Finally enough time to blog. We have and still are traveling a lot to get the mapping done before Sister Clark, my companion, goes home the end of July 2011. We had 165 stakes/districts to map when I arrived and have mapped 75% of those and sent 50% of those to Salt Lake. The 25% not sent to Salt Lake have some boundary disputes that we are getting resolved before they can be sent as we can only send a map one time to Salt Lake.
We travel both by plane and car, I really prefer the car travel, I never tire of looking at the countryside (rice fields, sugar cane fields, tobacco fields, people working and playing, their homes - tarps stretch overhead and shacks, up to mansions; mountains, everything is so green), this time of the year is their spring, so there a lots of flowers, the kind that we call exotic, grow everywhere outside here.
We had the opportunity to travel to Baguio Mission that is at the top of a mountain. For the first time since I arrived in the Philippines, I felt cold, it doesn't snow there but does get chilly. The air was so clean. We stayed at an old ex-military r&r lodge which was quaint and very comfortable. I can't begin to tell you how great it was to go to bed and snuggle up with a comforter and hear the crickets outside and to smell the pine trees, when I closed my eyes I felt like I had been transported home for a few minutes. The whole city is built on the sides of mountains. They call that area "the salad bowl of the Philippines", because of the weather they are able to grow most fruits and vegtables, we visited a strawberry field and ate fresh picked strawberries. Some of their oranges were as big as grapefruit, seedless, sweet and juicy.
We visited a ward that weekend, it was fast Sunday, when the bishop saw us he immediately come up and asked us to sit on the stand and bear our testimonies. We didn't set on the stand but were happy to bear out testimonies.
I mentioned the ex military lodge we stayed at, we have some interesting experiences at the hotels we stay in. Sometimes we walk into the room and say "We're in the military tonight", some are very nice but most are somewhere below a Motel 6. We don't spend much time in the rooms so if the bed is comfortable and the room is clean, and they are, we are good to go.
One of the sisters that works in the office asked me if I knew how to make popcorn balls, she said when she was a child, lots of Americans lived in her area and the sisters made popcorn balls for the Primary all the time. She wanted her daughter to taste a popcorn ball. I went on line and found a recipe, gave it to her and told her to invite anyone she wanted and come to our apartment and I would show her how to make popcorn balls. It was so great, I served them a sandwich, chip, salsa supper and we got started. I was amazed that everything went so smoothly, it had been years since I made popcorn balls but they turned out perfect and no hands got burned. Now everyone here in our department want some, I'll work on that.
We get asked parenting questions a lot here, must have something to do with the grey hair and the badge we wear. Children are so important to this culture, very loved and wanted. All the little girls always have their hair done up with barretts and bows. Because of the heat here and the easiness to launder, you often see children in light weight pajams and nightgowns, good things they have so many cute ones for the girls and "manly" ones for the boys. I have found that the children love it when I give them one of my business cards and to think I didn't know what I was going to do with 100 of the cards. The children always want to shake your hand but sometimes are very shy. I shook the hand of a mother holding a 1 year old and the baby stuck out here hand so I took it and the baby immediately raised my hand to touch her forehead, that is a sign of respect given to older people here. I just wanted to wrap my arms around both the mother and baby and hug them tight.
It is interesting flying on the airplanes here, the stewardess asked, "coffee, tea or water", no juices or soda pop. There are two airports, at one we wait at the terminal for our turn, then ride a bus to the airplane and board, the other is pretty much like ours. At each airport, by the time we board the plane we have passed through two security check areas and paid a boarding pass fee of 200 pecos. At first it was very confusing to me and I just followed Sister Clark but I've have the hang of it now, altho I still just follow Sister Clark.
I am so excited that my son Scott and grandson Taylor are coming to visit me. Of course they have two motives for coming, Scott served here in the Philippines and came home April, 1984 so he is excited to revisit some areas and see people he knew back then and show Taylor another country and some of what it is like to serve a mission. Mark Welden who served a mission here, the same time as Scott is coming with them. One of the highlights for me will be having them sit in the car as I drive them on Philippine streets, well, okay, don't know as that will happen often but will have to do it at least once.
We have family home evening every two weeks with the other senior missionaries. The lesson is given by a different couple each time or as in my case, a single sister. I signed up back in November, 2010 to give the lesson on March 14, 2011, it seemed like a long time away, boy did that time fly. I gave the lesson last night and want to publicly thank Rebecca for the lesson. She is a counselor in here relief society and gave the lesson on fast Sunday in her ward. When she told me about it, I asked her to send it to me and it was so well done and touched my heart many times as I read it that I tweeked it a little bit and gave it for my lesson. Rebecca had obviously put a lot of thought and work into preparing the lesson and I appreciate it.
My family are such a great support to me here: Douglas gathers my mail on a regular basis and forwards mail that Allyson might need as she is my fininacial person while I am here. It is a great feeling to feel totally comfortable that all is well at home. Andrew keeps me well informed about him and his family, I look forward to his at least twice a week emails. Jeffrey skypes me regularly, I even get to hear Marquis play some pieces on his saxaphone and Malia sent me a picture she drew that hangs on my wall. Scott's family talks to me on Skype every week and McKenna has sung a song for me and I usually always talk to at least the twins. Allyson's family is so cute when she uses skype, they sings songs, tell stories, and even Zoey sings and talks to me, altho I'm pretty sure she has forgotten who Gram is. Rebecca and her family has written me letters, which I love because I can put them by my bed and read them over and over again and I love the family sounds as I visit with them on Skype. Brayden and Kassi keep me posted on their activities by email as does Brett. I have even talked with Adam at college a couple of times. Thank you, Thank you! Can you tell I am a little homesick, haven't felt that feeling since I was a kid at my grandmothers for a week stay in the summer.
