26th July 2010

Hey pamilya ko!

Things have been going so great at the MTC. The temple finally opened today, so it was cool to finally be able to go there, even though it was kind of different than the Denver Temple. I still loved it. It's sweet just to have that break and just ponder about things and have that inspiration. I loved it.

Anyways, we finally are starting to teach in Tagalog. At some points I feel so good about how much I can say in Tagalog, like when we actually teach. I mean I know how to ask questions about what we talk about. And it's awesome. I don't know I feel pretty good about it right now. Sometimes I feel not so good though. Like when we read from the Tagalog PMG. Then I only understand like 1 out of ever 6 words.

Okay, so in Tagalog there is a verb - Basa is the root. It means read. Okay I know like a lot of ways to congugate it, based on if its past, present, future, and depending on what I want to focus on for the rest of the sentence. magbasa, nagbasa, nagbabasa, magbabasa, bumasa, bumabasa, babasa, binasa, basahin, binabasa, are some of the ways. Well I was reading preach my gospel and they congugated it a different way! It blew my mind! Anyway, I know I'll learn with time.

Something I've been focusing on is patience. I mean I see how much the Lord has promised us if we do things. Meron akong panamnampalataya - I have faith that Hewill keep his promises. I mean, He is the one who called me on this mission. He is the one with infinate love for everyone. He wants me to be here, and I know through him I'll be able to do what he wants me to do. Through him, I can do anything. But I also know the Lord works on his own time. I'm not just going to suddenly know Tagalog after only 4 weeks. But he will bless me with that gift of tongues, along with other blessings, as I continue to strive to be the best I can be.

Anyway, I'm not really feeling sick anymore. So that's good. I'm also really excited for Aunt Danalin, I had no idea that her baby was coming this soon, I thought that she was coming like next month. Anyway,she looks beautiful. I'm excited to meet her in two years, just make sure you teach her all about me :D. Yeah I still love the MTC. It's so cool how many people you see that I new before I got here. It's so crazy that I'm already halfway done at the MTC. I love it here. I can't say that enough. And I can't wait to actually be out in the Philippines.

I was reading in the beginning of Mosiah this week, where King Benjamin is teaching his people. As I read, I noticed a couple of times he said, "Remember that these things are true." That really hit me. I mean it's so awesome. The things I'm trying to live and to teach are true. If we know that the gospel and the church and the prophets and all these things are true, what are we going to do about it? Later on in that book with the People of Alma there is a verse that says that they knew the things which were taught were true, and they were desirous to be baptized. We want to prove to the Lord that we are willing to follow him, to do all he has asked of us. That is why I have this desire to serve God with all my heart, might, mind, and strength, because these things are true. The message of the gospel we have, the message of good news, is everything. I heard in a talk from President Holland, I think, that if these things are true, than this work is the most important work below the Heavens. I know that it is. And I want all of you to know that.

Alam ko po na sa pamamagitan ng pamamapalataya si Jesucristo na kaya ko ang mga lahat ng bagay.

Mahal ko kayo!

-Elder Burton