Amazing Sights

This weekend was a lot of note-taking, since we watched General Conference Saturday and Sunday and then had a Zone Conference yesterday! Feel gyud ko lamdagan. It was great- learning is a lifelong love!

Besides conferences, we saw a lot of amazing things this week:

1. We had a district activity hiking Cruz Daku, which is a giant cross at the top of a mountain. It was great- you can see half the island of Bohol from the top! Along the trail are various other cement crosses with pictures of Christ and quotes from the Bible...it was amazing!

2. While tracting in Albur, we stopped by an investigator's house we haven't been able to teach in a while. We said "Ayo!" and were answered by one small 4 year old boy who opened the bamboo door. He glared at us and had his hand behind his back. He said his sister and his mom were both gone for the last 3 days. Then his older brother, maybe 6-years-old, pushes his way out, smoking a cigarette that's much too big for his tiny fingers. Seeing his brother's example of "no shame" the younger came out too, smoking. A third boy emerged, same age. All three of them just smoking and staying in the house by themselves for 3 days. There's not much we can do- they aren't our kids....but me being me, I just had to say, "Makadaot ang cigarillo. ayaw ana. Dili na maayo sa inyong panglawas." They just laughed said some rude words and ran into the house. At least I said my piece! Seeing innocence lost so quickly is amazing to me.

3. Teaching Carla a lesson at the beach after she introduced us to her boyfriend. There is NOTHING so great as teaching the gospel on the beach, sitting in a little bamboo hut and staring out at the fishing boats, and the dagat! I love the Philippines. The ocean is amazing.

4. Teaching Carla a lesson with the rubble of her recently demolished home behind her. I told her with confidence that no matter what other foundations fall in her life, the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is the "firm foundation" we can all rely on. Seeing her happiness from the gospel despite her trials in life is amazing.

5. We had a turning point this week with our dear sister Mel Luza. She is a less-active member with a very busy life and many kids. She is one of the most hard-working people I've met, working 3 jobs and maintaining the house and family. She has recently expressed some very difficult trials she's been through. For the first time since I arrived in Baclayon in December, she accepted my invitation to come to church with us this Sunday. We finally got to resolve with her her real concerns and she finally softened to the invitation to COME BACK to Christ. The look in her tearful eyes was amazing.

6. For lunch we just ate organic stir-fry, lemongrass juice, and homemade malunggay ice-cream from an organic cafe at the Bee Farm here on Bohol....that ice cream made out of leaves was amazing. 

7. And just before walking into this internet cafe, a komodo dragon on a leash walked by and brushed my leg. It scared me to death, haha, but at least the guy holding the leash had taped its jaws shut... it was pretty amazing too!

Spiritual thought: "No good thing will be withheld from them that walk uprightly" (read Psalm 84:11 and Doctrine and Covenants 59:23)

Bisaya word of the week: I asked a new investigator how she felt about the message we shared about the restored gospel and she answered in one word: "Lamdagan" which means "enlightened". Best answer I've heard yet!

Love you all,

Sister Bertoldo

"Timing Kaayo!"

Maayong palis!

This week was "Holy Week" in the Philippines so...lots of processions, lots of people flooding the Catholic churches. Lots of people passing out crosses and setting up candles and statues of saints. And lots of people at the beach or at relatives homes. We got yelled out by a Catholic father for being non-Catholic, but we also had a friendly chat with a friendly nun! haha

Funny Story: For 3 days we had no water, not just our balay but the whole baranguay! We had to borrow and drag buckets of water from our neighbor! The water was a slight brown color.... On a hopefully unrelated note, the next morning, we were late to District Meeting because I spent the morning throwing up!

Carla wasn't at church for the 2nd week in a row and no has seen her, so we were really worried! She still has no cellphone!

During sacrament,  I was reading in Enos how he "poured out his whole soul" in prayer for his brethren once he had received remission of sin for himself. I thought- can I even DO that? Pour out my whole soul? That thought was with me all day.

