Week 64 ba?

Hey everyone! 

Honestly I have kind of lost track of what week it is, but it is officially the last week of 2019! This entire last year (2019) I was a missionary living in the Philippines just serving God. It was a year of serving and struggling and joy and heartache and triumph. What a good one. How were all of your 2019(s)?

I hope you all had a good Christmas. Ours out here was pretty good and full of food and fun. We had a lot of people come to our Christmas party. It was a really good chance for some people to get more familiar with the Church and a lot of fun and games. Life is good and time is flying and no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing. 

We have this family, the Banago's who have started to come to church and activities recently and are really enjoying it. We teach the mother and father and 2 of their 3 kids (the youngest is 15 months) and they like the church. They want to become members and I really hope they are able to progress and to come unto Christ.

I love you all!

-Elder Collier

Picture 1 is the crew when we went and hiked Mt. Balungao this morning

Picture 2 is me and Elder Baldovino

Picture 3 is FHE with some cool members and i took a picture because they cook really good food

Week 63

Hey Everyone!

This week we had a really great week! Saturday was the stake Christmas baptism. In the Rosales Zone we helped 24 people make their first covenant to come unto Christ. It was a super cool experience. We in Umingan had 3 people who were baptized on Saturday which was a super good experience. Ramil is a part member whose mom got baptized back in September. Maricel is their neighbor who wanted to learn about the church and has made a bunch of changes in her life. Nelson is a kid who started to come to church a couple months ago on his own because he wanted to get baptized. 

Life is really good out here. Its the Christmas season and people are coming unto Christ. That really is the reason for the season. So I just want to wish you all a happy Christmas and invite you to remember Christ. His life and all He did for us. I love you all! Merry Christmas!

-Elder Collier

Picture 1 is all the people at white Christmas

Picture 2 is me and Elder Baldovino with Nelson, Ramil, and Maricel

Picture 3 is some really fun Taglish that shouldn't be on an official vehical (the plural in Tagalog is "Mga Kagawad" but they threw on the English 'S' which is how we missionaries Taglish)

Picture 4 is if you thought my neck tan was bad see the sisters shoe tan. note the little dots of tan on the toes. there are no winners out here

Week 62

Hey Everyone,

This week was a pretty fun one. We had the chance to go to Urdaneta for Christmas Conference. Which was Zone Conference but we got to play games and wear regular clothes for half of it. That was pretty fun. I got to see a lot of my old companions and friends and to say goodbye to a few who are going home. It was a great experience. Both spiritual and super fun. 

This week as we think about Jesus Christ and his birth, I have been thinking about how much we can be like him. Its not limited how like him we can be. We don't need to be just 20% or 50% or even 90% like Christ. We can be "joint heirs in the kingdom of God." Everyone believes in being like Christ, but sometimes they have limits on how like him we can be. Remember, his invitation for us is for us to be like our Father in Heaven, nothing less. And though that may sound overwhelming to some and impossible to others, remember that Christ himself started as nothing more than a babe in a manger. So this Christmas season as we remember his birth, we remember that we can follow in the footsteps of his life.

Love

Elder Collier

Picture 1 is me and the batch

Picture 2 is me and Elder Fox who is going home

Picture 3 is me reading the book of mormon in a tree

Picture 4 is me and Elder Weaver

Week 61

Hey Everyone!

This last week Elder Baldovino and I had a lot of fun and did some good work. We got to find some new people and mostly went to contact members of the church who haven't come to church in a while. Its been interesting to hear the different reasons, but to know that no matter what it is, there isn't a reason for leaving Christ. We all just need to follow him to the end.

We also had the opportunity to share the gospel with a minister of a very prominent church here in the Philippines. He was super nice and very respectful of us and we gave him a book of mormon and got to testify of Jesus Christ and his Restored Gospel. I know the book of mormon is true and that God has restored his gospel to the earth. I love His work

 Merry Christmas!

-Elder Collier

Picture 1 is my district

Picture 2 is us with the pastor of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (its called that in America too)

Picture 3 is us teaching a lesson out in the middle of the bukid at night

Week 60

Hey Yall,

Elder Herrera is out. We had a good transfer together, but he's going back to his first area which will be his last area in the mission. My new companion is Elder Baldovino who will go home in February, so we should be together until he goes home. 

Umingan is pretty fun. This last week I saw some Americans from Pennsylvania, and because we saw them twice on the same day in two very different places I went and talked to them about the church (which is super difficult in straight English). They're just visiting family and brought their spouses. But it was pretty cool to talk to them. 

Tatay Jose is one of my favorite people in the world. He really wants to learn about God and LOVES the gospel and the things he's been learning. He's been a member of a couple different churches, but he was excited because since we've been teaching him he's learned how to pray. He has come to church twice and loves the things he's learning. I've seen him grow, as well as his ability to understand the things we teach because of his desire. He's learning that God really does love and know him and its amazing!

