-No packages yet, I could get some tomorrow at Zone Interviews
-I got letters from Mom, Dear Elders, and a letter from Bishop Forsyth!
-Just bought an umbrella today that'll be really good
-Thanks for the pictures!!
-The Calderwood's are going to NYC! Please tell them congrats! Weird thing, a few days ago I thought about them and asked myself, "How is he not a mission president yet?" Pretty funny. They will do so so well up there!
-The BYU Lax Twitter should be titled, "The Ted Ferrin Show"
-Mom keep teaching the 4th graders Tagalog! Sabihin ninyo sa kanila, "Magandang umaga!"
Well, I didn't have dog for dinner last week...we got to our Branch President's house late and it was all gone!
I feel like this week went by so fast! After this week we'll be halfway through the transfer! Holy cow! I'm coming up on 10 months, and with 14 months left I thought about where I was 14 months ago...I was playing lacrosse at the Y! That seems like yesterday. Then a random thought came into my mind, that in 14 months I'll be wearing that baby blue seer-sucker (“seeeeer suckaaa as Coach Funk would say”) suit! Dad I hope you're looking around for it! You think they'll let me wear that before I get released? Doesn't hurt to dream!
We are working so hard here and our work is so so so hard! We had a day this past week where we taught 4 lessons, and went to 8 other homes and weren't able to teach them! We're truly flying around all day long. It's honestly amazing that I have any energy because we are working so hard. Priesthood service truly does bring physical strength and rejuvenation.
Brother C., the father we have been teaching,is continuing to progress and should be baptized soon! He's so ready! His 17 year old daughter (I think she has a crush on me) is doing well. We'll have to make sure she's REALLY converted before she gets baptized, but she's making progress.
As for the 29 year old man we have been teaching...the greatest potential investigator I have had in the Philippines may have just turned into the greatest tragedy. His family belongs to another prominent church and his family they are so so so mad with him. They pretty much all live together so we can't really go to teach him. He's only sent us a few texts telling us how mad his family is and that he's really sorry. We have another Less-Active member that is close to this man. Last week we saw this brother's mom on our way to an appointment. She at first tried to be nice to me because she wanted me to buy a halo-halo (is a popular Filipino dessert ), and when I said no thanks she said "Why don't you just go and take my son back with you to Ancient America with that Mormon guy." Woah. Well at least it sounds like her son was trying to get us some referrals! We honestly are going to need a miracle with this brother. His heart is so ready, but his family, and the adversary are doing all they can to stop him.
Elder Jones is doing really well. The language is still a work in progress. We had an awesome lesson with a Less-Active this week. I've told you about this brother before and how we've opened up the scriptures with him and how it's been so good. Teaching him has really forced me to use the scriptures effectively in teaching, because he won't believe a word from the “Gospel of Elder Yost”, but if it's in the scriptures, it's true. I've learned that the hard way in the past with him, trying to reason with him and it's not turned out well. He is having a hard time believing in the Book of Mormon and the Prophet Joseph Smith. He just can't bring himself to believe the Book of Mormon is true because he thinks the Bible is it and nothing can add. We put together a lesson plan focusing on how they witness of each other, and how they truly are one in purpose in testifying of the Savior. We read with him in Ezekiel about the stick of Judah and of Ephraim, and then we read in 2 Nephi 3, pretty much the same thing, and how the two books work together to confound false doctrines. We closed with a verse in Mormon, I think Mormon 7:9. These are Mormon's last words before he delivers the plates up, and he says the one was written to help us believe the other. We read it again, but substituted in "Bible" and "Book of Mormon". He sat there and thought and bore his testimony to us that he now knows the Book of Mormon is true, and that it is completely in line with the Bible. He then rhetorically asked, "Howe could you deny such a witness of Christ as there is in the Book of Mormon?"
I went on exchanges with Elder T. this past week. We had a good time and I learned a lot from him. He's been out in the field for about 3 months. He opened up to me about some companionship challenges he and his companion were having, and he wanted some advice. At this point I was so grateful for the experiences I'd had with some of my companions, because I was able to help this Elder.
Also this week I got to translate for President P.in a baptismal interview. That was such an awesome experience. He just has such a spirit and presence to him. The young women he interviewed is such a sweet person. She gets up early and walks by herself with her baby to church, and the church isn't exactly close. President said, "Sister, are you sure you'll be able to go to church every week? You walk quite a ways with a baby. That seems pretty hard." Without a seconds hesitation she said, "Oh no, it's not hard at all. It's what the Lord has asked me to do."
