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| May 13, 2013 |
Saturday, May 18, 2013
May 13, 2013 - The End
So... It's my last p-day.
That's weird.
I think I've said that's weird in like all my recent emails.. haha
So I don't really know what to say cuz I don't have a ton of time nor do I feel like emailing cuz I'm so close to going home.. haha
So yesterday was Mother's Day! Happy Mother's Day to everyone, but especially mothers! haha But so I was thinking yesterday during church about what I would send home today, and I decided to share what I love most about serving a mision. So in church yesterday the primary had a pretty cool presentation. They sang a couple songs and had a slide show put together with pictures and videos of all the primary children wishing their mom's happy mother's day. I LOVED watching the mom's beam whenever their kids came up and just something make someone so happy makes my day. So what I've loved most about my mission is seeing people find TRUE happiness in the gospel! Everything in their lives change! It's so cool and just makes me sooo happy to see that change and to be around people that have found peace "not as the world gives" but as the Savior does. Seeing people glowing with happiness and the spirit of Christ is definitely worth my two years here and if you have the opportunity to serve a mission I pray that you will not take that lightly and just do it. You won't regret it. It's so great! Thanks everyone for your support! I'll see most of you pretty soon!
Love
Elder Michael Gadberry
That's weird.
I think I've said that's weird in like all my recent emails.. haha
So I don't really know what to say cuz I don't have a ton of time nor do I feel like emailing cuz I'm so close to going home.. haha
So yesterday was Mother's Day! Happy Mother's Day to everyone, but especially mothers! haha But so I was thinking yesterday during church about what I would send home today, and I decided to share what I love most about serving a mision. So in church yesterday the primary had a pretty cool presentation. They sang a couple songs and had a slide show put together with pictures and videos of all the primary children wishing their mom's happy mother's day. I LOVED watching the mom's beam whenever their kids came up and just something make someone so happy makes my day. So what I've loved most about my mission is seeing people find TRUE happiness in the gospel! Everything in their lives change! It's so cool and just makes me sooo happy to see that change and to be around people that have found peace "not as the world gives" but as the Savior does. Seeing people glowing with happiness and the spirit of Christ is definitely worth my two years here and if you have the opportunity to serve a mission I pray that you will not take that lightly and just do it. You won't regret it. It's so great! Thanks everyone for your support! I'll see most of you pretty soon!
Love
Elder Michael Gadberry
May 6, 2013 E-Mail!
Okay so umm.. I only have one of these left after this.. not cool.
Well I guess it's okay cuz then I'll be in more instant communication with all you guys so that'll be cool too I guess.
It seems like you don't have much to say about your companion, how's it going? Are you finishing strong? Has the mission had any 18 yr. olds come yet? Is it hard to train a greenie and be a DL? Is a greenie a little like dealing with Deacons as a Priest?
Haha it's going really good! Overall I'm pretty sad to leave cuz I think the ward is finally starting to get their stuff together. We feel the overall spirits of the ward picking up and it's been cool to see. This past week our church attendance jumped up from 126 to 176 and it wasn't even any special sunday. We had a total of 17 less-actives and investigators at church so it was super awesome! Of course I'm finishing strong! Two weeks ago we had interviews with President. And here's the story... So we walked in just as another zone in the mission was finishing and so I started chattin it up with my batch cuz i heart my batch. But he's like don't worry President will give you a talk about being trunky... haha So I was like okay whatever. So it came time for my interview and it went pretty good. I always enjoy getting to spend time with President. Over the course of the interview he didn't mention like anything at all about trunkyness... So I was like okay.. Then as we ended with a prayer he was like just remember.. sprint to the finish. Finish strong! And I was like of course president. You won't have to worry about me. And he replied, "I know. That's why I didn't spend too much time on it during the interview." So with that I was honored by that and even more motivated to finish strong. I've heard of far too many great missionaries here that don't finish strong, and then thats what their last companions remember them as and I'm like that's really too bad cuz they were actually a really good missionary. So yeah... that's not goin be me. But yes. My comp and the ward and everyone are teasing me about how soon I'm going home. Training and being a DL isn't too bad. I don't treat him as a greenie. I have him take the lead in essentially everything. He just can't quite teach as much as me yet. But he's way good. We get along super well as well so it's always a lovely day in the neighborhood.
In other news, it's stinkin hot here. hahaha
So I just wanna share one story from this week. It was awesome! So we're visiting with a recent convert who is also less-active. So we shared a lesson about our baptismal covenants and about how important it is to take the sacrament. At the end of the lesson she finally opened up to us about why she's really not coming to church. She said she was offended and hurt by things said to her. She feels that we're the only ones that care about her. She was crying as she told us. She loves the Savior, wants to do what's right, but just said that she's essentially lost the desire to go to church over what had happened. As she ended her story, she looked up at me and said, "Well that's it. That's why I don't want to go to church. I feel like I am closer to the Savior here on Sunday than at the church. Is that a sin?" As she looked at me waiting for my answer, my heart went out to her. I was grateful for having enough love to listen, and try and empathize with her. She only wants to do what's right. And as much as I wanted to tell her that everything is okay. The Savior loves you and understands that that's why you're not going to church. I was guided by the Holy Ghost and had to tell her of 4 truths that I know to be true. 1. I know it really hurts when others are mean or inconsiderate towards us, but I know we have a Savior and Heavenly Father who love us more than we can imagine. 2. I know the Savior experience unkindness everyday of His life. He suffered it and persevered, and will be able to help you overcome these emotional pains. 3. I know that weekly partaking of the sacrament is a commandment that we should observe and follow. and 4. I know that you will come to see the sacrament as the best medicine to heal our spiritual and emotional wounds. As I thought about the experience later, I remembered Elder Hollands quote in PMG, "If you listen with love, you need not wonder what to say."
So I don't have any crazy stories for you about chickens running around our apartment but umm I do go home in a couple weeks. That's a pretty crazy story, huh? haha
Hope you guys have a great weeks!
Love
Elder Michael Gadberry
Pictures
234 -- My favorite political campaign here for no reason whatsoever. All the campaigns drive around blasting re-makes of popular songs to make you wanna vote for them. It's pretty crazy and different than America
235 -- That's like the Philippines original White House.. We walk by it at least twice a day.
236 -- Airplanes fly over us allllll the time. A constant reminder of what ultimately will come to pass
Well I guess it's okay cuz then I'll be in more instant communication with all you guys so that'll be cool too I guess.
It seems like you don't have much to say about your companion, how's it going? Are you finishing strong? Has the mission had any 18 yr. olds come yet? Is it hard to train a greenie and be a DL? Is a greenie a little like dealing with Deacons as a Priest?
Haha it's going really good! Overall I'm pretty sad to leave cuz I think the ward is finally starting to get their stuff together. We feel the overall spirits of the ward picking up and it's been cool to see. This past week our church attendance jumped up from 126 to 176 and it wasn't even any special sunday. We had a total of 17 less-actives and investigators at church so it was super awesome! Of course I'm finishing strong! Two weeks ago we had interviews with President. And here's the story... So we walked in just as another zone in the mission was finishing and so I started chattin it up with my batch cuz i heart my batch. But he's like don't worry President will give you a talk about being trunky... haha So I was like okay whatever. So it came time for my interview and it went pretty good. I always enjoy getting to spend time with President. Over the course of the interview he didn't mention like anything at all about trunkyness... So I was like okay.. Then as we ended with a prayer he was like just remember.. sprint to the finish. Finish strong! And I was like of course president. You won't have to worry about me. And he replied, "I know. That's why I didn't spend too much time on it during the interview." So with that I was honored by that and even more motivated to finish strong. I've heard of far too many great missionaries here that don't finish strong, and then thats what their last companions remember them as and I'm like that's really too bad cuz they were actually a really good missionary. So yeah... that's not goin be me. But yes. My comp and the ward and everyone are teasing me about how soon I'm going home. Training and being a DL isn't too bad. I don't treat him as a greenie. I have him take the lead in essentially everything. He just can't quite teach as much as me yet. But he's way good. We get along super well as well so it's always a lovely day in the neighborhood.
