Philippines Legazpi Mission: Elder Feraer

TABACO | DAY 103 |

APRIL 14, 2014:
This is my last day here in my first area. 😢 Elder Todd told me last night that I will be transferred to San Vicente, Catanduanes. The most difficult area to live in Legazpi Mission according to my trainer. 😐 The only thing that I didn't know yet is who will be my next companion. I think it will be E.Bagaoisan or E.Bacalso. They just got transferred there 3 weeks ago. They also said that I will switch places with Elder Ruben. I also finished packing my stuff today.

I have a Despedida/farewell party at the Delos Santos house. Elder Carpio and other members came up with this idea. We woke up early to buy some food in the market. We rent a tricycle because time was really precious right now. When we arrived, we helped Sis. Vicky prepares the food and they cook it afterward. Around 11am-12noon we feast. Many members came and I saw in their eyes and felt that they're really sad about I'll be transferred tomorrow. So am I... 😢


It was an emotional day for me. Farewell, my beloved Comun Group... 'til we meet again...

TABACO | DAY 101 |

APRIL 12, 2014:
We help Sis. Bonaobra in her yard/garden. We helped her plant and cut some wild plants around. She invited us to have lunch afterward and Sis. Nemia cooked for us. It was a great experience to help with other things in my last few days here.

with Sis. Bonaobra and Elder Carpio

I will miss this place...

In the afternoon we went to Tabaco Chapel to watch the Priesthood session of the General Conference broadcast. I learned many things about the importance of Priesthood. Today, I also got back my B.R. It will be an important piece of memories after the end of my mission. I'm happy that many members of Comun put a message in it. 😊 My companion and I ended the night by trading neckties. It is a tiring day but I had fun.

TABACO | DAY 100 |

APRIL 11, 2014:
This day is really shocking for me. The A.P.s called us and told me that I'll be transferred on the 15th. I thought that they were just joking but as they explained it, the more that I felt serious about it. Oh no... 😧 Official transfer day is three weeks from now so this is an emergency transfer. I was so shocked and saddened at the same time. It was so unbelievable because we are doing great things in our area and our key indicators are high also. I'm so confused about why am I getting transferred in an unexpected way.  Elder Carpio said that maybe I'll get a special assignment. I don't know what it is and I also don't know yet where I am going. I love my first area so much and I'm not ready to leave. Sigh. 😢

As we walk to our area I'm still heavy-hearted about that unexpected news. Eventually, some of the members close to us know that I'll be transferred too. They are also sad about it. I realized this will be the last time that I'll be able to teach and visit the Delos Santos Family and "Tatay" Jerusalem. We still did our missionary routine and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. The work must go on.

with "Tatay" Jess

TABACO | DAY 96 to 99 |

APRIL 7, 2014:
P-Day! It was a long, long day. We woke up early and went to our area to climb a mountain at the backside of the Delos Santos Family's house. Our goal is to reach the top... and I failed. I still can't overcome my fear of heights. 😨


Our District Meeting schedule also moved today because of the interview sessions with Pres. Guanzon. Usually, it's Thursday or Friday. Unfortunately, there's a lack of time so I wasn't been able to get interviewed. We also paid our electric bill today and it was a long line until we got at the counter. We only had one and a half-hour of the internet today instead of two because of the time shortage and we had other things to do. In that short period of time, I was able to upload my recent pictures (One Drive), sent a letter to our Mission President, and sent an e-mail to my parents. Memorable quote of the day by Pres. Guanzon -- "There is more temptation in the mission field than outside." So we must be strong and be obedient to the mission rules.


APRIL 8, 2014:

APRIL 9, 2014:

APRIL 10, 2014:

TABACO | DAY 95 |

APRIL 6, 2014:
First Sunday of the month. Elder and Sister Nelson visits our group again and they are happy that they witness the confirmation of our recent converts. 😃 Pres. Brizuela of the Tabaco Branch is also in attendance to help the Young Men organization in our group. Yep! The YM is increasing in Comun and we're all happy about it. 😉 It is also my first time to set apart/ordained someone in the Aaronic Priesthood. Elder Nelson was one of the speakers today and I like his talk about self-reliance. He said that skills are important in your work and temple marriage/family sealing is an important goal to have. 

