Out of the hospital and back just in time for Elma's baptism!

Here are Brandon's updates from the last 2 weeks.  He answered so many questions for me in response to the email I sent him tonight, so I feel much more informed.  Overall he is doing ok, but still has a bad headache and he always feels exhausted, so he still has a ways to go, as far as feeling 100%.  Please continue to pray for him that he can get all the way better.  Thanks!

Update from last week (Oct. 13-19):

P-day (10/13) was alright.  It was the first day actually that we didn’t visit the Mamaradlo family.  Email was good.  I’ve been trying to fix my memory card with all my music, but it’s just super messed up.  We had some extra time, so us Maria elders went to the Balete Tree, the oldest tree in Asia(?).  That’s what they say anyway!  It was really cool, really big and you could go inside it!  In the evening we taught Darwin Montalbo finally, but it wasn’t a good lesson; we weren’t as prepared as we should have been.  We taught the young men how there’s a time and a season for everything and that went super well. 

Tuesday morning we had a good lesson with Tintin and then we visited Angie again, as that is what I felt we needed to do.  In the afternoon we taught our recent converts in Baube.  We found out that Linda has been having a really hard time recently and she told us this Sunday would be her last coming to church.  That was hard.  We let her know how much we love her and how sad we will be if she does that, and now much more our Heavenly Father loves her and how much more sad He would be.  She still knows the Church is true; she’s just been having a hard time with the people there.  In the evening we helped hold a special service at the Mamaradlos, where we shared a little message and sang hymns.  We’re doing better here, but it’s just sad still.  We had a good district meeting and Sister Morgan gave us smores, so that was cool!  I started feeling pretty sick to my stomach before we went out to work, but it had gone away.  We were able to teach four lessons, which was a low for us.

Thursday morning we helped an elderly member from San Luis move, as a zone, and while we were out working in Baubo, I got a severe headache and after a visit with Grace, I started to feel dizzy and feverish.  We went home and I struggled in bed the rest of that day and Friday.  Friday was spent battling the fever and it was not fun.  Saturday was crazy.  I was still feverish, but we joined the Assistants and the President and Sister Clark in the procession and burial of President Mamaradlo.  It was pouring rain.  After, I rested a bit then we went to Baler for zone interviews.  We gave our workshop on “Finding the Elect” which went well, but I delivered it sitting down.  My interview with President was good.  I love to talk with that man. I always feel good.  After the interviews we had our SMC meeting, and then finally at 6:00 pm I got to go home and sleep.  

Sunday I was feeling just a little better, but I still had a headache and dizziness and I was just drained of energy.  Elma was interviewed by President Clark for baptism and passed!  That’s the best.  Many came to church, over 80, and Alexies was called as the new branch president.  He’ll do well.  We did an interview in San Luis then we went with the Lunds (missionary couple) to their house to have my blood pressure checked, then they fed us lunch.  I love the Lunds.  They are so nice.  We had some meetings at the church, and then I did as Sister Clark commanded me and rested again.  I watched that EFY DVD that Mom sent and it was really good.  I especially liked the segment about diligence.

This week’s update (Oct. 20-26): 

Monday I woke up and didn’t feel any better and I just was super stressed out and fed up.  We went to the doctor and she said it is possibly Dengue Fever and that I need to rest for two more days.  NOT happy about that.  There’s work to be done! Agh!  But I’m trying to be more patient.  I got to email chat with Mom during my email time and that helped.  It just wasn’t my day, though.  But, I printed out President Monson’s talk from last conference and I just felt light as I read it.  It helped to be reminded that the Savior has walked a much harder path than this, and that I need to walk like Him!  And that was about the highlight of Monday. 

Tuesday I just chilled in the house all day (doctor’s orders).  Elder Jacobsen and I stayed together in the afternoon and we had some good laughs while watching “Joseph Smith: the Man” with angry preachers making funny faces at Joseph, and watching Jacob from “The Testaments” have his proposal shut down by the question, “Is the place of records far?”  I sure do love that kid and we enjoyed our afternoon as best we could.  And that’s also when I first noticed the rash forming all up and down my arms (a sign of Dengue).  

