#64 January 26th

Hey Fam,                  

     It was just a lovely day today, one of my most chill P-Days of my mission. I actually took a nap. Quite refreshing. I got to play some ping-pong after district meeting. My game is still on. I beat Elder Misbach 3-0. He was pretty upset. Didn't talk to me for a while.

     I am pretty happy to be companions with Elder Misbach. He is probably the funniest companion I will have.  He is a really smart guy, especially in spiritual things. We are learning things a lot faster.

     Things are picking up with the ward too. The excitement of missionary work has spread a little bit. We have been able to find new investigators from the members. We had a good meeting with our Bishop on Sunday, where we planned a missionary activity every week in February. I think the ward will continue to progress pretty fast if the Bishop keeps it up and we keep up with the Bishop. We are trying to get a Ward Mission Leader going. It’s hard for him because he is the Ward Clerk also. haha. That is how it is the Philippines. Everyone has about 3 callings average.

We have been teaching a bunch of 19-22 year old guys lately. We met them playing basketball on the side of the highway. We talked to them a little bit and set a return date. We weren't able to go back to them on the date we set.  Then the next week we saw them walking on the highway, and they asked us where we were the other day. We were pretty surprised they asked us that. So we went and taught them a few days later. There was about 10 of them, all young guys about our age. We invited them to a ward party and they came. Then that Sunday we were pretty surprised when we turned around half way through Sacrament Meeting to see 5 of them sitting in collared shirts. It was pretty cool. The Ward was really surprised.  They hadn't had that many investigators at church in a while. They kept on calling them out in talks and other Sacrament Meeting items. They learned that they were "Investigators". They were way good in church though. They sat through a lesson about The Law of Chastity,

a very detailed lessons of the Law of Chastity.  Me and Elder Misbach were just dying inside. We had at least said 30+ prayers in that hour. After the class we told them that there was one more, and they were kind of surprised but they said "Lets Go!" (In English). The next class was on Courageous Parenting. We said a few more prayers for them in that class too.

     This week me and Elder Misbach have been working a lot on truly understanding the investigator, their needs, the language that is coming out of their mouth, and why they are saying the things they are saying. We have been trying to be more open with them. A lot of times I will listen to the investigator, and understand perfectly what they are saying, then when the silence comes, it feels like... well now you Elder Kirschbaum need to say something. And a lot of times, you just don't know what to say. Or you start thinking of things you could say. Or start praying that the spirit will just give you something to say. But what we really should do is not worry about what you’re going to say, when your going to speak or if YOU will be able to solve their concerns. If that means that you tell them...well I honestly don't know what to say to that, then say that. It creates more real situations. I think it helps everyone feel a little more human and helps the investigator know that you care for them. And are not just trying to come up with some magic solution to all of their problems. So that is me and Elders Misbach’s goal this week. To just not worry about what we have to do or say, but just think purely about the investigator and love them.

     Well I am going to have to cut this short. I have got to get going. I just want to tell you all that I love you so very much. I am super grateful for such and amazing family. Talk to you next week.

-Elder Garrett Kirschbaum

Wk 63

Hey everyone,               January 16, 2011  #63

   Things are going great as ever here on this side of the world:)

We had a few more trainings and got to see my old companion Elder Adams. It’s great to see him because he always gives me the update on my last area. He told me the coolest thing that happened this week. I have told you a little about this Greg guy right? He was a referral of our Ward Mission Leader in Molo. I guess he had a pretty crazy life before...but he all of the sudden decided to start going to church. Then he started reading the Book of Mormon and the Gospel Essentials and read it all. We were able to teach him because he was boarding at a place that wasn't in our area. So he moved. Our WML found him a place in Molo while he went to church for the next 4 times. We would give him assignments and told him to pray and read the Book of Mormon. Well he read the entire Gospel Principles with all the references to scriptures in that 4 weeks and enrolled in Seminary. We were finally able to teach him and that was right when I was transferred. Elder Adams taught him once and he asked us if he could be baptized that next Saturday. So they taught him the lessons.  He had to have an interview with President Pagaudan and he was able to be baptized on that next Saturday. He was super ready.  At his baptism on Saturday he bore his testimony for a good 20 minutes telling everyone all the things that had happened to him right before his baptism. A few days before his baptism he had two experiences where he about died. At one time he went to get his polo for church sewed and a man stuck a gun to his body. The man demanded for everything that was on him. He didn't know what to do so he just stood there. Then I guess some one from across the street turned their lights on and scared off the man. Then he told about how he was walking across the road and he heard two voices in his head. One said to keep on walking and the other said “STOP, don't take another step”.  And right as he decided to listen to the voice that said stop, a car zoomed right by him. He said that if he had taken another step, he would have been hit.

     I guess that is how much satan didn't want him to get baptized. On top of all that his family is Catholic and when they heard he was getting baptized, they weren't very happy. They kept telling him if he did, he would not be a part of their family. Well he just knew that he needed to get baptized and join the church. So he did.

      He had an interview with the Bishop in Molo this last Sunday. And will be getting a calling soon. He is just a great example of those people that are ready to hear the gospel - The elect.

     Our work here in Leganez is way fun. Me and Elder Misbach have been working with the Ward a lot and we’re able to get a referrel from an awesome family that is way excited about sharing the gospel. Even the little daughter that is 10 has been telling her friends at school about her church. I guess some of her classmates want to be taught by the white missionaries. :) We were able to teach their referrel a few days ago. We taught an older lady and her adapted daughter. Faith, the adopted daughter, is a really good investigator.  She is really sincere, and asks tons of questions. She wanted to know if there was a heaven and hell (inpierno)...well and a lot of stuff. We kept on having to tell her that we would talk about it at later meetings. She is excited about it. We will be meeting with her again this next week.

