tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81069571563284750672024-03-13T03:44:32.743-07:00Mission in CebuReeds in Cebuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262279042116242953noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8106957156328475067.post-15579378752981496562010-07-21T01:01:00.000-07:002010-07-26T08:24:55.134-07:00There and Back AgainWe were looking for hotel accommodations on the internet for someone recently when we wandered onto a Cebuano website about a tropical rain forest. Hmmm. Most interesting, especially since 95% of the island has been deforested. (Don't panic--there's an ongoing reforestation effort; all may be well eventually.) We had to find this place. What is a tropical rain forest like? What <em>is </em>a tropical rain forest?<br /><br />FYI, A tropical rain forest is usually found within 10 degrees of the equator either way, and Cebu is 12 degrees north. Minimum annual rainfall is between 69 and 79 inches, and the mean temperature is over 64*F. year round. Any forest on Cebu would definitely qualify as a tropical rain forest. In case you have something in mind like a deep dark, movie-set-looking place (The Jungle Book?), it really looks like a regular tropical forest. We walked on a trail the whole time and a machete was only used later in the day, but not to clear the trail.<br /><br />Step one in this investigative adventure was <em>finding</em> the rain forest, which was within walking distance of a village called Catipla up in the mountain range that divides Cebu east to west. It was less than an hours drive from our apartment, so we struck out one Saturday to find out what was what. We wanted to know where the rain forest was, and hopefully hire someone to take us there on another Saturday.<br /><br />All you do if you are interested in something near a village is go find the village barangay captain, who will gladly help you with whatever you need; it's part of his civic duty. In our case, a guide to the rain forest. He invited us to call when we were ready to go and he would be happy to take us.<br />The day of our actual adventure had the barangay captain elsewhere, but true to his word he found a couple of guides to take his place--Richard, a 20-year-old who had been to the cave before, and his 16-year-old cousin who hadn't been before, but was willing. And how about four more friends just because? Great! This is exactly the kind of adventure we like.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzsQM3DkASAgneV7S6pHJWJALra8JsSEQH7nK4HKGX5ljzxCPdqH_3JqZQXC7lM7qPxfaPZSn7GbCNexRDmIT-QMhHjpLcmqBMt0EWFZLRst7vxw8rwcTVY4XmsF8NE0x0lpts-FDoko/s1600/Better+Post+Cave.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497776217354777746" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzsQM3DkASAgneV7S6pHJWJALra8JsSEQH7nK4HKGX5ljzxCPdqH_3JqZQXC7lM7qPxfaPZSn7GbCNexRDmIT-QMhHjpLcmqBMt0EWFZLRst7vxw8rwcTVY4XmsF8NE0x0lpts-FDoko/s400/Better+Post+Cave.jpg" border="0" /></a> As you can see, they're all young and energetic-looking. We thought we were a match for them--oh pain to our egos when they skipped along, romping like mountain goats, never tiring, and had to stop and wait for us as we huffed up the steep hills. Sigh. They were a lot of fun to spend the day with.<br /><br />We headed out into the countryside via a dirt road without any fuss or fanfare. Slippers? (That would be flip flops to you foreigners.) No water bottles? Hmmm. They did come prepared with flashlights though. This ought to be interesting.<br /><br />We were greeted by an amazing flora as we rounded the first bend in the road:<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwS_DSvczLVS-rDqPYNMM0LewdmYXK8qGcZXC4KDQzZZQX6vA3iHsvGf5i4CVd25oNLt-lrI1DoMSVVzie6fu837x_TD38JLPFfbkdy-gOpIboYSAxbVetGEaqITQ24cPvspqp5C2jfIc/s1600/Kevin+Flora.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497780700239470434" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwS_DSvczLVS-rDqPYNMM0LewdmYXK8qGcZXC4KDQzZZQX6vA3iHsvGf5i4CVd25oNLt-lrI1DoMSVVzie6fu837x_TD38JLPFfbkdy-gOpIboYSAxbVetGEaqITQ24cPvspqp5C2jfIc/s400/Kevin+Flora.jpg" border="0" /></a> Of course I had to stop and properly greet it; stroke it, study it a bit; photograph. I don't think our guides had anything like this in mind; "what are they looking at plants for when we've got to do a rain forest, a cave and a lake before dusk?!?"<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAOhlLrHnvTAVb3SNwYkGea_AIngvhYI8KgtBJ_69eCNZ90j4-pBFAih3sh6F3XtQEVTFF5XlvVvQMMesBCfCwWrmOQ6Q5nl57T7f9iPtShrbgeEzoEzvxsAJynH4DsANYjash6czsTw/s1600/Flora+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497774595229018066" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAOhlLrHnvTAVb3SNwYkGea_AIngvhYI8KgtBJ_69eCNZ90j4-pBFAih3sh6F3XtQEVTFF5XlvVvQMMesBCfCwWrmOQ6Q5nl57T7f9iPtShrbgeEzoEzvxsAJynH4DsANYjash6czsTw/s400/Flora+2.jpg" border="0" /></a> The bloom--as big as a cantaloupe.<br /><br />We trooped up hill and down through open countryside for most of an hour:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0drC6DA3Jul01d11aM6FrjfeKQXvLi02ZW7v_6zlFzb4L94OQmcrZ39Alnv8z9Rry07zsKDfzq8lZgBHKH3fO4WsL-dJTzDL4nCDsfZNWRn3RrrX6L4hIStSP25VtIc9gNZdxHxrD-Q/s1600/DSCF0895.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497780689247446674" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0drC6DA3Jul01d11aM6FrjfeKQXvLi02ZW7v_6zlFzb4L94OQmcrZ39Alnv8z9Rry07zsKDfzq8lZgBHKH3fO4WsL-dJTzDL4nCDsfZNWRn3RrrX6L4hIStSP25VtIc9gNZdxHxrD-Q/s400/DSCF0895.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Are we there yet? Is that the rain forest ahead? (Remember, The Jungle Book.) There were old, gnarled trees, plus younger trees that had grown up in the past 20 years. Also, plenty of lush, tropical undergrowth and fabulous rock formations. (Sorry, no pictures of those.)<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0aHlBxhBVMyGd1iQV-IXFigXGzNBg03GjS9PN44ZDfr7KBdmJVoyeXb60WJKCLnv9vyktd-t7RIADXbJG6uU0b9UT9FlU3jGCatInxo0co4KM7SwCoHyjYDDNkRPqy8QAl8fuisIY2U/s1600/Rain+Forest.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497788429964437394" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0aHlBxhBVMyGd1iQV-IXFigXGzNBg03GjS9PN44ZDfr7KBdmJVoyeXb60WJKCLnv9vyktd-t7RIADXbJG6uU0b9UT9FlU3jGCatInxo0co4KM7SwCoHyjYDDNkRPqy8QAl8fuisIY2U/s400/Rain+Forest.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9fHJG0UO0iyarnWQjo_xxrv-cane7EpgnsxxNvKiPiMU7YDMjVfc0Zgq9iwNUrzyZKN_CZDIHJh-vaciULTuuHct1ZrFNNTDxvf0CA5W1EzgJvwpBDDM0kNqW4x0ZqsYTEs1jLAEm3c/s1600/Girl+Guide+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497774627274710626" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9fHJG0UO0iyarnWQjo_xxrv-cane7EpgnsxxNvKiPiMU7YDMjVfc0Zgq9iwNUrzyZKN_CZDIHJh-vaciULTuuHct1ZrFNNTDxvf0CA5W1EzgJvwpBDDM0kNqW4x0ZqsYTEs1jLAEm3c/s400/Girl+Guide+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The girls that came along were bright and happy and cute. Sadly enough for me, they didn't think they knew much English so they mostly talked to each other. I would have liked to have known more about their lives--their thoughts--their dreams.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmPQjo7wvkuIK4APdkq71XYRr5qH1XDYiqLDolK3ni51NZGzOdxJ5G9_YbCP6Q6g4kHBHLF1aHmpF__-SnE8lpz7u-E7yM0a9h21wfOYzXEObfakVSk3H9BqWyohQkrRvJOPvU3G1pCI/s1600/Girl+Guide.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497774619310056514" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmPQjo7wvkuIK4APdkq71XYRr5qH1XDYiqLDolK3ni51NZGzOdxJ5G9_YbCP6Q6g4kHBHLF1aHmpF__-SnE8lpz7u-E7yM0a9h21wfOYzXEObfakVSk3H9BqWyohQkrRvJOPvU3G1pCI/s400/Girl+Guide.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br />The <em>did</em> like having their picture taken!<br /><br /><div>In spite of the language barrier (not as bad as they thought it was) they acted very excited to be the experts, guiding two foreigners through their territory, yet shy at the same time. When we stopped to catch our breath I'd ask them questions and they'd giggle and give a short answer. Rats! I remember feeling that way when I was growing up; wanting to talk to adults but not knowing exactly what to say. I know you can't believe that now.</div><br /><div>When the forest was deep and thick, we came to an opening in the ground--our cave. This was obviously not just a dished out spot, but a real cave. Here were our greeters:<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg334IOA6DNrG9YzjfN2Xvdim2_mmR9qlDpVl7NCcgWK_LnhN6tbaJ-3JTEXR7yxYFdE9VhEMXzOsN4aNfz4jHwOCzFp60G2Xozun0gxWBR0KfoHYiCrrSwtCI3HBQrKJQD3sjFR4zoKSo/s1600/Cave+Greeters.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497776234542733810" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg334IOA6DNrG9YzjfN2Xvdim2_mmR9qlDpVl7NCcgWK_LnhN6tbaJ-3JTEXR7yxYFdE9VhEMXzOsN4aNfz4jHwOCzFp60G2Xozun0gxWBR0KfoHYiCrrSwtCI3HBQrKJQD3sjFR4zoKSo/s400/Cave+Greeters.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We didn't know if this was one "room", or what, just that as soon as we were inside the flashlights came out and what a relief to be down in the cool earth.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignseSxrm6b3i6EITzhMlUPtwviK-Oye0jannx8qzeCKrxukuk7gxumZ1qLWaPxShgRHhHjXiCxlCjNr6Gqf8f6wMy77GNkZKKBDJicdAqvaVj4-xbCYHJHL8ccoFPrTkZoiv4TWU6M8w/s1600/Walking+normal.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497788956174957634" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignseSxrm6b3i6EITzhMlUPtwviK-Oye0jannx8qzeCKrxukuk7gxumZ1qLWaPxShgRHhHjXiCxlCjNr6Gqf8f6wMy77GNkZKKBDJicdAqvaVj4-xbCYHJHL8ccoFPrTkZoiv4TWU6M8w/s400/Walking+normal.jpg" border="0" /></a> That would be cool--literally and figuratively. Most plant people like rocks as well, me included. Oh this was a great spot to spend some time! There were very excellent ancient formations rising from the bottom and hanging from the top:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2vsN7skR6nIBr30a9PjPn9N4rrLyO82_bdRGi062IP2cBDeCApbtZoI7HvLn1b1tL-2bLFV3QhAdtdt6fZ0uxZXERDGmQJEsu2KhCMjr4ylbOqVJ4Et1F_edcY2mC2G_Qnm82c6Lx5w/s1600/Stalagtites+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497788444541901682" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2vsN7skR6nIBr30a9PjPn9N4rrLyO82_bdRGi062IP2cBDeCApbtZoI7HvLn1b1tL-2bLFV3QhAdtdt6fZ0uxZXERDGmQJEsu2KhCMjr4ylbOqVJ4Et1F_edcY2mC2G_Qnm82c6Lx5w/s400/Stalagtites+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5lg0Fnho7OsBtn5FWIxMrQEepf0FOdv0_0pyD3ZCCtSUbJHSh2aaWK-d4UPHPLIz-ZKVyMg6GdNEWHHg2V5PCzFxJB7zCKWavEMcFrzsWQkK_JN4veX1vGRU0O8FxjT2lq3UQg7WNpo/s1600/Stalagtites.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497788449885888514" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5lg0Fnho7OsBtn5FWIxMrQEepf0FOdv0_0pyD3ZCCtSUbJHSh2aaWK-d4UPHPLIz-ZKVyMg6GdNEWHHg2V5PCzFxJB7zCKWavEMcFrzsWQkK_JN4veX1vGRU0O8FxjT2lq3UQg7WNpo/s400/Stalagtites.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />and bats!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSx26SJvWZorhXurKtEYvaCPRmCiHImiqSi_mc0V33wBBHLWZ0HHxbTGv7W0y0nz40lhZxMPq65AfAfuM8MHbIavtPFE7k2Rq7JX2Vb3iL5ECkvgVXG_L95_OgKQN8kuqJhAItXIp3LY/s1600/Bat+Buddy+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497776203115982306" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 268px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSx26SJvWZorhXurKtEYvaCPRmCiHImiqSi_mc0V33wBBHLWZ0HHxbTGv7W0y0nz40lhZxMPq65AfAfuM8MHbIavtPFE7k2Rq7JX2Vb3iL5ECkvgVXG_L95_OgKQN8kuqJhAItXIp3LY/s400/Bat+Buddy+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I guess you know my day was made. We heard their clicking more than saw them--capturing their image was tricky. They swooped at our heads, I'm sure out of curiosity. We had invaded their territory and awakened them after all.<br /><br />Cave venturing was where I was most curious to see how our guides would do in their slippers. Now mind you, we stopped and took pictures at the scenic, convenient places, but there were some places we were too busy paying attention to our movements to take pictures.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiLgsDk9G_noEyYYZqbRhX0R9OL0TubjTRo2hbnzO8eU7nOGdMLE_cJt3Gb3QManeuY8e_keNo43wl_7eE6TSxJoNPA6luJkMuRNIeQ4cAHuZa1P8Sb6DXaolI9YxsYs6wiHkBv-tGqo/s1600/Crawling+in+Cave.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497794652069379122" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiLgsDk9G_noEyYYZqbRhX0R9OL0TubjTRo2hbnzO8eU7nOGdMLE_cJt3Gb3QManeuY8e_keNo43wl_7eE6TSxJoNPA6luJkMuRNIeQ4cAHuZa1P8Sb6DXaolI9YxsYs6wiHkBv-tGqo/s400/Crawling+in+Cave.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Okay, most of us were too busy to take pictures. And what about the gorges? I didn't look down into the bottom of them; just knew that if we didn't jump successfully it would be a wrecked outing. Kevin and I had sturdy light hikers on--grippy soles, etc. I think the kids did it as easily in their slippers as we in our hiking shoes. Now that's a marvel!<br /><br />Finally it was time to go. We had traversed the deep dark crevasses and crawled through the small openings and walked with bats swooping and chirping at us. We had tested the echoability of the chambers--talked--laughed. What a <em>great outing.</em><br /><em></em><div></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPkE3BtDJEYyj6XvY2Cta2kVAzkt5TSra7IuG8OFtoJW_7YWtIb13Mcw5VWCxwng5jsWGa-6QKTln58FnMClxOAXzDSvEL-a_xroBANj_TQfe6hK0CU0urSCCsJvskrqiKWuKryfznl0/s1600/All+Cave+Walkers.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497774639443703986" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPkE3BtDJEYyj6XvY2Cta2kVAzkt5TSra7IuG8OFtoJW_7YWtIb13Mcw5VWCxwng5jsWGa-6QKTln58FnMClxOAXzDSvEL-a_xroBANj_TQfe6hK0CU0urSCCsJvskrqiKWuKryfznl0/s400/All+Cave+Walkers.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Our last cave shots--Kevin loves stretching his arm out there and getting everyone in. Sometimes he's too busy making the shot to make the smile. I know <em>I </em>can't do both.<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWOoWNZW8qseLiM3LbYKAw6_Nye1sFC9i8RuRSWXRZGRVXAZfiRZhnS7gDf6euuCcAviEwRaP8mJ_uZdtcOiDGNEWpIqyISTJAFBpduCcF4WkeagGkEjB8tQxKlfUC1QCu-sKaZVARbc/s1600/Cave+Walkers.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497799356573396674" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWOoWNZW8qseLiM3LbYKAw6_Nye1sFC9i8RuRSWXRZGRVXAZfiRZhnS7gDf6euuCcAviEwRaP8mJ_uZdtcOiDGNEWpIqyISTJAFBpduCcF4WkeagGkEjB8tQxKlfUC1QCu-sKaZVARbc/s400/Cave+Walkers.jpg" border="0" /></a> Our guides seemed disappointed that we thought we should turn back (it was 3:30ish and it's dark by 6:00) instead of hiking on to the lake. Maybe another time...<br /><br />It turned out our adventure wasn't over yet though, and this next experience was completely not-American-and-richly-Philippine. I think we could have similar experiences to our cave hike in the states, but not what was yet to come.<br /><br />We walked along on a trail through several farmlets until Richard stopped at a hut and came out with a machete. Then he proceeded to climb a coconut tree. Wow! I mean <em>wow</em>, not so much out of excitement, but wow in great respect for his physical prowess. Granted, there were notches going up the tree, but still, to be able to climb it, harvest coconuts (one for each of us) and get back down without even being winded or falling or getting scraped was impressive. <em>Man</em> I sound old!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXnLuIrJfo1o-boVVGBAjbp9DmrhmoH3bVsb-o70t0QNCjqczeL-Wlmmf1TScQRcc4A_uuQpOkV2lUJtIXrVAsZhhVyg7WY1_cFFzmiTQHD26BeeBzloX-79OvRLYFU4o1ynjVgeMLQ0/s1600/Tree+Climber.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497799390770577138" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXnLuIrJfo1o-boVVGBAjbp9DmrhmoH3bVsb-o70t0QNCjqczeL-Wlmmf1TScQRcc4A_uuQpOkV2lUJtIXrVAsZhhVyg7WY1_cFFzmiTQHD26BeeBzloX-79OvRLYFU4o1ynjVgeMLQ0/s400/Tree+Climber.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />(Sorry--look sideways for a minute.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3alKl9x73Ed5i0BgP7MZkVpmcvdO9cZNOXjRcMkX6JMCv15iIJ4QGwZMbvozAc7p-Eh9iiNUaSkhnKmMcZfYcoTx0d69EWmu_aWE0L4zbS_f76WQ2ckXOD_2oDAuq1xspTfhi6MtT_6E/s1600/Tree+Climber+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497799373393767154" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3alKl9x73Ed5i0BgP7MZkVpmcvdO9cZNOXjRcMkX6JMCv15iIJ4QGwZMbvozAc7p-Eh9iiNUaSkhnKmMcZfYcoTx0d69EWmu_aWE0L4zbS_f76WQ2ckXOD_2oDAuq1xspTfhi6MtT_6E/s400/Tree+Climber+3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvSLEJvctPqIYzCW7wZcSk42soOqRoSPSmUvVySngEiVXpcBjJmAB1JEI17GFhOWPBXWuNvAJTFqLWSgSNKgLQaoSX-5lQW-MBOwq1Yyzf5ZwFBm-N9MHdVFbEegtWoJD9rBdAY9vyn0/s1600/Cooconuts.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497799362481761506" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvSLEJvctPqIYzCW7wZcSk42soOqRoSPSmUvVySngEiVXpcBjJmAB1JEI17GFhOWPBXWuNvAJTFqLWSgSNKgLQaoSX-5lQW-MBOwq1Yyzf5ZwFBm-N9MHdVFbEegtWoJD9rBdAY9vyn0/s400/Cooconuts.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />It was very entertaining...<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsttFUUqgRkJXL1t3O1vW-g1Zn3ghUSeWUpGmyilAvsbhXWohvLM8SFia9dPJhClATTVn0kmOmkd6yt7To-4w-5Jmybog2LJPCJbonSj_p1RWyXDeSG1Xa2I1NWRDxXuchs0exDkPshs/s1600/Viewing+the+Tree+Climber.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497788949074663746" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsttFUUqgRkJXL1t3O1vW-g1Zn3ghUSeWUpGmyilAvsbhXWohvLM8SFia9dPJhClATTVn0kmOmkd6yt7To-4w-5Jmybog2LJPCJbonSj_p1RWyXDeSG1Xa2I1NWRDxXuchs0exDkPshs/s400/Viewing+the+Tree+Climber.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Back on the ground he proceeded to cut the tops off so we could drink the buko juice.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58lj4xL_AeOx4RKKXoBq8Vsl9N_ecHWU4PuKabndIpnXu-YIIzFj405D8Wc4ekBp4pIZI_G94SS11fQsnD9nVPPzUxekqYmJ3uruFw83xwm-PeiQ6qMIOFXc0L6BF6YuNX-RAG1BcKY4/s1600/Machete+the+coconute.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497780710911161458" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58lj4xL_AeOx4RKKXoBq8Vsl9N_ecHWU4PuKabndIpnXu-YIIzFj405D8Wc4ekBp4pIZI_G94SS11fQsnD9nVPPzUxekqYmJ3uruFw83xwm-PeiQ6qMIOFXc0L6BF6YuNX-RAG1BcKY4/s400/Machete+the+coconute.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Now</em> I know how they can go for an all-afternoon hike and not carry a water bottle!<br /><br />While he was preparing our refreshments I asked him how old he was when he first started using a machete. "About five".<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSodjXrFQ9D1Op016SBAvKjPnWpBSWmK9NguINP2UGgPsGR_Q9qN5uLvgCSDIf1aRGJs9PARkx1UI4WmioSvjXQR54kiQ-YpQLMNOnNWAWmpHeILRoYGvclt1SmjypYpcz79tDCu_9IE/s1600/Quench+your+Thirst.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497788421965152994" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 269px; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSodjXrFQ9D1Op016SBAvKjPnWpBSWmK9NguINP2UGgPsGR_Q9qN5uLvgCSDIf1aRGJs9PARkx1UI4WmioSvjXQR54kiQ-YpQLMNOnNWAWmpHeILRoYGvclt1SmjypYpcz79tDCu_9IE/s400/Quench+your+Thirst.jpg" border="0" /></a> Fresh buko juice is very delicious and refreshing.<br /><a></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LN18RdJJvjqYhET1UfByq9y1Rm5A6StHf8sFghECCPLzyKl09xXW1znkXkSfjsscfm_m7wUYzLChRh-aI-DOBYNGCaAr8SRFVm705MlvW2LHYD1x-D9qPgwBI2SvX4oia7p0Uyf8hAo/s1600/Sweet+but+not+sticky.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497788921243084658" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LN18RdJJvjqYhET1UfByq9y1Rm5A6StHf8sFghECCPLzyKl09xXW1znkXkSfjsscfm_m7wUYzLChRh-aI-DOBYNGCaAr8SRFVm705MlvW2LHYD1x-D9qPgwBI2SvX4oia7p0Uyf8hAo/s400/Sweet+but+not+sticky.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />It's sweet, but not sticky; how can that be?<br /><br />That wasn't the end of the refreshments though. More fine machete work -- a spoon created and we dug out the fresh coconut. Mmmm.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4sSe49aXdNPE8fURBu0YmLlMfpgCcWHRJlUsCcCODyCaddgVUMRZ2OZ1Qq5J9ZH-HY7w-anWtKMcTmTBFIZAW5LCD3Gv2txs1dvHDwyRbjBmXVEd4-_CqDHIU48laaJvilyJjv5woSM/s1600/Tastey!.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497788929034056130" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 268px; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4sSe49aXdNPE8fURBu0YmLlMfpgCcWHRJlUsCcCODyCaddgVUMRZ2OZ1Qq5J9ZH-HY7w-anWtKMcTmTBFIZAW5LCD3Gv2txs1dvHDwyRbjBmXVEd4-_CqDHIU48laaJvilyJjv5woSM/s400/Tastey!.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The finest hiking energy snack ever!<br /><br /><adiv href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnaZYyST8k1moVAyoxe3zpbUrJbpD88504hQprVZPzXpkES23fEJKjcOqM2W3j-cz_Pk9Cn4z8fmi5X1y2ouLGE6fTneUwfDpbBfnBvSQfTPwQdr1eWexSwwSU4RbAFHmvhu7XZgJxfI/s1600/Refreshed+%26+ready+to+go+again.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497788436401305330" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnaZYyST8k1moVAyoxe3zpbUrJbpD88504hQprVZPzXpkES23fEJKjcOqM2W3j-cz_Pk9Cn4z8fmi5X1y2ouLGE6fTneUwfDpbBfnBvSQfTPwQdr1eWexSwwSU4RbAFHmvhu7XZgJxfI/s400/Refreshed+%26+ready+to+go+again.jpg" border="0" /> </adiv></p><br /><div href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnaZYyST8k1moVAyoxe3zpbUrJbpD88504hQprVZPzXpkES23fEJKjcOqM2W3j-cz_Pk9Cn4z8fmi5X1y2ouLGE6fTneUwfDpbBfnBvSQfTPwQdr1eWexSwwSU4RbAFHmvhu7XZgJxfI/s1600/Refreshed+%26+ready+to+go+again.jpg">Geologists, this is your only rock formation picture other than the cave. Thinking of our beloved Idaho basalt, this was pretty familiar, but oh so rough! You'd leave skin on the rocks for sure here.</div><div href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnaZYyST8k1moVAyoxe3zpbUrJbpD88504hQprVZPzXpkES23fEJKjcOqM2W3j-cz_Pk9Cn4z8fmi5X1y2ouLGE6fTneUwfDpbBfnBvSQfTPwQdr1eWexSwwSU4RbAFHmvhu7XZgJxfI/s1600/Refreshed+%26+ready+to+go+again.jpg"></div><div href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnaZYyST8k1moVAyoxe3zpbUrJbpD88504hQprVZPzXpkES23fEJKjcOqM2W3j-cz_Pk9Cn4z8fmi5X1y2ouLGE6fTneUwfDpbBfnBvSQfTPwQdr1eWexSwwSU4RbAFHmvhu7XZgJxfI/s1600/Refreshed+%26+ready+to+go+again.jpg"><br />The drive home is satisfying after a good outing. We paid the kids for their time with us--probably an outrageous amount for them, but for us it was a great deal. A foreigner would never be able to go where we went without a guide. This was definitely a Philippine memory treasure.</div><div href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnaZYyST8k1moVAyoxe3zpbUrJbpD88504hQprVZPzXpkES23fEJKjcOqM2W3j-cz_Pk9Cn4z8fmi5X1y2ouLGE6fTneUwfDpbBfnBvSQfTPwQdr1eWexSwwSU4RbAFHmvhu7XZgJxfI/s1600/Refreshed+%26+ready+to+go+again.jpg"></div><div href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnaZYyST8k1moVAyoxe3zpbUrJbpD88504hQprVZPzXpkES23fEJKjcOqM2W3j-cz_Pk9Cn4z8fmi5X1y2ouLGE6fTneUwfDpbBfnBvSQfTPwQdr1eWexSwwSU4RbAFHmvhu7XZgJxfI/s1600/Refreshed+%26+ready+to+go+again.jpg"></div><div href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnaZYyST8k1moVAyoxe3zpbUrJbpD88504hQprVZPzXpkES23fEJKjcOqM2W3j-cz_Pk9Cn4z8fmi5X1y2ouLGE6fTneUwfDpbBfnBvSQfTPwQdr1eWexSwwSU4RbAFHmvhu7XZgJxfI/s1600/Refreshed+%26+ready+to+go+again.jpg">See you in the next adventure!</div><div href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnaZYyST8k1moVAyoxe3zpbUrJbpD88504hQprVZPzXpkES23fEJKjcOqM2W3j-cz_Pk9Cn4z8fmi5X1y2ouLGE6fTneUwfDpbBfnBvSQfTPwQdr1eWexSwwSU4RbAFHmvhu7XZgJxfI/s1600/Refreshed+%26+ready+to+go+again.jpg"></div><div href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnaZYyST8k1moVAyoxe3zpbUrJbpD88504hQprVZPzXpkES23fEJKjcOqM2W3j-cz_Pk9Cn4z8fmi5X1y2ouLGE6fTneUwfDpbBfnBvSQfTPwQdr1eWexSwwSU4RbAFHmvhu7XZgJxfI/s1600/Refreshed+%26+ready+to+go+again.jpg"></div><div href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnaZYyST8k1moVAyoxe3zpbUrJbpD88504hQprVZPzXpkES23fEJKjcOqM2W3j-cz_Pk9Cn4z8fmi5X1y2ouLGE6fTneUwfDpbBfnBvSQfTPwQdr1eWexSwwSU4RbAFHmvhu7XZgJxfI/s1600/Refreshed+%26+ready+to+go+again.jpg">Kevin & Ann</div><div href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnaZYyST8k1moVAyoxe3zpbUrJbpD88504hQprVZPzXpkES23fEJKjcOqM2W3j-cz_Pk9Cn4z8fmi5X1y2ouLGE6fTneUwfDpbBfnBvSQfTPwQdr1eWexSwwSU4RbAFHmvhu7XZgJxfI/s1600/Refreshed+%26+ready+to+go+again.jpg">aka Elder & Sister Reed<br /><br /></div>Reeds in Cebuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262279042116242953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8106957156328475067.post-71204945232518423402010-07-03T20:32:00.000-07:002010-07-04T05:55:19.969-07:00The Silence Has Been Broken<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJk6Jvsi_uyPP5nuEPYvfIwpfXkdHL-nRFNqW2yZ__nscS0U9SFzKdYVdFxajSQfWRCZwrmL0z_A0EbC2N17JF1BtXgWtCjsCAfriJHYrV5z7Em-AnIMhNunYSDD_VSWt54hGONkgYWs/s1600/Remember+us.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489899732003044754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJk6Jvsi_uyPP5nuEPYvfIwpfXkdHL-nRFNqW2yZ__nscS0U9SFzKdYVdFxajSQfWRCZwrmL0z_A0EbC2N17JF1BtXgWtCjsCAfriJHYrV5z7Em-AnIMhNunYSDD_VSWt54hGONkgYWs/s400/Remember+us.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Hi! Remember us? The two senior missionaries who used to blog on a somewhat regular basis? Yeah. We’re still alive, still serving, still thinking of you. It’s been since mid-March—I’ve been trying to piece together what’s kept us so occupied. Part of it is a blur and part of it follows.<br /><br />It’s Sunday Morning; we’re up and dressed and into the day of peace and rest. Kevin’s upstairs studying the Sunday School lesson and I am here reconnecting with you dear ones. Most of our Sundays for the last 3½ months have been peaceful, but more recovery than rest. Rest is to be actively engaged in a different way than the labors of the week. Recovery has often been much needed sleep. Oh we could get up and moving on Sunday mornings, but we inevitably found ourselves returning to sleep until it was time for our 1:30 church schedule. This is my first opportunity in all this time to sit quietly and compose my thoughts. I haven’t been busy all this time, but haven’t had any mental room or physical strength to put words to our experiences. Life is so interesting.<br /><br />I’ve been thinking about writing this blog for a couple of weeks now—hoping that things would actually simmer down as I got caught up on the pressing details of my mission assignment, plus have sufficient brain space to settle in to the business of writing. What does one say after so long?<br /><br />There <em>is</em> an upside to this long blog silence. You didn’t have to experience another Cebuano summer with us, sweat drop by sweat drop. Remember how whiney we were last March through May? We weathered those hot, humid months much better this year; much less whining. Kevin is grateful; he was hot but I did most of the whining. This isn’t a Philippine thing—I think sticky weather could be editorialized on in many U.S. locations. Blissfully, we live in the west. This I know: I am a bona fide desert creature. Maybe I’ll feel differently when we return home and I wake up one day looking 10 years older because my skin is no longer being plumped by the moist air. Oh <em>well!<br /></em><br />Happy 4th of July to all of you! We took our neighbors, Elder & Sister Byram to our beloved Museo Sugbo yesterday afternoon and experienced again the American history of the Philippines. For whatever we can contribute to freedom, we are grateful. We treasure freedom for <em>everyone</em>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1OJ4E0w1noRHxduAUsMKNnIxHpCIxaQMieQSV7fhOniD74WPEwdD-Jt-sgWesx7KNcNcXeq4DyeBpYwdq-xR1St0G0YqPPQtCfZXyPrynfe11gu-vEsZIHpjlle832EfyU9hT3Hwmkg/s1600/Reed+Byrams.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490011921935619362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1OJ4E0w1noRHxduAUsMKNnIxHpCIxaQMieQSV7fhOniD74WPEwdD-Jt-sgWesx7KNcNcXeq4DyeBpYwdq-xR1St0G0YqPPQtCfZXyPrynfe11gu-vEsZIHpjlle832EfyU9hT3Hwmkg/s400/Reed+Byrams.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Reeds & Byrams – Museo Sugbo, Cebu City. The Byrams are from Rigby. Elder Byram is the 2nd Counselor in the temple presidency. I feels like we've known them a long time.<br /><br />Practically speaking, July means the rainy season is with us. There is a slight drop in temperature and more cloudy days than during March, April and May, and of course rain like the shower's been turned on. This is a phenomenon that still impresses me. If I hear “the shower on”, I stop and watch, or better yet, go outside or at least open a window. We had a magnificent lightening storm this week—our own 4th of July fireworks. The island has all but lost its dry, brownishness due to not much rain since March; all the fernlets growing out of the coral walls in our walking neighborhood are springing to life again. I never thought I’d be glad for overcast days, but they make the weather more bearable here; clear, cloudless days are like being under a magnifying glass. </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">Today we awoke to some of God’s finest art in the heavens; clouds and a sunrise that are only found in a coastal setting. Check this out, especially the clouds close to the horizon:<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8FfzY14H2-hq75M-0ZvZf7q0Yaj2hos8Rs7BiDebQAbxMp1Dp3crFl0I4mt6JwTmIm6gbwR99gsj8mmHlcZkgJs3LYB7DrbU4PPrxSA1glF1ohI9qflYBPbE68UXayaEA6p5D1aX3dE/s1600/July+1,+2010+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490007084467784658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8FfzY14H2-hq75M-0ZvZf7q0Yaj2hos8Rs7BiDebQAbxMp1Dp3crFl0I4mt6JwTmIm6gbwR99gsj8mmHlcZkgJs3LYB7DrbU4PPrxSA1glF1ohI9qflYBPbE68UXayaEA6p5D1aX3dE/s400/July+1,+2010+010.jpg" border="0" /> </a><br />Good Morning Cebu<br /><br />By now you’ve read all the inspiring reports of the Cebu City temple open house and dedication. A season like the last 6 weeks will never happen here again, for now the temple is functioning in its real purpose. Temple open houses have occurred since the Salt Lake Temple was preparing to be dedicated. What a glorious, spirit-filled time this has been for this whole area!!<br /><br />We were in on the Boise temple open house and dedication 30 years ago, but admittedly were busy young parents with our focus on our little children. We left all the planning and preparation to others, folks probably more our present age. Oh we were very excited to have a temple in Boise—had our own little family service projects to contribute to the building fund—attended the open house, and even sang in the dedication choir. However, another 25 years of living and maturing and growing in spirit has made this experience rich almost to defy words. Our testimonies of the purpose of temples made us more eager to see this project through. Not that it was really <em>our</em> project; for most of it we just watched the 900+ construction workers at any given time come and go and perform their labors as the temple, patron house and stake center came into being.<br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57UpltNZHxxmJX2abWG3ZxZ6Toyun90s6Q9OS6Or7qAprDTYKkf5Wgl5csa2-oeKrHWiNVWeGt6leepX0KQDzSKaJybroeTxZsTUGqagDZIzF5sx8kEET81jCIEccIQEBPd246V60_Sw/s1600/Construction+picts1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489894329560348530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57UpltNZHxxmJX2abWG3ZxZ6Toyun90s6Q9OS6Or7qAprDTYKkf5Wgl5csa2-oeKrHWiNVWeGt6leepX0KQDzSKaJybroeTxZsTUGqagDZIzF5sx8kEET81jCIEccIQEBPd246V60_Sw/s400/Construction+picts1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />One of our visits to the temple site. We could only be on the site with permission and a hard hat.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69llDzN41ssfhoZiq4jXEOe9UX9rRCWoNsb7oiSf6QhXddkMH5pH98OvvwaMMBUSG5MQMmwiniT9ULSNu4zLAKASeg8l7iTLlcj0Jg88x_NMY5YvSzrjv7GQLPskDvATFVdKY02LaHbI/s1600/Construction+picts+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489894337530910914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69llDzN41ssfhoZiq4jXEOe9UX9rRCWoNsb7oiSf6QhXddkMH5pH98OvvwaMMBUSG5MQMmwiniT9ULSNu4zLAKASeg8l7iTLlcj0Jg88x_NMY5YvSzrjv7GQLPskDvATFVdKY02LaHbI/s400/Construction+picts+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The building on the right is the Patron Housewhere our office is located now. Where exactly are those 900 workers? It’s probably the end of the day…<br /><br />Finally it was done. Or maybe I should say, done enough. There were a few significant unknowns in the whole project that interrupted the schedule significantly. We’re not talking about an erector set project you know.<br /><br />For example, the 11-acre complex has its own water purification system that reclaims all the drainage water, cleans it and recirculates it in the many toilets. I know our favorite engineers would<em> love</em> to see the inner workings of this place!<br /><br />Unknown to everyone involved in the construction, there were WW II tunnels built by the Cebuanos and taken over by the Japanese throughout the property that had to be filled in for stability purposes. Oh they were down a good way--12 meters down, but still had to be filled in. This was temple construction standard after all. They drilled down till they found an open pocket, then pumped in cement--20+ truckloads of cement in all. This delayed construction for months. How would you like to have been the one answering everyone's "when" questions?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4pvD9tfEEF0HE_RJRLFPvlFRbYxJ9UO4gsenY5Mp74gyCKAvc8DuoNLztg2TTdqw7atx5tyVc7t12unNK44l_3KnD5AxGBzzAWkbJvuc4qcodVLXvjUAoqYPlMKCDM8pQO5LAtLoTLs/s1600/Night+Temple.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489897220035566914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4pvD9tfEEF0HE_RJRLFPvlFRbYxJ9UO4gsenY5Mp74gyCKAvc8DuoNLztg2TTdqw7atx5tyVc7t12unNK44l_3KnD5AxGBzzAWkbJvuc4qcodVLXvjUAoqYPlMKCDM8pQO5LAtLoTLs/s400/Night+Temple.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Very photogenic, wouldn’t you say?<br /><br />"Done enough" allowed the series of open houses to begin the middle of May beginning with one for construction workers. We gladly helped on this special day and thanked the guests who came through for their contribution to the temple’s completion. It is <em>so beautiful</em>. Completely worthy to be dedicated as the house of the Lord.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7OhsTO19JA8Q6oAn4dbzfj4WLLlDZRcVxZbAoIGxc9TfkKb12touMD-EZDXTmdg17iSdDS1iGE3WlPsm5FZrO85b2neautMn1O8jobk8AaLJN5zrtzoVuq_nAqQgvNvpEogmbW47rRQ/s1600/House+of+the+Lord.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489894355032006450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7OhsTO19JA8Q6oAn4dbzfj4WLLlDZRcVxZbAoIGxc9TfkKb12touMD-EZDXTmdg17iSdDS1iGE3WlPsm5FZrO85b2neautMn1O8jobk8AaLJN5zrtzoVuq_nAqQgvNvpEogmbW47rRQ/s400/House+of+the+Lord.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Then there were more days of planning and preparing, cleaning and finishing, and it was time for the VIP open houses.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWpbFrI_8omDharZBWTIj_zb3gLx8Z_7IxtbqMp3acBx1lhEL9BbF_OPQ4EKWwzdbjb_IuakQ1hkE8vAlzMBNIp4oMImyBj_d9Tbuqu56toy-uRfRr_ulD0hRm-i2b701RRHh_S90oFs/s1600/Sisters+Open+House+Prep.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489899709796715266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWpbFrI_8omDharZBWTIj_zb3gLx8Z_7IxtbqMp3acBx1lhEL9BbF_OPQ4EKWwzdbjb_IuakQ1hkE8vAlzMBNIp4oMImyBj_d9Tbuqu56toy-uRfRr_ulD0hRm-i2b701RRHh_S90oFs/s400/Sisters+Open+House+Prep.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />All the sister missionaries were brought into Cebu to help with the open house. Oh they are lovely women and added a gracious, gentle spirit to the proceedings!<br /><br />The whole purpose of temple open houses is not to proselyte, but to give families understanding for why parents spend time there, and why live clean, worthy lives. They are also an opportunity to strengthen relationships in the community and create good will. </p><p>Amazingly, we had ample opportunity to help bring this goal to pass through the associations we have developed in the last 16 months, mostly through our morning walks. You know about Beverly Hills Subdivision (see previous posts). Through these walking associations we were able to share the temple with the Philippine ambassador to China, a furniture manufacturer who has stores spread all over the Philippines and China and employs 2000 people, and a merchant who heads a foundation promoting Chinese education in Cebu. These notables surprised even us, but more closer to our hearts, sharing the temple with Kaikai, Romy, Eduardo & Rosie’s family and Ron & Eva meant a lot to us.<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaL74O2lXMZdhxDnREjktPI97nekKLIDgmxq9RoOF9037ZKJYpgu5puPyZMqeehipN2I0HxBCqXzC3syP9DPSC-PE7i5VMiWEdQLRh92cdWxDY99hJXB07wS0HJ3DkmaJnckriizK4m18/s1600/Rosie's+Family.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490011926280560914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaL74O2lXMZdhxDnREjktPI97nekKLIDgmxq9RoOF9037ZKJYpgu5puPyZMqeehipN2I0HxBCqXzC3syP9DPSC-PE7i5VMiWEdQLRh92cdWxDY99hJXB07wS0HJ3DkmaJnckriizK4m18/s400/Rosie's+Family.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Rosie (next to me) is one of our walking buddies. She and Arnold brought their two children, along with her mother, 2 sisters and niece.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sgA4fbt6GpG8OZCa30qWX9ac5UcFul-224uRBww0UNhOCoEHzl9oUDh8MxXWzY-LuZi8og88UBJ2y3tDbuhzN-KhNCelYVl1gGvmcWpHFhA2OHilWME5C2UBpN5X6KIzrg20rSEsHeg/s1600/Walkers.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489899724285900706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sgA4fbt6GpG8OZCa30qWX9ac5UcFul-224uRBww0UNhOCoEHzl9oUDh8MxXWzY-LuZi8og88UBJ2y3tDbuhzN-KhNCelYVl1gGvmcWpHFhA2OHilWME5C2UBpN5X6KIzrg20rSEsHeg/s400/Walkers.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The Daily Walkers – You already know Kaikai; Romy Batucan is in the brown shirt. We keep talking about when, not if they come to see us in Boise.<br /><br />You never know whose path the Lord will place you in. I know he is mindful of all his children, everywhere.<br /><br />Beyond our own little scope, the open house was a fabulous success. The media was gracious beyond “our American media imagination” about this “Mormon temple” and gave the open house very nice coverage. No snottiness, sarcasm, cutting jabs—just gracious reporting of what they experienced. It was so refreshing! It was easy to extend invitations to all kinds of people we met in passing, and almost to our surprise, they came. All in all 45,000 people toured the temple in that 3 week span. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAyh0miqnaBQoCR5eB098uFQyh5VW1CpHw-0nNfFEehKD4BrZiZ9UHS_Byf2JY6dLB4EYYxPvGp9Ew466LhYCNWF-OUiVH5rnQQwNCwQxQI53f0JJx77QNt7ni98Ly3Ft1gHO5VSNhkk/s1600/Temple+Open+House.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490026193420137330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAyh0miqnaBQoCR5eB098uFQyh5VW1CpHw-0nNfFEehKD4BrZiZ9UHS_Byf2JY6dLB4EYYxPvGp9Ew466LhYCNWF-OUiVH5rnQQwNCwQxQI53f0JJx77QNt7ni98Ly3Ft1gHO5VSNhkk/s400/Temple+Open+House.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Temple Open House – Lots of white umbrellas meant lots of guests. The youth were in charge of foot covers at the temple door and seeing that the umbrellas were available at critical points. Only uncivilized foreigners (like me) wander around out in the sun...