I love the work!

-Elder Collier

Picture 1 Us with Tatay Jose and Brother Nocasa who is his good friend in the branch

Picture 2 is me and Elder Herrera at a young women party we helped set up after ministering with the ward in the morning

Picture 3 is me at the border of Pangasinan (we didn't cross) which is the mission boundary

Picture 4 is us with Analie and her family (also super cool and have come to church twice so far)

Picture 5 is me with Elder Miller on exchanges

Week 59

This week was a simple one, but I finished the Book of Mormon again. I had been reading through and highlighting every reference to Jesus Christ. I can say that I came to know Christ better as my Savior as my God and as my Brother. I can say that He loves me and each and every one of you so much. If there was one peron that He didn't love, even one single person, he wouldn't have atoned for us. But He did. The Book of Mormon really does testify of Christ and I would invite all of you to read it (especially with the new upcoming Come, Follow me program of 2020).

We have these super cool kids Nelson and John Paul who decided to come to church last week. They had met with the missionaries a long time ago and just decided they wanted to learn more. They're ready to progress and are worth the 1.5 hour walk home from their house (they're only available at night after there are no trikes or jeeps going that way). The work of God is progressing and I'm just trying to help it along as I can.

Also, Happy Birthday Shoutout to Emerson Collier, a super gwapo little man

-Elder Collier

Picture 1 is a turumpo, which is a fun toy all the kids play with. Its a top that you throw with the string as (depicted in picture 2). Its pretty difficult, but all the mga bata are great and can pick them up on their hands while spinning. Its the souvenir I'm gonna give to all my nieces and nephews because I know their parents will love them so much. 

Picture 3 is us with the Julaton Family. We're teaching Ramil, and his mom and sister are members

Week 58

Hey everyone, 

I got to go to Tarlac this last week on exchanges which is a different province and 99% if it is a different mission, so that was pretty fun. On those exchanges I got to work with my Zone leaders Elders Perseveranda and Matheson. It was a really good day to work and to focus on using the Book of Mormon in our teaching. It really is the most powerful witness of Christ that we have on this earth. You should read it for sure.

Also, this week we had a zone conference in Urdaneta, it was my first time back on this side of the mission since this time a year ago, and it was a good experience because I got to say bye to Elder Nonu, a good friend of mine, who finishes his mission in just a few weeks. 

Lastly, back in my last area one of my favorite people Rosie just got baptized, I wasn't able to be there, but its okay. Its just amazing to see people's lives change as they start to live the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thats me for this week,

I love you all,

-Elder Collier

Picture 1 is Dane and Nanay Goleng who came to Urdaneta to surprise us right before Dane leaves on his mission

Picture 2 is me and Elder Nonu

Picture 3 is of Rosie at her baptism with ELder Notarte

Picture 4 is us at dinner with super nice members - the Pizarro Family

Week 57

Hey everyone,

So Umingan is HUGE and that's a little stressful because there are so many people that I need to talk to and we cant go everywhere. That being said, its great and we do have a lot of people we are teaching and a lot of really fun work is going on.

November 1st we went to the cemetery and talked to people about the plan of salvation because it was a holiday and there were tons of people there. We talked to people about the way they can see their families again after this life because there really are so many people who have no idea what comes next. This week I have come to realize how blessed I am to know God's plan for me and my family and I'm working really hard to share the message that had blessed my life with everyone I can. 

Life is going well. we're teaching a boy named Ramil who's mom and sister are members. He has a baptismal date set for december. I love this work.

-Elder Collier

Pictures 1 and 2 are a service project where we helped clear a campsite for the branch camping trip even though we werent invited

picture 3 is a drug sign (its been a while)

picture 4 is how i celebrated halloween a little early

Week 56

Hey everyone!

Its been a good first week out here in Umingan! I missed the bukid and the bundok and the palay (rice but not the kid you buy at the store). We walk a lot and the time it takes me to get from our house to one of our closest barangays is almost the time it took me to cross our whole last area. Its fun stuff. The branch is small and I already love the members. I'm trying my best to start learning the new language and realized in my daily life I used a lot more of the Pangasinan language than I thought. Turns out people here don't speak that so I had to stop.

We're teaching this super cool couple who lived in Texas for 49 years. They actually used to be taught by missionaries over there, but they didn't understand a ton because they don't speak great English. We can teach them in Tagalog though and its been great to answer the questions they have. It really is so cool seeing God's hand in the lives of His children.

