Photos (12/31/13)

North Zone

South Zone

Laoag 2 Zone

Office Staff

Having a laugh with President Barrientos

Happy New Year! Don't blow your foot off! (12/31/13)

Dear Family and Friends,

It's that time again. New Years Eve Lock Down! The Philippines is crazy with its fireworks, so for safety reasons, all the missionaries go into lock down in the evening. We started at 5 today, though Elder B and I were driving for President, so we were out around Laoag for about an hour and a half after lock down, taking some stuff to members in the ward. It must be a big shock for the members to have the mission president show up randomly at their house. It is great to see how President interacts with the members. Everyone is a brother and sister to him. We are all so blessed to have leaders all around the world who are called by God to lead his Church in the latter-days. 

We are currently waiting for President to give us a call for dinner. We will be eating with him and Sister Barrientos. I didn't have the chance to email this morning since we had a lunch with some members in the ward. It is the same lunch I was at with Elder Onate exactly a year ago. The Daquioag Family hosts it every year for the missionaries in the Stake and there are now 56 of us. It was great to see everyone and spend time with them. It is funny to think how out of the missionaries there, I was among those who have been serving for over a year. Time has flown so fast. Bro. Daquioag was the Mission President in Bacolod Mission when Mitch Wade (my cousin) served there. If anyone who reads this is in contact with him, please tell him that President and Sister Daquioag would like to hear from him.

So last week was a bit rough teaching wise with Christmas, but this week is shaping up to be much better. We already have more lessons this week then all of last week. We got to teach to Ab yesterday, as well as her brother and some of her cousins. They are so prepared to accept the Gospel. I know that Heavenly Father is preparing his children everywhere to hear the Gospel. Abby is the one who was waiting for us when we showed up at her house the first time. Yeah I love this work so much!

So we have the final number on the Philippines Laoag Mission goal for baptism for 2013. Drumroll! 822! We ended up just short of our goal of 100, but we are on track to hit it next year. We had 129 baptism in the month of December. The Lord is with His servants in this work, no doubt about it. Elder S and I are on track to start getting some baptism in the coming month. Not only that, but the work is moving forward with those who have lost their way after receiving the Gospel. We made contact with one of our focus less active members this week. She is actually a daughter in one of the families, who has been having a hard time in the past months. She has a son and she wants him to grow up in the gospel. She has decided that she is going to start coming back to Church, with her 2 year old son, even if it only them out of the entire family. I have been teaching this family for almost 10 months and the Lords is now opening the way for their return to his fold.

This work is the best thing in the world! I can't describe my love for the work of the salvation of men. It is the work of the Lord and we have all been called to be part of it. No matter how unqualified we think we may be, the Lord qualifies those he calls and he has called all of us to this work at this time. I am so happy as a missionary I can barely contain it. This happiness lies in store for all of those who will join in! I know that for a fact, for I have seen it in the lives of others. Keep praying for and looking for missionary opportunities. They are there, we just need the faith to recognize them. Thank you all for your support of the missionaries all around the world. Keep it up! Mahal namin kayong lahat!

Elder R Wood

Maligyang Pasko! Naimbag nga Paskua! Merry Christmas! (12/24/13)

Dear Family and Friends,

After the title in Tagalog, Ilocano and English, Merry Christmas! The time has come again and it is definitely different every year. For example, I just returned from playing Santa Clause with my companion for all of the missionaries up north. There was lots to deliver but we did it gladly. It is great to see so many happy faces. 

So since last weeks letter was the Christmas letter, I will do a quick update in this letter. I am no longer with Elder M. He is now serving in Vigan and I am serving with Elder S, still in the office and now past my nine month mark month here in the office. As far as I can tell, by the end of this transfer I will be the longest missionary to serve in the office in a while. One more transfer and I will be pushing a year. President Barrientos has given me instruction to begin to train Elder S for Finance though, so I will be out of here in not too long. I love it here though and I am going to miss the service opportunities when my time here is done. Elder S is great and I am excited to be his companion. He just stepped down as zone leader, but we met in the MTC. He arrived 3 weeks before I came to the Philippines. His Tagalog and Ilocano are great and he is super diligent. He will whip me back up to proselyting standards in no time. Haha. Just kidding.    

So we had the Ward activity just this past week and it was fun, but it went a bit long. We had to hurry and eat at the end to make it back for curfew. The eight of us missionaries in the ward did a musical performance based on Luke 2. It was good, but we should have cut it shorter. It is nice to spend time with members and investigators> I really love the Laoag 1 ward.

Most of this week was spent in the office getting the end of month and end of year financial stuff done, but it is basically done. Just a few more things to do. IT is hard on Elder S to be stuck in the office so much, but he is coping well. We wont get out tonight, due to lock down, but we are looking forward to a good few weeks in the coming transfer. We were able to find a new family, or add to one. We began teaching the family of one of our current investigators on Sunday. Families is a big focus for the mission right now. We are getting set to spring into next year, with the goal of 1000 souls again. We got close this year, around 700 or 800 yata. I am excited to be part of the work and to give my all to help the work.

Just real quick in word of tesimony to close. I love the savior. I am glad for this time to celebrate his birth and his life and atoning sacrifice. I know that he is the Only Begotten of the Father and that he came to Earth to to be our Redeemer. He lives. I know he does. I have that witness though the Holly Ghost and that is the greatest gift of knowledge that I have. I know his Church has been restored and that we have a living prophet now. I love this work and am glad to have so many blessings. Merry Christmas to you all! Mahal kita!

Elder R Wood

The Dread Pirate Robers Leaves No Survivors... (12/9/13)

Dear Family and Friends,

I don't know why that quote came to mind. It has nothing to do with anything that happened this week. It is just one of those really random Elder Wood moments that we all know and love. 

So since I last emailed, which I believe was on Wednesday, not much has happened besides office work. Christmas Zone Conference starts tomorrow! We have been working like crazy to prepare everything for it. I have done errands in preparation everyday of the week except for Thursday and i will get into the events of Thursday in a little bit. I am super excited for Christmas Zone Conference. It is funny that I am basically in the same Zone I was in for my first Christmas 

So on Thursday after District Meeting, I had exchanges with the Elders in my district. Until now, the only Elders in our district were the office elders and assistants, so it is always kind of hard to schedule normal exchanges.So this was my first time being the host of the exchange and itwas great. Elder M is a great missionary. We Found 4 new investigators, all about college age and we taught them about the Restoration. Later that night one of them texted us thanking us for sharing with them, but never responded to our text asking if they read and when would be the best time for us to come again. I learned loads from Elder M and I have been trying hard to apply the things that I have learned, especially on OYM (Open Your Mouth). Just like Elder Ballard said in his talk in October, if we open our mouths more we will have more people to teach. And just as it says in Preach My Gospel, nothing happens in missionary work until you find someone to teach.

