EARTHQUAKE!!!!!

Kamusta ka na,

It's More Fun in the Philippines:

• EARTHQUAKE!!! It was April 22 around 5:15 pm. We were teaching Vanessa Lorejas inside the church, when all of a sudden I began feeling extremely dizzy. I thought I was going to pass out. I felt sick and I could see the doors inside swinging on their hinges. The spinning feeling stopped abruptly, and I looked away form the doors and back at the people in the room with us who all looked a little confused as well. All of our eyes met and opened wide as we all yelled, "LINDOL!!!!!" or "Earthquake!!!" We quickly rushed outside for safety, and after realizing no damage had been done, we chose to finish the lesson outside. It was absolutely crazy! As far as I know it was a 6.1 magnitude earthquake!
• Fun fact: we typically eat at little street restaurants called Carinderias. They basically just have a bunch of cooked food in pots and you choose which one you want. They then take a scoop of it and throw it on top of a plate of rice and that's your meal. A typical meal at these places will cost 55 pesos or about $1.

I don't have a whole lot to say today, but I do want to share that I have really been striving to follow Russel M. Nelson's advice which is, "Daily Repentance is the Pathway to Purity." Each day I keep track of every time I make a mistake or even when I could have improved. I am trying my best to utilize ever minute of the day for the most important things. Each night I evaluate my day and report to Heavenly Father in the form of prayer. I first repent for the mistakes I made, My desire to be better, and how I plan to improve. I am NOT perfect. Luckily, God does NOT expect us to be perfect. He expects us to TRY to be perfect, and when we make a mistake we must simply repent and then strive to be better. God will bless us for trying because he loves us.

WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Each night evaluate your day and report it to Heavenly Father. Repent of your mistakes, and express how intend to improve.

Elder Hemmert

20 POUNDS HAPPIER

Mainit!!! (It's Hot)

It's More Fun in the Philippines (highlights):

• It's crazy hot here! A typical conversation starter here begins with "MAINIT!" which just means "IT'S HOT!" People say it ALL the time, and it kind of makes us laugh because of how much we hear it in one day. Yesterday we counted each time we heard someone say "mainit," and it totaled to 54 times!!
• I have gained 20 POUNDS since the beginning of my mission!! I blame it on the rice.
• We ate dinner with the Mediano Family at "Kainan Sa Balsa." It's basically a bunch of floating, bamboo rafts, and the food is delicious!

In the Philippines, the Worldwide Broadcast of General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints comes late. We had the opportunity to watch it this last weekend, and I just want to share a few of the things that really caught my attention:

First off, Jesus Christ invites us to come unto Him. He is our Savior and Redeemer. As human beings in imperfect bodies on an imperfect world, we are subject to many issues and trials. However, Jesus Christ descended below our painful conditions so that he can lift us up to receive the blessings of his Infinite Atonement. If we feel a difficult time feeling and receiving his support in our life, we must consider what may be stopping us. Is it questions or trials that are stopping us, or is it our faith? The fact is, we are placed on Earth to "walk by Faith, not by Sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7). At times we may feel in the dark. However, strengthen your faith enough to take a few steps in the dark and the lights will eventually come back on. What I mean is, "feed your Spirit," by praying to your Heavenly father. Study the Life of Jesus Christ by reading in the New testament, or learn of the Savior's Atoning Power by reading in the Book of Mormon. We must dedicate ourselves and rededicate ourselves.

Elder Hemmert

STRAIGHT FROM BACOOR

Kamusta ka na?

It's More Fun in the Philippines (highlights):

-Fun fact: Buko Juice (juice straight from a coconut) can be bought on the streets from small cart vendors, and it is nearly the same price as water. So I drink a crazy amount of Buko juice!!

-It is getting insanely hot and I LOVE IT! It makes the days a lot more tiring, but I'm still bouncing around. We had an insane summer storm the other night, and we were drenched from the rain as we walked home.

-We are working hard to find new people to teach and share the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. As a mission our goal is to baptize 2 people per companionship in the month of April and then again in the month of May. And on top of that hit 3 baptisms per companionship for the month of June. These goals are crazy high but absolutely attainable. We are continuously working hard and striving to become 100% obedient to receive help from Heaven.

This last zone conference was extra special and "ONCE-IN-A-MISSION," because we all came fasting and each of us had the opportunity to bear our testimonies of Jesus Christ. With that I want to share with you my testimony of the Savior, Jesus Christ:

   I know that the Plan of Redemption, which fully depends upon the Atonement of Jesus Christ, was laid from the Foundation of the World. Jesus Christ, as the center to Heavenly Father's perfect plan, was so full of mercy and charity that He was willing to give up His throne in heaven to enter a world that would scourge Him, smite Him, and spit upon Him. He walked a sinless life only to take upon Himself our sins and all of the pains, sicknesses, and temptations that accompany our imperfections. But no matter how imperfect we are, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I know we can all be made clean. And there is not a person on Earth that is an exception to this promise. His atoning sacrifice infinitely extends to every individual that will have faith unto repentance. He died for us, and He rose again. I know he loves us. He wants us to become as He is. He is the ONLY way to eternal happiness. He is our Savior and Redeemer. I am forever grateful for him, and I leave this, my testimony in his sacred name, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Hemmert

Happy Easter!

Maganda po Kayo sa Hapon,

It's More Fun in the Philippines:

-I learned to cook Bicol Express and it is wicked good. It basically is a pork dish with coconut milk and super spicy peppers. I love the food in this country (as long as there is no liver haha).

-It is now hitting summer in the Philippines, so I am now sweating constantly; however, it's okay because everyone else is really sweaty also.

Evangelina is a mother of 4 kids and lives next to the ocean. Her home was destroyed in a terrible fire that occurred last July. Ever since that day her family has been living in the remains of their home which consists of a concrete floor surrounded by a 2 foot concrete wall and 4 old advertisement tarps that are strung over top for protection from sun and rain. Not to mention the fact that their home experiences annual floods for a week at a time during the rainy season. She wakes every morning at 4 am to begin her work which pays for her family to eat and go to school. Evangelina expressed her pains and struggles and also her desire for an escape from these same pains. We immediately explained to her that the escape she is looking for was created two thousand years ago with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions of every kind; and... he will take upon him the pains and sicknesses of his people." Jesus Christ bled from every poor as he felt our pains, depression, sicknesses, sins, and trials. And because he felt our anguish, he understands us and knows how to help us. He is extending His arm toward us. The question is, are we accepting his help and reaching for his hand? Are we seeking his guidance by doing the simple yet crucial steps of praying to him, reading his scriptures, and going to church with intent to become more like Him? Are we opening the door to blessings? With tears in her eyes Evangelina expressed her love for the Savior and the message we shared with her. And with sincerity in my words I express to you that I know Jesus Christ suffered for all of our infirmities, and he will help us in our weaknesses as we reach for his hand. He is our Savior and the only escape to find permanent happiness.

CHECK OUT this video to learn of Jesus Christ:

https://www.mormon.org/site/jesus-christ/following-jesus-christ