December 3, 2012

December 3, 2012

The last week has been busy for the slow season of our work.  On Tuesday we taught out Conversational English class and our students are doing wonderful.  They speak English very well and are ready learners.  Wednesday and Thursday we completed all the preparations for our PEF training.  Friday we picked up our leader Franco Avincula and Jib at the airport around 8:00 am.  Then we returned to the church to continue set up for the training.  Dan and I drove back and forth to pick up the service missionaries for Iloilo.  They had rough crossing as the wind was blowing and the waters were very choppy.  Dan was concerned about the arrivals of everyone and hoping they would all get here safely.  Then he was also worried about the catering we set up hoping they were on time and had enough food.  Everything went very well.  We were so excited to see everyone again and in one place.  They shared so many wonderful success stories with us. Hearing their stories made me realize once again what a great work we are doing here helping these wonderful young people gain an education and establish successful careers. 

The training was on Friday and Saturday, then on Sunday we were invited to San Carlos for one on our participant's new babies blessing.  Her name is Dionelee Mahinay. We were very honored to be invited.  We drove over the mountain early and arrived in plenty of time.  I love the drive through the mountains because it is so lush and green.  When we arrived at the church we attended both branch Sacrament meetings so we could see our participants.  They are always so happy to see us and the smiles on their faces just light up my whole being.  They are wonderful young women.  When Dionelee arrives with her family she immediately came and asked if I would like to hold the baby. The baby is beautiful and has a whole head of black hair.  She is so little and precious. While I was holding the baby, Dionelee asked if Dan would bless her baby. The babies Dad is not a member of the church and so it was a great honor for Dan to bless Dionelee's baby. He did a wonderful job and returned to sit with me with eyes full of tears.  What a special day. 

After church we had dinner with Elder and Sister Chin, (our new mission couple) before returning home.  Elder Chin is a pharmacist and Sister Chin is a nurse. They are from North Salt Lake City.  They have five grown children.  Elder Chin loves to cook and made a wonderful stir-fry.  They are a special couple and we love them. After dinner we drove back home.  It was a beautiful day for the drive and we stopped a couple of times to take photos.  We planned on stopping at the falls, but there were many stopped so there was no room to park to stop.  We will return to San Carlos soon so we will stop then.

This week we travel to Manila for training with the other PEF couple missionaries and Franco and Jib.  We will attend the temple there also.  I am excited to go and see the other wonderful American couples.  The couple who works in the office and approves all the loan paperwork will be concluding their mission and returning home in two weeks. We will miss them greatly.  They have been a great help to us in our work here.  

Dan informs me we are on week 30 of our mission leaving 71 weeks to go.  Time seemed to go so very slowly in the beginning, but know I see that this time will pass quickly and I will soon return to my family.  I am thankful for their love and support and their prayers for us.  I love you all very much.