Week 17 - RUICHI

Hello everyone once again! I am still alive! I hope you all are doing well and absolutely killing life wherever you are, whatever youre doing :)

For me, I'm doing great! I really am. I'm continuing to adjust to everything here. I haven't had any stomach problems- until this week... And it wasn't because of Filipino food! So I haven't had dairy for like 5 weeks because there is no dairy out here.. And me and Elder Ruiz treated ourselves to some imported European Strawberry milk.. Oh, so so delicious. But I think not eating dairy is making me lactose intolerant or something because it was not good. I drank like 2 liters in a day.. yeah... moving on....

As for my Tagalog, it's improving. Elder Ruiz says that I am on track to be able to train a new missionary after my 12 weeks, which is President Peterson's goal for all new missionaries. I'm trying to have courage and SPEAK, regardless if I'm afraid I'll say something wrong. I also teach Young Men and Gospel Principles each week so that's helping my Tagalog and improving my teaching skills.

One of my favorite parts of serving a mission here in the Philippines is the love that I feel from the members. Elder Ruiz is teaching me that member missionary works really well. (I often want to just go find people on our own) But, the members here are really cool. These kids named their puppy `Ruichi` Rui for Elder Ruiz and Chi for me.. Haha I thought that was funny. Also the dog is super cute. There's a ton of dogs here.. they're all fun and games until it gets dark then we have to fight them to get home without getting bit. !!!

When we email each Monday we go to an internet cafe, and sometimes the computers don't work as well as they do in America. This week my card reader isn't working so I'm not able to upload pictures.... Sorry! Also sorry it's a short email this week.. running out of time palagi. Time certainly is flying out here. I'm doing so well. Loving it here!!

Ingat po kayo

Elder Childers