behold, my joy is full ...

last night, our apartment was full of the joyful sounds, rising from the parking lot below, of young men playing basketball and children playing in the grass well past dark.  it gave me the idea for the theme of my blog entry this week.

• i love the sound of a parking lot full of young men having good, clean fun!
• i love an office full of elders!
• i love watching a full circle of elders pray before they go out to find people to teach the principles of the gospel!
• i love faces full of joy!

• i love a beach full of new friends enjoying spending time together!
• i love a sky full of clouds and colors!
• i love a night sky full of stars (yes, i know the moon is not a star ... but trust me, there are stars there!)!
• i love a car full of senior missionaries embarking on new adventures!

• i love a full choir of angels!
• i love a room full of wide-eyed, 'can't wait to start my mission!' elders and sisters when they arrive every six weeks.  this happened again this week and, like we've said before, it never gets old.
• i love the same room full of newly-called trainers, eager to embrace their new, wide-eyed companions and love them through the transition into their next 18-24 months. 
• i love a traveling cart full of baskets.
• i love a pond full of garra rufa fish ready to feast on flesh.
• i love this world ... full of beauty and wonder.
• i love a heart full of gratitude for being able to experience it all, plus SO much more every day.

• and in three short weeks, i LOVE that my arms will be full because the five people i love most on this earth are coming!  my cup, which is beyond full, runneth over!

all you need is love!  xo donna

Lumpia...Pancit...Caldereta...Adobo

We, senior sister missionaries, had a cooking activity!  We had so much fun learning how to cook some of our favorite foods from our new life in the Philippines.  We have an expert amongst us, Sister Mila Wright.  She brought us into her kitchen where she had everything prepped and ready to go.

Mila is a fabulous cook and had our attention!  She is always cooking in large quantities for one thing or another...today it was for us.

Donna can do it and I can do it...take a large tablespoon of filling and roll it up in the paper thin wrapper.  We seal the edge with egg white and we have Lumpia ready to be fried!  Yum!  It was a very similar process to making burritos.

Lumpia has been one of our favorite things to eat.  It is like a little egg roll.  Mila's recipe has mostly meat in it, but others we've eaten have more vegetables.  Both are yummy.  We took some uncooked Lumpia home to eat later.  When 'later' came, I wanted to try to 'fry' the lumpia without oil!  It worked good enough for me.  The wrapper got brown and crispy and the inside got hot...perfect.  I know it isn't the way to properly prepare lumpia, but it was fast, easy, and fewer calories.

My other favorite dish is Pancit.  Our first time to taste pancit was at a baptism.  I was told that pancit is eaten at any special event like birthday parties, etc.  There are different kinds of pancit, too.  The biggest difference is with the noodle that is used.  I've discovered my favorite to be the Canton noodle.  Mila showed us how to make two different types of pancit...one with Canton noodles and the other with a thin rice noodle.

This is the Pancit Canton.  It is meat, vegetables, and noodles.  The process is similar to making fried rice or at least that is what it reminds me of.  I tried to make Pancit after I had it at the baptism.  I failed!  My second attempt was much better, and now that I've had a lesson it will be perfect. :)

Caldereta is called a stew (with a special seasoning).  Mila's recipe is meat, potatoes, and carrots.  It is thick and yummy.  Adobo is the favorite of our office elders.  It seemed to basically be meat in a special broth.  It is usually served over rice...like everything here.  Still my favorites are the lumpia and pancit.  

We are loving our time in the Philippines.  The people are the best.  The young missionaries are stellar, the absolute best!  And the senior missionaries are fun to be with.

We are starting our new year with a bang.  Our new mission president has been announced and will arrive July 1.  Transfer week begins tomorrow again.  Like Donna said, the activities are the same, but oh sooooo different!  And there is always something new to make life interesting!  Actually, life is ALWAYS interesting!!

