Elder Rasband came to town

Hello everyone!

These last two weeks have been pretty busy! As far as the area goes we have quite a few people we’ve been working with but nobody is progressing too quickly. We’ve been filtering through lots of people and continue to meet and teach lots of new people each week. Just trying to find those who are ready. On exchanges we met a mother named Ale Li Lim (not sure where her names comes from?) Her husband listened to missionaries in the past and we had a great visit with her teaching the Restoration and Book of Mormon. They are a super fun young fam I’m excited to continue to work with them.

This week was transfer week! There are TONS of missionaries flooding over to Palawan now. After lots of planning there are tons of areas opening up there and many branches getting more missionaries. Most of the wards here on the mainland here now only have one companionship. President noticed that companionships in the same ward hardly ever baptize here on the mainland so he wants to try something new. Having one companionship in the ward will keep those missionaries busy helping the ward and teaching part-members and referrals. Another thing that went into this big change is what the church as a whole saw a few years back. When the age change was made for missionaries throughout the world, missions saw a big jump in the number of missionaries in their missions. Even though there were so many more missionaries during these few years, baptisms stayed about the same. We’re excited to see what happens when we put missionaries in areas that haven’t really seen missionaries and see if anything can spark as a result!

One thing I’ve learned from him is that if you want the same results then keep doing the same thing. He’s happy with the mission but knows that by trying new things we can show our faith and see new results. I’m realizing with myself I often start to get comfortable doing things a certain way and don’t have the courage to try it differently. I remember when Alma was commanded by an angel to return to the city of Ammonihah he did so “speedily,” entering the city “by another way.” It’s going to be cool to see what happens down on the island now!

Transfers were smooth other than a few wrong turns which took us across the map and a flat tire on another van haha. Although we had a lack of sleep we definitely had lots of fun having new problems arise that have never been seen before and finding a way to resolve them.

Friday we were blessed to have Elder Rasband visit our mission! The 2 hour devotional was held at the mtc so it was our missionaries here in Manila attending along with missionaries who were coming in that very day. I know without a doubt that Elder Rasband is a apostle of the Lord. It was “part of his message” to shake each of our hands which I thought was really neat to experience. Through the spirit I was able to learn new things and was also reminded of things I need to work on. I thought it was interesting he mentioned President Monson telling him about his calling, “it will be overwhelming until the day you die.” Elder Rasband is very down to earth and humble. He also referred to himself as a “baby apostle.” I’ve learned that even prophets and apostles are still line upon line doing their best to become more like the Savior. They have weaknesses, problems, worries, and struggles just like all other people here on earth. Even through reading the Book of Mormon and some of church history you can see weaknesses in writing, speaking, patience, trust, and so forth.

The other thing he talked about is having a “burning” testimony. What does that feel like? How do you gain that feeling? What can that testimony drive you to do? He said how everyone at times has a burning testimony but that doesn’t mean once you have it it won’t go away. He said if you feel like you’ve “plateaued” there’s simply one thing we can focus on to gain that fire for the first time (or gain it back again) and that’s through getting to know the Savior, loving the Savior, and serving the Savior. I kinda look at this like a cycle. Doing any one of these three things will help the other two grow as well. I had the biggest feeling at that moment that I need to better focus on Him. Even in the mission there are so many different tactics, focuses, things to study about, things going on, investigators you’re thinking of and striving to help, that I sometimes forget the great importance of the Savior’s life, example, love, and atoning sacrifice. He is the reason all of this is even possible. I’m thankful for Him and for the experiences I’ve been able to have out here on the mission because of what He did and continues to do for me. I’m thankful for this time I have to represent Him at all times and to walk with Him shoulder to shoulder. I’m especially thankful for the time we had as a mission to meet with one of His servants and this past week

Hope you all are doing great! Have a good one!
Elder Reber