TYPHOONS, HALLOWEEN, L.B.M., AND BAPTISMS!

Kumusta Po Mga Kapatid,

Well, Its HAlloween!!! And Christmas? Yeah, so holidays are a little weird here. For this entire week kids have been dressed up tricker treating, and a bunch of people already have christmas decorations. Every mall/ grocery store plays christmas music. It is kind of odd, BUT I LOVE IT!!! HAHAHA!!

Also, I have a crazy experience! So we were teaching a very nice lady, and when we finished the lesson she gave us some Pancit (It's like Ramen without any broth). The Pancit was in a take out box, and when I went to eat it I could tell it was a little old. However, I felt bad saying no, and this lady was really nice so I ate it.... That was a mistake. One hour later we had to run two miles back to the house so that I could use the bathroom!! I was on the toilet for almost an hour! I got super sick! Here they have a common acronym called LBM (Loose Bowel Movement), and I definitely had LBM. It is NOT FUN! However, I took about 10 pills and went back out to share the restored gospel of Jesus Christ because that's what Jesus would do. He wouldn't sit inside all day simply because he was sick!!! HAHAH!

Anyways, on that note......  I also survived my first Typhoon!!! It really wasnt very bad in our area.

Just a bunch of wind, rain and some mild floods. It was pretty fun, and It was actually really awesome because people took pity on us and let us in to their homes!

Last experience, I had my first baptism and second baptism this week. The sisters in our ward had been teaching these two investigators for the past few months, and I had the opportunity to baptize them! It was really special, and their testimonies were so strong. they knew, with fire in their soul, That we truly are God's children. That Jesus Christ truly payed the price of sin through his atonement. That through the Gospel of Jesus Chrsit we can be forgiven of our guilts and mistakes. And WE CAN LIVE WITH OUR FAMILIES FOREVER!!!

I am so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ! I know it is true!

Elder Hemmert

BE GRATEFUL

Hello Po!!!!

So my message to you is short. It begins at 7:00pm. Its dark outside. We walked to a family about 20 minutes away. We came to their door (curtain). Their home had three rooms. Each room could maybe fit three people lying down shoulder to shoulder, and the walls were made of thin plywood. The ground was concrete, and there wasn't a bathroom. The family had 10 people in it. I'm not sure how, but these ten people somehow managed to sleep and live in this small space. This is their home. We visited with them a while, they recently joined the church of Jesus Christ. The kids were obviously lacking nutrients, and most of gotten very rare amounts of food. I couldn't tell the 12 year old from the six year old because they were the same size. I could see the outline of their bones easily through their skin. But THEY HAD SMILES ON THEIR FACES. Their kindness was immense. One of the children ran to a nearby store and came back with Oreos and Sprite. They gave them to us, but we kindly refused saying we already ate and were fine. They DID NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER. They shoved the food in our bags. With my heart aching for the kids that needed the food more than me I had to accept with gratitude in my heart. These kids needed the oreos more than me. The family needed that money. But their kindness was too large to allow us to go unfed. They are a loving people. They are a grateful people. They have little, but they are grateful for everything they have.

My advice to you. BE GRATEFUL!! For everything!! The Lord gave you everything. Nothing is yours. It is given to you by the Lord. Give thanks to him. You know the roof over your head. The curtains that cover your window. The running water that magically comes out of a metal tube. The Lord blessed you with those things. thank him for those things!

Alma 7:23 "Always return thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive."

BE GRATEFUL

Elder Hemmert

It's More Fun In The Philippines!

Hello Po!!

So there is a popular phrase here."It's more fun in the Philippines!" Let me explain how you might use it. (all REAL examples)

-For example, let's say it rains for only 15 minutes yet the streets are flooded. Then as you are walking, your foot gets stuck in 6 inches of mud. Then you might smile, shrug and say, "It's more fun in the Philippines!"

-Or you have to go number 2 and since there is no TP here you have to use the hand that you don't eat with in order to clean up. Then you might smile, shrug, and say, "It's more fun in the Philippines!" 

-If you are constantly dripping sweat, and you don't have Air conditioning. Then you would smile, shrug, and say, "It's more fun in the Philippines!"

-If you eat rice with every meal, then you would smile, shrug and say, "It's more fun in the Philippines!"

Do you understand?

Here is what I want you to understand, no matter the situation you are in, you can always try to see it in a positive light. When a trial comes your way, or you have to do something uncomfortable or difficult, you can always just smile and be happy. Make the most of every situation!

That's my advice this week: See everything in a positive light. When it rains and you get all wet, don't say "darn, I wish I didn't get wet." Instead say, "Hey, at least I don't need to shower today! I just took a shower!" Enjoy every minute!!! This life was given to us by our Father in Heaven. He loves us, so He provided us with trials so that we can learn and grow. Enjoy your trials, see them in a positive light. Find ways to learn and grow from every experience!!!

Elder Hemmert

Balut: Baby Duck Fetus

Hello Po!!!!

