Notha week

Hey!!! Well where to start this week. Well life over here has been a lot of change. And a ton more busy. We werent able to get a ton of teaching and finding done this last week. Like only one real day of it. So we really planned to try to get a ton of work planned this week. Well we had a lot of problems pop up that we had to take care on the mission. So we lost some time to work. I really miss already just being out there everyday, getting work done. But this week has been a great learning experience for me. Its really helped me develop skills and attributes, including more patience. haha. 

     Another cool part of being an assistant is being able to travel the whole mission doing exchanges with the ZLs from every area. And this week I was able to go back to my area in Los Pinas with Elder Burbidge. Man what a blessing it was. I was worried about a lot of the people that I left because I really wanted to continue teaching them and eventually baptize them. I think it was like 6 or 7 people. But when we went back and taught them, I was over joyed to see that they were all progressing! They had all been to church and were readily preparing for baptism:) Warmed my heart to know that. That 6 weeks in LP was not a waste:)  This week we have scheduled to go back to Imus, my 4th area, and then back to other ends of the mission. 

    We also have scheduled for Elder Echo Hawk of the area presidency to visit our mission in march. so we have been preparing for that. We have to do a lot for it, we are going to be spending about 3 days with him. haha We drive him around, and conduct all the meetings and stuff like that, and I think I also have to speak. haha I'm pretty nervous. 

   Being an assistiant theres not a lot time to work, so of course are area struggles a bit. But we recieved a referral from a really active member. And we taught them, it was a very spiritual lesson. and he came to church this Sunday. He said he loves how happy the people are here, and thats what really caught his attention.  How true is that right? Whenever you walk into the temple or the church. Do you ever see a sad person, or some whose really mad? Never, because everyone living this gospel is happy, even if they got problems, they are happy people. There is a joy in this church that just quite cant be explained. And I think thats what he saw. I said in my testimony this Sunday at church. That sometimes all were missing as members of the church is a smile. We are happy inside, but we gotta show it, we have to hold up our lights so just like that brother we taught, Others will see it and "glorify their father which is in heaven" Just smile, and the problems will go away.

 Love, Elder MC

What a week! :)

HEY!! Well this was great! Probably the busiest and most different week in my mission. The life of an AP is a lot different then I thought it would be. haha A lot more challenging. Were just always on the go. But it has been a great week! I don't even know where to start! They picked me up Monday morning, and we started from there. They trained me a bit, then I was able to have dinner with the Tye's because of Elder Zacarias' last day. It was so cool just to be with them like one on one. We talked over a few problems in the mission and stuff. Then we had to go back to the office that night a fix our transfer boards for Wednesday. We didn't get home till around 11. Then Tuesday morning we got up at 4 in the morning to go pick up some of the going home missionaries from their areas. and take them to the office. From there we took them to the temple in Manila! I finally was able to see the temple. And do a session with the going home missionaries and President and sister Tye. It was an awesome experience. After that we had to drive them all the back to the mission home. Go back to the mission office and pick up there luggage, take it to their hotel that they would be staying in. Then go back to the mission home and wait till they finish their activities. Then take them to their hotel. After we took them to the hotel, we went back to the office to finish some other stuff. We got home at about 11:30. haha. Then Wednesday was transfer day. so we woke up at about 5 to go pick up some sisters from the hotel because their flight wasn't till the next day. After that we prepared for transfer day. Welcomed the new missionaries, and me and my companion gave them training before they went out. Then we had to help some missionaries get home from the office to their areas. After that we were back at the office. Fixing this program on the computer that's needed for reporting. haha Long story short, I'm a bit tired. But it has been an awesome learning experience. 

We didn't get an actual missionary lesson in till Friday! haha Also being an AP is kind of hard sometimes. Because you also know of all the bad things happening in the mission. All the disobedience. So it makes you kind of sad. We actually just had a problem on Saturday, where president sent a missionary home. It was kinda rough to be apart of it. But its also a big help. Being with President Tye more helps me see his great leadership skills and helps me learn from it. Overall this week was awesome. It was different but so awesome.

My spiritual experience this week. Was of course being able to visit the temple. Man it was amazing. the whole start of being an AP I just felt really inadequate, like I couldn't do it, and stuff. Just a little stressed. So when I was able to just sit and ponder in the lords house. I felt such a strong spirit, I hadn't felt so much peace in my whole mission. I had a feeling directly from the lord that I can do this:) This week I have continued to study and ponder the principle of revelation through the holy ghost, that that is what our church is based on, Receiving revelation. We are just asked to be worthy of it. To ask seek and knock. Everyone is entitled to feel gods love and receive his revelation and will. We just have to strive to live the gospel to its fullest. That's really what I've been striving to do. Be worthy always of the spirit. 

