Smell ya!

Family and Friends,

The Church is true. The End.

I really could just say that and it would suffice... but i will say more. ahah. Elder Baradi and I had an interesting week. I had my first real companionship argument... I thought we were gonna kill each other. ahahaha. We talked it out and figured out the problem. just a miscommunication. Here is what i learned from that. Have patience with relationships, and DO NOT point your finger at the other! Plus.. try your hardest to be humble and quiet in arguments. dont raise your voice. ask questions also. helpful i think. We had an interesting week. It was weird knowing its his last week! it was positive though! 

We had another baptism. Brother Suganob. He is like 70 or something. ahah. his family is legit.. his wife is a recent convert of about 5 months, and just the sweetest quietest old lady ever. Brother is just old and has the funniest answers for our questions. We will ask him things like.. "where can we be together with our family forever" and he will answer.. "the church building".. hahah its great! I love it. He lost a bunch of word of wisdom issues and is just trucking along. He is hilarious. hmm.. what else? i wish people would keep their word and come to church when they say they will! but thats a story for another day. hahaha. 

So Elder Baradi goes home on Wednesday!! Its hard to believe that missions actually end. ahaha. Today will be our last day together. At 5pmi will work with a temporary companion until transfer day on wednesday. i am excited to see what happens next transfer!! we have 30 new missionaries coming in this transfer! and 20 of them are Sisters! President has his hands full with finding places to put all them. It will be interesting to see what happens. All is well out here in the 'Pines. 

So some scripture spiritual thoughts. First off. 1 Peter 5:7. just read it.. its great. Enos 1:17... find peace in your covenants with the Lord.. they can give you strength in times of sorrow and trouble. So i have learned a lot about the enabling power of the Atonement. Yes the Atonement can help us overcome sin and trials, but it is also what helps us become great people! use it.. harness it.. everyday! Mosiah3:19... we become saints THROUGH the Atonement of Jesus Christ. There is no other way! i promise you that. Another thought. Jacob 2:31... every being is precious in the sight of God.. He loves us ALL. Never judge.. always have faith in people (even ourselves) to become better and change! thats the beauty of the gospel! Last thought.. Mosiah 4:11. "Steadfastly in faith of that which is to come". faith is always looking forward.. always lead with your faith. look at how all people can become. its part of forgiveness as well. Forgiving others is an act of faith. do it. stop holding on to grudges. you are hurting yourself and them. move forward. There is so much more i could say... but you can just search the scriptures yourself :) ps..  i love you all. Stay clean. stay focused. stay strong.

Until next week.

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

sometimes you cant see the end of your path.. but you just continue :)

thats my conch shell! haha! 

Brother suganob and his family at his baptism! 

Wall Art

Giant Spiders

Hi.

Dear Family and Friends,

Had another great week! Life and missionary work is progressing greatly here in EB Magalona. Elder Baradi and I have had so many blessings poured out upon us! I am grateful that I am assigned in this area! The work has been progressing as well as my language abilities. It all comes with time I am realizing. We had the baptism of Marialyn, another member referral! She is a 13 year old but has a way strong desire to do what's right! one hard part with her is she speaks ilonggo of course.. but she uses a lot of cebuano and tagalog. that can be quiet the battle. the baptism was so spiritual as usual. We have been trying really hard this past week to have more members at lessons and it has helped drastically. We have been trying to focus on help from the auxiliarys which i have seen increase the help. It is helpful. 

My scripture study has been improving everyday. I have started to focus my studies with a specific question in mind, and then relate all my studies to that! its been amazing to see the revelation i receive for that question. I have enjoyed my studies more and more because of that. I think you all should try it! its great. you can find ways to relate all your studies to that specific question. i promise it will help. Had a chance to speak in sacrament meeting yesterday.. and that was my topic. Scripture study. It really is so important. i promise. 

