Maligayang Pasko sa inyong lahat!!!

Letter-12/3

Elder C. has an ingrown toenail, and we're up in Manila right now to get it surgically removed. I'm writing you from the MRC Missionary Recovery Center) which is connected to the Manila MTC. I'm looking out the window right now at the beautiful Manila Temple!!!! I'll write you tomorrow when I actually have time to write an email. Love you!

Elder Yost

Letter 2   12/4

Dear Mom and Dad, 

-I got 2 packages. Thanks so so much!!!! ( Recently we are seeing it is taking 2 months for Alex to get packages .)

-I would be interested in taking the Tagalog class at the Y.

-Please go ahead and send me the essay stuff and I'll get it done

Well we just got back to Lemery about 2 and a half hours ago and I have a few minutes to write because there was no time yesterday. It was quite an experience! I did drive through Elder Tenny's mission, but interestingly enough the temple is in Quezon City and is the Quezon City Mission. We got there around 1 or so yesterday and waited to go over to St. Luke's Hospital for Elder C.'s  4 o'clock appointment. St. Luke's is the Philippines best hospital, and it's where the church sends everyone. They just built a new St. Luke's in Global City which is probably the nicest part of Manila and has a Quiznos, Jamba Juice, TGI Friday's and a ton of other good stuff, but we went to the older one which is still pretty nice. When we went to the hospital we went with the head Doctor for all the missions in the Philippines and another Zone Leader from our mission who tore a ligament in his foot on his take off to shoot a basketball last Monday. He has three months left, and there's a good chance that if he needs surgery they'll send him home because his recovery would be too long. He's pretty scared and is pretty sad that he'll probably go home.  

We had a good week this week and had a good amount of our Less-Actives came to church! We're really focusing on bringing back Less-Active Melchizideck Priesthood as well as Prospective Elders.Our branch is stronger than others with active Melchizedeck Priesthood, but there's still a long way for us to go. One of the Less-Actives we've focused on has been brother M. His family was completed(all baptized) about 2 months, but he and his wife have been Less-Active for about 10 years. When I first got here he seemed a little standoffish, and didn't seem too excited to talk with us. I think he just thought we just wanted to bring him back to church. He has a hard schedule, because everything depends on when there are fish to catch, so it"s been hard to get solid appointments.  We've just really tried to teach their entire family, and not just on or two of them. As we've taught them and focused on the Book of Mormon, we've seen this brother's knowledge increase, and the light slowly come back into his eyes. Our invitations to come back for a return appointment are now welcome, and when we come they're ready and have already the chapters we'd assigned them. This past week, he told us that their family has been incredibly blessed since they've begun to read the Book of Mormon, and he was even able to buy church clothes. Last Sunday this whole family came to church together for the first time! They looked so great! I talked to M. after fast and testimony meeting, and he said he hadn't felt the Spirit like that in a long time! It's so great to see this great family come back, and to see the ward warmly welcome them.

That's all I have time for this week! Love you all! Maligayang Pasko sa inyong lahat!!!  

(Merry Christmas to All!)

Love,

Elder Yost