Sunburned but Happy with 3 Baptisms coming (7/6/14)

Dear Family and Friends,

It has been a week to remember in the Philippines Laoag Mission. but every week is a week to remember as a missionary. It was full of meetings and lots of traveling, but we were still able to get great things accomplished in Pinili. All because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. That was one of the things that President Barrientos emphasized during MLC on Monday, that all good things happen because of the Atonement of Christ. Without that one single most important incident in the entire history of mankind, nothing would be as we know it. None of us would even be here.

So we had our MLC activity on Tuesday. We toured northern Ilocos Norte and visited all of the big tourist spots. I have been to almost all of them before, when I was in the office, but this time was different and a blast since we had all of the Zone Leaders, Sister Training Leaders, the APs and President and Sister Barrientos with us. I will send pictures next week when I have my camera on me, since I forgot it today. It was loads of fun and even though we all got sunburned , or at least those who are white and can get sunburned, and dehydrated we all had a great time. A group of 41 people is very different from a group of 8. We also just held our own combined Zone Activity, in which we just played sports for about 2 hours, including 3 games of Capture the Flag, one of which took over forty minutes. We were actually using strategy and being cautious, since it was the last game and the winner took all the glory, fame and the same walk back to the chapel as the losers. 

The best part of the week by far though was the Aqu Family's baptismal interviews on Saturday afternoon. All 3 of them passed and Elder E said that they all have very strong testimonies and understand and are ready and willing to live the gospel and all of the commandments. Their baptism is this Saturday at 5. it will be the mom, Em and the two kids, Iv and C. Sher, their dad, is still working to kick some addictions but has come a very long way since we began teaching and has come to church twice now. His baptism is scheduled for August 30 (day after my birthday- not many better birthday gifts than a baptism) but it may move up to earlier in August, depending on when he is finally free of alcohol and cigarettes. I really love this family. When I arrived in Pinili, they had been taught a bit and had come to church, but they hadn't taken any serious steps towards baptism. They had some big family issues because of Sherwin's drinking, but those are now resolved and they are happily on their may to becoming an eternal family one day. 

We have been working to get more investigators moving towards baptism. We have Sister Ap, but we aren't sure if she really understands about baptism and the commitment she has made. We will be putting more emphasis on it in the coming weeks. One of our recent converts is her fellowshipper and he always adds great testimony to the lessons. We also have the Paj family, which is a mixture of less actives and investigators. There is two older less actives who have been less active for a few years due to health issues and then one of their son-in-laws who has been a long time less active. No one else in the family is members but we have been teaching to the whole group. There was over 10 people in the lesson on Saturday. We are hoping to have some great success there as well both in baptism and rescuing.

Just to close off today. I want to share some thoughts about how blessed we are to live in a time when we have leaders who are called of God and inspired to lead us toward eternal life. One of the focuses in the mission right now is working with priesthood leaders more effectively to hasten the work of salvation. I know that the keys of the priesthood were restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith and that those keys are held by the living prophet today, even Thomas S. Monson. Without these keys, we could do nothing to gain salvation for ourselves and to help others gain salvation. It is so important that we all act in accordance with the council of those who hold the keys in whatever area we may be in for that is the pattern which the Lord has established for His kingdom. I pray that we may all sustain and support those who hold  the keys where we all live and especially President Monson, his counselors and the 12 Apostles. As we follow them, we will not go astray, no matter what may happen on Earth. I know that Jesus Christ is at the head of his church and he will come again. 

Thank you all for the love and support!

Love,

Elder  Wood