Family,
It’s good to be able to email and have a little time to let my mind
loose. We have been so busy lately. When we planned last Friday for
the week, I realized that we didn’t have enough time to visit all the
people we wanted to, potential investigators, investigators, recent
converts, and active and inactive members. We planned no tracting
time because we had no empty space! We have so many people to teach!
Well I’ll start off this week’s experiences with a good saying I learned
in high school and am now learning the truth of. "Don’t do stupid
things." The last few days I have done a few of those. For instance,
don’t pet dogs in the Philippines! I got bit on my hand yesterday but
it’s almost healed already. It’s ok, I’ll live, I think, unless the dog
dies in the next 10 days. If it does then I get to get a nice HUGE
shot that sounds painful. Also I learned today that playing
basketball barefoot is not a good idea. I got my toe smashed by
someone who was wearing shoes. I left my shoes in my last area.
And number three, don’t walk too close to monkey cages. They go crazy
and try to pull Americans inside! It almost got Elder Ashdown. But
it made for a good time. We spent some time getting to know it. It
was just a little monkey in a little cage on the side of the street.
They don’t have those in America.
Now for the good experiences. Three weeks ago when I was with Elder
Ashdown, the American the monkey wanted to eat, on exchanges because
our companions were going home. A lady stopped us and said that her
grandson wanted to bless us. Here it is respectful if you take the
hand of someone older than you and put it to your head. I do it to
old ladies. He came up and blessed us and then we were about to walk
away, but I figured, well we might as well talk to her. So we started
asking her questions and prepping for an invitation to hear the gospel.
She said that she had a friend who wanted us to teach them, but they
were shy. They wanted to hear about Christ and how we can be happier
as families. That just happens to be the first two principles of the
first lesson. So of course we gladly accepted. We wrote down her
name and his name. Her name is Emma Yap. The next week we found the
referral and taught him. He is old and didn’t learn a whole lot.
Later we returned to the house of Emma Yap and were able to teach her
and her daughter and grandson. We told her that there are 5 things we
need to do to be successful in this life and return to live with our
Heavenly Father again. She said "Excuse." and got up from her chair.
She grabbed a pen and paper and then sat back down ready to write them
down! I have never heard that before! That was awesome! They are:
Faith, repentance, baptism, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the
end. The spirit was so strong in that lesson and I felt that these
people were so important to the Lord. They were very grateful for
our visit and are excited for us to come back. We were supposed to
return yesterday, but ended up having to get the contract for our new
apartment we are moving into signed, so we didn’t have time.
Hopefully tomorrow. It is so amazing to have the Lord not only place
people in your path, but then have them come talk to you! I love
missionary work so much! It is such a blessing!
Our investigators are:
Kesha and Filip Lana - being baptized this week!
Johnly
Felix
Terry, Glendeth, and Mariss Warnak
Harry Villaver (his parents were baptized last year and he is excited
about the gospel!)
Angel and Joselyn
We have many more that we work with, but those are the ones that are
progressing... well at least have potential.
And a word for all that complaining in America about the Chinese
people in sweat shops who are making our things, if it is anything
like the Philippines, those sweat shops are what is feeding the
people, it really is a blessing. If someone can make 200 to 300 pesos
a day, that is great. There are so many people who have no work. It
may be only $20 a week, but that’s a lot better than nothing. I met
someone yesterday who has 11 kids, the oldest is 17, his wife left
them, and he drives a motorcycle with a sidecar from 8 in the morning
to 11 at night every day and probably makes 300 pesos on a good day.
That’s a hard life. It really helps you be grateful for what you have.
We were at a member’s house the other day. Their family of 9 had 4
eggs and rice for lunch. The only thing of value in their house is a
TV that probably didn’t cost more than $10. So no matter what life
serves you, smile and be glad that you have food and running water and
that your sandals don’t have holes in the heels and that you don’t have
to walk through sticky deep mud to get to your front door. We really
are a blessed people. I also know a great old man who is 65 years old
who still plows fields with a caribaw (like an ox) and a plow in the
heat of the day so he can grow some corn for him and his wife. What a
hard working man!
Well thank you all for your love and support. Eleanor looks very
cute in her bear coat... nice work Dennis! Tell Shane hello for me.
And Eric, that stud, keep up the good work! Dad tells me how proud
he is of you!
Love you all!
Elder Schenk
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
The Amazing Missionary You Call Your Son and Brother
February 8, 2011
Family,
How are you all doing? Things are good here. I'm really sorry my email didn't go through last week. That’s too bad.
Well I am now officially a legal alien here in the Philippines! Yesterday all of the Americans in the mission that have been here less than a year went to the mission office and got our visas renewed. We got finger printed and got our picture taken and all that good stuff. So it’s official, I can stay here!... for another year and a half anyways.
Teaching has been going well. My language has progressed in such a way that I can teach all of the lessons. Some better than others, but I can get the message across in all of them. In a general conversation I can understand most of it, especially if it is about the gospel. Sometimes I still get lost when they are talking about specific topics that I haven't learned the vocabulary for yet, but that is getting more and more rare. I am so grateful for the gift of tongues. I fasted for that last Sunday, and on Monday I was able to learn vocabulary extremely fast. Last week I was teaching at a member’s house and the member told me to relax because I was talking too fast. So that is a good thing as well. I am learning more and more ways to say things, and it is getting easier and easier to express myself. I still struggle to express my feelings, but that is often hard in English too.
We have 4 investigators with a baptismal date! Kesha - 10 and Filip - 11 Lanya, siblings of inactive parents who have been coming to church with their cousins, so they have a good support system. Their date is for February 19, but I’m not sure if that gives us enough time to teach them everything in the lessons. It will be close. Then Johnly and Angel have a baptismal date for the 5th of March, but transfer day is the 4th, so hopefully we don’t transfer. Johnly has now had all of the lessons and just needs to get to church 4 times in a row. Angel is the daughter of inactive parents who live right next to the church. Her mom has been coming for the last 3 weeks now. She has really bad arthritis in her right foot and has a really hard time walking. And she walks really really slow. There is a hill between their house and the church, so she has to get a ride up it to get there. But the ward has been helping her to church and now she comes every week!
