Moving, Baptisms, Elder and Sister Bell

                                                      First two weeks of September 2015

Little by little we packed in our suitcases and bread tins.

Elder Santos in blue, Jake's last companion, and Elder Lao, helped us move the big stuff from another Sr, apartment in Tagbilaran that they are closing out.  Our apartment is completely unfurnished so we hauled in a lot of things.  This is the washing machine coming along.

We were very grateful for their help.

Moving is so much fun!  :)

Our new apartment from the road.  There are 3 apartments in a row.  The first one is furnished and much more expensive.  We are in the middle one.  No one occupies the other two.

And this is our front door.

Our study upstairs.  Looks like I have lost a few pictures of the apartment.  I will get them in next round maybe.  I have a hard time getting pictures transferred from one mechanism to another.

My first attempt at baking in this new apartment didn't turn out too well.  Brownies in the back turn out blackies!!!  Everything broiled instead of baked.  Happy to report we have improved since this picture was taken.  Tonight I made pizza.  It wasn't Norm's favorite but I ate a lot.

Elder Borrego and Elder Jennings invited us to Jagna to their baptisms.  9 baptisms all total.  There was a family, Father and Mother with 4 children and then 3 additional baptisms.  It was a wonderful day!  The first baptisms in the area for many years.  They are actually from Duraro, but Jagna had the font.

Afterwards the Elders cooked dinner for us.  They are the nicest Elders.  They cooked chicken nuggets, cut the raw chicken off the bone and went to work, and they cooked rice and fried it, and then they bought a chicken to add a little more.  They are hard workers and we do love them.

The missionaries in Calape wanted to get together for family home evening.  I did the food and they did the rest.  They came prepared and we had a good time.

They are such good missionaries and we will miss not living by them.

On our way to the Lanzaderas home.  We have spent much time with this family.  Their home was destroyed in the earthquake two years ago when Jake first came.  They have just built this little home.

There isn't much furniture.  I got a chair and the missionaries got the floor.  Always a fan!

A daughter is visiting them and she has a handicapped child.  Her only child and she said "I am the most blessed Mother".  Her husband works abroad.  They are very strong in the church.  That is her Mother, Sister Lanzaderas.

We are helping with a service project.  The place was like a jungle and it was all cleared before they left.  I was the limb picker upper and piler.

We took this dear Elder Celocia to the airport to leave for his mission.  He is the only member in his family I think of 9.  The rest are Baptist.  This is his Uncle who is a member.  Jake knows  him and he said Jake gave him a tie.

On the same trip we picked up this sister, Sister Magsayo at the airport just returning from Las Vegas. Her sister in the white top, returned from her mission in Ogden, Utah just a month ago.  We had all 5 of these sisters in the back seat of our truck.  Not even room for a mosquito.

We delivered the Elder at 9:30 and were suppose to pick up the sister at 10:30 but when she got to Manila she needed $100 American dollars for her luggage and she didn't have it so the church had to get the money and she missed her flight.  We waited 5 1/2 hours for her.  There is no room in the airport.  You meet people outside on the street.  It was a long 5 1/2 hours  We took them to eat which took a little while. and then we ran some errands.  It was an hour and a half ride to get there so we couldn't go home.

Elder and Sister Bell from Hooper, Utah are our new Senior couple.  They now live in our apartment.  They are here for 23 months.  He has been extremely successful in his business.  Was a plumber and had many stores.  This is their first mission and they plan on going on 3 missions.  They are extremely capable people and very ambitious.  We are learning from them instead of them learning from us.  We are so very grateful to have some help on this island.  This dear sister is actually a Richards from Brigham City. She is Emery and Lucille Wight's grand daughter.  Absolutely wonderful people. Janice and Murial are her aunts.

President Tanner and Sister Bell just arriving at the port.

Couldn't resist this picture of Sister Tanner on her knees in the bookstore.  She is a dear sister.

I do have more pictures that I evidently lost in transferring them from one machine to another.  I don't dare try to retrieve them or I will probably lose what I have so I just hope for the best.

