Difficulty: Expert

Family and Friends,

In regards to my subject title... sometimes life just feels like a video game. haha.

"Tammuz"

"Keep you from falling" 

Good word of advice... try to think real long and hard before you speak. Especially before speaking of negative things or faults of others. #learninglessonsthehardway. My companion was pretty sick for most of the week... thats a challenge. I never thought sitting in a house all day could be so boring. haha. But he is better now and this week we will be able to hit the ground running. 

Today, I have been shaped and formed by my experiences this week. Many of them good, many of them difficult and challenging.. but all for my betterment. I actually had exchanges with Elder Schow this week.. he is from Alpine. Crazily enough, he worked at the car wash right next to Mr. Mac in AF. Wow. We found out that we actually had a conversation or two before the mission, not knowing that one day we would eventually be enjoying a hot and sweaty bus ride together up into the mountains of the Philippines. #smallworld. We had some good talks about life and of course the deep doctrine excursions (no exchange is complete without it).Good times. 

Quick note about something that Elder Schow and I talked about this week. Prophets. I have heard much of the concerns regarding people going against prophets.. guess what, its been like that since Day 1. The whole concept of prophets and following them truly is just a test of our faith.. do we realize that? I am FAR from perfect at heeding every word of every prophet, but i know its important. For any more enlightenment see 2 Nephi 25:9. We will never be destroyed or hurt by something, unless it is foretold by a prophet. Wow!

Turn with me here to 3 Nephi 18. This is one of the most powerful discourses we have about the sacrament and its importance. Yesterday, after a long and hard week of trials, mistakes and concern... i pondered hard about the sacrament. As my companion passed the sacramental water to the 43 people present at our special sacrament, I had the opportunity to read the prayer on the water. How simple. How meaningful. How lucky we are. The promise (found in the last sentence of verse 7 of chapter 18), "And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my spirit to be with you." So simple... yet we are so quick to not do this. We forget. We are people. Our brains get so wrapped up in the daily grind of life (even missionary life) that at times we forget the bigger more important picture. I am guilty of it daily. I know that as we just remember our Savior more often, we truly will feel the Holy Ghost more abundantly in our hearts. I am grateful for this promise. So hey, do not forget to do the time-tested things that will remind you of our Savior. Prayer... Scripture Study.. Service.. Laughter.. Forgiveness.. Temple Worship... Church Activities.. Your Home and Visiting Teaching.. and of course, the sacrament. We are so blessed to know our Savior in the depth that we do as members of His church. Harness it!

My Preach My Gospel study this week has been out of Chapter 10. More on the parts about addiction recovery and repentance. Its an interesting section in Preach My Gospel. The concepts in there are actually applicable to each of us. We all have mini "addictions". Some of them truly are small and maybe of insignificance, but you should read this part of your Preach My Gospel. The main ideas that I pulled out is that its a life long battle. It never ends. The road to addiction recovery leads right up to the grave. Once an addiction is started, it stays within our soul until the day we die. It does not mean that we are still addicted, but the effects, memories and feelings at times still linger. We must be careful. The best antidote for addictions, is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. There are 1,000's of programs, tools, tips, tricks, etc.. but the only one that has an eternal and deep lasting effect is our faith in Christ. It is what will lead us out of darkness and into the glorious light of hope and optimism. You can do it!

I hate dust and sweat and dirt... it leads to nothing good. haaha. But i love bananas!

I love you all... keep doing good things. Also.. go study and ponder Hymn #29. The message is what this world (and you and I) needs!

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Wandering Stars

Family and Friends,

Well... hard work pays dividends. 67 people attended our special sacrament meeting on Sunday. 

One thing i really want to hit on right now is the Law of Sacrifice. I am learning daily what this really means to me... and why the Lord gave us this law. Luke 17:33. That is so difficult. So why does the Lord expect it of us? Why are we expected to give up all things we have... just to follow the Savior? For me... it comes down to this, because He so willingly sacrificed everything for us. Even His life. It makes me feel a little unworthy when i think of it that way.... i am barely willing to give up small things, to use His eternal sacrifice. But that's okay... we all have space to improve. I know that God wants us to return to Him. I have no doubt about that... but He also doesn't want it to be easy. Truly. He does not want it to be a walk in the park. He wants us to struggle.. and fight.. and grind... and honestly... get to the point where we want to give up... but why? Because He wants us to learn how to rely on HIM! He wants us to realize that giving up our own will is what will bring us closer to Him. PS... this idea is a work in progress still.

