Meet The D.A.D.(Dimazana, Abad, Dulam) - Week 64.Serving in Bulua

Well, our new companion is Elder Dulam who is from QC1st ward. Haha! Small world! So, we have some friends in common. Anyways, he's actually from Oroquieta, where my first area was! O.o But, he wasn't granted re-assignment so there's a purpose for sure.

Work during the week was great. Haha! First day of transfer, me and my trainee went straight of to work. It's cool 'coz he is really feeling a lot of the work and he's worried immediately about his next companions if they don't study, etc. So, at least, I gave him a headstart of what his mission should be like. And he's awesome! He's a U.P. student so he's really diligent in studying. Haha!

Anyways, I can't upload pictures today 'coz of time shortage. Maybe next week! And it's July so we'll meet our new Mission President in the coming weeks. Exciting! I'll miss President Hernaez for sure. So, a lot of things are in for this new cycle.

This week, I learned to be more diligent. Training a new missionary is really a challenge especially I am trying my best to help him get the feel of Missionary Work. Time is a major factor but I'm blessed to have another companion to support me in the training. Haha... This is really awesome and I'm having so much fun. So, yeah! That's my week. I'll update you again next week. Take care y'all!

Sincerely,

Elder Dimazana

Threesome again?! - Week 63.Serving in Bulua

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! I'm training! Oh freak! But, wha't weirder is we're a threesome! I'm still with my bestfriend Elder Abad with a new missionary whom I don't know by the time.

Well, it's another threesome for me.Yesterday, President told me that being a threesome is a challenge and our area is big. For a minute I thought about my current situation since we're a threesome this time holding two areas. And now, threesome again?! What the, plus the training responsibility. Oh boy, challenge again! But it's okay. More growth. Haha!

Anyways, week was good. Well, we only have 1 teaching in our area because of appointments falling off due to Father's Day Celebration. But that 1 teaching was really great though. It was with a Less-Active. We taught about keeping the sabbath day holy. They weren't able to come to church since their daughter is in the hospital. While we're sharing Mosiah 13:16-19, he shared to us the blessings they had. One of which is his work. He was assigned to a different department and it's not shifting as before. So, now, Sundays are off for him! Yay! He committed to come to church with his family. I told him that it'll be the start of their temple goal date. He was happy. Seeing his progress from the first time I met him, it's great! I always love how the Spirit touches those that we teach. After the lesson, the three of us was speechless. Then, he commented, that after what he told us, we were stunned for a moment. Who wouldn't?! Hearing such commitments from a Less-Active member is really amazing!

So, that's our week. I'm learning tons here! I've been pondering on my days on the mission and one time, as I woke up, my desire to study and work increased! Maybe because of the enjoyment I'm having helping people to have their own testimonies of the Gospel. I'm excited for this transfer. Haha! It'll be a blast!

So yeah. Just tired I guess. 'Till next week! Love you all! 

Sincerely,

Elder Dimazana

Philippines Cagayan De Oro Mission

Kiping trip, Home Alone and Raining! - Week 62.Serving in Bulua

Well, as you would know, I'm not with my companion anymore. T_T He's back in Manila to finish some papers but he'll be back soon.

This week was a hard week... Well, work time is limited. Not having a companion in our area is hard. For sure! I'm trisome right now with the other Elders, the Patag Elders: Elder Capoquian (my companion 2 cycles ago) and Elder Cabrera (his trainee).

Well, it's been a challenge for me. Being a District Leader, preparing the lessons for our investigators, updating the area book and stuffs, and meetings, it's taking a toll on me actually...

Anyways, I'm sick right now. :| Resting is really vital for me... Hopefully, I get well soon enough. But, work's great still.

We found another Golden Investigator! Yay! The first one, he's super progressing! He attended church but not in our area so I contacted the Elders there, 'coz he attended my previous area. He's progressing as ever! He's thanking us for meeting us and be able to know the church. I'm happy for him. As for the new one? He's Brother Charlie. He's a referral actually. Well, on our way home from the church, he stopped in front of us in his motorbike and asked if we are missionaries. We said yes. And he asked if we could teach him. Weird ain't it? Haha! When we got home, the member who has a referral for us told us that her referral met some missionaries! (Coincidence?) So, yeah, the referral and the one we met is the same. We taught him and the lesson went great. He'll be baptized soon enough because he has a strong desire to know about the church and to make changes in his life. He even expressed to us he want to be a Missionary as well! Really great eh? I love serving here. Despite the challenges I'm facing, the Lord is blessing us with unbelievable Spiritual experiences.

Aside from him, there's also a prepared one who is very receptive... So much going on with the work here! Hehe! I'm grateful for following Preach My Gospel. The members' power is so great! I'm amazed at how small things like sharing at their homes, and helping them to feel the Spirit could make a big shift in our work!

