(1/7/14)

Dear Family and Friends,

So it is now 2014 and it came in with a BANG! Even more so than last year, since this year I was closer to the fireworks and actually knew what was coming. There were fireworks right in front of the apartment  and from the in-progress Mitsubishi dealership next to our apartment. There were also people driving in their tricys up and down the street shouting. I picked a bad title for the email last week, since I did almost see a person blow his foot off with a firework. It is sad to hear all of the stories for the madness that happens here. Gilbert, one of the recent converts in the ward who is the head nurse at the hospital in Laoag told us about some of the cases that he saw and even worked with in the emergency room. That is why we have to be in early and keep distance from the fireworks and stuff. They are still lighting them off in some places.

So we had a rocking week this week in inviting others to come unto Christ, It started on Monday night when we met Sister F's nephew, Ju. He is from Elder S's last area in Ilocos Sur and was just here on vacation. We started teaching him on Monday and we committed him to read from the Book of Mormon. He did, so on Wednesday we committed him to read from the Book of Mormon again and to pray and ask God if it is true. He did and he told us about his experience on Friday. We then invited him to be baptized, but didn't give him a date since he is from Cabugao. Saturday morning though, we got a text during personal study from Sister Fernandez. She said that Jun had told her that he wanted to be baptized that afternoon. I know right! As much as we would have loved to be missionaries like in the 1830s, the Area Presidency has set Standards for Baptism and it includes attending church 4 times and receiving all the lessons. We taught him again about the importance of preparing for baptism and committed him to pursue baptism in Cabugao. He has been well prepared by the Lord and we are praying that the Elders in Cabugao will be able to follow up with him and help him make that sacred covenant.

The other amazing miracle of this week happened Sunday night. We were walking through Buttong heading to teach the Sim's when Elder S called out to a man washing dishes on his balcony. We started talking with him and he invited us up. he and his wife live with a bunch of their children and their families. We started getting to know them all and one of the sons began to gather all of his siblings to meet us. We got to teach them and that is 3 new families. I know that the Lord is preparing people all over the world to receive the Restored gospel, and the easiest way for anyone to find them is to simply open their mouths. They do not know the truth only because they know not where to find it. That is why we have all been placed on earth at this time, to help others find the path that will lead to eternal life. We like Lehi have tasted of the fruit of the tree of life and we want others to partake of it as well. The gospel will bring the greatest blessing possible to those who receive it. Find them!

I have made a lot of resolutions for this New Year. how about all of you? During district meeting Elder P trained on setting and achieving goals. It motivated me to make some changes and to begin to set better goals and make better plans. I agree 100% with what Elder Ballard says about goals setting, that that is how we can achieve our potential in life. I realized that setting goals for personal improvement is a part of repentance. Repentance is a process of changing to become, so we must change and that takes effort and time. With goals and plans set and made with our eternal progression in mind, we can receive the help of a loving Heavenly Father in using the Atonement of Christ to become. I know that we are all God's children, created in the image of the Only Begotten Son and we are loved more than we realize. Remember that always and let that drive you to become better. I know that God is with us. Mahal kita!

Elder Ryne Wood