Tuesday, January 29, 2013
•Pag-ayo sa barko...01/30/2013
Hey
everyone!
The weather here's been pretty amazing, I hear there's still snow and ice back home - I could use some of that here, because it's incredibly hot! oh well - ang mga panyo gikan sa akong pamilya magtabang. :) (The handkerchiefs from my family will help [to wipe of the sweat])
Things are still going well here, it's still hard to stop teaching people especially when I've gotten to know them and see their potential, but right now we need to focus on those who will react to the doctrine, those whose hearts have been prepared by the Lord. Part of our focus for now will be to teach a bit to those who are active, but are not willing to sacrifice or to fulfill their callings. We have a work to continue with and souls to save, bring to the ward, and also to fix the holes in the figurative ship (the ward) which is meant to help the people in our area cross the ocean of this mortal life. And sadly, I have run out of time to email. I hope all is going well with you and yours!
May God be our help, strength, and guide as we go to strengthen his children here in Naga.
Og kakugihang misyonaryo sa Ginoo,
Elder Dallin Carlson
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
•Maanindot sa gawas! 01/23/2013
Hey everyone
It was very interesting to hear about the new changes in
the mission - it's exactly what we've been trying to do with our area!
It's hard to drop people from our teaching pool, but the advice is exactly
right - if the teaching has no effect, there's no purpose in the teaching and
we should move on to find those elect who will respond to our teaching.
Up till now in my mission, I've been working so hard on the unelect and
trying to get them back that I haven't been searching for those prepared to
have us go and teach them. While I love the people and hate to drop them
from the number of people we're teaching, I know it's the right thing to do so
we can find more of the extremely abundant less-actives here in the
Philippines.`
But on a brighter note, besides how bright and beautiful it is
outside, we have a less-active family that just came for the first time!! What's even more awesome is that it was a
fisherman and his wife - they usually tell us they don't have enough money, but
through teaching pure doctrine, eventually they committed and it wasn't a
problem, even though last week his wife fell and couldn't even hardly walk
then, but managed to make it to church a week later. and then, the very
next day, they got three times as much fish than they ever usually do! Instead of one kilo, it was three kilos of
fish! We testified that that was blessings from coming to church, and if
they continue doing what they're supposed to, they will continue to receive
blessings. It is so cool to see and feel the hand of the Lord in our
lives.
But there's bad effects too, if we willingly don't do what we're
supposed to and willingly go against the commandments. We visited a
less-active and as we came to the end, we promised that if they came to church,
they would have what they need. and then we had a strong impression to promise
if he didn't keep the Sabbath day holy, come to church and shut down their
business for the Sabbath day, the Lord's day, that the things that would happen
would not be at all good for them. That was last Saturday, and we didn't
see them at church. Then just today we heard that Monday, there was an
accident and his wife was injured and in the hospital. apparently she broke
something in her back and her face is scraped up - we haven't been able to go
there and visit yet.
This was all of God - the warning and what happened to both of
them. We have consequences to our obedience and our disobedience - we reap what
we sow. Which is why we all need to fulfill our covenants and
commandments.
Og misyonaryo sa Ginoo,
Elder
Dallin Carlson
Friday, January 18, 2013
•Another week in Naga!! :) 01/16/2013
Kamusta tanan!
(Hello all!)
As always, it's extremely hot here, but I've got my panyo (my handkerchief) so we're all good.
As always, it's extremely hot here, but I've got my panyo (my handkerchief) so we're all good.
The work is doing good here right now we're trying to find all the inactives and less actives on the ward list that are still in the area - it's tons of fun asking everyone if there's anyone they know from their area on the list and if they've moved or died or aren't interested and if they can contact this or that person for us.
One other thing we're doing here is working on getting our ward missionaries in action - we were told that basically use the single adults because most of them were called years ago and some of them had forgotten that they were even still called so it's interesting to try and get that going again - we'll see how it goes.
So yeah that's about it - out of time, got to go! hope everything's going well with you and yours!
