Small disclaimer: Google Translate has decided to translate my blog. So, when i type it makes corrections to my wording, grammar, and punctuation. And it is very hard to correct it back. So, I am not responsible for errors.!

VALENTINES DAY

WE started our day with a walk and breakfast out. There is a place in the mall that we pass all the time, Called Slappy Cakes. We never went in, and I thought it was another bakery. But on our way to McDonald's we passed it and looked at the menu. Turns out, THEY DO Breakfast all day, and Hot Cakes are THEIR specialty. Every table has a griddle in the middle, and you order a squeeze bottle full of Several choices of batter, and then toppings, etc. . similar to ordering toppings for ice cream. We chose NOT to cook that day, but maybe next time. Looked fun. Elder is a happy camper here, see? He had the best breakfast since leaving the states.  

I had the BEST french toast, with real bacon and hash browns. Yummy. Unfortunately, They were out of Hot Chocolate, and the milk we ordered was made from powdered.  

Gotta love the Philippines!

Squirrels,  and 

Rats, and Bedbugs, OH MY!

This has turned out to be a funny week. We were not as busy as we have been. Things seem to sort of calm down after transfers, When everyone has finally settled into their new assignment and gone to work. But first, we got numerous orders for Permethrin, the poison we use for insects, and also for mouse traps and rat poison. Mouse traps do not seem to be an item that you can buy here.  

FUNNY STORY: After we searched almost everywhere for them, we finally went to an upscale home improvement store. There we found someone who told us that they did  have them. He took me to another department, and showed me a huge RAT TRAP?! ? I tried to explain that the mice would run right through the bars, and anyway, my goal was to KILL the creature, not adopt him!  

But, the rats are not funny, and some areas have quite a few. The Elders tell me that they are as big as cats. So, we give them rat poison, and also some education on how to keep the apartments clean and food properly disposed of and garbage out of the place.  

As for Squirrels, they are all around. At least, the figurative kind. Sister Jensen used to despair over Elder keeping on track in a conversation or, for that matter, on a task. He jumped all over. So, When he was off again, she would shake her head and say, "Squirrel." She meant, like a dog that you are walking, When he sees a squirrel he is going to go chase it. Well, we find that in the Philippines, there is something to catch your attention and distract you nearly every minute! So, we are ALWAYS interrupting each other, or misplacing things, or forgetting things. We just shake our heads, and say "SQUIRREL".  

So, here are some from this week: Squirrels to the right of us, Squirrels to the left of us, squirrels  in front and squirrels behind. Always things to distract us.

All of these are just a few minutes driving in traffic on C5, the major highway that runs E / W in front of our neighborhood. The vendors walk Between the cars,selling everything from cold water and cigarettes to hot roasted peanuts, ice cream snacks, and sweat rags and rugs.  Also brooms, baskets, etc.  
The trikes Deliver boat loads of stuff, the motorcycles and bicycles zip in and out between the cars and run right past you.  

Jollibee and Friends entertaining in the mall to an ocean of excited children.

 School just let out, and an army of high school students is marching up the road with no concern at all for the traffic.  They walk right in front of you.  Just FYI, courtship looks exactly the same!!

EVERYTHING you  I ever  Never want to know about bedbugs!

Before They left, the Horsleys had been dealing with a bedbug infestation in the apartments. They got things settled, but warned us and left us information.  Of course, being an optimist, I expected to never use it.  

This week, we heard from three different apartments that they have bedbugs. This is not an easy fix. First, they go from one apartment to another, every transfer. So, we really need to get it solved before they travel again, and take them along. Second, new mattresses are expensive, and a waste of money if they do not eradicate the bugs. Third, many of them are still learning pretty basic hygiene, since they came from such difficult circumstances.  

Some of them are allergic to the bites, which causes another serious problem of treating the results.  

The literature tells you to "wash everything in Hot Water."  Don't have that.  :"Call a professional exterminator".  Don't have that, either.

They have to make the time to heat water, and wash sheets, towels, and clothing  and hang outside in the sun to dry.  Then spray mattresses with Permethrin, and take them outside in the sun to dry all day.  Then brush the mattress vigorously with a stiff brush.  Respray mattress and spray all their bedding and clothing, and let it dry before they wear or use it.  

My Poor Elder scratched all night, just thinking about it!  