My mission is not getting easier, I am just handling everything better and I do enjoy being here, we travel so much that when I get home and say "I miss the Philippines", I will really be missing the Phillipines. The people are so great, I'm learning so much from them: kindness, giving service, they have strong testimonies are are "much grateful" to have the gospel in their lives as I am.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
February 1 - February 21, 2011
I was waiting to blog until I had some exciting news, then realized everything I do here is exciting!
Scott and Taylor are coming to the Philippines the first week of April, I try not to think of it yet, because my heart gets to beating so fast. Having Scott come was so great, like a big hunk of carrot cake and with Taylor coming, I now have the cream frosting on the cake. Everyone I tell they care coming get excited, the filipino people love to have visitors, they are very proud of their country.
Okay, I am now a licensed driver in the Philippines. After, I got my license, my driver had me drive back to the office, when we arrived, he clapped for me and said I was a good driver. The next day, Sister Clark asked me to take her to the American Embassy so she could get some personal papers notorized. Of course, I was glad to help, after all I had a license and was told I was a good driver. We didn't know exactly how to get their but we have experience mapping the Philippines, finding the embassy would be no big deal. However, I did not know that that area of Metro Manila is one of the busiest traffic areas, no place for a novice Philippine driver. You guessed it, a van whipped in front of me and tore my bumper loose, Sister Clark and I were not hurt, I was barely going 5 miles an hour. I got out of the car, and the driver of the van immediately began saying it was my fault, I wan't taking the blame for his bad driving, a policeman happened to showed up, we decided to let the insurance companies handle it, no one got a ticket. All the information I got was the van driver's name, phone number and license plate number. When I brought the car to the fleet manager and told him my sad story, his face didn't even change expressions, he just took the key said to come back later in the afternoon and when I did, they had another car ready for me. I bought a steering wheel cover and some sunglasses, now I feel more prepared. The real test everyday is driving in and out of the parking garage. We park underground the 5th level (very bottom), with all the twist and turns, it takes at least 5 minutes to get in and out.
Sister Clark and I have been asked to speak at Sacrament meeting next Sunday in the branch we attend. I will be speaking on the atonement, prayers my way will help, fortunately keeping the information simply is the best way here, but how does one keep the topic of the atonement simple?
We flew to Cebu Mission the weekend of the 11th and 12th. All my mapping appointments were on Friday. Elder and Sister Aguilar are now at the mission home in Cebu, you may remember we were in the MTC together and they were here in the Quezon Mission for about 3 months filling in before going to Cebu. Elder Aquilar had meetings to attend on Saturday, so Sister Aguilar and I visited for awhile, went shopping, had lunch and a yummy treat, all in all we spent about 5 hours together, it was great, I just love being in the presence of the Aguilars.
Last Sunday I had a mapping appointment at a district about 2 hours away, Sister Clark made arrangements for Elder and Sister Sorensen, (he is the executive secretary to the area presidency and is over the mapping, they arrived here just before Christmas), to take us and so Elder Sorensen could observe my mapping, of course the appointment was made before I knew anything about it. When I first heard he was going to observe, I felt anxious, but I remembered I do this mapping all the time and with mighty prayer I could even do it better, Elder Sorensen learned how the mapping is done and was impressed. I don't know if he was impressed with how the mapping is done or with my abilities, both I hope.
Again, I am so grateful for my family and their support. I love them so much and have learned to more appreciated their love, kindness and sweetness to me, a mission is hard but made easier with the love and support of family and friends. Thank you all!
Scott and Taylor are coming to the Philippines the first week of April, I try not to think of it yet, because my heart gets to beating so fast. Having Scott come was so great, like a big hunk of carrot cake and with Taylor coming, I now have the cream frosting on the cake. Everyone I tell they care coming get excited, the filipino people love to have visitors, they are very proud of their country.
Okay, I am now a licensed driver in the Philippines. After, I got my license, my driver had me drive back to the office, when we arrived, he clapped for me and said I was a good driver. The next day, Sister Clark asked me to take her to the American Embassy so she could get some personal papers notorized. Of course, I was glad to help, after all I had a license and was told I was a good driver. We didn't know exactly how to get their but we have experience mapping the Philippines, finding the embassy would be no big deal. However, I did not know that that area of Metro Manila is one of the busiest traffic areas, no place for a novice Philippine driver. You guessed it, a van whipped in front of me and tore my bumper loose, Sister Clark and I were not hurt, I was barely going 5 miles an hour. I got out of the car, and the driver of the van immediately began saying it was my fault, I wan't taking the blame for his bad driving, a policeman happened to showed up, we decided to let the insurance companies handle it, no one got a ticket. All the information I got was the van driver's name, phone number and license plate number. When I brought the car to the fleet manager and told him my sad story, his face didn't even change expressions, he just took the key said to come back later in the afternoon and when I did, they had another car ready for me. I bought a steering wheel cover and some sunglasses, now I feel more prepared. The real test everyday is driving in and out of the parking garage. We park underground the 5th level (very bottom), with all the twist and turns, it takes at least 5 minutes to get in and out.
Sister Clark and I have been asked to speak at Sacrament meeting next Sunday in the branch we attend. I will be speaking on the atonement, prayers my way will help, fortunately keeping the information simply is the best way here, but how does one keep the topic of the atonement simple?
We flew to Cebu Mission the weekend of the 11th and 12th. All my mapping appointments were on Friday. Elder and Sister Aguilar are now at the mission home in Cebu, you may remember we were in the MTC together and they were here in the Quezon Mission for about 3 months filling in before going to Cebu. Elder Aquilar had meetings to attend on Saturday, so Sister Aguilar and I visited for awhile, went shopping, had lunch and a yummy treat, all in all we spent about 5 hours together, it was great, I just love being in the presence of the Aguilars.
