July 2, 2012 E-mail!

Hey everyone!

What else? The NBA Finals are over.  The series was done in 5 games.  And LeBron has his first championship.  Maybe you already knew that.

Boo! I actually heard that earlier today..haha People here are crazy about basketball and someone even said like the Heats coach is like half-Filipino, so basketball news travels pretty quickly around here..haha I remember sometimes being like ugh! I wish I had the mission call Philippines Manila Mission, Basketball playing. How cool would that be?! haha
Joe Balda is getting married this summer.
Woo! That's cool! But tell him I'm sad that he's not waiting for me to get back before he gets married..haha

So let's get straight into this week! It was an awesome one! So I hope I can get it adequately finished today so I don't get behind again...haha But the likelihood is that my parents aren't keeping up with getting these emails out to you guys so you don't really know if I'm behind or not..haha

So last Sunday was our Stake Conference. It was awesome! It was a broadcast and we got to hear from Elder Keith R. Edwards, Sister Dibb, Bishop Gerald Caussee, and Elder L. Tom Perry! I think I loved Elder Edward's talk the best it was awesome! He related to us that the one test that the Nephites could never pass, was the test of prosperity. He encouraged us that even when times are going good to always look to God, be grateful and continue doing the little things that lead us along the straight and narrow. He also reminded us that it's what's in the heart that really matters, that "salvation is not a checklist." And later we got to teach Jaycee again. He seemed really good. He's interested and is trying to do what's right and praying and all that stuff and is feeling good about it. The rest of the day we tried to find some people on our directory that supposedly lived in this one area. We found one, but he wasn't home at the time. And then a couple of the other ones we went to that house and the people there had no idea who the people were that we were looking for... And at the same time it was pouringgg on us. It was pretty frustrating...there are times in our area when I'm like "ugh! We can't even buy a lesson!" But then I'm like "okayyy..stop murmuring.." haha =) But you gotta have the rough times to appreciate the good times right?? haha

Let's see...Monday was kinda interesting/weird. I think I probably mentioned a little while back about how one of our batch had to go home, but has now made it back, well not too long ago he had appendicitis...So he just gets back to the field and gets sick like right away! So Monday we were asked to drive him to the MRC (Missionary Recovery Center). I feel so bad for him.. When we saw him on his first day back and when he worked with us then, he was so pumped and excited but on Monday he was like dead and hating life...haha Cuz he had surgery but is still sick...so we'll see what happens.. That took up a decent chunk of the day which was okay I guess cuz the APs were using my computer again and so I couldnt do much of my work until later that afternoon... But eventually I did get my computer and I got some stuff done and then we went out to the area! We went by and visited the Locanlales and then afterwards we had a dinner appointment at a family I didn't really know in our ward. So after the Locanlale's Elder Pugmire walked clear out to the like farthest point away from us in the other elders' area to meet them cuz they kinda knew where we were going. So then we hop on a jeepney and it takes us to the very esquinita (little tiny alleyway leading to more houses than you woulda guessed) that we just came from visiting the Locanlale's on..haha So we found out there there's at least another member family in our area, so thats awesome! It's a really cool family too! The mother has a ridiculously strong testimony and it was awesome getting to know them a little bit.

Tuesday came time again for another Matrix meeting! Meaning that its gettin close to transfer day again! Time flies sooo fast! It's crazy! So the matrix meeting went pretty well. I don't know, I think I kinda like meetings like that. Like trying to get everything coordinated and like coordinating big events like that. Idk, it's kinda fun! That took up much of the morning and then after that it was time for district meeting which was pretty good too. By the time district meeting and what not gets done its like 3 and once again I get like 2 hours to get any work done that I need to before heading out to the area, but it works out I guess. Tuesday in the area was AMAZING! We finally got to teach Ponce's neighbor, Ditz. And I don't know if I've ever met somebody more needing, longing for, and receptive to the gospel. He essentially told us his life story and we just talked and actually were directed to focus on God and Prayer. It was funny because he was like I'm not saying that I'm just going to convert to you guys just like that. What makes your religion different than any of the others? Elder Pugmire and I thought, "okay. Lesson 1, Restoration." Then he continued and told us he's made some bad mistakes in his life in which he feels terrible and its weighing him down. "Okay," we thought, "Lesson 3, Doctrine of Jesus Christ." Then later in the conversation we find out that he's had a rough time because he's had many relatives pass, some at young ages. So yep, Lesson 2, Plan of Salvation. Check. hahaha It was such a powerful lesson! At one point he was like "I'm tired of worrying about religion. What's special about yours? Is it going to change my life? Am I going to become blessed? What is it?" To which I responded, "Brother Ditz, if you're looking for a religion that will change your life, this is it. If you're looking for a religion that will cause you to quit worrying about whether or not what you believe is true, this is it."

