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30 September 2012


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 humble home he grew up in and how his mother wanted a large mirror in the bathroom.  Eventually his dad was able to put one in.  One morning Elder Smutz (as a young boy) got up and went into the bathroom and there on that huge mirror, written in bright red lipstick was "I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I know the Book of Mormon is true."  signed Chris Smutz (his brother)  He said he never forgot that and that we should all be that bold in declaring that we are members of the true church and that we believe the Book of Mormon is true.  I add my testimony to both.
 
A few weeks ago,  Pres. and Sister Mortimer invited us on a Sunday to visit a ward in a town south of Cebu called Car-Car, which is about an hour and a half drive.  When we got there the Stake Pres. was there and he asked all four of us to speak.  I just about died and my anxiety kicked into gear.  I began praying fervently that Heavenly father would not only help me know what to say but to give me strength to accomplish this major task (for me).  I just happened to have a few notes about agency scribbled in a ntoebook that I carry, so that was my topic.  Of course, I had to go first.  I had a shakey start then I felt  strength from the Lord overcome me and I finished my talk with great conviction and no tears!!
I felt really good about it, thanks to the Lord blessing and strengthening me.  That really gave me a testimony of how he will help us and support us if we ask for help.
Lyman did a good job as always.  I hope speaking opportunities don't come along very often as speaking is NOT my forte!
 
As I mentioned before, Pres. and Sis. Mortimer are leaving the end of this month.  We're having a huge farewell home evening tomorrow night with a fun program.  Some of us will sing and some will dance, etc.  I'll be behind the camera taking pictures.  It should be fun.  Our new Temple Pres., Pres. Pagaduan and his wife will arrive on October 29.  It will be interesting to see how a new Pres.will run things.  The ordinances are always the same but the operation for every temple is different.  Should be a great experience.
 
Our son Douglas and his wife Connie have moved to Pennsylvania to work in the natural gas fields. We're excited for them and this wonderful opportunity to see what that part of the U.S. and the church are  like.  The only drawback is that it is so far away.  Oh well, now we have one more state to visit.
 
We're having wonderful experiences in the temple each day we work.  Some are rather humerous--sure hope the Lord has a sense of humor!  These people are so cute and loveable and innocent that you just have to love them.  They are such a small people meaning short and petite.  The other day I was the follower in a session and noticed that there was something weird about the followers chair in front of the room.  Come to find out, they cut off (shortened) every chair in the temple so their feet could touch the floor.  Well, that's good for them, but now they're too SHORT for me!  I had to laugh.  They'll be using the temple a lot longer than I will--I'm glad they cater to the needs of those people.
 
I talked with an older sister the other day who volunteers to work in the clothing issue every Saturday. She had seven children and her husband died back in 1981. She  had to take care of and support her children all alone.  She said she cooked food and sold it and crocheted many things to earn enough money to feed her family.  She managed to put all of them through college.  These people are just amazing--they accomplish so many more things in their poverty than one can imagine.  The Americans need to take a lesson and learn what one can do under conditions of poverty and quit wanting the government to hand everything to them without working for it.  The government here is greedy and does nothing for the people but keep all the wealth for themselves, which I truly believe a certain U.S. Pres. also wants to do.  Enough said!
 
Well, I've rambled on enough.  I hope we're all continuing to build our houses (lives) on a rock (being our Savior and Redeemer) and not on sand (the things of the world), so that we'll be strong enough to weather the storms that are coming--whatever they may be --mentally, spiritually, phyically.  I testify that by reading the scriptures often we can learn things that we should and can do to be prepared for what lies ahead of us until the Savior comes.  It is so important to keep the commandments, have real charity towards our brothers and sisters, and do all that is asked of us--our callings, visiting and home teaching, etc.   There is certainly more we can do also.  We love you all and hope you're all well and happy. We would love to hear from all of you whenever possible.  We do miss friends and family and our ward members.
 
Love,
Elder and Sister Ward

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