The World is Mine

Dear Friends and Neighbors: 

          It’s time for Thanksgiving!  Here in the Philippines, everyday is thanksgiving day!  I have never seen a people who are generally “so much grateful” for so very little.  They are happy, humble, appreciative, and always express great thanks!  No wonder the Lord loves them so much!  I think that you should read Sister Taylor’s favorite poem—one that she has honored and lived since the day that I met her – “The World Is Mine!”    

 

Thank You,

GT & DT

George & Debbie

The world is mine 

Today on a bus, I saw a lovely girl with silken hair
I envied her, she seemed so gay, and I wished I was so fair
When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle
          O God, forgive me when I whine
          I have two legs, the world is mine

And then I stopped to buy some sweets
The lad who sold them had such charm
I talked with him, he seemed so calm, and if I were late it would do no harm,
And as I left he said to me “I thank you, you have been so kind”
It’s nice to talk with folks like you. You see, I’m blind
          O God forgive me when I whine
          I have two eyes, the world is mine

Later walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of blue
He stood and watched the others play; it seemed he knew not what to do
I stopped a moment, then I said, why don’t you join the others dear”
He looked ahead without a word, and then I knew he could not hear
          O God forgive me when I whine
          I have two ears, the world is mine

With legs to take me where I’ll go
With eyes to see the sunsets glow
With ears to hear what I would know
          O God forgive me when I whine
          I’m blessed, indeed, the world is mine

          By Joy Lovelet Crawford

Patience

Dear Friends and Neighbors: 

            Oh, the time is short and the art is long!  Give me some patience right now!  Do I need some drugs!  Sister Taylor’s medicinal prescription of patience will be healing to your soul.  Please patiently read her attached essay. 

Love, GT & DT. 

Patience

                Since I have been in the Philippines I have been impressed and intrigued by a strong cultural characteristic of the Philippine people. They are patient, calm, soft -spoken, polite, and modest with others.  They demonstrate incredible patience even when experiencing natural disasters!  AND unbelievably, when driving in the city!

                As I look around me and interact with them, I wonder how they came to be this way and why I am different.  I am trying to practice patience but find that I am impatient with my patience.

                Here in the MTC, we have missionaries from many cultures.  I wanted to see how they viewed the attribute of “Patience.”  I decided to do some research; here is what I found:

                Patience, one of the “SEVEN HEAVENLY VIRTUES”, derived from the Psychomachia (“Battle for the Soul”), written by Prudentius, alleges to protect us from the “SEVEN DEADLY SINS: humility against pride, kindness against envy, abstinence against gluttony, chastity against lust, patience against anger, liberality against greed, and diligence against sloth.”  Judaism lists Patience in the Talmud as an “important personal trait”. Christianity values Patience as one of “the most valuable virtues of life and a fruit of the Holy Spirit”. Muslims believe that Patience is “the best and most valuable virtues of life” which enables “an individual to grow closer to God and thus attain true peace.” Buddhism believe that Patience “’is one of the perfections’”.

                Reemphasizing that Patience is a universal virtue makes it even more important, but none-the-less difficult to attain.  I am certainly aware of the negatives and disadvantages of impatience, to name a few: depression, anger, inadequacy, retaliation, anxiety, and lowered self esteem.  So I have questioned my basic paradigms or beliefs as to why I often choose impatience over patience.   Here are a few insights that have come to my mind in question form:

·   Am I impatient because I believe that my personal desire, need and agency is more important, and should override the laws of nature, and the rights and agency of others?

·   Do I feel that anger justifies my response of impatience?

·   Do I transfer responsibility by being impatient?

·   Do I believe that Patience is passive, and a sign of weakness and vulnerability rather that an active process?

·   I want to have the benefits of Patience like forbearance, endurance, steadfastness, fortitude, contentment, peace, perseverance, constancy, striving, mindfulness, organization, growth, success, faith, joy, accomplishment, self control, health, competence, perfection, and the Spirit.  I just need to figure out how to acquire Patience.

·   Do I really know and trust as stated in D&C 122:7, that all things will give me experience and be for my good?

·   Do I believe that with charity, the pure love of Christ, I can do all things--even obtain Patience (D&C18:19, Moroni 7:44, 45)?

·   Am I sure that I am a free agent to act for myself and that biology and nature can change (Nephi 10: 23)?

·   Do I live in the present more than the past or future?

·   Do I breathe regularly from the breath of life?

 

                I recommend the reading of Preach My Gospel, Page 120.  As I come to conclusions in my quest for Patience, I realize that the virtue of Patience is the very foundation of my survival and my ability to thrive.  With the grace and mercy of God I can gain the spiritual gift and attribute of Patience!   

