THE QUEZON QUIBBLER: Back in the Saddle

Dear Family,

It was more than wonderful to spend time with you all! Special thanks to Sam and Celeste for getting married -- I loved being in the temple with all my children and Louise and Paul and Sherry. The ceremony was definitely the highlight of my 16 days in the USA. The celebrations were fun (especially after my speech and dance in California) and Abby planned a fantastic party in Utah. I really appreciate the sacrifices you all made to attend and participate and help, especially those who came from so far with SO many children. Late Sunday night in LAX airport with Derrick and Julie and their six children, I felt so grateful for their efforts and all of your efforts and am relieved you all made it back home okay. Korean Air made me buy a ticket from Manila to Anywhere Else since my visa had expired, but it didn't bother the immigration officer in Manila at all --she looked at the expired visa and said, "Welcome to the Philippines!" It felt strangely good to be back, even though Manila traffic was especially slow and the weather was especially hot and I felt especially tired--I felt thankful for eleven more months to serve.

Dad survived just fine without me although he existed almost entirely on tuna fish and egg salad. He said he was blessed with lots of challenges to keep him busy. After a quick unpacking of mission supples, I met him at the mission office for end of zone interviews and to tell two great American missionaries goodbye before they returned home. The next two days were full of more interviews and English tests and health problems, including an American with dengue being admitted to a hospital without our knowledge. He's regretting it now--he misses working so much that he's walking the halls with his IV stand looking for people to teach! Saturday we attended a stake baptism at SJDM for eleven people taught by six sets of missionaries. One woman's husband was baptized a month ago but passed away last week, and she is one of the people baptized. I've never seen happier missionaries!

We had a visit last night from a returned missionary and his dad who were kind enough to "eat and run" -- 8pm is pretty much my bedtime. I've been so blessed to adjust easily to the time zone both directions and be able to get right back to work. Today we spoke at Novaliches stake conference. It was the first time conducting for the new stake president, who made a LOT of mistakes conducting including recognizing on the stand "Sister Hughes, the mission president!". When Stewart spoke, he read John 1:47 and praised the stake president for being "an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile" and built him up and complimented him. He is so kind. After we visited the dengue patient, he texted the companion and asked if there was anything he could do to help (we hadn't really had a chance to talk to him since the patient was asleep). When he got the text back that the companion needed food and water we turned around (even though we were on our way to interviews) so he could buy food and water and take it back to the companion at the hospital.

Thanks again to everyone for their willingness to travel and serve and for your kindness to Sam and Celeste. I will always remember Julie, Sarah and Abby singing, "I'm getting married in the morning!" to Sam last Friday at breakfast. And Louise getting soaked with ice water at the dinner and being such a good sport. And Dan taking baby steps and wincing to get into the temple. And Ollie and Oskar "jumping" into the sand hole. So many happy memories!! I miss cool breezes and fish tacos and all of you, but I am happy to be here with Stewart and serve with these faithful missionaries for this last year. This gospel is the only way to eternal families and enduring happiness and I really want these missionaries and the people they teach to experience what I did last week.

Love,

Mom

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