Young Men, PREPARE YOURSELF NOW

7/19/10 (Delayed posting so Kristeen could read it in church today (7/25/10)

Boring (Scout) camp talk? Such thing doesnt exist! I love hearing about camp related things. First thing, to mom, when we talk to members it is in Ilonggo, remember, I dont speak Tagalog anymore. Well, it was certainly an interesting week here in Cadiz. The trainee in the Cadiz Branch is having problems with his ankle so they moved him to the office. It was really strange and surprising when President and the APs showed up at the apartment Wednesday morning. So now he is gone and was replaced. I am now the only American in the apartment. Not as hard as I thought it might be. Things are really just normal still. Though it is still an interesting thought.

Our investigators are doing great. We have two that are consistently coming to church. They are doing really good. Trying to get one to lose his drinking and smoking, but the other is really good. Both are referrals. That just goes to show how much better referrals are than when we find on our own. Though we were given a referral from an investigator in another area, when we found her she wasnt interested, but the people we talked to to find the house are really good, and that was quite the surprise. Because we talked to her just as she was coming from school, she attends the private Catholic school in Cadiz, which we were standing right outside of. She said we could visit them because they are "very religious." That made us kind of nervous. Things were either going to go pretty good because of that, or really terrible. We have now met with the family twice and given them a Libro ni Mormon. They are doing really good and had tons of questions. Answered some but had to say to a lot that we would answer them in our teaching.  So, even though the referral was a dud, we met someone who goes want to listen. That was an encouraging experience.

Letter to the ward (but mostly the YM):

Primary: I got your letters about a month ago, but just kept forgetting to mention it. It was fun to look at the pictures and the little notes written, some I had to try really hard to read, but that's all right.

Young Men. First, you should all have a desire to set aside two years of your life and give yourself to the Lord. Second, PREPARE YOURSELF NOW. Yes, you still have a long time before you will be able to serve. But every step of preperation you take now will benefit you in the MTC, the field, and in life afterward. Read the scriptures daily, especially the Book of Mormon. And apply what you learn. That is something I wish I would have been better at. Increase your faith and build your testimony. Share it with others, even if they are members! Both of you will be strengthened. (D&C 50:22) Be hard working and diligent in all that you do! It will benefit you in what will come.

Missionary work is great, but it is just that WORK. And it is hard work. Many times physically, always spiritually, and certainly mentally. Your mind is always working. But always remember that you are never alone, in anything you do, especially in missionary work and the work of God.

Read Preach My Gospel, practice what you learn and live the principles it teaches. That book is an inspired book.

I know you know that the church is true. That you all have strong testimonies. We recently got the conference edition of the Ensign, one big theme I noticed was the importance of living the gospel. It was directed at parents but is good for us all. You know what you know, you know the gospel. Through your actions and life let others know what you know. They will have respect for you and you for yourself and all the blessings the Lord has given you.

I know that this Church, the Church that bears Jesus' name, the name I wear on my chest every day, I know this Church is true. It was restored through Joseph Smith, chosen to become prophet and lead and guide us. I know that Pres. Thomas S. Monson is our living prophet today. That he recieves revelation from heaven, from our Lord Jesus Christ, and guides us in what we need to do. I know that Jesus Christ lives. He preformed that wonderful Atonement for all of us. Allowing us to obtain eternal life. It also gave us the gift of repentance and the miracle of forgiveness.

I know these things, but there are those that don't, that is why I am so far from you all right now, so that I may bring others of our brothers and sisters unto Christ, that they may receive this knowledge and be blessed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. I leave these things with you in the holy name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Amen.

Elder Phelps

There were going to be pictures (Pictures from Seminary/ Institute/ LDSSA Acquaintance BBQ), but the cafe we are at right now doesn't allow you to plug things in. Sa dasun na lang (Next time!)