March 23, 2014

Dear Family!

Thank you so much for all the emails! I love the stories you all share about the family! Especially about Drake, sounds like he had a blast at the Morp, Kylie is so awesome no? Good to hear Demi's doing well in track too. I'm sure mom made a great decoration for that dance.

The Lord is really teaching me how to be humble, even to be less than the dust of the earth. This last week the Lord revealed to Elder Perez and I things that we need to do to better ourselves as disciples of the Savior, sacrificing all of our natural wants and desires. It's been so great to work with Elder Perez, he's such a willing missionary to submit to the will of the Lord. He wants to learn, and wants to grow to his fullest potential. The improvement I've seen in him has been so great in these last 9 weeks! I know he'll really be something great, he's got about 10 months left in his mission.

Joseph Smith once said, "Let us here observe, that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation; for, from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things. It was through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life; and it is through the medium of the sacrifice of all earthly things that men do actually know that they are doing the things that are well pleasing in the sight of God. When a man has offered in sacrifice all that he has for the truth's sake, not even withholding his life, and believing before God that he has been called to make this sacrifice because he seeks to do his will, he does know, most assuredly, that God does and will accept his sacrifice and offering, and that he has not, nor will not seek his face in vain. Under these circumstances, then, he can obtain the faith necessary for him to lay hold on eternal life."

I know that through sacrifice we really can obtain eternal life. It makes so much sense to me. As we sacrifice all of the things that would distract us from keeping our covenants with God, we will gain greater hope that He will help us prosper, and enable us with a greater desire and capacity to keep His commandments and endure to the end. The blessings from sacrifice are in-numerous, according to the amount we are willing to sacrifice. He asks us for, "a broken heart, and a contrite spirit..." then He says He will baptize us with fire, and with the Holy Ghost, meaning we will be forgiven for our sins again as we partake of the sacrament and renew our covenants with Him, and we can therefore enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost! It's so beautiful and simple how the Gospel works. One with a true desire to serve God can know His mysteries through sincere prayer and study in the words of the prophets, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Family I know that if we do all that we can to keep the commandments of God, He will prosper us! Sometimes we doubt because of our earthly wants and needs, but we just need to trust in His power. I truly believe He will enable us to prosper in the land as long as we keep our covenants that we've made with Him through the power and authority of His holy priesthood.

Our family can become a light to all others, as we show them our good example to glorify our Father in Heaven, and it starts with the small things! I love you all so much, and encourage you with all my heart to find those commandments that are the hardest for you to keep, and set goals and make plans how you'll improve. The Lord will help us! See you in 2 months family!

Love,

Elder Doane

March 16, 2014

Dearest Family!

Thank you so much for all the emails! Everything sounds like it's going so well back home. Spring break sounded great for the kids. They're growing up so fast it's crazy! I'm all set for summer registration, i'm emailing back and forth figuring things out with Trevor Wilson, he's such a great help. I'm signed up for a nutrition class and he suggested an easy religion class, like Marriage something, i'm excited! :) I can't think of anything for their morp outside idea? But I'm sure it will be a blast for Drake.

Last week was such a blessing to me, missionary work is the most inconvenient, most difficult, yet most rewarding work in the world. That's really why i love it, because it's so inconvenient! You know, it's really inconvenient to leave your family for 2 years, or to open your mouth and invite people to listen to missionaries, or to get up off the couch and help someone move into their new house, or to go visit those who are struggling in our quoroms, or a family that did not attend church one week.. it's all so inconvenient for our busy lives! But the most inconvenient things will bring the most effective results in the end. I'm so grateful for President Lopez and his faith in the Lord, he's taught me so many things just through his example. It was so good to see him again in our zone conference last week, he's just such a powerful servant of the Lord. In our zone conference I received many answers to my questions, and the Lord taught me what more I need to do to improve myself. At times it's easy to feel we're at a plateu, but that's when things get dangerous and we need to move. I realize that last week, and He really revealed some things to me that I need to do to keep moving upward!

Sister Barcelona's Baptism with Elder Doane and Elder Perez!!!

Last week Sister Barcelona was baptized! She was a former investigator a long time ago, but just did not want to listen, but lately she's fell in love with the Book of Mormon, and she is so strong, it's a miracle. In their place there are so many persecutions that come her way, because she's a Mormon now, but she says she doesn't care, and she just keeps inviting them to come with her to church and read the Book of Mormon.

The Lauzone Families Baptism with Elder Doane and Elder Perez!!!

Also last week was the Lauzon Family's baptism! It was supposed to be next week but with some scheduling conflicts it was moved to last week. Such a miracle. Brother was less active back then, but now he's back preparing for a calling, and he baptized his wife, and 3 kids on Saturday. I can't tell you of the Spirit i felt last week, I know all of these successes is only through the Atonement and our repentance.



