Week 28 (Binalbagan)

Maayong hapon!

This week FLEW BY LIKE ALL THE WEEKS! It seems weird to say only one year left? Like I just got here! Maybe by the time March comes back around I'll feel like coming back. But maybe I'll just stay here and learn how to harvest sugar cane :P 

So this week I witnessed the baptism of Sister Alipo-on, that I have literally been praying for since I got here and met her. Her 3 children are members, baptized last year because when the missionaries met their father he asked them to teach his children. Sister Alipo-on was always a little hesitant about the baptismal invitation but she told us she knew the things we taught were true and they have family prayer often and read the Book of Mormon when they have time. We visit with her twice a week and are pretty close to their family. I know that they will help us more firmly establish the church in their community (an island, we take a little rowboat to get to it, it's awesome, most of my nature pictures are from that island). We pray that her husband will be able to stop his smoking and drinking so he can be baptized too. He always says he wants to be baptized but he can't stop his Word of Wisdom challenges, we're trying to help him see that Christ will help him if he can just trust Him.

Anyway, we were a little nervous while waiting at the church because it started to rain really really hard and the time for her baptism came and went. But we prayed and waited with faith. About an hour after it was scheduled, she arrived! We were so so happy and excited! The service was simple and small but she spoke a few words in testimony. She always said she didn't want to speak after her baptism but we were lucky because there was just a few of us and so she had the courage to speak. 

Two days this week, we had members work with us and let me just say, offer help to your missionaries. It is so so helpful to have members to help! We also had a ward council meeting where we discussed the needs of the ward and I feel so much more united now! 

Also we had follow up training meeting so we got to go to Bacolod and I saw Elder Keller, Elder Yancey, Sister Clarke, Sister Burkhardt, and Sister Hostetter! It was so great to see them again and laugh and I know they are awesome missionaries! 

Wish I had more time to type but my time's short. Know that I love you all and feel strengthened by your prayers, support, and testimonies!

Sister Bingham


Sister Ronquillo & Sister Bingham

MTC District reunited: Elder Keller, Elder Yancey, Sister Clarke, Sister Burkhardt, Sister Bingham, and Sister Hostetter

Sister Ronquillo & Sister Bingham from the hike last week

black rice, fish and then some soup with dumplings

Baptism of Sister Alipo-on


I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain
And ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again.

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.
 I want to be the best I can and live with God again.

I know when I am baptized my wrongs are washed away,
And I can be forgiven and improve myself each day.

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.
 I want to be the best I can and live with God again.

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