tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21351673521618888872024-03-12T23:55:26.849-07:00As for me and my house, we will serve the LordA blog about a couple serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Phillipines. One of us is a mental health specialist and the other is her faithful sidekick-Tonto...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2135167352161888887.post-57729140231308491482013-10-21T04:24:00.002-07:002013-10-21T04:24:43.695-07:00Earthquake aftermath...Below are some pictures taken of the recent earthquake damage in Bohol which is located in the Visaya region of the Philippines. These pictures were taken by Benson Misalucha who is the LDS area welfare director. Shortly after the earthquake he was on sight assessing needs for members and non-members alike in the affected area.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LDS Chapel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LDS Chapel serving as an evacuation center</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relief bags ready to be distributed (not sure what organization supplied them)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As it was low tide assembly line to unload relief supplies</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2135167352161888887.post-17966698709719253982013-10-13T02:34:00.001-07:002013-10-13T02:34:10.082-07:00We Need Backup Singers...<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">‘WE NEED BACKUP SINGERS…’</span></b></div>
I was thinking late the other night, how cool would it be if we had music indicating for us what hat to put on before stepping into the next challenge. I imagine, prior to assessing a missionary, ‘which conversation do I jump into with this one?’ My personal favorite… ‘Buck up buddy of course it’s hard-we were created to do hard things’, yes I know it doesn’t sound very compassionate but really don’t we often think after we’ve had an elopement this is the way to go? Kaya kong gawin lahat ng mga mahihirap na basay… this is on my office wall. Then thank heavens for the spirit that whispers, ‘shut up Marcia, this is MY son/daughter and listen for 3 minutes’, then the spirit dictates and the softening of my heart begins. Don’t get me wrong, often it’s appropriate to say buck up, but as always, it’s not our call; we are here to represent our Redeemer. Thus, my theme of this month. Visualize for just a second what it would be like if, when one walked in our offices, the ‘Rocky’ theme would play giving us the obvious indicator, yes!, the ‘buck up’ message is great for this one; build trust, a relationship, add some humor and then give it to them! Or if there is someone in great pain and has been a total annoyance because they don’t know how to speak of their true pain a- soft rendition of ‘Be Still My Soul’ played in the background of them entering the room. I really think this would help! Ponder this for just a moment, what if two minutes before seeing your spouse at the end of the day you had ‘heads up music’ to their mood. Don’t tell me that wouldn't be great.<br />
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A sweet thought entered into my heart as I stood in Davao with President and Sister Pangan, listening to his missionaries practicing their song for the following day’s conference with President Ardern. Beautiful harmony filled the chapel as they sang ‘Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd’(Hymn#221). For me, the hymns are scripture. I love them, they offer the backup singers! They put to harmony words I may often brush over were I to read them. . As they performed their number for me the music rang in my ears of ‘make me the true under shepherd’.<br />
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Undershepherd is not found in the scripture dictionary or index (my favorite go to resource), so I opted to do a little chasing with the inspiration of the spirit in search of what this meant. The melody dictates not one of fervency and triumph but rather one of humility and submissiveness. Of us, the Lord requests ‘earnestly calling’ and ‘tenderly pleading’ for his dearest lost lambs. We then respond, ‘Yes, blessed Master, we will! Make us thy true undershepherd;…’. This is a role we are asked to take on as members of the church, children of God, and most assuredly as ambassadors and representatives of our Savior. To go to those who have kept their first estate and now are in harm’s way. We must ‘BECOME’ the shepherd working for The Shepherd; His eyes, His hands His heart.<br />
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In Luke 15:4-7 we see the asking of who will be the undershepherd. 1 Peter 5:2-4 answers this for us- “Feed the flock which is among you...willing...of ready mind...being ensamples to the flock.” That’s us!<br />
Continuing with the music theme, Hymn #335 illustrates the calling of the undershepherd:<br />
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Brightly beams our Father’s mercy<br />
From His lighthouse evermore,<br />
But to us He gives the keeping<br />
Of the lights along the shore.<br />
Let the lower lights be burning<br />
Send a gleam across the wave.<br />
Some poor fainting, struggling seaman<br />
You may rescue, you may save.<br />
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A beautiful reminder of our stewardship and calling as undershepherds. The earnestness of our mission can be felt through the pleading lyrics of this song. It is inspiring.<br />
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Accompanying scriptures I've found include: Doctrine and Covenants 18:10-16 “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God…” “Cry repentance to all people…repent”…bring others unto the Savior and how great shall be your joy!”. 1 John 2:10-“He that loveth his brother abideth in the light and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.”<br />
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In Julie B. Becks Conference talk, in April 2010, I found multiple notes which to me dictate how to BECOME a better under-shepherd. Personal revelation, daily prayer, scripture study, an undershepherd must nurture as Christ nurtured. An undershepherd will align their will with the Father’s; selfless; they are okay with not doing what THEY want to do. Undershepherds prioritize well and correctly; are capable of a great deal. They want to do a great deal; know that they are limited; and they seek the guidance of the Spirit to know what it is the Lord would have them do: talents, service, and free time activities included. I think, perhaps, sometimes we are good at many, many things but could be greater at fewer things.<br />
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In addition, Pres. Henry B. Eyring (GC April 2010 A.M.) spoke of ‘Rescuers’—people placed along the way to aid ’The Under-shepherd ‘. “Well done thou good and faithful servant [undershepherd]…you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.”<br />
The undershepherd will “cultivate a relationship of listening to the Holy Spirit.” (GC Apr 2010—Schwitzer). Without that spirit I’m lost, 10 out of 10 times I will pick the wrong pep talk for your missionaries.<br />
Proverbs 3: 5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct thy paths.” When I wake up in the morning, I make the morning prayer a dedicatory prayer of my day unto the Lord. I do the things that need to be done throughout the day but I must do them unto the Lord because I love the Lord and He has blessed me with a home to dress and clean, food and laundry of plenty, cleaning supplies, indoor plumbing and sanitary conditions, a job, finances to pay off school debt, car debt, and a mortgage- making a regular, daily, routine a celebration of my blessings and a dedication of gratitude unto the Lord. By so doing, each day, we will begin with the blessings of the Spirit in our homes and missions. As we listen we will know what is needed of us, that day, in the Kingdom. We will know what needs to be top in our priorities for the day and how to best execute them. Our stress levels will be better managed be-cause we will be following the Spirit to accomplish necessary tasks. This is how the undershepherd does his/her job.<br />
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One last essential component is <i>humilit</i>y. It is understanding our position and situation with regards to and in relation to Heavenly Father’s. Humble people are not ignorant, nor arrogant. They have a full and complete understanding of their talents and their abilities and they use them to build the Kingdom and do the Lord’s work. They know what they are good at! The difference between the humble and the arrogant is motive and understanding of position. Humble people use the talents, they know they are good at, in ways the Lord prompts them to utilize them. They use their talents to celebrate, honor, and serve the Lord, our God. As I reflect, on second thought, maybe we do have backup singers!<br />
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(Taken from our September 2013 Newsletter to Mission Presidents and their wives in the Philippines)<br />
jsf....<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2135167352161888887.post-37786762150334450542013-09-28T23:17:00.004-07:002013-09-28T23:17:55.715-07:00From our July, 2013 Newsletter<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Removing ourselves to the ‘Exceedingly High Mountain’</b></div>
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A very warm welcome to our new Mission Presidents and their families!<br />
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While studying scriptures to prepare for the sessions of the day I<br />
was cross referencing and found myself inspired in 1 Nephi 10:1<br />
where it refers to desiring, believing and pondering and being caught<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14jkkseSDb-G0zCr4ViZbP_XNkluohYaHptHanAq9YFc2STNNQou1jOLqTeF_aKjmLNQcjeLBu8VWiEnRyujy_Bd1PsI9u10yLjmH7Q6rQhsDXhP8BXuHuNB4AX0a2Bf3U56XEcF7lJJ0/s1600/Laoag+Sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14jkkseSDb-G0zCr4ViZbP_XNkluohYaHptHanAq9YFc2STNNQou1jOLqTeF_aKjmLNQcjeLBu8VWiEnRyujy_Bd1PsI9u10yLjmH7Q6rQhsDXhP8BXuHuNB4AX0a2Bf3U56XEcF7lJJ0/s1600/Laoag+Sunrise.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laoag Sunrise-Northern Luzon Island</td></tr>
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into an ‘exceedingly high mountain’. I pondered that as I realized<br />
every word in the scriptures can be literal and symbolic and I reflected<br />
on how I get myself to a state of mind of being in the ‘exceeding high<br />
mountain’. To be elevated to a level of great heights and feel confident<br />
of our ability to remain at that great height led me to ponder and<br />
liken this unto my experiences and how they can assist me in using the<br />
spirit as I prepare for each session, representing the Lord for His missionaries.<br />
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Starting with what I know. My father adored me and I thought he<br />
thought I could do anything, (maybe except read). It wasn’t until<br />
about 15 years of age I realized my mother and brothers were just as<br />
important to him as I was (a painful lesson for another time). This<br />
made it so easy to understand a Heavenly Father who adored me and<br />
would send His only son down even if I was the only one the atonement<br />
would save. I had all brothers and they hung the<br />
moon and still do! The three of them taught me ultimate passion for life, submissiveness to the Lord’s<br />
will without complaint or fear, and the way to find joy in the journey. I felt they would do anything to<br />
protect me and I would walk through fire for any one of them. Thus, a loving big brother, who died for<br />
me made complete sense in my mind. A talented and amazing mother and an adoring eternal companion<br />
taught me all of what it felt to be adored and loved. Life was not easy, loss of jobs, family members to<br />
early taken from this world, dad not a member for years, and all working early in our lives-as now I look<br />
back, what a blessing all that opposition proved to be.<br />
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Obedience and hard work, then hard play were important concepts in our home. We were taught the 3<br />
levels of obedience and work, though I would say my folks never gave an indication the first level, obedience<br />
out of fear-the telestial level, was ever acceptable. They began at the ‘terrestrial’ level of why we<br />
should obey and work hard, out of a sense of duty and honor for who we were and our name, the ‘Mount’<br />
name, it meant something. No higher compliment could I pay than in my heart and mind to make someone<br />
a Mount Brother…the ‘exceeding high Mount’ if you will.<br />
<br />
Then as we matured it was to become obedience out of a deep sense of love. When you feel completely adored and loved you will do anything for those you love, and offense isn’t part of the equation! This is the ‘exceeding high mountain’ to be obedient and work as hard as you can out of a sense of love. My favorite leader in the Book of Mormon is Pahoran! Even when Moroni unrighteously slammed him he took no offense, he felt more love for him which made him look only for the good. This kind of blind love to others faults is my goal!<br />
<br />
Now as I take these things I know and liken them unto our here and now. Many of our missionaries have no such orientation. To feel completely loved and adored is often experienced as fear and an ongoing fight to feel Christ-like love while their only memories are filled with abuse, abandonment and hopelessness. As they may never be able to understand my world where those few men make everything ok, I most probably will never comprehend their past horrors. Instead of adoring and seeking out those men of the earth who a loving Father gives us to provide, protect and preside over us allowing us to feel safe and loved, they fear further victimiza-tion. So we are it, we may be the only, or at least the first time, they get to feel totally adored and loved. Whether they are the best or least productive missionary in the field, we are what our Father uses to help them recognize their amazing worth. Sometimes the spirit has whispered when the most challenging missionary speaks to me, you have no idea what a miracle it is they even got their papers in, quit judging and help them feel my love! How do we help them feel the Savior’s love with the few minutes we have with them? Each one is different but I know that as I immerse myself each morning in the scriptures and prepare for each ses-sion, I have the right to call upon the spirit to lead those sessions, and he does! When I first arrived, even with my husband at my side, I too was overwhelmed, and had thoughts of desperately wanting to run back home to my family that loved me. Then I went to a fireside and President Neilson was speaking, I looked at him and felt his love, he knows how to represent the Savior! We spoke after the fireside and that feeling like I was the only one in the world and he would do anything for me filled my heart, he knows the spirit! How my heart jumped for joy as he was announced as our Area President! Then I spent time with my mission presidents, one working through the night and as I stood outside a bathroom door and listened to him with all the love of our Savior help his young missionary remember how to shower, clothe and dress, after a psychotic break. Another President working all through the night and sitting in my office with his arm around a Pacific Islander, whom it took all night for him to help his missionary feel the Savior’s love. Tears rolled from each of our eyes, as the spirit of our Savior sat in my office disguised that day as a mission president. I could go on for pages about the many experiences I’ve had with you mission presidents, but suffice it to say, my brothers are here! I testify to you when your missionaries leave this MTC they have felt that love, working with President Beck and Raul V. your missionaries have been ministered to, not just had the administering of their MTC provided for them. As with President Neilson, I have seen them connect, laugh, eat and teach with tender hearts with all the love of a big brother. These mentioned names and the Mission Presidents of the Philippines are my ‘Mount’ broth-ers, for your work is out of love, you are here representing the Savior and it is you and your beautiful brides that bring to these missionaries the ‘exceeding high mountain’ as our hearts are knit together in love! I pledge to do all I can to be worthy of your great spirits and example! I love you and thank you.<br />
<br />
Your little sister,<br />
Marcia FrenchUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2135167352161888887.post-49937733455630305792013-09-11T22:46:00.000-07:002013-09-11T22:46:16.857-07:00What we do...What do we do here in the Philippines?<br />
<br />