I love you all,

-it me

Picture 1 me in a bunch of trees walking to teach people

Picture 2 Elder Herrera

Picture 3 us with said old couple

Week 55

Hey everyone,

It was hard to leave Dagupan 3, but I've officially transferred to Umingan. But before I get there, let's talk about last week. It was a lot of fun. We started out by going golfing (a driving range because thats 50 Pisos and a game of golf is 700) on P-day. Its the only place in the mission to go golfing, so it was a good way to end it (even though I didn't think I was going to transfer). Elder Notarte and I had a good week of work and, because we knew Elder Taysom was transferring we got a lot of goodbyes in. 

I'm going to miss Dagupan. That was really my home away from home. But Umingan is going to be fun. I'm going to have to start learning how to speak Ilocano now though, because thats the language they speak there. I'm excited to work out here.

Its me

-Elder Collier

 Picture 1 is us with the Maramba Family who fed us every Sunday and are some of the nicest people ever

Picture 2 is the crew ft. Dane who is going to the Utah Layton mission in 22 days. We're way excited for him

Picture 3 is Dagupan district 1 before 3 of us left today

Picture 4 is us with the two Nanays of Dagupan - Nay Goleng and Nay Gipa

Picture 5 is us with the Cohen/ Gumawid Family. They're super sweet and we love sharing with them

Week 54

Hey y'all, 

I say y'all because we had a man show up at church on Sunday from Georgia. The thing is, when I talk to foreigners (not missionaries), I accidentally start to copy their accent because that's what I do when speaking in Tagalog, so it just kind of happens. Its a little awkward on my end but I really can't help it at this point, so that's fun. 

This week was great because we had the chance to listen to the Prophet and Apostles of Jesus Christ speak (General conference is a week later here because of the time difference) to us. The Holy Ghost testified to me of the truths of the gospel as they spoke. I've been thinking a lot about what it means to take up our cross and follow Christ. The things that we need to sacrifice in order for us to be consecrated disciples of Christ. 

I also this week had the chance to teach some fun people like Love and Rebecca and they're doing great and have committed to come to church, but they couldn't come to general conference which was okay because English is hard. 

love y'all

-Elder Collier

Picture 1 is us with Love and Rebecca and Nanay Goleng (she's a member)

Picture 2 is me and some other cool people 3 of which have been companions and the other 2 were roommates

Picture 3 is us with President Espinosa and Nay Rina who we taught together a few weeks ago but I just got the picture. She's super cool

Week 53

Hey everyone,

Its the first week of the downward slope and thats kinda weird. Life has been good over this past year and I've learned so much about why we're here and what we need to do. 

In this email, as I pass my year mark, I just want to bear a testimony I didn't have as strongly a year ago. Things I might not have known before- and if I did it definitely wasn't to the degree it was now. I can say that I know that God lives. That God is our Father and He knows you and me personally and perfectly. That He is merciful and the best way that we can start to comprehend that mercy, is to try and understand the gift of His Son. God sent His son to die for us, and not just so that we can be cleansed, but so that we can be perfected. So that we can return to the Father and gain Eternal Life. To have the same kind of life He does. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and my comfort and my strength. I know that as we need help we can pray and He is there. I can say with my whole heart that God answers prayers - that He wants to bless us and sometimes all we need to do is ask. I know that we all have things we need to do on this earth, and I have come to recognize the importance of saving ordinances by priesthood power. I know that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ and was called as a prophet of God. I know we have a living prophet on the earth today and his name is Russell M Nelson. Finally, I can say with my whole heart that I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is God's kingdom on earth today. The one true church of Jesus Christ on the earth. and I leave this with you in the name of my Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

-Elder Collier

Picture 1 is my batch at zone conference

Picture 2 is me celebrating my one year mark at a member's house

Picture 3 is a cool part member family who are about to get baptized (Monica in the purple is going to get baptized)

Picture 4 is the sunset from the seawall

Week 49

Hey everyone,

Its flooding and my feet are currently soaking wet because I've been walking back and forth in Dagupan City running errands for people. Its a party. 

Elder Notarte and I are having fun working and learning together. We're just trying to help people have the spiritual experiences they need in order to come unto Christ - because thats why we're here. We're teaching by the Spirit of God and loving life even in the storms (literally and of trials). 

We had the really cool experience of getting to teach this 73 year old Filipina who was here staying at her vacation home. Her real home is in... West Covina California! We talked about California and her life there and she has had a lot of really cool experiences. She's actually the lady we met with President Espinosa, who we got the chance to go teach again. She prayed and believes that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God and she's reading the Book of Mormon. The Gospel of Jesus Christ really is for everyone, and if you haven't yet, I invite you to meet with the Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - even just once - to hear what we have to say. If you're interested let me know.

I love the work and the life out here and the people! Its all going great!

-Elder Collier

The first picture is me standing in the flood when the entire highway was under 6 inches of water.

The second picture is our zone

The third picture is us with some random girls who needed to interview a foreigner for school

The fourth picture is Elder Seve who was my zone leader until he went home today