Elder & Sister Ward

18 December 2012 Hello Everyone--Family and Friends,   It has been a while since I've written, but feel I must send you all a Christmas greeting.  In the Philippines they begin the Christmas season with all the Christmas decorations coming out in the stores and the playing of  Christmas music as early as October.  Because the majority of people are Catholic and Protestant, they are big on Nativity scenes.  You see or hear very little bout Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, etc.  They really love Christmas and will be setting off plenty of fireworks on Christmas and New Year's Day, especially.   We had a Christmas social with the Temple Presidency and all of the temple workers on Monday the 17th.  We enjoyed about 5 musical numbers--two guitar numbers, one vocal solo, and two dances, and a Christmas message by Pres Pagaduan.  It was fun and enjoyable and the food was catered and was very good.   ...

Typhoon Hi, Everyone,   The typhoon went another direction and became weaker by the time it was supposed to hit us.  We feel lucky--or blessed, because there definitely was death and destruction on the island of Mindinau just north of us.  We got some really heavy rain and 20-30 mile an hour winds for about and hour or so then it blew over and got deadly calm and nothing more.  We were quite relieved but prepared for the worse case scenario.  The temple was closed only Tuesday afternoon and we're back in full force yesterday and today.  It was rather scary but we're fine.  Thanks for your prayers and concern for us.   Don't know much else, but send our love to all of you.   Lyman and Linnea

TYPHOON COMING OUR WAY Hello Everyone,   Just in case you haven't heard about the typhoon headed our  way.  This one is actually supposed to hit us.  We've been counseled to store up water and food, so we've been preparing all day.  They have tied supports to all the palm trees around our complex in expectation of hard winds.    I think we'll be okay in our housing that is well built, but I worry about the Filipino members who live in such weak shanties--if it turns out to be bad.  We may be without electricity and water for while.  It should be an interesting experience if it does turn out to be a bad one.  But our faith is strong and we'll make it through this.  There are a lot of other people suffering more than we will--I'm sure.   Other than that, we are doing fine; I just haven't had much to talk about lately.  We had to work on Thanksgiving day, but had a potluck dinner last Monday night to ce...

Hi Everyone,   This morning started out with a false fire alarm.  I had just gotten out of the shower and was disturbed to hear this horrible loud sound, which was all too familiar, and the loud speaker blaring that we should get out of the building.  I told Lyman I was getting dressed first so I hurriedly pulled on my pants and put on my shirt and then it all stopped!  I was relieved but also hacked!  A few weeks ago, the same thing happened but it wasn't exactly a false alarm. It was a Sunday night when it went off so we were dressed.  I thought, what is the most important thing to grab.  I decided it was my purse because it had all of our  money, debit cards, temple recommend, keys, etc., so I grabbed it and we headed down the back stairs as directed.  We met up with all the American missionary couples, but none of the Filipino couples came out.  We decided we'd have a meeting out there in the street, under t...

Hello Everyone,   Well, I haven't written for sometime now.  Didn't think you'd want to hear about everything we do aside from temple work as all we do is cook, eat, clean, shop, watch Fox News, read scriptures, go to bed, get up, go to the temple and start all over again.   Been sitting here listening to the thunder and the rain coming down in torrents again--love the sound!    All of us missionary couples went to a certain a ward today for church. The bishop wanted us all to come and bring a dish of food to put in on a potluck linger longer.  They had a week of 'finding the lost sheep" missionary week and wanted all of us to join in their celebration of accomplishment.  The bishop is the main laundry guy in the temple--just a young man, but he's doing a super job with his ward.  The mission pres., Elder Smutz (prounounced smootz) was one of the speakers.  He and his wife are such a nice people.  He told of the h...

Dear Friends and family,   Guess most of you have heard by now that there was an earthquake in the Philippines off one of the islands about 150 miles away from us.  We had just gotten home from the temple and were sitting at the table when it began to shake.  I thought at first Lyman was doing something funny but we soon realized it was a quake.  It was basically mild--nothing was rattling or swaying but was definitely noticeable.  It lasted a good 30 seconds or more--enough to "shake" me up somewhat.  There was the threat of a tsunami, but nothing much came of it.  We had rain for a couple of days afterward--whether that was connected or unusual I do not know.  Anyway, we're fine--and not scared into going home--yet! Ha!   We attended two stake conferences in the last two weeks at the request of the Temple Pres.  just to let the people know we're interested in everyone.  The first one got a new stake pres. and there ...