After lunch as we prepared to go to work for the day, I was still silently praying we would be able to find Carla. I suggested we kneel to pray instead of standing. We all felt that we should go visit Nanay Edith in Loay, even though it's VERY far. We took a bus and headed out. They were all asleep. So we felt that we should walk to another members' home, even though we knew they weren't home. As I was walking- sun beating down, sweat dripping- I was thinking, "WHAT are we doing right now! We made all the wrong decisions!" Then the song came floating into my mind, "Pray, He is there. Speak, He is listening." and so I prayed as I walked and I felt so confident in our direction. I felt like we were headed in exactly the right direction, even though we were technically LOST haha. Then I hear, "Sister!" And before I know what's happening Carla is wrapping her arms around me and apologizing for not being at church. And she was in awe, she said, "wow, timing kaayo Sister!" I told her it was no coincidence that we both happened to be in the same random place at the same time. I told we had been praying about her all week!

We ended up teaching her and then teaching one of her friends and then setting up return appointments with both of them. We also got Carla's paperwork in so she can go to Youth Conference this April :) Then we were able to get back to Nanay Edith just as she woke up.

Yesterday was the best Easter Sunday ever. Because Easter is about celebrating Christ's resurrection. As a missionary, I know that Christ lives, that He loves us, and that He leads His living church. I also know that He leads us personally. And I am so grateful for that!

Love, Sister Bertoldo

Carla's Confirmation

Carla was confirmed yesterday as a new member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! It was such a happy day for her.and all of us.

There's not much to report, kay mao ra ang mga adlaw sa mga missionary haha. BUT we're enjoying introducing Sister Pulotu to the area. She is the sweetest Sister ever.

Cebuano fun fact: "baklay" means "to walk" so "Baclayon" essentially means "place where you walk" and so it's a fitting place to do missionary work since we just walk around and around Baclayon all week, haha!

This transfer is going to be great, we are going to see tarsiers, chocolate hills, floating restaurants, the Bohol Bee Farm, and other such P-Day adventures.

It's also going to be great because we get to continue teaching and nurturing both Carla, our recent convert, and Sister Pulotu, our trainee! I'm so excited to see them grow and progress, and to learn from them too :)

Read Alma 37:37 and "counsel with the Lord in all your doings, and he will direct thee for good"

Love,

-sister bertoldo

Padayon Baclayon

This week, I read a Liahona article about how waking up early helps us receive more revelation. So I've been waking up 30 minutes earlier than usual. This week was SO cool. I go to bed with questions and wake up and find answers. I also noticed a pattern of God preparing me daan for experiences. Pananglitan:

1. I studied in Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith: "we have to comprehend the character of God to fully comprehend ourselves and to know how to approach Him....God sees the secret springs of human action, and knows the hearts of all living." And so I was thinking how to discern others (like we do all day in missionary work) we need to look to God....He is our Guide in discerning others. Later that day, we had Carla's baptismal interview. Some things came up in her interview with the Zone Leaders and then had me come into the office. The Elder who conducted the interview looked me in the eyes, told me the situation, and asked me, "What do you think we should do?" I froze for a sec, like, I don't know! I only have know this person for a month and a half. Then I remembered what I had studied this morning- I may not know, but God knows if she's ready for baptism. I paused then told the Elder exactly what came into my mind- that I felt she was ready. He nodded his head and said he agreed. After we decided that, I felt just warmth and peace in my heart and I was so grateful for the Spirit's guidance. Talking to Carla later, I felt her desire and willingness to follow Christ so strongly and her baptism yesterday was....the. BEST. day. of my life.

2. I read in James 1:1-4 about how we ought to face trials of our faith and "count it all joy" because patience, in her "perfect work", enables us to become "perfect, wanting nothing". I also read that "while we may be ready to move on, having had enough of a particular learning experience, our continued presence is often needed as a part of the learning environment of others" (-Elder Neal A. Maxwell). Then later that day, we had transfer calls. I felt ready to transfer, but it turns out I will be staying here in Baclayon another transfer (Padayon Baclayon!!!) with Sister Smith (yesss!!) and we are team-finish-training a new Sister. Later, Carla told me she prayed all night that we wouldn't transfer, and the new addition to our companionship has been having a lot of homesickness and physical sicknesses, and so I felt that....my "continued presence" is needed here in Baclayon for the learning environments of others, even though I felt personally fulfilled here.

