How Great Will Be Your Joy!

Friday morning, as I was stretching my legs, sitting on the white tile floor, one of the zone leaders, Elder Errico, came and sat down at his desk. I started casually asking him about where other elders were, who he saw in Angeles, and what the news was. Elder Nuyte moved to Tarlac, Elder Gumiran in now in Panniqui, ect. Then I asked him if he'd seen Elder Razo there. Elder Errico hardly even looked up as he said -- "Ah, they were baptized". I'd already fallen over and gotten back up by the time I remembered that I'd asked him to find out about the Zamora Family in Capas. Elder Errico, knowing my building excitement might lead to all sorts of whooping and singing at an innapropriately early hour, tried to cap the joy by telling me that the baptism pictures had accidentally been erased by the ward missionary (probably Noel Bosostros!). That ruined my happiness like a breeze bothers a good day. Yes!
It's true! I got a letter from the Bosotros family this week saying "The Zamora couple (just couple???) was baptized on September 19th." All through my sit-ups I couldn't stop smiling. I'm sure sister Carla (their daughter) is soon to follow. I am understanding a little better right now the joy that is written of in Doctrine and Covenants -- How great will be your joy in the kingdom of God with every soul that we helped come home. Teaching them was really something else. The spirit in their home was so strong. I loved them so much and the thought of them making it to the temple in a year makes up for every trial. The gospel is true! Heavenly Father let me see a miracle in their conversion.
Thanks to you all! I know that you prayed just as hard as I did for the Zamoras.
Chris, how am I supposed to fill those whoppin' skiis? What size are those things, anyways? Holy cow, give me a hug, will ya'? Way to go. Mom and Dad's stories filled in all the gaps I had in my mental picture. All those amazing experiences and learnings, enough for a lifetime. I can imagine the blisters on Chris' hands. I'm pretty sure that, like the grinch in his moment of decision, your heart has grown 3 sizes, at least! And that's delicado when it was big already! Chris, I'm excited to get an email from you, there's a lot that I need to hear.

I love you all. Chris, love ya'. I can't say I envy you 100% right now, because there's still a whole lot here for me, and I'm excited for every day of it. I hope you'll tell me everything that's still on your mind about the mission, and what the new experiences are like.
Take care, everybody! With love,
Elder Loren Peck

P.S. My new companion is AWESOME!! We are going to see some big changes here in Aduas, Elder Cobacha, 26, from Quezon Province is on fire, obedient, and on top of things. We left the mission home at the same time. He's tall for a Filipino, easy to talk to, hard working, a thinker, and a problem solver. And a good cook! This change is going to be the best!

"Exotic" foods are strictly "bawal" for us here -- I can't as much as eat balot! I mean, seriously! Liver doesn't even bother me now, but I can't compete with Chris! If we were free to eat, I could chow on chicken guts, tripe in soup, chicken feet, pig innards, and a whole lot more right here outside the internet cafe, and on every corner. Kaya lang . . .
I cooked chop suey earlier! I'm getting the hang of some of these dishes, two days ago it was squash and "sitaw" which is like green beans gone wild, with sardines. Aside from that I've learned how to cook adobo and sinigang -- But I'll tell ya what -- when I get home I won't be able to do a thing without a wok. And I won't know how to eat a thing if it's not on rice. That's not a joke. I've forgotten what "main dishes" are.
I can't believe Chris is on his way home! I don't know what to think about that. I love you all so much, and I love the news!
Thanks, everybody!
Elder Loren Peck
(but there's only one now! ah, . . . I didn't say that! Quick, get Chris a tissue!)
Love ya!