Sakay Na

Family and Friends,

Well.. im in bacolod now... no more work.. no more key indicators.. no more tanan... weird right?

"Man there is a lot of salad in this mission" -Anonymous

It was a solid week... i'll tell you about it in about 3 days time. haha! 

We are just having time today to buy stuff and do whatever (bowling).. tomorrow we have training and a devotional.. wednesday manila.. thursday the trek really begins to get back to good ol st george!! 

Honestly, i cant believe this time is here... its truly an overwhelming feeling... but its good.. its time. 

I'm leaving on a jet plane......

I love you all so much... 

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Placed His Heart

Family and Friends, 

I am so grateful i was assigned in the same zone again... yesterday was the La Carlota District Conference, which was amazing because i got to see many members and converts from Masville!! That is such an amazing feeling.... seeing people from old areas, such a blessing. I love it!

So stoked Cami will be having a boy, skimboarding and soccer lessons will come his way for sure!

We had a baptism!

I don't know what else to say....?

I love you all so much!!

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Say What You Want To...

Family and Friends,

"You got to have smelt a lot of mule manure before you can sing like a hillbilly." -Hank Williams

I finally got all your Christmas letters!! hahah thanks a million, you are all the best :) 

Killin rats... its like i am back in my first area all over again!! haha.

I'm thinking Friday when i get home we will do a session at the temple, okay...? okay! then i will cook some pinoy food for lunch... nomnomnom :)

I love my studies...  they keep me going mentally and spiritually every day. I hope you are reading daily.. especially the Book of Mormon. It is given to us to guide us daily... 

Halo-Halo is God's gift to this country and I am cherishing it daily. haha

I love my comp... such a blessing that he will be my last comp, grateful for it for sure!!

I love you all so much..

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Even My Warriors

Family and Friends,

What a week.... highlight for sure was spending almost 3 whole days in Bacolod and also in Manila!!! haha. Wednesday we had some time in Bacolod to do some errands... wow, i love that place. Then Thursday we had a follow-up training for the batch of the elder that i am training... that was hilarious actually... everything from spontaneous teaching practices, to one of my batch mates getting embarrassed by his trainee at the pulpit.. never a dull moment in this mission. hahah. Thursday i also got to work with Elder Evans (my MTC comp) in his area.... wow, its much more efficient that we can both actually speak ilonggo now!! hahah. Also on Thursday night... metro inn. Long story short... an all you can eat buffet with sushi!!!!!!!! The best!

Friday. Best day. Up at about 4 am and onto the airplane around 7... going to Manila! It was our entire batch going home... so much fun. We had to go to Manila for fingerprinting purposes for our visas going home... epic. The fingerprinting was not actually too difficult of a process... but for sure weird actually seeing people of other races... indian, black, white, all of it... weird! haha. But after that mess we got Wendy's for lunch... YES, WENDY'S! wow.... i forgot how amazing a vanilla frost is. Then off to the temple in Manila!! I actually saw Elder (well now brother) Baradi!!! My 2nd comp... it was awesome to see him. The temple was epic... and to say the least, i walked out of there with a strong desire to get married..... hahaha #trunkytruth . Such a long day but so much fun... love it.

Enduring is a real process that i am experiencing right now... we truly must "feast upon the words of Christ" so that we can make it to the end..

"Like talking about her cat for 6 hours..." -anonymous

I am.... in a state of mind that i cannot explain... i love missionary work... i love my comp.. i love the experiences.. but i am beyond tired. as in, physically exhausted. i dont know how i can walk sometimes... it is a modern miracle. 

I cannot wait to see you all.. literally. 

I love you all.

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Faith is... roughly equivalent to Dedicated Service.

Family and Friends,

Sometimes i say things I shouldn't... we should all try to control our tongues right? its difficult. I think that control comes through the spirit...

My big idea this week... scripture study. I have realized that usually we do not need to correct others' actions if they are reading the scriptures. The scriptures are our life-time attitude and behavior corrector. Please Read.

I love you all!!

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Tag25

Family and Friends,

I love my new companion Elder Pernia... he is great! Super positive.. talkative.. and ready to learn!! His home situation is very well... he has seen many challenges in his life. Both of his parents are deceased and he is the only member in his family... he is strong, no joke!! Love him.

Im learning Cebuano.... i love it.

sorry... this letter is super short.... just like my time remaining on the mission!!! hahahah.

I love you all!

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Keep Sound Wisdom

Family and Friends,

Wow... life is full of changes.. always. haha. So update. For the last transfer it was Elder Codera (trainee) and I working Moises Padilla and Elder Pernia (trainee) and Elder Manu working Cabacungan. We lived in one apartment together though. So.... Elder Manu and Elder Codera have transferred and now Elder Pernia and I will work both areas. Wow!!!! haha... talk about being exhausted right before coming home... perfect though right?

The Lord knows what we need... sometimes our expectations are way different than what actually occurs, but I am already received the assurance that these last changes on my mission are exactly what I need for my growth and for the growth of those around me. Faith is always for the future. Faith changes us. Faith creates opportunities.

Read the book of Proverbs. It truly is practical advice for our day to day life... but mostly just read the Book of Mormon. hahah.

The secret to missionary work is, work.

I love you all....

life ticks on.. keep going alright?

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

That..... Feeling...

