Mission life is not perfect but truly you'll learn a lot

Last Saturday, we had a baptism of Sis. Jecel De Guzman, an 11 year-old part member. She was confirmed on Sunday. We truly witnessed her progress and how firm is her faith though she's still young. She goes to church with her nephews on their own, rain or shine, even without fare. She also has a lot of friends already in the Church. We had four investigators who came to Church last Sunday. All of them had already a great testimony as we continue to teach and strengthen them for their upcoming baptism on December. The one strives to stop his smoking though he's struggling since he's a chain-smoker, we witnessed his progressed for a day that he haven't smoked and we continue to read the Book of Mormon with him.

My new companion is Sister Racal and she's great too. I love how she showed love and care for the people we met. At first, I felt slightly thrilled in leading the area but now I know that there's nothing to be afraid of since this is God's work and we just need to rely on the Spirit.

The ward helped us in the baptism of Sis. Jecel. The fellowshipping is strong as well as the support of the auxiliaries. Some of them planned to worked with us this coming week. We're busy by the way sa Choir Practice sa ward para sa upcoming Christmas Missionary Night on Dec. 9 pati lat sa mga missionaries na choir... ako pianist.. nakakapagod so I need to take vitamins para iwas sakit but I love what I'm doing kaya during practice di ko nafefeel ang sakit sa katawan.. hehe...

We had a baptism supposed to be of Bro. Rommel De Guzman but due to his work conflict, it was postponed. We haven't met him yet since he's staying in the place where he worked. We'll strive to visit and meet him on his available time to work out his testimony as well as his willingness to sacrifice something for his spiritual salvation. We felt a bit disappointed but I felt positive that God has a right timing for him and as missionaries, we're here to help him resolve his concerns. He already has a testimony but from what happened, it's still shaky but I know someday he'll be prepared since the word has already been planted in his heart.

Mission life is not perfect but truly you'll learn a lot.

Done with her 12 weeks - new companion: Sister Racal

Tapos na ang 12 weeks..:):):):). new comp this Thursday......maglead na talaga ng totoo sa area... sa lahat lahat... basta di ko maexplain feeling ko... excited na slight takot pero fighting... hehe.... 

.Ang bait ng trainer ko iniwanan ako na may mga habilin na ibabaptize kaya kelangan ko magfind and make her proud na iaapply ko lahat ng mga natutunan from her. hehe...We met new investigators and extended baptismal invitations immediately in the first lessons. They are very receptive. One is an 11 year old part member and his brother is a young man (12 y/o). Both of them came to church yesterday and were so excited. They also attended a baptismal service last Saturday and were so excited as well for their baptism on Dec. 12. Four of our investigators attended the sacrament meeting, all in the same family. We witnessed how family support can strengthen every individual as well as in keeping their commitments. My 12 weeks of training is already done and I realized many things that I can go beyond my comfort zone with the help of my companion and by relying on the Spirit. We will have an upcoming baptism of Bro. Rommel Bolongon this Saturday. We will catch up the interview this week of Sis. Jecel De Guzman, his niece, so they will have a baptism at the same day since Sis. Jecel went to Surigao and had just arrived late in the Satuday evening. 

I will truly miss Sister Reyna. This is the first time that I will change my companion after 12 weeks since it's just 19 days in the MTC. I know I can apply all the things that I've learned from my trainer. Her great and humble examples makes me more excited to continue with willingness in this great work. I learn to love missionary work whether it's a downtime or a happy experience that we'd faced.

May choir yung ward and I played the piano.... at the same time naglead sa pagteach ng song. I hope maaccept ng conductor yung mga suggested songs ko.. parang ayaw nya eh.. we'll see this upcoming Sunday. I need to talk to her and settle this cause I can't do it alone... tsktsk... hehe,... This is for the upcoming Christmas Missionary Night... separate din yung presentation namin na missionaries/.... busy na pud,,,,hehe//.....

