The Book of Mormon Gives Them the Key to Discovering God’s Path!

53 weeks down. 51 to go. Yes, it´s true, I completed 1 year in the mission. Thursday was the day and we have plenty of pictures of the shirt we burned (a missionary tradition at the 1 year mark). We ate pizza, drank soda and had a good night without electricity!

OK, so this is my report for this past week. I had an excellent week despite the fact that they cut the water off for Los Alcarrizzos, for about 3 days! We had to buy the expensive drinking water to do everything. Shower, wash dishes, etc.

Here is more info about my roommates. Elder A. (my comp) continues to be an excellent missionary. He´s a hard worker. And even though we sometimes drive each other nuts, it´s the good kind of crazy. That really, deep down, comes from amor. Elder R. is from Mexico City. The kid is a character. And I really can´t fully describe him. Super funny. The other day, at 11:15 at night, I felt someone grab my leg. I thought it was my comp, but then heard someone giggling and realized that Elder R. was hiding behind my bed. There are now two Mexicanos in the zone. We´re all sad Cinco de Mayo isn´t coming up soon. Elder V. is a stud that cooks every single day! It´s paradise. The best part is, all his food tastes delicious. It´s rice every day, but the meat and the sauce always changes up. He made some banana bread the other day.

This last week, we´ve been really focusing on commitments. We decided to set the goal of putting 6 baptismal dates this week. We fulfilled our goal. We did it 4 times, in the first appointment. The majority of people realize that if God shows them the path, they will follow it.

We tried to help the people understand that the Book of Mormon gives them the key to discovering God’s path. It seems to be working, and I have less fear of inviting people to be baptized. We found one couple in the first appointment that have a lot of potential. They´re both in their 50s and they both committed to baptism if God tells them the message is true. This was on Saturday, and so they told us they had other commitments this Sunday, but are going to attend next week.

I had a good intercambio with a Dominican Elder F. I am liking the Ward that I´m in here. Oh and tomorrow, we are going to have a conference with 2 other zones with Elder Cornish. It´s all about faith. My companion Elder A. will be conducting.

Have a great week. I know I will.

Elder Phil

Headed to the Big City

Letter from Phillip on August 15, 2011

La Querida Familia Mia,

To everything there is a season, a time and a purpose under heaven. Think of the theme song of the classic 80's show “The Wonder Years.”

So, I assume you're all waiting on the big news. Without further ado, I have 2 words for you all. Saint Domingo. Why yes, I am being transferred to Santo Domingo. I'm going to be in Los Alcarrizo.

I've heard nothing but good things about my area and about my comp so I'm super excited. I've heard we live in a 4 man house but I'm not sure. I think I might be “3 D” which is the American slang that I'll be living with 3 Dominicans. But, I'm stoked to find out. I heard that my companion speaks excellent English. But to tell you the truth, I have no idea what it will be like. I'm leaving tomorrow at 10 in the morning. I'll let you know everything next week.

OK, well we all had a good week. On Tuesday, we watched an episode of “The District 2” for district meeting. I realized that all I need to do in order to have a great mission is watch “The District” once a week. It's sort of like watching “The Office”, except with missionaries. And without Michael Scott. Anyways, it pumped me up to spread the Gospel.

Juan is doing great. He is ready, and I assume that he'll have permission to get baptized. We just have to make sure he has a white shirt to wear to Church on Sundays. Marleny is also doing super well. However she didn't come to Church yesterday, so we'll have to see what happened. Evangelina is still going strong. We found an excellent investigator this past week. His name is Gerson. He's about 27. Just finished medical school in the capital. Is highly interested in the message. I don't know how far he'll progress because he works in the hospital most Sundays, but it's so fun having an investigator that listens to the message, understands the message, and asks excellent questions. It's too bad that I won't be able to see more of him.

To quote Bob Dylan, the times they are a changing. So wish me luck.

Love Elder Phil