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