We found another investigator, Margie, who is progressing well. She prayed and felt calm and happy and that our message is true. We invited here to church last Sunday and eventually she said yes. We went to her house before church as planned to bring her, but she wasn't there. Her baby had gotten sick and she was away buying medicine. That’s too bad. We also have a recent convert who has a 20 year old son who has been coming to church, but we haven't been able to teach him yet because of our schedule. We just have no time yet. We are trying to figure out how to fit him in. He is a really good candidate for baptism and has questions and wants to learn. I just wish we had more time in a day. There is too much work to do!
Well I better go before I run out of time or talk your ear off, or both.
I love you all! Thank you for your prayers. They are helpful. I have felt the spirit more in my lessons and can feel the Lord guiding my words and leading me to the scriptures that the investigators and members need.
Salamat kaayo sa tanan sa inyong mga pagampo! Malipayon kaayo ko diri. Nagkat-on ko daghan matag adlaw. Salamat gayud!
Love,
Elder Schenk
Family,
How are you all doing? Things are good here. I'm really sorry my email didn't go through last week. That’s too bad.
Well I am now officially a legal alien here in the Philippines! Yesterday all of the Americans in the mission that have been here less than a year went to the mission office and got our visas renewed. We got finger printed and got our picture taken and all that good stuff. So it’s official, I can stay here!... for another year and a half anyways.
Teaching has been going well. My language has progressed in such a way that I can teach all of the lessons. Some better than others, but I can get the message across in all of them. In a general conversation I can understand most of it, especially if it is about the gospel. Sometimes I still get lost when they are talking about specific topics that I haven't learned the vocabulary for yet, but that is getting more and more rare. I am so grateful for the gift of tongues. I fasted for that last Sunday, and on Monday I was able to learn vocabulary extremely fast. Last week I was teaching at a member’s house and the member told me to relax because I was talking too fast. So that is a good thing as well. I am learning more and more ways to say things, and it is getting easier and easier to express myself. I still struggle to express my feelings, but that is often hard in English too.
We have 4 investigators with a baptismal date! Kesha - 10 and Filip - 11 Lanya, siblings of inactive parents who have been coming to church with their cousins, so they have a good support system. Their date is for February 19, but I’m not sure if that gives us enough time to teach them everything in the lessons. It will be close. Then Johnly and Angel have a baptismal date for the 5th of March, but transfer day is the 4th, so hopefully we don’t transfer. Johnly has now had all of the lessons and just needs to get to church 4 times in a row. Angel is the daughter of inactive parents who live right next to the church. Her mom has been coming for the last 3 weeks now. She has really bad arthritis in her right foot and has a really hard time walking. And she walks really really slow. There is a hill between their house and the church, so she has to get a ride up it to get there. But the ward has been helping her to church and now she comes every week!
We found another investigator, Margie, who is progressing well. She prayed and felt calm and happy and that our message is true. We invited here to church last Sunday and eventually she said yes. We went to her house before church as planned to bring her, but she wasn't there. Her baby had gotten sick and she was away buying medicine. That’s too bad. We also have a recent convert who has a 20 year old son who has been coming to church, but we haven't been able to teach him yet because of our schedule. We just have no time yet. We are trying to figure out how to fit him in. He is a really good candidate for baptism and has questions and wants to learn. I just wish we had more time in a day. There is too much work to do!
Well I better go before I run out of time or talk your ear off, or both.
I love you all! Thank you for your prayers. They are helpful. I have felt the spirit more in my lessons and can feel the Lord guiding my words and leading me to the scriptures that the investigators and members need.
Salamat kaayo sa tanan sa inyong mga pagampo! Malipayon kaayo ko diri. Nagkat-on ko daghan matag adlaw. Salamat gayud!
Love,
Elder Schenk
Last Week's Letter
Sorry my email didn’t go through last week. It came back with an error this week. Here you go.
February 1, 2011
Family,
I am so happy to hear that all went well with baby Eleanor and that the Wood family is doing great. I’m glad you got to spend so much time over there mom. Your emails from your phone did come through, all of them, so I got the same email from you 3 times. But that’s alright. I am just happy I got them.
Dad, how’s your back doing after ice caving? You need to learn to let the boys do the work. :) Sorry I wasn’t there. It’s been cold here too! I actually got cold yesterday. Of course I was wet and wearing flip flops, shorts, and a t-shirt riding on the outside of a tricycle coming home from our service project, but I got cold. That doesn’t happen very often here, but lately it has been cold. We had a typhoon come though on Monday night and everything is all muddy here. It has been raining for about the last week straight and on and off for about a week before that. The only difference the last few days is that the wind has picked up a little. First time I’ve felt that in the Philippines. On the way home from the service project we were waiting for something to ride, preferably a mulitcab. Cheap and fast. Elder Chastane, an American from California saw a Philippines Army truck full of soldiers go by, so he waved like we wanted a ride, just as a joke. They stopped about 50 yards down the road, then they started to back up to us. Elder Chastane looked at me and said "oh crap now they are going to come and shoot us!" A bunch of Americans! When they got back to us they yelled "Get in." but of course in Bisaya. We grinned at each other and the 6 of us scrambled into the back of a Filipino Army truck with 10 soldiers in the back in full camo with rifles. That was a lot of fun! We got some pictures and taught them a little about the gospel. And it was a free ride! SWEET! Saved us each 7 pesos!
I did get my package mom, about 3 hours ago when we went to Cebu to go to a temple session. That is always nice. I am so glad that there is a temple here.
Dennis, I am glad to hear you are planning on running a marathon. That’s great! Don’t make Diane look too bad.
I have been learning a lot this week about teaching with the spirit. I have felt D&C 84:85 come into play in my life when it says that we will be given in the very moment what to say. That is so true. I have been led to scriptures and know exactly where to find them. Then I come up with what I think is a good idea and it bombs. So listening to the spirit is soo much more effective. I found out that the scripture that says that if you don’t have the spirit you shall not teach is really true. They don’t learn anything. But through the spirit you can help change lives. I love doing that.
Well I love you all and pray for you!
