If you see this (O.O), you already know what I'm talking about.

This past week has been crazy!

Crazy with conference... crazy with the Zone Activity... crazy with deep cleaning and De-cluttering... crazy with STUFF.

​So,

Conference was SO GOOD! Talked to lots of people and last Friday, before conference, we got a new investigator. Things are getting better this week and we're still finding. Although, we've received news this morning that Beth, an old lady from Lancashire, UK, is on date for the 8th of May. We are so excited and I am so excited for my companion. Our appointments fell through yesterday though so I decided to call my Filipina investigator, Catherine, who is from Bulacan. She's going through a lot and it's really hard to help her out while I'm still here. One of the things that I am excited for is that I can do member-missionary work at the tip of my fingers and never having to worry about the time difference... well... except for my friends who live here whom I don't want to leave... yet.

Going back to conference, I went to the Sunday Afternoon Session but was quite sad that I didn't hear the prophet speak live. But the talks were really good and I can't wait to read them when the Liahona comes out. It's also a fun time as well to check who of the Sisters made it to the magazine. Unlike last year, I got a lot of photo ops but I didn't like them because they were quite distracting for me. One particular moment especially when Elder Clarke from the Seventy stopped and shook our hand on the square and the camera was right in front. o.O Anyway... There are lots of things that I heard this past weekend that I can't wait to share with ya'll. I'm sad though that I didn't get to see Elise DeBry. I kept looking for her around conference time.

Filipino Fireside happened afterwards and I met a lot of familiar faces, including Elder Dallin H. Oaks. Speaking of which, I met his wife randomly on the square and Sister Ngo didn't really pay attention that I asked a dumb question... When she introduced herself to my companion in Japanese, I asked her "Sister Oaks, how are you related with Elder Oaks of the Twelve?" She looked at me and smiled saying "I'm his wife". And I thought, oh... Then I saw them at the fireside. You should've seen how ​if not starstruck but how I tried to stay as professional as I can become. I also met President Schmutz Sunday too which I think is great and he sends his love to the Filipino people and his missionaries back in Cebu. He was called to be an Area Seventy. One thing I also find amusing is that Sister Lea Burdeos gave me a referral during the fireside when I was about to give up and thinking that we weren't doing much missionary work there. Only to find out that Brother Burdeos knows my mom when she wasn't married yet and also Tita Oda. He is originally from Marikina 1st Ward and moved to the states in 1989. Surprise, surprise. My mom knows a lot of people and I'm getting to be a social butterfly like her. :P

Anyway, the work is moving forward. Definitely the Atonement makes you stretch and grow. It also comforts you during times of trial. Last Wednesday was a really hard day for me but it was worth it. The Zone Activity that we had was a blast and it was definitely spiritual. I love hearing the Sisters' testimonies in their native language. And I am definitely thankful that I was able to serve them to the best of our abilities as zone leaders.

Well, I'm not counting the days anymore. My goal this week was to be in the moment and to finish strong... stronger than I thought. And I know that a few of my loved ones on the other side is helping me get through this. I'm so grateful for the Atonement. I'm so grateful for this opportunity to serve a mission. I am so grateful for the memories that I've had and I will forever cherish them.

I know that my Redeemer lives. I know that He is here. I know that He knows my heart and what I am going through.

In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Weekly update...

I will just be sending a really short email this week.

Last Thursday, we had a good training about Because He Lives and we had a really good day at Welfare Square. Friday, we had a nice training with the missionary department about the new exhibits that we have in the North Visitors' Center. We found new investigators on both days. Saturday was General Women's Session and a sister from my stake was featured. Then on Sunday... we've had church and we found out that our investigator got baptized. Yeay for Miracles!

Monday was good. we were able to find some people to share the gospel with and both of the with member present. It's quite difficult to find member present here on the Square. The Sisters in our zone were also able to get iPads.

Sorry if I'm not really diligent enough to send a weekly update this week... I'll make everything up soon...

It's more fun in the Philippines... but it's even more fun in TEMPLE SQUARE!

Mabuhay! こにちわ！你们好！

​

​Where did this week go?! Time has flown by so fast and it's going by even faster! I can't believe that we're past the first half of the transfer!

