The Stronger the Wind Blows, The Stronger the Trees Grow

Hello everyone!

This last week sure has been a tough one! First off I have come to find out that we really only have 1 investigator! He is progressing and coming to church but he has so much questions about everything! He is quite not ready to be baptized, so hopefully we can work with him and get him to the font, or should I say the ocean! Yup we baptize in the Ocean here in Victoria! I want a baptism really bad now haha that would be so cool! Also this last week Elder Oliva and I wasn't able to get to work for 3 days! I was way sick one day then the next day Elder Oliva was way sick! Then it rained all day so we couldn't get out and work because we have bikes! awe man it was rough.. but i Look forward to the challenge, and hope to learn some new things i probably need to learn from this new area. Also dealing with my companion has been a struggle, I am trying to help him but he has his agency so I can't force him to do anything or else we would be constantly fighting. He is a good Elder and I really like him but he just doesn't have the right focus. I still have 15 months left so I know there is going to be some pretty good times ahead of me!

In good news I called up Elder Strobelt and he said Brother Rogelio's baptism was a success and he even received the priesthood! Wow, that was so awesome to hear, it gave me such peace in my heart, even if I didn't get to see him baptized! 

Tomorrow all of the Mindoro Zone is traveling to Lipa, to go to Zone Conference. Zone Conference happens every 3 months, and it is a blast, you get to see all your friends, President provides some pretty fun activities, he also caters lunch, and as always blows us away with the Spirit that inspires us all to work harder. Since we are out on the Island we have to travel a lot longer to get to Lipa so we are going to stay in a Hotel, and I heard its nice, and that it has a hot shower! Oh boy! I can't wait! 

So something funny that happened to me this last week was that I broke the handle bars on my bike right in half! I was doing a wheelie on the bike and when I landed it just cracked hahah oopss... The bikes are fun, but they constantly break so that's a bit annoying but I am enjoying my stay here in Victoria! Hopefully I can get some pictures to you guys! 

Well that's it for today hope you all had a good day!

 

Those handle bars haha

This is me on a beach that we found in Mindoro.

The view from my apartment.

 

-Elder Kikel

I'm on a boat!

Well my friends and family.. The rumors are true... I have been transferred... NOOOOOO! hahah whyyyyyy!

Anyways... I have been transferred to the Island of Mindoro! Sweet! I am on an Island! Mindoro is split into two missions, the right side is San Pablo Mission,and the left is Manila Mission I think. My area is called Victoria, Mindoro. It is pretty rural and it a lot different from the city of Lucena! They don't really speak any english here then they did in Lucena, so its been really hard to understand people, but I know I am going to learn a lot of Tagalog here on the island because my new companion is also Filipino! His name is Elder Oliva. He is a really cool Elder and President has assigned me to be with him to fix a few things (Otherwise known as a special assignment) he actually is pretty cool, and we have been getting a long pretty well so far, so we will see what happens with him! We also have bikes in my area! OH man, my butt hurts so bad, I probably haven't ridden a bike since I was 16! It is really nice though because Mindoro is so beautiful, it is all rice fields every where you go, and it is just so quite and peaceful, there were times when we had to bike for 20-30mins to get to an investigator and those were so nice bike rides, its a good time to think. I am going to lose a lot of weight here in Mindoro because they have no fast food restaurants and stuff like that, so its all   home cooked meals (Oatmeal). This is my first Area where I have a meeting house instead of a chapel. Wow... it is so small, and no wonder because there is only like 40 members in our Branch! I love these members all ready, they have so much faith and continue to go to church despite how small it is and how hard it is to organize everything. The members here are super nice! There is one member who literally feeds us everyday. If we don't go to her house to eat, she will seriously get mad, and not go to church sooo... guess what have to eat right?  haha Its a pretty crazy area, I have all ready seen water buffalo just walking down the street by themselves and no one even bothers to look or care hahaha The people here are crazy and the missionaries adapt to it also! One example, the Zone Leaders picked us 5 missionaries at the dock to take us to our areas. They have a pick up truck that is 4 door and a bed with a cab. We shove everyone's luggage in the back and slam as many missionaries as we can in the truck but there wasn't room for me and one other elder, because we are big boys. So what they made us do is put down the tail gate with luggage practically spilling out, and made us sit on the tail gate. The was probably one of the scariest things I have done on my mission! I could barely get my cheeks on that tailgate, let alone anything to hold onto for dear life! They drove for a little over 20mins with us on that tailgate going way to fast I almost fell off while they were drive quite a few times because they were over passing other cars and going over speed bumps and all sorts of crap, I was getting mad, but I made it alive hahah soo yeah.. lots of new things here in Mindoro I don't know how long I will be here, I might even be here for my year mark, not sure... but I am looking forward to the next few weeks, hopefully we can get some success out here on the island the people here are really humble.

