Marissa does great on ACT

Marissa has always really struggled with timed test.  The ACT is one of the most stressful Timed tests she has ever taken.

She had already taken it and received a 23 and a 24.  She really wants to bring it up high enough to get into BYU Provo.  

Today she received her results ...  She got a 26!!!  Way to go Marissa!

Day 2 (Sunday) - Travel day - we make it to Cayaman Beach Resort

We left Tokyo at 9:30 in the morning and arrived in Manila after a 5 hour flight at 1:30 pm.  The weather there was hot and humid.  You could feel it immediately.  You could also notice so many cultural / economical things.  The airport was way run down compared to anything in America or even Tokyo.

As we were going through customs, the agent that was helping Jessica was so impressed by her language skill and accent; he asked if we were sisters!  How awesome is that for me.

We made it out with our luggage but then couldn't find the rental car place.  After being directed we found it - but they didn't have a car for us - they were expecting us yesterday (but should have still reserved it for us as I had a credit card on file).  Finally they got a car for us, then drove us over to the lot with the cars.  There we found out they didn't have a GPS for us.  This was KEY - we need a GPS.  What are we going to do.  We couldn't bring one from the states because they don't pick up the roads in the Philippines, and now we are here - and I reserved one - but it wasn't reserved for us.  UGH!!!  It was after 3:30 in the afternoon when we left the airport.

Mark was the designated driver!  He made his way, ever so slowly, through the very congested traffic around the Manila airport to the main roads.  We had no idea if we were going in the right direction or not.  Thank goodness all of us had a good attitude and it positive.  We would roll down the window about every 20 minutes and ask a jeepny driver if we were going the right way.  Early on we were told to take a right hand turn to get to the EDSA and from there, they always just said, "keep going!"  But they didn't say which way ... ugh!  It took over 2 hours to get through Manila.

At one point we stopped to get directions at a McDonalds.  Mark didn't see the curve in the concrete and slowly bumped it.  Ouch!  We will have to pay for that when we get back.  We will try to clean off the paint at the hotel, if we ever get there.  Moving on ... Somehow we made it to Quezon City and there we took the NLEX to Clark Airport.  At the exit from the NLEX we asked directions again, and a guard worker was so kind - he said he would get in our car and direct us to the next stop.  Wow, only in the Philippines.  He guided us to the STEC, we took it all the way into Olongapo.  It is now nearly 7:30 at night and we still have to find our way to the resort.  Since I like to be prepared, I had printed directions to the resort at home - (it just that they were from the Marriott) so they didn't start at the airport.  Everything changed when our plane didn't come in the night before.   I knew the general direction once were out of Manila because I had printed maps to the resort at home.  But now it is dark and hard to see.  Luckily there were signs along the way that said Camayan Beach Resort.  I guess we aren't the only ones that need help getting there.

It is a very secured beach.  We were so happy to see the signs announce we were getting closer 20K, 12K, 9K, 5K, 2K, 1K, YEAH!!!!  We made it.  We made it all by ourselves - and with an enormous amount of guidance and direction from our Heavenly Father.  We knew he was guiding us the whole way.  We didn't get into the resort until 9:30.

We were so happy to get checked into the resort, unpack and relax.  It was a very long day!

Day 1 (Friday & Saturday) - we make it to Tokyo

We are so excited!

We left for the airport at 8:10 am to be there by 8:45 am.  It was a good thing because we had some issues with our luggage.  We didn't realize they only allow one "free" check-in bag.  We were taking 5 - 2 filled with presents.  So we paid the $100 dollars to check one of the suitcases, but then took the other one as a carry on.  We also had seat assignment issues.  Cheap-O Air didn't reserve our seats as they had reported to me, so we had to get everything moved around.  UGH!  Thank goodness for wonderful flight attendants that helped us get seats together.  Our flight left Louisville at 10:45 am on schedule = here we go!!!  We had great flight - no problems.

We arrived in Chicago with plenty of time to get to our next gate and catch the flight to Tokyo.  Unfortunately, we sat on the tarmac for 1 hour so they could de-ice the plane.  BUMMER!  We weren't stressed about it at the time, but later on we realized that we might miss our connection ... it will be very close.  We travel in the air for nearly 15 hours, and made up some time, but not enough to catch our connecting flight.  On the good side.  We were all able to spread out on the plain and relax.  The flight wasn't full at all, so I had a whole row to myself.  Jessica took her Dramamine and slept most of the flight.  Mark and I read, watched movies and slept.