In other news, it's stinkin hot here. hahaha
So I just wanna share one story from this week. It was awesome! So we're visiting with a recent convert who is also less-active. So we shared a lesson about our baptismal covenants and about how important it is to take the sacrament. At the end of the lesson she finally opened up to us about why she's really not coming to church. She said she was offended and hurt by things said to her. She feels that we're the only ones that care about her. She was crying as she told us. She loves the Savior, wants to do what's right, but just said that she's essentially lost the desire to go to church over what had happened. As she ended her story, she looked up at me and said, "Well that's it. That's why I don't want to go to church. I feel like I am closer to the Savior here on Sunday than at the church. Is that a sin?" As she looked at me waiting for my answer, my heart went out to her. I was grateful for having enough love to listen, and try and empathize with her. She only wants to do what's right. And as much as I wanted to tell her that everything is okay. The Savior loves you and understands that that's why you're not going to church. I was guided by the Holy Ghost and had to tell her of 4 truths that I know to be true. 1. I know it really hurts when others are mean or inconsiderate towards us, but I know we have a Savior and Heavenly Father who love us more than we can imagine. 2. I know the Savior experience unkindness everyday of His life. He suffered it and persevered, and will be able to help you overcome these emotional pains. 3. I know that weekly partaking of the sacrament is a commandment that we should observe and follow. and 4. I know that you will come to see the sacrament as the best medicine to heal our spiritual and emotional wounds. As I thought about the experience later, I remembered Elder Hollands quote in PMG, "If you listen with love, you need not wonder what to say."
So I don't have any crazy stories for you about chickens running around our apartment but umm I do go home in a couple weeks. That's a pretty crazy story, huh? haha
Hope you guys have a great weeks!
Love
Elder Michael Gadberry
Pictures
234 -- My favorite political campaign here for no reason whatsoever. All the campaigns drive around blasting re-makes of popular songs to make you wanna vote for them. It's pretty crazy and different than America
235 -- That's like the Philippines original White House.. We walk by it at least twice a day.
236 -- Airplanes fly over us allllll the time. A constant reminder of what ultimately will come to pass
April 27, 2013 E-Mail!
Well the countdown continues to countdown unfortunately.. haha
Yeah here in the Philippines you have to go to church four times in a row in order to be baptized. If we could just baptized people after one week we'd have like well over ten baptisms here in this area already.. haha But because of that very fact, they created a rule here that you have to go to church four times in a row before you can get baptized.
Hmm.. I don't really know what to talk about.. so I'll start by telling you about my pictures. So the first half of them is quite the story. So Monday night we were planning I believe.. no I think we were just cleaning up the house at this point and we heard like a noise of something falling outside the apartment. We went and looked what it was and this chicken comes running in the house! We're like uhh.. there's a chicken in the house..? Seriously? So then we got our camera's on video mode and chased the chicken around the house. haha It was pretty funny. The video is too big to send home unfortunately. We chased him outside but then he came running back in! We were like seriously?? So then we chased him some more until he found himself a nice cozy place he liked under the stairs. So of course we didn't dare touch him cuz Napoleon Dynamite warned us that chickens have large talons. So then for a while we kept cleaning. After a while I was like okay seriously we gotta get this chicken out of the house. So we tried feeding him. We couldn't figure out what exactly chickens eat.. so we gave him bread cuz everything eats bread. haha He actually ate some of it! Oh and we named him Clyde. So i lured him out of his spot with the bread and just by getting too close to him. So then I got him over towards the door but he just wouldn't go out! So we're at a pickle again... Finally being the manly man that I am. I start being nice to the chicken and he lets me touch him and pet him and stuff. So we're like friends now at this point. Then I pull the backstabber move and grab him and pick him up and place him outside. We even made him a little bed out of cardboard with bread.. but he still kept trying to wander in. So finally we stuck him outside and closed the door (we usually keep the door open to get air so we don't die of heat). He then slept the whole night on our huge cardboard box that we use as a trash can out in front of our house.
Another set of pictures was at our National Day of Service! It was pretty legit. We had to get up at like 4:30 to do it though and then when we got back we were full of appointments so we didn't get to rest at all. But we helped build houses at this relocation place for squatters. It's supposed to be really cheap houses for people that currently make their houses out of scraps of wood and aluminum roofing and cardboard. So that was a lot of fun! We made cement by hand and that's cool! But kinda hard! But then I had to give a talk the next day in sacrament meeting and I was able to compare what we did at service to missionary work and it went pretty well! I'm still not a fan though of talking in front of people.. but whatev.
In other news, I had two baptismal interviews! It was pretty funny and like different than any other interview I've had. They we two young girls, like primary age. The first one was super shy, and ended up being afraid of water.. haha I said, "so do you feel like you're ready for baptism?" "No." "Huh? Why?? Do you want to be baptized?" "No." I was like huh?? what do I do here?? So it turns out she was just afraid of water.. hahaha So I helped explain that to her and she passed the interview. The second one started crying before I even shook her hand! Apparently, she has like a fear of white people, and especially ones with blue eyes... which my companion has.. haha So finally she got the courage to do the interview and it went super well! So then the next day, I get a text from the sisters in their area and they're like what'd you do to the kids?? They love you! They keep asking about you and want you to baptize them.. haha So I consider that a successful turn around. haha
So that's kinda all I can think of ... i'm running out of time cuz I was looking for material for my district meeting tomorrow. So I hope you have have a great week though! Keep being awesome!
Love
Elder Michael Gadberry
Yeah here in the Philippines you have to go to church four times in a row in order to be baptized. If we could just baptized people after one week we'd have like well over ten baptisms here in this area already.. haha But because of that very fact, they created a rule here that you have to go to church four times in a row before you can get baptized.
Hmm.. I don't really know what to talk about.. so I'll start by telling you about my pictures. So the first half of them is quite the story. So Monday night we were planning I believe.. no I think we were just cleaning up the house at this point and we heard like a noise of something falling outside the apartment. We went and looked what it was and this chicken comes running in the house! We're like uhh.. there's a chicken in the house..? Seriously? So then we got our camera's on video mode and chased the chicken around the house. haha It was pretty funny. The video is too big to send home unfortunately. We chased him outside but then he came running back in! We were like seriously?? So then we chased him some more until he found himself a nice cozy place he liked under the stairs. So of course we didn't dare touch him cuz Napoleon Dynamite warned us that chickens have large talons. So then for a while we kept cleaning. After a while I was like okay seriously we gotta get this chicken out of the house. So we tried feeding him. We couldn't figure out what exactly chickens eat.. so we gave him bread cuz everything eats bread. haha He actually ate some of it! Oh and we named him Clyde. So i lured him out of his spot with the bread and just by getting too close to him. So then I got him over towards the door but he just wouldn't go out! So we're at a pickle again... Finally being the manly man that I am. I start being nice to the chicken and he lets me touch him and pet him and stuff. So we're like friends now at this point. Then I pull the backstabber move and grab him and pick him up and place him outside. We even made him a little bed out of cardboard with bread.. but he still kept trying to wander in. So finally we stuck him outside and closed the door (we usually keep the door open to get air so we don't die of heat). He then slept the whole night on our huge cardboard box that we use as a trash can out in front of our house.
