November 10, 2010

Dad,
Thanks for your email. Things are going well this week. I am still loving it! It is great to hear that you have snow in the foothills. I could go for some of that right now. It is stinking hot here and it’s not even the hot season yet. My Philippino companion from Manila, which I hear is even hotter than here, is dying from the heat. We played basketball today. We are going earlier next week. 6:30 is too hot. Better before the sun is really up. I love what you said about teaching a full family. I have only had that opportunity once, and it was back in Cebu. I don’t know if they got baptized or not. Usually you just teach mothers. The fathers are always working.

It is a pretty poor area I am in. There isn’t a nice restaurant here because nobody could afford it. Instead they have calendarias. They just cook up a bunch of food, and put it out on a table on the side of the road and you buy whatever you want right out of the pan. Usually it’s not too bad. They also have barbeque. They have lots of different kinds of meats, mostly chicken and pork, on shishkabobs and you just throw it on the grill and cook it. Then you buy some puso, rice wrapped in some type of leaf that they weave into a diamond shape, and dip it in soy sauce and vinegar with chilies. The chilies here will kill you! One the length of your pinkie nail is strong enough to make your entire meal hot! But here in the Philippines they like it hot. So you put 3 or 4. I am getting used to it.

Thanks for your letters dad! I am so grateful for the example you have set for me. I have become who I am because of my parents and leaders. You have been a huge influence in my life. When Elder Cook came, the 70 over the Philippines spoke and talked about our legacy. What will be left behind when we leave. Your legacy lives in me Dad. I am trying to become the example you have always been to me. Thanks for everything. I love you all with all my heart. I am excited for the day when I can hug you all again!

Love you Dad,
Elder Schenk