Tuesday, July 30, 2013
7.27.13
Thursday, July 25, 2013
7.25.13
Kamusta Pamilya,
So it's so crazy to think that I'm not only leaving the MTC on Monday, but I'm leaving the United States. I can't really imagine living in another country, let alone being in another country since I've only been in Canada for all of like 5 hours maybe. I just want you all to know how excited I am tho! I know that being on a mission is where I'm supposed to be. I know that no matter how far away I am from home and from my family that the Gospel is still the Gospel, my family is still my family, and my Heavenly Father is still my Heavenly Father. It will be weird and different, but I know that I will be blessed and guided by my Heavenly Father, and that you will be blessed also! Palangga ko kamo!
So this week has been pretty crazy! This week I had the opportunity to be a host to the New Missionaries for the 2nd week in a row. Crazy scenario happened, one of the Elders I hosted was born in Ann Arbor, was in my BYU Ward last year, and his dad served in the Philippines, pretty nuts huh! Also Elder Pack and I got selected to demonstrate "How to Begin Teaching" to the new missionaries at the Wednesday Night Experience. So every Wednesday night the new missionaries have a big meeting where they split into 9 rooms and they have a different "investigator" in each room. They get to talk to the investigator a little bit, and then they say "The missionaries will be here any minute to begin teaching." That's where Elder Pack and I come in. We come to the door, introduce ourselves, ask if we can come in and share a message, ya know the basic missionary stuff. Once inside we just demonstrate how a first lesson should kind of go. We get to know the investigator a little better, ask a few questions and just try to build that kind of relationship that will help the investigator feel comfortable and loved. All the while we are still supposed to fulfill our purpose, "To invite others to come unto Christ." We only are there for about 5 minutes, and then they dismiss us and the new missionaries continue the lesson as a group. It's a really cool experience. I love the first reaction of the new missionaries when the moderator says "I don't know if you've noticed but the missionaries have left." Because after he pauses us and has the new missionaries talk with each other about what's happening he dismisses us and most of them never notice. So everyone gets a little nervous, it's kind of funny. Overall though it's an awesome meeting, and really gives everyone a taste of missionary work.
I want to thank you guys for the Package I got last week! I LOVED it! The picture album and collages are amazing and I love looking at them! The food is always nice for sure! I'm sure some of it will accompany me in my carry on, since I have to last 14 hours across the Pacific!
So as for my flight plans, we leave the MTC at 7:30 in the morning and head to SLC. Our flight leaves SLC at 11:20 and we fly to San Francisco, we arrive there at about 12:20 I believe and then we leave there at about 1:25. Then we fly across the good ole Pacific and arrive in Tokyo! I'm super excited for that! I think Tokyo will be a sweet place, not that I'll really experience much of it but still. Then I don't remember the times from Tokyo, but we fly from Tokyo to Manila and arrive in Manila at 9:55 pm. So if you follow all this, we leave SLC at 11:20 am on July 29, and arrive in Manila at 9:55 pm on the 30th. That's about a 20ish hour day of travel, gonna be a long day, but I'm super excited!
I don't know if you guys were able to watch any of those Mormon Messages or not, but I really loved the quote by President Monson in "Dare to Stand Alone." "May we ever be courageous, and prepared to stand for what we believe, and if we must stand alone in the process, may we do so, courageously, strengthened by the knowledge, and reality we are never alone, when we stand with our Father in Heaven." I know it isn't always easy to stand alone, but I know that through our Heavenly Father anything is possible. We can always be ourselves and be courageous if we exercise our faith in Christ and our Heavenly Father. He wants to help us, and will help us if we ask. Ang Dios ang aton Langitnon nga Amay, kag palangga Sia sa aton. (God is our Heavenly Father, and He loves us!)