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzilcnNMC39NbMiOPz2Xhtui_IGX6mkefgihGFdz7UcmLqGP7uSg7yypyYBVnv01O0Rdym1s2nftYr3JFocmU7qm_Z97aQeRi7paBx0ithQfd_FXzvhjepw1uS88lNJUdSlyyoAz9k6y0/s1600/May+27,+2010+025.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489897198086229490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzilcnNMC39NbMiOPz2Xhtui_IGX6mkefgihGFdz7UcmLqGP7uSg7yypyYBVnv01O0Rdym1s2nftYr3JFocmU7qm_Z97aQeRi7paBx0ithQfd_FXzvhjepw1uS88lNJUdSlyyoAz9k6y0/s400/May+27,+2010+025.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />All the June Zone Conferences were held in Cebu so that all the missionaries would have the opportunity to tour the temple. This is the Bogo Zone—the missionaries we cheer and support a little extra because they serve where we go every couple of weeks.<br /><br />We thought we’d be heavily involved with the open house, but after the VIP week things were pretty quiet for us. We <em>did</em> have a mission office to keep running after all. We were a little disappointed that we weren’t in the vortex of the open house, but in reality we had our own vortex. Somewhere in that span of time we received the assignment to oversee feeding the prophet and general authorities who would come to the dedication. I know my family’s response was something like “that’s our planning, organizing Mom.” And our parents, “Ann the planner since she was a little girl.” I have to say this was my planning magnum opus.<br /><br />Those who gave us the assignment were very interested in providing food for the visiting authorities that would be familiar and carefully prepared to avoid any kind of GI tract disturbance, served in a timely way with understatement that would allow them to rest and relax, not be on display. We would deliver each meal to two private homes in the temple complex, plus set up a buffet for 12 on the 3rd floor of the patron house, plus feed the temple missionaries who were displaced from their apartments by most of the visiting authorities, and who cooked the food, plus the technical support crew on dedication Sunday. Even for a planner this was a mental stretch! However, thanks to the willing and very able support of the temple missionaries, plus a few others who we called into action, including 2 of our own ward members from home, we pulled the whole weekend off quite well. I say “quite well” with great humility and thankfulness. I don’t think I’ve ever worked so hard or wondered if we’d be ready for the next meal. It wasn’t like throwing together a few PBJ’s to serve on paper plates. Sigh.<br /><br />I have great respect for caterers and declare emphatically that I am NOT a caterer. I am a Kevin’s wife and the mother of our family, who knows that good food gathers loved ones, and time together is how we can bless and influence each other. Anyone who has been drawn into our food affairs knows that we eat when it’s ready and everyone arrives. All together. Having food ready to deliver to the proper place at just the right time looking extra pretty was a stretch that we accomplished somehow. Kevin and I oversaw the buffet on the 3rd floor, simply seeing that the food was all there, starting the meal, then waiting out of the way to clear the dishes. Our daily guests were Elder & Sister Oaks, Bishop and Sister Burton, President & Sister Edwards (Area President), Elder & Sister Walker (Quorum of Seventy & head of the temple department), Brother Dunford and Brother Coburn, both very important but not general authorities. Oh and don't forget Sister Moritson, President Monson's personal health specialist.<br /><br />I’m sorry to say I have no pictures of my amazing kitchen staff, nor the buffet area, which was very suitable and pleasing. It was definitely a busy time beyond my mental and physical wherewithal for picture taking. I have pondered this experience for three weeks now, received many kind comments on our success, yet felt no overwhelming, ecstatic happiness or joy at having had this experience. Yesterday I came upon these lines as I read the Book of Mormon: "...for thou shalt feed a prophet of the Lord; yea, a holy man, who is a chosen man of God...and thou shalt receive him into thy house and feed him, and he shall bless thee and thy house; and the blessing of the Lord shall rest upon thee and thy house." Okay then. I don't need to feel ecstatic happiness or joy, just be like Amulek of old. That is enough.<br /><br />The dedication itself was a rich spiritual feast and celebration. We were delighted to be able to experience it first hand in spite of our food responsibilities. Everything was just right; the speakers, including Pres. & Sister Byram, of course the Prophet and a choir straight from heaven. I'm just fine saying that our choir for the Boise temple dedication didn't hold a candle to the Cagayan de Oro stake's choir. I could almost sit and relax in this very special setting, knowing that the food prep crew would continue on without us for an hour and a half and have athe evening meal ready to go almost the second we returned.<br /><br />Monday, June 14 came with a great sigh of relief. Most folks were off to their next assignment, so their lingering over meals was done. We had labors to return to also, which meant we got to quit thinking about food and meals and presentation timing and return to thinking about the mission office. Someone joked about us returning to our work at the mission office so we could rest—so true!<br /><br />Since the dedication weekend the mission home and mission office have been moved. Our office replacements will arrive August 3rd (?) and we will train them furiously for one month (we were trained for 3 months) before we head for home. Kevin is in his last session of English classes, and I am thinking about my piano students in terms of their continued progress after I leave. Some of them are ready to begin teaching beginners themselves—resounding success for my labors here.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgn4BB1-Fp9MaBiL7GXwA7dq2uZ6JT32ByCtiNgog4KiIutWHrzKLk0M-HA4epjveqmdlpGigKsHlS0vmbYHuPA3HVl3l6AF_Vagxn4lnH-cdQH4mVV4vYRGXO58O_pntE9t_RB0x9ps0/s1600/July+1,+2010+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490007065341305506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgn4BB1-Fp9MaBiL7GXwA7dq2uZ6JT32ByCtiNgog4KiIutWHrzKLk0M-HA4epjveqmdlpGigKsHlS0vmbYHuPA3HVl3l6AF_Vagxn4lnH-cdQH4mVV4vYRGXO58O_pntE9t_RB0x9ps0/s400/July+1,+2010+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Looking into our new office from the doorway.<br /><br /><br />Did we tell you we moved in early May? This is our new neighbor:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSlOMs_iKXjTyatfrrWIIqCdZBlHr7VVbxqblU3SKI6OD-ZzN-Gus8UbGzsXPuN88Ar_34-x8vPweyUl7XXPRQy2MUc306q0uWfpBmVtTu_IoHC1Wkl79WGELW4U0mG30NWwAdcfcwOQ/s1600/Moroni+Neighbor+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489897203658076466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSlOMs_iKXjTyatfrrWIIqCdZBlHr7VVbxqblU3SKI6OD-ZzN-Gus8UbGzsXPuN88Ar_34-x8vPweyUl7XXPRQy2MUc306q0uWfpBmVtTu_IoHC1Wkl79WGELW4U0mG30NWwAdcfcwOQ/s400/Moroni+Neighbor+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />He’s kind of quiet but adds a good spirit to the neighborhood.<br /><br />It’s our good fortune to live these last few months of our mission in the temple complex. We share the 3rd floor of the patron house with 10 other couples, all of whom are temple missionaries. We will find our replacements an apartment close by but not in the complex, as our apartment will be occupied by temple missionaries who will come in September after we leave.<br /><br />It’s sort of like a college experience—apartments lined up in a long hall—only we’re all grandparents, and instead of the floor coming to life at 10 PM we all creep off to bed. Our new office is in the same building on the ground floor at the opposite end. It’s a very nice arrangement that we accept gratefully. Our apartment faces the back, considered the lesser view by many (the better view being temple side), but our pleasure is observing the light and shadows on the mountains as well as the amazing oceanic clouds through big, windows that we can leave mostly uncurtained due to our height and distance from the neighbors. It’s a quiet, renewing place to come home to every evening.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPE4hncZ0qwqKGxSm2E5T6u6hI1qm75w700UGK_H8NZj3UvrFlMDppJvC-dw2RkTSkIh0lCdFjevgj53ZB5shLvc97-W8DKLY938KA5b_vlhzNlyJrMG6zni6hHX_jpdte62JxneX_ZQ/s1600/Moroni+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490011933028545106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPE4hncZ0qwqKGxSm2E5T6u6hI1qm75w700UGK_H8NZj3UvrFlMDppJvC-dw2RkTSkIh0lCdFjevgj53ZB5shLvc97-W8DKLY938KA5b_vlhzNlyJrMG6zni6hHX_jpdte62JxneX_ZQ/s400/Moroni+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />It's our neighbor again. I just can't help looking at him. Does this mean I have a crush on him? Maybe I need an interview with President Hansen...<br /><br />So far this entry has been general and one sided since I am the blog master (Kevin’s designation). I’d like to fill you in on Kevin’s labors these last few months. His office works continues steadily with interesting twists that he handles very capably. His talent for new ideas means he’s also a good problem solver. I might be able to plan food events, but Kevin can plan life.<br /><br />An example of this great talent was at the beginning of the open houses. All the sister missionaries had come in to Cebu and were at the (old) office needing to go to the temple complex. Kevin just went out to the street, flagged down an empty jeepney and directed the driver to pull into the parking lot. the driver was skeptical, but Kevin convinced him that pulling into our parking lot would be a great deal for him as well as the sister missionaries.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfaeJ2M_vpAHxPXgFissghS74WxX9zRHOpZxd32rl5ELpZ2h23zA5RJgmZxlteFalI-nJM5mVn8fv3_euL5aQRBi6Tzj5GzG2647fe1YJnYHxHOKKKL7Mxe0JGGcGq1XEWcuTp3XuZv7Q/s1600/Sisters+Jeepney.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489899702486784674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfaeJ2M_vpAHxPXgFissghS74WxX9zRHOpZxd32rl5ELpZ2h23zA5RJgmZxlteFalI-nJM5mVn8fv3_euL5aQRBi6Tzj5GzG2647fe1YJnYHxHOKKKL7Mxe0JGGcGq1XEWcuTp3XuZv7Q/s400/Sisters+Jeepney.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The sisters were pretty thrilled with Elder Reeds slick travel arrangements. Aren't they lovely?<br /><br />Kevin’s last round of English classes was a resounding success, with so many students he had to divide the class. All those ideas that spring out of his brain are very useful in being a successful teacher. He keeps figuring out new, interesting learning activities, then implements them with ease. His students have great regard for him. Let’s face it—I’m married to a cool guy. (He’ll want to edit this part—no! no! I’m the blog master, remember?)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Y0epqoYeqZQkwrSFBqCqSxblLYqR2HGkdo8kDwTYnuPTfDBTfdxphHpugjxPNVmDlNO3whw6s7Mczti_9tAVK20JpeUby4zVpV_IfPF4eTRngA4s15BmwxP_wC2DOxkywtPakpvSFWA/s1600/Mr.+Chips+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489897211075806530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Y0epqoYeqZQkwrSFBqCqSxblLYqR2HGkdo8kDwTYnuPTfDBTfdxphHpugjxPNVmDlNO3whw6s7Mczti_9tAVK20JpeUby4zVpV_IfPF4eTRngA4s15BmwxP_wC2DOxkywtPakpvSFWA/s400/Mr.+Chips+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />My very own Mr. Chips!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb29bZsBUTBg-8fnGby7vY6ErcJgQrI2Dy19Sf3898iO2XuTCtWeLQfHfe7-kfAPPBcXxnM9fTzQhyphenhyphen_Ogl4PMBBayTQt8wBh4DWdAf5ksrWfxSF9LINDIWfRcYs0gGFoLRPPl0x4Nn9XA/s1600/Divide+the+class.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489894345379644354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb29bZsBUTBg-8fnGby7vY6ErcJgQrI2Dy19Sf3898iO2XuTCtWeLQfHfe7-kfAPPBcXxnM9fTzQhyphenhyphen_Ogl4PMBBayTQt8wBh4DWdAf5ksrWfxSF9LINDIWfRcYs0gGFoLRPPl0x4Nn9XA/s400/Divide+the+class.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Divide the class or some of them will sit silently and <em>not improve their English</em>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgNtJ4Gan8w8lkOt_jJF9_ezAPiCmZHHUFLX4bnCbLQ2AKswuaPjBDD-GvY1YXQKmSep_CGTdd0PkkCDrncfSK4BwEccQymgeZGUfL0eQWCCONLEpmmctABGJvmO1JOC7Rk60TPbNG3s/s1600/Learning+Games.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489897191355113042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgNtJ4Gan8w8lkOt_jJF9_ezAPiCmZHHUFLX4bnCbLQ2AKswuaPjBDD-GvY1YXQKmSep_CGTdd0PkkCDrncfSK4BwEccQymgeZGUfL0eQWCCONLEpmmctABGJvmO1JOC7Rk60TPbNG3s/s400/Learning+Games.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />It didn't take Kevin long to get his students out of their seats and interacting with one another. Talk, talk, talk is the name of the game!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJt_v-so0UjZMVffvAGm1kbJh0oTUUNiD6e-YnE4bgcePfS2CybsX1GM5FepwKkaV2XD8z8SUkWoif3p5CWgG_cPOLeAed_MCAjmFRNDxoahyphenhyphenQoaOYmZEBF53DPTITo82kS1KoRI2B0D4/s1600/Smilin+Students.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489899714291766402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJt_v-so0UjZMVffvAGm1kbJh0oTUUNiD6e-YnE4bgcePfS2CybsX1GM5FepwKkaV2XD8z8SUkWoif3p5CWgG_cPOLeAed_MCAjmFRNDxoahyphenhyphenQoaOYmZEBF53DPTITo82kS1KoRI2B0D4/s400/Smilin+Students.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I took these pictures over a couple of weeks through the classroom windows I passed as I walked to my piano lessons. The students were on to me by this time so there were no more candid shots to be had, but plenty of smiles and happiness for their class experience.<br /><br />How do we feel at this stage of our mission? Kind of tired, but happy; thinking eagerly of getting to know three grandchildren who were infants or not born when we left. Tearful when we think about saying good-bye to our many Filipino friends. It’s a good thing, you know, weeping when you part. It means you have loved and are loved. What’s the point if you haven’t connected with other human beings? I hope we have blessed them; they have certainly blessed us.<br /><br />This has sort of been a deserty blog posting; not many pictures to rest the eye from all the words. I'd hate to go on endlessly this intensely, but we made it through in good condition. I will always remember our beloved Stake President Ron Rock's motto: "It's better to wear out than rust out." </p><p>Our Philippine clock is ticking. We are warned regularly by the young missionaries about not getting trunky. Finally I asked them exactly what it meant to be trunky. Basically it's that you think so much about going home that you quit working. Not a chance here! I hope we can get it all done in our limited remaining time.</p><p>We hope you are well and happy and recognize what you’re grateful for every day. We are grateful for you, and when you write and share your doings, we are nourished by your home thoughts and love.<br /><br />We know the gospel is true, that our service here was inspired by prophets of God. The missionaries whose work we support have a message of great peace and happiness and eternal worth. This beautiful temple that greets us each day is part of God’s plan for our mortal success. See you in the next round.</p><p>Love and blessings, Kevin and Ann, Elder & Sister Reed<br /></p>Reeds in Cebuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262279042116242953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8106957156328475067.post-91872072857731426972010-03-16T19:57:00.000-07:002010-03-16T22:10:07.502-07:00When Pigs FlyWe had the opportunity to go to Negros Oriental a couple of weeks ago. Were we looking tired? Drawn? President and Sister Hansen assigned us to go and—hmmm. What <em>was </em>our assignment?<br /><br />We buttoned up the office and headed out on a Thursday afternoon. The goal: Amlan before dark. If only there were sidewalks here so foot traffic wouldn’t be relegated to the road, raising the driver/navigator anxiety rate to an alarming level.<br /> <br />You know we enjoy our drives north along the Camotes Sea coast to Bogo; the drive to the Amlan ferry port took us along the coast around the southern tip of Cebu, then back north on the west side for a few kilometers. <br /><br />There are two routes to this little port: along the coast or over the mountains. Neither is shorter or faster; what do you want to look at while you travel? Ocean or mountains. I think there are fewer buses on the coastal road. (See previous posts for bus editorials.)<br /><br />Pleasant, relaxed sigh once out of town (a good hour’s worth of driving). The road widened a bit and we were blessed with the shade of large, old trees creating an alley to motor through. This was a hint of Northern Germany and we savored the sights and relaxed feeling of this beautiful, easier stretch of road.<br /><br />Paradise doesn’t go on endlessly in this life; ours ended when we were overtaken by a double-decker truckload of pigs. Actually, paradise just put on a different face; we went from riding along blissfully, slurping up the tropical scenery to being entertained <em>Sus scrofa</em>-style.<br /><br />I’m not sure why our whole life has been spent in the city when we love animals so much. Pigs. They’re very intelligent, you know. Why couldn’t they have been created to stink less? They’re an important part of life here, the Cebuano term being lechon baboy, which means BBQ’d pig. What can I say? These fellas were probably on their way to a number of celebrations via the BBQ spit. It’s quite an art, baboy preparation, but that’s for another story.<br /><br />Initially it was just an interesting moment—a load of pigs--but the truck stayed right in front of us for a good long time which gave us opportunity for further observation.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwETaPYh6OgtvpYgdLwyyg55KZg1JA1AkxXW8vA5ac1uKIVHEYIi8uKmz9qfU7qQXQIG3T34uDTtjJ6E2SrOdifhz6rzhGF3z71P_OjtIG5smrjH5EQzDHD26Jynps7C7VCVx1gpPfj6o/s1600-h/Dumaguete+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwETaPYh6OgtvpYgdLwyyg55KZg1JA1AkxXW8vA5ac1uKIVHEYIi8uKmz9qfU7qQXQIG3T34uDTtjJ6E2SrOdifhz6rzhGF3z71P_OjtIG5smrjH5EQzDHD26Jynps7C7VCVx1gpPfj6o/s400/Dumaguete+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449433084142769106" /></a><br /><em>Wiggily, squealy porkers!</em> Snouts and tails poking out the sides and back! Watch out!! Slooow up for a moment or get a pig shower! (Eeeewww…) Where’s the sassy music when you need it? …Bodies swaying to the—no wait a minute, these aren’t dancing creatures, the truck is careening around another vehicle at high speed! Can’t the driver <em>feel</em> his conveyance lean heavily to the left? You’ve heard of pigs in blankets—how about pigs on blacktop when the truck tips over?<br /><br />It didn’t tip over, but kept growling and groaning and squealing down the highway, the driver and one passenger in the cab, strategically in <em>front</em> of the pigs and two other fellows in back with the classic Philippine t-shirt mask covering their entire heads except for an eye slit. That load of lechon baboy was sure in a hurry; what was the date they were late for?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYmfgnU61QMcEqRl00cNe8xvxRjozJehzBO7_9ydcQnKk1mgR_ZPNGk_Z87LL1c_T4BM825Va4ZluK-3h-p7jmpLYix84iBo5WepwKZpBxT78qrNHeJR1Ar3oKTEpBgLLqGexLKKSqxk/s1600-h/Dumaguete+002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYmfgnU61QMcEqRl00cNe8xvxRjozJehzBO7_9ydcQnKk1mgR_ZPNGk_Z87LL1c_T4BM825Va4ZluK-3h-p7jmpLYix84iBo5WepwKZpBxT78qrNHeJR1Ar3oKTEpBgLLqGexLKKSqxk/s400/Dumaguete+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449433092185390898" /></a><br />This was prime piggertainment as we watched wide-eyed, and laughed and joked about the scene before us. Our nice, tight, air conditioned car helped us laugh instead of respond like all the folks walking along the edges of the road. All that fresh air being perfumed by Pig-nel #5--oh <em>my!</em><br /> <br />Can smells cause pain? I swear we witnessed pain as we saw walker after walker double over, run wildly ahead, cover their face with their shirt, skirt or hanky, grimace. If we could only have stayed in our Pig-nel #5-free car and heard their response…I think mankind would benefit from raw, unrestrained laughter like ours on a daily basis.<br /><br />The changing face of paradise meant that we eventually passed them for good. We <em>did</em> notice the beauty of the coastline and small towns we scurried through but the shadows were long on the road by this time and we didn’t really know how much further we had to go, or how far our drive would be once we made the ferry passage.<br /><br />“I think that’s it”—a left turn, then 20 yards to the ferry where there was only one spot left. A snug fit, so the crewmen signal left, left, left—a little right—stop. The ferry tailgate lifted and we pull away from the dock.<br /><br />Just as the pig truck turned into the parking lot.<br /><br />Imagine that—our good turn for the day was simply beating the pig truck to the port so all those passengers didn’t have to endure a Pig-nel #5 passage. They weren’t aware of their blessing; ours was a big, happy dose of renewal.<br /><br />The 45-minute passage was another vision of paradise; calm water, moonlight for ambiance and piggy-thoughts to keep a grin on our faces. It was a fine weekend away before even arriving in Amlan.<br /><br />Elder and Sister Brown’s 3-bedroom apartment was our final destination for the night. Talk about paradise! They live at a beach front resort, and if we didn’t know our assignment was an inspired call, we might have assignment envy. We have joked about their location—Amlan and the black sand beach—Paradise, and our location—Cebu and Salinas Drive—Purgatory. What does this mean? Are we in a character-building chapter? Don’t worry President & Sister Hansen—we are completely committed to our service, even on Salinas Drive.<br /><br />For the next 2½ days we wandered around the island, poked in tourist shops (after a year?!?) visited missionaries, attended branch socials, helped with Primary and enjoyed the Browns. They are lovely folks from Canada with deep, abiding testimonies of the gospel. Too bad they have to live in paradise and we otherwise; we’d enjoy regular association with them. Anyway, this blog entry is already up to almost 1,000 words so I’ll shift into picture mode. Oh those sunrises! The interesting people! The refreshment of these two old office bodies!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKiRA2aHBNE485S6LL8HSb2t4pxTrl8bT5qHTBcOibdGAC9qq46-Lt74M6qsTJnZAKeqrahNS6MZUw527PKvQznhqLsJvh4QK5UjZPlNeC9GQklXYh_z5g0hMXsWunIGmJ31RUWXFBUI/s1600-h/Dumaguete+022.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKiRA2aHBNE485S6LL8HSb2t4pxTrl8bT5qHTBcOibdGAC9qq46-Lt74M6qsTJnZAKeqrahNS6MZUw527PKvQznhqLsJvh4QK5UjZPlNeC9GQklXYh_z5g0hMXsWunIGmJ31RUWXFBUI/s400/Dumaguete+022.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449439662701959106" /></a><br />Elder & Sister Brown, President (mission presidency) & Sister Wolf, and you recognize us. Don't the two fellas on the back row look like they could be brothers? President Wolf is from Germany.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LzonCztLIPxZRdfTDsYb1bTGEM1E2LxD-YjzoJ6iZWbgb0ObepP8vHstc4YhBV8JaQUEdwQ5H72DGf5BNnHlw5GSqtEOHkoyrP4bcToDAuTGcSTcTjj2bFsxPBexfKUDUEX4p10RfRo/s1600-h/Dumaguete+009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LzonCztLIPxZRdfTDsYb1bTGEM1E2LxD-YjzoJ6iZWbgb0ObepP8vHstc4YhBV8JaQUEdwQ5H72DGf5BNnHlw5GSqtEOHkoyrP4bcToDAuTGcSTcTjj2bFsxPBexfKUDUEX4p10RfRo/s400/Dumaguete+009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449433100759376514" /></a><br />On Friday we did a walkabout, seeing the southern coastline and up over the mountains. We found that not everything in the tropics is green and lush. In fact some of the terrain almost reminded us of our desert between Mountain Home and Twin Falls. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMWrIxyk3dxlG9c0fUT2Bahxz_iVH2NDMYMJi9RWx-JQmrfKdXxn428l-lNwIRVZc5MasWKcTCdqw30fuPOgZFS9K9GsYV84Q6YNhOhqeA0L78vQQEOqhKCh_OFUVRqqmuEKqCXyRh_k/s1600-h/Dumaguete+003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMWrIxyk3dxlG9c0fUT2Bahxz_iVH2NDMYMJi9RWx-JQmrfKdXxn428l-lNwIRVZc5MasWKcTCdqw30fuPOgZFS9K9GsYV84Q6YNhOhqeA0L78vQQEOqhKCh_OFUVRqqmuEKqCXyRh_k/s400/Dumaguete+003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449433112836676626" /></a><br />More BBB’s—beloved beasts of burden. They plow and they pull, and all they ask in return is a mud bath every day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2wYbuB45bmdFvq5m7v6hGTR3slAuJRX72sOuKIPlz6TgSUhCViuvQuhglOgaWcqwcsV5IbKvR1XcoCKcC_0oILsqcEG-0ncLB8Zput0HKZOJBpsdBXpLuCeP_dRpjw6jiB5hlViAfW0/s1600-h/Dumaguete+004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2wYbuB45bmdFvq5m7v6hGTR3slAuJRX72sOuKIPlz6TgSUhCViuvQuhglOgaWcqwcsV5IbKvR1XcoCKcC_0oILsqcEG-0ncLB8Zput0HKZOJBpsdBXpLuCeP_dRpjw6jiB5hlViAfW0/s400/Dumaguete+004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449439649572625010" /></a><br />We whizzed by this fair-skinned fella and had to go back for a picture. An albino carrabao! Sunblock anyone? I didn’t see a mudhole…<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYMZzexvYAWrClXu1naMbb1wkRzz8Tp-ccoUj3Dl2GA7xFc5RDPOhLhHN9KcAv_3Fbcd6taG5O3vzIAr_TppNBJwS1Dscgqff7Ck265mUnjyP-7YoLj_eHcrSJRISfS1REF4yo5ySDGg/s1600-h/Dumaguete+005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYMZzexvYAWrClXu1naMbb1wkRzz8Tp-ccoUj3Dl2GA7xFc5RDPOhLhHN9KcAv_3Fbcd6taG5O3vzIAr_TppNBJwS1Dscgqff7Ck265mUnjyP-7YoLj_eHcrSJRISfS1REF4yo5ySDGg/s400/Dumaguete+005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449433125875026898" /></a><br />We bumped back east through the mountains, coming to the coastal plain and a vista of rice fields. These are probably the prettiest one’s we’ve seen.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheR04Z38gY_L7NOvS4RTLAL3tFVc7bilOQBP8XXe6o4PuqYchPEjMpgfoOSgGvBSow0QHlMTSzO7Ztyk69RTA7-88cVVr_d1Pg01Q1HnKktA_WJ7TUP5027JUT6WAmuIdheKnbnQ9RbGQ/s1600-h/Dumaguete+007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheR04Z38gY_L7NOvS4RTLAL3tFVc7bilOQBP8XXe6o4PuqYchPEjMpgfoOSgGvBSow0QHlMTSzO7Ztyk69RTA7-88cVVr_d1Pg01Q1HnKktA_WJ7TUP5027JUT6WAmuIdheKnbnQ9RbGQ/s400/Dumaguete+007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449443106924660226" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGMHuzo4ugviMLLVfqDas2srj1W0xQwM5kXH5ujFk5y0FVkwT_YoKWWDQGRYxIZk37L4cNdjUHjzgjDqUfX6BePi2S2EZqnoEFbqU34CwIvPuru9ptOaB2RKmfeS4sU1WrmcgBS98Yzg/s1600-h/Dumaguete+006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGMHuzo4ugviMLLVfqDas2srj1W0xQwM5kXH5ujFk5y0FVkwT_YoKWWDQGRYxIZk37L4cNdjUHjzgjDqUfX6BePi2S2EZqnoEFbqU34CwIvPuru9ptOaB2RKmfeS4sU1WrmcgBS98Yzg/s400/Dumaguete+006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449443097015953330" /></a><br />Back at the Brown’s house, Kevin made friends with the resort mascot, a monkey that lives on a cross-pole under a shade tree. Kevin was curious whether he’d interact with strangers; “cashews, little fella?” He was a sassy one, thumping Kevin on the head when he got too close.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9wSxR2BnrTzszJQHSwGoy9pel2X8EsB2OQ-LqdQtutM4R6tz_Fyv1Ffbtj4RUt_xwCeHB4ElCpgHfYltYOirSDtr286VrHIw0B2NrCNxyLUcwDxEm0rJwyJ3HojMCcrOAbNxgCQHDPE/s1600-h/Dumaguete+011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9wSxR2BnrTzszJQHSwGoy9pel2X8EsB2OQ-LqdQtutM4R6tz_Fyv1Ffbtj4RUt_xwCeHB4ElCpgHfYltYOirSDtr286VrHIw0B2NrCNxyLUcwDxEm0rJwyJ3HojMCcrOAbNxgCQHDPE/s400/Dumaguete+011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449464532901636946" /></a><br />The black sand beach got a piece of our attention every day. We walked as soon as the gates were open—about 6:00, which meant no sun crest experience. What? Locked in at the paradise resort? The dogs have the run of the place all night (no need to hire a guard) and they were to be respected unless you wanted teeth prints in your leg.<br /> <br />Beach connoisseurs pooh-pooh black sand beaches as being too hot. However, these two Idaho inlanders couldn’t get enough of walking and wading and visiting and shell collecting.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Zx6cFCK-GLqcVh9WvgJFc53bzGWAekX8TC3-Z5VKZWW4b8vULTxqRJZKLqGvQ3RG_antcaA-0L5Q-RVyRSutXLrvnF2RIdcuFwE01cTXA3bd_etnKp40nfjt_E_DYrZZErdkaazfxMo/s1600-h/Dumaguete+017.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Zx6cFCK-GLqcVh9WvgJFc53bzGWAekX8TC3-Z5VKZWW4b8vULTxqRJZKLqGvQ3RG_antcaA-0L5Q-RVyRSutXLrvnF2RIdcuFwE01cTXA3bd_etnKp40nfjt_E_DYrZZErdkaazfxMo/s400/Dumaguete+017.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449443117130432962" /></a><br />I was about my shell business with the neighborhood girls. I just wish they wanted to chat as much as they wanted to look at my white skin and blond hair! It’s refreshing to spend time with kids since most of our mission life is spent with adults. It’s the balance thing.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuP7nUuYs3lSyzTxaRbNzjcchO50zeni73HbbZyA6P0XeLvQIBoeUUHmBXkeEvW_CyL-O8Cd2EdH_XkQpuTpbAp3ZvmTe-djBxwIYaR3HfmCjsyBKXAqh_6a6gUZVjEs4rzGnsiXn6mc4/s1600-h/Dumaguete+013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuP7nUuYs3lSyzTxaRbNzjcchO50zeni73HbbZyA6P0XeLvQIBoeUUHmBXkeEvW_CyL-O8Cd2EdH_XkQpuTpbAp3ZvmTe-djBxwIYaR3HfmCjsyBKXAqh_6a6gUZVjEs4rzGnsiXn6mc4/s400/Dumaguete+013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449443123963752514" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzjTH-CvQAhYJr_cNSSjG8nOM1Uzd2iSa04YMfwKU1xL__3dhvnIb-4ORcizjqCxHAXhCB5nJqbrOrJ6mJtTaU1aiaKC6mFX-6eHmYKcse42qC5mqxYNWttR0DcRdIGuRgWw37Qx_XcM/s1600-h/Dumaguete+016.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzjTH-CvQAhYJr_cNSSjG8nOM1Uzd2iSa04YMfwKU1xL__3dhvnIb-4ORcizjqCxHAXhCB5nJqbrOrJ6mJtTaU1aiaKC6mFX-6eHmYKcse42qC5mqxYNWttR0DcRdIGuRgWw37Qx_XcM/s400/Dumaguete+016.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449443140334903650" /></a><br />Kevin taught the boys how to play tic tac toe in the sand.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLzBe91vScoBOi9kDUp1lQ7vHC4E5gpyDIlijnerlA7AcMgFlvEJKYxDNAAyBtq3x19PSQDZ4J1CIq4kaQSD-1frn7IgCqaXqMcfTbh9NRigoTv52Wln-dj6-PnUNt1MZtINRh7arjXU/s1600-h/Dumaguete+019.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLzBe91vScoBOi9kDUp1lQ7vHC4E5gpyDIlijnerlA7AcMgFlvEJKYxDNAAyBtq3x19PSQDZ4J1CIq4kaQSD-1frn7IgCqaXqMcfTbh9NRigoTv52Wln-dj6-PnUNt1MZtINRh7arjXU/s400/Dumaguete+019.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449446317608064866" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAVY6PC4cj9YbW7iOI30UEA0GZarujlzbAK0kQAj4UD3FCC2ZlUDZdw7SyfKEufaiBGhv0Ebpep5g3XK7qdGVTuDyYy3pnWbp0YglSrkOWjiSsfO0tYaYHds3iQ4G22GZiZFVTN4uj4A/s1600-h/Dumaguete+020.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAVY6PC4cj9YbW7iOI30UEA0GZarujlzbAK0kQAj4UD3FCC2ZlUDZdw7SyfKEufaiBGhv0Ebpep5g3XK7qdGVTuDyYy3pnWbp0YglSrkOWjiSsfO0tYaYHds3iQ4G22GZiZFVTN4uj4A/s400/Dumaguete+020.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449446325204434434" /></a><br />The local fishermen go out before sunrise, get their catch of the day and sell it right of their boats. Most caught tiny fish—less than 2” long which get fried and eaten whole.<br /><br />I requested an early dog lock-up for Sunday morning so we’d get to supervise the sunrise at least once. Ahhh.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLC2xXDEdo5Gzxtb7bNnRYLYy3qRt1dcF2doymoMJ3MSlF222K98J6HVrNjGzxF0N3IJG3p1jzwp_zL57WKRA0h81WgQqBzO7TE2jfzSkQfPm7Kz2UuowzGUtL31wS8mhC2urMmJHNxK8/s1600-h/Dumaguete+030.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLC2xXDEdo5Gzxtb7bNnRYLYy3qRt1dcF2doymoMJ3MSlF222K98J6HVrNjGzxF0N3IJG3p1jzwp_zL57WKRA0h81WgQqBzO7TE2jfzSkQfPm7Kz2UuowzGUtL31wS8mhC2urMmJHNxK8/s400/Dumaguete+030.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449446331257120738" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEy2UDrCPnfsWcV9K_SxhXuHLpkgsKjEk3_kkqgpDl-krzncSIvNp6d_nbV2j7VoVY10r2p3Yg7y5lIKOeDOCzq9GPHX9uRuarIAiUZffOf4h-w4_dLcQeN0An3yS_wkglPHg6Lwng_w/s1600-h/Dumaguete+034.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEy2UDrCPnfsWcV9K_SxhXuHLpkgsKjEk3_kkqgpDl-krzncSIvNp6d_nbV2j7VoVY10r2p3Yg7y5lIKOeDOCzq9GPHX9uRuarIAiUZffOf4h-w4_dLcQeN0An3yS_wkglPHg6Lwng_w/s400/Dumaguete+034.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449446336537668642" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHjZv4vlfe1sgbvDVglLJxOh5wbPp5gb1doJy1dS0sww0KyZXphy4VPO0r0P9F1d5L8aNd0cGslWqQSMpERV63PA1FNIinS-dS1qwE7NPqAAyfEZRt0ZMKH1YJiP_QPpBRUlZMm_eBow/s1600-h/Dumaguete+036.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHjZv4vlfe1sgbvDVglLJxOh5wbPp5gb1doJy1dS0sww0KyZXphy4VPO0r0P9F1d5L8aNd0cGslWqQSMpERV63PA1FNIinS-dS1qwE7NPqAAyfEZRt0ZMKH1YJiP_QPpBRUlZMm_eBow/s400/Dumaguete+036.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449446359393926898" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYw4klOfbiTq2KnIGv2rkW_KYryhm18ZXN9EWIv5WqS-u-YS3k_BJWJBDUccggDnggttmBG9C69E8xWMzV6uMO8HRRbDt2aIEt9P_SQhAMsaYPWaQ6or9nm7S_cEdd9sTy6aweDryLGQ/s1600-h/Dumaguete+038.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYw4klOfbiTq2KnIGv2rkW_KYryhm18ZXN9EWIv5WqS-u-YS3k_BJWJBDUccggDnggttmBG9C69E8xWMzV6uMO8HRRbDt2aIEt9P_SQhAMsaYPWaQ6or9nm7S_cEdd9sTy6aweDryLGQ/s400/Dumaguete+038.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449452255548206674" /></a><br />I hardly know how the sun manages every morning without our assistance.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5f-JdpsTKxHO3uqxJWcEjvLfUtBqLzjyJ1PcJGjgdLvpgT1ngak5oWKpiLY8BP0hZxHJ-HHS7K_V4VHtBB3qREknnhZuFHeG1_jcc_K9lLsFECYsXX_EP0e5AQ8pnlsXBV8map9sUr0/s1600-h/Dumaguete+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5f-JdpsTKxHO3uqxJWcEjvLfUtBqLzjyJ1PcJGjgdLvpgT1ngak5oWKpiLY8BP0hZxHJ-HHS7K_V4VHtBB3qREknnhZuFHeG1_jcc_K9lLsFECYsXX_EP0e5AQ8pnlsXBV8map9sUr0/s400/Dumaguete+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449452265127666898" /></a><br />We brought back a little black sand from paradise for the office. Need to mull? Pass a few minutes before your interview? Rearrange the ocean artifacts & comb designs in the sand.<br /><br />Our next transfers take place on April 1st, making the next two weeks the lull before the storm. Need anything from us? Now is a good time to be in touch because it's highly likely you'll get a quick response. It's <em>good</em> to <em>know</em> the gospel is true. We love you and pray for you every day. Wouldn't life be lonely if we'd each gotten our own planet?Reeds in Cebuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262279042116242953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8106957156328475067.post-91841500371303330182010-03-14T04:26:00.000-07:002010-03-14T07:10:57.280-07:00The Constancy of ChangeTuesday, February 16, 2010—Elder Deiparine, our beloved neighbor and Assistant to the President has finished strong. In the past two weeks he’s been happy, sad, out of his skin about his next life chapter, and happy again. His contribution to the mission has been significant. He’s grown before our eyes, and we would be pleased to adopt him if his family would agree. We asked him about it a while ago. “What do I have to do?” Just be in our hearts and know you are loved and greatly admired. <br /><br />And now it’s time for him to go home.<br /><br />We had a neighborhood social in honor of his leaving and Elder Powell’s coming last night—a S’mores roast in front of the mission office. We filled an empty terra cotta pot with dirt, put our charcoal (the real stuff—MUCH better than briquettes) on top and almost instantly had roasting coals. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajvzyferNUJ8R191eBpC7atXFEL_suEW_ugRyn1Ut138RASXsZK5OnNcQioQroeUxxpu7DRPPDT9jOEQGKJ87ZOYTvTeJcNL4nYoUJ_0HDeZQO5_ZcZ1oBtsp8fI6es_twwvyoQrfd2I/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+083.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajvzyferNUJ8R191eBpC7atXFEL_suEW_ugRyn1Ut138RASXsZK5OnNcQioQroeUxxpu7DRPPDT9jOEQGKJ87ZOYTvTeJcNL4nYoUJ_0HDeZQO5_ZcZ1oBtsp8fI6es_twwvyoQrfd2I/s400/Photo+Frame+083.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448450988647336306" /></a><br />This was a s’mores first for Elders Caniel & Deiparine. Even though it wasn’t chilly and there was the normal street din, our little fire created the same ambiance as in the mountains. Soooo fine.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmo3iJecyyhziqgtEmxbInQSe-L_AVzUjDLnp480A0VTgQkyGytIqv-YyEkwFBwUW3YzPPnQVRxbB3zs278-bM1WFfGXDNs8FiMyCuU5PHVnMTc50rtXAzqC-OVIZL4AIxzfAZfidCT2Q/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+082.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmo3iJecyyhziqgtEmxbInQSe-L_AVzUjDLnp480A0VTgQkyGytIqv-YyEkwFBwUW3YzPPnQVRxbB3zs278-bM1WFfGXDNs8FiMyCuU5PHVnMTc50rtXAzqC-OVIZL4AIxzfAZfidCT2Q/s400/Photo+Frame+082.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448451006996267010" /></a><br />Elder Deiparine & Elder Powell<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwtsRSoSFBrzgDg0toJjcOmyASeGgj8mPS6WsMGrtFmEnd6T_VfStfc21inj1KWq9rZu7pEXtod1QL_Vhf5NO1MvJZIOhRKR9TrzD4kPStxIhq-tQFrMClNy40VXLaJaxYAwcP3Cg_0Y/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+079.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwtsRSoSFBrzgDg0toJjcOmyASeGgj8mPS6WsMGrtFmEnd6T_VfStfc21inj1KWq9rZu7pEXtod1QL_Vhf5NO1MvJZIOhRKR9TrzD4kPStxIhq-tQFrMClNy40VXLaJaxYAwcP3Cg_0Y/s400/Photo+Frame+079.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448451015394248322" /></a><br />Elder Caniel, Elder Powell & Elder Deiparine. As you can see, they picked up the fine art of marshmallow roasting immediately.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1HLZe9kfW-La4HETIKh8P-5fgUMyxs9WK99j_j9xS8Oe6R3qqU4rKG83-ex12xSZDO-KMlSURaPK7J36CVIbVbYLhia0WUu7GYao_8MnUKtLbp1rn-xyuuoLeevmwhJeZvElGLWL9ts/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+084.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1HLZe9kfW-La4HETIKh8P-5fgUMyxs9WK99j_j9xS8Oe6R3qqU4rKG83-ex12xSZDO-KMlSURaPK7J36CVIbVbYLhia0WUu7GYao_8MnUKtLbp1rn-xyuuoLeevmwhJeZvElGLWL9ts/s400/Photo+Frame+084.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448451027100006258" /></a><br />Question: Does high humidity keep marshmallows from catching fire? Elder Deiparine tried and tried and could hardly get them to light.<br /><br />It’s a good thing there is constant renewal of missionaries or we’d feel pretty gloomy when they go home. Even the ones who have always served “out”, that we haven’t gotten to know as well are dear to us.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBviMT8BiexX1Ed38NP2gCcRwe8fnuMWmUYTRUcBArx9ZA4PmEH2F6QU-y7hvD4xikyT516EjIrTHLUf_M8ZWcZad9LtMN1N23vybNyKi6hwzdJngOSZDbmYb6azEhcaxOPXocQH77iVE/s1600-h/Van+002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBviMT8BiexX1Ed38NP2gCcRwe8fnuMWmUYTRUcBArx9ZA4PmEH2F6QU-y7hvD4xikyT516EjIrTHLUf_M8ZWcZad9LtMN1N23vybNyKi6hwzdJngOSZDbmYb6azEhcaxOPXocQH77iVE/s400/Van+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448486286264050306" /></a><br />Elder Powell & Elder Holt, another fine missionary.