Three years ago my whole life changed in ways that still baffle me till this day.
Where am I? San Rafael, Montalban, Philippines.
Why? I am serving a full time mission to bring people unto Jesus Christ, to help them better their understanding of the purpose of life here and that Lord knows you, he loves you and wants you to follow him.
How? Heavenly Father has a plan for me and all of his childeren, and sometimes that plan may seem crazy, may not be exactly what we would choose to do on our own but it's what he knows we can do. With faith man anything is possible.
I was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on September 4th 2013, all because I had a feeling that I had never felt before. A feeling that is hard to describe but only felt through the power of the Holy Ghost. Elder Janis and his companion (whos name i forget at the moment, im sorry) taught me the truthfulness of The Gospel of Jesus Christ. I asked God if what they were sharing to me was true through prayer and received a feeling that felt better than anything I had ever felt.
Little did I know my life would completely change for the better and better and better and better. I remember all the family of my friends telling me how big of a decision being baptized was and how much it would improve my future life. I trusted them but honestly had no idea what they were talking about. I clearly remember just putting a smile on my face and agreeing. (kinda like my first few months here not understanding anything anyone said to me.)
Its hard for me to put all I have learned into an email but this life is full of its ups and downs. Life is tough no doubt about it. “There is no comfort in a growing zone, and no growing in a comfort zone.” This mission is hard, and nobody told me it would be easy. Again I just smiled and agreed when people told me because I had no idea what I was in for. I have grown so much in these 3 years and its been a great ride. I have grown even more in these past 10 months here in the Philippines as a missionary.
I am excited to keep on this journey. Time has absolutely flown, its quite unfathomable how fast time is going, but I am having fun becoming the person that our Heavenly father wants me to be. These people here are amazing! My love for the people I have met and have yet to meet is some quality unconditional love. People are so nice here and full of laughter, fun, and love. You can go up to almost anyone out here and have a great conversation. Its funny we met this 13 year old girl with her aunt visiting her family here in the Philippines. An american! that automatically means I am talking to her in English, with a name like Elder English, I cant turn down moments like that. She was scared of me and my companion trying to keep to herself. She was really caught off guard when we tried talking to her, really shy and nervous. Now any other 13 year old born and raised here in the Philippines is going to have a fun joking conversation with you. There is a beauty here. You can talk with almost everyone and have them fully intact with your conversation. You approach a random in the states, you are weird and kinda like "why are you talking to me?" attitude.
Now I know things are just different in the states the cultures and the trust factor of a random person but I want you to be open to people. No matter who you are get up and talk to someone you have never talked to before. The result may be great or a nice shut down. What ever the case may be you jumped out of your comfort zone and grew just a little more than what you once were. Hahaha give it a try, email me what happens.
Thank you all for your love and support. I love you all
(and especially thankful for my family for being so supportive of my decision to be baptized and serve a mission, leave them for two years to become help people feel that same love I have felt in my life from God and his gospel)
I testify of the truthfulness of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is not just for me or the people of the Phillipines, Germany, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Bakersfield Cali, Oakland Cali, Mehico, Oregon, or North Carolina, but for everyone everywhere.
Love,
Elder English
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