Huwag kang mangkukulam

            Kumusta Family!  Sorry that I'm sending this so late.  I'm actually in Balibago right now in Angeles.  We went to the mission home in Angeles City so that Elder Batingal could take the CLS English Test to become a certified English speaker.  He said it was really hard, but I think he'll get a good score on it.  It took us awhile to get there, but it was nice to spend some time in the air-conditioned mission office for a bit.  We went to lunch at SM Clark, the mall, and I've never seen so many Joes here in the Philippines that weren't missionaries.  (A “Joe” is what they call an American male here, like: G.I. Joe.  So, as I walk along down a street, it is not uncommon to hear: “Hey, Joe!  What you know?”) I suppose that it has something to do with being so close to what was once Clark Air Force Base.  Anyway, it was kind of surprising to see.  We didn't really stop and talk to them, but it was really strange to hear an American accent again from a guy ordering in front of me.  It's also very hot here.  What else is new, right? 

Jordan here with Sister Sharp and Elder Palmer from his MTC district - in Angeles City for a leadership conference

             Well, just like last week, we taught a lot of lessons, but when it came to Sunday....nothing.  The attendance was only 97 this week, when it was over 200 just last month.  I really don't know what's happening here.  We're doing everything we can right now to get the work progressing, but the members seem to be struggling to work along side us.  A big part of that problem is the failure of so many to come to church.  Mahirap.  Grrr.  The bishopric told us that everything related to gospel teaching (investigators, recent converts, and less actives) is our sole responsibility, which is frustrating because we are here to teach with them, not for them.  It seems that too many members are waiting for the chapel renovation to be completed before returning to church.  We are told that the construction work may be done by the end of this month, but it will more likely be mid to late November.  At least we have one really cool investigator, Mak-Mak, who will have his baptismal interview this week (knock on wood). 

            We did not get to see General Conference yet.  That does not happen for us until this coming weekend.  So, President Monson announced that the missionary ages have changed to 18 for young men and 19 young women?  I totally thought that was some baseless rumor until this morning, when a sister returned missionary bore her testimony saying that her former mission president sent out an announcement about that.  We were really shocked by it, because that was the first we had heard of it.  Then, a bunch of future sister missionaries got up and expressed gratitude and joy for this latest revelation, something that we didn't even know was true at the time.  Man.  We were thinking, "What if it's just a rumor?  What will they do?"  But, thanks to all the spoilers of Conference (including your letters today), Sister Martino confirmed it this morning.  I guess that's cool, but I would think 18 year old Elders would have to be really mature to serve a mission, because I do not think I would have been as ready at 18.  (Of course, had I known I could go at 18, I may have focused more on mission preparation at an earlier point, so it may not have been a big deal.)  I am interested to see what kind of a difference this makes in the number of missionaries in the field.

Jordan with Elder Batingal at the mission office in Angeles

            I attended my first ZL/DLC (Zone Leader's/District Leader's Conference) on Wednesday, and it was great!  It's pretty much just like zone conference, except the zone leaders talk about the previous month's goals and the goals for the coming month, and the rest of the mission isn't invited.  Our main focus for this month is teaching the Book of Mormon.  Sister Martino gave brand new copies to all the missionaries in the mission and invited us to read it from cover to cover by Christmas Conference in December.  At first, I really didn't want to do it, because I was almost done reading through it again and did not want to start over.  But, but after thinking about it and watching Elder Holland's awesome talk back in '09 at conference about the Book of Mormon, I decided to start over.  Sister Martino wants us to focus on getting closer to the Savior by reading the Book of Mormon.  She gave all the missionaries two colored pens, red and blue.  We are to use the red marker to highlight every reference to Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost.  With the blue marker, we are to make specific note of the Savior's words.  It reminded me of when we did this as a family back in the day.  I've already circled all of that in my scriptures, too.  I started over on Thursday (with the Introduction and Testimonies) and now I'm in 2 Nephi!   :)  Once I started, I didn't want to stop.  I just love reading the Book of Mormon, and even learned a few more things in 1^st Nephi that I hadn't noticed before (and I thought I knew everything about 1^st Nephi after reading it so many times). 

