Another Transfer in Inabanga!

Family and Friends!

We had a great week here in Inabanga! Things are going really well and the best thing that happened was that Roel finally came to church!! We went on splits Friday so I wasn't there when they taught him the sabbath day but the zone leader, Elder Ramada, taught it and got him to come. We actually weren't at church this last sunday becasue I had a fever Sat. and Sun so that was a bummer we couldn't see him and be with him but he said that he liked it and had a great experience. He said the members were really nice and welcoming to him and he said he loved that the classes are a question answer discussion thing instead of someone just spitting out stuff to you. Ah we're so happy he finally came. I hope he continues to come and that his parents, whom we're also teaching, will start to come as well. Dennis, the brother in law of the Berdin family, decided that he wants to get baptized and so we are now teaching him. Hopefully he is ready and can be baptized before I leave. That's the goal. I love that family. I do have some sad news, some really sad news. Junior, the recent convert who had tb and who was deathily skinny, passed away yesterday. We all thought he was going to get better but I guess the Lord has different plans and those plans are always the best. I feel so bad for his poor family. We are visiting them tonight and it's going to be a very sad and hard thing to see. They are the sweetest family and have endured so much hardship. They have basically no income, no food, and the smallest house you have ever seen yet they are the nicest sweetest people. The wife had her parents die when she was 12 and she led took care of her family and now she has been leading and taking care of this family alone and will continue to do so. I don't know how she does it. She hasn't once complained. She just continues to press on. An amazing example of faith. It's transfer week this week but nothing is really happening in our district here. We only have one change. I'll be another transfer here with Elder Meliang which will be great! I'm pretty much out of time. So sorry this is so short this week. I think I got all of the real important things that happened. Things are great here. Thank you for all of your prayers and emails! I love and pray for you all! I know this gospel is true. I know that are purpose in this is life is to follow the Savior in all things. I've loved reading about His perfect life, His complete humility and submission to the Father's will. I love Him and know He loves all of you. I hope all of you can feel of that love always. 

Love,

Elder Fox  

Looking At The Things Which Are Not Seen

Family and Friends!

This week has overall been another great one with Elder Meliang despite some discouraging moments that have happened the past couple days. I want to thank all of you for your many prayers. I feel and receive strength and power from them so thank you. They lift me and give me the strength to continue onward. The power of prayer is real. In whatever moments of need we may find ourselves in, we can pray to Heavenly Father and He will aid us with His eternal and infinite love. We can be healed and strengthened through the Atonement of His Son Jesus Christ. 

Yesterday we visited Roel. He is an investigator and has a baptismal date but hasn't yet come to church. I think i may have mentioned a little about his situation but his father is sick and is in the hospital right now and they are struggling money wise. You can tell it has been really challenging for him and his family. He got kind of emotional in the lesson talking about it. The Spirit was so strong in the lesson as it always seems to be when we teach him. At the end of the lesson we invited him to pray and he asked Elder Meliang if he could just pray because he, Elder Meliang, was closer to God than he was at the time and that God would listen to his prayer. We then explained that when we pray we become closer to God. That gap decreases. And that God our Father wants to listen to us and talk to us always especially when we are suffering or we have problems and challenges in our lives. We told him that Heavenly Father wanted to hear from him at that time. He ended up praying and I know that God heard and listened to the prayer of one of His worried sons. I know God lives, that He is our Father and that He listens and answers our prayers. 

Another aspect or part of the church that I've gained a greater appreciation of this last week is that we have living prophets and apostles in our time that lead and guide us on our pathway home. I recently studied Elder Andersen's last conference talk on spiritual whirlwinds. In one part he brought up the family and gay marriage and stuff and then he said something that I didn't hear when we watched general conference and it's something that hit me. He said, "Why do we continue to talk about this? As Paul said, “We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.” They see the things that aren't seen, the things we can't see. What an amazing blessing the Lord has given us with living prophets and apostles who see the unseen and tell us what we need to do to navigate safely home. 

Speaking of apostles and prophets on of the elders gave me 42 talks from Elder Holland, and tons more of Elder Bednar, and Elder McConkie, and others. I've been listening to all of those in the morning and at night. It's been awesome. I don't have much more time to write but I love you all. I know our Heavenly Father lives and I know that Jesus is the Christ. He is our Savior and through Him we can have peace and happiness in this life as well as in the eternities to come. He is the way, the truth, and the life and I love Him. I pray for all of you and hope you can feel my prayers as I have felt all of yours. I hope you all have a great week!

Love,

Elder Fox

The Power of The Atonement

Family and Friends!

Things are awesome here in Inabanga! It's a great area and Elder Meliang is a great companion. I forgot how much I've told to you about him but he is the only member in his family and has been a member for a year and 8 months. He has been praying for his family that they will listen to the missionaries and we just found out that his older sister just started listening to the missionaries! I think you can imagine how excited he is. I'm so happy for him. What a miracle and a blessing. Another miracle and blessing happened yesterday. We had set some goals for the total lessons and new investigators and by Saturday night it wasn't looking like we were going to reach it. We prayed that we would and we made a plan of how we were going to accomplish it and we accomplished our goals! We were so excited. It was just getting numbers, our numbers or lessons were quality lessons. It was a great week and I'm so excited to go at it this week. 

Elder Meliang is a great missionary and like I've said before, he brings the strongest spirit into the lessons. It's been really fun to teach with him. We still have lots of things we can improve on but it's been really fun. I'm starting to learn how to really listen to them, then listen to the Spirit and then speak or ask a question. It's been really challenging and I'm still not good at it but I'm getting better and it's so much fun. The lessons and the work is just better and more fun. I love it and I'm so grateful for the Spirit and it's role in our lives and in this work. What an amazing gift we have been given. I know that it will guide and direct us in all that we do if we are worthy and let it guide us. 

We only had Michael come to church yesterday which was great that he came but disappointing that all of the others didn't. We are working on a way to help them come. Anabel continues to run away from us but we continue to teach Juvi, her "husband". He is the man and wants Anabel to start listening and joining him at church and in reading and praying so bad. I love them. 

We had a zone training meeting last thursday and for president Tanner's workshop, he showed a talk by Elder Holland about words. I don't know what general conf. session it was but I think it was 2007. Anyway it was an amazing talk and I'd encourage all of you to listen to it. He talks about how destructive words can be to someone if we are not careful. It inspired me to try to become better and not just refraining from talking bad about someone with others but speaking good things about them when others might be speaking bad. Lately I've been really praying for charity, for the pure love of Christ. The love that is long suffering and kind, that inspires to reach out and serve others, to lift those that are down. The love that never fails. Christ's love never fails us, it's always there. Elder Holland said in last general conf. "Christlike love is the greatest need we have on this planet." I love my Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. I'm grateful for the love and the mercy They have for me and for all of us. I hope and pray that all of you can feel of Their love for each of you. I know They love you. 

I'm grateful for repentance. I've had the opportunity to interview quite a few people for baptism the last couple weeks and I'm so grateful for that opportunity. I love interviewing people and hearing their feelings about the gospel and most of all about repentance. One in particular sticks out in my mind. She was beyond excited to be baptized. i've never seen someone so excited. Her husband is in prison and one of her daughters is a member. She had done some things in her past that weren't great but she didn't know any better but as she was telling about some of those things she started to cry and talked about how she had repented and how through repentance the guilt and the heavy feelings were gone and she had peace. She said she used to get really angry at people and now she doesn't anymore. At the end of the interview I congratulated her and she got tears in her eyes again and they were tears of excitement. It was one of the best experiences so far on my mission. 