We actually do quite a variety of things since we have been here. Marcia is busy counseling, teaching and searching for country resources to help our missionaries and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints here in the Philippines. She either has the phone next to her ear or is talking with someone in her office. It is a job that is on call 24/7. It is not an easy task for her as she cares for the Lord's missionaries but the blessings have been tremendous.<br />
<br />
My job is to support Marcia and am her faithful side-kick. One of the things that I do is put together a newsletter each month. This newsletter is then distributed to all the mission presidents and their wives and other leadership around the country. I am the nuts and bolts guy of the letter as I edit it, put in filler pieces, and pictures. Marcia puts together a monthly note that is addressed to the mission presidents to help them in working with their missionaries. Over the next few weeks I will post those notes on this blog to give people an idea as to what information Marcia is sharing. It is informative and worth sharing. For those of you who aren't dealing with LDS missionaries-substitute college student, teenager, aging parent, or yourself. There is application for you and your needs.<br />
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What follows is from November of 2012.<br />
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Enjoy.<br />
<br />
jsf...<br />
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<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 114%;">Happy Fall and Thanksgiving! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 114%;">Close your eyes and picture the beautiful colors, the crisp cool air, and enjoy these gorgeous Philippine Islands-see the best of both worlds. I have chosen to take different concepts that are common among missionaries and share some insights on each. This first month’s focus: homesickness and separation anxiety. Please let me know if there are specific topics you would like me to address sooner than later. This is not to give you the information and have you learn and implement, but rather to just give an overall insight on the topics. I also have a great testimony of humor and feel it is vital to keep a reason to smile in our minds at all times. Thus I am adding a paraprosdokian each month. As always it is such an honor to serve each of you… Mahal Kits!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 89%;">Sister Marcia French LSCW, MSW, CPP<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 89%;">Philippine Area Mental Health Adviser<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPITDNVfH9Hlwx5hTZl5T7Gnjiom4r00-ZrX8u9yaB300g6pAhIJE4-SZQjlNhZ9QSNx5L8prLIoqaFT_IKX66EoelvvfHH-cisgpvUuvylZUJFznD_9JzHJu8nsztlKdqnlS-lCxTroou/s1600/autumn+leaves.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPITDNVfH9Hlwx5hTZl5T7Gnjiom4r00-ZrX8u9yaB300g6pAhIJE4-SZQjlNhZ9QSNx5L8prLIoqaFT_IKX66EoelvvfHH-cisgpvUuvylZUJFznD_9JzHJu8nsztlKdqnlS-lCxTroou/s1600/autumn+leaves.png" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture by Sue Anderson</td></tr>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 120%;">HOMESICKNESS AND SEPARATION ANXIETY<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Homesickness often becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. It commonly comes as a surprise to the individual involved. Usually there is an absence of social supports. There is frequently a brief window of opportunity to intervene.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%; text-decoration: underline;">Characteristics of individuals prone to homesickness/separation anxiety:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="direction: ltr; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed;">·</span><span style="width: 13.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Low self-directedness<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="direction: ltr; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed;">·</span><span style="width: 13.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">A highly tentative approach to unfamiliar situations<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="direction: ltr; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed;">·</span><span style="width: 13.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Rigidity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="direction: ltr; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed;">·</span><span style="width: 13.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">A wishful thinking coping style —dwelling on the wonderful aspects of home<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="direction: ltr; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed;">·</span><span style="width: 13.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">When homesickness takes them by surprise they may say, “I didn’t come out on the mission for the right reasons,” or “I don’t have a testimony.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 120%;">TREATMENT APPROACHES:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="direction: ltr; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed;">·</span><span style="width: 13.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Normalizing the homesickness—letting the missionary know feeling homesick is pretty normal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="direction: ltr; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed;">·</span><span style="width: 13.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Help him/her build new social connections.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="direction: ltr; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed;">·</span><span style="width: 13.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Help them see their situation in perspective—typically they can see only two alternatives:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">(1) go home; or (2) live in an unendurable situation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="direction: ltr; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed;">·</span><span style="width: 13.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Help them use distractions- focus attention on current things-their work and relationships in the mission field.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="direction: ltr; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed;">·</span><span style="width: 13.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Sometimes it helps for them to speak with their family on the phone with the family reassuring<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;"> them of their support. One AMHA uses the phone call once, another may use several calls<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;"> reducing the frequency and phasing them out over time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="direction: ltr; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed;">·</span><span style="width: 13.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Give the missionary permission to go through the problem rather than going out of it (ie. home).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="direction: ltr; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed;">·</span><span style="width: 13.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Shrink the problem down to size (works for people with disabilities too). Missionary has 324 new things to adapt to, but has already gotten the list down to 210. The things he has already faced are familiar now and don’t require getting anxious over again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="direction: ltr; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed;">·</span><span style="width: 13.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Affirmations are helpful. Do in first person—“I will go, I will do. . . .”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="direction: ltr; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed;">·</span><span style="width: 13.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Review promise of God to Joshua (Joshua 1:5-9, be not afraid, turn not to the right hand or the left).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="direction: ltr; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed;">·</span><span style="width: 13.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Tell missionary, “I’m here to help you-you’re going to be fine. I’ll e-mail material to you and then I’ll call and we’ll go through it together.” Call two days later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="direction: ltr; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed;">·</span><span style="width: 13.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Give specific assignments to get the focus off home and the past to the present. Examples of assignments are: (1) learn the names of the other missionaries in your distri</span><span lang="en-US">ct; </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">(2) learn the names of your local Church leaders (Bishop, Branch President, etc.); (3) check out local grocery store; (4) check out location of local barber shop, etc., anything to focus on the present and help the local environment to become more familiar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 120%;">Approaches which are not helpful include:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="direction: ltr; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed;">·</span><span style="width: 13.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Telling missionary, “If you don’t like it you can go home,” which gives the missionary the message that all he or she needs to do is wait you out. The missionary may sometimes view you as an obstacle in the way of getting what he or she wants, i.e.. going home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="direction: ltr; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed;">·</span><span style="width: 13.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Imply to missionaries that there isn’t anything they can do about homesickness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="direction: ltr; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed;">·</span><span style="width: 13.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Saying or doing something mean is like “upping the ante” for them if they want to go home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="direction: ltr; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed;">·</span><span style="width: 13.5pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Missionaries who are homesick or have separation anxiety are in the same state of mind as someone addicted to a substance. All they can think of is getting that substance (in this case going home).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 120%; text-decoration: underline;">Intervention</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 120%;">: </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">sometimes doing an “intervention,” like is done with alcoholics or substance abusers, is useful. Have multiple people present—the Branch President, the Relief Society President, the zone leaders, the missionary’s companion, the Elder’s Quorum President. Each of these can describe when they have felt the same way in the past. Each can discuss how they can help the missionary feel better. The Relief Society President can figure out who can invite the missionary to dinner, etc. The leaders can devise ways to get the missionary involved in the community and focus on other things than going home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Catching problems early is best. Do not hesitate to call me at any time with this or any other issue!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</v:rect><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2135167352161888887.post-67503145789622811322013-06-13T23:16:00.000-07:002013-06-13T23:16:24.886-07:00Flush Phones....Technology.<br />
<br />
It used to be in the "old days" (whatever they might be) that to get updated in the latest news and world events I just had to stop in at my in-laws. There, in their formidable reading room, I would be able to read the best of Readers Digest behind the solitude of a locked door.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPA1txSXSdmnE0sRgih3VAiGoxI898XqRQzN7TvvuahvQoF3I84XMpQmAAcCTkdOSoztKlMmLU-xxlvUDL2MoK_lL-pIVD8apiITZlQnov6p_9sDqgAfnK3uXkh_U02i3dU6e7YvMG4_YP/s1600/poshposhlife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPA1txSXSdmnE0sRgih3VAiGoxI898XqRQzN7TvvuahvQoF3I84XMpQmAAcCTkdOSoztKlMmLU-xxlvUDL2MoK_lL-pIVD8apiITZlQnov6p_9sDqgAfnK3uXkh_U02i3dU6e7YvMG4_YP/s1600/poshposhlife.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(retrieved from: <a href="http://the-sherman-brothers.wikia.com/wiki/Posh"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://the-sherman-brothers.wikia.com/wiki/Posh</span></a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Having younger children, and normally with nieces and nephews, running around it never can be overstated the importance of locks on doors with-in the confines of a home.<br />
<br />
There, upon one of the few thrones I know, I would review the events in <i>Laughter, the Best Medicine; Life in These United States; </i>and, probably my favorite, <i>Humor in Uniform. </i>It was peace and solitude that only a father can enjoy.<br />
<br />
Alas, as the kids got older, so did the age on the Reader's Digest issues in the library. Eventually reading the same article, joke, or anecdote for the sixth time wears thin. I needed to find an updated alternative to my library. Along came the "<b>SMART PHONE."</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbOw_sl_uTS56DaHoaMVhTyeqBY1TjSPNNqYkqVnuUgk3tynh0gtgNS2pCzYkOPk6PSNZ2AWFMEtU72aJcFwMNQdOUfAf8jG3LXhy1jAov67tqNhfB4Kvc3w_fVEpHVRM1Zn2wCRdVMYy/s1600/firstsmartphone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbOw_sl_uTS56DaHoaMVhTyeqBY1TjSPNNqYkqVnuUgk3tynh0gtgNS2pCzYkOPk6PSNZ2AWFMEtU72aJcFwMNQdOUfAf8jG3LXhy1jAov67tqNhfB4Kvc3w_fVEpHVRM1Zn2wCRdVMYy/s1600/firstsmartphone.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(retrieved from: <a href="http://oh-rly.com/the-first-smartphone-ever"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://oh-rly.com/the-first-smartphone-ever</span></a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What a wonderful idea. Somewhere in the midst of that technology I was able to download books, newspapers, and magazines to a device that I could take with me anywhere-even behind the locked door of my library. I didn't have to search through the magazines to see which article I hadn't yet read for the sixth time. I could find the current news, humor or what ever and read to my hearts content.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But....I am a little concerned now. I don't think the lock on my library door is effective anymore. Being in the Philippines insulates us somewhat from the happenings back home. Reading the news can be depressing (thank heavens for a wife who is a therapist!) but being 8,000 miles away I can put off dealing with it until it's time to return home. Then I got to thinking....</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/3ux1hpLvqMw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div>
<br />If they can do that with conversations what can they do with the video and camera capabilities of my phone? Suddenly the concept of being alone on my throne has vanished. For years I have been able to keep the kids out of my library through the means of a simple locked door knob. Unfortunately, it appears that 'BIG BROTHER' has picked that locked and made my time now a shared commodity.<br />
<br />
I propose a possible solution to the problem. Most who watch TV know the terminology of a "burn phone." It is a phone purchased with cash with x amount of minutes on it that can't be traced back to you (theoretically...probably not anymore). I believe it is time now for the "<i style="font-weight: bold;">FLUSH PHONE." </i> Sit in the comfort of your own personal library. When through just simply...flush! I think it will catch on....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvg5cUdiMGuGvUoRIJWNaw2Me0wICQb0dX3fY7gK1NwEhAvajxAqmbDG4B9gtfyxQXW0N8A-L43jaf6xgdSmIylZbAG83Q87hnJR6JtJS-7Ys3Q6l1WElRE072OcI_BKs_0mTnpx3VNB3/s1600/phoneflushed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvg5cUdiMGuGvUoRIJWNaw2Me0wICQb0dX3fY7gK1NwEhAvajxAqmbDG4B9gtfyxQXW0N8A-L43jaf6xgdSmIylZbAG83Q87hnJR6JtJS-7Ys3Q6l1WElRE072OcI_BKs_0mTnpx3VNB3/s1600/phoneflushed.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
jsf<br />
<br />
(as a historical note-it adds meaning to "White House Plumbers." Google it...perhaps appropriate for the times...)<br />
(pss-E/S H-think about buying a "Flush Phone" when you get home!!)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2135167352161888887.post-24190225805813631022013-06-06T22:10:00.000-07:002013-06-06T22:11:32.215-07:00Remember....D-Day (part 4)It was back in December that I made these remarks:<br />
<br />
