December 29, 2013

Dearest Family,

Sounds like you all had a great Christmas! It was so good to see you all too, I know the time was short but I was for surely blessed because of our obedience to the time guidelines. Thanks for all the emails it's always good and brings a smile to hear what's going on back home.



Sister Nieva's Christmas Day Baptism! I can't think of a better
Christmas Gift! Elder Doane sang "Oh Holy Night," at the baptism!
He says when he sings he has such a loud voice, it reminds him of his
dad Brother Linn Doane and makes him laugh 



Yes the Christmas baptism was amazing!! Sister Nieva's tesimony is so strong, and i have such a strong testimony that Heavenly Father will guide us to their path, or them into ours as long as we are humble. I also sang Holy Night at the service! There was a lot of people there, i'm really getting in to singing now, it's funny because i have such a loud voice, it reminds me of dad whenever i sing and makes me laugh.

Last week i found out i was being temporarily transferred to the other assistants area, Ma-ao, for a while, which we are opening as of now! At first i was like, what am i going to do in Ma-ao?! But when Elder Peralta and I got there, we just got to work! I fell in love with the area and the people the very second i got there, and we found over 30 investigators in 2 days. We didn't have a meeting house yet, so we had to invite our investigators to come to Bago City sunday, but it was just too far and none of them made it. So Sunday we just went all over looking for a meeting house, and miraculously, we found one! So we've goaled to have 31 investigators at church this Sunday, we got lots of work to do! The Bago 1st ward is so amazing, Bishop Bedoja is the most humble person i've ever met! I love him so much, and the members are SO supportive of us opening up Ma-ao! On Sunday in ward council, Bishop was like, 'Alright now we'll discuss our ward mission plan.. Elder Peralta and Elder Doane, go ahead!' So we basically stood up and trained and set up a ward mission plan, and the ward was just so excited! It was really amazing, i just feel this fire about to burst open in Ma-ao, and it's such a blessing to be a part of it.

I want to keep this short because i have somethings i need to work on, but i was studying in 3 Nephi 5 today, and pondering why the Book of Mormon was named 'Mormon'. I then read in verses 12-13 that Mormon was the land wherein the church was established by the hand of Alma after the time of their transgression. Then i realized, Mormon really does mean- the establishment of the church. I think about the beloved prophet Joseph Smith, and his translating the Book of Mormon by the power of God, it just adds to my testimony that being a Mormon means i'm a member of His restored church in these latter days. The Book of Mormon is the keystone of the Restoration of the Gospel, and through it we can come to know where the Lord's church is today. To be a Mormon means to be a "disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Having been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life." It's not just a name! It's a sacred way of living. We must be the light to our neighbors, friends, and family, because we are members of His church! We must always be honoring our baptismal covenants by always standing as witnesses of God, and when necessary, using words. I know that they will recognize us as His representatives, and will be able to help them back to their eternal home. Always read and live the scriptures, that's the only way we can make it to the tree of life! I love you family. Let's make this new year a chance to repent and draw nearer to God!

Elder Doane

December 23, 2013

Hey you family!

I'll keep this one short because I'll be talking to you tomorrow! I will be on 11am probably my time. I'll check Eric Levie's account to make sure it works good today. Alright! I'm excited to talk to you all! Get any questions you have ready! I'll get some stories ready too. We can only talk for 30 minutes family, please don't put my obedience at risk and take us over that limit. But thank you all so much, especially for the extra money it helps whenever i have needs. I just broke my shoes again today haha, i'll figure something out though! 

This christmas season is so special, and we are not wasting this time! We are not staying home, but we're out in their houses teaching and sharing this restored Gospel with everyone. Christmas eve and Christmas are our best days for proselyting, and its been such a miracle to have a baptism earlier today (christmas eve) and tomorrow! (christmas) I just bear my testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, that we need to become like a child, submissive to His will so that we can receive the blessings of that great and everlasting sacrifice. The Lord has enabled my companion and I to do miracles in this area, and i wish i could tell you all of them but i know we will have forever to tell stories and things. To keep it short, do you remember when i told you Elder Peralta and I taught 50 lessons with a member present a few weeks ago? The Lord really taught me about stretching and overcoming my flesh that week. Well last week we exercised our faith, and taught 70 lessons with a member present. 

Some people will say, those are just numbers, numbers aren't important. But to those i say, numbers are extremely important in this church. Numbers is how the Lord can say He is 'hastening' His work. Numbers is how they baptized in the many books in the Book of Mormon. Think, behind those 70 lessons, there are children of God behind each of them. Heavenly Father is really trying to teach us our full potential here in the mission, and if we keep being humble I know we can reach that. The Lord really humbled me many times last week, and i'm so thankful for that humbling because even though it hurts, its for my good. 

Our stake President here talked about 2 kinds of pain. 1- the pain of discipline. Or 2, the pain of regret. Depends on us what we will choose. But for me and my house, we will suffer the pain of discipline so the Lord's work and glory may continue! 

I've never been more happy in my life family, especially during this Christmas season! Please try to share the Gospel during this time, go about doing good, find referrals for the missionaries, even if 1! I promise you if you pray for opportunities the Lord will put you in their path or them in yours! The joy of sharing this Gospel, and inviting people, is just indescribable! Please family and friends, do it! I know the Lord will help us overcome our weaknesses as we have a sincere desire to share His restored Gospel. I love you all so much! Tomorrow's the big day!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Love,

Elder Doane

PS- some christmas pictures we took at a members homes! The Dy family! They got us new ties as well for Christmas, if you could write them a thank you note that would be awesome! (I figured you would like the 3rd one)

December 15, 2013

Hello Dearest family!

Thank you so much for your emails, it's comforting to know that the Lord is blessing you while i'm in His service. Demi's experience about her friends' siblings being baptized is a miracle! I'm sure that's something she will not forget for the rest of her life. I'm doing well don't need anything, i'll just withdraw some money to get some more pants done, and a few other small things but thanks so much for that extra money it helps a lot. I barely have anything else left in my suitcase, i don't know i guess it's just what happens when you go on the mission! Your stuff just kind of disappears. I'll probably just come home with a Book of Mormon in my hand and nothing else, haha! But i'm doing great, i'm sure i won't need another package up until the day i come back!

Family, last week was another miraculous experience laboring in the Lord's vineyard. There are so many things i could share with you but i'll be selective! Last week at our Mission Leadership Council i gave a training on Humility, which was such a great learning experience. I based it off of 1 Nephi 2:15, when Lehi dwells in a tent, and related it to us as missionaries leaving everything to dwell in a tent for 2 years or 18 months. Lots of us missionaries are bringing things to the mission field that don't need to be here, like family, friends, memories of the past, etc. But it was such a spiritually uplifting experience, and the missionaries said they were so inspired to more live the higher law of consecration. I encourage you family to read sometime D&C 31, and think about the blessings you have received and will yet receive for supporting me in the mission! I know the Lord will 'prepare a place for you' as my family! I showed them a picture of all of you at the temple, and bore my testimony that the Lord has kept care of all of you as i've tried my best to serve Him!

We were in our zone training on wednesday, wherein the zone leaders and sister training leaders give the trainings they received in MLC to their entire zone. It was such a great meeting, and the Spirit was so strong as they presented the trainings with love. Then, as the clock was approaching 12pm (the time the meeting needed to end), I was moved upon by the Spirit to leave. I could tell the way the meeting was going that it was not going to end by 12, so i didn't want to get up and cause a scene, but the Spirit was nagging at me to get up and leave. So I turned to Elder Sablan and said, "Elder, i feel like we need to go." Then he said let's go, and we got up and left. Walking away i wasn't sure why we left, and i was hoping we didn't disturb the meeting, because they were still in the process of training.