At one point in the flight we were over the tundra of Russia - it was amazing!  Beautiful and all white!

Once we arrived in Tokyo we were told we could not attempt to make our connecting flight to Manila, but rather that the airlines had reserved hotel rooms and reserved seats for us on another flight the next day.  It was amazing how well we took the news considering we left specifically so that we could attend church in the Hermosa ward on Sunday morning.

Mark and Jessica

Betsy

We made it through customs and to the bus - we stayed in a very  nice hotel in Tokyo but the fog was so thick that night that we couldn't see beyond the car beside us.

The next morning the fog had lifted and we could see the beautiful gardens.  We boarded the plane and headed for Manila.

view from our hotel window

view from breakfast

say good bye to Tokyo

Week 23 - Devon's Thanksgiving

This week I got sick on Saturday.  I ate something bad at a restaurant and the next day I had diarrhea and I throw up.  I didn't like being sick because we stayed inside the whole day and dint teach anyone.  We were going to have better key indicators for this week but I got sick so we didn't make improve. 

Elder Perez and I are starting to make momentum in the Green Valley Ward.  We are still working with the Tuscany Ward but we haven't got the momentum over there yet.  Have you guys heard of “He is The Gift”.  It is an event that the church is putting on.  We hope that the He is the Gift can help both our areas.  The event sounds really cool.  I can’t believe that the church will have YouTube for an entire day.  You heard me right December 7: YouTube takeover. The Church will be the only advertiser on YouTube’s home page. 

This really cool family is having us for Thanksgiving so you guys don't need to worry about me not eating on Thanksgiving.  I hope that you have A Great Thanksgiving.  This is the season to be grateful to remember what the Lord has given us. Therefore, I am challenging you personally to write each night before bed what you were grateful for that day for this week.  I will be doing this as well as reading some scriptures about gratitude during my personal study.  I think that this will be fun to do and that it will be an interesting thanksgiving activity. 

Ps: I don’t know what I want for Christmas.

Preparations for our trip to the Philippines

It's been a long time coming that I have been planning and preparing for our trip to the Philippines, and now it is finally here. 


I am so excited to be going to the Philippines.  I have been wanting to meet the people Jessica met and taught for almost every day of her mission.  I've wanted to see her living arrangements, cities, views, challenges, etc.  I just want to see what it was like for her while she lived there for nearly 18 months.


Checklist ready:


Vaccines
treat clothes with Permithene
Passport
Money
Airplane tickets
hotel reservations
car rental reservations
church clothes for 2 Sundays
traveling clothes
touring clothes
hiking clothes
swim suits
towels
cover ups
shoes / sandals
bug spray
sun screen
umbrella
hair curlers
toiletries
jewelry
gifts for friends
camera
books
laptop
cell phone
chargers
... holy cow ... and we aren't even done


I can't wait to go!!!!

Young Women in Excellence

Tuesday night is very special this week because tonight is Young Women's In Excellence.

This is Marissa's last year, last one as she will be graduating from Young Women's when she graduates school in the spring.

  She is such a good example to the other girls as she received her Young Women's medallion 2 years ago but has continued to do personal progress and attend church on Tuesday nights to support the other girls.  We are so proud of her.

She loves her Laurel's class ... Emily Pina, Meg O'Brien and a new girls - the Turpin's daughter.

Each girl had to give a speech on what they had done this year and what they have learned through the Young Women's program.  She was so inspiring.  I'm so proud of her.

She was presented with a small "Movie Star" trophy!

Later in the evening the Young Women sang "Glorious"

Meg and Marissa - Best Friends

Marissa and Sister Luci Bateman

Letter to Devon: cold weather

Hi Devon 
Wow!!  I love hearing your voice.  That's great that you can record your voice.  
It's great!

It looks like the weather is freezing there.  I saw it will only be 9 degrees 
tomorrow.  I hope you are being very good about wearing your coat, gloves, hat 
etc!!!  Especially now that you are on a bike!!!  Yikes!!!  Has it snowed yet?

