Week 64: Wednesday August 27, 2014

This week we got the privilege of hearing from Casey who is on deployment in the Philippines. He has been there the past 6 months. This past week his wife Chantyl was able to join him and he was finally able to take a four-day pass and visit Dylan. Dylan had a busy day with Casey and Chantyl so we were able to get this update from Casey.
"We had a great day with Elder Staheli. He gave us a tour of the temple grounds, the mission office, and chapel. We were able to do a session with him and his companion at the temple as well as visit his apartment and eat lunch. Later in the evening we were able to sit in on a first discussion and then have dinner with an active family. He looks a little thin, but seems to be doing extremely well both physically, mentally, and spiritually. His mission President pulled Chantyl and I into his office alone just to tell us what he thought of Elder Staheli. He said he's one of the best missionaries in the mission. He went onto say he is extremely obedient, cares a great deal for all of the missionaries he is over and loves the members and investigators with his whole heart. He said (since his mission President has only been here a few months) that he is one of the missionaries he relies on and trusts with his whole heart. He said because of the missionary Elder Staheli is he didn't hesitate at all about letting him spend the day with us. He said out of the other 258 missionaries in the mission there's only 4 others besides Elder Staheli that he'd have allowed to do that, all because he knows he won't break any rules and will do the right thing. He encouraged us to share this with the family just so we could know how valuable Elder Staheli is to the work here and what a great missionary and leader he is. Even when we finished he said he couldn't fully articulate what a great missionary he is and how proud we should all be of him. I will be sending some pictures shortly and when I get a chance to write a lengthy email I'll give a full description of our day."

Week 63: Tuesday August 20, 2014

Family,

   We have a fairly busy week ahead of us! I think I told you, but if not, Elder Bowen, the general authority, will be visiting the mission this week. In fact, he should be arriving in just a few minutes. Tomorrow we have a few interviews, a big meeting with the entire mission, & a few other things going on while he is here to visit. I am really excited to meet him! I'm sure he is a very kind person & it is going to be a great experience. 

   This week has been another great one, but as always, it seems to have gone by in the blink of an eye. It's interesting how all of the days just seem to blur together sometimes. Me & Elder Martinez always talk about how interesting it is to be used to everything that goes on here. Sometimes we will just be out walking & one of us will just stop & say, "Elder, we're in the Philippines!" I guess that means that I am doing pretty well if I have to consciously remind myself of my surroundings & situations. The strangest sensations are when I walk down a street & it feels like I am in Las Vegas or California. It's going to be strange going home. What's even stranger is that I have had the weirdest desire lately to go to a ballpark & watch a professional baseball game. I think that's one of the first trips that I am going to have to take when I get home. Does anyone want to go see an Angels game with me?

   Missionary life is the best. I love meeting new people; talking to new people on the street everyday. I love building a teaching pool. I hate when people don't progress & have to be dropped. I love finding new people to take their place. I hate when people don't come to church. I love when the spirit touches someone's heart in a lesson & they can't fight back the tears. I hate when people think that every church is the same. I love when someone gains a testimony of the restoration & of Joseph Smith. I hate seeing families who can't be sealed because of the father's inactivity. I love seeing those same families eventually dressed in white. I love being so tired at night that I fall asleep on my knees. I hate seeing missionaries waste these years & not reach their fullest potential. I love these two beautiful years that I have to be serving these incredible people. I hate that it will all have to come to an end, & I will have to leave this heavenly place. 

   It's weird to think that Casey & Chantyl will be here at this time next week. I am so excited! It's going to be such a special experience. I miss you all. Thank you for all of the letters, pictures, & love! I love you all!

Elder Staheli.

Week 62: Tuesday August 12, 2014

Family,

   I'm going to be honest, my time is almost up! Sorry, I've spent time uploading pictures, writing to Casey, & doing other things! This probably isn't going to be the longest e-mail that I have ever sent, but it will be sent with love none the less! 

   First of all, I can't tell you how excited I am to have Casey & Chantyl come to Cebu for a visit! I am so excited to see them, talk to them, & take them around this place that I call home. I am sure it will be an experience that neither of us will ever forget & that we will all hold dear in our hearts forever.

   Teaching has been awesome this week! Last week, the young men's president brought an investigator to the temple for us to teach & it was awesome! Then, he came to church on Sunday. He had some questions that we were glad to answer. We taught him about our Heavenly Father & how he can return back to him. At the end of the lesson, we handed him a Book of Mormon, committed him to baptism, & he accepted! He is set to be baptized on September 6. He is half-Chinese & his name is Shojar. Please keep him in your prayers as he continues to learn about this beautiful gospel! 

   I am so excited for you all to meet Elder Martinez. I love writing to you all about him, but I can't wait for you all to meet him. He is such a great guy! 

   I loved the pictures & videos that you sent of Krue's birthday...especially that video of Axezelle! I watched it several times & laughed every time. The pictures looked awesome & it sounds like everybody had a lot of fun. I can't wait to be apart of the action next year! 

   Again, I apologize for not writing the best letter this week. At least you all know that I am working hard & miss you all! Also, I heard the Robin Williams passed away. That's depressing. Anyway, talk to you all next week! Love you!

Elder Staheli.

Week 61: Tuesday August 5, 2014

Family,

   I certainly received a pleasantly, unexpected surprise this Sunday! It was strange turning the corner & seeing a white guy call me by name, "Elder Staheli, I have a package for you!" He looked like a great guy, but I had no idea what to expect. Anyway, it turned out to be a package full of goodies! Thank you all so much for all of the effort that you put into making this happen. Tell David thanks also! 

   Well, it's been less than a week with Elder Martinez & I have already found myself a new best friend! It's scary how similar we are, from interests, to music, to ideals, to ambitions & passions...it's the full package. We still have a long time together, but I am already dreading the day that we get transferred. At the same time, I am excited to see him after the mission. We have plenty of activities & projects to make happen! 

   This week held in store for us yet another MLC. So good! MLC's are always incredible & so spiritual. I love how productive they are. We learn doctrine & things to teach to our missionaries in workshops (which is tomorrow), but we also discuss problems that we see in the mission & ways that we can improve ourselves. I'm really excited to get home & start going to school & working. I feel like I am really going to enjoy working with others & helping them improve in their lives, businesses, families, etc. I love people. People are amazing.

   We had kind of a scary moment this week however. One of the missionaries that was in my district a few months back contracted dengue fever. Usually they will be sick for a while & have some pain, of course, but this has been extremely serious. Normally our blood platelet count should be around 150,000, but his has dropped to around 18,000 which is life threatening. We rushed to the hospital with President & the assistants on Monday night to check on him. He wasn't feeling well, but is a big, tough guy from New Zealand. We gave him a blessing & left the hospital late Monday night. Things weren't looking too good, but miraculously a donor walked in the door on Tuesday morning. In the middle of the transfusion however, the donor's veins collapsed. Luckily, another donor was there & they were able to transfuse his blood over successfully. He is still in the hospital recovering, but all is looking up!

   Krue, happy birthday buddy! I'm sorry I won't be able to be there, but you know what that means? I'm going to be home before your next party! I can't wait to see you! I love you buddy! 

   I uploaded some pictures to dropbox, so go & see my new companion. There are a couple of nice "selfies" on there. That's what the hip kids are doing these days, right? Anyway, I love you guys. 

Elder Staheli