2018-3-11 – Rice Fields and Dirt Roads

March 11, 2018 – Rice Fields and Dirt Roads

Hello!

Things are still going great, we are having a blast visiting members from all over the District. Lots of rice fields and dirt roads, it's beautiful!

In addition, a family was referred by their relatives in another province, and we have been teaching them for the past 2 weeks, brother has already stopped smoking and drinking, and they want to be baptized in April. Brother S- is so driven to give up his vices and to show his two sons that they can do it too.They said when he manages to do it, they will join the Church as well. We teach his wife as well as their daughter, sister, and a niece as well that are all around the same age. It's so exciting to teach simple truths to those who have been thirsting after it! We are very blessed with the privilege of teaching them

More good news, Elder Harper has gotten word to me that 2 of our investigators are being baptized this Saturday! 6 more individuals are preparing for March 31st, what a great time for the Camarin Ward, I loved serving there even if for just 6 weeks.

Thanks for reading, more pictures next week! I love you all!

Elder Fish

2018-3-4 – Pictures in the Country

After a drought of photos, here is a glimpse into our journey!

 We took this service road dodging potholes and crossing bridges until 20 minutes in we find the road is impassable...

 We found the place we were looking for! The household had moved, but we sure got some views!

Kody it popped into my head suddenly this week that I'm living Ninja Cowboy with my companionship right now..

 Teaching a bunch of tatays (dads) means you gotta win their hearts through other means. Like good ole' fashioned diggin'

Kids in the country wondering what in the world we were doing taking compact car down service roads

 companionship sunglasses 

caribou in the fields

so much space!

 This man is going to be 104 in June! He walks around upright and got to church alone! he's there every sunday, what an example of faith! Every reason not to go to church when you're older than the dirt itself, but he's still going steady! 

The Bremners just went home, which is a huge loss becuase they are such a service to the Branch, but we had a record number of attendance yesterday, over 130 in all, including a family of investigators that I will tell about next week, and our mission president. Great testimony meeting and there's talk of extending the chapel and preparing it to be the stake center

Thanks for reading! I love you all!

Elder Fish

2018-2-25 Fiesta

February 25, 2018 - Fiesta

My companions, Elder L- (Florida athlete) and Elder A- (Cebuano Jackie Chan) are the best! We have a good time together, and it's so fun to have a lot of work to do, and people you enjoy doing it with. We have so far only been in Bustos Branch, but this week we will spend days in other Branches visiting families and sharing messages. It was such a great reunion to see the Branch, especially the B's. They finish their mission in less than a week, so it's such a sweet privilege to see them again before they go to Canada. The PJ family as well as Sis L- and JP are all still active! Huge blessings. Bro P-J- is getting the Melchizedek Priesthood on March 11, which just adds to the push to become a Stake by year's end. 

This Sunday was Fiesta... so traffic! Figuring out driving again was tricky at first, but now I'm driving through gaps so small as we navigate the small streets. Good thing mirrors fold in when you bump them on stuff... No wonder Filipinos are great drivers! 

The thing with most people who struggle to live all of the commandments is... they want to! That's what I have observed. It's hard to keep going to Church when you are struggling with a trial, because sometimes it just feels like everyone else is so good, so perfect, and you are the only one with a problem. But it's not that way at all, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, therefore none may judge another. That feeling of isolation can go away as we build up confidence in ourselves to do the right thing, even if it's hard. I'm grateful for the chance to spend my time inviting those who are struggling to take the easier path. Follow Christ, because there is no other way.

We are still coming up with a name for ourselves...

we have the 3 amigos

3 musketeers

Peter and the Sons of Thunder

Moroni, Lehi, and Teancum...

we will let you know when we have got it

Thanks for reading, I love you all! 

Elder Fish

2018-2-19 Last Area

Feb. 19, 2018 – Last Area

Elder Harper and my time together is up. The dream team is no more. We left a mark though! What a good time. I've never felt like an area was so malleable. So many people are prepared to hear the Restored Gospel. And for me it will be like in Winter Quarters, when they planted so that others could harvest, as I'm leaving Elder Harper in the area!

I'm being transferred to the province area of our mission called Baliwag. I have 2 companions, my former area in Bustos, a cool assignment, and a car! More updates to come on the work we will be doing there, but currently there is a District in this area which is just about ripe enough to become a Stake.

I'm so grateful to serve in this new manner, there are only 2 cycles left, so this will very likely be my last assignment in the mission, and I'm going to make it the best. 

I have no idea if I still know how to drive a car, we will find out tomorrow morning though

The work is true! I believe in revelation from Heavenly Father, and I know that there are no coincidences. I used to wonder if I did enough in Bustos the last time I was there, because it was just a short 3 months. Now I know why I went there, and going back will let me tie up those loose ends and fulfill my assignment much more efficiently. Plus, I get to see some of my favorite people, the Bremners, before they go home in March!

Thanks for reading, writing these letters helps me see the good in things, and has helped me to be so much more positive throughout my mission. I love you and care about you and can't wait to hear your stories sometime soon...  it's the last leg, the final sprint. Start strong, finish strong! As my cross country coach would say,GOOOOOOOO KICk NOW FISH KICK NOW!

Elder Fish

2018-2-12 Real Pictures From the Mission

February 12, 2018 – Real Pictures From the Mission

Hello po!

This past week I had exchanges with Elder Bryan, and a member came with us and brought a camera! He was subtle tagging behind us, and the result is the best pictures I've got from my mission, because this is what it looks like! Enjoy the pictures! I love you all!

Elder Fish