Magandang Umaga! Good Morning

We got to go to the temple last week and it was awesome. It really got me excited to work this week! It’s always nice to take some time to step back and evaluate on a larger perspective. The Manila temple is awesome too it has grass like on a golf course.. and i like grass like on a golf course.

This week we had something awesome happen! We were out walkin around and a lady came walking up to us and told us she’s an RM! She’s now inactive but super nice. She said she has 4 kids but only one is currently living with her here in las pinas.. the others are in the province with the dad. The son with her now is named Jordan and is 18 years old. She said she has wanted him to listen to missionaries for awhile now then decide for himself if he wants to be baptized. She also said she wants to return to church and be active again.

We went and met her son on Saturday! He is super cool! He is actually one of the best hip hop dancers in the philippines for his age.. their team won the whole thing in whatever big competition it is. Apparently they’ve been on tv a few times too! His mom talked about her mission for awhile and cried a ton while remembering her cool experiences as a missionary. She also had lots of advice for us when we go home so we don’t take the path that she took. She said though even though she’s been down many roads, her testimony of the church and its truthfulness is still very strong. We asked Jordan what days we can continue to return to teach him and he said “four times a week will be good!” We printed out a calendar and now have him on a set schedule. Super cool! We’re excited to have someone new who really understands the end goal of being baptized and going through the temple. His mom even mentioned she thinks it would be super cool if he one day serves a mission. I agree that would be beast.

Last time we emailed my companion learned that his uncle from Makati got hit by a bus and is in the hospital. They’re all non members but asked if he could visit. He asked President if he could go give a blessing and President gave him the go. It also helped them not get offended with the church because they’re helping him be able to serve in the first place. But we headed over on the LRT (like trax in ut) and were able to give the blessing. The equiptment at the hospital was so old i felt bad for the people in there. His uncle was cool though he couldn’t speak but he gave us a nice thumbs up!

Went on exchanges with Elder Dequito and found some new investigators. We had a funny day haha so many weird things kept happening. We taught the craziest grandma.. Also a special needs 30 year old in underwear stole my waterbottle out of my hands and took off running! I chased him down though and got it back.

Our mission is now allowed to enter the whole boundary of the ward rather than just our proselyting area to visit members. President said we should let the Bishop put us to work and one way to help that was through letting us visit any member or less active. So now we proselyte in our half of the area but can eat dinner and share a message anywhere in the ward. The relief society president sister maricor is awesome and went crazy yesterday at church getting people to sign up for a dinner appointment. It has been awhile since four elders are allowed to eat and share so everyone wants to have the missionaries over. Haha let’s just say the ward is awesome and we have tons of dinners now this next month! It will be really good too to receive more referrals and better help members share the gospel. I’m excited!

Also yesterday I gave a talk in sacrament! It was 15 minutes and i focused on the importance of our agency and habits. It’s one thing I’ve noticed on my mission that is so important for our progression. Choices we make also show what is important to us and where our hearts are. The small choices are what set apart an average person and a true disciple of Christ. I talked about how the word of God can change our hearts and help us become more like Christ. In Mosiah 5 we see the affect of the word of God on people. After King Benjamin gave his last words to his people, it says in verse 2 “And they all cried in one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.” The scrpitures can change our desires. They will help us to love living the commandments and doing what God expects- not just doing so because we have to. They will help us feel His love for each of us. They testify of Christ and help us understand what He did for us. They help us become more like Him. I remember the talk given last conference i think about how over generations after moving to a new country the native language of a fam is eventually lost. I talked about that a little because there are tons of provinces and different dialects here in the Philippines. Language is often what people like to talk about here. The same goes with the gospel. When one person decides to fall away from the gospel, it affects the future generations. Over time the language of the gospel is lost in the home. A cool example of this happening in the scripts is mosiah 26:1! As well as in our personal lives, when we stop reading the scriptures gospel teachings start to become more foreign to us. It’s true that what is being fed into our head makes us into the person we are. Kinda like you are what you eat haha. I invite you all to start trying to develop a new habit this week that will bring you closer to Christ. By doing it regularly over time you will see changes, i promise! Lots of work and sacrifice has taken place to help preserve the words in the Book of Mormon to lead us to know what we need to do. Let’s try not to take it for granted and do the best we can to preserve the language of the gospel in our lives and fams.

  

Thx everyone for the love and support. Have a solid week!

Elder reber J

No pics from Parker this week. This is a picture of a meetinghouse on Palawan that Sister Fermanis took. 