It been a good one:) Love,Elder MC

Elder Shrute Assistant President (to the) :)

Well hey!! So I hate to make this kind of quick but this week was fantastic! Really really spiritual week for me. With a bitter sweet ending.. hahaha

I figured since transfers were here nothing was gonna change since I just got here. Well I got a call from President Tye last night.... Hes called me to be his new assistant!! I was shocked.... hahaha Its crazy. I didn't know what to say. Never thought that he would call me. But I'm honored, its just kind of a thing where you don't feel worthy enough haha. I always looked up to my APs when I was first on my mission. Now its me, its pretty scary. But I reflected a lot on Reggie's  plaque scripture. D&C 6:33 and 34 

 33 Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.

 34 Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they can not  prevail.

Its helped me out a lot. I'm just going to do the best I can. Whatsoever I sow good, I will also reap it. I'm grateful for the Trust that President Tye and the Lord have in me. I hope I don't let them down. 

Well its bitter sweet because I'm going to really miss Los Pinas! Its amazing here and I'm defiantly going to miss the people we were teaching. This coming week we had another family being baptized. then the next month another. haha I'm especially going to miss the Lachica  family. I had probably one of the most spiritual experiences with them this past Friday. Well We were proselyting in the evening and we didn't have them on our plan for the day. But we both had the prompting to go by. Well we got there and Brother had just had it. He was super mad and stressed, he was ready to kill somebody or himself. He hasn't had a job in like 2 months, every where he applies won't take him because hes Mormon. He barley has money for food. His children are having trouble at school, and they just found out they are going to be kicked on the streets soon because they haven't paid rent. so he had just had it. He just went of on us for like 30 minutes. The spirit was just gone. All I could think of at that time was to give him a priesthood blessing and teach the atonement. Well finally when we got the chance to speak, we offered one, and a little hesitant he accepted. Well we offered the blessing, and in the middle of giving the blessing. He burst into tears along with his whole family. I had never felt the power of god more strongly in my life. And he also said the same. The whole atmosphere was changed and it has been ever since. I left that house just saying to myself god lives, and his priesthood is real. The atonement has power over all evil. My life changed that night and my testimony grew. 

Well I'm stoked for this new journey! its gonna be great, I just know it.:

Love, Elder MC 

What a great week!

Hey Family! Well this week was awesome... that's the only word I got for it! haha awesome. Of course the highlight of the week being the Lachica families baptism!! Although starting it was a little rough,because of problems with the font and what not. it ended very great for them. They told us it was a day they will never forget. One of the most spiritual experiences I've had on my mission was teaching this family. Elder Burbidge and I were talking about how we wish you guys could hear and understand the testimonies that they gave. Because they were very powerful. Really touched my heart. They have been through a lot these past months, but the one thing they did not give up on was their family, and this church. It was a great opportunity to have interviews again with President and Sister Tye. I really learned a lot and made me ponder about what truly has been my focus for this part of my mission. But I know that baptizing families is truly how we build the kingdom of god. Bro. Lachica referred his brother to us to teach and wife and children. And we already have talked to the bishop about finding him a great calling to serve in the church. They are going to be an eternal family. No doubt. We have also had another family that we are working with too. We have them projected for February. The work is going well here. And just like dad said the last six months of your mission is the best. You can just work work and work. No worries. And your just always happy,and you don't know why, I cant remember the last time I was down. The lord truly lifts you up on eagles wings when you do his work:) Great week


                                                          All dressed in white!

                 My Companion is from Seattle so I jumped on the bandwagon with him :) 

Lachica chica!

Hey family! This week has been amazing! Like always! First and formost the Lachica family passed their interviews!! 5 if them will be baptized this Saturday! President Tye came over and interviewed them and he said that he was a great man. I can't tell you how excited we are! They are a great example of endurance and faith. The Lord really allowed some big trials in their life, literally not having enough money to feed their big family, but he knew they could do it! Their humility and amazing attitudes really helped them through their rough times. Brother spends some of his free time showing us people around his neighborhood that we could teach. I'm grateful for the opportunity I have to be a part of bringing the spirit into their lives. Could you imagine how their life would be without the peace the gospel gives. And the opportunity to see them pray, learn, an be baptized as a family is something I will never forget. I'm just counting the days till Saturday! 
I also got to go on exchanges with elder Zacharias one last time before he goes home this February. I'm gonna miss him! I learned so much from being with him, he is a great missionary! We also have interviews this week with president and sister Tye. That should be fun too. Well I love you all. Keep ya head up, life ain't so hard :) 
Elder MC 

LP3 Life

Hey Fam!!!!!!!! 