It snowed 4 inches last night.  The kids have a snow day but I am stuck working 
- same with dad.  

Jessica had a friend from BYU come to visit for the weekend - his name is Tate.  
She and him are boyfriend and girlfriend !!!  They had a super fun time together 
- you can ask her about it. :)

Life is pretty normal here other than it's freezing.  I'm glad you and Elder 
Perez get along so well.  I hope he can help you with your Spanish.  That's 
great!!!  I'm sure you will love to keep it up.  Maybe the president will let 
you do some Spanish speaking areas!  Maybe???

Well dad will be taking the CPA on Saturday so please include him in your 
prayers.  He's worked so hard for this.

Oh my gosh, I can't believe I almost forgot this...the relief society has put 
together this Christmas present for you - you will get it soon - you will have 
12 presents to open - one for each of the 12 days of Christmas.  It's super 
fun!!! 

Let us know how Conrad's baptism went.  I'm so glad you were able to attend :)

I love you!  "Love you - love you"
And I'm so proud of you!  Every day makes a difference.  

Love, Mom

Devon - week 22

Thats crazy that you got the relief society to give me presents.

So I have bad news.  I sent a text my companion to see if the baptism was still on and I found out that it was not on.  I was pretty upset about that.  I found out that Elder Crowley has not seen him since I left the area.  I dont know what is going On i hope everything turns out well for Conrad and that he changes his life for the better.  This week It snowed a foot of snow.  It was fun to go and be in it.  Going to teach people in the cold can be a little challenging but fun and its has its ups and downs.  There is less people outside that you can meet but people are more likely to be home especially on a snow day like last Friday where it snowed a foot.  When its a cold and windy day you can feel really, really cold.  Especially when it is or lower than the teens with wind.  The good news is that i am starting to get used to the cold weather.  We got two new investigators this week but the area has been a little slow but we can get it moving I know it.  There is work for us to do here.

Avery Wants to go to BYU

Okay, I love a surprise but when Marissa told me that a friend of her's from school wanted to attend BYU - I was stoked.

Avery is a great guy.  I've know him since he and Marissa attended North Oldham Middle School together.  He was in chorus when I subbed it for so many long months.

Anyway, Avery learned that he can go to BYU and was attracted to the honor code and campus environment.  He filed out the entire application until he got to the part that said ecclesiastical interview.  That's when he needed to ask Marissa what that meant. 

She invited him to church and he had an interview with Bishop Bednar of the Crestwood 2nd ward (since Avery lives in that ward boundaries).

We had Avery over for dinner that night!

What a special treat to invite such a great guy over for dinner and to discuss the gospel and BYU!

Betsy bauched up the Bike issue, but fixed it.

Hello Sister Lowe,

Just talked to your wonderful son….he just got your email too and knows all about his bike money.  Glad to help.

Sister Workman

From: Betsy Lowe [mailto:betsy4kids@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, November 10, 2014 11:36 AM
To: Idaho Boise Mission
Subject: Re: Christmas Packages

No worries!  Hey Elder Lowe emailed today saying his "bike" money wasn't in his checking account and he NEEDS it.  When he didn't have a bike in his last area I moved the money to his savings account.  I thought he could access both accounts but he may not know that.  Could you please get word to him that I have transferred the money back to his checking account.  I imagine he needs a bike ASAP so I hope I haven't caused any inconvenience.  Thank you for the kind words.  He loves being a missionary!!!

Sincerely, 

Betsy Lowe 

Request about Devon's Thanksgiving Dinner

Hello Elder and Sister Lowe,

We love having Elder Lowe here in our mission; he is great!!!  As far as your question, President Winder wants missionaries to share Thanksgiving with members in the specific wards they are assigned, so the answer is no.  Luncheons and contacts with family living in or passing through Boise is really discouraged.  However, they are welcome to drop something off for him at the mission office.  Missionaries love notes and treats!

Sister Marian Workman

Idaho Boise Mission Secretary

(208) 343-9883

Devon - week 21

Devon sent this message in a audio recorded message:  it was awesome to hear his voice!

