A Quarter-Pounder

I mean, a quarter of the way done. (It's going waaaay too fast!)

Dear friends and families,

       How in the world is everyone doing? It has been forever since I last e-mailed, I am sorry for running out of time to e-mail on preparation days to write. An hour is not enough time to get all my scattered thoughts and memories in a letter that makes sense. So no promises that what I will say from here on out will be noteworthy, okay? There you have been warned.

       First, off--- I love being a missionary. I'll be honest it is the hardest thing I've ever done, and a few of you can attest to that, but once you truly forget yourself and get to work, you just fall in love with it. I wake up excited to see what the new day will bring. Talking to random strangers and loving the people you serve has never been more exhilarating and sought after. I'm no longer worried if the person will either smile back or spit back. All that matters is that I share my testimony of the divinity of the work and the role that Jesus Christ has in each and everyone one of our lives. An eye single to the glory of God qualify us for the work. It is so true. Me and all my inadequacies, weaknesses, and slue of other things I cannot meet the expectation of doesn't matter! If you have faith, all things are possible. If you have faith in Christ, you will prevail.

         Okay, jumping off my soapbox. So it has been a total of 7 months of waking up tired, going to work tired, biking tired, teaching tired, eating tired, and sleeping tired--- in the best place ever! I am still in my first area, yes... this Elder is still serving in Clovis California with the wonderful members of the Peachwood Ward. I prayed and fasted big time to stay another transfer and my desires were granted! Woohoo for prayer! I am not sure if I'm mentioned my second companion in previous letters: His name is Elder Shepherd, 19 year old from North Carolina. Quirky but I love him! Last transfer we had 30 quality lessons each week--- yeah, hence the tired in all aspects. The work here is steadily increasing with people coming out of the woodwork. Nothing beats missionary life--- eat, sleep, breath the gospel and not worrying about the "real world" is very nice, to say the least.

         Alright, you ready for this one? Last paragraph, I promise--- So last week, or actually, two days ago literally hit the both of us like a ton of bricks. My companion, friend, and brother was hit by a car who failed to yield at an intersection. No worries, he is okay, he is a tough Elder. Miraculously the only injury he sustained was some swelling above the knee and slight pain in his left ankle. His bike on the other hand is done for. We have been instructed to stay home for a couple days and I've reflected upon the accident and how blessed we are to be here. As strange as my companion is at times I would like to share what he told me as he laid in bed recovering, "Elder Jalla--- find me some crutches, we need to get back out there." What fortitude of character, what sheer will and determination. Barely half an hour before a car almost took his life his first inclination was not, "poor me, why me..." rather, let me be a voice of reason, let me help someone come closer to Christ. I have pondered upon his reaction to this and realized that because of our knowledge of the plan of salvation we have no fear of death, not to say we welcome it, but we are at peace with whatever may come our way. Our mission is to give that same hope to those that are scared, that are fearful, saddened, discouraged--- in essence, those who are hopeless. Our hope and faith is in the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom we represent. If people knew of the joys that could be experienced and the scope of the eternal happiness that lays before them, oh how better this world would be. That's why I'm out here. I love my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who saved me from the gulf of misery and the jaws of hell itself. Others need this, others are seeking for it.

I pray that I may be a means of bringing to pass Heavenly Father's work and glory. I pray that all of you who have ever donned the badge remember the covenants that you made, the 2 years or 18 months was to change you forever, BE that change for others. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not building a religion it is building a relationship with God, the Eternal Father and His Beloved Son. May we strive to diligently do as the Savior has done and stand still to witness the majesty of God in our lives.

I love and care and miss all of you deeply,

Your eternal brother, friend, and fellow missionary,

Elder Jalla

Tough Choices, Weak Constitutions

Dear friends and family,

I almost decided not to write an e-mail this week. It was truly a trying week with all that is happening out here, or rather, lack of.

Zone conference week... all the missionaries were anticipating this because we were going to have the Mission President from District 2 series come. However, my companion got sick so I stayed in the apartment with him...for 4 and a half days. 

