Wednesday of each week is considered temple day for senior missionaries. Sister Clark and I went to the Manila Temple and did an endowment session. I thought of Scott the whole time, how he would love to have been with me as his mission was over before the Manila Temple was completed. It is beautiful but very small, only one endowment room so sessions are only every 2 hours. Some youth were there doing baptisms. It was obvious how much the filipions appreciate the temple. One of the filipiono sisters that works in the office with me, saw me waiting to cross the street to go to the temple, so she grabbed my hand and led me safely across the street, I just love it! There is an under ground tunnel that goes from the chuch office building to the temple, but it requires 20 steps down and 20 steps up and my knees don't like that much climbing.

We went out to eat with two missionary couples, they all think that is a big treat, but I would rather not do that so often mostly because I never know what I'm going to get. Last night I had a bad case of diahrea most of the night, no idea what food caused it, but fine this morning and all of the swelling of my body is gone, so there is a silver lining in every black cloud.

They want Sister Clark and I to have a car, but she refuses, says she has prayed about it and the Lord told her the priesthood needs to take care of our travel needs. I wouldn't be able to go one block without plowing into someone, so I believe her pray was answered correctly. We have taken a taxi a few times which costs on the average of 60-70 pecos each time. Sister Clark keeps very good track what where we are going so we don't get the long more expensive trip each time.

I'm beginning to catch onto my mapping responsibilities and really like doing it. Sister Clark and I are the only ones working on these maps right now and Salt Lake is anxious for us to complete this project which is still months away or more.

There is no hot water in our apartment. The showers have been rigged up with a small hot water heater but the kitchen has a one handle faucet, there is no hot water tank. Washing the dishes with cold (there is no cold water, just pee warm) is not very sanitary to me. Sister Clark often just rinses her dishes to clean them, but I get out the dish soap for mine.

I still feel like I am in a dream and can't wake up but I'm sure it will get real soon, everyone says it takes up to three weeks to totally adjust. I'm going to begin taking Talalog lessons next Tuesday, I have a hard time understanding everone with their accents so maybe I'll do better learning their language and they'll have to deal with my accent.

I'm missing my family, those hugs and kisses are very important to me, giving and receiving. I did meet up with Elder and Sister Aquilar yesterday at the MTC here. It was so good to see them and I did get two good hugs. Sister Aquilar is a doctor and is temporarily assigned to the MTC here, they were called to the Cebu mission.

What I need are some nice long informative e-mails so I know what is happening with each of you. Was great to get one from Douglas yesterday that brought me up to date. I have been checking Allyson's and Andew's blogs regularly, and often go back to see those five little heads surrounding the TV on Allyson's blog, makes me chuckle and warms my heart everytime I see it. Ingrid sent me a short note yesterday, thank you!