I'm excited for the new companion that I will be with (Sis. Racal), in leading the area as well as in finding more people that had been prepared by Heavenly Father. I know I can learn more everyday as we strive to do our best as companions. 

Missionary work truly requires love and care

By the way, I miss Bobon ward... Tell everybody ginkanta sa GEneral conference an 3 exactly the same piano piece na ato ginkanta sa choir sa stake:

-Consider the Lilies

-Have I done any good

-If the Savior Stood Beside me

Sito ginrelay ni Elder Andersen a ganahan ishare ni Prophet Monson, I heard Prophet Monson's voice mas bata bata la.... Amazing talaga.....

General Conference talks have brought me a lot of realizations and helped me to be activated again to love and enjoy while enduring well missionary work. I pondered on all of the words of the speakers and was enlightened. I'm excited to face challenges in mission that will stretched me up and be an instrument of God to "make the lives of other better". (Elder Uchtdorf)

This previous week, I've learned that when your investigator said/showed unwillingness to continue doesn't mean that you'll gonna drop them off immediately. Some of the investigators shared their feelings this way, but listening to their concerns and thinking they do not have yet the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, that's why they can feel this way; then asking them and rekindling the truth they already felt and know, turned well until they realize they do have the truth and they need to continue it. Eventually, none of them need to be dropped.

Missionary work truly requires love and care. We have an upcoming baptism this Saturday of a Primary 9 year old Part Member named Bro. Reynaldo Lusica. I've totally witnessed that though he's still young, spiritual change do happen as he keep his commitments. At first, he doesn't want to read, he hid from us when we come, he's afraid of praying and doesn't like Primary class but as the lesson goes on and his baptism is near, he gradually changes. I testify of the power of the Book of Mormon even to children. His prayer is awesome. Every time we had the lesson, it's like angels are everywhere. The Spirit is so strong. He has friends already in the Primary. We can see his potential of being a great missionary someday. He also shared to us his desire to go on a mission. 

I've learned that everything takes time. Keeping commitments truly changes. The Book of Mormon is very powerful in the conversion of an individual. I love missionary work!

The Two Recent Convert

Nakaon ak utan para healthy...hehehe.... yana nga dire gud ak makafeel na baby missionary kay nadire ak nanay maspoiled ak lalo na aram nya na nababy ak sa balay pati sa ward...and she truly helped me a lot.... sa first exchanges wara sa balay an adto sa plan so nakapagfinding kami...amazing... hehe..... haha... d ak nakaturog sa adaw para la mahimo tanan nak hirimuon..updated everyday an area book.... ... dire ak namimili foods... basta napalit ak comp pagkaon...palit lat ak... haha... pero ako nagtataba cya slim pa rin....anyari....same amount of foods la balit am ginkakaon... haha... sobra naiintindihan nira dd na dire ak nakaon spaghetti... so permi carbonara a ginluluto sa ak nanay!!! haha Meron kaming experience na nagFHE kami sa isang RC(Zarah) para magkaayos sila sa bestfriend niya na RC(Jeamaica) din. So naglesson yung companion ko - nagpabunutan ciya ng THank you, I love you and I'm sorry..Yung purpose para magsabihan ng sorry yung dalawa... dinamihan ng comp ko yung I'm sorry but unfortunately kami yung mga nakakuha nun... neither of them get one.... haha.... So that night d pa cla masyado magkaayos pero at least sa prayer ni Jeamaica nagthank you cya kay Zarah na nakaatend cya ng FHE>..hhehe.... Sana magkasundo na talaga sila... :):):) Today ika6th week na ng training ko!!! Halfway!!! Ika16th day na rin ng aming 21 day promise wherein we will pray fervently sa 21 names to see the miracle and change that will happen to the... Hinay hinay I can see the miracle in them and even to us!! :):):):)

Transfer week ngayon... Wala pa naman matransfer samin.... Full trainer ko dito yung nanay ko and I'm excited to learn more.... My 1st experience in exchanges is great! Leading the area is somewhat hard but as we rely on the Spirit, everything seems lighter. What I need to work out right now is on building relationship of trust to every people we met. Six weeks of training is so fast and I've learned a lot everyday. Everything is truly healed by just singing hymns and reading the scriptures so paggagawin to ng isang tao... he/she will truly never give up and love missionary work even more!...

