Merry--My Dear Friend Comes for a Visit!

My youngest son, Clint,  became a good friend with Justin Ballweber in kindergarten and they remained best of friends throughout high school. His parents became some of our dearest friends.
His mom and I started volkswalking and together we have walked hundreds of miles as we participated in all kinds of educational walks. We've cooked together, dined together, partied together and vacationed together for many years. It was a sad day in our lives when we moved away from Oregon after nearly 20 years--and had to say goodbye. But like the best of friendships--ours has endured. Over the past years we've continued to vacation together and get together whenever we could do so.

Waiting at the airport for Merry to come through the doors.

I couldn't stay behind the baracade--there she was and we needed to hug!

 When we got this assignment I figured that there would be one person who would come all this way to visit us and that was Merry. (Actually she regularly does business in China and Viet Nam and I thought she might be able to add a little side trip to the Philippines.)

Out to lunch on our way back home--Merry never changes!

Merry arrived on a Monday. On Tuesday morning we got up early and headed for a road trip to Banue--the famous rice terraces. We stayed at the Banue Hotel and enjoyed hiring a jeepney to take us to the five lookouts. We shopped a little and then had massages. Merry was hooked--she couldn't believe the price of massages.

Dining in the Banue Hotel Restaurant

Early morning sunrise in Banue

Where's Merry? Down in the lobby checking her hundreds of emails--she is a very busy woman!

It was a beautiful day for seeing the terraces

There was some new planting and many areas where the terraces were waiting to be planted--thousands of shades of green.

Merry's first jeepney ride

On Thursday she helped us with our new missionary training--feeding those hungry folks lunch and then we headed out for-----another massage. This time she tried a hot rock massage and said it was the best ever.

It's funny how we haven't seen each other in years but when we get together it's as if things are the same between us--like we never were apart. Merry always brings out the best in me and makes me a better person--just by being with her.

Thanks dear friend! I'm so glad you came to see us in the Philippines!