The Longer Ones

Monday, July 8, 2019

Ch 99 Trial of your Faith

When first decided to go on a mission (Philippines Pangasinan area), I did it because I thought it was the right thing to do. Because "God" told me to. I didn't expect I would actually get to know Him. I didn't expect I would learn the Atonement in a more personal way than I've ever thought possible.

The second time I decided to go on a mission (Philippines Bulacan area), I went because I know that Jesus Christ never gave up on me... Even when I thought he should've... He never let me go. so I did my best. And I never gave up on Him.

The third time, here in (Philippines, Capitol Region), I thought that things would be more or else the same from my other missions. I didn't expect to learn something my Mother thought was impossible. 

Whenever we ask God to give us strength, or whenever we ask God for peace, or whenever we ask God for patience, do you know what you're asking for? Rather than immediate bigger muscles or a koi fish, He gives us opportunities to find strength, to find peace, to find patience. He gives us time to practice it, for us to learn it for ourselves. You want strength? He will show you, someone, who is weak, who will need your strength to press on. You want peace? He will show you an oasis, and He will give us the option of choosing if we're willing. You want patience? He will give you something or in some cases someone worth waiting for. 

In my entire existence in this world. My parents knew me as quirky, strange, studious, happy, annoying, and flat-out weird. But they never knew me as anyone mature. Well lately it's been something I've been praying about and I thought it would be a gift that would instantaneously arrive. I did not expect trials or setbacks, and then it happened. 

I guess what I'm saying is don't be afraid of trials, because I know that there is a divine plan for them. For us to learn more Christ-like attributes. That the most perfect person in the world went through a lot of crap too. Jesus Christ and His Servants were despised for the truth. They were spat upon, tortured, beaten, for doing what's right. So if there's ever a time you feel tired. or lost. or in pain. or beaten. Don't you dare forget that He went through that too? He cares about you. He gives us trials because he loves us. 

I'm not a mature person. I'm trying. God, I'm trying. I know I'm not as tactful as I ought to be. I know I haven't mastered my emotions. But dang it, it's a process. I'm trying to learn. I know I've got a long way to go, but bit by bit. I'll get there. 

In other news, we baptized 2 people last week. I finally my 50th. and we found this pretty cool investigator lemme tell you about him.

Chris. He's our investigator that won't be baptized for another 2-3 months. Our Mission President said that because of his situation he would need to wait for 3 months and read the entire Book of Mormon before being interviewed to be baptized, so we went over to his house to explain the situation. At first, we were scared and nervous about how he's going to react, we did our best to let him down gently saying his baptismal date needs to be extended. But anyway this is what he said.
"That's it? it's okay Elders! I wanna finish the Book of Mormon, but can you help me?"
"Sure Chris! even if we have to read every day with you, we'll do whatever it takes"
I'm really happy for him, He's a kind kid. So much has already changed from when we first visited him... he's growing up to be a really good person, and though he has to wait I'm happy that I get to see his growth even more.


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

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