My adventure is truly about to begin! I love all of you so much! I want you to always know that our Heavenly Father loves us and that he wants us to be happy. If we do our part that will always be true and I know that. I'm thankful for all the blessings I have in my life including each and every one of you. I know that it is because of my Heavenly Father that I have all that I have. Know that no matter how far away I am that I always love you, that I always think of you, and that I will always pray for you. Palangga gid ko kamo! Nagpasalamat ako para sa mga halimbawa ninyo sa akon. (I love you so much. I'm thankful for your examples to me!)
Palangga ko kamo
-Elder Walters
So it's so crazy to think that I'm not only leaving the MTC on Monday, but I'm leaving the United States. I can't really imagine living in another country, let alone being in another country since I've only been in Canada for all of like 5 hours maybe. I just want you all to know how excited I am tho! I know that being on a mission is where I'm supposed to be. I know that no matter how far away I am from home and from my family that the Gospel is still the Gospel, my family is still my family, and my Heavenly Father is still my Heavenly Father. It will be weird and different, but I know that I will be blessed and guided by my Heavenly Father, and that you will be blessed also! Palangga ko kamo!
So this week has been pretty crazy! This week I had the opportunity to be a host to the New Missionaries for the 2nd week in a row. Crazy scenario happened, one of the Elders I hosted was born in Ann Arbor, was in my BYU Ward last year, and his dad served in the Philippines, pretty nuts huh! Also Elder Pack and I got selected to demonstrate "How to Begin Teaching" to the new missionaries at the Wednesday Night Experience. So every Wednesday night the new missionaries have a big meeting where they split into 9 rooms and they have a different "investigator" in each room. They get to talk to the investigator a little bit, and then they say "The missionaries will be here any minute to begin teaching." That's where Elder Pack and I come in. We come to the door, introduce ourselves, ask if we can come in and share a message, ya know the basic missionary stuff. Once inside we just demonstrate how a first lesson should kind of go. We get to know the investigator a little better, ask a few questions and just try to build that kind of relationship that will help the investigator feel comfortable and loved. All the while we are still supposed to fulfill our purpose, "To invite others to come unto Christ." We only are there for about 5 minutes, and then they dismiss us and the new missionaries continue the lesson as a group. It's a really cool experience. I love the first reaction of the new missionaries when the moderator says "I don't know if you've noticed but the missionaries have left." Because after he pauses us and has the new missionaries talk with each other about what's happening he dismisses us and most of them never notice. So everyone gets a little nervous, it's kind of funny. Overall though it's an awesome meeting, and really gives everyone a taste of missionary work.
I want to thank you guys for the Package I got last week! I LOVED it! The picture album and collages are amazing and I love looking at them! The food is always nice for sure! I'm sure some of it will accompany me in my carry on, since I have to last 14 hours across the Pacific!
So as for my flight plans, we leave the MTC at 7:30 in the morning and head to SLC. Our flight leaves SLC at 11:20 and we fly to San Francisco, we arrive there at about 12:20 I believe and then we leave there at about 1:25. Then we fly across the good ole Pacific and arrive in Tokyo! I'm super excited for that! I think Tokyo will be a sweet place, not that I'll really experience much of it but still. Then I don't remember the times from Tokyo, but we fly from Tokyo to Manila and arrive in Manila at 9:55 pm. So if you follow all this, we leave SLC at 11:20 am on July 29, and arrive in Manila at 9:55 pm on the 30th. That's about a 20ish hour day of travel, gonna be a long day, but I'm super excited!
I don't know if you guys were able to watch any of those Mormon Messages or not, but I really loved the quote by President Monson in "Dare to Stand Alone." "May we ever be courageous, and prepared to stand for what we believe, and if we must stand alone in the process, may we do so, courageously, strengthened by the knowledge, and reality we are never alone, when we stand with our Father in Heaven." I know it isn't always easy to stand alone, but I know that through our Heavenly Father anything is possible. We can always be ourselves and be courageous if we exercise our faith in Christ and our Heavenly Father. He wants to help us, and will help us if we ask. Ang Dios ang aton Langitnon nga Amay, kag palangga Sia sa aton. (God is our Heavenly Father, and He loves us!)
