lather. rinse. repeat.

every day is different ... but there are activities that happen over and over again; variations on a theme as it were.  there were a few 'variations' that happened this week.  we made our second pre-dawn trip to manila to complete my dental work.  this one will have a 3rd verse because the crown didn't fit.  not sure what i expected for $25 but hopefully our trip to pick up the 're-make' this coming week will be the final one for awhile.  things that were different ... we took a stroll around the temple grounds.  it has been closed for 3 months for renovation but will re-open this week so, hopefully, we can attend a session when we go again.  it's been over 6 months since we've been able to go to the temple and i really miss it.  there is such peace there.  we were able to visit the pearl market but got SO overwhelmed by booth after booth after booth of pearls, we left without buying anything!  things that were the same ... the beautiful sunrise (notice the volcano on the right), the picturesque rice fields, and the massive tollbooth at the entrance to manila.  we leave at 3:00-4:00 in the morning to avoid as much traffic as possible once we arrive in manila, otherwise this would be a 45-60 minute stop.

the next thing that happened that never gets old is the trainer/trainee match-ups when the new batch of missionaries come in.  the weariness of the day of training passes.  there is always such joy and excitement as they all line up, eager to meet their new best friend for the next 6 weeks!  i love watching them greet each other and i happened to catch the look of peace and joy on president dahle's face as well!  it is quite a process for him.  he selects the missionaries he trusts will be the best trainers and then he interviews all the new arrivals.  he then prays over the match-ups, to be sure his impressions are right.  he admits he makes mistakes sometimes but thinks that those even happen for a reason.  i tend to agree!




and today the rains returned!  since the typhoons blew through, we haven't had hardly a drop of rain but today the skies opened and it was fantastic!  i tried to get a picture but rain never shows up in the photos.  i need to learn how to photograph rain!  it was beautiful to watch and listen to.  we understand you had a pretty spectacular storm at home this week as well!

diane mentioned sister avenceña last week ... the missionary who left for the tempe mission.  well, it just so happens she was assigned to the the cooley ward, which was my very first ward when i arrived in arizona as well!  if you happen to see a beautiful filipina with a big smile, say hello!  so cool that she is meeting people both diane and i know!  small world!

and finally, just a sign on the road to manila but i love it!  it's an analogy for life really, don't you think?  protect yourself as much as possible by being obedient, but this life is one exciting ride!  come what may, and love it!