Awesome Week with Elder Hall

I'm sorry again. I can't upload pictures right now. The computer here is... meh. Anyway I would just like to say that last week really was a great week. We have met new people in our area and the area is starting to progress. I really think that we did a great job last week. We really pushed ourselves to reach our goals. And we were happy with the results.

Sister Trinidad and her children came to church last Sunday. They really enjoyed the experience in the Church Service. The members in this ward were really a good fellowships to Sister Trinidad. When I was talking to Alan about church he asked if church would be a regular occasion which for me I think means that he really enjoyed church that Sunday. It was an awesome Sunday, the Tempuratura family also came back to church this week along with the Tortosa family. 

We were able to talk in ward council with all the ward auxiliaries about how we can improve the ward and become more organized. They were really open to us about how they think they can improve the ward and help the missionaries. We worked together giving each other ideas, and now we will leave the rest to the ward and the lord to help it become an awesome ward.

Disclaimer:

Elder Hall is such an awesome companion and he wants me to put his name here in my Blog. :D 

The pictures will be uploaded next Monday! 

I PROMISE! Promises are meant to be broken

General Conference

Here I go again, few days after. Regular Preparation day today :D HAHA

Not a whole lot happened this week. We just watched the re-broadcast of General Conference and heard important messages from the Prophet and the leaders of the Church. I'm amazed that at their age, they seem pretty stronger than normal. I know that they are blessed because they follow the Law of Health that Heavenly Father gave us.

Like what Prophet Thomas S. Monson said in the Priesthood Session

"Those who are obedient to the Lord’s commandments and who 

faithfully observe the Word of Wisdom are promised particular 

blessings, among which are good health and added physical stamina"

Every commandment we follow, there will be equivalent or greater than promise blessings. It is also through our obedience to the laws and commandments, we can receive blessings.

"20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—

 21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated." - Doctrine and Covenants 130: 20-21

Of course, I have heard talks that I felt special to me that it hit my heart. I can say that they are delicious to my mind and delightful to my soul. I have felt they their talks were really inspired to help each one of us, member of the Church or not.

These are some:

Am I Good Enough? Will I Make It?

By Elder J. Devn Cornish

The answers to the questions “Am I good enough?” and “Will I make it?” are “Yes! You are going to be good enough” and “Yes, you are going to make it as long as you keep repenting and do not rationalize or rebel.” The God of heaven is not a heartless referee looking for any excuse to throw us out of the game. He is our perfectly loving Father, who yearns more than anything else to have all of His children come back home and live with Him as families forever

If we will sincerely repent, God really will forgive us, even when we have committed the same sin over and over again. …

This does not in any way mean that sin is OK. Sin always has consequences. …

“Abide in My Love”

By Elder D. Todd Christofferson

One of the terms we hear often today is that God’s love is “unconditional.” While in one sense that is true, the descriptor unconditional appears nowhere in scripture. Rather, His love is described in scripture as “great and wonderful love” [D&C 138:3], “perfect love” [1 John 4:18; Moroni 8:16], “redeeming love” [Alma 5:26], and “everlasting love” [Jeremiah 31:3]. These are better terms because the word unconditional can convey mistaken impressions about divine love, such as, God tolerates and excuses anything we do because His love is unconditional, or God makes no demands upon us because His love is unconditional, or all are saved in the heavenly kingdom of God because His love is unconditional. God’s love is infinite and it will endure forever, but what it means for each of us depends on how we respond to His love. …

To “continue in” or “abide in” the Savior’s love means to receive His grace and be perfected by it. To receive His grace, we must have faith in Jesus Christ and keep His commandments, including repenting of our sins, being baptized for the remission of sins, receiving the Holy Ghost, and continuing in the path of obedience. …

To abide in God’s love in this sense means to submit fully to His will. It means to accept His correction when needed. … It means to love and serve one another as Jesus has loved and served us. It means to learn “to abide the law of a celestial kingdom” so that we can “abide a celestial glory”

Emissaries to the Church

By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Brethren, the appeal I am making tonight is for you to lift your vision of home teaching. Please, in newer, better ways see yourselves as emissaries of the Lord to His children. That means leaving behind the tradition of a frantic, law of Moses–like, end-of-the-month calendar in which you rush to give a scripted message from the Church magazines that the family has already read. We would hope, rather, that you will establish an era of genuine, gospel-oriented concern for each member, watching over and caring for each other in compassionate ways, addressing spiritual and temporal needs in any way that helps.