Then we went to go eat lunch, i knew why we left. A man came up and sat next to us and said "Hello elders!" We started talking to him asking how he knew us as elders, and told us he was a long time member, but he went less active this last year. He said no missionaries had visited or talked to him, and he missed the church a lot. Elder and I just testified to him that he's welcome in the church, and the Lord is just waiting on him to come back so he can receive the blessings of the Restored Gospel again. As we continually talked to him, he said, "Alright elders, it's my goal to get to the temple before i turn 60." We were so happy for him. We got his information, told him we would have the missionaries come by and visit him, and we went on our way. Elder Sablan then turned to me and said, "It was God that told you to leave that meeting, so that we could meet His son at that restaurant. I felt the Spirit so strong and it really let me know that we did the right thing.

Later that day, one missionary texted us and told us how rude it was to leave that meeting so early, and that we needed to apologize to them for disrupting the meeting in such a rude way. I was blown away by the text, and the adversary was using it as a tool to get me down the whole day, but we replied back to the missionaries and said that we were sorry if we made any disturbance, or disrupted the training in any way, but we would never apologize for following a prompting.

After we talked with the other missionaries and things they understood, and said it was so great that we followed that prompting to go and meet that man.

I really learned something from this experience family, never miss a prompting. Always follow it! Even if you're doubting whether it's just you, or if it's from God. I promise you, if it's something that is good, praiseworthy, or virtuous, it is from God! We need not worry what man may think, or what it may look like to other people, we only need to consider what the Lord wants. He will help us through the power of the Holy Ghost to follow these promptings and feel the Holy Spirit of Promise as we respond to the still small voice that prompts us to move. I know the Gift of the Holy Ghost is real family! It is such a gift that is essential for us to make it back to Heavenly Father's kingdom at the last days! And we need to follow His still small voice in order to be the Lords instrument in carrying about His work on earth! I know that 'through our repentance, and humility' (3 Nephi 4:33) we can do all things through the Lord's enabling power of His Atonement. I love you family! Always be agents to act and not objects to be acted upon!

Elder Doane

December 8, 2013

Hey Family!

This last week just flew by. Elder Sablan and I were SUPER busy going on exchanges down on the south part of the mission, it was so great though, we worked so hard out there! Yeah that picture makes me look really thin huh? I don't feel very thin though! Last week i weighed in at 258! THe first time i've been under 260 since freshman year! Haha. Sorry i took so much money out of the account, my shoes got destroyed in the mountains we were working in, you wouldn't believe, like the entire sole just ripped completely off and i was still working with them, it was such an adventure! So on friday on our way back i went at got some new shoes, they got a Payless Shoes here at this mall, and they got 13s! So it was a miracle. Okay I will let Elder Peralta know. Thanks so much for the shirts and stuff, it was perfect timing you sent those. Sounds like thanksgiving was good! Glad to hear the family is doing well. I know the Lord is blessing and taking care of you all as i focus completely on the work here.

Well where to start! We worked in the mountains last week, and i mean mountains! Like what i used to call a rough hike in boy scouts is a regular day of work in some of the zone leaders areas here, it was amazing! Such a great time. But i was so touched and edified through the exchanges we had. We worked in Kabankalan, Binalbagan, and Mangapsang. I can just testify family, that exact obedience brings miracles.

In every exchange before we started i opened up the Doctrine and Covenants to section 4:5, and shared with the missionary that Heavenly Father had a 'work' prepared for us that day, and having faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to His glory, would 'qualify' us for that work that He had in store for us! It was so amazing the Spirit we felt, and the amazing Christlike Attributes i saw in these missionaries. Elder McBride, who looks a ton like Drake, is one of the most happiest and patient missionaries i've met, wherever he goes he is just so happy and isn't shy around anyone. Elder Borgolthaus has changed so much on his mission since the time i knew him a year ago, he's so humble, and the Lord is really revealing special things to him in his mission because of him softening his heart, it was amazing to get to work with him. Elder Garner really gave up a lot to come out on his mission, and we both learned and testified that the Holy Ghost will guide and lead us to those people being prepared to hear the Gospel. I could share with you tons of experiences, but i'll save some for after the mission so we have some things to talk about.

One short one i'd like to share though, last week when i worked with Elder Garner, i had high hopes for our day of work. Their area was just mountains, nothing else. So as we discussed what we wanted to see in the days work, set expectations, and headed out, i really kept a prayer in my heart that Heavenly Father would help qualify us for that 'work' that He had laid out for us that day. We got dropped off at this corner by a jeep, and waited for the next one, then i looked across the street and saw this sister, probably in her mid 20's, working a small store she had. I had a feeling we should go talk to her, so we did. I went and bought some candy from her store, and began to talk to her, her name was Maryjoy. She was very nice and noble, she was very open to talking with us. Then i said 'Well Sister Joy while we're waiting for our next jeep can we share a short message with you?" "sure!" she replied. Then we prayed and after asking her a few questions about her life and her religion, we began to testify about the Restored Gospel, and she began to cry, and told us, 'I'm just really confused. And i'm so worried about my old family members who passed away if they don't have a chance anymore.' I knew from that moment she was being prepared by Heavenly Father for the Gospel! We gave her a pamphlet and a Book of Mormon, and set a return appointment to come back, she also committed to be baptized.

Walking away from that Elder Garner and I couldn't speak, we didn't know what to say to each other. But we both knew that through obedience to God's commandments, and having faith hope charity and love, with an eye single to His glory, Heavenly Father qualified us for meeting His daughter Joy that day. How amazing.

November 3, 2013

Dear Family,

I'm so excited to see the family pictures! Thank you so much for doing that, i'm so excited. Could you all write letters to my companion Elder Peralta too? And maybe put a tie in there for him or something as well, please. It would really make his Christmas. Wow those emails were so great, drake is so funny. Sounds like Demi is enjoying jr high as well. Dave and Sam sound like they're close friends now? That's awesome, i love Sam. We saw each other every single day for a whole year with track, football, basketball, and track again, he's great. I'm very excited to see the family pictures at the temple, i just love and miss the mesa temple with all my heart.

You know this last week has just flown by, like always. We had some exchanges last week with zone leaders, i got to go with Elder Sablan from Washington, he's a great leader who has many talents and gifts that the entire mission can benefit from. He really helped me learn how to be more organized and how to structure the work, i'm so grateful for that. I also got to go with the Elder i trained, Elder Malit, who is now my zone leader here in Bacolod Zone. It was great to work with him again, i really saw an improvement in him, which lets me know he has been obedient throughout his mission. That's one of my favorite things with seeing other people or other missionaries again, you will know if they have been obedient to the commandments by the change for better that you see in them. 

