Christmas video call with her and her companion

This has been a successful week for exchanges among Surigao Sisters and an opportunity as well for me and Sister Macaorog to see the weak points we have in our work in the past few weeks because of unexpected happenings so we could be able to rise from it. Last Tuesday, I and Sister Otadoy conducted surprise apartment and 72-hr kit check on Surigao Zone missionaries. Just a few had not completed their 72 hr kit usually those who are already longer on missions, but to the new ones, theirs are completely replenished. We witnessed that some have more supplies that they can share to others who lacked some in their apartments. Overall, the leaders are under control whenever there are problems in their zone. 

Last Wednesday, I and Sister Daen were companions and I've noticed that truly the members are now coordinating with the missionaries even the branch president in Taft Branch in hastening the work as we visited some areas not known before by the previous missionaries. I evaluated her to have the courage to talk with everyone and to open her mouth to anyone she met. This, too, has been her goal for last week as she shared to me that she wanted to have courage in speaking since she's not that challenged because most of the time Sister Dingcong do the talking in OYMs yet she's very good already in her teaching skills that their companionship as I've observed somewhat had been balanced. So, I challenged Sister Daen to have practice teaching as well always with Sister Dingcong in their companionship study not only to help her companion but also to help her in overcoming her weakness.

Last Thursday was the exchanges in Washington. I and Sister Ybiernas were companions and I've observed that she's still in the process of adjustment after her training. She's already good in starting to lead their area as well as in teaching and I also witnessed her progress in opening her mouth and considering people not just stats in OYM but souls who are opportunities to be taught after conversing with them by writing down their names and knowing their address. I witnessed her great example in it that others should also look at it as well in doing OYMs. I just evaluated her in using more their area book and weekly plan as an important tool in their daily proselyting. They should update it as a reminder again to show that they love the people they're teaching. She needs to improve more her teaching skills and we informed Sister Manquiquis to have practice teaching in their studies.

The last companions we conducted exchanges were the Surigao 2nd with me and Sister Padillo as companions. We had a wonderful work as we witnessed that even if their areas are so far yet it is so productive that we found potential souls even families to receive the gospel. Their transfer on their new apartment now is much better since their areas are nearer than the previous apartment they've stayed with other sisters. This can maximize more their time and even budget their money wisely. As we talked about the wonderful work we had in both companionship through splits, we observed President that there is a need to add more sister missionaries in their area to take care of the families we found and we know there are more potential souls who are longing to receive the gospel but due to lesser workforce some might be left behind and worst, could be forgotten if not taken care of. We asked them regarding the fellow shipping and leadership matters of their Branch and they told us that they don't have that strong fellow shipping and they have somewhat not that active leaders in magnifying their callings but as we met their branch president and his family, they're so kind and showed great examples among their neighbors as we met their neighbors as well that their family could be the start of making the missionary work active through fellow shipping and in leadership as well and in consistent basis this could lead to a stronger influence to other members.

On the next day after our exchanges, we had a successful Half-Day Mission as well in Bad as and Placer areas together with Bacuag District missionaries and branch missionaries in Placer District with us, STLs and ZLs. As we have our evaluation afterwards, the branch missionaries are motivated to exert more effort in doing missionary work and coordinating with their full-time missionaries in their areas. Most of those that shared wonderful experiences were the Relief Societies that they become more eager in ministering and strengthening their branches. We left the responsibility now to the full-time missionaries in Bad as and Placer to take care of those that had been found and we will follow up on their return appointments for this week. The branch missionaries now in Bad as are very excited to do missionary work in their areas since they have the most number of branch missionaries who attended from the activity.

Alyssa Gallentes as well, 9 year-old, part member had a successful baptism last Saturday with the support of her families and the members in Alegria Branch. She's now happy that she's a member of the Church, an official one, as she attended the Primary class with her cousins. 

Companion:
With less than 2 days we worked as companions with me and Sister Macaorog because of the busy schedule we had as their STLs, we focused on the potential people we had in the previous weeks and find more potential souls even family who are neighbors of members in the Church. We found the Pano family and we will work out their progress by having return appointment to them. We continuously strengthen our companionship by setting productive goals and having more persistence in finding the scattered Israel whom the Lord has prepared in this season since we are back again to planting stage as those that had been nourished are already harvested. We'll strive to not only plant but gather more of the scattered Israel so that harvesting will be continuous someday for future missionaries who will be assigned in this area.

