tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993266402475111422024-02-20T19:05:06.607-08:00Philippine Quezon City MissionElder and Sister Bird 2011-2012Dad and Mom Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17867676925061154603noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899326640247511142.post-49669213933419053812013-04-07T19:48:00.000-07:002017-05-13T12:36:27.472-07:00HOME AGAINMy feelings just before leaving the Philippines:<br />
It is with such mixed emotions that you leave your mission and return home. I have always heard this, but now I can confirm that it is true! These 18 months have just flown by! Randy and I have grown to love so many people here, that the thought of never seeing them again makes me just want to sob! As we began telling people "goodbye", I could only promise that we would again be reunited in the eternities. I look forward to that time when we will all pick up right where we left off with our wonderful friendships. At least I know that Haidi, our director, will be coming to Salt Lake City each year for training, and there are others that I feel quite sure we will see again in the U.S. How blessed Randy and I feel. We are both so grateful to our Father in Heaven for this experience. We told our dear friends in our Malaya Branch that we would return when the Morong District becomes the Morong Stake....I would also love to attend the open house when the Urdaneta Temple is completed. We shall see!<br />
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Arriving home:<br />
It was the saddest feeling to walk out of our apartment for the last time, and lock the door. We both made sure we looked one last time out our living room window at the beautiful view of Manila and the bay. It was sad to say goodbye to the security workers there at the Pioneer Towers as we pulled our luggage through the foyer and out the door for the last time. The Dupaix's even got up at 4:30 a.m. to help us with our luggage and walk us down to the van waiting to take us to the airport. There stood Clem...now our good friend...the same man that picked us up at the airport 18 months ago when we arrived...and still with that happy smile on his face! Because of a very kind and unexpected act of a former student of Randy's, our flight on Delta Airlines had been upgraded to Business Class...so we flew home in style! <br />
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Our Family Greeting Us at the Airport</div>
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Welcome Home!</div>
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Together With Our Family On the Day We Reported Our Mission</div>
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It was a beautiful morning and as we ascended into the clouds, I said goodbye to this island nation. Our lives had changed and we would never be the same.</div>
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Now we were in for another new experience...Business Class in a 747...Wow!!! I almost felt guilty...was it really okay to fly home from a mission in luxury???....AND I felt sad for those uncomfortable people in coach!! So I just laid my luxurious seat down flat into a bed, closed the cubicle around me, pulled the blanket up and went to sleep!!! It was heavenly! We had a layover in Japan and then took off for the 8 hour flight to Seattle....I was now getting so excited that I couldn't sleep anymore! What a beautiful sight it was as we circled the Seattle area preparing to land...more tears came tumbling down as I felt so much joy and gratitude to be safely back in our beloved United States of America. We expected customs to be another test in patience, but they waved us right through...we didn't have to open ANYTHING!! We were so grateful that the last leg from Seattle to Salt Lake City was short, because we were getting giddy!! After landing in SLC, we were almost the first to get off our fight and we headed right for the escalators that would take us down to our family! As we rode down the escalator and the lower level came into view, we heard the biggest cheer with laughter and clapping...and there was our beautiful family...oh, how we love them! </div>
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We met with President Gilleland, our Stake President, to be released, and at the same time he called us to teach the Stake Missionary Prep class...little did any of us know that a huge change would be announced that very weekend with regards to the age requirement for missionaries...so we were excited to be right back in the thick of things! We loved being able to share experiences from our mission as we spoke in our ward. We have done several firesides and are now on the "speaking circuit" through our Stake. As we look back on all the feelings (anxieties!!!) we had prior to our mission, we both agree that this is the best thing we could ever do to bless our children and grandchildren...serve the Lord!! Randy and I both love the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith found in Doctrine and Covenants 128:22</div>
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"Brethren (<i>Bird family</i>), shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren (<i>family</i>); and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice and be exceedingly glad..."</div>
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Yes, we shall go on...for I know without a doubt that this is Christ's church and this gospel message is soooo true. It will be a privilege to serve the Lord wherever we are needed...but for a moment, we will just enjoy being home. Then we will see what the Lord has in store for us next...it is sure to be an adventure!!</div>
<o:p></o:p>Dad and Mom Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17867676925061154603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899326640247511142.post-43457596184095284832013-02-20T13:51:00.000-08:002013-10-22T12:47:49.641-07:00UNIQUELY FILIPINO<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are many things in the Philippines that are just simply "unique" to them...or perhaps to much of Asia...but, basically, different from what we are used to in the western part of the United States. I am going to list those that we especially noticed. Some will have photos and some I will just tell about.</div>
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1. Free Size...interpretation: One Size Fits All</div>
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2. Buy One Take One...interpretation: Buy One Get One Free</div>
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3. Isles and isles of boxed milk (not in a cooler) in every supermarket...it lasts for months!</div>
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4. Many shelves of Vienna Sausages, Spam, and Sardines.</div>
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5. "Batch of 2012"...interpretation: "Class of 2012"</div>
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6. The need to build a new chapel anywhere is determined, in part, by how many jeepney rides a member must pay for to arrive at the chapel...if over 2, then they start to consider a new building.</div>
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7. Cigarettes...MANY Filipinos smoke and they buy one cigarette at a time, not a package. Vendors sell them along the street and walk out into traffic to sell them also. If someone stops in their vehicle to buy one, then the vendor also lights the cigarette for them.</div>
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8. Eggs are in cartons on shelves in supermarkets...not kept in coolers.</div>
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9. Security guards are in every store or business (usually at the door) with loaded guns.</div>
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10. Workers in the Philippines work very long hours 6 days a week, and sometimes 7.</div>
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11. When shopping in a department store or clothing store, a sales clerk tries to stay right by you. If you want to try something on, they are more than happy to come right in the fitting room to help you.</div>
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12. Every grocery, department, or clothing store has soooo many employees...and they all have their college degrees to get these jobs!</div>
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13. The Philippines is quite the "shoe capitol" of the world. </div>
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14. Even though many people are very poor, they will be dressed very stylish.</div>
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15. In many of the "wet markets" you pick out the chicken you want and they kill and prepare it right there before your eyes!</div>
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16. The pigs are truly "pink"....just like a crayon!</div>
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17. The nice malls have beautiful movie theaters and the concessions are very inexpensive.</div>
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18. Every supermarket has a "senior citizens" line and they are so quick to assist you.</div>
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19. The most popular thing for tweens and teens to do when they hang out is karaoke...they ALL love to sing!!</div>
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20. Nannies are EVERYWHERE!!! If you are even middle class, you have a nanny. Labor is so cheap, but goods are not!</div>
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21. Restrooms....you must always carry your own toilet paper, it is rarely supplied because people steal it. Used toilet paper goes in a waste basket...not down the toilet! Many times there will be no toilet seat...just the bowl!</div>
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22. Male Urinals....yes, there are quite a few of them on the sidewalks in large cities...but, most often, you see men relieving themselves everywhere and anywhere!!!</div>
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23. Everything that grows in warm humid climates, grows extra big...including the bugs! The cockroaches are SUPER-SIZED!!!</div>
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24. When you lead the singing in church (if there is no piano), the chorister sings the first line to the congregation and then says, "Okay, sing" and she leads away.</div>
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25. Christmas music starts being played on September 1. Decorations may be up until February.</div>
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26. There are no "heaters" in the cars, or businesses, or homes, or our apartment....just air-conditioners, if you are very lucky.</div>
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A Majority of the Homes are Made of Cement and Cinderblocks, with Pieces of Metal for the Roof</div>
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Much of the Cooking is Done Outside</div>
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The Caribou is the Most Valued Work Animal</div>
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The Wiring for Phones and Electricity is Just the Craziest Ever</div>
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A Good Place to Buy Fish...S&R (like Costco)...the Fish are on Ice</div>
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The More Common Way of Finding Fish for Sale</div>
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Typical Morning Meat Market</div>
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Mowing a Lawn</div>
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Fun Shopping at a Flea Market</div>
Dad and Mom Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17867676925061154603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899326640247511142.post-32548355558498227612013-02-18T20:29:00.002-08:002021-06-11T19:57:50.407-07:00DRIVING AND TRANSPORTATIONThis was the first and greatest adjustment to the Philippines. Upon our arrival and being driven from the airport to the administration office and then to our apartment, Randy, who feels right at home driving in any large city in the U.S., said, "I can never drive here!!" I totally agreed!! The driver that picked us up reassured us that traffic rules are only a "suggestion" as he made a left turn from the far right lane! The very next morning we went to get our drivers licenses...what a relief when we didn't have to drive for them or take a driving test (is that really a GOOD thing???) but just gave a urine sample and money...what an experience that was! Long story short....after a month or so my husband could get a job as a taxi driver here...yes, he has progressed (regressed!!!) to that point and can drive like a true Filipino.<br />
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The rules of driving are basically this: FLOW--It doesn't matter if lines are painted on a road...it's best to pretend there are none...there may be 3 lanes painted but 5 lanes of traffic in those...someone suggested to think of it as bumper cars...that helps...just flow with the traffic. BIG--This principle is easy to remember without difficulty. The bigger the vehicle, the higher the priority for occupying traffic space and being granted the right of way. PICK--This principle is also simple. Whichever vehicle has any portion of it in front of another vehicle...it gets the right of way. NO-SEE CHICKEN--When entering an intersection, with traffic on your left or your right, you must look straight ahead and maintain your speed as you cut them off. If you slow down or glance to the left or right, that may be spotted by the oncoming driver and then he will challenge you to the right of way. I know...it sounds simple!<br />
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There are a few road/traffic signs that we had to come to understand....or not! U-turn Slot: On the main highway in metro-Manila (EDSA) you could almost never make a left hand turn...you would have to drive in the opposite direction until you came to a U-turn Slot and you would turn around there and go the direction you needed. Going to the Manila Administration Office (MPAO) each day to work was an entirely different experience than coming back home to our apartment. Street Names: Frequently you could not FIND the name or after being lost you would discover the name of that street had been changed to some other name....political leaders were always doing that! Stay On Lane: We never figured out if you were supposed to drive on the lines that suggested a lane or between the lines since cars were everywhere!! Fly Over: We call that an Over Pass. No Swerving: Suggesting you are to not wander between multiple lanes...this is completely disregarded! Counter Flow: This is when you find that your lanes going one direction are all backed up and there may not be as much traffic in the lanes coming the opposite way, so someone decides to make a new lane out of the ones going the opposite direction (basically the wrong way on a one way street...) and a whole bunch of cars follow suit and soon you have a complete gridlock and no one can move in any lane....it is infuriating!!!!!...and happened many times to us. Lay By: A place up ahead to pull over. No Over Taking: No passing...definitely disregarded. <br />
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Besides the "rules" of traffic, I must add to the equation a list of everything that can legally occupy road space: cars, trucks, buses, tricycles (motorbike with side car attached), jeepnies (elongated jeep that carries 20 to 30 passengers), pedestrians, funerals, bicycles, kalesa (horse drawn cart), caribao (water buffalo), children, family parties, and rice drying....just to name a few!!<span id="goog_1757933033"></span><span id="goog_1757933034"></span><br />
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Traffic on EDSA by Our Apartment</div>
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Typical of Metro-Manila Traffic<br />
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Drivers Don't Always Obey Traffic Signs<br />
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Jeepney Terminal<br />
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Randy After Our Tricycle Ride From the Church in Laoag</div>
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Motorcycle with Couple Holding an Umbrella to Protect From the Sun</div>
