Great Responsibilities...

Hello Everyone!?

How's your week? Mine was great!!!

Last Thursday we had exchanges with the Rizal 2nd Missionaries. Elder Mecham stayed in our area with Brother Bosotrus and I worked with Elder Silva in their area. It was a good exchanges. I have met their investigators and the less active members that they are currently teaching. Companion Exchanges are the best! It is a time of learning from other missionaries, a time for showing good example,  and a time for helping other missionaries.

My District had a bad week. Our Key Indicators were really low. I have been thinking or pondering for 4 days now, about what should I do as a District Leader to help my District Mates in their work and areas.  I have come up to an idea to make a District Enhancements Plan and I will present it on our District Meeting on Wednesday. The plan includes enhancement of Obedience, Faith, Charity, Diligence, & of course the Blessings. Looking forward for this. I love my District Mates. They mean a lot to me. I am grateful that they are part of my District.

Well, Elder Mecham and I had a rough week. We've been walking back & forth under the hot sun to teach our investigators, less active members, and everyone that we come & contact with. We even dropped 2 of our Investigators. It is hard for us. I have seen how they accepted the gospel & I have seen how they tried to live the commandments until Satan unleashed his power to our 2 investigators. They just started to hide from us and say that they're busy. And we never get a chance to see them for like a week and a half now. It is indeed a rough week but it was worth it. I have learned a lot of things that I can apply to myself.

Our Branch President yesterday invited us for lunch. He was sharing some stuff that almost made me cry. To all of you, the branch where i'm serving right now needs help. They need leaders. The only auxiliary that is functioning here is our Branch president and clerk. Our branch president cleans the chapel, organizes & makes the program every sunday, & etc. He is worrying right now about the Clerk... because our clerk here is leaving soon. Hopefully he receives help. I have been praying for him. I love our branch president. He deserves heavenly blessings. He is the best.

Yesterday I get a chance to teach in the Sunday School (on the spot), hahahaha,  while my companion is backing me up, with 5 people present in the lesson. I taught Mosiah 4 & 6.

it is fun teaching Members. I enjoyed it.

Now, enough of the negatives. Let's talk about the positives.

Okay, So last Saturday President Clark and Sister Clark gave us a surprise call and said that they will visit us to have our Interviews with president Clark. Elder Mecham and I were so surprised!!! Good thing our apartment is clean. Sister Clark gave us cookies and stickers that day. She gave us a body map so if something is painful we can just easily look at the map and tell her which part hurts. She also checked the safety of our apartment. I love Sister Clark. She is genuine and such a Faith booster for me. President Clark also taught us about spiritual strength... Then we got interviewed by President Clark individually. President Clark asked me to share my testimony of the Godhead and the Atonement, He asked for my Happiness level, He commended me for what I've done in our mission, and He sincerely stated his love for me. This interview was a humbling experience for me. After the interview, President Clark rededicated our apartment. Our apartment was the 57th apartment they have visited so far for 2 weeks, and they still have to visit a hundred house more I guess. They are amazing. They are my heroes. I love them with all my heart.

Also, on Saturday this week 2 of our investigators (Sisters Alona & Conchita) will be interviewed for Baptism!!! Yeah! Elder Mecham and I are so excited!!! We've been praying for them. They have Faith, has repented of their sins, lived the commandments & broken hearts and contrite spirits. We are confident that they will pass the Interview. But we still need your help. Please pray for them too.

Elder Mecham is a fast learner! He learns things really fast!!! I am proud of him. I salute him for his hardwork and effective studies. He is truly a missionary of The Philippines Angeles Mission. Where the finest serves. He is living our Mission Culture, He is doing an excellent job with the language, And he is dedicated to surrender his will, and and lose his self in serving God with all his might, mind, & strength. I can see a big potential in him. He is special to me. He means a lot to me. I love my trainee. Just like one of our companionship inventories. I would always tell him that, and that He can call my name anytime if he needs help. I love listening to his stories and thoughts. He is such a thinker. He thinks a lot that sometimes leads to thinking his family. But he is doing a great job overcoming homesickness. He loves shining our shoes. He is wonderful. I am grateful that I was called to train him.

