(NOTE: This is basically a reply to Dad's e-mail to Christian, in which he helps Christian better understand the doctrines he touched on in last week's e-mail. I also sent some clarifications according to my own understanding. If you would like a copy of the e-mails Dad and I sent him, please let me know, and I will send them to you directly: david.frogley@gmail.com. Reading through those two e-mails probably took all of Christian's time, which is why the e-mail is so short. Sorry 'bout that.)
Alright, so that makes alot more sense. Haha thanks for the Counsel Dad and David! How cool! I do enjoy deep doctrine, but youre right. We need to be careful as we cannot recieve revelation on this scale and thus are relying on our own interpretation and knowledge which is a big no no.
Alright, so your visit to grandmas sounds totally amazing. I wanna see this crazy factory of planes and amazingness. But...a memorable thanksgiving Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha no. We did absolutely nothing except write Happy Thanksgiving on a chalk board and joke about how the still call it Black Friday here and not Viernes Negro. Man, Trevor is almost home...how weird.
Im almost out of time, but I love you and I hope you have a great week!
(General e-mail to everyone):
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone (a little late, but shhh)!! I hope it was great for everyone and that you all ate lots of mashed potatoes for me. :) So this past week was hard. We had a lot of appointments fall, no investigators in church and weve lost contact with Carmen and her family. BUT, were going to visit them today, so hopefully theyre still pumped for baptism. We did learn however, that part of the reason they didnt want to come to church was that our gospel principles teacher (who is also our ward mission leader) called them out in front of the whole class as being fornicators. My companion and I almost strangled him. We did have some really great lessons though and managed to find a few more investigators to teach. Were placin Copies of the Book of Mormon (; Like crazy! We just hope that theyre actually being read.
Hector has started reading again, but not just the BoM. He is reading together with the Bible, looking up all the footnotes and stuff! Woo! He has a daughter who served a mission, and is anxious to attend church and prepare for baptsim. Unfortunately, he has a lot of work and cant always attend or has to cancel our appointments. But he will be baptized, just in time. Hes great.
Well I dont have lots of time today, but I love you all and I hope this week is great for everyone!
Monday, November 30, 2015
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
23 November 2015 - Villa Hermosa (La Romana)
Woo! Pday already. How whack. Anyway, this week was awesome and also frustrating. Awesome becuase wednesday we had a special meeting with all the district leaders and president and talked about how we can improve the mission. Then, on Friday I did my first baptismal interview! That was a very special experience. The young woman, Anna, is super ready. The spirit was very strong and shes getting baptized on saturday! We also have 9 baptismal dates for the 26th of Dec now, and We are PUMPED! Now it was frustrating because Ive been sick since last tuesday. Thats what I get for forgetting to take my Triguard for a few days. All good now, but it was rough. Being a District Leader is great! Its really not that much different, except I take phone calls every night and lead District meeting. Also, the only missionaries in my district are the zone leaders and 2 sisters, so I dont have to take down numbers or anything. They call my position a "Relief Society President". Im pretty much here to give blessings when the Sisters need it. Oh well. Still awesome. :) And now, story time!
So last monday, we were in a lesson with an old lady named Margarita. Shes great, but we had just finished the first vision, when this other lady, Angela walks in. As soon as she saw us she said "oh no, I dont want any part of this. Not of your message or your religion." She is From Italy, but has lived here for over 20 years. Anyway, from there she went off on and hour and half long rant about how God doesnt exist because shes never seen him, how terrible the DR is, how all the people here are complete imbeciles, how terrible all the politics are, how religion in general is terrible because of all the hypocrisy and yada yada. What was really funny was that she got up to leave about 6 different times, but then, when she was in the doorway, she would turn back and start ranting again. Also, the entire time she was doing the Italian Hand shaky thing. Where you put all your fingers and thumb together in a point and shake it to accentuate you words. It was hard not to laugh, but we managed. But then the next time we saw here, she greeted us, real friendly like, and said how great and handsome we were. Oh people. Theyre funny. Anyway, thats that. Love you all! and happy thanksgiving here pretty soon!
