A Lot of Shaking Going on Around Here!

  We Felt It!

The night before we were heading to California (September 30th), we were sitting in our little living room when we suddenly felt the apartment start to move and heard some pretty loud rumbling. We quickly realized it was an earthquake—probably the biggest one I’ve ever experienced! The shaking just kept going on and on, and I started to wonder if it was ever going to stop. We later learned that the 6.9-magnitude quake’s epicenter was in Bogo City, at the northern tip of the island of Cebu, about a two-hour drive from where we live in Lahug. Thankfully, not much damage was reported in our area, though the Angel Moroni statue on top of the temple was shifted slightly.

 I’ve experienced a few earthquakes In my life but nothing like this one.  The aftershocks continued throughout the night and the following weeks.

The next morning when we had to leave to catch our flight we weren’t sure what the situation was and if we would be able to even get to the airport. The airport is on another island that is connected to Cebu by 3 bridges and we had heard that one of the bridges was damaged and closed. The traffic in our area is horrible all the time but especially during rush hour. As it turned out we were able to get to the airport with no problems and surprisingly very little traffic. It felt weird to leave at a time like this but there was nothing we could do about it.

We were concerned about all the young missionaries in and around Bogo and hoped they were okay, but then we remembered they were in Lahug for Zone Conference and were all safe—a sweet tender mercy that I’m sure brought great relief to their parents. The brother who drove us to the airport, and was supposed to take the missionaries back to their areas after dropping us off, told us they would stay put until it was safe to return.

The devastation in Bogo and surrounding areas is terrible! The earthquake killed at least 79 people and injured 1,271. A total of 135,400 homes and over $53.98 million worth of infrastructure were damaged. Over 7,400 houses collapsed, along with numerous buildings. The people in Bogo City are living outside, the members of the Church are camping out on the church grounds. 

We wanted to do something to help, but we didn’t think we could do much being so far away. Then, Sister Harding - one of the other couple missionaries - text me and said our Bishop here in our Lahug Ward was asking for monetary donations. I sent her some money so we could contribute as well. Bishop was able to purchase quite a few needed supplies with the money collected from the couple missionaries.

Supplies we helped purchase for the quake victims. 

Even after we returned to Cebu the shaking continued, Several large quakes and as many as 200 smaller quakes a day and aftershocks were recorded. 

In addition to the quakes, two volcanoes erupted, no lava flow, just steam and ash. I heard the eruptions were due at least in part because of the earthquakes. In fact they are saying the entire ring of fire is experiencing heightened seismic and volcanic activity. 

This can feel frightening, but we shouldn’t be too surprised! We know that in the last days the elements will be in commotion, and recent General Conference talks have reminded us that these truly are the latter days. 

President Dallin H. Oaks reassures us: “In modern revelation we have the promise that if we are prepared we need not fear (D&C 38:30)… We need to make… spiritual preparation for the events prophesied at the time of the Second Coming of the Lord.” 

What a blessing it is to have the scriptures, along with living prophets and apostles, to guide and reassure us—helping us clearly recognize the signs of the times and find comfort as we witness them unfolding throughout the world.

Moving on to Lighter Subjects 

I thought I would share some random things that we have or are experiencing here in the Philippines.

New Restaurant - A Great Find

When we first arrived, we felt completely out of place. Nothing was familiar—the food, the language, the city, even the smells—it was all a bit overwhelming. On our second day, the other senior couple had gone to Manila to be fingerprinted for their visa, so we were on our own. We had almost no food, were tired and hungry, and had no idea where to go for dinner. One of the sisters who works in the temple kindly suggested we try La Vie, a restaurant just two doors down from the temple.

This is the view from the front door of the restaurant

The temple is so close.

For some reason, we never went there. Instead, we took a taxi to the mall and ate there. Every now and then, someone would ask if we had tried La Vie yet, but for whatever reason, it just never crossed our minds to go. Another couple from Singapore mentioned they didn’t care for it, so we figured we weren’t missing much. Then, one date night just before the temple shutdown, we decided to give it a try. We walked the short distance to the restaurant—and were pleasantly surprised! It was such a fun place with delicious pizza, pasta, pastries, and best of all, some of the best gelato we’ve ever had.

We now go there quite often and really enjoy the food and of course the gelato. The staff is so fun and they now know us and treat us like we are someone important. Now we know what we were missing all those months - we should have gone when it was first suggested.

