Week 42--April 10-16, 2016

Each day as we enter the subdivision where the mission office is located we pass this little shop that sells rice and eggs. We have always noticed the brightly colored violet eggs and thought they were regular eggs laid by an exotic breed of chicken. Come to find out they are salted duck eggs and are painted violet so that they can be distinguished from regular eggs. They are made by dipping a raw egg in a cake batter-like mixture of clay, salt, and water. They are then packed in a wooden crate to cure for 12-14 days, the salt equilibrating in the batch by osmosis. After the two-week curing time the eggs are cleaned and boiled. The curing allows for a long shelf life but they are stocked and replenished biweekly. Tom ate one at restaurant we went to several months ago not knowing how they were made until today. He did say they were salty.

Family, notice the Pepsi bottle. Who does it remind you of? Soda still comes in glass bottles in the Philippines although you can but soda in cans. A can of soda costs 40-45 pesos which is about $1 US dollar. Tom bought a bottle of Royal Orange in a glass bottle on Saturday for 8 pesos which is 20 cents US.

On Sunday, April 10, we spent the day watching General Conference at the Stake Center. The trip which usually takes an hour only took 22 minutes so we got to enjoy the music of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for an hour and read over some of the talks from Saturday. President Monson's two talks were very short but inspiring. In the Priesthood session he said, "This precious gift of priesthood power brings with it not only solemn responsibilities but also special blessings for ourselves and for others. May we, in whatever place we may find ourselves, always be worthy to call upon its power, for we never know when our need and our opportunity to do may come." The second talk, "May We Ever Choose the Harder Right Instead of the Easier Wrong," President Monson warned us about choices. Unlike Alice in Louis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland when she asked the Cheshire cat which path she should follow, the cat answers, "That depends on where you want to go. If you do not know where you want to go, if doesn't matter which path you take." We know where we want to go and it does matter which way we go, for the path we follow in this life leads to our destination in the next life.

The rest of the talks on Sunday were inspiring and uplifting just as they were on Saturday.

Each week we are assigned to attend a district meeting on Tuesday. This week we were assigned to go to Novaliches where Elder Godinez gave an excellent workshop on "10 Ways to Be a Better Missionary" with emphasis on getting along with your companion.

Tom had the opportunity to give a Spanish lesson this week to Elder Salazar who is VISA waiter going to the California Long Beach Mission. Elder Salazar will definitely use Spanish in his mission.

Elder Ebite and Elder Jangao, who are cousins, have had their VISAs approved to go Johannesburg South Africa Mission. They fly out on Sunday.

For our meal on Saturday, Garnalee made hamburgers, and we ate some of the pork n' beans and Vienna sausages from our 72 hour emergency kits. Every six months, at General Conference time, we are to check the dates on the food, and if it is close to expiring we are to eat the food and purchase new to replace it.

We have noticed an increase in the temperature this week. It is HOT and going to get HOTTER!!

Week 41--April 3-9, 2016

Batman vs Superman has arrived in the Philippines. The media hype to promote the movie included life size models of Batman, Superman, Wonderwoman, and the Batmobile.

 Bigger Better Burger Triple X is the best burger Tom has had in years. The sign says it is three 1/3 pound patties made of 100% premium ground beef, but along with home-style fries and cucumber lemonade the scales say he gained 1.8 pounds. "I,m losing the battle of the bulge." He has decided he won't have another Triple X while we are here but would go for the Double Dare.

Enjoying lunch between the sessions of General Conference on Sunday, April 10.  We felt like the pioneers when they would pack a lunch to church and have a picnic lunch between the meetings or the sessions of conference.






On Sunday, April 3, the traffic on Quirino Highway was crazy. It took us 25 minutes to get to church that normally takes about 10 minutes. On the four lane highway there were four lanes coming from the opposite direction leaving us with one narrow lane to travel on.

President Bertin and his family, who were here visiting for a few days, attended our Ward. He suggested we take the back way home where we would come out at Fairview Terraces which is right next to our apartment complex. We took his advice, and with the help of Sister Google we were able to find our way. It still took us 25 minutes but it was a lot less stressful.

Sister Seuifalamua injured her knee in a Zone activity a week ago so she is on limited activity. President Bertin asked if I could keep her and her companion, Sister Hulme, busy for a couple days in the office. I gave them bottles of vitamins to count out into batches of 60, place in plastic bags and an envelope, and label for distribution to the missionaries. The Area Office used to supply Centrum to the mission, but now we have to purchase our own. Sister Bertin goes to S&R, the Costco of the Philippines, and purchases large bottles of Kirkland Vitamins that we use. I then had them cut apart and laminate inspired question cards. The inspired question cards have five questions that the missionaries memorize to use in OYMing and street contacting. Tom had them update the missionary apartment list with all the information he needs on each apartment.