On saturday we were pleasured with the presence of Elder Niel L Andersen, which was so unique. Before the program, i was so excited i thought i was going to jump out of my seat. I put so much preparation into this, and got my self personally ready. I just could not sit still before the program started, because it was as if i was going to see my Savior. When he walked in the room, and we all stood up, i recognized him. I recognized the way he talked, the way he moved, the smile on his face, everything. Not just because he had visited before in my home stake, but i felt i had been working with him a lot longer time than just that 2 hours we spent with him on saturday. He shared many things, and focuse don the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The merits, mercy, and grace. The merits of the Savior, when He spent His life here on earth in service of others, and gave His life, so that He could take it again and over come physical death through the Resurrection. The mercy that is only possible through His Atonement that we receive when we repent and the laws of justice are satisfied because He has suffered for all of our sins, and He extends that sacred mercy to us because of His eternal love. And grace, the enabling power of His everlasting Atonement that literally enables us to do things that we could not do on our own that will glorify His name in heaven. When i spent that time with him, the Spirit testified to me that Elder Neil L Andersen is an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that Christ lives. I want to feel the same way when i stand before my Savior, shaking because I'm so excited, ready to jump out of my seat. Then when He enters the room, I will stand, and I want to feel like I felt, recognizing Him. I know i can do that if I live His Gospel, and obey His commandments. That's the way we come to know Him, so that in the last day when He calls us, we will know by what name we will be called, even His name. I know He lives family. And I know Him. I hope to continually know Him more and more to the end of my life, because only through Him i can achieve true happiness and success in this life. And how great my responsibility is to share that with others! How great OUR responsibility is! Let's bare His name and stand of witnesses of God at all times and share this Gospel with everyone, especially our family, friends, and other loved ones. I love you family, keep praying for opportunities to share the Gospel, and be ready to swing when Heavenly Father throws you a pitch.

Elder Doane

December 1, 2013

Hey Family!



Elder Doane and Elder Sablan traveling to exchanges down on
the South part of the Mission!



This last week just flew by. Elder Sablan and I were SUPER busy going on exchanges down on the south part of the mission, it was so great though, we worked so hard out there! Yeah that picture makes me look really thin huh? I don't feel very thin though! Last week i weighed in at 258! THe first time i've been under 260 since freshman year! Haha. Sorry i took so much money out of the account, my shoes got destroyed in the mountains we were working in, you wouldn't believe, like the entire sole just ripped completely off and i was still working with them, it was such an adventure! So on friday on our way back i went at got some new shoes, they got a Payless Shoes here at this mall, and they got 13s! So it was a miracle. Okay I will let Elder Peralta know. Thanks so much for the shirts and stuff, it was perfect timing you sent those. Sounds like thanksgiving was good! Glad to hear the family is doing well. I know the Lord is blessing and taking care of you all as i focus completely on the work here.

Well where to start! We worked in the mountains last week, and i mean mountains! Like what i used to call a rough hike in boy scouts is a regular day of work in some of the zone leaders areas here, it was amazing! Such a great time. But i was so touched and edified through the exchanges we had. We worked in Kabankalan, Binalbagan, and Mangapsang. I can just testify family, that exact obedience brings miracles.



Elder Doane and Elder McBride. Doane say's McBride is one of
the happiest and patient missionaries he's ever met, and looks
like his brother Drake. People would describe Drake's personality
exactly the same way!!!  



In every exchange before we started i opened up the Doctrine and Covenants to section 4:5, and shared with the missionary that Heavenly Father had a 'work' prepared for us that day, and having faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to His glory, would 'qualify' us for that work that He had in store for us! It was so amazing the Spirit we felt, and the amazing Christlike Attributes i saw in these missionaries. Elder McBride, who looks a ton like Drake, is one of the most happiest and patient missionaries i've met, wherever he goes he is just so happy and isn't shy around anyone. Elder Borgolthaus has changed so much on his mission since the time i knew him a year ago, he's so humble, and the Lord is really revealing special things to him in his mission because of him softening his heart, it was amazing to get to work with him. Elder Garner really gave up a lot to come out on his mission, and we both learned and testified that the Holy Ghost will guide and lead us to those people being prepared to hear the Gospel. I could share with you tons of experiences, but i'll save some for after the mission so we have some things to talk about.

One short one i'd like to share though, last week when i worked with Elder Garner, i had high hopes for our day of work. Their area was just mountains, nothing else. So as we discussed what we wanted to see in the days work, set expectations, and headed out, i really kept a prayer in my heart that Heavenly Father would help qualify us for that 'work' that He had laid out for us that day. We got dropped off at this corner by a jeep, and waited for the next one, then i looked across the street and saw this sister, probably in her mid 20's, working a small store she had. I had a feeling we should go talk to her, so we did. I went and bought some candy from her store, and began to talk to her, her name was Maryjoy. She was very nice and noble, she was very open to talking with us. Then i said 'Well Sister Joy while we're waiting for our next jeep can we share a short message with you?" "sure!" she replied. Then we prayed and after asking her a few questions about her life and her religion, we began to testify about the Restored Gospel, and she began to cry, and told us, 'I'm just really confused. And i'm so worried about my old family members who passed away if they don't have a chance anymore.' I knew from that moment she was being prepared by Heavenly Father for the Gospel! We gave her a pamphlet and a Book of Mormon, and set a return appointment to come back, she also committed to be baptized.



Elder Doane and Elder Sablan making transfer calls in their room
 and eating Air Heads!



Walking away from that Elder Garner and I couldn't speak, we didn't know what to say to each other. But we both knew that through obedience to God's commandments, and having faith hope charity and love, with an eye single to His glory, Heavenly Father qualified us for meeting His daughter Joy that day. How amazing.

November 24, 2013

Family!

I got the packages! I know, super early right? Sorry i couldn't wait to open them though. I just want to say, THANK YOU SO MUCH! Those packages really really helped me out, especially the new shirts and ties. I don't know but all my stuff was just getting old. I wore the new long sleeve on monday and it felt so good! I gave Elder Peralta one of the ties as well and he was so happy! It was great. The Mac and cheese is the best as well. Even if you send him like 25 dollars that would be great, that amounts to a lot here. But they're so great! I should be good now till the end of the mission with these shirts, thank you so much.

I actually got a new companion last week, Elder Sablan! He's from seattle washington, but he actually grew up here in the Philippines. He's such a great elder, so humble and ready to perform miracles here in Bacolod 3rd. Also Elder Wilstead is here in Bacolod 3rd with Elder Peralta! They are both the new assistants, so theres 4 of us now due to how large our mission is. We have about 265 missionaries, it's a big family! I hope you all remember Elder Wilstead, he was my companion in the MTC! So it's great to live in the same house as him again, and to work side by side as well, he has really grown a ton on his mission and i'm so happy for him.

Last week we were super busy with orientations for new missionaries, trainings, and work! We were still able to put out great key indicators last week even though we were super busy, the Lord really blessed our work with miracles! Also Jenny Rose was baptized! She's a 9 year old part member, and her testimony is so strong. Her prayers sound like she has a great relationship with Heavenly Father, so it's been a blessing to teach her.

Elder Sablan talked and really decided what would be our goals and things here in bacolod 3rd as a companionship, and in the next couple of months we want to have 18 baptisms! I know the Lord will qualify us to find those 18 people He is preparing right now, because I know we can do it through His enabling power. Elder Sablan and I have a goal to 'make every day a miraculous day', and we know we can only do that through exact obedience and being humble. The Lord has already shown us so many miracles in our short time being together. We have many exchanges this week with zone leaders, we're going to be able to go out and exchange with zone leaders 3 times a week now since there can always be 2 missionaries left in our area now, i'm so excited! I have really prayed and fasted about what i need to share to these zone leaders, and the Lord has revealed to me what I need to do. I'm so excited to be an instrument in His hands to help these missionaries come unto Christ and continue to hasten His work!

