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