Cookies! Real food at Last!

Monday, May 18, 2009

Mom,  I have one good camera card, and one broken one.  I think I sent a good one home in the MTC box.  Oops!  Did you get the box?  I should have brought more ties, I can't really buy them here, like I thought before.  If you find any good (thinish, polyester) ties at DI, just toss them in the Christmas package, or something.  Thanks!
By the way Sarah, that card is SWEET!!!  I really got a kick out of that.  I love the bananas here, did I already talk about how much I like the fruit here?  You're awesome, Sarah -- so you too -- Hang in there, 9th grade is the real test of life.   : )

Dear Family,

First, some follow up to our conversation:
I said that I was gauranteed a Filipino companion my entire mission, and it's true.  It's going to be sweet!  Here's some reasons why it's that way.  Here in the Angeles Mission the missionaries are:  70% Filipinos, 15% Pacific Islanders, and only 15% caucasion.  Also, around here, there is a terrorist group called Abu Sayaff, and I guess they target foreigners or something like that.  I'm not really sure yet.  I've only seen 2 or 3 white people while I've been here, and I've got to admit, I stared at them with my mouth open, just like everyone does at me.  I can see where they're coming from now.
Dad, the amount of english I hear around here:
They study english their entire educational career and beyond.  Most classes are in english.  But I mostly hear Taglish.  For example:
na-realize ako na totoo ang aklat ni Mormon. . . or na-recognize ako na. . .   or "sa tinging ko, powerful yung talk ni Elder Bednar about sa Temple"  Like that.  They'll say "So"  "At least" and "Well. . . " a lot as well.  It's just a lot of words that are easier in english thrown into Tagalog form.
After two weeks of gathering supplies, we made "Aunt Ada's (leftover mint chocoate from Easter Package) chip cookies -- cooked in a retro box-toaster.  They are delicious!  I'll send pictures sometime.
The highlight of the week was the baptism of the three young Blanco children.  It was a sweet and sour experience, because just after their confirmation, their dad came, I guess he really has custody, even though they've been living with their awesome converted grandmother.  After church, we were walking past their home on the way to an appointment, and we got to say goodbye to them.  They and their grandmother were absolutely in tears.  I didn't know what to do.  I guess they'll be pretty far from a church, but we'll see if we can communicate with them via mail.  Wow, life is tough sometimes.  I pray that things will turn out alright -- I know they were ready for baptism, they really gained a testimony, and were really starting on the path.
We've got some great progressing investigators, and the work is exciting!  I love you all.  Take care of yourself, Dad!  Love you.
Elder Peck

I'm writing letters, and lots of dear elders just caught up with me.  As soon as I can find a post office, I'll get my letters sent.  Thanks ya'll!  I love the letters.  Send my love to Great-Grandma Peck and Griffiths, and Grandma Peck, and the Swans!  Thanks!