A Piece of Advice To Those Thinking of Serving a Mission

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and as someone who is what we call a "priesthood holder", I feel that it is my sacred duty to help as much people as I can to come closer to the Savior. And as I also fill my responsibility as a Missionary Training Center teacher, I would like to a few thoughts on what it is like become a missionary, how it feels like to be in the mission, and share a few advise how to make the most of your missionary experience. And since there seems to be some surge that I feel that is happening as what the prophets have seen in our days: "hastening the work".

This may sound pretty generic as per many return missionaries would almost say the exact thing that a lot of them would advise. But I would like to make a focus more on what does it mean to have a purpose when you are actually set apart as a full-time representative of Jesus Christ.

"My Purpose- the Doctrine of Christ"

As an MTC teacher, it is very essential for all the missionaries to truly understand their purpose. Within all the things we train the missionaries for, it is always related with the "Doctrine of Christ". Some may ask; "What is the Doctrine of Christ?" Well, the answer is pretty simple. Let me site you the purpose of a missionary:

"Our purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ & His atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, & enduring to the end." - Preach My Gospel, p.1

Basically, the Doctrine of Christ is also known as the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is comprised of the 5 basic principles of the gospel. First, faith in Jesus Christ, second repentance, then baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and lastly, endure to the end.

But there is something more than to teaching and preaching the gospel. It's actually learning how to love people that you come along with. The Savior has said that as we have love Him, we should love one another.(John 15:12) And the moving force for this work is basically that love you have for the Lord and for others.


"Therefore, what?"

We live in a world where we want to learn so many things in life. But very seldom do we utilize those knowledge to become wisdom by putting things into actions. And many things we learn are not being used. Even if it is used, it's done for the right reason. Nevertheless, the doctrine of Christ is used to help others open heaven's blessings to be poured to them by keeping commandments, making covenants, and living a righteous life.

"Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh.." And with that freedom, it gives us so much opportunity to know what are the consequences as we try to choose the correct choices that we get to see in our lives. "For behold, this is my work and my glory; to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of men."

Conclusion

I don't want to make anyone feel that there are too many things that would make you want to give up or back out on anyone's desire to go on a mission. But let me make this sure: You never go on a mission for you, for your family, your friends, or even your ward. You go on a mission because first, you love the Lord. Second, you love "your neighbor as thyself" that you want what is best for you. And with all honesty, a mission is hard. But having the regrets on not serving because of petty reasons is even harder, And with much preparation, fasting and prayer, scripture study, and acting in so much faith, you are called to the work.

When It Rains, Bring a Bucket!

(C) http://cdn.sheknows.com/articles/2013/03/Kori/rain-bucket-outside.jpg

So this past few days, it has been raining like crazy. Not to mention, starting from May, it's basically the rainy season. In lieu of this blissful season, I would like to focus on a different type of rain that has been occurring to me for the past few months. And when I am saying about rain, I don't mean to put it in a negative way, since a lot of people would have such mindset towards it because of the bad effects that may do to some of the people.

Since the time of my departure from my previous employment, many have commented towards my rush decision. I must admit, it only took me one night to finalize my decision. And without having a second thought, I stepped my foot down to tell my immediate head of my planned departure. They tried their best to make stay, but one thing that I have shown is that when I make a decision, it is what I want. It wasn't really much about the pay, or even with the people I am working with, but it's more of a personal choice to make a turn into my career path.

Just a few weeks after my chosen act, I have received a highly unexpected phone call. The phone call actually came from that one place I dreamed of always working in, the Missionary Training Center- Manila. Though it's a typical R.M.'s (returned missionary) dream career, it was actually a fulfillment of one of my goals before I went home from my mission. And now, I am about to become a facilitator in the MTC Manila.

Another part of the "glorious rain" that just got poured to me was with much dating and meeting with
the opposite gender, I was so blessed that there is someone who still recognizes the potential that is inside of me. I will not disclose any names yet, until that we (Yes, we) will confirm about our relationship status.

To show you some brief history of how we have met each other, I will spill some things on how we came about and knew each other. Basically, we met at an activity that was organized by a couple YSA's (Young Single Adults). I wasn't really planning on coming, but since some of my friends were persuasive and EAGER (I put an emphasis on it since they were more excited for me to find a date than I do) in order for me to find a nice girl that I can meet. So with all the persuasion, I went with them.

And so we were at the activity with a lot of people coming from different stakes (a unit of area determined by geographical location). And so I was partnered with "this girl". We got to know each other, and then we exchanged numbers (As far as I remember... or maybe not). But we didn't basically date until a few events happened. I was basically experiencing the darkest hours of my life before we started dating and getting to know each other. And after a brief moment, we started to date- inviting her over for a Family Home Evening, and going to the temple.

We had some time that we were not dating, but we still keep in contact. She went back to her hometown, and I stayed here in Manila. But we would talk every now and then. Until we had a talk that really hit us hard. We gave it another shot on dating and until we make some decisions... And so we will wait for the next story to come.

Basically, everything that are coming are so unexpected. And I just love some things come into the right way though it took some time for those things to come about. It may have taken longer than expected, nevertheless it still came all at the right time too.

