Another Week In Paradise- Take 3 February 26, 2018

Not too crazy of a week this week. We have just been working hard trying to help our branch here in Balaoan. Our area is a pretty good size and we don't have bikes so hastening the work has a little bit of a different meaning here... haha We are working hard but when it takes three hours (round trip) to teach one lesson the hastening part doesn't exactly match the working part... But I love this work! The other day we got stopped by some little girls who were singing on a karaoke machine. They said it was one of their birthdays and she wanted us to come to her birthday party haha We were going to a lesson so we had to take a rain check... but I did do a little magic trick for her and that was really fun! They liked it so that made me happy :) kids are just the purest source of joy :) 

Another cool story from this week, we were in a lesson with a fairly recent investigator and we were teaching Ang plano ng Kaligtasan. (The Plan of Salvation) When we got to the portion of the spirit world our investigator asked what happens there. I told her it was a place where we learn and wait for the second coming of the savior or when the resurrection takes place for us too. As I taught that I had the most comforting feeling about my great grandma who has recently passed away. As I taught that principle I found such peace in knowing exactly where my grandma is. That principle took on a whole new beautiful meaning in my life. The Plan of Salvation, also known as The Plan of Happiness, is the plan that God created for all of us to make it back to his presence one day. I know this plan is very real and the joy that comes from it is eternal! 

Love you all and wish you the best! Take care, be happy, and trust in the Savior! 

Love, Elder Payne

P.s. Here are some pictures, hope you like them :) 

Elder Rasband Came to Town!- February 19, 2018

This week was full of great meetings and seeing wonderful people! To start out the week President  Bangal came to district meeting to interview everyone in the zone. President and Sister Bangal are just the best. It is always so fun to get to see them! Then we had a special conference as a mission with Elder Rasband! Not only was it great that he came it meant the ENTIRE mission came up to listen to him. That meant I got to see all my past companions and friends in the mission! We also took a cheesy "family generation" picture with My trainer, my trainee, and I. That was actually really satisfying haha. Then I got to say goodbye to Elder T. He's is pretty far away from me in the mission and he goes home to Kiribati in about 2 months so that might be the last time I get to see him. I'm really glad I was able to say goodbye to him. We had a really fun companionship back in Tubao! 

And of course Elder Rasband's talk was amazing! Super powerful. He spoke about his talk "By Divine Design" and we learned a ton! He also gave us his eye witness account of when the quorum of the twelve met together in the temple to reorganize the first presidency. It was such a powerful and genuine witness of the divinity of Christ's church here on earth. It was amazing to hear his account in person of such a historic event in history. So we heard him speak to us as a mission and then we had a stake conference so I got to hear him twice! In his stake conference address he emphasized the importance of Families. I absolutely loved his talk. I have been so blessed with a family who has based our home off of the principles of the gospel. My parents have set such a great example for me for when one day I have a family of my own. I can't wait to hold family home evening, family scripture study, family prayer, just everything. It'll be so fun :) One thing I'll never forget that he said is never forget to say "I Love you, Thank You, and I'm sorry" What a great  talk he gave! 

Anyways, besides my constant war with mosquitoes, massive spiders (which think its fun to crawl on me in the shower) lizards, and rats.... I love my mission, I love the Philippines, and I love this people. but above all I love my Savior Jesus Christ. LOVE YOU ALL

Take care this week and stay safe and be happy! 

Love,

Elder Payne 

Walang Oras!- February 12, 2018

Sorry Friends, this one is going to have to be short! This week was a hard but great one! That's the life of a missionary! haha Elder P. was sick one day so I decided to make a rendition of the Disney castle out of my change I'm saving... haha I had to post a Philippines Baguio mission on the top ;) Also caught a bird in before sacrament meeting so that was fun! Take care this week! and Happy Valentines day to ALL! Much Love :)

-Elder Payne 

"Insert A Really Cool Title Here" - February 5, 2018

So I've met my trainee and within 3 days I have decided training is the best calling to have as a missionary! It is so fun! I picked up my trainee in San Fernando last Wednesday and we have hit the ground running here in Balaoan! His name is Elder P. and he is from Pennsylvania. Super cool Elder. He works hard and tries his best with the language. He is way more brave than I was in my first week in the field! 

Cool story, we were finding and got into a lesson with a lady whos door we "tao po'd" (cause you don't knock on doors, you just scream "Tao Po" which means "People") anyways, I taught the lesson and then as I was about to finish I remembered Elder P. told me he spent his SUPER long flight over to the Philippines memorizing the baptismal invitation in Tagalog. I leaned over to him and told him to invite her to be baptized. He extended the invitation and she accepted! We are going to work hard with her and try our best to help her reach ang tubig ng binyag (the waters of baptism)! I'm so proud of my trainee! It's way fun for me to see his amazement and curiosity with all the new things here in the Philippines! That was me only 6 months ago! This country is amazing! Being a missionary is the best :)

Love you all as always, and hope you are all happy in all your endeavors ;) If not, I know that the Savior and his gospel will most definitely help! 

-Elder Payne

P.s. Sorry if you have sent letters and I haven't said anything. The mail system isn't the best and I don't really get letters out here... But I would love if you all kept trying :) I have faith they will come one day ;)