<br /><br />One month later (March 13th) Elder Powell has settled in nicely. His first transfer was reasonable—only 12 out and 13 in. His first round of Zone Conferences though—Mission tour with President Edwards, the area president. He handled his duties with grace and dignity. In fact all the missionaries were well prepared, on time, well groomed and came with thoughtful questions to ask.<br /><br />Have we mentioned before that we love our missionaries? Their energy and testimonies enliven us! We see the ones who serve in City Zone regularly but every once in a while we get a bonus—an unexpected opportunity to connect up with other missionaries for various and sundry purposes. Oh and don’t forget the ones who serve up in Bogo—we also see them regularly--also high on our list. <br /><br />Another missionary pleasure is to serve closely with them, have them be transferred and not see them for a while, then have our paths cross again. Example: Elder Kitekeiaho served in City Zone when we arrived a year ago, then was transferred out—served, grew, received the assignment to be a Zone Leader, then got transferred to Bogo Zone when Elder Powell was called to be an Assistant. (It’s the constant movement thing.) It is a joy to once again see him regularly and support him and Elder Bruneel in their leadership labors there. You know how it is to be around shakin-movin folks—you just feel good.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeiEzYQZjGFEFkzVqSxcX0ZNtzZMxk7JtGdgPqQfT8Jljb3mHbyrXwJWErQB2ufX07qKJ9vI2DQLd2viiaHqqeW6r-DtVQlb_ZxkF7QTGZk3H4RE650Xju7y69ZskPWU1WHr_wFOz_b4/s1600-h/Van+003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeiEzYQZjGFEFkzVqSxcX0ZNtzZMxk7JtGdgPqQfT8Jljb3mHbyrXwJWErQB2ufX07qKJ9vI2DQLd2viiaHqqeW6r-DtVQlb_ZxkF7QTGZk3H4RE650Xju7y69ZskPWU1WHr_wFOz_b4/s400/Van+003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448486298734946434" /></a><br />Elder Kitekeiaho & Elder Bruneel with the boys who were baptized last night.<br /><br />Last night after our music class and their baptism, we took them home to inspect their apartment. This is part of our Bogo duty, just to keep tabs on the condition of these apartments and encourage the missionaries to create houses order, houses of God. (See D & C ...)<br /><br />Missionaries usually don’t beg to have their apartments inspected, but they always submit bravely. We never quite know what we’re going to find, but are committed to being positive and encouraging and doing some training and a follow-up inspection if necessary.<br /><br />I have to tell you, I’d be proud to live in that apartment. We walked in the door and I felt like I was home. (What do you think Pres. & Sister Hansen—a transfer for the Reeds to Bogo? Just kidding.) Order. A clean CR and kitchen. Gospel art hanging on the walls. Study and teaching materials organized and tidy. Beds made. Laundry in control. I even checked the fridge and it was cleaner than ours! The condition of their home blesses and strengthens their work. I know the Spirit is welcome there. These are conditions that will bless any home, whether you’re a young missionary or a pair of old birds. Good job, Elders!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-dUuxhBpdwfNgQa-2-fCPwSapJTwPVVuEPNxbmvXc-CPb04wSJkf53ACCodSQe2mJWmSDh8XEZi2xneO60N1kBBjZjb_jQwwvyCgxRpLSIqQMIomvJEeMCKl07DKUjuHWI2cs5eagj4/s1600-h/Van+004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-dUuxhBpdwfNgQa-2-fCPwSapJTwPVVuEPNxbmvXc-CPb04wSJkf53ACCodSQe2mJWmSDh8XEZi2xneO60N1kBBjZjb_jQwwvyCgxRpLSIqQMIomvJEeMCKl07DKUjuHWI2cs5eagj4/s400/Van+004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448486308715056946" /></a><br />Check out that beautifully clean kitchen behind the Elders...<br /><br />More soon...we love you...thanks for your love and support back.<br />Elder & Sister Reed<br />a.k.a. Kevin & AnnReeds in Cebuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262279042116242953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8106957156328475067.post-76686084672197459332010-02-17T00:16:00.000-08:002010-03-11T21:35:56.734-08:00The Pleasures of the Day*Wind moving through a Cauayan grove<br />*Water gurgling down a rocky streambed<br />*Being called to dinner<br />*More pictures than words in a blog entry<br /><br />Jeepney of the week:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUssH2krdgtf6ZIk0sKy-wF1lrHOztXdSNFmF374wSx_d_TdGGQ4ig1gf45cVd1uxoXFr-67LP6OTRHjIC2pldCCMexMJvYm15IIXFAd_MtxXeMDH025ku0b2jKVxGOILhRJUqvRC6e4/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUssH2krdgtf6ZIk0sKy-wF1lrHOztXdSNFmF374wSx_d_TdGGQ4ig1gf45cVd1uxoXFr-67LP6OTRHjIC2pldCCMexMJvYm15IIXFAd_MtxXeMDH025ku0b2jKVxGOILhRJUqvRC6e4/s400/Photo+Frame+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439125735999818818" /></a><br />Kevin just wandered by and informed me that he already used this jeepney shot. Can't help it if I recognize a good one.<br /><br />Hello from Cebu--it's hard to believe this blog entry started a <strong>month</strong> ago; if I was paid to keep a blog I'd have already been fired. Things being as they are, today's adventure entry is the exception not the rule.<br /><br />We love poking around out in nature, just seeing what's out there that's interesting and pleasing, but keeping up on our office and teaching responsibilities is our top priority, so we fit these excursions in when we can. We usually have an outing on our radar screen; kind of helps us stay refreshed to get out and tromp around.<br /><br />Saturday, February 13, 2010—Destination: Lukob Cave and Falls, Balamban, Cebu. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDL-06CYPw7u_iJw5rTqRqANMwjWKLxUO3J2uUyov0-A4QZFhjxCP6rD9jd7EeINaxE4MioB_V9IdS6Y7npEAKxTczWSkAMtr2bqxd0-CdlUewtE8hTUA8kW2RJmCR0WOXA7Re2VW6mqo/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDL-06CYPw7u_iJw5rTqRqANMwjWKLxUO3J2uUyov0-A4QZFhjxCP6rD9jd7EeINaxE4MioB_V9IdS6Y7npEAKxTczWSkAMtr2bqxd0-CdlUewtE8hTUA8kW2RJmCR0WOXA7Re2VW6mqo/s400/Photo+Frame+007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439125747940101778" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_nT7d1hTR1c5-l0oX_mO1Us-yWVC9zXJu0sbVU7A3kQfheQuLl8Iz4Do8Ioi1qT7eoGT1IBBEphiPlCKgd24SDAk9ISiEcG-_VAWkr43hGw_JrndZqu1TJIkZk6X07JclfrumyCZMOE/s1600-h/IMG_5450.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_nT7d1hTR1c5-l0oX_mO1Us-yWVC9zXJu0sbVU7A3kQfheQuLl8Iz4Do8Ioi1qT7eoGT1IBBEphiPlCKgd24SDAk9ISiEcG-_VAWkr43hGw_JrndZqu1TJIkZk6X07JclfrumyCZMOE/s400/IMG_5450.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439125725081283858" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTM3-XGhHTblGsDuic3t4Kc2GaJTS26jTGPfljEW5Rx6hvEdxuS1zBxbbBiD1c2cW9wh_0R1cNEg7eOdmqcY5IZhVEU2nUKB5avWRFzSC0ZxDBMn0WGktBYWG9-NwdJooywsfYvrbLGw/s1600-h/IMG_5485.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTM3-XGhHTblGsDuic3t4Kc2GaJTS26jTGPfljEW5Rx6hvEdxuS1zBxbbBiD1c2cW9wh_0R1cNEg7eOdmqcY5IZhVEU2nUKB5avWRFzSC0ZxDBMn0WGktBYWG9-NwdJooywsfYvrbLGw/s400/IMG_5485.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439125733672911490" /></a><br />Kevin, Kaikai, Eduardo and I headed out at 5:45 this beautiful, tropical morning. Due to our office and apartment location nestled in the middle of the city, we rarely get to see the sun crest. This was my morning! It does my soul good to see that first diamond of light.<br /><br />It takes about an hour to drive over the mountains to the west coast of Cebu. It is an easy drive in a good vehicle, though the road is steep and windy after you crest the mountain ridge.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht58FTL-bMYkjpQe1QOfJDRl11c8ujQOzkOhyVEH7h-L4nLaZlefb6uMoW9XfVBDgoIdL8Iedqtd9u8vCn171_lg6RUyrGu0YAHSqbEkW7sZX0KHJc7onMiuUK5nHABhD2_S-KSL6geG8/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht58FTL-bMYkjpQe1QOfJDRl11c8ujQOzkOhyVEH7h-L4nLaZlefb6uMoW9XfVBDgoIdL8Iedqtd9u8vCn171_lg6RUyrGu0YAHSqbEkW7sZX0KHJc7onMiuUK5nHABhD2_S-KSL6geG8/s400/Photo+Frame+009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439125751309814242" /></a><br />“The very top” begs for a pause. Looking west you see the shipyard in Balamban where they build small ocean craft such as ferries. Our “pause” was Kaikai’s first opportunity to practice his craft. He’s actually quite an accomplished photographer but he had some things to practice in mind, such as fast shots. Here he’s shooting toward the east, our recent path.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-iFjLfcbBgt799N76pHVjuTSscnHBnt3KOZpGu65RlzYazuRexQjMR7s94pSlRD43ZPyA_XVec1hoOG_9V0ob-hTQofpgIZoTT1VVmqi4wbrMnemKHjz_Dffu2BWUqf2vSuV7LZf8-Q/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-iFjLfcbBgt799N76pHVjuTSscnHBnt3KOZpGu65RlzYazuRexQjMR7s94pSlRD43ZPyA_XVec1hoOG_9V0ob-hTQofpgIZoTT1VVmqi4wbrMnemKHjz_Dffu2BWUqf2vSuV7LZf8-Q/s400/Photo+Frame+012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439318438039981090" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUw4pWAfMt7Q-w2hCPqtWDVt5OiBlWIm90rJGrC_86AYNXFPD1LXqu8MmopKOKMYdhRu4OBAdjxZvZvAj3p3Mrck5CcODWCa9p8r4eYScLG2NWvqIlVJ4qZrY1aPCM7hxejVJbO-iZIY/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+014.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUw4pWAfMt7Q-w2hCPqtWDVt5OiBlWIm90rJGrC_86AYNXFPD1LXqu8MmopKOKMYdhRu4OBAdjxZvZvAj3p3Mrck5CcODWCa9p8r4eYScLG2NWvqIlVJ4qZrY1aPCM7hxejVJbO-iZIY/s400/Photo+Frame+014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439318441362459346" /></a><br />The technicalities of the business were discussed and taught. I’ve already voiced a desire for a bigger camera, right? <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpd3QCYxd1pw2GFIIVyBW-Jiu4_-FN1JXe6hOhmfnXUtkXivxOmaXak806jz6VrUmB-qW51f4GRxf8w8eYy49OlI1jSBGxaGCVIMiSmCh8EWtz-ZWvtDmPewjLzplJlk37S2NotJtenQ/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+015.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpd3QCYxd1pw2GFIIVyBW-Jiu4_-FN1JXe6hOhmfnXUtkXivxOmaXak806jz6VrUmB-qW51f4GRxf8w8eYy49OlI1jSBGxaGCVIMiSmCh8EWtz-ZWvtDmPewjLzplJlk37S2NotJtenQ/s400/Photo+Frame+015.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439318448180765746" /></a><br />This is Eduardo. He is a retired history teacher who also walks in Beverly Hills. He is very well read, very fit and adds to the lively conversation that makes our walking time fly by.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAIxz66ixWufeqj2G2wg4mtXbKDChy-i9hIoOks8eNKRWLRWOjIsp8aMgOjrXyb4D5jOOA6c86Qg5huUDHKrA7g-Z4ROQx46W-FxRzr5tmzt6Rm_nKxcGU0ZtnRZCniL_P3FizKDdf9Q/s1600-h/IMG_5498.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAIxz66ixWufeqj2G2wg4mtXbKDChy-i9hIoOks8eNKRWLRWOjIsp8aMgOjrXyb4D5jOOA6c86Qg5huUDHKrA7g-Z4ROQx46W-FxRzr5tmzt6Rm_nKxcGU0ZtnRZCniL_P3FizKDdf9Q/s400/IMG_5498.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439318454308161506" /></a><br />At this point I relinquished our point-and-shoot camera and Kevin became shooter #2. My job here on out was to be in the pictures. Eduardo helped shoulder this responsibility.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDp8h7TgpXiHQOabzLMzc5ZqWOzDUUEoK6cu7seGuidqCtlYIf3ezAdiAFe2TPOcTgWIGljNpB2FzLvP5W8l06BcAYkgQo9QsHggGHur8cL6T3T1A7XO9hp5ydcIMOA7YyRLNqgQlHv2c/s1600-h/IMG_5779.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDp8h7TgpXiHQOabzLMzc5ZqWOzDUUEoK6cu7seGuidqCtlYIf3ezAdiAFe2TPOcTgWIGljNpB2FzLvP5W8l06BcAYkgQo9QsHggGHur8cL6T3T1A7XO9hp5ydcIMOA7YyRLNqgQlHv2c/s400/IMG_5779.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439318460861911442" /></a><br />A welcome sign this significant seems like it ought to be at the entrance of a booming city; Balamban is a cozy town. The arch is actually a good way up the mountain. You know when you drive through the arch that you're over the top. Before you get to the top you pass fresh vegetable stands and live plant merchants like Jesusa. (I should have pictures of these—their plants are a fabulous live quilt bordering both sides of the highway.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPc8oRp2HyXhRO_BsEu9RU9eb_rA0uGFVP9rLuYMAGxgQizUmlKT5K5qYkHQx7A_q_BLQzaP64rpCWa0AuT-IvtPa46MNaS_LGAkvLptZJLIiy8cqRySTdhHQCZbpAQDrJ6xXwUNzl1es/s1600-h/IMG_5519.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPc8oRp2HyXhRO_BsEu9RU9eb_rA0uGFVP9rLuYMAGxgQizUmlKT5K5qYkHQx7A_q_BLQzaP64rpCWa0AuT-IvtPa46MNaS_LGAkvLptZJLIiy8cqRySTdhHQCZbpAQDrJ6xXwUNzl1es/s400/IMG_5519.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447574899766335538" /></a><br />We arrived at the designated start point, having picked up Sister Fuller, (red t-shirt) one of the Senior Sister Missionaries serving in Balamban. We also had local guides, Nini, Jun & Bro. Saavedra, which seemed nice but we weren’t convinced until we arrived at the falls that we really needed them. Oh well—when in Cebu do as the Cebuanos do. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHeSMGRS0ou_sw38WQfJg4scVgleWAfEWaQL9FEKNwWtG2RNjJWgygWHGjyLyAUk_q9zf6mWP6sbPrZ6Mtdz5Et9bL-g96Werk0qi5A_8YNPvDOQsSEdCDLBpP0BJ0mQeiD8gSPAF_iEs/s1600-h/IMG_5524.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHeSMGRS0ou_sw38WQfJg4scVgleWAfEWaQL9FEKNwWtG2RNjJWgygWHGjyLyAUk_q9zf6mWP6sbPrZ6Mtdz5Et9bL-g96Werk0qi5A_8YNPvDOQsSEdCDLBpP0BJ0mQeiD8gSPAF_iEs/s400/IMG_5524.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447574904914700802" /></a><br />It’s a good idea to ask for angels to attend all explorations, whether they be urban or nature.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nBtkTTG3hOuHi6eZEA6P8XmyYGuRSFfyV5gEY4R9KEq2GSFS3YQGg38MH3iFTWgzfxTIHdNpimJZPugFxTKfCmHYRsgJI3l4ASBv2eme-9lje4KxgvI9edZ7Ntzw-nduq0KwdmBqcgY/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+017.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nBtkTTG3hOuHi6eZEA6P8XmyYGuRSFfyV5gEY4R9KEq2GSFS3YQGg38MH3iFTWgzfxTIHdNpimJZPugFxTKfCmHYRsgJI3l4ASBv2eme-9lje4KxgvI9edZ7Ntzw-nduq0KwdmBqcgY/s400/Photo+Frame+017.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439397288520622466" /></a><br />We started on a road that veered off onto a trail. Call it a rural sidewalk.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoO9L73XXoWpOPtf_IVH93fzm2k43sMjlszdOQExZQgB2_4_hSMz7F4gqZjJd8uCh7mV12hHjPzx6Z9p_GGqAKDZ5s4sFDfEOZOH2r2dVmKyQhQuGRRJimGbLh73OTZiQhGv-Egvtst6Q/s1600-h/IMG_5526.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoO9L73XXoWpOPtf_IVH93fzm2k43sMjlszdOQExZQgB2_4_hSMz7F4gqZjJd8uCh7mV12hHjPzx6Z9p_GGqAKDZ5s4sFDfEOZOH2r2dVmKyQhQuGRRJimGbLh73OTZiQhGv-Egvtst6Q/s400/IMG_5526.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447574913479895058" /></a><br />Now put that cell phone away! Just BE where you are.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6yJT5oSHTHTpoY7MQouDqN00OMRRwje8CRlWp2gbG_32mTRr6hS2_FYn3e75jMR5hWQFPyZefzzjvrJMQH9FjPO9GelcXLQXNphElone_YLloHEC1m72dDPKy-HyW2FA1Chq_obpgGI/s1600-h/IMG_5552.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6yJT5oSHTHTpoY7MQouDqN00OMRRwje8CRlWp2gbG_32mTRr6hS2_FYn3e75jMR5hWQFPyZefzzjvrJMQH9FjPO9GelcXLQXNphElone_YLloHEC1m72dDPKy-HyW2FA1Chq_obpgGI/s400/IMG_5552.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439397274550547506" /></a><br />Our first creature of note was a carabao (that’s pronounced CARE a bow) and its baby. They are used extensively for farming here—plow pulling (wait till you see the picts. at the end of the entry) in regular fields as well as rice paddies. The happiest carabao have a mud bath every day. They are mild-mannered, hard-working beasts of burden that I have a soft spot for. Maybe I’ll get to ride one before we come home…. Sorry this mamma's face is in the shadow--quite a look she gave us, though not as ferocious as the head position would indicate. Do I look like that when I’m looking over my glasses? Hmm. Middle-aged carabao?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBiPxV6NwSOnPe50HHInD-5q9F3a0B-p2q_vLeI_UjmXB-GulXmoWpR1IjU0fYyytnlQ36_U_T1A7LMCVUByWRvDUnNb696XolOrx0fMLFsezKYYMEtIit1th0g6zORroVolW7t6EhmL4/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+021.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBiPxV6NwSOnPe50HHInD-5q9F3a0B-p2q_vLeI_UjmXB-GulXmoWpR1IjU0fYyytnlQ36_U_T1A7LMCVUByWRvDUnNb696XolOrx0fMLFsezKYYMEtIit1th0g6zORroVolW7t6EhmL4/s400/Photo+Frame+021.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439397290831751234" /></a><br />Baby Beast of Burden<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZXh2IYGOsjF3FDB64lXMamm0tNIwqKNDUeX8Wbb073j50fKTwenzUWCDS05YOqSHqTdJR7egh3DvJcIWz006tsIrUyxINPBi5snDb4Kh7yXSAgP0RFgQM5U01i2aKR57ZnvQpzonSrA/s1600-h/IMG_5544.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZXh2IYGOsjF3FDB64lXMamm0tNIwqKNDUeX8Wbb073j50fKTwenzUWCDS05YOqSHqTdJR7egh3DvJcIWz006tsIrUyxINPBi5snDb4Kh7yXSAgP0RFgQM5U01i2aKR57ZnvQpzonSrA/s400/IMG_5544.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439397265844024306" /></a><br />Our general path was up the riverbed, but Nini and Jun knew the faster way, which was sometimes in the riverbed and sometimes crossing it to a shortcut. As you can see, it wasn’t a roaring river at this point. Part of the water from the falls is dammed and diverted for irrigation.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBsMnwq7lFHAHib_jgGO3DLm2FZNSLLFzW0ZephMM1rSVKvlrmV9imTRBva-uaHwb37e-CKA3G_ptu23qaDBeE9HaZI5OuLnZzZBpkhWqZhwL8egq25WZ3x-Q1gD-J2U6r6jio_uNn_g/s1600-h/IMG_5556.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBsMnwq7lFHAHib_jgGO3DLm2FZNSLLFzW0ZephMM1rSVKvlrmV9imTRBva-uaHwb37e-CKA3G_ptu23qaDBeE9HaZI5OuLnZzZBpkhWqZhwL8egq25WZ3x-Q1gD-J2U6r6jio_uNn_g/s400/IMG_5556.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439397278258284882" /></a><br />There was quite a bit of picture taking of the one taking pictures.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2ZQhtHK7mKVjHskTZFp8lIo4GJhC-cZoS7bRMS7AaD0kE5xIBKZH3YSvAg8lo4x1lYVzsMbeY-bTCnhXddWle-ZebC4DlcbHF44NOJLj1xvTaBBv5A5fpQ1QnWleJQjoO1xeFvlTgSQ/s1600-h/IMG_5562.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2ZQhtHK7mKVjHskTZFp8lIo4GJhC-cZoS7bRMS7AaD0kE5xIBKZH3YSvAg8lo4x1lYVzsMbeY-bTCnhXddWle-ZebC4DlcbHF44NOJLj1xvTaBBv5A5fpQ1QnWleJQjoO1xeFvlTgSQ/s400/IMG_5562.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447581614388988082" /></a><br />Sister Fuller and I wore hats and Nini carried an umbrella that she put up every time we were in open meadows. Filipinas carry umbrellas for shade purposes as much as for rain protection.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWnAvFJ0fRyu578jZQkGEPKABcZa_53qZilFEew-z2MRbSWC_BggoHE7-kzOAE_pJ_IbE0ict5Ii4Uwl3qRoz7xxi8P6u-MTaNnHNkERO5rFp22kLPVvR02FD85p3NYEblu5ekighv68/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+024.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWnAvFJ0fRyu578jZQkGEPKABcZa_53qZilFEew-z2MRbSWC_BggoHE7-kzOAE_pJ_IbE0ict5Ii4Uwl3qRoz7xxi8P6u-MTaNnHNkERO5rFp22kLPVvR02FD85p3NYEblu5ekighv68/s400/Photo+Frame+024.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447581620478737090" /></a><br />This is the source of Day’s Pleasure #1. These bamboo stands dot the landscape, both in cultivated landscapes and nature. The arching canes are characteristic. The sound of the breeze through them—think of a pine forest in a breeze, then move it to the tropics. Ahhh.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeP_4stWqaG98BmlJTGug2wf8c5fLceCeJshGkotMfXLF3mJyZngyljm2b3rDW5L-HiO186DVc0RdJrxD09JsN8AsVmPN8K5gKEWMPA-6C73eASMr17SJFuJyCOlSQWWGei7v08go_cM/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+028.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeP_4stWqaG98BmlJTGug2wf8c5fLceCeJshGkotMfXLF3mJyZngyljm2b3rDW5L-HiO186DVc0RdJrxD09JsN8AsVmPN8K5gKEWMPA-6C73eASMr17SJFuJyCOlSQWWGei7v08go_cM/s400/Photo+Frame+028.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447581661874924034" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenwz3bVj9-BylfyShB-ERjvCvybYtsMjrevwpQeASeKtro6yGEPXN1U-k3oOgkfkrDLlWtwf3C1WE7Sy3jId9Len7CbyPMasKyyGcej4QhFmaKXgds23MwkeJVGHrnpcQVriQAZeLTWk/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+027.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenwz3bVj9-BylfyShB-ERjvCvybYtsMjrevwpQeASeKtro6yGEPXN1U-k3oOgkfkrDLlWtwf3C1WE7Sy3jId9Len7CbyPMasKyyGcej4QhFmaKXgds23MwkeJVGHrnpcQVriQAZeLTWk/s400/Photo+Frame+027.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447581646957290914" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkD_2CnSGu3sgkZCeVwn0kHxGzHGnvPf78CY7vtZ0DhhmFEVCubJ7cluM2JgEWNX9PYO2exCqU3jN39UoXTKFeQRgMZynw5SCu0enBxsQacn-3NAgrsOgfVJ_mraJ8POMTAYBx1jFN1xg/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+025.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkD_2CnSGu3sgkZCeVwn0kHxGzHGnvPf78CY7vtZ0DhhmFEVCubJ7cluM2JgEWNX9PYO2exCqU3jN39UoXTKFeQRgMZynw5SCu0enBxsQacn-3NAgrsOgfVJ_mraJ8POMTAYBx1jFN1xg/s400/Photo+Frame+025.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447581633642933714" /></a><br />We crossed and recrossed the riverbed. Was it always the same riverbed? Hmmm. Don’t know. After about an hour of walking we came to this spot and knew we were getting close.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSbzbQbyj_Lc9CNCOtI5REcBYEhGcOkeoobSuRxsB8V9Q2Lqkplw6RUQIVOUHRksdllYJxosPj_tIcfGRVTLMeYHEyRjJCIQkhAVRyW1ACvHS2X8jq8PT6RsrW-I1yJIVak7E37f0Vdg/s1600-h/IMG_5570.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSbzbQbyj_Lc9CNCOtI5REcBYEhGcOkeoobSuRxsB8V9Q2Lqkplw6RUQIVOUHRksdllYJxosPj_tIcfGRVTLMeYHEyRjJCIQkhAVRyW1ACvHS2X8jq8PT6RsrW-I1yJIVak7E37f0Vdg/s400/IMG_5570.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447584673679942754" /></a><br />Do they shop at the store as well as wash their clothes on Saturday, getting ready for Sunday? In a shady spot like this laundry would be a pleasure.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOh2nfXPP48JP16e9PAxXZqs7iTfDbxd8vkKygvHIFlIh6zuGqVFfbfWHJ5lTKTqye1yxlixiSyYtuU61YlfspbkkNwRsjIjd2txldYykgBBoAolccL_EcGPTj0Sa_U3_nRYEgrySqik/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+060.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOh2nfXPP48JP16e9PAxXZqs7iTfDbxd8vkKygvHIFlIh6zuGqVFfbfWHJ5lTKTqye1yxlixiSyYtuU61YlfspbkkNwRsjIjd2txldYykgBBoAolccL_EcGPTj0Sa_U3_nRYEgrySqik/s400/Photo+Frame+060.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447584684976540146" /></a><br />Nature’s drying rack.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3AWwycjePgSMLtBuz8Y_XykjV-vFDxGkw2_WCy-IaMaS-ESz7hYcItuLZpHNuCM_b3xp_S65o7aFP93KKN3uiahbUt73jBrxSmxGY2wu_QZVj9-5BMj1ABEZZR4GjLqmopX21vqDJ7s/s1600-h/IMG_5661.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3AWwycjePgSMLtBuz8Y_XykjV-vFDxGkw2_WCy-IaMaS-ESz7hYcItuLZpHNuCM_b3xp_S65o7aFP93KKN3uiahbUt73jBrxSmxGY2wu_QZVj9-5BMj1ABEZZR4GjLqmopX21vqDJ7s/s400/IMG_5661.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447587788800350562" /></a><br />Leapin frogs! Look at this little guy! There were lots of them in the riverbed as we were approaching the cave.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWIfXL3L37iKodAZd2qnYl4t03xrt7V5aJfnzRP4tg0cxseCyA2mqNI-l905JdFrUIMvtSKT7UEDTBzijaSl0_clpEIi_oJR96OatI1rHJba6NR9I8plRcx6NrP0aXvJjx4-qrHLqCcU/s1600-h/IMG_5689.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWIfXL3L37iKodAZd2qnYl4t03xrt7V5aJfnzRP4tg0cxseCyA2mqNI-l905JdFrUIMvtSKT7UEDTBzijaSl0_clpEIi_oJR96OatI1rHJba6NR9I8plRcx6NrP0aXvJjx4-qrHLqCcU/s400/IMG_5689.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447584719895783762" /></a><br />This one <em>really</em> wanted to make friends with me. I caught it mid-jump in my hat, then forced it to have a photo moment with me before I turned it loose again.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSv6BbBkmh-TR0PIt2sbslnC1VC68soUMCoO2Ws4flcdWwRTlM_UHOjudYy4NiVMb-_mfjoJl-NPgbjSEymOHP2GGqBTJnQkykuKok-YLzPV3Nfq9w4xkZIF3t9PhSUN7pE0xagFP1e4/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+033.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSv6BbBkmh-TR0PIt2sbslnC1VC68soUMCoO2Ws4flcdWwRTlM_UHOjudYy4NiVMb-_mfjoJl-NPgbjSEymOHP2GGqBTJnQkykuKok-YLzPV3Nfq9w4xkZIF3t9PhSUN7pE0xagFP1e4/s400/Photo+Frame+033.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447584695475785234" /></a><br />This is the place. Most of us shifted a bit—shoes to sandals or pant legs up. It was a most pleasing spot to just sit:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBdfnEVD-0HHO4rdjO3hUytDAQLiL6cUiYNiFeCVzkd6d6Zj8GxpgyH4SMK2P7vNwwvhhHAzshW2zi6yxtPuti0cEN-OM8tP_zU2inn-9a20C3gXw2xA4TyalVPy8dG9XOY4osyW1M8U/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+030.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBdfnEVD-0HHO4rdjO3hUytDAQLiL6cUiYNiFeCVzkd6d6Zj8GxpgyH4SMK2P7vNwwvhhHAzshW2zi6yxtPuti0cEN-OM8tP_zU2inn-9a20C3gXw2xA4TyalVPy8dG9XOY4osyW1M8U/s400/Photo+Frame+030.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447584707668980498" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxjmPnsIWI2wCwH44DOButkiFNCMyVHUz4uk_gTTWWaXJsHm-QfsmJCklkvKQwt0w9ipsZuM1l1VR0JyESWIOCqVDsP_VtOB6IOO4scZ1lCtFSA_KBYS0-xpN08sBWw67qSUe9S8nR8M/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+033.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxjmPnsIWI2wCwH44DOButkiFNCMyVHUz4uk_gTTWWaXJsHm-QfsmJCklkvKQwt0w9ipsZuM1l1VR0JyESWIOCqVDsP_VtOB6IOO4scZ1lCtFSA_KBYS0-xpN08sBWw67qSUe9S8nR8M/s400/Photo+Frame+033.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447589186209904002" /></a><br />Snacks, anyone?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBqwIX4rA5TBrXb_a9x3xKJ4_p1WBIOBFGgzeS21DWqpH2SV_Qf7fpK3yfuX8o9FxrzumFq6RGTbGGZu2oShxoHrhXiz4wd7BeO2NVk_mA2lX37nxL4DZTE7zXcL_yBlGoToxEM2o480/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+035.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBqwIX4rA5TBrXb_a9x3xKJ4_p1WBIOBFGgzeS21DWqpH2SV_Qf7fpK3yfuX8o9FxrzumFq6RGTbGGZu2oShxoHrhXiz4wd7BeO2NVk_mA2lX37nxL4DZTE7zXcL_yBlGoToxEM2o480/s400/Photo+Frame+035.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447589194115414738" /></a><br />Looking back down the river from the mouth of the cave.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-coF_IIwe7-lEPKCqVu0f87SWXoj5ozJSdmlGvm5M2BM5xg3BY9IBfF2P_PGWnnitq0LMGw7PT2RQpbQKnChtEIP971tSJ7jR40GK_JhAPWOIOjmnG8EYRaKZoMvSyShgBP0bYqqC_Tg/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+043.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-coF_IIwe7-lEPKCqVu0f87SWXoj5ozJSdmlGvm5M2BM5xg3BY9IBfF2P_PGWnnitq0LMGw7PT2RQpbQKnChtEIP971tSJ7jR40GK_JhAPWOIOjmnG8EYRaKZoMvSyShgBP0bYqqC_Tg/s400/Photo+Frame+043.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447589217192596386" /></a><br />Let’s check out the rock formations inside.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuutlk9YLHX8cdLkC9qNxH7hyphenhyphen8mchROZ8KNmyiJI1C4PvW5mBRQmLf3suCgUjAvr1qnzDo0NJH3nZkQmnjxK5Da3fgoEKsxw6AnjAP6HtFz2t2RN5-a2g4FDS1iZGTGFoHDCnZcUYNFV4/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+042.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuutlk9YLHX8cdLkC9qNxH7hyphenhyphen8mchROZ8KNmyiJI1C4PvW5mBRQmLf3suCgUjAvr1qnzDo0NJH3nZkQmnjxK5Da3fgoEKsxw6AnjAP6HtFz2t2RN5-a2g4FDS1iZGTGFoHDCnZcUYNFV4/s400/Photo+Frame+042.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447589207752583650" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK__KnsA7fqU8Jk6YQ9xzjxZmClO0-iSbzdWdjp4wgpSNraQSogF1R8eKQSntpq9PvJaql5kecQv18gKxIHnlyrOwwoNP9FI8Qk_dca3X9HHXchyphenhyphenAhGN8HpOeFId4-Y4yLJwVtxeMRouw/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+041.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK__KnsA7fqU8Jk6YQ9xzjxZmClO0-iSbzdWdjp4wgpSNraQSogF1R8eKQSntpq9PvJaql5kecQv18gKxIHnlyrOwwoNP9FI8Qk_dca3X9HHXchyphenhyphenAhGN8HpOeFId4-Y4yLJwVtxeMRouw/s400/Photo+Frame+041.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447589197404323954" /></a><br />Now how are we going to get up there?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLR1JQ1cPLh5Q7kpn1wOXNOB8NJkZpohc_MXg-gRtrV8k_0rMrwHrWfYqAkLpJJRPk-iKY1gY9IWbD_S2By89-PZuerQiPuzt-TfimV-1AK0bG_AMy7_OlZYp9Wwmjg6ebkEMZjTsT-o/s1600-h/IMG_5708.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLR1JQ1cPLh5Q7kpn1wOXNOB8NJkZpohc_MXg-gRtrV8k_0rMrwHrWfYqAkLpJJRPk-iKY1gY9IWbD_S2By89-PZuerQiPuzt-TfimV-1AK0bG_AMy7_OlZYp9Wwmjg6ebkEMZjTsT-o/s400/IMG_5708.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447593593261884466" /></a><br />Big rocks. Very big rocks.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9iZLcTEl5q0-WaIy0t1KXHX2Jw5UjJ8ih9oj8W7Zo5CjchyphenhyphenlWFrnKbQy2FxHUGb8UB87s2cqXHA1LhiGV1-C_37M9NXVj8tCHUvFoZjIgGpaxFKvWtB_UlcAEuZBAfWWxEdLMsoQb2I/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+054.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9iZLcTEl5q0-WaIy0t1KXHX2Jw5UjJ8ih9oj8W7Zo5CjchyphenhyphenlWFrnKbQy2FxHUGb8UB87s2cqXHA1LhiGV1-C_37M9NXVj8tCHUvFoZjIgGpaxFKvWtB_UlcAEuZBAfWWxEdLMsoQb2I/s400/Photo+Frame+054.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447593553144125090" /></a><br />Sister Fullmer is a high energy missionary mom. Her youngest son is serving in Virginia right now. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7BixInPb3HEgRupQT43T-llAhc1lFvUT9CpPbgDY047qGVlAjO7vdeWxD9LPCXqeM17NZKzK1wi8_jiO4bmZedoQJl-FcSDw16h5PlfM3Yz3VkKyWdraxmIu4kv2Nbdt02UAk4WuIJQ/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+057.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7BixInPb3HEgRupQT43T-llAhc1lFvUT9CpPbgDY047qGVlAjO7vdeWxD9LPCXqeM17NZKzK1wi8_jiO4bmZedoQJl-FcSDw16h5PlfM3Yz3VkKyWdraxmIu4kv2Nbdt02UAk4WuIJQ/s400/Photo+Frame+057.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447593585247415874" /></a><br />The expedition crew: L to R—Nina, Jun, Sister Fullmer, Sister Reed, Bro. Saavedra, Kaikai, Eduardo & Kevin<br /><br />For serving with 120 young missionaries, you've probably noticed that our adventures don't include them. Our preparation day is on Saturday and theirs is on Wednesday.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2Mqoq7WxzIkw-9i_Wzy20rf_WnFlKAF7PmnCT5G_th3Irp_8HUdCYk5vUHkQUusEa3SrPEAAr0WYn12ixC9X59jRrY-cQMwqO5YLLAHJ20N3-eHAw19VCrBYaN9QCpmlxekKi3E57fQ/s1600-h/IMG_5734.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2Mqoq7WxzIkw-9i_Wzy20rf_WnFlKAF7PmnCT5G_th3Irp_8HUdCYk5vUHkQUusEa3SrPEAAr0WYn12ixC9X59jRrY-cQMwqO5YLLAHJ20N3-eHAw19VCrBYaN9QCpmlxekKi3E57fQ/s400/IMG_5734.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447593599768825778" /></a><br />Time to head back.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QxCmCmAEVFCbVAOHfTmxgia20dKAVnBBvykjfxB3taEI4GX-ee67IQzWquLh7UsiwdWbF3Bd52uaS9oZ5yJ0pTU3PJmUh9yY6LiQ2gqQZiBUQqY0WFTu6i6_c_WNMP0e5C82RDWzzS8/s1600-h/IMG_5739.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QxCmCmAEVFCbVAOHfTmxgia20dKAVnBBvykjfxB3taEI4GX-ee67IQzWquLh7UsiwdWbF3Bd52uaS9oZ5yJ0pTU3PJmUh9yY6LiQ2gqQZiBUQqY0WFTu6i6_c_WNMP0e5C82RDWzzS8/s400/IMG_5739.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447593610892667490" /></a><br />We stopped for fried bananas and a visit at a little store.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14D43OfoBDGNkBGNqbgjyHFgViiRMKleJyIW0I9uh_RU3ZPjW9s3RA3nzbsFSMXzCZLqGsEqYOfsOpn5f20AUTVGS_zbUWyVGkYI8HQ_-iZ6lmNkrxteVbcdDp45OEqtQRk78NCf7u8U/s1600-h/IMG_5747.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14D43OfoBDGNkBGNqbgjyHFgViiRMKleJyIW0I9uh_RU3ZPjW9s3RA3nzbsFSMXzCZLqGsEqYOfsOpn5f20AUTVGS_zbUWyVGkYI8HQ_-iZ6lmNkrxteVbcdDp45OEqtQRk78NCf7u8U/s400/IMG_5747.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447601922632102914" /></a><br />Sister Fullmer is an avid camera clicker too.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUk0wqfLh4qAJu974PTNd2CnjqkzszBInxcqgfxSE3-wxoIXYswueqfFwCPhzBu2I9lHUsedbkRV8svtfNY_jBsCvvPtutlPvpkOqrA2LTSyTeAKxNRshSJ9ZrRFkZXB2c6cPyj4Po9Q/s1600-h/IMG_5767.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUk0wqfLh4qAJu974PTNd2CnjqkzszBInxcqgfxSE3-wxoIXYswueqfFwCPhzBu2I9lHUsedbkRV8svtfNY_jBsCvvPtutlPvpkOqrA2LTSyTeAKxNRshSJ9ZrRFkZXB2c6cPyj4Po9Q/s400/IMG_5767.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447602788814482914" /></a><br />A carabao spa. There were seven lounging on the banks or in the water. <br /><br />The trail took us through this farmer’s field. Maybe this was my chance to ride a carabao. Yes? No. Rats. I’m ready when the opportunity presents itself.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXR5ukF8EtXPrv-fr4HSFPkMKJL2gnXm-gc-ZsXcGeYZpyGy3rf1OlUO3zgLGRrgiItz5gAl-rIktBvc9FtK7VYqv7Z_oY1Br2goupgbfaKoBqIm9A_NRixBPnGWhEYzzQ-F3WnUaOcgo/s1600-h/IMG_5752.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXR5ukF8EtXPrv-fr4HSFPkMKJL2gnXm-gc-ZsXcGeYZpyGy3rf1OlUO3zgLGRrgiItz5gAl-rIktBvc9FtK7VYqv7Z_oY1Br2goupgbfaKoBqIm9A_NRixBPnGWhEYzzQ-F3WnUaOcgo/s400/IMG_5752.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447603422319703250" /></a><br />“Can I try plowing?” Sure.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNW1l5-m42EuIuxywEWfv31_Y7Knruw048XU9F58lDIucWFwMfNe5HNNDWbLCW0QzvErYLec8M_yCyCS9F1BkTlsbylBsKGryvJEhrFHOUObH2E3GsukZ9EH4RR8HT2oYlhDqSp1Pt8E/s1600-h/IMG_5753.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNW1l5-m42EuIuxywEWfv31_Y7Knruw048XU9F58lDIucWFwMfNe5HNNDWbLCW0QzvErYLec8M_yCyCS9F1BkTlsbylBsKGryvJEhrFHOUObH2E3GsukZ9EH4RR8HT2oYlhDqSp1Pt8E/s400/IMG_5753.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447604399243698018" /></a><br />It’s harder than it looks.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_MhLkXgOAX8Md9smLg5hSBM4gaVFHqkTMfn5b3NKIS5M48GlMTa7PPiGZk-emerGo6Dw90CI0ufzKM1IRF2e9AAvJlJHN2YkrVFmojZtQfWfS6_L9sImY8WCP0b0OERSSWvKMT5WdUY/s1600-h/IMG_5757.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_MhLkXgOAX8Md9smLg5hSBM4gaVFHqkTMfn5b3NKIS5M48GlMTa7PPiGZk-emerGo6Dw90CI0ufzKM1IRF2e9AAvJlJHN2YkrVFmojZtQfWfS6_L9sImY8WCP0b0OERSSWvKMT5WdUY/s400/IMG_5757.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447607510682174930" /></a><br />The plowing duo on the return round. The carabau accepted this unskilled plowboy pretty well.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDKWmPG48T4ZLZ21hi8ZyMOA37MgLnmNfE1RAF5vd_0y8yHyoTlllAV2npYfd6ZTA_HUJo_nTcipR312xdAX_zfLHwFiYRYo_LpGHg8PhfpZ0QTp4okRJIj1WrflbRmNtr5RkoWRYkus/s1600-h/IMG_5759.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDKWmPG48T4ZLZ21hi8ZyMOA37MgLnmNfE1RAF5vd_0y8yHyoTlllAV2npYfd6ZTA_HUJo_nTcipR312xdAX_zfLHwFiYRYo_LpGHg8PhfpZ0QTp4okRJIj1WrflbRmNtr5RkoWRYkus/s400/IMG_5759.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447608334192255458" /></a><br />You’re still alive if you want to try new things.<br />See ya in the next adventure.<br />Kevin & AnnReeds in Cebuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262279042116242953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8106957156328475067.post-84987130330182580812010-02-11T17:13:00.000-08:002010-02-11T17:18:13.680-08:00Take a Stand!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgrXNy2E1lCxvi_lC24WakjEI55gkJ4noJGugP7-c5F5UA0hgb5v8BjbUdz00HL8MROgbzFfiDjhgcO5KOmlHXazerk7z6H7yvLEmO88H4MyWXgCw48WsXGrdsR8DqIPoHf6QdM8kaG0/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgrXNy2E1lCxvi_lC24WakjEI55gkJ4noJGugP7-c5F5UA0hgb5v8BjbUdz00HL8MROgbzFfiDjhgcO5KOmlHXazerk7z6H7yvLEmO88H4MyWXgCw48WsXGrdsR8DqIPoHf6QdM8kaG0/s400/Photo+Frame+003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437159724543316242" /></a><br />Look who Kevin found in the kitchen sink as he started doing the dishes this morning--one of our midnight warriors! Go little gecko! Patrol away! Lead out in ant warfare! (Actually he was kind of dazed, and after his photo shoot he might be blind...)Reeds in Cebuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262279042116242953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8106957156328475067.post-41224306484053805562010-02-07T01:18:00.000-08:002010-02-08T01:14:29.127-08:00The Inspectors Have ReturnedJeepneys of the week:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1Lf6HHrmVOvLwC7Wgrs3_udS4BLYjvKgLE1ukCpwJ6gfkTM3RvaLnfKHDNUcm9qbCiG3NTVqEtjB2fm4y-iYQyi5Nx4B0OwknYKlRYX6Q4dSH55c88WL8H_vNAY-aXzzq0l1KepTP6I/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1Lf6HHrmVOvLwC7Wgrs3_udS4BLYjvKgLE1ukCpwJ6gfkTM3RvaLnfKHDNUcm9qbCiG3NTVqEtjB2fm4y-iYQyi5Nx4B0OwknYKlRYX6Q4dSH55c88WL8H_vNAY-aXzzq0l1KepTP6I/s400/Photo+Frame+006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435790682360612450" /></a><br />We saw these spiffy roadsters on our drive to Bogo today. We'll probably feature some trikes in the near future since they're also a common form of public transportation on the island.<br /><br />Plant of the week:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA__08BxUnCrxln2ZdhBbBGC1iO-4kxhLP6SEhyZKm5JcuQUvmGpUIHVb-KWZ6bVyGCppzj0kbVE2Klq83vAWErjBlex8GmdnCJTUDqqsRzKeHN2G66vKg_zF4DMmnYRv7AdsnMQ_UKTA/s1600-h/Picture+009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA__08BxUnCrxln2ZdhBbBGC1iO-4kxhLP6SEhyZKm5JcuQUvmGpUIHVb-KWZ6bVyGCppzj0kbVE2Klq83vAWErjBlex8GmdnCJTUDqqsRzKeHN2G66vKg_zF4DMmnYRv7AdsnMQ_UKTA/s400/Picture+009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435794781117821890" /></a><br />Chlorophytum comasum, a.k.a. the common spider plant.<br />Think about every tropical plant you've ever tried to grow and put it out in the landscape. Actually, this guy lives in our bathroom, thriving under fluorescent lights. Studies have shown that spider plant is quite effective in cleaning indoor air by absorbing chemicals including formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, and carbon monoxide in homes or offices. As you can see, the blooms are a miniature treasure.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2PQsjauJiYVSoojLtzYXMeNtJgaAdrqBIAyLS68GM0uuA1OH1Xqx7sIagtv2jpstmou0UUwih-Lrc4x2Y-Bfltd6b8LygmESliJsPm1V9Vbtfs8oBxJLT2I9uG0SlIjZb92MUkjlkOk/s1600-h/Picture+008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2PQsjauJiYVSoojLtzYXMeNtJgaAdrqBIAyLS68GM0uuA1OH1Xqx7sIagtv2jpstmou0UUwih-Lrc4x2Y-Bfltd6b8LygmESliJsPm1V9Vbtfs8oBxJLT2I9uG0SlIjZb92MUkjlkOk/s400/Picture+008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435794790950894354" /></a><br />When we arrived in Cebu last March and settled into our apartment, we became aware of an unexpected bonus to living above the mission office: free inspectors. These are individuals, zealous in the business of home inspection. Every morning in those early months we arose wondering what the inspectors had found. Were we neat and tidy? Were we diligent in wiping away every last crumb? They never said much one way or the other, but sent us resounding messages of success or failure. If we succeeded in our duty they left quietly. If we failed they called in their associates to assist them in home inspection. Without so much as a word we knew what the inspectors thought of our home maintenance.<br /><br />I think we've gotten better at home keeping, which seems ironic after 30 years of practicing in Boise. But as I said, the inspectors were powerful without uttering a word.<br /><br />We got so good at our tidy-business that the inspectors were called elsewhere; other homes that needed their services much more than ours. <br /><br />Or did they leave because of their fear of the thugs in our neighborhood? I’m sure we’d hear the warfare in the night if we didn’t sleep with ear plugs and the air conditioner running. Warfare or not, even the thugs were tidy; no trace of anything unusual in the morning. <br /><br />Recently though,--hmmm. Could it be the condition of our dear neighbor’s apartment which brought the inspectors back to the neighborhood? Our beloved neighbors have been sort of busy and distracted lately.