WEEK 70 - December 19, 2017 (Laoag, Philippines)

Hello Everybody,

First of all, I got an email from some random guy telling me that this blog makes it in the top 100 Philippines blogs in the world! haha so good job Mom. I was hoping we would be top 10 or something like that, but turns out we are number 84. But anyway, that made me laugh. Also congrats to Elizabeth on her Mission Call!! Very Excited for you!! (editor: cousin Elisabeth DeLong has been called to serve in the Taiwan, Taipei Mission,  Mandarin speaking, reporting April 25th.)

Ok, so it is sooo cold here! The past week we haven't been using our A/C at night or even our electric fans. This is the coldest I have ever remembered it getting here in Laoag - it's incredible! The only problem is still the cold showers... Brutal. 

Well this last week was a full of a lot of preparing for two things. First, for the Christmas celebration of the Mission. Tomorrow, all the missionaries will be here in Laoag. We will have a fun activity in the morning and then at night we will have our Christmas Party. Every Zone has a prepared dance presentation to perform and there will be lots of foods, gift exchanges, singing etc. It will be a lot of fun. Then on Friday we have our Christmas Conference. So it will be a busy next two days. 

The other thing we have been preparing for is the baptism of the Alejandro Family this Saturday! This past week we have been focusing on getting the kids ready, because the parents are good to go. They all came to the Ward Christmas Party last night and had a really good time with all the members. So we are so excited for them and their baptism on Saturday. 

We are so happy with the success we are having in the work right now. At church the other day we had 8 investigators attend. And then last night at the Christmas Party, 17 of our investigators attended. The Lord is helping us a lot to have success in the work even though we are busy with other responsibilities sometimes. The past few weeks I have been able to print out all of the J-Co devotionals and read them. (editor:  members of the extended Jenkins family take turns during the month of December to share a devotional on our family facebook page.) And I have truly been inspired and uplifted by the things you have all testified and shared about. I am truly blessed to live in such a Gospel centered family that relies on the Lord and trusts in his plan. I love you all so much! Merry Christmas!!

-Elder Jenkins