Masipag - Hardworking (7)

Masipag means hardworking. Cause that's what we are! woohoo!

My prayers have been answered brothers and sisters. I've put my head down and dove into the work. I got made district leader after our old one got emergency transferred. And man oh man is the work good in Pagbilao.

I'll start with my boy Elder Alquizar. He is 23 and from cebu. He is the man, he's obedient, hard working, very self-sufficient. I have gone on splits with my district mates every Wednesday and come home to find new investigators and 4-6 lessons taught. What a stud. I have also left him with ward missionaries while I've gone to do baptismal interviews and come home after a long day to see the same thing. This Elder is a great example to everyone. He's humble and legit. and he's transferred.

NOOOO!!!! Today I found out my rampage with elder alquizar is being ended after just 6 weeks. but that's the way of the mission I suppose.

We have two incredible investigators beyond my comprehension getting baptized next week. Meann and Rosalyn Tsiosen (chosen). Fitting name, they aren't even members yet and last fast Sunday they both got up and bore amazing testimonies. I was blown away. The work is incredible here in Lucena, and I hope it keeps going forward with whatever comes my way.

Meann back-middle and Rosalyn back-right

Being district leader is a lot of fun, going on splits, discovering areas and meeting investigators. Getting to know my district mates is also way chill. I love to give workshops, it's almost a passion. I love to grab chalk and just discuss battle plans that come from our president and prophet in preach my gospel. So tight, I love to fire up my team for the work. Interviews can be pretty drama though, which is difficult to know how to act, mainly because their problems are really small and are ones they, for the most part just, need to deal with and get over. Not to downplay, and not saying I don't shower em with praise and words of council, it just reminds me of me when I was still young in the mission and I was crying that my trainer was listening to Babylon music. A lot has happened since then...wow. Especially cause I'm still young in the mission. haha.

I have had some incredible experiences interviewing investigators for baptism. Ive interviewed two separate families last week, and it is just such a stark contrast to most interviewees. They are so solid, so unified, so much more filled with love and katatagan or like...um...steadfastness? They can't be shaken by anything. It is incredible, and the Spirit just sings whenever they bear testimony. indescribable.

These 6 weeks have passed like a soft breeze, that is how the good times seem to come and go. Whatever does come though I have a much better outlook on whatever happens. Good or bad, tough or sweet, nothing's gonna bring me down. I can always find solace.

I've also found a better sense of identity these last few weeks, found out who I really am, what I am, kind of a deal, Ive been struggling a long time with this, but I think I've finally got it back...if I ever had it...I feel like my old self infused with more understanding, maturity, and comprehension of life, people, myself, the Gospel, God, just everything. I told my best friend in a letter I wrote him the other day that I wouldn't trade my mission for millions, not a suitcase full of Benjamins, not even a wheelbarrow of Benjamins. I'm learning what the purpose of life is out here, and it all is so inter-related. Social interactions, spirituality, leadership, contentions, disputations, trials, peace, love, distress, struggle, frustration, charity, faith, hope, you name it, it all ties in-together to form a perfect picture. And it is beautiful.

[Shortly after being transferred to Pagbilao, I took off the walking boot and was able to, painfully, walk again. I remember the feeling of teaching for a full day, being able to come home and be filled only with gratitude that my mind was focused on the work instead of myself or my companion's problems. I was so grateful for my circumstances, that I would be in tears every night at the foot of my bed for the blessing of health, work, and a hard working companion. At times, my emotion of thanksgiving was so strong that words were insufficient, and I prayed with raw emotion and feeling. This really helped me understand that the principle of suffering eventually equates to an opening of one's eyes to the plethora of blessings and tender mercies the Lord extends to His children. Every aspect of my life was enhanced and amplified a hundred fold simply because it almost felt foreign. That is why when an investigator feels the Spirit for the first time, it blows them away, whereas long time members are so accustomed to His presence that He often goes unnoticed. So it is with our blessings. Health, money, friends, food, any circumstance of life becomes such a "regular" thing that we often forget to recognize and acknowledge it, but when it is gone, Oh how we long for it. Thus, after the trial, we become appreciative, and the overwhelming power of gratitude sinks in and infuses us with the Spirit, sanctifying and preparing us to overcome the trials ahead.]

I love you all!

-Elder Mace