I am surely convinced that every missionary has an experience about getting....  (okay so I'm not sure what happened with the rest of his letter. Maybe he lost connection, he did tell me that" internet here is suuperr slow! bleh")

Picture of Parkers new area

 

Duty calls

Well everybody its just that time of day again!

One thing I just want to point out to all those we think about what a missionary life is like, P-day is not a day to relax and do nothing, ITS STILL BUSY! ugh.. haha at least it is in the Philippines. I have been cleaning, buying groceries, doing District Business, organizing, updating, and all the other good stuff. Bleh... every once and a while you can just sit down and relax but then your doing something again 20 mins later! Phew! So busy all the time but its awesome! One example, our kitchen was just destroyed because no one cleans their dishes! They just leave it all out! No one cleans up there messes! They just leave it there! Its so frustrating! I am sure all the parents reading this are saying to themselves ( I know!!! Exactly!) So mom.. dad... I am sorry haha I must have been really frustrating as a kid. I spent 2 hours this morning cleaning the kitchen! bleh.. For those who are reading this and still living with their parents please start cleaning up after yourself, cut your parents a break, they probably want to rip your head off. ha..

Other then that missionary work is still happy! I actually got pretty frustrated and stressed this last week, but what can we do about it? Just let it go, and work harder, thats the secret. We have been having a hard time trying find new people to teach and work with our members, the Ward is really great but just not so great at missionary work... haha but it been mostly our faults we haven't been more diligent and trying to help them to want to do missionary work.

Today is the last day of the 12 week training for my companion Elder Strobelt! Wow! That was a fast 3 months phew... it never slows down it just keeps getting faster! We are hopefully going to have some success here in Lucena next week, we have a baptism planned for Brother Rogelio Cimafranca this Saturday! Woo! Baptism! We are both super excited for this baptism, this man has been so prepared and has true desires to follow Jesus Christ. The only problem is... We have transfers on Thursday!! NO!!!! so one of us might not be able to see these baptisms that we have planned for the next few weeks! sigh... we find out if we will be transferred tomorrow. I really don't want to be transferred, and I really don't want my companion to be transferred either because then he won't be able to see these baptisms. It's really hard to judge which one will be transferred and if none of us will be transferred. I hope and pray that Elder Strobelt and I both get to stay and have another transfer with each other, we have a strong companionship. If I go another transfer here in Lucena, I will be here in this area for 6 months! that is a quarter of my mission in one area! I want one more transfer to try and do all that I can in this area. We will find out tomorrow.

As I always say before I am learning so much on my mission. This mission has changed me, and for the better. I can't even imagine where I would be if I didn't go on a mission, and though it is difficult, I am so glad I made this decision. It puts a whole new purpose in my life, helps me to see the important things in life, for example. I think a lot about when I am going to me that girl that I will spend eternity with, or I think about the family I will have and how I am going to raise my family in the Gospel, and all sorts of stuff like that, its so weird! I am only 19, and I feel like I am in my high twenties! its pretty weird but its awesome at the same time! Anyone who is worthy to go mission and chooses not to go is making the biggest mistake in their lives. Its almost impossible to describe all of my feelings about my experience as a missionary, and about the things I have learned, but I can say its worth it, and missionary work truly prepares you for life, and a life time of church service, and the many blessings that come from it. I am so grateful beyond words for this experience.