Tom has designated Garnalee as the driver when we go to Casa Milan. We need a sticker on our windshield which we haven't been able to get because our registration isn't current. Tom has decided they won't turn her away because she is better looking. We are waiting on the PAO to supply the registration but they don't seem to be any big hurry, Welcome to the Philippines!!

We spent Saturday listening to six hours of General Conference. The older we get the more we gain from conference. We are grateful for the inspired messages that were delivered that help us strive to do better each day.

Week 40--March 27-April 2, 2016

The senior couples from the northern province of Baliwag were in town for Zone Conference. It gives us the opportunity to socialize together. We had a wonderful dinner at TGI Fridays then topped it off with ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery.

 After filling our ice cream orders the employees turned up the music and entertained us with their dancing. This doesn't happen at other Cold Stone Creamery we have been to.

We have noticed some communities have traditions that are peculiar to their communities. In Montalban jeepneys are artistically air brushed. Here in Navotas the trikes are garishly  decorated with colors, lights and mirrors. They line up to take their turn as customers arrive.

Wood carving is one of the many businesses here in the Philippines. Some the wood carvers focus on items of interest to members of the Church such as Liahonas, heroes from the Book of Mormon, and temple plaques.  We especially liked the temple plaque and ordered one. It will a special keepsake from our mission.












We spoke in Sacrament meeting on Sunday, March 27. We were notified of our assignment by text message which we found kind of strange. I guess we could have declined but we didn't. Tom was asked to speak on the Atonement and Garnalee on obedience. At the end of the meeting, we were asked by several members if we were going home because we both spoke. We told them no we were here through the rest of the year.

Tom went with Elder Broadhead to San Miguel which is the very northern part of the mission om Monday, March 28. It took them three hours to drive the 40 miles. They were going to rent an apartment for the elders who are assigned to proselyte in that area.

Tom and Elder Broadhead were on the road again on Wednesday only this this to Navotas which is in the southern part of the mission. Another three hour ride to get there.

When Tom distributed the rent vouchers and BIRs to the Zone Leaders at Mission Leadership Council  a month ago he promised Oreos to all of the zones that had returned them by the next MLC on March 31. The Oreos worked like gold as almost all of the vouchers and BIRs were returned. It was worth every penny we spent.

We went to see Superman vs Batman on Friday evening, April 1. It was so convoluted that Tom had a hard time following the story line and probably won't recommend it anybody. However by the end of the story Garnalee had figured it out and it turned out to be an okay movie.

After shopping and paying of bills on Saturday we ended the day by watching the Women's session of General Conference. It was inspiring. The Church is blessed with many qualified sisters in leadership positions in Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary. The women of the Church have always been encouraged to reach out and help others in need. With the many refugees worldwide in need of assistance we were again encouraged to find areas of service.

Week 39--March 20-26, 2016

We saw this trike transporting a wheel chair. It is the first wheel chair we have seen since being here.

This bus was involved in an accident shortly after we arrived last July. The accident happened close to where we go to church on Quirino Highway, a major artery in Quezon City. Four people were killed. The bus was towed to its present location where about a month later power lines fell onto the bus and it caught on fire. Nine months later the bus is still sitting on the side of the road blocking one lane of traffic.






We had Stake Conference on Sunday, March 20. After the sustaining of the officers it was noted that there are 41 missionaries serving from the San Jose Del Monte Stake. The speakers spoke on family history, self-reliance, encouraging the youth to go on a mission, and temple attendance.

This week is Holy Week. As we drove to church we saw many people carrying palm branches in remembrance of Christ's entrance into Jerusalem. On Maundy Thursday (day of the Last Supper) and Good Friday all commerce was suspended in the city. It was strange to drive by the two malls by us and the businesses along the roads and have them closed and dark, It was very different than at home.

Not only are the stores closed but traffic is almost non-existent on the roads. We decided to go to the Temple on Friday and it only took us 30 minutes to get there! It is usually a 1 1/2 to 2 hour drive. We arrived a 12:45 PM and wanted to do an endowment session, but we were told that the next available session was 6 PM. So we decided to do some sealings for members of Tom's family. We sealed  two couples and 17 children. It was a great day with friends in the temple.

This week has also been the first two sessions of Zone Conferences. Because of Holy Week President Bertin knew. The focus of zone conference was on the Plan of Salvation and the Atonement. Sister Bertin delivered a wonderful message on hope. The conference concluded with a testimony meeting. These young missionaries have such strong testimonies it is amazing.

Week 38--March 13-19, 2016

The Primary children wouldn't let Garnalee into the Primary room as they were preparing the chalk board with a big birthday card.

