Family,

Okay so remember my new companion? Yeah well when I got here, 3 days later he got transferred. Health problems. So now, my new companion is Elder Y and he is so freaking funny. We're having fun because we're new zone leaders and we're opening an area. If you don't know what that means ask a return missionary. You would think that I would be really stressed that I'm a zone leader, opening a new area and I still don't know Tagalog but to be honest I'm not. Elder Y and I are working together really well. When I first got here in the apartment it was Brennan's dirty room X10. I thought, how can we lead and organize this zone if our apartment is disgusting? Before we clean up this zone and I decided to first clean the apartment. It took about 5 hours but I could sleep like a baby on the bathroom floor if I wanted to. Elder Y and I think it's the little things that have been holding back this zone from more success. It's the athlete's mindset. I guess all those years in wrestling are paying off. 

I'm loving the area...at least the part that I know haha. The people are different but I'm learning to love them. Up here in Baguio is so beautiful. High up here in these mountains they have huge oak tree's. I don't even know how. I thought this was a tropical island. It's illegal here to cut them down. I'm flooded with memories of my senior trip to Colorado with my best friends. Sometimes I forget that I'm here in the Philippines. 

I love hearing from y'all. I know this church is true. I'm grateful for the challenges the Lord has given me because  it has pushed me to be a better missionary, better future father and husband. I love my Savior and what He has done for me. I'm grateful for the Book of Mormon and the peace it has given me. Keep those prayers coming. Till we meet again.

 Your Valiant Missionary,

Elder Strader