Love,
Elder Schenk
February 1, 2011
Family,
I am so happy to hear that all went well with baby Eleanor and that the Wood family is doing great. I’m glad you got to spend so much time over there mom. Your emails from your phone did come through, all of them, so I got the same email from you 3 times. But that’s alright. I am just happy I got them.
Dad, how’s your back doing after ice caving? You need to learn to let the boys do the work. :) Sorry I wasn’t there. It’s been cold here too! I actually got cold yesterday. Of course I was wet and wearing flip flops, shorts, and a t-shirt riding on the outside of a tricycle coming home from our service project, but I got cold. That doesn’t happen very often here, but lately it has been cold. We had a typhoon come though on Monday night and everything is all muddy here. It has been raining for about the last week straight and on and off for about a week before that. The only difference the last few days is that the wind has picked up a little. First time I’ve felt that in the Philippines. On the way home from the service project we were waiting for something to ride, preferably a mulitcab. Cheap and fast. Elder Chastane, an American from California saw a Philippines Army truck full of soldiers go by, so he waved like we wanted a ride, just as a joke. They stopped about 50 yards down the road, then they started to back up to us. Elder Chastane looked at me and said "oh crap now they are going to come and shoot us!" A bunch of Americans! When they got back to us they yelled "Get in." but of course in Bisaya. We grinned at each other and the 6 of us scrambled into the back of a Filipino Army truck with 10 soldiers in the back in full camo with rifles. That was a lot of fun! We got some pictures and taught them a little about the gospel. And it was a free ride! SWEET! Saved us each 7 pesos!
I did get my package mom, about 3 hours ago when we went to Cebu to go to a temple session. That is always nice. I am so glad that there is a temple here.
Dennis, I am glad to hear you are planning on running a marathon. That’s great! Don’t make Diane look too bad.
I have been learning a lot this week about teaching with the spirit. I have felt D&C 84:85 come into play in my life when it says that we will be given in the very moment what to say. That is so true. I have been led to scriptures and know exactly where to find them. Then I come up with what I think is a good idea and it bombs. So listening to the spirit is soo much more effective. I found out that the scripture that says that if you don’t have the spirit you shall not teach is really true. They don’t learn anything. But through the spirit you can help change lives. I love doing that.
Well I love you all and pray for you!
Love,
Elder Schenk
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
January 25, 2010
Family,
I got a new companion this week. I LOVE him! He is a Filipino. His name is Elder Mera. He is 24 from Luzon, the big island up north that Manila is on. We entered the MTC the same day, but on opposite ends of the world. They only go to the MTC for 3 weeks where we go for 9 so he got here a transfer before I did. He is a lot of fun to be with. He is always happy and helpful and clean! This morning we cleaned the apartment. That was great! It looks so much better now. It is nice to have a companion as clean as you are. He is a great teacher, and is so loving. He is willing to give up what he has to members who need it and don't have the money for it, like ties and shirts. While we were cleaning, we found some extra socks and belts and things like that. I would just throw them away, but he came up with the idea of giving them to members and investigators who don't have them. That is a much better idea!
We also did have our baptism this week! Resly Racho is now a member of the church! And this week he will receive the priesthood! I am excited. He is the most prepared of all the baptisms I have had. Also this transfer we have the opportunity of having a lot of baptisms. We have 4 other progressing investigators, 3 who could easily become progressing, but don't keep their commitments yet, and 3 more who are good potential investigators. We have the possibility of many baptisms in the next two transfers! We are EXCITED! My companion talks to everyone and says hi to everyone. He said there were some sisters who talked to everyone and were always smiling and happy and eventually people started to get to know them and say hi back. Eventually they began to ask about them and then would refer themselves! We are trying to do that here. The missionaries have been here for so long that a lot of people call us Elders, or whispers "Mormons" as we walk by. And if not that, there is the constant chorus of people yelling "HEY JOE" and the little kids yelling "Americano!" It's fun.
Katie, congratulations on your baby! and if you haven't had it yet, good luck. I am excited to be a tito, or uncle.
Salamat kaayo sa inyong mga letters ug emails. they are always nice to receive. Salamat kaayo sa inyong mga prayers ug googma. Nagdawat ko lig-on sa inyong mga pagampo. Salamat!
Love always,
Elder Schenk
I got a new companion this week. I LOVE him! He is a Filipino. His name is Elder Mera. He is 24 from Luzon, the big island up north that Manila is on. We entered the MTC the same day, but on opposite ends of the world. They only go to the MTC for 3 weeks where we go for 9 so he got here a transfer before I did. He is a lot of fun to be with. He is always happy and helpful and clean! This morning we cleaned the apartment. That was great! It looks so much better now. It is nice to have a companion as clean as you are. He is a great teacher, and is so loving. He is willing to give up what he has to members who need it and don't have the money for it, like ties and shirts. While we were cleaning, we found some extra socks and belts and things like that. I would just throw them away, but he came up with the idea of giving them to members and investigators who don't have them. That is a much better idea!
We also did have our baptism this week! Resly Racho is now a member of the church! And this week he will receive the priesthood! I am excited. He is the most prepared of all the baptisms I have had. Also this transfer we have the opportunity of having a lot of baptisms. We have 4 other progressing investigators, 3 who could easily become progressing, but don't keep their commitments yet, and 3 more who are good potential investigators. We have the possibility of many baptisms in the next two transfers! We are EXCITED! My companion talks to everyone and says hi to everyone. He said there were some sisters who talked to everyone and were always smiling and happy and eventually people started to get to know them and say hi back. Eventually they began to ask about them and then would refer themselves! We are trying to do that here. The missionaries have been here for so long that a lot of people call us Elders, or whispers "Mormons" as we walk by. And if not that, there is the constant chorus of people yelling "HEY JOE" and the little kids yelling "Americano!" It's fun.
Katie, congratulations on your baby! and if you haven't had it yet, good luck. I am excited to be a tito, or uncle.
Salamat kaayo sa inyong mga letters ug emails. they are always nice to receive. Salamat kaayo sa inyong mga prayers ug googma. Nagdawat ko lig-on sa inyong mga pagampo. Salamat!