 We gathered for a group shot at the end of Primary. There favorite thing has come to be Garnalee leading the children in "Do As I'm doing."

On Wednesday, March 16, we traveled to Manila to stay overnight so all of the senior couples could travel to Corregidor Island on Thursday. Before we checked in at the hotel we went to a very authenticate Indian restaurant where the foods are very spicy. This is the lobby of the Manila Hotel where we spent the night. This historic hotel was built in 1912 and was not damaged during World War II. The hotel was $200 per night and the most spacious we have ever stayed in. The Breakfast Buffet was truly international with every kind of breakfast food imaginable.

Outside the Manila Hotel. Left to right--Sister and Elder Harrington, Sister and Elder Broadhead, Sister and President Bertin. We took a 1 1/2 hour ferry ride to Corregidor. Tom was especially interested as his Dad was stationed on Corregidor during World War II.

On Thursday, March 17, we spent the day on Corregidor Island which is an island at the entrance to Manila Bay and was one of four islands that formed the harbor defenses. During World War II, Corregidor played an important role during the invasion and liberation of the Philippines from Japanese forces. The Japanese had planned on conquering the Philippines in six weeks at the beginning of the war and moving on to conquer other areas. But due to the tenacity of the Americans and Philippines defending the island it took five months.  Japanese troops that were headed for Papua New Guinea were diverted to the Philippines thus allowing the Australians to defend Papua New Guinea and prevent the invasion of Australia.

Tom and Garnalee standing next to one of the surviving mortars on Corregidor.

 Malinta Tunnel is a tunnel complex built by the Army /corp of Engineers on the island of Corregidor. It was initially used as a bomb-proof storage and personnel bunker, but was later equipped as a 1000 bed hospital. Above the tunnel is 130 feet of solid rock.






The main tunnel, running east to west, is 831 feet long, 24 feet wide and 18 feet high. Branching off from this main shaft are 13 lateral tunnels on the north side and 11 lateral tunnels on the south side. Most of the lateral tunnels were destroyed during the heavy bombing that took place on the island.

Statue of an American solider helping a fellow wounded  Filipino soldier.

Remains of Mile-Long Barracks. It was the headquarters General Douglas MacArthur.  

 The group gathers in front of the statue of General Douglas MacArthur. Left to right-Sister and President Bertin, Sister and Elder Rogers, Sister and Elder Brady, Sister and Elder Broadhead, Sister and Elder Swift, Sister and Elder Harrington, and Sister and Elder Jones.

 Remains of the Ordinance Room where the mortars were repaired.

The remains of Battery Geary which was destroyed when an enemy shell hit the magazine pit.

 The Pacific War Memorial where the main structure is a rotunda with an open skylight in its dome that lets sunlight in during the day. Directly under the skylight is a circular altar which is lit by the sun during the week of May 6, the anniversary of the fall of Corregidor.  However since the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo the sun now lights the altar during the week of April 13. Straight through in the background is the Eternal Flame of Freedom.

The Eternal Flame of Freedom is built on the spot where General Douglas MacArthur opened the celebration of the recapture of Corregidor on March 2, 1945.

There were 10,000 Japanese soldiers defending Corregidor during the battles for the recapture of the island. When the Japanese finally surrendered there were only 42 survivors. The statement by our guide, "That nobody wins in war," is certainly true. Due to the valor and tenacity of the Filipino people, Corregidor is known as the Island of Valor, Peace, and International Understanding.

We came away with a new sense of respect for the Philippine people and the courage of their troops who fought valiantly along-side of the Americans against the Japanese.

We stopped at Outback Steak House for a wonderful dinner before heading back to Quezon City and the home.

President Bertin has assigned Elder Leishman to come in each Tuesday with Elder Campbell so he can learn the responsibilities of the financial secretary. That will be a huge benefit to the couple who replaces us in January. It seems early to think about that but he won't be able to come in every Tuesday and the training can go slowly.

Tom and Elder Broadhead have spent a lot of time looking at apartments. The missionaries spend a lot of time traveling from their apartment to their proselyting areas. The plan is to move each companionship into their assigned areas.

One thing we discovered on Saturday is that if we go shopping earlier in the day we don't spend near as much time standing in line waiting to check out.

We enjoyed a really good movie on Saturday titled "Miracles from Heaven." We highly recommend it to everyone. Our faith my be tested but Heavenly Father is always there to see us through the trials in our lives.

Week 37--March 6-12, 2016

Exit day for 15 missionaries was on Tuesday, March 8. Exiting missionaries are Elder Mabbala, Elder Delicano, Elder Suldan (not exiting yet), Elder Davuke, Elder Hilario, Elder Ubias, Elder Gabertan, and Elder Jones in the background.