Branch:
Though busy schedules are upcoming due to Christmas season, members never left behind ministering and coordinating with us, missionaries, in strengthening their ministering efforts as well. Though the referrals they gave in the past few weeks are not that progressing, we continuously give them hopes and courage to not give up since Christmas vacation has come and their busy schedules will now be lessened. We continuously support their cause to strengthen the converts, ministering unto the less active not leaving behind finding potentials souls to receive the gospel.

Personal Message:
President, as we experienced the busy schedule we just had. It has been an advantage to us for this cycle that we have separate companionship with me and Sister Otadoy that as we leave our areas, it has not been left behind as Sister Macaorog and Sister Sanoy planned to visit our areas by planning equally for the week. Thank you for the motivation again from the message for this week as I am inspired to be like the missionaries you just shared to us. Truly, there is no bad or lucky areas. There are just disobedient missionaries and I know that right missionaries can truly make a difference to the areas where they've been assigned.

Thank you so much President for your support. We love you and your family!


Love,

Sister Cornillez 

We truly had a very busy week last week. On Tuesday afternoon, Sis. Sanoy experienced pain which was diagnosed as UTI. I'm the one who monitored her that's why Sis. Otadoy and Sis. Macaorog were companions that time and they planned to visit a part of our area and theirs afterward. I am truly inspired of the MLC last Wednesday which motivates me to truly realize what a leader should do and feel. The inspirations I got are those I immediately apply when we follow up the sisters under our scope. I saw each of them having potentials and will-be leaders someday and this helps me ponder how could we as their leaders help them clearly see in themselves their full potentials. Placer Zone is truly changing (from the feedback of the missionaries themselves) and has been improving not only of the output in baptisms but also in missionary obedience and commitment. I'll strive as well to be part of its great progress as the District goal into a Stake. In 2 days, while I am assisting Sister Sanoy in her check up, I witnessed her optimism and willingness to finish her 18 months with no regret since she, herself is trying to overcome her weaknesses. It feels like we've got 2-day exchanges but still focused on doing missionary work as our minds ponder on the inspired revelations from the changes in mission while I motivated her to do her very best being exactly obedient with no reservations for herself and truly miracles will happen. I am motivated as well to do my very best and enjoy while enduring well in this sacred opportunity not counting of the days left.

With the remaining days of the week, we strive to focus first on the potential souls and Sis. Alyssa has been successfully interviewed and her baptismal date will be 15th of December. We'll follow up on the other souls since they haven't come to Church last Sunday by visiting them this week. Our missionary fireside has been successful last Sunday in coordination with all the branch missionaries of Placer District who are truly potential and will be great missionaries and leaders someday. Full time missionaries involved are from Bacuag District and ZLs and STLs of Placer Zone. We're excited for the actual application of what we've learned last Sunday for this coming Saturday of our Half-Day Mission in Placer and Bad-as Branch.

Companion:
We enjoyed each other's company with Sister Macaorog as we goal to recover this week from last week's low performance due to unexpected situations. She's very supportive of the decisions we planned to do since we will be busy for this week and the upcoming weeks due to the assigned duties we need to do. I trust her in doing missionary work as I've witnessed her diligence and commitment in strengthening God's children in the area we are entrusted. 

Branch:
Members particularly Sis. Saure, a Relief Society in Alegria Branch, are very willing to coordinate in this wonderful work as she asked us why we've been busy in the past few days since she, herself is the one that visited her referrals to us. We will truly follow up and visit those because as we observed they are truly potentials. It's just that opposition truly comes due to opposition in their works and schools but as we visited them, they are very willing to be part of God's fold in the true Church. Many of them continuously do ministering as part of their 25 days challenge and many shared even the recent converts how they enjoyed doing missionary work in ministering way. 

I love you!!!!

Love,

Sister Cornillez

We just had a wonderful week where we found not only potential souls but potential families that will receive the everlasting gospel to change their lives based on their circumstances. The three souls who came last District Conference were Alyssa Gallentes, who's going to be baptized this coming Saturday as we finish her lessons this week, she's a part member Primary who has a great support in her family who is as well converts of the Church. Sister Abegail, is a bestfriend as well of one of the primaries who witnessed the good example of her friend that's why she wanted to come to Church continuously as well. We'll strive to meet her family as well for her to be strengthened as she grow in the Church. On the other hand, we're so amazed by one of the referrals of an RM YSA who just came home from mission. Sister Lea Caumpay felt the Spirit and enjoyed the Sunday services during the District Conference as she attended even the afternoon session. She's amazed with the good example of her RM friend and desired to know more of the gospel. We already met her siblings who are also potential to make sacred covenants. We'll strive to come back to the new people we've met last week for them to realize how important is the gospel to their lives.

