How are all of you? We think about our dear friends back home so often, and we are always grateful for your friendships!
It is hot in the Philippines, and also the rainy season, but still hot! I understand it has been hot there as well! We miss the garden, and all the fun that goes with summer!
We are doing great, miss our family a lot, but that is to be expected! Richard is extremely busy, and I work at being busy! I did get permission to work in the Manila Temple one day a week! It is a great experience to serve in a foreign country in the Temple! I love it! The first week they showed me around, and let me watch and participate, and every thing is done exactly the same! Last week I was doing it all, and it was so great to be back and do those ordinances! There are 4 endowment rooms and they hold 26 people, 4 veils, 2 for the Brothers and 2 for the sisters! Only 2 initiatory booths, and 2 NN booths! The amazing thing is it is always busy, and so lovely! such a contrast coming out of Manila and going into this beautiful, peaceful, clean and air conditioned temple! I love it! The Temple is right across the street from our office, so I get to look at it all the time! Our prayer meeting starts at 6;00 AM and we are through with our shift at 2:00 PM! There are a few couple temple missionaries, but mostly Filipino people! Some of the Filipino people travel 5 or 6 hours by bus to get there to serve, and then they travel back home! They are amazing to me! They are so sweet and kind, and i enjoy the chance to serve in the temple again!
Living in the city is a little different. Driving in this crazy traffic, going to a big parking garage, then taking an elevator up 30 floors to our apt. People all around, and no grass or lawn to relax on, and no place to take a walk, unless it is in the Mall court, or through the Malls, walking with a lot of people! It's ok though, we are getting use to it! I am also getting use to boiling water to do dishes, and using distilled water to drink and cook with! After all, we are on a mission, and the small sacrifices are certainly worth it!
The tech people have installed an office in our apartment, so Richard can have access to his work all the time! That makes it very nice, especially when he has to communicate with Salt Lake before they leave work to go home, plus he can work at night, and I can be doing things as well! Also he has to make calls to the Mission Presidents all over the Philippines, as well as in Asia! The Church is amazing as this work is hastening!
There are 10 couples in our Zone, and we are under the direction of the Area Presidency! Our Zone leader is the Area Presidency Executive Sec. Every other week, we have a FHE Where we bring pot luck, and one of the couples is in charge of FHE! They are such great couples and we have grown to love them and enjoying serving with them! We also have an activity, every now and then, where we see some of the sights in the area! Last week we took the couples to our mission, and introduced them to some of our favorite places as we served there! We just had our public affairs couple leave, and another will be coming in next week! It seems to just keep changing!
We are happy and our health is good, and we appreciate so much this opportunity to be here and serve the Lord! Heavenly Father has a hand in this work, and we are so grateful for the miracles we see every day! Of course we miss all of you, and hope you and your families are doing fine!
It is always good to hear from you, and learn what is going in your lives! Please know we pray for our friends back home!
We hope you have a Happy 4th of July, and enjoy all the celebrations!
Love,
Elder and Sister Anderson
Richard and Nada
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