Did you see those Huns? They just popped out the snow. Like daisies! (5/18/2014)

Dear Family and Friends,

Hmm. Where to begin for this past week? I guess with the best part of the week and of every week, the Work! Elder R and I were working hard this week to hit the standard of 32 lessons. We were close with 29, but the numbers don't mean much in comparison with the people that we taught and invited to come unto Christ. First of is MJo, who passed her baptismal interview yesterday and is going to be baptized on May 24. She is super ready and Elder D was really impressed during the interview with her. Well, she was coming to church and reading to Book of Mormon on her own before we ever met her. It is funny when we follow up on her reading and she basically says everything we were going to teach her or asks a question that is exactly what we were going to share. She is also referring lots of people to us, friends, family every one.

People have also began to refer themselves to us though members. The people who live around MJo and the Da family (Active Members), keep asking them if we can teach them too. We now have many baptismal dates in that area and 6 of our investigators from there came to church on Sunday (2 before we had even met them). They all just came in a group and loved it. One of them, CC, who we met last Sunday, just asked if we can move her baptism forward. We may consider it if she keeps coming to church. The Da family is really helpful also. Bro. Da is the second counselor in the branch presidency and he comes with us several times a week and they have also opened their home for us to teach there. June is going to be a big month in Gonzaga.

A few sad things that happened this past week. Two of our recent converts just moved for unknown amounts of time. We  have heard from different sources that they will be gone for at least a year, but we have had no sure word from them. One of them just moved in to the APs area in Laoag and Elder T told me that they are going to teach her and try to figure out if she will be going back to Gonzaga soon. The other one went to Bicol on vacation, but now may stay there to finish school. One of our investigators is also getting ready to join the military, so his progression has basically halted. I know that the Lord is looking out for them and will continue to provide the way for them to progress.

Well that is about all for this week. Nothing very out of the ordinary has happened in a while. Which is a big surprise, since here in the Philippines odd things always happen. It is really beautiful here. Almost every night we see lightning storms of in the east and we almost always get to see the very beautiful sunsets. Yesterday I read Alma 30, and I love the part where Alma cites all of creation as evidence that God exists and loves his children. I know that that is true and that all creation happened for one purpose, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. I know that we have a Heavenly Father, who every action is because he loves us. He sent his Son Jesus Christ to atone for our sins so that we may return to him. The way has been provided, but it is up to us to walk that way by obedience to the gospel. I know that the blessings of the gospel exceed our comprehension and that one day we will truly understand all that God does and we will all exclaim, "My God how great thou art!" Keep up the work you are doing and always look for ways to give more! Thank you all for your prayers and support!

Love,

Elder R Wood