The Value of Prayer

We are all fine. We haven't fallen off the face of the earth, but since the earth quake and the increase of the worlds rotation time is going faster. 

I thought that George had sent you updates but then I guess you are feeling the repercussions of his hard drive crashing. They are still trying to retrieve the journals and information.

It has been very interesting lately. We didn't have any water the other day and the knob came off the shower. The ceiling air conditioners started leaking in the presidents room and in the main lobby so we decided that we could shower there. It is good that I had stored a bottle of water for 

emergency .I used it for a spit and promise wash.

We now have 86 missionaries under our wing from Cambodia, Thiwan, Pakistan, India, and all over the Philippines each speaking all the languages. The Spirit is the great interpreter. 

One of our sisters had to be in isolation for a few days for TB. We prayed a lot and she returned to us today. I know it was so hard for he to be alone. She might have felt like Joseph in the jail because she could not leave her room or associate with anyone. 

On Saturday we had to give 344 shots. We thought that the missionaries would be sick or hurting, but they were up and going strong on Sunday.

One very sad note is that one of the mission presidents wife is dying and they won't be able to get her home. We are praying for the president, his family, and the mission. He has been very successful and loves his missionaries. He grieves at the idea of finishing like this. You can not believe the sacrifice that people make and they are happy to do it. I am humbled.

             

Most people around here drive 1-1&1/2 hrs. to get to work and many drive that far to go to church.

           

I went teaching the other day with the missionaries.  I first rode a van for 1/2 hour,  caught a ride in a jeepney, then walked all over. We tracted a lady off the street who sold candy at a small stand. When the sister first told her who we were the lady covered her face with a orange silk cloth. Then the sister told her that we had a sacred message for her and asked if she would hear it. The lady asked her small son to watch the stand and invited us into her home.  Her home was at the end of an alley that was lined with squatters who have no other place to live. We were invited to sit on her couch. There on the wall were pictures and statues of Jesus and Mary like in many homes of the Philippine people.

As the discussion went on, the sister taught the sweet lady to pray. The sister prayed a line and then the lady followed. I can not imagine not praying. I don't know what I would have done all my life if I hadn't had a Heavenly Father to pray to and help me with my endless needs. Who would I have had to talk to that could comfort me when my heart was broken? Who could I have shared my blessing with. I can not express how much I value prayer and the knowledge that we have a Heavenly Father of flesh and bones who loves us, His children, and answers their prayers.

I bought small plastic Easter eggs for the missionaries. You can not believe their joy and excitement. They have never had Easter eggs.

I count my blessings daily to be able to be with the Lord's servants. The Spirit is so strong that at times I feel a conduit right to heaven. I see miracles every day as missionaries are able to learn and speak and come to know their Savior. That is the goal-coming to know the Savior.

I invite my family and friends, like we invite the missionaries, to read the Book of Mormon and pray to know if it is true. I also invite you especially at this time of year to pray to know that Jesus is the Christ and your personal Savior. What a relief to know that we have someone who can help us return to our Heavenly Father. I believe that I have been homesick my whole life.

May you have all your righteous desires met. Most of all may you feel the presence of the Lord in your lives and our love. 

The Taylors 

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