Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Wk 33
Hey!
Yes, I have worn my sandals once. And I stepped in pooped that same day and haven't worn them since...but I will.
We drive a Star X Hyundai.
This week has been a really awesome week. At first the week was a little rough. Then the week turned way around. We were able to talk to Mars...He is doing fine ...and everything is great. Regen, Miki, and he will have their baptism this Sunday.
This Sunday we had 10 investigators at church. We had more investigators at church than we were able to teach lessons. This last week has been hard with the office and getting out to work. This coming week…oh man...we have transfer week...which is way busy. We have to figure out how to teach our investigators that are getting ready for their baptisms and do all the transfer day things. I have to admit some days are pretty difficult and as soon as we are out...it’s great.
We have been learning...it’s called, the Simplified Curriculum. It pretty much just puts everything in Preach my Gospel Way Simple. One of the new things we have been doing is committing people for baptism within the first two lessons. So it’s been really exciting seeing how much that has changed our work.
Well right now we have a lesson with Dave and Geneva...and then a Family Home Evening. So I am going to run.
I just want you all to know that I love you, and I am glad everyone is doing so well. All of the little kids are growing up fast. I didn't even know Oli could walk...Last time I saw her she could barely say or do anything. Kace looks about the same. Haha...Well talk to you again next week. I will tell you how transfer week ended up going.
-Elder Kirschbaum
Monday, August 16, 2010
Wk 32
Hey Family!
So this Preparation Day Elder Booth and I put “Email Family On Time” at the top of the list. It is now late in the P-Day and we have little time. My comp hasn't emailed home for a few weeks and I am getting bad. That’s probably one of the next deadlier sins. But I will try to do everything I can so I can write on P-Day.
So how is everyone? Our family is spread across the world...what is with that? Leah is in Guatemala or something, Mom and Dad were in Europe, Heidi is now moved, and I am preaching the gospel over here in the Philippines. It’s kind of crazy, I can't wait to hear about Leah’s adventure.
I would like to thank you all for the Happy Birthday and mom/dad tell everyone thanks for all those that have written me letters. I will....I repeat..I will send them letters...sa pila ka adlaw.
Well here’s a little bit of an update. Things are going well in the Office. I am learning how to drive with the Filipinos. It’s like "Need for Speed" the race car game. I am getting good at it. Oh and there is no worrying about cops. The cops here don't really care how you drive...but of course I am driving safe. I love you Mom.
I am having a really awesome time with my first American companion. It has been nice being able to relate more and laugh more. Our teachings are a lot more effective and a lot more Spirit drivin...good.
Regen and Mars are doing awesome. We had to extend their baptismal date one week, but they’re doing awesome. On Sunday only Regen came to church. So that night we went to our appointment with them. We ended up having a lesson with them. So we started the lessons... We talked about their commitment and covenants in baptism. It was really a good lesson...and at the end Elder Booth and I asked him what was he thinking about. Elder Booth shared a really good experience and in the end everything was good. It was really stressful and then a really relieving lesson. Regen and Mars's baptism date is week after next week on Saturday.
As of now, it is Tuesday the day after our P-day. I had to finish my letter now because we had a FHE yesterdat evening at the Constitinos. When we went there someone had passed away so there was a big party outside. It’s one of the traditions here… I guess it’s a cultural thing.
Well I am going to get started on my Personal study now...so talk to you all later. Love you.
-Der Kirschbaum
Friday, August 13, 2010
Wk 31
Re: are u still alive? busy or sick? M&D August 13, 2010 Friday
Hey I am super sorry I haven't emailed yet. I shouldn’t miss a Monday. I will email as soon as humanly possible.
Yeah we have been kind of busy. My comp has had Zone Conferences on the whole Panay Island so I have been working to get everything ready in our area and at the office.
Quick up date: I am driving now which is really scary. The Philippines is wacky driving. For the first time in my life I have experienced road rage.
We created the Iloilo Mission Song, which will be the song for probably forever. It was kind of nice I was able to be a part of it. We did it to Armies of Helaman. It is really neat. At least I am excited about it.
Well, our investigators are really amazing. Elder Booth and I are getting good at being able to teach in Unity. :).
Well I have to make this short. But I love you all, and I will write better next week, and hopefully send pictures too. Love...Elder Kirschbaum
Oo YEah i got the packages. Last one was with the pictures from your trip!
Wk 30
Hey Family, #30 August 4, 2010
So I just got back from an appointment with Regen and Marc. They are really good guys, but once again they didn't read because they are so tired from their nighttime guard duty. Our lesson went well with them. We read together what we had given them from last time and told them that they had to read to gain a testimony for themselves. We said we knew it was hard and they were tired but they would receive strength for what they would need that day if they just took 10 min a day to read.
Right now Elder Booth and I have been working on Unity in lessons. It is been kind of difficult for me, because I never know if he is going on something and butting in would be bad... But what I have quickly learned is when you get that feeling to say something…say it, fast, before the time slips by. We have been really focusing on listening and answering questions as we are guided by the Spirit. It has made a huge difference in our work. Your whole perspective changes, the investigators become more involved and open up. It’s just a lot more natural and how it should be. I think from when I got in all of my companions have just had kind of a rote presentation, and since that was all I was taught, I developed that a little. The work has been a lot more exciting for me lately and it also has been a lot more hard also.
Well a little update. I am not sure if I told you that we baptized Rai, a 9 year old boy that pretty much jumped out of the baptismal font after he was baptized. Oh and Sheryl bore her testimony in church this last week, which was super awesome. The morning of Rai's baptism I threw up. The first throw up of my mission. Rice is a little easier to get out...than bread and cheese. After I got done throwing up I did a 180 and discovered I was pretty sick. I was super achey all day and could barely stand at Rai's Baptism. Luckily we had enough time after to take a quick nap at the Office, but after the nap I felt the same. When we got home from a reactivation lesson/home evening...I prayed super hard that I would be healthy so I could work tomorrow. I was just so sick of being sick. The next day I felt awesome and was completely better. So that was quite a blessing for me.
I had a lovely birthday on the 3rd. We ate some Carbanara and Mango Crepes. Yum. Pretty Chill. I am just glad I am 20. I thought I was an official big boy when I got that shirt from you Heidi but now I feel like an even bigger big boy...that got even skinnier.
Everything here in the Philippines is going good. The Lord is blessing the people we are teaching and he is blessing me...I am learning so much about myself, and trying hard to work to improve. It is so important to put your trust in Him. He really will help you if you will really ask. I love you all. Going to keep it short.
-Elder Kirschbaum
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