Different Culture - Different Foods

We keep finding new and interesting food here in the Philippines. I keep telling myself to stay adventurous and keep trying new foods!

That said, the other day at the grocery store we came across something I’m pretty sure I won’t be trying anytime soon. The label said it was “dangerously addictive,” but since I’m not a big fan of eggs or fish, I think I’ll just take their word for it! There are plenty of new tastes I’m brave enough to try—but this one might just stay safely on the shelf.

And speaking of interesting foods, there are so many kinds of potato chips here that I probably won’t be trying either. Some of the flavors are pretty wild—I’ve seen fried chicken and even shrimp flavored chips! Here are a couple interesting flavors.

Honey Butter and Tomato Ketchup

Cebu City Stake Choir

Our stake choir has been busy the past couple months. In addition to getting ready for stake conference we were asked to sing at a couple inter faith events. I enjoyed the interfaith events and found it interesting to see how other faiths worship and express their beliefs. 

Interfaith Event at City Hall

Another Interfaith Event at a local hotel

We have been practicing like crazy with the stake choir getting ready for stake conference. The stake presidency requested 8 songs! Finally last Sunday was stake conference and the choir did a great job. Not that I can take credit for the great job but it was really fun to be part of it. We performed 3 songs with the stake children’s choir. I always get a little teary eyed singing with those precious children, they are just so sweet. I can’t get over how good they are to sit for so long on the front two rows of the church during two meetings (the adult session and the general session). Because of transportation issues, both meetings are Sunday morning.

Stake Choir and Stake Children’s Choir

It was funny to me that the choir director wanted us to wear pastels for our performance since in my mind pastels are for spring not fall. Then I had to remind myself that the two seasons here in the Philippines are rainy season and dry season. 

The talks at stake conference were wonderful and I especially enjoyed a talk by one of the counselors in the stake presidency. Here is a quote from his talk:

“With social media today and the convenience of using social media daily…

We spend more time ‘scrolling than speaking’

We spend more time ‘posting than praying’

We spend more time ‘judging than ministering’

Do not cast stones…instead cast nets and gather in those who need to feel the mercy, protection and love of the Savior.” 

Another speaker said, “The world around us may be shaking but we have a solid foundation in the Savior Jesus Christ.”

As I serve in the temple I am more and more convinced that we need to minister to one another more. Whether it be a formally assigned role, spontaneous ministering or intentional ministering, we all could use more ministering these days. When I get to know the sisters I serve with and get to know their stories, my love for them increases, my respect for them increases and I find we have way more in common than we might realize. We all need to feel needed and accepted and I believe ministering is the key.

“Will Work for Hairspray”

When I first met Sister Harding, we couldn’t get over how many things we had in common—it was almost spooky! Even after all these months, we’re still discovering new similarities. One of those funny connections? Hair products.

We both have fine, limp hair that does nothing on its own, so we rely on our stash of magic potions to give it a little life. Unfortunately, finding decent hair products in the Philippines is next to impossible—which makes sense when you look around and realize most women here have gorgeous, thick, shiny hair that doesn’t need any help at all.

We did manage to find one kind of hairspray, but it was… well, let’s just say it was more “helmet glue” than “styling aid.” It did the job—sort of—but it was pretty terrible. So when I found out my sister Jill was coming to visit, I told her to bring as much hairspray as she could possibly fit in her luggage. Enough to last me until I go home!

Here’s my stash with a few other things that I like

I even tried to share some with Sister Harding, but she absolutely refused. (She’s way too nice.) So later, when we realized we’d be going home for a week, I told her I was going to buy her some hairspray as a thank-you for filling in for me at the temple.

One day we went downstairs to meet the other missionaries before heading out shopping, there was Sister Harding—standing there with this sign:

I laughed so hard. She is so funny and keeps everyone laughing all the time!

Here’s Patty with her haul of Hairspray and a few 

others things they were missing from the US.

We also brought the Stirlands some things they had been missing from the states as well.

We are so thankful for these good brothers and sisters we have the opportunity to serve with. We really enjoy being together and supporting one another. 

I hope you made it this far…I guess when it takes me so long between blog posts you get a super long post. 

We love you all and pray you are all doing well.

Love,

Sister Mom/Beth