Legit English and Mondragon, How sick is that?

02.18.13

Monday

HEY MOM! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! 

Sorry I am getting on a little late, I had some things to get figured out and such so... It is all a work in progress. I will explain further in my email now.

I think you all may know that I did get transferred. I am no longer in Caduha-an. I am in Hinoba-an, Sipalay Zone. Here is how you can tell where it is, look at a map of Negros Occidental, and look at the border between Occidental and ORIENTAL, and I am the last area on that border. NEGROS ORIENTAL is where the Cebu Mission officially starts. Don't ask how the boundaries work- I have no idea. Let’s just put it this way, I know I am in the farthest area south in the mission. It is about 7 hours on a bus south of Bacolod. So ya. very far. I will go through the big events that happened this week though now.

So on Wednesday, we got a text from our mission secretary about paying your share of the bill if you end up getting transferred. We asked around the Zone to see if anyone else got it and only 2 other companionships did… so we figured it was a sign that either Elder DLS or I was going to be leaving. So we spent the day teaching until around 6, then we went to visit some members that we are close with, just in case. So we did just that. At around 9:30 we came home, closed the day, and planned for the next day. We hadn't received a call from the President or the AP's yet so we figured we jumped the gun or something, right? I had just finished writing in my journal, brushing my teeth, and I was about to go to sleep when one of the AP's called. He told my companion that I would be leaving tomorrow and that we need to be in Bacolod by 8 the next morning. Meaning I had to start packing right then. And I was all comfortable and had a system with all my stuff, too! Haha dang it! Oh well. The entire time I was packing, I could only think about where I was going (the AP told my companion that we would find out tomorrow), and who my new companion would be. I finally got to bed around midnight after packing for an hour and a half (man I am so bad at packing..... I needed so much help. But, I got it done. So, that was that.)

 We woke up and left for the Mission Office at 6:45 am, and got there around 8:15. I found the one of the AP's and asked him where he wanted me to wait. 

Bacolod LDS church building

He told me to go into the Chapel in the church and just wait for my companion to come. So, I went in and found most of my batch in the chapel, too. They ALL are training right now. I asked, "How do you all know that?" They told me that the AP's told them when they called. So I asked the AP "Am I training or no?" He told me "No, Elder Garner, President Lopez has something special for you." SO.... ya I got nervous because I knew nothing. My companion finally got there around 9:30 am. His name is 'Elder I'. Sounds Filipino right? Because he is. But when he opened his mouth to talk to me, English came out! And not just Filipino English, it was like legit English. No accent at all. I asked "Where are you from????" and he replied "Vancouver, Canada".  I have a Filipino/Canadian companion! He is about 5'4, and weighs just as much as I do right now which is like 183 now! He has a scale at our apartment…so yes I have lost an additional 5 pounds since December.

Anyways! More about that day. I asked him where our area is, and he told me that is "the farthest south in our mission you can possibly get." And was he ever right! I said goodbye to my old comp and Elder Ellis, then we left to get on a bus with my luggage. The bus ride was a full 7 hours from Bacolod. All the way down to the tip of the island. A little oasis called Hinoba-an. And by oasis, I mean it. It is right on the beach. Lets just put it this way, our chapel is right in front of the beach. Like 20 steps. And by beach, I mean white sand beach. I have been taking a ton more pictures so don't worry. Oh, and before I forget, one side of our area is the beach, and the other side is the mountains. It's like I am getting the white sandy beaches of California and the mountains of Utah all in one area! Except the mountains are not near as big, but they are more green for sure and still just as beautiful. 

When we got to our area, I stepped foot into our apartment, and thought ‘we live here’?  Hmmm, it’s like the people building the house didn't bother finishing the floor or the roof. The floor is like what an unfinished basement would look like (cement), and the roof isn't totally sealed all the way. Meaning birds and insects fly in all the time. Last night we had a bat fly into the house actually.  I won't complain though. Actually, Elder I tells me that President Lopez might want us to find another apartment soon anyway because next transfer he might split our area and put 4 elders in one house, just to lighten the load in our area. It is pretty huge. Plus we are getting like 24 new missionaries next transfer so why not? 

Anyway, we have spent the last few days meeting members and trying to get me accustomed to the area and all the new people. He knows I am still sort of new, so he helps me out (Elder I). Oh, and just for your information, I will not get any letters for like 6 weeks if you send any. Apparently, since the area is so far away, the couple missionaries only make the trip down here once a transfer - which is understandable because it is like driving to St. George and back from our home in Lehi. Ridiculous. We do, however, have a post office in our area. So I can send letters regularly still. The last thing I am trying to find is a place to print pictures, so you all can see what I am living in.