 

Later he was super interested when we talked about prayer, so we focused on that. When we told him that God hears and answers all his prayers. He was super intrigued and was like "Elders I feel different...I'm getting chills." I gladly informed him that that was the Spirit, and we went on the teach him that often times that's the kind of feeling you'll get as answers to prayers. And so we continued to teach him how to pray and about it, and I felt super strongly to commit him to do two things. I said, "Ditz, later this evening, before you go to bed, will you kneel down, and pray to Heavenly Father, and ask him two things; one, Heavenly Father, are you there? And two, do you love me?" He more than gladly excepted that challenge. He was so pumped! I promised him that if he would do that He would feel God's presence and His love for him. And I knew without a doubt that His prayer would be answered because I have also experienced that. And as we read in 1 Nephi 8, the love of God will fill our soul with exceedingly great joy. We came out of that lesson like on cloud 14...hahaha Elder Pugmire was like, "Why can't we just be english speaking??" I agreed..haha but ultimately the thought came to mind, "cuz we have to teach Ditz." After Ditz we rushed over to the Gozon family cuz we were late. It was a pretty aweosme lesson there too! Sister Gozon is so worried about her son that is essentially less-active, but I think is active but just doesn't think it'll be cool to his friends if he gets all "churchy." But he's progressed a lot so far! He started paying tithing without anyone asking him too, and that takes a lot! That evening we committed them to family scripture study and prayer. I asked Shaun, her son, if he had ever read the Book of Mormon from cover-to-cover and he said he hadn't yet. He showed interest or somethin in my little pocket-sized one and so I told him I had a few extras and would get him one so he could start. So I'm pumped for that! He's goin start reading it, and he's goin love it! And then he's goin serve a mission! Boom! haha

 

So after the awesome Gozon lesson we were still pretty up near cloud 14. Then we went to the Locanlale family! They were unavailable...drop down to cloud 9...haha So we decided to talk to this guy named Ver, we met him like a week ago and we decided to follow him up. Yeah... he has this mindset that everybody is wrong. . .except for him. He sits there and tells us why everybody is wrong, and then says that he has the truth. I'm thinking to myself that this guy needs some serious humbling before he's ever goin listen to us.. But it was really cool in the end to compare the super humble, seeking to learn the truth approach of Brother Ditz compared to the very prideful, contentious Ver. That evening I was thinking about the Holy Ghost, and experiences I've had with the Spirit. It's such a cool thing! It's such a personal experience every time that it almost leads one to think, "am I the only feeling this??" It's super-hard to explain because of how personal it feels. And it's such a cool testimony that our Father in Heaven knows us personally. He rejoices when we rejoice. He's sad when we make wrong decisions. And he wants us to know that He's there, and He cares.

So Wednesday morning, we got to get up and go to the temple! Woo! It was awesome! While I was in the temple I thought a lot about Ditz and I was like when we come out I'm goin have a text from him about praying. And sure enough I check my phone and there it is! He said, "Good morning, after saying the prayer last night you taught me, 2 things happened last night and earlier this morning in which you told me that HE will make HIS presence be felt. I'll tell you about it when you come this thursday. The best of day to the both of you." I was sooo pumped! So then we went back home and we made celebratory stroganoff! haha Okay it wasn't celebratory, but we just felt like making it! It was super good! And I got my package from my parents and got to use my favorite shampoo! I know often times you guys must wonder why my hair looks so good...well this shampoo is the answer! It's where its at! And I heart my parents for sending it to me in their latest package! hahaha But I can't tell you what shampoo that is cuz it's a secret...sorry! Afterwards we had a shorter day at the office cuz of the temple, but I was able to get must of the stuff done I needed to and then we were off to the area! We tried to visit Ponce, but no dice so we were walking down this street with a less-active we haven't been able to visit yet besides meet once on the street. But we always stop by and he's never there! So I was like "I wish we could visit Mark...." Elder Pugmire was like, "wanna try??" "Sure."