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Filipino Father and Daughter on Bicycle with Bag of Food from LDS Charities</div>
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Tricycle From the Back on Our Way to Malaya for Church</div>
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Because there are several modes of transportation mainly used in the Philippines, I will list them from the least expensive to the most expensive: Walking, Bicycle, Tricycle...very widely used, Jeepney ....along with the tricycle this is the most common mode, Bus, Taxi, Own a motorcycle, Own a Car...usually have a hired driver, Boat...necessary for travel between islands that do not have airports close by, Airplane...because of so many islands to go between, the airports are very busy and quite inexpensive.</div>
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Although there is so much congested traffic, a very small percentage of Filipinos own their own car....there are just millions of people all going somewhere each day.<br />
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I must add that some of our funniest experiences in the Philippines were the times we were lost while driving. Usually we were with Elder and Sister Goss. Some that stand out are: trying to find the location in Caloocan (it was behind a certain Catholic church) for the kick-off event for National Family Week, the trip to Cavite for Leni's internment, and a particular trip to the airport </div>
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I drove exactly three times! All were on holidays when the traffic was much less congested because most of the people go to the provinces to be with family on these days. However, I did PRAY alot, as did our family, for our safety each day....and yes, we actually made it the entire 18 months without a single fender bender!Dad and Mom Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17867676925061154603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899326640247511142.post-39812012881949833402012-09-02T06:02:00.000-07:002013-04-07T20:53:46.468-07:00APOSTLES VISIT THE PHILIPPINES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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President Michael John U. Teh, Senator Vincente Sotto (Senate Majority Leader), Senator Gregorio Honasan, Elder Quentin L. Cook in Office of Senator Sotto</div>
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Sister Bird, Senator Vincente Sotto, Elder Bird</div>
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President Michael John U. Teh, E/S Bird, Haidi Fajardo, Elder Quentin L. Cook</div>
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Sister Bird, Senator's Office Staff, Haidi Fajardo</div>
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Elder Cook, President Teh, and Sister Bird in Philippine Senate Chambers</div>
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E/S Bird on Senate Floor</div>
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Elder and Sister Bednar with Elder and Sister Bird</div>
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Cultural Program Participants at Aurora Chapel</div>
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Cultural Program Presented to Visiting General Authorities</div>
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Entire Group of Cultural Participants (Daniel Beriong, composer and singer of theme song, <i>United</i>,) is Seated Facing Front Behind the Children </div>
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E/S Bednar, E/S Cook, E/S Callister, Bishop/Sister Davies at Cultural Program</div>
Dad and Mom Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17867676925061154603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899326640247511142.post-29964662420902026072012-08-26T01:18:00.001-07:002021-06-11T20:07:27.493-07:00FLOODS IN THE PHILIPPINES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Photos top left to right 1. Flooding Marikina River out Window of Missionaries Apartment 2. People Under Umbrellas Watching as Water Rises in Marikina 3. Boat to Rescue Stranded Members in Provident Ward 4. Bags of Food Packaged by Volunteers at the Area Office 5. Flooded Homes Along Marikina River</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">August proved to be a disastrous month for Metro-Manila. Within two days, we quickly had a "water" problem to match that of Ondoy in 2009. Seven sets of our young missionaries had to move into their respective Mission Homes, as their apartments were completely submerged. Eight of our chapels were under water. Sixty chapels of the Church were used as evacuation centers for members and non-members alike. Thousands of members dawned their yellow Mormon Helping Hands vests and began packing food and hygiene kits for distribution to affected families. For most of the people living in Metro-Manila, it was Typhoon Ondoy (2009) revisited! From the evening of August 6th to the afternoon of August 7th, 24 inches of rain fell…that is double the amount of rain that fell during Typhoon Katrina in the U.S.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Once again the area of Marikina became a rolling river. This is the area that we drive through every Sunday to go to our branch in Malaya. It is so sad to see the water, but even worse is when the water recedes leaving behind several feet of muddy sludge in everything! The people of the Philippines deal with these disasters every year…in 2011 the Philippines had more natural disasters than any country in the world! It's easy to see why it is so difficult for these people to get out from under the poverty. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It has been such an experience to see the Church in action. In response to this disaster, the Church immediately released relief funds to buy food, sleeping mats, blankets, and hygiene kits. Volunteers were called for…we were hoping for 150, but almost 400 showed up…it was amazing to see. Then a couple of days later we needed more volunteers and once again they came…so happy to be able to help. This has truly been an eye-opening and humbling experience.</span></div>
Dad and Mom Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17867676925061154603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899326640247511142.post-44041737779096720462012-08-06T01:56:00.002-07:002021-06-12T21:09:23.074-07:00LOST AND FOUND IN THE PHILIPPINES<div class="separator" style="border: currentcolor; clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Roehl<br />
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Elder Bird with Roehl Abonado<br />
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Roehl's Office Sign--"Purchasing"</div>
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Sister Bird with Merlyn</div>
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I have had a wonderful opportunity of helping to find a few "lost" aquaintances while here in the Philippines. This has been a most rewarding experience. I will share a few of them briefly.</div>
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Roehl:</div>
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When we arrived in the Philippines, Roehl had already been looking for “his missionary” for 15 years. He was employed as the Director of Purchasing for the Church in the Philippines. Because his office was housed in the Manila Philippines Administration Office, he was used to seeing many senior missionaries come and go. Each time he would meet a new missionary he would ask them where they were from. If any said they were from the state of Idaho in the U.S., he would ask if they knew anyone by the last name of Arave....he was looking for “his” Elder Arave. The 2nd week we were in the Philippines, Roehl saw another new face in the hall, and stopped to introduce himself, and of course, to ask where this new missionary was from...this new missionary happened to be my husband! Randy had been asked by many Filipinos where he was from and he always said Utah, but when Roehl asked him where he was from, he said “Utah...but I am originally from Idaho.” So Roehl asked if he knew anyone whose last name was Arave. Randy knew that one of my college roommates (who later married my brother) had the last name of Arave. I contacted her and she said she would do some checking. A couple of days later I received an email from her, and sure enough, her nephew had served in the Philippines Baguio Mission and had taught and baptized Roehl. Roehl had become interested in learning about the Church while attending LDS Institute with some of his friends. He had become friends with these guys because their values were in harmony with his. He said he was a "tough case" and made the missionaries work hard...he wanted to be very sure he had his own testimony of the restored gospel. He then served a mission himself and later married in the temple and now has a beautiful family. The Lord has continued to guide his footsteps along the road of life. Both Roehl and his missionary friend have had much joy in becoming reaquainted!</div>
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Merlyn:</div>
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I met Merlyn at a Jubilee Exhibit in the city of Binalbagan on the island of Negros. What a wonderful woman...so talented and selfless and kind. I loved the brief period of time we had together. When Randy and I were ready to head to the airport for our trip back to Manila, she told me she had one big favor to ask of me... could I help her find her mission companion from almost 30 years ago. Her companion was from the U.S. and had lived with a family in Idaho Falls by the name of Johnson....I thought...hmmm, that ought to narrow it down!!!haha She thought this friend had moved to California and then they had completely lost contact with each other. Well, I started doing some research, and with some extra resources I had here at the Administration Office, I was able to find her companion. I called Merlyn for Christmas and told her I had a gift for her. She started to cry and said it was the best gift ever! I must say, that was fun!<br />
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Brenda:</div>
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I have decided the Jubilee Exhibit and our assignment to follow it throughout the Philippines has been a wonderful blessing in more ways than one. It seems that when we have become acquainted with members out in more remote areas, they have been willing to approach us seeking assistance to solve their own frustrations. That was the case with Brenda. I met her in the city of Laoag. It is located way up north along the west coast on the large island of Luzon.....a beautiful area...one of our very favorites in the Philippines! She was a physically challenged sister that had to use a type of crutch fastened to her arms to aid her in walking...possibly the results of polio...I didn't ask. She had 2 beautiful children with her. She had served a mission in Quezon City in 2003 and was looking for a senior missionary couple from Mississippi that had served in the Manila Temple. They had befriended her as a young missionary and had truly been the greatest help to this young sister. She had tried to keep in touch so she could tell them how blessed her life had been....here she was now happily married and a mother to these beautiful children....but she wondered if they had ever received the letters she had sent. Brenda wondered if perhaps they had died and she had no way to know....would I help her! Once again, I could hardly wait to get back to Manila to start researching!! This one was easy....she had been sending the letters to Hattiesburg and they were really in Harrisburg, Mississippi!! They are all still living and now reunited!<br />
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There has been one more "find" while serving here that I will not go into detail about...but perhaps the most joyous of all, and another in the works. Randy is now calling me the "super sleuth"!! Who ever knows the many reasons we are called to a certain mission....only the Lord knows. I am most grateful. </div>
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Dad and Mom Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17867676925061154603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899326640247511142.post-43128397267340682682012-07-12T00:58:00.002-07:002021-06-12T21:16:02.477-07:00SENIOR MISSIONARY ZONE "MONSON'S WARRIORS"<div style="text-align: center;">
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<strong>Zone Conference---June 2012</strong><br />
Senior Missionaries front row l-r 1. Sister Bell (E. Bell took the photo) 2. Elder Bird 3. Sister Bird 4. Sister Fahrner 5. Sister Washburn 6. Elder Enderle 7. Sister Enderle 2nd Row l-r 1.Sister Candland 2. Elder Hardick 3. Sister Hardick 4. Pres. DeLamare 5. Sister DeLaMare 6. Sister Farnsworth 7. Elder Farnsworth 3rd Row l-r 1. Elder Candland 2. Elder Boehme 3. Sister Boehme 4. Sister Hull 5. Elder Hull 6. Sister Fleming 7. Elder Fleming 8. Sister Hadlock 9. Sister Whiting 10. Elder Whiting 11. Sister Fonbuena 12. Elder Fonbuena Back Row l-r 1. Elder Miller 2. Sister Miller 3. Elder Harris 4. Sister Harris 5. Elder Hadlock 6. Elder DuPaix 7. Sister DuPaix</div>
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Senior Missionaries Living at Pioneer Highlands -- Sis. Goss, E/S Bird, E/S Bell, E/S Hardick, E. Goss in Tricycle<br />
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Senior Missionaries Pose with Jeepney During Zone Conference---April 2012<br />
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Sister Bird, the Jeepney Passenger<br />
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<strong>Zone Conference---New Years Eve 2011</strong></div>
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Front row l-r 1. Sis. Riddle 2. E/S Enderle 3. E. Bird 4. E. Boehme 2nd row 1.E. Riddle 2. E/S Fleming 3. Sis. Christiansen 4a. E. Hull 4b. E. Christensen 5. E. Hardick 6. E. Bell 7. E. Sorensen 8. S. Boehme 9. Pres. & Sis. DeLaMare Back row 1. E/S Goss 2. S. Hull 3. Sis. Christensen 4. Sis. Hardick 5. Sis. Bell 6. Sis. Sorensen 7. E/S Beckstand<br />
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<strong>Corregidor</strong></div>
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Front row l-r 1. S. Goss 2. S. Sorensen 3. E/S Howell 4. E/S Beckstrand 2nd row 1. E.Fleming 2. E/S Bird 3. E. Goss 4. E/S Bell 5. E. Sorensen 6. S. Christiansen 7. Sis. Fahrner 8. Sis. Fleming 9. E/S Hull 10. E/S Enderle</div>
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One of the biggest surprises to us, as prospective senior missionaries, was to learn of the many different types of missions you could be called to. There is quite a variety right here in the Quezon City Philippines Mission......possibly because the Manila Philippines Administration Building is located within this mission. The types of assignments seniors (couples/single sisters) are serving in, here in our senior zone, are as follows: Executive Secretary to the Area Presidency, Public Affairs, Perpetual Education Fund, Country Director of Welfare, Humanitarian...Wheelchair Specialists, Area Medical Administrator, Family History, Employment Resource Center, Mission Office Couple, Mission Office Couple over Finances and Real Estate (finding apartments for seniors), Member and Leadership Support, Church Education (vacant right now), Missionary Training Center President, MTC Nurse/ Executive Secretary to MTC President, Missionary Recovery Center, Assistant to Area Legal, English as Second Language, Mental Health Specialist, and Temple<br />
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All of these mission calls have been from 18 - 23 months. The ages of most of these missionaries range from late 50's to late 70's. There is also a variety of assignments you can be given within the senior zone. Some within our zone are as follows: Zone Leaders (Randy and I were called to this a month after arriving here and are still serving in this capacity), Quarterly Excursion Leaders, Coordinator for Travel to Monthly American Women's Bazaar, New Missionary Orientation Couple, and Monthly Birthday Dinner Coordinators.<br />
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These missionaries have truly become our dear friends. They have come from all parts of the United States and Canada. Many are on their 3rd, 4th, and even 5th mission...they are truly amazing and are an inspiration to us. There are so many reasons a mission is wonderful...but the other missionaries you meet and become friends with are just an added bonus!</div>
