utahtocebu: Travel to Philippines, Cebu Mission and our reception there!

At 3:30 p.m. on 28 October 2013, Maray and Brette took us to the airport to send us off on this new adventure.

They had put together a travel package of goodies for us that included everything from a book about the Philippines and a puzzle book, to green and white stripped socks to keep warm, to "Memory Mints for Senior Moments," to various yummy treat items, and other fun tidbits. Thank you, Bringhurst's!

We were on our way to the Philippines: 7001 islands - 21 missions - 2 temples - Cebu: considered the "pearl" of that land.

We arrived in Cebu on 30 October 2013 - because of the International Date Line we actually lost a day. Elder and Sister Ernstrom met us at the airport on a tiny island of Maclan - right next to Cebu, and then they drove us over the bridge to Cebu City.

Our apartment is tiny, but very adequate.
Actually, the good news is: (after all the scary news we got earlier)
I had a warm shower this morning.
The bad news is that the kitchen is so small, we have no countertop.
The good news is you can buy chocolate chips here.
The bad news is that the oven is as tiny as the apartment and couldn't possibly hold a cookie sheet.
The good news is that everyone is sooooo friendly.
The bad news is that we can't pronounce any of the names.
However, after two days of practice, I can finally say the AP's names correctly.

We have put in two days work at the office, and we are loving it. Today, 31 October 2013, we met our Mission President, President Schmutz and Sister Schmutz. What wonderful, busy, dedicated people. They took us and the Ernstrom's out to lunch. They are all so gracious - talking about how much they need us here, and are so glad to have our help.

Elder and Sister Ernstrom have been very good to us. Today included grocery shopping at S & R (a company very similar to Costco), and going to the Post Office - to send off and pick up mail for all the missionaries.