I felt sorry for him and I tried my best to comfort, console, and play nurse for those 4 excruciatingly long days. In the meantime, I was mostly left alone to study and plan for our investigators, recent converts, and less-actives. Our heater is broken and although 50 degrees sounds like paradise to most of you, it is quite frigid and depressing when you're confined in a solitary home. Some days were so terribly quiet that you could hear the window panes crack from the frost forming on them. 

I read, pondered, and prayed for the majority of the time. Eventually one of the other missionaries did a mini-exchange with me to visit some of the people we were working with. That was a very tough night, suffice it to say... it would have been better if I stayed home with my sick companion. I woke up the following morning with the same illness as him. 

Further tribulations continued as the week moved on. I don't know why we are going through such trials and hardships at this time. I only know that faith prevails and God knows whats best for us. 

I've come to deeply appreciate and love the Prophet Joseph Smith through this troubling time. He went through so much. The persecutions he endured and the isolation from his family and friends. I could scarcely imagine what he must have felt when incarcerated in Liberty jail, nor as he sat in the small room in Carthage with his brother mere hours away from his eventual martyrdom. How firm in the faith was this man, how ever inspiring are the sacrifices. All for the purpose of bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of Heavenly Father's children. The salvation of souls lay in the tilting point of saying either, "No more" or "Endure to the end." There is always opposition. Perhaps my companion and I are meant to swim in deep water in this particular part of our mission so that we may be tested and eventually, hopefully buoyed up by a loving Savior when we can no longer stay afloat. 

I hope and pray for a swift recovery and a week of miracles and blessings. If I am meant to go through more than I pray that Heavenly Father may consecrate mine afflictions and that I am changed for the better when all is said and done.

May God continually keep you, may you remember the love the Savior has for one such as you. For God so loved the world, and so loved you---that He gave His only begotten Son. I know that He loves you. If you want to be truly happy then live the gospel, not only know it, but live it wholeheartedly. I love you all.

Your eternal friend and fellow missionary,

Elder Jalla

Short But Sweet

Dear friends and family,

Faith is a decision. It is a choice to act on what we have been taught and we know to be right even when we don't feel like it; it is moving forward and pushing on even when we are not feeling--and it may have been some time since we felt--the strong convictions of the Spirit. In fact, deciding to act in faith, even when we are not feeling very faith-filled, sometimes brings heaven's most remarkable blessings.

Elder Neil L. Andersen said, "Faith is not only a feeling; it is a decision" 

This week was quite the roller coaster of emotions. I hit major low points and soared high on other points. It's crazy how you can start out your day as a missionary with everything going according to plan with a smile on your face and joy in your heart--- and in a span of 12 hours walk back into your home frustrated, confused, and disheartened. And vice versa. You can leave your house feeling down and a bit unwillingly and just have back to back spiritual experiences that you lay on your bed exhausted but genuinely happy that you decided to get up and get moving that day.

One thing I have come to learn and have been reconfirmed this week was the concept of 'no coincidences'. At one of my low point days I looked out the window and thought to myself, "I could do more good somewhere else with someone else. I wish I could move forward with my life." I got a strong impression and answer reminding me that perhaps I can move forward but someone right outside my window needs what we as missionaries have to share. Some of my hardest days out here was brought about because I forgot that, first and foremost I am out here for others. In the missionary handbook it states our loyalty is first to the Lord, then to the mission president, then to our companion. I've heard it said that the most important conversion on your mission is yourself. However that only comes about when you "forget and lose yourself" in the work. You all have something to share to help uplift the wounded individual, to encourage the disheartened, and to provide peace and happiness through the truths of the gospel that you have come to know and live by. You have the potential to save a life today.

Our lives are intertwined, and we do so much good when we get up and get moving. 

