This week was another week I will remember for a very long time. Haha that has started to become a habit in my weekly emails. But really we had one of the coolest lessons I have ever been apart of...
So my companion Elder Pajarin was actually born about an hour away from where we are serving right now. He moved back and forth from here and Davao multiple times throughout his life. But he submitted his mission papers when he was in Davao (southern part of the Philippines). A few months ago his family moved back into our mission. Elder Pajarin told the missionaries in that zone to go and try to teach his family because only his little sister is a member. His little brother has had problems with the word of wisdom for years, but has recently overcome smoking and will be baptized this August. So last Friday while we were at MLC, Elder Pajarin asked our mission president if he could be the one that baptizes his 18 year old brother. President told him that he could definitely go and baptize his brother, but then he kept talking "Actually Elder Pajarin, I don't see any reasons why you shouldn't go teach him!" President wanted us to be the ones that teaches his family so that we can help his parents get interested in the church as well! So yesterday we rode up to Baliwag to surprise his family!
It was so fun to get to meet them and learn more about Elder Pajarin's life. I think it has brought us closer as a companionship. We taught them about temples and eternal families. What an amazing topic. I told them about a quote I love, "Missionaries leave their families for a short amount of time to help other families be together forever." It was awesome that Heavenly Father answered Elder Pajarin's prayers to help his family get sealed. If there is ANYONE that can convince them that the church is true, it is him. That was the first time his Dad has ever listened to missionaries. It was awesome to testify to them about the blessings of having my family sealed together in the temple. Honestly, I have always been a little jealous of my companions that are converts. It is really powerful to be able to say they had their prayers answered before they were a member. But, this moment was perfect for me. I pondered on the drive over there what blessings I have really received from my family being sealed in the temple. I gave one of my most heart felt testimonies I have ever had in a lesson. It was really cool. Elder Pajarin said that was the first lesson he has ever been nervous for in his entire mission, and it was also the first time he has cried while bearing testimony. Wow, it really was such a powerful lesson! His brother gave the closing prayer without asking any questions. Elder Pajarin said that was the first time he has ever heard his brother pray in his life:):)
This week we had 8 investigators at church. Luigi and John Paul are both getting closer to their baptism:) I love seeing people change their lives around as they understand the importance of the gospel.
Well, I gotta go buy myself some mangos and bananas😎 Talk to your guys next week!
-Elder Reber
 |
| Rainy season |
Off they go to a very memorable lesson:)
 |
| The very best missionaries to teach this family for sure!! |
 |
| The most memorable lesson :) |
 |
| Pday Activity |
 |
| So fun to see him with all of the cute kids! |
No comments:
Post a Comment