Dear Family, Friends and anyone who may read this,
As you can guess it has been another great week her is Burgos. Tomorrow is the 6 month mark of my mission which is hard to believe! It's really hard to describe time in the mission. It's fast... soooo fast. This past week we taught the most lessons I have a taught in a week and most of them were to investigators that are progressing! One of the highlights of the week was an experience with one of our investigators named Jennifer Macapulay. Jennifer is the sister of Cesar Andujar (a recent convert). When we asked Jennifer about her prayer about Jospeh Smith her response was awesome. She said that she has prayed her whole life but since we started teaching her she has felt a different spirit. She said that she feels it when she prays, reads the Book of Mormon, and when we teach her. She said that when she asked if Joseph Smith was a prophet she felt this different spirit really strongly. She then said I know that this spirit is from God and that Joseph Smith is a true prophet. When she said this the spirit filled the room. We were then able to explain that this feeling she felt was the Holy Ghost. The rest of the lesson was very powerful and she attended church yesterday for the first time! She has a Baptismal Goal date of August 13. Yesterday Charlie Dupitas Blessed the Sacrament and Pepito passed the sacrament. It was amazing to see these new priesthood holders in their new white shirts participate in the Sacrament for the first time. It brought me real joy.
I think one of the most important lessons I learned this past week was the importance of love in your companionship. One day this past week I was really frustrated with my companion. I'm pretty sure he was mad at me as well. The spirit wasn't with us and I realized that when there is contention is your companionship the spirit leaves, and you really can't do any missionary work without the spirit. I realized that I needed to find more ways to serve Elder Calianga and just Love him. I started to do something I like to call gratitude post its. Once a day I write a post it to Elder Calianga expressing my gratitude to him in someway. Elder Calianga was really surprised at first, but I have seen a real change in our companionship. I can honestly say I love my companion. Though these sticky notes I have been able to look for the good in my companion instead of his faults and I have gained a greater desire to serve and love him. When there is love in a companionship, there is unity, and when there is unity there is power. Really it all comes back to Love.
Mom, dad and family, I would also like to thank you for the package! It made my day to say the least. The Yoda Shirt is number 1, the tape was awesome, and the comments on the pictures were oh so excellent! It was so nice to hear everyone's voices. Also jeff is way better at talking and his voice is already changing! I promise I'll make you a tape and send it to you. If you have any questions that you want me to answer on the tape let me know! Really though, thank you so much for the package! Last week I also recieved the Leishman line, so please give my thanks to grandpa. The Leishman line is awesome! I also recieved letters from the primary which were awesome as well. I'm glad to hear that trek went well for everyone!
Next week is transfers so p-day is on Wednesday not monday. There is a good chance I could transfer but you never really know. I'll give you the news next week.
I'm happy and I just love my mission!
Mahal ko kayo
Love Elder Leishman
Showing posts with label Elder Calianga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elder Calianga. Show all posts
Monday, July 18, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
A New Companion!
June 15, 2010
Dear Family, Friends and Sportsfans,
Drumroll please...... My new companion will be Elder Calianga! The actual transfer happens tomorrow so I havn't met him yet. I heard he's awesome and I'm really excited. This next transfer will be a great opportunity to set goals, to learn and to grow.
The work in Burgos is great right now and I pray that it continues to improve. Elder Pioquinto is going to be a zone leader this next transfer. Not going to lie, I'm going to miss the Elder. We have grown a lot closer these past two weeks. I've realized how much he helped me. I'm really grateful for the opportunities I had to be companions with him. This past week Hinckly's baptism was great! President and Sister Puzey came unannounced to the baptism which was a great! All the members, investigators and Hinckly were 30 minutes late..... The 45 minutes of sitting with President Puzey with no members or investigators were a very long 45 minutes! ha. However everything worked out just fine. It was a very spiritual baptism. Hinckly's father was able to do the baptizing which was what we were hoping for. I'll attach a few pictures of the baptism for you. Hinckly was confirmed on Sunday and is now a great happy new member of the church!
This past Sunday we had some visitors at the Burgos Branch. The Banson Family attended church in Burgos and it was great to meet them! They were so kind and so awesome! They showed me pictures of Tanner Leishman, Grandpa, Mom and dad in Manila last year. It was great to spend a few minutes with them. They really love Grandpa Lolo. After church they gave us a ride home and gave Elder Pioquinto and I 2 big bags of food! It was the good stuff too! I am so grateful for their kindness. Mom, it would be great if you could express my gratitude to them. I also am attaching a picture of The Banson Family and I. Last week dad asked about the food here. The question is where to begin. I love the Filipino food. My favorite food is fruit. Mango, Bananas, Pomello, Papaya, Guyabano, Pineapple and Langka. To say the Least I eat a lot of Fruit. I also eat a lot of rice. My favorite ulam (dishes) here are adobo, sinagang pork, paksiw talapia, adabong sitaw ect... Really it's all good.
This past week I think I put on a little bit of the weight I lost. I couple weeks ago I was pretty sick after eating at a member's house but besides that my nothing has made me too sick. The first week I didn't know how I was going to eat fish for two years but now I actually really enjoy a nice piece of fish. Needless to say the food here is amazing! Mom, also in my package I would love a copy of my mission call. This past week I got the deodorant dad sent! It was a great moment in my day and I have really been enjoying having my old spice back.