In some other great news, Sister F is going to the temple for the first time tomorrow. I have been teaching for almost 9 months and she has come so far. She is going to the temple for the sealing of a member of our ward and she will receive her endowment at the same time as the bride and her mom. So cool! I wish I could go the temple. It has been a long time, but I know it will a very joyous experience to be able to go again with my family and friends in 10 months. 

As for the Sim family, we think that we may be on a course with them that will end in baptism this time. They told us that they wont be able to make their goal of December 28, because of the money it takes to get married. They were so sad to tell us that. We then had an FHE with them and some ward members on Saturday and Sister M said she will help them get together everything that they need to be married and listed off a bunch of members that work for the government that can help them get all of the paperwork done. Once Sister Simp finds her birth certificate, we will get them started. The Spirit was very strong during the FHE as we had a testimony meeting and everyone had the chance to share. Then the whole family came to church! But Th wasn't able to.

So that is about it for the week. I am adding on a picture of me in the Christmas Zone Conference Shirt that we made for the Zones. We made a different one for the office staff and President and Sister and I will send pictures of that next week. I just want to share to you all again how much I love this work and how much I love the Savior and am grateful for this opportunity to be one of his full time missionaries. This really is a once in a life time opportunity and we are all so blessed to live in this time. I know that Christ lives and we have the beautiful opportunity during this season to celebrate his birth. Mahal kita! Kita Kits!

Elder R Wood

 

 

Back to Bacarra (12/3/13)

Dear Family and Friends,

Okay. Were to begin this email. I am writing it on Wednesday since we only took a 2 hour mini p-day on Monday (long enough to get haircuts) and then traveled to Sta. Ana and back on Tuesday. We are still getting everything ready for Christmas Zone Conference and we will hopefully be ready by Saturday, since it starts on Tuesday and Monday is P-Day. We designed an awesome shirt for the the APs, President and Sister Barrientos and us office Elders. At least the design looked really cool. We will see how the finished product is. It is going to be a great activity. I remember last years Christmas Zone Conference. I had only been in the field about 3 weeks and I loved it. We did service at one of the hospitals, painting and weeding. This time it's sports and I am more involved in the preparation and carrying out of the plans.

We contacted the French man on Saturday, Unfortunately, we didn't realize that the French Book of Mormon had arrived, so we didn't take it to give to him. We went by his house after running an errand and he was at home. We just talked with him at the door, or i should say, Elder M talked with him at the door. I was able to follow the conversation, kind of, but I missed the part where he told Elder M that to him there is no God. Ala! So we didn't teach him, but we have decided that when we are in the are we will go by and say bonjour. I managed to introduce myself to him in French, which Elder M didn't teach me, but I picked it up when he said it. I pray that the Lord will soften his heart so that one day he will let the missionaries share with him.

I also had exchanges in Bacarra with Elder P on Thursday. It has been almost nine months since I was assigned there, and the area is now flourishing. It was nice to get to go back and see people again. We worked with R, my recent converts I's uncle. Bacarra has come a long way from being only Elder Wood and Elder O to now having 8 missionaries, four Elders and four Sisters.

Th came to church with the Sim family on Sunday! She wanted to last week, but got sick and wasn't able to. She also wants to come to a baptism, which will hopefully be in the next few weeks. The gospel is really clicking with her and she is progressing well. Sister Sim is still dragging her feet on getting married. The first step is done, getting her birth certificate, but now she can't find it and she isn't looking for it, no matter how much we commit her to. I don't know what we will do if they don't get married this time.

This one is going to be short since my time is rather limited. I know that this is the work of the Lord and that he is directing it at every move. There is no other way that this work would be successful, and just look at how successful it is! I love being a missionary and I have learned so much in the past year and three months. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that he lives. Nothing can take that from me. Mahal ko kayong lahat!

Elder R Wood

Je sais que le livre de Mormon est vrai (11/25/13)

Dear Family and Friends,

Yes the title of this email is in French and I will explain it in a minute. This has been a really good week. I guess that this week was thanksgiving week, but it has really slipped my mind. They don;t celebrate it here in the Philippines, but last year I arrived her on Thanksgiving day, so we had Thanksgiving dinner on our first night here. I really do miss it, but I have been so caught up in the work of the week that it didn't bother me too much. I will be glad to celebrate it next year with my friends and family at home.

We had interviews with President this week though my interview will happen at a different time. Since we are with President almost everyday, he does the interviews for the office and APs after the interviews of everyone else. I missed the training of the APs since I had a training via teleconference with the Legal Department on signing apartment contracts. I learned a lot, though I have already signed up 6 contracts just based on watching Elder B sign them. We then had a health and safety training from Sister Barrientos. Time to start up the old 72 hour kit! We then planned out our skit for Christmas Zone Conference, since our original idea fell through. We are doing a version of the Christmas Carol about a trunky Elder Scrooge. I am... a tree. The zone decided that since we have both an Elder and Sister Wood, adding scenery "wood" be easy. I am excited! After modifying the classic tale for the skit, I get to become one with nature. Our dance is also coming along well. Itik-itik is what it is called, or the duck dance. 

G told us earlier this week that he was going to be moving. And he did, though it may still be in our area. We are trying to find him again, but it is not an easy task with out any specific address and no one knows him since he is new in the area. We will find him though, this week. We also finally managed to contact a referral we have been looking for for over a transfer, Ab. We found her with the help of a less active (Bro. S) and the barangay officials he is close friends with. And as we approached the house, everyone seemed to know exactly why we were there and Ab was waiting for us. So we will go back this Saturday, with Bro. S or his son as fellowshipper.

The Sims all attended church this Sunday, though none of the other people we committed to come were able to. we found out last night that Th has been sick for a few days, which is why she missed the baptism on Saturday and Church. M, one of my former investigators that the Sisters in our ward have been teaching got baptized on Saturday! The Sim family is set on December 28 for their wedding and baptism. Please keep them in your prayers.

So to explain the subject of the email, Elder M and I are going to start teaching a French guy. The Elders in our district found him, but of course they can't teach him since he only speaks French. Luckily, Elder M is from Quebec and knows french, so president has given us permission to teach him. So I am trying to learn how to testify in French. I can't teach, but i will try my best to testify so that the Spirit will testify to him that the message is true. 

