Another Week!!!

Just relaxing

This week has been a tough one. We have had a lot of appointments fall through like I'm little numbers. But the numbers don't tell success. Success in a mission is not in the number of lessons you taught or the number of baptisms you've had but in the lives you've changed for the better. The ultimate results of everything you've done will be presented at the VERY end. Truth

We had Stake Conference this past weekend. It was pretty awesome. I never thought I would say that about Stake conference. 

Our Ward choir for Stake Conference

My spiritual thought at Zone conference was actually pretty good. D&C 44:1-4. Set the tone, but I was way out done by the amazing musical number. What a set of lungs. Speaking of lungs I forgot to mention that the ward that I'm serving in was called upon to be the choir for the Stake Conf. And we were in it. I sent the picture of it. I was in the Bass section. hahaha.

We learned a lot and have been applying it and are slowly but definitely seeing the results in our area. I love it so much!!!!

Elder Rivera

My Area

Miracle baptism!!!

Wow so by the time I get home I'll have another cousin which would make 2 cousins that I haven't seen yet. Crazy. 

Our miracle baptism!!!

We definitely had a miracle this week. He has actually been an investigator for a long time but no one had the faith to teach him because of his past. But we know that the Atoning Sacrifice of Jesus Christ is for everyone. No matter what sin, or what transgression, you can be forgiven by the Grace of the Lord that comes from the Atonement of The one and only Lamb of God even Jesus Christ. A change of heart was evident in our lessons and more so after he was baptized by proper priesthood authority, and even more so after he had received the Gift of the Holy Ghost. That is literally what being a missionary is. Giving people the power and ability to change by helping them receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ especially baptism and Confirmation!

Our Jeepney ride after our service project

This coming up week we have Zone conference and I'm giving the spiritual thought.... I'm kinda nervous. Everyone is going to be there. Like President Barredo, so I'll do some extra studying tonight to get the perfect scripture verse.

This picture was after a ward service project. We were all cramped into a jeepney to get back to the City.

It's more fun in the Philippines,

Elder Rivera

Rice to go

Sagay

Being a missionary is pretty awesome. It changes lives. not just the people I teach, but mine too.

Ya we skyped in the bedroom of the owner of this restaurant. He's pretty nice. and it was his tv that has skype. It was pretty cool.

This week has been pretty good. We have been working and sweating like crazy to help strengthen this Ward and this area we're assigned in. We have found some pretty bakod people who are interested and willing to learn and apply the Gospel to their lives. We will be having baptisms this month! All investigators we found!

I'm seeing the finish line and it freaks me out. hahaha. I'm not ready to go home. I just am trying to push myself harder and harder so I will have no regrets.

Love your Missionary,

Elder Rivera

My Week

So Elder Ngalu has been transferred. But I'm sure my next companion will be awesome too. Even tho it was only 3 weeks we became pretty close. I'm going to miss him!

We were chased by a water buffalo. So, when we work we pass by water buffaloes everyday. Always, no matter where you go in this mission you will see a water buffalo. Usually they're chill and just eat the grass or what ever really. But this past Tuesday we past one, he got mad and chased us like a bull... horns first! Luckily we managed to book it and we are safe but it was kinda fun!!!

We are probably going to be in the stake choir. So We were invited to join the Sagay Stake choir for the upcoming stake conference. I'm all for it except they want practices every Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. And if it is anything like last Sunday. It is going to take for ever!!! We have work to do too, so I'm not sure if we can continue...

Mother's day is this coming up Sunday so that means I can Skype on the Monday after it!!! I'l try and get to the computer shop at like 8 am so it will be 8 pm back home sa inyo. Just email all the stuff and I call right away!

Can't wait to watch Star Wars!!!!

So the Sagay District has 8 missionaries. Elder Dimla and, my former companion, Elder Ballesteros are companions in Sagay second ward they are both from the Philippines. Then there are also 2 sisters in that ward Sister Dionisio and Pascual. They are from Manila. Then there is Sister Loua She is from Samoa and her companion got transferred. I'm also in the district and I'm from Canada. Then of course my companion but I don't know him yet so we shall see.

It's more FUN in the Philippines!!!

Elder Rivera

My birthday cake and meal

A great hike the day of my birthday

Just chilling

Elder Ngalu

My Birthday!!!

So ya I'm old now. 21! It's crazy how fast time goes by. 21 years I've done so much. Graduated high school, first job, almost finished my mission, and not to mention I got super handsome along the way. I can't believe that I've got just under 5 months to go before I return to The Great White North! Time just keeps going and there is nothing that can stop it, you just need to live every second of it.

Grandma and Grandad are looking good and happy. We should visit them as soon as I get home! Share some crazy mission stories with them!

I'm glad things seem to be going well back home with of course the relative stress that comes with everyday life! Things here are going... We have been doing a lot of finding the past few weeks. But this past Sunday we didn't have any investigators at church and to be honest that doesn't happen very often, at least not during my mission. But in the most trying times of life, that is when God opens your spiritual eyes to show you the miracles that he has performed for you. We had a lot of less active members return to church this Sunday. They were families that we visited but only because they had some investigators living with them. But I guess God is showing us how we can and should bring the gospel to those families we are teaching. We first need to focus on those lost sheep that need to be nourished once more by the Goodness and peace that the Gospel of Jesus Christ can bring.

My Birthday has been pretty good so far. We went hiking with the sisters from Sagay first and second ward. It was really fun even when I fell in the water. hahaha. And it doesn't end there later tonight a member is feeding us white spaghetti and banana cake, and last night and the day before that we have been fed for my birthday and both of them were my favourite dishes Adobo and Bicol Express! They were awesome!

Love being a Missionary!

Elder Rivera 

Sagay is Sick

So my new companion is from Tonga. And his name is Elder Ngalu he is awesome. We are like the companionship from the movie

"The Other Side of Heaven." He even calls me Kolipoki.  We just try and have fun everyday and relieve the stress from any of the aspects of the work while working super hard at the same time.

My new area is pretty cool, it's in the city and in the countryside. it's a pretty big area, full of  people to teach, the only thing is, we need to find them all. We had a baptism this past Saturday and that was pretty awesome. After that we have a really small investigator pool. And we are spending most of the time finding. But it is pretty cool because the area and the members are awesome!

I think when I get home we will go on a food trip! We'll eat everywhere. And we need to go to a Filipino restaurant. They have bunch in Toronto!

I love you!

Elder Rivera

Transferred!!!

So I'm now transferred to my sixth area in Sagay 1st ward. It's pretty cool my new companion is cool, or so I've heard. I haven't met him yet. But the area is really good. I'm no longer a District Leader just a regular senior companion. It feels good.

Conference was amazing! They all were amazing! I really was edified for maybe the first time. It was because I wanted to be edified!

I can't really say much else. I had an interesting week topped off with this transfer. But The saddest part was I might not see Elder Warnick and Elder Cagampang for a long time if ever.... They are more than just elders to me. They are brothers!!!

Elder Rivera