May we have faith as this young woman to follow Christ. In that interview, it was hard for me to keep my eyes dry. As I sat there and marveled at this Sister's faith, something the Savior said to the Nephites came to mind, "Such great faith have I not seen, no, not in Israel."
Love,
Elder Yost
Monday, April 23, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
Good Work! (4 New PHOTOS added)
-No packages yet...I'll see my Zone Leaders later tonight and they said I have some letters
-You can donate my football stuff to CYA
-Thanks for sending those pictures of the OHS LAX team and Mike Funk!!
-I ran out of contact solution, so I bought some Alcon that I used to use
Well, I want to start off by thanking you for the Oakton Stake marriage scoop. Congratulations Courtney and Cameron!! Now, let me say that I had to read that about 5 times before I believed my eyes. Wow!! Pretty cool stuff!
It was a pretty good week. I'm 20?? I honestly was not very excited about turning 20. I think I'm just going to say I'm 19 for the rest of my life! Honestly, I miss not saying I'm a teenager, which is funny because it's not like I'm doing teenager things right now, but I still miss it. Thanks for going to the Cheesecake Factory for me!! Too bad I wasn't there!
It was probably the weirdest birthday I've ever had, because it didn't feel like one. My day was just like it always is, I got up at 6:30 am, studied and taught lessons through 9:30 pm, got home, planned the work for the next day, and did record keeping until 10:25, brushed my teeth and went to bed! I haven't been homesick my whole mission really except for my birthday because I really didn't do anything special! I did have a card you sent a while ago that I was able to open, thanks so much it was so sweet!
My companion is doing well! He loves the Philippines so much! One of the first things he wanted to do was eat Balut! (for those of you who are new to Elder Yost’s letters- Balut is a chicken that his almost all the way formed and still in the egg. It’s a real treat in the Philippines!) That's my boy! Next on our dining list is this upcoming Saturday is at our Branch President's house. Pay attention Tia Yost.....we'll be eating dog!!! Yep, I've had it once, it's pretty good. Very spicy! It's funny because Elder J.'s family just became Vegan, and he's so excited to eat all these things that are so NOT Vegan.
We had a good busy week. Time just flew this week and I'm sure it'll only go faster. Elder J.is working hard to learn Tagalog. I think 6 weeks is a bit too short of time in the MTC. At this point he's not really able to teach yet, just testify.. I wouldn't say I'm completely fluent, but I feel like in the last week my language skills have improved a lot, because I don't have someone else to rely on. Elder J. is staying really upbeat though. We're getting along really well. Elder Jones is a really good missionary, and I think we're off to a really good start.
Well hopefully in the next few weeks I'll have my first baptism here! I think I've told you about the father we've been teaching! He's progressing well, and should be baptized on May 6. Also we started teaching his 17 year old daughter this week who seems interested, and came to church! Hopefully this will be a "completed family" that can prepare to go to the temple in about a year! We're also making some progress with some of the Less-Actives.
I'll be going on exchanges tonight with an American Elder from Utah that's about 3 months into the field. The President has asked the district leaders to go on exchanges with every new Elder transferred into my district, and the Zone Leaders have been asked to go on exchanges with all the District Leaders. That's 5 exchanges in 6 weeks! Busy, busy, busy. The District is doing well. Of the 5 companionships in our district, 3 have brand new missionaries! I'm really enjoying the opportunity to train so far. We have an extra hour of companionship study and it's so helpful.
This week I had a Less-Active member tell me that she prays to the Trinity- Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. There is so much confusion here in the Philippines as to the true nature of God. Some people believe in one being, some believe he's a Spirit, some believe he's everywhere and nowhere at all at the same time. John 17:3 says that this is life eternal, that we come to know God the Father. With so much confusion there is so much of a need for the truth. The more and more I study the scriptures, the more I see how we needed a Restoration so badly. I know that the Restoration was brought about through the Prophet Joseph Smith. How grand of an idea is it that amidst all the confusion, all the turmoil. God the Father and his Son personally answered the prayer of a confused 14 year old boy. Seeing that God is no respecter of persons, why would he not do the same for us? While his way of answering us may be very different, I know that he personally attends to every detail, every prayer, ranging from the Prophet to the struggling individual who so desperately wants an answer. I know he loves us, and despite our weaknesses and imperfections, his grace is sufficient to fill us. No unhallowed hand can stop the work!