Jordan outside the mission office in Angeles City

            Elder Batingal and I are still doing good and having fun.  I'm learning a lot from him everyday.  I'm also glad to be getting my friend's mission emails and stuff.  (Thanks for forwarding all of that, Dad.)  It sounds like they're loving it.  It figures that Dallin would be driving a car in his fist area and eating steak.  Man, American missionaries are so spoiled (haha), but I guess we are spoiled a bit here, too - especially in Victoria.  Just like Kalikid, we have dinner appointments almost every night, so I hope to gain some weight back.  Both of the Steven's (Elder Olson and Elder Jex) sound like they are doing well, and Steven Olson sounds like he's been making a lot of improvement in the Sao Paulo MTC (or whatever that's called there) since the first time he wrote.  Seth and I are serving directly below each other in the Philippines.  I can confirm that yes, the bread is reaaaallllly masarap here.  I laugh every time I read Brennen Marshal's letters (haha).  He really knows how to write interesting emails home.  I am excited to hear about Chelsea’s mission call.  My guess is that she will come to the Philippines Angeles Mission, of course (the best).  Or, my second guess would be a historical sites mission in New York (which she would be great at).  I forgot to tell you guys that I met Sister Tesch (Garth Tesch’s daughter) on Wednesday and we talked a bit about the Church History trip and stuff.  Pretty cool.  (If you can let Bro. Tesch know his daughter is doing well, that would be great.  I’m sure he would love to know that through another source.)  Oh, and thanks, Mom, for getting me new shoes at the Missionary Mall.  (Thank goodness for that free replacement guarantee if you buy shoes there.  Hint, hint to future missionaries looking to purchase shoes.)

            I think I'm going to end here.  I hope that you had a great week and that this week will be even better!  Mom, I don't know what packages I was carrying in those pictures Sister Martino sent you, but it is very cool that she sent them.  The Martinos are wonderful people.  Ight.  Mahal ko kayo.  Ingat!

            Elder Jordan "Psyched to Watch General Conference" Royal

Happy Mission Birthday

            Man!  I can't believe that it's already been over a year since I entered the MTC!  On this day a year ago, I was with my awesome MTC district watching General Conference for our first weekend in the mission.  I can remember that day very vividly.  I also the day that I entered the MTC.  I can't believe it's been a year since then.  SOOOOOO much has happened in my life this past year.  Not only for me, but for you guys, too!  I'm excited to see what will happen to us this year.  Yeah!

Jordan with Elder Batingal, and the bishop and his wife

            Well, a lot has happened this week.  We taught tons of lessons this week (over 40 again), but it felt like nothing was really coming out of them, because only one investigator attended church and the attendance at church seems to be decreasing each week.  A lot of people we teach, investigator or less active, are waiting for the chapel to be finished before returning to church, they want the bishopbric to change, the ward to split, or provide some other excuse.  It's hard to hear those kind of things.  The members don't know that the Church organization is/and will always be true and perfect, but the members aren't.  Come on.  We're all human aren't we?  I sometimes wonder what it be like if a church member offended me (accidently or on purpose), would I forgive them and go back to church?  I would hope so.  We only hurt ourselves when we take offense and hold onto negative feelings. 

            Anyway, as I said earlier, I thought that we didn't really accomplish anything, because of the outcome of the week.  However, on Sunday afternoon, we went and taught one of our part-member investigators, Mak-Mak.  He's living with his extremely rich cousins, the Cortados, who are very active in the Church.  Their daughter is actually serving right now in the Philippines Angeles Mission.  Guess which Zone she's in - the Tarlac Zone.  She's only about an hour drive away from home.  I don't know how all that worked, but it's what the Lord wants.  Her mom is always asking us how she's doing and stuff and giving us letters to give to her.  She goes home in January, so that's not too long.  Anyway, Mak-Mak is 18, and he's super awesome.  He's been taught by the missionaries for some time and been coming to church, so it's like he's already a member.  Well, we taught an awesome about the feelings of the Holy Ghost.  Many people do not understand how the Spirit works, so after we explained him the feelings of the Spirit and used Moroni 7 to teach hime about how to know if something is of God.  Mak-Mak has been feeling the Spirit for awhile, but he really didn't know what he was feeling until we taught him that lesson.  We then invited him to be baptized on October 20.  He gladly accepted and is excited. 

