P-Day with the Bislig Members

I'm inspired to let the fire burn first within me so I can let the light shine among God's children

Three of our progressing investigators consistently keep their commitments and will be baptized this month of June. They are Joshua Galo(9), Jessa Cairlang(20) and Sheny Subasus(12). As to Joshua's case, since he has dyslexia, we make strategies and ways to help him understand the gospel line upon line with the support of his family since he is a part member. Sister Jessa Cairlang as well is strengthened through reading the Book of Mormon and likening it to her life and present struggles and trials. She felt loved by the members of the Church. Her only struggle is on waking up early so she can attend the Relief Society even Sunday School classes. Sheny Subasus, on the other hand, a part member, loved to read the Book of Mormon even at her age that she even made a study journal in reading it. We witnessed their progress and willingness to someday make covenants with Heavenly Father and even the higher covenants in the temple. 

External challenges came to our companionship last week but these helped us be more strengthened and united with the Holy Ghost. These challenges are: health challenge due to weather on both of us, our recent convert Eric Ben Fajardo experienced persecution at his young age that he was discouraged to come back to church but was immediately raised on our MCM last Sunday, one of the members in Danipas experienced severe stroke that even our Special Sacrament was affected.

Despite of the challenges we faced last week, we're grateful and blessed for the support of the branch council that they make plans with us to minister and strengthen every member and even investigators of the Church. Auxiliary leaders attended the missionary coordination meeting and they are willing to help to make missionary spirit active again in the branch particularly as they focused on ministering. 

I learned a lot from the challenges we faced and have spiritual experiences from them that though we haven't reached our goals, we witnessed the divine help that strengthened us and helped us saw our potential and see the potential of Heavenly Father's children. My companion always reminded me that I will experience more and bigger trials than we are experiencing and have experienced right now as I continue my journey to missionary work yet I need to be ready, prepare myself spiritually, emotionally and physically and recognize more the blessings and brighter side from those experiences. I love missionary work and gained another testimony of Christ's tender mercies among His brethren.

 I'm inspired to let the fire burn first within me so I can let the light shine among God's children by being a proactive missionary and be committed everyday.

Pahabol daw

Last week, we have been motivated to explore and find more in our areas to balance the key indicators as inspired by the Holy Ghost. We had an experience that we almost gave up teaching children or those who are at younger age if it will not be a family but as a result, more of our progressing investigators are at those age and we realized they are the ways so their families will be reactivated and for those who are not part members, will receive the gospel eventually. We're very grateful from the progression among those investigators particularly in gaining more friends in the Church and enjoying their classes during meetings. Sheny Subasus(12), Rosemy Bayker(12), and two of their friends who came to Church for the first time, Fedelyn Sarminto(10) and Jiezel Delos Reyes enjoyed their classes. We have progressing investigators who are Primary who have a great support from their families who are as well active in the Church: Elaine Suarez and Joshua Galo. Many of our progressing investigators before even those who have baptismal dates encounter challenges last week that we focused on ministering and teaching based on their needs and concerns to strengthen them such as Jessa Cairlang(20), Elizabeth Clar(65) and others. But they themselves are not giving up on what they have learned to be true. Thus, we witnessed that they are one of the scattered Israel whom the Lord has entrusted to us to nourish with the guidance of the Spirit though lapses may come, commitments may sometimes fail, or even many missionaries had passed on, still, they wanted to hear the word and had a great bond even with the members of the Church. 

We had a great and humble companionship(humble in such a way that we understood each other despite of oppositions) with Sister Custodio that even if we have weaknesses, we increased the gifts of the Spirit the Lord has given unto us. We'll strive to be more healthy by exercising daily and drinking more water since these days we experienced exhaustion based on the weather and health matters. I love Sister Custodio more as days passed by. She's very humble and brave.

There are members who work with us and help us on strengthening God's children in this consecrated area of Bislig 1st Branch. We are very blessed to have a great support in the branch particularly those fellow shippers of our progressing investigators since the investigators themselves are the one who are requesting that we accompany them in the work. The special sacrament in Danipas(our farthest area) had already started Sunday School last Sunday and we witnessed the happiness and gratefulness among the members there for them to experience a more spiritual Sabbath Day. More referrals are coming and as we quickly contacted them, they truly progressed and we felt the Spirit that they had a great chance to progress and receive even higher ordinances someday.

I'm inspired again from what President had shared that just like Nephi, blessed are we for declaring the word with unwearyingness, without fear but seeking according to God's will since we have physical health matters these days that our spirit is willing but we need not run faster than we are able to. In the end, we felt the Spirit and elevate our love as companions, to God's children and even to the work. I have not experienced yet the ministering of angels (obviously) but as we strive to be a consecrated missionary, ministering of angels are truly everywhere even in small and simple things and ways, which we sometimes can't recognize. Last week, our leaders are always encouraging us to have a more spiritual experience(such as doing extraordinary work than we used to) and recognize those to help us be more proactive and thankful from the trials and blessings we experience everyday. 

