The rainy season has begun in the Philippines! We have had some amazing storms, with lighting, thunder, and sheets of rain that you wouldn't believe! It rains for a while, and if you walk out in it, you are still so hot! After the rain, the water in the flooded roads disappears, the sun comes out, and everything is dry again! Still hot, sometimes you can feel a little breeze, which is wonderful!
People put hankies, or t shirts on top of their heads, if they don't have an umbrella, anything to keep their head from getting wet! One day I was walking back from the temple, and it started to rain, and a sister ran up to me with an umbrella, and said let me walk you to the door, so your head wont get wet! I said "I love walking in the rain, and told her Thanks anyway!" she thought I was crazy!
Dad and I were in charge of an activity for the Senior couples last Sat. We took them to a jeepney factory in San Pablo called Celestial Motors! We are good friends with the owner, and knew them well! It was great to be back in our mission, It was so fun looking at the Jeepneys, and they wanted to take everyone on a jeepney ride, and everyone wanted to go, but we had an appointment at Arabela's for lunch, so the plan was that we would stop on the way back! Off to Arabela's we went with 19 people in 2 vans and one car! You can't believe the memories and feelings that flooded back to me as we drove roads we have driven so many time! I started raining, and had a light rain most of the time we were there! The owner at Arabela's remembered us, and even his wife came out to greet us! The food was excellent and all the couples wished it were closer, so they could eat there more often! We did a little shoe shopping and walking around the little town of Liliw, and headed back down the mountain to Celestial Motors, where they had a lovely snack prepared for us of rice cake, and buko pie! They are such kind people! The ride in the Jeepney was a highlight of the trip! He drove us to the San Pablo Stake Center, and we walked around and down to the lake behind the Stake Center, then back! It started raining real hard, and flooding started happening in the streets (oh the memories)So we all had a real Filipino experience riding in the rain in the jeepney! What Fun!! We got back to Manila about 8:00 pm, with a very successful activity day behind us! As much as I loved our mission, and the experience of going back, I'm glad those 3 years are behind me and that I'm not constantly worrying about 160 missionaries all the time!
I have been given the opportunity of serving on a shift in the Manila Temple one day a week! That is such a blessing in my life! After the recorder heard from my Stake President, Bishop and the Area President, and they all gave approval, I was set apart by the Temple President, President Abasanta. He gave me the most beautiful blessing! I started serving there last Wed. We have to get up at 4:30, so we can leave Eastwood by 5:30 and drive to the Temple to get me there in time to get in my white clothes for 6:00 prayer meeting! Dad then just goes over to his office and works! I love it, all the little Filipino sisters hug me and kiss me on the cheek, and are so willing to help me, and always worried if I have had my lunch! Yesterday was my 2nd day there, and it was wonderful! I loved doing that work again! I get off at 1:00, and I only wish Dad could have the experience as well! So grateful for the Area President allowing me to have this experience while serving as a missionary!
We have been invited to go to the Asia Mission Presidents Seminar in Hong Kong, the 1st week of September! We are excited, and it will be so nice for us to meet the 10 Mission Presidents that we have contact with almost daily in Richards work!
Thank you for your wonderful Fathers's Day greetings! You are all amazing, and we continue to give thanks to our Heavenly Father for such a wonderful family! We love you! thanks for your love, prayers, and support to us on this mission! We feel of your spirit and the love of our Heavenly Father as we see Miracles happen every day! Hard to believe we have been gone 4 months now!
We love hearing from our missionaries,Julia and Davis, and feeling of their happiness in their service! We pray for Richmond and the Andersons as he is so close to leaving! It is exciting times to be involved in this work! We hope you all have a great summer, and be careful in your activities! We are so much grateful for all of you! ( that is how the Filipinos say it) and I love it! We pray for you constantly and love you! Keep us in touch! It is so fun to have James and Brooke comment on our letters and send us pictures of our great grand babies, and their gardens! Love it!
I hope my brothers and sisters don't mind getting our family letter! Can't wait to hear about the Winward wedding, and the new baby for the Harrisons, and mission plans, and hear about JaNae's baby and your trip out there! Also all the news with the Payne missionaries coming and going! We are so blessed as a family!
We love you all!
Love,
Mom and Dad, Grandpa and Grandma, Elder and Sister
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