The Epistle of Daniel the Missionary to the Filipinos - Chapter 3

In the third and fourth months, 2015 A.D.

Recently my mission President asked each of us to be clean. This seems like a simple request, and it ought to be, but I have been well acquainted with much of the filth that exists in the world, as many of us have. As fun as playing in the mud may seem at the time, it makes you dirty, and it doesn't come out with a light rinse. I've been on the earth for many days, and I've not avoided all the pitfalls, but I can trace back a long line of good things that I've done.

Many days indeed have passed since, as a young man, I applied for college, and as a newly ordained elder, gave my first priesthood blessing, and as a newly called missionary, taught my first lesson, and as a full-time missionary baptized my first family. Indeed, many days have past since I learned to be patient. But I'm not done doing good or making any changes I should to my life and character.

With the landfall of March, I hope to be a new person. As children of Our Heavenly Father we are all intended to progress. If a day passes and we have not grown or learned or changed, even by small degrees, we are not fulfilling the measure of our creation.

God will, over the course of our lives, give us many chances to learn, grow and change ourselves when needed. We call them trials. Although, God would never inflict harm on us, he knows that all the love in the universe would never foster the "mighty change of heart" or the "broken heart and contrite spirit" that is required to return to live with Him, so he allows Satan to test and try us. 

Satan is real. Bad things can and do happen to wonderful, amazing people because there is opposition. He would love for us to believe otherwise. His work and his 'glory' is to destroy us.

Read and re-read 2 Nephi 4:16-35, and ponder on Nephi's words. Satan hates every one of us, more than we can understand, don't give place for him in your mind or in your heart.

And even all this by itself is not enough to come off the conqueror. In addition to all of this we must cling to our Savior with all diligence. Learn of Him, embrace Him and follow Him. He who is said to be the "Light of the World" is indeed the only source from which darkness flees. 

Let us not sit in darkness, hoping, by and by that the darkness will flee. But let us labor in seeking for the Light, that we may be ready.

Time flies on wings of lightning, we cannot call it back. Work while the sun is radiant. Work for the night draws nigh. As Jesus Himself said "I must do the works of Him that sent me while it is day, for the night cometh when no man can work."

* * * * * * * *

Before my mission I did everything possible to avoid being labeled as childish, and rightly so, but we use the word 'childish' in such a way that it seems we have forgotten the Savior's words about the attributes of children. 

I happen to be very fond of children and seem to understand them on a level that is not very common. I enjoy talking to them, even when they cannot yet speak their mind the way they would want to I listen with all my heart, and look for ways to communicate. I then help them solve their little problems which seem huge to them. It brings me great joy when I can see in their eyes that they realized I helped them. 

I've had many such experiences on my mission which was not something that was mentioned in my call letter, at least not specifically. However, they are treasured moments that help me remember that we are all part of God's family and he blesses us when we serve each other. This service can take many forms and has no age limit.

One of these experiences was last Saturday at a church activity. It was the annual Relief Society activity, and there were hundreds of faithful sisters and their husbands in attendance. There was dancing and singing and food from every corner of the Philippines. I would have tried all of it, but most of it was gone when I went back for seconds. Anyway, there were many people there that I had never seen before. Members from other wards and other stakes, and many of them brought their kids with them. 

About half way through the activity I found myself just outside the doors of the cultural hall where the activity was being held. I was glad to be outside because of the hosts of people crowding the hall. As I was standing there I saw a little girl. She couldn't have been older than 2. When I looked at her, her eyes met mine and she had a distressed look on her face. I thought it was because she was not accustomed to seeing tall Americans, but as I continued to look at her with a questioning look on my face she locked her eyes on me and began to walk towards me. I was confused. I thought she was scared of me. In fact, I thought that was the very reason for the look on her face, but she approached me.

As she drew near she reached out her hand and I took it in mine. I was astounded as she then led me by the hand into the cultural hall, still distressed and upset, but now hopeful that I would help her. By this point I was very confused. I tried asking her questions to no avail. She didn't say a word. But as we entered the activity another member recognized her and noticing her distress picked her up. 