We did have some fun, too! Friday night our new branch had a "Couples Night", for Valentine's Day. The Johnsons and Jardines joined us, since they work with the missionaries in that zone.  It was supposed to start at 7:00, but it really began about 7:45, when they insisted we go ahead and eat.  The others were just late.  So, we did.  First we took some pictures.  This is not a good one of us, but see the ICE SCULPTURE!  Wow!

Things are very different in this branch. They decorated the hall.

And had a food table with tablecloths and treats. 

Music, and dancing, and games, and VIDEO entertainment during dinner.  We didn't win the games.

We had a very nice time, and didn't get home into bed until nearly midnight!  Even then, they thought we were leaving early, and had to jiggle their plans a little bit.

This is not a good picture either, but it is Branch President Soriano and his wife.  On the right are the Jardines.  They are really good dancers.

Here is some happy news. Although this is a very strong branch, like a tiny ward at home, it seems there is still something we can offer. Subject to Pres. Revillo's approval, we have each been given a calling.  We are glad.  And, mine is something I have never done before, and Elder has not had this calling for a very long time.  So, go ahead and guess, and we will reveal it next week if we are sustained!

Called to SERVE?

I HAVE never served on a jury. Elder has.   The only time I was summoned, I Called them to "check in" and They excused me due to the trial being settled out of court. So, of course, now that I am in the Philippines, I have been summoned for jury duty. I had a friend call and explain that I was not available. Too bad, They delayed it until July and said I had to respond myself, in writing, to "explain my circumstances". So, I did that, politely, and asked to be excused. Not good enough. I then Received the following:   

Subject: Re: Jury Summons for JoAnn Schlager

Ms. Schlager,
Please have someone from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
send us a letter, letting us know your situation and When They expect you to
return.

Thank you,

Are you kidding me? So, I hope I do not get dragged back in handcuffs to Obey my summons! You gotta love the government!

Otherwise, this has been a really great week. We had some fun, some work, some successes, some special experiences.

Monday night, we

 met friends for dinner in the neighborhood, and then had ice cream outside and SWENSONS. ' Not like you all at home, in 10 inches of snow and 5 degrees F. !  

Views from the Terrace where we dined. Found some pretty good Chinese Food, too!

WE talked to most of our children on the phone, and I was able to talk to BOTH of my sisters. Have I Mentioned that we can call home Easily through our computer? We use Google Phone, and it costs us $ 0.01 per minute. Our friends, though, are using THEIR Magic Jack, and it costs them nothing, I guess. We brought the Ooma, but have not purchased a phone to use it. Six of one, half dozen of the other, as my Dad used to say.  

We worked a lot. Tues and Wed we shopped, and then played Santa Clause to lots of missionaries. During these visits, we also inspect the apartments, both for safety / maintenance and for cleanliness. So, I leave them treats. And report cards!

Thursday was a really good day. We "organized ourselves, and " PREPARED every needful thing", (like our lunch and dinner) and then left the apartment about 10:00. Ephsians We drove to Apt., And delivered needed items to four sisters, including an old friend, Sister Tingey. They live in a lovely top floor apartment that They will have to leave, as they are all in one Bedroom and Sister Revillo wants that changed.

Then we drove to Provident, two S isters in a huge place that used to be elders. They needed curtains. So, Elder's got to use His power tool again, and climbed ladders and made ​​holes in concrete walls, and had a great time. We left them happy, too.

Then we went to the office, took care of some business, and had our lunch. Cool and comfortable.  

Then we drove out to Angono to see Chris, the member who builds beds, tables, desks, racks, etc.. .. .. for us. We picked up two sets of bunk beds, and ordered new things. We delivered those to the sisters in Humilidad, in Taytay. They have been sleeping on the floor, and helped us carry them up to the second floor of a three story condo THEIR. (They were REALLY glad to get them!) Also, nice, but built like a tower of blocks. High and tight. We let them "shop" in our bins, as They are in a new apartment and it needed a few items.

While there, we also visited the Adam sisters, five of them in two adjoining apartments, and delivered the things They asked for last week when we were there.  

Then we came back to the city and went south, to meet the sisters and Pateros look and new apartments for them. Met the landlady, explained the church policy, and approved two, one a little small, the other a little "high". Sister Revillo will talk to her and make a decision. We were home by 6:00, and had dinner all PREPARED and waiting for us.  