My adventure is truly about to begin! I love all of you so much! I want you to always know that our Heavenly Father loves us and that he wants us to be happy. If we do our part that will always be true and I know that. I'm thankful for all the blessings I have in my life including each and every one of you. I know that it is because of my Heavenly Father that I have all that I have. Know that no matter how far away I am that I always love you, that I always think of you, and that I will always pray for you. Palangga gid ko kamo! Nagpasalamat ako para sa mga halimbawa ninyo sa akon. (I love you so much. I'm thankful for your examples to me!)
Palangga ko kamo
-Elder Walters
Sunday, July 21, 2013
7.18.13
Kamusta kamo sang pamilya ko!
Pulo pa mga Adlaw! (10 more days!)
It's so crazy once again that it is p-day already. I feel like it was just yesterday, I really don't know where the time goes! Thank you guys so much for all that you do for me and for all your letters and e-mails, I appreciate all that you say and for all the love and support that you give me!
So this week was crazy. We had 4 Cebauno districts leave from our Zone on Monday. It was a little rough because those were all the Elders and Sisters that we grew close to and that made us feel loved and welcomed when we arrived here (4 weeks ago, so CRAZY!). But now I guess it's our turn to help the new Elders and sisters to feel that same way. So we started just this week having zone prayer in the hallway before we all head in to bed, and whoever says it says it in their mission language so it's a really cool experience. We started doing it the night before all the Elders left so the first one was in Cebauno, then the next night we heard our Zone Leader speak Cantonese. Last night when the new elders arrived I had the opportunity to say the prayer for them in Ilonggo. It was a really cool experience, and I think having them hear us speak our language so well after just a few weeks gives them some hope for themselves! I had 2 of the new Elders walk up to me after i said it and ask "How long have you been here?" and then say "And you just did that?" haha. It was really cool and I love how it brings as all closer together.
Elder Pack and I had the privilege to grow pretty close with Elder Ferris. He was the Elder in one of the pictures from last week who was from New Zealand/Australia. It was kinda weird when he left, but when we got back to our residence that night, we both had a letter and a gift left outside our door from him. He left Elder Pack a Utah Jazz beanie, and he left me a pillow, blanket and a pair of Jordans, apparently their first Zone Leader left them for him, and he didn't want them, so he gave them to me, and of course I'm not going to turn an awesome pair of kicks ;). It's things like that that make you feel blessed in this life. The goodness of others hearts. I'm so grateful for the friendship that I've made with my companion, Elder Ferris, and all the Elders and Sisters in our district and zone.
So the language continues to get better and better, and then at times I get so confused, but I have faith that my Heavenly Father will help me as long as I continue to do my best! I've now been able to memorize My Missionary Purpose, which is "To invite others to come unto Christ, by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end." In addition to that I've also memorized Joseph Smith's First Vision. It's pretty awesome!
Our lessons this week have gone so well. We've been able to communicate so much with our investigators and we set a Baptismal date with one of them! (I know it's fake, but it still is exciting!)
Thanks again everyone for all that you do. You're amazing and I appreciate your examples to me, your love, and all of your support.
-Elder Walters
P.S. I've been able to watch some awesome Mormon Messages since I've been here, and I just thought I'd share a couple of my favorites and invite you guys to watch them. I really like "Dare to Stand Alone" and "The Will of God." I invite you to watch them and let me know what you think! They're great!
Pulo pa mga Adlaw! (10 more days!)
It's so crazy once again that it is p-day already. I feel like it was just yesterday, I really don't know where the time goes! Thank you guys so much for all that you do for me and for all your letters and e-mails, I appreciate all that you say and for all the love and support that you give me!
