Beautiful Country, Beautiful People

Based on so many rave reviews we were obliged to try out the food at “Fat Fingers” restaurant in Tumauini.  We were not disappointed as we ate our crispy chicken chimichangas with freshly made pico de gallo.  There was even fresh cilantro in the salsa that the owner grew in her backyard. It’s not easy to find Mexican food here in the Philippines. 

Our guards kindly carried the package upstairs for us

Our children sent us a huge box for Christmas.  It was so exciting to open it and find 22 pounds of pinto beans and cans of green chilies!  We are going to be pigging out on Bean Burritos!  We do miss Mexican food.

A sunny day after so much rain is a day to do laundry.

After eating lunch we went teaching with two of the missionaries in Tumauini.  In just over two hours, they taught three lessons.  They taught two young adult men about the Book of Mormon and praying to know it’s true.  

 They taught a young woman who was tending several young nieces and nephews about the plan of salvation and extended to her an invitation to baptized, which she joyfully accepted.  At each home, we are asked to share our feelings about the gospel principles the missionaries are teaching.  I enjoy relating my feelings of how the gospel has been a great blessing in my life.  I can testify that I know the Lord loves each of His children and that if we keep His commandments, we can feel joy and recognize His blessings even in the midst of painful trials.

Lastly, we visited the humble home of a mother who had one son, six daughters and was expecting her 8^th child.  Several of the curious neighborhood children also gathered with us.  They were so happy to be taught about the Savior and read from the Book of Mormon.  They didn’t want us to leave and started chanting “selfie” as they walked us to our car, so we obliged them.

  They are so beautiful!

On Sunday after speaking at a Stake Conference in Tuguegarao, Stephen was asked to interview a young mother for baptism. 

 While he was conducting the interview with two missionaries to translate for him, I followed a charming, silver-haired woman to her home where we could visit. 

Her grandson interpreted for us.  She told me how she had grown up on the very land where we sat.  She married and had 12 children of which 6 were still living.  Her life had been hard, with many trials.  She testified to me of how the gospel of Jesus Christ had greatly blessed her since being baptized in 1975.  It was evident that she was adored by her family.  I watched her little great-grandchildren snuggle next to her, crawl in her lap and kiss her.  It was a joy to be in her presence.

As Stephen and I were traveling through the beautiful countryside, I said to him, "I know why missionaries miss this place after they go home.  The country is beautiful and so are the people".

More photos from this week:

Christmas trees made from old bicycle tires.  One of many that decorate this neighborhood.

Bicycles have arrived in the Cauayan Mission.  The President and Assistants try them out.

Beautiful orchids in front of the mission home.

Busy Weekend out of the Office

This pictorial starts and the end of the weekend and goes back in time.

Sunday, 2:00 PM - Interviewed this couple for Baptism in Solano on our way back to Cauayan.

Sunday 10:30 AM - Interviewed this 91-year-old man for baptism in Aritao.

Sunday 9:00 AM - Sister Roberts and I spoke in Sacrament meeting in Aritao.  Sister Roberts spoke about 'Light-the-World' and I spoke about the importance of taking the Sacrament.

Saturday 7:00 PM - Taught this family with Elders Horn and Olsen in Aritao.

 

Saturday 5:00 PM - Gave these Sisters a ride back to their teaching areas in Bambang (bom-bomg) after attending the Baptism in Almaguer.  Sister Saguire wanted to show me her magic trick.  It was pretty good!!!

Saturday 4:30 PM -  How many Sisters can you fit in the backseat of a Corolla??

Saturday 3:00 PM - Attended the Baptism of these two young Sisters in Almaguer.  They were baptized by Elders Steel and Whetstone.  Their father is a recently reactivated member.

Saturday 2:00 PM - Walking back to our car after teaching with Elders Horn and Olsen

This little boy was enjoying a refreshing bath while we were passing by.  Isn't he cute?

Saturday 1:00 PM  - Teaching this young lady in the striped shirt.  Her mother was recently baptized.

Saturday 12:30 PM - This young lady, Sister Picar, just returned home from her Mission in Cebu.  One of the main purposes of this trip was to release her as a missionary.  When we pulled up to her home, she was still wearing her Missionary Badge.  She cried when I ask her to remove it.  They all do!!

