Another great beach house!

I think Elder Ganir is determined to climb a coconut tree before we leave.

This beach is full of beautiful, exotic sea shells of all sizes and colors.

A fisherman MAKING a net.

There are few gas or electric stoves over here, so charcoal is a big commodity.

This is the houses that we usually see in this fishing village of Pola, Oriental Mindoro.

We passed this surprise of a house.

Our boat on this beautiful day.

We were lucky because the whole month of February it rained. It usually never rains in February. This one day it was beautiful, thank goodness.

On a boat trip, we passed by this large rock.

If you look carefully, you will see what looks like the imprint of one's five toes. The people here call it Bigfoot's print.

A tricycle with US flair!

Here's April's sign. It is the first one I've seen with her name spelled this way instead of Abril.

We were just driving down a small street to a missionary's apartment and this was at the end of the street. Party time April!

Another baptism in Balayan Bay. Elder Bower from Virginia and Mary Ann from Balayan.

Mary Ann has taken the lessons for seven years. Her husband is a member already. It was a happy day!

Just had to throw in this picture that we took on the way home.

I love Willy & Son's! The unusual thing about this picture is not the bunch of electrical lines hanging so low, or the sweet father in the back ground holding the baby (we see that all the time here), it is the people on the motor bike wearing helmets instead of carrying them on their arms.

This is the Calaca Branch building that we meet in. It is very close to the ocean. It use to be a family home.

Julius is preparing the Sacrament. We are greatful for the bottled water he uses.

We came upon this parade of balloons.

We don't know what is was for, but it was cute and fun to look at as we passed by.

These are a few things we saw on our way to church this last Sunday.

It takes us from 1 hour and 45 minutes, to two hours and 15 minutes to get to church at the branches we work with. The amount of time depends on the traffic of that day. We see women, mostly, carrying items on their heads like this, to sell in the in the villages, neighborhoods or brgyn.

A nineteen year old young man's painting of Christ.

A few months ago, I posted a few pictures of a young artist in Lipa Ward. He is getting ready to turn in his papers for his mission. In order to earn the 2500 P required to turn in with his paper work, he is painting a bunch of pictures for an artist's open house. He will sell his paintings. He is doing a lot of church paintings, like one of Pres. Hinckely, Pres. Monson, the First Vision etc. I am not sure how much the paintings will be, but I'm sure they will be affordable. Amazing! He has only been painting for about two a years. He has an amazing talent. I keep telling him to enter the Ensign art contest. Note: by the Savior's mouth in this painting, is a drop of blood. It is amazing to see in person. I know our Savior lives and loves us all and that through Him, and by Him only, can we obtain eternal life. We love you all! Elder and Sister Ganir.

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Here's Amber's name. It is Amber's Fish and Meat Shop. Said like a true Filipino..roll that "r".

Sister Asia's son, Jopeth Fines, plays the piano. He is really amazing.

He is fortunate to have a decent job. He will be able to earn all his money for his mission. If fact, I think he already has. His employer gave him a choice by saying, " I will pay for your college education. So what is your choice, will you go on a mission for your church, or go to college?" Jopeth said, "I will go on a mission for my church." The man then said, "You will always have a good job because of your honor."
What a good young man! Missionary work, rocks!

Another wonderful family!

This is Sister Asia and her four children. The girls in pink are twins. The little girl is a cute friend. Her son is going on a mission in September. He will be nineteen then. He has already sent in his mission papers. He is amazing. She is amazing. She has a wonderful conversion story. About four years ago, her husband just left her and the kids. He just disappeared. She did not know how to live without him. She did not know how to make a living so she and her children could survive. She decided to end it all, but first, she was going to have one last happy day with her children. She took them all to the beach for a fun day. It was there that she meet two missionaries for the first time. They stopped and talked to her and told her about the gospel. She put her plan on the back burner, and decided to have the elders come to her house and teach her and her family about the gospel. She and here children were all baptized. She started sewing for people and has made a decent living for her family. She is in the district primary presidency now. When she bears her testimony, she always says that finding the gospel saved her life. THE WORTH OF ONE SOUL IS GREAT! I don't know what the missionaries were doing on the beach that day, but because they opened their mouth and talked to this sweet sister, she is now happy. Missionary work is amazing!

Not only did we find Aries's first name, but it had his exact middle inital with NO period after the letter. Correct!

How would you like to be apart of this advertising agency? Marc

We didn't realize how popular the names Wilson and Aries are in the Philippines.

Look out April, Amber, Aaron and Akoni, we will find your name on a sign too. We even found my name, I'll have to take a picture of it.

In honor of our son Aries: many signs bear your name too!

I think Elder Ganir would love to have this as our mission vehicle.