Don't Sleep through the Restoration! (4/14/14)

Dear Family and Friends,

Another General Conference has come and it was amazing! I realized on Saturday while eating lunch between sessions that this is my last General Conference that I will watch as a full time missionary. When October Conference comes, I will miss both the live in the USA and rebroadcast in the Philippines. I decided that I will download it and listen to it on the flight home. 10 hours of Conference! This was such an uplifting and inspiring conference. We are so blessed to live in the time of the ongoing Restoration. We have a living prophet and apostles on the Earth who receive the word of God through revelation and then teach and guide the world toward the Savior. I know that all of the messages that were shared were from our Heavenly Father and each one has doctrines and principles that we all need.

This week has been a good week of work in Buguey. Elder D and I have been working hard to try to hit the standard for the week. We fell a bit short, 6 lessons, but it was the most lessons that we have had in a week this transfer. Transfer week is next week and one of us may be transferred, so this coming week is going to be packed! We have exchanges with the district leaders in the Zone and have lots of lessons planned. We have 17 investigators that we are preparing for baptism in May. Including El. We are getting so close to resolving his concern! He asked us a question in our last message to him that really showed us that his heart is softening. He asked us why the Book of Mormon prophets teach about the Savior as Jesus Christ before he was born. Yes! When we begin to teach him the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Spirit will change his heart and show him the truth. 

D is also doing really well. She is still being taught by the other church, but we have begun to teach her the Plan of Salvation and she is learning much that she never knew before. I have seen the power of the message that we as missionaries carry to the world in her, El and so many others. One insight that I gained our of General Conference was how beautiful and perfect the massage that we share with the children of God are. The Message of the Restoration, the Plan of Salvation and the Gospel of Jesus Christ combined with the commandments are the perfect weave and combination to bring others unto Christ. There is no one message that we share that will change others. Conversion comes as others learn and apply all of the doctrines of the gospel to their lives. I love how simple and beautiful the truth is! 

Another investigator that I will briefly mention is Ro, who is 14. He and his brother were part of a group of boys we taught a few weeks back. Ro is very receptive and is preparing for baptism in May. He is also helping one of our recent converts become less shy and recognize the things that she learned before baptism. N is also progressing, as well as H, who I talked about last week. The Lords hand is moving powerfully in Buguey, Cagayan.

I have felt the great joy that is promised to faithful missionaries in the letter we received from the Prophet when I was called. It was really amazing on Thursday and I loved it. We were walking home from our recent converts and as I looked into the clear night sky with the moon and stars casting their light to the world, I could feel Heavenly Father's love filling my whole soul. It was describable . Then We ran into one of the investigators of Elder D and Elder M. He is progressing well and wants to serve a mission. He fellowshipped for us the next day also. Seeing hte joy in his life that comes from the gospel of Jesus Christ just topped off my joy/ While life as a missionary is certainly not easy and not perfect, it is such a great blessing, privilege and responsibility.

Thank you for all of your support and prayers for us missionaries. We need them, we feel them and they are answered. I know that is true. Jesus Christ is the Savior and he Atoned for our sins. Easter is coming and let us remember what he did for us. He lives and is our Redeemer. I know that with all I am. Mahal kita!

Love,

Elder Ryne Warren Wood