Another spiritual note. pray like crazy. pray like crazy all day, and give thanks at night. this recipe has worked wonders for me. and i know it will for you as well. i know if you do that. pray hard and study hard, you will see a change in your life for the better. So some of my study notes. Main topic of my studies... patience! we ALL need it! so badly! a few scriptures and my insights.. d&c 24:8.. if we are worthy.. the Lord is always and forever with us in our afflictions and trials. also d&c 127:4.. if we endure our trials with patience and afflictions.. they will add to our reward in heaven. its a promise from God. he can't lie. Food for Thought Proverbs 15:1. Next topic.. (kind of all over the place). The formula for eternal life. Faith. Repentance. Baptism. Holy Ghost. Endure to the End. How do we endure?! Read daily.. pray daily.. partake of the sacrament weekly worthily.. boom. eternal life. yes easier said than done... but i promise promise promise.. these 3 things if done with exactness, will increase your happiness and ability to cope with the trials of life. 2 nephi 2:28. Eternal life is a CHOICE.. no one can do it for you. its all about you.. work out your own salvation. We must prepare our souls now. its vital and huge. everyday is a progression towards eternal life. so this is my quote that i made up that i am so proud of... "Do unto others as God is doing unto you" the golden rule #2. boom! write it down.. frame it.. make a plaque of it..whatever you want to do ;) kidding! but i love it!! My testimony to you all.. is that Heavenly Father knows you very specifically. If you dont believe me.. ask him if its true in prayer. Rely on his knowledge and love and power. I know that through Jesus Christ... we can receive eternal life! its a beautiful thing! it really! I also know that there is strength in the scriptures.. they are there for benefit. if you dont read them... you are telling god, jesus christ, prophets, and men who have spilled their blood for the scriptures to be in your hands; that you dont care. that you are okay on your own. sorry for being bold. but its true. i feel like that is what should be said. know why? cause its in the scriptures.. do not "trample him under our feet" or "set him at naught". I promise you Heavenly Father will bless you if you read his holy writ everyday. I also know that Satan is a very real.. He wants to destroy us all. I see people everyday in his grasps. There is always hope. this gospel and church is that hope. exercise your faith unto repentance and progress. Its real. The Atonement is real. I know that to be true. I know Christ lives. I know this gospel is the key to happiness and eternal life after this world. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I know it, i couldnt deny it if i wanted to! Time is short on the mission.. im realizing that with having a companion going home next week.. he has made it very clear to me to work my absolute hardest every minute.. cause one day. its over. then its back to the boring grind of everyday life. sorry if im making you jealous. My new favorite scripture. 2 Nephi 33:3. this is how i feel with my investigators and with you all. (minus the tears... dont worry!!!!) love you all. the church is true. ps.. if you need an assignment to read this week.. 2 nephi 31-33!! boom.. doctrine of christ. ps-- elder baradi is hilarious and i love our companionship. bye!

Love,

Elder Stagg

making some lunch :) the tilapia here is amazing!!! you would love it dad!

oh thats full strength with the fans.. its been a hot week. hahah

this is my wall of insight and quotes... its my mind project. i love it. hahah. if you send me a good enough picture or quote it can be put there and immortalized for ever in the EB magalona apartment. hehe! lvoe you all

ps why i am in white in some pics and not the others is because our baptizer wasnt there at first.. so i put on my clthes, but then he showed up so i changed out. weekly baptism!! the Lord answers prayers and blesses his servants. I am so grateful. I love you all so much. 

It's all in the works.

Another great week in the books. I feel like I progressed a ton this week. I really am starting to find my faults and weaknesses and finding ways to improve them. Elder Baradi and I's companionship has improved a ton this week. We have found ways to teach more effectively together and to yield to one another. He has been a great help in teaching me the language and teaching me more effective ways to do missionary work. We work our hardest every day and are exactly obedient and the Lord has blessed us for it. We had the baptism of Sister and Brother Bernal, that was an awesome experience! Brother has overcome lots of Word of Wisdom issues and the progression of his testimony has been amazing to see. The spirit was so strong at the baptism. It took Brother Bernal like 5 tries to get it exactly right on the baptism because he wouldn't bend his legs! it was kind of hilarious.. But him and Sister both gave great powerful testimonies at the close of the service! they have improved so much! the lord blesses those who put forth effort.

 It has kind of been a bummer that a lot of our investigators do not come to church, I just have to remember that they have their free agency and try me best. The work has been improving with the help of members but of course there is always room for improvement there. No health issues, no serious problems, can't complain. 

