My Heart Danced With Joy!

Yesterday afternoon, we borrowed the Mission President’s van and took two enthusiastic Sisters and their companions to attend the baptism of someone they taught in their previous area.  The van was filled with excitement as they anticipated seeing the people they grew to love and to joy with them in the baptism of their son.  The Sisters had taught Brother & Sister Nacnac who were baptized a couple of months ago and now their 12-year old son chose to follow his parent’s example. 

When we entered the chapel the Sisters were greeted with heartfelt hugs and we were all made to feel welcomed. As Brother Nacnac, baptized his son, a warm feeling came over me and my heart danced with joy.  Afterward, we were served a delicious Pancit that the Brother Nacnac prepared.  There were more hugs and lots of photos. It was a joyous reunion for these two Sisters and we were delighted to be a part of it.

As we ate, President Roberts went around to all the missionaries and told them to save room for ice cream at Jollibee.  We ordered 12 chocolate sundaes, 12 peach mango pies, 12 cups of ice-water and 4 jumbo french fries.  It was fun watching the young missionaries spend a few minutes enjoying the treats and the comradery.  Later, President Roberts remarked, “It felt like the best $20.00 I ever spent!”

We love these hard-working, dedicated missionaries! 

President Roberts was sick most of the week, so I went out a couple of evenings teaching with Sisters.  

After teaching 2 great lessons, we stopped for German Pancakes.

More Photos from this week:

Birthday Tacos for President Roberts.  We were lucky enough to find some small flour tortillas and Elder Montague gave us a package of Taco Bell seasoning that his parents sent him from home.  They were very delicious! or as they say in the Philippines, "Sobrang Masarap!"

When we arrived home from church we had been "heart attacked!"

Things we Love about Missionary Life and the Filipino People

Over three weeks ago I was shopping by myself for groceries in Pure-Gold because Sister Roberts was not feeling well.  We use nylon bags to carry groceries in because the weight is often too heavy for paper or thin plastic and, oh yeah, to save the earth.  On that occasion, I accidentally left one of the bags in the grocery cart.  I noticed it was missing when I got to the apartment and thought 'oh well, that one is gone.  We'll have to buy another one.'  Sister Roberts was not happy about it because they are not that easy to find.  A couple of days ago I was shopping there again, without Sister Roberts, and just as I was about to leave this young lady approached me holding my lost bag and asked if it was mine.  For a moment, I was speechless.  I couldn't believe she had held onto it all that time and recognized that it might be mine.  I expressed my amazement and thanked her for her extraordinary kindness.  She replied 'We are honest at Pure-Gold!"  These Filipino people continue to astonish me.

We welcome a new Senior Couple this week.  The Infantes (Center Couple) are friends of the Craigs from Canada and are native Filipinos.  We are super happy to have them here.  They will be such a great help to strengthen some of the Branches in the Cauayan District.

 We had an extraordinary amount of time this week to go out and teach with the Missionaries.  Here are a few photos of what we love most about our Missionary life.

Magic Coins, Fruit Salad & Birthday Burritos

Sharing the Good News of the Gospel

We love visiting this family to teach their cousin the gospel.  Their home is filled with love!  The father (on the right) works hard as a tricycle driver and takes care of his children while his wife works abroad.  Working abroad in Hong Kong, Dubai, and other places is a very common practice for Filipinos.  They make great sacrifices to increase their income and provide for their families.  President Roberts showed them his magic coin trick.  

Because of the 15 hour time difference, General Conference is rebroadcast in the Philippines on the second weekend of October.  We didn't want to wait a whole week to watch it, so we have been watching it on ChurchofJesusChrist.org website.

Conference, Coke & Cookies - The Three 'C's'

On Sunday after church, we had a "Break the Fast" with our little branch family in Naguilian.  I made a double batch of brownies, a HUGE fruit salad, and some punch.  Other branch members provided chicken adobo, rice, all kinds of bread and other Filipino dishes.  It was fun to share a meal and visit together.  

Children anxiously awaiting the blessing on the food so they can eat.

Fruit salad made with fruit cocktail, cream, sweetened condensed milk, cherries, coconut, fresh apples, bananas, & grapes

 

I served more fruit salad and made cheese crisps for the Sister Training Leaders.  We have a nice sized kitchen in our apartment.

Birthday Burritos for the Assistants to the President.  We were so excited to find a store in a nearby town that sales tortillas and pinto beans.