So we finally heard from Cody since he arrived in the Philippines! We got this last night, which was really today and now it's tomorrow for him! hahaha
Kumusta po ang pamilya ko! I am here in the Philippines and life is great. Most of our flights got delayed a bit, but we made every connection and arrived here safe and sound. It was kinda crazy because when we got into Manila, a church travel person and some of the close mission presidents met us and put us in vans to the bus station. At this point it was just the three of us going to Olongapo. But at the bus station we had to buy a ticket to Olongapo and just get on the bus and wait. All of this without know the majority of what was being said. But like i said, we are here safe and sound. I did meet Elder Swiekert there. I knew him a little bit from the MTC. He was there for about 3 weeks while i was. Then 2 elders and 2 sisters from the Manila MTC came the next morning, and all Thursday we had training stuff and went to our areas. My companion is Elder Amorsolo. He is a Native Philippino. He is also our District Leader. He is really cool. We live with 2 other Elders, Elders Mabini and Macabanting. They are our Zone Leaders. It is rare that 2 companionships live together. But we all serve in the same ward. Elders Mabini and Macabanting are also new to this area so for about a week we are going around together and teaching so they can get to know the area. So thats kinda different but good. This is also one of the few wards in the whole mission. Sunday we had 129 people there. It is the only stake in the whole mission. My first area is called Cupang. It is in the southern part of our mission, in Bataan. The missionaries call this area, Cupang, the Promised Land. They do for two reasons. 1, because it is one of the few wards and has lots of members. 2, because we have dinner appointments every night. It is the only place in the mission like that. Anywhere else you have no dinner appointments. I think its guarrentied i will gain weight while in this area. Because you can't refuse food. The people might get offended, and they spend the little money they have on food for us. So whenever they give us food we have to eat it. We had one family we were teaching the other day, and when we finished one of the kids walked in with a big bottle of coke and crackers. It is a mission rule that we don't drink soft drinks. But in this case you have to, and then tell them that next time you just want water. These people here are so poor, but they are so humble. It is humbling to me. We have 3 investigators with baptismal dates. But they have to come to church 4 consecutive Sundays before they can be baptized.
It is crazy because when i got here, it felt like home. I mean, it didn't feel like i was home back in Wyoming, but it felt like this is my home, and that i had been here before. It is really different than home in Wyoming, but i have really had no culture shock. But i love it here so much already.
Could you send me some of my medicine? Since it takes 3 or so weeks to get stuff, i'll need it by then. Because it lasts me about 4 weeks or so i think. And on packages, they told us to tell you to write the value as under $40. Because we have to pay on this end if it isn't, and it can be very expensive for us. So just remember that with all packages.
When i got here i had 3 Dear Elder letters waiting. One from Heather when i first got in the MTC, one from Nancy at Christmas time, and one from Mom when we were figuring out stuff for pants. So i might be getting all the letters that Emily sent here soon. And maybe some others. But i thought that was pretty crazy and funny.
I'm running out of time, and i don't know what else to say. The food is a little different, but i've already adjusted well, without any problems. Life is good, missionary work is good, and the church is true. Its humbling to be here. It makes me realize just how much i have. I love you all so much, and God be with you till we meet again.
I love his comment about it feeling like home to him. That makes it a little easier to have him so far away, knowing that he is comfortable. Also, anyone that is ever planning on sending him a package, please remember to mark it like he states above. It is expensive for them to receive the pkgs. And anyone is always welcome to add stuff to a pkg that I might be sending.
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