Lapit na ang Paskwa! (Christmas is Close!)
How is it going my family!? Another week comes and goes, as well as another transfer day. As for the big news of where I got transferred too......... I didn't. I'm still here in Valladolid! That makes a start of my 4th transfer here! I'm so glad I'm still here and going to be here for Christmas!
I've been so excited to get to work with our new Bishopric and getting transferred would have been unfortunate! The Bishopric went on Member Exchanges with us this past Saturday which was awesome. We're able to get more work done and get to know our Bishopric better at the same time! It was also a challenge because Brother Ordenario's English isn't that great! He's actually from Manila so he's more comfortable speaking Tagalog. So at church yesterday he gave some closing remarks and he pretty much spoke Tagalog the whole time. I had no idea what he was saying. I've gotten to the point now where I can distinguish whether people are speaking Hiligaynon, Cebuano, or Tagalog. But I don't understand them obviously! But I'm making progress! So that's exciting! I actually memorized the First Vision the other day in Tagalog just for the fun of it. I'll have to recite it in both Hiligaynon and Tagalog for you so you guys can hear how awesome it sounds!
This past week our numbers increased in quite a few areas! We still have our one Investigator who will be baptized on Christmas! We will always be having it at the Stake Center. A Christmas Day Stake Baptism! It's going to be so awesome! I'm so excited! We have other investigators as well who are working towards baptism but they will probably take place in January! I'm excited!
So as for new foods I've eaten lately. I've eaten more duck, chicken intestine and liver. And I also ate some Kanding the other day. Which is goat haha. The goat wasn't too bad, but the chicken liver was awful and the chicken intestine just kinda grosses me out! I'm still alive though so it's all good!
Other than that though there isn't much that is new around here! Still doing the same thing! Living the Missionary Life. Can't wait to speak to all of you in less than 3 weeks! Going to be great! Love you all!!
-Elder Walters
Monday, December 9, 2013
12.2.13
Late Kami Liwat (we're late again)
Sorry once again that we weren't on to chat again this week. We got an offer to ride to Bacolod from the couple missionaries who came to do an apartment check this morning. Can't pass up a free ride with air conditioning! We're here now, and I hope this email finds all of you in good spirits!
So this week is transfers, I really hope that I don't get transferred! I would really like to stay here in my first area, with all the people I've grown to love, for Christmas! Like I said last week we got a new bishopric and I'm excited to get to work with them as well! I can already see the impact the new bishopric has! We had PEC for the first time I've been here, yesterday. And also for the first time since I've been all 3 members of the Bishopric were at church before it started!
I'm also excited for this next month because we have investigators who will be baptized! Sister JellyAnn has been to church for 3 weeks in a row now! She comes with her less active friend Jhesnie, who has been coming back to church with her so that is awesome! Jhesnie didn't want to go to young women for some reason yesterday but even though she didn't JellyAnn still did! I'm excited for her to be baptized, and I can tell she is too! We also have other investigators who say they want to be baptized, they just need to come to church first! haha
So during yesterday I read a quote from Elder Dallin H. Oaks and I thought I would share it with you! Before you read this quite tho I want each of you to think of the how you picture the Final Judgment taking place.
"The Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become."
After reading that quote my thought of the final judgment totally changed. When I first thought of it I kind of pictured it as us going through some of the good and bad things we have done in our lives, but when I read this statement it made me realize that that isn't exactly how it's going to go. It will be a judgment based on who we have become. We have our entire lives to repent of our mistakes and to become the best person we can and should be. Why not start today so that when we face the Holy one of Israel at the gate we can say that we have become the best we can. That your final you is better than the beginning and middle you! I don't why this quote had such a profound impact on me, but I hope it can change your perspectives as well. I love each and everyone of you! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We actually forgot about Thanksgiving until the morning of, but then we bought food and had our own Celebration just the four of us in our apartment that night! We had chicken, ham, mango float, and mango shakes! It was great!
As we get closer and closer to Christmas I invite each of you to remember our Savior and his love for each of us. And when you remember his love for you, how much easier it will be for you to share your love with others!
Love,
-Elder Walters
The Elders living in Valladolid for a week! Elder Cruz, Elder May and Elder Perez!
Teaching Paulan, JellyAnn and Jhesnie
Sunday School class!
Sorry once again that we weren't on to chat again this week. We got an offer to ride to Bacolod from the couple missionaries who came to do an apartment check this morning. Can't pass up a free ride with air conditioning! We're here now, and I hope this email finds all of you in good spirits!
So this week is transfers, I really hope that I don't get transferred! I would really like to stay here in my first area, with all the people I've grown to love, for Christmas! Like I said last week we got a new bishopric and I'm excited to get to work with them as well! I can already see the impact the new bishopric has! We had PEC for the first time I've been here, yesterday. And also for the first time since I've been all 3 members of the Bishopric were at church before it started!
I'm also excited for this next month because we have investigators who will be baptized! Sister JellyAnn has been to church for 3 weeks in a row now! She comes with her less active friend Jhesnie, who has been coming back to church with her so that is awesome! Jhesnie didn't want to go to young women for some reason yesterday but even though she didn't JellyAnn still did! I'm excited for her to be baptized, and I can tell she is too! We also have other investigators who say they want to be baptized, they just need to come to church first! haha
So during yesterday I read a quote from Elder Dallin H. Oaks and I thought I would share it with you! Before you read this quite tho I want each of you to think of the how you picture the Final Judgment taking place.
"The Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become."
After reading that quote my thought of the final judgment totally changed. When I first thought of it I kind of pictured it as us going through some of the good and bad things we have done in our lives, but when I read this statement it made me realize that that isn't exactly how it's going to go. It will be a judgment based on who we have become. We have our entire lives to repent of our mistakes and to become the best person we can and should be. Why not start today so that when we face the Holy one of Israel at the gate we can say that we have become the best we can. That your final you is better than the beginning and middle you! I don't why this quote had such a profound impact on me, but I hope it can change your perspectives as well. I love each and everyone of you! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We actually forgot about Thanksgiving until the morning of, but then we bought food and had our own Celebration just the four of us in our apartment that night! We had chicken, ham, mango float, and mango shakes! It was great!
