Philippines Legazpi Mission: Elder Feraer

NOVEMBER 30, 2014:
We're officially at the halfway mark of Elder Bongolan's Training. Time flies so fast when you're having fun and dedicated yourself to the Lord. We achieved the SoE again and we're on a roll. We also had 8 lessons today and a total of 37 lessons this week.

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BAGAMANOC | Day 228 |

NOVEMBER 29, 2014:
We had a new member present today and she is one of the recent converts. She's Ivy and she's knowledgeable and dedicated to continually learn the gospel. I baptized her last July and we invited her today to go with us and experience missionary work. She accepted and also asked permission from her guardians. 😊 We also invited Erickson so we can have another priesthood member from San Vicente branch to make this work (always follow the rule). During our lessons, she seems comfortable in praying and bearing her testimony in front of the investigators. This is her first time but she's doing good. I'm proud of her! She learned really well and has good potential to be a great full-time missionary someday. 😀 We always encourage the youth members of the church to serve and be a full-time missionary someday and hopefully Ivy will be one of them. 🤞 We had fun and productive day today and we're happy in helping Ivy & Erickson to develop their desire to become a missionary when the time comes.

(L to R) E. Bongolan, me, Ivy, and Torado

E. Bongolan teaching Gilbert

Erickson & Ivy

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BAGAMANOC | Day 227 |

NOVEMBER 28, 2014:
We did WPS in the morning. After the studies, we proselyted and we had a productive day in missionary work. We had a total of 9 lessons today. Sadly, this is also the last day of my batchmate and good friend Elder Irabon here in San Vicente. Personally, I'm a bit sad because he is my longest housemate here. He is a genuinely kind person and probably the most diligent missionary that I've known so far. A true hard worker. I know he is needed in his next area and surely will do great things there. I also have a feeling that he will be a District Leader and I'm wishing him all the best. San Vicente Branch is surely thankful for all his hard work here. We'll miss him.

with Elder Irabon and his favorite pose

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BAGAMANOC | Day 223 to 226 |

NOVEMBER 24, 2014:
This is the last week of this transfer cycle. Week 6 also of Elder Bongolan's training. He's halfway there. We did our usual P-Day routine. Most of all, this is the day that we can relax and recharge.


NOVEMBER 25, 2014:
Because of the water shortage yesterday (common dilemma here). I washed my clothes in the morning. I'm happy with the progress of my companion in his training. It's really exciting to fill up the 12-week guide.


NOVEMBER 26, 2014:
We had a good start in our morning work. The Toltol Family invited us and we ate lunch in their home. We're thankful for their kindness. We also had productive work in the afternoon and in the evening. Overall, we had a good day in missionary work today. Later in the evening, the Z.L.'s called us and they told me that Elder Irabon will be transferred and he and Elder Abuel must be in Virac this coming Saturday for the travel preparation. I'm sad that my batchmate and friend need to go but it's kind of expected because he is here since mid-June. I also think that he will become a District Leader in his next area. I really hope so. He deserves it. Before the night ends, I asked him to do the workshop for tomorrow's District Meeting and he accepted it.


NOVEMBER 27, 2014:
We had a District Meeting in the morning and it was also the last D.M. of Elder Irabon here in San Vicente. It was a good one as we expected. 👍 I've been on the mission for eleven months now and so far, I can say that our District right now, is one of the best that I've ever been with. I don't know in my future district if this district can be topped in terms of missionary work (hard work and key indicators). All of us in our district are workhorses and dedicated to our purpose. This District is special and I'm glad to be part of it.

The Great San Vicente District | E. Bongolan, E. Abuel, E. Feraer, and E. Irabon

with the Toltol Family

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BAGAMANOC | Day 221 to 222 |

NOVEMBER 22, 2014:
It's only Saturday today and base on our work these past several days I can feel that we're doing great this week. We had balanced work today. I'm happy that we had a successful appointment with our investigators and the members of our teaching pool. We had a memorable lesson with one of our less-active members and we felt that he and his family will attend church again tomorrow. We're hoping for the best in all of them. We also invited/reminded all of the investigators/members to attend church tomorrow. I have a good feeling about this. I'm excited for tomorrow! 😃

with E. Bongolan

NOVEMBER 23, 2014:
A blessed Sunday! Many members and investigators attend church today! 😃 I know that church attendance here is consistently high but today is way more than usual. We also hit most of the SoE this week (IBD, IASM, MP, PI, RCLA, NRM-ASM) and had a total of 44 lessons! 😃 It's always fun to work hard for our Heavenly Father and the people in our area. ☝

(L to R) Carla, me, Pres. Lopez, and E. Bongolan (w/ Bingay and K.C.)

