Dear Mom, Dad, and Cole Family,

I'll be home for Christmas..... next year.  I can't believe that there is only 24 days left until Christmas; it seems just like last year that I was absorbed in the "Tropical Christmas of the Philippines".  I guess today means that there is exactly 30 weeks left until Elder Cole becomes a "normal person" again.  It's a bitter sweet feeling thinking that I probably only have one more area left before I go home.  Elder Grospe and I are staying together for one more transfer which could mean that I could be here in Calabanga for six months.  Well I love this ward so it shouldn't be too much of an issue.

This past week has been full of adventure and fun as this transfer has now been passed in the the book of memories.  We have found four new investigators this past week through tracting which has helped us immensely!  We met this one old tatay who had served in the Philippine army as a Con. back in the day and he told us war stories for an hour before we had a chance to share our message.  After that I had the opportunity to go on exchanges with my good buddy Elder Kelsall.  He's from California and man this kid can play basketball.  Despite all my efforts I have yet to beat him in a one-one game.  I gave him a run for his money most of the time but he just had the end game magic to seal the W.  Anyways, during the exchanges he bet me a Mcflurry that I couldn't OYM a really cute girl and get her number and a return appointment.  Needless to say he got his Mcflurry ha ha.  Too bad he's getting transferred so now we'll get to see who our new roommate is. 

Also, we have been trying to have Family Home Evenings with the Less-Actives in our ward.  It's been really fun to bond with the members and to just have a good time while helping them return to our Heavenly Father.

Well Mom, I know you taught me when I was a kid to not play with fire... but you never told me not to eat it.  That's right, I am an officially licensed fire eater in the Philippines.  Sister Delicano taught us how to do it so I thought why not.  As most of you know I don't really get things on the first try so I burnt my lips a few times in the attempt to master this trick.  I have a video of it but I don't know how to send it.  I guess you'll just have to wait seven months and then you can see it. 

On a more spiritual note I would like to leave you with a scripture verse from D&C 58:27 " Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness."  I've learned that if we wait for someone to tell us to do things; a lot of time will be wasted doing nothing.  But if we take the courage and always try to do good to our fellow man, our lives and the lives of others will be blessed.  Take care and I wish you all the best of everything.  It sounds like Thanksgiving was a blast and I can't wait to join you for the next turkey day.  Mahal na mahal ko po kayo!  May God be with you till we meet again. 

                                             -Elder Cole