I Will Go and Do What the Lord Commands

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Ambot haha - Week 25 - April 20, 2015

Well this week we worked really hard. It feels great to come home from a day and be able to tell yourself you did everything you could today. I am trying to help my companion feel the same thing. So this whole transfer I have been trying to get him to oym at least once a day. I think this transfer he has had 1 partial oym all by himself. I don't know why its so hard for him. I think its just because he is really shy. On Wednesday we came home at the end of the day and we were closing and going over our numbers. And I asked him if he had any oyms and out of no where he took off his badge and said he didn't want to be a missionary anymore. He then asked for the phone and said he was going to call President and tell him he wanted to go home. I was so surprised. I couldn't believe he would just come out of no where and say that. It actually made me kind of mad. I turned my chair around and faced him. I tried to kindly talk to him about it. I asked him why did you come on a mission? He quickly responded and said I don't know. And then he said I came on a mission to change myself. As kindly as I could I told him even if that's the only reason you came on a mission you haven't done a very good job at it. I told him he has so much more potential then where he is right now. He keeps telling me that he feels like if he went home right now he would feel like he had a successful mission. I asked him are you out here to help other people? He said yes. I asked him are you doing everything to help the people we meet and teach everyday come closer to Jesus Christ. He said No. I told him if you want to go home, go home. And I handed him the phone. And I told him you have your free agency but I never want to hear you say "I don't want to be a missionary" ever ever again!

I hope I didn't hurt his feelings or cause any problems. But para for me being here on a mission is something that is earned and its a privilege. It is an opportunity to be a representative of Jesus Christ. They're are so many people out there that would do anything to go on a mission that can't because of different reasons. I'm not perfect by any means. I am awful at the language, but I know that as I do my best here that through the spirit, prayer, and love I will be able to help and serve these people.

This week on Friday we went to the bukid (mountains) to go do some service for some investigators. It was AWESOME! We cut down bamboo with machetes from 7am-3pm. The bamboo is for them so they can fix their home. I have lots of pics. This little girl took my camera and took tons of pictures haha. Every week I grow to love these people more and more. Every time I teach them and serve them they become like family.

I was told that I will probably transfer this week which i'm not looking forward to. I am kind of nervous to leave this area in the hands of my companion. But I guess I just have to have faith. I am still praying I don't transfer haha :D

I love and miss you all so much. Hope all is well back home. Keep up the awesome work! Have a great week! :)

You will notice my companion refused to do the service because he didn't want to get dirty...so he just sat the whole time...

Elder Jake Frandsen

Philippines Iloilo Mission

Monday, April 13, 2015

Week 24 - Another Busy Week - April 13, 2015

So I would just like to start by saying how excited I am that on Thursday we went to visit Manuel but he wasn't there again. We have gone there everyday since he was admitted. As Elder Chapman and I were walking away from and balay niya (his house) we both decided to go to the hospital where he is and visit him there. So we took a jeepney and headed to the hospital, we took his kids with us. We got there and much to all of our surprise our prayers were answered!! He is getting so much better. Doc says he will return to his normal health and he will be able to leave the hospital sometime this week! He told us the reason why he is getting better is because of us. He told us if he never met us and if we never invited him to be baptized he wouldn't have gone to the hospital. When he met us it gave him hope and something to live for. Through this experience my testimony and his testimony of prayer, faith, and priesthood blessings have been strengthen so much. Thank you everyone for all your prayers.

This week we had an opportunity to do service for an investigator it was actually a lot of fun! I have set a goal for myself to do at least one service project a week. This one included me having to climb a SUPER TALL coconut tree for this kind of elderly woman because she was is not able harvest the coconuts herself and my companion couldn't do it (he isn't very athletic). And then after he raked her whole yard and burned the leaves. Then she gave us buko juice! (Coconut juice) And sandia (watermelon)! Well worth it!

This weekend we got to watch General Conference finally. I loved it! Being able to listen to the Prophet and Apostles speak is such a blessing! I noticed a lot of the talks were about Families,Missionary Work, and the Atonement. Those three things are so important and I've noticed it even more since I have been serving a mission.

