Yard-long

There are types and varieties of string beans in the Philippines. One of my favourite is called Yard-long string beans because yes that can be almost up to a yard in length. They are skinny and quite tasty when warmed up. But I have to admit there greatest strength is the fact that you head of the top and bottom and then just snap up a pan full of string-beans.

Yard-long come all curled up in a package

When taken out of the package they really are about a yard long

Gift for today

Today I am doing a project that allows for lots of thinking time. Tomorrow is Easter and somewhere along the line I had this brilliant idea to make booklets of Jesus Christ's story.  I printed the pictures all out, cut them out, laminated them, and then cut them out again. 15 sets of 11 pictures each. My right thumb and forefinger are just about numb.  Yup, brilliant.....

Second cutting out, this time trimming corners so no little ones get plastic paper cuts

Cutting out and organising so I can make little booklets

As I'm working along I reflect back to beginning in Pathways and hearing all the lofty promises about the graduates from BYUI and how they are going to be leaders etc. and thinking at the time they meant the young kids just starting. But I have to admit my service to the dental clinic was very unique and I was able to be of help there. Then in Primary - more because I have actually seen and been part of a mostly reverent, working Primary - I have been able to be a leader here too.

For this last month of my mission I decided to give 30 acts of service like the gifts of service given last December and a lot like the "characteristics of Jesus Christ" projects that I did for BYUI religion classes. I couldn't help but reflect my skepticism at the time of how my whole character would change if I would take on an attribute of Christ for a semester. "Yeah, what was going to change in four months?" All I have to say is watch out the fates are laughing their heads off as I went from being a regular student to a missionary in four short months.

Jeffrey in Isaiah and I working on my little "Life of Jesus Christ" booklets

So today as I'm spending hours working on my gift for the children in Primary tomorrow, I can't help but notice that Jeffrey is working on his Isaiah project and writing down his promptings and findings - being a Mary - while I'm doing the practical Martha work - to give a handout. Both of us are teaching two different Sharing Times and they will be uniquely different. Ah well, Martha got food on the table. Hopefully some child will remember Christ's life for more than a day.

Note the hole punch on the right

So one quick tidbit as I close. I have used a hole punch for different projects and lost it a few months ago. I bought another but gave it away in another project. Today I realised I really needed a hole punch because drilling little holes in lots and lots of plastic coated pictures was not appealing. Everything is shut down for East week.  I asked a fervent prayer as I walked into my room that I could find the hole punch I already had. First bag I picked up to sort, first package out of the bag had this little red hole punch. It was like someone took my hand and practically handed it over. So even if my gift of service today isn't of lofty worth some angel thinks it is important enough to help me out.

Lunch with the Whitehead family

Today, I went back to the Dental Clinic because Sister Tucker is out of town. Not that I was really needed as there were only 3 missionaries who came. Though I did put some more pages together for Sister Stewart's handbook. I can just here her saying, "No, it's not my handbook, it's the Dental Clinic's handbook."  But really when you put that many hours and effort into it, it really is her baby.

I had some lovely chats with various people getting information and how to help some new couples move in, and the Whiteheads invited me to lunch at the "Crepery" a restaurant that specialises in Crepes. I have got to go back with friends, it is an excellent restaurant that is within walking distance of the temple.

The Whiteheads and me in front of the temple

The mushroom soup was beautiful and delicious

We got plates and shared almost everything! The apple crepe was so good and the mango smoothy was really great.

Walking back we had to study this tree a bit as the branches and roots were everywhere!  Maybe a banyan tree cousin?

I love being with the Whiteheads. We were going to see a movie, but I noticed Jeffrey walking home early and decided to spend time with him. Life is good.

Visits

Yesterday, Sister Lorraine and I went on some more visits. First she stopped to get some more minutes on her phone. She paid the lady at the counter and the lady called on her own phone and then presto, Sister Lorraine had minutes on her phone. I'm still trying to figure that one out!

Little shop - how the minutes get from one phone to another is a mystery to me

We rode a trike until the road was too narrow to fit the trike

Then we walked down a lane until we found the address

When we reached the address of the home we wanted, we found we needed to walk through one person's courtyard, another person's kitchen and step out into a hallway with doors at intervals into another home (room) and out to another tiny courtyard and room that was the home of the Primary girl we were looking for. She became a member just a few weeks ago. When we visited she had a fever and wasn't at school. Her mother is hoping the other children don't get sick.

New convert with her two siblings

Sister Lorraine told her she could pick her up so she could attend church. Her father is out of town and he is the one that usually drops her off. I couldn't tell if either of her parents were members or not. They do not go to our church but one of them may go to Mass.

