Chicken Wings and a 70

This week was really good, had tons of OYMs and new investigators and just a ton of finding. There were tons of really cool experiences and it was overall a really good week!!! The hard part was we weren't able to visit Gerald again, It has been around a week and a half and no lesson. We have seen him but can't share a message because he has gotten really busy with school and work and we are trying to work things out.

So we had Elder Wakolo (picture below) of the 70 and the Philippines area presidency in our Zone conference this week!! He is a literal spiritual power house and is so loving and kind, it was impossible not to feel the spirit. We as missionaries, as we follow the rules, commandments and are trying to be the best we can are "Always On FIRE!!" That was his favorite saying. We can't get discouraged because we are always on "FIRE"!!!

One night, for dinner, we wen to this wild wings place. Me and elder Plicarpio, the big Filipino in the pictures below, both ate 4 1/2 trays of buffalo wings. 6 wings on each..we didn't feel the best after it.....but it was totally worth it!!!

Spiritual thought for the week... When life gets you down, and when trials are making your life a mess, remember, the lord is with you. He is in your very soul, he is in your thoughts and he is in the marrow in your bones! He is the fire that keeps you going always. Use that fire to get through everything life throws at you!!! Be the person he wants you to be and you will always be "ON FIRE"!!! Say it with me now, "ON FIRE!!!!" HARDER "ON FIRE!!!!!!" YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT ALWAYS ON "FIRE!!!!!!!!!"

Elder Wakolo of the 70 

Work, work, work

This week was good. We visited some people had some cool experiences talking to people, but earlier in the week we headed to San Pablo to visit and have an interview with president Davies so that took out Tuesday until Friday afternoon.  The interview with pres went well!! Had a good talk, gave some help for me and the area.  He gave some study topics on the priesthood, light, straightening ones self, and some advice to help the area, work with members, etc. It was really good!!

Elder Levasa and I are doing well. Able to keep on going and work hard as much as we can and it has been fun recently!!  Gerald is doing well!!! Came to church again but with schedules it has been hard to meet with him recently but still going strong!! And we haven't taught his brother yet, but hopefully soon, because we heard he is interested!!

This week a fun moment that I had was one day we were waiting for a tricycle to head to a really far barangay of our area, and there was no one coming. With tricycles, you need the whole thing, (6 people) to be filled up before you go. So I just started talking with the driver about his motor cycle and how my dad loves them, and I knew a little bit about them from him. Then I asked how do you shift compared to a Coche (car) and he went crazy and we had a great conversation that led into families and he is willing to hear the lessons!!! So it was a really cool experience and made a new friend out of it!

My thought for this week:

Through Jesus Christ, we can all be healed. He died for us so we can return to him as a whole family!! Families are so important, with their support and the atonement of Jesus Christ, any wrong can be made right. You can have a literal weight taken off your shoulders and be lightened. And as it says in Isaiah, though your sins be as scarlet they shall be made white as snow. You won't remember them! Always know he is there for you!!

Love,
Elder James Dunyon

Growing

I have been healthy all this last week(knock on wood) and it has been amazing to work and see people grow!  Gerald is doing awesome!!! HE has been to church 3 weeks now and we have a Baptism date on the 8th of April for him!! He is progressing so much and it is amazing to see his progress and light grow as he keeps exercising his faith!! He is a prepared person and the members are accepting him so well, it is amazing to see!!

One fun thing this week was the focus we put on the less active members of the church. They are such an easy way to grow the church again, getting people to come back and feel his love again. Loving them, teaching them and being and example. it is amazing!! The members here are literally the most important missionaries!! That is what has also been cool, I have built up the trust and love of the ward and they are doing missionary work now as well!!!

We have also started working with Gerald's brother, Lui, who is in his 20s and is really cool, and as we have gotten closer he has started coming to church,

Next week we have mission tour with Elder Wakolo and we are really excited and can't wait for it next week!!

This week through my studies, I really felt the savior talking to me. He gives inspiration, an we need to look for that. He wants to help us and we need to come closer to him by reading the scriptures, praying, and going to church. Look for the hand of God in your life every day!! He is there. Don't feel discouraged!! he really is there for you!!! He loves you, sometimes we just need a reminder, so ask for it!!

Love Elder James Dunyon

Doing better finally, maybe

We were able to chat with James last Sunday night via Google Hangouts.  Here are some of his posts to us:



I got sick again this week and we have no idea with what, so I being run through just about everything to help, other than that, I am good!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYRA!!!!!!! 15 NOW!!!! MALAKAS KA!!! (Happy Birthday in Tagalog).  You'll be driving soon!!!  NEW DRIVER ON THE ROAD!!! Just don't be scared and you will kill it!! And pay attention to what mom and dad do, that helped me!! 

Gerald is doing great!! Reading, coming to church, it is really cool to see the progress he is making, Like a light slowly getting brighter, so cool!!!  Plans are for the beginning of April for baptism, so there is plenty of time to get lessons done for him. 

So we had exchanges with the other district on Tuesday and I had a blast being in another area and talking to seriously everyone.. 


Then on Wednesday we had 5 week check up for my companion, Elder Levasa and headed to San Pablo. This whole week I wasn't feeling the best so Sister Davies sent me to go get checked and nothing came up but still didn't feel the best, then I rested Saturday and that was my week really..

This month is Mission tour and we will be with Elder Wakolo of the Area presidency and meeting with him, that will be cool!!

Here is his spiritual thought for this week:

Recently I have struggled with not feeling adequate as a missionary and not doing well enough because I have been sick almost the whole time. People don't come to church, they don't progress, etc., so I feel like I am failing. I had a thought one day to open up the Preach My Gospel book to the "success as a missionary" section. That was a needed reminder for me. I looked at the picture of Christ by my desk and knew that he knew, I was trying my hardest and my best even if other don't see it because of my sicknesses and numbers. He know you are doing your best if you are really giving it, he knows you, he knows exactly what you are going through and he will help you, you just need to put your faith and trust in him and he will do the rest. 

Love, 
Elder James Dunyon

Pictures below are of our trip over to San Pablo and lunch on exchanges.