Grateful

A missionary had some work done today that he felt was life changing. After getting a tooth extracted, he gave the dentist wife a hug when she held out her hand for a handshake. He felt he would be a better speaker and missionary and was deeply grateful to the dentist and his wife.

Tooth in the way of pronouncing certain letters

After this heals, he will be able to speak better.

Watching out

I took down my Facebook profile picture with my grandchildren on it when I found out today that they are being targeted because they know an American. I guess when I write on their facebook my profile comes up with their picture on it and there are expectations from others - I can't understand the particulars, but something about expectations of other people.
I feel terrible! I also had to block a person on facebook because she is expecting money from me - I've never seen or met her - and I'm hoping my friends weren't hacked either.
Nate warned me long ago about being careful - I just wasn't careful enough this time. I'm going to do better. No more pictures of me and my adopted grandchildren.

On their way to Cebu and Bacolod

So how about some visitors from Utah who are friends with a new couple (The Browne's) I met last Saturday? These are two from a group of people who came to visit for a a bit.

Moo

I just want to kick something. Of course being an adult that isn't appropriate.
A few weeks ago I gave a family some pesos to buy milk and groceries for a specific need. I find out this week the kids are wondering if I was going to send milk again.
Milk in their household is a luxury.

Milk is sold on the shelf and only need refrigeration after opening

I quickly took care of that need, but the fact that it exists and I'm still so woefully blind to how lives are run here, is frustrating!  It didn't even occur to me that they weren't getting milk every day.  Growing up milk always appeared on the table and as an adult I didn't care for it. Here it is a lucky day if you get some.

Senior Missionaries are loved

Watching the timing of circumstances lets me know when God is working.
Today two different Senior missionaries dropped in because of concerns. Elder Whitehead had told us yesterday that he had a meeting and not to schedule missionaries during certain hours. This morning he came in and told us the meeting had been changed until tomorrow. So today he had a light schedule with extra time.
Dr. Whitehead's field missionary came in early and since he was not in a meeting, Dr. Whitehead saw him immediately. Then just as he finished up with the field missionary, a Senior missionary came in with her crown in hand wondering if she could get help today. She was able to step right in and be seen by Dr. Whitehead. Then the very next field appointment was for Dr. Stewart. A senior couple came in and told us they both were being seen as they were told the next time they came in that the sister could get her teeth cleaned. I just laughed inside and asked Dr. Whitehead if he could see her. "Of course!"  This is when I know in my heart that God is mindful of our problems coming up before they come up and has a solution all ready. The caveat being I see this in missionary work more than I noticed it back home.

Dr. and Sister Stewart taking care of the field missionary

Dr. and Sister Whitehead fulfilling their call

Villa Esudero

Having an outdoor lunch at Villa Esudero

The Seniors went on an outing last Saturday to Villa Esudero which is a resort that you can stay at or just have fun for the day. We traveled for 2 hours and just had fun for the day. The first thing we did was get on a cart with a carabao to take us to the "falls" for lunch.

Wading over to the table to eat

It was great! The table are set in the water below the falls and you get to wade through the water to pick up your lunch and wade over to the table to sit down and eat your lunch. Big buffet of Filipino favourites - most of the Seniors enjoyed the chicken and rice. Actually I really enjoyed most of the vegetables they served in various dishes too.

I've forgotten the light wood that the "plates" are made of but the banana leaf holds everything nicely. The rice is packaged in the paper. Coconuts are always served as a drink. I prefer it cold (if I drink it).

The service was all by hand and the servers got to stay in the water too

This was a lot of fun and would probably never make it in the US. The falls had been cemented somewhere along the way along with the whole riverbed. They did have stepping stones but they were a little far apart. Walking was tricky as it was just like a regular riverbed and uneven and in places slippery with moss. I really enjoyed the lunch and sitting with my feet in the water on a hot day.

Hey it's the carabao all dressed up with flowers

We went to the museum while we waited for the cultural show. No pictures were allowed - so I'll just have to tell you I learned enough to have my head stuffed. Then back on the carabao carts (being serenaded) and over to the cultural show that had folk dancing from all over the islands of the Philippines.

