VIRUS SPREADING!!

Magandang Araw Po,

It's More Fun in the Philippines:

• Volcano Update: There is still chance of a second eruption, so we are still not allowed to return to my area in Lemery and Agoncillo. As of right now Elder Gabriel and I are working in Muntinlupa.
• We had the baptism of Alex Nieves this last Saturday. His entire family has been members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for over a year now, and now after the long wait, their father, Alex has been baptized and confirmed a member. They are already scheduling their family sealing in the temple.

I wish to discuss a virus that has begun to infect much of the world. However, I will not be discussing the Corona Virus or any other sickness of health. Rather this is a spiritual and mental sickness that very much affects our physical progression as well and can be found in many forms and symptoms. I and many others have at times contracted this detrimental illness. Many doctors have diagnosed this issue as something of negligence. In a simpler form it can be described in no other way than laziness.

-We know from Hebrews 9 that Jesus Christ was willing to "Sacrifice of himself." This was a single act, and effectively removed all suffering that people would endure. Imagine, if he had not been willing to "Sacrifice of Himself," we would in no way be able to overcome sin and death.

Now, how can we follow the example of Jesus Christ and "Sacrifice of Ourselves?" Often times we expect others to take care of little issues we notice, and we aren't willing to "Sacrifice of Ourselves." We may entertain thoughts such as, "someone else will pick up that trash," or "someone else will say Hello to the new kid at school." Well pretty quickly these thoughts pass through everyone's mind and at the end of the day the floor is still dirty and the new kid still has no friends. These are only a few shallow ways in which negligence have entered our day to day life, and oftentimes there are much deeper was in which this affects our lives.

WEEKLY CHALLENGE: This week, be willing to follow the example of Jesus Christ and "Sacrifice of Yourself." Be the first one to volunteer. Be the only one that stands up for a righteous desire. Spend time serving others. The blessings will come.

Elder Hemmert

Muntinlupa 2B