Well that is about all I have time for. We have some things to look for today in preparation for Christmas Zone Conference. I just want to end with a word of testimony about the power of the Holy Ghost in testifying of the truth. There is no greater source for gaining knowledge, for it is so personal that nothing can take the witness of the the Holy Ghost. It will testify to all humble seekers of the truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of all Mankind and that Joseph Smith was his prophet. That is what is different between this message that any other message, is that we can promise that an answer will come to those who seek. it has come to me, over and over.

Elder Ryne Warren Wood

Zone Activity Pictures (11/18/13)

(11/18/2013)

Dear Family and Friends,

This week was a very polar opposite of the past week. For me it is a testimony of the love of our Heavenly Father and the importance of being patient in all things.  Just as was told to the Prophet Joseph Smith when he was in Liberty Jail, all things shall give us experience and be for our good. Joseph also once said "Every wave of adversity has only wafted me closer to divinity". I can testify of the truthfulness of that, not just in the past weeks but throughout my mission and my entire life. 

We taught this week! We had six lessons, so almost more that the past two or three weeks combined. We had a good mix of investigator and member lessons and I have so much that I wish I could tell you about all of my experiences, but if I did there might not be an end to this email, so I will hit on a few parts.

First G came to church after we invited him and taught him once. he really came with the intention of looking at the job openings posted by the ERC, but once he got into class, that seemed to leave his mind. He participated in all the classes, although I didn't get to see that since I was doing a baptismal interview during Gospel Principles. He and one of the sisters investigators (R) seemed to hit off well and I think that R explained to him some things about church that he didn't understand. He loved the experience so much. But as we found out last night, he is moving this week, still in Laoag but not in our area. He still wants to be taught by the missionaries though. He is one the path now and the Spirit is moving him.

Next was the Sim. We taught them 3 times this week are are planing to teach them daily. They have been struggling to keep their commitments, so we taught them about repentance, and we could see the Spirit testifying to them of the importance of repenting and trying to do better. And they have been! They have been doing their reading and praying and are coming to church all 3 hours now. T has made sure that his schedule at work does not have him working on Sunday. The Sister missionaries in our ward told us that during Relief Society all the sisters in the ward were telling Sister Sim how much they love her and want her to have the blessings of marriage and baptism. There was lots of tears shed during that lesson they said.

In connection with the Sim family is our new investigator, Th. She is the neighbor of the Sim family and they invited her on Sunday to sit in on the lesson. We taught the Restoration and she loved it! She is going to be joining in every lesson, so we have the interesting challenge to teach lessons that will apply to all the different needs, since that is going to be 2 long time investigators, 1 newer investigator and 3 recent converts in one lesson. With the Spirit it is possible though, as was shown last night. We focused on N and T and taught fasting. At the end of the lesson Th said she had never heard of fasting and wanted to try it. So we committed her to fast to know our message is true this coming Sunday and committed her to baptism on December 21.

Last quick notes before I close, we had an office meeting the other day and President basically told the APs and us that we are in charge of everything but food for Christmas Zone Conference. So we got to work and have planned out almost the entire thing. Super excited! And yesterday our zone began learning our folk dance for it, which is Itik-Itik or the Duck Dance. We also went sand boarding yesterday to close our activity and that was a blast! I will include a picture of our zone at the dunes. 

I know that this is the work of the Lord and that He is guiding and protecting all of his servants. My experiences are a testimony of that, as are all of the missionaries from the Tacloban Mission who are being reassigned due to Typhoon Yolanda. None are coming here, but all are accounted for and well. I love the Lord and his work. Nothing means more to me right now than my calling to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and he knows all of our trials, pains, sorrows and needs. Thank you for all of your love and support! Mahal Kita! Kita Kits!

Elder R. Wood

Photos (11/1//13)

Elder Oso, our office mascot ( Elder T's bear)

Driving in Vigan

The arch at Lasam after the Halloween typhoon

Home sick, Training Sick, Sick Sick (11/11/13)

Dear Family and Friends,

The title of the email sounds ridiculous, so I will get to that in a minute. It is how the other office Elders described my week. I want to start this one off by thanking everyone for the prayers and concerns for all the missionaries here in the Philippines. Luckily for us in Laoag, Typhoon Yolanda hit down in Visaya, so it is far from us. We did get some nice rain though, and I got to travel in it again. I love traveling in the rain. Is for fun. I know that your prayers helped protect those of us missionaries here in Laoag and that the people who were effected by the typhoon will be blessed by the prayers and faith of all those who keep them in their hearts and minds. Thank you all.

So this week was transfer week. And it was crazy! As transfer weeks are to be. I think I used that right. Anywho, I didn't do much with the actual transfer day itself (it helps when that is our p day). But it was with the Arriving and Departing missionaries that things got crazy. It started with the departing on Wednesday. My district had district meeting in the morning since we cant really swing it on Thursday and to combine with the other district means to have the entire zone together. Then we worked in the office until it was time to take the departing missionaries to the airport. Elder Bul and I sat in the back of Presidents van with the departing and I felt at first like it was my time to go home. Home sick. Then we ran a few errands and went back to the airport to pick up the arriving, only to find out their plane was delayed by an hour. When it landed, one of the first person off the plane was a returning missionary, who ran straight to his parents in tears. Homesick again. But it was gone when the new missionaries got off the plane

I love getting to see the new missionaries arrive every six weeks. They are all so excited and energetic about the work. They all come from such diverse backgrounds so it is awesome to see how they are all here with the same purpose, to assist in the work of the salvation of men. We all sat in Thursday night when the trainers and trainees found out who their new companions were. And I realized how much I miss being a trainer and want to have the opportunity to train again. Training sick. Then that went away as the power wen tout and I went with the APs to turn on the generator for the mission home.

I had a headache Friday and Saturday, but that is easily cured when you are traveling and just sit in an air conditioned car for 6-8 hours a day. It was raining pretty hard in Cagayan and some areas there still don't have power since the typhoon two weeks ago. Elder M drove most of the way, since he now has his license. 

One last quick piece of news for this past week. We didn't get out to teach because of transfers, so i am sad that I have nothing new to report on those I teach. But we had an awesome service opportunity yesterday. It was MLC and President asked Elder Bul and I to come up with some parlor games for the Zone Leaders and Sister Trainer Leaders. That was so much fun. Everyone was laughing so hard. I will see if I can send some video, Especially of President Barrientos, who could not stop laughing. It was great. 

Once again that you for all of the prayers and support you give to all us missionaries around the world. Sorry this letter is a bit odd. It was an odd week. At least I didn't have dengue. It was a great learning time and I feel that I have come out of it better. Maraming salamat po ulit sa inyong lahat!