Dad and Mom Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17867676925061154603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899326640247511142.post-49983209144587805212012-07-08T23:30:00.000-07:002013-04-07T20:35:52.600-07:00FIRST MISSIONARY FROM BANGLADESH<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Elder Isaac Hawlader Points to His Hometown, Dhaka, in Bangladesh</span></span></div>
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Elder Hawlader Enjoys a Brief Moment in Front of the MTC</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;">E/S Bird, Elder Hawlader, Sis. Farnsworth, and E/S DuPaix Pose in MTC Lobby</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Recently, Randy received an email from the MTC President informing us that they had a new missionary that arrived from Bangladesh...the first missionary EVER from that country....we don't even send missionaries there yet!! Public Affairs was given permission to interview him and do a story for the Philippine newsroom and Church News. Sister Farnsworth would do the interview...she actually did the interview with "first missionaries" from two other European countries and one Asian....Elder Bird would be the photographer...and I and Elder and Sister Dupaix would just observe. When we met him, I was surprised at what a handsome man he was! I don't know what I expected, but he looked very Arab to me. My first impression was that he looked like he came from a "well to do" family....he carried himself very well and was very friendly and easy to engage in conversation. We took a few photos and then sat down for the interview in the foyer area of the MTC. We all shed many tears as we listened to this humble young man share with us the very difficult life he had experienced. Below is the story that was published.</span></div>
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Elder Isaac Hawlader is the first<span style="color: black;"> </span><a href="http://www.mormonnewsroom.ph/topic/missionary-program"><span style="color: black;">missionary</span></a><span style="color: black;"> for The </span><a href="http://www.mormonnewsroom.ph/article/mormonism-101-faq-"><span style="color: black;">Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</span></a><span style="color: black;"> from Bangladesh. Born June 2, 1993, he comes from the capitol city of Dhaka and is 19 years old. He is assigned to the Philippine Cauayan </span><a href="http://www.mormonnewsroom.ph/article/mission"><span style="color: black;">Mission</span></a><span style="color: black;"> and arrived in this country without “purse or script.” He was a member of a small congregation, but he had never seen a missionary before coming to the Manila</span><a href="http://www.mormonnewsroom.ph/article/missionary-training-centers"><span style="color: black;"> Missionary Training Center</span></a><span style="color: black;"> (MTC).</span><br />
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From July 2011 to June 2012, Mormon missionaries have arrived in the Philippines from 11 countries for 19 days of training at the MTC before returning to their home countries to serve their people for 18-24 months: India, Pakistan, Mongolia, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia...and now from Bangladesh. Elder Hawlader is unique in that he will not be returning to his home country until after he serves for two years in the Cauayan area. He is learning Tagalog so that he will be able to donate his time and energy helping the Filipino people.<br />
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Isaac Hawlader joined the Church four years ago at the age of 15 through the influence of an email from a relative who was a member. He wanted Isaac to read the Book of Mormon.<br />
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Elder Hawlader has a sister who is 16 years old. She also wants to go on a mission when she is old enough. His parents are not members but they are very supportive of his being on a mission for the Savior. Both of them are also Christians. When asked, “Why did you decide to serve a mission?” Isaac responded, “Because Heavenly Father has a special plan for my life. I want to share my personal witness.”<br />
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Bangladesh has not yet recognized the Church, but members are allowed to meet. Isaac has been meeting in a congregation of about 43 members including Americans working at the U.S. Embassy. The former management officer of the Embassy, Adam Lamoraux, was the Church leader in Dhaka at the time Elder Hawlader joined the Church. He baptized him.<br />
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On his fourth day in the MTC, Elder Hawlader gave this interview and said that, “The MTC is really good for me. It is a blessing to me". He had already learned five sentences in Tagalog and his pronunciation was excellent. He spoke those sentences with joy and enthusiasm.<br />
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Elder Hawlader learned English in college before coming on his mission. At fifteen he was given the opportunity to participate in a work-study arrangement for his schooling. He had spent eleven years previously in an orphanage. His sister was also placed in the same orphanage but they were unaware of each other for many years. They had such a joyful reunion when they became re-aquainted.<br />
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Isaac’s parents had to place them in orphanage care because his father had been injured in an accident and his mother had mental problems before and after his birth which made it impossible for her to care for her children. All the years that he spent away from them, he longed to know about them and to see them. A friend kept encouraging Isaac to read in the Bible, but to him, Heavenly Father did not exist. “There was no God in the whole world.” Finally, one night, he was feeling so sad that he decided to read a single verse, but only one verse, and when he opened the Bible it fell open to Matthew 6:6: “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father, which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”<br />
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Isaac received an answer that night in a dream that God lives and knew him personally. He awoke his friend in the wee hours of the morning to tell him of his experience. Later,when he heard from his Mormon relative he decided in his heart that, “God spoke to me in the Bible. If He says the same thing in the Book of Mormon I will know that God also speaks in that book and I will join the Church.” He opened the Book of Mormon to 3 Nephi 13:6 and found the same scripture as in Matthew about praying in your closet and the Lord being there. Elder Isaac Hawlader became a baptized member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.<br />
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One of the blessings he received was that he found his parents and although he realized he needed to be in school instead of home, he rejoices in his association with them. College was “so tough” and he had to study very hard but then he made the decision to go on his mission, thus, continuing on with more education.<br />
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He recalled that Adam Lamoraux told him that he just needed to decide one way or another to go on a mission and the rest would be taken care of. That counsel came true. With many personal sacrifices, great faith, and a few miracles, Elder Hawlader made it through customs and was able to leave Bangladesh for his mission.<br />
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One of the other Philippine missionaries going to the Cauayan mission reported that Elder Hawlader is learning Tagalog more quickly than he can believe. There is no doubt that this young man has been chosen and called up by the Lord from his people in Bangladesh to represent Him in the Philippines. He joins with the other dedicated young missionaries whose greatest desire is to serve the Lord and share their witness of Him…that He lives and knows and loves each one of His children.Dad and Mom Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17867676925061154603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899326640247511142.post-63283612451567176322012-06-12T01:34:00.004-07:002021-06-27T19:41:08.916-07:00ELDER RUSSELL M. NELSON VISITS THE VICE PRESIDENT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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President Michael John U. Teh, Area President and Elder Russell M. Nelson, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the Coconut Palace, Home of Vice President Jejomar Binay</div>
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Emman Rama and His Wife, President Michael John U. Teh, V.P. Jejomar Binay, and Elder Russell M. Nelson With Gift of the <i>Christus</i> That Was Presented by The Church to V.P. Binay</div>
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Elder Russell M. Nelson Visits With Vice President Jejomar Binay</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #252525;">Below is the article written about Elder Nelson's visit with Vice President Binay. Haidi (director of Public Affairs in the Philippines) set this meeting up and also accompanied Elder Nelson to the visit. We prepared the gift of the <i>Christus</i> for him! I kept thinking,"does V.P. Binay have any idea how privileged he is today???" It was a great day!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #252525;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #252525;">Leaders of</span><span style="color: #a50708; text-decoration: underline;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #252525;"> (commonly known as Mormons) met with </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Vice President Jejomar Binay</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #252525;"> to renew and discuss their commitment to support the Philippines in its areas of mutual concern, particularly, family values and humanitarian initiatives. </span></div>
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Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #252525;">and Elder Michael John U. Teh, Philippines Area President, paid a courtesy call to the Vice President at the heels of the Church’s successful celebration of its 50 years in the Philippines, and most recently, its observance of the National Day of Service held April 28 in which Church members provided 150,000 hours of volunteer service throughout the country.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #252525;">In the Philippines, the Church was established in 1961, and counts to date more than half a million members. In their conversation, Binay expressed interest knowing about the origin of the term “Mormons” and spoke of appreciation of the Philippines Manila </span>Temple<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #252525;">. He also expressed familiarity with missionaries walking in the streets in pairs wearing name tags under the heat of the sun. In line with Binay’s housing initiatives for the marginalized sectors, Elder Teh informed him of the construction of temporary shelters in Cagayan de Oro in partnership with Catholic Relief Services. Elder Nelson further reinforced the Church’s desire to help the Filipinos and expressed to Binay the Church’s willingness to partner with his office for any worthwhile projects that will benefit the people. </span></div>
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Elder Nelson, who prior to his becoming an Apostle, was an internationally renowned surgeon and medical researcher, said: “We were pleased to meet with the Vice President of the Philippines. He is an ardent advocate of strong families and of helpful service to others. As Church leaders, we also support and uphold the Filipino family as a basic unit of this society. We often participate with people of other faith groups in addressing humanitarian and other needs throughout the world. We do this because we try to pattern our lives after the teachings of Jesus Christ. We strive to follow his example."</div>
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Dad and Mom Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17867676925061154603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899326640247511142.post-81595894961785641852012-06-12T01:34:00.003-07:002021-06-12T21:31:03.672-07:00AMERICAN MEMORIAL 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Wreath Placed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at American Memorial Cemetery</div>
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(pics l-r) 1. Lieutenant General Frederick M. Padilla (U.S. Marines) with Boy Scouts 2. Young Boy and Girl Place Wreath to Commemorate Fallen Soldiers 3. E/S Bird with Vice President of the Philippines, Jejomar Binay 4. Members of Area Presidency Pose with British Ambassador to the Philippines and His Son</div>
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Bugler Plays Taps at Conclusion of Memorial Services</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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For the second time on our mission, we attended this Memorial Day service...only this time, the Church contributed a wreath and members of our Area Presidency were present. Like last year, it was a wonderful patriotic service. Below is the article written by Randy, that was published in the Mormonnewsroom.ph website.<br />
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On Sunday, 27 May 2012 at 8:00 a.m. in the Manila American Military Cemetery and Memorial in Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines, a Memorial Day service was held to honor those fallen in World War II and on the battlefields of Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #252525;">Vice President Jejomar Binay, Congressman Isidro S. Rodriguez Jr., Lieutenant General Jessie Dellosa, chief staff of the Philippine armed forces, and Ambassadors from Canada, South Africa, and The United Kingdom were in attendance.</span><span style="color: #a50708; text-decoration: underline;"> </span>President Michael John U. Teh<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #252525;"> and </span>President Ian S. Ardern<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #252525;"> of the Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their wives were among those assembled to pay tribute to those who gave their lives to protect our freedom and liberty.</span></div>
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Members of the Boy Scouts of America, the United States Embassy and the Makati 4th Branch of the Church had placed a Filipino and an American flag on each of the 17,000 graves the morning before. The entire cemetery was reminiscent of the United States National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia or the World War II Memorial Cemetery in Normandy, France.</div>
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A row of beautiful wreaths flanked the side of a white tent where the ceremonies took place. The Church had presented one of the wreaths this year and was recognized for its gift. The security and quiet solemnity of the cemetery provided a moving backdrop to the program which included opening remarks and Memorial messages, and music provided by the Philippine Army Band. At the conclusion of the service, <i>Taps</i> was played at two positions in the Memorial preceded by a 21-gun salute. </div>
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The cemetery site, 152 acres of gently rising ground which culminates at the memorial, contains the largest number of graves of our military dead of World War II. Soldiers from all of the then 48 States of the Union as well as the District of Columbia, Philippines, Panama, Guam, Puerto Rico, Australia, Canada, China, England, Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras, Finland, Jamaica, Burma and Peru are buried at the site.</div>
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Both the service and the cemetery itself were reminders of the price of freedom paid by those willing to serve their country in time of war. As Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said at a Philippine Area Office devotional the previous Tuesday morning, “There will always be enmity, hatred, contention and dissention in the world because that is the adversary’s work, but the Lord will prevail. Where there was war in Korea and the Philippines, there are now wards, stakes and temples (dioceses and cathedrals)."</div>