On Wednesday we had district meeting and we were supposed to have exchanges in Dipaculao.  After a blood test and lunch, Elder Purca and I awaited the results of my blood test.  Well, the doctor said that my platelet count had dropped from around 340 to 215, which apparently is pretty significant.  And with the emergence of the rashes, Doctor Roque was sure it was Dengue and said I needed to be admitted to the hospital to make sure my platelet count didn’t drop too low and to see it eventually go back up.  I was shocked.  I fully expected to go out and work in Dipaculao.  I called Sister Clark and she said if I was going to be admitted, she wanted me in Tarlac.  She wanted to make sure I had a proper medical facility if my platelet count dropped too low and I would need to get a blood transfusion.  So the Lunds took me and Elder Jacobsen over the mountain.  I didn’t take Elder Anasario because Elma’s baptism was scheduled for Friday and I might not make it back.  We met the Assistants about half way and they took us the rest of the way to Tarlac.  There they checked me into the hospital.  They did a legit Dengue Fever test and it was positive.  And only then did I really believe that I had Dengue…..again.  Well, they stuck me with an IV, which I discovered is like my least favorite thing ever!  They injected something into my IV that was supposed to help my internal organs with the low platelet count.  It really hurt (burned) when they added that to the stream.  That night it was hard to sleep, as they kept waking me up and drawing blood or taking my blood pressure or other tests. 

In the morning I showered with an IV in, which turned out to be extremely difficult.  Afterwards, we had visitors!  Elder Gomez (my batch mate from the MTC) and Elder Weitzel (my friend from Timpanogos High School), who are serving as the office elders, came.  President and Sister Clark and the Assistants were out in San Jose for zone interviews, so the office elders looked after me, so to speak, because the food was less than spectacular and they wouldn’t give food to Elder Jacobsen.  We had the office elders get us McDonalds!  And shortly after that they came back with my recent convert from Tarlac.  Sonny Layug came to visit!  He brought donuts.  Oh, it was so good to see him!  We talked just about all afternoon.  I almost forgot! Elder Antoni was in town to get a checkup at my same hospital, so I saw him and his trainee who visited me! Such a nice surprise!  

​Eventually the doctor came in.  My platelet count had continued to go down since being in the hospital, but on the latest test it went up just a little bit, like from 158 to 167, but that was a good sign!  When I reported that to Elder Briscoe and it eventually reached the ear of the missionary doctor in Manila, he said I could leave the hospital!  Yay!  The office elders came and paid all the bills and checked me out and I finally got the IV out!  Yes!  Afterwards us five went to a dinner appointment with the Reyes family, the same family that used to feed us every Sunday in Tarlac!  It was good to see them again!  We dropped off Sonny, and then we went back to the Assistants/office elders’ apartment and slept there.  

In the morning we got one last blood test just to make sure the platelets were still going up and it was somewhere in the 180s, so I was cleared to go home!  The office elders drove us half way again.  It was so great to visit with them and it was especially fun to talk to Elder Weitzel about home.  And we made tentative plans to go down to California after the mission, so that’s fun!  We met up with the Lunds and they took us back to Baler, just in the nick of time for Elma Habala’s baptism.  It was a beautiful service.  I was so happy that I made it!  

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​Afterwards the Habala family fed us, and then we went home.  It was so good to see Elder Anasario again and he gave me a big hug when we saw each other again.

Saturday I woke up and got ready, but I wasn’t feeling well and I was terribly exhausted.  I eventually called Sister Clark and she said I really needed to take it easy, but I got permission to go and teach the Habala family later in the evening.  So after dinner and cooking the pumpkin bread mix that Mom sent me (Thanks, Mom!), I taught for the first time in over a week.  We taught Marivel, Dexter and Elma.  It was so good to get out and work again, even just for a little.  Sunday was fantastic.  The whole Habala household came to church, as well as all but one or two of the young men we’ve been working with, Nancy, and many others.  Our attendance was about 85, so that was great!  Elder Anasario and I can’t help but feeling hopeful for the future here.  Good things are coming.  Also, Wednesday morning we got Nancy’s papers processed and we should get those back on the 4^th, so her marriage is getting close and hopefully her baptism as well!  Just good stuff!  We have lots of referrals to contact and things to get excited about!  I just hope my body can keep up with me!

Well, after church my head was still hurting, so I rested again.  But Sister Clark told me there’s nothing really I can do for it, but it will go away.  Lingering headaches behind the eyes are normal after Dengue.  But I did go out and work in the evening and taught our less active, then Fevelyn, and then pretty much the whole young men’s class about the apostasy. 

I’m just anxious to really work, like back to normal everyday mission life.  I’m just always exhausted and always have a headache.  But it’s all good.  This too shall pass!