<br /><br />Inspectors are single-minded in their work. They don’t make an appointment, they just show up, usually at an odd time when you have your guard down. Their relentlessness begins immediately; no polite knocking or waiting patiently for you to make order. Your focus shifts from whatever you were previously doing to appeasing the inspectors. If you’re lucky they won’t bring their entire inspection force immediately, but give you time to repent and reorganize.<br /><br />Sigh. Where are those thugs when you need them? They are usually persistent in their own right. On vacation? Napping? One can only hope they get word about the return of the inspectors and return themselves.<br /><br />In case you’ve got a knot in the pit of your stomach thinking we really live in a dangerous, horrible place, we’re talking about ants and geckos. The locals have mixed reviews on these two characters; some shrug their shoulders at the ants and accept them as a normal part of life. Others cheer for the geckos who eat the ants but leave gecko poops. C’mon now. How big can a gecko poop really be? We favor the thugs, poop and all. (Compostable? Their food source is very clean.) At least the geckos are shy and retiring and wouldn’t dream of inspecting a batch of newly-baked cookies that need to cool before being put away. The ant’s though—grrr. We wonder if our restless nights have something to do with tiny squeals we almost hear (remember the ear plugs) while warfare is taking place in our kitchen.<br /><br />It’s an uncommonly beautiful Saturday and we are on our way to Bogo. For being a tropical paradise, most days aren’t drop-dead beautiful like today. It’s warm but not blistering hot, the sky is bright blue and there are big, puffy ocean clouds giving us something interesting to look at in case the road traffic isn’t interesting enough.<br /><br />Kevin is very good at this drive. Think of the last time you played a driving video game. That’s what he does for 3 hours at a time on these drives to Bogo. We just passed a funeral procession (2nd one today—sometimes they proceed down the middle of the road, sometimes to the right) and you would have been proud of his quick reflexes swerving around a road sign in the middle of the street while avoiding the funeral procession on the right. Sometimes he’s having so much video driving fun that I can’t bare it and just go to sleep…<br /><br />We enjoyed a vigorous walk this morning with Eduardo, who we will properly introduce you to in the near future, came home to our “tidy” apartment (no ants that we could see), cleaned, breakfasted, and now this stimulating drive out of the city. It wasn’t bad getting beyond Mandaue today. We’re on deck for piano class at 4:00, branch choir practice at 5:00, then dinner with Ron and Eva, who we will also introduce you to in the near future.<br /><br />Kevin is remarkably steady in how he responds to the busyness of our life here. I, on the other hand, get weary. Sometimes I just need to lie quietly and read a book for a few hours. Conversely, he keeps going like the energizer bunny. I guess we’re a good combination because he can take up my slack when I’m weary, and I'm sure I do something worthwhile for him. <br /><br />We are almost to Las Flores and have decided to stop in and say hello to Ian and Virgie and get Janice to make us a sandwich for the road. The ocean is a good match for the sky today; pleasing to say the least. We will enjoy it from the car so that we don't create anxious hurry in getting to our piano class on time.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9Gg6Q8-HC4hk8i5nY_Zw8HISUyKJ3ylHLsiPOwe_dfr2eiBgxV4giK6cqEGBPc1FnuQ1WIlmlcy47fuO-mJFg2bJ5nuhqKXBU4DrDReDYmxOmFCxpr1Da2Bgqte305ip32XxhGRgo5g/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9Gg6Q8-HC4hk8i5nY_Zw8HISUyKJ3ylHLsiPOwe_dfr2eiBgxV4giK6cqEGBPc1FnuQ1WIlmlcy47fuO-mJFg2bJ5nuhqKXBU4DrDReDYmxOmFCxpr1Da2Bgqte305ip32XxhGRgo5g/s400/Photo+Frame+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435790694375170962" /></a><br />This is the little hotel we stay at in Bogo. The rooms are cozy but clean, and it's a quiet night's sleep even though we are in a double bed instead of a queen or king.<br /><br />Sunday afternoon--We've returned, having taught and socialized and worshipped and taught some more. The piano classes are good because the students want to learn. How can you be unhappy with students who are happy to be with you? The two-week span between lessons is a little troubling to me; I like the idea of a weekly lesson, and preferably one-on-one. We do what we can, right? <br /><br />Kevin is proving a very capable piano class assistant. He has studied the course I teach from and knows enough to take the students through their paces on note recognition. If we team teach we can divide the class and have them rotate through both our sections, giving them almost individual attention. I really believe in private piano lessons, and the success of my Cebu students proves the point. We'll do all we can for these Bogo & Polambato students in the very limited time we have.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ02jabeDbV2eY1LCsI-olXAC58uiIlTvPUOqZdy4WqvH1WHGOsYDEV1sSzdPUWX15ndUgJSvf3dRf2wlUMRrfpdHm_0T4ESrVpOglKSI3uCBhJeKKXQe9JFsJYjUpC7x71bZmmret6As/s1600-h/Photo+Frame+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ02jabeDbV2eY1LCsI-olXAC58uiIlTvPUOqZdy4WqvH1WHGOsYDEV1sSzdPUWX15ndUgJSvf3dRf2wlUMRrfpdHm_0T4ESrVpOglKSI3uCBhJeKKXQe9JFsJYjUpC7x71bZmmret6As/s400/Photo+Frame+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435790702391973138" /></a><br />Kevin studying his flashcards before the Bogo class.<br /><br />Today we are both in good form and grateful for the labors of the day. We hope you are too. Our dear friends Lex and Karen Cranney are in the middle of their own life chapter at the moment. Just send your faith heavenward for them, as Lex (85) just had new heart valves installed and there are interesting twists in that recovery process. Our completely selfish thoughts are, “not yet, Lord. Lex is still so young and full of life.”<br /><br />Our love and blessings and THANKS for your prayers and cheery emails. They mean a lot to us, and we enjoy sending you a personal hello back as time permits. Have a great week.<br /><br />Kevin & Ann in CebuReeds in Cebuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262279042116242953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8106957156328475067.post-47514286407176988832010-01-30T18:23:00.001-08:002010-01-31T01:55:25.122-08:00Plant of the week:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Zw2_lxfP0BOiJVscbDGKG1kVjUkti_T99LVpz2H141gnWQECRiE5CFqcScUcsGs0H_bgOdFjgKi6ctcjcmJxv3j4yN5HKPf556hPQmV45pjSlMWCrcK6PytZajtQFacJY-1vSCOPa50/s1600-h/095.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Zw2_lxfP0BOiJVscbDGKG1kVjUkti_T99LVpz2H141gnWQECRiE5CFqcScUcsGs0H_bgOdFjgKi6ctcjcmJxv3j4yN5HKPf556hPQmV45pjSlMWCrcK6PytZajtQFacJY-1vSCOPa50/s400/095.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432733120240861650" /></a><br />Saccharum officinarum, or sugarcane. Plant family: POACEAE<br /><br />Sugarcane is a giant, tropical, perennial grass that grows up to six metres high. Its stalk contains sweet juice from which sugar can be extracted. It is a principle crop on Cebu, particularly in the north end of the island where we visit branches a couple of times a month.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxzmIeCEwCvxprA6_kwKHlTvm5SJzSpQ3txrzD8pIGqrvR7Q7FL5vWk0xojFH4hJIHImS_2e5V3F3GVA24anWQz_xnRHTBAYLeEb74UGKLMUK326kFhzm87FUWGB07IraaqgUMJYvZt4/s1600-h/081.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxzmIeCEwCvxprA6_kwKHlTvm5SJzSpQ3txrzD8pIGqrvR7Q7FL5vWk0xojFH4hJIHImS_2e5V3F3GVA24anWQz_xnRHTBAYLeEb74UGKLMUK326kFhzm87FUWGB07IraaqgUMJYvZt4/s400/081.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432733104862831058" /></a><br />Sugarcane harvest has been going on for a couple of months now. Pregnant elephants have nothing on these heavily laden trucks that lumber down the highway to deliver the cut stalks to the sugar refinery. <br /><br />Question: How long does it take after moving to a new place to feel like it's not new any more?<br /><br />Answer: About 10 months for us. Our daily round seems normal--ordinary--regular. We've been scratching our heads for the last couple of weeks over what to blog about. Hmmm. Thank goodness we have a close relationship with our point and shoot which goes everywhere with us. (And hopefully the battery is charged.) Visual folks (Ann in particular) do better at describing an image. It's probably more interesting for you, too.<br /><br />It was Sinulog ( seen-nu-lowg) a couple of weekends ago here in Cebu. This is the Catholic festival to celebrate their patron saint Santo Nino. There was an amazing influx of visitors to the city for this celebration; we stayed home so we wouldn't add to the traffic mess. I think it has some similarities to Mardi Gras, including bright costumes and dancing. Following that weekend celebration, the provinces have their own version of Sinulod, including one last weekend in one of the communities we drive through to get to Bogo. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzel3eNkGDu-_Fqrsxt557TEZzNqw45iWLMPoJAC0KXTyAEpegfx3PNBv3WE0ZLMCqU0oIbNQPHHjCxn_m598H9MJ6A6ifBPWW2tlnQpx9uPQfzbvIikdODEDUlS5HUn-iP6vnz_ci9Fw/s1600-h/103.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzel3eNkGDu-_Fqrsxt557TEZzNqw45iWLMPoJAC0KXTyAEpegfx3PNBv3WE0ZLMCqU0oIbNQPHHjCxn_m598H9MJ6A6ifBPWW2tlnQpx9uPQfzbvIikdODEDUlS5HUn-iP6vnz_ci9Fw/s400/103.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432733129380504306" /></a><br />Traffic was routed through the parade staging area, which offered us some rich Kodak moments. Or was it these blue and orange costumes that caught my eye? Could have popped these girls out of Danao into Boise and they would have fit right into Bronco fever.<br /><br />Every once in a while you find yourself in "the harvest position". You know--in many life experiences, there are those who plant, those who weed and tend, and those who harvest. Well, <em>we</em> didn't really harvest, but enjoyed watching the harvest. Marlon and Janet, a young couple in the Pulambato branch were finally able to be baptized last weekend. "Yeah? And?" You might be asking? They met the missionaries a year ago. If you think of the parable of the sower and where the seeds fell, Marlon and Janet were definitely fertile soil. They received the principles of the gospel with humble, teachable hearts, even the ones that they didn't know how to implement into their lives, such as getting married so they could be baptized. Sigh. For such a family-oriented culture, the Philippine laws make marriage a difficult and expensive endeavor, which encourages those in humble circumstances to simply live together.<br /><br />Marlon and Janet have been practicing the principle of enduring to the end--being faithful--for the past year. In spite of <em>not</em> being baptized members of the church, they have <em>lived</em> like they already made that sacred covenant. They attend their church meetings and participate fully. They contribute to the health and vitality of the Pulambato Branch. Their home reflects their love of the Lord. With the help of Elder Dizon and Elder Elmer (and all the other missionaries who taught and encouraged them, and worked on the whole marriage project) Marlon and Janet were married on Wednesday and baptized on Saturday. <br /><br />While they were changing after their baptisms the branch members sang "Come, Come Ye Saints, and the 2nd verse became a tutorial for me in a whole new way. From now on I will always think of Janet and Marlon's faithfulness in trying circumstances when I sing this hymn. "Why should we mourn (is it "moan" for most of us?) or think our lot is hard? Hard is not having enough to eat and walking more than an hour each way to church. And being pregnant and doing the above. <br /><br />After they were baptized they each shared their testimonies, which reflected a whole year of gospel commitment and living. Very inspiring!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHMrF1lKxEEb8SANTEJcUO5P7SPFGhWdbQ8te1yDxqPY2AbIcXBS46dI8dItbGdKBNT1UOwYHNmI05p2c8WTHecw_96W58qqJ38YqhwRONsCugiIJqHaBKOXw74cMCzWs8NJxXtCkw5U/s1600-h/085.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHMrF1lKxEEb8SANTEJcUO5P7SPFGhWdbQ8te1yDxqPY2AbIcXBS46dI8dItbGdKBNT1UOwYHNmI05p2c8WTHecw_96W58qqJ38YqhwRONsCugiIJqHaBKOXw74cMCzWs8NJxXtCkw5U/s400/085.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432733114149395330" /></a><br />L to R: Elder Dizon--a very intelligent, organized, shaker-mover missionary. Janet, Marlon, Brother Richerd, who baptized them, Elder Elmer, a brand new missionary out from California--upbeat, learning as fast as he can--a very fine fellow.<br /><br />Watching this whole process take place since we started attending the Polumbato Branch 6 months ago reminds us to be patient and contribute all we can in whatever way possible, knowing that sometimes we'll be a planter and sometimes we'll be a harvester, or maybe a weeder/waterer. ALL are important in a myriad of different planting/harvesting life experiences.<br /><br />We keep walking. We keep watching ourselves sitting at desks all day, wondering if our backsides will fit into airline seats when it's time to go home. Add to our sitting, our advancing years (what's up with this latest decade body change?!?!?), and we keep walking. <br /><br />A few weekends ago we decided to walk to the top of a "foothills" mountain a little south of our daily walking spot. Kevin. I will <em>never</em> have a dull, boring life with him. He's always thinking and figuring and planning and arranging and coming up with more ideas than most people have in a year--just for the pleasure of it. Anyway, he was pretty sure we could walk to the top of this hill on a road cut we could see from our daily walking spot. Kaikai was game; we've introduced him to some interesting spots in his home town in the last 10 months. We headed out at about 5:30 on a Saturday morning and had the pleasure of walking up for about an hour and a half. It wasn't difficult or treacherous (treacherous around here can be as simple as a trail with coral chunks sticking out after a light rain. Talk about slick--I've got a "souvineer" from a prevous hiking condition.) <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUgRwrCvSf0RhSYuUyHezuUfhEbZFiQ9mOd8XehW5JKcAdvIQOmLx5MRtCg9az3WOhX9vpblS6GWH7TMmwfpQ6184zfTZVoocUdJ7HddLLhoTy77fLpECMhl7oh0VX78okQusM5GjPWU/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUgRwrCvSf0RhSYuUyHezuUfhEbZFiQ9mOd8XehW5JKcAdvIQOmLx5MRtCg9az3WOhX9vpblS6GWH7TMmwfpQ6184zfTZVoocUdJ7HddLLhoTy77fLpECMhl7oh0VX78okQusM5GjPWU/s400/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432732391145136658" /></a><br />We had pavement part of the way up, as you can see. This definitely wasn't a wilderness adventure, although we didn't see anybody else for 3 hours. Kaikai is very fit and Kevin has long legs. They match pace easily, and I just try to keep up. Sometimes I don't try very hard. There are plants and cloud formations to study afterall. We are a comfortable trio on these outings (we always invite the other walking regulars to join us--maybe one of these days they will be adventurous...) and no one is fussy about pace. Sometimes they are ahead and sometimes I am behind. Sometimes we group up for a picture. (How else am I going to catch up?)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEfigWcKYgtFfZp7WVBKTSps-YuuJvu5ZMAh8zKT2GKXHY8EexB3ED5OJd7yhzhHlqxp5Gl7Pnng019nHvPAxfRjFRGy0Ix8gb_IEFW9NULMsbtfFauvjHCc4r81r9n7yMKWKcbCLdaM0/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEfigWcKYgtFfZp7WVBKTSps-YuuJvu5ZMAh8zKT2GKXHY8EexB3ED5OJd7yhzhHlqxp5Gl7Pnng019nHvPAxfRjFRGy0Ix8gb_IEFW9NULMsbtfFauvjHCc4r81r9n7yMKWKcbCLdaM0/s400/003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432732402758683762" /></a><br />There we are on the top of the mountain. It will be someone's building lot someday. Such a view--city and ocean to the east and south with tropical mountains to the north and west. It was our lot for an hour...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXuc5pD37oA_fyJIbSMa60OuAURy4rz35o5QyXunyuBASbOJemMFTuzqBtD-A33LD9DBJg2j5SMHd0NB4NZYkV5KieKM_woObqbGfJxxV9JmrV9iTXrzzFPLKEtF6aOB2imX2ZZtFGCs/s1600-h/008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXuc5pD37oA_fyJIbSMa60OuAURy4rz35o5QyXunyuBASbOJemMFTuzqBtD-A33LD9DBJg2j5SMHd0NB4NZYkV5KieKM_woObqbGfJxxV9JmrV9iTXrzzFPLKEtF6aOB2imX2ZZtFGCs/s400/008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432732418339690578" /></a><br />I think we've written about the wide availability of most things here. It is true. We lack nothing, except hugs from our grandkids and cottage cheese. Oh and shoes to fit our big boat American feet. It became a necessity when we realized we'd walked our soles off. Literally. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQt3Xsvm2xYCnJfzdpfOT91XWiVxiaDJa3paiDx4WU4KaldS9Q1gsmk6d2z5GvFyZPeQ44xvz7Bj1YGDeDz7qZlXs-5xnJp65xfTXLC1uMz14xI05ks7t0bCzRHBH-4mixSrcZHzk3ADI/s1600-h/025.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQt3Xsvm2xYCnJfzdpfOT91XWiVxiaDJa3paiDx4WU4KaldS9Q1gsmk6d2z5GvFyZPeQ44xvz7Bj1YGDeDz7qZlXs-5xnJp65xfTXLC1uMz14xI05ks7t0bCzRHBH-4mixSrcZHzk3ADI/s400/025.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432732443244865970" /></a><br />There are plenty of shoes available here, but BIG shoes? Not so many. We made the rounds of the athletic shoe stores in the mall. After 4-5 stores we quit looking at the particulars of shoes and just asked if they had our sizes. Looking for ready-made clothes is about the same. We American girls have big bones. It's very humbling to try on clothes and have everything be too small...<br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2fSQR6GDrRrufExi9T1SIT47Y-1Xm1ACpGUstjDbzxEaQ_ruRqMyM7I9ZMBV1Sc3KCd7DRkLeQ0MMbIrx4MnF2q4Re-lBO0Ts-tGOTcaAmbv2ThmzqMF8cTlur8ayZ9CbxFLKhsslhc/s1600-h/024.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2fSQR6GDrRrufExi9T1SIT47Y-1Xm1ACpGUstjDbzxEaQ_ruRqMyM7I9ZMBV1Sc3KCd7DRkLeQ0MMbIrx4MnF2q4Re-lBO0Ts-tGOTcaAmbv2ThmzqMF8cTlur8ayZ9CbxFLKhsslhc/s400/024.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432732430778091874" /></a><br />We could be an advertisement for New Balance shoes I guess. We hope these will get us to the top of Mt. Manungal again.<br /><br />We had an interesting opportunity to give service last weekend. Actually, what we gave was blood. A young fellow on the other side of the island who had had a 6-year foot problem (BIG problem) that ended in amputation. We could each donate a pint (this one's for you, Dad) and reduce his hospital bill by $200. Nice! We didn't mind at all.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kNQZc2JnPI8EzpJ8_MmIAyzOZbW1ygOqcTLub1-l-SqQyUbK42BgkGzM2MJiI_fAr2OlJOdx-aUAUKuLAt6sHQoXvWixtNESdGl2cVQzAFrSt-GxZzfCZnWflNe-ANFrbeFKvagSV44/s1600-h/073.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kNQZc2JnPI8EzpJ8_MmIAyzOZbW1ygOqcTLub1-l-SqQyUbK42BgkGzM2MJiI_fAr2OlJOdx-aUAUKuLAt6sHQoXvWixtNESdGl2cVQzAFrSt-GxZzfCZnWflNe-ANFrbeFKvagSV44/s400/073.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432733096278443106" /></a><br />Here is my jokester Kevin after his blood draw. Actually, it was a victory for him. Last time he donated he passed out.<br /><br />Yesterday was another walk about over on the west side of the island. We had hopes of hiking to a cave with waterfalls in it, but got a late start so just drove over and figured out the particulars so we will know what's what when we do it for real. We met the people who will be our guides next time, including their 4-year-old grandson and his friend. Their hands indicate "handsome or beautiful--guwapo or guwapa. Now you just try to tell us that little kids aren't watching their oldsters and immitating everything they do! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-u61kZRprSPS4KSbaCqc9teGuh7RqCF2tjPXoTarUFtJOvuAMJ1mVJTNgVuJudEUCLL4yZmgYISWiQ0CPpmtYSm3KMfTZM7ftg5iVkNluQqU7tO_8cvRuuaWt4bLzesJbJXkCPWi5HQ/s1600-h/110.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-u61kZRprSPS4KSbaCqc9teGuh7RqCF2tjPXoTarUFtJOvuAMJ1mVJTNgVuJudEUCLL4yZmgYISWiQ0CPpmtYSm3KMfTZM7ftg5iVkNluQqU7tO_8cvRuuaWt4bLzesJbJXkCPWi5HQ/s400/110.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432733601149704898" /></a><br />These kids immediately jumped into photo pose when I got out the camera.<br /><br />Our drive back over the mountains was misty moisty foggy. We kept saying saying to each other (over the noise of the engine and air conditioner) "it's so quiet--listen to that quiet". Maybe we'll move to Challis when we're finished with our mission assignment. Just kidding.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfEBs65X_GJcEAgvvPFqhDcTGhJzdUBZfy7-SBXJydFmiu_BVnH88kCusVmGPi7RR-zwJGZGEZOeUiCCmz0IYOY0RHNJo-eFhFd_rZvOUJzQ9ThU6nSuuTb674VXunOX3_XneHBjiL0k/s1600-h/113.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfEBs65X_GJcEAgvvPFqhDcTGhJzdUBZfy7-SBXJydFmiu_BVnH88kCusVmGPi7RR-zwJGZGEZOeUiCCmz0IYOY0RHNJo-eFhFd_rZvOUJzQ9ThU6nSuuTb674VXunOX3_XneHBjiL0k/s400/113.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432733610396391010" /></a><br /><br />And finally, our digital photo frame died on us a while back. We were getting a little mopey without our friends and loved ones in plain sight, so we created a photo board, sort of like the one in our back hall at home. Now we eat our meals with our friends and loved ones! Do you see yourself here? If not it's because we didn't have a picture of you in our computer file. PLEASE email us one; we'd love to have dinner with you, too. It needs to be a picture with high enough resolution to print well or you will look like you've had a poorly done facelift. OR, you can make our day in another away and snail mail prints! Either way we will be grateful and happy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwulokSjVkgWJwsjUj-LIoGr-qQe1l880k_R-oTkoRiiTPwZoID8JpxhgOXQGRtG6r7zxw_z5L0TD-ud_zy4-lw4Kjh8yIBgi2WytGpf6K1laI14DzpqmAaQaTlHl2nCxA4O0L4pe6T8/s1600-h/125.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwulokSjVkgWJwsjUj-LIoGr-qQe1l880k_R-oTkoRiiTPwZoID8JpxhgOXQGRtG6r7zxw_z5L0TD-ud_zy4-lw4Kjh8yIBgi2WytGpf6K1laI14DzpqmAaQaTlHl2nCxA4O0L4pe6T8/s400/125.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432734773327797378" /></a><br />Ya know what? Maybe I need to just designate a time to sit and blog and trust that something reasonable will come out of my brain. You are always on our minds and in our hearts as we go about our days. A mission--time away from family and friends--full-time service--enlarges us in ways we couldn't have imagined. It's a delight to be here even as we are challenged. Isn't that God's way? We don't become like him by sitting on the sidelines. Love and blessings, Kevin & AnnReeds in Cebuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262279042116242953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8106957156328475067.post-81653136048557262662009-12-30T19:28:00.000-08:002010-01-07T02:59:13.037-08:00Christmas at Las FloresDecember 25, 2009<br /><br />As the season has developed we have enjoyed the variety and creativity of the decorations that abound here. The traditional (as we determine!) colors are used but in addition, many other colors are introduced, such as lavender and teal, and lots of sparkily stuff! We have seen lights and decorations that really enliven one's creative thinking. On the other side, the expression of this nativity is crafted in such a way that you get a strong sense of the deep feelings of the artisans.<br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0-xBug6WLJ9z6cx_pVD4J4ti9Ot4ImCw2kECVDw5RHn8HzAkqs4tQ21agADRu-v_WInimMFo0WNk9X-b3K48l3FDPzHvt_eeS5E86J6Optg7qXCLZq3DV_jqnuYJJj4YTuNhlZGLNL4/s1600-h/Christmas+020.jpg"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421240439281398578 style="DISPLAY: block; MIf you can’t be home with your first-line loved ones for Christmas, make a completely different day so you don’t feel such a pang.ARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0-xBug6WLJ9z6cx_pVD4J4ti9Ot4ImCw2kECVDw5RHn8HzAkqs4tQ21agADRu-v_WInimMFo0WNk9X-b3K48l3FDPzHvt_eeS5E86J6Optg7qXCLZq3DV_jqnuYJJj4YTuNhlZGLNL4/s400/Christmas+020.jpg" border=0></A><br /><br /><em>Each figure is shaped out of bound together twigs. This nativity was at the side of the road--quite large--a labor of love.</em><br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkdTsBHfS9rH5pgLrBxH_OuhvFUjPH5G9rtSJJyORc576sn6LpFVgMEayS0j23jKCJSST2Ld3x419jxEOpsn4LVsOW8EfPQViVqjauhpNJLNZ70T-nNrNd5flkykaDBDoz0kTnZCSSS4/s1600-h/Christmas+021.jpg"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421240433786218178 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkdTsBHfS9rH5pgLrBxH_OuhvFUjPH5G9rtSJJyORc576sn6LpFVgMEayS0j23jKCJSST2Ld3x419jxEOpsn4LVsOW8EfPQViVqjauhpNJLNZ70T-nNrNd5flkykaDBDoz0kTnZCSSS4/s400/Christmas+021.jpg" border=0></A> <br />More outdoor decorations created from corn husks and twigs.<br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzS8Mf4vmNGU8tSZTuGhd4lUu-krqAzELuvjG_xBhgXXa8wNuLCpW0VfuqOZ6_m4HgGDTn_dVmMNdcthIFeowPjkg0PiPESw8asZ8XWWzLHKSLlnVP_wDZI8u8rCAJ_o7xT8-jcDJR24o/s1600-h/Christmas+023.jpg"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421240424961403090 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzS8Mf4vmNGU8tSZTuGhd4lUu-krqAzELuvjG_xBhgXXa8wNuLCpW0VfuqOZ6_m4HgGDTn_dVmMNdcthIFeowPjkg0PiPESw8asZ8XWWzLHKSLlnVP_wDZI8u8rCAJ_o7xT8-jcDJR24o/s400/Christmas+023.jpg" border=0></A> <br />Our Hoilday celebration started with a disappointment and concern for President and Sister Hansen. The Presidient has had a reoccurance of cellulitis, that nasty infection that he had when we arrived last March, only this time it attacked the opposite foot and moved to his knee. The better part of precaution was to have him admitted to the hospital and receive more powerful antibiotics than can be administered by mouth. Rats! This health chapter emerged the day of the senior missionary Christmas dinner and FHE. Sister Hansen, incredibly organized and on the ball, told me where the recipes and ingredients were for the dinner items to be prepared at the mission home and instructed us to carry on. We enjoyed ourselves but missed them! As of this posting (January 7th) President Hansen has received a clean bill of health after spending most of a week, including Christmas, in the hospital.<br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5ku3RLIRper9PgcCB1u05lfgFbiHnTic5-fmlQBBTwr_7yVqWJJe0zBdqsGu_jIkZDhEU_hx3MrhLXXcenK3O8MYK4vbEXOwPbUoKVQEINbOP0xjT4r2o0VgJI7GhbIdtH_nuTeTuQM/s1600-h/Christmas+001.jpg"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421242668244685266 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5ku3RLIRper9PgcCB1u05lfgFbiHnTic5-fmlQBBTwr_7yVqWJJe0zBdqsGu_jIkZDhEU_hx3MrhLXXcenK3O8MYK4vbEXOwPbUoKVQEINbOP0xjT4r2o0VgJI7GhbIdtH_nuTeTuQM/s400/Christmas+001.jpg" border=0></A><br />All the senior missionaries on the stairs at the mission home. There we are at the top. Just think, YOU might be lucky enough to be part of a group like this! We really enjoy getting to know these good folks; there's something about serving shoulder to shoulder in the Lord's cause that creates a bond like none other. In this group we have a wide variety of talent and service: family history, temple open house public relations, mission office (yours truly), the Employment Resource Center, and member activation. The nice thing about our assignmentes is our own life experience is an important and useful factor. In many settings you have some guidelines, but carry out the assignement in your own way, using your talents and life experience. It works every time to the great blessing of the church here in the Cebu missiosn.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxQ4FePOkIyYU4OnJZi-I09wh2diHK_TzEgJW8bdMEzZoaT25PWMrcv7s7d1iNLpHUGudg_SQMuS3QeF9t_4Sg-KjXD6f7pGSz5gzHX3xAB9xFTKrjnFSiShuAwpMOC0f7b0hUnQ2GZc/s1600-h/Christmas.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxQ4FePOkIyYU4OnJZi-I09wh2diHK_TzEgJW8bdMEzZoaT25PWMrcv7s7d1iNLpHUGudg_SQMuS3QeF9t_4Sg-KjXD6f7pGSz5gzHX3xAB9xFTKrjnFSiShuAwpMOC0f7b0hUnQ2GZc/s400/Christmas.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421253093325448466" /></a> <br />In league with Old Saint Nick--Christams Eve day we met the senior missionaries at the office who were heading back to their island or area after our gathering on the 23rd. Look at this trunk full of goodies that they got to take back to the missionaries in their areas! We anticipate the packages will continue to trickle in over the next month.<br /><br />Senior missionary wisdom: If you can’t be home with your first-line loved ones for Christmas, make a completely different day so you don’t feel a lonely pang.<br /><br />We celebrated our Philippine Christmas with four other senior missionary couples at a seaside resort about 35 miles north of Cebu. We discovered Las Flores a couple of months ago—stopped in to see what it was all about during a drive from Cebu to Bogo. Our immediate reaction was “THIS is the place. We’ve found a piece of paradise.” We confirmed our feeling by spending the night a few weeks later and started talking up a Las Flores Christmas. Everyone who wanted to come, came; we all relaxed and heard at least once an hour, “this is <em>such</em> a good spot”.<br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHzlpzoiG8V9y0XTCBczjuACUVOaWeKeFFWvQJi1fWmhhIWeGOioDMHaMmTnnyUzeM7uk2sXFO1VneVOxB9tzYhQO4NObNH4OoZDkJl-i4vvixoPm4-bY2VofQWGFr0V4_ztAyNbyHpo/s1600-h/Christmas+018.jpg"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421241562819634642 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHzlpzoiG8V9y0XTCBczjuACUVOaWeKeFFWvQJi1fWmhhIWeGOioDMHaMmTnnyUzeM7uk2sXFO1VneVOxB9tzYhQO4NObNH4OoZDkJl-i4vvixoPm4-bY2VofQWGFr0V4_ztAyNbyHpo/s400/Christmas+018.jpg" border=0></A><br /><em>The view of Las Flores from the ocean. We took all our meals on the terrace overlooking the Camotes Sea.<br /><br /></em><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHC6sDd51S7imv3e4VvMLG0Pltnlqi-QmQ9b9aV8EarYmRCEQy01hk3klDuZ_bur-OXcu0zch-TJvunqjbQyuanMS3F-ZVbikajgr6MGMv8wSzCaMLBCxS1mPkfIDlGIdz2qVlLG18LKk/s1600-h/Christmas+009.jpg"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421239790385853954 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHC6sDd51S7imv3e4VvMLG0Pltnlqi-QmQ9b9aV8EarYmRCEQy01hk3klDuZ_bur-OXcu0zch-TJvunqjbQyuanMS3F-ZVbikajgr6MGMv8wSzCaMLBCxS1mPkfIDlGIdz2qVlLG18LKk/s400/Christmas+009.jpg" border=0></A> <br /><em>Alma with proprieters Virginia and Ian. We'd love to introduce you to these dear friends. What do you think?</em><br /><br />A good spot is much more than the Camotes Sea just beyond the back terrace. The people who run Las Flores—Ian & Virginia Gillies and their assistants Janice, Alma and Mildred create an ambiance of welcome and respite. Janice, Alma and Mildred cook and serve under the direction of Virginia, and Ian hosts in general. No detail is left to chance. We were relaxed kings and queens on Christmas.<br /><br />I personally vacillated between the relaxed queen to wanting to help out! In a big, impersonal resort there would be no “help out” feelings, but here—we felt like family. <br /><br />We arrived on the 24th after Christmas caroling our way north, stopping at all the missionary apartments between Cebu and Las Flores with a song and a treat. The missionaries were surprised, most in a good way, some because they weren’t quite on their morning schedule. Oh well—we were kind and friendly, and hopefully left the message that even when no one is watching, someone may be watching. The ones who are on their business bring you feelings of great respect and appreciation. They all had appointments for the day; one companionship was long gone when we arrived at 9:35 (missionaries are supposed to be out of their apartment at 9:30). We know of a baptism in City Zone that is took place on Christmas afternoon. Now that gives “a white Christmas” a new meaning!<br /><br /> <em>Dinner on the terrace--The Pecks (left) and the Watkins (right). How in the world did this get blue and underlined?</em><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAX-tipf7C_7qi-SWKTY9khLB-9QvyKqWDFPVTOBEt3ToUxELXQv2w8vgRpW7gZM0V45l9G9adxcaF4W8FqJQSYTOBeDkHn1WPICsGAf9lHdsFOjmqqR_3z0bGbfrFZOag9FCzky8MG3E/s1600-h/Christmas+005.jpg"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421241557017818946 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAX-tipf7C_7qi-SWKTY9khLB-9QvyKqWDFPVTOBEt3ToUxELXQv2w8vgRpW7gZM0V45l9G9adxcaF4W8FqJQSYTOBeDkHn1WPICsGAf9lHdsFOjmqqR_3z0bGbfrFZOag9FCzky8MG3E/s400/Christmas+005.jpg" border=0></A> <br /><em>A Christmas sunrise. Kevin is on the right.</em> <br /><br />Christmas day was long and leisurely, including some blogging time. From my vantage point I can look out the door and see the ocean. <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpced16qzKtuxLZvCvawMIMbBmvbd64NDegvQxOR0ZS_blIh3ZzEhikHlCgxmjpRwbyECGOUKy58J9ZO_cKlF1Ev7J_Iru_oZNcx5tkypJHVbZ_W59gcvwjqGacOBtmkrtdSh64EnGQj0/s1600-h/Christmas+010.jpg"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421242660544799010 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpced16qzKtuxLZvCvawMIMbBmvbd64NDegvQxOR0ZS_blIh3ZzEhikHlCgxmjpRwbyECGOUKy58J9ZO_cKlF1Ev7J_Iru_oZNcx5tkypJHVbZ_W59gcvwjqGacOBtmkrtdSh64EnGQj0/s400/Christmas+010.jpg" border=0></A> <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlG25FkEPpWBQ7vQR58f8Ql-zvV65svS7dSVEftBthDVmA_XsqDyY74i0aieOxQ0kQszdYbMLe3yp3-E-1PJYugH4K2LcIjY9qNqk1eILA-nnJViTDxiyMET4FNJurPBRx8rRAlwbvqs/s1600-h/Christmas+028.jpg"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421242673493823986 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlG25FkEPpWBQ7vQR58f8Ql-zvV65svS7dSVEftBthDVmA_XsqDyY74i0aieOxQ0kQszdYbMLe3yp3-E-1PJYugH4K2LcIjY9qNqk1eILA-nnJViTDxiyMET4FNJurPBRx8rRAlwbvqs/s400/Christmas+028.jpg" border=0></A><br /><br /><OBJECT class=BLOG_video_class id=BLOG_video-8d19e658c6407c6a height=266 width=320 contentId="8d19e658c6407c6a"></OBJECT><br /><br />Our last evening we enjoyed the company of many of the children who had come to play at the beach. We skipped rocks, looked for shells, discussed English and Cebuano and enjoyed the sunset.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPcOyLwT_9JEyp40wCL0EWivm-zH-WJhwu_JVGuLfDgl4vJ9BtriXnovaqTUzmNgKJ2SX4fr80y2mkWxZWILzg7iXI7iT2P_7uavEj-Ia_Xk0MMIiQgvi4en3lZqjfZRGVnavPhEzzQk/s1600-h/Christmas+037.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPcOyLwT_9JEyp40wCL0EWivm-zH-WJhwu_JVGuLfDgl4vJ9BtriXnovaqTUzmNgKJ2SX4fr80y2mkWxZWILzg7iXI7iT2P_7uavEj-Ia_Xk0MMIiQgvi4en3lZqjfZRGVnavPhEzzQk/s400/Christmas+037.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421245071457664914" /></a><br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQKtEqhQyxwkmjNJoKCRdI68B5ebJFEDYpEoaASkw_fnKeq9jAPfgcj7majpbDkhkHwNBIwwHPseQ1sJlqxzDFa7dKdz4tDsODxLmO35eOA2P5xPU-BxhLDqIlb09xiSuhJIP2uL0C8o/s1600-h/Christmas+036.jpg"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421241573054745458 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQKtEqhQyxwkmjNJoKCRdI68B5ebJFEDYpEoaASkw_fnKeq9jAPfgcj7majpbDkhkHwNBIwwHPseQ1sJlqxzDFa7dKdz4tDsODxLmO35eOA2P5xPU-BxhLDqIlb09xiSuhJIP2uL0C8o/s400/Christmas+036.jpg" border=0></A><br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hGg1yKph7pZJ3TTFOyc_W7ig6jo7vN5_Mk0LpI8HisF8LT7JkSODbUnhcFXbO-7SUKU7F8vCCKFqwWdWIDMcQ7au1_boXPCqDjKxkewIWI3Fr8He_Pq6fq_7Y8tIN4cFJmcKlDlJLik/s1600-h/Christmas+043.jpg"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421241566080259938 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hGg1yKph7pZJ3TTFOyc_W7ig6jo7vN5_Mk0LpI8HisF8LT7JkSODbUnhcFXbO-7SUKU7F8vCCKFqwWdWIDMcQ7au1_boXPCqDjKxkewIWI3Fr8He_Pq6fq_7Y8tIN4cFJmcKlDlJLik/s400/Christmas+043.jpg" border=0></A> <br /><br />Eventually we had to say our goodbyes and felt better for having made the journey.<br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1inAyEYeWvuIgi_W18xT6N9RxZIBvZpt5QUT6Bt1ZanU7WUUl3MUSXjWnhhitymrLf0NUt7nYbjhbFxj0Pp2k72FytYTsat0Kh_v2cewEa766WDdZkV45yBjY6LkEhfGxFhveFfo5Xk/s1600-h/Christmas+008.jpg"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421239782813702066 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1inAyEYeWvuIgi_W18xT6N9RxZIBvZpt5QUT6Bt1ZanU7WUUl3MUSXjWnhhitymrLf0NUt7nYbjhbFxj0Pp2k72FytYTsat0Kh_v2cewEa766WDdZkV45yBjY6LkEhfGxFhveFfo5Xk/s400/Christmas+008.jpg" border=0></A> <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAa3VYWHBmWvQ3eLFlckjwYRw32_pr_Pr89mSZ3-YONDk-p7OuWOolfjHPEYqZSCX07jW1xW19bT4YySNsHSenlQTqmdopD33bWctUKedlbUhlL3QEc3T6Q14iZIi0P3HGmZRmNbWRv48/s1600-h/Christmas+007.jpg"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421239777444092242 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAa3VYWHBmWvQ3eLFlckjwYRw32_pr_Pr89mSZ3-YONDk-p7OuWOolfjHPEYqZSCX07jW1xW19bT4YySNsHSenlQTqmdopD33bWctUKedlbUhlL3QEc3T6Q14iZIi0P3HGmZRmNbWRv48/s400/Christmas+007.jpg" border=0></A><br />Left to right: Orin & Maxine Peck, Jim & Nancy Spencer, yours truly, Jim & Melanie Watkins, Noel & Beverly Luke. Friends like these are a mission bonus!<br /><br />After all the gathering and enjoyment we came round to our anniversery,(32),which we quietly celebrated,(on the 29th),the great opportunity the Lord gives us to be families. We thank you all for your love, prayers, and support as we continue on this great adventure. The Gospel is here and the path is before us. As Elder McConkie stated 'it matters not where we are on the path, only that we are on the path and continue to progress toward Eternal Life'. To that we add our witness that this is true. <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgctRoUh07u1KqLw_W0HOo_D61Pj-ZUfq7nBi8oh7MRzuQnCwyLu2rcmQZiZChyphenhyphen8G9St1q7dJdoriXQGqzxqoZaaLK_PA0886hyq0DSeLpg7f8xLG2JfdBodoHwNMeo5tIhvnLjfXjY8/s1600-h/Christmas+044.jpg"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421242672015191074 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgctRoUh07u1KqLw_W0HOo_D61Pj-ZUfq7nBi8oh7MRzuQnCwyLu2rcmQZiZChyphenhyphen8G9St1q7dJdoriXQGqzxqoZaaLK_PA0886hyq0DSeLpg7f8xLG2JfdBodoHwNMeo5tIhvnLjfXjY8/s400/Christmas+044.jpg" border=0></A> <br />All the best to you and yours, Ann and Kevin, Mom and Dad, Grammi and Grandpa.Reeds in Cebuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262279042116242953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8106957156328475067.post-47055751545062408392009-12-25T21:41:00.000-08:002009-12-27T06:45:46.842-08:00December in a NutshellFrom earlier in the month--<br /><br />December 5th was a memorable afternoon for piano students in the Cebu Stake and Kevin’s English class. We had a Christmas Carol Sing-along, an opportunity for them to perform their developing skills.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAdhvAWB80A9ZPnHVHaHGn_XPtLR4xL5sXL6BcZeWpv6kE5Pct9zMy5oDHonytlFl3_nIkiK9x4WVLKQuz4kG2sb9U2DlFxO1ogiF3UWOmRalYbZ8jg0RF3vp7EgaBLyxwF5j22Rmszk/s1600-h/102.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAdhvAWB80A9ZPnHVHaHGn_XPtLR4xL5sXL6BcZeWpv6kE5Pct9zMy5oDHonytlFl3_nIkiK9x4WVLKQuz4kG2sb9U2DlFxO1ogiF3UWOmRalYbZ8jg0RF3vp7EgaBLyxwF5j22Rmszk/s400/102.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419420304332794354" /></a><br />We transformed the cultural hall into a recital hall.