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<br />Dad and Mom Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17867676925061154603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899326640247511142.post-78740226721278811292012-06-11T23:24:00.000-07:002015-01-20T21:05:35.970-08:00ELDER RUSSELL M. NELSON AND BISHOP DEAN DAVIES VISIT PHILIPPINES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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1. Elder Russell M. Nelson, Member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles 2. Elder Russell M. Nelson Greets Sister Bird 3. Elder Nelson and Area Presidency (Pres. Teh, Elder Nielsen, and Elder Ardern) Greet People After Morning Devotional</div>
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E/S Bird with Bishop Dean and Darla Davies of the Presiding Bishopric...Visited the Philippines the Same Week as Elder Nelson</div>
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Sister Bird Greets Elder Russell M. Nelson</div>
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Elder Bird Greets Elder Russell M. Nelson and Pres. Michael John U. Teh </div>
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Elders Muhlestein and Dariagan (Malaya Branch Missionaries) Greet Elder Nelson and Elder Nielsen of the Area Presidency</div>
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Elder Russell M. Nelson Greets Missionaries and Members on His Way to the Manila Temple</div>
Dad and Mom Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17867676925061154603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899326640247511142.post-10695221949585195662012-06-08T17:24:00.001-07:002021-06-27T19:54:06.878-07:00PHILIPPINE MISSIONARY TRAINING CENTER DEDICATION<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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President George Taylor Speaks at MTC Dedication as Area Presidency and Elder Russell M. Nelson Look On</div>
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Teachers at MTC Sing Intermediate Hymn</div>
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New Missionaries Sing Hymn at the Beginning of the Dedication</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;">What a privilege to be here for the dedication of the new Philippines Missionary Training Center. It was held on May 20, 2012 in the Joseph Smith Conference Room, and was scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m., however, many were already in their seats at 4:30! Randy and I were in charge of seating the first three rows of guests, many of which were not members of the Church, and then directing the other guests (Stake Presidents, Mission Presidents, Manila Temple Presidency, and Area Seventy along with spouses) to just fill in wherever they wanted to sit. We loved it! We had met many of the Stake and Mission Presidents while traveling to Jubilee Exhibits, and we had such a great time visiting with them again. Also, some of the others remembered Randy, from back in the 1990's, when he came to the Philippines to do CES training...they had been the teachers! It was so fun for us.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;">But the very best was when Elder Russell M. Nelson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, walked into the foyer with the Area Presidency...I had never met him...he was the kindest, friendliest, most gracious man ever! He walked over to Randy and me and said (looking at our name tags), "How are my little Birdies"? We had a brief visit and then he moved into the chapel area for the dedication. As he sat on the stand, and the meeting began, the entire "batch" of new missionaries that had just arrived from many Asian countries (they all arrived the day before!) filed into the isles and filled the foyer and sang "<i>Called to Serve</i>" acapella. Oh, it was just so touching...all of the different faces and heights and degrees of skin color trying to pronounce those words in English. ALL hearts were touched. The MTC President spoke and read many verses from Isaiah talking about the latter days and an ensign being raised to the nations and the restoration...it was excellent. He was followed by each of the Area Presidency....they spoke of their own missions and of learning to know their Savior and the power of the Atonement...each bore powerful testimonies of the reality of the Father and of Jesus Christ and how they know They live. Then Elder Ardern gave a very brief introduction to Elder Nelson (for those guests not of our faith...among many other accomplishments, he was a world renown heart surgeon prior to his call as an apostle) then Elder Nelson spoke to the group for only a short time...testifying of Jesus Christ...and then he smiled and said,"Well, I am not here to give a long speech, but I am here to give a long prayer, so we will start", and he asked all to bow their heads and he gave the most beautiful dedicatory prayer. The blessings he pronounced upon this country and how he prayed for their leaders was just very touching, and he also prayed for every nation sending missionaries to this MTC. Then it ended with all of the congregation singing <i>Battle Hymn of the Republic</i>. All were invited to come up one side of the conference room and meet Elder Nelson and the other leaders and then file down and out the other side.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;">There are so many stories I could tell about the guests experiences...really amazing, but I will share one about a guest invited by our Public Affairs Department. He is in his early 50's, Catholic, and was hired by the Public Affairs Department to help develop relationships with the media in Metro-Manila. It is very difficult to get any media coverage here if you do not pay big bucks and have an "in" with certain people. This man is a very successful media relations consultant who has been hired by many huge corporations to help them solve various problems...he is also a very good and honest person, and was highly recommended to Haidi. In his 20's he had decided to go into the "ministry" with the Catholic church, but after a year, he felt it just wasn't for him and changed to a different course of study, but decided he would never marry. We have been meeting with him every week for a couple of months now. Since we are now one of his "clients", he has done much study on his own to understand who the Church is (he had never even heard of the Church before this), what our stand is on many topics, and what things would be of particular interest to the media, etc. He is a well respected man here in the Philippines. So, he wanted very much to be in this meeting for the MTC dedication....it would be one more help for him to understand the Church. Well, what happened was the most unexpected for him! Right after the meeting ended, he came over to where Randy and I were standing and stood by us and just looked at the brethren on the stand. We asked him how he liked the meeting. He seriously could not find words to speak....I started to worry that something bad had happened...then he said, " I have been in many meetings in my life, but never in one like this....I have never, ever felt this way before...I don't know what it is...I can't even find words to explain it..." so then Randy said, "Perhaps it is the Holy Ghost"... He looked at Randy thoughtfully and said, "Perhaps it is." Then Haidi came over and said they should go and meet Elder Nelson and he went with her. I watched him as his turn came and Elder Nelson was so kind and stood there visiting with him for a minute or two. I saw him visiting with President Teh for a while afterwards as they had refreshments. </span></div>
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After the dedication, we also had the opportunity to take a group on a tour of the MTC...it was mostly those guests that had been seated in the first three rows and some Mission Presidents/wives that had not been here during the MTC Open House. All were such outstanding people among this group. Randy is such a good tour director, and made it so fun and relaxing for everyone. One man asked how he might get a copy of the Book of Mormon....by then we had become such friends with him, that I was tempted to say "Hmm, we have no idea"...but I controlled my "silliness" and instead asked, "Would you like it in Tagalog or English?" What a great time to be in the Philippines!</div>
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Dad and Mom Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17867676925061154603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899326640247511142.post-40465949499691091522012-05-28T00:24:00.003-07:002021-06-27T20:01:10.354-07:00INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE FAMILY<div style="text-align: center;">
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Banner Commemorating International Day of Families</div>
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"Ensuring Work--Family Balance"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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Pictures (l-r) 1. NCFF Delegates 2. Elder Benson Misalucha Delivers Keynote 3. Little Girl Plays with Family Enrichment Book 4. NCFF Leaders with Haidi Fajardo, Our Director<br />
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<span face=""Arial", "sans-serif"" style="color: #333333; line-height: 135%;"><span face=""Arial", "sans-serif"" style="color: #333333; line-height: 135%;">The National Committee on the Filipino Family (NCFF), led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), conducted it's yearly forum in celebration of the International Day of Families on Saturday, May 19, 2012, with the theme, “Ensuring Work-Family Balance”. Our former PA Director, Leni, served on this committee...and to our great surprise...Haidi learned 2 weeks prior to this event that SHE was the host for it this year! It was the same weekend as the MTC Dedication, and we were already very busy with that, but we did some fast scrambling...looking for a large enough venue, getting a keynote speaker, lunch for 200, drinking water, flowers, a banner, and all of the technical equipment we would need! </span></span></div>
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<span face=""Arial", "sans-serif"" style="color: #333333; line-height: 135%;">About 200 family advocates, representing the different sub-committees of the NCFF, participated in this forum which was held in the cultural hall of one of the stake centers...the Marikina City Stake. The former director of the DSWD, Ms.Lina Laigo, presented the theme. She is a wonderful woman that shares many of our same values. She mentioned that the word, <u>family</u>, stands for “<u>f</u>ather <u>a</u>nd <u>m</u>other, <u>I</u> <u>l</u>ove <u>y</u>ou”.and that <u>home</u> is spelled </span><span face=""Arial", "sans-serif"" style="color: #333333; line-height: 135%;"><u>t</u> <u>i</u> <u>m e</u>. Then she encouraged everyone there to tell parents and children, often, that they love them.</span></div>
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<span face=""Arial", "sans-serif"" style="color: #333333; line-height: 135%;">A little history: The International Day of Families is observed annually on the 15th of May as proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in a 1993 resolution. This year’s theme emphasizes that “work-family balance lies at the core of the ability of the family to provide economically and emotionally for its members.” </span></div>
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<span face=""Arial", "sans-serif"" style="color: #333333; line-height: 135%;">Elder Benson E. Misalucha, an Area Seventy for the church, gave the keynote address. He gave a fantastic talk on balancing work and family life. He mentioned three ways to help achieve success in this balancing act: </span></div>
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<span face=""Arial", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-PH" style="color: #333333; line-height: 135%; mso-ansi-language: EN-PH;">As part of his explanations, Elder Misalucha encouraged those present to play with their families, have daily family prayer, regular scripture reading as a family, and hold weekly family home evenings. He referred to our church's Proclamation on the Family, and the special Philippine edition of the Family Enrichment Manual (a non-denominational Family Home Evening manual produced by BYU), both of which were offered to those in attendance. Every copy was taken. </span><span face=""Arial", "sans-serif"" style="color: #333333; line-height: 135%;"></span></div>
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<span face=""Arial", "sans-serif"" style="color: #333333; line-height: 135%;">We have had our attention brought to several parts of the Philippine Constitution, and it truly recognizes the family as the foundation of the nation, and this nation is known for giving importance to strong family ties....hopefully they will be vigilant in protecting the family!</span></div>
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2 Side Notes to this Event:</div>
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<li>In October 2009, one of the most devastating typhoons hit the Philippines...Typhoon Ondoy. The water level was up to the ceiling tiles in the cultural hall of the Marikina City Stake Center (see above photo)...and when you pull into the parking lot of this building you go up a steep incline from the street...so it gives you an idea of how deep the water was that covered this area of Manila.</li>
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<li>We ordered 200 boxed lunches...including drinks... from Kentucky Fried Chicken to feed this large group. All of it had to be delivered on motorcycles by 3 employees. It was very hot and they worked so hard! A few people had left before eating, so when the last of the boxes was delivered, we offered a lunch to each of the deliverers. I was really taken back by how excited and grateful they were that we would give them lunch..they were so happy....I didn't realize how hungry they were. Haidi said these employees could never afford to eat the food where they work...it is too expensive! I just love these humble happy Filipinos! </li>
