End of first day. 1/27/2015

I do no intend to post every day, but today being the first day in our new home, I need to share a few thoughts.

We were picked up at the airport and taken to a hotel for the first two nights. We needed to do some immigration stuff. We were told to be ready at 6:30 am. We were picked up at 8:30 am. I now understand a little bit about Phiippine time. While we were waiting, I walked outside to have a first look at Manila in daylight. The traffic was light this early in the morning. The following photos are what first caught my eye. My first look.

I want to ride in one of these, and on the bus.

I know these are not the most glamorous shots in the world, but this is what I saw first and I know we were going to be OK.

Next, first breakfast.

It is some beef(?) on an egg with rice. It was great and it stuck with me. I was not hungry again for 7 or 8 hours.

We were taken to the Manila MTC were we signed imagration papers. We were told that it would take 2 or 3 hours before we were needed again. We were asked if we would like to go through the temple while we waited.

Well, is the grass green? Is the sky blue? Does Grandma like chocolate? Do we love our family? The answer was of course yes. We needed to rent cloths. My shirt was the Philippino style temple shirt. Very soft, very beautiful and no tie. That was wonderful. No tie. I love the Philippines.

Then we were asked if we would like to be the witness couple. Well, is the grass green? Is the sky blue? Does Grandma like chocolate? Do we love our family? Yes, yes, yes. What a wonderful experience.

OK, now it is time to go into down town Manila to the immigration office. No big deal right? We found out big time about Philippino traffic and Philippino driving styles. I should have taken a photo or two, but my hands were not free. I was hanging on for dear life. After an hour or so I started to get used to it. Even the cars driving down the wrong lanes started to be OK. I knew they would get over before the head on. Somehow they make it work. There seems to be an unspoken agreement amount all of these drivers. You don't run into me, and I won't run into you. You would expect a pile of mangeled cars and dead bodies, but there isn't.

I was expecting a big cement building for the immigration office. It was more like one of the old souvenir shops that used to be on Fremont Street. We met a worker from the MTC there. Glad for that. We did not have a clue what we needed to do. We were finger printed, had photos taken, front and side, and signed some papers. I couldn't read what is signed, but I will take the MTC workers word for it that it was not a confession.

Now back to our hotel. Another hour, or two, or three of Manila traffic. I am sort of used to it now. It is starting to become amusing. Even the vehicles coming head on at us in our lane seem ok now. Somehow they magically move over just in time. Our driver is calm and undaunted. And to his credit he stayed on our side of the road, most of the time. Oh yea, and then the pedestrians. They cross the street like there are no cars on the road. And we know from our drivers example that stopping for a pedestrian in the cross walk is not required. They can wait for us to pass or they can run.

Once back at the hotel, I told Sister Petersen that I wanted to take a nap. I woke up 10 hours later.

Now, onto the Cavite Mission ans home.

Arrived. 1/27/2015

Well it took 36 hours of flights or layovers, but we are here. We are not quite sure what is in store for us tomorrow except that we will be picked up at 6:30am. Hello jet lag my old friend. We need Philippine drivers liences. (This could prove to be interestingly) We had our first taste of Filipino traffic to night. Our driver gave us Philippine driver's lessons. #1 Always fill in the blanks. (Empty spaces in traffic)  #2 busses have the right of way. (They are the biggest on the road) Staying in lanes and traffic signs are only suggestions. And last but not least Phillippino freedom is to be found on roads ans highways. No government oppression, you know, like wanting people to follow the traffic laws.

I tried to post during our journey, but I could not get my entries to stick.

President Ty was at the airport when we artived, but not to meet us. Some of his family was on the same flights we were on. But we were glad he was there. We had a little disconnect with our pick-up. He fixed it in short order.

Now for 5 hours of sleep. 

In Tokyo. I could not get the check in thing to work there or in Manila. So this is my proof we were there.

Travel to the Philippines 1/26/2015

Up at 2:30am. Today is the day we have been looking forward to for a long time. We expect this day to be a really long one. Left for Salt Lake Airport at 3:00am. We are riding in a bus with a lot of young Elders and Sisters. They are energetic and full of life. They have a lot to learn, but their future is bright. They are making good choices. And I think that because their future is bright, the future of The Kingdon is also bright. There are a lot of future Bishops, Relief Society President, Stake Presidents etc. on this bus. I am thankful for them and I love them.

Our flight to Seattle was delayed some because of fog, but we are now in the air on our first leg. In Seattle, we change our dollars into Pacos. Last chance for some good old American junk food for awhile. Then on to Tokyo.

Not a very good photo. After all, it's still in the middle of the night. I do think Sister P is smiling though.

Fog of from Salt Lake. 

Fog in Seattle.

Time at the MTC almost done 1/24/2015

We feel like we are back in high school. Hundreds and hundreds of 18 and 19 year old kids running all over the place. The difference is that these kid are very well behaved. They are also full of life. I love it.  The future of the kingdom is looking really bright to me right now.

We are leaving for the airport Monday morning at 3am. Yes 3am. We are almost ready to go. Bags packed and weighted. We are looking at 20 hours oh flight time. We will go to Seattle first, then to Tokyo, the on to Manila in the Philippines. So excited. So ready to go.

We found two people he are decendants of Niels Petersen. One through James Petersen and one through Mary Ann Petersen. There may have been others. These are the only ones we ran across.

I have their information written down, but it's packed. The one on my left I called Sister Cuz.

This is out District here in the MTC. Was a fun group.

We got some mail from some cute little grand kids while we were here in th MTC. Thank you Reber kids. Love you.

Love you all.

From Lolo o Lola Petersen (Grandpa and Grandma)

MTC we are here.

Our mission officially started today. We entered the Missionary Training Center in Provo. These people are organized. Everything went smooth. This is our home until Monday morning. We expect to learn a lot.

    

    1/19/2015 at 10:30 pm. This is the official start of our mission.

    We are excited to get these. And they spelled the name right too.

  

   Right about here.

We are very thankful for Jan and Lucia Newman for all their help. We could not have gone through Language Emersion without their help.

Language Emersion completed 1/16/2015

Kumusta ang pamiliya at mag kaibigan. Magmahal kami Nino.

OK. We finished the Language Emersion just a hour ago. On to the MTC Monday morning. We are meeting some wonderful people along the way. 

Grandma was sick for most of this week, but is better now.

There is still snow on the ground, but it has not been that cold. All in all, the snow has made everything beautiful.

I have included some photos, some of the family, and some from today.

After church last Sunday, 1/11/2015. Not all, but a lot of the family was there. Those who were not there were out of town and could not make it. Love, love our family.

All of our kids were there. Nelli came from Jenks, OK, and Branden surprised us coming from Fairbanks, AK.

Daniel Kenner has worked with us from the very start several months ago. He is a great guy and has helped two old dogs learn some new tricks. Will be forever greatful for him.

Starting our Language Emersion Training 1/13/2015

Up at 6am. Get ready to go. Recheck the address of the building where our language training will take place, pray and go. So it all begins. We have been preparing for a long time now. Now it starts. 

Thanks again to Michelle and Emmy for getting us here.

We walked out of the house to a world of white. Welcome to Utah.

Saying goodby. Jan. 8, 2015.

This week has turned into "goodby week". We have been with friends and family all week. My goodbys today proved to be the hardest so far. 33 years this April and I still cry. I feel I am going to the Philippines and leaving a part of my heart here in Henderson.