Just Another Week in the Philippines

Native Chicken Anyone?

A while back, I headed down the hall to do a load of laundry, expecting nothing more than the usual routine. But as I got closer to the laundry room, I stopped in my tracks.

Right outside our neighbor’s door was a dead chicken. Beside it, a few green coconuts and a bag of groceries…just there in the hall.

It was quite a shock! I sent a text to the other two sister missionaries so they could take a look - something you kind of had to see to believe. I told them I wanted to take a picture but was afraid my neighbor might open the door and catch me. One of the other sisters who lives right across from them hurried and took the picture you see above and shared it with us.  But then the other sister replied:

“My husband said he just rode up the elevator with one of our neighbors and the sister who lives in that apartment and he was holding a live chicken.” Apparently, I missed the live version of the chicken just moments before. I can only imagine the elevator ride. Life in this building is never boring—even laundry day turns into a cultural experience.

I’ve learned to expect the unexpected around here… and maybe to glance down before walking too quickly through the hallway.

One of the other sisters asked the owner of the chicken about it and she told her she was going to make “Native Chicken”. Apparently that’s what it’s called you start with a live chicken and do the killing and plucking yourself.  I’m not really sure on that. When we went to the farm not too long ago, they served us what they called “Native chicken”. Little did we know what we were eating.  It turns out it was one of the few Filipino dishes I have enjoyed.

Church Can Be an Adventure

Every Sunday we sit behind a lovely family. Quite a large family that consists of the Mom, Dad, 7 children, one of them married with twin daughters and two young girl cousins that they have unofficially adopted - 14 people all together and they live in one house. 

The mom and dad are both temple workers and  the mom is the Ward Relief Society President. Not all of the kids attend our ward but several of them do. One of the daughters comes early with the twins and the cousins and the mom and dad of the twins follow a little later. They are so cute and quite entertaining at times. The twins are Fe and Rei, Fe is outgoing and will come sit on everyone’s lap but Rei is more reserved and will only occasionally interact with someone other than family. Rei can give a look that could stop traffic.  

With Sister Merelos. She is one awesome lady, she knows everyone and can 

speak several of the dialects here. She is a hard worker and seems to have unending energy..

Sister Harding and I were taking a picture with Fe 

and Sister Morelos couldn’t help but jump in. 

Fe comes and sits on Dad’s lap each week and 

of course he always gives her a little candy. 

Here is Rei with her traffic stopping look. 

She is also very sweet and loves to snuggle with all the members of her family.

This is Cassie, she was showing me the picture she drew of me.  So Cute. 

We sure love this family and enjoy visiting with them each Sunday.

Should I Serve a Mission

Recently, as I was serving in the celestial room, I noticed a young girl praying and pondering all by herself. She was the last one to leave after the session. I was sitting by the door, and as she was exiting, she stopped and asked, “Sister, should I serve a mission?”

I don’t know what I was thinking, but I said, “Yes, I think you should serve a mission. Serving a mission is almost always the right answer.” I was surprised that I gave that advice so quickly—especially since I didn’t even know this young sister. But it felt right. I told her that if she was feeling prompted to serve, she should do it, and that a mission would be a blessing both to those she teaches and to her for the rest of her life. I then suggested she talk to her parents and her bishop for help in making the final decision.

It’s funny, but I really think I was prompted to tell this sweet girl to serve. I have seen how much serving a mission blesses the young people here in the Philippines. They return with greater confidence and stronger faith, which helps them in so many different ways. Many of them have English-speaking companions, which helps their English skills improve. Those who can speak English are often the ones getting better jobs, which allows them to support their families and enjoy a better quality of life.

Serving a mission is not easy for our young brothers and sisters—wherever they may be—but I have seen the positive results as they learn to overcome trials, interact with people, and grow in their faith and testimony of the gospel.

Fun Going Away Party

It’s crazy to think all these people will be transferring to the Davao Temple soon. They will be very missed since many of them are the stalwart workers. A few even work both shifts at the temple several days. I’ve said it before but I was reminded again that the Filipino people love to have a party with lots of food, dancing, Karaoke and laughter. 

So, the third floor sisters did our dance!!!! It turned out pretty good and we had a lot of fun doing it. 

Here is our little dancing group, they called us the Dancing Ladies

Here we are with Sister Cabrera, the newly called Matron of the Davao Temple

For some reason, one of the workers dressed up as a dinosaur, 

I’m really not sure what that was all about

It really was a fun party, I was thinking when I get home it would be interesting to have the Relief Society Sisters doing a dance number, maybe the Elder’s Quorum could do some karaoke. Then we could all dance and eat!

I would show you our dance but I haven’t figured out how to get a video to work on the blog.

Well, that’s all for now.  The temple is getting ready to shut down for 4 weeks and we have some fun trips planned. We will be visiting a few of the other islands and my sister Jill is here which is always fun. I’m looking forward to seeing the sights and relaxing. 

We miss you all and would love to hear from you.  Thank you to those who have sent emails, I love and appreciate hearing from home.

Sending love,

Sister Mom/Beth