I love this gospel and my Heavenly Father so much. I love all of you guys and hope y'all have a great week. Feel free to email me if you want. :)

Elder Jake Frandsen

Philippines Iloilo Mission

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Holy Week Week 23 - April 6, 2015

So this week has been quite interesting...they put a whole new meaning to Easter. The week before Easter is called Holy Week. Monday Is Palm Sunday. Tuesday hasta Thursday are Holy days so they go to mass all day everyday for those days. Good Friday is crazy! I saw things this week that I wish I never saw. People will pay money to carry a cross through the streets and then be nailed to a cross and hang on the cross for everyone to see. Then after they hang on the cross they take the person down and bury then for like 10 min and then they dig them back up. So they don't actually die but they do all that and I guess it shows their dedication to their religion. Then there is Black Saturday. On Black Saturday at night everyone brings their motorcycles, cars, jeepneys, and all their vehicles. To the Banwa (town plaza) and at night a Priest will come and bless every vehicle by sprinkling holy water on it. And then Easter is the same except wala (none) Easter Bunny or eggs haha. So as you can imagine trying to proselyte and talk to people this week has been very difficult but also we have had a few opportunities to learn from the people and share the similarities of our beliefs.

Sometimes its so hard to stay motivated to keep going back to these people that we teach. The thing I am struggling with so much right now is getting people to church. Because its a small group a lot of people get the idea that is a cult. Its so frustrating. And if you don't already know here in the Philippines you have to go to church 4 consecutive times before makabuyag mo (you get baptized). So for me right now all I can do is love the people, keep teaching them, praying for them, and fasting for them. The key to missionary work is truly Love and the Spirit. With out those two things it makes things budlay gid (very hard).

This week I had an amazing opportunity to serve. So I think in a previous email I talked a little about Manuel. He is the investigator that I extended a baptismal date to and he said yes. Well we have been teaching him mga (about) twice a week every week. He has a liver problem and has not been able to attend church because of that. He has almost no money. He has four kids. Two of them live with him (2 boys ages 10 and 3). This past week he was admitted to the hospital on Thursday. He left his two kids at home with no money or food. Their mother works in Cebu and has left them and ran away with another husband. So we went to their gamay nga balay (little house or shack) on Friday night. That is when I found out that he went to the hospital. I couldn't believe it I didn't know what to do. I love those two kids and Manuel so much. So that night we went and got them food and just stayed with them for awhile. We have gone back everyday since and bring food. Their father is still in the hospital and there is no way to contact him. So we don't know if he will return or maybe pass away in the hospital. I don't know what to do. I want to give this kids everything. Life for people here is so challenging. No matter what happens those two kids always have a smile on their faces and have so much faith. The older boy just wants to go to school. I have never heard those two boys complain about anything or ask for anything. If I didn't ask if they had food they would have never told me. I don't know what to do for this family but I know that through prayers and faith that everything will work out. Every time I ask them what I can do for them the answer is always the same "polihog magpangamuyo para sa ang tatay namon" (please pray for our father) If you will please pray for this family. I know that through prayer they will be able to get through this pagtilaw (trial).

I am so excited for the opportunity I have to watch General Conference next week. I don't think iv'e ever looked forward to hearing from the prophet as much as I am now. Its such a blessing we have to hear the words of the leaders of the church. They are truly inspired of God.

I am struggling with my companion. I don't know maybe its just me. At first I thought he would never talk because he was shy. But he still never talks. He talks to me a little bit but never to anyone else. I give all the lessons and do all the talking when we are tracting. When I look at him he just looks off into the distance and doesn't say anything. When he does language study he only studies Japanese...I don't know why. And then he dyed his hair black so he could be more like a Filipino. Ambot sa iya (I don't know about him). haha Oh well I guess its all just part of the mission experience. :)

Being here in the Philippines has showed me how blessed I am. I am so grateful for the family and friends I have. I am so grateful for this gospel. And that I know that I have a Heavenly Father that knows me and is always there to help me get through hard times.

