I Am Slowly But Surely Turning Into a Filipino

Hello my pinakamamahal na family: :) This week went very well. It was sort of a regular week but I did think of one thing I need some time in the next few months. A new journal. I have kept one every day (almost) of my mission and I am like 1/3 done with my second one so just remember that next package or something. Just a little one is fine. Thank you. So this week all of us were still recovering physically. Elder Key and I were fine and worked hard all week but Elder Farnsworth was sick still so they stayed home a couple days. Elder Scott was super bored all week haha. Sitting in the house gets way old on a mission. You just want to go out! I felt bad for him. I am excited that you all had a good time at Park City and that you got a new car and to go to a Tim McGraw concert haha. I bet you had a great time. The lake you went to looks awesome! I want to go there sometime. I am assuming since it was dad fishing that you got skunked??!! haha just kidding. I bet he caught a state record. Yesterday we had four investigators at church. Myra (who was just baptized) is turning into a great missionary! Her sister, Maria Mae has a baptismal date of August 27, along with one of her friends! They are progressing well and Myra told us yesterday that she wants to go on a mission haha. That would be so rad! She seemed serious too! She is fitting in great with the ward and is getting more and more friends. I was looking at her Aklat ni Mormon the other day and she is like halfway through already. She marks it and everything. She was absolutely prepared by the Lord and I feel lucky I got to teach her. Something cool is happening to me I think. I think I am slowly but surely turning into a Filipino. Meals without rice just aren't meals. Riding in tricycles and jeepneys is the only way I can imagine traveling. Hot and humid is the only weather I know now. Stray dogs that carry nasty diseases and fight other dogs are just part of the everyday experience. I am starting to think my real name is Joe. I am really starting to love it here. I know I was sent here and I am doing all I can to use my time wisely. I feel watched over and protected every day. I know a couple of those kids going on missions and I am excited for them all. I hope you all have an awesome week. Love you! Elder Garrett Christensen Dad, that is too bad you are back in the He_ _ hole. I feel bad for you ;) just kidding. I miss that hole! Things were good this week and I have no complaints. That is crazy that football and hunting starts so soon. I remember when you said baseball was starting and then like nothing it ended. When football ends I will have already been gone like 13-14 months! Then I will be home during the next football season. Time is a crazy thing, especially on a mission. You realize how much of a gift it is from God to have time to learn, have fun, progress, and help others to progress and see their divine potential. That would be cool to rifle elk hunt (even though I am not convinced there are elk on Cedar Mtn.) With those oil things, I haven’t seen pure olive oil so I don’t think we can buy it here. For the containers, just maybe a couple of the bigger ones like we did in Priesthood that one day and then a bunch of the small metal vials. Whatever you can do is good! I love you lots and it was good hearing from you! Elder Garrett Christensen Bert! What’s up Bert Nert! Things here in the Philippines are going way good and I am happy and healthy (but tired.) I am glad you are about to start soccer. Use all your practice time hard and pay attention so you can be the best! I love you so much and miss you! Love you too, Mom! Sorry about photos! I have no new ones, nothing exciting happened this week. I will try to take some this week Love you more!