Dear Family,
Our Area, Aduas, and many parts of Cabanatuan City were flooded this week suddenly when three major dams simultaneously lowered their water levels. I found out that our area is like a small island. There are only 5 ways into and out of Aduas, 5 bridges. We had no news of the flood, it came suddenly at 3 AM. At 2:30 PM, we rode into Aduas, in our proselyting clothes, ready to teach, only to find that our appointments were underwater. We came in on one of the two bridges that were not yet submerged. I have never seen anything like this! We sent notes to some of our investigators -- the Hernandez couple -- that the church was open if they needed to head out, and one of their neighbor children made his way through thigh-deep, chocolate colored water to deliver it. They had shin-deep water inside, but they were still there, and looking at a long day and night with no electricity. Entire subdivisions were under three feet of water, and in other places only rooftops were visible. People stood on their second-story balconies, just feet above the water. It's a hard thing to grasp, everybody seems pretty stunned. Including me!
As of now the water has subsided, but some of our promising investigators didn't make it to conference, and we haven't re-established contact yet. Things should be getting back to normal in the next few days.
Conference was amazing! Wow, Elder Holland's talk sure was powerful. We got to see it (a sneek peek) at zone conference earlier this week. I was inspired.
We've been having some great successes here in Aduas, and things continue to pick up. My companion, Elder Cobacha is a master at gaining rapport and trust, and we've been blessed with many referrals and promising new investigators. The members here are amazing fellowshippers. The relief society made a surprise visit to one of our investigators, (the Hernandez couple) and gave her an ensign, which she read right away. They are accepting everything we've been teaching, and are making important steps towards baptism. Brother Hernandez has a lot of potential, he's a disciplined intelligent man, with a good heart and high moral standards. He and his wife went from drinking 6 cups of coffee a day to 0 in less than a week. We are busy and happy.
Conference has been a great time of reflection and goal setting. I love the mission and the opportunities to apply gospel principles in everyday living -- it's the perfect atmosphere to put truths to the test and try to be like the Savior. I am seeing promises fulfilled and blessings poured out. This morning two member children came to our door just as I was starting my excercise, saying that their grandmother was sick and to come quick and give her a blessing. At moments like that it's a wonderful feeling to not need to hesitate, and not need to doubt. I had the opportunity to bless, and although the Tagalog wasn't perfect, I felt the faith of the Sister's family. Their home was humble, they were humble. They carried grandmother from her room and laid her on the couch for the blessing. It's times like this that the name-tag means something special, knowing that Christ is the Healer, and we are His hands.
Sounds like Chris is back to his old, rascally, frisbee-ing ways. Better keep an eye on that one. Love the pictures! Dad, good luck in your many trials. Ang guwapo/ganda ninyo! Thanks for the letter, I love you all.
With love,
Elder Loren Peck
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