Natural Brute Beasts

Family and Friends,

Rip Van Winkle.

Boots of Spanish Leather.

Female Filipina Version of George Castanza.... just wait til you see the pictures.

This week... my biggest appreciation is daily repentance. But i learned alot this week about how much we need the sacrament. However hard you repent Monday-Saturday... it isn't complete until we partake of the sacrament. What a gift that is. 

Learned this week about Hell and the Sons of Perdition... that is some interesting doctrine.

Life is a battle... but a good one. We constantly need the Lord on our side.. do what you must do, so that He is there.

Study Note. Hymn #336. "School Thy Feelings". This is a wonderful song about controlling our natural desires and appetites, especially anger (no wonder its a men's choir song hehe). A line i enjoy "...school thy feelings to the trial; half its bitterness hath fled..." There is that old adage that 90% of life is how we deal with the trials we face. We can't control others. I cant control you, my companion, my investigator, my branch president or even the weather... but i can School My Feelings and try to face things calmly. As i speak these words... i am far from perfect in this regard, but i think this psalm speaks much truth. Remember this warning... "..Passion shatters reason's tower, makes the clearest vision blind...". We all have that perfect vision of how we want to act and be (I call it the Golden Image), but at times, our passions and the "natural brute beast" within us... defiles and destroys that vision. Another line.. "Cool, collected mind". Its like big game under the lights.. championship match and you get called on to take the penalty kick. Your mind is racing... you cant silence out the opponent fans' jaunting and jeering. Then you wait. You close your eyes... breathe... envision.. ball in the back of the net. Then you step up and execute. Its like that... in times of overwhelming trial... we need to step back.. close our eyes.. and envision the end result. I know through Christ we can school our feelings and find the eternal perspective. 

I miss and love you all.

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Heavenly Contract

Family and Friends,

The number of the week is, 4.

"This is a practical religion." -My beloved mission president. 

One thing that will never cease to exist. Families. It was there in the Pre-Earth Life. There with Adam and Eve. Will be there in the eternities. Satan hates that.

Did you see me teach in Ilonggo on Facebook?! I hope so.. if nots, its on President Lopez's facebook. hehe. Famous!

Speaking of President Lopez.. i had the greatest interview ever with him. He helped me to clarify some things in my life. Basically.. life is about getting ahead, and doing it quickly. He applied that advice to education and marriage. Interesting. The man is unrealistically in tune with the Spirit. How grateful I am that he is my mission president. 

Study Note. A Concern & A Solution. The Concern... 1 Peter 5:8 "...your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, wandereth about, seeking whom he may devour..." You know the picture of Christ holding the sheep? We all love that little sheep that symbolizes us and the love Jesus has for us... but do we realize that on the side of that picture there is a lion... lurking furtively in the shadows. He is real. He is on the attack. But do not worry... here is The Solution. Isaiah 35:8-9. "And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err thereon. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there." I was enlightened. The way to safety is the "Way of Holiness"... that strait and narrow path... that path upon which we have now planted our feet and must continue on. Be sure not to fall off that path. Keep those scriptures open. Keep your day right with prayer. Be at church. Its simple.. yet often, we like sheep... try looking for a "greener pasture". Just don't. Haha!

I love cow milk... im starting to drink it daily.

I dont really love the rain... its attacking me daily.

I exercise like a mad man.. but the pounds stack on daily. 

I love the Savior.

Hope all is well in the states... do what you can to help your missionaries, they need it. Go to the temple for me... I miss it!! 

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Indelible

Family and Friends,

Elder Nery and I and a member from the branch sang "I feel my Savior's love" in sacrament. People said it sounded pretty good, yay! 

"Write the Future"

I plan on planting a vegetables garden once I have my own place... yes.

"Dahan-dahan lang"

Well... this week has been one of learning, growing, repenting, finding, receiving revelation and working like our tails are on fire. I have had some interesting experiences this week. 

One note. I need to be more grateful. Sometimes we forget to give thanks for the work and efforts of others. In that regard, I really do love and appreciate all of you!! Gratitude is a way we show our humility to the Lord.

Another. Personal Revelation is real. And it really comes in the line upon line way... its, um awesome. Heavenly Father truly wants to make His will known unto us. We have to work for it though. We have to fight for it actually. Im still way not that good at it... and im still learning how to recognize His influence, but i know it is there. 

"I feel just like a child" -Devendra Banhart

"Fickle Cycle"

1 Peter 3:15 "...give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you..." What is your answer? At the end of each day, what is the reason for your hope? As i pondered this... of course my thoughts were drawn to our Savior Jesus Christ. But more than that... families. Ultimately the Restoration and all it implies leads us to the possibility of life eternal in the family unit. Thats so important. I have great examples around me.. my parents, 2 of my siblings, my 2 best mates etc... they show me that family is first. That should be our hope. Our families. That is where my heart lies. That is what keeps me going daily. 

I love you all. I really do. I appreciate every email and prayer.

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Conquer We Must

Family and Friends,

"I like your nostril" -Anonymous

"This is my life and this life is my diamond" STYG

"Exaltation is living with God forever in eternal families." -Preach my Gospel. What are you doing each day and week to accomplish this?

Weird random note... i learned a lot this week about the way my mind works. In regards to creativity and piecing together my thoughts and studies.. love it. 

Another. I wore the same red white and blue necktie everyday this week. I mean yes, Tuesday until right now. That because of the 4th, but more because i am superstitious and i wanted US Soccer to advance. It was worth a shot right? I also prayed for the Us Mens Soccer team, maybe it wasnt quite a "righteous petition".. but no sin in trying right?

First. I love studying hymns. I study 1 hymn a day as part of my personal study. It helps me not miss music and helps me to cherish the prayer of song. On that note... in honor of the best holiday ever.. July 4th. Hmyn #340. Remember how proud and lucky you are to live in the country you do. We experience so many freedoms and luxuries because of it. Footnote... Alma 46:12-13. That flag... (the US flag) is our title of liberty. It represents so much... but what is your personal title of liberty? Do you "defend" your family.. children.. religion.. freedom.. desires.. hopes.. daily? I learned a lot from this. Hope this enlightens you in a small way. 

This week was full of miracles. We have roughly 15 progressing investigators right now. Elder Nery and I had a good talk about it last night, and it is 100% because of obedience. The Lord is testifying to us both that exact obedience really brings forth miracles. What a blessing to have a companion who wants to see miracles as well. 

I am blessed to be on a mission. I am being changed in some crazy ways... but all good ways. So i have a confession... i have fallen in love on my mission...

....with the scriptures ;). Honestly though.. i love reading the scriptures. its amazing how the Spirit teaches us. I love it. 

The work is fruitful. I miss you all, i really do. But thats okay... i love you tons! 

Palangga,

Elder Stagg