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Dad and Mom Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17867676925061154603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899326640247511142.post-83559464308789483852012-05-25T04:08:00.000-07:002015-01-22T16:10:34.486-08:00NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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National Day of Service at Quezon City Circle</div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">On Saturday, April 28, Randy and I attended the kick-off event for the National Day of Service here in the Philippines. This is a yearly event sponsored by the Church. It takes lots of planning in each district/stake. About 3 months prior to the event date, a project was chosen by each group and then had to be registered with the city government. All details had to be cleared. Then, depending on the service project, businesses in the area were approached to see if they would like to donate supplies needed. The one we attended involved about 1500 of our youth and their leaders from 6 stakes....and required 50 gallons of paint. Randy had been asked to address all of the youth at the first of the kick-off...it really did take us back to our EFY days, and so he started with the “Bird Cheer” that we used to teach at all of the EFY sessions we directed. Yes, now the cheer has reached the Philippines! It was a success! He then made a few short remarks, followed by Kim Antenorcruz, the Multi-stake Public Affairs Director, and then the youth were sent off to their assigned areas to begin their service...to paint the fence that surrounds the Quezon City Circle (an enormous roundabout with an amusement park and other things in the center of it)...plus a general cleanup of the entire area...yes, quite an undertaking! It was so so hot, but they showed up and did a great job. While we waited to get started, we visited with Atty. Ed Bellen, the Deputy Secretary for Legislation in the Philippines, along with Orly Ramas, a professional media consultant hired to work with our office. The four of us decided to follow one of the groups and take photos for a newspaper article. As we were walking and talking with them, Elder Bird had just taken a photo, and suddenly he fell right into a storm drain, from which the protective steel grate had been removed! The hole was about 3 feet deep and half full of flowing water! It was quite painful and embarrassing for him....I assured him that he went in quite gracefully with both legs, without hitting his head or knocking out any teeth, AND held the very expensive Public Affairs camera up where it remained unharmed!! The three of us pulled him out of the drain...it was really quite alarming, knowing that many serious injuries are not noticed immediately, but he kept saying he was okay and we proceeded to walk to where the youth were painting. As we walked, he could feel lots of pain in the toes and ankle of his left leg. Ed and Orly went right to the guard station to complain about the open drain....the worst part was that the guard said they had noticed the night before that one of the grates had been stolen but had done nothing to cover it for safety purposes!! We kept thinking of how grateful we were that a little child had not fallen in....they could have been swept away before anyone missed them! We took more pictures and then knew we had better get back to our apartment to take a look at his foot. He got by with one broken toe (the rest were sprained, swollen, and turned black and blue), and a gash in the front of his ankle. The doctor said it should feel better in about 6 weeks!!! Nice! The "Day of Service " was a great success, in spite of our accident...over 150,000 hours of service were given throughout the country.....doing such things as: planting mangroves (helps stop beach erosion), planting mango trees, clean-up projects of all kinds, painting schools and big fences, and all kinds of beautification projects.</span>Dad and Mom Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17867676925061154603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899326640247511142.post-70637063656399862072012-05-22T17:51:00.000-07:002015-01-22T16:05:13.421-08:00BACOLOD JUBILEE EXHIBIT AND TRAINING<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Amie Vargas at Entrance to Jubilee Exhibit</div>
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Some of the Volunteers for Jubilee Exhibit in Bacolod</div>
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VIP's Attend Exhibit and View Local History</div>
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Youth Sings During Opening Ceremony</div>
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Bacolod Public Affairs Training Group</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">On Friday, May 4, we flew to Bacolod, for the final Jubilee Exhibit and Stake Public Affairs training. It was the very best experience yet of flying, while here in the Philippines. Our director of Public Affairs, Haidi Fajardo, flew with us. The city of Bacolod is on the island of Negros....a one hour flight to the south. This was the first time we have had a flight leave on time!!! Truly a miracle! The Bacolod airport was quite nice and modern...the toilets in the CR (restroom) even had SEATS on the them....but still no toilet paper! While I was in there, a MAN was also in the CR cleaning. I chatted with him while washing my hands....yup, lots of great new experiences. Another great thing about this trip was our hotel room...it had a soaker tub and lots of hot water....that was a first! On Saturday we did stake public affairs training with all seven stakes on this island. The training went so well, and we really loved meeting so many new members that seemed to be very on top of their callings in PA. Many of them traveled a great distance to be at the training...they were such a fun group! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">This final Church History Jubilee Exhibit was done in grand fashion! It started on Monday morning with a well prepared cultural program followed by remarks from Evelio Leonardia, Mayor of Bacolod City and Benjamin Candari, Bacolod Stake President. The exhibit ended on Friday night after having 1,066 visitors attend, including many civic and community leaders.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">I will now share a few sweet moments we had: </span></div>
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<li style="color: #454545; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 16px/normal "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">On the flight to Bacolod, I had an Ensign sitting on my lap, while I was sitting there with my eyes closed. This lady, sitting to my left, tapped me on the shoulder and pointed to the magazine and asked if she could look at it. After going through it, we started talking. She was returning from a very large family reunion...cousins from Europe, the U.S., and Australia attended. I pulled out a copy of The Family Proclamation and she read it and loved it. I left that with her and gave her one of our business cards, which has web sites printed on the back to go to if you would like to learn more. It was nice.</span></li>
<li style="color: #454545; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 16px/normal "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">A sister named Gerlie gave a spiritual thought at the beginning of our PA training. She told of how very shy she had always been, never having many friends because she would avoid any kind of social interaction. After joining the church in her early 20’s, she reluctantly accepted a calling and started to realize that she truly had talents and the Lord blessed her with confidence to develope them and use them to serve others. Now she can approach political leaders with confidence and she loves it. She was really an amazing woman possessing great social skills!</span></li>
<li style="color: #454545; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 16px/normal "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">A sister named Sarah, who teaches business courses at a university there, told us she was baptized last October. She was Catholic (almost everyone is) and had been really studying other religions and trying them out for a very long time and none ever felt right. One day someone told her about the LDS church, she decided to try it out, and for the first time in her life she feels so happy. She reminded me of Irene Javier (Malaya Branch), because she just wants to tell everyone about her journey. </span></li>
<li style="color: #454545; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 16px/normal "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">On Friday night, Randy, Haidi, and I walked to a convenience store to get bottles of water for the training. As we left, this beggar boy followed us holding his hand out. Haidi said not to give him money, but she gave him a brownie she had bought. I felt so bad. So on Saturday night we went to a sandwich shop and bought some sandwiches, along with a couple of desserts. I told Randy that I was giving this to the first little beggar children that approached us. We walked up the same street we had been on the night before, and sure enough, two little skinny girls came walking toward us...holding out their hands...saying “Please, po” I went over to them and asked if they were hungry...they said, “Yes, po”...I told them they needed to share the food in the bag. They were all smiles and said thank you and ran down the street holding the bag. I sure hope they got to eat that food or perhaps shared it with a little brother or sister. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">The great thing about the gospel is that it helps people to become self-reliant, and the poor are cared for in the very best way...the Lord’s way. </span></div>
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Dad and Mom Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17867676925061154603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899326640247511142.post-91131349528921447872012-04-05T21:01:00.007-07:002015-01-20T21:14:25.265-08:00HAIDI F. FAJARDO--NEW AREA DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS FOR THE PHILIPPINES<div style="text-align: center;">
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Haidi F. Fajardo--New Area Director of Philippines Public Affairs</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirck4k3kqW-S4GM4F3epcy8YPWfFZOq8SLY9mSHnxa3sr3daYt728Etrn-S5oCbvS1hnv0wbfx1Gj1__3aPmeX71nsaCsrh5g4Eo9Xqeu9kQ5LM5Cg2UKS8Rf7gzLj6Q5yC6eyTAnyOas/s1600/image001.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirck4k3kqW-S4GM4F3epcy8YPWfFZOq8SLY9mSHnxa3sr3daYt728Etrn-S5oCbvS1hnv0wbfx1Gj1__3aPmeX71nsaCsrh5g4Eo9Xqeu9kQ5LM5Cg2UKS8Rf7gzLj6Q5yC6eyTAnyOas/s400/image001.png" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728135506399440386" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 335px;" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: center;"> Gerome and Haidi Fajardo Family</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa';"> </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa';"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Haidi F. Fajardo embarked on her journey as the new Area Director for Public Affairs on January 9, 2012. She saw this new chapter in her life more as a calling than an employment. Like all public affairs directors, she offers up her time, and talents to the building up of the Lord’s kingdom here in the Philippines. I knew the Lord had to have been preparing someone to fill this position left by the passing away of Leni...and it only took a few days of being around Haidi to know that she had amazing talents and experience. So one day I asked her if she would mind if I looked at her resume....she laughed and said, "no problem, I will send it to your computer." Wow! I will now share some of what I learned about her.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: 100%; letter-spacing: 0px;">She is from Lapulapu City, Cebu ...yes, where Magellan landed... and her parents were converted to the Church in 1972 when she was two months old. Her childhood is dotted with memories of ballet and piano recitals as well as creative writing and academic achievements. Being taught the gospel early by her parents made her realize the importance of seminary, institute and in seeking the kingdom of God first. When she was 17 years old, her father passed away. This pushed her to be independent early on and she learned to rely most on the Savior for important decisions in her life. Her favorite music has always been the Young Women song “I Walk by Faith.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: 100%; letter-spacing: 0px;">Haidi had been working in public affairs in Cebu for well over a decade, and was currently the multi-stake director of Public Affairs. She made huge contributions of her time and expertise to the Cebu Temple Committee and the Cebu Jubilee Celebration, besides her work as a Cebuano hymn-translation reviewer, she was an all-around gospel teacher, and Primary and Young Women leader. None of this surprised me, but I really had no idea of her professional accomplishments.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa';"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">She is not just a distinguished architect with a thriving architectural and construction business that she runs with her husband… She is also a prolific writer, a university instructor, a school founder and administrator, and an advocate championing worthwhile causes.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa';"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">As a writer, she was regularly published in an architectural magazine. She taught Visual Techniques, Architectural Design, Theory of Architecture and Architecture History at the University of San Carlos College of Architecture and Fine Arts. She was among the founders and served as the administrator of two schools, one for</span><span style="font-size: +0;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">autistic children and the other aiming to help children with special needs make the transition to mainstream education. Autism is a very personal matter with her, as her 16-year old daughter, Menfreya, </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: 100%; letter-spacing: 0px;">has autistic spectrum disorder. She has also been involved in many civic organizations. Whew...and she is only 40 years old!!!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa';"><br /><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: 100%; letter-spacing: 0px;">Last but not least, she is the mother to three beautiful children: Menfreya “Pia”, 16 years old; Vaughn Nephi, 11 years old; Dantzel Chloe, 1 year and three months old. The other love of her life is her husband, Gerome R. Fajardo, who previously served as a missionary in the Manila Mission and also served as bishop of the Pajo Ward for 5 years and a counselor in the Mandaue Philippines Stake Presidency for 9 years. They were married in the Manila Philippines Temple in January 1995. She goes home to Cebu every other weekend and looks forward to May, when her family will move to Quezon City to join her.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa';"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Estrangelo Edessa'; font-size: 100%; letter-spacing: 0px;">On top of all this, she has the happiest and warmest personality. She is extremely kind and thoughtful of others....and best of all....loves to laugh with all of us. We love her already and are so grateful to serve under her watch.</span><br />
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Dad and Mom Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17867676925061154603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899326640247511142.post-22882562213271318092012-04-04T22:21:00.003-07:002015-01-20T20:51:42.364-08:00DEO DIVINAGRACIA<div style="text-align: center;">
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Back row: Elders Goss and Bird Front Row: Sister Goss, Haidi, Deo, Sister Bird<br />
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Deo, Elders Goss and Bird at Farewell Party<br />
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Deo Divinagracia at Farewell Party<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"> E/S Goss, Deo, E/S Bird at FVA Award Dinner</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">Our dashing and debonair bachelor, Deo Divinagracia, completed his contract work for the Area Public Affairs Department on March 31, 2012. His contract with public affairs has allowed him to work on projects like the “National Day of Service,” events associated with the Jubilee Celebration, the Family Values Awards for 2011, and even the launching of the PhilPAD Perspectives newsletter!</span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Deo was the driving force behind the creation of the Public Affairs 2012 Calendar “Mormon, Pinoy & Proud.” Besides the many hours spent in our office, he managed to sandwich in directing shows and other entertainment events for individuals, groups, and businesses. We have enjoyed his grace and good humor, and the energetic spark and creative mind he has brought to our office. He has taught us that particular thought and effort must be given to “lunch” and all “eating occasions” in general! All events requiring food were overseen by Deo, but it was his music that gave our events that magic touch. He always knew what people would like the best.</span><span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Following the death of Leni Pilobello, he was our only Tagalog speaker in the office and frequently answered the cry for “help...Deo...quick!” from the non-Tagalog speaking senior missionaries, as he would be handed a phone and expected to pick up on a conversation about whatever we were trying to communicate!! He NEVER once acted irritated with our constant interruptions!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> I must admit that I am quite the "matchmaker" and Deo had to put up with us finding a possible companion for him everyplace we traveled.....he even agreed that some were possibilities! I was more than happy to remind him of how much time was left if he wanted us to be able to go to the temple with him for his wedding!!! He was such a good sport with my "meddling" ways. Besides, he would be a very good catch for some worthy woman! Okay, another favorite memory about Deo: Few people here actually own their own car...he was no exception. Every once in awhile, he would walk into our work area with this sheepish look on his face, and look at Elder Bird (or Elder Goss) and say, "Dad....."...of course every dad knows exactly what their son wants.....either money or to borrow the car......it was always the car to run an errand!! He is truly like a son to us and we loved teasing him and giving him counsel that he usually didn't ask for! We have grown to love him and will miss him greatly. We are hoping that aside from going back to full-time production work directing shows, organizing events and managing talents, he will also devote some time to finding an eternal companion...after all, we leave in October!!</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span></span></div>
