Stolen Bananas . . . .

There are some of you out there that have been following the bananas from the blossom to the end . . . Last week I had my grand kids on Skype and I took my computer out into the yard to show them the bananas growing on the tree. To my amazement, they were gone! So I walked around the house to show them the pineapples that were growing were just about ready to picked. They were gone too! I felt bad that they couldn't see them.

That afternoon, Sister Martino and I were talking about the fruit in our yard and I told her the bananas and pineapples were gone. So we went to Jose (our security guard). He said that someone stole them. I could not believe it since he is supposed to be guarding the property here at night. Then in Jose's way, he started laughing and said that they were stolen by him! Because of all the rain, he said he cut them so they wouldn't go bad.

The Thief with his haul . . . Jose & Sister Martino with the bananas Bunch of bananas See the little babies at the bottom of the stem??Nothing like eating fresh bananas from the tree!!
Jose also gave each of us a fresh pineapple!

Testimonies . . .

This past Tuesday, we were invited to participate with the 14 missionaries returning home from our mission during their final testimony meeting. WOW! It was amazing to listen as each of the 11 Elders and 3 Sisters as they bore witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They each expressed their gratitude for being able to share the gospel with the Filipino people and how much that they had grown from their experience over the last 18 -24 months. These missionaries were from the Philippines, New Zealand, Australia and the USA. What a great day to rub shoulders with these fine young people.

There are days that go by that I wonder what type of 'spiritual' experiences I could be having as I work in the mission office preparing departing books, orientation books, letters to parents, sorting mail and ordering supplies. But as we send missionaries home with the Light of Christ in their countenance and then receive new missionaries fresh from the MTC, in Provo or Manila, who are eager to get out to meet and teach the people and to bring souls Unto Christ, our testimonies are strengthened. We see how the Lord has a plan for each one of us.

Today, I was standing in line at the bakery. An American man came up to me and asked if I was part of the church in Cabanatuan. (He was looking at my name tag as we spoke.) I told him that we didn't attend there (it is about 2 hours from Angeles), but we were the same church. He was trying to tell me about the political stuff going on back home. I told him we hear about stuff back home, but we are here to tell the people about our church. I told him that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was taken from the earth after Christ died and that Joseph Smith had restored the Gospel of Jesus Christ back to the earth. I told him that we have a book that tells of the history of the people who left Jerusalem and settled in the Americas. He stopped me and asked if that was the twelve tribes. I told him that these people were from one of the tribes and that we are all from the either the tribe of Ephraim or Manasseh. He told me had one of our books - the Book of Mormon - that the young Elders had brought to him. He said that they had been to his home several times. I asked if he had read the book and he said no, he hadn't even read the King James Bible. I challenged him to go home and read the book of Mormon and then call those young Elders who have stopped by his home before. He said he would as he walked way . . .

Wade was asked to speak in the Angeles Stake Conference last week on Finding Joy in Service. I was asked to bear my testimony. One of my friends here told me that she loves to serve the people who are serving the Lord. She is the house help here at the mission home. I had never thought of serving in that way before,. But what a pleasure it is to serve the Lord whether it be serving those who sever Him or if you are working in the office. There are opportunities for 'spiritual' experiences. We just need to open our eyes a little more and look around at all He has blessed us with!

The Hills are Alive . . . .

Beyond the wall surrounding the old Clark Air base here in the Philippines where we live, are some beautiful green covered hills. I have longed to go see 'what is out there'. On Saturday, July 16th, Wade asked me what I wanted to do. I told him I wanted to take the road that we have passed many times and see what was in tree covered hills. So we hoped in the car and off we went.

We first crossed the river and then started winding down a road lined with green orchards and rice fields.

The grass was so tall, you could hardly see what was behind it. But I didn't
want to get out and walk through it . . three just might be snakes!! We started up a road until it turned into a dirt road.

We turned around and started back down.

I saw this cute family on the side of the road under some trees . . . The mother said they lived down in the trees but I couldn't see a home down there.

We found this grove of bamboo trees along the road way as well.