WELL,

This week has been super crazy and I always go home super exhausted. My companion and I have been busy with EVERYTHING that I can possibly imagine. Even Sisters in my class can testify that this transfer has been super crazy and that all of us have a lot of things going on in our heads, despite my trainer telling me to relax. Last week I started (and finished) making my post-mission macro plan assignment given by President Poulsen, my companion got her iPad​

​

​, we had exchanges, we went to LDS-BC to do some stuff that are preparing us for the mission. I've been having to many sweets. Then we had Zone Leader Reports yesterday and we were quite nervous, we had no idea if we're doing okay with our reports. To add, we will also be giving a training on "Because He Lives" Easter Initiative. We are quite excited about that though and still trying to figure out how to do it. What even makes me more anxious to do it is that it is my first time to ever give a training to the mission, let a lone a group of 180+ people. But I knew my mother taught me well and my companion and another set of companionship will be helping out. And I must not forget the Spirit as well. :)​

I guess, the highlight of the week would be our preparation for the training.​ The Assistants showed us the video so we would have an idea of what we were going to train about especially as a visitors' center missionary. The Video itself is so powerful, and I know that it is as powerful as the "He is the Gift" one. Something that I really liked is how much it reminded me of the Atonement and my conversion story. It reminded me of how much the gospel has changed my life and looking back, I have grown a lot spiritually. Two of the lines said, "No matter who you are or who you were, He is here. No exceptions, no lost causes, at all times, in all places, He is here." Through the Savior Jesus Christ, we - no matter who we are and where we've been - can be healed, happy, hopeful and helped. He is always there if we seek and find him.

That's my update for today.

Meetings all over!

こにちわ！ 你們好！

​Where do I begin?

This week flew by so fast that I couldn't really remember much. I have a hard time recalling things and my journal entries haven't been detailed as they should be because I always get home tired. My mind has been everywhere these past days.

Zone Conference happened the day after preparation day and it helped us refocus on what we needed to do as a mission. As a mission, President Poulsen wanted to set a new standard of excellence (we never really had any as a mission until now) of having 50 tours (lessons where we teach, testify and invite) a week here on Temple Square. Then Friday, we had LDS-BC session where it reminded me of the things that I've learned (and forgot) from the Career Workshop of the Self-reliance Center in Cebu.​ Saturday was a day full of work, work and work and we tried contacting, teaching and inviting as many people as we can. We've found some new and potential "friends" but we're hoping and praying that they will progress. I also studied, made and revised my talk on Charity. I've been so nervous about my talk but I had it successfully delivered on Sunday. What even made my Sunday better was when my trainer, Sister Natalie Stephen, came and listened to my talk. Happiest day of my week! And super busy too...

These past two days, we've had Zone Leader Follow-up Training and we discussed about the challenges and best practices that we have as a Zone Leader Council. Sister Ichikawa mentioned that it also made us more nervous because we have more things to do than we thought. It is quite reassuring though that the protocols are laid before us and we just have to study and be familiar with it and everything will be fine. We are still trying to get familiar with it together.

Despite the roller coaster ride that I have been having this week, things seem to be getting better. We still are struggling with finding investigators that would progress. But we've found some people who have the potential to do so. We are still exercising faith by finding those low-hanging fruits and hoping for those we haven't gotten a hold of. We are still trying to work hard. But I guess with so many things in my mind, I haven't been overwhelmed but I tend to forget some important things because I am just so focused of finding the elect for our companionship. I'm still trying to learn how to balance. So far, Sister Ichikawa has helped me a lot and been very supportive. There has never been a day when she wouldn't say, "Sister Ngo, what can I do to help you?" She always wanted to serve me and others no matter what and that's definitely what I love about her. She also reminds me to be focused at ALL times. With the time flying, there are times that my thoughts have been on creating my 1-year Macro Plan (an assignment given by President Poulsen).

But something that I have definitely pondered on this week is setting my priorities. It has helped me think of my goals and the plans that I need to make to achieve them. Planning has definitely been a major lesson that I got from my mission and when I get a hang of it, I might proceed to learn how I can manage my time wisely so that I can execute those plans effectively. I really love Preach My Gospel Chapter 8 because it is one of my weakest points in my life. But I'm working on it!

Well, I guess that's all for now. More updates later....

​
愛してるよ。 我愛你們！

Sister Kristel Marie Cruz Ngo (吳姐妹)

Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission/

Georgia Atlanta North Mission

The Culture of Purpose-focused Discussions

こにちわ！ 你們好！

Taking deep breaths every few minutes. Going home to the apartment exhausted. Positive thoughts that I am a successful missionary everyday. I just love Sister Ichikawa, she really helps me a lot to see things positively. We see miracles every single day, not the ones that I wanted but the ones that I needed to see. This past week was quite hard and challenging, but they were moments that it made me stress and push forward no matter what. We've been diligent, finding as many people to teach as we can: taking chats, making phone calls, talking to people, teach and invite, and we have also been taking a lot of Japanese tours. So now, I know how to introduce myself in Japanese. :)

This week started out with a hard time to get up in the morning because of daylight savings. Both of us weren't used to it so we were looking ways to relax. The day ended up good though as we called people and found out that one of my Filipino investigators and her recent convert husband went to Church. Brother Bondoc will be performing proxy baptisms scheduled on the 30th of March. And Sister Bondoc has made the decision to be baptized on July after going home to Cebu for a couple of months to visit family. I told them that when they go to Zulueta, I will be happy to attend Sikatuna ward with them and have the meet Bishop Osumo there. I also offered to take their son to church who's also a nurse.

