September 27, 2011

Hey family.
Thanks for all the birthday wishes and what not.
 So basically there have been soooo many blessings just hitting me in the face this week that its just breathtaking!!!! We dropped Goody on whatever day we dropped him on. I think it was Monday. I was really concerned about how we were going to reach our goals and mission standards. Goody was an everyday investigator that got us about 5 lessons a week. We were having trouble reaching the standards as it was and I was scared that dropping him was going to hit us hard when it came to lessons. But I felt that everything was going to be okay. I had felt that we needed to drop Goody so that's what we needed to do.
Tuesday I was on exchanges with Elder Plania and we got three referrals. Two of which have turned into solid investigators.
Thursday we started teaching 3 children of an inactive member who, as a result no doubt of our visit, came to church for the first time in 3 years.
Saturday we received another referral who came to church on Sunday asking for a baptismal date.
Sunday we started teaching Rowena (our best investigator)'s husband Ernie and committed their entire family to an October 22 baptism.
Yesterday we had an Area Attack that resulted in the finding of an inactive RM and his family who is now going to be the focus of our reactivation efforts and his family a focus of teaching.
Why would I be nervous? It was in the Lord's hands all along. What a testimony builder. You receive no witness until after the trial of your faith. We have 8 people lined up for baptism now on the 22nd of October. I couldn't be happier. My companion and I are really good friends and our area is booming now. This is exactly what I want for my last 5 weeks in the field. haha. 5 weeks.....
Just keep on working hard and making things happen where they need to be.
Nice to hear that the Cougars were able to scrape out a win against the highly-rated Central Florida football team. I can see how that would be a struggle. WHAT THE HECK!!! We only won by 7??? I guess a win is a win is a win.... I'll take em any way they come but I'm a little nervous about the upcoming game against Utah State. I've only heard good things about Utah State this year. Also heard that the Giants lost the West. And what is going on with the NBA? Are there any scheduled games yet? Or is this lockout thing going to persist? I gotta see myself some Jazz ball when I get home!!!
Alright. So here we go into the last transfer of the mission. 5 weeks??? That's just crazy!!!!
Love you guys and can't wait to see you in a month and some change.
Love,
Brandon

September 20, 2011

Hey family!

So....wow. Where do I start off? Super just like...what......? Like, its hard for me to try and explain these feelings of just sadness and emptiness and hollow--...where could we have gone wrong? What is this? Are we not Brigham Young University Cougars? Why do we not fight then as such? Where is the Cougar Pride that we hold so dear? Are we putting too much trust in the hands of a Sophomore? What did we expect? Is a 44 point gap something that we can really roll over and accept as "just another loss"? Wow. "Therefore, in consequence of the turnovers of my Cougars, it is expedient in me that mine Cougar fans should wait a little season for the redemption of Zion--" D&C 105:9...with adjustments.

So this week we dropped Goody as an investigator. Yeah...it was a little rough. He has been my favorite. I've taken a lot of missionaries over there and been able to teach them how to teach using the Spirit and the scriptures (most missionaries in our mission only use the Book of Mormon and nothing else) to answer questions. He would be such an excellent member if not for his pride. He just wouldn't give anything a real chance at this point. As far as I know, we are the 4th set of Elders he has met. So...if that 5-7 times thing is right about contact with the Church, then he's due next time. I think we prepped him pretty well. He's such a great guy. But I totally trust the Lord that there is someone waiting for us elsewhere. We found three new investigators yesterday including one alcoholic who wants to change his life. We talked with him a lot about the one lost sheep and how Jesus searched it out. We told him he was that lost sheep and the Lord had sent us there to bring him back. It was one of my favorite lessons of my mission. Just seeing this guy who has thrown his life in the gutter trying to pull himself back out. Its impossible without the Atonement. He committed to not smoke or drink anymore so we are checking up on him tonight. Good guy. Just needs help.

