Wk 29

Hey!                                                                        

      I finally got my act together and plugged my camera into the computer. It’s been a little while since I’ve sent pictures.

     This week has been an exciting week. A lot of memorable memories. 

We have been doing a lot of work in the office. So it has been really busy. It seems like the whole 10:30 go to bed rule here doesn't apply at all cause we sometimes don't get back till 11:00 11:30 and then by the time I hand wash my clothes for the next day I am exhausted and it’s 12:00 or later. I usually fall asleep after reading one verse out my scriptures. This entire week I have been washing everyday which has kind of been a mistake. So today I am going to wash for a whole weeks worth so my heart doesn't drop next time its 11:00 and I realize I don't have any clean clothes.

     This week we met a Baptist white man at the SM (super mall). It is always kind of weird when you see a white guy here. I always want to ask them where they are from and why they’re here. Well this man come up to me and started talking to me. It didn't take long till we told him we were missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and then he told us he was too. He was a Baptist missionary. He was a way awesome guy like a motivational speaker. He talked to us about his life a little bit and about the Baptists. At the end of our conversation he asked us if we could pray. So we prayed in the middle of the Department Store. Elder Booth and I were peeking during the prayer both kind of wondering what was going on. After the prayer, we wished each other good luck and then he left. This was kind of a different experience, one worth writing in your journal.

     This week we have been learning a lot about teaching skills and following the Spirit and it’s made me super excited to go out and try the new things we’ve learned. I have learned a lot about how when you get a prompting to say something during your lesson, you got to say it, and you better say it quick or else the circumstances will change and it won’t be the same - it won't affect the person the same way it would have if you would have said it when you were prompted. I learned that you always need to wait even if it’s awkward so you can receive those inspirations from the Holy Ghost, those Inspired Questions, Commitments, Comments. Silence is pretty hard for me sometimes. It gets all quiet, and then a little hot, and then a little awkward. But of course, if you just trust in your calling you will be able to say the right things at the right time.

     Yesterday we taught a young man named Osmond. He is a super intelligent kid, a referral from Daniel the young man we have been helping go on a mission. It was a really neat lesson. We hadn't gone into the lesson with a lot planned. You could probably tell at the beginning but then I think both Elder Booth and I were praying that the lesson would go well and...it did. We introduced the Book of Mormon to him and explained to him how our beliefs in things can become knowledge, and we shared the Promise of the Book of Mormon. After we asked him what his feelings were about the Book of Mormon, not really knowing what to expect his answer to be. He said that he was impressed and that he really wanted to read it. It is always a good feeling after you get done teaching about something and someone is excited about a commitment that you give them.

      Things are going pretty well. I’ve learned a lot this past month or two.

There are a lot of times where you feel a little out of place or lonely. There are times where you ask yourself why isn't there enough water in this baptismal font so we can make the baptism a good experience? Why can't I say what I want to say in this language? Why can't my companion stop bein... Why am I frustrated? But then in the end, you finally understand the lesson that you’re supposed to learn, and it makes you a better missionary, and makes you a better person. You finally realize, oh man...that’s how it is.

     Every day I pray that I can become the missionary Heavenly Father wants me to be. To become a better person. And Smile even more. :P)

Well I know this work is hard, but I also know it is worth it. I think most people know that.

Well I love it like I do every week. :) I pray for each one of you.

Love,

-Elder Kirschbaum

P.S. Oh yeah every Sunday we usually get fed at a member’s home, The Elizans are a really cool family, and help us out a lot with the work. This weeks dinner was really good. I absolutely love the Filipino food here. 

Wk 28

Hey!

      Life in the Semi-Tropical Island is never been better! The storms haven’t hit us here in the Visayas Region. It has just been raining everyday....But even with it raining everyday there still wasn't quite enough water for the Baptismal font for Sheryl’s Baptism. But we got it to work. The baptism was really neat. A ton of the SA (Single Adults if you don't know what SA means) were there to support Sheryl. It was really neat how much support she had from the youth in our ward.

      Today is P-Day, Monday still. We have District Meeting in the morning then around 12:00 P-Day starts. Today we went to eat at SM City at a place called Ocean City. They have Cow Tongue all sorts of weird eggs, but I chose the Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet with Fried Rice and Brocali Beef Salad. Yes that is right Brocali. Even though I don't know how to spell Brocali, I now eat it willingly. I can't remember how to spell willingly either. Then we went to shop for soap, laundry soap, and toothpaste. Now I am at the office typing to you. We have a Family Home Evening at the Elizans a little later tonight. They are a really neat part member family.