We are doing well.  We have been gone so much since we moved in that we are barely getting settled but it is going to be good.

The first day we were here, my oven didn't work, the washing machine wouldn't work - ended up wringing out the clothes by hand and the neighbor told us we would be out of water for 4 days.  I wasn't so sure we had made a good move.  I am trying the washing machine again in the morning and hope it is happier this time.  The oven seems to have recovered and we do have water.

On the funny side, the only batch of wash I did was whites - when they said we would be out of water I hurried and washed garments.  A couple days ago Norm announced he was out of garments and he couldn't find them.  I told him that was impossible, he had plenty of garments, I went in search but I couldn't find them either.  We looked for a couple days but no garments.  I started thinking about it and told him I left his on the line for him to gather, I took the shirts to iron and my garments.  Now he thinks he remembers putting them in a sack and forgot what was in the sack and put it in the garbage.  They are GONE!   Guess I will quit looking for them.

Love you all!  Stay well, be safe and BE HAPPY!!!!!

August 26 - 30, 2015

Another picture of the Tanner family.  This is their daughter, Sarah with her daughter, Gracie and her son, Andrew.  We were suppose to go to dinner together but President Tanner didn't consult me and decided they should take the ferry to Cebu.  This is our blue truck which we live in.  It has air conditioning.  It is a little large for the traffic and narrow roads but Norm manages quite well most of the time.

This is our Tubigan chapel which has the nicest piano in the district and that isn't saying much.  We are having a missionary farewell party.  Sister Perez is on the left and she lives behind us.  Sister Calaugi, Sister Genevieve has just returned from serving in the Ogden, Utah mission.  She speaks English very well and loved her mission in Utah.  Then we have the two sister missionaries.  The one in the gray took a crash course learning to play the piano and did very well.  The last sister lives behind us.

The two missionaries, 4 people in the middle are friends.  They decided at the last minute to go to the airport with us and the only room we had was in the back of the truck for an hour and a half on a construction road that is bumpy but that is what they did.  The sister on the end is the Mother of the sister on the other end.  She is sort of active.

These are our two missionaries at the airport,

We went shopping and Norm announced he wanted to buy material to have some pants made.  He wants a light purple and a light green.  The light purple he chose is next to the orange.  The saleslady told him it wasn't heavy enough to make pants.  We were blessed on that one.  He is still looking.  We did pick out a green which isn't shown but it is sort of an olive green.  Is this a sign of what?  Has Norm been out too long and he is going stir crazy. Has he worn dark pants and white shirts too long?  Could use more prayers on that one.  :)

An ongoing CSP to build a CR for a sister.We had many CSP's to dig the hole and now they have to build it.  They have hauled this cinder block which is very heavy in a very rickety wheel barrow.  The sacks have sand and gravel in them.  All this is dumped along the side of the road which is not close.  So it has to be shoveled into bags and then hauled by wheel barrow to the house.  Very heavy and very hot project.  At the moment there is no water.  Don't you just love the board windows?!?!

Today was our first choir practice for District (our stake) conference.  I had them announce to please be on time.  It was to start at 3:00.  It is now 3:30 and this is the turnout.  The sister in the black top is the chorister.  The sister in the black skirt is President Nueva's wife and she doesn't sing.  The other two sisters live behind us.  The sister in the light top is just brand new out and she is from South Jordan, Sister Stanley.  By 3:40 we had about 25 people there.  They have a terrible time getting rides.  We have two more practices.  Could use more prayers on this one too.

This is the Calap chapel which is the nicest chapel in the district and it is air conditioned.

We got word yesterday that the money has come in for our new apartment but we can't move in until WE have the money which won't be until next Wednesday.  Wednesday we are to help some missionaries move and that night we are feeding 6 missionaries here. Thursday is our district zone training so we will move on Friday.  Saturday we are involved in more missionary activities.  One area is baptizing 9 people.  Great day!

Our new Senior Couple will be here the following week so it is going to be interesting to see if we have things moved and cleaned by then.  I hope our new apartment is going to be as nice as I think it is going to be.

