Wonderful Sabbath

On Friday went and visited a less active Sister but she wasn't home. However there was another lady there looking after her house and we asked her if she would like to learn about our church. She said yes and we made an appointment for this next Wednesday. We were surprised and happy to see her when she came to church Sunday with the less active sister's daughter. She told the missionaries they could come over after church so we did and taught her the first discussion.She's a neat lady, so sincere and humble, and seems really interested. So with her that made 6 investigators at church in Carrisa Branch and we also had 6 less active people there.A great day! There was also a couple of  investigators in Punta Branch as well as several less actives.

   Sunday was busy day. After Punta Branch conference and being asked by the District President to attend Branch Council Meeting and then going to our teaching appointment we went with Brother Base and Brother Bacoor,  councillors in the branch Presidency, and met several less active members. First sister we met was pretty hesitant to talk to us but we invited her to come back to church anyway she said she didn't think she was ready,said she needed help. We told her that's why we're here and that we would help her so she agreed to let us come back and teach her. Then she said I want you to come and meet my niece who is also a member. She is married and has two little kids and is less active. She was pretty afraid to commit and said she would talk to her husband, however, she had a friend sitting there who said she would like to learn more. Next we met a lady whose husband is a member but is working in New Guinea. She said she never had the chance to hear the lessons because she was working when her husband was taught but wants to learn now along with her 17 year old son. Later we met another lady and her daughter and are less active because of a family feud but invited us back to reteach them. Long night but lots of success.

Temple

Went to the Temple Wednesday with Angel the sister who works at the Mission Home.Always a great experience to attend the Temple. After the Temple session all the senior couples went out to dinner with Pres. and Sister Stucki for his Birthday.

Amazing Week

We went back to Sister Hilda Bagangan, the lady who stopped us on the street, and taught her the first lesson with the Elders. When we got there the R.S. Pres. was there, they had met at the store the day before and just got talking. Sis Borja (R.S.Pres) mentioned she was a Mormon and Hilda told her we were coming and invited her to come. We were surprised to see her but what a perfect situation. Come to find out she's not even a member. She proceeded to tell us that as she walked by us the other day she had such a strong feeling (the Spirit) she said it felt like the hair on her arms stood up and she knew she had to talk to us. As we taught her she already expressed a desire to  be Baptized. Can't wait to go back this coming week.
 We also went back to Sister Avillanosa the inactive sister with the 3 children the one who came to church and surprised us. Her whole countenance has changed,we taught her about the importance of scripture study and reading the Book of Mormon, after we were finished turned to her children and told them how important it was. It's amazing how she has changed, and says she will be coming to church again Sunday.

more pictures

This is a big pavilion just just below our house.

The pool is also below our house and beside the big pavilion.

This kitchen area is at the end of the pavilion (huge) 

It was Sister Armonia Birthday last weekend they had a huge party, had roast pig with the head on and a lot of other Filipino food. Needless to say John is sick today. I didn't eat some of the food but John tasted it all being the good missionary he is.

Had a lot of spiritual experiences this week.Went with the missionaries this last week to an inactive family,single Mother with 3 children she is trying to survive, working to make enough to feed her family. Her husband left her for another woman. Missionaries have been going there for awhile we talked to her about Heavenly Father's blessings if she kept the Sabbath Day Holy, she was almost crying saying her children had to eat and she alone has to provide for them. John felt impressed and asked her if she would like a blessing. She said yes, she can't speak English but can understand quite a bit. Elders asked John if he wanted them to translate as he gave the blessing. John said no she will feel the spirit and understand and she did. Still didn't really commit to come to church. But as I was giving my talk in church (which they asked me to do 2 minutes before it started) she walked in with her three children. I paused my talk and got my emotions together. Talk about tremendous faith! these people have. It's such a burden on these people to try and provide for their families.They might make 5-10 dollars a day if they are lucky.

   We were also out looking for R.S. Pres. home never could find it. But a lady passed us on the road went by us then turned around and asked are you Mormons? She then proceed to tell us she was a member but hasn't come to church for a very long time. We asked if we could come and visit her and she said yes. She showed us where she lived and we will visit her this week. Miracles yes, they happen every day. I'm adapting more every day.Love the people here members are valiant in their testimonies of Jesus Christ. There are recently returned missionaries serving in the Branch Presidencies here. I'm so impressed with the Youth here they are so strong.   

Home Sweet Home

This is called a kubo which is like a gazebo. They have a pool table inside of it.

This is the dog house, they have about 10 dogs all different kinds. They let only a few loose to keep intruders out. 

This is our house,nice huh? Except for the huge RAT we saw the other night in our cupboard,not to mention the ants and gekos.

These kubos are to the left  of our house there's benches all around inside for sitting. 

This is just part of the landscaping around the compound.

Mission Home

This is the same Mission Home they had when John was on his Mission.He didn't recognize it from the outside, but inside is still the same beautiful place.

This is Angel (real name) she does all the cooking and cleaning. She is going to the Temple next Wednesday for the first time ,such a sweet lady. Her mother cooked for 5 Mission Presidents, but is now to old.

