December 26

Our family was able to skype with Dylan on Sunday December 23. He skyped from an internet cafe. It was so great to see him and chat with him.  He is loving the missionary work in the Philippines.  His missionary companion is a native Filipino from Manila.  He is teaching Dylan how to cook adobo chicken as well as helping him with Cebuano and Wary Wary. They are working on the island of Samar in the villages of Dap Dap and Delores. Dylan receives snail mail only once a month when it is brought from Tacloban.  Thank goodness for our weekly e-mail.  We were able to sing some Christmas carols with him and Tristan was able to blow him some kisses.

December 17

Hey family I am doing great today has been great so far! I have been in limbo the last two weeks with Christmas conference and Mission Tour. On a normal day we have our studies the first thing in the morning till 11 then we work from 1 till 9 but most of the time we adjust our schedule. Since I am a trainee we have a extra companionship study. I also have language study for an hour. So I have four hours of study each day since I am a trainee. So this last Friday and Saturday we worked. We visited less actives and we contacted people. We have five investigators that we will start teaching this week. We have a baptism on the 29th, my companion and I didn't teach her. Some other Elders did, but she just moved to our area and she wants to be baptized!

Tell everybody the Philippines is one of the MOST AMAZING PLACES ON EARTH. Well I love you all and Merry nga Pasko ha iyo!             



This is from his e-mail on Dec. 12

 I am doing great! The monsoon totally missed us. I changed course and went down to Mindanao. I have seen pictures of the devastation. 80% of all the banana farms in Mindanao were destroyed. Monsoon Bopha, look it up. We were only hit with a-lot of rain thankfully. 511 Maharlika Hwy, Fatima Vlg Tacloban City 6500 Leyte, Philippines. That is the address of the mission home. I have been doing fine in my area. Last week was in limbo with the storm plus we had Christmas conference in Tacloban. I haven't felt homesick at all! ;)  Basta, mail will reach me once a month. The zone leaders go down to Tacloban once a month for training and when they are down there they pick up the mail, so I will probably get it in January.

 I drink water and sprite all the time. The soda here comes in the old school glass bottles. I mainly eat rice, fish and other things, especially what we call chow mein in America, needless to say it tastes much better didi (here)!  Thankfully my companion and I have a washing machine pero, we still have to hang our clothes out to dry and no we don't wash our cloths in the stream. Thankfully we have pump well in the back of the apartment. 

I love riding top load on the jeeps kay (because) I can look at the beautiful nature of the Philippines as I ride.  Do you know the Wood's? They are in Star second ward I think basta they have a son here in the mission! I roomed with him in the same apartment during Christmas Conference we talked for an hour or so. I was great!. Oh it has been affirmed I can Skype you! On the twenty-fourth of December SO create a account and send me a friend request to dylan.joseph.kingsbury! So tell everyone I love them!

It was great to get a few pictures from Dylan this week.  That spider is sure freaky.  

Hey Family,
 I am doing great! I am in Borongan today for p-day. We were going to head down to Tacloban tomorrow for Christmas conference but I guess there is a super monsoon coming so it has been postponed. My companionship with Elder Canlapan is great we get along well. Because I am a new missionary in the field, we do this 12 week in-field training program,  we have an extra companionship study everyday. We have three investigators, we haven't started teaching them but we will soon. Our main focus in my area is re-activation of members. The numbers we have are low. It's hard to go to church here in the Philippines. Because the people live far away from the branch building they often can't afford the fair to travel to the building and, on top of that ,the land lord of the building that the members have been renting to have church in  in Dolores is raising the rent from P 5,000 to P 10,000. The members can't afford that, so at the end of this year they will be kicked out. The closest meeting house is in Dap-Dap which is about twenty minutes away.
 Basta (?) this last Sunday I taught Sunday school in Can-avid. It was an interesting experience. From Tuesday to Thursday this  last week I went on a split with an Elder in Sulat because my companion is a district leader and had a meeting in Tacloban. The people are so awesome! Especially the children, they are so cool. I did find one other white guy, he is an owner of a local restaurant in Dolores. He is Canadian we had a nice friendly chat about various topics the other day. 
 The food here is fine, it's actually not that different from America. One thing is for certain I HAVE EATEN SO MUCH MORE RICE!!. I have yet to try anything exotic. So how was Thanksgiving with the Babiracki's and Lundberg's?  I am missing the Christmas feeling we always had at home! Basta Gugma ko ninyo. Maaram ak nga ya'll will be watched over! God is on your side. 