Dad... I used the phrase "peanut gallery" in my training this week. haha. Even though i still don't know what it means. 

Life is really about better learning how to use the Atonement. 

Stress relief is roughly equivalent to repentance. "All that seems unfair in life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the mercy and love of our Heavenly Father. The Atonement is the central point in the plan of salvation." (Lesson 2 pamphlet). I know we all have stress and challenges... there really is no other way to be healed except through the Atonement. I have experienced it in SO many different situations and ways.. and i know that we can be forgiven.. even of the small and simple daily mistakes we make. 

"Christ can be individualized in ourselves" -President Lopez

Guess what.. its now September.. which means, its Christmas season in the Philippines! Merry Christmas to all!!

I love you all so much.. i really do. Keep praying and fighting on. Through our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we will see miracles in our lives. 

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Maher-shalal-hash-baz

Family and Friends,

"I dreamed a dream in time gone by..." Les Mis

Well... its interesting that what happens to those around you can have a huge effect on your personal life. 

I love my mission. I have had lots of time to ponder during this week... and this really has been the craziest experience of my life. So many good and difficult times.. but worth every second. So happy i am out here. 

As of about 45 minutes ago i have a new companion. Elder Juco. He is Filipino.. honestly that's just about all i know about him... hahaah. its literally a brand new thing. 

Sorry.. its gonna be a short one again, honestly i never know what to say... and because of weird transfer stuff today i dont have my scriptures to give study notes. Its best if you just read for yourself anyways :) haha!

I did realize that i truly am grateful for commandments and for mission rules. They help me to be focused, happy and healthy. I know that God loves us and wants the best for us.. thats why He gives us trials. 

I know this Church is true. I have no doubt.

I love you all... i really do. And i pray for you all.

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Choicest Vine

Family and Friends,

"You need a set of scriptures for every member of your house, just like a toothbrush."   -Bacolod South Stake Stake President

"We need to turn his heart from a rock to a cupcake." -Brother Garzon

My life is a dream. Honestly. The days pass by so quick it almost seems like a joke. 

This week has been rewarding. We now have 3 or 4 full families in our teaching pool that are listening to us and are somewhat progressing. What a blessing!! Teaching families is the greatest thing in the whole world... because its families that become exalted, not individuals.

Elder Sanderson and I are having quite the time here in Minoyan Area... We are seeing some amazing things happening here, especially with the help of the members. We are getting referrals, good referrals! The members are the key... there is no other way!! So please do your part as a member.. by small efforts you can see miracles, trust me!

Some study notes.

This first one is very applicable in our time and age. I hear of many different conflicts and concerns in the church. That is not good. D&C 45:69. Speaking of Zion.. "and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another." Yes.. this may be speaking of literal war.. but i see it more as other things. Things like; gossip, disobedience, anger against leaders etc. None of that is what you or what the Church needs. We must be united. Unity leads to understanding.

A little bit of humor. 2 Nephi 13:11. So yes this is a warning against evil... but focus on the reward part. The first thing I think of when I read 'rewards' is The Dundies. I hope you are familiar with this... if not go watch the Office episode entitled the Dundies. The idea of the Dundies is Michael Scott giving out the most ridiculous rewards to his co-workers in a "Oscars" theme.. i applied that to our lives. If we were to take stock of our lives... right here today.. what would our 'Dundie' be? "Most obnoxious"? "Best Xboxer"? "Best at Crossword Puzzles" (Like Stanley)... or what? haha! Its a funny concept but you get the idea. Create ourselves a good Dundie!

Side note. Please pay a generous fast offering. It is connected with being a full tithe payer. I will be doing both of those things once I am home... its such a blessing to you!

