Humbly and Prayerfully Serving (last email from the Philippines)

I am Elder Joseph Misalucha Espiritu.

I was called to serve in the Philippines Laoag mission August 17th, 2016- August 8th 2018. Before I served my mission I thought the day would never come for me to go. Then while I was on my mission I thought the day would never come for me to leave. But now, here I am, my last couple of days in the mission. I'm about to head to Manila, then to the Los Angeles airport, and then home to Utah. 

I've experienced so much in the past 2 years as a missionary. I've witnessed several people run away and hide from me, yell at me and tell us to go away and never come back, just for teaching a gospel that is centered on families, happiness, and Jesus Christ. At other times, I've seen so many people accept the gospel, and the impact that it's had on them. 

I've seen several members of the church also help bring others to Christ because that's what we do. I am a representative of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, called to serve among his people in the Philippines. 2 years of pure service is not easy, but neither was the 3 year service of Jesus Christ. 

The uncomfortable situations that I had, such as walking in the blazing heat or pouring rain, fitting in little tiny side cars attached to a motorcycle, sweating while sleeping and experiencing several power outs during my time...all this to try teach people that might listen to us. But the Savior did more. He walked farther, experienced more rejection and pain, and performed the ultimate sacrifice which ended with Him agonizing in the Garden of Gethsemane and dying on the cross. Because of Him, the Atonement was completed, death was overcome and we now have the opportunity to fix our mistakes to become like Him. 

Although these 2 years to me may have felt like an eternity, if you really compare it to how long eternity really is, it's about as fast as a blink of an eye. I know I've grown so much while I've been here spiritually, mentally, and even physically. 

They say that serving a mission is a shortcut to maturity, and I believe it. I still have several faults, and things to improve, but I feel I can say I'm a changed man (I'm 20 now so technically I'm an adult :D). Throuhgout these 2 years I've studied so much about the gospel, in the Old testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Jesus the Christ and so forth. Yet I still feel my knowledge is about a grain of sand on a beach and I still have so much to learn. 

So how does it feel as a full time missionary about to go home? Well for me personally, it doesn't feel real. It feels like I'm never going home. Yet I am, and I couldn't be more excited. But for now, it just feels like another transfer. I'm sure it'll hit me soon. Leaving is sad, but maybe it's the fact that I've left 6 other areas, which has prepared me to leave it all.

The mission is full of having to leave the people you come to love behind. It is sad to leave them all behind, but I know they were all left in good hands, and now the time has come to leave the country and return to the family I love even more. 

It's weird to think I'm going on to my next chapter, yet life really does go by fast. I have loved the mission so much. Even though I thought about home often, like Elder Jeffery R. Holland says, I will go the rest of my life thinking about my mission. Although I wasn't perfect, I feel safe to say I have no regrets while I was on the mission, and worked hard until the end, so I can crash on the plane ;)

This branch was the best branch for me to end at. The people of Cabugao are so awesome, and the members are so helpful. I know soon Elder Peck and his new companion should also be having a couple of baptisms this month.

Missionary work is great, although sometimes it seems repetitive and hard. It's not about us as the missionary. It's about the person we help come unto Christ.

Whether I actually baptized the person, brought them to church or just gave them a Book of Mormon, I know that no effort is wasted. God's plan is perfect and things will all happen in His time.

To whoever is reading this I hope you know that I have a firm testimony that God lives. He loves every single one of us, and watches over us always. He weeps when we suffer and rejoices when we do what's right. 

I know that because He loves us, He sent His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to atone for our sins. Because of Him, we can become perfect and make it back to our Heavenly Father. 

I know that God has restored His gospel through the prophet Joseph Smith. I also know that the Book of Mormon is true, and was translated by the power of God for us to know how to become more like Him. 

And I know that God does not ever leave us. Because of Him, we still have a living prophet today, President Russell M. Nelson who guides us.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to have served as a missionary, in the country of my heritage, and the things I have learned here. I can apply these lessons for the rest of my life. 

So this is it. I love the church, the gospel and I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior!

Elder Espiritu is now peacing out. See you all real soon!

Last zone activities and my member friends

More member friend pictures #Cabugao branch

Closing Doors, Opening Windows

You know, as close as I am to finishing my life here as a missionary, it doesn't really feel like I'm leaving. Things are going pretty smoothly, and as slow as it felt during the days, this week is already over. I had a couple more last things happen this week, last exchanges, last zone conference, yet I still have time left here (although little). So it should be good. And although God may have closed a couple of doors (for now) He's started opening a couple windows for us (and the future missionaries here :D )

Yes, I finished my final exchange as a missionary this last week, with my good friend Elder Furness from Taylorsville, Utah! Elder Furness is an amazing missionary when it comes to doctrine, language and all. I sitll remember meeting him when we were both new back in Cagayan. He is only 6 weeks behind me, and is still working hard. We had a pretty fun adventure in his area with learning the Philippines national anthem for language study, teaching by the beach and finding more people to talk to. I also got to meet some recent converts that were taught by one of my previous companions, Elder Havens. They're pretty solid. It was a dang good last exchange and I'll definitely miss doing things like that. 

The next day was a little sad but I know happened for a reason. We went over that night to talk to Jaynie and Dhina's parents about baptism. Sister Saludes was actually very nice about it and listened to our message, but as soon as we brought up baptism, she told us that their father doesn't want them to leave the roots of their original religion. Which means they will not be baptized now or anytime soon. We're pretty disappointed, but we know things happen for a reason. Jaynie told us how sad she was and how she has been dreaming lately that she was able to become a member of the church and wakes up disappointed. I know God has a plan for them and it's just not meant for them now. It was a discouraging lesson, but on the bright side, we got to eat until we gained  5 pounds at the branch president's house (which took away the sting.)

