Some CELEBRATIONS

During March and April we had occasion to celebrate!

Angie had a birthday and in the tradition of the Philippines invited guests for a birthday lunch she prepared at the Lapiton home. 

Angie with some fellow cooks

With guests

 Some of the food: a deep fried mild pepper, some rice "cakes" rolled in coconut, mayonnaise sandwiches, pineapple upside down cake (I brought that).  She also made a huge dish of pancit (a noodle dish).

We manage the CLS program in the mission (Companionship Language Study) which encourages Philippino missionaries to study English while their companion studies Tagalog.  They have manuals to study grammar and pronunciation.  They have modules to pass off.  After they complete their 3 books of study they can take a test which gives them a rating and allows them to receive a certificate of proficiency.  After a year of presenting, promoting, encouraging these 5 missionaries were the first to take their test.  We were so proud of their excellent effort and wanted to celebrate their accomplishment. 

Victorious Elder Valdez on the right

(Sister missionaries commonly dress
alike for special occasions.)
Sister Cajigal on left celebrating completing her test

After district meeting on Sister Mills' birthday we had a surprise lunch.  President and the Assistants happened to drop in that day:

Regina graduated from college and invited us to attend her graduation.  She will be an elementary school teacher.  She is putting in her papers for a mission any day now.  After she receives her mission call, her family will go to the temple to be sealed.  This is a great year for her family!

Elder Mills' birthday was celebrated at the mission home with a delicious dinner prepared by all.  We were so excited by this beautiful fruit plate Sister Kiholm brought we forgot to take a picture of the birthday boy :)  He loves fruit more than anything! Happy Birthday Elder Mills:

We were blessed to have a visit from Elder Brent Nielson of the Seventy. He will be the new Area President in July. He and his wife  spoke to the missionaries in two different groups.  This was the southern part of the mission.  The Senior missionaries enjoyed a dinner with Elder and Sister Nielson afterwards at the mission home.  Along with a wonderful meal we particularly appreciated the time to share insights and hear experiences and council from them.