Week Forty-Four

Not a lot of interesting pictures this week, but a lot of the Botanical Gardens.  They were lovely, and we hope you enjoy.

                       On the way to Baguio, the usual little streams had turned into massive rivers with flooding.

                        Elders in one of our apartments goofing off. . .imagine that!

                                                         Cute missionary sisters in Baguio.

                                         More missionaries in Baguio--Zone leaders and Sisters.

                               You have the love the views from many of the apartments in Baguio.

                                   On the way to the missionaries' apartment was this beautiful little plant.

                                               Notice the jeepney loaded with cabbage.

                           At the Botanical Gardens.  They were pretty primitive, but still beautiful.

                                                                 These plants were growing in the air.

                                                                                     Orchids

                         Okay, so young missionaries aren't the only ones who look goofy for pictures!

                                                              Beautiful, big trees. . .

                                                                        Tall stand of bamboo

 Unfortunately, this butterfly was dead and some ants were carrying it away.  But at least I got a picture of how beautiful it was!  (Because it held still for me, maybe!)

                                Some kind of a nut tree with the nuts growing on the trunk.

 They had some sad-looking animals in cages, but these herons and this monkey didn't look too bad.

These ferns were growing on top of the tree branches.

A lady was weaving baskets in a gift shop at the Gardens.

                  We enjoyed our tour of the gardens.  Hope you did, too.  See you next week!

Week Forty-Three

 The top two pictures show a rice field across from one of our missionary apartments on July 20.  The bottom picture is the same field taken last week--nearly a month later.  With the recent rains, the rice fields are flooded, and the rice is thriving.

This is a map of our mission.  We live in San Fernando and travel every other week (at least) to Bangued, which is the purple at the top.  Also up there are Lagang-ilang and LaPaz.  The purple to the right is Baguio.

                                                                      The mission office.

 Cute puppy outside one of the apartments we are getting for sisters in San Juan.  I don't think the puppy is part of it, but who knows!

 View from one of the apartments we just got in LaTrinidad near Baguio.  The fields to the left are produce.

 Cute twins in the Mall in Baguio.  We like to talk to many people as we wander around.  Who knows?  We might be planting seeds in someone's mind about those nice, friendly American Mormons.

 One of our Sister's mom emailed us wondering if her daughter was OK during the typhoon.  She also said she hadn't seen many pictures of her, so here's one for you, Mom.  She is attending a Stake Conference today along with her investigators.  I told them to smile, but only the missionaries complied.

 Here are some of the missionaries at the Stake Conference.  There are actually several more I didn't get, but what a great bunch of people.  I LOVE missionaries!

This is our sweet Relief Society President in SFLU.  She's a RM, single, and a very friendly lady.
That's all our pictures this week.  Take care and have a great week.  Thanks for visiting!

Week forty-two

This is one way to be cool as you sip your Dr. Pepper! This is one of our great Office Elders--from England!  Brad is so happy!  He found a place to buy Dr. Pepper in Baguio.  They could name their price.  He bought all they had and hopes they have more when that runs out! 

 On the way to Baguio, one of the baranguays has this huge eagle sculpture.  Pretty impressive!

 A bridge from Bangued to Lagang-ilang.  There is also a similar one from Bangued to LaPaz the other way.  We will alternately visit both branches as well as Bangued every other Sunday or so.

 Torrential rain creating a flood in the street in front of our house.  We'll see if this is the beginning of a typhoon, or if it's just our everyday afternoon rain.

                             Elder Dinkel with the Zone Leaders in Baguio overlooking the city.  Pretty great men!

Our first batch of missionaries for the new Philippines Baguio Mission arrived two weeks ago. We were so glad to see them!

 Pres. and Sister Balledos had them come to their Mission Home on the beach for orientation.

The Church is renting this lovely home while the new Mission Home is being built near the Mission Office.

 The missionaries were so glad to be off the17 hour airplane trip and 7 hour bus ride, and they loved the beautiful surroundings of the Balledos' house right on the South China Sea.  Sis. Balledos says she prays for no earthquakes or tsunamis while they are so close to the ocean.

Inside the Balledos' house where we had a great meeting and dinner.

Two of 13 lovely new missionary sisters.

Us with the Balledos--a very special, sweet and loving Mission President and his lovely wife.

Thanks for looking at our blog and sharing our experiences.  We appreciate your love and support.  Have a great week!