The Longer Ones

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Ch 127 Thoughts at the Temple

I have a story about today. Today we had temple p-day and we had a fun time. at first, we were happy and excited but got a bit stressed because gathering missionaries is like trying to herd cats.  So we went to the distribution center and gathered our zone so they're ready for their sessions. And then we noticed 1 companionship not going to the temple. A few elders went back and said they weren't participating in the temple today with the saddest tone in their voice. And we told them, "Don't worry we don't want you to be alone, we're here for you." They seemed really out of it so we sat in the annex and talked about the importance of temples and why we're here as missionaries. it's weird because I feel like everything I said wasn't meant for them, it was meant for me, but regardless of who it was for, it is true and we needed to hear it. After our talk, we pondered while reading our scriptures and we knew us sitting out there had a purpose. It's true we might've missed our session but it was alright. I think at that moment we were needed elsewhere and it reminded all of us of the reasons we are here and the sacred nature of why we need to do our best all the time. we needed that. 

Being an intentional disciple of Jesus Christ can be hard because we're human we make mistakes and a lot of times we're not perfect we don't feel like we're good enough or worthy enough but the temple is "not a sanctuary for the perfect it is a hospital for the repentant sinners" and isn't that all of us? I love being in there but today though we weren't able to go inside we still learned a lot. even outside the House of the Lord, being in its presence grants us the revelation we need.

-Elder Villanueva
Tayo Na Pilipinas! (Let's Go Philippines!)

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Ch 126 Dangers of Pride and Casualness

This week was a bad week for me. I lost control of who I am and should've been better. I was prideful in what I was capable of and I lost control and I ended up hurting my companion. In our first companionship inventory, he opened up and Elder Hill sometimes feels like he isn't good enough to be a zone leader. And all I've done is make him feel like this fear is real. Elder Hill is a great missionary and a great zone leader, I dragged him down when I should've built him up. Through our work ethic was incredible and we had public victories, I didn't help him prepare to have those small private victories to become more obedient or to have greater love towards others. I failed him as a companion. We have been wallowing in self-pity since Saturday. and I know it's because it's my fault.

I never intended to hurt him. I never intended for bad things to happen. But because I didn't intend to be exactly obedient. Because I intended to be casual, he got hurt, and we're still hurting. I messed up. and but we'll work through it. We stumbled upon a few verses in Alma 42:30-31 

30 O my son, I desire that ye should deny the justice of God no more. Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point because of your sins, by denying the justice of God; but do you let the justice of God, and his mercy and his long-suffering have full sway in your heart; and let it bring you down to the dust in humility.

31 And now, O my son, ye are called of God to preach the word unto this people. And now, my son, go thy way, declare the word with truth and soberness, that thou mayest bring souls unto repentance, that the great plan of mercy may have a claim upon them. And may God grant unto you even according to my words. Amen.

We're working on it together and hopefully, we can get there. I love him so much, I love Jesus Christ for his infinite atonement for us, and I'm ready to change. 

-Elder Villanueva
Tayo Na Pilipinas! (Let's Go Philippines!)

P.S. We had a baptism and MTC exchanges at the same time so shoutout to Elder Myer and Elder Baldauf because they just had their first baptism!! We had so much fun with them, we know they'll do just fine
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Also baptism from last week
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Monday, January 6, 2020

Ch 124-125 Happy New Year's!

To celebrate New Years we decided to find 20 new investigators between Dec 30th - Jan 1st. To usher the new year with 20 new friends before the year even began. and it worked pretty dang well. everyone was super pumped and so far we're really excited about their progress. 

I think finding new friends can be a scary thing. Especially when nowadays everyone feels more comfortable being detached from the world and being wired to their phones. But that's all the more reason why they need Jesus Christ. We need that foundation, we need that strength, we need that light in our lives, and I know that if we intentionally try to seek Him out, we won't regret it. 

I know I've been sucking at email lately. I blame computers in Montalban because we don't have any... but my faith in Him hasn't changed and my love for you definitely hasn't. I know each of us is chosen at this time to do so much. He loves us, and knows us, and has so much in store for us. So let's make our time count. 2019 is done now, let's make 2020 an even better new year

-Elder Villanueva
Tayo Na Pilipinas! (Let's Go Philippines!)