Hinoba-an beach

YOU ALL HAVE TO SEE THIS AREA! Every time we drive by the beach or the mountains I just fall over in complete aw... it's incredible. It is actually like a big tourist spot here. I see non-native people all the time actually.

Hinoba-an mountain range

As for yesterday, I was asked by our Branch (yes I am in another Branch, in a District, not a Stake) President to be the first speaker. I had just arrived at the chapel. I did ok though I think. I didn't get too many confused looks as I spoke so it was good. Oh, our President's name is President Mondragon. How sick is that???  

That is what I have so far. I would tell you names of places and such, but I am still trying to learn them. I will continue to look for a place to print pictures. I think we may have found one actually, just the only thing is-  they only print out wallet sized ones and one size bigger. I hope that is ok. I love you all so much! Thank you for all your prayers. Keep doing the righteous actions I know you are all doing! -Until next week everyone. 

Love From The Philippines!

-Elder Garner

Don't allow Satan to make you his meal...

02.10.13

Hello to all who may read this! How is everyone this fine day? Good I hope!

Garrison 'pinching out' the last candle!

First off, I would just like to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BRO BACK HOME THIS COMING WEDNESDAY! HAPPY BIRHDAY GARRISON!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have a great day lil' bro. I love you. On top of that, your birthday is on our transfer day. Congratulations!  Your birthday is on the most suspenseful day of each six week period of time.

Speaking of transfer day, We will find out tomorrow who stays and who goes. I think I told you all that President Lopez told me that I will stay and so will Elder Delos Santos, but he used the words "most likely" and "I don't expect a change" so...... maybe he could have received new revelation since then? Haha who knows? You all will find out next week!

Ok, so an update on our two investigator families… two major things happened this week that will be a major setback. It is kind of frustrating. One major thing happened with each family. First, the P family. The ones who need to be married. Umm, so we went to their house to teach them last week and when we got there, the dad wasn't home. We asked his "live in partner" where he is and she said he will be back in 10 minutes… so, we waited for him. So this is where I got irritated. He showed up...... DRUNK! Hammered. He couldn't have walked in a straight line even if he had been holding onto a rod. This is the same dad that we have already taught the Word Of Wisdom to. He totally knows better. He tells us that he wants to get married in the temple and stuff but then he goes and does that... goodness. We haven’t seen them since that night. We go back on Wednesday if none of us transfer. But, one of us will be here for sure.

Now onto the D family, the rule in this misson, and the rest of the missions in the Philippines is you need to make sure your investigators are confirmed the following week after their baptism or they need to be baptized again. I am not sure how it is in the rest of the world, but that is how it is here. And... ya you guessed it. They didn't make it to church on the Sunday after they were baptized. We went and visited them on Saturday and before we left we made sure to tell them what would happen if they didn't make it to sacrament meeting on Sunday. So they did know!  But something happened and they didn't come... who knows what will happen. I will let you know how it goes in my email next week. I am quite sad about it....

So other than that, this week was great. I had a few experiences that I want to share quickly. First, remember that RM that just came home in our Branch this last week? He worked with us a few days back. That was cool! He is still like way fresh off the mission boat for sure!  You could tell he was still new to being home too. His name is RM by the way. In our teachings though, he like made me nervous in a way.  I had not ever taught with someone like him before so it kind of threw me off the first few lessons but I finally just put it behind me and did what I needed to do. I think it was just harder at first because he spoke different languages in his mission so he was struggling to speak Ilonggo that day. So a lot of the words that he said I had no clue what they were. It wasn't until more than halfway through the day that I realized he was speaking words from another dialect. That whole time I thought it was Ilonggo and I didn't know any of the words.. it was discouraging at first, until I realized that it wasn't our language here! It was such a relief. So with that, everyone we taught understood him except for me. Talk about being the odd man out -- totally unfair. But it's all good. J  

Second! Oddly, this happened at the same house where RM lives. We were eating with his family for lunch and randomly his mom is like "Elder Garner how many temples can you see from your house?" My first thought was "they don’t even have a temple on this whole island.... when I tell them, they might tell me to leave…" I replied by telling them that I have been to the temple more times from the time I got my mission call, to when I entered the MTC, than these members have been in their entire lives. It is really sad actually. It is so expensive for them to take a trip to Cebu as well so that is why I feel bad. But, I continued and said "There are 7 temples close enough to my house that I can go to..." and they all looked at me and yelled "lucky!!!"  Our branch is trying to go on a temple trip this April so hopefully they can go! 

