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Hello Everyone! It’s been a fun week in the Philippines. As the months turn towards Christmas, the rain is getting stronger. Some of the locals speculate that a large storm will hit in December. I'm not too keen on getting flooded out and having that affect our work, but it is certainly a possibility. This week we were able to extend baptism to one of our investigators and they accepted! Since we have taught them, they have come to church every single week. They have truly been prepared by the Lord for us. She has told us many times that she had prayed someone from our church would come and tell her more about it. It is amazing to be a part of an answered prayer. Last week I also had the opportunity to go on exchanges in San Isidro. This area is in the middle of nowhere which means a lot of biking through the mountains. This area also speaks Bisaya, so I had the opportunity to switch languages for a day. They speak slightly differently than in my previous areas, but I was thankfully to still be able to understand. The views are stunning there and we hiked to houses where there was almost no trail. It was truly an adventure. In my mission we do a lot of hiking. Sometimes many miles accumulate before we reach our destination. We hike through mountains, across rivers, into valleys, along the beach, wherever is needed. There used to be timed when my mental state would deteriorate by the end of the day. I would begin to think about my feet, my legs, or I would question my ability to do it again tomorrow. I discovered, however, a simple solution to correct my worrisome thoughts. That is, to remember the purpose of my actions. In the most recent general conference, the prophet, Russel M. Nelson, told us to "Think Celestial". Think with the highest point of heaven in mind and don't let your actions or thoughts waver from that goal. Keeping your eye on the goal is important, but it is also important to remember why it is your goal in the first place. When we keep our eyes on coming closer to the Savior, remember that it is through Him that we receive eternal happiness. That by His grace, we receive a forgiveness for our sins. That His love is promised to accompany us for eternity. Growing your testimony is seeing the progress you attain by following Him. It is seeing His help in attaining the goal of eternal exaltation. When we see His hand and recognize his power, all fear washes away. We understand that it is only through His grace that our nature truly changes. My feet don't bother me when I walk anymore. I know my purpose in being here and my eyes are on the goal. I encourage all of you to "Think Celestial" and remember your purposes for having that as your goal. I know Russel M. Nelson is a prophet of a God, and I know that if we follow his council, we will draw closer to the Savior. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Elder Wilhelm Also, if you have not watched President Nelsons talk, I would highly recommend it.               Hello Everyone! This week has been fairly uneventful, but a few things worth mentioning occurred. I recently have been having some tooth pain and so last Wednesday me and my companion were able to go to Tacloban (the main city in our mission). I went to the dentist and was fairly nervous because... health care is not always the best where I live. However, I was pleasantly surprised with how amazing the dentist was. He did a filling on one cavity, and I didn't even feel it. The pain is gone, and I really hope that the cavity is too. On top of all that it was only 25 dollars so that was a major bonus. Earlier this week we also found a family that has started to progress. At first we weren't entirely sure if we should teach them but felt that we should try. They started becoming more engaged with the lesson and we returned one more time to meet with them and gave them a Book of Mormon. They said they would read the Book of Mormon and had many questions but told them to save them for next time so we could explain more in depth. All of their children listen very well, which is quite unusual for children as many parents know, and so we are so happy to truly teach the whole family and watch all of them grow. There are some days in missionary work where you feel like you on fire, and there are some when you don't. This last week was mostly latter, but on the mission I have learned an important principle in personal growth. When one grows, it is often assumed that it will happen in leaps and bounds, and that one must always have the perfect study, workout, or exercise in order to improve. Sometimes I would procrastinate my improvement because I don't have enough time, or it won't be the best practice. On the mission, however, I have learned that it is the small daily things that can add up to great skills or feats. In the Book of Mormon Alma Counsels that: 6. Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. 7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls. (Alma 37:6-7) When memorizing languages, you can't memorize all the words in one day, and memorizing a lot in one day won't help you retain them very well. It is much better to memorize a few at a time and continue to use them as you build your vocabulary. Careful consistency in small means and efforts is the key to long term and permanent growth. Likewise, is our spiritual growth. The soul and testimony is often compared to the seed of a tree. One cannot expect the tree to grow in a rushed manner, and one cannot force the growth. Slowly but surely, our tree will continue to grow as we consistently feed and nurture it. Daily scripture study, prayer, weekly church attendance, while small, will add great things to our testimonial trees. Having faith in Christ isn't one decision, it a series of small decisions that make up a lifetime. I know He will help us with the big things in our lives as we continue in the small things. I know God loves us and that he sent us His Son to help us grow, slowly but surely. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.     |
