Meet the Son! Haha! - Week 45.Serving in CDO 2nd

Good day! Well, this week was a week full of surprises, challenges and humbling experiences for me. A

Well, our work is not that much this week. Aside from punted appointments, Elder Ambrosio came to the office not feeling well so I let him rest. I was also not feeling well after the relapse I had last time, so I'm very thankful for Sister French's counsel to me on what to do and she told me that I did the right thing.  I know what I'm overcoming right now is really hard for me, adjusting and really really getting out of my comfort zone while improving my condition. But this week, I've learned that Heavenly Father loves us so much and would not let us down. With the comforting and calming feeling I had during that relapse, my testimony about prayer and listening to the promptings of the Spirit grew.

Anyways, as for the fellowshippers/friends for our recent converts and less-active,  they have fellowshippers/friends in our ward. It's one of the best things that Bishop is focusing on. He plans to have consistent fellowshippers for our Less-Actives and Investigators that we are teaching. As soon as they finish the list by coordinating with us, he will be interviewing those members.

The Missionary Fireside was successful! After that, the ward decided to have it every 3 months. Members shared their experiences about the importance of sharing the gospel to others and helping our brothers and sisters come back to activity. Even the Return-Missionaries who are not participating that much in Visiting/Home Teaching reminisced their Mission life and realized that they need to get back that desire of helping others and rescuing them.

We have meetings with the ward and auxiliary leaders every 2nd and 4th Sunday. Bishop is really getting us involved which is really great but of course, we need to have the Ward Mission Leader to act. That's one of the things Elder Panti and Elder Ambrosio needs to work on.

During my last Sunday, I just realized that time sure is fast! I've stayed here in the office for 30 weeks already and now I'm transferring. I have loved the ward and as I thank the members for the chance to serve them, they also thanked me back so it's one of the areas that I'll remember serving in. I hope and pray that they'll continue helping the Missionaries in doing this work. Establishing the ward have helped so much in having the investigators and less-actives come to church every Sunday. I have seen it in our work and I will do my best to apply it as well in my next areas.

I just remembered my favorite verse in the scriptures found in Ecclesiastes 3:1 which says that "to every thing there is a season and a time for every purpose under the heaven". I know that Heavenly Father assigned me here in the office for a purpose. I'm grateful for being assigned here because it had helped me grow. But I know that I still have a lot of things to learn and do to continually improve. I'm so thankful for the Mission Leaders in helping me and guiding me to be reminded of my purpose here in the Mission.

I know that I should not fear in my next area. Haha.

Elder Ambrosio's training is going well. He's picking up things fast despite I had taught him so many things to do. Haha. But I know and trust him that he can do it because the Lord has chosen him to do so. I just can't believe I'm really transferring. I'll surely miss Elder Panti and our companionship. I'm so thankful for how he have helped me in improving my condition and for the work that we had in the area. He's a brother to me.

Lastly, I'm also grateful for the opportunity Elder Collado and I had to listen to the testimonies of the Homebound Missionaries. I know that despite knowing what will happen to us after 14 months, it'll still be different when we are already there. The new calling that the Lord will be giving me next transfer will really help me grow and stretch a lot. I know it won't be easy and I'll encounter new kinds of stress (haha). But, it'll be worth it.

Thank you guys! Would like to hear from you.

Sincerely,
Elder Dimazana
Philippines Cagayan De Oro Mission