Almost everywhere we go in the car besides to and from the office we use Google maps and a Philippine map tool called “Waze.” In addition to directions they also give us traffic congestion reports and estimates of travel time. Eileen, as the navigator, will usually have both on simultaneously, and no they do not always agree.
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| There is no way we are making it down that alley |
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| Traffic was 4 vehicles wide with motorcyclists riding between the cars and buses |
On Tuesday morning the traffic was as expected very heavy. Both navigation tools told us to abandon the direct route and divert to an alternative route, which we did. After an hour of winding around small streets we found ourselves at almost a complete stop for 30 minutes 12.5 km from the temple. The Waze tool was saying to turn off the road we were stuck on onto a series of side roads (alleys the width of a walking path) that looked navigable on a motorcycle but highly questionable in a car. We declined to follow the directions as did all but one car around us. After a necessary pit stop and another hour-and-half of congested driving pleasure we finally made it to the temple about 10:15 am.
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| President Alder taking a photo of all the departing missionaries |
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| We were so happy to finally have made it to the temple |
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| Sister Rose is on the right. Russell's brother used to be her Bishop and now is in her stake presidency. It is a small world in the church. |
Inside the temple gate, everything was peaceful and uncongested. The temple grounds are beautiful; the whole atmosphere, a stark contrast from what we had just experienced on our journey getting there. The temple session was wonderful. Being inside a temple truly is the closest thing to heaven on earth.
Afterward I spent a long time considering the contrast between life inside and outside the temple, and how my experience that day was perhaps analogous to life in general. Through both ancient and modern-day prophets, God has revealed how we can find our way back home to heaven after this life. On paper, the path seems rather straightforward: have faith in Jesus Christ; keep the commandments and repent when you breech one; obtain the necessary ordinances from those having God’s priesthood authority; and then endure to the end. Unfortunately, like my two navigation tools that failed me on my way to the temple, the world would have us believe all sorts of ideas that divert us from the path God has prescribed for us. Those professing alternative paths can sound so appealing and authoritative at times.
Although yesterday was our preparation day, we took the morning to take four wardrobe cabinets, fans, mattresses, a toaster oven and hot water kettle to a sister’s apartment about an hour away. Driving a van in narrow alleys is not doing good things for my nerves or blood pressure. But we did make it without scratching the van!
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| The managers of the stores really are getting to know Russell from the large quantities of items we buy |
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| The sister missionaries in front of their new wardrobe closets. They had been living out of suitcases and were very happy to have them. The first wardrobe took Russell an hour to put together. By the 3rd and 4th wardrobe it was only taking 13 minutes to put them together. |
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| There are accidents and there is maliciousness. This broken ceramic sink was an accident. |
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| These Elders literally live in the middle of a rice field. They had no complaints and were trying to make their apartment look extremely tidy. |
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| The mother goat and babies were grazing outside the missionaries apartment |
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| The rice fields are beautiful |
Eileen’s 95-year-old father fell earlier this week. Fortunately, Eileen's sister Chris was visiting Mom and Dad and has been able to care for them. Just prior to our leaving yesterday to make our delivery to the sister’s apartment, Eileen was able to call and speak to her father. He died about six hours later. I feel truly blessed to have been his son-in-law and I look forward to seeing him again someday. Eileen posted the following on Facebook about her father. The response has been heart-warming. She has heard from friends in the U.S., Japan, Indonesia, Russia, Germany, and Spain. The support from acquaintances around the world has been wonderful.
This morning at 1:30 am Utah time, my father passed on to the next life. He was looking forward to seeing his parents, his siblings and my older sister once again. One of his greatest desires was that he and my mother could pass away near in time to each other. They have been married 70 years and didn’t want to be separated any longer than necessary. My guess is that Dad is up in heaven anxiously awaiting for her to join him. He is a wonderful man. I will sorely miss him but am so grateful for the close relationship we had with each other. This photo was taken of my mother and father just a couple of hours before his passing. I am grateful that Russell and I had the opportunity to talk with my father just a few hours before his passing. In typical fashion for my father, he quickly changed the subject as to how he was doing and inquired as to how our mission was going. Even though he was in tremendous pain and in his last hours he was concerned about others.
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| Last moments together. True love |
Today was stake conference. President and Sister Alder both spoke and did an excellent job of encouraging the members to utilise the missionaries in introducing their friends to the gospel. The Filipinos are so kind and friendly to us. Afterwards many welcomed us to the Philippines.
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| This sister is riding side saddle on a motorcycle in the rain to get home after church |
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