As we have our follow ups last night among the Surigao Sisters, they are truly making a big difference in strengthening their respective branches where they are assigned. Everyone seems so diligent and cooperative with their leaders. No area has been barren and everyone have potential souls to progress.

Companion:
I witnessed how diligent and obedient Sister Macaorog is. Even she's already 3 cycles in the area, I always feel like we're new in the environment we are proselyting as we find those scattered Israel to be gathered in this season. She shared to me how excited she is in finding new people since she trusted me as her companion. I felt happy how she rely on the Spirit everytime we teach. Her jolliness is contagious as we minister unto God's children and help to build their spirituality even to those who haven't received yet the gospel to feel that what we teach is truly nonthreatening. I'm amazed as well by her courageousness in extending baptismal dates as prompted by the Spirit. 

Branch:
The branch members truly set good examples to their neighbors as the leaders shared last District Conference that this is one of the most powerful tool in inviting people to accept the gospel into their homes. We are not only relying on referrals given by members. As we find and tract, we witnessed how people respected the members of the Church even us, missionaries, because of the great example shown by every member as well to their community. I'm looking forward in coordinating with the branch leaders and branch missionaries here as they make missionary work a living matter in the Church through activities implemented to elevate as well the desires of every branch missionaries to coordinate in hastening God's work.

Personal Message:
I am again inspired and renewed from the talks of Last District Conference speakers as I am motivated to be part in preparing people for the said revelation by our living prophet in the coming of the Savior. Gihigugma ko kamo....Malapit na ang pasko!!!!

Love,
Sister Cornillez

After all the tribulations if a person truly endure it well, come the blessings. I'm so blessed to be assigned in this wonderful and consecrated area in Alegria Branch. Now, we are still on the process of planting after all that has been harvested in the previous weeks and I'm amazed how strong the converts are. We have a part member primary whose baptismal date is supposed to be this coming Saturday but as we observed, she needs more time to understand and remember the lesson but she has a great support from her family in coming to Church. Sister Jaynel Dalud, 12 years old, was baptized last Saturday and we saw her great potential since she's so smart as she passed the prebaptismal interview questions. We're looking forward for the progress of the other potential souls we've found and has been referred to us. Trials just come to them that's why they haven't come to Church last Sunday but they already prepared themselves. We will continuously help them be nourished with God's word through the Book of Mormon for them to have a pure testimony of the restored truth.

On the other hand, as we started to follow up the sisters in Surigao and Placer Zone, Bad as Sisters(Sis. Peralta and Sis. Pocong) are doing well that they truly are so diligent and finally they're blessed from their efforts to have 5 progressing souls. Surigao 2nd(Sis. Padillo and Sis. Gasmena) focused more on ministering yet they finally have 1 progressing soul who is truly potential and smart in scripture since I met him when I was still in Surigao. Washington Sisters(Sis. Manquiquis and Sis. Ybiernas) are doing pretty well with their work as they discern the progress of their 2 progressing people to be baptized at the right time. Taft Sisters(Sis. Daen and Sis. Dingcong) are recovering from 2 weeks no work because of Sis. Dingcong's health and as I've observed despite of Sis. Dingcong's condition last Sunday, with Sis. Daen's help, she is trying her best to become a blessing not only to her companion but also to the branch. I pray that it will be consistent and her health will progress and she can fight her weaknesses.

Companion:
Sister Macaorog welcomed me with a sweet spirit and diligent conviction in leading the area. She truly is so humble and I'm amazed with her courage and increased faith as she experienced two companions who are a few weeks home-bound already yet I never felt her decreasing effectiveness because of it. She truly can train a missionary already as I observed with her willingness to work and amazing skills in teaching. I never felt that I'm 2 cycles left and I won't let her feel it. I missed doing missionary work and now my prayers are answered. Her countenance outshines her desire to truly become a Christlike missionary.