So some funny notes about this week. This one is for Phe and Jay, i heard "Sail" on the bus we ride... i was so stoked! haha. Oh and i hear that new song by pink/fun! every SINGLE day.. like 10 times. its beyond popular here. i all but have it memorized. wanna know something harder than teaching the gospel in Ilonggo? trying to help kids with their homework in ilonggo!! yeah kill me its impossible. hahaha. Oh i sang in church during sacrament. Elder Baradi played the piano and Sister Asong (one of the YW) and I sang "Love is spoken here" haha! and yes im being serious. it was pretty good maybe! haha. Elder Baradi is quite skilled at convincing. cant complain on anything!

k spiritual quick insights. Mark 7:9... what commandments do we reject in order to "keep our own traditions". 2 Nephi 25:26.. the purpose of prophets, and of this church.. is to teach us WHERE to repent. That is what it all comes down to. I also really like 2 Nephi 26:24.. it sums up Christ! he truly loves and desires for ALL to come unto him... dont be quick to judge others! trust me i learn that every day.. you see people who you think would never get to baptism.. but through Christ. they do. on that same not verse 27 of that chapter.. salvation isnt ours to give or hold back. Christ gives it freely, as should we. thats what missionary work is all about. giving unto others the goodness you have. We are just tools here to do good. the main point of my study this week, surprisingly enough.. money! I have 2 great verses for you all. 1 Timothy6:10.. when we develop a love for money.. we pierce ourselves with sorrow.. also 2 Nephi 26:31. do not labor for money.. but labor for Zion. that is where the real reward is. One last note about patience and love.. James 1:19.. quick to hear.. slow to speak.. slow to wrath. thats the formula. That's my hope ultimately for all of you who read this... study. study. study. and apply your studies. thats the start of a productive healthy life. Overcome the natural man... Mark 14:38.. the spirit is ready.. but the flesh is weak. overcome the flesh! i love you all. All is well here..! Glad to be here and love this experience already! miss you all like crazy. but dont worry. im focused completely. Love you all

Palangga,

Elder Stagg 

oh that one picture is us putting bom's to use! hahah

the baptism :) this is one of my favorite families ever! bernal family! yay! 

so every day i write quotes in my planner.. sometimes serious.. sometimes funny!

the other one... elder baradi likes to write weird things.

and i know my family will appreciate this.. we put sheets over all the windows. haha. 

Padayon Giapon (Continue like usual)

Family and Friends,

Interesting week to say the least. It was one of those weeks that literally was a roller coaster. New companions are quite the challenge at times. Just adjusting to the other's style of teachings, likes and dislikes, and whatever else. . yeah. haha. There has been a few times this week where I have wanted to kill him, but other times where he is my best friend. its a circus to say the least. oh factor in some chafing and some days... yeah. haha. Oh its been crazy rain a lot of this week! just absolute downpour. its nuts. but very nice cause then its not a million degrees!

Very rewarding week to say the least! Sister Antonano was baptized! It was quite interesting because she has one leg.. so she just knelt during the baptism. it was way cool! haha. She was baptized by her husband who was baptized about a month ago. That was one of the more spiritual baptisms ive been a part of! what a blessing! We also had the baptismal interview of brother and sister bernal! they have come soooo far! brother has overcome a lot with the word of wisdom.. its been amazing to see the change in his countenance. 

Funny note: i woke up in the middle of the night one night and thought there was a rat on me.. i jumped up out of my bed and smacked my hand on the window... it was a circus.. im searching high and low at 2 am for a rat that wasn't there. Oh another funny note, so this less active family we taught this week has a little girl who is about 5. her uncle is swedish, so white obviously. she calls him daddy (whatever his name is). so as we are leaving she yells out.. "bye daddy stagg!" probably one of the more embarassing moments of my mission. ahahha. Oh another weird thing about the philippines. people will just come up to your house and start singing, playing guitar, etc.. until you come out and talk to them. then they ask you for money. we just give them books of mormon! hahaha. Its the weirdest thing to me, they are fearless about it.