Being serenaded as we traveled

We kept passing this residence that someone lives in right in the middle of the resort

There were interesting vignettes through the territory that we ambled past int the cart, of Filipino life and fantasy. A mixture of pathos in the war planes and armour, ethos showing couples in the park beside fantasy characters and logos in the museum and 'fact' boards.

The folk dancers, drummers, and musicians were fascinating to listen and watch.

How do they do that?

While the dancing was fascinating and fun, the three and a half hour trip home was not. Though it was nice to get to know the other ladies in the van a whole lot better.

Cog-dom

Helping behind the scenes is where I shine. I was so glad that Stephanie Lambertson was the Primary President and that Lanette Hopkins and Wendy Vance were the camp directors. I don't enjoy being in the front like hands on a clock, but I do love being the cog that moves the hands along.  I love assisting and helping out in someone's vision and dream. Well maybe I do love being the CubMaster that was really a lot of fun but even there I assisted the Den Leaders (fathers) in helping the boys.

Today was a win-win for my cog-dom status. A picture I took was used as an expression of love, some stories I collected were used as the basis of a short talk, and the prop I created will be used in Sharing Time for Primary. The funny thing is I HATE being told what to do and how far and high to jump. But I love using my talents in my own way to further someone else's plan.  Give me your goal and then let me figure out how I can be of service.

Spinner to be used in Primary

I have wonderful caring grandchildren

Ernesto and Christy Solera Valentines Day 2018

Ernesto told me about the great Valentines day he had. First he went with his sweetheart to the Mall and had a nice date with her.  When he came home his children surprised them both with tokens of love and appreciation.

Coming home the children gave them more surprises

Today I talked with Ernesto and he told me the rest of the story.  When asked how they got money for the presents, the children told about planning a surprise for their parents.  Planning ahead they walked to school instead of using the money their mother gave them to ride a tricycle or jeepney.

Imprints

We have made a lot of good friends here, the Bowman's were an unexpected privilege. It has been a little tricky as they have been gone to the States quite a few time taking care of parents and in-laws.
Jeffrey and David are both on the 2nd floor and get to have drop-in discussions. Sometimes Jeffrey will tell me a doctrinal question that comes up.

David Bowman and Jeffrey walking from the Area office

Last Monday Jeffrey and I walked home together and David came a little part of the way. He is leaving for the States again and it looks like we won't see him because he'll come back after we've left.

As we were walking and talking about the wonders of the day Jeffrey had had, he told me he'd made a lasting impression here. As we rounded a corner he showed me his foot print he'd made walking home one night and realised the cement was still a little wet.

New cement left foot

And here's most of the right foot

In reality our presence will be missed like the hole left in water when you pull your hand out of it. But there will be a physical impression for a little while of his footprint.

If you happen to round the corner at Giraffe and Greenmeadow look down

Corner as you turn to go to the Area office 

Getting Through This

I warned Jeffrey that if he bought a chocolate cake that I would take half instead of my usual slice. Every once in a while Jeffrey will buy these little 6 inch two-tier chocolate cakes from Mary Grace a free-standing shop in the mall on the fourth floor. He brought one home and then after supper watched me with an amused fascinated look on his face as I carefully enjoyed every little bite.  It has just been one emotion filled week.

This picture came off the internet, I did not have the will power to wrench the fork out of my hand and go get a camera

I have to admit I could see Kristy's Facebook post in my mind: "Sweetie, you eat as much chocolate as you need to get through this." Lisa 2016

Getting Ready

This always happens when a VERY IMPORTANT PERSON comes to visit. New paint jobs, facelifts, and extra shifts to clean and pretty up everywhere.

All around the MTC and Area office little paint jobs, cracks, and the grounds are going through a rigorous treatment

I guess this is a good idea as I didn't even notice that the paint was streaking or getting dingy

No idea what they are doing up here - something important

The temple renovations were scheduled a long time in advance - I wonder if the other improvements were too?

Elder Rasband will come strolling through the Area and MTC next week and I wonder if he will even notice all the little details that have been improved? I think it would be very difficult to notice anything different as there is always a big push to improve every little detail when ever anyone from Utah comes - but especially when the Apostles arrive.