Sis. Vergie and the Minaili kids

(L to R) E. Bongolan, me, Pres. Lopez, E. Irabon, and E. Abuel (w/ Garcia kid and K.C.)

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BAGAMANOC | Day 220 |

NOVEMBER 21, 2014:
We really had a fun exchanges with Elder Fifita yesterday and we're still laughing about it today. 😂 We did a weekly planning session in the morning. Along the way to one of our investigators, I took a photo of my companion in their "blooper" scene yesterday. Haha. We taught all of our investigators in the riverside today. It was a really nice discussion. The spirit is with us. I'm also happy that my companion invited our investigator to be baptized. He is learning really well. 😉 We had a good day in proselyting work today. We had 9 lessons overall. We also saw a cute little native pig. 🐖

He is pointing at the "blooper" scene. 😂

It is cuter in person! 😁

The children of Sis. Joy S. 😊

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BAGAMANOC | Day 219 |

NOVEMBER 20, 2014:
We had a District Meeting in the morning and the Zone Leaders are also with us today. Elder Bongolan did the workshop and I'm proud of him. He is really improving. Haha. In reporting time, I'm proud and happy about what our District is doing right now. Go San Vicente! 😎

(L to R) E. Pulido, E. Bongolan, E. Abuel, me, E. Fifita, and E. Irabon

In the afternoon, after all of our studies, we had memorable companionship exchanges with Elder Fifita. He is really funny! Haha. His moment with my companion is really a LOL moment! 😂

with Elder Fifita

He is playing with Elder Bongolan. He carried him and it supposed to be a picture pose only but he slipped in the mud and tumble all the way to the river!! Hahaha. 😂 It took a while until they got up and they also wash the mud in their slacks in the river but that was a real challenge for their part. Haha. 😆

We still work though and finished all of our appointments. 😁 On a serious note, when we taught the Santelices Family I saw the serious side of Elder Fifita. I'm amazed at how he delivered his testimony especially to the head of the household. He's a gentle giant indeed.

(L to R) E. Bongolan, E. Fifita, Bro. Ronnie, and Daisy

(L to R) E. Bongolan, E. Fifita, Daisy, and me

(L to R) me, E. Fifita, Daisy, and E. Bongolan | Daisy is making fun of the river mud incident of E. Fifita and E. Bongolan. Haha.

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BAGAMANOC | Day 217 to 218 |

NOVEMBER 18, 2014:
We're almost out for a whole week in our area last week. Time to focus again on our goals and we're all locked-in. We did tracting in the morning and after all the studies in the afternoon, we went to our appointments. We also received a family referral from Sis. Vergie and also contacted them. We also added and set a baptismal date for one of our investigators and she accepted it. We really hope she'll progress more and her niece. 😊 We had 10 total lessons today.

Standing | me, Emmalyn, and Jessica Sitting | E. Bongolan, Erickson, and Rica

Standing | Ivy, me, Emmalyn, and Jessica Sitting | E. Bongolan, Erickson, and Rica

NOVEMBER 19, 2014:
We had a productive morning work in Sagrada today. In the afternoon, the Zone Leaders arrived. They will join us in our District Meeting tomorrow and we also have exchanges with them. After the studies, we worked with Elder Pulido at night. It was fun. We also ate dinner at Sis. Lovely's house. We also scared Elder Pulido. Haha. 😂 We had a total of 9 lessons today.

