As we left Cebu this morning, there was a marathon going on. In the rain! Several of the participants were running barefoot.
The entire drive was rainy, with less traffic than usual, but with trees and rocks on the road that are not usually there. The man roasting the pig was in place as usual, with a tarp over the top. Smoked pork today!
Th mountain side was weeping with little and big waterfalls everywhere.
In Balamban, the trikes were lined up like taxis outside the mall, waiting patiently for customers.
So, not much to show there. This coming weekend is Sinulog, a Cebu Festival that is huge. We should have amazing pictures to show of that on the next blog.
I am reading the book, "Trusting Jesus," by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, who is a cousin of President Schmutz (our mission president.)
Elder Holland is speaking about bearing your testimony as a
missionary, and about the pre-mortal life where we lived and accepted the Savior into our
lives even then.
“A missionary’s testimony invokes a great legacy of
testimony dating back to the councils in heaven before this world was. There,
in an earlier place these same people (our investigators in our mission field)
heard this same plan outlined and heard there the role that Jesus Christ would
play in their salvation. “
“We must always remember that these investigators – every
man, woman, and child – were among the valiant who once overcame Satan by the
power of their testimony of Christ! So when they hear others bear that witness
of Christ’s saving mission, it has a familiar feeling; it brings an echo of
truth they themselves already know.” (Basically, we are just reminding those
who are investigating the church, of things they have already heard, and have
made a commitment to in the pre-existence.) Study the word: Eternal, and you
will be amazed!
This was a thought shared by President Schmutz – our mission
president – in our last Zone Conference right before Christmas.
“The word gospel is literally good news or glad tidings.”
“When the
angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds at the time of Jesus’ birth, they
were worthy and prepared to welcome him into the world. Even the angels
were chosen and prepared to give these good tidings.”
I think we
often do not understand that we were chosen and foreordained to be missionaries
at this time in the world’s existence – in the very place where we have been
sent on our mission. That foreordination does not take anything away from our
agency. We can choose whether or not to honor that calling when we get to this
earth, but nevertheless, it is not by chance that we are at this particular
place and at this particular time to hasten the work of the Lord.
WE, the missionaries of the Lord Jesus Christ, are His best
investigators. As we are worthy, humble, focused and obedient, the Holy Ghost
will testify to us of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and the power and
authority of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Then, we can testify to others, and
the work of the Lord will roll forward.
We testify of the reality of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. The gospel of Jesus Christ is that stone spoken of when Daniel prophecied to King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2: 34-35, 44. It will continue to roll through the earth, until the whole world will know of the God of heaven. And it shall never be destroyed, but shall stand for ever.
Oh, the heritage we have, and the potential we possess!