Branch:
The branch gave me a warm welcome as I met every member of the Church. Our Branch Mission Leader had just been released and no one has been called yet that's why we don't have an MCM. But still, everyone are excited to give referrals. The RMs here are so active in coordinating with us in missionary work plans and activities. We just had a meeting last Sunday with Bro. Dolorfino together with DL, ZLs and STLs regarding the upcoming activities proposed to strengthen the whole Placer District. A missionary fireside will be held on Dec. 9 to strengthen members and missionaries to become more effective and efficient gospel teachers and on the next week by Dec. 15, we are going to have a member missionary District finding in Placer and Bad as to strengthen the other branches of Placer District. Everything has been settled and planned during the meeting.


Love,

Sister Cornillez  

We have a very challenging week and a week of resolution as well. As we struggled from our work, companionship and training, after much tribulations comes the blessings truly. Before the zone conference, everything has been settled as we strive to seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost and recognize the tender mercies of Christ despite of our weaknesses. We've met more potential people to be nourished and taught as well as families who are less active for a long time and they haven't realized that they are still members of the Church since they have changed religion. We ministered unto them and lifted them up with the message of happiness and we saw potential families to be nourished as we include them in our prayers and we planned to come back to them most of the days in a week. There are potential part members particularly the parents of the less active who softened their hearts as we shared them that families can be together forever. We came back as well to the Badjao Community and we planned to teach them how to read as well as to conduct English class as we saw potential people to receive the gospel in their lives. We discovered that they are open to other religion since some of them already has different religions such as Baptist, Born Again and etc. Our progressing person taught last week has not come to Church due to family problem but he said he'll come again next Sunday. 

Companionship:

Sister Dingcong is progressing thoroughly as she applied the things she'd learned during the zone conference. I saw her diligence and she's not anymore that sickly as I observe her condition not to be exhausted in everything that we do. We always discussed the learning we have during the zone conference as well as the breakthrough we will discover in our companionship and in our work during our companionship study. She's truly humble enough to accept improvement and motivations to go beyond the extra mile and discover her full potential gradually as a daughter of God.

Branch:

We're grateful to meet all the Branch Missionaries last Sunday and we felt gradually that we are earning their trust as we visit one by one, their families and residences and we witnessed their increased desire to share the gospel by applying it first to their lives. 

Personal Message:

 I prayed to Heavenly Father and repented of my shortcomings as well as the lacking faith I have every time I undergo depression. I always kept in mind that it will never happen again. I saw great potentials of my companion as we ministered individually to every member here in Taft Branch that she can manage already the depression she has sometimes undergone. She's so humble enough to seek for the guidance of the Spirit. 

Love,

Sister Cornillez

These week has lots of challenges but despite of everything, our week ends happily and give us more self-realization. Finally, we have a progressing person who was referred to us by Comon Family. Bro. Carlos Ruaza (16) is a boyfriend of the daughter of Sis. Comon, Sis. Dorima Joy who was a less-active for 2 years yet the Spirit prompted her to come back to church as she shared her experience to us last Sunday. Bro. Ruaza is a bit shy during our first teaching with him and he still struggled to pray, but we know that he can overcome it as Sis. Dorima is a great example to her. We warned them as well about the eternal perspective they need to have for them someday to enter the temple. On the other hand, we have another referral who is very receptive and potential yet we will work out first their marriage with the son of Sis. Salino who is now inactive(his husband). Sis. Angelica Flores has so much trials in her life even from her immediate family that the gospel truly touches her heart to have great hopes that someday they can build an eternal family and that her husband will truly change. I'm so happy that I learned the word patience - the true meaning of it - as I prayed and talk to Heavenly Father how to handle situations which is beyond my control. Regarding the Badjao Community by the way, we have not yet come back to their village yet we will strive to go back this week but we continuously greet and minister to some of them whom we meet in the streets every time we go out. They are those who truly lack temporally yet were humble enough to receive the gospel in their lives.

Gradually, we are meeting and visiting almost all the members of Taft Branch which they requested for us to do, even meeting the less active ones. They are very humble and kind, their weaknesses is just common to any of the members of the Church who truly is an opposition which truly is inevitable. My negative expectation of the area and the branch has been gone as we ministered unto God's children in this recovering branch. 

