We have proofread this blog many times and have found typos to correct but some of them keep going back to the misspelling. If you come across some it is not that we didn't try. Also, this blog starts and ends with me being sick. It's so easy to pick up bugs around here, don't worry I'll live.
Week 42 - October 29
Monday - We both stayed home to try to get better. Steve's problem was in his chest with a bad cough, mine was in my head with a sore throat, headache, and what I would diagnose as a sinus infection. I worked all day on our blog ready to get out and got to spend some time on the phone with Hilary. I love that I can call and talk to family and friends. We walked over to Friday’s to split a chicken chipotle sandwich and fries, then back in the evening for a Dilly Bar at DQ, so soothing on a sore throat.
Wednesday - Reagan’s Birthday. We called to wish Truman a
Happy Birthday, you get your birthday twice in the Philippines since we are 15 hours ahead of time. We went to the Mega Mall with the Kaneen’s to see if we could cash in on Apples offer of a new battery for $30. We stopped at Chili’s because why wouldn’t you when you are so close to one? Later in the day Steve when back to Mega Mall to check on the diagnosis of his phone and I went home to crash and get better before our big trip tomorrow. Steve got news that they would replace his phone for $80, so he is all set with a new phone for when we get home.
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| Happy 9th Birthday Reagan! |
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Visiting with Stake Presidency members about ways
to help those they serve |
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| Halloween at Klir Water Resort, this was a Primary Party |
Friday - Another holiday, "All Souls Day" commemorated all the faithful departed. We got up at 2:30 and met the Gunnell’s at 3:30 to head to the airport. The C-5 looks so different when no one is on it. It is heavenly and we sailed to the airport, very unusual. We headed to Tacloban to go exploring. We were met at the airport by our wonderful driver President Galang. He could not have been more wonderful to us. Tacloban is where Typhoon Yolanda hit on November 8, 2013. This storm was a Super Typhoon and one of the strongest and deadliest tropical cyclones ever recorded. The actual total that died is unknown but well into the tens of thousands. First stop was the ship that was swept ashore by the waves to this residential area and destroyed a lot of houses during the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda. The ship had to be taken apart piece by piece to remove it from this shoreline. The local government of Tacloban decided to make a monument out of this last piece so the people will never forget what Yolanda had done to their city. After that we went to the San Juanico Bridge. This bridge is part of the Pan-Philippine Highway and stretches from Samar to Leyte across the San Juanico Strait in the Philippines. It’s longest length is a steel girder viaduct built on reinforced concrete piers, and its main span is of an arch-shaped truss design. We then went to some cemeteries where people were paying respects to their departed for “All Souls Day”. Next stop was "The MacArthur Leyte Landing Memorial National Park" a protected area of the Philippines that commemorates the historic landing of General Douglas MacArthur in Leyte Gulf at the start of the campaign to recapture and liberate the Philippines from Japanese occupation. We then went to the Summit Hotel for a much needed rest. At 6:00 Tres came and picked us back up and we took my cousins daughter and her missionary companion to dinner at a nice Italian restaurant. It was so nice to get to spend some time with her, family is special. She had only been in Tacloban for two days.
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| All about Typhoon Yolanda that struck on November 5, 2013 |
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The boat that was pushed ashore during the typhoon
It now serves as a monument and reminder of the Typhoon |
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| "I'm the queen of the World" |
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| San Juanico Bridge with the Gunnells |
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This bridge stretches from Samar to Leyte across the
San Juanico Strait in the Philippines. |
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| It's the most beautiful bridge and interesting design |
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| Construction on this bridge started in 1969 |
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McArthur Park, don't worry I put on my Andy Williams music
and made everyone listen to "someone left the cake out in the rain...." |
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| A different view |
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Notice Ferdinand Marcos name at the bottom of this plaque
We did not make it to the museum with all Imelda Marcos shoes |
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| Many of these graves are victims of the typhoon |
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My cousin Cassie's daughter Sister Howard
"There is nothing like family" |
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| Boarding our 31st flight since we have been here |
Sunday - I called Nancy to wish her a Happy Birthday and she told me of the sad news about “Brent Taylor” the Utah Guardsman that was shot in Afganistan. The Stroud’s who were our trainers and good friends when we first got here are his in-laws. Kristin Stroud shared so many stories with me about Brent, Jennie and their family during the months we were together. So sad! We walked to church in the rain, I’m sure we looked a bit like the young missionaries as they walk around. After church our third and final visit to Shakey’s. By this time everyone in there knew us and our order and then they all waved goodbye as we left. It was funny. We found Mary Ann back at the hotel so she rode to the airport with us. Easy commute home once we got to Manila, home by 9:30.
