Zinnie's classroom and the big Banyon tree

Sipaway School Program

Malipayon nga Paskwa!

December 21, 2013

Malipayon nga Paskwa! Merry Christmas!

The last couple of weeks, I have had the ultimate highs and lows.  Let's begin with the low and build up, shall we.  I was so depressed thinking about how little we have to do and what little we have to offer now so I needed to get a boost!! Of course I am sure those who know me well can just see me deciding in my "over the top" manner deciding the best way to get out of a funk is through service.  Yes I know, "just say NO!" especially to myself! Well, I decided to make a pillow case for each of our 260 young missionaries.  We went to the textile store and bought fabric and so began the marathon cutting and sewing event. Needless to say, my funk left as I buried myself in the mounds and mounds of Christmas fabric.  What fun I had doing that! One of the missionary mom's wrote a cute little poem to go with the pillow cases:

            The Elders and Sisters were nestled all snug in their beds While visions of baptisms           danced in their heads. With a new pillowcase that was made out of love-- The dreams        that they dreamt were straight from above.

            Sister Sinema spoke not a word, but worked with her might-- Pillowcases for all, to share in His light. She was heard to exclaim as she finished them right— Merriest Christmas to    all and to all… “Now, Sleep tight”.

            Andersons, Chins, Neffs, and Rasmussens flew, throughout Negros Island in earnest        pursuit, of delivery just like all good angels do, bringing joy of the season to all through           and through!

What a fun time I had with that and thankfully they have all been delivered and I can now make it through!!!

In our travels we have learned many new and exciting PEF changes that will make our last 100 days as exciting as our beginning days.  We once again can offer four year degrees, incentives for repayment through good grades, on time payments, having a mentor, and getting employment!!! The incentives can repay up to 40% of the participant's loan! What a blessing!!

Also, during the meetings one of the priesthood leaders told how the Philippine people  have very powerful hands.  Here is the example of that: as you walk in front of a car  to cross the street to stop the car all you have to do is wiggle your fingers and the car's will stop!! It really does work!

Another of the great power here is found in the police department! Pay attention Paul! During the holidays and especially at New Years the police do not want their fire arms to discharge in celebration so they seal the barrels of their weapons.  Paying attention yet? Well, here is how it is done! The police all line up in their squads and wrap their gun barrel with masking tape and the squad leader signs his name over the tape.  The tape, apparently  is so strong that is stops guns of discharging into the air during the celebrations!!! Now TPD this is a new strategy you can use.  Oh maybe it is just the masking tape here is stronger than in the US.  Doubt that though!!

In Quizon City the government has made a new law to protect children.  Wait for it, wait for it. Children are prohibited from sitting in the front seat of the motor scooters and must be wearing a seat belt.  (no they do not have to wear a helmet) the seat belt will protect them! Now the scooters actually do not have a back seat, nor do they have seatbelts, so......

Finally, Thursday we traveled across the island to San Carlos and then by pump boat to the little island of Sipaway to be guests of honor at the elementary school's Christmas program.  One of our PEF specialists is the head teacher and teaches fourth grade, at the Kinder through Sixth grade school.  We had also made a small donation to buy the poor children slippers for the program.  We arrived and saw all the smaller grades, lined up in orderly lines in costume with makeup.  They stoop there orderly for about 45 minutes until the program started.  No one moved at all.  They just patiently waited. Each grade level performed a dance and they were so cute!! After the performance the students were given gifts before returning to their classrooms for lunch and small gift exchange.  We really enjoyed the day even though we were so hot being in the outdoors all day!! I will post photos! What well behaved children! Later, Zinnie (the teacher) told us that she had told the children that Santa Clause was coming to the good boys and girls, and you guessed it,  they thought Santa had shaved and Dan was Santa!!!

The next day we actually got to be Santa and deliver the young missionaries mail with the Neff couple.  They do not drive and normally haul everything with them on the jeepney, so we offered to help as we have car and can carry as many packages as possible. We will deliver with the Neffs on Monday or Tuesday also to get all the Christmas mail delivered before Christmas. 