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCRs5ngI1HSlAGEwX_82CaZiTjrt5qf8jf_WLWeFPYfrQMk37PEuOBnQYN1iqVhwV1iSqSuGgA3Xd8F6VDcPbQkn5IPFfSPNDRcj1HLKVhwBl2-M_zzorovfFPzNzA_ntB5SrtoUUkKM/s1600-h/107.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCRs5ngI1HSlAGEwX_82CaZiTjrt5qf8jf_WLWeFPYfrQMk37PEuOBnQYN1iqVhwV1iSqSuGgA3Xd8F6VDcPbQkn5IPFfSPNDRcj1HLKVhwBl2-M_zzorovfFPzNzA_ntB5SrtoUUkKM/s400/107.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419420313488311730" /></a><br />Everyone participated with courage, (music director is Fatima, also a student, and pianist is Russel Patalinghug) and the whole afternoon was a stunning success. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YxYrYzIowhXDlafcQfyIA-VtizvpAJT00jIYmb3Q77qOGZRT39S5aCmhscLxwfyQBu18Qy59Hb5zSjhoMZIea3rV38YteF6Eh5w69E6YroHNUOVJAf_3EDorKoP9yYOM-0c5eQE9GDo/s1600-h/108.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YxYrYzIowhXDlafcQfyIA-VtizvpAJT00jIYmb3Q77qOGZRT39S5aCmhscLxwfyQBu18Qy59Hb5zSjhoMZIea3rV38YteF6Eh5w69E6YroHNUOVJAf_3EDorKoP9yYOM-0c5eQE9GDo/s400/108.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419420314591778930" /></a><br />We had a big crowd (100) and robust carol singing.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVBU3fIk1ItnozxzlcJ_nBJNjTFMRv9EmHIXjTSDHzDxwnUAe7NSZwqzz-6DsZVOwOqTPR93mS8WEeRoGOcgYTgYYtj8ZRDQCDjD_CGalZKTd4Qp4fJ_cksdfclhvYzzgjmWhBztTnjI/s1600-h/112.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVBU3fIk1ItnozxzlcJ_nBJNjTFMRv9EmHIXjTSDHzDxwnUAe7NSZwqzz-6DsZVOwOqTPR93mS8WEeRoGOcgYTgYYtj8ZRDQCDjD_CGalZKTd4Qp4fJ_cksdfclhvYzzgjmWhBztTnjI/s400/112.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419422719274087842" /></a><br />My treasured piano students.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrz30yRRy00xR-yVQwM_XeXcvQnNsug_57OIeU-voZiYeQXcjNLVz0vIMaSbY4r0gsQzRaOrbpk54Nvdr-KjvqVb3skFueqde9wu87L9DeonzJVjXygvJ2Ib0OlpKMm9K-MsaHhl2yaY/s1600-h/110.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrz30yRRy00xR-yVQwM_XeXcvQnNsug_57OIeU-voZiYeQXcjNLVz0vIMaSbY4r0gsQzRaOrbpk54Nvdr-KjvqVb3skFueqde9wu87L9DeonzJVjXygvJ2Ib0OlpKMm9K-MsaHhl2yaY/s400/110.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419422714815653410" /></a><br />I thought a lot a about piano teachers everywhere and what it’s like to help your students prepare for a recital, or to have them prepare me, such as when I did my organ recital 10 years ago. It's quite a task to get us ready in mind as well as learn the music, then be with us/them in spirit as they perform their “act of bravery.” This was definitely a first for most of them; we will do it again before our mission is complete.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV07tMXMlTK07Q6bZOGq28KhAMdC0wWu21mdkUlth58FjOa4mjsMYAGDZo5_TcP5q573aQ762_QjwnO-gAjzQopiDCQLSSJu_7sp7jqiT0e_cPD7ICnhx6il3jyBkaxrYjVY7Q44Yt2VE/s1600-h/145.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV07tMXMlTK07Q6bZOGq28KhAMdC0wWu21mdkUlth58FjOa4mjsMYAGDZo5_TcP5q573aQ762_QjwnO-gAjzQopiDCQLSSJu_7sp7jqiT0e_cPD7ICnhx6il3jyBkaxrYjVY7Q44Yt2VE/s400/145.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419426228071717730" /></a><br />City Zone - Christmas Zone Conference 2009. These are the missionaries we see on a weekly basis. We enjoy getting to know them while they are near, then watch their service, growth and progress from afar when they are transferred to outlying zones or off island.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMRZPtl3MhwDB1fYrKVMiYFo80_1bRb9H39VGtCw543e27Wm8vuCARqSFKXNMzzRMPy3Osa4KsA5VTtIBF9tN2may41ADzecr3OqHmCgsBLpCvC9gqSSQ7GA5Rtoqb14imYywGAKmZuc/s1600-h/154.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMRZPtl3MhwDB1fYrKVMiYFo80_1bRb9H39VGtCw543e27Wm8vuCARqSFKXNMzzRMPy3Osa4KsA5VTtIBF9tN2may41ADzecr3OqHmCgsBLpCvC9gqSSQ7GA5Rtoqb14imYywGAKmZuc/s400/154.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419426232709131026" /></a><br />President & Sister Hansen at the same Zone Conference. Don't they cut a fine figure together? They are a <em>great</em> team of powerful leaders for our mission.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Qh-aIJbYPfxC2Qkv8Yl5p9NyTJUEuMuIxP0DYc7GCfSTg56usNt352CJczeq55g5zcithxRGSRoE2As9lPKTGBY52djbwembLMjI1cddgT-H5cN0ycMw9cTfnZmjTfaEkqubsoQ9wM0/s1600-h/175.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Qh-aIJbYPfxC2Qkv8Yl5p9NyTJUEuMuIxP0DYc7GCfSTg56usNt352CJczeq55g5zcithxRGSRoE2As9lPKTGBY52djbwembLMjI1cddgT-H5cN0ycMw9cTfnZmjTfaEkqubsoQ9wM0/s400/175.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419426252909778738" /></a><br />Kevin and Elder Elmer, a brand new missionary assigned to the Pulambato branch where we attend once a month. We attended their Christmas party--were feasted and funned magnificently.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SBrNhmloPnseJ77yDebfHZdfHEuo9Mn3w2oJMy3yuGG6y6FhSuqFzaE47wHkR-yQojd-1ur83z7cKkL0HSsOlWht5aoN8KcW4ANOVd606ln7mP1rBiynoAhBZT3xFrEV-tpls5dt-bI/s1600-h/157.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SBrNhmloPnseJ77yDebfHZdfHEuo9Mn3w2oJMy3yuGG6y6FhSuqFzaE47wHkR-yQojd-1ur83z7cKkL0HSsOlWht5aoN8KcW4ANOVd606ln7mP1rBiynoAhBZT3xFrEV-tpls5dt-bI/s400/157.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419426243216034882" /></a><br />Here comes Santa Claus, Here comes Santa Claus right down Woolbright Drive--<br />We decided to take a treat to all the gradeschool kids who are out waiting for the bus at 5:30 on weekeday mornings when we walk. Kevin was way into the Santa Claus spirit. I, on the other hand couldn't bear the thought of the Santa Claus hat in 80* weather.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACJX7q0ing5EGywx45e5s9v_db7jsZw3CUfvaBZlPjWflHRFgjmlOULiGFP6TdevEIvuY6JMr0Yg-66qqVd3dWBZXerBNCLNrUzGVMs6ovBQ6qwQDh5VLSTyriBE5MWGC9g2XN_FsZT4/s1600-h/156.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACJX7q0ing5EGywx45e5s9v_db7jsZw3CUfvaBZlPjWflHRFgjmlOULiGFP6TdevEIvuY6JMr0Yg-66qqVd3dWBZXerBNCLNrUzGVMs6ovBQ6qwQDh5VLSTyriBE5MWGC9g2XN_FsZT4/s400/156.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419426241192553250" /></a><br />In league with Old Saint Nick--we made extra trips to the post office, gathering a trunkful of packages for the missionaries every time we went. Thanks to the senior missionaries who joined the Santa Claus League in getting packages back to their areas after our Senior Missionary Christmas gathering. It takes a village to make a mission successful.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75s4TbI3BFudKoRUgu4T5Lf5457qLHXaQkWXSU-foQlOocT9pY6JBhmPub6HKKf5uSUwTZBtuEgEID5l60H9rccECZhTXQoI7-1UYERxVj0iobrbXP21REVV1JEh5wsvUsmBIgE1Vu1M/s1600-h/193.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75s4TbI3BFudKoRUgu4T5Lf5457qLHXaQkWXSU-foQlOocT9pY6JBhmPub6HKKf5uSUwTZBtuEgEID5l60H9rccECZhTXQoI7-1UYERxVj0iobrbXP21REVV1JEh5wsvUsmBIgE1Vu1M/s400/193.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419437529383568018" /></a><br />A Philippine nativity made out of twigs. Very creative--we wondered for a second whether we could get something like this back to the states in tact...<br /> Reeds in Cebuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262279042116242953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8106957156328475067.post-63106034259052773502009-12-11T01:27:00.000-08:002009-12-15T05:02:35.303-08:00Thanksgiving is a Condition of the HeartWe observed Thanksgiving. Sort of. But not on THE day of traditional American feasting. On Thursday we were up to our eyebrows in good-byes and hellos with eleven missionaries departing and an all-time record of eighteen arriving. Fifteen came from the Provo MTC and three from the Manila MTC. Just put the logistics in your brain: thirty 50 lb. suitcases plus 15 carry-ons. Oh and the missionaries themselves. How are you going to get that many <em>everything</em> to the mission home from the airport? The Assistants had given the whole thing considerable thought, but when we got right down to it we needed another large van for all those suitcases. Of course there was one wanting to be hired on the spot so we did just fine.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYOrAhCG_FqOo04P1HepRh0oQ0hOsu0KvWaqvMf2vCZ7Ydr7SQTiLZ0Y33nNvIED2GPEKl_pb89ZqY-_ZxKvvUZzfKO9MuOCs3U228Uc_L32hSUWnNBpfYort_ZgyOVu2n7PWFnjuYkQ/s1600-h/Picture+030.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYOrAhCG_FqOo04P1HepRh0oQ0hOsu0KvWaqvMf2vCZ7Ydr7SQTiLZ0Y33nNvIED2GPEKl_pb89ZqY-_ZxKvvUZzfKO9MuOCs3U228Uc_L32hSUWnNBpfYort_ZgyOVu2n7PWFnjuYkQ/s400/Picture+030.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415445815048377794" /></a><br />Fifteen fine, can-do attitudes helped us stuff all the luggage in the vehicles in no time.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Pjrk7buE_0jgv3zMBzegiNCYG5VrMhycfSp7qxR3ZCVHCfWtdIbPbF9VM1oo422Bo3w_8NCUdaBF4RmihdPeZLxrY5epXu1mEqar9vj2nhXAFZFxvOKUDJlJuYbI2TywU-VZJqVq8fU/s1600-h/Picture+028.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Pjrk7buE_0jgv3zMBzegiNCYG5VrMhycfSp7qxR3ZCVHCfWtdIbPbF9VM1oo422Bo3w_8NCUdaBF4RmihdPeZLxrY5epXu1mEqar9vj2nhXAFZFxvOKUDJlJuYbI2TywU-VZJqVq8fU/s400/Picture+028.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415445796714921282" /></a><br />Are these handsome fellows or what? They are smiling bravely on the outside and sweltering on the inside. It was quite a mild day by Cebuano standards, but hey--they came from Provo, Utah where there was snow on the mountains! They'll leave their suit jackets at the mission home for the next 22 months.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIxsGjStTg4oRq00bgZsX0XsjPWhat8eAvlZ66j9zkdnTDSl4PN0xWQ33EEglZiLNVxbJvTbaff7tUgQ8EuKkf8n65BWBvM2-nQS7tXvFZ6tjb7k6OpNJ-wcjVh7dl9Zi3EGlv9vtu2A/s1600-h/Picture+037.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIxsGjStTg4oRq00bgZsX0XsjPWhat8eAvlZ66j9zkdnTDSl4PN0xWQ33EEglZiLNVxbJvTbaff7tUgQ8EuKkf8n65BWBvM2-nQS7tXvFZ6tjb7k6OpNJ-wcjVh7dl9Zi3EGlv9vtu2A/s400/Picture+037.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415445807283824562" /></a><br />There wasn't room for all the luggage in the mission home.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0O9ohsrmMl4PE8_q1s8JWBfzWoX5co-dtEHnFqizv6yqrOTwhHxlT-1ba4SiW-wBQ363skIzgHeHnaZnsT5OWkCKQXbSO-0gSBaVrCADX41iI-OOLEv9Jgue4m5LY4gjBD81zhlUL-Io/s1600-h/Picture+034.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0O9ohsrmMl4PE8_q1s8JWBfzWoX5co-dtEHnFqizv6yqrOTwhHxlT-1ba4SiW-wBQ363skIzgHeHnaZnsT5OWkCKQXbSO-0gSBaVrCADX41iI-OOLEv9Jgue4m5LY4gjBD81zhlUL-Io/s400/Picture+034.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415445811033086690" /></a><br />Learning how to direct music their first afternoon in Cebu.<br /><br />When it was all said and done and all those bright-spirited elders and one sister were oriented and off to their first areas of service, it had gone very smoothly. In fact almost better than our little batches of six or eight. Sometimes <em>having</em> to prepare every minute detail so you don't crash and burn is a blessing.<br /><br />Now about feasting. We had Thanksgiving dinner with all the stake and district presidents on Cebu, Bohol and Negros on Saturday in conjunction with their coordinating council. Sister Hansen, wonder woman that she is, hosted and roasted. I peeled and pie'd. None of these good brethren had experienced an American Thanksgiving dinner before, so it was our pleasure to teach them why we eat turkey and stuffing and sweet potatoes and pie.<br /><br />My favorite part of dinner chat came about because of the Jello salad, which we assured them was NOT part of the first Thanksgiving feast, but an American tradition that started in the 60's. One of the stake presidents asked me if I knew where gelatin came from. I was thinking, " ah--horse hoofs?" but just couldn't bring myself to say it out loud at such a fine feast. Then President Mausisa proceeded to enlighten us on the <em>horticulture</em> matter of gelatin. Horse hoofs! How silly is that?!? Gelatin comes from seaweed, and most of it for the entire world is farmed not 15 miles from the mission office! I'd love to go on a field trip as see the whole business. It is apparently a 3-month crop.<br /><br />About gratitude--we are beyond-words-grateful for you, our beloved family and friends. We count ourselves rich indeed for having so many <em>loved ones </em>who share our path, teach us new and interesting things, inspire us to be more than we would be otherwise, laugh with us, weep with us, hold our hands when we're scared and pray for us.<br /><br />To you far away in America, if we had our way we'd be able to blink and bring all our Filipino friends over for a get-to-know-you party. You would definitely like them and want to open your friendship circle to include them. We became richer the moment we landed in Cebu.<br /><br />If you are reading this wondering if you'd be all warm and gushy (sorry-I know I go over the top from time to time) about serving a mission, I have to say the answer is a resounding YES. It's <em>okay</em> to put yourselves in the Lord's hands and take a step into the dark. It's <em>okay</em> to not know every little detail of the path you might be called to walk. It's okay to say, "we'll go where we're called and do what we're asked to do." We're convinced that there are no lame mission assignments because God's work is never lame. Oh you could probably sort of sit on the sidelines and do more watching than serving, but if you jump in with all your heart, might, mind and strength, you will become almost instantly <em>rich</em> with the experiences you have and people you grow to love. This is how serving the Lord full-time works. We know it's true.<br /><br />We love you! We pray for you regularly! Be well and happy, and don't forget to write.<br /><br />Elder and Sister Reed<br />In CebuReeds in Cebuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262279042116242953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8106957156328475067.post-56952617992338767252009-11-16T01:05:00.000-08:002009-12-08T03:49:17.435-08:00Editor's note: The timing and pacing of Elder and Sister Reed's mission responsibilities makes it impossible to post a report of every interesting experience they have in a timely manner. However, if you take into account the untimeliness of the timing they live with (15 hours ahead of home time--have they accidentally called you at a ridiculously early hour? Eeeeeh with a slight cringe) then a post about something a few weeks back isn't so bad.<br /><br /><br />A mission is a microcosm of life; you go along pretty regular-like, then all of a sudden you burst into high action. November has been this way for us. We continue methodically with our office responsibilities and piano/English teaching, and the high action peeks out here and there. Actually, high action isn't quite the right word all the time; this weekend was more like high spiritual contentment.<br /><br />It started on Thursday with an island tour shared by Brother and Sister Sorensen, the In-Field Representative for 30 missions in our region. Elder Sorenson's assignment is to support the mission presidents in the challenging situations a mission president encounters. They came to Cebu for the mission president's seminar which was the following Sunday through Tuesday. Their home base is in New Zealand and wanted to taste the Philippines for a day or so. You bet! We headed across the mountains to the west side, then up the coast a ways, then back across the mountains to the east side and back down to Cebu.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6AAe38NcyR2-OjxeDdLCQxcAqfiqeQIVGM5hd89YyP0LVKK71r7pegWzTgXXatsFaDkqq_zVmWndwIJq-UQ1d_PCDmbOAkqqJnF8PzpNu4tIuLMG7sn6Vv3NCN8pc9YB2IwgoGO3wwU/s1600/DSCF9645.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6AAe38NcyR2-OjxeDdLCQxcAqfiqeQIVGM5hd89YyP0LVKK71r7pegWzTgXXatsFaDkqq_zVmWndwIJq-UQ1d_PCDmbOAkqqJnF8PzpNu4tIuLMG7sn6Vv3NCN8pc9YB2IwgoGO3wwU/s400/DSCF9645.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404628600973175330" /></a><br />It was a great day for a walkabout.<br /><br />The Sorensons are avid photographers. (See our last post--here we are with MORE camera people!) They clicked their way over the mountain and up the coast. Elder Sorenson has "the big gun" and Sister Sorenson has a sporty little point-and-shoot. Sometimes we pulled over and got out for pictures, and sometimes they just put their wondows down, Kevin took his foot off the gas and they click, click, clicked as we drove. You can do that with "big gun" cameras, you know. They were cute together; both interested in the images of the island, coaching each other to "get this" or "get that" image. Elder Sorenson was very good at simply pointing his camera out the window, clicking and getting good shots.<br /><br />I began the day taking pictures but figured out pretty fast that they had me out-clicked and maybe they'd share.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiTZNvEoekWOIV_h3qtitcls4UnKWVhFZ39ij2kSwxjlxWvOK0Ul36yO75uZUoWkrpZmdmIL41aYCp9svRp4yH-TTxIBMpX_VAomIGduP3L7lBw0Hs0oaJlp7BSiBnsQqxpOVj7_4BWg/s1600/DSCF9661.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiTZNvEoekWOIV_h3qtitcls4UnKWVhFZ39ij2kSwxjlxWvOK0Ul36yO75uZUoWkrpZmdmIL41aYCp9svRp4yH-TTxIBMpX_VAomIGduP3L7lBw0Hs0oaJlp7BSiBnsQqxpOVj7_4BWg/s400/DSCF9661.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404981291994054114" /></a><br />My fun was taking pictures of the picture takers.<br /><br />Taburan was on the coast just before we turned inland again. The Catholic church was a stop-n-look:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4K6qZTyYk9aMzW9dDXDt4Khq11V3rjlhzHFl1DNszp3GF0Nl9aRdo13HZgZeQ6XML0twpBIdww9QsKFFj9TB7bL6oWN7YGcE7-G9vOmfzKIoc7CxCnn18Fhyb9Xvq-z9zaboCFj-yvao/s1600/DSCF9653.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4K6qZTyYk9aMzW9dDXDt4Khq11V3rjlhzHFl1DNszp3GF0Nl9aRdo13HZgZeQ6XML0twpBIdww9QsKFFj9TB7bL6oWN7YGcE7-G9vOmfzKIoc7CxCnn18Fhyb9Xvq-z9zaboCFj-yvao/s400/DSCF9653.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404628614158902834" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGx8yEsfrFpwGXy8iMOtAyA1FXYvVf6Li7Tqx2wziQ6VqTB6IBRcp86Ls7g_-RlWtp1z-OtKel8Pai1sUQY9xHsdPMZexl36WsW-30egn-2FMOflcVT8FVtX9pTRnqM-QTz-u4hhEL49c/s1600/DSCF9652.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGx8yEsfrFpwGXy8iMOtAyA1FXYvVf6Li7Tqx2wziQ6VqTB6IBRcp86Ls7g_-RlWtp1z-OtKel8Pai1sUQY9xHsdPMZexl36WsW-30egn-2FMOflcVT8FVtX9pTRnqM-QTz-u4hhEL49c/s400/DSCF9652.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404628606913230130" /></a><br />Our drive back over the mountains was filled with scenic snapshots; rice farmers drying their rice on the side of the road, carabou pulling the plow; Filipinos about the business of life. <br /><br />We stopped in one little community to see if we could visit with a woman sitting on the side of the road making jewelry. Elder Sorenson gave it a valiant try--he talked, she talked, he talked, she talked--I'm sure they were expressing important things! Only neither could understand the other. As you can see, there is a little difference in their size.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9Xk-G2y4vST5TIPidT_hEJDaYtia_vEv6KJAcHIdPjAIE6SjgPJEW3bpQusGRYko_mjyzCDUm8grsLF7gutrdxa5WyXtixE6jMnelqVNFFu142SZPnV4PKpsQgBWLACECq_DKa7WUIw/s1600/DSCF9659.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9Xk-G2y4vST5TIPidT_hEJDaYtia_vEv6KJAcHIdPjAIE6SjgPJEW3bpQusGRYko_mjyzCDUm8grsLF7gutrdxa5WyXtixE6jMnelqVNFFu142SZPnV4PKpsQgBWLACECq_DKa7WUIw/s400/DSCF9659.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404628620763377042" /></a><br /><em>Indeed</em> she was tiny little thing, barely coming up to Elder Sorenson's elbow!<br /><br />Friday night was a single-adult fireside that we attended by invitation. It was an open forum hosted by Elder Quinten L. Cook, Keith B. McMullin, the Philippine Area Presidency and a few other big guns.<br /><br />Saturday was a priesthood training meeting for bishops and stake presidents. Kevin, of course, is neither, but he attended anyway.<br /><br />Sunday the general authorities divided and conquered, each taking a different stake for a special conference.<br /><br />In three sentances I didn't begin to scratch the tip of the wealth of spirit we experienced over the weekend. How do you like that? We came half way around the world to experience this fine collection of apostles and prophets. Pretty fine.<br /><br />And Julie Beck is coming the end of January.Reeds in Cebuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262279042116242953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8106957156328475067.post-34961803377878804732009-11-07T23:51:00.000-08:002009-11-17T00:59:18.703-08:00I Saw a Mighty Angel FlyThe day finally came. Gold-leafed angel Moroni was installed on top of the temple a week ago! The construction manager (who happens to be in our ward) must have been screened and tested for abundant patience, tact and diplomacy when he was hired. Mel Fajardo is his name--a lovely fellow, and indeed, patient to the many questions about when, when, when.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvHKFc4T4g-4Ro9-wyzgLviP6yidXkBtmeLwmfo-6rT2ebG1UqH60dXIevJYpUSn83n89mleBFGfLQF3y_s6tT_ZUNuClb4nV5q_tGCyud0yz4IR_JP65oZeAjXOIKKBaPrwTSx1B-ZY/s1600/Picture.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvHKFc4T4g-4Ro9-wyzgLviP6yidXkBtmeLwmfo-6rT2ebG1UqH60dXIevJYpUSn83n89mleBFGfLQF3y_s6tT_ZUNuClb4nV5q_tGCyud0yz4IR_JP65oZeAjXOIKKBaPrwTSx1B-ZY/s400/Picture.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404601399964361410" /></a><br />Mel--do you ever loose your cool?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHxjhQpgBMWIt2q-cb4xjuwasouBtw0OLSWyADac1uSCoUQf-7LHW7x4H9Bnjrc8JNajfFZSmvmVvwFg5r7KF7RuH37pNT3LnWuwzRzQTzPH8UOoAJcXBEzEX-OpRRkOwJ6TaJwWV_XM/s1600-h/Picture+003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHxjhQpgBMWIt2q-cb4xjuwasouBtw0OLSWyADac1uSCoUQf-7LHW7x4H9Bnjrc8JNajfFZSmvmVvwFg5r7KF7RuH37pNT3LnWuwzRzQTzPH8UOoAJcXBEzEX-OpRRkOwJ6TaJwWV_XM/s400/Picture+003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403808565829748066" /></a><br />Originally Angel Moroni was on deck to be installed in August. It was here, made it through customs (no small feat) and was waiting patiently in its shipping container on the construction site. The hold-up was in the steeple. Some of the granite--4" thick slabs that are pre-cut and fit together like a perfect puzzle was missing and that caused the delay. Not all the granite, of course, just the pieces at the top of the steeple.<br /><br />I think if that was the most trying challenge of the construction project everyone would be jumping for joy. As it is, things are pretty much on schedule, but still no firm dates for the open house or dedication.<br /><br />Our weather-reading skills have been honed to a high degree these last eight months, and November 5th was a nearly perfect day. Perfect here is not a bright, sunny, cloudless sky, but big, billowy ocean clouds coming and going, or even fine, gauzy clouds that save us from the searing sun. Cloudless is brutally hot.<br /><br />We chose the 10-minute walk around the corner to the construction sight and knew other walkers headed toward the temple site as well. Meanwhile, traffic was vrooming along like usual. Kaikai came too, bringing his "big guns". I like camera people. I think I'd like to be a camera person some day. In the mean time I'll be happy to be the lackey of a camera person. They usually have a magnificent bag of tricks that captures images. <br /><br />We had our point and shoot.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINXl1etzP1AJGb4fdhbFbS7DfXmUq0RRTFXMDaVCA8Vv2M7DLoum-joXjfNsIF4DVg8QauI2RQFIsabp3O9kk3MGsYbvV15IsdVAEaWNv4DrBxQ7x8GB7H7HZJ8Yy2tFqWZTOAb2ZJ98/s1600-h/Picture+005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINXl1etzP1AJGb4fdhbFbS7DfXmUq0RRTFXMDaVCA8Vv2M7DLoum-joXjfNsIF4DVg8QauI2RQFIsabp3O9kk3MGsYbvV15IsdVAEaWNv4DrBxQ7x8GB7H7HZJ8Yy2tFqWZTOAb2ZJ98/s400/Picture+005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403808570727761378" /></a><br />There were folks who came specifically to watch, and folks who happened to be passing by.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwWWCqya-TeYiGiMLo0lc1klGf6ZYf0KFYjaLnAcaa5XtL5EvWVRLzk1inITe6Ultmrc8XX-jYu9J7r7EGUTANm9TmrvlOT7MqbK1kIf1Z1Y0FCLEpZZSbsOMV1E65sxI_tMpV4vjy5s/s1600-h/Picture+012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwWWCqya-TeYiGiMLo0lc1klGf6ZYf0KFYjaLnAcaa5XtL5EvWVRLzk1inITe6Ultmrc8XX-jYu9J7r7EGUTANm9TmrvlOT7MqbK1kIf1Z1Y0FCLEpZZSbsOMV1E65sxI_tMpV4vjy5s/s400/Picture+012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403811365286737986" /></a><br />The construction workers were all doing their thing, but there was definitely added attention on the upper reaches of the temple. We watched the crane intently. At about 3:00 it dropped it's line with the attached belt, then slowly brought up Moroni. This is it! I wanted to shout and sing and clap.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFI6689RiraHWrg-GFnfvPxbygC2E06jV8PIDW_hPi1VQ8pxacD3GWTyF42OzeBwoij5oVQsbOALBVFUFKIXrzQvxsgZLgKOAbn64lqn8EH_op0-3ImkCaawrU9sGnZkuUvnDIJtBv5fs/s1600-h/Picture+008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFI6689RiraHWrg-GFnfvPxbygC2E06jV8PIDW_hPi1VQ8pxacD3GWTyF42OzeBwoij5oVQsbOALBVFUFKIXrzQvxsgZLgKOAbn64lqn8EH_op0-3ImkCaawrU9sGnZkuUvnDIJtBv5fs/s400/Picture+008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403808578859104498" /></a><br />UP<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFFSAnzTqetaY6vZKeMH5nCZrnV6bt9QWGc6fWMhBLW6wEnDXFLgcbBOQ5UCgACTWzB_xeMO1WWfWjTGCpGl9QAh5Q3Q58m_GTNz8G7fXyeHk1n357RPrkhIsPfQ5022fuZ51aKOztCs/s1600-h/Picture+009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFFSAnzTqetaY6vZKeMH5nCZrnV6bt9QWGc6fWMhBLW6wEnDXFLgcbBOQ5UCgACTWzB_xeMO1WWfWjTGCpGl9QAh5Q3Q58m_GTNz8G7fXyeHk1n357RPrkhIsPfQ5022fuZ51aKOztCs/s400/Picture+009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403808589127580034" /></a><br />UP<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4TdXfrEd2RJ4nh0BmCyc0pSE3kQeNs__AO3yRCoDMzXAgelHtUg4TvNRlTYOdTrnL4ACywbZsNPZfTd-Kxq6wVmjBmumtVg7n7XuZ3rPfYsrYll5bktk2TuVERwy9JlApu2RgzT2ko8/s1600/Picture+010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4TdXfrEd2RJ4nh0BmCyc0pSE3kQeNs__AO3yRCoDMzXAgelHtUg4TvNRlTYOdTrnL4ACywbZsNPZfTd-Kxq6wVmjBmumtVg7n7XuZ3rPfYsrYll5bktk2TuVERwy9JlApu2RgzT2ko8/s400/Picture+010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404607254487602578" /></a><br />UP<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6CZWaLEJfw07nGX7id6_Qg69vZJOhum6Bj0TsCaNIIkiF-AGjUsz43WTktihAuUhkXS8zDdwh_Z3lqNZ3YZ8icf5J1lQi73R2w1NA88rCuF8BW77up21wHu03BE0EQhESwZfMogfWqM/s1600/100_5200.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6CZWaLEJfw07nGX7id6_Qg69vZJOhum6Bj0TsCaNIIkiF-AGjUsz43WTktihAuUhkXS8zDdwh_Z3lqNZ3YZ8icf5J1lQi73R2w1NA88rCuF8BW77up21wHu03BE0EQhESwZfMogfWqM/s400/100_5200.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404993975456335298" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6K0_yOArHufleZV07Q_MDdNxi6wUPTiS2Man3Bwsg1Q4uCz6m7yqvos6riSmnHZyMHz37ywH6z8EfllhQgh9onDcn6FJ9u5VfbZnwRR1Vf-n0V-j2eXQ84hDe5VUI20Vremx9trp_vA/s1600/Picture+014.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6K0_yOArHufleZV07Q_MDdNxi6wUPTiS2Man3Bwsg1Q4uCz6m7yqvos6riSmnHZyMHz37ywH6z8EfllhQgh9onDcn6FJ9u5VfbZnwRR1Vf-n0V-j2eXQ84hDe5VUI20Vremx9trp_vA/s400/Picture+014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404607261670103938" /></a><br />We weren't the only ones tickled and joyful; even our mailman said he saw Moroni go UP<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunTQDGc0X6sKsqRxHQEp6Cbx0N9LNrt-1n7NtByGVEX3I08MJhILmo4h-6HUUYiS8JR9-pRe3g4x6EIhF_0DBw4Kgsg-1elV4j9rTcAJ-9rgxzKOXuwwm-DwUAZPjYHzW40Mg_4afaAk/s1600-h/Picture+007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunTQDGc0X6sKsqRxHQEp6Cbx0N9LNrt-1n7NtByGVEX3I08MJhILmo4h-6HUUYiS8JR9-pRe3g4x6EIhF_0DBw4Kgsg-1elV4j9rTcAJ-9rgxzKOXuwwm-DwUAZPjYHzW40Mg_4afaAk/s400/Picture+007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403811372096621634" /></a><br />Elder Bernal--caught by surprise, Elder Deiparine and Elder Curtis (the president's assistants and our neighbors); Elder Clark.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Q5IKrlPlPeZm4nKdsmrPcYtMUf7jn5B98cu7-uJkKWruGRFnK4Ef46nNj57NQHuw4h8lNRLMgtf8K3pzdBjU2mvFUB4GBeRpDRrvazX5tQa1kVbbeRI0iIjuEG1BcXnoSaIvgAUS4Os/s1600/Picture+015.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Q5IKrlPlPeZm4nKdsmrPcYtMUf7jn5B98cu7-uJkKWruGRFnK4Ef46nNj57NQHuw4h8lNRLMgtf8K3pzdBjU2mvFUB4GBeRpDRrvazX5tQa1kVbbeRI0iIjuEG1BcXnoSaIvgAUS4Os/s400/Picture+015.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404607268051497202" /></a><br />The sister missionaries (on the left) with their investigators.<br /><br />The hymnist expresses my feelings the best this time:<br /><br />I saw a mighty angel fly<br />To earth he bent his way.<br />A message bearing from on high<br />To cheer the sons of day.<br />Truth is the message which he bears,<br />the gospel's joyful sound,<br />To calm our doubts, to chase our fears, <br />And make our joys abound.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fnaaUtXMffshHu4vF8o_OcPBJUw5lEE1q31ilLxTsWLk5mc0xGn5qGe5mTr5y9KeSd55jmw7on1_tLuIX0JJEYnelV7K2jl9xq3-RPgGZHCTJfANx4guFgqWCZCENUqYN_a0SiIpLsg/s1600/DSCF9631.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fnaaUtXMffshHu4vF8o_OcPBJUw5lEE1q31ilLxTsWLk5mc0xGn5qGe5mTr5y9KeSd55jmw7on1_tLuIX0JJEYnelV7K2jl9xq3-RPgGZHCTJfANx4guFgqWCZCENUqYN_a0SiIpLsg/s400/DSCF9631.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404622890850250498" /></a><br />Temples are the gateway to eternity.Reeds in Cebuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262279042116242953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8106957156328475067.post-35408163896629334212009-11-07T23:13:00.000-08:002009-11-15T03:11:36.339-08:00Gone BattyDo you ever wonder what you might be missing by sleeping late in the morning? Not too long ago we happened to get out the door earlier than usual--by maybe 7-8 minutes. We often experience those few magical moments of pre-dawn "dusk", but rarely have walked from darkness through pre-dawn dusk to daylight. This particular morning's darkness offered us our own National Geographic moment as we walked up Woolbright St. There were bats returning to their roost, a wood power pole on the side of the road, whose top is hollow. <br /><br />Now for those of you who have lived around bats you might be thinking, "yeeeeaaaah, and the big deal iiiiisss?" Well, the big deal is that bats are under rated and under appreciated in their ecological role as bug eaters. They are my heros, not being <em>that</em> fond of bugs, yet knowing that they are part of our mortal existance. Frogs are my other hero for the same reason. Besides, bat guano is exceptionally good organic fertilizer.<br /><br />Once we became aware of the morning bat landing we started watching for them, counting the bats that came home to roost, observing them as fast as our eyes could. They flit around for a moment, then swoop in and are gone from view. You really don't see much, like, for instance, when a dog walks by. Nevertheless, very interesting.<br /><br />I suppose most walkers eventually look for diversion. Some become runners. Others look at the flora or inspect the home projects they walk by. Or plan a video shoot of bats coming home to roost.<br /><br />Kaikai--we will miss him when we return home. He is a friend indeed, with many interesting talents, including photography and videography. We showed up early on the appointed morning with our little point and shoot camera, and he showed up with his video camera and all the trappings of a professional. It seemed like success was guaranteed, thanks to Kaikai.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PKTTD-dbUOPvv619zbE7RmRnWiPBg-FfJ0-Uo8zTxwTR_Gma7FWi48R5s6Nwhk9l4_CDhQKZvqB7dPwiNdScZL3aXebZhmfdulGxNi7NUXqpBoWBK9KlXjNmUlcKPqcWo4xQJZTrzr4/s1600-h/025.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PKTTD-dbUOPvv619zbE7RmRnWiPBg-FfJ0-Uo8zTxwTR_Gma7FWi48R5s6Nwhk9l4_CDhQKZvqB7dPwiNdScZL3aXebZhmfdulGxNi7NUXqpBoWBK9KlXjNmUlcKPqcWo4xQJZTrzr4/s400/025.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404282594923001586" /></a><br />We were there in plenty of time; didn't want to have all the the bats zwoop in while we were setting up. Kaikai kept adjusting everything for a perfect shooting as it began to grow light. We talked quietly and waited. And waited. <br /><br />One bat zwooped in, then<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />nothing. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtY2afZBE7EoqlI-Ib20py2hbWSknZbtzrEobEwDcqI4OsgXkW33YTKxXcyo9lcOEf8e0g9La8fe21GTTghmxv2RbjMCdzq7f1doRSFBSXcIooaRvQsLKJPA1uCIw7hTvDxanwWsJygyE/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtY2afZBE7EoqlI-Ib20py2hbWSknZbtzrEobEwDcqI4OsgXkW33YTKxXcyo9lcOEf8e0g9La8fe21GTTghmxv2RbjMCdzq7f1doRSFBSXcIooaRvQsLKJPA1uCIw7hTvDxanwWsJygyE/s400/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404282609272494706" /></a><br />We'd watched them as we walked by for a week--there were always eight or nine or ten. What's the deal here? Better question--how did the first one let all the others know that there were UHC's (unidentified human creatures) lurking suspiciously outside their roost? Skunked. Totally skunked. We hauled all our equipment back to the car and walked and planned our strategy for the next morning.<br /><br />It seemed evident that our talking was troublesome to them. Actually, there are people walking up and down the street all the time; cars passing; regular city activity. I guess "passing" is the operative word here."<br /><br />The next morning we set up early and were completely still. Didn't dare leave any equipment unattended, but did all we could to not spook the bats. This was on October 30th by the way.<br /><br />As Kaikai's video owuld show if we could get it to load into our blog (RATS!), we met with success, seeing 10-11 bats zwoop in. Say it fast, okay? That's just what they do. You see them and then they're inside. Hopefully we'll figure this technical difficulty out and get the footage into this blog. <br /><br />As a companion to our bat exploration, I'd like to recommend a book to share with your favorite---hmmmm---I almost said little people, but it's such a charming story I think anyone would enjoy it. It's called "Stellaluna", by Jannell Cannon. It's about a baby fruit bat and has themes of the love of mother and child, and being lost, then found. And don't forget to use your voice to make the characters alive. This book is very inviting and easy in this way.<br /><br />I'd love to know whether there are Bats around Boise; we've lived there a very long time and never encountered any. Bye for now, and hopefully more bat adventures in our future.Reeds in Cebuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262279042116242953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8106957156328475067.post-52095127460504914072009-10-25T02:25:00.000-07:002009-10-25T05:58:26.372-07:00Plant of the week: Zamioculcas Zamiifolia, aka ZZ plant.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisG3qDK8kyuWA258Z53rFw7H5VIhceDMLbLEqZIN7MSraBMUieUzPtWwndf_tbAZ9ynftvF6YUU8uBvC5M6c7aeVODLQt_RR7Q_bcLj5DV9RZUKEUADSq22jv6rEYqERhag1RyyNJ9Bcw/s1600-h/110.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisG3qDK8kyuWA258Z53rFw7H5VIhceDMLbLEqZIN7MSraBMUieUzPtWwndf_tbAZ9ynftvF6YUU8uBvC5M6c7aeVODLQt_RR7Q_bcLj5DV9RZUKEUADSq22jv6rEYqERhag1RyyNJ9Bcw/s400/110.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396519739850133106" /></a><br />Although this is definitely a landscape plant here in the tropics, it's a great, forgiving, tolerant houseplant. A potted version will be a miniature of this one; isn't it a beauty? And set off very well by the wall and gate.<br /><br />It was quite a week in Lake Cebubegone, our temporary home town. The good news is we made it through with patience and humor, and now it's Sunday night, getting ready for another week.<br /><br />It's a truth that when we're in the heat of the fire we usually don't stop to take pictures. Sorry about that--but just think on one of your very busy, challenging weeks and project it into the Philippines. You're probably close if not right on. I tried to put the events to words but it just came out sounding whiney, so here's a 30-second run-down and then we'll do some pictures of our morning walks.<br /><br />--ZLC Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday<br />--Fingerprinting for many of the foreign missionaries on Wednesday--a nice opportunity to see some of the missionaries from off-island who don't come in the office very often.<br />--Behind, behind, behind due to the above two items--work like mad on Thursday and Friday to bring some semblance of order to my realm<br /><br />Wow! That brief report is much easier to handle than spewing out every gritty little detail. Maybe I should quit looking so closely at the events of life that frustrate or worry me and give minute attention to all that's beautiful and pleasing and inspiring. Hmmm. I thought this was going to be a week-processing blog entry and instead it's a little personal revelation. Nice.<br /><br />We've talked quite a bit about our morning walks. We have considerable concern about our lifestyle change, going from active, physical jobs to desk jobs and having our back sides spread to the width of the Mississippi River. Kevin and I <em>need</em> outdoor time. It's more apparent since we get less of it here; we didn't really think about it before because we had it every day. <br /><br />All these shots were taken yesterday morning--Saturday--when we slept until we awoke instead of getting up to the alarm clock at our week-day time of 4:40 and heading out the door by 5:10. It's completely light and bright at 6:30, and of course, warm. I usually don't wear a hat but thought my brain would fry if not covered this late in the morning.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRMnpYxyHIkfNas9dPBVMiwbZD4h7WcMLT7oXDH3mtwgsI_IivJSvKTTzF6rWiGSwLSyy2pd6E4xpbxlmM_BY6prxUrevHA5lEKN-720F9WfRFBKp8IqK1fDyIhoP21MC84u2PiPgD_w/s1600-h/112.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRMnpYxyHIkfNas9dPBVMiwbZD4h7WcMLT7oXDH3mtwgsI_IivJSvKTTzF6rWiGSwLSyy2pd6E4xpbxlmM_BY6prxUrevHA5lEKN-720F9WfRFBKp8IqK1fDyIhoP21MC84u2PiPgD_w/s400/112.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396474858764311314" /></a><br />This is one of the side streets of Beverely Hills Subdivision that makes a horse shoe around a nature area and goes out to a point overlooking the city. This lush, green, shady stretch is very appreciated by sweaty walkers.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeSXSIDlz5dYQLDI7HnbSmfYatcZ2LGPC0AO7bjOomhvPJSIyfvHwLx3KI6hb1filo09AnPCzqAD2BjNn4Gb4wcdDuFzVrrB77Aap-_hqdbZJ8ZQJOeC3_mRlcYzVI2rgMqZ4Vfw8Oig/s1600-h/116.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeSXSIDlz5dYQLDI7HnbSmfYatcZ2LGPC0AO7bjOomhvPJSIyfvHwLx3KI6hb1filo09AnPCzqAD2BjNn4Gb4wcdDuFzVrrB77Aap-_hqdbZJ8ZQJOeC3_mRlcYzVI2rgMqZ4Vfw8Oig/s400/116.