We had Mission Leadership Council last Monday and it was really good. One of the topics was entitled "The Culture of Purpose-focused Discussions." Being Temple Square missionaries, we sometimes fall into a trap of talking about our cultures and our countries and sometimes waste time doing so. So we discussed on ways of how we can have purpose-focused discussions not just with guests on the square but also with the other sisters. The mission is becoming pretty young so as leaders in the mission, we are asked to train these young missionaries to become effective and efficient leaders and missionaries in the future. It was quite a challenge but it helped me think about what can I do myself to become better so that I can lead by example. So this week, aside from studying my talk on charity, I studied on my purpose as a missionary and thought a lot about purification, sanctification, consecration, sacrifice and obedience. I prayed to Heavenly Father that in these last few weeks, I need to put all in (not that I haven't but I felt I was backsliding a little bit) and sacrifice everything on the altar. Then at the beginning of our preparation day hours, Sister Ichikawa and I had a talk about what can I do better as a missionary, how can I help my investigators even more, and what have I changed these past 16 months in my mission. I just told her "everything". I had changed my views, my perspective, what I viewed to be most important in my life and all.

On the side note, we had a success yesterday when Sister Ichikawa called her investigator during exchanges with younger missionaries. One of our investigators, Dave, wanted to be baptized in April and has been going to church for the past few weeks. He has met with local missionaries. We are praying that he would be the ONE for our companionship this transfer since we couldn't get a hold of Lazaro who was scheduled to commit on the 28th of March. I also am wondering how Linda is doing but sadly, we haven't gotten a hold of her for around 3 months now. Bummer. We are still finding and we got a lot of chats earlier today and it was quite funny because the common theme was law of chastity. We also had some good ones but they aren't very solid and the chat would disconnect the moment we would ask them to keep in touch. But it was a productive day nonetheless.

Well, I'm happy. I'm happy to be able to do the work of the Lord and by inviting everyone to make and keep commitments. Sister Ichikawa and I discussed yesterday that somehow, all I could get a hold of are my recent converts and less-actives. Sister Ichikawa positively said that there might be a reason for it. I told her that Heavenly Father is helping me strengthen these people so I would be prepared to strengthen the RCLAs back at home. We're still diligently exercising the faith to find though. We know that there is someone out there who is seeking for the truth and knows not where to find it.

I guess that is all for this week. "Because He Lives" Easter Initiative is coming up. Be excited!

愛してるよ。 我愛你們！

Sister Kristel Marie Cruz Ngo (吳姐妹)

Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission/

Georgia Atlanta North Mission

The First of the Last!

こにちわ! 你們好! Hey Ya'll!

So today was transfers and things have been crazy! After my P-day last Friday, I received a call from the mission secretary that President Poulsen wanted to talk to me.

I had a feeling that what I was thinking will happen. And it did.

He called me into his office and asked me questions of how the transfer was, how being district leader was and asked if I could step up. And of course, being taught by my wise mother to always accept callings from the Lord, I accepted a call to become a missionary with a special assignment to help the whole zone become successful missionaries. Such a huge responsibility. But after talking to my previous companion last night, I know that the Lord put me in this assignment for a reason and that He trusts me enough that I can do it. I knew I'm dying as a leader.

Well, let me introduce to you my new companion. Her name is Misuzu Ichikawa from Toyota, Japan (My sister will be so excited and yes, the cars are named after her town). She's my fourth and last Asian companion so it's going to be a pretty exciting transfer. I was in the same Zone with her in my 3rd Transfer in the East 2 Zone. We trained at the same time. She has such a sweet spirit with her which makes me even more happy to be with her. So I will be using the Japanese that I know this transfer. Yeay!

Ever since p-day last week, it has been hard since none of my investigators have been answering the phone. But I did have one miracle though. I met a girl on chat named Analyn who lives by Bontores in Basak Pardo. When I was asking her where is her area in because I wasn't quite familiar with Bontores, as soon as she said Tabada, I knew that she was right by me. I invited her to meet with the local missionaries and I got her phone number, being excited to do missionary work with someone who has the potential not only to become a friend but to be an amazing convert to the gospel and she's going to investigate my ward! We are still struggling with investigators but this transfer, Sister Ichikawa and I will do our best to Find, Teach and Baptize this transfer.

