Loren's Friday Letter & Pictures!

Loren and roommates.
Loren's district.
Loren and companion, Elder Thorn


Dear Family,
It's great to hear from you!
Brendan, Wow! If I got 4 shots in my leg, I'd ask for 2 suckers.
Landon, Thanks for the joke! Happy St. Patrick's day to you too! Guess what--there's no snow here. In fact, this morning when we walked to the temple, workers were mowing the missionary field. My favorite thing to do here (well, maybe) is go to gym, and I really hope they let us play outside soon. Elder Thorn and I are sitting outside now, in flip-flops and short-sleeved shirts behind the Woodruff building by the statue of the elders riding bikes. It's one of my favorites.

Rachel, This language is really cool. Here are some especially cool things: When you want to get someone's attention in the Philippines, you can make a kissing sound, and they might hiss/tss as well. They don't point with their fingers, they point with their lips and say diyen (there) or do on (way over there). Also, when they want someone to come, they put out their hand with the palm down and wag their fingers toward their palm. When they don't understand or want you to repeat, they open their mouth. Our teacher just got back from the Philipinas, and he still does all of that. How are you? Be sure to tell me all about the spelling bee next week!

Lindsay, Are you still working out in the mornings? My roommates were really impressed when I showed them "warrior 2" and "upward dog." After sitting down all day my back hurts and those stretches feel really good.

Sarah, How is tennis coming? I bet you can beat dad right now, right? Guess what? Every Wednesday and Sunday here it's all-you-can-eat BYU creamery ice cream, with so many toppings that by the time I get through the line I sometimes forget there's ice cream under it all. I can't believe you're driving! And without any good backseat drivers until September. Tell me all about Honor Choir please! I am hoarse most of the time because we sing so much. Twice a week I get to participate with the MTC choir, every Tuesday night we perform at the Quorum of the 70/12. It's AMAZING. We got to sing with Elder Ballard here. I'm learning to love singing. My favorite is singing the prelude hymns on Sundays and Tuesdays before devotionals with all the missionaries. The Spirit is so powerful. We also sing as a district 2-4 times a day in Tagalog, and believe me, it's hard to concentrate on words like Kailangan ko kayo (I need thee) and hit the right notes at the same time. Good luck with geometry and it's good to hear from you.

Dad and Mom (Tatay at Nanay),
You'll have to keep me up on home teaching, I'm sure it will be good for Jack (Shaun's new home teaching companion). I think the language is coming. . .but it is a struggle. In Chapter 7 of Preach My Gospel it talks about the gift of tongues and how it only comes after struggling and giving all I've got, so I've been trying. I've come to realize that a lot of it is on my shoulders -- going to class is not nearly enough. Thankfully, Elder Thorn is very bright and he is picking up on this language very quickly. He and I SYL (speak your language) together often. In fact, at mealtimes it's a goal to magtagalog lang, and we've been doing it pretty consistently. I realize that nothing short of a miracle can help me learn the language in such a short time, but that's exactly what the Lord has promised. At our Thursday appointments we go to a building called the Teaching Evaluation Center, and they bring in all sorts of Tagalog speaking volunteers to be the investigators. At first I could only pick out a few words, but my comprehension is improving -- sometimes I have to ask paki-ulit (please repeat) or dahau-dahan po (slower please) but it is exciting when they say something like -- Naramdaman (feel) ko (I) na (that) toto (true) ang(is) Alelat ni Mormon habang (while/during) panalangin (prayer) ko (my). Or bumasa (read) mo(I) tankol(about) koy Cristo(Christ) sa (in) pangatlong (3rd) Naphi kabanata (chapter) labing (11) isa. -- And I can understand. It's still very basic. During our conversation on Thursday the "investigator" Sam asked how many members there were in the church house and I missed part of it because I thought he asked how many siblings Elder Thorn had. I got really confused when my companion said "about 150" and it took me a while to jump back in to the conversation. This Thursday is the last time we'll teach a lesson in English.

I've realized more than ever how important it is to have the spirit during the lesson. It makes all the difference, and preparation, humility, and obedience all play into how the lesson goes. There have been a lot of highs and lows, especially in the Referral Center. I have really gained a testimony that the Lord is at the helm as far as missionary work in the RC goes. Some people have really been prepared. It amazes me how many people I talk to are honestly looking for something more spiritually, and how they're needing a miracle, or comfort, and it's exciting to be able to say -- and honestly say --that we've got answers to their questions and testify and ask if we can send the miracle/comfort/answers that is the Book of Mormon with some representatives of Christ straight to their doorstep. I've noticed that when I have an eternal perspective about the people I'm talking to it's so much easier to talk to them.
Mahal ko kayo,
Elder Loren Peck