The End of an Era!!!

Elder Adao

It's end of era for sure no more little blue car. Wow that's crazy, we can add it to all the other cars that have gone through the Rivera and Davidson families. 

My new companion is super awesome too. We work really really hard too,

even though it is only his first week. We are going to really help the area become stronger than before! 

The hardest part of the week was when no investigators came to church. it was really sad because we worked hard to teach them and commit them and re-commit them. We can only keep up the work we are doing.

I can't think of much else to say. Next week I'll have more to say!

Love,

Elder Rivera

My Week!!!

Well this past week has been pretty good. We had to limit ourselves because elder Monzales was having serious troubles walking. But we served food at a birthday party of a member at his school. It was pretty fun. That member really loves missionaries which is good because he is our ward mission Leader!

On another note it was a sad day today, Elder Monzales was transferred. We have a lot of baptisms lined hopefully me and my new companion Elder Adao can continue the work here in Cadiz second ward. I also know Elder Adao too so it's a win win for me!

We have a lot of struggles in this area but I wouldn't have it any other way! All these struggles are teaching me so much about myself, and about how much God truly loves his children. 

I'm sorry this letter is kinda small I can't think of much else to write.

Merry Christmas!

Elder Rivera

My Favourite area!!!

Our Little Pizza lunch!!!

I'm probably going to be in University and have some one come up to me and ask me "are you Mrs. Rivera's son?" I'll never be able to escape your legacy. Just joking it's definitely because you're the best teacher in the whole Halton School Board! 

It is hot here like sticky hot but every night there is lightning. It is freaky some nights. Just last night the power was off and on 4 times. 

The sisters that were here were both Filipino and they are OK now they are still The Sister Training Leaders. And were emergency transferred to Victorias. 

My week was pretty good. We didn't work a couple of days because Elder Manzales wasn't feeling 100%. But we still worked hard on the days we did work. One of the less-actives members we taught this week came back to church this Sunday which is great!  I was extremely disappointed on Sunday when these awesome investigators we have didn't come to church. We can't seem to figure out what exactly is stopping them from coming to church. They really listen, and they asked for 3 copies of the Book of Mormon, one in English, Tagalog, and Ilonggo. They are awesome they just have something that we will of course help them with...eventually!!!

A funny thing that happened this week at our special sacrament, we were just about to start when some guy starts talking to the first councillor of the bishopric. It was
n't until the guy came in and sat down that we figured out he was drunk. He ended up leaving before the opening prayer but it was funny while he was there, he kept saying hi to everyone.

This area is the best, I hope I'm here for a while!

Elder Rivera

365 Days and counting...

I officially have one year to go until I come home. I' have not been out for a year in the mission yet but with the way transfers work I will be leaving the mission field 365 day from now.

The school year is already starting? That was so fast! Time goes by so fast especially on my mission! That's crazy. I have heard about the Blue Jays and the talent they have brought in... David Price, and Troy Tulowitzki! That is crazy amazing! This might be the year. Christmas has already started in the Philippines. We already saw Christmas decorations on city hall.

So we had a baptism this past Saturday. He is the strongest member that I have met on my mission. Stronger than even some long time members. 

I ate oysters, and crabs. I took a video of me eating oysters. It was hard to swallow because of the texture. But it was pretty good. But like the squid I will only eat it if I have no choice.

I love teaching the gospel, especially to our group of investigators in Umapog. They really listen! the only thing that they need to do is come to church and we still need to teach them the rest of the lessons. But I really love them they are awesome!

Being a missionary is a blessing and a privilege, and it is really hard, but I wouldn't have it any other way! I have made sacrifices on my mission, and I made sacrifices before I left andt it has all been 110% worth it. I would make those same sacrifices in a heart beat! I love everyday I'm here and try to live my best while I'm here!

Elder Rivera

Another week in Cadiz...

So, the Sisters were pulled out of the District. We are now covering the Sister's area, which makes our area tremendously big.  But we are working hard and move forward.

 I have thought about what I'm going to take in University, but I'm not 100% sure. I kinda want to be a Chiropractor, or maybe environmental something, or maybe something to do with the Philippines because I love this country! How was it getting to spend time with the cousins and stuff? How is the school prep?

So my week was okay. We didn't teach as many lessons as we wanted to, but the lessons we did teach were pretty good, really effective. they really listened to us. But, on Saturday it was extremely disappointing. Our baptismal candidate didn't show up because he and his older brother had a fight because his older brother doesn't want him to be baptized in the church. We are going to do everything we can to help him but there isn't a lot we can do in a situation like that.

I've made improvements for sure in the language. All the members say I sound like I'm from Bacolod because of my accent. The funny thing is I have never been assigned in Bacolod. I just apply Preach my Gospel chapter 7 and then the Lord takes care of the rest.

Link to Chapter 7 of Preach my Gospel:
https://www.lds.org/manual/preach-my-gospel-a-guide-to-missionary-service/how-can-i-better-learn-my-mission-language?lang=eng

I'm really trying my best out here. I'm not perfect and I'm not the best. But I do what I can to help all those in my area in Cadiz 2nd ward. And in every area I'm assigned in.

Elder Rivera

Crazy Cadiz!!!

Just for fun

So many things have happened this week. For starters my package arrived. Thank you very much! Those pictures of Hungry Hollow, remind me of one part of our area which also reminds me of the forest at the farm in Bancroft full of trees in rows and has a creepy, but peaceful feel to it.

This week we had our mission tour with Elder Bowen. It was really good except the travel was a killer. We had to sleep at an apartment in a different zone. The apartment was so small and there were 14 of us total. Sleep was really hard to come by.

Before the Storm!!!

Another thing that killed our sleep was the Sister Missionaries. So, Saturday night we get a text from the Sisters asking for a priesthood blessing. So we go and give the blessing then head out. As we were leaving both my companion and I felt really bad about leaving. As we were on the tricycle on the way home we both felt that we should go back right away. We then called the Zone leaders to ask for any type of suggestions as to what we should do.  They didn't really know what to do. So we called President. It eventually came down to the point where he told us to stay at their apartment to guard it. So all 4 of us elders from our apartment slept outside their apartment. But they heard something from the upstairs. We went to check it out when I turned on the light at least 3 of us saw a black hooded figure run past the window. It was such a creepy, crazy, but at the same time once in a lifetime, hopefully, experience.

SO ultimately I can use a nap or 2. 

I miss you guys.

Elder Rivera

First week in Cadiz

I love this Ward. But I really miss the Bello family! But I found out that the two investigators we left to be baptized were baptized!  WE had one baptism too in Cadiz and have a lot more planned for the rest of the month!

We actually had a miracle day in this new part of the area we opened. We contacted 13 new people, and 9 new investigators so much fun! This area is not Bukid at all we are partly in the city. there also 4 of us in the apartment every night, is so much fun!

My companion is the District Leader so we had to respond to an emergency at the sisters apartment. They had some one try and enter their house but we got there and checked it out. They are ok now, and they are moving houses after the mission tour.

I miss you all

Love,

Elder Rivera