Then we enjoyed some Christmas skits that each district put on. Last, we played a few games that was enjoyed by all. President Koster left for home afterwards but, we spent an extra night and drove back the next day. Before we left, we drove over to the ocean, just a few blocks across the street and met up with Elder & Sister Abraham while they were walking down the beach. We got back to the Ferry and finally home about 10:00pm.
The following week we had two more Christmas Conferences - same agenda, only roast pig for dinner!!
The following week we had two more Christmas Conferences - same agenda, only roast pig for dinner!!
We really enjoyed visiting with all the missionaries & watching their skits. A couple of them portrayed President & Sister Koster — that was hilarious!! Then of course there is the photo shoot. Haha!!
On Friday night, we met with Elder & Sister Browne who came over from the states with us. We were celebrating our one-year mark. We went to a Korean restaurant & had a nice dinner. They tole us they have decided to go home a month early. (All Senior Couples have that option, it just isn’t advertised). That means . . . Every couple in our mission & including those that serve in the Area Office, have gone, or is going home early!! In our case, with our mission getting split, and getting a new Mission President, we feel somewhat obligated to stay & help out. Also, we will still be short on couple missionaries & will be training the new office couple. Another concern is a big Mission Reunion has been scheduled for the end of May for all the Filipino Missionaries and we hate to sip out on that. Sister Lola will all be returning. Of course, I would like to return early but we will see.
Saturday was our biggest day ever! We left early to meet the Tripoli family at the Temple to take out their endowments. The Temple was “over-booked” & we could only get in to the sealing at 1:00pm. So we picked up the van at the Mission Home, and returned to the Temple just before 1:00, which turned into 2:00. We met Brother Tripoli’s mother & her fiancé, who is from Star Valley, Wyoming! Also his Aunt & Uncle were there. The Tripoli’s had their young daughter sealed to them. It was very emotional and oh so wonderful!!!
On Friday night, we met with Elder & Sister Browne who came over from the states with us. We were celebrating our one-year mark. We went to a Korean restaurant & had a nice dinner. They tole us they have decided to go home a month early. (All Senior Couples have that option, it just isn’t advertised). That means . . . Every couple in our mission & including those that serve in the Area Office, have gone, or is going home early!! In our case, with our mission getting split, and getting a new Mission President, we feel somewhat obligated to stay & help out. Also, we will still be short on couple missionaries & will be training the new office couple. Another concern is a big Mission Reunion has been scheduled for the end of May for all the Filipino Missionaries and we hate to sip out on that. Sister Lola will all be returning. Of course, I would like to return early but we will see.
Saturday was our biggest day ever! We left early to meet the Tripoli family at the Temple to take out their endowments. The Temple was “over-booked” & we could only get in to the sealing at 1:00pm. So we picked up the van at the Mission Home, and returned to the Temple just before 1:00, which turned into 2:00. We met Brother Tripoli’s mother & her fiancé, who is from Star Valley, Wyoming! Also his Aunt & Uncle were there. The Tripoli’s had their young daughter sealed to them. It was very emotional and oh so wonderful!!!
Then off to the Baptism in Morong! The Sister Missionaries had requested for us to drive a van, pick up some families in Ondoy, & take them to the Baptism & the Christmas party at the Teresa Chapel. We crammed the van with 23 people and headed for Teresa - running about 1 hour late.
Fortunately-with the photo shoot at the baptism, we were only about 1/2 hour late. President Koster was doing the baptisms. One of the candidates works at the Temple grounds and President helped teach him. We all went in and all the other members of the ward waited patiently for us to finish up so they could start their Christmas party.
We finished up and went in to play games, exchange gifts, & eat dinner. Then, we returned the families to Ondoy and headed home - dead tired!!
The Filipino Christmas traditions are somewhat different in that they LOVE to party!!! They decorate like crazy - but use all different colors & EVERY light blinks!! Haha!!
At the party, they were all wound up about the gifts which all were asked to bring - but no mention of what Christmas is really about. It was sad to observe. Not even any Christmas music. We still have a ways to go—-Sometimes traditions are hard to change. When the plans were being made, I asked, “what about the people who cannot afford to bring gifts to the party? Will this alienate them”? But they were determined and could not even consider not doing presents. We were asked to bring a family gift, a RS gift, a primary children’s gifts (for 80) & donate money for Christmas Carolers that went to in-actives for gifts.....YIKES!! They also asked Elder Ferney if he would buy them all iPhones. Hahaha!!!