Some of her MTC pictures (late upload)

Overcoming Weaknesses in Finding

This week na nagagi is great!! I learned to overcome my weakness sa Finding. :):):) I'm going out of my comfort zone. But still not fully but at least gradually.

I learned that desire plus willingness leads to a true faith in Jesus Christ. Kaniadto desire palang then dili ko siya mabuhat kay naulaw pa jud ko pero I realize that I need to be willing para maovercome ko ak mga weaknesses. 

I'm on my 6th week sa training. This Sept. 22 will be our exchanges and I'm going to lead "all" the discussions. Gustong-gusto ko maging madaldal cause I'm not yet lalo na sa language challenge but I'm still not giving up. I love missionary work! We have an upcoming baptism this Saturday sa usa ka Part Member YM na 12 y/o pero mala Primary pa rin... hehe... This is what I consider as my 1st baptism,....Yung una kasi 2 teachings nalang before his baptism... hehe... Permi kami nagchochoir by the way...hehe... I miss Bobon Choir!! Paregards sa tanan/...!!!! Annyeong!!!  feel ko dd ak 1st pasko sak 1st area...hehe.....

A strong SIster Missionary despite of her trials back home!

Dear Family,

I love you all! I know already what happened to Tatay. Of course, that hurts me a lot...lalo na I always remember him nowadays since I'm teaching hymn songs in the ukulele to one of the YW here in Andaya ward. But after I poured out my feelings, I'm amazed how I felt loved and had been comforted by the Spirit, that Tatay is happy now. He's proud of me and I can truly feel it. I felt like he's nearer now. I know the value of the Plan of Salvation and everything turns into motivation to make me do more of what I can to love God's children and help them feel that Heavenly Father will never forsake us whoever we are.

 I've seen many this week that cheered me up!! We have a mission tour where Elder and Sis. Haynie gave a talk that inspired me a lot. Nakita ko lahat ng mgakabatch ko, si Tupe!!! He never changed. He's still the smart and humble Tupe....Si Elder Balmores yung kaward ko sa MYSA....Sa Stake Conference, I've seen Bro. Nicko Abuyog with his wife. Doon na sila nakatira sa Butuan 3rd - Bayugan Ward... 

By the way,pasabi kay Ate Mel that I already met the Fortun family sa stake con nmin. Ibang ward sila. They have a wonderful family. 4 of their children have gone on a mission and one is preparing and naassign sa Cauayan Mission. Paregards daw kay Sis. Madronio.!! :) :) 5 of our investigators attended the stakecon.... The Choir is also great lalo na yung Savior Redeemer of my soul. It was accompanied by a violin....Amazing

I'm learning a lot from my companion. She's so smart and has lots of wisdom. She's truly beautiful inside and out. :):)

I'm struggling with talking but I know a little improvement is better than none. "Awkward daw ako mkipagusap.." hehe,...I truly admit it but these weakness,I truly want to overcome it and I know in God's pace I can gradually turn these into strength - I just need to strive to work it out.

BTW, overweight daw ako... haha.. I'm not eating a lot now but still I'm eating well... That's different... hehe... Alagang alaga ako ng nanay ko..

As of now, I don't want to think of dieting since it doesn't affect my strength in doing missionary work instead because of my condition now, di ako agad napapagod sa init --- I'm more active in reading book and studying well.. I don't know basta darating yung time na kelangan ko na talaga magpapayat - but not now....hihi

I love you all!!! Saranghae Eomma, Abeoji,Oppa and Unnies.... Tell Nanay I'm okay...I love her so much... Tatay is in good condition now..... XOXOXOXOXO

P.S. MA, salamat sa pagwork out sak indexing I LOVE YOU....I shared to Elder Haynie that I love working out my family history and he termed me as a hero...:) :):) 

Tell everyone I love you all...Hug Nanay for me!!