So life goes on, and the next day we headed to Paoay for my very last zone conference, which was the first conference I got to hear President Peterson teach. President and Sister Peterson just continue to be awesome. I'm sad I didn't get to know them as well. But the highlight of this conference is all the missionaries that are going home get to bear their departing testimony. I never thought that day would come, and I still remember 22 months ago thinking how 2 years feels like an eternity away. But now look where I am! 

The opportunity to share my testimony to anyone is a great privilege, and I can proudly say that I know this church is true, I know God lives, I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and translated the Book of Mormon through the power of God, and that Russell M. Nelson is our living prophet today. I will continue to share that testimony for the rest of my life.

So although God closed the door with the Saludes for now He opened an opportunity to plant more seeds and help grow in other people's heart that were able to come to church. The first is Jimuel, who we met awhile ago who just wants to change. He's now come to church 3 times, and really wants to be baptized. So if we're able to teach him fast enough (because of his busy schedule) he can be baptized August 11th (the week I go home :P), and another woman that we invited to come to church (not expecting her to come) but she did! We taught her and extended an invitation for her to be baptized and she said she wants to understand more first. 

So until the end of my mission, I will continue to help others grow in the gospel and understand the importance of the fruit of this gospel that we have. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, and I have been called of God to help these people come closer to him. Whether it's baptize, teach, or just introduce, I will keep doing my role as a missionary until the end (which isn't much longer :D). 

I may not see all the fruits of my labors now, but I know that no effort is wasted. Now that I am on my last week, I will not waste it. That's all I have for now. Until next week, love you all! 

Elder Espiritu

**if you'd like to send Elder Espiritu one last email before he comes home, you can send it to joseph.espiritu@myldsmail.net

Last trip to Baluarte zoo

Partying and running away from dinosaurs 

Last exchange with Elder Furness 

Sister Cobing and Sister Samoya

My Polynesian sisters Sister Faoa and Sister Latu 

(with Elder Young)

My beloved zone leader Elder Petty

Sister Navales

My beloved Sister Training leaders Sister Daplas 

and Sister Agudo :D

Elder Tauilili, Elder Reyes, Elder Corpuz and my cuz Elder Maroket 

My Aussie friend Elder Tauilili

All In God's Time

Dear Family and Friends,

Does it ever rain hard where you are? I don't think I've experienced the hard rain I have hear at all in Utah. It probably helps that there have been a couple of typhoons. But we're all good. The mission is still the mission and things are going according to God's will. 

So a little fun story before I go into the more informative/spiritual stuff: last Saturday after Elder Peck and I had lunch we went out to work (without knowing of the typhoon in the area) and when we were walking the rain picked up and got stronger, was weak, got stronger and just came in gusts on and off. It was bad enough, that the rain was legit falling sideways, and there was no way to stay dry. The worst part was having to walk towards the wind, which sent rain flying straight at our faces. Although kinda miserable, Elder Peck and I were laughing the whole time, and just tried to enjoy the moment even with soaked bags, clothes and socks. I definitely won't forget that.

Alright now to the more serious side. So yes I was really excited last week for things that we thought were supposed to happen. Well they didn't happen. We were supposed to have 2 baptisms this last week, but things happened, and we're not sure if it's going to happen at all. So on Wednesday we had their interview and they came around 6, and went home around 7 (which is pretty late for teenagers going home) 1 of them passed the interview, and the other one had to wait for someone else to interview her later at night. 

Our mistake was not realizing how early people sleep in the Philippines. So we tried to go to her house with President Peterson (our new mission President from Idaho) but we were too late, and kinda disturbed them. We later found out that they actually didn't tell their parents were they were going and after their father got drunk he was furious that they were home so late, which terrified their mother. So as of now, their parents aren't so hot about the idea of them being baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saings. 

The night this happened, I was pretty devestated. I've been working with this family for about 8 weeks now, and I love all of them. Then when I find out their baptism might not even happen anymore I was pretty sad. Right after the event happened I was talking with President Peterson who gave us some advice. He knows that things happen for a reason and there is a reason they weren't baptized at this time. God has a plan, and it wasn't part of his plan.

It wasn't easy to accept at first. Things were going super well. It's honestly pretty devastating to me that since I'm going home soon I might not even see the the people I've worked so hard with be baptized. But I've come to a better knowledge that it's not about me and what I want, but it's really about God's timing for them. 

I know God wants all his children to come back to Him, but He knows when the time is right to bring them into His fold. So maybe now's not the time. Who knows when it is. It could be August 4th, next month or next year. All things happen for a reason. I've accepted the fact that I might not see what I was hoping to see before I leave, but that's okay. It was never about what I wanted, so all I hope is that they continue to draw closer to Christ even after I leave. Who knows too, they might still be baptized this August. 

I've really come to know while being out here that everything that happens to us, good or bad, is all part of God's plan to help us grow. We can take the hard parts as God abandoning us, or opportunities He gives us to grow. 

So how am I doing? Still doing all I can to work hard until the end, still hoping for things to work out, being patient and trying to stay as humble as possible. It's not easy, but it's not all about baptisms. 

I can still help people come closer to Christ in these last couple weeks I have, and that's what I plan to do. I'll accept whatever God's plan is for me in my last 2 weeks! I know the church is true, and it can change people. But it's up to them to let it change their lives, and follow what God's plan is for them. 

That's all I have for this week, until week, Love you all!

Elder Espiritu

Chilling by the ocean

My awesome Sister Training leaders 

Sister Agudo and Sister Daplas

The Saludes family again :D