 

DST 09-12

Hide-N-Seek

Dear Friends and Neighbors:

            Do you ever get lost?  I do!  I’m petrified about getting lost out in the Manila traffic.  You go down one street but can’t come back the same way.  And then the “crocodiles” (those are the policemen who look for you to give you a ticket and then take away your driver’s license!) get you!    

            Do you ever feel lost?  I do!  I’ve spent a lot of my life wondering and wandering--where am I?, who am I?, and where am I going?.  Like the Cheshire Cat says, if you don’t know where you’re going, it doesn’t matter which road you take.  It’s really good that the Gospel helps me and tries to tell me where I was, why I’m here, and where I’m supposed to go!”  But I get pretty lost along the way sometimes.    

            My first mission in London, England was great, because I was nearly “always in a fog!”  I think the fog has never left me, except when the sunshine burned it out for awhile while we were in Las Vegas.  My clouded mind often has its rain storms—sometimes monsoons!  Yes, Manila and the Philippines has been the perfect place for me!   

            Do you remember the L’ll Abner cartoon of Joe Bfs@t*stk or something like that.  He always had a little dark cloud following him around everywhere he went.  Do you ever feel like that?  Do you ever feel your lost and fallen state and the nature of our clouded condition?  Do you ever feel like a lost soul!  I hope someday to better find myself and not to feel lost.  I’m so glad that there is One who is clear-headed and who knows the path and leads the way!  Quick!!  You’d better read Sister Taylor’s article, “Hide-n-Seek,” attached.   

 

Love, George & Debbie

Hide-n-Seek

Today in the temple, it dawned on me that Gods children have been playing “Hide–n—Seek” with Him from the beginning of time.  You remember the game?  The goal is to be the last person found. One player, the Seeker, closes his eyes at the home base, then turns his back away from everyone for a brief period of time, and then counts to 100 while everyone hides. The Seeker then opens his eyes and tries to find those hiding. The first to be found is the next Seeker. The last to be found or to return to home base while the seeker is away looking for the others, is the Winner!

People play this game all over the world.  In Spain ‘Hide-n-Seek” is called “el escondite,”  in France, “jeude cache-cache,” in South and Central America, “tuja,” in Equador and Chili, “escondidas,” in Israel, “machboim,” in South Korea, “sumbaggoggil,”  in Romania, “de-av-ati ascunselea,” in Nigeria, “oro,” and in Greece, “kry fto.”  

In Genesis 3, we read of Adam and Eve disobeying and partaking of the fruit of “the knowledge of Good and Evil”?  You remember when they heard the voice of the Lord God calling, “Where art thou?”  They ran and hid.  Do you think that God only called once, or did he count to 100? Am I still playing Hide-n-Seek with God? Sometimes I even think that if I close my eyes, God won’t see me.  Is my goal to be the last one found?

Can you imagine how much time God spends calling and searching for us? He is the great Seeker!  How much better would it be if we became the Seeker?  Isn’t the gospel of Jesus Christ trying to teach us how to seek, find, and listen when the voice of God calls to us?  Maybe the last one found is really “the Loser!”  Wouldn’t it be better if we became the seekers and searchers of God and for His children? What would my life be like if I ran to God as soon as I make a mistake instead of hiding? What kinds of blessings would he bestow upon me? I might even become more like Him and rejoice when I am found.

Debra Taylor 9/2012

This Little Piggy

Dear Friends and Neighbors: 

            Whenever we drive out in the city of Manila, we see buses, trucks and cars carrying millions of people and everything else.  Often, we see trucks carrying big loads of pigs!  Sister Taylor wants to take a picture of all of them!

            In America, I observe that pigs are often the focus of humor—in all kinds of ways—many love Miss Piggy.  They make movies and comedies about pigs.  In the Philippines, there is no humor at all about pigs.  I tried to make a joke or two awhile back, and the missionaries didn’t get it.  Pigs are reverenced, adored, almost worshipped.  You’d better read Sister Taylor’s attached article.  Maybe you’ll like them as much as Sister Taylor and the missionaries!   

Love, George & Debbie

This Little Piggy

This Little Piggy went to market,
This Piggy stayed home.
This Little Piggy had roast beef,
This little Piggy had none.
And this little Piggy went…
Wee Wee Wee, all the way Home…
Mother Goose (1728)

Before we came to the Philippines we thought that we would be eating fish (head to tail); but to our great surprise we have found that pork is served and eaten more than any other meat. The Philippines are in the top 20 countries which produce and consume pork; 70 % is raised in the back yard and 30% is produced commercially.  The Landrace, Large White, and Duroc are the most popular. As we have driven in traffic we have mostly seen the Landrace pigs all stuffed in the trucks ready for market.

Filipinos like to eat pork because it is cheaper, easier to raise, tastes sweeter, and they feel it is easier to digest.