So for the spiritual thought. Don't know why but i just want you all to know my testimony of life after death! its real! we will see our family again. So in my studies this week i have been studying hard about patience (which is fitting since ive probably had my patience tried more this week than my entire mission combined) but its great! its really comes down to having that firm hope that one day we will rest from our cares. whatever they may be. At times we just need to "be still" and remember that God is there and is watching over us. If we didn't have trials, our lives wouldn't progress! Also patience and hope isn't about trying to change your trials.. we shouldn't pray for trials to cease but rather.. we should pray for the strength to overcome our trials! we NEED the enabling power of the Atonement. oh, Found a nice verse for all the couples out there.. whether dating, married, or whatever. Amos 3:3- which says- "can two walk together except they be agreed?" think about that one for yourself. Here's another one.. 1 Nephi 13:29. Read it and think about this... Many stumbled because of.... what? the lack of plain and precious truths. What happened because of their stumbling? Satan had power over them... they were in an awful state of blindness! So i had this thought about this, because this verse is referring to apostasy and untrue churches, but liken it to yourself! if you dont use or know the plain and precious truths (BOM, D&C, PofGP, Bible) what will happen to you? you will stumble? and then...? be in satan's grasps. Its so simple. We have the gift of these plain and precious truths, but if we don't use them everyday... we might as well not have them. study study study. its that simple. ill probably talk about it everyday of my mission to you all in my emails, and there is a reason. our scripture study is our sure foundation. do not say all is well in zion. like my old soccer coach, coach fielding, would say, "dont get complacent!!" Love you all dearly. keep being great and doing good things.

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

baptism!!! yay!

my comp's gourmet cooking for me. 

4th of july shout out!

oh and yes we mess around with these goats everytime we see them!

this is me practicing my call to repentance when i become an apostle.... kiddding!! hahaha

Where Can I Turn For Peace?

Family and Friends,

This past week was great. I loved our zone conference! We had a special musical number by Elder Vanwagoner (he is in my batch).. and he sang, "Where can i turn for peace?" I LOVE the line where it says.. "He.. only He". The zone conference was one of the most amazing experiences on my mission thus far. We watched the worldwide missionary broadcast! The training broadcast was so powerful. I was very much inspired to work harder because of it. That is also my charge to you.. watch it! If you haven't. The biggest thing I pulled from that (and from my 2 months so far in the field) is this.. WE NEED YOUR HELP AS MEMBERS. It's vital! I can't stress it enough. Like it was said in the training, missionary work should be focused and done by the members... missionaries are only there to help. I know it can be scary.. but like the training said.. "the spirit comes when you start & begin".  Something i pulled from President Monson's remarks were this... Center your marriage on missionary work. and why would that be the case? because it focuses on fulfilling your duty as a church member, and most importantly it increases your charity... which will improve your marriage. simple. I left the training with an added desire to help the ward I am serving in. 

 We had 2 baptisms on Saturday of 2 young girls who are sisters. It was a very spiritual experience. I was able to baptize both, what a blessing Weekly baptisms are so important because you feel the spirit so strongly. I am very appreciate of the vision in our mission because it gives me a great sense of direction. We have been exactly obedient this week i would say.. we do all we can to be as perfect in that regard as possible. i really enjoy it. I dont understand why some people are disobedient, it doesnt make much sense. its like why come on a mission and be disobedient? you can do that at home? i hope i dont have a disobedient compnanion ever... cause he will hate me! I won't let him be disobedient! This past couple weeks i have started from the beginning of PMG and am doing every activity and scripture found within. It is powerful. Try doing it yourself! it will strengthen your testimony of missionary work and of the gospel. Oh i taught Gospel Principles this past week at church... in ilonggo! wow! that was fun and a good experience. haha. 