Baptism of Eric Ben Alba Fajardo

We had a successful baptism of Eric Ben Alba Fajardo last Saturday and he was confirmed on Sunday. We have a spiritual experience as well since many of his nonmember friends attended and witnessed this special day of his life. One of our progressing investigators as well Sister Jessa Cairlang attended the baptism and shared that her desire increases to be part of Heavenly Father's fold. She came as well on Sunday on her own since we are supposed to get her but she declined. She wanted to come to Church on her own and prove her faith in Jesus Christ. Sheny Subasus, Rose Ann and Rosemy Bayker also came in their 2nd consecutive Sundays to church. The young women leaders shared how they gradually change from last Sunday since they still have a reverence issue. But with the coordination of the branch, they saw great potentials on these young women. We focused on strengthening the investigators last week by helping them feast upon the words of Christ by appreciating the Book of Mormon and truly this holy book is one of the resources of one's conversion as we witnessed the progression in keeping the commitments among the investigators we taught. More referrals also came last week and we're looking forward to have a returned appointment this week with them based on their available times together with the members during the lessons. 

Our companionship last week was spiritually focused on our studies as we shared and opened up our concerns to make our work more effective as the Spirit directs us. Sister Custodio is striving her best to help me from my weaknesses and I'm so glad that she is my companion during these days of challenges. We always expressed our love, support and care to each other and have a great relationship with the members of the branch as we strive to build relationship of trust to all of them in coordinating with this work in building up the Church and strengthening the branch.

We had a successful missionary coordination meeting with our new Branch Mission Leader and we witnessed his great support with us in missionary work. Our previous Branch Mission Leader is helping him to enjoy and love this calling while continuously supporting us in the goals we made to handle and manage the area wisely.

I love how optimism (with faith, hope and charity) affects our attitude towards this marvelous work. We will strive to explore more of our areas, find more by making use of member referrals and follow the counsel of our leaders so we will be safe as well as guided by the Spirit.

With Sister Dauba (from Allen), My lolo sa mission human na iya mission taga Hilongos...Elder Papel... Elder Basay our district leader... and Elder Bisnar taga Inopacan Leyte.(yung anak ko daw..) haha

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTER CORNILLEZ (May 9, 2018)

Miracle happens but we need to believe it first for it to happen

In the previous week we focused on exploring the whole area of Branch 1 and discovered lots of opportunities for members to work with us particularly those near in their areas. I was inspired from the message I just received from you President to work with members more in finding new investigators since they truly can have great support when invited to come to Church and even to know more about the Church. Eric Ben Fajardo(11 y/o) who will be baptized this coming May 12 had a successful interview and support from his parents though we are still working out to share the gospel to his family particularly to his mother who is very supportive that someday his child's desire to go on a mission will happen. Sheny Subasus(part member), Rose Ann and Rosemy Bayker (all 12 y/o) came to Church again. We are not giving up on this young women since they had great potentials and their parents are looking forward for them to change from youth's weaknesses nowadays. We are working out to coordinate with the members in Danipas (which is our farthest area) since they are planning and had great hopes and desires in building a meetinghouse from their area. So, we'll to find more worthy potential priesthood holders by finding families in this great area. Doing extraordinary work and quality teaching truly elevates our performance in focusing more on Heavenly Father's children's needs and concerns.

Sister Custodio and I were always united as the Spirit prompts us to do things based on the discernment and companionship revelations we received. We planned to make use of our time wisely and she's very supportive of our goals to bless other people's lives.

We just had a branch council meeting and shared on the things we can coordinate with them to improve more the branch. We just had a little misunderstanding with one of the leaders in the branch on baptizing children without their parents since we will have an upcoming baptism this Saturday of Eric Ben(11 y/o), and we shared to them based on our discernment that this child is truly ready since we did not made a rush lesson for him and even on attending consecutive Sunday attendance. He even attended the Sunday services for the 6th time last Sunday. But this issue had been settled right away with the support of the other auxiliary leaders who already meet Eric Ben and the members who were neighbor of this young man. We explained to them that we are striving as well to share the gospel to his parents and we plan to coordinate with the members in working with us. Overall, they are still supportive in helping us to work particularly with the Elder's area before since we need to go home earlier for safety purposes (since availability of transportation also is an issue later than 6 in the evening).

