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! I had some interesting activities and events happened during Zone Conferences and Teaching Appointments in Tayabas and Lucena.
Events: Conferences & Teaching
I would like to share some of the surprising events happened from Zone Conferences and Teaching Appointments in Tayabas and Lucena. I will categorize the sharing parts by bullet points:
• Conference: Mission Wide & Cabuyao Zone.
On the 4th of May, the Philippines San Pablo Mission gathered an online virtual Zone Conference Meeting via Zoom. The whole mission conducted a Mission Wide, where we get to meet and see other Missionaries from different Zones. The Mission Zones are composed of 8 Zones: Batangas Zone, Lipa Zone, Cabuyao Zone, San Pablo Zone, Sta. Cruz Zone, Lucena Zone, Lopez Zone and Marinduque Zone. We had a good online meet up with our Mission Leaders and Missionaries of the Mission.
As the Mission Wide continued the Mission Leaders invited 4 Departing Missionaries leaving by the Month of May. We heard the Departing Testimonies of Sister Abiera (Rosario, Batangas Zone), Sister Rapanut (Sta. Cruz 4, Sta. Cruz Zone), Elder Epat (Victoria, Sta. Cruz Zone) and Elder Laranjo (Calamba 2, Cabuyao Zone). These Missionaries shared tenderly and lovingly insights, experiences and testimonies of witnessing the hand of God during their service. As I listen to them, I find it inspiring. These Missionaries worked hard and perhaps tried their very best, to look for the good in the work. They are very inspiring!
Another event happened after the Departing Testimonies of the Missionaries. The Young Missionary Leaders provided their Workshop focusing on, “Asking Questions, Listen and Leave Something Behind.” These are based on Preach My Gospel, Chapter 10 and Chapter 11. It was a 30 minute discussion on facts and other suggestions to improve teaching online and in-person. It was a loving reminder for everyone to listen to the investigator, ask questions on their concerns and interest and leave something for the investigator to read.
Afterwards, Sister Lohner addressed a few of her impressions of Missionary Work and use Adjusting to Missionary Life. Then, President Lohner addressed his impressions of, “Something Missionaries can do differently.” There were a few Missionaries added their impressions too, some would like to improve teaching and a few wanted to gain connection with the Members. It was a good listen to other Missionaries, and something I would like to apply on my current service in Quezon Province.
On the 6th of May, we had our Zone Conference with the Cabuyao Zone. It was a wonderful event and held virtually via Zoom. We see other Missionaries and watched them recite 42 Principles on Preach My Gospel. It was so fun to watch, we laugh and cried like crazy. We went to big eyeballs and opened mouths as we watched Missionaries go on with the recitation. It was amazing!
Later on, we provided a workshop for the two Zones. Elder Aquino, Elder Cabuyaban, Sister Rio and I, discussed the use of, “How to Begin Teaching” and “Invite Members to Help you Teach.” The Discussion went well, providing videos and other suggestions to enhance teaching. We get to listen to other missionaries insights and we came up with a Demonstration to teach online. Afterwards, the Missionaries had their Practice Teaching, randomly. We were set into our breakrooms and we met other Missionary Companionships. It was so fun to have our Practice Teaching with Elder Laranjo and Elder Arabejo, and then another practice teach with Elder Aquino and Elder Garcia. It was a fun day and we were able to grab other suggestions to enhance our teaching.
Overall, I had a great time with the Virtual Zone Conferences. It was a fun discussion and activity for Missionaries to add knowledge and to share their insights with other Missionaries.
• Teaching: Sister Luna & Brother Talusig
On the 5th of May, we had an in-person discussion with Sister Hazielle Luna. She is doing awesome with the Lessons, and she prayed to know if these messages she heard were true. She find it out by her feelings, that the Gospel is true! I definitely had a great time seeing her conversion and understanding the Lessons taught to her.
I think of a good experience with her was teaching, Law of Chastity and Word of Wisdom. We combined both of the Lessons to complete the teaching sessions for her to be baptized. I had to say before planning the lessons for her, we were having a difficult time providing the flow of lesson. We are good teachers, I am not saying we are not good in teaching Law of Chastity and Word of Wisdom. It was tough to discuss the lesson, because we want to be sensitive on her habit of drinking strong drinks.
Sister Hazielle is a Fire-Fighter of the Bureau of Fire. Often times, fire-fighters are on the go and non-stop working. They need to drink strong drinks in order for them to be on the go. It does make sense on the drinking-part. Sister Villacanas and I would stare at each other. It was kinda funny, and we would do practice teaching for the lessons for her.