-Elder Christensen

Elder Christensen in the hospital for Dengue Fever

Hello All-

I just wanted to update you all on the latest news I've heard about Brandon's health.  I saw a post on Facebook late last night, from Sonny (who Brandon taught and baptized back in Tarlac 7 or 8 months ago) that showed him in the hospital.  I FB messaged Sonny who informed me that he had been transferred up to the hospital in Tarlac to get the care he needed there for his dengue fever.  He had been able to visit him and he said that Brandon was doing well.

I then sent an email to the mission office, inquiring about Brandon's health.  The mission secretary then called Brandon at the hospital to see how he was doing and he told her to tell me that he was fine. She emailed me to reassure me that he was doing ok.  I then got an email from Brandon's mission president's wife, Sister Clark, who filled me in even more on his status.

Here is what she wrote:

Dear Sis. Christensen:

I appreciate your concern about your son's health.  I want provide you with some information about what has been happening the past week.

Last weekend we traveled to Baler and spent considerable time with Elder Christensen dealing with his health concerns.  At that time he was experiencing fatigue, headaches and dizziness.  We had him get additional rest over the weekend and continued to monitor his condition through a senior missionary in Baler.  His condition seemed to be improving on Monday and Tuesday.

On Wednesday a rash appeared so it was decided that he go the doctor.  Based on his symptoms, a blood test was taken and dengue fever was confirmed.  Doctors in Baler recommended immediate hospitalization.  We decided to transfer him to Tarlac so we could be closer and he could have a higher level of care.

The mission assistants were dispatched to pick up Elder Christensen and take him to Jecson's Medical Center.  His blood tests there confirmed the diagnosis of dengue fever.  Ironically Elder Christensen was feeling much better, regaining his strength and showing signs of recovery.

Throughout this episode, I have been communicating regularly with our area advisors in Manila.  They instructed that hospitalization is not necessary but we elected to take a conservative approach and have him spend the night in the hospital where he could be monitored.  This evening, we contemplate that he will be released for further care at the home of our assistants.  We will continue to have him go to the hospital for blood tests until we are certain that he is well on his way to recovery and strong enough to resume work.

We will keep you posted if there are any significant changes.  We love Elder Christensen and you can be very proud of the fact that he is a fine missionary!

Sis. Clark

So that is where we are at.  Please continue to pray for his speedy recovery.  Also pray that he might be well enough to go back to his area tomorrow.  He has been teaching the Habala family ever since he arrived in Baler five months ago.  He has taught and baptized two of the daughters and the mom, Elma, is being baptized tomorrow.  From Sister Clark's email, it sounds like they are keeping him in Tarlac until he is completely well (as confirmed by blood tests), but I am hoping that maybe he can get back to his area (which is several hours away unfortunately) for the baptism tomorrow. It's probably a long shot that he'll be able to get back for the baptism, but maybe with our prayers it is possible.

Thank for your love and concern.

Please pray for Elder Christensen

Hello All-

Brandon did not write a weekly update this week because wasn't feeling up to it. He did email me to let me know what was going on.  He's had a rough week.  On Thursday he became ill with dizziness, headaches, fever and chills and he is still sick with these symptoms.  He went to the doctor on Monday and she told him it was a viral infection which might be a different strand of dengue fever.  He is to stay down and then return to the doctor on Wednesday. He hasn't been able to really work since Thursday.  

He did push himself on Saturday so that he could go to Pres. Marmaradlo's funeral (in the rain and w/o an umbrella because his broke).  Then he and his comp gave a workshop at zone interviews and then went to the monthly meeting that they have with all of the branch presidents, the district president and his mission president.  He crashed after that.  Sunday he had church and a meeting with their new branch president, Alexies (their former branch mission leader).  He was really hoping to wake up Monday feeling better, but he is not and he is disappointed with what the doctor said. He is starting to feel frustrated and stressed, on top of just feeling really sick.  I know that he would appreciate your prayers at this time.  Hopefully this illness will pass soon and that will help him be in better spirits as well.  He's had some hard experiences these last couple of weeks and now with the illness on top of all that, I think he needs our prayers more than ever. So thank you in advance for your prayers.

Since I don't have a letter or pictures from him to send (he lost his camara cord this week, too), I will attach some pictures that I got from his mission mom.  