Jordan with Elder Batingal and Randy

             Other than Mak-Mak, we don't have any other investigators as far along as him.  However, we have others that are progressing.  Like 22 year-old Mark.  He received a witness that Joseph Smith was a true prophet and that the Book of Mormon is true, but he's not coming to church.  We'll probably have to teach him about Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy.  He's got a lot of potential, though.  We also talked with a lot of people on the street this week.  When we would go back for a return appointment with them, most of them just run and hide in their house.  I don't understand why people don't just come out and plainly tell us that they're not interested.  That would make life easier for everyone.  We respect all religions.  We only invite people to come unto Christ and add to their knowledge about Him.  We did have a pretty funny experience with this yesterday.  We went to teach this old Tatay, who'd been really nice to us during past lessons, but he hid when we came to his house.  When we left, we came back about a half hour later and saw him in the bukid.  We decided to see if we could catch up with him.  He was pretty far, we kept getting closer and closer to him.  We really weren't walking that fast, but as we closed in on him, he began walking faster, and did not look back.  When he got to the highway, we saw him practically running.  By the time we arrived at the highway, he was gone.  (Haha.  O Tatay.)

            Elder Batingal and I are having fun together.  He goes home at the end of the month.  We like to joke with each other and quote funny quotes from the Tagalog version of, "The Restoration" video.  "Joesph, matagal na hindi ka nagsisimba" (You haven't been coming to church Joseph).  "Ganoon ba?  Huwag kang maging palawo iho"  (I see.  Be aware of pride boy.).  It's only funny because the way he says it (haha). 

Jordan, doing some sole searching

            Well, I thought I wasn't going to tell you this, but I'm pretty much out of stories, so I guess I'll tell you.  So for the first time in my life, I got a really painful boil on my chin.  Like, it was numbing my chin and it hurt to talk.  I always shower and have no idea how I got it.  Anyway, that was when I first got here.  Then on Monday, it got to point where I could get rid of it.  I'll just tell you that it consisted of a hot towel, a needle, and some anti-bac ointment.  So that one's gone.  Then a few days later, I got another one, but in a more painful spot: ride smack dab in the middle of my left armpit.  Boy, it hurts a lot more than the one on my face.  I think that the bacteria is still in my body and traveled to a different spot.  I'm taking antibiotics, so it should be gone this week.  Hopefully by tomorrow, because it really hurts to move my arm.  I don't think I've ever been through so much pain like that before until now.  Wow.  I'm not telling you this to worry you, (trust me, I'm totally fine), but to inform you about what's going on in my life.  (Job’s entire body was covered by boils.  Wow, I can’t begin to imagine how terrible that would be.)

Not a sole survives

            I think that'll do it for this week.  We have ZL/DL Conference this week on Wednesday, so I'll hopefully get some mail (including Mom's package for me).  I hope that everyone is going well over there.  I can't believe that General Conference is already this weekend!  I watched that for my first Sunday in Mamonit.  Time flies.  Well.  I can't wait to see you guys in another year, but I won't let that hurt the work.  I will keep working with all my heart, might, mind and strength, with an eye single to the glory of God!  Alright.  Peace!  Mahal ko kayo.

            Elder Jordan "1 Year Missionary" Royal

Greetings From . . . . . . . . .

            Victoria, Tarlac Zone!  That’s my new area.  Yes, I got transferred this week after being in Mamonit for over six months.  I'll miss the members and our recent converts, but I was really excited about my new assignment.  My new companion is Elder Batingal.  This is his last transfer, so he'll be the second companion that I've sent home.  Elder Batingal is an incredible worker, humble, and charitable.  I was pleasantly surprised.  He's really sprinting to the end of his mission.  That's the missionary I hope to be at the end of the my mission.  But, before I get into more details about my area, I think I'll go back to my last week in Mamonit.

Jordan with Jayson, Bessie, Rofina and Lolita in Mamonit a few days before his transfer

            Every companionship changed in the Sta. Ignacia Stake this transfer, except for Elders Retaga and Witt.  Elder Retaga will be sending Elder Witt home this transfer.  That is the fourth time Elder Retaga has served with a missionary in his last transfer before going home.  Before our transfer announcements, we went to the Zone Leader's house to play basketball at 6:00 am at the stake center with our new zone jerseys we bought a couple of weeks ago.  They're so sick!  I forgot to bring my camera today, so I won't be sending pictures.  Sorry. 

            So, now I'm here in Victoria, Tarlac.  I'm still DL, or Relief Society President now, because I'm the DL of two sister companionships.  The cool news is that Sister Sharp, from my MTC group,  is in my district.  Elder Palmer, also from my MTC group, is the new ZL in Angeles City, so that's pretty cool.  I'll see him when we have ZL/DLC (Zone Leader/District Leader Council) with President Martino in a couple of weeks, so I'm looking forward to that. 

