Sunday, October 30, 2016

Life is Meant to be Enjoyed

Maray na aga/hapon/banggi sa indo gabos.

So it's been a super busy week. We got to go on exchanges with one of the District Leaders in the zone on Tuesday and THEN we got to go on exchanges with the AP's on Friday. Overall it's been a jam packed week. On top of that we've been practicing for the upcoming mission tour. President Bowen, Philippines Area President and his wife are coming to see how the mission is going which is SUPER nerve wracking (spelling?)  but we'll manage. So yeah. We've been up to our eyeballs in planning and follow-ups just to make sure that everything runs smoothly this upcoming Thursday.

Something that I learned this week. Ummm. I think I've really just learned to enjoy missionary work and that it's actually a huge blessing to be able to teach and serve. We went on exchanges this week with the Assistants to the President, and my temporary companion and I got talking about how our missions have been. He's the kind of guy who's always happy and just has a great attitude about things, even if things don't go as planned. So what I got from that... we just have to enjoy life and make the most out of every moment. It's full of growing experiences and challenges. Gotta love it. 

Thanks for all the emails everyone. You're awesome. I'll catch up with you next week.

-Elder Bondoc

One of the iconic statues here in Naga. It essentially depicts the history of the Philippines in a single statue. Super cool.

Monday, October 24, 2016

He Really Loves You!

Yo.

So this week was cool. As you've all probably heard by now the Philippines was hit by not one, but TWO typhoons. Gladly, we only got some rain and wind here in Naga. But I've heard that some other parts of the Philippines got battered. Praying for them. We're doing okay. Nothing new. We had a community service project earlier this week. We got to clean the front yard of a member. It was awesome! Gotta love me some service. 

This week I learned a whole lot about self-evaluation. In the hustle and bustle of life, I believe that we get way to caught up in the stress of it all; emotionally, physically, and even spiritually. This week I learned how important it is to really just take a step back and look at the big picture. That's one of the blessings that the gospel has to offer, actually. It helps us see what God sees in each and every one of us. Sometimes we feel like nothing but a speck in the grand scheme of things, but in reality, our Heavenly Father has an abounding love for all of us. He cares and wants us to understand that. So if we take a step back and just... well... breathe, everything will work out, and God really will find a way. Hope your week was awesome. Hope you all had an awesome week and I'll catch you next week.

-Elder Bondoc




One of the elders in our district is from New Zealand. He did this cool island dance thing. We copied him. Took a picture. Thought it was hilarious.

Monday, October 17, 2016

Busy With More Than Just a Bagyo

Hoy!

This week was awesome. Rainy. But awesome. So it started off with Missionary Leadership Council (MLC) on Tuesday where all the mission leaders gather in Naga to discuss the mission, what it needs and what we can do to help it, along with other concerns. It was awesome to hear insights from zone leaders of other zones and what they're doing to help their zone progress. Our mission president was there to which was awesome. He gave some great counsel that we're definitely going to apply in our zone! Then that Thursday we had Zone Training. Elder Reyes and I presented a training session to our zone. We discussed the needs and weaknesses of our zone, as well as the accomplishments and strengths. We even got to present a workshop which was super cool. It was my first time so I initially thought I would be a wreck, but it ended up going super well. Then that evening we started packing up all the stuff in our apartment in preparation for moving on Friday. THEN on Friday we spent all morning and afternoon moving into our new apartment. Glad to say we're finally settled in. THEN on Saturday there was a bagyo (typhoon) centered right here in the Bicol region of the Philippines. Luckily nothing catastrophic happened. Just a lot of rain and wind. Overall... a busy week.

Something I learned this week?... Time management. Life gets busy, and sometimes we just don't have enough time to do all the things that we want to do. Thus, we end up planning for the things that we need to do. That's what happened this week and everything actually went quite well. So yeah. No complaints. Missionary work is sweet. The Savior lives and truly loves us. Sometimes life gets all wonky on us, but that's okay. Life just ends up becoming a big wonky mess. But it can become a lot less wonky if we turn to the Savior and let Him be our guide. Thanks for all the emails everyone. Have an awesome week!


-Elder Bondoc

The Canaman Zone
MLC. Sorry about the foggy part in the center. There was a smudge on the lens. Dang it. 

Monday, October 10, 2016

Boys, Be Ambitious!

Hi.

So this week was cool. It was a really busy, rainy week but full of miracles (as always.) We've been swamped with paperwork and meetings this week which has kept us from working a little bit. BUT NO MATTER! We've found ways to teach lessons as much as we could and found some great success. Other than that... Ummm. We're also moving into a new apartment this coming Saturday. We've been looking for an apartment for weeks now, almost every day... And JUST found an apartment this last Thursday. We're moving in and couldn't be more excited. My companion is awesome. Missionary work is cool. Life couldn't be better.

So something that I learned this week has to do with a talk given by Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita of the Quorum of the Seventy. He briefly mentioned the history of Dr. William Clark, an respected educator in the late 1800's who happened to find himself teaching for eight months in Japan. Before he left, he said the words "Boys, be ambitious!"--"Be ambitious for Christ." So that's what we do as missionaries. We find success in our ambition and desire to achieve that success, ESPECIALLY when it relates to our Savior. I know that He helps and guides us every day in everything that we do when we are living in accordance to His will and commandments. We have to aim high and do our part, and Christ will help us do the rest. We can't go about life without His help. I know it. Missionary work is thrilling. I don't think I've completely wrapped my mind around the fact that I'm still here doing the Lord's work. I love it. In everything we do, may we be ambitious, selfless, and dedicated. Christ will be there to support us. 

Thanks for all the emails. I'll catch you guys next week.

-Elder Bondoc​​​​​​​​​​







Pictures for our Zone Calendar. 

Only cool missionaries wear glasses.



My favorite fruit on the entire planet called mangosteen. 

Monday, October 3, 2016

Chaaaaarity

Hey World

It's gonna be another short one because I'm SOOOO short on time right now it's ridiculous. 40 of us missionaries sang at the flag raising ceremony at the Naga City Hall. It was great. We had exchanges with the District Leader of the Deaf Squad (a companionship that only teaches deaf people all over Naga) which was also super cool. It's been rainy. My companion is awesome. Can't complain.

Ummm. Something I learned this week... Charity. Charity is really cool. As missionaries we give up everything to help others. Christ did that. Christ was perfect in every way, so if we every want to be perfect, we just have to give all that we can to cheer make someone's life better in anyway that we can. What would Jesus do, right? Yeah. I love being a missionary. I've been on my mission for like 17 months now and I can say that it is the best thing that I've ever done in my entire life. Do something good for someone you love. Even for someone you don't love. In fact, even if you don't know them, help a guy. I love you all! I'll talk to you all again next week!

-Elder Bondoc
Elder Powell was my companion for exchanges. He rocks.
Us and the Deaf Squad.
Missionaries and the Mayor of Naga.
FOOOOD TRIP