Og misyonaryo sa Ginoo, Elder Dallin Carlson
PS. Thank you all for sending me letters! I really
appreciate it! I'll see about writing back as soon as I have enough time!
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
• Bagong Transfer, Bagong Kauban, parehang erya 01/09/2013
Kamusta, tanan!
Another transfer in
Naga, and yet another English speaking companion who was a district leader!
We'll see if the same thing happens as my other companions who have stepped up
to leadership positions in the mission. In the zone, right now I'm called the
"refiner's fire" because of all my companions who are now leaders. My
first companion is now district leader, my second went home because of medical
issues, my third and fourth became zone leaders right after being my companion.
- I was talking to Elder Woods the other day (he was the one who came up with 'refiner's
fire') and he was talking about how I prepare leaders and so he said that I'm
"like the smith or armour-er or whatever and take the materials and just
bam bam bam then they're like 'this is a good shiny piece of leader' " I
couldn't help but laugh, hearing shiny and leader together. But if that's what
the Lord needs, that's what I want to be, making shiny refined leaders :) The
other missionaries say that if a missionary can survive as my companion,
they'll step up to a leadership position. But either way, I'm just going to
continue to try improving and become the best missionary I can be.
The last couple of days,
we've been teaching a lot of investigators about baptismal covenant and how
important it is. The reason for that is because of the new rule in the mission
that if they're 15-17 and no adult member (family support) in the residence
there's two options for them to be baptized: 6 months of pagsimba (going to
church) or permission from president. It's also really easy to show how
important it is with how many examples of people who were baptized and went
inactive. For example, one investigator is staying at a member's house for
school - we were going to baptize her but I'm glad we didn't because awhile
back there were two others who were from the same house and they were baptized
and later finished up their work and went back to their families who weren't
members and the nearest church is a long way away from Tuburan where she lives
- nearest is Balamban. She happens to be from the same place; we'll see what
happens in March when she graduates. Then we have others who are going less
active who already live close to the church! The main problem with that
particular group is we made the mistake of telling them the specific reason for
them not being baptized yet (4 Sundays in a row) so they made the extra effort
to do what they needed to be baptized; that made it much more difficult to see
their conversion and so we thought they were doing good and so they were
baptized. now, about a month and a half later one or two out of the five of
them didn't come over the holidays. They haven't been attending lessons either
so we haven't been able to discuss the exceeding need to be baptized. Anyways,
with our other investigators right now, I'm really glad we get the chance to
see their conversion if it's true or not. Even though I want to see them
baptized, first I want to make sure that they're converted. Baptizing someone
without converting them is like having something that's broken, but trying to
use it before you fix it; it may work for awhile or longer if you're lucky, but
most all of the time, it's going to break down.
So what needs to be done
is to make sure their fixing (repentance) is done to the point where they're
converted through faith.
So until next time, hope
everything's going well with you and yours!
Og misyonaryo sa Ginoo,
si Elder Dallin Carlson
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
• Nag-abot na ang bagong tuig, ug naa transfers karon! 1/02/2013
Hey
everyone!
There, there may be snow, but here it's still tropical, still super hot! To answer everyone's questions, they do celebrate Christmas and New Years here! It's basically same as back home, except for the fact that everyone can get cheap fireworks here. but that's over now, and we're starting on a new year.
We were so surprised what they said with transfer calls! We never would have guessed that my companion, Elder Seumanutafa, would be transferred after only one transfer here as District Leader, and become a Zone Leader over in Dauis area in Tagbilarin Zone on Bohol Island! I guess he was prepared for that here with me in Naga. It's really comforting to know that each of these assignments are Revelation from God and as such, they will help us learn and grow in the fastest and best way possible. As we received the text with who was transferred, we were amazed with how his thoughts are so much higher than our thoughts - we were so sure that since I had been here longer, and he had only been district leader for one transfer, but apparently he's ready and interestingly enough, I have another companion who has stepped down from district leader to be my companion, same as Elder Deschepper. I guess my work here in Naga ward is not yet finished - I'm glad I focused up till the end, because if I hadn't lifted where I stood and looked around too much to see the next spot, my work would have suffered and I would have not been focused enough even though I'm staying here. Either way, I'm super glad that I have the chance to continue to help strengthen the people of this area and help them come unto Christ.