Learn from Alma and Amulek

By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Today, I would like to ask you to consider two questions:

First: “What can I learn from Alma?” Second: “How am I like Amulek?” 

In whatever position you currently serve—whether you are a deacons quorum president, a stake president, or an Area President—to be successful, you must find your Amuleks. …

While some of us should be looking for an Amulek, for others the question might be “How am I like Amulek?” …

Perhaps, like Amulek, you know in your heart that the Lord has “called [you] many times” but you “would not hear.” …

Our beloved Savior knows where you are. He knows your heart. He wants to rescue you. He will reach out to you. Just open your heart to Him. It is my hope that those who have strayed from the path of discipleship—even by only a few degrees—will contemplate the goodness and grace of God, see with their hearts, learn from Alma and Amulek, and hear the life-changing words of the Savior: “Come, follow me.”

The Great Plan of Redemption

By Linda S. Reeves

Oh, how I want each of my children, grandchildren, and each of you, my brothers and sisters, to feel the joy and closeness to Heavenly Father and to our Savior as we daily repent of our sins and weaknesses. …

… When we sincerely repent of our sins, they are truly gone—without a trace! I have personally felt joy, relief, and confidence before the Lord as I have sincerely repented.

To me, the greatest miracles in this life are not the parting of the Red Sea, the moving of mountains, or even the healing of the body. The greatest miracle happens as we humbly approach our Father in Heaven in prayer, fervently plead to be forgiven of our sins, and then are cleansed of those sins and changed through the atoning sacrifice of our Savior. 

“If Ye Had Known Me”

By Elder David A. Bednar

 Four essential steps that can help us come to know the Lord are exercising faith in Him, following Him, serving Him, and believing Him.

The exercise of faith in Jesus Christ is relying upon His merits, mercy, and grace. … As our faith in the Lord increases, we trust in Him and have confidence in His power to redeem, heal, and strengthen us. …

The Savior has admonished us to become as He is. … Following the Lord includes emulating Him. We continue to come to know the Lord as we seek through the power of His Atonement to become like Him. …

We more fully come to know the Lord as we serve Him and labor in His kingdom. As we do so, He generously blesses us with heavenly help, spiritual gifts, and increased capacity. …

We come to know the Savior as we do our best to go where He wants us to go, as we strive to say what He wants us to say, and as we become what He wants us to become. …

… Believing Him with our whole soul comes as we press forward along the covenant pathway, surrender our will to His, and submit to His priorities and timing for us.

The Doctrine of Christ

By Brian K. Ashton

The doctrine of Christ … is the means—the only means—by which we can obtain all the blessings made available to us through Jesus’s Atonement. It is the doctrine of Christ that allows us to access the spiritual power that will lift us from our current spiritual state to a state where we can become perfected like the Savior.

So how can we apply the doctrine of Christ more fully in our lives? One way would be to make a conscious effort each week to prepare for the sacrament by taking some time to prayerfully consider where we most need to improve. We could then bring a sacrifice of at least one thing that keeps us from being like Jesus Christ to the sacrament altar, pleading in faith for help, asking for necessary spiritual gifts, and covenanting to improve during the coming week. As we do so, the Holy Ghost will come into our lives to a greater degree, and we will have additional strength to overcome our imperfections.

I have received many spiritual impressions that I wrote in my Studu journal. Hopefully looking for opportunities to use it in teaching and in sharing the gospel to others.

