Only the begining of the adventure.... (2/10/13)

Dear Family and Friends,

As of now my training as a new missionary is over. This transfer is actually not an eight week transfer like everyone thought it was, it's only six. I just got the transfer list. Elder O is being transferred to Candon and I am going to be staying in Bacarra and training. I will get my new companion on Friday and until then my temporary companion is Elder R. He is one transfer ahead of me, so I met him in the MTC. He's an awesome missionary and I am excited to get to work with him, even if it is only for a few days until we get our trainees. It's crazy to think that I have reached the end of this phase of my mission. I know that there is still lots to come and I have tons to learn still. I am grateful to the Lord for providing me with the opportunities to learn that I have had so far and look forward to learning and growing more.

Transfers aren't the only changes that are going on here in the Laoag Philippines Mission. We just got a new schedule that President Barrientos has been directed to give to us. It gives us more time in companionship study to plan for the lessons we are going to teach. It actually gives us extra hours n Sunday too to work, which is great because there seems to be a lot of people who are only available on Sunday. There have also been some slight changes to some of the standards of the mission, though nothing to extreme. I am excited to have this opportunity to be obedient and improve through the inspired guidance of President Barrientos.

As for the work, it is going great in Bacarra. We have two baptisms scheduled for the 23 of February, both Iv and Sh. Sh was supposed to be baptized this coming Saturday, but his mom is not currently willing to give her consent. We have been praying and know that the Lord will provide the way for him to be baptized. One of his cousins is on the stake high counsel and said he is going to talk with his aunt about it. We had to postpone P's baptism for a few weeks, since he is still struggling with the word of wisdom. He has gone for a while without smoking and we fasted with him on Sunday. I know that the Lord can help him overcome this obstacle.

On Saturday, Elder O and I went out to Libtong, a barangay where we actually have a bunch of investigators. We taught three of them, and one specifically stood out to me. V, whose wife died last October of cancer. When we first met him we taught him about the plan of salvation and he was really interested. This time we taught about the Restoration through Joseph Smith and talked about having a living prophet. I showed him the picture of the general authorities from a conference magazine and he looked at it very intently. It was a great opportunity to testify of God's love for us as manifest in having a living Prophet. He kept the picture and treated it very carefully and respectfully. He has been very prepared to accept the message of the Gospel and I can't wait to see him receive the saving ordinances and have the work done for his wife.

Well, as Elder O's last request we got to do shopping here in Laoag so I've got to run. Thank you for all of your prayers and support. Remember that we are all part of this the Lord's work. Mahal Kita!

Elder Ryne Warren Wood