What a wonderful example of what repentance and the Atonement can do in our lives. What wonderful gifts we've been given and what wonderful blessings come if we use them. The Atonement is real and it's a gift that has been given to us for free becasue we are sinners. I love the Savior for He truly is my Savior. I love Heavenly Father for sending His Son becasue He loves me. They live and love us and I hope you all know it and can feel it. I love you all! Thank you for the prayers and the emails. I pray for all of you too. I hope you have a great week and that you can feel the Spirit and the power of the Atonement more in your lives.

Love, Elder Fox

Congrats On The Call James!

Friends and Family!

It's been a great week here in Inabanga with Elder Meliang. But first of all congrats again James on the mission call! Puerto Rico is one lucky place and the San Juan mission and mission president are very very lucky to be getting you. You are going to be great missionary and will love it. The people will love you and you will influence and bless the lives of many. Congratulations. It was also so fun to see everyone! I miss and love you all!

Well just to update you all on this last week. Michael had his interview but his baptism is going to be pushed back a little bit becasue of some things which is sad but it shouldn't be a problem. He should be baptized just not as soon as we were hoping. He was the only one that came to church yesterday which was disappointing. We are going to get them to come this week though. You can count on it. Roel told us last week that he is moving to Cebu for work this week which was sad but he said we give him as a referral to the missionaries assigned there. He also said he wants to visit the temple and take a temple tour which will be awesome if he does it.

I'm sorry I'm really low on time again this week. I don't know what happened. I just want to share some experiences I've had really quickly. Yesterday I prayed that I might be able to understand a little more of the Atonement and that I might feel it in my life. Since then I've had 3 or 4 experiences and times where I've been able to understand a little more fully what the Savior went through and i've been able to feel His power in my life. It's been amazing and I'm so grateful for those experiences Heavenly Father has blessed me with. I wish I had more time to go into more detail about the experiences I've had but all I can say is that I testify that Christ suffered and took upon him all of our sins and mistakes and imperfections so that we could be made completely clean and inherit eternal life. I would encourage all of you to read Believing Christ especially the last section "Lord, how is it done". I testify as a representative of Jesus Christ that He lives and loves us. That He has an infinite ability to save us from sin, heartache, and affliction. He "descended below them all" so that He could lift us up. I love Him and am grateful for the love and the mercy and power He has shown me. I love you all and pray that you might feel His grace and mercy in your lives. Have a great week!

Love, Elder Fox

New Comp In Inabanga!

Family and Friends!!

It's been an exciting and crazy week this last week! Transfer calls came and I'm staying in Inabanga! Elder McQuiston moved to Panglao and is actually comps with Elder Larson who is from Olympus! I'm training a new missionary so I got to go to Cebu and pick him up which was fun to be up there in Cebu. My anak's (son's) name is Elder Meliang. he is from Mindanao so he speaks Cebuano which is awesome! He also has worked with the missionaries for 5 months before coming which is great because it takes some of the load off me. He has been a member for 1 year 7 months and he is the only member in his family. He's a great anak. He struggles with English so I'm trying to help him with that while he tries to help me learn Cebuano. I should be here in Inabanga for two transfers with him which means I will hit my year mark here in Bohol and that means that I hold the record for being assigned on Bohol the longest. Haha we all say that I've been assigned to the Bohol mission. I love it here though. It's the best. Anyway so that's the update on transfers. 

To give an update on investigators. Michael continues to progress and hasn't had any slip ups with his drinking for a few weeks now. His interview will hopefully be on Saturday which is really exciting. He's a great kid. He's the only one of our investigators that is coming to church right now. We have a lot of great people we are teaching but they just don't come to church. Let's see Juvi and Anabel are awesome. Juvi was baptized but Anabel hasn't been. They need to get married so that's their main concern and also Anabel tends to kind of run away or not be there when we come to their house. it's really frustrating. The times we have taught her she's great and really nice but the problem is just being able to teach her and get her to come to church. Juvi is trying so hard to get her to listen and join him but she is being difficult. Juvi is an awesome guy and is so patient with her. I love them both so much and they have awesome kids as well. 

Roel is another investigator who has committed to be baptized on July 19 but hasn't come to church. He is 31 years old and isn't married yet but he is a really nice guy and has a good heart. His concern is just coming to church which is most people's concerns. This area is awesome though. We have a lot of investigators and we are finding more and more every week. It's an awesome area to be assigned. 

I asked President Tanner what I could do to become a better missionary and he said to work on and get better at recognizing and having the Spirit with me in all that I do everyday. He said how that would help not only on the mission and in church callings but in all things such as school, career, and relationships with others. I really liked that advice and it's something I'm going to really work on and get better at. I would encourage all of you to learn to recognize the Spirit and follow it in all that you do every day. Especially James as you are preparing for your mission. I love the Holy Ghost and am so grateful for it. Without it there would be no point in being out here and I would be totally lost. What an amazing gift Heavenly Father has given us. I love Heavenly Father and the Savior and the Holy Ghost. I am so grateful for all They do for me each day. They lift me up and enable me to continue on and to become better. I love Them and testify of Them and Their purpose, that is to bring us home. What an amazing time we live in. I love and pray for you all! Have a great week!!

Love, 

Elder Fox

Elder Fox, his anak (son) and Elder Murdock

God Loved Us, So He Sent His Son

Family and Friends!!

I feel like email time keeps getting shorter and shorter every week! I only have 15 minutes again to write. I'm so sorry but I'll try to get it out. First of all happy father's day to Dad and to all dads everywhere! I love you so much Dad! Transfer calls are tomorrow so I'll find out if I'm moving or not and who my new comp will be. I really wish I could go another one with Elder McQuiston. He is awesome and we get along really well. I had the chance to go on splits with Elder Cornwall (one of the zone leaders) the other day and it was awesome. He is going home this week which is crazy. He's been here for a long time and it was really fun to learn from him. He is a really good missionary and teacher. He taught me a lot about how to teach to the needs of the people and how to ask good questions and mold the lessons around them. It was really fun to watch him and learn from him. I've been working on getting better at that stuff and it's made the work even more fun than it was. It's fun to teach people and not just teach lessons. Anyway I'm really grateful I could work with him. I don't have much more time left but wanted to share my feelings about the Savior since we can't testify of Him enough and I had a neat experience last night as i was getting ready for bed. I was listening to God so Loved Us so He Sent His Son and the Spirit was so powerful as I listened to the lyrics.

Oh, love effulgent, love divine!

What debt of gratitude is mine,

That in his off'ring I have part

And hold a place within his heart

Those words are my words. His love filled my soul and I was overwhelmed with gratitude. What debt of gratitude is mine that He came and suffered and died for me, a sinner. I love the title of this song and testify that it is true. God so loved us so He sent His Son, His only Begotten and Beloved Son. I testify that They live and love us and that They will support and help us through all of our trials and challenges. They live to help and love us. I love Them and will forever be grateful to Them. I love you all and pray that you all can feel Their love and support in your lives. I hope all of you have an amazing week!

Love, Elder Fox

Floating Restaurant!

Family and Friends!!

