment manager.. I'd tell you to google that too but I would actually discourage that.. Baklas are the third gender in the Philippines.. They are boys that decided they're gay but went even further and dress, act, and talk like women. And its terrible cuz they usually wear like super tight/short stuff and they're always very flamboyant about trying to get your attention... Yeah.. probably not one of the things I'll miss about the Philippines. haha
Speaking of food, you said you really like the food there. What exactly are you eating?
Umm.. yeah. Rice! If its me and Elder Handy we usually just make simple stuff like chicken and potatoes and rice and whatever else. But like the other stuff has lots stuff in it. I don't know exactly whats in this stuff, so I can't make it but its good! Some of my favorites are Tinolang Manok, Chicken Adobo, Menudo, Caldera, and they're gulay (vegatable) ulams are usually pretty good too! Oh speaking of food and why Filipinos are awesome.. So you may have noticed my pictures this email with a green thingy. Thats a papaya in case you didn't know. Well we taught this family a couple weeks ago and over the course of just talking to them I told that that my favorite ulam was Tinola. One of the main parts of that is papaya. So this week we went back to that family and after our lesson. The mom was like we've got papayas growing over there, take one! So I did. So yeah.. now I have that papaya and to be honest I have no idea what I'm going to do with it but it struck me as to how kind and friendly and giving the people are here! She remembered from like a couple weeks ago that tinola was my favorite so she gave me one of their papayas! #PhilippinesRocks
And since they live so near water, must eat a lot of fish? What else? Favorite Filipino dessert? Every culture has a favorite dessert.
Yeah they eat a lot of fish here too. But we don't get fed terribly often here so I don't have to eat it that often.. haha Desert..? Hmm.. Here they eat fruits a lot as deserts and its good! They also sometimes have like sticky rice and like other stuff that for me is a little more sketch. Well, thats weird. For a guy that loves junk food more than anything (I had cookies for breakfast this morning.. =D ) (wish I were surprised), I actually like their main dishes and fruits a lot better than their deserts.
So this week has been another awesome one! We're going to have another baptism this coming Saturday so we're pumped! This lady is more than ready! And her family is coming around, too. Its the one that we saw a big change in her husband over the course of last week. But her husband is only home once a week so we're going to go ahead and baptize her and keep working on her husband cuz he'll probably be a while. But the missionary that interviewed her said that he's never interviewed anyone that has understood repentance better or that was more penitent, so that was like awesome and a half to hear. We're so pumped for her!
So Tuesday I had to teach district meeting. Something I still feel inadequate to do.. haha But this time it went really well. One of the things I did was that I assigned everyone in my district a missionary from the Book of Mormon. They were to study that missionary and find at least one way we can apply what they did into our work. I was looking over stuff I could do for district meeting and just that activity popped into my mind cuz its a little bit of an adaption to one of the suggestions we had. I swear it was the Spirit that gave me that idea cuz it went really good! The BoM missionary, that I pretty much just randomly assigned each missionary, had seemed to even be given to each missionary for a reason. Almost every missionary started their 3-5 minute presentation with "Well obviously So-and-So is the best missionary in the Book of Mormon and this is why. . ." It was pretty funny but afterwards, Sister Paddock came up to me and said, "That was awesome. Home Run." So I'm grateful for the help of the Lord with that!
Also May, the lady getting baptized this Saturday, has really started to learn how to study the gospel! We gave her last General Conference's Liahona and she read it and loved it! She even took notes on it, like thats that came to her, so we had the great opportunity to explain to her that she was learning by the Spirit and she didnt even know it! Woo! That was the same day though that we had to get up at 2:30 AM to get to the temple cuz we're supposed to attend the 6am session... #Sacrifices haha But it was good though! Just more than just a little bit exhausting.
We had lots of new investigators and less-actives just kinda come out of the wood work and thats really exciting to see! I even had a few experiences this week where I felt that I was following spiritual promptings from the Spirit and it was cool! Thats definitely one of the hardest but most exciting things for me.
We had an awesome lesson with the family that gave me the papaya. We taught the Restoration and after we taught it we asked them what they thought/what they were feeling. And the mom was like, "I felt it is true. It was like I was there and I saw what Joseph Smith saw." Let me tell you, I don't know if there's a sound sweeter than that. Like I think I told you guys last week. When you have someone you're teaching say that what you're teaching is true that they've been touched by the Spirit. Its such an incredible feeling! Its so awesome!
In other news, if you notice the beautiful sunset pictures we took. Yeah.. we saw the awesome sunset so we just started heading towards the water. Apparently we wandered onto some private property cuz a guard there, shortly after we had taken the pictures, came up to us and told us we weren't supposed to be there! Oops! haha But I talked to him and apologized.. haha As we were walking away Elder Handy was like "well Elder what's that make you 9 for 9?" Referencing my track record in the office.. haha
In sad news, Elder Osumo has less days left than I have months! Aw.. =( Hence the slightly awkward picture we took.. haha
Oh and for all you guys going a little too fast please see picture 610, follow its counsel, and slow down. I'm just looking out for your safety. haha Well I'm out!
Cya! Love ya!
Elder Michael Gadberry
Sunday, September 16, 2012
September 2, 2012 E-mail!
Okay my incredibly rural mother started her letter to me with "Howdy partner!" I'm not the only one that finds that out of her nature am I? haha
Well I'mma chillin in a somewhat air conditioned internet cafe in Ternate, Cavite. Livin' as the great Kanye would put it "the good life." Well actually, my "good life" and his "good life" are probably two completely different things but hey to every man his own. It's so weird how things like tricycles, internet cafes, and Filipino people have become so normal to me! hahaha I love the Filipinos! I decided that I'm like half-Filipino cuz... pretty much just cuz. haha It's fun being with Elder Handy cuz it's like I am the Filipino. Cuz like white people are noticed like no other here, especially a white person wearing a shirt and tie and all that jazz. But when you're companion is 6'7", white, blonde hair, blue eyes, etc. Oddly enough, he gets most of the attention from passerby's.. Hmm.. weird. I guess I am Filipino! Woo!
Is it so nice to get back in the swing of everyday, regular missionary work?
It is pretty nice. It hasn't been too hard adjusting cuz in the office too we'd come home and just be completely exhausted. Elder Handy and I were talking about it last night. Missions are just like straight up exhausting every day. But like President Stucki has said that it feels so good, no matter what you're doing, to just be exhausted at the end of the day because you're working so hard. It's a satisfying kind of feeling.
You didn't give a lot of detail on your baptism a few weeks back.
Yeah, I guess I didn't haha. Well the kid's name is Jose Marcel Dingco. He's a stud. He's 14 and his mom was a less-active member but she's active again and we've been teaching those two at the same time. When I first met Totoy (he goes by Totoy. I believe its pretty similar to Bunso), he was pretty shy and pretty quiet, but I got to know him and he's awesome. His testimony first started to grow in the Book of Mormon. We'd leave him things to read, and I gave him a highlighter so he could mark the stuff he liked. He was very consistent in his reading and we always had him share what he learned or liked from the chapter or chapters we left him. From there I really began to see him change. We continued teaching him until he was like a different guy. Now he's outgoing, dances around, laughs, jokes, plays basketball with the branch, and all that jazz. I don't know what it was, but now you can really see the Light of Christ reflected in his attitude. He's really opened up and become a better, happier person because of the gospel.
How did your exchange go?
