Hey Family and Friends!
Sorry, we havent really had that much time on email these past couple weeks... But I didnt get transferred this week! The zone leaders played a little prank on us and texted us saying that I had been transferred... Ha but yeah I'm here in Tugue at least another 6 weeks! :) Thats actually really what I wanted because the people here are so awesome! And the area is progressing so fast its unbelievable! These people are undoubtedly prepared by the Lord and Dad's letter is so true! And I'm still here with Elder Claudio! But its extremely rare that the trainer stays with the trainee for 4 cycles, so honestly its like these next 6 weeks are my last here. But we are working hard here and that what kind of stinks... you work so hard in an area and see the people progressing and you grow to love the people and then you have to leave. But I guess the will of the Lord has other plans :)
But the Macarubbo family is doing really really really really well!!! We met them again a few times this last week and the progression keeps coming from them! They are a special family for sure! Prepared by the Lord! We watched the Restoration video with them this last Saturday and we felt the spirit for sure!! When we committed them to come to church, the daughter was like, "ayy! I have a review that day!" Then the Tatay said, "well, I guess you dont want to see God!" Haha it was in a joking way of course and then the nanay mentioned about their business and the tatay came back and said "We can move it to another time... We need to put the Lord first!" WOW!!! I was sooooooooo excited for that! Gosh and then he is always telling us how he wants to change his life and come together with his family! Even the mother and family (who before were already okay with us coming) expressed their shock in how they've seen a big change in their father! This family is a miracle.
We were a little worried, however,
that they wouldnt be able to come to church because last week their motor broke
down and weren't able to come... But ohhhhh the joy it was yesterday seeing
them enter into the House of the Lord!!!! :) Their baptismal date is the last
week of August! :)
Another one of our investigators who is another miracle is Christopher! I think I told you about Christof, but long story short, he was a miracle referral from a member in the ward! We teach him every sunday after church, and he is also a very special person! He is really in tune with the spirit and is like a sponge just taking in as much as he can! He's already read all the introduction, he's memorized the names of the witnesses to the Book of Mormon, and he's reading and marking and writing down questions as he reads and he's already in 1 Nephi 8! Sometimes he even stumps us with his deep questions of the Book of Mormon!!! Haha but its been a miracle teaching him and his desire is huge! He came to the baptism in Cataggaman and said he is excited to be baptized as well! He's a little nervous about sharing his testimony at the end though! :)
And then Lovelyn Villamore and Denmark Natividad! These are two part member youth who are also very mature in the gospel! They both have a strong desire to become members and are actively coming to church and meetings! Lovelyn is struggling just a little bit with the word of wisdom as she is used to drinking coffee... but we're helping her work through that! Its such a blessing to work with these people!
One of the biggest things I've noticed with all this excitement in our area is that every one of these investigators is consistently reading out of the Book of Mormon. I dont have much time left, but I now have a firm testimony that if any man or woman will read that divine Book with a firm determination to know if its true with real intent... they will know of its truthfulness! Nephi's purpose is true and is being fulfilled when he said, "For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved." And Moroni's powerful promise at the close of the book "And by the power of the Holy Ghost, you may know the truth of all things"
I love this time as a missionary... I know Christ lives! The book of Mormon is true!
Mahal ko kayo! Namamahala ang Diyos ng Israel!
Elder Navarro