 I'm really low on time this week. I only have about 10 minutes or so to write since we had a zone activity in Loboc which is pretty far away and we got back pretty late so I'll try to write as much as I can. The activity was way fun! It was a floating buffet restaurant with a guy singing classic songs and then we had a performance which was really sweet. It was probably the best activity we can do here in the mission other than golfing of course. Congratulations Jimmer on graduating high school! That's so crazy you've graduated now. You were all wondering about investigators. We have one who's family is all members. He's about 25 and a super awesome kid. He was supposed to be baptized a couple weeks ago but drank with his friends so it had to be pushed back. He said he never drinks to get drunk just a little because his friends do it. This is a big problem here in the Philippines. Groups of friends are called barkadas and it's kind of like the cool crowd. But the problem is is that a lot of these barkadas all drink and smoke and stuff and if you don't do that stuff then they leave you and you're not a part of them anymore. And that's basically all the kids you've grown up with and all the kids you know. It's a real challenge and I feel so bad for him. We haven't told him to change friends or leave them but we know he has to and we are praying that he will. We are just trying to teach him the doctrine and let the Spirit work in him. I think he knows he has to but it's really hard. He's such a humble and penitent kid but he's in a tough situation. I love him and so prayers in his behalf would be awesome. We are working on getting him friends inside the church which will be good. He has a baptismal date for July 6 by the way.

As far as district leader it's going well. It's become easier and not as stressful. It still kind of is but it's not bad. For my personal studies and reading I've been reading the Book of Mormon and I'm now in Alma 51 and it's awesome! I love the Book of Mormon! I've got the Book of Mormon fever and I'm sure Elder McQuiston is sick of me telling him how awesome Moroni is and how awesome the book is. Also I've been studying the Savior and our Heavenly Father. I've been reading the Book of Mormon, Teachings of Joseph Smith, and Jesus the Christ to learn more about Them and Their nature. I think I've mentioned this but I read in T of JS about the scripture that says and this is life eternal that they might know Thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. And Joseph Smith says that that is the only way we can receive eternal life. We must know Them and he says once we know Them we then know how to approach our Father in Heaven in way that we will get an answer and when we do that He will unfold the heavens unto us. Joseph Smith also said, "Once we are ready to come to Him, He is ready to come to us." That's probably not exactly right but I really liked that quote. So that's my personal study right now. I'm also printing off the King Follett Sermon by Joseph Smith and he talks about the nature of God. I'm really excited to read that and study it. Well I"m out of time. I love you all! Thank you for all of the prayers! Know i pray for you all too! I know our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ love us. I know They live and They lived once as we are now. They aren't a mystery. They are two Beings with bodies of flesh and bone. They have all wisdom and all power and all love for us. They really do want the best for us and want us to return to Them. They will do anything to get us there and all we have to do is trust Them and strive to know Them and become like Them. I love Them and I love this gospel which is the way back home. I hope you all have a great week! Love you all!

Love, Elder Fox

Playing golf to help make the long hot walks to the less actives house

Floating restaurant!

Performance on the river

Charity Never Faileth

Family and friends!!

I am really really low on time this week from just being slow at responding to your emails so I'll try and give a good update on the week. First of all and most important the B family was baptized last Saturday! It was an awesome experience. Everything went great. Elder McQuiston and I both got to baptize which was awesome. At the end of the service they all bore their testimonies and they all did a great job. One of them is 12 and he started to get emotional during his brief testimony. It was so cute. They are a great family and are great members of the church. The 18 year old has already said he wants to serve a mission which I can't tell you how excited we were when we heard that. We are giving him a PMG so he can start studying and also we are going to have him start working with us which will be awesome! I love them so much and can't wait to watch them grow in the church. That was the biggest highlight of the week. District leader is going well. It's getting better. Tomorrow's workshop is on Elder Tad Callister's talk, "Becoming a Consecrated Missionary" so hopefully it'll turn out well. Just quickly I want to summarize a little thing that happened last night. We got home and our ward clerk/youth president and our branch mission leader, Mario, were there. We all ended up getting into an argument on some problems in the branch. It wasn't a big deal but I withdrew myself from the argument and just started thinking. I finally got the Spirit back and it taught me a cool lesson. The question came to my mind, what is the solution to every problem in the world? And then I thought how was the greatest problem this world has faced solved? That problem being the fall of man. Well it was solved through the Savior and His atonement. It was solved through love, through charity. Charity is the solution to every problem. For charity never faileth. Then I opened up matthew chapter 6 if i remember right. And read towards the end of the chapter what the Savior's command to us about loving our enemies and how the Father makes His Sun to rise on the wicked and the righteous. And also His rain to fall on the wicked and righteous. Charity, the pure love of Christ, is the key. Love them that hate you and that despitefully use you and persecute you. I'm so grateful for the lesson that I was taught last night. I know that charity never fails and will solve any problem or challenge we may have. It's not easy, the Atonement wasn't easy, but it's possible and it must happen "for all things must fail," and only those who are found with this love can enter into the kingdom of God. I love you all and pray for your happiness and joy. I pray you all will have a great week. Hold to the rod which leads to the tree, or to the pure love of Christ.

Love, Elder Fox

We Are All Enlisted

Family and Friends! 

This week has been another great one. I don't have a whole lot of time this week to write but here's an update on the B family. They had their interviews this last saturday and they are good to go. They will be baptized this coming saturday which we are really excited about. They chose to be baptized in Tubigon's church instead of the ocean which we are kind of bummed about but it's okay because this is their baptism not ours. There will be five of them being baptized. The son in law won't be becase he has some word of wisdom issues. He was really drunk one of the times we were over there and he was really funny. Not to make a joke out of something that is really sad but it was funny. I feel so bad for him though. He comes from a broken family and they said that he just does whatever he saw his parents do which aren't very good things. I really hope he gets a desire to change his life for the better. He's a really nice guy. so that's the update on them. Our other progressing investigators have issues with the word of wisdom as well which we just found out so we'll be working with them on that too. I love the people we visit though. They are the best and it's so fun to spend time with them and share this gospel. I can't remember if I wrote about the O family but they are awesome. They are recent converts and they are the ones that gave us the B family as a referral. The dad has a really bad back and has a really hard time walking. Elder Tolman, my batch that was assigned here before me, carried him to the car so he could come to church and be baptized. After his baptism his back started to feel better and he was able to walk a little more. But his condition took a big downhill turn and now he can hardly sit up. He just lays in bed all day everyday. He hasn't been able to eat a lot so he's also gotten really really skinny. I'ts so sad. His wife and 4 little girls who are 14 and younger and who are the cutest girls ever have to do everything. But despite all of this he or them never doubt the Lord. Their faith is shining as strong and as bright as ever and it's been amazing to watch. I love that family so much. Their examples of trust and faith in the Lord have strengthened mine so much. I love the people here and I love what i'm learning on my mission. James and everyone else preparing to go get so excited because it's the best. If you want to get pumped watch Elder Holland's talk "We are all enlisted". Ive listened to it so much and get so excited to work every time I listen. Also I studied Mormon chapters 8 and 9 this morning becase in Holland's devotional talk on the book of mormon he mentions these chapters and says that one of the passages in these chapters impacted and changed his life forever and that he is eternally indebted to Moroni who wrote those words. That got me curious so i read them and they are just as powerful as he said they were. Moroni writes with incredible power and as I read the spirit filled my soul and pierced my heart. I had and have no doubt that the Book of Mormon is true. That those who wrote it, were prophets and wrote it for our day. I encourage all of you to read those chapters. Well I'm out of time. I love and pray for you all. I love this gospel and I love the Savior. He lives and loves each one of you. Have a great week!

