3 baptisms, a Transfer and an Impending Typhoon. (7/13/14)

Dear Family and Friends,

Where to begin this email? I will just start with the best part of the week and work my way towards the not so great parts. We had a baptism this week. Three actually!  Sister Vi Aqu and her two kids, Iv and Carm were baptized. It was a great baptismal service. More members attended than I have ever had attend a baptism before. It was a big help that all of the members in Pinili that had vehicles gathered all of the other members and drove them to the chapel where the baptism was. It was held in Badoc, the next town over, since that is where the Chapel is. I baptized Iv, Elder Seum baptized Carm and Bro. Gab, one of our fellowshippers, baptized Sister Vin. Sher, the father of the family, was able to come and he was really touched by everything. He was trying to hide his tears as his wife and kids bore their testimonies after they were baptized. I love this family very much and have seen the power of the Atonement at work in their lives. Sherwin is going to be baptized in August! He is getting so close; we are going to really start pushing with him to quit smoking. Even that is very close.

The Aqu's were confirmed in sacrament meeting in Pinili on Sunday and it was an amazing sacrament meeting. We didn't even all fit in the meeting house! There were over 60 people in attendance! I ended up sitting on the floor and standing by the door in the back. And one of the best things about it was that it happened not by any direct effort of ours, but the efforts of the members. Some of the Relief Society members went visiting teaching and almost all of the people that they visited came to church. We also had a rather long time less-active Melchizedek return and even say that he would accept the calling to be the Gospel Principles Teacher when one of the members recommended him.  The Pinili area is really moving forward because of the members. We have just been being obedient and working hard and the members are catching the fire! The leadership is looking into a new meeting house and putting in the request to the Stake Leadership that we become a branch.

We found another great family this week. Bro. Lar, who lives in Pinili and is the Second Counselor in the Badoc Bishopric, took us to some of his cousins who were very willing to listen and invited us back again after a short message. They have their own vehicle, so we will be excited to see them come to church soon. They have a large family, though some of the children are rather shy. They will come out of their shells soon. We also got several new referrals this week, all from members. Many people have seen the change in Sherwin and how string the Aquino family is and are now very interested in learning the Gospel of Jesus Christ for themselves. We have a lot of work to do this week.

Quick fun story- We met a man from Singapore on Friday who lives in Pinili, Mr Wh. By blood he is Indian, and he is married to a lady here. They live very far away, but we go near them once a week anyway for some recent converts. He is fluent in English and was a very influential and powerful man in Singapore before his health took a turn (he is now legally blind). He still has many connections and is close with many very high ranking people in the Philippines. When we came to his house, he did not even hesitate to invite us in (though he did most of the talking). He also invited us back and said he would come to church, but he didn't make it. He told us that he knew Jesus Christ sent us there to him. I am excited to go back this coming week.

So it is transfers again and I am not being transferred, but Elder Seum is. He is going to my old area, Gonzaga! My new companion is Elder Ab, a Filipino who will be coming down from Allacapan. I may never get transferred from Pinili until I leave, but who knows. What'll come will come and I'll meet it when it does. I will miss Elder Seum. I learned much from him in these past 6 weeks.

I will wrap this up now. I was sick this past week but through the Atonement I was still able to work everyday. I am so grateful for the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We can overcome all things because of his Atonement. I know that by personal experience. If there are any who read this who feel that life is to hard, I plead with you to turn to Christ. Through faith and obedience, we can feel the power of his Atonement is all things. Turn unto him in prayer and you will receive. I know God loves us and Christ is our Savior. This is his work. And there is nothing greater.

Love,

Elder Ryne Warren Wood

PS Yes there is a Typhoon headed towards us this week. If we will be in the main path of it is not yet certain, but I have a 72 hour kit. Come at me rain!