Mission Presidents Seminar--Baguio

We began our journey by flying to Manila. (We could have opted to drive from here but it would mean going over numerous mountain passes and hairpin curves and a road that often has mud slides. Since it has been a very rainy and wet Fall we opted to fly to Manila and ride the bus with most of the others.) In Manila we stayed at the Shangri-La Hotel, which always makes us feel totally spoiled. One night there is like a week somewhere else. It's true luxury at every turn.

The lobby of the Shangri-La was so festive with all the amazing Christmas decorations.

The staff is so professional and friendly.

 About mid-day we headed to the Manila MTC where we met the Area Presidency and their wives and most of the other 16 Mission Presidents from the Philippines. There were 8 new couples who started their assignment in early July. So this year we were no longer the new kids on the block. It's always such a treat to see our batch. We love them all so much and can truly identify with what they have been experiencing here.

What a treat to see Brother Rondilla, who is teaching at the Manila MTC now. He was a dear missionary who served as a trusted assistant for many months. He is now married to one of our former dear sister missionaries and they are expecting their first child next year.

Baguio is famous for it's beautiful climate. It sits approx. 5,000 feet above sea level and is cool (70s) all year round. We had visited Baguio over 25 years ago and I couldn't believe how much it had grown since then. There are now close to 500,000 people living there. The Ifugao people settled the area (same folks that live in Banaue) and they are notorious for their beautiful weavings. We were able to tour the famous Easter Weaving School which has been in operation since the 1920s. They still use the old looms and can make the most intricate designs. The opeartors feet were dancing over the pedals as they worked the looms. I found it to be very fascinating and we were able to purchase a number of things made from the fabric including neck ties and bags.

Our beloved Area President--Elder Teh and his wife in front of the President of the Philippines Summer Mansion.



Our batch. We're all about to hit our halfway mark. We love and revere these wonderful leadrs who are diligently serving the Lord in various parts of the Philippines. The couples second on the left are currently living in New Zealand and he (Elder Rowe) is our Infield Representative. He services the South Pacific Area and the PHilippines. President Carlos loves him dearly. He has helped with a number of sensitive issues and is our go-between the brethren in Salt Lake and our mission.

The famous Easter Weaving School

The weavers run the ancient shuttles with their feet. It looks like they are dancing over the pedals.



We stayed at the Famous Camp John Hay which was built by the US in the early 1900s and served for many years as a resort for US military personnel and their families stationed in this part of the world. A few years ago the US gave it back to the Philippines and it was sold and reonnovated. It is now a very high class resort. The grounds are exquisite. We loved being pampered. President spent his birthday here and Elder Teh surprised him with a delicious birthday cake. That was so thoughtful and unfortunately we didn't have our camera with us that night at dinner.

Camp John Hay reminds me of a ski lodge in Colorado or Utah. It's really beautiful. The grounds are full of pine trees and beautiful flowers.



One of the highlights of our trip was to see one of beloved returned missionaries, Athena Jose, who lives and works in Baguio. She surprised with this beautiful Baguio woven shawl. It was perfect for the cool nights in Baguio. We love this dear sister and it was wonderful to be able to spend a little time with her!

We stopped at the site for the new Urdeneta Temple. There was a very reverent feeling there. It is going to be a wonderful place for another temple. (That will make three in the PHilippines and much closer for the members living in our mission.) Last year when it was announced we were at church and the people started weeping because it would cut their travel time from 12 hours to 6 and save them a lot of money in transporation costs. The ground hasn't been broken  yet and it will take at least 2 to 3  years to build once the construction begins.

These photos are out of order but I can't seem to manipulate them. Sorry!!!!

Cauayan District Visiting Teaching Conference

Sister Russell and I were the invited guests to speak at the Cauayan District VT Conference. I almost cried when I walked in and saw all the ladies sitting there with crochet hooks busy with projects using recycled palenke bags. (At the Farmer's Markets everyone gives out these thin colored plastic bags to hold  your fruit and veggies.) They come in all colors. Sister Russell figured out how to crochet with them and has been teaching women around the district how to make purses and hats. She had to have crochet hooks sent from home because she can't find the size they need here. She is truly the queen of recycling. Now some of these women are selling their goods. I'm dying to buy some of the purses. They are actually very beautiful and soft.



They had a fashion show featuring some of the beautiful purses and hats they made with recycled materials. The large bag in the middle was made out of juice bags. The yellow and blue bag was made out of SaveMore grocery store bags.



We had fun mingling with the ladies and hope they were able to feel a little inspired from our talks.

November Birthdays

Note: I apologize for the late breaking news. I have been swamped and have gotten way behind in my blog posts.
The month started out with a bang with the three elders who celebrated their birthdays at the Mission Home. (See earlier post.)