Another thing that has happened this week is that I got my "good-bye" talk that I will be delivering on March 15. I laughed when I got my talk because a few days before that I thought that if President Harman was inspired, my topic will be on Charity. Charity was a Christlike Attribute that I told myself I needed to work on ever since before I came on my mission.

I guess that is the update for this week. I'm so excited for this transfer!

愛してるよ。 我愛你們!

Sister Kristel Marie Cruz Ngo (吳姐妹)

Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission/

Georgia Atlanta North Mission

Lessons for Eternal Progression

Hola! Como estas?

I was contemplating on what to put into my weekly update today. As I was typing, I realized that the email was getting long so I had to give a summary of the events that transpired this week. I am not perfect but I will do the best that I can to give you an idea.

This week, we have been struggling with people to teach. Those that we have put as new investigators haven't been answering the phone. Lately, we've found that they have been meeting with the local missionaries. We were happy about that but sometimes, it is quite frustrating because you want to know how their progress is. And I thought I had learned my lesson from past experiences that are exactly like that. Believe it or not, it is one of the lessons that I have come to fully understand these past few weeks. So as to summarize my email, I will break them down into what are those lessons that I have learned.

1. To completely rely on the Savior in EVERYTHING!

This week has been a week of much prayer, evaluation, pondering and reflecting on self and what I need to improve on. My companion has definitely helped me out on that a lot and even if I don't necessarily agree with how she goes about it, but I love her for that. It helps me change for the better. And knowing that I also needed the aid of the Atonement to do so, the burden was also made light. What's amazing about the Atonement is it does not only heal the sick and the afflicted, it does bear up our burdens with ease, just like what Elder Bednar said. 

2. If we fall short, "The Savior is not disappointed as long as we earnestly seek to repent".

This is one of the things that I've learned during the training that we had last Wednesday about missionary work and the digital age. I failed to mention in the previous emails is that we will soon be having iPads as a mission. But that does not make us an "iPad mission" nor a "facebook mission". We are still a Preach My Gospel mission using iPads as tools to hasten the work of Salvation. But we do have weaknesses. As younger generation, we tend to be so caught up with our digital devices. Knowing how I was before my mission with technology and facebook, felt uncomfortable about having facebook in the mission at first but Elder Clarke reassured us that it is just a tool. And if we feel vulnerable, we need to acknowledge and be aware, choose to act, and learn and improve from our experiences and evaluate if we are using time wisely as a missionary.

3. We, and others around us, have the ability to choose for ourselves. And let go of things we cannot control.

We are agents - to act and not to be acted upon. We have the ability to choose how we can respond to the stressors that we have everyday. But we also must remember that there are things that we can control and there are things that we cannot control. That I guess is the very highlight of what I have learned with us struggling with missionary work. As missionaries, we are to invite others to come unto Christ by HELPING them receive the restored Gospel. We have that choice to internalize our purpose and do all that we can to help them. People also have the choice to accept that help or that invitation. What we choose is ours to control. What others choose is beyond our ability to control or manage. We can choose to let go of the things we could not handle or we can choose to dwell on what we feel as our failures resulting from unrealistic expectations. Having these thoughts, I have come to be more positive about the work. I was mentioning to my companion yesterday, "I feel sad because we didn't have anyone we taught that can support our numbers. But it doesn't matter because we called everyone that we can, talked to everyone that we could and it was their choice not to answer or accept the invitation. That was beyond our control."

Those I guess were the top three things that I have learned this week and probably from my mission. I am just amazed of how the gospel and the mission truly changes us because of the experiences that we have.

Well, this is it. Next email that I will be sending is the first of the few last emails I will be sending home. But I look forward to good things this next 6-7 weeks.

On the side note, I met Elder Edvalson who just got home from the Philippines Cebu Mission last Wednesday. I just wanted to let my family know that I have received your regards. It was just funny because I was in a middle of the a when he called out and I had no idea who he is. XD and can anyone search for me the alternatives for increasing HDL levels in the body? I got a chat today about drinking red wine and saying that it's the best option to raise HDL (High-density lipoprotein). Sorry... this is just the nurse in me. :P

我愛你們！

Sister Kristel Marie Cruz Ngo (吳姐妹)

Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission/

Georgia Atlanta North Mission

Valentine's Day to Chinese New Year

Hello Everyone!