I only just barely remembered about New Year's Resolutions - I'll see about doing some good long term goal setting and get back to you with that next week. I hope the next year of our lives is filled with joy, faith, love, and success.
Looks like we need to go so my companion can pack! We have to go meet his new companion tomorrow so he can get to Bohol and take care of transfers Friday Morning.
Have a great New Year!
Og missionary sa Ginoo,
Si Elder Dallin Carlson
There, there may be snow, but here it's still tropical, still super hot! To answer everyone's questions, they do celebrate Christmas and New Years here! It's basically same as back home, except for the fact that everyone can get cheap fireworks here. but that's over now, and we're starting on a new year.
We were so surprised what they said with transfer calls! We never would have guessed that my companion, Elder Seumanutafa, would be transferred after only one transfer here as District Leader, and become a Zone Leader over in Dauis area in Tagbilarin Zone on Bohol Island! I guess he was prepared for that here with me in Naga. It's really comforting to know that each of these assignments are Revelation from God and as such, they will help us learn and grow in the fastest and best way possible. As we received the text with who was transferred, we were amazed with how his thoughts are so much higher than our thoughts - we were so sure that since I had been here longer, and he had only been district leader for one transfer, but apparently he's ready and interestingly enough, I have another companion who has stepped down from district leader to be my companion, same as Elder Deschepper. I guess my work here in Naga ward is not yet finished - I'm glad I focused up till the end, because if I hadn't lifted where I stood and looked around too much to see the next spot, my work would have suffered and I would have not been focused enough even though I'm staying here. Either way, I'm super glad that I have the chance to continue to help strengthen the people of this area and help them come unto Christ.
I only just barely remembered about New Year's Resolutions - I'll see about doing some good long term goal setting and get back to you with that next week. I hope the next year of our lives is filled with joy, faith, love, and success.
Looks like we need to go so my companion can pack! We have to go meet his new companion tomorrow so he can get to Bohol and take care of transfers Friday Morning.
Have a great New Year!
Og missionary sa Ginoo,
Si Elder Dallin Carlson
• Human na ang Pasko! (Christmas is over now!) Magabot pa ang Bag-ong Tuig! (New Year's is still approaching!) 12/26/2012
Maayong/malipayong
Pasko! (good/merry Christmas!) ug (and)
Maayong/Malipayong Bag-ong Tuig! (Good/Happy New Year!)
Maayong/Malipayong Bag-ong Tuig! (Good/Happy New Year!)
Everything
managed to work out so I could talk to family! I'm glad I could do that
on P-day when my work won't be directly afterwards and I can have a few hours
to focus back on the work
Now for
the area; (re-focusing mind.....) we have some
investigators who have had to be postponed - they have a desire to be baptized,
and really really want to but they also need that foundation of a witness of
the restoration - We asked one of them about their prayer to know if it's true
and she was having a hard time describing it and said something about confusion
- it seems that while she has that desire, there's some obstacle that she has
yet to overcome. I think it was divine intervention that the problem with
permission arose because if it hadn't, we would have gone on with the
baptism. They need that foundation so they can withstand the whirlwinds
and tests and challenges of life.
Our investigators over at seaside (referrals from that group of 5 friends baptized on November 24) seem to be progressing well though. I know at least one of them has prayed to know of the truth of The Book of Mormon and the prophet Joseph Smith. As for the other ones, I think we just need to ask. With our recent converts, they've been more active than a lot of the members, I'm just trying to make sure they're converted and not just doing the cool thing of the barkada (group of friends).
