Maligayang pasko

Hello every one And merry Christmas to all of you This week September has started so we here in the Philippines have started the Christmas season and count down so yes. I am sorry for the short email last week we ran out of time so I typed up the fastest letter I've ever typed in my whole mission so ya. But anyway after one year of being on the mission I feel like just yesterday I entered and my only real different feeling is the sadness of the fact that I'm one month closer to going home but I try to not think about it and just focus on one day at a time, but anyways thank you for all the love and support you've all given to me in this one year.
     Monday We had a great FHE with the ward mission leader it was great and was great way to build up the relationship with them.
    Tuesday we went out and visited the family that had the child bitten by the cobra and died last week. this was ok there was a bunch of people visiting the family so we just got to share a short message with them about the plan of salvation. So this was pretty good. We then had a hard rest of the day and then in the end of the day we had  a dinner with the Mina family for the birthday of sister Mina it was pretty great.
    Wednesday we had interviews with president this was great we were able to open up about things we needed to talk with them about. Then in the afternoon we went to Dasay and had everyone not be there and got hit with rain. Then in the evening we got a great lesson with the Peralta family about the plan of salvation. Sister actually seamed somewhat interested so ya that was pretty good.
     Thursday we had exchanges and I went to the area of the district leader which I was working in for a month when I didn't have a companion so this was supper nice because I got the opportunity to see the progression of some of the people that we had found and were teaching in my time there. It was so nice I loved it and realized how much I loved the area and the people so I am supper exited for that.
     Friday We closed exchanges then had an apartment check and 72 hour kit check this went well. We then had weekly planing. We then visited sister Jenalyn the Recent convert and had a great lesson with them about the plan that God has for each of us. We then had a mission quardanation meeting this was pretty good. Our new ward mission leader is great and loves missionary work.
    Saturday Elder Barredo was sick so we went out late but then when we went out we worked with brother Leones the Ward mission leader it was great we actually went and visited some of the less actives we are visiting It was pretty good.
   Sunday we had a great sacrament meeting then in the afternoon had a steak choir practice it was great.
     Then today we went and climbed mount Noah and it was great.  so ya
   So this is the week in a nut shell so yes it was pretty good.
   My spiritual thought this week comes from Alma 26: 30
30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.  

This verse is a pretty great verse talking about how the work of God has problems and struggles but the Joy it brings and the Joy it brings for others. So we as those who know must go and share and those who don't know should seek out the fullness of the gospel and then follow it to be able to receive the unspeakable joy that this verse speaks about.

   So thank you all for all your love and support.

Elder Davis.

Isang taon na ako nasa mission. August 25th 2019

Hello everyone  So this week I reached my one year point in the mission. so ya I cant believe that I am half way through but I am so exited to be able to continue to work here in my mission. 

     Monday we did the things we needed to do.

    Tuesday we went out to Parparaya and we were told that we should go to a less active member that there child had been bitten by a cobra so they had died. We went and visited them and they had found 6 eggs of the cobra and ended up as we were there the cobra itself came out so that was crazy because there was 6 of them fighting the cobra. this Was crazy because the cobra was big. It was so sad because the kid was there. But so we shared a brief message of comfort and asked if we could come back. Apparently this family made national news so its pretty big.

The rest of the week was pretty average we just did the regular things nothing else big append. Ill email you all again next week

Elder Davis

**** Mom note here... The phone call we got right before this letter was much more extensive about his experiences....It was one of those days where the Lord comforted my heart once again that he was going to be ok and that he was in the Lords hands. The weeks (months, years...) leading up to his mission call I worried about him going to a dangerous place. While we waited for the call I cried and prayed that everything would be ok and he would be safe. The Lord spoke peace to my heart and I was comforted. The moment he read Philippines my eyes filled with tears and I had 2 seconds of fear and then the calm returned I knew the Lord would take care of him. After we started preparing and I read about all the dangers of mosquito I worried and told him to ALWAYS wear his bug spray.... I really mostly worried about the mosquitoes.... Then he tells us about helping search for the Cobra snake and how the body was as big around as he can make with his finger to finger touching in a circle. It stood up on end and flared its hood it was as wide as his shoulders! I went on line (BIG MISTAKE! DON'T DO THIS!) I had no idea how major a problem cobra's are there! Well now I know.... But again I have felt the peace that only the spirit can bring.

