Taste of the Valley

This is food from just two vendors!!  TWO!!

Taste of the Valley.  That's what we did this past Saturday.  We've never done this before.  Apparently, this has been going on in our town for 20 years!  We had no idea!  This was our first year and let me tell you, had we known, we'd have been doing this for the past 20 years.  Guess what? Guess what will become a new tradition??  Taste of the Valley.  Yup!

So, what is, "Taste of the Valley"?  I'll tell you from our perspective.  We show up at the appointed time when this shindig starts and are given a cardboard box/tray to put our food in.  We are also given a red piece of card stock with all of the vendors who are participating in said, Taste of the Valley. We had no idea what we were doing so we just picked a red tent and got in line.  I'll be honest.  When I first heard about this, I had visions of Cost-Co samples at Christmas time on steroids.  Seriously.  I don't love crowds.  I had visions of all of these vendors handing out samples and people pushing their way to the front of the line to get their sample ignoring those who are trying to be polite that have been standing there for ages dying to taste their frozen re-heated pretzel/bagel bites.  Only thing missing.  Grocery carts used as bumper cars to shove people out of the way or to block said people from getting samples.

Dear Cost-Co,

Please send a representative from your company to the next, Taste of the Valley to see how sample tasting can and should be done.  Thank you and Amen.

Sincerely,
Marge

We get in line and wait our turn chatting with people in line in front of us and behind us.  It's quite social.  As we get to where the samples are, volunteers take our red card stock from us and mark off the restaurant we are sampling from.  Umm, and can I just say that these are Paul Bunyan size samples??  Learned real quick, but not quick enough just how much of each sample to eat.  I'm getting ahead of myself.......

We get our first sample and move to the next line in front of the next restaurant.  Now, mind you, these are restaurants that are competing for our votes.  Our votes that give them the bragging rites to say they are THEE best tasting restaurant in the valley.  They are bringing their A game!  We are tasting the best of the best!  We stand in line at the next vendor snarfing away the samples from the last, moaning and groaning and wondering how in the world we're going to choose which is the best. Get more samples and with our cardboard trays laden with food we move onto the next!  This goes on and on.

Finally, I am miserable.  My buttons are popping and I suggest that we sit down in some shade and could we please allow some of this amazing delectableness to head a bit south before we plunge more into our traps!  I'm sitting there, looking at my red card stock and I am counting how many vendors we still have yet to go to.  Yes, HAVE to go to because we're voting here!!  I am taking this seriously, man!  How can I in good faith vote for the best tasting restaurant in the valley if I've not tasted every morsel????  Can't be done I tell ya!  I believe in being honest so with that thought in mind, I hauled my big caboose up off my chair and off we went getting in line for more deliciousness.

I am proud to say, we tasted them all.  When we voted at the end, we could honestly say, we'd tasted the best in the valley.  It was a fun event.  For four hours!!! we walked from vendor to vendor stuffing our faces!  At the end, while we waited to hear the final results as to who had won, Levi bounced himself silly in the bounce houses.  Mr. M joined him with Mr. J.  How they could bounce after all that food and not have it show up again is beyond me!  The SM had to literally roll me to our truck and I think we broke the weight limit when we crossed over the bridge.

This being our first year, we didn't have a game plan.  Next year!!  We've got a game plan.  We've got it all figured out how we're going to attack this sucker!  What?  What did you say?  What's our game plan?!  Pffft!  That, my friend, is a secret.  I'll give you a hint though!  It involves a wheel barrow and a trough!

Hangin' Around

The last several days, A week now I think?  I've been down in bed again.  It's been a tough summer in that regard.  Me.  Bed.  Grr.  Yesterday I finally turned a corner and was able to spend some time up vertical doing things.

I love this time of year.  I love the soft yellow colors that come in through my windows.  Everything starts to turn soft and golden.  The temperatures cooling off.  Quilts and blankets are brought out more as we snuggle on couches getting reacquainted with  books we've set aside for a few months.

The Natives are off to school which leaves Zoe and me.  Me in my favorite recliner, my legs tucked up next to me, and Zoe keeping them warm as she snuggles on the recliner with me.  The only chair/couch she's allowed on.  Not that she doesn't try to get on other couches with us.  I can't say as I blame her.

As the evenings get cooler, thoughts of warm piggies wrapped up in hand knit socks becomes a delicious thought again so the yarn stash is delved into trying to find the perfect colors to make happy toasty feet.  Needles click happily as the body sits back and takes in the beauty all around.  The sewing table that shares creativity in color and texture.  On one end, the makings of a warm quilt, on the other, the makings of a vast imagination that can build and take apart and build something else.

