Hello from Ilagan!

Love this girl!

I know I say this all the time, but I can't believe it is Monday again! This was a crazy fast week with everything going on. Monday I got to go to Banaue for the last time and had FHE with a family. Tuesday, I said a few goodbyes, and Wednesday it was transfer day.

Goodbye Banaue

I found out Wednesday morning, I was headed to the Ilagan Zone which is just north of the mission home and my companion is Sister Atienza, who was my housemate in Bayombong! I love her and I was super excited when I found out that she was my companion. It was really funny too because we we finally got to Cauayan to meet at the mission home and we were almost matching. Totally not on purpose. It was just meant to be! haha! The first day we were out walking around we kept looking around at each other like "Is this real? Are we really companions right now?" Yes, it is real!

Our area is a little more in the city part, but here in Ilagan, it is more on corn farms rather than rice farms. It's kinda like I'm back in Maryland again! ...ok, not...

My new apartment isn't the greatest...but it works. We don't have a shower and I would hook up my hand shower thing my mom "made" me bring, but there are worms in the water so we have to keep a towel wrapped around the faucets. The bucket showers will have to do for now. It will just make a real shower so much better when I come home :) It is a really great area though. The ward is very established and the members are strong. There is a lot of progression here. I'm so lucky to be assigned here! Can you tell I'm super happy about this transfer??

[note from mom--WORMS??? ugh!! what? like earthworms or like microscopic? eehhhk]

Thursday we had a zone meeting where we had to teach along with the zone leaders. Even though I didn't have much prep time, it went pretty well. I can testify that whom the Lord calls, he qualifies. Everything comes down to a matter of trust and faith. Though sometimes it may seem hard, we can always put our trust and faith in Heavenly Father. He is consistent and knows everything from beginning to end. I recently restarted reading the Book of Mormon and I was reading in 2 Nephi 4, when I came across verse 34 and 35 in my personal study last Thursday. It was perfect because before, I was really nervous for this new assignment and thinking, "President Rahlf, are you sure that I am the one He called?" But no matter our situation, Heavenly Father knows best. He has a plan and knows what we can handle. We have the opportunity to pray for help, and feel the Lord at our side during out righteous act. I feel like I have been able to get to know this area pretty fast in the last couple days with very little stress. I know it is because of Him, I can accomplish what He has asked me to do! Kaya ko! 

Mahal ko kayo!
Sister Koncurat
Philippines Cauayan Mission
February 2014-August 2015