As we get closer and closer to Christmas I invite each of you to remember our Savior and his love for each of us. And when you remember his love for you, how much easier it will be for you to share your love with others!
Love,
-Elder Walters
11.25.13
Happy Thanksgiving!
So this week was pretty good! We had some good things happen at church and then also something kind of different! Yesterday we had a new Bishopric called!!! YEAAA!! Thankfully. In my entire 4 months of being our bishop had been here for a whole week and a half. He's been working in Manila the whole time. Talk about hard to accomplish things without a bishop. And talk about frustrating for the ward because they had no budget the entire time! It's kinda hard to have exchanges with the Bishopric when the bishop is gone and the counselors don't do anything haha. I'm so excited tho! Our bishop seems kind of nervous, but I imagine anyone would be when given that new responsibility! Should be a great new start! But who knows, I could be transferred in another week and not get to experience it anyways! I'm so excited to have a new Bishopric you don't even know! We even had dinner with Bishop last night, first dinner with Bishop haha!!
At church however during sacrament meeting one of our elderly members starting puking after he said the sacrament prayer. He was sitting behind the bench holding a bag and it just kept coming. Needless to say sacrament was delayed for a few minutes while everyone crowded around the poor guy in the corner, obviously not giving him air! Then they picked up his chair and carried him out of the Chapel and downstairs to a members vehicle and took him to the hospital! Talk about a crazy event in the middle of church! I've never had that happen before!
This week we extended quite a few baptismal dates for Dec. 25! What a great Christmas gift! Hopefully they all work out! Most of them however didn't come to church yesterday so that was a bummer, but it's still possible! We have a new investigator named JellyAnn who came to church last week with her best friend who is less active. She has a lot of questions and seems pretty interested! And it's great because she already has a friend in the church who is less active so we can teach both of them at the same time! She also has a really good singing voice. She sang for us at one of our lessons, it was pretty impressive, especially since most Filipinos can't sing very well haha!!
Also our zone leaders have been staying at out apartment the last 2 nights because the plumbing in their apartment is broken and needs to be fixed so the Couple Missionaries picked them with all their stuff and bought them over the other night. And last night the power went off right before it was time for bed, so it was SUPER HOT all night, so hard to sleep when you're hot and sweaty! And then the power came back on literally 5 minutes after we woke up! Talk about bad timing!
Well that's pretty much the news for this week! My favorite scripture for the week has been 2 Nephi 9:52. Our Heavenly Father asks us to remember the words of our God, we can do this by daily scripture study! And to pray unto him daily offering thanks for all that he does for us! I invite each of you to continue to do this as I'm sure most of you do this anyways! I just really like this scripture because it emphasizes the importance of doing it daily!
I love you all! Have a wonderful week, and Thanksgiving!
-Elder Walters
Just doing a lil shaving.
Elder Cruz got bored so he doodled on my foot!
So this week was pretty good! We had some good things happen at church and then also something kind of different! Yesterday we had a new Bishopric called!!! YEAAA!! Thankfully. In my entire 4 months of being our bishop had been here for a whole week and a half. He's been working in Manila the whole time. Talk about hard to accomplish things without a bishop. And talk about frustrating for the ward because they had no budget the entire time! It's kinda hard to have exchanges with the Bishopric when the bishop is gone and the counselors don't do anything haha. I'm so excited tho! Our bishop seems kind of nervous, but I imagine anyone would be when given that new responsibility! Should be a great new start! But who knows, I could be transferred in another week and not get to experience it anyways! I'm so excited to have a new Bishopric you don't even know! We even had dinner with Bishop last night, first dinner with Bishop haha!!
At church however during sacrament meeting one of our elderly members starting puking after he said the sacrament prayer. He was sitting behind the bench holding a bag and it just kept coming. Needless to say sacrament was delayed for a few minutes while everyone crowded around the poor guy in the corner, obviously not giving him air! Then they picked up his chair and carried him out of the Chapel and downstairs to a members vehicle and took him to the hospital! Talk about a crazy event in the middle of church! I've never had that happen before!
This week we extended quite a few baptismal dates for Dec. 25! What a great Christmas gift! Hopefully they all work out! Most of them however didn't come to church yesterday so that was a bummer, but it's still possible! We have a new investigator named JellyAnn who came to church last week with her best friend who is less active. She has a lot of questions and seems pretty interested! And it's great because she already has a friend in the church who is less active so we can teach both of them at the same time! She also has a really good singing voice. She sang for us at one of our lessons, it was pretty impressive, especially since most Filipinos can't sing very well haha!!
Also our zone leaders have been staying at out apartment the last 2 nights because the plumbing in their apartment is broken and needs to be fixed so the Couple Missionaries picked them with all their stuff and bought them over the other night. And last night the power went off right before it was time for bed, so it was SUPER HOT all night, so hard to sleep when you're hot and sweaty! And then the power came back on literally 5 minutes after we woke up! Talk about bad timing!
Well that's pretty much the news for this week! My favorite scripture for the week has been 2 Nephi 9:52. Our Heavenly Father asks us to remember the words of our God, we can do this by daily scripture study! And to pray unto him daily offering thanks for all that he does for us! I invite each of you to continue to do this as I'm sure most of you do this anyways! I just really like this scripture because it emphasizes the importance of doing it daily!
I love you all! Have a wonderful week, and Thanksgiving!
-Elder Walters
Thursday, November 14, 2013
11.11.13
Maayong Aga halin sa Pilipinas!
Well for anyone who heard the knew that the Philippines was it by a terrible Super Typhoon, that of course is true. Many Islands have experienced quite a bit of damage, many people lost there homes, and many people are probably still without power and communication. You all probably have more access to that information than I do! But as for the missionaries here in the Bacolod Mission, we are all safe and sound! Here in my zone it's as if nothing ever happened, but other areas in my mission we hit pretty badly so please keep them in your prayers, as for the rest of the Philippines as well. These peoples homes are not the American Standard, many of them are made of bamboo and tin, very poorly constructed and many were destroyed. Please pray for the health and safety, these people are amazing!!