Another set of pictures was at our National Day of Service! It was pretty legit. We had to get up at like 4:30 to do it though and then when we got back we were full of appointments so we didn't get to rest at all. But we helped build houses at this relocation place for squatters. It's supposed to be really cheap houses for people that currently make their houses out of scraps of wood and aluminum roofing and cardboard. So that was a lot of fun! We made cement by hand and that's cool! But kinda hard! But then I had to give a talk the next day in sacrament meeting and I was able to compare what we did at service to missionary work and it went pretty well! I'm still not a fan though of talking in front of people.. but whatev.
In other news, I had two baptismal interviews! It was pretty funny and like different than any other interview I've had. They we two young girls, like primary age. The first one was super shy, and ended up being afraid of water.. haha I said, "so do you feel like you're ready for baptism?" "No." "Huh? Why?? Do you want to be baptized?" "No." I was like huh?? what do I do here?? So it turns out she was just afraid of water.. hahaha So I helped explain that to her and she passed the interview. The second one started crying before I even shook her hand! Apparently, she has like a fear of white people, and especially ones with blue eyes... which my companion has.. haha So finally she got the courage to do the interview and it went super well! So then the next day, I get a text from the sisters in their area and they're like what'd you do to the kids?? They love you! They keep asking about you and want you to baptize them.. haha So I consider that a successful turn around. haha
So that's kinda all I can think of ... i'm running out of time cuz I was looking for material for my district meeting tomorrow. So I hope you have have a great week though! Keep being awesome!
Love
Elder Michael Gadberry
April 20, 2013 E-mail!
Well, How's it going everyone? I assume everyone is anxiously awaiting my return home...
haha just kidding. but it's getting closer. lame.
So this past week has been a really good one too! As always!�
So anything happen with transfers?
Umm..nope. Most everything stayed the same. I got one new sister in my district but she was in my zone in San Gab for a transfer so I kinda already know her already. Elder Handy and Elder Jensen stayed as our ZLs and I think half the other district transferred. It's kinda funny cuz me and my companion and Elder Handy and Elder Jensen are the only americans now in the zone, so that's pretty fun.
Did you have investigators make it to church this week?
So that's the bad news. We had one. Which means we're not going to have any baptisms before I go home..but it's all good. We're working super hard and we saw a lot of progression in some of our investigators but to our great surprise they didn't make it to church.. I was thinking about it and I was kinda like ugh.. I can't wait till I get home and I don't feel guilty every time people don't come to church.. But then I was thinking about the Savior and I was like the Savior's done every thing he's possibly can to bring Salvation to everyone but still the majority of the people in the world don't really care. I figure I don't have too much to complain about when looked at from that perspective. Oh well. A couple of scriptures I read that kinda helped here Jacob 5:41,46-47 and Alma 32:38-39.
Okay first things first, I must tell you of .......... the aswang. haha It's a Filipino mythical beast much like a vampire, but like they seriously believe in it. So on Tuesday we were sitting down with investigators and they told me all about it. So this is what I gathered. The aswang is half-man, half-bird. He eats people and especially enjoys the sick and pregnant. He's on duty from 6pm to 4am. He also has the ability to shift into other animals like dogs bigger than a man. But normally he's just normal man size. During the day he's just a man, but changes at night. His weaknesses are essentially those that of your average mythological vampire. So with that said... you guys should all watch out for the aswangs.
In other news, it was sooooooooooo hot this week.
Now let's turn the time over to Elder Gadberry for a report on our food for the week. So.. Wednesday on our morning jog.. we saw a guy carrying a dead dog by it's hind legs in one hand a big long knife in the other hand. Yeah.. I'm pretty sure he was about to make him some breakfast. In other cooking news, I started cooking hotdogs with onions and garlic and then with the taters too and it's super beast. Then one time we ate at this crazy fancy japanese sushi place that was a buffet. It was pretty legit cuz they also had allll kinds of meat and your table had a grill in the middle and you cook your own meat and it was all you can eat and super good. #IDidntEatSushi
Okay and one more story! About a couple Crunch bars..haha So we went to the doctor for Elder Phillips and when we were buying medicine later we ran into this really nice Couple Missionaries from Hawaii. As we were heading out the door the sister gave us each a hundred pesos to buy us some candy! Score! So I went and bought two Crunch bars. So then we were off. We got a taxi and headed back to the office to get reimbursed for Elder Phillip's meds. So the taxi driver that gave us a ride back was super nice and we talked the whole way to the office. As we got out, I was like can we leave you with a book that you can read? He's like yeah sure! So I gave him a Book of Mormon with our names and numbers and then I was like you like chocolate?? He's like yeah! So I was like here take this. And he was pumped! (That's the new game plan give out candy with the book of mormon.. haha). So I lost one Crunch there. Then as we walked into the office I was like I gotta hook Sister D up. Sister D! Here I got you some candy! And then I was down to none. . . . The moral of the story? I shoulda bought three Crunch bars. hahaha But I learned a couple things actually from that experience. 1. Because that one sister was nice to me, I wanted to be nice to everyone else. Simple acts of kindness spread. and 2. Those candy bars were gifts per say. If we look at those like gifts from God, I believe that all gifts from God are given to us not to benefit us, but to benefit others. So when we're nice, when we share, we are doing what God would want us to do. We are "playing nicely with our brothers and sisters." And like every Earthly parent, of course our Father in Heaven is overjoyed when we too are kind to our brothers and sisters.�
But now I gotta get rollin! I don't have too much more to add! Hope you guys have a great week!�
Love
Elder Gadberry
Pictures
The Japanese place
My delicious hotdogs
Sunset�
haha just kidding. but it's getting closer. lame.
So this past week has been a really good one too! As always!�
So anything happen with transfers?
Umm..nope. Most everything stayed the same. I got one new sister in my district but she was in my zone in San Gab for a transfer so I kinda already know her already. Elder Handy and Elder Jensen stayed as our ZLs and I think half the other district transferred. It's kinda funny cuz me and my companion and Elder Handy and Elder Jensen are the only americans now in the zone, so that's pretty fun.
Did you have investigators make it to church this week?
So that's the bad news. We had one. Which means we're not going to have any baptisms before I go home..but it's all good. We're working super hard and we saw a lot of progression in some of our investigators but to our great surprise they didn't make it to church.. I was thinking about it and I was kinda like ugh.. I can't wait till I get home and I don't feel guilty every time people don't come to church.. But then I was thinking about the Savior and I was like the Savior's done every thing he's possibly can to bring Salvation to everyone but still the majority of the people in the world don't really care. I figure I don't have too much to complain about when looked at from that perspective. Oh well. A couple of scriptures I read that kinda helped here Jacob 5:41,46-47 and Alma 32:38-39.
Okay first things first, I must tell you of .......... the aswang. haha It's a Filipino mythical beast much like a vampire, but like they seriously believe in it. So on Tuesday we were sitting down with investigators and they told me all about it. So this is what I gathered. The aswang is half-man, half-bird. He eats people and especially enjoys the sick and pregnant. He's on duty from 6pm to 4am. He also has the ability to shift into other animals like dogs bigger than a man. But normally he's just normal man size. During the day he's just a man, but changes at night. His weaknesses are essentially those that of your average mythological vampire. So with that said... you guys should all watch out for the aswangs.
In other news, it was sooooooooooo hot this week.