Elder RWood

Typhoon-1 Mitsubishi -0

Elder Wood sent this picture with his family email from the Typhoon the week of Halloween. This is the sign from the Mitsubishi car lot behind his apartment building.

BAGIO!! (11/4/13)

Dear Family and Friends,

It was a week never to be forgotten, mostly because of what happened on Thursday. It was Halloween, but it was a Halloween like I have never experienced before. Late Thursday afternoon, we had a Bagio move in. For those who don't know Tagalog we got hit by a typhoon. **Note from ABICE-NOT Typhoon Hiayan/Yolanda** And it was strong. It actually hit Laoag in the evening and I have never experienced wind so strong. The power went out Thursday night and didn't return until Friday around noon. It was rather difficult to sleep with the wind howling outside and throwing things around. We discovered Friday morning that the new Mitsubishi sign for the dealership being build next door got torn down by the wind. I am including a picture. The damage wasn't too bad here in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, but Cagayan got ripped by the storm. I traveled there Saturday to look at an apartment, and the damage there was bad. There were power lines lying the the fields, fields were flooded, houses and signs damaged everywhere. The biggest I saw was the damage to the arch at Lasam. It had been torn in half by the wind. I will include a picture next week. None of the missionaries were hurt, though some apartments have been flooded or damaged. President and Sister Barrientos were in Manila for the Mission Presidents Seminar with Elder Anderson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, so us and the APs were the only ones here in the office during the bagio. 

This week was full of work in preparation for the transfer. I looked at 5 apartments and signed one. There are so many changes being made this transfer. President is opening up new areas, including one that has not had missionaries assigned to it specifically yet. The work of the Lord is moving so fast now. We have 29 missionaries to arrive tomorrow and 5 departing. I wonder what will be the next step in hastening the work? Only the Lord and his Prophet and Apostles know, but we are all excited to see it when it comes. 

So we had even less time to work this week with lock downs, but as the Zone Leaders noted, somehow Elder M and I had more lessons than the last week. Two of our past lessons have been to Al, our recent convert mission home security guard. And he taught us. We lest him reading assignments about the Fall of Adam and Eve and then Life On Earth and after one question "What did you learn from the reading?" he taught us both lessons. He understands so well what he reads and he sees and understands how it all connects together, like how he connected our life on earth with the gospel of Jesus Christ last night. It is amazing how far he has come since we began teaching him. The Spirit has truly worked in him and in his family. Every night we come to the mission home, he is studying in the Book of Mormon and Preach My Gospel and Gospel Principles. We actually talked with his temporary replacement Sunday night, since Al had the day off. We gave him the restoration pamphlet and then left two other pamphlets and a Book of Mormon on a desk for him. he texted us around 10:15 and asked if he could take them. Next time he is here, we are going to teach him about the restoration. 

That is the greatest thing about being a missionary, seeing the lives of others change as they become converted to Jesus Christ and his Gospel. I have seen it in members, less actives, investigators, and so many people. God loves all of his children and has given the way for us to come to a knowledge of the truth and receive all the ordinances that we need to return to live with him. His hand has been at work since before the world was and it will until all his children are redeemed. That is why he sent his son, Jesus Christ, to atone. That is why he restored his gospel in the latter days. There is nothing sweeter than the love of God and there is nothing that has more to testify of it. The Spirit will testify to us all of the truth and that will become part of us. It is part of me that cannot be taken or separated from me.

Mahal kita! Kita Kits!

Elder RWood

4 Days, 4 Contracts (10/28/13)

Dear Family and Friends,

So this past week was not as bad as it seemed when I wrote last week. Elder P and I traveled all the way to Sta, Ana (the furthest area in the mission) and back on Wednesday and Thursday. We were doing mail drops and contract signing. Since we had to go all the way to Sta. Ana, we didn't arrive in Lal-lo until almost 7 in the evening. President doesn't want us to travel that far back at night, so we stayed the night in Allacapan with the Zone Leaders. We needed to get back to Laoag for district meeting though, so we  woke up at 3:30 and headed back. We got back to Laoag around 7 and had district meeting.

Later that afternoon, all four of us Office Elders traveled to Vigan to sign a contract. That was easy, since the owner of the apartment also owns 2 other apartments that we are renting for missionaries. We were in Vigan until late, since we went to the Hospital with some of the missionaries in Vigan to comfort a recent convert of the Sisters whose new born child had just passed away. I wont go into the details of the incident, but I will say that that hour in the hospital was one of the most spirit filled hours I have ever experienced.How blessed we are to have the restored Gospel in our lives. It is because of this that we know that there is a life after this life and those who pass on, whether young or old, are not lost but are now waiting anxiously to be reunited with their loved ones. And as for young children who die while still young, I only have to quote the words of the prophet Abinadi in Mosiah 15:25 "And little children also have eternal life" and the words of Mormon to Moron i in Moroni 7:22 "all little children are alive in Christ". Because of the Atonement of Christ, little children inherit the celestial kingdom. What a great comfort that is for those who must pass through such a trial! There will of course still be pain and sorrow, but Christ will take that if we let him. That is why he is our Savior, that is why he did all that he did. I know that with all my heart.

So in teaching news, the Sim family is on the course for marriage and baptism in December. The sisters in Laoag 1 ward are also working with two of their investigators towards marriage, in fact it is two investigators that I once taught. We had a meeting with Bishop Agustin, who will solemnize the marriages when the times come, and he instructed us on all of the things that we need to do to help them. It isn't to hard of a process, and we will be there with them to help them. Sister Sim seems to be more on-board this time then ever before, so we are positive that this time will be different.We are going to teach them later tonight since Tat was not there for our last lesson. We also just found out that one of our investigators is in Tarlac, but should be back next week.

Next week is transfer week, so everything is getting set for the increase of missionaries. There is going to be 24 new companionships, so we have a lot of work to do. It is going to be an eventful week. But nothing as tough as weeks that have come and gone. I love being part of this work. Keep it up with your own part in this work! Mahal Kita! Kita Kits!

Elder R. Wood

Certianty of Death, Small Chance of Success, What are We Waiting (part 2) (10/12/13)

Dear Family and Friends,

The title is a reference to this coming week and not to the past week. This past week was great. We had 9 new investigators, almost all of them found through our own efforts. The best of our new investigators though was a referral from the trainers and trainees during their Book of Mormon Placing activity a few weeks ago. After getting punted around on Wednesday, Elder M and I decided to give some referrals another try. One was Mar and when we texted and asked if we could come over, she said sure and we set for 6 pm. We arrived at 6 just as vehicle was pulling up to the house and a lady looked out at us and asked "Elder Wood?" It was a bit of a surprise but we went inside and started teaching. Turns out a few months ago Elder B and I talked with her and some of her employees during p day (one of her employees is a member). When she talked again with the missionaries a few weeks back, she could remember my name but not my face. So we are now teaching to them twice a week and she has a baptismal date for November 23. Just goes to show that the Lord blesses us for sharing the gospel anytime, in his own time and in his own way.

