Heights That Are New

Family and Friends,

"Nainitan ko sa imo" -our recent convert as he throws a cat out the door. classic.

Sometimes my comp gets teased by little kids... thats okay... we both just laugh and keep walking. haha.

First spiritual experience. Elder Aro and I felt that we should fast for new investigators. We fasted on Wednesday. After a few appointments falling through we went to the Benisse family.. active. We have been visiting them consistently for 3 months now, with 0 results. That changed on Wednesday. We went for a visit... (they offered us some snacks, ironic!) and then they gave us a referral. There next door neighbor. We went right away after our short message, and the referral was open and willing! Wow! The best part is this... the referral is a radio announcer. He reports on accidents, problems, etc. He calls it in through his cell phone... so as we arrived he was about to start announcing. He told us to sit, and as he started announcing he said our names on the public radio... what great finding!! haha. We taught them and they accepted an invitation to be baptized, wonderful!

Another life note I learned this week... about patience and honesty. We had an investigator hopefully be baptized and then some concerns came up just a few days before her baptism. It was a real trial. But it was overcome... no she wasn't baptized this week... but she still will progress towards it, probably on Christmas day! I know that prayer, counseling with your companion, and love for others is key when people decide to try and stop investigating the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I believe that Christlike attributes are important for everyone in this world. I am grateful for a mission, it allows you to focus in on these attributes. 

Sometimes the progression seems to be like fighting through a brick wall... but then you do, and its joyous!

I have learned how important agency is. We will never be forced into using the Atonement. But do you understand that? Christ only gave us the opportunity to be saved, will you seize it?

Are you attending all 3 hours of church every Sunday? 

I love you all.

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Walt Disney's Grandson

Family and Friends,

Elder Ian S. Ardern is a spiritual giant. His teaching skills are unreal. 

"I feel like a stand-up comedian" -President Lopez

Testimonies must be recaptured daily.

In sunday school class yesterday we discussed about talents, and using them to help others. I told our whole Elders Quorom and Relief Society during class (as a joke) that Elder Aro, with his amazing singing voice, sings me to sleep every night. Filipinos love simple humor.. Boom. 

My main thing i learned from both MLC and the Mission Tour is progression. So much praise for the work here, but I sensed that there is much to improve on. From Christlike Attributes.. Teaching Skills.. Leadership.. Understanding of Doctrine.. so much! I truly see that daily there is much need for improvement! I must do that. I know it. Mission Tour is where a general authority comes to your mission and talks about performance... gives training... ministers!! It was awesome.

A few great experiences this week. Sister Michelle has been an active working member for missionary work for a while now... On Tuesday we went to their family's house for a 15 minute visit... When we entered, she left... then came back 5 minutes later with her friend Analyn!! Wow.... direct results from a 15 minute visit, awesome! Investigators can be found in so many way.

I testify that writing our spiritual experiences is important... i do it, and its awesome. It helps me see God's mercy daily. 

Another experience.. We did a visit to our RC/LA family.. we taught 'God is our Loving Heavenly Father'.. and really focused on doctrine. It got them interested... instead of just saying God loves us.. we talked about him having a body, being real.. his sorrow when we sin etc. They were asking questions. . . pondering.. etc. Great application from Elder Ardern's training!

Follow up.... Who will you give a Book of Mormon for Christmas? Its close.

If the Holy Ghost is with you... you won't raise your voice. #wisecounsel

I love you all.

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Move

Family and Friends,

You'll never regret righteousness...

What a week... i love my mission!!

The highlight was for sure stake conference! There was SO many people, how awesome! Our mission president, President Lopez, was invited to speak. During his talk he invited Elder Aro and I up to give a 1 minute teaching demonstration... man we were nervous. haha... lots of people. Fun stuff! We also had a stake baptism that morning as well... good times. Baptizing is the greatest thing as a missionary!!

A main highlight of the stake conference was about finances. Spending money wisely. Living within our means. Work ethic. Saving. Ponder it....

Well... i love my area.. i love the members.. i love my comp... i love wheat bread... i love water.. i love laughing.. i love sleeping.. i love praying.. i love my mission president.. i love my fellow missionaries.. i love that this week is our mission tour and Elder Ardern will be attending!!! wow!! so stoked. 

The peace of good decisions is like nothing else. #lifechanger

Best moment of my life... at Stake Conference this old Filipino guy was wearing a sweet suit with a BYU necktie... of course i commented. He was loving it... then he told me i look like James Dean. BOOM! My life is complete... of course i got a pic with this guy. He wanted to write my name down, but just said he would write it in his head. I love my life.

I love you all... choose the right!!

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Deny Myself

Family and Friends,

"Ini ang ginkuha ni Moroni" -Brother Cepeda

"We aren't here to be princes or princesses" -Elder Aro during a companionship study...haah i love my companion.

How often do you find time to ponder in faith?

I know that the Holy Ghost truly testifies of truth, its just a matter of if we follow that truth.

