Power of Choice

Sorry, I think I have not updated my blog 2 weeks ago. At least I'm back! A lot of things happened tho. I hope I can share/remember it all here haha

We had an experience while eating in a burger place, a guy sat beside us and asked about Mormon Doctrines. So, we thought he was interested and we talked and shared about how families can be together forever. But it turned out he just wanted to disprove what we shared. 

He told us "If you can show me a scripture verse in the bible where God allow the families to be eternal, I will join your church!"

We shared the scripture verse where Jesus Christ gave the Priesthood power to Peter to bind families on Earth and in Heaven (Matthew 16:19)

And then he was shocked and was silent and just stop talking.
I have learned that even if we are given a lot of evidences, answers, or even taught the right doctrine-- we are the one who choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil.

Even if someone can affect our decisions, it is us who will make it. Even if someone hinder you from keeping or following a commandment, it is our choice. And our choices makes our destiny.

Then, we just had our Zone Conference. We got to hear talks and workshops from our leaders. Sister Maughan talked about how to help our investigators to overcome addictions. President Maughan talked about teaching the people their needs and not just to teach the lesson itself. The Assistants to the President talked about adjusting our lessons to the needs of our investigators.

As you can see they are all about improving our teaching skills to make us better missionaries and be a Preach My Gospel missionaries.

We had fun and of course, full of Spirit and motivation to work in our area and help the people there

I don't have any nice conclusion in my post, at the same time I'm running out of time haha.
So I'll just end it with Extras...

Extra:

All of them just got the Blanco Pose in their bloodstream now:

Elder Cirunay and Elder Crapo

Elder Johnson

Calape Zone Missionaries

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

Happy New Year!

Elder Reynoso, Me, Elder Mosquera, Elder Carillo

Happy New Year to everyone! -From the F4 (Fogi 4)

How's your New Year? Hopefully no one got hospitalized because of the stray bullets or fireworks. Happy to hear your messages, send it here: jan.blanco@myldsmail.net

A lot of things happened in 2016 where I learned, struggled, grew, developed faith, made mistakes, fell, and stood up again. I'm happy for where I am right now. I can see what Heavenly Father wants me to become and it is my commitment to do what He wants me to do. I am so blessed to know this. Specially this New Year we all be having New Year's Resolution--which we all know that it will not be followed. HAHA. 

We all welcomed 2017 with a hope that this New Year, we will be committed to do our goals this year and especially what God wants us to do and be. Hoping that 2017 with be nice to us haha

We spent our New Year's Eve (basically it's afternoon because we had curfew) with Consolacion Zone (because Lilo-an Zone dissolved huhu) with Elder and Sister Weatherston. They invited the Consolacion Zone to spend the New Year's Eve in their home. We were lucky to have them in our lives. They provided the venue, the movie, and the SNACKS haha. We watched Errand of Angels, it is all about missionary life. How a new missionary struggled to be the best missionary ever. It's funny yet very inspiring and motivating. It was fun and a privilege to spent this day with these beautiful and fine Elders and Sisters.

Maybe, you all know that being a Missionary is easy and fun. Well, I got to tell you that it is not like that. Missionary work is never easy but it is rewarding. Missionary work is not always fun, we experience struggles and rejections all the time but everything is very joyful-- that's what the Gospel of Jesus Christ promised. Fun and Joy is different :D

Next year, I will be spending my Christmas and New Year back home! :D (Makati City)

That's all for this day.
See you on Monday!
Ciao

-Elder Blanco

PS: Our happy faces

Consolacion Zone

With Elder and Sister Weatherston

they were fascinated with BUKO haha

Cebu Temple

It's the end of our 4th week this Transfer Cycle and many things have happened in this week. As an Office Elder, we really don't know what will happen next so that makes this calling so exciting! 

DISCLAIMER: This blog is too long to read

In this blog, I will be talking about these things: Lilo-an Stake Conference, our loyal "kuyog", handsome and buotan guard, worked with the Assistant, Cebu Temple trip(!!), met Guevarra from The District 2 (Preach My Gospel DVD), say thanks and bye bye to Sister Nelson (Cebu Mission Senior Couple), and so many more!