This coming week is going to be full of office work, hence the title of this email. I have to travel to both the north and the south and then do lots of finance work. The transfer is almost upon us again and this is going to be another big one. Tune in next time to hear more. I have been doing so much as a servant of Jesus Christ that I never expected to do. Driving, signing housing contracts, working at a computer. But just as President Barrientos is constantly reminding us, all of this is part of the work of salvation. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is no small thing and the Lord needs willing hands and hearts to move his work forward in every way possible. And that is the beauty of this work. No matter who receives what assignment the Lord is with them as they do his work. The scriptures, both modern and ancient are full of promises from a loving Heavenly Father to the laborers of his vineyard and all of them will be fulfilled. I have seen it in my service and there are countless other examples of it. As Elder Dube said in General Conference " Never look back. Look ahead at what we still have to do."

So in short, it has been a great week and the next one is looking up to be also. I love this work. I hope everyone had taken the messages from General Conference to heart and have set some goals and made plans to follow the teachings of the living prophet and apostles. There is one that has been mentioned by President Barrientos often in the past few days and that concerns Elder Ballard's talk. So I am going to leave this as my commitment to you all, to read or listen or watch his talk again and take his challenge. I promise you that as you do this the Spirit of the Lord will be poured out upon you and the way will open for you to take his counsel and challenge. Even if you do not see the way now, it will be opened for you. Mahal kita! Kita Kits!

Elder Ryne Warren Wood

(10/14/13)

Dear Family and Friends,

It has been a awesome week this past wee, one of the best in a while just due to the amount of proselyting we got to do. One of the things that made this week was Zone Training Meeting. We set some great goals for the month of October to help us meet the standards of excellence. One of them was 33 baptisms as a zone. There are 198 baptisms scheduled in the mission for the month November, so President Barrientos is really pushing all of us to get all of those goals turned into realities. Sadly, none of them are from Elder Morales and I, since we are just now starting to build up our investigator pool.

During ZTM we talked about doing more OYM (Open Your Mouth). For Elder M and i this has been a big thing that we have needed to improve one. We made a goal to find more people by talking to more people and it worked! One Thursday and Friday we went looking for our referrals and less-actives and we found so many people who are willing to listen to us. We have already started teaching a few of them. One of them is actually one of our referrals that we had contacted previously, but were unable to make a return appointment. I thought she looked familiar as we approached her house but i didn't make the connection till she told us her name. her and her husband are willing to listen, so we went back on Sunday. It was a good lesson, though unlike one I have ever taught before. There was also a missionary from a Pentecost Church there. At the same time. But we had something that he didn't have and that is the Holy Ghost to carry our message to the hearts of those listening. Leila was touched by the Spirit and accepted everything we taught. She also committed to read the Book of Mormon. We also set a return appointment with the Pentecost guy. Htat was a fun story to tell President and he got a kick out of it.

The best part of this week by far though was General Conference. This Conference was loaded with great talks, just as they all are. I agree 100% with what President Monson said about the Sunday Morning Session. President Barrientos did too, as he told us all to go straight out to work and use the sessions of Conference as our study time. It was that evening that we had the lesson with Leila. I especially loved President Utchdorf's talk during the Priesthood session about getting up when we fall. If there is anyone who has not yet read or hear that talk I recommend you do so. 

It really is a great blessing to have a living Prophet and Apostles on the Earth. That is one thing that I have really come to appreciate greater in this past week, both through conference and teaching. We have so much more peace and guidance in this world because of our knowledge and testimony about the restored gospel and all that it brings to our lives. Ansd as we follow these men who are called of God, we will be able to stand against all that comes in our way. I know that because I have experienced it.

Thank you for all you do. I want to encourage you all to review your notes on conference and the conference talks themselves. There is power in those words. Mahal Kita! Kita Kits!

Elder RWood

(10/7/13)

Dear Family and Friends,

Whew. Another week has come and gone in the Philippines Laoag Mission. And like most weeks, it has flown by and has been full of lots of work in the Office. I am still here. It has been a long time that I have been in the office and I still have a while to go. It is certainly a different experience here in the office than being out of the office. I love it though, especially the chance I get to serve other missionaries and work with President Barrientos.

We only had a few lessons this past week due to all of the work that has piled up in the office. One of the office Elders just had dengue, so we all had to rotate being in the office so that his companion could still get his office work done. We also did some traveling this past week, going to Vigan on Saturday to drop off furnishings at a new apartment for the new sisters there. Our mission currently has 199 missionaries and we are getting an increase of 25 in 4 weeks. man time has been flying so fast. I realized just a few days ago that I now have under a year left. That is such a crazy thought. 

WE did get one new investigator this week. His name is G. He was contacted by one of the trainers and trainees during their finding activity two weeks ago. They gave him a Book of Mormon, amd he has already read through 1 Nephi 7 and is probably even farther by now. He has a ton of questions for us and it was really tough for us to teach him when he is constantly throwing us questions. He asked a lot about the Book of Mormon, like why are Nephi and his brothers fighting each other a lot, why did Nephi have to kill Laban and why has he never heard of the Book of Mormon until he met the missionaries. We went to try to teach him yesterday, but he wasn't there. We will try again in the next few days and we have a set appointment with him for Friday. 

One of the things that I have come to love about missionary work is the opportunity to see my efforts come to fruit even when i am no longer in an area. I am still close to my first area and part of my old area, so I have been blessed to see the missionaries in those areas harvest. I have talked about P and F in Bacarra already, but there are a few more from here in Laoag that have just recently developed. Monique is being taught by the new sisters in our ward and is attending church and has a set baptismal date. Sister R attended in Laoag 1 ward for the first time this past week and has found a way to not work on Sunday. O is really into the lessons with the sisters and is reading and asking questions all the time. A missionaries and as members, we don't always know the extent of the results of our efforts to bring others unto Christ. But as we are doing the work of the Lord he has promised that our efforts will not be in vain. Imagine how many missionaries have taught and years later an investigator is baptized. how many home and visiting teachers have worked for years to help other return to the full blessings of the gospel they once enjoyed. It is my testimony that no effort in spreading the restored gospel is ever wasted. The Lord has his hand in his work and nothing can stop it. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen,

Thank you for all of your support and work. I am excited for General Conference and the chance to hear the words of our living Prophet and Apostles. Oh how blessed we are in these last days! Kita kits!