Hi Everyone,   Well, our two week vacation is over and we are glad!  There isn't too much to do when you don't spend 8 hours a day in the temple.  Most of the couples took trips to different islands or places on this island and lot of the Philippine temple missionary couples went home.    We had to be out of our apartment several different days for a few hours at a time because they were working on different items.  They scrubbed floors, cupboards, sinks,  tubs, the oven, the hood fan, and then they took the air conditioner completely apart and cleaned it and put in a new filter; they also put new drapes on both the bedroom and living room windows.  So it was like having  a brand new apartment.  They also repainted the hall walls on our floor.   Each day we'd take a list of things we wanted to get at a certain mall.  So we would get a taxi to take us to that mall and we'd spend 3-4 hours w...

Hi Everyone,   The temple is closed for two weeks for maintenance, and they are also fixing cracks and painting walls in our apartment complex..  At some point, they will be cleaning our air conditioning unit and putting in a new filter, washing windows and cleaning curtains, and any other things that need fixing or cleaning.  The building has been a mess.  Most of the couples have gone to their homes (that is the Filipino couples) and others have gone to tour different places, but we weren't invited, so Lyman and I have been walking the halls of every mall in Cebu and getting a few things we need, and getting our exercise also.   Sunday we visited a ward with Pres. and Sis. Mortimer.  The chapel had a nice stage but for the congregation there were no benches just plastic chairs.  Well, if that wasn't bad enough, they didn't have AC, just ceiling fans, and then, about 5 minutes into the service, the power went out and never did come...

Hi Everyone,   Things have been rather slow here lately.  Next week we get a two-week break for maintainence so the temple will be closed.  We haven't had very many patrons, but each day and each shift is different, but sometimes it gets really slow.  So we go as patrons on sessions, or in initiatory, which is very enjoyable.   Last week Pres. Mortimer had his 69th birthday.  We went with three other couples and took Pres. Mortimer and his wife out to a Chinese restaurant.  It was really authentic and was really good.  Only thing is they didn't have 'egg rolls' and didn't even know what I was talking about.  Must be an American Chinese tradition type food.  We had plenty to eat and enjoyed the company.  Then all week in the temple 'canteen' (kitchen) Sis. Mortimer provided cookies as a treat.   Saturday night, Lyman and I took a taxi to the Park Lane Hotel and had their buffet dinner.  Wow! they had a wonderf...

18 June 2012 Hello Everyone!   Haven't written for a while because there hasn't been a whole lot of news here.  We're both well and content and love the work we are doing in the temple.  We learn new things all the time and that's good.  Lyman has found himself in 'trouble' a few times, but Pres. Mortimer kindly straightens him out.  We have a few good laughs at how patient the Lord is with all of us and our follies, but he knows we are trying to do our best!  That's the main thing!   We enjoy the other missionary couples we work with as well as other native workers.  They are some really good people and we feel blessed to be here working with all of them in furthering the work of the Lord.   School is back in session and so there are not so many patrons staying in the bottom floors of this 'Patron House" where we live on the 3rd floor.  The temple is not as busy either, so we'll probably spend some of the time being patr...

Hello, again,   Pres. and Sis. Mortimer (Temple Pres and wife) invited us to attend a different ward with them today.  There was no air conditioning in the chapel but had lots of ceiling fans, so we endure it pretty well.  They allow their children to run around a bit more than we do, but they're such beautiful, cute children it's hard to get too annoyed, especially since the fans are noisy, too, and we don't understand a lot of what they're saying anyway!   The faith of these people is just amazing.  We've heard so many stories.  One man and his wife who did live in Manila, moved here to Cebu without having a job because when his oldest daughter developed breast cancer he promised the Lord he and his wife would be workers in the Cebu Temple if his daughter's life would be spared.  So they moved here and are temple workers with no job, but he told how they always receive enough money somehow to make it.  Don't know that my faith is ...

Hi Everyone,   Guess it's time to write again although nothing much has happened except wonderful work in the temple.  I've made my mistakes but I have learned so many things, the main one is  how much prayer is important and how the Lord will bless you if you just ask  and he does forgive!  I finally have decided not to get so uptight with some of the things I'm asked to do but to just relax, know this is what I've committed to do and enjoy working for the Lord.  Sometimes I'm rather stubborn and hardheaded and slow at learning certain lessons.   This week we have had lots of rain.  It's actually starting the monsoon season.  I've never seen such lightning and heard such thunder and the sky just opens up and DUMPS the rain.  Never seen anything like it.  Unlike our country where it rains at a slant, here it comes straight down in torrents.  But it feels so good when it's so hot.   We...