The way I feel like I'm living in my mission right now can be explained in Alma 57: 19-26.. obeying with exactness. I'm not a perfect missionary, but I affirm my exact obedience by getting up every day by 6:30. Every day we leave the apartment, we fight desperately, relying wholly on the tender mercies of the Lord to give us success in the work.. and according to our faith, we can work miracles. I know if we fight every day, desperately, we can work miracles in our lives and the lives of others. If miracles have ceased, it is because of our own disbelief! But I know we will continue to walk in the light of the Lord's love if we obey. That is the foundation of my mission, and the rest of my life. I really don't know what the future will be like coming back in 2 months, but that doesn't matter, because I know I will obey, and the Lord will lead my for my good. That promise goes for all of us family! And it starts with the small things. I love you all so much, and pray that we will continue to seek to obey in all things. We always find an excuse to obey God's commandments.

Elder Doane







March 11, 2014

Thanks so much for all the emails! I'm here in Bacolod right now having preparation day before our zone conference tomorrow.. I'm so excited! It's so odd to be back here in Bacolod, my last area, but it brings back good memories. I haven't seen Sister Judd yet! I've heard about her, she's doing so well. She's assigned in Bacolod 5th ward, i've been there but never been assigned. She's actually very close to where I am right now, but I won't be able to see her unless we cross paths somehow! I'm sure we will. Everytime I see President I ask him about her, he says she's doing great! Today I'll be buying a few things, like socks, a towel, just a few small things that I need that I can't buy in Cauayan. Other than those things I'm doing great, don't need anything! Today I'll be going to get x rays done that we need to get done before going home, just to make sure no injuries or anything took place in the mission and what not. It's so weird how close May is, the pressure is so on!

Those plans sound great dad! I would love to go up with Demi and her friends, and to have the parties combined with Klay would be great! That sounds awesome. Food and donuts would be awesome. I miss their donuts! Anything is fine with me! Going to california would be awesome as well, going to the beach, amusement park, I'm not picky at all or anything, I would just love to be able to spend time with the family! As long as we can take some family pictures at the temple before I go up to school, I'm cool with that! I'm excited to be with Drake as well, I wish he could just come and live with me up there at BYU! Demi looks like she's getting big, she sent me some pictures the other day she's so tall and gorgeous! Dave sounds like he's doing good as well, he emailed me today! And mom as well. She served so well in the primary presidency I'm sure. I'll get all the BYU worked out. I'm signed up for one class, but I'll at least do 2. I can always drop classes if it becomes too much, I'll just see how it goes. Thanks for getting the financial stuff worked out, that's such a blessing that it will all work out okay. I'm sure you and mom are sticking to being full tithe payers, my testimony of tithing is so strong now dad.

Bona & Bibi (boyfriend and girlfriend) baptized together! 

This last week was a miracle. Elder Perez and I both really are trying our best to keep consistency in the work, finding teaching and baptizing every week! Last week Bonah and Bibi were baptized, it's funny because they're actually boyfriend & girlfriend. Their testimonies are so strong through, Bonah said in her testimony, "I know this church is true, because only in this church I came to know the true meaning of repentance, and I can say I've repented of all my sins." I just cried when I heard that. Her mom will be baptized this friday! And Bonah will be joining the youth in the temple trip at the end of this month, isn't it a miracle? I'm so excited for them!!!

When I first got here to Cauayan there were all these rumors and people saying Cauayan was 'going down' in attendance, baptisms, etc. My companion and I just decided to ignore all those negative things, and obey. Through our obedience the Lord has been so merciful to us, and really enabled us to do His work here. He's providing names for us for baptism, he's providing miracles left and right. He's teaching us through the many trials we're going through. I can really say I'm coming to understand His Atonement even more. Others would say it makes sense why all those negative comments were coming before, because our first and 2nd sunday here the attendance was below 70 and 60, with 3 investigators at church. Last sunday there was 130 attendance with 8 investigators at church, that's the most Cauayan has ever had in branch history.

I testify that if we have faith, hope, charity and love, and keep our eye single to His glory, we will always be abounding in good works, in His good works, bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man! We need to be a light to our peers, it is the covenant we made with the Savior. Even through we are weak, He will make us a mighty shaft in His hands to bring forth His work, I know it's true, I'm living it! And it all starts with gaining a testimony of the Book of Mormon, by reading, pondering, and asking with a sincere heart if that book is true, because that's where I started. 

I love you family!

Elder Doane

March 2, 2014

Thank you all for the emails, I want to email you all separately but time is short! I've gotten all the stuff done for the application stuff and what not for summer application, i'll just keep in touch with Sister Baxter from BYU and I'm sure it will all work out. That temple dedication sounded amazing! I am so jealous, I'll bet you had such an amazing time. So happy for Drake and Demi that they got to go to something like that. How great!

