June 27

Dear family and friends,

It has been a great week in the Philippines!!!

We learned a saying that is very popular here: "There's always room for one more". I love that no matter where you are or what you are doing, there is always room for one more. That especially applies to the gospel and the kingdom of God! There are no limits to how many of us can return to our Father - He wants us all to come Home! There are no limits to how many can be baptized or join Primary or join our family in FamilySearch - all are invited, all are welcome! I love this gospel and the chance to serve in the Philippines!

Our department manager asked the FamilySearch manager to take Kent and I along on his trip this week. He was also taking his newly hired assistant. They were taking new computers and printers to various church buildings and doing training with each Family History specialist we visited.

We set off about 1 pm on Wednesday afternoon. Our fist stop was in Olongapo where we met a great couple in the family history center there. As JR ( the manager's assistant) set up their new computer, the manager did some training. The Stake President happened to be there so we were able to talk to him about his equipment and technology needs. That evening we ate dinner with the couple from the family history center. I love to hear stories people share about their conversion and their lives. They told us about their experience when Mt. Pinatubo erupted in 1991 just about 40 miles from their town. It sounded frightening, to say the least, and tragic for so many! But the most impressive part of their story was their conversion and their faithful, dedicated service. That service began just a week after his baptism when the husband was called to be the branch president! He said the missionaries were very helpful as he learned to fulfill his new calling.

Our other stops were Lubau, Cabanatuan, and San Jose. Each place was a special experience. The family search manager was able to help the specialist in each place find someone they had been looking for in their family lines. We could feel the spirit each time a family member was located and the brother or sister would just glow with the spirit and excitement of finding their ancestors! In Cabanatuan the stake presidency came as well as other ward members. They had 17 people crammed in a tiny room for over an hour and a half to receive the training on FamilySearch. TOur other appointments had been during the day, this was the only appointment they had in the evening so more people were available but at each place those called to serve were there and ready to learn. In San Jose the power went out shortly after we got there. The manager did his best to train using his laptop and a hot spot. Finally a prayer was said and as soon as the request was made for the power to come back on, it did! I don't believe that was merely coincidence, it was a miracle! After the power was back on, they were able to locate a family member for one of the brothers who was there and he got so excited!

It was amazing to see the Lord's hand working in these people's lives. Their electricity goes out at random times throughout much of the Philippines. When they have internet, it is sometimes 1 mg at best and they just keep doing their best to serve.

Our travels took us through some very rural areas in the provinces (like our states). The people work hard and live very simply here. Their houses are simple, their yards are usually dirt or rocks. But they are clean and neatly dressed. We saw wash hanging on the line in front of several homes and their whites were so white! I wanted to stop and ask them how they did it.

As we drove (no, I actually didn't drive but Kent got to) we saw rice paddies in all the stages of growth. We saw them harvesting the rice and burning the chaff in the fields, We saw them plowing with their carabao (water buffalo), planting and even drying the rice. It was so interesting to watch. The people work so hard yet that is their way of life and they seem generally happy.

We'll close with a scripture I read today that reminded me of what our Savior does for us. "For he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those who have faith in him; and they who have faith in him will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men; and he dwelleth eternally in the heavens." How blessed we are to know about our Savior and feel the light and hope He give us.

Love,

Kent and Karen

The first picture is of a tricycle. It is a motorcycle with a side car.

The second picture is a tricycle loaded with passengers. There are 7 - some inside and some out.

The third picture is the back of another tricycle. This one just parks and sells his wares.

Life here is an adventure every day!