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Kindness and Perseverance

Hello :)

We just had transfer day so a lot of old missionaries got to go home and we got a lot of new missionaries.  Transfer day is always hectic for the office Elders. But we still got out to work which was great (working outside is always better than working inside). Yesterday we got out earlier then normal (4 PM) and got to go to an area that was further away. We taught brother Jack who is the only American who we see. He has been going through a lot lately and just recently came out of a low point in his life. We always come back to his house every once in a while but its hard to catch him sober or away. Anyway, yesterday he was home and he invited us in and we had a great talk about life and faith and how important sincere action is. The whole lesson we had to translate into tagalog for the young filipinos who were with us. It was a great discussion and he actually asked for an assignment and for us to come back!  Later last night I thought about how many times we went to his house and how many times the trips there seemed almost wasted.  Perseverance is powerful when coupled with love.

I've been reading the bible and im in 2nd Samuel now. I heard David's story and Saul's story but I never read it all the way through before. Its really cool and there is a lot to be learned but my favorite part was probably the love that Jonathan (Saul's son) had for David and his kindness towards him. I also really loved how David spared Saul twice even though the Lord delivered Saul into his hands. He still recognized Saul as the Lord's anointed though Saul was trying to kill David. I hope that I can develop that kindness too :)

Love,

Elder Taylor-Jenson

There is a destiny that makes us brothers, No one goes his way alone; All that we send into the lives of others, Comes back into our own.  - Edwin Markham

Hey-O

Hey-O

This week we got to teach sister Jeralyn so that was great!  She usually loves our visits. It was raining like crazy though haha. We stepped outside and were instantly drenched.  I just keep my books in a plastic bag and let everything else get wet, i have given up on trying to keep dry.  Anyway, we went to Jeralyn's house and taught her and her house was almost flooded, she said usually the whole house gets a couple inches of water because they are at the bottom of a hill.  But we had a great lesson despite the rain. We talked about faith and repentance and how they are very important in life, not just as a one-time step but as daily help in our lives.  She really seems to understand, thats what I like about visiting her. Though there are a lot of people we talk to, the most memorable and worth while experiences are with the people who really want to know about what we teach and who really apply it. It is really humbling and makes me want to apply the gospel better in my life. It has really been a blessing to be out here. 

While it was great to meet with Jeralyn it was also a little tough to go out this week because people weren't home or were busy. We also had a lot of office work and there were a few problems this week. Everyone seems to notice when we make a mistake but when things are going smoothly no one says anything. But its okay, this scripture gives me courage:

5 If thou art called to pass through tribulation; if thou art in perils among false brethren; if thou art in perils among robbers; if thou art in perils by land or by sea;

6 If thou art accused with all manner of false accusations; if thine enemies fall upon thee; if they tear thee from the society of thy father and mother and brethren and sisters; and if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear thee from the bosom of thy wife, and of thine offspring, and thine elder son, although but six years of age, shall cling to thy garments, and shall say, My father, my father, why can’t you stay with us? O, my father, what are the men going to do with you? and if then he shall be thrust from thee by the sword, and thou be dragged to prison, and thine enemies prowl around thee like wolves for the blood of the lamb;

7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

-D&C 122:5-7

God loves us, every one and we are not alone, no matter what we think during this test of life. 

-Elder Taylor-Jenson

Life is good :)

Attached are some kids we saw on the road, they were super nice and say hi to us all the time. and there are also some pictures of the rain, it flooded Jeralyn's yard.  

"The Purpose of Life"

This week I listened to a great talk called "The Purpose of Life" by e. Franklin Richards. I have been listening to a lot of talks from the 70's.  In his talk he says that struggles can become stepping stones if we do not get discouraged and I strongly believe that. Lately being in the office has been a little trying for me. I don't really like sitting at the computer all day, but I know that this job has to get done and I guess right now its my turn to do it. I also listened to another talk where Packer talked about the gospel being a piano. With the fullness of the gospel there are many keys. For example one key may be faith which is very important. Another may be baptism, also very important, or tithing. As a child of God I have to learn to play each key at the right time in my life. 

I know that sometimes things get hard but if we remember who we are and why we are here, I am sure we can persevere :)  How can we fail with God on our side?

-Keanan

The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. 