Love you all!!!

Temple

                                                                Week in August 2015

This is the group of missionaries that left with Jake.  We were privileged to go through the temple with them.  Betty, Elder Heimuli is on the back row and Sister Storey has on a green skirt in front. Our precious Jake is between us.  Oh how we miss him!!!!   A wonderful group of missionaries. 

This week the Calape District had a District Temple Excursion.  On the far left is our branch president, President Neuva, a wonderful man.  We truly love him.  Standing next to him is Brother Lanzaderas and his wife is in the blackish dress in front.  The sister in black skirt and red and white top is Sister Segovia and she is the sister they talked about in April 2014 conference.  Brother Tey of the Seventy said in his talk:

  May I conclude with the story of a 73-year-old widow whom we met during our trip to the Philippines:

"When the earthquake struck the island of Bohol the home that she and her late husband had worked so hard to build crumbled to the ground, killing her daughter and grandson.  Now alone, she needs to work to support herself.  She has started taking in laundry (which she does by hand) and has to go up and down a good-sized hill several times a day to fetch water.  When we visited her, she was still living in a tent.

These are her words:  "Elder, I accept everything that the Lord has asked me to pass through.  I have no hard feelings.  I treasure my temple recommend and keep it under my pillow.  Please know that I pay a full tithing on my meager income from doing laundry.  No matter what happens, I will always pay tithing."  She is a marvelous Sister!!!!

The man second from the right is President Dig, President of the Loon Branch and his wife is by him,  The others I don't know so well.

Sister Lanzaderas and Sister Segovia with Margee on their way to the temple.  The building on the left is the patron house where they stayed.  It is just across the street from the temple.

This is my favorite picture.  Sister Lanzaderas and Sister Segovia.  It has been 24 years since Brother and Sister Lanzaderas had been through the temple.  We spent 3 wonderful days together.  Sister Lanzaderas did 5 sessions.  She has had a stroke and it is hard for her to get around but she loved being in the temple.

We are waiting for the ferry.  Brother Lanzaderas is in green shirt and his wife is behind me. President and Sister Dig are there with us.                                                                               

A group of Elders doing a service project.  These blocks and gravel and sand were dumped on the side of the road and they had to haul everything by wheel barrel down a narrow path to the house.  It takes absolutely hours and hours.  The piles are behind them.                                                               

Grandpa Norm checking out at the grocery store in ICM.  He has learned a lot of patience.

We went teaching with these Elders from Inabunga, Elder Foote from Arizona and Elder Pairat.  We traveled for a good 45 minutes in our truck to find a  home only to find that the family had moved.  But we found them in their new home which was much closer so the Elders will be able to visit them.  The father has a blue shirt with a heart and that is his daughter in yellow.  His wife works in Hong Kong and will be home in April.  They are active and very nice family.  I thought Jake would like to see them.  The other fellow is Neil Nineria that Jake knows.                                                   

President and Sister Tanner have their daughter, Sarah here visiting with her two children, Gracie and Andrew.  We went to the Bee Farm to eat.                                                                                                

                                                      Another View                                                           

Bye Jake

The past few days we have been able to spend some extra time with Jake and we have loved every minute.  On Sunday, August 2nd it was fast day and we picked up Jake and his companion early and we went to Carmen to Sacrament meeting.  Jake and his companion were the Elders that started teaching in Carmen and they worked hard and had a lot of success.  This is the church they found to meet in after they had met in Jake's apartment for a while.  

The people were so happy to see Elder Tolman again.  I loved how this cute little boy kept coming up and sitting on his lap.  The group leader is sitting on the left of Jake.  We went to his house to eat afterwards.  A very little humble home and absolutely immaculate.  We all furnished a little food and it was a very special day.  Before the meeting Jake stopped to see a family that hadn't been to church in 5 months and sure enough - Jake talked them into a quick get ready and they all climbed in our truck and we went to church.

 

I loved how this little guy kept coming up and sitting on Jake's lap.

