Quan.

Where to begin. OK So. Real quick summary of the weeks events. First off, Things are going in the branch.  None of us missionaries have callings.  We are only just going to be helping establish the church here.  This is a huge responsibility in my eyes.  Last Friday, we went to San Jose on the beloved bumpy buses, to watch a broadcast by the Area Presidency.  Here is the Low down.  The Philippines has grown the fastest more than any other area in the world in terms of church membership.  The only problem is is that out of 650,000 members, only 100,000 are active.  They showed some pretty depressing graphs that show what is going on.  This is what the area presidency did.  They established a vision. I really like what Elder Teh (Area President) said.  It actually comes from Alice in Wonderland.  If you will all go back to your childhood with me, you will remember that at a certain part in the movie.  Alice comes to a crossroads.  She asks the Cheshire Cat which way she should go. The cat responded, "Well, that depends on where you want to get to."  Alice didn't know where she was going.  The cat said to Alice, "If you don't know where you are going, then it really doesn't matter where you go." So True!  We need a vision to get things accomplished.  So the area Presidency gave us the vision.  They established some goals and asked for every ward to get on board.  This is gonna be a great change. We are going to reactivate the less actives.

As for me out here in Mindoro, with a new branch, it is my responsibility to establish the church right so that we don't become part of the statistic that the area presidency gave about less actives.  So basically what we are doing right now is just training all the auxiliaries in their calling.  It's kind of cool.  Seeing how the church works.  How it is built. 

That is the biggest news out here.  The other thing is that I am now full filipino because I have now been RICE PLANTING!  It's way fun.  You get really muddy and stuff!  haha. I'm sorry I don't have any pictures, but I will for sure do it again some time and get some pics.  I also fought a wild fire with some 14 year old kids.  We won. (Priesthood power!).  I myself am doing well.  I have recently been blessed in the language to now understand pretty much everything that is being said.  Don't get me wrong, I still have long way to go.... But I Have faith in the Lord.

There was a beautiful rainbow yesterday.  We haven't moved yet, and probably wont for a little while.  We only walk in our area. The only time we take a tricycle is on p day to go into town. It doesn't rain very often at all here.

So that is about it for me out here in Sablayan.   I have a firm testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the only true church on earth and we need to be bold in taking it to everyone.  Share boldy, but not overbearing.  My heart delights in this gospel.  I have so much to be grateful for.  I know that there is no other greater work.  Remember that, Christ is the reason for everything.  Without him, we are nothing.  I leave you my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ amen.