Maayong hapon family and friends!!
[SOOOO CUTE]
This past week still rained alot but there were more sunny days than usual. It's starting to get so hot liwat (again) and yeah I don't understand the weather. It kind of reminds me of Hawaii because out of no where it can rain like so hard!
Anyways, here are some highlights sang week ko!
[IT'S FINALLY HERE HAHA]
Tuesday -
We visited an older couple (they're both 70+ years old) who were recently baptized a couple months ago. We haven't been able to visit them since my first week [in this area] because it floods like crazy lapit sa balay nila (near their home). And also every time we go, they're not there! Pero this day was the perfect day to visit them because they were both there and it wasn't raining - blessing! So anyways because it has been raining sobrang kabaskog (so strong), they also haven't been able to go to church. 😟 However, this day we had such a spiritual lesson and found out all the trials they're going through right now. It's honestly so heart-breaking how strong their faith is and how they have these type of trials. Pero at the same time, I know that they have these heavy trials in their life BECAUSE of how strong their faith is. They never forget to pray and read and they are just so humble about all the blessings they have, although it isn't much. They are really an amazing example to me!
[He's a little hipster and an artist!]
Wednesday -
We went to a funeral viewing of one member who had recently passed away. It was the 2nd funeral I've ever attended and so I didn't really know what to expect but one thing I did notice is how none of his family members cried, not even his wife! I know that wa'ay sila naghibi (they didn't cry) because they have the knowledge that through the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, we can be with our families together FOREVER. Tungod they know that they will see him again, I know that they were comforted through the Holy Ghost. And here's a video I'd like to share related sa sining nga topic:
Thursday -
Had such an awesome district meeting today! The Zone Leaders came to our district and shared about how the Atonement applies to the challenges we have in the mission and not only the challenges of our investigators. The mission, like I say, isn't always easy, pero I know that we feel this way because this is the way Jesus Christ felt. As I wear Jesus Christ's name on my nametag and represent Him each day, I strive to become more like Him, and becoming like Him isn't easy, it honestly gets harder but it's so much more worth it because at the end of trials I really feel the happiest that I can be. It's sort of hard to describe, the feeling is unexplainable! Pero yeah, it was a spiritual experience 😊
Friday -
[THAT'S A LOT OF SPAGHETTI]
Just a highlight of today was that a member fed us for dinner and I was surprised at how much food there was, it was like a fiesta pero it was actually only dinner! Haha, I'm really starting to get addicted to Siomai!
Saturday -
[Before the Baptism!😊]
It was actually another day of non-stop eating, there is so much food here, I feel myself starting to gain a bit, haha! But anyways, today was a good day, we had a Baptism! She's 9 years old and is the niece of one of the members in our ward. Here at our ward we have one new missionary who barely entered the field so we had him baptize her as his first time. And since it was his first time, he performed the ordinance FOUR TIMES! It was crazy but that just shows how important it is nga we are baptized as Jesus Christ was - and that is that we are baptized by immersed completely into the water (not even a hair can come out of the water) by one who has Priesthood Authority.
[Haha interesting part snack 😝]
Sunday -
The Sabbath Day 😊 We went extra early to church so that we can shake the hands of all the members and investigators as they walked into the chapel. There are so many members here so it was a good opportunity to get to know people more!
Monday (before e-mailing) -
[Cook fest! Does something seem wrong in the 2nd picture?😝]
[The Zone Leaders called this American/Filipino fusion.
A+ for presentation! haha]
We had Zone Activity today and we had a cook fest! After we played basketball (I lowkey suck now pero people are so kind enough to tell me I play well, haha)! After we went to the mission office because we had to get our flu shot. While I was there I got a small package from Sister Reyes filled with cookies! Haha, I miss you Sister Reyes, thanks for thinking of me!
[I received only one cookie 😩 joke lang!
I just couldn't wait for a picture and ate it all]
[Thank you President kag (and) Sister Cruz for taking our District home!]
That's it for my week, until next week again!
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.