Mission Leadership Council elders

Leadership Council dining at the mission home

A sobering week and a request for prayers

***Brandon has been writing his update in his journal, during the week, so it is written usually in 2-3 entries.  It is very apparent in this particular update, so I just wanted to let you know that that is how it is, so it makes more sense***

So! Monday was good.  We cleaned this super definitely haunted hospital.  We all probably contracted various forms of cancer, but we had fun serving as a zone and with members!  We came home, showered and emailed.  Afterwards, I made lasagna!  Well, the mix Mom sent me anyways.  We joined in President Go’s family’s Family Home Evening, where we got to further build our relationship with our District President and his family.  Good fun, great people!  Tuesday morning we visited the referral of Angie, the branch president’s wife, and she was super nice and she’s got tons of potential because of her incredible fellowshipper.  I also met a man from Palestina, San Jose City!  I got so excited!  It was like running into someone from Lindon!  The rest of Tuesday was good…

I’m sorry; I’m not going to finish that entry.  So much has happened.  We found out that our sister committed to be baptized needs to have her interview pushed to the 18^th.  Wednesday we thought of the solution to Nancy's problem.  Elder Choresca suggested that she wash our clothes and we pay her so she can have money for her marriage papers.  After we taught her and told her the good news, President Mamaradlo (our branch president) and Sister Angie got home.  

President & Sister Mamaradlo & son

President Mamaradlo was excited to hear the news and I shook his hand and he gave me that big ear-to-ear grin he always has, just like normal.

I’m sorry; no other happenings seem so significant now.  Wednesday night I dreamed that something happened to President Mamaradlo.  His countenance and demeanor had changed.  He looked tired, almost drunk actually.  Anyway, in my dream it was apparent that he could no longer serve as branch president, so we were looking for another.  Then I woke up at about 5:50 am and the phone immediately rang.  I picked it up.

“Hello, this is Elder Christensen”, I said.

“Elder?  This is Sister Angie.”

“Yes, How ---”

“Elder, President is dead.” And hysterical sobs follow.  I was dead silent.  I couldn’t speak.  I certainly couldn’t speak Tagalog.

I say, “Oh my gosh, I’m so, so----“

“Elder, I need your help!!!”

“OK, we’re coming.”

I prayed, woke the others and told them what happened, and then we headed over.  I guess that the lyric is true: “We’re all just one phone call from our knees.”  On the way I was hoping that it was all some kind of sick joke, because I just couldn’t believe it.  President was so young, healthy and active.  It just seemed so wrong.  But when we got there, there he was on the floor, and Angie was not leaving his side.  He had a stroke at about 1:30 in the morning that killed him in a manner of seconds.  That was one of the one the saddest mornings of my life.  He is only 34, has 4 kids (11, 8, 4 and 1) and he was the nicest, most optimistic man I knew.  He literally was always smiling. He worked so hard and sacrificed so much for his family and the church here.  

I cried SO much on Thursday.  We were at their house most of the morning, mourning with our brothers and sisters. 

The members asked us to dress his body after the embalming, which was to take place in the neighboring town, so we had emergency exchanges where Elder Hedman came here and I went with Elder Purca there.  We waited for a while at the mortuary then they let us dress him.  You know, I didn’t have a good use for my white long sleeve shirt here in the Philippines, so I was happy to provide a white shirt and tie for him.  As we dressed him, I kept it together until I had to button up his sleeves.  I lost it.  That’s what I used to do for my Dad on Sundays back home.  It was so sad.  That whole day was so hard.  Usually smiling is something that comes natural for me, but I had a hard time smiling that day.  While I was working with Elder Purca, all I could think about was the Mamaradlo family.  I kept thinking of Angie talking to his body earlier that morning, how they were so happy the day before, and how many plans they still had, and how she kept telling her kids to wake him up….. I had the thought a couple of weeks ago that I’d never seen Sister Angie sad.  Well, Thursday she was a different person.  I called President Clark that night for guidance, which helped.  On Friday we taught close to the Mamaradlo’s house, and we even had a couple of relatives approach us, wanting to be taught.  In the evening Elder and Sister Lund came, then we put the temple robes on President. 