<i> "</i> I have come to realize that the conscience of a nation isn't necessarily the historians who spend hours, days, and years studying the past. They are the chroniclers of time and past. No- the conscience of a nation is its veterans. Those who have made some of the history of a country while defending its principles and freedoms over the years.<i>" </i>(Click <a href="http://myhousewillserve.blogspot.sg/2012/12/71-years-todayveterans-remember.html" target="_blank">here</a> to read the full post)<br />
<br />
Today marks the 69th anniversary of D-Day. It is when the Allied forces began to land on the beaches in Normandy, France what was the beginning of the end of the power known as Nazi Germany.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPweLwFYUfzI9hPfz6ecxc3nE2D_de1G5vF76LwZk0wauwyXBDZCIQtZkOU62p-bDMVGBSU-x4Js4vcnQBdQCejxnoFRxih0_bVrlNLGEe1ysIxgMcMNk8beXdwqlBtBxiNCbbvUaPCjV/s1600/d-day-920-1helmet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPweLwFYUfzI9hPfz6ecxc3nE2D_de1G5vF76LwZk0wauwyXBDZCIQtZkOU62p-bDMVGBSU-x4Js4vcnQBdQCejxnoFRxih0_bVrlNLGEe1ysIxgMcMNk8beXdwqlBtBxiNCbbvUaPCjV/s1600/d-day-920-1helmet.jpg" width="151" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(retrieved from <span class="irc_ho" style="background-color: #222222; color: #d6d6d6; cursor: pointer; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-right: -2px; padding-right: 2px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><a class="irc_hol irc_itl" data-ved="0CAQQjB0" href="http://thebrigade.thechive.com/2012/06/06/awwwwhhh-i-forgot-to-hit-post-d-day-50-photos/" style="background-color: #222222; color: #1122cc; cursor: pointer; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">thebrigade.thechive.com</a>)</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span> A young man who may have been 18 on those beaches would be 87 today. Our WWII veterans are dwindling fast from this life. These were true heroes.<br />
<br />
I can't imagine the fear, the anxiety that a young man had as he waited for that door to drop on the sands. The bombardment had stopped moments before to allow the troop transports to travel without worry of friendly bombardment knocking them out of the water. The only sound was the noise of the engine of the LCVP and the waves as they splash the front of the boat over the gate. Soon the Germany batteries start their bombardment. They can see what is coming at them from a distance. It is not easy to hit a target that moves quickly, but they try.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRh-_S0oXOe0WvO54Blmr30SQOA1MFLfPRYG_pY3iixdrb-juUflfJ40bt5_yntbW8P6kgtZ6IWSYFKVcNAPOoROVFgG4RZS7uemXYlZX_g0wgZLH742ndSYfoMXITFftjQfV9_fP0E5_/s1600/landing+troops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRh-_S0oXOe0WvO54Blmr30SQOA1MFLfPRYG_pY3iixdrb-juUflfJ40bt5_yntbW8P6kgtZ6IWSYFKVcNAPOoROVFgG4RZS7uemXYlZX_g0wgZLH742ndSYfoMXITFftjQfV9_fP0E5_/s1600/landing+troops.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(retrieved from <a class="irc_hol irc_itl" data-ved="0CAQQjB0" href="http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-eur/normandy/nor4o5.htm" style="background-color: #222222; color: #1122cc; cursor: pointer; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span class="irc_ho" style="color: #d6d6d6; margin-right: -2px; padding-right: 2px;">www.history.navy.mil</span></a><span class="irc_dim" style="background-color: #222222; color: #7d7d7d; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"> )</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The LCVP starts to scrape the sand at the rise of the beach. The front ramp drops and as it does the men begin to surge out of what for only moments had been a tenuous safe haven. The men in the rear were saved the onslaught of machine gun fire as the first wave of men stormed the beach. The men in the rear, though, weren't saved from the sight of seeing their comrades in arms floating in the sea, the first of many casualties that would rise that day.<br />
<br />
On "Omaha beach" ..."the official record stated <span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.1875px;"> </span><span style="background-color: clear; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.1875px;">that "within 10 minutes of the ramps being lowered, [the leading] company had become inert, leaderless and almost incapable of action. Every officer and sergeant had been killed or wounded [...] It had become a struggle for survival and rescue". (retrieved from </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normandy_landings">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normandy_landings</a>)<br />
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There was no turning back for these men. They didn't have the convenience of modern technology that would allow a smart bomb to take out a cement bunker that was raining death on their unprotected comrades. It took individuals working as teams to take out those bunkers so that their comrades and friends could continue forward. They saw their friends fall. They could not mourn. They had to keep moving forward. That is what we do as US Military personnel.<br />
<br />
If you see a Veteran thank him or her for their service and for their love of country. A free country is never free-it is paid with the blood of its young men and women who believe in its principles, believed in its religion, and believed in their loved ones.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2009/0609_dday/video1.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAvB3AFy88x_icfaSgoY8RB-X-qzQtUhDbzSBqWQwv1IGnDE3OdHj8K_f63rIZk10b7Bdu3El4wSH-Y3KCbUFnYYju3Sonddq-KQUHgwIpZ28CYApg5-uK-lWD_wqnjzBjA36c4H6-ebJ/s1600/playvideo.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To see further information on the D-Day landings go <a href="http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2009/0609_dday/" target="_blank">here</a>. </div><br />
<br />
Remember....<br />
jsfUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2135167352161888887.post-85894857304486599942013-06-04T23:14:00.000-07:002013-06-04T23:39:30.023-07:00Remember....(part3)"<span style="background-color: clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b><i>Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it</i></b>." George Santayana</span><br />
<span style="background-color: clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">"Those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it" </i>Winston Churchill</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwERCtrJhbyTMf7fslOUHQ14if49WZtrDFAkNt9_kcD6ZLEXVhiobYCA8yKTqSLxU9R2qQE2SI966BQSCjOTccfaXXmHLaePbEUvJLkuberuFtZCa7Rmd4TLq1-XEOsw8AkSHZEIoSPAh/s1600/Churchill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwERCtrJhbyTMf7fslOUHQ14if49WZtrDFAkNt9_kcD6ZLEXVhiobYCA8yKTqSLxU9R2qQE2SI966BQSCjOTccfaXXmHLaePbEUvJLkuberuFtZCa7Rmd4TLq1-XEOsw8AkSHZEIoSPAh/s1600/Churchill.jpg" /></a></div><span style="background-color:clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">Serving a mission does lend itself to some downtime. At times my downtime is constructive, and at other times not so much. Where ever I am and with what I am doing it leads me to read something. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">Last night was a long night in our office. Marcia was counseling several missionaries and interacting with two different Mission Presidents. That left me some downtime. One of the blessings of technology is the amazing storage capacity that is found in these small cell phones. I have a new phone that allows me to download some pretty cool apps. One of those apps is Gospel Library that is put out by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I was able to download on to my itty-bitty phone 42 years of General Conference talks! Perhaps it leaves me little excuse to squander my time since now I can go way back to read what modern Prophets and Apostles have said over time.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujB4zr0K1U75tcxE5IlBvOn84Xxqsg24Dau8FB7Od1ZbWY65rm0E7kZqttZywsRwlNOH4s3y9GgBoy_6yqGiLj-z1euYT06d2zbPRux9Bt5HAMN9WQ7gnBarVvYO3vSIWisSESK1L8ab1/s1600/MarkEPetersen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujB4zr0K1U75tcxE5IlBvOn84Xxqsg24Dau8FB7Od1ZbWY65rm0E7kZqttZywsRwlNOH4s3y9GgBoy_6yqGiLj-z1euYT06d2zbPRux9Bt5HAMN9WQ7gnBarVvYO3vSIWisSESK1L8ab1/s1600/MarkEPetersen.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Mark E Petersen</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="background-color: clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">In a talk given in April of 1971, titled <i><a href="https://www.lds.org/ensign/1971/06/warnings-from-the-past?lang=eng" target="_blank">Warnings from the Past</a>, </i>Apostle Mark E. Petersen details to what happened to other civilizations living in this hemisphere. It is a very interesting read. I'll quote directly from his talk as an introduction: </span><br />
<span style="background-color: clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><i> "Three great civilizations have occupied the Western Hemisphere. Two have passed into oblivion.Those that disappeared died by virtual suicide. They brought about their own extinction as they defiled the land and defied their God by extensive crime, sexual deviation, and other loathsome sins of almost every kind."</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">What follows are some quotes directly from his talk that some say could be prophetic in nature.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">From Roger Babson- at one time a leading economist: </span><br />
<span style="background-color: clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"> <b>"Only religion can prevent democratic rule from developing into mob rule. A nation can prosper only as its citizens are religious, intelligent, capable of service and eager to render it."</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="background-color: clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b> "Every great panic we have ever had has been foreshadowed by a general decline in observance of religious principles."</b></span><br />
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</b></span> <span style="background-color: clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">Abraham Lincoln:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"> <b>"(America) need not fear no danger from without....If danger were ever to threaten the United States, it will come from within. 'As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide...."</b></span><br />
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</b></span> <span style="background-color: clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b> "We have grown in numbers, wealth and power. ...But we have forgotten God. ...It behooves us then to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our <i>national </i>sins,and to pray for clemency and forgiveness."</b></span><br />
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</b></span> <span style="background-color: clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">George Washington:</span><br />
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</span> <span style="background-color: clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"> <b>"...we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained. ...." (</b><i>First inaugural address, April 30, 1789)</i></span><br />
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</i></span> <span style="background-color: clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">Daniel Webster</span><br />
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</span> <span style="background-color: clear; color: #0e2233; font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"> <b>"If we and our posterity reject religious instruction and authority, violate the rules of eternal justice, trifle with the injunctions of morality and recklessly destroy the political constitution which holds us together, no one can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us, that shall bury all our glory in profound obscurity."</b></span><br />
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</b></span> <span style="color: #0e2233; font-family: Open Sans, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">It is not too late to remember....</span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="color: #0e2233; font-family: Open Sans, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">jsf</span></span><br />
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</b></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2135167352161888887.post-70923932929934964962013-06-02T05:53:00.000-07:002013-06-02T05:53:33.856-07:00Remember....(part 2)What is the collective memory of a society? Does it wither away as our ancients pass through the "valley of the shadow of death?" Is it shrunk to data size bits and bytes to be shelved away in a database to be extracted....whenever? Can it be conveyed down to the size of 140 characters- the maximum amount for a 'tweet?'<br />
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Memorial Day brings up many memories in my mind. As a young boy I remember as local veterans (I'm not sure if they were VFW or Legion or good ol' boys with guns) performed a Memorial Day service beginning at St. Clement's Catholic church in Hammond, Minnesota. Words were spoken and a gun salute was given at the cemetery at the church. Then a small parade walked down the hill to the bridge spanning the Zumbro River.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiw7jJGTw3S5NXXNRxA8wKeqYMqAplWi0Duq4K7CeWhoKJ7cqGTY-ZthkzTTpriSBCIUU5RZnO0qOK8CG0ySbqdkWTBXwDy27OCNzvMvKZ0HR2Gx0JsbCPb6nu981Ei0cbDVELE3FW0dx/s1600/hammondbridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiw7jJGTw3S5NXXNRxA8wKeqYMqAplWi0Duq4K7CeWhoKJ7cqGTY-ZthkzTTpriSBCIUU5RZnO0qOK8CG0ySbqdkWTBXwDy27OCNzvMvKZ0HR2Gx0JsbCPb6nu981Ei0cbDVELE3FW0dx/s1600/hammondbridge.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hammond Bridge over the Zumbro River</td></tr>
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There a wreath was dropped commemorating those who died at sea. I remember today these events.<br />
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Later, as we lived in Fishers, we would take our children to Crown Hill National Cemetery in Indianapolis. Every Memorial Day a wonderful ceremony was presented remembering those who fought for our country over the years. The first service at Crown Hill had over 10,000 people in attendance. This was just a few years following the devastating Civil War. Fittingly both Union and Confederate soldiers are buried on that sacred ground. Each year individuals come dressed in period costumes remembering those who gave their all during that tragic war.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana</td></tr>
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Each year a somber roll-call is presented. All branches of the service are represented. The names of those who have died in the past year from Indiana are read off. As their name is called out their service branch representative acknowledges his/her name vicariously.<br />
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Sadly the number that come to witness this service has dwindled down to less then 500 each year. The echos of those who have sacrificed all wonder why?<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2135167352161888887.post-58963734491021771132013-05-29T05:55:00.000-07:002013-05-29T05:55:10.091-07:00 Remember....(part 1)Remember....<br />
It is a simple word. In itself it can aptly stand alone without supporting clauses, clinging adverbs, self focused subjects or even proud nouns.<br />
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Remember....<br />
To some it forms the foundation of who they are. Generations before speak quietly from behind the veil of the past to remind them...to remind them.<br />
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Remember....<br />
How well do we build upon that foundation? Do we raise a structure firmly attached to that foundation? or do we allow the corrosive breeze of time wear down our foundation...to the point that that which remains is dust? <br />
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Remember....<br />
And what of that Cornerstone? To what can we square our foundations to if the Cornerstone has been eliminated from the building process? Can we as individuals stand strong without The Cornerstone? Can marriages and, thus, families endure the buffetings thrust upon them without The Cornerstone? What about our communities, our cities, and, thus, our nation survive without The Cornerstone?<br />
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Remember...<br />
It was Paul to the Ephesians who said:<br />
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<b><i>Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone.(Ephesians 2:19,20)</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikl4mfaFy5exd5Ubcoa4AFmi0iSDg6NC3oP6e0ud8baZrfcfbwLmN4FEwDKcZAZp2m2RcvMSLDtUq0qKWFTBPMh0t4tXzxY-k6FdZev-FYO0R-d0jggI6WpTEYTQLkL0fW_eo0CL_CdqCw/s1600/Jesus_lost_sheep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikl4mfaFy5exd5Ubcoa4AFmi0iSDg6NC3oP6e0ud8baZrfcfbwLmN4FEwDKcZAZp2m2RcvMSLDtUq0qKWFTBPMh0t4tXzxY-k6FdZev-FYO0R-d0jggI6WpTEYTQLkL0fW_eo0CL_CdqCw/s1600/Jesus_lost_sheep.jpg" /></a></div>
