Week 3: Maayo Balita (Good News) = Ang Ebanghelyo ni JesuCristo (The Gospel of Jesus Christ)

Maayong Hapon sa kamo (Good afternoon),

[Smile 😊]

This week, I really feel like I'm getting a good grasp of things around here! I'm like on a study grind and I'm really taking all the information in! I think it makes such a difference when you actually love what you're studying. When I was in my first year of college, I dreaded learning about some subjects, however learning about the gospel of JesuCristo intrigues me everyday. I love what I am doing and I love teaching people to understand what I believe in and to know that JesuCristo loves them!!

[This was taken right now haha]

Saturday - 

I had a one-on-one interview with one of my teachers and he asked me if I had any concerns. I told him that currently, my main concern is that I think I'm getting to accustomed to teaching alone and I don't think I know how to teach with another person! Haha it's so funny thinking about how much things have changed since two weeks ago. My teacher told me that one of my teachers will be able teach with me sometimes during lessons so that I have some experience teaching with someone. Also during the one-on-one, my teacher said that during the collective teachers meeting, they discussed how good my Ilonggo is! And I just know that there's no way I could've been able to do this on my own. I know that the Holy Ghost has inspired me to be motivated to learn each day. He also said that they said how my pronunciation is really good too. I'm just so shocked because back home I barley spoke Tagalog and people always told me that pronunciation was really American. But this just shows how ANYTHING is possible if you have faith in Jesus Christ. I know He can literally help you through anything, if you just believe in Him.

[On the way to breakfast.]

Sunday - 

This day was a really good day! Every first Sunday of the month, we fast in church for two meals and the money we would've spent on buying food is something we donate to the needy. To be honest I've never really fasted before because it's easy to just go home and eat food, but this time I actually didn't eat for the whole day until like 4pm. At first it was kind of hard because we normally eat breakfast at 7:15 am and I'm adjusted to the schedule, however I felt that it was such an amazing and spiritual experience for me. So many people went up to bear their testimony about their missions and everything. Also later in the day we had choir practice and I just love choir! Even though I can't sing, the choir director brings meaning to the lyrics we sing and it really creates us to sing the songs with more feeling! One of my favorite quotes out of the entire day was from a video we watched of a talk by Elder Jeffery R. Holland called "Missions are Forever." He said "If it wasn't even for Jesus Christ, why should it be easy for us?" I just interpreted that in terms of my mission and how it hasn't been an easy two weeks at all.. it takes a lot of hard work to speak to people about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But at the same time, the hard work is worth it to me because I really feel like it shows when I'm in class discussing in Ilonggo, or in a lesson teaching someone.

[I photobombed]

Monday - 

This day I taught 3 lessons total and it was very tiring, but very rewarding! I feel like I can really connect with people and meet their needs and just try to help them with what they need, whether it be spiritually, mentally, or physically.

[Beautiful sunset]

Tuesday - 

This day we had choir, and we performed the hymm "More Holiness Give Me" for a devotional. This devotional we had Elder and Sister De Hoyos speak to us. They were born and raised in Mexico and they are really active in our church. They have watched over the missionaries in Mexico as Mission Presidents and now Elder De Hoyos is in the Seventy. So anyways, English is not their 1st language and they spoke to us in English and I just felt their love and their care! It gave me a snapshot of the future and how when I go to Iloilo, I may not be fluent in Ilonggo but I know that the people will feel my love and care for them! 

[Mga kaupod (Companions)]

Wednesday - 

Had a really good lesson this day because the person I was teaching was very intrigued in what I was saying and was very thoughtful in the questions I asked him! Also, this day marked one week until my companions would leave me and go to the Philippines! I'm really going to miss them a-lot, but I'm very excited for them.

[Care package from fam. (Zoom in on the box haha!)]

Thursday -  

I started getting sick this day and I'm so upset because I really don't want to get sick! I have so much to do and I want to try my hardest, but I can't do that if I'm sick! 😟 

[Sister Veras 💖]

Overall, not much has been going on with me because I'm getting used to everything now and we have basically the same schedule everyday! But this upcoming week I'm getting new companions which should be cool. My companions are leaving this Wednesday, Sister Veras is going to Laoag and Sister Lindstrom is going to San Pablo. I can't believe how fast time has passed because right now, I am at the same moment that my companions were at when I first came! Time flies by. Anyways I hope you are all doing well. And if any of you have any questions for me, just shoot me an e-mail! 

Palangga (Love), 

Sister Ventura 😃

Send me an e-mail: 

elza.ventura@myldsmail.net 

Written letters and packages: 

Sister Elza Ventura 

Philippines Iloilo Mission 

Osmeña Street, 

Arevalo, Iloilo City, 

5000 Iloilo 

Philippines

*Some names have been changed or omitted to protect the privacy of individuals.