Week 43 - November 5
Tuesday - We put together an unplanned office lunch with our leftovers from Book Club. Refried beans, spanish rice, and chips. 14 people showed up, our Filipino office employees are so happy to have lunch brought in. Steve is working open-on-one with a young man with some addiction problems searching eagerly for some help. I rode home with Grimshaw’s and made cookies for Wednesday. It’s so weird to have some alone time, weird but oh so nice!!
Wednesday - We had a birthday lunch for Dani Soleta and Edith Bausing, our Service Missionaries from Novaleta, Cavite. We went to Conti’s, it was nice but we had a hard time parking our car and I don’t like that. Wonderful salmon, and Mary Ann was so insightful to trade her potatoes for my rice. She knows I’m an Idaho girl. Christmas decorations are growing by the day in Eastwood and there was a band and all kinds of festivities for the “Tree Lighting”, the evening ended with fireworks. We can always hear them from our apartment but our elevators have not been working so finding an elevator and getting to the lobby takes so much time we were sure we’d miss them if we tried to go look at them. Oh well we’ve seen fireworks before.
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| It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas |
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| Filipinos love Christmas |
Thursday - There is tension around the office as many changes are taking place. We have many leaders in from SLC as they implement a new way of reducing and simplifying. That always means layoffs and it is uncertain for some of the employees. We had our first opportunity to train some group leaders for ARP. One of these sisters heard Steve and I share our story in a Stake Leadership Conference a few months ago and wanted to be part of the solution for addiction. She recruited her friend and we are hoping to get some group meetings started in Makati in the next few weeks. 10 months in the Philippines and it is finally happening, good things come to those who wait. Walking in Eastwood now is more like dodge ball. Everyone is out for Christmas and taking pictures with the lights, ughhhh.
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| Eastwood Mall |
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| Part of my nightly walk |
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| City Walk Decorations |
Friday - Steve got dumped on yesterday just as we were getting ready to go home. He needs to draft up 3 MOA’s (Memorandum of Agreement) for some of the eye equipment projects we have been working on. There is so much going on in the office he can’t get anything done so we left the office and had lunch at Friday’s with the Gunnell’s. We an afternoon rest and then dinner at Outback with 4 other couples.
Saturday - Early morning run around Eastwood then an 8:00 Stake Meeting in Makati. We were orienting Stake Leaders on what resources the church has for Family Services. It was interesting to see them learn and open their eyes to the help they can provide with the wonderful resources the church has, especially with on line videos. On the way home we received a phone call, some one from Nova Liches inviting me to come speak in a Women’s Conference about mental health. Word is getting out about the help that we have to offer. We spent the afternoon resting in our apartment. I made some cookies and prepared to lead tomorrows discussion in R.S on Neil Anderson’s talk “Wounded”. Grimshaw’s called and wanted us to meet them at Denny’s so we did that, we needed a break.
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| Mary Ann teaching the leaders of the Makati Stake |
Sunday - We took the Gunnell’s to church with us. Sacrament meeting was very good. I took my chocolate chip oatmeal cookies into R.S for a treat while we talked about being wounded, a topic familiar to so many. I under estimated how many would be there and 40 cookies were not enough. We came home from church and I made peanut blossom cookies and baked some potatoes for our Potato Bar dinner at Owen’s for S. Grimshaw’s birthday. There were 12 of us to celebrate and play games.
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Dinner at Owen's for S. Grimshaw's Birthday
Potato Bar and Lemon Cake |
Week 44 - November 12
Monday - We decided the only way for Steve to get his MOA’s written was to work from home for a few hours. We met the Gunnell’s for breakfast at Denny’s and introduced them to Monday’s at Denny’s when everything is 30% off. At 1:00 we took them to Beehive to show them the production line and introduce them to our friends. We then drove to a mall in Marikina to put a payment on a buffet lunch I made arrangements for in December. When we got to the mall we could not find a parking spot after driving around for about 10 minutes Steve said “Watch this”. He drives up to a guard and says “Seniors!”, the guard gives us the spot right by the entrance, it was so funny to me. Who knew?? We had FHE with a wonderful potluck and games.
