Autumn is here and the coconuts are falling!

Dear Family,
Looks like everybody had a party again this week. The area I'm in right now, Aduas, is well known for it's lechon pork -- the whole pigs, flame roasted. We've got a lot of investigators and members that are in that business. I didn't know dad and Chris were hunting! Way to go Sarah, but remember, you've got to start out with a beater while you're still a freshman. While we talk with people, they sometimes have to point out that we're standing underneath a coconut tree, because periodically the coconuts drop. We laugh and step away from the chance of meeting a comical end, like, that only happens in cartoons, right? But it really is dangerous! Two months ago we "mowed the backyard with a machete" (pagdadamo, in last weeks letter) at Brother Villereal's house (he's got a BIG backyard, and the jungle has taken over). And as I was 'lawn mowing' a coconut dropped not 10 feet from me, spraying coconut milk everywhere. The leaves don't fall but the coconuts do.

It's been another great week. We were a little dissapointed when Sister Luna didn't show up at church. She went and sold at the palengke again, it's hard when change comes slow. Sister Rodriguez, Sister Iverson's former companion, returned home this week and bore her testimony in Sacrament meeting. She had nothing but the best to say about Sister Iverson.
The week has flown by and we've met a lot of promising new investigators. We had a second visit at the home of a new family, the Degusman's, and taught more about the Book of Mormon. They live in humble circumstances, a two room house, close to the church. They are so humble and ready to listen. We could tell that Brother Degusman was excited to recieve a Book of Mormon, and after the lesson he thanked us over and over, and was overwhelmed that it was free. I gave the invitation to be baptized and they accepted it right away. We pulled out their calendar and set a date. As we left they told us to make sure and come back. It's amazing when a whole family responds like that. I feel like this first week is going to be critical in their conversion, and we plan on making frequent contact and help them make it to church this Sunday.
I'm looking forward to the new transfer. The time is really flying by and things are feeling really good. Language and culture is normal, I feel right at home, although I am not as fluent as I'd like to be. There is a lot to learn. Question for Chris and Dad: how can I keep a good progression going in learning the language?
In the package -- I could use some shoe-polish and a couple pairs of socks -- if you can find ones that are a little bit different, throw those in because the ones that look normal keep dissapearing. I'd also like a few ties, I'm really lacking in that department and am regretting that I sent any home. Any kind of tie is great.
I'll miss Thanksgiving and Fall! The pictures are great, there has been no change at all here. The weather really is great here, though, and it's really easy to predict. There is no weather channel -- if there was, it would be something like-- "It looks like another steamer, with a 50% chance of rain. And that prediction is good for the next 5 months."
I love you all and loving the work. It's been a great week!
WIth love, Elder Loren Peck