Then we have the less-actives..... I'm so glad I get to be here right now and see the effects of things done wrong at first so I can learn more about how to do stuff right. For example, there's the missionaries who payed plete (money for transportation) and so they were more converted to the missionaries and not really to the gospel and once that plete wasn't there anymore, they return to whatever religion they were before. Other times, rare but true, there were some that were told that they only had to go to church 4 times and they could be baptized and then not have to worry about it. As Gordon B. Hinckley said, baptism has no purpose if we do not hold on to the fruits of this labor. I'm glad I can be here for the "rescue mission" here in the Philippines to see what people need to endure to the end, because if they don't endure to the end, there is no purpose or worth in the baptism and it would have been better had they never met us. This is so true - especially as I've seen people go back to Catholic and believe that Jesus, born of Mary, was also God, our Heavenly Father; or go back to Iglesia ni Kristo and believe that Jesus was just a regular guy. It is so sad to see people deny Christ's divinity. as Christmas ends, I encourage everyone to keep the spirit of Christmas, or the spirit of Christ, in our hearts and ponder what he gave for us- everything, including his life. and what does he ask in return? To lay down our sins, these heavy burdens, and come unto him. How wondrous is his love and mercy to all God's children here on Earth. How amazing is his promise of eternal life with him and our Heavenly Father. May we all fulfill our part of the covenants we have made; that we may be blessed in this life, and receive glory and happiness without end in the world to come.
Og misyonaryo sa Ginoo,
Elder Dallin Carlson
Our investigators over at seaside (referrals from that group of 5 friends baptized on November 24) seem to be progressing well though. I know at least one of them has prayed to know of the truth of The Book of Mormon and the prophet Joseph Smith. As for the other ones, I think we just need to ask. With our recent converts, they've been more active than a lot of the members, I'm just trying to make sure they're converted and not just doing the cool thing of the barkada (group of friends).
Then we have the less-actives..... I'm so glad I get to be here right now and see the effects of things done wrong at first so I can learn more about how to do stuff right. For example, there's the missionaries who payed plete (money for transportation) and so they were more converted to the missionaries and not really to the gospel and once that plete wasn't there anymore, they return to whatever religion they were before. Other times, rare but true, there were some that were told that they only had to go to church 4 times and they could be baptized and then not have to worry about it. As Gordon B. Hinckley said, baptism has no purpose if we do not hold on to the fruits of this labor. I'm glad I can be here for the "rescue mission" here in the Philippines to see what people need to endure to the end, because if they don't endure to the end, there is no purpose or worth in the baptism and it would have been better had they never met us. This is so true - especially as I've seen people go back to Catholic and believe that Jesus, born of Mary, was also God, our Heavenly Father; or go back to Iglesia ni Kristo and believe that Jesus was just a regular guy. It is so sad to see people deny Christ's divinity. as Christmas ends, I encourage everyone to keep the spirit of Christmas, or the spirit of Christ, in our hearts and ponder what he gave for us- everything, including his life. and what does he ask in return? To lay down our sins, these heavy burdens, and come unto him. How wondrous is his love and mercy to all God's children here on Earth. How amazing is his promise of eternal life with him and our Heavenly Father. May we all fulfill our part of the covenants we have made; that we may be blessed in this life, and receive glory and happiness without end in the world to come.
Og misyonaryo sa Ginoo,
Elder Dallin Carlson
•Pasko na!! 12/25/2012
Hey everyone!
just thought I'd tell everyone -
just thought I'd tell everyone -
.....MerryChristmas!
....and Happy New Year!
