A New Week and Zone Meeting

Hello! :)

Zone Meeting went pretty well this past week. I was rather happy with how it turned out. It was weird though. Normally Elder Caoayan has a way of saying what he wants, no matter if it’s the right time or not. When we taught the Zone he had very little to say suddenly. I taught at least 75% of it... I think maybe he just got freaked out because Sister Carlos and the AP's came and observed our Zone Meeting while President was doing temple recommend interviews. He gets really weird around them... like he has to be perfect but is so afraid of making a mistake that he essentially does nothing... basta, the Zone meeting went well.

( I gave Elder Lundy a list of reasons why I am happy) That was a very nice list of reasons why you are happy. :) I liked it a lot. We are very blessed, aren't we?

When the children were young we would have had a much larger
group at Nana's. We would have had 37 people in the picture. As all Families
do they grow up and have a family of their own. : ) So only 4 of the
Grandchildren where there this year. Mainly us old folk went to
Nana's for Thanksgiving. Another part met together in Utah
around 22 more, and 25 where scattered around the world.

Dad sent me the thanksgiving picture. I have to say that Uncle Gary/Aunt Karen's John is super pogi (Handsome) now!!! guwapo siya (he's good-looking)! No joke. :) Eric is getting flipping huge too! Does he weight lift? This thanksgiving was just a normal day for me. We didn't do anything out of the normal. It’s ok though.

Hey mom, can you possibly email me a breakdown of the Philippines flag? You know what the colors and shapes mean, symbolism... I was just wondering about that this week. They really use part of their flag all over the place. I feel like it has a different meaning other than just patriotism...

Thank you very much for the packages you are sending me. :) I feel very spoiled with all you guys do for me. :)

So transfer day is on the 13th of December. This is Elder Caoayan's 4th cycle here in Bagabag. It’s almost a sure thing he is being transferred. But after all, we don't know the mind of our Heavenly Father in these things. Anything can still happen. As it looks we are going to have a lot of transfers in our zone come December 13...

Work was a little slow this week. All of our investigators with baptismal dates had places to go like Manila, or visiting family. It was still a good week though... we reached 17 lessons. We are doing pretty well despite the slow week. As we put forth effort, we see blessings. The progress of our investigators is amazing. As we have taught them, we can see how they have changed. They have become more open. They actually talk to us now. Those people that I thought would never progress are progressing, and all because of the Lord's blessings. They have felt the Spirit, and are following it. This week we have 4 baptismal interviews. Elder Dixon will interview them all on Saturday. Elder Caoayan is in "just baptize them already" mode. I feel several of them are very ready, but some of them I am not sure about. I feel they have a testimony, but I’m not sure their actions show that they are as ready as Elder Caoayan thinks they are. We'll see on Saturday though. It’s always a good thing to get outside input. Outsiders see things that you have become blinded to.

The zone is working really hard to reach our goal. This week, we not only reached our goal of 140 lessons (20/companionship) but passed it! :) Our OYM's stayed the same.

This past week I went on splits with Elder Dixon in Lamut. The splits went really well. Elder Dixon and I got in a couple lessons, and we worked on our goal of turning OYM's into lessons. Right at the end of the day as we were heading back to the highway to catch a jeepeny home, we decided to OYM one more house. Not only did we OYM, it turned into a lesson, and a new investigator. :) After that, we went home and had a good long talk about the splits and how elder Dixon and I are doing as missionaries. Elder Dixon opened up to me and told me that he respects and trusts me and told me to be completely honest and give all the advice/feedback I could think of. We talked for about an hour and a half on this topic... The next morning he was studying at 7:30 am instead of 9am... That extreme diligence didn't last for too many days, but I can see that he is applying most everything we talked about and is doing a lot better. I respect him a lot for making those changes.

Being a missionary is a wonderful blessing. :)

I got the letter and pictures/drawings from the Harpers this morning! :) thank you! I love it! I'm putting them up on my wall later tonight.

Well, I love you! :)

 

I gotta go shop now. :*

 

bye!

P.S. Oh... MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! People are starting to get really into it here. :) haha

One more thing I forgot... my release date is being changed I believe. Our mission transfers and incoming batches of missionaries are changing next year. All missionaries that go home in 2013 in Philippines Cauayan mission will go home 2-3 weeks early... there will be exceptions, but as I have no American batch going home, I think my date will be changed and I’ll be put with some other elders... we'll see what President Carlos does. :)

2nd Thanksgiving in the field

Hello!  :)

This week was a good week. Work this week seemed too short. I feel like Monday should be another couple days away.