Along with roasted pork one very popular product is Spam (spiced ham) made by Hormel Food Corporation in 1937. It was first introduced in the Philippines during the U.S. occupation after World War II. The soldiers ate it morning, noon, and night. Now it is often eaten with rice (of course) and eggs. Other countries like Hawaii calls it Hawaiian Steak, Okinawa chanpuru and Spam Burger, Hong Kong cha chaan teng, Korea Spam kimbap (rice and vegetables filled seaweed roll), and Israel Loof (a kosher variant).   

“During the rescue efforts after Typhoon Ondoy in 2009, Hormel Foods donated 30,000 pounds of spam to the Philippines National Red Cross.” It has also become an important tradition to ‘give and get’ Spam for a Christmas gift.

Remember the next time you want to fatten up your little piggy, feed it corn and bean meal- not beef. Also don’t forget to show your patriotism when celebrate the Fourth of July to include Spam for your ‘Spam Jam,” and enter your favorite recipe into the National recipe competition in Austin, Minnesota. We wouldn’t want the Philippines to out beat the U. S.  record of 3.8 cans of Spam consumes every second.

PS. I have included a Recipe courtesy of Chef Brandon Boudet of Los Angeles' Dominick's 

Spamghetti Carbonara

• 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 5 oz. Spam, cut into ¼ x ¼ dice
• 2 eggs plus 2 egg yolks
• 1 lb. spaghetti
• 1/2 cup grated Reggiano Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Parmesan
• Fresh black pepper to taste

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the Spam and sauté until crisp and brown, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. In a separate bowl, add the eggs, egg yolks and 1/4 cup of water and beat together with fork until light and frothy. Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, approximately 10 minutes. Drain in a colander and then return spaghetti to the pot. Using two large forks, mix in the eggs, Spam with all the pan drippings, cheese and black pepper to the spaghetti in the pan. Serve immediately.
 

Read more: http//en.wickipedia.org/wiki/Spam_(food) http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1866043,00.html#ixzz26o4VcGu3

Enjoy! DST 2012

Tink, Tink, Heevy!

Dear Friends and Neighbors:

            I am happy with my brain.  It is not as swift nor as bright as other brains, but stuff which I have put into it and then scrounged up from time to time has given me a lot of joy and satisfaction over the years.  It has worked reasonably well if I have used mental exertion.  The fact that I can think and then act is quite a remarkable phenomenon.  I try to observe and understand how the young mind works.  Some folks have not yet discovered their brains.  Someone said, “Think!  It may be a new experience!” 

            Please check out Sister Taylor’s recent wonderful article, “Tink,Tink, Heevy!” 

 

Love,

George & Debbie

Tink, Tink, Heevy!

In August 2012, Elder Ian S. Ardern, Second Counselor in the Philippines Area Presidency, spoke to the missionaries in the Philippines MTC about the importance of pondering.

He related an experience he had as mission President in Fiji when he asked his missionaries to define the word, “Ponder.”   One of his missionaries from Papua New Guinea raised his hand and replied in his local accent, “Tink, Tink Heevy!” Or as we would say, “Think, Think, Heavy!” I loved that statement!

While I was “tink, tinking” about pondering, I looked up the dictionary definition: “to weigh in the mind with thoroughness and care, and to think upon and incubate.”  

The lyrics of the children’s hymn by Jaclyn Thomas Milne also came to my mind:  “Search, ponder, and pray, are the things that I must do. The Spirit will guide, and deep inside, I know the scriptures are true.” 

What is the value of pondering? Why would the Lord ask us to do it? 

I remembered the Savior counseling the Nephites to go to their homes to ponder, pray and prepare their minds for the morrow (3 Nephi 17:3).

Apparently because I am so weak, I’m not able to understand, remember, and apply the truths that God wants me to know.  It isn’t enough for me to simply read, hear, or skim over the words of the scriptures.  I find that I must prepare.  My mind, my eyes, my heart must be single and focused.

The Lord says “... my friends, I leave these sayings with you to ponder in your hearts, with this commandment which I give unto you, that ye shall call upon me while I am near-- Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you.” (D&C 88:62-64).

Could pondering be the invocation and benediction to prayer?  Could pondering be the act of drawing near and seeking diligently?  I have seen the teachers and missionaries here at the MTC take a small moment before they begin and end their prayers.  Can you imagine the power and blessing that we would receive if we pondered before we began to read the scriptures and prayed?

As I read 3 Nephi 17:17-18 I found that the blessings of pondering are profound.  Here are just a few: repentance, forgiveness, healing, vision, the Holy Ghost, What more would we want to seek or want?

May each of us “Tink, Tink, Heevy!” so that the ultimate gift of the Father “drawing near to us,” will be granted.

Debra Taylor  09-14-2012