Hey Family! OK well Mom, since you're freaking out about the whole calling situation here it is: I will just call you guys on Christmas here, which will be Christmas Eve for you guys, and then once I call you, just call me back on the number I called you on cause it's much cheaper for me to receive calls. It's pretty easy haha. So don't worry anymore about that, it'll work out. Hmm so what has happened this week... I feel like during the week I always have things I should write about, then Monday comes and I got nothin. Well lets see, La Castellana had their opening lights ceremony this week, I was actually really impressed. I mean it wasn't quite as extravagant as the Temple Square lights, but it was good. They even had fireworks and stuff. Next week is the fiesta here which will be pretty exciting. I met some crazy people this week (I can't tell you how many of those I meet) but these two are funny stories so I'll tell you about them. OK so the first was this crazy old American guy, and the first thing he said to us when he came out of his house was, "You guys believe in bull sh$# and I know that." Needless to say I was a little speechless and wasn't quite sure to say back. The old man continued, "I'm an atheist, and I don't believe in your Gods because you don't believe in my Gods, and the sooner you understand that you will know the truth." Hahaha. Yikes. I was just trying not to laugh, cause E. Ventigan was trying to talk to him in English, and kept asking him like what his religion was and the man would say atheist, and then go on about the Egyptians and their Gods, and then E. Ventigan would ask him a question about his "religion" because he didn't know what an atheist is haha. So I told him in Illongo, and then he was like ohhhh ok. Well thank you brother, have a good day. Ha and then we left. The next was just this guy that came up to us in the street one night and he started talking to us, but it didn't make sense. Especially since he was talking to me in English, Spanish, and Illongo. But he kept rambling about Moroni and Joseph Smith and UFO's and all this crazy stuff. Then he told me we were brothers because he has American blood. Finally we got him to leave, but before he did he grabbed my hand, put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Remember this day that we are brothers in the Lord! Farewell my friend!" Ha so that was that. Other than that things have been good. We've been trying to find new investigators that are really prepared. We found this 100 year old lady, she's way funny and she's still way strong, and she loves to listen and talk to us, last time we went to her she tried to pay us haha. So we invited her to church and she said she would go, but then she wasn't there, so we went to her house, and she saw us and then got way sad and was like I'm sorry I forgot to go to church elders! Haha she is just so innocent. I wonder what the record is for the oldest person ever baptized is.. Ha anyway, so the work has been good. Just tryin to always do better and enjoy life. So Merry Christmas to you all! Thanks for all you do for me! Love you all! Love, Elder Andersen

Oh I forgot to tell you, I went to Bacolod this week cause E. Ventigan had a meeting. Anyway, while I was in the office just hangin out I saw that they had a scale so I weighed myself. I now weigh 160 pounds! That means I've gained 15 pounds since I've been here! Holy Man! haha. It's ok I'm not fat! I just now have some meat on my bones, and am thicker and don't get pushed around as easy haha. Our branch presidents wife told me I'm more handsome now that I've gained weight haha, but I don't believe her. It's best not to believe anything they tell you about stuff like that, because they will all tell you different things. Ok well thats all. TTFN

To Andrea:Hey sis! Just thought I'd let you know I got your package today! Thanks so much! It was great, I really appreciated it, and will continue to appreciate it until it is all used! It was actually a big surprise, we were all just sitting there as the zone leaders got the cargo and giving everyone their stuff, and I wasn't expecting anything cause mom said my package wouldn't get here until after Christmas, but then the said Andersen you have a package. It was pretty exciting! I will be sure to put everything to good use! So yeah just wanted to say thanks, and Merry Christmas! Hope you all have a good time together and stuff at home. I'm sure I'll talk to you. Maybe. haha. What do you think Mom would do if I just didn't call? Ok well thanks again, love you all! -Greg or Elder Andersen

So hello fam! Things are just great. This week has been... Rainy! All day everyday! I think there's a typhoon down yonder in Mindanao somewhere, so we're getting a bunch of rain from it. Hopefully the sun'll come out this week, cause my clothes don't dry very well in the rain! haha. Also it makes it a little harder to try and find people cause no one is out and about. So like I said things have been going well. La Castellana has been super busy lately cause they have a big Christmas and New Years parade and fiesta here that lasts a whole week that they are preparing for. So that'll be fun to see. We had a baptism Saturday, sister Kaye. She's 16 and the niece of the Villanueva family. Her older sister will be getting baptized next month too. We love baptizing women, but we really need men! haha. So we're trying to work ont that, and just really try to help the people here. Reactivating families and what not. You know, missionary work :) I can't really think of anything else super cool that happened this week that I should write about... Well hey I suppose I otta say Happy Birthday to Tatay! So, Happy Birthday Dad! Mm I don't know what else to write about! I'm learning new things everyday, and just trying to make myself a better missonary! So really thats what I've been doin this week, A lot of walking, talking, preaching and speaking! And eating and reading and pleading! Also I think I'm getting fat cause 2 pairs of my pants do not fit so well... But the other 2 fit perfectly fine, so maybe they just shrunk? Not sure. We watched the First Presidency Christmas devotional last night. It was really good. President Uchtdorf looks older now. I guess thats what happens when you are one of the main leaders of the Church! Anyway, it was really good. I got a little feeling of the Christmas's I am used to. Ok well I guess that is all for me this week. So to all, have a great week! Love Elder Andersen

Well hello again! I guess my biggest news for this week is that I'm stayin in La Castellana for another 6 weeks! Ha so that'll be fun. I'm just going to really know my area well. And I'll have the same companion, Elder Ventigan again. Other than that things have been going well. We had a district specialized training meeting given to us by the A.P.'s and President Tobias this week, and it was really good. It really makes you realize what you need to do specifically in your individual areas and it's straight revelation from President. So this week we've just been trying to implement the things we learned there into our trainings. And I'm trying to talk more to people and teach more in the lessons so that I can prepare myself for when I am made senior companion in probably 1 or 2 more transfers. maybe 3. or 4. It just depends on President Tobias, and how ready I am. But I feel ready, except for the language. So that is going to be my main focus for this next transfer. I'm having a hard time trying to feel the Christmas spirit here haha, because it still feels like summer vacation. But I guess Christmas is pretty soon huh? I'm excited for the branch party. Mostly for the food haha, I love food! Anywho, everything is going well. The Branch President of La Castellana, President Oliverio, was chosen by the Church to represent the Philippines for the new Duty to God program. So this last week he had an interview. With Boyd K. Packer! They did it over webcam, and it was 2 a.m. for President Packer! President Oliverio said it was quite an experience getting interviewed by the President of the Quorum of the 12! And it made me realize how much they do for the Church. I mean how old is President Packer? Mid 80's? And here he is staying up through the night interviewing some Branch President from a small branch in the Philippines! All I can say is that is dedication. And it makes me want to try harder. Anywho, thats about it for me for the week. Ha don't worry about your packages not being here for Christmas it's really not a big deal! I'm just grateful to even get anything :) So thanks ya sa tanan for all you do and your prayers and everything! So until next time, Halong. Love, Elder Andersen