Last week, Elder Caoayan and I fell short of our Zone/Mission Goal of 20 lessons and 20 oym’s. This week we started off slow, at least for the oym's. Around Thursday night we realized we only had 1 oym and 10 lessons. We decided to take some action. The result, we met our goal of 20 lessons exactly, and fell just short of 20 oym, ending with 19. The more we strove to meet our goals, the more we looked for and saw people to teach. As we looked, we saw more opportunities, we taught more lessons, and we obtained new investigators, and we ultimately fulfilled our purpose. I wasn't ready for Monday to come because I was happy in the work and I just wanted to keep going. Preparation Day became a distraction that I didn't want. Up until now, I never thought I would say those words...

You know, as I gain more experience and learn and grow, all my leaders just keep getting smarter and smarter. The same thing happened with my parents ; )

As I finished my letter to President Carlos about our work this week, I said this to him:

I'm reminded of the words/catch phrase of my old bishop, now Stake 1^st Councilor, President Mortimer, "Are you happy?"

The answer to that question depends on how you use your agency. My answer right now as a missionary is yes. Why? I worked and gave my best these past 3 days. I used my agency in the way the Lord would want. I am happy.

Elder Caoayan and I have our first Zone Meeting tomorrow. We'll see how that goes. Sister Carlos has prepared a guide of lessons for District and Zone Leaders to use to teach their lessons. It is to develop a Mission-wide training schedule for the missionaries. It takes all of the challenge out of making a district/zone meeting. It also takes away a lot of the learning on the part of the district and zone leaders. I'm disappointed about that. I liked it better the hard way, back when I was first made district leader. I think it would be better if they just gave us the topic to prepare, but I guess this is what the missionaries need. Heavenly Father knows best, and I trust the Carlos' to do what He wants them to do.

So it just started raining. Hardcore. Dang it. All my clothes are hanging out side to dry as I washed them this morning. At least I used fabric softener with and anti-bacterial in it. They won't smell, but I’ll have to hang them in front of a fan all night to dry. : P

So funny story, S—D------ is the oldest daughter (21 years old) of H------ D------, one of our investigators with a baptismal date. On fast Sunday, she got up and bore her testimony. She talked about how we just baptized her best friend, sister L---- M-------- and how her dad is getting ready to be baptized and how Heavenly Father answered her prayers. When people get nervous or cry, they have reactions. A lot are almost unnoticeable Sister S-- however had a hilarious reaction. : ) Whenever she started to cry, or got nervous (as this was her first time ever talking at the pulpit on Sunday) she would promptly crouch/duck down behind the pulpit. She would usually stay there for 5-15 seconds then pop back up and start talking like nothing happened. She did this several times. The next Sunday she was a speaker in sacrament. I was also a speaker. Yes, she did it again. : ) Only this time I got to see her the whole time. I almost bust out laughing the first time as I wasn't expecting it. Thankfully she was facing the other way when she ducked down and didn't see me. :) She is a great girl. Oh! She has also decided to serve a mission and her dad is going to let her! :) Most parents who are not members tell their kids they have to finish college first. Bro. H------ on the other hand gave her permission. :) Tatay is progressing! :)

I hope you like the pictures. I don't think I mailed you these... I don't know.

The one with me and Schmidt is at his farewell. They took it while I was still crying. It doesn't show too much though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The one with me, 2 elders and a sister is a family photo. she’s our Nanay in the mission. She ended her mission with 3 of her sons in the same zone.
The 3rd picture, I don't remember what it was. I hope you like it though...

I love you mom! In the words of an inspired man, "Are you happy?"

Have a great week! :)   : * Ingatz Palagi

-Elder Lundy

P.S. Happy Thanksgiving!!! : )

Love you all!

This year, I thank the Lord for two blessings in particular.

One: my mission.

The other, YOU! :* I miss you guys! Have a great Thanksgiving!

Just a thought, a combined letter from family and friends would be sick. ;)

Love,

Elder Lundy

 

Zone Leader council

Hey,

Yup I heard the news. I was in zone leader’s council when the voting was being counted. (USA elections) President Carlos kept giving us updates so we would know what was happening. That is some good advice for H------ D------. I realized much the same things this week during our weekly planning for him. If we rush him, he will not be converted. He will only answer the questions. To help convert him, we need the Lord's blessings. A blessing is a great idea... I don't know why I didn't think of it before...

I think the elders in my zone right now are doing pretty well. You do more than enough, mom. I’ll let you know if there is a need though. Diana’s marriage is going to be fine Mom. Don’t worry about it. As long as the ceremony happens in the temple and they are both worthy and ready... nothing is wrong. Nothing could be more right. Nothing else matters. Don’t stress it. I’m learning more and more on my mission that if nothing is wrong, there is nothing to be fixed. There are always little things... but what really matters to our Heavenly Father? The parties, celebrations, the food, decorations, or as a missionary... who's name goes first on the teaching record, who is the "senior" companion, who's opinion is right, etc... Those things DO NOT MATTER. We do things the Lord's way, and that brings happiness that no party or "triumph" in a contest of opinions can bring. I honestly don't know why I said that, and I know you already know that... but it is true nonetheless.