This member then explained that he would take her to her mother. Then he thanked me. I realized then that she was alone and looking for her family, and no one had taken notice of her, until I saw her, and somehow she saw something in my eyes that led her to think that I would help her. She walked to me, a stranger, and without words I helped her. I don't feel as though I really did anything. She led me, she walked to me, and she discerned my goodness and I was glad to be there for her long before I understood her problem. I was there to help.

I don't know her name. I don't know her family, I couldn't even guess what ward she's from, and I will likely never see her again, but sweet opportunities to help the Lord's little children are precious to me, and I will remember her. I will remember her FAITH when she saw me and believed I would help. I will remember her TRUST when she grabbed my hand with her tiny one and did not doubt that I was good, and her HOPE when she pulled me along not knowing where to go or how to her problem would be solved.

If you spend enough time with children you will begin to admire their childish attributes of trust, love-unfeigned, humility and faith. (just to name a few) It is one of my goals to become as a child in all such ways. When I grow up to be a man I want to be submissive, meek, patient and full of love. Even as a Child.

I know that I am a Child of God, and I pray that my age and status and pursuits never interfere with that knowledge, and same to you. :)

Mahal kita kapatid

-Elder Southwick

* * * * * * * *

2 weeks ago I had been in Pasay 4th Ward for 5 months, and I had taught hundreds of lessons, and talked to hundreds more people, but had no real success. I didn't view my efforts as wasted, knowing that I had been doing what I could, but I had come to the realization that a baptism was something that would have to wait until my next area. 

Then the sister missionaries told us that there was a family they were teaching that might actually live in our area, so we tried to contact that family. We then found out that one of their daughters had a scheduled baptismal date for April 18, and it was going to be our baptism. The diligent sister missionaries have taught Juliz 34 lessons in the last 4 months trying to prepare her for baptism. She was baptized on April 17th and by her choice I baptized her. She was confirmed on April 19th and I confirmed her. It was awesome, and now this 9 year old girl that I met less than a month ago is like a sister to me. She is so sweet and I hope I can remain in contact with her forever. 

I can truly testify that God's timing is not the same as our timing, but now I see that not as a reason for patience, but also a reason for hope. Even when I thought all hope was lost, and I thought there was not any time left, the Lord stepped in and showed me that He can do anything with any amount of time.

I'm grateful for the sisters that taught Sister Juliz Naigan, and for the chance to be such a big part of her life. I'm often surprised at the love Jesus offers me; confused by His timing, but humbly accepting of it.

I love you guys,

-Elder Southwick

* * * * * * * *

I'm happy to report that my companion and I are still together and still getting along great, and last Friday, 2 weeks before transfer day my companion got a call from the Zone Leaders and they informed him that we were being emergency transferred to a new ward the next day. We're still in the same apartment, and we're still companions, but Elder Reupta and I are no longer assigned in Pasay 4th Ward, but have moved to Pasay 3rd Ward.

It's such a close transfer that our house is still ideally positioned to work there every day. One major difference is that Pasay 3rd meets in a different chapel.

However, as a stake they're having a volleyball tournament, and there was a game the day we were transferred. So on Saturday when we went to the chapel to participate in a Ward Family Home Evening, we saw the teams that were playing: Pasay 4th Ward, against Pasay 3rd Ward. My companion and I really didn't know who to cheer for. We sat with Pasay 4th, but we didn't cheer very much, aside from the occasional "Go Pasay". I didn't know what else to say.

So, after 3.7 transfers in Pasay I was preparing for the inevitable transfer to a new area and a new apartment, and to be assigned a new companion, I thought I knew what the future had in store. I thought I would be transferred on transfer day, but I guess that would be too predictable.

In other news, I finished the Book of Mormon again yesterday. It seems to get shorter and shorter. Alma is always exciting, and Moroni is a bit depressing. I'm haunted by chapter 9, but thank goodness for chapter 10. It makes me feel less alone when I think of what Mormon and Moroni went through. They witnessed the destruction of their own people, and were forbidden to preach unto the people because of the hardness of their hearts. They had distanced themselves from God so much as to obscure their view of good and evil. They exemplified the doctrine that the Spirit does not always strive with men. The wonderful gift of the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil, but even this sweet gift can be driven away by pride, and contention, and war.

