DAVID ARCHULETA, MABUHAY AND OVERCOMING FEARS

Wow, what a month!!  It has been full of so much activity ..

On November 16th, we attended a Benefit Concert, David Archuleta & Friends, proceeds for Mabuhay.  We purchased the tickets when they went on sale several months ago, and I admit they were a bit pricey, but so worth it.   Unbeknownst to me, David Archuleta is pretty famous here in the Philippines.  After American Idol, he was here taping a television program.  I am not sure how long he was here, but they just love him.  Mabuhay Deseret Foundation is one of the charities David supports and every year he is here to put on a benefit concert for the cause.

David took time from his very busy schedule to attend at Mabuhay to visit with the children and parents that are there for their respective surgeries.  He did a little acoustic concert for them while he was there.

I saw many of the children from Mabuhay at the Benefit Concert.  Their goal was to raise P7,500,000.00 which is just under $150,000US.  They said our ticket price paid for two surgeries.  The price of the ticket was worth hearing David sing O Holy Night.  It was so amazing and he didn't hesitate bearing his testimony of the Savior.

This cardboard cut out was about as close as I got to David for a picture.   All good though.  Many people lined up to have their picture taken with the cut out.

I GOT MY PHILIPPINE ID... DRIVER'S LICENCE.. OR OTHERWISE KNOWN AS PHILIPPINE SOUVENIR.  

Getting your Filipino Driver's Licence was quite interesting.  We were taken to a notary office, which was about 8 feet wide and 35 feet long, on a little sketchy side street in Manila.  There were tiny desks lined up and tiny stools to sit on while you waited for your eye examination.  P200 it cost for that, then you had to step on the scale for your weight then had to tell them what your height was.  We were in there all of 5 minutes for that part of the process.

These were the three ladies who processed you for part of the process.  The girl on the left did the eye examination, (literally put a cover over one eye and read third line from the bottom... easy peasy).  The girl in the middle wrote you the receipt and the girl on the right was the girl you gave your money to.

It was very crowded in there.  There was even one desk that had another lady typing on the old typewriter. No computers in the Notary office.

After the eye examination and such, we had to walk a short distance to another building to complete the process.  Our driver, Jerry, gave them all of our paperwork and we sat there waiting to be called up and have our picture taken, then sign the digital box (they had computers there) then we sat again.  In looking around, I noticed we were in a church of sorts.  There was a chapel in the middle of the licensing department.  Sure enough, there were pews and people praying.  Awkward.  They called us up and we had to get a paper to take to the other side of the building, through the chapel and pay P840 then take our receipt back to the other side, through the chapel and get another picture taken, sign the digital thingy again, then go back and wait.

About 5 minutes later we had our Philippine Driver's license.  I will spare you the picture of mine, because it is worse than my passport.


THE GIVING MACHINES ARE HERE!!!!

Several months ago, Elder and Sister Gunnell who were in Public Relations, told us about the Giving Machines that were coming here to the Philippines.  Last year they had these in Utah and it has been such a success in the United States, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints allowed that more machines could be placed, so one is now located at Hyde Park in England and another one here in Manila.  Elder Gunnell contributed with the design for the Giving Machine here in Manila.  Sister Stone and I volunteered (actually I volunteered us before she got here) to assist in the collection and depositing of funds to the bank on our PDays.  We had to be  cleared by the Area Office to be able to contribute in this capacity.

 

Last Thursday, we went with the Gunnells for training at the warehouse.  I am so excited about this because three charities will benefit from the funds collected, Unicef, Caritas Manila Church of the Poor and The Purple Centers.

100% of the proceeds go to the aforementioned charities.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have sponsored these machines and cover the administrative costs.  It is a WIN WIN.



HOLY BATS  BATMAN!!!!!!!! HERE KITTY KITTY AND CONQUERING A FEAR OR TWO.

This past weekend we went on another Senior Missionary Excursion, this time to Zoobic Safari, near Subic City, about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Manila.  It was great to get out into the provinces and to the open fields and area of this island.  We were with Elder and Sister Stinchfield who shared their knowledge of this area, when he served in the Navy years ago.  On the way to the Zoobic Safari,  we passed these trees that had literally hundreds of bats, just hanging around.  AMAZING!!!

