Months with NO Post

I'm really sorry. I haven't update the blog for a looooooooooong time. It is because of the the Security blah so that your account will be safe. It asked for verification code using my smartphone, and of course, I don't have my smartphone with me for 2 years. So... I can't open my blog account. I tried to look for ways and I found it, remove it and Vioala, I'm back again! :D

Hoping to update you guys every week. I can't guarantee it but I will try.

22nd Birthday!

First of all, sorry for not having updates weekly. We have been busy looking for Scattered Israel. I will just make this quick because my birthday this year had been special to me.

The day of my birthday was on Saturday. We still had ordinary schedule like studying, proselyting time, teaching people repentance. I feel like it's not really my birthday... until lunch time, when the Zone Leaders called and disturbed our beautiful lunch, which I cooked, and asked me to go to the office. I knew something's fishy was going to happened. Me and my companion found out that someone left a cake for my birthday (of course, it came from my family). The Zone Leaders and the office Couple Missionaries sang a happy birthday song to me, which I find sweet.

<there should be picture here but apparently the Zone Leaders didn't e-mail my picture>

Then at night of my birthday. Sister Abril and Sister Tauiliili surprised me with a birthday cake!!! They got stressed because of this hahaha. Props to them and I didn't really expected it.

BLANKIE!

Then Monday came, our Preparation day. We played basketball in the morning and then had lunch with our District at Kuya J's. It was nice and happy to celebrate my birthday with Elder Clark and Elder Cirunay (our Assistants to the President), and our office princesses Sister Abril and Sister Tauiliili, and also with my handsome and artistahin companion Elder Reynoso (Jolo Revilla look-a-like. He's the one on my left)

The Office District

the aftermath

Then we e-mailed our families and friends back home. They surprised me with a video that I like to share but it is so long and will take time to upload. Maybe when we I get back or when we meet here in Lilo-an, Cebu then I can show it to you haha. They are so sweet! It almost made me cry that's why I stopped it immediately and downloaded it to watch it back home (of course, I don't want to cry inside the computer shop with plenty of people around)

I felt really special. I felt like I'm the most important person in the world! I really appreciate it and looking forward to see my family and friends soon! I love them so much and missing them so bad.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!
May God be with you all 'till we meet again.

Ciao!
-Elderblanco

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

Christmas Season

Christmas is not just about giving, it is also about receiving--receiving Jesus Christ's teachings and follow Him. It amazed me until this time on how the Christmas Season can affect the world with their attitude toward each other. This made the people focus more on the positive side than the negative side. But the real essence of Christmas should be focus on our Savior Jesus Christ. He is the real reason why we celebrate Christmas.

Hoping that you had a wonderful time this Christmas with your family and friends :)

If you are going to ask me, this is what happened to us:

We had the chance to teach the Youth of Lilo-an Stake on how to effectively share the Book of Mormon to those people who doesn't know about it.

Youth with their missionary attire

Next is we prepare food for Christmas Eve. We cooked Carbonara, made Mango Float, and Gelatin to satisfy our appetite on Christmas Eve after the hard work we did earlier...

made by Chef Blanco haha

 The problem is we got sick during this time hahaha the worst was, I cannot taste what I cooked. WORST FEELING EVER!

 And of course, the last thing we did is have a Christmas Selfie HAHA

Update you soon next time.
Merry Christmas and Advance Happy New Year!!

Ciao
-Elder Blanco

Baptism

with Bishop Pepito and Sister Elizabeth

The week was great and it ended with a Baptism, what a wonderful icing on the cake! We were blessed to see and feel the change in Sister Elizabeth's life. We can see that she will be strong member and will help the lives of others. We heard her testimony after the Baptism-- she cried because of so much happiness that she cannot explain.

One of the blessings of the Gospel is that it will help you to have real happiness--happiness that comes inclined with God's Will--and eventually lead you to Eternal Happiness. In the Book of Mormon, Prophet Alma describing that committing sin will never result to real happiness.

   Alma 41:10

10 Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.

Baptism is just the beginning of it (after having Faith and Repented of your sins), then the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and lastly Enduring to the End. This is part of the Plan of Happiness that Heavenly Father gave us.

We were really happy to witness of this spiritual Baptism and after that the we had fun at Lilo-an 2nd ward Christmas party :D

Extra:

We saw this beautiful and unique Pigeon.

Skyline Pigeon haha

Christmas Party

Not enough time. Sorry :D

Will update this post soon but for now, I'll just upload the pictures :D

Christmas tree made out of wood and rice sacks

DIY slippers for exchange gift hehe

where we ate lunch yum

Games games games

Elder McNett in character haha

Batchmates

Community Service

Happy First Sunday of December

It's the most beautiful time of the year! Christmas is just few days away. I can feel the Christmas vibes even though it is still hot here in Cebu haha. The people changed for the better, this what makes the Christmas so powerful-- enemies become friends, the rich helps the poor, the weak become strong, etc.

JESUS CHRIST is the reason why all of this is happening. He is our best example of having unconditional love for others. As the Christmas approaches the Church gave us a fun activity that can help us follow the example of Jesus Christ. I hope each one of us who can read this, will strengthen our Faith in Him and increase our love for others. 

You can find the activity here and watch the video:

https://www.mormon.org/

It says in the Book of Mormon:

15 Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel? Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house; 

 16 Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

The first Sunday of the month means Fasting and Testimony Sunday. I am blessed to participate in fasting for the people in our area. I had personal things that I asked but most of it is for the people in our area. I am inspired to hear and ponder the testimonies of the members of the church here in Lilo-an. I've felt their dedication to follow the commandments of God and eventually be part of the Zion. I felt the Spirit prompting me to share my testimony and it was nice to share it again in front of the congregation. I missed that feeling.

We enjoyed the rest of the church service especially that our fasting and prayers were answered immediately. I testify the power of fasting. It is really powerful as long as you have Faith and the thing you ask is not against Father's will.

The church provide us the "Light the World" campaign. Here am I holding it

Elder Calumpang photobombing it

 Also, when times we are down and losing hope, Heavenly Father is giving us encouragements and motivation to carry on in this work. He provide this children who made us happy and get back to ourselves. They help us boost our strength to continue doing the missionary work.

Artista na kuno sila

Selfie #1 w/ Elder Reynoso and kids

I just also realized that I reached my 1 year mark here in the mission. My family is so sweet that they surprised me with this cake!! I'm lucky to have them in my life. I will not receive these blessings if not because of them.

Truly, this month is full of love and good stuff. Looking forward for this month's better stuff. Christmas truly is the best time of the year!

That's all for this week.
Catch you up on next monday!

Ciao
-elder blanco