Friday, December 11-Friday, December 18

Friday later we went to Arevalo to turn in rent papers, to apartment 2:30 to eat, went downtown to mail Medicare papers.  At 5:00 I visited with Institute young single adults  during party preparations, then at 6:00 we rear-ended in traffic all the way to Pavia, a fifteen minute drive turned into one hour drive.  The party was so fun!  We danced cha cha.  The people think we are cute dancers.  I was invited to bless the food.  Later I told the Christmas Oranges story and sectioned one orange, smaller than a tangerine, off to give to the little children around me.  It was a wonderful time--outside, breeze, lights on palm trees, music and such lovely people. 9:35 home.
Saturday routine, did wash, made chocolate pudding with boxed milk, chocolate cream cheese frosting, Cosco chocolates left by another couple, and quick tapioca--a treat.  10:00 baptism for Joy 17 and Mary Rose who has been investigating the church for four years but couldn't be baptized until she was married.  They got married December 7 and baptized today, her husband is less active member.  She always comes to church and many people thought she was already a member.  We have been hearing about her since we arrived in the Philippines.  So happy for her.  She is cute and so thankful to be baptized.  We went home for lunch and then to Jalandoni to do work with the Internet.  At 4:30 we headed to LaPaz for North Stake leadership Christmas party.  We had a lot of fun and received more invitations.  Home 7:30 and did scripture candle.
Sunday headed to gas station to pick up Darlene to attend Pototan Ward and have their third "My Path" devotional.  There were about ten to attend.  It went well.  Returned home for a quick dinner and then went to Arevalo for the First Presidency Christmas Devotional--wonderful!  It was suppose to be at 4:00 but it was changed to 5:00 on Facebook.  We were there at 3:30 and hadn't looked at facebook😃.  7:00 home.
Monday 9:00 went to Arevalo to practice for the missionary conference and also to administer the English test to an outgoing elder.  He is serving in Kalibo, too far away to come in sooner, 4 1/2 hours each way.  The test went well and we ate tuna on crackers and a tuna sandwich, I had made earlier because I knew we would not have time for anything else.  Conference began at 1:00 with zone skits and competition in between.  One competition  was five from each zone lined up, chose numbers 1-5 and then stood in order as each uncovered the cup with the lid having their number and they were to eat it or put it in their mouth and spit it out at the other end of the room.  1- was chopped hot peppers 2-live gold fish 3-cooked pork tongue 4-chicken head 5-balusters.  A sister in North Zone ate number 4 and that won it for them.  Another competition was one from each zone came forward and had a bowl of flour which they were to keep their hands behind their back and with their tongue find the two tic tacs and eat them then find the bubble gum and chew it and blow a bubble.  Central zone won that one.  A dance competition was next--fun.  There were some missionary pictures put to music after the dinner and Elder Swanton from Nibley made up lyrics about the mission experience while Elder Larson accompanied on the guitar.  It was a lot of fun.  8:30 home.
Tuesday 7:00 am breakfast, singing Christmas carols and then a Missionary Forgotten Carols.  It was very inspiring and set the tone for the rest of the day.  Then we moved to the chapel, six missionaries spoke:  1) this is a family centered work, beautifying and sanctifying D&C 18:15-16, and 81:10 2) I feel happy when our investigators keep their commitments. 2) A story was told of an investigator who had had a stroke and usually had to be asked question two or three times but in reading the Book of Mormon, he had read about Nephi and Laban and remembered every detail of the plates etc.  3) How?  Firm of purpose, steadfast.  Genesis 37-50 Joseph was obedient and faithful in every way. Alma 8:10-18 speedily the other way, away from sin. Joseph Smith Jr. History 13-16. Determination.  Act.  There is no chance, no fate, no destiny that can circumvent or hinder or control, the firm resolve of a determined soul.  President Monson "Love is the essence of the gospel".  4). This elder told about when he was eight years old and throwing out feed to the chickens of rice grains, the hen kept scratching for the food even though the rice was on the top of the ground.  He thought the hen was "stupid" but then later he came to understand that she was teaching her chicks.  Food wouldn't always be found on top and they needed to learn to scratch from her.  Jesus Christ showed us how to be. 1 Timothy 4:12. "Be an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."  Leaders and trainers, missionaries, because of your light, we see our potential.  Keep the light burning. 3 Nephi 37:37. You may not lead many but for sure you will light your own path.  5). Faith by choice--not by chance.  2 Nephi 2:26. Then we sang Away in a Manger. 6) My purpose:  to invite others to come unto Christ..."only the gospel will save the world". Ezra Taft Benson. ". 7)  "Think what you need to think,  learn what you need to learn, feel what you need to feel". Bednar "No pain, disappointment, hurt is wasted.  It causes changes to our hearts."  Elder Gomez read Luke 2 with background music.  Sister Aquino:  Mary and Martha story.  Help me.  As we are in this mission, we have chosen the good part.  President Aquino:  Light, life, love, remembering...we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ ...very emotional.  I believe in the Christ...(I will send a copy).  After lunch, we took pictures and gifts were handed out to each missionary--a card from the First Presidency, a huge Apple, a t-shirt, some m&ms.  3:30 we took Cushings to the wharf and went to the center for an hour, dropped stuff off at the sisters apartment and a bag to the elders and onto Jaro for their Christmas party.  They played games, ate, and danced and we danced like crazy!  9:30 home.
Wednesday routine, wash, make grocery lists, went to SM to get money our transaction was denied.  Shop, back to apartment, ate, rested, purchased water on our way to Jalandoni.  Institute 3:00 "Providing for self, family, and others".  We only had one show up an hour later.  Well, it's Christmas, and finals, and Ward parties, and school practices, and families visiting other islands...but we enjoyed the one.  Then we went home and brought in our clothes from the rain and off to the Mandurriao Ward Christmas party--all but one person from San Miguel group came and on time, actually early.  It was great.  The Relief Society asks two women from the San Miguel group to help serve but then many different women gave them different instructions constantly and one sister had to leave.  It made her sick to have confusion.  It made me so sad when I found out what happened.  We picked her up on the street as we were giving rides to those from San Miguel group which is so far away from Mandurriao.  Late at night there is no affordable transportation, jeepneys are full or are not running any more for the night.  Anyway, I understood a little better why the "Lords house is a house of order".  Home 10:00.
Thursday career workshop--5 sisters, 1 elder going home.  It turned out great! Home 12:00 after taking the missionaries back to Arevalo.  Lunch.  Prepare for Institute class tonight as substitutes.  Yesterday at the BDO where we get money, the machine kept our card for five minutes and then denied the transaction, but the bank at home withdrew the money from our account.  We waited for thirty minutes to talk with a representative at their office and then were told to contact our bank.  Ugh!  Back to Jalandoni 2:00.  Ray emailed the bank.  Class 5:30 Book of Mormon 3Nephi 8-14. We showed part of the Testaments, talked about how we stone the prophets today.  How joyous to follow our Creator, who made us and knows what will bring the greatest joy and we talked of our true riches--our children and our posterity.  Ray invited them to give themselves a Christmas gift:  Read 3 Nephi 1-17 as a gift to themselves and feel the joy of the Spirit.  Home 8:20.  Snack.  Bed.
Friday 10:00 left for the Atrium to purchase a few items.  Then to the center.  Home by way of McDonald's.   Love, Mom, Grandma, Sister Robinson
P S. Our bank responded and returned our money that we didn't get😐