So this week was crazy. We had 4 Cebauno districts leave from our Zone on Monday. It was a little rough because those were all the Elders and Sisters that we grew close to and that made us feel loved and welcomed when we arrived here (4 weeks ago, so CRAZY!). But now I guess it's our turn to help the new Elders and sisters to feel that same way. So we started just this week having zone prayer in the hallway before we all head in to bed, and whoever says it says it in their mission language so it's a really cool experience. We started doing it the night before all the Elders left so the first one was in Cebauno, then the next night we heard our Zone Leader speak Cantonese. Last night when the new elders arrived I had the opportunity to say the prayer for them in Ilonggo. It was a really cool experience, and I think having them hear us speak our language so well after just a few weeks gives them some hope for themselves! I had 2 of the new Elders walk up to me after i said it and ask "How long have you been here?" and then say "And you just did that?" haha. It was really cool and I love how it brings as all closer together.
Elder Pack and I had the privilege to grow pretty close with Elder Ferris. He was the Elder in one of the pictures from last week who was from New Zealand/Australia. It was kinda weird when he left, but when we got back to our residence that night, we both had a letter and a gift left outside our door from him. He left Elder Pack a Utah Jazz beanie, and he left me a pillow, blanket and a pair of Jordans, apparently their first Zone Leader left them for him, and he didn't want them, so he gave them to me, and of course I'm not going to turn an awesome pair of kicks ;). It's things like that that make you feel blessed in this life. The goodness of others hearts. I'm so grateful for the friendship that I've made with my companion, Elder Ferris, and all the Elders and Sisters in our district and zone.
So the language continues to get better and better, and then at times I get so confused, but I have faith that my Heavenly Father will help me as long as I continue to do my best! I've now been able to memorize My Missionary Purpose, which is "To invite others to come unto Christ, by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end." In addition to that I've also memorized Joseph Smith's First Vision. It's pretty awesome!
Our lessons this week have gone so well. We've been able to communicate so much with our investigators and we set a Baptismal date with one of them! (I know it's fake, but it still is exciting!)
Thanks again everyone for all that you do. You're amazing and I appreciate your examples to me, your love, and all of your support.
-Elder Walters
P.S. I've been able to watch some awesome Mormon Messages since I've been here, and I just thought I'd share a couple of my favorites and invite you guys to watch them. I really like "Dare to Stand Alone" and "The Will of God." I invite you to watch them and let me know what you think! They're great!
7.11.13
Family and friends,
Simana Tatlo, "Nagapasalamat ako para sa mga pamilya nga walay katapusan!" (I'm thankful for eternal familes!)
So another week down, it's hard to believe I'm over halfway done here at the MTC. I also noticed on my Ministerial Certificate that it expires June 3, 2015. So Mom go ahead and mark that day down, cuz I imagine that's the time of my return! Not that I'm counting the time, but I'm sure you guys will! During the Devotional this week at the Marriot Center we heard from L. Lionel Kendrick and Emeritus Member of the First Quorum of the Seventy and his wife. One thing that really stood out to me during his talk was a quote that went something like "Make sure that you're here to serve the Lord, not to serve time." He went on to talk about how we aren't prisoners in jail. We aren't saving a time sentence. We should focus on our duty and our privilege to serve the Lord. I just thought that was a really cool way to put it.
So we continue to learn the language. It seems to get better every day, but then at times it seems to be awful. I still enjoy it though! We learn how to say things that mostly pertain to the Gospel, so carrying on a normal conversation would be hard, but I can pick out a few words here and there. I always want to typ some crazy sentence for you, but then it takes me so long to think something up in my head that I don't want to waste too much time, but I'll give it a shot. I'm going to pick some basic sentences pertaining to the gospel since that's all I really know just so you guys can see how it looks.
"After reading a scripture in the Bible, Joseph prayed to God. God and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph. They told Joseph that none of the churches were true."
"Pagkatpos mabasa sang isa ka kasulatan sa Biblia, si Joseph nagpangamuyo kay Dios. Ang Dios kag si JesuCristo nagpakita kay Joseph. Naghambal sila kay Joseph sa walay-matuod nga mga simbahan."
