Today starts the seventh week of our Enhanced Community Quarantine (aka Martial Law) in Metro-Manila. Friday morning President Duterte announced it will be extended from April 30 to May 15. I think I would have gone into deep depression except that Thursday evening, while waiting for the promised announcement from the government, Stewart listened to a missionary devotional from Elder Gong. Afterwards he came to me and said, “We have so many blessings compared to most people—we need to be more cheerful.” I listened, but didn’t think it was possible for me to be cheerful if the quarantine was extended. Friday morning Stewart reminded us in his daily audio message to the mission of something Elder Busche said years ago, “Embrace this day with an enthusiastic welcome, no matter how it looks. The covenant with God to which you are true enables you to become enlightened by Him, and nothing is impossible for you.” Then I knew it would be possible, and so I am cheerful. Mostly.
Fortunately, Dennis was able to come this week. For two days last week he couldn’t leave his neighborhood, but he was able to obtain a travel pass from the security company that employs him, and so far it’s gotten him through the government roadblocks. He and Stewart visited many missionaries on the other side of the NCR on Wednesday and brought them boxes of Lean Complete and other supplies. They went all the way to San Miguel, at the furthest tip of our mission—unfortunately, the elders there were not prepared for his visit--but most of the others were. He said most looked great but the elders hair is getting very long! (Ours is, too!) Another blessing of Dennis’s travel pass is that he can bring Ann here one or two days/week so she can work and earn money for her family’s food. Michael, who does the mission home yard, hasn’t been able to get out of his neighborhood on his motorcycle and our pool has quickly turned into a mosquito breeding ground. Tomorrow we hope Dennis can pick him up so we don’t get dengue fever!
Fortunately, Dennis was able to come this week. For two days last week he couldn’t leave his neighborhood, but he was able to obtain a travel pass from the security company that employs him, and so far it’s gotten him through the government roadblocks. He and Stewart visited many missionaries on the other side of the NCR on Wednesday and brought them boxes of Lean Complete and other supplies. They went all the way to San Miguel, at the furthest tip of our mission—unfortunately, the elders there were not prepared for his visit--but most of the others were. He said most looked great but the elders hair is getting very long! (Ours is, too!) Another blessing of Dennis’s travel pass is that he can bring Ann here one or two days/week so she can work and earn money for her family’s food. Michael, who does the mission home yard, hasn’t been able to get out of his neighborhood on his motorcycle and our pool has quickly turned into a mosquito breeding ground. Tomorrow we hope Dennis can pick him up so we don’t get dengue fever!
Fenton sent me a great language study suggestion: a list of subjects the missionaries could give talks on in English to improve their vocabulary and practice. They have really taken off with this idea! Saturday is English Day in the mission — only English is spoken (except to members and investigators)-- and they all recorded a talk on video or audio on one of ten topics. Fortunately we set the time limit at 5 minutes or I would still be listening and watching.
I'm so thankful for a worthy priesthood holder in my home. For many reasons, but today especially for the sacrament. We tried to take the sacrament to the Bocaue sisters who haven't had it for four weeks, but we were stopped at the gate to their subdivision and the guards, who usually let us pass, refused us entry. They allowed the sisters to walk out and we gave them some masks and supplies, but no sacrament this time. I felt so blessed to have this sacred ordinance here in our home.
Stewart started another round of zone interviews over messenger chat Thursday. The missionaries are continuing to try to find new people to teach and even though the baptism day has been moved to May 23, they are trying to stay focused on their purpose. Some companionships are struggling as they realize how long this "transfer" is going to last, but overall they are doing amazingly well. As part of the interview, they are teaching him a 5-minute lesson in English (he specified which one right before) and he's been very impressed with their teaching ability, especially some relatively new missionaries. We are probably having record diligence in language study right now -- he has six more days of interviews to go.
Last week Dad was invited to be interviewed by someone from the church about the best practices in our mission. The interviewer turned out to be Thomas White of "Thomas and Minty" fame! This week all the MP received a power point with ideas on how to do lead in the current situation and there was a direct quote from Dad and a lot of his ideas in it.
We are both very healthy. We attribute this to the fact that whenever we enter our subdivision, the tires to our car are sprayed with disinfectant by the guards at the gate. Of course that eradicates all covid-19 virus in our neighborhood, so it may be the safest place on earth to live. Although since the virus dies at 26 degrees Centigrade and the asphalt in our subdivision is about 200 degrees Centigrade, we were probably already safe. We are being blessed with near 100 degree temperatures with about 80%-90% humidity, so it's surprising there is any virus left. This is the first summer EVER with zero heat stroke, heat rash or heat exhaustion cases among the missionaries! I am extremely pleased to report they have been very healthy this week. We've had a few minor concerns, but nothing that seems serious. Thank you so much for your prayers for us.
I love this scripture and have probably shared it before, but it's become more powerful to me as the quarantine progresses: "Therefore, . . . let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." (D&C 123:17) Instead of focusing on what is no longer in my power, I need to cheerfully concentrate on what I can still do, and trust the Jesus Christ will do the rest. He has in the past, and He will in the future.
Love,
Mom
PHOTOS
Sisters in Bocaue meeting us at gate to subdivision
Our green pool
Zone leaders delivering Lean Complete to missionaries (Dennis drove them
No comments:
Post a Comment