Our missionary routine here in the Philippines has become our life -- it feels as if we have always lived here and that experiences from home are but a wonderful dream. We continue to travel many days of each week, navigating familiar roads and on occasion discovering a new path.
On a recent evening, we stopped at one of a thousand roadside vendors to buy corn, freshly boiled in a large pot. The fire on the ground is coconut husks, the corn is in-husk, the moist salt is in a piece of saran-wrap, gathered and twisted. But no butter - drat! Dairy products are uncommon, due to lack of refrigeration. Each ear is 10 pesos, or about 24 cents. Sweet and delicious!
A few minutes later we stopped at another vendor to select two watermelons. Pulling off the road left us virtually inside their fruit stand, which doubled as the home of the little family entrepreneurs. The mother and a toddler were sitting on a bed behind the melons, watching a small TV. The purchase was made from our car window, negotiated with the young son who was "on-duty". Each giant melon cost about $6, which we happily paid. This may have been a "special price" for Americanos.
There was a light rain and it was dark (by 6:30pm, even in the summer). The 1 hr 45 minute return trip home came after a 1 hour presentation in Siniloan, a fairly remote town. We spoke on the value of education and the need for balance - secular and religious. Carolyn is our expert with Power Point (Apple Keynote). She models a presentation for any occasion from a long list of pre-selected slides - family pictures and prophetic quotes. We then bounce back and forth with the microphone, teaching and testifying. This group was about 150 youth and leaders from a stake and a district. Most came rolling in to the district center in jeepney buses. To "peak" their interest, we set up 11 tables and had the wards and branches "compete" in an effort to build the tallest tower from mini marshmallows and raw spaghetti.
What a fun time, watching them devise structures that mostly tipped, swayed and collapsed. But the winner topped out at 47 inches. Then we reemphasized the value of balance in our lives and the only sure foundation, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Generoso is one of our PEF participants. He had a new baby, which he thought would be a girl. We asked if his wife had had an ultra-sound, but he said, "no, the Lord told me it would be a girl". To his amazement, the baby arrived as a boy, and he laughed and said, "the Lord surprise me - my wished is wrong". He invited us to come by and "shake his new baby's hand". Ironically, we were passing through his town a few hours after the birth, coming home from an 8-hour trip to Naga. Carolyn texts as we go, so we got the news on the road and stopped at the hospital. Beds everywhere, in a single room (which doubled as the labor, delivery and recovery room).
He and his sweet wife, Lea, were so honored for our "handshake". Generoso has struggled for 8 years to repay a $120 educational loan, with very little progress. This month, an anonymous donor paid his loan in full for him. His gratitude was beyond words. We were invited a month later to come to the blessing, which Lane performed.
Without power for our projector, we invited 14 kids to come forward at a youth conference to represent our own family, and then we spoke about each of our kids. They laughed and laughed as we gave them new names, education and mission histories.
A mountain resort near Nagcarlan, where we spoke to a Stake Youth Group.
Many towns have "festivals", but this one in Lucban draws crowds from miles around. Lane loves hats! This one was the winner. Functional, beautiful, and cheap!
More cheap hats 
Hard to choose...
I give up.
Elder Lane and our host, President B.
Another day, another stake youth conference, another Sister Howell Keynote. Elder Howell taught this group "The Wave".
Tropical plants come in all varieties, but this hanging blue-flowered plant was most unusual.
Fascinating. Kids playing in the river, with umbrellas to keep them dry from the rain!!
A beautiful family, with the "family car", heading home from church. The mother stayed for another meeting or she would be on the "bus". 
Not just any two sister missionaries in our mission, but Sister M from India and Sister F from Pakistan!! We told them we thought people from their countries didn't get along. They laughed. These companions are best of friends. The one from India already has a masters degree.
President B, introducing the Howells at yet another young adult activity.
At a Stake YSA Dance, they have to "check their cell phones at the door".
The Taal volcano, rising up from a lake, in the mouth of another, much bigger, volcanic cone. Fish farms dot the lake.
Carolyn couldn't resist taking the photo, but not the strawberries. For sale in Manila, imported, for only 929.95 pesos, or about $22.00 -- YES, $22.00 for 18 strawberries (only one row deep).
Lunch at The Outback with Elder Howell -- after our 1st trip to the temple, marking our halfway point.
What a great experience we are having. The culture is unique. The Filipino people are warm and kind. The Church is having an impact. One day, these people will help carry the Gospel into all of Asia.
We are delighted to hear from you whenever you have a minute to write. We recently enjoyed photos from the Creek family reunion, K's blessing day, I's blessing day and welcoming baby C. Blogs and FB posts are an added perk for seniors missionaries. In fact, if any of you are wondering why we are on FB every single day…we are encouraged to contact students monthly. Half of them are on FaceBook. One young man had been lost for 4 years. After searching for 5 months we found him, on FB!
We are his first 2 FB friends! Last week we had lunch with him and introduced him to his bishop. So, we continue to seek them out every day. Along the way we also find many of you looking back at us.
We love you. We miss you. Thanks for sharing time with us. Your support helps us very much.
Elder and Sister Mom and Dad
(Carolyn and Lane)
