December 25, 2014 - Merry Christmas!!

Thank you for following us on this unique experience to the Philippines and supporting us with your love and concerns.  Sister Lasher and I have had a most interesting experience with our mission call, and on December 12, 2014, we left the Philippines to return to our home in Rigby, Idaho, for a reassignment.  We met so many wonderful people in the Philippines and we pay particular tribute to our mission president and his wife, President and Sister Barrientos, who were so kind and considerate of our concerns.  They, along with the missionaries in the Laoag, Philippines Mission will always be close to our hearts.  We are grateful to each person we met and associated with in Laoag and in Manilla and we thank them for their kindness and their assistance in helping us return to Idaho.  

We also express our deep appreciation to the IFR, Elder Ferrin, who treated our concerns with a kindness that I have rarely experienced.  The timely fashion and the kindness he extended to us will be the standard I will use the rest of my life!

We are now gratefully and anxiously awaiting our reassignment in the mission field.  We hope to hear from our Church Leaders within the next few weeks on our new field of labor.  We are so happy to be able to serve in the mission field and we are looking forward to many choice and rich experiences.  We again express our appreciation to those of you who have followed us in this blog and will always be grateful for the love and support we have felt.

Salamat pu!!!

December 9, 2014

This morning at 6:00am sharp, Sister Lasher and I along with six office Elders and the Humanitarian director met to help a Filipino Family build a new home.  Under some very poor conditions, these precious families are given help in home building through the efforts of some wonderful donors who are represented here by Jared Richards.  He has put together a number of houses simply by identifying prospective needy families who can prove they own the property the house will be built on.  There are so many families who cannot prove ownership of the land they live on so the selection process is fairly simple but the needs overall are very great.  Mom and I were privileged to participate in this project today.  The office Elders felt it a wonderful blessing to also participate.  This is their first service project of their missions.  Several of these missionaries who participated today are leaving for home at the end of the month.  This family is very active and serve faithfully in Ward #1.  Here are some great pictures we took today and some additional notes:

The Richards Family with Elder and Sister Lasher

This is the "mixing" trough or the Philippine Manual Cement Mix container

The housing area is about 16' by 20' and can be partially seen behind this mixing trough.  There is not room for a cement truck or even a small cement mixer.  It is cost prohibitive.  The most economical way is to use a mixing trough like this and everything is done manually by shovels, buckets, even hands and feet when the other tools are not available.  This first layer is sand.

The sand pile as part of the cement mix

This pile of sand was dumped off the side of the narrow road near the homeowners property.  It was dug up on one of the local beaches about 30 miles away.  The box with the handles is the means to carry about 1 cubic foot of sand about 50 yards to the mixing trough.  The mix for cement is 5 loads of sand per one 90 pound bag of cement.  Manual labor at its best!  Truman is the 6 year old in this picture.  He has no limits on helping his dad do this work.  He was heavily involved with the missionaries for a period of over 4 hours this morning that began at 6:00am at the work site.

Dumping one of the loads of sand.  Note the Rooster in the foreground!

This is one of ten loads of sand for the mixing process.  After five loads of sand one bag of cement is spread across the sand.  Then five more loads of sand and then one more bag of cement.  All the dry mix must be mixed together thoroughly before water is added.  The rooster in the fore ground is the local Filipino building inspector!

Delivering another load of sand

One 90 pound bag of cement to five buckets of sand - mix thoroughly!

This is the next step for the dry materials to be well  mixed together before water is added.  The process to this point has taken about 30 minutes with ten adults participating.

Truman on the water line

Note how the sand and cement mix is built up so that water can be added to the middle.  We used about 12 gallons of water to made the wet cement mixture.  We had to be very careful not to let the water run over the walls.  The mixing was thorough and the process started at one end of the trough and worked down to the other end.  As the cement became satisfactorily mixed, we took it out and put it in the footings.  Truman is seen here personally lifting two gallons of water and pouring it into the water pond without spilling a drop or missing his mark.  This is one tough young man!  Again, Truman is only 6 years old.

The house footings that will be filled with cement

The house pillars to be filled with the cement.  Forms will be used

The mixing process with water

Water starting to leave the dyke!!  Yikes!!

The process of mixing the dry ingredients with the water took about an hour.  The missionaries worked very hard to help this family.  The total time for building this house start to finish depends on volunteers, families and neighbors.  This was a great service project for the six office Elders in the Laoag Mission home.  This is the first time they had an opportunity to do service.  Their week is typically teaching a minimum of 15 lessons and their goal is two baptisms per month with each companionship.  The Laoag Mission goal for 2014 is 1,000 baptisms.  These missionaries work hard and in the case of this service today, they excelled in service!  What a pleasure it was to be with them and Brother Richards in helping this family build a new home for their family.  The cost of this new home?  About 100,000 pesos or about $2500.  This was the third of about six steps to get the house completed.  After the footings then the walls are built.  After the walls are built the roof goes on.  If the family is fortunate there will be limited electricity put in, but the bathroom will still be outside the new home and interior walls won't be added because of the cost.