Love, 

Elder Fox

The Lord Will Make Us Capable

Friends and Family!

Well it's only been 4 days since the last time I emailed because of the whole change of pday thing. First of all happy birthday Nate dogg!!! It's your birthday right now in the Philippines so technically you could start celebrating right now if you want. The big 16! That is so crazy Nate! You're going to be a priest now which is so cool and you get your license! Wow that's so awesome. I hope you have an awesome birthday. I'll be thinking about you all day. I wish so bad that I could be there for it but just know I'll be celebrating and thinking about you. Have an awesome big 16! Alright quick update on the B Family. Well there's not much to update you all on. They are still aweome and continue to come to church and keep their commitments and tell everyone they are mormon. Hopefully we can get them all prepared and ready for May 24th. Speaking of baptisms I had my first baptismal interviews last night. I interviewed two girls. One was 10 and one was 8. I'm not going to lie I was pretty nervous for the interviews being my first time but they went really well. I was worried about the language and the decision about whether or not they were ready to be baptized and so i prayed for help from the Lord. As I was praying and stuff I just had the thought come to me that I have been called to be a missionary and a district leader at this time and if I had been called by God to do it then obviously I could do it because if I couldn't have then He wouldn't have called me. and thats been a comforting thought and realization whenever I get nervous about something. I'm so grateful for that answer to my prayers. I'm reminded of the scripture in 1 Nephi when Nephi says if the Lord commanded me to do all things, I could do them. I know this is true with all of us. Not because we are necessarily capable on our own to do them but because the Lord commanded us to do them and He will make us capable. How grateful I am for that knowledge that when we are called by the Lord to do something it's because He knows we can do it with His help. we can do all things with His help. We must realize that we are unable to accomplish the tasks placed before us but we must also realize that we can do all things through Him who passed through all things. My love and gratitude for the Savior has grown so much and continues to grow each day. I love the Book of Mormon becasue it leads me straight to Him. The Book of Mormon is true and I testify like Joseph Smith that "a man will get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book." What a wonderful book it is. It is the word of God and it is the "word which healeth the wounded soul" (Jacob 2:8). I love this gospel. I love all of you and I will see you next week!

Love, Elder Fox

 Elder Fox, Elder Andres and Elder Johnson on a boat from Jao Island to Talibon

Elder McQuiston and Elder Fox on a chocolate hill

Baptism in Inabanga 

Submit Ourselves to the Lord

Famiy and Friends!

Another great week here in Inabanga with Elder McQuiston! Really quickly there have been some changes in our weekly schedule here in the mission. so pday has been moved to monday now so we will be like every mission here in the Philippines. I'm kind of disappointed in this because I really like pday on wednesday but that's okay monday will be good too! i think that's about the only change that affects all of you. But yeah so next monday i should be emailing. Quick update on the B Family. They are doing great still. Espcially one of them. She just eats up everything we throw at her. She also thinks about everything and asks good questions. Our last visit to them we taught about the third question of the Plan of Salvation, "where do we go after death?" After we taught about the three kingdoms and stuff she told us that she had a big question to ask us. Elder McQuiston talked about that moment after and we said when she said that we were pretty scared of what she was going to ask. We thought it was going to be major concern she has or something. But she said something like this, "How do we get to the Celestial Kingdom? What is the gospel of Jesus Christ. we know we have to repent but a lot of churches know that but they will only go to the Terrestrial kingdom. So what are they lacking? What do we need to do?" Man let me just tell you how nice it was to hear those words. That was music to our ears. We then told her that the lessons coming up in the following visits would answer that big question of hers. I'm so excited to go back and visit. So that's the update on the B Family. quick update on district leader. I gave another workshop last monday and it didn't go to well. It wasn't bad but I didn't feel very good about it which was kind of disappointing but that's okay there's always another one. I know the Lord is with me and if we turn to Him in weakness and humility He will make that weakness strong. That is His promise and He cannot lie so why should we doubt? I know that He loves us and is there to help us and to save our souls. We don't ever have to do anything on our own as long as we are humble and submit ourselves before Him. I'm grateful for the Book of Mormon. I know it's true. I know that if we want to learn of Christ and grow closer to Him then we need to read the Book of Mormon. I am so grateful for the prophets who took time to write it and for Mormon who abridged it for all of us and for Joseph Smith who by the power of God translated it. I know he was a prophet of God. I know that the true and pure gospel of Jesus Christ was restored through him. I love him and am grateful for him. This church is true and Christ is at the head. I love all of you and pray for you! Have a great week!

Love, Elder Fox

Instruments in the Lord's Hands

Family and Friends!

This week has been a great week and I have quite a bit to tell all of you. First of all happy birthday Dad and then Mom on saturday! You are the best Mom and Dad in the whole world and I can't tell you how much I love both of you and how grateful I am for both of you. So first off I think one of you asked how the heat was last week and I don't think I answered but it is so hot here it's not even funny! I mean it's always hot but now it's technically summer and it got ten times hotter. It's like an oven with moisture in the air. But it's better than cold and so it's all good. So I have to tell you about one of our areas in our area that is just taking off. The area is Badiang and there is a recent convert family that lives there. so we visited them the other week and they said that some of their neighbors wanted to listen to us. They said that they had talked to their neighbors about the gospel and about us. They are an awesome family. So one day we contacted one of the families, the B. family. Let's just say that they are really elect and were really prepared to listen. Since that first visit we have visited them two or three other times and they have committed top be baptized on May 24th! It's been amazing. These type of people let along families are very rare to find in the mission. They told us that a couple people from the Catholic church came over to there house and wanted to do bible study and the family told them that they were Mormons and didnt want to listen. Haha how funny and awesome is that! So yeah Elder McQuiston and I are pretty excited about them to say the least. This experience has also made me realize that as missionaries we really don't do anything. We really are just the instruments in the Lord's hands and it's His hands that do the work, not us. I'm so grateful for the knowledge I have that we are in His hands, that He is "before our face" and will never leave us. Being district leader has kind of been stressful for me so far. I'm kind of young to be a district leader and so i feel inadequate to do the assignment. But it's been amazing to see the power of the Atonement work in my life and help me fulfill the assignment. I gave my first workshop this last monday which was nice to get it done and the first one under my belt. I was kind of nervous for it and I just prayed that the Lord would give me His spirit and would guide and direct my words and that's exactly what He did. I could feel His strength and Spirit and guidance. I'm so grateful for Him. I'm been so humbled out here. Having the responsiblities of a missionary put upon me and knowing that I can't do it alone. It's been very humbly but very amazing to see the Savior's hand lift me and strengthen me and enable me to do. I'm not even close to perfect, nor will i ever be, but I know that my efforts and desires are enough becasue of the Atonement. I love the Savior. I know He lives and loves us. I know this is His gospel. I love you all so much! Thanks for all of your prayers and emails!

Love, Elder Fox

First Week in Inabanga!

Family and friends!!

