Dear Family,
A lot changes from day to day! Yesterday at 5pm marked 6 weeks for me in the office, which means that I'm finally starting to see the transfer cycle repeat itself. Which means I might be more ready this time around! There really is no set schedule.
We had a Missionary Training Meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday for President Puzey to teach more of the new MTC curriculum. The two lessons we talked about were "Revelation through Church Attendance", and "Teach People, not Lessons". I'm learning so much more about being a true missionary, someone that can teach the gospel in Christ's way.
Sometimes I learn the very most in the office, from President Puzey. He's been working very hard this past week on interviews, and he's said some interesting things about it. I was interested a few weeks ago when he compared the revelatory process as "going to the mount". He said as transfers drew closer, he'd spend less time with the technicalities (the puzzle side of transfers), which come first, and begin inviting the spirit. He started spending more time in his apartment and one day when we got home his office light was on but the main door to the office he'd locked. He spent more than three hours, and we didn't disturb him. In my personal study, (which I have to sneak in wherever I can) I've been looking into that a little bit -- Climbing the mount. As far as literally climbing the mount, Moses did it and spent 40 days at the top. When he came down, he had the 10 commandments, revelation from the Lord. Elijah went on a 40 day journey, living on bread and water an angel had given him, to go to the "Mountain of the Lord" where he found the still small voice (not in the earthquake, wind, or fire). Ether also went to a mount which was described as being "exceedingly high" and was on the very top when he offered his suggested course of action to the Lord and asked him to bless it. President Puzey said "I know why the Lord asked his prophets to climb the mount. It's hard. It takes time. And it gives you a chance to think on the way up." It seems that "going to the mount" spiritually takes time as well, time and focus. Elder Scott said that acquiring spiritual guidance isn't supposed to be easy, if it was we'd become dependent and weak.
I also read about Samuel, Saul, and David, and how Samuel was guided to choose two kings out of all of Israel. It interested me how both times, the revelation came little by little. Only as Samuel followed the first promptings, he was put in situations to see who the Lord had prepared.
I've really enjoyed my study this week.
Elder Magsino and I worked in Bulaon again this week for a day in preparation for the area to open. On Saturday, we moved into the Bulaon house, and yesterday, we picked up Elder Magsino's new companion and dropped them both off in the area, with a cell phone, and left them to fend for themselves. Which means... I have a new companion. From what I've been a part of and what President Puzey has said, it's been a struggle to pick a new Assistant, but 3 days ago it was finally set in stone and after a few calls, we went and picked him up from Tarlac Zone. We attended church and then escorted him to Angeles. He's a great guy, real funny and fun to be around. His name is Elder Landingin and he's from Zamboanga City, Mindanao -- waaaay down south. His original language is called Chavacano, which is about 40% spanish (it's nicknamed "asian's latin city". The other 60% is mixed up Viscayan and Cebuano. All of a sudden, I'm the old one in the office, and I'm in over my head! There is so much to do and I never even thanked Elder Magsino for doing it all! When I came in we were a threesome for a while and the two had been there for 3-4 months. But I'm hanging on and running at high speeds.
We have our own investigators! I met the Sibal Family on Saturday morning. They have a cool story. President Puzey keeps everything he's juggling in the air and still finds time to talk with everyone about the gospel and he probably sends more referrals out than most of the missionaries. Anyway, Brother Sibal is a gaurd here in Clark and he asked President Puzey about the church and President Puzey got him a Book of Mormon, talked with him about the gospel, got his address and a return appointment. He's even come to church once now, and President Puzey has gone with the missionaries and helped teach a lesson. They are a great couple and after a lesson we got talking about baptism with them. Their work schedule is the only thing holding them back, and I wish we could find time to visit them more frequently. Hopefully this Wednesday we'll find some time. The other family we've taught here close to the mission home was the Tolentino family. Brother makes and sells wooded bows, arrows, whistles, necklaces, and blow-guns and sells them to tourists. He has 10 children and they all listen, and listen good. They are progressing slower than the Sibals but they are making some headway.
On Friday our house-mates, Elder Smith and Elder Pajela, finally got moved into their new house in Santa Lucia (Magalang). They have a baptism on October 16th.
Oh yeah! Big news -- Elder Quentin L. Cook, Bishop Keith McMullin, Elder Edwards, Elder Ko, and others are coming to Angeles Mission on October 9th and 10th and they want to meet with all the missionaries. A two hour meeting with them all on Saturday in Tarlac, and 1.5 hours with Elder Cook in Angeles. It happens to be the day of the conference rebroadcasts here in the Philippines, which means we'll most likely miss some of the conference sessions, but the Ensign will come out in a month -- I'm more than excited to hear what Elder Cook and Bishop McMullin have to share with us missionaries.
This week we'll be working with departures, arrivals, and transfers. It's fun to spend time with the brand new missionaries on their first night here in the Philippines. They are all so different but they bring quite a spirit into the mission home. I hope to get those pictures from Paniqui sent next week, I don't have the camera with me, sorry! I love you all so much and I'm napaka-grateful for Mom's letter which I received a few days ago. Just nothing better than a handwritten letter! Good to hear Nate and Daniel are doing great -- it feels neat to be right in the middle of them.
I'm excited to hear from you next week!
Love, Elder Loren Peck
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