Yes I do often think of home a lot, because I have forgotten what home is like! I have been adapted, and converted into this culture! I can't even remember what is it like to drive a car! Or have a hot shower! Or even use toilet paper!! hahah... all true. I can all ready tell that it will be a hard time for me to adapt again when I get home, so Ill just stay here in the Philippines for a while and enjoy it.

Well everyone thats about it. Thanks for everything and all your support I really appreciate it! Ill be back sooner then you think!

These are all my study manuals that I have obtained through out the mission. muwahahah.... Knowledge...

-Elder Kikel

Howdie Doodie

Howdie Doodie everyone! 

Tagalog na lang? Sige.. ang huling lingo ay ayos lang... Mayroon kami ang maraming potential investigators sa pamamagitan ng mga oyms namin. kaya sana mayroon maraming bagong investigators susunod lingo. masaya kami na magturo ng mga tao tunkol sa ebangehlyo ni Jesuscristo, at tunlungan sa kanila na malaman ang katotohanan tunkol sa alin simbahan ay totoo. minshan hihingi ako ng mga tao na alin simbahan ay totoo, at hindi nila alam ang sagot. duh... dahil ang simbahan ni jesucristo ng mga banal sa mga huling araw ay totoo. 

hahaha... I am going to stop there. My Tagalog is still panget! (ugly) but I am still trying to so what evs. I don't know why but I am still have the biggest struggle trying to learn this language, and being able to understand people! but Im not letting that get to me anymore, I'll just keep on studying the language and praying for the gift of tongues.  

Well once again people this last week has been the same as usuall. Elder Strobelt and I have just been in this rutt with our work that we are trying to get out of, but it just seems the same every week, even though you never know whats going to happen in a day if when you plan out the whole day. Elder Strobelt and I have talked to a lot of people this last week and have a lot of potential investigators so we are really excited for this next week and turning those potentials into progressing investigators. For the Good News, we have two investigators that are going to be baptized this month, and they are pretty solid, so we are pretty excited for that. One is on March 15, and the other is on March 29. So we are trying our best to do all the we can to help them every way possible and make sure that they are ready. We are really excited. Rogelio Cimafranca who is 49 we just started teaching a few weeks ago wants to be baptized so bad he doesn't want to wait till the 15th. He walks for an hour every sunday so he can go to church! Wow! Inspiration! The other Investigator I have mentioned him before is Johnathan Javierto. I have been teaching him since I have been here, and he has been taught before. He has been taught all the way since last Augest. but, right now he is really ready to be baptized and he is also pretty excited! 

So the bad news is... That transfer day is on March 13, and there is a chance for me to get transferred which would not be fun considering these two exciting events! but if duty calls... duty calls...  I don't want Elder Strobelt to be transferred either! He has been working really hard to help these people come unto Christ and I would be really bummed if he didn't get to see the fruits of his labors! So we will just hope for the best! 

We also got a list of Less actives in our Ward from the Bishop that we requested and looks like we are going to be busy! There is over 300 names! Phew! No more tracting yay! hahah... we are also looking forward to trying to find these less actives and get some potential part member families! 

all right thats about it folks. I can't think of anything really funny that happened this last week, ill try next time to give better stories. 

Thanks everyone for you love and support! Love ya!

-Elder Kikel

Baliw Siya

Hello everyone! 

So I am sorry to say that there is not much to say this week... It just starting to get to that point when everything starts getting the same every single week and not much changes because I have been in the same area!

Transfers is on March 13, and at the point I might be transferred but I am not sure if I will be I might go 6 months in this area! phew! thats a long time but thats okay, I really like this area, and I will be sad when I have to go, but I am excited to experience new things. 

