31/07/2026
😍😍😍
Choosing to serve a full-time mission has been one of the hardest, yet also one of the greatest, decisions I have ever made. It meant putting my college education on hold and setting aside the plans I had made for myself. Honestly, it was not easy. There were times when I questioned my choice, felt discouraged, and wondered if I was truly doing the right thing. But every time I turned to the Lord, He reminded me that I did not have to go through it alone.
I still remember the nights my mind would not rest. I asked myself, Will I be able to finish school when I return? What will others think of my decision? At times, the expectations of others made me doubt myself. But whenever I prayed, spoke with my bishop, and sought support from my family, I felt the Lord replace my fear with peace. He did not answer every question right away, but He gave me enough faith to take the next step. Looking back now, I know His timing has always been better than mine.
As I prepared to serve, I realized the Lord was also preparing me. He strengthened my testimony, taught me to rely on the Holy Ghost, and helped me understand His love more deeply. Preparing for a mission did not interrupt my education—it became an essential part of it. Some of the most precious lessons I have learned—about faith, humility, love, and trusting God—are lessons I could never have learned inside a classroom.
The pressure I once felt slowly turned into peace. Instead of focusing on what I was leaving behind, I found joy in knowing I was following the Savior. I know the things the Lord is teaching me now will bless me for the rest of my life. They will help me return to school, reach my goals, and most importantly, become the disciple of Jesus Christ He wants me to be.
Bishop Pagadoan once taught that when we face pressure, there are three things we should do: pray to the Lord, use the resources He has given us through His Church, and keep serving others.
I have come to know that these principles are true. Prayer gave me peace when I was afraid. The scriptures gave me hope when I felt discouraged. Priesthood blessings reminded me that Heavenly Father knew exactly what I needed. And as I served others, my own worries grew smaller, because my heart became more focused on the Savior.
One scripture that has become especially meaningful to me is 2 Nephi 31:20:
“Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.”
This verse reminds me that following Jesus Christ is not about being perfect. It is about choosing Him every day, even when we do not know what lies ahead. As we trust Him and stay true to our covenants, He gives us the strength to keep moving forward.
Now, as I prepare to serve in the Philippines Quezon City North Mission, I feel excited, humbled, and deeply grateful. I do not know everything that lies ahead, but I do know that Jesus Christ lives. He knows me, He loves me, and He has guided me every step of the way. Looking back, I can see that every challenge, every sacrifice, and every prayer has helped strengthen my testimony.
I know that when we choose to put the Lord first, He will never leave us. His timing is always perfect, His plans are always better than ours, and He will always lead us where we need to be.
I testify that Jesus Christ knows our struggles and stands ready to help us when we feel overwhelmed. He will lift us up as we choose Him, draw upon the blessings of His Church, and serve those around us. I know Bishop Pagadoan’s counsel is inspired and true, and I know that choosing to follow the Savior—even through hard decisions like pausing my education to serve—will bless our lives in ways that matter eternally. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
ELDER Godofredo BELONIO
Philippines Quezon City North Mission
October 2026
October 2028