Fun stuff huh? It's so fun to be able to talk and teach and communicate and actually understand what you're saying and what you're investigator is saying as well. The other day in class it was so funny because our teacher was trying to think of a sentence and what word to use, and she said "Ina pis pis", and then chuckled to herself because apparently it was funny, and we have no idea what she's talking about, but yet, I did, and I think mom might even remember this one! Then she says "Ano ang pis pis?" (What is pis pis?) She said "That bird." Really not that funny, but then when you say pis pis assuming people have no idea what your saying I guess it could be funny since pis pis sounds weird! Anywho, classes take so long sometimes, but we push through and usually learn quite a bit! It's all totally about your mindset.
We set ourselves some district goals the other day and one of them is an "English fast" every morning from 6:30-8:45 except on Sunday and Thursday. We try to not say anything in English at all. It's kind of fun. We're supposed to SYL (Speak Your Language) as often as we can, so our one teacher was like, why aren't you guys doing this all day every day, so that was annoying. I feel like nothing we do is ever good enough for her, and it's obnoxious! Our other teacher was like "that's such a cool idea, how'd it go this morning?" And the teacher who is like the leader for the Cebauno/Hiligaynon districts came in and was like "that's cool how'd it go?", and then she's like that's not good enough. So that's my little vent for the day! I'm over it! We still do what we can and what we're comfortable doing and it's fun.
Well another week has come and gone I'm still alive and well, other than a little cough and sore throat I've had for like a week, but I'll get over it! I hope to hear from you guys soon! Don't you go dying on me! ;) (Had to get my movie quote in there)
Palangga ko kamo!
-Elder Walters
Simana Tatlo, "Nagapasalamat ako para sa mga pamilya nga walay katapusan!" (I'm thankful for eternal familes!)
So another week down, it's hard to believe I'm over halfway done here at the MTC. I also noticed on my Ministerial Certificate that it expires June 3, 2015. So Mom go ahead and mark that day down, cuz I imagine that's the time of my return! Not that I'm counting the time, but I'm sure you guys will! During the Devotional this week at the Marriot Center we heard from L. Lionel Kendrick and Emeritus Member of the First Quorum of the Seventy and his wife. One thing that really stood out to me during his talk was a quote that went something like "Make sure that you're here to serve the Lord, not to serve time." He went on to talk about how we aren't prisoners in jail. We aren't saving a time sentence. We should focus on our duty and our privilege to serve the Lord. I just thought that was a really cool way to put it.
So we continue to learn the language. It seems to get better every day, but then at times it seems to be awful. I still enjoy it though! We learn how to say things that mostly pertain to the Gospel, so carrying on a normal conversation would be hard, but I can pick out a few words here and there. I always want to typ some crazy sentence for you, but then it takes me so long to think something up in my head that I don't want to waste too much time, but I'll give it a shot. I'm going to pick some basic sentences pertaining to the gospel since that's all I really know just so you guys can see how it looks.
"After reading a scripture in the Bible, Joseph prayed to God. God and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph. They told Joseph that none of the churches were true."
"Pagkatpos mabasa sang isa ka kasulatan sa Biblia, si Joseph nagpangamuyo kay Dios. Ang Dios kag si JesuCristo nagpakita kay Joseph. Naghambal sila kay Joseph sa walay-matuod nga mga simbahan."
Fun stuff huh? It's so fun to be able to talk and teach and communicate and actually understand what you're saying and what you're investigator is saying as well. The other day in class it was so funny because our teacher was trying to think of a sentence and what word to use, and she said "Ina pis pis", and then chuckled to herself because apparently it was funny, and we have no idea what she's talking about, but yet, I did, and I think mom might even remember this one! Then she says "Ano ang pis pis?" (What is pis pis?) She said "That bird." Really not that funny, but then when you say pis pis assuming people have no idea what your saying I guess it could be funny since pis pis sounds weird! Anywho, classes take so long sometimes, but we push through and usually learn quite a bit! It's all totally about your mindset.