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Do you remember?<br />
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jsfUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2135167352161888887.post-57821216942390289112013-01-06T00:36:00.000-08:002013-01-06T00:36:11.918-08:00Up close with the locals....<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0llQB9h67RVuTDwqt25bm67hxcwIuyF2_3jFH2GEjqHOR-XcgokmzeXrZF9f7hzra5Hgj1kFA96KWhUPGVP3gGjQfwmJGzY3ACFBntK4Gt4xFE6CVisVbjAzbrXR8wLrnkj8FcNEx3aDL/s1600/IMG_0921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0llQB9h67RVuTDwqt25bm67hxcwIuyF2_3jFH2GEjqHOR-XcgokmzeXrZF9f7hzra5Hgj1kFA96KWhUPGVP3gGjQfwmJGzY3ACFBntK4Gt4xFE6CVisVbjAzbrXR8wLrnkj8FcNEx3aDL/s320/IMG_0921.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(r-l) Elder/Sister Jackson, Marcia, Sister Taylor, Sister Fleming, Elder Armstrong</td></tr>
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There are a lot of pictures in this post. It is well worth looking at. These pictures were taken over the last six weeks in various activities. I will try my best at identifying all.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvC99K-xD9IN6r6gMgqUmxeEudP4LZNlz4adAllLBT6a9XdB5bEYHCHnb7G3xgjz2Te5JxSdJilMRjyvvVq08o7ab37q__2lzrsXSACZ6EMb9lgrMMnTF4sXfUkr0__h4jKL6T59mPAfT/s1600/IMG_0924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvC99K-xD9IN6r6gMgqUmxeEudP4LZNlz4adAllLBT6a9XdB5bEYHCHnb7G3xgjz2Te5JxSdJilMRjyvvVq08o7ab37q__2lzrsXSACZ6EMb9lgrMMnTF4sXfUkr0__h4jKL6T59mPAfT/s320/IMG_0924.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(r-l)E/S Jacksons, Me, Marcia, Sis. Taylor, Sis. Fleming, E/S Armstrong</td></tr>
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The pictures on the right were from a Thanksgiving dinner at the MTC President's apartment. President and Sister Taylor had a wonderful meal for us and great conversation.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2E45jKAyJTOY1C-4GyYwrqrYp7A12EWnBtqw0CkU0IhKf7V9BaRyCB9wg2Fi8ByFmMzh2umwQlhz8WcGhXFNzSBTlynBYyq9fCd4egR2dK8XQ39yaqiUoL-U34wWvTT1qAXBL-9-77w0/s1600/IMG_0926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2E45jKAyJTOY1C-4GyYwrqrYp7A12EWnBtqw0CkU0IhKf7V9BaRyCB9wg2Fi8ByFmMzh2umwQlhz8WcGhXFNzSBTlynBYyq9fCd4egR2dK8XQ39yaqiUoL-U34wWvTT1qAXBL-9-77w0/s320/IMG_0926.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Public Affairs Missionary Elder Dupaix</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjepjTKm6-09_yfJoK0hoQHn2j7_kL0I_YxEfy0EfpyfxAR3j-NZpM2PtQW3cvOLscGiE3F6HZlb8H0NdunbV5ug6QhSt3DMlK3q9RyvGgAzHcxKrE_ZtSt_2d8uafEi_u1dgwYSewbmn4/s1600/IMG_0933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjepjTKm6-09_yfJoK0hoQHn2j7_kL0I_YxEfy0EfpyfxAR3j-NZpM2PtQW3cvOLscGiE3F6HZlb8H0NdunbV5ug6QhSt3DMlK3q9RyvGgAzHcxKrE_ZtSt_2d8uafEi_u1dgwYSewbmn4/s320/IMG_0933.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PEF Missionary Elder Bell</td></tr>
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The day after our meal with the President and Sister Taylor we had a Thanksgiving meal at the Quezon City Mission home hosted by President and Sister DeLaMare. All the seniors in the mission showed up, with the exception of the missionaries on Mindoro island. Fun was had by all.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5G3MExGX6mCcGrU-FoRPiDhRC0XH4pkoDuk6wAycdhOiSZT9ONIKsAl_bTC2WLXoDdRVK2mGAAE8KnR8WhL__3YlyFMYauvDwsX7qLDsCji579KD1Cbx__V1i7RUdii9mTdPsfnW2S4OI/s1600/IMG_0938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5G3MExGX6mCcGrU-FoRPiDhRC0XH4pkoDuk6wAycdhOiSZT9ONIKsAl_bTC2WLXoDdRVK2mGAAE8KnR8WhL__3YlyFMYauvDwsX7qLDsCji579KD1Cbx__V1i7RUdii9mTdPsfnW2S4OI/s320/IMG_0938.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Humanitarian Missionary Sister Hardick and Marcia</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4pwvtMfy6HlrKJ0Y3pbET47Ixk7V-l8o2ln3wq_4RG5PdeQqSBG1JG_2xu8czb6sd2rdeljEW1wmK8YvL0oUWzPqOPeRoEUtOK3ShHW2jbvBTe6j4zias5Ul72ICpXfh8rhna_bev6dk/s1600/IMG_0942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4pwvtMfy6HlrKJ0Y3pbET47Ixk7V-l8o2ln3wq_4RG5PdeQqSBG1JG_2xu8czb6sd2rdeljEW1wmK8YvL0oUWzPqOPeRoEUtOK3ShHW2jbvBTe6j4zias5Ul72ICpXfh8rhna_bev6dk/s320/IMG_0942.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elders Hardick and Jensen</td></tr>
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The picture on the right is of two Canadians. Perhaps that might explain Elder Jensen (Member Leadership Support Missionary) on the right. Elder Hardick (Country Director Humanitarian Affairs) didn't know how much he was cared for!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister Hadlock with resident</td></tr>
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These next few pictures are from a visit to Hospicio de San Jose. It is located on a small island in the middle of the Pasig river in Manila. It cares for abandoned children, seniors, and AIDS patients. It is supported by Catholic Charities. We were their inspecting wheelchairs with Elder and Sister Hadlock who are the country's wheelchair specialists.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Hadlock, Nurses and Seniors. The one holding<br />
Elder Hadlock's hand loved to sing to us!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Department Mgr. Gilda with an Angel's Trumpet</td></tr>
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The remaining pictures are from a planning meeting that we had in the beginning of December. We traveled to the province of Bataan. It was my chance to show Marcia Subic Bay as well. When I was in the navy that was the port that my surgical team (Surgical Cadre 13), it was similar to a MASH unit, was sent to pick up our ship, the USS Bellawood. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"You talkin' to me?"</td></tr>
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This fella was with a group of like minded monkeys looking for a handout on the side of the road as we were around Subic Bay.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"You Talkin' to me?"(2)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Seriously, you talkin' to me?"</td></tr>
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The two animals are called Caribou. White caribou are supposed to be good luck. We refer to them as waterbuffalo.<br />
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The remaining pictures are from "Zoobic." It is a park with many attractions. With some we were able to get quite close as the pictures show.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHGVATLrwfcLkEVyAcncqdP3e48kJYdBB7N2RpnVa_gXfeOeevrNlbFXeFTvvXH5H2NT_7zWkCGAl_ccgxA9F92liCpVaHuhQCtUbIBRc2TPd2HQfqfnJ6NjzR5xGGLj7WalKv8_xZ2ml/s1600/IMG_1137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHGVATLrwfcLkEVyAcncqdP3e48kJYdBB7N2RpnVa_gXfeOeevrNlbFXeFTvvXH5H2NT_7zWkCGAl_ccgxA9F92liCpVaHuhQCtUbIBRc2TPd2HQfqfnJ6NjzR5xGGLj7WalKv8_xZ2ml/s320/IMG_1137.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was a cage between us</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"You talkin' to me?"(3)</td></tr>
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There were more attractions there then just the animals. Marcia attracted quite a lot of Montessori students who were their as well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnH07NkhsK3jNUdr4bVcJ5L2ZRAgJH8ZE4zBPyUrX9cctHtZ8DEtfvfCHGzeErpuDShOeCsIPhhWpf4bm7pCAD2Ld9oZyXlQy9VB5oldsq2z-C53b59rIfKbD7mGfJQ_DeWhxzm8CmIbe/s1600/IMG_1155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnH07NkhsK3jNUdr4bVcJ5L2ZRAgJH8ZE4zBPyUrX9cctHtZ8DEtfvfCHGzeErpuDShOeCsIPhhWpf4bm7pCAD2Ld9oZyXlQy9VB5oldsq2z-C53b59rIfKbD7mGfJQ_DeWhxzm8CmIbe/s320/IMG_1155.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marcia sharing the Gospel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marcia and Montessori Kids</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up close and feeding a tiger</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canines on a feline</td></tr>
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These last two pictures are of people from the local native group. They were performing the 'monkey dance.' It was quite impressive...<br />
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jsf<br />
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<span id="goog_1296776463"></span><span id="goog_1296776464"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2135167352161888887.post-4833741926152661852013-01-01T22:30:00.001-08:002013-01-01T22:30:51.674-08:00New Year's Eve Videos<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/l9w6Jn5kXLE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe>As promised. The following videos lead up to January 1, 2013. It was quite the show. At the beginning of each video I do say what time it is to give everyone the scope of the display that is being taped. The duration of the videos are from 2 minutes to 10 minutes; the last one being the longest as it takes it across midnight. Enjoy!!<br />
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The first video is taken at 11:05 and is 1m 44s.<br />
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This next video is at 11:25 and is 2 minutes in length.<br />
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This video, a favorite, shows people lighting up fireworks on our Patio Deck where the pool is. It's at 11:35 and is 2m 30s.<br />
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This last video begins at 11:57 and lasts 10 minutes. This wasn't the last video I took. I did take one more at about 12:30. Although the amount of fireworks had slowed down considerably they were still being shot off.<br />
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jsfUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2135167352161888887.post-75773843175255277512012-12-31T20:23:00.001-08:002012-12-31T20:23:51.721-08:00Happy New Year!Wow!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from the Patio Deck and Pool</td></tr>
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Last night was an experience. We had been told when we arrived here that New Year's Eve was a night to remember. In fact one of the employee's at the Philippine Area Office told me last week that "the Philippine people are poor but when New Year's Eve comes they are rich." They weren't kidding.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not much of a view to see fireworks from the pool</td></tr>
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Last night we thought it might be interesting to see the firework displays from the pool. Forty story buildings on all sides of the pool have a tendency to block any view that we may have thought that we would get. At 9 or so we went to Elder and Sister Hadlock's apartment which is on the 28th floor. For the first hour we socialized and ate the last of the bad food that we've sworn off for the new year. During that time a few of us tried to see the fireworks that were going off. Although their apartment is the highest of the missionaries the only room that had a good view was their laundry room. At the most three people would be able to fit in their at a time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marcia and Sister Edie Dupaix looking out from the 25th floor</td></tr>
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Little after 10 we decided to move the gathering down to the 25th floor which is where Elder and Sister Bailey live. Their apartment faces toward Manila and the show was spectacular. We were able to watch from their living room as well as one of the bedrooms. Everyone was amazed at the amount of fireworks that were being displayed. There didn't seem to be any organization to it all. Fireworks would shoot up from all directions. The variety, the noise, and the smoke simply amazed everyone.<br />
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The display was a crescendo as the fireworks were consistant<br />
at the beginning. The closer we got to midnight the more the air<br />
was filled with lights. It never slowed down until after 12:30 or<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireworks on the Patio Deck of our Apartment<br />building!</td></tr>
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I will try to upload some video on this post but it appears to be taking a loooong time to upload. So if I can I will post one video with this post and tomorrow I will post the remaining ones. Have a safe and Happy New Year everyone!<br />
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jsf/mmf<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2135167352161888887.post-40552270395758205202012-12-30T17:00:00.000-08:002012-12-30T17:00:01.551-08:00Year in review- "Food- (Soapbox Warning!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Seafood counter at Robinson's Market</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Goat outside on street next to San Pablo Mission Home</td></tr>
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This was originally posted on September 3, 2012. My scientist son informed me that my science was somewhat off kilter. I informed him that as my tongue was firmly in my cheek as I wrote it that of course it was a bit skewed- but I did warn people at the beginning of the post.!<br />
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"I suppose at some time it is necessary to eat food. Some of us prefer to eat more often than others. Others have a tough time eating. Anyone who may be reading or watching the media in the United States might get the idea that there is a crisis of 'obesity' occurring. Just as an observational note- although the Philippines is not a wealthy country it does have its share of people who are of a 'stouter' nature.<br />
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With all the excess weight that is accumulating does that mean that we are 'weighing' the earth down more? and possibly slowing it down? Although it is not a theory that I advocate I do believe it is one aspect of global warming- if you agree with that <i style="font-weight: bold;">theory </i>that has not been addressed. Sure people pick the obvious and say that gas emissions, coal emissions, refrigerants and the like are the cause of old mother earth warming up. Any one can say that- in fact according to the media it's a done deal global warming is not a theory but a fact. I have a tendency not to quite believe what SOME scientists are theorizing and lean towards the facts that the earth is old and there are natural events and cycles that occur. I believe that man shows his arrogant and prideful side when he thinks that by his living his lifestyle the earth will be dramatically changed in a detrimental way. I remember the 1970s when global cooling was the criers voice and the headlines in news magazines.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Squid </td></tr>
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I did warn all readers that I was on a soap box. If you have gotten this far good for you because now comes the interesting and bold new theory that I am proposing. Is it possible that due to the 'obesity' epidemic that is occurring around the world that the earth is actually slowing down because of the excess weight that people have? What happens when people get over weight? They slow down- everyone has seen this occur. What happens when you put overweight people into cars? The cars slow down. It is a natural law (somewhere). Since I have proved beyond a shadow of a doubt regarding my 'global slowing' theory I will need to demonstrate how it dovetails and is the cause for our planets temperature rise. Naturally, naturally, when things slow down, especially when exposed to sun light, they heat up faster. If an ice cube is exposed for 1 second in the sun it doesn't melt much. If you were to leave that same ice cube out for 5 minutes it will no longer be an ice cube but, instead, it will be a puddle. Because the earth is slowing down because of our 'obesity' epidemic our exposure to the sun is much longer and thus the earth is temporarily heating up. Temporarily? Of course. Once people recognize that overeating is causing overheating they will naturally, naturally, want to lose weight, close McDonalds, banish soft drinks and junk food from schools, ban transfats from New York City, and demonize movie popcorn around the world (wait- don't they already do that?).<br />
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Remember I did issue a soap box warning at the top of the post....."<br />
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jsf<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2135167352161888887.post-20971882345472914732012-12-30T12:00:00.000-08:002013-06-11T01:41:04.932-07:00 "Thresholds"This post was originally from this blog. Its post date was on October 18, 2012.<br />
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"Life is an exciting adventure.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">NYC from the Brooklyn Bridge</td></tr>
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We have shared moments and we have unique experiences. If you believe in God, and if you have been reading this blog you know I do, our ultimate destination is to return back to Him.<br />
