All dressed in white

MIB had his first baptism a few weeks ago with the Roble family. Here they are pictured, all dressed in white before the baptism. I can see the joy just radiating from MIB's face. He looks very happy! This was his companion's last weekend before he went home. Elder Sibbet has been in the mission field for two years now. Training MIB was his final task before returning home to the states. Thank you Elder Sibbet for the great example and teacher you were for MIB. We know he was in good hands with you by his side!

MIB has a new companion now. "I got a new companion. He is awesome, but a complete opposite. He touched a basketball for the first time Thursday night. He is teaching me how to cook if I teach him how to play basketball. Haha. He is 5'5''." MIB also seems to be enjoying the area. "The area is getting better and better. Sunday I fried my brain. I have never had to coordinate so much in so little time with only a translator." I can see he is learning and growing so much already!

He did manage to share a few Ilonggo words. The first is "basta," it means "anyway." The other is "kuwa," meaning, "my name is."

Basta, it sounds as though things are going well and he's loving the work. I can't wait to hear (and eventually taste) what MIB learns to cook. I'm hoping it has a few different ingredient than sisig. Otherwise, I may just observe the cooking rather than taste it. Oh bother! Why not live a little? If MIB cooks it, I'll taste it!

Hoop - There it is!

As basketball season is nearing an end this month, I thought it would be fun to include some pictures of Princess and DK on the court! Here is Princess (#13) dribbling down the court in one picture and fighting for the ball in the other. She is one tough cookie! I'm sure living with three brothers has helped condition her!

Next is DK (#3) on the court with nice form. Watching them play basketball is one of my favorite things! There haven't been as many games to watch without MIB here this season. I'm sure he gets as much time as he can on the court - we just don't get to watch him play!! Naws is doing Itty Bitty ball this month, so he's getting some court time too. I'm sure in no time we'll be cheering on the sidelines at his basketball games!

I even had the opportunity to get some court time in myself... As the Moms and sisters beat the girls freshman team! Yes, I put in my time on the court and managed to take some pictures too! I must admit, the girls didn't seem to be near as competitive at our game as a few of the Moms did. But it was fun, and they kept us wanting to play them again. Maybe a rematch next year?

Hubby has taken MIB's place in coaching DK's team. It's been fun to watch him work with the boys. Here he is during a time-out, with DK right beside him.

And of course, no game would be complete without the most faithful fan - Naws. He's always there watching... or playing on the side line!

Why do I love basketball so much? I do believe that it is one of the few sports (inside, where it is nice and warm) where I can be close enough to see what is going on and possibly even be heard when I cheer for my favorites! I do believe that probably the biggest reason why I love the sport is because my children love to play it! I love to watch them do what they love to do! It is definitely something that the whole family can do and does do together. We love to go as a family and play ball! Bring it on!

Sunshine, beautiful Sunshine

Mail - when anticipated so greatly, is like sunshine! We have received sunshine from MIB!! He's doing well. His companion likes basketball too - so they get along great.

I've always been told that missionaries eat very well at the MTC. In fact, Jared said he gained 21 pounds (in just 19 days!) during his stay at the MTC. However, MIB says that he is always hungry and thirsty. Strange! I'm sure care packages would help his hunger and thirst. I figure that he's being fed so well mentally and spiritually that his physical body is feeling left out. : )
Yet, we can all feel good knowing that they have Sobes (his favorite drink) there, so he's drinking well!

He's having fun with the Tagalog language. Leave it to MIB and his companion to make up songs in Tagalog to brings a smile to all those who hear it.
He did give us some vocabulary, you may want to learn it too and use it when writing MIB, or whenever you have a conversation in Tagalog : )

Kumusta? - How are you?
Mabubi - Good
Magandang umaga - Good morning
A no ang pangulan mo? - What is your name?
Oo - Yes
Hindi - No
Mag- Inggles? - May I speak English

I do believe that I would probably use "Mag- Inggles?" the most, but I'll work on the others as well. Hopefully you'll give some a try too. Check back again for some more language lessons, and of course for more updates.

Magandang umaga!