     This has been an awesome first week in Inabanga with Elder McQuiston! The highlight of the week was definitely conference! We finally got to watch it and it was amazing. It was like Christmas for all of us over here. It's so sad that we have to wait another six months to have it again but it's also a good thing so we can study the talks and apply them. I can't wait to get them in the Ensign so I can start studying them. We do get Liahona out here but only one english and one cebuano for each companionship and so basically we have to share the english. So some of my favorite talks from conference were Elder Oak's, Elder Uchtdorf's talks, Elder Bednar's talk, Elder Christofferson's talk, and many others. I loved them all but those are some that stood out. I really loved Elder Uchtdorf's talk on gratitude. I just loved the way he described what it means to live in gratitude. It was a powerful talk. Well I don't have much more time unfortunately. But quickly Elder Teh's talk about Bohol was cool because he talked about his visit to Tagbilaran where he spoke to us. And he talked about that 73 year old lady who I told you about in an email and she was sitting close to us during his talk. It was cool because usually you don't know the people they talk about in conference but this time i did. anyway I'll try to answer all of your questions really quickly.

     Being district leader is going well. Basically my responsibilities are to give a workshop every monday in district meeting, I'm in charge of reporting on the district to President through email each week, and I yeah just help and serve those in my district. And I receive there stats and send it to the zone leaders. That's being district leader in a nutshell. Inabanga has like nothing. It's not a city and has no grocery places or anything. We have to come to Tubigon for that stuff. But it's awesome still. I love it. We live right by a bunch of members which is awesome and we have two members that work with us every day. They are awesome. One of the members gives us massages at night. Like legit massages. It feels so good. And they basically do everything for us. You asked what we eat. For breakfast I usually eat oatmeal, for lunch I eat rice and noodles and corn beef, and for dinner pretty much the same thing haha. So yeah lots of rice, noodles, eggs and stuff like that.

     Well I'm out of time. But I have to say something because it's easter next week. I'll do an easter email next week even though it will be over but here's a little bit. I know the Savior lives. I love Him and am so grateful for His eternal sacrifice, suffering, death, and resurrection for me. Like you said Dad, the resurrection is the greatest miracle. His breaking of the bands of death shows to me and shows to all of us that He has all power, that through Him all things are possible and we can over come and break free from whatever bondage we may find ourselves in, whethere that be from sin or just life. 

He lives to bless me with His love. He lives to plead for me above. He lives to calm my troubled heart. He lives all blessings to impart.

This is why He lives, to help us along the path, to heal our souls of heartache and suffering. How grateful I am for His love. I love Him and know that He lives. I love you all and hope you all have a great week!Love, Elder Fox

Emergency Transfer

Hey everyone!

Well this has been a crazy week or last couple days I guess. Before I tell you all about it I have to say I hope you all loved conference! I'm so excited to watch it this weekend! And it will be in english which is really nice. Oh and next week I will be emailing a couple hours later than usual and on Tuesday instead of wednesday. So i will email at about 12 on TuesdayPhilippines time. We're doing that becasue we have mission tour on wed. and a zone activity tuesday. But just wanted to let you know! Anyway so this week. Monday we had a zone training meeting which is where all the missionaries in the zone meet together and the zone leaders give a workshop that President Tanner and the AP's gave to them and they give their own too. But anyway so we get there and then one of the zone leaders, Elder Cornwall came up to me and told me President Tanner was on the phone and wanted to talk to me. So i got on the phone with President and things were racing through my mind. I thought maybe something had happened at home with one of you and he was calling to tell me. So i was kind of worried but he said that a new missionary had to go home for medical reasons and that his companion needed a new companion and since i was in a threesome President asked if i would transfer to Cebu! They call that an emergency transfer by the way. how crazy is that!? I was pretty bummed becasue I hadn't been in talibon for very long and I love Talibon and we had a baptism the next day and 5 other baptisms coming up later that month. The people in Talibon are the best and I miss them a lot! But so after the meeting the zone leaders drove me to talibon to pack. I packed and then we drove down back down to Tubigon to get me on a boat. We got to the port and bought my ticket and then we get got a call from the Assistants that there would be change of plans. Well there's a little more to the story but it's kind of long. To make it short, the assistants and us figured out something that one of the district leaders did that wasn't very good. He didn't do anything bad but anyway so the assistants said that instead of me tranferring to cebu, that district leader would and i would take his place in Inabanga as district leader. So that's what happened. I am now in Inabanga with Elder McQuiston who is my batch which is so sweet! I love Elder McQuiston. and yeah I'm now serving as district leader so we'll see how that goes. But yeah it's been a crazy couple days. Things are going well here. The language is coming along. I still struggle sometimes with understanding people, well and speaking, but it's coming. Hopefully the fluency comes soon but we'll see. I don't have much more time but I just want to share my testimony of this gospel and of our Savior and our Father in Heaven. I know that this gospel is true, that it was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith by the Savior. I know that Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer of worlds. I know that through Him and by Him we can return to live with our Heavenly Father. I don't know if i've said this before but one of my favorite things about this gospel, well i can't really choose something over the other but I love and am so grateful for the knowledge i have that God is our loving Heavenly Father. That is the first thing we teach in the missionary lessons and it's my favorite. He is our Father and He loves us. Because He loves us, He has given us His Only Begotten Son, He has given us families, He has given us prophets and apostles, and He has given us the wonderful plan of happiness. I love Him and am grateful for the things He has given me especially all of you as my family. I love all of you. I miss all of you but I know we will see each other again soon. Hurrah for Israel! God, our Father, be with you til we meet again.

Love, Elder Fox

Two New Companions!

Hey Everyone!!

This last week has been an awesome one! It was tranfer week and I got my two new companions Elders Johnson and Andres. They are so awesome. Before i tell you a little about them. I have to say happy birthday to Johnny! I already emailed him but have to give him another shout out! Happy birthday buddy! Hope it's an awesome day and hope you get some golfing in! Anyway so about my new companions. I love them both. Elder Johnson is from Montana and he and his family have a farm so they are farmers obviously. Anyway he is super energetic and pumped up about everything which is really funny and really awesome! I love it. He comes from a big family too by the way. I think there are 11 total in his family. Let's see and Elder Andres is from northern Philippines so he is a native tagalog speaker. He goes home in three transfers and Elder Johnson is my junior batch so one transfer behind me. Elder Andres is just a cool, chill, funny guy. I don't know right when they arrived I felt like we had all been together for a long time and we were all really close friends. In short, it's been really fun so far and I'm excited for the rest of the transfer. Well I'm running low on time this week so i'll make it quick. Sorry! Quickly two highlights. I had the chance to give priesthood blessings to two investigators as well which was really cool. I don't know why but it seems that I am always the one that ends up giving the blessings. Probably because I need the most pracice or something. I don't know but i'm grateful for those experiences. The power of the priesthood is real. It is the power of God given to us to bless the lives of others through administering grace to them. Also we have general conf coming up! You should all hear how excited we get out here when we talk about conf! haha it's hilarious but we are so excited! It's too bad we have to wait and extra week but I can't wait to see it! I would encourage you all to read Elder Hales talk about conference in last conference's ensign. It's powerful and very good. Conference is an amazing time and it's a brilliant thing that we have it. President Tanner has said that, and i think you said it dad in your email. Its true though and it's brilliant. We need to prepare ourselves for conference througth prayer and scripture study and make sure we are free to watch all of the sessions. I can't wait to be fed by the prophets and apostles of the Lord. How grateful I am that we have living apostles and prophets to lead and guide us in these last days. I know they have been called of God and that their words are His words. I love testifying to the people here that we have a living prophet and living apostles. Well, I'm out of time! I love you all so much! I know this church is true. I know our Savior lives. I know He lives to bring us safely home. I love Him and again can't wait to listen to His servants. I love and pray for all of you! I love this work and I love serving here in the Philippines! Have an awesome week! Hurrah for Israel!