The biggest thing i learned out of my studies this week is, love. 1 John Chapter 4 is so insightful about charity and what it really is. It goes back to 3 things... love for God.. love for ourselves.. and love for our fellowman. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear..." What a statement. What truth! What i learned and am still learning is that 99% of the problems of missionaries, converts, investigators, long time members, whoever... is fear. Fear is devilish. Its that simple. Fear opposes faith. Faith is the first step to salvation. Satan uses fear against us... he wants us to fear a new job opportunity.. or calling.. or move.. or schooling.. because he wants us to fail. He wants us to move backwards. So develop your love... read the scriptures... have a kneeling prayer twice a day.. attend church.. these simple acts will increase your love for God. Which in turn will increase in you feeling the Spirit. Which in turn will increase your desire to love and serve others... its not way easy. I am not very good at it either... but its an enjoyable task! Love is so central. Like the great singer songwriter Conner Oberst said.. "That's all i want, is to love and be loved.. and to believe in my soul!" The Beatles didn't lie when they said that "all you need is love"... it has a huge effect on those around us. So try it. I am... and its awesome.

PS.. i am so not perfect at all these things i say.. but i know one day we can all get there, cause i mean hey... that is the point of this life!

I love you all.. your lives are all going in different directions.. but that is how it works.. life just keeps changing. I know God loves us. I know He listens to prayers... i literally have no doubt about that! 

Go Cougars!

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Thumbprint War

Family and Friends,

Life as a missionary is nuts.

It never stops and things always change. Haha. But i love it!

I am now in my 5th area. It is called Murcia 1A... but its in an area called Minoyan. It is recently opened.. and is just a special sacrament that is part of a branch. My companion is Elder Sanderson from Logan, Utah area... he is awesome! He only has 3 transfers left, crazy!

About new areas.. d&c 100:4 "Therefore, I, the Lord, have suffered you to come unto this place; for thus it was expedient in me for the salvation of souls." What does it mean that it was "expedient" in the Lord... a couple words similar to this are; 'practical and helpful'... the Lord puts us in 'practical' places..He knows where we will shine! This verse isnt just for missionaries.. it applies to your home ward.. your job.. your school.. whatever! We have chances to help others... its simple! Just do it! 

I am learning a lot about how the Holy Ghost works with others... again... the Book of Mormon is such a powerful tool for that! It can not only invite the spirit into our lives.. but it helps us recognize the spirit's influence. The way God works with us is subtle and simple.. and we must search for it. 

Sorry.. my emails are getting shorter and shorter.. honestly sometimes i dread P-days... it kinda throws off the groove of working, especially for us cuz we come out of the mountain top into the city .ahaha. Honestly, i have a million stories and pics and videos.. but.. you will kind of just have to wait for me coming home!! dont worry.. its way closer than we all think!! haha. 

I love you all!!

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Full Throttle

Family and Friends,

Sometimes you get a text from someone high in line of authority telling you to do something... and you end up teaching 15 lessons in one day. 

"Now you're just somebody that i used to know" -Goyte

"taga space kita" -Elder Powell

Do you realize that we are creatures of habit? 

I uh... love my mission. love my comp. love my area. I love the unknown (the power of faith. haha).

Sorry my email is short.. my mind is just, well... in a loop and i am just caught up in the work. its amazing. we work way hard everyday. we taught 50 lessons to investigators with a member present this week. We have been working like our tails are on fire. the work is hastening.. well actually, being hastened by the Lord. Can you keep up?

I really do know this is all true. i have NO doubt at all. its amazing. this is God's work. This is His work. I am His servant. 

I love you all... i am almost 22 years old. i feel like im 13. haha

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Campaigner

Family and Friends,

"You can't be always tired and always hungry... that's just useless." -Elder Powell

Name of my new indie band... 'The harvest is past, the summer is ended'

Well.. First, I have a new companion. Elder Powell from Vernal Utah. Small world right? He is great.. super funny. He is very intellectual... we have had some deep deep deep doctrine conversations.. i mean like off in outer space doctrine stuff.. ahaha. awesome! 

The work here in Masville is golden. I love the members here... really. They are so willing to help with the work.  No baptism this week... but many are in the works!!

I learned that I love to eat fruit. Especially rhambutan... yeah, its the greatest. You will see pictures one day. 