Also, on a side note, MY DREAMS ARE BEING REALIZED!!!!! I guess you all have at least a minor understanding of my pure and just endless love for anything musical (yes, even Alison Krauss has some flavor at times). Well, we had this Service Project and afterwards we went over to the house of the member that helped us out and I noticed that he had a drumset. Well, Elder Serrano plays drums so I asked if he could maybe play a little. He pulls out the drums and then comes out the mic, then the guitar, then the bass. He's handin stuff out to everyone left and right! He hands me the mic and it turns out that Elder Serrano is INCREDIBLE on the drums and Elder Faustarilla is a KING on the guitar! Elder Hardin took the bass and just plucked away. We just messed around for a second and then Elder Faustarilla goes, "Okay guys, lets get serious..." and then starts playing "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" by the Script. It was so awesome. So I start singing. We're being super serious like we're in a concert but not thinking we're going to get very far until Elder Serrano comes in with the drums and then Hardin just hits one note after another and soon as we know it, we are ROCKIN!!!! We have now created our band for P-Days! We are "Sons of Thunder"!!!! Its awesome. Its not as big as it sounds.

Also big news...what if I said that on October 20, 2011, Elder Jeffrey R Holland of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints would be coming to the Cebu mission and doing a mission fireside? Just a thought...since he is. hahaha. YEAH!!! Holland, Tad R. Callister (whose talk on Joseph Smith and the Restoration became my blueprint for teaching the importance of the First Vision) and President Michael Teh. Its gonna be pretty dang awesome to say the least. I started the Book of Mormon over and plan on finishing it before the fireside so I can prepare. Its gonna be awesome.

In other news....if my calculations are correct, I think I only have 6 REAL P-Days left. After that I'll be in the mission home waiting for mom and dad to pick me up. Pretty crazy but...yeah. Nuts. Almost home. Just working til the end though.

Take it easy kids.

Love you all.

Brandon

September 13, 2011

Hey everyone!

Man alive. I can't believe that we are coming to the end of this journey together! I say together because you guys all have been there for me throughout these two years of trial and happiness. It has been awesome hasn't it? I love it. It's been so much more than me talking to people about God. Emails just can't even come close to capturing just what has been happening over this period of time. Not even close. Its been miracle after miracle.
Speaking of miracles, GOT MY BIRTHDAY PACKAGE TODAY!!! Opened it up but didn't open any of the stuff in there. Its all wrapped up. Good move. I could tell what everything was and was super stoked! haha. Yeah, I guess I shouldn't have really expected to get a Mountain Dew in the mail. But I guess it was worth a shot right? REALLY excited about the Cheddar Chex Mix. Good pickup with that, fam!

So Goody has been quite a roller coaster of an investigator for me. I'll tell you what! I have been having everyone but the Spirit and my companion telling me that I need to drop him like a rock but I just felt that there was hope. I knew that the Spirit knew something that I didn't. Yesterday we talked with him and he told us that he felt that the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith were both true. I was so shocked that I forgot to commit him to baptism! dangit. It's okay though cuz we're gonna go back and try it this week.

We taught some kids yesterday. One was a Pentecostal kid that had a lot of Bible verses in his head but had no idea what Priesthood was. Sooooo many churches only want to talk about prophecy though. He brought that up but we told him that we weren't into changing topics. His friends though on the other hand seemed VERY interested and one of them told us that he was really looking for the true church. He actually started out being the least interested but I think him hearing about Joseph Smith's First Vision really sparked something and the Spirit had a great chance to testify to him. We have a return appointment with him.

Things are kind of tough for us right now since everyone is having baptisms in the zone except for Elder Serrano and I even though we are trying our hardest. The Lord wants me to finish strong even though things are tough. That's what is up here. I'm pretty sure that's it.
Speaking of trials, TOUGH LOSS FOR THE COUGARS!!! Gosh... The game has been quite the discussion the past couple of days for us here in the field. President has kept the APs in the loop on the results and the APs have kept me up to date. A one point loss is the most bitter of losses. But they need to get the taste out of their mouths and get back to the grind because we have a big game coming with Utah on the line at home! Hope you guys have a great time at the game. I'm praying for you guys and for the Cougs...to do their best. Because I know their best is better than the Utes' best. Don't worry Dad. I'm almost home. You got your BYU Back of the Couch Pacing Companion back in no time! hahaha. Miss you dad.

Miss you and Love you all soooooo much.