I have no worries because I am loved by Heavenly Father even though I received Valentine greetings from home a little bit later. I've been meaning to greet last P-day but I guess the thought of Valentine's day slipped my mind and because I am such a missionary minded person that I felt like I celebrated Valentine's day every day with my Father. :)

So Updates this week!

I.

​We've seen much successes the past week. We reported a baptism that happened last transfer because we weren't able to confirm it this transfer so that was a blessing. I never gotten a hold of the Filipino investigator na pero okay lang sa akin, that means he is not yet prepared. We have found people who are interested to learn more about the gospel. Heavenly Father is definitely a "Fourth Watch God". He makes us do all that we can in His work then He lends a hand if we couldn't do it anymore. We've been tried and tested, we've had times that we wanted to give up, but Heavenly Father truly showers us with blessings when we endure to the end.​ I have learned this week is that when Heavenly Father gives us challenges, that means it is time for us to progress and grow and develop that what you've asked for. And when things get hard, that means you are doing the right thing and that you are taking a step closer to your relationship with Heavenly Father. Well, I am happy. I am continually finding my inner peace and I am glad that I am able to slowly discover it here in my mission.

II.

恭喜發財!

​Yesterday was Chinese New Year and it totally reminds me of some of the things that we do at home as a tradition. Chinese sisters ​gave us some 紅包 (Ang pao) with some Chinese characters and how they came to be. I really love my Chinese heritage and I am so happy that I was also able to improve with my 普通話 (Mandarin) on my mission. I can't wait to practice it with my Grandmother!

III.

​Today, we had zone activity. We visited the Elderly and we were able to sing some songs with them. We also saw a cooking demonstration on how to make Chicken Mollet(?), a kind of chicken soup or some sort, and we also spent some time with them as well. I met Gloria who is a Lutheran from New York City and moved to Utah 2 years ago to be with her daughters. It was a really fun activity.

Zone Leader Exchanges and Roller Coaster Week (Plus Linguistics)

大家好！

This week has been absolutely CRAZY. As like any other week. It has been so slow, and still some struggles here and there but we've had a lot of fun. Sister Kim is just a great companion that I cried even more when she comforted me when I was SO DEVASTATED with one of our teaching appointments last Tuesday. I don't really want to go through details so as not to really sound negative about it and the investigator is a child of God and I love him so....

okay, 我的傳教怎麼樣？

​I've been praying that I would be able to help my people (Filipinos) this transfer and I have found someone who was willing to learn more and to meet with the local missionaries. Sadly, I haven't gotten a hold of him and I still couldn't call him because he is still sick. We've met a bunch of really good chats in mormon.org as well and we hope to find those low-hanging fruit as President said. We are still praying. We had a miracle baptism this week which is good too and she is Korean.

So this week, I had the chance to also practice my Espa​ñol. Now the Spanish sisters want me to pass off and I don't really feel like it. I just have this drive to study all of my languages when I get back at home. I am so excited that my Sister will be going to China so that when she comes back, I will be practicing my Mandarin with her if my grandma is not very available and I'll practice my Spanish with Mama. :P

Spiritually speaking, I've had some pondering this past week. I have not had dreams that woke me up at 3am now but I've somehow always thought of reevaluating how I am doing as a missionary and I always fall short. There was actually a chat that asked if the Lord forgives us if we make the same mistakes over and over again. That reminded me a time that I felt that exact same way here on my mission. I am falling short over and over again and especially now, all of my imperfections are surfacing. But something that I've thought is that there is still so much about the Atonement that we couldn't really comprehend, we couldn't really fathom. And that is why the Atonement is there so that we can start over, we can strive to improve, we can do better to overcome those weaknesses and to turn them into strengths. After that turning point of the week, that devastating lesson, I felt the sense of depression coming in but I was able to recover fully because of the Sisters around me. Sister Jin, one of the Assistants to the President and a really good friend of mine in the mission, helped me realized how much I am loved by the Lord and by those around me and how much Heavenly Father is proud of me with what I am doing. She even added, "Sister Ngo, you are such a wonderful leader." And told me of the comments that my Zone Leaders have shared during Zone Leader reports. She said "I am so proud of my friend." Sister Jin is such a wonderful missionary and I am so glad to be serving with her.

That night was one of those nights that I prayed to my Father in Heaven in the same way that I prayed to Him when I was struggling with myself two years prior to my mission. I guess I said the same things saying that "My Heart is broken and I can't work so well, Can Thou heal my broken heart? And tell me, what do I need to do better?" That night, I was having that conversation with Him and I was able to sleep well and since then I have asked Him every night, "What can I do better?"