Now let's turn the time over to Elder Gadberry for a report on our food for the week. So.. Wednesday on our morning jog.. we saw a guy carrying a dead dog by it's hind legs in one hand a big long knife in the other hand. Yeah.. I'm pretty sure he was about to make him some breakfast. In other cooking news, I started cooking hotdogs with onions and garlic and then with the taters too and it's super beast. Then one time we ate at this crazy fancy japanese sushi place that was a buffet. It was pretty legit cuz they also had allll kinds of meat and your table had a grill in the middle and you cook your own meat and it was all you can eat and super good. #IDidntEatSushi
Okay and one more story! About a couple Crunch bars..haha So we went to the doctor for Elder Phillips and when we were buying medicine later we ran into this really nice Couple Missionaries from Hawaii. As we were heading out the door the sister gave us each a hundred pesos to buy us some candy! Score! So I went and bought two Crunch bars. So then we were off. We got a taxi and headed back to the office to get reimbursed for Elder Phillip's meds. So the taxi driver that gave us a ride back was super nice and we talked the whole way to the office. As we got out, I was like can we leave you with a book that you can read? He's like yeah sure! So I gave him a Book of Mormon with our names and numbers and then I was like you like chocolate?? He's like yeah! So I was like here take this. And he was pumped! (That's the new game plan give out candy with the book of mormon.. haha). So I lost one Crunch there. Then as we walked into the office I was like I gotta hook Sister D up. Sister D! Here I got you some candy! And then I was down to none. . . . The moral of the story? I shoulda bought three Crunch bars. hahaha But I learned a couple things actually from that experience. 1. Because that one sister was nice to me, I wanted to be nice to everyone else. Simple acts of kindness spread. and 2. Those candy bars were gifts per say. If we look at those like gifts from God, I believe that all gifts from God are given to us not to benefit us, but to benefit others. So when we're nice, when we share, we are doing what God would want us to do. We are "playing nicely with our brothers and sisters." And like every Earthly parent, of course our Father in Heaven is overjoyed when we too are kind to our brothers and sisters.�
But now I gotta get rollin! I don't have too much more to add! Hope you guys have a great week!�
Love
Elder Gadberry
Pictures
The Japanese place
My delicious hotdogs
Sunset�
April 13, 2013 E-Mail!
And just like that another week passes by... lame.
Extra, Extra read all about it!
--Elder Gadberry is rockin a new pair of shoes
--General Conference was beast and a half as always!
--And I forgot my journal to look at to know what to talk about!
haha We'll see what I remember...
So about what I mentioned already.. So last week we had that investigator give me those new shoes and I love him for it! Well I love him no matter what but especially for being so kinda as to offer me his shoes. Well what I didn't mention because yeah just because is that they're not the highest quality so the leather, well I'm pretty sure its not really leather, but within the first day of wearing them it started cracking and falling off and stuff.. It kinda looked like skin whenever you start peeling from the sun.. haha But anyways Mythor still rocks and a half. So I was wearing those shoes one day and we were teaching Brother Chris who is the nonmember husband of one of the members. He's always been nice and listened to the missionaries but hasn't ever committed to baptism or anything and he doesn't wanna feel like he's being forced into something. So now its finally our turn to try again.. haha So in our first visit with him we just told him that we weren't going to ask him to do anything that he doesn't wanna do or doesn't feel comfortable doing, we just challenge him to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it and thats it. We're not going to force him to go to church, we're not going to even talk about baptism. Just read the book. So now even in our return appointments there we're just going to sit down and read a chapter in the BoM with them and help him pray and get an answer if its true. But anyways after our first lesson with him. We shook hands, thanked them for their time, and headed out. We were like halfway down the road when his daughter came running and was like Elder! Tawag ka ni Momma. Which means mom's calling for you. So I was like okay... why..? Apparently after we had left brother had gone in and gotten a couple pairs of his shoes and wanted me to take one... So yeah. This guy rocks and a half too. And these shoes are doing good thus far! I'm wearing them right now. haha
And so yeah. General Conference was super cool! I loved it! Umm... Let me think about which ones I liked the best.. Starting with Priesthood session.. I really liked Tad R. Callister for some reason. I really liked how he taught that as a leader we don't shine best when we give a great lesson or when we are in the spotlight, but we really shine best when those under us per say are in the spotlight and rockin it. Pres. Uchtdorf also had two awesome talks! He mentioned in Priesthood one of the things I truly believe. That if we truly understand our relationship with God as one of His children. It will completely change our life, our actions, and how we face adversity. That was also taught by Elder Christoffel Golden Jr. on Sunday. One of my favorites was also definitely Elder Craig A Cardon's about repentance. He taught repentance in that talk as well as I've ever heard it. As always I love Elder Scott's. And of course Jeffrey R. Holland's was great as always! And I really loved Elder Erich Kopishcke's talk about being accepted of God. But it was also super important what he said about feeling accepted is really important no matter what and is a great motivating factor for people. But of course they were allll good! I sat on the edge of my chair for all five sessions eagerly taking notes. Now I'm going back over my notes and adding more thoughts and ideas and scriptures and making goals as to how I can apply stuff that stuck out to me into my life. Good stuff!
Umm.. unfortunately.. I can't remember anything else that was too exciting or funny... I wish I had my journal... haha But oh well. I at least got some pictures for you. Most of them aren't from this week cuz I just now stole them from Elder Phillips's camera.
Well, I hope you guys have a great another great week!
Love
Elder Michael Gadberry
Pictures
275 -- Me and a huge pile of clam shells.. Or at least I think they're clams..
280/281 -- One of the coolest things in our area! #TheBridge
318 -- We have a cute little dog that lives by us. We call him Adobo. . . . google adobo and then laugh.
322 -- Our bishop and his wife and daughter at first first birthday party! I'm pretty sure more people attended that than all my birthday's combined.. haha We filled up the church.
340 -- Me and Elder Jensen
341 -- Me and Elder Phillips
342 -- Me being attractive.
349 -- My district!
353 -- All the guys in our zone
366 -- Our zone
367/369 -- my district again!
Extra, Extra read all about it!
--Elder Gadberry is rockin a new pair of shoes
--General Conference was beast and a half as always!
--And I forgot my journal to look at to know what to talk about!
haha We'll see what I remember...