I had my first Invterview has a District Leader and it was really awesome! so spiritual! This was a kid who was 13 years old and reminded me so much like Joseph Smith, his story was just like Joseph Smiths. It was remarkable to see the Spirit hit him so strongly and have such a strong testimony about the church! He told me that everyone needs to be baptized and how critical it is that we keep doing what we are doing. Then after asking him why he wanted to be baptized and sharing with me for 20min he asked me a question that I didn't think he would ask. He asked me how did I come to know the truth that the church was true. It was a really powerful experience and I am very excited for him and for his baptism. I believe he will be a leader in the Church here in the Philippines, and serve a great mission. 

Then something funny just to throw in real quick. One of the Investigators of the Zone Leaders proposed to one of our Sisters by letter. We didn't give her the letter we read the letter because we all ready know this guy is a little bit creepy, and he just confesses his love for this sister and how he has a ring for her and want to have kids with her and the whole 9 yards! Baliw Siya! ( He's crazy!) yeah we were just freaking out, and couldn't believe this guy, he has only seen the sister once! So that will be fun for the Zone leaders to deal with haha! 

Sorry everyone, next time I will make sure to have a better e-mail! Love you all and miss ya! 

-Elder Kikel

A Sister in our Ward made this for us. All of us Elders in Lucena! 

My captain Moroni statue!

Thats my desk... oooo.. aaaahhh...

Me and my previous Zone Leaders. Elder Inlayo on the left, he is from Canada but was born in the Philippines. Elder Boyd on the right and he is from Sandy, Utah. He recently just became the new AP in our mission. 

Look at this delecious food I made! (Instagram) 

Us goof balls!

Our Jerseys' that we made in Lucena! Lucenites!

 Me and one of our Investigators Johnathan. ( He use to be a Gangster)

Like a boss. Rice for Dinner.

Elder Strobelt enjoying himself a snack.

The Work Continues

Okay here we are in the land of the Philippines reporting more and more action week by week.

How many e-mails will have have by the end of my mission?

First off, I just want to say that everyone who is sending me letters from home, I am receiving them and I love reading them, they make me smile! I won't be able to send letters back home just because it is soo expensive to send a letter oversees and it takes a lot out of our support that we shouldn't be spending. So i am sorry that I am not writing letters back but I am receiving them and I do read them! Thank you for all of your support and love I really do appreciate it!

Anyways so to start off this weeks e-mail I have been called as a District Leader here in the Lucena. it was pretty random actually because it is half way through the transfer and we all ready had a District Leader, but some crazy things went down and I got a call on Thursday from the APs and they just told me that I am the new District Leader and just to jump right into it haha so okay now I am the new District Leader! I am pretty excited, honestly I have been kind of waiting for this experience. I have been told that Its not to bad, and it is really fun. I just have to report numbers to higher authorities conduct District Meetings, and go on exchanges with everyone in my District. So that sounds pretty fun to me! Looking forward to it!

So the results from  our week of Exact obedience was pretty successful we saw many blessings, and a more sensitivity to the spirit this last week. We had a lot a cool things happen that were just plain weird, but we knew that it came from our desire to be exactly obedient. Of course we are not perfect and towards the end of the week it turned back into our normal routine, which is still obedient of course but we just kind of lost the focus of being exactly obedient! Which wasn't good, but after this week we have a stronger desire to be more obedient as missionaries!

Here was a pretty cool experience:

So we were tracting houses and we came across the 17 year old, and we were just talking to him about the restoration and how it can help him and stuff like that, and after I got done talking to him I asked how he feels about what we have said, and this is what he said to me in English. " honestly man, I can't understand a thing your saying." WELL there goes my confidence in my language skills.... hahahah I laughed pretty hard, the kid speaks perfect English. So I try again in Tagalog to share a little bit about the restoration, saying pretty much the exact same thing. I then again asked him to tell me how he felt about what I was saying and he said, once again in English. " okay... now I feel like i want to go to your church." haha what the heck! ha it was cool to see the spirit hit him and help him realize our purpose. He didn't come to church but we are going to try and follow up with him.

