Week 4 (Transfer 1)

Oh this week. Four days out of this week I went to La Carlotta. First day for P-Day, second day for Zone meeting/training, third and fourth for District Conference (Stake Conference). For the Stake Conference a member of the Seventy who presides over this area came and spoke. Elder Eleazo Collado spoke to all of us. He really stressed on a lot of things to the members. One of those things is Tithing which we as missionaries have really been stressing on also with our members with teaching. You don't have to pay tithing but it is a commandment and you receive even more blessings from doing it. So why not trust the Lord and have some faith and do it!? Its when we test our faith is when it becomes stronger and we receive so many blessings. My faith has definitely been tested a ton this week, but it gets tested every day. With Elder Eleazo Collado, he called my name and had me come up and read a scripture for him with three others, but the others were members. It was kind of embarrassing. Hahah. 

This week on Tuesday since Elder Gorospe and I have really been focusing on the members I felt like we should go and explore a new area that was behind our Barangay in the Bukid. We walked for about 3 hours (15 miles altogether or so) and were able to find 6 potential investigators. The people we met were very nice and welcoming. We are going to have to go back and follow up with them on the pamphlets that we gave them. Later in the night we were able to go to the Royo's and I taught Sammantha and Gido about baptize and the importance of Baptism and following the example of Jesus Christ. I was able to commit them to Baptism but need to get Gido to come to Church. He is only 12 years old but is always super busy with working helping take care of the Carabao's.

On Thursday we did exchanges and I was able to be companions with Elder Pulsipher for one day. He is from San Diego also but I never knew him before my mission. I learned a lot from him being a missionary and also learned and was able to fix some things in the language that I was not informed about before that was wrong. I'm still learning so much with the language but it is coming in time. I am finally able to start understanding people a lot better when they talk to me if its words that I know. I can converse a little bit better but I still seem to be quiet and just listen.

A mission makes you learn so much about yourself and things that you need to work on a make better. I never would have thought I would be where I am now. I struggle so much every day but I know that Heavenly Father blesses me every day. Because I am in a Bukid area my house is pretty ghetto. I live in a little more classier bamboo hut. Never did I think in my life I would live in something like that. I know this Gospel is true and from my experiences and learning so far, I have learned that it isn't just the missionaries who need to do the work. We are just 50%! We need the members help so much in fellow-shipping and building relationships with the investigators and newly baptized. Once we do our part it is up to the members!

Remember who you are, and why you are where you are in your life! We all have struggles in our lives. These are for us to learn and grow! Now grow and excel!

 

 

Elder Dela Vera, Elder Pulsipher, Me, and some members

The Mondia Family and me. From the top, Roxan Bidal, Jonah Mae Ventura, Sister Mondia (Pinky). The bottom, Lawrence (banban), me, Tarence (bonbon), Danielle (Yinyin), and Elizabeth (Chuchay)

My three huge friends that I came back to one night. All about the size of my big toe. Pretty huge I might say. (Yes Grosssss, hahah)