I am so excited for Corey and the mission in the Philippines he is about to embark on. He is so so excited and so ready to serve and he knows exactly where his heart is and what he should be doing:) He is ready!
Here are a few district pictures that was taken of District B
*Funny picture
Here's a good one:)
Last week Elder Johnston and I gave the best lesson we have ever given, everything went perfectly, we taught to our investigators needs we followed promptings we felt the spirit stronger than we had the entire time at the MTC, and we knew that our Heavenly Father had helped us. It felt amazing. Just before that we had taught some other lessons, one of them was to a lady who grew up in the Philippines she told us we had funny accents, and laughed at us a lot, which we didn't mind, we're both pretty funny, but at the end of the lesson she told us that she wasn't laughing at us, it's part of the culture of the people in Philippines to laugh a lot, if they're a little uncomfortable they'll usually just burst out laughing, at least thats what she said. You know the most incredible thing about the Philippines is that the people there are the happiest people in the world and they're are also some of the poorest, it goes to show what matters most. I think everyone could take a real lesson from the people of Philippines. Another thing about filipino's is that to them it's rude not to accept an invitation, so sometimes they'll say yes to baptism or a commitment when they really don't want to do it. Which causes some problems, our teacher told us that we should explain that we are there for them and not for us and that every decision they make is up to them.
Everyone in our district knows that the language we'll be difficult and there's going to be some tough weeks, when we first get there. Our teacher Brother Mauzey gave us a challenge, the challenge is to try to be the missionary you want to be at the end of your mission on the first day of your mission. Whatever you see yourself being at the end be it at the beginning. I had some doubts about how much I can really give the first few weeks in the field, one of the other elders and I were talking about, he told me he had the same question. But a friend of his told him that even if you can't speak the language well or contribute to a lesson you can still always serve others. If we do all we can god will always respect our efforts.
One of the sisters in our district was playing volleyball with us during gym time and broke her thumb. My companion rapped it for her and then she went to the MTC clinic. Turns our she has to wait ten weeks before she can go to the Philippines, and if Elder Johnston hadn't of wrapped her finger it could of ended up being even longer.
Thanks for the package food is always good. I'm about half way packed right now, I'm going to finish tonight, then there's Sunday and then we're off. I'll let you know as soon as possible how everything goes. Good luck to all of you in everything you do, talk to you soon.
Elder Creager
.....and we got a suprise second email:)
Got a little more time so here's some more.
The whole purpose of the gospel is to find happiness and peace. And the real way to peace is through the Atonement. Through the Atonement we can be cleansed from anything, every regret every disappointment every pain every weakness every sorrow anything that has caused us disappointment or guilt can be cleansed by the healing power of the atonement. Each day as we begin and end a day we can ask forgiveness of our mistakes and of the weakness and sin that causes misfortune, we can literally cast our burdens upon the lord and be freed from them. Each day is a new clean slate because of the atonement. Alma 42:24 only the truly penitent can be saved. D&C 131:6. Without the Atonement there is no hope, no joy, no happiness. There's a CD of a book called the infinite Atonement down in my room, if you get a chance listen to it.
The Atonement is central to our religion, without it literally nothing works. Christ could have chosen to die at anytime but he suffered through everything in the event of Crucifixion even after he had suffered every feeling of sadness, pain, and misery the world had or ever would endure. To add to the pain Christ had never sinned he had never felt guilt or misery, which adds a whole other amount to how much he really did for us.
Even with the Atonement being essential to the existence of our religion, and our purpose on earth it seems to be the least understood of almost any doctrine, this is almost certainly because the adversary himself desires us to live this life lonely and alone, separated from the joy and power of an infinite atonement. Sometimes we don't truly understand everything it can really do for us. Let's not let him dampen the power of the atonement or our belief in this power. We don't walk this life alone we walk side by side with the savior he is are master, our friend, our teacher, he's the life and the light of all things. Every thing that compelith to believe in god and do good is of god.
If you have a chance watch "only a stonecutter" its an inspiring story of a man who was a stoncutter for the salt lake temple and carve the words "Holiness to the lord the house of the lord" in gold on the side. Dad I think you'll especially like it.
It makes me ask the question I'm I really doing all I can?
Will I look back on this moment from eternity and have no regrets?
Will I be able to stand before god and say I gave it all, every opportunity every moment, every chance, and I did it for you?
One of the gems of teaching is to ask soul searching questions, there is nothing better than a question that searches the soul. Whats interesting is that the best teachers the wisest the greatest and most spiritual, teach through questions, a question prompts others to think and to teach themselves while the teacher is just a director of the learning. It's interesting that in the our purpose statement for missionary work, it says "help others come unto Christ" it does not say teach. It is my strong belief and conviction that we as missionaries help the spirit to teach others. He does the teaching we our but an aid to his great work. Through faith miracles are wrought, through faith the gifts of the spirit our obtained, (Moroni 10) Wo be to those who doubt miracles, miracles cease because of unbelief. I believe in miracles.
I know I'm not perfect but I do my best,l I want you to know I love you, and when I think back on you and the experience's we've had I'm inspired and lifted to "be something more"
Alma 26 really is a great chapter, lets glory in god just as Ammon. I believe in all of you, I hope we all believe in greatness, I believe each of you our great.
One other video I think its called "spreading doubt" by presidnt Hinckley is also very powerful, his video's our the best I've seen. They've really helped me.
We'll I've written a lot, I've shared how I fill about some things. One of my biggest desires is for all of you to be as happy as you can possibly be. So believe in yourselves and if there's anything I can do for you if there's a question you have let me know. We're not always promised happiness but are promised "peace in this life" which is to me pure happiness.
Let's enjoy life keep on keepin on, and have a good time. Until next time. And hoping I've helped you and wanting you to know I'm happy.
Your boy:
Elder Corey James Creager
We're excited for him! As you can tell he has such a strong testimony of the gospel and his mission. I'm remembering his desire and making it mine.
"I have one desire, which is this to be everything god knows I can be"
We love you so much Corey! Good luck with everything:)
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