Love always,
Elder Schenk
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
January 18, 2011
Family,
I hope you are all doing well. I think Katie has already had her baby, but I'm not sure, so CONGRATULATIONS KATIE AND JOSH! I am happy for you! You have a lucky child to have you as parents.
I sent my companion home yesterday and am staying with elder Ashdown who also had his companion go home. He has only been here for 2 transfers so I know more Visaya than he does. I am learning well, and I can pretty much talk to people about anything and understand a lot. It is really a great blessing from the Lord.
My new companion will be Elder Mera. He was in my zone back in Lilo-an when I was in Carmen. I am excited. He is a really good missionary and is fun and Filipino. Our baptism is finally going to happen this weekend, it fell through the last two weekends because he has had other obligations in Cebu. He decided to skip last weekend and be baptized, but his leaders told him he had to be there. So this weekend it is! If all goes well we could have 7 baptisms this transfer, but most likely some of them will not pull though. They are:
Resly - being baptized on Saturday
Kesha, Filip, and Melissa - all siblings of an inactive family who were never baptized. they come with their aunt to church.
Johnly - 12 years old and has had almost all the lessons, but struggles to get to church because his parents are not members, but his cousin who he lives with is inactive. Also the ward mission leader lives across the street.
Serjio, Macmac and Isa - Serjio is the father and the others are his children. Serjio is really promising. He has almost no money but drives tricycle sometimes. He gave us a ride worth 42 pesos and wanted to give it to us for free. That is a lot of money! I am excited to continue to teach him.
Terry and her daughter Mariss - still investigating, I don't think they will be baptized, but they are still progressing, so we will keep trying.
It turns out our mission has the lowest investigator to baptisms ratio for all of the Philippines! That means we should baptize the most! Last year the average was 1:30. one baptism for 30 investigators. Ours was 1:24 last year and this year is 1:16! That is almost twice as many baptisms as the average last year! I feel so blessed to be in such a great place where the work is moving forward. It is great to work for the Lord. I think that Elder Mera is a hard worker, so I am Excited for this next transfer!
Elder Ashdown got some brownie and muffin mix from home so we are going to go bake it at a members house here in Naga, his area, since we don't have an oven. I am excited!
I love you all! Take care!
Elder Schenk
Mom,
Thank you for the care package. I appreciate it! Thank you also for your prayers. I have found an increased sensitivity to the spirit in lessons lately. There are a lot of times where I end up sharing different scriptures than I would have thought were appropriate. Last night I shared a scripture in Ether about faith in order to get members back to church. It ended up being what they needed to hear. I know I shared the two scriptures the Lord wanted me to. I have found that I have been doing that more and more. It feels so great to be doing the work of the Lord!
Thanks for everything!
Love always,
Elder Schenk
I hope you are all doing well. I think Katie has already had her baby, but I'm not sure, so CONGRATULATIONS KATIE AND JOSH! I am happy for you! You have a lucky child to have you as parents.
I sent my companion home yesterday and am staying with elder Ashdown who also had his companion go home. He has only been here for 2 transfers so I know more Visaya than he does. I am learning well, and I can pretty much talk to people about anything and understand a lot. It is really a great blessing from the Lord.
My new companion will be Elder Mera. He was in my zone back in Lilo-an when I was in Carmen. I am excited. He is a really good missionary and is fun and Filipino. Our baptism is finally going to happen this weekend, it fell through the last two weekends because he has had other obligations in Cebu. He decided to skip last weekend and be baptized, but his leaders told him he had to be there. So this weekend it is! If all goes well we could have 7 baptisms this transfer, but most likely some of them will not pull though. They are:
Resly - being baptized on Saturday
Kesha, Filip, and Melissa - all siblings of an inactive family who were never baptized. they come with their aunt to church.
Johnly - 12 years old and has had almost all the lessons, but struggles to get to church because his parents are not members, but his cousin who he lives with is inactive. Also the ward mission leader lives across the street.
Serjio, Macmac and Isa - Serjio is the father and the others are his children. Serjio is really promising. He has almost no money but drives tricycle sometimes. He gave us a ride worth 42 pesos and wanted to give it to us for free. That is a lot of money! I am excited to continue to teach him.
Terry and her daughter Mariss - still investigating, I don't think they will be baptized, but they are still progressing, so we will keep trying.
It turns out our mission has the lowest investigator to baptisms ratio for all of the Philippines! That means we should baptize the most! Last year the average was 1:30. one baptism for 30 investigators. Ours was 1:24 last year and this year is 1:16! That is almost twice as many baptisms as the average last year! I feel so blessed to be in such a great place where the work is moving forward. It is great to work for the Lord. I think that Elder Mera is a hard worker, so I am Excited for this next transfer!
Elder Ashdown got some brownie and muffin mix from home so we are going to go bake it at a members house here in Naga, his area, since we don't have an oven. I am excited!
I love you all! Take care!
Elder Schenk
Mom,
Thank you for the care package. I appreciate it! Thank you also for your prayers. I have found an increased sensitivity to the spirit in lessons lately. There are a lot of times where I end up sharing different scriptures than I would have thought were appropriate. Last night I shared a scripture in Ether about faith in order to get members back to church. It ended up being what they needed to hear. I know I shared the two scriptures the Lord wanted me to. I have found that I have been doing that more and more. It feels so great to be doing the work of the Lord!
Thanks for everything!
Love always,
Elder Schenk
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
January 11, 2011
Family,
How are you all?
Our baptism this last week fell though, the candidate had a school dance competition in Cebu and was planning on coming back Saturday afternoon, but his leader wanted him to come back with the group and not alone and so he got home late. They have another competition this week, but he decided to skip so that he could be baptized. I know the Lord will bless him for his sacrifice.
Other than that, your question last week, chocolate comes just fine to the Philippines and gratefully accepted. If you put it in a bag and then put that bag(s) in another ziplock and fill it with air, I hear it gets here undamaged. Peanut M&Ms are really good, but they get smashed the worst. Most other chocolate makes it just fine.
This Tuesday Elder Felipe is going to the mission office and I will be without a companion until Friday. I’ll end up working with ward mission leader or Elder Ashdown from Naga, about 45 min north.