Hi Everyone, Well, church on Sunday was quite interesting.  They say they speak English here, but it's really half English mixed with Cebuano and whatever else they speak, so it was really hard to follow what they were saying, but the spirit testified that they really know the gospel and the teachers were very good.  They fill the chapel and it's a huge one.    We've had a very interesting day today.  It was announced Sunday that Elder Russel M. Nelson of the Twelve Apostles was going to be here to give a devotional Wed. evening.  He came to the temple and went through a session at 2 p.m.  I didn't get to see him because my shift ended just before his started.  But Lyman and I did go to the devotional.  It was very good, of course, and so interesting to see him in person.  He told about what parents should be teaching their children.  He had all the primary children in the audience stand and sing a verse of "I Am a Child o...

Grandma, Grandson, & Grandpa in the MTC: Temple Missionaries at the MTC: Hong Kong Airport: Philippines Apartment: Hard at work with the remote: He found his FOXNews:

Hi everyone!   I'm sorry my last letter was so negative--I was so tired from the switch in time that I should have waited until I had a clearer mind!    I forgot to mention it was a 15 hour flight from L.A. to Hong Kong, that's why it added to the drama.   We are just loving it here.  The people are so warm and friendly they really make us feel at home.  A couple that finished their mission a couple of weeks ago also had the last name of Ward, but don't think it was any relation, but the people are so cute when they see our name is Ward they say "they"'were the first ward and we are the 2nd ward.   The temple is small but very beautiful.  There is a whole fenced-in compound which includes the temple (and the grounds are beautiful), the mission president's home, the temple pres.'s home and this 3 story apartment building.  We live on the third floor in a one-bedroom apartment; it is quite big actually and completely modern w...

Hi everyone!   We finally made it to Cebu.  It is in the mid 80's with 90% humidity, but it really isn't too bad. I'm thinking of writing a book entitled, "Hell over the Pacific" which would tell about our hellish flight over the Pacific in a jet liner that was so packed one could hardly move!  I sat next to the window, Lyman was in the middle seat and a little Chinese nan sat next to the aisle.  He was very congenial whenever we had to go to the potty, but it was such a hassle!  (Maybe I should call book "Nightmare over the Pacific!--whatever it was still HELL! ) Anyway, we arrived in Hong Kong about 5:30 a.m. and had to sit in the airport another 10 hours before we caught the plane on to Cebu.  That flight was EVEN WORSE!  Lyman and I were the together in two seats, the middle had 4 or five seats across and then two together one the other side, but the seats were even closer and tighter than ever.  But we finall...

Hi everyone,   We have just ended our first week in the MTC.  We've had a wonderful time and experience getting to know other missionary couples and learning "How to preach the gospel"in classes.  Wow! there is a lot to learn.  We've had great teachers and a lot of fun roleplaying.  However, it has also been a very spiritual and rewarding experience.  Our bodies have ached as we've walked from building to building, but the more we've kept going the better we feel.  So eventually we'll get back into better shape, hopefully before we reach the Philippines.   Tuesday night we had a devotional with Keith R. Edwards of the second quorum of seventies.  That was a wonderful evening. Next week we'll spend in the Provo Temple getting instructions and listening to the brethren.  It should be very helpful and rewarding.   We've been able to see our grandson, Alex  Guerrero (our daughter Julia's boy),  who is also here...

We are flying to the MTC in Provo on Sunday the 29th and will leave there after two weeks for Cebu Philippines on May 12th. You can still e-mail us at this e-mail or at  ljdyasward@gmail.com .  We will  have a Magic Jack Phone so you can call us at  208-649-7705  if you ever have a need to contact us in a hurry.   Our temporary mailing address is, Bro. and Sis. Lyman D. Ward  Cebu City Philippines Temple  Gorordo Avenue Lohug, Cebu City Philippines    We're nervous and anxious but are looking forward to new experiences with faith.  Our love to all, Lyman and Linnea

Lyman's heart doctor gave Lyman the okay to go on our mission, so it is official now that we can resume our call to leave on our mission to the Cebu City Philippines Temple on April 30.  We received our call the day after we got Lyman home from the hospital after having 2 stents put in his heart, paracarditis, and kidney failure.  But the Lord has blessed him to where his kidney function is back and his heart is doing well, so we're back on schedule.  It was touch and go for a while.  So we are excited and grateful. We enter the MTC in Provo on April 30th, spend two weeks training for temple work, and fly to the Philippines on May 12 via Hong Kong.  We'll be gone 18 months.  We  are ready to go!  Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers in our behalf.   Lyman and Linnea