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Dad and Mom Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17867676925061154603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899326640247511142.post-24791305952214604122012-04-04T21:59:00.004-07:002015-01-20T21:03:09.542-08:00MANILA JUBILEE EXHIBIT<div style="text-align: center;">
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Manila Stake President and VIP's at Jubilee Exhibit<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VRFr7445FrHQrqvGioRscftcyeqiPk7yBlSVJ5EYokZIaMf8OD05vWv0HdLyWS3W0zDuilxFtqlGrynD8uDNChvT1tHeH0ZJbP6e8Y6dTAeJ5VGKT4kaIh_F0mvEBylIO08qOY_N3QA/s1600/Manila+Jubilee+Exhibit.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VRFr7445FrHQrqvGioRscftcyeqiPk7yBlSVJ5EYokZIaMf8OD05vWv0HdLyWS3W0zDuilxFtqlGrynD8uDNChvT1tHeH0ZJbP6e8Y6dTAeJ5VGKT4kaIh_F0mvEBylIO08qOY_N3QA/s400/Manila+Jubilee+Exhibit.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727780248252945538" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="text-align: center;"> E/S Bird with Stake Leaders, Guests, Volunteers...and some adorable children!!</span><br />
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The Manila Stake hosted the final Jubilee Exhibit, during the Philippines Jubilee Year, beginning March 26, 2012. It was nice to be able to drive just 45 minutes to attend this exhibit and, also, to travel through a part of Manila we had not experienced before. Eleven months ago this area would have frightened me to drive through it, but after living here for a while, I just felt right at home. The exhibit was held on the second floor of the Manila Institute of Religion Building. Once again, the Public Affairs Council was very well prepared. This exhibit is not something you can pull together last minute....it literally takes months of preparation! They had done their homework well and it was reflected in their opening ceremonies. Many VIP's attended, as well as, visited the exhibit during the week. President Andrada, his wife, and other stake leaders were wonderful hosts. The opening ceremonies consisted of M.C's, a Jubilee choir that performed several numbers, remarks by Pres. Andrada and one of his counselors, and the High Councilor over public affairs. A couple from Manila, not of our faith, was also honored for their contribution to strengthening families in the area. Following the opening ceremonies, the ribbon cutting was done by those VIP's attending. The VIP's were also given tokens of appreciation (picture of Christ, framed Proclamation on the Family, or Tabernacle Choir C.D.s) for taking time to attend the event. The Jubilee choir sang as the VIP's walked through the exhibit teaching the history of the Church in this great country. We later learned that hundreds attended on this opening day. We are so happy that we have been here to witness this historic event! </div>
Dad and Mom Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17867676925061154603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899326640247511142.post-80076064157687277102012-03-16T17:08:00.012-07:002012-06-15T05:33:59.295-07:00THE PHILIPPINES MISSIONARY TRAINING CENTER OPEN HOUSE<div style="text-align: center;">
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Philippines Missionary Training Center<br />
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Elder Bird Teaching Area Presidency, Elder Haws Poses with Youth, President and Sister Taylor Greet Visitors, Sister Bird with Sister Taylor, Elder Ardern Sits with Visitor, Missionaries<br />
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View of New MTC Outside<br />
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Masses Visit the New MTC</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">March 5-10 was the Open House for the new Philippines Missionary Training Center (MTC). It was a wonderful and exhausting week. </span>Missionaries come here from India, Pakistan, Cambodia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines, speaking 7 different languages. They bring with them an interpreter that is fluent in English and, of course, their own language. This is not a language training center...if one of these missionaries was called to a land where they would need to learn a new language, they would be sent to the MTC in Provo, Utah. Besides having the opportunity to go to the temple, they spend 19 days here learning about missionary work. Most of them have never been away from home before. Everything is taught in English, and these missionaries wear head phones while their translator sits in a very high tech booth and translates from English to the native language. Four languages can be done at one time. It is so amazing to see! They then go out to their respective missions on a Wednesday and the following Saturday, a new batch arrives and it starts all over again. This MTC accommodates 144 missionaries at a time. The old MTC is now being remodeled. It will house the cafeteria, the residences for the MTC President & wife, and MTC nurse and spouse, the Missionary Recovery Center (MRC), and the office for the mission doctor. It is on schedule to be completed the first week of July. Then the entire MTC will be dedicated.</div>
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The tours were scheduled to begin Monday morning at 10:00 am. This would be for all of the media people in the metro-Manila area. Randy and I had been assigned to take the Area Presidency (Pres.Teh, Elder Nielson, from Twin Falls, and Elder Ardern, from New Zealand) and their wives through the tour at 9:00 am, because they would be leading all of the tours from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. That was very enjoyable...they are all talented and humble men and women. We invited around 50 from the media. After the tours, they were treated to a very nice luncheon set up in the court-yard of the MTC. Monday evening was the VIP tours, which consisted of government officials, business heads, and community leaders....including the Housing Association Presidents in this area.....there are several, very upscale, gated communities right around the area of the MTC, and we wanted to invite all of them to come and see what was built in their midst! Also, invited Monday night were all of the senior missionaries....including those serving temple missions. Around 250 were invited and 200 came. President and Sister Taylor (George and Debra Taylor from Provo), the MTC President and wife, were the hosts for this evening. They welcomed everyone, and the young full time missionaries took them on the tours. This group was also treated to a beautiful and delicious spread of Filipino dishes and drinks. All of Asia is very well known for knowing how to treat their guests well!</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Tuesday- Saturday tours were under the direction of the Quezon City Mission President (yes, our President DeLaMare), because the MTC is located within this mission. What a privilege for us and all of these young missionaries, to have this MTC completed during our service here. It is truly like a 5 star hotel (except no room service!) There is a beautiful, huge laundry room on each floor of the residences. Most of the missionaries have never had access to washers and dryers, and must be taught how to use them. Each residence (4 missionaries) has its own bathroom with all modern conveniences. Sister DeLaMare told us that some of the missionaries had come out of the MTC with cuts on the tops of their heads. She finally asked what had happened and found out that they were trying to bath under the faucet in the bathtub, not knowing that you pull that silver knob up and you have a shower!!! Now they make sure the missionaries are instructed on how to work the shower at the MTC!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The schedule for the rest of the week was the general public during the day and youth from the various stakes in the evening. We helped with the youth tours each night....they were the best! Each night we had from 600 to 900 youth come. It was amazing! Each tour lasted about 30 minutes, ending in the Joseph Smith room to hear Elder Tyler Haws (BYU BB Star whose mission is up in about 3 weeks). This started with the youth watching a video, that the Church made, about Elder Haws choosing to serve a mission. It can be seen on Youtube. Also included was a clip on missionary work by Elder Holland and one by President Monson. At the end of that, Elder Haws spoke to them and bore his testimony. The Filipinos love basketball! It was truly a most inspiring meeting. He is such a good and humble young man.....and SO grateful he chose to serve a mission! Everything went perfect like clock work for the tours until it was over and the youth (and leaders) were all to exit to the right out of the Joseph Smith room with the next huge group waiting in the hall on the left to come in and be seated. Well, instead of exiting, everyone headed to the stand and wanted pictures with Elder Haws and his autograph. Oh, Boy, what a challenge!!! Sister DeLaMare and I just couldn't get them to leave....they were so determined to have a picture with him, but there was no time!! Randy described it perfectly.......have you ever tried to herd a bunch of cats or chickens??? Yup, that was how it was going!! We had to try several things before we found one that worked....he was escorted out of the room before releasing everyone. Then when the next group was seated, we brought him in. The other challenge we had was this: Each stake was assigned a time to bring their youth...4 to 5 stakes each night....so that the numbers would be spread out through the evening. Instead of waiting for their time, all of the stakes came early....every single night and Saturday morning!! I think it is a Filipino thing because of the horrible traffic. No one wanted to miss this opportunity, so they all came early. On Saturday the youth tours went from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. We were there by 7:30 and the whole activity center (full sized BB court) was full. By 8:30 a line went clear around the front of the MTC with those just waiting to get into the activity center!! How crazy it was! We had 2100 go through the tour that morning! It really was a wonderful experience. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Before I end, I will share one little experience. On Tuesday I was asked to take a woman and her two children (12 and 10) on the tour. She lives in one of the nice housing areas and is from Maryland.....I think they are Methodists. She was so nice. As she read the Purpose Statement on the wall....she said," I cannot believe how many false things I have heard about your church! They are just ridiculous! I am so happy to learn the truth about what you believe and who you worship!" She loved seeing the many beautiful pictures of the Savior and even the pictures of the Fist Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Her 12 yr. old son kept saying, "Mom, I want to come here." "Can I come when I am 19?" The mom told him they would talk about it. I just had to laugh and put my arm around her, as she laughed also! She was so easy to be friends with. I love this church. Every day I feel that feeling from the Holy Ghost that it is true. By the time mortality is over we will be worn out and it will have been so worth it. I am truly grateful to be able to serve the Lord, whether it is here or at home....there is always much to do. </span></div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>Dad and Mom Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17867676925061154603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899326640247511142.post-55440515813342514282012-03-16T02:28:00.007-07:002012-03-17T01:15:11.701-07:00OLONGAPO JUBILEE AND SUBIC BAY<div style="text-align: center;">Native Dances of the Philippines Performed at Opening Ceremonies of Jubilee Exhibit</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1QznCkc8CG43tpkCrcNfOfA50rNHkRrNorJszdockv65JFlsGadgQFJl37rrkhgRKaldU0GEPixngAFSftt_aT1z1Ucp_9hiwTMoHuPSakvyzvsYGJy7z9iUxc60MNEI21UMi-Xl7Gk/s1600/Downloads2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1QznCkc8CG43tpkCrcNfOfA50rNHkRrNorJszdockv65JFlsGadgQFJl37rrkhgRKaldU0GEPixngAFSftt_aT1z1Ucp_9hiwTMoHuPSakvyzvsYGJy7z9iUxc60MNEI21UMi-Xl7Gk/s400/Downloads2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720459371584978786" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Sister Bird with Youth of Olongapo, Sister Monette at Opening Ceremony, ElderBird with Mayor Gordon of Olongapo</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPmfcf9ZnCyBKovLar3_IcYF7k32y6auVkicccJJYP0_ZTM-yoTDyAsFyAW7LsuHR3-8JdieWMC4nbwNGpQMeGhPCbhTGs4Rux3Lq_dSjwWNX9_A1qCWeggYdypzB0nqrk20vUYko1_Q/s1600/Collages.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPmfcf9ZnCyBKovLar3_IcYF7k32y6auVkicccJJYP0_ZTM-yoTDyAsFyAW7LsuHR3-8JdieWMC4nbwNGpQMeGhPCbhTGs4Rux3Lq_dSjwWNX9_A1qCWeggYdypzB0nqrk20vUYko1_Q/s400/Collages.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720452743720382514" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the Sites of Subic Bay</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmnAzG2J6V6NtLKf4XLxEfIfI5ievA_qTdWxe323b2JZjZbkDi8_Tc4Y9xKANNbdNYG4VtpPru_mbidIgeDjvb0dOyqv34vf1OIgSZtlWXlpEQYRYKIT6wAzre8l1wznG8Zz6iMqBC3o/s1600/Downloads1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmnAzG2J6V6NtLKf4XLxEfIfI5ievA_qTdWxe323b2JZjZbkDi8_Tc4Y9xKANNbdNYG4VtpPru_mbidIgeDjvb0dOyqv34vf1OIgSZtlWXlpEQYRYKIT6wAzre8l1wznG8Zz6iMqBC3o/s400/Downloads1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720445560742004930" /></a><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">On February 26, we returned from Stake Public Affairs Council/Area Seventy training for two days in Iloilo. On the 27th we were on our way to Olongapo, located on this island of Luzon, and about a 3 hour drive northwest of Quezon City. Olongapo was hosting the Jubilee Exhibit, so we arranged to do Stake Public Affairs Council training while we were there. The drive to Olongapo was very beautiful...more flat with some hills and much less jungle like. We saw mile after mile of rice fields and sugar cane fields. We drove through some small towns and villages. Along the way we noticed markers indicating that we were traveling along the route made famous by the American and Filipino soldiers during WWII called the "Bataan Death March". I mentioned the historical significance of this in an earlier blog. When we arrived, we stayed at a beautiful hotel located on Subic Bay. Subic Bay was a major ship-repair, supply, and rest and recreation facility of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Navy"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">United States Navy</span></a> located in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Philippines</span></a>. It was the largest U.S. Navy installation in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Pacific</span></a> and was the largest overseas military installation of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Armed_Forces"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">United States Armed Forces</span></a> after <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark_Air_Base"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Clark Air Base</span></a> was closed in 1991. Following its closure in 1992, as a U.S. Naval Base, it was transformed into the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subic_Bay_Freeport_Zone"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Subic Bay Freeport Zone</span></a> </span>by the Philippine government. Each night we ate in a very nice restaurant where we enjoyed beautiful live piano music. The first night the musician kept playing the most beautiful arrangements of songs that we recognized from the LDS Hymn book. I finally walked over to him and asked him how he knew those songs, and he said that a friend had given him a green hymnbook and he really enjoyed arranging those hymns. He was a very gifted musician.