I'll be home for Christmas!
Brandon

September 6, 2011

MAAYONG PASKO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's Christmas time again!!! hahaha. Well, at least it's Christmas time again here in the Philippines. As long as the month ends in 'ber' then it is Christmas! Being that it is Christmas time again, it really is kind of a wake up call to how close I really am to being home. Just trying to keep my head above the water of "trunkyness" and just keep doing the things that I need to be doing.

You know, I've realized that Satan never was able to discourage me about my mission all these months. Not once did I ever feel real discouragement. I always knew that I was in the Lord's hands and that He would not let me fail. But now as I approach the end of this tunnel and begin to see a little clearer things that are waiting for me outside of the tunnel back home, I'm starting to feel a little bit of discouragement. There are those who are doing their best to keep the commandments and stay on the path. I know this and I thank you. You are safe. But we must be mindful of those whose path is a little more rocky and a little more unstable than ours. Sometimes, even when we are trying our best to build our foundation on the "rock of our Redeemer", Satan sends those mighty winds that shake and those whirlwinds that disorient us.

It is in these times that we must remember where we stand. We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We know what we know and we know how we know it. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God" writes the Apostle James (James 1:5) and "By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things" (Moroni 10:5), writes the ancient prophet Moroni. How do we know that this is Christ's Church restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith? We have been answered by God through the power of the Holy Ghost. How do we know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God? The Holy Ghost. How do we know that there is a living prophet today? In the same manner. Is there any other way to obtain the knowledge that man cannot give? Truly, Moroni meant "all things".

There are those outside of this Church who are intent on its destruction. Satan of course is the head of this attack, for his role is to deceive. And that he does in any way possible. There are those who write, speak, film, record and in other ways produce media that attempts to tear down the teachings and beliefs of this church. But this is Christ's church. It will not fall. It is the Kingdom of God. It has been restored in the dispensation of the fullness of times, never to be lost. It is the kingdom seen in vision by Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel which "grew to fill the whole earth". It is here to stay. Try as they might, these attackers of the true church of Jesus Christ might as well "stretch forth [their] puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream" than to try and stop this work from progressing. It is not the work of man. It is the work of God.

 Archaeological evidence is not the basis of faith. Physical proof is not the basis of faith. He who says, "show me and I will believe" echoes the words of the same men who ordered the death of the Messiah. Those hypocritical Pharisees did not want to believe. Signs would change nothing for them. And they will change nothing for us. For us to know, we must learn as Peter, that great Apostle did:

“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? …

“And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

“And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 16:13-15)

Why was Peter blessed? What set him apart? Because he had the faith to trust. Yes, there was the evidence of the Savior's divinity in each miracle that he performed. Yes, there was power and authority in the holy and sacred words that departed from His lips. But how did Peter really know that Jesus was the Christ? Our Father in Heaven by the power of the Holy Ghost. That is faith. The physical evidence was just an additional testament to the Apostle. What really had testified was the Father. This is revelation. This is wisdom. This is life eternal.

So to those who deny the works of God, to those who say that the Heavens are closed, to those that say that God does not call prophets any more, to those that reject new scripture, to those who have not ears to hear and hearts to feel, I say this: God is working just as much now as he ever has. He has called a prophet to lead us and guide us. He has caused Another Testament of Jesus Christ to come forth, even the Book of Mormon. He offers to answer our prayers and our questions by the power of the Holy Ghost to those who diligently seek Him and desire to know.

I testify of this. Because he has answered me. And he will answer you. Trust Him.

I love you all. I know I didn't talk much about what's going on here or back home. But its all good.

Love,

Brandonrandon

August 30, 2011

Hey family!

So let me go ahead and make some comments on some things that I have not commented on the past few weeks. There's been some death going on back home and everyone affected is in my prayers. That's awful. But it makes me glad for my understanding of the Plan of Salvation. You know what I mean? We all know what happens after this life and its all so comforting. Heavenly Father doesn't want to leave us in the dark with stuff like that.

Elder Serrano and I have been putting our shoulders to the wheel and doing the best that we can to do the Lord's work and in his own way. We had a really great zone conference with President Teh of the Area Presidency about obedience and stuff. It was really great.

Elder Serrano and I had a really great experience this week that allowed us to use our Christlike attributes. Here you go...in NARRATIVE FORMAT!!!!!

