Elder Brycan Cole "The Philippines Naga Mission 7/2013-7/2015"

Experiences of Elder Cole in the Philippines from July 2013 to July 2015.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Dear Mom, Dad, and Cole Family,

The Lord has really shown me this week that He is preparing the hearts of His children to hear the gospel.  This past little bit the missionary counsel has been pushing us to OYM (Open Your Mouth) and have added a new key indicator in our reporting.  They have set the goal for 50 OYM's every week per companionship which is pretty gosh darn high for most people.  No we weren't able to reach the goal but we have had some great experiences.  On Tuesday I went on exchanges with Elder Christensen in their area (who is from Utah) and at the beginning of our day we got punted from most of our appointments which of course means...tracting/OYM'ing.  But me being me got this great idea to just ask people if they knew a specific person because Filipinos are always willing to help/talk to you if you have a question.  So we decided to start ask people if they knew where Chris Tucker lived.  I would just like to say that we got a lot of funny reactions of people trying to find out where "Chris Tucker" lived.  But this one time we met a guy named Elmer who invited us in after his frantic search of trying to find our good friend Mr. Tucker.  We talked to him and shared our purpose as missionaries.  Later on we met his mom who was about 87 but was still walking without a cane or any help.  We were able to teach Elmers mom who was super nice and open but she almost spoke pure Bicol which isn't my strongest point.  I got some of what she was saying so the lesson was still super great.  She has 12 kids but 3 of them have passed away along with her husband so she is really interested in learning about Eternal Families.

Well might I say that there are a bunch of Less-Actives in our area so most of our appointments are for Less Actives and new members.  But our investigator pool is still steadily increasing.  We met two kids by the name of Rian(11) and Mark Dave (9), and they are probably some of the politest and smartest kids that I have ever met in my whole life.  Seriously.  When we taught them they just listened and answered every question.  Their mom was an investigator when she was young but she doesn't have an interest at the moment in taking the lessons but she is all for having her kids take the missionary lessons if that's what they want to do.  Reynan (Hay-Hey) is still golden.  He's always excited to see us and always is willing to help us out.  I don't think that I've met a more prepared person my whole mission.  I really hope that his baptism will continue on February 7th!!!

This past week we also had the opportunity to have interviews with President Reeder which was great.  I have been so blessed to have him as a Mission President.  During our district meeting while we were waiting to be interviewed the zone leaders had us read and discuss a talk about being a consecrated missionary (I'm sorry I don't remember who gave the talk).  But he said that being a consecrated missionary means that we need be willing to give everything to the Lord.  Our thoughts, our desires, our energy, and most of all our time.  He even mentions that he keeps his heart locked and forgets about his girlfriend (not that I have to worry about that one).  Being a consecrated missionary also means that we need to change our nature.  We need to follow the commandments not because we know that it's expected of us; but because we really want to.  We need to work hard not because we want a lot of lessons to look good; but because we truly love our brethren.  I don't think that I can call myself a consecrated missionary but I know that if we all try to consecrate ourselves to the Lord that we will recieve blessings beyond what we can imagine.  

Mahal na mahal ko po kayo!!! May God be with you till we meet again.

                                                    -Elder Cole
Posted by Elder Brycan Cole at 3:37 PM
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