If you want to read or watch more of the General Conference, you can visit this site

https://www.lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng

NO PICTURES :(

Just Rodel's happy face because he saw... hahahahaha

Rodel's starstruck face HAHA

Hello transfer day! Bye bye office

So it's transfer day, there will be departing missionaries and there will be new arriving missionaries. I've got the chance to spent few days with the departing missionaries. As I have asked them how're they feeling right now, they said that it was weird and it's just like a dream. They have served well and they have done their best that's why they are going proud and with honor. I'm so excited to hear what will be going to happen after their mission life.

departing missionaries took rest for awhile

Pose pose rin syempre! haha

It was fun to be with them but there are effects to that. The office was like it was run over by a storm. Every transfer day it will be always like this. Haha. I feel bad for the one who's cleaning the office

their luggage all in the office 

Sorry for my desk haha

 Yesterday was transfer calls, so we know that some of the missionaries will stay in their areas or they will be transferred to another and/or they will TRAIN. So as an Office Elder, I got the chance to see and served the trainers and trainees in the mission. It's good that that was my last day as an office elder.

The trainers were so excited to see who are they going to train. Some of the trainers are new trainers some are used to being a trainer haha.

After the missionaries have arrived Sister Maughan and us, who're assigned in the office, gave an orientation about the mission, culture, health, do's and don'ts, etc. While we are orienting them, the Assistants were giving a short workshop to the Trainers. So that they will be a good trainers to their trainees. For me, 12 weeks training is the most delicate and vital part in the mission because this is where you will set your foundations and your perspective in the mission. So good luck trainers!!

Sister Maughan orienting the trainees

Elder Calumpang and mine's turn

eating with the trainers

President Maughan with the Assistants, prayed and studied each new missionaries in order for him to give the best and right trainer for them. It is not just they pick someone and tell them to be companions. They do it in the Lord's way. If they think they will be compatible, President will pray for it and the Lord will confirm it through the Holy Ghost. They will feel swell in their hearts if they made right decisions. It is really amazing how the God really want us to decide. I've seen my mother always doing this whenever she is in a scenario where she doesn't know what to do. I am really blessed that I've know how to get counsel to the God.

So this is how they ended up. First, the trainers were called and then they told where they were assigned. Then their new companions were called :D

Sister Arce(left) with her new companion

Sister Cook (right) with her new companion

Elder Emfield (right) with his new companion

Elder Altejar (right) with his new companion

Elder Lockhart (right) with his new companion

Elder Velasco (right) with his new companion

It's not complete. I just picked random pictures of them because the post will be so long if I put them all here haha sorry.

At the end of the day, it didn't change the fact that we were leaving the office. It's sad, I didn't really think that I was going to miss the office. But I just realized that maybe the departing missionaries feel the same as I did. They were released as a missionary and they were released to the things, missionary stuff, they get used to for about two years (for Elders) or eighteen months (for Sisters). It's so happy to serve God.

It says in the 15th and 16th verse of Section 18 in the Doctrine and Covenants the promise blessing you will receive if you serve God and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ...

 15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

 16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

I know the feeling and I have witnessed people really changed and become closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I am so happy to part of the Lord's vineyard. Even though I may have few baptisms in my time as a missionary, it is not important. What important is, I have brought myself unto the Father and I will and do what the Lord has expected me to do! Gospel of Jesus Christ really can make you happy :D

So that's how the day ended. Thank you for the crew who helped us this transfer day. What a exhausting day we got! But it was all worth it! :)

Special thanks to Elder Hall and Elder Dela Rosa for helping us in the Office!

Selfie FULL FORCE (Assistants, Office Elders, Zone Leaders, and Elder Hall)

That's it!

Email me all on Monday!

Ciao

Everything worked out

Nothing really happened this week we just went out more in the field. We were advice by President Maughan to go out more in the field if we are already done with the office works. Especially because we are already tri-some. 

Of course, there are a lot of struggles this week but eventually got resolved. I know that the Lord will not abandoned us, He will be with us specially during times that we are down.