Butuan West Zone--Andaya Ward--Sister Reyna

Our Missionary with her First Companion Sister Reyna

Andaya Ward- Butuan West Zone

Condolence po sa Golondrina family... nkakamiss si papa pidoy pero tama he's now in good condition.... Namiss ko lat kam!!! I'm gonna do my best to be a representative of Jesus Christ.... I have a great trainer!! I can see the Christlike attributes in her., she’s truly training me to be one who truly act as Christ's representative in His vineyard. In just 4 days of working here in the field, I've experienced a lot - everyday seems different. There's no routinary feeling. I witnessed ups and downs to people I've met. I'm challenged sa OYM - I'm still not the one who leads in the discussions and my companion gradually prepares me to do it. I'm excited but slightly feeling thrilled but I know if I will rely on the Spirit, everything will just come out as what the Lord wants them to be.

While working under the sun, I'm expecting na manghihina ako since I just came out from the MTC na laging aircon but it's the opposite. Everything's fine. I testify that when you are truly called of God, just trust Him and everything will be fine. :) 

By the way, Ako dito ang pinakamalapit sa mission office na area.. kabahay ko mga stl....nakakaamaze yung trainer ko!!! Maganda cya inside and out sobrang humble and sobrang ideal na missionary!! Gusto ko maging kagaya nya.... pagdating ko palang sa area namin 1 hr na tulog then work agad...malapit lang kasi ako....Andaya Ward. Butuan West zone. In my 4 days sa pagwork lisod jud ang linggwahe nagtatagalog ako minsan... haha..OYM talaga ang challenge and I hope makaya ko na to next week... iba pala yung experience na puno yung planner at schedule nakakaamaze....hehe...Key indicators balancing talaga yung goal ...... by the way, 1st sunday ko dito speaker agad tsaka pianist...haha... kaya hinaluan ko nalang ng testimony.... :) :) I'm learning to love the people here... rc/la/investigators...I can see them equally as children of God..... Love you!!!!

Akong trainer si Sis. Reyna from Dasma Cavite!! :) kilala nya cla ate Princess

Amazing  yung mga experiences ko dire.... I learned to recognize more the Spirit.... everytime we teach, I tried to listen to the Spirit, to our investigator and to my companion.... I learned to love more my companion in everything we do...... My favorite quote is "If you lower your expectation, your effectiveness will decrease". So dili dapat mafrustrate ko pagadto na ak sa field.... Namemeet ko dd an iba na waray then they call me WARAY.... tapos nagwawaray na kami... haha..... basta sobra spiritual sa mga experiences ko dd.... Lalo na with my District... kadamo I mean daghan among nahihibaluan dire..... I'm trying to be like Jesus in many ways..... and we always sing hymns or songs in Children songbook before we sleep..I love our roommates mga Samoan.... And Sis. Leu gave me a hymnbook na small as a gift.... grabe!!!!! Kaenjoy maging fulltime missionary!!!!! kaghuhumble sa am mga teachers!! They always told us na magtapod sa am sarili kay kami kun a ginset apart... sira tapos na..... The best talaga sira!!!!

Eomma, Appa, Oppa, Unnies, Saranghaeyo!!!! Gomawoyo for everything!!!!!!!... Jeongmal kamsahamnida!!!!! Nan shinanda (I'm excited) guerigo we're heading to the field next week by wednesday!!!!! My last 6 days in MTC!!!!! We're like soldiers ready to begin in the battlefield!!! Fighting!! Aja!!!!!!!!!

Sister Cornillez left last July 27 and entered the Manila MTC on July 28

Sister Cornillez

She will serve in Philippines Butuan Mission and enter the Philippine MTC on July 28,2017