Project Calabasa (Project Squash)

Hi.

SO this week was a pretty fantastic week. No joke. Elder Maquimot and I did some crazy finding. Let me explain. So over the past week, Elder Maquimot and I focused on some of our farther areas. Over the past five or six years, missionaries have been going to the same neighborhoods, to the same houses time and time again. Progression stagnated and led me to change our plans. So what Elder Maquimot and I did, we went to one of the FARTHEST neighborhoods, a barangay called Calabasa, or if translated in English, squash. Yeah. Kinda weird. ANYWAY, it takes us 45 minutes just to get there. But here's the thing. Every person we met (literally everyone) let us into their homes and let us share a message. It's been a nice change from regularly having doors slammed in our face. People are super duper nice and hopefully in the next few weeks we'll get the chance to share with them again. SO blessed.

Which brings me to my weekly "The Thing Elder Bondoc Learned." So I guess something I learned this week was how important it is do get out and do something new. So as missionaries, in all honesty, we do almost the same thing every day. We wake up, study, eat, proselyte, sleep, and then do it all over again. So every day, we find new things that bring joy and adventure in our lives. We literally adventure into the forest to preach the word of God. HOW AWESOME IS THAT. My life is greatest. Every day in this life, there's something new to discover and a reason to be in awe. I'm so happy that I'm a missionary. Oh yeah. This week will be my one year mark on the mission. One year from now I'll be back home. Crazy. HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

-Elder Bondoc

Me, Elder Maquimot, and a less than pleased caribou of us taking a picture. 

Mother's Day

HELLO!

So this week was awesome, mainly because I got to Skype my family again on Saturday. It was awesome to talk to them and just see their faces such a blessing. So here's something super cool guys, I go home in LESS THAN A YEAR which absolutely blows my mind. I cannot believe that I've been here for this long. One year down and a whole lot more to do. Onward and forward, This time next year, I'll be seeing all of your wonderful faces again. As for this week, what's been going on? Well a cat got into my bread again, which was awful. As you all know this far, in literally every area on my mission a feline felon has gotten into my bread supply. It has not been pleasant, but actually pretty funny. This week Elder Maquimot and I had the chance to walk about 3 miles in the blistering heat of the Philippines in some of our farthest areas to find new people to teach. It was great. Those super far areas have a lot of potential to progress. We'll see how everything goes next week.

Mother's Day- a time to respect and rejoice in all that is motherhood. On Saturday, I got the chance to Skype my Mom and greet her Happy Mother's Day. Before I entered my mission until now, I have realized how much I love and appreciate my Mom so much. I LOVE HER. Moms are the best. Promise. They sacrifice their everything for the well-being and safety of their children. I love my Mom and don't think I could even express how much I love her in a forty minute Skype session. To all the mothers out there, and specifically my own, you're the greatest. Know that you are appreciated and loved beyond belief. Everything you do doesn't go unnoticed. I love my Mom. If it weren't for her, I would literally not be in existence right now. Thanks for everything. You're all the greatest. One year down. Time to make these last few moments last. Until next week, everyone.

-Elder Bondoc

My beautiful mother and my not-as-beautiful but still pretty handsome father. 

This family asked me to cook spaghetti for a missionary's birthday. I don't know how to cook spaghetti. The end result was a masterpiece. 
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The Lord has His Ways, Even When You Don't Expect It

HHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOO!

This week was GREAT! So Elder Maquimot and I focused all our efforts on getting new investigators this week. We were losing a lot of hope because a whole lot of our appointments were falling through at the beginning of the week. But closer to the end of the week, people were actually coming up to us asking to be taught. I was SO surprised and knew that at the most unexpected time, we were blessed. TAKE THAT SATAN! Thought you'd keep us from saving souls, didn't ya? Anyway, other than that Elder Maquimot and I have met so many more people this week and have thirteen new investigators to teach this coming week. On top of that, we plan to go to go to some of the farthest barangays (neighborhoods) in our area to find more people that we haven't taught before. We'll see how that goes. I'm so excited! This has probably one of the hardest things that I've ever done, but am so thankful and so ready to take on this challenge!