I just want to bear my testimony that when we are called to walk through trials, tribulations, and adversity, we need to bear them with patience. Just like the Lord promised us in Alma, "..bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success." We need to trust in the Lord, and keep a smile on our faces finding the good in everything, and He will deliver us from affliction and raise us up on high, higher than we were before! The Atonement is our harness to bear with patience all the trials that we may experience here on earth, so we need to take advantage of it! I know the Lord lives and loves each and everyone of us! I love you family, and I will see you on May 29th!

Elder Doane

February 23, 2014

Dear Family!

Thank you for your emails! I'm so happy to know you're all okay and happy! I'm doing great! I don't need anything, I was able to find some shoes last week which was a miracle. So no worries at all!

Our area is becoming Zion! Every time we sing hymn 44 we replace the work Zion with Cauayan (Kuh-WHY-an). It's our theme song! Our area really is becoming a model for all other missionaries, and we're just a regular companionship out in the middle of nowhere! I just really testify that the Lord will qualify to do His work, wherever we are, no matter what has happened in the past. We should not be like Lot's wife, and look back, but we should be like the prophets of old, looking forward to the day of their redemption when the Savior should come to save His people.

Elder Perez is just such a blessing to me. He knows how to let the Spirit just take him over, and speak for him. The Gifts of the Spirit are so manifest in our work, and I love being his companion! He's also a very talented singer and sketcher, and he uses it to his best ability in teaching and helping others feel the Spirit. I feel so blessed! We aren't the same person, we have different likes, but we are true brothers through the work, the work brings us so close together, I love him!

The Lauzon family is doing so well! They've came to church 3 times in a row now, and they'll be baptized March 22. Their kids just love church, and the Book of Mormon. Their dad will be receiving a calling here soon as well, our new branch president is on the ball! His name is President Tolentino, he's gone through so much in his life, and he's truly a disciple of Christ who follows the small whisperings of the Spirit.

A lot of missionaries would ask, "How do I find new investigators?" "How do i teach effectively?" "How do I baptize?" I've gotten that question so many times on exchanges, and my response to them is always, "Well Elder I'm not a very skilled missionary, I don't know Preach My Gospel back to back, I didn't memorize the whole Book of Mormon.. but I know how to obey the Lord. Start with exact obedience, and the Lord will teach you how to do everything else." Obedience has become the foundation of my life. When I obey, I have hope and confidence that the Lord will guide me throughout the day, that He will introduce me to His children that are waiting for the Gospel, that He will teach me how to teach effectively, and how to baptize, even every week. I say nothing to boast of myself, but I say all these things to boast of our loving Heavenly Father. If we are ever in doubt, or questioning 'How do I do this?" Just obey. Then the Holy Ghost will come upon us and guide us to paths of success, just like Nephi when he went back to Jerusalem for the plates. Sometimes we're going to have to do things that we're not used to, like when Nephi slayed Laban, but I know He will guide us and comfort us as long as we are seeking for His glory! May the work press forward!! I love you all!

Elder Doane

February 9, 2014

Dear Family,

Thanks so much for all of your emails. Those stories about Drake just crack me up! I'm excited as well to get to spend time with him. Sounds like the family is all doing so well, I'm so happy. The Lord really blesses us according to our sacrifices. I don't need anything, I'm just going to buy some new shoes today because the ones i bought in November are already worn out! Haha, hopefully I can find some sturdy ones, I'm sure they'll have some.

This last week was another testimony that through our sacrifices the Lord will bless us. Elder Perez and I are living up to the expectations of our callings as representatives of Jesus Christ. Like it says in Luke 14:33, we can not call ourselves disciples unless we are willing to give up everything. We had high goals last week, and even though we had some training from our zone leaders, and a branch activity friday night, we improved yet again in our key indicators. We had 12 investigators at sacrament meeting! The first 2 weeks we had about 3, but I know the Lord is teaching me that I can not do His work unless I'm willing to abide with Him and His will through sacrifice. We have our first baptism together, this saturday, on DEMI'S BIRTHDAY! Feb 15th! His name is Mark Decena, he's 15 years old. So excited!

That family i told you about last week, the Lauzon Family, are doing so well. We've been really focusing on sister Lauzon, who is the wife of a less active member, and helping her have a spiritual experience with the Book of Mormon. Then on Saturday, while we were teaching her, she expressed something to us.

