Around Town

A glimpse at the traffic here--they make 3-4 lanes out of one and wonder why traffic is stalled? DUH!!

Watch your step--all sidewalks and roads are in much need of repair. You really have to "Watch your Step" here. This is in the big city of Dagupan but it is everywhere here, even in Baguio, a resort town. You must be careful!

Hop On!

We're moving out, hop on if you want a ride!

Wash Day in the Philippines

These are our neighbors, this is how the Filipinos do their wash. By hand, early in the morning before it gets hot or rains. They hang everything up on a line--there are no dryers here. The sun is their dryer.

Halloween at the Manor

Jensen's, Thomsen's, and us went to the Manor around Halloween time to have a nice dinner and we were greeted with colorful decorations--which none of us remember seeing much of last season. (Note: Perkins weren't here, they were still in Manila waiting for her broken leg to heal from a fall in early October.)

I actually got Rick to stand by one of the mannequins! Shocker!

Pres. Jensen's B-Day is on Halloween day. Even though we were there a couple of days before they brought him out a piece of birthday cake just like they did Rick for his B-day in May.

They really went all out decorating this year!

Super Heros in Baguio!!

We caught up with some Super Heroes in Baguio on our last trip up.

Gannon was Superman for Halloween but I have it on good authority that this is NOT Gannon!

Me with the Super Heroes!

Missionary Meetings

Mangaldan zone prior to transfers: Back row L-R: E. Hales, Pres. Allred, Costales, Domagsang, Woodson, Bacarro, Shultz Next row L-R: E. Sagyo, Notado, Acol, Maglupay, Austin. Sitting L-R: Sis. Warnick, Eldridge, Allred, Cruz, Dollente, E. Jabillo Front L-R: and Center: E. Goodson and Cumurat. Oct. 20101

All Sisters Missionary Training in Urdaneta at the new stake Center there which is right in front of the new Mission Home to be completed next July, 2011. This was the very first one of its kind. We are making history here. You can barely see my head peaking out on the left of the tree.

This is the site of the new Urdaneta Mission Home--yes, darn it--they have to change the name of the mission if the Mission Home moves to Urdaneta! BUT we will go home as BAGUIO MISSIONARIES!!
Pres. Monson announced a new temple in Urdaneta at the first session of the October 2010 General Conference. Everyone was so excited about that--even us that won't be here or live here because we know what it is going to mean to the members here and also to the missionary work! It will just explode!!! It will also bring back many less actives that want to partake of the blessings of the temple now that it will be so close. It is so expensive for the members to go to the temple in Manila from here and it is a 2 day trip, they have a six-hour bus ride one way. I have seen how those bus drivers drive and that alone will scare the "faint of heart?"

Gorgeous Scenery

This beautiful scene is on our way to Agoo, it has such rich green color! I absolutely love this drive.

Another shot on the same drive.

This is a shack which someone calls home.

This is a mansion which someone calls home. From one extreme to the other all on the same road.

More Agoo Beach Shots

These shots are along the beach at Agoo. You can see a man standing inthe boat--bringing it in for the day.

The Filipinos enjoy playing in the ocean--they don't wear swim suits, this way their clothes get washed at the same time. They were really having fun.

It was a little windy the day we were there.

The same man coming in from his day's work, most likely fishing.

Beach at Agoo

We went to Agoo beach and here are some shots of what we saw. We met some of the members while we were walking around--we sort of stand out. White, in skirts and ties with missionary tags--go figure! He he.

Kubos along the beach I think these are just for resting in during the day when they aren't out in the ocean.

More boats. Fishing is a main source of income here in the Philippines.

Kubos across the street from the beach, these are just places for them to rest, eat and get out of the sun during their work day.

Meat for Dinner Anyone?

I finally got a good shot of this meat stall -- this is one way they sell meat here. (You can buy it in the grocery store but most people buy from the little stalls on the side of the road. It is much cheaper there. This is pretty scary to me. This is on a major road and Jeepneys, trykes, motorbikes and cars drive by here all day--the exhaust here is unbelievable! They sell early in the morning and later in the evening. Most people buy what they need every day. They don't have extra food at home and many don't even have electricity or a refrigerator even if they do. It is a very poor country. However, I don't think this stays there very long because when we go by in the early afternoon there is nothing here, they must sell it pretty fast. (Let's hope!)

More Beautiful Filipino Children

These cute kids were helping clean the Stake Center in Lingayen the day Rick has to be there for a special interview. Aren't they just adorable! Filipinos love their pictures taken and I am so very happy to oblige.

These are some of our neighborhood children. The girl on my left is a precious little neighbor girl whose name is Jessica. She has the sweetest smile and is always happy. Her brother Philip is on her left. On my right is her good friend Alma (how about that?) and her sister is Jocelyn. They come to our gate every once in a while when they see us pull up--Jessica has a very special spirit about her. It is hard to explain but we really connect. Her family has very little. I have met her mom and been to their home, which is very humble. I gave her a Book of Mormon and some children scripture picture books. I hope someday when she gets older she will email me so we can stay in touch.

Meet Elder Flanigan and Burton

This picture was taken during a 4-day leadership training we had in Dagupan. Elder Flanigan is such a nice young man, we had him in our zone for just a short time and Elder Burton came to the MTC a month after Elder Flanigan got there -- so naturally they are good friends. Elder Flanigan returns home in November and Elder Burton in December.

Did I forget to mention that Elder Flanigan is a very happy guy?! Oh, and he is big and strong too! They were horsing around one day after training and I got this picture--it captures Elder Flanigan's personality perfectly!
You just can't help but love these missionaries, they have such a spirit about them, we feel it every time we are with any of them! It inspires us; we admire and love them so much! All of them!!

Baby Blessings in Mangaldan 1 Branch

This is Brother and Sister Almonte's first baby, a boy. He was blessed the same day as Fernan and Cris's baby.

Cris and Fernan's baby boy, Nathaniel Drew Bautista. We went with the elders when they were teaching her, he was already a member. We are very close to them and were excited for them.

Rice Fields

These pictures are of rice fields--I love this drive to Aguilar because the rice fields seem to go on forever.

Rice fields are such a deep green, when they start to turn yellow they are almost ready for harvesting.

Rice planting goes on year round, they are either planting, harvesting or drying rice all the time. It is back breaking work. There are no easy short cuts.

It is a very beautiful sight to see the green stretch as far as the eye can see. When I look at how beautiful they are, however I am also reminded of the back-breaking work that goes into the process.