Week Sixty-Nine

This sweet sister is so excited to be baptized this Saturday.  She has had a hard life, but the gospel will help her in the future.

Elders showing off their new bikes.  Some of them are complaining now that they're a lot of work to pedal!  But they were sure excited to get them when we brought them.

Valentine's Day at the beach.

Bread making in Agoo 3.  The sisters enjoyed making tortillas, scones, and no-bake cookies.

Week Sixty-Eight

Here is picture of strawberries in the Baguio market.  They are wonderful, and so nicely stacked!

We went to the Botanical Gardens for my birthday.

                        Entrance to the Botanical Gardens with natives in costumes.

 Arbor topped pathway in gardens.

 The flowers were hanging down.  I'm wondering if they're orchids.  Anyway, they are beautiful!

                                                                    Fun picture!

 There are some nice views in the gardens.  The one below is just jungle, but it was pretty also.

 They had a Japanese section with this bridge and the caves behind it.  The Japanese gave it as a gesture of peace.  Filipinos don't care much for Japan since the WWII invasion.

                                 My Great Thinker's pose.  Isn't he handsome!

Exploring some of the caves in the hill.

                                    Birthday dinner at Mario's in Baguio.

                Just a wall in Baguio across from the Elder's apartment.  It is so beautiful there.

                      Cute, strong Sister missionaries who live near us.  They're adorable!

 We visited this less active family with the missionaries.  They planted the tree behind them a year ago.  Look how much it's grown in one year!

 The brother and his wife make hook lines for fishing.  There are 800 lines on that board, and he does about 5 a day.  He spends a lot of time on his knees!!

                                         We had a heart-attack at our house.  Even the garbage got it!

                           I must admit it looks better without the decorated garbage sacks!

 The Sisters brought white roses for my birthday and a balloon, and they sang a special song for me.  So sweet!

 A roadside stand where I stopped for mangoes.  It's that yummy time of year.  They're 70 pesos a kilo (2.2 pounds).  That's about $1.75 for a kilo.  And Brad doesn't like them!  Go figure!!!

 Baptizer and Baptizees at the church--a mom and her two children.  The font was being repaired, so they had to do the baptism in the ocean.  Actually, it's the South China Sea.  It was pretty windy, but very memorable.

                                             Branch members on the shore by the sea.

                                         Mom, son, and daughter.

With the Missionary Sisters

                                                                         Mom

Son

Daughter

Some of the Agoo 2 branch members today at Church with the Elders and Me.

This about sums up our week.  We hope you enjoyed, and that you have a safe and happy week.  See you next time!

Week Sixty-seven

President and Sister Balledos and Senior couples enjoyed a dinner at a Greek Restaurant as a good-bye to the Fullmers, and birthday celebration for the other 3 Sisters.  It was so nice.

Sister Fullmer baked a birthday cake for Sister Brown and me.  That was so sweet--in all her busies getting ready to leave the Philippines this week!  We will really miss her!

Not everyone gets a Happy Birthday serenade from the Assistants and the Office Elders.  I felt really special!

These are the Sisters who are assigned to the ward where we live.  They stop by occasionally when they are in the area.  We were able to go teaching with two of the Sisters this week.  It was so fun to go with them!  They are all so awesome!

                                    Here are two more of our special Sisters, and the Fullmers.

This group of Sisters have a special place in my heart.  They are such good missionaries, and we love them!

                                 Me, Sister Balledos, and Sister Fullmer at the Zone Training.

Sister Missionaries out on their appointments.  We were able to accompany them, and it was a great experience for us.

 This Sister wasn't going to let the Sisters in, but when she saw Brad and me she changed her mind.

She has a little sari-sari in front of her house where she can sell things to help with their livelihood.

These people are also investigating the Church.  We appreciated being part of their experience.

                   This is the Birthday Sister and her Reese's Peanut Butter Cup cake.  Yummm. . .

 Birthday Girl again.  Her parents are serving on a mission in Guatemala, but have been called to be Mission President in El Salvador.

                               Our San Fernando Ward Sisters again. . .

That about wraps up our week.  We hope you have a good one, that you're safe, and that the Lord watches over you.  See you again next week.