Mon 10/20/2014
"Dont Say Tingnan!"
Hello!
Life has been magnificent! I'm smile whenever I think about
the Laddaran family. They're on fire! Andre and Arthur got interviewed last
Saturday by our Zone Leaders, and they passed! They'll be baptized this Saturday
at 7. They'll be going to the Scout Jamboree at the end of the month, and have
been memorizing the Articles of Faith. And the whole family is keeping the
commitment to do daily scripture reading! They also came with us to clean the
chapel as Andre and Allen got interviewed. The other missionaries were like,
"They're investigators? They look like members!" So yeah, I'm pretty
ecstatic.
Brother June Laddaran, although he has some W.O.W. issues to
take care of before he gets baptized, has gained the spirit of Elijah! He said
he's going to the temple as soon as he can after his baptism to do temple work
for his dad.
I need to mention we now have 8 new missionaries in the
ward!
We also had two extra investigators today that we met this
week. One is Brother Bobby, who I took a picture of.
Oh, my companion is Elder Ronquillo, who is from Surigao,
and is Cebuano, just like Elder Suquib. He's actually a visa waiter; he'll
probably be leaving in January. He'll be going to Edmonton Canada. He's a
little scared he'll be frozen to death.
Well, I have many stories, but no time to tell them to
you.
Love you all!
Elder Thurber
P.S. Job 6:6 it's a scripture that's food for thought.
Mon 10/6/2014 12:31 AM
Fantastic Fourth
Dear family and friends,
It's that time again! Christmas! Well, maybe not in America,
but here, it's already starting. It just goes to show how much Filipinos love
to party.
It's also that time for transfers! My 12 weeks with Elder
Suquib are all up. He's going to.... Palawan! Guess who's going to be here for
two more transfers, training? I'm going to train my number four brand new elder!
I'm excited for everything, but at the same time stressed,
because there will also be another area created in our ward! We will now have
four areas in our ward starting this Wednesday. They're planning on splitting
the ward and creating a branch and ward, because our sacrament hall is so full
people stand at the back.
On Saturday, I felt like I was teaching a YM class with
Elder Suquib. We had Allen, Andre, and Arthur Laddaran all there. We taught
repentance. They're planning and set to all being baptized this Oct 25th, along
with 7 other investigators from other missionaries. They all went to the temple
grounds with the ward last Saturday, and were so excited to talk to us
afterwords.
That's all this week!
Elder Thurber
Mon 9/29/2014
The Church
Dear everybody willing to take a look at my blog for a few
seconds before closing the tab--
I'm happy that I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints. How could we learn so much about God's plan for us or
receive the saving ordinances than by His own temple here on the earth! Or
receive the spirit of Elijah's spirit by our vast base of family history,
discovering a part of you or a doppelganger by your ancestors who are a part of
you are?
Lastly, I think the members are what really set apart the
church! In fact, I got to witness that first hand last Sunday. Allen, a cousin
of the Laddaran family, has been coming to church for two Sundays now. We've
been teaching him for some time, but never really could get any commitment from
him. During the middle of priesthood, he asked "What are the requirements
to be baptized?" I quickly answered, and he responded "I love this
church. I'm wholly determined to be baptized." It came as a shock, but, in
retrospect, it makes perfect sense. Where else can you find such participation,
happiness, and obedience than in the church? Nobody would make the step from
coming to church to being baptized without the influence of dedicated
members.
Oh, man--I'm out of time. Have a great day!
Elder Thurber
Mon 9/22/2014 12:30 AM
52 pesos
Hello, everybody!
Does anybody remember those old church commercials about the
family? Well, the family has been on my mind this week, and I've decided, in a
sense, to seek out families as I go out proselyting. I've taught so many
people, but I've noticed those who really progress are those who have a family
and love them.
I've read Thomas S. Monson's talk about love in this past GC
issue like 10 times in the past few months, and want to quote a little. He
says:
Brothers and sisters, some of our
greatest opportunities to demonstrate our love will be within the walls of our
own homes. Love should be the very heart of family life, and yet sometimes it
is not. There can be too much impatience, too much arguing, too many fights,
too many tears. Lamented President Gordon B. Hinckley: “Why is it that the
[ones] we love [most] become so frequently the targets of our harsh words? Why
is it that [we] sometimes speak as if with daggers that cut to the quick?”9
The answers to these questions may be different for each of us, and yet the
bottom line is that the reasons do not matter. If we would keep the commandment
to love one another, we must treat each other with kindness and respect.
As
I missionary, I see all sorts of relationships, some of which are very
troubling. In member’s houses, I see the love, patience and respect that
everybody deserves.
We
have the opportunity to teach the Laddaran family. After a long day on
Wednesday, we arrived there as our last appointment. We gave them The Book of
Mormon Stories book I bought at the distribution center for the kids Arthur (14
years old), Andre (12) and Arvin (5). They also came to church last Sunday and
participated in Young Mens. I heard around the bush that they had answered
questions about the BoM that the teacher gave! Hah! Only the second Sunday!