Went to the Temple yesterday with the missionaries that are going home.Temple rooms are very small but the same wonderful spirit is there. In the prayer circle all of the senior couples and Pres. and Sis. Stucki participated. This time as the officiator prayed for the Missionaries it had a significant meaning for us.In the Celestial room both John and I shared a few tears as we contemplated  the magnitude of our calling. Afterwards we had dinner and a testimony meeting with the departing missionaries. It was neat to hear their testimonies and how they have grown and what impacted them the most.One of the Elders was a Filipino from Utah. His parents had come to pick him up,  his Dad served with John. They had a good time reminiscing . We are stuck at the house today because a big dump truck is stuck in our drive way and we can't get out.

Finally got the Internet

Where do we start,we miss all of you especially are dear children and grandchildren and of course that includes all the in-laws even Thomas, and all of our family and friends back home. Haven't even been here a week yet, lots of adjusting to do especially for me, as John knew what it was like before hand. Been quite a cultural shock for me to see the condition's that these people live in. Breaks your heart,had a good cry after we arrived in our apartment. Our place is owned by wealthy member's here,so when I send picture's you,ll be shocked at how nice it is, but out side the gate it's an entirely a different story. My blog is in Tagalog so can't post picture's yet as I can't understand how to do it. Ate at some member's Sunday and have been sick all night and most of today,but not so bad! I'm sure it will get better. People are wonderful here,so much faith,probably takes 2-3 days work for them to have enough money to get to church. (amazing)It's late now,quite tired been waking up at 3 a.m. crazy time change. Hasn't affected John as much,nor has the food, he has a stomach of steel I think,or mine is awful week.It,s really hot and humid,haven't seen the sun yet rains every day. Haven't any air-con ,should get some next week hopefully,we take lot's of showers. There was a spider as big as my hand on our ceiling saturday night we have a very tall ceiling in our grass hut so couldn't get it down,try sleeping with that on your mind. Also all the geko's crawling on the walls. I must say I'm doing better than I thought I would with all that stuff. Church was great, bore our testimonies in both branches,have more in attendance than P.G. Wards. Life is good, count your blessings you have so much.Thank heavens we have the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Love you all. Kids will try and skype around 6 p.m. your time,if any of you are around.

Here at Last

Well were here,been a busy day! Had to go and get our drivers licence today,after going through the traffic here, not sure we want one. (crazy) We are still in the Mission Home as our apartment won"t be ready until tomorrow. So we'll be leaving in the morning.We are going to the Naic District we will be working with two branches called Punta and Carissa . It is the coveted area of the Mission.Still adjusting to the time change. Woke up at 1 a.m. this morning finally went back to sleep then got up at 5. Mission Pres. and wife are great, they picked us up at the airport and treat us like royalty. Met all the office staff,real good missionaries here. we're going to the Temple next week,exciting!

Language Class at the MTC

Another day has come and gone, went to our first language training class tonight, we can almost bare our testimonies in Tagalog already. All I can say is that it's way way easier than Finnish. Met some Finnish Elder's today they have been here 8 week's they asked me in English if I still knew Finnish I answered them in Finnish and they said what does that mean? It just meant a little bit,but they

 didn't understand poor Elder's tough language. Just glad we're going to the Philippines in stead of Finland. We had the opportunity of teaching a discussion today,it went really good. It's great to teach with John. Though this person was a member, we still felt the spirit and cried as we testified of the truthfulness of what we taught. I know that will surprise a lot of you! We love it here, we go walking around the Temple every night it's about a mile I think, so beautiful. They keep us busy all day, but it's great like I said before.

MTC

Had a great day at the M.T.C. We have the largest group of seniors to ever attend the M.T.C. 118 of us. We feel a little young here, lots of white in the room. We met the couple that's going to Prince George on a mission, they are really nice you'll love them.Cafeteria food isn't to bad! Last week Elder's drank 900 gallon's of Chocolate milk. There's 2,700 Elder's here, plus our little army. Mostly orientation today,but already feel the Spirit of this great work.

Philippines

For your information, we just realized that Manila is the most densely populated city in the world. Population is 21 ,951,000 with 18 ,567 people per square kilometer. Which we think is about the population of the Salt Lake Valley,compacted into the space from our old home to town. So we will definitely love the close quarters, can't even imagine that many people. But we will soon find out what it's like living in the big city.

Country	Philippines
Region	National Capital Region
Districts	1st to 6th districts of Manila
City zones	100
Barangays	897
Settled	June 10, 1574
Government
• Type	Mayor–council
• Mayor	Alfredo Lim (Liberal)
• Vice Mayor	Isko Moreno(Nacionalista)
• Representatives	City Representatives[show]
• City Council	Councilors[show]
Area
• Capital City	38.55 km2 (14.88 sq mi)
• Urban	1,474.82 km2(569.43 sq mi)
• Metro	638.55 km2(246.55 sq mi)
Elevation	16.0 m (52.5 ft)
Population (2010)[3][4]
• Capital City	1,652,171
• Density	42,858/km2(111,000/sq mi)
• Urban	21,951,000
• Urban density	15,400/km2(40,000/sq mi)
• Metro	11,855,975
• Metro density	18,567/km2(48,090/sq mi)
Demonym	Manileño (m) / Manileña (f), Manilan
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	0900 to 1096
Area code(s)	2
Website	www.manila.gov.ph