Emergency Transfer!

Family and Friends,

Well.. it happened. I transferred. Wednesday night at 10:25 as i was praying the phone rang.. it was the AP. He told me to be at the mission office the next morning at 10 am. i stayed up til 1 am packing. Eventful. I am now in Hinigaran. It is about an hour and a half south of Bacolod. Its in the binalbagon zone. The area is huge... very spread out which makes it difficult for proselyting. I have experienced a ton of the areas yet.. The ward is awesome. They are all about missionary work. The bishop is a stud. Im excited to be here.

So last P-Day i didnt send any pics sorry.. and as i was trying to send them, i lost all my pictures. The computer had a virus. Everything since my 1st transfer. Gone. Videos and pics. Sad day. Not much i can do about it.. but yeah.

I'll be honest. A mission teaches you things. Sometimes in super difficult ways. Sorry i might not be able to have email time while you are all awake during my stay here in Hinigaran. Its hard to explain why i cant try to change the time we do it. I have a lot of... i cant even explain it, things to adapt to. My companion's name is Elder David. He is Filipino. nice kid. it is his 3rd transfer. Excited to grow and be stretched this next transfer.

We had a stake baptism on Saturday. It was tons of fun. We baptized 2 little kids. I was able to baptize them. It was a great experience.

Spiritual Corner. Weaknesses. We all have them. I found.. and had mine shown to me by others the past week. I.. uh. Haha. Life is great. Gotta be more humble, patient, and loving.

I love and miss you all!

Palangga,

Elder Stagg 

stake baptism!! good time

The Atonement of Jesus Christ

Family and Friends,

Hmm... the topic says it all. This week was glorious in so many ways. First off. We had zone conference. 118 missionaries. Goodness the Spirit was unreal. Couple great notes from our zone conference.. well first off.. the night before we stayed with our zone leaders and i worked with Elder Gibbons. He is from arizona and is just a stud. We had a great life talk.. God puts people in your life for very specific reasons! So zone conference.. amazing. We are preparing for our mission tour next month. We will have Elder Nielsen of the 70 come to our mission. should be amazing. So couple lessons and notes from zone conference... my mission president is inspired of God. I know it with all my heart. Also his AP's.. Elder Doane and Elder Peralta. I know Elder Doane somewhat well.. he is a stud. He literally just pulls the Spirit down whenever he gives trainings. He talked about learning the language.. gave me some great tools and new desires to study hard! He gave this quote.. "This is the Lord's time.. whenever you don't improve yourself.. you waste his time." Yes it is super applicable to me as a missionary but it is to all of us as well. This time is given to us by the Lord to improve and come closer to him. One thing i learned from Elder Peralta is this... our daily personal scripture study can CHANGE OUR LIVES. It is so true.. everyday i experience a positive change. And it stems from my study of the scriptures. Do it! everyday! A cool scripture quote.. "it's better to obey than to sacrifice" ... mull that one over. Another great one liner from President Lopez, "All good comes from God. The end." k... here goes a good one for you. President talked about the 3 most common symptoms of mental illness (apparently its a problem in our mission) 1. feeling sad or down 2. confused thinking or lack of concentration 3. excessive fears or worries. he had scripture remedies for all 3. apply these to yourself if you are feeling this. for #1- Pray intently Enos 1:15. for #2.. read the BOM Moroni 10:3.. for #3.. trust in the Lord!! faith is dependent on our trust in the Lord! My last insight about zone conference... we watched a movie entitled "The Atonement and Missionary Work" .. it is video clips of Christ's atonement.. and has talks by Eyring and Holland in the background. Wow. wow. Go watch it. One of the most powerful movies every.  I was just... yeah. I love the Lord. I testify that Christ lives. I testify that through his power.. everything can be overcome. I know that we can obtain Eternal Life only ... ONLY... through him! 

Couple life notes.. I learned this week how blessed I am. the 2 biggest things.. with my knowledge and my ability to speak English. The past transfer i have been teaching elder Albao how to speak english. He is good but just wants to become better.. i love teaching him! haha. Our language is the best!! Second.. i have been teaching him about like.. life. world history. Slavery. Hitler. Genocide. Revolutionary War. MLK. Just all of it... its all so great. I have been blessed with much knowledge. On that note... i am realizing how important it is. We need to study and learn all things possible. Not just spiritual but life too... SChool!! i cant wait to study more when i get home. haha. man im turning into such a missionary nerd. 

