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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)
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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.