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One of our friends in our office described a conversation that he had with one of his young adult sons. He used an analogy of having New York City as a destination for a vacation. Knowing what our destination is part of our growing process. Agreeing with others about that destination might be another struggle we may have to overcome. When this particular parent talked to his son, using New York City as an example, the destination was easily agreed on but the route to travel on was not as easy. The son didn't want to travel with or anywhere near his father. The road the son chose to travel on wasn't smooth nor direct. In fact, at times, it even appeared circuitous. Although my friend tried to show his son a better route, one that he knew would be more direct and less hazardous, his son chose to pick his own way. This wise father realized that it was time to back away and let his son experience and grow from his own choices. He understood that his son would make his own way but also understood that his final destination, if he successfully completed his road, was the same as his.<br />
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Each of our roads are different. In this case a comparison to fingerprints is appropriate as no two fingerprints are alike neither are two roads alike. The only two guaranteed shared moments that we have had and will go through is birth and death. These are our thresholds in life.<br />
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Why do I refer to them as thresholds? When you ponder those two events the only real experience is the precise moment of birth and the precise moment of death. All experiences prior to those two moments are quite different for each individual. In one of my 'past lifes' (work experiences) I was a director of maintenance for a skilled nursing facility- a nursing home. The last one I worked at had two "memory care" wings for those who had some form of dementia. While their I witnessed the onset of dementia and the sometimes slow debilitating route that it takes as it goes through someones mind and body. In those situations the process of dieing was sometimes long and drawn out. In another situation I had an elderly friend who was in his early to mid 80s. K was a hard working man who still put in a good work week while taking care of his wife who was ill with a myriad of issues. One Sunday, after church, K had a nice steak dinner. Following his steak dinner he sat in his recliner, turned on the TV, and fell asleep... for the last time.<br />
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I mention these two examples in pointing out that although the process is different the very moment when they approach and cross that particular threshold- it is the same...."<br />
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jsfUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2135167352161888887.post-86239491688166427082012-12-30T03:17:00.001-08:002012-12-30T03:17:03.878-08:00Year in review- "Handedness?!"I do have more than one blog. Tonight, as I sit in my 12th floor apartment, I am in the process of reviewing some of my past posts on this blog and my other one. I came across one that I feel like sharing on this eve before New Year's eve in Manila. This particular post also shows how good of a therapist Marcia is as you will notice towards the end of the post. Enjoy!<br />
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This was originally published March 18, 2012, in my blog "Lost and Found." It thus is in the running for 'posts in review." Its originally post title was called "Thoughts."<br />
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"It has been some time since I have written on this blog. To say that I was busy would, at best, be a lame excuse for not keeping up with the blog. I have feel strongly on a certain issue and I wish to express my opinions on such.<br />
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The topic dejour is 'handedness.' For years I have worked in the trades. I was a senior mechanic for the LDS church in the Greater Chicago area. During that time I became aware of doors and how they swing one way or another. This swinging of the door is called left or right handed. If it sounds confusing- it is. So rather then bore my ever wide ranging audience with a detailed description of handedness I will move into the topic of plumbing- which I also did in another lifetime. Unfortunately for me, the easily confused, plumbing required one to know right and left as well. The phrase "righty tighty, lefty loosy" comes to mind. It refers to the direction that something will turn. Without going to a sink do you know which side the hot water and the cold water are on?<br />
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While working in Chicago one of our plumbing vendors used a plumber by the name of Pat. Pat was a union plumber and not what one would think of as a stereotypical plumber. Not fat, no rear cleavage, and was sober when he came to the job. He had apprenticed as a plumber with a larger firm in Chicago and one of his journey men that he worked for always would take a card out of his pocket, look at it, and place it back in his pocket. The apprentices had no idea what the card was and curiosity was rampant. Unfortunately this master plumber died and his funeral was attended by a number of the plumbers that he had trained throughout the years. Curiosity won out as following the funeral a number of his former apprentices approached his widow and asked if she might have known what was on the card that he kept referring to as he worked. The widow reached into her purse and said "do you mean this card?" She drew out of her purse the well worn 3 x 5 card that was so familiar to all of the plumbers. They, in unison, nodded their collective heads as the widow handed the card to Pat. As he peered at the card he started to laugh. The other plumbers were very eager at this point to see what pearls of wisdom that the master plumber was passing on to his plumbing posterity. Pat turned to face the other young plumbers and read the back of the card- "Hot left side, cold right side."<br />
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I digress though. Nicknames are plenty for those who may be a left hander. Names like 'lefty,' 'southpaw,' or one we used in softball a lot (definitively not PC) 'hooker.' I am sure that there a number of others out there.<br />
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So why all this in bringing up handedness? Well my curiosity has gotten to the best of me as I have watched my loyal canine, Harli, over the past few years and the thought came up- 'are dogs right pawed or left pawed?' Should I affectionately call her 'southpaw' because she is a dog and she does have paws? Maybe this is why my dog is receiving counseling from our favorite therapist."<br />
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jsf<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2135167352161888887.post-3895772761411194612012-12-24T07:03:00.003-08:002012-12-24T07:03:45.331-08:00Merry Christmas and TechnologyFrom Manila on Christmas Eve- Marcia and I would like to share with everyone our thanks for the support over the last 6 months while we have served our mission in the Philippines. We have felt your prayers and can witness that our loving Heavenly Father does answer them. We have realized that we have been truly blessed with family and friends. As we work here we realize even more how blessed we are.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZcFPSMJkEBncaaEXY7ZxmCJkBvKm8fC_PBe16G37rNGkGymv21eBgyM0t7dH92tXkcIK5s-17ra6suizm4kYa1KJN0eqe4OV5ZMtz9ndbmP3BDtKI2VfKu14F4qLWzv-r5WKca9T-FwS/s1600/IMG_1587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZcFPSMJkEBncaaEXY7ZxmCJkBvKm8fC_PBe16G37rNGkGymv21eBgyM0t7dH92tXkcIK5s-17ra6suizm4kYa1KJN0eqe4OV5ZMtz9ndbmP3BDtKI2VfKu14F4qLWzv-r5WKca9T-FwS/s320/IMG_1587.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top-Kasi and the Fuller Clan, bottom left to right- Brig;<br />Marcia and me; Kasi and Fullers; Max, Charma, Bri, William, and<br />the rest of the Vegas' group</td></tr>
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Technology- Google + it is because of that technology we will be able to see and visit family during the course of this holiday!<br />
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Why are we here? It is because of the birth of One who we call our elder Brother- Jesus Christ. It is His birthday we remember tomorrow.<br />
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So from Metro Manila- Merry Christmas or as we say in Tagalog- Maligayang Pasko!<br />
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Love<br />
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Elder Jeff and Sister Marcia FrenchUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2135167352161888887.post-36568287695872218172012-12-16T01:23:00.002-08:002012-12-16T02:10:13.155-08:00Latest in Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ford Mustang 'Ragtop' circ. 1969 </td></tr>
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This post is some of the accumulated pictures over the last 5 months that we have been here. I will try and put some detail to the captions to give you an idea the broad range of things that we are experiencing here. Marcia and I absolutely love it here. The people are friendly and kind. When someone brings out a camera you will have swarms of people surrounding you in anticipation of having their picture taken. That can be seen in some of the pictures in this post.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FcZxcabjHXuirWUw07hbvZr4TPgAcgyAqH18jH5OQlGibC0bdNtUd3j84-KtWgrGmiffqVa5AduGGJOlg0sU0o3FYxZkZyppvSfW4921vBl5JgRYtkGe1aS_n2hE2U-LEPWWF7PhEBAI/s1600/IMG_0204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FcZxcabjHXuirWUw07hbvZr4TPgAcgyAqH18jH5OQlGibC0bdNtUd3j84-KtWgrGmiffqVa5AduGGJOlg0sU0o3FYxZkZyppvSfW4921vBl5JgRYtkGe1aS_n2hE2U-LEPWWF7PhEBAI/s320/IMG_0204.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marcia with youth and 2 Elders outside the Manila Temple</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-hHbelvRHBCEhIJLNpNdk_92DP1FAYivvsitFXZ6JdNNR-aRhcKzj4DRpmmTRcTVpV9OWVuxQSpmCTFwIJjH0ukfemG3gimEz71VHvcaZu-9in1kmUWYo66ay5vef77Qn0eeS4vEvTDi/s1600/IMG_0215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-hHbelvRHBCEhIJLNpNdk_92DP1FAYivvsitFXZ6JdNNR-aRhcKzj4DRpmmTRcTVpV9OWVuxQSpmCTFwIJjH0ukfemG3gimEz71VHvcaZu-9in1kmUWYo66ay5vef77Qn0eeS4vEvTDi/s320/IMG_0215.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Elder Steven Hadlock in an evacuation center. This is two months<br />
following the end of the typhoons that hit the Manila area in August. A week or two<br />
after this picture all who were in the center had returned to their homes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HtIgQdn7Bq5QloMTvnC6rME0D9t6uJwSiphRhNGrKyUKAqm83hVS6wGX3FtxMJGittpvJmSwUEeeAwEJtlvgszYNKUE31e6yxOZ1bq187oVbSPxFAiCirm5FD2cYDUcN42kiwASexGQ9/s1600/IMG_0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HtIgQdn7Bq5QloMTvnC6rME0D9t6uJwSiphRhNGrKyUKAqm83hVS6wGX3FtxMJGittpvJmSwUEeeAwEJtlvgszYNKUE31e6yxOZ1bq187oVbSPxFAiCirm5FD2cYDUcN42kiwASexGQ9/s320/IMG_0415.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall at Sierra Madre Resort</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rm2AnEvhkseH1vDCdfqm-6Q-dR3FVFVEPlIlQXOhyphenhyphenPTDSRQup4T4SeDgSWDeCGR2BQ2ciAWgFKneL-OKzgzjC_kpg1ePyvbBTwovRTe3LRSONkJ1wv3s9VOiIjoBo1KzSECoAn-Zo5Ve/s1600/IMG_0423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rm2AnEvhkseH1vDCdfqm-6Q-dR3FVFVEPlIlQXOhyphenhyphenPTDSRQup4T4SeDgSWDeCGR2BQ2ciAWgFKneL-OKzgzjC_kpg1ePyvbBTwovRTe3LRSONkJ1wv3s9VOiIjoBo1KzSECoAn-Zo5Ve/s320/IMG_0423.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall at Sierra Madre Resort</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at the end of White Plains Avenue. This street is<br />
immediately north of our office.</td></tr>
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As you can see in the picture on the left the youth like to have their pictures taken. This is just outside the Manila LDS Temple. Our offices are directly across the street from the temple. It is a beautiful sight to see every morning as we drive into work.<br />
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Speaking of driving-as I digress- Marcia and I took a psychiatrist out for dinner this past Thursday evening. We mentioned that we drove. She was rather shocked that I drove in the Manila area and then when we told her that Marcia also drove she was even a little more shocked. Marcia and I really like to drive here. It's just short of driving for NASCAR. We have been blessed that we haven't had any accidents as of this point. And, unlike most of the senior missionaries here, we haven't received a ticket up to this point. That doesn't mean we haven't been stopped. Especially Marcia whose blonde hair sticks out quite a bit.<br />
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The picture on the left here is of Elder Hadlock who currently is the countries wheelchair coordinator with his wife, Becky. This year the church is placing about 5,000 wheelchairs to people with disabilities. Their is no cost to the recipient other then asking them or their family, or their community, to perform up to 40 hours of community service. LDS Charities has partnered with Rotary International, The Philippine Marines, and a few other NGO's to distribute these chairs. The partners pay for the shipping to the individuals who need the chairs and the LDS Charities pays for the chairs themselves. Next year they are budgeting in for 7,000 wheelchairs. They love their work and it keeps them quite busy. When there is a calamity they change hats and go quickly into calamity mode. With the typhoon that just reeked havoc in Mindanao the Church is already in action to help supply clothing, food and shelter where they can.<br />
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The two waterfall pictures were taken on a senior missionary outing to visit a senior couple who had moved to the far reaches of our particular mission. It was up in the mountains. On the way back one of the couple asked to stop at a resort run by a retired Army General who was their friend. We had the wonderful opportunity to tour that facility and see the beautiful falls. Marcia and I also had a the chance to zipline. It was quite fun!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday celebration- Me, Sister Hadlock, Sister Armstrong</td></tr>
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Birthdays here are remembered. Possibly to the chagrin of some! The above picture is of me, Sister Hadlock and Sister Armstrong as we blow out the candles on our combined cake. Sister Armstrong and I share the same birthday although a few years apart. Sister Hadlock's birthday is one day after ours. Sister Hadlock works with her husband in the wheelchair distribution. Sister Armstrong and Elder Armstrong work at the Manila Mission Training Center. She is the MTC nurse and her husband works their as the executive secretary for the MTC presidency.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you have been in the Philippines you will know what this sign is about!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marcia and I on the way to Sierra Madre resort with the Senior<br />
Missionary Zone</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papaya tree on the way to Sierra Madre Resort</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjiS2EqvCHGbhittEf6G7R0IxmbvunVDGypTXB0KqGLekdu_zb3eakZNFSHfN2ULch6J5tITESk8I4yPNXw5xSifR6Ml-Q8izP7BPCnviS5j33D9EpDVMsMsdw34ESrrnZPuCq7hbarF4/s1600/IMG_0905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjiS2EqvCHGbhittEf6G7R0IxmbvunVDGypTXB0KqGLekdu_zb3eakZNFSHfN2ULch6J5tITESk8I4yPNXw5xSifR6Ml-Q8izP7BPCnviS5j33D9EpDVMsMsdw34ESrrnZPuCq7hbarF4/s320/IMG_0905.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marcia and Sister Hadlock in front of a Jeepney</td></tr>