We had district conference this week (La Carlota is a district not a stake). Wow. Amazing. Heard many inspired messages... even from President and Sister Lopez. Some things I learned from our conference.. Do we realize how important our prophet is? God only guide His kingdom through His prophet... ponder that. Interesting one liner from a RM... "There is no reason to become less-active". He spoke of how at times we "deny Christ" by the way we disgrace our covenants. Sunday Meetings are the best and most important way to retain and keep our covenants in remembrance. I hope you go to church every week, because i am out here inviting people to do that same thing all day every day. Another awesome one liner from the 1st Counselor of the mission presidency.. "Instant gratification creates weak people". That is about spiritual things. Parents.. Siblings.. Cousins.. Are you reading your scriptures daily? It may not be an ultimately  'instant' gratification... but its a commandment. I have learned why. Think of a typical day... up for about 15 hours or so... how many of those hours are spent on the "carnal-mind" (2 Nephi 9:39)? Honestly... how many? When we do that simple half hour of personal study of the scriptures.. it trains our brains to be "spiritually-minded". From the same verse we learn where those two types of mind sets lead to.... I wont give you all the learning, open it up and read for yourself. The single biggest thing I learned from district conference... is the importance of family.

I love chicken... its such a great meal. I also love vegetables.. #getskinny

Another Study Note. I'm gonna take you to the Old Testament. Numbers Chapter 22. Balaam is a man under the influence of the Holy Ghost... a somewhat righteous man from what i can see. He is offered 'honors and riches' to curse Israel. (That kind of relates back to the "denying Christ" reference). He counsels with the Lord... who tells him to do or say nothing except "... but yet the word which I shall say unto thee." He is offered again riches and honor... he stays true. But then he makes the mistake. Verse 21. "He rose up in the morning,  and saddled his ass, and went with the prince of Moab." Why is that a mistake???? He acted against God's advice... he did not wait for the Lord's word. The next part is instructive... The Lord opens the eyes of Balaam's ass. His trusted animal and friend's eyes are opened. The animal sees the angel of the Lord who desires to slay Balaam. But Balaam is well... prideful. He does not recognize that his animal has been enlightened... he gets angry and smites his animal. Why? Because he knew not that the Lord was warning him through his animal. Balaam was blinded by his own stiffneckedness. Finally Balaam sees the angel, and feels remorse for his incorrect decision. How many times have our leaders given us counsel... how many times have their eyes been "opened" before ours.. warned us.. tried to do whatever possible to lead us away from that which will slay us.. yet.. like Balaam... we think we are better than our "animal". God will warn us through others. Are we humble enough to take their advice? Are we sensitive enough to see that they may be more enlightened than us? And when our "animal" or leader... gives us counsel, do we get angry and wish to hurt or afflict the one giving us counsel. And trust me... i have been chastised MANY times by my leaders here on my mission. This message helped me this week. Also, do you see the underlying root of all of Balaam's problems? His desire for honors and riches. He put those before the Lord's counsel. It's that simple... we must put God's kingdom first. I am seeing amazing blessings. 

Side note... 2 Nephi 9:28. I have learned a lot about planning.. i do it daily on my mission. Why? Why must you plan? Yes, you at home. Because Satan is planning daily as well... .do we realize that? Satan is set on destroying us. Literally. We need a defense...we need the 'counsel of God'. Or are we setting it 'aside'... where are your scriptures? Do you know? When did you open them last? I testify that we cannot come to the full measure of obtaining the Spirit if we set aside our holy writ. There is also a promised curse in this verse ... "they shall perish." I cant emphasize this any more forcefully.... OPEN AND READ YOUR SCRIPTURES. I didn't for like 4 years and look where I ended up. Look. Near to perishing...! Look what saved me.... Look what changed me... Its a little blue book entitled The Book of Mormon. Nothing else. I had much to guide me to correction.. but it really came down to my scripture study. I am writing you as a full-time missionary because I read my scriptures and made a turn around. 

Just a side note... I hope you know that these messages I write are meant directly for you. Mom. Dad. Cassie. Cami. Cole. You are the intent that i write my "scirptures" every Monday. No investigator is gonna read this... i have other lessons for them. Preaching the gospel makes "God more willling to forgive us of our personal sins" -Spencer W Kimball. I am preaching to all of you because I love you all. And because i have a responsibility to God. I love preaching... mostly because it forces me to try and live the same way as well, im trying!! 

I love you all so much. I have the best family!

Palangga,

Elder Stagg