June 6, 2011
Dear Family and Friends,
It is hard to believe that another week has gone by. This has been a busy week for us. It seems that we have spent more time in the car than anywhere else this week. We are trying to work hard but there are some days that it’s hard to determine if we have done anything productive. We hope those kind of days will be fewer and fewer. The weather is still hot and humid. We are amazed to see the crops that were planted 2 weeks ago – the corn is now over a foot tall. Warm, wet weather is just what the crops need. We have pictures of a lot of plants and trees that are beautiful but we still need to identify them.
On one of our many road trips this week we found our retirement home and located close to our retirement home is a great little business that we could use as an investment for our future. The business has a great location (next to a busy street) and it already has name recognition. We thought it would be a slam dunk! What do you think?
Well our week went something like this. Monday was our monthly Family Home Evening/madhouse. We love having the missionaries over to our house. They are great kids. Tuesday we were off to Manila for interviews with President Howard. We are so grateful for President and Sister Howard. We will miss them so. This was our last interview with him. Wednesday was our preparation day. Thursday our missionaries asked if we could take them and a member to Trece Martes (Provincial Capital) to get some birth certificates for three family members that are to be baptized on June 11th. The birth certificates were needed to register them in school – if they could not be enrolled in school they would need to go back to their previous residence to attend school. We were happy to help them out. The government does not mail out these documents.. So everyone comes to the government offices to pick up the needed records. We left at 6:30am with the hope of beating the crowd but we pulled number 382. It was a long wait! About 3:30 the process was completed only to find out that the person picking up the records had to have her own birth certificate to prove she was a family member. Well, we went back again on Friday morning. We had success and they were able to be enrolled in school and they will be baptized on June 11th. Saturday we were off to Manila once again. The senior couple Elders were asked to attend an Area Training meeting for Stake Presidencies. Elder Edwards, the Area President, conducted the training. This is his last training meeting also since he will be released as of July 1st after 5 years as the Area President of the Philippines. The training was very valuable and a spiritual feast. Sunday we attended 2 block meetings and went Home Teaching in the evening. It was a busy week but we wonder how effective we were in missionary work. But this is all the Lord’s work and as President Benson said, “It’s a great work. And it is work!”
Mom spoke with the District President while I was in a Home Teaching meeting and she has received an assignment to speak in the upcoming District Conference about the importance of Family History. She will do great. This next week looks promising for regular missionary work and visits. We’ll see what the Lord has in store for us.
Next Sunday is the Philippines Independence Day. We wonder how they 
will celebrate that holiday.
That is about everything for this week. Not real exciting but then again you know that we’re pretty boring anyway. We are so grateful to be here. The people continue to amaze us with their adaptability and ingenuity. They are such a happy people.
In Sunday’s testimony meeting there were several sisters that shared their testimony about their challenges
and trials. We have decided that we have nothing to complain about compared to them. One of the sisters (Sister Reyes) is no more than 4 foot 6 inches tall. She stands on the kid’s step-up stair at the pulpit and then can just see over the pulpit. As she was leaving the meeting, I put my arm around her and walked to the parking lot with her. I told her that inside that body of hers was the spirit of a giant. She began to cry and told me some things that are real testimony building blocks for me. She is a wonderful lady. She was the first Relief Society President in this area and served for 11 years as the president.
We hope that you are all well. We enjoyed talking with all of you last week. It has been a long time since we have talked to everyone. Thanks for your letters, your faith and your prayers. We pray that all of you are doing those things that will strengthen your families for the coming days and years. Please continue to read scriptures together and to pray together and have Family Home Evening. As we have come to understand the doctrine of the family, we know that these things are vitally important for each one of us. Keep smiling and be happy. There is so much good in this world. Kids, enjoy your summer break. The school children here start their school year today June 6th. Their summer went by very fast (I can’t imagine being in the school classes in this heat). Well, remember that we love you and that we pray for each one of you every day. Please take care and write when you have time. BE good, DO good, and BE a man or woman of Christ. And ALWAYS remember to say your prayers.
Love,
Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Janene and Grant
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