So yeah, I held my first exchange with the district earlier this week. It was pretty cool. I worked in the Maragondon area with Elder Bollena. Elder Bollena is from Tacloban and is awesome and is actually 27 but if you look at the picture he's definitely not any older than me.. haha So the exchanged started with a pretty funny story. I'll now proceed to quote from my journal. (Note: Look at me go! Writing in my journal...!) haha "So last night we went outside to take out the trash, and no sooner had we shut the door than did he realize that the keys were on the other side of that locked door. Butt. So we try to jimmy it open. No dice. So I say I'll sacrifice my laminated picture of me and my parents to try and open the door. No dice. Alright...time to start thinkin like a criminal... So we jimmy open a window but its barred and has a screen. Elder Bollena thought the keys were on his desk right below that window so we're almost in the clear. We bend the screen frame and start trying to feel for the keys. No dice, just lots of cuts/scratches on our arms from the screen...haha So we go and ask the resident bakla for keys. He/she/it tries all the keys. No dice. So bakla goes back and gets one of those little straight razors to try and stick in the door to get it. No dice. It goes and gets this guy smokin a cig in front of the tindahan. He walks over, and tries the door knob. Locked (Uh. Duh?). He takes a step back, puts his cig out on the wall, and tries again. Yep, its still locked.. "I'm goin call back-up," he said. And he called his little brother. His little brother comes over and tries the door. And wouldn't you imagine. . .I guess he doesnt have the midas touch either cuz its still locked. So they go and get a ladder. Ayan! Now we're thinkin! This ladder was sketch but it reach our second floor balconyish thing. Oh and don't forget about bakla. It's still hangin out there doing the weird stuff the only baklas do... So little brother climbs up the sketchy ladder and checks the door up there. Locked! Butt! But tis okay cuz this kid is determined. He scales/shimmys on this little ledge towards the 2nd floor window. Success! It opens and he climbs in and comes down stairs and lets us in! Woo!" So thats how our wonderful exchange started, but the rest went really well. This companionship has struggled the last couple weeks, but it was weird cuz Elder Bollena and I taught as many lessons that day than they taught the whole last week... So yeah.. Oh and Elder Bollena has a sick conversion story, I'll tell you it sometime if you remind me at any time in the future.. haha
So this week has been pretty awesome! You need to check out the pictures cuz its definitely one of my best weeks for pictures.. haha
This week we've seen a lot of progress with the husband of one of our pinaka-awesome investigators. At first he like didn't want anything to do with us. So Monday we had FHE at their house and focused on the Restoration and the Book of Mormon. We brought the Paddocks with us and some fellowshippers from the branch and it went really well! The Paddocks at the end were like well, we hit him with everything we got but I think he took it pretty well. This guy works in Makati so he's only home on the weekends so we challenged him to read the book of mormon after work while he was in Makati. Unfortunately he forgot it... Oh well. We went back and saw him on Saturday and when we walked in he was like "Hey Elders! How's it goin??" Like a complete change. It was awesome to see the Lord softening his heart. We read 3 Nephi 11 with him and his family and it went really well! We talked to them about what they learned from that chapter afterwards and his wife was like "I learned about baptism and I really want to get baptized to receive a remission of my sins. I just hope my husband will allow me." Keep in mind that her husband is sitting right there next to her.. haha Then on Sunday, in gospel principles class, she was like I really really wanna join the church. haha She's awesome. Her and her daughter have a baptismal date fro Sept 15 and we're still working little by little on brother. But it has been really cool to see the Lord begin to soften his heart as we've been pleading in prayer to do so. At first we would have just been content to soften his heart to the point of allowing his wife to be baptized but now I'm thinking he's going to read the Book of Mormon (he likes reading) and get an answer and join his family in the church and then be sealed for time and all eternity in the temple! His wife already has her eyes set on the temple.. haha
Another cool success story this week was with a family that is moving towards activity and towards the temple. We challenged them to start reading the Book of Mormon together every day. So in conjunction with that challenge we read the first chapter of 1 Nephi with them. It went pretty well and we challenged them to read the second chapter before we came back. We came back and they had only been able to read like half-ish of the chapter. So we decided to read that chapter with them too. At the end we were discussing it and things really began clicking for them. I mentioned about how reading the Book of Mormon together cover to cover will be one of the biggest things that will help them get to the temple. And I saw a spark just flicker in Sister's countenance. That that was something that she really wanted. Then Elder Handy talked about how much we've learned so far and its only been two chapters. And they were like yeah! You're right! So its awesome! We think that they're one of the families that are on the right track of not only becoming active in the church but in the gospel as well.
In cool news, we had a less-active return to activity on Sunday, and it was fast and testimony Sunday. So what do you know? He gets up and bears his testimony! I was like what?? Thats awesome! It was like seriously one of my proudest moments! I don't know why I was so pumped but like it was awesome! I think its just like the satisfaction of someone you've been working hard with, someone you've been teaching these things, someone you love and pray for... and then he bears his testimony almost validating all of your hard work and making it known to you that he knows what you're teaching is true. Ewan.. Basta it was cool!
In other news, my companion got peed on by a two-year old child. That brings the total up to two companions that have been peed on my children. #GoingForTheRecord
Well I began with the words of the wise Kanye West and so I'll end with the equally wise words of Jacob Gadberry that I read nearly weekly..
"That's pretty much it. See ya."
Elder Michael Gadberry
Well I'mma chillin in a somewhat air conditioned internet cafe in Ternate, Cavite. Livin' as the great Kanye would put it "the good life." Well actually, my "good life" and his "good life" are probably two completely different things but hey to every man his own. It's so weird how things like tricycles, internet cafes, and Filipino people have become so normal to me! hahaha I love the Filipinos! I decided that I'm like half-Filipino cuz... pretty much just cuz. haha It's fun being with Elder Handy cuz it's like I am the Filipino. Cuz like white people are noticed like no other here, especially a white person wearing a shirt and tie and all that jazz. But when you're companion is 6'7", white, blonde hair, blue eyes, etc. Oddly enough, he gets most of the attention from passerby's.. Hmm.. weird. I guess I am Filipino! Woo!
Is it so nice to get back in the swing of everyday, regular missionary work?
It is pretty nice. It hasn't been too hard adjusting cuz in the office too we'd come home and just be completely exhausted. Elder Handy and I were talking about it last night. Missions are just like straight up exhausting every day. But like President Stucki has said that it feels so good, no matter what you're doing, to just be exhausted at the end of the day because you're working so hard. It's a satisfying kind of feeling.
You didn't give a lot of detail on your baptism a few weeks back.
Yeah, I guess I didn't haha. Well the kid's name is Jose Marcel Dingco. He's a stud. He's 14 and his mom was a less-active member but she's active again and we've been teaching those two at the same time. When I first met Totoy (he goes by Totoy. I believe its pretty similar to Bunso), he was pretty shy and pretty quiet, but I got to know him and he's awesome. His testimony first started to grow in the Book of Mormon. We'd leave him things to read, and I gave him a highlighter so he could mark the stuff he liked. He was very consistent in his reading and we always had him share what he learned or liked from the chapter or chapters we left him. From there I really began to see him change. We continued teaching him until he was like a different guy. Now he's outgoing, dances around, laughs, jokes, plays basketball with the branch, and all that jazz. I don't know what it was, but now you can really see the Light of Christ reflected in his attitude. He's really opened up and become a better, happier person because of the gospel.
How did your exchange go?
So yeah, I held my first exchange with the district earlier this week. It was pretty cool. I worked in the Maragondon area with Elder Bollena. Elder Bollena is from Tacloban and is awesome and is actually 27 but if you look at the picture he's definitely not any older than me.. haha So the exchanged started with a pretty funny story. I'll now proceed to quote from my journal. (Note: Look at me go! Writing in my journal...!) haha "So last night we went outside to take out the trash, and no sooner had we shut the door than did he realize that the keys were on the other side of that locked door. Butt. So we try to jimmy it open. No dice. So I say I'll sacrifice my laminated picture of me and my parents to try and open the door. No dice. Alright...time to start thinkin like a criminal... So we jimmy open a window but its barred and has a screen. Elder Bollena thought the keys were on his desk right below that window so we're almost in the clear. We bend the screen frame and start trying to feel for the keys. No dice, just lots of cuts/scratches on our arms from the screen...haha So we go and ask the resident bakla for keys. He/she/it tries all the keys. No dice. So bakla goes back and gets one of those little straight razors to try and stick in the door to get it. No dice. It goes and gets this guy smokin a cig in front of the tindahan. He walks over, and tries the door knob. Locked (Uh. Duh?). He takes a step back, puts his cig out on the wall, and tries again. Yep, its still locked.. "I'm goin call back-up," he said. And he called his little brother. His little brother comes over and tries the door. And wouldn't you imagine. . .I guess he doesnt have the midas touch either cuz its still locked. So they go and get a ladder. Ayan! Now we're thinkin! This ladder was sketch but it reach our second floor balconyish thing. Oh and don't forget about bakla. It's still hangin out there doing the weird stuff the only baklas do... So little brother climbs up the sketchy ladder and checks the door up there. Locked! Butt! But tis okay cuz this kid is determined. He scales/shimmys on this little ledge towards the 2nd floor window. Success! It opens and he climbs in and comes down stairs and lets us in! Woo!" So thats how our wonderful exchange started, but the rest went really well. This companionship has struggled the last couple weeks, but it was weird cuz Elder Bollena and I taught as many lessons that day than they taught the whole last week... So yeah.. Oh and Elder Bollena has a sick conversion story, I'll tell you it sometime if you remind me at any time in the future.. haha
So this week has been pretty awesome! You need to check out the pictures cuz its definitely one of my best weeks for pictures.. haha
This week we've seen a lot of progress with the husband of one of our pinaka-awesome investigators. At first he like didn't want anything to do with us. So Monday we had FHE at their house and focused on the Restoration and the Book of Mormon. We brought the Paddocks with us and some fellowshippers from the branch and it went really well! The Paddocks at the end were like well, we hit him with everything we got but I think he took it pretty well. This guy works in Makati so he's only home on the weekends so we challenged him to read the book of mormon after work while he was in Makati. Unfortunately he forgot it... Oh well. We went back and saw him on Saturday and when we walked in he was like "Hey Elders! How's it goin??" Like a complete change. It was awesome to see the Lord softening his heart. We read 3 Nephi 11 with him and his family and it went really well! We talked to them about what they learned from that chapter afterwards and his wife was like "I learned about baptism and I really want to get baptized to receive a remission of my sins. I just hope my husband will allow me." Keep in mind that her husband is sitting right there next to her.. haha Then on Sunday, in gospel principles class, she was like I really really wanna join the church. haha She's awesome. Her and her daughter have a baptismal date fro Sept 15 and we're still working little by little on brother. But it has been really cool to see the Lord begin to soften his heart as we've been pleading in prayer to do so. At first we would have just been content to soften his heart to the point of allowing his wife to be baptized but now I'm thinking he's going to read the Book of Mormon (he likes reading) and get an answer and join his family in the church and then be sealed for time and all eternity in the temple! His wife already has her eyes set on the temple.. haha
Another cool success story this week was with a family that is moving towards activity and towards the temple. We challenged them to start reading the Book of Mormon together every day. So in conjunction with that challenge we read the first chapter of 1 Nephi with them. It went pretty well and we challenged them to read the second chapter before we came back. We came back and they had only been able to read like half-ish of the chapter. So we decided to read that chapter with them too. At the end we were discussing it and things really began clicking for them. I mentioned about how reading the Book of Mormon together cover to cover will be one of the biggest things that will help them get to the temple. And I saw a spark just flicker in Sister's countenance. That that was something that she really wanted. Then Elder Handy talked about how much we've learned so far and its only been two chapters. And they were like yeah! You're right! So its awesome! We think that they're one of the families that are on the right track of not only becoming active in the church but in the gospel as well.
