April 19, 2011

Family, Good news! I love my new area and new companion and new district! I am learning a lot here. Consolation 2 is in the same zone as Carmen, my second area, and today we played basketball as a zone so I got to see some of the members I used to play basketball with. They remembered me so that was fun. We used to do a lot of stuff with them, even though they were in Danao area. We spent a lot of p-days there.

There are about 100 active members in my new ward. The bishop is a very nice guy. He laughs a lot. Each Saturday we have a community service project and he is always there. Then after, he works with the missionaries. That is great. Then on Sunday we brought a new investigator to church and He greeted her, we sat her down with the old relief society pres who is also her neighbor, and then the bishop welcomed her by name in sacrament meeting. That was good for her. She really liked the service.

It is different being the senior companion. I feel that the Lord has blessed me with the ability to better fill the position. The week before transfers I felt an increase in my ability to teach clearly and discern the needs of the investigators. Now that I am in my new area with Elder Plania I can see that the areas that he struggles in have become my strengths, and he definitely has strengths that I don't have. He doesn't have a lot of class and flare when he teaches, but he is so humble and has some great Christ-like attributes that I need to learn from. We are so strong as a companionship.

I hope your cruise went well mom. I’m sure it was nice to relax for a few days. I just hope you took President Uchtdorf’s advice and ate all the food that was included instead of powdered drink mix and canned beans and crackers. The buffet is much more delicious.

Sorry for emailing early, no time for you all to write. Next week. Salamat kaayo sa inyong nindot nga mga examples. I’ll give you a word for the week to practice. It is one of the hardest sounds to make for Americans. Ngit-ngit. Ask Bro Baring how to pronounce it. Good luck!
Take care! Love you all,
Elder Schenk