Finally, We spent an hour editing the personal testimony of Elder Osores, 26, a nurse, and now an AP. He was asked to write it for Elder Echo Hawk, and it is beautiful. It was a sensitive thing to do, as we wanted to correct His English for him a little bit, but not change the Spirit of His words.  

All tolled, we managed to love, serve, and delight 15 sisters. And to help and please one Elder. Not a bad day at all!

 It was definitely time to go see Bea again, but we have just been so busy. Finally we were going in that direction, so I insisted on putting a haircut on my agenda. Elder was reluctant. After my last visit, I had to use threats. "If it comes down to YOU ​​ME getting dinner or getting a haircut, I am GETTING a haircut". Well, he left me there and went to the shop for the job and for us. She said,
"Your hair is too long". Well, yeah! Then she said, "Where is your bodyguard?" Anyway, back to looking good for a little while. Also made time to have mani-pedi done. Much more expensive in the shop in my new neighborhood. I will have to find another place! (Still, though, very cheap by U.S. standards. About $ 20.)

We spent Friday as a P-day, with Johnsons, (more play than preparation, I think!) But got some shopping done too.  

SATURDAY we were invited to come back to Sampaloc to a Primary Activity. Sister Eva held it at her in-laws home, and it was great. She "had no budget," are priority always confuses me, But they manage anyway. She had the children come and They had cut down bamboo to make banks for them to save money for THEIR missions in. Bamboo, of course, is free. When cut up into segments, (with a Machete!) It has a solid barrier inside and dmg dmg dmg dmg dmg each segment. So, They cut it so that the barrier is on dmg dmg dmg dmg dmg each end of the piece, making a hollow tube you can not get into. Then, the children smoothed them out and made them nice and pretty, (also with machetes, sigh!) And then cut a slit in them. 

Pretty cool, right? We donated one peso per bank to get them started. They can not be opened (except with a Machete!). When we got there, the Machete work was going on in earnest, with a lot of help from the Jardine's and the 4 full time missionaries. Also, of course, eating. We were given a cup of small balls of dough (below below) to eat. Warm chocolate milk full of pieces of potato, purple, and lots of tapioca. Sort of a pudding.  

Then, everyone played for a little bit. It is a beautiful place. I got to man the hammock swing for the little ones for a while. I had no desire to join the team Machete!




They needed Several motors.












 

And then piled on more ...........

Sister Jardine, recent Stake Primary President, was having a wonderful time! 

Then lunch. Stew cooked over the fire, lots of rice, hot dogs, and tang. Over here, the "stone soup" method is alive and well. No one has enough to actually "throw a party", but everyone Brings a little of what They do not have, and it somehow works out. I am always amazed at how the children are hungry. They eat rice with great big spoons, by the plateful. And everyone had a really good day!

On the way home, we stopped to do more shopping at the Cogeo Wet / Dry market. This is the "Walmart" of the Philippines, sort of. One stop shopping. Here is the donut shop, (the bakery dept), and the clothing aisles, and the plastics shop where we buy tables, chairs, dishes caddys, bottles for cleaning supplies, glasses and plastic cups and scrub boards, and,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Across the street, I buy mangoes, corn on the cob and, and green beans, and bananas, and cucumbers. Radishes, cabbage, tiny broccoli, and cauliflower. You can get meat, too, butchered for you. I DO.  

Today we went back to church in our new branch. I skipped the adult Sunday School class, done in Tagalog. BORING! Could not stay awake last week,. I am sure it is not boring for those who understand the jokes, but I do not. So, I invited myself to Primary. Very different there, of course, But they welcomed me.  

And, I made a new friend. This is Rayzel Anne. She looked so cute, and wanted to talk to me and sit by me. So, I bribed her. Sit and be good, and I will take your picture. Her shoes had about 3 inch heels. They REALLY like shoes, and the fancier the better. And, of course, she can manage them fine. They would be a sprained ankle waiting to happen, for me.

