Friday we participated in a service project picking pineapples for the Branch President of Capoocan. It started raining and I was afraid they would have to call it off but it suddenly stopped and the sun shone bright and HOT. We tromped around the patch choosing the biggest and ripest pineapples. It is interesting how they grow. The plant reminds me of the houseplant we call spider plant. It sends out shoots that starts to grow another pineapple. Some of the little shoots are planted when they want to increase the size of their farm. The older ones just keep bearing. It is a very prickly job.
Elder Dalley bought me a huge hat for shade and afterwards I refused to take it off because we sweat so much my hair was wringing wet so I wore it until we got home. The best part was when we were finished we got to eat some of the luscious pineapples vine rippened! YUMMM.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Endless line
If all goes well the plowing of the proposed farm will begin this week. Everyone in the District is very excited. We hope all will go well for the project.
Wednesday we spent all day at what they call NSO. This is a place where people go to get vital records. We have a young couple who have a young baby and live together but have never married because of the cost mostly. We got there at 7:15 a.m. and the line was already a half block long. We stood and stood and stood, moving ever so slightly. After at least two hours of standing outside we finally were able to go inside and sit down. Then another two hours playing musical chairs as we moved up the line. The first line was just to verify that all of the information was filled out correctly. Then we got to graduate to the next line where we began the musical chairs again until we worked our way up to the cashier to pay for the certificates. In the third line, the same thing. When we got up to the front they informed us that we could go to lunch and come back in two hours to pick up the certificates. Needless to say this was an all day event.
Wednesday we spent all day at what they call NSO. This is a place where people go to get vital records. We have a young couple who have a young baby and live together but have never married because of the cost mostly. We got there at 7:15 a.m. and the line was already a half block long. We stood and stood and stood, moving ever so slightly. After at least two hours of standing outside we finally were able to go inside and sit down. Then another two hours playing musical chairs as we moved up the line. The first line was just to verify that all of the information was filled out correctly. Then we got to graduate to the next line where we began the musical chairs again until we worked our way up to the cashier to pay for the certificates. In the third line, the same thing. When we got up to the front they informed us that we could go to lunch and come back in two hours to pick up the certificates. Needless to say this was an all day event.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
It really is not getting old
It's starting to feel like I am saying the same things over again. Each day is different and we visit with different people and have much the same experiences. It never gets old to bear your testimony and feel the spirit helping you with words you wouldn't normally say.
We had Zone Conference this week. There is no group more fun than a group of Elders. The missionaries going home had a chance to bear their testimonies in a very sweet meeting. Our APs are great but we sure miss Elder Gifford and Sessions.
We worked in San Miguel on Thursday then went out to the Special Sacrament. The missionaries are relentless. Elder Mancao challenged four people for baptism on the first discussion. We went on splits; I was with Elder Mancao and Elder Dalley went with Elder Castillo along with a couple of Branch Missionaries. We helped to teach about the Law of Tithing and the Fast as well as the Sabboth Day and Obedience. The people just seem to drink in what we say.
We went back out to Talisay to work on the Nipa again on Friday. This time we all wove coconut palms to make roofing and siding for the Hut. We weren't fast but we didn't do bad. I had to keep moving because it seemed that the ants found me no matter where I went. The Hut is turning out quite cute. Elder Saclapus asked me if I could live like that. I told him I wouldn't want to but I could if I had to. It reminded me of the huts some of the pioneers lived in when they had nothing.
We had Zone Conference this week. There is no group more fun than a group of Elders. The missionaries going home had a chance to bear their testimonies in a very sweet meeting. Our APs are great but we sure miss Elder Gifford and Sessions.
We worked in San Miguel on Thursday then went out to the Special Sacrament. The missionaries are relentless. Elder Mancao challenged four people for baptism on the first discussion. We went on splits; I was with Elder Mancao and Elder Dalley went with Elder Castillo along with a couple of Branch Missionaries. We helped to teach about the Law of Tithing and the Fast as well as the Sabboth Day and Obedience. The people just seem to drink in what we say.
We went back out to Talisay to work on the Nipa again on Friday. This time we all wove coconut palms to make roofing and siding for the Hut. We weren't fast but we didn't do bad. I had to keep moving because it seemed that the ants found me no matter where I went. The Hut is turning out quite cute. Elder Saclapus asked me if I could live like that. I told him I wouldn't want to but I could if I had to. It reminded me of the huts some of the pioneers lived in when they had nothing.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Hi Ho, Hi Ho its off to work we go
Friday we had a service project out in Talisay to help re-build a nipa. A coconut fell on an existing home and ruined the roof so they decided it would be a good idea to move it over a little to insure that it didn't happen again. We arrived with hammer and saw to assist. They already had the frame up so we did the best we could to help. Elder Dalley got right in sawing and hammering. I was a little lost. I hoped they would teach me to weave some coconut branches for some siding but they weren't prepared to do that yet. So I mostly took pictures and was moral support. It started raining really hard so most of us ran for shelter. But Elder Dalley and the missionaries just kept on working. They were wet with sweat already and the coolness of the rain felt good they said. We did as much as we could with the existing supplies so will go out again this coming week with nails to help them finish. They are such sweet, gracious people. The owners are new converts who were baptised in the ocean in their front yard.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Woe is me
Yesterday was probably the worst day I have had since being here. Elder Dalley is getting so busy being in the Mission Presidency and the District Presidency and trying to get Temple Industries going as well as checking into starting a Carigara District Farm that he literally had meetings all day. Of course I being his companion just had to wait for him with not much to do. So I waited, and read, and slept and visited with a few people that dropped by the church, then I read some more. We had to miss the baptism that was being held in the ocean in Talisay which I wanted to attend very much. It was all necessary but I've got to find something more to do should that happen again.
New Apartment
We have finally found a new apartment in Barugo, a little community near Carigara. The target date for moving is June first. We are excited to have found it because it is brand new. It is large and we only have to pay 4,000 pesos instead of 15,000 which will be a huge savings for us. Not to say anything about what we will save on gas and Elder Dalley's nerves. It has four bedrooms (The master bedroom and masterbath will be locked so we will not use those rooms). We still have three other bedrooms, a spacious kitchen and living area, a balcony, and of course a bathroom. The only downer is that it is on the third floor so we have to do stairs but we are fine with that. The garage is very fancy. It has a tiled floor and a metal gate for doors. It has a business underneath us on the first floor and the second floor is unfinished rooms. We'll have to get the missionaries to help us move, it is unfurnished so we will have to move our furniture in. The mission home has a couch, diningroom table and chairs, a stove and a neighbor offered their refridgerator. We have a mattress so will have to find a hollywood bed frame. Life is good.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
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