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| The Gunnell's learning about Beehive |
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| Our friends who work there are always so happy to see us. |
Tuesday - 9:00 Devotional with Elder Carl B. Cook of the Presidency of the Seventies. Firmed up plans with Mary Ann for transportation for our retreat in Baguio in two weeks. It was E. Grimshaw’s birthday and their kids had sent them a cake from DQ so they shared it with the office. We had dinner at Italiani’s for E. Grimshaw’s birthday. There were 18 of us, the poor waiter.
Saturday - We went to Taytay an outdoor flea market with the McIver’s and the Gunnell’s. We didn’t last long because it was soooo hot and humid. The men went to McDonalds for a soda. They ran into 8 young missionaries and bought them dinner. I’m sure these young missionaries were so grateful, one young missionary was only 14 days out and in shell shock. I hope this meal helped him. We had dinner with the gang at Friday’s in the evening.
Sunday - **** A Historic Event in the Philippines. We had our first every ARP Meeting in the Philippines for members of the church. There were 10 leaders there and two young men looking for help. We had a great meeting. It turned out these two young men worked together and both thought they were alone in their struggles. They left the church together as friends, it’s always nice to know you are not alone in your problems. Our commute to get to this church in Manila is crazier than you would ever believe. Steve is amazing but I think he is about to wear out our horn!!
Week 45 - November 19
Tuesday - The day started with a 9:00 Devotional. We had an Area Employee speaker, she was telling this awesome story and I was listening and on the edge of my seat to hear the ending. Often it’s difficult for Filipino’s to speak English especially when they are nervous, like when they are delivering a devotional talk. When this happened to her she switched to Tagalog and away she went and we never understood how the story ended up. It’s really amazing to me how much English is spoken here in the Philippines and I’m grateful for every word of it, there are times when it’s frustrating that we don’t speak the language. Oh well..... We left the office at 4:00 with Mary Ann and drove to Antipolo to a Robinson’s Mall to meet with a couple to train them to become Group Leaders for ARP. We ate at a Japanese restaurant, we branch out with food the best we can.
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| Our waiter was excited to see us as he is a member of the church |
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Dinner at Casa Nieves, a Japanese Restaurant
Thank heaven for salmon |
Thursday - Woke up to the beautiful view from our room and we went to enjoy a walk and the fresh air. After breakfast we went snorkeling which was right off the dock where are room was. The water was a beautiful color, nice temperature, plenty of colorful fish in many species, and lots of coral. The boys explored for hours and found a lot of different treasures. Colton remarked “If this is what a mission is like then sign me up!” We headed for home around noon and stopped at McDonald’s for lunch. As we were sitting holding spots at our table and waiting for our food I noticed a young Filipino boy sitting across from the boys. He held up his phone to take a selfie with these two handsome American boys that he was sitting across from with a huge smile on his face. Then I saw him texting the picture out (probably to his friends) to show them who his dining guests were. So funny!. We were home by 4:30 and got caught up on laundry and bills.
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| South China Sea |
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| Sea creatures |
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| My morning walk was along this pier |
Saturday - We got up early and were at the Area Office by 6:30. We left the office in 3 vans, 22 of us for our November Senior Outing. We headed up to Cubic Bay and were so lucky to have the Stinchfield’s guide us through our activity. E. Stinchfield served in Cubic Bay in the early 70's and knows his way around. We pulled over on the side of the road and were lucky to have a colony of fruit bats to watch. After that we went on to go to the zoo. It’s called Zoobic Safari and it was an incredible experience. We got to hold a tiger, snake, and baby alligator. We saw all kinds of snakes, huge iguanas, birds, and pigs walking all over the place. We entered a caged Jeep and went into a tiger habitat. The guide was sitting right in front of me with raw chicken and fed it to the tigers through the bars. I was treated to tiger spit and got to watch them eat a foot from my face, they are so big and it was a bit scary. One tiger even jumped on top of the vehicle and we could look up at the roof and watch him walk around. The alligator exhibit was amazing. We were able to walk on a swinging bridge and get fairly close. Some people purchased raw chicken that was placed on a fishing pole then held over the railing to watch the alligators try to snatch it. It was a once in a lifetime happening. As usual it was a bit of a long and challenging commute home but we were able to show the Grimshaw boys some of the night life in Manila. They were pretty amazed and we had fun watching them take it all in.
