Pony Boy Express: One of those weeks you love/hate

Dear Family and Friends,

Elder Wilstead and I had another great week. It was laced with trials and hardship, but we prayed hard and continued through the tough times. Sometimes Satan throws all that he can at you, but we realized that and continued through it. This past week I learned and progressed a lot. I had the chance to lead my area twice, (which basically means.. I find the appointments, I lead out the lessons, etc etc.) once with Elder May and once with Elder Fernando. I really do enjoy leading my area, it helps me to see my progress thus far in the mission and it also helps me to progress in ways I can't when I am a junior companion. We taught 6 lessons each day and obtained a couple referrals. I always enjoy exchanges because it helps me (like I have said before) to learn tons of new things. My language skills and teaching skills progress every week, and I know the Lord helps me daily.

The progress in our investigators this week has been substantial. We had the baptism of Sister Jinky this last Saturday which was great to see. Her parents (who we have been teaching) both came to the baptism and both came to church as well. Brother Bernal has been able to overcome some word of wisdom issues which is amazing. Prayers and fasting really do help people, it was a big testimony builder to me. They both really enjoyed church. We have been so blessed it is amazing, we literally have had new investigators almost fall into our path. What a blessing that has been. Elder Wilstead and I work hard every single day. Our closeness and friendship really has helped us to push each other to work hard and be exactly obedient always. What a blessing it has been to be trained by one of my best friends.

Some of the ridiculous things this week.. SO. Friday night rigfht after one of our last appointments.. its started pouring. Not raining, but POURING. I have never been so soaked in my entire life. That was quite an experience. All the Filipinos already stare at us because we are white, but it was a million times worse in the rain. haha. Oh i haven't told you about that yet, everyday you hear, "Hey Kano" (for americano) or more usual is, "hey joe" everyday. usaully about 30 times. without fail. you literally feel like a monkey in a zoo here. hahaha. its unreal. and people will try to speak to you in english to be funny so you speak back in english really fast and they get all nervous and stop talking. haha. So Saturday was one of the days where you basically get kicked in the crotch (metaphorically) over and over. I dont remember exactly specifics but we just got wrecked all day. The one amazing part was we had the baptism of Sister Jinky, i will send pictures of course! she is 15 but just super into learning about the church, its great. OH ya one of the crotch kickings was this older guy named Samson. We have taught them a couple times... i cant explain how those lessons are. basically at one point he asked us who we believe more in? Moroni or Mormon? Its hard to explain the weirdness of these lessons.. all you need to know is this 81 year old filipino man called me sensitive. hahahahaha. i need to work on my patience with this guy. haha. cause he would start kind of bashing our religion and i would just testify my little heart out. haah. Also another one of the crotch kickings was in the AM before our baptism we went out to one of our areas that is right next to the ocean to teach our RC/ his investigator wife. Take the 45 minute walk, then get there... HIgh Tide!! it was 2 feet of water to there house.. not an option. #puntedagain! Then that night as we are saying our nightly personal prayers... boooom! Brown out! Brown outs occur regularly in our area, basically its just where the power goes out and you have no fan, no fridge, sometimes no water, and life is somewhat miserable haha. Yeah that was Saturday and its now.. Monday morning, no power still. (i am writing this email in bacolod city in a mall and its about an hour from our area so they have power, fyi!) Yeah yesterday was a battle... church with no air con. death. I was just sweating all day long. haha. Then we had to go all over our zone to do baptismal interviews because elder wilstead is a ZL. long story short we didnt have any proselyting time at all! Oh and at church one of the Sisters told us this brownout will last at least until tuesday.. but more than likely until wednesday or thurday. Sleeping is the biggest battle because you have no electric fans. goodnight its hot. You just wallow in your own filth and sweat all night long. haha. OH! and yesterday we had our studies by candle light! wow! we are just living the missionary life. pero... padayon giapon. (but... continue the same). Oh and ps-- the rats are mating in our house i think. sometimes i fear for my life in this apartment. haha.

So here's a few things i learned spiritually/ temporally this week. From all the crotch kickings i learned this... Satan will throw all kinds of things at you. Lots of which will be out of your control. (rats, rain, high tide) But! you must stand firm to what you know to be true, and continue on being an example of the believers, no matter how hard it is. Now just a few ideas/ ideas i jotted in my study journal. Love trumps all.. first our love for God and Jesus Christ, and then our love for our brothers and sisters. IF you truly, TRULY love like Christ, you will never have problems. Obviously that is the challenge of a lifetime, but just something to think about. And now a quote from my mission president President Lopez, "Faith that doesn't lead to repentance, isn't true faith". I will let you ponder that one out on your own. Again with love.. the highest, strongest, noblest form of love is Charity. Moroni 7 and Herbews 11 can teach you tons about that. So an assingment for you this week, go read Mosiah chapter 4. Focus on verse 19. Are we not all beggars in this world? This verse has helped me to question myself as to why at times we see ourselves above others. Whether homeless or a millionare, a drunk or a bishop. We all rely on the same God. We are all beggars to him. Impart of your substance to others, cause whenever you do... you help people see the light of Christ. On that same note, who are we to doubt people's ability to change? If you ever question someone's ability to change let me be a testimony to you that change is real. And true, lasting change comes only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. My last point is about murmuring.. obviously on a mission we get new rules that sometimes seem so stupid and pointless. But from the first couple chapters of 1 Nephi we learn this; When we murmur, we lose favor in the sight of God. And murmuring comes from a lack of faith and knowledge of God. Think about that. I know for myself, for example when i was in high school and would murmur about the commandments.. it was because of a lack of faith in God. Also a lack of knowledge. Elder Wilstead and I have discussed this a lot this past week... that truly truly we all need to study, pray and repent every day. This is our time to obtain knowledge and prepare to meet God. I love you all and praise your efforts to be better everyday. Never get stuck in the rut of sin, and remember that repentance is the opposite of being damned by the power of Satan. I love you all greatly.. always have gratitude. Even for things I KNOW you take for granted (because up until now i did too.. hehe.) ie.. air con, carpet, running water, electricity etc etc. haha! i love you all. The work is great, dont forget that you should be a part of missionary work in your ward. They need your help. Trust me.

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

its officially rainy season.. these pictures do no justice to how wet i was. haha. and our stuff got soaked in our backpacks.