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">The Jubilee Exhibit opened on Tuesday morning. It was a beautiful but hot day. The public affairs director, Monette, had prepared quite the program. It consisted of a local high school choir singing the Filipino National Anthem, groups from local schools doing native Filipino dances, music from a zone of LDS missionaries along with their Mission President, and talks by local dignitaries (Mayor, Vice Governor) and remarks from my husband. Randy had a good visit with the mayor after the opening ceremonies and he thanked us for the cleanliness and beauty of our churches and for the service the Church renders to his community. We then left the opening ceremony and attended the ribbon cutting to the exhibit. As we entered the cultural hall, primary children were singing the beautiful Jubilee song called "United". The Spirit was so strong as we entered. As the children got to the chorus of the song, this large group of youth stepped in behind the children and sang with them...it was so very touching. We walked through the exhibit with the minister of tourism and a city councilor. We had a great time and were so glad that we were privileged to be there. In the afternoon, we did training for the PA Councils of Olongapo and the Balanga Stake. We had another beautiful drive back to Quezon City. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></p>Dad and Mom Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17867676925061154603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899326640247511142.post-14657185421698095102012-03-15T04:19:00.005-07:002012-03-16T02:28:07.582-07:00INTRAMUROS<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Senior Missionaries with Dancers at Barbara's Restaurant</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpuugB4w72gipHGwKdIlLw7fcnJpYFnIgGvfIQSNGXtq_E16-IG6FSrssWfx2fO0ahQKRbOzthWP1DUq7gRX56Xal0Zmz4ONAUynCCE3SswIw4o5P39YfMfX61wLHbQlhlpN76cs3iLY/s1600/DSC06652.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpuugB4w72gipHGwKdIlLw7fcnJpYFnIgGvfIQSNGXtq_E16-IG6FSrssWfx2fO0ahQKRbOzthWP1DUq7gRX56Xal0Zmz4ONAUynCCE3SswIw4o5P39YfMfX61wLHbQlhlpN76cs3iLY/s400/DSC06652.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720115838581007730" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"> Sis. Bird Dancing, Performing Groups at Barbara's, and Elder Bird Being Sung to for His Birthday</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgXXpPFG8BEjxi81x7T3AGyK-uc1U3HYLLpOHqmRbj0KgcrTr9uwghgmIwjvWxtblXX_alAX40HcUQ3Ym4kL_cRtXfwWBSY1OZv62h_d2xrSAkVGQPXHWszXizHAW8JT6NWzVh6SGwGs/s1600/Intramurals+Restruant.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgXXpPFG8BEjxi81x7T3AGyK-uc1U3HYLLpOHqmRbj0KgcrTr9uwghgmIwjvWxtblXX_alAX40HcUQ3Ym4kL_cRtXfwWBSY1OZv62h_d2xrSAkVGQPXHWszXizHAW8JT6NWzVh6SGwGs/s400/Intramurals+Restruant.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720113250861532754" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Barbara's Restaurant in Intramuros</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHsk0pVJ4mnviPmORxp-WmeOdTjlq-hSwVne4lc6Dd2dwSDFGMOU0yJkyQ9iz_CURtUJivBdWFFBh8qhxasHiKsduF6U4acS3Vql7Lgf-4V0Zih7g5_xnzt379yb7AgsGAdjR5Qmbx5A/s1600/barbaras-hotel-intramuros-manila-philippines.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 241px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHsk0pVJ4mnviPmORxp-WmeOdTjlq-hSwVne4lc6Dd2dwSDFGMOU0yJkyQ9iz_CURtUJivBdWFFBh8qhxasHiKsduF6U4acS3Vql7Lgf-4V0Zih7g5_xnzt379yb7AgsGAdjR5Qmbx5A/s400/barbaras-hotel-intramuros-manila-philippines.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720109805083635426" /></a><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 6.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">For Valentines, our Senior Zone went to a place called Barbara’s Restaurant, which is located within the walls of Intramuros...meaning “the walled city”. We planned to spend time wandering around this historic area, but it was pouring outside, so we quickly ran into the restaurant and spent the evening there. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 6.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">A little bit of information about Intramuros follows: It is located right near Manila Bay, beside the Pasig River. It was built during the Spanish conquest....started in 1590 and added onto by each new governor until 1872. It covers an area of 160 acres. The wall is 22 feet high and wide enough for a foot path. Originally it had an inner moat just inside the wall and an outer moat around the entire outside. There were a number of gates allowing entrance, and Fort Santiago was built to protect the walled city. It became the center of political, military and religious power during the time the Philippines was a colony of Spain. In 1941 with the Japanese take over, Intramuros managed to be mostly preserved, however, in 1945, as the Americans retook the Philippines, it was completely destroyed. Most of it has been rebuilt now. It is a beautiful, historic place to visit.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 6.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica; min-height: 16.0px">Barbara’s is one of the many nice restaurants built with the old Spanish influence. We had a nice buffet dinner and then were entertained by a dance group performing dances from both Spanish and Filipino eras. There was a point where the dancers asked for volunteers to come and try one of the dances...I immediately hid myself...that was the last thing I wanted to do!!! Sure enough, I was volunteered and went up! At least my feet managed to do the steps correctly, and soon I was back in my seat with my husband saying, “Good job!”<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 6.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Everything else about the evening was lots of fun. Next to our table was the Ambassador to the Philippines from South Africa.....they had a group of 10. One of our senior missionaries, Sister Hardick, grew up in South Africa, so she approached their table and introduced herself. To all of our amazement, one of the diplomats had the same last name as Sister Hardicks maiden name...he treated her and her husband like long lost friends. They exchanged business cards and set up a time to get together again! What a fun experience that was to witness. We have such great friends among the missionaries...that makes all of our activities enjoyable. </span></p></div>Dad and Mom Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17867676925061154603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899326640247511142.post-75939633038839831312012-02-12T00:25:00.001-08:002012-02-22T23:08:47.110-08:00TACLOBAN JUBILEE EXHIBIT AND SITES<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">General Douglas MacArthur's Return to the Philippines at Leyte Landing</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">National Historical Site</div><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrOgwt_859DNo_byq8P3G382m2RA2Z7XPM12uWm4Ynr2XohTvLj8MZVs6KyMMOXHudcrxm6ab9HddRd-0RWxVdUdBE2SA18z-X8WI8PZqiuZjRuFVolgGSYPqaMTwo5V8ckvpatNUJ4s/s1600/Photo+Stream.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708163005561626242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrOgwt_859DNo_byq8P3G382m2RA2Z7XPM12uWm4Ynr2XohTvLj8MZVs6KyMMOXHudcrxm6ab9HddRd-0RWxVdUdBE2SA18z-X8WI8PZqiuZjRuFVolgGSYPqaMTwo5V8ckvpatNUJ4s/s400/Photo+Stream.jpg" /></a><br />On February 3 we flew to Tacloban City on the island of Leyte. We arrived in a major down pour which lasted until Monday morning. On Saturday we did Public Affairs training. We so love meeting these people...they are truly our "favorite thing" in the Philippines. Sunday we attended church at the Tacloban 1st Ward and especially loved it because it was all in English! I just kept watching these 3 young boys sitting in front of us....ages around 9, 7, and 5 yrs.....they were so so cute. The oldest boy was so attentive to the speakers. The next boy was very attentive, but looked through the hymn book also, and the youngest boy listened, but folded a very nice paper airplane! I just felt that I was looking at the future of the church. Another thing that impressed me so much was the singing. Everyone sings!! From the young to the old, they sang with all their hearts....AND to top it off, we sang Hark All Ye Nations, which is my favorite hymn here. It's hard to sing without shedding a few tears.</p><br /><p>After church our driver took us to the General McArthur Monument depicting his return to the Philippines toward the end of WWII. It was beautiful! Because of the week of rain, the ocean water was so brown from being stirred up and many waves were crashing on the beach. I imagined that it could have looked like this, as they came ashore many years ago, because they had just defeated the Japanese in the biggest naval battle of the war, right here in Leyte Gulf. Leyte is also where the first organization of the church in the Philippines was located, due to the American servicemen sharing the gospel. Inspite of the pouring rain, we loved visiting this area and just wandering around. </p><br /><p>Monday morning was the Jubilee Exhibit in Tacloban. The rain had stopped. It was a beautiful day and they were well prepared for the exhibit. There was a large audience there with many of their government leaders attending. We had to catch an 11:00 flight back to Manila, so we were unable to hang around very long. We continue to be amazed at the service given by these saints and know that the church is in good hands here.</p>Dad and Mom Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17867676925061154603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899326640247511142.post-76713933413860465502012-02-11T15:30:00.002-08:002012-02-22T23:16:23.344-08:00WAWA DAM AND VILLAGE<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Scenes from Wawa Dam</div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ188WS2MCs_2a9Z1CqyLHM2T4ocOGfa2W5w9_zsC-yt0R60rhD3B8ARtJ9rEp3oN41pokf5d9GnOIvKQZpKxez-XcbbTNBX_ir5q_G-ZWmPk_wAte1fj_10m-i-qBUKGeir_-jFuSycw/s1600/Wawa+Village+2012.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708154658334243730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ188WS2MCs_2a9Z1CqyLHM2T4ocOGfa2W5w9_zsC-yt0R60rhD3B8ARtJ9rEp3oN41pokf5d9GnOIvKQZpKxez-XcbbTNBX_ir5q_G-ZWmPk_wAte1fj_10m-i-qBUKGeir_-jFuSycw/s400/Wawa+Village+2012.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Wash Day at Wawa Dam</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqTG4ZhKdlGaavUpUaN_YHVqCdHFMeFBUT0nfq0pIrvgb736L377jwy_A2lXA9VEQZzFqq8fURY0dsF1uqi0PLqZ2qVJayZvqiGuXHBDCZaxDxxwdbkubxjcEGfC_OksEVqUDY8yvPBM/s1600/Wawa+Village+20121.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708153548771828290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqTG4ZhKdlGaavUpUaN_YHVqCdHFMeFBUT0nfq0pIrvgb736L377jwy_A2lXA9VEQZzFqq8fURY0dsF1uqi0PLqZ2qVJayZvqiGuXHBDCZaxDxxwdbkubxjcEGfC_OksEVqUDY8yvPBM/s400/Wawa+Village+20121.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">The Children of Wawa Village</div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPK94z4rbIGgpGuOiA6QcrifLUgyyjOUUEU98DlG7Eanbr6uVzNPtD5f6kCw9iXPNxfrkeR9rMLpMBVZbXz_6UrLrPjt-82Dv_sfUA3uwOIzS1u5t4IRTcgXXpKsiLWlj0Su5RZ9h_QcM/s1600/Wawa+Village+20122.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708153536954216882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPK94z4rbIGgpGuOiA6QcrifLUgyyjOUUEU98DlG7Eanbr6uVzNPtD5f6kCw9iXPNxfrkeR9rMLpMBVZbXz_6UrLrPjt-82Dv_sfUA3uwOIzS1u5t4IRTcgXXpKsiLWlj0Su5RZ9h_QcM/s400/Wawa+Village+20122.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Interesting and Unique</div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWX-lS0joiR3kHENb5X6FqAb5mi_tL6lZdVX3jXTdJeuw0n30o-4jLg0DJ4EhDty7bjFONFqiwilShCkmeqg0OTMl2hFa4Wt6oS4A9oL4sLM0v0dMPFqo3YS3PtzkA_prN_qkibTIFio/s1600/Wawa+Village+20123.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708151664152334290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWX-lS0joiR3kHENb5X6FqAb5mi_tL6lZdVX3jXTdJeuw0n30o-4jLg0DJ4EhDty7bjFONFqiwilShCkmeqg0OTMl2hFa4Wt6oS4A9oL4sLM0v0dMPFqo3YS3PtzkA_prN_qkibTIFio/s400/Wawa+Village+20123.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Garbage City, Bikers having Lunch, Interesting Sign</div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknLhktXddH64bNm57AarfgQvJsUViFZYY-eyJHuTISoXBNXLg_Etj2SAmDz_NaOR4FihjR9XhNfMSy_fKxNh4G8PJpPlN1gtJiG7vy3TDy0IoQTN9pZ5u9_0B4C9aK-aW-wf71V_gfAk/s1600/Wawa+Village+20124.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708151657646886690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknLhktXddH64bNm57AarfgQvJsUViFZYY-eyJHuTISoXBNXLg_Etj2SAmDz_NaOR4FihjR9XhNfMSy_fKxNh4G8PJpPlN1gtJiG7vy3TDy0IoQTN9pZ5u9_0B4C9aK-aW-wf71V_gfAk/s400/Wawa+Village+20124.jpg" /></a>Since our arrival in the Philippines, we had been told that we must go to the Wawa Village and Dam. January and February are the only two months that you can hope for a break from the scorching heat or the torrential rain, so on January 28 we headed out on the trek along with Elder and Sister Goss. It was a very nice day with only a brief sprinkle of rain. It was such a unique experience!<br />The road to the village took us first through one of the enormous garbage dumps of Manila....we drove North and East about 30 miles. Now this was eye opening! We passed truck after truck headed back to the city after unloading their load of garbage. All of the garbage was in large plastic bags and was unloaded into large walled areas or into large storage sheds. For blocks and blocks and as far as you could see on the right and left were places stacked to the hilt with bags of garbage. Then the people started dumping out bag after bag and going through it looking for anything valuable or that they could sell....like plastic or tin....yes, recycling!! I couldn't imagine going through someones garbage.....especially when much of it has been there for months in the heat and moisture before it gets gone through.<br />When we arrived at Wawa Village, we hired a guide named Eduardo to take us on the hike up to the dam. We had never seen such enormous boulders lining the river bed at the bottom of the damn. It was truly beautiful. This was the area where many Japanese soldiers held up that refused to surrender after WWII. Many were found hiding in the caves along this remote area. The villagers along the way had so little of any worldly possessions, but they were just so kind and happy....adorable little children were playing here and there along the trail, some were stripped naked and ready for their bath in the lake. It was wash day, and many were doing their laundry and hanging it to dry all along the way. A funny sight was the line of disposable diapers that were washed and hanging to dry!! Another fun sight was to see a group of guys playing pool. Eduardo told us that it is a money making investment....someone buys a pool table and then charges by the hour to play. We also saw a television set up with video games on an arcade screen...once again to make money.....looked to me like a pretty good investment!!<br />The Wawa Damn was so beautiful and serene. Many people go to this place for summer retrieves of picnicking and swimming. You could rent rafts made of bamboo poles to float around on...all had a little covered area so that you could stay out of the sun....NO ONE here wants to be in the sun...no wonder they all look so young!