I was on exchanges with Sister Garcia yesterday and she's just an amazing missionary and she's an example of being a Christlike leader. I learned so much from her this transfer and I felt like I always screw up when I'm with her but she's just wonderful. She even pointed out the things that I can improve on and saw more of my strengths rather than my weaknesses.

Well, that's basically all that I can share with you today. :)

Sister Kristel Marie Cruz Ngo (吳姐妹)

Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission/

Georgia Atlanta North Mission

​Just wanted to share this picture that I took when I was called to become a District leader. 
I love President Poulsen. :)​ 
But hey, any one's mission is the best mission in the world for them. Mine happened to be Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square and Georgia Atlanta North. 
My mom's are the Philippines Cebu and Bacolod Missions... and my brother's is the Philippines Legazpi Mission.

​​

Overcoming Struggles and Coming Closer to the Savior

This week has been pretty interesting, overwhelming, amazing... a good thing. We had a really good Zone training meeting last Saturday which reminded us of the talk "Missionary Work and the Atonement" by Elder Holland. Then I had exchanges on Sunday and Monday with Sisters Bennett and Thomas. Both are just amazing, wonderful and powerful missionaries that I've learned so much from them and I've seen how much they love the work.

So far, these past 2 weeks, I have been struggling a lot not just with finding investigators but being focused in the moment. The worst thing I guess that you can have on your mission when you are already reaching your "dying" mark (based on mission lingo) is not having baptisms or not having much of a teaching pool or not finding much investigators as you hoped; it's when you have constant DREAMS about home. Dreams that seemed so real that you end up waking up in the middle of the night making sure that you are still on your mission. There was even one point that I couldn't handle it anymore that I woke up feeling exhausted and depressed and I forced myself to have that drive to do missionary work because that was the very thing that I have loved doing these past 18 months despite the roller coaster rides.

During my exchanges with Sister Bennett, she reminded me of President Hinckley's famous quote, "Forget yourself, and go to work." I did it. I tried to be as consecrated as possible and it worked, temporarily. And when I've made my decision to really lose myself in the work; you know, "No Body" is there just trying to make us think of any possible thing that could bring us down. Well, of course, I wouldn't let him. But with my little strength that I had during the day, he eventually knows when to get me - the time when I am not conscious of resisting those adversaries that come. So when I woke up that dreadful morning, I couldn't help but tell my companion, "I'm definitely asking President for a priesthood blessing. I can't do this alone anymore."

Before I continue on, let me share some good things that happened this week. We found new investigators and we've had really spiritual "lessons" this past few days. We met a Filipino Couple from Los Angeles, California who is willing to attend our Sunday Services and so we invited them to come to our service at 7:30 in the morning if they would still be here in Utah. They sent us a text message that they would head back to CA but I invited them to attend the services nearest to their home in California. Lo and behold, they are still willing to attend. We're praying that they will be. Then my investigator Gerald went to church last Sunday and loved it. He is so excited for his baptism on the 1st of March. I was quite sad that Lazaro's baptism will be moved to next transfer that I'm okay with it. As long as he is excited and committed to become closer to the Savior then it is good. Jayne, my investigator from Georgia, is doing good. She is now seeing how the gospel can totally help her and she is so similar with me having my OCD tendencies sometimes. I was able to help her out with that as well since I've gotten better. And we met a new investigator, Jillian, who came on chat because she had a friend who is a member of the church. So we taught her the first lesson and we forgot to do one thing, inviting her to be baptized. She is so good though, we hope it would go well. She will be meeting with the local missionaries on Tuesday and we will be calling her again on Wednesday so my companion and I told ourselves to NOT forget to invite her this time when we follow-up.

Now going back to asking President for a priesthood blessing, (Sorry I'm getting really random and this email is getting longer) I wasn't able to do so until this morning. But the events that transpired this morning was exactly what I needed so that I can stop thinking of things that would happen after the next few weeks. As Sister Natalie Stephen would always quote adjusting to missionary life, "All I have to do right now is....." That is a really good therapy for me. We even met a return missionary who was studying by the Statue of Christ which quite gave an impact on what I will be hearing from President later on. He quoted 2 Nephi 26:23-24 which talks about the Savior and His Atonement and we ended up being edified on how we can become closer to the Savior Himself, as missionaries and as members of the church. We also had a good follow-up Mission Leadership Council before that on how we can effectively help the Sisters in our Districts become converted as we help our investigators be converted as well. It was really good and I learned a lot.

