Love is the very essence of the gospel‏

Kumusta po lahat tao!

This this week was pretty dandy. Sister Padre and I had two workshops we attended. One in Sorsagon with our zone and one in Legazpi for the trainers/ trainees meeting. We definitely learned a lot and our testimonies were greatly strengthened. I was able to have my first interview with my mission president, President Guanzon. He is just the best, and truly called of God. 

President Guanzon reminded us that love is the essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten son, and thus provided is a way to return to live in His presence through the atonement and the restored gospel. All things Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ has done, doing, and will do is out of pure love. Our challenges, everything given to us is to help us grow and learn so that we can become better than who we were yesterday.

Im so blessed and privileged to have heard President Guanzon’s words of encouragement, wisdom, love, and instruction this week. I’m very grateful for the opportunities ive had to learn and be edified from the workshops that were given to us. 

As things get harder and I’m adjusting to the providences here in the Philippines, my faith is truly tested. My patience, my endurance….everything. But because I know my purpose here as a missionary and am striving to have a heart full of love, I pray to the Lord with all the energy of my heart every night. Especially when my body is physically trying to adjust to everything here and I don’t feel well, through the lord’s strength and the scriptures, I find so much strength through it all. 

This work is quite demanding and can be difficult at times. Ive recognized that. But what I’ve also recognized is through praying, and pleading with the Lord until I have nothing left to give, he will deliver me comfort and strength that is exactly what I need in order to do His will. The amount of joy I feel with sister Padre and the happiness I feel when serving the Gubat branch makes it all worth it.

I really love this work, and I really love sharing the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone I meet. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and as we read it, ponder, and pray to know it’s true, God will answer us. That’s something we’re working on with most investigators. A lot of them aren’t sure when it comes to the Book of Mormon because they are so used to the Bible only. Sister Padre and I promise them that if they do what it says in the last two paragraphs of the Book of Mormon introduction; which is to read it, ponder, and ask God in the name of Jesus Christ if it is true, they will know for themselves that it is through the power of the Holy Ghost. Then, if they know it’s true,they will also know  that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is God’s restored church and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God.

It’s amazing how before my mission, all of these things were simply beliefs of mine. But as I show my faith in Jesus Christ through actions, my beliefs have become knowledge. I know no matter how many challenges Sister Padre and I face, the one thing that will never change is our knowledge of God and Christ’s actual existence and that this is truly the restored church of Jesus Christ. Because God loves us so much, He’s provided us everything in order to find true happiness.. We just need to have that desire to find and use it. 

I love you all and think of each of you often. 
Mahal Kita 

Sister Delgado

PS One night sister Padre and I were walking from an area Balig-ang and it was late and night and there were no tricycles for us to ride home. It felt like an even longer walk home because of how exhausted we are. And we hadn't eaten dinner yet. But on the way home this motorcycle stops right in front of us and these people jump out and run toward us... scared me to death, Luckily it was the Erhina family and they gave sister Padre and I a container of ulam and gulay. And Sister Erhina had made me a pooka shell necklace and placed it on my neck... Literally angels sent from heaven.. We were so surprised. Definitely one of the many tender mercies given to us. 

Family Home Evening with Joven and Pimentel Family

Kasama pics :)

Gubat District at the Legazpi trainer/trainee workshop.  We're a happy bunch.

Giving service to a recent convert Nanay Malayna and Rubilin.

No effort given is wasted

Kumusta Fam!

So this week was pretty great. Sister Padre and I challenged ourselves to work even harder than we did the week before because our Key Indicators (stats for how many people we teach, baptisms, teach with member present, etc) weren’t as great as they could be. During the course of our week, we felt sort of bummed because we weren’t getting instant results even though we planned super well and thoroughly. Like when we had our member present, people wouldn’t want to listen to us or let us in to share our message or people weren’t home. Ah! Haha it was frustrating because the members of the church are so busy so when had them working with us and we couldn’t teach, it was a bit discouraging. I almost felt like our efforts were waisted. But as the days go by and by nine oclock pm, we realize that we actually did a lot better than we thought. We normally teach about 12 lessons a day, and we taught 3 lessons with our member (Nene) present during an afternoon. And boy did we work for those three lessons with her.  At the end of the day I realized that no effort given is waisted because this is truly the Lord’s work. Everything is in his timing. Everything we gave that was probably the way he intended it for us. 

I really felt God’s grace upon sister Padre and I when we met a man named Michael. He spoke some English too because he’s an English teacher, which was pretty cool. Padre and I found the Pura family while tracting one day and initially our lesson was for nany pura, his mom. But eventually as we were teaching the lesson, he peaked out of the corner of the room beside us. At first, we were talking with nanay pura face to face, and then Michael through the wooden wall. But as the lesson progressed, we were eventually able to see his face. The Pura family said they would pray to know if our message was true. About a week later we went back to the Pura home. We saw Michael washing his clothes and his mom cooking. We asked him if we could share another message and talk about his prayer. He dropped everything and welcomed us in so kindly, along with his mother. This was kind of a shock to Padre and I because normally people use their chores as reasons to not talk to us. Lol.  So we went inside and asked him how his prayer about our message was going and he said he felt it was true. We taught him how God calls prophets to lead and guide us, and because God is the same today, yesterday, and tomorrow, He has called a prophet for today’s generation. Thomas S Monson. Michael committed to pray if President Monson was a true prophet….and committed to follow the savior through baptism. This was a pretty special experience for me because I had never encountered a soul as ready and willing to follow Jesus Christ and accept his restored gospel.  Makes me want to evaluate myself and ask if I’m willing to change as quick as he is. 