 

This picture of Parker's buddy Elder Mitchell made me laugh. The missionaries love it when they order pizza. Everything comes with rice on the side. Even McDonalds serves rice. Fun fact.

Ice cream cart ride

Hello all!

This week was a busy one! We were packed with meetings almost every day so we didn’t have as much time in the area but I still learned a lot myself.

Well I’ll start off with Tuesday. It was the rainiest day I’ve seen on my mission as well as in my life. I can’t really explain over email how funny it was for me. Probably at least 10 times throughout the day I saw things that just made me bust up laughing. The craziest part though was on the way to district meeting. Our little trike driver took a different route because some roads were so flooded then eventually we got to a main road and there was no way he could go any further. It was literally a river! We got out and got up on the sidewalk which was elevated a bit from the rest of the ground around us. We then watched cars come through and the water was higher than their lights.. probably not good for the cars but oh well haha. They literally looked like boats. Since it’s a rule as missionaries to not walk in water like this we paid some sick grandpa guy 40 pesos to get us across the stretch of about 50 yards. He actually sells icecream on a little cart but he had taken off the cooler part and we sat up on the little piece of wood that was pretty high up in the air. He then pushed us through this street and the water went up to his chest haha! As we were just sittin there we watched a motor totally die in the water and kids were swimming in the black water haha. I won’t be forgetting that sweet ride on the icecream cart anytime soon!

Joy received a call from her husband this week! He’s currently working in Saudi. He said that he doesn’t approve of her being baptized because they owe it to their old church because they helped them get married. He also said their family should all be the same religion. The only way he approves of her being baptized is if all the kids do the same. I guess to me that’s pretty understandable if I were him. The problem is though her kids aren’t quite where she is yet as far as knowing the truthfulness of the message. We’re still working with them and will see what happens! We figured out about the call and went running over to their house after MLC. We both felt like we needed to watch the restoration video because they haven’t seen it yet and knew it would give them a clearer view of Joseph’s experience. It was one of the coolest restoration lessons I’ve ever been apart of. After the video we both shared our testimonies of Joseph Smith and the restored gospel here on earth. Our awesome member PC who works with us also bore his testimony and had some cool things to share about his conversion story. We left it up to Joy to pray to know what to do. It’s hard when they know the message is true but random little obstacles keep coming up! I know eventually she’ll overcome them all and join the church, even if there are some sacrifices that may be required. We read how the king said to Aaron in the book of Mormon he was willing to give up his entire kingdom to receive eternal life. We also shared how Lehi left many riches to go dwell in a tent in the wilderness- because he knew what he was doing was commanded by God and was true.

Our awesome Ward Mission Leader Nephi had his first kid this week! Also Julius, the recent convert prepping for his mission, worked with us every day this week. The people here have been such good examples to me. On Thursday nights the wards play basketball at the church and Julius always goes. This week though he knew we needed a third male in our lesson so he decided to work with us instead! Haha that’s after me trying to tell him to just go play basketball for 5 minutes. He’s super cool!

We had an mlc on Wednesday and it was a cool meeting. I still am always amazed at how crazy president is with the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants. When he holds his scriptures it’s like he’s holding a sword waiting to strike with some scripture. Every time he goes to open everyone’s just like “oh man.” Haha in the middle of a discussion he opened up to a random page and read, then connected that scripture to lots of others. He’s showing us that every verse is in there for a reason and that doctrine changes behavior. My interest in the scriptures has really grown there is seriously so much to learn. The more we learn the more we understand how to become like the Savior. Knowledge is actually a “Christlike attribute” in preach my gospel which is an attribute I would never pay attention to until now.

One cool thing I learned about setting goals in that meeting is we need to first set the big goal, then set smaller goals after that that will lead us to achieve the main goal. I’ve noticed that I usually try to do too much at once, but by setting better goals I can focus my energy on one thing rather than many. One thing I’ve wondered in my mission though is why I sometimes set goals then try to do all I can to achieve it, then don’t achieve it. I learned that just like we shouldn’t take credit when a goal is achieved, we also shouldn’t take credit when a goal isn’t achieved. President said we shouldn’t worry, this work isn’t our work, it’s His work. In D&C the Lord says many times “counsel me not.” We just need to trust in Him and continue to have faith to see amazing things happen in our lives.

