January 28, 2013

Thanks Mom for getting that book sent, I hope it wasn't too much of an inconvenience.
This week I said goodbye to one of my good friends Elder Oliver from Fillmore, He is a good kid and served a great mission.

I don't really know what else to tell you. only you dad Martha, Casey and Michelle wrote me today. Its always nice to hear from all you. Things are still going good, although being a Zone Leader can be overwhelming at times. but its a good learning and growing experience.

This week, I want to hear who is your favorite Scripture Hero and why. For me I would have to say that its a tie between Peter and Captain Moroni, Peter is a favorite of mine because he was just a simple ordinary man that chose to follow the Lord and then did many great things. and I think that he is the perfect example of what the Gospel of Jesus can do to change a man, from a low and sinful state into an apostle of Jesus Christ, Captain Moroni has been a favorite of mine since i was a kid, but it was only because the Arnold Friberg painting of him was really cool. but when I grew up and actually read about him in the Book of Mormon that he became a hero of mine. and its because of his decision to stand up for what is right and true.
Well I hope that you will let me know who your scripture heroes are.
Sorry my letters are always so short.

Love,
Elder Proctor

January 21, 2013

 Naimbagngam Malim! (Good Afternoon in ilocano)
This week has been a great one, me and my companion have had great success with finding less-active members in our area which is always really cool or really scary, Because there are only 2 types of less actives here, the one that havent come to church because they havent been visited in a while or the ones that have been offended and want nothing to do with us (hint those are the scary ones)

Yesterday our stake had a leadership training meeting and the Stake President invited/commanded my companion and I to come and report to the leaders on missionary work in our zone and and train them how to more effectively use the full-time missionaries assigned to the wards. It was kind of intimidating but fun too.

Another cool thing that happened this week is I finished reading the New Testament! I love it, I love the scriptchas. That reminds me, are you going to be sending me "The Miracle of Forgiveness" like you said you would? I sure would love it if you would do that!

This week is transfer week, me and my comp are probably staying together. and we will get new Elders and Sisters in our zone which is usually fun haha.

Oh and today for P-Day we played rugby again and I scored my first Try (touchdown) it was great. It is always fun to play with the Poly's in our zone, I love the Mission

So I had this idea to make our email communication more quality, and the Idea is that I will ask questions to you all that we normally ask the people that we teach, questions that have to do with the gospel. And this week I would like to ask you to share with me your testimony of the Book of Mormon.
I think this will make these emails more meaningful and you and I will grow closer together and we will all come closer to Christ our Savior. and I will more effectively fulfill my purpose as a missionary.

So since I am asking you to share your testimony of the Book of Mormon with me of course I will share mine with you. Its like this, I have known that it was true since I can remember but I didnt have the Holy Ghost Confirm it to me until I actually did as Moroni tells us, to read it, ponder it and then ask God if it is true with sincerity. I was in Ilagan my third area and I had just finished reading the Book of Mormon, It was just before lunch and I went into my bedroom and knelt in prayer and asked our Father in Heaven if it was true and I waited there then whether I heard it or thought it or just felt it I am not sure, but the answer was yes. I felt so loved, that my Father in Heaven would let me know of its truth, and that single experience has changed my mission and my life. Because it was the moment when I knew it personally independent of anyone else'  testimony.
Now you share yours, you have got to admit this has to be one of my best ideas, its right up there with the gopher trap I made.

I love all of you and cant wait to hear your testimonies, next week
Love Elder Proctor
PS if you dont comply, I just might just not send emails home :) is that a threat? ....no its an offer you cannot refuse

January 14, 2013

Hello Everyone,

So you all saw that comment about me on the Carlos' mission blog eh? I thought that was pretty funny too. 

Laura and Tyler got hitched how exciting, It looks like everything went well. I guess ya'all backed out on printing a life size picture of me. Oh well I will cry about that one later.

So things are going really well out here in the Philippines, I am proud to say that we have seen some incredible growth in our Zone and in our own area, Its been great to see. This week me and my companion were able to find a new investigator! She is married to an RM that went less-active, so we are excited to teach her and reactivate the RM. There is nothing more frustrating to me then teaching less-active RMs. So moral of the story is once you have served the Lord on a mission DON'T STOP! haha

Have I ever told you how beautiful it is here? I wish I could send you pictures but the camera just doesn't do it justice, just yesterday as we were walking down a muddy path on one side there was an irrigation ditch and on the other was the beautiful green rice fields that I love so much. As we were walking I could just feel how wonderful the creations of Heavenly Father really are, I know he loves me and I know that he loves all of us. I hope you all can feel that same feeling from time to time.

I love the work, and I love the people. I have learned so much from them, they are so humble and yet so happy for the blessings that they have. Yesterday we were teaching a family about tithing in there mud floor house while chickens were running around. We shared with them a quote From Gordon B. Hinckley, that he said on one of his trips to the Philippines, he said " Furthermore, I believe with all my heart that if they will accept the gospel and live it, pay their tithes and offerings, even though those be meager, the Lord will keep His ancient promise in their behalf, and they will have rice in their bowls and clothing on their backs and shelter over their heads." As we shared this the spirit filled the room of this humble family and testified to me that it was true. I love this quote, I love the Prophets and Apostles that are inspired men of God that are lead and directed by our Heavenly Father.

This week I borrowed a book from my companion, "Stories from the Life of Porter Rockwell" it was great I finished it in 2 days.  Speaking of books are you going to send me "The Miracle of Forgiveness?" I sure would love to have it.

Thank you all for your love and support. I hope that you have a great week. 

I love you all 

Elder Proctor 

PS. I almost didn't write an email this week, but then I remembered how worried Mom would get when I would get home late and didnt know where I was. So you are welcome. 

PPS. Can I request a little more effort on the emails you all send? I love the emails but sometimes it almost sounds like its a chore for you to write me. Thank You

January 6, 2013

Hello Everybody,

Well Mom has told me that since Martha is home I have to step up my letters... hehe fat chance!
This week has been a good one, oh yeah Happy New Year everybody!
The best thing that happened to me this week was that 3 recent converts from my last area wrote me! It was so good to hear from them, 2 of them invited me to their temple sealing this october! so I might be able to go with them when I come home. and the Little Quilang girl wrote me telling me how she got up to bear her testimony about Thomas Monson. It was one of the happiest days of my mission.
I love all of you, if you want longer letters then write me and tell me more than your grocery list :)

Love,
Elder Proctor

December 31, 2012

Hey Everyone,

I hope you all had a great Christmas! I sure did! Most of the people we are teaching made it out to the ward Christmas Party, so that was pretty neat.
But then after Christmas I got a Cold then the next day a Cough and then the day after that it was raining while we were out and I slipped and fell on my right leg kind of funny and sprained my knee haha but its all good I just had to rest a day keeping ice on it. Its all good now.
What else can I tell you, oh yeah just before I sprained my knee we found a past investigator that wants to be taught now. that was the highlight of that particular day.
I am in one of those moods where I don't want to write a lot.
It was great to Skype to you all, next time though I would rather talk to you guys one at a time instead of all at once. if that is okay.
I love all you!

Love,

Elder Proctor