For his 1/2 way mark we sent a package!

We sent some things he needed (deoderant...) and some stuff just to show him we love him and to remind him of home. A Monmouth t shirt, snacks, Oregon playing cards... flavor packets for his water.

Balikdad na lingio

Hello every one. This week was absolutely great completely reverse of the other weeks so ya.
     Monday We went out and visited some members that had referrals it was good. So ya we got some of the things we needed to do done.
    Tuesday  We had district counsel then after district counsel we had exchanges and so I stayed in my area and was companions with the district leader. Tuesday was great we went to Dasay and was able to visit lots of people. We had a great lesson with sister Therisa and her husband about the apostasy. Brother was supper exited and said that "yes all this is true it says here in the Bible that this and that..." so it was great and we look forward to returning to visit them. Then in the evening we visited the Peralta family. We had a great lesson with them because of the two less active members just sat down and joined in the lesson and participated so this was great and they agreed to meet with us again. The family shows great potential and we are supper exited to keep visiting them.
    Wednesday We went and had closed our exchanges then returned  We had delayed planing and went out we visited the Tedpack family and shared with them about thought Jesus Christ, and we can be perfected in Moroni 10:32-33. This was good then we went and did finding.
    Thursday We went out to Santa and did tons of finding in Santa around the Island that the Viliaruz family live on. We then visited the Viliaruz family and had a great lesson about the gospel of Jesus Christ and then extended the invitation to be baptized. We are super exited for them but the only problem is that she will be leaving in September at an unknown time so we need to do it in the right time but at the same time in the time that she is here because she is going somewhere where she cant go to church because the church is not allowed there.
    Friday We went out to Codoog and had a good lesson with sister Nora about the importance of the Book of Mormon then the Lardizabal family about the importance of the commandments. We then went and found a recent convert. So this day was ok.
    Saturday night we went and visited Brother Joseph. We had a great lesson about faith we then extended the invitation to be baptized and he was so calm and accepting it we though he didn't understand it. He then told us that he didn't know it was true but felt It was true and we talked about how this is exactly how thing will be so we are supper exited for him and I have seen how he has changed.
Sunday I gave a talk in sacrament. We then had a great opportunity to work with a return missionary in the ward. This was great.
     This week was great and I look forward to another.
My spiritual thought this week comes from the verses I mentioned earlier Moroni 10: 32 and 33

32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.

I know I have shared this before but it is one of my favorites and it is so true that the lord will help us become perfect if we turn to him. So I invite you today to turn to Christ and be perfected in him.

Thank you all for your love and support..

Elder Ethan Davis.

Malakas na ulan ibig sabihin quenting tao August 11,2019

Hello every one this week has been full of rain which here in the
Philippines is considered like crazy to be out so it makes missionary
work just a little bit harder but the work goes on so this week was
hectic as always.
      Tuesday we had a zone conference this was great because President
Oldroyd the new mission president is absolutely amazing. He answered
so many concerns and questions without me even having to mention them
to him. We then returned and visited brother Joseph one of the people
that we are teaching who has great potential. We had a great lesson
with him and his mom who both have been taught by past missionaries.
The lesson was about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. his mom had some
great insights about the scriptures that we shared and so every thing
was great.
     Wednesday We went and helped the Santa Maria elders move there
apartment and in a total of 4 trike rides moved everything from one
apartment to the other. Then in the afternoon we went and tried to
visit some of the people we had found in Orence but they were all
busy so we did findings and found someone with great potential..
     Thursday we were supposed to go out to Santa but this is the day
the big storm hit so when we got out there and saw the waves we
decided it wasn't safe and we had better not so we went back to
Narvacan and went out to Dasay and had a great lesson with Nanay
Peralta. A part member  who is really interested just has a concern
that we still haven't found out yet so we will keep trying.
     Friday we went out to Cagayingan and tried to visit our people
there but they were busy or not there or didn't want to open the door
because of the rain so we spent the day finding
      Saturday we went to the baptism in Santa Maria then in the
afternoon visited a member of the ward who the bishop has asked us to
visit. This was great they had 2 referrals that they gave. The lesson
was great and the spirit was amazing as we helped them know how to
help there friend. We then went to visit brother Joseph and had a
great lesson about how to find out for our-self he has lots of interest
in the Gospel and is supper exited to ask question.
     Sunday we had a good day at church low attendance due to the rain
then in the afternoon we got to work with our new ward mission leader
which was great.
     So ya that is my week. My spiritual thought comes from 1 Nephi 20
16 Come ye near unto me; I have not spoken in secret; from the
beginning, from the time that it was declared have I spoken; and the
Lord God, and his Spirit, hath sent me.
The lord speaks through his prophets there for I invite you all to
study the word of new and old prophets through general conference and
other articles from general authorities and the scriptures especially the
Book of Mormon and I know it will help.
Thank you all for all your love and support
Elder Davis

