Preparing for Transfers

So this week we had Zone Interviews. We had a three hour workshop from President and Sister Peterson and the AP's. It was really good and I learned a ton about finding and keeping a great area book. I have some really good ideas of some changes to implement when I get back to Pola.

Anyways I had my first interview with President Peterson and I wasn't really sure what to expect. I was pretty nervous! Well I went in and it was the most relaxed interview I've ever had. He was just apologizing for how crazy the last few weeks have been. I jokingly asked if he could put me in the 3 other areas of the Zone so I can say I served in every area in one transfer! He laughed pretty good about that one. Anyways, one of the Zone Leaders, Elder K. is done with his mission and is going home on Wednesday. He was kind enough to carry some letters for me and drop them in the mailbox in the states. There's a letter for Mom (Birthday letter so don't upon until Nov. 9th), Uncle Christopher, Coleman Scholz, Louanne, and Christine. So because Elder K left, I'm with the other Zone Leader, Elder Libatique in Calapan until Transfers. I was able to go on Saturday to a baptism for three investigators I taught a few times here in Calapan. Halfway through the opening hymn, the Branch Mission Leader comes back and asks me to speak on the Gift of the Holy Ghost. I had less than 5 minutes to prepare! I think a lot of American missionaries when they first get here try to teach in both Tagalog and English so they feel more comfortable. For me, I've decided no English at all, which has really helped. It would have been easy to give the talk in Taglish, but I was committed to no English. I was flipping through my scriptures and praying for guidance and the Gift of Tongues. Earlier that morning in personal study I'd been studying in 3 Nephi, I think Chapter 19 about the Nephites receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. They described it as the thing "they desired most". This was perfect. I spoke on that and from 2 Nephi 32 about through the Holy Ghost we can know all the things we should do. As I spoke, I was really nervous and I felt like my Tagalog wasn't making any sense. When I would felt discouraged I would look out at the sister missionaries who were all smiles and that helped a ton. I finished up, bore my testimony and sat back down. I was worried that no one had understood what I had said. The Sisters told me how awesome I was, but they're always that nice. At the end of the Baptism the Branch President came up and asked me how long I'd been in the field. When I told him about a month he didn't believe me! He told me my Tagalog was so good! Phew! That made me feel a lot better! I truly believe the Spirit put into my mouth the words to say. I know my Tagalog is not good, and with the Spirit and the Gift of Tongues I could not have done what I did. At the end of all this I went up to the Branch Mission Leader and said, "Maraming salamat po sa binyag ng apoy!" (Thanks so much for the baptism of fire!)

This week I'll go up to San Pablo for the transfer meeting. I'm pretty excited to meet my new companion! We have a mission tour on the 26th with Elder Teh who is the President of the Philippines Area. I think I may buy some rubber shoes here for when it rains. Some missionaries have them and love them. I'm sad to hear about Sister Sleight, I do remember her well. One thing I would like if it exists is a copy of Mormon Tab's 9/11 program. Also, we're allowed to have Church movies, so like Joseph Smith Prophet of the Restoration, Testaments, Mountain of the Lord, stuff like that. That's all I can think of right now. Oh and maybe like a Washington Wizards t-shirt with their new colors. People love the NBA here.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve. It's been very challenging thus far. Three areas and 5 companions in 5 weeks. But I know the Lord is preparing me. I pray for challenges every night. The Lord gives us challenges either way, but at least I know that when I pray for them and for patience, the Lord will do everything to help me. We can only learn the most valuable and precious lessons from trials that stretch us to our very limit. The Prophet Joseph Smith spoke about his life full of trials and how he felt like Paul, that he gloried in his trials, because he knew that no matter what, the Lord will always deliver him. Love you all!

Love,
Elder Yost