Maayong Gabii tanan! (Good night everyone) I have indeed been transferred once again to a completely different zone. Since I've come to the mission I've been transferred to three different areas and have had to learn a total of four distinct dialects and languages. Waray Waray H, Waray Waray S, Tagalog, and now Cebuano. I don't know why I keep being sent around the mission, but it has definitely given me a lot of experience in terms of language learning. I haven't been able to learn a language super in depth yet, but I have gotten good at learning the basics fast. That being said, a lot of wonderful miracles have happened in the short time that I've been here! At one point a man stopped on the side of the road and told us to jump on his motorcycle because he wanted to be taught a lesson. We explained to him that Habal-Habal (motorcycle riding) was against the rules of our mission, but we waved down a small tricycle and told it to follow him. This was all very suspicious, and I told my companion to be ready to bail at any point. Thankfully, he wasn't trying to kill us, and it became a wonderful experience. Turns out he's a super inactive member that hasn't been able to come to church because of his work. His family aren't members so we taught them and said we would be back next Sunday. The spirit was super strong and I'm grateful that the Lord put that experience in my life. My spiritual thought comes from Gen 26:24 where it says, "And the Lord appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham’s sake." There have been a lot of times on the mission where I have been fearful of what others think. From being scared to talk to people because of my poor language skills to being scared to stand up for what I believe in, there is often moments when I am tempted to fear man more than God. There are times when I think I may feel a spiritual prompting but will dismiss the feeling out of fear of what others may think or say. And because of that I have often felt that I am the "wicked and slothful servant" that had buried his talent in the sand. Whenever I come across these moments when I am tempted to sin or shy away from my responsibility I try to remember and repeat my favorite part of Psalm 59, "1 Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me. 2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity and save me from bloody men. 3 For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O Lord. 4 They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me and behold." This short plea for mercy and protection gives me the courage I need to follow spiritual promptings even though I'm scared. It gives me strength to resist temptation and follow the Savior's example. I know as we seek his guidance we will find the strength we need to move forward. To fear no man, do no evil, and live like Him. See you all next week! Elder Wilhelm Skipping rocks on the beach with some kids Wow! Geese! Preaching to everyone must include this ostrich
Mahupay na Gabi everyone! (Good night everyone) I'm sorry this email will probably be short as I have very little time to write it. The past two weeks have been full of crazy experiences that are both terrific highs and unfathomable lows. I would like to include a couple examples to illustrate the tomfoolery of this week. One day we came back to our apartment, and we were distraught to find that we had locked ourselves out. The usual option would entail us calling the owner of the house and dealing with it from there. I, however, was very impatient and extremely thirsty for a glass of juice that I had saved for myself that morning. So, I decided I would try to climb our house to the second floor and break in through the balcony door. And I did exactly that! The juice I had saved tasted all the better as I proudly opened the door from the inside. I also completely lost my shoes for a solid 15 minutes in a flood but that is probably a story for a different time. My spiritual thought stems from a way to experience the spirit more strongly in your life. While important, sometimes studying the scriptures or listening to general conference talks is not the best way to study the gospel. There are many times when it comes much better through service. Remember in Lehi's dream when he partook of the fruit. "12 And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit." Immediately after he partook of the fruit he was desirous that others should have it. If you have tasted of the fruits of the gospel, share it with others! This does not always have to be through a scripture verse or a spiritual thought. It can be a helping hand, a friendly smile, or reaching out to an old friend. Be Christlike, what can I say more? D&C50:22 states that "22 Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together." As you preach the gospel through your actions you will be edified. As we minister to the one, we will draw closer to Christ. Remember " Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."(Matthew 25:40) Do these things because you love others or in other words, because you love Christ. Elder Wilhelm WEEK 17A nice Catholic family that fed them Getting treated to a nice dinner Holding a fish P-day favorite place to eat WEEK 18Where are my shoes? They were there 20 minutes ago! Graduated from training Sleepy Pete Mango Graham...yum
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