Ether 12:4 really has had an impact on me lately, relating it to myself as a missionary. If i have faith in Jesus Christ, and obey, i can surely hope for a better world (world meaning my own personal proselyting area). And as long as i'm doing so, i can expect to be 'sure' and 'steadfast' that i will be 'always abounding in good works'! The Lord will give me the work He needs done as long as i show my faith in Him and obey. I know that's true, I see Him living in our area each day. I am so grateful to be here in the mission with President Lopez at this time. Every mission is different, the Lord runs His work in different ways according to the circumstances, and I'm so happy for all those full time missionaries out serving the Lord across the world, i know the Lord will continue to guide His work, and it will never end. I love you family, and may we all continue to be that light that Jesus Christ commands us to be in 3 Nephi 12, I know others will see that light and desire it!

Elder Doane

November 17,2013

Dear Family,

Sorry I was not able to email this morning! WE ACTUALLY JUST HAD 17 MISSIONARIES COME IN FROM TACLOBAN MISSION and we got to make all the arrangements for sleeping, transfers, and had a FANTASTIC orientation meeting with them today! The Spirit they brought was so powerful, them having gone through what they went through, they all said they felt so loved here in our mission, and they will be here until further notice. I love them all so much! It was such a great opportunity to welcome them here..

Thank you so much for all your emails, they're just so wonderful and uplifting. I really have my testimony strengthened every week that Heavenly Father can take care of you all better than i can, so I leave that to Him and focus on His work and His glory here in Bacolod. I was so touched deeply to my heart when Demi shared that story about the less active beehive they visited, and her whole family returning, i cried. Demi, you're a special spirit, you really gotta keep sharing the gifts Heavenly Father has given you with everyone, and you will keep to see miracles like those!  Mom thank you as well, i really appreciate all of the work you do on the blog. I'm trying to take pictures, but really the only pictures i have are of baptisms, i will try to if i can find some other opportunities! Have you been friends with President Lopez yet? He wants to be friends with all the parents on facebook, thats the way he contacts and keeps in touch with them. Marlo Lopez. Search him and friend him to keep updated with the mission and stuff.

**********                              **********                      **********
Family, last week was the most amazing week of my mission. If I were to tell you everything right now i would be on this computer for hours.. but i just want to share a short part. LAST WEEK ELDER PERALTA AND I SET SOME HIGH GOALS FOR OUR KEY INDICATORS, BECAUSE PRESIDENT TOLD ALL THE ZONE LEADERS "YOU NEED TO BE THE MOST FAITHFUL MSSIONAIRIES IN YOUR ZONES ELDERS!" AND ELDER PERALTA AND I WERE IN THE BACK THINKING, "THAT MEANS, WE NEED TO BE THE MOST FAITHFUL MISSIONAIRIES IN THE WHOLE MISSION."  and Elder Peralta and I were in the back thinking, "That means, we need to be the most faithful missionaries in the whole mission." And last week, we really qualified ourselves. We set such high goals and kept each other accountable for these goals each day we went on exchanges, were training missionaries, and teaching and finding investigators. As the week was coming close to a close.. i felt the adversary trying his best to stop us. I literally felt him pulling me down with every bit of his power. On saturday during my personal study, i felt this sickness coming on, and after a few hours it got really bad. My energy was drained, i had pretty bad diarrhea, and my head was hurting me. I went to go lay down, thinking i wasn't going to be able to work that day! Meaning we probably couldn't reach our goals. But then the elders next door and my companion gave me a blessing, and i felt the most comforting feeling, that i could work. I really asked Heavenly Father for strength in my prayers, and headed out the door to hit the streets. As we were walking, teaching investigators, and attended our baptism, my body was just done for. It was like i had nothing left. But my desire to achieve our goals was too great to let my body stop me. Then coming sunday we were late to our dinner with the new missionaries at the mission home because we had to go to one more appointment. WE TEXTED PRESIDENT, "SORRY WE'LL BE LATE PRESIDENT, WE GOTTA REACH OUR GOALS!" He said it was no problem. Then, we did it. I HAD MY TESTIMONY CONFIRMED TO ME, THAT THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST LITERALLY ENABLES US TO DO MORE THAN WE CAN DO ON OUR OWN. There's no way that I could have gone out to work that day if it weren't for the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I would have no hope to grasp on to, no reason to get up out of bed and work. But because He performed the Atonement, I had all the reason and more to get up, and get out the door. 

I read a verse of scripture that day in my personal study right before i got sick, and it can be read in Mosiah 15: 5-8... 'the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up in the Father.' The Savior overcame His flesh, even unto death. Even when He was suffering in the garden, or on the cross, He did not take the easy way out and let Himself die. He said no, and His love for His Father drove Him to endure all of those pains, even until He himself commended His Spirit to the Father. How beautiful, no? I know the Atonement is real family. I have seen all these people we're teaching come closer to Christ, and as they do, I realize I am as well. I know the Book of Mormon is true. This is the only true church on the face of the earth, i mean there's no question. Thank you for raising me in the correct way, always pointing me to the Savior. I love you all so much.

Elder Doane

November 10, 2013

Dear Family,

YES I'M SAFE, EVERTHING IS FINE HERE IN BACOLOD. The storm went by us, but it really did not touch anything here in Bacolod City, IT WAS TRULY A MIRACLE. Some of the brethren at church said it didn't make sense how the scary part of the storm didn't hit our city, it literally just didn't. I know it's because of the prayers of the faithful, and thank you so much for all of your prayers family and friends, so many people were blessed because of your faithfulness.

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So much to say so little time. This last week we stayed inside for a few days because of the typhoon, we weren't affected that much but we were kept in to be safe. It gave me lots of time to get caught up on some records and our area book it was really nice. Sister Jifany Cordero was baptized as well! Her 2 older sisters were baptized 2 weeks ago, and they were the speakers at her baptism, it was so great the messages they shared. We also got to go around saturday and help people who had things break on their houses and what not, it was a great opportunity to go about doing good. There was not damage in our area, most of it is up north towards cadiz city, but the missionaries are all okay over there. That's actually where i came from in my last area. We also had Mission Leadership Council, and Elder Peralta and I gave a training on the converting power of the Book of Mormon. I wish you could have attended family, because that training was not from Elder Peralta and I, I know it was from God. Even I myself was amazed at the things Heavenly Father revealed to us when we were spending the time studying, preparing and praying. I actually had a different message prepared to share with you all, but I'LL SHARE THE ONE ABOUT THE CONVERTING POWER OF THE BOOK OF MORMON INSTEAD.

You know, we know a lot of things as human beings. We know the sky is blue, we know macaroni and cheese tastes good, we know concrete is hard, we know flowers smell good, etc. But how did we come to know these things? Of course the answer is, through our senses. We saw the sky, we tasted the macaroni, we touched the concrete, we smelled the flowers, etc. But how did we come to know the Book of Mormon was true?... Through the power of the Holy Ghost. As members of this church, we are blessed with the opportunity to have the 6th sense, the right to have the Holy Ghost with us as long as we are worthy. Through that sense, we can come to know the truth of all things (Mor. 10:5). This is step 1 in coming to know the converting power of the Book of Mormon, we need to read, ponder, and pray to know through the power of the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true.

And when we come to know that Book is true, what is it really that we're coming to know? Is is just the fact that the book is true? That Joseph Smith is a true prophet? That this church is true? The answer is yes, of course, to all those, but the main thing that we're coming to know is, that He lives. Jesus Christ is our Savior, and He lives and guides His church in these latter days through a living prophet. That's why step 2 is, coming to know Jesus Christ through the Book of Mormon. So many times i saw myself focusing on Joseph Smith when i taught the Book of Mormon to others, focusing on them coming to know that He was a prophet. But i forgot, and the Lord reminded me again, that the Book of Mormon is centered on the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and one will come to know Him and His teachings by reading pondering and praying about that Book. It truly is another testament of Jesus Christ.