I'm so grateful for my kasama sister Padre (Madre). She truly is my other nanay out here. Haha. We got to give service to a recent  converts Tatay Carlito and Nanay Feeda.  Tay Carlito make not make it much longer. L Padre and I cleaned their cock pit arena and swept all the garbage around the house. They weren’t home because they were at the hospital, but we hope it made their burden a bit lighter.

Here in the Philippines, there are a lot of situations and circumstances that truly hinder people to progress in the church. A lot of the times it financial, social, or health problems xs 10. As Missionaries, there’s not much we can do for them in that area, which makes it hard.  After studying in Alma 13: 28-29, I was reminded that part of being a missionary, or a witness of Christ requires that I have a heart full of love for those we serve and to serve with patience and long suffering. No we wont always get the results we hope for in the people we teach and invite daily, but it’s so important to be patient with them and their challenges and to help in any way possible. Of course our key indicators will not be perfect every week. People are people. Things happen, and as Padre and I give our best every day to the people here in Gubat, the pure joy we feel for when things do work out for them and they follow the gospel principles, all the hard work, sweat, and tears are suddenly irrelevant and it all becomes worth it.  That joy we feel when we see a less active member member come to church after serving and teaching them throughout the week makes it all worth it. That joy we feel when someone we’ve met twice is already wanting to be baptized makes it worth it. That joy we feel when members feel the spirit tell them what they need to do/change in their lives in order to come closer to Christ, makes it all worth it. After this week, I know that no matter what the outcome may be in that moment, no effort given to someone other than your self is wasted. 

I love this gospel, and if I didnt know it was true, I wouldnt be here right now. I know that the Philippines Legazpi mission is exactly where I need to be, and where I'm meant to be. I love these filipinos, and everyday I'm able to witness a portion of the love God feels for them. Life here for the filipinos is so hard, but they always manage to make things work out and be smart in all things. Inspiring. 

Mahaaaaaal kita!

Sister Delgado

Fun fun facts:

- While entering a Less Active's home the step down to their floor was super steep. And apparently slippery after the rain. So naturally I fell. And possibly broke their door. Just kidding. haha their door was fine.

-While in that same Less Active's house, a lizard crawled up my skirt. Yeah. Whatever you're imagining about the way I reacted, you're right! 

-I convinced (made) Padre ride on top of the jeepney on the way to an appointment. 

-I dreamt in tagalog for the first time last Thursday.

-The Philippines is pretty hot. 

-Everyday is a jungle hike adventure.

-I get eaten alive by mosquitoes.

-My cooking is uhm...... improving ;)

I Love Where I Am!

Kumusta all! 

Wow what a week. So much happens in such a short amount of time. Gubat is great. I'm sure enjoying the jungle. Im also finally starting to familiarize myself with all the families and their names. Haha there's so many to keep track of, but I have really grown to love them. The Philippines is so beautiful. My favorite part of the day is when the sun goes down and you can see the sky turn red or orange. I love seeing the coconut trees everywhere. Sobrang Ganda ang Legazpi Mission!

Sister Padre and I experienced a lot different things this week. We were able to go on companionship exchanges and so I went to Bacon area with Sister Training Leader Sister Coleman. She's from Utah and is leaving for home in a couple weeks, so of course she was amazing at teaching in tagalog. Her place is right next to the ocean.... living near the ocean what a sight to see here in the phil. I learned a lot from her on how to be a better teacher as a missionary and in tagalog.

Of all the people Sister Padre and I taught this week, I felt truly touched after teaching nanay Hareno. Her husband works as the branch mission leader and her daughter attends church with her kids. Nanay and her daughter had had some problems for quite some time and refused to ever go to church again because she didnt want to see her daughter there. She expressed this to us and we felt sorry for her. Sister Padre and I promised her that if she will go to church and softened her heart towards her daughter, she would see miracles happen. And if she went to church and partook of the sacrament, she would be able to recieve forgiveness of her sins through the sacrafice of Jesus Christ. When we left her house I felt the spirit, but had no expectation of seeing her attend church. Sunday comes and Sister padre and I see her....

This feeling of joy I had about seeing her attend and put aside any pride she had made me feel... I cant even describe it. Pure joy for her. Even though it was a simple thing to do, I know it took a lot of courage for her to come even though her daughter was there. So proud of nanay. Sister Padre and I felt so happy for her.