With this busy time of year coming faster that I expected, I have been slow to update Dylan's blog.  So, first a little back tracking.  We were able to speak with Dylan several times on the night of November 19.  He was able to procure a disposable cell phone so were had several lengthy conversations.  It was so great to hear the excitement in his voice as he told us some of the details of his last few weeks.  He flew from Salt Lake City to LAX Monday evening and then had a layover before heading on to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific.  We anxiously tracked his flight path north up the west coast of Canada then west over Alaska across the Bering Strait then south across the vast oceans.  We were very relived when flight tracker said he was safe in Hong Kong.  I did not sleep the entire night.  After he arrived in Hong Kong we knew he would have a short layover before going on to Manila.  Unfortunately, flight tracker could not track his flight after he arrived in Hong Kong.  All in all it took him a day and a half of flying to reach his destination of Tacloban.  I was under the impression that as soon as he arrived in the mission home in Tacloban, that we would receive an email from the mission president confirming that he had safely arrived at his destination.  Well that was not the case.  It was a long week and I had made the decision to call the mission home on November 24 if I had not heard from him.  Thankfully, we received an email from Dylan in the wee morning hours on 11-24.  We have still not heard a word from the mission president, and I don't know if we will.  My mantra for that long week was "no news is good news".   I am on the Christmas Countdown to our next phone call.  He is 15 hours ahead of MST so I hope to hear from him on Christmas Eve.

This is the e-mail we received on Nov. 24

Hey Family! Kamusta Kamo

I have successfully landed in Tacloban I AM OK! I have p-day every Monday just like the MTC, so don't worry about me! I have been in my area the last couple of days. I am in the Borongan Zone. So I am learning WARY-WARY and some Tagalog. My trainer is native, he is from Quezon Province. He speaks Tagalog, Wary and English. I am so glad he speaks English! Otherwise I would be so lost right now.  My area is Dap-Dap and Dolores. I am on the Island of Samar. Eastern part to be exact. It took me seven hours to reach. The first 4 hours were to Borongan then the next three were to Dolores. Three hours were spent riding on the top of a passenger dyip (jeep) I got so sunburned. I puked on the first part of the trip because of the bumpiness. Other than that, I am alright. 
I spoke in two sacrament meetings yesterday! My companion and I have two branches and a group that we watch over. The group is only about twenty people. The focus of our area is reactivation. Like I said there are two branches. If both get enough attendance, the church will build a ward house and merge the branches to form a ward. I feel like a zoo animal sometimes kay (because) the Filipino's stare at me. I like it though. There are only two white missionaries in the Borongan Zone the other one lives in Borongan. So I now know what it feels like to be the minority. The Philippines are so beautiful, its jungle everywhere you go! The food is great. I have probably eaten more rice in the last week than I have in my whole life. Joke, Pero (but) I have eaten a-lot of rice. I love you all and I hope ya'll are doing great! 

Love, 
Elder Dylan Joseph Kingsbury 

Destination Tacloban Philippines

Maayo ako. 

I am doing great. I am so stoked to leave today and am doing my laundry right now! I can't wait to call you at the airport! Its so surreal! It feels like it was yesterday when I was dropped off at the MTC.   Times flies  when you are serving the Lord. I have yet to send my package home, I will do that later today. 

I went to the temple today for the last time in 22 months! Guol ako kaayo! Pero malipay ako magadto sa akong mission field. (Mom has no idea what he just wrote, but I am sure it is good.)  That is so cool that Tristan got to participate in the youth celebration! I'm glad that you guys have a temple again. I am happy for all of you! Who re-dedicated it anyway? Salamat kaayo for the cookies! They brought back Christmas memories. It's going to be a very interesting Christmas without you. Keep updating me about the Lakers. It doesn't surprise me that they fired Brown, he never was a good coach anyway. How are they doing with the new squad? Tell Tristan that the I-POD will remain in the safe for two years! Oh I heard that electronic's in the Philippines are way cheap. I also heard that Apple products are  abundant. Hey, who knows?
 So please have your phones ready around 6:30-9:30 I will call you around then. SO PLEASE BE READY! I might also have some time in LAX just to let you know. Well I look forward to talking to soon.