As I said it's as if nothing ever happened here in Valladolid. We had strong winds and strong rain for maybe 30 minutes. I was expecting a lot more damage and a lot stronger of a storm to hit us, but our prayers and your prayers were answered. We are all safe and free from damage! Thank so much for your love and prayers, they mean a lot, even when we don't experience such calamities as this!
So this week not a whole go accomplished. We were informed Wednesday of the impending Typhoon and were told to prepare ourselves that night. We needed to make sure we had enough food and water and candles and everything to survive without power. Then all day Thursday and Friday we were cooped up in our apartment. We spent quite a bit of time studying, cleaning, and putting up Christmas Decorations :) ! It was honestly quite boring, but I know that by following the counsel of our Mission President and staying inside that we were blessed and protected from all the Devastation of Typhoon Yolanda. And also know that all of your prayers went a long way as well. The Lord is mindful of all of us!
So Sunday morning as we were getting ready to leave for Church, I had this strange prompting that I should take my Preach My Gospel manual with me to church. Something I haven't done once since I got here. I don't know why, but I decided to listen and to take it with me. Lo and behold when we get to church both Elder Cruz and I are asked to speak in Sacrament meeting because we had no assigned speakers, and then after Sacrament meeting Elder Cruz was asked to teach the Gospel Doctrine class. Good thing I brought my PMG with me otherwise it would've been a little rough. Just one of those moments you're glad for the promptings of the Spirit, and the fact that you heard them and listened!
Once again I'm so thankful for all of your love, support, and prayers it means so much to me to hear that everyone is thinking of us!
I love all of you!
-Elder Walters
Well for anyone who heard the knew that the Philippines was it by a terrible Super Typhoon, that of course is true. Many Islands have experienced quite a bit of damage, many people lost there homes, and many people are probably still without power and communication. You all probably have more access to that information than I do! But as for the missionaries here in the Bacolod Mission, we are all safe and sound! Here in my zone it's as if nothing ever happened, but other areas in my mission we hit pretty badly so please keep them in your prayers, as for the rest of the Philippines as well. These peoples homes are not the American Standard, many of them are made of bamboo and tin, very poorly constructed and many were destroyed. Please pray for the health and safety, these people are amazing!!
As I said it's as if nothing ever happened here in Valladolid. We had strong winds and strong rain for maybe 30 minutes. I was expecting a lot more damage and a lot stronger of a storm to hit us, but our prayers and your prayers were answered. We are all safe and free from damage! Thank so much for your love and prayers, they mean a lot, even when we don't experience such calamities as this!
So this week not a whole go accomplished. We were informed Wednesday of the impending Typhoon and were told to prepare ourselves that night. We needed to make sure we had enough food and water and candles and everything to survive without power. Then all day Thursday and Friday we were cooped up in our apartment. We spent quite a bit of time studying, cleaning, and putting up Christmas Decorations :) ! It was honestly quite boring, but I know that by following the counsel of our Mission President and staying inside that we were blessed and protected from all the Devastation of Typhoon Yolanda. And also know that all of your prayers went a long way as well. The Lord is mindful of all of us!
So Sunday morning as we were getting ready to leave for Church, I had this strange prompting that I should take my Preach My Gospel manual with me to church. Something I haven't done once since I got here. I don't know why, but I decided to listen and to take it with me. Lo and behold when we get to church both Elder Cruz and I are asked to speak in Sacrament meeting because we had no assigned speakers, and then after Sacrament meeting Elder Cruz was asked to teach the Gospel Doctrine class. Good thing I brought my PMG with me otherwise it would've been a little rough. Just one of those moments you're glad for the promptings of the Spirit, and the fact that you heard them and listened!
Once again I'm so thankful for all of your love, support, and prayers it means so much to me to hear that everyone is thinking of us!
I love all of you!
-Elder Walters
Saturday, November 9, 2013
11.4.13
All Saints Day
So November 1st here is a holiday called All Saints Day. All the Cemeteries here are very different from back home. Peoples graves are mostly all above ground. So on October 31 people come and clean up the cemetery and paint the vaults where their loved ones are buried. We were able to visit with them and offer a prayer for some families, and to help some members of our ward clean and paint their families vaults. Then on November 1st everyone comes to the cemetery and just hangs out with their family. Everyone lights candles and places them on the graves and just hangs out, it was kinda cool to be there with some members of our ward.
November 1st was also the birthday of Nanay Advincula so we were invited to have lunch with them, and to have dinner with them on November 1st, and they fed us dinner on October 31st, and what do you know they also fed us last night. I just love that family. Nanay's daughter Che lives in Arizona with her Husband and 2 kids but she has been here for the last 7 months so it's been really nice to communicate with her in English. Unfortunately she goes back to Arizona on the 18th so that'll be weird when they leave.
We had an awesome opportunity to have a meeting with Elder Neil L. Andersen, L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy, Ian S. Ardern and Larry J. Echo Hawk of the Seventy and Philippines Area Presidency this past Saturday in Talisay. Our entire mission was there and there was also a ton of youth and single adults of all of Negros Occidental as well. It was crazy. Elder Andersen talked a lot of the helping efforts of the Church after the Earthquake and how as members we have a responsibility to help our fellow brothers and sisters and all that we do. We should always be ready and willing to give of our time to assist those in need. The Church provides the resources, we just need to give freely of our time to help those in need. And in return those efforts are a perfect way for us to share the gospel and perfect finding opportunities when we are in the service of our fellow man.
Also yesterday for church Elder Echo Hawk came to our Stake. It was probably one of the coolest church meetings I have ever attended. The Spirit that he brought was amazing, and the stories and experiences he shared were awesome. He shared of his conversion story, and his experience working for President Obama before being called to serve as a General Authority for the rest of his life, it was crazy I can't fully explain it. Then at one point he asked the congregation, "Do you know that there are angels among us today?" Then he paused for second and asked it again. Then he asked for all of us full-time missionaries to stand, and he said that we were the angels among them. I felt so inadequate yet so overwhelmed with happiness at the same time it was so weird. Multiple times throughout his message I almost began to cry, the Spirit was just so strong. And I am not one to usually cry in instances like that, I just can't explain to you how amazing that meeting was I just wish all of you could've been there with me!!