Family and Friends,

Well.... this week has been on of the most up and down weeks ever!! Lots of good things in regards to the work, but it went straight down as i read my emails today. President Lopez has returned to America for much needed medical attention. We knew that he was battling some health concerns, and we had a mission fast for him on saturday and sunday... but him going home was totally unexpected. It is anticipated that he will not return. Wow. I love my mission president. President and Sister Lopez are amazing people, firm in the faith and 100% committed to their callings... i love both of them as if they are family. Include them in your prayers, please. Thank you.

I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.... if that doesn't push us everyday, what does? 

"Rest in Beats"

Do we know that repentance is one of the greatest gifts?  It is the ability to form a fresh view of ourselves, God, and the world around us. It is not suffering, but rather a way to find a better inner peace through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

"Ch-ch-ch-changessssss... turn and face the strange!"

.

Guess what... i want to buy a motorcycle when i come home.... keep your eyes peeled for a Honda Shadow for me. Thanks :) The Philippines has given me an even greater desire to ride motorcycles... they are all over the place here, love it! 

I love the work... i love being in an apartment with an elder who goes home with me...i love oatmeal.. i love candy from New Zealand... i love water.. i love the Book of Mormon... i love pushups.. i love it all. 

Wow... I can't believe that i am coming up on my final transfer. Wow.

Big changes are coming in this mission... it will be crazy to see.

Faith. Prayer. Love.

I love you all so much and appreciate each and every one of you!

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Two Great Lights

Family and Friends, 

"Don't reach young blood..." Uncle Drew

Float... Sakay.. Kaon... Aga.. Hapon.. Gabi.

We had a baptism this week... she is awesome! Jocelyn! Her 2 children are recent converts and she is just a really willing investigator. She would keep all commitments right away and was always wanting to learn and progress in the gospel! My companion baptized her in the river, so awesome for his first baptism on the mission right?

Best email today... "We'd love to have you back. The PB Express back in AF!" That is music to my ears.... #blessings #futureworkingoutforme #sharpenyourchalk

I love studying.... i finished the New Testament this week! It took me 18 months, wow! So now i am starting it again, as well as starting the Old Testament. The scriptures are amazing in reality.... so much info and spirit put into the holy writ... it truly is vital for us to study, daily! It is a great feeling, and it truly can shape who we will become!

2nd best email... "We have your flight plans" ! abaw!! hahaah.. can't believe that... gotta keep working hard though right? 

Don't you quit.

Have you read the Book of Ruth? It is short, interesting and teaches much... give it a read! Are we willing to be like Ruth and change everything just to be obedient... #thewaroflife

I um... am sweating as i write this... great right?

I love you all so much!!

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Write; Justice

Family and Friends,

The hand of providence... find it.

"And this is the new year... and i don't feel any different..." -Death Cab for Cutie

Jacob 4:12... why wouldn't you speak of Christ and His Atonement? My comp is very good at this... almost every lesson he ties it back into the Atonement. That simple act, the Atonement, is really the basis for everything in this life and of course this work. I live for it everyday.. boom! Talk about it!

This week was such an improvement... it came with it's challenges and trials, but hey, thats life! We saw many blessings from the Lord. We had 6 investigators at church.. also many less actives, 2 of which brought their investigator friends!! I also had the opportunity to have some good conversation time with our branch president... he is awesome! He is an RM of about 3 years now and is a single college student! What responsibility... but he handles it well! We had a joyous time swapping mission stories, cant wait to do that with all of you in a few weeks here :) hah!

I truly love the scriptures... i love jogging... i love oatmeal... i love water.. i love walking in the scorching heat and getting tan.

I love you all!!

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Dogtown

Family and Friends,

"The bud may have a bitter taste; but sweet will be the flower."

It was amazing to see you all on Christmas Skype... what a blessing right? Almost a bit odd of a feeling not to actually see you for another bit, but hey thats okay! I still loved our time together.

God is His own interpreter... we need to just be willing to go along wherever He takes us. It goes back to faith.... we must have the faith to be willing to go along with His will. I have been tested much these past 2 weeks, but in that testing I have learned much! Often times, we learn by the mistakes we make.... whether they be small or big, personal or widespread.. mistakes lead us to understand what truly is correct. It is also interesting when different cultures mix... we learn to see the way others think and feel. #lifelessons

"Can you lead me to Pocahontas' secret lair?"

Life isn't made to be simple... its made to refine us. 

I have realized that Jesus Christ truly is so central to all things we do in this Church. If we just strive more to be like Him, we and those around us improve. #lifelongbattle

Expectations are.... (finish this sentence for me, i wanna know what you think),

I am still working everyday... the cycle goes on... the work rolls on.. the new year starts.. where will it take us? 2015 will be quite an interesting year for me... i cant wait to see where I end up with the help of the Lord.

I love you all so much!!

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

More Respect; Less Attack

Family and Friends,

MAAYONG PASKO SA TANAN!

Wow... i literally woke up this morning realizing it is December 22 and i thought it was a dream! Really! Boom!

My dead missionaries live on...!

Prayer sometimes is the only time of peace on any given day.. I testify. 

I testify that the Lord will show unto us our weaknesses... try to leave it to the Lord. We don't need to pick and pry at others' weaknesses or faults... just try to be positive... even if it is the hardest thing in the world. Our weaknesses truly are a joy... they lead us to Christ and his Atonement.

Have you given out a Book of Mormon yet as a Christmas present?

I know that Jesus Christ lives... as sure as we live, He lives as well. You can find Him in the scriptures. You can find Him as you kneel in prayer. You can find Him in the simple things... like the stars, the smell of rain, birds, laughing little kids.. you know, His creation!

See you on Thursday :)))))

I love you all so much.

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

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

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