The REAL joy of Missionary Work

This week Luann and I have both been recovering from flu-like symptoms.  It really reduced our energy so we have had to take things a little slower and limit our hours in the office and time spent teaching with the missionaries. 

That said, we had a wonderful evening on Saturday teaching with the Assistants.  We went to three homes, two of which were families we had not met before.  The family in this first picture is AMAZING!  I don't know if I ever met a more golden family even on my own mission.  What makes it even more special is that the father is super interested and is very active and responsive to the lessons.  The husband and wife followed us to the next appointment.  We had to park the truck on a very narrow dirt road in the "BUKID" (rice fields that could easily get you stuck in the muck) on either side.  Twice while we were there, a tricycle came by and began honking because he could not get by.  The first time, the Elder teaching asked the father in this picture (seated in front between the two missionaries) to continue the lesson.  He was only kidding but the father grabbed his Book of Mormon and started reading it to the family we were there to teach.  Is that amazing or what?

This family was recently baptized and we were there to do some follow-up teaching.  Often, the families we teach want to serve "Meryenda" (a kind of snack, or food without rice) when the lesson is over.  We enjoyed this offering and accepted an invitation to come for dinner on Wednesday.

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This week the church helped sponsor 'National Family Week' with lots of activities culminating in a kind of celebration and fun-run at Isabela State University.  Sister Roberts and I had no interest in the fun run and barely enough energy to make an appearance at the gymnasium on Saturday, where there were games, booths and other activities.  We went for an hour or so and discovered that if we had come earlier, we would have been asked to participate in a panel discussion about families.  

The Allens and the Koontz had to handle all the questions on their own and I am sure it was better for our absence.

 Here we are at the booth sponsored by the Naguilian Branch.  They had a theme of Family History and learning about our Ancestors.  GOOD JOB NAGUILIAN!!

NAGUILIAN SISTERS AT THE FAMILY CELEBRATION

One of the Sisters in the Cauayan 2nd Branch runs a little road-side restaurant called 'SIDE GRILL'.  We like to patronize her occasionally and enjoy her delicious barbeque.  

I made a new friend on this visit to 'SIDE GRILL'.

 The Cauayan Sister Missionaries are teaching this family who owns a little restaurant called 'THE LADY PURPLE'.  This is about as good as it gets when we are craving some Mexican food.  He learned to cook a few Mexican dishes while working in the Cayman Islands.  I didn't intend this post to be all about food but I guess it turned out that way.  Sorry!! - Elder Roberts