Elder R Wood

"He's only mostly dead" (9/30/13)

Dear Family and Friends,

Very first, my P-Day is now in Tuesday, so emails will now arrive on Tuesday and be read by me on Tuesday. This past week was transfer week and it was a crazy one. It was really weird to see Elder B, E H and Elder VB  pack up and leave on transfer day. I have been with them for 4 transfers now and we are close. But  the new office elders are great, so not too bad of an adjustment. I have been helping the three of them with their new duties, since they got just crash courses in their responsibilities. I guess it was a good thing that I enjoyed helping all of the office elders as well as doing my own work.

The financial world of the Philippines Laoag Mission is going well. As of today, I have signed contracts for two new apartments, given loans, done the month end report, paid for lots of stuff and still have loads to do! These past few days have been a but rough since one of the new office elders is sick. Luckily it isn't Elder M.  In this past week, all of the office staff including the APs and President have gotten sick, except for Elder M. For me, I got a sore throat thursday which then carried into Friday, when my voice was really hoarse and scratchy. Then I woke up Saturday morning and had no voice! I have never had that happen before and it is rough. I told President and Sister and when president called to check on me, I think he was surprised how bad it was. It's back now and I am healed up. There was a day where most of us were mostly dead.

It was a good batch that came in on Wednesday. There are lots of local Elders and Sisters coming in at this time and it is super awesome to see. They are all so full of energy and excitement it is contagious. As finance secretary there is a lot less that I have to do for incoming on transfer week. It all happens before transfer week.

I think I mentioned it in my last email, but the area I now work in is much smaller. President added sisters to Laoag 1 ward and they are working in the centro area that I used to. They are awesome sisters though and have already got the work rolling. I have mentioned in past letters about Mo, one of our investigators in centro. She is now being taught by the sisters and came to church on sunday! YEAH! It is so great to see the work of the Lord progressing through out the mission. we got a text from President Barrientos Sunday night that the mission had 101 baptisms in September. We are close to our goal of 1000 for the year. And this month is looking promising, I have already been asked to do two interviews for investigators of sisters in my district and around the world there are so many that are coming to Christ and entering the waters of baptism. I love this work.

For a quick spiritual thought, I have had the chance to study about the Atonement and the need for the Atonement. I love chapter two of James E. Talmage's Jesus The Christ, especially in connection with Alma 42. Christ is the only one who could preform the perfect and infinite atonement for all of the sons and daughters of God. he is our Savior and because of what he did all things that the Father hath are his. And he has made the promise that we will be joint heirs with him if we will believe on his name and follow his commandments. he loves us all and knows us all better than anyone except our Heavenly Father.

We just got back from traveling and are now ablt to do P-Day, so its time to close up. Mahal Kita!

Elder R Wood

Last Man Standing and a Typhoon (9/22/13)

Dear Family and Friends,

It's transfer day! And I am the only office Elder out of the four that have been here for 3 transfers that is remaining and I am now the finance secretary of the mission. Elder B, Elder VB and Elder H are all being transferred, the first two are now zone leaders and Elder H is a district leader and a trainer. One of our Assistants is also being transferred, Elder A and Elder T is our new  Assistant. He is my batch and was our first district leader in the MTC. The new office Elders are Elder M, Elder B and Elder P. Elder M is my new companion and the new supply manager, so he will take my place as finance when I am transferred. It is ironic since he was here a few transfers ago while waiting for his new trainee. 

I am now also the District leader of the Laoag 2 District and it is getting really big. One of the changes this transfer is that half of my area is becoming a sisters area. So there are now 8 missionaries in our ward. Our district has 14 missionaries in it. It is kind of ironic since 6 months ago the Laoag Zone was split since it was so big, but now both the zones it turned into are almost as big as the old one. There are so many new missionaries coming in right now. we have 28 coming Wednesday and then 30 in November. It will be interesting to see where all of them end up at. 

We weren't able to get much work in last week. Elder B and I have been preparing for me to take over and I have been doing the finance work since Thursday. We also traveled to Vigan this week to look at new apartments for the sisters down there, since that is one of the areas that is getting more missionaries. We were able to get in a few lessons with members. the M family (no relation to my new companion) has us over for a birthday party. One of the sons, whose wife is our recent convert, had his birthday and we shared a message with the entire family for the first time. 

There was a typhoon here on Saturday. It is the first time I have ever had that. the wind is crazy strong and the rain just pours down. Luckily it only lasted the one day and it wasn't to bad in Laoag. Up in Cagayan it got to signal 3, which is a pretty severe typhoon. I think they range them on a scale of 1-5, but I am not sure. All i know is it was bad enough that we were told not to go out and work. We did office work, though we had to fight through a few power outages. 

Well I am excited to get to start in my new responsibilities here in the mission. I know that the Lord will help me as I face this new transfer and I will be able to accomplish all that He needs me to. This is His work, the work of the salvation of men. He is the coordinator of all transfers, lessons, exchanges, incoming and departing, all of it is in His hands. That is why there is no force in this world that can stop the work. I know He is watching over all of His servants and over all of those who love him. Keep going with your work as member missionaries and the Lord will open doors for you. Thank you for all of the prayers you offer on the behalf of the missionaries. Mahal kita! Kita kits!

Elder R Wood

Here we GO!! (9/16/13)

Dear Family and Friends,

Whew what a week it has been. It has been a blur of action nonstop. One of the biggest things that has been happening is my training to become finance secretary for the mission. I am still not sure when I will take over, but is probably going to be in the next few weeks. Transfer day is next week and it is going to be a big one. We have 29 missionaries arriving, with over half of them being foreigners. There is still a lot of preparation that has to go in to getting ready for it and that is what this week is going to be used on. And Zone Conference. I am really excited for Zone Conference. We have been told to study in the scriptures and in Preach My Gospel about repentance, so I have a pretty good idea on what the topic will be. 

This past week has just been full of office work. I really miss being able to teach those who I hgave come to love in my service here in the Philippines Laoag Mission, but I know that the Lord is watching over them and will bless me and Elder Balbin as we perform the other labors that he has asked us to do. Elder A our Zone leader mentioned it at lunch today after zone activity that one of the things President tells the zone leaders is that the Office Elders are the engine of the mission. And we are constantly running on overdrive I can tell you that.