Our
appointment was spiritual. They have all found a new "hobby" by
reading not only the storybook, but the actual Book of Mormon together as a
family. I can see them growing together. I have never felt such a sweet joy on
my mission. The family is what I've learned to cherish.
So
treat your loved ones with... well... love.
Elder
Thurber
P.S.
We're going bowling today.
Mon 9/15/2014
Find, find, find!
Hello!
This week has been a time of regrowth. Our teaching pool has
gone under, and we're trying to get some new investigators. Which means...
Talk with everybody. Woooooo....
I feel super awesome, but man! Talking with everybody, which
is difficult for me, is my life right now. You would think that being a
missionary for so long I would get used to it. But, no. It's like diving into a
freezing-cold pool over and over again, all to get them to listen! Thankfully
we've been blessed this week with many many new people to teach!
In our temple trip, I felt like I saw the potential of
finding. There were about 10 people going through the temple for the first time
from Indonesia, speaking Bahasa, not knowing a lick of English or Tagalog,
being escorted by a senior couple. They left on Sunday to get there on Tuesday.
I don't know anything about them, but the senior couple mentioned to me that traffic
here is a breeze compared to where they live.
It makes me think: there are so many people who want the
gospel and willing to go to another country to go to the temple! It motivates
me to try even harder. And it makes me grateful we have temples, which we
should attend frequently. Read Isaiah 2:2-3
2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain ofthe Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains,and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto
it.
house of the God of Jacob; and he
will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of
Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from
Jerusalem.
I love how in verse three, people are inviting other people
to come to the temple, and ALL nations shall flow unto it. I'd just like to
remind everybody to go to the temple, and learn the things the world can't
teach outside!
I'd like to share about how awesome my companion, Elder
Suquib, is. He comes from a branch in Cebu that has 50 members at Sacrament Mtg.
every Sunday. Turns out, he's really into family history! He's gone to grave
sites and found people who share his last name. He really inspires me, every
day, with a smile written over his face. His spirit is infectious. Sometimes,
when we get food from members, he gives his portion to homeless people on the
street, or to underprivileged kids. He never quits.
I, on the other hand, sometimes get a little frazzled,
losing patience in the work, trying to teach teach teach, and improve improve
improve. I felt like I've learned a lot from him. Lastly, I'd like to share one
scripture that has helped me this week. It's simple, but oh it is true!
10 Be still, and know that I am God:
I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Maybe you need that scripture like I did this week. Being
still doesn't mean motionless, but gaining peace in heart and mind, something
nobody can give you, but you receive from yourself.
Love you all!
Elder Thurber
PS Note from Matthew's mother: The American Cemetery is where Elder Gordon B. Hinckley re-dedicated the Philippines in 1961for the preaching of the gospel.
This is what Matthew's mission president's wife's blog says about the American Cemetery: ( http://thephilippinesmanilamission.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2014-08-31T06:17:00-07:00&max-results=7&start=16&by-date=false ):
Elder Thurber
PS Note from Matthew's mother: The American Cemetery is where Elder Gordon B. Hinckley re-dedicated the Philippines in 1961for the preaching of the gospel.
This is what Matthew's mission president's wife's blog says about the American Cemetery: ( http://thephilippinesmanilamission.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2014-08-31T06:17:00-07:00&max-results=7&start=16&by-date=false ):
After
spending time in the spirit of the temple, we traveled to the American Cemetery
in Manila. It is the place where Elder Gordon B. Hinckley rededicated the
land for the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We had time to talk
about and reflect upon the sacrifices made during World War II so that there
could be freedom in the Philippines. We read Elder Hinckley's talk and
prayer and reflected on the great sacrifice Christ made for our spiritual
freedom. We recalled those missionaries who had sacrificed so much to
bring the gospel to us or to our ancestors. Then we each found a quiet
spot to make personal commitments as to what we each will continue to sacrifice
so that our brothers and sisters on this earth may be set spiritually free. Over 17,000 people are buried here from every state in
the United States as well as many Filipinos. On the walls are engraven
the names of 36,000 more who were never found, yet who gave their lives and are
remembered with great gratitude.
Tue 9/9/2014 8:59 AM
New days
Hello everybody,
This week has been odd. I've been sick for the most part, but
I did get to attend the mission tour with President Ardern.
Sorry I really don't have time to send anything awesome.
Elder Thurber
Mon 9/1/2014 12:26 AM
"Welcome to Zion!"
We now have 3 new missionaries in the district! Sister Wemhoner,
Alberto, and Gutierrez. They're all awesome! I'd like to tell you more, but I'm
out of time.
We finished off the month with two more baptisms, Louie and
Nelmar. That makes the total of 7 baptisms in the ward. The Lord is Hastening
His Work!
Elder Thurber
Mon 8/25/2014 12:11 AM
New AP!
We've got quite the transfer
going on, with Elder Obray becoming AP. He's perfect and ready for the task
of...... difficulty after difficulty, to put it nicely.
And yes, Elder Diamse and Elder
Suquib will be staying with me. We're three of the few missionaries NOT being
transferred. Turns out, there will be 28 whopping missionaries coming in this
transfer, with many new open areas.
Sun 8/24/2014 11:41 PM
Just some zone activity pictures....
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