 

So we tried and he was there! Woo! We're like seeing miracles in our area recently! I loveee it! We hadn't really prepared for him to be honest cuz we have had no luck contacting him..haha So we shared a short message and invited him to start reading the Book of Mormon again. It was a super sincere lesson, especially coming from him. It was awesome! As we closed he was like, "you know guys, I'm havin a tough time with the Word of Wisdom." So apparently we were able to touch his heart enough for him to feel comfortable sharing with us his struggles. So he's off to a great start! We'll get him back on the straight and narrow. After that, we hit Sister Lacanlale with the Atonement! It was a really good lesson and I think she got somethin out of it. But at the same time I always feel that about her, but then we see zero results... #frustrating haha After working, the Dietrich's invited us up for jello (#OfficeAddiction) before bed! So we always like to perform for them and do goofy stuff. So we went up there and sang called the jello song that we made up on the way home from our area to the tune of the primary welcome song. It goes, "Jell-o, jell-o. Jell-o, jell-o. We love to eat jello (jello-o). Jell-o, jell-o. Jell-o, jell-o. We've come to eat jell-o. To share with you this wonderful treat. *I've since forgot this one last little line....* Jell-o, jell-ohhh. We all love jell-o!" Pretty good huh? We're good.

So Thursday was pretty great too! They had a training here at Buendia, so that means we have lots of stuff to do! Well of course, the APs leave something at the house....great. I was like you realize this is cutting out 2 hours of our time that we need because we have a ton of stuff to do...and they said it was that important. So we played lifeline and saved them. So then I had to rush to get everything done, but I was able to do it! It was seriously like a blessing from the Lord. Cuz I was thinkin about it and I was like maybe the Lord made the APs forget that to show me that He can help me get everything done that I need to get done. Kinda like Gideon in the Bible where the Lord makes him cut down his army because if he didn't they would think that they were victorious because of their own strength. Likewise, I probably would not have been as grateful to Him for help as I should be if I wouldn't have had to do all that extra stuff. After the events at Buendia we hit the area! It was pretty cool. We were looking for one name on our Ward roster and went to that house.

 

And so we got there and were like hey can we ask a quick question and before they even answered us they just like ushered us in and told us to sit down and had soda and snacks on the table for us! haha We found out that the person we were looking for didn't live there anymore but her relative that's like 80 lives there..haha And her sister who is 73 was visiting too..haha I felt like I was in a nursing home..haha They were hard of hearing and we weren't really sure what to do, and I didn't really wanna try and yell a spiritual thought to them, so we tried and talked for a little while and then sang a hymn with them and prayed and left. And before we left they were like she's turning 74 tomorrow, you guys should come back! haha So we were like sure! After that we got to visit the Advincula family! Well just Tatay and Sydney but it was awesome! We shared with them President Monson's message "Dare to Stand Alone" (https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/mormon-messages-for-youth?lang=eng#2012-05-005-dare-to-stand-alone) And it was awesome! Tatay learned that Sydney was the only Mormon in her new high school. And I was able to share about my experiences coming from a area with few members of the chuch, and I think it really helped them. It was awesome!

Friday was pretty legit too! So I read this talk by Elder Perry called "Bring Souls Unto Me." (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/bring-souls-unto-me?lang=eng&query=%22bring+souls+unto+me%22) Seriously like an AMAZING talk! #ReadIt! Friday of course, I'm sure you're all wondering about our super old lady birthday party! So we got there and staying with the Filipino tradition, these old ladies were singing karaoke! hahaha It was hilarious! These people here karaoke all day every day! Its super weird! So it was pretty hilarious. They wanted us to sing...of course we didn't really want to nor were we too sure if we were supposed to do that...haha So we just ate and ultimately sang another hymn with them cuz we didn't want to steal too much of their fun birthday time..haha Cuz you only turn 74 once! . . . .if you're lucky! hahaha.  That was about the biggest news on Friday...but you should read that talk! 

Well that was a super long email of that week...haha So I'll let you go now. Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it at least somewhat! I love you! Hope you all have great days, weeks, months, lives! haha =D 

Love

Elder Michael Gadberry