Mount Timpanogos Temple

Provo Temple

Jordan River Temple

Draper Temple

Salt Lake City Temple

Bountiful Temple

Oquirrh Mountain Temple

Illustration of the 'Fox and the Bird'

OK, to end, I just want to share a story that RM shared to a less active family as we taught them. It goes like this. "In this story there is a bird, and a fox. Both looking for food before the winter comes. As the bird is flying, he sees the fox on the ground and decides to ask if there is anything that he has found.  The fox replies 'no I have nothing, but I tell you what. You give me two of your feathers every day, and I will look for you’. The bird gets excited and replies 'ok!' So every day this goes on. The bird finds the fox, and gives him two of his feathers. This pattern continues until the bird has no feathers left.  He cannot fly anymore-- making him the fox’ meal.”  In the end, who is the fox? Who is the bird?  Open up to 2 Nephi 28:21.  You will see that the fox is Satan. And the bird represents the people that are willing to listen to him, and fall slowly but surely off the path that would have eventually led back to the kingdom of God. In your lives everyone, be careful of what you do and say. It is so important to realize and think about what you are doing before you do it. As members of this great church, we know what is right and wrong. Just remember that Satan doesn't want you to return to our Heavenly Father and obtain eternal life. "Satan does not have the power to take a life, that is one of the many things he cannot do. But apparently he will take down with him as many as he can to the pit of endless woe." - Jeffery R. Holland

Know how much I love you all. Until next week everyone! Thanks for all you do for me.

Love From The Philippines!

-Elder Garner

Changing the World Completely...

02.03.13

Hello all! 

How is everyone doing? I hope all is fantastic back in the great U.S of A. I will just get onto my week. 

"CHAWING GUM"
--yikes!--

So first off, I just want to make a few things clear if any of you come to the Philippines, don't ever give a Filipino gum. Both my parents and Nana and Papa send it to me, and we aren't allowed to chew it because it "takes away from our image as representatives of Jesus Christ". So, I have been giving it all away to our Branch Missionaries. Can I just say big mistake? I should have known right off the bat to not do that, but what else was I supposed to do with it? --can't waste it! They all chew with their mouths wide open. Like a cow chewing on grass... it’s bad. I can't tell them to not do that because I don't want to offend them so I am just going to have to deal. 

Next, I don't remember if I have mentioned this before but the legal drinking age here in the Philippines is 16. I have seen and witnessed kids that look like they are 12 walk up to the register, and purchase beer. All the time! So, I have made up my mind that I need to carry with me the "Ang Pulong Sang Ka-alum" or "The Word of Wisdom" pamphlet with me all the time. I actually have like 5 with me right now as I type. Now I just have to gather up the courage to give them out. It's scary trying to talk to a drunk person!  I have a hard enough time trying understand SOBER Ilonggo, but when they are drunk??? Oh man. So much harder. And don't worry mom, they all here are "funny drunks" not "angry" ones. --Always tripping over themselves and slurring their words. Not all of the island of Negros is like this though. There are just a ton of them here in my current area.

Elder Garner, Michael and Elder Delos Santos
(look closely at the grass line)

Lastly, in our Branch we had a missionary come home! He left on February 26th 2011. That date has a special meaning to me as well. Sweet Heart’s my Junior year in High School! Anyway, his name is RR. So because he came home, we were invited over to his house for dinner. We had a good conversation! He told us all about his mission. I asked him how many languages he knows now, and he said 6.....6!? Holy smokes! The main language in his mission (Alongapo Philippines) was Tagalog, then Cebuano, Vissaias, English, and guess what else? Broken Spanish! That was kind of funny to hear. Anyways, he just got released yesterday. So lets just put it this way, he came to church with his Nametag on, and left with it off.. 

So, two major things happened this week that I didn’t include in my email last week, due to the fact that I didn’t know about them until we had already left the computer shop. So one, we had exchanges last Tuesday!  I stayed in my area, and basically Elder Ellis and I swapped companions. So his companion (the district leader) came and worked with me in my area. It was a good day! I have known him since the day I got here 4 months ago so we had some fun. We taught the D family about Covenants (since their baptism was coming up at the time, and I will get onto that later), and the Dad told us he will do his best to make it to church to be interviewed on Sunday. Which didn't happen. Dang it! It's weird.... he made it to church 3 weeks in a row, then randomly, when he has an interview, he can't make it. Hopefully he opens up to us if he has any concerns. We want to help him! I guess only time will tell. Anyway, we also found a new investigator family too! The R Family. It's a family of 5, and the Mom just died like a week ago due to cancer.  She was 44. So the first thing we taught them was God’s plan for families. We have been back one other time and taught them about the Restoration. We would have gone back another time, but when we did, they were all drinking and gambling --at the mother’s funeral. I didn’t know what to say or think. We will go back tomorrow most likely. So ya, fun day!

