Short Post - Doing Great!

Dear Mom and Dad;

-My companion had been in the area  for 6 weeks before I came here.
-Can you give me Elder Tenny's email?

Happy Memorial Day! I thought it was next week but it is Memorial Day today! I feel so out of the loop. We had a pretty good week out here in Timbuktu...we are so far away! We did have a good and busy week. Unfortunately there was no wedding this week, and it probably won't be for another few weeks. I actually only met them like two days ago. They were off visiting family in another province and didn't have any money to get back here for a while.

We went back to meet with the 15 year old pregnant young women this week a few times. We gave her a Book of Mormon last Tuesday, and yesterday she had read from the Title Page through 1 Nephi 15! How awesome is that! She has a baptismal goal date and is so awesome! But in order for her to get baptized she's going to have to live apart from her boyfriend for 2 and a half years until they can get married. (note: you can’t get married in the Philippines until you are 18 yrs. old and you can’t get baptized into the LDS faith if you are not living the Law of Chastity). As missionaries there are some lessons that  are more difficult to teach than others like the Word of Wisdom, Law of Chastity, Tithing, and others. We'll probably teach the Law of Chastity this week. We're praying that the experiences she's having reading the Book of Mormon will be enough to give her the faith to live apart from her boyfriend. Even though these things are hard to teach sometimes, we as missionaries have the responsibility to give people a chance to repent and to know the Gospel, however hard it may be. We know the Lord always provides a way to be obedient!

Sorry this is short, I'm short on time this week!

Just an interesting cultural note, I've heard enough of "Teach me how to Dougie", Journey, and Super Bass by Nicky Minaj to last me till the end of my life! Apparently Bruno Mars is half Filipino...I hear his music every day as we go from appointment to appointment. I'm starting to like his music!

Last week in church the Branch President stood up to be the concluding speaker. He spoke all about Mitt Romney! He said how much he wants Mitt to win, and how God is using him as and instrument. He was pretty much saying Mitt Romney is God's candidate for President! We were DYING...but I couldn't help but smile! (note: The LDS church has a policy that politics should not be discussed from the pulpit and the LDS church does not endorse political candidates at any level.)

Love,
Elder Yost

Riding the Rails!!!

Dear Mom and Dad

- I have still not received the package with the shoes...

-I got a Dear Elder from Sarah Signore and a letter from Alissa Wheatley, thank you thank you!

-Shout out to Tori Leonard, get better and keep on fighting! Know so many love you, are thinking about you, and pray for you every day!

Well, the last week was certainly not boring! Today I'm emailing you probably close to where Survivor Philippines is going to be!!  Ok, that's probably a bit of an exaggeration, but I'm not 30 minutes from the mall anymore :-(   I'm emailing you today from Lopez, Quezon. Don't confuse Quezon with Quezon City, I'm in the province which is pretty far out there! We hopped on a bus from the Mission Home and got here 6 hours later! My new companion, would you believe it, is another American! And he's from New Hampshire! Probably the only two East Coast kids in the whole mission became companions. Elder D.Y.  (my companion) was the missionary I replaced in my first area, Pola, when I came into the mission! He's got 6 months left here. We're getting along really well.

 I've also been called to be a Zone Leader here. It's a little scary but I'm excited for the opportunity. There are 14 missionaries in our zone, 12 Elders and only 2 sisters. Our house here is not bad at all. We live on the second floor above a maternity clinic, which is good because there are gates and all that so we're pretty safe. It's pretty much two apartments on the top floor, we have one and two other Elders live in the other. One of them is a Filipino and the other is an Australian of Tongan descent. Our town is not too small, but we just have a 7/11!! We're about 4 hours away from the nearest mall...but monthly I'll get to go to the mission home with all the other Zone Leaders for a meeting so I can pick up anything up there. Also our area is so far away from the Mission Home so we won’t get packages and letters as often but I hope people will still write to me! This area is a lot poorer than Cuenca, and reminds me of Pola a bit. There are train tracks here that the Japanese built here in WWII that people use here for transportation! They make these rail cars that are basically wooden platforms with benches that can ride on the tracks. There are ones that operate like a bicycle and others that have a small engine. A lot of the people we teach live along  these tracks! It's like riding a mini roller coaster! 

