Can you believe it!  I've just hit my 30 week mark!  Oh naku (Oh boy).  I'm becoming a veteran in the mission considering that most of the senior missionaries are leaving pretty soon.  People keep telling me that I'm going to become a District Leader/Zone Leader soon but I sure hope that doesn't happen.  I'm just fine being a regular missionary with no title but "Elder". 

But well it finally happened... I'm being transferred.  I knew my name was going to be on that list but my heart still dropped a little bit when I saw it.  I've grown to love these people in the Naga 1st Ward so much; it's going to be so hard to leave.  I was the only one transferred out of our ward missionaries who were transferred so while they were all rejoicing, well it was a pretty solemn moment for me.  Brother San Ramon(1st Councilor) asked me to speak yesterday since I've been here for so long.  He had me speak about "Serving the Lord with Love".  I wasn't nervous for the talk itself, but I was worried about the Tagalog because I'm still not what you call "Suburb".  But thanks to the help of our Heavenly Father; it didn't turn out too bad.  Like usual I just started off with a funny story/joke and that got me a little less tense.  After that things calmed down and I was able to focus.  Some members even commented afterwards of how much my Tagalog has improved from the time I got here to now.  I appreciated the comment but I knew that I'm not alone in this pursuit to learn Tagalog.  There is no way in... well ever that I would be able to learn a language in such a short amount of time without the help of God.  But  besides the talk nothing else really exciting happened this week.  Well work wise at least.

Now for the time you've all been waiting for.... the "Joke of the Week".  Now you have three categories to choose from 1. Elder Cole fell in a rice field  2. Ayaw ni Elder Cole ang mga bakla 3. Elder Cole took the wrong cell phone.  For those of you who actually read my emails probably chose number two, and if you did you are correct.  This past week when I was doing my grocery shopping, this "full on" bakla kept following me and winking at me.  At one point when we were walking towards each other "she" whispered to me "Oh you're yummy".  All I can say is that I've never been closer to doing something irrational (yelling at him) on my mission.  It took so much for me not to say something, but I'm glad I didn't.  I don't know what got into me; I just got angry. 

Well the next email that you'll get from me will be in a new area with a new companion.  I sure hope that all continues to go well at home.  I'm grateful for all of your support and your service back at home.  I never knew how important we as members are to the missionaries.  Like President Kimball said "Do it".  Don't be afraid to serve because the blessings and the feelings that you get can't be put into words.  Mahal na mahal ko po kayo ang pamily ko!  May God be with you till we meet again.