In cool news, we had a less-active return to activity on Sunday, and it was fast and testimony Sunday. So what do you know? He gets up and bears his testimony! I was like what?? Thats awesome! It was like seriously one of my proudest moments! I don't know why I was so pumped but like it was awesome! I think its just like the satisfaction of someone you've been working hard with, someone you've been teaching these things, someone you love and pray for... and then he bears his testimony almost validating all of your hard work and making it known to you that he knows what you're teaching is true. Ewan.. Basta it was cool!
In other news, my companion got peed on by a two-year old child. That brings the total up to two companions that have been peed on my children. #GoingForTheRecord
Well I began with the words of the wise Kanye West and so I'll end with the equally wise words of Jacob Gadberry that I read nearly weekly..
"That's pretty much it. See ya."
Elder Michael Gadberry
August 26, 2012 E-mail!
Oh hey! Didn't see you there..
So this week's been awesome and a half! Our work has been incredible and its really paying off and really showing. Our branch leaders commented yesterday after very well attended sacrament meeting (116 =) ) that we're doing awesome! They're like its awesome how many investigators and less-actives that you guys are helping bring to church. And then we had our first baptism this week so that was awesome too! He asked me to baptize him, so that was pretty exciting too. Lets see what the parents have to say...
Well I already feel like we're related to the Dietrichs. In fact, when she comments on other's posts on Facebook I always check to see what she wrote
Haha yeah we're pretty much related to them.. haha They already made me and Elder Pugmire promise that we wouldn't get married till they get home so that they can go to our weddings.. haha
Never mind the "miracle of eating different food", I couldn't picture you, willingly, speaking in sacrament meeting, teaching a lesson and then following it up with a fireside.
Haha well I couldn't just say no.... I got to teach priesthood again this Sunday and this time it actually went surprisingly well I thought. It was on President Monson's talk "Willing and Worthy to Serve" it was a little bit harder to teach cuz its not like a set lesson and I haven't read it for a while but I'm grateful Elder Pugmire and I listened to the last conference over and over again so I still knew the talk pretty well. Favorite part of that talk: "At times the wisdom of God appears as being foolish or just too difficult, but one of the greatest and most valuable lessons we can learn in mortality is that when God speaks and a man obeys, that man will always be right." President Vicencio visited our branch this Sunday and talked about that for a little while and about how we need to be obedient to even the little things and the blessings will flow and we will never suffer because of our obedience.
So what kind of area are you in? You mentioned no ATMs. What does it have business wise? Rural? How large is the area you are serving in?
Like I said I'm in the most rural area on the mainland! haha And Elder Antonio who is in Naic (Naic is to Effingham as Ternate is to Stew Stras..hahaha) but he's like Naic is the same as Narra which is the more province part of Palawan. So essentially we're super province here (oh yeah, here province = rural). There's not a lick of fast food or stores or that kinda stuff. Granted, like Coron there's a "city" area but its like not big and its not really city. Everyone here grows rice. haha The area is pretty big but its not like wayyy huge.There's no where that we go regularly that takes more than 20-30 minutes to get to. I think the area itself goes a lot further than that but we don't usually go out there.
So this week was pretty exciting. We had Zone Conference, I went on exchanges with the ZLs, and we got a baptism! haha
Zone Conference was way good! We had to leave pretty early to get there cuz it was in a difference Zone that the conference was being held but we made it. I made the mistake of letting Elder Handy choose where we sat and so we sat there right in the front.. haha It was good cuz I feel like I got a lot out of it probably cuz I sat right there in front of President Stucki.. haha Sometimes its like meetings like that where I realize how much I loveee missionary work and missionaries. I love seeing everyone (I've always loved seeing everyone) but I love the Spirit that exists around missionaries. It's probably cliche but I could be around missionaries and do missionary work and what not for like ever. It rocks!
Zone Conference was Tuesday, so Wednesday we got a full day of work in and it went pretty well. Oh but before that.. Elder Handy made me go jogging that morning.. haha He made me go 1. because I love exercising and doin kwan but in the morning I have zeroooo desire to do that stuff.. but I'm working on it! 2. cuz it was pouring! So I thought I was off the hook.. nope! He got me to go. I was reminded of Elf while we were jogging and I was thinking/singing to myself "It's raining... I'm in the raining and I'm running.. I'm in the rain and I'm RUN-NING!" (reference the "there's no singing in the north pole" argument between Buddy and his manager). Tuesday I was thinking about how I could be a more powerful teacher and so I remembered that to be an effective teacher you gotta do a lot more than present the facts and information. I remembered that its a lot more powerful when you can speak from personal experience. So Wednesday I tried to include in every lesson how that principle or commandment has played a role in my life and how I've been blessed because of whatever it was I was teaching. And I noticed a big difference! It was a lot better for the most part.
Thursday I worked in Naic with Elder Antonio and it was awesome! It was fun and successful! It was kinda weird being in another area but it was pretty cool at the same time. At the end he had lots of good feed back for me. He said that I was really good with people, approaching them, building a relationship with them quickly. He also complimented my Tagalog. #score! haha And he said I really know the doctrine and the lessons good. But I need to ask referrals from everyone.. haha #true. And I was like I feel like I'm not a very good teacher even though I know the stuff. He's like I can tell you're a good teacher, you know how to teach but if I were to have to fix something in teaching it would be to do better at eye contact... haha yeah.. I'm not good at that.. haha But I tried to do it ever since and its been great! It really makes a difference. The last thing he told was way awesome. He was like "you're really humble. You're the most humble missionary I've met on my mission." I was like whaaa?? hahaha I was like i don't know.. Well its like I don't have any reason to be prideful I still have way too many faults in myself, my teaching, my tagalog, like everything. And its only with the Lord's help that we can have success. I've tried too much I feel like to do it on my own and I know that it doesn't work.. haha But I thought to myself am I humble? or am I just quiet and fearful..? haha So the next day I studied humility in Personal Study and in True to the Faith I found an awesome quote! It says, "You can be both humble and fearless. You can be both humble and courageous." That was really cool and I referenced that with James 4:6,10. And then there's the awesome verse in DC 6:36 "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not." So thats what I'm working on now. Trying to be humble but fearless and courageous.
So I'mma get running..we've got stuff to do! haha Hope you all had a great week!
Love
Elder Michael Gadberry
So this week's been awesome and a half! Our work has been incredible and its really paying off and really showing. Our branch leaders commented yesterday after very well attended sacrament meeting (116 =) ) that we're doing awesome! They're like its awesome how many investigators and less-actives that you guys are helping bring to church. And then we had our first baptism this week so that was awesome too! He asked me to baptize him, so that was pretty exciting too. Lets see what the parents have to say...
