1.

Hello there peoples, This is more than likely my last email home. 

Well, the time has come. It's been two whole years, and it was long and painful and tiring and tiring and hard and demanding and absolutely hands down worth it. 

Well for things are kinda weird. I got transferred on Saturday. I'm back in Hinigaran! My 5th area. For a whole week. But I am happy regardless. It's been nice seeing people I used to teach, and the bishop actually came up to me and hugged me. It was awesome. AND ALSO ELDER WILLIAMS IS HERE AGAIN SO IT DONE BE AWESOME BECAUSE WE"RE COMPANIONS... Kind of. We live in the same house (again) so we decided we'll just work together until I go home. :D It was awesome. But my real companion is Elder Miclat. He's pretty cool, I've met him before so I've known him for a little while. 

Well, I will be spending the next few days going through my stuff, getting rid of what I don't need, and will eventually be making it home. I fly out to Manila on Tuesday, will spend the rest of the day there and will leave Wednesday morning, fly to Hong Kong, then to LA, then to home, arriving at around 1 in the afternoon.... And it'll still be Wednesday. :D But I'll probably be dead tired from travel. 

Speaking of getting home, Mom I want Biscuits and cereal. My favorite kind (Berry colossal crunch and fruity dyno bites) :D Preferably bring the biscuits to the airport. With Jam. :D

Well, I think that's it. I really don't have much else to say or pictures to send since I'll just be home next week. Which is really weird to say. But I love you all and will be seeing you this week over Skype, this Friday (so thursday night for you fools. Be there or be square). I'll probably let you know before I actually get on and skype. Just so you'll be prepared. 

Peace outs. 

-- 

Elder Archuleta

Philippines Bacolod Mission

2.

Well this week will be short and awesome... Hopefully.

ELDER COOK YOU NEED TO LEARN ILONGGO

So hello to all who read this!
I just got an email from the office about the phonecall home thing! I
still get to do it! Even though I'll be seeing you all like 5 days
later anyways, it woud be rather pointless. But I'll do it so Mom
won't cry. :D But I can call on the 24th until the 26th my time, so
the 23rd to the 25th your time.

ELDER COOK i felt like screaming your name again. Saan pamunta yung
mga flights mo? Alam mo ba yan?

But this past week has been kind of slow. Nothing is really happening
anymore and my body is likle 60% recovered from various illnesses that
randomly befall me. I'm not even sure if i spelled that right or am
even using it correctly. BASTA!

Isang support nalang bukas! WHY DO I SPEAK TAGALOG?!? I'M BISAYAN FOR
CRYIN OUT LOUD!!

And Elder Williams. Jimmy.

And for pictures, I have none. I've been focusing on a family we've
been teaching so I really don't think about much else. AND I have sad
news for Mom. Literally all the nativity sets I've found so far are
paper. I even pulled some strings and had other people look for me in
other various places and all they found were paper too. D: #Paper

But on the bright side I'll be seeing (most of) you once again in a
few weeks. Which makes me happy.

-- 
*Elder Archuleta*
*Philippines Bacolod Mission*

3.

Yo what it do my fellow peeps? :D

So nothing much has been happening. I haven't been feeling well but I kept pushing myself this week making as much of a change I can in my investigators lives. :D But with each and every week that goes by I can just taste american food. Mmmmmm American food. 

Well I don't have much else to say, other than I am sending pictures. I am going to make it work. 

I love you all. 

-- 

Elder Archuleta

Philippines Bacolod Mission

Pictures!

Selfie on top of a tricylce with a dust repel-er scarf 

My house

The STAIRS OF DOOM

All of my planners I kept. :D

A giant Toko (Lizard) in my house

Me and Elder Dela Cruz

I made fried chicken. 

THE BEST DARN THING EVER SINCE... FIREWIRE

4.

