Gangster

Hey Mom!

Here are some pictures! It's rainy season and the rain pours on us every night. It's a little dangerous to be riding our bikes at night in the rain but the Lord protects us. By these pictures you probably think I'm a gangster but I promise you I'm still obedient and working hard. I'm loving the mission and the Macato family accepted the invitation to be baptized! I hope the family is doing well! Ya'll are in my prayers. The church is true!

Love,

Elder Strader

Working Hard

Mom,

I love hearing about the family. I'm excited to see all of you again when we Skype. How are you though? How many pull ups can you do? (don't answer that question). I'm so happy that everyone is doing well, I always pray for that. Hows the flooding? 

I'm doing well the mission is working really hard. It's pretty hot but it doesn't seem to affect me. We have some awesome families that we've found, I'll tell you more about them next week when we talk face to face. I'm working the hardest I've ever worked my whole life. I love those I serve. I have been experiencing some back problems but I think it will be okay. Elder G wants me to slow down and rest but I always tell him I'll rest on August 3. But don't worry I'm okay. I've gotten really close to my mission president, President Balledos. He has taught me a lot and I feel so blessed that I've gotten to work close with him. 

I heard the Rockets lost in the playoffs...I almost didn't go to church when I heard that....haha just kidding but it's still sad. 

Anyway, I love all of you. And I'm excited for next week. Thank you for your prayers. The church is true!

Love,

Elder Strader

Repent or Be Destroyed

Mom,

Wow that's crazy with the floods in Texas! That's awesome that Brennan was able to save people. I love that picture of the temple and what a miracle that is wasn't damaged. The Church is true.

Well we are having the opposite weather conditions here in the Philippines. It is really hot here. Currently we have 4 missionaries in the hospital due to the hot weather. But actually it has been a spiritual experience for me. I don't know how often you pray for me because everyday when we got to work in the blistering sun I don't feel the heat...I can't explain it. I know it's hot outside because I can see it and I know the temperature but it doesn't feel hot for me. It's almost like there's some kind of shield around me that the heat doesn't bother me or affect the work. I don't know about you but that's a miracle to Elder Strader. Just a little reminder that the Lord's hand is in this work. A tender mercy indeed. 

Other then that things are going really well. I'm having fun with Elder G and we've had some funny times. Yesterday we found a family compound and found some kids playing in the street. When they saw two Americans they asked us why we there (in the Philippines). I then replied, "We here to tell all people to repent or this city will be destroyed." The fear on those kids faces were priceless. Okay maybe that isn't truly doctrine but it worked. 

Anyway, I love you guys. I'll Skype ya'll on Mothers Day! Please send me dad's Skype account again haha...The Church is true!

Love,

Elder Strader

Character of Christ

Family and Friends,

What a kick butt conference! I was so spiritually pumped and reverently motivated. Thank thee God for a prophet. 

Well just a quick update, things are going really good! Elder G and I are having fun. We've found some families and we are seeing progression in the area. We just challenged our mission to get 100 baptisms in the month of May so everyone is pretty excited for that. I feel so blessed.

Well just last week, we had a MLC (mission leadership counsel) this where we gather as Zone Leaders and Sister Trainers in the whole mission. We have a 2 day training and council of what our mission needs. Because I was called as a Zone Leader pretty early in my mission and now I'm assistant I've been going to MLC's for over a year. Saying that makes me feel really old but I love MLC's, it's a great opportunity to be trained by the mission president, the Spirit and to learn things from the other leaders. 

We we had an MLC and I gave a workshop on, "What is the role of a mission leader?" I did my best to prepare and the leaders came prepared as well, we were blessed with the companionship of the Holy Ghost. We talked about things in Missionary Handbook, Preach My Gospel, and the scriptures. But at the end I shared one personal experience I've had on the mission that the Lord has taught me a little bit of Christlike Leadership.