In Sister Lorraine's compound I noted this cat on a leash. It can jump up on the washer and down to get food and water.

Sister Lorraine and I had a great day together and enjoyed each other's company. We've made plans to get together on Thursday for a sewing demonstration.

Irresistible Story

My nephew Elder Reynald Lore is a missionary and having a really good time. This story is on Facebook so I presume it is for public consumption and want to share it with my friends:

"One of my best experiences so far:
We went to visit a house that is designated as a "no contact" which is exactly what it sounds like. It is someone who has requested that the church makes absolutely zero contact with them. Well my companion didn't tell me it was a no contact, (we were visiting the house because the church wanted to make sure she still lived there), he just told me that we might get yelled at. So she answered the door and got annoyed at us, she said she didn't want to be rude to us, she just didn't want anything to do with the church. She told us never to come back, and she said if she saw any more church people she might consider suing us for trespassing. Despite this she was actually rather polite. Then as we were about to leave I noticed to Corgi's in her house. I love dogs and Haley has a soft spot for Corgi's so I have grown rather fond of them as well. I commented on her dogs and she asked if I wanted to pet them. She let them out and I pet them and next thing we knew we were chatting with this lady on her porch for like 15 minutes. Her demeanor did a total 180. She was laughing and talking and listening and she told us if we ever were overheating we could stop by her house for water. Then she told us that she was a family therapist (that is what I want to do) so I got super excited and we talked a little bit about that and she said we could come back and visit her some other time. So she went from a do not contact to saying we can visit her sometime all because I commented on her adorable dogs. It was so awesome! ...
It was a really good week! I love y'all and miss every single one of you! 
Love,
Elder Lore"

My nephew is the one on the left Elder Reynald Lore

Lame Duck - Loving It!

What do you do when you have trained your replacement? Go on a Service Project!

We met at the church parking lot at 6:30 am. Ward members and Quezon City Missionaries

Walked over to the job site and picked up the yellow "helping hands" pennie for everyone

Most of the work is done by hand - not a lot of equipment to move dirt and such around

Each of the sites need the dirt levelled and shifted in order to pour cement foundations - I get the feeling that the cement will be mix up on the site and "poured' from buckets Note lady to the left with a crutch and shovel.

I worked on sweeping the debris and cement dust build up on the new sidewalks. All debris from the constructing has to be sacked up and carried out by hand - I wonder where it goes?

The project is for the blind and lame and replaces their lean-to homes. 

In order for the participants to qualify for their home they need to give 1000 hours of work in the construction. So ladies with crutches and a shovel work along side of us. Little girls and boys sweep up debris and garbage and bag it up. One lady continuously sweeps the piles of rock and cement dust off the sidewalks. Children work and play all around us.

Crutch and a shovel - amazing what can get done

Sister Lorraine and I spent the day together - so we started out with the Service project and then went on visits after

Homes of those still waiting

All along the street we walked past blind and lame people going about life. The homes in this neighbourhood or mostly shacks put up - the temporary homes - one good wind could blow them away. Only cement homes will last.

Learning and Games

Win

On Friday evening we had an Activity Day that was fun and educational. More children showed up at 5pm than have ever come before and they all got peanut butter play dough (which they called candy) They didn't really want to play with it until Sister Stewart showed them how. We quickly moved on to playing music games with Sister Stewart. 

One, Two, Three, Four. Down left, right, up

Sister Eugene helped out

Then it was out to the basketball court for games. This one was how fast we could bring the hula-hoop around the circle without letting go of our hands

I was approached by one of the children who didn't get the "candy".  I asked if I had missed her at 5 pm? She said she hadn't been there. I told her I gave out the peanut butter play dough to those who arrived on time at 5. The next time we have Activity Day, I will have something else and she can get that treat if she shows up at 5. 

We had a bowling game with a nerf ball and empty water bottles except just a little water in the bottom so the wind wouldn't knock them over. We also had a game of hopscotch going on. The kids had a pick-up game of soccer. They only game that turned out bad was the race where Yushin got tripped on the cement.

I will probably never forget Sister Stewart picking up Yushin and carrying this boy into the church. Nobody was taking pictures of the accident - but later after we came back in we checked on him.

I really have to have one Activity Day without any injuries. Yushin got knocked down in a race and scrapped up his arm and knee - I think I'll talk about First Aid next time

Sister Stewart showed her magic again with more games that were really teaching rhythm. They just passed shaker eggs at certain times.

The last part of the evening was in the Chapel where Sister Stewart taught them "If the Saviour Stood Beside Me" with blue scarves. It was a really good night.

Idos over for Dinner

Ever since a dinner with the Idos months ago, we've talked about getting together and making Sinigang Soup.
Tonight the Idos came over and I watched Sister Idos put together the soup. I snapped a few beans and got the utensils out, but mostly talked and took pictures.