Last Sunday I had a mapping appointment at a district about 2 hours away, Sister Clark made arrangements for Elder and Sister Sorensen, (he is the executive secretary to the area presidency and is over the mapping, they arrived here just before Christmas), to take us and so Elder Sorensen could observe my mapping, of course the appointment was made before I knew anything about it. When I first heard he was going to observe, I felt anxious, but I remembered I do this mapping all the time and with mighty prayer I could even do it better, Elder Sorensen learned how the mapping is done and was impressed. I don't know if he was impressed with how the mapping is done or with my abilities, both I hope.
Again, I am so grateful for my family and their support. I love them so much and have learned to more appreciated their love, kindness and sweetness to me, a mission is hard but made easier with the love and support of family and friends. Thank you all!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
December 30, 2010 - January 31, 2011
I cannot believe I have not blogged for a month, will try to be more timely from now on.
Let me start with New Years Eve, I was warned that the Filipino people love new years and celebrate with lots of fireworks. They can buy most any kind of fireworks and they do. I was standing in the apartment at midnight looking out windows that faces north and one that faces east at the same, the noise was deafening, I would have felt like I was in a war zone if it had not been so beautiful. They really do not follow any precautions and one of the guys here in the office neighbor's house burned down from firework fall out.
I really am becoming adjusted to the Philippines, all I used to see when I went out was all the garbage, they really do not have a system for collecting residents garbage, so you see it everywhere, even in plastic bags hanging from tree, fences, piled on the sidewalk or scattered everywhere. They do have street sweepers (men/women with broom and dustpan), so some areas are kept fairly clean. Anyway, I realized the other day that the garbage is still there but I don't notice it as much, to me that is adjustment to my surroundings.
I have been trying more of the Filipino food, still find most of it pretty bland and not great, however some is pretty good, however when we go out to eat I never know what to order because I do not understand what the names of the food are, so usually stick with American food if available. I do not eat rice and that is a wonder to everyone here, I am asked quite often what do you eat for carbohydrates? Bread is my answer, their bread here is very good, however kind of sweet tasting so I don't eat to much of it. I did make a meatloaf in the crock pot, it turned out okay but I put hamburger and pork together which I had never done before, and I really thought the pork taste was to strong, but Sister Clark really liked it.
I got a bite on the inner corner of my eyelid and woke up with mu eye almost sullen shut, but by evening it was better, I could see the bite but no idea what it was, possibly and ant, no side effects.
The children here are very respectful to older people. I have had a teenage boy at one of the chapels we were at, who didn't know, come over to me, take my hand and raised it to touch his forehead. This is a sign of giving respect, it was very touching, also young young girl, about 6 yrs old did the same thing. I love it!
I have not met a Filipino that doesn't have a good singing voice and as I have said before they love to sing. Most of the chapels only have pianos in the chapel, so all other meetings the music is sung without a piano. Who ever is asked to lead the music gets up and sings a few bars of the hymn, then says 1, 2, 3 sing and we all start singing while they conduct. It is marvelous to be part of their singing.
We have been doing a lot of traveling by car and by plane. I never tire of seeing the Philippines country side and the small Providences outside Manila. The hotels/motels we stay in are pretty basic, but clean and the beds are generally comfortable. The one we stayed in last weekend in Naga was beautiful, we took a tour of the town well actually the tour guide only wanted to show us to the catholic churches in Naga, he did ask if we were like nuns because our name tags said Sister, I really wasn't into seeing all the catholic churches there, so after seeing two of them, we had the driver drop us off at the mall, more my kind of tour.
We were in Angeles Mission weekend before last and after the mapping sessions we talked with a sister who was at the chapel. She has been a member for 2 1/2 yrs and joined while she was in Hong Kong working. She said their ward did not have anyone who could play the piano and she was trying to teach herself, Sister Clark told her about the program the church has for learning to play the piano, so I told her I would buy the materials at the distribution center and send it to her. That was a fun thing to do, I sent it by the church courier, hope it helps her and maybe she will be able to help others learn too.
I'm back to taking Tagalog classes again, it is much easier this time especially since I have decided, I just want to learn so I can understand Tagalog enough to know what is being said in Sacrament meeting, Sunday school class and Relief Society class. Everyone talks to us in English, sometimes with a deep accent but I am even getting better at knowing what is being said. Quite often when we are in meetings and the language turns to Tagalog, one of the Filipino people will speak up and say, English, speak English and the Tagalog quickly turns to English. The people are so accommodating and kind here, I just feel like hugging everyone of them.
Let me start with New Years Eve, I was warned that the Filipino people love new years and celebrate with lots of fireworks. They can buy most any kind of fireworks and they do. I was standing in the apartment at midnight looking out windows that faces north and one that faces east at the same, the noise was deafening, I would have felt like I was in a war zone if it had not been so beautiful. They really do not follow any precautions and one of the guys here in the office neighbor's house burned down from firework fall out.
I really am becoming adjusted to the Philippines, all I used to see when I went out was all the garbage, they really do not have a system for collecting residents garbage, so you see it everywhere, even in plastic bags hanging from tree, fences, piled on the sidewalk or scattered everywhere. They do have street sweepers (men/women with broom and dustpan), so some areas are kept fairly clean. Anyway, I realized the other day that the garbage is still there but I don't notice it as much, to me that is adjustment to my surroundings.
I have been trying more of the Filipino food, still find most of it pretty bland and not great, however some is pretty good, however when we go out to eat I never know what to order because I do not understand what the names of the food are, so usually stick with American food if available. I do not eat rice and that is a wonder to everyone here, I am asked quite often what do you eat for carbohydrates? Bread is my answer, their bread here is very good, however kind of sweet tasting so I don't eat to much of it. I did make a meatloaf in the crock pot, it turned out okay but I put hamburger and pork together which I had never done before, and I really thought the pork taste was to strong, but Sister Clark really liked it.