Backet wala na ang mga tinaturan namin

Hello to every one. This week has been crazy for us half of the people
we were teaching weren't going to be there. So this week has just been
chaos as well as trying to find people.
    Monday we got stuff done that we needed to be done and got ready
for the the week.
     Tuesday we went to Parparaya after district counsel then visited
some less active people down there then went to visit a recent
convert and there was her friend who we had taught before and he
tried to make it into a debate but my companion avoided a debate .
    Wednesday we went and  tried to visit some people in Dasay but
we got a ton of texts that " oh we won't be there next time na lang"
so we decided to try and visit the other manicapality in our area that
was right next to us. This was great we found it was closer and more
receptive than some of the other areas we are working in. We then in
the evening went and visited a part member family and it was great
because the sister has been sharing the gospel with one of her friends
and we shared how she could help them in there life.
     Thursday we went and found one of the old investigators of of the
old missionaries then went and visited some members for the birthday of
one of the interested peoples mother in law who is a member. This was
good then we went and visited one of the recent converts and less
actives that was good.
     Friday we did weekly planing then went out to Codoog and visited
the Lardizabal family a less active  family then went and had a great
lesson with them about the Atonement of Christ. Then found a bunch of
people
     Saturday we went and spent the day with the a missionary preparing
to go home who was spending his last Sunday here.
   Sunday we spent with the missionary as well. We also had a fireside
with an RM and MTC teacher here  that was good we learned about
dealing with stress.
    So yes that was the week busy and like not much happening at the same.
   My spiritual thought this weeks come from 1 Nephi 17 :13 And I will
also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way
before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore,
inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the
promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led.
     The lord will guide us through all things including as we have
questions and ask him in faith. He will answer us and help us.|
   Elder Davis

Isa Pang Transfer Sa narvacan!!! July 28,2019

Hello Every one This week was transfer calls so we were a little bit worried if one of us would transfer (probably me) but Saturday came and left and not one of us here in Narvacan is transferring just Santa Maria so we were supper happy about that.
    Tuesday we had district counsel in Narvacan then in the afternoon we went to Parparaya we went to sister Maricels house and had a great lesson about the Book of Mormon and the atonement of Christ she was really happy that we were there. We then tried to visit one of our old people only to find out she was being feed anti church information so we had to leave unfortunately, because of the rain and the flood no one wanted to accept us so we went and tried to visit a member but they weren't there.
    Wednesday we went out to Dasay and visited some people down there and found out one of the husband of one of the interested people just wants to debate with us we then spent the day trying to find people to teach.
     Thursday we went out to Sucoc and tried to visit people down there but they were all in the field, so we then went and visited a brother in Cagayungan and had a great lesson about the Book of Mormon with him.  Then had  a past investigator call us over as we were in Nanguneg and had a great lesson with him he was supper exited to see us and the lesson was great.
    Friday we went out to Santa and visited Brother lestor and had a great lesson with his family about the Book of Mormon and they were supper exited to see us and wanted a reading assignment so we are exited to visit them again.
    Saturday we went out and visited the lardizabal family then ended up with the rest of the people we were supposed to visit not being home so we tried to find people to visit.
    Sunday we had a great sacrament meeting and priesthood quorum, then got a bunch of people being busy so ya lots and lots of finding.
    So this week was a weird and slightly hard week but that's fine.
   My spiritual thought this week comes from 1 Nephi 10

17 And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God—and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come—I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto gall those who diligently seek him, as well in times of hold as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men.