Love,
Elder Yost
-You can donate my football stuff to CYA
-Thanks for sending those pictures of the OHS LAX team and Mike Funk!!
-I ran out of contact solution, so I bought some Alcon that I used to use
Well, I want to start off by thanking you for the Oakton Stake marriage scoop. Congratulations Courtney and Cameron!! Now, let me say that I had to read that about 5 times before I believed my eyes. Wow!! Pretty cool stuff!
It was a pretty good week. I'm 20?? I honestly was not very excited about turning 20. I think I'm just going to say I'm 19 for the rest of my life! Honestly, I miss not saying I'm a teenager, which is funny because it's not like I'm doing teenager things right now, but I still miss it. Thanks for going to the Cheesecake Factory for me!! Too bad I wasn't there!
It was probably the weirdest birthday I've ever had, because it didn't feel like one. My day was just like it always is, I got up at 6:30 am, studied and taught lessons through 9:30 pm, got home, planned the work for the next day, and did record keeping until 10:25, brushed my teeth and went to bed! I haven't been homesick my whole mission really except for my birthday because I really didn't do anything special! I did have a card you sent a while ago that I was able to open, thanks so much it was so sweet!
My companion is doing well! He loves the Philippines so much! One of the first things he wanted to do was eat Balut! (for those of you who are new to Elder Yost’s letters- Balut is a chicken that his almost all the way formed and still in the egg. It’s a real treat in the Philippines!) That's my boy! Next on our dining list is this upcoming Saturday is at our Branch President's house. Pay attention Tia Yost.....we'll be eating dog!!! Yep, I've had it once, it's pretty good. Very spicy! It's funny because Elder J.'s family just became Vegan, and he's so excited to eat all these things that are so NOT Vegan.
We had a good busy week. Time just flew this week and I'm sure it'll only go faster. Elder J.is working hard to learn Tagalog. I think 6 weeks is a bit too short of time in the MTC. At this point he's not really able to teach yet, just testify.. I wouldn't say I'm completely fluent, but I feel like in the last week my language skills have improved a lot, because I don't have someone else to rely on. Elder J. is staying really upbeat though. We're getting along really well. Elder Jones is a really good missionary, and I think we're off to a really good start.
Well hopefully in the next few weeks I'll have my first baptism here! I think I've told you about the father we've been teaching! He's progressing well, and should be baptized on May 6. Also we started teaching his 17 year old daughter this week who seems interested, and came to church! Hopefully this will be a "completed family" that can prepare to go to the temple in about a year! We're also making some progress with some of the Less-Actives.
I'll be going on exchanges tonight with an American Elder from Utah that's about 3 months into the field. The President has asked the district leaders to go on exchanges with every new Elder transferred into my district, and the Zone Leaders have been asked to go on exchanges with all the District Leaders. That's 5 exchanges in 6 weeks! Busy, busy, busy. The District is doing well. Of the 5 companionships in our district, 3 have brand new missionaries! I'm really enjoying the opportunity to train so far. We have an extra hour of companionship study and it's so helpful.
This week I had a Less-Active member tell me that she prays to the Trinity- Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. There is so much confusion here in the Philippines as to the true nature of God. Some people believe in one being, some believe he's a Spirit, some believe he's everywhere and nowhere at all at the same time. John 17:3 says that this is life eternal, that we come to know God the Father. With so much confusion there is so much of a need for the truth. The more and more I study the scriptures, the more I see how we needed a Restoration so badly. I know that the Restoration was brought about through the Prophet Joseph Smith. How grand of an idea is it that amidst all the confusion, all the turmoil. God the Father and his Son personally answered the prayer of a confused 14 year old boy. Seeing that God is no respecter of persons, why would he not do the same for us? While his way of answering us may be very different, I know that he personally attends to every detail, every prayer, ranging from the Prophet to the struggling individual who so desperately wants an answer. I know he loves us, and despite our weaknesses and imperfections, his grace is sufficient to fill us. No unhallowed hand can stop the work!
