Dear Family and Friends,
Wow, I am nearing almost 6 months on a mission! And man, has it flown by! It feels like a month ago that I was leaving the MTC, and a lot has happened since then. Lots of food (a ton), new people (a lot of those too), and new lifestyles (can't forget that).
This week I have received two new callings in our apartment. First is the Apartment Massage Giver (I can't recall the proper name for that). While we eat dinner at the apartment everyone asks for one and it usually lifts everyone's spirits, especially after a long day. I have also discovered that I am good at giving manicures (It think that's the name for it). My companion, Elder Uri, knows how to give them because here in the Philippines, both men and women like to have their nails cleaned. So he decided one day to do my nails. Well after an hour, two ingrown toe nails, and 20 clean nails later my toes were cleaner than a missionary's shirt! He taught me how to do it, and now I regularly clean their nails. Now before you have doubts like "He's a dude, he can't be good at that", let it be known tht multiple members in the ward have commented on my work and said I do a very good job. So if you want, I can set an appointment with you in 1.5 years if you want your nails done!
I also have been fixing another typewriter in our apartment, I little old fashoined, but I see why they were so popular, Its so much easier the hand writing!
This week I have also learned some valuable lessons on what it means to fix the problem when one arises. It seems to be a problem with less active members, and probably all people in general. Sometimes we let the view of the present, outweigh the view of the future. For some less active members here, they were offended by another member of the church, and so now, to avoid all contact with the person, they stop going to church. When asked if they believe that church is important, they all agree it is. But instead of going to church and fixing things, they let the view of maybe talking to, or heaven forbid "seeing", the member that previously offended them. Something I wrote in my journal, its not profound, but is the answer to this kind of problem: "If you know the problem, FIX IT". If you have trouble or problems reading the scriptures, start reading them. If you have problems doing the important things in life, just do them. Too often in my life I have waited for "the perfect moment" to act and fix my situation when in reality now is the best time. Something that Elder Uchtdorf said is this: "The best time to plant a tree was yesterday, the next best time is now." Another quote I found that I really like reads: "The future is bought with the present". Don't wait for the future to fix itself, just fix it now. Like you would with any sickness, take the medicine now, so that you feel better later.
Lastly I just wanted to say thank you for all of your support, now and before my mission. I know I wouldn't be who I am today without all of you, so again, thankyoiu.
I love you all!
Elder Trevor Kent Johnson (TWMYK)
Wow, I am nearing almost 6 months on a mission! And man, has it flown by! It feels like a month ago that I was leaving the MTC, and a lot has happened since then. Lots of food (a ton), new people (a lot of those too), and new lifestyles (can't forget that).
This week I have received two new callings in our apartment. First is the Apartment Massage Giver (I can't recall the proper name for that). While we eat dinner at the apartment everyone asks for one and it usually lifts everyone's spirits, especially after a long day. I have also discovered that I am good at giving manicures (It think that's the name for it). My companion, Elder Uri, knows how to give them because here in the Philippines, both men and women like to have their nails cleaned. So he decided one day to do my nails. Well after an hour, two ingrown toe nails, and 20 clean nails later my toes were cleaner than a missionary's shirt! He taught me how to do it, and now I regularly clean their nails. Now before you have doubts like "He's a dude, he can't be good at that", let it be known tht multiple members in the ward have commented on my work and said I do a very good job. So if you want, I can set an appointment with you in 1.5 years if you want your nails done!
I also have been fixing another typewriter in our apartment, I little old fashoined, but I see why they were so popular, Its so much easier the hand writing!
This week I have also learned some valuable lessons on what it means to fix the problem when one arises. It seems to be a problem with less active members, and probably all people in general. Sometimes we let the view of the present, outweigh the view of the future. For some less active members here, they were offended by another member of the church, and so now, to avoid all contact with the person, they stop going to church. When asked if they believe that church is important, they all agree it is. But instead of going to church and fixing things, they let the view of maybe talking to, or heaven forbid "seeing", the member that previously offended them. Something I wrote in my journal, its not profound, but is the answer to this kind of problem: "If you know the problem, FIX IT". If you have trouble or problems reading the scriptures, start reading them. If you have problems doing the important things in life, just do them. Too often in my life I have waited for "the perfect moment" to act and fix my situation when in reality now is the best time. Something that Elder Uchtdorf said is this: "The best time to plant a tree was yesterday, the next best time is now." Another quote I found that I really like reads: "The future is bought with the present". Don't wait for the future to fix itself, just fix it now. Like you would with any sickness, take the medicine now, so that you feel better later.
Lastly I just wanted to say thank you for all of your support, now and before my mission. I know I wouldn't be who I am today without all of you, so again, thankyoiu.
I love you all!
Elder Trevor Kent Johnson (TWMYK)