Crazy story to end my message today. This morning I was in my first "tricycle accident!" haha I saw it coming though so it didn't really bother me. The tricycle we were on slammed on its brakes behind a bus, and the tricycle behind us reacted too late and slammed on his but slid into the back of ours because the road was damp. I turned around and saw it coming though so I wasn't affected! Just a fun story to tell everyone!
I love all of you! Hope you have an amazing week and always remember to thank the Lord for the wonderful blessings and lives that we have!
Halong Kamo,
-Elder Walters
So November 1st here is a holiday called All Saints Day. All the Cemeteries here are very different from back home. Peoples graves are mostly all above ground. So on October 31 people come and clean up the cemetery and paint the vaults where their loved ones are buried. We were able to visit with them and offer a prayer for some families, and to help some members of our ward clean and paint their families vaults. Then on November 1st everyone comes to the cemetery and just hangs out with their family. Everyone lights candles and places them on the graves and just hangs out, it was kinda cool to be there with some members of our ward.
November 1st was also the birthday of Nanay Advincula so we were invited to have lunch with them, and to have dinner with them on November 1st, and they fed us dinner on October 31st, and what do you know they also fed us last night. I just love that family. Nanay's daughter Che lives in Arizona with her Husband and 2 kids but she has been here for the last 7 months so it's been really nice to communicate with her in English. Unfortunately she goes back to Arizona on the 18th so that'll be weird when they leave.
We had an awesome opportunity to have a meeting with Elder Neil L. Andersen, L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy, Ian S. Ardern and Larry J. Echo Hawk of the Seventy and Philippines Area Presidency this past Saturday in Talisay. Our entire mission was there and there was also a ton of youth and single adults of all of Negros Occidental as well. It was crazy. Elder Andersen talked a lot of the helping efforts of the Church after the Earthquake and how as members we have a responsibility to help our fellow brothers and sisters and all that we do. We should always be ready and willing to give of our time to assist those in need. The Church provides the resources, we just need to give freely of our time to help those in need. And in return those efforts are a perfect way for us to share the gospel and perfect finding opportunities when we are in the service of our fellow man.
Also yesterday for church Elder Echo Hawk came to our Stake. It was probably one of the coolest church meetings I have ever attended. The Spirit that he brought was amazing, and the stories and experiences he shared were awesome. He shared of his conversion story, and his experience working for President Obama before being called to serve as a General Authority for the rest of his life, it was crazy I can't fully explain it. Then at one point he asked the congregation, "Do you know that there are angels among us today?" Then he paused for second and asked it again. Then he asked for all of us full-time missionaries to stand, and he said that we were the angels among them. I felt so inadequate yet so overwhelmed with happiness at the same time it was so weird. Multiple times throughout his message I almost began to cry, the Spirit was just so strong. And I am not one to usually cry in instances like that, I just can't explain to you how amazing that meeting was I just wish all of you could've been there with me!!
Crazy story to end my message today. This morning I was in my first "tricycle accident!" haha I saw it coming though so it didn't really bother me. The tricycle we were on slammed on its brakes behind a bus, and the tricycle behind us reacted too late and slammed on his but slid into the back of ours because the road was damp. I turned around and saw it coming though so I wasn't affected! Just a fun story to tell everyone!
I love all of you! Hope you have an amazing week and always remember to thank the Lord for the wonderful blessings and lives that we have!
Halong Kamo,
-Elder Walters
Monday, October 28, 2013
10.28.13
My First Baptism!
So this past Friday I had my first baptism of my mission! As well as my life! Like I said last week it was kind of rough when they went for their interview and Elder Solis wasn't there, and unfortunately Elder Solis was transferred this past week so I was nervous as to what would take place at their baptism without him. It's still hard for me to tell when Erica and Angelica are joking because I still don't fully understand everything and it's hard to judge sarcasm in a different language, but when it came time for their baptism they were both super excited! We got to the church however and we had no presiding authority, so that was kind of rough. Then we ran out of texting on our phone too so that was even more exciting! We eventually had someone show up so we could start the baptism! It was so much fun, and I loved seeing the smiles on their faces! I was also able to baptize a girl who is probably about 14 years old named Ruby Anne for the Sisters in Bago. After the service, she came and shook my hand and said "Thank You" in just the softest and sweetest voice ever. It kinda hit me. I didn't teach her, but I was able to baptize her and help her open the door to the Kingdom of God! It was kind of a cool moment.
After the baptism I was going through the pictures on my camera and I was deleting some pictures that the kids had taken and the button skipped and I accidentally pushed delete all pictures on this date. So I lost all the pictures from the baptism :( However the next day the primary had an activity at the church and I had to baptize for some sisters in our District so we just went back to the church and dressed back up and took some more pictures. Talk about a fun adventure for your first baptism. I can't really imagine what Erica and Angelica were thinking!!
I have a new companion this transfer, his name is Elder Cruz. He is from Manila, but was born in Bago City which is what stake we are a part of here. It's really cool because quite a few people remember him. He lived in Bago until was 6 years old. He's been out on his mission for 8 months, but he has only served in Cebuano speaking areas, and he doesn't really remember Ilonggo from his childhood, so our teaching is fun. We have Ilonggo, Cebauno, English, and probably some Tagalog thrown in there as well! I don't really know because I don't really understand much of other languages, and for all I know it could still be Ilonggo and I have just never heard it before lol.
Well, nothing else too crazy happened this week. Well I mean our bishop came back from Manila finally. He left in June for work and just got back on the 24th. However he goes back to Manila on Nov. 2. So it's kinda rough without a Bishop. Hopefully something changes there! Oh and this Saturday Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is coming to our mission. I'm so excited to listen and learn from him!