Investigator notes. The past week at church we had... 15 investigators!!! That is unreal.. the average is like 5!! Wow.. what a blessing from God. I am seeing a might change of heart in so many of my investigators. Here's a quick story. Romela is a 15 year old investigator. She will be baptized this week. She is super interested about God and learning. We went to here on Monday and she was in 1 Nephi 2. We came back on friday... Done with all of 1st Nephi!!! Wow. We asked her her feelings about the BOM and Joseph Smith. Her response... its true. he's true. i know it.    Yeah.... conversion is real. And guess how she obtained it? scripture study and prayer and church attendance. It's such a simple formula for success in life.. just do it!! please!? 

Its simple. Family and Friends. I love you. I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I love my mission. I love the scriptures. I love my investigators. I love my companion. I love the heat and sweating. I love the laughs. I love the joy that comes from this gospel. I love it all. Most importantly. I love Heavenly Father and his plan for me. I love the fact that i teach people every single day how to come closer to him and his Bugtong Anak (Beloved Son) every day.. I LOVE LIFE. haha. Im such a missionary... it kinda scares me sometimes. Hows your reading of the Book of Mormon? (i ask that every visit.. even to my Bishop). Love you all. The church is true. The Philippines is still hot. And im still "Joe" to every person here ;) hahaah!

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

camera fun :) haha!

You are hereby called to serve in the... EB Magalona, Philippines Mission.

Family and Friends,

Well. If you couldnt tell by the subject heading.. i didnt transfer!! haha! But that's okay.. i love EB Mag. Oh and Elder Albao stayed as well! Good times! It's like my home now. I know all the tricycle and tricicad drivers, I have the price of all the traveling memorized, the works. hahaha. Really though.. i love EB. The people here are starting to grow on me more and more. That's something crazy that happens on a mission. You become best friends with complete strangers! hahah. Whether it be your companion... your bishop.. your ward missionary.. whoever! And you know how it happens? The common ground of the gospel. Your love of the Lord and his work. For me it is wonderful. Really. I come in this random country.. speaking some crazy language.. spending 24/7 with some Elder i've never met in my whole life.. but its not even a big deal. You just do it. hahah. The mission teaches you to just adapt and change always. Its nuts. 

No baptism this week. Our girl we had lined up to be baptized just keeps ducking out on church. patay na siya. But thats okay.. sidenote there.. dont pray for me, pray for my investigators!! seriously. haha. im fine. i have the gospel. im doing whats right, they are the ones who need the help.. really. Nothing really crazy or funny jumps out at me about this week. Had a Birthday party for our recent convert Franz.. kid is an absolute nut. Love it though. Tons of fun there! haha. Funny thing was is it was on the 13th.. Zach's B-day. No joke 3 different investigators we went to.. turned us away cause they were having a birthday party for someone they knew. hahah. SO zach, your birthday is popular here! hahah.

Spiritual Corner. We taught and i studied a lot this week about the Plan of Salvation. First off. Wow. The plan is so intricate yet so simple. It all just fits perfectly into one big.. amazingness. Couple thoughts about the Plan of Salvation. Moses 4:3. Satan was cast out because.. he tried to oppose God's greatest gift to us. Agency. God is angry with anything that destroys our agency. that is why satan was cast out.. he wanted the glory but more importantly he wanted to get rid of agency. Let me tell you something right now.. that is what is he doing still. right now. everyday. He tries to inflict vices.. sins.. addictions.. that break our agency. The Word of Wisdom.. Law of Chastity.. is all there to protect our free agency. When we break either of those 2 commandments we give up our agency to Satan or some substance or some one. It also angers God. Remember that. So i fell in love with these verses this week... Alma 34:31-35. Now is literally the day of our salvation. Salvation is a daily task. It doesnt all just happen on the last day when we are resurrected or what not. It is a constant work in progress. The time will end! Then our same spirits will be with us. Do you really except that we will be transformed into a saint if we have been a villain our whole life? Simply... repent and prepare now. We need to progress and try to rid our weaknesses everyday. Remember why you are on this Earth. Really.. remember your ultimate purpose. Progression is real. I see it in people every day. Joshua 24:15... choose you this day whom you will serve. Again.. today.. not tomorrow. Decide now to serve the Lord always! So another note.... The Book of Mormon is true. The End. There are answers for your questions... peace for your troubles.. hope for your despair. Please read the Book of Mormon everyday. I want nothing more than that. I know it will bless your life in such a way that nothing else can. 3 hours of church a week isn't enough. Oh funny note there... did the math and... church service is 1.7% of your time in the whole week. And you get so many blessings in return!! Homework. Read "in the strength of the Lord" by David A. Bednar. Amazing talk.

