Walang Yelo! No Snow!

Monday, March 16, 2009

It was cool to receive the pictures you sent of the prime weather conditions in Cache Vally. Here, there is no snow, and I wish there was. We've been studying outside, and the flowers are started to bloom here. I was reading this week in one of our books that Filipinos are fascinated with the change of seasons in the United States, because they've only got two.
Rachel!!! Nalaman ko na kaya mo ito!!! I knew that you could do it! I was so excited to receive your letter, I was giving my companion a play-by-play on our way to lunch. I was "particularly" impressed with aileron -- I'm sure everyone was squirming in their seats when they gave you that one! Great job! Napakagaling si Rachel Peck at spelling. (extremely talented)
That's great about the gum-making, I wish I could've seen all your faces when you tried it for the first time.
Hey Lando, it really is pretty fun here. It's a lot like school. We have PE every day and eat *a lot* of food! We sleep here and wake up early in the mornings. I haven't baptized anyone yet, but I do get to teach a lot. I wish I could make gum too!
I got a letter from Daniel Mason, and he compared the MTC to the garden of Eden, and I had to laugh because it's kind of true.

This week, on Thursday, we taught all of lesson 1 in Tagalog at our teaching appointment. We spent 45 minutes talking and teaching to a sister that returned from Angeles 2 weeks ago. It was incredible. I'm not sure how it happened, but we taught an entire lesson in a foreign language and something we didn't memorize. This past week the language has really accelerated, and I know the spirit is working with us. I'm not sure how we meet all the language skills deadlines, but it happens. On Saturday we went our first day with no English (almost), and by the end of it, I was missing English so much! I can't describe how tired I was of not being able to express myself, or say anything humorous, or tell any experiences. But I know that if I can get through that here, it will be so much the better. As far as the gospel goes, I can chat with someone, but it's still hard just to talk about anything.
It felt so good to teach in a different language, I'm so excited. Teaching is a skill I'd never thought about before, including asking questions, and finding people real concerns and questions. Thanks again for the letters, it's so much fun to hear from you.
Mom, I'll send some scriptures (hopefully),
Mahal kita,
Elder Peck