And as we come to know Jesus Christ, we literally draw nearer to God. As we begin to understand and live the principles inside that Book, we will begin to draw near to Him and literally become like Him. Think about Lehi's dream, there was no one who made it to the tree of life, except they grabbed onto and clung to the rod of iron. As Elder Peralta and I gave this training, i just bore my testimony to my fellow servants, and told them, 'Elders and Sisters, I know, that Jesus Christ lives. And I came to know that, through the Book of Mormon. I testify that this Book is true, and through it, the Lord changed me.' Family i bear my testimony that the Book of Mormon is true. It is literal evidence that Jesus Christ lives, and that God is our loving Heavenly Father. The Lord really did change my through that Book, and continues to change me even until this very moment. Everywhere Elder Peralta and I go, we have a Book of Mormon in our hands, testifying that Jesus Christ lives. WE NEED TO COME TO LOVE THIS BOOK! MAKE IT OUR BEST FRIEND! BECAUSE IF WE DO, WE WILL MAKE IT TO THE TREE OF LIFE, AND PARTAKE OF THE FRUIT OF ETERNAL LIFE, GOD'S GREATEST GIFT. I love you so much family, i will never forget seeing that picture of all of you at the temple together, that is forever engraved in my mind and heart.

Elder Doane

October 27, 2013

Family,

Thank you so much for your emails to me! I was just full of laughter, joy, and really felt the Spirit with the things you shared to me so thank you so much. Yes i can't believe Drake's 18 now, thats so great. Tell all the family i said hello when you all get together! Mom thank you so much for sharing that story about the bolonias and tans in primary, it really brought me to tears! I hope those children were touched by the Spirit you brought to them mom, i'm sure you're doing such a great job fulfilling the call the Lord's given you. Dave sounds like he's doing great too! It's so good to hear from him. A lot of the youth here are really short, well most Filipinos are short, but i was comparing some of their heights and i thought, Demi is probably so tall now! Whenever i see a 5'2'' girl i think she's way tall now, then i get around some of the sister missionaries and they're like 5'10'' and i'm like scared of them! I guess i'm becoming Filipino. Yes dad the preparations are great! Elder Andersen will be getting here saturday, we have a meeting with President friday at the talisay chapel, the biggest chapel in Negros Occidental. The other mission presidents will be coming here as well, so it will be a great opportunity to learn from the Lords servant. I'm really trying to prepare myself for this great event to make it one that will influence me for the rest of  my life. That's funny they have me on that list for football, did i tell you about the brother at the MTC that tried to recruit me? Haha, i don't know. We'll see, i just know my priorities when i get home and plan to fulfill those before anything else. I think i weigh around 260 still, not much change! The members here give us food all the time! They're so nice and giving. Especially the really old relief society sisters, they're so awesome!

This last week was one that changed my mission a lot. Sister Rose (13) and Jenny Cordero (18) were baptized on saturday, their testimonies are so strong of the restored Gospel. They both shared in their testimony of how the Gospel showed them how to really repent for their sins, and also how much they love the Book of Mormon. We really know they are converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, because they have already brought 2 friends into the church with them as well. Erric Cayao also was baptized on saturday, he's 19 years old. I really saw the power of the Atonement take place in him. He has changed his life completely. He's shared his life story with us countless of times, and has told us how much Jesus Christ has impacted his life to where he has been born again through Him. On sunday after their confirmation, brother Eric suited up in a white shirt and tie and Sister Jenny as well in her sundays best and they came and worked with us for a few hours visiting other investigators. They shared their testimony of how the Gospel has changed their life and showed them the true way to happiness, there was so much power in the things they shared. They are planning as well to come with us in the coming weeks to work as well, it's so great!

Also i really learned this week about being realistic. Can i just say, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we don't do realistic things (according to the world's perspective). It's not realistic for a God to descend below all men, taking upon Himself the transgressions, pains, and sicknesses of all mankind just so that they might return to their Father in Heaven. It's not realistic to send a 19 year old young woman or 18 year old young man out on the other side of the world to teach kings, lawyers, and rich noble people about God. It's not realistic that a 14 year old boy, could see God and His son Jesus Christ. But in this church, we make all things realistic, through His everlasting Atonement. Through the enabling power of the Atonement, we are literally enabled to do whatsoever thing is expedient in Him. No matter how weak we may be, as long as we are humble, He will enable us to do anything. When i got to my 3rd area in Caduhaan, i didn't think it was realistic to have baptisms there because of the history of that area. But i exercised my faith in Him, and those 8 baptisms came in those 2 months. I didn't think it was realistic to baptize 11 people in one month, but through the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we did it. I realized this throughout my entire reading in the Book of Mormon, mostly everything that goes on in that Book is unrealistic, according to the world. But the Savior will enable us to do those unrealistic things, in order to glorify the Father's name on high. I know, that He lives. He strengthens, guides, and teaches me every day how to become more like Him. I know i'm not perfect and have so many weaknesses, but I know family, that we can do anything through His Atonement. He will literally give us that power (Moroni 7:33). I'm going to forward you a talk that i've read and studied and that has blessed my life to know and understand the Atonement more, and i encourage you with all my heart to read and apply it to your life, and you will feel His love more abundantly in your life! I love you all family!

Elder Doane

October 20,2013

Hello family!

Thank you for all your emails this last week, those we so uplifting to me. Especially to you mom with sending me your impressions from general conference, i really appreciate that. And Dave sounds like he's doing great! And Demi. Happy birthday to drake! I hope he likes the picture Elder Peralta and I took this morning, i can't believe you're 18 now buddy! Sorry this email will be a bit shorter because we gotta make calls and what not for transfers this week.

I just wanted to let you all know, there's no such thing as a missionary leadership ladder in the mission. It doesn't matter where i serve, it only matters how. After where i have been assigned now, i may go be a junior, or a district leader, or anywhere. That's something we're really trying to establish, and a false tradition we're trying to blot out here in the field of missionary work. I know my calling as a full time representative of this Restored Gospel, and that's what i'll do till the day I'm released. Here as an assistant, we are full time proselyting missionaries! It's such a blessing, we're out on the streets talking, teaching, and baptizing! President Lopez told us this is one of the first missions to start this new concept for the assistants, to get out of the office and hit the streets! It's a blessing, because we're able to live what we teach in training. Sometimes we have special assignments we take care of, like making phone calls for transfers, but President told us he never wants to see us in the office. Isn't that great? Keeps us focused!

Last week Elder Brent Nielson of the seventy came and visited our mission. It was such a blessed and sacred opportunity to listen to him, and to listen to the Spirit for what the Lord wanted to reveal to me. of all the things i could share to you, i just want to share you a short experience. 4 months ago when i was preparing myself for one of our zone conferences, i had the question, 'how can i improve my personal study every day?' and i was seeking for more counsel on how i can do that. After the 2 days of the mission tour, Elder Nielson got all the mission leaders together, and just started teaching out of nowhere how he does his personal study every day. Studying by topic, by gospel principle, and preparing as if he were going to give a lesson on it, digging into the scriptures and expounding on each one of them. He also talked about setting goals and making plans to what we're studying. As he was teaching, i reviewed my notes again 4 months ago, and saw that question i had prepared, and knew that this was the Lord answering my question i asked Him 4 months ago. I shared to him after, "ELder Nielson, what i learned from this zone conference is that God is my loving Heavenly Father. He loves me so much, that He answered my question that i asked Him 4 months ago, and didn't forget about that, and He used you as His instrument, so thank you." Then he replied, "Well, i wasn't planning on teaching that before we met Elder." I know God answers prayers. Whether now, later, or 4 months from now He will answer us, in ways we don't expect. Every time we pray we just need to stand up with full faith in Him that the answer will come while we are 'on the run' and going about His work. I love you family, and thank you for your support in this great work! Always remember our baptismal covenants, and our great role in hastening the work of salvation (Mosiah 18).