(Response to Dad's e-mail, with some... interesting... interpretations of various teachings...)
YUS! More packages. I love my parents. hahahaha Wow Dad, just talking about cold...and snow....erg. Haha but yeah, first week...well was kinda stinky. My district is awesome, but our numbers were down the toilet with lots of random meetings, baptismal interviews and my companion taking like two hours to get ready. But this week will be great! We have a mission tour on wednesday and President Cornish (the 70) is coming to talk to us! Woo!
To close I would also like to share a few fun bits of profound doctrine that I found this week. So the different degrees of glory are actually planets. I was reading the 2nd facsimile in abraham and it talks about all these different planets around Kolob. Well if Kolob is heaven and the center, then it would be the sun right? The other planets receive and reflect light from Kolob, like the brightness of the moon!
Also, did you know that God is not the literal Father of our spirits? Joseph Smith taught that God never had that power or authority because we have always existed. Our Father is like an adopted one and created our bodies and will be the one to perfect them. So thats cool. Also, Heavenly Father, is a title. Amulek taught that Jesus Christ is our Heavenly Father. He is our Father too, because through him, we are born again. Yay Doctrine! haha Love you Dad! Hope your week is totally awesome!
(Pictures)
My dope salad. It was great.
And The legos...I almost cried for joy. All the other missionaries were jealous. hahhaha LOVED it.
So last monday, we were in a lesson with an old lady named Margarita. Shes great, but we had just finished the first vision, when this other lady, Angela walks in. As soon as she saw us she said "oh no, I dont want any part of this. Not of your message or your religion." She is From Italy, but has lived here for over 20 years. Anyway, from there she went off on and hour and half long rant about how God doesnt exist because shes never seen him, how terrible the DR is, how all the people here are complete imbeciles, how terrible all the politics are, how religion in general is terrible because of all the hypocrisy and yada yada. What was really funny was that she got up to leave about 6 different times, but then, when she was in the doorway, she would turn back and start ranting again. Also, the entire time she was doing the Italian Hand shaky thing. Where you put all your fingers and thumb together in a point and shake it to accentuate you words. It was hard not to laugh, but we managed. But then the next time we saw here, she greeted us, real friendly like, and said how great and handsome we were. Oh people. Theyre funny. Anyway, thats that. Love you all! and happy thanksgiving here pretty soon!
(Response to Dad's e-mail, with some... interesting... interpretations of various teachings...)
YUS! More packages. I love my parents. hahahaha Wow Dad, just talking about cold...and snow....erg. Haha but yeah, first week...well was kinda stinky. My district is awesome, but our numbers were down the toilet with lots of random meetings, baptismal interviews and my companion taking like two hours to get ready. But this week will be great! We have a mission tour on wednesday and President Cornish (the 70) is coming to talk to us! Woo!
To close I would also like to share a few fun bits of profound doctrine that I found this week. So the different degrees of glory are actually planets. I was reading the 2nd facsimile in abraham and it talks about all these different planets around Kolob. Well if Kolob is heaven and the center, then it would be the sun right? The other planets receive and reflect light from Kolob, like the brightness of the moon!
Also, did you know that God is not the literal Father of our spirits? Joseph Smith taught that God never had that power or authority because we have always existed. Our Father is like an adopted one and created our bodies and will be the one to perfect them. So thats cool. Also, Heavenly Father, is a title. Amulek taught that Jesus Christ is our Heavenly Father. He is our Father too, because through him, we are born again. Yay Doctrine! haha Love you Dad! Hope your week is totally awesome!
(Pictures)
My dope salad. It was great.
And The legos...I almost cried for joy. All the other missionaries were jealous. hahhaha LOVED it.
