Happy Birthdays!

Pictures: A kind of mussel, I think, called "tulya". Branch members after a CSP project (weed wacking with machetes). Middle one is from Lupao, that's Brother Capistrano and his wife and mother in law and baby.
Love ya'll!

Dear Family,
It was great to get the two letters today! Thanks so much for the great pictures and notes! Happy Birthdays all around! Have a great summer. Actually, I can tell the summer has been great because everybody has a sunburn.

My companion packed the last of his things this morning and we said goodbye for the last time. He's headed home to Mindanao. I'm with an Elder from a nearby area for 3 days. On Thursday I'll go to Tarlac to pick up a new companion.
There's a lot to do every day and I want to make this next transfer good. I can't believe that the transfer is gone already, there is so much to think about every day. It's not about staying busy during the day that's hard, it's trying to get everywhere and make sure to still get home on time. Elder Paler and I were speakers on Sunday, I spoke about Missionary work. It went just fine, the outline was good but I wish I would've taken more time to polish it. Before I knew it, it was Saturday night and there wasn't any time to prepare. I can't believe how fast the days go.
I love ya'll family, and I hope everything is well.
The Patricio family is well on their way to baptism. Their interview is scheduled for this Friday and their baptism on the 24th. They are an amazing family. Yesterday they had to drag Jezebel out of the Primary room becuase she hadn't finished her drawing and she didn't want to leave yet. Philip participates in classes and they just fit right in at church. They aren't shy at all and they make a lot of friends on their own. Very, very wonderful family. Sister Patricio is pregnant and I'll probably still be here in September when the baby comes. They are so kind to us, and to me. They are very respectable and decent people, I'm very impressed with them. Last night they shared their simple meal with us -- vegetables, bamboo sprouts, and monggo beans with rice noodles, on rice. Elder Paler had a hard time saying good-bye to them. We're continuing to teach their cousins, who also are very interested, but due to work in the fields coudn't come to church yesterday. Besides that, the padre de pamilya is very shy and doesn't like to join us. Which is going to make things difficult. . .
6 investigators made it to church, several part members. This is a great area and very progressing. I'm looking to a fresh new start this transfer and redoubled efforts.
I'll see if I can attach a few more pictures. Thanks so much, family, and have a great week -- happy birthday, Chris!
Love, Elder Loren Peck