First few days

Our flight here to the Philippines was 15 hours long with a few legs with a few hours overlay. From Salt Lake City to Los Angeles it was pleasant. When we were about to disembark we were stopped by a couple of passengers asking questions about where we were going etc. Elder Burningham was speaking with one passenger and I with another. They know we are missionaries by our name tags. As I was speaking with one person there were many passengers leaning over to hear my conversation. I have never had that happen to me. People wanting to know what I had to say.

The flight to Taiwan was 13 hours long and then to Manila it was 2 hours. We were in Taiwan about 4 hours before our flight took place. There was a travel person with our name on it and he took us through customs quite quickly. We left the terminal with him and then met Elder and Sister Gibbs who we will be replacing. They helped secure our apartment for us. We have moved into it and then will sign the lease sometime this afternoon Feb 8.

We got our drivers licenses today. It is really an ordeal. But we got them. This is too much information but I just couldn't bring myself to give them a urine sample....just couldn't do it. So they took my saliva instead. And you pay everyone along the way. The bathroom for the urine test left alot to be desired so sorry...just couldn't comply. They found another way, for all I know it was satisfactory to their standards.

We have been to the store first day here, Saturday, and bought a few needed things. We are making lists as we get established.

Sunday, yesterday we went to church. They speak both Tagalog and English. They will speak English and then translate into Tagalog. Very Very humble people. Very strong LDS Saints. And they sing very well. We sat in front of a family with quite a few children and they just sang out so strong. Know all the words in English and all the notes. It was beautiful and so impressive.

After church we went back to our apartment and rested. Our predecessors had us over for dinner and it was very good. Elder and Sister Gibbs gave us information about the people and what the customs are like and what humble circumstances they are in. They also told us that many of the women do not get married simply because the men can't afford it. Average Filipinos don't get married, just live together and create families...divorce is against the law. So many Filipino women marry American men. They are very sweet and beautiful and very smart. LDS families are strong in the LDS faith and live the Gospel with temple marriages etc. I met many Filipino women in St. George and asked them why they were in the states. In every case they said because they married American men. Seems to be happy arrangements at any rate.

I am logging this post from the area office. Stilll will need to get our private Internet to really be able to do this. So please check in often.

Love, Sister Kathy Burningham