I got a bite on the inner corner of my eyelid and woke up with mu eye almost sullen shut, but by evening it was better, I could see the bite but no idea what it was, possibly and ant, no side effects.
The children here are very respectful to older people. I have had a teenage boy at one of the chapels we were at, who didn't know, come over to me, take my hand and raised it to touch his forehead. This is a sign of giving respect, it was very touching, also young young girl, about 6 yrs old did the same thing. I love it!
I have not met a Filipino that doesn't have a good singing voice and as I have said before they love to sing. Most of the chapels only have pianos in the chapel, so all other meetings the music is sung without a piano. Who ever is asked to lead the music gets up and sings a few bars of the hymn, then says 1, 2, 3 sing and we all start singing while they conduct. It is marvelous to be part of their singing.
We have been doing a lot of traveling by car and by plane. I never tire of seeing the Philippines country side and the small Providences outside Manila. The hotels/motels we stay in are pretty basic, but clean and the beds are generally comfortable. The one we stayed in last weekend in Naga was beautiful, we took a tour of the town well actually the tour guide only wanted to show us to the catholic churches in Naga, he did ask if we were like nuns because our name tags said Sister, I really wasn't into seeing all the catholic churches there, so after seeing two of them, we had the driver drop us off at the mall, more my kind of tour.
We were in Angeles Mission weekend before last and after the mapping sessions we talked with a sister who was at the chapel. She has been a member for 2 1/2 yrs and joined while she was in Hong Kong working. She said their ward did not have anyone who could play the piano and she was trying to teach herself, Sister Clark told her about the program the church has for learning to play the piano, so I told her I would buy the materials at the distribution center and send it to her. That was a fun thing to do, I sent it by the church courier, hope it helps her and maybe she will be able to help others learn too.
I'm back to taking Tagalog classes again, it is much easier this time especially since I have decided, I just want to learn so I can understand Tagalog enough to know what is being said in Sacrament meeting, Sunday school class and Relief Society class. Everyone talks to us in English, sometimes with a deep accent but I am even getting better at knowing what is being said. Quite often when we are in meetings and the language turns to Tagalog, one of the Filipino people will speak up and say, English, speak English and the Tagalog quickly turns to English. The people are so accommodating and kind here, I just feel like hugging everyone of them.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
November 25 - December 29, 2010
It has been awhile since I have taken the time to blog, will try and catch up.
I have loved going to the shopping malls here, they play Christmas carols and everyone sings along with them, I feel like I've heard a choir when I leave. The filipino people do love to sing and since they are a christian country they are very comfortable singing Christmas hymns anywhere.
The temple Christmas lights were turned on December 1st and is beautifully done. It does seem a little strange to see palm trees with lights on them. The manager scene is quite large and very realalistic.
My companion and I baked cookies for the people in our department, can't believe I didn't burn a one. There are 20 people that work in the Member Statics Records (MSR) so that was a lot of cookies, couldn't eat very many or would not have enough.
We were invited to the employee Christmas party, it was a catered affair in our cafeteria that was all decorated and festive. We heard from the Area President and PAO choir. MSR had a party also, the code word to get into the room was "eat", of course all filipino food, some very good some not so good, but I managed to leave feeling full.
Eva, the sister that was an interpeter for Scott when he was here on his mission, husband works in the MSR, I invited them to our apartment for dinner. They have four children. They do not own a car so a friend was going to give them a ride so I invited him and his family to dinner also. They have 3 children, so we had seven children ages 3 yrs to 14 yrs, it was great. I made spaghetti and meatballs using a filipino sweet spaghetti sauce, tasted good. The 3 year old didn't want to eat because we didn't have any rice. I got some games, crayons, etc to keep the kids busy and we all had a good visit. We used paper products, so no doing dishes.
I taught the branch Relief Society lesson a couple of weeks ago, it was on Gifts of the Spirit. I didn't know quite what to expect as the lessons are always given in Tagalog, and we know I don't speak nor understand it unless they use hand motions, sometimes I get it. I felt like the lesson went pretty well until the very end when the Relief Society president asked if people with the third eye had a gift of the spirit. I had no idea what the third eye was, so I said "would that be like when as a child I asked my mother how she always knew what I was doing, she said she had eyes in the back of her head?" She said the third eye was people who could see beyond the veil. I explained that if the Lord felt we had a need to see beyond the veil he could bless each of us to do that, it was not a gift of the spirit just a blessing from the Lord if he feels it is needed. I think some of the Catholic teachings get mixed in sometimes.
I had my first and possibly last experience riding a tricycle. I walked to the mall and had to many bags to carry back, so hired a tricycle, wow, what a ride! It was one of those moments where I said, "I can't believe it, I am in a tricycle riding down the street in the Philippines."
I have decided to see if I can drive here, my companion and I depend on others for rides, and it is uncomfortable to me, so I am going to get my drivers license and the motor vehicle department guys, here at the PAO will take me out to prove I can drive. Of course, I really don't know if I will be able to drive in this traffice, like I said before, it feels like driving in bumper cars, I may just freeze up, however if I do it just means I shouldn't drive, if I can do it, good for me. We'll get a car and watch out traffic, I'm on the road. I feel anxiety just thinking about it.
Starting the second week of January we will be having mapping meetings at least every other weekend and during the week as we can schedule them. We will be flying to Cebu again but most of the trips will be by vehicle. I really wish we could get this mapping done by the time Sister Clark leaves, but that is not her goal.