"The love of Jesus Christ must be our guide if we are to become aware of the needs of those we can help in some way. The teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ, show us the way. And that is how our personal ministry begins: discovering needs, then tending to them."

—Hugo E. Martinez, "Our Personal Ministries"

December 8, 2014

These pictures were taken in the evening time tonight in the city square.  It is active almost 24/7 and the children come with their friends and mingle with the tourists and especially with the white tourists.  They love to sing the Christmas Carols and dance to Christmas songs throughout the night.  There is a huge stage in the front of the square where a variety of people entertain or lead exercise classes.  Tonight it was all about Christmas!

These are miniature Christmas Houses in the City Square

We are standing with our backs to the stage area of City Square

The huge white Christmas Tree in City Square

The Christmas Lights at Laoag City Hall

Sister Lasher walking the hallway to Laoag City Hall

This is the grand entrance to Laoag City Hall nicely decorated

Huge lighted fountain in the city square

A Nativity scene in front of Laoag City Hall

 This is a fun Nativity scene in front of City Hall.  I was able to get this picture after two teenage girls took over 50 "selfies" with each character at least a half dozen times each.  They were in no hurry!  It seems like every teenager has an I Phone!

This Santa greets visitors to Laoag City Hall

 I tried to get directions from this Saxophone Santa but he was too busy posing!

The Richards Family in front of the huge water fountain in City Square

There were several groups of children in the City Square who saw us and with impromptu gathered around us and sang Christmas Carols.  They definitely had a motive!  They wanted the payment for their services!  Here is that picture!  

 A group of "Santa's Helpers" singing Christmas Carols in City Square

The real reason for the Christmas season centers around our Lord and Savior even Jesus Christ!  It is a principle that many know, but far too many people have yet to learn;

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16)."

December 6, 2014 - Saturday

By now most of our friends following Elder and Sister Lasher know about the typhoon about to hit the Philippine Islands.  As this typhoon crossed the Pacific Ocean it was called Typhoon Hagupit and now that it is hitting the Philippines it is called Typhoon Ruby.  It has the potential for tremendous damage to the Cebu, Tacloban, and Manila areas of the islands.  Mom and I are in the northern part of the islands on the Island of Luzon.  The storm so far has produced cooler temperatures, (of which we are grateful), and some stronger winds. We had our District Meetings on Thursday and all missionaries in the Laoag Mission were counseled to have their 72 hour kits filled, (extra batteries, candles, food and water), and we were informed that all the missionaries serving in the Philippines are in safe and secured areas, and especially where the threat of the damage is the greatest.  The missionary department watches over this work almost as closely as does Heavenly Father.  There is great comfort in knowing that those efforts are being made.

We are very grateful for the extra precautions and the extra prayers that are offered for the missionaries.  Mom and I have felt those prayers on a few very challenging days this past few weeks.  I know that the prayers of our families and friends have kept us focused and encouraged.  I have had the privilege of working with dozens of young Elders and Sisters preparing to serve full time missions and I have tried to keep letters and notes of encouragement going to them and they have always been in our family prayers.  But now I have a much deeper appreciation for those notes of encouragement and those heartfelt family and friends prayers. 

This is the Lord's work and we have come to realize that this is His errand we are on.    As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we know the commandment to go out and teach and invite all of His Children to come to Jesus Christ and be perfected in Him.  This is our errand as full time missionaries and boy does the Adversary know that!  We know discouragement and we know the whisperings of going home to family and friends.  Satan will do whatever he can to stifle this work and he never sleeps.

I read an interesting Scripture in Romans 6:16, many of you already know this: "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or by obedience unto righteousness".

And in Romans Chapter 8;35-39

35 - Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

 36 - As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

 37 - Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

 38 - For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

 39 - Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thank you all who take the time to read this blog and to make comments.  We are so encouraged by this support! Saloma Pu!

Here are some Christmas Pictures in and around the city of Laoag!

Approaching the City of Laoag

In front of the Capital Building in Laoag

The Hospital in Laoag

Decorations at the Robinson Mall in Laoag

Even the small homesteads are decorated

We attended our first Christmas Party this afternoon at the Institute of Religion in Laoag.  The people were so kind and so welcoming to these two senior missionaries!  Everyone wanted to shake our hands and tell us "Hello".  The institute covers 4 other cites outside of the Laoag area and some traveled up to 2 hours to be there.  We found out that others were not able to make it due to the weather and travel.

The Institute Building Laoag, Philippines

Mom and I work out Monday through Saturday at the stadium called Marcos Stadium about 1/4 mile from our apartment.  We usually walk 6 times around the track and then head home.  We usually leave our apartment a few minutes before 6am.  This is where we met Jimmie! 

Elder Lasher at Marcos Stadium - Laoag, Philippines 6:15am

We have had a most interesting time getting around the city of Laoag.  Each city in the Philippines is organized by "Barangays" both urban and rural and they are governed by a Barangay governor.  Usually they take great pride in their areas and we see people early in the morning sweeping sidewalks and streets all by hand.  In Laoag their are about 30 Urban Barangays and 50 Rural Barangays.  The city is built around each Barangay and most streets do not have street signs.  We use this NFA sign to get to our apartment.  Part of the learning curve getting around the city!  I hope they keep that sign up for 2 more years!