I am adding the words of Elder Stinchfield who served in Subic in the early 70’s. He and his wife work in the dental clinic and provide countless hours of dental care to young Filipino missionaries who will serve missions. They are silent heroes, this is a part of their story. We are so thankful to those who serve!
"I actually joined the Navy program in 1969 while attending BYU and then spent two summers going through boot camp. The first was in the Summer of 1970 and the second after I graduated was the Summer of 1971. I trained in Florida, Brunswick, and Georgia and Oakland, CA, flew in and out Viet Nam, Clark, Subic and many other missions.
We drove throughthe Airfield which is now Subic International Airport but was the US Navy's Naval Air Station Cubi Point. Above the airfield was housing and retail shops, Officer's Club, Chief's Club, Enlisted Club, etc. On our drive up the hill, we went by the Officer's Club, the Bachelor Officer's Quarters which was overgrown by vines and trees, the Navy Exchange which was severely damaged by the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1990-91 and other housing areas.
We were in the area of Subic Bay for R and R about every 30 days. We would come in from the Gulf of Tonkin to the Leyte Pier down by the NAS Cubi Pt. airfield. From there many of the men took cabs to the main gate and went out into Olongapo which was basically a Sodom and Gomorrah like city. Not a place to go unless you were having some suits or uniforms made.
We were there from November 1972 to the Fall of 1973. My wife came over with our 2 year old son in February 1973 and stayed about 3 months in an apartment in Olongapo. She was pretty well protected as she went back and forth with other wives in a special bus provided by the Navy. Today, Olongapo seems to be a different place, better, we hope.
I did spend some time on the beach with a detachment after our squadron had a shipboard accident and we lost a crew of 3 and their plane. The plane they were in was one that I frequently flew in as the pilot and the Naval Flight Officer and I usually flew together. However, on that late night, after the cease-fire in January 1973, our Detachment Commander told me to sit this flight out and let an enlisted plane captain fly in my place behind the pilot. The flight was just for the pilot to get some night flight time logged so my mission purpose was not needed. Unfortunately, at 1145 pm that night as my roommate and I had said our prayers and just got into our bunk beds, we heard the speakers say, "Plane in the Water"; "Plane in the Water". Our plane, an EKA-3B came loose from the launching mechanism and didn't have the correct speed to get airborne and just jerked forward, like in slow motion, and fell over the front of the ship at the angle and dropped into the dark ocean below. None of the men survived.
We enjoyed being at Subic and Cubi and my wife loved the other women there and their families. It was a new lifestyle for us coming from BYU and good LDS homes. We returned later in 1975-76 and 1989-1990 before Pinatubo blew up. We finished 27 years total in the USN and retired. We were off active duty for Dental School and Private practice."
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| Nice Kitty |
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| What can I say? |
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| This was so crazy |
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| We were so close to these alligators |
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| Amazing |
Sunday - We went with the Gunnell’s and our body guard Noel to learn how to empty the Giving Machines, count the money and deposit it in the bank. We are so happy to be a part of this experience. We came home and I made cookies for our second ARP meeting in Manila.
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At first pesos seemed like Monopoly money to us
It's very colorful |
Week 46 - November 26
Monday - One year ago today we were set apart as full time missionaries and we drove to Utah. Today we left our apartment at 7:00 and went to pick up Mary Ann. Traffic was crazy of course so that took an hour. We headed down south to Calamba where we met S. Johnson who is in Public Affairs in that area and she took us to meet the mayor to introduce him to our ARP program. That was an interesting meeting to say the least. The county building was decorated with all kinds of decorations made from recycled product. People are so creative. We had lunch at an outdoor Filipino restaurant and then drove home. We had an easy afternoon and walked through Eastwood for some dinner. We ran into some of our CSM's from Iloilo. They were so excited to see us, it’s nice to know we have friends in their very large country.
