3/14/13

Dear Family and Friends,

What a insane week it has been. First week in the office and wow. Just wow. I had no idea how much goes on behind the scenes of a mission. There is always so much to do. The way our schedule is set up we should still be able to get 30 lessons a week, but it apparently doesn't happen on transfer week. We helped with the outgoing missionaries and the incoming missionaries. That was such a neat experience. My trainer, Elder O finished his mission on Monday and then the next day I welcomed a batch of 18 new missionaries, all of them excited and ready to get out and work. As supplies manager, I got to prep the DVD equipment they need for the 12 week program and get them other supplies. There is so much to do. I think I've said that twice now. 

We did get to teach some lessons this week. Including a lesson on Tuesday afternoon that we didn't think that we were going to get. The new missionaries were arriving at 4:30, so we didn't have a lot of time, but we decided to get at least one lesson in. In the morning, one of our newer investigators, LJ, asked us to come teach him at two, and we were able to. It was a great lesson about the Restoration and he is excited to learn.  It was the only lesson we got that day, since the new arrivals were delayed an hour in Manila. I also got to teach to Al, who is our security guard at the mission home. He is progressing really fast. He is currently in Alma. He is such a great investigator. We also taught to the Si family, with the Eddingtons, who are the couple missionary in the Zone. It was a great lesson also and the Spirit was very strong as the Eddingtons testified (in English), about families and following the words of the Prophet in having an eternal family.

Speaking of prophets, was General Conference awesome or what? We got to watch it this weekend and it blew me away. Especially Elder Holland and Elder Perrys' talks.They bear such powerful testimony. One thing that I've learned about missionary work is that so much of it is just that, testifying of truth. Other must come to learn for themselves that the Gospel and the Message of the Restoration are true, we are but guides. They can feel the Spirit through our testimonies. I was to invite you all, during the week after you read this, to bear your testimony of the Restoration, or Plan of Salvation, or Gospel of Jesus Christ or anything else, to someone who has not yet gained their own testimony yet. I promise you that you will feel the Spirit work through you and your own testimony will grow, not to mention the blessings the listener will receive. I know that this Church is True and that we have a living prophet on the Earth today. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and we have a loving Heavenly Father.

I'll close it up now. We have had an insane day, since we moved out of the mission home today. We need more space for arriving missionaries, so we have moved down the road about 250 yards. The new apartment is still a mess, but we'll take care of that tonight. Mahal Kita! 

Elder RWood

 *From his letter to the family* What the one [Fallon] Elder said about missionaries going to the office if they are in trouble or injured is true. One of the missionaries who just ended his mission served in the office after taking a dare from his companion to ride a water buffalo. I'm not in trouble or injured though, so no worries. Elder B guesses that I'll be serving in the office until December. Long time.