Hello! This is Sister Dilag. I am currently serving in the Philippines San Pablo Mission, Batangas Zone.
I will give you weekly updates on my current mission. I will also attach interesting attachments! I hope this finds you entertaining!
Heads up! Some of the parts are based on my travels to Bauan and Ibaan, Batangas. I had a few to share and I hope you find this amusing.
Events: Farthest Areas
I get to see Batangas Zone in a better view! We often travelled on our Areas to farthest places: Mabini, Bauan and Ibaan and to our closest Areas: Pulo and San Pascual. I had a remarkable feeling of staying in the area, because everything was interesting to see.
The best part of my stay was the language of the Area, Batangeño. It’s not a language, but kind of an added structure of words stretched on the Tagalog conversation. I had a few instances whenever I talk to someone, they will speak so fast and add unfamiliar words. It sounds challenging, but listening was definitely a shot!
I was able to meet the Members and Leaders of the Bauan Ward and Ibaan Branch. It felt remarkable to be welcomed by great leaders and loving members. I was new and I had to adjust a few times. We visit some time in the long run, we talk and share a few messages. It was interesting to see and meet other unique areas too. I had a fun time of commenting the goodness of the area.
I will add up on the weather of Batangas. My area is closely seashore. The weather gets hot by the day, and by the night it gets cold. I sometimes get flushed (red on cheeks) on the weather adjustment. It seems I am getting used to the weather bit by bit.
I think the challenging part of my areas, were the farthest of farthest I had on the mission. On the maps, it seems closeby, but it’s farther. We had intances we couldn’t walk all the way to one of appointments. We had to commute and ride to our area. The commodities are expensive! I was not informed of everything to be expensive. I think I got challenged on budgeting the support I had on the mission. I could still manage to balance everything.
Also! The best places of Batangas, you’ll ever find. I think of mountains were the best part, it’s been too long since I see an upclose mountain. I thought of the beaches of Batangas are the best places to visit (but not to swim). I thought of architectural buildings are fascinating to see. For the most part, while commuting and walking I get to see an interesting view of our areas.
So far this week, it has been remarkable to experience triumph and challenges. I had instances of being grateful to see the joy of service in Batangas with my companion, Sister Catacutan.
Mission Updates: Batangas Zone
We had an in-person District Council Meeting with the Batangas Zone. We are few and short on our Zone, it’s a District and Zone Meeting. During our meeting, we had a discussion on our goals for Baptism. We had a good amount of Baptisms, and we brought up ideas to maintain the numbers on our Key Indicators. Surprisingly, Sister Lohner joined the meeting and she added a few suggestions on reaching out Interested Persons. I had the best meeting discussion with the Batangas Zone.
We had a Service Project with the Batangas Zone. We went to Lobo, Batangas. It was a remote area with a jungle. The name of the location, sounds eerie hehe. But! I had a great time with the service project. We carried cements uphill to build a house for a Member. It was the best experience I had. I was able to have a good connection with the Zone, I had a good relationship with them. I was conversations with Sister Abiera and Sister Mirandilla. We would laugh and compliment on our work. Elder Cauilan and I would share and talk experiences and laugh. Elder Gamas could still talk while on a DLT Meeting. And! A bunch more. I love them! It felt family.
Sister Catacutan and I had been really close! We had exchanges before in the mission, and we were close. I did not expect she’ll be my companion. It’s a blessing to be with her in the work. We are both reopening two areas, and we hope a District Meeting house for Mabini and for the Marikaban Island.
I cannot wait to see the best of Bauan and Ibaan. It would be huge! I could tell in the near time, there will be multiple chapels, a stake and it could be something big!
Be on top of your clock! ♡
Love,
Sister Dilag
