If you do a u-turn, I will catch you.(6/9/13)

Dear Family and Friends,

Don't you hate that moment where you go to start writing something, but then don't know ho to start. Yeah I just had that. So it has been a week. I always feel like there is so much to write about yet when I get to the computer I don't know what to say. So I'll just start off with the best part, the Ilayat Family baptism! Alex Ilayat, the mission home security guard and his family were baptized in Batac on Saturday. That is about a 30 minute drive south of Laoag and President Barrientos let Elder B, Elder VB, Elder H and I drive down. Elder B was the baptizer so it was important. I attached a few pictures. It was great. There were 10 missionaries there due to exchanges that the Batac sisters were having, and there were lots of ward members. It all went smoothly until....

The font! It turns out that Al's 8 year old son is scared of water. So it took about 20 minutes to get him baptized. He would not let go of Al or the hand rail, but it all worked out. Elder B finally just picked him up and they both went under.  Al and his wife Cl have very strong testimonies which they shared after the ordinance. Then the Bishop of the Batac ward talked. I have met him before. He works as a Land Traffic Office Traffic Enforcer. Not some one you mess with. He talked about enduring to the end. He said " Now that you are in the path that leads to eternal life, go straight. Don't turn left, don't turn right and if you do a u-turn I will catch you." Everyone grinned at that, and we all got to see his teeth. His front top six teeth are all gold, silver or have some sort of shiny metal inlaid  in them. 

It is very true what he said though. There can be no turning once we are on the path that leads back to Heavenly Father. After we have entered the gate at baptism, it is a direct path back to out Heavenly Father if we will just continue to press forward. WE are given the gift of the Holy Ghost to help us on the path, as well as prophets, apostles, family, friends, teachers and so many more. Heavenly Father knows exactly what each of his children need to get back to him and he has and will give it to us. He loves us so much and if we remember that, and all that he has done for us, nothing matters more than getting home. 

The baptism was the biggest event of the week. We finished off Mission Leader Council, and had lots of errands to run later in the week. Always on the move as an office elder, though never in the way that we expect. I love being able to serve other missionaries though. I know that the Lord blesses all of his servants, no matter what their responsibilities are. I know that he will bless all of you as you do what he asks of you. I gotta run again. Mahal Kita! Mabuhay kayo lahat!

Elder RWood