Pres. Lopez teaching the missionaries

We also had Zone Training on Thursday! President Lopez came and trained us in our Stake Center in Cadiz (like 15 minutes north of my area). We were expected to be able to return back to our areas by 2pm but that didn't happen. We started at 9 am sharp and President took the first hour and a half to explain to us how he wants district meetings to go from now on (starting tomorrow). It is only supposed to last 1 hour and a half. So 1 hour is spent on discussing needs of investigators and 1 less active family within the district from each companionship. Just give each other ideas on how to help that person the most, you know? There are 8 of us in the district so this could actually be useful. The next 10 minutes is for the district leader to give us a lesson on whatever he thinks will help us this week, then the last 20 minutes are for practice teaching. So that was that.

Then from 10:30 to 12:30, President Lopez trained us on "finding" new investigators through our own efforts. Since members here in the Philippines aren't all that active in helping us and giving us referrals, we have to take it into our own hands. Meaning, OYMing (open your mouth --like talking to random people on the bus, street, or whatever. That is what the pamphlets are for), holding missionary firesides and have members bring their non member friends or simply just ask members for them. We will give some of these a shot this week.

After, President and his wife brought home made sandwiches! Like I am talking ham, turkey, and egg salad!  Man… so good! First meal I have had without rice in who knows how long... Then President Lopez took 15 minutes for each missionary to interview us. In my interview, he told me that he "doesn't think any changes will take place in my companionship for this next transfer".... Meaning I will most likely be with DLS for another transfer it sounds like! Then he told me I will most likely train after that. So come March 27th, I should be on a bus to Bacolod, to pick up my trainee! President took us all home after that. Pretty nice of him!

Saturday, February 2nd, 2013. Baptism! Can I just say how much that I love these days? It is so cool to see people completely change themselves for the better, take upon themselves the name of Christ forever, and enter into the waters of baptism. Nanay, and her two oldest children were baptized. Elder DLS baptized them and I had the opportunity to do something that I hadn't done yet. I was asked by our Branch President if I could "witness" it! So, I was part of it in a way. That was so amazing! After baptism, the new members are asked if they would like to share their testimony. Nanay got up and bore a beautiful testimony. In it she could hardly speak due to the fact that she was crying so hard.  She told everyone that she felt this overwhelming feeling as she opened the door to the bathroom after she was baptized that she can't describe. And, for all the members that were there, we all knew what that meant. It was very special to say the least! 

Elder Garner and Elder Delos Santos with
Cadiz Branch young adults

I am so happy knowing that what I am doing out here is for the good of the Filipino peopIe. I have seen how people take upon themselves a new way of life and living in order to change for the better. This work is so amazing! I cannot wait for my brothers to take their part in this. Garrison, you are up next. Start preparing buddy! Time flies quickly. All in all, I am so glad to be here, doing what I am doing. This truly is the work of God and it will change the world completely someday soon enough. Each person that is baptized is another soul, a brother or sister, and another son or daughter of God that is being added to His Kingdom. And I am so happy to be a part of it. I love this work with all my heart and soul. Despite it being hard and trying at times, it truly is worth it when you help others come unto Christ. 

Elder Garner with local friends in Cadiz

That’s all for this week! Have a great day everyone. Until next week! Be smart! Be safe! Pray! Read the Scripts! I love you all so much! 

Love From The Philippines!

-Elder Garner

"Killin' it in the Philippines"

01.27.13

This week has been great to say the least! 

Typical medical convoy vehicle in the Philippines

I want to start out by telling of a few funny but cool experiences that I had this week. First off, Elder DLS and I were waiting for a bus to come by after we got done teaching the D Family (I will get to them later), and no buses were coming at all... it was either keep waiting or walk for 3 hours. That is how far away from any living being we were. Then out of the blue, a car flies by us, stops, turns around, and comes up next to us. An AMERICAN MAN in the front seat asks, and I quote "Elders do you need a ride somewhere?" and I was like "oh ya we do!" The car that they were driving was like some kind of medical convoy thing you would see in a movie. So we get in the back of this car, and my first thought is "he's an American, he called us ELDERS... he has to be a member of our church back in the states. Has to be." So we rode for like 15 minutes in complete silence, then when we told them to stop, I got out, shook this man’s hand and asked him "OK, I've got to know, where are you from?" And he says, "I am a member of the Church. I am out here doing medical training at local hospitals here. And to answer your question, I am from Boise Idaho."-- I knew he had to be a member of our church-- knew it. Not one person on this entire island would call us that unless they were a member. Haha. 