Nothing else exciting is happening right now, just a lot of mud and rain. My pants were brown up to my calf. But we got 2 new investigators!
Tell Diane thank you for her letter. I really appreciate it.
I love you all! Take care!
Elder Schenk
How are you all?
Our baptism this last week fell though, the candidate had a school dance competition in Cebu and was planning on coming back Saturday afternoon, but his leader wanted him to come back with the group and not alone and so he got home late. They have another competition this week, but he decided to skip so that he could be baptized. I know the Lord will bless him for his sacrifice.
Other than that, your question last week, chocolate comes just fine to the Philippines and gratefully accepted. If you put it in a bag and then put that bag(s) in another ziplock and fill it with air, I hear it gets here undamaged. Peanut M&Ms are really good, but they get smashed the worst. Most other chocolate makes it just fine.
This Tuesday Elder Felipe is going to the mission office and I will be without a companion until Friday. I’ll end up working with ward mission leader or Elder Ashdown from Naga, about 45 min north.
Nothing else exciting is happening right now, just a lot of mud and rain. My pants were brown up to my calf. But we got 2 new investigators!
Tell Diane thank you for her letter. I really appreciate it.
I love you all! Take care!
Elder Schenk
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
January 4, 2011
Mom,
It has been cold here too this week. No snow though. It keeps on raining and the sun just doesn’t get a chance to warm everything up. So I have actually gotten cold at night, but that is because I sleep in shorts with no covers and a fan blowing. It has been off most of the week.
I got your other package! Thanks so much! And thank you for General Conference CD’s! That is what I was going to buy anyways. I am half way through them and I got them on Sunday.
Tell both grandmas to get well soon. I will pray for them. Also thank grandma schenk for the umbrella. My companion has been using it. Just about everyone we visit either wants me to give them mine or his. They love them!
Winston Baring will definitely have a great time cooking up some buad! That is just something you don’t find in America. Tell him I said kamusta.
Restly is right on schedule for baptism this week. He still has a good testimony. I am excited. And I get to go to the temple today! And my companion is good.
With the money from my savings account, I thought I had a few thousand, but don’t remember. What happened to the money from the truck? Did that go to my mission fund? Anyways, gather all you can and give it all up. It can do someone else some good. I’ll try not to go over my limit here.
I’ve got a good story for you! So I thought I had the Philippines about figured out, and that there weren’t really any more surprises. Then came New Years... HOLY CRAP!!! BANG!!! BOOM!!! BOOM!!! BANG!!! They don’t really have nice good looking fireworks here. Pretty much the rule is the louder they are, the better. So while we were sleeping on New Years Eve, about 11:30 things started to get loud. So I woke up. Then at midnight... I have never ever in my entire life heard so many loud sounds coming from so many different places. If you had something that made a loud noise, you were using it! Ground shaking firecrackers, revving your engine, yelling, music, and anything else you can think of. Needless to say, I missed some sleeping time. Quite impressive.
Thanks for everything!
Love,
Elder Schenk
It has been cold here too this week. No snow though. It keeps on raining and the sun just doesn’t get a chance to warm everything up. So I have actually gotten cold at night, but that is because I sleep in shorts with no covers and a fan blowing. It has been off most of the week.
I got your other package! Thanks so much! And thank you for General Conference CD’s! That is what I was going to buy anyways. I am half way through them and I got them on Sunday.
Tell both grandmas to get well soon. I will pray for them. Also thank grandma schenk for the umbrella. My companion has been using it. Just about everyone we visit either wants me to give them mine or his. They love them!
Winston Baring will definitely have a great time cooking up some buad! That is just something you don’t find in America. Tell him I said kamusta.
Restly is right on schedule for baptism this week. He still has a good testimony. I am excited. And I get to go to the temple today! And my companion is good.
With the money from my savings account, I thought I had a few thousand, but don’t remember. What happened to the money from the truck? Did that go to my mission fund? Anyways, gather all you can and give it all up. It can do someone else some good. I’ll try not to go over my limit here.
I’ve got a good story for you! So I thought I had the Philippines about figured out, and that there weren’t really any more surprises. Then came New Years... HOLY CRAP!!! BANG!!! BOOM!!! BOOM!!! BANG!!! They don’t really have nice good looking fireworks here. Pretty much the rule is the louder they are, the better. So while we were sleeping on New Years Eve, about 11:30 things started to get loud. So I woke up. Then at midnight... I have never ever in my entire life heard so many loud sounds coming from so many different places. If you had something that made a loud noise, you were using it! Ground shaking firecrackers, revving your engine, yelling, music, and anything else you can think of. Needless to say, I missed some sleeping time. Quite impressive.
Thanks for everything!
Love,
Elder Schenk
Thursday, December 30, 2010
December 28, 2010
Mom,
Happy New Year!
I was so excited to get to talk with you on Christmas! I hope you write me and tell me how everything went, preferably a dearelder so it doesn’t take forever for me to read. Thanks for the Skiing Santa ornament. It reminds me of home. I miss skiing, but there is no snow here, so not much of a chance. I’m glad to see that you got to go as a family! That is awesome! I wish I could have been there. That is my favorite Christmas tradition.
I have only received two of your packages, but I did receive one from Grandma Schenk. Tell her thank you for me. I got it in district meeting from the Zone Leaders, and the candy didn’t make home. But it was really good! The sweet hot mustard is amazing! l love it! So thank you Grandma! Also tell her I am praying for her.
I have been to the hospital 3 times in the last 3 days. The hospital is about 45 min away. My companion has an infection in his toe and needed surgery. We tried the ER Monday, but they couldn’t do it. So yesterday we went to the clinic and set an appointment for today. And then this morning he got half his toenail chopped off. Success! We get to go back Saturday and Tuesday for a check up and to get the bandage changed.
