Facebook Messages

Messages from Nick's branch on the Island, nothing makes a mother happier and more proud than to receive a message like this.

Week 50

 Dahil sa iyo

oh man what a week!  I'm out of the island and its a sad  happy  because the island is great and all, but man the vibes from that place. I have never been in a more laid back environment, like it got really hard to stay motivated but I'm glad I still worked hard and am moved on. I know God was with me there.  

My new companion's name is Elder Dela Cruz and he's a really cool guy. I Don't really know him too much yet, it's only been four days. It's actually really cool here, really touristy. There are tons of shops and restaurants and stuff,  

 just some pics of the new area, I finally got my camera back! I found out I can do panoramas.

We are in a branch and even though there will always be a bit of poverty, I'd say this place is a little fancier. The town square kind of reminds me of SLC,I love it here so far. My apartment is really nice.

Monday. We had our last FHE at the Mabolo family and it was really fun!

Tuesday. We had all of our appointments and mainly just said good bye and keep it real it was a pretty hard but loving day.

Wednesday. We started packing and had our last district meeting, I printed some pics and said final goodbyes. also I couldn't sleep that night which kind of bit me in the butt the next day but that's okay. 

Thursday. Traveled for a total of 12 hours to get to the Sta Cruz Pila area and this place is so beautiful too. They have a giant catholic church here. and don't get me wrong the Catholics have Christianity all wrong but their architecture in buildings are amazing. I love seeing them all. 

Friday. I spent the day mainly following my comps lead and visiting people and it was fun I really enjoyed meeting all the new people and this area is already working well (finally an area I don't have to fix) they have like 5 baptisms coming up so I'm excited.

Saturday We visited our investigators to remind them to come to church I really like all the people Ive met so far, this is a great area. 

Sunday. we had church and the branch is really cool I've met a lot of really fun youth members. The branch president fed us lunch then he has a tradition that every new misisonary in the area has to sing for his family.....so yea I sang a solo of "I am a child of god." by myself for his entire family. I'm surprised they are still alive. 

Right now I am reading in 3rd nephi. Its probably my favorite part in the BOM just because Jesus the living Christ himself ministers to the people and I just love the part where after he leaves and his apostles continue what hes doing exactly as he did it. it just showed their faith in making sure it was exact because it puts emphasis on the ordinance because the exactness is what makes them important. I mean ordinances are just prayers you can throw out you have to be specific in certain guidelines. like Jesus, but after they did then the heavens opened up angels came out and ministered unto them all. just like it talked about in 2nd nephi where if you feed on the words of christ you will have tongues of angels. SOOO COOL! 

anyways I love you all good bye see you next week! 

Week 49

Transferred off the Island!

Monday We had another FHE and it was tons of fun we played games and kept it real.

Tuesday. We were out working and this girl tried to take a snack out of this bag I was eating and be all flirty with me (girls be thirsty in the fillies) and I told her I'm not down. hahah she didn't take the rejection well. 

Wednesday We had District meeting then we played some uno. it was pretty fun day, then we went out and taught some more lessons

 

 

Thursday was really long we taught like 6 lessons and I;m just so grateful that the branch here is so wonderful they are so helpful and nice and love this gospel.

 

 

Friday. we worked in mogapua and taught this less active who is a really cool guy he said he was nervous to go to church but I told him not to worry. and to just follow the spirit. Later that night I fixed an ingrown toenail! it was horrifying! 

Saturday. we did some service and helped build this other guys house. it was fun! then I found out I got transferred to Pilo Sta cruz zone! Im gonna miss this place so much I love it here! 

Sunday we gave our talks and said goodbye to the branch and took lots and lots of pictures! its always sad to leave an area and leave the people you know but I know god wants me somewhere else and I'm willing to go where he wants me to go

Week 48

Monday. Normal Pday stuff. just chores and worked and taught some lessons

Tuesday. Teaching this family the oldest is this 15 year old girl who when she doesnt read the BOM in between lessons I catch a frog and tease her with it. hahahaha I love this place.

 

 

Wednesday. We actually just worked cause there inst a district meeting because we had zone con on Saturday

Thursday. I upgraded my proselyting BOM and made a bunch of additions to it. Its gonna be so awesome by the time its done I will make it perfect. 

Friday. we were gonna work but torijjos came over and the elders didn't wanna work so we just chilled and I napped I HATE NAPPING cause I didn't sleep later that night. 

 

 

Saturday. ZONE CON

Sunday. had church it was really fun! Love this place and you all!

Week 47

so this week. Not much has happened.....at all...I;m fine. hahaha I;m just like at the point where I'm ready to move on ya know? get to the next area and help people there

 

 hahahaha shes a member, so funny. she had no idea what her shirt said so I explained it and she just laughed.

Not much else. sorry about the lame email but its just boring right now.

Week 46

yea no pics sorry. Im trying to get the cam back but nothing. 

Monday.Normal Pday stuff just chilled. then went out and taught a lesson

Tuesday. we had a full day in hanagdong with lots of lessons and good work!

