Week 23 DENGUE + DOUGHNUTS

Man this week is already done! It's crazy that it's already been 5 weeks or so since the Typhoon! Time really just keeps moving along. Well... hello everyone once again!

So for this email I'll begin by saying that Elder Ruiz, my companion, has been sick with dengue! It's killer and I feel so bad for him. I'm trying to help him out, but man it has got to be hard! I don't really know how to help besides just keep filling up his water bottles. I wish I could make him some special drink that would cure it or something. We haven't been able to work that much this week, because he is pretty sick. I'm trying to help him feel like he isn't a burden by not complaining and keeping myself busy. I've found that I really like to study and to read, and I've had plenty of time to do just that. It's given me time to also ponder and reflect which I'm grateful for. Even in any situation, I'm learning more and more that happiness and being content is more of a choice than we sometimes think. Trying to be happy and content helps everything a whole lot. Complaining just makes everything worse.

I don't think I've mentioned this yet, but we have two more Elders that moved into our area. Elder Quitalib and Elder Burton. Man I love them! Elder Quitalib is a Filipino, and Elder Burton is straight out of high school from Utah! I'm getting to be close with some Elders here which is awesome. I love all of them in my zone. The sisters are actually pretty cool as well!

One thing I am especially grateful for is this bread shop right next to our house. The family sells fresh bread and doughnuts.. and its delicious. Man so so good. I think Jonas and Owen would appreciate that as well ;) Lately me and Elder Ruiz have been just walking to get some fresh bread in the morning and then snacking on it all day as he rests and I study!

General Conference!!! Such an extraordinary blessing. If you didn't get a chance to watch it, (or if you have no idea what it is...) basically: We believe that the same church that Jesus Christ established when he was on the Earth has been restored. We have prophets and apostles again, just like the prophets in the bible! We read in the scriptures that God is the same, and that he loves all of his children in the whole world. He continues to direct His church through prophets and apostles. Twice a year, we get to listen to them as they give us direction, warnings, and comfort for our lives. I learned a lot from the session, and I'm inspired to be a better shepherd, minister, and representative of Jesus Christ among the people of the Philippines.

ALSO I saw my Aunt Maureen in the Tabernacle Choir which filled me with very much happiness.. Thank you Maureen!! So good to see a familiar face. Seriously. I was very happy. Caused some tears.

Today we had a super fun zone activity out in these caves in our Area. It was so, so much fun. So many bats and adrenaline. I think that the things we did would not have been as accessible in the states. Just super fun though. Good thing I can still quote a lot of the Dark Knight so I made a lot of bat friends.

I love you all. I have three simple challenges for you all:

1. Don't get Dengue!

2. Enjoy a freshly baked doughnut with me :)

3. Show some love to someone you normally wouldn't this week! We all need your love :)

I know that the true church of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth. Jesus Christ continues to lead His church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. As a believer in Him and His gospel, I add my testimony to many, that He lives. He knows you and loves you more than you can imagine!

Make it a great week!

AGYAMAN

Elder Childers