Day 253 Carcar, Philippines Waterfalls, cheese ice cream, and green mangoes :)

I feel so blessed to be here in Cebu mission. When I received my temporary call, I was encouraged to serve here as if it had been the mission to which I was originally assigned. It was not hard to continue my mission here in Cebu. I feel I have done my best to adapt to the many good things this mission has to offer and I love it here! I feel like I have given my all, even though this is not my original mission; this is still the work of the Lord and it really doesn't matter where we serve but how. It'll be bittersweet to have to leave, but I know great things are waiting back in Tacloban! :) :) :)

Sooo we had Zone interviews last Thursday. Basically, President and I just talked about Tacloban mission reopening the whole time, haha. He told me that a new batch arrived there a few days ago, I think 26 missionaries or so, three of which are from Cebu (Sister Vea, Sister Brown, and Elder Santiago). They are opening up a thirds zone in Catbologan, Samar! That's super far from Maasin and Sogod. . . I wonder how transfers will work because they'll have to either travel by ferry or drive through the destruction of Tacloban city. . . Also, it is presumed that all Tacloban missionaries will be back in Tacloban mission by the end of March or so. And new missionaries will be there by the end of this month! I have no idea when I'll be going back. Just waiting for a phone call.

We went to a waterfall for our zone activity last P-day and it was so gorgeous! It reminded me of our family vacation to Puerto Rico. On the ride up, we stopped by a dairy and had some fresh ice cream! (yayay for real milk, ahaha).

Random: Cheese ice cream. Just think about it. It's a specialty here. My tongue doesn't quite understand it yet. . . I prefer ube ice cream, a type of root crop. It's purple. :)

I love Filipino kids. While I was walking by a new road being carved out of a mountain in my area, we passed by some kids sitting on top of a HUGE pile of dirt that they had climbed to reach the mangoes from the tops of the trees. As we walked by, they called out my name and yelled, "You like mangga?!" (mangoes) I held out my hand as if to catch one and they came running down the hill towards me to share their mangoes. :) In return, I gave them the Articles of Faith in Bisaya (Cebuano), haha. Cute kaayo ang mga bata. (Kids are so cute.)

The typhoon that hit a few days ago wasn't too bad in our area. Nothing much, just flooded rice fields. But that's crazy that the sisters in Maasin were hit by the flashflood after only two days of returning to Tacloban!!! They basically went through the same thing I did. They need to find apartments on higher ground. . .

We had a pretty busy week: exchanges with the STLs, interviews, cleaning checks, a baptism of some missionaries in our zone, etc. Despite having a busy week full of workshops, interviews, and our zone activity, Sister Robidillo and I were still able to make the extra effort to surpass the mission standards for lessons and FTEs. Everyday, we are both amazed at how we are able to achieve our goals despite the many setbacks we occur. I can really feel the Lord working with us, leading us when we are punted and giving us words when our investigators are gahi (hard-hearted). I feel a sense of confidence in this work because I know the the plans we make may not happen exactly as we would expect, but the Lord will guide us to know HIS plan if we are obedient. My testimony of obedience has been strengthened so much because of the countless times we are lead from place to place, the timing so perfect.

We are continuing to work with our IBDs: Lorana and Ulysses Paraz, and Marites Zafra. The first couple is really progressing and they attended church together. Currently, we are working with members in the ward to help them finalized the papers they need to get married. They are on track for the 22nd of March. Marites Zafra has been busy, so we haven't taught her in a while. Her brother fell from a mango tree and broke his arm so she's been taking care of him in the city.

Right after I finish emailing today, I get to attend the family sealing of the Baran family!!!! (the first family that befriend me here in Carcar---the ones who know Waray2x). I'll send pictures next week. :)

During my time with Sister Robidillo, I've improved my understanding of how to set effective and useful goals. Goal making has increased my faith and stretched my expectations for myself. They help me to stop being content with good and goal for the better and best. When we first became companions, we were meeting the mission standards and even higher; I was content with that. But we set even higher goals and then followed through each night, analyzing our work and progress towards those goals. Now, our capability and capacity to teach and open our mouths has been stretched. Goal setting is truly the power to actualize our full potential and keep progressing.

I've become more humble this week as we continue to do our nightly evaluation and admit our weaknesses and mistakes to each other. I have learned how to more fully recognized the mistakes I've made, instead of make excuses or shrug them off. I am able to complete the repentance process.

I know this is the work of the Lord and each day I am so grateful for the opportunity and privilege I have to participate in this great and marvelous work. There is nothing more important than preparing for the exaltation of mankind.

LOVE YOU ALL!!!! :D :D :D

FHE - I'm so white...

Ride to the waterfall