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396474870906996882" /></a><br />Walk on for a few minutes and look to your left. Your ears will tell you that you've come to the home of the Roosternacle Choir. Oh my! Such a cacauphony of cock-a-doodle-do's living in all those houses up on the hillside! In my book, no fine view would make up for their incessant ruckus!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_r0XZpPso2-cOfXxY7rjl3TS6ehEIYqqxuCUPniq0BWDE7iQbjgwbDN-Y_Bp2Y-O1x_VL1U-Q4dH6GgO9IBvzrLcSzDG9e7dFedyno7kZAZIeS-itLATfCUee-91gKh6vElPtsGzxSY/s1600-h/118.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_r0XZpPso2-cOfXxY7rjl3TS6ehEIYqqxuCUPniq0BWDE7iQbjgwbDN-Y_Bp2Y-O1x_VL1U-Q4dH6GgO9IBvzrLcSzDG9e7dFedyno7kZAZIeS-itLATfCUee-91gKh6vElPtsGzxSY/s400/118.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396474879709011138" /></a><br />The end of the horse-shoe road has a few houses, including this one. As you can see, you can't see. All houses have walls and gates; this one is particularly pleasing. As we walk if we aren't discussing the affairs of the mission or world we talk architecture. If only these folks <em>knew</em> that there were free consultations happening about their homes every morning!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXspn_UKCJLux09viabv4CEarpnkqiiFhlMqv07MxtbpwvamHzOkoKYBj-BBuhgrsm-JaMvtGkXJHviMHjhqLE1C8gFnYv9mjiKsaR9QGbamdTSY3xVFGCfperx7RsznSrZmKGH5_VmAE/s1600-h/121.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXspn_UKCJLux09viabv4CEarpnkqiiFhlMqv07MxtbpwvamHzOkoKYBj-BBuhgrsm-JaMvtGkXJHviMHjhqLE1C8gFnYv9mjiKsaR9QGbamdTSY3xVFGCfperx7RsznSrZmKGH5_VmAE/s400/121.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396483025561756210" /></a><br />Many of the walls are functional only; then there are walls like this one--a work of art. Of course I approve of the planting beds built into the wall, but recommend something with a shiny green leaf and perhaps a good bloom--more contrast either way. See? A free landscape consultation.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EGwuSPM6SF7-4XW1O5WUdM0RwjqeeGhLtbAAe31V02j85qPleXXA17TfiMkOPvADRt2cRaxfem14RcJvVVqFHWtNxFUiiI4F-7FmnQUvNbl7PeiDX-W3uT6ZCwVzbaSBNSp-Yjxdt1c/s1600-h/119.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EGwuSPM6SF7-4XW1O5WUdM0RwjqeeGhLtbAAe31V02j85qPleXXA17TfiMkOPvADRt2cRaxfem14RcJvVVqFHWtNxFUiiI4F-7FmnQUvNbl7PeiDX-W3uT6ZCwVzbaSBNSp-Yjxdt1c/s400/119.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396478359027767250" /></a><br />There are "unclaimed coral walls that are perfect hosts to all kinds of interesting plants. Some are just "green plant things", others are recognized friends, like about 5 varieties of ferns. I harvested a handful and will see if I can get them to grow in my office entrance plant collection. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGb2NiJJHCW76mIbZqXSz1GtI1Mr7rv0yySRs8IM0joWY2DLpPSdnYAnsxlD0PFDXRj0iNSTsVHRUhyhVu1Ui1CJtDtqUcnLo6xIOa8JnF9TPl-2tLZk5MpNAnIBqKQ3hr1L2AJDRtyCQ/s1600-h/117.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGb2NiJJHCW76mIbZqXSz1GtI1Mr7rv0yySRs8IM0joWY2DLpPSdnYAnsxlD0PFDXRj0iNSTsVHRUhyhVu1Ui1CJtDtqUcnLo6xIOa8JnF9TPl-2tLZk5MpNAnIBqKQ3hr1L2AJDRtyCQ/s400/117.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396483021290564146" /></a><br />This is almost the end of the nature road. As you can see, still green and lush, and almost no cars. Well, this is proof that somebody drives down this road!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI82xYzq-bAJNLTulKjtoBsSNAXX1lJytVmp6zrf7E-FR86_YaTPJzqV8Hq2hlA_bW7RGtDqo0Zto2v-W1xqJlJu_Yx1LePJEWa9KDt4JyJLZD6V8l8PmtW5jLSYAtdn4tfu4Qz8o2lcE/s1600-h/125.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI82xYzq-bAJNLTulKjtoBsSNAXX1lJytVmp6zrf7E-FR86_YaTPJzqV8Hq2hlA_bW7RGtDqo0Zto2v-W1xqJlJu_Yx1LePJEWa9KDt4JyJLZD6V8l8PmtW5jLSYAtdn4tfu4Qz8o2lcE/s400/125.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396483038278129186" /></a><br />At least a frog a day doesn't make it across one of the streets we walk up; this morning we also saw a tuko (feisty lizard that you hear more than see--what was this shy fella doing in the street?) and a rat (good riddance).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtWiNTyqSPTazomABItnDSzfmEJtC5eZ2TBfZtqOKtzT1BwSVSr6-pZeYsiOEvWPyBZvG5yCnPyigUjSPcWVS6TpazKA_m8FpfIp5Yo24-1LjGGdEm-rRPZgzx6S-C3SSKAG6bprp4_8/s1600-h/126.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtWiNTyqSPTazomABItnDSzfmEJtC5eZ2TBfZtqOKtzT1BwSVSr6-pZeYsiOEvWPyBZvG5yCnPyigUjSPcWVS6TpazKA_m8FpfIp5Yo24-1LjGGdEm-rRPZgzx6S-C3SSKAG6bprp4_8/s400/126.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396487210104249874" /></a><br />Back on Woolbright Ave., we head to the top. This isn't a bad incline--well, not bad now. It was pretty challenging for me in the beginning, but now it's just fine. I don't think we do anything (in these walks) that challenges Kevin, my beloved mountain goat! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQmnxYhcNl78wW2rlOnprOiRPngvzN0cMx9a-m6GNSN8YiXVlpbJiYi4sHc9G2OD8wzhM-GXJTtgzBA13PHYe9pnRZLILEoD8nRnzIRBRuwLKzGlDmxQjKsrcaCzzu-hjZnYFtU3SuQM/s1600-h/135.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQmnxYhcNl78wW2rlOnprOiRPngvzN0cMx9a-m6GNSN8YiXVlpbJiYi4sHc9G2OD8wzhM-GXJTtgzBA13PHYe9pnRZLILEoD8nRnzIRBRuwLKzGlDmxQjKsrcaCzzu-hjZnYFtU3SuQM/s400/135.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396487235550080338" /></a><br />At the top guard station we loop around and walk to the bottom, turning left on 2nd to go back up--the most challenging section of our route. Mt. Borah has nothing on 2nd Ave., except for loose shale. Some days I go pretty slow, but it's all easier than a couple of months ago. I figure by the time we return to Idaho we'll have climbed Borah at least once, if not twice in this steep part of our walk.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTo1gj-mEEmFRYppL8oGrVT3GgqgA-ywkI0n_nItiJ8oKieq0yVQzecJgNySgWQ3sNBnPkm92GT_JyKUEGla92gb21b-qXPbUZMuvq27OlR_R_4zP2w_3FSijwN6hu3cgvY-nkMtKLwo/s1600-h/127.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTo1gj-mEEmFRYppL8oGrVT3GgqgA-ywkI0n_nItiJ8oKieq0yVQzecJgNySgWQ3sNBnPkm92GT_JyKUEGla92gb21b-qXPbUZMuvq27OlR_R_4zP2w_3FSijwN6hu3cgvY-nkMtKLwo/s400/127.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396487214601053170" /></a><br />This residence was the mission home at one time. There is a basketball court to one side, and it's reported that all the missionaries on the island would congregate there every Monday to play basketball. That, of course, was when the mission was smaller and the areas were less spread out.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bQ9bD07xk1jkuRUkuw7xuSaZ1O_xrRo02CjJgOqVGBsZN9apk0s-h53WyvTWeIVika1Jyw-mmRwm6wgv3lcJJLeXkTGgSoTRZjKp7Mn2Zfw1I9Xvk9rCXeEEm-Ib3efsngbROotmnUA/s1600-h/124.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bQ9bD07xk1jkuRUkuw7xuSaZ1O_xrRo02CjJgOqVGBsZN9apk0s-h53WyvTWeIVika1Jyw-mmRwm6wgv3lcJJLeXkTGgSoTRZjKp7Mn2Zfw1I9Xvk9rCXeEEm-Ib3efsngbROotmnUA/s400/124.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396483034232895666" /></a><br />As we approach the taoist temple (red on the right) I have to move into mental mode--recite something memorized in my mind. "It's killing me!" "What are we doing this for?" Just keep the Proclamation on the Family going in your head, Ann. By the time you're finished you'll be back on Woolbright. Again.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2cLwVMWIusavgSZjJ4QYu0oOGHzBrokeFfnLiwGnpDcly9vGRIrDDqA1BzkBf1ZMYkyB_1nmCZP_gT-dVQc51Gr4cjT1LUse1Bxhs1p8CJou-_f2rLfptJ0TvUPtYJGQwBW6kh15ZYY/s1600-h/113.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2cLwVMWIusavgSZjJ4QYu0oOGHzBrokeFfnLiwGnpDcly9vGRIrDDqA1BzkBf1ZMYkyB_1nmCZP_gT-dVQc51Gr4cjT1LUse1Bxhs1p8CJou-_f2rLfptJ0TvUPtYJGQwBW6kh15ZYY/s400/113.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396483011660657746" /></a><br />Back on Woolbright, the end is in sight. We've done almost 5k of serious up and down hilling. All that's left is a martial arts moment with Kaikai. Did you miss him? He has a Saturday schedule with other friends at the IT Park. We're always glad for Monday and Kaikai. And his martial arts routine feels good after the taoist temple hill.<br /><br />What's on the docket this week? A newsletter tomorrow, as well as sending out a bunch of correspondence. Kevin has bills to pay which means at least one trip to the mall. We've just about got our Christmas goodies ready to send home to the grandkids, and we're making plans for Christmas on Bohol with two other senior couples. <br /><br />Life is good in the mission field, and I know we would say that no matter where we had the opportunity to serve. The gospel is <em>true</em>. We know that in the depth of our beings, and that is what has us out here doing what we're doing. Love you all--pray for you--thank you for your love and prayers. Don't hesitate to drop a line. It's a great comfort to us.<br /><br />Kevin and Ann in Cebu<br /><br />PS--Still not short. <br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em></em>Reeds in Cebuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262279042116242953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8106957156328475067.post-87543002480775259562009-10-04T00:48:00.000-07:002009-10-12T01:17:11.596-07:00The Legend of the LionPlant of the week: Yes, it's a repeat--the traveler palm, aka Raveala madagascarensis. We like them very much even though there aren't many that reside in full glory like this one. I wonder if one of my horticulture associates would be so good as to send a plant list from Floriculture? It would give me great pleasure to know (remember) the names of everything I look at every day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOrscVG4h_MBr-iSz1xjZl3Uho3JbHw0nWP-7Ix-qjVWY255hFWOIJViY4iPzz3O_nAchwxrJjz-XpHoVmKmolafUHG-T_Egpt6D7ThPTJg4vAGFMW7Cpp4RuI_GJlTp_eoVePYzmRAA/s1600-h/054.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOrscVG4h_MBr-iSz1xjZl3Uho3JbHw0nWP-7Ix-qjVWY255hFWOIJViY4iPzz3O_nAchwxrJjz-XpHoVmKmolafUHG-T_Egpt6D7ThPTJg4vAGFMW7Cpp4RuI_GJlTp_eoVePYzmRAA/s400/054.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388754655076737506" /></a><br />Jeepney of the week:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToXUaxRrhofdYNw5V5Gsmq8zlVEUYk77jnVXycZjKgrEqf5ufC127sJPTofdY8lWeJ4uV39R8vAAiWIOzyv0GnqbFzTYH8fzuJdanl9qr1skMPVcMJxnAQSDyZR8v2DwTigyCzE3Ur78/s1600-h/914.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToXUaxRrhofdYNw5V5Gsmq8zlVEUYk77jnVXycZjKgrEqf5ufC127sJPTofdY8lWeJ4uV39R8vAAiWIOzyv0GnqbFzTYH8fzuJdanl9qr1skMPVcMJxnAQSDyZR8v2DwTigyCzE3Ur78/s400/914.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388754675752276914" /></a><br />As you can see, it's not a jeepney at all, but a multi-cab. This is also a popular vehicle on Cebu, and this spunky little pink bomb grabbed our attention!<br /><br />Now for a story...<br /><br />In a far away land, in another time, a husband and wife were blessed with their first child. A boy--an answer to prayer--perfect in his mother's eyes, as he ate and slept and rarely fussed. As he grew the mother delighted in his toddler antics; he was a happy child, and tidy too!<br /><br />One evening as bedtime approached, when day was not yet finished, but happy playtime had passed, mother and child longed for a car ride to help the boychild prepare for sleep. Wise father knew just the place: the Utah Stake Capitol to see the giant cement lions, and maybe a song or two on the way.<br /><br />Such delight for a little boy! Daddy's singing and those giant lions. Again, Daddy? Maybe tomorrow.<br /><br />The tomorrows came and came, and for many months this was the going-to-sleep ritual--drive up to the capitol to see the lions; sing 76 Trombones from "The Music Man".<br /><br />The years passed. The little boy grew into a fine man who married and had sons of his own. He never lost his love of cement lions and has his own gracing his castle stoop today. He watches for them as he travels the world over and stops to acquainted. Sitting on a lion for a picture brings out a boyish remembrance of his toddler days.<br /><br />Every boy should have a lion to call his friend.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0hbp9CNNFXQzj5SQv_ZO04gVNjuoswVLnQE1rdRLwYUvGqmVR1YCRg0jHVumkO_Y-tAit4jhYZWyGG7nQEijyqWilYKylPUEClJ2V5eSntW7pALdgBabDXOZt7pHxPvrp-cfQ8BV82g/s1600-h/006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0hbp9CNNFXQzj5SQv_ZO04gVNjuoswVLnQE1rdRLwYUvGqmVR1YCRg0jHVumkO_Y-tAit4jhYZWyGG7nQEijyqWilYKylPUEClJ2V5eSntW7pALdgBabDXOZt7pHxPvrp-cfQ8BV82g/s400/006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388744738031556690" /></a><br />Lions that live in hot, humid cllimates have their own beauty challenges.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxigBin5CacaAUFUyTfVFWAooogplmuE21Bw7ivCvaGPiJcnLcN1mupsccEc4wXvlb1ymjcMTqwiWPcI_1DwsnW27TRvW2SSlSbOVa7UAVQ5zTw_d6V4c5mMHLiHmBvjt6TM2aLcGf9W0/s1600-h/008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxigBin5CacaAUFUyTfVFWAooogplmuE21Bw7ivCvaGPiJcnLcN1mupsccEc4wXvlb1ymjcMTqwiWPcI_1DwsnW27TRvW2SSlSbOVa7UAVQ5zTw_d6V4c5mMHLiHmBvjt6TM2aLcGf9W0/s400/008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388744745837389074" /></a><br />We learned about a place of historical significance on our last trip to Museo Sugbo with Kevin's English Class. It is Argao (pronounced ar-gow, like ar-cow) about 2 hours south of Cebu City. It's the only town with a Spanish layout that survived WWII, and that because the railroad didn't go there, which meant it wasn't distroyed by bombing.<br /><br />Planning an outing is about half the fun. (Parents: are you chuckling at this, knowing that my planning pleasure began when I was 5?) We started talking about driving down to Argao at our Friday night dinner with Elder and Sister Watkins a couple of week ago. At the last minute we decided to include a stop at Carbon Market, and found a willing and able market ambassador in Evelyn, one of Kevin's English students. She is a lovely woman, a fine student, and of course, a speaker of Cebuano, which meant shopping success for us in that mystical retail setting. (See a previous posting for more Carbon details.) We didn't want to monopolize her entire day, but she was delighted with the idea of a field trip to a part of her island she had never seen before.<br /><br />We headed out at about 8:00; 2 fellas in the front seat, three gals in back. It only took a few minutes to get to Carbon on Saturday morning (remember--it's close to the post office which has been inspiration for more than one mournful blog entry), and Evelyn knew exactly where to park (right here is fine for a few minutes) and which "store" had our desired items. What a different shopping experience with a Filipina guide! We had a great time, mostly because of Evelyn. She put the merchants at ease for us foreigners; they were friendly and chatty--as chatty as one can be when there's a language barrier. <br /><br />It sprinkled on us, which wouldn't have been bad, except that the road grime turned to road slurry, a mysterious layer of black slime on the bottoms of our shoes. Just let your imagination go wild about the slurry ingredients and you will probably be correct.<br /><br />Drizzle or no drizzle, it was a lot of fun, and we will return! Carbon market carries most things if you know where to look. Thanks, Evelyn.<br /><br />Sorry, no picts of Carbon this time. I feel sensitively about this kind of place being people's LIVES, not a Disneyland experience. If you've been to a developing country, you can imagine it. If not, still imagine it. Sort of Indiana Jones-ish.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhc0rStBlc8uhCMQUmF0skXZWsS9YTwkXzZ3Nf_mKGhTfIv0DRV4q34okBLPAf6oloSyGnAjPumIa59CHmNhShsVY4dWfdwUolozpZEuyZHGuWq750p6JeGt-7FW0-YPbODpzfHO5HjA4/s1600-h/030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhc0rStBlc8uhCMQUmF0skXZWsS9YTwkXzZ3Nf_mKGhTfIv0DRV4q34okBLPAf6oloSyGnAjPumIa59CHmNhShsVY4dWfdwUolozpZEuyZHGuWq750p6JeGt-7FW0-YPbODpzfHO5HjA4/s400/030.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388748197872957234" /></a><br />Kevin's getting pretty good at holding the camera out and getting a good shot! That's Elder and Sister Watkins in the back and Evelyn next to me, then our photographer.<br /><br />On to Argao. Our drive was very much like going to Bogo, with beautiful vistas once we got out of the city traffic. No sugar cane fields going south though, just jungle forest, mountains, and of course, the ocean. It was a beautiful day with an ever-changing ceiling of interesting cloud formations, which kept us from overheating. For being a sunshine person, I've grown to appreciate cloudy days; straight sun with high humidity is almost suffocating.<br /><br />We didn't know exactly where we were going once we got to Argao, but that's part of the fun of adventuring. We drove around for a bit and found a nature park that we wandered through. It was completely under a canopy of trees, so it was comfortable as long as we didn't move too fast.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6z8offnERkOEm1VueEN86G82VU51WB0W66autOJxIt3hqGadQDAL0eBHLA1NPztL4UMWX1hhCaZPRNamt7c7NDg0j90O-oFEjZsq1bNNB7_n52F5UBgsuC7QiPOfm9qoOHYpRhD4K-k/s1600-h/027.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6z8offnERkOEm1VueEN86G82VU51WB0W66autOJxIt3hqGadQDAL0eBHLA1NPztL4UMWX1hhCaZPRNamt7c7NDg0j90O-oFEjZsq1bNNB7_n52F5UBgsuC7QiPOfm9qoOHYpRhD4K-k/s400/027.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388744769660848242" /></a><br />There was also good sitting for two duffers whose first missions were to the England Birmingham Mission, only about 10 years apart. They break into Britishtalk on a regular basis!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuo94cWUcVTaxeR19edsVa_qG0E8wk5DxqKzUtPOAzNP_k8R9Psjs8E6p7BsVejZ9QBkWkjJ7kd_ASFZiHDtj5flo20oWBYYqbuE2k1Qqt9xKjpbB-y4IRZXpAB4zLzO4YjapSY0rZZ24/s1600-h/015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuo94cWUcVTaxeR19edsVa_qG0E8wk5DxqKzUtPOAzNP_k8R9Psjs8E6p7BsVejZ9QBkWkjJ7kd_ASFZiHDtj5flo20oWBYYqbuE2k1Qqt9xKjpbB-y4IRZXpAB4zLzO4YjapSY0rZZ24/s400/015.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388744754013761538" /></a><br />Across the street from the nature park was this lush rice field. Rice is GREEN. It looks cool and inviting, and apparently the birds do all they can to help harvest the rice grains as they develop. Some rice farmers have huts out in the middle of their fields with a cord connected to all those strings that you see with little flags attached. When the birds are particularly bothersome they sleep in their hut and just yank the cord from time to time, which wiggles all the strings, which scares the birds away. Scarecrows take on new meaning in the rice field setting. I'll probably have to do a photo shoot on them in the future.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMT5ntIX2w1YJlgG6TM__tOjry-uqwCnfLBKZ7JeL3bEdiqJ4sYSmGJBeCC5mWF2ezSHyoRaUADzz6MkathikQ4ngsYw55W16qMHfytsOaiV2Nx194qB11GzTO7kH0Zihv48AuTzWffJA/s1600-h/025.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMT5ntIX2w1YJlgG6TM__tOjry-uqwCnfLBKZ7JeL3bEdiqJ4sYSmGJBeCC5mWF2ezSHyoRaUADzz6MkathikQ4ngsYw55W16qMHfytsOaiV2Nx194qB11GzTO7kH0Zihv48AuTzWffJA/s400/025.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388744763164534482" /></a><br />Grandpa and Grammi in the nature park by a ficus tree. You all know them as weeping figs. Note my flat hair, Mom. Does it look like a problem? You really can't decide on activity by its effect on your dead protein cells. Whatever! Sister Watkins, on the other hand, who has beautiful curly hair...the effect on her dead protein cells was quite the opposite. Do guys ever think twice about their hair? Twice is about all anyone should have to think about their hair.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcJ1xhs3AEB74Ua2-psz2QN8CcqBinQcUL1YmkO3oPCkQssMuaTmnar9rvFAwuM1cmiMUH3tsV9i4pLNVrZ8xQq9QEnJkgYGwj6x8_-4tKvd3gMlCSoUsSDcxOpfLV8LtR2DqAo3-6EY/s1600-h/032.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcJ1xhs3AEB74Ua2-psz2QN8CcqBinQcUL1YmkO3oPCkQssMuaTmnar9rvFAwuM1cmiMUH3tsV9i4pLNVrZ8xQq9QEnJkgYGwj6x8_-4tKvd3gMlCSoUsSDcxOpfLV8LtR2DqAo3-6EY/s400/032.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388748213132273154" /></a><br />Finally we found the town square. The rest of Argao had grown up out toward the main road, and the town square was down toward the ocean. We had a guided tour, which was most informative and enjoyed walking through the square--beautiful pastoral gardens--and through the church, which was built in the early 1800's. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqim_srPqITzM_97M9ttDGogpgBHyeMLpV9mf0ygDLFX20JLCzyJGziNinJlAYYu6ugxRxZaj4EHhM6HZEZ3XfC6KcGhEHUeBimkSLe3ecFj51qDDWiYqV3pXMu85UFX4yXi89T08ChmE/s1600-h/039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqim_srPqITzM_97M9ttDGogpgBHyeMLpV9mf0ygDLFX20JLCzyJGziNinJlAYYu6ugxRxZaj4EHhM6HZEZ3XfC6KcGhEHUeBimkSLe3ecFj51qDDWiYqV3pXMu85UFX4yXi89T08ChmE/s400/039.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388748222258546114" /></a><br />The walls were easily two feet thick, which made it cool and refreshing inside. Birds darted and swooped through the open windows.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczcfGTKEpyGkjDLFmfUPAuO1IqpI2KyhpraI-Z7tMTdGanrte24-z7mj7GHudmGVFf7Bbq_75sQtrNjWvxuNUsXldAZRrESt-BX13i9K_8UF61k-exWbUIDvXEh6QO4KT2hScFlulU3c/s1600-h/042.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczcfGTKEpyGkjDLFmfUPAuO1IqpI2KyhpraI-Z7tMTdGanrte24-z7mj7GHudmGVFf7Bbq_75sQtrNjWvxuNUsXldAZRrESt-BX13i9K_8UF61k-exWbUIDvXEh6QO4KT2hScFlulU3c/s400/042.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388748245379531666" /></a><br />I get a sore neck just thinking about painting on a ceiling. The whole church took longer to build than the Salt Lake Temple. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYkjeMQ_W9Xm2g4zf7cp_swRZd320oy5N0RWJOsz24xBEFWvotORRmKnTg5eJSieRnoANYtCF8-OG7bdA-5HOZUiMwlxF5zfJChrWv-faO8vJZ3ocCFeUsBh8Gv0eQtCJp0sTmWsgg4M/s1600-h/050.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYkjeMQ_W9Xm2g4zf7cp_swRZd320oy5N0RWJOsz24xBEFWvotORRmKnTg5eJSieRnoANYtCF8-OG7bdA-5HOZUiMwlxF5zfJChrWv-faO8vJZ3ocCFeUsBh8Gv0eQtCJp0sTmWsgg4M/s400/050.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388754636748228162" /></a><br />A PIPE ORGAN SITING! Be still my heart! We learned that there are three pipe organs on Cebu. I wonder if the other two are playable. This little gem--heartbreaking to see it in complete disrepair. They use a little electronic console instrument for their services now. A wealthy benefactor? <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZ1DS5KoXmORtaRysgUkG2tXeTGGMr4wnH5eqBZ6B373aKeD1lnIiHiesW_qadvPzF7fvI8_OC8YBJOfC9d72-c7XsmkPAsWQyEA4xaTbXlexJ8fDAfZWYTh7p1hQdli-JJjTNKYiuqg/s1600-h/052.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZ1DS5KoXmORtaRysgUkG2tXeTGGMr4wnH5eqBZ6B373aKeD1lnIiHiesW_qadvPzF7fvI8_OC8YBJOfC9d72-c7XsmkPAsWQyEA4xaTbXlexJ8fDAfZWYTh7p1hQdli-JJjTNKYiuqg/s400/052.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388754643167940114" /></a><br />The bell tower was magnificent--all 158 steps <em>begged</em> to be climbed, but unfortunately the person with the bell tower key was away for the day. We were informed that the bells ring to announce daily mass, plus funerals and marriages. Too bad--we had to be back in Cebu before we could hear the bells ring at 5:00. Church bells ringing is one of the items in my what-makes-me-happy book. We hear them often when we're walking early in the morning, but they are far away. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3h3z5TZdC54nMF34kSt95eBHRN-ZCb8XUGWHtVgORuxia9Onwh9owC_Ea8yIOdxSZm_JVUoliS_7KA_o3gAdR7uUvi7oi6BENXGd9xY_t4y8s-E3XAUt0sT917mLJC1CUU8oA5YScsU/s1600-h/056.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3h3z5TZdC54nMF34kSt95eBHRN-ZCb8XUGWHtVgORuxia9Onwh9owC_Ea8yIOdxSZm_JVUoliS_7KA_o3gAdR7uUvi7oi6BENXGd9xY_t4y8s-E3XAUt0sT917mLJC1CUU8oA5YScsU/s400/056.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388754662603085154" /></a><br />Evelyn and I enjoying our wait to see if we would be able to climb the bell tower.<br /><br />Our outing took place the first Saturday of October while many of you were eagerly anticipating General Conference. When you're far from home you can actually adjust your inner General Conference clock by a week and feel just fine about it. Of course we could watch it over the internet, but the pleasure of listening to the words of the prophets with the other members of the Cebu Stake would have been missed.<br /><br />And it <em>wa</em>s all pleasure yesterday and today. I know, I know, you've all already discussed their messages and resolved to live more Christ-like lives. Our resolve is only hours old instead of days old but much the same as yours.<br /><br />I had dear, remeniscent thoughts about the Boise North Stake Choir as the Tabernacle Choir san "O Divine Redeemer" this afternoon. I all but sang with them--knew every word and where the altos come in--thanks to 30 years of really fine musical experiences with Dale Ball, Doug Lemman, Marion Reed, David Young--and these are just the directors and organists. I have learned from--with--so many of you and am rich because of it. Thanks.<br /><br />I also thought back to the days of gathering as a stake to watch the live broadcasts before General Conference was on TV. I confess I like "lazy feasting" too, where you don't have to get up and hurry on those two Sundays a year. BUT--we sure miss out on the spirit of our stake by being separate in our own homes! Greeting our friends here, sitting with them to hear the words of the prophets, singing with them--it was was a joy! It filled my soul in a whole different way than general conference itself.<br /><br />The hymns of General Conference were another testimony of the power of music in our lives. They invited the Spirit immediately--I mark my hymnal like I mark my scriptures when the Spirit testifies of eternal truths to me, and I have several new markings, including cross references to other hymns and scriptures.<br /><br />Dear friends and family--we know the gospel is true. We know it is God's map for us, his children, that we may have a successful mortal experience and return to Him, having learned and grown, and prepared to live with him eternally. We think of you regularly--sometimes even dream about you! We pray for your health and happiness. If you have a worry that we know about, we are praying for that worry. If you have a joy we know about, we are giving thanks for it. It isn't chance that we share this mortal trek; if we didn't need to help each other along the way, we could have each received our own planet, or at the very least, our own continent. As it is, we are greatly blessed and enriched by you and hope we can add to your life in some small way also.<br /><br />Bye for now,<br />Kevin and Ann<br /><br />PS--No short blog entry yet.Reeds in Cebuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262279042116242953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8106957156328475067.post-78256417140216787932009-09-28T04:53:00.000-07:002009-10-03T07:36:57.520-07:00All is WellJeepney of the week:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFoxsyOpddwY5M_ScoZPwSJkY3IRd_KazFIuWIUM2l2E2Bv-xRXi5BThV4l4Qblyj8EkYDCamxnq-WnZqLaa09XNU_PAEEG3j9VN0AoxTwLslMAovo-Y7palOZQ0rddlp5PC6C5D8qas/s1600-h/DSCF9272.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFoxsyOpddwY5M_ScoZPwSJkY3IRd_KazFIuWIUM2l2E2Bv-xRXi5BThV4l4Qblyj8EkYDCamxnq-WnZqLaa09XNU_PAEEG3j9VN0AoxTwLslMAovo-Y7palOZQ0rddlp5PC6C5D8qas/s400/DSCF9272.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387626468879025570" /></a><br />That's right--Bronco Nation exists in Cebu! Kevin reminded me when we saw this one that the Broncos are hard at it again. Yes, it's October even though we live with aircon 24/7. If someone will kindly report in on their season so far we'll be grateful. No TV--no radio--no newspapers--a smidgen of internet news. Sigh. We don't know what's happening with the economy or Boise State's football team either one.<br /><br />Our neck of the woods is a mess thanks to the winter storm season! (That's "our neck"--world wide.) Metro Manila received 16 inches of rain in less than 24 hours earlier this week and as a result there have been 300 deaths including 24 church members. Many church buildings have been flooded but the temple complex is okay. Think of the distance between Cebu and Manila like the distance between Boise and Salt Lake. It's about an hour's flight, and of course you can't drive there in 5 1/2 hours. We could experience some backlash from their storms but it is less likely because Cebu is surrounded by other islands. Surrounded means you might see them on a clear day from the coast; they aren't that close. They take the hit for us.<br /><br />Usually the Philippines handles its own disaster needs as far as church welfare goes. This time they've asked for help because this particular storm has left so many thousands homeless. If you want to contribute, the channel is through fast offerings. We will be having a special fast for the weather conditions and disaster victims this Sunday. You, of course, are invited to include us in your fast as well.<br /><br />Another Signal 4 storm was due to hit Luzon on this morning. It veered a bit, going north enough to not clobber Manila again. The president declared today a day of prayer.<br /><br />After our first taste of "a storm" about 6 weeks ago I watch the weather and discuss it almost every morning when we're walking with Kaikai. He is a keen observer and has lived in Cebu his whole life, which means next to nothing in terms of being able to predict what the weather will do. Today's weather, knowing that typhoons are swirling around out in the ocean, has been watched with increased interest, which I suppose still means nothing. The air was thick and the sky was leaden all day; it got dark early tonight--by just after 5:00. Rain in the night? Don't know and don't usually hear it thanks to ear plugs that keep the road noise at a distance.<br /><br />Moving on to more manageable details, Kevin finished his first 8-week English Course last week. It included a final exam with written and spoken portions. All his students came to the office a week ago Monday evening and worked on the written portion, then we came upstairs for FHE. I did a lesson on the power of music in our lives and we sang some hymns. <br /><br />Family Home Evening wouldn't be complete without a round of Fruit Basket Turnover, which the nine of us adults or near-adults squealed and giggled through. Pretty fun! Treats too. This was a first FHE experience for some of the students. A good time--they lingered for most of an hour after we were "finished". Most Filipinos live "less in a hurry" than Americans. We could take lessons; it would be beneficial to our relationships.<br /><br />Going back a few weeks, we also took the class on a field trip to Museo Sugbo. This is a very nice developing museum housed in the old provincial prison with exhibits centered on Cebuano history. Kevin and I had been there in April and were totally amazed at how much more has been developed since then. We had a guided tour--in English of course, and then a photo shoot by the wishing well.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1DqqgalaGS8mprcpfXbBmyQWYSJP4dPlyQQAXAwVvpH_Dx0yiJTzg9h9QV1BhxOEWbMco6bZ8K4Gbs2R_SZQUQ_Q0W9Hth_lqj_J_xE7QaJq3_oshGpx4c-KnxoY8B_Rozlqcrd45O2Y/s1600-h/928.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1DqqgalaGS8mprcpfXbBmyQWYSJP4dPlyQQAXAwVvpH_Dx0yiJTzg9h9QV1BhxOEWbMco6bZ8K4Gbs2R_SZQUQ_Q0W9Hth_lqj_J_xE7QaJq3_oshGpx4c-KnxoY8B_Rozlqcrd45O2Y/s400/928.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388376866736946418" /></a><br />We took a jeepney<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaHJKYcc74cCdbWMcc4-LGlGURnU7VrJcYnnQ8WxJeDG1jZlBxoiarQCpNjxiPQo5n9FBL_UL7Z-zT8f5O4PyvHQR2fWOhiIiN2vDs2Bi9HLm-kX7xSPXxjPfDbhLSTJFrsHt65n3ets/s1600-h/930.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaHJKYcc74cCdbWMcc4-LGlGURnU7VrJcYnnQ8WxJeDG1jZlBxoiarQCpNjxiPQo5n9FBL_UL7Z-zT8f5O4PyvHQR2fWOhiIiN2vDs2Bi9HLm-kX7xSPXxjPfDbhLSTJFrsHt65n3ets/s400/930.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388369521562459250" /></a><br />It rained on the way. This would be concerning except the shower goes on, then the shower goes off. We got off the jeepney and dashed for the building overhang across the street from the museum to wait it out.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkipkp_9SsqcIiT0uBDAjhoRVzSZHYM6DgDuQam5wceSf-KWTFSkce5jYYe3a8ocvaKZd9TkFLUarh3Xgxqch3Qc73PMDV2rGXQ7Emwv-2FuIGyCs26hknHpRN9SHK1BWZKL40zhWjDc/s1600-h/943.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkipkp_9SsqcIiT0uBDAjhoRVzSZHYM6DgDuQam5wceSf-KWTFSkce5jYYe3a8ocvaKZd9TkFLUarh3Xgxqch3Qc73PMDV2rGXQ7Emwv-2FuIGyCs26hknHpRN9SHK1BWZKL40zhWjDc/s400/943.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387625659227907922" /></a><br />This is the Provincial-Prison-turned-museum.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvLHme7ZHNsW6_QhdhqeP8ce-r9lEDQKK28dcA0DVelxl2ZCMCJZWJKw7w6FO1uHPBoLeVypSB2jo1uyo6paacOYaXEd_DoaVfYftMHHBYByVEI297yQH0l3JELpjXNnkdvQAbdf1DEg/s1600-h/933.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvLHme7ZHNsW6_QhdhqeP8ce-r9lEDQKK28dcA0DVelxl2ZCMCJZWJKw7w6FO1uHPBoLeVypSB2jo1uyo6paacOYaXEd_DoaVfYftMHHBYByVEI297yQH0l3JELpjXNnkdvQAbdf1DEg/s400/933.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387625653003957282" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNs8tlqBK8SjKy5cLUnXRgKhiOvW_7J_Te0vvQzfyQpJyTNuqcKn_a4WOEjRbspXig5NKcqrEGT9p4CfVlosGZoUT22HHCML0CBLBcd5EFaSdY6OoTIMbr3JeHDzHwT5v3xo3ydN_iBOU/s1600-h/931.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNs8tlqBK8SjKy5cLUnXRgKhiOvW_7J_Te0vvQzfyQpJyTNuqcKn_a4WOEjRbspXig5NKcqrEGT9p4CfVlosGZoUT22HHCML0CBLBcd5EFaSdY6OoTIMbr3JeHDzHwT5v3xo3ydN_iBOU/s400/931.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387625644481967890" /></a><br />As you can see, photogenic and energetic students! We had a great time. Kevin has developed a very respectable road to improved English in these dear folks. Now he's on to another session, and as I walked by his class room tonight it looked like there were 6-8 students hard at it.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0VZ91OtKnnIQ_m_gez5QI2kJW2BMF8SZ8HRoYjffiOmcVrevUI-FVRfrVIaNkojZdU1QVOANc1NFCRhP2NaTNLL8KWRKtm4IdZ_c7gGQKdOvC7dWrfj6ucYodG4askPSn__qINjPmYg/s1600-h/935.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0VZ91OtKnnIQ_m_gez5QI2kJW2BMF8SZ8HRoYjffiOmcVrevUI-FVRfrVIaNkojZdU1QVOANc1NFCRhP2NaTNLL8KWRKtm4IdZ_c7gGQKdOvC7dWrfj6ucYodG4askPSn__qINjPmYg/s400/935.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388366878805005906" /></a><br />I wish for excellent English skills.<br /><br />Piano is going well also. If you recall, I started out with 27 students and nearly sank with the ship until a few of them determined that they were too busy to take lessons. <br /><br />It's fascinating to observe how each student takes in what's offered to them in their own way. I see myself in some of them; not a fast learner but intent. I think when we return home I'll take some lessons of some kind just to see if my teaching thought processes help my learning processes as well. I find myself telling my students things my teachers told me--some of it I "got" and some went over my head, but I get, now that I'm on the teaching end.<br /><br />Our chapel instrument is a Kawai hybrid--can be a piano or organ. The Yamaha grand is relegated to the cultural hall which nearly kills me. I teach on either instrument so they have experience on whatever they might be called upon to play. <br /><br />A handful of students are playing regularly in Relief Society or Sacrament Meeting and doing very well. They are coming along well enough to consider teaching organ technique to so they can utilize the organ portion of the hybrid, just no foot pedals, but a great bass coupler to help fill in the bottom end. They are sooooo eager! I'm working very hard with the beginning kids--four of them--very dear, but it's just plain hard work. The college student-age students are every piano teacher's dream come true. I make an assignment and they go home and do it.<br /><br />Here's an organ APB: If you have organ technique material, would you consider sending me some copies of finger exercises--finger substitution--sustained playing--whatever seems good and useful. The music available here is purchased at National Book, which is sort of like a Borders or Barnes & Noble. They have a little section of piano method--John Thompson and Michael Aaron. It all looks like it's been around since the last war, which would be okay if there was a Davis organ book in the stack. I thought of bringing it--it's down in the storage room ready to come, but the weight! How about a few pages to start with. Mom? David Young? Other organists following the blog? I need you to help me! Thanks in advance. OR you could scan some stuff and send it as an attachment by email.<br /><br />Some interesting Philippine snippets:<br /><br />Flip flops are called slippers.<br /><br />You will have either geckos or ants in your kitchen. Geckos are preferrable. Most of the ones around our apartment (we usually see them outside around the light fixtures in the stairwell, but they come in under our door) are well-mannered, smallish and shy. They prefer no human encounters, so they just going about their lizard business and leave us alone. It's not at all like living with Komodo Dragons.<br /><br />Cocroaches and rats are seen on occasion but are not part of our daily round. Rat and mouse feces could be a grave concern when there's flooding because it carries bacteria, if introduced to the body through a cut could spell a quick death. Don't worry! We stay in if there's running water on the streets! And we wear closed shoes to protect our feet. Moms--that means <em>you</em> don't worry.<br /><br />A practice run at setting Moroni--<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwMRr1I32EfEhXWfJQZh6obhZDsUmHpLj7s7OkgBrsykiXKgn37JxBkpl-TI-iWyj1CnP2o5gFLz5LW0eh2Fm27CBFFn4om_nMueiGPFQ77VZAh4pIFG0BcZ4wseKNcAS_QpkTZHkHtk/s1600-h/DSCF9280.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwMRr1I32EfEhXWfJQZh6obhZDsUmHpLj7s7OkgBrsykiXKgn37JxBkpl-TI-iWyj1CnP2o5gFLz5LW0eh2Fm27CBFFn4om_nMueiGPFQ77VZAh4pIFG0BcZ4wseKNcAS_QpkTZHkHtk/s400/DSCF9280.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387626487930363538" /></a><br />We happened to be waiting in our car right across from the temple this week. Kevin noticed a man sitting on the sidewalk staring intently at the temple. No wonder! The crane was very carefully placing this replica of Moroni on top, then they took it down. When the granite is installed on the steeple we'll see the gold leafed version installed.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPpoR_g6OqMYteknanuCzC_3I4tHgt6-J78EhaGQXaHl7R9AY1YrOgCFKYNnXD0jzpghu2jhxWpKusFW6cC6JxJ9r5I9_vT9n8Ok09ZhaoJXzUekVX4W_POGI5MjsV8KyBaxoFdPF4aM/s1600-h/DSCF9277.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPpoR_g6OqMYteknanuCzC_3I4tHgt6-J78EhaGQXaHl7R9AY1YrOgCFKYNnXD0jzpghu2jhxWpKusFW6cC6JxJ9r5I9_vT9n8Ok09ZhaoJXzUekVX4W_POGI5MjsV8KyBaxoFdPF4aM/s400/DSCF9277.