I hope you all had a Very Merry Christmas, this was a new experience for me. For the first time in my life I was completely away from family and friends, well I have made new friends here and they are great people. This is the first Christmas I can remember where my focus was totally on the Savior, some emotions rose in me that were very tender and heartfelt. As they say here, I am "much grateful" for the Saviors birth, love and sacrifice for each of us. I am so grateful for my family and their support, they truly are a comfort and satisfaction to me. I am also grateful for my good friends and their kindness.
Happy New Year!
I have loved going to the shopping malls here, they play Christmas carols and everyone sings along with them, I feel like I've heard a choir when I leave. The filipino people do love to sing and since they are a christian country they are very comfortable singing Christmas hymns anywhere.
The temple Christmas lights were turned on December 1st and is beautifully done. It does seem a little strange to see palm trees with lights on them. The manager scene is quite large and very realalistic.
My companion and I baked cookies for the people in our department, can't believe I didn't burn a one. There are 20 people that work in the Member Statics Records (MSR) so that was a lot of cookies, couldn't eat very many or would not have enough.
We were invited to the employee Christmas party, it was a catered affair in our cafeteria that was all decorated and festive. We heard from the Area President and PAO choir. MSR had a party also, the code word to get into the room was "eat", of course all filipino food, some very good some not so good, but I managed to leave feeling full.
Eva, the sister that was an interpeter for Scott when he was here on his mission, husband works in the MSR, I invited them to our apartment for dinner. They have four children. They do not own a car so a friend was going to give them a ride so I invited him and his family to dinner also. They have 3 children, so we had seven children ages 3 yrs to 14 yrs, it was great. I made spaghetti and meatballs using a filipino sweet spaghetti sauce, tasted good. The 3 year old didn't want to eat because we didn't have any rice. I got some games, crayons, etc to keep the kids busy and we all had a good visit. We used paper products, so no doing dishes.
I taught the branch Relief Society lesson a couple of weeks ago, it was on Gifts of the Spirit. I didn't know quite what to expect as the lessons are always given in Tagalog, and we know I don't speak nor understand it unless they use hand motions, sometimes I get it. I felt like the lesson went pretty well until the very end when the Relief Society president asked if people with the third eye had a gift of the spirit. I had no idea what the third eye was, so I said "would that be like when as a child I asked my mother how she always knew what I was doing, she said she had eyes in the back of her head?" She said the third eye was people who could see beyond the veil. I explained that if the Lord felt we had a need to see beyond the veil he could bless each of us to do that, it was not a gift of the spirit just a blessing from the Lord if he feels it is needed. I think some of the Catholic teachings get mixed in sometimes.
I had my first and possibly last experience riding a tricycle. I walked to the mall and had to many bags to carry back, so hired a tricycle, wow, what a ride! It was one of those moments where I said, "I can't believe it, I am in a tricycle riding down the street in the Philippines."
I have decided to see if I can drive here, my companion and I depend on others for rides, and it is uncomfortable to me, so I am going to get my drivers license and the motor vehicle department guys, here at the PAO will take me out to prove I can drive. Of course, I really don't know if I will be able to drive in this traffice, like I said before, it feels like driving in bumper cars, I may just freeze up, however if I do it just means I shouldn't drive, if I can do it, good for me. We'll get a car and watch out traffic, I'm on the road. I feel anxiety just thinking about it.
Starting the second week of January we will be having mapping meetings at least every other weekend and during the week as we can schedule them. We will be flying to Cebu again but most of the trips will be by vehicle. I really wish we could get this mapping done by the time Sister Clark leaves, but that is not her goal.
I hope you all had a Very Merry Christmas, this was a new experience for me. For the first time in my life I was completely away from family and friends, well I have made new friends here and they are great people. This is the first Christmas I can remember where my focus was totally on the Savior, some emotions rose in me that were very tender and heartfelt. As they say here, I am "much grateful" for the Saviors birth, love and sacrifice for each of us. I am so grateful for my family and their support, they truly are a comfort and satisfaction to me. I am also grateful for my good friends and their kindness.
Happy New Year!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
November 9th-November 26th
We have been doing a lot of traveling so I am really behind on my blogging. Last week we were on Panay Island for four days and three nights meeting with stake presidents and branch presidents. We flew to Kalibo and met with stakes that evening, spent the night, drove to Iloilo the next day, about four hours, met with two stakes that evening, spent the night, drove to San Jose, about 2 hours, met with stake, drove back to Iloilo, spent the night and caught a flight from there the next morning to Manila. It is exhausting, but very satisfying, not only to accomplish the mapping but to see so much of the Philippines. The island is beautiful, full of rice fields and sugar cane fields and wide open spaces. Whereever we go the people are warm, friendly, kind and helpful. Tipping is not something that is expected here, in fact they are embrassed if you tip them.
We always have a driver as Sister Clark and I don't have the courage to face the traffic. In the Metro Manila area traffic is very slow and quite often at a stand still but out in the providences traffic moves very well, in fact, at first I couldn't understand how come the driver was going so fast, 80-120 miles per hour. At first, I checked to see if a fire was chasing us, there was none, guess when the drivers get out in the open country they make up for the slowness in the big city. We fly through the providences at 60 miles and hour, with the horn tooting, people all over on sides of road, businesses, etc. I often wonder which wears out first on the church cars, the brakes or the horn.
We went to Lingayen and Dagupen this week, three days and two nights. We drove about five hours to Lingayen, met with two stakes, drove two hours to Dagupen spent the night, met with only one stake as other two stakes got dates mixed up and came the week before. We visited One Hundred Islands and saw where General McArthur landed when he returned to the Philippines, spent the night again in Dagupen and drove home. Our drivers are usually brethern that work in the MSR dept with us, occasionally one is hired.
I love the chapels here, they are so open and consist of usually 2-4 buildings. We sit in our branch each Sunday, no air conditioning, the sacrament hall has nine fans blowing and the windows open. I hear roosters crowing, birds singing and feel a nice breeze, amazing is what I say to myself every Sunday.
