Baliwag, Bustos trying to ride a Water Buffalo & a blanket!

This week we went on some great exchanges with the sisters in Baliwag and Bustos. It really is beautiful over there. we went to teach a family that just moved right next to this huge rice field.... or it might have been oats.... basta. right next to a super pretty field that was bright green and the sky was bright blue and there was a perfect breeze and the sun was just starting to set. absolutely beautiful... unfortunately i don't carry my camera around.... so you'll just have to imagine it. 

Buko Juice (coconut?)

We taught a sister that was baptized before i was born, was active, held a bunch of callings, raised her kids in the church, then about ten years ago decided she felt incomplete and returned to her catholic roots. that lesson was interesting enough on it's own but best part was right at the start. 

They offered us a merienda. not unusual. but it was our first lesson right after lunch so we were not hungry at all. so my companion for the day (a filippina) declined... unusual. but then told me i should try one because it's like the cookie that that area is famous for or whatever. so i try one and am half way through it when my comp points to the container of cookies and is like do you know what that's for? and im like uhhh no? (eating??) and she's like no, do you know what they use that for? .....eating? and she's like it's a pipe! and motions smoking..... the cookies are for smoking???? so confused. then the mom walks back into the room and tries to hide an actual pipe that was sitting on the table BEHIND the cookies. my bad. totes just wasn't looking far enough... i thought they were feeding me hash cookies or something... haha ps the cookie was delicious. 

This morning we went on a quest to ride a water buffalo. with angie (our recent convert) as our guide we wandered around the countryside (joke we walked along the high way) looking for one that wouldn't get mad at us.... as we were walking, the normal things were happening. people honking and waving and yelling at us as they drive by. being shocked when we speak tagalog. and overall just amazed that we existed..... but it was the first time angie had walked with us like that! she was cracking up. and pointing out like every time it happened. then things got even better when someone stopped us and asked to take pictures with us. good times. 

we found a water buffalo!!! but the dude wouldn't let us ride it.... next time. it'll happen. pictures still to come... 

This picture was lifted from Facebook:)  Taken by Angie.

It's randomly cold here right now. like the other day we were studying and i had to turn the fan off and grab my blanket.... it was that cold. 

but don't google what the temp really was cuz it's probs like..... 70. i have no idea. everyone here is busting out christmas sweaters and staying home sick because of the cold.... 

anyway! life is great. i love this area. our district leader spoke on Sunday and quoted miss mexico from the miss universe pageant like 4 years ago... it was pretty hilarious. but he did a good job! 

peace out!

-sister jones