I'm so excited for round 2 with Sister Smith and round 3 in Baclayon! I get to spend more time with Nanay Edith (she has now been hospitalized), I get to continue teaching and nurturing Carla's testimony as a recent convert, and I get to train again! And I am back to the trisome life....!

"Patience is not indifference. Actually, it means we care very much, but being willing, nevertheless, to submit to the will of the Lord and to a "process of time". -Maxwell

As for me, I am so happy to continue to SERVE IN MY SPHERE and COUNT IT ALL JOY!

Some fun things:
1. community service project, we built a house out on a mountainside overlooking Loboc river for a less-active family in our branch!

2. Sister Smith and I bought some fabric, took it to a tailor, who drew a sketch, measured us, and sewed a dress perfectly fitted to us! It was so fun, I have to do it again.

Amping mo kanunay!

-Sister Bertoldo

Count it all Joy!

This week, I read a Liahona article about how waking up early helps us receive more revelation. So I've been waking up 30 minutes earlier than usual. This week was SO cool. I go to bed with questions and wake up and find answers. I also noticed a pattern of God preparing me daan for experiences. Pananglitan:

1. I studied in Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith: "we have to comprehend the character of God to fully comprehend ourselves and to know how to approach Him....God sees the secret springs of human action, and knows the hearts of all living." And so I was thinking how to discern others (like we do all day in missionary work) we need to look to God....He is our Guide in discerning others. Later that day, we had Carla's baptismal interview. Some things came up in her interview with the Zone Leaders and then had me come into the office. The Elder who conducted the interview looked me in the eyes, told me the situation, and asked me, "What do you think we should do?" I froze for a sec, like, I don't know! I only have know this person for a month and a half. Then I remembered what I had studied this morning- I may not know, but God knows if she's ready for baptism. I paused then told the Elder exactly what came into my mind- that I felt she was ready. He nodded his head and said he agreed. After we decided that, I felt just warmth and peace in my heart and I was so grateful for the Spirit's guidance. Talking to Carla later, I felt her desire and willingness to follow Christ so strongly and her baptism yesterday was....the. BEST. day. of my life.

2. I read in James 1:1-4 about how we ought to face trials of our faith and "count it all joy" because patience, in her "perfect work", enables us to become "perfect, wanting nothing". I also read that "while we may be ready to move on, having had enough of a particular learning experience, our continued presence is often needed as a part of the learning environment of others" (-Elder Neal A. Maxwell). Then later that day, we had transfer calls. I felt ready to transfer, but it turns out I will be staying here in Baclayon another transfer (Padayon Baclayon!!!) with Sister Smith (yesss!!) and we are team-finish-training a new Sister. Later, Carla told me she prayed all night that we wouldn't transfer, and the new addition to our companionship has been having a lot of homesickness and physical sicknesses, and so I felt that....my "continued presence" is needed here in Baclayon for the learning environments of others, even though I felt personally fulfilled here.

I'm so excited for round 2 with Sister Smith and round 3 in Baclayon! I get to spend more time with Nanay Edith (she has now been hospitalized), I get to continue teaching and nurturing Carla's testimony as a recent convert, and I get to train again! And I am back to the trisome life....!

"Patience is not indifference. Actually, it means we care very much, but being willing, nevertheless, to submit to the will of the Lord and to a "process of time". -Maxwell

As for me, I am so happy to continue to SERVE IN MY SPHERE and COUNT IT ALL JOY!

Some fun things:
1. community service project, we built a house out on a mountainside overlooking Loboc river for a less-active family in our branch!

