Shaboshaboo

Last week we got new chairs for the Mission Office.  So nice!  My old chair did not have good lumbar support and it would gradually sink while I was sitting in it.  The sinking was so subtle that I wouldn’t notice it until I would suddenly realize that my armpits were just about level with the top of the desk.  Unfortunately, one of the five new chairs only had one arm on it.  We made fun of it until Sister K; wanting to say something positive about it; said: “that just makes it easy to get in and out of”.  Well, guess who got that chair!

I never would have thought that I could get so well acquainted with the security guard for the parking lot at the local hospital, but I’m sure we would now recognize each other anywhere.  Sister Roberts and I have made so many trips to that overcrowded parking lot.  I found out he is a member of the church and so I think he gives us ‘preferred’ service.  He even let me park in the space reserved for Doctors.  I only hope he doesn’t get in trouble for it.

We have been more than a week now without rain, which I think is unusual for the Philippines.  The local missionaries tell us that our mission is the warmest of all the missions.  Thank goodness we have air conditioning in the mission office.  The days can get very warm and muggy.

Sister Roberts and I spoke in church today.  The members in our Nagulian Branch, who are willing to stand and give a talk for Sacrament Meeting, probably have to speak  6- 8 times a year.  We continue to encourage the members to minister to those who are less active to see if they can swell their ranks.  In some ways, it’s a wonder that anyone comes.  Most are so poor; it’s a challenge just to pay the transportation to get there.  Tricycles (Trycee) are the primary way for those who do not have their own car or motorcycle to make a local trip.  One little woman walks to church each Sunday and is as faithful as they come.  Even though she does not have a long way to walk, she moves so slowly that I’m sure she has to start 40 minutes before the meeting starts.  She is so sweet and tells everyone that the missionaries are her boyfriends.  She could be a poster child for ‘Enduring to the End’!

Sister Roberts is getting more comfortable with the ‘Trycee’ mode of transportation.  She has even made an unaccompanied round trip to the Hospital.  I think the drivers see her coming a mile away however, because she gives them 20 pesos per ride instead of the customary 12 pesos.  What a big tipper!

When purchasing gas for our vehicle, I learned that the phrase ‘Filler up’ does not translate.  They look at me with a bewildered stare until I say “Full Tank”.  (BTW, there is no such thing as ‘self-service’ here)  I also have trouble getting used to the custom that we do not clear our own tables at a fast food restaurant.  You just walk away, otherwise, you are depriving someone of their employment duties.

Quail Eggs for Shaboshaboo

Sisters Cabaraban and Palaganas

Tonight (Sunday) we had dinner with one of the members of the Cauayan Branch, Vilma, who has a little restaurant on Don Jose Street, not far from the Mission Office, called ‘The Side Grille’.  She served us Shaboshaboo, which is an assortment of meat, fish, vegetables, and noodles thrown in a boiling broth for a few minutes.  It was delicious!  She was throwing the dinner party for a Sister Missionary who is going home on Wednesday.  She asked everyone there to say something nice about the Missionary, which we were happy to do. - Elder Roberts