It was wonderful to be together with 56% of our family this Christmas -- we really missed Derrick and Dan's families but are looking forward to everyone being here by New Years night, except (sadly), Julie. Dad and I loved being with you, especially Christmas morning watching everyone open their stockings and seeing the thoughtful presents you gave each other. It was so fun to talk and visit in person, to eat together and laugh and watch the children play. One fo the highlights of our lives as parents is seeing how kind you are to each other and how you watch our for each other. We are excited to start to be reunited again tomorrow night. Our bishop approved Sydney's baptism program (except for Valentine saying both prayers) and we're hoping he didn't invite the entire ward -- it's always hard to tell in Tagalog. He is taking time off work to be there and a few other ward members mentioned they are coming, so it should be well-attended.
Yesterday we went to Navotos for the first baptism in over a year for that ward. It was just me and Dad, the missionaries and five men from the ward, but they'd worked hard to get the building spotless and there was even TP in the bathrooms--VERY unusual here. The program was short and sweet and the new-trainee missionary played on his violin, which the members loved. It's in a very poor area of the mission, but this humble man was so happy to be welcomed into the ward. And in our ward this morning a lovely woman was confirmed and another woman returned to church with Sister Cole after being estranged for about ten years. (They'd met in a line at Western Union and she was so happy to be welcomed back.)
There are strange things surrounding our mission division. For example, we will no longer live in the mission and neither will 80% of our senior couples. The mall, the medical clinic and the couples apartments will be in the new mission, as well as the mission home. It's going to be interesting!
On the nursing front, we had a miraculously quiet Christmas eve, Boxing day and Christmas --hardly ANY health problems! I'm so thankful I had that almost uninterrupted time with those of you who were here. After you left for Cebu, I spent most of the last four days texting with Sis Cole, missionaries, Elder Skinner, insurance company and Mark. Thank goodness for Mark! We had pneumonia, facial cellulitis, possible fractured arm, earaches, abdominal pain, nosebleeds, lbms, colds, flu, ingrown toenails, hemorhhoids and trouble sleeping. I'm especially thankful Mark identified the facial cellulitis as our AMA was trekking through the jungle with his wife this weekend and didn't respond. I'm really praying a nurse gets assigned to our mission SOON!
I'm including out favorite photos from the week--even the part we missed at the beach in Cebu. We're so glad it didn't rain the entire time! I realize now, more than every, the importance of family. The call on Christmas morning with all my siblings, the memories they shared of my parents, and especially times together with our children and grandchildren remind us why we are doing missionary work -- to complete families and unite them for eternity. It really is the most important work!
Love,
Mom
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