Surviving the Tsunami

Dear Family,

It's been an interesting week. There was some excitement on Friday when all of a sudden the 8.9 earthquake and resulting wave came on the news. We were challenged in our search for people to teach, because every family was watching TV and wouldn't pay attention to us even after we got in the house. In Baler city, some people were moving to higher ground, just in case. We found out the day after the event that the zone leaders had been trying to text us, telling us to evacuate to Maria. Good thing we didn't get the text, because it turned out to be a big joke the next day. It turns out that even though it was really bad in Japan, the resulting wave would only raise the water level one meter -- temporarily -- here. And it turns out that it died before it made it here. It could've been so exciting -- oh well!

Only one of us needed to help with the sacrament this week. It looks like the branch is doing better, and we always have regular classes now -- all three hours. But the district still talks about us like we're an "ICU" (Intensive care unit) and they send district leaders to help us separate into classes. The Legaspis, Bernardos, and other less active families came again. We had one investigator at church, the Sister Apple I wrote about last week. It's amazing that she came while her inlaws, who are the real members, didn't attend. We're happy with her progress. One of our other investigators drove around the barangay looking for the church and in the end gave up and went home! We went to their home later that night to draw a better map, but we found that she was gone -- she'd attended the evening mass.

Sister Epa is back in Manila for a month, and we're teaching her daughter in law's family again. We've found some really talented investigators. One of them is named Jessel Rojo, and he told us he's looking for truth and belonging and from what he's read in the Book of Mormon and heard from us and other missionaries, this may be it. When we asked him if he'd be baptized upon receiving an answer, he said, "Why not? That's what I'm looking for -- an answer from God." It's been a good week and gone all too fast. I look forward to really giving it my all this next week -- thrust in the sickle!

This week I sat at my desk one morning and thought to myself that I don't know a thing about real life anymore. I couldn't seem to recall how day to day life went. But as I continued to study and think, I decided that instead of worrying about the morrow, I could count my blessings and try to see what I had gained in the past two years. I've learned how to interact with people and how to build relationships. I've learned how to control myself, time, spending, and thoughts. I understand much better why people act the way they do and after being acquainted with so many people, and talking with them on such a personal level, I've learned that people have many things in common, and that all have the light of Christ and have a good side. I've learned how to be happy and how to care about others, even when there's nothing I want in return from them. I'm not so conscious about being in front of others, and can better relate to people of all ages. I understand a lot more about cultural differences, and adjusting to new situations. Creating a companionship has been the most difficult and rewarding thing I've learned about throughout my mission.

This morning we went to a waterfall called "Mother falls" here in San Luis. It's the most amazing waterfall I've ever seen, but it seems to be completely unknown to the tourist world. We hiked a ways up to it, and I was reminded that this is the most beautiful place on earth. We got soaked by the mist and spray close to the fall, it was huge.

Just for fun, I was thinking of how life, and my personal culture, has changed in the past two years here are some things I've learned that I can, or can't, live without.
It's been two years with no (or little) toilet paper, yogurt, TV, piano, hot water, showers, air conditioning, seat belts
On the other hand I don't know how I'll live without: a tabo, fresh coconut, tindahans on every street, bakeries, open air markets (and the haggling that comes with it), saba, bangus, electric fan at night, tsinelas instead of shoes and socks...
there's a lot more, but I can't think any more -- I need to go get a haircut! It's the last, so it'd better be good...
This will be the best week! It's my last chance to go tracting, and I'll enjoy every minute!
Love you family. I guess this is it! See you in a few weeks.
Love, Elder Peck