Pictures Posted from Mission President

Called To Know The Richness of His Blessings

Family and Friends,

Did you know... the Lord is merciful and is a God of miracles. If miracles have ceased... it is because we have dwindled in unbelief.

On Saturday, i was a part of a miracle. I watched 12 converts enter the waters of baptism in one service. yes. 12. 11 were to the other companionship, and 1 to us. amazing. There were 2 full families baptized... including the fathers. Wow. I saw that God truly is a God of miracles in our day. That was one of the best experiences on my mission, even the though the 11 werent our converts... still amazing.

Another miracle... So here in Dian-ay we have a part of our area that is way off in the mountains. So it has a special sacrament meeting for the members and investigators there. It's called bariopuey (the area)... i love the area and people there so much already. Well.. right now,all the members are youth/SA... of course you need priesthood to expand an area. So yesterday, we took a 30 min hike out to one of our investigators. We ended up finding a priesthood holder who is less active only due to the distance and payment for church attendance. wow. Boom! This place is a goldmine. I literally never want to transfer out of here. haha. 

Funny.. On the way back from our hike, there was a little creek. One of the youth, jumped it just fine. I knew i could as well. I made the jump great, but apparently i weigh more than the 14 year old Filipino boy... the land couldnt hold me... i took a valiant fall into mud and a small river. hahahaha. Up to my elbow in mud, and my foot took a swim about up to my low calf. One day you will see the pictures... hahahaha. hilarious.

Well.. there is some good stories right? Other notes... How often do you think of your baptismal covenant? What does that mean to you? Will you study that this week in your scripture study?

My comp is great.. the area is wonderful.. slowly but surely on the progression, but its wonderful. 

Pray. Then Act. It's a simple formula for success. 

Well.. i love you.  Miss you. Sure do. But thats okay.. ive been out for 10 months now... Aayos-a!

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

In a galaxy far far away...

Family and Friends,

TRANSFER! :)

Sorry, i didnt hate my old area at all, but i am so glad to be here in my new area. Dian-ay. (pronounced JEN-I) Sounds like Star Wars right? It is in Sagay Zone. It is BUKID! Meaning... just out in the sticks. haha. I love it. It's like 2 1/2 hours from Bacolod in the northern direction. It has some Cebuano language here (yay!) .. so im starting to learn that. its actually a mix of ilonggo and cebuano, interesting. My companion is elder Renon! He is from the Aurora province in the Philippines! He is probably the most humble person ever,  yay.. i can learn from that. haha. OK, it has literally rained everyday since i have gotten here, and its cold. yes. cold. i am cold on a daily basis. i love it. We have an area, that is way far away.. so we ride on the back of a motorcycle to get there. its so far, that we have a special sacrament there every week to try and open up the area. its legit. the scenery is movie-esque. Boom.

So.. .sad note/humbling moment/life. So Thursday morning i got a text from Elder Wilstead telling me that one of his and I's recent converts had passed away. Sister Antonano. She is the one, who had one leg. So.. little background there, we actually baptized here without her meeting all the "qualifications" for baptism. President Lopez said, you decide. We prayed about it and felt (we werent sure why) but that she needed to be baptized even if she wasnt exactly qualified or ready. SO.. yes, amazing right? When i read that text from Elder Wilstead.. my emotions were sadness.. but then instantly comfort and just, wow. Heavenly Father sees things eternally.. i testify of that. Also, if we ask.. are humble.. and are keeping the commandments, we can receive necessary revelation. Another one of my recent converts from my first area passed away about 2 months ago.. same situation. God sees and knows all. He is in the small details. 

I love this gospel. Christ truly is the light of this world. The world needs the restored gospel so badly, so that they can truly know who Christ is.... also.. that happens through the Book of Mormon. If you feel distant from God. open your Book of Mormon. I know that is the truth.

I know God lives and loves us. 

I love Jesus Christ. I love my mission, with all my heart. If you read this and are wondering whether you should serve a mission... swallow your; pride, doubts and worries.. and go start your papers. :) hehe.

I miss you all.. bye bye!

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Pictures

simply.. i love this little old lady.

do you see it? cuz i sure dont... EVERYONE here says i look like leonardo dicaprio! hahahaha

isa pa.. our zone :)

Cold

Family and Friends,

Hi. I'm still alive. yay! 

We had a baptism.. 3 siblings.. whose parents were less active but now returned. Happy Family :)

Sorry this letter is super short.. i got distracted trying to transfer pictures so i can get rid of my virus on my SD card. 

About the whole political situation in the States.. marriage thing... go read D&C 134. We are so lucky to have the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to keep us grounded in our changing world. 

I um... love the Book of Mormon. It has changed my life.

The power of the Atonement is so real. Daily it occurs in our lives if we allow it. 

Transfer announcements are on Tuesday, we will see what happens? I miss you all dearly and love you all! Read your scriptures.. say your prayers and go to church. What wonderful blessings will come into your life! 

It's been kind of cold here this week... weird right? Not actually cold.. but yes kind of cold. (prayers are answered. haha.)

I love Jesus Christ and His gospel. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is God's kingdom on the Earth.

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Hunger and Thirst after Righteousness

Family and Friends,

Well.. it was a good week. haha. The fireworks were unreal.. so loud and literally like 2 feet from our house.. but with my level of tiredness, not a problem. I just slept through it. hahaah. 

We had a training in Bacolod.. im learning i am a city boy.. haha. weirdly enough. Got to see Elder Wilstead.. cant tell you how much i love that. He is like a piece of home, so its always relieving to talk to him and have a convo with one of my best friends. Him and I have quite the friendship now.. that's what being mission buddies does to ya. So grateful for him.

As for this week... uhhh.. i taught the gospel again! hehe. Its a blessing really is. It's honestly sad to see people reject this gospel. Its completely positive good.. and true.. and yet people reject it. I guess that's part of God's plan for us, agency. Its interesting how that whole thing works.. even when people receive the spiritual witness that the Book of Mormon is true, or that this church is true.. they stilll cant accept it. It's sad, but part of life.. especially mission life. LIFE IS ABOUT HOPE. Remember that.

I love hearing about your lives.. i really do. Makes me happy to see and hear of your changes and experiences. That's the beauty of life.. .experiences. We learn and grow daily.. even more so if we use the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It's power is real. I feel it daily. I love my mission. The Book of Mormon is true. When all else fails... rely on the Lord. He is always there. Promise. The only time we feel he isn't there... is when we push him away. remember that :)

Love ya... its 2014.. wow. 

Palangga,

Elder Stagg