Week Forty-seven

This week was transfer week.  We had 27 new missionaries come and 6 go home.  We were able to find all of them apartments in time--except for two sisters who will be in their apartment next week.  Most were done by the skin of our teeth--like on the next to the last day, but they were done.  Wish us luck for next transfer when 31 missionaries should be arriving with only 2 going home!

Monday (P Day) we enjoyed dinner in an outdoor restaurant by the sea.  But Elder Dinkel said he'd had enough of me taking his picture, so this is his great pose.  So cute!

 These fishermen were out in a boat checking their nets.   Two men worked in the water while two were in the boat.

 I kept taking picture of the clouds as the sun set.  Just couldn't help it.  They were so beautiful

 Tuesday we followed a jeepney loaded with furnishings to some of the apartments we were trying to get ready for missionaries.  There was an accident, and we made a detour through a pretty narrow road to bypass the closed highway.

 My favorite spot for taking rice pictures.  See how much it's grown?  I'll have to publish the first pictures again sometime so you can see the difference.

 Elders helping us get the Sister's apartment ready for them.  Isn't this a beautiful apartment?  We were pleased with it.

                                                                       Awesome Elders!

 

 And awesome Sisters!  These two got the "blue" apartment.  Then, two days later one of the Sisters was transferred to Candon where she gets to live in the apartment that's featured just before this one.

                                                                                      Sweet Sisters.

                                                                                   Busy Elders.

 The Sisters said every morning their house has tons of little frogs in it.  These are about 1/2" long--not cute, in my opinion.  But Sister Miller said they don't bother her.  She's all right with that.

                                                                     Zone Leaders and Sisters.

 New Sisters arriving Wednesday for their great missionary experience.  Sister Balledos and Sister Fullmer and I were there to greet them.

                                                                   Our new Sisters from the States.

 This is the September 2013 Batch.  Wonderful new missionaries for the Philippines Baguio Mission.

 I took a picture with just the Sisters because some of them might be in my ward, and I can invite them to dinner sometimes.  It turns out they're ALL going to be in our area.  So yea!!!  I get more "daughters"!

 But we won't forget the new Elders, either.  The good thing about our job is we get to see all of the missionaries throughout the whole mission as we do apartment checks and repairs, and I get to give all of them cookies.  When we go to a meeting, I have Elders ask for cookies, or brownies, or one even told me he just loves cinnamon rolls!  Wonder what I'll be bringing that zone next?  Hmmmm....

 Friday was transfer day, with the new missionaries being assigned to their new areas, and some old missionaries being changed to different areas.  It's always a fun, exciting time to be part of this.

                                                                   To LaTrinidad in Baguio with Elder Davis!

                                                          To Baguio with Elder Kemmie.

                                    Saturday we made tortillas, scones, and cookies in Bangued.

 There was a couple of huge popping sounds from the stove, and I thought maybe it had an electrical short.  Turns out it was the table it was sitting on getting too hot and starting to bubble.  Not a good idea to put the stove on a wooden table like that.  Sorry. . .

 The cute RS President is the one in blue in the middle.  She returned from her mission in March, got married in May, and is now the RS President, Seminary teacher, and pregnant!  Wonderful, talented lady!

 Sunday we took a 30 minute drive in the country past Bangued to visit the LaPaz Branch.  On the way we saw these clothes on a rock wall drying in the sun.

 Scenery on the way to LaPaz.  We enjoyed visiting there and were made to feel welcome.

We love our mission and the people of the Philippines.  It's nice to be able to do something to further to Lord's work in this part of His kingdom.  We hope you have a great week, and we know He is looking after you while we can't.  Take care and God bless.