2. Sister Smith and I bought some fabric, took it to a tailor, who drew a sketch, measured us, and sewed a dress perfectly fitted to us! It was so fun, I have to do it again.

Amping mo kanunay!

-Sister Bertoldo

There is a God

We are still preparing Carla for her baptism this March 8, and she even comes to kuyog lessons with us! The only problem is that her cellphone broke, so there's no way to get in touch with her...but we keep seeing miracles happening- somehow, we've been able to teach her all the lessons we need to. It's so great to see how her curiosity in the "Mormons" turned to faith in Christ's restored gospel, and to see that faith growing into a testimony!

This morning we went to visit Edith Delphin, she is in so much pain now from her breast cancer, she can't leave her bed. We talked with her, listened, and sang her her favorite hymns. As we sang (my companion's voice is amazing) tears just streamed down her face! Then we shared with her from Alma 5:14-16 and that lesson was probably one of my favorite lessons, the Spirit was so strong! Nanay Edith has had such an amazing life, and even though she is much too young to be having these health problems, she is a huge example of faith and trust in God and his will for us! 

So much more happened this week, but suffice it to say that we ate tropical fruits, attended birthday parties, taught tons of lessons, taught Sunday school, gave talks in church, found new investigators, got called "imposters" by old Catholic men, and came home each night dirty, and tired, and with so much joy in heart in doesn't make sense :)

As I am surrounded by these beautiful foreign people, in this stunning foreign land I just think of Alma 30:44 "all things denote there is a God" and D$C 101:16 "let your hearts be comforted, for all flesh is in my hands; be still and know that I am God". With all the trial and change this life brings, one thing is constant: our Heavenly Father, His eternal plan, and His love for us!

Love you all!

-Sister Bertoldo

Pictures: Carla and I, Jaden's birthday dinner, a jackfruit (nangka), and one of the many stunning sunsets

Week of Miracles

This week was full of miracles.

We have 2 IBD's scheduled for March 8, Bernadette and Karla, and I am just so proud of the branch here in Baclayon for how loving and welcoming they are to the investigators we bring to church. That.makes.all.the difference! They've come to church 2 Sundays now and REALLY enjoyed it :) They both came that first Sunday at our invitation just by themselves, but now they are friends with each other, friends with all the other teenagers in the branch...they even have a crush on one of the young men haha. But they are really understanding the lessons and so excited to be baptized!

We had FHE with a less-active family and it was a really spiritual experience for them. For the lesson I compared their home to a city and told them an attacking enemy was headed our way, what should we do? They said, shut the doors, defend the house! Then we read Alma 50:1-6 and discussed how just like a city has to great barriers, defenses, and even some offensive tactics to thwart an enemy, a family has to also create spiritual protection if it wants to overcome the many, many evil influences of the world today. Then we played tons of games and they ate tons of food haha.

There was one night this week we were traveling home from a late appointment and at night there is rarely a dyeep to catch on the highway. We had 3 small children with us, running around and we're trying to keep them in control. There.was.no.sakyanan. After an hour, I'm like really worried now, it was DARK. And LATE. And FAR. Then, Queen, the little girl we were with who is a recent convert, says to me, "Sister, why don't we just say a prayer?" So of course, I'm like sure. And she's like who should say it? And I thought to myself that the prayer would be stronger coming from her since she has such a pure faith and isn't all stressed like I was. So I told her to say it. She said a short simple prayer and opened her eyes, and immediately, a single djeepney turns the bend. He was on his way home but let us jump in. Prayer works, but we have to have the faith of a child! 

Bohol is amazing. I don't know how I got so lucky to be assigned to serve a mission in Bohol/Cebu, one of the most beautiful parts of the entire world? The sunsets are like.....you just can't be stressed anymore while staring at them!

A major focus for me in my work right now is
1. asking inspired questions that really help my investigators make connections and LEARN
2. cultivating an attitude of constant gratitude!

"Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven!" -President Monson

Amping kanunay!

-Sister Bertoldo

Pictures: Queen Ahat, and our FHE group picture :)