So about what I mentioned already.. So last week we had that investigator give me those new shoes and I love him for it! Well I love him no matter what but especially for being so kinda as to offer me his shoes. Well what I didn't mention because yeah just because is that they're not the highest quality so the leather, well I'm pretty sure its not really leather, but within the first day of wearing them it started cracking and falling off and stuff.. It kinda looked like skin whenever you start peeling from the sun.. haha But anyways Mythor still rocks and a half. So I was wearing those shoes one day and we were teaching Brother Chris who is the nonmember husband of one of the members. He's always been nice and listened to the missionaries but hasn't ever committed to baptism or anything and he doesn't wanna feel like he's being forced into something. So now its finally our turn to try again.. haha So in our first visit with him we just told him that we weren't going to ask him to do anything that he doesn't wanna do or doesn't feel comfortable doing, we just challenge him to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it and thats it. We're not going to force him to go to church, we're not going to even talk about baptism. Just read the book. So now even in our return appointments there we're just going to sit down and read a chapter in the BoM with them and help him pray and get an answer if its true. But anyways after our first lesson with him. We shook hands, thanked them for their time, and headed out. We were like halfway down the road when his daughter came running and was like Elder! Tawag ka ni Momma. Which means mom's calling for you. So I was like okay... why..? Apparently after we had left brother had gone in and gotten a couple pairs of his shoes and wanted me to take one... So yeah. This guy rocks and a half too. And these shoes are doing good thus far! I'm wearing them right now. haha
And so yeah. General Conference was super cool! I loved it! Umm... Let me think about which ones I liked the best.. Starting with Priesthood session.. I really liked Tad R. Callister for some reason. I really liked how he taught that as a leader we don't shine best when we give a great lesson or when we are in the spotlight, but we really shine best when those under us per say are in the spotlight and rockin it. Pres. Uchtdorf also had two awesome talks! He mentioned in Priesthood one of the things I truly believe. That if we truly understand our relationship with God as one of His children. It will completely change our life, our actions, and how we face adversity. That was also taught by Elder Christoffel Golden Jr. on Sunday. One of my favorites was also definitely Elder Craig A Cardon's about repentance. He taught repentance in that talk as well as I've ever heard it. As always I love Elder Scott's. And of course Jeffrey R. Holland's was great as always! And I really loved Elder Erich Kopishcke's talk about being accepted of God. But it was also super important what he said about feeling accepted is really important no matter what and is a great motivating factor for people. But of course they were allll good! I sat on the edge of my chair for all five sessions eagerly taking notes. Now I'm going back over my notes and adding more thoughts and ideas and scriptures and making goals as to how I can apply stuff that stuck out to me into my life. Good stuff!
Umm.. unfortunately.. I can't remember anything else that was too exciting or funny... I wish I had my journal... haha But oh well. I at least got some pictures for you. Most of them aren't from this week cuz I just now stole them from Elder Phillips's camera.
Well, I hope you guys have a great another great week!
Love
Elder Michael Gadberry
Pictures
275 -- Me and a huge pile of clam shells.. Or at least I think they're clams..
280/281 -- One of the coolest things in our area! #TheBridge
318 -- We have a cute little dog that lives by us. We call him Adobo. . . . google adobo and then laugh.
322 -- Our bishop and his wife and daughter at first first birthday party! I'm pretty sure more people attended that than all my birthday's combined.. haha We filled up the church.
340 -- Me and Elder Jensen
341 -- Me and Elder Phillips
342 -- Me being attractive.
349 -- My district!
353 -- All the guys in our zone
366 -- Our zone
367/369 -- my district again!
April 6, 2013 E-Mail!
Last Preparation day of my second to last transfer.
trash.
Sorry for not getting an email to you guys last week.. But my Holy Week was pretty good. Complete with a Holy Thursday but definitely a Good Friday. haha I got lots of pictures for you guys though so check those out!
So this week was pretty sweet. I'd like to begin by sharing another story about why Filipinos are like the best people ever. So I have these shoes... And they're pretty well destroyed.. But hey, "My life is like my shoes to be worn out in service." (Pres. Kimball) But anyways.. our investigator Bro Mythor. Who is legit. We've met with him like 3 times and he's already well into 2 Nephi. But he's like Elder Gadberry you're shoes are shot! (Of course I'm taking some liberty with the translation) and I was like yeah...but it's all good. I'm kinda close to going home anyways and I don't wanna buy new ones. So he's like well here take a pair of mine. (He's a fireman). I was like well what about you aren't you going to need these?? He's like nah.. take em! And I'm like no way they're yours and he's like take it its okay I've got a bunch. And then at that point his wife chimes in verifying that he has a bunch. So I'm like fine..'in the mouth of two witnesses' right?? haha And then I accept them. So I got a new pair of shoes for free! I love this guy!
Another story. So we've got this one family who's like awesome and a half. It's the family with the ancient nanay who looks like she's 120. But earlier this week they were telling us about how much they love the scriptures. They say that if they don't read a little bit of them before they go to bed they feel like something's missing and then when they do go to sleep in their little simple home where they just sleep on the floor. They always make sure that their Aklat ni Mormon is always near and it brings them peace and comfort. I loveee the beautiful simple faith of some many of the people here!
So then we have this other family who is super cool too! They're actually former investigators of Elder Hopkins so I feel super honored to teach them. And I really think this is going to be their time to get baptized! We visited them once and they were talking about even though they were never baptized they felt that they missed the church and wanted to start going to church again. So then Sunday they came to church! It was sweet! To be honest.. I'm not too sure we're going to get anyone baptized before I leave. I really hope so.. But since we've struggled getting people to church it's going to take a lot of help from the Lord for it to happen. But even if we don't I'm content cuz right now we have over twenty people that have accepted baptismal dates so at the very least I'll hopefully help set Elder Phillips up to have a bomb next couple months.
One more story about how awesome the saints are here! So Saturday night we were walking along the highway going to our next appointment when we hear "hey elders!" from behind us. Brother Macky, our 1st Counselor in the Bishopric, came riding up to us on his bike. Keep in mind this is no like road bike or anything this like the bike that you and your friends rode around the neighborhood before you were big enough to ride a mountain bike that had all the fancy gears and stuff. haha He told us that he just got done with overtime at work, which is considerable distance away from where we met him, and that he was late for PEC, which is on the other side of Kawit. It's about 7pm now and PEC started at 6:30 and he's going straight there from work no break no dinner no nothin. What a stud. And this is after he spent his Thursday evening working with us and helping us teach the family I mentioned above that Elder Hopkins started teaching.
In other news....
We were invited to the birthday party for this nanay investigator of ours who's daughter is a member. So I was like Nay! How old are you going to be?? She's like 83! I was like wow! Nice! And then her katulong helper person was like Nay! You're only turning 78! You're not 83 yet.. haha So then We showed up at their house on her birthday and I was like Happy Birthday Nay! She's like thanks! I turn 83 today! ....I guess she hadn't read the big hugetarpaulin on their well that said "Happy 78th Birthday Nanay Bising!" ....#OldPeople hahaha =D
Another funny one was when we taught this other less-active family. So we just got done teaching about faith and all the different aspects of it and what true faith is. With a special focus on acting! Faith AND works! So yeah it went pretty good! So we go, "So do you guys have any questions?" Brother Mike then comes up with a good one! One I don't think I've ever heard before or will ever hear again.. "So what can you say about people getting struck down with lightning from above?" Thankfully his mother who's like 70 had the answer to that question. "You dummy. That's not lightning from God it's coming from the clouds!" "Well that's still above," Mike argued. And with that Mom was silenced. "So umm.. thanks for your time.. We'll drop by again next week.... but umm.. before we go can we maybe say a prayer? (that we don't get struck down by lightning... haha just kidding)"
My mission rocks.
Love
Elder Michael Gadberry
Pictures
174 -- View on a Mini-Bus
178/181 -- Sweet sunset!
183 -- Playing with my camera before ballin this morning.
trash.
Sorry for not getting an email to you guys last week.. But my Holy Week was pretty good. Complete with a Holy Thursday but definitely a Good Friday. haha I got lots of pictures for you guys though so check those out!
So this week was pretty sweet. I'd like to begin by sharing another story about why Filipinos are like the best people ever. So I have these shoes... And they're pretty well destroyed.. But hey, "My life is like my shoes to be worn out in service." (Pres. Kimball) But anyways.. our investigator Bro Mythor. Who is legit. We've met with him like 3 times and he's already well into 2 Nephi. But he's like Elder Gadberry you're shoes are shot! (Of course I'm taking some liberty with the translation) and I was like yeah...but it's all good. I'm kinda close to going home anyways and I don't wanna buy new ones. So he's like well here take a pair of mine. (He's a fireman). I was like well what about you aren't you going to need these?? He's like nah.. take em! And I'm like no way they're yours and he's like take it its okay I've got a bunch. And then at that point his wife chimes in verifying that he has a bunch. So I'm like fine..'in the mouth of two witnesses' right?? haha And then I accept them. So I got a new pair of shoes for free! I love this guy!
