week 8

Kumusta po kayoooo

How's everyone doing? So unbeknowest to us, last week was our last temple visit for the next two years. We found out yesterday that the Provo Temple is closed until January, so we're pretty bummed- but that means more time for stuff today, I guess. Hahahaha I loved hearing about Elder Christensons mom being on that website, I'll have to tell him about that. That's so funny. He's in my zone, and he's going to ilo ilo. Only 4 of us are going to Bagio from my zone, and 5 others from the other zone. But yeah, he's a really nice guy, haha. He knew collin and tanner, too. And that's awesome that Brandon and Trevor came to The Christmas Program on sunday. Sorry if my grammar and spelling or anything is off, english words really are starting to look strange, sometimes. We spend almost all day now speakign in Tagalog, so it's weird sometimes to switch back. I haven't gotten your second package or Brandon's yet- but they'll probably be here today. Thank you so much in advance for them. Also thank you so much for the last package. SADLY! I had to open all the presents, because I had to know what I could and couldn't bring, and I can't bring most of that stuff! Haha, thank you so much for them but I meant like one toy or something to play with. So I'm sending back some of the stuff, and gave the rubics cube to my companion and I think I'll give the boggle to my teacher. We tried playing Tagalog Boggle, but it was literally impossible, haha. They only have like 20 letters in their alphabet. But thank you so much for it, I loved loved opening them and it felt like Christmas. QUESTION: can I send a package to callie and inform the post office to hold it until she comes back? If not then I'll send the box(es) to aunt debbie, but I'm pretty sure it's free if I get it delivered to Provo. Also is my call letter in the package coming? Answer all these questions in a dearelder tonight if you can, haha thanks. ALSO! I sent Andrea a letter, so she better've gotten it and forgiven me already for not acknowledging her packages. I don't have much time to do anything personal at the MTC so I just ran out of time two weeks ago to write her a letter, so I hope she got that. IF NOT! Then andrea thank you so much for all the packages.

So, onward I suppose. OH! I need Trevor Taylor and Garret Gibson's and Hutch's Emails/Addresses. So if I could get those ASAP so I can write them before I take off, I'd love that. I heard from an Elder in here that Elder Bray got reassigned to California, so I was psyched to hear that- that's awesome. Also I need to write Sis. sturges today, she sent me another holiday card. Oh, and I got one from Taylor- that was awesome to see him again, it feels like it's been years, haha. Oh, and I have to write aunt debbie as well. Yeah I saw her sister in law! It was so funny, because I kept hearing about some woman asking about an Elder White going to the Philippines, so yesterday the Sisters in my district came into the classroom where we were studying and were like we're hear to summon you, Elder White. So we went to watch Music and Spoken Word and I met her, finally. She was so nice and made me laugh really hard when she said she'd met my parents, "Shannon and Donny". I could see aunt Debbie's influence on her. I think that's all my questions for today, but if I think of any others I'll try and hop back on.

Sooo this week has been pretty good, same old stuff. But one of our teachers left this week, and we were really sad to see him go. Such an awesome guy, and an amazing teacher. his name was Brother Perry, so I'll have to write him from the Phillies. We got our Flight Plans on Thursday!! We were so stoked. It's crazy, the entire trip is going to take like 20 - 24 hours, at least. And I'll have time to email next week before I leave - but I think the phone call is going to come around 11 - 3 AM your time... hahaha sorry. I don't leave SLC until 8 something, and then a 3 hour layover in LAX. My plane leaves at midnight'ish from LAX - Hong Kong. Then run to the Manilla plane from Hong Kong, then an hour flight to manilla, and a looong bus ride up to Baguio. It's going to be so sad saying goodbye to all the ilo ilo people, cuz they're on different planes. So it's just me , my companion , Elder Su'A , and Elder Soderquist. Plus other Baguio Elders we've met from the other zone. So at least that'll be really fun. So that's the travel news for now.. I'll give a clearer picture next week... but that'll be roughly when the phone call is, haha.

So! Last night was so good. For our Fireside we had some guy named Ben Gibbons come and give a performance / monologue thing acting as Willard Richards. It was amazing, mom. Church History is incredible, and he is just a brilliant actor or whatever you want to call him. But after the performance everyone was just awe struck, honestly. So we sang We thank thee oh God, for a prophet to close the fireside. And one by one most of us started to stand up. SOOO POWERFUL. hahah It was so awesome. Then watched the Joseph Smith movie afterwards and it was just like woooow so much better. Last night was just so good, and if you ever have a change look up Ben Gibbons and watch this performance, or get tickets to something- i dont know, just check it out.

Okay that's about everything, so here are the quotes or whatever from the week I've liked.

1. The MTC - college + church + prison
2. Oh, I took out 80$ for a Hep A shot this week that I needed. The second shot in the series, I think.
3. Alma is the most amazing book in the entire book. Especially chapters 32 - 36.
4. 3 Nephi 18:32? Gah, I think that's it. Go read it, please. Haha it's good.
5. I think that's it for this week. I just need those addresses of those people ASAP. THanks so much

Love you all, and I'll talk to you next week!!

OH! Almost forgot. On the third floor bedroom, brandons, mine, courtneys old bedroom, in the closet on the top of it in the back. I left some christmas presents in a small ziplock bag for everyone. I think they're in a bag, or a clip. Anyways- GO GET EM!

MAHAL KITA!!

-Elder White