     I kind of had a hard time writing this letter because the kids here were playing America's Got Talent, and listening to a Guinness record of a man that rapped a whole bunch in less than a minute. It was really loud on the computer next to me.  Just hard to concentrate.

     Thanks for your letters. It was really nice getting to sit down and relax in front of a computer and read. Kind of reminded me of the office. :)

     Yes I think Dallas, Texas is where Elder Hills sister is. He looks like a sweet guy.

     The deers reminded of the moose in Alaska that would run around in our front yard. Just a little bit bigger though than the deer. And then one kicked me but no one would believe me.

     Everything is going really good here. Me and ELder Misbach are just trying really hard to get in with the members-Work hard-Be exaclty obedient-Have fun-Speak the Language. We’re pretty tired. It’s back to the Filipino "top of ramon" every night. Nah joke lang.  Just noodles.

     Well Love you all so much. I want you to know that. Talk to you next week. Hopefully less scatter brained.

Love you all

-Elder Garrett Kirschbaum

Wk 62

Hey!! OH YEAH!

      Well right now I am sitting at a computer and ..reading your messages and laughing. It’s always really refreshing reading letters from you all.

     This week was my first week doing a zone meeting! This morning we had zone meeting at our chapel in Leganes. There was about 26 of us that are in the zone. It was fun for the first time being in front of all the missionaries giving a training. We trained on "How to begin the teaching". It’s more on how to help the missionaries and the investigators establish expectations.  It went pretty well. Me and Elder Misbach do pretty well in being unified in our teachings. We have been thinking of some good ideas to help the zone progress. We are pretty excited ;).

     This past week was a pretty hard week with the work. We spent alot of time trying to find new investigators. We had a few days that we just got "punted" - that’s what they call it here when nobody is home or has an excuse not to listen. It was good practice for me and Elder Misbach to think hard about how we are going to find new investigators.

     We are working hard now to help the ward members do missionary work. Last night we met the Uy family. They were super nice and even fed us. :). It was probably the first time on my mission that I had formal dinner around a table with an entire family. We shared afterward about missionary work and committed them to pray as a family about missionary work.

     My past companion Elder Adams calls me every Sunday night for "call ins".  Since he is the AP they call all of the Zone Leaders and ask them how their work is. It is nice though also because I get to see how MOLO (my last area) is doing.

     I just found out that Greg (a kid 28 year old guy, no not greg the scally man fish) is going to be getting baptized this week. He was a referral of our ward mission leader. He had been going to church every week for the past 4 weeks, but since he doesn't live in Molo we hadn't been able to teach him. Well he finally moved to Molo, and the week that he moved in he pretty much asked Elder Adams if he could be baptized. Greg is wild! He has read the entire Gospel Essentials book, knocking down the Libro ni Mormon and now is going to be baptized on Saturday. I guess he went to our Bishop also in Molo and asked about getting a calling in the church. The only lame thing is that I probably won’t see his baptism or him probably ever again.

     This next week is Leadership Training, so I will be back in Molo at the office at a bunch of trainings.  It should be a pretty big spiritual high.

I heard that you, mom and dad, met my companions, Elder Misbach's mom and dad. What are the chances! You will have to tell me about that.

     I live right by the big park right in the middle of the city. I am not really sure how to describe where we are.

     Well that is about all for now. Talk to you again next week.

Love you all,

-Elder Kirschbaum

Wk 61 New Year!

HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

     The transfer week is over. The office is done. Finished. Wala na. I would have to say I got to go out with a bang though. Well in terms of wordly things. We got to stay in a hotel and have HOT SHOWERS! My first in one year. I felt like i was sinning, but now I am back to showering with cold water. With just a bucket and a dipper to pour on my body. :)

     I have to say I am really going to miss my area in Molo, 6 months in one area. That is a lot of time to be in an area. I will miss the awesome investigators there and the members. But Time moves on and Heavenly Father now wants me to serve as the Zone Leader in the Iloilo North Zone.  I am actually not to far from everything familiar. Being in the office I was able to actually visit my apartment that I didn't know I would be living in.                       

     We live in an area called Leganes. It is a little bit North of the Iloilo city. We have a nice chapel here and it seems to be neat ward. I am living in a apartment with 4 elders. 2 other Pinoy's. My companion is the wildest guy in the mission. He is from Orem.  He’s is a little bit younger than me in the misson and he is hilarious and we get along great. We are both super excited to work together and help the zone as much as we can.

     Our mission is still trying to get rid of a lot of false tradition from the past. So it is me and Elder Misbach’s (that’s my new companion, elder Misbach) job to kind of set the good example. Being in the office and now as zone leader you get to hear alot about the problems missionaries seem to stir up. The first day in my new area, we already had to deal with some...well things. Its been fun though.

     Our area is huge compared to the last area in Molo. We can jump on a jeepny (bus like vehicle used for transportation) for thirty minutes and still be in our area.

     :) This next week we will be pretty busy getting this going smooth in our area, after it just split. And we have some zone leader trainings and councels which will be fun.

     I am finding myself having a harder time again writing letters. I am used to being in a nice cool room with a computer all to myself at the office when I write to you.  Now I am at a little like internet shop were they play dirty rap music and little kids are playing shooter games all around me. But don't worry....

     OH I am glad you got the package. Good thing it made it there and fast too.

     The language is the same here, its kind of a blessing.

Well I think that is about it for now. I just love you all, and really hope everyone is doing well. Take care over there on the American Continent. Love you

-Elder Kirschbaum

I will try to send pictures next week of my new comp and scenery and such. Palannga taka.