Some highlights from a letter i got from CJ today:

Daddio!

I was glad to hear Grandpa is doing well. I've been praying for him. And a few days into the mission I said something about it to my companions so during companion prayer they prayed for him as well. I am in a trio companionship, which is extremely uncommon for our mission. And we are all serving in the same mission. We already have such a love for one another. Its great!

Our district has 9. 3 of the elders are going to the Cebu Mission and the rest of us are Tacloban. I love my district! All the elders are so strong but way fun at the same time. Its a blessing that we all get along so well. The other Philippine district in our branch/zone is way awesome as well. They have been here 7 weeks now. The two sisters in that district are going to Cebu but they are awesome and so good to us/ Their elders are so nice to us as well. At meals the elders stand up when we come to the table and the elders from the other district always take our trays.

We stay really really busy. Our two teachers are Sister Lilly White and Brother Morrey. Morrey is so funny! We love them both. Cebuano is going pretty well. I'm understanding the concepts, now I just need to work on words and putting it all together. I haven't gotten discouraged yet. Tomorrow we have to go practice with "investigators". We have to know how to get the know someone and testify in Cebuano. Then we teach the restoration lesson in English. Its gonna be crazy but I know that we can do it.

My two companions are Sister Farnsworth & Sister Blonquist. Farnsworth is from West Jordan, UT. Both her parents are deaf and she is a twin. She is so sweet. A little quiet at times but she is dedicated. Sister Blonquist is from Chicago! Its a town called Batavia, in the Naperville Stake. I thought that was cool! She is the senior comp. She is a silly jokester girl just like me. We both love "Baby Mama" so things are great! We all laugh tons together.

Sundays are the most relaxing, spiritual day. All the meetings are spaced out and its just much less stressful on the brain! This Sunday we had a musical devotional where everyone, well I should say anyone could get up and say their favorite hymn and why and then we sung it. It was very uplifting. And cool to see the music touch elders hearts. Our MTC President is awesome and very funny!

Last night (Tues) Richard G. Hinckley, Pres. Hinckley's son came and spoke to us. It was so wonderful, he sounds a bit like Pres. Hinckley, so it touched my heart. He is quite humorous. He told us how we can make our missions more meaningful... He said we should look back on our missions and say I'm glad I did and never, I wish I would have.

I am learning so much here and I can feel my Savior with me always. Its so different. I think of things before I do them, which things I would usually do without knowing. He is helping me to be more obedient. I am learning to love people as Christ does. I am blessed. I'm staying so busy and having so much fun that I don't have time to be homesick. I miss you guys but when I'm working hard and being obedient I feel close to you guys. I have a peace that things are being taken care of... I love you!