One thing I love about this house is what I consider fabulous landscaping. This is at the front of the house. It looks even better now because more flowers are in blossom.

Here is what the outside of the house looks like: #4 Amethyst, Silver Hills Subdivision, Talamban, Cebu. We love it here! That's a papaya tree....

NORSU (Negros ORiental State University) campus...the site of an amazing missionary experience on July 15, 2007. We were invited to tell 1000 cadets in the ROTC about the Church. A greeting was given by the District President, then four missionaries presented the first lesson about the restoration. President Anderson offered some remarks, and the Dumaguete District Choir sang a few numbers. Following the presentation, the missionary distributed Joseph Smith History pamphlets to those interested, and got names and contact numbers of the ones who wanted to have the missionaries come to their homes to teach them.

The Dumaguete Zone. Aren't they great? They were pretty pumped with all the contacts they made. One Elder alone (Elder Saager) got 56 names of people who would like to hear more of our message.

This is what 1000 I2L's look like (Invitation to Learn)! Sister Lillywhite is in the chair there in front. She's been here a short time but is already terrific at the language. She's fearless I believe.

Talk about sticking out in a crowd! That's Elder Nef and Elder Christiansen (one of the zone leaders).

Do you think these girls are really interested in the message, or in the messengers? Yes, that Elder Nef is a tall one. The other is Elder Hankins, who was excited to share the message.

Here's a sample of the new desks we had made for missionary apartments. We took a picture of a desk we liked at a furniture store and had a furniture-maker make this up for us. We got probably 10? That's a sturdy desk and about half the price of the one we copied.

Friday the 13th (July) wasn't unlucky at all. We found we had some extra time and took a little drive up to see this beautiful lake. Elder Latimer and Elder Hankins (new assistant as of the end of June when Elder Hodges went home).

Another view of Twin Lakes.

Twin Lakes on Negros Island. We didn't see the "twin" as we didn't have time to hike over to it. What a peaceful beautiful place.

The price to see the beautiful Casaroro Falls...10 pesos, or about 20 cents. It was a good investment!

We actually got a P-day! Elder Hodges (front) and Elder Latimer both served in Negros and knew about Casaroro Falls. It was so good to get some exercise. We had a great time with these two Elders. They are so terrific.

Here's where we paid our fee for the hike down to the Falls. I love the sign there....it says "We burn fat. Let's to the trek." There are about 310 steps down (and UP). And then a hike across the river and over boulders. It was a great workout. And the day was a bit overcast so the heat wasn't too bad.

The jeepney couldn't take us all the way back into Dumaguete, so our transportation the rest of the way was in this tricycle. Elder Hodges is the other passenger. Elder Latimer was with us too, but I don't remember where he was at this moment.

Our transportation from Valencia, Negros to Casaroro Falls. This is the inside of the jeepney. The AP's contracted to pay him P900 to drive us up and wait while we hiked, and then bring us back. We're glad his old jeepney took the wear and tear, and not the mission van. It was quite a road!

Here we are at the Falls. Beautiful. Reminds me of the Northwest.

These boys were the best! They came over to the church from the school across the street, and were watching me clean up in the cultural hall after zone conference. They were hoping I had a basketball, but I didn't happen to have one along:) However, I did give them a few pesos to get some snacks. When I finished cleaning up I went outside and they all clustered around me. I asked them what they had learned in school that day. They are in grade 6, and had been learning about the circulatory system. They told me about all the parts of the heart. Their English was excellent. They wondered why I was in the Philippines so I told them about the church and how it could bless their families. I asked them, if two missionaries ever came to their home, to let them in and listen to them because they had a message that would bless their lives. I wonder if any of them will.... Just some seeds planted and the sower doesn't see the fruit.

I love looking at the unusual fruit at the produce section of the grocery store. This is Durian. I confuse it sometimes with Jack Fruit. This fruit is said to taste like _ _ _ _ but taste like heaven:) On the top to the right are some mangosteen. They are supposed to cure all kinds of health problems. They taste awesome.

Elder Latimer, one of our AP's, arranged for us to go dolphin-watching with the Dumaguete Zone. It was something I've been wanting to do ever since we got here. I LOVE dolphins, and this was quite a show. It was hard to capture with the camera. We saw hundreds of dolphins, and they would swim along next to the boat like we were a playmate or something.

There are gorgeous sunsets here. Isn't this amazing?

The Caparoso girls, Aya and Ishy (Sarah and Desiree) at McDonalds. They spent the night with us that night. They loved those ice cream cones! I tell these girls I'm their white Lola (Grandma). They love to come to our house, but they look at me a little funny when I tell them that.

This ice cream man was just around the corner from the bag shop below. Like how he protects himself from the sun? He was a bit shy about having his picture taken, but if I took a print back to him I'd be his friend forever.

Most of the work of making backpacks, etc. is done in a little room out back, but this guy in the selling part does work on straps and such. These bag makers are incredible. They will copy anything. Just show them a picture and tell them some dimensions and they do excellent work.

We're at the bag-makers in Lapu-Lapu. While we were waiting I bought some apples for these little kids. The boy's name is Kevin. Aren't they darling? Getting an apple was a big deal...they ran right over to show their Mom.