That’s crazy about their snow. Amanda sent me pictures... I’m sitting here in the computer shop burning up. It’s probably about 90 degrees in here and the fan doesn’t ever point at me...: P it’s so weird that people have snow when I’m sitting here and my blood is boiling. I’m afraid of snow when I get home. I’m gunna die my first winter home...

 

So I was a surprise concluding speaker this week in sacrament. I found out Saturday afternoon at lunch so I had at least a couple of hours to prepare. I spoke on The Book of Mormon. It was really good. It was probably one of the best talks I ever gave. I forgot my Tagalog book of Mormon so I just used my English. I first reviewed the introduction to the book of Mormon. That’s the funny awesome part. I had just finished saying that I forgot my Tagalog BoM, and then I immediately read the first paragraph of the intro and translated it word for word perfect into Tagalog as I read it. Translating from a book is so much easier than a running translation of what people say. I translated for Sister Carlos and the couple missionaries a few times... gosh that was hard. After I defined what the BoM is, I used verses from the book of Mormon to show why we had this additional record and why the prophets had written it, its purpose as pertaining to our belief in a Christ, and why we need to read and study them, and what they mean to us as LDS's with a belief in the restoration of the church of Christ through Joseph Smith. Some of the verses I used were:

 

1Nephi 19:23 "And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.",

 

2 Nephi 32:3 "Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.",

 

and others. my main source was the writings of Nephi... my favorite part was when I explained that we have the scriptures, and more especially the book of Mormon, to convince us and help us believe in the Christ that was to come to redeem the world if we but followed his commandments.

 

The faith of men is weak if we have not proof. The book of Mormon is proof.

It is the words of Christ through his holy prophets unto the salvation of souls if we but obey his words.

How can we know his words, how can we obtain salvation if we don't read the words of Christ?!

How can we strengthen our faith if we won't read?

How in the world will we know what to do if we won't use the guide the Lord has given us?!

 

It was a great talk. I felt the Spirit so strong. President Quinones had to have a member give me a "times up" gesture to get me to stop. :) lol.

 

It is times like that that I am happy to rely on my own experience and the experience of our family to teach with power and authority.

Thank you very much for the packages you have sent! :) I’m super excited to get them! :)
Mom, I love you very very much! Get better and have a great week! To be honest, I just feel lucky to have you. One of the sisters in my zone had a mother that passed away this week. she is remaining in the mission to continue the work, as that is what she believes is what her mother would want her to do...I’m glad to have a mother that I know would feel the exact same. I love you Mom. Feel better soon!

Love,
Elder Lundy

Farewells and the work continues

Hi,  :)
This past week has been challenging with transfers and the farewell fireside. It was weird seeing Elder Schmidt go home. It was hard on the work, time-wise, as well. BUT, we are still having progress with our investigators. Our 3 tatay are doing rather well. R-- and his son A----- got moved back to Dec. 1. They missed church once. They were really sad, but are still excited and KNOW the church is true. I feel like Bro. R-- and A----- would have been ready by their date. Bro. R-- has an especially strong testimony. He knows the church is true. He just ran into trouble getting to church once because of the business
he owns. We are having him wait because this isn't the first time this has happened with his church attendance... Our other tatays are also moved back, one(Bro. R-----d) because he was having a little trouble with receiving an answer to his prayers, the other(Bro. H------) because he is very slow on the pickup and has word of wisdom problems. On the Less-active side of things, we should have 2 more tatays return to activity next week. The area is doing really well and we are really starting to get the support of the members in our lessons. We also contacted an amazing referral this past week, Bro. -.-. The last person I met like him was inactive, had word of wisdom problems, and law of chastity issues. When his father died, he turned his life around. He became active, dropped all of the worthiness issues, served as ward mission leader until he was able to serve a mission. When I look at -.-., I see that same person. There is a specific resemblance in their looks and the fact that both of their tatays died recently....I'm excited for the work this cycle. :) So, within the next week or two, pictures should be on the way. :) I found DVD’s to use and a picture developing shop willing to put all my pictures on the discs :) About "this stuff below" in your letter...yes, I do like it. I usually find that it is really  applicable to my current situations in the mission. Especially the spiritual thoughts... I don't really look at the weather anymore though. I just know how the day is going to go by looking outside. It’s more fun just letting it be a surprise now... I need to go now to get my pictures ready for the printing shop to burn to my discs...

I love you mom. :* I hope you feel better soon. I’ll be praying for you.

-Elder Lundy