Week 28: Sacrifice

Kumusta kayong lahat! Another week down!! This week has been good, I've been on the recovery from my stomach sickness... but still not at 100% yet. Me and Elder Burton (one of my housemates) are still suffering pretty bad. I think to sum it up I'll share something I wrote in my journal last night: "Sometimes it feels like there's a fire in my stomach". Hahaha but despite the pain I've been able to push through more and get out and work this week. And the work has been great :)

Let's start out with last Monday, me and Elder Ruiz went to the sisters area all day and did a really sweet hike with them and some members. Man it was so much fun. We went to the beach and did a hike to some caves and a lighthouse.. I'll include some pictures. It was an absolute blast and the view was just gorgeous. I'm convinced that I'm in one of the most beautiful places in the world right now. Everyday I'm so grateful that I get to live somewhere so green and full of life.

This week getting back to working and being with the people has been amazing. I went on an exchange with Elder Quitalib, our other housemate. I took him to one of my favorite places in my area, Consuelo. It's so far away so we had a lot of time to talk; he shared some of his experiences and thoughts about his mission experience. (He goes home in a couple months so he's overflowing with wisdom). He told me that the more he's been on his mission, he's learned more and more that the mission and the gospel of Jesus Christ is all about sacrifice. And so that's what I've directed my thoughts and study's on this week: SACRIFICE

It's been an awesome and humbling experience to study the Savior and the sacrifice he made for all of us. I've also tried a little harder to pay more attention to the sacrifices others make for me, and there is so very very many. It's been very humbling.

I love this scripture in Romans 12: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Paul teaches us all to present ourselves as a living sacrifice, and live the way we should before God.

I'm learning more and more that life is hard sometimes. It is uncomfortable and sometimes painful. But, I'm learning that as we follow the example of Jesus Christ, as we sacrifice our time, energy, life for those around us and for God, we find true peace and happiness.

I love you all!! I hope that these emails aren't terribly boring... At least I include pictures right? ;) Thank you all for everything you do for me and the sacrifices you've made to help me get to this point. Those of you who are closest to me, I wish I could look you in the eye right now I tell you how grateful I am for the sacrifices you've made for me. How humbly grateful I am for you!

Have a wonderful week, make it a great one!

AGYAMAN

Elder Childers

Pictures:

Some pics of the fun P-day we had last week :)

This very, very adorable baby named Nathanial.. Very curly hair. He's the son of one of our investigators in Consuelo. Based upon the pictures I've seen, I would say this is a Filipino version of baby Jonas :) maybe my Mom could provide a little side by side comparison for you all ;)

We made snowflakes with a less-active family we're working with and some of their friends. Very good time.. Reminded me of some good times I had at BYU! Good thing I had that practice going in because Filipinos are very good snowflake makers.. (Interesting because there is NO snow here)