Dear Mom,
First off, I would just like to say that yes, Kambree is a beautiful young lady. The Filipinos sure think so too :P Whenever anyone looks through the "Memories" book you gave me, they always see that picture of me and Kambree, and ask "Is that your girlfriend?" I tell them no. They say "Does she have a boyfriend?" I say "No." They ask "How old is she?" I answer "Almost 18." And then they just whisper to themselves "Yesss." Little creepy, but then they make it better by calling me their brother in law :P ;)
Shaun is also quite popular among the Filipinos. They just say he's really pogi, which is like the Filipino word for handsome, but means something more like cute. However, it's not a word that you would ever use to describe a girl. Kind of weird.
In terms of the work out here in Talavera, Things are moving at a strange rate, and one of the Elders in my district, Elder Tejada, became an Assistant to the President, and so he left the area a week before transfers to be trained in his new duties. Because of this, Elder Silva now has no companion, and we are now a tri some. Normally, this wouldn't be a big deal, however, we know have to work in his area on one day, and then in ours the next, so we're not able to see all the peple we want to be seeing, and the numbers are really suffering. However, the people we're teaching are too awesome to be held back by a few stressed missionaries, and we had quite a few people attend church yesterday, even though we haven't been able to teach them all week. So EXCITING!! But here are our super investigators for the week.
Tatay Roger Arcilla was supposed to be interviewed for baptism on Friday, but he had the Flu, so it was postponed. e also wasn't able to attend church, which he was determined to do even with his flu, so that's kind of worrying. However, all should be fine and his Baptism should be either this Saturday or the next. It's so awesome how prepared he his!! He's sort of quiet when we teach but will go off on a tangent every now and then, but in turns out he's just silently soaking everything up, and then sharing his own personal experiences from being touched by the Holy Ghost. I love him :)
Anthony Valdez that I mentioned last week is super awesome as well. He attended church yesterday, and was dressed up nicer then most of the members. I was really impressed. He's a classy guy. He also wasn't shy at all. People would ask questions in Sunday School and Elder's Quorum, and he would always be one of the first with his hand up, if not the only one. He's got such an incredible story, and is so intent on finding the truth.
Jhomel Dela Cruz has been taught for a while, and was even interviewed for baptism, but an unresloved concern arose, and it was delayed. He was a little crushed by the situation, and so fell away from investigating seriously for a while, but now he's back :) We haven't been able to see him all week because his house is really far, and our schedule has just been super hectic with the extra area, but he attended church yesterday!! Super proud of him. He's been through a ton, and is making HUGE steps and changes in his life for the sake of the Lord and His church, and I'm so glad I get to be a part of it. It's awesome being a missionary :)
So quick scripture for you all:
In Alma 51, there is a split among the people. The King-Men want to overthrow their free government and establish a king to rule over them, but the Freemen were content with keeping Pahoran as their chief judge and being led by his guidance and that of the government as a whole. Pahoran then calls on Governor Moroni to help put the King-Men back in their place, which Moroni gladly does, but here are the scripures:
22 Behold, it came to pass that while Moroni was thus breaking down the wars and contentions among his own people, and subjecting them to peace and civilization, and making regulations to prepare for war against the Lamanites, behold, the Lamanites had come into the land of Moroni, which was in the borders by the seashore.
23 And it came to pass that the Nephites were not sufficiently strong in the city of Moroni; therefore Amalickiah did drive them, slaying many. And it came to pass that Amalickiah took possession of the city, yea, possession of all their fortifications.
And then in Alma 53
8 And now it came to pass that the armies of the Lamanites, on the west sea, south, while in the absence of Moroni on account of some intrigue amongst the Nephites, which caused dissensions amongst them, had gained some ground over the Nephites, yea, insomuch that they had obtained possession of a number of their cities in that part of the land.
So, what I got from all of this, I'd like to relate to our Families. In this account, there were contentions within the people, and they suffered from outside forces because of it. So it is true within our own homes. We can't expect to have contention and darkness with the home or family, and then go out searching for light and happiness. Anything we think we may find will not last through the eternities, because the only thing that can truly become eternal are our families. If we are weakened on the inside, we'll become so much more subject to the wickedness and sin from without. I regretfully admit that I was a very large part of the darkness that once existed in our home, and am actually brought to tears by the thought, but I have changed a lot our here in the field, and am determined to never allow it again on account of my actions. We will be more blessed and protected by the Lord from the filth of the world if we'll make the Personal efforts to keep it out of our homes.
I love you all so much, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAMBREE!!!! I LOVE YOU!!! Sorry for being such a jerk all the time before. That's one of many regrets that tears at my heart at even the thought. I really do regret acting the way I did, and hope both you and Kendly and everyone else will forgive me for it. But I truly do love you all!! Next week ulit :)
Elder Syphus
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