Well I already feel like we're related to the Dietrichs. In fact, when she comments on other's posts on Facebook I always check to see what she wrote
Haha yeah we're pretty much related to them.. haha They already made me and Elder Pugmire promise that we wouldn't get married till they get home so that they can go to our weddings.. haha
Never mind the "miracle of eating different food", I couldn't picture you, willingly, speaking in sacrament meeting, teaching a lesson and then following it up with a fireside.
Haha well I couldn't just say no.... I got to teach priesthood again this Sunday and this time it actually went surprisingly well I thought. It was on President Monson's talk "Willing and Worthy to Serve" it was a little bit harder to teach cuz its not like a set lesson and I haven't read it for a while but I'm grateful Elder Pugmire and I listened to the last conference over and over again so I still knew the talk pretty well. Favorite part of that talk: "At times the wisdom of God appears as being foolish or just too difficult, but one of the greatest and most valuable lessons we can learn in mortality is that when God speaks and a man obeys, that man will always be right." President Vicencio visited our branch this Sunday and talked about that for a little while and about how we need to be obedient to even the little things and the blessings will flow and we will never suffer because of our obedience.
So what kind of area are you in? You mentioned no ATMs. What does it have business wise? Rural? How large is the area you are serving in?
Like I said I'm in the most rural area on the mainland! haha And Elder Antonio who is in Naic (Naic is to Effingham as Ternate is to Stew Stras..hahaha) but he's like Naic is the same as Narra which is the more province part of Palawan. So essentially we're super province here (oh yeah, here province = rural). There's not a lick of fast food or stores or that kinda stuff. Granted, like Coron there's a "city" area but its like not big and its not really city. Everyone here grows rice. haha The area is pretty big but its not like wayyy huge.There's no where that we go regularly that takes more than 20-30 minutes to get to. I think the area itself goes a lot further than that but we don't usually go out there.
So this week was pretty exciting. We had Zone Conference, I went on exchanges with the ZLs, and we got a baptism! haha
Zone Conference was way good! We had to leave pretty early to get there cuz it was in a difference Zone that the conference was being held but we made it. I made the mistake of letting Elder Handy choose where we sat and so we sat there right in the front.. haha It was good cuz I feel like I got a lot out of it probably cuz I sat right there in front of President Stucki.. haha Sometimes its like meetings like that where I realize how much I loveee missionary work and missionaries. I love seeing everyone (I've always loved seeing everyone) but I love the Spirit that exists around missionaries. It's probably cliche but I could be around missionaries and do missionary work and what not for like ever. It rocks!
Zone Conference was Tuesday, so Wednesday we got a full day of work in and it went pretty well. Oh but before that.. Elder Handy made me go jogging that morning.. haha He made me go 1. because I love exercising and doin kwan but in the morning I have zeroooo desire to do that stuff.. but I'm working on it! 2. cuz it was pouring! So I thought I was off the hook.. nope! He got me to go. I was reminded of Elf while we were jogging and I was thinking/singing to myself "It's raining... I'm in the raining and I'm running.. I'm in the rain and I'm RUN-NING!" (reference the "there's no singing in the north pole" argument between Buddy and his manager). Tuesday I was thinking about how I could be a more powerful teacher and so I remembered that to be an effective teacher you gotta do a lot more than present the facts and information. I remembered that its a lot more powerful when you can speak from personal experience. So Wednesday I tried to include in every lesson how that principle or commandment has played a role in my life and how I've been blessed because of whatever it was I was teaching. And I noticed a big difference! It was a lot better for the most part.
Thursday I worked in Naic with Elder Antonio and it was awesome! It was fun and successful! It was kinda weird being in another area but it was pretty cool at the same time. At the end he had lots of good feed back for me. He said that I was really good with people, approaching them, building a relationship with them quickly. He also complimented my Tagalog. #score! haha And he said I really know the doctrine and the lessons good. But I need to ask referrals from everyone.. haha #true. And I was like I feel like I'm not a very good teacher even though I know the stuff. He's like I can tell you're a good teacher, you know how to teach but if I were to have to fix something in teaching it would be to do better at eye contact... haha yeah.. I'm not good at that.. haha But I tried to do it ever since and its been great! It really makes a difference. The last thing he told was way awesome. He was like "you're really humble. You're the most humble missionary I've met on my mission." I was like whaaa?? hahaha I was like i don't know.. Well its like I don't have any reason to be prideful I still have way too many faults in myself, my teaching, my tagalog, like everything. And its only with the Lord's help that we can have success. I've tried too much I feel like to do it on my own and I know that it doesn't work.. haha But I thought to myself am I humble? or am I just quiet and fearful..? haha So the next day I studied humility in Personal Study and in True to the Faith I found an awesome quote! It says, "You can be both humble and fearless. You can be both humble and courageous." That was really cool and I referenced that with James 4:6,10. And then there's the awesome verse in DC 6:36 "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not." So thats what I'm working on now. Trying to be humble but fearless and courageous.
So I'mma get running..we've got stuff to do! haha Hope you all had a great week!
Love
Elder Michael Gadberry
Sunday, August 26, 2012
August 19, 2012 E-mail!
Ayos!
So its been a pretty awesome week! So check this out. So this week I started writing in my journal again!! =D And it was tamang tama kasi I forgot my planner at home so I can't really cheat off of that this time, but I brought my journal. So if I hadn't brought that I wouldn't have much to tell you this week.. haha
So everyone on your e-mail list knows you are not writing in your Journal. I hope that is incentive enough to get going and start writing again.
Yeah. So? haha just kidding.. I started nga! It actually says in the white handbook to write in your journal every night so apparently its kinda a rule... oops. haha I actually kinda started a large plates, small plates kinda thing like Nephi.. haha So I have my one journal that I write in every night about the day and what not. Then I started a new one this week that I write in every morning in the last 5-10 minutes of personal study where I recount what I studied, the thoughts I had about it and things to ponder. I'm also using that journal for distinct, unique, personal spiritual experiences. And then I actually have a third, too, that I put quotes and like notes and stuff like that thats not as personal. So I'm doing good now! =D
Are things drying out there yet?
Umm it was actually pretty dry most of the week. Actually no not really.. haha I still got made fun of all the time by the members and what not for having wayyy muddy shoes and pants.. haha
Were you able to have a productive week despite the weather?
Of course! It was another great week! And we had to spend another day in Manila even.
You didn't know Elvis was part of our family did you? (Kirk sent Michael a picture from our family reunion which had a life-sized Elvis cut-out)
hahaha Sister Dietrich mentioned something about the picture of grandma and elvis when we stopped by the office the other day.. haha I guess that means we're related to the Dietrich's cuz I'm pretty sure Sister Dietrich regards Elvis as an older brother of hers.. haha
So what's it like being the DL(district leader)? Do you have to travel extra? So how is your teaching pool going?
Its not too bad yet! I haven't had to teach district meeting yet and thats what I'm really fearing.. haha We have Zone Conference this Tuesday so I thought I wasn't going to have to teach again cuz thats what the ZLs told me but Elder Handy just saw this morning on the calendar that we still have district meeting but its on Wednesday... =( haha I've only had to travel once to Naic to do a baptismal interview and to get one of our investigators a baptism interview. It was a pretty cool experience! He was a cool guy and I felt he was ready to be baptized. So I passed him. Later on in the day I thanked Heavenly Father for the opportunity I had to conduct the baptismal interview and told him that I felt that he was ready and in that moment I felt confirmation from the Spirit that that was the right thing. So that was cool! Our investigator passed too! So he's getting baptized on Saturday and I think he asked me to baptize him! haha Well he told the ZL he wanted Elder Chocolate to baptize him which means Elder Gadberry. Kasi ganito siya... If you don't have a filipino name its kinda hard for them to get your name off the bat so you gotta relate it to something so people started thinking that I say Cadbury so half the time when I introduce myself its I'm Elder Gadberry its kinda like the chocolate, Cadbury.. and then they laugh and remember my name forever. haha The teaching pool is great! We don't have any time to really find people so we're relying on referrals and that kinda stuff to find new investigators.
So now we get questions from Grandma G! Woo!
Are mosquitoes a big problem like they are here?
They kinda are. You've probably heard of Dengue Fever. We've gotta watch out for that. There's been lots of missionaries thats gotten. Both Elder Wong and Elder Partridge did, if you remember them from my MTC emails.. haha
do you miss Krispy Kreme donuts? or McDonalds?
Yes. hahaha Well mostly Krispy Kream..haha I love eating rice and ulam and filipino food but I don't know how to make it so yeah.. problem. So I'm pumped when we get Filipino food. Lets be honest, who woulda bet noong May 2011 that I would LOVE Filipino food? hahaha Yeah...its a blessing.
Are you happy to get out of the office or sad?
