We are enjoying our service in the temple here in Manila. The Philippine people are so friendly, loving and happy. We are still trying to learn names and especially how to pronounce them. They are patient with us but want their name said correctly. They will give it to us a few times and help us learn to say it. However we are slow to remember for the next time we meet. Each day at the temple we have nearly all different workers, so progress is slow.
Some of the Saints make great sacrifices to come to the temple. In April and May it is summer here and the children are out of school so it is a good time to travel to the temple. Across the street from the temple is a Patron House where they can stay while doing work at the temple. We have had numerous groups travel two or three days by ship and plane to come here. Usually there are 30 to 60 people in a group. The youth do baptisms, while the adults participate in other ordinances, then they go back to the patron house and come back the next day. They usually stay 3 or 4 days. I'm sure it costs them enough to come that it is a sacrifice for them. There are always many who are here for the first time and some for marriages, sealings etc. It is a joy to help them receive the temple blessings. The youth are so beautiful --- brown smooth skin, black hair, and big wonderful smiles. As a nation, they are smaller in size. Some of the women look like teenagers because of their size and youthful appearance.
Across the street is the MTC. Every week we have missionaries come to the temple. Many are here for their own ordinances and then will return a few times before they leave for their missions. Some cannot speak English or even Tagalog so they usually have an adult with them to help with the communication. As you can see, it is a busy temple. It is a small temple, however, and sometimes areas are very crowded.
In June we will be back on the morning schedule - 5:30 to 2:00. Then we will have to start getting up at 4:15 and by the time we get home we are really exhausted. I wonder sometimes why we get so tired, but spiritual, mental work takes a lot out of you. We will go home and have a nap and do some cooking and get ready for the next day.
On Sunday we go to church in the Mandaluyong 3rd Ward. It takes us about 30 minutes to drive there. They speak mostly Tagalog, but some talks or lesson are given in English. All the singing, announcements, sacrament prayers are in English. Their Tagalog usually contains numerous English words, esp. gospel language, so we know the subject they are talking about. Any writing on the board or on charts etc., is always in English and sometimes they ask us questions and we hope we know enough to give a good answer. Nearly every week a new convert is confirmed so missionary work here is going well. Even though at the MTC they really pushed for us to do missionary work here, we really don't have time or energy for it except when we're out buying groceries or other things. We are not to have a calling in a ward.
The trees, flowers and plants here are beautiful. They keep the temple grounds spotless and well groomed. Our apartment building is just down the slope from the temple and within the walls of the temple grounds. We have a nice apartment and a housekeeper who comes weekly to clean our apartment. We have a TV (which we can watch, but there is nothing worth watching) and washer and dryer, small stove, fridge, etc. and best of all an air conditioner. Also we can drink the water right out of the tap. So we are well provided for. Water is a problem here but the Temple has a deep well with pure water. What a blessing.
Some of the Saints make great sacrifices to come to the temple. In April and May it is summer here and the children are out of school so it is a good time to travel to the temple. Across the street from the temple is a Patron House where they can stay while doing work at the temple. We have had numerous groups travel two or three days by ship and plane to come here. Usually there are 30 to 60 people in a group. The youth do baptisms, while the adults participate in other ordinances, then they go back to the patron house and come back the next day. They usually stay 3 or 4 days. I'm sure it costs them enough to come that it is a sacrifice for them. There are always many who are here for the first time and some for marriages, sealings etc. It is a joy to help them receive the temple blessings. The youth are so beautiful --- brown smooth skin, black hair, and big wonderful smiles. As a nation, they are smaller in size. Some of the women look like teenagers because of their size and youthful appearance.
Across the street is the MTC. Every week we have missionaries come to the temple. Many are here for their own ordinances and then will return a few times before they leave for their missions. Some cannot speak English or even Tagalog so they usually have an adult with them to help with the communication. As you can see, it is a busy temple. It is a small temple, however, and sometimes areas are very crowded.
In June we will be back on the morning schedule - 5:30 to 2:00. Then we will have to start getting up at 4:15 and by the time we get home we are really exhausted. I wonder sometimes why we get so tired, but spiritual, mental work takes a lot out of you. We will go home and have a nap and do some cooking and get ready for the next day.
On Sunday we go to church in the Mandaluyong 3rd Ward. It takes us about 30 minutes to drive there. They speak mostly Tagalog, but some talks or lesson are given in English. All the singing, announcements, sacrament prayers are in English. Their Tagalog usually contains numerous English words, esp. gospel language, so we know the subject they are talking about. Any writing on the board or on charts etc., is always in English and sometimes they ask us questions and we hope we know enough to give a good answer. Nearly every week a new convert is confirmed so missionary work here is going well. Even though at the MTC they really pushed for us to do missionary work here, we really don't have time or energy for it except when we're out buying groceries or other things. We are not to have a calling in a ward.
The trees, flowers and plants here are beautiful. They keep the temple grounds spotless and well groomed. Our apartment building is just down the slope from the temple and within the walls of the temple grounds. We have a nice apartment and a housekeeper who comes weekly to clean our apartment. We have a TV (which we can watch, but there is nothing worth watching) and washer and dryer, small stove, fridge, etc. and best of all an air conditioner. Also we can drink the water right out of the tap. So we are well provided for. Water is a problem here but the Temple has a deep well with pure water. What a blessing.
