I'm Going Home!

Hey.

So this week was great. We found a whole lot of new investigators and some of them even got to come to church which was awesome. I love the Cotnogan branch and am so thankful that I got to stay there for a short period of my mission.

So as you've read in the title, I'm going home. It's been a VERY quick two years. I know that this work is the work of the Lord. I'm so thankful... like SO thankful that I got to serve the people of the Philippines for a short period of my life. I can hardly express with words all the things that I've experienced here, but all I can say is this. God loves us--each and every one of us. Through the Gospel, we can feel that love completely in our lives. Life goes by fast. May we make the most of it and enjoy it to our fullest. Thanks to each and every one of you for your support and love. See you all soon.

-Elder Bondoc

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Climbing Mountains, Being a Missionary, And Enjoying Every Last Moment! (1 Week)

Hi.

This was awesome. We had a district activity this morning. We climbed this really tall mountain with our district and some members. It was hot. We played some games and I think I sweat like a gallon of body fluids. Loved it. This week was also great. Elder McNabb and I are doing awesome. He's such a good missionary. Love the dude.

This week I learned about the importance of being optimistic. Over the past two years I've learned a whole lot. Something that's really helped me enjoy everything about this two-year experience is choosing to enjoy the work. We all have agency to be happy or not. No one ever WANTS to be angry or sad, so I figure I would be much better of just enjoying myself and every part of being a missionary. I'll talk to you all again next week (for one last time before coming back home.)

"Rejoice evermore." ​1 Thessalonians 5:16

-Elder Bondoc

Priesthood Power

Hey.

This week was great. We had a choir performance at SM Naga! About 40 of us missionaries got to sing some songs about Jesus Christ which was great. Easter Sunday is such a blessing. It's definitely a time to remember Christ's death and resurrection which will happen to all of us one day! Isn't that great? I think it is. Elder McNabb and I are doing great. He's the man. 

We had a lot of great experiences this week. I learned about the importance of the priesthood authority that God restored to the earth through Prophet Joseph Smith. The priesthood is essentially the authority that God gives to His children in order for them to be able to act in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ. Over the past two years I've seen so many miracles through the priesthood. God's power is here on the earth today. This is what seals families for all eternity. This is also brings peace and consolation to anyone in times of hardship or need. I love the Gospel. I love being a missionary and helping others come unto Christ. Thanks for all of your support and I'll talk to you again next week! 

-Elder Bondoc

The members of the choir!

Planning for Eternal Goals

Hey everyone! 

This week was great. We had zone conference. I had to give my departure testimony in the same chapel where I gave my arrival testimony. That was super emotional. But great! The zone leaders and President Zapanta gave some awesome workshops about our purpose as missionaries and how to really become a "successful missionary." Then we had the chance to watch general conference. It's such a blessing to hear from living prophets and apostles. 

Which leads to what I learned this week. I've shared about this a couple of times but figured that I'd talk about it again. Elder Russell M. Ballard gave a great talk about goal setting and planning. As time runs short, I've pondered about what I really want to get out of my life. Our Heavenly Father wants us to be an eternal family. Thus He has provided us a plan, that through His Only Begotten Son, this can happen. So if Heavenly Father thinks that our families are that important, why shouldn't I? Over the last two years a lot of things have changed, and a lot of things are still going to change. But one thing is for certain. I've learned that everything that I'm ever going to goal or plan for will be for my family. We must have our eyes focused on eternal peace, happiness, and ultimately salvation. If we plan effectively, following the Spirit and His promptings, I know that the we will be guided until we reach the eternities with our Father in Heaven, His Son, and our families. I love this gospel. Until next week.

-Elder Bondoc

​Zone Conference! (Elder Dela Cruz didn't make it... Haha!)

Baptism!

Hi.

This week was great. Brother Mark Anthony got baptized! He was baptized in the Agos River. It was so cool. He's such an inspiration. He's sacrificed a lot to get where he is today. We had two sets of exchanges this week. One with our district leader and one with the zone leaders. We got the chance to work in my first area! That was so cool! I got to see a whole lot of members that I met in 2015. A lot has changed. But it was nice to see old faces! Then we had zone training in Iriga. Busy, busy, busy. But soooo fun!

This week I learned just how importance baptism really is. Christ has commanded us to follow His example to be baptized, not only because it's a commandment but also because He wants us to become clean. Through the proper priesthood authority, we can all become clean and return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. Think about it. Christ was perfect, but was still baptized. How much more for us, right? I'm so blessed to be able to share this with everyone I meet. Missionary life is awesome. Life is great with the name tag. I'll talk to you all again next week!

-Elder Bondoc

#lurking

The man himself.
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Nasa Bundok....Ulit.

Hey.

So my new area is great. My new companion is great. And work here is going great. I have no other way to describe it. My companion is Elder McNabb. He's straight out of Idaho. He just finished his training and is really good at speaking Tagalog now. Our area is literally in the middle of the mountains. We walk about 30 minutes up a super steep hill/mountain thing just to get to the church. But it's great. The members here are awesome. The people here are so nice too! No matter where we go people are super willing to listen to us. Super thankful.

Something I learned this week... Ummm... OH! The importance of the Book of Mormon. I've read it. A lot. Literally every day for the past two years, I've read some portion of it. It's true. Read it. You'll find out too.

"I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth..." -Joseph Smith

Hope you all had a good week. Have an even better week next week. Every week should be better than the last, now that I think about it. Anyway... INGAT! Until next week! 

-Elder Bondoc

Me and my heritage. I've trained three of these missionaries, and they've trained two more. 

The new area.

My companion dipping an oreo in milk because he's just that much cooler than you. 
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The Last Transfer

Hi all. 

First and foremost...

---

I'm being transferred! I'm going to be spending the last six weeks of my mission in Cotnogan! This is the farthest area south in the mission. It's literally all bukid which is completely different from my current area here in the city. My companion is going to be Elder McNabb! He's from Utah and going to be my first foreigner companion, last foreigner companion, and last companion overall. Crazy right? TIME FLIES. He just finished being trained by one of my trainees. So I'm going to be his follow-up! I'm so excited. Our area is part of the first district that I had on my mission. I even get to visit my first area for exchanges before I go home! AAAAAH. 

But alas, as you may have read in the title, this is my last transfer before I go home. I have six weeks left to buck up and do as much as I can before taking off the name tag for good. Something that I've learned to really relish on the mission is time and how sacred it is as a missionary. The Lord provides guidance and help for us, we just have to willingly accept it into our lives, especially as missionaries. I've seen so many miracles in the past couple of months and I've learned so much. I still have so much to learn. I CAN'T WAIT!

"But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God." (2 Nephi 9:29)

Missionary work and just life in general are all just a big learning process in which we should all be open-minded and willing to submit to the counsels of the Lord. I love being a missionary. I will cherish these next six weeks with all my heart and soak in everything that I can. Until next week!

-Elder Bondoc

​This is Hungry A's, a new restaurant in our area that has probably the best American-style hamburgers that I have ever tasted here in the Philippines. SO GOOD!