That's all for today...

Always know that I Love You!!!

_{ELDER ORDEJAN}

Philippines Angeles Mission

Paco Roman Branch

San Jose Zone

"Soon enough you will seek the success you are seeking"

Pictures:

*Sister Clark's Cookie

*My Photography

*Elder Mecham and Me!!!

"When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren"

Hello Everyone!!!

It is Monday again!!! Time is flying by really really faaaast... How's your week? I hope you had a great one. Because We had a great week... We've been workin hard, It is super hard to have members in the lesson for everyone is super busy. Members & Non members, Everyone's at the farm. Just like what I said last monday, The harvest will kill our work. It is also hard to find new people to teach, and for me this is a humbling experience, Diligence, Patience, Hope, Charity, & Faith are the attributes that has been strengthened to me as a Missionary. I am grateful for it.

Last Sunday I forgot to tell you that our Branch President appointed us to teach the Young Men. It's been a while since I taught the Youth Members of the Church. That is one of my calling in my home ward before my mission. I Love talking to the Young Men & Young Women. I miss all the Young Men & Young Women members in my home ward. They strengthened & gave me courage as I prepare for my Mission.  Just like what Elder Andersen said last Saturday Session of the General Conference. He taught us to Help, Serve, & Love the Youth. The Youth needs us. That is so true. President Monson also said that This is a Chosen Generation. To everyone let us follow Elder Andersen's counsel. Love The Youth!

I also Love Elder Ballard's talk last Saturday the Afternoon Session. He gave a profound explanation of how Family Counsel can help & bless each members of the Family. He taught us 4 type of Family Counsel. 1. General Family Counsel 2. Executive Family Counsel 3. Limited Family Counsel & 4. One on One Family Counsel. I can't wait to start this in my Family & my future Family after my Mission. Most of the Leaders spoke or mentioned the words Marriage and Family. President Eyring said that We should prepare to take our Family to the Temple, and He also said that we should make Marriage a Priority. One of my goal right now is to take my Family to the Temple and to be sealed as an eternal family. I am also hoping that I can find my Eternal Companion after my mission. This is my goals for Eternity. I am grateful for the Priesthood of God, It truly helps us to gain happiness & salvation. To all those who live near the Temple, YOU ARE SO BLESSED! I invite you to go to the Temple everyday. The nearest temple to my house is a 12 hour ship ride. The Temples will help us find Peace, Learn more of the Savior, Receive Countless Blessings, Obtain Salvation, & most especially it will help us draw closer to God. I know that the Church is True. We are so blessed to have The Restored Gospel back to our lives.

Well, I think last week was also the most emotional week I've had so far in my mission. My Anak (Trainee) cried 3x last week. He was super homesick & having a hard time learning the language. I cried & mourned with him. I can't say that I don't feel homesick. I know every missionary does. I gave him solid encouragements. I always compliment him in his day by day success & growth. His 1st, & 2nd cry was for his family and the language. After gaining confidence & encouragements that his family will always be safe & that they are always cheering & are proud of him. His 3rd Cry was yesterday, and It's for the Language. He told me that He can't understand the people when they speak tagalog. I told him that he's wrong, I told him that He already have the language. He just need to open his spiritual ears & mouth. I told him that If Heavenly Father & Jesus Christ wants him to succeed so am I. I told him that the language will come soon, because I know that even you're the most fluent Tagalog Speaker, If you don't have the Spirit. It's nothing. I told him that he should remember that it is a conversation of his heart and the heart of the people that he is teaching. I told him that it's not gonna be easy. But it will be worth it. I can see Elder Mecham's Faith growing. He is changing & evolving day by day. After we the counsels & encouragements that I gave yesterday to him. He changed, He changed spiritually. He even had his first Baptismal Invitation yesterday. He was so happy when they accepted his invitation to be baptized. I also told Elder Mecham in our Companionship Inventory that I've seen his strong desire to love & serve the people. He is building relationships with our investigators, less active members, & members here really fast. I can tell that a bond is starting to grow. He is Wonderful.

