There is a fight in the courts on who this sea belongs to. China claims it but the Philippines say it is theirs. To keep the people here happy we adjusted our map.
We did it!
We have now been from one end of the mission,
"Vigan" to the opposite side, Santa Ana.
It's Zone Conference time!
Our first conference was in Aparri for the missionaries up there. Then we went back to Laoag for the other half of the mission and presented the same conference.
Sister Robinson, a retired hygienist, was asked to give a presentation on dental care. So we, the Senior Missionaries, took a road trip.
We drove about 8 hours past the conference and went up to Santa Anna for a boat excursion.
Here they sold frog purses. YEP! A picture will be just as good as buying one.
It's the Philippines. If you want a picture, just stop on this two-lane highway and take pictures. Everyone stops here and takes pictures it's just rude not too.
Okay, enough of the nice things along the way. Let's check out the bathrooms. Let's see what made us wish we were back in Laoag.
Our Hotel bathroom.
If you are going to shower PLEASE remove the TP first!
Notice the bucket (It has a big scooper inside it for dipping).
Yes, the scooper is handy. At least we didn't have to shower using the scooper like some missionaries do.
We choose to skip this one and hope we would get some place nicer quickly.
More scenery!
This is called, The Castel in the Sky!
Here is our driver again Steve Maximo and his son JaceTee.
Our place in Santa Ana.
And of course our UNinvited guest!
But the view was worth it!
The Tri-C's in this place look different than the ones back in Laoag.
The following day we went out to Palaui Island.
Palaui Island is where "Survivor" has been filmed about four different times.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let's look at the view to get there.
Wonderful drivers who spent the day with us.
At the top of this mountain is the Light House that we're going to.
Our first injury arriving on Palaui Island.
Trinkets to buy before going to the Light House. We pick up our guides here also. (Notice Sister Kartchner picked up her sexy hat here).
The Spaniards built the Light House.
Somebody is WAY TOO white!
We decided that this was "Groot's parents" from "Gradian of the Galaxy".
Just use your imagination and see his father and mother sitting here protecting the generator.
(Way too much sun today!)
In the tower!
Yes, it didn't look very safe inside. (Old and Rickety)
Okay, you ask why there are two of these pictures in here? It is because of Steve. If Brother Steve Maximo is going to go to such length to pose each time I'm putting him in twice.
Our guides.
Then it's on to around the Island for lunch.
We stopped and did some snorkeling. Brother Kartchner decided to try snorkeling out in the middle of the ocean. This is why no one followed him.
There are about three hundred people that live here on this part of the Island. One family is in charge of providing our lunch. Steve placed our order back at the boat dock.
This is inside one on the homes that let us use the rest room.
Not sure if this is to decorate or to feed the plants. Either way, I call it recycling!
Yes, those are eggs shells.
And yes we feel protected.
After lunch, we're off to see some more islands, beaches and check out the snorkeling.
We were told that in these trees there were worms that we could eat. No one wanted to stop and try them. I wonder why not? Well, for one thing, I don't think those trees look that healthy!
Snake Island is an Island no one has bought yet. Any of you interested in buying this island?
A Filipino Senator owns this part of the island.
Another island not for sale! Sorry!
Our last beach for the day. This a place you dream of going, a beautiful resort area. It's too bad we are too tired and cold to stay and enjoy it. YES, I said a little cold! It is the first time we have felt cold.
A beautiful beach and area.
With some fun and beautiful people to share it with.
The next day we headed back to Aparri to our Zone Conference.
We didn't see this on the way but we found the evidence on Sister Snyder's camera when we got home.
Back home, in the States, we call this Vandalism.
Caught in the act and even took pictures of it. Is this one of that dumbest criminal ever episodes?
Welcome to Aparri's Zone Conference
"We made a sacred promise long before this life. As we stood in our big family long ago. Our hearts were filled with perfect joy to think about the call. We yearned to serve our Master with our all...
Now is the time, Here is the place, The Lord has already started quickening the pace".
"With an eye single to God's we have a vision Humbly and prayerfully serving Philippines Laoag Mission."
Our old, but loved Office Elders!
Sister Robinson's presentation, with Sister "D's" help (Vana White)
Elder Rees helping with dishes. NO! just talking to old friends.....
And we end with the "Hawka" once again as we say good-bye to Elder Reyes who leads it. Watch as Elder Ballan takes the second part and his high voice makes us all bust up!
The long drive home.
Graveyards...
The Jeepnees up here are different than back home.
Another decked out Tri-C.
All along the highway (miles and miles) the corn and rice are laid out to dry. We crossed a bridge that had an old bridge beside it. On the old bridge was the rows of corn or rice.
Bags where they are sweeping it up to take back and use.
Our last stop on our trip home! You guessed it "Bergblick" the German Restaurant that we like up near Pagudpud.
Senior Sister having a special dessert. Well yes, it was all special!
We came back to MLC meeting on Monday (no rest for the wicked).
Sister Peterson had the Office Elders hide Easter Eggs for the MLC missionaries.
Then it is Zone Conference for this half of the mission here in Laoag.
Of course the entertainment. The last Zone Conference with Elder Morehu! He is the one that has taught everyone the "Hauka" dance. This time we have some girls who will add to it.
Elder Prusse playing a little piece.
The night before MLC several of the sisters came in. We would finish feeding one set and another set would come in. The President said he worried about us feeling we had to feed them. We told the President that we were grateful to be able to help in this small way. These missionaries work hard and spend so much time out proselyting. They then travel great distances to get here for their meetings the next day. They are on a budget and if we can help them this way we are happy to do it.
Girl's Party night!
The blonde in the chair is an Idaho Spud girl.
The American in the back, at the table, is Sister Hunt from Arizona. She has invited us to her wedding. I said if we are still alive we will come. (She doesn't even have a boyfriend). She then set the date for her wedding and told us to be there. She plans to find someone by then.
American girls went shopping. The Filipino girls are helping them to show their dresses off.
Sister Snyder and I ran to town one morning to get some important papers mailed off. When I came back, my laptop had been vandalized. We all know who the culprit is right? He always seems to leave clues as to who is behind it.
"No! I am NOT happy with my screen saver!"
Okay, the best picture EVER! One night the elders came up to fry up some hash browns. As Elder Ballan was leaving he began rambling on and swinging the filmize plate of hash browns. The plate caved in and the hash browns went all over the floor.
Even Elder Rees is not too concerned.
We say goodbye to Elder Denkers and Elder Rees as they head back out into the field. Elder Denkers has been in the office for 7 months. He is so happy to go back out. Elder Rees is also excited because he will go back up to Santa Anna. He promises to keep in touch.
Most Sundays we ride into church with the Office Elders. Music blasting
(church music that is) and laughs all around. Our last ride with this group.
Sister Snyder gave a wonderful talk at the baptism and the little girl was asked to speak after her baptism.
It's transfer time and the missionaries are coming in to leave and go home. Here is our special Missionary Elder Reyes Sr. who used to be in the office with us. We listened to him sing almost every day in the office and on the way to church each Sunday. We asked for one last song. This is all we got (shy?) but we are grateful for this.
Good-bye Elder Rees. We will see you again on our blog in Aug. when you prepare to go home.
Good-bye Old Friends and we will welcome the new ones coming in.
Love to you all from the Ever Changing Laoag Mission Office.....