Well this week was great! Man I love Los Pinas! Although our area is like south LA, its rich in blessings, the ward is great, the bishop gets things done, and me and my comp are homies. This week has been really good with work. We hope to baptize two families this month, one family of 5, and another of 4! Im really excited, and I have learned so much here. The LP zone is one of the smaller zones here, its only 3 wards, with 18 missionaries. But some of these missionaries need to be watched haha. My kabahays are 2 Philipinos, Elder Santillian and Elder Huidem, one is training, and the other is brand new. They are both cool guys. 

Well our best experience this week was the story of the Lachica Family, one of the families we are baptizing, I have such a stronger testimony of the gospel blessing families.We finished teaching the parents and now we are teaching the children. Teaching their children have never brought them closer together as a family. Brother has been teaching his children every night how to pray, and read and little principles of the gospel. This family is an amazing example of faith. Brother lost his job awhile back and literally has nothing to provide for his family. But he continued to press forward going to church and preparing himself and family for baptism. This last week they had gotten to the point where they couldn't even buy rice to eat. Literally had nothing. But he remained a happy and peaceful man. The next morning with no money to get to church, this family of 9 got ready anyway, and as they were walking out he saw an old friend who drove a jeepney. Who willingly gave them a ride to church. After they got to church the ward heard of his problem and bishop was able to help him out, and some ward members are going to help him find a job. On the way home a member with a caravan took them home and offered to pick them up every Sunday for church till he got back on his feet. The joy and change that this family has had is amazing. The blessings finally came after times of trials, for them very hard trials. Things that I probably couldnt handle. Last night Brother Lachica took us to a referral he had for us. Dressed up with a book of mormon in his hand he testified to his friend the truthfulness of the gospel. The referral was a family of 5. My testimony has grown so much teaching this family. This man used to smoke, drink, and party. The atonement of Jesus Christ is real, and is there for anyone who is willing to come unto him, they can be perfected in him. I know this family will be perfected in him some day. Its really a case about attitude, the attitude he held is what kept him so strong. If there is always a positive outlook, you'll never find a negative right? Always be positive like this man. And you will find your heavenly treasures. 

 Love, Elder MC

Happy Birthday Sam!!!- Email from Jan. 4th

Hey Family! Well now I'm chilin in Los Pinas with Elder Burbidge. Man I love Elder Burbidge, hes a stud! Hes from Washington state, near Seattle. Hes a twin, and his brother is serving in San Pablo Philippines. We get along great, hes such a humble guy, and always looking to serve others. So im excited to be here with him. 

Well new years was pretty sweet. Just like last year, it sounded like you were in the middle of battle. haha People here will just make big old fire works out of a ton of gun powder haha, and it just makes big bombing sound. They are not so much flashy, but loud! haha If they don't have money for fire works they will just throw random crap around like an old TV or glass cups haha. Well the Los Pinas area is awesome. It kinda funny. The ward is super awesome and the people are super awesome. Its like L.A. Its pretty rich and pretty, but our area is literally like walking through Compton I would imagine. haha its pretty sweet. Im going to take pics this week and a video to show you. Our area is mostly squatters, or just really run down and poor. But everyone is accepting here I love it. The last missionary here was going home, and there were like two or three families that are totally potential for baptism. But he didnt capitalize on it. Soooo we are going to! haha But we are working on baptizing to families this month. One being the Lachica family. They are so great, Man if you could see the changes made in this fathers life it would touch your heart. He used to be into crime and drugs with family problems, they were homeless at one point, his whole life has been changed. And it makes you really sit and think about the wonderful merciful plan of our father in heaven. And to see this family of 9 kneel down and pray together, it really just gets ya.:) it shows that when a man follows god, he is happy. He couldn't really tell ya why he's happy, but he just is. 

I am having a great time here, and I will take a ton of pics for you next week. God lives, and so does his church.

Elder Collins

PS HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM!! Love ya bud! Hope it was  great one. Saturday was such a great day for me and elder Burbidge, and I  didn't know why, until I looked at the calendar, and remembered it was your Bday!