I do have a funny senior missionary story this week. One of the sisters has a brother serving a mission also. When They went out, he took it very seriously, are priority we all do, really. But he felt that They had to do what the young elders and sisters do. Keep the schedule for study, etc.. .. .. Well, we do and we can not. Actually, most of us have more like a 9-5 job, and if we do not we make our own schedule to get our work done. But, he wanted to "get up at 6:30, 7:00 until exercise, get showered and dressed in proselyting clothes, have breakfast, study from 8:30 to 10:00,,,,,,,,,, well you get the picture. She, However, was having trouble with that.  

In frustration, he counseled with His Mission President. "I do not know what to do. Sister does not want to get up when i do, and I AM THE SENIOR COMPANION. It is my job to get this done. What should I do?"

His mission president said, "Elder, Sister Sometimes ________________ has the same problem. Do you know what I do?"

Well, this brother was anxious to know. He really expected to get some magic answer to help him be "the senior companion." 

President said, "When Sister does not want to get up, I tip toe out of the room, close the door as quietly as I can, stay out of the way and LET HER REST".  

I love this story. Whether I am not sure he is a better husband, or mission president, but he must be a really good man!   

Exit Day and Transfer Day

WITH the new job comes new office responsibilities.  On Tuesday morning, we had to be at the mission home at 8:00 to meet the APs and the 7 missionaries who were returning home.  This is a very long and busy day (for us, and for them!).  They spend the last 2 nights in a hotel, and had breakfast before they came.  Really spoiled.  Here are some of them, just chilling at the mission home, waiting to begin the day's fun.  Elder McCoy, on the left, said he  sat in the warm shower and closed his eyes.  Sister Elsmore, from the US, said "I just had the best shower of my LIFE!'

 Here is Elder S with Elder Osores, preparing for the day. We began with a meeting, and part of the new job is a presentation, done for both exiting and newly arriving missionaries, about the American War Memorial Cemetery.  Elder S does that, with slides.

 That is a significant place for missionaries, because the freedom of this nation was essential to the opening of the missionary work here.  President (then Elder) Hinckley came and dedicated the country for that work right here, at the chapel of the memorial, in 1961.

 He offered a wonderful prayer for the people of this nation, and for the missionaries who would come to teach.  President Revillo reads some of that, with the promises. They are beautiful and coming to pass.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              This is the chapel, all done in very small Mosaic.  Really pretty.  See the four prayer stools in front, to kneel at?

Then out to the cemetery to enjoy the peace and quiet. It is a beautiful place, 152 acres, which the US built after the war, 1949.   Here are (most) of them, at the cemetery.  

17 000 graves, and another 39000 names on the walls of those who were MIA.  This represents approximately 1/3 of the lost.  Many are buried elsewhere.   

 President Revillo just musing as he waited for the missionaries to be finished touring.

Then, back to the mission home for lunch, which was delicious, as usual. Pres Revillo's mother, and also their daughter Janene and grandson from the states are visiting.  Jayvin in "one year and 4 months."  He follows his grandpa (lolo) everywhere.  Just darling.

  Then we went to the temple with them.

Back to the Mission Home for another meal.  See the kitchen?  See the big rice cooker?  I helped them get things served, but then we had to hit the road.  

We drove out to pick up some of the Missionaries who were being transferred to Mindoro the next day. Got them all, with luggage, and took them to the office.  Then, we delivered them in shifts to the places they were staying for the night.  Elders with APs. Sister with STLs.   We got home about 11:30 pm.  They had to pack and weigh luggage and be up at 3:00 to catch a 6:00 plane!  

The next day, they brought all the new missionaries in, most from the MTC just down the street, and their trainers, and had ANOTHER meal.  Sister Revillo has a big job on these days. Three large meals to plan and prepare and serve, plus snacks and speeches and trips to Memorial and to temple, etc.  We arrived during lunch, and Elder S did his thing again about the memorial.  They don't go twice, but Pres Revillo is currently switching it from an "as you leave" activity to an "as you arrive" activity. so we have two years of doing it both days.  

These are the new Elders and Sisters, and their trainers, with Pres. speaking to them at the chapel.  The skinny legs next to him are Oliver, their 6 year old.  Then back to the Mission Home for Orientation and pictures with the President and Sister Revillo,  and with their new companions.  She is such a girl. As soon as we got back, she was in the kitchen to oversee the meal preparation. When they called her from the kitchen for pictures, she said, "I haven't even combed my hair!"  We had two sisters arrive, and 8 Elders.  Then they were taught about their money and support cards by the Finance Secretary, and about their letters and mail and such by the Office Secretary, and about their Apartments by the Apartment Managers (ME!)   