Also, Last Saturday... Elder Mecham's 1st, 2nd, & 3rd baptism happened. We had 3 baptisms!!! Elder Mecham baptized 2 of our investigators, now recent converts, and I baptized one. They will be confirmed next sunday. It is General Conference that is why they didn't get confirmed. It was a wonderful Baptism. Actually we goaled for 4 baptisms but Sister Angela did not show up. We went to the place where she is working right after the baptism. She told us that she recently had a Family Problem. Their mom left them. It's really sad to know. But we assured her that everything will be fine. Everything happens for a reason. Every thing has it's purpose. And that as she draw nearer and nearer to God, Satan will do his very best to tempt, and destroy us.

So, Angela's baptism was moved to next Saturday...

So far, we are doing great in our area. It is still hard to find people to teach. Harvest is still going on. Hopefully this coming week will be a better week for us...

That's all for today...

_{ELDER ORDEJAN}

Philippines Angeles Mission

Paco Roman Branch

San Jose Zone

"Soon enough you will seek the success you are seeking"

Pictures:

*Baptisms

*Photography

*Momay The Monkey

Trainer, District Leader, Baptisms!!!

Hello Everyone!!!

Last week was unthinkable...

Just like what I told you last monday, Brother Quita my short term trainee finished his term. We had our transfer announcements last wednesday, and guess what!!!? I am again Training!!! Training for the 5th time, So, Thursday was our Transfer Day. Bro. Quita & I woke up as early as 3 am. Why? Our area is super far from the Mission Office! I do not like waking up that early! After our preparations, We started to travel @ 4 am because we need to be in the mission office before 8 am. So, it takes 4 hours to get there. I only had 4 hours of sleep that day. Why? Wednesday night I helped Brother Quita to packed his things. Now, I am starting to dislike Transfer Day... Anyways, Our Zone Leaders last Wednesday announced that I am not just training, I am also the District Leader... Training & District Leader at the same time? What a Big Responsibility for me to handle! They also stated that Paco Roman never had a District Leader to be assigned in their area. I am not bragging this but I break a record. :)