We were able to attend a baptism Saturday for the missionaries we stay with. The kid being baptized was named Christian Nuguit. He’s 23 and has tons of tattoos up to his neck. I had met him on exchanges he’s super cool. One of the speakers was an old guy and he gave the funniest talk! I was in that back laughing- haha. He said “Christian, you were foreordained to join this church! Let’s look at your name. Christian- your name helps you remember to do things that Christ would do. Of course you were foreordained to join His church here on earth. Nuguit. (then he turned to English) Nuiguit in English is “no get.. Satan no get you Christian! Your were foreordained!!” Haha people here are so fun they always speak a little English in formal settings and it’s super good to see what they’ve got up their sleeves. That guy was the man haha! Anyways though seeing a tough guy like Christian in tears after being baptized was a great experience. The spirit was really there that meeting.

I learned Sunday night that Claire and angel were baptized in my last area! I’m super glad to hear they chose to follow Christ’s example. I can’t wait to see them again one day, I saw so much change in them when I was there I can’t imagine what they’re like now! I love being a missionary and I know that the fullness of Christ’s church is restored here on earth. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I encourage you to follow my companion’s counsel that he always has for the other missionaries.. “keep following the word of chastity and law of wisdom and all things will work out.”

Love ya all! :)

Elder reber

So grateful Parker could have a temple day. It is even worth waiting an extra day to get his email!

I love thinking of my picky eating Parker sitting down and enjoying a new meal!

Blurry of Park but still such a cute picture- look at those smiles!!

Study Time

Love Baptism Days

My favorite has to be the cactus centerpiece! Pretty nice presentation if I do say so myself!

Another pic with the horse

Elder Reber and Elder Moster

Love seeing the missionaries at the temple

100th Stake

Hey everyone!

This week has been good! This week has been really busy because this zone combined so there are tons of new missionaries here it’s been kinda wild! I’ve learned the importance of having a good area book because lots of missionaries are fresh starting in the mission and some are feeling the pains of bad organization haha. The number of missionaries have been going down in our mission as well so every transfer areas are being combined like ours was a few weeks ago. Lots of good new opportunity though!

Well transfers came and I’m still here with Elder Moster in our area. I’m happy we have another transfer together it has been fun with him. The best part of this week was seeing Joy Gontinas return to church! Her kids weren’t able to come but at least she made it. After church she told us her decision has been made- she will be baptized! I think last week’s little trial with her old pastor was just a little test of her growing testimony of this church. I think her going to church at her old church also solidified her knowledge that it… isn’t true ha. We are hoping to set her goal date for Sept 23 but we will see how our lesson with her goes tonight!

We have a few other investigators who are making little steps but haven’t been to church yet. It’s cool to see how line upon line they gain more faith as they take action. Some aren’t keeping commitments so this week we are going to focus on helping them realize the importance of doing things on their own in order to know if our message is really true. We might have to drop some of them as well.

Some recent converts in our area had their new home finished so we got to go eat dinner there then later that night blessed/dedicated the home. I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned when we do this but I think that was at least the 10^th home I’ve been asked to bless haha! I don’t know why but my companions have never done it.. it’s always me. It’s kinda funny because the streak continues until now!

Well this week I finished the BOM! One thing I want to share though was something new I noticed in the book of Ether. In the story of the brother of Jared he must prepare for a long journey and we see that instead of the Lord just telling him exactly what to do, he makes him figure it out first. He works really hard to do all he can then after that the Lord does the rest. I’ve always liked that, but in verse 24 of chapter 2 I noticed something new this time. Even after preparing the vessels and having things prepared for their journey, their travels on the sea weren’t easy. Rather than the Lord finally giving them a break and making the travel smooth, it says there were mountain waves that dashed upon them. The Lord then said “for the winds have gone forth out of my mouth, and also the rains and the floods have I sent forth.” It shows the all of the trials they were going through were sent from the Lord. All of the winds, waves, rains, and floods were coming from Him. Then in chapter 6 verse 8 later on it says “And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land…” It’s another good example that all of the hard things that we experience really are for our benefit! They help us become more like the Savior and become prepared to return to His presence. Every day people ask us why their life is filled with so many trials, disappointments, and hardship so as I read it seems to be a question I continue to focus on. I’m thankful for the scriptures and words of living prophets and apostles that have helped me understand why. Even in the story of Job, the Lord actually invited Satan to go visit Job in order to test his faith. He knew that Job would overcome the trials, even if it included taking everything that he owned including his family. No matter how hard a trial might seem and how difficult it is to understand why we have to go through it, I know that it’s for our good and the Lord won’t give us adversity that we can’t overcome. I was reading “Our Search for Happiness” this morning and I think what I read helps it all come together. It’s talking about missionary experiences but I think it can apply to anything else as well. “Weaknesses become strengths, challenges become opportunities, trials become triumphs, and adversity becomes an adventure in the service of the Lord.”