18 For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him.
19 For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round.
We all have questions and that is good and natural so I encourage you that as you have these questions to ask them and search for the answer in the right places as there are many different people will try to destroy our faith but I invite you to ask questions in places where you will find the right answer and then continue in faith.

Thank you, all feel free to ask me questions and I will help you answer it.

Elder Davis

’May bagio na July 21, 2019

 Hello every one this week was crazy we had a small low pressure typhoon and a bunch of things that was kinda crazy for us but it was good we got a lot more done so yay go rain!
    Monday in the evening we had a FHE and it was great there was several people there who I was glad was there.
     Tuesday we had regular studies then we went and worked in the rain out in Santa. Unfortunately no one wanted to talk with us but the area out there was crazy there was one barangay that was scary it looked like a war zone because of a typhoon in 2001 and they just haven't had time to fix the area yet. Then in the evening we had an FHE down at the house of brother Viliaruz they were supper happy and supper exited about it they loved it and wanted us to return but we will have to see how often or when we can return because they are so far out and things are just kinda harder for them and me.
     Wednesday we had the opportunity to be interviewed by the new mission president and he is awesome. He knew which one of us had written what, what area we are in, and as we talked I could tell he was looking for a way to help us and the people we are serving. I love him already and look forward to working with him more. Then after district counsel we had exchanges. I went and worked in Santa Maria (AGAIN! {joke lang yun}) It was great I love the area we worked hard despite pouring rain and then worked on my companions language as we worked.
    Thursday after we closed our exchanges we went out and visited brother Lagmay and had a good lesson with him about the Book of Mormon he was supper receptive and it was great we. Then walked around and tried to visit others but because it started raining they didn't want to talk to us and said "go get home get shelter" so ya that was ok we visited one of the less actives in the area.  
         Friday we went into a barangay called Dasay and visited some of the people there and met some people for the first time, and revisited sister Kimberly,  a young sister who lives there. She was a past investigators of the missionaries before that had been lost in transfers, she was receptive and exited that we had returned. We had a great lesson about how we can learn from the Book of Mormon and how to apply it to our life. She was supper grateful and had been still reading the Book of Mormon and was supper thankfull.
     Saturday we went and returned to Sister Halog the Nanay we visited last week and she was happy we had returned she readily accepted a lesson. We had a lesson with her.then we kinda circled around and visited some less active, and tried to contact some old findings again. Then in the evening we had a lesson with the recent convert sister Jenalyn this was ok and we enjoyed sharing with her and we finally also found out one of the things that is keeping her from church so we will be visiting her and her family trying to help overcome that concern.
       Sunday church was ok we had a good sacrament meeting about how to learn for our self then after church we went out to work in Codoog and visited the Lardisabal family. We had a great lesson about the temple there found out one of there concerns and we will be helping them with that. Then we went and walked back and visited some old findings then visited the Cabico family they were happy to see us again but it started raining and so they sent us home.

    So ya that was my week we had a good week despite being slightly hard.
My spiritual thought this week comes from first Nephi 8: 5-9

5 And it came to pass that I saw a man, and he was dressed in a white robe; and he came and stood before me.
6 And it came to pass that he spake unto me, and bade me follow him.
7 And it came to pass that as I followed him I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste.
8 And after I had traveled for the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me, according to the multitude of his tender mercies.
9 And it came to pass after I had prayed unto the Lord I beheld a large and spacious afield.

Sometimes even as we follow the plan of the lord we may feel like we are in a darkness and we can't see why things are the way things are or why we face the temptations we do and so many other thing but if we have faith and pray to be delivered Eventually in the time of the lord we will be delivered there for my invitation for you is for you to pray to heavenly father and continue in faith even if its hard. If you need or desire to seek the knowledge and answers to questions you need (I am always open to answers your questions) from reliable sources given by God.  I know that this is the church of Christ on this earth and he dose guide it. 