Rural Filipino Bus

Second experience. Yesterday we were riding on a bus to an appointment and this girl gets on the bus and sits next to me. She was like 21, if that. We started talking and she asked me for a donation for her church while handing me a flier. I told her no, that we cannot give away money to anyone. I explained to her that the money we have is the Lords money and it is for mission purposes.  I was expecting a mature response and her to leave it be. But she persisted, big time --like flattering me for money. Compliments like "you're so handsome" and all this load of crap. Too funny. Guess what I did? I told her "I can’t give you money, but I do have something that will bless your life much more than any amount of money will." And she asked what it was, then I pulled a Restoration Pamphlet and told her "I can give you this and we would love to visit you sometime and teach you all about this.”  She then said no thanks, got up, and moved seats. That was funny. Oh man. Some people’s children...

Elder Ellis and Elder Garner
"Killin' it in the Philippines"

Third experience. This happened in District Meeting on Tuesday last week. So what happens, usually, is we open with song and prayer, we account and report our successes for the week to the district, then we get a lesson from our District Leader. Then whatever we were taught, we apply that into practice teaching. So one Elder becomes the investigator, and two other Elders become companions, and they teach. The one Elder who is left out, becomes the "coach" and writes what went well and what to improve. SO… our lesson was on how to react when an investigator doesn't read your assignment or isn't reading the scriptures at all. Elder DLS was the investigator and guess who became my companion?  Elder Ellis! Haha! They stuck the two greenies together. At first, I was thinking "we are so toast here..."  Wrong! We killed it!  I was the senior companion and I started the lesson, taught out of 2 Nephi 32:3. Then I bore testimony of it.  Then Elder Ellis came in, testified, added his feelings, then I added a personal experience, then we ended. The district leader was like "uhhh...... you two are American, right? I could have sworn you were..." meaning we did awesome! Ya that’s right. 

Now, onto our two investigator families.. The D family is all ready to go! We only had one minor setback. So here in our mission (I am not sure what it is like in other missions), investigators have to come to church 4 weeks in a row in order to be interviewed for baptism. In their family, all of them have come three weeks in a row, even Tat, who has a job and works every Sunday. He has been able to find a replacement every Sunday................................................................................................................................................................................ Except yesterday! Dang it! He couldn't find anyone to cover his shift yesterday so, he has to wait until next Saturday. But, as for now, the mother, and two oldest children will be baptized this Saturday, February 2nd. He will be the following week if everything works out next time. It wasn't his fault that he couldn't come. He still has that desire.  The P family finally found birth certificates though!  So, in two weeks, they will be interviewed and baptized as well. They have come to church every Sunday since the first week of December so it’s pretty safe to say that they are well on their way. Every week we ask them how their experience was at church that day and they always reply "namit gid!" This means freaking sweet! That's how I see it. 

Thank you for all you do!

Until next week.

I love each and every one of you!  :)

Elder Garner

Obi-Wan, the Lord and patience

01.20.13

Hey all!

I can't believe that I am already writing you all again! Where does the time go? For crying out loud... well, here I am again! 

Elder Garner's Christmas Package in Utah
6 weeks before he received it in the Philippines

First off, I just want to say that I did get your package finally! All was safe, and sound. Thank you for all the stuff. Now all I need to do is find a place to exchange that money in our area. I think there is one in Victorias (where we email and do p-day stuff), I just need to find out where it is. The candy is all gone by the way. Haha it didn't last very long at all. Elder DLS and I love our new ties! Thank you so much. 

A few things that I did find this past week, and some small things that happened, first... guess what I found when I was grocery shopping last week, I found MOTT'S APPLE JUICE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Imported straight from USA my friends! Haha I bought the big container. I drink mostly water and Gatorade still, just apple juice is my favorite as you all know.  I had to have it. Weakness!

On another note, I give a big thanks to the music industry in America. Because of them, almost every kid in Philippines high school thinks the ‘F word’ is acceptable. Let’s just say I got sworn at a few times this past week. Ya not fun for me. I just kept walking and tried to ignore it. I need to figure out how to explain to them that in English that is an awful word. It’s quite amazing to me at how much influence  America has on the Philippines -- in everything.  

Young Obi-Wan aka Elder Garner

Another thing, I got cold this last week, like super cold. I was cold enough that when I got out of my bed in the morning, I took my blanket with me, and draped it over my shoulders as I wrote in my journal. My companion called me Obi-Wan Kenobi... Haha. But yes, there was no sun, and it was windy and rainy all week long. I will admit, again, I froze in the mornings but I finally got smart and boiled hot water to use when I shower. I have been here for almost 4 months, and I just started doing it... It is such a smart idea! So I just boil the water while I iron my shirt in the morning, and by the time I am finished ironing, I have hot water to use! Genius. Proud of me? 

