Six Weeks Already!

Hey family,

So, it’s a snail mail letter again this week.  It’s been another short week.  It’s so hard to believe it’s been six weeks already!  Only three more, then it’s off to the Philippines!  So, early last week all of us that have watches that “beep” on the hour decided to sync our watches.  So it basically sounds awesome when we are in class or in a devotional when we are all sitting together and the six of them go off at the same time!  That’s probably the most exciting thing that happened last week.

Oh, so on Thursday we had our first Teaching Appointment that was all in Tagalog.  It was a very simple first lesson, but it went really well.  There were no awkward long pauses and not too many “ums”.  On Friday we learned how to purchase items.  That included the fine art of bartering.  So we learned how to say, “Dude! That’s freakin’ ‘spense!” and offer a lower price in Tagalog.

I’ve run into a couple of people I know from the outside world.  Elder Poole is in my zone, so he’s just down the hall.  I’ve taken some pictures,  I’ll send them next week.

The way we learn is pretty crazy.  I don’t really know how to describe it.  We’ve learned about families in the Philippines and about some of the food dishes.  Some food sounds really fantastic, some has me scared.

Well, now I’m kind of at a loss of what to say.  Thinking about leaving the MTC in just three weeks is blowing my mind.  I hope you all have a fun week too!

(To Andrew)  I'm still working on what to send to the young men.  We don't have much "free time", so it's a slow process.

Hey bud, you should read the Book of Mormon.  Don't just like read straight through it like how you read all your other books.  Take your time.  Study it, and understand it.  There are so many levels to it that it is amazing.  If you have questions or thoughts that come, pray about them.  I just finished Alma today. Do one hour a day. That could be all of First Nephi, or just a couple of pages.  I once spent close to thirty minutes on a page and a half.

Sincerely, with ever expanding awesomeness
                                              wisdom
                                              knowledge
                                              spiritualness
                                       and humility
Elder Jordan Phelps

A Pretty Normal Week

Hey Guys!

Kumusta ang pamilya ko? Mabuti ako.  Ngayon, malimig ako, dahil malimig ang kumarto ko! Pero kahit ano!*

So, trying to find a computer to use and dealing with the time limit and all the people around you just isn’t worth it. So I’m just writing a snail mail letter instead.

Well I don’t really know what to say, not much happened this week.  It was just a pretty normal week.  We went to class, did class things.  I was pretty nervous for our TA on Thursday, but it actually went massively better than I thought it would.  Man, spelling in English is hard!  In Tagalog everything is spelled exactly how it sounds, so it’s way easy.  Things get all mixed up in my head.  Sometimes I’ll start a thought in English, switch to French, and ultimately finish in Tagalog.  Not sure which I like best.

This week we actually start teaching our lessons in Tagalog.  That’s gonna be rough and tuff the first time, pero we can do it!  Oh we had our first zone conference on Saturday, and Elders Buncom and Hansen asked if I would give a talk in Tagalog!  I spent pretty much all of my study time on Friday preparing, and it went really well!

I don’t really know what else to write, not much is coming to mind.  Oh, Andrew will like this.  So obviously I quote movies a lot here, and they’re all usually pretty random.  The strange thing is that even with all the movie quotes, the thing quoted the most is SpongeBob!  Elder Gowey and I quote it all the time!  The one we use the most is “Look at it” from the Bad Breath Sunday episode.  But there are still plenty of other quotes used too.

So I gotta say, last weeks mail was kinda disappointing, just the one (letter) from dad **, but that one was really nice.  I want to hear what’s going on at home, how’s life, school, and stuff.

Oh, some stuff I’d like sent to me. Ties! From Wal-Mart, DI, Kohl’s, or Missionary Mall.  But they have to be polyester, no silk.  I’d also like the Les Miz soundtrack, and the Sound of Music.  Also a CD of a bunch of classical songs, like Stars and Stripes Forever, William Tell Overture, Ode to Joy, and the like.  That would be fantastic.  Even though we can’t listen to music here, it’ll be nice later.

Kahit anong duan…. Mayroon kayong mabutinglinggo!*

Sincerely,

Elder Phelps

* Spelling as best I can reading Jordan’s handwriting.

** Kristeen would like me to point out that she sent a letter snail mail but it didn’t get there before Jordan wrote this.  Also, we have done several letters via DearElder.com and this makes me think they are not making it to him.

The Plan of Salvation

Yesterday (Monday) was crazy busy so I didn't get to use a computer.  In the morning we had the temple, then we went to lunch.  The laundry room was really crowded with all the new elders, and everyone wanted to use the computers, so I didn't get a chance.  After laundry, Elder White and I had our hair cut appointment.  I guess that went well.  My hair looks and feels fine.

This week has been pretty much the same as all the others.  Except getting all our new elders.  That made priesthood and sacrament meeting much better.  It wasn't just the ten of us and our branch presidency!  (Mom) that's cool that you got to teach the Plan of Salvation, I've taught it three times in the last four days, and it was fun every time.  Elder White and I taught it in our district meeting yesterday.  District meeting is our version of Sunday School.

We've talked a lot about the Plan of Salvation in our class this last week, gone over a different part every day.  It's been really cool.  I can't really explain what we've been learning in Tagalog, 'cause then I'd have to explain so much.  But basically we've been working on abilitative verb conjugations and teaching how to pray.  It's pretty great, I love this language.  Maganda ang Tagalog!

Yes, all the Philippines bound missionaries have the same P-Day, Monday.  So it's us, Branch 2, and Branch 3.  There are a couple other zones that have Monday as P-Day too, mostly the Spanish speaking ones; Spanish and Tagalog follow the same schedule.

(Kathryn & Natalie) that's too bad about all the troubles (injuries) the cheer squad is having.  And Andrew missing the first Academic Team meet.  All that (advancement) with the scouts is pretty exciting too.  That's one of the things I miss.  And being able to go swimming!  But I miss a lot of things, some much more than others.  Oh, so I think next week I'll write a letter specifically to the Young Men.  I'll be thinking about what to write this week.

Well, TTFN

Sincerely,
Elder Phelps

Moving Day

Well, another week has gone by. It went by like a flash! Obviously we didn't do anything special for New Years, I wish I could have been at the Ferrin's just to watch Red October. Nothing special really happened this week, oh, except that the temple re-opened today and we were able to go through this morning. It was awesome, as expected. We've all been getting the sniffles and have been going through the tissues like crazy!

So, we are getting 42 new Philippines bound missionaries this Wednesday, So we won't be the only ones in our zone/ branch anymore! But, they are moving the eight of us to a different building so we can be with the new guys. Not enough empty rooms in our current building. So we'll be taking care of that after laundry. At least we'll be on the second floor (ground level) of our new building, instead of the fourth! And the building was just remodeled so it should be pretty nice.

We've just been having a blast and going to class. The language is still coming pretty well, so yeah. I'm glad you're all having fun back at home. I'm really excited to keep going, and for the new guys. They'll have something we didn't, a district ahead of them to help them out! Well, gotta go finish laundry and move our stuff!
Jordan