This is the time I was in the Mountains of Abra, in Bangued City. I was the Zone Leader and we had wonderful success in Bangued. We were once the lowest baptizing zone in the mission and turned out to be the top in just a short amount of time. I nicknamed the missionaries in my zone the, "Bangued Warriors," and through obedience, hard work, worthy goals, strong follow up's, revelation that zone turned into Zion. 

One night, we were walking the 3 miles back to our apartment. I was going through some personal stuff during that time, I was fasting, tired from the hard day, we got rejected the whole day and I just wanted to go home and sleep. When we got to our apartment we had a a lot missionaries staying the night in the Zone Leader's apartment because the next day, early in the morning, our zone would take a 7 hour bus ride, and drive to Baguio City to hear and meet Elder Anderson from the Quorum of the Twelve. Because of all the crazy things that were going on I had forgotten that all the elders would be there. So we walked in and greeted all the hungry elders. I say hungry because I forgot that I promised the elders a couple weeks earlier that I would cook for them and try to make it a fun bonding event. When I remembered that promise, despite my physical exhaustion and personal inner conflict, I rolled up my sleeves and walked in the kitchen. As the elders talked and socialized in the other room, I started to chop vegetables, boil water and cook for my missionaries in the kitchen (yes Mom I bet you're surprised that I can cook now lol). There were a lot of missionaries with some Polynesians in the mix and it was just me cooking so I was in there well over an hour and half. When I was done cooking, I counted the exact number of plates for each elder and started to dish each plate. As I was dishing up each plate my heart started to soften, and then something happened. When I was finished dishing all the plates I realized that there wasn't any food left for me. Every plate was filled to the needs and sizes of missionaries but there wasn't any left for myself. As I stood there, over all the plates of food with an empty pot in my hand, tears flowed down my face. I felt an overwhelming love for each one of those elders. The feeling was so strong, tangible, that I can't explain it in words. There was no thought that I was not going to eat that night, I just wanted to serve the elders. All the others things that I was going through just melted away.When I finally composed myself, I took each plate one my one and brought to each elder. When I was finished, I walked quietly in my room and wept like a child and got on my knee's thanked Heavenly Father for allowing me to feel that...love. Maybe it was charity or it was the Spirit but I've never felt that kind of love in such intense way. 

That's what we call the Character of Christ, that whenever things get bad, He never turned inward. He never thought, "what's in it for me?" No selfish desire. No, He always turned outwards. Even when things were hard or not going well for Him. We learn that when He was on the cross. "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." 

Jesus Christ taught His apostles, "He that is chiefest among you, that him be your greatest servant." I get chills when I read where Christ washed the feet of His apostles. He showed the way. He is the way. He is the chiefest among us but He is also the greatest servant that ever lived. I'm humbled to represent Him here in the Philippines. I'm trying to be like Him everyday. 

I want all of you to know that I love you and this gospel. I love the work. I love when it's really hot and when people slam the door in my face. I love teaching families and hearing someone utter their first prayer. I love being a missionary. Don't worry about me. Ingat po kayo! 

Your Valiant Missionary,

Elder Strader

Family,

We just had transferred and Elder B. was transferred. I'm now training the new Assistant, Elder G.! I was actually with him in my first area so we already know each other and we're having a great time. Elder Gn is from Oregon and was a varsity swimmer. He's was one of the most humble elders I know and we're working really hard.

Other then that, things are going well. I'm working hard everyday and on top of teach lessons every week, we testify or have a gospel conversion with over 210 people each week. I love talking to people, especially Filipino people. I feel so immersed in their culture and I just have such love for these people. 

I don't think I've ever been this tired my whole life. I know I go home soon and my body feels it too. But don't worry I still work and I'm so busy that the weeks are just flying by. 

I want all of you to know that I love you and this gospel. Mahal ko kayo!

Your Valiant Missionary,

Elder Strader

I Believe In Covenants

Mom,

Wow what a wonderful experience to spend time with the Brethren and other Auxiliary leaders. I'm so jealous. Being able to listen to Dallin H. Oaks and Sister Wixom all within one week! Doesn't get more spiritual in then that. The church is true.

