Sept 2, 2012

Another week has passed and it is now September.  This week the sewing machine I ordered from Manila arrived.  I have already shortened a skirt that was dragging on the ground.  I also shortened the sleeves on two of my blouses.  It is so nice to have something to do in the evening other than sit exhausted on the couch.  I have had to order thread and scissors from Julie since the thread colors are so limited here and they do not have access to sewing scissors. 

This last Tuesday the mission saw a ten percent reduction on missionaries including the Bevans, another senior couple from Canada.  They were so welcoming and Sister Bevans and I really bonded.  I will miss her very much.  The mission assistant Elder Reidhead from Snowflake, Arizona also went home after completing his mission. There were three elders who completed their missions from Arizona, one from Gilbert and one from Mesa as well as Elder Redhead.  Because of the reduction of missionaries another couple, the Andersons were transferred from San Carlos to the mission office, and we were asked to help them find an apartment.  We asked the women in the office and they did not have any ideas, so I started to search on the internet and found a broker to help us.  Funny how we have only been here three months, and yet we are the ones asked to help.   I guess because we are adventurous and have traveled the entire island already we are the go to couple. 

This week was the Bacolod Stake Conference.  I was asked to help with the Young Women training and was so surprised.  I was even more surprised when I found that half or the ward Young Women leaders were young women themselves.  They are so faithful and hard working and are just as mature as the older women.  Some of the older women have served ten years and are weary and needed to be lifted up and encouraged.  Sister Colbing, the Stake Young Women President  asked me to assist her after her husband  told her how much the young single adults love when we teach.  She asked me to teach about the enabling and strengthening power of the Atonements and how through that power leaders can be energized and learn to recycle ideas and lessons to help the young women of the church.  The sisters all thanked me and told me how inspired and touched they were by my training.  I do not think I will ever get used to the kindness, thankfulness  and the way the saints here think Dan and I are angels.  In Tucson we were not anyone special and sometimes felt less than others in the church due to our prior divorces and trials in life. Yet here we are the ones who are experienced and thought of as angels. 

This week we also found out that President Ricardo Colbing, one of the Institute directors grew up in the same city as Alma Sipalay Andrews.  I think is amazing that we are in the Philippines and work very closely with someone that knows and loves the only Filipina in our home ward.  Small church isn't it. 

We are working hard to get applications processed so that we can have the distinction of having the most new PEF participants in the Philippines from our mission areas.  Looks like we will be successful.  We are even beginning a new workshop next Saturday.  Workshops are usually held on Tuesday, but we  thought there should be one on the weekend for those who are working or attending school and cannot come on Tuesday during the day.  We hope to have a full house!

All is well with us and we so appreciate all of the support and prayers of our friends and family.