So, it has finally happened. President Fernandez met with us to give us our new assignment in the Argao District. He announced our new assignment to the entire mission and had us turn in PC2 (mission credit card) that we use to make purchases of up to 270,000 pesos each month to keep the mission's apartments furnished with everything from a fork or bowl up to replacing a refrigerator. We made had our first meeting with the Argao District Presidency today so we could make sure they are aware of what our plans are for working the units in the district and meeting with branch presidencies and EQ & RS presidencies. Our housing duties have been turned over to (3) very capable young Elders that are very nervous about their capacities to perform. We will move into the new housing in Alcoy in early December after the Cary's are released.
I have included a photo of the white board calendar that hangs on our apartment wall. This should give you (that have any interest at all) an idea of how busy our days, weeks and months. Each one of the entries on the calendar either take several hours to attend or perform. Or several hours to prepare for or both. No complaint ...you understand. The schedule demand is part of what makes the time fly by so quickly.
I have also included a photo of the instrument panel from our pickup. We are required to report the odometer reading at the beginning of each month. I have not done the math to see what 25k is in miles (I will leave that to you) but it is clear that we put more mileage (or is that kilometerage) on our vehicle than any other vehicle in the mission. The sister vehicle to ours delivered on the same day (16 months ago) has nearly half the use on it.
I have also included photos of a trick or treat party we had in the office this past week for one to the wards here in the city. The children sang the most contemporary primary songs with great discipline and quality while we let the children in to the office in small groups to keep things organized and avoid chaos. It worked brilliantly until we finished with the children and allowed the primary leaders in to also grab a few goodies. This was clearly a mistake. They did what we thought we needed to protect against with the children and took armfuls and container of candy and goodies. I would not have believed it had I not stood there and watched in complete amazement. Obviously, they do not get access to candy and other goodies very often. I was shocked! I am hoping that everyone had a very nice Halloween. It looks like it was successful based on the photos we have received. We miss this time of year with the family.
We have been working with the other seniors to come up with a skit presentation for the Christmas zone conferences. We find ourselves referring the others to what we presented last year and then realize none of them were here last year. We have become the veterans! I never would have thought that our second Christmas in the Philippines is just around the corner. But it will be here before we know it. Also, we plan to eat dinner with the other American seniors at one to the fancier hotels here that provide a buffet of American food for Thanksgiving. Last year we met all kinds of interesting people there from the states.
Well off to another calendar fulfilling event. I apologize for being really boring but sometimes it comes down to that.
See photos below...
Love to all,
Elder Epperson
The mission office Halloween party. Clearly I am having more fun than the little girl! I dressed up as a missionary...pretty scary
Are we supposed to be having fun? As with everything Filipino...plenty of stress
These two are clearly having the time of their lives!
Our mission secretary showing off her costume before the party
Sister Epperson having fun at a Fil-Mex restaurant. The food was neither authentic or warm
This is how you can tell you have been on a mission too long...when you think that an odometer reading will be interesting to readers
This is how you can tell you have been on a mission too long...when you think that at photo of a calendar will actually be interesting to readers
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