It sounds like things at home are going very well and I look forward to hearing many more things from you guys.  Well I'm almost halfway through my 2nd transfer and it feels like it just began.  It's going to be very hard leaving Elder Manicdo, he's one awesome guy and he really feels like a brother to me.  His first name is even Jon.  This week there hasn't been too many things happen; we've been busy trying to build a foundation in our area since there aren't very many LA's or members period in our area.  Through our efforts though we have been able to get four new investigators and they are all progressing very well.  It's amazing of how many finding opportunities the Lord puts in our path, we just need to open our mouths and put away all of our fears.  I've finally gotten to the point where I'm not very scared to go up and talk to people.  Well it's also not that hard to talk to people to because most Filipinos really want to talk to Americans; so when I initiate the conversation they get even more excited.  But we also were able to have our Mission Tour this week and President Ardern of the 70 and his wife came and spoke to us.  There was such a strong spirit in that meeting that it was hard not to have a stronger desire to become a better missionary and person in general.  That meeting made me realize of how much that I really need to improve on myself as missionary.  I know that everyone has faults but it doesn't mean that I can't try to do my best to be like the Savior; besides I am his representative and I need to act like one.  Well I love you guys so much and I'm most grateful for all of the support that you've given me in my life.  Mahal Kita!  Ingat Po (Take Care).  May God be with you till we meet again.

Dear Family and Friends,

It's a really weird thought thinking that I've already been on my mission for three months now.  I better enjoy ever second because the next time I blink I'll be on a plane heading home.  About the earthquake; I didn't hear about it for a while because Elder Manicdo and I have been pretty busy this week.  We are moving to our are so we can maximize our time; it's hard to be effective if we waste 40 minutes just traveling to our area.  But I'm so excited to move on Friday, I'll miss our kabahay's (house mates) but it's all for the better.  Our new apartment even has two bathrooms and two flushing toilets!!!  I have been so excited for that .  I took a lot of things for granted back in America, especially toilet paper, it's so expensive here and it doesn't even work that well!  But yes I have used the other method and let's just say that I'm not very fond of that way. 

Through our efforts this week Elder Manicdo and I have obtained three new investigators and they seem really excited to learn about the gospel.  Our teaching pool is pretty small so we've been doing a lot of tracting.  When we were looking for an apartment last week, Elder Manicdo and I met a group of 5 guys who reminded me a lot of the Sandlot gang. They're all around the same age (16-19) and they all live for basketball.  They hang out together as often as they can because they all go to different schools.  Here they start college at like 16-17 depending on if your school does  the K-12 system.  These guys are pretty excited for us to move in and play basketball with them, they said they wanted to see how good "white guys really are".  On a different note, Andrew has been improving more than I could have ever imagined in my life.  The other night we were teaching him about the Holy Ghost and when I extended the commitment to him to pray about the Holy Ghost he said " I don't need to pray about the Holy Ghost, I feel him with me right now".  I nearly started to cry because of the strength of his testimony.  This young man is going to be one amazing priesthood holder when the time comes and I know that he will do far greater things than I could ever hope to do.  I may be a missionary but he has taught me more than I have taught him.  The lessons that I have learned on my mission far out weigh any other decision that I could have possibly made after graduating High School.  I'm so grateful for all of the influences in my life that have helped me make my decision to serve this mission; times may be rocky at times but I just have to remember to not lose my faith in the Lord, because he won't lose His faith in me.  I love you all and I wish you the best of luck!!  May God be with you till we meet again.

Well I have officially completed my first transfer in the mission!  It's a weird thought thinking that I'm already halfway through my training now; it's a pretty exciting thought.  But all I can say is that I hate "Trunky Week".  Apparently the week of transfers everyone just doesn't want to do a lot so I'm stuck in the hot apartment while my companion takes a nap for a while.  Yeah I hope I don't end up doing that; I already feel bad enough when I feel like I didn't give it my best that day.  But on the bright side one of our investigators (Andrew) is progressing along very well!  He's keeping all of our commitments and he's attended all of the church meetings for two weeks in a row.  Now all he needs is to attend church for two more weeks then he can reach his BGD.  It's moments like these that make all of the hardships of a mission worth it.  Now for the language... eh well it's getting better but it's still rough.  I was finally able to play basketball for the first time in the Philippines and boy did it feel great!!!  Just to see the ball go through the hoop (there wasn't a net) made me feel so refreshed. FYI these Filipino's have some major talent!! Some of the moves they do are just crazy, it's like I'm watching Nate Robinson live.  Well I love you Dad and I'm grateful for all the support that you and Mom are giving me.  Just thinking of you guys makes me even more motivated to give it my all and to just forget about myself.  I know that the Lord will continue to bless us for the service that we lend to His work.  Mahal Kita!!!  May God be with you till we meet again!