Dear Family,
I got my first taste of goat this week at the home of a part member family. Jhei Yambot is our Young Men's President here in Aduas at age 23. He also comes around with us 3 days a week. He works so hard in the church. He's the only member in his family, and that makes his family life a challenge sometimes. They don't understand why he puts so much time into the church, when they think he should spend more time learning the family trade and helping out with their business. His dad and family make and deliver home supplies, everything from home-made cheese graters to brooms. It was Brother Yambot's (dad of Jhei's) birthday and they welcomed us in when we picked up Jhei. The birthday tradition here is to prepare A LOT of food and feed family and everyone that shows up. Turning down food is a capital offense. Sister Yambot is a great cook. One of the things they gave me was goat in the form of a soup that goes on rice. They don't throw away parts of the goat -- so there's all sorts of things floating around in there. Goat is a real Christmas treat, and it's more expensive than pork. I was surprised, it tasted real good.
These past few weeks we've paid attention on building good relationships with the members and with bishop, and it's really starting to pay off. I feel in touch and like I'm part of the ward. Yesterday in our correlation with Bishop, we had a great discussion and it was clear that Bishop was ready to help and excited about the plans. We had a great meeting.
Yesterday Pakyaw (the boxing star) had a match, and that hurt our church attendance. None of our investigators made it to church, sister Luna got sick, Sister Carlos and her neice had a web-cam appointment with her parents in Hong Kong, the Degusman family was out of town.
We've had some great success with reactivation -- we had 5 appointments this past week with less active members, and one of them, a 21 year old (Brother Corpus) that was offended years ago, brought his wife with him to church. His wife is Catholic, and they are looking forward to their first child in about a month and a half. He told us a few weeks ago that by the time his child was here, he wanted to be back on track. Our ward really needs the priesthood bearers as well.
I can't be sure if I'll still be here a month from now for the next transfer, so it's hard now that we're setting baptismal goal dates that will extend into the coming transfer, and the goal dates before then begin to dwindle. I know it's not all about the baptisms, but that's really what we're here for. I know that no effort is wasted and that things happen in the Lord's time, but I'm really trying to be worthy of the blessings of the Lord and doing my best to use the Lord's time wisely and productively.
Wow, three packages! It really is Christmas! Just as long as there's a christmas card from ever'body, that's great. Don't send boots! I know dad was just joking, but just in case, I can't carry them around. I can't think of anything else . . . right now . . . Yeah, I'm done trying to think. It's monday.
I can not figure out this camera card thing. I'm sorry, I hoped to send a picture or two. Maybe I'll just mail the card again. I haven't been taking many pictures. . . I've got some repenting to do.
The days are flying and I'm really loving the time here. Sometime's it's hard and there's a lot of those great 'character building' times, but when the day is done it all works out for the best. There's nothing better than that feeling when the day is done and you know that you're in the right place doing the right things.
I love ya'll lots! Have a great week, and enjoy the snow for me!
Love, Elder Loren Peck
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