Hello! This is Sister Dilag. I am currently serving in the Philippines San Pablo Mission, Lucena 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! Things are getting exciting for Lucena Zone and our Areas. I think everything is turning out to be interesting and lively. I guess for this email, I thought of sharing most. Some may be long, if you go too long, you might it interesting.
Events: Baptisms, Teaching Appointments and Meetings
• Baptisms: Sister Kescha and Brother Jayden
On the 18th, we witnessed the baptisms of Brother Jayden Anda and Sister Kescha Reyes. They are not relatively related, but they are different individuals with great conversions. I remember many great things teaching them. Starting with Brother Jayden (13), I would remember my first teaching him. He was taking it slow, and he tried his best to understand the lessons provided for him. He does his commitments and ask different questions. I had a great time teaching him, he reads and prays too. Something I would never forget on his baptism, he delivered a very powerful testimony. I was really surprised, not knowing many things but he was converted much. He is excited to learn and grow in the Church.
Sister Kescha (11), happens to be a referral from a former Missionary in our Mission. We never thought she will be baptized, but to our surprised she did. I remember good things, we taught her the basics. We had discussions on the Commandments. We tell her to be obedient and try her best to be Patient. She is smart! I had a great time teaching her. There were instances, our lessons were shorter, because she understood clearly on our message. I could feel the Spirit through her. I could see her potential too. Something I appreciate was her testimony, she delivered a powerful testimony too, but hers was awesome. She’s smart and everything she shared was experienced. She is excited to learn many things in the Church.
It’s awesome to witness baptisms and conversions of others. I’m so happy to be part of their conversion, and helping them receive the restored Gospel. I found my happiness on sharing the gospel in natural and simple ways of entertaining them. I receive joy on others and being selfless. I could tell this is the greatest joy and happiness serving in the greatest mission!
• Teaching Appointments: Areas
On the 13 to the 16th, we spend our time contacting Media Referrals. We are really trying our best to make the work count. I guess contacting the referrals makes everything productive. It gives you the opportunity to get to know the people. You give them a brief background on the advertisement and Missionaries. We switch and turns on the calls. It’s really nice. I learned from those experiences. I get to have a better relationship with my companion. We get along and we are open for suggestions on being natural talking to the referrals. It is interesting to find out the Church opens opportunities for others to see and find out more of the Restored Gospel. I felt really impressed, because of the Filipinos needed a sense of belonging. They wanted to see if these things shared are true. Individuals and Families need to know if God is real. I realized many things, they are amazing. I never thought, they will be interested on the Messages. Later on, they will book us for an appointment and share a more messages to them on their convenient time. It is great to make the discussions shorter and powerful. It has been effective and efficient to help others come closer to the Restored Gospel.
I had to quickly share, not all the Media Referrals can be contacted. Some may answer, and others may not. We had this day, we planned out to contact our referrals and the rest of the day we go out and teach. Unfortunately, we had an hour of contacting and no one responded through our calls and messages. We head out, and it became productive. We meet a few interested people to hear us and accept the message with their families. We provide short and powerful lessons for the Members and Part-Member Families. It was interesting to see Heavenly Father working on his way. It is fascinating. I could tell we had a productive week. I will definitely keep up the work, before my term ends.
• Meetings: District & Zone
On the 14th, we had our District Council Meeting via Zoom. It was a cool meeting. We shared a bunch and heard many great things with our Missionaries. As sharing goes, Elder Baylon shared a powerful testimony on fellowshipping the Members and others. There’s great impact on socializing, on Preach My Gospel, Chapter 10 on, “Help People Rosolve their Concerns” includes,”Often concerns are more social than doctrinal.” I find it to be true, everyone needs a friend. The kind of friend will help you stay in the Church. Another sharing was my companion, Sister Villacanas. She shared hers of making everything count. Then, Elder Felix shared the Art of Communication. He shared facts and blessings received on talking to everyone. It was a great reminder for all, to ‘open their mouths‘ and to ‘cry out repentance.’
Then, everyone shared their insights on the Weekly Newsletter on “Accountability.” I love to to hear their insights, it is a constant reminder to be accountable on our actions. Everything should be accurate and with the integrity to the Lord. All things should be aligned to God’s plan. Then Sister Labadia and Elder Latonero shared theirs (which I forgot, woops hehe). Something I appreciate on our Meeting was the Key Indicator Report. The numbers of each category was high. I am so impressed on our Unity and Teamwork. Every one is working hard. I think through support and encouragement, it makes all the difference. I love the outcome result of our report.
Lastly, the Barra Elders: Elder Enriquez and Elder Dela Cruz shared their workshop on the, “The Gauntlet of a Missionary.” This relates to Preach My Gospel, with a touch of Marvel Cinematic Universe. I laugh looking on their workshop, it was impressive! They relate the Gauntlet and each Stones on Preach My Gospel. It just adds sense and motivates everyone. I think it was smart, and everyone had a great time listening to them.
With all honesty, this is by far the best Zone. I wish to stay and see outcome results. I wish many things, like staying. But, with everything going on. I am grateful to work and serve. These Missionaries are awesome!
Mission Updates: Experiences
• Fun Activity: Zone P-Day!
On the 12th, we had our Zone Activity (P-Day) at Tayabas. It was a great activity with the Missionaries of our Zone and Ward Missionaries in different parts of our Areas (by Units). Throughout the activity, we start by the afternoon inside the Chapel. We shared messages and testimonies. We heard others’ experiences and challenges. We had different kinds of activities such as pictionary, charades and ‘white lion’. It was fun, Elder Baylon and Elder Felix planned out the activity. Afterwards, we head to Bypass. There are two to three Food Areas to choose. Each of the Food Areas has different stalls, you could check-in for meals anywhere. We chose the part of the Members’ area with the Dimlas‘, Ellas‘ with Brother Adrian Sambajon, Brother Joven Cubillas, Alcorezas‘ and many more. There were other Members too, Sister Marycon Importa, Brother Jared Sayson, Sister Sheen Lobos, Brother Vincent Lobos, Brother Ezra Ventura and Brother Manuel Fabrea. Some of us, went to different places and try out different things. Others tried out different foods, while others’ took good shots. I honestly had a great time with the Zone and the Members. It was a good bond, we ate together and shared a bunch of experiences. We get to know each other. I could feel a good bond with all of them. I had to take pictures with the Missionaries, I had to go through one by one with them. And! We took most of our times taking pictures and just had a great time with them. By the end of the day, I sobbed. I will miss the Missionaries of our Zone and the Members! I never felt so much love and happiness by the end of my mission. I care and love all of them!
• Another Update!
On the 15th, we received news from Sister Lohner of one of the Missionaries in our Zone regarding of a parent passed away. Sadly, it was Elder Baylon’s Mom. She passed away. While hearing the update I was really sad, I sobbed as I heard the news. It is very difficult for any missionary to hear devastating news of a parent or family passed away or suffer. As I realized, our Zone Leader is getting stronger and soon he’ll be better. I bet his Mom is so proud of him. We are so proud he stayed, and he did not went home. We had our Zone Prayer, and Elder Enriquez provided a great prayer to help our Zone Leader. We watch via Zoom of our his Mom’s Burial. As I listen to the sharing of his Sister, they went to hard times and challenging moments. He has a wonderful and loving family! So far as it goes, it was solemn and the spirit was strong. Soon he’ll see and reunite with his mom!
This is all I could share! I hope this made your day! See you soon! ♡
Love,
Sister Dilag