Well... honestly. i can't explain the joy that comes from missionary work. But i can tell you its amazing. If you happen to read this and are contemplating whether to serve a mission or not.. just do it. Its more important than any job.. girl.. scholarship.. car.. whatever. the lessons you learn on a mission are like nothing else. Well.. i miss you all. dont worry im not trunky. but i sure do miss you all. I love you all. Keep being amazing. I pray for you daily! 

Life is freaking amazing. Never forget that!

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

my district!! great people :) love them all!

two little kittens that followed us one night for about an hour.haah

my sweet England jersey.. i know phe and jay will love that!!

deck of a restaurant in our pday area.. cool times in the pines! hah

Opposition in All.

Family and Friends,

What a crazy fast week.. seriously. Time is going into hyperspeed mode. That's what happens when life is just freaking great. hahah. Seriously.. dont ever forget how great life is, always! There is purpose to all! Updates... hmm. We didnt have a baptism.. sad day. We had zone leader training. I love large missionary meetings.. the Spirit is always just unreal. Its like a safe haven from the noise, commotion, and sin of the world for a few hours! Something that was focused on was how important the Book of Mormon is in conversion... whether it be our own.. or that of investigators. It really does change lives. I had 2 very distinct witnesses of that this past week.

First miracle that happened this week is this. Last transfer Elder Baradi and I went by a guy's house to ask for directions.. we ended up teaching him. Brother Coccio. He had a stroke and can't walk or even really stand. He has been that way for a very long time. We teach him about once a week.. He has strong catholic background and has great faith. He has started to read and pray about the Book of Mormon and i have totally seen his countenance start to change. The last time we went to his house.. he could walk!! yes it was a struggle and he had to hold on the table.. but he could!!! I seriously know that was a miracle.. i know that God gave him that as an answer for his prayers about the Book of Mormon. Here's the catch... his wife is kinda crazy. We haven't taught her yet... but, he tells us all about her. She is mad at him for listening to us. She constantly is hiding his copy of the Book of Mormon and telling him to give it back to us... of course we refuse to take it back.. hahah. SO that really was a miracle i saw.. God is in our lives and blesses us in amazing ways. Here' s where the story gets... um. weird. So on Sunday.. we are in priesthood and one of the YM in the ward comes in and says, "elder stagg someone is looking for you".. i was real confused. I go out.. and this lady who i have never seen (she also is holding a live chicken in her hands... but thats normal, its the Philippines hahahahah) says to me," Are you Elder Stagg?"  haha yes.. who are you? she proceeds to tell me that she is Brother Coccio's wife and that she is there to return the Book of Mormon... no joke!!! i was blown away. Of course i tried to explain that we wanted to teach her about our church and how it is helping miracles come into the life of her husband. She just refused and kept saying how she had no time and how Catholic they are.. hmm. She kept trying to put the Book of Mormon out so i would take it.. of course i didnt. hahah. Finally, (we were sitting on a bench) she just sat the book in my lap and said thanks. I was so sad and mad and just wow. hahaha. As she was walking off i told her to come back.. i shook her hand and said, "sister, you need this book so much.. one day you will know. I know this is true" and off she went.. it was weirdly enough one of the saddest moments of my mission. This man who was coming closer to Christ and gaining faith.. had it ripped out from him by his angry wife. I dont know. Weirdest thing ever. haha. 

