Quick week/language...and BIG NEWS

This week went by so quick!! It is already Friday again and I can't believe it. It might be because our district has countdowns in our rooms for Sunday's, Tuesdays, and P-Days!! So every day is another countdown to the next change of pace. We have a Sunday countdown because those days are super spiritual and just amazing along with Tuesday's where we have a Big Devotional. Then….well P-Days are THE BEST!! TEMPLE, FAMILY, STUDY, it is really a needed day to reset for the week.

So Monday we had an Amazing TRC where we taught two people completely in Tagalog using word and phrases that we know. Our second "person being taught" (we aren't supposed to say investigator anymore) was the sister that we had dinner with that lives across from Grams and Pop!! She took a picture of me and my kasama and said she would send it or show it to Grams when she had the chance. I would have loved a picture but I didn't bring my camera with me.

Tuesday was our big devotional, and guess what?!? Elder D Todd Christofferson came and spoke to us. It was amazing! He talked about the resent news the President Russel M. Nelson shared about the proper name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was really cool how he broke it down and shared the importance of it all. If you have any questions you can go on to LDS.org and there is a post about it. I recommend you go and look at it.

The rest of the week was really repetitive and became a little slower. Wednesday dragged on and on but I just focused on studying and learning the language more and it got better.

The Spanish Elders…..So this week things died down because they had been reported on several times by other districts as well, and I think they leave today and some on Monday, so things will be alright.

Spiritual though for me this week, is the Lord knows all things. He knows your trials, your wants, and your needs. He will answer your prayers!! When He does answer them, you can know the Lord’s will, and if you put your faith in him, He will help you!!

SO HERE IS THE BIG NEWS THAT WE JUST RECEIVED!!!!!

FLIGHT PLANS!!!

WE LEAVE SEPTEMBER 3RD TO TRAVEL TO THE MANILA MTC WHERE WE WILL STAY FOR TWO WEEKS INSTEAD OF ONE!!  I am so excited!!!!  We leave Salt Lake, head to LAX and then straight over to Manila.  It's going to be a long flight, but I'm excited to get out in the field.

I love you all, keep writing to me, I love it!!

Love
Elder James Dunyon

Adventure to the Hospital!!!

This week has been full of ups and downs spiritually, along with crazy moments and fun stories which I will get into throughout my email.

Sunday, during Priesthood, we were talking about charity and love and giving service to others when I received a warm comforting feeling from the Holy Ghost about family, and giving love to others. It was such a cool experience and one I never hope to forget.

The rest of the week was normal studying and classes. I have never studied the scriptures this much, and diligently before, and it up lifts my day any time I read! Monday, we had a TRC, which is essentially teaching a member something they need to hear based off of their real-life situations. We had to do it in as much Tagalog as possible and it went so well that we connected with the members!! It got me really excited for missionary work. My Tagalog was better than I thought it was, and that was super exciting as well.

Come Tuesday night, remember what I told you about those Spanish speaking Elders on our floor. Well it is basically an all-out war between the Filipino groups and Spanish groups. I just wanted to study and go to bed when at 1:00 in the morning I am woken up to go to some "peace treaty" between everyone. Well, it was stupid and the Spanish Elders broke the treaty the next day by taking the study chairs around the halls nd ponder spaces, and moved them into their rooms. That was enough and my district leader got the branch Presidencies involved, and finally things have toned down. I will keep you updated with any future experiences.

Now to the title of the email:

First off, all is alright. Elder Holingshead (my companion) got a sty in his eye Wednesday morning, and it got worse overnight and into Thursday. So, we went to the MTC clinic, and thanks to our luck, they were closed for the day. So, we went to the front desk where they called us a shuttle to the instant care to have it taken care of. Just for your information, a sty (as I found out) is essentially and pimple underneath the eyelid. It hurts and you need to do things to pop it. So, our trip there was fun seeing the outside world again. And people either loved us and honked at the Elders, or hated us and turned the other way as soon as they saw us. It was interesting to see it all unfold. But the whole trip took about two hours and my kasama is ok and his eye is getting better.

Wednesday, we had to teach a surprise lesson in Tagalog, which we were not ready for it because we didn't have time to study, and similar on Thursday, because of our hospital adventure, our planned time to study was out the window and we didn't have time again. I think I wasn't in tune with the spirit, so those two days were rough, but I am doing a lot better now. Pray to our father in heaven when you need assistance and he will provide you in all things. I know that, but I did struggle a bit with it at the end of the week. I am doing a lot better and look forward to another week.

Love
Elder James Dunyon

Week 2, The Language!!

Kamusta! Magandang Umaga! Kamusta po kayo? (Hello! Good morning! How Are you?)