Thursday was our Transfer Day, and despite of waking up @ 3 am and traveled @ 4 am I am still grateful that we arrived on time... I have seen some of my missionary friends last Thursday. The only former companion that I've had that I've seen last Thursday was Elder Hagen (the one  who is originally from New Delhi India Mission) It is so nice seeing him there. He can now speak Tagalog! I was so surprised of that! Because in our time together He doesn't speak Tagalog at all. He also told me that He is now going back to his Original Mission for he already got his Visa. He left the Philippines last Friday. I will miss Elder Hagen, I have learned a lot from that man... And, I am super excited to introduce my Newest Trainee (Anak) to you... He is an American, He is from North Ogden Utah, He is super Health Conscious (doesn't wanna get fat) He just turned 20 last monday, and His name is ELDER MECHAM!!! He is fresh from the MTC (Missionary Training Center) And obviously Paco Roman is his first area... Let me tell you that his batch is the biggest batch in our mission, there is 30 new missionaries for our mission! And He is the only American Elder in his batch. Most of the New Elders are Filipino and there is one Samoan. I really thought that I will train a Filipino again. I was really confident about it. But when our Assistants to the President announced that He's my new Trainee, I was like, No way!!! Hahahaha. After the meeting we went straight to our area. The meeting finished around 1 pm. So, We traveled for 4 hours again. My Anak (trainee) is awesome! We were riding a Jeep back to our area, He started talking to the guy sitting beside him. He was talking to the guy in English, (The guy understands and speaks fluent english) At first they were talking about school, and then Elder Mecham started talking about the Gospel, He even invited the man to come to Church this Sunday. I was really impressed when he did that. And before we end our nightly planning that night I told him about it. He was really happy that I am impressed on what he did. That day We arrived in our area around 6 pm. We have such a little time to work, after we arrived to our beautiful apartment, We went straight to our Branch President's house and I introduced him to our Branch President and some of our Branch Leaders. And visited some of our Investigators and Less-Active Members. Thursday was really a tiring day for me. Friday, was our day for Weekly Planning in this Mission. Weekly Planning takes 2-3 hours. In weekly planning we plan for our goals for the coming week, and the people that we need to teach for the coming week. Elder Mecham haven't tried planning for his coming week before. So it's his first one... I really love doing Weekly Planning. It is truly a Spiritual Creation. The Holy Ghost is the Director of the plan and We are the Workers. In our Weekly Planning for the week of April 4- April 10. We goaled for 4 Baptisms. Elder Mecham wouldn't believe that 4 baptisms can happen in a week. Haha. So, Those 4 people are Angela, Mark, Edison,  and Aries. They were interviewed last Friday, And Yes! They passed the Interview!!! Elder Mecham and I are so excited for them. The Lord truly sent angels to touch the hearts of the children of men. I am grateful that I was called to serve here and in this time. I am grateful to be Elder Mecham's Trainer. I already love him. We are both working with the Spirit. Service, Love, Trust, And Obedience are our strength as a Companionship. He is really doing great in his training. He just needs to learn more Tagalog, But I am grateful that He can already teach a principle of the Gospel in Tagalog. One of our Less Active member here thought that he is old in the mission because of his Tagalog. I also commend him for that. He is really doing great with the language. And there's more, My Anak (trainee) has a lot of Confidence, Faith, and a Big desire to help others come unto Christ. I can see that for our 4 Days together. He sometimes leads OYM'ing or talking to people about the Gospel without me telling him to talk to them. I am so lucky to be with this missionary. What more can I say?

Also as a District Leader I have a big responsibility. And one of them is to Strengthen, Serve, Love, and Teach my fellow missionaries in my District. There's 6 missionaries in my district including us. Rizal 1st and Rizal 2nd are the names of other areas. The missionaries in Rizal 1 are Elder Valdez (my batch-mate) & Elder Lewis, while Rizal 2nd's Missionaries are Elder Silva (my younger brother in the mission he is the last missionary that Elder Armatage trained) & he is also training a Short Term Missionary. We are District 4 of San Jose Zone. 

Anyway, Paco Roman Branch is doing great! We are still trying to cure the problems that I have mentioned last monday. Last Friday we went to Elder Valdez and Elder Lewis' s area to interview one of their investigator for baptism. I interviewed him. Sadly he didn't pass. He is lacking of understanding the commandements and he still needs to strengthen his testimony. His baptism date was moved 1 more week.  Our District needs to focus in Finding New Investigators and OYM's or Testifying to people. I know we can do it! I Love the missionaries in my District! Also, yesterday We had 42 people attended the Church, still low number of people because of the Harvest time. The Harvest of Rice here will kill our work, Everyone is busy! They're at the farm all day long! That is why last week we got punted a lot. But I have trust in the Lord that He will help us find ways to use our time wisely, just like what it says in Jarom 1:3. . .

And also, 10 Investigators came to church yesterday! We were so pumped! Our Investigators now understands the importance of coming to Church! Some of the members here told us that they have referrals for us and Less active members we need to visit this week. We are blessed by this wonderful members and branch leaders helping us here. I am looking forward for more miracles this week. Especially it's General Conference! I am so excited! I challenge you before the General conference happens, to list down some questions that you need to be answers. For sure the talks of our Church Leaders, Beloved Apostles, and Prophet may answer your question.

That's all for today...

_{ELDER ORDEJAN}

Philippines Angeles Mission

Paco Roman Branch

San Jose Zone

Pictures:

*Elder Mecham and Me

(Elder Mecham has a picture of him, with the plate inserted in his waist, why? I was forcing him last night to eat rice for dinner, but he doesn't want to. hahahaha.)

*Power Scrub (General Cleaning)

*My Photography