Oh! I also found a tailor in our area! She lives way close to us, and she is way good at what she does. She did a few of my companions shirts, and it looks way good. So I gave her 3 of my pants to work on. I will get them back this week. Guess what the price was? 70 pesos for three pairs of pants. That’s $1.50. Dirt cheap! How about them apples?   

I forgot to mention this a long time ago, but I started collecting things from other religions that get handed to me on buses. For instance, this last week, we met a Muslim Filipino! It was way cool. He didn't have any intentions of bashing with us, he knows a lot about our church actually.  We had a nice little chat. I told him all our beliefs and he told me his. I shook his hand as he handed me a pamphlet.  That pamphlet is now in my suitcase. I will just add it to my mission box when I get home. Kind of cool! 

As for my companionship with Elder DLS, it was a better week than last week. I figured out a few things. He is just quiet because he doesn't know how to express himself in English. I mean as much as I wish I could speak fluent Hilagaynon, I just can't yet. So on Friday, in our companionship inventory, I asked that he has patience with me and my language. In return, I would do the same for him.  I will do the best I can to help him express himself, in whatever language. We kind of have a system now. So I am not as frustrated. We just need to have more patience with each other in every aspect of the word.  

I came to the conclusion that the Lord wants me to learn more patience. Seeing as I came into my mission with a past of not having much -- always in a rush, always wanting something done now --that kind of stuff. So all in all, my mission will teach me more than just the gospel, more than just another language, but it will also help me develop better Christ-like attributes that I can apply to my own life, use in my own life, and my future family’s life someday. 

I never thought about that before I came here. I know now, that I will learn something new from each companion that I have. I started a list in the back of my planner of "things I learned from my companion this transfer"-- so I will do that every transfer and learn as much as I can. These next two years will do more for me out here than whatever I would have done if I chose not to serve. And for that, I am so glad. I love this work!I

So out of our two investigator families, the P family, and D family, the D family will get baptized on February 2nd, if they come to Church next week. They have their interview next Sunday, too. They have been taught all of the lessons they need.  All that's left is to refresh their minds. And we need to get their baptism records finished too... for 4 of them; Dad, Mom, 11 year old son, and 8 year old daughter. February 2nd though! I couldn't think of a better way to spend the day, than helping a family come that much closer by making that first covenant with our Heavenly Father, to entering his kingdom again. As for the P family, they have been taught every lesson possible -- all of it. They just need to get married now. That is all that is left. Our branch President is going to go try to get them their birth certificates today so... I will let you know next week how that ends up going and what the finalized plans are.

Filipino man working in a rice field 

Speaking of investigators, we got 2 more this past week! They are the parents of our Elders Quorum President. The only problem is, they live out in the middle of nowhere, and it takes like 20 minutes to get to, by motorcycle. 20 minutes! My comp wanted to walk at first, but the Elders Quorum President said he's crazy and it would take you all day just to get there -- Which is true. Also, the father works like day every day in the rice fields and he is only available on weekends after 8 pm. So the plan is we go there on Saturday and Sunday at 8 pm. That will just be our last appointment we have those days. We did go there last night, and the spirit prompted us to teach about families then go right into baptism… it sounds kind of weird I know but after  we invited them to be baptized and they both accepted!  How about that? So right now, we have 10 investigators that can be baptized in the next month or so. They all have the desire to follow our Savior and his example! So great! 

That was my week folks. It has been a pleasure writing you all at this time. Let’s do it again sometime. How about next week? Same day, same time, same place? Sound good? Sweet! I'll pick you up at about 11:45 am my time (I think my sense of humor is still intact). 

I love you all so much! Thank you so much for all your love and support. Until next week! 

Elder Garner 

Quick prayer for help and guidance

01.13.13

Hello all!

So this week was really wet. I am not sure if we had a storm or not because we don't have a radio or TV so.... ya. It was so rainy though! Holy smokes. I got really muddy a few times, and have had to wash my pants like 5 times already because they were so dirty.

Mickey Mouse in Asia

Also, a few other funny things, so a member in my branch just got back from DISNEYLAND, HONG KONG. --Hong Kong?? I will be honest. I had no idea that even existed. So he comes back and says "I have a gift for you!" and he hands me a High School Musical 1 shirt. My size. Hahahaha. Man I love that guy. He’s also our Elders Quorum President, too. It’s going be a sweet shirt to wear around when I get home! Haha it’s the thought that counts though. Maybe I will wear it when I feel like being weird or something. Who knows!  

