Seniors Serving in the Philippines Cauayan Mission: HIKING, COCONUTS & EMERGENCY ROOM

I achieved my goal of hiking the ancient rice terraces of Banaue on July 27. I was the oldest one in the group, but I felt confident that I could make it, because of my four weeks of training. I ordered trekking poles form Lazada (the Filipino equivalent to Amazon) to aid me in my adventure. I’m not going to lie, it was hard! My dear friend and training coach, was behind me the whole way encouraging me on with, “stop and take a deep breath so the oxygen can get to your muscles” or “take a drink, you’re doing great”.

After going down and then up hundreds of steep, thigh burning steps we made it to our destination. It was breathtakingly beautiful!

When we were about 2/3 thirds the way back to the cars, the heavens opened and the rain began to pour. When we finished, I was soaking wet, tired and happy.

Alam ko po na totoo Ang Aklat Ni Mormon

One hot day, the mission complex gardener, picked a coconut and cut off the ends so I could drink the nutrient-packed juice inside. I enjoyed it, but Elder Roberts not so much. We both enjoyed the fresh, sweet coconut flesh that our guard cut for us. He made it look easy. He gave us a whole uncut coconut to eat later.

He made cutting a coconut look so easy!

Yesterday, Elder Roberts decided to cut open that coconut.

In preparation, he got the largest knife in our kitchen and sharpened it. While he was chopping away to release the delicious coconut meat, I got in the shower. When I got out, he told me that he had cut himself and was going to the hospital. He calmly walked himself down to the emergency room, while I hurried and dressed. When I arrived there 5 minutes after he did, I found him smiling and being well cared for. In a matter of minutes, they cleaned him up, gave him 6 stitches and we were out the door.