Wade was excited to see the bamboo

We saw a carabau (water buffalo) taking a rest in the mud.A mama goat was feeding her kids.Another carabau eating the bark from a tree.We also met this cute mom and her two boys.
Actually the oldest one was waving at us so I asked if I could take some pictures.

They were showing me their house

and their outdoor kitchen (typical of most of the homes in the country) Then I saw a shed and asked what it was.They told me they had pigs - 9 of them.

So they helped me down so I could see them.

Aren't they cute little pigs? And they didn't even stink!!We came upon 4 guys going home from work.
Their attire was interesting, but I really liked
the basket that one of them was carrying . . .

It was so beautiful and green up in the hills.

There were different types of houses,

from shacks . . . .

to a very large home in a grove a trees.

We found the local Catholic church - very old.

More cute little kids along the road . . . aren't they cute!

Our trip down that road turned into a interesting afternoon of finding that
the hills really are alive. I hope we can take that drive again someday . . .

Treadmill . . . . .

On Monday several guys carried the treadmill from the mission home down to our apartment. The new president and his wife are not using it and let us have it in our apartment. It takes up quite a bit of space when down, but luckily it folds up.I just use a fan next to it to keep me cool. I don't like to get up early and Elder Jewkes goes to the park at 5am. I like my extra hour of sleep! When he gets home from the park, he jumps in the shower and I jump on the treadmill.I have my Ipod with me so, I just turn on the music and walk . . .

Elder Jewkes told me I wouldn't use it so I will prove him wrong! So in front of the president I committed to use it at least 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week. I am happy to report that I made my goal for last week . . .
It takes 21 days to form a a habit so I still have a couple more weeks . . .

Lawn Mowers in the Philippines . . .

With the rainy season comes grass growing taller. As we have been traveling within the mission recently, we have seen men clearing the long grass along the road sides. On July 5th we thought our neighborhood was invaded.
But lo, it was just the lawn mowers . . . these guys look like someone from the middle east in the clothes that they wear to clear the grass. It was pretty interesting to watch them work. They did a good job!

Shall We Gather at the River . . .

On Saturday July 2nd, we went to the town of Burgos to witness four men being baptized in the river nearby. It was a beautiful day for the drive. We called and picked up the zone leaders in Tarlac so they could show us the way to Burgos. It was fun to visit with them and get to know them a little better.

This little branch meets in this building. This is Sister Nanay Presca. She is 80+ years old.

A active member in this little branch and so sweet! She even spoke some English!

We had a short meeting with songs and talks about baptism at the church and then we all traveled a couple of mile to the river where the baptisms took place. There was our car with 4 Elders and one of the baptismal candidates and then 2 tricycles with the rest of the people who attended.

We parked the cars and walked up a small hill and then down to the river. What a beautiful setting for a baptism.Before the ordinances took place, the Branch President and a couple of the older women washed his laundry in the river. . . . that was a new one for me. The little kids were all jumping in splashing and swimming. Then we had the baptisms of these 4 men. Elder Leishman is on the left.
It reminded me of our Savior being baptized in the river Jordan long ago.

Branch members attending the baptism ~ they were all in 2 tricycles!

Singing before a talk was given on the Holy Ghost and then we returned to our cars.It was a beautiful day for a baptism after all the rain we have been having. And a great day to Gather at the River . . . .

SURPRISE! They Finally Arrived . . . . .

This morning the delivery man brought me
another package from the distribution center. I was so excited to get the other items that I had ordered.

When Elder Jewkes left to go to the post office, I just figured it would be like any other day no packages or letters . . . but I was way surprised when he walked in with a slight smile, and he said, 'Sister Jewkes got two packages today'! I jumped off my chair to get them. It was like Christmas!! They sent me some candy, Ranch dressing and dip mixes, some taco mixes and Patti sent a photo album with our family pictures that were taken right before we left. Andrea sent some cards and letters from her and the kids. Those things that you really miss! I am anxious to get a frame to put our family picture in so I can hang it on the wall!!

One from Andrea & one from Patti! Here are the postmarked dates on them . . .

Patti's from Georgia

Andrea's from Colorado

They took almost a month to get here!!!

Welcome to the Philippines! *smile*
(And a big THANK YOU to my girls!!)