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!

Writing In the Sand

The beach is one of my favorite places to be. I have many fond memories of writing in the sand myself. Normally the things I chose to write were the names of my latest crush. Obviously, that was not MIB's idea here when sand writing. I love this picture - it is so "me," and I wasn't even there! Way to think like your mom MIB!
Second, is a picture of MIB with his companion, Elder Labii, a Philippine native from Cagayan. The third man in the picture, I'm guessing, is an investigator. Something I should explain about the hand gesture near the neck: It almost looks like a gesture to strangle a person, but it means "handsome." MIB isn't running around pretending to strangle every person he takes pictures with : ) Elder Labii actually speaks 10 different languages. MIB says that he often interchanges the languages while speaking. I can see that happening. Any of you with the multi language knowledge may concure. Let me know.
When I asked what yummy food MIB has been cooking, he said, "I can make really really good mango shakes :D Mangoes and pineapple are the greatest things ever!" I could go for one of his shakes right now. Ummmm, yum.
The next picture is one that maybe MIB should have seen earlier. This is a group of people crossing the river. They are on a float (possibly made of bamboo) and pulling themselves on a cable or rope across the river. This was a good demonstration for MIB, maybe he'll try this next time - rather than wading across and getting soaked crossing the river.

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!

In with the new!

It's been exactly one month today since MIB left the states. I miss him more than ever! This week's e-mail brought quite a delight with lots of stories and several pictures! The pictures really brought to reality that he is out there working as a missionary. It definitely is a year of "new" for MIB. The WELCOME picture was actually sent to us from the Mission President with a letter letting us know that MIB had arrived and where he would be serving. He is pictured here in between his Mission President and his wife.

Following are a few tid-bits from MIB's email with a taste of what he has been doing in Silay City. "We have been teaching a man named Lito and he is awesome. We told him there was a prophet and he was like, "Really? Ok, come teach me on Sunday. I want to hear more." We went and taught him and he is way, way interested. He is a way cool guy."

I wouldn't be surprised if the children in Silay love MIB as much as the children here. After all, MIB is just a big kid himself! The next picture is MIB with a few children of one of the families he and his companion are teaching on the ocean. Notice the beach behind him and the fisherman with their big fishing nets!

On the same day he taught this family by the ocean side, he also experienced all the climates and terrain the area has to offer. "It rained. It was hot. We walked through jungle, farm and a river." Yep, to save time, he and his companion cut across a river! "We walked an hour and a half to get to these referrals that we got. When we finally got there they weren't there so we taught the rest of their family. When we were leaving the house they told us if we walked through the river, that the road was only 15 minutes on the other side. We were already late for all of our other appointments, so we walked through!" I'm wondering if this picture on the bridge was the next time they needed to cross a river or if this was just the old way of thinking before they went through the river. : )

MIB has tried a few new foods, both of which he enjoyed. One is a candy called Chocomuch. He loves it! The other is Sisig. It consists of pig brain, ear and "other random stuff." He says, "It sounds nasty, but it is way tasty!" (Mmmmm. I'm so disappointed I can't get that at the local market.)

Good news - MIB did finally get the Christmas package and a few letters we have sent. I haven't quite figured out the postal timing. REMEMBER - dearelder.com is an easy way to send MIB a letter. You just go online, chose Philippines-Bacolod mission, put in his name, type your letter and click the "send letter" button. It's FREE and it's EASY!!

I'll leave you with one more image.

This last pictures of is the picture of how he does his laundry. I shall never again complain of having to remember to move the clothes from the washer to the dryer - or if I've left them too long in the dryer and the clothes have wrinkled. I'll take my washer and dryer and the simple task of laundry here to his very primitive way - bowls in the shower!

"Thank you!" to all of you who write letters and words of encouragement. We so appreciate the support and prayers to make this opportunity such a great experience!

I know MIB is doing the Lord's work, spreading the light of Christ and teaching His gospel!

Christmas and the end of 2008

It was a Merry Christmas at our home - as I hope it was for you. We enjoyed visiting with friends and family. It was a bit non-traditional, yet merry. It was our first year without the whole family. MIB wasn't here. He left the states on the 23rd and arrived in Bacolod late Christmas day. He left inches of snow on the ground here and welcomed the 90 degree weather there. He says he loves it there. He spoke of fireworks going off all the time. From what I understand, fireworks are how they celebrate in the Philippines from Christmas to New Years.

I've included a few quotes from MIBs latest email, as well as a picture of him with his MTC companion, Elder Booth:

"The little kids call us Joe and its funny, but we have started teaching them to call us Elder."

(I'm hoping that we may be getting some more language lessons on the blog soon. It seems as though MIB will be having some learn-as-you-go language lessons himself.)

"OH YEAH, BY THE WAY, we don't speak Tagalog here. Yeah, we speak Ilonggo. Yep. Oh well, I guess I'll be learning languages for the next two years."

(No matter how far from our basketball net MIB may get, his love for the game always shines through!)

"Basketball is huge here. Everyone is always playing it and my new companion, Elder Sibbet loves basketball too. Once again I got a companion that is a lot like me."

MIB has even received the nick-name of Elder Dewayne Wade. I'm sure he is eating that one up!

It's great to hear him so excited an upbeat. I hope that you will continue to write him. DearElder is still free. Just choose Philippines, Bacolod mission. The letters aren't printed as frequently, just on Thursdays for the pouch mail. But there is no excuse to not be able to drop him a few sentences, or more. I know the mail really helps to keep his spirits up. Everyone has been wonderful!! If you want to send a package or mail him through the postal service, just email me for his address.

Princess has been faithfully getting up for her basketball practices and team events. She is even doing her best to put on 10 pounds that her coach told her to gain. She isn't a junk food junky, so we've stocked up on protein bars and whatever else sounds good to her. "Needing to gain weight" is truly a trial I will never have the misfortune of enduring. : )

DK is living up the late nights and not-so-early mornings. He is loving the snow and all the "fair game" goodies that fill our home this time of year. He always seems to be engaged with his friends either here or there. There is never a moment for sitting still - it's go, go, go.

Naws misses MIB like crazy. He is always wanting to set a spot at the table and save food for him for when he comes home. Somehow, dinner or a cookie waiting two years for MIB doesn't sound too appetizing. Two years is a time frame that isn't fathomable for a 4 year old. Naws LOVES school. He is a bit frustrated that even though it is Tuesday today, he doesn't get to go to school today. In his opinion this vacation thing is for the birds. Although, I know he has loved having his older brother and sister home from school.

Hubby and I are enjoying the time with the kids. We'd love to be experiencing MIBs 90 degree weather. For now, we'll enjoying hear about it. We've loved and learned so much in 2008. We've enjoyed having you a part of it. I hope you continue to read and comment in 2009!!

A few Photos!

Top left: MIB competes in a push-up competitions. In the background, you can see a little bit of his living quarters.

Bottom left is a picture taken in one of the many classrooms at the MTC. I believe hes is pictured here (yellow tie) with is missionary companion.