Ilo Ilo Mission - Philippines



Our 1st Baptism Sis. Rhaina (11) and Sis. Analy (17)



City Ward - In this picture are mostly members and 3 investigators come to witness the baptism.





Dearest Mom, Dad and Family

   Wow! I am now here in the Philippines.  It was so great to be able to call and hear your voices and to just say hello to everyone. . .during my transit at the airports on the way to Ilo Ilo.  It had brought so much joy and gave me strength to move on and carry on in such a long flight.
   I am so grateful that the church is so organize. . .President Padaguan (my mission president) and 2 Elders picked us up at the airport, it was around 8:30 pm when we got there.  We had dinner at the mission home and went to our temporary apartment.
   It hit me that I wasn't in the U. S. anymore when I woke up in the middle of the night with the sounds of roosters. . .and when I looked out my window, I have a view of coconut trees with lots of coconuts ready to be pick and eaten = D
   The next day was orientation day and then it was transfer day, it was the day I met my trainer Sister Castro and my other companion Sister Burton.  The area that we are assigned to was the Ilo Ilo City, at first I thought I was going to go somewhere far away from the city but, I didn't. . .and I was very excited to start working.
   Once we were settled in our apartment, we just set our stuff down, set up our bed and went to do the Lord's work.  It was an amazing experience, as we teach investigators, I could really feel the spirit helping me teach and giving me confidence as I share the gospel.  That night unlike the past 2 nights I slept peacefully without waking in the middle of the night.
   I have to say I had forgotten how HOT it is in the Philippines, there is no way I can go about my day without taking 2 showers. . .COLD shower is great!
   Missionary life teaches me so much and make me realize how bless I am.  I am so grateful for everything that you have provided for me.  I am eternally grateful for all the love and support especially now that I am on my mission.  There's so much I can write about but, I want to focus on the highlights of my week here. 
   We had a BAPTISM this week, Sis. Analy and Sister Rayna.  It was beyond what I thought I would feel knowing I somehow helped them (by sharing the gospel to them) they are able to gain a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. 
   Furthermore, I am truly bless to have my trainer and my companion, they are very kind, loving and helpful.  It is so nice to be able to know the Tagalog language very well, it is helping me understand people that we are teaching.  I am learning how to speak the local dialect which is Ilongo, they're similar with Tagalog but they're different in lots of ways also. It amazes me how much Heavenly Father has been helping me adjust, the climate, the sorroundings, the dialect and focusing on just serving and preaching his gospel.
   We have 2 investigators with baptismal date, they are Sister Mary Jane and Sister Christine.  It is so powerful and so incredible being able to be an instrument to the Lord in bringing our brothers and sisters back into His fold.  We have lots of investigators we are visiting, we are continously trying to find new people to teach.  The Lord's work is pressing on and I am so blessed to be a part of it. 
   The Book of Mormon is powerful, it can so much help investigators strenghten their faith and their willingness to make commitment to progress.
It is humbling to be teaching the Ilo Ilo City people, it makes me think of the blessing I have. . .of having a good life back home (with our family) and for all the opportunities or simply not having to worry about the basic necessity in life.  Here in the Philippines that is the most priority they're trying to attain and luxury is almost always out of the question.
   Washing clothes with my hand, cooking with a small gas stove, having black out (power outages) at least once a day, having just what we need to survive. . .no dishwasher, no luxury car. . .just jeepneys and trycycle, lots of walking. . .yay! = D .  Most people we visit and teach have really nothing but basic nessecities in their home, some live in little shacks right above the river.  The church do have a good size apartment for us and is in pretty good shape.
   I always look at our family picture, it just makes me happy to know I have all of you.  I am so grateful Mom and Dad for all that you've taught me, both spritually and temporal things, it helps me to keep on going and work hard.  I also often reread the letters I have from all of you specially at night, it makes me happy to know I have so much Love and support.  I miss all of you so much and I love you all so dearly.
   I would also like to share with the family 1 Nephi 3:7, this verse seems so simple but it means so much more to me now and  specially when I share it to our investigators.  If you are still searching for more spiritual strength, reread the Book of Mormon from the beginning and really search the scripture, it is so powerful and apply the counsel in Moroni 10 : 3-5, pray if it is true again and your testimony will grow stronger. 
   Till my next mail. . .I'm always praying for each and one of you.  Love you all!!! Mom and Dad thank you AGAIN, I have included recent photos.

Love you always, your daughter, your sibling
Sister Shanel Sablan 


Our Zone - Pres. & Sis. Pagaduan & Sis. & Elder Edward



Sis. Burton (Virginia) Sis. Sablan (Seattle, WA) Sis. Castro (Mindanao) Elder Garcia (District Leader)