CALLED TO SERVE Elder Beau Kapeliela Olongapo, Philippines 7-18-12 to 7-18-14

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Manigong bagong taon! 1-5-2014

Happy new year!

This was by far the best new years I have ever had. Although last years was kind of fun (our neighbor was shooting his revolver in the air). But this year I was in Olongapo where people have enough money to buy fireworks. Literally, everyone bought the sickest, biggest, and most fireworks I have ever seen. Plus, EVERY single house was BLASTING the latest Beyonce, Katy Perry rap/hip hop songs that just came out literally straight into our windows until 2 am so We could not sleep very well and I can't say we didn't dance a little haha. All the members were feeding us like crazy. But on new years day we didn't go to one members house, we straight up tracked like boss's and invited like, 20 people to learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ! We ran into a ton of drunks haha. I'll send some pictures of my feasts. Last Saturday was really hard since we were fasting. We had to deny pineapple, spaghetti, and ice cream. The only hard part about that is that they get mad if you reject their food.

We had a super successful week with the work. The past hasn't been as successful because of the holiday season and a lot of the less actives and investigators went to other cities and stuff. But last Sunday we had a full Elders Quorum and full sacrament room! We also had 6 investigators, 4 of which were a family! They are progressing well!

I have never worked so hard I think in my whole mission than I did last week. We climbed waaay over 2000 stairs and contacted many souls. It feels great and you can feel that joy of being a missionary in your own lives over in the promised land (America). We cannot be exalted unless we share this gospel so share, share, share and get used to it. This is a good habit to obtain.

Elder Kapeliela

Thursday, March 27, 2014

12/29/2013 Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas family!

We had a really hard week because no one wants to get taught on Christmas!! We did talk to a lot of people though. I love inviting people to learn, especially hear in the Philippines because they will all say okay, come back. The only problem is, when we come back they either hide, yell at us to leave sending there dog out, say they're too busy, or rarely say come in. But the initial first talk with them is really fun, Filipinos are hilarious.

For Christmas Eve we went to President Magrada's (the 2nd counselor) and ate American meat and chili Hot dogs. Than on Christmas we went to a members house ate and jammed the guitar and piano, I learned a lot of Christmas songs on the guitar!

Thanks for all that money you guys gave me! I needed it super bad! haha. When again is Bianca going and coming back to China?

I hope you all got what you wanted and gave what others wanted! Hopefully it snows again for you guys! I miss snow bad, its hot season over here.

We baptized an elderly woman (79 yrs old) the other day, Aida Abadilla. She is still strong and walking a long ways to go to church.

I got to sing in a choir for the branch yesterday, I had a solo haha, it was perfect for my range. No mom, nobody recorded it haha. But it sounded okay, except for some others haha.

I love you guys a lot! Go to church, don't go by the church, go to the church. Read the scriptures and share the gospel or we won't have the blessings we need, it's simple.

Elder Kapeliela

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Dec 22, 2013

This day was the day I got to see my son via Skype! He looks great and it was an awesome to talk with him. Here's his letter! :)

It was nice to skype all of you! I don't need to write anything too long. I miss you all so much and will talk to you next year in May! Make your Christmas centered on Christ. Merry Christmas!

Monday, March 3, 2014

Dec 15th

The week started off pretty bad for my companion. He had a really, really bad day last Tuesday. While on the way to district meeting he hit his head on a roof (yeah, we're that tall here) and got a gnarly scratch that left a scar from his forehead, over his eye lid to his cheek. We laughed that one off and then went to district meeting. After the meeting we went to McDonalds to eat. When he got all his food on a tray and started walking towards the table he tripped and all the food fell and spilt all over him. We were able to laugh that one off a little too. Well I did the laughing and he did the offing haha. Anyways, the day rolled on (get how I said rolled) and we were headed down a giant cliff/stairway and were hustling to get down in time for our appointment. While hustling I got about 20 steps in front of my companion, looked behind me and saw my companion on his butt holding his ankle. He had stumbled a bit and twisted his ankle. His ankle swelled as big as big as an average size red fire extinguisher I swear, he not a small guy either, he's 6' 3" 270 pounds. He's a beast though and was able to walk to a Jeep. that kind of stopped the momentum we had for the start of the week and we had to stay home all day except at the end of the day when I got a branch missionary to stay home with my companion and the 2nd counselor of the mission to work with me. The rest of the week went that way until Friday when he went out with me again.

We only had 15 lessons, but through them we got 7 investigators to go to church. 4 was a family of a mom and dad and two daughters, the other was a mom and her daughter and the other was our 79 yr old grandma! She's getting baptized this Saturday. Our zone is doing really, really well! Through the trials and rejections the works still Rollin forth.

That Christmas devotional last night was amazing. I hope you all got to watch it. Elder Nelsons talk was really, really inspiring. I want you all to hear it! Don't forget the true meaning of Christmas. I have some cool new ideas for Christmas traditions we can do! I'll write it to ya'll in my letters!

Take it easy, I love you all!

Elder Kapeliela

Dec 15th

A lot is happening :)

Yes, they are cockroaches!!

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Pictures 12-8-13

New Companion!! 12-8-13

I have a new companion now! Elder Orndorff from Spokane, Washington! He was in the same house as me a year ago in my second area. The government here is holding his moms donation and is demanding money (tax) before they give it to president. So make sure that you only send through LBC, LBC is totally fine. The government is super, super corrupt here.

Thanks for that awesome update about the fundraiser! I'm excited for this thing! That picture doesn't even depict the damage at all, I've seen things that came from real cameras that make that picture look like a 5 star hotel. there is literally no buildings standing in one area for miles. There are 2 survivors that moved to our branch because they don't have a house anymore. There is nothing standing and mom, 1,000 deaths is wrong. I asked the people coming from the storm and they said there are easily over 10,000 deaths. The government is lying, their are too many... The average house here has like 5 people in it so there are tens of thousands dead. Careful how you send things because the government will capture it and demand hundreds of dollars of taxes. President Querido is getting sick to his stomach because of this government.

Tell me how it goes!

We moved houses which was another miracle, I didn't like my old house, it was too small and hot. The other day President said, isn't your area closer to the house in the city? and we said yes, so he said go move there tomorrow. So now we live with the other zone leaders and its a party. We have 3 Americans and one sri langcin, he's suuper funny. I'm glad

to be there haha. How is the ward in University Place? Any new girls my age? hahahaha. Nope.

I'm hungry, we're going to Army and Navy today and eating burritos. I looove Olongapo haha.

I love you all! Your all in my prayers!

Elder Kapeliela