Well.. I'll just say I'm content. haha I miss my area from the office. Even if it was the most frustrating area known to man.. hahaha So I miss my area but was pretty okay with handing over the finance secretary responsibilities for a time. haha When Elder Grob was getting trained by Sister Venus she told him that we really needed a separate Finance Secretary and Housing Coordinator. So he was joking that he was going to pull me back in to be one of those.. haha I was like nahhh you can do it! I had to! haha
How about missing driving in Manila traffic? I alsways admired you for doing that.
hahaha I kinda do! Well.. I'm happy to be walking all the time cuz its nice but I definitely didn't mind traffic or driving. Everyone thought it was really weird that I liked driving in Manila, but i don't know.. it wasnt that bad.. I guess Elder Pugmire and Elder Grob aren't doing so well cuz neither of them wants to drive.. haha
That was all her questions. But I would just like to let you know that my Grandma G rocks! And Darshan knows cuz he's friends with her on Facebook! hahaha
So this was already long but I'll hit you with a few highlights from the week!
As I review my journal, I had lots of really comforting and cool experiences with the Spirit. Like one night, we went home and I was kinda frustrated about something or other, but I didn't say anything of course.. haha And like the moment we knelt in prayer to begin our nightly planning, I addressed Heavenly Father and felt the Spirit return and comfort me. And it was just really cool experience that teaches that even when no one else knows, the Lord knows and will comfort us.
In my studies this week, I studied and pondered a lot on the life and teachings of Christ. I read primarily from Mark 7-12 among many other things. So it was cool! I'm trying to identify His attributes and His personality and I can really see His love portrayed in His words and actions. I try to like envision these events but sometimes its kinda hard. I guess its a good thing the church is coming out with those Bible videos.. haha
This week our work was great! It was really enjoyable and successful! It was funny though yesterday.. haha We got to church like 5 minutes before it started and surprise! Elder Gadberry our dude hasn't showed up yet so can you speak? Butt. Okay.. hahaha So I was like super nervous but got up there and it kinda went away and I was able to say what I wanted to say for the most part. Okay done. Next, after Sunday School we had Priesthood and guess what. Elder Gadberry you get to teach this too! Ugh.. Fine. hahaha That actually went surprisingly well and I actually had lots of experiences I could share about our lesson that week. Then, we were finishing our lesson in priesthood and I heard Teach Me How to Dogie blasting in a car as it drove by. I looked outside and saw that it was a hearse that had flown by blasting that song. And then I realized that "Its more fun in the Philippines." hahaha And then later that night we had a missionary fireside. Elder Handy and I were supposed to share just short thoughts and that was fine but then we get started and they're like our concluding speaker isn't here so can we ask Elder Gadberry to give our concluding thoughts. Ito na naman?!? okay. So I did that and it was pretty good too. So yeah.. I think the branch likes me... I hope. hahaha But they're awesome! haha
So there was just a few thoughts from my week. It was awesome! Sorry... I didn't take any pictures.. haha I was too busy writing in my journal.. haha Hope you all have an awesome week!
Love
Elder Michael Gadberry
So its been a pretty awesome week! So check this out. So this week I started writing in my journal again!! =D And it was tamang tama kasi I forgot my planner at home so I can't really cheat off of that this time, but I brought my journal. So if I hadn't brought that I wouldn't have much to tell you this week.. haha
So everyone on your e-mail list knows you are not writing in your Journal. I hope that is incentive enough to get going and start writing again.
Yeah. So? haha just kidding.. I started nga! It actually says in the white handbook to write in your journal every night so apparently its kinda a rule... oops. haha I actually kinda started a large plates, small plates kinda thing like Nephi.. haha So I have my one journal that I write in every night about the day and what not. Then I started a new one this week that I write in every morning in the last 5-10 minutes of personal study where I recount what I studied, the thoughts I had about it and things to ponder. I'm also using that journal for distinct, unique, personal spiritual experiences. And then I actually have a third, too, that I put quotes and like notes and stuff like that thats not as personal. So I'm doing good now! =D
Are things drying out there yet?
Umm it was actually pretty dry most of the week. Actually no not really.. haha I still got made fun of all the time by the members and what not for having wayyy muddy shoes and pants.. haha
Were you able to have a productive week despite the weather?
Of course! It was another great week! And we had to spend another day in Manila even.
You didn't know Elvis was part of our family did you? (Kirk sent Michael a picture from our family reunion which had a life-sized Elvis cut-out)
hahaha Sister Dietrich mentioned something about the picture of grandma and elvis when we stopped by the office the other day.. haha I guess that means we're related to the Dietrich's cuz I'm pretty sure Sister Dietrich regards Elvis as an older brother of hers.. haha
So what's it like being the DL(district leader)? Do you have to travel extra? So how is your teaching pool going?
Its not too bad yet! I haven't had to teach district meeting yet and thats what I'm really fearing.. haha We have Zone Conference this Tuesday so I thought I wasn't going to have to teach again cuz thats what the ZLs told me but Elder Handy just saw this morning on the calendar that we still have district meeting but its on Wednesday... =( haha I've only had to travel once to Naic to do a baptismal interview and to get one of our investigators a baptism interview. It was a pretty cool experience! He was a cool guy and I felt he was ready to be baptized. So I passed him. Later on in the day I thanked Heavenly Father for the opportunity I had to conduct the baptismal interview and told him that I felt that he was ready and in that moment I felt confirmation from the Spirit that that was the right thing. So that was cool! Our investigator passed too! So he's getting baptized on Saturday and I think he asked me to baptize him! haha Well he told the ZL he wanted Elder Chocolate to baptize him which means Elder Gadberry. Kasi ganito siya... If you don't have a filipino name its kinda hard for them to get your name off the bat so you gotta relate it to something so people started thinking that I say Cadbury so half the time when I introduce myself its I'm Elder Gadberry its kinda like the chocolate, Cadbury.. and then they laugh and remember my name forever. haha The teaching pool is great! We don't have any time to really find people so we're relying on referrals and that kinda stuff to find new investigators.
So now we get questions from Grandma G! Woo!
Are mosquitoes a big problem like they are here?
They kinda are. You've probably heard of Dengue Fever. We've gotta watch out for that. There's been lots of missionaries thats gotten. Both Elder Wong and Elder Partridge did, if you remember them from my MTC emails.. haha
do you miss Krispy Kreme donuts? or McDonalds?
Yes. hahaha Well mostly Krispy Kream..haha I love eating rice and ulam and filipino food but I don't know how to make it so yeah.. problem. So I'm pumped when we get Filipino food. Lets be honest, who woulda bet noong May 2011 that I would LOVE Filipino food? hahaha Yeah...its a blessing.
Are you happy to get out of the office or sad?
Well.. I'll just say I'm content. haha I miss my area from the office. Even if it was the most frustrating area known to man.. hahaha So I miss my area but was pretty okay with handing over the finance secretary responsibilities for a time. haha When Elder Grob was getting trained by Sister Venus she told him that we really needed a separate Finance Secretary and Housing Coordinator. So he was joking that he was going to pull me back in to be one of those.. haha I was like nahhh you can do it! I had to! haha
How about missing driving in Manila traffic? I alsways admired you for doing that.
hahaha I kinda do! Well.. I'm happy to be walking all the time cuz its nice but I definitely didn't mind traffic or driving. Everyone thought it was really weird that I liked driving in Manila, but i don't know.. it wasnt that bad.. I guess Elder Pugmire and Elder Grob aren't doing so well cuz neither of them wants to drive.. haha
That was all her questions. But I would just like to let you know that my Grandma G rocks! And Darshan knows cuz he's friends with her on Facebook! hahaha
So this was already long but I'll hit you with a few highlights from the week!
As I review my journal, I had lots of really comforting and cool experiences with the Spirit. Like one night, we went home and I was kinda frustrated about something or other, but I didn't say anything of course.. haha And like the moment we knelt in prayer to begin our nightly planning, I addressed Heavenly Father and felt the Spirit return and comfort me. And it was just really cool experience that teaches that even when no one else knows, the Lord knows and will comfort us.
