WEEK 4 Email

What is up family!!!

I am having such a great time here at the MTC learning and growing exponentially every day. It is just so awesome thinking that just about a month ago i had no idea what Cebuano sounded like and now i am teaching 40 minute lessons in just Cebuano. that is the spirit right there. i am so happy because i get to see my homie Elder Carpenter all the time when we have devotionals and i run into him at the bookstore from time to time. He is just great in speaking his Spanish and it is awesome seeing him and i go through this awesome experience. This morning my companion Elder Laxton had a dentist appointment, and we shuttled there with two other companionships of elders. Through talking I found out that one of the elders was from star valley and was on Elder McDonell's soccer team!!! it was so crazy and special to tell this Elder about Ian and his mission. I am grateful for Ian's example in my life, and this morning, my testimony was strengthened exponentially of examples.

Well General Conference was amazing this weekend, and it was crazy how much they talked about missionary work, and how there is a need for many more missionaries. I support the General Authorities, and I am so grateful to be fulfilling a wenderful thing in which my father in heaven will be so pleased. Elder Laxton and I have a method of teaching that really works, and in just this past week of being his companion i have learned heaps from him. We taught about Jesus Christ and his life/atonement yesterday using pictures, and it just went so well. I was asked such a difficult question during the lesson by our investigator(teacher) which was, "So you say Jesus suffered for all of our sins... how do you know that. i don't believe that he suffered for my sins..." At this point i was freaking out on the inside like ummm what do i say. I said a prayer in my heart that the spirit would guide my words, and through the spirit (and in Cebuano) i told him that i was not there that night in the garden to see Christ suffer for my sins, but i know in my heart that he did this for you and for me. The room went quiet for a bit, and i knew the spirit was working in this man's heart. (even though he is not a real investigator, the spirit will still do its part while we are training here at the MTC, and maybe even strengthen this specific individual.) we then challenged him to read the book of Mormon, and promised him of the blessings that will come of it. With Elder Laxton, we have started to read the book of Mormon and basahon ni mormon side by side in order to learn more Cebuano. i know this is helping so much, and through our efforts we will be blessed with sa gasa sa pinalongan (the gift of tongues). Doing this has helped us learn more vocabulary, and also speak with a better Filipino accent.

I just want to say thanks for all of the love and support i have received, and for the many prayers. I feel like I am part of the army of Helaman serving my god and bringing others unto Christ. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY. i know i am where the lord wants me to be at this time in my life and I have been promised blessings if i put forth all of my efforts. I would exhort my younger brothers and all family and friends to remember what Elder Holland said and remember that "In this family, we serve missions." well i am just so happy and tired and am feeling all of the emotions of being a missionary. I miss and love you all, and will see you soon! Kini mao ang akong kinabuhi. Ang kinabuhi sa usa misyonaryo.

much love, Elder DeSchepper