Maligayang bati!

Dear Family,

We taught Brother Sibal again this week, and had another incredible meeting. His wife was not at home, but he welcomed us in and we all sat on the floor in the small front room, and started to talk. As the discussion turned to following up on the last commitments he'd made, the talk became very honest and open. I really like Elder Landingin's style -- he is very open and honest and encourages Brother Sibal to speak openly as well. After bringing up last sunday, and said that we were sorry he hadn't made it to church, Elder Landingin asked him if he'd felt anything on the day of Sunday, any desire to come. Brother Sibal was quiet, then said that in truth, his wife had some doubt as to whether she wanted to attend. We asked him what his personal feelings were. He said he sometimes doubted as well, and he had some questions. We asked him what he wanted us to discuss with him during our visit. He retrieved a conference edition of the Liahona magazine and opened up to the page with all the general authorities and said "I have a hard time believing that these twelve men have the same power as Christ's apostles did. And Thomas Monson; I know that prophets can talk to God... has anyone ever witnessed anything like that with this prophet. How do I know if he is telling the truth?" We talked about the question for a minute until we understood what he was asking and then asked if there was anything else that he wanted to discuss before we began. There was: Tithing. He said "I've really liked your church all along and even said to others that it was respectable and solemn and seemed to be good. But I heard from one of my friends that became mormon that once you're baptized, you're obligated to give 10% of your paycheck to the church -- there's no way out of it, and when Elder Smith and Magsino were here, I asked them about that and they admitted that it was true. My wife and I, we don't even own this apartment, we're very poor people. If we were a little better off, your church might be okay for us, but we talked about it, and we can't join your church because of that." We listened quietly until he'd said everything, then prepared to start the lesson. We knelt and I gave the opening prayer simply and sincerely. It was a powerful lesson. The spirit entered that room right from the start as we went back and forth, really relying on each other and asking questions. It was a discussion, not just a lesson. By the end of the first question, after we'd read scriptures and taught a little doctrine about prophets and dispensations, it came down to an invitation to read a talk in that magazine and pray sincerely. He said "okay, now what about the tithing?" It was easy to see that he was not as much challenging as really seeking. Brother Sibal is an incredible kind of person, very intelligent and he pays attention to his feelings.
The approach to tithing was interesting. Elder Landingin pointed out that God wasn't so much looking for money as He is for faith. He understood and agreed with that, but said that God certainly understood that some were rich and some were poor, and everyone should be able to give whatever he had left-over to help those in need, any amount, or it was possible, in his opinion, to just give service and time if a person honestly couldn't afford it. I testified that God really did know, and he was fair, and so 10% was what He asked of everyone, which is a lot from the rich, and only a small amount from the poor. Elder Landingin said that God was able to help us financially as well as spiritually, and called tithing the "remedy of poverty", reading from 3rd Nephi. We also turned to 3rd Nephi 13:31-33. Elder Landingin mentioned that we kept opening to the Book of Mormon because it answered the questions that all people have about Christ's kingdom. I felt impressed to mention Grandpa Peck's lifelong testimony -- I know that he attributed his success to the law of tithing. The spirit was so strong, and the doctrine became so clear. But we watched Brother Sibal just keep struggle. In the end, he repeated his original statement, that financially it was too much for them, even after all we'd taught. It came down again to a basic testimony in Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. He committed to give us one more chance -- He promised to pray, read the assignment, and agreed that we could follow up on his feelings on Tuesday at 5pm. I felt impressed to say: "Brother Sibal, from the things you've told us, we feel that you are not just looking for any church, but you're looking for God's true religion. God's way is not always the easiest way -- tithing is not easy, but it's a true law, and he will bless you if you try Him. When you receive an answer in your reading and prayer that what we've said is true, will you live the law of tithing?" He thought, but in the end he dodged the commitment. He agreed to give the prayer and the spirit was still very strong. His prayer was sincere, and I was praying for him, that the spirit we were feeling would work on him after we left. We left quietly, he escorted us outside the gate, then we bid farewell until Tuesday. Elder Landingin and I talked about what we'd felt as we drove back to Redwood Villas. He knows the doctrine. The spirit was there. All that's missing is a testimony and a "trial of faith". He needs to take a little step by himself. If he acts, he will know.

We've been around the mission on Interviews and exchanges this past week, it sure has been fun to work in lots of different areas, (although it is a lot nicer to have your own area). It was my turn to go on splits in Aduas, Cabanatuan ward 1, and they happened to have a teaching appointment in the Luna home -- the grandmother, Rosalyn Luna in that home was confirmed on my birthday last year, just 10 days after I was transferred from the area. They almost didn't recognize me because I was a good deal chubbier a year ago and not half as good at Tagalog. It was great to see the whole family again, and they ran to set out bibingka and puto bombong as a merienda. Some of the other investigators we had a year ago are now close to being baptized... it just took a year! I held my breath as we neared the Ison home in Conception Village, but when I saw the home my heart dropped. It was dark and looked a little run down, and a big wooden gate was set up in front of it. The neighbors said they were gone to Manila and wouldn't be back until late that night. I wish I knew how they are doing. Other than that, things are going great! Interviews are coming up again this week and on Friday through Sunday we'll be up in Baler. Elder Landingin and I had our first, and a great weekly planning session/talk last night, and I feel like I can talk to him about anything. The mission is an incredible time of learning lessons -- good ones... hard ones. Little by little I think I'm growing up and getting smarter. I'm grateful for my companion and hope we'll be together a long time yet.

Thanks a million for all the fall pictures. It looks like Heaven over there! There hasn't been very much rain at all here and honestly thinking about seasons joggles my mind. Weather is one eternal round, never-changing. I can't hardly get my mind around seasons right now, especially winter. Brrr. My companion asked how our calabasas (pumpkins) got so big. It's "Undas" here -- all souls day. People are sleeping over, yes, sleeping over at graveyards and placing candles everywhere and painting the above-ground tombs. Candles and paint and water lily flowers are all big businesses right now. Thanks for all the great news and know that I love you all! Have a great week!
Love, Elder Loren Peck