Email sent May 5, 2009

Hi everybody, Just an update of things here in the Philippines. We have been keeping busy going out visiting less active members. We have a group in Moises Padilla of members we have been working with. Last week we had a social with them. We watched two movies “The Restoration “and “Johnny Lingo” and had snacks. We found out that this group is going to be made into a branch on May 17. We are so excited. I found another best friend- my umbrella. The rainy season is just starting and I have found out you never know when it might start raining, so it now is in my bag all the time. I also found out that a hankie is handy to have when it starts to rain to put on top of your head. I watched a little lizard catch and eat a mosquitoe at the church. I decided they are handy to have around. We have a new lizard in our house or the one is back that Steve turned loose. It ate a moth last night so we are going to let it stay. Sunday as we entered La Carlota they were having a parade so we stopped and took some pictures. The Filipinos love to have their pictures taken. They will group up and pose. Then they will say “thank you mam”. They had several rytham bands and dancers dressed in exotic outfits. We decide we needed to leave before the parade started. Can’t remember if I told you about the speed bumps they have on the roads. They are old bike tires wired together or old truck tires cut so they lay flat on the road. Most people drive out around them, but it does slow people down. The other day I decide bake some brownies, so I had Steve light the over. I mixed up the brownies and then checked to see if the oven was hot. The flame had gone out, so I decided to relight the oven. I used the long lighter, opened the oven door and clicked the lighter. BACKFLASH!!!!!! I didn’t let the oven air out long enough.My hair on my arms are shorter and the hair around my face. I had to guess at the temperature of the oven and I had to put a chair against the oven door to keep it closed.. I called them the Miracle Brownies! They were really good! I those that think it is a pain to mow the lawn with a gas powered mower feel real lucky. We mow our lawn with a pair of long bladed clippers by hand. We bought a pair of pruners to trim back the trees. We only got part of them trimmed, so left the rest for later. When we got home the neighbor was just finishing timming the trees. He was using a big bladed knife. I’m sure the knife was a lot cheaper and did just as good of job. We have been involved with 3 baptisms We have either said a prayer, talk, and Steve even did the confirmation on the 8 year old boy. They really fuss over us. It is kind of fun! We are getting adjusted and getting into a routine. Palangga Ta Ka Elder and Sister Adams