Just don't worry.

Dear Mom,
Your and dad's emails get better and better every week. I was a little disappointed when I saw that your email was a little short, but then I saw the reason and it was all okay - "Sorry, this will be a very short e-mail.  I have a football playoff to watch real quick before going to sleep.  Yup, nothing new." I was laughing so hard, because that's definitely my mom. Knows more about football than her own son. And yes dad, we have to retire that "ancient" laptop of yours haha. I'll make sure to buy you a new print server on Black Friday dad.

I got news this week on Daniel's mission call! Frankfurt, Germany! I know Daniel will love it - I feel like if Daniel could speak any other language, it would probably be German. Thank you mom for making it a priority to attend his farewell in May. I know that it will mean a lot to them, and it also means a lot to me. I couldn't be more excited for Daniel. Being a missionary is simply irreplaceable.

This was the slowest - fastest week ever. It felt like a month, but looking back, it actually went by pretty fast.

 On Tuesday, we got together with President Solancho and discussed what we as missionaries must do to cooperate with the Philippine Area goals in Fairview Stake. What it really boiled down to, was an excuse for him and Sister Solancho to feed us haha. It was a lot of fun though. I was so hungry digging into my food, I broke my fork and got rice everywhere. Guess it's just because the Squires' are rubbing off on me and my muscles are getting too huge.

  

 On Thursday, we had a leadership training with the Sperrys. It was a good way to get my cup filled back up. I failed to document this event.

On Saturday, we had a service project that really built our character. We (the other elders haha) chopped down a tree and laid it down as a bridge. It was really, really heavy. We also filled up some bags of sand (that were really, really heavy too) and placed them around the bridge for stability. It's not exactly the safest bridge, but it gets the job done. We were all so sore afterwards and really, really dirty. I was finding dirt in places that... well we won't go into detail on that. The bottom line is, Elder Corpuz got his hands dirty that day. Please believe it.

Please notice how much effort I've put in.

That bag, is a lot heavier than it looks!

On Sunday we got a surprise text and were crowned as speakers that Sunday with only two hours to prepare. My talk started in Tagalog, but halfway turned into English... and then I had trouble getting back to Tagalog haha. I think it went well though. My companion and I, of course, talked about missionary work. It was definitely inspired though. A sister after came up to us crying after. Her story being that she has been waiting for her mission call, but has really been struggling this month. Then, when she didn't make it to church that morning, she decided to just attend at Mapayapa ward's meetings. She said she heard just what she needed to help her through. There's nothing like being a part of an answer to someone's prayers.

It was Aleli's last Sunday before she leaves to Cavite. We probably get the most support from the  YSA (Young Single Adults) in the ward than anyone else.

Oriel is another one of the best. He just returned from serving a mission in Butuan. He plays the guitar nearly better than any other Filipino I've met! Nearly.

This is Mitch. Mitch is really special to us because we've worked really hard to help him come back to church, and now he's back, active, and doing everything he can possibly do to help us.

Yesterday I taught the elders a little bit of karate at our district's weekly meeting. We talked about magnifying our callings by remembering that we defend Christ. I wish I could have taken pictures for you.

All in all, I cannot remember the last time I have been this happy.

In life, I know that I get caught up a lot in what people think of me. For some reason, I just need to be loved by everyone, and when things aren't perfect in relationships I have, it really hurts me. I'm concerned about my image and how people portray me, and being judged for something I'm really not scares me. I am just always consistently concerned.

This week, I've learned a little on how to step away from that.

My new companion, Elder Taulelei, just may be the most humble, and kind companion I've ever had. Whenever I feel like I do things wrong and apologize or things don't go how we plan, he just pats me on the back, smiles, and in his deep, soft Samoan voice, he says, "Elder, just don't worry. It's okay."

I received a really heartfelt letter today from a mother I've never met, but that was very close to my friend Addison back home. She gave me some great advice, without even knowing that I struggled with this problem - talk about personal revelation. She talked about just basically doing your best, but doing your best with love, and how we as people cannot get caught up in worrying all the time about what others have to say. You please some, but you can't please all, and at the same time, that doesn't mean that you can't try. But as long as we are doing everything we can, with love, things will work out.

I can honestly say that I could finish my mission in this area with this companion. Life is great. We live day to day serving with all we've got, because we can. We have a great ward, with great support, and great leaders to help us. New and old families are coming back to church, and we could not be any happier. Life is too short to spend it away worrying about other people and what the future will make of us. I believe that if we just understand the Gospel, live it, and do our best with love, God will do the rest.

I need to get a haircut now.

Alofa atu,

Elder Corpuz

P.S. Please keep the Posadas family in your prayers at this time.