5.16.11

Hello Family,

The internet is having some problems, so I couldn't read all you wrote, but life is good! Currently I am in Tacloban. We are having a Leadership Training Meeting tomorrow and we are doing a training along with the other assistants. We are focusing on needing the Spirit in Conversion. Our testimonies have grown so much with this as we have been in Sogod. We know that the Spirit has protected us and guided us and warned us over and over these last 5 weeks.

Oh how time is flying by! We had our last zone conference last thursday in Ormoc. I got to see my favorite elders and we also had a special training from Elder and Sister Aguillar-the Philippines Mental Health Doctors. They talked a lot about stress. She had us all take a special stress test and mine, my companions, Elder hawkes, elder cox, elder henry, elder bennet (our little clan of american missionaries at zone conference) all had 22+ on the stress level= high stress! She said that in tacloban the missionaries had moderate stress ranging mostly from 1-10 and that the only person that had 22+ was President Malit! Well, we replied with some comments, "What are they doing up there!? Do they go outside!? " Just kidding. Anyways, zone conference was one of the best.

President Malit's training was remarkable. I just sat there in awe and listened to what the Spirit was trying to teach me. He is such a man of power. When he talks everyone listens and there is this silence that over comes the room. The spirit is so strong andits like revelation is just being poured down upon us. I had a great interview with him and I realized how much the Lord trusts himj. That is why he is able to speak as he does and lead this great mission. He's incredible. I want the Lord to use me as he has used him, to help God's children....I know that there are many ways I can be better to earn His trust.

This week was wonderful. This morning we woke up at 3am and went hiking at 4am. Then we got back and we traveled to Tacloban. I am so Cebuano, its crazy to come back to waraywaray and try to talk to the people...but fun, of course. :)

Crispin is doing well. He will be baptized this Saturday. ! He is amazing. He shares his testimony and is teaching part of the lessons as we teach his family. His mom started crying during the lesson as she told us how much her son has changed. She cme to church on Sunday with Crispins siblings. He also attended the youth/young single adult conference and had a blast. The branch is starting to step up, but we have a long ways to go.

We had a meeting with our branch mission leader to discuss our vision for missionary work and especially for mcm. Our MCM yesterday was awesome! We had 30 people come from all different auxillaries and we trained them on the new trainings. It was really fun and productive and they are excited to work with us this week. FINALLY. :)

The 50 year jubilee celebration was great on Saturday. It was really special to be here for that and realize how the Lord's work has moved forward.

We had a very intense lesson this week with Sister Babin and her husband. We followed the spirit and did what we knew was right, but it did not turn out as well as we hoped. We were blessed to have Crispin there and another fellowshipper, a worthy priesthood holder.
Please pray for Babin to receive an answer from God. And please pray for Brother Catubuoran that he will soften his heart and realize what he did was wrong...and come back to church.
here are some names/things to pray for:

Crispin Basan. (getting baptized this week....a lot of challenges)
Patrick.
Daughter of michelle.
Basan family.
Sogod Branch.


Okay, I love you all. Time is going by way to fast and I am loving every minute. My companion is awesome and the language is fun and we are loving our lives.

Love, your missionary,
Sister Blonquist
ps--happy birthday birthday aaron!
and happy wedding anniversary aaron and kerry yesterday!