These past week I have spent some time studying ch 6 in Preach my gospel (Christlike attributes.) I have learned that just as important as what we do is who we are. As a missionary I am a representative of Jesus Christ and I need to strive to be like him. However becoming Christlike is a lifelong process that we commit one day, one decision at a time. Before I came to the Philippines I kind of had this idea that when I got here I would magically become a great missionary. I would be able to speak the language, be a good teacher be Christlike and all the other things that we picture a missionary being. It didn't take me one hour to realize this wasn't the case. These past two months have been very humbling and I have realized how we need to Lord in everything we do. I am nothing without the Lord. I can't become the missionary I need to be without the Help of the lord. Progress towards becoming Christlike and the missionary I need to become happens one decision, one day at a time. The time to focus on is now. I have also learned that If we aren't progressing we are digressing. Progress is more rapid when we set goals and strive to achieve them.
I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a missionary. I love the Gospel. I am so thankful to have the gospel in my life. I love the Lord. I love being a missionary. I love the Filipino people. I love my family. I'm glad you all had a great trip to California. I love you all so much! Everyday I realize just how much I love my family and how lucky and blessed we are in our family. I didn't get to write a lot of the things I wanted to write about investigators and the work but I'll give you a good update on Monday about the work and my new companion. If you ever have questions for me don't be afraid to ask. I love reading your emails and hearing about your lives.
Mahal Kita
Love Elder Leishman
Dear Family, Friends and Sportsfans,
Drumroll please...... My new companion will be Elder Calianga! The actual transfer happens tomorrow so I havn't met him yet. I heard he's awesome and I'm really excited. This next transfer will be a great opportunity to set goals, to learn and to grow.
The work in Burgos is great right now and I pray that it continues to improve. Elder Pioquinto is going to be a zone leader this next transfer. Not going to lie, I'm going to miss the Elder. We have grown a lot closer these past two weeks. I've realized how much he helped me. I'm really grateful for the opportunities I had to be companions with him. This past week Hinckly's baptism was great! President and Sister Puzey came unannounced to the baptism which was a great! All the members, investigators and Hinckly were 30 minutes late..... The 45 minutes of sitting with President Puzey with no members or investigators were a very long 45 minutes! ha. However everything worked out just fine. It was a very spiritual baptism. Hinckly's father was able to do the baptizing which was what we were hoping for. I'll attach a few pictures of the baptism for you. Hinckly was confirmed on Sunday and is now a great happy new member of the church!
This past Sunday we had some visitors at the Burgos Branch. The Banson Family attended church in Burgos and it was great to meet them! They were so kind and so awesome! They showed me pictures of Tanner Leishman, Grandpa, Mom and dad in Manila last year. It was great to spend a few minutes with them. They really love Grandpa Lolo. After church they gave us a ride home and gave Elder Pioquinto and I 2 big bags of food! It was the good stuff too! I am so grateful for their kindness. Mom, it would be great if you could express my gratitude to them. I also am attaching a picture of The Banson Family and I. Last week dad asked about the food here. The question is where to begin. I love the Filipino food. My favorite food is fruit. Mango, Bananas, Pomello, Papaya, Guyabano, Pineapple and Langka. To say the Least I eat a lot of Fruit. I also eat a lot of rice. My favorite ulam (dishes) here are adobo, sinagang pork, paksiw talapia, adabong sitaw ect... Really it's all good.
This past week I think I put on a little bit of the weight I lost. I couple weeks ago I was pretty sick after eating at a member's house but besides that my nothing has made me too sick. The first week I didn't know how I was going to eat fish for two years but now I actually really enjoy a nice piece of fish. Needless to say the food here is amazing! Mom, also in my package I would love a copy of my mission call. This past week I got the deodorant dad sent! It was a great moment in my day and I have really been enjoying having my old spice back.
These past week I have spent some time studying ch 6 in Preach my gospel (Christlike attributes.) I have learned that just as important as what we do is who we are. As a missionary I am a representative of Jesus Christ and I need to strive to be like him. However becoming Christlike is a lifelong process that we commit one day, one decision at a time. Before I came to the Philippines I kind of had this idea that when I got here I would magically become a great missionary. I would be able to speak the language, be a good teacher be Christlike and all the other things that we picture a missionary being. It didn't take me one hour to realize this wasn't the case. These past two months have been very humbling and I have realized how we need to Lord in everything we do. I am nothing without the Lord. I can't become the missionary I need to be without the Help of the lord. Progress towards becoming Christlike and the missionary I need to become happens one decision, one day at a time. The time to focus on is now. I have also learned that If we aren't progressing we are digressing. Progress is more rapid when we set goals and strive to achieve them.
I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a missionary. I love the Gospel. I am so thankful to have the gospel in my life. I love the Lord. I love being a missionary. I love the Filipino people. I love my family. I'm glad you all had a great trip to California. I love you all so much! Everyday I realize just how much I love my family and how lucky and blessed we are in our family. I didn't get to write a lot of the things I wanted to write about investigators and the work but I'll give you a good update on Monday about the work and my new companion. If you ever have questions for me don't be afraid to ask. I love reading your emails and hearing about your lives.
Mahal Kita
Love Elder Leishman
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