Love,
Elder Yost
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Comings and Goings
-No mail at transfer day...I should get some in about a week and a half
Well it's been an eventful week and I don't have a lot of time to write because I had to make a calendar for our district. Well Elder M. had mixed feelings about being transferred. It's always a bit exciting and a bit scary to get transferred to a brand new area, but surprisingly he was a bit sad!! We had an interesting conversation right before he left that was similar to an e-mail Elder Tenny sent home. He told me that when we first became companions he was so disappointed!! He told me he had hoped he would never have an American companion his whole mission because he thought all Americans were stuck up, rich, and belittle Filipino Elders. He told me he was sorry that he had not treated me well. He said that every time we went on splits he missed me but didn't want to say anything! All this was a bit shocking to me...but pretty cool. He said, "If I get an American companion, he better be like you! Our companionship was not an easy one, but it certainly ended well. I wished him all the best as he was headed to the Lucena Zone!
Well transfer day is always fun. I was a bit nervous because my Zone Leaders said I might be training a new missionary. So at transfer day, one of the Assistants calls out a name from the pulpit and says for example, "Elder Yost is transfered....your new companion will be...." Put some pauses in there and it can be a little nerve racking. Anyways, my new companion is fresh from the Provo MTC, Elder J.! Yes, he's American! They told me I'd never have an American companion my whole mission! He's 19, from Clinton, Utah, and get this, about 6'7. Yep. Quite a sight!
He's a really good Elder! He's apart of a new pilot program that they're testing out. His batch was only in the MTC for 6 weeks. They want to see the fastest way to get the missionaries set in Tagalog. Six weeks is not long at all for a language that used to be 12 weeks in the MTC. I've smiled as I've reminisced back on my first weeks in the Philippines! We were in our first lesson that we were teaching about tithing. We'd planned some parts that he could do in the lesson. When it came to his turned, I waited, and he didn't say anything. I then looked at him and will this awestruck look on his face, he said, "I haven't understood a word that's been said!" I've had to teach pretty much the whole lesson and he testifies and extends commitments. We're really going to work to get his Tagalog to where he can teach. I know how it is, it's not easy but it comes!!
In the 9 areas in our Zone, 5 have brand new missionaries!! We have a good zone, and especially District!
The two themes I picked out in conference were Forgiveness and Families. The two really go hand in hand. One of my favorite verses in the Book of Mormon is when Nephi says in 2 Nephi 4:
"Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul."
May we do as he did and say the same. I will give place no more, for the enemy of my soul. Our Father loves us. He sent his only Begotten Son to pay the price, to give the gift. And all we need to do is use it. Apply it. Feast on it. Cherish it. "Don't Delay, it's getting late."
Love,
Elder Yost
Well it's been an eventful week and I don't have a lot of time to write because I had to make a calendar for our district. Well Elder M. had mixed feelings about being transferred. It's always a bit exciting and a bit scary to get transferred to a brand new area, but surprisingly he was a bit sad!! We had an interesting conversation right before he left that was similar to an e-mail Elder Tenny sent home. He told me that when we first became companions he was so disappointed!! He told me he had hoped he would never have an American companion his whole mission because he thought all Americans were stuck up, rich, and belittle Filipino Elders. He told me he was sorry that he had not treated me well. He said that every time we went on splits he missed me but didn't want to say anything! All this was a bit shocking to me...but pretty cool. He said, "If I get an American companion, he better be like you! Our companionship was not an easy one, but it certainly ended well. I wished him all the best as he was headed to the Lucena Zone!
Well transfer day is always fun. I was a bit nervous because my Zone Leaders said I might be training a new missionary. So at transfer day, one of the Assistants calls out a name from the pulpit and says for example, "Elder Yost is transfered....your new companion will be...." Put some pauses in there and it can be a little nerve racking. Anyways, my new companion is fresh from the Provo MTC, Elder J.! Yes, he's American! They told me I'd never have an American companion my whole mission! He's 19, from Clinton, Utah, and get this, about 6'7. Yep. Quite a sight!
He's a really good Elder! He's apart of a new pilot program that they're testing out. His batch was only in the MTC for 6 weeks. They want to see the fastest way to get the missionaries set in Tagalog. Six weeks is not long at all for a language that used to be 12 weeks in the MTC. I've smiled as I've reminisced back on my first weeks in the Philippines! We were in our first lesson that we were teaching about tithing. We'd planned some parts that he could do in the lesson. When it came to his turned, I waited, and he didn't say anything. I then looked at him and will this awestruck look on his face, he said, "I haven't understood a word that's been said!" I've had to teach pretty much the whole lesson and he testifies and extends commitments. We're really going to work to get his Tagalog to where he can teach. I know how it is, it's not easy but it comes!!
In the 9 areas in our Zone, 5 have brand new missionaries!! We have a good zone, and especially District!