From our home to yours...with love!

short and sweet ...

this is maybe a first for me ... i don't really have much to say!  there were no outstanding events during the week.  the work is similar day to day but everyday is truly something new.  i still love the opportunity i have to serve a mission here in the phillipines.  i still love the people and the missionaries and other senior couples are fantastic!  the new year has brought a renewed sense of wanting to do better ... be better.  diane and i were talking the other day about how we can feel such peace and joy in our lives when life didn't turn out quite as we expected.  i realized once again that every good thing in my life comes from the Lord.  i have a peace in my heart that surpasses all understanding, and i am grateful every day.

i like this quote from Thomas S. Monson, "The difference between the changes in my life and the changes in yours is only in the details.  Despite the changes which come into our lives and with gratitude in our hearts, may we fill our days -- as much as we can -- with those things which matter most."  for me, that is my family and the gospel of Jesus Christ, which encompasses just about everything in this life!  may the year ahead be one of growth and happiness beyond anything you expected!  love, donna

just a pic of me photobombing.

Good-Bye 2016!!!

You are called to the
Philippines Olongapo Mission

We have had a glorious 2016!!  We received our mission call letters on December 29, 2015...it has been a year of preparation and then mission service.  We reported to the Provo MTC on April 11 and haven't looked back.  It has been a wonderful experience to serve in the Philippines Olongapo Mission.  We have pretty successfully learned our jobs in the mission office, met some of the most loving, beautiful people in the whole world, AND we have the opportunity to work with spiritually strong young adults who serve with a smile on their lips and in their hearts.  How could we wish for more??  We have had a blessed 2016!

Our mission president, President Dahle, celebrated his birthday this week and included the senior missionaries in his celebration.  We have heard about the Pawikan (sea turtle) Conservation Center for a long time.  We were so excited that we were going to be able to experience releasing the baby turtles into the ocean.  (Here we go with more beach pictures...but we do live on the South Sea.)

We learned that there are 3 types of marine turtles that swim to the shores of Mabayo to lay their eggs.  There are other types in other areas of the Philippines, but we get eggs from the Hawksbill turtle, the Green turtle, and the Olive ridley turtle.  The turtle lays the eggs in a deep hole they dig on the shoreline...and then the mother swims back into the ocean!  This conservatory collects the eggs and moves them to a protected area to hatch.  Eggs are laid during the months of September-February and take several weeks to hatch.  The baby turtles are about 3-4 inches when they are released into the ocean.  As with babies of all kinds...these baby turtles are so cute!  

After releasing turtles, we just enjoyed walking the beach and talking for awhile before heading to the remains of the Philippine Refugee Processing Center where over 400,000 refugees came from war ravaged countries.  There are many military history sights in this part of the Philippines. This is the first one we have been to, but more will come!

The pictures below are from the museum...and the history of the "boat people".  The refuges were housed, fed, and trained in a 'trade' skill so that they could make a living for themselves and their families.  It was pretty amazing.

After the museum we headed to the beautiful beach of the Camayan Resort for President Dahle's birthday lunch/dinner.  Today was a national holiday, Rizal Day, in the Philippines.  The beaches and all the tourist/shopping spots were packed.  We have been to this beach several times now and have never seen so many people enjoying the beach (but not in my picture!).

It is the end of another year!  It is hard for me to realize that today we are in 2017!  Donna and I talk about all that we have learned and experienced...and the changes that have happened in our lives this year.  We want to continue to grow and improve!  We wonder if we will lose 'it' when we get home and take off our badges.  Hopefully we will have practiced being our 'better' selves long enough that it will stick!

I chuckled when I saw this engraved stone at the refugee camp.  It says it all!!!!  Our motto for the coming year..."don't worry".  