Let's first go to Lilo-an Stake Conference... We had a wonderful Stake Conference. President Lim, after 9 years of serving as Stake President, stepped down last Sunday. He shared his testimony on how he did not expect the growth of the Church here in Lilo-an. He shared the humble beginnings of the ward until it became the Stake Center. The previous stake councilors shared their testimonies and give thanks and appreciation to President Lim for being an inspiration and helping the Stake to be where it is right now. President Juntilla, the newly called Stake President of Lilo-an did shared a nindot talk, he is a funny person and likes to joke. He humbly accepts the calling and promised to do his best to be the leader of this stake. The Stake Conference was presided by Area Presidency First Councilor Evan A. Schmutz and he concluded the talk about ZION. He later explained the requirements God made for us to experience a perfect world and a perfect city. It is by keeping the covenants we made with God and staying worthy to perform His saving ordinances in order to be inside the gates of Zion.

At lunch time, of course, who would've thought that Elder Blanco can cook? I cooked Tinolang Manok, and they loved it. I tried to act professional and say "Wala akong dinagdag na Salt and Knorr dyan", when honestly it is my first time to cook it! BEGINNER'S LUCK it is!! Hahaha

We worked after that, and we were with our always-ready-every-Sunday-kuyog Brother Lim, grandson of the Late Stake President. He is so funny and loves to work with the missionaries. He is also preparing for a mission. He wants to acquire the knowledge that is needed in the mission that is why he always works with the missionaries. At just the age of 16, he had endured a lot of problems. As young as he is, he maturely overcame and learned from those problems. I will not be telling those things here, instead I will show his gwapong nawong!

Having selfies in the office

After finishing our proselyting we drop by the mission office in the evening, there is a guard who always smiles and greets us. He never tires from running from his sitting place just to open the gate for us. His name is Brother Ruben! He is the security guard at the Lilo-an Chapel. He guards the vicinity from 6pm to 6am. What a man! His job is very tiring and very hard. I salute Brother Ruben, he is working hard to provide food for his family. At the same time, he is so buotan. I know his family is so lucky to have him.

Brother Ruben with the Kiddos

Then, while Elder Grimpluma and Elder Calumpang were getting their licenses at LTO Danao, I had the chance to work with Elder Baladad. We went and taught their GOLDEN investigator, Brother Jay. He attentively listened to us and asked questions regarding what we were talking about. I had the chance to share the FIRST VISION to him and testify of Joseph Smith, Jr. as the prophet of the restoration. We felt the Spirit and we continued with the lesson. He really seeks to know if what we are saying is true because he keeps the commitments given to him. 

Posing muna syempre

Kahit maputek haha

We were happy to finish the lessons and we extended another commitment to Brother Jay to bring him closer to Christ. Then after that, we went back to the office only to find out that only one of them (Elder Calumpang and Elder Grimpluma) passed the license examination HAHAHA. Who do you think failed the exam?

Elder Calumpang as a MOWDEL

"Oh, how lovely was the morning" last Wednesday. We were able to have our Temple Session with our zone, Lilo-an Zone. This was the climax of my week. I was very excited and very humbled to enter the temple. Just by looking at the temple, you can feel the peace and serenity, this was a very spiritual experience. It was my 2nd time to go here but it was my first time to go inside the Temple. 

Elder San Andres, Angeles, Dela Rosa
Photobombers

Before I entered the temple, I wrote some questions that needed to be answered from Heavenly Father. As I joyfully and prayerfully sit in the Celestial room, I read the Bible and strong impressions came into my mind and heart, Heavenly Father really answers. I was reminded of my covenants and how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ worked just to make us eternally happy. I will never forget this wonderful experience. 

Eric Guevarra's wife

At this moment, we saw Eric Guevarra in the Temple. You might not know him but to the Missionaries he's quite famous. He is one of the Investigators the missionaries taught in Preach My Gospel: The District 2, we had the chance to talk to her wife. She shared their struggles before and what really happened why they got separated before. The Gospel really helps the family to draw closer to god and strengthen the relationships of members in the family.

Too bad there were missionaries who
cannot attend with us (not complete)

Time is not enough to finish this blog! I will be sharing the rest of it next week! :D

But all in all, it was a very fast week. I hadn't even noticed that it is already the 5th week of the transfer cycle. It was fun and very exhausting. But the important thing I got this week is I learned from my mistakes and I have grown and improved myself.

Side note:

They have branded rice here in Cebu! Check this out!!

Wow! I never thought you can buy
friendship with such a cheap price!

Ciao,
-Elder Blanco