Sister Dingcong is in her 10th week of training. She's humble and kind. We have some struggles in her training and in our work as she struggled to apply the things she's learning. I always remind her of what faith in Jesus Christ can do to help us overcome everything even our doubts and fears. She just needs to be more diligent in studying as she consider her health as a hindrance. I applied a different strategy in training her than I used to since she has some innate behavior which I truly can't control. I don't want to pressure her yet I want to let her feel that missionary work is God's work and not ours. So we need to respect God's time and make use more wisely of his resources. Instead of telling her to do this and that, which she felt sometimes I think one of the reasons that depressed her of having lots of things to do - I don't want truly to spoon feed her - I received an inspired revelation as I plead with Heavenly Father and we made a different training which is not centered on apartment's study but more on application which is proselyting in the morning and afternoon, which turned out to make her feel satisfied and happy. Since she's used to work always in the afternoon and her training was in the morning before. Most of the time, I always let her lead in the planning and the time that we will go out. Again, instead of being a talker - I lead by example to her and let her use her agency if she'll gonna follow what I do - as the Spirit prompts her to do which is my continuous reminder to her to "Hearken always to the Spirit". That means not only hearing nor listening but listening at the same time obeying. Everything turned out well President.

We already have a gospel essential class and we finally determine who the Branch Missionaries are and we're so grateful that they set time to work with us in their available schedules. We are now closed to the Branch Leaders as we visit them and minister unto them into their homes lifting them up to look on the brighter side of every member of the Church.

 I am learning a lot. Sorry for the weaknesses that I have, and my heart and mind is determined not to go back to that depression again as I strive to have a meaningful prayer and scripture study everyday. I learned many things of respecting other's agency and thinking about their welfare and not insisting on what I wanted to happen, yet being just here, ready to facilitate if they needed help. We are now happy in our new apartment which is much better than the previous one. Everything is turning out well. Though I'm not an STL here, I continuously apply what I've learned before. I learned that leadership is truly not telling people to do this and that but a more effective way is to teach by example to them. Respecting their agency is the highlight yet continuous reminder is a sign as well of showing your care and love to them.

I love you all!!!!!

Love,

Sister Cornillez

We experienced ups and downs last week where that includes again health issues but after all the trials and tribulations, blessings truly come. We explore a new area where we met more of the less active in Taft Branch. We met as well new people unexpectedly as we are prompted by the Spirit to enter a village where there lived the Badjao Community. They truly have different language yet they understand Bisaya. It has been a great exciting challenge for both of us as well as to Sis. Dingcong on her training to experience a new and spiritual even memorable challenge. Everyone welcomed us and we felt like VIPs as they showed their hospitality unto us. We felt that this experience is truly hastening the Lord's work to teach repentance to all of God's children even from this people whom has been deprived of earthly treasures. We explained to them why we're there and our purpose is not for temporal needs that we can provide but much more than that - it is their spiritual needs and nourishment to know Christ since they have an independent religion where they also believed in Christ other than the religions I've heard before. They all listened well and everyone wanted to have the pamphlets yet we lack supply so we promised to come back next time. We invited them to come to Church and we're happy to hear that one of them has already had an experience in coming to Church - Jolispa (a young woman) - more knowledgeable among them showed enthusiasm in sharing her experiences. We'll pray for this community since I saw in them the termed more humbled people because of their lack in worldly wealth yet poor in spirit in accepting the gospel of Christ.

On the other hand, as we minister more and discover more of the members who are in the Member's List, we found less active who just got less interested in coming back to Church yet have great testimonies of the gospel. Despite of our trials of having less time to go out more since Sis. Dingcong always experienced unexpected health failures, we prayed more so that God's children will feel His extended arms among them the time that we reactivated their spirits in renewing the covenants they've made. Six of the less active came to Church last Sunday and we are very much joyful of their presence even the members that some of them showed desire to coordinate in missionary work. We receive one potential referral as well who is a very humble woman and we're gonna help her progress towards receiving the gospel of Christ by setting a fixed appointment on her schedules despite of her being busy in work. She gladly accepted it. Many of the members we met last Sunday wanted us to visit them as they shared that they have family members who are not coming back yet and some are not yet members. We're blessed to gain the trust among the members in this wonderful Taft Branch.

Sister Dingcong is now on her 9th week of training. We're striving to catch up particularly on the lessons she still needs to practice since we sometimes had less time for her training due to the time we're busy finding apartments as well as from the unexpected health failure she has. I'll strive to help her in her condition that she will not as well be deprived of her health. She truly has a desire to increase her learning and she's humble enough to learn from those things by having goals yet not running faster than she she has strength as she requested from me. We'll strive to be united with the Spirit as well.