I was thinking about President Monson's call for more missionaries in General Conference and decided that I have the ability to help that call and to do more. Would you please donate the money I have in savings to the missionary fund for me? I don’t know how much is in there, so just leave enough that I can buy a few things here and there on my mission. I’ll try not to spend over my limit that they give me and only spend it on personal items. The money isn’t doing me any good here and if I could help just one more missionary, I would be satisfied. I was talking to the mission president’s wife today while Elder Felipe was in surgery and she talked about the importance of one missionary. If one missionary gets sent home, it has a huge impact. The area they are in gets closed and the work there stops. They want to open up some new areas here in our mission, but don’t have the missionaries until mid next year, and if anyone gets sent home then that will be bumped back and the Lords work stops moving forward there. One missionary is SO important. Try to get everyone on a mission you can. The Lord needs us right now. Christ cannot come until we prepare the people. So let’s get to work!
We have one investigator right now who is doing great! His original baptismal date was for Christmas day, but we were not able to teach him everything before then. So he got bumped back to the 8th of January. He was disappointed. He came to church this last week alone even though his member sister did not. That was a huge success as well. He always is prepared to learn. So many people here finish what they are doing before we can teach them. The missionaries really aren’t that special to them. But Restley drops whatever he is doing, grabs his Book of Mormon and is ready to learn. It is AWESOME! He is going to be a great member! I am excited!
Other than that our investigators are:
Kokoy (Restley’s brother)
Johnley
Leah
Noey
Macmac
They could use all the prayers we can give them.
Thanks for all you are doing. I love you all!
Love,
Elder Schenk
Happy New Year!
I was so excited to get to talk with you on Christmas! I hope you write me and tell me how everything went, preferably a dearelder so it doesn’t take forever for me to read. Thanks for the Skiing Santa ornament. It reminds me of home. I miss skiing, but there is no snow here, so not much of a chance. I’m glad to see that you got to go as a family! That is awesome! I wish I could have been there. That is my favorite Christmas tradition.
I have only received two of your packages, but I did receive one from Grandma Schenk. Tell her thank you for me. I got it in district meeting from the Zone Leaders, and the candy didn’t make home. But it was really good! The sweet hot mustard is amazing! l love it! So thank you Grandma! Also tell her I am praying for her.
I have been to the hospital 3 times in the last 3 days. The hospital is about 45 min away. My companion has an infection in his toe and needed surgery. We tried the ER Monday, but they couldn’t do it. So yesterday we went to the clinic and set an appointment for today. And then this morning he got half his toenail chopped off. Success! We get to go back Saturday and Tuesday for a check up and to get the bandage changed.
I was thinking about President Monson's call for more missionaries in General Conference and decided that I have the ability to help that call and to do more. Would you please donate the money I have in savings to the missionary fund for me? I don’t know how much is in there, so just leave enough that I can buy a few things here and there on my mission. I’ll try not to spend over my limit that they give me and only spend it on personal items. The money isn’t doing me any good here and if I could help just one more missionary, I would be satisfied. I was talking to the mission president’s wife today while Elder Felipe was in surgery and she talked about the importance of one missionary. If one missionary gets sent home, it has a huge impact. The area they are in gets closed and the work there stops. They want to open up some new areas here in our mission, but don’t have the missionaries until mid next year, and if anyone gets sent home then that will be bumped back and the Lords work stops moving forward there. One missionary is SO important. Try to get everyone on a mission you can. The Lord needs us right now. Christ cannot come until we prepare the people. So let’s get to work!
We have one investigator right now who is doing great! His original baptismal date was for Christmas day, but we were not able to teach him everything before then. So he got bumped back to the 8th of January. He was disappointed. He came to church this last week alone even though his member sister did not. That was a huge success as well. He always is prepared to learn. So many people here finish what they are doing before we can teach them. The missionaries really aren’t that special to them. But Restley drops whatever he is doing, grabs his Book of Mormon and is ready to learn. It is AWESOME! He is going to be a great member! I am excited!
Other than that our investigators are:
Kokoy (Restley’s brother)
Johnley
Leah
Noey
Macmac
They could use all the prayers we can give them.
Thanks for all you are doing. I love you all!
Love,
Elder Schenk
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
December 21, 2010
Merry Christmas Everyone!
I’m glad you got my package. Go ahead and open it. There is some food on the outside, some little things popular here. They use a lot of drink mix. All of them you can just buy at little stores people have at their houses where they resell food. There are usually a few in every neighborhood.
I have gotten two packages so far. Thanks! The only thing I can think to have you send that you wouldn't think of is dental floss. They have 2 kinds here and they are hard to find. They cost over $3 for a small roll! The one I bought was cheaper, but it doesn't work well. It won’t slide between your teeth. It is kind of sticky. Not good. Thanks for the umbrella. It is sweet!
So Carcar is much bigger than Carmen. It has some big stores, restaurants and some good stuff. A lot more Americans too. We have an American and a French man in our ward, the American is an inactive bishop and the French man is in the bishopric. We have a ward of about 100 active members. The spirit is so much stronger here than in Carmen. I like it. Brother Fransue, the French guy has a big sweet house and worked for some space company in France. He went to a shuttle lift off once in California for work. I discovered last night that he is a genius! He has a music studio with tons of guitars that he built himself with speakers he made. He writes music all the time and plays all the parts and sings and they sound like professional recordings. It’s amazing!
We have 3 investigators committed with a baptismal date. They are all for January. Hopefully they will all pull though. They are Johnly, Kokoy and Krisnel.
I am sorry to hear about Grandma Schenk. I hope she gets better. Tell her I love her for me.
And tell Katie and Josh Merry Christmas for me! I was going to send them a card, but 3 weeks ago I forgot. I could send one now but it wouldn’t get there till the end of January.
I am excited to talk to you all face to face in 3 days! Have lots of questions for me!
Love you all!
Elder Schenk
I’m glad you got my package. Go ahead and open it. There is some food on the outside, some little things popular here. They use a lot of drink mix. All of them you can just buy at little stores people have at their houses where they resell food. There are usually a few in every neighborhood.
I have gotten two packages so far. Thanks! The only thing I can think to have you send that you wouldn't think of is dental floss. They have 2 kinds here and they are hard to find. They cost over $3 for a small roll! The one I bought was cheaper, but it doesn't work well. It won’t slide between your teeth. It is kind of sticky. Not good. Thanks for the umbrella. It is sweet!
