Elder Michael Stallings: The War of 2012

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

The War of 2012

It was the day after Christmas. The Peace was nice, but not long-lasting. The battle was on their doorstep. The troops were making their preparations. There was food to be cooked and drinks to be drunk. Nobody had time to listen to The Men In White. The fateful night was on approach.

Then fired The Second Shot Heard Around The World. The skirmish began prematurely. The children recruited as small infantry started their gorilla warfare, exploding melons littering the street. They call for back-up. "NAY, TAY!" they call and their parents step onto the battlefield, heavy artillery in hand. The TV makes the signal... "3, 2, 1....FIRE!"

The skies erupt and the streets go up in flames. Yells and screams come from all directions. Deafening explosions pierce every eardrum. Peaceful Servants are startled awake, their prayers a necessary supportive procedure. The chaos continues for what seems to be hours. Then it's over. The wounded line up at their respective local hospitals in anguish from their missing fingers. The nurses and doctors are overwhelmed at the multitude of soldiers now filing through the front door and down the road.

They long for a break, but the next fight has already arrived and is bound to be just as challenging as the last.

Their endurance will continue to be tested. The End is still a ways away, but it is closer than they expect.

The Chosen Mercenaries respond to their charge to bring strength to the troops of the world.

Now on to the war that is the year 2012.

I hope and pray for the best for all of you in this new year. May the strength of the Lord be with you.

From the Philippines front lines,

Elder Stallings

Aftermath

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Write to Elder Stallings

CURRENT ADDRESSES

for letters:

Elder Michael David Stallings

Philippines Quezon City Mission

POB 30150

Salt Lake City, Utah 84130-0150

These letters go from SLC through the "pouch" to the Philippines. The rules for folding the letters are very precise and are as follows:

Lay the letter blank side down. Fold the bottom of the letter about one-third of the way up and crease. Fold the top of the letter to the bottom of the first fold and crease. Secure the long side with 2 pieces of tape about one inch in from each end, but do not seal the ends. In the top left corner(unfolded side) write your name and complete address. Affix first class postage stamp in top right corner. In the middle write the above address. Paper should be regular staionaryor printer paper. No lightweight notebook paper. Photos may be printed on regular copy paper.

An easier, quicker and FREE way to send him a letter is as follows:

On your computer go to dearelder.com. Go to select a mission and choose Philippines Quezon City. Then click write a letter. Fill in YOUR mail address information. Then select title "Elder" . Then fill in Michael Stallings. Enter your email address below. Then type your letter. Then click send letter. Very easy, free, and the letters are sent every Friday.

Either way, letters take about 2 weeks to get there. Michael would love to hear from his friends

Also...if anyone should choose to send him a package, here is the info:

Send to :

Elder Michael David Stallings

Philippines Quezon City Mission

Ortigas Center, P.O.Box 13873

Emerald Avenue, Pasig City1600

Metro Manila, Philippines

The US Postal Service Global Priority Flat Rate Envelope/ small box is the preferred size of package to use and method of sending. Please DON'T use Fed-X, UPS, DHL, LBC, etc. as the missionary will have to pay a huge fee to retrieve the package on their end. Also, packages with stickers of Christ (especially across the enclosure) are said to be more secure as the Filipino people are superstitious about desecrating His picture and packages are left intact. Packages could take up to a month to receive.