Merry Christmas-Skype

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Today we got to skype at Grandma and Grandpa Giles' house. Everyone was there, all of the aunts and uncles and cousins.

#23 Merry Christmas

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

That sounds awesome that you are in Utah .  I was able to get both boxes that you sent and my companion did like his present.  He doesn't show too much emotion.  I think he is still a little sad that his family didn't send him anything, but all of the elders have been sharing our stuff with him.  He has probably eaten more of our food and candy than we have but that is ok.  He is a good guy even though he is hard to understand sometimes. It is Christmas here,we played basketball and opened presents with everyone. We played some Uno with the other Elders in the house. It has been a lot of easy fun.  I can't wait to skype you tomorrow and see everyone, that is going to be crazy.  I also did get your letter and it helped me a lot.  I am also going to try to send you the picture of me with the merry sign.  We have had a lot of rain this week so I hope you like it.  

Love Elder Roskelley

#22 Helping in Bogo

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Hey everyone,

  Finally got back to a normal schedule for this week with my P-day on Wednesday.  We also got to go to the temple this morning so that is why I am emailing so late.  It is awesome here.  It is starting to cool down a bit and rain less.  I have seen so many beautiful sunsets and ocean views but a lot of the time I forget my camera but I will go back. This last week we got the chance to go up to Bogo and help some of the members rebuild their houses.  Many people were badly affected by the typhoon in this area.  There is still lots of garbage all over the place but the city is running ok.  Almost everywhere has electricity back but they are still working on that.  This week has been a lot of learning for me.  I have had to be more patient.  I don't just get the results I want.  We always have to keep working diligently and patiently.  This life is one of those things that works that way.  We have to work everyday even if we can't see our growth right now.  We just have to trust that our hard work will pay off and the Lord will bless you.  I know that the Lord loves everyone of his children and he has a plan for each of us.  We just have to trust him.  

Love,

Elder Roskelley

P.S.  I just got two packages, a Halloween package and a Christmas package.  None of them looked like they had been opened or anything.  Just a little squashed.

Bohol

#21 P-Day changed again

Monday, December 9,2013

Hey everyone,

So these last two weeks have been amazing.  For Thanksgiving our mission president actually had us over for a dinner on Sunday so we kind of had a Thanksgiving.  We had a mission conference with Elder Echo Hawk who lives in Manila now and is part of our area presidency of the Philippines.  That is why our p-day was changed. He was amazing to listen to. He and his wife are actually converts.  They have known each other since the fourth grade and Elder Echo Hawk was the attorney general of Idaho in 1992 when the capitol burned.  Besides this the rest of the week has been basic missionary work.  We have taught many people and seen many miracles in people’s lives.  I have to write in my journal every night because there is so much happening here.  One thing that I have really seen this week is that if you will put the work in then the Lord will bless you. I see the atonement at work every day in so many lives.  It isn't always the repentance process but I always see the transfer of love.  God and Jesus Christ love us so much and because of that love we should be willing to follow there commandments.  It is the same with our parents.  Every holiday all they say they want is good kids.  That is all God asks too and then he gives us so many more blessings.  One question that I found that helps me is "How can I show the Lord that I love him.  What am I doing today to help?"  Everyone can ask this question and I promise that you will never have a wasted day.  I know that God lives and he loves us so much. I know that know matter at what stage in life we are at we can always become better.  I love everyone back home and miss you.  

Love 

Elder Roskelley

P.S. Right now I have 3 other missionaries living in the apartment I am in. We always make sure that we feel the Christmas spirit so we play Christmas music every morning and we hung up any sort of Christmas or snow pictures we had. Don't worry even though there is no snow we still have lots of Christmas spirit.  Actually probably more than most.  We are doing great here and learning so much.  My Grandma asked me if people here wear coats and I told her, People here actually do wear coats but it is because they don't like to get a lot of sun.  They all wish that they could be white like Americans.  It is pretty interesting.  It is just like the Doctor Seuss story about the stars on the bellies.  

#20 Different P-Day

Monday, December 2, 2013

We had our p-day changed this week. 

We get to ride motor scooters a lot and this is usually my view