Love

Elder Dylan Kingsbury

Dylan will be flying from Salt Lake to LA this evening then on to Hong Kong connecting to Manila and then on to Tacloban.  We pray that his traveling party will be safe and arrive at their destination late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

The Call May 2012

This was back in May when Dylan received his call.  Before he opened it we all took a guess.  His guess was South East Asia. 

Week Eight

Hey Family,

I was worried this last week because I didn't recieve a dear Elder. I wrote you a letter today and mailed it. So I guess I won't say much here.

 No I dont need a phrase book I have everything I need. Wet wipes would probably be a good thing. You can send toliet paper but there is no garantee's that I wont have room for it in my suitcase. Halloween was great, we had night gym that night which is the greatest. From what I have seen an sd card reader is something that you plug into the computer via usb, than you plug your sd card into the reader. It's hard to explain. This is an exciting week I get my travel plans this Thursday, and I host this Wednesday. New mission fields are opening. One Elder who lives next door said his friend got their call to Tawain, but it said that she/he will only stay in Tawian until China is opened.  One of the speakers at our devotional said that 50 new fields are being prepared to be opened. 50 NEW MISSION FIELD'S. The Lord is hasting his work. I am glad to be a part of it. There is more in the letter I wrote you today so you  will probably get that soon. I love you and miss you! XOXOXOXO 

Week Seven

Dear Family,

It's week 7 now! It's hard to believe. I saw Trevor Wilson the day before he left! He has changed so much no more glasses and he is tall. I have seen Landon plenty of times. He leaves soon, two weeks I think. I saw Sean a few time's before he left for Peru.  This last fireside a seventy came and talked. 470% in missionary applications! Holy cow! He also said that the church is making preparations to open up 50 new fields. 

 I need some stuff for an early pasko (christmas) a mesqutio net, another belt and a memory card reader for my camera. The thing I have doesn't work. I need one that plugs into a usb port. I am doing fine on personal care items. I will buy personal care stuff before I leave if I need it. Thanks for the ties, I haven't traded any yet. 

Some of my duties as a district leader are  to get the mail everyday at lunch and dinner, I conduct interviews with senior comp's and I correct behavior if it is not in accordance with the rules. 
 How are the Laker's doing? How is BSU doing? How is the family doing? I can't believe that the election is right around the corner. I heard today that a huge storm hit the east coast is that true? Tell Taylor that he needs to not spend his money so fast. How is Tristan doing in school? How was her concert? How is the weather, has it changed much there. Oh I almost forgot! It snowed here in Provo this last Wednesday and stuck it was so werid. At least I saw snow before I left. The rules here are fine.

Nasayud ko nga tinuod ang ebangheylo ug pinaagi si JesuKristo makabalik ta sa Dios sa langit. Nasayud ko nga tinuod ang simbahan ug si Joseph pagpakita ni Jesus Christ ug sa Dios. Nasayud ko nga tinuod ang Basahon ni Mormon ug pulong niya sa dios. Nasayud ko nga pinaagi sa palano sa kaluwasan makabalik sa mga pamilya wala'y katapusan. 

 I love the lord and I absolutely love serving him. I have learned so much in this last month and a half than I have ever learned before in my previous life. 

P.s Can you send me a picture of the family so I can have one. Tungod dili naa ko'y sa kodak sa akong pamilya. Kinahanglan ko sa kodak.

1st Corinthians 13:11    

Week Four

Dear Family,

I went to the temple this morning at 5:40 in the morning it was great.  I love sitting in the Celestral room. Oh I saw Trevor Wilson last night he leaves today for Paris. He has changed much. We took a picture and I said goodbye and good luck. I'm doing great.  This last week went by really fast!  It's hard to believe its been a month. If I were to return right now, you wouldn't recognize me! I can't even describe the changes. Yesterday I was called to be the district leader, just more responsiblity for me. I will probably be the district leader till the time we leave for the field.

