Hey Mum and Whanau,
Amazing news about Little Dan's mission call to the Philippines. I'm gutted that I won't be able to see him before he leaves. That will be so awesome to have two Tagalog speaking missionaries in the family. Please give him my love. Thanks for the emails and pictures, you guys are so awesome. My week has been great and the work is going well, with two baptisms set up for next week.
Last Saturday we had a devotional with Brother Allen F. Packer, son of Elder Boyd K. Packer. We also had Elder Nielsen and his wife attend. Their messages were focused on retention and helping the priesthood here in the Philippines. It was a really good fireside. I really enjoyed Sister Nielsen's scripture that she shared found in D&C 123: 16-17 which reads: "You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves." It talks about how a large ship is controlled by a very small helm during a storm and that if you move the helm a little bit the large ship will turn. It also talks about how just by moving the small helm, the ship can be guided through great storms. In verse 17 it reads: "Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." This verse talks about cheerfully doing the things that lay in our power. We have the choice to be obedient, to read the scriptures, to pray etc. and then we can stand still and see the Lord's hand in action. We will be blessed according to our choices. I really loved Sister Nielsen's scripture.
The work in our area is going well and this week we will be preparing two of our investigators for baptism. They are a mother and her 22 year old son. The son is amazing because he's not baptized as yet but he love's coming out and doing missionary work with us. He has a really strong testimony of the Church and shares it when we teach our other investigators. His mum is awesome and we had a testimony meeting at there house and invited them to share their testimonies about the gospel. The mother said that she knows this church is true because it's the only church that has helped her son to change. The son used to have a bad smoking and drinking problem and since learning about the church, when he goes out with his school friends he doesn't smoke or drink anymore. It's so awesome and I'll send pictures of the baptism next week.
Today, in District meeting the District leaders taught about, "How to receive revelation through the Book of Mormon!" They went through Preach my Gospel where it talks about the importance of the Book of Mormon and how it is the keystone of our religion. After that they discussed some problems that our investigators and less actives might have that maybe hindering their progress. It was great. We also opened the Book of Mormon and found some scriptures that give solutions to those possible investigator problems. It was a really good experience.
Yesterday, we shared a lesson about Repentance. I compared repenting to a cut or wound and how if you get a graze the healing process is short and the problem goes away quickly. But, if the cut is deep it will hurt more and take longer to heal. Also, if the cut is too deep, you may have to go to the doctor to get stitches. In either case you may have to dress and bandage the cut so it can heal quicker. So, in my little 'parable of the cut or wound' they can be likened to the sins we commit. Some sins are deep and some are just on the surface but in all cases they hurt. The healing process is repentance. The doctor is the Bishop that helps to solve and overcome deep or serious sins and the bandage is prayer. It always hurts when you sin, or at least it should. Depending on the depth of the sin, the repentance process can take longer then others and may need more help from the Bishop. Usually after the healing, there is a little scar. Repentance helps get rid of scars. This is only possible because of Jesus Christ's atonement because he suffered for our sins. He gave His life so that we could live with Him again. I don't know if the parable makes sense because my English is terrible. It makes sense to me and I'm grateful to Jesus Christ for all He has done for me.
Thanks for everything family and for always giving me good words of encouragement. Keep up the good work and keep up your exercising.
Oh, I forgot to tell you, our transfer day has been pulled forward a day which means...… I'll be coming home a day earlier.... on the 22nd of May - DAD'S BIRTHDAY! Cool aye! Happy birthday Dad, you get me for your birthday this year! Astig.
Love you family.
Elder Chadderton
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