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.)