I have really been enjoying my time out in San Bernardo.. even though at first I was a little worried about getting transferred there.. it has actually become one of my favorite areas. The members are very lovable, and the area has so much potential! It's sad to hear that the missionaries in the past hadn't done anything to help the area progress, so there has been a big gap the past year or so.. but I have definitely been doing my best ,to put to use all the skills I have learned these last 2 years, to help this area progress again!
Earlier this week, the day of the baptism, while we were out working, I had the thought "How can I go home right now when there is so much progress that I want to see through!" or "How is it fair that I need to go home now that I am THIS good.." hehe - it's totally the cliche thing to say, but its so true! It really is what comes in mind at the end of the mission!
But the day of the baptism was great! We had our baptism in the chapel that is 35 minutes away riding a Tricy. So that was interesting.. carrying 12 of us over a bridge and through the town to the church for the baptism, but it ended up working out ok, and it was a great baptismal service! We even had a piano for the music! Which is a huge thing here... hehe. Plus - I was the baptizer! Which was special for me since it was my final baptism here in the mission.
After the baptism, we went back to our area and went out and while we were working, we contacted a couple of new Less-Actives. One is a young women, and her parents are not yet members. So we sat down and her Dad seemed to be a little angry, but the mother was very nice and inviting from the beginning. We tried our best to have an effective BRT with them, which I feel was one of the best BRT'ing I've done my whole mission! I definitely recognized the Lord's hand in helping me in that moment. Then we shared with them, and throughout the lesson, the mother kept tearing up. We taught from Mosiah 23:21-22. About Trials. Even though they aren't members, we were able to use the BOM as our reference, and the spirit was so very strong during that lesson. After the lesson, we invited Nanay (The mother) to pray for us, and after her prayer, she just broke down and started to cry. She explained to us how happy she was that we were there and that we took the time to teach them and get to know them. Both Elder Elicay and I could feel how she felt, and that was one of the more special lessons I have had my whole mission.
Also, I was totally blessed with the gift of tongues during that lesson. I was able to fluently explain in Tagalog, and discern all their needs and answer all their questions,without missing a beat. I definitely said a quick prayer of thanksgiving after that! #Endofmissionexperiences
Also, on Sunday - both my companion and I were asked to be speakers, right on the spot. We only had 35 people at church because it was raining all morning - and if it is raining on a Sunday morning out here in the Philippines, chances are 50-75% of the members, even the active ones, won't go to church. I'm not quite sure why, but that is what happens! So we spoke, then I also had to teach Elder's Quorum which was fun... the topic was on Eternal Marriage, which I found out - is VERY difficult to teach in Tagalog! haha. I had some struggles teaching that topic in Tagalog.. but I feel like overall I did a good job and the few people who were there understood me.
So I am very excited for this last week! It is going to go by SO fast! I feel like I won't have enough time to say goodbye to everyone I want to, and teach everyone I want to, and pack everything, and find more new investigators, and yeah... it's just gonna FLY by! It'll be good.
Well, I love you all! I hope you all have a good week! The final week in July! #1weeknalang!
Stay True!
See you all soon
Elder Walstad
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