Merry Christmas! I hope you all find peace and joy this week! "For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulders and his name shall be called: Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isiah 9:6) I love that scripture! It makes me rejoice in the Savior that He was born to save you and me and all men from sin, sorrow and death!
Well this week was crazy. This week we experienced some really crazy weather. Typhoon Melor was supposed to hit the lower part of the Philippines but also made some heavy impact up here in central Luzon. We experienced alot of heavy rains which caused a lot of flooding especially in the the parts close to the rivers here. Many houses were damaged and flooded and we even saw two that were swept away. Some people had to evacuate to higher ground because their houses were flooded. The effects were pretty bad but not as bad as typhoon Lando this last October. One obstacle that we had this week was that on the other side of one of the rivers here in Gabaldon live most of the members and all of our investigators. The bridge was broken so we were unable to cross. For most of the week we were unable to visit our investigators, even until now. Most of our members couldn't even come to church because the water was to high and fast moving that they couldn't cross the river.
As bad as this seems many good things happened this week. I hope that this email is positive and uplifting as that is my aim.
First we had the baptismal interview of Levi! The day before the storm, He is so ready! I am so pleased in the change we have seen in him. Even though we couldn't cross the river we were able to call our investigators a few time to check how they are doing. Aiza one of our wonderful and very progressing investigators with great faith has struggled to decide if she was ready for baptism. When we called her this week she told us that she feels ready now and wants to be baptized with brother Levi. Also we are teaching this elderly man who just radiates with spiritual power his name is Seriaco and he is the father of the relief society president here. He will also be baptized with them! I am so happy with the work here. One other little miracle is we are teaching a brother who is very influential here in Gabaldon and was the mayor for 20+ years. He is reading the Book of Mormon and came to church last Sunday! I am so grateful for the Holy Ghost.
What a great day to be alive! What a wonderful season to be a part of God's work, What a great time of light and opportunity to live in, with modern revelation and technology! We live in a time of wickedness and disaster but also a time of great light! I am learning lately in my mission to look of the good in every situation.
I know that just as the flood victims sought higher ground to escape danger we too must do the same to escape the flood of wickedness that is over the earth. Lets seek higher ground, the Temple, and also seek ways we can help others get to the temple too.
I love you all so much!
Maligayang Pasko!
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ELDER MURDOCK
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