CALL ME A DOG: I BARK

Hello Po,

It's More Fun in the Philippines:

• "Barker": Someone that is paid for yelling at people on loud, busy streets until they get onto a jeepney (Philippine's version of public transportation). Well on Tuesday I became a Barker. One of the men we are teaching is the driver of a jeepney and he picked us up for free. In exchange for the free lift I barked at people to get on to the jeep which in turn helps the driver make money (barking makes it sound aggressive and mean, but I wasn't mean. Promise haha) Basically every time he stopped the jeepney I jumped out and just started yelling in Tagalog "COME RIDE! THERE IS LOTS OF SPACE! GET IN!!!" In only about four minutes I filled his jeepney to the very brim. It was so full I did not have a place to sit. I lost my voice in the process, but he was super grateful for my help haha. I suppose people followed my instructions because I am a white man yelling in Tagalog (not a typical sight in the Philippines).

This last week I attended a Mission Leadership Conference, and a few changes were made to our mission. The biggest of those changes is that our mission will move away from the strict schedule that we used to follow everyday to now a schedule that allows flexibility depending on our personal needs and the needs of those we are teaching. It now puts a lot more accountability on us as missionaries to continue to work hard and not get lazy. Ultimately, it is a much better schedule, because our Mission President is now putting his trust into us as missionaries to make our own decisions. I think we can compare this to something that is occurring to each one of us, you included. Our Heavenly Father has provided us all with great flexibility and accountability. We have all been entrusted to make our own decisions on a daily basis whether good or bad. the freedom to choose good or bad is known as our personal "Agency." However, although we are free to do as we desire, God has clearly outlined that we are to use this freedom to follow him and do as He desires. Not to say we are restricted, in fact, we are still very free. The difference is that God knows what is best for us, he knows what will lead to joy and in contrast what will lead to sorrow. If we use our Agency to follow Him, then we are bound to experience happiness.

"Wherefore, men are free... to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil..." (2 Nephi 2:27)

Elder Hemmert

AM I PLASTIC? OR HOPEFUL?

Magandang Araw po,

It's More Fun in the Philippines:

I only have one highlight this week and that was our last Mission Tour in which Elder Steven R. Bangerter of the Seventy came to speak to us. At one moment in our conference I had the opportunity to ask him a question, and now I will share his response as well as a few insights I had in my own personal studies:

In trying to be Positive and Hopeful at all times, is it wrong to act as though we are without Hardships and Sorrows?

I asked this question, because often times constant happiness is connected to being plastic or simply wearing a mask over the pain in order to appear perfect. Many frown upon this constant happiness due to its plastic appearance; which in turn, makes showing our pains and inner feelings the more desired trait, even if those feelings include self-pity. However, which side is more correct? First off, in defining Hope we will understand that it is "confident expectation and longing for promised blessings due to righteousness." This Hope comes only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, it is a hope to be raised to Life Eternal. We also learn in Moroni 7:40-43 that to have Hope we must also be meek and lowly in heart. To be Meek is to be "God-fearing, righteous, humble, teachable, and patient UNDER SUFFERING." Focus on those last two words. We must be Under Suffering if we are to be Meek and Hopeful, but that does not require that we dwell on and amplify that suffering. Rather, we are to minimize and look past our own pains with a hope of a better tomorrow. Let's approach this question from a different perspective. Take Jesus Christ for example. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Immediately After suffering all the pains of the world including our sins and sicknesses, we will remember that Jesus Christ was betrayed by Judas Iscariot and captured. In the process, Peter, apostle of Jesus Christ, cut off the ear of one of the Roman Soldiers. Jesus Christ reacted quickly and mercifully by healing the ear of this man. Consider this, Jesus Christ had just suffered EVERY pain that was and will ever be felt by man and woman; yet, he overlooked his own pain in order to heal this soldiers ear. Obviously, the Lord suffered much greater than this man, but Christ acted as if he was without hardships and sorrows. The key is that Jesus Christ looked outward instead of inward. Thus I conclude this question with the answer that Elder Bangerter gave to me, "To be positive and hopeful at all times as if we are without hardships is not a sin. It Is A Christlike Attribute."

WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Look Outward instead of Inward. This will lead to Happiness from serving others, and will give you a greater Hope in Jesus Christ.

Elder Hemmert

Baptism: Lita Family

Hello Po,

It's More Fun in the Philippines:

• The Bagyo (storm) hit us, but was over in a few hours. We had been expected a pretty good storm, so  ll of the schools were cancelled. However, after a few days of no storm, they decided to start the school up again. Well, that same day was when the storm decided to work its way in! All in all, schools were all closed early, we got soaking wet in the rain, and laughed our way through it.
• Our Preparation Day (email day) is now being changed from Thursday to Monday. Share Ko Lang (FYI)
• ALSO!! My brother, Colby, is in the Philippines!!! I won't be able to see him, but it's cool to know that he is enjoying the Philippines as much as I am.

The Baptism of Lani and Jack Lita was on Saturday, August 10.

Here is their story from my perspective:

May 30, I asked a member of our Church to introduce me to his neighbor which he kindly did, and this neighbor was Lani and Jack Lita. They are a couple with 3 kids (lance 6, Altaya 4, Jael 2). Originally Jack was very shy, and I figured that was just to us since we are foreigners. Over time we began sharing with them and pretty soon they began attending church. Jack had bad issues with alcohol and cigarettes. We helped him come over these problems, and now he completely avoids those substances. Lani and Jack were married on July 25, and I was so happy to attend that marriage. Overtime Jack became more open around us, and Lani ate up the Book of Mormon (currently in Alma 12). I saw them grow together, and was so happy to be able to baptize them on August 10.

Their story from the perspective of Lani: (Translated to English)

I was scared when I saw two Americans come to my door. I thought my nose would bleed (It's a Filipino thing). I cant speak in English. I was surprised that you could speak Tagalog. Because of the missionaries and The Church of Jesus Christ jack and I talk. He never talked to me before, he was always with his work friends drinking. Now he takes care of the kids. On Sundays the kids remind us about church. My life has changed. thank you.

Elder Hemmert

PS. Another email is coming on Monday. Get ready for my Weekly Challenge that will be coming out...

Tiger Attack

Kamusta Na Po Kayo? Buhay Na Po Kami.

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

• All of us in our apartment have fully recovered from dengue, but a more painful event occurred. Elder Burton and Elder Peterson have transferred. Therefore, I have a new companion. His name is Elder Fepuleai, and he is from Samoa. He is the second Polynesian companion of mine, and I'm excited to get to work with him!!
• We went to the zoo a few weeks ago which was way fun, but there were basically only three types of animals. Lions, Tigers, and the Sheep that they feed to those lions and tigers. I fed a baby tiger and held a massive snake. Also, we nearly got eaten by a tiger! Let me explain, number one, we were on a thin, medal cat walk about twenty feet in the air that went right up against the cages of the tigers. One of the tigers was lying down with its tongue out so I went to take a picture of it. But to our surprise and the surprise of the tiger, the flash on the camera went off. In the blink of an eye the tiger jumped up against the fence which in return made us nearly jump off the cat walk. All in all, we survived, but definitely got a good scare.
• Also, because our district leader transferred, I have now been called as the new district leader for San Gabriel. My district is awesome, and I'm excited for the following transfer.

Spiritual Experience of the Week: Edmond Monzales, a man that I recently baptized, shared a great experience with me about tithing. First off, tithing for those of you that aren't aware, is a way to give money to the church in order to fund things like building new chapels, new books, or other similar items. As this is a way to help build God's Kingdom, God promises to bless those that pay tithing. Edmond shared with me that he payed tithing and prayed that God would bless his family for doing so. The following day at work he was given a tip by an older women that was impressed by his work, but the blessing of the tip was that it was EXACTLY DOUBLE the amount of money as what he gave in his tithing. He testified that God will always bless us for our service, and I now testify that if you want the blessings of God, serve Him and His children.

Elder Hemmert