Dear Elder

MIB is doing well. He has a great way of having fun everywhere he goes. He is loving the letters and packages that friends and family are sending. He loves to hear from everybody. We were fortunate enough this last week to catch him on email - so we were able to email back and forth for a few minutes before he had to run off to other things.
He did emphasize that his favorite form of communication is on DearElder.com. It is a great way to get letters to him FAST. In fact, any message sent to them by noon, Monday through Friday is brought to the MTC that same day - so he gets your mail that very day. It's easy and FREE. Go to DearElder.com, select "write a letter," put in MIBs name and select Provo MTC for location. Type your letter and hit send. THAT'S IT!! They print them, stuff the letter in an envelope and hand deliver it to the MTC.
It get's even better - You can do the same thing when he leaves for Bacolod. Instead of choosing Provo, MTC for the location, choose Philippines, Bacolod and they deliver (weekly, on Fridays) up to the Salt Lake City location where the church sends out all the "pouch" mail. It normally takes 2-3 weeks to get to Bacolod from here, but again, it's easy and FREE.
MIB says it works great for him. So, take a moment to send a few sentences to him on DearElder.com :)
MIB send his greetings and thanks to all of who have been sending him letters and packages, the support has been great! He is loving the MTC, enjoying the people there and learning so much.
I try to use Tagalog in my messages to him, for my learning and for his. He said he would tell me how to say whatever I asked. So if there is something you want to learn how to say in Tagalog... just ask!
Please remember MIB in your prayers.
Salamat.

More Tagalog vocabulary

MIB sends his thanks to all who have corresponded with him since he's been in the MTC. He loves the letters and packages. He is somehow, still hungry all the time.

Here are some more vocabulary words to use when you write him -
Gutom ako - I am hungry (He must use this one a lot)
Maganda ko - You are beautiful
Mabuhay - Long live
Totooang simbahan - The church is true
Salamat - Thank you
Mahal Kita po - I love you w/respect

If you only use one phrase this week, I hope it's "Salamat!"

Mabuhay!

Sunshine, beautiful Sunshine

Mail - when anticipated so greatly, is like sunshine! We have received sunshine from MIB!! He's doing well. His companion likes basketball too - so they get along great.

I've always been told that missionaries eat very well at the MTC. In fact, Jared said he gained 21 pounds (in just 19 days!) during his stay at the MTC. However, MIB says that he is always hungry and thirsty. Strange! I'm sure care packages would help his hunger and thirst. I figure that he's being fed so well mentally and spiritually that his physical body is feeling left out. : )
Yet, we can all feel good knowing that they have Sobes (his favorite drink) there, so he's drinking well!

He's having fun with the Tagalog language. Leave it to MIB and his companion to make up songs in Tagalog to brings a smile to all those who hear it.
He did give us some vocabulary, you may want to learn it too and use it when writing MIB, or whenever you have a conversation in Tagalog : )

Kumusta? - How are you?
Mabubi - Good
Magandang umaga - Good morning
A no ang pangulan mo? - What is your name?
Oo - Yes
Hindi - No
Mag- Inggles? - May I speak English

I do believe that I would probably use "Mag- Inggles?" the most, but I'll work on the others as well. Hopefully you'll give some a try too. Check back again for some more language lessons, and of course for more updates.

Magandang umaga!