week 73

This rice has been sitting in that pot for 11 days now and neither one of us want to clean it so it just sits outside and we pray some animal will come and eat it hahahhaha.. the pic of my feet and the landscape is in our area

Hello,

This week was lots of fun. We had lots going on including the baptism of brother John David and his dad Tatay Dun. It was quite the experience to remember. On Friday night we thought it would be a good idea to go and visit them and make sure all was ready for the baptism. Well when we showed up to their home all their clothes were already laid out and tatay told us he had made sure to save enough money this week so they would have no issues getting to the church for their baptism. We sat down and shared a quick thought with them and they shared with us how excited he and his son were to be baptized. Tatay has been an investigator for a long time but has had some troubles with family and other things. He expressed to us how he finally felt ready to be baptized and was so excited to wash away all his past sins. 

Well fast forward now to saturday. we went to the church in the morning to clean up the font and prepare the room. All went well until we went to fill up the font with water. As the water poured out it was in a nice brown/black color hahahaha. It was so gross. So phone calls were made and arrangements were made for a BEACH BAPTISM WOOHOO!!! it was so legit. Definitely something i will remember. But the service was super good and the spirit was really strong. Also because it was on the beach lots of kids and people gathered around to watch so it was really good. Probably a good 20 members were there and then a good 30 plus kids teenagers and adults gathered as well. It was awesome.

weird thoughts from the week.. yesterday we were in a grocery store and i went over to look at some display glass thing and i thought it was only like a little shelf thing but i didnt see the glass went all the way up to the roof so i leaned forward and smacked my head super hard on the glass the worker inside couldnt stop laughing... felt like an idiot

Love you all lots.. weeks are flying and idk where time is going

Elder gsack

week 72

Dear All,

The teenage years were ones for the books. I couldn't even start to explain all that i have done, experienced and learned. I am so thankful for all those who have helped me get this far and for the things you have taught me. Over the past couple of weeks especially i have felt the prayers love and support of so many that i thought forgot about me so truly from the bottom of my heart, Thank you. Thank you for all the cards, letters, candy, emails, pictures and much more. I surely could not have made it this far with out you. 

This week was lots of fun. lots of things going on. We had zone conference on monday and we had a big emphasis on our mission goal. for the last 19 months the goal has been "Shoot for the MOon" which means as a mission average 2 baptisms per companionship every month.... well just in december we hit a 2.4 average. So the new mission goal is "Shoot for Mars' hahaha which is 3 baptisms per companionship per month. So we have lots of work to do and have new things to try to try and accomplish that. 

For our area we are having lots of fun. WE are so busy all the time. Lots of people to teach and plenty of places to be running all the time. However this coming week Sister Viole and Kaye and then Brother Dun and John David are getting baptized. So we are super excited for their baptisms on saturday!

Thank you all for all the happy birthday wishes! I love you all lots

Elder gsack

week 71

hey people

Life here in tanza is absolutely nuts. A little more background on the area is that it used to be one companionship and then president made it 2 to get the work going more and just now he made it one companionship again and oh my goodness. We have 14 baptismal projections this month alone and its something i could do if they all lived in the same place but these people live all over the area so we are consistently on the go. We walk so much and i die every day. Its almost a joke its so funny. 

However this past week we had a super cool experience. We had a new referral. Her husband is a member but very much less active. She was referred to us through a member and we just went and taught her the first lesson last Sunday. But as we sat down and taught her the lesson it was incredible how much we could see she was touched by the message. The spirit was so strong and we were able to extend a baptismal date to her right there in her first lesson. She looked up at us and said Yes i will do anything to be baptized into the true church. That is sister Rhea and her date is for the 16th of February. We are so excited to keep teaching her. 

Lots is going on and i just pray i can walk to distances everyday hahaha, Love you all lots...

Elder gsack

Week 70

Happy New Year! 

its so weird that it is already 2019. Its amazing that i can look back and say i gave every single day of 2018 to the Lord. For one year I devoted all my time and attention to serving the Lord. I love the chance I had to serve and am super grateful for the chance I have to continue serving for the most of 2019. New years here in the Philippines is absolutely insane. The noise is second to none and it does not matter if you try sleeping... you will be awaken. Constant fire works, cars revving, and motorcycles from 11pm to 1am. Its nuts. 

Last Saturday I had the opportunity of baptizing a man by the name of Eric Ysla. After the baptism he stood up and told his conversion story and his testimony. It was such a wonderful experience and the spirit was oh so strong. He told us how much he had relied on the Lord and truly prayed and asked. He bore his witness of the truthfulness of the church and how much it has blessed his life. i know that as well how much this church can bless your life and bring you happiness. 

Today is also transfer day! I am very sad to be leaving Dasma! I have been there the last 6 months but with the new year, a new area was calling. I was transferred this morning to a new place called Tanza! Its a super big area and it should be lots of fun. If i am lucky this maybe could even be my last area ;) My new companions name is Elder Brown. He is farely new into the mission and is from Gilbert, AZ. 

I hope you all had the best of new years and take the opportunity to set goals. Set goals to make yourself stretch and become a better person. And dont you worry... Before the year is over ill be home

Love you all lots!

Elder gsack

 District pic

 Last pics with Rada! Also dont mind the shirtless guy and his wicked tan lines hahahaha

 Rainy days

Last nights dinner at LAs. This is where we called home for christmas!

Week 69 (Why Christmas?)

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!!! 

Some of you may know the feeling or understand what it feels like to be away from home on the holidays or to be on a mission during the holidays. The feeling is almost indescribable. However I have taken this Christmas to really reflect for myself whats its all about. And the best i can think of how to explain it is from Charlie Brown... 

Linus’ reads from Luke 2: 8-14 and says:

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

This is the time of year we can look back and reflect on the life of Jesus Christ. Think of all the blessings you have in your life because of Jesus Christ. Many people have asked me why do we celebrate Christs birth in December if He was born in April. I believe its  because it is at the end of the year and it gives us a chance to reflect on this year and reset ourselves in line (if needed) for the next year. 

I know i am a week late because Christmas has already come and gone but I would invite us all to really reflect on what the meaning of Christmas is. Why do we have it and why is it so important to you? I wish you all the happiest of holidays and a happy new year. I love you all lots!

Elder gsack