That brings me to something that I learned is to just trust in God, even though at times it feels like He's completely absent. We sometimes ask ourselves why life is so hard or why we face the challenges we do. If God loves us, why doesn't he just fix all of our problems in the snap of the finger? Well that's just it, actually. It's because He loves us that he tries and tests us to allow us to grow and become more and more like Him every day. It's because of our challenges and trials that our faith is strengthened every day. So in essence, I'm thankful for the trials I've faced and the mistakes I've made. If not for them, I couldn't say that I am the person that I am today. As far as this week goes, I've learned that God has a plan and it's up to us to trust Him and just let Him do His thing. Thanks everyone for a great week! This week I get to Skype my parents! GAAAAHHHHH!!!!! SO EXCITED! I'll talk to you all again next week!

-Elder Bondoc

If you guys ever wondered where pineapple comes from, it literally just pops out of a plant. This little guy was about the size of my fist when we saw it.

​Welcome to the gubat (forest). While trying to find new people to teach, we stumbled across this tiny paradise. 

LaboLaboLabo!

Good Day!

Wow what a week. So as I write this post, I sit at a computer in my new area, Labo, part of Camarines Norte. What an experience getting here from San Jose. We had to take a two hour bus ride from San Jose to Naga. Then we waited for a bit, and THEN we took a four hour bus ride from Naga to Labo. It was probably one of the most uncomfortable experiences I've ever had, but it was totally worth it. My new area is awesome and my companion, even more so. His name is Elder Maquimot. He's 19 years old, from Rosario, Cavite and is just a crack to be with. Love it. So here in Camarines Norte, specifically in Labo, there are absolutely no more Bicol speakers. It's pure Tagalog, which I guess is a good thing because my Tagalog still needs a whole lot of brushing up. Anyway, other than that there are only two of us in our apartment, so I'm so lucky that we get along. This is such a great experience and I can't wait to see where the next couple of weeks take us. 

Anyway, something that I learned in the last week is how important it is to be patient. Ever since last Tuesday, until now my patience hadn't been tested to this degree until now. This is a pretty difficult area and sometimes we don't even know where to begin to help the work progress, but in just one week, Elder Maquimot and I have seen actual progression that we didn't even think was possible. In the Lord's time, according to His will, things will ultimately work out. It's so difficult sometimes, but what else is there to expect? Life is just one long adventure where we learn and grow from the challenges we face daily.  I've learned that we most often have to trust that God really does have a plan for His children. It's just up to us if we're willing to trust Him or not. I can't wait to see what's in store for us here in Labo. Until next week! Love you all!

-Elder Bondoc

The Legends of Labo
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I'm Being Transferred! Next Stop, Labo!

Hello world!

So it's been a week since I've talked to all of you, as usual. SO I guess I should update you all with transfer announcements. I'm being transferred! Tomorrow I start a six hour journey for my new area, Labo, under the Daet Stake. It's pretty exciting and pretty nerve racking. I'll have to adjust to new faces and a new companion all over again, but such is missionary life. So I'm thankful. Elder Duero is going to do great here in San Jose. I know that the ward is being left in good hands. I'll miss the people I've met and the relationships I've made. Missionaries come and go as the Lord sees fit. My new companion's name is Elder Maquimot. I don't know much about him, but I'm sure we'll work well together.

Anyway, this week I learned a whole lot. But this week I learned the value of prayer and how important it is to me, as a missionary. So when I was younger, missionaries would frequent in our ward. I can't tell you that I remember their names or what they said to me, but I remember seeing them as angels. Valiant men and women chosen of God to proclaim His gospel. But now that I've been a missionary for some time now, I have realized that I, and just like them, am just human. To be honest, sometimes I don't know what I'm supposed to say or what I'm supposed to teach. But through prayer and the guidance of our Heavenly Father, I trust that he continually guides me to fulfill His will. It's hard sometimes. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much. He wants to hear from us. He loves us and wants to know what He can do, just like any loving and caring father would. 

Well that's all for this week. San Jose has been great. It's time to say goodbye and look forward to new challenges and new adventures. I love you all! I'll catch you next week!

-Elder Bondoc

See you later, San Jose. This view will definitely be one for the books. 
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God's Abounding Love

Hello!