We set ourselves some district goals the other day and one of them is an "English fast" every morning from 6:30-8:45 except on Sunday and Thursday. We try to not say anything in English at all. It's kind of fun. We're supposed to SYL (Speak Your Language) as often as we can, so our one teacher was like, why aren't you guys doing this all day every day, so that was annoying. I feel like nothing we do is ever good enough for her, and it's obnoxious! Our other teacher was like "that's such a cool idea, how'd it go this morning?" And the teacher who is like the leader for the Cebauno/Hiligaynon districts came in and was like "that's cool how'd it go?", and then she's like that's not good enough. So that's my little vent for the day! I'm over it! We still do what we can and what we're comfortable doing and it's fun.
Well another week has come and gone I'm still alive and well, other than a little cough and sore throat I've had for like a week, but I'll get over it! I hope to hear from you guys soon! Don't you go dying on me! ;) (Had to get my movie quote in there)
Palangga ko kamo!
-Elder Walters
7.4.13
Dear Family and friends,
Semana Duha, Matuod ang Ebanghelyo! (Week 2, The Gospel is True!)
Another week has come and gone, and I can't believe it! Like I said before the days go by so slowly, but somehow the weeks just fly by! This has been another good week. We learned more this week about sentence structure. Everything is so weird, and i'm sure Eric can agree that other languages say things in weird orders! They taught us VAOL. Which stands for Verb - Actor - Object - Location/Recipient. Thats how you put together a sentence in Ilonggo. Or there is also Describer + Subject. So instead of "I'm tired", it's "Tired I" or "Kapoy ako". Its pretty crazy. It takes so long to put together a sentence in my head. When we try to teach now we still practice memorizing sentences from our language book, but at the same time we try to just learn as much vocab as possible so we can understand and try to carry on a normal conversation. Probably the most confusing part about the language is the fact that verbs can be conjugated differently depending on the 'Focus' of the sentence.
Let's take the sentence "Joseph Smith read the Bible." The verb for the sentence is read, so 'basa'.
If I want to focus on Joseph Smith, I would say : Nagabasa si Joseph Smith sa Biblia.
If I want to focus on the Bible, I would say: Ginbasa ni Joseph Smith ang Biblia.
Pretty sure that's right haha but I don't want to take to much time trying to figure it out. It's just super confusing because as you can tell the verb is a bit different. I'm sure they'll figure it out if you always spoke in Actor focus, but who knows.
We got a new teacher this week. She was our first investigator. She's a lot tougher on us than our other teacher. They both still teach us it just varies on the day and time of day. Our first teacher, Brother Hong is pretty relaxed and speaks in English when we get confused and need help. Our other teacher, Sister McDonald rarely speaks English and makes us try to say everything in Ilonggo. Yesterday I had my first taste of frustration. I was halfway through givign a spiritual thought standing in front of the class when she decided to say "Ginahambal sa Ilonggo." (Speak in Ilonggo) I lost all train of thought as to what I was saying even in English. I could sense my face turning all red and I had no idea what to say. Needless to say I pretty much just finished up. Sa ngalan ni JesuCristo, Amen. Ha I got that part down. I was kind frustrated for the next 3 hours of class. So glad today is p-day and I get to relax and we even get the night off because of the 4th of July! I'm not exactly sure what we get to do, but I believe we get to participate in watching fireworks somehow! I'm kind of excited for that!
I'm still doing well and having a great time! Like I said I've only felt frustrated once, so thats pretty good for 2 weeks I think! I miss you guys, but getting your e-mails and your dearelder letters always brightens my day! With so many sisters, our mailbox is always full, so its nice to see something addressed to an Elder in there! :) Another week down! Hope to hear from you all soon!
Palangga ko kamo! (I love you(plural.)!) I hope I translated that correctly. I guess I'll find out! haha
-Elder Walters
Semana Duha, Matuod ang Ebanghelyo! (Week 2, The Gospel is True!)