Our two wonderful Assistants to the President (Elder Hale and Elder Katoa) celebrated their birthdays, which were two days apart. President fixed them ribs and all the trimmings. It was a delicious way to help them celebrate and to let them know how much we love and appreciate them.

The birthday boys invited Elder Cledera and Elder Crowley (their zone leaders) and Sister Webre and Sister Certicio to join them for dinner. We had to rush it around their evening appointments. These are very hardworking missionaries.

A chocolate ganache cake from Sweet Nothings. Who would have know you could find such luxurious desserts in Cauayan!

 President's birthday was on November 16 while we were at the Mission President's Seminar in Baguio. We first flew to Manila and stayed overnight there before catching the bus with the Area Presidency and the other Mission Presidents from around the Philippines. It just so happened that we were able to gather a lot of President Carlos' relatives that live around Manila. So we had a wonderful birthday gathering complete with lechon (roasted piglet). His mother is still doing well and we enjoyed every minute we had with his great family. Many of his nieces and nephews he hasn't seen in close to 30 years.

President Carlos' sisters and aunt were busy preparing luscious food for his birthday bash!

Notice the large table is covered with banana leaves. That way noone needed a plate, you could eat right off the leaves. Also notice the centerpiece. This was the head of the piglet that was roasted. Everyone fights for the skin because that is crispy and tasty.

President's sister Rosie, who lives in Australia has built this home for her son and his family. There's a nice apartment attached to it for his mom to live in. This is a large buhay kubo that is up on the roof. It was a beautiful day and not very hot!

Some of the gang

The side is a wall of windows which made it hard to take a picture, but this is the best group shot we got for the day. Lots of nieces and nephews and their families came. It was really a lot of fun!

President with his mom, Virginia Carlos

Working with our Sister Missionaries

One of my favorite things to do is to work with our sister missionaries. Sometimes I go observe their weekly planning meetings, other times I sit in on their companionship study or go out and teach with them. I am so very impressed with the amazing young ladies. We have over 30 serving here for 18 months. Out of the 30 only a half dozen are North Americans and the rest of filipinas from other areas of the Philippines. Like our young elders, these sister missionaries put their lives on hold for a year and half. They say goodbye to family, boyfriends and often to their schooling or careers. They approach this work very seriously. They are well organized and work very hard to share their knowledge of Jesus Christ and His gospel to those who are wanting to learn more.

Sister Tabudlong is in the middle or her 12 week New Missionary Training Program. Sister Baladjay is her great trainer. On this day I visited their training study session and was so impressed with how they were doing!

I am so impressed with our sister missionaries.

Jeepneys!

Most filipinos rely on public transportation. If they happen to own a vehicle it is most likely a motorcycle. There are buses going between cities, vans going to nearby cities, trycies (motorcycles with side cars), kuligligs (strange plow things with lawn mower moters used to work on the farms and haul people and stuff, carabao with carts, horses with carts, bikes (although the roads are super rough) and jeepneys.

There are two long benches running from the back to behind the driver. People squeeze in and some even sit in the aisle.

Whoever heard of a Mercedes Benz Jeepney!

Jeepneys are relics left from WWII. They are jeeps that have been decorated and souped up. We have seen close to 30 people in one jeep. The people stuff inside, hold onto the back and many will climb on top. From what I understand the coolest seats are up on the roof. Recently we followed a couple of fully loaded jeepney and I got a few shots of them along the way.

Convenient Meat Markets

Looks like Pigs Head is the Special for the Day (Notice that kitten in the bottom of the picture)

Look at that Face--could you eat him? I think the kitten is getting closer. If you don't like snout you can always buy the feet! (See them next to the face?)

Not sure what other meat items were available that day.

As you drive down the National Highway we often see little impromptu meat markets set up along the rode. On this day we saw one that had a fresh pork (at least that is what they claimed) ready for purchase.

A Very Special Family Visits the Mission Home

One of the first invitations we received when we first came into the mission was for dinner at the home of President and Sister Paguigan from the Angadanan Branch. President Paguigan is the branch president and has been serving there for something like 9 years.
They have three beautiful college-aged daughters and a young tag-a-long son, named A-ron. A-ron is the light of their lives. He's a very talented little boy. At a very young age he started playing the piano for church meetings. He's really quite good! He also plays the drum in his school's marching band. I think he's 10 years old. Anyway, we have invited them numerous times to come to the Mission Home for dinner and games. So finally they were able to fit it into their schedule.
President made pork chops and we couldn't believe how much A-ron ate! After dinner we played Mexican Train. It was a lot of fun and everyone enjoyed it. We love this dedicated and faithful family.

The Paguigan Family and Sister Breese during a rousing game of Mexican Train.