Anyway, so this week was kind of slow, but fast. It’s so weird how that works here in the field. A lot of good things happened though! Where to start...

So we found another family of investigators that are willing to listen to us. The B family. Here’s the funny thing... the dad is a leader in the local Baptist Church and the mom is a leader in the local Catholic Church and the rest of the kids are Catholic, too.  Odd, right? I am not really sure how they are so happy. We will make them even happier! So it’s a family of 6: mom, dad, 3 girls, and one son. All of them listen except the mother. We taught them 2 times this last week and she wouldn’t listen either time. We will see as time goes on though. Anyways so we got through lesson one and as far as commitments go, we committed them to pray about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. They said they would, and if they believed in those two things, they will gladly get baptized! So... as long as they pray no worries right? We follow up with them tomorrow so I will let you know more about that next week. As for the other two investigator families, they all came to church again yesterday. Both the P Family, and the DR family. They all have a baptism date for February 3rd too! So as long as they all keep coming to church, and the P couple gets married, we will have 8 baptisms on that day. 8! Haha now I am not saying it will happen for sure, but it’s just a cool thought that’s all. 

We did have an Area Broadcast this past Saturday as well. The Philippines Area President and two members of the Quorum of the 70 spoke on the goals for this year. They really want to focus on getting more temple marriages this year, with an increased number of temple recommend holders as well. Also, they want each member family to have their own set of scriptures and each member pay his or her own tithing.  And as far as missionaries go, the branch is supposed to give the missionaries 15 Less Active Family names that we need to visit.

Yesterday - funny story. So I am in the church bathroom just washing my hands, and the branch president comes in and tells me I am the concluding speaker and I say "what?" then he leave.   So, I have all of 45 minutes to put something together, in a language I am still  trying to learn. I mean if this was in English, I would have no problems at all doing this. Piece of cake. But...news flash... haha…can’t do that. So I sit on the stand and begin looking through my Book of Mormon. I was having no success at all. Zero. I couldn’t think straight at all... so I said a quick prayer for help and guidance. Next thing I know, I find Moroni 7:16-19. Light of Christ. Perfect. I then spoke on that for 15 minutes, in the language!  I could totally tell that the Spirit was guiding me too. Best feeling in the world right there! After sacrament some members came up and told me that in the past when new missionaries were assigned here in this area as their first area, they would have spoken in English. They were really impressed with me.  That feels good to hear! 

That was my week! A lot of good things and a lot of thinking and pondering. Thank you all for all you do for me. I love you all so very much. Until next week!

Love From The Philippines!

-Elder Garner

Tender Mercy

01.06.13

Hey everyone!

This week was pretty eventful to say the least! No transfer for me by the way. Same area. Same Comp. Elder Ellis and I will remain in the same district yet again.

Celebrating the New Year
-- your friendly 'Filipino neighbor style'

New Years was kind of lame.  We can't do anything.  It's fine, I mean it is only 2 New Years... I celebrated New Years by myself… I couldn’t bring myself to go to sleep at 10:30. It’s New Years for crying out loud. My comp went to bed at 10 sharp. I stayed up and read the Book of Mormon until 11:55. That’s the mission life I guess! It was kind of hard though because our neighbors got a new stereo for Christmas. It is so loud. They blasted music past midnight. And they had fireworks.  I almost went outside to tell them that they are disturbing us, and as missionaries we can't listen to that type music or use fireworks. Then, I realized I don't know how to say that yet. Haha! So I got some cotton and stuffed it in my ears. That was my New Years! 

Elder Garner and some of his preacher posse'

Last Sunday, we had a "Missionary and Branch Missionary" meeting. 6 Branch Missionaries were called. So, on Tuesday this past week, 5 of them worked with us! 5! Meaning there was 7 of us at every meeting we went to. In America, I am sure if 7 missionaries showed up at someone’s house to proclaim the gospel, the person answering the door would probably either slam the door, or be super intimidated. So as we left to teach that day, I was a little worried. But I guess here, the more the merrier  -- which is so funny to me. Here we are, 6 pinoy's, and one American, going around and teaching the Restored Gospel. Man.  Can you picture that?? I would have taken a picture of us, but... it was raining hard that day so I didn't bring my camera with me. I am scared to get it ruined. I want to take good care of it! I need it to last me. I will have other opportunities to take pictures so do not fret a hair on your head.