Another week has come and gone, and I can't believe it! Like I said before the days go by so slowly, but somehow the weeks just fly by! This has been another good week. We learned more this week about sentence structure. Everything is so weird, and i'm sure Eric can agree that other languages say things in weird orders! They taught us VAOL. Which stands for Verb - Actor - Object - Location/Recipient. Thats how you put together a sentence in Ilonggo. Or there is also Describer + Subject. So instead of "I'm tired", it's "Tired I" or "Kapoy ako". Its pretty crazy. It takes so long to put together a sentence in my head. When we try to teach now we still practice memorizing sentences from our language book, but at the same time we try to just learn as much vocab as possible so we can understand and try to carry on a normal conversation. Probably the most confusing part about the language is the fact that verbs can be conjugated differently depending on the 'Focus' of the sentence.
Let's take the sentence "Joseph Smith read the Bible." The verb for the sentence is read, so 'basa'.
If I want to focus on Joseph Smith, I would say : Nagabasa si Joseph Smith sa Biblia.
If I want to focus on the Bible, I would say: Ginbasa ni Joseph Smith ang Biblia.
Pretty sure that's right haha but I don't want to take to much time trying to figure it out. It's just super confusing because as you can tell the verb is a bit different. I'm sure they'll figure it out if you always spoke in Actor focus, but who knows.
We got a new teacher this week. She was our first investigator. She's a lot tougher on us than our other teacher. They both still teach us it just varies on the day and time of day. Our first teacher, Brother Hong is pretty relaxed and speaks in English when we get confused and need help. Our other teacher, Sister McDonald rarely speaks English and makes us try to say everything in Ilonggo. Yesterday I had my first taste of frustration. I was halfway through givign a spiritual thought standing in front of the class when she decided to say "Ginahambal sa Ilonggo." (Speak in Ilonggo) I lost all train of thought as to what I was saying even in English. I could sense my face turning all red and I had no idea what to say. Needless to say I pretty much just finished up. Sa ngalan ni JesuCristo, Amen. Ha I got that part down. I was kind frustrated for the next 3 hours of class. So glad today is p-day and I get to relax and we even get the night off because of the 4th of July! I'm not exactly sure what we get to do, but I believe we get to participate in watching fireworks somehow! I'm kind of excited for that!
I'm still doing well and having a great time! Like I said I've only felt frustrated once, so thats pretty good for 2 weeks I think! I miss you guys, but getting your e-mails and your dearelder letters always brightens my day! With so many sisters, our mailbox is always full, so its nice to see something addressed to an Elder in there! :) Another week down! Hope to hear from you all soon!
Palangga ko kamo! (I love you(plural.)!) I hope I translated that correctly. I guess I'll find out! haha
-Elder Walters
6.27.13
Dear Family and friends,
Nagapasalamat ako para sa pamilya ko! (I'm thankful for my family)
This first week has really flown by! The days go by slowly sometimes but I can't believe I'm already through with week one! My companion's name is Elder Pack and he's from Eden, UT. He's fresh out of High School and he's the best, we get along so well already! I was like the last one in my classroom on the first day, and the teacher only speaks Hiligaynon, so I was super overwhelmed at first, but we've all since realized that we can do this!
As you all probably know already, I'm District Leader. We have 12 missionaries in our district (2 elders, and 10 sisters). Its pretty crazy that we're so outnumbered by the sisters, the other district going to our mission has 2 elders and 12 sisters. It's so cool to see how many people have answered the call to serve!
We've learned so much already. We started teaching lessons on Friday, all in Hiligaynon which was nuts. At first we could use our language materials, but now we are not allowed to. We've since taught 4 lessons to the same girl, and in our last one I somehow remembered how to ask "Will you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding the priesthood authority of God?" (Sundon mo bala ang ehemplo ni Jesucristo paagi sa pagpabunyag sa isa nga nagakapot sang awtoridad sang priesthood sang Dios?) I just wrote that without using my notes, just saying. :) The language is so much fun to use, especially when we know what we're saying!