Monday, November 16, 2015
16 November 2015 - Villa Hermosa (La Romana)
It Came!!!!!! My Package from the RS came!!!!!! Some how, for the grace of God. :D
So its been decided that I have the Coolest Sociedad de Socorro en el mundo [Relief Society in the world]. My package, that I thought for sure had been lost forever finally came this week, and It was amazing. So that was awesome. Also...transfers!....again!!! haha dont worry, nothing is happening. Elder Solis and I and almost the whole zone is staying put. However, on that note I do have news....Elder Solis was released and District Leader and a new one was called, and he is currently writing this letter. I beith the new DL!! What?! Haha So many thanks to Heavenly Father for entrusting me with this part of the flock. Now, for the week. We found some great new families, one of which read the Restoration pamphlet twice before our next visit! Awesome! We also put baptismal dates with Tomasa, Yohkira, Yariza, Lucrezia and The Family of Carmen for the 26th of December. Yes, we will have a "White Night" on my birthday. I couldnt ask for a better present! Tonight were going to have a Family Home Evening with a member family, and make Hot Dogs! Woo America! Also, Wednesday, I have to take a bus to the Capitol for a special leader training meeting. I am pumped for this next transfer! It will be amazing! Aside from that, things are normal. Lots of walking....and walking........and walking in the very hot sun, but hey. Now Im blondish and super tan, so I aint complainin. I have also officially reached 150 pounds! And they said this wasnt the mission to gain weight. Ha! Showed them.
A quick note from my personal study. I think its in Moroni 9:6. We have a work to do while in this tabernacle of clay. Not just the missionaries, but everyone. We all have a purpose and a work to do in the eternal plan of our Father in Heaven. Many dont recognize this and are lost in their lives, seeking to do exactly what they want. Little do they know that in order to find true happiness and contentment in this life, we must first let go of our wishes and desires and align our wills with that of God. The ways of men are vastly inferior to The Supreme Creator and our pleasures are nothing to the Eternal Joy that our Father offers. I hope you all try to find your purpose in this life and strive for true happiness in His plan. Love you all!
So its been decided that I have the Coolest Sociedad de Socorro en el mundo [Relief Society in the world]. My package, that I thought for sure had been lost forever finally came this week, and It was amazing. So that was awesome. Also...transfers!....again!!! haha dont worry, nothing is happening. Elder Solis and I and almost the whole zone is staying put. However, on that note I do have news....Elder Solis was released and District Leader and a new one was called, and he is currently writing this letter. I beith the new DL!! What?! Haha So many thanks to Heavenly Father for entrusting me with this part of the flock. Now, for the week. We found some great new families, one of which read the Restoration pamphlet twice before our next visit! Awesome! We also put baptismal dates with Tomasa, Yohkira, Yariza, Lucrezia and The Family of Carmen for the 26th of December. Yes, we will have a "White Night" on my birthday. I couldnt ask for a better present! Tonight were going to have a Family Home Evening with a member family, and make Hot Dogs! Woo America! Also, Wednesday, I have to take a bus to the Capitol for a special leader training meeting. I am pumped for this next transfer! It will be amazing! Aside from that, things are normal. Lots of walking....and walking........and walking in the very hot sun, but hey. Now Im blondish and super tan, so I aint complainin. I have also officially reached 150 pounds! And they said this wasnt the mission to gain weight. Ha! Showed them.
A quick note from my personal study. I think its in Moroni 9:6. We have a work to do while in this tabernacle of clay. Not just the missionaries, but everyone. We all have a purpose and a work to do in the eternal plan of our Father in Heaven. Many dont recognize this and are lost in their lives, seeking to do exactly what they want. Little do they know that in order to find true happiness and contentment in this life, we must first let go of our wishes and desires and align our wills with that of God. The ways of men are vastly inferior to The Supreme Creator and our pleasures are nothing to the Eternal Joy that our Father offers. I hope you all try to find your purpose in this life and strive for true happiness in His plan. Love you all!
Monday, November 9, 2015
9 November 2015 - Villa Hermosa (La Romana)
(E-mail to Dad)
Make Dad cry, Check. ;) Joking, but thank you dad. That means alot. Im glad you had a great week! Ill put more in the big letter, cus alot happened, but that sounds awesome out with Dave! I wish Id done more stuff like that before I left. I love you Dad and I also have a challenge for the family. Some of the biggest singers here are really actually terrible. I want you guys to listen to La Maiz by El Meyor and any song my Romeo Santos. Dont watch the videos though. You could also look up Den Bo. This is what I am forced to listen to all day, every day. Anyway, Love you!
