Caitlin's Chronicles (Sister Bingham in the Philippines)

Hello all! Maayong hapon!  I want to thank those of you who have read just one page to those of you who have followed my experiences over the course of my mission in Bacolod, Philippines. I hope that there was something on any day that was able to uplift your spirits and help to bring you closer to Christ, as that is the true purpose of this blog. Sister Hostetter, Sister Clarke, and Sister Burkhardt and I traveled to Manila together with the other missionaries who were going home. We were able to visit the Manila temple and to my surprise, my trainer, Sister Soriano, along with some other missionaries, including Sister Tamo and Sister Ignacio (past companion), were there waiting to welcome us! My trainer had even brought me some authentic Filipino snacks :) Walking into the temple felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders that I didn't realize I had been carrying. I felt so much peace and love to be able to walk into the House of the Lord. After the temple, we ...

Maayong aga sa inyo tanan for the last time!  I can't believe that time has flown so fast and that the time has arrived for me to come home. There's so much I want to say, but not enough time. I love my mission, all the hard times, laughs, spiritual experiences, people I met, places I went to, foods I tried, Christlike attributes I strived to develop, the doctrine of Jesus Christ I learned and internalized, etc. It is sacred to me. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I know that this experience has changed me and set me on the path Heavenly Father wants me to be on for my future. I wish I had more time to explain my feelings but I'll just have to do that in person. Here's some awesome things that happened this week! I went on exchanges with Sister Regacho and it was so fun! We talked to lots of people and I enjoyed the chance to get to know her. She's awesome! Dan and Gamay were baptized on Saturday, it was so exciting! President and Sister Sumagpao...

Maayong aga sa inyo! BUSY BUSY BUSY. Time flies when you're having fun and have lots to do. It helps to not think about the approaching end.  We had two exchanges this week and a baptismal interview.  I worked with Sister Tabelisma in my area. She loved meeting with Dan and Gamay as we talked about the plan of salvation. She said she felt the Spirit so strong she almost was crying. Before we had even started the lesson, Dan said he was reading and he saw in 1 Nephi 6 that Nephi said he was writing to persuade others to come unto God and be saved. He asked how are we saved? I said perfect timing Brother because we are going to talk about God's plan for our salvation, and for our happiness. Also, at their interview Saturday night, our District Leader (who was previously assigned in the area that borders ours) realized he had met Dan and Gamay before! At that time, he gave Gamay a Book of Mormon, but Dan and Gamay didn't give them the time of day. We learned that lo...

The letter from Sister Bingham didn't come through this week!   I know she wrote one, but for some reason, it didn't make it to my email account.   I can't say that this has ever happened during her entire mission - I feel pretty lucky that we were able to hear from her every week!   I was able to receive some pictures and posted them below.  Sister Bingham has one final full week left before she starts her travel process home next week.  10 days from now she will return home to Oregon! I hope to get this weeks letter from her next week and will hopefully be able to post TWO letters and then maybe a final one from home with any travel/homecoming pictures.  Thanks for following along this journey with her!  It's been amazing! We are so grateful to the kindness of everyone who has been involved with this mission in any way.  Her family misses her and we are beyond excited to have her return home! Sister Bingham will be givi...

Maayong aga sa inyo tanan!  This week went by in the blink of an eye!  We trained in Talisay District, which was super sadjya (fun)! We had a good time with the backpack activity and helping them understand what kinds of things we carry when we come on to the mission and how we learn to sacrifice those things. Had Mission Leadership Council. We raised some concerns of the missionaries and were able to resolve them as a council. Exchanged with the Talisay sisters. I worked with Sister Bookwalter in my area.  We had Mission Leadership Council this week! We had a good discussion about some concerns we have in the mission and how to better help the other missionaries be the best they can! Jonavie and her kids were interviewed for baptism! When we visited her earlier this week, she told us she was grateful that we had come and taught her the gospel of Jesus Christ because otherwise, how would she get back to Heavenly Father? Unfortunately, they didn't come to ch...

Maayong aga sa inyo tanan! Wow does the time fly? Sorry that is how all my e-mails start. It's just so true. I can't believe March has started. It makes me very sad because I love the work I am doing in serving Heavenly Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and our spirit brothers and sisters. I espcially love Bacolod 2nd ward and all the people I get to meet with each week. We trained in Bata District and it was a blast! Elder Keller even shared brownies he had made in a rice cooker.  We did back to back exchanges this week with the Sisters in Silay. I got a chance to work with Sister Robertson one day and then Sister Sta. Barbara the next. It was super fun!     We visited Dan and Gamay this week to talk about the law of tithing and fasting. There was a certain energy and spirit throughout the whole lesson. Dan mentioned that he felt a "fire" inside. I explained that feeling is the Holy Ghost testifying and strengthening your testimony, we have to pray, re...