 I am reminded again to make my Faith in Jesus Christ alive and refresh. "Miracle happens but we need to believe it first for it to happen". This truly made me awakened in doing Heavenly Father's work to serve with all my heart and mind, not only with my might and strength. We had a golden investigator who confirmed that she truly wanted to be baptized and even shared her feelings to her friends yet is now facing a big trial in her life (where she lives since she's living in her boss and her work conflict). I received an inspiration to help her together with my companion and the guidance of the Spirit to face courageously these trials in her life. We had a great support as well from one of the members who referred her to us that she will work things out with their boss and help Sister Jessa Cairlang. I know everything is possible and she is ready to make covenants with God.

Transfer day ng kapatid ko te..... and meet ODAJ...yung penguin na blue na anak ko, regalo ko sa sarili ko sa birthday ko.... hihi.....

FHE at calub family

Being positive matters a lot

Nahunahuna ko.... bago ni Heavenly Father ihatag ana nga area nakakaamaze kay giandam na nya gud kami ba... hihi... I just had a new companion by the way. She's Sister Custodio and we had no pictures yet since my camera was damaged. I can't use it anymore. Sorry. It just eventually naglabo...hihi... tapos yung lens nagsirasira na....tsktsk... 

Sayang dire nyo maimod an Bislig Branch magtemple trip sa yana na week sira...hehe... didto gihapon sa Cebu...excited unta sira makita kamo...pero sige la may purpose... hihi...... , kailan diay yung Oldem Family masealed? Sobrang excited didi an parents ni Brother Rino Oldem na masealed na a family sa ira anak kay area na namo yana an Danipas where they lived.... Sobrang masaya sira na nahibal an same ward ko an ira Anak...sabi ko gani classmate ni ate lik an asawa sa ira anak...SO small world gud... hihi... . excited nako kay ate joy.... Magfamily home evening kami sa sayo didi na close ko na family namely Galo Family sa ak birthday...didto nala ak sa ira balay magandam...bisan pancit la.... kay karuyag nila makaupod ak nira sa akon special day... yun lang wala man sila kwarta sa andam sa ako birthday...bagaw ko ok ra.... magluto ak pancit.. hehe... marasa ak pancit kay maharang... hehe....Well. about my teeth... Naghubag ak gums kay nakagat ko ...pero ok na yana.. haha.... dire related sa ak impacted teeth... as of now, there are no signs of problems man so don't worry... and no worries talaga kay dentist ang asawa sa mission president... but ipapatanggal daw pa rin at the right time... pero di pa man yana.. hehe.. ok lang...  kay si Sister San Gabriel kasi magdedecide kung kailan... Gifollow up man nya ko last zone conference and wala man problem so ok ra daw...

Last week was a great opportunity for my new companion, Sister Custodio, to meet the amazing area where we are assigned. We're blessed that Eric Ben Fajardo (12) has continuously been keeping his commitments and for the 5th time came to Church. Since his baptism was moved due to the lessons that we still need to teach, he understood the extension and we saw his progression as he continuously invite his friends to come to Church (those who came were Jonathan Apostolado and Jeramil Suarez; both are 12 and we had already taught them but not yet formal) and gain more close friends in the branch. His parents as well were very supportive, though they are not yet ready to accept the gospel, we will not give up on them. Sister Catherine Madelo as well came to church with his father who is a recent convert. Some of our investigators had not come to Church due to unexpected problems in their work, family, and other matters. We saw the great potential of one of our investigators, Jessa Cairlang(20), since she already confirmed last week that she truly want to be baptized but due to oppositions she faced last Sunday from where she is living, she did not come to Church. We visited her right away and shared to us that there is truly trials when you are starting your journey to the path of truth. We're very blessed that she responded from those trials positively. Some of our recent converts, on the other hand, were on vacation, so just a few of them came to Church.

Sister Custodio is such a good, humble and great companion. Though the people here are still adjusting from a new face again, she is very humble and kind to reach out to them that they easily had a comfortable feeling with her. Our companionship is like a new dispensation of new revelations(goals) that faces new challenges with a willing heart and mind. I easily love her from her humility and everything she truly expresses. I'm excited to know her more and be united with the Spirit as we strive to find and strengthen God's scattered Israel.

We had a missionary coordination meeting and we witnessed the support of the branch missionaries and leaders in helping us feel blessed in this new challenge to work in the whole area of Bislig Branch 1. We made plans since most of them has no more schoolwork anymore. We had a successful special sacrament in Danipas as well and had opportunities to make use of our proselyting time there wisely since we need to go home earlier. This is our farthest area. We're very grateful for the trust the members there had given unto us and right away they gave referrals for us to contact on Thursday based on our weekly plan and they are willing to work with us with the set time. 

Being positive matters a lot ..... Bisan dako amon area...every resources God has provided is truly available lalo na yung guidance ng Spirit...

Till nxt mail...Love yah....