Love,
Elder Walters
So this past Friday I had my first baptism of my mission! As well as my life! Like I said last week it was kind of rough when they went for their interview and Elder Solis wasn't there, and unfortunately Elder Solis was transferred this past week so I was nervous as to what would take place at their baptism without him. It's still hard for me to tell when Erica and Angelica are joking because I still don't fully understand everything and it's hard to judge sarcasm in a different language, but when it came time for their baptism they were both super excited! We got to the church however and we had no presiding authority, so that was kind of rough. Then we ran out of texting on our phone too so that was even more exciting! We eventually had someone show up so we could start the baptism! It was so much fun, and I loved seeing the smiles on their faces! I was also able to baptize a girl who is probably about 14 years old named Ruby Anne for the Sisters in Bago. After the service, she came and shook my hand and said "Thank You" in just the softest and sweetest voice ever. It kinda hit me. I didn't teach her, but I was able to baptize her and help her open the door to the Kingdom of God! It was kind of a cool moment.
After the baptism I was going through the pictures on my camera and I was deleting some pictures that the kids had taken and the button skipped and I accidentally pushed delete all pictures on this date. So I lost all the pictures from the baptism :( However the next day the primary had an activity at the church and I had to baptize for some sisters in our District so we just went back to the church and dressed back up and took some more pictures. Talk about a fun adventure for your first baptism. I can't really imagine what Erica and Angelica were thinking!!
I have a new companion this transfer, his name is Elder Cruz. He is from Manila, but was born in Bago City which is what stake we are a part of here. It's really cool because quite a few people remember him. He lived in Bago until was 6 years old. He's been out on his mission for 8 months, but he has only served in Cebuano speaking areas, and he doesn't really remember Ilonggo from his childhood, so our teaching is fun. We have Ilonggo, Cebauno, English, and probably some Tagalog thrown in there as well! I don't really know because I don't really understand much of other languages, and for all I know it could still be Ilonggo and I have just never heard it before lol.
Well, nothing else too crazy happened this week. Well I mean our bishop came back from Manila finally. He left in June for work and just got back on the 24th. However he goes back to Manila on Nov. 2. So it's kinda rough without a Bishop. Hopefully something changes there! Oh and this Saturday Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is coming to our mission. I'm so excited to listen and learn from him!
Love,
Elder Walters
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
10.21.13
Excited gid ako!
Malipay gid ako nga nagasulat sa inyo sa sini nga aga!
So this week was pretty great! We had our Mission Tour on Wednesday with Elder Brent H. Nielson of the First Quorum of The Seventy, who is also the Philippines Area President. It was really cool to be able to listen and learn from him! He seemed to know everything, as I imagine every General Authority does.
His wife shared a message with us about her family and all their relationships between one another. She spoke of who of their 6 children and all their spouses that not everyone is the same. Everyone likes different things, and new members of the family aren't the same as the old ones. Her main message was that everyone isn't a Nielson, and not everyone has to be in order to fit in and be loved in her family. She related that message to our missionary companionship. For me, not everyone is a Walters. My companions certainly aren't me, and they aren't my family either. They are my companion and we are on the same team. They may be from Las Vegas, or Mandaluyong, it doesn't matter. I need to get over any differences we may have, and realize that we are both here for the same purpose. To bring others closer to our Heavenly Father. It was really a cool way that she shared this message with us!
Also this week we had the opportunity to have two of our Investigators interviewed for Baptism. I was on a member exchange with Hugo Evangelio when we picked them up and took them to the Church for the interview. They were really excited, but they wondered where Elder Solis was. I told them he was going to meet us at the Church for the interview too when the Zone Leaders came. However when it came time to start, Elder Solis never came back, and Elder Leng was also on a member exchange when he showed up for the interview. Both girls became very nervous and didn't want to go in the room. It was really difficult to get it started, but eventually they went in and they passed! Their baptism is this Friday and all of us are super excited! It will be my first opportunity to baptize someone! I'm really excited! Now let's just hope neither one of us gets transferred on Wednesday!!!
As most of you have also heard, there was an Eathquake here on Tuesday morning. The Epicenter was an Island or two to our East on the Island of Bohol. It registered at 7.2 for them, and also caused some damage in Cebu. Here on our Island it only registered at a 4.5 and didn't really cause any standing damage. All missionaries are safe and accounted for! As soon as something like that happens, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve calls the Area President, who calls the Mission Presidents, who then calls his Zone Leaders and it trickles down to each missionary companionship until all are accounted for. In less than one hour it was determined that all missionaries were safe, I'm very grateful for the organization of our church! It happened at about 8am and I was in the bathroom when all our water buckets started splashing everywhere and the room felt like it was tilting and shaking everywhere! I was really nervous at first as to what was happening. The shaking lasting for probably about 20 seconds or so. I walked out and asked Elder Solis what just happened, and he just nonchalantly replied, "It was an Earthquake." Apparently it's just no big deal to him! It was a cool thing to experience and we are safe so that makes it even better!
I'm still enjoying myself over here! I love and pray for each and every one of you often! Thanks for all of your love and support! :)
Halong Kamo Ahh,
-Elder Walters
Malipay gid ako nga nagasulat sa inyo sa sini nga aga!
So this week was pretty great! We had our Mission Tour on Wednesday with Elder Brent H. Nielson of the First Quorum of The Seventy, who is also the Philippines Area President. It was really cool to be able to listen and learn from him! He seemed to know everything, as I imagine every General Authority does.
His wife shared a message with us about her family and all their relationships between one another. She spoke of who of their 6 children and all their spouses that not everyone is the same. Everyone likes different things, and new members of the family aren't the same as the old ones. Her main message was that everyone isn't a Nielson, and not everyone has to be in order to fit in and be loved in her family. She related that message to our missionary companionship. For me, not everyone is a Walters. My companions certainly aren't me, and they aren't my family either. They are my companion and we are on the same team. They may be from Las Vegas, or Mandaluyong, it doesn't matter. I need to get over any differences we may have, and realize that we are both here for the same purpose. To bring others closer to our Heavenly Father. It was really a cool way that she shared this message with us!