Elder Serrano and I sat down across from Barbe. There was a a smile on her face that we hadn't seen before as she sat down with her Book of Mormon on her lap. "How have things been going?" I asked.

"Good," she responded.

"How was your reading?" I inquired. It seemed as if there was something about her that was not there before. We had been praying and hoping for a miracle with Barbe to help her with conversion. Two things were in the way of that--her reading of the Book of Mormon and her church attendance.

"It was really good," she said. She opened up to it and began to tell us that she had prayed about the passage about Alma baptizing at the Waters of Mormon. She reported a feeling that she hadn't quite felt before. "I feel that its true," she said.

We opened up our scriptures and read with her of the desires of the hearts of those who were baptized at the Waters of Mormon. Of their desire to follow Christ no matter what the costs. Of their desire for eternal life and them seeing baptism as an inexcusable method to achieve this salvation that they desired so much. I looked Barbe in the eyes and asked, "Barbe, do you desire eternal life?"

She nodded her head.

"Then will you, Barbe, enter into the waters of baptism and be baptized by proper authority into Christ's restored church this October 1st?" The commitment seemed to flow so naturally. The Spirit was behind those words.

She paused for a moment in silent pondering. She looked at my companion and then back at me. "Yes," she replied.

All of a sudden, a howl comes from inside the house as if someone had just been seared with a hot knife! The door to Barbe's house opened and out stepped her father--shirtless, tattooed and eyes wide in a drunken rage! "GET OUT HERE!!!! GO BACK TO YOUR CHURCH! GO HOME! YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS BEING HERE AND IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE! YOU'RE ANNOYING! GET OUT OF HERE! YOU HAVE 15 MINUTES TO LEAVE MY HOUSE OR I AM CALLING THE POLICE!"

"Get back in the house Dad!" yelled Barbe. A wave of sadness swept over us, quenching the fire of the Holy Ghost which we had been feeling just moments before. Barbe was embarrassed. I was somewhat upset at his instant outburst towards the two of us. I had talked with him many times before and without problems. He was a kind man as long as he was sober. Mumbling to himself, he stepped back into the house.

Taking a deep breath and trying to regather ourselves, I looked at Barbe again. "So October 1st, Barbe," I said. "It's going to take some work but we are here to help you out. You are not alone. You know what you need to do though... It's going to take at least 4 weeks of you going to church in order for you to--"

"HEY!!!! ARE YOU MORMONS DEAF???!!!!" I put my head down realizing what was about to happen again. The door opened and out stepped the man again--a little more crazed and a little more angry. The cigarette in his hand quivered from the shaking of his half-clenched drunken fist. "DO YOU WANT ME TO CALL THE POLICE?!?! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU HUH?! I DON'T WANT YOU HERE! GET OUTTA HERE! GO HOME BEFORE I DO SOMETHING THAT I'LL REGRET!!!"

"GET BACK IN THE HOUSE!!!! MOM!!!!" Barbe had reached the point of anger now. Treating her father kindly in his foolish drunkenness now no longer seemed the correct option.

Her father continued with a pointed finger at us. "YOU HAVE 5 MINUTES TO GET OUT OF HERE! THIS HUT IS FOR PEOPLE TO REST NOT FOR MORMONS TO SPREAD THEIR LIES!!!!" After a second or two of staring at us, he went back into the house and slammed the door.

It would be a lie if I said that I was feeling a little of the natural man pulling at me. I could easily have yelled back, piped up, given him a piece of my mind so to say. But I held my tongue. What would Jesus do?

I gave Barbe a fist bump, re-emphasized October 1st and we stood up to go. Just as we were standing up, the door to the house swung open and out charged out of the door holding one of the thickest wooden poles I have ever seen! "YOU DON'T WANT TO GET OUT OF HERE THEN I'M GOING TO BEAT YOU ALL TO DEATH! GET OUTTA HERE!!! NOW!!" He moved closer but I backed away, grabbed my comp and walked away. It was against what I really wanted to do inside. But I did it. I was patient. Even though I could have showed him the Spirit World very quickly. It was an awesome experience. Cuz Barbe is getting baptized!

See you next week!
Love you all,

Brandon