They were given new pillows, airplane tickets for those who had to fly, and sent home to their new lives.  We took some and delivered them to their apartments, purchasing a propane stove on the way out for some sisters in distress.  We got home about 9:00 that night!

WE spent Thursday taking care of things.  Thanks to the very much appreciated help of Elder Peck, Elder Crowther, and Elder Smith, we found apartments, the post office, and the man who makes our furniture.  WE ordered two new bunkbeds, and two stove tables, and arranged to pick up beds nearly finished.  WE went out to two apartments of sisters and installed locks, CO2/Smoke detectors, and gave them rat poison and other things.  We found the post office and picked up a PACKAGE FROM HOME!  WE got a little lost on the way home, but were blessed to look up and actually realize where we were!  Home by about 7:00.  I actually cooked dinner! 

Just incidentally, we were stunned when we got to the post office.  WE thought we had seen poverty here before, in the provinces.  There was nothing out there to compare to the slums we saw downtown.  I would have taken pictures, but honestly, all the government buildings were behind iron fences and guarded, and we were afraid to stop and get out of the car.  No real reason to fear them, but just cautious.  

Aren't they lovely?  But the one on the right, Sis Morrell, from North Salt Lake, is a stunner.  She looks like Brook Shields.  

Friday we were coding. so we left before 7:00 and went to Antipolo to meet Johnsons and acquaint them with the apartments they will be managing.  Had a lot of time first, so we went shopping for the apartments in the downtown area.  OOPS, bad mistake.  Everyone was shopping down there for their tindahans, and we were in line for nearly an hour.  Late, again! Along the way, due to Chinese New Year, we saw a parade!

Saturday, we shopped and delivered and repaired and helped missionaries.  Here are Elder S and Elder Buckway, fresh from  Ogden, and Elder Merrill, fresh from 6 months in the office, repairing a wooden bed. They were not, and understandably so, happy with their new living quarters.  When we got there, they had been spraying and cleaning and fixing all day. (P Day)  Dead cockroaches and ants everywhere.  But this apartment is on the chopping block.  Lease runs out Mar 1, and will not be renewed.  

Sometimes, if he likes them, Elder shares his tools!

We have unique words for many things in our church, but sometimes "keys" are exactly that.  I have often said that I wanted callings that did not have "keys".  I meant the kind you can lose or forget or have to get from someone to get the work done.  Now, have we got "KEYS".  We have to have keys to every apartment, and make sure they all work. Mostly, there are at least one key for every door and a key for the outside gate.  We are still just learning which key will open which of the over 50 apartments we manage.  So now, the girl who doesn't like keys has about 200 to lose.

Binangonan Chapel, where we now attend.  Large, new, and despite the similarities in design, very different from the ones out in the provinces.  Clocks work!  TP and soap and Paper Towels in the CR!   Padded benches in the chapel!  Air Conditioning. They were very welcoming and kind, but they don't need us.  

SO, here is the recap:

WE got lost taking a carload of Sisters to the Memorial.  One point for the Philippines.  

We were late because we tried to fit in extra shopping, and you can't be in a hurry, here.  One point for the Philippines.

We missed our turn and made a right turn at the next intersection, onto EDSA.  Got arrested, again !, P500  bribe fine.     6 points for the Philippines.

We got a package from home which came on time, was not stolen, and only cost us P50.  One point for us.

We drove out to our new branch today, then on to Sampaloc, and home, and never got lost.  One point for us.

We ate on the run and whatever we could find, and stayed well.  One point for us.

Managed to NOT lose our brand new driver's license in the first week.  One point for us.

We met a man in the City Walk who talked to us and asked us if we were Christians.  Said he has just returned from living and raising his children in California, and had been looking for a Christian church.  We gave him our cards, and promised to arrange for him to attend the next day with our missionaries from the Ward here.  We did that, of course.  But, got texts the next day telling us he had been mugged, and asking for money. Turns out, we were targeted by a con man and his young assistant.  We caught on (finally) and wised up a little bit.  Lots of skirmish, no yardage for anyone.

So, our team is practicing, and getting better    

But their team is still winning!