Of all the Branch Missionaries, the hardest worker is by far MR, my recent convert. He worked with us 5 days this past week. 5 out of 7. He even came over at 6:30 am sharp 2 days in a row to "live the missionary life". He studied with us, ate with us, practiced teaching with us, and taught with us all day long. Wow, right? He is pretty dedicated. He has only been a member for 2 months now but he has a huge testimony for sure. He definitely is an asset to us when we teach investigators. He used to be Catholic and more recently a Baptist…so, there isn't a person on this island he cannot relate to. I have developed a deep appreciation for him.

As for my language, I am getting better and better. The members all speak slowly for me so I catch every single word. But, awhile ago, Elder Garlick told me that once you can communicate with people on your own, you will feel like this place is your new home. It's like your own personal acceptance. And its so true! I can tell it's getting easier, slowly but surely. 

On Wednesday, we had a tender mercy of the Lord fall into our hands. We were walking to a less active members house, and they live so far away by the way. On our way, a man on a motorcycle stopped us and blatantly asked us to teach him and his family. The DL family. Without having to say anything at all, he asked us. Right then and there. I asked him where his house was and he gave us directions. His house, is so FAR AWAY. It is on the edge of our area and takes 2 hours to walk there. Goodness. We went there immediately. When we arrived, they already had chairs ready for us.. it was sooooo odd. I almost asked where the nearest river was so we could just baptize them already. Honestly. They were almost like begging us. Anyway. We taught them about the Restoration. And mainly focused on how much God loves us and our families. I can tell this father loves his family more than anything... we asked him if he had any questions at the end and he couldn't even answer us. He left the room because he began to cry so hard... it truly is amazing what the spirit can do to people. The mother asked me personally if I really believed that this was true.  Want to know what I said? I told her that "I am from Utah, I left my family, loved ones, friends, and my whole life behind me for two years…all for this purpose. I am learning a new language that is still so hard so that I can help families like yours feel and have what we have. I believe in the Church with all my heart." and then... she too left the room to cry. Leaving us with the father and the kids. We have been back 2 times since then, taught all of the Restoration, and gave the Mom, Dad, and the oldest child a Book of Mormon (he is the only child old enough to get baptized). So yes, GREAT  week. 

Random picture of a kicked in door.  

Yesterday on Sunday, we had a very special day indeed. Before Church, as we are leaving the house, I left the key inside the house.  We were locked out of the house, and locked inside the gate.. hahah bit  of a problem right? I watched my companion try to kick the door down for 5 minutes. Nothing. So he told me to take a turn. I took 1 kick and the door swung right open. Haha I broke the lock like right off the wall that keeps the door locked (kind of like a bathroom stall). The owner of the house is in our branch and I told him what happened, he laughed hard and told me to not worry about it. Maybe I will be a police officer after all. Kicking down doors is fun! 

Anyways, We had 3 less active families come to church! None of them have been to church in almost 5 years! How about that, right? It was way cool to see them there. Guess who else came? The DL family! They stayed for all 3 hours and they loved it! We have an appointment with them on Tuesday so I will update you on that next week. After church we went and visited all three of those less active families that came to church earlier to check up on them and follow up. They all told us sorry that they haven't come in so long and that they hope that Heavenly Father will forgive them.. So what did we do in response? We taught them the start of lesson 1. That God is our loving Heavenly Father!  

Oh, and by the way. We had 2 young men leave on missions from our Branch- both to missions in the Philippines. Both of them come from families who have next to nothing. Each of them has worn the same tie every week since I have been here.  And because I have 24 ties, I gave them each one of my ties. As rememberance and thank you's to them. I will miss J and C for sure!

To end the night last night, we went and taught the P Family (the yet to be married ones). This week we taught the commandments, tithing, and fasting. They have no problems with any of them, they come to church every Sunday, and they love it. So.... the only problem is marriage. Oh well. Over time I guess? I will continue to let you know about that as time goes on. But, as we left, we decided to stop at a member’s house. Sister I. She had family over too! --A lot of them. I asked them where they are from, and IN PERFECT ENGLISH, they responded with "you can speak English to us Elder. We are from Australia." and ya I about died!  I asked why they live there and I guess the Dad works in Perth, as a welder. So ya, I haven't met any Filipinos that speak English that well. I don't speak English unless I am with Elder EIlis really. My comp doesn't know it well enough. Plus he doesn't like to speak English.. and since I dont know ANY Tagalog, we speak Ilonggo. I do my best! Let’s just say I had a good conversation with that family. It was nice for sure. 

That's my week! I will write again next week. :) I love you all so much! I am doing much better by the way. No cough! Yes! I am drinking tons of water too by the way. Thank you for all you do for me!

I love you all,

Elder Garner