So to put things in perspective: Never give up on waiting! You'll never  know when the things you deserve will come. So just keep on waiting patiently, and trusting and believing it will come.

Life is Funny Sometimes

Do you find yourself in an awkward situation? Well, truth be told, I am always in one. And luck would always find it's way to bring me into those "highly anticipated" moments in life. And by highly anticipated, I mean the most awkward situation you have never expected to be in. Just right after those moments happen, I have nothing else to do about it, but to just laugh, shake my head, and probably do a quick face palm and ask: "Did that just happen?!"

Let me tell some of my most memorable events that happened in my life since childhood.

The Boy who Cried... He just did

If I am not mistaken, it was my 1st year in grade school. Most probably, 1st grade. We just finished our primary class (This happened in church). And all the primary kids started running out to the halls and to the rooms where adults would have their 3rd hour block classes. (Most likely Relief Society and Melchizedek Priesthood classes)

And right after arriving outside, there were no people outside. Thinking that everyone left, including my parents, I started crying. Other kids just stared at me with confusion on why the heck was I crying.

Then the most embarrassing thing came, my mom showed up, and followed by the rest of the adults and the teenagers went out to the common area, the foyer and hallway. Then after, my mom looked at me with confusion then giggled because she found out I was crying because I thought everyone left without me.

Oh how that memory is just too hard to forget.... because that may be the very first most embarrassing thing I have ever done in my life. (Don't worry, there is more to follow)

AH! The Freshman Year

My high school classmates and friends will totally agree on this. I mean,  the whole school year was just a series of comical events. And I was like, 13 years of age. I was at the pinnacle of stupid and foolishness. And let me tell you, I have done things that are far from normal.

One of which is the time when it was wash day. (We had to wear uniforms, which is nice sometimes) I was just wearing my pair of jersey shorts because it was the heat of summer, and my body cools down too slow.

It was one of those chill days when we have no classes but we were required to go to school because we are preparing for some incoming school event. And all high school students were staying in one room to make stuff of which don't remember what we were making. I had a classmate (who is a chick) kept teasingly pulling my shorts to see my underwear. Out of annoyance, I shouted: "You know, you can always ask me to pull down my shorts to see my underwear!" And I pulled it down...... It was one of those times where I asked myself "Why the heck did you do that, you moron?!" 

I must say, chicks knew then that I have quite the "self-confidence" to be proud of my body. 

Disclaimer: I regretted every crap I did in the freshman year.

"Oh, Is He Your Grandson? No, He's My Son."

I served briefly in the Philippines Quezon City North Mission while waiting for my visa to come. Four months, to be exact. And within those period, I had 3 areas (ward boundaries) that I got assigned in. And the last area before I flew to Salt Lake City was called Lagro, somewhere in Fairview, Quezon City.

I was with Elder Hansen and Elder Ramos, who thankfully endured my zany personality. We were in one of our areas where we were about to get introduced to some people that were being taught by Elder Hansen and his previous companion. So it was me and Elder Ramos who were new to the ward.

We got to one of the houses that we planned to visit, and it was an older couple who were less-active member. And we went there and got to their place. The sister was carrying a baby that time when we visited over.

Of course, me trying to strike a conversation, I basically asked something about the baby she was holding. So this is how the conversation went:

Me: What a cute little baby! What's his name?
Sister: His name is ____ (I can't remember the cute baby's name)
Me: How nice! How old is he?
Sister: He is 4 months old. (This is a guess since it's been more than 2 years now)
Me: Aaawww. Oh, is he your grandson? (With innocence)
Sister: (Stared at me and glanced to her husband) No, he's our son.
Me and my companions: (Awkward silence)
Me: I am so sorry! I didn't mean to say that in a wrong way.
Sister and Brother: It's ok.

I face palmed myself right after we went out of their house and dragged my feet with regret that those words came out of my mouth. But of course, it was one of those things I had to pray for and repent about it..... I hope that couple will someday forgive me for my stupidity and ignorance.


There are more things that I have done that I would like to say but I am not sure to the fact that I might bore you guys in reading. But I may share more sometime soon. We'll never know.

Bottom line, we all make mistakes. And many of those mistakes will just make you giggle about it in a month or so. It's just too inevitable , and we make good memories on it. (Except for pulling down my pants)

And at the end of the day, we all will get a good laugh out of it.

Photos (Memes) courtesy of Jypsy Casia

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

There has been so much time that I have not put into (this) my blog. There has been just so many things that happened lately. And of course, I should not put it into any excuse about how things have gone in my life.

And it's been like a little or more than  year since the last time I made a post, of which I am truly sorry to say that I have been very slothful and mindless towards  my passion... to write what I feel. But you know what they say, we all have weaknesses, and strengths. And the only thing we can do about it is to become better people.

For the betterment of the people to feel better about my blog, here's a picture of me trying to look like a person from the past... say about around 1800's

Last transfer (or cycle) in my last area, Kodiak Island, 2015 around January or February

Feel better yet? No? Well, it was a good try ahahhahahah!