Also this week we had the opportunity to have two of our Investigators interviewed for Baptism. I was on a member exchange with Hugo Evangelio when we picked them up and took them to the Church for the interview. They were really excited, but they wondered where Elder Solis was. I told them he was going to meet us at the Church for the interview too when the Zone Leaders came. However when it came time to start, Elder Solis never came back, and Elder Leng was also on a member exchange when he showed up for the interview. Both girls became very nervous and didn't want to go in the room. It was really difficult to get it started, but eventually they went in and they passed! Their baptism is this Friday and all of us are super excited! It will be my first opportunity to baptize someone! I'm really excited! Now let's just hope neither one of us gets transferred on Wednesday!!!
As most of you have also heard, there was an Eathquake here on Tuesday morning. The Epicenter was an Island or two to our East on the Island of Bohol. It registered at 7.2 for them, and also caused some damage in Cebu. Here on our Island it only registered at a 4.5 and didn't really cause any standing damage. All missionaries are safe and accounted for! As soon as something like that happens, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve calls the Area President, who calls the Mission Presidents, who then calls his Zone Leaders and it trickles down to each missionary companionship until all are accounted for. In less than one hour it was determined that all missionaries were safe, I'm very grateful for the organization of our church! It happened at about 8am and I was in the bathroom when all our water buckets started splashing everywhere and the room felt like it was tilting and shaking everywhere! I was really nervous at first as to what was happening. The shaking lasting for probably about 20 seconds or so. I walked out and asked Elder Solis what just happened, and he just nonchalantly replied, "It was an Earthquake." Apparently it's just no big deal to him! It was a cool thing to experience and we are safe so that makes it even better!
I'm still enjoying myself over here! I love and pray for each and every one of you often! Thanks for all of your love and support! :)
Halong Kamo Ahh,
-Elder Walters
10.14.13
General Conference Week
Hello everyone! Glad to be back at this computer sharing my experiences once again! Probably one of the most exciting days of the week. Not that teaching isn't exciting, but that I get to share my life and adventures with those I love! :)
So this week was pretty good just like last week. Our efforts and our numbers here in the Valladolid Ward continue to grow each week. We are so close to have a baptism this month and I am so excited. Last week we walked to church with Erica and Angelica and this week we needed help from members to get them to Bago to watch General Conference. I don't know if they learned anything since it's hard for them to understand English, but they have great faith and desire to go to Church in the first place!
One of my favorite talks from this Conference was Elder Holland's talk. At first it seemed kind of odd to me, but by the time he finished it really hit me. As humans here on Earth we are in a fallen state. We are subject to disease and illness and all other trials and tribulations. What we need to remember is that our pain and suffering is temporary. We will one day return to live with our Heavenly Father in a perfect glorified state! And then end of his talk he started to get a little choked up talking about how we will all receive our glorified bodies in the next life and how glorious a time that will be to be with our loved ones. At that exact time all that came in to mind were my last images of my beloved Grandmothers. I had an overwhelming feeling of peace and comfort knowing that one day I will be able to see the two of them in a perfect glorified and beautiful state with bright smiles on their faces. Both of them had their struggles in life, and we all will at some point. Perfection does not come in this life, but the next. I cannot wait for that wonderful day to see those I love, especially those who struggled in this life, in the next life, like my dear Grandmothers.
I know that the Plan of Salvation is real. Our purpose here in Earth is to learn how to become better and to prepare to return to live with our Heavenly Father again., and even to struggle along the way. Life isn't easy, we have our trials and our challenges. That's all part of the Plan. How are we going to react? As President Uchtdorf said repeatedly in his Priesthood Session talk, "Rise Up." We can always rise up and become better. And one day after we've done all we can we will return to our Heavenly Father and live in perfection with those we love! I love all of you and want to thank you for your love, prayers, and support! You're an amazing family, and amazing friends!
Love,
-Elder Walters
Hello everyone! Glad to be back at this computer sharing my experiences once again! Probably one of the most exciting days of the week. Not that teaching isn't exciting, but that I get to share my life and adventures with those I love! :)
So this week was pretty good just like last week. Our efforts and our numbers here in the Valladolid Ward continue to grow each week. We are so close to have a baptism this month and I am so excited. Last week we walked to church with Erica and Angelica and this week we needed help from members to get them to Bago to watch General Conference. I don't know if they learned anything since it's hard for them to understand English, but they have great faith and desire to go to Church in the first place!
One of my favorite talks from this Conference was Elder Holland's talk. At first it seemed kind of odd to me, but by the time he finished it really hit me. As humans here on Earth we are in a fallen state. We are subject to disease and illness and all other trials and tribulations. What we need to remember is that our pain and suffering is temporary. We will one day return to live with our Heavenly Father in a perfect glorified state! And then end of his talk he started to get a little choked up talking about how we will all receive our glorified bodies in the next life and how glorious a time that will be to be with our loved ones. At that exact time all that came in to mind were my last images of my beloved Grandmothers. I had an overwhelming feeling of peace and comfort knowing that one day I will be able to see the two of them in a perfect glorified and beautiful state with bright smiles on their faces. Both of them had their struggles in life, and we all will at some point. Perfection does not come in this life, but the next. I cannot wait for that wonderful day to see those I love, especially those who struggled in this life, in the next life, like my dear Grandmothers.
I know that the Plan of Salvation is real. Our purpose here in Earth is to learn how to become better and to prepare to return to live with our Heavenly Father again., and even to struggle along the way. Life isn't easy, we have our trials and our challenges. That's all part of the Plan. How are we going to react? As President Uchtdorf said repeatedly in his Priesthood Session talk, "Rise Up." We can always rise up and become better. And one day after we've done all we can we will return to our Heavenly Father and live in perfection with those we love! I love all of you and want to thank you for your love, prayers, and support! You're an amazing family, and amazing friends!
Love,
-Elder Walters
Sunday, October 6, 2013
10.7.13
Welcome to October Everyone
Maayong gab-i sa inyo tanan,
Aga di, pero para sa inyo gab-i da! (It's morning here, but for you it's evening there.)
This was a pretty eventful week here. Got to go to Bacolod 3 times this week. First on p-day, then again on Thursday for July Arrivals follow-up training, and then again on Saturday to be fingerprinted in order to receive exit clearance from the Philippines at the end of my mission. Then we had our Zone Training Meeting on Wednesday and President Lopez attended. I also was invited to conduct that meeting. Cool experience!
