This and that

I didn't think I had many pictures this week - but decided to send a few.  Don't you love the basketball set up.

Norm and I were waiting for the sister missionaries to give a lesson and then we were going to give them a ride home. We saw this cute path that led to the ocean and decided to check it out.  These are rock stairs.

Another view looking back up.  There were stairs and then grass and then more stairs and more grass - I think about three sets of them.  It was in the middle of one of them that I fell and GREAT was the fall thereof.  The steps were a little mossy which I didn't realize.  I wasn't paying attention and the first thing I knew I was down.  Probably the hardest fall I have ever had.  The rocks were not forgiving.  I lay there for a while totally stunned - hurting and wondering what happened.  I was grateful to finally be able to get up and find that I could move and nothing seemed broken.  I have a LARGE bruise on my backside and believe me it is large - there is a lot of backside.  (I have refrained from sending a picture :)  The worst was I fell on my already fragile wrist.  I could not move my fingers or wrist without great pain which really scared me.  Had I not already had a rod in my wrist I think I would have been in trouble because all my weight came down on my wrist.  Truly another miracle - after two days there was no pain and except for being black and blue I am good as new.  Thank you for your prayers.  I have been so blessed.

This is the ocean we got to after falling down the stairs.

Our way back to the truck - beautiful country and my handsome companion.

The sisters who live behind us heart attacked us before they got transferred.

Elder Francom - Jake's last companion before Jake got transferred - invited us out for another baptism.  They were hoping to baptize in the river again but the weather didn't permit so they went to another chapel quite a ways away.  The boy on the right baptized the little girl by him.

I wondered about the water.  The font is outside.

This is the chapel - Pilar - with the font on the side.

Sitting in our apartment with the zone leaders and STL's - Sister Trainer Leaders - trying to figure out how we were going to do transfers.  Sister Warner on the couch is from Utah - I keep thinking Cody should look her up. She comes home in April and is a most wonderful missionary.  The sister with her back to us said something I will never forget.  Her name is Sister Deliarte.  She was going to Cebu for training and there wasn't anyone to go with her.  I told her I was sorry she had to go by herself which meant going on the ferry, finding a taxi in Cebu and getting to the mission home.  Her reply was instant, "That's ok Sister - I have the best companion - The Holy Ghost.

Another basketball bank board.   Don't you just love it. 

The sister missionaries that were transferred from our zone.  Sister Mangompit - so glad she transferred - in 4 months Norm never got her name right and now I can quit being embarrassed. Sister Lagaspi has absolutely no support from home - she doesn't hear from anyone but she says that is ok.  A wonderful sister.  And Sister Warner - She was so good to help us get adjusted to this adventure.  This McDonalds is very close to the ferry so soon as they buy their ticket, if there is enough time, we always make a stop - the missionaries are always hungry.  I think I am too.

Saturday morning I was doing my hair in my dark cubbyhole and all of a sudden the room was rocking.  And it was a serious rock, not just a tremor - instantly your heart starts beating fast. Nothing tipped over but I wondered where I was going.  It lasted for about 5 seconds but I was surely glad it stopped.  It was a humbling few seconds.

We visited Talibon today for church.  It is about an hour and 15 minutes away.  While we were sitting in Sunday School the R.S. president asked me to teach the R.S. lesson.  Panic immediately set in.  Why wasn't she teaching it!  She said she would get an interpreter for me.  I felt very strongly she should have taught it.  They don't mind at all asking or telling someone at the last minute that you are doing something.  They think you can do anything on the spur of the moment.  This is the third time we have visited this branch and the other two times they had a missionary teach it - I think next time I might go a little more prepared. The lesson was on prayer - I barely had time to read it before I was on.  I hope it was ok.  Once again - I know all of our prayers were answered.

Typhoon, New Year Party, Missionary Visits

                                               Unannounced Typhoon - December 28th, 2014

Monday night, December 29th, the rain came in torrents and the wind was unreal.  No one had warned us and we thought, this is quite a storm.  We were up a lot through the night wondering what was going on.  The power went off for 23 hours.  That is not good.  Means no water, no fan, plus the regulars.  (The size of the trunk took much more than our little saw.  Look for the roots there.)

By morning it was calm but we got a text from President Tanner saying that a large Mango tree had come down on President Saballa's home and tricycle and he suggested we check on it.  Couldn't believe that disaster could strike him twice.  That is the home that we just did the cement floor.

When we arrived it was for real. Underneath that tree is his house and his tricycle.  We called the missionaries and they canceled district meeting and came.  Norm bought 3 saws that were worthless for the job.  President Saballa had a couple hackers.  The missionaries worked hard.

The miracle of the whole thing was when they got the tree off the tricycle it was unscathed.  Absolutely not damaged in any way.  It truly was a miracle and he was so grateful.  It could have been flattened.

It made for quite the service project.  We spent hours there and went back two days later and finished.

President Syballa knew someone that had a chainsaw and he saved us a lot of work.  He did the big stuff.  We helped out with a few more Christmas pesos and were grateful for the help.