Love, Elder Fox

Fourth Transfer!

Hello Everyone!

Wow i don't know where the time went but I'm running low on time today so this email might not be as long but I'll try to get as much out as I can! First of all i forgot to thank Anna for that pillowcase you made me!! That is the best thing ever and I've been sleeping with it for the past couple of weeks! Thank you so much Anna! Let's see what happened this week. Oh transfer calls! so i'm staying here in Talibon but i am going to be in a threesome now! my companions are Elder Andres (filipino), and Elder Johnson (from Montana). they will get here tomorrow. Anyway I know them both a little bit and I love them both so it should be fun. I'm really excited to see what a threesome will be like. Anyway I will let you all know how it is next week! We had district conference (stake conference) this last saturday and sunday which was fun. President Tanner spoke a few times in the different sessions and he is just the man. Seriously I can't say enough about how awesome he is and Sister Tanner is. President Tanner's talks are so simple, so sincere, and so powerful. He really teaches and leads us by example. Just by watching him you can tell and see the types of missionaries we should be. He is so intune with the Spirit and follows the the promptings he receives. It's an amazing thing to watch and I wish all of you could be here to see him. I love President Tanner and Sister Tanner. Sister Tanner is just hilarious and so nice. anyway so one of the things that President Tanner talked about in priesthood session was our greatest responsiblity we have as priesthood holders is our family. and then he said the most important person in the family is the wife and mother. He told the priesthood that she is their most important person and priority in their family. Well he said this to all of us but Im not married yet so yeah but when I get married then she is my most important priority. anyway you all know what i mean. But he just said that she is the only one that will walk into eternity with us. Our children will have their wives to walk in to eternity with. I wish you all could have been there to hear him speak and talk about this becsue it was powerful. But one of the things i am so grateful for is for you mom and dad and for your example that you have set for me. I couldn't ask for greater parents. I can't ever pay you both back for all the things you have done for me and taught me. Ican't express my love and appreciation for both of you. I sit and wonder why I was so blessed with such an amazing family, with such amazing parents, and the best little brothers and sister in the world. I love you all so much and if there's anything I can ever do for you then just ask! I love and pray for you always. I hope you know how much I love and am grateful for all of you. I'm out of time now but I love you. I testify that our Father lives and loves us. That His Son Jesus Christ suffered all so we wouldn't have to suffer if we trust in Him and follow His example. I know that through Him and His Atonement we can be healed of any sin, sickness, affliction, or heartache that comes our way. I love Him and will be forever grateful for Him. I love you all! Hurrah for Israel!

Love, Elder Fox

I am a child of God

Hey everyone!

Not a ton to update you all on this week. Still just plugging away as a missionary. We have a lot of great people we are teaching. I love them so much. They are the best people in the world. But yeah they are all great but once again church is the problem. They don't ever come which can get frustrating if we let it be frustrating. I think I forgot to update you on our investigator last week but he is doing better. We gave him a priesthood blessing we told him that if he prays, reads the Book of Mormon, and goes to church he will receive the strength he needs to stop smoking. So far he hasn't read and hasnt come to church. He's cut back on his smoking which is good but I think he thinks that he can just stop on his own. Hopefully he realizes that he needs the Savior and will start doing those things to allow the Atonement to work on him. He is awesome and his family is awesome too. I love visiting them. Also we have another investigator that suffered a stroke a while ago and can barely walk. We've visited with him and talked about how the priesthood that allowed the apostles of Christ's time to perform miracles has been restored and that miracles continue to happen in today's time. he believes he can be healed and he keeps telling us each time we invite him to come to church that if he is healed and can walk again then he will come to our church. We've told him that he needs to show his faith by coming to church before a miracle can take place. We know he is able to come to church becasue he was able to take a trip to cebu the other week which is a lot further. I don't know I've been praying for guidance to know what we need to do, or what the Lord would have us do. there's a member that comes to church every sunday who has a similar problem. I want to get her to one of the lessons with him so she can testify as someone with a similar problem. Anyway so that's a couple of updates on a couple of people we are teaching. I love them and I love all the people we talk to. I can't say it enough. One of the things I've been studying and trying to get better at is recognizing the Spirit and letting it guide me in all things. The chapter on it in PMG is so awesome. But yeah that's one of the things i've been working on and studying. We are promised and have been given the gift and companionship of the Holy Ghost and we have been promised that it will alwyas be with us and guide us in all things as we remember and keep our baptismal and temple covenants. The scriptures say that the Holy Ghost will show unto us all things what we should do. That's an amazing promise and a promise that I've done a horrible job of comprehending and taking advantage of. It will tell us all things what we should do. It doesnt matter what things they may be. Whether it be school, or work, or the gospel, or friends, or family, or whatever, we can receive guidance from our Heavenly Father through the Holy Ghost. I know that our Heavenly Father lives and loves us. That He is constantly working and constantly waiting for us to ask Him for help and guidance. Last night we were teaching these three little girls and we had one of them say the closing prayer. She wouldn't do it at first becsaue she was shy and then she finally did it. The prayer was so simple so cute and during the prayer I just pictured our Heavenly Father listening to her pray and I just thought of how happy He must have been that she was praying and talking to Him. and then I thought of how many people don't know they have a Heavenly Father they can talk to and so they haven't ever talked to Him. I thought of how sad Heavenly Father must be when we don't pray and talk to Him or when we say the same things over and over again. My testimony of how much He loves us and how He always listens to us and answers us was strengthened so much in that moment. I love Him and testify that He lives and loves us. This is also something I've been trying to work on is being completely sincere and following the Spirit to know what to say in my prayers. I love Heavenly Father and I'm so grateful for the love and mercy He shows me each day. I love "I Am a Child of God." I would encourage all of you to sing that at least once a day and let the words sink in. We are children of God and we are here to be tested and tried so that we can become like Him. That is the purpose of life and the only purpose of this life, to do all that we can to become like He is. How grateful I am for this knowledge that we have been blessed with and how grateful I am to have the chance to share with the people here. We must share this plan, which is a plan of happiness, with all we can. I love this work and I love the Savior, Jesus Christ, and our Father in Heaven whose work this is. I love and pray for you all! I hope you all have an amazing, happy week!

Love, Elder Fox

Back to Tagbilaran

Hello Everyone!!

