Maayong Hapon!
Yes, I'm transferring. I'm kind of shocked but also excited! It was a cool 4 months [in my first area] and I'm grateful for the members and investigators I was privileged and blessed to meet and teach. Salamat gid!
Monday -
[Happy birthday kay nanay 😊]
After e-mailing we went to a birthday celebration sang isk ka lola sa ward (one grandma at the ward). It was so cute, she dressed up in red and everything! In Philippines culture, wearing red on your birthday as well as others birthday is considered good luck! We ate tinola and chicken curry. Namit gid!
Tuesday -
One of the members of our ward told us that one of her college mates is interested in learning about our beliefs. I think it's amazing how perfectly that worked out because that's exactly what we as missionaries do! It was awesome tungod her friend also brought another friend because he was also curious about our religion. Even though it was only our first lesson with them, I felt the Spirit so strongly and I know it was because they were receptive of what we were testifying to them. Maskin (Even though) they come from different religious backgrounds, they shared with Sister Reyes and I that they were grateful about what we shared and how families can be together forever, through the gospel of Jesus Christ!Wednesday -
[After having dinner]
We taught the 3 kids once again! We're slowly getting their attention more and more each time we have gone sa balay nila (to their home). I'm still getting used to teaching them very simply but I know that it is all a process in which the kids are learning from me and I'm learning from the kids! After, we went to a members house because they offered a goodbye dinner for Sister Reyes. They made her favorite dish (aka my favorite dish too)... Sinigang (sour soup)!
Thursday -
[Waiting for District Meeting]
[Our district 😊]
We had district meeting today and since it was Sister Reyes' last one ever, they asked both of us to teach the lesson. We taught the lesson on the Plan of Salvation. I love the Plan of Salvation because it answers three questions we tend to have - kon diin kita halin (where did we come from), ano ang katuyuan naton 'di sa kalibutan (basically why are we here), kag kon diin kita magkadto pagkatapos sa kamatayon (where are we going after we die)? Sister Reyes and I focused on how the Plan of Salvation is centered on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Kabalo ako nga (I know that) it is through Jesus Christ and His everlasting love para sa aton (for us) that we have this amazing knowledge parte sa kaligtasan naton (about our salvation). I know that before, especially when I was growing up, I used to wonder about what life is all about and why I'm here, but Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have made it know unto us! Each day on my mission, I feel my testimony growing of how Heavenly Father has a perfect plan for us so that we can return to live with Him sa ulihi! Here's a video that quickly summarizes the Plan of Salvation:
Friday -
[Exchanges! 😊]
Went on exchanges with the Sister Training Leaders (STL's). Sister Reyes stayed [in our area] and I went to a city...close to Iloilo. I had a really good time meeting other investigators and members in the other area. They were all so sweet and kept feeding us😆 haha.
Saturday -
[Our last pic together ðŸ˜]
[Cuties!]
SISTER REYES LAST DAY. We took her to the [bus] Terminal and waited for her to leave. Agh I honestly cried, well actually we both cried, haha! After she left nag-upod ako sa (I remained with the) other sisters serving [in the neighboring area] si Sister Abubo kag Sister Sumiran. I was in a trio again - just like the Provo MTC days! It was cool to be able to teach with them and also go to the investigators in their area 😄
Sunday -
[Brother Logan and his parents came to visit.
He served here in my area last year!]
[Trio-companionship since Sister Reyes left]
Sunday is always great because I'm able to partake of the Sacrament! Sister Sumiran, Sister Abubo and I were also able to teach once again in both of our areas. We mainly focused on those who are less-active. I always love visiting less-actives and hearing their stories about the time of their conversion. It makes me excited to help them become active again so they can once again feel the blessings of the gospel in their lives that they have previously experienced.
That's it for my week! Once again, salamat gid for my first area😄
Halong kamo pirme,
Sister Ventura
Philippines Iloilo Mission (Jan 2018 - July 2019)
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*Some names have been changed or omitted to protect the privacy of individuals.
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.