Day 7 (Friday): Snorkeling and Calapacuan

This was a perfect morning to go snorkeling at the resort.  We didn't realize it but it is right on the beach of a major coral reef.

We snorkeled for 2 hours - enjoying the view, sights and weather.  IT was perfect.  We were able to swim all the way out in the bay, rest on the floating dock and then swim some more.  We saw tons of different fish.  Some swam right at us, or around us.

We enjoyed this time to relax and enjoy the beauty of the ocean.  IT was a perfect morning, but of course, we didn't take any photos ...

What was strange is that the Reef shop already had Typhoon warning posters up - WOW - is this really happening?  It's crazy.  Today the weather is beautiful, yet a storm (huge storm is brewing).

That afternoon ... we drove to the mission home and met the missionaries.  Elder Christiansen knew the location of a family that Jessica only knew through church, so she didn't know where they lived.  We followed them to the place - wow - talk about driving down small streets in a mini-van (CRAZY) but we made it.  We walked down these small alley ways to a house - they were there!  Jessica was so excited to see them, and visa-versa.  The mom was there with her daughter, but their son wasn't home.  (I need to get their names from Jessica)

From there we drove over to the town.  Jessica directed us to a place to park.  The next stop is down a side road with a huge market.  It was crazy though because as we were walking down the busy street to get there, we ran into two people that recognized Jessica and stopped to talk to her.

Not 20 feet further down the road, a man on a motorcycle pulls over and ... yep, you guessed it ... he knew Jessica.  He was in the bishopric of her ward.

WOW. she knows everyone!!!

Well, we finally make it through the market and to the Mercurcio's home.  They are so excited to see her!!!!  At first it is just the dad and the son home.  They show us a framed photo of them with Jessica that they keep in their family room!  She made such a difference in their lives.  Brother Mercurcio tells us the story of how persistent Jessica is with him, and Jessica had already told us her side of the story, so it was so cute to hear him tell it from his perspective.  "She would leave sticky notes on my TV remote telling me to read my scriptures before watching the fight on TV."  Jessica said he was one of the toughest people to help.  He was a member but had fallen away.  She would visit and challenge him but he just wouldn't commit.  So she got creative.  She made post-it  notes that said, "Before watching TV read the Book of Mormon" and "Have you read from the Book of Mormon today" and placed them strategically around the house.  He found it to be so thoughtful of her that he started reading the Book of Mormon again, and consequently it changed his life.  She was nervous that he would think she was too pushy, but followed the promptings of the spirit and went ahead with her plan.  Well, now it's several months later and he is eternally grateful to her.  He said she was the most determined missionary he had ever met, and the fact that she would NOT give up on him is what convinced him to follow her example.  She helped him make the gospel a priority in his life - he was so grateful.  The mom and daughter came home.

They had a photo of their family with Jessica up in the house when we arrived.  AMAZING!  One person can tough so many.  She has changed lives because she listened to the Holy Spirit and followed it's promptings.  I'm so full of joy and love because of all that she did.

The mother and daughter were so sweet.  After Jessica gave them Christmas presents they came out with Filipino jewelry for her and me - I felt so guilty I took the necklace off that I was wearing and gave it to her.  After a wonderful visit, they walked us through the market.

From there we drove over to Salvador's parent's house.  Jessica taught and baptized Salvador.  His parents are still inactive.  Saricris also came over and ate dinner with us.  She is another "must meet" person for me.  Jessica just loves her so much.  She had been through so much before Jessica met her and taught her about the Gospel.  She was baptized by Jessica.  Salvador's mom made us the most delicious Adobo dinner.  Mark and Jessica also had fish (I was too full).  We had a wonderful visit with them.  It was hard to leave, but we also wanted to see Haijie.

Jessica found a picture of her with Salvador and his parents at their house too!

Saricris and Salvador had YM and YW that night so we drove them tot he church and saw so many of the youth that Jessica new.  She passed out presents to everyone there and saw some special friends.

Betsy with Kim Hernandez

Betsy with Saricris

Mark with Saricris

Jessica with a special family (we gave them lots of presents)

After the youth activity at the church we walked over to Haijie's family home.  He lives at the very top of a very long set of stairs.  He has a very humble home.  His parents were so excited for us to come but he and his brother Paul Anthony were very shy and didn't want to talk while we were there.

After the visit Haijie walked us down to Salvador's house and there he and Jessica and Salvador had a wonderful time together.  He was much more open and playful.  We got several photos before heading back to the hotel.  What a great day!drove Salvador and Saricris back home and then went up the mountain to visit with Hajie.  I had wanted to meet him so much because he keeps a pretty private Facebook page.

Jessica with Hajie and his family

Hajie was very shy while we were there with his parents but then when he walked Jessica down to the car with Salvador, he and Salvador were very playful and talkative with Jessica.  It was soo good to see.

Jessica with Hajie

Jessica with Salvador

Salvador, Jessica and Hajie (three musketeers)

It was a great night!