The Miracle of COLD TURKEY (For Thanksgiving Week)

Hello po,

I have two big Highlights:

1. First off, a kid went PEE IN MY SHOE, that's right! We were teaching an old lady, and her 3 year old grandson was crazy! He was screaming and yelling during our lesson, and he even threw food at us! then to top it off, he ran to the front steps, pulled down his pants all the way to his ankles and proceeded to fill both my shoes with his pee!!! I started busting out laughing! The lesson was a total disaster, but I got a really REALLY GOOD LAUGH out of it!! Oh, and yes, I had to wear those shoes the rest of the day!!

2. THE GARCIA FAMILY

The Garcia family consists of 9 people. They live in a small shack that they built themselves. The father and 14 year old son work in construction. Each night they sleep on wood pallets. But, all in all, they have some of the biggest smiles I've ever seen! They have been taking lessons from missionaries since July, and the mother along with 5 children were preparing for baptism on October 13. The father was not going to be baptized with his family because he was alcoholic and addicted to cigarettes. He spent much of his time and money on those harmful substances, and he was never able to stop even when he tried. Even though the father wouldn't be baptized, the rest of the family prepared for baptism. One week before their baptism, the father and mother got married on October 9th; however, that night the mother passed away from a heart attack. It was devastating! The family was extremely hurt as were we. They were such a happy and beautiful family. But, something amazing happened because of her passing. The father felt a desire to turn his life around and he dropped alcohol and cigarettes completely. He went COLD TURKEY! He decided he would prepare for baptism with his family, and that way his family could be more united and live together forever. We taught their family and moved their baptism date. Finally, the Garcia family, after so many hardships, was baptized this past saturday, November 24, as a family. It was so precious! They said they could feel their mother/wife smiling on their decision to be baptized and confirmed as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I was filled with joy for their family, because I know that they can now live with their family forever and be able to be with their mother again. I know that only through Faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by someone holding the priesthood authority of God, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end can we obtain eternal life as families. I am so happy for the Garcia Family! They are such a special family!

Weekly Invitation: GO TO THIS WEBSITE!

LightTheWorld.org

It gives ways for us to spread Christmas spirit and love to those in need!

Elder Hemmert

Snakes & Bug Bites

Magandang Umaga Po,

Weekly Highlights:

Possibly the spider that bit Elder Hemmert? (SCREAM)

-First I have a massive rash that covers a large portion of my calf and the back of my knee. We think it's a bug bite, but we aren't sure. It's probably nothing and will heal quickly. However, if I get dengue, pray for me. Just joking! It's already healing.

-We found a shortcut that goes through some dense brush that we used to get around to a few people's homes. It was great and saved a lot of time. However, we were visiting someone the other day and they said no one goes down that path anymore because there are a bunch of snakes there!! HAHA!! We went back and found big branches covering the path, maybe it really is dangerous! I guess the Lord protecting us from the snakes though haha.

Spiritual Experience:

The other day, on a very busy street, I met a man that was using crutches. In our short exchange I told him about our message of Jesus Christ and told him that by asking God through prayer he could know our message is true. I then invited him to pray, and if he prayed and came to know our message is true I asked him if he would be willing to be baptized even as Jesus Christ was. He said yes, and I asked for his address and we agreed to meet him on another day.

Well, two days later we just finished a lesson and began walking toward our next lesson. About a quarter mile down the road we realized we had went the wrong way. We turned around and were a little discouraged that we had wasted that time walking the wrong way. I looked down at my daily planner and I got this thought that we needed to stop by Junior Baltiste ( the man we met on the street). However, we were already behind schedule and we decided we didn't have enough time to visit him. Then all of a sudden we heard someone yell, "ELDERS!" We turned and there was Junior!! We quickly went up to him, and he told us he had been waiting for us, and he invited us to come back tomorrow to teach him. He said he was really excited to hear from us and go to church! We agreed to come back and we went on our way.

Originally, we thought we were going the wrong way, but all along that was the correct way. The Lord guided us a quarter mile down the wrong street so that we could find Junior. I kknow that the Lord will help us and support us when we are seeking to do His will. 

3 Nephi 13:8 "Your father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him."

I know that the Lord will continue to guide me to those that are ready to recieve the restored gospel as long as I do His will.

Elder Hemmert 

Gift of Tongues

KUMUSTA PO KAYO,

First off here are the, worst to best - Highlights:

-I tried frying bananas just for fun, and all of the fire alarms went off. We had to disable them to shut it off, but it's okay, we put them back haha.

