Week 59

This week was a simple one, but I finished the Book of Mormon again. I had been reading through and highlighting every reference to Jesus Christ. I can say that I came to know Christ better as my Savior as my God and as my Brother. I can say that He loves me and each and every one of you so much. If there was one peron that He didn't love, even one single person, he wouldn't have atoned for us. But He did. The Book of Mormon really does testify of Christ and I would invite all of you to read it (especially with the new upcoming Come, Follow me program of 2020).

We have these super cool kids Nelson and John Paul who decided to come to church last week. They had met with the missionaries a long time ago and just decided they wanted to learn more. They're ready to progress and are worth the 1.5 hour walk home from their house (they're only available at night after there are no trikes or jeeps going that way). The work of God is progressing and I'm just trying to help it along as I can.

Also, Happy Birthday Shoutout to Emerson Collier, a super gwapo little man

-Elder Collier

Picture 1 is a turumpo, which is a fun toy all the kids play with. Its a top that you throw with the string as (depicted in picture 2). Its pretty difficult, but all the mga bata are great and can pick them up on their hands while spinning. Its the souvenir I'm gonna give to all my nieces and nephews because I know their parents will love them so much. 

Picture 3 is us with the Julaton Family. We're teaching Ramil, and his mom and sister are members

Week 58

Hey everyone, 

I got to go to Tarlac this last week on exchanges which is a different province and 99% if it is a different mission, so that was pretty fun. On those exchanges I got to work with my Zone leaders Elders Perseveranda and Matheson. It was a really good day to work and to focus on using the Book of Mormon in our teaching. It really is the most powerful witness of Christ that we have on this earth. You should read it for sure.

Also, this week we had a zone conference in Urdaneta, it was my first time back on this side of the mission since this time a year ago, and it was a good experience because I got to say bye to Elder Nonu, a good friend of mine, who finishes his mission in just a few weeks. 

Lastly, back in my last area one of my favorite people Rosie just got baptized, I wasn't able to be there, but its okay. Its just amazing to see people's lives change as they start to live the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thats me for this week,

I love you all,

-Elder Collier

Picture 1 is Dane and Nanay Goleng who came to Urdaneta to surprise us right before Dane leaves on his mission

Picture 2 is me and Elder Nonu

Picture 3 is of Rosie at her baptism with ELder Notarte

Picture 4 is us at dinner with super nice members - the Pizarro Family

Week 57

Hey everyone,

So Umingan is HUGE and that's a little stressful because there are so many people that I need to talk to and we cant go everywhere. That being said, its great and we do have a lot of people we are teaching and a lot of really fun work is going on.

November 1st we went to the cemetery and talked to people about the plan of salvation because it was a holiday and there were tons of people there. We talked to people about the way they can see their families again after this life because there really are so many people who have no idea what comes next. This week I have come to realize how blessed I am to know God's plan for me and my family and I'm working really hard to share the message that had blessed my life with everyone I can. 

Life is going well. we're teaching a boy named Ramil who's mom and sister are members. He has a baptismal date set for december. I love this work.

-Elder Collier

Pictures 1 and 2 are a service project where we helped clear a campsite for the branch camping trip even though we werent invited

picture 3 is a drug sign (its been a while)

picture 4 is how i celebrated halloween a little early