6-20-12

Hey everyone!

No way!  Dad got an iPad?  That's awesome.  Those are really cool... (hint hint)  Just kidding!  That's awesome though.  Now he is in the "in crowd" of all the old people haha jokes!  You're not THAT old.

This is a big sports season in the Philippines.  Manny Pacquiao  just fought his big match against Bradley, and lost, so the Philippines is in an uproar about that.  Now it's the NBA finals and Filipinos everywhere are glued to the TV 24/7.  It's hard to walk anywhere now without hearing American Commentators and crowds cheering.  Last I heard Miami was up 2-1.

Work continues to go great here.  My whole district is doing really well, with upcoming baptisms in every area.  Being a DL in Bohol is a challenge due to the distance between each area here.  Jagna and Duero are both a little over an hour bus ride away from Valencia, and Pilar is over 3.  So success in the District means a lot of travel for Elder Plandiano and me, but it is great to interview these people who are so ready to receive the gospel and it's blessings into their lives.  Being a DL is a blast.  Weekly workshops are also really great.  I learn so much preparing them and from the feedback from my District.  I have a very very obedient, spiritual district, and the Spirit is always present and active in our district meetings.

I have been inspired this past couple of weeks by the faith of Joceryl, our golden investigator that the Lord just handed to us one day.  She is the one we struck up a conversation with while waiting for public transport and she told us she wanted to be baptized.  In the recent weeks that followed, she continued to amaze us with her readiness for baptism, and Satan continued to amaze us with how much he does not want Joceryl to be baptized.  Joceryl's family is extremely against her getting baptized, and has told her if she is baptized she will not have a home to come home to.  Her boss at work is a die hard Catholic, and has told Joceryl that she will be fired if she joins the Mormon church.  Joceryl's sponsor for college is also Catholic and will cut off her support if Joceryl is baptized.  Nevertheless, Joceryl remains completely faithful.  She attends church every week and frequently bears testimony in our lessons.  She writes us notes about challenges in her life and ways the Lord is carrying her through them all.  She is sharing the gospel like a mad-woman.  We have to give her new pamphlets every time we visit her because she keeps giving them away to friends and acquaintances!  She is already preparing to serve a mission.  Her baptismal date is July 7, and I and the Lord are so proud of her.  Joceryl's faith begs the question in all of us, "what would we be willing to sacrifice for the Savior?"  Would we put our family, career, and schooling on the line if Christ asked us to?  Joceryl is.  The Lord has promised us, that if we seek first His kingdom, all else will be added unto us.  Why worry about tomorrow?  Do what Christ commands, and you will always be taken care of.  Faith precedes the miracle, and I cannot wait to see the miracles the Lord has in store for Joceryl because of her faithfulness.

Keep us all in your prayers, as you are all in mine!  I love you!

Love,
Elder Garver