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