It was so awesome to go the Broadcast on Sunday, and it was so cool that all of you saw me! I hoped that you would because we noticed that we were on the screen too! So awesome that (Dad) yelled "There he is!" at church! The broadcast was so awesome. The quote that really stood out to me was from Elder Anderson that said "Our work starts with prayer and is motivated by Love." That wasn't exact but that's how I took it. This work is so hard and we can't do it alone. I now that we need to start each and everyday with a prayer to ask for the Lord's help, and any time else that we might need it! I'm so thankful for all of your love and support and I know that your love helps motivate me as well. I know that I need to truly develop a love for this work and for those that I serve. I'm so thankful for the opportunity I have to be here and I hope that while I'm gone that all of us can learn together! I challenge you guys to read 2 Nephi 4, it's such a great chapter, I swear I used my red pencil on like the entire thing!
I'm not really quite sure what else to say other than I'm having a blast and that I love you! You guys are amazing and have truly been the best examples to me! It's nice to get e-mails from everyone, and dearelder.com is the best. It's so awesome to get those letters everyday! Keep up the good work everyone, I love to hear from you!
I hope I've said everything you've wanted to hear, it's so hard when you're pressed for time, but I did my best!
Love,
Elder Walters
Nagapasalamat ako para sa pamilya ko! (I'm thankful for my family)
This first week has really flown by! The days go by slowly sometimes but I can't believe I'm already through with week one! My companion's name is Elder Pack and he's from Eden, UT. He's fresh out of High School and he's the best, we get along so well already! I was like the last one in my classroom on the first day, and the teacher only speaks Hiligaynon, so I was super overwhelmed at first, but we've all since realized that we can do this!
As you all probably know already, I'm District Leader. We have 12 missionaries in our district (2 elders, and 10 sisters). Its pretty crazy that we're so outnumbered by the sisters, the other district going to our mission has 2 elders and 12 sisters. It's so cool to see how many people have answered the call to serve!
We've learned so much already. We started teaching lessons on Friday, all in Hiligaynon which was nuts. At first we could use our language materials, but now we are not allowed to. We've since taught 4 lessons to the same girl, and in our last one I somehow remembered how to ask "Will you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding the priesthood authority of God?" (Sundon mo bala ang ehemplo ni Jesucristo paagi sa pagpabunyag sa isa nga nagakapot sang awtoridad sang priesthood sang Dios?) I just wrote that without using my notes, just saying. :) The language is so much fun to use, especially when we know what we're saying!
It was so awesome to go the Broadcast on Sunday, and it was so cool that all of you saw me! I hoped that you would because we noticed that we were on the screen too! So awesome that (Dad) yelled "There he is!" at church! The broadcast was so awesome. The quote that really stood out to me was from Elder Anderson that said "Our work starts with prayer and is motivated by Love." That wasn't exact but that's how I took it. This work is so hard and we can't do it alone. I now that we need to start each and everyday with a prayer to ask for the Lord's help, and any time else that we might need it! I'm so thankful for all of your love and support and I know that your love helps motivate me as well. I know that I need to truly develop a love for this work and for those that I serve. I'm so thankful for the opportunity I have to be here and I hope that while I'm gone that all of us can learn together! I challenge you guys to read 2 Nephi 4, it's such a great chapter, I swear I used my red pencil on like the entire thing!
I'm not really quite sure what else to say other than I'm having a blast and that I love you! You guys are amazing and have truly been the best examples to me! It's nice to get e-mails from everyone, and dearelder.com is the best. It's so awesome to get those letters everyday! Keep up the good work everyone, I love to hear from you!
I hope I've said everything you've wanted to hear, it's so hard when you're pressed for time, but I did my best!
Love,
Elder Walters
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