So this week was chalked full of some great experiences which I can hardly wait to explain to all of you! First and foremost, we were blessed to have the opportunity to watch General Conference. What a privilege it was to hear from prophets and apostles of the Lord. Calling it spiritually refreshing would be a complete understatement. Only here on my mission have I realized just how important and how refining it is to watch and learn from those who have been called of God to lead and guide His Church. Other than that, this week Elder Duero had the chance to lead the area and all teaching appointments, which he did outstandingly. Through his efforts we found new investigators in Tambangan, a neighborhood in our area that hasn't been visited by missionaries for a long time. Super cool. I love my companion. 

Anyway, this week I'd like to share a quick message about something that I learned from a talk at General Conference. The talk is called "Tomorrow the Lord Will do Wonders Among You" by Elder Jeffery R. Holland, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. In his concluding talk of General Conference, Elder Holland emphasized that sometimes in times of spiritual highs and peaks, that we inevitably have to "...return to earth, so to speak, where sometimes less-than-ideal circumstances again face us." It is a saddening truth to know that we can't always be the person who the Lord wants us to be. The fact is we fall short. But there is hope. No matter how many times we fail, no matter how many times we get back up, the Lord is always there cheering us on. Elder Holland made a great statement that I'll never forget:

"My brothers and sisters, the first great commandment of all eternity is to love God with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength—that's the first great commandment. But the first great truth of all eternity is that God loves us with all of His heart, might, mind, and strength. That love is the foundation stone of eternity, and it should be the foundation stone of our daily life. Indeed it is only with that reassurance burning in our soul that we can have the confidence to keep trying to improve, keep seeking forgiveness for our sins, and keep extending that grace to our neighbor."

As children of God, we are obligated to love Him and show that love to Him. He is our Creator, that Almighty being that knows each of us individually. In order to show that love, we strive to be obedient to His commandments. But there is a comforting truth that always resides with our Father in Heaven. He loves us. He grieves when we grieve and rejoices when we triumph in righteousness. He truly is our Father in Heaven. A loving, caring, being who awaits to help us in our times of struggle. So no matter how hard the circumstance, how challenging life may be, God is there cheering us on. He wants to bless us and yearns for our eternal salvation in His kingdom. He lives and loves us so dearly. And that is something that we should never forget.

Man, I love being a missionary. It's stuff like this that helps me keep on keeping on. I hope your week was a successful one full of happiness and peace. Though I may be on the other side of the world, know that I love you! All of your support and prayers mean the world to me. This truly is a great and marvelous work. Until next week. 

-Elder Bondoc

Sunsets are a great thing. 

I figured I'd attach a picture of my shoes. I've worn these shoes just about every day for close to a year now. 

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Just Because You've Seen a Fish Your Size Doesn't Mean You've Seen It All

Hello po!

This week has been a real good one. We had interviews with our mission president which was really nice. I learned a lot and can't thank him and his wife enough for everything that they do for the mission. Elder Duero and I are still doing awesome. He's going to have the chance this week to lead the area and all planning sessions, which is super exciting. I know he can do it and have complete faith in him. This week, Elder Duero and I ventured into a barangay (neighborhood) called Tambangan, a place that hasn't been visited by missionaries in years! We hope to find less-active members and even new investigators. Anyway, what else? This week I found this puppy and took a picture with it which was pretty neat. We also saw this HUGE fish called Malusugi, or as Americans know it, blue marlin. These guys go for about 20,000-30,000 pesos per fish because they're just SO HUGE. Anyway. That was a neat thing. We did an extra lot of walking this week to get to all of our appointments. A great week in general.

So this week we had the chance to teach a part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which, as members know it, is called the Plan of Salvation. We believe that our Heavenly Father has created a plan for us to return back into His presence. Think about. We're born to our families, we live a short time, and in due time, the end of our lives come. I can say with all of my heart that there is something more that we have to expect after this life. I know that our Heavenly Father offers us the chance to obtain eternal life in His presence. He loves us. Like any loving Father would, I know that He wants to give us everything that He has, that one day we may become like Him. It's up to us, however, if we accept that plan or not. I love being a missionary. I've learned so much thus far. I've learned how to cope with challenges I never thought I would face. I can truly say that I've acquired such a better understanding of our life and purpose as children of God. Of course, thanks for the emails this week. I love you all! Until next week again!

-Elder Bondoc

The fish.

Manly men LOVE puppies, am I right? 
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