A Missionary's Work: An Interesting Week

10/10/2016

So this week has been interesting for sure. We started with family home evening with the Ramonez family and I ate eggplant cooked with egg and fried (tortang talong) with rice. It was a blast, with a game called cocheta at tinador (spoon and fork). Someone starts with the spoon and someone else with the fork. The person who ends with them both loses and has to drink a glass of water. So the people with the spoon and fork must ask the next person in the circle what is this (ano its?) and the person will answer either cocheta or tinador. The hard part is you have to ask twice with the spoon and once for the fork, so the fork chases the spoon. It's actually really fun!

The next day we had a hard day and virtually no lessons taught because they all fell through, so on our way to lunch I decided as we walked by someone to say Hi, next thing I know we are invited in and we teach their entire family. Apparently they had been taking lessons before but they moved and a huge flood ruined all their stuff. So they were eager to learn and were excited that they actually argued on who could hold the copy of the Aklat Ni Mormon we gave them. They are such an awesome family and read the Bible and Book of Mormon all the time and ask lots of questions we are glad to answer.

That night out block had a power outage and we don't have AC so it's just us and our fans. Luckily it came back on when we came back home that night.

By the way, for culture- The area I am in is the "trike capital of the Philippines", honestly I would say the world, but maybe someone can look that up. So we also witnessed a spider fight in our lesson with Johndel and his brother Hubert. It's what kids like to do here, spider fight, I have a video. I finally rode in a jeepney, though I didn't take a picture, sorry.

So for the spiritual thought, I have an invitation if you have time (try to find time, please) look up a video talk by Brad Wilcox called "His Grace is Sufficient". It is so good! Do you know what grace is or how it came to be?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLXr9it_pbY
Think of these questions when you watch it:
1-Have you been changed by grace?
2-How is there mercy and justice in God's plan?
3-How can we continue to grow in Christ?

Lastly, we had an amazing experience with our bishop this week. Our bishop is old and is having a hard time in his calling because of some health issues. Without him being active in the ward, there is little ward unity. So in General Conference (a televised conference for the leaders of the church to speak to all its members over the world) there was a talk about callings by Elder Cook. So we ate at bishops house and had a make or break lesson with the bishop. We could either really offend him or help lift his burdens and fulfill his calling. We ended up really helping the bishop and it's so good because we really need him, the ward needs him. So I think he is now counting his blessings instead of his weariness and pains. He's a great man and we love him and want to help him, and so should we help others. This scripture will help Mosiah 18:8-9:

8)And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light;
9)Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life-

Essentially help bear the burdens of those with heavy burdens, comfort those in need of comfort. When we serve we show the love we have for others and build relationships and really help someone in need.

You guys are all amazing people and I am blessed to have you in my life!
Love,
Elder Peterson