I know the pictures are not very good but yes, those are bats hanging in the trees.

It is against the law to disturb them.  Given the distance we were from them, my guess would be their bodies were probably about 12" - 16" long and wing span would be about that of an eagle.

One or two of them did take flight but I wasn't able to catch them on my Iphone.  (Quick little critters).  The color of their wings looked like they were orange with the sun shining on them.

It was so cool to hear them as well.  I can't describe the sound but they were quite loud.




NEXT we were in my happy place.  KITTIES!!!!!!!  I literally could not contain myself.  When I had the opportunity to feed and hug a tiger, I did it.

Doesn't the look on this little guys face say, "I want you to feed me.."
so how could I refuse? 

We went into the compound where we were able to watch
them feed the tigers.  This guy jumped up, about 8 inches from
where I was sitting.  The next thing I know, I was covered in
slobber from the feast of chicken.  It was amazing!!!!

The owl wasn't into getting his picture taken.  

I have a fear of snakes. Wrap it around your neck they said.  

I could literally feel his muscles around
my neck and shoulders.  I did NOT panic.
Can you see he is such a poser for the camera? 

A baby croc.  You really have to be gentle when you are
holding them and there is only a certain way you can hold
them.  I wasn't aware his mouth was bound, but was glad
when I found out later that it was, because my thumb was
right there. 

Senior missionaries.  We always have such great adventures
thanks to Sister Christine Browne who organizes these events.

OPEN HOUSE AND RIBBON CUTTING -- San Jose del Monte Stake Family History Center.

Sister Stone and I with the Stake President, Felvir Ordinario,
our Manager, Larry Caduada, Jr. and some of the Family History
Church Service Missionaries.

Sister Stone and I were invited by Larry Caduada, Jr., our Supervisor at the Family History Center to join him last Sunday evening to San Jose del Monte Stake for the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the new Family History Center.  We don't often have the opportunity to attend these events.  Family History is huge here in the Philippines.  I think I have mentioned before that on a National Holiday, members of the Church are in the Family History Centers printing off names to take to the Temple.  It was quite a long day but it was worth the trip to celebrate with this Stake.

I will conclude  this blog with a quote from President Russell M. Nelson.  "We're witnesses to a process of restoration.  If you think the Church has been fully restored, you're just seeing the beginning.  There is much more to come ... Wait till next year.  And then the next year.  Eat your vitamin pills. Get your rest.  It's going to be exciting."

Don't Procrastinate Your Blog Entries!!

I don't know where the time has gone, but it certainly has gone by, so quickly.  I have been out in the mission field 5 months and 2 days.  November 6th, 2018.  So, in no particular order, here are the lates events... and adventures. 

Towards the end of September, the senior missionaries went on another excursion, this time to the Bamboo Organ Tour and the Jeepney Factory. The Bamboo Organ  in the St. Joseph Parish in St. Josephs Church in Las Piñas City, Philippines.   We had the opportunity to hear the organist play some wonderful renaissance music on this Organ.  

Later we travelled to Tagatay to attend at the Jeepney Factory.  The Jeepney is the most common mode of travel in the Philippines.  It was very interesting to see these men working on these vehicles.  Each one had their own unique style and they come in many colors.  You can fit quite a few people in a jeepney and there are many times you see people hanging on them at the back of the vehicle as it travels down the road.  I might add, I have seen many youth hanging on them. 

We stopped at a restaurant for dinner on the way home from our little excursion.     Of course, being it was September, there was a decorated Christmas tree.  Outside, we saw one of the locals hauling his wares.  It was remarkable how you have the different modes of travel in  Philippines.  

I HAVE A COMPANION!!

I am so pleased that Sister Ellen Bennion Stone finally arrived  in the Philippines on October 17, 2018 and who is assigned to work with me at the Family History Center in the Area Office. Our supervisor, Larry, took us to the American Memorial where we got this picture taken.  

The next day and  Sister Stone and I were invited to go to Mololos to deliver new computers to a couple of the Family History Centers in a couple of the chapels there.  It was wonderful to visit with these Church Service Missionaries who work so diligently to teach and research their own family history.   

