Letters from the Philippines - Jan 17, 2011

Hey everyone! Things here are okay haha. Still kind of rough and I’m not really understanding much but I do understand more and more every day. Yesterday we worked with a few members and the whole time they just make fun of me and tease me about my lack of knowing this language! The people really are awesome. They are so friendly and willing to let you in and talk. But obviously on the other hand there are lots of jerks haha oh well. I am getting used to being called "Joe" like 100 times a day by everyone. The little kids and old men do it just because they like legitimately think my name is Joe haha but the kids in high school are smug about it so sometimes I go up to them and just say hi and give them a handshake but I squeeze way harder than I should just to make them uncomfortable haha it is funny. This week (of course) my stomach went haywire. Tuesday it was so bad we could not work because I had to use the restroom like every ten minutes :( But this week was a really good week besides that. A lot of companionships are struggling with people to teach but we have been lucky. We have eleven people with baptismal dates. The weather is crazy here! It is way hot but randomly huge rainstorms come in. Like rainstorms that I have never seen before. They are insane. This week I had to go on splits because Elder Bosotros was at a training so I worked with Elder Gunnell (Maine) and Elder Loe (Delta, Utah) and I had a blast with them. They are really cool. Elder Loe is in my batch so we got here the same day and we don’t understand the language but Elder Gunnell does, luckily. That is awesome if Court gets a cabin in Brian Head. That way by the time I get home it will be built and ready for me to use! That is one thing I miss is just going up in the mountains. There are mountains near us, but not in our area. My area is almost all just flat. There are a few hills. We have to cross a lot of rivers, but most have bridges. Some we have to get on bamboo boats to cross. This week we had a man yell at us about our church. We were teaching his daughter and he freaked out (he was drunk) on us and said the Catholic Church is the only one that has power, that they baptize correctly, etc., etc.... It was rough but kind of fun. I am teaching a white guy named Jim from America and he wants to be baptized so I am really excited. The rule here is they have to go to church four consecutive times before baptism, so we will see what happens. It is awesome hearing of stuff back home. It makes me less homesick knowing everything is going well for people. I realize how blessed I am to have people that I care for, and that care about me so much. When does Joe Rebman return from Mexico? Another thing I was thinking about this week is how much we take for granted in America. Here a normal house is bamboo, the couches are bamboo, the windows are just an opening with bamboo crossbars and no screens or anything. The floor is either bamboo if it is off the ground or dirt or some have concrete but only the richer ones. There are very few cars. The way you get around is by tricycle or jeepney. Really everything is different. We live in a crappy little concrete apartment but we have a really nice house comparably. There is no toilet paper in any restrooms so I have to carry mine at all times haha. I got your package today (mailed December 9) but I haven't been able to open it yet so I will later when I can. Thanks for sending me things. I got mom’s Dear Elder letter, too. I sent a letter to Britt on Wednesday so we will see how long it takes to get there. I am going to send a package home for Britt's birthday so let me know if there is anything you want me to look for. I already got her birthday presents haha. Hopefully she likes them. I am excited for the Gubler's (Nancy & Lonne) to go to New Zealand. Keep updating me on anyone going on a mission that I might know please. I am also excited for Papa Joe (engaged to Irene). I hope he is happy and healthy! Time is weird on a mission. Every day seems like it takes a year, but the weeks stack up so fast, haha I have almost been here three weeks and it is crazy! That was nice, Mom, that you helped Britt with her lambs. I always hated doing weigh-ins and you are right, the smell will never come off, haha. I think the best way to do letters is Dear Elder but don’t do that if it is expensive (it’s free). I get lots from Grandma Hirschi. You should please have her e-mail me so I have her address, I would love to hear from her. I am not really getting used to the cold showers, to be honest they suck! And sweating all day every day is different too but oh well. I hope you are all having fun! I love you all so much! Goodbye until next week! My computer is messed up so we are going to a shop later today and I will e mail you personally. Sorry but I love you. Go to bed and in the morning it will be there :) I Love you! (A few hours later) Mom, Dad and Britt: Hey how are you guys doing? I hope you are really good. I opened the box, Mom, so thanks, it is all awesome and I can’t wait for all the candy, harmonica, pancakes, etc.!!! The starburst unfortunately melted a little, but it is ok. I have been thinking a lot this week and I just want to thank you mom and dad. My whole life I never really understood you guys, but after being here for three weeks my entire perspective of life has changed. I never really understood why dad wouldn't lift his trucks or why mom didn't have a way nice car and things like that because I knew we made a lot of money. I was always thankful for the things I had but nowhere near as I should have been. But after being gone I know. You spent that money on FAMILY, on trips, on my sports, on Macy’s hair school and Britt's gymnastics. I will forever be grateful for our timeshare and the decision you made to buy it. It has brought our family so close and we have had so much fun. The money that I thought should have been spent on material things, you spent on building a strong family and now that I have been gone I realize that. I am so sorry it took me so long. I am not going to lie, I am still really homesick and having a rough time adjusting to the Philippines. It is a completely different life as a missionary. I want to follow Christ's example in everything now, where I used to not even really want to go to church. I have developed a lot of attributes that even three months ago did not have. I have had to do things on my own. That is hard because I have never had to do that before. I have always had you guys to rely on. Dad every day I am here you turn into a bigger and bigger stud in my eyes. I am sorry I was an idiot and sometimes talked to you disrespectfully and was a kid. I am sorry I chose doing things with friends and girls sometimes over family. I wish we had gone fishing more, hunting, to football games with you, etc. etc. That is something that I absolutely regret. You guys probably think I am nuts saying this, but I just want to tell you how much I have already changed. Mom thanks so much for being who you are. You have always been a person I could turn to. You are someone to lie on the couch and talk to; someone to help me plan things so I got things done right. You have always worked so hard for me and I was an idiot and didn't realize how much you gave up for our family. Like I said I am sorry it took this long for me to realize. You have always done things as best for the family and never got caught up in the world. Britt thanks for being such an awesome sister to me and allowing me to have fun with you, I hurt you sometimes and I am sorry but I miss you all so, so, so much. You are my world and I will work my hardest, try to get lost in the work and pray for blessing upon your heads. My testimony has grown so much. The Book of Mormon is where I can go for answers and comfort where it used to be a book on the shelf. There is power in it. I can’t wait to return and show you the man I am slowly becoming. Once again, you guys are my world and I pray for you every day. I love you so much. Elder Garrett Vaughn Christensen