The Harvest is Great

As January ends, so does another week here in the mission. Now February approaches and Elder Ivie and I are having a blast here in Batac. The experiences we gain here are priceless. It may be extremely tiresome at times, but it's all worth it. 

So for all of you who are updated with last week, it did finally happen. The Ulit family was baptized! We were so happy to see all but one of the kids baptized last Saturday and confirmed as members. We were really happy with the result. 

They got to the chapel early, and everything went right on schedule. It was actually one of the most successful baptisms I've seen and definitely the most support I've seen at a baptism. 

Batac ward is surely a strong ward. The Ulit family will be quite a contribution to Batac ward. It's been great seeing their progression from not really interested to where they are now. Each one of them now has a personal testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and the church. I love them all and love that I still get to teach them!

Elder Ivie and I are very happy here especially since it's been 4 months since Batac's last baptism, but we know we still have to keep working, and that's what we're doing! We actually had a successful week, and we're very grateful for the members here. 

Something that we did this week which ended up being really successful was we planned a couple of family home evenings with some strong member families. What we did too is told them that they need to bring someone that is not yet a member. So that's exactly what we did, and we now have several new investigators in our teaching pool. We'll update you next week on how those end up!

As for some other things that happened this week, we had another exchange again. This week I went with Elder Gesta, our district leader. He's actually a really good teacher! He's assigned in Paoay. Funny thing, when he came over he had to interview the whole Ulit family. We got there at 5:45, and ended up leaving around 9 due to how long each interview took. It was worth it! 

We also did have another zone conference this week at Paoay, which went very well. What we talked about was the importance of a ward mission plan and the do's and don'ts and the importance of planning. It was good, edifying and such.

Now I want to say within the 8 weeks I've been here I've already come to love so many of the members. They are such a big help with the mission and with life in general. 

The De Leon family is always a big help along with the Domingo family. The members here have gotten us out of a few tight spots, but mainly with food. 

One night we planned to go to the De Leon family, but they weren't home. So we texted one of them who told us they were at Robinsons mall. Jokingly I told them to buy us a pizza. So that's exactly what they did! We're very grateful for that. 

Then yesterday night Elder Ivie  and I had no more food at the house so we were trying to figure out what to do, when suddenly Sister Burgos randomly texted us saying she had something to give us, which ended up being food! I love these people and am very thankful for their kindness.

As this month wraps up I would say it was great. Now February approaches and Elder Ivie and I will head to Laoag on Sunday night for MLC on Monday. 

Our zone is still rocking it and last week every single area in our entire zone had someone at church! I'm pretty impressed with all of them. Love the mission and love being a zone leader. I love my companion and I love Batac! That's all for this week! Love you all!

Elder Espiritu

**you can email Elder Espiritu at joseph.espiritu@myldsmail.net

Family home evening with the Domingo family

Batac zone

Trying to be as tall as Elder Johnson

Sister Cotrell, Sister Galvez, Elder Mortenson and I

Family home evening with the De Leon family, Ulit family and friends

Baptism of the Ulit family

More Adventures With Elder Espiritu

Well January is almost over, and it feels like yesterday 2018 just started. Technically it still is fairly recent, but hey, time goes fast. So here I am, sitting at a computer shop in the Philippines writing about my week of January 16th to January 21st. There were a couple of things that happened this week. So here's what went down:

Tuesday we went to attend the San Nicolas District meeting  in San Nicolas. Elder Ivie trained, and it was a good training. Weirdest part of the District meeting: Elder Ivie and I were the oldest ones there. I guess I'm pretty old in the mission. 

There were lots of people that we were able to teach this week, all from different places. We did have another family home evening on Tuesday at the Bulatou family house. At first when we got there it was only 4 of us, but as soon as it started we had a pretty good amount of people show up, mostly less actives and investigators. So it was successful. 

Elder Ivie and I have been trying to set up lots of family home evenings, so we do have a couple more coming up this week. 

