Well we literally found hope.

Here in the Philippines they have a very specific way of organizing their communities. Basically goes like this: you start with your city (ex: Escalante), then the city is divided into townships, or Barangays (ex: Barangay Balingtawak), and then finally each Barangay is divided into even smaller areas which are called Sitios or Puroks (ex: Purok Sambag). As far as addresses go we're lucky if we ever figure out what Purok someone lives in, but even if we find that out we're still left with a lot of wondering around to find those that we're looking for. Well the other day we were looking for members in part of our area that we've never really gone to before when we came across a Purok that we've never seen before: Purok Paglaum. Well we took that as a cool sign and decided to check it out because paglaum means "hope" and ya we're always looking for some new hope in our area. Well we wandered in and asked some people if they knew of any members nearby and ya basta long story short we found a nice lady that said we should come back and visit her and her kids this Saturday so hopefully that'll work out.

But ya it kinda stuck out to me. I guess it's just kinda cool to think of hope as a place. Not some kind of intangible thing but a place you could literally go to, a place you could literally see, or literally feel. I guess it kinda makes it easier to see what we need to do during those times in our life that we need more hope. Instead of asking "Is there any hope?" we could ask "where can I find hope?" "Where do I need to go?" I'm sure there's plenty of answers to that but I think a simple answer for me is any place that brings me closer to god. Whether that's the Temple, or even just sitting at my desk reading the scriptures. Ether 12 of the Book of Mormon pretty much sums up a lot of what you'd ever need to know about Faith/Hope. One of my favorites is Ether 12:4

"Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God."
Ether 12:4

However bad things may be in our lives, as long as we can still believe in God then we can always have that hope we need. I like how it even goes as far as saying "with surety," as in there's no doubt involved. If we can truly believe that God is there for us, that he loves us, that he has a better plan and a better way for us, then at least for me that's really the only hope I think we'd ever really need. Hope leads to faith and through faith we can do all things even miracles. If a miracle is what you need in your life, go find a place that can help you find some more hope, a place where you can strengthen your belief in God, and I promise you that all will be well.

Hahaha that was hecka long... sorry
Elder Shirley


  























AND .... did he mention ... that he had his Christmas/birthday EARLY!!

Would be too hard to move 4 boxes if he's transferred next week ...  and he needed his new pants .... tsk! tsk! now there won't be anything to open on Christmas!!