The Adventure Continues...the Philippines!

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Training in Cebu

We had quite the adventure as we flew to Cebu in December to meet with all eight of our

Multi-Stake Public Affairs Directors and some of their councils. We didn't expect to get

to have as much fun as we did though!!! It all began as we met some musicians as we

waited for out flight. They asked if we had heard of the Von Trapp Famiy.

"You mean like the Sound of Music Von Trapps? Yes, we just watched the movie."

"We are touring with Maria's great grand children. They are going to Cebu to sing

this evening. Do you want to meet them?"

Well of course we did and we got our picture taken with them!

Haidi was as excited as we were!!!

Our adventure didn't stop there as we acturally went to their concert, then bought a CD,

and stood in line for their autographs! They were delightful!

Haidi's cute husband picked us up at the airport but we were a little delayed.

We couldn't find out luggage! Finally everyone one gone and the same two bags

keep coming around. I suddenly dawned on me. Our bags were NOT black,

but were thenice royal blue ones that everyone had left on the turntable!!!

Gerome and Haidi took us to a floating restaurant right on the shore in Lapu Lapu.

We had our first mussels and tuna belly, which was delicious!!!

This may be the only jeepney we ever get to "ride" in so we had to get our picture

taken inside. We didn't serve any drinks while we were inside though!

After lunch we went to Magellan's grave. He was killed here by Lapu Lapu,

the Chief of the Island which now bears his name.

Gerome and Haidi and Sis. and Elder DuPaix

Before our training began of Fri. afternoon, Haidi, Gerome, and Danzel showed

us some more of Cebu.

We stopped at Magellan's cross. He erected the
cross here in Cebu and the original wood has
been encased to protect it. He was the first to
bring Christianity to the Philippines.

Fri. afternoon we got to go to the beautiful Cebu Temple. We ate lunch at the

Patron Housing then went to a wonderful session. It was very special to realize that

some of the people we had been in the Temple with, were some of the Public Affairs

directors and leaders who had come here for our training. They also wanted to take

advantage of being near the temple here!

The Cebu Philippines Temple

We held our training in the beautiful new Quest Hotel. They took very good care of us and

we had a delightful time meeting these wonderful people from all over the Philippines!

Our name plaque outside the conference room.

We worked hard and laughed and danced and got to know and love each other!

I even got to hold this precious tiny baby while her mama took a break.

Filipino children are so beautiful!

Some of the great women we got to train with! Stella, Amie, Tina, Erl, Monette,

Haidi and me!!!

Since we were so close to Christmas, we had a gift exchange. Didn't know

Elder DuPaix had so much talent at doing the "Scarf Dance"!

We love our Public Affairs leaders! Didn't know I could feel so close to these wonderful

people after only knowing them a few hours! We appreciate all they do in their different

areas all over the Philippines!

Monday, April 1, 2013

Christmas Preparations

Christmas decorations at Shangra La Mall. "It's a small world" decor!

On Dec. 4th we celebrated the lighting of the Temple with a nice open house at the PAO. Third Floor does a beautiful job with decorating and catering. We all dressed up to meet out guests. Elder and Sis. Bailey and Elder and Sis. DuPaix

Bro. Doug McAllister and his wife Janice are Branch Pres. Counselor and

R.S. President of our Branch - Makati 4th.

Pres. Micheal Teh, our Area President and his wife Grace.

Sis. Pauline Tapp and our director, Haidi Fajardo.

After the open house, we all went to the Temple grounds for the lighting,

and the beautiful display of the Belen.

We even had a visit from Scrooge! Pres. Taylor of the MTC did a wonderful

one-man show for the Senior Missionary Zone!!!

Our little tree in our apartment! The best part - our gifts from home waiting

to be opened on Christmas day!

Sunday, March 31, 2013

SOS Children's Village

SOS Children’s Village in Alabang was the ideal venue for the third quarterly forum of Family Network (Famnet). Three public affairs missionaries, Sis. Farnsworth and along with Roger and I, attended the forum as representatives for the church. We were told that SOS CV was an orphanage and this peaked their interest as each of their families had been involved in adopting children.
This orphanage was definitely different than they thought it would be as they found that children are never adopted from the village. It is the last place they come before they enter the world and start careers and families of their own. This is a place that caters to abandoned or orphaned children who often have siblings. Children are brought here so they can remain together and learn how to grow and function within a family.

This is a family strengthening program where 350 “mothers” head up households that are broken up into “families” of about 9 children. Each “family” lives in a small home where the mother cooks and cares for the children who feel protected and loved. This system allows siblings and family groups to remain intact. SOS believes that every child deserves a living parent and brothers and sisters. They deserve a home in a village, which is a part of the community or barangay.

Sis. DuPaix and Sis. Farnsworth, posing with a "Mom" and some of her daughters.

This system allows siblings and family groups to remain intact. SOS believes that every child deserves a living parent and brothers and sisters. They deserve a home in a village, which is a part of the community or barangay.

Just outside the home was a playground where two little girls were playing on the slide. They were so cute as they interacted as “sisters”, whether by birth, or by being brought together in their wonderful SOS Village home.