-Proverbs 20:7

Courage

This week was super busy. We had a lot of office work, but its all going well :)

This week I studied in Deuteronomy chapters 20-24. Moses talks a lot about what the people should and shouldn't do and it is really important because it's kinda the last time Moses speaks before he dies. One thing I thought was cool was when he talked about them going to battle, he said even though the enemy might be strong and there may be many of them, they should not be afraid. And if there are any among them that are fearful, they should go home because they would only make their brethren more fearful.  That is true in our lives too, we should face problems head on and trust that we will make it through. :)

Every time we taught this week it rained a lot, which was awesome because it was windy and pouring rain and there was lightning! Our companions saw a transformer explode in front of them and fire balls shot out.  I love the weather the most though because its cooler when it rains. Otherwise its way to hot.

Anyways, hope you have a great week :) 

 

Elder TJ

 

"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city"

- Proverbs 16:32

Righteous Living

I was reading in Proverbs this morning and I really liked this scripture:

 

Proverbs 12:28 "In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death."

 

Its true and I know it's true because as I've been out here I notice.  People who are living the gospel are happier. Maybe its something about eternal progression or maybe its about loving the people around you. I don't know, but living the gospel and really changing for the better really makes people happy and to me that is true life.

 

-Elder TJ

Life is good

Attached is our trip to Magat Dam with one of our members and our boat ride there and my friend Tyron and my two friend Sister Aguanta and Elder Atwood

Sacrifice

Hello again!

Today we had a half day mission, which is where the members help us out.  We went and talked to some people who hadn't been able to get to church and told them how much we missed them.  It was amazing to see how many people came and how much the people loved to work with us.  Some of them even had to sacrifice time and money to be there and drive us places, but they were happy to do so.  I love it here so much!

I have been reading in the bible in addition to my other studies because I haven't ever read it all the way through. As I was reading Leviticus I noticed all the sacrifice they do and how specific they have to be. They have to kill the animal the right way or prepare the food the right way and burn certain parts and do things with other parts and put blood certain places.  I wondered how that could be relevant to us, seeing as we don't sacrifice animals anymore.  And this is what I came up with.  We still have sacrifices in our time, though they aren't animals.  We live in a world where everything is very attainable and easy. God asks for different things from us. He asks for us to give up our sins, to sacrifice our desires and wants to him in order to bind ourselves to him in covenant.  And the covenants we make are every bit as intricate as sacrifices of old. I also thought about how God doesn't need their animals and how hard it must have been for them to give entire bulls to God, though he doesn't need them. But the sacrifices aren't for God.  They are for us. As we give away our sins and covenant with God, we get closer to him.

I hope you all have another great week and I feel your love and support.

Elder Taylor-Jenson

Life is good.

Finance

Hey!

So the past couple months have been crazy and I've been busy.  I got into a new area and my new job is in Finance.  So i am now the finance elder in my mission and its a little stressful haha. The past couple weeks I have been in training taking care of rent and support for the missionaries.  We don't really work as much though so I miss that. 

But this week i read in numbers 11:11-15 and it was really inspiring even though its kinda sad.  So this is where we see Moses kinda break down.  He is a super faithful man and he has done everything the Lord asked until this point.  And here he breaks and we see how hard this all is for him.  He feels like he would rather be dead and he hates how the people complain, he feels like he is their mother.  And after that we see the Lord provides a way for him.  He gives him instructions to help Moses out.  And I think that's how life is for me sometimes, sometimes its hard and I've learned to just do it or put up with it.  But maybe if I took my problems to God more often, He would help me more quickly. 

I miss you all and hope you are doing well!

Elder Taylor-Jenson

Life is Good

Baptism and Transfer Day

28 March 2016

Whew a lot went down this week.  First we taught a lot, which was amazing.  I am talking more in lessons and I'm really comfortable with the language, I can joke with people and they actually understand my jokes! (I love the PI, here I'm actually funny!  That or they just laugh at my accent...)  I find it easier to speak from the heart about how the gospel has changed my life.  Elfie, our investigator, got baptized last Saturday too!  It was awesome, we also had two other baptisms along with his, Emerald and Hanisa.  I got called to speak last minute which went well even though I wasn't expecting it.

We also got a new bunk bed frame this week so our room is actually a room instead of two beds side by side!  This week is the end of my two cycle training (a cycle is about 6 weeks) which means I'll get a new companion!  4 of us elders live in Cabbaroguis and the other two are new, we all thought my companion would be transferred to a new area because he is the oldest here.  But today we found out that I'm actually going to be transferred and one of the other guys who got here at the same time as me!  Its unusual because I just got done with training but I am super excited!  But I wont be able to use the new bed frame come Wednesday...  oh well, I'm super stoked!   