Thank you for all your love and support 

Elder Davis

GRRRR palay season na

Hello every body So palay (Or rice in English,) season just started so every one is in the field so things have been slow but we keep working.
    Monday we shopped got the stuff done that we needed to get done done in the evening we had our FHE canceled that we were supposed to go to so we just kinda chilled for the day because this was the second week in a row that we had gotten over 54 hours proselyting so ya long week.
     Tuesday, we went to the barangay called Samingan. We got there and the first person we were supposed to visit was sleeping. We then walked for a few kiloliters and found another barangay that was supper far away this was hard because there was no one home every one was out in the bukid or at school, so ya. Then in the evening we returned and found that sister Jessica the person we were supposed to visit earlier was there and was happy to see us and that we had returned. We shared a great lesson about sharing the gospel and got a great referral from her. We then tried to visit some of the less active members there (a family) only to find out they were in the hospital because of the sickness of the dad. So we started walking back and finding people this was slightly hard because most people who go to the field come from the field and start drinking so it was hard but then there was a point where both of us were thirsty and were out of water so we stopped at a Tindahan and got a soft drink and started talking with the people who were there and it turned one used to work for a member so it was a great opportunity he was interested so we arraigned to come back. 
    Wednesday we had zone conference and got to meet the new mission president. He is great one of the first things he said was that "there are no big changes right now" I love him already for so many reasons he is so nice and great. Then after words president approved splits so my companion could help another companion so I went and worked in Santa Maria again, in the evening we returned to our area.
    Thursday We went out to Parparaya and found that all of the people were in the field in Paprapraya so we went to the next barangay, Banglayan and found several potential people We then tried to visit sister Joana and April. Sister April was the only one there but her older brother was there so we were able to share but she has unfortunately lost almost all interest in us I'm not sure if its because of the things her religion is telling her or for other reasons so we are going to try having the sisters visit her again and see how things go. We then went to one of our interested family the Banyo family and had a great lesson with them about how the book of Mormon will bless our life and family.
    Friday we went out to Santa with bishop and visited brother Viliaruz the member that we visited last week in the beautiful Santa (no not the man with a big red suit beard and a stomach like a bowl full of jelly the municipality.) We wad a great lesson, bishop helped so much and we are supper exited to return there. Bishop had some great suggestions for us. Then we went and visited sister Jenalyn and her older brother  and had a great lesson about how the gospel of Jesus Christ can help you in your life.
     Saturday We went out and visited sister Scarlet and had a great lesson with her using the Come Follow Me. We then went and taught the Halog family about the family, Gods Plan, and the Godhead they were supper receptive and liked the message and accepted a return appointment we then went and visited a few other people briefly then went home.
     Sunday we had a great sacrament meting about becoming instruments in the hand of the Lord, it was a great meeting. After that went and tried to visit some people and a bunch of the people we were supposed to be visiting were in the field, so we went to another area and visited some of the people we found there and had a great lesson about the Plan of Salvation because they had had a nephew die recently. They really liked the message and accepted a return appointment.
Now today we went out to Pinsal falls again. Then we returned and are emailing so things are pretty good even though the work is hard its great.
    My spiritual thought this week comes from the Come Follow Me for last week in Acts 9
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a alight from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

Now the thing that happened to  to Saul (Paul) was great amazing and a miracle but we shouldn't need for something the great to happen for us to ask "Lord what wilt tho have me to do" We should just want to do the will of the Lord and that should be the questions that we ask him therefore this is my invitation to ask through prayer as to what you should do to do what he wants us to do.

Thank you all for all your love and support.

Elder Davis

At the falls again with a new companion since he hasn't been there before. More water was there this time and it is SOOOO beautiful.

Saying goodbye to President

Building a house for a family. They used hollow blocks, and "cement" and one wall out of bamboo. 

The floor is made out of cement. The house would fit in our entire living room.

Rainy season gear

The house

Beautiful falls!