Kumusta sa Pilippinas!!

Hello! 

Well, I made it.! What an adventurous week it has been. I love the Philippines, it's such a unique culture. I guess you could describe as an Asian Hawaii, sort of. The people are so nice and humble. Everyone drives like a madman, I can't understand anything and I've got rice coming out of my ears. Pretty much everything is out of my comfort zone, but I will get there. 

On Wednesday we landed in Manila around 10:30 pm, and we stayed the night at the airport hotel. The next morning we rode a bus to Urdaneta and President Monahan was there to greet us. We stayed at the mission home for 2 nights because transfers are on Friday's. It was fun, one night they had a few lady's from the ward cook for us and it was the most delicious food I've had. They made lumpia and it was to die for! Way better than American Lumpia. (sorry mom!) Oh man it was so good, of course we had rice, Pankain, some chicken dish, and rolls. For dessert we had Mango Graham. It's layers of graham crackers and sweet cream with mango on top. Deliciuous! 

Friday was transfer day and I met my companion, Sister Gomez! She is adorable and she's from the Philippines. When president announced sister Gomez and I, he said those two were a match made in heaven. It was so cool! We get along really well and she is such a great trainer. I'm sure I will soon find out what president meant when he said that. My first area is Sto. Thomas B, Rosales. It's a city close to Urdaneta and it's great, I love it so far. 

After transfers we went to our apartment and unpacked and then we went out for Pizza Hut, it was delicious! Our apartment is pretty small and when I first saw it, i'm not gonna lie I was freaked out, but I'm getting used to it. We shower with a bucket in this tiny bathroom with like 2 feet of space between you and the toilet. Our kitchen is tiny too, I will try to send pictures. Thank goodness I haven't had any problems with bugs yet... yet. I've only seen one cockroach so far and it was outside and I just about had a panic attack.Eww they are sooo nasty.. and huge. Ew EW Ew!

After we unpacked we had a teaching appointment, I was so nervous. It was going good, I wasn't talking much and then middle of the lesson a bat starts flying around. Scariest thing of my life. They only had one light bulb, and I swear I thought it was going to attack me. We have been teaching a lot of lessons and I've having a really hard time. It's true that once you get here you don't know a thing. I hate to say it but I feel like I didn't even go to the MTC because I don't remember squat. It's been really really hard to adjust to this culture and not knowing anything. President Monahan told us that in order to be successful, you have to go through the difficult times first. I just keep telling myself that. This is by far the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Many times I was doubting why I came and why I'm here, but I know the lord will help me and that if I can just get through the next few months then I will be ok. I know that great things await me. 

The kids are so cute and they love the missionaries, they see us and say "HI sister" and to me they say "what is your name?" "are you English?" it's pretty hilarious! Other than the fact that I don't know what's going on half the time, I am having the time of my life. It's so fun. I love the Philippines and the culture. 

Here is my address 

Sister Katie Chancellor

Philippines Urdaneta MIssion

P.O box 7 

Brgy. San Vicente East

Urdaneta City 

Pangasinan 2428

Philippines

TOP 10- Highlights of the week 

1. Landing in Manila!  

2. Lumpia at the mission home

3. meeting sister Gomez

4. My first ride in a trike

5. First lesson

6. PIzza Hut!

7. We gave out 3 book of Mormons this week

8.First Bucket shower

9. I tried a "hot dog"- Nasty..(it's not a hot dog! )

10. driving to Urdaneta

sorry this letter is really scattered but there is so much I want  to say but I am almost our of time and I haven't ready any of my other emails yet :(

also I can't figure out how to attach pictures:( I will try to manage my time better next week 

Mahal Kita, 

Sister Chancellor