2017.01.30 Bro. Pinga's Baptism

Dear Family and Friends,

Such a great week of fun, love and eating! :)
The main event for this week was Bro. Rosmar Pinaga's baptism.
At Bacolod 1st Ward, Bacolod Central Stake, January 28, 2017 Saturday 4:00 – 5:00 PM Brother Rosmar Pinaga is a Filipino college professor who teaches at Carlos Hilado Memorial State College. As much as Brother Rosmar loves teaching, he also has the desire and love for learning. Incidentally, his friend and colleague is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Brother Alex has then been sharing gospel truths to Brother Rosmar. Together, they attended church services including institute classes. Finally, Brother Rosmar’s desire to know about the truthfulness has grown. He was taught by the missionaries and when invited to be baptized, he easily accepted and continued to keep his commitments. Later on, he was baptized. Now he shares the light of the gospel even to his students and friends.

SISTER GARRISH
SISTER TONGCO

FHE at the Galeno Families :)

 

FHE at the Obas familly where we played a game with red lipstick

Baptism of Brother Rosmar :) 

Baptism of Brother Rosmar :) 

2017.01.23 Challenges

Family and Friends!

Wow, What an amazing Week with my new companion Sister Tongco! What a blessing it is to have her as my companion! Not only is she such a hard worker but she makes the work fun! That's what I need, I can work no matter how hard the work is as long as I have someone positive able to laugh along with me. I have been blessed with two companions like that so far! :) This week I have been faced with a lot of challenges with lots of different things, but the one thing I remember this week with everyone and everything that has given me a hard time is just that I will be alright. It's as simple as that. But it really has a big impact on me. Every time I think that I am able to calm down and continue out my day with no hard feelings! I really love everything that I am learning here out on the mission field! Lots of self reflecting and repenting. I am far from perfect but as I try to do my best I feel better about myself then I have ever have. Oh and I have this stary pet dog. I'll get a video or picture of us one day but.... yeah  that's my little burst of happiness when I get hope at the end of the day haha :) LOVE YOU ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!

Next week I hope to receive letters, email, pictures or anything!!! haha LOVe you all!!! 

Love,

- Sister Garrish

Transfer day and I was sick :(

I'm in the heart of Bacolod or I am the heart of Bacolod haha ;)

Danico Brothers Conversion Jan 14, 2017

The first MLC of 2017

2017.01.16 Transfers!!!

Dear Family and Friends,
So it actually happened.... Sister Abad was transferred! I always knew this day would come but didn't think it would come so soon! She is transferred to Silay East while I am still here in Bacolod :) I am glad I wasnt the one transferred I love it here so much! I have grown to love the people here like my personal family and I never want to leave!!!! Haha So my new companion is one of the legends here in Bacolod Mission she goes home in April and I hope to learn as much as I can from her before that happens! Her name is Sister Tongco :) She is like Sister Abad's twin!!!! They look so much alike! God knows me so well he only has me go through change little by litttle haha I love Sister Tongco she is so great! She is actually me Lola! She help trained Sister Abad! She is in the previous pictures I sent you from MLC with Lola, Nanay and Anak :) 
SO for some bad news this week Sister Abad tried opening a bag with a big and sharp knife and ended up cutting her finger! So we went to the hospital and she got all stitched up. I felt so bad for her because they had an intern work on her and it took like 40 minutes to put in three stitches. Then, even though the anesthesia didn't work the intern continued with the stitches! It looked so painful! I ended up helping the intern with the procedure and by the end of it my hands were the ones super bloody! It was another crazy experience at the hospital! 
But anyways another thing that is going on is that I am currently sick, again! But this time I was throwing up from 3AM  this morning until we had to go to the office to meet our new companion :) SO that was fun.... not quite sure whats wrong with me but I'll be fine by tomorrow :) 
I love the letter and picture that my brother Adam sent me this week! It even came with a picture of him and Lucy! It made me so happy! I even received a couple pictures of my nephew Simon! I love receiving pictures of my family because it just reminds me how I know that we will be together forever and I want other families to know that too! I love you all but I don't have a camera and Sister Abad's camera transferred with her ::( 
LOVE YOU ALLLLLLL!!!!!!! 

- Sis. Garrish

PS - OH and HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!!!! ngga guapa gihapon? Ano ang secret mo? ;)  Love you mom! 