So this past week has been kinda slow since Dad and I are the same! (for everyone else that doesn't know, my dad's been sick) And also this place I'm at is full of teenagers being loud and swearing so I think today I'll keep it short so I can get out of here. #IStillKnowWhatYou'reAllSaying #AngKulitNinyo

So this past week has been slow. Like I said earlier. I've been feeling not too well, but it's what they call the last trials. Apparently the going home missionaries always get sick. Even this elder with 30 days left. #30

Well I really don't have much to say, other than yes mom I am driving home. :D (She said I'm not allowed to since "[I] haven't driven in years. Literally." It's like she thinks I forgot how to drive or something. I'd understand if I had been driving here, but I haven't touched a steering wheel in 2 years. And the other requirement is that I have to "drive without harm to others." Which with mom.... She didn't like how I drove BEFORE I EVEN LEFT. #NotFair #IWantToDrive #I'mStillLegallyLicensedToTheStateOfCalifornia #IDon'tCauseCancer) 

I don't have a lot of pictures because I've been taking videos! So yea. Stuff. But I actually do have pictures though. I'll send them separate.

I love you all and will be seeing most of you soon. :D But I Still love you all equally. :D

-- 

Elder Archuleta

Philippines Bacolod Mission

Pictures of shtuffs

I take that back. My card reader is broken. Again. #WHYME

5.

Okay first and foremost, Mom please don't watch me when I sleep. That's like #Stalker (Mom might have mentioned in her email that she will stare at him while he's sleeping because she misses his face.)

So I have been thinking lately on how much time I really have left. We have just met a few families and they are AMAZING! One brother actually came up to us and asked us if we could teach him! (Which like NEVER happens here.) WE met with his family and after the lesson they are already testifying to us that we are what they have been looking for. #SpiritSoPresentThatYouCouldHoldIt. I will be looking forward to this family. 

#ChurchPotatoes

Well if we be talking about preparations for coming home, I have like another couple requests:

*Church Potatoes (Or Funeral Potatoes is what they're actually called apparently...)

*Egg Nog

*Biscuits and Gravy

*Strawberries

*Blueberries

*Whatever other kind of berries you can get

*Plain vanilla ice cream. 

*A jar of peanut butter to myself with bread and preferably strawberry jam (But I'll be okay with just the Peanut Butter too)

*Mac and cheese

*Burritos

*Quesadillas

*Mexican Food in General

*Rice

*Milk.

*Cheese. 

*Dairy products.

*Something cooked in the dutch oven

*Moms baking. Anything will be accepted.

*Dr. Pepper. again. Can't have enough.

*Something totally American with eagles and red, white, and blue, and FREEDOM.

I think that's about it. I need to calm down or I'll be obese within a day of being home. Or sooner. Idk. I've planned to stay skinny and get more fit when I get home, especially since I'll have the time to do so. :D

#ChurchPotatoes

Also I'm driving home. Someone bring my truck. No exceptions. Or else. 

Well, that's about it for this week. I will keep my excitement down and just keep focusing on my work for now. I'm excited for those families. And Church Potatoes. (There's a joke there... Elder Williams gets it.)

Well. Peace off peoples. Be back next week. 

-- 

Elder Archuleta

Philippines Bacolod Mission

6 of these left.

I also have 44 days left, 2 suports left, 0 new areas, and 0 new companions. #SoThisIsWhatItFeelsLike

So my letter this week will be rather short due to the circumstances. However, it has been a good week. Elder Dela Cruz and I have been working hard. Elder Dela Cruz has been trying to learn Ilonggo while I've been dying to remember my Tagalog. Also, random rant, I think our cell phone is broke. It randomly turns itself and dies whenever I call someone... So basically its broke and wont let me fix it. #Technology #IThoughtNokiasDidn'tBreak. 

I also don't have pictures this week. Partially because (well technically 100%) the computers here arent able to use usb... Its a Filipino thing. #ElderCookGetsIt 

Well, this week I will try to work on pictures. and getting stories to tell. It's my last six weeks, gotta make it AWESOME!

Also, 
...

I forgot what I was gonna say so never mind.

-- 

Elder Archuleta

Philippines Bacolod Mission

7 of these things left...

Hello to all who read this and enjoy pistachios. Yes, that second one is required. No, I don't have any pistachios here, I really just want some. 

SO TODAY IS OFFICIALLY MONDAY. Which means I email home. So yea, here it is! :D

Well, I'm training again. My (3rd) trainee is from Bulakan, Philippines. Up north. Since he's like cool and speaks super Tagalog. :D Oh and his name is Elder Dela Cruz. He's kinda quiet, but I think it's just because he's new. I was the same way at first! 

