Hey Mum,
Happy New Year and thanks for the emails. I'm doing fine, "Buhay pa rin!" I received your letters in the mail run today too. The chocolate stash has been divided and devoured and it has been my main source of food this week (terrible I know) but I realized the faster I eat it the faster it will run out. All goods!
This week has been a good week wherein we accomplished a lot of work, even though we still got punted. That's life! We've had a lot more success this week and I was so grateful to the Lord in that I know he was helping us. It was exciting to finally have some success. My tagalog is improving and I'm starting to lead a lot more of the lessons that we teach. I've been told by people that I'm practically fluent (pero hindi). I know that I have a long way to go, but I am getting faster and better at saying the things I need to say.
New Year's here is insane and you said in your email that we were probably sleeping during the New Year celebrations. Mum, it was almost impossible to sleep because the fireworks started at about 10.30 p.m. and went all through the night until about 3.00 a.m. The fireworks displays were amazing but very loud. It was more like a noise contest between neighbors and my companion and I went outside of our apartment and just gazed at all the fireworks going everywhere. Even our next door neighbors were lighting off fireworks and it was sweet. I'll send some pics.
Well, it sounds like you are all having a good time. Soon, Cola will be back in Australia, dad and Joe will start back at work and life will continue on in 2012. I have 1 year and 4 months to go and it doesn't seem long at all. It is crazy to think that when I call you next (Mother's Day), I will only have one year left. Countdown! (lol) I know that I have to finish my work here and I feel like I'm gaining more confidence in speaking the language and one day I will know it inside out. Astig!
Mum, I finished reading the Book of Mormon on December 31st 2011and I have started reading it again. President DeLaMare challenged us to read the Book of Mormon before Easter. Woohoo! It's a good challenge and I will do it as I love the Book of Mormon. I know I've said this before in that I'm sad that it took me so long to gain a love for it and realize that it is more than just words on a page but that it teaches the doctrine, and it is the word of God. One thing Elder Cortezano and I have been trying to do in our lessons is to emphasize the importance of the Book of Mormon and the effect that it can have on a person if they read it. I know a lot of people make excuses about reading it because of the depth of the language or because of how small the words are. Honestly Mum, if I can read it in tagalog and get the gist of it the people here should have no problem. It is an amazing book and I know it is true.
Well, Mum this email is short, but know that I love you all and I am looking forward to a good year in 2012. "Retention" is what our focus is this year and I am excited to help increase the fold of God.
I love you heaps, take care, and keep being awesome.
Elder Chadderton
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