May we all have the best year ever!  2017

Christmas Week

i didn't post last week because we traveled for a district conference over the weekend and i was too tired when we got home.  we were able to spend the night at a quiet little spot in the north part of the mission (about 2 hours from our home) and were only there for a few hours but was able to snap some pictures of this beautiful spot.  it is called potipot (po TEE pote).  if anyone knows what the beautiful hanging flowers are, please let me know! orchids of some kind i'm guessing, an albino peacock and the largest hibiscus blossoms i've ever seen - easily 10 inches across!  beautiful!  we thought it would be nice to go back when we had some free time ... hahahahahaha!  'free time'!  what is that?!!

but this week has been maybe our busiest yet with three zone conferences in three days, seeing every missionary in the philippines olongapo mission!  what a glorious experience that was!  we love the missionaries so much.  the conferences were combined with the Christmas parties so we had beautiful talks about our Saviors birth and life that reminded us how we should be and to whom we look for all we are and hope to be.  afterwards, we were able to enjoy a few hours of fun and games, tininkling (the bamboo rhythm dance we did as kids), acting out 12 days of Christmas song and last but not least, the 'Christmas store' where every missionary got to go select half a dozen items for their companion.  Diana and i were in charge of this and it was so much fun!  we had received two giant boxes of donations from the states but had been expecting much more (as the coordinator had sent us a list of donated items) but had enough to make it a fun experience for them.  filipinos don't put much emphasis on the gift part of Christmas celebrations ... it's more about family and food.  but this beautiful site greeted us when we arrived home the second day!!! The rest of Christmas!!!!!

so the third day we weren't as concerned about rationing!  everything is currently spread out in the Dahle's dining room and will be distributed to the missionaries in the first two zones when we go back for conferences in january!  they will be SOOO excited!  the generosity of those who donated items so that the missionaries could have a nice christmas was completely overwhelming!  it has given me something to think about for how i want to give when i return home for sure.  

you've never seen girls so excited about stickers and deodorant (there was other stuff too); instant choirs: the islanders harmonize so beautifully, our zone, and the unexpected power in the voice of one small Elder; yummy lunches; fun with tininkling and sister sisters here to help with all your shopping needs.

a picture of our humble tree and an unexpected treat of a field of trees made of recyclables across the street from the church on our second conference day (this isn't even all of them!).

what an interesting time it's been here.  we were reminded that without the hustle and bustle that always accompanies the holiday season we've had a unique opportunity to focus all our thoughts on the reason we do all we do.  we are eternally grateful for the gift of our Redeemer, the Light of the World, Almighty God, the Prince of Peace, without whom we would have no hope.  today and always, we hope you feel the joy of the Savior's love, which is the very best gift of all.  

Every-day Miracles...

The theme in our mission for this year is "12 Months of Miracles", and of course the candy of choice is M&M's.  We are coming to the end of a successful mission year.  There are miracles every day!  Our missionaries write to President Dahle every week and often relate to him some of the miracles that happened in their area.  President Dahle then shares many of those miracles with the rest of us through the weekly newsletter. It is hard to express these miracles in a few words, but I will try...

many baptism miracle stories!

• Going to a home and being told that they had been praying all day that you would come.
• Meeting a man that was watching the missionaries for "the one" that would make a difference.
• At a recent converts home, being introduced to a friend that does not go to church now but was baptized by your neighbor half-way around the world years ago...and he wants to be taught. 

I have had the desire to see/be aware of the miracles in my life.  When I talk about them, they seem like "oh, that's nothing"...circumstance...would have happened anyway...the Lord loves me and blesses me.  I am so thankful for the miracles...tender mercies...in my daily life.  

Sister Sisters...serving together!

• One is that Donna and I are companions!  We asked to be companions, but know that in several cases that doesn't happen.
• We can live in a small one-bedroom apartment together...without intruding on each other's "space".
• We can sleep in the same bedroom every night!  We have lived alone for many years.  Miracle.

This week has been a hard one for me. I am in charge of the travel for our missionaries...coming and going.  Several things didn't go as they should.  Everyone is safe and happy, but I kept getting prompted to do this or that.

Manila Temple...miracles each day!

• One example: two departing sisters were met by their parents and left the others after visiting the Manila Temple.  I was prompted to ask the Church Travel Department if these two sisters received their passports...one did not!  Before she ever knew there was a problem, her parents were receiving her passport and travel papers.  Little miracles occurred to make this happen.