Another story. So we've got this one family who's like awesome and a half. It's the family with the ancient nanay who looks like she's 120. But earlier this week they were telling us about how much they love the scriptures. They say that if they don't read a little bit of them before they go to bed they feel like something's missing and then when they do go to sleep in their little simple home where they just sleep on the floor. They always make sure that their Aklat ni Mormon is always near and it brings them peace and comfort. I loveee the beautiful simple faith of some many of the people here!
So then we have this other family who is super cool too! They're actually former investigators of Elder Hopkins so I feel super honored to teach them. And I really think this is going to be their time to get baptized! We visited them once and they were talking about even though they were never baptized they felt that they missed the church and wanted to start going to church again. So then Sunday they came to church! It was sweet! To be honest.. I'm not too sure we're going to get anyone baptized before I leave. I really hope so.. But since we've struggled getting people to church it's going to take a lot of help from the Lord for it to happen. But even if we don't I'm content cuz right now we have over twenty people that have accepted baptismal dates so at the very least I'll hopefully help set Elder Phillips up to have a bomb next couple months.
One more story about how awesome the saints are here! So Saturday night we were walking along the highway going to our next appointment when we hear "hey elders!" from behind us. Brother Macky, our 1st Counselor in the Bishopric, came riding up to us on his bike. Keep in mind this is no like road bike or anything this like the bike that you and your friends rode around the neighborhood before you were big enough to ride a mountain bike that had all the fancy gears and stuff. haha He told us that he just got done with overtime at work, which is considerable distance away from where we met him, and that he was late for PEC, which is on the other side of Kawit. It's about 7pm now and PEC started at 6:30 and he's going straight there from work no break no dinner no nothin. What a stud. And this is after he spent his Thursday evening working with us and helping us teach the family I mentioned above that Elder Hopkins started teaching.
In other news....
We were invited to the birthday party for this nanay investigator of ours who's daughter is a member. So I was like Nay! How old are you going to be?? She's like 83! I was like wow! Nice! And then her katulong helper person was like Nay! You're only turning 78! You're not 83 yet.. haha So then We showed up at their house on her birthday and I was like Happy Birthday Nay! She's like thanks! I turn 83 today! ....I guess she hadn't read the big hugetarpaulin on their well that said "Happy 78th Birthday Nanay Bising!" ....#OldPeople hahaha =D
Another funny one was when we taught this other less-active family. So we just got done teaching about faith and all the different aspects of it and what true faith is. With a special focus on acting! Faith AND works! So yeah it went pretty good! So we go, "So do you guys have any questions?" Brother Mike then comes up with a good one! One I don't think I've ever heard before or will ever hear again.. "So what can you say about people getting struck down with lightning from above?" Thankfully his mother who's like 70 had the answer to that question. "You dummy. That's not lightning from God it's coming from the clouds!" "Well that's still above," Mike argued. And with that Mom was silenced. "So umm.. thanks for your time.. We'll drop by again next week.... but umm.. before we go can we maybe say a prayer? (that we don't get struck down by lightning... haha just kidding)"
My mission rocks.
Love
Elder Michael Gadberry
Pictures
174 -- View on a Mini-Bus
178/181 -- Sweet sunset!
183 -- Playing with my camera before ballin this morning.
March 25, 2013 E-Mail!
Hey everyone!
How goes it?? Over here life is great! We had a very good but interesting and different week this week. But hey you know I loved it! haha
So is your companion a sickly person or just having trouble in a foreign country?
I think its just the adjustment.. you know those utah boys... They haven't had a lick of humidity their whole lives.. hahaha But yeah he's pretty much adjusted now and has improved a lot and is doing really great!
So what kind of reaction have the Catholics had concerning the new Pope? The Philippines is a pretty Catholic country, right?
Umm.. to be honest I haven't heard too much more than that the Pope resigned. . . .which is kinda unexpected.. But umm I know its on the news and stuff but hey surprise! We don't watch tv... haha So I don't know too much. But yes the Philippines is mostly Catholic. This week is Holy Week so everyone's just going to party all week and yeah we'll see what its like out here cuz last Holy Week I was in the office and it was super weird cuz Makati the business central of the Philippines turned into a complete ghost town and it was kinda freaky.. but super nice for driving! haha So I don't know if we're going to have a Holy Week (in that everyone is too busy partying to listen to us) or a Holy Week! meaning that this week goes crazy! you have to say it like you would say holy cow except replace cow for week... But anyways that's the kinda week we're going to have fa sho!
So this week was funny..
Monday was preparation day! Nothing too excited or out of the ordinary..
Tuesday was like a regular day. We had district meeting and stuff. But we did have something pretty cool happen on Tuesday.. So on Monday evening we felt like we should visit Jonathan a guy that we've taught once and every time we've gone back he's "busy" but says "come back again another day!" So we go by there every once and a while cuz it doesn't really hurt anything. So we wrote him in our plans. Upon returning from district meeting we were walking back home and we saw on of our members here in Kawit. She was like Elders! Do you know where Sister Connie lives? I was like "No! We've been looking for her house for like three weeks now and haven't found it!" So she said that she had talked to her and explained to us where her house was. Our schedule was pretty full but we said that we'd try to go there if we had time. So our first appointment was Jonathan and I was like well we know if Jonathan falls through we were supposed to visit Sister Connie all along. Sure enough that's what happened! haha So we go find Sister Connie and she's super nice and awesome but kinda less active.. haha But mostly because she has to take care of her mom who is 92 turning 93 in May... She looks like she's 115. hahaha But the ancient of days complained to whole time about all the pain she was in and that she wanted to die and stuff like that.. it was kinda distracting cuz she was like wailing this.. but Sister Connie says that she's not actually in pain cuz they've taken her to the doctor and they say that nothing is really wrong with her just the classic old people stuff and arthritis and what not.(I can't wait until he becomes 'old people') But I've got a story about her later this week... But anyways apparently Connie had prayed the night before wondering why the elders never visit her and requesting that we visit. So that's the whole story! You see how like crazy that is but simple! The Lord is crazy! On our end we felt to visit Jonathan, someone who would probably fall through but lives really close to Connie. Then our member friend played a big role too because she saw Connie earlier that day and knew that she was wondering about the elders and then she just "happened" to be on the road when we were heading home and could tell us where Connie lives. The Lord answers prayers!
Wednesday Elder Phillips spent the day in General Trias while Elder Declaro and I went to Makati for an essentially all day leadership training thingy. It went pretty good. I had been asked to teach our missionaries how to have an effective district meeting and I think that that went okay but who knows.. haha
Then Thursday I went back to Makati for a follow training meeting on trainers and trainees in the 12 week program and so that was another pretty cool meeting. I actually enjoy attending meetings now.. I like learning, its cool! And so then afterwards we got some food with some of the missionaries and headed off to the temple. So we got to go to the temple and then we headed back home and passed out.
Then Friday yup... we went BACK to Manila again! This time because Elder Phillips had a doctors appointment.. So that went okay as well but I had to spend a ton of money on travel this week... ugh. But at least Friday we got back in time to get a few appointments in, but then after that we traveled again to Rosario this time to sleep there cuz we were going to help our Zone Leaders move Saturday morning.