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| Meeting with Mayor Timmy Chipeco |
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| Typical Filipino lunch |
Tuesday - 9:00 Devotional we learned we need to be responsible and and not walk away from challenges. Family Services Department ate lunch together and had “Campfire Cake from Purple Oven” for Jairus’ Birthday. Steve was busy all morning getting vans ready for our retreat to Baguio tomorrow. We left for the airport at 2:30 to pick up the CSM’s (Church Service Missionaries) from Iloilo and drive them to the Microtel for the evening. It was so nice to pick up the Sollesta’s since they have so many times picked us up in Iloilo and taken us where we need to go. Steve picked a great route home but in order to avoid traffic we went through some interesting side streets. We kept hearing them say from the backseat “We are going through squatter country, lock your door”. We have never once felt like we were in any danger here no matter where we are. Like everyone else they were so impressed with Steve’s driving. We beat Mary Ann and her crew home from the airport by 2 hours. We got to the Microtel at 7:00 they didn’t arrive until 9:00.
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| Campfire Cake for Jai's Birthday |
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| Picking our CSM's up from the airport |
Wednesday - We were up early to go pick the Notarte’s up from the Microtel and head on up to Baguio for our two day conference/training. This is the second time we have been to Baguio, it’s such a beautiful drive and it’s cool so we got just a bit of taste of what the holiday’s are suppose to feel like. We listened to Christmas music on the way up and our CSM’s were just singing away in the back seat. I love to listen to their accents, it’s so different from the way we talk. We started our training at 1:00 that lasted until 5:30. We snuck of with friends to dine at Shakey’s. Our conference was held at the Girls Scout Camp which provided food, Filipino Food. I so wish we were more adventuresome but Shakey’s pizza is what brings comfort so that is what we did. Karaoke was the choice of entertainment for the evening, it’s so fun to watch Filipino’s sing, they love it. When everyone was done and left for bed I stuck around. Sister Gunnell came back to sing, Soleta’s were there, S. Bausing and Willy. S. Gunnell and Willy started singing some duets and it was magical. Willy loves to sing as doesn’t get a chance very often and S. Gunnell has that sultry smoky bar voice, it was awesome.
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| Leaving the Microtel and heading up to Baguio |
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| A room full of CSM's from all over the Philippines |
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| The Lucilla's from Bataan |
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Clamoring for a free polo shirt
You would have thought we were giving out bars of gold |
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Willy, Kenneth, Alvin, Lyza, and Mae Ann
They all work in the Welfare Office with us |
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| Willy singing Karaoke |
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| Jairus has the moves |
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| Mary Ann teaching about Family Services |
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| I got to lead the group in stretching and breathing excercises |
Thursday - I took a walk around the Girl Scout Camp in clean brisk air, it was heavenly. We had training from 7:30 - 5:30. Thank heaven for S. McIver, we may have participated in a private conversation or two when the speakers switched to Tagalog. We went to McDonald’s for lunch and then the John Hay Lodge for dinner. McIver’s stayed at John Hay and wanted us to come look at the spectacular Christmas decorations.
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| Steve presenting a years worth of vision work |
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| One of the Girls Scout buildings |
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| The Soleta's accepting their certificate of recognition |
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| The John Hay Lodge |
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| They know how to decorate for Christmas |
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| Houses in Baguio |
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| They are called "Hanging Houses" |
Friday - We woke up to no electricity but no problem we were ready to head for home. We got the Notarte’s in our car and drove home. I woke up in the middle of the night with a scratchy throat, by the time we got back to Manila it was full blown croup and fever. You can pick up bugs around here so easily. Nothing time and rest won’t cure (I hope)
Saturday - Woke up sick with a sore throat, croup, and no voice. Steve went to Lander's with Grimshaw's. I got to visit with Juile for an hour.Watched Hallmark Christmas movies and went for a mani-pedi.
Sunday - No church for me. Terrible chest cold. Prepared this blog. Hallmark Christmas movies and a miserable evening. Fever broke in the middle of the night so hope is on the way.
Wow! Just Wow! What an amazing experience you are having!! Thank you for your unselfish service and for taking the time to share it! What a beautiful place you are in! Love the Christmas decorations! I have been reminiscing about our Christmases together those many years ago when our kids were young and the world was an easier place! May Heavenly Father continue to bless you and yours for all you are doing to make the world a better place! Love you guys! 🌲🎄💕
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