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| Manila Temple - My Happy Place |
Several weeks ago, we were in the Family History Center when we got word that a 14 year old girl in Sister Stone's ward needed blood donations. In the Philippines, if you donate blood on behalf of the patient, it would go as a credit towards the surgical procedure on the patient and we were told she needed 16 pints of blood. This little girl's name is Aljen Almonia. She was orphaned when her parents died and now lives with her aunt and uncle. A year ago she was diagnosed with cancer and underwent chemotherapy. The Relief Society President of her ward, Esther De Guzman told us about the need for blood donations.
We had first heard about it in the morning and decided we would go after work to donate our blood. Then we were told her white count was too high and her procedure would be postponed .. but by some miracle, within a few hours, she was back on for the surgery. It was later in the afternoon when we found out and we only had a few hours to get to the blood bank, so Esther, Sister Stone and myself left immediately.
Now, things in the Philippines certainly are not like back home, especially when it comes to some of the medical facilities and blood bank. Their procedures left something to be desired, but it was worth going to help this young lady.
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| Donating my 116th pint of blood. |
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| Sister Stone, Esther De Guzman and me. |
ELDER G. KENNETH LEE - NAGA MISSION PRESIDENT
In early September we heard the tragic news that President Kirk of the Naga Mission had suffered a stroke and sadly, passed away. He and his wife had only begun serving their mission this past July. On Wednesday, September 11th, an Area Seventy, Elder G. Kenneth Lee was called by President Henry B. Eyring to be the new Naga Mission President. He and his wife, Angelina and their son Paul were to be in Naga on following Saturday.
Elder Lee was working in the area office, first in the Welfare Department, ensuring that people in the areas that were affected from natural disasters, etc. were taken care of. Then earlier this year, he was transferred to the Education Department. He is one of the nicest, kindest and hard working person I have ever met. We will miss him at the Area Office and I will miss seeing his wife, Angelina at the Temple.
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| President and Sister Lee Philippines Naga Mission |
Every Tuesday we have an Area Office Devotional. One week we were delighted to be invited to a special devotional featuring Nik Day, the composer who wrote Peace in Christ. He and his wife, Darla were in the Philippines to record the new Youth Theme with some Filipino youth.
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| Nik and Darla Day and Me |
#BFF - BUILDING FAMILIES FOREVER - COLOR RUN 2019
Only in the Philippines would you get up at 2:30am to participate in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Building Families Forever Fun Color Run.
There were at least 4,000 participants, young and old, who gathered together to participate in this event.
I have never seen anything like it. Their energy was contagious. I am grateful for this opportunity to be able to participate in this church event.
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| Yes, this is a happy face..just after we started the run at 5:00am |
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| Larry, Regie, Felvir and Me |
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| Felvir Ordinario and me |
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| I did the circuit with Lovelyn and Kimber |
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| Our Mabuhay Participants. Ezra, Rizal and Patrick |
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| This was seriously one of the best Building Families Forever events ever. #BFF #familiesareforever |
Sister Stone and I were asked to be the Pathway Missionaries for the Pathway Program. We have the opportunity to work with the students who work at the Beehive Factory. As there was interest in a lot of the students to learn English, Sister Stone and Elder and Sister Gunnell are working with 30 students to do the English Connect.
I have been blessed to be with these Pathway Students. They travel 1-2 hours by bus, jeepney or motorcycle to get to their work. Most come a few hours before their shift so they can access internet and work on their assignments. Internet isn't as accessible in most places here in the Philippines and the cost is unaffordable. Some homes barely have enough electricity for a lightbulb. One of the students, in another Pathway Group doesn't even have a door in his home. But, these students want to learn and they are willing to sacrifice whatever they have to gain a better education and learn.
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| Beehive Pathway Connect - Students I am so proud of them. |
Only in the Philippines do people start decorating for Christmas the last part of August, preparing for the BER months.
THE PAW-SHIONABLE FUR BALL EVENT - PET GALA - EASTWOOD CITY
This past Sunday they had a Pet Gala. I was walking through Eastwood and it was a sight to behold. I will just post a few pictures and you can see for yourself.
Celebrating the love for pets at the most PAW-shionable Fur Ball Event in Eastwood. The PET Gala theme's inspiration from the Matropolitan Museum of Art's iconic MET Gala in New York City. Known as 'Fashion's Biggest Night Out", the MET Gala attracts Hollywood A-listers for the most fashion-forward spectacle. This year, Eastwood adopted the grandiose theme for the 12th anniversary of its Pet Blessing.
Some of these costumes were so elegant. I can't imagine what it cost to have matching costumes made to match your pet.
Only the elite participated in this event. It is such a contrast from some of the dogs and cats we see on the streets in Manila or on the way to the Area Office.
MABUHAY - HYGIENE KITS
I have talked about Mabuhay Deseret Foundation in previous blogs, Instagram and Facebook. I go every Wednesday with a few other sister missionaries to do a little sharing time for the children there. Sister McOmber knew it was important to be able to provide proper hygiene kits to the patients and their families there. Over a period of time, we were collecting toothpaste, toothbrushes and toiletries and put them into a ziplock bag and took as many as we could to Mabuhay to help out. Sister McOmber, who initiated this project was not able to see the outcome of her efforts as her mission completed in August. Once the project was written up and approved, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Charities was able to provide supplies and bags to make up hygiene kits for the moms, dads and children. Two weeks ago we took some time to put these hygiene kits together.
