We have been back at the temple for a couple of weeks now and are enjoying being there every day. We are now working the afternoon shift every day, which is fine since I’m not a morning person. However, it was nice to work at least one morning shift so we could have the afternoon to run errands and do laundry.
In some ways, serving here in the Cebu Temple is quite different from what it was like in Redlands. We’ve come to learn that our schedules are only suggestions and can change at any time. Sometimes they forget about you, and you can be in an area for one or even two hours. I’ve been in the celestial room for an hour past my time, and many times, I’ve been in the initiatory for two hours. As much as I love it, it can be a long time. There seems to be no limit to how many patrons can be in initiatory at one time. One day, I had nine sisters I was rotating through. It was interesting, but I was able to make it work. Dad and I are the baptismal coordinators on Thursday afternoons, and it’s so much fun. I love the youth so much. This week, we had two groups of 24 kids — 12 boys and 12 girls from the Davao Stake, which is on the southernmost island. I asked them if they took a boat, but they said they flew. They were here for four days for youth conference, and they all came each day with multiple names. Over half of them were at the temple for the first time, and it was such a joy to help them have a good experience. The youth here are very polite and respectful and always say hello when we see them at the patron house.
A couple of weeks back, Dad and I were both sick with colds. My foot was still hurting pretty badly, and I was beginning to think I might have a broken or fractured bone. We got in touch with the mission doctor, who referred us to a local doctor. I wasn’t as sick as Dad. He was prescribed five different medications and was told he had a bacterial infection. I had an X-ray on my foot, and thankfully, there were no fractures or broken bones. It is finally starting to feel normal, and I can walk without a limp. We’re both pretty much over our colds now and feeling much better.
One of my responsibilities as the female baptismal coordinator is to hand out clothing. Since it was a large group, another sister noticed and came to help me. She’s in the temple quite often and seems to have some special needs. She was so fast at handing out the clothing and was such a great help. I don’t think she speaks much English, or if she does, I can’t understand anything she says. So, when we finished handing out the clothes to the kids, I told her “thank you,” but then I remembered she didn’t speak English. I quickly said “Salamat,” which is “thank you” in Cebuano. She thought that was so funny and went to tell some of the other workers that I said “Salamat.” I think I made her day, which made my day!
A couple of weeks ago, another missionary couple from the States arrived. As we were becoming friends on Facebook, I noticed we had two friends in common, so I checked to see who they were. One was another sister missionary, and the other was my daughter-in-law, Kori! That surprised me because the couple is from Pocatello, Idaho. I asked her how she knew Kori, and she said, “Oh, that’s my friend Kori Andreasen. We used to be in the same ward in Arizona. I played the piano at their baby’s funeral.” Then she asked, “Do you know her too?” We laughed when I told her Kori is my daughter-in-law — what a coincidence! Later, we found out they have a grandson in the same mission as Seth Rajacich, and they hang out together sometimes on P-days. We also realized we’re both pretty high-maintenance and like the same hair products (which we can’t get here, by the way). We keep finding new things we have in common — it’s so funny!
One of the things I love to do when I get the chance is hear people’s stories. There is one older lady who works in the temple. She’s going to be 86 in May, and she’s still going strong. She’s a widow serving here for one year. Her daughter and son-in-law had been serving here as volunteers for a while, and one day during a phone call, she told her daughter how lonely she was. Her daughter suggested she come stay with them and serve in the temple.
She told me she has 11 children — four passed away as toddlers, but she has seven still living. They are all returned missionaries and were married in the temple, and her grandchildren are all serving missions as they reach mission age. What’s so interesting to me is that her husband was a drinker. Sometimes, he would spend his entire paycheck on alcohol, leaving nothing for the family. To provide for her children, she became a seamstress. Then one day, her husband came home and said he had talked to some missionaries and wanted to take the lessons. He ended up getting baptized before she did, but eventually, they all joined the Church and were sealed in the temple.What a difference the gospel can make when someone is truly converted. Ground was recently broken for a new temple in Tacloban, where they live, and she told me she just wants to live long enough to see the temple dedicated. She’s such an inspiration to me. I hope I’ll still be going strong when I’m approaching 86.
Funny Things We Are Learning to Live With:
• Stray Dogs and Cats Everywhere: They lie in the middle of the sidewalk or at the side of the road. Cars just drive around them. The other night, we went to dinner with the other missionaries and ate outside. Stray cats were roaming around as usual, and suddenly, one jumped onto the seat next to a woman eating her dinner. I was so grossed out!
• Mall Dogs: When we go to the mall, we always have to dodge five or six dogs lying around the entrance steps.
• Crazy Electrical Wires: The phone and electrical wires are absolutely wild.
• Cold Showers: For some reason, the hot water will just shut off. We have to call maintenance to turn it back on. A cold shower will wake you up fast! But we shouldn’t complain — most locals don’t even have a shower.
It’s always an adventure living in a third-world country, but we’re continuing to adjust.
Life is good, and we are very blessed. We miss you all so much and love to hear from you!