      There is a family called the Evangelista. They are an less active family we have been teaching for a little bit. Just recently they have started to come back to church. It is really awesome listening to one of the sisters bear her testimony. She always gets up when she can and just says how thankful she is that she is active, and how bad she wishes her mom and dad would be active. She has a really strong testimony, and then just recently her less active cousin Daniel decided to go on a mission. We have been getting Daniel to work with us almost everyday. We would go and get him off the computer to get him to work with us. Then he started to come to church, then bless the Sacrament, now he is going on a mission. It has been really cool to see the change in him.

AHHH.

     I guess we are leaving early from the office so I have to go. But I love you all so much, and I know this church is the Church of Jesus Christ with the fullness of the Gospel to lead us and guide us back to our Heavenly Father.

-Elder Kirschbaum

Wk 27

Hey Mom and Dad,

      I hope all is well in the Alps or where ever in the world you are. Yes, I am officially in the  Mission Office. I actually just sent you a letter signed by the President stating that I have been called to serve in the Iloilo Mission Office. The work is a little bit different working in the office. But it’s all for the same purpose.

     So Sheryl Flores is going to be baptized this week on Saturday. That is something we are preparing for right now. She is a super diligent happy girl. She practically teaches us when we go to visit her. We are pretty excited for her Bunyag on Saturday.

We have two new investigators right now. One is the husband of a member, the other is the son in law. We have taught them twice. We will see what happens there.

     So I am doing good. I am still learning lots and trying to do my best. :) Still trying to get my shirts taken in because they so big on me. And I bought some new pants because I couldn't keep the others on tight enough.

     Well I am sorry this letter is kind of short. We have an appointment in a hour so we need to plan before we leave the office.

Here’s a few things I learned this week:

“God gave us dark spots/weaknesses so we can learn how to overcome them and then help others overcome them too.”

“Don't think about how far there is to go. Think about how far you have come. (or else you will depress yourself.)”

     Confidence has been a big learning step for me. Being confident in my testimony, my language, and myself.

     We need to share our self. When we teach, we are teaching what we know.

Teh...

Love You

-Elder Kirschbaum

Wk 26 Iloilo Mission begins

Hey Family!

      Hey super sorry I didn't get to email on Monday. Woah, so you guys are in Europe right now! That is so crazy. That came up fast, I didn't know you would already be there by now. It sounds like a ton of fun. I wish I could see Hana and Petr! How are they doing! How is the whole Cermak family? Tell them I love them again and tell Hana there really is a letter on its way...I just haven't sent it yet...It’s done though! Writing friends more has been a big goal of mine.

      So things are kind of crazy right now. I changed companions...Elder Booth is my new companion. He is from Las Vegas. My first American comp. I am super excited. He is really Sagad (skilled) in the Language and at teaching. I will send you pictures as soon as I get a hold of a camera connecter that goes to the computer.

      This transfer has probably been the hardest transfer for me. I realized a lot of things I need to work on. Just lately I have been able to take a step back and see how I am doing. My motivation from the MTC to where I am now. I have been too worried about language and other things so that I think I have forgotten about what this work is about and what is my calling. Sometimes I think I am learning too much about myself and not doing enough of the errands of the Lord. 

      Sometimes the fact that I have already been here for 6 months kind of scares me. It’s already been six months. Boom! 1/4...Done! I still can barely share a part of my testimony and excitement of the Gospel to the Filipinos.

      So...here is how the work is going in Molo 2. We baptized Bro. Alba 2 weeks ago. Bro Alba is an older guy...probably your ages mom and dad...sorry...you’re pretty old now. He had a stroke awhile back that pretty much changed his life. He used to smoke, and drink, and wasn't that great of a father. As of now, we have been taking him to church in a make shift broken wheel chair. Whenever we go to teach him he usually cries and tell us to come back tomorrow. So the other week we were able to baptize him. We wheeled him to the church, got him dressed and both me and Elder Garcia we able to baptize him in about 3 feet of water. It was a really neat baptism. We are still teaching Sheryl Flores. She is progressing like crazy and will be baptized on July 16th. In our lessons with Sheryl we used Cebuano, Tagalog, English, and Illango. So sometimes I don't have a clue what is being said. That’s alright though.

      Well I hope I can tell you more of what is going on here on the Island of Panay next week. I love you all so much, and have been thinking of you guys a lot to the point of a little homesickness. But now I am set and ready to work, and hardly think of you at all. Nah Langow lang. I enjoy all of your emails. 

A lot of love,

-Elder Kirschbaum