A little side project in the front of their home.  You can see the tricycle in the road.  That is how he makes his living.

This is the extent of the damage to his home.  It could have been much worse.  The famous blue tarp took a bit of a beating.

Norm standing by some bananas on the side of their home.  Bananas kind of grow upside down. in large bunches.

We ate inside - bananas, drink, and some breads.  This is the famous cement floor.  They haven't moved in yet except for the table.  They treat the cement like we do a hardwood floor.  They take their shoes of at the door and sweep the cement.

On our way home we passed this tricycle transporting 3 pigs - to market to market!

We get a call from the zone leaders that they had pulled in their van to wash it and could not get traction to get out.  They backed up and splattered mud all over the building.  We bought a rope and pulled and pulled which was worth a few feet but then we broke the rope.  Back to the market for more rope.

This time we doubled the rope

And met success. 

Our New year's Eve party in our church.  There were 20 missionaries.  They began at 6:00 p.m. to watch a movie "Dragon 2".   They were so excited to watch a movie - they do that once a year on New Year's Eve and it has to be a Disney movie.  Norm and I weren't nearly so excited.  Afterwards Norm and I bought pizza for the group and pop.  I made a very large fruit salad and my sheet was a tablecloth.  It was a party.  It was over by 9:00 as the missionaries had to be home by 9:30.  They really do enjoy just being together.

When we got home Norm went to bed forgetting it was New Year's Eve.  So I found me a cadbury bar and a mango and munched and entertained myself.  But my funnest memory is at midnight there was all this commotion outside.  Fireworks, motorbikes etc.  I opened the door and standing on top of the table outside was Sister Mangompit blowing her horn and screaming and yelling and Sister Deliarte was with her doing the same only she wasn't on the table.  I love those sisters.  They are so fun!

Friday afternoon we went on some appointments with our local missionaries, Elder Borrego from Show Low, Arizona and Elder Banham from Logan. This man is reading the Book of Mormon.  This is where he lives.  In the corner is a very small room.  There was no bed in it.  Just don't know how he lives.  Saw no place where he could cook.

This is where we taught him.  We sat on the benches.  The Elders on one and Norm and I on the other.  This investigator was on the chair.  He is making a canoe type of thing.  We offered to give him a ride to church which is a long ways away for him.  He accepted and we picked him up today for church.  He had on a clean shirt.  Don't have a clue where that came from.  So hope he will continue to come.

Then we visited the Santiago family.  They are members.  We also invited them to come to church with us and they said they would.  Only one could come because one has to stay home and make sure their property is protected.  None of these people speak English.  They speak Cebauno with the Elders and we just listen and smile.  She also came to church today.  She was very friendly with some sisters there. I was so happy to have her there.  She is 58 and he is in his 70's.  He doesn't have good health and when he comes to church he walks.  He starts about 5:30 - 6:00 to get there by 9:00.  He just stays for Sacrament meeting and then walks home  It is an unbelievable walk.

This is one of my piano students, his name is Ezra Bagio.  This is their home which is so much nicer than anything else we have seen besides where we live.  They said they had a keyboard but when I got there it only works from Middle C up, nothing works below.  This is my keyboard I take with me.  He is a cute little boy but it will take some time. You wouldn't believe the outside of their home.  They live in the back of her Mother's home.  They don't have a front door just a side door and another family lives in back of that.  Just one continuous place.

The 2nd counselor in our branch presidency lives here.  The typoon made this mess in his yard from the house next door.  His house was destroyed a year ago and he has made this for his family.  His wife is not a member.

This is the front of his home.  We park by the fence.  You can see the ocean out back. They do have pretty flowers in their yards.

Today, Sunday, January 4th was interesting.  So happy our appointments came to church.  The Sister who usually plays the piano didn't show up so I got to play.  Quite enjoyed that.  Didn't understand anything of Sunday School.  Understood a little in Relief Society.

Right after church we went to Loon for 5 piano lessons.  The first girl is so darling - very talented but she didn't have a place to practice so not much progress there.  She said this week she is going to school in Tagbilaran and she thinks she can find a piano so she can practice.

The 2nd student is a young man, he couldn't make it so his friend came and said he wants to take.  I have to copy all the music off - and was very thankful I had something with me that I could give to him.  I think he will be good.

The next two sisters who are both returned missionaries didn't show up and the last little girl had lost her music and there was nothing done there.  I am not sure how successful that venture is going to be.

Sagbayan group and ocean baptism

More Happenings on the Island of Bohol

These Elders live here - Elder Mata and Elder Espiritu - and they were so excited to open up this new area and meet in their apartment. The big doors is where they hold church and you will see that on the inside - you go in and face the street.  They don't use the doors.

Inside their door.  This is where they hold Primary and up the stairs is their apartment.  This dear Sister has 13 children I think.  Her husband is the group leader.

This is set up for Sacrament meeting and we are facing the big doors.  Kind of noisy but they are so happy to have a place to meet.  The Elders totally set this up to every detail.  Elder Halladay and I spent a few days hauling chairs, pulpit, blackboard etc.  We got them what they needed but they organized and took care of everything and did a wonderful job.  They had about 25 come.

