Woodcarving - President Dango

We had to get another picture of President Dango in his wood carving shop. He is a branch president and a wonderful wood carver. He lives in the house with the tin roof behind his shop.

We love his smile and gentle manner. Quiet and committed.

President Dango and his lathe.

Mom inspecting his work.

President Dango and me with our carving of Moroni and the Title of Liberty that he carved for us.

New Paint

What can I say... things get moldy after a year and a half, so we suggested that our landlord repaint the outside of the house and get rid of the mold so it would look clean and fresh for the new couple.

This is what it looked like when they started.

This is what it looked like after they painted.

During the time of the house painting we discovered that the Internet worked great downstairs and the wiring to our office was faulty. That was why we had such a bad connection to the internet. So I moved all of our equipment downstairs to take advantage of the final few days of our mission with good internet. I got the landlord to rewire the house and got a good connection to the office now. Things are working so good it will be hard to leave when everything is working so well.

The painters daughter stayed by his side all day, everyday while he painted. She was very shy, but we got her to take a chocolate chip cookie and knew what to do with it! She also enjoyed a balloon we gave her.

It has been so great to be busy with the work: visits, training, talks, travel, good-bye events and trying to get the house ready for the new couple while leading a search for a new apartment for future couples. The work is so sweet. We wouldn't trade it for anything... except time again with our family.

Manila Temple and New MTC

Dental problems took us to Manila again. This time I knew the way and even when I got a little lost I knew how to recover and get back on the right road. While we were driving through Manila, looking for the right street to turn on, I went straight ahead from a left turn lane right in front of a police booth. Nobody pays attention to traffic laws in the Philippines... except these six police right in front of me. What an experience to have six armed police jump out in front of you. I got pulled over and told that I would be cited for the violation, please show me your license. With license in hand they told me they would forgive me and return my license for 2000 pesos. Here you go, 2000 pesos. No receipt, no citation, license returned and we were all happy. They were in a good mood and gave us detailed directions to the hotel.

The dental appointment was delayed a day so we went to the Manila temple. It was wonderful to be back in a temple.

A view from across the street in front of the Area Offices and Distribution Center.

Another view from the tunnel entrance that goes under the street.

This is the left half of the new MTC building. There are 144 beds and locals as well as others from Asia are here for three weeks before they report to their mission.

View of the temple from the front door of the MTC.

I got my dental work done the next day. Now renewed and refreshed we drove back to the rice fields of Pangasinan and the wonderful people that we love and missed.

The Field is White

Among our most memorable experiences on our mission is visiting less active members.  Often we are taken by a member to some of the outlying homes because we can take the car.  Some have not been visited for a long time, but Dola Guitierrez has always been there and does not forget these needy saints.  She is always glad to take us. 

This day our last visit was down this road...

 

which became this road into the beautiful rice fields.

  We saw a caribao enjoying a spa treatment in this terraced rice field.  These are giant animals but this one has managed to almost bury himself in the water.  He is dipping his ear in the water and using it to throw water over his head.

 Unfortunately, the car will not make it past the mud on this tiny road.

Dad must find a place to move the car so it won't block the road. Dola and I head out into the beautiful field. We are going to see a blind sister.

She lives at the end of the track in a humble home beyond the houses in the picture.  Her son lives next door.  He cares for her and comes to Church when he can.  He walks a long distance to attend and cannot get through the road in the rainy season.

It is always a humbling experience to visit with these saints.  We can feel the Spirit teach us of our Heavenly Father's great love for them.  It is overwhelming.  He knows and loves them "one by one" and has allowed us to declare that truth to them.  

"Behold the field is white already to harvest and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul". 

And much joy!

Last Time in San Jacinto Branch

This was our last Sunday with this branch that we have come to love so much, so we took a few pictures so we can continue to rejoice in them over the coming years.

This is the faithful portion of the priesthood. Several of the brothers left after sacrament meeting.

Rose and Luz are tiny sisters with giant faith.  Between them they teach seminary, young women, music in Primary, counselor in Primary and anything else they are asked to do.  They are also successful keyboard students who will take a great leap of faith and begin playing in sacrament meeting next week!

The faithful of the branch after meetings were done.  The Branch President, President Hiquiana, is in the front row on the left side.

These are the keyboard students in the branch. They are all doing very well and almost done with their training. The branch president is anxious to let them use their new music skills and put them to work.  They are all a little nervous, but willing.

We saw this dear family grow in the gospel. She is the Relief Society president and he was strengthened, received the Melchizedek Priesthood and took his wife and family to the temple last month to be sealed. They are now a "Forever" family.  The San Jacinto Branch will be forever dear to us.

Branch Harvest Fireside

Many families in the branch are rice (palay) farmers. This is the harvest season and often the branch members will help each other harvest their rice crop. The host family for this fireside was the lucky farmer that received the branch help harvesting his crop yesterday. The men are all sore and very hungry. The sisters worked in the fields also and are having a good time. This was also part of the branch reactivation/fellowship work for a brother that had not been to church for over 20 years. He is returning and committed to remain active.

We gathered and talked for a while, then had a lesson, ate and played some games.  It was a fun evening and strengthened the fellowship/friendship between families.

Always lots of rice, pancit and vegetables, but tonight there was a real treat... a special goat dish. No, goat does not taste like chicken... it tastes a little like beef.

The dishes were filled and refilled until everyone was served. Filipino rules: take what you want the first time through the line because there will not be any leftovers.

There were a lot of smiles and full stomachs.

The Sisters assigned to the branch attended and added so much to the event. They work hard in the Lord's harvest everyday!

The kids were having a great time, but sad to see us go. They always have a smile for our departing pictures.

It was a great night with people that we have grown to love and appreciate with all our heart.

Bless a Family and their Home

A family in the branch invited us over to their property to dedicate their new home. That's what I thought we were doing. But when we got there we discovered that they wanted me to bless their new business and their home building site. We were honored to join them and share this special family occasion. I offered a blessing on the family and the business and new home sites. It was a simple sweet experience with the family.

After the blessing we enjoyed masa blanca, a custard made from coconut and sweetened condensed milk and topped with sprinkles of cheese and we brought the Oreos.

The kids were the first to dig in to their favorite dessert treat.

Each of us got a coconut of our own and downed the coconut juice.

The sun was setting and the light was fading into night, but their faces were glowing with joy and love.

We enjoyed the sunset together and talked for a while before we left for home.