Week 26: Nevertheless I Believe

Kumusta sa inyong lahat!! This week was good for me. Let's pick it up right where we left off :)

We received word last week that the typhoon was going right under us, but we still were given direction to stay inside all day during the storm. Even though the middle of the storm missed us, it was a huge rainstorm with lots of wind. So we bought a ton of bread at the bakery next to our house, and played uno literally all day. It was fun, but I was pretty ready to get back to work on Wednesday.

But besides the storm, this week was good! If we're being honest, it was full of ups and downs. I had a lot of moments this week thinking to myself just how much I love it here, how am I ever going to leave it? And then a lot of moments missing the people back home or missing BYU.

Some days, I wake up wanting to just go back to bed and be alone. Other days, I wake up really motivated and wanting to talk to everyone about Jesus Christ. But, as the day goes on, I become frustrated that my thoughts don't come out in perfect Tagalog! Despite all of the things that cause me to be anxious, all of my worries or fears, I am reminded to have faith in Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon teaches in Alma 19: "And Ammon said unto her: Believest thou this? And she said unto him: I have no witness save thy word, and the word of our servants; nevertheless I believe that it shall be according as thou hast said." In the midst of my challenges and trials, I am reminded to believe in Jesus Christ and his power to help me through everything.

If you find that life sometimes isn't seeming to go your way, remember that the gospel of Jesus Christ begins with faith in Him. Instead of saying "I don't know if I can do this" and then giving up, try replacing it with "I don't know, nevertheless I believe"

I love you all :) I am very, very grateful for the support you send to me. Through emails, prayers, and letters. You all keep me going.

AGYAMAN

Elder Childers

Some explanation for the pictures:

We went out one day to work in a place called Consuelo, it's our farthest area. That's where the most of our investigators live. Anyways, there is a member there named Nanay Betty who is basically our missionary angel. She takes very good care of us. When we were eating lunch with her, she was so happy to tell me she say my "twin" on facebook with Elder Ballan's mom! Elder Ballan is my first zone leader and the first exchange I went on. She spent like 20 minutes trying to find the picture again on facebook, but couldn't end up finding it. But at church, I'm sitting down and all of the sudden Nanay Betty comes up and hugs me from behind and is so happy to show me this picture of my parents hahaha. It was so cool to see the picture, and a tender mercy for sure.

More pictures of the beautiful Philippines... :)

Last night was Jeck Jeck's birthday so we went over there and they cooked a TON of delicious food. The food here is very, very good. Honestly I'm loving it. Some of it is a little different, but mostly it's good! Masarap!

A picture of our district! Love these people! We're getting tight!