Once again our lesson count was low this week, but it all came to fruit this Sunday. We had Sister F and the A Family begin the process to go to the temple for the first time in December. YEAH!!!!!!!! Both are focus from the ward and both are being very proactive in working towards this goal. They have great motivation from family, since one of the A's daughters is getting sealed this December and Sister F's daughter in Denmark just received her endowment. The Lord has blessed us with great success among the less active members here and we are looking forward to more as we give of ourselves. The F family and the S family are also both attending church regularly now. And our recent convert Al will get the Aaronic Priesthood next Sunday. I love this work.

My time is a bit limited so this will most likely be a short one. We had a really fun zone activity earlier with both Laoag Zones at Marcos Stadium. We played capture the flag, ultimate frisbee and touch rugby. I know know how to play touch rugby so I need a rugby ball now. It was a blast and we needed the R&R in prep for this week.

Thank you for all that you do for all of the missionaries around the world. We feel your prayers for us and we appreciate the sacrifices you make for us. This truly is the Lord's work and he has entrusted it to us. It is our responsibility to do our best so that at the last day we can stand spotless before our Savior. This is his work and he will not let us fail. Mahal Kita!

Elder R Wood

LOTS OF PHOTOS (9/8/13)

Cape Bojeador

At Hannah's Resort

 

 

Elder RWood and Elvis

Elder B and Bro K (Ward Mission Leader) Yes it is still September

APs and Office Elders and Cape Bojeador Light House

Elder RWood at Cape Bojeador

Us and Hulk

 

Where to begin this week? (9/8/13)

Dear Family and Friends,

I am not even sure where to start this week. So much has happened in the past 7 days that I will run out of time before I will get it all out in this email. So pasensiya if this seems really scattered. So it all started on Tuesday with our work in centro Laoag. We has two amazing lessons with Monique and with Sister R. When we taught Monique, we got a very awesome surprise. We were teaching her about Gospel Dispensations and we asked her what prophet she knew of. She said the very first one that comes to mind is Joseph Smith. Whoah! She then explained that because of all the this Joseph had done he was a prophet. We were super excited and she has committed to baptism in October. We then taught Sister R about the Spirit world. she asked us last week about the terrestial kingdom, or why there are three places we can go. As we explained about the spirit world and the gospel being taught the the dead, I could see the Spirit working on her. She said she understood and is so grateful to have such a merciful Father in Heaven. We are hoping that will be a big help to her being baptized in October. The Spirit of Elijah is beginning to touch her already! 

Tuesday was travel! Elder B and I went to Santa Ana, the farthest area of the mission to sign a contract for a new apartment. That was a very long day. And then on Saturday we did it again, though this time with the APs ( E. O and E. A) and the other 2 office Elders. Also a long day. It was sad that we had to cancel appointments, but thanks to our awesome ward mission leader our investigators were still visted.

Thursday was ZTM and it blew me away. I gained so much insight on what I can do to become a batter missionary. Especially in finding new investigators, which is something that is hard for us in the office with limited proselyting time. I love having Zone Training Meeting Every month. Our Zone Leaders, Elder A and Elder P are so awesome. I have such great examples in my leaders. 

The next biggest thing that happened was today, which is the reason I am writing this at an abnormal time. we had P day with President and Sister Barrientos today and we went up north to Pagudpud. It is so beautiful there. I took tons of pictures and some are on this email. We have five cameras worth of pictures that we all have from this trip., One of the funnest parts was at the beach resort we stopped at to have lunch. The six of us office elders and APs started a game of sand volleyball and in less than 10 minutes had 6 other random strangers who joined in. That was a blast. It would have been nice to be able to share with them, but they all scattered after the game. 

So it has been a long week and the next one is going to be the same. We have transfers coming up in three weeks so we are continuing to prepare. we have almost 30 missionaries arriving. It is going to be so awesome. Thank you all for the prayers you offer for us missionaries. It really helps. There is nothing more powerful than the prayers of the righteous in helping accomplish the work of the salvation of men. Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah is a perfect example of that Because of the prayers of the righteous and his father, they were converted and became instruments in the hands of the Lord to help thousands come to a knowledge of the truth.  The Lord hears all our prayers and answers them all. Thank you again for all you do! Mahal Kita! 

Elder Ryne Warren Wood

Birthday Party Pics (9/1/13)

Cake

Cake, Elder RWood

Office Elders, Pres and Sister Barrientos

Pres Barrientos loved the party favors mom sent!!

Birthday Letter (9/1/13)

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you all for all of the Happy Birthday wishes! I have a couple of pictures attached from Thursday night when we went to Yellow Cab pizza to celebrate. That was a blast. That is one of the things that President and Sister do for the office Elders to try to ease the load of stress. Too bad for Elder VB he was on exchanges with the zone leaders in Bacarra, so Elder P got to join in the party.

It has been such an insane week. I realize that I most likely say that every week, but this week was more so than usual. Everything was pretty normal until Wednesday. President has been traveling doing interviews and he arrived on Wednesday. On Wednesday we were in flood lock down due to the rain. Lots of houses in Laoag got flooded, but luckily we didn't. We did office work and that was when the craziness started. I ended up picking up a sick missionary and taking him and his companion to the hospital, then Elder VB and I went to Vigan. The couple missionary finished their mission a few weeks ago and we need to get the furnishings from their apartment. But the truck had to go to Manila for repairs, so it had to be done that night. So we left for Vigan at 9 pm and got there around 10:45. With the help of the Elders in Vigan 2 we got everything out and where it needed to be and headed back. We got back around 3 am. So tired. I am still alive though.

This past week had its ups and downs on teaching. The biggest down was on Sunday. We went with Pres. Macanalay from the Stake Presidency to pick up E and R for Church. They had to go somewhere so they told us not this time. Then as we were driving away we got a text from them telling us that we don't need to come back again. They dumped us. E said her husband who is working abroad doesn't want her to keep listening to the message. As sad as it is, we have to respect their agency and just pray that when they have the chance again they will accept the invitation to be baptized. 

On the flip side, we had a couple of good lessons with Sister R and with the S family. Sister R committed to baptism on October 12, but we are still working to help her find a way to not work on Sunday, we have a few ideas, but we are still looking. We also had a great lesson with the S family yesterday. It was lead by our  ward mission leader, since the ward has added the family to our focus. It was all about the blessings of temples. I realized that it was exactly a year to the day that I received my endowment. I miss being able to go to them temple and look forward to the day when I can go again. I know that in the temple we are in the house of God. He has commanded his people to build temples so that we can do the needed ordinances for ourselves and for those who have gone on before. It is a great blessing and we should all show our thanks for it by attending as often as our situation permits. By the ordinances of the temple, we can become eternal families and what a blessing that is.

