Easter 4/22/2019

Magandang Araw sa inyong lahat! 

This week was another good one. We had power scrub last week and we took a long time to clean our house, we got that 100% so we did a good job. We were invited to a baptism for our STL's and they invited us on the spot to sing a duet of nearer my god to thee (me and my comp) haha that was fun, I really love that song its a good one. Our stake had an Easter concert and I was actually amazed at some of the youth in SJN stake, they did really good and the spirit was so strong there. That is one thing I really love about the members here in the Philippines, they are so willing to give their talents for the benefit of others, even if they are not "the best" its cool to see the effort they give for the benefit of others. 

This week we shared a lot about the message of Easter. We went to a lot of less actives this week trying to feel the spirit of Easter and it was a boost for everyone. The savior's atoning sacrifice was the most important, most crucial thing that has ever happened. Because of his suffering in the garden and his crucifixion, our very souls became so very valuable. Because of Jesus Christ we all, every single soul that has ever been born, or will ever be born has the potential to become like God. That is the worth of a soul, and it was made possible by the Atonement. How grateful I am for the Love the god has for us, for the perfect plan he has laid out for his children. I hope you were able to feel his peace and love this Easter. I know the Jesus is the Christ, the Jehovah of the Old Testament, and he lives. 

Mahal ko po kayong lahat! konting oras na lang...! 

My last Conference 4/16/2019

Magandang lalaki po ako.... haha joke lang iyan. 

Magandang araw sa iyong lahat! Hope you all had a great week!

We got to watch conference this week it was amazing! I liked how it was really focused on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, what it is and what it really does and what it can do for us if we use it through repentance. I loved priesthood session especially Elder Stevenson's talk about having a game plan for when we are tempted or when we have negative peer pressure.  It was my last conference as a full time missionary, and it was the spiritual boost I needed. 

This week was pretty busy, and we were blessed once again by receiving lots of referrals from our members. We had some good lessons and we used what time we had to try and visit them all. Yesterday was transfer calls, I am staying here with Elder Bertulano for another 6 weeks... and my last full transfer in my mission. Im going to try and soak it all in, I love this country and cant really imagine leaving for good haha. There are people everywhere in the world that need and are ready for the Gospel in their life. I am blessed to be in a country where it seems that most people are ready and willing, I love the Philippines. 

Well hope yall have a great week! Mahal ko po kayo! 

 sorry no pics this week, next week na lang siguro 

Ang init na :) 4/9/2019

Magandang araw sa inyong lahat! Hope your all doing well and loving life! 

Tag-init na dito sa pinas! Its summer here in the Philippines and we really felt it this week. IT WAS HOT. I have not gotten burned yet so that good but we sure did sweat enough to fill a swimming pool haha. It was a good week of work, we got some more referrals from our awesome members and we had some really good lessons. This week we had zone interviews with President Hughes. He told me that I am staying here for the rest of my mission, so I will not get a trainee. I was kinda bummed but I am really happy to get to stay another 6 weeks with Elder Bertulano. This upcoming transfer is my last real transfer... my last transfer is only 4.5 weeks so if I trained I would not be able to give my trainee the full transfer. But I am happy with what we got going in the ward. 

We found a way to heat our water so now ( if its sunny outside) we got hot water :). Other than that life is good, I am really excited for conference this weekend!!! I love the mission! Mahal ko kayo! Ingat kayo lagi!

PICS

we went to a Eiffel tower replica, it was pretty cool.

My comp is a wizard with the camera

Me and the quarry kids

CAVING 4/1/2019

Hey everyone! This week was just another average week in the mission field. We taught and walked and ate and it was fun. We did get a lot of member referrals this week which is super awesome! We were not able to teach them all yet but some of them have really big potential. This week we were walking and decided to stop and eat some fried chicken from a tindahan. There were some people sitting there so we started a conversation with them. As we were setting up a return appointment a crazy guy walked over to us. We was obviously high on some sort of drug but he was talking in all english and it was pretty whack. He started touching the others and getting up in their face so they took off and ran, then he came up to me and my companion. I could not tell if he was going to try and do anything to us but I just said a quick prayer in my head that he would turn around and walk off. He started cussing at us and then he suddenly stopped. He looked confused, turned around, and left us alone. It was cool to look back and see how my prayer was answered and how god helped us avoid that situation. As for the other people that ran, we caught up to them and had a good laugh and then got that set appointment. 