When we travel I always sit in the back seat and look out both sides of the car. In doing that I finally figured out how rice is planted clear through the harvesting of it goes. It really is quite a process, I am told one of the biggest hazards of rice farming is cobra snake bites.
The senior missionaries are having Thanksgiving Dinner at the mission home on Saturday, but Sister Clark scheduled a mapping appointment that day, so don't know how long we will get to stay. I have met the two new couples last week and they looked as jet lagged as I felt when I arrived. Guess we all have to go through the process.
Everyone is getting very excited about the "50 Jubilee", scheduled for April 22, 23 24, 2011 in Manila. As we visit the different stakes, there are always youth practicing their dances.
Serving in the Philippines has certainly given me a new perspective on a world wide church, the Lord does love each of us wherever we live, wants everyone to return to live with him, and has his servants hard at work to accomplish that.
We always have a driver as Sister Clark and I don't have the courage to face the traffic. In the Metro Manila area traffic is very slow and quite often at a stand still but out in the providences traffic moves very well, in fact, at first I couldn't understand how come the driver was going so fast, 80-120 miles per hour. At first, I checked to see if a fire was chasing us, there was none, guess when the drivers get out in the open country they make up for the slowness in the big city. We fly through the providences at 60 miles and hour, with the horn tooting, people all over on sides of road, businesses, etc. I often wonder which wears out first on the church cars, the brakes or the horn.
We went to Lingayen and Dagupen this week, three days and two nights. We drove about five hours to Lingayen, met with two stakes, drove two hours to Dagupen spent the night, met with only one stake as other two stakes got dates mixed up and came the week before. We visited One Hundred Islands and saw where General McArthur landed when he returned to the Philippines, spent the night again in Dagupen and drove home. Our drivers are usually brethern that work in the MSR dept with us, occasionally one is hired.
I love the chapels here, they are so open and consist of usually 2-4 buildings. We sit in our branch each Sunday, no air conditioning, the sacrament hall has nine fans blowing and the windows open. I hear roosters crowing, birds singing and feel a nice breeze, amazing is what I say to myself every Sunday.
When we travel I always sit in the back seat and look out both sides of the car. In doing that I finally figured out how rice is planted clear through the harvesting of it goes. It really is quite a process, I am told one of the biggest hazards of rice farming is cobra snake bites.
The senior missionaries are having Thanksgiving Dinner at the mission home on Saturday, but Sister Clark scheduled a mapping appointment that day, so don't know how long we will get to stay. I have met the two new couples last week and they looked as jet lagged as I felt when I arrived. Guess we all have to go through the process.
Everyone is getting very excited about the "50 Jubilee", scheduled for April 22, 23 24, 2011 in Manila. As we visit the different stakes, there are always youth practicing their dances.
Serving in the Philippines has certainly given me a new perspective on a world wide church, the Lord does love each of us wherever we live, wants everyone to return to live with him, and has his servants hard at work to accomplish that.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
October 27th - November 8th
Things are going fine here in the Philippines. I am still learning about the culture, loving the people and having great experiences.
We have had two Philippine holidays in the past two weeks. The day they vote is a national holiday: they vote every six years for a new president and every three years for barangay president, etc. (would be like our local elections). And All Saints Day, which is like our Memorial Day but lasts for about four days.
We went to another mapping meeting with a driver, he works in our department. It was up in the mountains and around a beautiful lake, the winding roads were a little rough at times. His name is Ralphie and he took us by his home to pick up his 4 year old son, Ammon, and 9 year old daughter, Lalia. His home was interesting, it is in a long row of house connected to each other, no yards and just a fire wall between their house, front & back, from the neighbors. The houses were dirty looking but at one time were painted eggshell colors, his house was pink. Right out in front of his house a lady had set up a street vendor to sell food she was cooking, all this in a street that equals one lane of our traffic. The kids rode in the back seat with me, it took them a little bit to warm up, but all I needed to do was scratch Ammon's back and we were friends. Lalia laid her head on my shoulder and fell asleep.
I have started a walking exercise. They have that treadmill in the apartments where we live but I have told you about that, it just doesn't work for me. I walked a couple of days back into the neighborhood that is near the office and that wasn't great but better than the treadmill and then I decided to see if walking around the temple grounds would provide the exercise I needed, so that is what I am doing 5 days a week. It takes me about 30 minutes to walk three times around the temple grounds, it is pretty warm but I am loving being outside and feeling safe walking.
We had a senior couple go home last Thursday and another senior couple go home today, another couple will go home on the 16th and the last for awhile will go home on the 19th. We had a new couple arrive last Monday to replace the couple that went home today. There is not a replacement for the first couple.
It is so interesting to see signs here, of course there is the US military influence but just how they speak english is interesting, almost sounds like baby talk. The filipino people say they love to hear Americans speak Tagalog because it sound so cute and formal. Some signs I have seen lately kind of give an idea how they put english words together: Construction sign- "Caution Men active", another construction sign-"bear with us"; temple sign-"no picnic or socials on temple grounds"; road sign-"Killing Zone-because of Recklass Drivers;" orange juice ad-"lots of pulpy"; name on package of toilet paper you put in your purse just in case-"Joy Pop Up". Well you get the idea, keeps me chuckling.
I am loving the branch we are attending even though it takes an hour to get there. The missionary couple we ride with started teaching a family history class two weeks ago, so for the last two weeks I have gone in their class instead of the gospel doctrine. Sometimes it is just good to hear good ole english during a lesson, however I will be going back to the gospel doctrine class next Sunday. I saw this little baby boy and went to his mother and asked if I could hold him, she handed him to me and he immediately kissed my cheek, well I am in love with 8 month old Enos and held him for a bit again yesterday.