Just think in about 2 weeks I will no longer be a trainee. Seems like just yesterday I was riding my first bus from the mission office to Valladolid, and soon I will no longer be a newbee, even though there is already another batch here that's newer than me! It it's crazy because I still remember being dropped off at the MTC. Crazy how time flies when you're spreading the good word! :)
So at our Zone Training Meeting like some of you know I had the opportunity to teach in front of the Zone with Elder Solis. We had an actual Less-Active member come and we taught about repentance. We had a few minutes to prepare, but we had no idea that we were going to be doing this. Usually in situations like that my face gets beat red and I'm super nervous, but this time I was totally fine. Didn't turn red, wasn't nervous, spoke Ilonggo, and President was even videotaping us.
We had 2 Investigators at church yesterday. Erica and Angelica. They are sisters and they are 9 and 11 years old. We teach them at the home of a member, and they are always excited when we come over and sad when we leave! So that's a good sign. They have accepted the invitation to be baptized on Octopber 26th and their guardian gave them his permission as well and was super friendly and nice to talk to. Hopefully we can stick to that plan. They didn't have money to get a ride to the Church yesterday, so we told them we'd meet them by their house and walk with them. Took us 30 minutes to walk to the church, and it was really fun. Sometimes you have to do difficult things to do what's right!
I love you all and still can't wait to receive your packages! :) It's like having 2 birthdays! Thanks again! And I get to watch General Conference this weekend so I'm excited for that as well!!!
-Elder Walters
Elder Walters & Elder Solis
Family Week Celebration
Birthday Boys (Hugo)
Birthday Party with the Evangelio Family
After Church
Just lookin' good like always ;)
Look familar?
Elder Perez drew our Zone.
That's Elder Solis and me!
Visiting the Valenzuela Family
Bago District
Maayong gab-i sa inyo tanan,
Aga di, pero para sa inyo gab-i da! (It's morning here, but for you it's evening there.)
This was a pretty eventful week here. Got to go to Bacolod 3 times this week. First on p-day, then again on Thursday for July Arrivals follow-up training, and then again on Saturday to be fingerprinted in order to receive exit clearance from the Philippines at the end of my mission. Then we had our Zone Training Meeting on Wednesday and President Lopez attended. I also was invited to conduct that meeting. Cool experience!
Just think in about 2 weeks I will no longer be a trainee. Seems like just yesterday I was riding my first bus from the mission office to Valladolid, and soon I will no longer be a newbee, even though there is already another batch here that's newer than me! It it's crazy because I still remember being dropped off at the MTC. Crazy how time flies when you're spreading the good word! :)
So at our Zone Training Meeting like some of you know I had the opportunity to teach in front of the Zone with Elder Solis. We had an actual Less-Active member come and we taught about repentance. We had a few minutes to prepare, but we had no idea that we were going to be doing this. Usually in situations like that my face gets beat red and I'm super nervous, but this time I was totally fine. Didn't turn red, wasn't nervous, spoke Ilonggo, and President was even videotaping us.
We had 2 Investigators at church yesterday. Erica and Angelica. They are sisters and they are 9 and 11 years old. We teach them at the home of a member, and they are always excited when we come over and sad when we leave! So that's a good sign. They have accepted the invitation to be baptized on Octopber 26th and their guardian gave them his permission as well and was super friendly and nice to talk to. Hopefully we can stick to that plan. They didn't have money to get a ride to the Church yesterday, so we told them we'd meet them by their house and walk with them. Took us 30 minutes to walk to the church, and it was really fun. Sometimes you have to do difficult things to do what's right!
I love you all and still can't wait to receive your packages! :) It's like having 2 birthdays! Thanks again! And I get to watch General Conference this weekend so I'm excited for that as well!!!
-Elder Walters
Friday, October 4, 2013
9.30.13
Birthday Week
Maayong Aga sa Inyo Tanan,
So this was a pretty good week. First off, I have a new companion. Elder Hawk was emergency transferred on Thursday morning. We received the call on Wednesday night at 10:30 short notice, and then the power went out so it was a pretty good night haha. So Wednesday morning we rode up to Bacolod and got me my new companion. His name is Elder Solis (pronounced more like Solace, not Mr.Solis haha) he's from Mandeluyong, close to Manila. It's been great with him hear because I feel like my language will improve much faster with a Filipino rather than an American companion. I can honestly say that in the last few days it has. I've had to lead the area, which means I have to talk, so I've been talking a whole lot more since Elder Hawk left, and it's been pretty awesome! I've kinda reached that point where I feel comfortable trying to talk to people and I'm not really that embarrassed anymore when I don't understand their response. I mean I still don't understand a lot, but I'm doing a lot better! Elder Solis teaches me Ilonggo, and I teach him English, so it's a good companionship! I like it already. He's a great missionary and always has a smile on his face, I love it!
So this week we got 6 new investigators!! They are all kids from the age of 9-12. We've taught them 3 times this week, and they are always excited to see us. 3 of them came to church so that was awesome too! We had a total of 4 investigators at church, the other being Jona (the deaf girl).
On Saturday for my brithday, first we went way out to Jona's house and tried to show her the Restoration video in ASL, but her DVD player didn't work, after that we went to our Stake Center for a family day celebration and then after that we returned home and got some lessons in. Then we were able to go to the Evangelio families home to celebrate my birthday. It was also Dan Hugo's birthday as well on Saturday. He turned 18. It was really cool to be able to share our Birthday. I wish the internet was working so I could show you pictures but it's being really slow.
I'm running out of time, so that's going to have to be my message for the day. I loved hearing from all of you, and I especially want to thank you for the Birthday Wishes. I love you and appreciate all that you do for me!
