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Mayong aga sa inyo tanan!
[😊]
This past week was really good! I learned a lot of lessons which I hope you can connect with, or apply to your lives.
This past weeks highlights:
Monday -
[P-day activity!]
When we went out to proselyte, the people we had planned to go to just didn't work out. So while we were leaving the people we had planned, one of our investigator's called us and she asks us to come over. When we come over we see that she's been crying and she opened up to us about her problems. It's so sad to see someone, who Sister Quinton and I have grown to love so much. experience this emotional kag (and) physical pain. We automatically turned to the scriptures and shared Alma 37:37 -
37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in yoursleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
I love this verse but for some reason I was worried about how she'll react because we have only known each other for a couple weeks and most of people's first reaction if they're having problems usually isn't to turn to the scriptures. But I could tell that that was exactly what she needed. She became more calm and in our closing prayer, she applied what she had just read! I feel like you can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle struggles in life, and this sister is definitely a trooper! I hope when we have trials in life, we all automatically turn to the Lord.
Tuesday -
[7/11 ice cream is soooo good!]
[So funny - this was so random!]
Just a highlight of today was when we taught one of our investigators who we had met 2 weeks ago. We approached him while he was at the central park. Oh, he's the one I mentioned last week that texted us to make sure we were still coming over! We had such a good lesson with him. It was actually funny because last last Saturday was his birthday so last Sunday when we came over he was drunk/hungover. So this past Tuesday when we went over, he kept apologizing about Sunday and he told us how he truly wants to get rid of his vices. He is just so awesome and so humble because he's willing to give up his addictions to grow closer to the Lord! And not only that. but I think it's pretty cool because Sister Quinton and I didn't mention ANYTHING to him about having to stop his drinking. I know he just sort of knew when he saw us and he discerned that for himself. I'm excited to help him achieve his goal and help him become the person that Heavenly Father wants us to become!
Wednesday -
[💋 haha so cute! And glow sticks!]
Today was an interesting day! So last week we met a guy while he was playing basketball. We went up to him and he said "sorry I don't speak Filipine (yes he said Filipine, not Filipino, haha!)." This brother is half Lebanese and half Filipino, and he's here for his first time for vacation. It was so weird speaking English to someone that wasn't Sister Quinton! Haha, anyways he asked us what we were and we ended up teaching him. Again, it was so weird because this was my first time ever actually teaching in all English because he only understand English and Arabic. But yeah I never though I'd be doing that in the Philippines!
Thursday -
[Last district meeting of Elder Stewart!]
It was one of my district mates last district meeting EVER. After serving for 2 years, he's going back home on Tuesday. District meeting was cool because he shared some unforgettable experiences and he also showed us some techniques he uses when teaching. He draws on a whiteboard and that's something I want to start doing! It's crazy how much we learn out here in the mission. I remember Sister Quinton saying "the mission gives you like 20 years of life experiences jam-packed in like 18 months and 2 years." So true!
Friday -
[I love them!😁]
Not too much happened today, we explored a lot of our area that's been untouched for a while and hopefully the next few times we come, we'll find new investigators 😄
Saturday -
[An old friend that served in my ward back home in California!]
There was a baptism today and I just love baptisms 😄 Like honestly the sister who got baptized shared her testimony about how this is her 3rd attempt getting baptized and it finally happened! Third time's a charm, diba? She shared her testimony about how she didn't think she would ever get rid of her vices and become a member and she would even hide from the missionaries before, haha! Pero what really changed her is when her daughter gave her a pamphlet to read called the Word of Wisdom. And so she started to get an interest and wanted to change. Amazing!
Sunday -
[Titas of the Ward]
[Quezon City Mission!]
Just a highlight of today is that we experienced of the Single Adults in the ward's mission call opening! She had been praying that she would be assigned close to the temple and she is going to the Quezon City Mission! So exciting! It was nice to hear the mission call letter again because I didn't bring mine with me and it was a good reminder of my purpose and brings me back to when I first started my mission 😊
This past week was really good and the work is slowly progressing as we really discern the needs of those we teach. I know that missionary work is not easy but it's so worth it and I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve others everyday!
Hope you all are doing well, until next week! 😄
Halong kamo pirme,
Sister Ventura
Philippines Iloilo Mission (Jan 2018 - July 2019)
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Send 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.