Elder Davis Baguio Philippines : Maling Alarma

Well that was a lame excuse for a typhoon... By the way I survived. It never even got worse than your average winter day in Oregon. This explains the title of false alarm in Tagaog (mom take notes you may have to be my translator when I return the language is destroying my English.)

So this week was quite the week. Monday we went and found a coconut tree and got the green coconuts called bukos and made buko juice using the juice and meat of the coconut. Tuesday we had the "storm" We did several hours of study caught up on sleep cleaned the house and played 8 hours of the card game scum (which is supper fun with the 4 of us.) It wasn't that bad but we needed to get out at the end of the day.

Wednesday we had our district meeting and surprise the assistance to the president was there and guess what they were going on exchanges with me and my companion. I spent all day proselyting in Sanfernando. That was quite the change in pace. There is a large hill there so I went from the flattest area ever to the biggest stairs ever. But it was exactly what I needed I learned so much from the Assistant. He was amazing I loved working with him he is literally one of the most kind people ever. He boosted my confidence so much because he made me do a lot more in everything. He taught me a lot about contacting and finding so we did a lot better with our contacting and finding after that.

Thursday was a regular day we had a lunch eating goat at a members house. That was really good actually. We visited one of our investigators to find that the nanay of the house had passed away and that they had a Catholic viewing set up. Apparently it is common to have gambling in front of caskets after someone passes away, so, ya that was interesting. We shared a message about the plan of salvation and left them to there party.

Friday We went to practice for the musical devotional, and did weekly planing, and proselyted. It is hard because here even outside you have a priesthood holder or someone over 18 for a lesson so getting lessons are hard because the branch only has 3 active priesthood holders that are not missionary's and only 2 of them are willing to work with us but aren't available all the time. But even with the typhoon we almost met the standard of excellence for a full week.

Saturday was a regular day but we were guided by the Lord to find people that could end up with a baptism for December.

Sunday was not just any Sunday but fast Sunday Dun dun dun...(add dramatic music) No problem for me. I enjoyed It it strengthened me and I feel the spirits strength with me. But having 20 Elder fasting at your branch building means you get a large group of elders begging you to take them to your apartment to feed them. This was solved when sister Bangal brought dinner. The Musical devotional was a devotional put together by the Baguio mission so we had a group of 20 some odd missionary's for a choir and several speakers. It was nice to be part of a choir again and to share my talent with others. I helped teach the tenors there part earlier in the week so thank you to my amazing choir teacher for teaching me how to take charge when needed and how to read music even better then I could before.The musical devotional was amazing we had several investigators there.

So all in all this week was good, and I saw the Lords hand in my life so many ways. I thank him every day that I can be here serving him doing the exact things he would do if he were here on the earth.

My message this week is from Alma 43 19-20

19 And when the armies of the Lamanites saw that the people of Nephi, or that Moroni, had prepared his people with breast plates and with arm-shields, yea, and also shields to defend their heads, and also they were dressed with thick clothing—

20 Now the army of Zerahemnah was not prepared with any such thing; they had only their swords and their cimeters, their bows and their arrows, their stones and their slings; and they were naked, save it were a skin which was girded about their loins; yea, all were naked, save it were the Zoramites and the Amalekites;

I challenge you to not be like the Laminites but be like the Nephits. Do those things you have to do to protect yourself from the "firey darts of the adversary" Read your scriptures say daily prayer and never drop your standards for any reason. Keep close to your Heavenly Father so you can always feel of the spirit it is so amazing.