And then there was a flaming rat... (3/10/14)

Dear Family and Friends,

It has been a crazy busy week. We had ZTM then exchanges and then weekly planning then church and then... the week was over. Time just flies by so fast when you have so much to do. I am happy to say that Elder D and I accomplished our goal of having more lessons this week than the last week we had MLC. We had 15, as compared to the last time of 13. High scoring baseball game. And now it is transfer week and for the first time in a long time, it doesn't effect me personally! There are 5 transfers in our zone though, including one new Sister Training Leader and a new District Leader.

We have made some good progress with our investigators this week. Since our time was a bit limited we really focused on those with baptismal dates that are coming up. We re-extended a baptismal date to N, since she had missed church for the past few weeks. We applied the training from MLC and really focused on the doctrines of Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy and Repentance. It was a great lesson and she committed that she would keep the Sabbath day holy for the rest of her life. We also reset the baptism for Ju and Mas, since they are having a bit of trouble keeping the Sabbath day holy. When we talked to Ju about it, he said he didn't realize that that was part of his preparation of baptism. He said he is going to keep it holy from now on. He had a relapse and smoked 2 cigarettes Saturday, but he told us and then he gave us his remaining sticks to throw away. They are now going to be baptized on the same day as their nieces. 

We found a great new fellowshipper this week. Jo, our recent convert worked with us yesterday afternoon and he loved it. His testimony is very strong and he loves to share it. He told us that he is also excited to share the gospel with more of his friends. He just got the Aaronic Priesthood on Sunday and is excited to keep working with us. He is very converted to the Gospel and he really wants to help others have the same experience.

Just as a quick side story, I went on exchanges this week to the farthest area in the mission, Sta. Ana. At night when I was showering, I heard the 3 Elders running around and shouting. They then told me not to come out of the shower yet. So I waited a bit and then they said it was good to come out. They changed their minds as I opened the door and I saw why. On the floor out side the bathroom was a line of fire, leading to a flaming rat. Not my preferred method of extermination, but I guess it works for a rat that big (almost 6 inches long).  

I just wanted to share my testimony with everyone about how the Lord really knows each of us individually and knows how to help us. The help will most likely not come in the form that we expect, but it will come. He knows better than we do, for his thoughts and ways are higher than ours. We do not comprehend all that he does, but He loves us and will do what is best for us. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us and had created a perfect plan of us to gain eternal life. If we will do what he asks of us, we will make it back to him. Mahal ko kayo lahat! 

love,

Elder Ryne Warren Wood