Something and Elder Ivie and I have been doing lately is really trying to work with the members and get referrals from them. We go to them a lot, teach them and set up lunches or family home evenings with their non member friends. So far it's starting to work out. 

On Friday we had another exchange, this time from the Elders in Banna. Fun fact that I've probably already said before: the town of Banna used to be the town of Espiritu. It's cool. So I went with Elder Alaelua this time, the smallest (height) and most quiet polynesian Elder I've met. Most of the Polynesians I've met are loud and proud, so it's weird meeting a quiet one. He's awesome and it was fun working with him.

Alright I do have some really good news: The whole Ulit family came to church this week! Okay technically 5/6 but we have yet to teach the one. We  were really happy again to see them, especially as a family. Also, if everything goes right, they will ALL be baptized this Saturday night! I've been working with them since the first week I came to batac, and I really love seeing how people progress. Hopefully all goes well and I can't wait for this Saturday!

We have a pretty busy week this upcoming week and lots to do. We have some interviews, family home evenings, a zone conference and a baptism. Life is still busy, and for those of you interested to know, being a zone leader is awesome and busy. 

I am very excited for this week and so grateful for the gospel. I know it has the power to change lives. Till next week, keep the faith!

Elder Espiritu

**You can email Elder Espiritu at joseph.espiritu@myldsmail.net

Family Home Evening at the Crismar house

 

Finishing up an exchange with Elder Alaelua

  

Me in a little ditch thing and a tree 

that looks like the one from the Lion King

These little girls wanted to play missionary

The Domingo family decided they want to take a random photo shoot so here it is

Parks and President

I always feel like the first week of a new cycle can be such a fast and slow experience at the same time. It feels pretty long since I've last emailed and a lot has gone down. But now here I am, having a blast with my new companion Elder Ivie and working hard. We haven't gotten any less busy, with visiting all the districts, meetings and parks and such, but we did have a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with our mission President, President Andrada.

So first, lemme tell about my new companion. His name is Elder Ivie, from Emery county Utah, 20 years old and a pretty rocking companion. I've said this before but we have known each other since we were both really new in the mission, so we basically know each other really well. We've been working hard and that's the plan for our whole time together. He's got a lot of good ideas, and the way we work is pretty similar so that's good. 

Alright so here's what went down this week: Tuesday I picked Elder Ivie up and showed him around. Wednesday we worked hard, had someone work with us and such. Thursday we again went to 2 district meetings, one in Badoc and one in Paoay, which is the usual part of our ZL life. Everyones doing well so far.Friday we went and observed the weekly planning of the San Lorenzo Elders. 

Here's the good part: While we were planning, we suddenly got a text from President Andrada, saying he wanted to work with us the following day. So that's something I never saw coming, since he is a really busy person, and there are 74 companionships in the mission. It was pretty slim to none that he would choose us. But here we are. After that we headed to San Nicolas and had a meeting with the STL's then we had our normal day. 

So Saturday rolls around, and at 8 o'clock President Andrada shows up to our apartment. He attended our weekly planning, then around 10 o'clock he drove us to San Lorenzo for a baptismal interview. So I interviewed the candidate and passed them then President took us and the 2 San Lorenzo Elders out to eat. After we ate, we looked at a potential apartment for the San Lo elders and headed back to our area. Once we hit our area, basically almost our of our appointments fell through, but that's alright. We went to teach a member, and had a really good lesson. 

President Andrada talked to a member about giving referrals, and we practiced with him how he could invite his friends to a family home evening and such. He had a lot of people in mind to refer to us and President really enjoyed doing that. Afterwards, we decided to utilize the areas that we have (which we have been doing this whole week) and we headed over to a park with a bunch of teenagers or just people waiting and that's where we went to find new people to teach. 

So Elder Ivie and I split up (but still within sight and sound) and just talked to all the people we could for an hour. We've been doing that every day this week, and it proves effective so far.  President talked to a couple of people too. He did have to leave around 5, but he told us he really enjoyed the day. 