Miracles are all around us every day.  I want to recognize the miracles for what they are.  We all have "stewardships" and receive promptings related to these stewardships.  I am thankful for my many blessings.  I am grateful for the knowledge that I have a loving Heavenly Father.  

December's new missionaries and their trainers...
miracles await!

And now on a lighter note...

it's a miracle that our large lawn is kept neat by using a "weed wacker"!

it's a miracle that our power doesn't go out more often than it does!

it's a miracle that we still eat rice!

it's a miracle that we don't get sick!

it's a miracle that we still have our toes!

This is the season to celebrate the biggest miracle of all...the birth of Jesus Christ, His life, and His love!  May we all remember Him and recognize the miracles in our daily lives.

Love from the Philippines!!

another great week!

things just keep getting better here!  maybe i'm just getting used to the unexpected, maybe it's the holiday season ... i don't know; but whatever it is, i'm grateful that i can still experience new things and the things that we experience repeatedly are still fun and exciting!  i have to start with saying that our thanksgiving was one i will not soon forget.  diane told you all about it and it really was THAT memorable!

we were fortunate this week to be able to tag along as sister dahle entertained sister haynie (she is the wife of the area presidency counselor that was visiting our mission).  what a wednesday we had!  we went back to the ocean adventure park where they have a fish spa.  you may have heard about them ... where the "doctor fish" nibble away at the dead skin on your feet!  let me tell you what!  it was the strangest sensation!  i thought i would be too ticklish to stand it but after the initial reaction, it really wasn't so bad!  it almost felt like a light electric current pulsating my feet.  still ... just watching them was freaky!  sister dahle had experienced it before and i love this picture because she is relishing our reactions!  after it was over we, of course had to go to the camayan beach resort for lunch again and i got my favorite drink ... a four-seasons smoothie, with pineapple, mango, banana and papaya.  YUM!
on the way home from lunch we stopped for a photo op because the bats were flying (worlds largest fruit bats) ... in the middle of the day no less!  and some monkeys were out on the road as well.  what a treat!!  WATCH OUT SISTER EPPERSON!  this one snuck across the road while we were snapping pictures and looked interested in her!

on thursday, our errands required us to travel to some new areas of the mission we hadn't visited before.  the road to bagac down south was so beautiful!  winding road through thick tropical forests and beautiful vistas.  we have yet to go to the southernmost point or the northernmost point but will get there eventually!  rumor has it they are both very picturesque as well.  maybe next time we'll remember to take pictures!

last night to cap off our week, we attended a fantastic fiafia night!  that is the pacific islander word for joyful celebration.  it did not disappoint!  you may remember elder ah fun from earlier posts.  he was an office elder a few months ago and he put on a luau in our branch here that was so much fun.  well he got transferred to an area that was struggling and president dahle thought that he could do it again to bring a sense of comaradarie to the community.  well, he outdid himself!  he arranged for the entire san antonio district to be involved, which includes six branches (congregations) in six towns!  after months of practice, each branch performed an island dance, complete with fantastic costumes, food, and a synopsis of the history/culture of the island they were representing.  it was held in the san narciso town plaza and the public was invited.  three of the town mayors and many local dignitaries came and a great time was had by all!  the dancing was spectacular to watch!  their enthusiasm was contagious!  many high points but some stand-outs were the opening solo dance by new zealander, sister kelleher.  she. was. stunning.  honestly, one of the most beautiful dancers i've ever seen.  then there was the haka and the slap dance.  those are always SO much fun to watch!

dignitaries table

we love the people of the philippines.  we love the missionaries.  they bring such joy and happiness to life.  always a positive outlook.  it is an honor and a privilege to serve here in the olongapo mission, side by side with such stellar people.

one last picture from the plaza ... as we enter this holiday season, may we all remember the reason for the season.  the source of all our joy.  we love you!