Right now we're covering a ward and a branch! For the first time in my mission I get to go to church in a real church building. We go to Sacrament with the ward at 9:00, after that we set up our investigator class, then we do sacrament with the branch. We had six investigators come to church, and three others that had to go to Laguna to get paperwork signed for their wedding! It's an 18 year old girl whose is going to deliver her baby in the next few weeks, her 19 year old soon to be husband, and his 9 year old brother who lives with them. I haven't met them yet, but I hear they're awesome.Their wedding is scheduled for this Friday, but that's still up in the air based on paperwork.

To answer your question Dad, travel to the Mission Home on transfer day was the most stressful part of the day. What should have been an hour and a half of travel turned into three because of traffic and we were really late to the meeting and missed the transfer part! Luckily President P. understood that sometimes things happen just out of our control so he was completely fine.

A new area and assignment brings all sorts of challenges, struggles, questions, great things, and worries. This week I was thinking about why bad things happen, or why we have struggles. Why is life so hard? I thought of one of my favorite passages of scripture from the Doctrine of Covenants in Section 122. In Liberty Jail, the Prophet Joseph Smith and his companions there were exposed to some of the worst conditions imaginable. The ceiling was too low for them to stand on their feet, there was a window with no glass, so cold air from what had been the coldest winter in history  would come into the room. In all that, the Prophet received some of the most beautiful passages of scriptures ever. This is what the Lord had to say to him about his experience:

6 If thou art accused with all manner of false accusations; if thine enemies fall upon thee; if they tear thee from the society of thy father and mother and brethren and sisters; and if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear thee from the bosom of thy wife, and of thine offspring, and thine elder son, although but six years of age, shall cling to thy garments, and shall say, My father, my father, why can’t you stay with us? O, my father, what are the men going to do with you? and if then he shall be thrust from thee by the sword, and thou be dragged to prison, and thine enemies prowl around thee like wolves for the blood of the lamb;

 7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

 8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?

Let's ask ourselves that question, Are we greater than He? I know that we are all called to pass through this earth life and our experiences are for our good and benefit. Sometimes we think the very jaws of hell are gaping open to devour us. Yet, it's all for our good. Nothing will prevail over us if we remember that everything that happens to us is for our experience and learning. Next time you think you've had a bad day, think of this, think of the Prophet Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail, and most importantly, think of the Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross on Calvary. That should help us realize how good things actualy are!

Love,

Elder Yost

Being Transferred!

-Happy Mother's Day again!

-Thanks so much for the Tagalongs!!!! I put them in the freezer and they're so so so good

-I should be buying a new umbrella today, and a tie or two. There are two little boys I'm going to buy ties for I can get the ties for like two bucks

Transferred na ako? Ano ga yan? Well, I'm pretty darn surprised I'm transferred! I was not expecting that at all. I was sure I was going to go six months here in Cuenca and two transfers with Elder J. Our Zone Leader called us last night and when I answered the phone he said, "Bro, you're transferred!" (I miss being called bro!) I was speechless.  Elder J was in shock.  He just laid on his bed and stared at the ceiling for a while. I think he's pretty nervous if he is called to become the senior in the area. I think he knows the area just fine, but nevertheless he's a little scared. As for me, I'm scared too! The next few days leading up to transfer day (Elder Yost will transfer on Thursday) are just long and seem like forever. When you get transferred, you just kinda want to go and get on with it. We'll see on Thursday where I'm headed!

Here's a funny story that pretty much describes the Philippines. As you know, this is one of the most Catholic countries in the world. One of our Zone Leaders was on a Jeepney (a small bus that is colorfully decorated), and on the windshield there was a huge banner that read "Jesus Save Us". Directly below that was a giant Playboy bunny!! Yikes!

We had a good week and for the first time had no interruptions to our work. It was so nice to be able to work straight through. A lot of this coming week will be helping Elder J. get up to speed on the area. I think we'll have a really good week  and I'm a little sad! Elder J. has been such a great companion and I feel like our time went by so fast. We were talking about it last night, and we have not gotten in one disagreement in 6 weeks together. Not bad!