As Sunday rolled around, we were happy to see 5 of our progressing investigators come, and 4 new investigators that are classmates of Jared, a 14 year old in our area. 4 out of the 5 Ulits came this time and the Dad would've come, but he was driving a bus to Manila and back, so next time. Their baptism is approaching pretty quickly and if they can come to church as a family and have no problems, that date will approach faster. CJ is doing well too and as long as he keeps coming, there won't be any problem there. Batac ward is really progressing too, with a total of 211 attendance. It's a good life.

So in conclusion, the first week of this cycle was awesome. Elder Ivie and I get along really well, the zone is doing well, President Andrada had a good time working with us and said he was impressed, especially about using different ways to find, and our progressing investigators are continuing to progressing. This is going to continue to be a great cycle, and I'm excited. The future is looking bright, and I can't wait to see what happens!

Last FHE with Elder Havens 

(I think I look pretty good with a mustache)

Last pic with my homies Sister Altre and Sister Wikaira

Working with President Andrada

The Wonderful Batac Life

Hello World/anyone who reads this! How was your first week of 2018? For me, it was pretty busy. We did end up going to Laoag for hot showers, confetti in our face, and new shoes, along with 2 1/2 companionship exchanges, and lots of changes for this coming cycle! 

Alright so after our work Tuesday night, we headed over to Laoag for "Missionary Leadership Council" or MLC. We got there around 9:40 and talked to all the Zone Leaders from the whole mission. I didn't sleep too well that night and woke up around 5 thinking it was 6:30 cause some other people were already up, so I thought "why not?". I went and ironed my shirt and showered. Little did I realize how great hot showers are. I felt blessed. 

We were also blessed with food in the morning and time for personal study. MLC of course was great again. Each zone presented the results of the work of their zone, and since Laoag basically hit their goal and were top baptizing this month, they shot confetti in everyone's face (see pictures for result). 

Another fun fact: turns out the wife of the mission President (Sister Andrada) actually reads my emails, and last week read about the story of my investigator gluing my shoe and her finger. Because of that, she decided to buy several of the zone leaders new shoes, including me. So now I have another new pair, which I am very thankful for since now I don't have a giant tear down the side. Thanks again to our loving and amazing Sister Andrada! 

After those fun times, the next day we had exchanges with some Elders assigned in San Lorenzo. Around 9 Elder Pati-on and Elder Tauiliili came to our apartment and we went straight to planning and went out. I first went to eat Chowking with Elder Tauiliili then we headed to one of our far areas. I had a great time with him and we found a couple of new people to teach, and later that night had dinner with the Stake President. I'm sad he's being transferred, (foreshadow). 

The following day, we headed with them to San Lorenzo to observe their weekly planning. While we were there they also taught us games we could use for family home evenings and gave us a ton of cans of Vienna sausage (which I love so I'm very grateful) then we headed back. 

We then waited for our next exchange with the Paoay Elders. They got here around 3 so we had a little late start. But I first ended up going with Elder Johnson a 6"3 18 year old from Wyoming. We also had fun and had our ward mission leader work with us. 

This exchange was interesting because it was the first time I went with a new foreigner. His Tagalog was still a work in progress but it's getting there. He's only 6 months in the mission. The next day I went with Elder Dollano, a Filipino from the Quezon province, who then taught me some magic tricks and the importance of building trust in people. It's always interesting to see how each missionary approachs people. I learned a lot from each Elder these past couple of days. We taught a lot of people.

The following Sunday, we were once again happy to see the Ulit family (or part of them) come again! This time the 3 kids came (Marvin, Ethel and Vincent). The Mom and Dad are in Ilo Ilo right now due to their mom being sick. We also had another kid come to church CJ, who we have been teaching for awhile, but has just been in a different place every Sunday. Really happy to see them and they're definitely progressing

This week is transfer week. There were 29 in the zone at the start, and from the start we already knew there were 4 going home. Little did we know that 13 other people in the zone are also being transferred, along with Elder Havens. 

So out of the 29 from the start, only 12 are staying. I wasn't expecting that many to leave, but it's time for another adventure! I think I'm starting to get the hang of this zone leader life. 

