Typhoon and Training

TYPHOON MINA

 The storm of the typhoon started on Friday and lasted until Monday. On the first two days it rained at the rate of 0.66 to 1.0 inch per hour! It has been cloudy and overcast for days and Friday and Saturday it rained hard all day. Sunday we had lighter rain all day and evening and Monday there were fewer rains. We must have received 10-14 inches of rain this weekend. That will keep the car clean!

 We live in the first big notch on the west coast... the red and gray part, where all the rain is dumping! The storm with 100 mph winds crossed land on the NE tip of Luzon, winds in our area were strong but not damaging. We live in a nice two-story house with cement floors, so we were safe. Some members live in bamboo huts with a raised sleeping area with dirt (mud) floors. Despite the rains and the winds the work goes on.

 Saturday we met with the district and branch presidencies to train the trainers. They all had their stories of wading through deep water. Many took shoes and socks off on their travel to church and dried off their feet and put shoes and socks on there. They all had wet clothes and hair despite rain gear. It was a real demonstration of faith and desire to serve the Lord to attend this training.

 The Relief Society had an activity where mom showed the sisters how to make flowers. They braved the elements and came away happy with their experience.

 The sisters were eager to show off their flowers and each of them wore them to church the next day.

With a little training the sisters were busy creating their own piece of art with, glue guns, fabric, beads and pins.

 Sandra is confined to a wheelchair and she came to church for her baptismal interview and also attended the Relief Society activity and got to know the sisters better. She will be baptized next Saturday.

 This flower was fastened on a headband. I'm sure this little girl is anxious to attend Relief Society when she grows up.

It was a busy day with trainings, interviews, and more trainings. We enjoyed it and it kept us out of the rain most of the day. My umbrella broke when I left the building, so I just had to get wet like everyone else. A mission is a wonderful adventure... we love it!