Dream Come True!

Dear Family,

It was Sunday morning. February 27. The sun was out and on the streets, people bustled around. Down the road in our barangay, morning mass was starting, and on the street corner, sisters were putting out vegetables and meat for sale. Tricycle drivers chatted on the side of the highway. We were running behind, so we walked briskly on our way to the meeting-house. We took a short-cut by the river, saying good morning to the women washing clothes in the cold water. I looked at my watch. 8:58! We turned the corner and there was the meeting house. I took just a moment to admire the big, black shiny signboard that hung outside the gate. We entered -- hoping they hadn't started without us. The step inside was like stepping into heaven. Everything seemed to have a new glow. The lights were back! The electric fans were back! The microphone, the members, even the investigators were there! They were all back! 41 people filled the room. Kim Delacruz was there, the former San Luis group leader had brought his entire family. The Legaspi family was there, the branch presidency was at the front, the sacrament was ready. As I set down my bag, I saw Allen Epa and her 3 children. It was too good to be true! I wanted to shake all their hands, but I didn't know where to start! Then I noticed the elderly woman smiling up at me. She held out her hand, saying, Elder, I'm Josefa Epa! I'm back from Manila -- and I'm ready to be baptized. When can I be baptized?"

I pinched myself.

This week, our Sunday morning started with an early trip to barangay Real to pick up investigators and Less Active members. Everyone seemed surprised to see us. We dropped by one member sister, and she said they were just finishing up breakfast and they'd be right behind us. 10 minutes later on our way back, we stopped by again just as she opened the front door to sweep off the front porch and she jumped when she saw us -- Ah! ... uh, Elders! I'm just dressing up the little ones!" Sure enough, she showed up to Sacrament a little late. No investigators came as a result of our walk, and we were almost late for the meeting.

I think what mom wrote about leaving the heart will end to be true. This is the the first place that I've felt so strongly about that I just can't think about anything else. Every member and investigator is so important. This week the Lord taught me an important lesson. We can't do anything by ourselves, but He can do a lot, in miraculous ways. We really struggled this week to teach our investigators, it seems like they are never at home, all the priesthood have been busy with work. Our appointments keep falling through, and Angie Pecson, who we've been counting on, has started to show less interest in the lessons. But we worked hard. Really hard. I'm grateful that Elder Catellier is my companion, if it was someone less ready, this kind of work might just do him in, but Elder Catellier is 100% prepared for anything, so we've been working like crazy in spite of hardships. The Lord provided blessings out of nowhere. We haven't visited the Epa Family in two weeks because we thought she wasn't coming back until April. We thought maybe she hadn't been going to church in Manila, but it turns out she's been completely active there and preparing the whole time for baptism. She came just to be baptized here so she'll officially be a member and able to transfer her records to Manila, or stay here, depending on what the future holds in store. So everything is set for the baptism. On Saturday! At 10 o'clock. I thought I wouldn't see another baptism here in San Luis, so this is a tender mercy.

The Lord can do anything.

Our preparations for the open house are almost complete. We're handing out maps and invitations and have lots of support from the branch who will help with the program, treats, inviting and picking up investigators. It was Elder Catellier's idea, and I think great things can happen. We've been spending lots of time working very close to the meeting house itself and we found some wire and wired up the signboard last Thursday night. Up, up and away, San Luis! The sun is coming up, and we're ready for another week.

Sounds like everyone is staying busy there. Thanks for all the updates! I love you all and we'll catch up next week.
Love, Elder Peck