-In the Philippines it is courtesy to take your shoes off outside of people's homes before entering. Before one of our lessons I left my shoes outside, but when I came back to them after the lesson they were filled with soapy water. Apparently some little boys were bathing outside and they had decided they would "Wash my shoes" HAHAH!! It was so funny!! I had soaking feet all day!

The Spiritual highlight: One lady we are teaching loves to have us over and she loves to listen to us. We ask her to attend church and pray, she agrees to do so, but she never follows through. She said that "The Lord would excuse her for not attending church or praying because she was trying." The problem was that she was not trying. My tagalog is still terrible, but at this moment I began speaking to her in nearly perfect Tagalog. I asked her if she truly understands the suffering that Jesus Christ endured for us through His Atonement. I told her in unbroken Tagalog that I know that Jesus Christ was always obedient to the commandments of our Father in Heaven. I testified that Jesus Christ would never allow excuses and problems to get in the way of obeying the Father. That Jesus Christ payed the ultimate price, and the least we can do his obey the Father's commandments. I told her that we truly care for her; otherwise, we would not visit her and teach her about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I also told her to follow the example of Jesus Christ, and obey the commandments of the Father by praying and attending church. In bold but loving words I told her she wasn't trying hard enough. I asked her to give a better effort, and she said she would do so. We concluded the lesson and the Spirit was stronger than we had ever felt in our lessons with her. After walking home my companion turned toward me and told me, "I don't know if you realize it, but you just experienced the gift of tongues. You just spoke with her in perfect Tagalog."

-I know I still have a long way to go until I can speak Tagalog fluently, but I know that the Lord is helping me. I know that through him I can do anything. He helped me share my thoughts with that lady and those were the words she needed to hear. I am so grateful for the Lord. I know that as we "Look unto [Him], doubt not, fear not." He will lift us up and magnify our efforts.

Challenge: Seek the Lord's help this week through prayer. Have Faith, and he will support you.

Elder Hemmert

Enjoy a video of Elder Hemmert making his favorite: No-Bake Cookies!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0J0BC0SWGk

FREE SHOWER SERVICES

Kumusta Po!!

Ill explain the subject in a sec but first!!

Elder & Sister Wakolo w/ Elder Hemmert and Elder Pederson

Here are 5 words to describe my mission so far: Sweaty, Moist, Delicious, Humbling, and Spiritual!

Next a few highlights:

-I was interviewed by a general authority. Elder Wakolo of the Seventy!! It was amazing! He only chose a few Elders from our mission to interview and I was chosen. It was so special!

-On that note, I'm known as the mice slayer here, because I killed 4 mice within 24 hours at our apartment. We have sooooo many mice! But it's okay, I'm taking care of it!

-I mowed our lawn with a machete which was something else for sure. I legit haven't seen a single lawn mower in this country.

NOW FOR THE SUBJECT: This is my most embarrassing moment EVER!!

I have been trying to serve as many people as possible even in simple ways, and I've been trying to use the Tagalog I know. So after leaving a lesson we stepped outside into the dark night. I saw two ladies about 30 years old each (one was someone we have been teaching). They were washing dishes in a wash basin, so I was gonna try to offer help in Tagalog, so I said "Kailangan po ba ninyo ng tulong?" or "Do You need Help?" My companion then immediately pushed me forward and said, "NO NO NO. Continue walking." And then he proceeded to apologize to the women. We left quickly and once we were past their view I asked him why he wouldn't let me help them clean their dishes. My companion then told me they weren't doing dishes, they were SHOWERING!!!!!! I HAD NO IDEA!! I thought they were doing dishes. It was so dark I couldn't tell!! So yeah... I offered to help two women shower... and somehow I am supposed to go back and look her in the eyes to teach her about Jesus Christ and His gospel. That might be a bit awkward at first hahahahahah!

My Advice to you: So okay, I'll admit, my efforts in offering service didn't exactly go as planned, but I advise you to follow my example. Offer service to everyone you possibly can. Whether they need it or not you can show your love for others by offering service. I promise your attempts won't backfire they way that mine did!! Find opportunities to serve, even to strangers! Jesus Christ is the perfect example of a service oriented individual.He never shied away from those in need, and he always extended a hand. he helped those he was close with and even those that were strangers to him. Follow his example in service and seek to help everyone you can! Even to strangers!! And even if all you do is wash their dishes!

Until Next week

Elder Hemmert

Enjoy a video of how to mow a lawn in the Philippines:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC9mz9G3Ogg