Second miracle. Brother Menesses. At first he was so unopen to us.. and so just unhappy.. He has started reading and praying about the Book of Mormon and he seriously is a changed man. He is happy.. he loves to see us.. he always has questions.. he always goes to church. Just the greatest old guy ever. haha. He brings a new grandchild to church everyweek... he is like the referral master and he isnt even a member yet. hahah. But really, the change in him has been unreal. Its amazing. I see it in people. Use the Book of Mormon to help change your life, seriously! it works. 

So some funny notes.. or just life notes. The stars here in the Pines are great.. i love it. There is one area we go to at night about twice a week and the walk back is all sugarcane fields and just amazing stars. I love it more than anything. Those deep ponder walks are the best. Love it. haha.. so here... Videoke is SOOO popular! Day or night there is someone doing karaoke. its hilarious. cuz usually they are hammered.. or their voice is just awful, BUT.. this week, i heard a girl singing karaoke of "On my Own" from Les Miserables.... it was so great. hahah. i miss music like crazy!! What else? hmm.. missionary life is just hilarious. Especially when you bash with people for a while about the bible and you ask them about commandments and righteousness and they say.. yeah, i will be saved.. then you asked them the last time they went to church... "oh.. 4 years now" hahahahaha. ahhh the world we live in is a joke sometimes. haha.  Thats what im learning.. there really is opposition in all things. But if there wasn't.. life would be pointless! Serious. 

Spritual Corner here. Hm.. our world is getting more and more evil daily. I see it every moment of my life here. Seriously. This world is so full of evil and sin. Not just that.. but a mindset of "it doesnt matter" the prophecies of ancient day prophets are true.. The world is ripening with iniquity. Remember that this gospel is how we find safety amid the evil! those of you who will read this and have kids.. will soon.. or one day far off will have kids.. listen to what i am about to tell you. And this is coming from someone who doesnt have kids.. or a wife.. or anything of that sort. YOUR KIDS NEED THIS GOSPEL. There is no more important thing you can teach them than to live the standards of this gospel and rely on the Lord. Its scary how evil the world is. Your children need daily prayer and scripture study and weekly church attendance. Its that simple. Give them that blessing, please. Now some scriptures.. Moroni 10:22.. lack of hope leads to despair.. despair comes from iniquity. If you find yourself feeling hopeless.. repent and change whatever is causing your despair! There is always hope in Christ.. always! Kind of on that same note.. John 8:38... what does the recently healed man do? he has faith.. then worships. Faith is not an idle attribute. We must have works to support our faith in God and his plan. Another scripture from John.. John 10:10. Christ is not only the life and happiness.. but he gives it in abundance. Some people say "religion is not needed... i am already happy.. im fine how i am!" hmm.. maybe.. but a true abundance of happiness comes from Jesus Christ only. Try it for yourself. Its real. Im learning more and more also how much everything denotes God and his plan for us. Take the time to find those things.

Couple funny notes. Yes, i sat on my camera and it is now broken. #fatpeopleproblems ... also.. my electric razor broke... also, someone stole my umbrella.. from the church!! hahah. this week was a joke in that regard. hahaha. BUT its okay.. life goes on. Worldly things really aren't as important as we think they are. Well.. transfer day is on Wednesday.. and ive been in my area for 3 transfers now.. so we will see! whatever happens im excited!! 

Well.. thats my week. Remember to tell those you love that you love them. Love is great! haha. Minus the love from Heavenly Father.. its something that lacks on a mission. hahaha. but thats okay, its all a learning process! i love you all! so much! seriously.. i am grateful for each and every one of you in my life. 

Palangganay palangganay man pag may time!!

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

 the letter i got from Nicole!

my zone!!

some cool views

elder albao and i! 

Vision Vision Pag May Time

Family and Friends,

What a week! Super fast... just like life! Had a great P-day last week.. went to a mall called 888... just a Chinese mall where everything is dirt cheap. You better believe i bought about 10 soccer jersey. (Phe & Jay get excited for March 11, 2015 when you will receive your gift ;) ) ! hahha. good stuff. Had a good FHE.. ps, hope you are all doing that!! serious. Tuesday.. District Meeting. Classic waste of time for the most part if you ask me... but thats okay. haha. Do it all the same.

