February 14, 2012

Family,
We had a great week and saw many miracles here in the Capitol Ward. Our investigators, Delia and Floro, are doing great. They came to church again this week and are rapidly progressing. Floro comes home at night and just reads anything he can get his hands on, Ang Aklat ni Mormon (The Book of Mormon in Tagalog), pamphlets, the gospel principles book, he loves it all. Sister Delia is just a ball of faith. I love them both. Floro stopped drinking and smoking the first time we met with him. We didn't commit him or even talk to him about it, he just decided it was the right thing to do. Last night we taught them about the Word of Wisdom. They were surprised to hear that tea and coffee are bad for the body. They drink coffee every morning, but said starting the next morning they wouldn't drink it anymore! They are like one of those great investigators you would hear about in the Liahona. They are the best investigators I have had in my entire mission!
Valentines day is also big in the Philippines, but nobody has the money to really celebrate. There was a lot of red yesterday though.
We got to go to the temple today. That was a long overdue pleasure! I haven't been able to go the last few months due to temple cleanings and such. But today was so nice and peaceful. I learned a lot.
I love you all. Work hard. Focus on the important things in life and put the most important things first on your schedule. Don't shirk in your church callings but do all you can to magnify them. One person makes a HUGE difference and when they don't do their part everything seems to fall apart. Keep working hard and enduring to the end. You're not done until you die, and your not dead yet. If you will, great blessings await you. (see 2 Nephi 31:19-21, Mosiah 2:41)
Love you all! Amping!
Elder Schenk