In my studies this week, I studied and pondered a lot on the life and teachings of Christ. I read primarily from Mark 7-12 among many other things. So it was cool! I'm trying to identify His attributes and His personality and I can really see His love portrayed in His words and actions. I try to like envision these events but sometimes its kinda hard. I guess its a good thing the church is coming out with those Bible videos.. haha
This week our work was great! It was really enjoyable and successful! It was funny though yesterday.. haha We got to church like 5 minutes before it started and surprise! Elder Gadberry our dude hasn't showed up yet so can you speak? Butt. Okay.. hahaha So I was like super nervous but got up there and it kinda went away and I was able to say what I wanted to say for the most part. Okay done. Next, after Sunday School we had Priesthood and guess what. Elder Gadberry you get to teach this too! Ugh.. Fine. hahaha That actually went surprisingly well and I actually had lots of experiences I could share about our lesson that week. Then, we were finishing our lesson in priesthood and I heard Teach Me How to Dogie blasting in a car as it drove by. I looked outside and saw that it was a hearse that had flown by blasting that song. And then I realized that "Its more fun in the Philippines." hahaha And then later that night we had a missionary fireside. Elder Handy and I were supposed to share just short thoughts and that was fine but then we get started and they're like our concluding speaker isn't here so can we ask Elder Gadberry to give our concluding thoughts. Ito na naman?!? okay. So I did that and it was pretty good too. So yeah.. I think the branch likes me... I hope. hahaha But they're awesome! haha
So there was just a few thoughts from my week. It was awesome! Sorry... I didn't take any pictures.. haha I was too busy writing in my journal.. haha Hope you all have an awesome week!
Love
Elder Michael Gadberry
Saturday, August 18, 2012
August 11, 2012 E-mail!
Dear friends, family, and esteemed colleagues,
Hey! =D
So how's it goin?? If you for some reason put money on me having another great week this week then congratulations! Glad I could help you get a little richer.. haha This week was different but awesome! We had to go to Manila for a couple days so I kinda expected our week to be not so hot but it ended up being awesome! We worked super hard while we were here and we saw the Lord bless us and those that we're teaching and the branch as a whole. . . . and we had a lot of fun doing it. =)
So was there very much monsoon damage in your area? The newspaper here are reporting that approximately 60 (now 98) people were killed in all of the rain/flooding. I am assuming all of the missionaries are OK. Let us know.
Yeah we're all good! Here in Ternate there's some damage but most places aren't crowded enough to be terribly affected by flooding. And the people here are used to it so they know what to do and what not. There were some missionaries though that couldn't get out of their apartment cuz the water on the street was up to their chests.. hahaha
so are you back to writing in your journal? If not, consider yourself reprimanded and get going on that. "You will have experiences you will never forget." "But, write them down anyway..." : )
Yeah. . . you know how its really easy to say yeah..I'll do that tomorrow or later? Yeah. . .good stuff. . . =D
So we got hit by a pretty good storm early this week and got rained on a tonnnn! But recently it hasn't been too bad. But it was the real transfer week this week and transfer day was Thursday but we had to go in to Manila a day early cuz I needed to train/help Elder Grob on some things and Elder Handy had a doctors appointment, so we were going to leave early wednesday morning to get there but because of the storm none of the buses were running Tuesday and they were afraid they wouldn't run Wednesday either. So the Paddocks (senior couple serving in his new area) ended up taking us up to Manila Tuesday afternoon cuz they were going up there anyways. So that stunk cuz instead of getting a full day of work in Tuesday we got like one lesson in.. haha
So we were in Manila for the last half of Tuesday and then all of Wednesday and most of Thursday. Manila was cool. It was a lot of fun to see Elder Pugmire and Elder Grob again, as well as the Dietrichs. It was kinda weird cuz it was like helping out with transfer week all over again.. haha But then transfer day came and it went well too. I was supposed to get new DL (district leader) training but that got cancelled cuz they were just trying to make transfer day really short cuz of the flooding and what not. So now I'm a DL with no training and no idea what I'm doing.. haha =) just kidding I kinda know what I'm doing but whatev! So after transfer day we were finally able to get heading back to Ternate and we got back around 4ish so we only got that evening to work but its all good cuz at least we made it back!
Friday was cool though! We decided to do what we called a "Fast & Find" cuz our teaching pool was kinda small we were just going to the same so many people every 2 or 3 days which is good cuz we got lots to teach and its going good but we wanted some more people and what not. So we picked out a bunch of names on our CMIS (I have no idea what this stands for) that were less-active and had gone to the temple or were Melchizedek priesthood holders. Cuz we knew half these people had family members that weren't yet members that we could hopefully help. So we went out to work not really knowing who these people were or even where they live cuz the addresses here are terrible.. haha So that day was hard but it went pretty well! It was kinda weird cuz we didn't immediately see the blessings from that day. We contacted most of the people and some were receptive and some were definitely not.. haha So we ended the day with just one new investigator but at the same time I felt that it was successful. Elder Handy wasn't as happy with it but we just pressed on!
So then Saturday we went to work and it was awesome! We taught this family that we were able to give 4 baptismal dates to! and three of them were new investigators and it was just a really successful day! So thats where we saw some blessings. We also decided as a companionship to start asking referrals from everyone! Preach My Gospel says to ask referrals from everyone so we were like I'm pretty sure like no one actually does that so lets try it! Let's try to get it to be second nature so we started doing it and we got a lot of referrals this week too!
Then Sunday rolled around and it was AWESOME! Last week we had a good 90some at church and this week we got 132! And Elder Handy and I had a bunchhh of our less-actives show up as well as twelve investigators! It was cool because like some of the less-actives we're visiting, we found out, are actually occasionally visited as well by the relief society and so I'm sure that helped a ton! It was just so amazing to see all these people make to church after working so hard to help them any way we can and just encouraging and coordinating and then they make it to church and its awesome! We didn't fit in the sacrament hall.. haha we had to set up a good 15 or so chairs out in the hallway haha I just stood in the back of everything just beaming.
So our week was way good! Numbers aren't like important but it was really cool that, inspite of us being in Manila for half the week, we were still able to achieve many of the Standards of Excellence set in our mission and a couple other ones we just barely missed. So like seriously, this rocks! I love this work! I love the Lord and I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity I have to serve. I hope all of you guys take the opportunity if given a chance and you young men better start preparing now so you can rock it even better than me cuz I feel I definitely didn't adequately prepare myself. I'm just lucky I had awesome leaders and teachers that kinda did the preparing of myself for me.. haha
Have a great week!
Love
Elder Michael Gadberry
Pictures include:
Incredibly cute children that love us
Incredibly muddy pants #TheWorkMustGoOn!
One of our favorite caribou, Devil Horns
Update on our garden service project
Beautiful skies in Ternate
And I tried to take a picture of the stars cuz they're AWESOME out here!
Hey! =D
So how's it goin?? If you for some reason put money on me having another great week this week then congratulations! Glad I could help you get a little richer.. haha This week was different but awesome! We had to go to Manila for a couple days so I kinda expected our week to be not so hot but it ended up being awesome! We worked super hard while we were here and we saw the Lord bless us and those that we're teaching and the branch as a whole. . . . and we had a lot of fun doing it. =)
So was there very much monsoon damage in your area? The newspaper here are reporting that approximately 60 (now 98) people were killed in all of the rain/flooding. I am assuming all of the missionaries are OK. Let us know.
Yeah we're all good! Here in Ternate there's some damage but most places aren't crowded enough to be terribly affected by flooding. And the people here are used to it so they know what to do and what not. There were some missionaries though that couldn't get out of their apartment cuz the water on the street was up to their chests.. hahaha
so are you back to writing in your journal? If not, consider yourself reprimanded and get going on that. "You will have experiences you will never forget." "But, write them down anyway..." : )
Yeah. . . you know how its really easy to say yeah..I'll do that tomorrow or later? Yeah. . .good stuff. . . =D
So we got hit by a pretty good storm early this week and got rained on a tonnnn! But recently it hasn't been too bad. But it was the real transfer week this week and transfer day was Thursday but we had to go in to Manila a day early cuz I needed to train/help Elder Grob on some things and Elder Handy had a doctors appointment, so we were going to leave early wednesday morning to get there but because of the storm none of the buses were running Tuesday and they were afraid they wouldn't run Wednesday either. So the Paddocks (senior couple serving in his new area) ended up taking us up to Manila Tuesday afternoon cuz they were going up there anyways. So that stunk cuz instead of getting a full day of work in Tuesday we got like one lesson in.. haha
So we were in Manila for the last half of Tuesday and then all of Wednesday and most of Thursday. Manila was cool. It was a lot of fun to see Elder Pugmire and Elder Grob again, as well as the Dietrichs. It was kinda weird cuz it was like helping out with transfer week all over again.. haha But then transfer day came and it went well too. I was supposed to get new DL (district leader) training but that got cancelled cuz they were just trying to make transfer day really short cuz of the flooding and what not. So now I'm a DL with no training and no idea what I'm doing.. haha =) just kidding I kinda know what I'm doing but whatev! So after transfer day we were finally able to get heading back to Ternate and we got back around 4ish so we only got that evening to work but its all good cuz at least we made it back!