Going back, we had a discussion with Sister Hazielle. We invited Brother Marc with Sister Joy Lagado and Brother Jose and Sister Mayet Alcoreza. They want to know her better! I think it was the sweetest of them, being a friend to her. As we drive to the topics, we taught her, “Law of Chastity“, which made her feel comfortable to know of Chastity of Men and Women. She liked the word, “Fidelity” of the spouse and families. We taught to her the, “Word of Wisdom.” We jump into all of the substances and we do not explain scientific evidence for it, but we made it clear for her that it is a commandment from God.
My face was kinda worried and I really don’t want to surprise her, but I was surprised by her reaction. She will give up drinking and use of any unhealthy substances for the body. We saw she was willing and we could feel she wanted to have a covenant with God. It ended up, being a good experience and discussion.
On the 7th of May, we taught Brother Rodel Talusig at Church. We were given the opportunity to teach him inside the Chapel, than teaching him to his household. I think it is a great idea to prevent from going elsewhere like getting sick, lost or probably get the virus into us. Hehe. But! We taught him consistently inside. He preferred it to be in the Chapel too.
Just to go back from him, we taught him the Ministry of Jesus Christ. We invited Bishop Homer Lobos, Sister Sheen Lobos and Sister Christine Ramos to join the discussion. As we were talking on the Ministry of Jesus Christ, giving him ideas of Christ and his Teachings with his Apostles. I think as we were talking with the Ministry, we emphasized the power and authority of God which was the, “Priesthood.” It makes all sense, because Jesus Christ will not build his Church without power from God.
As we were talking on Priesthood. Bishop Lobos shared his experience receiving the power of the Priesthood and the blessings received by Worthy Men. He continued on the sealing of families, sacrament and baptism. It came to a point, it became a fact and a testimony by Bishop. Then, Sister Sheen added her testimony of Church and Sister Christine shared hers too.
Brother Rodel felt impressed to learn more of the teachings of Jesus Christ. He wanted to know if he’ll be worthy to receive the power of the Priesthood. It was eye-catching, because we wanted to help him understand better in order for him to receive the Authority from God. We had a great time teaching him, and we will be teaching him more.
Mission Updates: Eye Catching Moments
• Workshop with Cabuyao Zone.
After our Transfers, I received a phone call from the Mission Leaders on creating a workshop for our Virtual Zone Conference with Cabuyao Zone on May 6th. I am not alone on creating the workshop, I will be collaborating with Elder Aquino, Sister Rio of Cabuyao Zone and Elder Cabuyaban (the oldie 16 month Missionary of Lucena Zone). We were given the opportunity to do daily contact on our workshop everynight by 9pm. We get to share insights and provide suggestions to help Missionaries enhance their teaching and performance on their respective areas.
We were given the topic, “How to Begin Teaching (HTBT)” and “Invite Members to Help you Teach.” Everything is based on Preach My Gospel. We used Preach My Gospel to cover our online visuals and added sharing. It was a fun collaboration. As were discussing, we are getting into the friendship part too. I think it was nice, because Sister Rio was my former Zone Mate in Lipa Zone and Elder Aquino was my former district mate in Lipa Zone. It was fun to talk to them and they improved so much in the mission. You will definitely see the changes on the Missionaries. It is a wow moment!
As we were ending up the calls and practice our demonstration. We had a great time, and I think our friendship became better. We find other approaches to help our Zones and to our teaching. It was a great moment and it teaches you to appreciate their Improvement and performance. It was a fun time with them!
• Birthdays’ with Elder Raguinan and Sister Guarde
We celebrated Elder Raguinan and Sister Guarde’s birthday during our in-person District Council Meeting. We had a great time celebrating their birthdays’. It was a memorable moment for them in the Mission. Despite of the changes in our work, I find it memorable for them. The Elders’ bought pizza and other stuff, for lunch, but we did not linger-longer. I find it was the best birthday of theirs in the mission. They are amazing missionaries, the best District Leader, Elder Raguinan and former Sister Training Leader, Sister Guarde!
• Other Appointments
We had a dinner appointment with the Lobos Family, we had a great time getting to know them and we start to love them. I think we felt impressed to share our experience teaching about Faith. As we were sharing we felt the need to emphasize, “putting ourselves in the Will of God.” Sister Lobos shared an experience of Families and Sustaining Callings in the Church and it requires Faith. Then, Bishop Lobos added his experience on receiving revelation on receiving callings in the church. He said, “Everything requires faith.” It was something I had to learn and it was a good insight from them.
• Sister Villacanas
I had a great time with Sister Villacanas. She is the sweetest and smartest. She is very lovely! There were times I had an authentic moment of speaking my language to her. I cannot adjust much on the teaching, she is outstanding. There are times, we have different differences. But, we somehow combined our knowledge and experiences into our teaching and work. We are doing so well in our work. I love her so much! I will say I am blessed to have her.
This is all I could share. See you soon! ♡
Love,
Sister Dilag