The two themes I picked out in conference were Forgiveness and Families. The two really go hand in hand. One of my favorite verses in the Book of Mormon is when Nephi says in 2 Nephi 4:
"Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul."
May we do as he did and say the same. I will give place no more, for the enemy of my soul. Our Father loves us. He sent his only Begotten Son to pay the price, to give the gift. And all we need to do is use it. Apply it. Feast on it. Cherish it. "Don't Delay, it's getting late."
Love,
Elder Yost
Monday, April 2, 2012
Miracles and Easter
-Thanks so much for sending pictures, I love seeing them, especially BYU Lax....i miss lacrosse....
-I will probably have Skype capabilities for Mother’s Day. I'll check more in depth.
-Well I thought we were going to have a District Meeting on Wednesday where we'd do Pizza, (Alex is treating the sisters and elders to lunch for his birthday)but it's a Zone Meeting...oops...I may need a few extra dollars in my primary account. Sorry!
-My pants are starting to wear out a bit. I'm going to look for some fabric but I may just ask you to send some if that's alright.
Well I'll start this off by saying I'm going to transfer day!!!! I'm not being transferred though but I'll be up there to get my new companion. There's a chance it could be a new missionary...I think Elder M.is pretty excited to be transferred. Not because of our companionship but because our work is so so tough and sometimes he feels like we're not making any progress here. Hopefully I'll get my Preach My Gospel at transfer day that I'm having get leather bound. It's been 6 MONTHS! It's always fun to go to transfer day and see old friends. This will be a tough week as work goes because we have exchanges later today, our Zone Meeting, Transfer Day, and then General Conference.
Mom, you wondered about the 29 year old man and if we had contact with him...we sure did! With his schedule we can only teach him on Sunday afternoons after church so we didn't teach him before church. We texted him to remind him and prayed he'd come to church. Well he showed up about an hour early to church with Book of Mormon in hand and sat down quietly and started reading. Because Conference is next week for us, this past week was Fast and Testimony meeting. During the meeting he asked me if he could bear his testimony. I was a little apprehensive but felt like it was ok. So he went up and started bearing his testimony. Through his tears he said he didn't believe in God at a certain point in his life. He told the story of how we "accidenty" met him. He said that "Brother Elder Yost and Brother Elder M." as he called us left him a Book of Mormon and challenged him to read. This may be a little dramatic, but he had a Parley Pratt like experience where he could not stop reading. He said, "As I started reading this Book, I felt peace, happiness, and joy I have never felt before in my life. I want to repent, I want to be a better person, I want to follow Jesus Christ." He said, I KNOW the Book of Mormon is true, the Holy Spirit has born witness to my heart." He then said, "I've been to a lot of Churches; I thought this one would be the same. But when I walked in the front door this morning, I felt like I was walking into the presence of the Lord." Needless to say I'm beaming from ear to ear, speechless. We honestly just gave him a Book of Mormon and challenged him to read. This is probably the biggest miracle I've seen on my mission so far. After his very lengthy testimony he sat down and all the members wanted to shake his hand as he went back to his seat! Later that day I was teaching him in the Gospel Essentials class, and I asked him if he had any questions. He said he had one. He'd read in the Book of Mormon that we need to be baptize, and he wanted to know when he could be baptized. I honestly was speechless; he probably thought I was mute! This man is not married yet, so we need to get that squared away and hopefully him and his wife will be baptized at the same time.
This man will give us additional Priesthood Leadership. This man has known about the Book of Mormon for a whole week and he has a strong testimony. Also in ward council we were talking about Less-Actives and home teaching. They are trying to understand the importance of home teaching. I continue to share with them how important fellowship is to our Less-Actives and how they need to feel the love of the members. Please pray for little our Branch.
I thought the other day about that Easter Book mom made that she brought out each Easter, and specifically about Palm Sunday. It is so amazing how the Savior came into Jerusalem with shouts of Hosanna and "Praise be to the Son of David", and within a few days he was crucified. I've often wondered how in the world is that possible. I recently watched the Bible videos (on lds.org) where the Savior is in Gethsemane. It is completely and utterly incomprehensible to us the pain he had to bear. May we remember the true meaning of Easter this week, not just on Sunday. May we remember the Savior's journey. As Elder Holland said, we all need to take at least a step into Gethsemane. We'll never understand what those grueling hours in Gethsemane to the cross were like, but in order to more fully appreciate him and his love, we must venture in even just a tad. Despite all that was before the Savior, he emerged from Gethsemane victorious, and so can we. Here in the Philippines the cross is so visible and everywhere. May we celebrate the true meaning of this week, and that is He is Risen. May we stand by him in all things and in all places, and we two, will emerge triumphant from whatever we may face through his grace and love.