            Working with Elder Batingal was really fun this week.  We taught so many lessons, even though we've only been together for about four days.  The work in Victoria is incredible.  This last week, we taught a total of 41 lessons.  Victoria's really big.  It's half city/half bukid.  After being in nothing but bukids for over six months, I actually enjoy them.  The only bad thing about Victoria is that it gets so hot here!  I miss being in the mountains where it was cooler.  There's still some who speak Ilocano here, but it's mostly Tagalog.  Obviously, I am conversant in Tagalog, and prefer it, but I did learn a little bit of Ilocano during my six months in Mamonit, and it's been pretty useful so far.  You know, questions like: "What's your name?",  "Yes/no", “Good morning/afternoon/evening," "My name is Elder Royal.  You?",  "Just a little bit",  "water",  "Do you have any questions? Additions?  Answers?"  That's about it.  It's fun to use,though.  For the first time on my mission, some little kids asked me what my name was . . . not in English!  They asked me in Ilocano thinking that I wouldn't understand them, but as soon as I answered correctly, they esteemed me as the coolest Joe they had ever seen (haha). 

Jordan with his district in Mamonit on their last Preparation Day adventure before his transfer

             Elder Batingal and I have a good time together.  We get a long very well, so I'm looking forward to this transfer.  We have a lot of progressing investigators, most from part-member families.  Investigators from part-member families are great to teach, because they already have a support system.  The members here are pretty cool, except there's some kind of division within the ward because of some personalities (nothing that can’t be fixed).  The chapel's been going through renovations since April, so we're renting a meeting house until that’s completed.  They say we should be able to go back there by November, so I'll definitely be there for that.  The temporary meeting house isn't the greatest thing in the world, but it's alright.  I'm trying to get to know all of the members and the people in this area, and it's been coming along.  The area is huge, with a bunch of cross streets and neighborhoods, so I probably won't be able to memorize it right away.  It's getting a little familiar, but I probably wouldn't be able to find my way back home if we were to go on splits right now.  I don't have a pillow at the house, so I had to improvise.  Well, okay, I do have a pillow but it's like six inches long and 1/4 inch thick, so it's not really efficient (and technically cannot count as a pillow).  I took some of my clothes and put them inside my pillow case, so that's been working for me so far, but I'm definitely taking Elder Batingal's pillow when he goes home. 

Jordan here with Ruben Rechelle Dave and Reden et al, a few days before his transfer from Mamonit

            Well, I’m sorry that BYU is struggling right now.  But seriously, a two-point conversion instead of playing for OT against BSU last week?!  Oh well, BYU seems to always start the season with a 2-2 record, so at least we are there.  I'm glad that you're alright over there.  I really want to vote, so please get me an absentee ballot as soon as you can.  And Dad, the ZL’s have the letters you and I wrote to deliver to the woman who found my cards and returned them, but have not yet identified the member who received the cards from her.  I’ll let you know if that happens.

            Mahal ko pa kayo.  Ingat.

            Elder Jordan "Victory-a" Royal

Elder Dela Paz IS TRAINED!

            Before I forget again.  I need to tell you that President Martino says that we can vote in the upcoming election!!   How cool is that!?  I don't know how to do the whole absentee ballet thing, but I'm just excited that I'll be able to vote.  Go America!  Anyway....

            Sorry, it is taking me so long to email you guys right now.  We went back to the Camaling River to take pictures and had an awesome lunch that we just cooked right then and there.  I was last there six months ago.  It was a lot cooler this time because the river is now full (from the rainy season), so the irrigation system made like a cool rapid-waterfall thing.  The water's green now, too, but it still looked pretty sweet.

Jordan (right) with (from left) Elders Witt, Dela Paz and Retaga - eating fish at the edge of the Calaming River