Sister Beckstrand and I were asked to bear our testimonies in RS and then I was asked to teach the RS lesson on Nov 21st. Sister Clark teaches piano students during sunday school and RS and they are doing very well, she says one of the girls father decided he wanted to learn with his daughter so she is teaching him, too.
We will be going to Iliola mission next week for four days and hope to complete the mapping for that mission while we are there. Elder Bunnell who is over the mapping of the Philippines told me that no where else in the world are they doing the kind of mapping we are doing, we are the pioneers, doesn't seem that complicated to me, I have learned it very quickly , the first time I sat down to try the mapping, I suddenly felt like I had done it before. This truly is the Lord's work and need in the Philippines and I am thrilled to be called to be part of it.
We have had two Philippine holidays in the past two weeks. The day they vote is a national holiday: they vote every six years for a new president and every three years for barangay president, etc. (would be like our local elections). And All Saints Day, which is like our Memorial Day but lasts for about four days.
We went to another mapping meeting with a driver, he works in our department. It was up in the mountains and around a beautiful lake, the winding roads were a little rough at times. His name is Ralphie and he took us by his home to pick up his 4 year old son, Ammon, and 9 year old daughter, Lalia. His home was interesting, it is in a long row of house connected to each other, no yards and just a fire wall between their house, front & back, from the neighbors. The houses were dirty looking but at one time were painted eggshell colors, his house was pink. Right out in front of his house a lady had set up a street vendor to sell food she was cooking, all this in a street that equals one lane of our traffic. The kids rode in the back seat with me, it took them a little bit to warm up, but all I needed to do was scratch Ammon's back and we were friends. Lalia laid her head on my shoulder and fell asleep.
I have started a walking exercise. They have that treadmill in the apartments where we live but I have told you about that, it just doesn't work for me. I walked a couple of days back into the neighborhood that is near the office and that wasn't great but better than the treadmill and then I decided to see if walking around the temple grounds would provide the exercise I needed, so that is what I am doing 5 days a week. It takes me about 30 minutes to walk three times around the temple grounds, it is pretty warm but I am loving being outside and feeling safe walking.
We had a senior couple go home last Thursday and another senior couple go home today, another couple will go home on the 16th and the last for awhile will go home on the 19th. We had a new couple arrive last Monday to replace the couple that went home today. There is not a replacement for the first couple.
It is so interesting to see signs here, of course there is the US military influence but just how they speak english is interesting, almost sounds like baby talk. The filipino people say they love to hear Americans speak Tagalog because it sound so cute and formal. Some signs I have seen lately kind of give an idea how they put english words together: Construction sign- "Caution Men active", another construction sign-"bear with us"; temple sign-"no picnic or socials on temple grounds"; road sign-"Killing Zone-because of Recklass Drivers;" orange juice ad-"lots of pulpy"; name on package of toilet paper you put in your purse just in case-"Joy Pop Up". Well you get the idea, keeps me chuckling.
I am loving the branch we are attending even though it takes an hour to get there. The missionary couple we ride with started teaching a family history class two weeks ago, so for the last two weeks I have gone in their class instead of the gospel doctrine. Sometimes it is just good to hear good ole english during a lesson, however I will be going back to the gospel doctrine class next Sunday. I saw this little baby boy and went to his mother and asked if I could hold him, she handed him to me and he immediately kissed my cheek, well I am in love with 8 month old Enos and held him for a bit again yesterday.
Sister Beckstrand and I were asked to bear our testimonies in RS and then I was asked to teach the RS lesson on Nov 21st. Sister Clark teaches piano students during sunday school and RS and they are doing very well, she says one of the girls father decided he wanted to learn with his daughter so she is teaching him, too.
We will be going to Iliola mission next week for four days and hope to complete the mapping for that mission while we are there. Elder Bunnell who is over the mapping of the Philippines told me that no where else in the world are they doing the kind of mapping we are doing, we are the pioneers, doesn't seem that complicated to me, I have learned it very quickly , the first time I sat down to try the mapping, I suddenly felt like I had done it before. This truly is the Lord's work and need in the Philippines and I am thrilled to be called to be part of it.
Monday, October 25, 2010
October 14th - 26th
I didn't get the opportunity to blog last week or rather I didn't take the time to blog. It seems like everyday I think of something I need to tell everyone and then forget, so I have started to make notes, now if I can find the notes, I will be in good shape.
On October 13th the office had a devotional with Elder Quentin Cook, Elder Jay Jenkins and President McClure. They did a question and answer type devotional, it took everyone by surpise so there weren't that many questions but it was informative and enjoyable. Elder Cook was very comfortable and really is an ordinary man with an extra ordinary responsibility. The office put together a choir for the occasion and did a good job. Filipino people do love to sing, they often do not have pianos in Relief Society or other meetings besides Sacrament Meeting, so someone gets up, sings a few bars of the song, says okay and we all sing and it sounds great. All the hymns are sung in English and I am grateful for that.
One of the sisters that works in the office was determined for me to try horseradish, so she brought some to work and made it into a salad. I found that what they call horseradish is not what we call horseradish. Philippine horseradish looks like a cucumber that is corregated and has a very bitter taste. The sister sliced the horseradish very thin and mixed it with onions and fish and some sugar. I ate some of it, but my stomach paid the price all afternoon. I think I have said before how anxious they are that we like their food. Everything they want you to try, they will tell you what part of your body that particular food is good for, I can't remember for sure but I don't think horseradish was good for digestion.
Most of the apartments here do not have clothes dryers, fortunately ours does but to use it we have to hang the dryer hose out the window. They do not have dryer sheets here, but the washer does make a buzzing sound when it is time to put in the fabric softener, most of the time I catch it. We really are so blessed in the US with such modern conveniences, I feel like I have stepped back in time about 30 years or more when it comes to household things and equipment.