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BAGAMANOC | Day 216 |

NOVEMBER 17, 2014:
We did our P-Day routine in the morning and the afternoon. We proselyted at night and I had a funny moment with my companion. He looked like Jun Sabayton tonight. Haha. 😂 We're not the type of super-serious companionship or a wild one. We're just in the middle who like to have fun every once in a while. We just balance it. Most of all, I really wanted us to be a hard-working companionship that's why we're really working hard in our area.

(L to R) E. Bongolan, Erickson, and me

Ivy and Francis

(L to R) Malonzo, Ivy, and Francis

Erickson

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BAGAMANOC | Day 215 |

NOVEMBER 16, 2014:
Our Branch President assigned me as one of the speakers in the sacrament meeting today. I shared about the importance and blessings of missionary work. Every member is a missionary. We can share the gospel with our non-member families, friends, co-workers, neighbors, or anyone that we know that needed it. I know that it is not that easy and challenging at first but if we develop our love for others we can do it. Becoming closer and submissive to God really helps. We can do this by praying sincerely and studying the scriptures. We must also learn to be like our Savior, Jesus Christ, and walk the path of discipleship. I remember what my Trainer (Elder Nielsen) told me when I was a new missionary. He said that a disciple is a learner. A disciple of Christ is someone who is learning to be like Him, to think, to feel, and to act as He does. We must not be afraid to say what is in our hearts and look for opportunities to share the gospel in a casual and not forceful way. If we do these things we must trust the Lord to work His miracles. It is not our job to convert people. That is the role of the Holy Ghost. We must also set a good example for others. I know if we do all these things, we will make the lives of other people happier in this life and the other life as well. We must not be selfish and share these gospel blessings to others. The greatest gift of all the gifts given by God is eternal life. 💗

San Vicente Elders | E. Irabon, E. Abuel, E. Feraer, and E. Bongolan

After the meeting, I also did some baptismal interviews. We started catching up on all the training studies of my companion and made our lost time while we're away. We also did a short weekly planning session and went out and proselyte at night.

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BAGAMANOC | Day 212 to 214 |

NOVEMBER 13, 2014:
We're back in Catanduanes! We arrived early than the ZLs because they still got something to do in Albay. Later on, our fellow San Vicente Elders also arrived in the ZL's apartment because we have a Zone Training tomorrow. It also means that my companion and I will be out in our area for another two days. 😩 Elder Pulido made some cool picture collage on their wall. At night, we ate dinner at the Woyoyo Burgers and we had a fun hide and seek moment with Elder Fifita, Elder Abuel, and Elder Irabon. Haha. 😂



NOVEMBER 14, 2014:
Zone Training! It is the last Z.T. of Elder Fifita and Sister Ogden. They will return home soon after this transfer cycle. We will miss both of them. They are good leaders. After the training, all of us Catanduanes Elders ate lunch at Food Trip. We worked in the Z.L.'s area here in Virac at night after our studies. I don't know how many times I worked here in Virac, but I'm familiar with some of their investigators and members in their teaching pool especially the Cal Family. They are nice.

San Vicente Elders | E. Feraer, E. Bongolan, E. Abuel, and E. Irabon

Trainers and Trainees | me, E. Bongolan, E. Agustin, and E. Benson

SV Elders with Elder Fifita

San Vicente Elders | E. Feraer, E. Bongolan, E. Abuel, and E. Irabon

Batchmates | S. Abasanta, me, and E. Irabon

Tabaco Comrades | E. Lethaby, me, and E. Abuel

Catandues Zone Standing | E. Peterson, E. Ardon, E. Agustin, S. Abasanta, S. Cobales, S. Caisip, S. Buban, S. Ogden, S. Aholelei, S. Jovillano, S. Jemino, E. Olayao Sitting | E. Fifita, E. Irabon, E. Abuel, E. Benson, E. Pulido, E. Miller, E. Lethaby, E. Feraer, E. Bongolan

(L to R) E. Peterson, E. Fifita, me, and E. Abuel

(L to R) E. Agustin, E. Pulido, E. Ardon, E. Fua, Food Trip Crew, E. Lethaby, and E. Benson

NOVEMBER 15, 2014:
We're finally back in San Vicente! Elder Bongolan and I are almost out in our area for almost one week. We've only got one whole day left to proselyte for this week. 😞

with Elder Abuel

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