So Saturday finally. We help the ZLs move and that took forever and a half.. haha Then I'm like over an hour late for baptismal interviews in Cavite City.. But they were patient and waited. So we headed over there and by the time we were done there we finally get back to Kawit at 8 just in time for one appointment and so we do that and pass out. haha
Ayan.. and now its Sunday. and hey! it was normal! woo! haha So we followed up with Sister Connie again and it was strangely quiet at their house.. So I was like how's nanay doing? And she's like "you know elder.. she said she got better! She said Tuesday when you guys were here and you went and sat down on the couch with her she said that she felt air enter her body again and later that night she was like 'salamat sa diyos! Nakakagaling yung dalawa na yun...' (ask me to do my ancient nanay voice when I got home cuz its pretty funny but sounds just like her)." But anyways there she said essentially, "thank god! Those two healed me!" So I was like whoa! That's pretty crazy but pretty cool for sure!
And then we finished Sunday and now I'm here writing you guys.
In other news.... I decided that I'm mature now.
I just spend two hours with Elder Paddock trying to figure out how to put a dead bolt in the door... and it was interesting! haha #I'mABigBoyNow
Well.. I'mma get running. Hope you guys have a holy week! haha
Ingatz!
Elder Michael Gadberry
How goes it?? Over here life is great! We had a very good but interesting and different week this week. But hey you know I loved it! haha
So is your companion a sickly person or just having trouble in a foreign country?
I think its just the adjustment.. you know those utah boys... They haven't had a lick of humidity their whole lives.. hahaha But yeah he's pretty much adjusted now and has improved a lot and is doing really great!
So what kind of reaction have the Catholics had concerning the new Pope? The Philippines is a pretty Catholic country, right?
Umm.. to be honest I haven't heard too much more than that the Pope resigned. . . .which is kinda unexpected.. But umm I know its on the news and stuff but hey surprise! We don't watch tv... haha So I don't know too much. But yes the Philippines is mostly Catholic. This week is Holy Week so everyone's just going to party all week and yeah we'll see what its like out here cuz last Holy Week I was in the office and it was super weird cuz Makati the business central of the Philippines turned into a complete ghost town and it was kinda freaky.. but super nice for driving! haha So I don't know if we're going to have a Holy Week (in that everyone is too busy partying to listen to us) or a Holy Week! meaning that this week goes crazy! you have to say it like you would say holy cow except replace cow for week... But anyways that's the kinda week we're going to have fa sho!
So this week was funny..
Monday was preparation day! Nothing too excited or out of the ordinary..
Tuesday was like a regular day. We had district meeting and stuff. But we did have something pretty cool happen on Tuesday.. So on Monday evening we felt like we should visit Jonathan a guy that we've taught once and every time we've gone back he's "busy" but says "come back again another day!" So we go by there every once and a while cuz it doesn't really hurt anything. So we wrote him in our plans. Upon returning from district meeting we were walking back home and we saw on of our members here in Kawit. She was like Elders! Do you know where Sister Connie lives? I was like "No! We've been looking for her house for like three weeks now and haven't found it!" So she said that she had talked to her and explained to us where her house was. Our schedule was pretty full but we said that we'd try to go there if we had time. So our first appointment was Jonathan and I was like well we know if Jonathan falls through we were supposed to visit Sister Connie all along. Sure enough that's what happened! haha So we go find Sister Connie and she's super nice and awesome but kinda less active.. haha But mostly because she has to take care of her mom who is 92 turning 93 in May... She looks like she's 115. hahaha But the ancient of days complained to whole time about all the pain she was in and that she wanted to die and stuff like that.. it was kinda distracting cuz she was like wailing this.. but Sister Connie says that she's not actually in pain cuz they've taken her to the doctor and they say that nothing is really wrong with her just the classic old people stuff and arthritis and what not.(I can't wait until he becomes 'old people') But I've got a story about her later this week... But anyways apparently Connie had prayed the night before wondering why the elders never visit her and requesting that we visit. So that's the whole story! You see how like crazy that is but simple! The Lord is crazy! On our end we felt to visit Jonathan, someone who would probably fall through but lives really close to Connie. Then our member friend played a big role too because she saw Connie earlier that day and knew that she was wondering about the elders and then she just "happened" to be on the road when we were heading home and could tell us where Connie lives. The Lord answers prayers!
Wednesday Elder Phillips spent the day in General Trias while Elder Declaro and I went to Makati for an essentially all day leadership training thingy. It went pretty good. I had been asked to teach our missionaries how to have an effective district meeting and I think that that went okay but who knows.. haha
Then Thursday I went back to Makati for a follow training meeting on trainers and trainees in the 12 week program and so that was another pretty cool meeting. I actually enjoy attending meetings now.. I like learning, its cool! And so then afterwards we got some food with some of the missionaries and headed off to the temple. So we got to go to the temple and then we headed back home and passed out.
Then Friday yup... we went BACK to Manila again! This time because Elder Phillips had a doctors appointment.. So that went okay as well but I had to spend a ton of money on travel this week... ugh. But at least Friday we got back in time to get a few appointments in, but then after that we traveled again to Rosario this time to sleep there cuz we were going to help our Zone Leaders move Saturday morning.
So Saturday finally. We help the ZLs move and that took forever and a half.. haha Then I'm like over an hour late for baptismal interviews in Cavite City.. But they were patient and waited. So we headed over there and by the time we were done there we finally get back to Kawit at 8 just in time for one appointment and so we do that and pass out. haha
Ayan.. and now its Sunday. and hey! it was normal! woo! haha So we followed up with Sister Connie again and it was strangely quiet at their house.. So I was like how's nanay doing? And she's like "you know elder.. she said she got better! She said Tuesday when you guys were here and you went and sat down on the couch with her she said that she felt air enter her body again and later that night she was like 'salamat sa diyos! Nakakagaling yung dalawa na yun...' (ask me to do my ancient nanay voice when I got home cuz its pretty funny but sounds just like her)." But anyways there she said essentially, "thank god! Those two healed me!" So I was like whoa! That's pretty crazy but pretty cool for sure!
And then we finished Sunday and now I'm here writing you guys.
In other news.... I decided that I'm mature now.
I just spend two hours with Elder Paddock trying to figure out how to put a dead bolt in the door... and it was interesting! haha #I'mABigBoyNow
Well.. I'mma get running. Hope you guys have a holy week! haha
Ingatz!
Elder Michael Gadberry
March 18, 2013 E-Mail!
Hey everyone!
Life's going great here! We finally had investigators that came to church!!! haha
My parents made a comment about how legit that church was, so I figured I ought to let you know that that isn't actually where we go to church that was a different branch back in the san gabriel zone.. But it is super legit! Maybe I'll send you guys a picture of our building next time if I remember.
How is Elder Phillips feeling/doing as a new missionary in the Philippines?
He's doing really good now. He's starting to love it. But he still has been healthy like a total of 3 days so far this transfer.. haha by the end of the day he's usually just trying to get home cuz he's starting to feel like trash. But he's a really good missionary. I've already had him starting to lead us in like everything even though he's still trying to get a hang of the language but even then he can at least lead planning and study and finding and even at least start the lessons and what not so he's a stud. (he's from Logan, Ut)
Okay so I'll follow the pattern of telling you guys all about one of our days cuz I got too much to say about everything else.. so today's day is Wednesday!
It started with an awesome study.. as always. This week I realized that I really like studying... that's weird. haha I guess that will be good for when I get back to school in a few months considering studying was one of my weakest points there.. haha But I studied an old talk about Elder Faust called "A Personal Relationship with the Savior" and that was super good! You guys should read it if you get a chance.