Pics from Manilla MTC- Elder Garner & Elder Hemmert

Well, let me first say I am in the Philippines, and I love it. I said that last week, but I really do love it!!! My trainer is Elder Pedersen from St. George, Utah. He is amazing! Legit. AMAZING!!!! I know we will work great together!!! I have so much to say but not enough time so Ill just say the best!

I ate Balut which is a baby fetus duck egg. It was actually pretty good but had a beak and feathers hahah! Also, I have gained 6 pounds in one week from the rice.  I have a huge blister on my foot from basketball! 

So yeah, its real.  I am here. Itrs real.

But even more real is that people here need the gospel of Jesus Christ. They need the knowledge that God loves us. They need to know that we can live with our families again. We all need to know that.

My advice: Pray to God. Express all of your thoughts of your heart to Him. He will listen!

I have to go, but I love you all!

Elder Hemmert

Elder Garner & Elder Hemmert- Manila Temple

Philippines Cavite, Bacoor Area

Elder Hemmert w/ President & Sister Speirs

Dear Brother and Sister Hemmert,

We are pleased to report to you that Elder Hemmert has arrived at the Philippines Cavite Mission, on October 10, 2018.   We are grateful for his willingness to serve the Lord and participate in this great work of salvation.

We have assigned Elder Hemmert to work with an excellent trainer, Elder Pedersen, serving in the Bacoor area.

If ever you have any concerns or need to contact us for any reason, please call/email/send letters to:

Mission Office Phone:  001-046 518-4066 (from Philippines) Mission email address: 1986465@ldschurch.org

Mission Office address: Philippines Cavite Mission       

                                           353 Avenida Rizal, Pag-asa Subd.

                                           Molino III Bacoor, Cavite 4102       

                                           Philippines

Attached is a picture of your missionary with President and Sister Speirs, with his companion and with the group he came out with.

Sincerely,

Aaron B. Speirs

Philippines Cavite Mission President

Elder Pederson, Elder Hemmert, President & Sister Speirs

Humility

Magandang Umaga Po! Well, Magandang Gabi for those of you in the US!

I'M IN THE PHILIPPINES! I'm currently in the MTC in Quezon city. It's way nice, and there are only 200 missionaries here! I will leave for Cavite on Wednesday! Oh that reminds me, I am 14/15 hours ahead of most of you in the USA. It is super weird because I left for the Philippines on Monday afternoon, but when I landed it was Wednesday morning! I lost an ENTIRE DAY in travel time! It was a little bit sad to say goodbye to everyone from the Provo MTC, but I'm so happy to be here.

President and Sister Carlos w/ Elder Hemmert & Elder Garner

My mission president is President Carlos. He showed up at the airport and picked me up along with the 50 missionaries that came at the same time. When he saw my name he immediately told me that he knew my grandpa, and he used to be a member of the presidency back in Keizer, Oregon. How crazy is that! And the secretary in the MTC presidency, Brother Lee, was from Salem, Oregon also!

I can't even express in words everything that has happened so far, but I love every bit of it! My new companion is Elder Garner and we have gotten along very well. We will be attending the Manila temple later this day. Oh, and we can leave the MTC campus to go to the nearby market. I bought some super delicious pastries, because ALL OF THE FOOD HERE IS AMAZING!!!!! We have rice for every meal, and I love it! Also, it's quite humid and warm. It's kind of a mild time of year and will soon be getting very rainy. All the Filipinos are saying that it is a very nice temperature, but I start sweating the moment I step outside! It's so awesome! I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS PLACE!

Anyways, since this is my first day I don't have too much to say, but I do have one more thing. Back in Provo I said goodbye to being zone leader and passed that responsibility onto two very good elders (Elder Smith and Davis). I enjoyed being zone leader, because it really taught me to show charity and love to others as I came to know all of them. Now, in the Philippines, I have been called as district leader! I went from zone leader to district leader! Why do I keep getting called to leadership roles. I don't have any extra qualities that make me more qualified than others; yet, I keep getting called to those roles. I suppose the Lord is trying to humble me and make me realize where I need to grow. The Lord gives "men and women weakness that they may be humble." Without weakness we would begin to think we could do everything on our own. We would allow pride to take over. However, we are not capable of handling everything on our own. We are not perfect and we have weaknesses, but as we turn to the Lord, "then will [He] make weak things become strong unto them." (Ether 12:27). As I take on this new role as district leader I will turn to the Lord for strength. I know that as I turn to Him, He will strengthen me. The Lord will never leave us comfortless.

My advice this week is a little different and may feel weird at first: Try to develop humility. Recognize that you can't do everything on your own. Seek help from others, and most importantly, seek help from the Lord.

Sincerely,

Elder Hemmert

I'm in the Philippines!

Fam!

Well, Im in the Philippines! Its amazing here!  I love it so much! And my mission president, President Carlos was in the Keizer stake and knows Grandpa Von Hemmert! He used to be in the presidency!

Love,

Elder Hemmert

Elder Hemmert was spotted in the SLC airport on his way to Philippines
Our family was so grateful to get these surprise pics! An a sweet sister even bought
him his last "American" meal!!!