24 October 2012

Hey Mum and Whanau,

I've tried to attach some pictures, so I hope it works this week.  Thanks again for all the emails and pictures.  Mum, I haven't yet received my G package, but oh well!  A lot of the stuff I ordered a while ago has arrived - rings, bag, Preach My Gospel and Bible in Tagalog and I should be getting my new pants next week.  I still plan to get a scripture case.  With regards to the rings, I thought if you guys wanted, we could get family rings - CHADDERTON - or something like that.  Think about it and let me know because they cost about $NZD12.00 each and are stainless steel and customized.  

Anyway's, this has been a good week.   I did get a bit of a sore throat earlier on in the week but thats all good now.   The main events of this past week would have to be Temple Tour and Temple Day. 

One story:  "We went to visit this one less active family and the dad's name is Noel Ramos.   Sadly, he is seperated from his wife but he has 3 of their 4 children.   He is a member of the Church but hasn't been to church in over seven years,  which means his kids haven't attended either.  So, it is about our fourth visit to his home and this time his kids are there.  His daughter goes to another church and she knows a lot about Jesus Christ and the Bible stories, so as we are teaching, the daughter agrees with what we are saying.  Anyway, we start teaching the first lesson which is about Families and the dad - Noel - starts testifying and saying that everything we are sharing is true and how much he wants his family to be together forever.   Coincidence that we have Temple Tour on the Saturday?  I don't think so!  Of course we invite them to come to the Temple and they accept.   So, on Saturday morning we meet up with them at the Temple along with some of our other investigators.   I must say that that Temple tour was the most spiritual one that I have been to.  The family was asking heaps of questions about the Temple and you could see that this is what the father wants for his family.  Come Sunday, the dad didn't come to Church.  The other kids did but they said the dad got caught up in some other work.  O sa tagalog "may ginagawa siya o may inaasikaso..." Gutted!  We went and visited them after church and the tatay committed to come to church in the upcoming linggo... Sunday. Cool aye!"

Another story, one of our investigators is now hiding from us.  Yep, it's true!  The last time we taught him we talked about baptism and I think he kinda freaked out and he went behind the couch and was sitting on the floor rocking back and forth.   Since then we haven't been able to teach him.  Oh well, and two of our other investigators are in Province, meaning they've gone home and they said that they won't be coming back until January.  I don't think I'll be here in January. 

We met a lady who had been taught by the missionaries and had a baptismal date set and everything but 2 weeks before her baptism date the missionaries were pulled out of that area and the new missionaries didn't find her.  But we did!  She is really cool and her husband is a less active member and she and her daughter want to get baptized so we are going to help organize that so it can happen.  Astig diba!

That's about my week as far as outstanding major events go. Oh, today we went to the Temple.  That was nice too. It's always good to be in the House of the Lord and doing a session and not just touring around the building. 

Mum, as an answer to your question,  I have experienced a huge change which I'm sure you will notice when I get back.  I still do and say things how I did back home.  But when I look at people now I have hope for them that through the gospel teachings they can have hope too.  I have gained a greater love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and it is something that I cannot and never will deny.  Whether that is a mighty change of heart or not, I do know that the changes I have experienced on my mission are far beyond anything I could have gained from a job or college study.   This is the best two years and in a way they are two years that turn a boy to a man.  Two years of CHANGE.  I hope that answers your question Mum. 

I love you all so, so, much and I feel a sense of pride (in a good way) when I can share with people that we have 3 people in our family serving missions at the same time.  It's awesome.  Mum about the letter, I will send you one but want to make sure that the postcode is 0629.  I can't remember... 

Wala akong masasabi sa inyo na perfect ako. Syempre impossible 'yun pero, ang aking mga natutunan ko sa mission ay hindi kayang maisalarawan.  Ito lang talaga ung best two years. D&C 6:36 Isa alang alang ako sa bawat pagiisip, hwag magalinlangan, hwag matakot. Doubt not, Fear not. Hindi po ito ung pinakatotoong simbahan kundi ito land ung totoong Simbahan sa buong sanlibutan. Mahal tayo ng diyos, totoo 'yun. Mahal ko kayo lahat. Salamat sa lahat po. Un po ung aking patotoo sa pangalan ni Jesu Cristo. Siya nawa.

Elder Chadderton