Love Y'all

Dear Family,
I'm not really sure what to write about! I'll just start writing and see where we go. It's been a challenge to keep 2 areas up and kicking that are 30 minutes (wait/ride, stop/go) apart. San Isidro is doing a little better that Lupao at present, there are 3 outstanding families we're teaching in San Isidro, and there were 7 investigators at church yesterday. There was no power, and it was hot na hot talaga! There is one family in Lupao, the Mabanta family, that has a lot of potential -- we just need to find a fellowshipping family to introduce to them and we need to help them get to church for the first time. They are in their early 30's and they always invite us right in and grab their Book of Mormon and participate and things are going great. It's always the best feeling to teach a complete family. We talked to Sister Bergonia again but still haven't been able to start in the lessons because we had no kasamang lalaki(other male present). Ronnel Carig didn't make it to church yesterday like he promised on Saturday, but I haven't seen him since then because we're in San Isidro right now. I guess things will start getting back to normal on Thursday when we get our new companions.

As far as other things go, we've been surviving as two Americanos and it's just fun to be with Elder Carlton. I'm being prepared big time mentally and spiritually for a new companion on Thursday. I've learned a lot about being a companion and how to act -- a lot of social training. I've really been trying to learn from these other missionaries how to be a good companion. There's a lot to learn in the scriptures as well about interacting with people -- especially Ammon and the Sons of Mosiah -- they are incredible examples of friendshipping a people (the Lamanites) that weren't exactly open at first. I have to say, though, it sure is a lot harder to mag-tagalog minsan kapag Americano ang kasama mo! But we've brought up a lot of our questions about the language and put our heads together and studied good and I've learned a lot of good language skills this past two weeks.

I remember the good old gold and green ball! I think I was a taller version of Charlie, staying close to the cookies. Thanks so much, family, for all the news, sounds like things are great. If Mothers day is sunday, maybe I'll try calling on Monday here. I guess it would have to be in the morning so it's not midnight there, but I'm not exactly sure yet. I'll probably use scype again, I've got your number or info here somewhere -- it's really sneaking up on me, I guess, time sure goes by fast. I'd like to bear my testimony to ya'll that alam ko na ito ang gawain ng Diyos -- at hindi lang itong gawaing missionaro. Ang gawain ng Diyos ang pagpapakabuti sa mga kaluluwa ng tao -- sa pamamagitan ng karanasan (madali man o mahirap), pag-aaral, at mga pagpili natin. Kayganda ng mission dahil kitang kita and mga pagbabago ng kaluluwa sa araw-araw na pagsisikap. Marami akong natututuhan dito na nagpapabago sa aking pananaw at sa aking ugali. Palagay ko, iba na akong tao at missionaro dahil sa mga karanasan na parang mahirap o mapait sa una, pero naging panahon ng malaking pag-unlad. Alam ko na hindi ako perpekto, at wala akong pag-asa kung wala si JesuKristo. Siya lang ang nakakapagbayad sa aking mga pagkukulang. Masaya lang ako at pasensyoso ang mga tao sa paligid ko -- hinahayaan akong magpakabait at matuto at magbago. At ang pinakamapagtiisin ang aking Ama na nasa Langit at kanyang Anak. Minsan nag-alala ako na hindi katanggap-tanggap ako sa Kanya, pero ipinapakita niya sa akin kung paano akong makapagsisi at mapatawad. Lubos akong nagpapasalamat sa Kanya. Mahal ko po kayo, pamilya, at alam ko na matatag kayo sa pundasyon ng ebanghelyo ng ating Tagapagligtas. Kailangan ko ang tulong at payo ninyo. Gusto ko lang na gawin ang kalooban ng Ating Ama sa Langit at sundin ang Kanyang plano. Mahal ko po kayo! Nawa'y mapapasaatin lagi ang Banal na Espiritu, upang magabayan niya tayo. Ito ang gawain ng Diyos! Totoo po siya --
Love, Elder Loren Peck