We still don't have a Missionary Coordination Meeting since our Branch Mission Leader is still busy with their meetings for the upcoming FSY. Most of the Relief Society members are helping us with missionary work through referrals and appointments to coordinate with them in ministering.

I'll truly strive to become a good example to Sister Dingcong and these past few days I'm blessed that my health is active and well as I minister to those of the sisters here who are experiencing health failures. I experienced again depression which I know has a purpose (this is again due to hormonal imbalance I think because of my menstruation and Asthma Allergy - that happened at the same time) yet after this experience, I plead and talk with Heavenly Father and I felt a great comfort and my goals had been elevated to become a blessing instead of a burden to the people around me. I truly experience a great self-reflection even self-realization of what I need to improve more to help God's children and lose myself in this work.

I love you and I miss you all!!!!

Love,

Sister Cornillez

We had a challenging week last week. These includes the training, health of the missionaries, finding of new apartment, and meeting some of the members. We polished with my companion of those who have been extended baptismal dates and some of them won't progress. We'll strive this week to recover and truly find those whom the Lord has prepared in this season. We're happy to hear that the Relief Society Organization particularly the Presidency plead with the members to coordinate in missionary work with us by giving some referrals as well to be active in ministering. We're glad to see Tatay Herminio Durias and Sister Merle came back to Church last Sunday whom they have considered less active. We'll gradually seek the less active from the member's list since we've discovered as well that there are lots of them who have part members. Though some of them are telling us that "lots of missionaries had already taught or meet, even invite their family members who have not yet received the gospel, as we ministered and nourish them with God's word, we give them hope that this is God's work and nothing is impossible through our fasting and prayer together with them and their increased faith. We are so happy that their unrealized hopes bring into activeness again. We'll strive as well to find more of the scattered Israel in this consecrated area particularly applying the said "Teach when you find, and find when you teach" even to nonmembers. Right now, President, we set goals for us to use our time wisely and explore more of the areas we have not yet explored due unexpected sickness my companion had experienced. I'll strive as well not to pressure her much in the training but encourage her that she may be able to increase her faith and take care of her health that hardship is part of stretching and improving and I'll strive to set a good example to her to teach people according to their needs. We can't go out earlier than we've planned to and it's been a routine everyday. I felt sad again yet I talk with Heavenly Father to help our companionship that we may be able to respect the time of the Lord but not running faster than we are able to, I'm comforted and I have great hopes that we are truly called of God to strengthen and blessed Taft Branch as well as the prospective covenant-keepers of the Lord.

 I know that the Lord has prepared lots of opportunities of learning here as an investment of my future life.

I love you all!!!

Love, the matured Sister Cornillez

I had a safe travel from Mati to Surigao. As I've started and increased my willingness to have new goals with my new companion here in Surigao Zone Taft Branch, I easily adjusted since the people here have given me a warm welcome. I haven't totally met all of the members of the Taft Branch since there has been a General Conference. We just got less teaching and explored a little when I arrived here as both of us are still unfamiliar with the areas but I witnessed how Sister Dingcong loves missionary work as she talked with everyone and strive to learn much. She's so humble enough to listen to what I say and what the Spirit says. I'm excited for this upcoming weeks that we'll gonna witness miracle as we strive to be obedient and diligent in all ways. Truthfully, from the things I've heard before about this branch, everything seems different. The members even the recent converts are excited and willing to coordinate with us in missionary work, even the Branch President loved to see us and even wanted us to visit their lovely home. I know this will be a great work and great challenge as we become more positive and united with the Spirit. I'm excited to explore the areas with Sister Dingcong since I saw her willingness and excitement as well to bless the people here in Taft Branch. I love the talks in the general conference. Well, ALL the talks and even all my prepared questions had been answered. I was motivated to do more of what I can do with the Spirit, and with my companion.