(General e-mail)
Alright, gotta write, gotta write fast. ALot of weird things happened this week! We had an intercambio with the super zone leaders and that was fun, but we had to spend 2 hours in a bus there and back. Also, saturday was International Service Day and we had an all day long service project! We had tons of Doctors come to the stake center and we had a free medical service day. We had tons of people come. Unfortunately, we as missionaries were pretty much there to sit around and be a presence. We werent allowed to proselyte at all and the members would just tell us to sit down and ask people if they had their ticket. Really boring and kind of a waste of time, but I guess some one wanted us there. Thursday we had our zone meeting in Sabo. We had to take a bus (with no air) out to the fields. While we were there, we visited some of Elder Solis converts and that was cool and pretty funny. But the way back is the real story. We had to go to Alto Meyor again for an interview, and by the time we were heading back to our area it was like 7. We were in another bus when we stopped to pick up some people who were in a large group on the side of the road. As soon as the doors opened this guy sprinted on and sat down. The crowd started shouting and one guy started like attacking the bus. Apparently this automobile assassin wanted to kill the man who first came on the bus. He had his machete out and everything. The door man of the bus had to force the door shut and we drove away pretty fast with crazy machete guy still following. Fun stuff, fun stuff. Thats it for this week really except that weve had tons of rain! Love you all!
Last zone picture! and the last one was the Iowa of the DR.
THis is Sabo. El Campo.
Service!...Yeah!
Make Dad cry, Check. ;) Joking, but thank you dad. That means alot. Im glad you had a great week! Ill put more in the big letter, cus alot happened, but that sounds awesome out with Dave! I wish Id done more stuff like that before I left. I love you Dad and I also have a challenge for the family. Some of the biggest singers here are really actually terrible. I want you guys to listen to La Maiz by El Meyor and any song my Romeo Santos. Dont watch the videos though. You could also look up Den Bo. This is what I am forced to listen to all day, every day. Anyway, Love you!
(General e-mail)
Alright, gotta write, gotta write fast. ALot of weird things happened this week! We had an intercambio with the super zone leaders and that was fun, but we had to spend 2 hours in a bus there and back. Also, saturday was International Service Day and we had an all day long service project! We had tons of Doctors come to the stake center and we had a free medical service day. We had tons of people come. Unfortunately, we as missionaries were pretty much there to sit around and be a presence. We werent allowed to proselyte at all and the members would just tell us to sit down and ask people if they had their ticket. Really boring and kind of a waste of time, but I guess some one wanted us there. Thursday we had our zone meeting in Sabo. We had to take a bus (with no air) out to the fields. While we were there, we visited some of Elder Solis converts and that was cool and pretty funny. But the way back is the real story. We had to go to Alto Meyor again for an interview, and by the time we were heading back to our area it was like 7. We were in another bus when we stopped to pick up some people who were in a large group on the side of the road. As soon as the doors opened this guy sprinted on and sat down. The crowd started shouting and one guy started like attacking the bus. Apparently this automobile assassin wanted to kill the man who first came on the bus. He had his machete out and everything. The door man of the bus had to force the door shut and we drove away pretty fast with crazy machete guy still following. Fun stuff, fun stuff. Thats it for this week really except that weve had tons of rain! Love you all!
Last zone picture! and the last one was the Iowa of the DR.
THis is Sabo. El Campo.
Service!...Yeah!