Okay, this e-mail is a hot mess, I have so much more to say--- but I am out of time. I hope that there was something noteworthy in this e-mail :)

With love,

Your eternal friend and fellow missionary

Elder Jalla

p.s. here is Elder Mo'o and I as we prepared lunch for other missionaries. Spontaneous act of love

Miracles and Thoughts

Dear friends and family, 

 Happy New Year! I know I'm 12 days late but I've been under the weather for the past week. Everyone in our area is coming down with something and I was no exception. I'm all good now though. As soon as we finished planning at night I would get ready for bed and just crash. Waking up half dead at 6am to run was no fun, but exact obedience calls for some sacrifice. There was one day when I just could not move and I was able to sleep in till 6:30, which was nice :) 

There is something rewarding about giving it your all to the literal point of exhaustion that makes it all worth it. I have little "motivators" that keep me going. The main motivator is realizing that no matter how tired or sick I can get the Savior has endured it all, He suffered, bled, and died so that I can have immortality and eternal life. 2 years is too short of a time to spread the gospel and make it known to all that they can receive the same blessings. I'm coming to realize that every second counts out here, there is no breathing room when the salvation of souls requires so much more than you can give. And because this is Heavenly Father's work and His glory, you are given power from on high to rise above and become super-human. 

 Remember my last e-mail about Elder Mo'o and I staying together for another transfer because we felt impressed that someone is prepared specifically for us? Well, last week we had the honor and privilege of baptizing a family of four into the church! 

The family began meeting with missionaries almost 2 year ago. In fact, all the missionaries that taught them are all home from their missions. I truly count it a blessing that I happened to be the missionary that asked them to be baptized and them saying yes. I don't think I did anything different than the past missionaries, and so my testimony that everything is done in God's perfect timing has been solidified. 

I didn't cry in my own baptism, nor any after, but I wept when I witnessed the baptism of this family.

The baptism was packed, all the leaders of Peachwood ward was there, the mission president and his wife, and past missionaries that taught them. I was asked to bare my testimony in front of all of them, of course, in true missionary style, on the spot. 

 Nervous yet feeling empowered I got in front and bore with power and authority the testimony that I had in me about baptism and the love that God has for each and everyone of us. My entire frame shook as I stood there bearing down in pure testimony. I remember sitting down afterwards and realizing that I had tears streaming down the side of my face. 

I can't say that I am a perfect missionary, in fact I know that I am far from it, but I do know and can say without a doubt that God loves us and knows us individually. We all have a reason and a purpose in the little time we have here in mortality. What a wonderful event, what a glorious work--- I love being a missionary. 

And now I wanted to transition this e-mail over to the Rockford YSA. 

 My dear beloved YSA, 

 How I've missed you all so greatly, I wanted to say thank you for all the experiences and memories that helped shape me into who I am today. I often reflect back on just how much of an impact the YSA branch was for me. The friendships made and the lessons learned during my short stay has prepared me immensely to be a true disciple and servant of God and Jesus Christ. I wish I could serve there with all of you because I think I finally understand just how important this work is and what great potential you all have to bless the lives of the people of Rockford. Your friends, neighbors, and family members need what you have -- The Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

 "What you know will always trump what you do not know." 

 Lead with your faith and allow the Lord to make you a most powerful force for good. 

I recently found out that we no longer have our own set of missionaries. We are back to sharing with another ward huh? Do Not Let That Stop Or Slow Down The Work! You, each of you, owe it to the missionaries past that gave their blood, sweat, and tears to that part of the vineyard. Remember when Sister Ferguson and Sister Hunter opened the area and how barren the field must have looked like? And yet through fasting and prayer look at the fruit that was reaped and how missionary work became the priority of the branch! The many Aloha's from Sister Umphress as she inspired us to stretch beyond our capacity to reach out with love. Sister Clayton taught us how to be humble and was desirous for all of us to be missionaries. Sister Holmes and Sister Yates showed us that missionary work can be fun and that we are a family, "we can be facebook friends forever". Sister Winward taught us to be bold and not fear. Sister Dias inspired us to go beyond our comfort zone and to do as directed when prompted by the spirit. Sister Carver showed us that we are loved immensely by a loving Heavenly Father. 

 Each and every one of our missionaries taught us individually something and left a legacy of faith, hope, and love in the Rockford YSA. The fire that they ignited and kept alive within the branch and each and everyone of you still burns bright. Don't Let It Die. Fan the flame of your faith. Keep in remembrance what they did to build up the Lord's kingdom in that special part of His vineyard. 

 I add my testimony to theirs as a representative of Jesus Christ that this work is true and that we are all called as His missionaries to save our brothers and sisters. 

I ask you all individually, will you re-commit yourself to the work of salvation? Will you be a disciple of Christ this day? 