Elder Doane

October 13, 2013 in Bacolod

Family, thank you so much for all your emails. It really makes me happy to know that you're all doing so well and my prayers are being answered from my Heavenly Father. Dad hope you got the email about the shirts, just go 18 on all to be safe. And any color of ties, doesn't matter, my ties right now are just getting old and thrashed up. Thanks so much! I got new pants, and got my shoes put in today so i really appreciate it. I'm so glad you all got to watch conference, I'm so excited for next week. As you know we get it a week late here in the Philippines, so this weekend is the big day! I'm so excited to receive revelation, especially for what more i can do to improve myself as His servant.

This last week just blazed by, Elder Peralta and I gave trainings in our mission leadership council with the zone leaders, and the Sister training leaders. It's such a blessing, all these missionaries really know and understand their purpose, and it's such an uplifting experience to stand up in front of them and share things the Spirit has taught me. We trained on harnessing the power of the members, as we all know that's the only way to hasten the work of salvation. It was very great and edifying. We really gotta help the missionaries out as members with preparing our friends and loved ones to hear the Gospel, through small and simple things are great things brought to pass!

I gotta keep this one short because we have some work to do, but I just wanted to share my testimony of the sacrament. Last week was just another killer one, I felt how weak I am as a person, and how much i really need to rely on the merits, mercy, and grace of the Lord. Countless times i found myself on my knees pleading for forgiveness for the things that i do and don't do that hinder the Lord's work. Then came sunday, and we were waiting for the sacrament. When i lifted my head up from the prayer, and saw the priesthood holder approaching me with the bread, i felt my soul hunger. Like Enos, I literally felt a scream inside me that needed to be filled. I remembered all the mistakes i had done, and the things that i needed to improve on and do more.. i felt like i was going to jump i was so excited and anxious to take those sacred emblems. Then when i partook of the bread, and water, i really did feel those holes inside of me be filled through the Holy Spirit of Promise. It was the most wonderful and uplifting experience i've had at a sacrament meeting, and it increased my testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and the Restoration of His Gospel. I know that authority was restored through a living prophet, and because of the eternal sacrifice of the Atonement, i have a chance to renew my covenants with Him every week. How wonderful. I know if we prepare ourselves and keep ourselves worthy to partake of the sacrament every week, we can progress as we let the Atonement work with us. This church is true. We will continue to progress as people as we follow Jesus Christ and His teachings. I love you family, keep enduring till you reach the tree of life, then share that wonderful fruit!

Elder Doane

October 6, 2013 in Bacolod

Family, thank you so much for all your emails. It really makes me happy to know that you're all doing so well and my prayers are being answered from my Heavenly Father. Dad hope you got the email about the shirts, just go 18 on all to be safe. And any color of ties, doesn't matter, my ties right now are just getting old and thrashed up. Thanks so much! I got new pants, and got my shoes put in today so i really appreciate it. I'm so glad you all got to watch conference, I'm so excited for next week. As you know we get it a week late here in the Philippines, so this weekend is the big day! I'm so excited to receive revelation, especially for what more i can do to improve myself as His servant.

This last week just blazed by, Elder Peralta and I gave trainings in our mission leadership council with the zone leaders, and the Sister training leaders. It's such a blessing, all these missionaries really know and understand their purpose, and it's such an uplifting experience to stand up in front of them and share things the Spirit has taught me. We trained on harnessing the power of the members, as we all know that's the only way to hasten the work of salvation. It was very great and edifying. We really gotta help the missionaries out as members with preparing our friends and loved ones to hear the Gospel, through small and simple things are great things brought to pass!

I gotta keep this one short because we have some work to do, but I just wanted to share my testimony of the sacrament. Last week was just another killer one, I felt how weak I am as a person, and how much i really need to rely on the merits, mercy, and grace of the Lord. Countless times i found myself on my knees pleading for forgiveness for the things that i do and don't do that hinder the Lord's work. Then came sunday, and we were waiting for the sacrament. When i lifted my head up from the prayer, and saw the priesthood holder approaching me with the bread, i felt my soul hunger. Like Enos, I literally felt a scream inside me that needed to be filled. I remembered all the mistakes i had done, and the things that i needed to improve on and do more.. i felt like i was going to jump i was so excited and anxious to take those sacred emblems. Then when i partook of the bread, and water, i really did feel those holes inside of me be filled through the Holy Spirit of Promise. It was the most wonderful and uplifting experience i've had at a sacrament meeting, and it increased my testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and the Restoration of His Gospel. I know that authority was restored through a living prophet, and because of the eternal sacrifice of the Atonement, i have a chance to renew my covenants with Him every week. How wonderful. I know if we prepare ourselves and keep ourselves worthy to partake of the sacrament every week, we can progress as we let the Atonement work with us. This church is true. We will continue to progress as people as we follow Jesus Christ and His teachings. I love you family, keep enduring till you reach the tree of life, then share that wonderful fruit!

Elder Doane

September 29,2013

MOTHER!

I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday! I know it's not till the 24th, but i just wanted to let you know i didn't forget! It's funny because my companions moms birthday is the 22nd! Isn't that weird? 

Mom i just want to let you know how grateful I am for the choices you have made in your life to bring you where you are now. Especially the choice you made when the missionaries invited you to be baptized. I bet you didn't know how big of an influence it would have, but i can say that it has influenced every life i've came in contact with here on the mission. You are always there for me when i need someone to talk to, and i will always appreciate that mah. Even if it was late at night, or you were super tired, you always took the time just to sit down and listen to me. That's something i've learned and am applying to all these investigators we are teaching, just listening to them, what's important to them, and connecting the Gospel to their lives. Thank you so much mom for showing me how to trust in the Lord, and follow His example through loving others. When i get home, i will not be the same person before i left!

I love you meem! Happy birthday liwat!

Elder Doane

September 23, 2013

Hello Family! Thank you so much for all of your emails. I was so uplifted by the things you shared with me, especially the pictures and drake's email. Happy anniversary mom and dad! And hopefully mom you got my birthday email? Happy birthday just incase! The shirts, ties, and socks, should be just fine for that box, Could you send 2 long sleeves? Mine is getting old. Size 18 neck would be good, just to be safe. If its too big ill get it fixed.

This last week was so great. We had zone conference, with about 200 other missionaries! Elder Peralta and I got to attend both sessions, and got to give trainings in each as well. I just love being up in the front of so many people sharing my testimony, i really hope i can get into CES when i get back. That's my dream job now, to become an institute teacher. If not, maybe to get into elementary school teaching or something, i just love teaching! We'll see what i have in store for the future.