We gave a training at zone conference on Wednesday... it was epic! haha. We trained about giving lessons to active members and also how to better retain... giving trainings is fun. I had butterflies going into it... like i was walking into a state playoff soccer match... that sounds weird but thats the best way to describe it. haha. The zone and President Lopez seemed to enjoy it and learned much... and that is what is most important! Oh and you better believe i threw in a Lupe Fiasco quote into my training... #yomo

Everyday is like Sunday.

I know God loves all of us... so let's work for others to feel that love. We truly as members of Christ's church have great resources to help others... I know we can find simple ways to help others to understand and use those tools. 

Keep working hard to serve those around you.... http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=3792885561001  .... I love all of you! Play your Part!

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Sit Down

Family and Friends,

First... watch this vid. https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2014-07-006-the-hope-of-gods-light?lang=eng  I umm.. love this movie, partially because the music is Explosions in the Sky (one of my faves).. but more so because I relate. I truly have learned God is real and listening. PS- i am doing my hair like that when i come home. 

Do you recognize the need for the Spirit everyday? How low and wrenching is the feeling when He is not with us? I realized that the Spirit truly is such a blessing in my life daily... physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually... everything. Crave You.

Pattern.

Your mind is your first enemy.

Baptisms in the river are epic... i feel like a movie star for some reason!! hahaha. Plus its super hot... its nice to sit in the cool river water for a minute or so. haha!! #incentive

The work is flowing here... this week we have our zone conference!! I am way stoked for that!

I love eating healthy food... it helps with energy levels and happiness levels!

I love you all so much.

Read the Book of Mormon. Keep fighting on!

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Lukewarm

Family and Friends,

"Gold tried in the fire"

I wanna tell you about an investigators of ours. Her name is Analyn. When her family was baptized a few years back, she was working abroad in Kuwait. Most of her family is not very active anymore, except her younger sister. So upon her return home from Kuwait, she decided to listen to our message. She enjoyed it, but nothing amazing. She came to church and was more confused than anything. The next few days, she hid from us... told us she didn't want to listen.. etc etc. So we respected that decision, and stopped visiting. 3 weeks later, she came to church again. Of course we visited... within the first few minutes she told us she wanted to be baptized. She has experienced such a change of heart. I mean... she thrives off the Book of Mormon. She is canceling activities and work things so that she can listen to us. I mean... she is dying for November 1 to arrive when she will be baptized. The question is... how do these drastic changes in one's heart take place? For me... its the Spirit. The Spirit and a willing heart. A willing heart. That is what God wants from us. Ponder it on your own.

Sorry.. my letter this week is kind of lame... just know that everything truly is awesome here. This area is progressing.. i have fun with my comp.. we enjoy everyday.. and the church is true. Its honestly so great. My body is tired... but the rest of me is awesome! I love food.. i really do. I love water. I miss all of you. Cant believe its getting close to November.. wow. Expect a letter in the mail, and PS.. this will be the last one before i come home :)

I love you all so much..

Read your scriptures.

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Match Their Level

Family and Friends,

67 at church in our house... people were sitting outside.

"Yours to keep"

Wow. Just a little note. So my mission language is Hiligaynon or Ilonggo it is sometimes called. The main language of the Philippines is Tagalog.. so TV, billboards, etc are in Tagalog. But no... i dont speak it, and i understand it minimally. But guess what... we watched conference in Tagalog! Hahahah! So awesome. It really was a testimony to me that the Spirit is what teaches us. Yeah... i could understand the main ideas, but the Spirit is what taught me. Some things I noticed (side note- i only watched the Sunday Morning session... we are busy!!)... the huge emphasis on prophets. Wow... i think every talk i heard mentioned prophets and our obedience to their words. Do we have the sufficient faith to follow their commands? I loved how Russel M Nelson talked about how the sustaining of our church officers is so much more than a raising of the right hand. After the raising of the hand, we must pray and work to follow up on it! It takes effort. It requires sacrifice. Can you do it?

"Oh sinner...come home"

I realized during conference and just throughout this week that we dont need profound mind-blowing revelations from our leaders... we just need the constant, simple, loving reminders! They talk about the same simple principles over and over and over because thats what we as members struggle with... the simple things! I really do testify that the simple things are so important... scripture study... prayer... church,etc.

I love the way the Spirit works... its purifying... its a slow process.. but its amazing.... More holiness give me (hymn #131) just about explains it. We all need that moment of peace... that break from the grind... the voice of the Lord. Do we recall the experience of Joseph Smith in the grove..? Thick darkness.... doomed to destruction... overcome by the adversry... then what? He called upon God, and what is the first thing he heard? His name. When you find yourselves in moments of despair.. sit, be silent. I promise if you search for it, you will hear the Lord calling your name as well. Its personal. Its real. Its true. 

This very moment... as i write this letter in a computer shop in the Philippines... i am feeling the Spirit. Why? I am not exactly sure.. but i know the Lord is taking care of all of you. He is merciful. I know this thing called life is a battle, but its oh so rewarding if we do what the Lord wants of us. 

I love you all. Stick to your good works.

Palangga,

Elder Stagg