Yes, they have both of those in the Philippines. They also have a lot of karaoke, or as they call it, videoke which they always do a ton around Christmas and New Years. It's crazy right now, I can't even imagine what it will be like on New Years - no wonder they don't want us out that night! They gave us permission to gather as missionaries in different areas at the church and watch 1 or 2 Disney movies so we can have something for missionaries to do for new years and also so none of the missionaries will be out at any parties because it's just not a good idea to be out at that time. We still have the regular curfew, though so we can get right to work the next morning. For Christmas, a few days ago all the missionaries on Cebu Island gathered together for a devotional, after which there was a talent show - I had planned to sing go the distance from Hercules, and was very surprised to find out another missionary had picked the same song! the good thing is, I had changed almost all of the lyrics to apply to us as missionaries, and I had accompaniment which someone from the ward was nice enough to download for me. At that talent show, I was the only one to get a standing ovation! Afterwards, there was a lot of them asking for a copy of the lyrics. Then I was also in a sort of district thing (with the zone leaders too) - we started with this pop version of jingle bell rock and did this little sort of exercise thing. It reminded me of the Tendermens Workout Video (on youtube) and so I acted like po-po on that - as I did the thing with touching the feet of the person next to me everything fell out of my pocket - planner, pen, articles of faith cards, temple complex tour invitation cards, everything! I couldn't have planned it better if I tried :) Then we went to the sides and grabbed our props - some canes made out of painted pvc and shiny cheap top hats- and did a dance sorta kinda like back in swing choir minus the singing. then for the finale the elders of the district made a human pyramid - it was pretty awesome.
The Ward Christmas party was pretty fun too - there was some fun activities and each of the auxiliary organizations each had organized a talent and so I sang go the distance even though we as missionaries aren't technically an auxiliary - it went pretty good, it's just that the technical difficulties made it a bit more challenging, but that's ok - I'm just glad we could even have a system so technical difficulties could exist!
So yeah - even though it's Christmas Eve there, It's Christmas Day here! so I'm looking forward to getting a lot of work done right now since everyone's at home!
Hope all's well with you and yours!
Maayong Pasko! (Merry Christmas!)
Og missionary
sa Ginoo, (Missionary of the Lord) Elder Dallin Carlson
Yes, they have both of those in the Philippines. They also have a lot of karaoke, or as they call it, videoke which they always do a ton around Christmas and New Years. It's crazy right now, I can't even imagine what it will be like on New Years - no wonder they don't want us out that night! They gave us permission to gather as missionaries in different areas at the church and watch 1 or 2 Disney movies so we can have something for missionaries to do for new years and also so none of the missionaries will be out at any parties because it's just not a good idea to be out at that time. We still have the regular curfew, though so we can get right to work the next morning. For Christmas, a few days ago all the missionaries on Cebu Island gathered together for a devotional, after which there was a talent show - I had planned to sing go the distance from Hercules, and was very surprised to find out another missionary had picked the same song! the good thing is, I had changed almost all of the lyrics to apply to us as missionaries, and I had accompaniment which someone from the ward was nice enough to download for me. At that talent show, I was the only one to get a standing ovation! Afterwards, there was a lot of them asking for a copy of the lyrics. Then I was also in a sort of district thing (with the zone leaders too) - we started with this pop version of jingle bell rock and did this little sort of exercise thing. It reminded me of the Tendermens Workout Video (on youtube) and so I acted like po-po on that - as I did the thing with touching the feet of the person next to me everything fell out of my pocket - planner, pen, articles of faith cards, temple complex tour invitation cards, everything! I couldn't have planned it better if I tried :) Then we went to the sides and grabbed our props - some canes made out of painted pvc and shiny cheap top hats- and did a dance sorta kinda like back in swing choir minus the singing. then for the finale the elders of the district made a human pyramid - it was pretty awesome.
The Ward Christmas party was pretty fun too - there was some fun activities and each of the auxiliary organizations each had organized a talent and so I sang go the distance even though we as missionaries aren't technically an auxiliary - it went pretty good, it's just that the technical difficulties made it a bit more challenging, but that's ok - I'm just glad we could even have a system so technical difficulties could exist!
So yeah - even though it's Christmas Eve there, It's Christmas Day here! so I'm looking forward to getting a lot of work done right now since everyone's at home!
Hope all's well with you and yours!
Maayong Pasko! (Merry Christmas!)
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