Sister Idos preparing the vegetables - these are called yard long beans and that is about how long they can get

After putting in the long green peppers, she cut up the ginger, onions and tomatoes

She was particular not to cut the tomatoes on the mat but on a plate

I stripped the kangkang of it's leaves and chopped up the stems into smaller pieces

Sister Idos cooked the onions, ginger, tomatoes, pepper, sampaloc fruit (I think she called it tamarin) and Pampano fish until tender

Then she added the vegetables for another few minutes

This is served in a bowl with a plate of rice - just pour some of the soup over the rice

Luckily Elder Idos likes the fish head - I don't like my dinner to look at me

We had a really good time with Elder and Sister Idos. They are the secretary for the Area Presidency (who all happen to be in Utah for General Conference)

Regularity

Faithful every morning

This woman sweeps the curb and sidewalk everyday around 6 am. I notice constant maintenance everywhere in the mall and other shops. I am amazed that the stick broom can sweep up so much - I'm not too handy with them - nor the wispy straw ones. The nylon bristle brushes I am use to, jam up and deteriorate quickly - why I don't know. I can't imagine wearing so many layers but I'll bet it is to protect her from the exhaust and dust from vehicles.

Visiting Teaching's fun experience

I just have to tell you about my evening!  At 3 pm I drove to the Aurora chapel to meet with Sister Nido to go visiting teaching. When we got there I found we were also going with the Missionary Sisters from the ward. Four of us jumped in Sister Nido's SUV and picked Sister Villanueva and drove to see Sister Daylinda. I gave her a picture of all of us in the rain and a good one of her on the back and told her not to forget me when I leave next month. I found out she is leaving the first of next month to live with her mother-in-law to make a better life for her son.

Nida Nido, I, Sister Sofele (from Murray, UT), Sister Reyes (from the Philippines) and Daylinda

Sister Nido, the Missionary sisters, Sister Villanueva, and Daylinda

Then we drove over to visit some new members and investigators for a Relief Society visit. We walked down colourful, busy streets with every kind of merchandise and business. Barber shops, vulcanising (nearest thing to a auto repair), fans over fish, bananas and fruit, snacks and sweets, Halo-halo being put together on the street, shop after shop, some in carts on the road and some in storefronts all tied together with strings of electrical wire overhead.

I'm not sure what was being sold here, but auto parts are on one side and a fish vendor is on the other - maybe it's a spa or something like that

Snacks, treats, candy, soup,  and water

This road was wide enough for a car, some were only big enough for a tricycle

Color and merchandise everywhere

Walking along taking pictures I hear, "Sister Adams, Sister Adams! Hello Sister Adams!" A girl from Primary picked me out of a crowd and came to give me a hug. I hugged her back and said hello to all of the children running around her in the street.

Elsa is the girl in blue with her friends

Elsa's dad and his food cart with Elsa and I

She lives down this street and to the left

What are the odds? It felt good being recognised in a foreign neighbourhood.

This was the last street big enough for cars - and wouldn't you know it - my camera battery ran out!  Just when I was having an adventure.


Sister Nido and I don't walk as fast as the young girls and we came up to them talking with two older ladies sitting in chairs on the sidewalk. The sisters were giving them pamphlets about Jesus Christ and there was a good feeling with lots of chatter. At one point when we were shaking hands one of the ladies stood up and gave me a hug. Someone translated that she said she dreamed of us coming. The sisters didn't react except to write down their information to visit them again, so I'm thinking my idea of the translation was off.

The sisters talked to another lady at her door - down a dark alley, too small to walk two together. I simply waved at that door being at the back of five.  Then back into the sunlight and down a few more narrow streets until we came up to the sisters talking to some moms and kids, when I recognised two more boys from Primary! Lots of chatter and talking, smiling and the sisters handed out more pamphlets of Jesus Christ. I reminded the boys to come on Friday at 5 pm to Activity Day.

Walking back the sisters talked to a man in a wheel chair while I watched children playing games, a handicap boy being fed by a man, two men setting up a chess game and a woman frying up fish. The sisters gave out another pamphlet and we all shook hands again.

We took a bike pedal trike back to the SUV and when I got out the sisters weren't with us as they had walked to another investigator's home. We arrived at Sister Q's house where I gave her a picture and told her not to forget me when I left next month. After some socialising and talk about the Book of Mormon we agreed to meet next month after she got her hair dyed and take another picture.

I had so much fun! I enjoy the adventures and the love I share with the sisters in this ward.  I came home to hear about Jeffrey's macro mission experience in the Senate Staff today. The Lord is so good to us!!!