well, kasakit sa kasingkasing...both of us companions we're pulled out sa area namin and everyone got shocked with the announcement.... everyone immediately set dinner appointment and bonding with us in a short span of time before we go.... By the way, I'm assigned now in Surigao City Taft Branch....(tough branch? joke..haha)... , grabe travel ko from Mati to Surigao.... 16 hrs.... kung makita nyo sa mapa..yung Mati dulo sa gilid...pataas....Surigao is dulo sa taas naman.... tsktsk... kinaya ko ang byahe...haha.. amazing.... I can see here the Leyte island...pero syempre di ako natetempt umuwi...haha..... nagstep down nako as stl...and nagfollow up train ko kat sister Dingcong..... nashock mga kaco Stl ko ug Zone leaders...bakit daw... hehe...well, God's purpose.... Malipay didi...iwowork out namin na yung tough branch ay maging soft branch... hihi... pero ok man didi...babaguhin namin yung point of view ng mga missionaries dito even the members... miracles will truly happen as we strive to be obedient and diligent and it will never be impossible... humble yung companion ko ma... Si Sister Dingcong......from Occidental Mindoro... pareho kami pala na nagaaram pa didi sa language kay iba ang Surigaonon... yung wara is waya...balay is bayay...hahahaha.... tapos damo pa..haha.,.nakakaexcite and nkakakamaze...

, basin last area ko na didi ba.... I'm excited sa mga mosunod na adlaw... I need to be positive in all things....

I love you all!!!!!

Love Sister Cornillez

We had a successful baptism of Sister Carvina Antonio. She truly has a great testimony of the restored gospel and she is excited to be sealed with her husband in the temple next year. The one recently been baptized named Sis. Isabel Mabaslay bore an inspiring testimony as well last Fast and Testimony Meeting. She paid her tithe and fast offering and even fasted for the first time. We saw her progression and she's looking forward to serve on a mission someday as she made a goal to study the Book of Mormon everyday. These great souls that Heavenly Father has prepared in this consecrated area truly inspired and motivated us to truly find those of God's children that are ready to accept the gospel; and not only us even the members are inspired by them. Kurt Ernest Syting, a young man, who was a referral by one of the members finally came to Church with us and he truly enjoyed the Sabbath Day services as his family here is supportive with his progression in the Church since his immediate family reside in Davao and are members of the Church and he has been left to his extended family since birth. We are looking forward for more progressing people we've met and strive to invite them as families as they make their first step to come to Church. 

We just had successful exchanges last week and I've witnessed how Sister Cinco and Sister Talactac improved and grew as they applied all the skills they've learned particularly in teaching for understanding based on the person's needs. They are so humble enough to accept the things that they need to improve yet they truly can lead already their areas confidently. 

Sister Peralta shared to me the inadequacies she had as she related to me that she might be training a new missionary next cycle. As what I've witnessed in her progression, she truly is ready but truthfully, having a calling truly is a bit trembling and no one is really ready at first but whatever inspiration President may have, we will sustain him. She truly is a humble and fine missionary and even contagious to be with in her activeness.

We have a missionary coordination meeting last Sunday and we thank the auxiliaries from the successful baptism we have had together with the Relief Society Organization (auxiliary leaders and members)

I am continuously taking the medicines prescribed by the doctor last Thursday and I am gradually recovering as I accompany it with proper exercise, right choice of foods and more water during proselyting.

Sayang ba...di iaccept ng anak ko yung opportunity to train..whatever I say and encourage her... pero may agency man cya... kaya nya naman... basta I'll respect nalang her decisions....

 I love you te!!!

Love,

Sister Cornillez

Sister Carvina Laroga Antonio teacher cya 28 years old..... sobrang buutan

We had a successful baptism of Sister Isabel Tunong Mabaslay. She had a wonderful testimony and we've witnessed how members welcomed her in the Relief Society Organization as well as in the Young Single Adult. One of our progressing person as well was successfully interviewed last Sunday - Sister Carvina Antonio's baptism will be this 6th of October. We focused last week the progress of those who are truly keeping their commitments and showed willingness to learn more of the gospel. Bro. Jowe Morato's baptism was moved to the 3rd week of October since we witnessed him struggling to stop from drinking alcohol because of peer pressure. We're happy that he came to Church last Sunday. We're looking forward for the progress of other people we continuously taught as we focused on strengthening family. Such as the Morales Family, who are struggling to give up their religion since their pastor is visiting them often due to their absence every Sabbath in their religion but as we strive to nourish them with the Book of Mormon and helping them understand the whole plan of salvation, their desire and willingness to come to Church increases. 

Sister Peralta is such a Christlike missionary as she understood my condition in the past few days while I am physically weak due to the unexpected changes in the weather condition. That's why we haven't reach more of the goals we have for our key indicators. We become more understanding with each other's condition.

