Week of patience February 22, 2015

This week has been kind of slow. My companion is making things kind of a struggle. He is 3/4 done with his mission so he is "trunky" and disobedient. I know that if I do my best to do the work that his decisions won't effect me. 

This week I have been trying to learn and work on being a better group leader. And strengthening our members here in San Miguel. Last Monday we had a FHE with the whole group. I taught a little lesson about missionary work and how members can be missionaries also. So I challenged all of them to bring one person to church with them on Sunday. Half of them did it so I was pretty excited. I was able to talk to those people and set up teaching appointments.

As I have been out here I notice how much members effect missionary work. I wish I would've worked with the missionaries more and talked to the investigators they brought to church. 

Never the less I am loving the work here! I love sharing the gospel to everyone and seeing how it effects people and their lives. I know that missionary work is called of God and that if we Faithfully serve our Heavenly Father we will be blessed and our testimonies will grow so much. 

PS We had interviews with President Aquino this week and he kind of hinted to me that I will be training next transfer. So I am super super excited! :)

Everyone have an awesome week. And look for missionary opportunities! Love and miss you all!

-- 

Elder Jake Frandsen

Philippines Iloilo Mission

February 9, 2015

Well Hello everyone! This week has been busy. I am learning a lot from Elder Miguel. He is super good and relating and becoming friends with the people we meet. He doesn't really know English so it makes planning and the simple stuff kind of challenging. This week my language is kind of struggling but it reminds me to keep praying and that I am nothing without God. Its kind of frustrating sometimes. But I know that through these trials, it will make me stronger and a better missionary. This week my testimony of prayer has grown a lot! I think I have prayed more this week then I have in my entire life. I know that no matter what we are going through Heavenly Father will always be there for us. I know that missionary work is the work of God and we are just the tools in his hands and its up to us to decide what kind of tools we are going to be. There are a lot of missionaries called to serve around the world to teach the gospel and serve God. But I have seen here in the Philippines, as one of those missionaries that very few of them can leave everything behind and fully immerse themselves in the work. Our goal as missionaries should not be to be the sharpest knife or the best screw driver or the strongest pliers, but to be the all purpose Swiss army knife with many different applications. And be able to know how and when to use each of those different tools. (that analogy was for Ethan)

Kabalo ako nga ini simbahan is the only true church diri sa kalibutan subong. Propeta si Joseph Smith kag naglubad ni Joseph Smith ang Libro ni mormon. Palangga kita sang Dios. Sang ngalan ni jesukristo Amen.

Love you all and have a great week! :)

-- 

Elder Jake Frandsen

Philippines Iloilo Mission

Transfer Week: New Companion February 1, 2015

So this week was very interesting. I am half way through my training. And usually you stay with your trainer for the first 12 weeks. So we thought we were going to stay together another 6 weeks her in San Miguel. But we got a call Wednesday night telling Elder Staples "pack your bags you are transferring in the morning" So Thursday morning we went to transfer meeting. My new companion is Elder Miguel! He will be finishing training me here in San Miguel. He is Filipino, he has been out for 18 months, he is super good at Ilonggo, Karaya, Aklonon, and Tagalog. It should help my language a lot having him as a new companion. He is super awesome! He works really hard but also knows how to have fun. We are going to change a few things in San Miguel to be more effective. He knows how to do missionary work fun and effectively. So I hope to learn a lot from him.

Oh okay so last week Elder Miquel and I were walking to an appointment and we saw a white lady. So Elder Miguel told me to go talk to her and tell her about us. So I did. She is visiting from Australia. I noticed as I was talking to her how hard it was for me to speak English to her. It was so weird! And it is taking me longer to write my emails now because I actually have to think to my self "how do I say this in English" So I apologize for my mistakes and grammar. 

Well that's it for this week. Hope you all have a great week! Love you guys! 

-- 

Elder Jake Frandsen

Philippines Iloilo Mission