The interview I had with President helped me think of ways that I could stay focused on the work even when I am sleeping. And even when he gave me the priesthood blessing, the words he spoke was exactly the words that I needed to hear. Our mission president is really inspired. :D

​Well, sorry for the long email. I guess, I really love this week because of the things I've learned. I also enjoyed reading the emails that friends and fellow missionaries sent. We are participating in such a great cause. We love this work. We grow from this work.​

​"For behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you that the Lord God worketh not in darkness. He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation." - 2 Nephi 26:23-24

​I love you! The Lord loves you!​

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Sister Kristel Marie Cruz Ngo (吳姐妹)

Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission/
Georgia Atlanta North Mission

​side note: I visited LDS.org and I found this! Edwina Naval, a young woman from my ward back home, being an example to others. I love her and I am proud of her. Watch the Video by clicking the link below!

​Sharing Your Light​

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Exchanges, Dreams, Life Skills.

I always don't know where to start my email!!! 

Let's see. I need to get my brain juices out. Saturday, I had my first district meeting and I was so nervous. Being companions with district leaders in the past weren't enough, but I am glad that my sisters gave me feedback and learned a lot. We definitely grew together. My zone leaders are very supportive as well and helped me out with the things that I needed to improve on. So that gave me quite a relief.

The Monday was the first Mission Leadership Council that I attended and I learned a lot. The thought of being in it really didn't sink in and I just thought that I am going through training just as an ordinary missionary, which it basically really is. Then, our responsibility is to share it to the Sisters in our Zones and in our Districts. Pretty much like missionary work when you learn a doctrine or a principle everyday, you share it with your investigators, recent converts, less-active and even active members. Then Tuesday was weekly planning and we looked through our Area Books, Sister Kim and I wanted to work on finding more people. We are still doing that. It's hard. I feel like I'm back in my first transfer again with the finding stage. I guess you always go through it some point in your mission. I went through it a lot and I kept thinking what can I do even better? This week has been slow, with our teaching and finding and we are still thinking of ways where we can pick up the pace.

I had my first exchanges on Wednesday with Sister Jamito from Masbate, Philippines. This is actually the second time that I went on exchanges with her because we were in the same district before when my companion, Sister Han Chen from Taiwan, was the district leader. I still am learning from her and she's an incredible missionary, and a crazy filipina as well. I had a good time with her. In fact, I was able to tell her of a trunky dream that I had this week. I woke up in the middle of the night to make sure I was still in my mission. The dream felt so real, it felt like I was already back home in the Philippines. But definitely, I didn't let that dream bother me. It just made me wonder what that dream meant and I can't wait for the Salt Lake Temple to open again so that I can visit my Father in His Holy House.

Going back to exchanges, Wednesday was the first day that I had a shift in Temple Square Guest Services and I was nervous because I felt like I would screw up the assignment. I felt proud of myself when I was able to assign my FIRST INVESTIGATOR LESSON. I couldn't explain it here on my email, but I promise to explain it more in later emails when I get the chance.

Thursday, I went on exchanges with Sister Jamito's companion, Sister Parrish from Australia. She's such a consecrated missionary and I really learned a lot from her regarding some life skills that I can use, definitely for LIFE! She's very confident and wise and the moment that we talked, I just opened up to her! Well, for those who knew me well, you knew how talkative I can be when I start opening up. It's a good thing because it shows how much I trust the Sisters in the district and that I have found a friend in Sister Parrish. She's the type of missionary who is very exactly obedient, always wanted to do the right thing and also wanted to work, work and work. She has a very sweet testimony and loves those who are around her. I really love her! She also helped me be reminded that I needed to be optimistic and days doesn't seem bad as I thought.

Sisters have asked me how is it being district leader and I told them that I never really feel like it. I just felt that I am on exchanges with the Sisters to be edified, to learn from them, and to get to know them. My Sisters are in my district for a reason and I could really see why. I love them pretty much and I can't wait to be with Sister Bennett from Tahiti and Sister Thomas from Sierra Leone/Virginia.

This transfer, I've thought of starting the Book of Mormon all over again and I took note of Nephi's attributes. Something that I have discovered this morning is that 1 Nephi 7:4-5 can be related to missionary work as well. The Book of Mormon is amazing and I love it!

"No, God does not need us to love Him. But oh, how we need to love God! For what we love determines what we seek. What we seek determines what we think and do. What we think and do determines who we are—and who we will become." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Sister Kristel Marie Cruz Ngo (吳姐妹)

Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission/

Georgia Atlanta North Mission

Update for the first two days into the transfer.

Hello Everyone!

Apparently, I had a second preparation day this week because of transfers. This is Temple Square Mission for you. Different preparation days and so sometimes it's hard to catch me emailing or it's even difficult to think about what to share with you today.