This cute sister was just baptized and confirmed.  She is bearing her testimony in Relief Society.

After church Jake said he wanted to go make a quick visit to a family and wondered if we were up to a little hike.  We said sure.  Little did we know what his little hikes were like.  This dear sister has the farthest to go to church I think.  Jake said she is the most stalwart.  We walked a long ways.

Some passersby on the way.  Love those Elders.

This dear sister and her daughter and baby.  The daughter is discouraged because her husband isn't coming to church.  Jake gave them a lesson of comfort and encouragement.  He is amazing.

This is another daughter.

This is a poor picture of a very muddle path we were going down.  I tried straddling it, that was a sight.

The hike went on and on!  We were fasting and I wondered if my strength would make it. You can imagine what our shoes looked like.

We left earlier than the Elders and they are catching up with us.

We were driving down the road one day and looked over and there was Jake.  What a fun sight.  His companion is right behind.  You can see an arm.

Friday August 7th, Jake and Elder Smith are leaving Jake's apartment.

We were having trouble with weather - typhoon warnings etc.  The only ferry running was the light ferry which took cargo.  Jake was suppose to get us tickets in Tagbilaran but they were sold out. He was able to get tickets in Tubigan so we had to make a quick trip back.  Norm was sure we wouldn't make it but we did and waited an hour and a half for the boat to leave.  I was fearful it would be a wavy bumpy ride but it wasn't.  It was very pleasant.  On the cargo ferry they have beds and around the sides are chairs.  Jake got us beds and it was wonderful.  It took about 2 hours for the ride.  Jake and companion were on top and Norm and I were under them.  We had two other sisters as well on the other side.

Jake hadn't slept all night and I thought he would take advantage of the bed,  nosiree, he was catching up his journal and he said he had a lot of catching up to do. He was making a mango float at 2:30 in the morning and it was delicious.  Mangos, graham crackers and whip cream layered.

Sister Storey was with us.  She is from Logan and has a most gorgeous singing voice.

Sunday afternoon.  This lady is amazing.  She loves everything and always out for fun.  This is the pool outside her kitchen.  This is how she swims.

Sunday night Sister Tanner and I made chili for the troops.  Take a look at that kitchen in the Philippines.  It was fun to cook with her - I felt like I was home.

After dinner we had a testimony meeting which I think was one of the most spiritual meetings I have ever been to.  These boys have strong testimonies and we were so thankful and blessed to participate in this special occasion. An evening to always be remembered. The Elders are from Utah - we have a lot of Filipinos left here.  This group of Elders are taking home a lot of leadership.

This is a batch picture.  Sister Tanner rounded up hats etc. for a fun picture.  You will notice President Tanner peeking through.

We did a temple session Tuesday afternoon just before departing.

It has been a wonderful experience being in the Philippines together.  We have enjoyed many spiritual occasions.  He is a good Elder and we will miss him GREATLY!!!!

Saying goodbye to my boy!  He has been an inspiration to us!

So hard to say goodbye.  The missionaries all went to eat and Norm and I got a taxi and headed for the ferry.

Jake found this apartment for us.  We did the paperwork today, August 12th and hopefully we can move in on August 24th.  This apartment is in Tagbilaran where we spend a lot of time.  A much nicer apartment than the one we have been living in.

There are actually 3 apartments.  We will be living in the middle one where the Elders are standing.

This is standing in the door and this is the kitchen and family room.  All the furniture will be moved.
It will take a bit of doing to get us moved - we will be cleaning out another Sr. apartment in Tagbilaran and using those furnishings.  It is going to keep us busy.

Can I tell you how empty it was to go to Jake's apartment today and not have Jake there.  Oh my!!
This is Elder Santos, Jake's companion, and he was so good to take care of us today.  We were very thankful for him.  A wonderful Elder.

Jake will arrive home in 3 1/2 hours - although it is hard to have him gone I am very happy to have him home safely with his family again having served so well.  It surely can be said of him "Well done!"  I am very thankful for my family and have gained a whole new appreciation for missionaries.