July 31, 2016 Week 92

Jacob has been under the weather the last couple of weeks and has not has the energy to write.  Tonight we found out the culprit was Dengue Fever.  3 of the 4 Elders in his apartment have been down with the fever and the Buenavista Branch has also been hit hard.  Many have been hospitalized but we are praying that all will be well soon.

Jacob has a new companion Elder Crook, from Utah.  He will miss Elder Tereke but was fortunate to have a say in who would be completing his training.  One of his favorite companions from his second area in Bucasong, Elder Fransisco.

Jacob is now the Zone Leader in Guimaras and looks forward to expanding the work he has been able to do in Buena Vista.  The following is a short letter we received tonight:  He titled it, FAITH

This week was crazy. Here are some of the highlights or things that happened this week.

1) On Monday I got sick and I was sick until Sunday with Dengue Fever. 

2) I got transferred to the other area in Buenavista, Guimaras.

As far a spiritual aspect of things because I was sick I had lots and lots and lots of time to study. On Saturday night I focused my studies on the principal of Faith. I spent a solid hour finding scriptures comparing Faith and Believing. To most of us they are the same thing. But there is a reason why we are asked to have Faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement and not just Believe on it. The principal of Faith leads us to ACTION such as repentance, obedience in following the Lords commandments, etc. While if we just Believe on the Atonement of Jesus Christ we will not be forgiven and cleansed of our sins. Because even as we Believe Jesus Christ paid for our sins there is no action of repentance. Our Heavenly Father gives us commandments and asks us to do things as an opportunity for us to show our Faith towards Him so he can shower us with blessings that we want and need. Its so straight forward in the scriptures when it says "Faith without works is dead" or in other words Faith without action is not Faith at all. So when God blesses us with an opportunity to show our Faith to him that its not for Him but only for you. The blessings are endless as our Faith in our Savior continues to grow stronger everyday through our actions. God truly loves us and whats the best for us.

Well that's it for this week sorry I haven't written in a couple weeks I do better in the future. Love yall and have a great week!! :)     

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Elder Jake Frandsen

Philippines Iloilo Mission