Friday 5:00 PM - Went teaching with Elders Portugal and Olsen.  This was a delightful evening as we sat outside among the chickens, ducks, dogs, and pigeons.  During the lesson, one thoughtful young girl asked "Why do we have to get old?  Why can't things just stay the way they are?"

Friday 12:00 PM - Stopped to see Elders Wirthlin and Franks in Bagabag. (bu-gaw-bug)  Elder Franks was waiting for reimbursement for a washing machine he had repaired. We decided to buy them lunch at WACOS.

My Marilyn Monroe Moment

This week while attending Zone Conference in Ilagan, we took a break and walked to a nearby 7-Eleven to get a soda and chocolate.  As we entered the store, a young woman said, “Hello President Roberts”.  After purchasing our snacks we exited the store and found the same young women standing there.  President Roberts asked her if she was a member of the church and she replied, “Actually I’m a returned missionary.  I served in Arizona.”  I asked her what part of Arizona and was amazed when she said, “Mesa”.  Imagine that!  Here we were halfway around the world, at a convenience store located 1 hour away from our apartment and we meet a returned Filipino missionary who served in our home town!  Although she had not served in our area, she had served in the home stake of one of our young missionaries from Mesa whose father is the Stake President.  She had enjoyed yummy pancakes and homemade syrup in his home on more that one occasion.  It is a Small, Small World!

President Roberts photo-bombing a group of Sisters

During each Zone Conference, I was asked to introduce this year's Christmas initiative, "Light the World One by One".  The missionaries were able to view a special 'sneak preview' on the beautiful new 18-minute film, "The Christ Child".  This film will be available on November 24th.  It is meant to be shared with the world. We are all encouraged to invite friends and family into our homes to watch it and to involve them in service activities.  On November 14th, LightTheWorld.org will be available. Spread the light and share your experiences on social media using #LightTheWorld.

We made another trip to the breathtaking rice terraces of Banaue.  While the departing missionaries hiked the 1780 steps of terraces, we took the Senior Couples on a short drive to see the Hapao Terraces.  Even though this was my fourth visit to these ancient terraces, I am still in awe of their magnificent beauty and the fact that they may have existed during the Savior’s earthly ministry.  

Cable car used to transport supplies to the homes on the hillsides that have no road access

Today we visited the Catabban Branch. 

I wish a photo could capture the beauty of this lovely little chapel located on a small hill overlooking the green rice fields.  

Shortly after beginning my talk in Sacrament Meeting, President Roberts stepped up and whispered into my ear, “You need to hold down your skirt because the fans are blowing it up.”  I felt like Marilyn Monroe.

Faithful Relief Society Sisters in the Catabban Branch.

Working the rice fields in Catabban

Other Photos from the last 2 weeks:


Teaching a missionary how to read his electricity meter.


Teaching with the Sisters


Teaching with the Elders.  I wish that I could hold and hug this cute little boy!
Another 'Break the Fast" in Nagulian.  

Marco's Baptism and More!

 Last week we had Family Home Evening with Ferrer family.  We have been teaching their cousin, Marco, for several weeks and this was the last occasion we had to teach him prior to his Baptism on Saturday.  The Sisters asked me to prepare a lesson, so I designed something that included the 'Iron (Broom) Rod' and the freedom to choose "Liberty and Eternal Life or Captivity and Death".   Marco was the person who had to wear the 'Mist of Darkness' blindfold.

After the lesson, we had some fun activities and finally a meal.  Sister Roberts prepared brownies and the Ferrer family did the rest.  It included grilled fish, rice, pizza, and chicken.  It was quite a feast.

Departing Missionaries

Arriving Missionaries - We had 21 new Elders and Sisters plus a new Senior Couple, the Warrens

I also had one of those great opportunities to release a returning Missionary.  This Elder and his family are well known to us because they are members of the Cauayan 2nd Branch

We went with the Sisters to teach this young man and his sister.  After a teaching appointment, we couldn't resist this lovely evening view of the Cagayan River which was just outside their little home.

 Saturday, just prior to Marco's baptism we were treated to a 'Cultural Festival of Dance'.  Each Branch in the Cauayan District prepared several dance numbers.  It was such an enjoyable evening.  They asked Sister Roberts and I to offer a few impromptu comments after the performance.  We couldn't give them enough praise for sharing their talents and testimonies.

Youth Groups from seven branches participated

Our favorite new Convert!  Marco has an amazing testimony.  His parents live in another town in our Mission and the Missionaries are now teaching them.