This last week i really learned as well about my need as a missionary to repent. Whenever Elder Peralta and I work, we make mistakes. Just like all of us do. But lately, i've really been noticing those little mistakes i've been making, and sincerely repenting for them. The Lord has really extended his hand to me through that repentance. He has 'enabled' me through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We think all the time about the redeeming power of the Atonement, but we don't always think about the enabling power. Elder David A. Bednar explains it so great is his talk, "The Atonement and the Journey of Life" that our mission has been studying. It's really beginning to change me as a missionary! And to not pray that my circumstances will be changed, but that i will be strengthened to change my circumstances. I really encourage you to read it, and live it. It has a quote in there from President McKay, "The Gospel is to make bad men good, and good men better." It's not only to make bad good, but it's to strengthen all of us and make us better people! I've really felt the powers of the Atonement are being unlocked upon this work because of my living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's all so true. The Vision of weekly baptism, Preach My Gospel Scholar, and exact obedience is real! We're living it! I love you family!

Elder Doane

September 15, 2013

MOTHER!

I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday! I know it's not till the 24th, but i just wanted to let you know i didn't forget! It's funny because my companions moms birthday is the 22nd! Isn't that weird? 

Mom i just want to let you know how grateful I am for the choices you have made in your life to bring you where you are now. Especially the choice you made when the missionaries invited you to be baptized. I bet you didn't know how big of an influence it would have, but i can say that it has influenced every life i've came in contact with here on the mission. You are always there for me when i need someone to talk to, and i will always appreciate that mah. Even if it was late at night, or you were super tired, you always took the time just to sit down and listen to me. That's something i've learned and am applying to all these investigators we are teaching, just listening to them, what's important to them, and connecting the Gospel to their lives. Thank you so much mom for showing me how to trust in the Lord, and follow His example through loving others. When i get home, i will not be the same person before i left!

I love you meem! Happy birthday liwat!

Elder Doane

September 9, 2013

Hello family! Thank you so much for all of your emails, it really is uplifting to hear from you every week to know you're doing well, especially with living the Gospel. That's way great that Nana and Barbara are closer to us! I really want to talk to Nana about doing some family history work after the mission. Demi sent me a bunch of pictures she just looks so much different! But i can tell she's very happy, which makes me very happy. She shares with me about her Book of Mormon reading too, it's so awesome, she's really gaining a solid testimony! Drake is still funny as ever no? Let Sam know i love him too, and to shoot me an email i'll try to reply to him. I would love to see Drakes senior pictures too, i bet he looks great!

This week is transfers again! This last transfer was definitely the fastest that's ever happened. Elder Peralta and I are the only assistants now. I'm so excited as well, we've worked together before and I really felt the Spirit strong working by his side. Elder Rakuro was a great companion as well, I definitely had a memorable 3 weeks with him, we saw miracles in the work, especially with finding new and prepared investigators by the Lord. We are right in the middle of making all the calls for transfers, calling the missionaries and telling them where they will all go and meet up. We don't make any decisions with the transfers, President does it all himself between the Lord, we just make the calls. It's been such a great blessing though lately to get to learn more about how to administer as a leader, it's been a great learning opportunity. We have lots of trainings coming up soon with the new missionaries coming in, very excited. I love welcoming the missionaries and listening to their burning testimonies.

The work is still hastening! We are really focusing on involving the members, and the Lord has been blessing us for our efforts! Last week we held a movie night, just kind of put it together in 2 days, and 35 people came! With 10 investigators! It was truly a miracle. We also have all other sorts of ideas to present to the ward, to really get them involved. We are also visiting their homes in short amounts of time, just trying to leave the Spirit in their home so they really will recognize us as servants of the Lord. I feel like thats something i really have understood on my mission, the power and authority of my calling. That's what Dave taught me before i left on the mission, and that has become the core of my mission. Every training i give, every other missionary i talk to, that's really what i base everything off of. Dave said to me before, 'You know Dal, every missionary is given the authority to preach the Gospel, and administer the ordinances.. but not all missionaries are given power. You can receive power through your obedience.' Those words have just been super glued in my head my whole mission, and I've seen the fruits of it for sure. I really know and understand that through exact obedience i show my faith to the Lord, and that's when we receive miracles. I will be forever grateful for what Dave told me that night we were up in our room, i will never forget it.

One miracle that happened last week was the baptism of the Tan Family, and Bolonia. They're all children ages 9-14, there's 5 of them. They were actually former investigators that just lacked a follow up, and the Lord guided us to them a month ago. They progressed so fast, and were baptized this last saturday. The miracle here, is that the 3 bolonia children were abandoned by their parents when they were babies. Then they were taken over by their aunt and uncle, and raised in their home. Even though they were abandoned, they are the smartest children i've ever met, and their testimonies are so strong. One of them, Johna Mae (9) stood up on fast sunday, and bore her testimony. And it wasn't just a 'i'm thankful i was baptized' one like the others, but the first thing she said when she stood up was, "Kabalo ko na matuod and Book of Mormon.." I know the Book of Mormon is true. She went on and bore the rest of her testimony, and half way through, she began to cry and testify that this church was true. I was overwhelmed with tears. I just put my head down and watched the puddle build up on the floor, i couldn't hold myself back. That this abandoned little girl, who probably felt like she wasn't worth much at one point of her life, came to the point to where she knew with out a shadow of a doubt that the Book of Mormon is true, and that she is a daughter of God, a potential queen in His kingdom. When we followed up with them as well after their baptism, they said they all want to serve a mission when they grow up.

I just have such a great testimony that Heavenly Father loves each and everyone of His children so much. I don't understand fully how much He really does love us, but i'm getting there. I'm so blessed to be sent to this mission. A member of the seventy came here last year and told President Lopez, 'Your mission will become an ensign to the entire Philippines.' I believe in that 102%. Many say that it's strict, or there's no fun. I do agree, there's no fun, but there's complete joy. I don't need to have fun here, i just need to forget about myself and the Lord has promised the joy that will come through embracing this great work (D&C 18). I love these people so much. If you ever have a doubt of how much Heavenly Father loves you, read, ponder, and pray about the Book of Mormon and you won't worry any more. I love you family, I know Heavenly Father will watch over you while I'm in the service of Him.

Elder Doane

Ps- this is the Tan+Bolonia Family. Johna Mae is the 2nd girl from the left in the picture without me.

September 1, 2013

Dear family,

Thank you so much for all your emails, you all sent me an individual email and it made me so happy. I'm so happy the Lord is blessing you all while I'm away in His service, I was really brought to tears of joy when i read some of the things i read in your letters, so thank you so much. As for a xmas package, maybe just some socks, and some more shirts? I really like this new kind one of the couple missionaries gave to me, but i forgot the brand. I'll let you know in the next email what kind and what size. Other than that, just peanut butter. I really love peanut butter now, I don't know why haha. And family pictures! That's all I really would love, just pictures of our family. If anything else comes up ill let you know. Sorry dad i'm taking some money from my personal, i'm getting some pants done here, they're like 10 dollars a pair and they're tailored to the fit so it's really nice.

I'm so full of the Spirit right now, even just as I'm typing this email i just feel so happy that i have a loving family supporting me here in the service of the Lord. I told myself this morning, i think this is the first time in my whole mission that i can say that I am 100% focused on my purpose, and don't care about anything else. Just last week i lost my usb and my memory card to my camera, and i really was not phased at all. Those things have no eternal value, and are just wants, not needs. The Lord is really helping me work out my weaknesses, He really shows me what i need to work on and is trying my faith to see if my desire is real to improve. I'm just so happy being here on the mission, in service of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Last week i got a new companion, Elder Rakuro. He's from Fiji, and he is the most humble missionary i've met. We have experienced so many miracles together and we've only been together for 5 days. He's obedient and submissive to the Spirit, which is really what i've been waiting for in a companion. I love him so much. President told me to give Elder Rakuro the best 3 weeks of his mission, and the first time i saw Elder I promised him that these 3 weeks would be the best of his mission. We had a baptism last week, sister Bebe. She's 10 years old, and she is so awesome. She was literally jumping up and down she was so excited on saturday. This saturday we have 6 baptisms, one group of cousins who are ages 9-14, and also brother marvin (13) who has been an investigator for a few years now. I'm just so excited for all our investigators who are progressing towards baptism, it's such a miracle.