Now I'm with Elder Ivie, another American from Utah, who is a batch ahead of us. I've known him for awhile!

Life goes by so fast, and basically the thing that is always for sure to happen is change. So it's not if it happens, and when. How well will you be able to adjust? I'm ready and happy as ever. 

Although everything around us changes, the church never will. I still have a firm testimony that what I'm doing is true, and through this gospel we can face the changes in our lives. 

I'm so grateful for all the people were teaching, and I love each and every one of them. Just keep going! Love you all! 

Elder Espiritu

**you can email Elder Espiritu at joseph.espiritu@myldsmail.net

Batac District (Elder Johnson, Elder Havens, me, Elder Dollano, Sister Cantos, Sister Salde, Sister Taumoepeau, and Sister Kaufusi)

The aftermath of confetti

The Missionary Leadership Council of 

Philippines Laoag Mission

Exchanges with San Lorenzo 

(Elder Pati-on and Elder Tauiliili)

The Yapo Family 

NEW YEAR NA

BARO A TAWEN KENYAYO AMIN, or Happy New Year to you all! It was an excellent last week of 2017, and fun fact: That was the only year I was in the mission the whole year. Time goes fast! So here's what went down this week: attending 3 district meetings in 1 day, 2 more exchanges, and more of the busy life. Also our investigator glued her hand to a Croc. 

Right after Christmas (Tuesday) we decided we were going to attend 2 other district meetings, but right before we left we thought: Why not go to our own district meeting too? So we headed over to Paoay around 9, then at 11 we headed to San Nicolas district, then at 2 headed to Pinili. We didn't get back to our own area until 5:30 and still had to eat. But we survived and went and taught some people. 

We found out our awesome investigator Jaypee decided that right now was probably not the best time to investigate the church. His dad doesn't want him to change religions. I know it's just not the right time. I'll be patient :)

On Thursday, we had exchanges again, but this time it was with the Assistants to the President (or AP's). We headed over to Laoag. I went with Elder Holmes, and it was a great exchange. We headed out around 12 and ate some Miki (which is like a soup thingy) then went to work. We had an awesome day. Wome appointments fell through but we taught really good lessons. It's fun to see how far we've come since we're both foreigners speaking a new language, yet we're able to hold ourselves up!

The next day we headed back to Batac, had weekly planning and then had another exchange, this time with Pinili. This was a fun experience because I got to go with Elder Mortenson. 

Elder Mortenson and I both came into the mission at the same time, and we were both assigned in Sta. Teresita when we were new. We were in the same apartment for 4 months so we were both excited to have an exchange again. He's still the same Elder Mortenson I know, but this time we both speak Tagalog. 

I brought him to the house of our progressing investigators and then to the De Leon family, and now they wish he was assigned here. He's a fun guy. It was great to catch up on each others lives!

The following Saturday was taken up by us going to Banna again. We left at 8:30 then came back at 4, and again taught the Ulit family. The following Sunday rolled around, and Marilyn and Ethel came to church again along with another girl we haven't been able to teach! They're still progressing quite well!

Here's a funny story with Sister Marilyn: I have a big hole in my shoe right now since my shoes are made of rubber. After a lesson one day she tried to fix it by gluing it but it didn't work. The following day we came to her and asked if she read the book of Mormon. We then received a long story about how she started to read, but then saw her husband's shoe and decided to fix it by gluing it. 

What then happened was she accidentally glued her finger to the shoe and spent the next hour trying to scrape it off. She eventually got it off along with some of her skin. But she still read! They're ready for baptism but we're still working on the whole family!

There goes the last week of 2017! I'm excited for this new year. Lots of opportunities to help other people! I know the church is true, and it has the power to change lives. Love you all! Hope you all have a great new year!

Elder Espiritu

**you can email Elder Espiritu at joseph.espiritu@myldsmail.net

Elder Mortenson, the De Leon family and I

Ethel and her mom fed us Sprite, some bread stuff and a leche flan

Eating Lunch at the De Leons