One our way back to Quezon City, we stopped at  the Church of Barasoain.  This Church housed the revolutionary Congress which was inaugurated on September 15, 1898.  Pedro A. Paterno was President.  It was here that the Congress, among other measures discussed and approved the Malolos Constitution.  Inside the Church there was a sculpture of the Black Nazarene.  The Black Nazarene is a life-sized image of a dark-skinned, kneeling Jesus Christ carrying the Cross enshrined in the minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in the Quiapo District of the City of Manila.  On January 9th, of each year, the largest procession, drawing millions of devotees thronging to touch the icon and lasts about 20 hours at most.  There is so much interesting culture and traditions I have learned here.

Our next excursion too us to the Palace of Emilio Aquinaldo, who was a Filipino Revolutionary, politician and military leader who is officially recodnized as the first and youngest President of the Philippines and the first president of a constitutional republic in Asia. 

He led Philippine forces first against Spain in the latter part of the Philippine Revolution, and then in the Spanish-American War, and finally against the United States during the Philippine-American War.  He was captured in Palanan, Idabela by American forces on March 23, 1901, which brought an end to his presidency.

Halloween--- Area Office Halloween Activity 

A week before Halloween, each department was assigned a country (theme) to decorate for the Area Office Staff Children Halloween Activity.  Family History and Security department were assigned Japan.  We were assigned parking stalls in the basement parking lot.  This was quite the event.  I can say that each department was quite competitive with their respective decorations as you can see.

 

While most people flocked to the cemeteries on All Saints Day, Saints fro Taguig Philippines Stake gathered at the temple to perform ordinances for their family members beyond the veil. 180 youth and young single adults brought 1,000 individual cards for this year's stake temple activity.  This is double the names they brought last year, when the Taguig Stake leadership started this wonderful tradition.   Family History work coupled with temple attendance indeed is one of the best ways to remember those that have gone before us.  

Sister Stone and I were invited to be in the picture.  Keep in mind there were also many members of their Stake, in the Temple doing ordinance work at the time this picture was taken. 

I had the opportunity to attend the stage production of Mama Mia.  They did a more modern version of this show and it was very enjoyable.

                              The last excursion we attended was at Eco Park.  I thought I would attempt at climbing a palm tree that had straps on it to climb.  As I was about to climb the tree, I noticed something moving in the grass.  At first I thought it was a snake, but found it was a stream of ants that enveloped the branches, each carrying something in their mouths and all walking uniformly for about 50 or so feet.  They started underground, went on a branch on the ground, up through a tree then out the bottom of the tree, on to several branches then sort of disappeared underground.  One of the most amazing bits of nature I have ever witnessed.  Very fascinating, indeed.

They say it is a small world, but I am finding that in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, it seems much smaller.  The other day, a patron came to the Family History Center looking for me.  Sister Fe Dacanay Marzan has worked in Hong Kong for the past few years and met John and Judy Chan when they were serving their mission there.  They told her to look me up when she went to visit her family in the Philippines.  She had just finished a session at the Manila Temple and dropped by the Family History Center.  

We visited for a short while and I had the opportunity to learn more about her.  There are many Filipino women who are working around the world to help to support their families in the Philippines.  Fe has been working in Hong Kong for several years and has managed to put her children through university.  She was home for a short visit and was leaving the next day to go back to her job.   In the time I have been here, I have met several missionary couples who know someone from home as well as the occasional Elder who has family back in Southern Alberta. 

Lastly, earlier last week, I got an email just before noon, asking that the choir attend a practice for one of the area office workers who had passed away the previous weekend.  He was set to retire mid November, but unfortunately he had succumbed to the cancer that overtook his body.  Forgive me, but I don't know his name, but learned he was an employee for the Church for 35 years, served as a Stake Patriarch and was one who was known for his hard work an integrity.  I went to choir to decline the invitation to sing, but there were so few choir members, I felt obligated to participate in the Necrological Service.     
     
It was quite the experience and I was grateful for that opportunity.  In the Philippines, they have what they call a Necrological Service the evening before the funeral.  The next day, the family has a funeral, which I understand, is the burial of the deceased.  The music that was selected was perfect for the service and I could barely hold myself together while singing the arrangements of 'If You Could Hie to Kolob' and 'Abide With Me.' 

"Keeping Commandments will always bring happiness and blessings from the Lord.  God will not give us a commandment without preparing a way for us to obey."