Friday was cool though! We decided to do what we called a "Fast & Find" cuz our teaching pool was kinda small we were just going to the same so many people every 2 or 3 days which is good cuz we got lots to teach and its going good but we wanted some more people and what not. So we picked out a bunch of names on our CMIS (I have no idea what this stands for) that were less-active and had gone to the temple or were Melchizedek priesthood holders. Cuz we knew half these people had family members that weren't yet members that we could hopefully help. So we went out to work not really knowing who these people were or even where they live cuz the addresses here are terrible.. haha So that day was hard but it went pretty well! It was kinda weird cuz we didn't immediately see the blessings from that day. We contacted most of the people and some were receptive and some were definitely not.. haha So we ended the day with just one new investigator but at the same time I felt that it was successful. Elder Handy wasn't as happy with it but we just pressed on!
So then Saturday we went to work and it was awesome! We taught this family that we were able to give 4 baptismal dates to! and three of them were new investigators and it was just a really successful day! So thats where we saw some blessings. We also decided as a companionship to start asking referrals from everyone! Preach My Gospel says to ask referrals from everyone so we were like I'm pretty sure like no one actually does that so lets try it! Let's try to get it to be second nature so we started doing it and we got a lot of referrals this week too!
Then Sunday rolled around and it was AWESOME! Last week we had a good 90some at church and this week we got 132! And Elder Handy and I had a bunchhh of our less-actives show up as well as twelve investigators! It was cool because like some of the less-actives we're visiting, we found out, are actually occasionally visited as well by the relief society and so I'm sure that helped a ton! It was just so amazing to see all these people make to church after working so hard to help them any way we can and just encouraging and coordinating and then they make it to church and its awesome! We didn't fit in the sacrament hall.. haha we had to set up a good 15 or so chairs out in the hallway haha I just stood in the back of everything just beaming.
So our week was way good! Numbers aren't like important but it was really cool that, inspite of us being in Manila for half the week, we were still able to achieve many of the Standards of Excellence set in our mission and a couple other ones we just barely missed. So like seriously, this rocks! I love this work! I love the Lord and I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity I have to serve. I hope all of you guys take the opportunity if given a chance and you young men better start preparing now so you can rock it even better than me cuz I feel I definitely didn't adequately prepare myself. I'm just lucky I had awesome leaders and teachers that kinda did the preparing of myself for me.. haha
Have a great week!
Love
Elder Michael Gadberry
Pictures include:
Incredibly cute children that love us
Incredibly muddy pants #TheWorkMustGoOn!
One of our favorite caribou, Devil Horns
Update on our garden service project
Beautiful skies in Ternate
And I tried to take a picture of the stars cuz they're AWESOME out here!
Saturday, August 11, 2012
August 4, 2012 E-Mail!
Howdy everyone!
This emails coming out from the incredibly rainy Ternate, Cavite! Its raining right now! And it rained yesterday! And the day before! and the day before that and the day before that and the day before that and the day before that and the day before that and the day before that! Okay to be honest I'm not really sure where that puts me in the week but I'm fairly certain its an accurate statement. Whenever its rainy and like stormy (stormy here is different than other places. Here its just like wind and rain and not too much thunder and lightning) but when we have a "bagyo" the kids don't have school sometimes. And this whole week there was no school. You know whats weird? The kids here are sad when they don't have school! #CultureDifferences haha And like the kids we weren't able to do a whole lot of work... Just kidding! We rocked it this week and got soaked doing it! We had a better week this week than last week it was awesome!
Nothing much new to report from this week other than soccer conditioning started. Do you miss that???
Oh yeah! Sobra! I still remember the terrible Michael Gadberry that would get to 6am soccer practice at 5:30 with no problems but at the same time you couldn't pay him to get to seminary on time. . . and that didn't even start till 6:30.. =D How'd that work?? #QuestionsThatTranscendMortality haha Just yesterday I was walking home with soaked shoes and socks and it was kinda annoying but I was like I don't know why I'm complaining cuz with early morning soccer practices my socks were always soaked and it wasn't that bad.. haha Believe it or not my 6'7" companion was a basketball player in high school, so we talk high school sports and what not every once and a while...good times! haha
Remember Casey (second cousin) that we went skiing with? He is working for Goldman Sachs in Chicago now. He said to tell you Hi.
Yup! Sure do! Thats pretty legit! I say kumusta ka na?? Paki-sabi sa mga bosses mo na dapat nila akong upahan pagtapos ko ng college.
Did you know that Grandma Gadberry is turning 70 this year?
70?? Way... I thought she was like 45, tops. haha That's exciting! She should serve a mission cuz the Paddocks are 72! haha =)
So looking at a map, it looks like you are right at the mouth of Manila Bay. It looks like you are about an hour away from Manila depending on traffic. Is that right?
Sounds right to me! Well. . . I think its usually like 2 hrs from Manila on good days even. I think Elder Stirland (finished off his mission in Naic) said sometimes it takes even longer than that if its like ma-traffic, like especially in the afternoons/after work. But yeah I think we're real close to the ocean or the bay cuz there's this bridge we walk over everyday thats this really big river that I think empties into the ocean or whatever and its got smallish island in the middle called Balot Island. I've got pictures of the river that I've probably sent already and I've got some more in this one too.
Sister Dietrich posted a couple of pictures of you and your new comp and new area. Looks nice! Hows the apartment?
Yeah, the Dietrich's came and hooked us up! It was awesome! I heart them. The apartments great! I think I sent some pics of it but I'm not too sure. But its a pretty new apartment and its a good size and still in good shape so thats good. It doesn't have hot water though...haha so that's taken a little big of time to get used to again.. haha
So this week has been awesome! Our work this week lessons wise was about the same but the other stuff went up so it was really cool! We had a ton more people at church this week! I asked one of the members what our attendance was and he said it was 96. So get pumped! Talk about a jump! Part of the reason was cuz it wasn't raining from 8-9:30 so it gave people a chance to get to church...haha But I also give credit to the members! We had a lot more people that we're actually teaching/reactivating come to church. And like last week we worked all week and never really got any members to work with us or help us and then Sunday came and no one came to church! But this week we had a couple days where we had members to help us. One of the evenings, the Relief Society President and one of her kids worked with us and that was after she had just finished doing some visiting teaching, so that was awesome! Especially cuz here (meaning the Philippines as a whole; but overall the church as a whole here is starting to pick it up =) ) NO ONE does home teaching or visiting teaching. #BigProblem Almost everyone that we visited with members, made it to church this week! So yeah. . .members are important! That means you guys in the Effingham Branch! Let's become a ward! =D I read this talk a while back by Elder Perry and I think I probably mentioned it then but it was one of the best talks I've read on my mission and its called Bring Souls Unto Me. Read it! President Monson is quoted in it saying, "There is no substitute for a member-oriented proselyting program. Tracting will not substitute for it. Golden questions will not substitute for it. A member-oriented program is the key to success, and it works wherever we try it. Hear that?? Everywhere! Its goin work here in Ternate! And it can work in Effingham! =D
It was also really cool this week to see the Lord leading us to people that needed to be found! He did it in so many ways it was cool! First, on the last Preparation day we rode a tricycle and found out that the driver was a in-active member! And he served a mission! And was sealed to his wife in the temple! Now thats someone you NEED in a small branch like this. And we were able to agree to meet with him this past week and it went well! Then another time we went out to visit a family that we teach regularly. Well they ended up not being there but because their next door neighbors (mother, and brothers and sisers of the father that we visit) saw us and called us over we found out that that whole family were members and not just the ones we usually visit! They were just shy and weren't too keen on coming back to church but then I guess they had been talking about how they missed the church and then we showed up and didn't have anywhere to go! And because we were able to meet them and share with them the family that we were regularly visiting and much of the ones we just met were all able to go back to church for the fist time this past Sunday! And then the other came in the form of a referral! We had a branch activity Friday night at which I was asked to give a short spiritual thought. So I of course did. And as soon as I went back to my seat, one of the ladies in our branch came over and told me about this less-active family that she wanted us to visit because none of their kids are baptized yet! So we were able to talk to them this week too! And that was an awesome lesson! So yeah. . . the Lord works in so many different ways! It was an awesome week!
In other news, the Ternate elders found out that when you combine awesome with awesome with some more awesome you get the TerNasty! And its even awesomer yet! We decided we deserved to party upon the arrival of our blender. So we bought some ice cream, cookies and fudgee bars and blended it all together with ice and it was like the greatest thing ever.. haha
In other news thats more related to missionary work, the real transfer day is coming up this Wednesday and I'm pretty sure Elder Handy and I are staying! haha Go figure. . we've been together for two weeks.. haha But President called me last night and said he's, actually he said the Lord is issuing me the assignment to be a district leader this next transfer. Ugh..ish haha Now I'm goin have to teach district meeting and I still hateee teaching/talking in front of groups of people. haha Good luck to me! haha
Well thats about it for the week! Hope you all had a great one as well! I doubt it was as good as mine though... haha =D Keep being awesome!