Jordan at the Calaming River six months after his first visit

            Well, it sounds like you all had a pretty rough week over there, too.  I guess we're in the same boat then.  Not only am I sobrang galit at BYU for losing to Utah (blah), our work wasn't really that great either.  We were pretty much punted everywhere that we went to this week.  Which was sad seeing that it was probably my last full week here in Mamonit.  We did not teach that many investigators because they are all in the bukids working the harvest.  We were able to teach Tatay Ruben again, though.  We met him a couple of weeks ago and weren't able to teach him since.  He's an inactive Jehovah's Witness, so that's the knowledge that he grew up with.  Once we explained to him that Jesus is actually Jehovah from the Old Testament and taught that doctrine from the Old Testament, he accepted it right away, saying: "Yeah that makes sense."  Awesome!  I guess we'll keep teaching then.  I think that was about the highlight lesson of the week with an investigator.  Our recent converts are doing great, so I don't really have any worries about them (Jerome, Ruben & Rechelle, and Bessie).  It was pretty sad teaching Bessie for my last time yesterday.  I'm definitely going to miss the Spirit that I felt while teaching her.  She's had such an incredible change of heart.  She loves the Gospel.  Bessie sent us a text earlier today thanking us for teaching her.  We went over yesterday to Brother Jayson Coliado's house (boyfriend) and taught her the importance of eternal marriage.  It was really funny, especially since they're most likely going to be married.  Jayson was like: "When you find your awesome future worthy-Priesthood holder husband, it'll be awesome for you guys to be married in the temple."   We were all laughing when he said that (haha).  If they do get married in the temple, they'll have to wait until September 1, 2013 when Bessie's been a member for a year.  Maybe I'll be able to attend the sealing!  (haha)  That would be so awesome!  We taught Ruben and Rechelle the same thing.  It wasn't as sad, because I'll probably see them one more time before I leave.  They're also progressing well.  Jerome attended Mutual for the first time on Wednesday.  We've been encouraging him to go to Mutual even before he was baptized.  He never went, because he is pretty shy, but he said he had fun there, so hopefully that'll be a weekly thing now.

Jordan and Elder Dela Paz with Ruben, Rechelle and their mom (with others he did not identify . . . sorry)

             I can't believe that the transfer is over this week!  We're going to Sta. Ignacia this Wednesday for Transfer Announcements.  There's probably going to be a lot of changes in the zone.  Every companionship could change by this week.  I've enjoyed my six months in Mamonit.  Well maybe not the first three months, but it definitely got better.  It'll be sad to leave, but I'm kind of excited for a change.  Elder Dela Paz will be able to take control of the area.  He's awesome.  He'll do just fine.  I had a good time training him.  So perhaps I'll be writing you guys from a new area next week.  I know the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in its fullness to the earth.  I am grateful to be one of those blessed enough to take that message to the world.  It is a great joy serving in the Philippines.  I love being known as "Elder Royal."  Mahal ko kayo talaga.  Namimiss ko kayo.  Ingat.  Be safe.  Peace.

Elder Jordan "Former Trainer" Royal

Go Lights!  District 3 - last Prep Day together  

Temple Ready!

Generational Picture: Jordan here with his trainer (or "father") to the left (Elder Declaro), and his trainee (or "son") to the right (Elder Dela Paz).  So, in missionary terms, Elder Declaro is a grandfather, Jordan a father, and Elder Dela Paz a son.  Just some fun ways missionaries identify with each other and connect the mission dots.

            Well, sorry that I'm writing pretty late this morning.  You're right, I am late writing because we played basketball this morning.  It’s always fun, but I did terrible today.  (Darn.)  We're still working on getting zone jerseys, so that should be sweet.  Yes, I received my box this week.  Thank you!  I got it after zone conference.  Too bad, because that miniature Preach My Gospel would've been really helpful.  Oh well, I'm glad I have it now.  I can use it for interviews and zone conferences without bringing the usual giant one.  It gets annoying fast to carry it along with my scriptures. But now, my burden is light!  Woo!  And yes, I did receive the ATM card.  But no, I haven't tried the number yet.  I always forget the number, anyway.  Oh well, I have it saved somewhere so I'll look at it later.