 Exiting sister missionaries--Sister Foote, Sister Canite, Sister Gison, Sister Huni, Sister Qumivutia, Sister Ajek, Sister Rosales, and Sister Pullicar.

Dessert on Exit Day is Mango Float. It is a frozen dessert made with, of course, mangos, graham crackers, and sweetened condensed milk. Yummy! We will miss this when we return home.

Since Exit Day was on Tom's birthday, and Elder Heaton's birthday was the day before, and Garnalee's birthday was coming up, Sister Bertin bought Kung Fu Panda Krispy Creme donuts for the three of us. She put a candle in each one for us to blow out.

Elder Suldan was one of the Assistants to the President who is going back out to the field. He sent us the sweetest text, "Dear Elder and Sister Harrington, This is E. Suldan. Happy birthday Elder Harrington. Thank you for all your sacrifices and love to all of us. I have looked up to you as my father! You have great dedication to the work. You are one of the best couples I have ever meet. I admire you to Sister Harrington. I really learned a lot from you. You teach me how to work in unity! Your humility is the unique attribute I have seen. Thank you for being my family for three months in the office and I hope it will continue. I will always pray for you. WE LOVE YOU. Signing off! E. SULDAN"

 Saturday, March 12, the San Jose Del Monte Stake Relief Society hosted a Relief Society Anniversary Party. The theme was "Faith in Every Footstep" and Alma 37:6: "...by small and simple things are great things brought to pass."
Each Ward dressed in pioneer clothes. Garnalee is pictured with some of the other sisters from the La Mesa Ward adorned in their pioneer hats.

 Each Ward was asked to honor the oldest pioneer member in their Ward. This beautiful sister from the La Mesa Ward joined the Church in 1979. She has nine children.

 Each Ward was assigned to do a skit, a fashion show, or an interpretative dance. The La Mesa Ward did a dance.

The La Mesa sisters gather for a group shot adorned with their aprons and hats.

Tom and Garnalee are joined on Saturday for a dinner out to celebrate her birthday by Elder and Sister Broadhead and President and Sister Bertin. We tried out a local Mexican Restaurant called La Poca Loca. It was recommended by some of the missionaries who live in the Lagro area. Not like El Mirador at home!






We spent several hours on Monday, March 7, getting the rent checks and tax forms in envelopes ready to be distributed on Thursday at MLC.  We celebrated Tom's birthday that evening at Chili's with a wonderful dinner and free Molten Lava Cake topped with ice cream (Tom had received an email with a coupon for free lava cake and no purchase was necessary).

Exit Day is followed on Wednesday with Arrival Day for 16 missionaries and Transfer Day for some of the In-field missionaries. Exit and Arrival Days always mean a busy week. We have gotten up earlier for three days in a row and late days at the office are catching up with us.

Week 36--February 28-March 5, 2016

 The mission employs two people. One is Michael takes care of cleaning the office and keeping the grounds at the mission home looking spectacular.

The other is loving referred to by all as "Sister Cherry." She bakes, cooks, and cleans at the mission home. She prepares all of the meals for the mission conferences.

Garnalee sat between these two beautiful girls in Primary, and we decided we needed a picture for memories. Here is picture number one.

A few more joined us and several more pictures were taken with the IPAD. It brought back memories of Hong Kong of when a camera was pulled soon there would be a whole group wanting to get in the picture. This is one of Garnalee's favorites with Enos's head on her shoulder.

Here is the last picture that was taken. I (Garnalee) get the opportunity of spending each week in Primary with these beautiful children. Unfortunately I (Garnalee) still don't know the names of all of them. Thanks to Maureen for holding the IPAD and taking the pictures.









Tom has been working all week on rent checks and tax forms for the second quarter. Garnalee's jobs have pretty well fallen into a pattern of doing baptism records, referrals, mail runs, missionary communications, etc. The big job this week was getting travel set up for a missionary who is going home early for health reasons. A missionary can't just get on a plane and go home. We have to wait for an exit clearance to be approved before a plane ticket can be purchased and that usually takes a week.

In order for Tom to call someone in the US he has to get up early, not really. However he did need to make a call to a landlord who is living in Texas. He woke up at 2 AM, so he decided to get up and made the call. It was noon in Texas.

It has been another busy week in Disneyland where the main attraction is Bumper cars. President Bertin had just got his car back from the last crash. He was going through Forest Hills which has very narrow streets. He came around a corner where there a jeepney and a trike. He moved over as far as he could and stopped to allow the jeepney to move on. The jeepney driver took his foot off the brake and rolled backward swiping the side of President Bertin's car. He now has a three foot long scrape on the driver's side of the car.