Another week has come and gone. This was a great week too! The highlight of the week has to be that I got to go back to Tagbilaran for the past couple days! We had a meeting for all bohol missionaries there so we got to go spend a day down there! It was so sweet. I felt like i was back home, my mission home. I got to go with Elder Murdock too which was sweet and we had dinner with the branch missionary that always worked with us, and yeah it was so fun. I got to eat at all the good restaurants again and sleep in the tagbi house again. It was a really fun couple days. So yeah on Sunday, we traveled to calape for a choir practice for district conference. Then we stayed the night at Elder Murdock's house which was fun. Monday we went to Loon for a service project with the whole zone. We helped clear a house that was destroyed back in the earthquake. I think I might have told you about this lady but just in case i didn't i'll tell you. It was her house that went down and she is 75 and she lost her grandchild and i think maybe a daughter too in the quake. So she's left all by herself. She has also done the missionaries laundry in Loon for 19 years. She is amazing and she told someone, I can't remember who, but she said I am willing to go through anything the Lord wants me to go through in my life. How amazing is that? her faith is just amazing. And it reminds me of President Kimball. I know i've probably said this but I've heard it a lot and it never gets old for me. Just about when he missed those two conferences in a row because of how sick he was and the conference he came back he said, "give me another mountain to climb." I just get chills when I hear that story and when I think of that. Then i think of all the pioneers and how they counted it a privilege to sacrifice and suffer along the trail becasue they were able to know our Heavenly Father and help in His work. I think of Joseph Smith and all that he suffered. I love those verses in the first part of D&C 121 and the last part of 122. I love the prophet Joseph Smith and I love and am forever grateful for him and for all he sacrificed. Also of course the Savior suffered all despite being the best of us even in the beginning. He was perfectly obedient, perfectly loving, perfect in every way yet He suffered all things temporally and spiritually. And we being imperfect, constantly making mistakes, suffer so little when in comparison with the Savior. And not only do we suffer so little, the Savior has promised us help and strength to push through our trials and suffering. Life can be brutal it's true. our suffering can seem endless and torturous but the Savior suffered all things so that He could know how to succor us when we would endure our tests and trials. Oh how great the wisdom and the love of our God! I love Him and can't express my gratitude for Him. Not only for His sacrifice but His example of how to sacrifice and how to endure suffering. I am so grateful for His mercy and grace. I'm so grateful for the Atonement which allows joy and good things, all good things, possible. Which allows me to do good works and others to do good works as well. We truly can do nothing without the Atonement. I know that the powers of the Atonement are there for anyone who humble themselves and ask for them. I love our Savior Jesus Christ I know He loves me. I know He loves you. I know I've probably emailed something like this before but it's important and that's the one of the thing's I'm learning about the gospel. We can never study, hear, or learn things enough. It's by repetition that we progress and learn. I love this gospel and know it's true. I love praying and asking if it's true and each time I do pray and ask the Spirit confirms to me that it is true. I love and pray for you all! Hurrah for Israel! Hurrah for the time we live in!

Love, 

Elder Fox

You Are Capable of Something Better

Hello Everyone!

Well another week has come and gone here in Talibon. time just keeps on flying. things are going well. There's not much to update on the week. we had a full day csp with the district last friday which was fun becasue I got to see elder smith, my comp from the mtc, and elder murdock! it was so fun to be with them and talk with them while serving. the service was basically we put fertilizer soil on a huge dirt field and then planted some stuff. It was fun but we got fried! I know what your thinking mom and dad did you put on sunblock? haha and yeah i did but we all thought we were going to be out there for an hour or two but it was the whole day. it was brutal but the sunburn is better now. that's crazy to hear about Ukraine. I had no idea that was going on. I'm glad they are safe and I will definitely be praying for them. I hope everything is going well back at home. It sounds like they are and people are just plugging away at school and work and stuff. I can't believe it's the start of spring time there. quick update on our investigators. they are doing well. I love visting them. They are such an awesome family. Our investigator is still struggling with cigarettes but i think it's getting better. I know that he will be freed it's just a matter of when. We try to visit them more than other people to just help him and support him through this. they are a great family though. Oh Dad that talk you sent me about being a consecrated missionary by Tad Callister was amazing and like you said, is a must read. It was so powerful and was exactly what i needed to hear. I realize that i've been a good missionary but I haven't been a consecrated one. It really inspired me to become one though. After reading the talk i listened to the Inconvenient Messiah by Elder Holland and it was icing on the cake. I love those talks and all of you should read and listen to them. It's good and great to good and great members and disciples of Christ but as President Hinckley said, "Mediocrity will never do, you are capable of something better." We must become consecrated members and disciples of Jesus Christ. We must give all that we have to Him and allow Him to change us. One of the things I liked in the talk by elder Callister was he was talking about a disobedient missionary and in one of his meetings with him the elder said " you are not asking me to change my behavior, youre asking me to change my nature." Elder Callister said he was so right. I love that and has made me ponder about why i do the things I do. If i'm doing them just do them or am I doing them becasue I want to become something, becaue I want to change my nature. I'm almost out of time and there's so much more I could say about this. This talk really hit me hard. I encourage all of you again to read it. I know that if we give everything we have, everything, to the Lord and His work, that we will become someone we didn't think we could become. I know that He lives and loves us. I know this gospel is true and that this is the true gospel and church of Jesus Christ on the earth. I love you all so much and pray for you always! Hurrah for Israel!

Love, Elder Fox

6 Months!!!

Hello Everyone!!

it's amazing how fast the weeks go! I say that every week but it's true. They go so fast! i can't believe i'm emailing again. And my six month mark is coming up this friday which is crazy! Time has been flying and it just keeps getting faster. it feels like i was just turning in my papers and stuff and now james is! So cool jimmer! I'm so excited for you! you all have to let me know when he is going to get it so i can check to see if i can skype or call. i don't know if it's possible or not but i want to check! so cool though and so fun about mandy's call! Alright I don't have a ton of time this week! I don't know where's it's gone but I hav a lot to say as usual so I'll try to hurry. One of the sweetest feeling so far on my mission is when less actives or investigators come to church for the first time. Ah it's amazing the joy there is seeing them walk in the door. We've had a couple return this last couple weeks and it's been amazing. The best part about it was the memebers reaction to them. Right after the meeting I could see almost al themembers going up to them and telling them how great it was to see them and have them come to church. I can't tell you how amazing it was and the joy i felt and feel just thinking about it. It was a really cool experience. the members here are awesome. i'll quickly tell you about a family of investigators we are teaching, well one in particular. his name is peter and he is a father of two. Anyway he is awesome and he has a smoking problem. he's tried to quit but he keeps relapsing. We met with them last night and talked things through and stuff. he and his family are aweomse and I have no doubt that they will be baptized. I know that Peter will quit smoking becasue I know that the Atonement is real and can heal all things spiritually and physically. If you could all just pray for Peter and his family that wouldbe awesome! I love them so much. so mom said some things in her email about holding to the rod and i was actually thinking of talking about that in the email this morning as i listened to The Iron Rod. i've listened to quite a few talks about the Book of Mormon. Elder Holland's talks especially were amazing. You all should go listen to them! There's one from conf. and one froma devotional. In one of them he talks about how the mist of darkness in Lehi's dream doesn't just fall upon those who have strayed from the path but it falls on everyone. you said mom in your email similar things. But i really liked that and it's true. aThe mist of darkness falls and has fallen upon the whole world. Temptations are all around us whether we like it or not. And that mist of darkness can make even the best lose their way if they stop holding to the rod. i testify that the Book of Mormon is true and by holding to it we are building upon the rock of our Redeemer and we cannot fall. I know this is true. The book is true and we need to read it and love it everyday. I know it's hard to find time to read. I wasn't good at it before being out here unfortunately but i won't let a day go by for the rest of my life without reading even a little bit from it. I love this book and know that if we hold fast to it and press forward we won't be deceived and it will lead us to the tree of life, to the fruit or love of God which is the most joyous to the soul. I would say that each time we read it we are led to the tree and partake of the fruit. When we read it, we are strengthened and we are given power, and we feel the love of God for us. i know that the Book of Mormon is true. 