So as stated previously, I have 7 weeks left. It's kinda really weird. Like I don't wanna accept it but I really don't have a choice either. but I'm excited. :D I'm officially the oldest (in terms of length) missionary here! So from now on Imma call myself Papa Archy... 

... On second thought, I will reconsider the name and think of something better. 

It's really hot today. And like the past week. Like I'm getting super bad tan lines from it. I will be working on that though. #DapatGwapo

Well, I think that's really about it. I already sent off pictures, so I'm clear there....

OH! SCHEDULES! I HAVE SOMETHING!

So I really will be leaving on the 30th. But with how traveling works and logic and what not's I'll probably be back on the U.S of A like on New Years or something. I don't really know much. Next week I think I'll be going in to get my exit x-ray taken and probably get my suit fitted. And stuffs. But when I get home, schedule is as follows:

Part 1: After Getting Off the Plane

1. Hug everyone and say Hi. 

2. Converse with people while we travel to the car.

Part 2: The part AFTER part 1.

3. We pick up In-N-out on the way home, and I get a double-double with fries and a strawberry shake AND a Dr. Pepper. 

Part 3: The most crucial part and the key to this plan

4. When we get home I will more than likely need to go to the bathroom, which I then will. 

5. Depending to the time of President Perez, I will be released as soon as possible.

Part 4: A New Hope (there is a pun here...)

6. Upon returning home, I will shower, change, and basically fall asleep wherever I lay down, no matter what time it is. Preferably somewhere hot (i.e the Fireplace).

7. PARTY!!!!!!!!

This schedule is subject to change if I think of anything different/cooler. Any resemblances to persons, whether dead or alive, is merely coincidental. This email is known to the state of California to cause cancer. You have the right to an attorney. Why you would need one, however, I do not know. I was just saying you have the right to such. If you sneezed during this email, bless you. Peace off. 

Papa Archy OUT! 

Elder Archuleta

Philippines Bacolod Mission

Cake. It was good. Even though it cost me a ton. $$$

SOCKS WITH TOES!! BEST THING EVER SINCE SLICED BREAD!

You can't really tell, but this is a wall. And Stairs. Stalls? Wairs? Something like that. 

Chicks! Like little baby chickens... Calm down people.. They like dye them colors here. Which is awesome and weird.

Philippines Graveyard

A mountain on a mountain. 

So this is how the cake done turned out. It kinda burnt on the sides but it was still edible.

Me wondering if I really am still just 12

Me realizing I'm not, but I'm actually 21. (and this was after my 5 minute rant of thinking mom sent the wrong numbers.) 

This email should have been sent on Monday but somehow it's Tuesday...

My companion got transferred so we were in Bacolod. But then they also tell me "Oh hey Elder Archuleta you're going to be a trainer." To which I said "¿AGAIN?!?!?!!!!!!?" To which a rather random and not relevant story ensued. (WOW big word...)

Well currently I am "assigned" to Murcia. It's part of one of the Bacolod Zones, so I'm just kickin it here till Thursday. Then I will be heading back to Isabela. Again. 

Well I really don't have much news about travel right now, But I will be in the office tomorrow working on some papers I need to get filled out. So I'll kick butts and take names... I mean I'll ask the office. :D 

I don't have anything else to say either. I will send pictures though! :D 

¿ <- this thing is cool. It's not used here. I just remember that they exist.  

 

Elder Archuleta

Philippines Bacolod Mission

#Bumba

Hello there people I email! :D And for those who read this. There is a story behind the name of this email, I'll explain it later. 

So this past week was kind of the same as always. Work.. Rain... Work... Rain.. I think you get the picture. :D

Speaking of pictures, I have some. 

So about the email. Everyone here was talking about bumbas (a pump... Like for wells and shtuff) Also everyone else here is like either barely over a year or brand new. I'm old. 

I will send pictures seperately. With the stories.

#He'sStillEatingUga

-- 

Elder Archuleta

Philippines Bacolod Mission

1. A mountain-top view of Isabela. 

2. A pig that was totally just chillin with the cute little baby puppies... And then laying on them too.

3. I named this one Kevin, the white one is Tammy-Lynn, the dark-brown one is Steven and the last one is either Kyle or George. I forgot. 

