Dear Family,
What a letter! Thanks a ton -- I got a good laugh out of it! Update on clothing:
Shoes: A good shine does a world of good! (a good heavy rain does a world of hurt!) I'm happy to say that I am not going to need shoes in the next 10 months (knock on wood). I've had to have one shoe sewn up, but other than that, it looks like they've still got plenty of miles in 'em. I might have to have the simpler rockports re-soled, but it can all be done here when I find someone reliable. (IF I find someone reliable). But get this: I bought a pair of rubber shoes that are made to look like dress shoes for 2 dollars in Pampanga. I plan to sport them when it rains so I can spare the rockports. It should help my shoes make the next 10 months Socks: I have plenty of socks, thanks to the Christmas package. The blue with the bamboo design are rockin! Pants: I've been really happy with these pants -- the belt loops are taking some wear, but nothing serious. Shirts: My shirts are starting to give up at the collar -- they don't like that stiff brush too much. I bought 5 yards of material for about 90 cents a yard and I'm having two shirts sewn for about 3 dollars apiece. If I like them, I'll have a few more made (I mean, that's like 4 bucks for one tailored shirt! Yeehaw!) Ties keep coming out of nowhere, I don't think I'll have a problem there. . . That's the up-date! I'm doing great and I really don't need anything at all that I can think of for the next 10 months. Great!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PACKAGE! Candy like that just doesn't exist here, especially real chocolate. It didn't take long to get dispersed. I introduced "pudding" to my companion, new to him because pudding is a class of bread here, made from leftovers. The thing I'm most excited about is the Refried Beans because I miss mexican food BIG TIME. I spent a little extra last week to buy some cheese (dairy products are not something you see every day -- dairy, like milk, cheese, and yogurt, is what I miss next to mexican food) to go with it. I'm determined that I'm not going to eat it on rice, I'll try to find something that at least looks a little bit like a tortilla -- wish me luck. And as soon as I see some salsa, (most likely in the "imported" ailse) I'll be all over that. Problem is, we don't go to stores very often because we've got the public outdoor market. I'm going to miss the haggling and shopping at acquaintances that will give you extras -- shopping is a great experience here. My companion is a really good cook, and he speaks Ilokhano fluently -- but he doesn't tell most people, because the people speak it around us, thinking we can't understand, and we pick up some good things from investigators or members that are trying to talk over our heads. He's teaching me some of the basics, but I've still got my hands full studying tagalog every day.
It rained for the first time on Thursday, and took us completely off guard. We didn't see it coming at all -- suddenly at about 4:30 it got really dark and the rain came down hard. We ran for the closest road-side tindahan (sari-sari variety store) which happened to be located right next to the local Iglecia Ni Cristo church, and we were stranded there for almost an hour as we watched the water rise around us, reaching about 6 inches deep in the yard of a nearby house. The ditch turned into a river, and fast. I can't believe the rain here -- again. You can fill a bucket just by leaving it outside! It does not rain like this doon sa atin. I guess it's time to buy an umbrella!
Mom, thank you so much for the letter, and the updates. Thank you so much. The yard must be looking so good, I don't know where you're fitting 50 trees, Dad. It's going to look like a Philippine forest by the time I get back. It just about broke my heart to hear Dad isn't getting the chance to paint right now. I hope that you'll be able to get back to it soon. I'm glad school is winding down, good luck sarah on all the tests. Sounds like Sarah's schedule is tougher than Chris' is. I love you all so much! Zone conference is tomorrow, I'll make a set up call sometime . . . maybe this week -- If I do it'll be morning here. If not, I'm thinking that I can find a good internet connection next Wednesday morning before our district meeting. That would probably be about 9 AM here. I'm looking forward to the questions -- Those are some good 'ens, and I'm all ready to answer! Some of my questions for you: I'll write them down, It's tough off the top of my head. Love you all! Have a great week and mothers day.
Love, Elder Loren Peck
PS May 10 is the national election, we have no Pday gathering because of the possible political . . . confusion. We'll spend the day in Lupao, staying away from any big groups.
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