Leave of Absence due to Withdrawals

It has been SO very long since I last blogged! Please excuse my "leave of absence." I was suffering from withdrawals. Withdrawals, that is, from not receiving pictures of MIB nearly every week. I was so spoiled for a few months of getting pictures in is weekly emails. I was surprised the first couple weeks that he didn't send pictures. So, the third week I asked for pictures. It was then that he enlightened me with the information that the internet cafe that they use to email no longer allows jump drives. Therefore, no more weekly pictures for me. I'll have to wait until he's able to burn a CD.

Blogging without pictures just isn't as much fun! I went through a little "withdrawal" period and am trying to move on. There is still plenty to tell... it just takes so much more to blog with words alone. Pictures say so much on their own. I will however, include a picture - although it isn't current. It is still a fun one to enjoy.

This picture is of MIB at age 8 for his baptism day. At the time we had the picture taken, I thought it was a great future missionary shot. Who knew the time would come so soon that he would be a missionary, wearing the title of "Elder."

Now picture this boy narrating these stories he sent home from the field. The first is from 3/08/09: "It was awesome. The little girl I baptized Friday, Fenze Ann, is kinda shy. Her mom is inactive. When we asked Frenze Ann to share her testimony after her baptism, she shied away. Her mom shared her baptism instead. It was all in Ilonggo, but I could feel the spirit way strong and had to hold back some tears."

In response to a few questions I asked, he responded, "Laundry is fine. It's not too bad when you tell yourself that washer and dryer machines don't exists." "There is peanut butter here. Thank Goodness; I would die without it!" "I miss eating Dad's oreos. They do have them here, but they are waaaay expensive and I'm trying this new budget thing."

On Sunday, March 22nd he spoke of an upcoming baptisms. His biggest concern was memorizing the girl's Filipino names.
He says that it's so hot and humid there that he feels like he should carry a towel around with him. "I love the heat so much better than snow!"

Many have asked about MIB wearing a skirt as he was looking forward to it. He did find a skirt in the closet of their appartment. However, they believe it belonged to a sister that lived there before them. The people there don't wear skirts. Maybe his next area? There was some talk of his next area. However, the next transfer isn't until May, so we'll see if MIB ends up in the mountains speaking yet another language.

MIB wasn't able to email today, as they had a zone activity. I look forward to when he can email again. Once again I apologize for my "leave of absences." I hope to be past the picture withdrawals and be back on track for blogging! You can look forward to more pictures, whether they be past or current!

Happy Palm Sunday! Please be sure to spend some time this week contemplating the incredible gift that Christ has given us. What would be MIB's purpose in the mission field, or our purpose everyday if he had not atoned for us?!!

Happy Easter!