I think they're digging up Uruk-Hai in the backyard Elders... (8/5/13)

Dear Friends and Family,

Just as a brief explanation for the title, there is construction going on right behind our apartment, it looked a bit like Isengard at first, but then we realized they are just building the new Mitsubishi of Ilocos Norte right behind our apartment. Sana (hopefully) the service center is on the far side of the lot and not right next to the apartment. That would not make for a very quiet apartment and the highway out front makes it noisy as is.

It's getting to be that time again. Yes transfers are coming up. Yeah! We just had a mini transfer with 6 missionaries coming from Provo and Manila. Next week there is twenty three arriving. Next transfer there will be 31 incoming and with no outgoing, we will be at over 200 missionaries. That is an increase of 50 missionaries in 3 months. This work is moving along so amazingly and I am so glad to be a part of it. I hope you all are continuing to look for ways to help move the work along as well.

We were able to get some great lessons in this week. President Barrientos has raised the mission standard of excellence and I am excited to work harder to reach what the Lord expects of me. We were able to teach E 3 times this week and we have started teaching her about the Plan of Salvation, which she is understanding really fast. We invited her and her niece to attend church on Sunday, but they didn't come. It was really sad. When we visited them later, they told us that right as they were ready to leave to come, Ethel's brother-in-law came and took them to a different church. Sayang! That is our goal this week for them too, as well as with most of our investigators. With the new standard, we are going to extend all of our investigators baptismal dates. We want to have five straight weeks of baptisms! And with the Lords help we can do it.

One thing that was really touching this week was sacrament meeting. There was so many people there! Four of our less active families were there, and the sacrament hall was the fullest I've ever seen in our ward. There were some great testimonies too. Usually one of us missionaries has to break the silence and be first, but not this week. A variety of ward members got up to testify and it was so great. The Spirit was so strong. I love sacrament meeting so much. It seems to be too short now. 

I spent some time this week studying about the converting power of the Holy Ghost. I know that this is super important for all those who are learning about the gospel, whether for the first time or for the 100th time after baptism to know. I love in Alma 32: 31-32 when Alma talks about how we can recognize the Spirit. If it is good, or as Mormon puts in in Moroni 7 persuades us to do good and come unto God, it is of God. That is the test when all is said and done. If it brings us closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, it is of God. I know that Heavenly Father is constantly watching over us all and by the Holy Ghost guiding us and if we will listen to and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we will never have to worry about going astray.

Mahal Kita! Kita Kits!

Elder RWood

Office Elders in Pagudpud