He made it to Manila

November 28, 2014

Hey just doing a quick email to say I arrived in the Philippines safe and sound! It is currently dumping rain so that is pretty awesome! I am going on splits later today and proselyting in Quezon City! well gotta go! I'm safe! I love you!

 

Elder Child

 Brett's district with two of their teachers before they left the MTC

 Saying good bye to one of his teachers

Week #6

Hello!!

Well this past week has been really eventful! We got our travel plans last Saturday so I will include a picture of that. It's been so awesome leading up to my departure date! I'm kinda freaking out. Pero whatever. Basta, its been a very tiring week. Yesterday we had in field training which was an 8 hour long class with only one break for lunch. We learned about key indicators, how to gather referals, how to actually find investigators, and how to schedule appointments. But most important of all was that we learned that the people of our missions have been prepared by God their entire lives for us individually. It was so cool to be able to know that. We also recieved some bad news yesterday. Elder Shulkins (someone in my district) might now be able to leave with us to go to the Philippines because he has to get a colonosocopy. We have been praying for him ever since and we even gave him a blessing yesterday. Ever since I got here I have really felt the power of priesthood ordinances. When we gave the blessing yesterday I felt the spirit more strong than I have ever felt it before and I know the Lord will bless him according to his will. And yes mom I am allowed on youtube. But only to look up motab, general conference talks, and other church related songs. Also, yes I do have an assignment here in the MTC. I have been zone leader for the past three weeks so that has been a great opportunity to practice leadership. It's been kind of awkward because of my companionship because we are in a threesome. So me and my companion Elder Moffat are zone leaders and Elder Woolston just pretty much follows us around, can't go in any of the meetings, and just feels left out. So I feel kind of bad but whatever. He will get over it. Also today I attended the temple for the last time for the next two years so that was a good experience. I hope I can go at least once in Manila. Yesterday I had another opportunity to skype a native to the Philippines and that was an awesome experience! They talk so fast! Also do you think the phone you send me will work in the Philippines? Anyways how is everyone? I really like getting letters from everyone so keep them coming!! I'll be sure to send one in the mail before I leave the MTC so it won't cost as much! Well I love you all! Kita Kits!! Amping.

Love 

Elder Child

Week #5 - Winter is here

Family and friends,

Well first of all before I forget I had a great experience last Wednesday (the 5th). I had the opportunity to host new missionaries coming to the MTC and I go to host one international missionary and guess who it was!!! It turned out to be my roommate from EFY 3 years ago from England!!! It was so awesome to be able to see him again and catch up! Sadly I didn't get any pictures. Winter is also here though! It snowed yesterday and it was the most priceless thing to see all the islanders faces when they saw the snow. All of them were asking for pictures and insisting all day for snow ball fights. Man those guys can throw! So this week I have really made it my goal to study the whole hour of language study that I get every day and I have seen my progress shoot way up! It's crazy. Also last night me and my companions had the opportunity to skype a native Cebuano speaker and it made me realize how far I still have to go! Basta, I also want to share my missionary purpose sa Cebuano! Pangimbitar sa uban sa pagdual ngadto kang kristo pinaagi sa pagtabang kanila nga makadawat sa gipahiuli ang ebanghelyo sa pagbaton ug hugot nga  pagtuo kang JesuKristo og sa iyang pag-ula, paghinulsol, pagpabunyag, pagdawat sa gasa sa Espiritu Santo, ug paglahutay hangtud sa katapusan. Also For my missionary plaque I would like to use the scripture D&C 138:56. I'm happy to see that Sadie is coming along good! I can't wait to see her when I come back! It's crazy to think that in two weeks I will be half the world away from all of you! Are you still coming to pick me up at the end of my mission? I've also had the opportunity to go to the temple every week and that has really helped in my spiritual growth! I've heard from all of my teachers that it isn't a good idea to use your quad scriptures on your mission because they swell up really big. So i bought just a Book of Mormon since they said that's all you need! Well kita kits! Amping!

Love, 

Elder Child

Week #4

November 7, 2014

Dear family that does everything AFTER i leave on my mission,

That looks so awesome!! But to be honest the Philippines is a lot prettier than Hawaii. This past week has been great in the language and in the teaching experience. even though i am progressing in the language and learning alot i know i wont know anything when i actually get to the mission field considering i have to learn two or three more languages while im there. haha but oh well. Yesterday i was blessing my food and i came up with a question, What doctrine teaches us to bless our food? Ive really been thinking about this and i still havent found my answer even when asking companions and reading in the scriptures. But oh well. See if you guys can find my answer! Basta (anyways), this week has been the best by far! Me and my two companions have grown so close and its amazing to see the unity we have in everything we do including teaching, companion study, just talking, language study, and pretty much everything else! Mom you said i havent been answering questions? Which ones? Can you believe ive already been gone for a month??? time really does fly when you are busy! Even though i feel like i have been in the mtc for an eternity it feels like i just got here like two days ago. If that makes sense. Also i have gained 7 pounds!! i dont know where though cause i cant see or feel any.difference in my body. On better notes i am the arm wresting champ in my district excluding the Fijian elder and the Samoan elder because thats just not fair. Would you also please send me photos and a photo book or something! i have no pictures of any of you!! Ill be sure to include some pictures in this email. Also i am getting better with patience with my companion so that has really helped in my learning and growth! ill be sure to find some time one of these days to send you a hand written letter! its hard because our schedules are so crammed and im doing something non stop every day. sorry im not very good at writing these emails. I just run out of things to talk about. Also one more thought! Study alma chapter 7! thats an awesome chapter!

Love,

Elder Child