We proselyte in the afternoon and some members came with us. We also have new investigators. Our teaching pool is really big right now.

TABACO | DAY 94 |

APRIL 5, 2014:
This is a wonderful day especially for John, Jay, and Jason. Finally, they are baptized! 😃 Supposedly their baptismal date was March 29 but it was postponed for some reason. We are all happy that it did happen. The desires of these young men can't be stopped and the mighty work and glory of the Lord will push through. With the help of our loving Heavenly Father, we all resolved those hindrances together one by one.

(with Jason and Jay Mar. 😅)

(L to R) Me, John Ben, Jay Mar, Jason and E.Carpio)

I've known John and Jay since my first day here in Tabaco. They belong to the Delos Santos household who we've met and taught on my very first day in the mission field. They are the sons of Bro. Benigno and the siblings of Sis. Evette (two of our very first baptisms). John Ben is more of a serious and responsible kid while Jay Mar is playful and energetic. Our next focus will be their mother who just returned home several days ago, so their family will be complete and someday will be sealed in the temple for time and eternity. 😇 

Jason was a referral to us by the Delos Santos family. He is kind of shy at first but he is a cool kid (taekwondo athlete). Along the way, he improves in learning the gospel of Jesus Christ and decided to be baptized with the consent of his father. Hopefully, his father will receive the gospel also when he is ready.

(L to R) E.Yu, Denver, Joy, Evette, Richard, Me, Jay Mar, John Ben, Jason, E.Carpio, Nemia, (I don't know her name. Sorry), and a brother from the Tabaco branch.

Heavenly Father loves all His children and I know He will always prepare a way for all of us in time of our hardships. I am very happy that these children of God chose the right path and I hope they'll continue to do good throughout their lives. Hopefully, all of them will become a missionary someday. 😊

TABACO | DAY 92 to 93 |

APRIL 3, 2014:
I really like the hymn "Let Us All Press On". It's my favorite hymn right now as a missionary. We did WPS this morning and we are now prepared for next week. I noticed one of the sister missionaries (S.Soronda) in my home ward in the batch picture of my companion. What a small world.

We taught a lot of people today and the most memorable one is with Sis. Mary Fe. She is a born again Christian and very knowledgeable in the Bible. She's nice and respectful. We had a great discussion with her.

TABACO | DAY 89 to 91 |

MARCH 31, 2014:
P-Day and also the last day of March. Time flies so fast when you're having fun. I did my usual P-Day routine. We ate in a small carinderia and it was good. One of the perks of having a Filipino companion is we can eat anywhere because we have the same culture. In my personal study, I finished the mastery list of Doctrine and Covenants. I particularly like this verse D&C 88:124.

TABACO | DAY 87 to 88 |

MARCH 29, 2014:
We are the fifth and newest set of missionaries in Tabaco. We just opened our area last January together with my trainer. Back then, my trainer and I are both new and not familiar with our area so we started from scratch and it's not easy. Now, things are getting pretty well in terms of missionary work in our area. The people are starting to know that we are bearers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The members are also helpful and supportive of us. Elder Carpio and I have the same goal and we are united in our missionary purpose.

We had a productive day today. This is our best so far. We hit a new record for RCLA. We got 8 so far. We focused on our area in Bantayan and we met a lot of people. The most memorable is with Bro. and Sis. Roaring. They are interested in what we shared with them and I hope they'll progress. My new companion is really good at talking and introducing our message to everyone he meets. He isn't shy and he is a lively person. We are still adjusting to each other, especially him because he is new in our area. Another memorable moment today was the interview of John Ben, Jay Mar, and Jason. They all passed their baptismal interview and I'm so excited for their baptism next week! 😃 Sis. Yvette was also a big help in being a member present for her brothers.