I also had a special experience with the pimentel family, a less active. This week we taught them about the importance of family prayer and family scripture study and church attendance. To the best of my ability, I bore testimony that scripture study and prayer with your family brings miracles. I shared about how it change my relationship with my mom for the better and that we have become closer because of it. I shared with them that I have seen how the Book of Mormon can change hearts and lives of people, as it has changed mine. I was very emotional while explaining, and they were too. We asked the Pimentel family if they would pray and read as a family, and they accepted and have been doing great! Tatay's prayers have really improved and you can tell hes been working on it. We visited them again yesterday because they didn't attend church, and they said it was because they didnt have money for the tricycle to take them :( But then we shared why church attendance is important to God for the welfare of their souls, especially with partaking of the sacrament and tatay promised he would make a better effort for next Sunday.  I felt that he truly ment that.

lol sometimes I can see Sister Padre's eyes fall out of her sockets when she sees how bold I can be with these families, but I know that this gospel can change their lives. I love the people of Gubat and pray that they will allow the gospel to make them more happy and live a more fulfilled life with savior more abundantly influenced in their every day actions.

I love where I am and I love what I'm doing.

Wouldn't change anything at all. 

mahal kita

Sister Delgado

THE PIMENTEL FAMILY

COMPANIONSHIP EXCHANGE IN BACON! 

GORGEOUSNESS!!!

First Area: Gubat

HOLY COW kumusta everyone!!

Well, this is my new area for the next 12 weeks. I love Legazpi so much, it's so green, full of trees and so many humble people here. I'm literally in the jungle. Like literally. Like I fell in a pile of mud on our way to a member's house. hahaha Sister Padre and I laugh about that all the time... AND YEAH! Sister Padre my new companion is wonderful I adore her so much. She's from Cavite and a native.... I praying for a native so that I could learn more from her Tagalog. I actually call her Sister Madre becauses she's also my mom. Like when we're walking to places and for a split second I don't see her and I spaz out and try to find her, she's already holding my hand. We are so alike and I learn from her everyday. She's a great missionary/ teacher and has been giving me many opportunities to teach with her in tag. I can tell she loves me and tries her best everyday. Also, my mission president and his wife President and Sister Guanzon are so great. I love them so much and appreciate all the hard work they do for us missionaries.

It's funny because here everyone is so interest in my race and in my last name haha. They're extremely complimentary and give me and Sister Padre discounts whenever we buy things ;) haha. Haha. It's hot here. Like I'm sweating my face off all the hours of the day, and when we cook and clean I'm drenched. haha Living in the Philippines is hard work and an adjustment but I wouldn't change it for the world. 

Sister Padre and I taught 20 lessons since I got here on Wednesday. It's been crazy/ amazing. I extended baptism to two investigators and they both said YES! Nanay Laya and Tatay Erhina! Now we just have to help them prepare for their baptismal date. We have so many people we contact every day. Between less active members, recent converts, and investigators... we are BUSY BEEs.

I love the members of the branch here. They call me princess Delgado but I have to remind them to call me Sister Delgado.. haha they are too nice. I talk about My mom and dad every day because everyone is so interested which one of my parents is Filipino and where my dad is from and how I know tagalog lol. One time Sister Padre and I were in the fish market and they kept calling "sister sister sister!" to get my attention to buy their fish , then that progressed to " DELGADO DELGADO DELGADO DELGADO!!" oh my gosh I about died and went home with no fish....

The branch isn't big enough to be a ward and there weren't that many people at church that i'm used to seeing pero let me tell you.. they are strong. They may be small in numbers but they are just as dedicated as us missionaries to help others come closer to Christ through his restored gospel.

Everyday is seriously an adventure. Between the Tricycle and Jeepney rides... haha I'm really putting trust in the Lord that we won't die from the crazy drivers here.. lol. My self reliance skills are definitely improving as Sister Padre teaches me how to survive out here. haha. Between washing our clothes by hand, showering with a bucket and cold water every day, cooking/ cleaning super manually, I'm definitely adjusting. I pray to God that I will be able to leave this area better than when I found it and get to know/ help members of the branch here be strengthened. I also pray that I'll be able to memorize and recognize the 30 something people we teach every week.

My faith in Christ is strengthened every day because I'm amazed at how much I accomplish with my kasama everyday and still survive and successfully teach. I know God is at the head of this work and that through his restored gospel, we can bumalik sa langit Diyos. I know that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. I know God restored His gospel on the earth today and that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Christ. I read that book every day and I testify to you all that it has given me strength beyond measure and through Christ I can do all thing expedient in him. I know the Book of Mormon contains the doctrine of Christ and all those we invite to read here in Gubat experience a difference in their lives. I'm so proud of the people here for allowing the gospel to change their lives. I dont know a stronger group of people.

I love Gubat and love you all. 

Remember how blessed we truly are! 

Sister Delgado loves you all! 

Another cool thing I wanted to share about my stay at the Manila MTC is that I got to speak during the Sacrament Meeting about the Savior's atonement.. got to love those suprise talks. Again totally unexpected. And I also love President and Sister Trask to death! Manila is gorgeous and I cant wait for us to go back ;)