Love you all!
Elder Michael Gadberry
Pictures!
0374-381 -- our Zone Activity on Monday. We had a Zone FHE it was great! The ones with Elder Handy and Elder McGowen and Elder Griffen are pictures of the greatest debate that ever took place..haha We were all crying cuz we were laughing so hard. The final point was: Elder Handy - "So what you're saying is which ever one of us can make the better Chewbacca sound is the winner?" Elder McGowen - "That's exactly what I'm saying." And then my incredibly talented companion trounced him for the win! haha
0384-0391 -- Pictures around Ternate
0392/0393 -- This is Totoy Dingco! We're teaching him and reactivating his family. He's legit! Always reading his Book of Mormon and is just like legit, period. And that is his bike that is way too small for Elder Handy
402 -- I lost a game that we were playing with a family and I had to sing a favorite hymn while acting like a gorilla... uh yeah..
404/405 -- Our meetinghouse!
406-410 -- One of our service projects is making a garden for the little guy in the red. Good stuff!
411-413 -- The TerNasty!
415-469 -- Pictures around Ternate
This emails coming out from the incredibly rainy Ternate, Cavite! Its raining right now! And it rained yesterday! And the day before! and the day before that and the day before that and the day before that and the day before that and the day before that and the day before that! Okay to be honest I'm not really sure where that puts me in the week but I'm fairly certain its an accurate statement. Whenever its rainy and like stormy (stormy here is different than other places. Here its just like wind and rain and not too much thunder and lightning) but when we have a "bagyo" the kids don't have school sometimes. And this whole week there was no school. You know whats weird? The kids here are sad when they don't have school! #CultureDifferences haha And like the kids we weren't able to do a whole lot of work... Just kidding! We rocked it this week and got soaked doing it! We had a better week this week than last week it was awesome!
Nothing much new to report from this week other than soccer conditioning started. Do you miss that???
Oh yeah! Sobra! I still remember the terrible Michael Gadberry that would get to 6am soccer practice at 5:30 with no problems but at the same time you couldn't pay him to get to seminary on time. . . and that didn't even start till 6:30.. =D How'd that work?? #QuestionsThatTranscendMortality haha Just yesterday I was walking home with soaked shoes and socks and it was kinda annoying but I was like I don't know why I'm complaining cuz with early morning soccer practices my socks were always soaked and it wasn't that bad.. haha Believe it or not my 6'7" companion was a basketball player in high school, so we talk high school sports and what not every once and a while...good times! haha
Remember Casey (second cousin) that we went skiing with? He is working for Goldman Sachs in Chicago now. He said to tell you Hi.
Yup! Sure do! Thats pretty legit! I say kumusta ka na?? Paki-sabi sa mga bosses mo na dapat nila akong upahan pagtapos ko ng college.
Did you know that Grandma Gadberry is turning 70 this year?
70?? Way... I thought she was like 45, tops. haha That's exciting! She should serve a mission cuz the Paddocks are 72! haha =)
So looking at a map, it looks like you are right at the mouth of Manila Bay. It looks like you are about an hour away from Manila depending on traffic. Is that right?
Sounds right to me! Well. . . I think its usually like 2 hrs from Manila on good days even. I think Elder Stirland (finished off his mission in Naic) said sometimes it takes even longer than that if its like ma-traffic, like especially in the afternoons/after work. But yeah I think we're real close to the ocean or the bay cuz there's this bridge we walk over everyday thats this really big river that I think empties into the ocean or whatever and its got smallish island in the middle called Balot Island. I've got pictures of the river that I've probably sent already and I've got some more in this one too.
Sister Dietrich posted a couple of pictures of you and your new comp and new area. Looks nice! Hows the apartment?
Yeah, the Dietrich's came and hooked us up! It was awesome! I heart them. The apartments great! I think I sent some pics of it but I'm not too sure. But its a pretty new apartment and its a good size and still in good shape so thats good. It doesn't have hot water though...haha so that's taken a little big of time to get used to again.. haha
So this week has been awesome! Our work this week lessons wise was about the same but the other stuff went up so it was really cool! We had a ton more people at church this week! I asked one of the members what our attendance was and he said it was 96. So get pumped! Talk about a jump! Part of the reason was cuz it wasn't raining from 8-9:30 so it gave people a chance to get to church...haha But I also give credit to the members! We had a lot more people that we're actually teaching/reactivating come to church. And like last week we worked all week and never really got any members to work with us or help us and then Sunday came and no one came to church! But this week we had a couple days where we had members to help us. One of the evenings, the Relief Society President and one of her kids worked with us and that was after she had just finished doing some visiting teaching, so that was awesome! Especially cuz here (meaning the Philippines as a whole; but overall the church as a whole here is starting to pick it up =) ) NO ONE does home teaching or visiting teaching. #BigProblem Almost everyone that we visited with members, made it to church this week! So yeah. . .members are important! That means you guys in the Effingham Branch! Let's become a ward! =D I read this talk a while back by Elder Perry and I think I probably mentioned it then but it was one of the best talks I've read on my mission and its called Bring Souls Unto Me. Read it! President Monson is quoted in it saying, "There is no substitute for a member-oriented proselyting program. Tracting will not substitute for it. Golden questions will not substitute for it. A member-oriented program is the key to success, and it works wherever we try it. Hear that?? Everywhere! Its goin work here in Ternate! And it can work in Effingham! =D
It was also really cool this week to see the Lord leading us to people that needed to be found! He did it in so many ways it was cool! First, on the last Preparation day we rode a tricycle and found out that the driver was a in-active member! And he served a mission! And was sealed to his wife in the temple! Now thats someone you NEED in a small branch like this. And we were able to agree to meet with him this past week and it went well! Then another time we went out to visit a family that we teach regularly. Well they ended up not being there but because their next door neighbors (mother, and brothers and sisers of the father that we visit) saw us and called us over we found out that that whole family were members and not just the ones we usually visit! They were just shy and weren't too keen on coming back to church but then I guess they had been talking about how they missed the church and then we showed up and didn't have anywhere to go! And because we were able to meet them and share with them the family that we were regularly visiting and much of the ones we just met were all able to go back to church for the fist time this past Sunday! And then the other came in the form of a referral! We had a branch activity Friday night at which I was asked to give a short spiritual thought. So I of course did. And as soon as I went back to my seat, one of the ladies in our branch came over and told me about this less-active family that she wanted us to visit because none of their kids are baptized yet! So we were able to talk to them this week too! And that was an awesome lesson! So yeah. . . the Lord works in so many different ways! It was an awesome week!
In other news, the Ternate elders found out that when you combine awesome with awesome with some more awesome you get the TerNasty! And its even awesomer yet! We decided we deserved to party upon the arrival of our blender. So we bought some ice cream, cookies and fudgee bars and blended it all together with ice and it was like the greatest thing ever.. haha
In other news thats more related to missionary work, the real transfer day is coming up this Wednesday and I'm pretty sure Elder Handy and I are staying! haha Go figure. . we've been together for two weeks.. haha But President called me last night and said he's, actually he said the Lord is issuing me the assignment to be a district leader this next transfer. Ugh..ish haha Now I'm goin have to teach district meeting and I still hateee teaching/talking in front of groups of people. haha Good luck to me! haha
Well thats about it for the week! Hope you all had a great one as well! I doubt it was as good as mine though... haha =D Keep being awesome!
Love you all!
Elder Michael Gadberry
Pictures!
0374-381 -- our Zone Activity on Monday. We had a Zone FHE it was great! The ones with Elder Handy and Elder McGowen and Elder Griffen are pictures of the greatest debate that ever took place..haha We were all crying cuz we were laughing so hard. The final point was: Elder Handy - "So what you're saying is which ever one of us can make the better Chewbacca sound is the winner?" Elder McGowen - "That's exactly what I'm saying." And then my incredibly talented companion trounced him for the win! haha
0384-0391 -- Pictures around Ternate
0392/0393 -- This is Totoy Dingco! We're teaching him and reactivating his family. He's legit! Always reading his Book of Mormon and is just like legit, period. And that is his bike that is way too small for Elder Handy
402 -- I lost a game that we were playing with a family and I had to sing a favorite hymn while acting like a gorilla... uh yeah..
404/405 -- Our meetinghouse!
406-410 -- One of our service projects is making a garden for the little guy in the red. Good stuff!
411-413 -- The TerNasty!
415-469 -- Pictures around Ternate
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