There is the "NFA" sign we look for to find our apartment in Barangay 4 - Turn Right!

December 4, 2014 - Thursday Evening

Helen and I have enjoyed a wonderful day here in Laoag.  It has been a busy day and the city is so alive with Christmas!  It seems that when there is no possible way to put up another public Christmas display, another huge display is erected.  The Filipino people love Christmas.  Who doesn't?  I love Christmas and all that it represents to me as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and all the wonderful memories of this season that are forever a part of me from my earliest memories to today!

But the people of the Philippines celebrate the Christmas season the last four months of the year with December being the culminating month where festivals and city center displays take over the celebrations.  What a blessing it is to know that we celebrate the Christmas Season with the precious birth of Jesus and the beginning of a life that has eternal significance for each of us as believers and even those who don't profess to believe.  Certainly every knee shall one day bow and every tongue will one day confess that Jesus is the Christ, even the very Son of God.  That is the privilege that mom and I have to help teach this eternal truth and these precious people of the Philippines are so ready to hear it!  Speaking of sharing.....

Mom and I met "Jimmie" earlier this week at the walking track at the stadium.  I've mentioned him before.  He is an older man whose daughter, we found out, joined the Church in Hawaii.  We have seen him every day this week and we saw him again today.  It seemed that our invitation to come to Church with us was not accepted, but we still look forward to seeing him.  Well, this morning we saw him and greeted him in our usual "good morning, Jimmie" happy voices, and he seemed to ask us where the Church was.  Usually the sister missionaries come out and walk or run on the same track but they weren't there to help us understand his question.  But Heavenly Father understood and within a very few minutes the sisters came.  We introduced them to Jimmie and he did want to know where the Church was!  And, he said he might meet us there on Sunday!  Interestingly enough, the sisters weren't planning on coming this morning but "felt impressed" that they should come even though today is the District Meeting at 9am, held every Thursday.

Then, we were able to have the internet mobile device work in our apartment.  Our mission president made sure we had the device last night and I was able to connect it and use the internet from our apartment.  What was even better was the fact that we could Skype our children this morning as well.  Some of you may be able to empathize with this senior missionary couple.  Leaving home to serve a foreign mission and leaving behind 17 and 1/2 grandchildren is one of the hardest things we have had to do!  So it is always wonderful to see these precious family members and talk to them about their activities!  And, share with them our activities and experiences!

 To conclude our day, one of our friends here in the Philippines is here with his family serving some humanitarian needs.  He is building homes for those who can prove they own the land.  I have mentioned him before.  He brought over some family members tonight and a young returned missionary who is serving in a ward Bishopric to help me fix a leaking faucet.  Along with that he has a USA cell phone and Helen had the opportunity to call her dad in Virginia.  I can't tell you what a blessing it was for her to reconnect with her dad who is not a member and to share with him some personal experiences here.

Yes, this has been a wonderful day for two senior missionaries who do not speak or understand the language but who have been comforted and sheltered by His good care.  I truly, "stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me".

Our 1st Baptismal Service 12/1/14

Horse drawn carriage - Manila             

  

December 2, 2014 - Reflections

We were happy today to have found the Institute Building here in Laoag.  The Institute Director is the 1st counselor in the Mission Presidency.  The building is not too far away from our apartment and we will be attending a devotional here Friday night.  

We are slowly getting familiar with our surroundings.  In the early mornings before it gets too warm, (6am), we workout in the apartment and then walk to a stadium called "Marcos Stadium", where we walk around the track with several dozen other people.  The stadium is about a 1/4 mile from our apartment and there are so many people up and about.  The children have a curfew in this area of 10pm to 4am.  The streets are busy most of the time we are up!

In our walk on Monday morning we met Jimmie whose daughter joined the Church in Hawaii.  He was friendly to us and we have seen him every day this week so far.  Yesterday mom invited him to Church but I think he declined or did not understand.  We are seeing some people everyday that are becoming familiar to us and we try to say hello to everyone.  The children love to say "good morning" and they love to give high 5's and handshakes.  They are so much fun and seem to like Americans.  

Mom had her first medical counseling today with two sisters.  Looks like one had pink eye and the other had a spider bite.  She referred them to Sister Barrientos for treatment.  It is just what she is supposed to do!

I am impressed with each missionary who enters the mission field.  Their efforts to serve the Lord are amazing because of how hard it is to be in a different environment and setting up such different routines.  In our medical training back in October, it was suggested that even if a missionary went home early, they were willing to try and serve the Lord in their calls.  I feel the same way when I see these young Elders and Sisters who leave the comforts of their surroundings and enter the mission field to experience the life of a missionary.  I have a new appreciation for every missionary I have been acquainted with!

The locked gate into our apartment

The roadway in front of apartment

Our Toyota outside the apartment