I love having Elder Baradi as a trainer. I appreciate that happening. He has helped me SO much with all aspects of missionary work. Sad to know he will be going home at the end of this transfer! Funny quote from him.. in zone conference we were talking about doing practice teaching and questions and stuff, he turns to me and says straightfaced.. "Elder, let's practice how i am going to propose" hahahahha i almost lost it. all is well here, minus some serious chaffing. But Sister Chin (our mission nurse) gave me some ideas to hopefully help that. haha. gosh its brutal. Keeps me up in the middle of the night sometimes. hahaha. This week was great.. went by SO fast. The language gets a million times bettter every day. thats the power of prayer right there. haha. This week was great.. i can't remember everything about it cause its all a blur. thats missionary work but i will tell you one funny story. We went to this family wayyyyy out in nowhereville and got punted hard. Wa'ay tawo (no people)... and their neighbor lady started talking to us. I could tell from the start she was kinda different. She basically whispered when she talked. And she just looked... distant. Like not there really. We started teaching and she asked me if i was german? then she said her dead husband had german ancestory. just weird? oh then she said something to the effect of "may balatygon ko nga kamo amo ang espiritu gid" which means.. she thought we were like weird spirits.. yeah. Oh and she had no blood in her hands.. like they were violet, and she had cuts on her wrist. umm.. yeah sketchy. then her "husband" (we werent sure if that was who he was, cause he introduced her as his Ms.) comes by (we were teaching outside) and he has a big machete... for cutting sugar cane. He looked way sketchy but was like continue continue.. we asked him to join but he kinda just went inside the house with an angry look on his face.. then this happened. it was one of those missionary prompting you always hear about. it was SO strong. it was this, "you need to leave... NOW" i didnt think twice. haha. i turned to elder baradi and said (mid lesson) we are leaving right now. he looks at me and says yeah, i feel the same way. So i just stood up and walked off. didn't say a word. he was trying to shake her hand and stuff. i booked it out of there. Def the weirdest experience on my mission so far. hahah. I think legitametely that she was possessed. Wow! 

So a few spiritual things! First.. about when Peter tried to walk on water. He was doing fine when his focus was on Christ, but then this happened (Matt 14:30)... it says he "saw" the wind.. and began to fall. not heard, not felt, not thought.. but SAW the wind. Meaning he took his focus off of Christ. Let that be a lesson in our lives. When we turn away our faith and focus from Christ.. we fall. A great quote by Elder Biradi this week, "Change your nature, not your behavior" i think its originally from pres lopez.. but its so true. thats why missionaries are good on missions then go home and are inactive or unrighteous.. its cause they only change their behavior. love that quote. K here is my assignment for the week.. go listen to/watch the talk by Elder Holland entitled, "Remember Lot's Wife" wow. power at its finest. One thing from that that struck me hard is when he said... "dont dig up people's pasts and use it against them! The Savior of this world, Jesus Christ, DIED to try & heal that mistake. You have no right to open that wound back up." We need to allow people to repent.. that is true faith. believe they can change! One of my new favorite verses is this.. D&C 101:16- be still, and know that I am God. meaning.. take the time to ponder to think to be still to feel.... your very breath denotes God. Something Pres Lopez wanted us to tell you parents (especially mom and dad) that he is SO grateful for missionary parents. and he has SO much gratitude for you. K i know i talk about this every week.. but there is a reason. In PMG it talks about how a good habit of scripture study helps us endure to end. know why? have you ever seen someone who reads their scriptures every single day fall away or doubt the gospel? NOOOOOOOPPPEEE! figure it out. its a half hour of your day... or less.. or more.. that will fortify and protect your life in a way that NOTHING else can. I promise you! a good verse about this is found in Romans 10:14... read it then think about this. How can you expect to fully believe in something you havent studied and learned about? can we be saved without our belief? no. it all starts with learning. another verse.. D&C 93:19.. we must understand (obtain knowledge through scrip study) to be able to worship, you must worship to come unto the Father, you must come unto the Father to be saved. simple enough. k perfect. haha. Another thing i have learned is so powerful is this.... have one prayer a day when all you do is give thanks! you will see how blessed you truly are.

Life moves on.. and righteousness will roll on (Mormon 8:22) whether you are with it or not. I pray you are. I pray you treasure up the words of God.. and do the things you know you should do. My life has been so blessed by this gospel and this work. I am forever grateful for all of you who have helped me get here! i love you all so much! miss you. enjoy 4th of july! Happy birthday to my lovely mother! i love you! and happy birthday also to my best lad's wonderful wife Jenny Brooks! Love you all! 

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

elder baradi likes to "one up me" i wrote lock my heart. and he wrote "lock her in ;)" hahahah! 

just a cool view!

baby powder is my life.. our house has a small layer of it all over the place. ahhaha.

Elder wilstead interviews our bapt candidates because he is ZL and Baradi is DL and thats how it work. That is brother and sister antonano. brother was baptized june 1 and sister will be baptized july 6! long time in the works with her! she has one leg but has crazy great faith and desires! love her

Our EB MAGalona tree of life (where we keep our baptism plan)