Then in companionship study we're in this thing called the 12 week program which is a training program for new missionaries. Matt will know that here in not too long (shout out to Matt Wells who is leaving for his mission next week, YEA Matt!!). So with that we were studying about teaching people, not lessons and so we talked a lot about listening. Which is like the coolest part of missionary work! I love listening it's like seriously the most important part. Even if you're speaking a foreign language if you just listen with love.. things will work out. (see my experience approximately 18 months ago... haha).
So after that and lunch and language study we headed out to work. So this guy named Ven-ven was supposed to work with us, but never showed up... lame. but it's whatev we went on anyways. Our first appointment was with Jeanette and Kathy a couple pretty new investigators. It was awesome cuz they had like a ton of questions and like seriously they were all answered by the Restoration. Like why are there so many churches? What's the difference between the Book of Mormon and Bible? Why are there a bunch of different Bibles? What's the difference between Mormons and Catholics? But like the best question they asked was 1. Can we read the Book of Mormon?? and 2. Can we go to church so we can see what you guys do there?? So yeah.. that lesson was fun. Unfortunately I got pretty excited at the fact that the Restoration answered all their questions that I kinda hogged the lesson.. But it went awesome!
After that we went to three more appointments that actually fell through.. haha Such is life sometimes as a missionary but of course you never get discouraged just talk to people and do what you can.
So then we went and bought a cake! It was the birthday of one of our investigators so we surprised her with cake! It was pretty funny cuz the cake comes in this big bright yellow box... so we were like uhh.. paano ito.. or like uhh how are we going to do this cuz we don't want it to be super obvious that we're walking around the Philippines with a cake.. haha So the cake didn't fit in anything that we had at the house so I had to empty out my backpack and it actually fit in there! But not completely.. haha plus of course you can't wear the backpack or else the cake will get squished so I had to walk awkwardly to our next appointment with a big ol cake in my backpack carrying it in front of me as if I'm delivering a pizza.. haha But all is well we made it to the appointment safely and not too terribly awkwardly.. haha So we tought a lesson on enduring to the end cuz that's where we were in the lessons and so I geniusly used the example that we told them that if they "endure" till the end of the lesson there will be cake.. But the cake�heavenly�father has in store for us if we endure to the end as A LOT better than the cake we brought.. haha They thought that that was pretty funny.. haha So then we ate the cake and took pictures and it was awesome. It turns out that Wynbie who turned 22.. that this is her first birthday cake ever so she was pretty happy about that and it made us feel all nice and warm and tingly inside... hahaha
So then after that we went to this new investigator family. The daughter is a friend of a member family and is really interested but she says her family isn't ready. So with that in mind I tried to figure out what they really wanted to learn from us because they readily welcomed us in and willingly listened. So I asked the mom if she wanted to know more about mormons and the church and the book or mormon or if she was more interested in learning more about god's plan for them and where we came from, why we're here, and where we are going. and so she chose the second so we're going to teach them more about the Plan of Salvation and hopefully teaching according to their interests and desires will prove to be effective with them. We'll see!
Then we headed home and planned and I wrote in my journal and then we called it a night! So it was an awesome day! I love doing missionary work!�
Hope you all have a great week! Thanks for all your support and just for being who you are!�
Love
Elder Michael Gadberry
Life's going great here! We finally had investigators that came to church!!! haha
My parents made a comment about how legit that church was, so I figured I ought to let you know that that isn't actually where we go to church that was a different branch back in the san gabriel zone.. But it is super legit! Maybe I'll send you guys a picture of our building next time if I remember.
How is Elder Phillips feeling/doing as a new missionary in the Philippines?
He's doing really good now. He's starting to love it. But he still has been healthy like a total of 3 days so far this transfer.. haha by the end of the day he's usually just trying to get home cuz he's starting to feel like trash. But he's a really good missionary. I've already had him starting to lead us in like everything even though he's still trying to get a hang of the language but even then he can at least lead planning and study and finding and even at least start the lessons and what not so he's a stud. (he's from Logan, Ut)
Okay so I'll follow the pattern of telling you guys all about one of our days cuz I got too much to say about everything else.. so today's day is Wednesday!
It started with an awesome study.. as always. This week I realized that I really like studying... that's weird. haha I guess that will be good for when I get back to school in a few months considering studying was one of my weakest points there.. haha But I studied an old talk about Elder Faust called "A Personal Relationship with the Savior" and that was super good! You guys should read it if you get a chance.
Then in companionship study we're in this thing called the 12 week program which is a training program for new missionaries. Matt will know that here in not too long (shout out to Matt Wells who is leaving for his mission next week, YEA Matt!!). So with that we were studying about teaching people, not lessons and so we talked a lot about listening. Which is like the coolest part of missionary work! I love listening it's like seriously the most important part. Even if you're speaking a foreign language if you just listen with love.. things will work out. (see my experience approximately 18 months ago... haha).
So after that and lunch and language study we headed out to work. So this guy named Ven-ven was supposed to work with us, but never showed up... lame. but it's whatev we went on anyways. Our first appointment was with Jeanette and Kathy a couple pretty new investigators. It was awesome cuz they had like a ton of questions and like seriously they were all answered by the Restoration. Like why are there so many churches? What's the difference between the Book of Mormon and Bible? Why are there a bunch of different Bibles? What's the difference between Mormons and Catholics? But like the best question they asked was 1. Can we read the Book of Mormon?? and 2. Can we go to church so we can see what you guys do there?? So yeah.. that lesson was fun. Unfortunately I got pretty excited at the fact that the Restoration answered all their questions that I kinda hogged the lesson.. But it went awesome!
After that we went to three more appointments that actually fell through.. haha Such is life sometimes as a missionary but of course you never get discouraged just talk to people and do what you can.
So then we went and bought a cake! It was the birthday of one of our investigators so we surprised her with cake! It was pretty funny cuz the cake comes in this big bright yellow box... so we were like uhh.. paano ito.. or like uhh how are we going to do this cuz we don't want it to be super obvious that we're walking around the Philippines with a cake.. haha So the cake didn't fit in anything that we had at the house so I had to empty out my backpack and it actually fit in there! But not completely.. haha plus of course you can't wear the backpack or else the cake will get squished so I had to walk awkwardly to our next appointment with a big ol cake in my backpack carrying it in front of me as if I'm delivering a pizza.. haha But all is well we made it to the appointment safely and not too terribly awkwardly.. haha So we tought a lesson on enduring to the end cuz that's where we were in the lessons and so I geniusly used the example that we told them that if they "endure" till the end of the lesson there will be cake.. But the cake�heavenly�father has in store for us if we endure to the end as A LOT better than the cake we brought.. haha They thought that that was pretty funny.. haha So then we ate the cake and took pictures and it was awesome. It turns out that Wynbie who turned 22.. that this is her first birthday cake ever so she was pretty happy about that and it made us feel all nice and warm and tingly inside... hahaha
So then after that we went to this new investigator family. The daughter is a friend of a member family and is really interested but she says her family isn't ready. So with that in mind I tried to figure out what they really wanted to learn from us because they readily welcomed us in and willingly listened. So I asked the mom if she wanted to know more about mormons and the church and the book or mormon or if she was more interested in learning more about god's plan for them and where we came from, why we're here, and where we are going. and so she chose the second so we're going to teach them more about the Plan of Salvation and hopefully teaching according to their interests and desires will prove to be effective with them. We'll see!
Then we headed home and planned and I wrote in my journal and then we called it a night! So it was an awesome day! I love doing missionary work!�
Hope you all have a great week! Thanks for all your support and just for being who you are!�
Love
Elder Michael Gadberry
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