Wednesday. we had exchanges and I was with elder Abad, super interesting character, he worked at a 5 star hotel as a chef and is talented and taught me some meals. He used to be a driver FOR DUTERTE. so he's probably gotten in fights and stuff. He has a tattoo and is one of the best elders I've ever met. such dope spirit with this guy.

Thursday. ended our exchanges and had more good lessons in janagdong

Friday. had exchanges again with the zone leaders I was with elder Snyder again. he goes home in like 3 months and is super stoked to see his family!!! it was a fun day too. we went to the beach and caught some crabs and fish and stuff then taught 3 lessons.The hermit crabs reminded me of millie.

 

 

Saturday. We started the morning with service by helping to build a members house.

 

 

 

 

 I got bit by 2 ants, they were huge and black and shiny and they stung so freaking bad, but in the end we got the house done. hahah it was a good day. 

Sunday. we didn't have English class but visited this member and talked with him and talked about movies and he has terrible taste in movies. haha but it was a good day too none the less. He has really good faith. He has read the BOM 30 times in the last year and he still has strong faith even though he cant leave the house Hes a real example to me. I love him. 

 

There is this one less active who has a crush on one of the elders in Boac. he doesn't work in our area but we had exchanges and that's how they met. She is 14 he's like 20. he's not down but she's slain. So I texted her because I saw that she was late to church and her sister didn't want to come. I said "sister! elder struiksma is here! hurry up and get over here! you will get to see him he wants to see you." she replied "thank you elder yarro I cant wait to see him." then she came to church!! hahahah she was not happy cause he really wasn't there but oh well.

 

It is awesome about Isabelle and her surgery and I am glad she is ok from that accident! I guess all of my prayers are helping though I was hoping to get that car when I got back lol  thats so dope about isabelle for reals

 

 

 

 

 anyways see you all next time!

week 45

sorry I cant hear you over my beach baptism!

 

Monday. So I didnt get to really have a PDay on monday cause I left for sanpablo. hahah oh well sacrifices sacrifices. it was good cause I got to eat good food for once hahahah. but sucked cause we were walking or moving around alllll day. like 8 hours. Then we ended the night at the AP's apartment which is super nice. I like it there, then elder Lynn and I chatted for a bit.

Tuesday.  all day we had MLTM literally all day. 

Wednesday. we came back and went on a boat ride but because the ocean was rough it was 5 hours long and gave me the biggest headache from the waves. guess I was never meant to be a sailor. 

Thursday. one of our members mothers died. so we went to her funeral at this catholic church. I will argue with anyone who says the Mormon is the weirdest church of them all. Catholics have turned Jesus into a trademark I swear. but it made me grateful for the plan of salvation cause I was seeing the sorrow on these peoples faces. 

Friday. we were walking and saw a man taking a crap on the street.....like full on pants to his ankles bent down.....so yea that will just sum on the morning. We went to the church to prepare for another baptism but it had no water in it. so are doing it at the beach YYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS

Saturday. BEACH BAPTISM BABY! it was beautiful i love the beach there and the water felt so good. and the baptism was fantastic, I love this girl and her strong faith. she will be a great member

Sunday. we went to church and had our english class then just went and taught lesson all in all normal day.

LOVE YOU ALL!

Week 44

sorry no pics this week either....I may have left my camera in a nother area and am aowrking on getting that back. but heres the low down for the last two weeks.

Monday. we were out of support so we just kind of hung out and then went and visited this girl on our area. this beautiful daughter of god is really struggling because she went through this horrible trial and we are helping her with that. I makes me love being a missionary helping people over come challenges through christ

Tuesday. we worked on janagdong and went and visited alyssa again. we finally got money so thats good. 

Wednsday. went to this training check up for my kid in san pablo. slept in san pablo on the floor.... hahaha fun

Thursday. had training check up. it was alot of fun! slept in tayabas on the floor....

Friday. finally back went and worked in balanacan and taught some people there

Saturday. went to balanacan again then committed people to church

Sunday. went to church and fasted and had testimony meeting and I kept eyeing the youth to go up and testify. it was funny but finally this one girl went up and cried so I was happy to see her testimony grow.

Monday. we had a small party cause it was the this girls bday her name is endnalyn she is super great and we had a testimony meeting and it was great everyone cried and it made me appreciate the great branch here

Tuesday. we worked in janagdong and taught this girl named Irene she is a less acive dealing with this Law of chastity problem cause she has this girlfriend. so we have been helping her understand that.

Wendnsday. we had another district meeting and went to boac after and I went to mess with some shirt print shop. 

Thursday. TRANSFER DAY! I watched my good friend leave and get transferred to another area it was sad to see him leave but I know he will do better!

Friday. we worked hard just knocking doors didn't really get in a house.

Saturday. after teaching some lessons this dad of one of our members came up to us and invited us over...he was super drunk so we just chilled for a bit then went home

Sunday. went and taught our English class it was super fun!!!!