She kept sharing that she prayed, and she felt alright, but was still doubting about Joseph Smith being a prophet and what not. Being a catholic, these things were very new to her. But there was just something in her face that was telling Elder Perez and I differently. Once Sister expressed those things again, my companion said to her, "Sister, we believe in the gifts of the Spirit. And the Spirit is convincing me that last night you prayed, and you felt something for sure testify to you that these things are true. And right now it's scaring you, because you've grown up all your life in the catholic church, you're scared of what your family might say, and the people around here. But you know within your heart, that what we're teaching you is true."

I was sitting there praying for him and sister, that hopefully she would be touched about the experience. And I asked her, "sister what do you feel about what we've said to you right now?" She responded, "Naigo gd ko..kay tuod gd na sya ang nyo gnhambal.. Nabatyagan ko gd sya, kag... kblo na ko nga matuod ni sya." in english "I'm was very touched, because it's true what you said,.. i really felt it.... and I know these things are true."

If we want to do the Lord's work, we need to purify ourselves first, and then the Lord can use us as His instrument. We have to tune ourselves to His tune, so that He can play His sweet music through us. This testified to me family that the Lord will work through us, His imperfect servants, as long as we are bringing forth a broken heart and contrite spirit to Him, cleansing ourselves. The whole Lauzon Family came to church on Sunday, including Brother who's been less active for 10 years. They will be baptized on March 22nd :)

I know this work is true! It's the Lord's work. Others will stand in awe and their jaws will drop as they witness this marvelous work and a wonder that the Lord is bringing forth in these latter days. Cauayan is and will continue to be a light unto all other areas, as long as we stay faithful to our covenants we made with Him. That can be the same for all of our homes! We can make them a light and a city set upon a hill for all others, so they can see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. May we do so with a willing heart! I promise, this is true happiness! I love you family! :)

Elder Doane

February 2, 2014

Family!

Thank you so much for all your emails! They were so uplifting and I am so happy that you're all doing well. Sorry Demi's sick! Dad that's so awesome I come home on your birthday!!! We'll for sure have to go eat some good food. Hopefully some american food, haven't had that in a while. Glad Dave's doing so well, Uncle Charlie is so awesome, such a Christlike man. He's gonna be a general authority soon. Well i'm just so happy to hear all is well, it's so comforting each week to hear those uplifting emails from you all. 

Last week was the most miraculous week i've ever had in my life, I really do testify that through sacrifice, the Lord will forgive us for our sins and qualify us for His work. I really had to humble myself and seek His guidance in what He would have me do, and He did guide me as I humbled myself. Elder Perez and I told each other we would make Cauayan a model area for other areas, 'A city that is set on a hill can not be hid', just like the Savior commanded His disciples in the Americas. Even though we're just a regular companionship, no leadership assignments, we believed with our whole hearts we can become a model for other missionaries, to inspire them and push them to reach their full potential. The only way to do that, is through our key indicators.

Last week we taught 60 lessons with a member, and 4 others. The Lord also provided 8 of His children at sacrament on Sunday, and now we have 8 investigators with a baptismal date! We also found 38 new investigators. Family, i don't say this to boast in my strength, but i tell you these things to testify to you that this is the Lord's work! He will qualify us if we soften our hearts and submit to His will. Chapter 6 of Preach My Gospel has become the basis of my mission, of my life. Through studying and applying Christlike Attributes, I can feel my understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ growing, and I can see myself changing each day. My faith has grown, and is growing so much in the Savior as I seek to increase my key indicators each week. I'm so thankful for President Lopez being so worthy for his call, in really guiding me as a missionary to reach my full potential here in the mission. I know when i come home, I will have no regrets!!!

Sacrifice is and always has been a part of obedience. Back in the ancient times we always heard of the finest of the sheep being sacrificed, and all kinds of other animals being sacrificed to show thanks to the Lord or as a symbol of repentance. But when the Lord fulfilled the Law of Moses through His Atonement, He taught us in 3 Nephi 9 that "ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost.." We need to be willing to sacrifice our pride, and if we do so, He will baptize us with fire, and literally make us a new person through His Atonement. What I love most about this process, is that it's not a one time thing, but it is an everlasting cycle that we will constantly go throughout our lives if we submit ourselves to His will. That's why His Atonement is 'an infinite Atonement', because we are an infinitely sinning people. But because of His charity and love that He showed for all of us, He provided a way for us, imperfect beings, to become perfect through His grace. Then at the last day, we will be able to stand blameless before the Father.

I know this church is the only true and living church upon this earth. I know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is our only way back to the Father's presence, and His Gospel is the key to unlock those sacred enabling and redeeming powers of that Atonement. If we live His Gospel, and receive the ordinances thereof, we will be able to be with our families forever, in His presence. Always read  your Book of Mormon,and say your personal and family prayers, that is the sacred way the Lord has given us to build a literal relationship with Him!

I love you family!

Elder Doane