I was preparing for my presentation/workshop for our upcoming  District Meeting and was really trying to brainstorm and find out what exactly I needed to teach the other missionaries in my District. As I was preparing, I just started feeling these feelings of inadequacy. I'm not really sure why, but I started to really realize my personal weaknesses whether it's Tagalog, teaching skills, or being a District Leader. I found myself asking myself, why am I so weak? How are people ever going to be brought to the truth with my awkward sounding lessons and my jumbled speech. One of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon is Ether 12. We know the famous scripture masteries, but we rarely read the whole story. In chapter 12, Moroni is pleading with the Lord and asking how people will believe on his words because of his weakness. It sounds absurd to us, but Moroni felt inadequate! The prophet of God felt weak. I love the Lord's response to Moroni. He said:

26 And when I had said this, the Lord spake unto me, saying: Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness;

 27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

We all have weaknesses and inadequacies. That's how the Lord helps us grow. All we need to do is recognize those and go to the Lord because his grace is sufficient. Through his divine Atonement, we can receive the strength to overcome those weaknesses. President Eyring told a story of when he became an Apostle. He said he was so overwhelmed and felt so inadequate. One day President Faust called him to his office:

"After some pleasantries, he looked at me and said, “Has it happened yet?” When I looked puzzled he went on to say, “I’ve been watching you in meetings. It seems to me that you have been feeling that your calling is beyond you and that you are not qualified.”

I said that doubt had come to me, as if I had hit a wall. I expected that he was going to reassure me. I told him that I appreciated his being aware of my doubts and asked for his help. But I was surprised by his kind, firm reply. He said, “Don’t ask me. Go to Him.” Then he pointed up to heaven. Now years later I sit in that same office. When I walk into it I look up and remember him and how he taught me by example how to help those who are feeling overwhelmed in the Lord’s service. Find a way to send them with confidence to Him. "

 If we'll go to Him, He will give us the strength we need. As to our own strength, we're weak, but with divine help, all things are possible. Let us rely on Him, and we will move mountains!

Love,

Elder Yost

"Singing in the Rain"

-We can Skype, I'll have to go to Lipa though. Let's do it at 10:00 AM on Monday my time.

-No more packages or letters ( His birthday pkg. sent in March hasn’t arrived yet)

-My new umbrella broke...I'll buy a new one at some point

-Thank you is "salamat"; My name is "Ako po si (Name); Yes is "oo" (You literally say o twice, in Tagalog there's no sound like moooooo with multiple o's

-Please thank GF for the awesome emails and advice. I'll respond next week when I have more time

Well it was a crazy week. Preparation Day came at the right time because I was so so exhausted! We had exchanges this week with our Zone Leaders, a training meeting in San Pablo for trainers and trainees, a baptismal interview, and a baptism! We honestly can't have a regular day here!

Our exchanges were good this week. I was here in Cuenca with Elder B. (Zone Leader). We had a pretty good time together! We only taught a few lessons, and we had nine appointments cancel on us in one day!. Ugh! No joke, I think we walked about 6 miles. On top of that it started pouring rain so our shoes and pants were soaked! If we had nothing to talk about it might have been the most miserable day ever but we made it pretty fun. 

On Thursday we had a "training" meeting in San Pablo for all trainers and trainees. The reason I say "training" meeting is because it has a dual purpose!  This is how the meeting went, the trainers went into one room with the Assistants to the President, and then the trainees (new missionaries) went in a room with the President. The trainers just talk about how everything's going, but President gets the real scoop on what's going on when he was talking to the new missionaries! these new missionaries spill everything to him!   Let's just say President learned a lot!. I'm so glad my companion and I are keeping all the rules!

During our meeting I think Sister Peterson learned that President Peterson's mother had just died. It was truly a poignant moment. After the meeting she took President into a room told him,  About 10 minutes later he came out, genuine smile on his face, bright eyed, and acts like nothing happened. Only a few of us knew what had happened, so to most everyone, everything was normal. I was truly amazed at his love for the missionaries and his ability to just get back to work.

Our baptism this week was awesome! It wasn't as smooth or as organized as I would have liked, but it was great. The brother getting baptized bore his testimony afterward, and is already talking about going to the Temple. His daughter has a baptismal goal date for June 2, and should be baptized with her younger brother. Their family looked so happy together. I recalled an experience in my first area, where we had an investigator tell us he wanted to be baptized, but didn't want to receive the Holy Ghost. We asked him why and he said, "I can handle the baptism of water, but I'm not sure about the baptism by fire!"