This week I got transferred to Meridian South area; I’m no longer in Boise South.  It’s kinda happy and sad because I won’t be there for Conrad’s baptism, but they said I can go to see him get baptized but I would really like to finish teaching him.

There isn’t as much work here as there was in the last area, but it’s a really cool area, it’s different.  It’s a ward where people come in and they move out, kinda like the dental students in our ward.  It’s very transient - it’s a young group - just imagine a whole ward like that.  Yah, that’s basically the ward we have right now - they are very enthusiast but they just don’t know any body or know people … so it’s a win / lose situation.  

I’m doing good.  I like Elder Perez; he’s a good missionary, he’s cool.  He’s from Tempico Mexico and he knows Spanish so maybe I can get some Spanish from him.  Oh, yah - we are covering two wards, so that’s interesting … Tuscany and Green Valley.  We opened these areas.  So that’s fun. The first couple of days have been kinda slow because we don’t know anybody and we are trying to get it up but I believe we can really push this area make it work hard.  It’s a good area.

I got your letters and sweaters today.  That was nice.  I also forgot to say … I bought a bike also.  So don’t freak out because you probably will when you see that $200 is missing.  Or no, you wouldn’t because I was going to buy it at the register but my apparently card didn’t have enough money so I don’t know if you took out the money - I think you did - but you shouldn’t have because a member had to pay $200 for me, which was really nice member though. I  I need to pay him back so  I need that money on my card.  I hope you put that money on my card soon so I can pay him back.

Mission life is good.  I can’t believe I’m already almost six months out.  It seems like I’ve only been here two or three months.  CRAZY!  I don’t know if I need anything in particular.  The problem is that you keep sending me stuff, but I don’t know if I’m going to have enough room  after each transfer.  So, I like that you bought me new sweaters but it makes me kinda nervous also because it takes up more space in my suitcase.  And as you go on your mission you get more and more and more.  That’s why I was trying to send a big package home of stuff that I didn’t need … like the sewing stuff … I already have the sewing stuff.  I have like two of three kits of sewing stuff in my suitcase and you sent it back.  I was like “okay, okay.”  

Mission life is going good.  The zone I’m in is pretty awesome.  Elder Bowline is in my zone; he’s a district leader but he is in a different district.  And he’s pretty cool.  Elder Starks is pretty cool.  Elder Perez is pretty cool.  Yah, we have a big zone  - we have four districts, man, Big Zone.  I have zone leader Marrow, which was one of my first zone leader with Elder Poplin.

Now, Elder Hook is a Zone leader who used to be a district leader in the other district in Boise South.  So I know both of the zone leaders pretty good, that’s nice.  The first sister training leaders that were in my first area are also in the zone.  Familiar faces, new faces - I get to know more people. 

We have a progressing investigator here, but it’s our first week here, so we are trying to set connections up and connect with people and try to set up appointment so we can see if we can come by and teach them some other time.

I’m doing good!  I like your little ad thing.  “Good Call - take time our for a mission.”

This week, there is not much has happened this week.  We went around and saw some members, we’ve been trying to contact some less actives.  Everyone is working - it’s hard to go see people; we even try to go … we go early and late and all this stuff but people just aren’t at home - so that’s a problem, but hey we will work on it.  

I love you.  Got to go.  Bye!

Girls take 3rd at State

It's a perfect day for the state cross country meet.  We are so glad that Jessica came home earlier so that we weren't rushing from the Philippines to get here to see Marissa run in her last state meet of high school.  It's so hard to believe she is a senior.

The girls race is at 11:30 am.  Marissa and the girls are in new uniform shirts and we have a hard time identifying them at first.  

Marissa had a good start to the race and maintained good positioning and pace throughout the whole race.

the start line

Marissa got a great start - looking strong

Marissa rounding the corner for the first mile

Marissa approaching the finish line - up hill

She can in 35th place - 3rd for the team.  Erin came in 8th place (7 points), Avery was 12th (10 points), Marissa 35th (32 points), Caitlyn 55th (46 points) , Christina 72nd (57 points), Jesse 86th (no points), and Emma 91st (no points) for a total of 152 points.

It was a close race between NOHS and CAL but CAL beat us for 2nd place. 

