Pony Boy Express: Great Week!

Family and Friends,

What an awesome week! It FLEW by like i cannot even explain. 3 of the districts in our zone left today, they are going to Tacloban and Cebu (both in the Philippines, speaking Cebuano). So the big big thing of this week was Tuesday Night's Devotional, and Saturday. The speaker on Tuesday night was.... Elder Richard G Scott!!!!! Wow. i cannot explain the intense spirit that was in the building from the second he walked in until the second he left. Unbelievable. He spoke on prayer and missionary work. I will tell you some of my favorite points from his address.

1.Prayer is a supernal gift from God. supernal. wow. thats powerful.

2. If you are looking for better prayer or how to receive answers.. read D&C 6,8 & 9.

3. Prayer is directly connected to faith.. we must have faith that he will answer our prayers on his will and his time. Also, we must pray to understand his will more fully... pray to know what he wants for you, AND more importantly... pray for strength to act on his will and promptings. Thats of the utmost important. He gives us our trials for OUR growth and experience.. he knows 100% what is best for us. He has the eternal perspective.

4. Act, ACt, ACT. Its all about action. We are not a people of idleness and time wasting. The Lord expects our efforts.

5. Elder Scott left us missionaries with an apostolic blessing. Which was... wow. awesome. The things he bestowed upon the missionaries were; a. to have peace b.help with the language through the power of the Holy Ghost. c. this will be a rich and rewarding experience. d. i will not be asked to do anything out of my potential and abilities e. the mission will bless the life of our families now and my future family.

Lastly, and this was one of the more amazing things i have experienced... he finished.. we sang a closing hymn.. then the Sister saying the closing prayer was about 2 feet from the pulpit when Elder Scott stood back up. He said, "I have to make sure you understand this, i have to say this again." he then said something to the effect of... You have been called to succeed.... not fail. The Lord will never abandon me. ever. The mission is here to help me discover my true potential.. its all within my capabilities.

That was amazing. It was like the Lord was at the pulpit speaking to us directly. I bear testimonies that apostles are called of God.

Another amazing part of this week was Saturday. It was both of our teachers' last days as our teachers (they are leaving for internships). It was awesome to hear their testimonies. What was amazing for me was at the end of the night Brother Theobald gave an amazing prayer with our entire district. Although it was in Hiligaynon.. .so i didnt understand as much as i wished... it was still SO spiritual. No lie, i was literally weeping. Out of pure love, joy, peace, happiness. So much so that when i stood up from kneeling i had a wet spot on my pants so it looked like i peed my pants!! hahahaha. super hilarious. He blessed us each by name and i felt God's love so purely. Grateful for him.

I have a couple of challenges for you. Find one christlike attribute this week and study and work on it. pray for help with it. you will be blessed. Also, read Elder Holland's talk called "Lord, I Believe". My favorite by far. He's great. Also remember this... we alone decide how lonely or sad we feel. God is ALWAYS there.. we just choose if you distance ourselves from him or draw unto him.

A couple Hiligaynon phrases to use this week.. "tu-od ka?" thats the equivalent of sarcastically saying are you serious? kind of like saying.. for real?! haha! love that phrase. Another, is "pasencha" which is, sorry. another is "udtatlang" which is saying, just stop. Love this language so much already... and the philippines. Thanks so much for all the letters, love, packages, advice, and prayers.

Pray always. Rely on the Atonement, I know that Christ lives. I know that we must always strive to be closer to him. Do it. You will be blessed.

May are ako sang pagpamatu-od sa ini ebonghelyo. Jesucristo sa kabuhi kag kamatayon para sa aton mga sala.

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Elder Muir and I, we traded ties! He's from Australia going to Philippines Tacloban.