Now What??

Now that I am home from my mission, there is a multitude of things I really want to do. But first things first. And I have to be honest, I don't know which one I should do.

I am a huge goal maker. I love making goals and plans. But now that I just got home, it appears that I don't have any plans for next few months or so. So, I would like to ask some few suggestions on what should I do within this coming weeks and months that are ahead of me.

Where in the world did I go?!

I have been gone for about 2 and almost a half year.
Well, Jypsy. Explain yourself!

It's pretty simple. I went on a mission.

What? Did you join the military or the FBI or CIA??

Well, not exactly. I went on an ecclesiastical mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, also well known as the Mormons.

What does that supposed to mean?

To put it simply, I went out to go teach the people about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Meaning to say, I was wearing the black name tag with a name of an Elder _____ (and of course, mine was Casia), together with the name of the Church.

I was assigned, as previously posted, to the Alaska Anchorage Mission. But on the side note, I was held here in the Philippines for awhile due to some delays with the arrival of the letter for my visa. While waiting for it, my stake president (a lay minister who oversees on the bigger geography on a  city or clusters of cities) was inspired to request from the Area Presidencies to assign me immediately on a temporary assignment. And alas! I was assigned in the Philippines Quezon City North Mission. For the span of 4 months, I was waiting for my visa and all that jazz in order for me to enter into the US. A lot of prayers was rendered by me and fasting in order for me to get out to my assigned mission. I'm not saying that I didn't like being here in the Philippines. I was just more excited to go on my original assignment. But I have to admit, I sure learned a lot of things while serving in that mission. Not to mention, I was assigned to 3 different areas. My first area was in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. In that area, I was there for about a good 3 months with 4 companions. Next one was at Camarin, Caloocan. In there, I was about 2 companions for a month. And my last area in the Philippines was Fairview, Quezon City. Perhaps, that is the shortest time in an area that I have been to. Well, maybe one of the shortest. There, I was with my last 2 companions, and I was near the mission president, his assistant's (who are also missionaries), and the office missionaries. And after a week, and almost a half, I flew to Salt Lake City to head to Provo for my training in the Missionary Training Center. There, I was with about more than 9,000 missionaries who are going through their training before heading to their field of labor. There, I was trained with the fundamentals of what we teach to people.

Then I went to Alaska!
If I wasn't a missionary, I would have considered it a vacation.
Why is that?
Let me tell you.

My first area in Alaska was Ketchikan, the fishing and salmon capital of the world. I have spent about 4 and a half months in there. In missionary terms, I was there for 3 transfers. Then the next stop, the Tongan area in Anchorage! I love serving in the language areas. You go beyond the city limits sometimes, which I love to do. I was in there for only a month and a half, 1 transfer. And then, I got thrown in Dutch Harbor, . I would honestly say that perhaps, Dutch Harbor was the place where I struggled, and grew in the knowledge of the gospel. I was there for about 2 months, and we left back to Anchorage  in the middle of the transfer, putting me in the Spanish branch for about 3 weeks before the transfer ended. That was pretty brief, but I sure had fun learning Spanish at the same time. It's funny because some Hispanics were shocked to see an Asian kid speak Spanish to them. No later than expected, I got transferred to another language speaking area, which I wasn't really desiring to do. I got thrown to the Hmong branch, where I have stayed there for 7 and a half months straight. But included in that time was when I trained a new missionary. Afterwards, I was assigned somewhere else in Anchorage with a limited boundaries, and limited mileage at the same time. I was sent to the Turnagain ward, near the Turnagain straight. There, I was called to train another new missionary for 3 months, putting it into a 2 transfer cycle area. Then after, I got transferred to the ultimate Filipino area, Kodiak islands. There, I finished my last 6 months in that island, working with a lot of Filipinos, and actually using my mission language (which is Tagalog) to teach the Filipino people. I thought that having an island fever for 2 to 5 months was bad, 6 months was a bit too much for me! But hey! It was all worth it. I did all that I can, despite the challenges that came to our companionship, area, and people that we are teaching.

Sometimes, it's hard to admit that you had a successful mission due to the fact that you see a lot of success of a missionary through how much baptism's they had, or how many people they have reactivated to come back to church, or how many families you have witnessed to get sealed for time and through out all eternity in the temple. But now, and with a lot of testimonies of so many people, I have planted the seed of the gospel  into their hearts. Now, it's up to them what they want to do with it. And several times, the Lord has answered my prayers that I have done well. Even a member of the mission presidency and my mission president himself were the answers I got.

I can never describe my over-all experience as a missionary. There are so many things that has truly changed my life for the better. But of course, I shall never forget the root of all the good things that I experienced in my mission: my family. I have seen how the gospel has helped them. It's my turn to help the people receive the gospel.

Oh man, I love my mission so much!

Wanna join the club?

Getting Closer to the Edge

Well, starting today, I only have 15 days left before I head to the MTC, which I would be having my training in Provo, Utah. And it's getting near on wearing that  famous black name tag, not to mention that awesome name that starts with Elder.

Brace yourselves to see me wearing that black name tag!

I still wonder how would be my first feeling when I get to have my own name tag, always wearing that plain white shirt, and always having a companion with me by my side at all times. It would be pretty much weird at first, but I'll be getting the hang of it in no time!

