Forge Our Souls In Living Fire

Family and Friends,

I recognize the Lord's hand in my assignment here to Moises Padilla. Minoyan prepared me for this area. I love it. I am grateful that Elder Edem was able to show me the area... he is very experienced and knows the people and area very well. He goes home on Wednesday... haha! I meet my new trainee on Thursday. Boom.

We believe in being honest.

Moises Padilla is a great area, there is loads and loads of potential here... I know I must be here. I also have learned that missionaries' actions can have a large and long-lasting effect on areas. Good thing that change will occur through the Gospel of Jesus Christ! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzjFEMmM0Xs

Do we recognize that the result of true repentance is our sins and the sins of others being forgiven and left in the past? I have learned much this week about forgiveness and more importantly... forgetting. As we leave the past in the past, it allows us to grasp the prize that Christ has given to us. I truly witness that change is real... we can leave a multitude of sin in the past... that is what Christmas is all about.

True peace.... lasting.. internal.. mental.. emotional... comes only from Christ the Lord.

"Can you really say that you believe Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ?" How would you respond to this if you were asked by a complete stranger in a shopping mall? Are our testimonies strong enough to be challenged by strangers?

If you have access to my Facebook, please don't use it... keep it idle these last 3 months.

Our church has a living prophet and apostles.. do you realize how vital that is?

I love you all!!

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

O Holy Cripes

Family and Friends,

Sorry... super short email!!! 

I am transferring to Moises Padilla. I will learn the area for a week then be a trainer. Wow! 2 transfers left, i love it!!! 

I love you all so much! :)

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Pictures

The Seeds of Death & Life

Family and Friends,

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! :) It's December now!! We will be skyping on Christmas day here (Christmas eve in US)... i am so excited to see all of you :) 

So in our area you ride on the back of motorcycles (its called hobble-hobble).. well, our driver ran over a little puppy the other day.... sad day, he didn't even try to slow down! lame!

An old gentleman we are teaching sent 3 little kids to buy some bread. He gave them 50 pesos and said to spend it all on bread. The kids come back with about 5 little pieces of bread... and 30 pesos of change. We ask what happened... they bought pepsi and drank it on the way back. hahaha. in the moment, this was hilarious. 

Every sunday is your baptismal day over and over again... dont forget that. 

I love you all so much... keep on keeping on!

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

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