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.
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."
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