Anyways, I'm still under the preparation period where things are still on their way, not to mention the waiting part on our approval visa letter from the Headquarters. But patience precedes me after receiving my own ordinance in the temple just last week. And I can never forget how happy I was to receive that ordinance.

Now that some have been done, we should start doing the other important things.

A Long Time Longing

So now I have my mission call, what now?

OF COURSE! WE CELEBRATE FOR THAT!!!

And by celebration, I mean to do nothing of a sort.

Apparently, I am way too busy to think of going partying. Not to mention, I have to process a lot of paper works pertaining to my mission travelling needs. That includes my passport, visa, plane ticket, flight schedule, Yaddah Yaddah Yaddah.


But since I'm doing all things are done now accordingly, all I need to do is to wait for good results.

And now........ we wait!

"Called to Serve"

For all those who are searching for the Hymn #249 in Google or wherever, don't blame me you ended up in this blog of mine! It's just how I roll, baby!

Anyways, back to the real thing.

So yeah. Last Tuesday, June 19, 1:00 pm, I was proof-reading my PB (Patriarchal Blessing) and editing the misspelled words, ungrammatically arranged sentences. Then my bishop sent me a text message that he has received my mission call. You would probably have an idea what I did when I saw that text. If you don't, I was jumping my butt up and down the kitchen floor, until I ended up going to the room and jumping up and down again. And after that, tears started rolling out of my eyes....mushy? Yes, it is.

After a few weeks of waiting, the long-waited call is here!! And I am about to touch it!!

So, I still have to attend my institute class. And since the teacher in my Religion 130 is my bishop in my ward, he has my call.

And a planned Family Home Evening in our chapel has been done, except my expected people who were supposed to be there weren't. It's kinda sad, but it's still good. I have my call, that's what matters most to me. Many had made their guesses on where I would be assigned. Even my  bishop gave out his guess even though he knows where I will go. AND NOW, THE OPENING OF THE MISSION CALL!!

Excuse me for my hideous shoes, they're for my snowy first area.

And now, the reading of the call:

Alaska Anchorage Mission.

Yep, you see it right! It's all the way to Alaska. And I didn't even imagine to be assigned there. Not to mention it's going to be a snowy, cold, frostbitten area. But I'm guessing I can stand it.

Bottom line, I still can't believe I am serving at the Lord's errand. To be a part of the Great Army to preach the Gospel.

And now... We wait

A Tribute to the one Named "Dad"

SO, I've been pondering lately. And I can't help but to think of what is about to come. I have been thinking of Father's Day. It's a day to give tribute to all dads out there who has done so much for their family. A day that reminds me so much of my father who, through-out the years, has stood with us as we face the challenges in our lives.

Me and my dad in the orthopedic department while getting a cast on my legs

I'm basically the type of person who is not passionate at people who I get to see everyday. I'm also that type that is not sweet to others, because I'm not a mushy type. But unfortunately, I feel that I need to say it and express it in a brief, and short few words:

Happy Father's Day, and I love you!!

THERE!!! I SAID IT! And it was hard to say that! But I know to myself that he could be dying to hear that from one of his children. Especially, when the times that I was there to be with him in times of a need for a listener, an immediate companion, and an immediate friend as well. 

My dad has been with me from the time I first went to school. He was with me the time I got really sick, and drove me to the hospital. He was the one who acted both roles at the same time when we lost on part of the family. He also acted out as a sibling if ever there is a need for it, in special cases, he would try to be a prick to be a sibling. He was there to support me, always. He has been a role model to me, and to my family. He has done so many great things that he need to sacrifice some things behind him for the good of the family. He is one of a kind. He is something no one could ever replace. A role not easy to  fulfill, but not hard to love. 

A stolen smiling shot of his face behind me

Even though people thought that I was actually older, or of the same age with you, I still, and really love you. No force on this planet could ever change that, unless I get hit by a bike and kill my toenails. Just kidding!!!

You don't deserve anything that would be gone in time, but you deserve an eternal gift where you could use the blessing not only to make yourself happy, but others as well. You are a super hero to me, and someone who could do many things in life. To this day forward, I salute you for all the good works you have done!

Let's not forget who were those people with us, who stood with us, and who has loved us all the way. An eternal role is a calling no need for releasing nor sustaining. It is a calling of a lifetime. Someday, I hope to be a good one. I hope that I find myself having a family of my own, doing a lot of great things with them, through  good times and bad times. 

To all Fathers out there, I raise my glass and salute you all!

Still Waiting For *That* Miracle

So, the month is over. And it's more than a month since I last passed them application form. And I can't help but to feel kinda left out after seeing some of my friends leaving for their mission.

On my sitch, I haven't even received it yet. And the more I don't think of receiving it, the more people are reminding me when I leave.

To be honest, I feel envy now. But as far as I can do, I have to remove that feeling. Because I know for myself that that feeling would lead me nowhere but trouble.

But still, I devoted my time and talent over working with the missionaries and magnifying my calling as a Youth leader. No disappointment would stop my diligence and kasipagan on doing my priesthood duties and responsibilities that may come and go to me as I magnify my callings.

I love the Church no matter what happen. I know the things that I know are true, and only myself would be accountable for anything that I deny or something I would do wrong. (Hopefully, none of these would happen)

I sure hope that the *miracle* would come sooner.... like today or something, I don't know. I'm no manghuhula.