Week 38: Who will I be? New beginnings

Hello everyone!! Kumusta kayong lahat! Sobrang masaya ako, I was TRANSFERRED to SAN JUAN and I am very, very happy. The past few days have been a blast. My new companion is Elder Fuller, who just finished his 12 weeks as a missionary. He's from California and went to a year at SUU before the mission. He is honestly just great. I'm very impressed with his Tagalog and his teaching/organization skills as a missionary. I'm excited to work with him in this area hopefully for a couple cycles.

Spent all day Wednesday traveling to San Juan, got here about 7 PM that night. Dropped off bags and immediately went to work! We've been working pretty hard the past few days, as I'm trying to get a feel for the area and meet all the investigators. Excited to make changes in our work to make our time more effective.

This time for me is a lot of "new beginnings". New year. New area. New companion. New apartment. New branch. New investigators. First time I've been a senior companion, and first time I've been the most senior companion in a branch. (There's four missionaries in the Cabugao branch)

As I've thought about all these new beginnings, I am thinking about the changes and improvements that I can make. A fresh start in something new is a great opportunity to change and become better. Who I was back in May 2018 is a lot different than who I am now. As I've made changes in my life I've noticed that I feel more confident and I feel closer to Jesus Christ. In this new area what can I do better?

The first study I did as a missionary way back in the MTC was a "Who do I want to be?" study in the Book of Mormon. I've been pondering the things I've learned and have had this question in my mind, "Who will I be?" I came across this scripture again this week, which is my answer to the question:

"Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the son of God. I have been called of Him to declare His word among His people that they might have everlasting life." 3 Nephi 5:13

That is a perfect verse for this question of mine, and I want to more fully realize that and just work so, so hard in this area. I'm loving it. I'm very happy.

[COOL STORY EXTRA CONTENT WOOP] So my branch here is called the Cabugao branch. (San Juan isn't part of Cabugao, but we go to church there) I was really excited coming here because it's the same branch that my uncle served in years ago. I was hopeful but honestly not sure if anyone would remember another Elder Childers since it's been so long and so many missionaries since. After church got out I was talking with a couple Nanay's, and one of them, Nanay Norma, comes up to me and starts telling me that there was another Elder Childers that served in the Cabugao branch years before. She said he was happy, and was always going to her house. By the smile on her face I didn't have a doubt she was talking about my uncle Jamie. She told me that he was such a great missionary and that she will never forget him. And then, looking me right in the eyes, she told me over and over again that me and Elder Childers before have the same eyes. That was a super cool experience and she's going to bring a picture to show me next week at church.

Have a great week!

AGYAMAN

Elder Childers

Pics:

Walking around and this girl had a pet monkey.. so obviously we stop and take pictures with it. It's same is Sai Sai. Very good little guy. It didn't want to let go of me and I was feeling pretty much the same.

Some member here is the owner of all these trucks and stuff like this. We stopped by her business just to say hi and for me to meet her and she told us about the new tractor they bought and then told us to take pictures with it.. hahaha it was fun.

More pictures next week I promise! :)