We had a successful work and exchanges last week where not only the trainees and even the sisters in our scope are strengthened as well as me on how to stretch ourselves and be a blessing in the branch. Our progressing investigators as of now were Sister Carvina Antonio(27 y/o) who is truly progressing as she shared her Book of Mormon study last Sunday (since we can only teach her every Sunday due to work conflict - being a teacher and she does household chores every Saturday); Bro. Alberto Dela Cerna (88 y/o) who came to Church for the first time last Sunday as he was welcomed by the members particularly the Branch President (we took him to Church since he has no source of income except for his simple garden as a source of his food sustenance). We made extraordinary work by ministering to Tatay Alberto (such as doing laundry) since he has no family with him anymore. We coordinated his situation already with the branch council and we're blessed to have their full support and help regarding Tatay's condition. Our branch mission leader will take him to Church that's why he'll work with us this week to know where Tatay resides; and Bro. Saivon Tiongco (9 y/o) is truly willing to come with her grandmother to Church. We will strive to focus on him and teach him how to read. It's just that last Sunday he hasn't come to Church due to financial constraint.

Last Wednesday, we had exchanges and my companion is Sister Cinco (trainee). We had a wonderful time exploring their area, meeting the members and less active ones who needs to be strengthened. We're happy that one of those come to Church last Sunday. I witnessed as well how Sister Cinco's skill and initiative to find progressed. She has the courage to talk particularly on mothers since they are the ones usually at home. She is still struggling with the language but I know she'll learn rapidly since she uses it more during teaching. I evaluated her on how she needs to greet everyone she met to show the true missionary Spirit and I'm so happy how humble she is in applying it on the second time I worked with her last Friday as threesome with Sister Dela Serna. She is as well good already in building relationship of trust particularly on the people in their area. I witnessed as well how she diligent she is and how she uses her time wisely particularly during midday that we rest, she uses her time to practice teaching on her own and memorized what she is assigned to do. 

Last Friday, we explored the area of Mati 2nd and I worked as threesome with Sister Cinco and Sister Dela Serna. I'm amazed on Sister Dela Serna's finding skills that she doesn't choose a particular kind of people to be taught but anyone as prompted by the Spirit. I witnessed how diligent she is that's why everything shows on the result of their key indicators how they can achieve what they desired. She's good and great in every skills a missionary should have. I just evaluated her on how to tactfully control situations particularly if the person taught loves to talk more that we, as missionaries, should be the one to control the situation. She's truly humble enough to apply all the Christlike attributes and teach according to the needs of the people taught. I witnessed as well how her trainee applied all the things she learned from her as we followed them up on their performance and spiritual experiences during exchanges.  

Sister Peralta is already done with her Week 4 training and I witnessed how she progressed well particularly in using more the language during teaching. She is very willing to learn more and stretch herself up as most of the members love who she is - how she converse with them and build relationship of trust. She's truly very active and jolly (so great is her mission Spirit!) every time we do proselyting that I'm always inspired to work diligently and courageously to every person we met. 

We had a wonderful Missionary Coordination Meeting as we raised concerns particularly on our progressing investigators how we can coordinate with the branch councils in doing ministering and fellowshipping with them. We'll strive to contact this week the referral given to us by one of the members in our branch that was taught before and she truly wants to reach out to her sister who already has a family. By the way, we are helping the Mati district for the upcoming District Conference as we become part of the choir and I'm assigned to be their pianist. We make sure that most of our proselyting time will not be sacrificed and we're blessed to have their respect on our available time as well.

This is my 1st time to experience exchanges as an STL and I learned much from the sisters I worked with. Striving to strengthen them and helping them of what they can do more in their area and companionship truly strengthened and blessed me as well to apply everything we learned in the area we've been entrusted to. It's true that being fully obedient matters a lot as well as in gaining the trust of the Spirit to work with us. Challenges are truly part of this marvelous work but as we strive to live the mission rules and the commandments of God, with our faith in Jesus Christ, everything is truly possible and helps us to be optimistic - knowing that we deserve that tender mercies, blessings even miracles God has prepared for His children.

I love you all!!!!

Love,

Sister Cornillez