I love you guys hope y'all had an awesome week. :)

Elder Jake Frandsen

Philippines Iloilo Mission

Kamusta Kamo! Week 22 - March 29, 2015

I have had a pretty good week and I have learned quite a lot. Alright to start off On Monday we had a family home evening with the Camaral and Aragona Families (investigators). We told them to invite all the friends and family and when you see the picture you will see that they invited so many people! We all sat outside and had an amazing lesson and then played a ton of Philippine games. And then sister brought out this HUGE wok full of Bihon which is one of my favorite foods here! There was 7 kilos of Bihon! It was a very successful family home evening. I love their family so much.

Then on Wednesday Elder Chapman and I went right to work. It was especially hot that day and that day we worked so hard. I love the feeling of coming home after an awesome day and feeling like we accomplished a lot. Wednesday night we walked super far to one of our investigators homes sister Annalisa. We had a very spiritual lesson with her and her daughter Princess. They are golden! We plan to invite them to be baptized this week for the 25th of April!

Then after the lesson they gave us water before we started walking home. Being from America you don't think about where the water came from you just drink it. So that's what I did. BIG MISTAKE! Here in the Philippines if you are a not from here you absolutely have to drink clean filtered water. If you don't well...I woke up Thursday morning thinking I was probably going to die here on that day. I could not move any joints in my whole body, I had the worst headache I've ever had in my entire life, I could not hear anything, and I felt like I was going to vomit. And I had that feeling till Friday afternoon. I got an amoeba from the water. We didn't work that whole time. I was so discouraged, disappointed, and didn't feel like I was fulfilling my purpose as a missionary and that's all I could think about as I was laying there in bed. So of course I did the only thing I could and said a prayer. And asked for good health and strength and most of all comfort. And Heavenly Father heard and answered my prayer. I cannot tell you how much prayer has changed me and helped me through so much here on the mission. So yeah it was pretty lame that I didn't get to go out and work for two days but I didn't die. :)

Then on Friday night Sister Theresa and here family had a massive fiesta. Because for three weeks out of the year their family is all together. After that her husband goes back California for work, her son goes to Saudi Arabia for work, her daughter goes to Houston, Texas for work and her other daughter lives in another part of the Philippines. When they all leave all she has is us the Elders. I love here like she is my family. I can't wait for the day when she gets baptized! They have an amazing family. The fiesta was great there was so much food!

On Sunday I am happy to say we had Sister Annalisa and Princess at sacrament meeting and the speakers showed up so I didn't have to speak. It was actually a really great meeting this week. Week had 9 total at church its always better when there is more people.

This morning WE FOUND A GOLF DRIVING RANGE!!!! So My companion, some of the young men from Mandurriao ward and I went and hit some balls! It felt so great to get out and do something fun like that. Especially because I didn't think there was any golf here in Iloilo.

So I had a great week this week and learned lots. That is it for this week. I love you all so much!

Elder Jake Frandsen

Philippines Iloilo Mission

Monday, March 16, 2015

Week 20 - March 15, 2015

As you read this you may notice that Elder Frandsen has gone a little native on us. :) If you understand it, please feel free to post a translation!

So this week was transfer week. Oo, Malipay ako diri sa San Miguel. Pero may ara ang iban nga kaupod. Ang ngalan nya si Elder Chapman. Haha...Medyo weird sya pero buot kag hard working siya. He is American taga Utah sya. So amo na, excited ako to work with him. He is batch ni Elder Staples, ang trainer sa akon.

Sini Domingo, may ara seven nga mga tawo sa simbahan. So gamay lang na pero tuni next week may investigators dito. Also, so I am the group leader still sa San Miguel and this week I asked a few people to speak in sacrament meeting they said yes. Then at church the people that I asked to speak didn't show up...so guess who had to give a 45 minute unprepared talk? AKO na lang. haha And for those of you that know me know I am not very good at speaking for a long time. But I know that this happened for a reason because right before I gave my talk I prayed and asked for the spirit to fill my mouth with words so that everyone there could feel the spirit. And that was exactly what happened.