That's great that Ben got married! I hope he is happy he deserves it! It hard to believe that you were so close only a week ago! I am super glad Tristan is doing good in school, tell her to keep in up for me. So has Violet been spayed yet? i feel sad for Midnight, he is like the unwanted cat! Do you still have him? How are the cats doing? How was the last debate? How is Keene doing? I hope he is doing well. How many kids in our ward have started their papers since the announcement? I am still in shock about that announcement I bet they are going to open new area's, maybe even China! I have got all the packages you guys have sent me. I really appreciate the stuff you have sent. I would just rather you not to send any food or candy.  I am fed good. How is  does Taylor like his job? Does he enjoy earning more money? Oh yeah thanks for the G's, ties and shirt you sent me i loved it. You don't have to send me a pre-paid phone card because they sell them here at the MTC bookstore. So I will get one before I go. Do you know of any other girls putting in their papers since the announcement? I still think that is so cool. You're right, if both husband and wife have served a mission it will be a great thing. My Cebuano is getting there I know it will be better in the field when I am completly surrounded by it.

  So more about my companion he is from Salt Lake City his name is Elder Johnson. He has been all over the world doing varoius things! Our compship is very strong we get together great. Well I love ya'll and I hope you are doing good. 

Elder Dylan Joseph Kingsbury      

Week Three

Dear Family

It been a good week at the MTC. I watched general conference, of course every single session. I was shocked at the announcement. I will let you in on a secret with the lowering of the missionary age, they are cutting the stay at the MTC by a third. I guess they want missionaries to learn more in the field. For the fireside this last sunday they had Chad Lewis come and speak, it was a really good fireside. Then this last Tuesday, President Bednar came and spoke.  It was really cool. He shared his conference addresses  learning method. It has helped me look at each conference talk differently. No, they do not let us walk to campus. The mtc book store is another branch from the one on campus. I am getting enough to eat, actually probably too much. I have gained about 5 to 7 pounds since I got here! 
That is so awesome that Cody got his call to Russia! I am so excited for him. My companionship with Elder Johnson is great, he is a great guy and I love serving with him. You can go ahead and send my a Christmas package before i go but there is no guarantee (sorry for spelling) that I will be able to fit it in my suitcase! Is anybody missing me? Hahah is hard to believe that i am coming up on a month in the MtC! Do you still have the black cat? Has Tristan's ear infection gone away yet?

Well anyways the MTC has been great and I miss all of you! 

P.S. Please have more patience, in my last letter i specified that I WROTE you a letter. It was very in depth and thought out. I just hope you recieved it! 

Elder Dylan Joseph Kingsbury   

Week Two

We only received a short letter this week along with these pictures.

Elder Kingsbury and Elder Johnson

                                                        Laundry Time

Week One

Dear Family

It feels like an eternity since I've seen you! The mtc is great! I have adjusted pretty well! My companions name is Elder Johnson, he is from the Salt Lake area. Everyone in our district excluding me and another elder are from Utah!. Cebuano is coming great even though its been five days, Elder Johnson and I have given two lessons in Cebuano. We will be giving a lesson about Joseph Smith sometime this week, our goal is to teach with just preach my gospel with no notes. In class we have dicussed the diffent dialects that we will have to speak. It has come to my attention that Cebuano is not the predominate language, Wary-Wary is. Wary-Wary and Cebuano are like Portugese and Spanish, they teach us Cebuano becuase they have the gospel in that language. They say we will have to learn wary-wary in the field. The food here is good and fills me up so I don't need you to send any goodies unless I ask. Please send me my sweatshirt because the weather is going to get colder very soon. 

I have never felt the spirit as much as I have in the last five days it's unreal! I had the opportunity to watch the Brigham City Temple broadcast it was a powerful testimony builder for me to know that temples are holy places where we can find solace from the world. Infact today was my p-day and I got to go the Provo temple. Well as they say you if make it to Sunday you will make it the rest of the way. I have had no problems waking up or falling asleep while I have been here. It was kind of hard adjusting to a planned out schedule. I now understand the importance of having and keeping a schedule!

Tell everybody that I love and miss them. I know that we as a family will be blessed in my absence. I know that the gospel is true and I cannot wait to bring the truth to the people of the Philippines!