I just want to share my thoughts about our baptism this last weekend and how it was a day I will never forget. 

So a couple of emails ago I talked about how we found Brother Randy and how spiritual that first lesson was. Anyway, since that first lesson he has attended church. When we taught Book of Mormon Brother Randy started reading it everyday. He expressed us that he didn't fully understand every thing but he always felt something when he read. Elder B and I made a plan with the ward to have different members every lesson. So that's what we did. Every lesson, different members and then Brother Randy became well known and loved in our ward. He never sat alone at church. We never had to watch or take care of him at church because the members were always with him and soon Brother Randy was more popular then the two white Americans in our ward haha. 

I can't express the gratitude and love I have for those members that made that transition easier for Brother Randy. We taught tithing and we were a little uneasy about it because Brother Randy is not wealthy at all. When we asked if he had any questions about the law of tithing Randy replied,"It's not my money anyway." And he paid his tithing the following Sunday before he was even baptized. 

When we taught fasting and explained the importance and how, Brother Randy fasted the following day. I feel so blessed that I was able to witness this man's spiritual growth and conversion. Brother Randy was baptized and bore his testimony. He testified of his struggle with the Word of Wisdom and how reading the Book of Mormon gave him strength to overcome the addiction he had. He bore his powerful testimony about Joseph Smith and Thomas S. Monson. He thanked me and Elder B and called us his guardian angels. Not a dry eye in the room. I can't tell you how much I love Brother Randy. His willingness to follow and find out for himself has impacted my testimony and changed my life. As we were teaching Brother Randy, the Lord was teaching me. 

I just want to bear my testimony that I know this work is true. It can't be stopped or hindered. I know for a surety that through "small and simple things, great things shall come to pass." I believe in Covenants. I know God doesn't change. I love the Philippines. I love the people here. I love my Savior. I love you all and I'll see you soon.

Your Valiant Missionary,

Elder Strader   

Counsel with the Lord

Loved Ones,

What a wonderful week! Prayers were answered, investigators went to church, did some service, was chased by 2 rabid Filipino dogs, taught a minister the Book of Mormon. Solid week.

I'm sad to hear about the Ward changes but I know it's for the best. In the board game RISK we call that "divide and conquer." Okay that wasn't has funny as I thought it would be. 

So this week or the last couple of weeks, I've been really focusing on my prayers and the concept of "counsel with the Lord." I think before my prayers were very generic and repetitive. I say my thanks and kinda of just go with the flow. But as I've learned more and experienced more trials and have been faced with more decisions, I'm praying with more efficacy. The Lord knows and hears our prayers. He wants to help us but He won't do everything for us, if that was the case, there would be no growth or personal progression. We're taught to "study it our in our minds." We use our personal judgement. We study the scriptures and heed the teachings of the Prophets and we make a decisions. And then we ask Heavenly Father. We say, "Father these are the things I want to accomplish, here's my plan and it feels good but what do you think? Is there something else you had in mind? If there is I'm willing to submit to your will." That's called counseling. We've been given agency and we're asked not to "be acted upon." Tell God what you're feeling and what your righteous desires are. Through the Spirit He'll let you know, but be careful, if you're not paying attention you won't notice His heavenly answers. Have faith in Him and His timing. But do your part. Search, ponder and pray. Tell Him what you decided but be flexible because He always knows best.

I've seen and felt the warmth and confidence that comes from true, sincere prayer. As I kneel and pray out loud, the connection I feel gets stronger and it's not a one sided conversation anymore. It's more of an intimate experience then before. But it takes practice. It takes diligence. But that sacred communication is so important. 

I want to bear my testimony of Jesus Christ, that He lives. I know the Book of Mormon is true, because I read it and I've felt it's power. I believe in miracles. I believe in Prophets and Apostles. I can't wait to see you all again. I love you! 

Your Valiant Missionary,

Elder Strader

PS. Here's a picture of the office staff. We have too much fun here. And here are pictures of my carrying water for a member.