Adlow-adlow ang testimony sa akon magstrengthen paagi sang mga experiences. I am so grateful for everything I am blessed with because of this gospel. I know without a doubt that it is true.

So amo na para sa ini week. Palanga ko kamo! And have an awesome week!

This picture if you cant tell is of kids flying kites. The kids here are so awesome they are so creative. Here you can't just go out and buy a kite you go find whatever you can and do your best to make something out of it. If ever I am having a bad day the kids here always cheer me up and put me in a really good mood! :)

Elder Jake Frandsen

Philippines Iloilo Mission

Monday, March 9, 2015

Week 19 - March 9, 2015

This week has been a little interesting and I don't feel it important to share the details. I have written everything down in my journal so maybe I will share it when I get home. :)

This week because of certain circumstances I had the opportunity to work with one of the Zone Leaders si Elder Watkins. We went out and worked super hard trying to find new investigators. We found a place in the Banwa where there was a lot of people that were very accepting of our message and wanted us to come back. :)

Yesterday at church was AWESOME. We had a total of 16 people at church which is the most we've had in a long time. And to top that 4 of them are investigators. The talks that were given were nami gid! The spirit was so strong! I really have learned to love being in a small group. I have grown so close to the members here. Siempre its hard gid at times but I have learned so much from this experience.

Okay so here in the Philippines they have these things called BROWNOUTS. A brown out simply is when the power goes out. But here when the power goes out EVERYTHING goes out. So simply NO WATER and NO ELECTRICITY. Brownouts happen very often at least twice a week and when a brownout happens its usually for a 12 hour period of time. So you just learn to work around them. To cook you just build a fire, to shower...well you just don't haha. But this week we had a brownout from Saturday morning till Sunday night...So yeah when I went to go shower...NO shower. When I went to go iron my shirt...NO electricity. And when I went to go make breakfast...I made breakfast...but the smoke from the fire stayed in my clothes all day. :) So yeah there's brownouts for you.

But I have learned to count my many blessings. :) And I have learned to be grateful for all the many things I go have.

So that's all for this week. Love you all and enjoy the snow! ;)

Elder Jake Frandsen

Philippines Iloilo Mission

Week 18 - March 2, 2015

Hey everyone! This week has had its ups and downs. As does every week. I am still struggling with my companion. And I am really struggling with the languages. I have a pretty good idea why. This week we have done very little work. For reasons i'm not going to list because they don't really matter. We will just say my companion is lazy and disobedient. I have written an email to the mission president about it. So hopefully we will see an improvement soon. I am trying to do my best to learn from my companion so one thing I have learned is that when I get frustrated or discouraged. I can go to my Heavenly Father and ask him for comfort. And through reading my patriarchal blessing and the Book of Mormon I get a huge spiritual boost.

Alright on to a new subject :) this week we had the opportunity to go to Brother Rudy's home with a few members and the Couples Missionaries and have a family home evening. We all had such a great time.

So I found out something interesting this week. And I wasn't sure if I was going to share it with all you but I am. So here in the Philippines there is a terrorist group called the NPA (new peoples army) So I found out that there is a small group of NPA right next to my area. So me being white, I just have to be careful where I go and who I talk to. But no worries because I know that I have been called here to serve the Lord and if I do so and am obedient then Heavenly Father will protect his servants. :)

This week I have been trying to extend more baptismal dates to investigators. But as I do that for some reason I get the same kind of answer "I don't really want to get baptized but can you still keep coming over and visiting us?" It's kind of frustrating but I know that through prayer and faith that as we continue to visit those people and teach them. That they will be able to feel and recognize the spirit and eventually they will make the choice to be baptized.

So that's all for this week. Transfers are on the 13th and I am hoping and praying I will be able to train. :) Thank you all for you prayers and support. I love you all and have a great week!