Monday, November 2, 2015
2 November 2015 - Villa Hermosa (La Romana)
Happy Halloween Everyone! A little late, but whatever. Anyway, this week was swell! Well...in some ways. We didnt really make alot of progress with our investigators, but we found some new families to teach! We had a really great lesson with Yasmin, who we met a few weeks ago. She is enormous and as a result has been in and out of the hospital these past 2 weeks. We started off just talking and her mom gave us this weird drink thats made from a boiled river root. It tasted kind of like a foot. BUT Yasmin had alot of questions about the church and was really interested in learning more. She said that she had to stay in bed for like 2 weeks but that she would read the pamphlet because she loves to read. My companion gave me the "should we leave her a Book of Mormon" look and I nodded. So we explained what the BoM is and left here with it. She was fascinated and promised to read. Tonight we have a Noche de Hogar (Whats that in english again? The thing on Mondays?) with our Stake relief society president and her family. My comp is a little bumbed because he just started a diet and were eating lots of taters and cheese.
Alright, change of topic really quick, Im gonna blow my moms mind. So out our local Jumbo (AKA murica store) I found Romaine lettuce, Feta cheese, Balsamic vinegar and Olive oil and...wait for it... Proscuitto!!! What???? YUS! Im gonna make a dope salad when I have money again. Thats pretty much it for this week, except that its been raining alot. OH! I just remembered! It got "cold" last night. All the Dominicans and older missionaries were bustin out the sweaters and blankets. It got down to like 60 something. I loved it, but everyone else was shivering. Alright, now thats it. Love you all!
(E-mail to Dad)
Alright Dad. Sorry I didnt write specifically to you last week, but I had very limited time. You letter made me cry. Its true, we have clashed sometimes and had our disagreements. I actually grew up convinced that you loved Ian alot more than me because you always seemed to be happier with what he did and pay more attention to him. I know now thats all rubbish, but Im sorry for all those times that I didnt appreciate you and your council. You taught me to work hard and enjoy it. To seek for the fruits of my labors and to do hard things. This week I realized that everything good that I am came from you guys. People always tell me Im a swell young man and that I have manners etc etc, but I realized fully this week that all of that is from the teachings of my parents. Without you guys, I wouldnt be half the man I am today. I see the parenting here and the struggles of the children and all the bad choices that are made and it just makes me so incredibly grateful that I had such an amazing and supportive family. I can honestly say with all my heart that I have the best parents in the world. I love you both so much. :)
Happy Halloween! People dont actually celebrate it here, so I just bought some candy.
And guess what I found in our murica store! Im set for La Navidad!
Look! I got my first mail!
Zone activity! Happy Days! We played basketball and volleyball and had an eating contest. We had to eat a cake and down a soda with our companions being our hands. I won.
Alright, change of topic really quick, Im gonna blow my moms mind. So out our local Jumbo (AKA murica store) I found Romaine lettuce, Feta cheese, Balsamic vinegar and Olive oil and...wait for it... Proscuitto!!! What???? YUS! Im gonna make a dope salad when I have money again. Thats pretty much it for this week, except that its been raining alot. OH! I just remembered! It got "cold" last night. All the Dominicans and older missionaries were bustin out the sweaters and blankets. It got down to like 60 something. I loved it, but everyone else was shivering. Alright, now thats it. Love you all!
(E-mail to Dad)
Alright Dad. Sorry I didnt write specifically to you last week, but I had very limited time. You letter made me cry. Its true, we have clashed sometimes and had our disagreements. I actually grew up convinced that you loved Ian alot more than me because you always seemed to be happier with what he did and pay more attention to him. I know now thats all rubbish, but Im sorry for all those times that I didnt appreciate you and your council. You taught me to work hard and enjoy it. To seek for the fruits of my labors and to do hard things. This week I realized that everything good that I am came from you guys. People always tell me Im a swell young man and that I have manners etc etc, but I realized fully this week that all of that is from the teachings of my parents. Without you guys, I wouldnt be half the man I am today. I see the parenting here and the struggles of the children and all the bad choices that are made and it just makes me so incredibly grateful that I had such an amazing and supportive family. I can honestly say with all my heart that I have the best parents in the world. I love you both so much. :)
Happy Halloween! People dont actually celebrate it here, so I just bought some candy.
And guess what I found in our murica store! Im set for La Navidad!
Look! I got my first mail!
Zone activity! Happy Days! We played basketball and volleyball and had an eating contest. We had to eat a cake and down a soda with our companions being our hands. I won.
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