I have happy thoughts and dark thoughts on the whole issue of getting ready for dignitaries. Yes, I  want the Area to look wonderful and beautiful as an honor to someone who is a representative of the Lord. The inside scoop is that men are working for 65 pesos an hour for an over-time extra shift. So a man with four children takes home a little over 600 pesos on a regular day. He signs up for an extra shift, stays overnight and goes home the next day after working three shifts. The added benefit is that he doesn't have to pay the cost of going home and coming to work which is a little less than 250 pesos a day.

My heart just about cracked when I did the math. Men here regularly make a little over $10 A DAY, spend almost $5 for transportation and feed, clothe, and take care of their families with the rest. A true emergency could be life changing. Without God's grace and assistance they will never get anywhere fast.

The perils of over-tipping fall on deaf ears to me. Sorry to the other Senior missionaries on a tight budget who may follow. There may be expectations.  Five dollars goes twice or three times as far here as it would in America.

"2 To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!" Isaiah 10:2

Games made

Candy Conversation with M&M's - each colour had something they said with it, balloon pop-ups - nerf gun ball shot out of a cup with the bottom cut out and a balloon cut and tied to pull out and 'pop' the ball. We measured how far you could get your ball to fly. Then a 'foosball' or nerf gun ball soccer game was made, and finally popsicle harmonicas.

Not knowing how many girls or boys will show up and what exactly they will like to do - Activity Day can be intense thought and effort - so when everyone looks happy - ITS A WIN!

Only Grant - 10 year old showed up so Sister Baysa the Primary president helped him make the  "foosball" game. Though our game is in a shoe box with a nerf gun ball as the 'soccer' ball Shoti helps - kind of - he's only six

Cedric showed up about an hour late and joined in the last of the game making

Two girls began until a third girl showed up about 45 minutes later.

Shoti checking out the clothes pins to make sure they worked

Chiyo, Achiee, and Sweet working on their game box

Sister Henry brought the Bishop's kids over early and stayed to help out - wonderful lady!

Chloe came about an hour later and is working on a popsicle harmonica. We actually got them all to make some sound!

Yup

Good and bad, happy, frustrating, sad and exciting such is the yo-yo emotions. 

Dawn rising

Babies are coming to our family, Rebekah is getting married! A missionary friend lost a battle with cancer and my good friend Lisa has gone home to the Father who created her. The Lord has answered prayers of protection, guidance and help in my Primary activity. A grandson here in the Philippines received a shot at school and is suffering terrible headaches. To vaccinate the children for Dengue fever they were given a shot that is affecting children badly. The policy was put in by a previous administration, so there is no one responsible for it's outcome.

One hour I am discussing the many blessings, joys and privileges that we enjoy and loving the interactions with Jeffrey and the next hour I'm reading about the passing of a loved one. 

I have answers to prayers driving safely to and from the church having an enjoyable but intense time with the children in activity day engaging them in games and education (tricky balance) and deciding it was a win.

Then I'm up at 3 in the morning with leg cramps deciding how I feel about the day.....

Great things happening this Year!!

I'm a little stymied on what I'm suppose to keep in my heart and what I can shout out to my friends and neighbours. Lots of really cool wonderful happenings in my family!! If you know any of my children ask them what is good going on in their lives because some of them have great news!

Renovations going on

So I thought I'd tell you about the ironies of life. The Manila temple has been going through some renovations until about April. We were suppose to leave the Philippines in April. Oakland Temple is suppose to start renovations -FOR A YEAR - until April of 2019. I think I'm just suppose to travel if I want to go to the Temple anytime this year.

I woke up to this the other morning:

No ghost just a thoughtful husband

Jeffrey is such a sweetheart!  He didn't want to wake me up while reading early in the morning. I was able to get out of bed and take a picture without him knowing I was aware.

Happy Birthday Elder Stinchfield (Actually on the 3rd I'm a little late)

Happy Birthday Elder Stinchfield! The cake is from Purple Oven a favourite bakery down the street.

We sing and he cuts the first slice - then Sister Stinchfield takes over the sharing

It's always nice to set aside a diet for a day to celebrate a birthday

It was a meringue layer cake instead of the usual 

Enjoyed by all

Discussing life

Elder Eckert came down from the MTC and brought the rest of the cake back up there to be enjoyed