This week, I'm on a rest for a few days. T_T But, its okay. I'm excited to work still. I'm pumped up actually! This Sunday, we'll be teaching a Jehovah's Witness. I'm nervous 'coz we met him firsthand and he looks scary! But, he's a child of God nevertheless. Hopefully, he'll be open and feel the Spirit. We'll see about that next week.

Anyways, I've bought some kiping! Haha! I don't know what's it made from. It's like a giant cracker of sort with some choco syrup. It's fun to eat too. Crunchy!

Well, last week, before Elder Abad left, we celebrated his birthday. Hehehe... I miss my companion and I know we're both challenged. So we'll see what lessons we'll learn while on this unusual situation.

Anyways, that's my week! Have a great week ahead everyone! Excited to hear from you! Goodluck and keep safe! :D

Sincerely,

Elder Dimazana

Golden? Found One! - Week 61.Serving in Bulua

Kamusta?!!!!! Well, this was a great and Spiritual week for me and Elder Abad! Whew! We're having a great time indeed. Haha!!!!

During the week, we tried our best to find people that have been prepared to hear the Gospel. It was hard since most of the people that we I2Led either are busy or not interested. Though, we had lots of experiences where we testified and their countenance changed. There's this one sister we I2Led and she was busy. She told us to go to other houses instead. Then, we testified and her aura changed. She started to welcome us, asked questions, and just set another time for us to go back. It was really cool to experience chances like those. But, our greatest experience this week happened when we were on our way to our appointment. We passed by a man in a store who's taking a break. For some reasons, while we are walking past by him, we opened our mouths and in a few moments, started talking to him. He's tagalog so he greeted us warmly. Then, as we introduce ourselves to him and our purpose, he told us that we found the right guy. Elder Abad and I looked at each other, and there, at the store, sat, and shared to him. First thing he asked, what is the purpose of life. Great question! He's so golden! He started asking us questions of the soul. After the lesson, we invited Brother Ruel to come to church and he agreed. Sunday came, and he texted us that he's not feeling well. Later, as the sacrament meeting started, he came! We were surprised! He told us that he felt not going but since he made an appointment with us, he tried his best to make that promise. We taught him that same day and was able to commit him to be baptized! He really felt the Spirit and he even offered the closing prayer. He felt good and even told us that hopefully, God would embrace him. Elder Abad and I really felt that Heavenly Father prepared him and we're grateful for the "still small voice" who helped us recognize him while we are passing by. It was a great experience!

This morning, we had a zone activity. Caving!!!! It was tiring for sure. My companion loved the trek. It's been a workout for real! Haha! I've attached some pictures too! It was really fun. Hope there's a next time. 

This week, we had some great times in the mission. I think this is one of the best week I've ever had. Maybe because we're seeing how the Lord is working with us. It's just great!!!! And, it's so fulfilling to see how the Spirit works. Haha. I am having a lot of fun here in the Mission. I'm getting to know myself even better. It's been so fast. I'm already out 14 months! It's sick! But, there's a lot of things to do.

We've hit our work this past week so it was really exhausting and tiring. But all's worth it. Sharing the Gospel is one of the best experience I ever had! Hehe...

So, that's all. Would love to hear from all of you! Take care and have a great week!

Raining Baptisms! - Week 60.Serving in Bulua

Howdy yo?! Yeah! Our baptism last Saturday was very successful! Elder Abad and I are having a great time together... He really taught me to work out! And I'm having fun with it since it's a stress outlet. Haha...

Anyways, baptisms are raining in our District! Yay! It made me happy as their District Leader. All in all, we had 6 baptisms this month, and 5 of those happened just this past week. I love doing baptismal interviews. It's so spiritual... And, it's a feeling I'll never forget.

Hmm, Elder Abad and I had a little misunderstanding and we talked about it for a few days and Companionship Inventory helped! Both of us knows why it should be done and I learned a lot in this companionship. So many spiritual experiences. As companions, we need to yield to each other. I love the Spirit and the unity that we have in doing the Lord's work. Sometimes, Elder Abad and I would evaluate immediately after the lessons because we're blown away at times. Haha... We always talk about our teaching appointments because it is really great when the Spirit takes over. The transition is really great! We're having a great time in our companionship. Also, we're helping each other out and I do admit, he has helped me a lot personally in overcoming my weaknesses. In return, I teach him the understanding I have about Missionary work. So, all's really great!

Well, we have a daily scripture verse reading together. Before going to bed/after waking up, we are reading Pres. Hinckley's book which contains inspiring messages for the day with a scripture verse included. So, it's great everyday. Hehe...