So Wednesday is where things got interesting. We had exchanges. I went to work with Elder Wilstead in his area in Bata. We had a bomb lunch that Elder Wilstead made.. he is a way good cook. Had a good amount of proselyting.. always loving preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ with one of my best friends. Then at about 6pm he got a call from the AP's that he was transferring. I have now been with him both of his last 2 transfer announcements! Hilarious. It worked out great because he had to pack so we got time to just have some great life talks. And i mean GREAT. He helped me learn a lot of things about myself and life in general... its hard to explain but when you are on a mission with someone you grow so close and help each other in amazing ways. Love that kid. For life! haha. So he transferred to Canlaon.. super far away.. super just mountain like podunk bukid gid city and its cebuano!! he has to learn cebuano.. he is in my prayers in that regard. Missions are such an adventure.

Friday we had a fireside that Elder Albao and I put together.. like literally.. we did all the work minus the refreshments. haha. We invited all the speakers.. made flyers.. announced it in church.. handed out flyers at lessons.. set up the chairs.. cleaned the church..the works. Long story short, a lot of work! haha. We focused it on the Restoration and on the BOM. It was way successful! We had great attendance... trust me, i was super worried about that.. prayed everyday for it. hahah. There were members.. less actives.. investigators. super great time for the ward here. Oh and the refreshments were great. Just a good time.

Saturday. Baptism. Franz!!!!!! He is literally the greatest kid ever. He is sort of slow when it comes to comprehension and learning.. but just great nonetheless! hahah. So he comes out of the bathroom with his baptism jumpsuit thing on... its on backwards. zipped up and everything. hahahahhaa. So i baptized him. I say the prayer and go to baptize him.. this is what he does.. lets go of me, plugs his nose with the wrong hand and tries to baptize himself. hahahahhaa. i was trying so hard not to laugh. Got it on the 2nd try though. hahah. Then he goes up to bear his testimony after he changed and what not.. and he just stands there. hahaha. This is all he says, "Dios (God), pagpasalamat (Gratitude), sa ngalan ni jesucristo, amen." hahahha. The kid is great. Then on Sunday he gets called up to the front for his confirmation and he just sits there.. for like 30 seconds. He looked SO confused.. im pretty sure he thought he was being talked to by the heavens or something. hahahah. the whole time he is walking up to the front.. just the look of pure confusion on his face. i was dying. hahaha. What else? Sister Sebonga is great.. she is like 70 and is seriously i think 4'6" and every fast sunday she bears her testimony and talks about how dedicated us missionaries are. hahah. and anyone she meets she says, "come be a mormon." haha best lady ever!

Spiritual Corner. This is something big I learned this week. Things in life will happen.. that you cant control. Everyday. What we can do.. is do our best.. do our part.. keep the commandments.. and the rest.. we just have to have faith and pray for the Lord to help. Seriously. Do not worry about things you cant control. I learn that everyday... with companions doing weird things... investigators turning us away... ward mission leaders flaking out to work with us... whatever! You just do your part, have some faith.. and keep going. Oh this also, go read hymn #241. Really go read each verse. Its got some amazing insight there. Count your many blessings people. This is what its all about people.. come closer to Christ, everyday. Remember faith leads to hope and hope leads to charity and charity leads to eternal life. It ALL starts with faith. Just Believe. Do not doubt God's plan.. do not doubt His timing. Just have faith. Find the good in others. Love and make people happier when you are around them.

Love you all!! Life is sweet. Like Cousin Eddie said, "That's a special feeling Clark" hhahaha!

Palangga,
Elder Stagg

baptism of Franz and Rico Jr (Again) haha. these two kids are nuts! hahaha. love it. filipinos arent the most photogenic people. haha.

the last 2 pics are of my 2 favorite people. They are the 2 most deeply engrained catholics i have ever met. and they are just old. speak great english and are just nuts... one of those people who i will just have to explain when i get home. hahaha. love you all