I'm going to do all that I can to ensure that the Spirit does not cease to strive with me. I will stand in holy places and be not moved, and I will let charity fill my heart and mind, and I will follow the example that Jesus set when he said: "For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart, neither shall my covenant of peace be removed."

I'm trying to be like Jesus, I'm following in His ways.

-Elder Southwick

The Epistle of Daniel the Missionary to the Filipinos - Chapter 2

In the second month, 2015 A.D.

Your many emails are a pleasure to read and ponder. You are all very dear to me no matter where you are at this time. I haven't seen many of you for more than a year, and you might be happy to know that I'm not the same person I was.

I've changed in many ways, but you probably notice them more than I do. Especially because I'm too busy to really pay any attention to myself. I'm really enjoying missionary service, and I'm looking forward to interviews with the mission president this Wednesday. I'm super excited to see my very first recent convert family go through the temple to be sealed. That will likely happen in the middle of March, which is getting closer all the time.

I have not always been as obedient as a missionary ought to be, or as a child of God ought to be, but I've tried to cultivate in myself an attitude of exact obedience. In last First Presidency Message Thomas S. Monson said "the greatest single lesson we can learn in mortality is that when God speaks and His children obey, they will always be right." I've tried to convince myself of that truth so that I will have the strength and the tenacity to be exactly obedient no matter what. All of the excuses become meaningless as I realize that the Lord cannot be wrong, and his guidance through prophets and inspired leaders is always given with our best interest in mind, even when we don't understand His ways, they are still right.

Now, on to the story of this week.

I've been rejected many times before. Knocking on doors rarely brings success even if it's a familiar door. If someone does answer the door, they usually have an excuse ready. Some common ones are "they are sleeping"; "they just got home"; "I just woke up"; "I'm busy"; "I'm Catholic"; "I was just leaving" and many others. Some are more understandable than others, but even the lame excuses can keep us from teaching people. So I was not harshly disappointed when, upon visiting his house on Sunday, an investigator of ours answered the door and said he was about to leave and take his family somewhere for dinner. My companion and I were, understandably, understanding of his situation, especially considering that we had neglected to call of text him or in any other way inform him of our coming. So we left with the promise that next time we would at least text him first to see if he's available.

Not even five minutes later, having walked a good distance from his house, he called us on the phone and told us to come back. He said he changed his mind. When we got back there he said that the word of God is more important than his plans to go out with his family. He invited us in and openly apologized for turning us away. It was probably the most appreciated apology that I've received on my mission. He probably didn't know that there have been hundreds of instances in my mission when I have been rejected, dismissed and sent away from others with much less valid excuses, but Bernie, out of the goodness of his heart told us to return and apologized.

After that we prayed with him and taught him about prophets. Throughout the lesson he agreed with the doctrines we taught him, and towards the end declared "I believe the things you've told me" I'm am hopeful that he will come to church this week and become truly converted to the truth that he so deserves. I won't forget this man, and neither will God forget those who call to Him, no matter how oft or how crudely you have rejected Him.

* * * * * * * * * *

First off, I will have a new companion on Wednesday. I think his name is Elder Harera. I'm excited. I love Elder Seculles, but I'm excited to have some changes. Also, one of my kabahay is my dating kasama sa MTC. I'll let you know how that goes.

But this last week we talked to a lot of people trying and trying to find someone to teach, and mostly we were unsuccessful. One day this week a member worked with us, but he's leaving to serve a mission later this week, so he probably won't work with us again. We did however, find some other members that are willing to work with us later this week, and I'm excited for that. My companion and I tried to share the gospel with many people, but only 11 kids came to church this Sunday, and 9 of them for the second time. I don't mean to be pessimistic, I would just be much more excited if their parents would come too, or if some of the other people who said they would come actually came. I do love those kids though, ​and they do enjoy coming to church.

It makes me feel like I'm doing something right every time I see them and realize they wouldn't know anything about the church if we hadn't introduced it to them.

If you don't mind, keep them in your prayers. Many of them want to get baptized. Pray for their parents to accept the gospel that they might see all of the blessings of the gospel as families. In this picture there are 5 different families, and there are more that want to come, but aren't allowed to. Pray for their parents to open their hearts and their homes. I'll do all I can to show them through their children that the gospel blesses families.