So Carcar is much bigger than Carmen. It has some big stores, restaurants and some good stuff. A lot more Americans too. We have an American and a French man in our ward, the American is an inactive bishop and the French man is in the bishopric. We have a ward of about 100 active members. The spirit is so much stronger here than in Carmen. I like it. Brother Fransue, the French guy has a big sweet house and worked for some space company in France. He went to a shuttle lift off once in California for work. I discovered last night that he is a genius! He has a music studio with tons of guitars that he built himself with speakers he made. He writes music all the time and plays all the parts and sings and they sound like professional recordings. It’s amazing!
We have 3 investigators committed with a baptismal date. They are all for January. Hopefully they will all pull though. They are Johnly, Kokoy and Krisnel.
I am sorry to hear about Grandma Schenk. I hope she gets better. Tell her I love her for me.
And tell Katie and Josh Merry Christmas for me! I was going to send them a card, but 3 weeks ago I forgot. I could send one now but it wouldn’t get there till the end of January.
I am excited to talk to you all face to face in 3 days! Have lots of questions for me!
Love you all!
Elder Schenk
This is a breakfast food, it's good. It tastes like tapioca.
The first page of the scrapbook.
A coin purse made by the mother of the YW president, and some pesos.
Dried, salted fish. You freshen it in water, deep fry it and dip it in vinegar and chiles.
Devin says it's delicious!
A "Where's Waldo" look a like tie Devin found bought from a street vendor. It's awesome!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
December 14, 2010
Mom,
Merry Christmas!
So I transferred this last week. I am now in Carcar. It is bigger than Carmen was. It has a few good sized stores. My companion Elder Felipe goes home at the end of this transfer, so I am in Cebu right now. He just got x-rays. We have to come back tomorrow for zone conference. I think I will get to see some of my batch from the mtc there. That is exciting. I also love getting to learn from President Hansen. He is an amazing man.
I sent you an email about calling home from Sister Hansen. I will either call or skype around 11 am our time on the 25th, Christmas. I think that is about 5pm your time Christmas Eve. Next week in your email could you tell me if you are able to do skype. If not a phone call will definitely do just fine.
For our zone conference we were assigned to read John from the Bible. I finished last night. That was an amazing experience for me. There were a few parts where the spirit was really strong and I could really feel the Saviors love for the people. But I think the biggest impact was when I was done and thinking back. I have gained such a love for the Savior by spending just that little bit of time studying his life. He really did love everyone, and He is such a good example of following the will of the Father. I have gained such a love for him and everything that has done for me.
I also read Elder Jeffery R. Holland’s talk last night on being grateful. He is such a humble man. I feel I have need as well to be more grateful. So thank you all for all you have done for me. Thank you Mom and Dad for being the greatest parents. I don't know any better than you two. I have also heard Diane, Katie, and Eric say the same thing. In the mouth of two witnesses right? Well we have four. You are the very best. The only ones who could possibly be better are Katie and Josh, your offspring, but they aren’t parents yet. So you are still in the number one spot. Thank you to you Katie and Josh, and you Diane and Dennis for your great examples. For being married in the temple and living righteously, for serving missions and being worthy. I love you all. Thank you Eric for being such a great younger brother, a great example, and one of the best friends I could ever have. Thanks to my leaders of youth. To Kevin Allen, Jeff Komar, Ben MacKay, Kathy Thurmond. Each of you have played a part in shaping me into the person I have become. Each of you showed me the way to Christ by your example and teachings. Thank you so much. Thank you Grandma Schenk and Grandma Hart for being strong in the church and raising my parents in righteousness.
I am so grateful for this Christmas season and the opportunity we have to look towards the Savior. I love Him so much. He has done so much for each of us. I love learning about Him in the scriptures, and someday look forward to being able to learn from Him in person, to have that pure knowledge poured into me. I love Him so much.
I got both of your Christmas packages this week! Thanks so much! I now have a 2 foot tall paper Christmas tree on my table. It is great! So thank you for that.
We have 4 investigators with a baptismal date, one just had some hard issues to work out though, so that might be postponed. They are:
Johnley
Felix - Is having some problems
Resly
Popoy
They could use as many prayers as we can give them. Satan is always working double time on those who are trying to change their lives for the better. So let’s give them all the help we can from Heaven.
Thanks for all your love and support and prayers for me. I am really grateful for all you have done for me.
Sending Christmas love and joy from the Philippines,
Elder Schenk
Merry Christmas!
So I transferred this last week. I am now in Carcar. It is bigger than Carmen was. It has a few good sized stores. My companion Elder Felipe goes home at the end of this transfer, so I am in Cebu right now. He just got x-rays. We have to come back tomorrow for zone conference. I think I will get to see some of my batch from the mtc there. That is exciting. I also love getting to learn from President Hansen. He is an amazing man.
I sent you an email about calling home from Sister Hansen. I will either call or skype around 11 am our time on the 25th, Christmas. I think that is about 5pm your time Christmas Eve. Next week in your email could you tell me if you are able to do skype. If not a phone call will definitely do just fine.
For our zone conference we were assigned to read John from the Bible. I finished last night. That was an amazing experience for me. There were a few parts where the spirit was really strong and I could really feel the Saviors love for the people. But I think the biggest impact was when I was done and thinking back. I have gained such a love for the Savior by spending just that little bit of time studying his life. He really did love everyone, and He is such a good example of following the will of the Father. I have gained such a love for him and everything that has done for me.
I also read Elder Jeffery R. Holland’s talk last night on being grateful. He is such a humble man. I feel I have need as well to be more grateful. So thank you all for all you have done for me. Thank you Mom and Dad for being the greatest parents. I don't know any better than you two. I have also heard Diane, Katie, and Eric say the same thing. In the mouth of two witnesses right? Well we have four. You are the very best. The only ones who could possibly be better are Katie and Josh, your offspring, but they aren’t parents yet. So you are still in the number one spot. Thank you to you Katie and Josh, and you Diane and Dennis for your great examples. For being married in the temple and living righteously, for serving missions and being worthy. I love you all. Thank you Eric for being such a great younger brother, a great example, and one of the best friends I could ever have. Thanks to my leaders of youth. To Kevin Allen, Jeff Komar, Ben MacKay, Kathy Thurmond. Each of you have played a part in shaping me into the person I have become. Each of you showed me the way to Christ by your example and teachings. Thank you so much. Thank you Grandma Schenk and Grandma Hart for being strong in the church and raising my parents in righteousness.
