My fellow family and associates,

I really suck at this emailing thing. I wish I could just tell stories and explain what is happening to me. Anyway it's been a crazy week. We've been doing a lot of zone leader business. Moving apartments, fixing apartments, training's, checking apartments and other random assignments. It's fun sometimes, but I wish we could have more time to focus on our area. Speaking of our area, its progressing...slowly. Elder Y and I are finding machines because we have to. We average around 15+ new investigators per week. Our goal is find families and I'm working the hardest I've ever worked in my life. 

Update on my toe: It's not green anymore, but I did get bite by some weird bug and my ankle was swollen and HUGE for a couple of days. But I'm good now. 

I wish I had some cool story to tell of what happened this last week, but I honestly can't think of any. There's one guy in our area that he claims to be possessed by the devil. He calls himself Lucifer and has a double personality. The local people in the community asked us to go teach him. I was pumped because I thought we were going to cast out spirits or something but when we got the house...I was so scared. He lives in this tower like house. It's all painted black and it has the 10 commandments written on the front door. Gives me chills talking about it. And to top it off his yard is infested with cats. I had a weird feeling and I tried to hold Elder Y's hand but he wouldn't let me. Turns out, he wasn't there. We plan on going back with our local bishop just in case things get...weird. I'll keep ya'll updated.

Well, the mission is the best thing that's ever happened to me. I've learned more about myself and what kind of man, future father and husband I want to be and most importantly, what the Lord want's me to be. I know this church is true. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know because I've been on my knee's asking the only person that can truly confirm it to me. I know we have a loving Heavenly Father, who is well aware of our trials and hardships. He's taught me so much and I'm eternally indebted to Him. I know why I'm here. I'm not perfect, but I'm willing to try. I want to end with a scripture from the Book of Mormon that is simple but has changed me.

2Nephi 33:15 "...for thus hath the Lord commanded me, and I must obey..."

The Lord has commanded me here in the Philippines to spread this wonderful gospel. And I must obey.

Your Valiant Missionary,

Elder Strader