Philippines Iloilo Mission: May 2019

May 27, 2019

Week 70: 16 months out and still going strong!

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Maayong aga everyone!

Yup this past week I hit my 16 months out on the mission. I honestly didn't even notice or celebrate but now I realize that I got a very special treat on my 16 months being out - an Apostle of the Savior came to Philippines Iloilo Mission! It was one of the best weeks of my mission so far, and I know there are still 2 amazing months to come!

Just some highlights:

[Fun companionship, like mashed potatoes with pak-bet!]

Last Wednesday was pretty crazy. Because of our really tight schedules, we has a district CSP and exchanges with two companionships all in one day! So Wednesday in the morning when we all got ready, it really reminded me of when we were all still 4 sisters in one house because there was 6 of us getting ready haha! Anyways we headed to a highschool in the Zone Leaders area and we basically did brigada which is where students go to their schools during the summer and clean their classrooms. I was so happy to be able to help a classroom become cleaner than it was previously! The Elders did painting while the Sisters cleaned haha.

[Our companionship in a nutshell]

After we went back home and exchanged! I was companions with Sister Garcia and Sister Calibuso for the day. Sister Garcia goes home the transfer before me and Sister Calibuso was my batch arriving here to the mission. We had such an amazing day and I learned so much from them because we're all at the same stage kinda in our mission. We all just were bursting with the Spirit.

[Exchanges]

[My companions on Wednesday!]

The most spiritual experience of the day was when we went to one of Sister Loftus' and my friend who was baptized on Saturday. At this point on Wednesday she still wasn't baptized so as the sisters and I came over with hopes to share, there was a birthday party right in the house next door and so they were singing karaoke and it was sooooo hard to share with Nanay. But we didn't let that stop us, we sang a song, said a prayer and shared with Nanay what it meant for her to get baptized on Saturday. We all testified about the importance of baptism with the RIGHT authority and we promised to her a place in God's kingdom if she continues. The Spirit was so strong even though it was SO LOUD in the back and by the end of the lesson, Sister Calibuso gave her closing testimony and it had all of us in tears. I know that no matter where we are, no matter how loud it is, we can really feel the Spirit. It's more difficult than if we were in a quiet, peaceful place, but the Holy Ghost is stronger than any barrier, even a sound barrier!

[We laughed at this picture for a really long time!]

[BFF fries 😁]

Last Thursday we went back to [the city] once again to sleepover because Friday (my 16 months) we had a missionary meeting with Elder Renlund, his wife, Elder Wakolo, and his wife. WOW words can't describe the inspiration I felt and I know that each and every missionary of the Philippines Iloilo Mission felt a sense of re-motivation to give our all to the work, to save Heavenly Father's children, and to be more converted each and every day.

Last Saturday we had a baptism! In our ward we had a total of 7 people that got baptized. It was kinda nerve-wrecking at first because the baptism started at 2 and at 2 the Nanay we have been teaching still wasn't there. We were getting really nervous but after 15 minutes, she arrived and she told us that there weren't any tricycles, so she walked most of the way. I am so amazed and inspired by her faith. She lives in our furthest area and she is 75 years old, yet she didn't use that as an excuse to not come. I will never forget her example!

Yesterday, on Sunday, we had another special treat! Elder Cook, one of the presidents of the Seventy came and spoke to our stake! Wow it was amazing and unlike any stake conference i've attended. He asked all the full-time missionaries to come up, so we all stood in front of the whole stake, he thanked us for our service and he asked us to sing Called to Serve in front of everyone! It was such a cool and unique experience that I'll never forget 😊

This week was amazing and I'm so happy to be serving and represent Jesus Christ, our Savior. Palangga ko kamo!

Halong kamo pirme,

Sister Ventura

Philippines Iloilo Mission (Jan 2018 - July 2019)

Send an e-mail:

elza.ventura@missionary.org

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.

May 20, 2019

Week 69: Get your zinc up!

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Maayong udto everyone!

[3 of my comps!]

Sister Loftus and I had a good week actually! We didn't get to work too much at the beginning of the week but towards the end of the week we got busy!

Last Monday we didn't have too much of a PDAY because we had to travel to [the city] and get there before 6pm. Because of elections right now, we have an extra early curfew for our safety. Sister Loftus and I got [there] pretty early so we went out to eat for her birthday! Her early birthday meal. It was so fun basically having a sleepover with the other STL's and just catching up with them!

[Oreo cheescake! And sleepover!]

Last Tuesday was Sister Loftus' birthday! We also had MLC and I feel so blessed to have this assignment where we can gather together as leaders of the mission to better help our sisters in the zone be more obedient and more loving in our work. A recurring them President Cruz was sharing was sincerity. If how sincere we are in everything we do especially in our testimonies. Try to find deep in your heart about what you know and love about the Savior and share it!

[MLC! 😊]

[Sister Latu!]

[Sis. Gonzales! Reunited at MLC]

[Sis. Quinton! Reunited and it feels so good!]

[3/4 of batch reunited! Just missing Elder Aldridge]

After MLC we had to sleepover again because we wouldn't be able to make it to [our area] in time for 6pm curfew. So before heading to the apartment, Sister Loftus and I bought Mang Inasal and a small chocolate cake to celebrate her birthday (for real now)! It was a good night and we were well-rested to travel back the next day.

[At the end there was a mosquito trying to bite me, haha!]

Wednesday to Sunday, we had pretty good days of work! We have been teaching a lot of families which I'm really grateful for. Even though sometimes it can be really difficult because the little babies can make us distracted from the lessons, I know that parents having children in the first place is what makes them want to listen to the message of the Restored Gospel. We have such a unique message of families having the opportunity to be together forever. I didn't understand that before honestly. I didn't understand how we can really be with our families not only in this life but also in the life to come.

[Thank you to Sis. Gonzales' mom!]

[Back to our area!]

Being out here in the mission, my knowledge of this doctrine has really been strengthened and I'm so grateful that I know this so I can share with others. We all need to believe in Jesus Christ to get us started because He is truly the way we can return back to our Father in Heaven. Without our Savior we can't become as clean as we need to be to face Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's judgement seat. We need to do all we can to love our families and everyone around us to make sure were ready! We've been teaching the Plan of Salvation a lot lately and I'd like to share a scripture we frequently read with those we teach:

32 For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God;yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.

What are we doing each day to prepare ourselves? I know that as we trust in Jesus Christ and obey His commandments we will be ready for that time. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.