Month 3

Well, we made it through Month 3! In some ways, it seems like we’ve been here forever, and in other ways, it feels like we just got here. We enjoy working in the temple five days a week. Even if I’m feeling a little down, when I’m in the temple my spirits lift, and I feel the joy of helping others in this important work.

As I mentioned before, we serve in the baptistry on Thursdays and love being with the youth. They are so cute and strong in the gospel. They’re always excited to learn that we’re from California. This week, we had a large group from another island — three large groups of youth from a stake came to do baptisms. 

While at the mall, we ran into the youth group got to take a picture with them. That was so fun! Since we’re inside the temple, we usually don’t get to take pictures with any of the patrons we serve.

Afterward, I was chatting with some of the girls, and two of them asked if they could give me a hug. Of course, I told them yes. Then they said, “You are so pretty! You look like Barbie.” That made me laugh because, of course, I don’t look like Barbie. But I thought they might be on to something — maybe I should suggest they create a Geriatric Barbie! Haha.

The week before, I was sitting by the font watching the baptisms when one of the young men came and sat down beside me. He said, “Sister, what is the meaning of the bulls under the baptismal font?” I explained that they were oxen and that they represent the twelve tribes of Israel, how gathering Israel is the most important work we can do right now and that is exactly what he is doing in the temple. We had such a great little discussion about the significance of the oxen. He told me he was the only member in his family and that he was missing his graduation practice to be on the temple trip. He also told me his father had passed away several years ago and that he wanted to be baptized for him. I told him where the Family History Center was and that they could help him get the card ready for his father. I offered to help, but he said he thought he’d be able to do it. He is preparing to start his mission papers. I was so glad I got to visit with him—what a great young man.

We received another new missionary couple from the States, so that makes five foreigner couples now, which is really exciting! The couple from Singapore hangs out with us sometimes, but the four couples from the States have a really good time together. We always go out to dinner on Friday nights, which is so fun. This week we went to a place called Tops. It’s up in the mountains, about a half-hour drive from the temple. From Tops, we could look down and see the whole valley, including the temple and the temple complex where we live. Such a beautiful view, including the ocean in the distance. The food was good, and we really enjoyed it.

On Saturday, we went to the Ocean Park Aquarium. It was a pretty nice aquarium. Afterward, we went across the street to a huge mall where we had dinner and saw the first two episodes of season 5 of The Chosen.

I continue to visit with the other sisters on my temple shift and learn about their lives. One sister I spoke with is so sweet and such a hard worker. She has a catering business and also takes care of boarders for whom she cooks and cleans. Another sister said she has to get up at 2:00–2:30 in the morning because she only has access to water between 3 and 5, and she has to fill all her buckets to have water throughout the day. I was sitting next to another sister, and she asked me if I had arthritis in my hands. I told her I didn’t, and I was surprised because my mom had arthritis really badly in her hands. She grabbed my hand, as if to check if I was telling the truth, and said, “Oh my goodness, you have baby-soft hands!” Then she said, “Oh, Sister, you don’t work, do you?” When I told her that I did, she replied, “But you have a washing machine, a clothes dryer, and a dishwasher. We wash our clothes by hand in a bucket and hang them on the line. We don’t have a vacuum either.” This sweet sister’s hands are rough with callouses and her fingers are bent with arthritis. They work so hard just doing daily chores that are so easy for us. I started noticing all the sisters’ hands, and they are all the same. How easy it is to take for granted all the conveniences we have and not even realize that there is another way of life we know nothing about. And yet, they are all so happy and never complain.

Sister Harding and I with Sister Vengco and Sister Sampson, our shift coordinators on Wednesday afternoon

Something that I found surprising is that there is a male temple employee who goes around collecting trash and refilling paper goods in the restrooms—not so strange, except that he comes into the women’s dressing rooms during temple hours to do his job. I walked out of a bathroom stall the other day and, as I went over to the sink, there he was, emptying the trash. I don’t think that would ever be okay in the States, and honestly, it wasn’t okay with me! But the locals don’t seem to have a problem with it.

I am so grateful for this opportunity to put my life on hold and serve the Lord and show Him how much I love Him. It’s not easy, and I miss everyone so much, but I know it is only for a short time, and the difference we can make in someone’s life is forever.

We love you all so much, and we are so grateful that families are forever—and I believe our friends are forever as well. 

Week 10

 

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.

 

Sister Abon with her Daughter Merlyn Cornillez and Me

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!