The NOHS girls still take the podium and receive the bronze trophy as the third place finishers for this year!!!  What a great year.

Boys take 1st place at State - 6X State Champions

Trenton Fryman:  2nd place

Alex McClarty: 3rd place

David Terkula:  12th place

Logan Otter:  18th place

Nick Bierne:  19th place

Aaron Kay-Anthony: 22nd place

Adam Zimmerman:  92nd place

6x STATE CHAMPIONS

Jessica's Immune System down... :(

Ever since Jessica got back from the Philippines she has battled one variety of illness/bug or another. At first it was just a cold ... then she way better.  Then she got a stomach bug ... then she got better, but then yet again, she came down with a fever and the aches and chills ... but this time is was upper respiratory.

She's had to miss work and rest and recover!

GET WELL JESSICA!!!

Robert Shines in JV Regionals

It is Wednesday right after school.  Betsy had to pick up Robert and race him over to Seneca park to get ready for the JV regional championship!  We have plenty of time.  The boys and girls are running a combined race where the girls will start first and the boys start 3 minutes after them.  I feel this is a disadvantage to both teams as the boys will have to run through all those girls and the girls will continually be passed by boy runners - both ways - not the heat of situations!!!

It's a good temperature today.  Hopefully Robert can have a great race!!!

Robert got a good position and a great start.  He is determined to beat Nolan ruggles in this race.  Nolan also plays soccer for the JV team but he has been attending XC practices as well as soccer but not on the same day.  Nolan beat him at the Hardin county meet so Robert wants to beat him today.  It is always good to have a goal.

The boys run the top loop and then head down the hill, they will loop around at the bottom and return up the same hill and retrace their steps to the finish.  Robert is making great time until he hits the wall of girls (all the boys had to adjust).  When he came up the hill he is third for the team, go Robert!!!

Robert at the finish

He has a great race finishing third for the team -  the first two runners are varsity - with a time of 18:11.  

I know he wanted to PR and could have if the girls were not there.

Way to go Robert - I'm so proud of you!!!

Robert Runs in Central Kentucky Meet of Champions

Now that the NOHS soccer season is over, Robert can now run cross country without conflict.

Today Robert ran in very hot (82 degrees) for the last week of October.  He ran at the Hardin county fair grounds.  We have run here before when he was in 7th grade.  That was the year he had a torn ACL (but we didn't know it).  

Robert was unhappy about running - I don't know why but I assume it is because he doesn't know the team that well since he spends most of his time with the soccer team and that he doesn't get to condition as well as the other runners.

Robert did a great job in this race.  He didn't know it (neither did I) but it was a VARSITY race.  3.1 miles is a long race ... Especially in this heat.  He has to run the perimeter of the fair grounds twice.  He finishes 4th for the team.  He finished with a time of 19:12 in 23rd place - making top 25!! Way to go Robert!!!  The team took first place in a Varsity race!

The team took 1st place!!!

Soccer Regional Championship against South Oldham

Here we go again ... North vs South.  Rivals in the same region.  Only one can win.  Me have already played them twice this year and both times we have lost.  The second game went to a 12 person shoot out.  They blocked our last shot.  Bummer!  Today we have a chance to be regional champions!

The game was tightly watched as the last time we played South there were red and yellow cards given out.  Today was very physical.  

We played very hard but so did south and in the first half they took advantage of a opening on defense and scored.  

The second have was even more physical.  Boys tired to keep cool heads. Unfortunately for us South got another goal.  The game ended 2-0.  

We were named Regional Runner Ups!!!

Soccer Regional Playoffs vs Shelby County

This was a great game - it would be much more challenging than the game against Carrollton, but that's good.  Even though we are a much better team, Shelby county scores first - yikes.  That woke us up.  Mason Rice returns the score 10 minutes into the game - 1-1.   Immediately following Bradley Dean score 2-1.  

Nathan Ball scored 3-1 and Samuel Pyle scores the 4th goal - now 4-1.  The coach switches things up and lets Robert and Dylan Smith play.

Dylan Smith scored our 5th goal, then our second string defense let Shelby County score two goals.  The game ends 5-3 and we advance to the Regional Championship - against South Oldham (again).

Winners - Congratulations going around