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387626479443632146" /></a><br />Last Saturday was a particularly satisfying day filled with spiritual direction. We had planned on leaving for Bogo by noon, but just couldn't get moving to get all our pre-leaving chores finsihed. When we were still grocery shopping at 2:00 Kevin suggested that we just drive up first thing in the morning. I agreed, relieved.<br /><br />Then the sweetness started. A highly unlikely encounter in the mall parking lot with a fellow we met in our first couple of weeks here. Very friendly--a jewelry manufacturer--a husband and Dad. He renewed the invitation to come see his operation and visit some more. We will!<br /><br />We attended a convert baptism that gave Kevin an opportunity to chat with one of his English students about the gospel. Couldn't have happened if we'd chased off to Bogo!<br /><br />As we were leaving the baptism one of the ward members asked us if we'd like to attend the surprise birthday party for his wife. YES! A party isn't a party without people to celebrate with you. It turned out that it was for his wife and another gal in the ward--lovely women with birthdays the same week. To top it off, it was a catered sit-down dinner done by a fellow in the ward who is a wunnnnnderful chef--all kinds of culinary schooling--imagination--love of good food. I don't have to be asked twice to eat Rene's cooking!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlxxuzsWBw6Z5WFBF0hAtLG8rzeq1BwT5qEPWIg_fQyOmVNcvo8RD7GD9JdxfE-uOUULOhD44uThTy-S_x22gHvDizxYcCZH4wmPEs6Q2p2-RK2ZPIDHk8lMp7gv2WsMCNW2jWJi71Vc/s1600-h/DSCF9244.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlxxuzsWBw6Z5WFBF0hAtLG8rzeq1BwT5qEPWIg_fQyOmVNcvo8RD7GD9JdxfE-uOUULOhD44uThTy-S_x22gHvDizxYcCZH4wmPEs6Q2p2-RK2ZPIDHk8lMp7gv2WsMCNW2jWJi71Vc/s400/DSCF9244.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387625669648607170" /></a><br />A pretty table for us to enjoy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimK7uy2SbEsConjSHrGFlIPJz-hoEmmsMYvF3k6DnnxgsxMmtpTMhao2MrBrLe8uG1qCwg3rQYWBTb0zNS3ZS1hJOlbeqCOo8JyKObeyQ9TptLK1YhXyG_XfR0yn884duP6e55TzuCk6M/s1600-h/DSCF9259.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimK7uy2SbEsConjSHrGFlIPJz-hoEmmsMYvF3k6DnnxgsxMmtpTMhao2MrBrLe8uG1qCwg3rQYWBTb0zNS3ZS1hJOlbeqCOo8JyKObeyQ9TptLK1YhXyG_XfR0yn884duP6e55TzuCk6M/s400/DSCF9259.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387626087958905378" /></a><br />The celebrants--Sister (R.S. President) and Brother Pua and Brother and Sister Lee(Primary President.<br /><br />The most interesting details of our trip to Bogo were on our way home:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Dl6jPSbti8P9UCa-tF5nx7RXcs5T-2toJLu1YYdhUJ2wcqyaEbC8zEGC3WJAnsEgreWl-_fmPmqrREap_E_rrD06Yfw78dYGWeaLIyM1nVfle21R3my-2ombfPkPrJDY7-kQdcT8S40/s1600-h/DSCF9261.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Dl6jPSbti8P9UCa-tF5nx7RXcs5T-2toJLu1YYdhUJ2wcqyaEbC8zEGC3WJAnsEgreWl-_fmPmqrREap_E_rrD06Yfw78dYGWeaLIyM1nVfle21R3my-2ombfPkPrJDY7-kQdcT8S40/s400/DSCF9261.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387626094667802146" /></a><br />Pigs in trickle cabs<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrZi4-5mKvPVuLESLG2EjZEJXJLkFwDNKFfQUjVl_dbng8bIiTfffXx9d0PUgCRkUx1owRpi8s7vcAnDxcdwl7EOHltE6Dchl2AJYKr6ia_4ijoxDRWhaxc9jiAio0PnLDPcoNk-j-rQ/s1600-h/DSCF9262.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrZi4-5mKvPVuLESLG2EjZEJXJLkFwDNKFfQUjVl_dbng8bIiTfffXx9d0PUgCRkUx1owRpi8s7vcAnDxcdwl7EOHltE6Dchl2AJYKr6ia_4ijoxDRWhaxc9jiAio0PnLDPcoNk-j-rQ/s400/DSCF9262.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387626104258620898" /></a><br />Scenic vistas including woven huts with thatched roofs<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IKOU6Soi90SV6zRSw4fl7tL7d3PnuXIGLwpQVg9Wf-TA2StxbZLLyFas3y6sKDqpuLVfUqTFxyUPFhWYCDLzhRxj6jHXye0qnXSvtxPeNj63ybcjLRRDJEANA-FR2LMzgK9NQupFcfY/s1600-h/DSCF9267.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IKOU6Soi90SV6zRSw4fl7tL7d3PnuXIGLwpQVg9Wf-TA2StxbZLLyFas3y6sKDqpuLVfUqTFxyUPFhWYCDLzhRxj6jHXye0qnXSvtxPeNj63ybcjLRRDJEANA-FR2LMzgK9NQupFcfY/s400/DSCF9267.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387626109786622930" /></a><br />I2L's--Invitations to learn. This is a fellow we met at a restaurant in Bogo. He is a vegetable farmer who sells his produce at the Bogo Market. We saw him out planting in his field and stopped to say hello.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSS5TD-ytIaVkK4sr_shZA50xjdWfqG_oxn5rq058euXnk_6cSEmLdDXxZUAICc2zzFusSaR1h2fH8eABTXj2rsCOF8ObM9O1JFEpLfIJXwvFZvxUoD3PCDWNhD43aVryJru0SwTgRmc/s1600-h/DSCF9269.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSS5TD-ytIaVkK4sr_shZA50xjdWfqG_oxn5rq058euXnk_6cSEmLdDXxZUAICc2zzFusSaR1h2fH8eABTXj2rsCOF8ObM9O1JFEpLfIJXwvFZvxUoD3PCDWNhD43aVryJru0SwTgRmc/s400/DSCF9269.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387626115268013298" /></a><br />As we crept through the Lilo-an traffic we pulled up beside a trike, and there were two of our missionaries! Nice surprise. We captured the moment as the light turned green.<br /><br />I am proving no good at frequent, short entries. Just save part of these looooong entries and call it chapter 2. We continue our labors, gratefully accepting the whisperings of heaven in what to do (not to do) in the many interesting situations that arise each day. The gospel is true! We're grateful to <em>know</em> that and help move the work forward here in Cebu. We treasure your friendship and support, and pray that your labors will also be sweet and spirit-filled each day.<br /><br />Elder & Sister Reed<br />Kevin & AnnReeds in Cebuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262279042116242953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8106957156328475067.post-36896683557640033932009-09-17T05:03:00.000-07:002009-09-22T05:39:55.202-07:00Down the Road a Ways<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ub5eugCXAhCntehizo0LC1sUp0ZhxZpS9hVG0yyGUw1GRZ-UDDHNwq3OrceMVMNzPojlO7-9AhdgsWUlYeTQHU9YTStiKm93ENaXiWhya-Pm5HKHvaUDjtX5V9qRkrXmpJTU3in9dY8/s1600-h/April-June.'09+018.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ub5eugCXAhCntehizo0LC1sUp0ZhxZpS9hVG0yyGUw1GRZ-UDDHNwq3OrceMVMNzPojlO7-9AhdgsWUlYeTQHU9YTStiKm93ENaXiWhya-Pm5HKHvaUDjtX5V9qRkrXmpJTU3in9dY8/s400/April-June.'09+018.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382419443344997650" /></a><br />Take me home, country roads<br />To the place I belong<br /><br /><br />I know, I know. It's been more than three weeks since we posted. <em>Dash</em> those thoughts of us going AWOL and lounging around on a remote tropical beach! We've had missionaries leaving and missionaries coming (1st week), Zone Leader Council (2nd week), and Zone Conference (this week). It's not like we're in charge of these three big events, just involved, and that coupled with our regular duties of bill paying, apartment contract writing, supply ordering, trips to the post office, piano lessons, English classes--there's no time to tell you about it. I've got to start making a list of the life snippets that are interesting so they will resurface in my memory when the world finally simmers down and I can think of blogging.<br /><br />What we do is so ordinary most days, but it's never dull. If we ever experience a hint of boredom we can always venture out into the city to liven things up. (<em>Surely</em> thoughts from a twisted mind.) It happened today though; we'd worked all morning--watched a shower-is-on rain storm, visited with a few people who stopped in, went upstairs for lunch. We <em>needed</em> to get out for a bit, so why not make our post office run today instead of tomorrow?<br /><br />Sometimes it's an easy trip.<br /><br />I sat there enjoying Kevin's company (remember--we can <em>see</em> each other while we work in the office if we crane our necks, and the easiest way to get his attention is to pick up the phone and dial 15) for the first 15 minutes. Then it was big traffic and car-to-car salesmen at the stop lights. Our easy chat was over and we were both on high alert for weaving motorcycles and darting pedestrians. At the post office we found no line for the metered mail and a looong line for the packages. We go to three different windows to take care of our postal needs. I only had to get firm with one fellow who stood and watched me take postage money out of the little bag, then approached me in case I wanted to share what was left with him. DILI! And an firm look.<br /><br />Kevin on the other hand was cooling his heals in the package line with six package cards. If <em>only</em> they were interested in his innovative ideas for increased efficiency! Really, his brain never quits, and most of the time his ideas are very good. Anyway, I took half the cards and went to the sub-line for small packages, a divide and conquer efficiency measure. He got his packages fast, and my part really needed his efficiency ideas. <br /><br />The line compressed. I think the Filipinos were even uncomfortable at how close we were all standing, but nobody budged. It's an open air post office you know; no air conditioning to keep us all calm during our wait. Kevin took his packages to the car, then came back to wait for me. Our eyes met across the crowd. I have no doubt that mine rolled, (this is NOT a Filipino thing like raising your eyebrows is) and I mouthed, "I must be crazy", thinking that this little outing was my idea.<br /><br />Back at the office we were greeted by the assistants and President and Sister Hansen who were finishing the last details to get out the door to Zone Conferences off island. Oh they are such fine folks! Those Assistants--Elder Curtis and Elder Deiparine are joys to work with. We couldn't ask for better neighbors, and they are kind, thoughtful and patient with us old folks in all our office details. President and Sister Hansen scurry around at such a rate that I don't even have a picture of them. Soon.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jveDrTe8Oead1l2FRpzMohj7jxZgO0VEu_woIsVWilt0jF1knyXZJHWj1Okf5IObUc2R6_gHQFx2QxF2Rj6Z7PQ3OuSJBcsXhilhU2CuE-dex48atzVXg9cduabZZK4h75LaxZ_vpOQ/s1600-h/April-June.'09.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jveDrTe8Oead1l2FRpzMohj7jxZgO0VEu_woIsVWilt0jF1knyXZJHWj1Okf5IObUc2R6_gHQFx2QxF2Rj6Z7PQ3OuSJBcsXhilhU2CuE-dex48atzVXg9cduabZZK4h75LaxZ_vpOQ/s400/April-June.'09.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382419468039779762" /></a><br />Elder Curtis and Elder Deiparine on the right, with Elder Nicoleta and Elder--oh dear--I can't think of his name. You know--the one with dark hair and eyes?<br /><br />We spent last weekend in Bogo, but before we left town we hiked up to a new place. It's a left turn up the mountain a ways, then drive slowly, twisting and turning. Park, and you are ready for a magnificent walk. Our current hiking criteria is anything on a road, and please give us some elevation so we won't sauna to death. This one fit the bill to a tee. There was <em>wind</em> that almost made the air feel dry. What a sensory feast! Feel it on your skin, and hear it. Ahhh.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39-BoDSyMA3jUNBSFZRd_Kfm_nzatGk75SV5eXHy135tQXoQWxtb0ks1982bgDqOF_2vqE7XZwylOZNaXOZJ3g3ckcAOEr9z2X8fL77EvuK37QpcoXco_LGD9O8dD114CAQvJp347Tqc/s1600-h/April-June.'09+013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39-BoDSyMA3jUNBSFZRd_Kfm_nzatGk75SV5eXHy135tQXoQWxtb0ks1982bgDqOF_2vqE7XZwylOZNaXOZJ3g3ckcAOEr9z2X8fL77EvuK37QpcoXco_LGD9O8dD114CAQvJp347Tqc/s400/April-June.'09+013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382419022978036290" /></a><br />There are stands of giant bamboo that are nature's wind chimes. They creak and clack in a most musical way. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdarhWyHPDu8hW-uGS2kFcIWb45Qr8hFafhp10lT5jwpcvZrJoIcDjPd0Ugv6t0mXpQ6M5tHxdbQ_sGtA4UO_9acQmOTqJtQEZjb18EaeEGG3G-cz7hMlU5MXGgO3NtSHsx8PHmBVyL4Y/s1600-h/April-June.'09+014.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdarhWyHPDu8hW-uGS2kFcIWb45Qr8hFafhp10lT5jwpcvZrJoIcDjPd0Ugv6t0mXpQ6M5tHxdbQ_sGtA4UO_9acQmOTqJtQEZjb18EaeEGG3G-cz7hMlU5MXGgO3NtSHsx8PHmBVyL4Y/s400/April-June.'09+014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382419032729292146" /></a><br />It was Kevin, Kaikai and me. Our walk took us up the mountain to a beautiful visita that we've promised to return to when we have time to sit and eat a little good food and not worry about what else has to be done that day.<br /><br />On our way back down we met this goat named Fran. We've met plenty of goats since we got here, and I'm sorry to say that goats are the next feast or celebration. They are very easy to live with and care for since they will eat almost anything. Just tie them up where there are weeds or grass and they will be content until you return for them. Anyway, Fran. It was like she had a sense of us as human beings, and if she could talk she would have had something to say to us. Odd to have thoughts like this about a goat. Wouldn't you say she "wanted" her picture taken? There were two other goats who tried to join her, but she head butted them away and posed for me. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrFqS5jSjAJG073N8kgQthQhDVVaFCTeQoh45chQKlwmmSy9Qi6fS4G6Vy89BhqqsP-94_4kIJgkfP40IjGgAEfJMfUyO-scxbITTHeK-cbjfUZ8ydmjEbXtPl8YNLAy_7MtpfXyvlLE/s1600-h/April-June.'09+016.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrFqS5jSjAJG073N8kgQthQhDVVaFCTeQoh45chQKlwmmSy9Qi6fS4G6Vy89BhqqsP-94_4kIJgkfP40IjGgAEfJMfUyO-scxbITTHeK-cbjfUZ8ydmjEbXtPl8YNLAy_7MtpfXyvlLE/s400/April-June.'09+016.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382419049144427698" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPBsSGbBx2admaRJwUKZ6ScknzYti8IBpR-WHanwqW5C-fUesbbR_HOwc-F9igUJJ4_VOPu43h74OIEe754irQVj-qp8gGSjemidr5EYvfPpQ31CbTJaFH4Jdwcv6dbIep1yeI1_CwC4/s1600-h/April-June.'09+015.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPBsSGbBx2admaRJwUKZ6ScknzYti8IBpR-WHanwqW5C-fUesbbR_HOwc-F9igUJJ4_VOPu43h74OIEe754irQVj-qp8gGSjemidr5EYvfPpQ31CbTJaFH4Jdwcv6dbIep1yeI1_CwC4/s400/April-June.'09+015.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382419039762561842" /></a><br />I swear she's smiling!<br /><br /><a href="http://4 up on the mountain..bp.blogspot.com/_G0WpwHAPYhs/SrIx-pIBirI/AAAAAAAAAcE/Iwoozygvc4s/s1600-h/April-June.%2709+019.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieN9WpAnj8tsUxa5PJRp0XN1fpsRBHBl831GfED_IxA6a8AkbGK1siRN8BRNYmH14qIDlwcgsFNUrXvvJYePGDFbh5Hjsgtv98S5PEs7ZS3clGhF2ca7YNTEocdTNH7B7YBsOeYUBrz58/s400/April-June.'09+019.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382419456922323634" /></a><br />This is just a pier shot at 5:30 in the morning last weekend in Bogo. Looks like a lake, doesn't it? The water was so still it made us drool for thoughts of water skiing. None of that here though, just fishing.<br /><br />Kevin and I have been mulling over the concept of balance lately. We keep seeking it--practicing it, having to practice it more. There is so much interesting stuff to do and experience here. Unfortunately our middle-aged bodies need enough rest. Gone are the days of burning the candle at both ends. I have balance thoughts about blogging too. I'd like to blog more often and shorter. I look at my entries and wonder if anyone reads something so long. Well, pick and choose and I'll see what I can do. No promises, but it might be like nibbling on the Philippines instead of huge meals. <br /><br />Bye for now. We pray for you every day, and are grateful for your prayers in our behalf.Reeds in Cebuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262279042116242953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8106957156328475067.post-47506421374770207632009-08-26T00:34:00.000-07:002009-08-31T04:12:27.641-07:00Mid-week<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HjL62R1VwnyVcNkNt1_L1xc0Hx7P-L2VB959Ei62hPDMMv-6bwH1NmSIviU5Rsi-0xCvjPyz2qydzfH6FhJPVkJ6jzr1kcarR1QCnq1J2Ji5fKlilGaKtL5lZ4tcGEpBcITwHdX2Ll4/s1600-h/Aug+9,+2009+053.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HjL62R1VwnyVcNkNt1_L1xc0Hx7P-L2VB959Ei62hPDMMv-6bwH1NmSIviU5Rsi-0xCvjPyz2qydzfH6FhJPVkJ6jzr1kcarR1QCnq1J2Ji5fKlilGaKtL5lZ4tcGEpBcITwHdX2Ll4/s400/Aug+9,+2009+053.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374612635355298226" /></a><br />This is <strong>Humble Jeepney Week</strong>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4yzXzSNACr9eD7PTs3YAE5GVBMeSsupcW2FgncPKwNxHmW5iXEtUSdw_Jtb4C9f7zN2il_g7f-5epF-6TcGp3Fohwi7IYIPzWHLv-xYQEWdsdt2I7olchl6eRD17ZvpJl3ZpuKwMtbQ/s1600-h/Aug+9,+2009+047.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4yzXzSNACr9eD7PTs3YAE5GVBMeSsupcW2FgncPKwNxHmW5iXEtUSdw_Jtb4C9f7zN2il_g7f-5epF-6TcGp3Fohwi7IYIPzWHLv-xYQEWdsdt2I7olchl6eRD17ZvpJl3ZpuKwMtbQ/s400/Aug+9,+2009+047.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374612625656389490" /></a><br />We dedicate this blog entry to every jeepney that's had its glory days--somewhere in the past.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Inx-F0-eNxYF38FayJnx0V83N25rpqFYXZL0iLacJL7iFoIwLczTfsxTD6EZJGCb5vSl_RTdcgguEkLGBCIbqwfynd2J_E_qADbLFEzSZSx9AYSqAV2XhjhWS5XSRsfIF3OMWrojZ4Q/s1600-h/Aug+9,+2009+046.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Inx-F0-eNxYF38FayJnx0V83N25rpqFYXZL0iLacJL7iFoIwLczTfsxTD6EZJGCb5vSl_RTdcgguEkLGBCIbqwfynd2J_E_qADbLFEzSZSx9AYSqAV2XhjhWS5XSRsfIF3OMWrojZ4Q/s400/Aug+9,+2009+046.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374612621116698914" /></a><br />That still rumble along in spite of being looked down upon by the new little sporty jeepneys, or the big "bells and whistles" jeepneys.<br /><br /><br /><br />We've been back from lunch and errands for a couple of hours. The office is silent except for rode noise and the air con. That's what it's called here--air con.<br /><br />When I'm sitting at my computer and I lean forward looking to the right, this is what I can see:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgup9UQB7j_Wv-c_BTUOGB2jmkPHrQ2kYgazCuLY7UcATcEYMBwqogzX56SXQUp9gHM8Lv6lR9-XkAmdfQw1QZMwDucwgF3Tx2yvrJQcPpGy6Ij-3NnO9CGSNs25EL51tx7XJSTqASpwRU/s1600-h/Aug+26,+2009+004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgup9UQB7j_Wv-c_BTUOGB2jmkPHrQ2kYgazCuLY7UcATcEYMBwqogzX56SXQUp9gHM8Lv6lR9-XkAmdfQw1QZMwDucwgF3Tx2yvrJQcPpGy6Ij-3NnO9CGSNs25EL51tx7XJSTqASpwRU/s400/Aug+26,+2009+004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374563390798293202" /></a><br />That bright white stripe is Elder Reed's back. He's sitting at his computer working on--finance stuff. <br /><br />And now a close-up:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrhytKQCuTJSO5jJstICuA2xdXH3RM58rz8h1mnkwrlfwkn-qkpCHVIoZc6ONLIuQOTcMrMkDRBOWY-4HuCRMgppoHRGc_iOKyzc-9MdzNRDpyMHXBmsEFcSUZibv2NNVUULtbEcNh0s/s1600-h/Aug+26,+2009+006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrhytKQCuTJSO5jJstICuA2xdXH3RM58rz8h1mnkwrlfwkn-qkpCHVIoZc6ONLIuQOTcMrMkDRBOWY-4HuCRMgppoHRGc_iOKyzc-9MdzNRDpyMHXBmsEFcSUZibv2NNVUULtbEcNh0s/s400/Aug+26,+2009+006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374563101027713106" /></a><br />Definitely worth a full shot! Hmmm. That office resembles his office at home--teaming with activity. How do you keep a perfectly clean office and get stuff done?<br /><br />This is my realm:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_q3Id3rt0qze_xTBqxHW2h_YktHK7rgR3lEhD80tpPJRv3YhyXRR4Vf_3AtRFpxX2YnbecitRPd0H7emhjgZGO4yC_PEQ5hbj_UxH2_zBO4zYKEIq5QHVCfYIfv769fRo3vWI0P5-GR8/s1600-h/Aug+26,+2009+007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_q3Id3rt0qze_xTBqxHW2h_YktHK7rgR3lEhD80tpPJRv3YhyXRR4Vf_3AtRFpxX2YnbecitRPd0H7emhjgZGO4yC_PEQ5hbj_UxH2_zBO4zYKEIq5QHVCfYIfv769fRo3vWI0P5-GR8/s400/Aug+26,+2009+007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374563088288350578" /></a><br />I make sure my desk is cleared off once a day. I'm so exposed up by the front door. It's probably a blessing or my desk would also look like my desk at home.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagLlCAT5Tak56Dl7neNuuL-TYOp2UcjuYjPYEBFB17A4fYRgASLTlJ532krYCsfL__qg3P3DQ4mtuQEgGTC1WEoeFwzB1gCqR53HmCLdzO0B5i62H_Uo_dh9EWbA-1DMMh4CGTWYssj4/s1600-h/Aug+26,+2009+008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagLlCAT5Tak56Dl7neNuuL-TYOp2UcjuYjPYEBFB17A4fYRgASLTlJ532krYCsfL__qg3P3DQ4mtuQEgGTC1WEoeFwzB1gCqR53HmCLdzO0B5i62H_Uo_dh9EWbA-1DMMh4CGTWYssj4/s400/Aug+26,+2009+008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374563082539267698" /></a><br />We must be getting better at what we do. It feels smoother--under control. Not that it's perfect, just that we don't feel like we're about to careen over the cliff.<br /><br />This week is interview week. President and Sister Hansen were in most of the day yesterday, he interviewing (companionships this time) and she teaching the missionaries all kinds of interesting important things while they wait their turn. <br /><br />Many of Sister Hansen's teachings are health-related. She is a very capable woman, having raised 5 children herself. But no mother, no matter how "Super Mom", who instantly becomes the "mother" of 130 knows what to do with all the health challenges that arise.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4k1aRESx-PnWj6FLCYwhEOQNQfTzgXo52ZYOqVcDyyp8r_NWEPPrkLC4qUiLrOjjvw-wnsK6YiaI9n4zKLCFWNub45McFF0lNKt2fp_3IGq7YB1FsukIlbANKuAlBfUL4zyrJV5GqJS0/s1600-h/July+23,+2009+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4k1aRESx-PnWj6FLCYwhEOQNQfTzgXo52ZYOqVcDyyp8r_NWEPPrkLC4qUiLrOjjvw-wnsK6YiaI9n4zKLCFWNub45McFF0lNKt2fp_3IGq7YB1FsukIlbANKuAlBfUL4zyrJV5GqJS0/s400/July+23,+2009+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374612602054466466" /></a><br />She has a well-stocked bag of mom-tricks, including capable doctors. One of her tricks is knowing when to send a missionary to see Dr. Tan and when to just put him/her on a round of antibiotics, which is entirely within her realm. Often this is successful--no perscription is needed, just go to the pharmacy and pick up your choice of bacteria-killer.<br /><br />We don't wait around before going the antibiotics route here. Seemingly innocent hurts or sniffles or pains can turn nasty <em>fast</em>, including many skin-related issues. A rash could put you in the hospital if you don't tend it properly. A cut is nothing to scoff at! Scrub it! Disinfect it! Keep it covered.<br /><br />We (at least the mission oldies) have heightened awareness of this from having watched President Hansen suffer miserably through a bad case of cellulitis, which stemmed from from a simple little cut when he was trimming his toenails. Needless to say, when I slipped on some wet coral when we were up hiking in our foothills a month ago and received a good scrape on my arm, I scrubbed and scrubbed. It healed well, by the way.<br /><br />If Sister Hansen is Dr. Mom, then I am surely her first assistant. Reminding the missionaries of their responsibility to exercise good hygiene and encouraging steady, thoughtful self-care are definitely within my realm. The missionaries--I am the one out front who talks to them about all sorts of stuff when they come into the office. I love them dearly and am eager to encourage them in whatever area they are low in.<br /><br />Recently we had the four missionaries from Camotes Island come in to pick up their support. It just so happened that they were all sick--poor fellas, having to travel when they should have been home in bed. Nevertheless, here they were in the office, so I quizzed them about their hygiene practices. Three of them as good as took notes and the fourth acted like, "oh yeah, yeah, whatever." This was my signal for a Scotch Blessing, which I think surprised him! I reminded him in no uncertain terms that it is our DUTY to tend our bodies mindfully. We didn't come across the world to get sick casually--easily, or to make others sick, but to share the gospel! <br /><br />It's time to wrap things up for the day. I will teach my first piano lesson in a half hour to lovely Edren Sagayno--a young mom with 3 children. Her husband is in Cebu 1's bishopric and is building a catering business. His food is <em>veeeery</em> good. Edren is absolutely steady in her practicing habits, which means her progress is steady also. Very satisfying for both of us.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadD1CTm9h-x-YVLVADdIJP0c5uQwbxpkgq0YRogFbD1-5UIwtwoh8dL6UaPx7biXK1XBtsV5EULllVzglBuobrSGokgYDaRXHaGJEcDZerubzTiftHG9gmqjOKXBdyxcfEiNwxFEFnqE/s1600-h/Aug+26,+2009+009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadD1CTm9h-x-YVLVADdIJP0c5uQwbxpkgq0YRogFbD1-5UIwtwoh8dL6UaPx7biXK1XBtsV5EULllVzglBuobrSGokgYDaRXHaGJEcDZerubzTiftHG9gmqjOKXBdyxcfEiNwxFEFnqE/s400/Aug+26,+2009+009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374563073154304834" /></a><br />Look at that fine hand position! Can't beat that in a new student.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QOpm2Qz13fRh-KFk82bAoWAM5XUdAKBo80csSjDzcvPYD35czWmS0WTzdj4WSNhpoGUW91147lfxvDqVz9lfDohzvesdSmqx4bsgL2Gx7S3nXnML7gfFmdH8SCRpv9ye__ywS-BX7zM/s1600-h/Aug+26,+2009+013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QOpm2Qz13fRh-KFk82bAoWAM5XUdAKBo80csSjDzcvPYD35czWmS0WTzdj4WSNhpoGUW91147lfxvDqVz9lfDohzvesdSmqx4bsgL2Gx7S3nXnML7gfFmdH8SCRpv9ye__ywS-BX7zM/s400/Aug+26,+2009+013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374563060084125714" /></a><br />You are always close in our hearts! Want to make our day? Just drop a line. And I mean <em>a line</em>. An epistle is certainly appreciated, but don't wait till you've done something spectacular say hello. We're grateful for this very special opportunity of service. We know the gospel is true--know by the whisperings of the spirit that this is His work--His church. For all the challenges of life, we have great peace in our hearts. Life is good with Christ as our focus and role model.<br /><br />Kevin and Ann<br />Elder and Sister ReedReeds in Cebuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262279042116242953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8106957156328475067.post-5831014380969835952009-08-20T04:22:00.000-07:002009-08-20T04:29:39.547-07:00Wowie! The Mandaue IS A LAKEShowers going indoors<br />Showers going outdoors<br />It’s a duet of drops<br />We hope that it stops<br /><br /><br />One never knows.<br /><br /><br />The rain was pretty convincing, <br />which really had us wincing, <br />thinking about us blitzing <br />to the car without getting soaked.<br /><br />Kevin was brave<br />did all he could to save<br />his princess from the wave.<br /><br />I didn’t want us to fret<br />Travel when we’re wet? <br />Nay! <br />An umbrella for my fella? <br />We settled for a beach towel instead.<br /><br />The roads were clear <br />which made us cheer<br />The traffic—you know how we feel <br />to have to deal<br />with so much congestion. <br />Ugh.<br /><br />To our dismay<br />Many cars lay<br />Stopped—stranded<br />Dead in their tracks.<br /><br />There was no turning back<br />To find a new track<br />For owners who were out wading<br />Their good humor fading<br /><br /><br />How did this happen?<br />I asked my wise prince<br />Too daring of speed<br />The thought made me wince.<br /><br />Those engines were bathed<br />The water was deep<br />I sat oh so quietly<br />And didn’t utter a peep<br /><br />Would our engine fail?<br />Would <em>we</em> become waders?<br />We took comfort in knowing<br />That Cebu has no gators.<br /><br />It thundered, it lightening’d<br />Could this please be over?<br />Or else could we trade this Toyota<br />For a Range Rover?<br /><br />Lake Mandaue went on<br />For more than a mile<br />Eventually though,<br />We left it with a smile<br /><br />The shower had turned to a drizzle<br />It had surely decided to fizzle<br />The sun was trying to shine<br />And which meant we’d soon sizzle<br /><br />On to Bogo we cruised<br />A good car, a blessing,<br />We mused<br /><br />This light-hearted blog is done<br />We hope you’ve had fun<br />Please drop us a line<br />To help us not pine!Reeds in Cebuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262279042116242953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8106957156328475067.post-21654185657262453162009-08-09T05:48:00.000-07:002009-08-09T22:35:11.787-07:00Time <em>is </em>like a dream and it <em>is</em> passing like a stream…. <br /><br /><br />We are well here, and continue to learn in the responsibilities put before us. We aren't sure, but recognize hints that we may actually be acclimating to the temperature/humidity.<br /><br />If you've read much of our blog, our morning begins with a great walk up through a subdivision called Beverly Hills. Many of the mornings of late <em>seem</em> cooler and there is often a breeze that reminds of the warm gusts at home that signal the shift from summer to fall. <br /><br />We've had two typhoon warnings so far, with only one making it to Cebu. I say making it, but all we saw was steady rain for a day. Often a typhoon will be churning somewhere in the Pacific and the edges of the storm make themselves known here. Today is a little windier than normal; maybe it is connected to the typhoon that was announced and we've heard is hitting Luzon. <br /><br />As I write this I see out the door of the office over on the other side of our stake center a large palm tree blowing in the wind. It is rather tall and singular in its place. The wind has wrapped all the frowns around to the downwind side. One branch has died and remains stiff and unmoving pointing directly into the wind. It reminds me of the Sesame Street character Big Bird, only green.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfKV2B5ABNUuRli0-KGoT0TA_V-1Yq1SwX6zdti6fSci9MbIMRkcJvTwgdPtH7acE2eMaCf5K-up3d36qDPQCY2Gmlq4GcQie77kv9orKQWWCCmwzzkfoK2z0pzx9LRWQnR6QRIHK6KA/s1600-h/Aug+9,+2009+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367952732175472642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfKV2B5ABNUuRli0-KGoT0TA_V-1Yq1SwX6zdti6fSci9MbIMRkcJvTwgdPtH7acE2eMaCf5K-up3d36qDPQCY2Gmlq4GcQie77kv9orKQWWCCmwzzkfoK2z0pzx9LRWQnR6QRIHK6KA/s400/Aug+9,+2009+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Watching our weather here, we're reminded of the summer hot days built by a high pressure ridge that can leave one wanting a little variety, like clouds or rain or <em>something</em>. Here there is plenty of variety with little chance of a ridge of high pressure. Often we are outside and if it is clear blue sky the sun can be hot and intense. But given time and not much, clouds will move across and often bring some rain. <br /><br />Tropical rain is often very intense. I don’t think I will ever get used to the fact that when it rains the temperature doesn't drop, it will probably feel hotter since the humidity rises. Living our whole lives where rain, clouds, and darkness all equate to a significant lowering of the temperature, leaves us fooled again and again in those conditions. Either that, or hope springs eternal. We secretly hope for a <em>really</em> chilly morning. The locals think they happen, especially up on the mountain. If they only knew...<br /><br />This morning we started on our usual walk with KaiKai and decided to walk over the back way to Guadalupe since it was Saturday and we weren't pressed for time. We didn't exactly know where to go, but KaiKai assured us that we could walk through the Boy Scout camp that is a stone's throw from Beverly Hills Subdivision. We had to see this one to believe it, since we've driven to Guadalupe and know that it takes 20-30 minutes in a car. <br /><br />We walked on roads most of the time, including one that took us by the Provincial jail. There is some notoriety with this place, or rather the inmates. They have become famous for doing line dancing as a form of exercise. You can see them perform if you look on You Tube. <br /><br />This area has a beautiful domed church with stained glass, all of which was built many years ago by the people of Guadalupe. The building doesn’t have the highly finished presence of some similar structures, instead it is at the end of the road through the village and the road completely rings the church property. And in that place appears to be the center of attention for the people of Guadalupe. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrs1spH4VDLjAtlpmgxJKb9tSS-kWuRkuvAiWDKR_6MRoAdp4r6RzNLTzO9RQ20G4Z0zoF3jA8nqVUrlJm6CeQi5Re43zdc2_gmDHcm5wta6v7gDqRNz7d8Sx304mMa0IlMto4D6kvQ0I/s1600-h/Aug+9,+2009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367952747016773474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrs1spH4VDLjAtlpmgxJKb9tSS-kWuRkuvAiWDKR_6MRoAdp4r6RzNLTzO9RQ20G4Z0zoF3jA8nqVUrlJm6CeQi5Re43zdc2_gmDHcm5wta6v7gDqRNz7d8Sx304mMa0IlMto4D6kvQ0I/s400/Aug+9,+2009.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Our walk dropped us out on the back side of the street that circles the church and we ventured up on of the side roads to see where it went.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgBvcUOLdPjbX9PqdslFLeSwh7SUtASek1ri7eV25mFBXvdX_4BvZSQDv8n-7ym5jSs1_RNcslUzhZsbv5bVbPd8aZM7PPbUevduemehIFCXLG4Te0aLCwXHDliH0FqHZzul4LIaHDPY/s1600-h/Aug+9,+2009+003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgBvcUOLdPjbX9PqdslFLeSwh7SUtASek1ri7eV25mFBXvdX_4BvZSQDv8n-7ym5jSs1_RNcslUzhZsbv5bVbPd8aZM7PPbUevduemehIFCXLG4Te0aLCwXHDliH0FqHZzul4LIaHDPY/s400/Aug+9,+2009+003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367954278855497170" /></a><br /><br />Since this is our preparation day and KaiKai doesn’t have kids to go to school, or his work, we had the time to explore. At first the road was busy and was not a relaxing stroll. But as we continued to climb in elevation there was less traffic and more opportunity to stop and look and talk with the people that live in that barangay.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-IPT-K-fpOse5HiU8ncHBRJdcxD0f79xCgCWcXCZiBoUlVAtpKcoD7AwZYCjssbXR77xLcY-YSRteH3yclhG_41cSZTk7FaRO458ukHOIbs7NA7LviezmJ0HOwndf2eY6njl6FV-3gA/s1600-h/Aug+9,+2009+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367952743380393730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-IPT-K-fpOse5HiU8ncHBRJdcxD0f79xCgCWcXCZiBoUlVAtpKcoD7AwZYCjssbXR77xLcY-YSRteH3yclhG_41cSZTk7FaRO458ukHOIbs7NA7LviezmJ0HOwndf2eY6njl6FV-3gA/s400/Aug+9,+2009+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>This house intrigued us with it's purple roof and well maintained garden</em><br /><br /><br />We kept asking and were assured that indeed the road would loop back to where we began. At one point we sat and visited with a family that lived at the furthest point of our travel. They eek out a living harvesting Mangos and bamboo. They had cows ,chickens and perhaps other forms of sustenance, but it seemed pretty bleak.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaewj4RuB0s0Er6IX61OneCaw3iySFIaGv0CTllcsgSBPPr-ygqcfonwSHzAxdOZsAOLZIEqfH1XJgXn-uJBhQhLITcqOkIUInJjf23VVO2hcix29XGFqgtRsGDwKs3-5nYS6jpdBQwVM/s1600-h/Aug+9,+2009+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367952735923895730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaewj4RuB0s0Er6IX61OneCaw3iySFIaGv0CTllcsgSBPPr-ygqcfonwSHzAxdOZsAOLZIEqfH1XJgXn-uJBhQhLITcqOkIUInJjf23VVO2hcix29XGFqgtRsGDwKs3-5nYS6jpdBQwVM/s400/Aug+9,+2009+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>You will see very steep hillsides where a plot has been cleared and a crop planted. When you are used to row crops that are planted on flat ground and seeded with a tractor, this site can really amaze you, no pun intended. What you see is the end of the season corn plants.</em><br /><br />The Philippine people are quick to smile and engage in a conversation, (which would be simple and short if not for KaiKai), in all kinds of hard circumstances. We were informed that if we followed that road it would lead us to the area of the jail, where we wanted to go. We were told it would be approximately 30 minutes. Well, time can be relative!<br /><br />Forty-five minutes later when asking other people walking the road we were informed it would be approximately 30 minutes, and so after another 45 minutes we arrived at the road by the jail. We saw some great scenery, and enjoyed seeing and hearing the large stands of bamboo. Some of the stalks were 6-9 inches in diameter and 35 feet tall. It is an amazing plant in it’s' design and usability. I mention hearing the bamboo, when the wind blows and pushes the stalks it is like the biggest wind chime you have ever heard. It is not loud but you hear all multiple tones produced by the various sizes of the stocks. We felt removed from the city bustle even though we were really pretty close. <br /><br />We are well here and hope that you are also. Thanks for your interest in our adventure............. Elder and Sister Reed<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbUtyRDFTJ3nl7zSF6GtlmSi60rNZeGb2Blp5NU2L5YwxJXgmmG6L9AvghlJF-a61vVSzLUsBuVLGkiB_4nO6N1V5BgrJxSuaCScv0YLii__3jqAJlzWqGkh4nOs3yS-M-jwQev8Q_qg/s1600-h/Aug+9,+2009+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367952724623912914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbUtyRDFTJ3nl7zSF6GtlmSi60rNZeGb2Blp5NU2L5YwxJXgmmG6L9AvghlJF-a61vVSzLUsBuVLGkiB_4nO6N1V5BgrJxSuaCScv0YLii__3jqAJlzWqGkh4nOs3yS-M-jwQev8Q_qg/s400/Aug+9,+2009+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>PS. Here is the jeepney of the week.</em><br /><br />As a side note this driver has painted on the inside for his riders to see, this statement.... <em><strong>Successful people do not have any special opportunity, they just work hard and succeed on principle!</strong></em><br /><br />All the best............A&KReeds in Cebuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262279042116242953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8106957156328475067.post-6809145303730206602009-08-05T04:42:00.000-07:002009-08-05T05:10:52.773-07:00On the Road to BogoThink back to "The 10 Commandments" with Charleton Heston. The Israelites have worked through bondage and plagues and they've finally been set free. They prepare to go, gather, and begin the departure. That departure—masses of people heading out is what getting out of Cebu feels like to us as we drive north to our Sunday assignment in Bogo.<br /><br />There are lots of interesting people, vehicle-animals as well as animals driven for food or merchandising. It’s teaming movement, ruckus, a constant din, occasional accidents or near misses; dust and grime. (Actually, MGM makes it look pretty clean.) Some travelers are impatient and push their way through the throng. Some wait their turn—patiently or in quiet joy or resignation. Fast or slow, the movement continues on and on. Progress is made—hopefully. The promised land inches closer.<br /><br />Whoa! Am I talking about the Israelites or Kevin & Ann on the Mandaue Road? Hmmm. There are striking similarities as we inch our way out of town. To a small-city dweller, the inner clock is set at 20 minutes; the time it takes to escape heavy traffic congestion. Our inner clocks will probably adjust in about 13 months when it’s time to come home…<br /><br /><br />We inch along a 4-lane almosthighway instead of out over the open plain. Of course it’s paved, and at the moment in quite good condition. The painted lines are new and easily seen if anyone is interested in observing the boundaries they are meant to create. It’s flexible here though; the two lanes going either way may become 3 or 4 lanes as the traffic ebbs and flows.