Jordan with 09.05.12 Elders Saldino, Garcia and Dela Paz

            Work was a little difficult this week.  The rain has stopped, so it's harvest season again, which means that NO ONE is EVER in their homes, because they're all in the bukids planting that good 'ol rice.  And when they get home, it's straight to the liquor.  (I’m speaking generally, of course.)  I was worried when we went to Michael Razalan's house, because his older brother, his father, and their friends were drinking in front of their house.  Michael is a less active member who just returned yesterday (woo!), and his family is all less active except for his other brother and mother.  So, I thought Michael was drinking with him.  But, I was relieved when I saw him inside the house with his mom watching TV.  Awesome.  We've really made progress with him.  His life has changed so much since we started teaching him.  There are some rumors that Michael drinks, but we're not going to force him to tell us.  We've gained a lot trust with him, so if he has been drinking, I think he'll honestly let us know.  We also had another less active return yesterday, Nanay Juan.  I met her on my first day in the area six months ago, and she hadn't made any progress at all.  I was starting to think that we were wasting our time teaching her family, because she would always get mad at her son during our lesson.  Also, she was depressed, stressed, and always complained of being tired.  Over the past several weeks, we just decided to visit them, without teaching - but just to say helld and see if they needed any service.  When we would visit them, we would just invite her and her family to church and promised that Heavenly Father would help her situation.  Four weeks ago, Nanay Juan attended church for the first time in years.  Once she started coming back to church again, she slowly began changing her attitude.  Now, she's happy, joking, and giving, even though they are extremely poor.  We promised that her life would change if she returned to church, and look what happened!  There are other less actives who aren't nearly as poor as Nanay Juan, yet they refused to come back to church for various reasons - usually because they were offended and cannot forgive and get back on track.  All they have to do is apply just a LITTLE bit of faith, and the Lord will do the rest (Alma 32).  For some people, that's the hardest thing to do.  When the Lord sent poisonous serpents to bite the Children of Israel for their wickedness, the cure He gave them was to look upon a brass serpent raised in the air by Moses (which represented Jesus Christ).  All they had to do was look and live.  And that was the lesson not only for the Children of Israel, but for us all.  It is as easy to cure ourselves of the effects of evil as it was for the Children of Israel to be cured of a poisonous snake bite.  If we desire to truly live, all we have to do is look to Christ.  God does not give us commandments that we are not capable of doing ourselves (1 Nephi 3:7).  He even helps us with the easy things.  I'm baffled sometimes with our less actives.  Some of them are just like the Children of Israel who wouldn't look, because it was too easy - they had no faith.  They expected bigger, harder or more spectacular things (money, bigger house, members to personally come up to them and apologize without going to them, etc.).  So sad.  Happiness for us all is a mere look away . . . so long as we are focused on Jesus Christ.  He is, always has been, and will always be the answer.

Jordan with Elder Tuitema, who is also from Las Vegas

            We had a really good zone conference this week.  Our theme was how to become a “visionary man.”  President Martino used the story of Lehi from First Nephi, noting that the term “visionary man” is used mockingly.  Lehi acknowledges that he was, in fact, a “visionary man” because without that blessing, he and his family would have perished in Jerusalem (1 Nephi 5:2). President used examples of “visionary men” in the scriptures and also from modern times.  He defined a “visionary man” as "a person who is spiritually determined to accomplish an objective."  I think that's a pretty good definition.  He used a quote by Henry Ford that I really liked: "If you think you can't, you are right."  I also like a quote from Thomas Edison: "I didn't think 1000 times in making the light bulb.  I just discovered 999 ways NOT to make a light bulb.”   Inspirational, right?  Zone Conference was awesome (as always).  We saw Edel Pal there, who is serving as a part-time missionary in the Tarlac Zone.  Edel is from our area and will be leaving to serve in the Philippines Naga Mission on October 13.  His family will have three full-time missionaries serving at once!  They're son just turned in his papers a couple of weeks ago, but hasn't received his call yet.  Speaking of my area, this will likely be my last full week serving in the Mamonit area.  Transfer Day is on the 20^th. 

            So Bessie, Rechelle, and Ruben all attended the temple to do baptisms with the ward on Saturday!  Awesome!  I can't believe the growth that I've seen in all three of them - especially Bessie, who once said that she would never join the Church.  I'm really glad she did.  They all enjoyed the temple very much.  While visiting Ruben and Rechelle one night, we met their grandmother.  She just turned 80.  Her husband died back in the 70's, so she's been alone for a while.  Her only child also died.  She's not from our area.  She's incredibly poor and has to sell her clothes to get enough money to buy sacks of rice for herself.  We taught her the Plan of Salvation, because she really wanted to know how to be with her family again.  She was really accepting and wants to know more.  We referred her immediately to the Elders in her area, so hopefully they'll start teaching her this week.  I definitely imagined her in the temple being sealed to her family for eternity.  Awesome stuff.  I really love this work!  Sharing the gospel light with others is the most satisfying, rewarding, joyful work in the world.

            Well, I think that's it for this week.  If I'm forgetting anything, sorry.  Mahal ko kayo lahat!  Ingat!  I hope that you guys are safe!

            Elder Jordan "18 days until I’m out a year" Royal