The back of the room is their kitchen.  They cleaned EVERYTHING off and covered it to make it look nice.  The door leads to the "dirty kitchen".

The worst part was the "comfort room" they call it.  The shower leaks - the drain is up in the corner where you can't see it.  We hope they will change the shower into a sink and it will solve the drain problem as well.  Feet get wet as you use this facility.

In case you think this is in a fancy area - this is across the street.

And this is also across the street - looking from the balcony of the apartment.

This is a dirty kitchen they call it.  You can see the sink, the gas cooker is on the side and the water jug is the blue.  That is the only water you dare drink,  They don't have drinking water in any church.

Another view of the dirty kitchen.   This is out the back door of their apartment.

When we first got to Calape where we live I had HUGE bad thoughts about our apartment.  I wondered if I could make it work.  When I saw what others live in ours looked better all the time.  This is the 2nd place we saw and it is the zone leaders apartment.  The toilet is about a foot and a half off the ground.  There is no seat.

Christmas Eve at our apartment.  Sister Tanner's daughter came over from Brigham and Marie sent a few things from home with her that I had requested.  I wrapped in garbage sacks as it was the only thing I had.  Norm was short on ties so Marie sent 4 more out of his closet.  Soon as I got the package at Thanksgiving I just hung one of the new ties on Norm's rack.  It was a maroon one which he didn't have any that color.  He wore it the next day and never said a word.  So a week later I add another tie and he wears it and never says a word.  The third week I add another tie and the same thing.  For Christmas I wrapped the last tie.  He couldn't figure out how I got that tie.  Marie also sent a package of tapioca which I can't buy here and he loves and she sent a few more CD's to add to our 1.  It was a fun Christmas.  Wondering if I have enough energy to put away my decoration !?!!

Another earthquake disaster from a year ago.

Saturday, December 27th we went to Ubay - 2 hours away for another ocean baptism.  They are very precious occasions.  They asked us during the week if we could come and help transport people as it takes about a half hour to get there.  The baptism was at 10 and they wanted us there at 9 so that meant leaving at 7:00.  They also wanted me to give a talk on families are eternal.

The night before I get another text which says, sorry Sister but we have to change the time of the baptism to 8:00 - can you be here at 7:00.  That meant up at 4:30 to leave at 5:00.  The loss of sleep was well worth it.  It was a lovely ride that time of morning.  It started raining before we got there.  This is the long, bumpy, muddy road to the ocean.

When we got there the tide was way out.  I just didn't think it was going to happen but after a little bit the sun came out and it was a lovely day.

This is the dear sister who was baptized - Sister Esterlina Mendez Bulabox and her brother who baptized her.  He is very active.  The week before in church he was giving the lesson and talked about the Philippines being Zion.  He had been to the states but he said the Philippines was the best.

This is the group that attended the baptism.  The branch president is on the front left.  Then two missionaries and the sister missionaries who taught her.  Other members and friends etc.

The sister is standing by her husband who is going to be baptized in January if he lives the Word of Wisdom.  Those are the sister missionaries and her brother.

We have already walked out quite a ways and they are still walking.

Beautiful scenery and a beautiful day.  A very spiritual experience.

They were quite delighted to gather star fish.

The Branch President's wife always furnishes food.  That pot is full of Bihon which is very thin-like spaghetti cooked with soy sauce and a few carrots, and a little meat - this had liver :(  You will notice the stack of plates and glasses.  They are all glass and they bring everything on a motorbike.   They have a bag with a drawstring that the dishes go in and another bag for the pot.  They totally amaze me.  Our landlord runs a bakery and is always bringing us goodies.  In the box is a BIG custard cake which we took to share.  Worked out perfectly.  They ran out of plates and some took the lid of the cardboard box and tore it in pieces and used for plates.  Everything was totally devoured.

This is the church we went to this morning in Loon  (pronounced low-own) 25 minutes away from where we live.  Those are two of the sister missionaries that live behind us.  I gave 5 piano lessons after church.  I think 3 of them are pretty promising.  This is our second week -I so want to help them.

For sacrament meeting they had two speakers and then they announced Norm would be the concluding speaker.  He stood up and said he thought it would be nice if we stood and sang a song  The poor girl playing the piano is just a beginner and had no clue what was going on.  She asked me if I would play.  Totally putting her on the spot.  Then he asked the sister missionaries to speak and he asked me to speak which left him 5 min. to give his prepared talk.  Sometimes I feel like to squish him.  I guess he thought he was in charge and could do what he wanted and he did.

This is Sister Syballa and her daughter, Liahona, it was their house that they poured cement floor.
The District President came over and asked if I would be in charge of the music for our upcoming conference which is January 24 and 25th.  I am to put a choir together.  Now that should be interesting.  I haven't met one person that can play the piano.  They all live miles away. I have no clue how that is going to happen.

I am happy to say this past week has been cooler.  I don't have the air conditioner on right now - just a fan.  We always have both going.  December and January I understand are suppose to be cooler and even though it is hot - it is cooler.