I'M IN THE PHILIPPINES!?

My view from the Manila MTC

Surprise!! 

Last Thursday my mission president called me and told me that my visa had come. That wasn't too big of a shock but everyone was telling me it would take two transfers (about 6 weeks) to get my visa. Then he said that I was going to the Philippines on Monday. Sister Tatafu, the Hermanas and I screamed "WHAT!"

Sister Tatafu and Elder Manalangsang

So yeah...I quickly said goodbye to my friends in Sacramento and hopped on the plane. It was hard to leave all the people I had grown to love, but I was ready to get to the Philippines. 

After the flight to LAX, I met up with other missionaries who had also been visa waiting in the U.S., and we got on the 15-hour flight to Manila. I didn't sleep much on the plane, it was 6 am when we arrived, we had a full day ahead of us, and I was already exhausted. 

Looking out the window on the ride to the MTC made me so happy. The Philippines reminds me of Thailand, which is my favorite place I have ever been (until now). It is so green and pretty everywhere, there are essentially no traffic rules, and the city is alive! There is something new and interesting everywhere you look. I am so incredibly happy to be here. 

We spent the rest of the day at the immigration office, finalizing the visa process and then we were able to finally shower and go to bed at 7pm! WHEW!

My companion at the Manilla, MTC is my favorite missionary from the Provo, MTC! Sister Cox was in my district and room in Provo; she's crazy, and I love her. 

The Visa Waiters don't have class, so we kind of have a PDay for the next two days. We went to the temple this morning which made me so happy! There is a super-duper, secret, underground tunnel connecting the MTC to the temple, so that was sweet. We are also going to visit some shops around Manila because we are allowed to leave the MTC.

Manila MTC garden is WAYYY better than Provo's (sorry Provo)

Anyway, I get on the plane to Naga tomorrow!! I'm so pumped to get back into the field, but it's going to be completely different than what I've experienced this last month in Sacramento.

Within one week, I find myself halfway around the world, in the field speaking Tagalog when I thought I would spend at least another 2 weeks in California.

I'm SO excited!!

Ingat po!

-Sister Gray