Being a Missionary

I will start my blog using this wonderful picture. This is the in our area. We discovered it while looking for new people to visit and teach. This is one of the reason why I love doing missionary work, aside from meeting new people or new family and friends, we got to see the beautiful places in our area. I don't know if this looks nice to you but for me, I really like it!

Elder Thomas just being normal

Anyhow, we had fun tracting and going door-to-door this week. My companion is very kugihan (hardworking) and funny. Because of him, our work becomes easier (I'm saying this because I know he is going to read this blog sometime. I hope this will give him a big smile hahaha) Don't get me wrong but preaching the gospel is VERY HARD and TIRING. Other people we met asks us, why we are doing this, it is very tiring and requires a lot of sacrifice, why do we do this. The answer is very simple... it is because we love the Lord.

Jesus said to His disciples...

15 ¶ If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Our pain, afflictions, and temptations was/is also felt by Jesus Christ. I know that because of this, He knows our state, He knows what we are feeling, and He knows how to help us. This is the key for us to be able to receive that help. Through keeping the commandments. My previous companion once said "Commandments are not rules that should just be done. Commandments are the solution for us to be happy". As I ponder about this, it is really true. Commandments are not hindrance to our happiness. That's the blessing of being here in the mission. Even if it is very tiring, I still manage to get up and do this because I know that someday, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will be proud of what I have accomplished.

me, Sister Villaroya, Sister Lourdes, Sister Tauiliili, Sister Tamuera

 I also got the chance to Baptize Sister Lourdes, investigator from the Sisters. It was very spiritual to see her testify in front of us. Another blessing of being a missionary haha

Extra:

With Shen-shen and Elder Thomas' ear

With the most tabian (loud) kid but the most adorable in the branch.

Inabanga Branch

Tubigon Port

This is where we waited our new companions for few minutes. It was a hot day, but seeing the sea makes me want to dive in and swim. "THE WAVES ARE CALLING ME"

I'm with my new companion Elder Thomas. He is a funny guy and he loves to joke. He is still young and very enthusiast. I like how he see things, good perspective on things. We got along immediately. Looking forward for more days with this missionary. By the way, we suddenly became popular because I'm with a 6 foot 3, American, gwapo kuno companion. Boys always call him "Joe" and the girls always say "hi" with kilig faces. Everyone likes him in our area. I can see that we will have a lot of success in the near future.

I got sick yesterday, stomach ache, maybe somewhat like ulcer/gastritis. I thought that with my daily intake of the medicine for it will prevent it from happening again. I WAS WRONG. But I am okay now. It will not prevent me from doing missionary work (sometimes missionary walk. HAHA kidding)

I don't have new pictures because it has been 4 days since my last blog. (Don't worry it is Preparation day today) More pictures to come don't worry

Transfer day!

I was companion with this guy, but he already transferred. Too bad he didn't see his face in my blog haha. Anyway, this is Elder Tyrell and we had fun in 1 month and a half.

This week was the last week that we are together.

First, the Sisters invited us to have Community Service in the their area. We swept the dried leaves under their investigator's trees. I never thought it will be that hard. Especially the leaves were stuck in the floor. Anyway, we did great and it was fun. After that we checked the place and saw these Carabaos resting.

with my look-a-likes

Next is we had our last District Meeting with Inabanga District. The Zone Leaders made a fake transfer list and left it on the table to test the missionaries if they are going to look at it. Good thing no one looked at it and they announced the fake transfer list and everyone was shocked and gone crazy. It was fun to see their faces and their reactions

With the Boys in the District

Lastly, we had last supper last dinner appointment with Elder Tyrell and Sister Robles at Mellanes family. It was so fun and I was on the spot with my jokes. Everyone had happy memories instead of sad memories. Although the members were really close with the missionaries, it will never be prevented that the missionaries who are transferring will be missed. That's why we missionaries take a lot of pictures because, pictures make us closer to the people we met and we spent time with.

Missionaries of Inabanga Branch with Mellanes Family

I just realized how important the time is. How it is precious. I see and meet people everyday. They are making who I am, but I have to realize too that they are going to pass by. I should cherish and appreciate every moment. I'm happy to have struggles and trials because of this I have learned a lot. I know that God really knows what's best for us. The key is to trust him and do what He wants.

The time is really far spent! I only have 7.5 months left #DiliKoTrunky HAHAHA

First Blog

FIRST BLOG EVER! I'M SO HAPPY LOL

Before I start my blog, I want to share why I am happy creating this blog :)

Out of so many opportunities to write a blog, this is the only time I'm very eager to do one. It all started when I was bored in the Office and look for pictures related in our mission. I saw a picture with a link going to Sister Mcnett's blog (senior couple missionary who is assigned also in the office). As I am scanning it, I saw funny pictures and read some interesting lines that made me want to do the same. I am now a BIG fan of Elder and Sister Mcnett's blog. I will try to follow them as soon as I know how to hehe.

The Mcnetts with Sister Osumo (photobombers:Elder Laga'aia and Sister McMaster)

with President and Sister Maughan

Had a chance to have a WHACKY picture with our Mission President and his wife. Another bucketlist checked.


Today is our Preparation day, Saturday. Usually, the preparation day of missionaries is on Monday. We are special missionaries that's why we have special preparation day haha

Earlier, we had the chance to help our fellow missionaries to transfer house in Lapu-lapu. We are so lucky to have the Assistants (Assistants to the President) to help us in transferring their things. They are so buotan and true servants. Props to them, they did most of the help :P

Joyriding to Lapu-lapu

Elder Baladad disassembling the bunkbeds

Helping "kunwari"

We had our lunch at the Barbecue Place in Lapu-lapu merkado! Destroyed my diet again. I will have to start my diet again tomorrow. I'm gaining weight so fast huhu. Too bad I haven't taken picture of the mouth-watering pork lean and chicken liver... yuuuuuum!

We will be having Lilo-an Stake Conference tomorrow. I'm so excited to see Elder Schmutz and he is presiding the Conference. It's good to hear from him because he was the Mission President of Cebu Mission and Lilo-an Stake is under his Mission.

That's all for the week, will try to update you guys again next Saturday. Hopefully we are not busy that time.

Ciao,
Elder Blanco