Saturday was finally a chance to smile as we enjoyed conference AND my companion’s birthday!  We ate at Costa Pacifica in between sessions, and the zone wrote him little birthday notes.  General Conference was SO AMAZING, but went by so fast.  I’m not going to try and pick a favorite.  In the evening the Habala family fed us dinner for my companion’s birthday.  Then we went back to the Mamaradlo’s to sing hymns with the members.  The Mamaradlos and the branch are our top priority right now.  And the support from the members has been phenomenal.  Sunday was good, but with everything going on, we only had one investigator come to conference.  After conference, we taught our investigators close to the Mamaradlos’ again.  We did set a date with Nancy, because finally, her papers, marriage and baptism seem to be in reach.  And it’s worked out perfectly, as she’ll wash our clothes for the meantime, as Angie (who was washing them before) is not exactly available now. 

Angie is doing better, thank goodness.  She’s not crying all the time now, and she seems a lot like her old self.  But of course, not as many smiles.  Just keep them in your prayers.  Please pray for them.  They need all the help they can get.  They never had a whole lot before, and now… Just pray for them.

This week was a sobering week.  You know, I never told President Mamaradlo that I loved him.  I guess that lyric is right, “If you love somebody, better tell them while they’re here, ‘cuz they might just run away from you.”  John 13:34, Alma 40:12, Moroni 9:25, Moroni 7:41

With little Walog Mamaradlo

-Elder Christensen

The Maria Branch after General Conference

Birthday lunch for Elder Anasario at Costa Pacifica

Eating the most beautiful burger ever at Costa Pacifica

"I feel like I'm doing missionary work right"

Dear All,

Alright, so a lot has happened!  On Monday Elder Anasario, Elder Hedman, Elder Illustrisimo and I went down to Cabanatuan for our Mission/District Leader’s Council on Tuesday. 

Bus ride to Cab

Cab is always fun!  We learned a lot at the council, especially about pushing and leading with the Book of Mormon in our mission.  Filipinos have a habit, when we talk to them in the street, of saying “Oh, so you’re just like us!” Eh, no.  We’re not.  So that’s why we’re going to push the Book of Mormon, because no one will leave their religion for the true church unless they see that it’s different and better.  I love it!  After the conference however, we could only get the last bus heading back to Aurora, so we didn’t get home until 9:45 pm.

at MLC/DLC

But Wednesday was good!  We held Zone Training Meeting where we relayed the messages of the council.  In the afternoon we taught Ariel, an old contact, and he was super nice and open but wanted time to read the pamphlet and think about it before we came back, but we did set a return appointment.  He really needs this message.  We taught Nancy and we used the Book of Mormon and it played a HUGE role in explaining covenants, as she didn’t understand our explanations (see Mosiah 18:10).  We taught our three favorite boys: Razzel, JR and Jomari and they are still the coolest kids.  We taught Eden, who hasn’t come to church in three weeks.  Why?  She only is reading the scriptures 2 times a week, if that.  I’m telling you, just read the Book of Mormon every day and you’ll never fall away. We taught Elma, who is still GOLDEN, but she’s a bit nervous for the baptismal interview.  No worries, she’ll be ready! 

Also, my stomach was REALLY hurting all day, so we got a check up on Thursday morning. 

I’m hyper acidic apparently, and if I don’t get on meds and change some things, I’ll get an ulcer!  So now I’m on meds, not eating spicy or sour foods, eat on time (6:00 pm as opposed to 10:00 pm like we usually do), and no more soda and NO COFFEE!  I’ll tell ya, that last one will be hard to kick.  BUT overall it was good news as I’m not going to die from this anytime soon.  In the afternoon we visited our favorite grandmas (Adelina and Linda) and grandpa (Marcos) and they’re really good.  Oh, and I gave Nanay Adelina some pictures last time, including one of my family (I don’t know- she requested it) and they’re now hanging up!  That was funny.  We taught Lolit and brought Sister Grace along (who used to be Lolit’s Baptist preacher!) and that was an enormous help and they are coming to church this Sunday.  YES!  We went home and ate quickly, but on time, then got to teach Dexter Habala, Elma’s husband and the father of five members (Eden, Tonton, Marivel, Fevelyn and Iyan).  It was a really good lesson and the spirit was SO strong as he accepted the baptismal invitation for November 8^th.  So awesome!  We taught Fevelyn about prayer and Heavenly Father afterwards, and the spirit just continued. Awesome!

