On the Road Again

Dear Family,
What a crazy couple of days it's been. First of all, it's totally torn my heart out to leave Paniqui 3. The very hardest was that we had a split on Friday in order for the Bala Family and MaryLyn Salvador to be interviewed, so I was gone -- in an are called Cuyapo with Elder Serondo. That happened to be our last scheduled appointment to the Patricio families in Sitio Tubod, Barangay Nancamarinan.
Sister Patricio gave birth to a healthy, baby girl on Thursday. I don't know her name yet! Jezabel has a baby sister, and they say she's big. Sister Lerma had a pretty hard time in labor, but she's doing great now (or so they tell me). Heartbreaker -- because of the birth, they didn't make it to church on Sunday, so I didn't get to say goodbye! Their next door nieghbor cousins are really starting to progress. They are so funny and we have a great time just talking with them, they are hilarious! *They didn't know I was heading out, and neither did my companion until Friday, so I didn't say anything, but they said they hoped I'd be around for a while, and they'd miss me when I left. It's fun to hear, but not really, because it's terrible to leave!* They are reading the Book of Mormon regularly and said that they prayed and feel good about Joseph Smith, what we're teaching, and they also feel good about baptism in September! They're next door neighbor, Sister Venus Patricio, comes and listens in Remedios Patricio's house whenever we visit. We're positive that they would have come to church yesterday like they promised, but with Philip and Lerma taking care of the brand new baby, and because their fellowshippers had to come early to meetings, they didn't make it. That first time to church, it really helps to have a whole support team ready. They'll come along. I really feel that they'll make it.
It's at least a little comfort to see that things are going well in Paniqui 3 as I move somewhere else. On Saturday there will be 3 baptisms (Johnny Bala, Myrna Bala, and MaryLyn Salvador) and there is one part-member family attending church. There is also an elderly widow that has come to church twice in a row now, she's been Catholic forever, but now she's listening to the lessons. Her sister was one of the pioneers here in the Paniqui Branch, and has been helping her progress. Her name is Cecilia DeVera. The entire family of Remedios Patricio is progressing: Remedios, Larry Jr., Mary-Joy, RayMark, and their cousins Venus, Joko, and Jackie are showing a lot of interest as well. And there is a really strong referral, another cousin that's been reading the Book of Mormon and wants to come to church and be taught. There is just so much going on all the time. We're busy and there are always people to teach.
Yesterday the Assistants showed up for sacrament meeting. Before PEC, I took pictures with the Branch President and got everybody's addresses written down, and everyone was surprised about the news. The branch pianist showed up late and then was too shy to come up and take my place, so I was at the piano. It was a little awkward when I was asked out of the blue by President Cabrito to give a message, after which the returned-missionary speaker said I was leaving later. Wow, I was swamped after that -- shaking hands, wishing luck, giving my address, saying countless goodbyes... Most of the investigators already knew I was leaving. After two hours, I was exhausted of saying goodbyes and I was emotionally tired. At 11, before the 3rd hour class started, we headed to the apartment and I packed my towel and bedsheets, and said goodbye to Cabayaoasan. It's like leaving home again, but I'll be back here on splits in a month. We picked up a missionary who's two years is up, and took his companion back to Cabayaoasan as Elder Tarronas's companion. And after a few more stops in Tarlac, we were headed to Angeles. My new companions are Elder Smith, (for 3 more days), from Delta Utah, and Elder Magsino from Batangas (in San Pablo Mission). We talked about driving and had a great time. Upon arriving at the office, there was no rest. Straight to work. We headed right into President Puzey's office and after with a short introduction to what we would be doing, we prayed and uncovered the transfer board, which President Puzey had been working on. As we (they) looked and talked, my head was swimming. I didn't know half of these missionaries, and I didn't know where in the world their areas were. I learned a lot, and it was inspiring to see how decisions were made as to where missionaries would be transferred. After that, we were making papers and preparing for the transfer announcements. Filling out excel charts, planning jeepney transportation, making copies -- I felt like I was right back in the law office. We tore ourselves away for 10 minutes to eat a quick dinner of spaghetti that Elder Smith had cooked in our apartment, adjacent to the office, and then we were right back, giving names and transfer plans to each of the zone leaders over the phone. When we were done, it was 10P.M., and we set the room's alarm system and rushed out, locking the door because after 10 seconds, if we're still in the office the alarm will sound. Talk about an exciting, packed day! And today has been just as busy! There are a million things to do, working on papers, picking up missionaries at the bus terminal, and later, we'll start working on my driver's license. I should be driving before Thursday, and I'm very nervous about that. Especially after all of President Puzey's stories. . . I love the Puzeys! The office couple, the Maharry couple, are a hoot. This is their 3rd mission to the Philippines and they are experts in the office. In fact, they are so valuable to the mission business right now that they've been extended from 18 months to 2 years. I'm still getting used to air conditioning and hot water. I was excited to hear that we have investigators here in Clark, I'm looking forward to visiting them and to continue teaching. We will be going on splits a lot, and this next week we'll be working with Elder Smith and another missionary in an area that is being opened this transfer. Exciting, right! I don't know everything that we'll be doing yet, but I'm looking forward to learning from a lot of really talented missionaries and everyone here in the office.
Whew! I'll keep ya'll up to date on what we're doing! Thanks for everything! I love you all so much!
Love, Elder Loren Peck