We also had this awesome Pinoy traditional dinner where we just eat off a banana leaf... it was so cool.

Anyway, I love you all, thanks for the support!

Elder TJ

Life is good

A Fresh Start and Astig Falls

21 March 2016

This morning we went to the falls in Bagiou Village!  It was a blast, I love it here!  I also got to eat a pig's eye this week (poor pig) and pump water for the first time.  Buko juice (as usual) was freshly cut yesterday at our dear member's house (the Deranchang family).  But in the midst of all the astig (cool) things we got done, we did work too!

This week I prayed a lot for Elpie, our 15 year old investigator who really wants to join to church and for Amie (as you can tell those are our most progressing investigators).  Elpie had his baptismal interview this week which went smoothly!  I was a little worried when we went to have his guardian sign the consent form but it went well (my companion is super good with people so props to him!).  Elpie will get baptized next Saturday if everything goes well!  He is so excited to get his fresh start, when we explain baptism we tell them about how strong the spirit is at the baptism and about how they become new, all their sins are washed away.  He is super excited for that.  And Amie started to actually take notes during our lesson, which I thought was awesome because she sometimes doesn't seam like she wants to pay attention.  But we didn't ask her to take notes, she just did, which made us super excited!  

Personally I've been working on a lot too, mostly being as obedient to the mission rules as possible and becoming as self-less as possible.  I started doing the dishes more (which I hate doing) and looking outside myself more which so far is going well!  

Thanks for all the support, I love you guys a ton.

Elder Taylor-Jenson

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.  So watch your step."

Spiders and doing what is right...

14 March 2016

This week was a blast, we went on a hike up this hill and cut down some small trees to help this guy build an extension to his house!  Then when we were done we went to this grandmas house and I climbed a 30 foot tree (I mean it was 10 feet mom...) to get the buko (coconuts) down.  That is my favorite thing here, being able to cut open a fresh buko and have some fresh buko juice.  We also caught some little spiders  on our walks home.  I use to be a little scared of spiders to be honest but here even the kids play with them.  And this morning of course I owned up some basketball with the little Filipinos!  They make me laugh so much, I don't think i can play basketball without speaking Tagalog! 

As for spiritually, I relearned a lesson this week that my dad taught me!  (I'm half a world away and my dad is still taking me to class...)  Ever since I was little my dad has taught me "don't sweat the small stuff" and that is so true.  There is an infinitely vast plan set out for us.  Every experience we have gives us an opportunity to learn and be better and work to perfect ourselves as people.  I was in this van on the way to stake conference this weekend and we drove past a church with a cross.  I thought about why our church doesn't have a cross as its symbol.  Our symbol is "the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints" with the name of Jesus in big letters.  I think the reason for that is because this plan for our whole lives, this gospel and this church is all centered on Christ.  Thats why our symbol is his name.  And as I thought about it I realized how much the gospel has changed me a lot.  How I wouldn't be me if I wasn't a "mormon".  To me it is the Gospel of Jesus Christ for Keanan Taylor-Jenson.  It is personally and directly related to me and who I am.  So maybe that is why it is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  

I miss you guys so much, again I thank you for your time and support. You have all touched me at some point in my life.  

Your Average American in the Philippines,

Elder Taylor-Jenson

"feel the fear and do it anyway"

Progressing Investigators

6 March 2016

Sorry  I missed last week!  I had no time but heres what happened.  We taught a bunch of lessons and contacted a lot and went on splits which was fun!  I got to go to this other area called Zamora and we had a good time, i liked my companions teaching style.  I love the language so much, I can really use it well now!  Its like in the movie "best two years" when Elder Calhoun finally can speak the language.  Anyways we also had some fun!  We went to the Bukid which is like the jungle where the rice farmers farm and we went there for Edsa which is a holiday about the sacrifice world war two soldiers made.  There I got to ride a caribou!  That is my single favorite thing here in the Philippines.  I also got to climb a coconut tree and fish a little, we had a blast!

This week we went to this sick waterfall place this morning, its just called Madella falls, it was so gorgeous.  I had one of those, "where even am I right now" moments!  I get those daily where I notice "wow Im in the Philippines." And life is just good!  Im still enjoying the life here, don't worry I'm alive haha.  Just trying to stay fit, the people here feed me so much, its so nice!  Sometimes we ask to have some buko juice (coconut juice) and they'll just pick some for us!  Its so awesome. 