Love,
-Elder Walters
Maayong Aga sa Inyo Tanan,
So this was a pretty good week. First off, I have a new companion. Elder Hawk was emergency transferred on Thursday morning. We received the call on Wednesday night at 10:30 short notice, and then the power went out so it was a pretty good night haha. So Wednesday morning we rode up to Bacolod and got me my new companion. His name is Elder Solis (pronounced more like Solace, not Mr.Solis haha) he's from Mandeluyong, close to Manila. It's been great with him hear because I feel like my language will improve much faster with a Filipino rather than an American companion. I can honestly say that in the last few days it has. I've had to lead the area, which means I have to talk, so I've been talking a whole lot more since Elder Hawk left, and it's been pretty awesome! I've kinda reached that point where I feel comfortable trying to talk to people and I'm not really that embarrassed anymore when I don't understand their response. I mean I still don't understand a lot, but I'm doing a lot better! Elder Solis teaches me Ilonggo, and I teach him English, so it's a good companionship! I like it already. He's a great missionary and always has a smile on his face, I love it!
So this week we got 6 new investigators!! They are all kids from the age of 9-12. We've taught them 3 times this week, and they are always excited to see us. 3 of them came to church so that was awesome too! We had a total of 4 investigators at church, the other being Jona (the deaf girl).
On Saturday for my brithday, first we went way out to Jona's house and tried to show her the Restoration video in ASL, but her DVD player didn't work, after that we went to our Stake Center for a family day celebration and then after that we returned home and got some lessons in. Then we were able to go to the Evangelio families home to celebrate my birthday. It was also Dan Hugo's birthday as well on Saturday. He turned 18. It was really cool to be able to share our Birthday. I wish the internet was working so I could show you pictures but it's being really slow.
I'm running out of time, so that's going to have to be my message for the day. I loved hearing from all of you, and I especially want to thank you for the Birthday Wishes. I love you and appreciate all that you do for me!
Love,
-Elder Walters
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
9.23.13
Maayong gab-i sa inyo tanan,
So this past week was pretty awesome!! We had our Zone Conference up in Bacolod on Wednesday. So Tuesday afternoon we went up to Bacolod and were assigned to stay with missionaries in Bacolod and to work with them for that night so we could be to the Church at 7:30 for breakfast. It was pretty cool to be in the City. Out here in Valladolid it's mostly country. Lot's of rice fields and tubo fields (sugar cane) so walking around in the city and riding a lot of Jeepney's is always fun!
We got to stay with the Office Elders and they were in the Office til about 7. We got to the office at 4 like we were told and then just waited for them, and then they had a Dinner appointment with some members. It's always fun to meet new people in different places! We had Pork Lechon, Chicken Adobo, and Shrimp for dinner. (Shrimp that still have the head on them gross me out.)
Zone Conference was pretty sweet. Even though when it was my turn to give an answer I totally blew it and answered some totally other question, it's all good tho only half the mission heard me screw up, it's no big deal. Haha Zone Conference was pretty sweet tho. My favorite part was the very end. President Lopez showed us a video with commentary from President Eyring and Elder Holland. I believe the commentary was taken from the New Mission President's Seminar from sometime. But Elder Holland was talking about how a mission isn't easy. Things aren't going to always go according to plan, we will get rejected, and we will have down times. But what he said after that was amazing. He said "Salvation never was, and never will be easy." He also said to the Mission President's that when times get hard for your missionaries, remind them of this, and remind them that when times get hard and when they are rejected, that they are standing shoulder to shoulder with the only Perfect Missionary to walk this Earth. That quote right there just hit me. We are standing shoulder to shoulder with Christ. We will never be perfect like him, but we just may endure some hard times just like him. Not quite as extreme, but just remember that he went through the same things, on a far greater scale!
So this week's work was pretty slow with being in Bacolod for like 2 whole days, but Zone Conference was pretty awesome and made me want to be even better. I've implemented some of the Study ideas that the AP's shared with us about Personal and Language study and I can see the impact already! We also received 2 more potential investigators last night, so that was pretty awesome too!
I love all of you guys! I hope that life is just as great back in the USA as I remember! :)
-Elder Walters
Just doing a lil Online Proselyting in the Bishop's Office.
Scripture Box Liwat
It was raining pretty good at the Stake Center. Lost Power a couple times!
So this past week was pretty awesome!! We had our Zone Conference up in Bacolod on Wednesday. So Tuesday afternoon we went up to Bacolod and were assigned to stay with missionaries in Bacolod and to work with them for that night so we could be to the Church at 7:30 for breakfast. It was pretty cool to be in the City. Out here in Valladolid it's mostly country. Lot's of rice fields and tubo fields (sugar cane) so walking around in the city and riding a lot of Jeepney's is always fun!
We got to stay with the Office Elders and they were in the Office til about 7. We got to the office at 4 like we were told and then just waited for them, and then they had a Dinner appointment with some members. It's always fun to meet new people in different places! We had Pork Lechon, Chicken Adobo, and Shrimp for dinner. (Shrimp that still have the head on them gross me out.)
Zone Conference was pretty sweet. Even though when it was my turn to give an answer I totally blew it and answered some totally other question, it's all good tho only half the mission heard me screw up, it's no big deal. Haha Zone Conference was pretty sweet tho. My favorite part was the very end. President Lopez showed us a video with commentary from President Eyring and Elder Holland. I believe the commentary was taken from the New Mission President's Seminar from sometime. But Elder Holland was talking about how a mission isn't easy. Things aren't going to always go according to plan, we will get rejected, and we will have down times. But what he said after that was amazing. He said "Salvation never was, and never will be easy." He also said to the Mission President's that when times get hard for your missionaries, remind them of this, and remind them that when times get hard and when they are rejected, that they are standing shoulder to shoulder with the only Perfect Missionary to walk this Earth. That quote right there just hit me. We are standing shoulder to shoulder with Christ. We will never be perfect like him, but we just may endure some hard times just like him. Not quite as extreme, but just remember that he went through the same things, on a far greater scale!
So this week's work was pretty slow with being in Bacolod for like 2 whole days, but Zone Conference was pretty awesome and made me want to be even better. I've implemented some of the Study ideas that the AP's shared with us about Personal and Language study and I can see the impact already! We also received 2 more potential investigators last night, so that was pretty awesome too!
I love all of you guys! I hope that life is just as great back in the USA as I remember! :)
-Elder Walters
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