I am so grateful for this Christmas season and the opportunity we have to look towards the Savior. I love Him so much. He has done so much for each of us. I love learning about Him in the scriptures, and someday look forward to being able to learn from Him in person, to have that pure knowledge poured into me. I love Him so much.
I got both of your Christmas packages this week! Thanks so much! I now have a 2 foot tall paper Christmas tree on my table. It is great! So thank you for that.
We have 4 investigators with a baptismal date, one just had some hard issues to work out though, so that might be postponed. They are:
Johnley
Felix - Is having some problems
Resly
Popoy
They could use as many prayers as we can give them. Satan is always working double time on those who are trying to change their lives for the better. So let’s give them all the help we can from Heaven.
Thanks for all your love and support and prayers for me. I am really grateful for all you have done for me.
Sending Christmas love and joy from the Philippines,
Elder Schenk
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
December 7, 2010
Family,
I have news this week! I am transferring on Friday to Carcar. It is in Talisay zone. My new companion is going to be Elder Falipe. So I will be spending Christmas down south. I don’t know exactly where it is. I haven’t been home since we found out in out zone activity this morning. Good news there too! We played Book of Mormon Jeopardy and my companion and I won! Sweet! Our prize was that we got to be the first to find out where we are transferring. We are both transferring actually. Sisters are going to be in this area. They were here once before, up until the beginning of this year.
Thanks for telling me about following the Prophet Dad. That is the same advice the mission President just sent me actually. I was talking about the new fundamentals of Preach My Gospel, the new teaching program for missionaries, and he told me that it is directly from the Prophet and that we need to make sure we follow it. It is amazing, but is hard to follow. There are so many parts that take time to adapt you to and make a habit, like asking inspired questions, and better following up on commitments. One of the new parts is to commit people to baptism on the first lesson. President Hansen says to commit them whether the spirit is there or not, simply because that is what the Prophet has told us to do. It works great. If people are just interested in listening and aren’t willing to change their life for the gospel, then we know in the first lesson and spend our time more effectively in other places. I hope soon I can fully apply all of the aspects. Some take so long to get good at. It is great to be learning all of these things. I love it!
We have one investigator with a baptismal date, his name is Rico Usabel. We have been teaching Leonardo, 16 years old, and his family, but haven’t been able to teach them lately because of scheduling conflicts.
We are also teaching Winda and her daughter.
We have many inactive members. These ones could also use your prayers.
Banzone Family
Brother Taoy
Sios-e Family
Ibanes Family
Juny Bentoy
Thank you so much for all of your prayers and mail missionary work or fulfilling your church callings or any kind of service you are doing. The Lord needs all He can to help bring in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ right now. Let’s all work hard for Him this Christmas season. Spread the greatest blessing we have and the richest gift we can give, the Love of Christ, His gospel, and the Book of Mormon which testifies of Him. If we do that, each of our Christmases will be filled with joy, peace and love. Dad, you said that the home is filled with a peaceful spirit right now. Imagine how much greater it could be if the gospel was being taught to your friends and family in your home. The Lord wants to bless us. We just have to do our part. Never under estimate the power of prayer. I had 12 different things I had been praying for answered on Sunday. The Lord really does hear our prayers and always answers our sincere ones, just sometimes in His time, not ours. Be patient. Blessings always come.
Love you all! Maayong Pasco! (Merry Christmas!),
Elder Schenk
I have news this week! I am transferring on Friday to Carcar. It is in Talisay zone. My new companion is going to be Elder Falipe. So I will be spending Christmas down south. I don’t know exactly where it is. I haven’t been home since we found out in out zone activity this morning. Good news there too! We played Book of Mormon Jeopardy and my companion and I won! Sweet! Our prize was that we got to be the first to find out where we are transferring. We are both transferring actually. Sisters are going to be in this area. They were here once before, up until the beginning of this year.
Thanks for telling me about following the Prophet Dad. That is the same advice the mission President just sent me actually. I was talking about the new fundamentals of Preach My Gospel, the new teaching program for missionaries, and he told me that it is directly from the Prophet and that we need to make sure we follow it. It is amazing, but is hard to follow. There are so many parts that take time to adapt you to and make a habit, like asking inspired questions, and better following up on commitments. One of the new parts is to commit people to baptism on the first lesson. President Hansen says to commit them whether the spirit is there or not, simply because that is what the Prophet has told us to do. It works great. If people are just interested in listening and aren’t willing to change their life for the gospel, then we know in the first lesson and spend our time more effectively in other places. I hope soon I can fully apply all of the aspects. Some take so long to get good at. It is great to be learning all of these things. I love it!
We have one investigator with a baptismal date, his name is Rico Usabel. We have been teaching Leonardo, 16 years old, and his family, but haven’t been able to teach them lately because of scheduling conflicts.
We are also teaching Winda and her daughter.
We have many inactive members. These ones could also use your prayers.
Banzone Family
Brother Taoy
Sios-e Family
Ibanes Family
Juny Bentoy
Thank you so much for all of your prayers and mail missionary work or fulfilling your church callings or any kind of service you are doing. The Lord needs all He can to help bring in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ right now. Let’s all work hard for Him this Christmas season. Spread the greatest blessing we have and the richest gift we can give, the Love of Christ, His gospel, and the Book of Mormon which testifies of Him. If we do that, each of our Christmases will be filled with joy, peace and love. Dad, you said that the home is filled with a peaceful spirit right now. Imagine how much greater it could be if the gospel was being taught to your friends and family in your home. The Lord wants to bless us. We just have to do our part. Never under estimate the power of prayer. I had 12 different things I had been praying for answered on Sunday. The Lord really does hear our prayers and always answers our sincere ones, just sometimes in His time, not ours. Be patient. Blessings always come.
Love you all! Maayong Pasco! (Merry Christmas!),
Elder Schenk
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