While on our journey here below,

Beneath temptation's pow'r,

Through mists of darkness we must go,

In peril ev'ry hour.
And when temptation's pow'r is nigh,

Our pathway clouded o'er,

Upon the rod we can rely,

And heaven's aid implore.
And, hand o'er hand, the rod along,

Through each succeeding day,

With earnest prayer and hopeful song,

We'll still pursue our way.

Hold to the rod, the iron rod;

'Tis strong, and bright, and true.

The iron rod is the word of God;

'Twill safely guide us through.

I love you all so much and pray for you always!!

Love, Elder Fox

Elder Fox and Elder Connolly with their kuyog (someone who goes with someone)

Talibon

Hello everyone!!

So I'm officially in my second area, Talibon! Transfers went well. I took a three hour bus ride to get here. It was a nice bus ride, nice to just rest and get a good drive in. Anyway, made it here safely and Elder Connolly is awesome! we live in an apartment and it's really nice. It's not as big as my last one but id say it's probably nicer. Sorry I forgot to tell you about Jun Jun's baptism last week! It went through and went well. It was an aweome way to leave tagbi. I hope he continues to endure and grow and progress. Jimmer I hope your birthday went well man! I hope it was an awesome 18th birthday and congrats on the eagle man! You did it!! so sweet! So yeah Elder connolly is from mesa arizona. He's the youngest child and has I htink two older sisters and and older brother. His brother served here in the Philippines but Tagalog speaking. I was really worried about the language before coming and the Lord has really blessed both of us so far. Thank you so much for your prayers! We still don't understand a lot of what people say but we are able to understand enough and speak enough to help them and teach them. It's been an amazing blessing and miracle. I know that all things are possible through having faith in Christ. If we ask in faith, He will give it to us. so yeah it's been fun so far. We are both super young in the mission but i htink it's one our strengths becasue we can just go our there and work and it's awesome. he loves to talk and isn't shy at all which is really awesome and it's something i need to work on because i'm more quiet and shy. I'm excited for this transfer and excited to work on losing myself in the work by being less shy. Sorry If this is kind of a scattered email. I'm jsut trying to get everything out and answer questions. Church is a lot different over here than in Tagbi. We have a small meeting house in the upstairs of some place and there are about 40 members compared to in tagbi with a big church and 115 members. It's awesome though. It's fun to be in small place knowing there's a ton of work to do. There's a ton of work to do everywhere of course but even more here. The people are amazing here. They are a little poorer over here than in tagbi but still amazing. I love them so much. It's looking like we will have some baptisms coming up which is aweosme! And we don't have a font so we do it in the ocean! I'm super excited about that. I hope I answered all of your questions or at least most of them. If not remind me and I'll try to answer them! I know the Lord is with me and with all of you. I know He lives and that if we just believe Him, we can do all the things He has commanded us to do. It's truly been a miracle so far here in Talibon with the language and I'm so grateful to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for hearing and answering our prayers. I love prayer and I know that when we pray, we really are talking to our God, our Father in Heaven. I know that He listens to all of our prayers and that He answers. I love talking to Him and love trying to listen to what He says through the Spirit. I need to do a lot better job of listening in my prayers andnot just talking but the times I listen, I always here Him. I love Him and I'm so grateful for the chance I have to serve Him. He lives and loves us and loves to bless us. I love the hymn I Know That My Redeemer Lives. I love how it says He lives to bless me with His love, He lives to plead for me above, He lives to calm my troubled heart He lives all blessings to impart. That is why He lives. He lives for us. He lives to bring us home. I love Him and I know that He lives. I love all of you and pray for you!! Thanks for all of your prayers! I love you so much! Hurrah for Israel!!

Love, Elder Fox

 Tarsiers 

Elder Fox and Elder Connolly chillin at the Baybayon (beach)

Third Transfer!

Hello Everyone!!

Another week has flown by. It's amazing. So I have a lot of stuff I want to say as usual but first HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMES!!!! THE BIG 18!!!! It's your birthday right now here in the Philippines so you can have two birthdays this year! haha. Anyway I will be thinking about you all day and I hope you have an amazing 18th birthday! It's a cool one at least it was for me! I really hope it's an awesome day for you!! So transfer calls were this last monday! I was so nervous but I am being transferred to Talibon which is on the other side of Bohol. Like the exact opposite side and my new companion is Elder Connelly. He is my junior batch which means he is a transfer younger than me. So I'm his "follow up trainer" which is scary because he doesn't really know the language and I sort of do but not really haha. Im pretty nervous to say the least but I know taht the Lord called me there and that He will help me. "The Lord qualifies whom he chooses." That quote is really comforting to me. But some extra prayers that we will have the gift of tongues and the interpretation of tongues would really be awesome. Anyway so yeah I'm excited but nervous and sad to leave Tagbilaran. I love it here and love the people so much. "It's so hard to say goodbye". There's my psych quote for the day and by the way I got the shirt and i LOVE IT!! haha it is the best thing ever and it still fits! Thank yuou so much!! Oh by the way Elder connelly is from arizona but that's all i know about him so i'll let you know more next week. I leave tomorrow. So from the emails you sent me Mom and Dad, and some other emails i got it sounds like everyone is really busy and maybe a little stressed. I've been praying to know how i can help and i think i got an answer while reading the emails. This is actually the thing ive shared as my going away lesson to the people I've taught. Life is full of challenges, trials, problems, responsiblities, etc. Sometims so many that it seems like that's all life is is challenges and trials. sometimes life can be brutal, it can beat you down, it can be exhausting to live. But that's the beauty of this gospel, of our Savior Jesus Christ. In 2 Nephi 2:24-25 (my favorite verses) it says, "all things have been done in the wisdom of Him who knoweth all things. Adam fell that mine might be and men are that they might have joy." How comforting and powerful those two verses have been in my life as i've gone through my own set of challenges and heart ache. the Lord, our Savior and Redeemer, and our Father in Heaven know all things, and all things have been done according to that wisdom and knowledge. Adam fell that men might be and men are that they might have joy. When we fall, as Adam did, and as we turn to the Savior and our Father, great things come and from those great things comes joy. The cebuano translation of the word joy in that scriptures is hingpit kalipay which means perfect happiness, perfect joy. it truly is perfect joy we not only feel but receive as we turn to our Savior. He has said, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." All He is asking there is for us to let Him heal us. He is saying and pleading with us all, "Let Me heal you, come unto Me and I will give you rest from your labors, rest from your problems, rest from the cares of this world." He may not take our challenges away but He promises us rest and He promises us healing. One way to come unto Him is to pray, read the scriptures, and be grateful for all the blessings we do have for we do have so many blessings. 

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged; God is over all.

Count your many blessings; angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

I know that we are here to have joy and we will have joy as long as we trust and love the Savior and turn to Him. I know that God is over all and we have no need to fear, we have no need to stress, if we turn to Him we will have rest. I love this gospel. I know it's true. I testify that our Heavenly Father lives, that He loves us, that He has designed every one of our lives' perfectly to bring us one thing, joy, in this life and in His presence in the next life. I love you all and pray that we can all come unto the Savior and find the rest He has promised us. I promise all of you that if you turn to Him, you will be healed, and you will have rest and you will have joy. I love you all and pray for your happiness all the time!! I could not ask for a better family! I love you so much! Hurrah for Israel!! I know I said this last week but I think it's important for us to remember, "Everyday is supposed to be a wonderful day." -Elder Holland. Believe it because it's true!!

Love, Elder Fox