I know that someone out there is prepared specifically for you to open your mouth and share what you know to be true. To share what brings you happiness allows you to love as Heavenly Father does is a gift that will be bestowed upon you as you endeavor on this labor of love. The past, current, and future missionaries of the Rockford YSA truly were, is, and will be a part of a most glorious work. 

Remember that with God all things are possible. Jesus Christ suffered, bled, died, and was resurrected for you. Remember Him and use the atonement. Learn of Him and your purpose will be made known. Yes, remember the missionaries that brought us so much love, laughter, and joy, but never forget that it is because of the love that they and we have for the Savior that we are called to the work. Miracles are brought to pass and you are called to the work. If ye can no more than desire to believe, let that work in you. I love you all so much. I wish my mission would slow down and I could serve forever with my badge, but I also can't wait till see you all again. 

With love 
Your Eternal Friend and Fellow Missionary 

Elder Jalla

Elder Jalla Versus The New Year

Note from the Sister: Hello all! No mass update this week, but Elder Jalla is doing his best to reply to those who have emailed/written him... So watch your inboxes and mailboxes! 

If you're wondering where to send him care packages or letters, his current address is:

Elder Carlo Basconcillo Jalla

California Fresno Mission

1814 N Echo Ave

Fresno, CA 93704-6046

United States

carlo.jalla@myldsmail.net

Holiday Randoms

 I got this caterpillar that I nicknamed "koa-pillar"

Don't know what this is about.. he's spackling a ceiling?

Koa-pillar- A Christmas Gift

A New Year... And Two Pictures With A Boa

The missionaries were counseled to stay indoors because of New Year's craziness in California. But, it looks like he still had a good time. You know, until curfew... which was 9:30 pm. 

And... bonus!... He's wearing a boa in the last two pictures!

Christmas and Transfers

29 December 2014

Dear family and friends,

What a wonderful time of the year! Being a missionary for the holidays is quite enjoyable, especially if you're serving in the Peachwood ward! (The missionaries in the CFM call our area "The Celestial Kingdom" Haha) It is truly a blessing serving where you have your own home (with two bathrooms), a very active youth group who decorate your house with Christmas lights while you're out proselyting, ward members that always comes out and teach with us and also feed us FEASTS 7 nights a week. We even have a lunch schedule because our dinner calendars get full too quickly! I LOVE Peachwood ward! I know I wil miss the people here very much when I'm transferred out.

Speaking of which, Elder Mo'o and I are staying together for another transfer! We have been praying and fasting for us to stay together for another transfer for the past couple of weeks! We also asked ward members to pray for us to stay together-- most of them admitted to us that they already have been. Haha. Did I mention I love Peachwood ward? Our zone got destroyed. All the other companionships, all 15 of them has a companion leaving. Heavenly Father truly knows us and the desires of our hearts. Elder Mo'o and I jumped up and down hugging each other (as manly + dignified as we can) when the call-in came and said we were staying in Peachwood. We are going to light his place up! :) There are people prepared specifically for this companionship. Heavenly Father kept us together for a reason. The relationship of trainer/trainee is gone. We are yoked ewually as missionaries fully prepared and trained for what the Lord has for the both of us. The fire is back -- lets light Peachwood up!

Christmas was awesome! Skyping la familia was very refreshing and saddening as time ran out. To add on to the list of "the hardest things I've had to do on a mission" is clicking the "end call" button after only 40 minutes of talking to them. Gosh, I love my family. And I miss them, but I know that Heavenly Father is blessing them for the service and sacrifice I have willingly given. Here's a couple pictures of my Christmas... Haha

Elder Mo'o and I got in our first bicycle accident/crash. He went over his handlebars and I went over the right side of my bike with the bike landing on me. We're okay. Actually we got up and the first thing we did was look around to make sure everyone was okay and made sure no one was video taping us. How blessed we were. 1. Our bikes are okay. 2. No rips on our clothing from grinding on the pavement. 3. No injuries. We laughed about it later on, and actually right after we got in the crash. If you want to know what happened e-mail or write me asking. I don't want the public to know since all my e-mails home end up in the blog. Hahah

Love you all!