Hot cocoa.  I was introduced to a local store that makes chocolate.  Oh be still my heart.  Love.  I bought a few  several bars of chocolate and they make thee very best cups of hot cocoa.  I might have did buy some books from Amazon that were strictly different recipes for hot cocoa.  One should always have something interesting on their coffee tables for when company comes over.  That's why I did it.  For those awkward moments when conversation lulls.  Happens to me all of the time.

The SM brought me back a fish from Korea.  Fish never close their eyes.  Even in death. They are the perfect creatures to have hanging around to watch over a family.  Somebody or something needs to keep an eye on The Natives when I'm not!  Don't tell them it is the fish though.  I still have them convinced that I've got eyes in the back of my head.

Levi. Gone Camping!

Earlier this year, Levi's local Boy Scout Troop went to a week long camp.  Levi wasn't able to go because we were out of town at a family reunion.  The SM wanted Levi to be able to have this experience so he figured out where another Boy Scout week long camp was being held and asked if he and Levi could join them.  Permission was granted, so The SM signed Levi up.

Yes, that is Zoe.  I know.  She looks freaky.  Have you ever taken a dog with baby fine hair camping???  It's not pretty.  At our family reunion, she got grass seeds stuck all over in her hair and so, we had to shave her which turned out to be a hideous, but good thing.  We didn't realize that several of those grass seeds had embedded themselves in her skin until we shaved her and saw.  Poor puppy.  Anyway!!!  Zoe went to Scout Camp too!

There was a competition one day.  A fishing competition where prizes were to be had for the scout who caught the first fish, the biggest fish, and.........  ummm......  something else.  Oh yeah.  The most fish.  Levi won all three.  He tied for, the most fish so kindly let the other scout have the prize for that one since he already had two other prizes.

The SM said that all of the other boys were so kind to Levi.  They were always including him and when the week was over and Levi was loading up into his car, as other cars would pass, the other boys would call and yell out saying goodbye to Levi.

Wood Carving Merit Badge.  AKA:  Have a heart attack watching your son with a sharp object in his hand merit badge.  The SM said this one was hard to let Levi do.  He said that Levi was very careful though and took his time.

Most of the time was spent in usual typical Levi fashion.  Dumping water.

Here.......

and there.................

and................

notice the wet bottoms of his pants........

and back to get some more water from the spigot.

Lots of hiking and exploring.



Curious looking honey bee is it not?



Almost looks as if it's sat in paint/pollen!

And shooting rifles.  Only, not at the target.  That isn't as fun.  It doesn't make poofs like shooting the dirt does.  Much funner to aim low and watch the dirt, "POOF"!

At the end of the week, there was a campfire program.  Levi was given a walking stick that all of the other troops through out the week had been adding stuff to.  They wanted Levi to have it.  They were so impressed that he would come up on his own and go camping.

I'm so impressed that these 12 and 13 year old boys were so thoughtful, caring, and giving.  All week long.  There is much good in this here world of ours!!

Another Letter and Photos From Elder Rubow!!

One last photo of the Provo, Utah LDS Temple and our beautiful flag before leaving the country.

He's arrived!  Elder Rubow is officially in the Philippines!

Edler Rubow and Elder Clarke were the first to get through customs.  

The Manila, Philippines LDS Temple

Happy Birthday Elder Rubow.  The Filipino on the left took Elder Rubow for the day and got him a coconut for his birthday.  He looks so happy!!  First birthday away from home.  19 years old.

Always the thoughtful son.  He knows I am petrified/terrified of snakes.  He took this just for me.  

Hard at work.  Still a boy.

This is how Elder Rubow gets around.  Love the local transportation.  I told The Scout Master to never complain about me packing too much stuff for trips ever again!

Elder Rubow's first baptism! 

The Elder standing next to Trevor Rubow is his companion.  Elder Rubow has written and told me how much he loves this young man and how patient this young man is with him as he learns the language.  

Here is the fun stuff happening in the Philippines!  I cannot believe another week has already passed by!  Its been so crazy these last few days and time just flew away!  And I have been told it will only go by faster and faster.  One of the missionaries in my apartment complex is leaving in 20 days.  He is starting to panic and he tells me all the time he cant go back.  He is a pretty funny guy.

To start off, its been very interesting these last few days but so awesome!  So many miracles have been in work here!  Our numbers are increasing bit by bit and the ward (read here about what a 'ward' is) is really focused on helping us with the work.  It has been such a blessing to us!  We hope that the next few months will bring the ward in more unity.  Right now it is pretty separated sadly.  We have a new bishopric now and a ward mission leader now as well which is helping a ton! Our biggest problem with members/investigators is church attendance.  It is hard here for Filipino people to go to church because to them Sunday is another day to live and survive to the next day.

