More Miracles!

Dear Family:
Here's some of my study that I included in my report.
"I love the work, but I'm not perfect at it. This thought gave me some anxiety the past few days, but a recent personal study gave me a real lift --
In the last chapter of 2 Nephi, the prophet bids us farewell. In the previous chapter, he ends his writing of an incredible revelation from the Lord, about Baptism, the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the end. And Faith. The principles of the gospel. As he finishes his writing, I was touched as I felt very powerfully of Nephi's love for his people. He writes that he was grieved that the spirit told him to end his writing; that his tears watered his pillow by night because of his people, and that he prayed for them continually. I had to ask myself if I had that kind of love for our investigators. I definitely feel at least a part of what Nephi did. Nephi mourns because he feels his writing is weak. That got me too! That's how I feel too! The spirit comforted me as I read on, where Nephi says that he knows -- not just hopes -- he knows that his words will be made strong because they teach men to do good. I'm doing all that I know how. I pray that like the words of Nephi, my efforts, though weak, may be made strong by the power of the Lord. I recieved great comfort the past few days from the Lord through the scriptures and in my prayers. A serene feeling of peace."
-- that feeling has been keeping me running. Heavenly Father really knows what we need, and for me this week, it was a simple feeling of pure peace.

I am so happy for Nathan! I need an address for him. Nate! The mission is way better than anyone ever told me! I wish we could be companions. Seriously, I mean -- the sons of Helaman got to be companions every few transfers. Chris, Dan, wouldn't that be the best?

I love you all!

I got a ton of letters this weekend -- including one more from Great Grandma Peck. Letters for the fam and for grandma are on their way. I picked up the camera equipment, I'll endeavor to send one card home soon.
You can tell Grandma and Grandpa Swan/ Grandma Peck that we ate with the couple missionaries this afternoon, and I couldn't help but think of them. It's so comforting to have them close by, they feel like you, grandparents! There's nothing like that great homemade food! The couple lives just down the street, and mom, they told me to give you their email in case you need something or . . . something like that.
My new area is a little place called ANDUAS. It's a tiny part of CABANATUAN CITY, in NUEVA ECIJA province. We house with the zone leaders, and our area is far from our apartment, so we always have to take a trike. It's a spendy 30 cents each, every ride -- don't laugh! That's big money! In Capas I stayed well under $20 weekly, that includes electricity and water in the apartment, but now things might get expensive. The house is nice, pretty big, but it's got some quirks. I'll be ready to go pro at "manual toilet flushing" in a week or two. One of the zone leaders in the house is the trainer of my trainer. They are inspiring examples.
I'm making progress in the language. I can understand just about everything -- but speaking well is still a bit tricky. I'm now a "co-senior" and I'm feeling a little bit more of the burden -- teaching, decision making, everything. I've had butterflies and worries, but it's been easier to handle after that study I mentioned earlier.
Happiness comes from obedience. That's so true. Confidence, everything. Like in John 15:1-16 -- you've got to hook up to the source of power through obedience in order to operate and obtain fruit.
I miss the Zamora family, and the Capas investigators, -- SO MUCH! I love them. In the last week, Brother Zamora took a new job in a different place, and was just going to sleep there. I bid him farewell on Monday, it was tough. On tuesday, we brought a member to teach Sister and Daughter, and after a few minutes, Brother (in his fifties) popped out from behind a corner and surprised us all! We all had a great laugh, and he said he couldn't sleep becuase the other workers were drinking. I was so happy to see him. On the second to last night, after the lesson, at their request, we blessed their daughter, Carla, who had been fevering off and on for a week. We closed their big windows, and with an amazing spirit powerfully present, blessed Carla that she would be healed. I thought of my setting apart blessing, that there would be ability to call down power from heaven. It was a powerful moment. We quietly left, but I know the spirit lingered with them. The next night we bore our testimonies, and that was a sweet feeling. They pulled out some pizza, and we spent our last few minutes talking with them. Leaving that house, I felt very seriously that I was leaving my heart behind. I didn't know if I could do it. It was like parting with you all again. I won't be able to bear it if they don't continue on. I pray for them -- they've got to make it. I need to see them again, and eventually, I've got to see them as a family, in the celestial kingdom. That would make me happier than anything. I love them so much.

Well, now I'm crying in a busy and noisy internet cafe. I can't help it. This is a wonderful experience. It's hard too, but a lot more wonderful than anything else. I love you all so much -- I can't say again how glad I am that we're sealed, and that we're living the gospel! I can say with surety that Heavenly Father's pretty happy too -- He wants to see us again as a family, and just as happy as He is.
Take care -- I love each of you so much!
-- Elder Loren Peck