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Marcia has a very busy office. As her responsibility as the Philippine Area Mental Health Adviser she is constantly on the phone communicating with missionaries, Mission Presidents or their wives, or with leadership from other areas regarding their missionaries who are serving here in the Philippines. One of the other responsibilities that she has is to screen those missionaries who have been flagged that might have had some sort of mental health issue in the past. Some of these issues are not necessarily diagnostic in nature but more counseling in nature. An example might be that a missionary who desires to serve has indicated that they may have experienced abuse of some nature in the past as they have grown up. Marcia is tasked to see how well they are doing following such a traumatic experience and determine if the missionary will be able do endure the stress of a mission under those circumstances. It is a very hard task to do and quite the burden for Marcia. She does very well and is a blessing for these missionaries as she counsels with them. As I may have stated previously the mental health care here is not quite up to date as what we may feel the US is up to. Marcia has seen and experienced things here that she hasn't quite seen in the United States. Mind you she has seen the types of abuse and mental health issues here that she counseled for in the US but their are some things regarding PTSD that she hadn't seen before. She is doing a tremendous work in helping these young missionaries. If they weren't on their missions they would not have been able to receive the assistance and counsel from anyone else because the resources are not available. Marcia being here is a tremendous blessing for them. With us only being here for 5 months she has already helped hundreds of people. That is why I say that we are quite busy!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfiq93AlJfK4xQVBMBHZ-7mU1kzAJG1fAXUfhBDPEjHgb8esqoTvp80ZJoaDI1S4Nd4PApCO_u05YYkiRak6NYOmf6D7MY453a2VIdeUHKL6fPSEXa3-OYJU-Tb1TowOmE829sig2nsPt/s1600/MarciaatDesk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfiq93AlJfK4xQVBMBHZ-7mU1kzAJG1fAXUfhBDPEjHgb8esqoTvp80ZJoaDI1S4Nd4PApCO_u05YYkiRak6NYOmf6D7MY453a2VIdeUHKL6fPSEXa3-OYJU-Tb1TowOmE829sig2nsPt/s320/MarciaatDesk.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marcia busy in her office</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQ-5-S__Ri8-C5B6PP90zQ52LrnDNEN46_eynS-7i6ZXailMr_H4I39xqvWyeamN2ZVSLk7TQYEtDg5TlKuHlnA5sA9LDubWXmdRxsjd504qJO_PDRrGBw2u2l-HigXyo8Qlm1VvW5Ggk/s1600/IMG_0918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQ-5-S__Ri8-C5B6PP90zQ52LrnDNEN46_eynS-7i6ZXailMr_H4I39xqvWyeamN2ZVSLk7TQYEtDg5TlKuHlnA5sA9LDubWXmdRxsjd504qJO_PDRrGBw2u2l-HigXyo8Qlm1VvW5Ggk/s320/IMG_0918.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Concrete Drainage Pipe Home</td></tr>
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The picture on the left is a concrete drainage pipe section. It is also the home of a lady and a few cats. Marcia and I haven't seen her but Elder and Sister Hadlock have seen her on several occasions. She has a make shift door out of cardboard which she uses to cover the entrance during the day when she is not their. The plastic is used to help keep it dry when it rains.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOK1nzZiSaeS3bYRMqEm__rK57UqJyQg_-lJizkL37Qg2PLZYRuhFidqyYPHzY68xNFyh4Sd3qekyNJLx63iuqipymlwV2Ui7dLu6-rDBdiVz6eZKNpZ9M-PvJKuGH8TxBtIyZrh1b0dfT/s1600/IMG_0923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOK1nzZiSaeS3bYRMqEm__rK57UqJyQg_-lJizkL37Qg2PLZYRuhFidqyYPHzY68xNFyh4Sd3qekyNJLx63iuqipymlwV2Ui7dLu6-rDBdiVz6eZKNpZ9M-PvJKuGH8TxBtIyZrh1b0dfT/s320/IMG_0923.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving dinner at the Taylors</td></tr>
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This picture is a gathering at the apartment of the MTC President and his wife, President and Sister Taylor. They are a great couple. This was taken during our Thanksgiving dinner in which we were so graciously invited to. From left to right: Elder and Sister Jackson, Marcia, Sister Taylor and President Taylor, Sister Fleming, Elder and Sister Armstrong.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRmi2cT6P5iSiISmpwbJ77psZqEsnyK-JBdSPtT1s_ZJ4-bVrOX6xMKlZaxe8yaO936HLdqV7cy9yr-_5VqRQoqrWiyagQ8mdx-99lsQup3h98ifn2LNMCmHUnz5te9XHyt5m-0ibK98C/s320/IMG_1344.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you say Mandaluyoun?</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9NQylPRyzk92CD9ol3F8HHzNWuGkno23ZMRbZQCT2_dBaCnZ1GNezxGUlfWPl_TEhojDtTRfIAiqg1g-bB5mDgGaHmj7A0-jCregmdn6vWhoiogL2lrPunI1yUnjllJv_MGpFndMCyDm/s1600/IMG_0971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9NQylPRyzk92CD9ol3F8HHzNWuGkno23ZMRbZQCT2_dBaCnZ1GNezxGUlfWPl_TEhojDtTRfIAiqg1g-bB5mDgGaHmj7A0-jCregmdn6vWhoiogL2lrPunI1yUnjllJv_MGpFndMCyDm/s320/IMG_0971.JPG" /></a></div>
We live on the 12th floor of an apartment/condo complex in the community of Mandaluyong. On the Sunday following Thanksgiving we started hearing loud 'banging' sounds. I looked out the window and was pleasantly surprised to see a firework display going on. I shouted to Marcia, who was in the living room, to look out. After she was able to orient herself and realize she needed to look down from our 12th floor we were both able to watch a 25 minute firework display. As of today we are still not sure as to why it was going on!<br />
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Pictured here is Marcia and Gilda. Gilda is our office manager and we were surprised to find out that she spent her mission in the same mission and at the same time as our sister-in-law, Laurel Mount. When Gilda saw a picture of Laurel in Marcia's office she stated that she did remember her even though their paths crossed for a short period of time. It is a small Mormon world after all!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi789_eAfFHCyoWXPUD7dnvXiPju0OW1KhODl8ondMax8JYuJnYwZctRJ2dtweqU_mu9tTDiKxu24_4bAU3ebhJuvJ6yPHGCQMbQU5PMaouk9_o6iZU9gx3zSdK9KNNhKW1RJ8uVyUoCkTc/s1600/IMG_0054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi789_eAfFHCyoWXPUD7dnvXiPju0OW1KhODl8ondMax8JYuJnYwZctRJ2dtweqU_mu9tTDiKxu24_4bAU3ebhJuvJ6yPHGCQMbQU5PMaouk9_o6iZU9gx3zSdK9KNNhKW1RJ8uVyUoCkTc/s320/IMG_0054.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gilda and Marcia</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtfWP7aPJiZ9FCl59dmRYAO18A8UuAYvwj_1_FzOF1lVozVOi68iEnCc9udq5Ph2t_F4NQWBHS7bUXP2bLt1o2DSSY6LQ6dTh1Q39hfxLsbau0MY3kXiOfibEAkjN4FcJbvj04L0YEOIg/s1600/IMG_1374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtfWP7aPJiZ9FCl59dmRYAO18A8UuAYvwj_1_FzOF1lVozVOi68iEnCc9udq5Ph2t_F4NQWBHS7bUXP2bLt1o2DSSY6LQ6dTh1Q39hfxLsbau0MY3kXiOfibEAkjN4FcJbvj04L0YEOIg/s320/IMG_1374.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squatter's homes below Seagulls in Tagaytay</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;">We have learned that the sense of community here is strong. If a family grows a garden it is not uncommon for the neighbors to come and harvest the the fruits of the garden for their own families. It is ok as long as the produce isn't used to sell in the market. We found some of that when we were in Tagaytay. Below Seagulls squatters had built several huts/homes in which they live. You can see the smoke coming from one of the huts in one of the pictures. They normally don't have electricity but what they do have is a long extension chord. Every night at 6 p.m. the staff at Seagulls plug in the extension chord giving power to the squatters who live down the hill. Later in the evening or early in the morning they unplug the chord and the squatters have to wait again for the evening to have power...jsf<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQQ_5Yup_5_tMZAHUyTKbdqwtSTqk49LwvVhTaGq0tgp9epp6nImY9EP_y0oXnnmsqEP1OxLq7D5Ikuf0emgUI4BCQRGI82-BUKKnVCkTZam9c6jtpZi59frSgv3Oo-6ugRW4YW7Fl8N7/s1600/IMG_1375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQQ_5Yup_5_tMZAHUyTKbdqwtSTqk49LwvVhTaGq0tgp9epp6nImY9EP_y0oXnnmsqEP1OxLq7D5Ikuf0emgUI4BCQRGI82-BUKKnVCkTZam9c6jtpZi59frSgv3Oo-6ugRW4YW7Fl8N7/s320/IMG_1375.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squatter's homes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLu4b6Wc6C_TFSCAv1hjbxv-WEdJwadjJerWtmYH_Fti0VuCPXSmpata_u0uqfCH02TpxIUux-wJCnnr7ks4Lj4yZf1zmvG6l_KSCCB2YISIMbmOZfCaFiS3oQR7NuYICji4GFgqZODVzw/s1600/IMG_1376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLu4b6Wc6C_TFSCAv1hjbxv-WEdJwadjJerWtmYH_Fti0VuCPXSmpata_u0uqfCH02TpxIUux-wJCnnr7ks4Lj4yZf1zmvG6l_KSCCB2YISIMbmOZfCaFiS3oQR7NuYICji4GFgqZODVzw/s320/IMG_1376.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extension chord to power squatter's homes</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2135167352161888887.post-49955603209621481162012-12-14T19:53:00.001-08:002012-12-14T19:53:40.873-08:00Tagaytay-Seagulls Flight Foundation<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaq6YTue2mxMMGSTT3w8dadaXpFZgFrhXuPDsgijFuV59czkkHZbP9qAeRVdv_5J_elmqnKB7Ql-G-nAGgnwefvn2tqCn8ljbqLOpySWvAp7P5BqdAjCWDOye3KRpRlIVGCfJb3JCAGopx/s1600/IMG_1350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaq6YTue2mxMMGSTT3w8dadaXpFZgFrhXuPDsgijFuV59czkkHZbP9qAeRVdv_5J_elmqnKB7Ql-G-nAGgnwefvn2tqCn8ljbqLOpySWvAp7P5BqdAjCWDOye3KRpRlIVGCfJb3JCAGopx/s320/IMG_1350.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cars we see-on the way to Tagaytay</td></tr>
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We have been fortunate to meet some very extraordinary people in the short time that we have been here. Two of those individuals has been Ed Castillo and his wife, Chit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCR_2N98cyAHh6anDympuWWWTIamTiw57YP93-73Py4S-u7sLxh1V7AVpi-CFNZMzDDwa5FaCmDO_1WP1DBjxHAJr1gTtovt4pIoyVaNTYQ0-FSW1sWzIBCkL6DdSaMgh1cWOoM262zTm/s1600/IMG_1365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCR_2N98cyAHh6anDympuWWWTIamTiw57YP93-73Py4S-u7sLxh1V7AVpi-CFNZMzDDwa5FaCmDO_1WP1DBjxHAJr1gTtovt4pIoyVaNTYQ0-FSW1sWzIBCkL6DdSaMgh1cWOoM262zTm/s320/IMG_1365.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Marcia, Reuben(facility director), and Ed (President)</td></tr>
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They are founders of an organization called <a href="http://www.seagullsvillage.org/" target="_blank">Seagulls Flight Foundation</a>. It is a treatment community located in the beautiful area of Tagaytay. We were invited by the Castillos to come and give a presentation to the residents their.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6b1gWmmZiVCQffHAZF8MiPvYt-a11zkexvyZlP1LdOkwgq4VK-JS1LNHhdUDpxi1ZqzXlUJl3CozMoABcCTK_9_Cal5L-r23aGiTZj7Of3-XoKeQ47MEMJYBHV0XptEI_JZuVOSZ8Pj1g/s1600/IMG_1352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6b1gWmmZiVCQffHAZF8MiPvYt-a11zkexvyZlP1LdOkwgq4VK-JS1LNHhdUDpxi1ZqzXlUJl3CozMoABcCTK_9_Cal5L-r23aGiTZj7Of3-XoKeQ47MEMJYBHV0XptEI_JZuVOSZ8Pj1g/s320/IMG_1352.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marcia on a table with a resident who is about to be pushed</td></tr>
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Marcia did a fantastic job in what turned out to be a seminar. The morning was spent in teaching trust and setting boundaries. There are about 50 residents and they were very receptive to Marcia's presentation.<br />
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It is amazing as one ages how the cumulative skills of past experiences assist in what one is doing currently. Trust is a big issue with just about everyone. Teaching trust is not an easy task but Marcia was able to convey in a manner that was understood by all that were present. The first thing she did was the "trust fall." Those who may be familiar with the theater training may recognize this activity.<br />
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The object of this is to not bend and trust those who may be in the line below you. It is not an easy thing to do but it is an excellent object lesson.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzOZrAI59Vsj2sNyeXNE46_iZ2MIF6fV1xyCwSGxadTpwj-tUFnohwSrDO58jU9ElTlNeeMsWqlgTPjYk6XUt837kL7xgWebj7tclpYJdChqkedvZct-qIctxvPnY64SR9OqGsLJty7FR/s1600/IMG_1353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzOZrAI59Vsj2sNyeXNE46_iZ2MIF6fV1xyCwSGxadTpwj-tUFnohwSrDO58jU9ElTlNeeMsWqlgTPjYk6XUt837kL7xgWebj7tclpYJdChqkedvZct-qIctxvPnY64SR9OqGsLJty7FR/s320/IMG_1353.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Successful 'fall'</td></tr>
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After lunch-in which we had the best pineapple we've ever tasted- Marcia picked up and the topic at hand was self-esteem. I was amazed at how well Marcia presented and interacted with the residents at Seagulls. She was able to teach them some basic fundamentals. The residents were very appreciative of the seminar.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDc3ejAhbtGe-_QsNcpkglQs_btwtXwmBfaueGpVjHeGBt2_2k0UTzxIHZzCE9TxsY-JOiZN0WBxNCZ2PUQOS7o_rjcduI9xI_2DUYA0nhXGlClFGEAzF3vQIaGDPuQ6OLLQ117qKQ4T_/s1600/IMG_1355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDc3ejAhbtGe-_QsNcpkglQs_btwtXwmBfaueGpVjHeGBt2_2k0UTzxIHZzCE9TxsY-JOiZN0WBxNCZ2PUQOS7o_rjcduI9xI_2DUYA0nhXGlClFGEAzF3vQIaGDPuQ6OLLQ117qKQ4T_/s320/IMG_1355.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another trust game</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaWUbktNQ3jhg9agdfyJMrt2ooHpYo4ychglLXpx7X0YQbyUKkyvQPsAcFRSE98skw4p1qNXUo146DWlAKCoSXIrc-WyIYOW-rKW2RSeq7NUcq5Z-HP_S9JmzOOKDAbAVQM3RE7lAioCW/s1600/IMG_1358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaWUbktNQ3jhg9agdfyJMrt2ooHpYo4ychglLXpx7X0YQbyUKkyvQPsAcFRSE98skw4p1qNXUo146DWlAKCoSXIrc-WyIYOW-rKW2RSeq7NUcq5Z-HP_S9JmzOOKDAbAVQM3RE7lAioCW/s320/IMG_1358.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Lake Taal, Taal Volcano</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVC1nr_sOAbzx-lnRzRjoxJjhKpubKhOtQzwIIrjle5TXgvLm2_Xr7qH0i0SkGDKJFJPExSFAlwjgUvvjCN-y5Q_o3WzroJziHfwBP6x-I16Nzo9zLdLqCS_AMC06brKQWKQqdtEz-LNet/s1600/IMG_1366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVC1nr_sOAbzx-lnRzRjoxJjhKpubKhOtQzwIIrjle5TXgvLm2_Xr7qH0i0SkGDKJFJPExSFAlwjgUvvjCN-y5Q_o3WzroJziHfwBP6x-I16Nzo9zLdLqCS_AMC06brKQWKQqdtEz-LNet/s320/IMG_1366.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marcia and afternoon session</td></tr>
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While we were talking with Ed and Reuben we mentioned that the Church does have employment training. They were very interested in that as well as at some point after the resident's recovery they will integrate back into the community. In a discussion with our employment people in Quezon City we found out that they do a day long seminar regarding employment. We will coordinate that with Reuben and that will probably happen sometime in January...<br />
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jsf<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2135167352161888887.post-75750724042451959562012-12-07T04:37:00.003-08:002012-12-07T04:37:32.904-08:0071 years today...Veteran's rememberWe are a relatively young country, comparatively speaking. In some European countries you can find houses that are older than what our country is. Naturally as a 'teenage' country our attention span and our memories are short in duration. One could even say that as a nation we have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Unfortunately this type of mentality is fed by individuals and politicians who only have vision through the next election cycle and are not willing to look beyond the next election date. It is sad to say then that decisions are then made based on what will help them in the polls, on sound bites that may glamorize them in front of the evening news, or on decisions that will help them best get reelected and not for the betterment of the country as a whole.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJkmt8hOiliS2owRue2KW2vmjvxD5C8iE-oGNCxX9NPe2RZDCHf39Csvu8mB8c0irVgQhRXK2hZRKauUD8wcbaqiX3NWvB9PSJLZP_JVnhTzICFLcp50dWrQgrclwZ1YnBUywVVIsHN1t/s1600/USS+Arizona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJkmt8hOiliS2owRue2KW2vmjvxD5C8iE-oGNCxX9NPe2RZDCHf39Csvu8mB8c0irVgQhRXK2hZRKauUD8wcbaqiX3NWvB9PSJLZP_JVnhTzICFLcp50dWrQgrclwZ1YnBUywVVIsHN1t/s1600/USS+Arizona.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USS Arizona</td></tr>
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With that off my chest I have come to realize that the conscience of a nation isn't necessarily the historians who spend hours, days, and years studying the past. They are the chroniclers of time and past. No- the conscience of a nation is its veterans. Those who have made some of the history of a country while defending its principles and freedoms over the years. They watch as those freedoms and principles they have fought for so bravely are eroded away by time and politicians.<br />
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71 years today is the anniversary of the entry of the United States into the second world war. It was marked by the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. I state the entry of the United States into the war because on December 7th, 1941 war already had been raging in Asia as well as in Europe. Ask someone from Poland, England, France, or China when WWII started and you will get answers that are much earlier than December 7th, 1941.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazEt6t0WP3QEvV3z7MCeeVvuWfmT0j4daSah_bsfFXgfxNT-2Gf5QvrCBhZQUyni_cfe7ncqfG4QnvljVUskMDqV6eXeTqRwVmqX99JRzUqfhyqSefeGQbp85VK04XoCBczOHZYdv6utK/s1600/IMG_0990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazEt6t0WP3QEvV3z7MCeeVvuWfmT0j4daSah_bsfFXgfxNT-2Gf5QvrCBhZQUyni_cfe7ncqfG4QnvljVUskMDqV6eXeTqRwVmqX99JRzUqfhyqSefeGQbp85VK04XoCBczOHZYdv6utK/s1600/IMG_0990.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cross memorial on top of Mt. Samat</td></tr>