On Christmas Sunday, Dad was asked to talk on Humility. He decided to talk about the Humility of the Savior. One of the best talks I have ever heard!!
We had a fun little Christmas Eve gathering for Senior Missionaries living in Eastwood. We were invited to the Tuckers apartment for dinner & a few games. Yummy food & great company! Dad & I were pretty excited to take our caramel apples from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (that we ran across in Mega Mall when we went to see the “Light the Christmas” vending machines).
We finished up and went in to play games, exchange gifts, & eat dinner. Then, we returned the families to Ondoy and headed home - dead tired!!
The Filipino Christmas traditions are somewhat different in that they LOVE to party!!! They decorate like crazy - but use all different colors & EVERY light blinks!! Haha!!
At the party, they were all wound up about the gifts which all were asked to bring - but no mention of what Christmas is really about. It was sad to observe. Not even any Christmas music. We still have a ways to go—-Sometimes traditions are hard to change. When the plans were being made, I asked, “what about the people who cannot afford to bring gifts to the party? Will this alienate them”? But they were determined and could not even consider not doing presents. We were asked to bring a family gift, a RS gift, a primary children’s gifts (for 80) & donate money for Christmas Carolers that went to in-actives for gifts.....YIKES!! They also asked Elder Ferney if he would buy them all iPhones. Hahaha!!!
On Christmas Sunday, Dad was asked to talk on Humility. He decided to talk about the Humility of the Savior. One of the best talks I have ever heard!!
We had a fun little Christmas Eve gathering for Senior Missionaries living in Eastwood. We were invited to the Tuckers apartment for dinner & a few games. Yummy food & great company! Dad & I were pretty excited to take our caramel apples from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (that we ran across in Mega Mall when we went to see the “Light the Christmas” vending machines).
We really enjoyed the evening with the three other couples.
On Christmas Day, after talking to all of you, we went to the office. We knew the Elders would be there and so we invited them to drive back to Eastwood with us and get some lunch! It was a wonderful treat for all of us. We ate at TGI Fridays and everyone chowed down on “American food”. Never have I seen four Elders so appreciative. They kept saying it over and over. We were so happy to do this for them. Dad also bought little Christmas sacks and filled them with oranges, chocolate and socks for them.
Elders, Arriesgado Flint, St. John, & Keller
Back at the office, I was able to crank out about 80 letters! No interruptions can double or triple a persons workload time. YAHOO! All caught up! Hallelujah!!!
Tonight, is New Year’s Eve. About six popular guest artist have been invited to give live performances here at Eastwood. It has rained steady all day but they are prepared with canopies for the outdoor concerts. Then afterwards, about 9:00pm we are going to the Connell’s to watch fireworks. I hope we can stay awake that late!! They begin at midnight and boy, are they loud. They light them off a high-rise building just in front of ours. Soo you couldn’t sleep if you wanted to. They are roping off some areas and even closing some roads. It’s a pretty big deal - people look forward to it all year long!
We will be back n the office in the morning, on New Year’s Day. We are certainly looking forward to the New Year. The Gordon’s will be arriving on the 20th and the Claybrooks agreed to come a few months early on 15 Feb. 2019 to get familiar with the mission before they take our place in the office. It’s going to keep us real busy. But, that’s okay because then the time flies and we can return to “the promised land”. Haha!
Tonight, is New Year’s Eve. About six popular guest artist have been invited to give live performances here at Eastwood. It has rained steady all day but they are prepared with canopies for the outdoor concerts. Then afterwards, about 9:00pm we are going to the Connell’s to watch fireworks. I hope we can stay awake that late!! They begin at midnight and boy, are they loud. They light them off a high-rise building just in front of ours. Soo you couldn’t sleep if you wanted to. They are roping off some areas and even closing some roads. It’s a pretty big deal - people look forward to it all year long!
We will be back n the office in the morning, on New Year’s Day. We are certainly looking forward to the New Year. The Gordon’s will be arriving on the 20th and the Claybrooks agreed to come a few months early on 15 Feb. 2019 to get familiar with the mission before they take our place in the office. It’s going to keep us real busy. But, that’s okay because then the time flies and we can return to “the promised land”. Haha!
No comments:
Post a Comment