Airport Call from Elder Christensen - December 27, 2010

Garrett called us from the Los Angeles airport tonight.  He has a six hour layover there, then he has a 15 hour flight to Hong Kong, then a couple of hours to Manila and then an hour or so to Iloilo.  It was so good to hear his voice.  He is happy to be leaving and to start his adventure in the Philippines.  Here are some of the things we talked about.
He loved his two teachers at the MTC.  He said they were young return missionaries and they made learning fun and he hopes to keep in contact with them.
His district at the MTC is 10 missionaries who all room together.  Then there are around 5 districts in his zone.  His zone is going to Manila and Iloilo.  They all learned to speak Tagalog.
He said some of the families met their missionaries at the Salt Lake Airport.  He was surprised that the families did this since they were asked not to.
He didn't have a time limit on his call.
He asked about college and pro football.
He feels really bad that he can't call Kyle or James from the airport.  He didn't find out that he couldn't call them until yesterday. 
He asked me to be sure they know how to access this blog.
He said that he isn't allowed to call from the Philippines, but someone will call or e-mail us to let us know he arrived okay.
Once he gets to Iloilo he will learn Illogono which is the language they speak there.  Knowing Tagalog will help him.
He bore his testimony in Tagalog.  It was amazing!
He asked about the flooding in St. George and the war between East and West Korea.  He said they don't hear anything about what is going on in the world in the MTC. 
He stopped talking with me during our call and he gave a Sister missionary one of his calling cards so that she could call home.
He asked about his dog.
He told Breck that he could use his snowboarding equipment.
He talked with Macy about her EMT classes.
He told us that Missionaries who are in the Iloilo mission told him they live in "huts" and ride in canoes to get around. 
He said several of the missionaries had never travelled before and that he helped them.
He gave a priesthood blessing to a misisonary that asked for one.  He said it was kind of like a father would give his son on the first day of school.
After the call Cliff cried.  I felt good -- no tears for me.  My tears usually come during church or at some unexpected time like right now.....
I'm so proud to be Garrett's mom.  I know he will be a great missionary.