4. This fruit is called BABANA. (yes, babana.) It's kind of sour, but it's really good tasting and like my 2nd favorite. 

1. An Isabela view of the mountain I was on (the one on the right)

2. Went on exchanges with Aguisan Elders. It rained so hard that the Book of Mormon, my planner, and all the pamphlets I had got destroyed. But we had fun anyways. 

3. Baptism! :D It was awesome. Literally 6 people were at the baptism. 6. Including us. :D

4. A BRIDGE UNDER A BRIDGE!! #Awesome

5. You can't really tell but the sun was like super neon orange yesterday (sunday) for like 7 minutes. 

ANDDDDD 

This is the 10,000 picture on my camera. :D 

Doctrine and Covenants section 73

If you don't get the title, then good for you. If you do, however... #D&C73

SO THIS WEEK WAS JAMPACKED FULL OF...

Rain. ☔🌀

Apparently there's another storm, but it's up north. All we get here is rain. A lot.

But on the bright side, I also found someone to fit my clothes for me! I did like a lot of my pants and a long-sleeve. Eventually I'll get to do my suit too. :D 

So Dad asked if I knew an Elder Paskett, and I do. He replaced me in Bata (My last area). When I see him at MLC in November I'll tell him. #smallworld

So earlier we had a service project. We painted a few buildings. I left my camera since I couldn't leave it anywhere, but I have a few pictures of when we came home. And a few other things. 

Oh and we had a baptism Saturday, got another one this Saturday too, and HOPEFULLY next week as well. My camera died so I'll have my companion fwd it to me. 

Well, other than that I really don't have much to say really. I've only got so long before I'm back home. I've gotten so used to everything here that I really don't know what else to say. I'll be checking today (again) about any news for going home or anything related to such. From what I've heard, transfer day is being moved up 2 weeks, so that might change something. And I'll check on my packages. Speaking of which, I don't think I really need anymore. I never really needed them in the first place. It kinda takes away a bit from the sacrifice. But I loved them all :D 

I will send pictures shortly.

-- 

Elder Archuleta

Philippines Bacolod Mission

PICTURES!

1. Hamburgers. Like actually decent sized ones too! But it was literally just bread, meat, lettuce, and ketchup. 

2. A giant frog thing. I took this picture from like across the room when I saw it. It's bigger than a softball.

3. So the sister sitting next to me is my Lola! (grandma) Because she was the missionary that taught and converted Elder Cano! :D but she's kinda short... Like Kara might ACTUALLY be taller than her... Hehehe... :P

4. Me earlier covered in paint. Filipino paint is cool though. If it gets on you or your clothes, it will come off with just water (sometimes a bit of soap). But you put it on a rock or buildings or cars and it's boom good luck getting that off.

#UpcomingBirthday

Yay I survived another week! :D

So last week I was not able to email because I got transferred! So I am currently in Isabela Ward, Binalbagan Zone+Stake. And I'm also down the road from my 5th area, Hinigaran! So I'll be able to visit sometime. 

So I am still a Zone Leader, but I am one of 3 here in my zone. The other 2 are fairly new, so I basically just tell them what to do if they don't know. So I has time to do stuff again! 

So here's what last week was for me:

Monday: I got transferred. I wasn't able to go shopping or get a haircut or do anything. I traveled all day.

Tuesday: We had District meeting. My district leader and I have the same first name. :D Also my district is 3 americans and 1 pinoy... It's cool. 

Wednesday: We went up the mountain. The Motorcycle we were riding went flat. Twice. Also we had to join choir practice here. The conductor person thing called President apparently so we have to join. #WhyIsMyLastNameArchuleta

Thursday: We went on exchanges with some Elder's in our zone, So I was in their area for a day. 

Friday: Nothing actually happened. We just worked. 

Saturday: Saturday Session of Conference! And I forgot my name tag at home. It was kinda funny.

Sunday: Sunday Session! And Choir Practice again. We got to teach like 2 lessons. 

That was my week. I have pictures to send (from last-last week too!)

-- 

Elder Archuleta

Philippines Bacolod Mission

Pictures!  Lots and lots of pictures.  This might be a record for Elder Archuleta to send us 13 pictures!  I think he was trying to make up for no email last week.  ;-)

A tricycle with a steering wheel.  Yes.  I want one.

