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!
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