First week of February

Saturday we went to the business class at Arevalo that has already been going seven weeks.  We also delivered our last books to the Arevalo Ward.  Ray helped them learn how to do a cash flow report.
Later that day we had lunch and our fast began.  It is great to fast 1 and 3 weeks.  I am reading Jan and Feb Ensigns!  Wow!  And May Ensign 1991 p24. President Uchtdorf talked about how air beneath the plane must be greater than air above the plane to create lift.  Prayer is one of the prime principles of the gospel that provides lift.  Elder Nelson says, "Your soul will be blessed as you learn to listen, then listen to learn, from children, parents, partners, neighbors, and church leaders, all of which will heighten capacity to hear counsel from on high."
After lunch we went to LaPaz and delivered books to LaPuz and Leganes, found we were three books short so we went back to the Center and picked up three more books and returned to LaPaz.  We took a new way home because everything was blocked off for a parade.  It was the long way but we saw some streets we had not seen before:). We brought in our washed sheets from the line and made our bed.  I finished reading "Jesus the Christ".  Life is really so sweet.  I sin but I repent fast!
Sunday we attended Mandurreao ward fast and testimony meeting.  The Sunday School lesson was "being born again".  As I had been reading Ensign I came upon this, The gate called Baptism.  Being born again is a process.  We begin with 1-faith, 2-repentance, 3-baptism by immersion by one having authority.  But according to Elder Bednar, "essential steps in the process include total immersion in and saturation with the Savior's gospel."  After baptism, we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost contingent upon our always remembering the Savior in all we think, do, and are.  And thus we are made clean 2 Nephi 31:17.  The sacrament gives us weekly opportunity to examine ourselves and symbolically place our sins on the Lord's altar (repent, seek forgiveness) and then go forward in a newness of life (through the atonement), unburden our sins through Jesus Christ's atonement and literally allow ourselves to be exalted--"buried with Him. By baptism unto death:  that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in a newness of life...Romans 6:4, 6. The Savior stands at the door to personally bid us welcome to dwell with Him. Our Savior runs to embrace us, like the prodigal son, when we turn towards Him.  He employs no servant at the gate, not to exclude, but to personally embrace us.  He welcomes us with open arms!  After Mandurreao we went to Molo 2 to see what they needed to get started, then one hour for lunch and then to San Miguel Group.  We got to bear our testimonies there because there were only seven of us present.  At 4:00 we came home and read.
Monday we are headed to Jalandoni to copy a flash drive for Molo 2.  We called Raymond and Julie and were able to see all of them on Face Time.   Eve Irene was blessed today and yesterday Boyd was baptized and his Grandma Wilson remembered us in her talk.  What a great day when our family joined with theirs!
We did some wash on Monday and went to Arevalo, mission office to sign some things and give our thumb prints but the missionaries didn't show up so we could do it on another day, but we did visit with President Aquino.  We picked up water and hope we found a new referral.  After a sneaky dinner, we went for a walk on the Esplanade, the most beautiful place in Iloilo.  Home for fhe dessert:  McDonald's apple pie:)
Tuesday was zone meeting with all new missionaries and leaders, only Sister Baui, Sister Punsalan, Elder Frandsen and us are left with 20 new.  The meeting lasted until noon.  It was good.  We went to the self reliance center and ran off our version of "My Path," went for a late lunch, and I had a nap.  I had leg cramps most of the night so I was pretty tired.  Then we went to a 6:00 self reliance meeting which started at 7:00, but much was accomplished.  Home by 8:00.  Our blender we purchased burned all the way up.  I was making banana/carrot muffins but I mashed them with a fork and they turned out yummy!
Wednesday we washed clothes, made 2 car payments, went shopping, and made vinegar and oil dressing for Aquinos who will be hosting Elder Bowen and his wife, area presidency and President Beck and his wife from the General Young Men's Presidency.  She wanted them to have a choice of dressing for their salad and there are no vinaigrettes here.  Ray and I were thrilled to get to assist in any way!  Home for lunch and back to the center for a facilitator training at 6:30.  After home, read, to bed.
Counsel Together Oft was an awesome article in Jan Ensign and then What Will You Choose?  By Russell M Nelson. Everyone read this one two or three times!  You were commissioned by Heavenly Father to prepare a people to receive the Savior.
-Don't be afraid to pursue your goals--even your dreams!
- Live differently 1 Timothy 4:12 "in word, in conversation, in Charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity"
-Choose eternal life as your highest priority; notice how other choices fall into place
"When you choose whether to make or keep a covenant with God, you choose whether you will leave an inheritance of hope to those who might follow your example". President Eyring
Thursday President Back and Elder Bowen and wives were at Arevalo for an hour with the missionaries, only three rows of them, for questions and answers.  Most of them were afraid to ask questions because they were so personal.  I knew many of our Filipino missionaries are only converts and families were not happy and have not communicated in their mission time, but it turned out that many of our missionaries from the states are also from broken homes, parents have remarried other partners and our missionaries wonder where they fit in.  It is very heart breaking!  I'm not sure there was enough time for these great brothers to realize the pain in that room.  We heard more after the meeting.  But their answers were comforting, I'm sure. We did get to take a picture with President Beck and were able to hear from him about Raymond's family video taken with his phone.  President Beck is very warm and personable.  We received a text from Elder Bowen at the airport apologizing for not getting to visit with us.  I was very impressed with his thoughtfulness. We returned to our bungalow to eat and then to the Center to discuss with Darlyn all our plans for this Sunday, without materials:(.
Friday Ray ironed his shirts, we bought water, we went to Jalandoni to do family search and hope to take them to the Cebu Temple if we get permission.  A sister facilitator from Arevalo came into the Center and Ray helped her with a flash drive.  She said her group really had fun acting out the video when they couldn't get the movie.  Then Roland came in, our young friend, for assistance in writing his missionary experience with President Beck for the Liahona magazine.  It was very fun.  It was such a spiritual experience for all who were involved with President Beck.  I can't wait to hear from the others on Tuesday at district meeting about their experience with Elder Bowen and the sisters' experience with Sister Bowen.  We thought Friday was going to be "empty" but it turned out "full":)
Count your many blessings, like raindrops on an umbrella...love Sister Robinson etc.