We've also been teaching Amy and Artemio.  Artemio is awesome, he is only 15 and he really wants to get baptized even though no one in his family is a member.  I love teaching him because he has really good questions and really wants to know the truth!  I love sharing something so near and dear to me, most of the time we get denied but when we teach interested people its way worth all the let downs.   

Whew ok so spiritual thought of the week... we visit a lot of less actives because here people get baptized a lot and then kinda let their fire sputter out.  So this week I shared Helaman 5:12 which is very well known and often used but very true too.  It talks about how if we build our lives on the foundation of Christ we cannot fail, no matter what!

As usual, thanks for the support!

Elder Taylor-Jenson

Philippines Proverb, "Emulate the rice stalk, the more grains it has the lower it bows."

Riding a caribou!

Filipino Fun

21 Feb 2016

This week was a little difficult, we didn't get to much done because my companion was sick for some of the week...  so throughout this week I found myself looking for motivation, why am I really here?  Of course the gospel is awesome but why?  We finally got out of the house one day and our investigator wasn't there but we decided to keep walking around rather than go home.  So we walked and saw a less active driving home and decided to go talk to him, we talked about the importance of church and the sacrament and he asked us if he could be re baptized which was a weird request but we explained the repentance process to him.  He told us he loved the feeling of being clean.  And looking back I think that is why I'm here.  Because I have felt the gospel help me feel clean and I love it!  It's a good feeling having nothing looming over you, no guilt holding you down.  So that's my motivation, I need to be out there as much as possible, being as obedient as possible so that the Lord can work through me as much as possible.

So besides the ok hair cut I got today, this week was great!  We've been walking a lot to save money and contact which has been fun.  I finally got over my fear of talking to people!  I use to get scared that I wouldn't understand them but its not to bad anymore.  We had a lot of dinner appointments too so that was nice!  The members love having us over here for dinner and family home evening.  After we eat we usually share a message and the one I had prepared this week was about humility!  Something I've been working on is remembering that the Lord gave us everything we have.  I would be a very different person if it weren't for his atonement and sometimes I need to remember that I owe it all to him.  I think a lot about who I want to be too and humble is one of those traits that I want to develop.

The language barrier can get weird between me and my companion sometimes.  In Tagalog when you ask a question you just say the statement that you are trying to ask and add "ba" so for example, "Are you going to the store?" would be (in English) "You are going to the store" and you would throw "ba" in there.  So when he talks to me in English sometimes its very straight forward and comes off rude.  So not taking offense is one flaw I have been working on.

As usual, I love your support.  Thanks for your open ears and hearts.  Until next week. Again I miss you all so much, thank you for your support,

I love you all! Elder Taylor-Jenson

"He who takes offense when none is intended is a fool. He who takes offense when offense is intended is a greater fool." - Brigham Young

   

   

The Beautiful Philippines!

14 Feb 2016

This week I'm great!  Chillin as usual, in the gorgeous Philippines!  Today we went to the grocery store and there was a rat runnin around, your typical Philippines scene. We also were in this little store with like second hand clothes and I saw a bunch of American brands like Old Navy and Izod and Banana Republic and Tommy Bahama... I have no idea how they get those out here.   Ummm this week we taught Amy, she's chill.  She's 20 and her husband is a member and she seems to like the material we taught her, she's gunna be baptized soon so that's fun! Life was easy this week, we got this challenge to read the whole Book of Mormon in a month so I'm working on that in addition to my usual study and I'm going to read through it with the question "what lack I yet" in mind so I can better myself with what I learn.  I just read in Mosiah about a ton of battles that happened and thats pretty fun.  And in church we read about Howard W. Hunter and he was really into kindness. He says that true greatness comes from consistently giving little acts of kindness which is something I will be trying to work on.

I also finally finished my first cycle (6 week period) and you can potentially get transferred each cycle.  Anyway, I have like 12 more to go or something... yaaaaaaaay!  Haha people say it goes by fast but I kinda hope it doesn't, its so pretty here!  Plus the food is awesome, I found out today I love Bikol Express which is a little spicy but I guess my taste buds are changing!

Oh and I got a package from my family!  

Til next week,

Elder Taylor-Jenson