So, my new companion is Sister Kim from Korea. I love her and she is such an obedient missionary. But I feel like this transfer, Heavenly Father is really going to help me develop the Christlike Attributes of Patience and Humility, especially with myself. Being District Leader, as I have mentioned in my previous email, there is just so many things to do and much things to take in. I made sure that I understood properly Doctrine and Covenants 121 and at the same time to even relax and just do my very best to serve both my investigators and the Sisters in my district. It's going to be difficult to balance the two but I have faith that the Lord will help me with this assignment. He put me in here for a purpose (just like how my mom was put into this position a few - approximately 27-28 - years ago) and my mom definitely learned a lot. I'm excited to learn and love the work, the Lord and the Sisters this transfer.

So far, this past two days, because of all the transfer craziness, it was quite difficult to look for people to teach. But we are definitely trying to catch up for the next week. I've thought it over and over again that this transfer was going to fly by so fast with all the things that are happening. But I will never miss those learning opportunities in every step of the way. In fact, last Thursday (yesterday), we were able to be reminded about the importance of prayer as a communication with our Heavenly Father. I've reevaluated my prayers and I totally agree with what the sisters mentioned that most of the time, we don't even remember what we prayed for even after the prayer has been said. I made sure that I needed to work on that especially this transfer that I need to be more meaningful with my prayers and put them to heart.

Another thing that I've learned (actually ever since the beginning of my mission) is to learn how to forgive myself and to keep on working hard, not letting other things, even the past, distract me. It has still been a struggle but it has also been a working progress every single transfer. Sister Kim is so sweet that last night, she told me that I've done great so far. Well, I still need to take a deep breath and relax than stressing myself a lot about stuff.

So I guess, that's all that I can share for today. I'll probably be able to share more next Friday's Preparation day. :)

我愛你們！

Sister Kristel Marie Cruz Ngo (吳姐妹)

Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission/

Georgia Atlanta North Mission

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​照片我答應送給你們​

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The Bittersweet Moment of Transfers

That moment when you see the Sister Missionaries that you've known for almost your entire mission going home... and that very same moment, you realized that you are 6 weeks less remaining on your service as a full-time missionary.

When my trainer went home the moment I came back from outbound, I knew that there was not much time, that I need to work even harder. This transfer has been really good so far as missionary work has gone. Sister Lau and I have been pretty successful and the drive to do even more and to find more people to prepare for the next transfers is increasing. But with the desire, there also came great opposition and adversary to discourage or make us feel that we failed. This past week, we've had a hard time finding people and we are doing the best that we can to testify and invite as many people as we could to learn more and to partake of the blessings of the gospel. There were times, like yesterday, that I felt I didn't do much because we weren't able to teach our investigators. But Sister Lau, doing her best to be more optimistic than I am, counted the blessings and our efforts. That made me feel a lot better.

Sister Lau is such a great missionary and such an amazing companion. In fact, upon knowing my assignment for the next transfer (and I knew that it was coming), she comforted me and told me of the talents and the skills that I have which will be put to use when the next transfer starts. I half-jokingly, half-seriously told her that it's time for me to ask for a new set of advices from my "Moms" (My trainer and my biological mom) who had the experience of being in a mission leadership position. It was humbling to know that the Lord trusted me with the calling, the same for my mission president, and it also helped me to be reminded that I need to work on being accountable to both my Heavenly Father and to President Poulsen. I try to prepare myself and despite the anxiety, Sister Lau reassured me that I will do great.

This morning, I've read my mom's previous email that really stuck with me. When she said "Treasure them (your mission experiences) all because that will be that fire that will keep your testimony burning. Those will be the tools that you will use to destroy all doubts. Those experiences will give you strength in moments of your weakness even after mission life......" Well, it definitely applies now. This is actually the perfect time for me to strengthen myself so that I can turn my weaknesses into my strengths. And the fact that I also have my mission mom (trainer) that I could email every week helps as well.

As for the work, we're still finding. We're still searching. I have faith that this transfer is going to do well. I will have a lot of lessons to learn and a lot of growing to do. But as I looked back, I have grown a lot. I remember yesterday as I bore my testimony, I could feel the Spirit as a confirming witness that I love the gospel, I love my Savior, I love missionary work and that I've seen the gospel and the Atonement change so many lives including mine.

​Well, I love you all. I definitely still have a lot of stories to tell... but I couldn't really think of them today. I wrote too many journal pages that I couldn't remember to summarize them anymore. I think it's just me and my memory.​

Sister Kristel Marie Cruz Ngo (吳姐妹)

Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission/

Georgia Atlanta North Mission

​soooo... the pictures... will be to follow since I will be having my next P-day on Friday. Fun! :)​