<br /><br />Flow is a good word for Philippine traffic. Think of fish in an aquarium. They just swim without running into each other. Ironically, the only time the traffic snarls is when there is a barangay (that’s like a big neighborhood—our address is technically Cebu City, but Lahug is more informative) traffic enforcer. They look very official in full uniform, and blow their whistle like a professional musicians, but—what happens to the swimming fish when there is someone standing in the middle of the street waving their arms? It's always a mess.<br /><br />The din is deafening, but muffled by our Toyota’s quality insulation, a small blessing. To have a car at all here is a blessing.<br /><br />Animals? A double decker truck load of pigs, street-smart dogs trotting along just outside the run over zone; purposefully. Where do dogs go that makes them trot along so importantly? Tethered goats that munch nonchalantly, oblivious to the swirl of humanity around them. Cats and cocks are present also, but either caged (cocks) or cagey (cats).<br /><br />If modern vehicles represented biblical travel creatures, the buses would definitely be elephants. Now don’t get all technical on me! I KNOW that elephants resided in a different corner of the woods than the Holy Land, but they fit the bill for my mind’s visual exploration. They, like buses, are the largest beast on the road, lumbering along assertively. They’re bigger than anyone is willing to oppose or contend with, moving remarkably fast considering how full they are. They snort and roar, weaving and swaying in and out of traffic like a Porche. If you’re a passenger you’re required to leave all your confidence with the driver when you board, along with your pesos. If you’re a transplant to this life, you pull over, let them pass, and vow to NEVER ride one because you want to live to return to your family and loved ones.<br /><br />Next in the travel hierarchy are the jeepneys. Sassy and temperamental like camels, they are the overwhelming utility travel for most folks, and own the road unless a bus happens to be in the vicinity. They seem safer unless they’re overloaded with supplies or produce, which is much of the time.<br /><br />Trikes. Hmmm. Donkeys? There are LOTS of them, especially lining the sides of the road in the little towns we pass through. Were there donkeys for hire in Jesus’ time? Trikes are a remarkable little beast of burden. For being a small motorcycle or bike with a side car, there could be as many as six people riding them, plus the driver.<br /><br />We left most of the plain motorcycles back in town. They are an economical travel choice, holding from one to five riders. Their drivers are expert at weaving in and out of traffic. Imagine stopping at a light, leaving a respectful amount of space between you and the next car, and having it filled in with motorcycles that ride slowly up on either side, never putting down a foot for balance, and never taking out a mirror (that we’ve seen). This is the nature of the road in the city.<br /><br />Finally the caravan cacophony thins as travelers go their own way, and we move more easily. Kevin drives on patiently or in quiet resignation. Or maybe it’s exhaustion. I’m exhausted because I’ve watched it all. We nearly got crunched back a ways. Our prayers for safety are always heartfelt, even as we plead for the same watchful care each time we head out.<br /><br />An hour later we are out of Lahug, through Mandaue, Consolacion, Lilo-an and Danao.<br /><br />We’ve reached the point in our travel of jungle forest on the left and ocean on the right. There are resorts all along the way, but not what you’re thinking. There are no fancy hotels, just day-use beach properties. Ocean front property can be owned on Cebu, which makes long beach walks almost impossible. Who ever heard of a fence or wall into the ocean?<br /><br />And now through a winding canyon that will break into rolling hills of sugar cane. We’ve driven blissfully for a couple of miles without anyone in front or behind us. It’s blissful but not restful because of the children playing along the edges of the road. We MUST not run over anyone while we’re here. Or their dog or goat.<br /><br />It’s a great relief to leave the city behind. I don’t know if I stirred your mind enough in my description. Do you feel tired? Are you tense between the shoulder blades? Think of an hour of Fairview Avenue at its worst, then add trikes and motorcycles to the traffic mix, dogs along the edge, and pedestrians walking out among the cars. There. NOW do you feel tired?<br /><br />The relaxed undertone out in the provinces is almost tangible. Dusk has settled over the world (it is 6:00ish) and we are happy to pull into Bogo where we have a room reservation at the Park View Lodge. This is a modern hotel with eight rooms. We are the only guests tonight. Although the mattress makes “firm” seem soft, we sleep deeply in the quiet. Next time we come we will bring garbage bags to tape over the windows for a little more darkness, and egg crate foam for a more padded sleep. Nevertheless, the quiet is like a mind and body feast. We arrived in sound condition, and our $18 room is a bargain. Count your blessings--name them one by one.Reeds in Cebuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262279042116242953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8106957156328475067.post-28339887001157235142009-07-22T05:22:00.000-07:002009-07-22T06:25:11.102-07:00MusingsWe've been in the mission field for four months now. In practical terms that equates to:<br />4 cardboard canisters of Quaker Oats<br />3 tubes of Crest<br />25 lbs. whole wheat flour<br />4 sets of earplugs each<br />3 transfers<br /><br />I look at the newest missionaries, who on Friday won't be greenies any more because there will be fresh greenies, and marvel at how much they have acclimated in just six weeks. One new sister in particular has been serving in the City Zone where I've been able to watch the process on a weekly basis.<br /><br />First week after arrival--very excited<br />Second week--tired, overwhelmed and tearful<br />Third week--hunkering down and getting through; still tired; no smiles<br />Fourth week--gloomy--depressed--my motherheart full of ache for her. All I could say was,"c'mon--you're doin it--you're learning it--you've got the best trainer in the mission--don't give up"<br />Fifth week--a new woman! Tears jumped to my throat when she walked through the door with a new countenance. Bright! Enthusiastic! Reaching out!<br /><br />Thank you, Lord.<br /><br /><br />This surely must mean that Kevin and I feel completely at home after four months.<br /><br />Here are some pluses:<br /><br />We like being mission companions.<br />We've become teachers in new realms.<br />We're healthy and increasing in strength and stamina thanks to our daily hill walking.<br />We have a reasonable level of confidence in our office responsibilities.<br />We've become dear friends with the other missionaries.<br />We've made friends, even outside our missionary circle.<br />We feel trusted by our young missionary associates.<br />We know our way around our grocery store of choice.<br />We can estimate the time needed for most errands and come within an hour of accuracy.<br />We've climbed Mt. Manungal.<br /><br />Here are some minuses:<br /><br />A city of millions-plus population is still noisy and dirty.<br />Filipino mosquitos love my ankles.<br />Cebuano streets don't connect with each other.<br /><br /><br />Lopsided and badly out of balance. Did you notice that the pluses are deliciously personal while the minuses are shoulder-shruggingly impersonal?<br /><br />There is happiness going on here, even as we wrestle with the challenges of our new realm. Hope you've got the same. <br /><br />Love and blessings,<br />Kevin & AnnReeds in Cebuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262279042116242953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8106957156328475067.post-35089002188864238312009-07-12T03:43:00.000-07:002009-07-13T21:53:04.011-07:00Those of you who are old enough to remember The Johnny Carson Show might recall the feeling of disappointment when Johnny was out for a time and there was a guest host. You probably still watched anyway just out of habit. <br /><br />Well, Heeeeeeeeere's Kevin! <br /><br />Our week here has been forward in it's progress and educational in it's demands. For Ann there is always a flurry of activity between her regular duties as to inputting records into the Church information system and the supply and organization of the materials for the missionaries. For me in the back office it is the start of the learning curve as it relates to understanding IMOS. Over the past couple of years the Church has been changing the Mission Operating System to one that is internet- based. We are 'on' now after a few delays, the first of which preempted our actual hands-on training. Now that we are on, I am learning as I go. We haven't been here long enough that it's <em>that</em> hard to switch, but for one who is neither and accountant nor a computer programmer, understanding this new process will just take some time. <br /><br />In the last couple of entries we told you of a change in part of our mission assignment. After the mission tour, Elder Ko of the Area Presidency asked President Hansen to assign the senior couples to attend some of the outlying branches in the districts. Just as a refresher, in the missions of the Church if there is not sufficient membership in an area to form a stake with wards, then branches are formed and a number of those congregations are organized into a district. Although the district organization has a district presidency, the organizational authority rests with the mission president. Ann and I have been assigned to work in the Bogo Branch and in the Polambato Branch. Today (Sunday) we attended the District Conference held at the Bogo chapel. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVRwcoorVy8sSKPAq23PiI5ar-Vf931JoKNdWi9Mok8qHyxlFVRgi9Pd3wugPt6rEP5zb1kH2BShoBu_GI622t1UNVLMWcLL-N2uRanTtk4Lzj8VawvnK1agvUGyudllJ8HVMy_us4l4/s1600-h/July+12,+2009+007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVRwcoorVy8sSKPAq23PiI5ar-Vf931JoKNdWi9Mok8qHyxlFVRgi9Pd3wugPt6rEP5zb1kH2BShoBu_GI622t1UNVLMWcLL-N2uRanTtk4Lzj8VawvnK1agvUGyudllJ8HVMy_us4l4/s400/July+12,+2009+007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357523095099169778" /></a><br /><em>Looking back along the beach to where we stayed in Bogo.</em><br /><br />The District Conference included a leadership meeting and the Saturday evening adult session of conference. Ann and I decided to go on Saturday, find a place to stay and attend all the meetings both days. It was a good opportunity to meet many new people and find out about the branches we will attend. We will keep you apprised of those interactions as they develop over time. <br /><br />It really is enjoyable to sit in a meeting with the Saints in this part of the world, and as the meeting progresses, realize that similar training goes on all over the world. And even more is the realization that our human frailties and foibles are the same all over the world.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvVKTVZa6q7Vym3hRM-A2VnRCAUL6w-3rH61KCFPzXBH2AFgjdgfOm9eolgzHOduYxuVlgRdVTaJMPOMO1C5bVNHz63VIpZSLzj1ogko39ve_SbTdMf231stxxKKH0Y71ovVfbgi6kvA/s1600-h/July+12,+2009+002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvVKTVZa6q7Vym3hRM-A2VnRCAUL6w-3rH61KCFPzXBH2AFgjdgfOm9eolgzHOduYxuVlgRdVTaJMPOMO1C5bVNHz63VIpZSLzj1ogko39ve_SbTdMf231stxxKKH0Y71ovVfbgi6kvA/s400/July+12,+2009+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357523082474168546" /></a><br /><em>We stayed at Nailon Resort, remember in Cebuano you pronounce all the letters and the 'i' is 'ee' so it is Na-ee-lun, unlike the American pronunciation nail-on. </em><br /><br />As part of our stay. of course we went on our morning walk, hoping there might be some beach shoreline to receive our early morning attention. We were successful in our beach quest, and found a very different beach than we described in last week's posting. Ann described last weeks beach on Camotes as a collector's beach, with shells and coral tossed up on soft, white sand. <br /><br />This beach is made up of two kinds of coral; wet and dry. Ann described it as a tossed salad shoreline; lots of different colors and shapes and textures, none of which could be walked on with bare feet. Coral is very interesting to look at after it has been beat upon by the water for a time and or rolled in the surf. There were very few shells, but we managed to pick up a couple that will go in the collection.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OecxAKoQtrrPRUTlZ6IkwmuCdntJ1apz91OH5Z-SpCoxy5ynIZf5NTXy4yB27Xz05lsi-d-mvp9Dgoh1xco98R7il8sDw1MUawVttCYfa_vcaqvBjsN1c2tN5xnsSLHfKgoeS_HYTrE/s1600-h/July+12,+2009+010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OecxAKoQtrrPRUTlZ6IkwmuCdntJ1apz91OH5Z-SpCoxy5ynIZf5NTXy4yB27Xz05lsi-d-mvp9Dgoh1xco98R7il8sDw1MUawVttCYfa_vcaqvBjsN1c2tN5xnsSLHfKgoeS_HYTrE/s400/July+12,+2009+010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357523108671706530" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNya37boi31ZCyhwg2aBt0sjYIkKNL6bIKZ26THxbQvlil9UuRTHCifJTXH40F5SuHVFS0WazQ6fUgkeruGqy1rFrUo1UPo_sZ6ddN9X2v3w5ACXcV33FikcaKsmCcEAw0KOY3X3Qqv4A/s1600-h/July+12,+2009+008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNya37boi31ZCyhwg2aBt0sjYIkKNL6bIKZ26THxbQvlil9UuRTHCifJTXH40F5SuHVFS0WazQ6fUgkeruGqy1rFrUo1UPo_sZ6ddN9X2v3w5ACXcV33FikcaKsmCcEAw0KOY3X3Qqv4A/s400/July+12,+2009+008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357523101197786322" /></a><br />Because of the distance from the road to the beach and the slow progress on the beach, (we walked very carefully; coral would leave a reminder if you fell on it or had to put your hand down to catch yourself) we didn't actually get very far. When we popped out to the road there were these young people packing water from the source to their home. We also met two fellows who make really nice chairs out of an indigenous tree that is great for outdoor use, you know the gnarly ones with the natural character that enhances the design.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_A_9pMj-gO78mmO8nbTJ-ktwoksXNIJexSn-RaFS0nkDPXd5I-5ewemdNnXsDRv73wvpSrIc7Noo_bGQ07_vJ5E1CmN8qfG52RbPrCRtMyNcr8d_l139nNFCBzHQxzybwPjE9hW60siQ/s1600-h/July+12,+2009+015.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_A_9pMj-gO78mmO8nbTJ-ktwoksXNIJexSn-RaFS0nkDPXd5I-5ewemdNnXsDRv73wvpSrIc7Noo_bGQ07_vJ5E1CmN8qfG52RbPrCRtMyNcr8d_l139nNFCBzHQxzybwPjE9hW60siQ/s400/July+12,+2009+015.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357523371939666418" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPfjXN9mcdMRwi7I98JsTBL0AOYt2OmpJjB7NqVYCAmwuTZKD3dW_oE8ZjvSJNJY4WwDNRNqyR-XABDRGBCLwvvXelWpF-xVF6KacJ_XZOI-ZRWTtyQKpFwdrp1jXqVHpbWyjPTwxSGM/s1600-h/July+12,+2009+011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPfjXN9mcdMRwi7I98JsTBL0AOYt2OmpJjB7NqVYCAmwuTZKD3dW_oE8ZjvSJNJY4WwDNRNqyR-XABDRGBCLwvvXelWpF-xVF6KacJ_XZOI-ZRWTtyQKpFwdrp1jXqVHpbWyjPTwxSGM/s400/July+12,+2009+011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357523367478428402" /></a><br />Plant of the week: <em>Ananas comosus </em> from the Bromeliaceae family. Did you know that the pineapple is the only bromeliad fruit in widespread cultivation? We came upon this pineapple plant on our path from the beach to the road, and having never seen a pineapple actually growing before, took this picture. I had heard that people who worked for the summer on pineapple plantations in Hawaii wore heavy arm coverings; now I see why!<em></em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfPyGAvJPLnntwNy9Tr83gsA9CD_quPap3-ChFnyz6Tyvbcjkmodp96eXuMTlwxN2kO-GV7mWpzt3qZKaNBc_Lgg30vOH2F3yJR37zIFDpE2lAYIsWebADrDMWSuqu-iyCNmw8Jc_h0o/s1600-h/July+12,+2009+005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfPyGAvJPLnntwNy9Tr83gsA9CD_quPap3-ChFnyz6Tyvbcjkmodp96eXuMTlwxN2kO-GV7mWpzt3qZKaNBc_Lgg30vOH2F3yJR37zIFDpE2lAYIsWebADrDMWSuqu-iyCNmw8Jc_h0o/s400/July+12,+2009+005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357523089849708498" /></a><br /><em>I spoke briefly with this father and son as they readied their boat to catch 'breakfast'.</em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTIJMnZ8o6zu3-Jra8YD6fN5AtFv6Mry3nUAL_Qkec-iFzXcSj7LUtfttNosuMED1E9XAL_gVz6T42El9UmOykMKxCpE8UNDAtRDGck_ZIPiqotlGN_IQH0J92j3HgSHGrsWxFn9bdFU/s1600-h/July+12,+2009+016.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTIJMnZ8o6zu3-Jra8YD6fN5AtFv6Mry3nUAL_Qkec-iFzXcSj7LUtfttNosuMED1E9XAL_gVz6T42El9UmOykMKxCpE8UNDAtRDGck_ZIPiqotlGN_IQH0J92j3HgSHGrsWxFn9bdFU/s400/July+12,+2009+016.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357523379043107778" /></a><br /><em>Ann has a fascination with the antics of the 'conductor', or in this case, conductors.</em><br /><br />That's it from over here. We are really enjoying this opportunity in our life. We thank all of you who have expressed your support in word and prayer for our well being. <br /><br />All the best and remember keep your sandals on!<br /><br />Love Ann and (the substitute)Reeds in Cebuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262279042116242953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8106957156328475067.post-19424008651889154202009-07-06T22:07:00.000-07:002009-07-09T00:51:23.948-07:00Happy Independence Day America!<br /><br />We're pleased to report that the Philippines celebrate America's Independence Day also. We didn't really expect anything; the Philippines received their independence from the United States many years ago, and as you recall, they celebrate Independence Day on June 12th. Well! We were surprised and delighted when the celebrating started on Friday the 3rd. Such a fireworks show as you can hardly imagine! We had just wrapped up our work day and were looking for a little supper. As we walked toward a restaurant community we were amazed at the lights in the sky! We stopped to watch--explosion after explosion--and after 10 minutes we decided to eat at an outdoor restaurant facing west so we could be entertained by the fireworks as we ate. Interestingly, they didn't seem to draw much attention from the locals; I guess we were appreciative enough for this million-plus city?<br /><br />We couldn't imagine a better show on the 4th, but sure enough. Could it have been created for these six expatriates who were spending the weekend on Camotes Island? Where the show Friday night was toward the mountains, this one was over the ocean! It lasted for two hours! We were returning from our explorations when it began, and we finished watching it from the balcony at the hotel. Spectacular! I know--you're wondering where the pictures are to prove it. It was such an intense show that we were glued to it--couldn't take our eyes off it even to prove with pictures what we were experiencing.<br /><br />Well, they were both lightening storms, but it seemed fitting to assign our Independence celebration to them. We, being true westerners, have not experienced electrical storms like those who've lived, say, in the mid-west. It's good to be wowed. The storm on Saturday night was a bigwow.<br /><br />We giggled about writing a fireworks spoof as we ate our pizza on Friday night. The funny thing is that as I write this we're having yet another great storm. I'm sure for all the thunder that's shaking our office's stone floor, there is lightening out there somewhere, but from the office windows, just rain. I see blue sky to the east, and the rain has slowed from a turn-on-the-shower to vigorous-steady-sprinkle. No, it's still raining too hard to want to dash upstairs for lunch. This would definitely be considered a respectable rain in Boise. <br /><br />At either end of the precipitation spectrum are these criteria: can we make a dash for it without getting soaked (light rain) and, can we still see the line down the middle of Salinas Dr. (torrential downpour).<br /><br />All this "free" precipitation is noteworthy to desert creatures like us. I bet we've had more rain since we got here than Boise gets in a whole year. The Filipinos grumble about it--always carry an umbrella--are tormented by it, especially those whose homes aren't built to withstand the elements. I'm sure a lifetime of wet gives them a completely different perspective than ours. The missionaries go about their business very matter-of-factly in it. Most of them have "work shoes"--not very attractive--rubber--but very practical for the elements. If they will just wear their polishable leather shoes to church and zone meetings...<br /><br />Our week's labors had a wonderful carrot out in front of them; Camotes Island. Scurry. Complete. Wrap up. Finish. Leave the office details taken care of for a few days. Not that we spend much time in the office on the weekends anyway, but it just felt right, and besides--who wants to return from a weekend away to last week's work?<br /><br />Our ferry port was an hour's drive north in Danao City, and we needed to be ready to board an hour before the 5:00 departure. Now do your math; we didn't get much sleep Friday night, but our excitement seemed to generate energy enough.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqKix2HCME5UxRu_fxForWU_8hy7kDlqcEdZhZmltizfbyTx355OZ9zsiOIJPkiolu6lh0tx82R7K1ouUjblldh4yfSZ4NAwU3wdf74wVSGiZzhtjPfFu2Lli2Hq2rsKjB-MK39ENKK8/s1600-h/July+5,+2009+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqKix2HCME5UxRu_fxForWU_8hy7kDlqcEdZhZmltizfbyTx355OZ9zsiOIJPkiolu6lh0tx82R7K1ouUjblldh4yfSZ4NAwU3wdf74wVSGiZzhtjPfFu2Lli2Hq2rsKjB-MK39ENKK8/s400/July+5,+2009+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355584727138908386" /></a><br />Here we are, six senior LDS missionaries in our missionary-type Toyotas ready to load. It's a process here. In case you've take the ferries in the Seattle area--not quite like that. As you can see, we are still in full darkness at 3:45 am. I am snuggled under our pillows sleeping in the air conditioned car. Kevin will be off with the other fellows making the arrangements. Look what I missed for that quiet, snuggily sleep:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIf1b1x15sqr9cFQjx9x2fng8g-9xIKNQmkzJlzvv9j_ZM6SiaXGBLAVg8OhLXzwGFXGTwL-jBjNPCSd0WEBA9s8cOF-kGW3c0fP6-sLZROfhGRvXn3Tczx0JlFdzKkowI2oKN3UVwQI/s1600-h/July+5,+2009+003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIf1b1x15sqr9cFQjx9x2fng8g-9xIKNQmkzJlzvv9j_ZM6SiaXGBLAVg8OhLXzwGFXGTwL-jBjNPCSd0WEBA9s8cOF-kGW3c0fP6-sLZROfhGRvXn3Tczx0JlFdzKkowI2oKN3UVwQI/s400/July+5,+2009+003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355584735095643666" /></a><br />We've only seen one other complete sunrise since we got here because an unblocked eastern horizon is miles away.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtVLo1WA_A8fCj0c7VV3MsiVb0ug_abKwONjOLMqsKDK8suvRn5fGbkH6K-Uo14deJpYIn2T615wvph2h_1nVZbSxcCcZjt2qmuueBN9Ac7zZS0re5UwJdur9y7Fr9VOpWpb1-WVhvRw/s1600-h/July+5,+2009+006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtVLo1WA_A8fCj0c7VV3MsiVb0ug_abKwONjOLMqsKDK8suvRn5fGbkH6K-Uo14deJpYIn2T615wvph2h_1nVZbSxcCcZjt2qmuueBN9Ac7zZS0re5UwJdur9y7Fr9VOpWpb1-WVhvRw/s400/July+5,+2009+006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355584741944046082" /></a><br />Could sleep be better than this?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyIObjT0JZ6rWx4AFc3SEcZRYQhiUJGerEhFdXm6O9QcsNeyex0pOCUV_2__Cz967AeKlJ_D3WkPh9JMUi5IkzRR-UWPxe0jkjZdSljqpozDbadP782PMoDN0U_cb96Ra-tTlY99rtlM/s1600-h/July+5,+2009+009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyIObjT0JZ6rWx4AFc3SEcZRYQhiUJGerEhFdXm6O9QcsNeyex0pOCUV_2__Cz967AeKlJ_D3WkPh9JMUi5IkzRR-UWPxe0jkjZdSljqpozDbadP782PMoDN0U_cb96Ra-tTlY99rtlM/s400/July+5,+2009+009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355584751574341410" /></a><br />If you supervise the sunrise you're guaranteed an extraordinary day. I believe this so completely that on mornings at home when we're out walking along Mountain View Dr. as the sun is about to crest, I insist that Kevin and Sandi and I stand and wait to see that diamond of light come over the mountains. <br /><br />I slept through this. We'll probably have to go to Camotes again.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2mUzPG0hKMWtUOJ-AB_rsu4y6er0ymx0-oZcfEu70MHCQan7IXGlm0F6HMJ99ykSV0yikhMZLkTKsQKHnc40WZ_3QhwZrkWCZFl1XHVSrXUnFm0xRI3F0KWVLVRWfXLaSUGPOSkCTAc/s1600-h/July+5,+2009+015.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2mUzPG0hKMWtUOJ-AB_rsu4y6er0ymx0-oZcfEu70MHCQan7IXGlm0F6HMJ99ykSV0yikhMZLkTKsQKHnc40WZ_3QhwZrkWCZFl1XHVSrXUnFm0xRI3F0KWVLVRWfXLaSUGPOSkCTAc/s400/July+5,+2009+015.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355584753005237986" /></a><br />Our 3-hour ferry ride included a new friend who turned out to be a savvy Camotes consultant. MonMon, "short for Emmanual, a Bible name" was in class 4 and knew a lot about his island, including where we'd want to buy souvineers, that there were small crocadiles in the lake, and even where the missionary's apartment was. He was lively and full of chatter, and would have been our tour guide all day (?!? definitely NOT a suspicious American child!) if we had just said yes. He declared himself a Catholic, sang us some songs about Jesus, and even got us singing the ones we knew. He liked Wurthers candy, but not banana bread with raisins. By the end of our trip he was feeling pretty comfortable with me--kind of snuggled up right next to me--hand on my shoulder, hand on my knee. I know. You're horrified. If it has been my first month here I'd have been horrified too--all that close touchy business with a stranger. MonMon was one cute, smart kid, and he sure helped the trip to Camotes go fast.<br /><br />Thinking about MonMon, Filipinos are good at close; much better than Americans. Notice their close proximity in some of the jeepney pictures. Or picture this: one of the elders was notified this morning that his mother had passed away. He's come into the office and is sitting waiting for the City Zone Leaders to come. When the Zone leaders arrive, the Filipino ZL plops down beside him and puts his arm around him and hugs him as natural as could be. There is plenty to be learned here. <br /><br />We pause now for our regular features of plant and jeepney of the week:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAlo4pxzsQY-k7eBci2qO3zuKLuRzJ3J8tza8A5Y2u4u-BXhOdhhxgWrtSwfEnLsWUQziwXZ7BCtTnU1U5MiEfvJPPCb0yUtGlaiO2j1Y7Bp2TNML-rFXUhA_wVRhP4qqRQM2Pjj_si0/s1600-h/July+5,+2009+077.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAlo4pxzsQY-k7eBci2qO3zuKLuRzJ3J8tza8A5Y2u4u-BXhOdhhxgWrtSwfEnLsWUQziwXZ7BCtTnU1U5MiEfvJPPCb0yUtGlaiO2j1Y7Bp2TNML-rFXUhA_wVRhP4qqRQM2Pjj_si0/s400/July+5,+2009+077.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355586599173333970" /></a><br />You probably recognize this fella from the plant section of Fred Meyer, or maybe you have a lone, spindily one in your livingroom that started its downward spiral the second you brought it home. This is a Croton from the Euphorbiaceae family. There are over 1200 species, and as you can see, what grows in a tropical climate is a far cry from what grows in a warm, dry, low-light home. It's the color--we love the vivid red and yellow leaves! I give you permission to put yours out of its misery. Just throw it out and get a plant that will thrive in indoor Boise conditions! <br /><br />We see Crotons some in Cebu, but on Camotes they are planted along the sides of the roads like hedges. They might all be the same species, or there will be a variety. Either way it's like driving through an alley of plant fireworks for all the vibrant color. Could these shrubby splashes of color <em>really</em> be what you've seen around Boise?<br /><br />Jeepney of the week: Oops! This isn't a jeepney, but a another mode of transportation on Camotes. Couldn't resist this Barbi boat.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78g3BVHhtyK643bzzt4DMIePSpvHnSyGohCGdQ7rY1CW9w3xaHYzPOxD8srmtBe7MZf0hxi9y4MKqwQXGrj2FG5e6s1ZodTJDiUMgH74iqHG2DPmM2RXgMJj-FhaEu0m_t4Px5FciuwM/s1600-h/July+5,+2009+080.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78g3BVHhtyK643bzzt4DMIePSpvHnSyGohCGdQ7rY1CW9w3xaHYzPOxD8srmtBe7MZf0hxi9y4MKqwQXGrj2FG5e6s1ZodTJDiUMgH74iqHG2DPmM2RXgMJj-FhaEu0m_t4Px5FciuwM/s400/July+5,+2009+080.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355586603514062418" /></a><br />Now for the real jeepney of the week:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8draKcO398c6kcAYcQ8rqCp96Ay3xewLjsNzd7wzKh-p9dFTIoSGSuDydRuYt6QWHLjkZWI5XZa5931fbNgQeOWc4JDW3CSWZEDy1nRPl3i0hXZK5sp2WD37CVT0pfIrzDWyULMpP91k/s1600-h/June+21,+2009+092.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8draKcO398c6kcAYcQ8rqCp96Ay3xewLjsNzd7wzKh-p9dFTIoSGSuDydRuYt6QWHLjkZWI5XZa5931fbNgQeOWc4JDW3CSWZEDy1nRPl3i0hXZK5sp2WD37CVT0pfIrzDWyULMpP91k/s400/June+21,+2009+092.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356032114093383522" /></a><br />Quite sporty, don't you think?<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJhAbGkHpFscYGjKqht0IBLXoQ1D_jGaNAO2GOIJQi0OVI67W_BH9RU_cbDDrfDo-OO75V_ILSyEGt2DfU-vKnTJkEhKIKD31Lf6jg7iGqYtQFsDZlnGOaw7NdxJl0XcaI_XplOfNyoA/s1600-h/July+5,+2009+064.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJhAbGkHpFscYGjKqht0IBLXoQ1D_jGaNAO2GOIJQi0OVI67W_BH9RU_cbDDrfDo-OO75V_ILSyEGt2DfU-vKnTJkEhKIKD31Lf6jg7iGqYtQFsDZlnGOaw7NdxJl0XcaI_XplOfNyoA/s400/July+5,+2009+064.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355585798760693042" /></a><br />One gift that many Filipinos have is that of making you feel like royalty. Our hotel was, as you can see, most pleasing, but it was the people who took care of us that made it a treat. They were quite concerned about the lightening storm which knocked out the power, and were very sorry to have to move us to the 3rd floor for electricity purposes. No problem, and thanks for the bucket to wash our beachcombing treasures in.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-KyjpiSHE731MU_E-92xQbZFr-0FWOTFmtBvsAwig6pmGSerCM0-3KDlDFot_xcQ1axzjrRG7d3TcdgcA9JqMeUDlgeJnbHEKJOEtKzy7mBwU1SR3UbLGYTQJbQr_ErRjFMLt5zZ2KM/s1600-h/July+5,+2009+059.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-KyjpiSHE731MU_E-92xQbZFr-0FWOTFmtBvsAwig6pmGSerCM0-3KDlDFot_xcQ1axzjrRG7d3TcdgcA9JqMeUDlgeJnbHEKJOEtKzy7mBwU1SR3UbLGYTQJbQr_ErRjFMLt5zZ2KM/s400/July+5,+2009+059.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355585792292386770" /></a><br />My Little Island Hotel sits on a hill overlooking the ocean. Sorry, the high clouds make it hard to tell where ocean meets the sky, but trust us, you're looking at a breathtaking view of both out there beyond the green.<br /><br />It seems a shame not to hang out and enjoy a nice resort like this. Look at that pool! It begged for a little attention from us, but no, MonMon had given us a vigorous tour itinerary for the day, so following breakfast we headed right out and didn't return until bedtime. We saw the lake--a little disappointing if your idea of a lake is cold, clear and pristine. No crocadiles either. This cave though--enchanting. We could walk right down into it, and the water in the pools was crystal clear and about knee deep. Sister Morgan and I hitched up our skirts and went wading. Unfortunately those photos could be used as incriminating evidence against highly respectable senior missionaries so they were edited out of this blog entry. Don't worry! We were completely respectable, just not very pretty about it. Oh talk about cool and refreshing though! Not cold by any means, and of course the air down there was thick with humidity, but still cooler than outside. I think I could have laid down and just floated around for a few hours. Kevin was taking the incriminating pictures.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6L0CCzoB8ptktvfaeA1aqEdJR492DGnoC_caWbF-eieINnO9bQIpa7QeWnMQtiZsx04cI4n09-uQOJruM8PoEKJMTHfsfZU59YCGW1gFuJRPteb_yPQFhw_rEc-nAxgJzHo0BzBJNlqk/s1600-h/July+5,+2009+020.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6L0CCzoB8ptktvfaeA1aqEdJR492DGnoC_caWbF-eieINnO9bQIpa7QeWnMQtiZsx04cI4n09-uQOJruM8PoEKJMTHfsfZU59YCGW1gFuJRPteb_yPQFhw_rEc-nAxgJzHo0BzBJNlqk/s400/July+5,+2009+020.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355585783687343634" /></a><br />Camotes is part of an ancient volcanic system. There are no craters, etc., but lave. I mean LAVA. Remarkably, they raise lots of corn there, planting between the lava sheets and boulders. Needless to say, there aren't rows of corn, but the fact that anything grows at all on that rocky island is something.<br /><br />The shoreline alternates between black lava cliffs and white sand beaches. We experienced both; this very charming cliff park where we ate lunch, and Santiago Beach, which needed a good, American combing. You don't <em>know</em> what ocean treasures Mother Nature has left for you if you just walk out to the water's edge and stand looking at the horizon. You've got to mozy along--don't step on the starfish--head up to the high tide mark if it seems like there are no goodies at the water's edge. Do you need a piece of the ocean? There are plenty to share drying on our kitchen counter at this very moment.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmw-ooxrO9ZcccmGYrj8u3o3YcwYt2hRbBvkOa4Ai8DF2kdkGyit0lRZ6kZEboBXS8M0iVHYTRsnJ4-_cU0FusqDfwVva2BG0rgutwOjHclZGkGDf45pBp2-wzlpcG8hDoBTvmB5ghpkI/s1600-h/July+5,+2009+093.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmw-ooxrO9ZcccmGYrj8u3o3YcwYt2hRbBvkOa4Ai8DF2kdkGyit0lRZ6kZEboBXS8M0iVHYTRsnJ4-_cU0FusqDfwVva2BG0rgutwOjHclZGkGDf45pBp2-wzlpcG8hDoBTvmB5ghpkI/s400/July+5,+2009+093.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355586617832784706" /></a><br />The cliff park included slides and platforms for a quick ocean entrance, like this teenager. We behaved and just watched.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7Q9yhOCTPk5F3XjRH9eL2_OYpe-Ilj3jLYRfE0yj2RFwJq8cQWTOLHIUtGYNkuBrP6HT34NHZ7DwO-TcQ5c_7cWgsw1P2OnaQR0Xmuato8D1ocxM208OIfyZB69Z0KYCkLwKfJHVbVE/s1600-h/July+5,+2009+091.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7Q9yhOCTPk5F3XjRH9eL2_OYpe-Ilj3jLYRfE0yj2RFwJq8cQWTOLHIUtGYNkuBrP6HT34NHZ7DwO-TcQ5c_7cWgsw1P2OnaQR0Xmuato8D1ocxM208OIfyZB69Z0KYCkLwKfJHVbVE/s400/July+5,+2009+091.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355586608256240930" /></a><br />GERANIMO!!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFVs04c7WEdyHHDlocTZpic6S87R1fJ_Iex9q7-XIa2_szaCgXA3t-XQDXTUFdGI-7VySmNdPZtA20295a95w0FYzvmrfHmkJ7Walv0v5Z2u-5im5ZeP-duF-95xr9aSBDKAF9oRXIlQ/s1600-h/July+5,+2009+058.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFVs04c7WEdyHHDlocTZpic6S87R1fJ_Iex9q7-XIa2_szaCgXA3t-XQDXTUFdGI-7VySmNdPZtA20295a95w0FYzvmrfHmkJ7Walv0v5Z2u-5im5ZeP-duF-95xr9aSBDKAF9oRXIlQ/s400/July+5,+2009+058.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355585790255080018" /></a><br />A Sunday morning photo shoot while we waited for breakfast to cook. Left to right--Elder & Sister Morgan, Elder & Sister Watkins and yours truly.<br /><br />The sweetest part of the weekend defies a visual image; worshipping with the 30 church members and investigators in the Camotes branch. No matter where you are, there are probably church members meeting on Sunday morning to renew the covenant of baptism and grow in the gospel. Such was the case here. We met in a member's home. The music director sang the introduction and we all sang acapella. The Spirit obviously didn't mind our humble circumstances, because it was there in rich abundance. Testimonies were eagerly shared; it was a spiritual feast. <br /><br />Then it was time to go home. Sigh. That's a sigh of utter contentment and gratitude for dear people to share a fine weekend with; beautiful, interesting sites to see, the ocean's treasures generously offered, souls filled.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYfXpMfj0PYCMQXosDePN3g-PCOE0cRYIMyvTlgzp0Lf9BfeXBzWp-1G-m4Aa2gix-g6AGlhlY_81YqGd7-DffJqSIu7AcXh_JW0hnBFEG5NXsTEE64JG_28r78oGxHsGV6kGhA5MJck/s1600-h/July+5,+2009+095.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYfXpMfj0PYCMQXosDePN3g-PCOE0cRYIMyvTlgzp0Lf9BfeXBzWp-1G-m4Aa2gix-g6AGlhlY_81YqGd7-DffJqSIu7AcXh_JW0hnBFEG5NXsTEE64JG_28r78oGxHsGV6kGhA5MJck/s400/July+5,+2009+095.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355586623869790162" /></a><br />The three amigos sitting on the ferry bench in front of the three amigas.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqJvkaAWW8LeNHKplc9Yr2EJ2XKtgUGrM1Yaw7D3GfWaAEFU0qNHh3vhVuN7N00K8jxVoK02Cp76CBc3RemxLeFIPKyyJrXuTzyw25qr-fbChxtrnP-5h7dlI1xBah_tEFdP_ewJv6wE/s1600-h/July+5,+2009+104.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqJvkaAWW8LeNHKplc9Yr2EJ2XKtgUGrM1Yaw7D3GfWaAEFU0qNHh3vhVuN7N00K8jxVoK02Cp76CBc3RemxLeFIPKyyJrXuTzyw25qr-fbChxtrnP-5h7dlI1xBah_tEFdP_ewJv6wE/s400/July+5,+2009+104.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355587312519471026" /></a><br />And as you can see, the sunset on the return<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7OqczhaGqjrcZC0tJQ7lC74LSRoKBebsobHfE25lASc4Nbzqk8seewJszvVEEeEQJAmb8V7OtM7Y_o1naY6Pwfk5f1UAYPtf6vkGtS1p1wta_LN4nPBfnIX4D-ngVhqT1GmQIOG3q5E/s1600-h/July+5,+2009+106.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7OqczhaGqjrcZC0tJQ7lC74LSRoKBebsobHfE25lASc4Nbzqk8seewJszvVEEeEQJAmb8V7OtM7Y_o1naY6Pwfk5f1UAYPtf6vkGtS1p1wta_LN4nPBfnIX4D-ngVhqT1GmQIOG3q5E/s400/July+5,+2009+106.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355587316572849218" /></a><br />and pink clouds the welcomed the night, ended our weekend in Camotes as spectacularly as it began.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-el2WExREa_sJDtcMhXA6qGeoKDDXS1jH3iqXTDjxPpOTGJFljlXcn_ohVvBH9eH7b_FXunt3sslFQyeKhJCtxrTMpf6yAM4s-zpFWlWLmbGbZGdJa3PXTucKPk1tlV9HllfyEUwKc8/s1600-h/July+5,+2009+072.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-el2WExREa_sJDtcMhXA6qGeoKDDXS1jH3iqXTDjxPpOTGJFljlXcn_ohVvBH9eH7b_FXunt3sslFQyeKhJCtxrTMpf6yAM4s-zpFWlWLmbGbZGdJa3PXTucKPk1tlV9HllfyEUwKc8/s400/July+5,+2009+072.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355585806582896578" /></a><br />I think of you as I write, beloved family and friends, and tear up for knowing without a particle of doubt that we are God's children, here experiencing mortality for important eternal purposes. That we share this experience to learn from and teach each other. That we are most precious to Heavenly Father, who wants us to return to him more than we can imagine. That He has provided every tool we need to succeed in this mortal sojourn. We know this is true. We're grateful for the gospel and the opportunity to serve in the Philippines. Blessings on you and all you love. Elder and Sister ReedReeds in Cebuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262279042116242953noreply@blogger.com