Laoag Week 88

Good Afternoon Francis Family,

I have missed you all so much and I am sorry I didn't get to e-mail you last week.  Traveling from Cagayan to here in Laoag was such a long ride on a bus.  We traveled last Monday morning at 5:30 and got to Laoag at 12:05 at night.  We went to McDonald's that night then went to sleep in a hotel. So now I am with Elder Andon and he is from Guam.  He is super friendly and so funny, his laugh makes me laugh and we get along so well.  We are both loving our area here in Laoag 5. 

 

 

Since I have been here in Laoag 5 I have had some funny things happen to me.  I had a nanay flirt with me -  she said "Americano ka at sinabi ko sa kanya, opo nanay americano ako at sinabi nya sa akin ang gwapo naman." She asked me if I was American and I said yes to her and she told me I looked really handsome. So that was really funny and she wanted to take a picture with me so I did.  She was flirting with me - I guess that's what I get for being so pogi (handsome) hahaha. 

 

 

Also this week me and Elder Andon were finding and we saw a girl and she saw me and took off running and started screaming americano!  Then we were teaching a girl and she was peeking over the wall and kept on calling me Justin Bieber and she wanted me to sing for her.  Then she asked if she could take a picture with me and so I allowed it. So those were some of the weird things that happened to me this last week. 

 

 

I gave my first training as a district leader about our last day here in the mission field and to go home with no regrets.  I really focused on our purpose as missionaries and how we need to be consecrated and full time missionaries and we need to serve the lord with our full heart, might, mind and strength. That's what I want to do with my last couple months of my mission - to do the best I can and to enjoy the last months I have and to leave my mission with no regrets. 

 

 

I love being able to be a district leader here in Bantay District and I really have the best district ever.  And they are the funnest district ever. But I am really loving it here in Laoag and i love working with Elder Andon and the good example he is to me and how much fun we are having.  I am just enjoying the last couple months I have left. One scripture that I love that I read is here in D&C 58:16-  "Behold his mission is given unto him, and it shall not be given again." I take this every day into my mission life and into my mind, how I am a missionary for 2 years only and I will never be able to live this two years again and I need to "live each day like it is my last", and to go home with no regrets to do the best I can and just enjoy every day I have. I love being here on a mission and all the things I am learning - all the memories and miracles I have seen and how much my testimony has grown.  I have seen how much the gospel can change the lives of others and it really is God's plan for us and this plan is full of happiness and joy and when we choose to accept this plan or follow it in our lives we will have joy and happiness in this life.

 

 

 I miss you all so much and I am happy to hear you are all safe and enjoying life.  I will be skyping you in two weeks - like wow times flies by so fast. So I love you all and wish you all the best. 

Mahal ko kayo at ingat kayo palagi. 

Elder Francis

Magapit/Cagayan Week

Magapit/Cagayan Week

Magapit/Cagayan Week 85

Good Afternoon Francis family, 

This week as been full of challenges and trials.  My symptoms from dengue and the UTI keep coming back.  I have been getting really bad headaches and been getting really hot and my body hurts too. But I keep pushing through all these trials and I know God answers prayers because he loves me and I am his child. I always tell myself to never lose hope in myself and to always put my trust in Christ and I can see how miracles happen. 

 

 

I am still taking my medicine every day.  I have to take at least 5 different pills a day hahaha.  I talk with Sister Andrada every day about my health, she tells me how much she loves me and prays for me like the whole mission and every one back at home. So thank you all so much for all the prayers for me and thank you for all the love you give to me. 

 

 

This week I read a lot of scriptures that really helped me and strengthened me.  First I read in D&C 6:36-  "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not."   So after I read this scripture I really turned my thoughts to the Lord and really felt Christ's atonement and how much he loves me, for giving his life for me, and he knows what I am going through right now. The second scripture that I read was in 3 Nephi 13:32- "For your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things." I would like to talk about how God knows each and every one of us because we are his children and he loves us all so much.  He also has a plan for us and that is to be happy in this life and to come back unto him. The last scripture that I read was D&C 58:16- "Behold his mission his given unto him, and shall not be given again."   I want to focus on this scripture because this is my favorite scripture since I have been on my mission.   I have been called to serve a full 24 month mission and I won't be able to live this again.  

 

 

Every day of my mission I need to live Christ's teachings and forget my self and go to work and do the will of the lord.  Even now with all the sicknesses I have it won't stop me from building God's kingdom.  I love being a missionary and seeing all the blessings I receive and how many trials and challenges there are but when we put our trust in Christ and have faith in him all our weaknesses will be made strong. 

 

 

 

So this week I was not able to work a lot but it gave me more time to rest and to read the scriptures and find things that can strengthen me and guide me every day.  I can't wait to listen to general conference this week and listen to what our Prophets, Apostles, Church leaders have to say to us. I love you all so much and I miss you too.  I will be talking with you in May and I will be coming home in less than five months.   WOW!!! 

Mahal ko kayo 

Elder Francis