I know you weren't expecting for me to ask you to do something, but prayer is easy and it brings miracles.

I also learned in Gospel Principles class that if you don't feel like praying, you should pray until you do. I've had to do that before. It's humbling.

* * * * * * * * * *

I've had many interesting experiences this week, but I think I'll start with the most recent one. While reading through my emails I was surprised to see an email from a member in my first area. What surprised me even more was what the message contained. I found out that the mother of the family that we baptized in my first area, has abandoned her kids, and thus they will not be sealed in the temple next month.

It's hard to receive news like that. It makes me doubt my past effort in teaching them, and my current effort in praying for them. Did I not pray for them often enough or earnestly enough? Did I not do my part to help them stay active? I promised them that I would come to their family sealing and now I can't keep that promise. I love them. Did I not show that? What have done? What have I not done? 

I'm reminded of a scripture in D&C 18. Verse 16 reads: "..if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me in the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!"

To me, it could also be said: "..if your pain will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me that fell short of the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your pain if you should bring many souls unto me and they still fall short!" 

There were 8 hopeful souls, anxious, and preparing to be sealed as one. They were on their way... I'm not too upset about it, but I am hurt by what happened.

Anyway, in other news, yesterday we were visiting and picking up people to go to church. Our first 3 planned visits didn't happen. They were either gone or busy, but then I got the idea that we should pick up Sister Marinel, and when we got there she was waiting for us. 

 

We took her and went to pick up the kids that have always been willing and excited to come to church, however, upon our arrival none of them were ready yet, and some said they didn't want to come. 45 minutes later only 3 of them were ready to go, and after an hour 5 of them were completely ready to go. So we left with just the 6 of them, and I was happy, I know that it's not easy to go to church every week and sacrifice that time, and I was proud of the kids that had decided to join us. We all got on a jeepney and went to church. We dropped them off in their classrooms and went to our class. 

However, after 30 minutes a member told us to come out and see something. We got up and went out the door, and saw 4 of the kids that we left in our area standing in front of us. The children then explained to us that they had walked to church on their own. This surprised me and confused me, but it made me really happy at the same time. I hope their parents knew that they did that. 

After the classes, for the first time ever, they all sat in their seats and were generally reverent for all of sacrament meeting, even though I was not able to sit with them for most of the meeting because I had the surprise assignment of playing the piano for the whole meeting. It was surely memorable. 

So despite all of the ups and downs of missionary work, the ups are always the most memorable, and the successes are the easiest to see. My mission has had disappointments, but for the most part I don't remember them. I remember the moments when everything went right.

* * * * * * * * * *

It's been 8 days since I last emailed any of you, and for many of you it's been even longer. I could send a mass email to everyone I know, but I really consider each and every one of you before I add you to the send list. If it's been a while since you've received an email maybe this email has something in it that's just for you.

It's been 4 months since I've had a baptism, which may seem like a small drought, but in this mission we're expected to have about 1 baptism each month and the standard is actually 2 each month per companionship. I don't feel like a failure, I've baptized before in my mission, I'm just wondering if maybe there's something that I'm doing wrong.

I know that there are times when each of us must feel that way. If we don't it might be because we didn't read or understand or have yet to apply the principles taught in Elder Uchdorf's conference talk entitled "Lord, Is It I?" 

I have gone to the Lord in prayer and often confessed "Lord, it's me." and then asked "How can I change?" 

I've seen a lot change since I left home. I've had old friends get baptized, close friends leave on mission, good friends get married, and family members grow and progress in numerous ways. With all these changes I would hate to arrive home not a changed man. And with all the many changes that have and will continue to occur I need the Lord's guidance to know how to change myself in order to be successful in an ever changing world. 

Also, with all the many changes I would be living in fear of an uncertain future. Luckily, through trusting God, I'm not the least bit worried about what might happen after my mission. I know the Lord will prepare a way. I've seen Him do it before in my mission, and thank goodness, He doesn't change.

I would honestly love to share all of my experiences with you, but now I have no time for such an endeavor. I'll try my best to write about all of my experiences, if not in emails, in my journal or in letters. I'm really learning a lot from my mission, but at the end of the day, that's not even the main reason I'm here. So I have a lot to do.

See you soon,

-Elder Southwick