So this week has been an ... interesting... week

The weekend of Saturday and Sunday were probably the hardest part of the week. I struggled and had a hard time.  I didn't think I should be out in the mission.  Why would I go to the Philippines and not somewhere else?  What difference could I make?  Why send me somewhere where the language is SOOOOO hard? But, I wasn't the only one struggling.  My companion was even worse than me.

Come Sunday, my kasama (companion) asked for a blessing, because that was just how bad he was doing.  So I gave my first EVER Blessing!! Even though we were both not feeling the greatest, that experience both made us feel a little bit better because we could both feel the spirit.
Sunday lessons were not the greatest because the elders from another district were teaching something weird, like, border line false doctrine, with the executive secretary from the MTC Presidency (Brother Swenson) in the room with us. He stopped the Elders half way and exclaimed,

"BACK THE TRUCK UP AND GO BACK TO THE LESSON!!"

This was probably the funniest thing ever, which gave the rest of us a pick me up laugh! Brother Swenson reminds me of Elder Holland of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, so I think he is amazing!

Then we get to the Sunday night devotional.  Jenny Oaks Baker came to perform and talk. Her playing the Violin was wonderful!!  Afterward my Kasama and I saw a movie from Elder Bednard's talk on "The Character of Christ”, which is a show that is only available in the MTC. It was just what I needed and an answer to my fast. It talks about how no matter what terrible situations you may be in.  If you turn outward and focus on the needs of others versus turning inward, it draws you closer to Jesus Christ and His attributes. I LOVED IT!!  Throughout my day I received answers to my prayers through reading the scriptures and praying. It really strengthened my testimony of the power of the scriptures and how to follow the feelings of the holy ghost.

Then throughout the week there were on again off again days of how I was feeling but I'm doing a lot better now through prayer and study. It was more of an adjustment period.

The language has been a challenge…trying to learn, memorize, study and also teach. But we had a teach back last night that went well, and pulled some new things from that which get me excited but still nervous for our 20 TRC on Monday. I will tell you how it goes!!

The only bad thing is I made all the Spanish speaking Elders, who are going to Texas, on my floor hate me.  I yelled at all of them at 11:00 at night to go to bed. We have been asked to be in our rooms and studying from 9:45-10:30, then lights out and silent at 11:00. I did it because they were playing football in the halls the whole time and as I was trying to read the account of the first vision which always makes me feel better, because I can feel the spirit.  With them not following the rules, I couldn't feel the spirit!! So now those Elders Don't like me.  It’ll be fine though. I'm twice their size  😊

Well that was my week in summary

Always turn to the lord when you need help, He is always there for you.  Read D&C 18:12. This scripture helped me out and helped me realize that He is always there for me.

Until next time

Love Elder Dunyon

Week One

Sooooooo these first three days have been crazy!!

First day we pull up and are instantly dragged away to go get supplies and keys and shown to our room.

Our room fits 6 Elders and I have a picture if it. I thought it would be too small but it works pretty great. I haven't slept well the last couple days though, but I guess I am still adjusting. My companion is Elder Hollingshead, He is the one to the right of me in the temple picture below. We actually met each other as soon as we arrived, like we walked into the room at the same time and it has been good since. He's a little quite sometimes but we all are because again, still adjusting.

The rest of Friday we met out teachers and a giant assembly of all the new missionaries. THERE ARE 300 MISSIONARIES GOING TO THE PHILIPPINES AND 105 OF THEM WILL SPEAK TAGALOG. I guess that is where the lord needs us right now.

Thursday was our first full day here but it feels like we have been here for weeks. We had some more study sessions, and I’m getting to know the 13 other missionaries in my district (when we are only supposed to have 10). I love them all so much though. We also met our branch Presidency for the MTC, and they are super nice and understanding, so I think we lucked out.

Then today is P Day, and we get to go to the temple every Friday morning.  I think it is needed…it’s a good break.

But, Spiritual for the week.

Thursday, in one of our giant group sessions and orientation, our teacher said something I needed to hear. He said "Just keep doing your best, work as hard as you can and don't compare yourself to other Elders, all will come in time". I needed that because I was feeling a little discouraged yesterday, so I thanked him. So just keep on going, don't compare yourself to others, you are the Lord’s servant and he has special work that only you can do. Always do your best and he will bless you for it!

I love you all!!

Elder Dunyon

PS. I sent two photos of a packet completely in Tagalog.... yes, that’s’ what I have to learn

 

Arrival at the MTC!

Well - James is off!  He reported today.  We have heard from him and he is doing great.  Here is all that he had time to write us.  Below are pictures of the happy/sad day!

Have to keep it short and sweet but first day here has been good so far, its only been 2 hours and its go go go. I've met my district and have my things in my room and starting to learn basic phrases in Tagalog.  

It's been good so far. I don't know postal address yet but my mailbox is 234
P-days in the MTC are Fridays and will write to you more then. 

I love you all 

Elder James Dunyon