Darn! They're taken by God!

Kamusta ka na?

It's More Fun in the Philippines:

-I went on Splits with one of my companions from the MTC, Elder Garner. We literally ended up finding the entire day, because all of our appointments feel through. We probably walked 10 miles

-As we were buying a drink from a tindahan (small store), a girl asked if we were single. I told her we were missionaries, and her friend quickly responded with "Darn, they're taken by God!" It definitely gave us a good laugh because it is SOOO TRUE!

Just a few days ago we met a man that used to attend our church and was even baptized in our church. We sat down and offered him a prayer and scriptural thought. As we spoke with him he opened up that he has been wanting to come back to church, but he said he couldn't. We asked him why and he mentioned that it was because he had made too many mistakes. I reflected on his statement for a moment as silence filled the room. I broke the silence by asking a few simple questions, "Do you believe that God loves you?" He took a deep breath and responded with Yes. "Do you believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior?" He paused and once more said Yes. "Do you believe that the power of Jesus Christ's Atonement and suffering can make us clean from sin?" With another heavy breath he said Yes. "Do you believe that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ your sins can be made clean?" He paused extra long here... took a deep breath... and responded with a near to tears, YES.

I told him, and NOW I TELL YOU: I know God loves each of us so very much. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior. He suffered and died for each one of us. YOU are not an exception to this. He suffered and bled for YOU! He payed for YOUR sins. His arm of mercy is extended to YOU. No matter your past mistakes or current situation, YOU can find happiness in this life and in the next. Your pains and sins can be made clean through Christ and his Atonement. And I say these things in His holy name, the son of the living God, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Elder Hemmert