I was reading in Helaman chapter 8 and 9 the other day, and was really pondering about the Book of Mormon. Nephi had such a hard mission, preaching to all these Nephites who would not soften their hearts. He was spit upon, rejected by the people, and pretty much suffered every trial you can in the mission. Until the end of chapter 8, he gives them an evidence to try and see if he really is a true prophet, to go and see if their chief judge is dead just like he prophesied. In chapter 9, the 5 that were chosen 'run' to see if the judge really was killed, because they did not believe that Nephi was a prophet of God. When they arrived on the scene, and saw their chief judge lying in his blood, they believed, fear fell upon them, and they fell to the earth because of the prophecies that were fulfilled.

This is the Book of Mormon, the prophecy of many prophets of old. It is the evidence of the Restoration of the fullness of the Gospel, and the priesthood authority that Christ administered to His apostles when he was upon earth. If one will 'run', just like those 5 did, and read, ponder, and pray about the Book of Mormon, they will not be able to deny that it is of God, and they will arrive to the scene just like the 5 did, and believe that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, and that the Lord has restored His church on this earth because of His everlasting love for His children. Even if one does not believe, just like those 5, all they need is a desire to believe. Those 5 that ran to the scene showed their desire by running with hasteness to find out if Nephi really is a true prophet. I know and bear testimony that anyone who reads that Book with a real intent to know if Joseph Smith is the Lords prophet seer and revelator in these latter days will come to know through the power of the Holy Ghost that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Lords kingdom established upon the earth, so that we may become ready to enter into His kingdom at the last day.

I love you family, and pray for all of you every night. Continue in obedience to His commandments and we will be eternally happy.

Elder Doane

August 25, 2013

Dear Family, 

Thanks for all the emails. It's so amazing and it makes me so happy that Justin and Jacob are serving missions, I know that Heavenly Father has such a great plan in store for their lives and the lives whom they will all touch. Good to hear you're all doing so good as well, Drake's doing senior portraits?! That's so awesome, he's growing up! I saw the pictures of Demi and was shocked! She's growing up so fast! Hows dave? Tell him to shoot me an email next week i miss him.

This last week i went on lots of exchanges with many zone leaders of different zones. Its such a great opportunity to get to learn from all them, and to help them out in their areas as well. I got my philippines license as well, we took a 2 hour drive to cadiz zone leaders last week and had exchanges with them, that was awesome to go back to my old zone and see the progression. The days are just flying by faster and faster, because we are so busy with proselyting! I don't know if you know or not, but we spend no time in the mission office. We are 100% full time proselyting missionaries. Before the assistants did lots of office work, but now the Lord has us out on the streets setting the example for the mission! It's so great as well, i'm really doing a lot of self evaluation and  trying to find what more i can do to improve. Our investigators are progressing well! Especially the Occianas family, we are really helping them recognize the Holy Ghost answer their prayers, and its so powerful when they realize that those good and peaceful feelings they have are the Spirit of God testifying truth to them. We also have been teaching Venus, she is progressing so well, and accepted a baptismal date for Sep 21st last week. She is very noble, and ready to receive this Restored Gospel.

President also said next transfer Elder Peralta and I will be the only 2 left here in the area, so we know we've got lots of work to do. I have so many things that i've seen that we can improve here, to really make our area the model for the whole mission. I know the Lord can do it through us, because Elder Peralta have had many talks and discussed that we are going to be humble to the Spirit, and not be a hinderment to the Lords work here in Bacolod 3rd ward, we know miracles will come. He's a really great missionary, very humble and submissive to the Spirit, and I know that's how we're going to be successful. Keep reading the scriptures family, of old and new. Holding to the rod is the only way we will make it to the tree of life! And how great will be our joy, if while we are holding onto that rod, we are also holding the hand of one of our family members, friends, or someone that needs help to make it to that tree of life. I know the Book of Mormon is true, and I'll keep sharing it every day with my Filippino brothers and sisters.

Love,

Elder Doane

August 18, 2013

Dear Family,

Thank you for all your emails, i love opening them up every monday and getting to hear how you're all doing. Sounds like Drake is just being hilarious still, and Demi's growing up! I remember seeing her on skype last time and it looks like she's changed a lot, I'm excited to see her again come December. Mom thanks for working that website! No worries, slowly but surely it will get done. Will you thank Sister Erekson as well for me? That's so nice of her to help. That's so cool that Dave has that new calling! He'll be great for it, he's got lots of creative ideas and things. That sounds like so much fun. Were you ever able to take family pictures? Or maybe just a few pictures that we took a while ago as a family. I don't mean to bug you guys about it, I just don't have any picture of us as a family! So if you could send one that'd be sweet.

Wow this last week just zoomed by, i can't even remember what all happened. We got out and just proselyted every hour that we could, and taught many lessons. I think we taught over 30 this last week, 26 of them with a member. The Lord is really manifesting His hand in this work, it's amazing how He really does qualify those whom He calls. Sister Michelle Minguillo was baptized saturday, and i got to confirm her yesterday at church. It's really awesome because she's setting a good example for her less active mother, who came to church yesterday for the first time in years. We also are focusing on a lot of other people who have baptismal dates in the coming weeks. One miracle last week was when Elder Mifflin and I were walking from one appt. to another and this girl called us, "Brother! Come here! Are you bible studying?" and we went up and talked to her, asking why she called us and wanted to bible study. As we got to talk to her, she expressed to us that her father had recently died a few days ago, and she was searching for solutions to problems in her life. We then testified of the plan of salvation, and how it was restored in our latter days so that we could know how our families can become eternal if we live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She began to cry. And what was amazing about this, is it was 8pm at night on a busy 4 way intersection, but the Spirit still was so strong, and it was evident in her countenance that she felt it. We invited her to the baptismal service the next day, and said we would come by to pick her up to walk with her to the service. The next day I went to work with Elder Dy, and Elder Mifflin and Elder Peralta said they would go get her. When i walked into the church, there she was! She was super shy, but she really came! Before the baptism my companion and i were showing her gospel art pictures, and testifying of the resotred Gospel to her. After the service she said she felt so peaceful, and she didn't want to leave after. She also came to church on Sunday, and said she loved it. We have plans to go to her tonight and extend a baptismal date to her.

Once again the Lord has shown unto us that He will put us in their path, or them in ours. I have such a strong testimony that God is our loving Heavenly Father. That's not even including the other 3 families we're teaching and all the bunches of names He has entrusted us with here in Bacolod 3rd, I am just speechless at His hand that He has been manifesting here in the work. I'm about to cry right now even when i'm typing this. I just know this church is true, because I know the Book of Mormon is true. I'm so happy I read it, and prayed to know if it was true, because of that I'm here today. That Book is what made me who I am today, and will make me who I will become in the future. Thank you mom and dad for giving me this chance to serve, and grow up in the Lords church. I just know in 10 months we will rejoice so greatly when we see each other again. May we continually repent and change for the better every single day of our lives, that we will be prepared when we stand before Him at the last day.

Love always,

Elder Doane