<br />Along the path we met many men of all ages, carrying huge bags of charcoal on their backs headed down to the village where they sell it in the markets....they use it for cooking. Also, we saw some carrying large buckets of coconut milk balanced over their shoulders. We passed a group of "bikers" that actually bike up these paths into the mountains. When we came walking back down, we saw the group ahead of us had stopped for some food (pictured). It was a mixture of rice, green beans, squash and rice milk cooked in banana leaves. They had no utensils, but just scooped it up in their hands and ate it. Right across from them was a large tub full of slugs for sale...yes, those black slimy things!! I do wanted to take a picture, but the vendor was standing right there watching me, and I would have felt like I needed to buy some....that was out of the question!!! Eduardo said people love them....some like them raw and others like them boiled! The bikers were so nice as they saw me stop and stare at the slugs, and they invited us to join them for lunch.....I said, " Thanks, but my stomach feels very full right now"......and it suddenly did!!!Dad and Mom Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17867676925061154603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899326640247511142.post-8266189058015789342012-01-10T15:13:00.000-08:002012-01-17T17:29:38.030-08:00BOHOL JUBILEE AND SITES<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">(L-R) 1. Pres. and Sis. Schmutz (Cebu Mission President) w/ his assistants and Sister Bird 2. E. Bird at Tagbilaran Airport 3. E Bird w/ Pres. Saballa (Calape Dist. Pres.) 4. Jubilee Tour 5. Tour Guides Ready to Greet Visitors</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHmuM9U4nE-DTH0R8A1gU7uKzlRgSvtcA2HRhsEYAX0qiNc7uAWOAvcwq1YwqCHaiVF5tC-WyfSuMKxYGnN4ZVc3oDXbeRkrEfkbeKH2GN4xLJTPn1EwlTXMOAlvqqwaJU53_FJFfono/s1600/Bohol+Tropics1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696146442474383922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHmuM9U4nE-DTH0R8A1gU7uKzlRgSvtcA2HRhsEYAX0qiNc7uAWOAvcwq1YwqCHaiVF5tC-WyfSuMKxYGnN4ZVc3oDXbeRkrEfkbeKH2GN4xLJTPn1EwlTXMOAlvqqwaJU53_FJFfono/s400/Bohol+Tropics1.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">(l-r) 1. Tarsier Monkey 2. E/S Bird with Python 3. Bird Taken Down But Not Eaten by Python!! 4. E. Bird and Iguana 5. Flying Bat Asleep During Daytime</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3D5Dhap0Grww3KsEBPJjBOzkZBi4X-XBlG4GQi4Nk758FvHosOtKkNc8_aLISaR54MsUsxSyZcd7Hy2NAgvCqZt70wDZlSjULuViNo87ALKRrxLGs0CrrKWWsxwnRIRzvzLDmuofzNo/s1600/Bohol+and+Randy+Birthday2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696146438016096754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3D5Dhap0Grww3KsEBPJjBOzkZBi4X-XBlG4GQi4Nk758FvHosOtKkNc8_aLISaR54MsUsxSyZcd7Hy2NAgvCqZt70wDZlSjULuViNo87ALKRrxLGs0CrrKWWsxwnRIRzvzLDmuofzNo/s400/Bohol+and+Randy+Birthday2.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">(l-r) 1. Chocolate Hills of Bohol 2. E Bird in Front of Choc. Hills Sign 3. Chocolate Hills 4. E/S Bird at Chocolate Hills </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzk8kX2j7pg8Kxmlna2GGVD8ZTMhtXG1fZro8bGOIwdZJkj2tNR5aDRC_7QpP5aot1g6fyBSrVotSznZYJbpVU9-QxehW7bmYMl3pPxAS7Wv0QL89cAPWPKjWDbg7tvPg2ve6rp05lOsQ/s1600/Bohol+and+Randy+Birthday1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696146415565859954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzk8kX2j7pg8Kxmlna2GGVD8ZTMhtXG1fZro8bGOIwdZJkj2tNR5aDRC_7QpP5aot1g6fyBSrVotSznZYJbpVU9-QxehW7bmYMl3pPxAS7Wv0QL89cAPWPKjWDbg7tvPg2ve6rp05lOsQ/s400/Bohol+and+Randy+Birthday1.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">(l-r) 1. E/S Bird on Riverwatch Floating Restaurant 2. Food at Floating Restaurant 3. Entertainment on Floating Restaurant 4. Sis. Bird with Filipino Women 5. Filipino Family we met, on Vacation from L.A. (Eric Guiterez Family) 6. Upstream View of Loboc River</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAmWxmSQq0xsS6IDsYSjG86qmSsaDKJwxmbQCsV7YUXY0Cgdd35tgPKrFPYcyVKfArUFYzX8STG_7MQlR9foTCmSSIw4HA6c5ZEZ_LqszH6OtjUZvDQRhDPU9jO57nysh06SEO_OXCR4/s1600/Bohol+and+Randy+Birthday.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696146409935752946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAmWxmSQq0xsS6IDsYSjG86qmSsaDKJwxmbQCsV7YUXY0Cgdd35tgPKrFPYcyVKfArUFYzX8STG_7MQlR9foTCmSSIw4HA6c5ZEZ_LqszH6OtjUZvDQRhDPU9jO57nysh06SEO_OXCR4/s400/Bohol+and+Randy+Birthday.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">(l-r) 1. Bunka Boats of Bohol 2. View of Bohol Tropics Hotel 3. Bohol Tropics Restaurant Overlooks Ocean 4. View of Ocean from our Room..Beautiful!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8mh-RwZJz3OkoQc9HTzr_X5xo3bSKvdPJBFAhNvzAfxAs8F5r9_R9mPQeWTcoZZr2vy7JXYAKqdU8Ces66NdFLi0sBdSFe0NeWvDJOChyphenhyphen3iUqIkOYUUjzcJiSbZV_Drg5NIiC0mqq_A/s1600/Bohol+Tropics.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696146405701178210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8mh-RwZJz3OkoQc9HTzr_X5xo3bSKvdPJBFAhNvzAfxAs8F5r9_R9mPQeWTcoZZr2vy7JXYAKqdU8Ces66NdFLi0sBdSFe0NeWvDJOChyphenhyphen3iUqIkOYUUjzcJiSbZV_Drg5NIiC0mqq_A/s400/Bohol+Tropics.jpg" /></a>On Saturday morning, January 7, we flew from Manila to Tagbilaran City, Bohol...located just above the large island of Mindinao. The flight took 1 hr. and 20 min.<br /><br /><br />The island of Bohol is a beautiful asian paradise...also a jungle! It has many resorts located on the Panglau Penisula with white sand beaches. We stayed at a hotel called the Bohol Tropics. The view from our room was fantastic....the room itself, not so fantastic! I tried to spend most of my time out looking at the view! The grounds, pools, and landscape were all very nice. We were there for the Jubilee Exhibit, but we had Saturday afternoon open, so we took advantage of that time and hired a driver to take us on a tour of the island....a very good decision! <br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>We first went on a riverboat/lunch trip down the Loboc River...this was when we knew for sure we were in the jungle. Many beautiful rivers run through this island, all emptying into the Bohol Sea. The water was very brown because the rainy season is just coming to an end. In a couple of months the water will become crystal clear because the mud is not continually being stirred up. Part way down the river, we made a stop, and platter after platter of food was brought on...all Filipino dishes, and very good. We were assigned a table to eat at, and ended up with a Filipino family (Eric Guiterez family) from L.A....it was so fun getting to know them. Along the river, there were two more stops where native islanders came out to sing and dance for us...we even joined them! We loved this!! The weather was hot but at least it was not raining.</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>Next was the Tarsier Sanctuary. This smallest of all monkeys is threatened by extinction, so it is now protected. We were led on a hike through the jungle, along winding stone paths that sometimes turned into just mud. We saw about 10 of the little monkeys. They have very large eyes and are the size of a fist.</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>Now it was onto the Chocolate Hills....I was so excited! Okay, so there was no chocolate at all...not even in the little souvenir shop....but the sight was so amazing! Pointed hills (about 1200 of them) just sticking up everywhere. We learned that they are caused by coral formations that rain water has fallen on, gradually building up to these mounds...so I assume they are still growing! In the summer months the grasses on the top turn brown from the sun....thus looking like chocolate on top of them. For a scenic view of the entire area, we hiked to the top of one of the tallest hills...there was a nice paved path...and the view was spectacular. </div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>We then stopped by a butterfly conservation center where we saw some very unusual butterflies and some enormous moths...I've always had this thing against moths so I was very happy to learn that these are all native to this island! We saw many in all stages of development. Then we drove a few more kilometers to a small wild animal reserve....we wanted to see a python! I must say, we were surprised by the enormous size of the pythons and that we were allowed to go inside the cage and touch one, if we wanted to. I was a little leary, but the snake looked asleep...so why not! AFTER we had been in the cage, we were told that they (there were 2 of them) eat 2 chickens a day...they are turned loose in the cage...and the rest is history!! Our driver grew up on Bohol, and told us there are many pythons and some cobra snakes...every year a few bites are reported...very deadly! He found a python eating one of their chickens one night and lassoed it and tied it to a tree and ran to get his neighbor to help him. He said sometimes a whole brood of baby chicks would disappear in one night and they would know a python was around. One night they were driving through a mountain pass and they had to stop while an enormous python crossed the road.....I think that growing up in Idaho with rattle snakes was just fine!! Our driver had so many interesting experiences he shared. Besides the pythons, this animal reserve had several large and unusual birds, an Iguana and other lizards, animals that resembled a Bobcat, wolves, and the creepiest of all.....3 huge bats, 18 to 24 inches long, just hanging there! Yikes! Bats and cockroaches and huge moths all belong in the same class! What a great afternoon we had. It was dark by the time we arrived back at our hotel. </div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>On Sunday we tried to call a taxi to take us to church, but none were available. The desk clerk said a tricycle was available...we said, "We'll take it!" It was about 3 miles to the Tagbilaran City 2nd Branch....what a ride! This was the second time we had ridden in a tricycle. We finally arrived at the chapel, after wondering if we would make it up a couple of hills. The branch was wonderful. It was fast and testimony meeting and the spirit was very strong. These people truly amaze us...here on a remote island...and they are just so "with it"! They are intelligent, creative, valiant, knowledgeable, very warm and friendly, and the church runs exactly like a large ward in Utah. We loved being there.</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>Monday morning we traveled to Calape, about an hour north along the coast. The District had the Jubilee Exhibit set up perfectly. They were so organized. Many had sacrificed much to take time off of work to be at the Jubilee to help...about 30 were there for the opening events. Well, we waited for almost 2 hours and not a single VIP came. We suggested we go ahead and start. We held the opening program and it was so nice, but then Randy and I had to leave to catch our flight. How we prayed that these saints would be blessed to have people attend the exhibit! They were so prepared and so eager to share this exhibit with people from the surrounding communities. When we arrived back at Manila, we had a text from one of the senior missionaries there in Calape. They jokingly said we should have left sooner, because as soon as we left all of these people arrived....one of the mayors, teachers, and many others. The exhibit was for 3 days and they felt was very successful. We were so grateful for the opportunity to meet more of the wonderful members in the Philippines. </div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div>Dad and Mom Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17867676925061154603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-899326640247511142.post-45533511052717892062011-12-30T00:26:00.000-08:002011-12-31T03:43:55.802-08:00CORREGIDOR<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(pics. l-r) 1. Sister Bird on Big Gun at Corregidor 2. W.W 2 Barracks 3. View of Corregidor Island from Top Side 4. Sister Bird at Welcome Sign 5. Large Lizard 6. Map of Corregidor 7. E/S Bird in Front of Pacific War Memorial 8. E/S Bird in Front of 14" Gun 9. Line of Guns 10. Malinta Tunnel</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0A0kqBOfqJ8FJt0hR-DYTFiMxaiJhhKvABl-LUAvOnA95VFQaIQmYXAwDf8ktnvbjHN_yG7-u4Wv4TO6gTAB5fl6O9KqRcrnMd_xNHR-jI5isk1cLlLXKUi5q7pMlpYHldw0CK4CP4sY/s1600/Christmas+and+Corregidor.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0A0kqBOfqJ8FJt0hR-DYTFiMxaiJhhKvABl-LUAvOnA95VFQaIQmYXAwDf8ktnvbjHN_yG7-u4Wv4TO6gTAB5fl6O9KqRcrnMd_xNHR-jI5isk1cLlLXKUi5q7pMlpYHldw0CK4CP4sY/s400/Christmas+and+Corregidor.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691837102890295298" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:sans-serif;">On Wednesday, December 28, 2011, Elder Bird and I organized a trip for the Senior Missionaries in our Zone to travel to the island of Corregidor. Corregidor is one of the most important historic and tourist sites in the country. It </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">is a lofty island located at the entrance of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila_Bay" title="Manila Bay" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Manila Bay</span></a> in southwestern part of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luzon_Island" title="Luzon Island" class="mw-redirect" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Luzon Island</span></a> </span>in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Philippines" title="The Philippines" class="mw-redirect" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">the Philippines</span></a>. Due to this location, Corregidor was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortification" title="Fortification" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">fortified</span></a> with several <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coastal_artillery" title="Coastal artillery" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">coastal artillery</span></a> and ammunition magazines to defend the entrance of Manila Bay and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_Manila" title="City of Manila" class="mw-redirect" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">City of Manila</span></a>, from attacks by enemy <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warship" title="Warship" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">warships</span></a> in the event of war. Located 48 kilometres (30 mi) inland, Manila has been the largest city and the most important <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seaport" title="Seaport" class="mw-redirect" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">seaport</span></a> in the Philippines for centuries—from the colonial rule of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Empire" title="Spanish Empire" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Spain</span></a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States" title="United States" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">United States</span></a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Empire" title="Japanese Empire" class="mw-redirect" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Japan</span></a> and after the establishment of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_the_Philippines" title="Republic of the Philippines" class="mw-redirect" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Republic of the Philippines</span></a> in 1946. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:sans-serif;">During <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II" title="World War II" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">World War II</span></a>,</span> Corregidor played an important role during the invasion and liberation of the Philippines from Japanese forces. Heavily bombarded in the latter part of the war, the ruins left on the island serve as a military memorial to many American, Filipino and Japanese soldiers who served or lost their lives on the island. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:sans-serif;"> The island, when viewed from the air, looks like a tadpole, and has been divided into four sections: Topside, Middleside, Bottomside, and Tailside. It has also been nicknamed "the Rock" due to its many fortifications and rocky terrain. Each of the "sides" house a significant part of history. Topside housed barracks, communications center, golf course, etc. The Middleside housed the officers quarters, and included schools and a hospital. The Bottomside connects the middle to the tail by means of the Malinta tunnel. A tunnel that was ten years in the making (1922-1932). It literally became an underground city of its own housing a major hospital, and was used as a bomb shelter for the many air attacks on the island. The Tailside housed a small airfield and navy landing site. Our entire Zone loved this "getaway" to an island of fresh air, lizards, monkeys, and only 200 residents. I actually chose 3 sites for a perfect vacation home!! This place was the most beautiful, peaceful, perfectly clean place I have experienced here in the Philippines....rather ironic when you consider all of the pain and bloodshed that has taken place here. What a privilege for us to visit this piece of history.</span></span></div>Dad and Mom Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17867676925061154603noreply@blogger.com0