Kumusta!
It's been a crazy week, but not quite as crazy as next week will be. In only a few short days, I'll be in the Philippines! If you can't tell, I'm pretty excited. Anyway, here, I'll summarize the week!
Sunday: Sunday was awesome, we had mission conference, and during Sacrament, Elder Gallen and I bore our testimonies in Taglish (Tagalog/English) along with a few others. It was pretty cool! Then we had an awesome devotional and a violinist gave a half talk half musical number devotional which was inspiring.
Monday: We committed Romvy to be baptized, to which he accepted, so that was pretty cool! Oh, and we put some spoons under Elder Parry's mattress (he's on the top bunk) and Elder Gallen is on the bottom bunk. So when he went to bed, he was laying there for a second, looked confused, turned on his flashlight and then just looked at the spoons from his bed. He was so confused, "what the heck? spoons?" It doesn't seem funny but when you hear him say it, with is accent and little english, it's hilarious. Anyway, we find dumb ways to entertain ourselves. Oh well.
Tuesday: I got a bunch of letters that were awesome, and the Tuesday night devotional was awesome as always! They talked about how we always need to be feasting on the word, and how there seriously is always something to learn. President Packer pretty much owns the scriptures, he's a master, but even he learns every time he studies them!
Wednesday: I got to host some new elders! That was pretty cool, it's awesome to see the support of families and how excited they are for their missionaries to report to the MTC. It's crazy to remember my experience and how I'm about to head out into the field!
Thursday: It was our last day being taught by Sister Briggs! It's sad, but I'm glad we had such a great experience with it! Also I got a package from the Gordon's which I didn't expect, but was incredible! It made my day, and they actually sent me some stuff I need for my travels. It was so cool that they sent that to me, and their letters helped a ton with everything. Then Brother Kovach told us a story about an injured rugby player who wanted to finish the game. He said "pain is temporary, but victory is forever." It was pretty powerful.
Friday: We had in-field orientation all day. We talked about what it's like in the field and what we're going to be doing and such. It was really long, but really cool! Then in class, after studying Tagalog, we talked about how when we have a problem with a commandment, it's a lack of faith. It's important to recognize that commandments come from Him, so we show our trust and love for him by obeying it. We talked specifically about the Word of Wisdom. Even though science says tea is healthy and coffee is generally accepted, God asked us not to take them. He created our bodies, and being all-knowing, I trust Him on that. If He says not to do something, or to do something, we have to trust Him.
Anyway, I'm really excited to fly out. My next email will be coming from the Philippines and then it will be more exciting! I just want to leave you with something I've been thinking about. A few months before I left, Elder Mitch Merrell's mom told us about a letter he had sent to them. He said, "I can't ask these people to read the Book of Mormon, if my family at home isn't." It hit me hard. We talk about everyday how the Book of Mormon is the cornerstone to our religion. The Book of Mormon testifies of Joseph Smith as a prophet, so if we believe in that, then we believe everything else the church tells us. It's so critical. So please, everyone, try to read it every day individually, and as a family. I know that as you do, your testimony of Christ will be strengthened, and you will come closer to God and to your family.
Mahal ko kayo!
Kita kits!
-Elder Oberg
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