This morning we went to a cave in our area. It was used by Filipino rebels back in the 1800's and by the Japanese during WWII to hide and recover from wounds. It was super awesome. Anyways that was pretty much the week, I love my mission and these people in the Philippines. I know that God is looking out for us and if we act in faith during scary times or trials he will help us. Hope you all have a good week! 

3/18/2019. O, bakit ba kailangan pang umalis...

Hey fam

This week was really good. We had our ZTM this week it went really well. We are progressing as a zone, we talked about how we can be focused and fearless as missionaries in the work. We set our goal for 42 baptisms in the month of April, and we all committed to do all we can to hit that goal. Our mission is still going for the 300 baptisms, 300 souls baptized into the true church of Jesus Christ. We talked about a quote given by Mike Ditka " You're either in the parade, or you watch the parade. That's life." As a zone we want to be "in the parade" as we hit these goals. I also applied to life, with everything I do. Sometimes I like to just sit on the side and watch the parade but as I have served on the mission I realize the importance to use the agency god gave us and do what it takes to be apart of the big thing or the goal. If we dont we may look back at our life and regret all the things we missed out on, wish we acted when we didnt. This life is a test and it is a one time thing so we should definitely do what we can to make the most out of it. Set goals and do what you can to hit them, if you dont hit them at least you learned. 

Anyways I love this zone, and the elders in it. We are going to do big things in SJN. Love you all. sorry no pics my usb thingy broke :(

WE THE NORTH 3/11/2019

Hey hope everyone is doing well, just got my trunky letter so ya know... 

Anyways this week was really fun. On Wednesday we had transfers, one of the sisters that was transferring with us wanted to go a different way because she thought it would be cheaper, but we ended up getting lost in Cubao and after a couple hours we made it to SM Tungko and then took a jeep to the chapel. It took forever, but I MADE IT! My new area is called Minuyan ward, it is a lot smaller than the wards in Malolos but the members are so nice. The area is up in the mountains which is cool it reminds me of Park City. Our house is on the top of a mountain over looking the whole zone and it is super pretty, also we have a member that lives downstairs and she cooks for us and is super awesome. The area is pretty big but nothing compared to my last area, there are tons of hills my legs got destroyed this week. We had MLC on Friday and it was really good. President Hughes was sick so he did not talk a lot but he called on missionaries randomly to give workshops and lead discussions. He also told us that we might be getting smart phones soon! We will test them out for the whole Philippines area, I am hoping that happens before I leave smartphones would help us soooooo much! Malolos went back to back (like Jordan '96-97) in leading the mission in baptisms! It was awesome but now it is SJN turn to be the best. The zone is pretty dope, it is all elders except for the STLs which is nice because for the last 6 months I have been in a zone with all sisters. We played basketball this morning and had a fun time, there is an elder that can dunk so now I have someone to throw oops to haha. Anyways I am excited for what this transfer has in store, its gonna be fun. Love you all hope you have a great week!  

3/4/2019 TRANSFERS NA

Hey everyone, sorry last week my email was not working so I was not able to email.

So this week is transfer week. At zone interviews president told me that I was going to stay in Malolos for a 5th transfer making it my longest area... also I would have been in Malolos for 10 months. Yesterday we got the calls and president gave me a curve ball. I am transferring to Minuyan ward in San Jose Del Monte North Zone!!!! I will be the zone leader in that zone. I am really excited and still kinda shocked that I am leaving Malolos again and for the last time. I am gonna miss it out here but I am looking forward to getting to know more members of the other wards and the other missionaries in SJN zone. Hopefully Malolos can deliver in March, we were expecting 30 baptisms for March and our mission is going for 300 once again, it was a good run and I had a lot of goods times in Malolos. 

We had 2 baptisms last week, they are two kids that I have been teaching since September and I finally saw them baptized it was awesome!! They even showed up the next day looking pogi as ever in their new ties. We were supposed to have another baptism this week but there was a death in the family so it was pushed back. We got to go to the funeral service held by the ward, it was really cool. I was reminded of the love the god has for each one of us to make a plan where we can come here to earth to learn and grow and then return to him after this life with the people we love and live with them for eternity. I know that plan is real, and death is just part of the plan. Of course this plan would never and could never happen if it were not for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We may not comprehend how great his sacrifice was but as we do our best to use that sacrifice we can feel the peace and joy that it brings. Death is hard and sad, but if we do our part in this life it is not the end and we dont have to worry. I love this gospel, Gods plan is perfect.

also just a side note... 119 days na lang hahahahaha.

Love you all!!! Ill send all the pics next week