Paradise

Dear Family and Friends:

Well, another average day in Paradise!  We are well and enjoying everything.  Well, not everything!  I’m still having difficulties maneuvering the driving here in Manila.  My eye-hand coordination, my hearing, my eyesight, my nerves—all are deteriorating with my advanced age(!) and it takes a really sharp person to thread the needle through this incredibly exciting and horrendous traffic!  It’s a great thrill (scare?)!  The 3 rules for successful driving:

1)      Bigger is better!

2)      Fill in the blanks!

3)      Don’t look back!

Last week between “batches” we went to a wonderful modern museum, called the Ayala museum, in an area of Manila called Makati.  The museum displayed the history, culture, art and artifacts of the Philippines--beautifully and artistically presented.  Makati is a major and modern up-coming business/economic center.  There is such a dichotomy and contrast here in this here town—between the rich and poor, between the modern and historic, between the gleaming, reaching sky-scrapers and the small patched up hovel.  It is a country teaming with energy, desiring to explode into greatness!  The spirit of the Lord is working hard to uplift the people.  We love them!  And, we love you! 

George & Debbie

The New Batch!

Dear Friends and Family:

This week has been a great week!  Our current class size (they call it a “batch” here in the Philippines) is small, just 23 missionaries but we have grown very close to each other.  We have 1 sister from India, 2 elders from Pakistan, 1 elder from Nepal, 1 elder from Singapore and all the other 18 from somewhere in the Philippines. 

The 2 Pakistani  elders were supposed to be able to speak and understand some English—but they don’t!  Fortunately, our 1 sister from India could speak their language pretty well so she spent nearly all of her MTC training time interpreting for them which she was very kind and gracious to do.  As always, the Lord provides for these missionaries somehow in their (and our) great hours of need!  We are grateful to Him for His constant divine providential assistance.  We love you all!

George & Debbie. 

Debbie's Sorrow for Japan

Dear Amy,

            I have a new baby boy grand son, Max Stillman Taylor, son of David and Manya. They are well and he is a doll. I love the sound of a new born baby. I look forward to the day I can hold him. I am so grateful for technology and being able to see him on Skype.

            I wanted to share a few things with you but maybe you won't want to share on the blog.

            This past few days has been very hard for me. I miss you all. I feel such sorrow form the people of Japan. It is like they are calling from the water and ground. I grieve. One in Japan mission was shut down and the missionaries have been reassigned to other missions in Japan.

Even though there could be such hard feelings towards Japan because of World War II, the people are praying in every church,and  in public meetings. The news coverage is like 9/11 in the US. Japan says that the devastation, loss, and destruction is so much worse than Wold War II. 

            Today, I went to the temple with the elders and sisters for a second time at 6:15. As we walked up the stairs the Sun was shining through the window in all it's glory. Amazing! I hope I can get a picture on another day. I have never seen people more happy and grateful to be able to go to the temple. Most of them are the only members of their family who have been. They seem so mature concerning the ordinances. They build my testimony.

            I met a older sister missionary and her companion from Utah who had been called to serve in Malaysia, and had traveled all the way to the Philippines to escort a family from Malaysia to the temple. What a story of faith and commitment.

The other day one of the Seventies shared about a sister Who gets up at 4:00 am to walk with her child  to church and be there at 6:00 am meetings. I have a hard time getting up at 6 :00am. 

            I am constantly amazed at the division between those who have and have not; but especially the people who walk out of their corrugated roof shanties clean, pressed and dressed to the max, with bright eyes and smiling faces. 

            I have so much to learn.

            Well, I love you and put everyone's name in the temple. I hope you are feeling the Lord's blessings. 

Love, me

Update after Earthquake and Tsunami

Dear Family and Friends:

We, along with you are astounded by the disastrous events for Japan and its people.  Our anxious concern is for those who suffer in this enormous and devastating earthquake and tsunami. 

While we were anxious about the effects of a tsunami hitting the shores of the Philippines, we were relieved that there was minimal impact, very small disruption and little damage.  Such a terrifying event could come to any of us—it is possible that a similar tragedy could occur here in the Philippines or anywhere else! 

Surely this event and so many others are significant demonstrations of the “signs of the times.”  Can anyone doubt that we are in the latter-days and that the numerous events throughout the earth signify and display the fulfillment of the Lord’s and so many prophet’s vision of these days! 

We know that the work of the Lord is proceeding here and throughout the world.  We feel his abiding and loving spirit continually.  We sense the power of his spirit pervading, permeating,--abiding in the hearts of these wonderful sweet innocent unlearned weak young missionaries who “will thrash the nations” by his power!   

Love, George and Debbie! 

From The Grandview 16th Ward Senior Primary

Since Debbie taught in Primary before she left for the Philippines we decided to have the Primary send good wishes in Tagalog to Brother and Sister Taylor! We love you!

And here's a special message from cute little Tommy:

Happy Birthday Debbie!

                               'Happy Birthday' in Tagalog

 
The Tagalog word for 'birthday' is kaarawan.
The traditional way of greeting a Filipino a happy birthday is to say:

Maligayang Bati

This means "Happy Wishes" or "Joyful Greetings" but it's understood to be referring to one's birthday.

With the influence of English, most Filipinos translate the phrase "Happy Birthday" literally and these days say...

Maligayang Kaarawan!
Happy Birthday!

Maligayang Bati sa Iyong Kaarawan!
Happy Wishes on Your Birthday!

Anong gusto mong regalo sa kaarawan mo?
What gift would you like on your birthday?

Kailan ang kaarawan mo?
When is your birthday?

Ano ang gagawin mo sa kaarawan mo?
What are you doing on your birthday?

Maligayang Kaarawan sa Iyo!
Happy Birthday to You!

May handaan ba?
Will there be a party?

May handaan ba sa kaarawan mo?
Will there be a party on your birthday?

Magandang hapon (good afternoon!)

Magandang hapon (good afternoon!):

With 2 months gone, we continue our mission in Manila.   The last few weeks, we have had the pleasure of visiting

1.      The original old Spanish fort, Fort Santiago, built first by the original Spaniards to withstand attacks from foreign invaders, later used by the Japanese conquerors during WWII to incarcerate prisoners.

2.      The Manila Cathedral, the first Spanish cathedral built in the 14^th century, destroyed by fire, hail, earthquake, and war several times to the present.  Typical of most old large European cathedrals.    

3.       St. Augustin, an ornate, elaborate church displaying the gold, silver, art, ceremony and decadence resulting from the great apostasy.

4.      The Spanish home-compound of the ruling classes during the 17^th 18^th and 19^th centuries—the art, furniture, culture, life-style of the Spanish conquerors of the Philippines.

5.      The home and place of martyrdom of Rizal, the Philippines national hero. 

6.      The Bataan Peninsula, the place of the famous death march of the American and Philippine prisoners taken during the first part of WWII when the Japanese conquered the land. 

7.       The Island of Corregidor.  Our words cannot sufficiently describe the tragic emotional history of the suffering and sacrifices which occurred on this tiny island and Bataan during WWII.  As Alma said, “…have you sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your fathers? …have ye sufficiently retained in remembrance that he has delivered their souls from hell?”  An incredible and humbling experience!   

We wish you all happiness, health, and humor.  Always with love,       

 GTT & DST