I hope everything is going well for everyone. I am very grateful for the prayers you offer for the missionaries. I helps us so much. Keep up the work in doing missionary work and helping move along the work of Salvation.There is no greater work than this!

Elder RWood

Why was he on the hood?!?!?! (8/25/13)

Dear Family and Friends,

Another week has come and gone and boy was it a crazy one. We did so much this week and so much happened that the week just flew by. And now it is P-Day again. 

It all started on Tuesday with a lockdown! It had been raining since Thursday, so the Area Presidency told all of the mission presidents to have all of the missionaries stay in doors due to flooding. Apparently a few missionaries got injured because of the flooding, but not here in the Laoag mission. We did office work and study all day so that we are now caught up from transfers. 

Wednesday and Thursday were spent moving apartments. We got 4 new apartments and we moved 6 companionships of sisters into 3 of them. On wednesday we started at 7 in the morning and ended about 9 30 in the evening. Then on Thursday we started at around 2 after district meeting and ended around 9 again. Whew those were a couple of long days. President and Sister Barrientos knew how tough it was, so they fed us lunch and dinner on Wednesday. 

On Saturday we traveled to Vigan to get the furnishings out of the apartment of the couple missionary that just went home. We discovered that the bed of the truck wasn't big enough for the stuff, so we were couldn't even take back half of the stuff. We also had a problem with the water heater, which turned out to not even be ours. We had lunch at 711 in Vigan. Yes they have them here and it was good and cheap. Like 2 liters of Mug Root Beer for 53 pisos. We then headed back up to cabugao and then off to home, we got in late again. 

Elder B and I had to go back to Cabugao yesterday to finish a few things and went to sacrament meeting there. The branch there is full of young people and families, which is something that I haven't seen in a while. WE got a shout out in sacrament meeting from the Cabugao Elders landlord. I found it very funny that the members were still staring at the white Elder despite having 3 white  Elders serving in the ward, including Elder Lynn.

Once again we had super low numbers again. We did have a great lesson with the S family last night. We talked about the pre-Earth life and discussed Abraham 3:21-25; 27-28. They are awesome but Nanay still has a obsacle for getting married and baptized that she is not yet willing to disclose. It is really bugging us. They have been investigating for over a year and Tatay is ready to be baptized and wants to get married so he can, but Nanay is sill stuck. Please pray for them. They understood the lesson well, and they remember alot since it is probably the third or fourth time that they have been taught it.

We have interviews with President this week and hopefully we can get interviewed this time. We also have the cooking activity as part of interviews again and we are all excited for it! Thanks for the prayers and the thoughts and emails. It really helps to hear from all of you and while I am not as good about replying as I should be i'm trying to get better. God bless you all! Mahal Kita!

Elder RWood

 

11 months (8/18/13)

Dear Family and Friends,

We just made it through another transfer week. It always feels so good to make it to the end of the busiest week of the transfer and look back and think "We have six weeks till we do it again". This Transfer was a bit more hectic since there was a group coming from Provo who had their flight canceled so they can in a day late. So instead of staying here for one night they stayed two. IT's always super fun to see the new missionaries arrive. And this time I actually knew one of them from before the mission, Elder O. 

From Thursday to Sunday it was raining. Non-stop. IT was crazy. Elder B and I traveled to Vigan on Saturday to look at new apartments and it was flooding all over Ilocos Sur. President Barrientos advised the missionaries that if there was flooding in our area to stay in the apartment. Luckily, not much flooding around Laoag City, so we were able to get in some teaching time. Not much, but it is better than none. 

On Thursday, I had quite a bit of study time while waiting to help out with the new missionaries. I decided to study Elder Oaks talk "The Challenge to Become". It was amazing! I have read it before, but this time I got so much more out of it. With the new standards of excellence and the call of exact obedience, I have been looking studying a lot about repentance, as it applies to missionary work. One thing I got last time I studied was how repentance is the process by which we change our selves to become what our Heavenly Father intends us to be. And then in reading Elder Oaks talk, that was driven home for me. That is the entire purpose we are here on Earth, to become what he is. We could have been taught everything he knows, but without a body and the chance to choose for our selves, none of that knowledge would be worth anything. This is the time for us to become as Him, and for us to do that he has given us a Savior, even Jesus Christ. This is the greatest showing of our Heavenly Father's love for us. With out Christ, we cannot  make it back to Heavenly Father. He is central to God's plan. He lives and loves us. He knows every sorrow, care and fallen moment because he atoned for all of them. I know this with all of my heart.

I hope all is going well for everyone in everything that is going on in their lives. Keep on relying on God for help and he will lead you. Keep on seeking his guidance and help his kingdom move forward. There is no greater work to do. Mahal Kita! Kita Kits!

Elder RWood

Let me guess. We're about to over a huge waterfall (8/11/13)

Dear Family and Friends,

Transfer week is upon us once again. Where does the time go. It was only six weeks ago that I said that last time. And this time it is going to be even more fun! We are currently on lock down due to a signal 3 typhoon that is headed for the mission. The only reason I am sending this now is that I am in the office while Elder B does some office work President Barrientos needs him to do. If the typhoon carries into tomorrow

There are lots of changes happening in the mission and we are all excited! There is so many new missionaries coming that we are having to find places to put all of them. Especially with the increase in sisters. There are several new apartments opening and lots of missionaries moving around. The work of the Lord is moving forward faster and faster everyday and we are all part of the wave if we will except the call to serve in whatever way the Lord needs us.

We had ZTM this past Thursday and it was great. The new standards of excellence were introduced and we got new standards cards. Lots of eyebrows went up when the missionaries saw the new standards of excellence. It is really going to test our faith and make us work and it is going to bring results. And it is possible through exact obedience and faith. President Barrientos has a favorite saying that he has been using over the past several weeks. "When the work becomes harder our prayers become more sincere." It is very true. We pray harder for the Spirit to be poured out upon us and those we are helping. We pray more sincerely to lose ourselves in the work. We repent more sincerely so that we can become exactly obedient. That is one thing that our Zone Leaders talked bout that really hit me was the connection between exact obedience and repentance. Repentance really is central to all that we do as missionaries. We cry repentance so that others can know how to access the Atonement of Jesus Christ and be forgiven of their sins. We invite them to act so that they can feel that power and they apply what they learn.

We didn't get much teaching time this week unfortunately. We did try to teach O and S, but instead we ended up helping them move. They are still in our area though. I really do miss getting to teach, but the Lord has other tasks that he needs done also and he has asked some to sacrifice to accomplish those.

Time to close up. Lots still to do. Keep on smiling press forward. Mahal Kita!

Elder RWood