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Yesterday Marcia and I went with a number of other people from our work area and visited a memorial to those who fought on the peninsula of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bataan" target="_blank">Bataan </a>in the Philippines. We drove to the top of a mountain-17,000 feet. On the top was a cross over forty stories tall erected for those who fought at the onset of the Japanese invasion of the Philippines. Inside the cross was an elevator that took us to the 'cross' portion of the monument to an observation deck. The observation deck was 36 stories; another 360 feet in the air.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGGEQZvH6dal6qPt_MCM8XnXSxuWLnHlaDKllAyRE7IufVE1q9oHQY8gC70Z8Cu4Vl1hrXD2lwMq2dguzx4kAWG7MAHGKzW9Hc1reFfYwS2XVL4ywWPZxd3GDRPeeOMVCZxhyphenhyphenDWyzE1rt/s1600/IMG_0995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGGEQZvH6dal6qPt_MCM8XnXSxuWLnHlaDKllAyRE7IufVE1q9oHQY8gC70Z8Cu4Vl1hrXD2lwMq2dguzx4kAWG7MAHGKzW9Hc1reFfYwS2XVL4ywWPZxd3GDRPeeOMVCZxhyphenhyphenDWyzE1rt/s1600/IMG_0995.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closer look at base of cross</td></tr>
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You can imagine, because of its height overlooking miles and miles of land, why this mountain was fought over during the Japanese invasion. I was amazed of the view that we had from the observation deck.<br />
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I am proud to be a veteran of the United States Navy. I have been blessed to have been born in a country that has more freedoms than most other countries around the world. I feel it an obligation to remember and remind others of the price of blood that was paid for our freedoms- from Bunker Hill to Afghanistan. Today we remember what started WWII 71 years ago today.<br />
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Our WWII veterans are quickly answering their final muster call. If you know of one, related to one- tell him or her thank-you. It is long overdue...<br />
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<br />
jsf<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2135167352161888887.post-52828997719172053972012-12-04T23:57:00.001-08:002012-12-04T23:57:40.998-08:00Blessings- Commandments and ObedienceOur society today can be, and has been, labeled as an "Entitlement" society. The expectation is to get something for nothing. If you can't work, don't worry because someone will be your safety net. Going to school-don't worry about- if your parents can't pay for it Uncle Sam will underwrite your 6+ years of college. Never mind that college students, combined, have in excess of $1 Trillion (that is correct- 1 Trillion) in school loan debts. What ever happened to working your way through college? What ever happened to personal responsibility? As Marcia and I have been in the Philippines for the last four months we have seen that families support each other here. There is some government assistance but not like what is happening in the United States. In order for people to eat here they need to work. (Perhaps a subject for another post)<br />
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What does this have to do with blessings? Fortunately our loving Heavenly Father doesn't quite work with entitlements. This isn't a pay as you go system either. There are, essentially, two ingredients required as one seeks Heavenly blessings. One is obedience to God's commandments. The other is faith.<br />
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<b><i>Commandments and Obedience</i></b><br />
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Commandments are rules handed down through God's prophets for the welfare of His children. As children, we know who we are, growing up it was natural for us to challenge or test what the boundaries of those rules that were given to us. Either from our parents or from our Heavenly Father their is a tendency to bend those rules. Some do not do so and thus don't experience sorrows that come from breaking some of the basic of God's commandments. Examples may be not having to be incarcerated following stealing from someone; or dealing with an unwanted pregnancy or STD. (How often does one get to use STDs in a post about blessings?) There comes freedom when obedience occurs. It may only be recognized when the commandment is broken but there is freedom in obedience.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpWHF3nxF4x0c2fPNsyCE6oqR3qFwmvbpchsnC32PPiRZbl3yc2DwXH2_ddhaoyNKGsXKsBPhhkpAzG2ZaXuCa90-sbcCAVIiU5zKCbEMUTMRW_J0zrvrH_vTmKvjEJnALYUCn0RQbAxt/s1600/tencommandments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpWHF3nxF4x0c2fPNsyCE6oqR3qFwmvbpchsnC32PPiRZbl3yc2DwXH2_ddhaoyNKGsXKsBPhhkpAzG2ZaXuCa90-sbcCAVIiU5zKCbEMUTMRW_J0zrvrH_vTmKvjEJnALYUCn0RQbAxt/s1600/tencommandments.jpg" /></a>Some commandments have blessings directly connected to them. In a previous post I mentioned about the <a href="http://myhousewillserve.blogspot.com/2012/11/blessings-and-piggy-bank.html" target="_blank">"windows of heaven"</a> being opened when one pays tithing and offerings. Did you realize their is also a blessing directly connected to one of the BIG 10 that Moses brought down from the mountain?<br />
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<b><i>"Honour thy father and thy mother: <u>that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee."</u> (Exodus 20:12 KJV)</i></b><br />
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As I have posted I have mentioned that my faith believes in continuing revelation. Their is one specifically that teaches this concept about blessings. This was given to the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr. in 1843:<br />
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<b><i>"There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundation of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated-- And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated." (Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21)</i></b><br />
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Common among active members of our faith is the adherence to what is referred to as "<b>the Word of Wisdom," </b>part of<b> </b>which is not taking into our bodies tobacco products, alcohol, tea and coffee. There are other aspects to this commandment which I won't detail at this point. What I will mention is that, just as the other blessings connected with the two commandments previously mentioned, this commandment has specific blessings associated with it:<br />
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<i>"And all the saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in <b>obedience to the commandments, </b>shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen." (Doctrine and Covenants 89: 18-21)</i><br />
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Those are some pretty awesome blessings. I have been a direct recipient of blessings from this commandment. As some of you may know 10 years ago I was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma. Because of my obedience to His commandments and because of faith of myself, Marcia, kids, family and friends I have been blessed to have lived longer than I should have...<br />
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Tomorrow...<b>faith</b><br />
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<b>jsf</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2135167352161888887.post-86319652592344416812012-12-03T18:47:00.002-08:002012-12-03T18:47:16.369-08:00Blessings..... TimeBlessings. Time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZeuSNhncUilJcRafmagMsTQs1vFl5EYwcPXK7jSfmoET8Ryk7_gqi6lrAomWSMhZrmxlDUu8V5MHPzZreh1YMS2ZQF5bpE8ZWR7xZLJUvmU9AEtbpwUThw8rbXmi3tRFiFeJB1ce7Fh_/s1600/time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZeuSNhncUilJcRafmagMsTQs1vFl5EYwcPXK7jSfmoET8Ryk7_gqi6lrAomWSMhZrmxlDUu8V5MHPzZreh1YMS2ZQF5bpE8ZWR7xZLJUvmU9AEtbpwUThw8rbXmi3tRFiFeJB1ce7Fh_/s1600/time.jpg" /></a></div>
On my last post on blessings and piggy banks I quoted a scripture that, since it is our blog, I will repeat here:<br />
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<b><i> "And secondly, he doth require that you should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he</i></b><b><i> doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you." (Mosiah 2:24 p 149 Book of Mormon)</i></b><br />
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It's that word <i style="font-weight: bold;"> "immediately" </i>that does jump out at you. The commandment obey- blessing bestowed action.<br />
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Before I begin to talk about time and timing I want to mention just a few words about <b>faith</b>. What is faith? Paul gives an excellent discourse, in his letter to the Hebrews, on faith.<br />
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<b><i>"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1 KJV)</i></b><br />
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Things hoped for. Is it a universal hope that when one dies that they are going to be in a better place? Even if one is not a Christian there is a hope of a higher plane of existence or step up from the life that we have been living. This entire chapter in Hebrews is devoted to faith. Paul uses the excellent example of Noah.<br />
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<b><i> "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." (Hebrews 11:7 KJV) </i></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSq0DpFDBG4sNJ9VgnKK68BNQjAJ2GcMEs108s9Y0IlHNNr4MrSaDAf8ZHu-RmsgY4KkygdTauG3n1rUwjIk6FVGoXe1XdouSGwzCQP6d_M94QBs3bF7mJQZ5m7hoz6enjozXDYUb7ylTu/s1600/handcart1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSq0DpFDBG4sNJ9VgnKK68BNQjAJ2GcMEs108s9Y0IlHNNr4MrSaDAf8ZHu-RmsgY4KkygdTauG3n1rUwjIk6FVGoXe1XdouSGwzCQP6d_M94QBs3bF7mJQZ5m7hoz6enjozXDYUb7ylTu/s1600/handcart1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handcart Pioneers</td></tr>
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As Marcia and I were reading last night from the Church's General Conference and we came across a very cool (or as it is said in the Philippines-astig!) story about one of the LDS pioneers traveling across the plains in the 1856. At that time the Saints were settling in the Great Salt Lake Basin to escape persecution that followed them during the early years. Their means of transport feet, handcarts, and faith. The following is an excerpt from a conference talk given by Elder Marcus B. Nash of the Quorum of the Seventy about a woman by the name of Ann Rowley. She was a widow from England who joined the Church their and then migrated to the U.S. with her children. From Elder Nash and Sister Rowley's journal:<br />
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<b><i>A widow from England, Sister Rowley exercised her faith to answer the prophet's call to gather to Zion. She was a member of the Willie handcart company, which encountered deep snowdrifts along the trail in the fall of 1856. They had reached a point in the trek where her seven children were literally starving. She wrote: "It hurt me to see my children go hungry....Night was coming and there was no food for the evening meal. I asked God's help as I always did. I go on my knees, remembering two hard sea biscuit that....had been left over from the sea voyage. They were not large, and were so hard they couldn't be broken. Surely,that was not enough to feed 8 people, but 5 loaves and 2 fishes were not enough to feed 5,000 people either,but through a miracle,Jesus had done it. So, with God's help, nothing is impossible. I found the biscuits and put them in a dutch oven and covered them with water and asked for God's blessing. Then I put the lid on the pan and set it on the coals. When I took off the lid a little later, I found the pan filled with food. I kneeled with my family and thanked God for his goodness. That night my family had sufficient food."</i></b><br />
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In this particular situation the need for blessings was immediate. The faith of Ann Rowley was sufficient for a miracle to occur. Was she doubting? I don't believe so. Was her will in alignment with that of Heavenly Father's will? Most assuredly....<br />
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jsf<br />
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<b><i><br /></i></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2135167352161888887.post-45458972494989323502012-11-29T01:32:00.001-08:002012-11-29T01:32:54.989-08:00Corregidor (part 2)<div style="text-align: right;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrD22bKyhVEVlP5rbC0KBjhluf-5T1xuYkPchCtbs4OA0m6E8wJO8VVACN26pdBi-UdcpXOz2G_GH9byvBNk1rHxlIVQGNfqQQtV1QSMISEpDYqOtk7JHNAb6DOp5mQpKvJ2pNhHjzTun/s1600/IMG_0661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrD22bKyhVEVlP5rbC0KBjhluf-5T1xuYkPchCtbs4OA0m6E8wJO8VVACN26pdBi-UdcpXOz2G_GH9byvBNk1rHxlIVQGNfqQQtV1QSMISEpDYqOtk7JHNAb6DOp5mQpKvJ2pNhHjzTun/s320/IMG_0661.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Island of Corregidor-Shaped like a tadpole</td></tr>
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As I reviewed the pictures that I had taken on Corregidor I realized that I took over 300 of them. That wasn't the issue...the issue is which ones to share on this blog! So my task is not to bore people, to the best of my ability.<br />
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Corregidor is a tadpole shaped island. Different structures, emplacements or just areas were identified by their geographical location ie: Topside and middleside. The barracks in the pictures on the left are the Topside barracks. They are also nicknamed the Mile long barracks because if you were to walk the length of the floor from end to end and then walk the three or four stories that it was made of you would be very close to a mile in length.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDU7F_TkWF1T48FuxEwiQkodaH9ZNcjQ5StHmGxpgqnuVGZQ0T00KtL0aZ-mT_mOslLM3Bozr5o-9D_XD3rdZqcu3l10sSnpdJ_XGAaOanBFY9BB-ywLstuVtA45oE3eiEvy9qgCGjZvjM/s1600/IMG_0603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDU7F_TkWF1T48FuxEwiQkodaH9ZNcjQ5StHmGxpgqnuVGZQ0T00KtL0aZ-mT_mOslLM3Bozr5o-9D_XD3rdZqcu3l10sSnpdJ_XGAaOanBFY9BB-ywLstuVtA45oE3eiEvy9qgCGjZvjM/s320/IMG_0603.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Topside Barracks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LWy7Nh_YowVVsTvwn8tm2topfr3J38E2qy5O6XzoHH_Z7aeC0C1nBUWDBLGCogcY2HVPKS8tedAmUUI5W-SZ8WQJDJlABr_ux-MqKGM948h6yEbBUcqr9MzeRy9c-AeIdv5VD_UWcGe0/s1600/IMG_0601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LWy7Nh_YowVVsTvwn8tm2topfr3J38E2qy5O6XzoHH_Z7aeC0C1nBUWDBLGCogcY2HVPKS8tedAmUUI5W-SZ8WQJDJlABr_ux-MqKGM948h6yEbBUcqr9MzeRy9c-AeIdv5VD_UWcGe0/s320/IMG_0601.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Topside (Mile Long) Barracks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2TF6TPxOdlHu8oEsF8Ab5bbkWNpwK8hbiQvPXynh9xV03zZPXZQGEjZQb70GDAw-qQ8IFx5PcflrZLrj7RrEHHNSLPea-4BfNInTYEhx7v-e6_fAqPwOlkneZGP6Wq-UMCb8T1Ch7URc/s1600/IMG_0629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2TF6TPxOdlHu8oEsF8Ab5bbkWNpwK8hbiQvPXynh9xV03zZPXZQGEjZQb70GDAw-qQ8IFx5PcflrZLrj7RrEHHNSLPea-4BfNInTYEhx7v-e6_fAqPwOlkneZGP6Wq-UMCb8T1Ch7URc/s320/IMG_0629.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eternal Flame</td></tr>
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The picture on the right is the eternal flame that is located on the top of the island. It is where the museum is and also the monument that has been build to honor those who fought during the siege that took place there shortly after Pearl Harbor.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parachute shaped monument</td></tr>
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This picture, above, is the monument built to honor those who were parachuted in to begin the battle to retake Corregidor at the end of WWII. The Japanese were expecting the Americans and the Filipinos to attack via a ship landing on the lower part of the island. They were taken by surprise as paratroopers were dropped from planes on the upper part of the island. It was a challenge and with high risk. The expectation was that 30-40% of the men who were dropped would become a casualty of some type. Fortunately that didn't happen. The monument is in the form of a parachute with a hole at the top of it as seen below.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujzV0JKv7V1u55HTVr-6xt0JRYqPM1jTNZwGtDkBRinSAFD6S3kihER4zBJLZWHnIp7Qjk0N2ykCJOAxtwC_l5ySK2tL3k-MMFec9D4VYGY4jt_0X0ENNL5sYwZIReGfZsInfRVLecmHS/s1600/IMG_0646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujzV0JKv7V1u55HTVr-6xt0JRYqPM1jTNZwGtDkBRinSAFD6S3kihER4zBJLZWHnIp7Qjk0N2ykCJOAxtwC_l5ySK2tL3k-MMFec9D4VYGY4jt_0X0ENNL5sYwZIReGfZsInfRVLecmHS/s320/IMG_0646.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of the monument </td></tr>
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It took the Japanese several months longer than anticipated to capture Corregidor. The defenders of this small island finally, on May 5, 1942, surrendered to the invading forces. Each year on May 5th there is a small ceremony on Corregidor, and a larger one in Bataan, remembering what had occurred those many decades ago. On May 5th the sunlight is directly over the monument and shines down on the platform that is in the middle of the monument.<br />