Elder Lacado and I #Last day together

Me not shaving for 2 days = baby beard

Me and the two Elders I trained!  We all got transferred.

This is my area.

Perfect example of Filipino weather.  This is nice and clear and sunny and happiness.

This is what I saw when I turned around.  Darkness, gloominess, doom and despair.

The gray stuff in the center is rain.

Filipino turkeys.  They sound like American ones, but they look weird.  

How they fix tires here.  They melt rubber onto the tire over the hole.  It's actually kind of cool.

They do it to cars and trucks too apparently.

My planner which reads "One More!"

A rat we killed while on exchanges.  The shirt thing belongs to the elder I was with.

This is literally me right now in a computer shop.  Elder Cook, you're used to this.  Everyone else isn't.

(Elder Cook is a friend from the MTC who is currently serving in the Bagiuo Mission.)

I'm doing things baliskad

#Backwards

So I figured that since I kind of don't have a lot to say I'll just start with the pictures. :D (Which means I attached them to this email AND attached them first before I wrote this email) 

 1. So this is something a member made for me. I'm not sure if I've sent a picture of it before. It's basically like a little chandelier type thing made out of shells, beads, and a coconut shell. It's cool. :D

2. This is what my area looks like. The sky has been gray lately (because I think the other rainy season is coming soon?)

3. Random Selfie (With my companion halfway photobombing.)

4. A box of fruit. A member from Elder Lacdao's former area sent this to us. :D

AND NOW ITS EMAIL TIME!!

... Well technically it's 3pm, Monday September 28, 2015. #Technicalities

So for the past week things have been slow. Last Wednesday we went to interview for the E.B Magalona Elders (The one's in my former area). Words cannot describe (Or maybe I just cant due to my level of English) the feeling of interviewing one of your former investigators for baptism. And it was the WHOLE family. I was over-joyed. :D

So for date of going home, I finally know it. However, it means I will not be spending yet another Christmas with you at home. But I will be home for New Years! :D It's gonna be crazy and what nots, but I go home Dec. 30, 2015. (Elder Cook, Makakita kita sa Manila ulit! Puli na ta!) So apparently I will be able to call home again for Christmas (which would be rather funny honestly.) Other than that, I will just be working here until I go home. 

Well, that;s pretty much it for this week. See you again next week! 

P.S Next week is transfer day so there is a slight chance that I might be getting transferred. I don't know yet, I'll know on Sunday if I am. 

-- 

Elder Archuleta

Philippines Bacolod Mission

#ThugMormon

Sometimes I email my parents but dont say too much in it #ThugMormon #ThugElder

Haha. About died from moms email. (#ThugMormon was the topic)

So this past week, not a whole lot happened. The other two elders got sick. so there were various exchanges done so work was done in both areas. I spent a lot of time with Elder Williams, which was nice since he got transferred this morning #MishLife.

Well.. About that goal about taking more pictures... Working on that. Since we were on sick watch, kind of didnt have much to do, so I caught up on my Old Testament reading... The O.T times were serious. Like Hey-he-sinned-let-me-nail-his-head-to-the-ground-so-he-wont-do-it-again kind of a deal goin on. Its a really interesting read. 

WEll, I think I'll do pictures now.

Duces

-- 

Elder Archuleta

Philippines Bacolod Mission

I sent him a few more in a second email...this one he responded to separately:

Came home from mission, walked off the plane, Mom raised Boom Box blaring "Eye of the Tiger" band didn't complain. #ThugMormon

To which he replied:

Please do that last one for me.

Mom:  hahaha....The Eye of the Tiger...really?

Elder A. : Yes

I can't deny him this, so ... #NextiTunesPurchase  #SurvivorEyeOfTheTiger   #ElderArchuletasWalkOffMusic 

PICTURES!  (I pleaded for more pictures with him in them and not food, or pictures of his area.  I suppose we will take one out of 3.)

 The night sky here. :)

I may or may not have accidentally flooded the apartment for 20 minutes... :D 

EXTRA FAT BACON!!! Really don't know why there is always bacon. But it was crunchy outside and soft inside (but still thoroughly cooked!)