PAALAM TUGUEGARAO!

Well to start off with the transfer list came in and looks like I'll be spending my last day in Ward 4 tomorrow... I wish I could describe how thankful I am that I was assigned in Tuguegarao! I've learned so much and I cant believe I'm leaving! Its super sad! But if I were to leave on any week, it would be this week! Gosh yesterday was again super exciting! Just seeing our investigators and other members we love and especially ones that havent been to church in years come into the church building is a feeling that I wasnt expecting I would have before I came on the mission! Seeing the progression of the Macarubbo family, Brother Angel Curioso, Erlinda Durwin, Aiza Idagan, the Pastores Family, Merly and then just the love of all the members in Tuguegarao Ward 4 is something I'll never forget! Just thinking about it, since I've been here since March, literally half my mission so far has been in Tuguegarao! :)

This last week, I got to conduct a few more interviews for investigators. These last two this past week was Brother Dexter and Brother Christopher (an investigator we were teaching for several weeks at the church, but because he lived in a different area, we had to pass him on to the sister's assigned in his area). And both of them had amazing stories of how they came to the point where they were. With Dexter, his son became an "instrument of God" as he said, to get him interested in the church. His son asked him "Dad, why don't you come to church with us?" And that started him on a conversion story of complete humility before our Father In Heaven. And with Christopher, this one was awesome because Elder Claudio and I already loved Christopher because we had taught him for several weeks! but I also got to hear a story of a man who really became a prodigal son, but when he "came to himself" he also humbled himself in a way I havent seen in many people, including giving up several vices and diligently studying the word of God! But an amazing thing is the Spirit that I've learned, how He really testifies to us of the things we know, and I could feel the depth of these two brother's testimonies ,and if nothing else it was a completely humbling and testimony building experience that God places things, trials, and people in our lives to help us on the right path and become who He wants us to become! Makes me think of Nephi as they returned to Jerusalem and after his brothers had beaten him with a rod. He returns into the city, "not knowing beforehand the things which [he] should do" nevertheless, he "was led by the Spirit" If only I could have this kind of trust in the Lord! Thats what I saw in these two men. Even though there were trials of different kinds, he still did what he knew was right, "not knowing beforehand"

Because this upcoming transfer has been expected, the ward was being real funny yesterday... Haha they had me get up and bear my testimony and then closed the meeting by singing "God Be With You Till We Meet Again"! Haha talk about a nail in the coffin! But I can already tell these next day of saying goodbye to people will be a little sad... But I choose to trust in the Lord that He has some more things he wants me to learn or people I need to find in another area! But next week I'll definitely update where I'm at! But Maybe this will be all for now!

 

But SALAMAT for the support! Mahal ko kayong lahat! Lagi kayo magbasa ng mga banal na kasulutan at magtiwala sa Diyos katulad ni Nephi :)

Take care everyone!

Elder Navarro

OH SHOUT OUT TO ELDER JORDAN NAVARRO ENTERING THE MTC THIS WEEK! GO GET EM!

The GOD OF ISRAEL LEADS THIS MISSION