I’m excited for more adventures! Our mission just had a new stake made- the Mandaluyong Stake, which split from the Makati Stake (my last area.) This is the 100^th stake in the Philippines which is an awesome thing to see! I hope I’ll stay on the Lord’s side throughout my life, it’s the side that will always win.

Take care everyone have a nice week!

Love elder reber

Pics for the week are again compliments of Sister Fermanis. With the organization of the Mandaluyong stake there are now 100 stakes in the Philippines. They had a fun program to celebrate! What an exciting time to be serving in Manila!

James Borrero Monilla's Baptism

hello everyone.. and merry christmas!! Yes, the christmas music is startin up here in the Philippines.. gotta love it! They don't celebrate halloween or thanksgiving so yanno it's time for christmas of course! I love christmas so i'm not complainin at all:) I'm hoping I'll get to spend christmas in this area I think it would be pretty intense haha.

Another good week in the books. For p day last week we went to "the beach." Pics will be sent if the computer is kind today. It was actually a really fun little trip we even found churros!

On Thursday my comp and I went to work in the other area of this ward. All four of us worked in their area.. I worked with Elder Armadillo and Elder Moster worked with Elder Dequito. Their area is super DIFFERENT than anything i've seen on my mission. The houses aren't neccessarily big but alot bigger and nicer than anything i've experienced. There's also NOBODY outside it was kinda freaky! We spent the whole time finding and in a few hours we found 6 new investigators. We met a 23 year old named Joshua who goes to school at UP (university of philippines) which is the kinda the harvard of the philippines. It was cool because he has always been looking into religions and his friends are all of different faiths. We shared the whole Restoration lesson in about 20 minutes and he was really interested because it's different from anything he's ever heard. I love how simple yet powerful the things we share are. I feel like the more I teach the same simple principles over and over the more I learn about them and know that they are really coming from God.

In our area we were looking for a less active in a spot we've never been at before and asked someone for directions. After getting help we got to know her and found out she actually went to an LDS church quite a bit growing up with her family. Her mom is also a member! We learned that she has actually been waiting for missionaries to find her and it wasn't a coincidence we met. Just cool to see yet again as we're walking God puts people directly in our path. She told us she normally is in her house with her kid which is in a little alley but for whatever reason that morning they were outside on the road playing.

Our bud james was baptized on Saturday! It was a great service and lots of support. His uncle from Mendinao flew all the way up for it. He and his family have been long-time members and have been praying for over 20 years for his brothers and sisters to be baptized. Last year it finally happened with the whole family (except for James) haha but now they've all been baptized! Super cool. One of the sisters who was baptized last year is now less active so he's also here to help bring her back to church. It was cool for me to see his faith. He said honestly their family could barely afford the plane ticket for him to come up here but he felt he really needed to come help his sister and knew that God would make sure everything financially would work out. The goal is for them to all one day be sealed. The people here are seriously the best.

Sister Joy Gontinas has her baptismal date for Sept 16 but sadly this week her old pastor went and chastized her and her kids! That dirty sinner haha. He basically forced them back over to their church. He went off about our church to them Saturday night then sunday morning he showed up at their house at 7am to escort them to the other church. At their church I guess the pastor focused the whole meeting about how Joseph Smith is our God. Joy then got up in front of everyone and basically bore her testimony to them all. It was the coolest thing i've ever heard! Apparently the pastor also knows when we have appointments with her so this week we might run into him. Should be fun! Joy is doing good though and her kids listen to us consistently now. They made us a big dinner one of the nights too! Two of the ward missionaries who always come with us to her also joined and she cooked my favorite food here- sinigang! This week I ate sinigang every single day except sunday haha.

So yep that's my up and down week! Filled with lots of adventures. Transfer week is this week and we still don't know if Elder Moster will transfer. I hope he stays- i've been learning tons from him especially how to befriend investigators. He has a big strength for gaining people's trust quickly and has some good jokes. Love you all and hope you have a great week!!

Elder Reber

The pics without his glasses are my favorite- smolder and all.  Sadly the kid would be walking around blind without them but we just aren't used to Parker with glasses!

Mall of Asia behind him

Enjoying some Churros

Parker and a buddy switched planning books at the halfway mark of their missions. They wanted to see it in each others language.