I read this week a talk given by a former mission president who's now a member of the Seventy. It's called "The 4th Missionary" and you can find it on the web. He say's there are 4 kinds of missionaries, and the 4th kind, is the kind we all need to be. I'll let you read it, but I'd like to share a quote from it that really struck me. He said, "The Natural man is an enemy to God. (the natural man is the part of us that wants to give in to the temptations of the flesh). Christ didn't come to torment the natural man; he came to drive the natural man away from us. " Woah...pretty strong. His point was, how often do we feel conflicted between our conscience and the natural man. Christ came to rid us of the natural man, and we can separate ourselves from the natural man. It's not easy, but we've been given all we need. He's given us the example and the way to do it, the Gospel. If we will follow him in all things, stand by him in all places, we will be able to conquer whatever may stand in our way. What have we to fear? The Lord is with us!

Love,

Elder Yost

Be Masipag, not Makulit !

-I got two boxes, the one sent in March 16 I think and the other one may have been April 6. Thanks so so so much! I'm going up to the mission home on Thursday for a Trainer and Trainee meeting so hopefully I'll have more to report next week!
 -As for stuff to send, could you send me a flash drive I could download church talks onto? Also I heard an Alex Boye cd which is so so good...could you burn me a CD or something?
 -I'm going to try to Skype. I'll have the final details next week. It'd be easiest for me to do it at 9:00 AM on P-Day, which should be 9:00 PM on Mother's Day for you. That way I could skype, and then write you an e-mail after. Please write me an e-mail too even though I'll get to see you! That way we can get the maximum out of it. I need to find an internet shop here that has it, but I'll do that before next Monday.
 -Tagalog word: Masipag. You're students need to be masipag, not makulit!

Well, it was a challenging week, but hearing that Mitt is taking care of business just warms my soul! You sent me that picture from Parade Magazine a few months ago of Mitt and his family, and as I was looking at it today, I realized we could use that in teaching lessons! We could show the picture and talk about Families! I asked Elder Jones what he thought, and while we both think it's a great idea (not just for missionary work), we both decided President Peterson might not approve!

This week was such a hectic week, probably my most hectic in the field. We had Zone Interviews with President which included three hours of workshops, I had a baptismal interviews on Wednesday and Saturday, and I went to another area for exchanges with some Elders! Needless to say, work was hard this week. Our Zone Interviews are always so good, It's hard to describe what a boost it is to see your Mission President. You feel tired, discouraged, inadequate, and within a few minutes of talking to him, you feel like you can conquer to world!

Well, we're going to have a baptism this week!!!! Brother C. passed his interview and is ready to go! We've been team teaching him with the Elders in the town where he works, so it's been quite an effort. The other Elders went through the interview questions with him before and asked him to bear his testimony. He said, about the Book of Mormon, "I read this Book and it's like they're talking directly to me!" This Brother is truly converted and is so excited for his baptism on Saturday evening. He's now really putting the pressure on us to teach his 17 year old daughter! His 7 year old son turns 8 on May 15, so hopefully his daughter and son could be baptized on the same day, and complete this happy family of 8. Brother is already talking about taking his family to the temple is one years time to be sealed!  

I'm attaching a link to video that's on LDS.org.,  https://www.lds.org/youth/video/pure-and-simple-faith?lang=eng   This is a true story about a young girl here in the Philippines. Whenever I watch this I can't help but tear up a bit. These are the challenges most members face here. I know that our Father in Heaven is mindful of each and every one of us. Faith precedes miracles. As Christ said, "According to thy faith, be it unto you." If we have faith in him, real faith, not just fleeting faith that leaves when things get hard. If we truly have faith, asking the Father, he will manifest his power unto us. Now is the time to arise and shine forth, and let our light, our faith be a standard unto the nations! “Let the lower lights be burning, send a gleam across the wave, some poor fainting, struggling seaman, you may rescue, you may save.” (These are lyrics from one of Alex’s favorite hymns)

Love, Elder Yost