December 14, 2010

Mom,

Merry Christmas!

So I transferred this last week. I am now in Carcar. It is bigger than Carmen was. It has a few good sized stores. My companion Elder Felipe goes home at the end of this transfer, so I am in Cebu right now. He just got x-rays. We have to come back tomorrow for zone conference. I think I will get to see some of my batch from the mtc there. That is exciting. I also love getting to learn from President Hansen. He is an amazing man.

I sent you an email about calling home from Sister Hansen. I will either call or skype around 11 am our time on the 25th, Christmas. I think that is about 5pm your time Christmas Eve. Next week in your email could you tell me if you are able to do skype. If not a phone call will definitely do just fine.

For our zone conference we were assigned to read John from the Bible. I finished last night. That was an amazing experience for me. There were a few parts where the spirit was really strong and I could really feel the Saviors love for the people. But I think the biggest impact was when I was done and thinking back. I have gained such a love for the Savior by spending just that little bit of time studying his life. He really did love everyone, and He is such a good example of following the will of the Father. I have gained such a love for him and everything that has done for me.

I also read Elder Jeffery R. Holland’s talk last night on being grateful. He is such a humble man. I feel I have need as well to be more grateful. So thank you all for all you have done for me. Thank you Mom and Dad for being the greatest parents. I don't know any better than you two. I have also heard Diane, Katie, and Eric say the same thing. In the mouth of two witnesses right? Well we have four. You are the very best. The only ones who could possibly be better are Katie and Josh, your offspring, but they aren’t parents yet. So you are still in the number one spot. Thank you to you Katie and Josh, and you Diane and Dennis for your great examples. For being married in the temple and living righteously, for serving missions and being worthy. I love you all. Thank you Eric for being such a great younger brother, a great example, and one of the best friends I could ever have. Thanks to my leaders of youth. To Kevin Allen, Jeff Komar, Ben MacKay, Kathy Thurmond. Each of you have played a part in shaping me into the person I have become. Each of you showed me the way to Christ by your example and teachings. Thank you so much. Thank you Grandma Schenk and Grandma Hart for being strong in the church and raising my parents in righteousness.

I am so grateful for this Christmas season and the opportunity we have to look towards the Savior. I love Him so much. He has done so much for each of us. I love learning about Him in the scriptures, and someday look forward to being able to learn from Him in person, to have that pure knowledge poured into me. I love Him so much.
I got both of your Christmas packages this week! Thanks so much! I now have a 2 foot tall paper Christmas tree on my table. It is great! So thank you for that.
We have 4 investigators with a baptismal date, one just had some hard issues to work out though, so that might be postponed. They are:
Johnley
Felix - Is having some problems
Resly
Popoy
They could use as many prayers as we can give them. Satan is always working double time on those who are trying to change their lives for the better. So let’s give them all the help we can from Heaven.

Thanks for all your love and support and prayers for me. I am really grateful for all you have done for me.

Sending Christmas love and joy from the Philippines,
Elder Schenk