The Buzz in Baguio

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Senior Missionaries

Today I was thinking how special our two senior missionary couples are - the Allreds and the Thomsens. I could not feel more blessed to have them. Despite that feeling, I also feel so sad that we can't get more senior couples from the Missionary Department. Our couple "compliment" was just reduced from eight to three for our Baguio Mission. That means that fewer seniors are choosing to serve. I have asked Salt Lake for more but there are none to send. Some missions in the Philippines only have one couple and there are two missions that have zero. It is just not enough and I am sad we can't get more because they do such a great work.
Serving a mission is not a matter of convenience but a matter of consecration I think. When did the price of discipleship ever take on convenience? Like the "young man" with Elisha the prophet who thought the opposing army would soon bear down and destroy them (2 Kings ch.6), Elisha prayed that the Lord would open his eyes to see that "...the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about [them]". If only the Lord could open the eyes of more seniors to see what mom and I see each day - and what the Thomsens and Allreds are living each day. I can't even begin to put my own experience into words. Words are not even made that can adequately describe what mom and I feel and experience.
Let me share with you a brief comment from one senior couple that I know...
"In the MTC we were told that a senior mission adds years to your life and life to your years - I totally believe that. We are both healthier now than before we left. I can't imagine what I would have regretted if we had missed this opportunity and the Lord would have shown us what we missed. I have told all my friends - DON'T CHEAT yourself out of a senior mission. It really is short-changing yourself BIG TIME. Every time I think of leaving I just tear up - I don't think about it. We enjoy what we do so much, we love helping in any way we can - but we absolutely love being around the missionaries and doing anything with or for them. What a rich experience it is for us. We love the change of how we perceive things we have always taken for granted too. We would never have wanted to miss this. Besides having children and grandchildren, this is the most wonderful thing we have ever done and will probably ever do."
When is the time to serve ever right? Does it get easier as we get older? No. I'm convinced it is not about cost either. Our Senior couples pay $1600 per month, which takes care of all your living costs - rent, car, gas, food, utilities and spending money. That does not include personal medical needs. Two senior sisters could cut that in half if they came together. How much does all that cost at home? Stakes and wards could possibly supplement if appropriate. I'm sad we can't get more seniors. I could use ten couples tomorrow.
Perhaps like the 'young man', our eyes just need to see what is really out there and realize that our children and grandchildren (and our pets), for just a little season - will be blessed in greater ways during our absence than if we were there. Problems with children and family will never go away. But how much more could we use the help of heaven to intervene in their behalf?
This has been heavy on my mind as I appreciate more our two couples that are here serving so faithfully.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Happy Birthday "easy rider" My Dad (Danny) turns 82 on February 10th. Good luck keeping up with him!

I think this was about 1961... He is so handsome. That is me with my Dad. I hope Mom spoils you on the big day. Thank you for all you have taught us and the great example you are to the family. We love you!!!

Sunday, January 31, 2010

This week - Transfers Again...

A rare photo of dad and Mt. Baldy in the background. I'm not sure which is which?

Just a pretty valley in the mountains off Naguilian

What can I say? They are giants too - you just can't see it with your eyes! One of our new sisters said it six times to me - "Sister Jensen you are sure tall!"

Sisters' Montera, Gungon and Billonies

Trainers on the left - new companions on the right.

Transfer day is always VERY exciting as old meets new.
Elders' Tanpuz & Katigbak; Coronel & De Guzman; Nisola & Delos Reyes

Sisters Labodlay & Atanante; Simbile & Lao

Youth from the Dagupan 2nd Ward. Dagupan is about two hours from Baguio. They were having a cooking activity learning to make a curry dish and fried bananas.

We have these beautiful Amaryllis growing along the office driveway.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

January 2010 Batch In and Out

Our New Incoming January 2010 Batch
Elders LtoR - Delos Reyes; Katigbak; De Guzman; Anulao; Taylor; Costales; Peterson; Pulgado; Domdom; Jacobson; Abonita.
Sisters LtoR - Lao; Atanante; Ruyeras; Valencia.

So full of energy. They keep us young. All 172 of them right now.

Our Departing January 2010 Batch

Back - Elder's Rabanes; Cericos; Aguilar; Loquinario and Sancap
Front - Sisters' Cotejo; Navarette and Roman

Sister Echon our sweet Filipina was kept from going home with her batch because she had the chicken pox these last three weeks.

We also say goodbye to Sister Parks.

Hot cookies on departing day!

We have learned the missionary "cookie law of life" is that they disappear instantly. Leftovers are not possible no matter how big the batch is!

The 'bitter sweet' bus station
I very much dislike the bus station on Monday nights (departing) and just love it on Wednesdays and Thursdays when we receive the new incoming.

Friday, January 22, 2010

January 23rd, 2010

Rice planting, growing, harvesting and drying seems to happen pretty much all year long. Our area is mostly all farm land and mountains. I am told that there are three growing cycles during the year. Here is a video of some rice planting taking place. As always, everyone always likes to get their picture taken.

Mom made our Elder Corpin a quilt for his special Christmas present from all our 166 missionaries. Elder Corpin is our elder that had to return home last November to Manila for chemo and cancer treatment. All the missionaries in the mission autographed a personal message to Elder Corpin on cloth squares and then mom sewed them all together into a beautiful quilt. Mom told him that as he wrapped the quilt around himself - that it would be a big hug from all his brother and sister missionaries in our mission.

These local farmers were 'herding' ducks across the road. About 300 of them I figured. It was quite a site to behold!

More rice planting. Very back-breaking work...

Here is a shot of a large farming field that will soon be planted with rice. In the middle there were two farmers just taking a smoke break near their carabao pulling plows. "Carabao" is what the locals call a 'water buffalo'. I zoomed in on the two farmers just sitting there talking (next picture). You will notice the little plow behind his carabao.

Mom is always having such a good time with our elders and sisters.

Elder's Francia, Arrieta, Cericos and Babula.

Elder Duncan from New Zealand was our office secretary

Our Zone Leader Council - less two that were not allowed to attend as they were exposed to Chicken Pox

We traveled up to Bangar, the farthest town in our mission on our most northern boundary to quarantine two of our elders with chicken pox (we are presently having a chicken pox outbreak). While there we met these delightful sisters who sit all day and weave on their home-made loom. We purchased one of their beautiful green hand made blankets for 300 pesos ($6.38). They were so proud of their work and happy we took their picture.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Happy 25th Birthday Andrew !!

Happy Birthday Andrew! The big 25 today... "Mahal Kita" "We love you"

The young one has grown and now will be a daddy himself in spring. Andrew and Keali in Florida last week. We miss the days when you were small but we are so happy for the future of you both.