On Friday morning we had effective, spiritual weekly planning.  It went really well.  Well, honestly, this whole week has gone really well, and I’ll go ahead and attribute it to a talk that Moriah Gamble sent me WAY BACK when I was in the MTC.  It’s by Elder F. Enzio Busche and I’ve re-read it a few times recently.  Among other things, he said, “Embrace each day with an enthusiastic welcome, no matter how it looks.”  Just keeping that happy, spirit-filled attitude and always smiling helps SO much!  And I just love my companion Elder Anasario.  He is SUCH a good teacher and a great guy.  He is so nice, and I’m happy to be his companion.  More importantly, I’m SO HAPPY to be my Lord’s missionary.

Well, the rest of Friday was awesome still!  We visited Nancy, then Razzel and the boys.  We watched the Restoration video with them and the spirit was SUPER strong.  We left the DVD with them for a couple of days and hopefully their parents will watch it, too.  We taught Mycah’s referrals, Mary Jane and Mark, and they’re still doing well.  We got them copies of the Book of Mormon, which I always get excited about!  We taught some of the young men about honoring their father and mother (at the request of their parents) and we taught them the magic words, “How can I help” and “I love you”.  Shout out to Glenn and Angela, the best parents EVER!

Saturday was AWESOME again.  We taught Dominga again, and she wholeheartedly accepted the Book of Mormon, so that was exciting!  There’s still potential there.  We shared with Adelina about charity (particularly because she has a grudge against a fellow member) and though she refused to pray to love everyone initially, she totally prayed for it in the closing prayer!  Yes!  The Holy Ghost softened old grandma’s heart!  Love it!  We taught Marco all about how his deceased wife, his parents and anyone can be baptized vicariously in the temple and he got excited!  We ended the night by teaching Dexter Habala again.  It was awesome.  He was all, “If Christ’s church was lost long ago, how does that work for us today?”  Great question!  He was captivated as we explained the beautiful Restoration, and he was excited when we gave him a Book of Mormon for himself.

On Sunday we had 7 investigators at church!  HAPPY MISSIONARIES!  We did a baptismal interview for the San Luis elders, then we worked!  While teaching Razzel, JR and Jamarie, both me and my companion felt that not only will these guys get baptized, but they’ll go on missions one day!  These kids are SO smart and so into the lessons, they’re going places.  Other highlights: we taught JR, the son of an investigator who was busy and he was way cool!  He’s 15 and was taught two years ago.  When we left we caught a glimpse of him reading the pamphlet (fist pump!).  Then we taught Elma and the Habala family all about eternal marriage and I shared the “No empty chairs” saying (for all you members of the Tribe of Don).  Our commitment to them was to refer their 3 remaining children who are not yet members.  Dexter was excited about it as well!  So awesome.  I LOVE THIS FAMILY!  I just want them all to get baptized and sealed SO bad!  And it will happen.  AMAZING week.  

I feel like God is helping me so much.  I feel like I’m serving a mission the right way!

Elder Christensen

And here's an excerpt from his letter to his mission president that he shared:

I've just decided to smile more this week, no matter what happens, and this has been one of the best weeks of my whole mission. Just checking if I have the right attitude is such a help for me. AND our focus on the Book of Mormon has been great, as that is now a focus whilst OYMing. And we had an appointment where we were trying to help an investigator understand covenants, and she just wasn't quite getting it. SO, we turned to the Book of Mormon, and after reading Mosiah 18:10, she understood without a problem. So awesome! And the zone is also doing so good. We had a great week of work and we have a significant amount of baptisms coming, and its so great to see their progress. In our area for example--Oh I wanted to tell you about this too! We have this one family where 5/8 kids with age ranging from 32-12 are members now, and then the mom wanted to be taught and now she is getting baptized on the 18th, and now we're teaching the dad as well and he has a date for November! Anyways, this investigator who is getting baptized on the 18th has a neighbor (1st cousin once removed or something like that) who is just SUPER less active, and sometimes we can teach her and sometimes not, and she always says she'll come to church. ANYWAYS these two sisters talked, and the less active one basically said, "Wow, she's getting baptized. I'll become active now because I have a duty to do as a member." That is a miracle! We are SO excited to see what becomes of this. You really can never underestimate the influence of an example. Usually in this work we aim to have members influence the non-members, but in this case, it was vice versa but still had an incredible outcome. Oh this week was SO amazing President! I just love it! Things are going so well! 

And an explanation of the pictures below: "We had a CSP this morning at a creepy old hospital, so we took this time to photograph a zombie, fly like Harry Potter, and bring TEBOW-ing to the Philippines!"

Tebow-ing

Harry Potter

Zombie!