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Hopefully, and prayerfully, nations will remember what happened here and elsewhere. Sadly, the natural man doesn't remember much past yesterday...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zttmo6yq8cxmKJ5WFcVf8xI2Vti7as4tQr25IgybPI6qaEXwjeDkDJe0xCUyNYZskCQcD_ZUr4pWfsZi9LYl3inR4GYPxv9MZn5h2TsGeeCVo7r3YQKyirlJKdHUGLednhs_IESyt_zx/s1600/IMG_0644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zttmo6yq8cxmKJ5WFcVf8xI2Vti7as4tQr25IgybPI6qaEXwjeDkDJe0xCUyNYZskCQcD_ZUr4pWfsZi9LYl3inR4GYPxv9MZn5h2TsGeeCVo7r3YQKyirlJKdHUGLednhs_IESyt_zx/s320/IMG_0644.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the monument </td></tr>
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jsf<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun shining through the hole from the top. On May 5th it<br />shines directly on to the platform/alter in the middle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honoring those who fought and died.</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2135167352161888887.post-32371179227796261602012-11-27T19:41:00.000-08:002012-11-27T19:42:29.076-08:00Blessings and the Piggy Bank<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9T0WB4cI7lqd7FxWi0s-elvWRsxJf27JUMUy-s5tMTW674dIPFjGqpKmXgITOQ_2gxmnfCbuk5p5uhb0eQpNDvuhz8MBX1xVC3Wn77dPnIIDufTVn8E6H-G7mjjx_RsBnSG4-T716X-j1/s1600/MarciaatDesk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9T0WB4cI7lqd7FxWi0s-elvWRsxJf27JUMUy-s5tMTW674dIPFjGqpKmXgITOQ_2gxmnfCbuk5p5uhb0eQpNDvuhz8MBX1xVC3Wn77dPnIIDufTVn8E6H-G7mjjx_RsBnSG4-T716X-j1/s1600/MarciaatDesk.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marcia at her desk<br /></td></tr>
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Marcia and I stay very busy here. As a therapist Marcia is constantly either on the phone counseling or in her office doing the same. We are up early in the morning preparing for what the day may bring us. We are never exactly sure as to what will happen on any given day. At times we may need to drop what we are doing, pack a bag and travel to a mission to help a mission president care for one of his missionaries.<br />
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Prior to arriving at our office in the morning we prepare ourselves the best way that we can. We study. In the evening we read together the latest talks from our Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and from other Church leaders. In the morning we have our individual study time. Individually we choose what we will study for that day. Marcia, for the last several weeks, has been studying the manual, <i>Preach My Gospel, </i>and the corresponding scriptures that relate to the topics that she is studying. I am currently studying the <i>Book of Mormon</i> and following the direction the Spirit may lead me as I do so.<br />
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This morning I was reading the discourse of a king named Benjamin. King Benjamin understood his role as king well. He not only protected and ruled his people with fairness and justice but he also served as a teacher and as a great example. This was his final discourse to his people before he turned the reign of government over to his son, Mosiah. His discourse, although directed at his people in about 124 B.C., is as applicable today as it was then. For example- one of the principles that he taught was this:<br />
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<b><i>"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the </i></b><b><i>service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." (Mosiah 2:17 pp. 148-149 Book </i></b><b><i>of Mormon)</i></b><br />
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Isn't this principle just as applicable today as then? Isn't that exactly the example the Savior gave us during his short three year ministry?<br />
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Back on topic!<br />
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As I was reading this morning another verse popped out at me:<br />
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<b><i> "And secondly, he doth require that you should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he</i></b><b><i> doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you." (Mosiah 2:24 p 149 Book of Mormon)</i></b><br />
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What really caught my attention was- <i>"immediately bless you." </i>How is this so? As you think about it logic would infer that if immediate blessings, meaning commandment obeyed-blessing bestowed- were truly handed out wouldn't the world be much calmer as an immediate award would follow obedience? Wouldn't churches be much better off as congregations begin to realize the blessings that flow from the promises by the Lord made through the Old Testament Prophet Malachi:<br />
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<b><i>"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Where-in have we robbed thee?</i></b><br />
<b><i>In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.</i></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zeCUT_uTOVLa8BGNs3uWb4mJHT4TAZrS_e-t4tu7mDg-dNYJ6tBeB4ygSVpZJkR0ZYZPqvAP_YJooS7_dQWnyz6uH-24PZR_D7Y3yzvOlaRLHByYha6j67u15pyGRm2S0YYoZcpAh-wv/s1600/angrybirdpiggybank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zeCUT_uTOVLa8BGNs3uWb4mJHT4TAZrS_e-t4tu7mDg-dNYJ6tBeB4ygSVpZJkR0ZYZPqvAP_YJooS7_dQWnyz6uH-24PZR_D7Y3yzvOlaRLHByYha6j67u15pyGRm2S0YYoZcpAh-wv/s1600/angrybirdpiggybank.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angry Birds 'Piggy' Bank</td></tr>
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<b><i>Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me </i></b><b><i>now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you </i></b><b><i>out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." (Malachi 3:8-10 KJV)</i></b><br />
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If you were to read this as a simple <i>'quid pro quo' </i>one might assume that the Lord would bless you with some type of financial blessing for the tithes and offerings you gave. This is not the case. Although financial blessings may come- the Lord does know what our needs are- in many cases the blessings that come are in some other form.<br />
Some of the blessings that follow paying of tithes and offerings are also listed by the Lord through Malachi:<br />
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<b><i>"And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of Hosts." (Malachi 3:11-12 KJV)</i></b><br />
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So, Jeff, why in heaven's name do you have an Angry Birds' Piggy Bank picture and what does it have to do with blessings?<br />
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That will be a post for tomorrow....<br />
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jsf<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2135167352161888887.post-63309554088425457352012-11-26T22:00:00.000-08:002012-11-26T22:00:35.161-08:00CorregidorHistory. It is said "that those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it." (a quote attributed to Winston Churchill)<br />
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The history of the Philippines is rich. Thanks to the Spaniards it is the only Christian nation in Asia. Spain ruled this archipelago for over 300 years. Following their rule the Philippines became a territory of the United States. Within hours of Japan bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941, Japan began their attack on the Philippine Islands. Their expectation was to conquer the Islands within weeks. Thanks to the resilience of the Philippine people and the United States military they weren't as successful as they had hoped. It took five months of intense fighting before the Philippines succumbed to the more powerful Japanese military machine. From my understanding it was due to the length that it took the Japanese to conquer the Philippines that spared Australia from an invasion. The Philippinos and the U.S. military made their last stand on the island of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corregidor_Island" target="_blank">Corregidor</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy69oCH_SdvLyjDHsNAAtC-zdKKmyo52Zvy226KhkdKS78-RB29yWhYEDiArLjPMkeWqxSyiaAqhit9WO4Tcnb8IxafptgVvBdUAFenWWgcV62iq0R4_NQyL8oA4gw6650fYK9lAtUZcYB/s1600/IMG_0522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy69oCH_SdvLyjDHsNAAtC-zdKKmyo52Zvy226KhkdKS78-RB29yWhYEDiArLjPMkeWqxSyiaAqhit9WO4Tcnb8IxafptgVvBdUAFenWWgcV62iq0R4_NQyL8oA4gw6650fYK9lAtUZcYB/s320/IMG_0522.JPG" width="320" /></a>Marcia and I had the opportunity to tour the island of Corregidor earlier this month. We would highly recommend visiting the island if you are ever in Manila. It is worth the time and money.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-a-2mrjJ3a0EidcQzEq_1gZ4iOct_ilSzOEHtx1xAkETgSybskp6_J9GSADJwh_Ld_LmYAJn9e5w85r2dXQCDMGlluNAZeMY3UaqOX2NUISX_DW5CAe3Amb2Gg69YTW3fHyTDZJOvXpfD/s1600/IMG_0521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-a-2mrjJ3a0EidcQzEq_1gZ4iOct_ilSzOEHtx1xAkETgSybskp6_J9GSADJwh_Ld_LmYAJn9e5w85r2dXQCDMGlluNAZeMY3UaqOX2NUISX_DW5CAe3Amb2Gg69YTW3fHyTDZJOvXpfD/s320/IMG_0521.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Middleside Barracks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbO763_OjnPlAKOhjWGVfPPpWrnKL-7ybGOzptsoXrxRHIpvYRVJMYX-xRi98XyDz3wEHD8arttV4OgSjOvvRAWGuyleCHWdMcrHmM6n1LMLzvZ0H6Uk2SKQNkbevD-GZUOLP9obE4Sir/s1600/IMG_0524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbO763_OjnPlAKOhjWGVfPPpWrnKL-7ybGOzptsoXrxRHIpvYRVJMYX-xRi98XyDz3wEHD8arttV4OgSjOvvRAWGuyleCHWdMcrHmM6n1LMLzvZ0H6Uk2SKQNkbevD-GZUOLP9obE4Sir/s320/IMG_0524.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shell Holes </td></tr>
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Places on the island are named with respect to their location on the island. The pictures on the right are part of the Middleside Barracks.<br />
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I will post additional pictures in the next day or so with captions. I took about 300 pictures while we were there. The story behind the courageous men and women who defended this island and the Philippines is tremendous. It is one that shouldn't be forgotten because of time...<br />
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jsf<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemVuM3a_z8vBvVqNM71o9Q565icgJV0DBcu9aqyQXSlBmt9Vqe-5pWMI7dEqA7VCCqL6QYmrent5qjxE-IcJFcvRpS0-lx8a7vTDUqZbXHP1Ca7stdViNjxNudUah4k1COoTKgrh7U9UF/s1600/IMG_0525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemVuM3a_z8vBvVqNM71o9Q565icgJV0DBcu9aqyQXSlBmt9Vqe-5pWMI7dEqA7VCCqL6QYmrent5qjxE-IcJFcvRpS0-lx8a7vTDUqZbXHP1Ca7stdViNjxNudUah4k1COoTKgrh7U9UF/s320/IMG_0525.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marcia at Middleside Barraks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyFlmDgb8BrmfE3r9hjRP_R88zUzIEMmL_TaCeD7FbUpjoQ_jXSf9J7-NV-hZaPcZdlwdolAJzYfuU9b8Op2T8louUMcC1qhyphenhyphenhSvkefaH8fznox4RGfmNtHjE3sxcoC2QJXhyEPIX_wgN/s1600/IMG_0547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyFlmDgb8BrmfE3r9hjRP_R88zUzIEMmL_TaCeD7FbUpjoQ_jXSf9J7-NV-hZaPcZdlwdolAJzYfuU9b8Op2T8louUMcC1qhyphenhyphenhSvkefaH8fznox4RGfmNtHjE3sxcoC2QJXhyEPIX_wgN/s320/IMG_0547.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Munition Bunker at a gun emplacement<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFAlQhMIqxfesqJoADIXXIHEJKM7YkGLEQtEZCUwLc8eqCQJD7qUVsPIraYsdRzVAkreLgi6FysPOze60qNw-tMTgbaJyGMvzx5ChQJZ5vR656_UEmsGObOramSGI5MX1ZCGjLUxfOLvv/s1600/IMG_0553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFAlQhMIqxfesqJoADIXXIHEJKM7YkGLEQtEZCUwLc8eqCQJD7qUVsPIraYsdRzVAkreLgi6FysPOze60qNw-tMTgbaJyGMvzx5ChQJZ5vR656_UEmsGObOramSGI5MX1ZCGjLUxfOLvv/s320/IMG_0553.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rails used to carry heavy munitions to the guns</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOYnbvUw4_fiBbCX1Nlr2GzVzuA656BSSmWVC_k-o74yoq2KIUhwkZQ2OdsW1BppBJlV-5dTnIwoPxhNBwGTseA8_4elZ7Z4xSUCqFWSBaY_P3irq0kzVE-wI-wBEsm1P1y7C50pa93JB/s1600/IMG_0557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOYnbvUw4_fiBbCX1Nlr2GzVzuA656BSSmWVC_k-o74yoq2KIUhwkZQ2OdsW1BppBJlV-5dTnIwoPxhNBwGTseA8_4elZ7Z4xSUCqFWSBaY_P3irq0kzVE-wI-wBEsm1P1y7C50pa93JB/s320/IMG_0557.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a door to the munition bunker with shrapnel holes in it</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyA6Jxx9JC8YbGzbXnYk56Had-RCkXI8IB6eLHs60fOtFuKKcmLYZZ6fGgb9BSVHdKqk2L5QUJRtYSMW73awZk4CAV9km_ge19hsuFePh8BWffjfEVdcHqRx4bww-XrnNtIYTF9mlKUWY/s1600/IMG_0560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyA6Jxx9JC8YbGzbXnYk56Had-RCkXI8IB6eLHs60fOtFuKKcmLYZZ6fGgb9BSVHdKqk2L5QUJRtYSMW73awZk4CAV9km_ge19hsuFePh8BWffjfEVdcHqRx4bww-XrnNtIYTF9mlKUWY/s320/IMG_0560.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff at the wrong end of the barrel!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyeSQ1tdbk4GdxwoDfSewZgUum5Berj5YdFQ290Gg-8TQiLD7V9DQsFkWh4F3GaQfnN3KWmXWDUpB9tAlmY1fwaPljXM6rDNuezQiFC_n0GXo0df-apYnB-DzYfm-u9qD4fwyigBgzVts/s1600/IMG_0561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyeSQ1tdbk4GdxwoDfSewZgUum5Berj5YdFQ290Gg-8TQiLD7V9DQsFkWh4F3GaQfnN3KWmXWDUpB9tAlmY1fwaPljXM6rDNuezQiFC_n0GXo0df-apYnB-DzYfm-u9qD4fwyigBgzVts/s320/IMG_0561.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marcia and Jeff at a 12" mortar</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_2072866560"></span><span id="goog_2072866561"></span><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2135167352161888887.post-78315924536060915632012-11-18T02:29:00.000-08:002012-11-18T02:40:23.932-08:00We believe...Article 13<strong>"We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul- We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."</strong><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7GJ1AuClBWQAx-Xmxv5O5tWZ1ex49CIDnojvXrFAafgivdsTooUc6vtT55c0zg2lj88RI9mmkbpGEXAsmcafiyZs4f4C_yO7GFcgf_hyphenhyphentb3EDUeAtLImdWOT8hGlQGqT4gHFA80bLg9N/s1600/SpencerWKimball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7GJ1AuClBWQAx-Xmxv5O5tWZ1ex49CIDnojvXrFAafgivdsTooUc6vtT55c0zg2lj88RI9mmkbpGEXAsmcafiyZs4f4C_yO7GFcgf_hyphenhyphentb3EDUeAtLImdWOT8hGlQGqT4gHFA80bLg9N/s200/SpencerWKimball.jpg" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spencer W. Kimball</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">As stated earlier in these posts we, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, believe in living prophets. The prophet at the time that I joined the Church in 1979 was Spencer W. Kimball. This quote is from the book <i>From the Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball</i> p. 552:</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><i>"We say to our friends of the world, we love and admire you. We are grateful for your resolve to be righteous in an increasingly wicked world. Bring all that you have that is good and wholesome with you, and let us add to all that you have, that which we have-the fullness of the gospel and the even greater blessings that can follow unto you through membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! ..."</i></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">This teaching is not unique just to President Kimball. Seventeen years later President Gordon B. Hinkley stated the following in an interview in 1996:</span><br />
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</span> <i><span style="background-color: clear; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">"We recognize the good in all people. We recognize the good in all churches, in their efforts to improve mankind and to teach principles that lead to good, stable, productive living. To people everywhere we simply say, "You bring with</span><span style="background-color: clear; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> you all the good that you have and let</span><span style="background-color: clear; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> us add</span><span style="background-color: clear; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> to it</span></i><span style="background-color: clear; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><i>. That is the principle on which we work."</i>—From Interview by Philippines Television, April 30, 1996.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV185w_-ci79fc7DeK1PlRk2eHoxPSqAIPLlkHgTTq69lxskIGNUs0v0nEUlZCBB_Nu9PFs1Ob-l1tLHs0poVQlq89LWpuGFGFwhhGCJ5A_S3aqwdUXYLEut6FRXagyUV2Ef21LPIILiZu/s1600/GordonBHinkley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV185w_-ci79fc7DeK1PlRk2eHoxPSqAIPLlkHgTTq69lxskIGNUs0v0nEUlZCBB_Nu9PFs1Ob-l1tLHs0poVQlq89LWpuGFGFwhhGCJ5A_S3aqwdUXYLEut6FRXagyUV2Ef21LPIILiZu/s200/GordonBHinkley.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gordon B. Hinkley</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Truth is truth no matter where it is found. Fortunately there is no corner on the market on truth. It can be found- if you look hard enough. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Next.... a wrap on the Articles of Faith.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">jsf</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0