Kamusta everyone! These last few days have been really long. I never realized how long a 16 hour day was until I got here. We wake up at 6:30 every morning and we don't stop working until 10:30 to go to bed. Everyone says the first few days are the hardest and I've noticed the days are starting to get a little faster so I'm excited for the new week to begin. Sunday is my favorite day so far because there is a lot more time to sit and study and feel the spirit. The last few days I've been so busy I'm just now starting to get used to being here. I was really excited for the temple trip today but it was cancelled because of Labor Day so I'm a little disappointed; oh well, I'll just look forward to going next week. Kasama ko si Elder De Guzman (My companion is Elder De Guzman). He is great. He is always trying to do what is right and is really excited to go teach. He is from Texas but his parents are from the Philippines so he can't wait to go and maybe teach some of his non member family there. He knows a little Tagalog so he helps me whenever I don't understand. Mahirap ang wika so akin (the language is hard for me). I'm working hard though. It's like speaking everything backwards and you have to know a lot about noun markers, different kinds of pronouns, the focus of your sentence and remember what words mean so it takes me a while to say anything but we talk it as much as possible. I'm working at it a lot and I know the Lord is blessing me so I know I will learn it. I'm excited to be apart of this great work and I'm trying my hardest to be prepared to go out and teach. I miss everyone so much and I hope everyone is safe.

Love, Elder Smith

p.s. My address is:
Elder Jacen Sommer Smith
MTC Mailbox #314
PHI-Man 1102
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, Utah 84604-1793