We have a missionary coordination meeting last Sunday and we thank the auxiliaries for their continuous support in doing missionary work as the branch is very helpful when it comes to fellow shipping. We'll strive to coordinate more with the members as we search for the less active ones since most in our area are found in Tambiling - which the members told us not to go there yet or we can visit there earlier and not be late due to the drug raid that had just happened. We're making sure we are safe in the areas we tract as the members always remind us for our safety.

I am now recovering from my sickness. We truly witnessed from the people we visited that due to the weather condition, there's truly an outbreak of fever among the people here when exposed to a greater amount of sunlight. I am making sure I eat the right food and drink the right amount of water everyday.

Love,

Sister Cornillez

District family home evening

Birthday ng mabibinyagan sa area namin this Saturday... bday nya nung Sunday... sorry haggard...mainit kasi walang electric fan...hehe...

One of our progressing person's baptism was announced last Sunday and Sister Isabel Mabaslay's interview will be this Tuesday. She is truly ready for making covenants with Heavenly Father! We saw how she progressed and her baptism will be this Saturday. She truly loves to read the scriptures and we witnessed that when a person is truly nourished with the word of God and keep her commitments, she truly gains her own testimony. We're very happy as well when Sis. Carvina Antonio truly decided to be baptized on the 6th of October. She is already ready and her confirmation is what we're waiting for and finally she set her own baptismal date. We are very excited from the progress of Heavenly Father's children. It is true that after much tribulation, blessings truly come. Since we have just experience a big trial from a golden referral who decided to stop teaching him to avoid conflict with his wife. It happened that last last Sunday, he truly came to Church with a spiritual and uplifting experience with the members but her wife indirectly showed that she approved his decision that's why when he went home they talked about it and to stop their conflict, he decided not to be taught. The one who referred was so disappointed of what happened but as we discerned, we gave them words of wisdom as a respect of Bro. Mario's agency. We know that what he felt and experienced during our lessons and the time he attended the Sabbath Day service, he truly can't deny it. At least, we've planted to their hearts, even to her wife's heart the message of peace for the family. But her wife is still close-minded about it. On the other hand, most of the people who continuously come to Church were Primaries who truly enjoyed coming but we're still working out their parents' consent and taught their parent as well about the message of the Restoration. The children truly want to be baptized but as a respect to their parents who are still not approving about it though we've explained to them already about that concerns, we respect their decision and we told the children that someday their parents' heart will be softened at the right time, they just need to continuously show good example unto them and follow their counsels.

Last District Meeting that we had was so spiritual and refreshing as our District Leader Elder Belleza taught us about doing the basics for us to become PMG scholars and experienced missionaries who are worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost. I'm inspired as well of the companionship of Sister Dela Serna and Sister Talactac as they have a weekly baptism as a fruit of their labors even their diligence as we witnessed and followed up on them as their leaders. We met some of the people they taught and we saw families who are truly potential to receive the saving ordinances.

Again, we've experienced more trials in our companionship these past few days. :( Aside from the problem in my health, my depression again attacked as I strive to overcome it. I hadn't controlled my natural self. :( I'm so blessed with a very patient and understanding companion that despite of what happened to me, she's still there to help me recover and she truly showed a great initiative in doing actively the missionary work in which I have gradually recovered because of her decisions. She truly can already lead the area and she's so humble enough to always make room for improvement of herself in skills and the attributes we strive to improve.

We didn't have a Missionary Coordination Meeting last Sunday since our Branch Mission Leader had a problem physically but we still coordinated with the Branch Missionaries and Auxiliary Leaders in fellow shipping the nonmembers and in working out the upcoming baptisms. We're very happy of the support among the members who are giving warm welcome unto them.

I truly want to fight the natural man within me. I instantly got depressed for no reason. I got insomnia for just 3 days but eventually I recovered when I got sick last Thursday. I felt the word "exhaustion" (since truly I'm weak physically even before mission but I'm always striving to take care of my health - I'm blessed that here in the field, I'm less sickly). I hate the word tranky because there's truly not such a term. My body just reacted that even my mind conceived negative things. I think I wanted new environment but I don't know what I truly felt last week. I don't want it to happen again. I strive to have more communications with the people around me, meet the members who truly could inspire and they did helped me recover and I read more books even the words of the prophets. I know what my mind can conceive, my body can truly achieve. I hope I'll not be defeated by the adversary again.

Love,

Sister Cornillez