One of our biggest blessings is a woman we met recently just doing basic tracting and she has followed every single commitment we have given her!  We want to give her a Book of Mormon but sadly we have none.  In fact, we haven't had any Book of Mormons since I got here...It has really hurt our work here in Iloilo.  The whole mission is suffering and we still don't have any!  The Book of Mormon is such a strong witness of the truth and not having it has damaged the work.  I have really grown to love the Book of Mormon here.  Especially reading it in another language.  Its super difficult but so much fun!

We had a baptism on Saturday!!  I was given the opportunity to baptize him as well!  It was such a good experience!

 The rain here!  Oh my goodness!  When they say it floods, it floods!  Its so crazy sometimes!  Last Monday I was soaked!  Then we taught an old lady that kept slapping me and telling me to pray always.  Crazy people here sometimes.

Well, the work is moving forward here and I still love it!  Time is going by so fast and we still have so much to do!  Its very exciting to be part of this work!  

We are so blessed.  We are so indebted to our Savior and for the Atonement and there is nothing we can do to pay it back.  But that is how it works!  All we have to do is 'Come, and Follow Him.'  I am so grateful for His sacrifice for each one of us so that we all have the opportunity to go back to His presence. 

P.S.

My new header.  It's not centered.  That bugs me...........  Don't know how to fix it.  That bugs me even more.....................   Need to go back under the rock I crawled out from under and get out my graph paper, colored pencils, and ruler.  That, I know how to do.

I Bet........

The weather this fall has been so odd!  It is the end of August and already the leaves here in the valley are turning.  This isn't supposed to happen yet!

But then again, neither is this!  Snow.  The SM and I have a bet going on.  I think we are in for a long, cold, and wet winter!  He thinks we are in for a longer summer.  That we'll be fooled by these cooler temperatures and then it will heat up again dragging out the summer.

We all know I'm going to win.  So, we'll just oblige him and when proof comes that I am right, I won't gloat too much as I send him out to shovel snow.  Just a little, maybe, perhaps.

In the meantime, I've this to deal with.  Dark church socks on the piano light.  Perfectly natural, yes?  Every mother walks into the room, sees dirty black church socks hanging from their piano light and finds it absolutely normal.  Doesn't even bat an eye.

Dear Native, Mummy would like it if you would put your dirty socks in the dirty clothes hamper where they go hmm?

The reply:  The socks are placed more firmly on the light as dear native laughs and sits down to play his music.  It's going to be a looong winter whether the weather says it is, or not.  Punk!

Speaking of punks!  Want to know why this one has such a smug look on her face?  It's not because she's just turned 14!  It's because I was busy scrounging around trying to find my camera and told her to waaaaaaaait, dooon't blow out the candle until I get there.  I turn around and find this.

Fourteen.  Yes, you counted correct.  There is only one candle there because as usual, I am so prepared that the candles that I did buy are, somewhere.  I'd blame it on, "The Borrower's" but I'm afraid even The Native's are cluing in that, "The Borrower's" have a name.  It's called, senility.

Elder Rubow Letter August 24, 2014

Well, here is the cool stuff I have been doing as of late!  It has been crazy here still!  I absolutely love it!  The people are so nice here!  I have been struggling expressing my feelings toward others but the people here will kindly correct you and help you through.  My companion is extremely patient with me.  He is a Filipino from a different island.  

The work here is moving along!  This week we gained 12 new investigators.  Hopefully soon they will start moving toward progressing.  One of them has already accepted the invitation to be baptized!  Her name is (name edit for privacy).  I know she has been prepared by the Lord to receive the message we had.  There are so many blessing we receive every day!  The tender mercies of the Lord are just all over if we just take the time to look for them.  

I am finally teaching a lot which has been hard but bit by bit I have been getting better.  The Gift of Tongues has been such a blessing to me already in many cases.

The food here is so good!  I love it so much!  Most of it anyway.  Liver and Chicken neck isnt the best really.  But other then those two its been great!  The fruit here is to die for!  It is so good! 

The people here are so kind!  They will feed you even if they are half starving themselves.  And if you do not eat it they will be extremely offended.  So yeah I feel super bad eating at other peoples homes.  

The weather here is more unpredictable then Utah!  Crazy right? Its true though.

Well, I dont really know what more to say.  The people are so funny!  Haha, they all think they know english (Which some do).  I realized why they always laugh at me when I speak Illongo.  Its just funny. :)

To end this week I just want to say how much the Lord loves us as individuals.  The amount of blessings He gives us and twists it to fit everyones needs is the most spectacular thing.  He knows us individualy and our needs. 

On Sunday I gave a talk on 'Ask in Faith'  which is a talk by Elder David A. Bednar.  I have really come to love his talks in so many ways.  I cannot wait for General Conference in October!

So yeah, thank you for all the prayers and for writing!  I cannot wait to see what challenges and fun activities will be happening this week!