2017.01.09 My mission is hard, but why wouldn't it be?

Hello friends and family, ❤

So this week went by flying as usual. 😑 So many laughs and good times and of course some difficult times and challenges. 

Not sure if you guys remember but a while ago I mentioned how the atonement can strengthen us and I encouraged you guys to try and find out how the atonement can strengthen you in your everyday life. I would like to share with you all how the atonement of Jesus Christ gives me strength everyday, especially out here in the mission field. 

As I go through my day, there are lots of difficult challenges that I face each day. Almost everyday the thought pops into my head "This is too hard".  Sometimes, very rarely, the thought pops into my head "I can't do this anymore it's way to hard" but I immediately push those thoughts out of my head as I start to think what our Savior Jesus Christ went through. Jesus Christ, is the only perfect person, perfect missionary to ever come to earth and just thinking of what he went through for me helps. He helps me to stop feeling sorry for myself, to get back to work and to never give up. Jesus never gave up even though he went through an enormous amount of pain. He still never gave up. But ask yourself, what did he die for? What did he go through all that pain for? Was the price he paid worth it? For me and millions of others around the world the answer is yes. He went through all that pain so we would have a CHANCE at salvation. Now it is our turn, it is our turn to pay the price for our salvation, to walk the road to salvation. We need to remember it will not be easy because it was never easy for Him. This is God's plan for us that we accepted so we will be held accountable. But as for me, as I walk to find souls, to help them to not give up, to help them carry their cross I will remember it was never easy for my Savior Jesus Christ, therefore, it will not be easy for us. 

I hope this letter lightens the weight of your cross, knowing that the atonement of Jesus Christ will help you on your personal journey up Calvary's Hill. 

I know He loves me and is fighting for me to succeed and I know He is doing the same for you. Keep going, don't give up and remember He has never forgotten you. He is there just be humble enough to feel Him. I know this to be true with all my heart and soul. Our Savior lives and God is waiting and trying His best to push us so we can reach the potential, He knows we can reach. 

I know life is hard but through Jesus Christ we can get through the hard times and grow. I love this church and all the blessings it has in store for individuals and their families. I love you all and I am grateful to have you all in my life.  I am grateful for all of you that helped me carry my own cross and continue to do so.

- Sis. Garrish

Thanks to Becca and Jacob my testimony has been strengthened with the scripture
"Ask, and it shall be given you;
Seek, and ye shall find;
Knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

Becca and Jacob thank you so much for the chocolates, candle, calender and the beautiful dress!!!! I love it alll so much!!!!! I was so happy! I Love you guys!!!! It really made my Christmas! <3

Sister Irene at her baptism

PAG ASA Kids <3

Mi amigo!

Lola, Namay Kag Anak

Sister Arthur and I

Sister Barredo and I :)
I love her so much!!!
She is such a blessing to my life and she is the funniest person I've ever met!

MLC icecream!

2017.01.02 Happy New Years!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!!!
Wow what a celebration it has been here in the Philippines! Lots of firecrackers! So fun to see all the children and all the families that came together to celebrate 2017!

I am so grateful to start of the year of 2017 here in Bacolod Philippines! I have been blessed in so many ways last year because of my decision to become a missionary.  I can not wait to see what 2017 has in stored for me this year while serving.

SO... for New Years Eve we got to spend the evening with the Nang Family where they asked us right before dinner if we the missionaries to share a message :) So Elder Pajarin, Elder Young, Sister Abad and I came together to figure out what to share about that was quick and powerful. I opened up my New Testament and automatically read Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. I really loved that scripture and I shared that with the other missionaries and they looked at me and said that's great, go for it and we will all follow you. So I went for it and the one thing I realized is how the verse is the answer to all of my worldly questions, all my worries and all my doubts. This verse is so strong and powerful. If we put our Heavenly Father first, in everything, he will provide everything for us. for example: If we are not focusing on our callings in church instead we are focusing on our worldly problems (work,sports, even school) and not putting our callings first, that is just one example of not seeking first the kingdom of God. God promises us if we put Him first in all things he will provide. We need to have faith and challenge ourselves to not allow the world to determine what is more important, no matter how many people are doing it or justifying it. I love the scriptures, I really encourage us all to read as much as we can. I know how busy we all get but if we find time to read the scriptures and pray, Heavenly Father will find time for you to do the things we want to do.

I love you all and I hope you all enjoy these pictures :)

-- From your favorite 5'9 white with blonde hair and hazel eyed Sister missionary,

Sis. Garrish