I love you all!!!
-I will probably have Skype capabilities for Mother’s Day. I'll check more in depth.
-Well I thought we were going to have a District Meeting on Wednesday where we'd do Pizza, (Alex is treating the sisters and elders to lunch for his birthday)but it's a Zone Meeting...oops...I may need a few extra dollars in my primary account. Sorry!
-My pants are starting to wear out a bit. I'm going to look for some fabric but I may just ask you to send some if that's alright.
Well I'll start this off by saying I'm going to transfer day!!!! I'm not being transferred though but I'll be up there to get my new companion. There's a chance it could be a new missionary...I think Elder M.is pretty excited to be transferred. Not because of our companionship but because our work is so so tough and sometimes he feels like we're not making any progress here. Hopefully I'll get my Preach My Gospel at transfer day that I'm having get leather bound. It's been 6 MONTHS! It's always fun to go to transfer day and see old friends. This will be a tough week as work goes because we have exchanges later today, our Zone Meeting, Transfer Day, and then General Conference.
Mom, you wondered about the 29 year old man and if we had contact with him...we sure did! With his schedule we can only teach him on Sunday afternoons after church so we didn't teach him before church. We texted him to remind him and prayed he'd come to church. Well he showed up about an hour early to church with Book of Mormon in hand and sat down quietly and started reading. Because Conference is next week for us, this past week was Fast and Testimony meeting. During the meeting he asked me if he could bear his testimony. I was a little apprehensive but felt like it was ok. So he went up and started bearing his testimony. Through his tears he said he didn't believe in God at a certain point in his life. He told the story of how we "accidenty" met him. He said that "Brother Elder Yost and Brother Elder M." as he called us left him a Book of Mormon and challenged him to read. This may be a little dramatic, but he had a Parley Pratt like experience where he could not stop reading. He said, "As I started reading this Book, I felt peace, happiness, and joy I have never felt before in my life. I want to repent, I want to be a better person, I want to follow Jesus Christ." He said, I KNOW the Book of Mormon is true, the Holy Spirit has born witness to my heart." He then said, "I've been to a lot of Churches; I thought this one would be the same. But when I walked in the front door this morning, I felt like I was walking into the presence of the Lord." Needless to say I'm beaming from ear to ear, speechless. We honestly just gave him a Book of Mormon and challenged him to read. This is probably the biggest miracle I've seen on my mission so far. After his very lengthy testimony he sat down and all the members wanted to shake his hand as he went back to his seat! Later that day I was teaching him in the Gospel Essentials class, and I asked him if he had any questions. He said he had one. He'd read in the Book of Mormon that we need to be baptize, and he wanted to know when he could be baptized. I honestly was speechless; he probably thought I was mute! This man is not married yet, so we need to get that squared away and hopefully him and his wife will be baptized at the same time.
This man will give us additional Priesthood Leadership. This man has known about the Book of Mormon for a whole week and he has a strong testimony. Also in ward council we were talking about Less-Actives and home teaching. They are trying to understand the importance of home teaching. I continue to share with them how important fellowship is to our Less-Actives and how they need to feel the love of the members. Please pray for little our Branch.
I thought the other day about that Easter Book mom made that she brought out each Easter, and specifically about Palm Sunday. It is so amazing how the Savior came into Jerusalem with shouts of Hosanna and "Praise be to the Son of David", and within a few days he was crucified. I've often wondered how in the world is that possible. I recently watched the Bible videos (on lds.org) where the Savior is in Gethsemane. It is completely and utterly incomprehensible to us the pain he had to bear. May we remember the true meaning of Easter this week, not just on Sunday. May we remember the Savior's journey. As Elder Holland said, we all need to take at least a step into Gethsemane. We'll never understand what those grueling hours in Gethsemane to the cross were like, but in order to more fully appreciate him and his love, we must venture in even just a tad. Despite all that was before the Savior, he emerged from Gethsemane victorious, and so can we. Here in the Philippines the cross is so visible and everywhere. May we celebrate the true meaning of this week, and that is He is Risen. May we stand by him in all things and in all places, and we two, will emerge triumphant from whatever we may face through his grace and love.
I love you all!!!
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