The time is fast approaching for our return to America and I am so excited!! I must say this has been the hardest, yet one of the most rewarding things I have done in my life.  Missionary life is very difficult ( mostly being away from our family) but we have served and loved many wonderful people here and will remember this time fondly. Not fondly enough to do it again though!!!! We love you all and wish you a Malipayon nga Paskwa!

Joan

 

Christmas message

December 2013

Dear Family and Friends,

We are nearing the end of our mission here in the Philippines and I am so thankful for your love and support.  In the Philippines the Christmas season starts in the "ber" months: Sept. Oct. Nov. and December are the celebrating months.  I have to say I have loved hearing the Christmas music each time we have gone to the grocery or into the mall.  I even put up my tree early this year (Halloween) since I doubt I will ever do that again.  Since it is Christmas I wants to tell you a wonderful and glorious story of someone I love very much, so here it is:

There was a beautiful young woman living in the City of Galilee.  She was kind and wise beyond her years and very much in love with her fiancé.  He was a carpenter and well respected for the masterful work he would produce with his gentle hands. They were to be married soon, and Mary became concerned I am sure when she found out she was expecting a baby.  Not just any baby, but the Son of God.  She and her humble love, Joseph had been told of this miracle in revelations from God. Unfortunately, the end of her pregnancy was fast approaching and they had to travel to Bethlehem to pay their taxes.  Mary was very uncomfortable riding on the donkey, Joseph led through the day and into the night.  They arrived in Bethlehem late in the evening.  Joseph left Mary and the donkey in a stable to search for lodging (they did not have the internet reservations system we have today). Joseph began to worry as he traveled from place to place, unable to find a room for his sweetheart. Anxious but unable to find a  hotel, Joseph returned to the stable where shortly thereafter, Mary gave birth to her firstborn son.  She gently wrapped the baby in swaddling clothes and lay with him in the manger watched over by Joseph. Slowly, and incredible thing happened as the animals calmed and an angel of the Lord came upon shepherds in the field.  The shepherds were terrified and they had never seen an angel before.  I think I would have been afraid also.  But the shepherds heard the gentle voice of the angels say, "Fear not: for behold I bring you good tidings (news) of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." Then out of the heaven a multitude (that means many) of the heavenly host (a really cool angelic choir) joined the angel and sang praising, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."  As the angel and the choir ascended into heaven the Shepherds decided they had to check this out, I mean really how many times do angels come and tell you to go and find a baby just born in a manger. So they came with "haste" the story goes, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger.  Soon the word spread across the land and three wise men came with gifts for the baby.  Everyone marveled at the sight which they witnessed that evening but Mary kept the things she had witnessed and experienced and pondered them in her heart.  This young baby would grow to share his earthly fathers love for creating beauty and teaching others of His Father in Heaven's gospel of peace. 

As Christmas comes this year and I serve the last few months, the wonderful young people of the Philippines, I want those I love to know I believe the Savior, Jesus Christ is my elder brother who loves me and he loves you.  He know our hearts, our desires and he has and continues to  bless our lives through repentance and through the redeeming, enabling power of his atonement.  He lives, it is through him that we find peace and real happiness in this earth life full of trials, troubles, sorrow and of joy and happiness.  His has indeed blessed each of my children and cradled them in his arms while I have been physically far from them serving him.  I know that through my service others have been blessed beyond measure.  I know he is the head of the true gospel and he alone leads and guides that church daily through a modern prophet Thomas S. Monson.  I know the Book of Mormon is holy scripture that testifies of Jesus Christ and that if we read and study that book along with the Bible we will know the things we should do and how to live our lives so that when we meet again, our Savior, will cradle each of us in His arms and say, "Well done, my good and faithful child, enter into my kingdom and rest."

May you each have a wonderful, spiritual, glorious Christmas season full of love, laughter, and hope for the future.  I love you, I cherish you, I am blessed to know you and to call you my friend, my family, my love!