Elder Graden Reber: Staying in Balawog = More top bunk time

Kamusta Fam,

Quote of the Week: "Always believe something wonderful is about to happen."

This week was full of great memories! I'm just going to list them to save time:)

1.We had 3 baptisms on Saturday. Mico Cleo Galvez, Levi Galvez, & Dona Gungob are the newest members to Baliwag 2nd!

2. Mio Choi Galvez is going to get baptized this upcoming week:)

3. We had an amazing Sunday!! I got to bless the Sacrament with our recent convert Charlie for his first time. He was so nervous but got it on his first try! That was actually the first time I have blessed the Sacrament in Tagalog:) Usually the members just bless it, but Charlie wanted to do it with me❤️

4. We had 17 investigators come to church this Sunday😆😆 That was the most I have ever seen show up on one Sunday. I was glad it was on a testimony Sunday so they could here all of the amazing testimonies of our members... And my testimony as well;)

5. President Hughes has told me for the last 2 transfers that I will be transferring this week. However, because of how well Elder Castro and I have been working he wants me to stay one more. We have a bunch of new people coming in our zone that might have "potential threats." Haha he wants me to be here to help Elder Castro with the transition.

6. Because I thought I would be transferring we worked a lot with members and FHEs this week. It was sooooo much fun having 3 FHEs, and seeing all our investigators and Recent Converts there. I am gaining a stronger testimony of missionary work here right now... Lovin it!

7. I got to do another practice baptismal interview on the top bunk of the Galvez house. That's the "third floor" btw. I took a picture this time to remember that special spot. It's one of my favorite pictures of my mission now bc looks like an old fashioned Pic. I'll send it to you:)

8. We had a lot of Investigators come to our Ward FHE yesterday. They seemed to be enjoying it very much, especially 2 of them (Aiza 16 and Imelda 50s). They are extremely poor and we have been visiting them for the last 3ish weeks. Aiza confirmed to us last night after the FHE that she enjoyed it when when she messaged us...

"Wow, tonight I realized that it really is happy and fun at church. I started realizing it on our walk home when I felt so light! I felt different tonight while being with all of those members. We have seen our problems slowly go away as you continue to come here and share with us. I am looking forward to church this upcoming Sunday, what day is my baptism on again?"

Ahhhhhhhh!! We never get texts like that! 😂 It's usually starts with the word Sorry and then an excuse😂 Basically the work is enjoyable right now, and we are working super hard.

I took tons of pictures this week. So I will probably just toss them up on Google drive:) Love you guys!

-Elder Reber