Antipolo Hills Zone- Philippines: Week 13 - BATMAN BEGINS🦇

 We are down to the homestretch of the 2 years... but we don't count days we make them count

Word of the week: bagong taon (new year)

I haven't emailed in a minute so this update is for basically all of January happy new year

ESPN Top 10 Highlights:

10. We all had to go take pictures with our passports to show the government that we were still in the country yessirrr still in the PH 1.5 years later. Got to see the OG MTC district. Shoutout 07-N. But pretty much got to see every white person that's in the PH Crazy sight. 

9. We were the top baptizing zone in December! #KingofKings This month of January we have #TheDarkKnightRises. We went full batman theme with no lights for the meetings and everything It's so hype I can't even lie. THE CITY NEEDS US. January goal is 51 binyags (baptisms)

8. Elder See finessed me. We were eating out and he said he was gonna put me on... then he bought me cow insides and pig ear ... BROO it was so bad. Disappointing put on from my companion..

7. My friend on the mission who went home in November came back this week to meet up with his soon to be fiancé They said they're gonna work with me on the 30th, so stay tuned for that. Working with a married couple shout out them

6. These past weeks we've cranked out exchanges. Had one with our DLs, APs, and even the housing Elders. So we went and serviced the mission van and helped some missionaries move. Just rounding out all my skills and finishing all the side quests. Elder Lavea slept over and wore baptism clothes to bed cause he was cold 

MIRACLES

5. We went to a friend's house randomly and she had a friend over. He at first wasn't gonna really listen, but we invited him in for a 10 minute lesson. We started talking about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and mentioned baptism. As soon as we mention it, he stops us. "What is the right way for baptism? And who do I go to for baptism?" He had been praying and asking God about baptism because of what he studied in the Bible. "I don't think it's an accident that you came here today." The spirit was so strong and we extended baptism to him for Feb 22. Pray for brother Ernie!! 

4. We had some recent converts able to baptize!! Brother Micca Fabella, the couple that was baptized in December, baptized his son who just turned 8 and his niece who is 10. It's so cool seeing him use his priesthood power and being excited to share the gospel and be a strong disciple of Christ!!

3. Me and Lavea were on exchanges a while back and smelled someone baking brownies as we were walking. We passed their house but thought we should go back. We knocked on the door and didn't really know what to say, but she invited us in to come try her brownies and we taught her a lesson. She said she doesn't usually entertain people and isn't going to convert but she listened. Fast forward to now, she has come to church twice, and accepted a BGD for Feb 15. Made the decision to be converted Throw some prayers sister Chings way.

2. Me and Elder See were walking when we were prompted to take a different route. As we walked down this road an old lady on the phone was leaving her house, she saw us and called us over. "Hold on I'm gonna hang up, this is more important" she hung up and told us how she's seen us a few times and wanted us to teach her because she believes that our church is true. Her faith is so strong, "I only see truth in your church". We invited her to live the Word of wisdom "Why would I say no? It's a commandment of God. Guess I'm not drinking coffee anymore." and she is now on baptism date for Feb 8th. Such an elect soul. Pray for Lucy!!

1. Elder See and I decided to walk to an appointment that we usually ride to. As we walked we felt prompted to try and visit someone past taught. As we talked to her she clearly wasn't interested, so we were a little confused by the prompting. As we were leaving her house, her neighbor was raking leaves and waved at us. We talked to her and she invited us to share a message with her. We found her on Saturday and she came to church on Sunday! She is the happiest person I've met. Always has a smile that's super infectious and she is on date for next Sunday, January 25. We were def led to meet sister Vangie. Excited for her

Espiritual na Isip:

"The only preparation for that one profound decision which can change a life, or even a nation, is those hundreds and thousands of half-conscious, self-defining, seemingly insignificant decisions made in private."

Small & Simple Things - President Oaks 2018

Love this quote, if we want to be ready to stand when something big happens, it comes down to the small decisions and preparations that we've doing everyday. That will determine if we are ready when the time comes. So keep doing them consistently and continuously. Pray, read the scriptures, go to church, and be in the temple. Simple recipe to spiritual momentum and miracles in your life. 

Elder Smith