June 4: Many questions

Our zone is doing better than ever and I attribute it to the blessings of the Lord showering down because of the obedience and diligence of the missionaries here. If I did not have such immediate plans after the mission, I would surly extent. It just kills me how fast time does. I actually have not needed to worry about it much nor think about it. Whenever someone asked I would just say in an unconcerned manner, "Matagal pa iyan! Huwag nating pagusapan!" (That's a long time still! Let's not talk about it.). Then, Elder Sutcliffe worked in my area on Monday and now all my investigators and almost the entire ward, both wards. I was not too happy about that and I was not upset either. It just means I have more to deal with now. We now have an avalanche of dinner appointments, with more to come. I was worried I might get distracted a few weeks ago, but I have never been so focused and enjoying the work. The work is really taking off.

Cathy Mercado is back from the province where she when for refuge while being disfigured by chickenpox. She has a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon and will continue her baptism although her mother opposes. We followed up on her reading for those two weeks by text.

We have finally heard from Joy. After failing the CPA exam she apparently took it really hard. She texted Che Cacho, her member friend, this message: "I'm so weak. I thought I was brave now… I have to find myself. Please give my apology to the elders". We will be baptized. We just hope it is sooner rather than later. We have other ward members texting her as friends so she will come back.

Last Saturday, we had felt that our area really needs to improve so we wanted so good new investigators. I just had a good feeling that day as we went out. We returned to a house that Elder Acob had talked to the previous day, while I was on exchanges and no one was home. But then a nearby man standing outside his house caught our attendtion. He was happy to talk to us and explained that his daughter-in-law is a member. He introduced us to her (Girlie) and left, but we ended up teaching her husband, Ernie Ranola, who came to church the next day and will now be baptized at the end of the month.

Jade had progressed amazingly and will be baptized on Saturday with Maria Flor (deaf). He is already talking about going on a mission. We also commited the daughter of Kathy (both deaf) named Kaye to baptism last night.

I am most excited about Lloyd Cacho, the younger brother of Shayne (recently baptized) and Che. A few weeks ago, he came back from the Middle East after working there, attended sacrament meeting and then was just not interested. Well, he joined in the YSA Conference and was ready for baptism when he got back. He is already so dedicated. "I don't have class for another month so you can teach me everyday", is what he said. He really is trying to learn all he can. This can sort of be a problem when some members tell him about outer darkness and he does not even understand our purpose in life (we have not even began to teach the Plan of Salvation).

I just love this work so much and cannot think to stop now. I arranged dinner with President and Sister LeSueur that first Wednesday night. I will probably attend church in Bictan (3rd area) Sunday morning and then return to University Ward (current area) Sunday afternoon. There are two other areas in the mainland (meaning not Palawan) that I need to visit. I may also want to do some shopping. I really don't know. What do you think? I don't know what clothes I have when I go home. Can you bring a few really special gifts from Saipan I can give away as remembrance to people I have seen baptized? Something that I can put my name on and then some other smaller gifts. I will not worry about any computer swap until I return from Cebu, but hopefully you are talking and making plans about that. You may already be planning for a replacement Tyler. I still don't have the number of Bishop Awitt. Have you talked to him? Where will we be staying? Who all is coming? I know where we can get a native nativity set mom. Do you want me to order that now? Would plans do you have? Pictures, shopping, site seeing, business stuff? Let me know.

What are your plans for the first few days? Can you buy a cheap cell phone and a GLOBE sim card so we have a cell phone to use? I will be making a lot of calls and plans that first day. (You may want to number the questions and answer them one by one, sorry.)

Next week is my last email. Wow, I just realized that. Oh, how time flies. I love you all so much and truly love this work. I am excited to see you.