This last week lesson wise, and numbers wise was the same but just with more spirituality, which helped a lot. It ended pretty sad though which wasn't fun to deal with but our Investigators Sisters Anabel and Elinor who were suppose to be baptized January 25 are just going downhill and were probably going to have to drop them here pretty soon. They say they know everything is true, and they read, and pray everyday. But they just want the baptisms to be "THE DAY"and they are just not ready to prepare for that because they have family problems, and they are to busy. They stopped coming to church and it just... sad. It was heart breaking to hear those words come out of their mouths. Just to see something that Elder Strobelt and I have been working so hard to help these people obtain salvation and happiness in their life, to help them be happy, and to know their savior in a more personal sense, and to see them kind of turn it down, is heartbreaking. Elder Strobelt and I pray for them everyday, and I pray for them so hard that they might be able to overcome their trials and challenges, but I guess its just not there time. So we will see what happens with them In the future.

The work must go on!!

So I can't think of anything funny that I did this week. I will try and remember to write stuff down thats funny and just plain different, to give you guys more of a laugh in my e-mails. but for now this is all I got! Thank you everyone!

-Elder Kikel

Just us Elders trying to be buff! The tall Elder next to me (Elder Crockett) is from Tacloban Mission, he is probably going to be back soon.

Obedience brings blessings, exact obedience brings miracles

Well everybody its that time of week again,

 

I know I say it all the time but I swear P-day comes around so fast! It just blows my mind every time when we are reporting our numbers Sunday night going through what we need to do better and improve on, what we did good and need to continue to do. It just hits me that the next day is P-day! It's always exciting for P-Day. But, if you use your P-day right it still should be a busy day. Only sometimes do you get some time just to lay down and relax. Doesn't sound fun at first but then it kind of nice, cause then you never get to lazy.

 

So this last week has been better for me personally. Of course through the Atonement and the Lord giving my Daily Bread that I need to work day by day, I have felt peace and contentment in my life as a missionary. Upon some serious reflecting while I was in sacrament meeting, I really stepped back and looked at the big picture of what I am doing out here, and who I represent. The thoughts I had come to my mind helped me tremendously once again. It seems here in the Mission field, at least for me, that every time when you think you just can't take anymore, can't go any further, work any harder , or do anything more to improve, they Lord just oh so gently gives you a little boost of Spiritual Energy to get keep on going. I have a learned a lot these last couples weeks and I have come to a more full understanding of the Gospel and the Atonement in my life.

 

Our Mission President last week had us print off a talk by Tad R. Callister about being a consecrated missionary spoken at the MTC in 2008. Oh man was that a good talk, it has inspired me to go beyond Obedience, and to reach Exact Obedience on my mission. To be one of those missionaries who has left everything on the Alter of sacrifice, and to be eye single to the Glory of God. This is something we can not achieve instantly, it takes a lot of work and evaluation, and re-evaluation in your personal commitment to serve the Lord. Anyone who is planning to serve a mission soon should read this talk, it is really good, and will help you prepare for Missionary work. As Elder Strobelt and I were Inspired to act on the message of Tad R. Callister, and to strive to become consecrated missionaries. This week we are doing what we call a " Exact Obedience Week" were we are going to exercise every ounce of Obedience that we have to bring for the blessing from heaven to improve this part of the Lord's vineyard that he has put us in charge of. I have Faith the we will witness miracles this week if we will exercises all the we have as servants of the Lord.

 

We are going to go forth with Faith, and preach Repentance to these people. Whither the choose to accept it or not is up to them, but we will do all that we can to make sure everybody hears the Gospel! I am excited for this week, and looking forward to another year and a half of this stuff. Just imagine how much I have changed now, and I think how much I have learned, and I still have another year and a half! That is so cool, and I am so grateful for this opportunity in my life! Thank you for all the support everyone has give to me, I feel you prayers, and I love you all!

 

-Elder Kikel