AND THE DAYS GO BY!

Beautiful morning sky at Marcos Stadium

I have been asked what our days look like--what do we do? As I have mentioned before--we are not required to keep a set schedule and we like to remain open and flexible to the varying opportunities that arise. We have gotten into a bit of a routine but our days seem to vary quite a bit. We are both usually up by 6:00AM, give or take 30 minutes. Neither of us sets an alarm. Sunrise is around 5:30AM. For the past couple of weeks, I have been going for an early walk (before it gets too hot and before the streets are too congested). Sis. Robinson would like to join me but she has had a hip replacement and is probably due for another one when we get back. Even though she never complains, I know it is quite bothersome to her so I usually slip out by myself. I feel very safe when I go and like being out as the city comes to life. I really enjoy walking the neighborhoods as I see things in much more detail than when we are driving. People are out walking their dogs, sweeping the streets in front of their places, opening up the small stores that are attached to many of the homes, and watering the many potted plants that adorn their houses. There is a stadium nearby (Marcos Stadium) and I usually end up walking the track there.

Typical early morning basketball game
at Marcos Stadium

 I often run into the elders at the Stadium as they get in some running time or a pick up basketball game. Since I started writing this, Sister Robinson ventured out with me one morning last week! We didn’t walk too far but it was very nice to have company! We shall see what the future holds!  As light skinned Americans, we are really in the minority here. Fortunately, Filipinos, for the most part, like and respect Americans and missionaries so we are usually held in high regard. Children are especially interested and just stare and stare at us. It is very different to be sure, but a smile and nod or “good morning” are great equalizers and are almost always enthusiastically returned.

After that--it’s get dressed and ready for the day! We are ever so grateful for the small and simple things like hot water in the bathroom and kitchen and adequate water pressure to actually take a shower instead of pouring a bucket of water over us!  Not many have those luxuries here. 

Our landlord's grandson getting a bath in the courtyard!

We thankfully did our research before we came and made sure we had hair dryers and curling irons that run on the different voltage here. It has been pretty smooth sailing as far as that goes. Phones and the internet are a whole different story! A LOT of time has been spent trying to get our phones set up and then trying to understand the local phone service and the “plan” we are on. The Kartchners and our neighbor, Junell Hernando, have been great help on those fronts!

We have been trying to have companion study time each day and have been loving going through the Come Follow Me manual and reading the scriptures together. We have some very inspirational conversations and thoroughly enjoy learning together!  

Some days we go in to the mission office to help with different tasks that are being done. Most of these tasks are connected to Zone Conferences or transfers or Leadership Training. We love being there to interact with the missionaries and office sisters--Sister Cox and Sister Snyder--who are both delightful. Sister Peterson has also asked us to help out with an English program that is offered for the Filipino missionaries. We have spent quite a bit of time setting that up and figuring out how to best track the progress of each missionary. We still don’t have all the information we need but are slowly getting it figured out.

We go to the market or different stores two or three times a week. We usually drive our car but once in a while we take a tricee as the parking everywhere is very limited. Shopping here is always an adventure as you never know if you will find what you need. And if you do find what you’re looking for, it may or may not taste like you think it will. We have four or five places that we frequent the most. One of them is Robinsons Supermarket located in the Robinsons Mall.  As if being American missionaries isn't enough, walking in with someone who has “Robinson” on their name tag is like instant celebrity. Darlene just smiles and says she wishes she could offer everyone a discount--ha ha! It’s great!

Open Market in downtown Laoag.  This is the
3rd floor where meats and vegetables are sold.
We don't go there much as the smell is -well-pungent!
The second floor is clothing and goods.
We usually just buy fruit there which is on street level.

We make a pretty good team when it comes to mealtime. I love to bake and try new things and Darlene is an excellent cook. We have a nice big place with a table that accommodates 8-10 people and we have enjoyed fixing dinner for the elders and the other senior missionaries and friends. We try to space our dinner's out a bit as we have a tiny oven, limited cooking utensils, and are always having to improvise with the food we have available--plus we're trying to stick to a budget!! But it’s been fun and I think we’ve turned out some decent meals for ourselves and others! We also love to deliver baked goods to the elders and sisters and they very much appreciate it!!! We have so enjoyed our interactions with our neighbor elders!

We had 4 April birthdays so we made a cake,
fixed chicken divan, twice baked potatoes,
and honey lime fruit salad--YUM!!!!

Our birthday dinner guests--Sis. Cox, Sis Snyder,
Elder Kartchner, Sis. Kartchner,  Norma

Our friend Steve Maximo and his son Jaestee (forefront) made dinner for us!
Richard & Kathy Kartchner and Norma (Tagalog  teacher) joined us.

We had the Elders and two ward members for chicken fajitas one night.
Elder Clark, Elder Durbin, GG, Elder Levine, Sis. D., Humphrey, Elder Lorange

We often attend weekly District Meetings with the Kartchners and really enjoy meeting with the young missionaries in their districts and hearing of their progress and challenges. We continue to be so impressed with all of them! Every time we return from one of those meetings we give thanks for these enthusiastic young Elders & Sisters and we also give thanks that we do not have to be out in the heat for 8-9 hours a day walking dusty streets and returning home to a hot apartment! If we spend an hour outside it almost always results in an early bedtime--the heat is just draining-- especially for us old folks. Awwww youth!!! Anyway we are ever so grateful for an air conditioned car AND apartment! Wow!!!

District Meeting in Paoay

When we find ourselves with free time on our hands, we like to jump in the car and explore the surrounding area.  I'll have to include more on that in a future post.  We also watch a movie on Netflix every now and then--like I said, serving a mission as a senior is very different!!  We are always mindful and prayerful that we will be guided and directed in doing the Lord's work in whatever way we can! So far, the missionary lifestyle suits us just fine!