I will never get used to the brooms here, I've thought about giving up sweeping because I get so frustrated doing it but then the dust bunnies get so bad I get the broom out for another try, unfortunately it is just as frustrating as the last time I used it.
I was looking at a visiting teaching report in one of the wards we were visiting and I was surprised to see that there were 12-16 sister on each route, some of the routes had a 100 % and all of the routes had at least visited some of the sisters on their routes and the traveling here is so bad and costly for many of the visiting teachers. Some of us are so lame in the US compared to the Filipino sisters dedication, they also work out of their homes as we do, have young children and many of the sisters on their routes do not have phones.
Sister Clark and I rode to Tarlac Stake with a driver on Saturday. It was a wonderful, the trip, took us about 2 1/2 hours and was outside of Metro Manila. It felt like a road trip in the country to me, so relaxing and refreshing. Everything was green, lots of sugar cane and rice fields. I really think I could live in a Nimpa Hut here in the Philippines, I like them. I would like to visit a shanty town before I go home just to see how the people adjust and live in their shelters. The people are so happy, I keep thinking they must have a secret inside their shanty towns that we don't know about.
A lot of the senior missionaries here read novels, that really surprised me, Sister Clark said we can do what we want on our down time. I don't think missionaries every have a down time from being a missionary, at any rate, reading novels on my mission is not on my list of things to do and going site seeing is not a priority either. I hear all the time, oh we will have to take Sister Burwell here or there, if I went to all those places, I'm not sure when I would have time to do my assignments.
I feel really proud of myself, we were sitting in a gospel doctrine class on Sunday and the teacher was teaching about forordination, I know that because she said the word in english, at one point the teacher and one of the sister got into a discussion that was getting a little heated, of course it was all in Tagalog, but I somehow sensed what the problem was and raised my hand and explained that I could not understand Tagalog but maybe I could answer, so I explained that we were forordinated to certain callings in the pre-existence but we are given our agency and it is up to us to be worthy to receive the forordination in this life, the sister immediately began shaking her head yes, the teacher agreed, she had left out that bit of info and the lesson preceded. The gospel is true everywhere in the world!
On October 13th the office had a devotional with Elder Quentin Cook, Elder Jay Jenkins and President McClure. They did a question and answer type devotional, it took everyone by surpise so there weren't that many questions but it was informative and enjoyable. Elder Cook was very comfortable and really is an ordinary man with an extra ordinary responsibility. The office put together a choir for the occasion and did a good job. Filipino people do love to sing, they often do not have pianos in Relief Society or other meetings besides Sacrament Meeting, so someone gets up, sings a few bars of the song, says okay and we all sing and it sounds great. All the hymns are sung in English and I am grateful for that.
One of the sisters that works in the office was determined for me to try horseradish, so she brought some to work and made it into a salad. I found that what they call horseradish is not what we call horseradish. Philippine horseradish looks like a cucumber that is corregated and has a very bitter taste. The sister sliced the horseradish very thin and mixed it with onions and fish and some sugar. I ate some of it, but my stomach paid the price all afternoon. I think I have said before how anxious they are that we like their food. Everything they want you to try, they will tell you what part of your body that particular food is good for, I can't remember for sure but I don't think horseradish was good for digestion.
Most of the apartments here do not have clothes dryers, fortunately ours does but to use it we have to hang the dryer hose out the window. They do not have dryer sheets here, but the washer does make a buzzing sound when it is time to put in the fabric softener, most of the time I catch it. We really are so blessed in the US with such modern conveniences, I feel like I have stepped back in time about 30 years or more when it comes to household things and equipment.
I will never get used to the brooms here, I've thought about giving up sweeping because I get so frustrated doing it but then the dust bunnies get so bad I get the broom out for another try, unfortunately it is just as frustrating as the last time I used it.
I was looking at a visiting teaching report in one of the wards we were visiting and I was surprised to see that there were 12-16 sister on each route, some of the routes had a 100 % and all of the routes had at least visited some of the sisters on their routes and the traveling here is so bad and costly for many of the visiting teachers. Some of us are so lame in the US compared to the Filipino sisters dedication, they also work out of their homes as we do, have young children and many of the sisters on their routes do not have phones.
Sister Clark and I rode to Tarlac Stake with a driver on Saturday. It was a wonderful, the trip, took us about 2 1/2 hours and was outside of Metro Manila. It felt like a road trip in the country to me, so relaxing and refreshing. Everything was green, lots of sugar cane and rice fields. I really think I could live in a Nimpa Hut here in the Philippines, I like them. I would like to visit a shanty town before I go home just to see how the people adjust and live in their shelters. The people are so happy, I keep thinking they must have a secret inside their shanty towns that we don't know about.
A lot of the senior missionaries here read novels, that really surprised me, Sister Clark said we can do what we want on our down time. I don't think missionaries every have a down time from being a missionary, at any rate, reading novels on my mission is not on my list of things to do and going site seeing is not a priority either. I hear all the time, oh we will have to take Sister Burwell here or there, if I went to all those places, I'm not sure when I would have time to do my assignments.
I feel really proud of myself, we were sitting in a gospel doctrine class on Sunday and the teacher was teaching about forordination, I know that because she said the word in english, at one point the teacher and one of the sister got into a discussion that was getting a little heated, of course it was all in Tagalog, but I somehow sensed what the problem was and raised my hand and explained that I could not understand Tagalog but maybe I could answer, so I explained that we were forordinated to certain callings in the pre-existence but we are given our agency and it is up to us to be worthy to receive the forordination in this life, the sister immediately began shaking her head yes, the teacher agreed, she had left out that bit of info and the lesson preceded. The gospel is true everywhere in the world!
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