November 12, 2013 - Leaving Tacloban after Typhoon Yolanda

Nov. 12 , 2013

         4:00 am we wake up early and prepare ourselves for the flight for Manila. It was raining , very dark, wee are at the back of the car . Crying seeing the houses destroyed , broken and Abandon . You can also smell the dead people who were not yet found by the rescuer's . Then we got into the airport who were full of people and seems like people who are there were waiting since 12 midnight or earlier to wait and get the plain tickets for manila. We were standing there and just waiting for our expected flight. 9:00 am the plane informant said we cannot ride the plane to fly by 9:00 am since we don't have proof that we bought tickets from them . We don't have any papers to prove to them that the Church paid the fare because The Area bought it for us. We were tired and can't even stand for a longer period we find places where we could sit. Water's and sky flakes were our sustainable food at that time. Luckily the missionaries have seen this guy with a US Marine uniform and talk to them. The missionaries explained why we were waiting . One amazing thing that had happen was when the Guy said " I don't know why i was sent here and to be walking here at the airport specifically in the waiting area since I should be at the plane craft and assisting my men. But it seems like i now figure it out why! I can help you ride on the US C130 Plane and help you get there in Manila. So we did. All of us TACLOBAN, TOLOSA and CARIGARA zones were able to reach Manila. Drop at the US Marine office. Called our family immediately and it was like we were in a new place since we could see buildings, lights, water...etc. heheh . We waited then for the bus to arrive and a few minutes after we can see the temple and the MTC Place. We were greeted by the Area Elder Nielson and his wife Sister Nielson, Sister Ardern and some ERC Staff's , photographers at the MTC. All of them were happy and some of them even cried seeing us safe and sound. I was greatly blessed to witness a great miracle the Lord has ever been providing his children here on earth . Headed through the Gym for a welcome remarks from Elder Nielson. We have cried so many times but yet ever been grateful for being Alive and continuing helping toward Building the Lord's Kingdom.

While waiting for the Plane Ride 

The greeting moment at the MTC! 

The Young Captain who help us get to Manila ! with
President Jose Andaya our Second Dad in the Mission. 

Sister Laureano and Me! My CO-STL while waiting for the next plane 

The Bus Ride after Reaching the US Airforce Area...Heading to MTC...

The C130 Air force  that help us get through to Manila!

3rd Area! Palompon - Open area

 My 3rd area is Palompon, Leyte - Ormoc Zone! One of my Favorites indeed! I love how member's took care of their missionaries , how they have help us in doing this Great Work of Salvation. 

Palompon Chapel

After Missionary and Members Meeting

With STL ORMOC and Sanoy Family

After Mutual 

Sister Susette Sanico and Sister Mercy 

These people has played a big part of my Life this branch has shown me how dedicated they are in their callings and they are just so happy despite of their trials and challenges. Smiles on their faces are always put's on .These are one of the precious memories that I will always remember. ALWAYS.

My Second Anak (Trainee) Sister Simkins and Me! 

Sister Nicole Simkins- Half African Half American , She lives in Spanish Fork America. My 2nd Anak. She taught me how to overcome my weaknesses. To be able to strive to be a Good Example to her as a Trainer. She taught me how to love more the people and I really admire how she has that kind of spirit of Missionary Work or urgency in proclaiming the Gospel toward's the Lord's children. She's a sweet anak too! I do love how she laugh ! so cute... like my first anak Sister Bray...

Crossing the Bamboo Sticks Bridge ..
The House at the Back is our investigator

Children all over the WORLD :)

My Tanauan Companions

• Sister Lupe Lauano - She's my 3rd and Senior Companion Hawaiian, a very happy person . When I work with her I appreciated how life in the mission is , She taught me how be "ME" there were no days that we were not smiling. Here she is! 

Sister Lauano and Me - Before heading to church 

• Sister Rebekah Robinson  - I just love her , she is my best friend in the mission , We were Zone mates before and they usually slept over in our apartment in Balaquid and we do P-day's together in our first area's since Cabucgayan is 30 min. away from our area . We were trainee at those times and we had a chance to be companions for 1 cycle in Tanauan both our second area's. But this 1 cycle has left a lot of smiles on our faces. We learned a lot . We struggled a lot in terms of work and our own realizations . We had great experiences together . She showed me how to be grateful in all things. She showed me what really matter's when you serve the Lord. And Enjoying the work that The Lord has entrusted into our hands with a big big laughs, smiles when walking down the streets and teaching our Investigators and Less Active Members and Finding is a special one! She is my totally ever Eternal Best Friend! 

Sister Robinson and Me

Preparation Day!- Basketball! 

Planner ni Sister Robinson! hahah 

After Groceries - Super Tired! and slept at the Jeepney..

• Sister Claire Kehaulani Bray - Half Hawaiian half american. She's my 1st Anak in the mission. She's amazing ! Her smile make's me see how enthusiastic she is and how firm her desires to Serve the Lord. She even taught me how to Love - love that has no ending and unconditional. She taught me how to care  - not just a word "caring" but caring with a pure heart. She taught me how to be grateful of the Family I have and how she showed me her love for her mom . She is unique!

  

  She made me a Grilled Cheese for Breakfast - Dengue! haha

Trainer and Trainee Announcements

Kami si Sister Suave!

Shiera Mae Quintana - Baptism! 

Balaquid Companions

These are my Companions while Serving in Balaquid!

1st Stop is My Trainer : Sister Madelisa Besera , she's amazing! She is one of the Best!

Sister Besera and Me in ORMOC for a Zone Conference

Sister Besera and me at Naval !

Riding a unique motorcycle in Balaquid 

Next is my Second Companion - Sister Ofelia Garcia - My Senior Companion. She love's to cook and she is very patient , she is an example of a very charitable woman of God.

At Tacloban - MCDO Area - Downtown for a Lunch before heading home to Balaquid

Me and Sister Garcia

Baptisms in Balaquid

Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored Gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance , Baptism, and Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the END. 

Josefina Esconejos, Jobert Esconejos and Jovanni Esconejos.
With Brother Mollare and Pres. Garcia! 

Tatay Rodencio 

Brother Pablo 

Bro. Romnick Baptism

Tatay Rodencio 

Kevin Ulid , Gelyn Ulid , Jomar Esconejos , Roel 

Balaquid Member in Biliran Chapel for a Baptism .

The gospel of Jesus Christ as restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith will bless their Families, meet spiritual needs, and help them fulfill their deepest desires. Although they may not know why, they need relief from feelings of guilt that ome from mistakes and sins. They need to experience the joy of redemption by receiving forgiveness of their sins and enjoying the gift of the Holy Ghost 

Knowing You

I saw you on the edge of the Bench

Sitting alone and no one to wrench 

I was about to get near of you 

But you decided to go. 

I never imagined That I wanted to know you 

more better

It was the best Feeling I ever had 

To know you better and I never Doubted 

You were silent when we first met

Then After awhile you break off you shell

We spend our time with lots of memories

Good And Bad are all in that knowing time

So it is a BLESSING of knowing you 

Because I learned many things from you .