This morning, we had an unwinding activity to relieve our stress out. It was fun. I really love the breeze of the sea. It calms me and relaxes me. Haha... And, also, I was pondering while sitting, looking out in the vast horizon. God's creation are really majestic. It made me admire the Creation even more. Seeing the white clouds, the hampering waves, the marine life, the people running around and having fun, and lots more. I guess it's one of the principles I love about the Gospel. Haha...

Anyways, I'm loving my stay here. I think I would love to stay here for as long as I can. Haha! I can't feel that time is passing by. It's fast but I'm excited to work everyday and learn new things, meet new people and see how other's progress in the Gospel.

So, Elder Abad and I are still having a great time! Haha! Pictures! Yeah! And, I feel so blessed. I really love this work! Hope you guys are all right there! Would love to hear from you... Have a great week! ^^

Nerds and Workout - Week 59.Serving in Bulua

Kamusta?! Hahaha! This week was a blast. Attached are pictures of the week....

Well, this week, had my first baptismal interview! Lol! And we had it near the sea! You can see it here though. So neat! Because their house is neighbors with people who are gambling, so no Spirit for sure. And, there's someone who is singing karaoke, so we had to find a place where the Spirit is conducive. And, we went near the sea! Haha... It was a wonderful and spiritual experience for me... 

And, we'll be having a baptism this Saturday! Yay! The District will be having 5 baptisms so we're happy... Can't wait for Monday! Haha!

One thing I can't forget this week is the lesson we learned with regards to planning. We weren't able to go out last Saturday because I'm not feeling well and we forgot to do our daily planning. Sunday came and when we went out for work, everything felt odd. We had a hard time to yield to each other. After 2 lessons, we had the same feeling towards the work so we evaluated while walking. And we have the same idea in mind why. So, before going to our last appointment, we planned and discussed a bit and all went well after that. Now, we can't go out without doing what we should do. The Spirit is just strong and we really love to have it always because we know it is the true teacher, we're just instruments for the Spirit to teach and testify to the people we're teaching. I'm grateful for Elder Abad because we're so open to teach other. We had a great time with our companionship inventory this week.

Well, I'm learning my weaknesses here. I do admit that I'm prideful in my own little way. It's hard to be humble, nonetheless, teachable. But, each day, I evaluate myself and ask if the things I'm doing are aligned with God's will. It's a humbling experience for sure. I'm still overcoming my past behaviors but I'm grateful for how the Lord works in my life. I love this work. It has taught me of my purpose in life.

The Gospel is really important in our lives. Without it, we won't know how to have peace in this life and happiness in the life to come. I'm grateful for the Lord's call to serve a mission. It's been a miracle. Everyday, I get to see how the Spirit works especially with me. Prayers are really answered as long as we have that faith.

My companion and my housemates call me Nerds... Haha... Each of us has a "name" but, I guess we need to go over the handbook. Haha... Just with us 4 though. And, exercise! Elder Abad taught me a lot on exercise. So morning exercises with him paid off. A way of relieving stress..

Well, that's our week. I love you all! 

Sincerely,

Elder Dimazana

Philippines Cagayan De Oro Mission

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A Duo with my Best Bud! Haha! - Week 58.Serving in Bulua

Compadres!!!!! News!!!!!!!! I'm companions now with my bestfriend, Elder Jasper Abad! Cool aye?!

This week is a great week. Of course, I'm enjoying the work so much with my new companion! Hahahaha! Also, there's so much going on with our work! The Spirit is super strong! My companion and I are so united! We are striving to be more obedient! It's great to feel the companionship of the Holy Ghost! It's so cool! The promptings are so strong and we are saying things we didn't mean to say. The Spirit takes over so after our teachings, we evaluate and just can't believe what happened. The mission is the best as long as we do what is said in D&C 64:29.

Here are our pictures together! Hahaha... Now you can believe that I'm companions with Elder Abad. Fun fun fun!

We're preparing for our baptism next week! Yay! She is progressing and she feels the Spirit... Whew! We're having a good time. Consistent studying and planning helped us. The Spirit is so strong! Everytime we teach, we can't describe what just happened in the teaching because we are speaking words that the Spirit strongly prompts us to say. Sometimes, we can't believe we said those things. Haha! But the Spirit takes over and do the actual teaching so it's so cool!!!!!

Hmmm... There's so much work to do here. I'm grateful for the blessings Heavenly Father gave me. I'm loving the mission. This is the happiest I've ever been in my whole stay here. Hahaha!

One thing we've learned so much is the importance of obedience. What God says will always be right. And as we follow the Lord's inspiration, He promised us that all will be well. And it's true! There's so much going on with the woodwork. The ward is so supportive. I love this area! Haha!!!! Nothing more we could ask for. Just, work, work, work!

Thanks for everything! Love ya all! Keep safe always! ^^

Sincerely,

Elder Dimazana

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