I really love the 88th verse in Section 84 of the Doctrine and Covenants, and I read it every time I'm feeling down.

 "...for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."

Anyways, let's focus on the bright side...

Jessica sells Pan de Bisaya to
to help her mother financially

We met this girl while we were having haircut. She approached us and asked if we want to buy her pan/bread. We recognized that she knew that we are missionaries because she called us "Elder! Elder!". We talked to her and asked her background. Her name is Jessica, and she's 13 years-old. She walks and sells all day whenever she doesn't have classes to help her mom financially. What a buotan girl! We were impressed because at a young age she has the sense of responsibility to help her mother. But it doesn't end there. Jessica is also a talented girl. She has a pretty singing voice.

She listens to the missionaries who are teaching near their house. She is really interested to our message and looking forward to have the chance to attend church in Lilo-an Chapel. I really am happy to met her. She inspires me to help the young generations to be like her example. I salute you Jessica!

We had a chance to have a family home evening with Sison Family. I was the one assigned in the Lesson. I was inspired to teach about how the gospel helps us to stay away from temptations. I used a simple object lesson-- a bottle cap, two glasses, and water. We should follow all of the Gospel and teachings of Jesus Christ in order for us to keep ourselves away from temptations. Despite of really trying hard, Satan will always step up his game to tempt us and make our life miserable. It will only take effect if we let him take control of our lives.

Elder Hall conducting the meeting

Doing physics; they were amazed

I am grateful with my companions who helped me to be motivated and be back on track! They made this week really fun despite of struggles and problems we got. I still owe it to the Lord for giving me wonderful companions

Additionals:

Cute face of Klarize, my frienemy. Haha. Model of Lilo-an 2nd Ward

PART 2

Okay, this is the second half of the post CEBU TEMPLE...

Before we went out to the Cebu Temple, we said our goodbyes to Sister Nelson (the senior couple missionary assigned in the Cebu Mission Office). We always drop-by the office whenever we are getting supplies in the Distribution Center. She is so buotan! She always greets us a warm welcome. She's so fun to be with. When we told her that we are about to be replaced in the office, Sister Nelson got sad and said she's going to miss us. To jump to the end, we got her Facebook account and we're going to contact her after the mission because she promised that we will have a room in their house whenever we want to visit IDAHO. We are going to miss you too Sister Nelson, especially your Tender Mercies (candies/chocolates they gave if you visit the Cebu Mission Office) HAHA!

We just had a call that we had an emergency and need to go to Lapu-Lapu to get Elder Hall. We don't know really the reason but we got the chance to be his companion

Look at the view

To cut the story short we got so tired and the traffic was so bad so we end up being home at 8pm. The next day, we continued our regular day in the office and eventually went out to work. By the time we got to our second appointment, Elder Hall saw a cute puppy. Despite of the warnings Sister Temperatura (a member in Lilo-an who was showing us the house of a less-active member) that the puppy will bite him, Elder Hall continued to play the puppy, hence he got bitten by the said puppy. So the Mission President's wife told us to send Elder Hall to the nearest public hospital because they give free Anti-rabies. That's the reason why we are here in this picture.

waiting in line

I'm not generalizing the hospitals but in this public hospital that I will not name, we spent the whole day waiting. We waited that long for just an anti-rabies shot. The nurse explained that the doctor who were assigned in there is missing-in-action. We felt bad for the people who waited so long, who sacrificed their day not to work/go to school even if they needed to, and ended up to go back next day for the check-up.

Anyways, that day really tested my patience. I realized that was an opportunity for me to control my temper. We got the chance also to spent the time to get to know each other. I happened to have the chance to take fish-eye pictures of their nawongs (faces). They didn't even notice that that were funny pictures.

GINO Neutron

NapHALLeon Dynamite

That's it. That's how the week ended. Now we welcome the newest member in the Office District. Elder Hall. We had a lot of fun together, both in the office and in the field. This is my first time to have 2 companions. Tri-some, awesome

Going to have another post in few minutes and will share what happened this week

Ciao!