Another week has come to an end. Again we are without "hot water" as of Thursday morning. Our flash water heater blew-up while Mother was showering. There was a huge noise (a great boom), than white smoke, and that familiar electric burning smell - coming from under our vanity in the bathroom where it is located, but the breaker in the laundry area nearby - did not throw. In light of the all of the electrical issues - we have seen here, this is of more concern then just not having hot water – at this time. Now it is Saturday – three full days of showering with straight cold water - I showered earlier this morning but Mother wanted to wait (stay in bed and read a good book) on the chance that our building electricians were coming (as we had been told) to look at everything, but of course they have NOT come and it’s going on 4:30pm (in the evening) and no visit. So reluctantly Mother has now showered (4:30 pm) and we are both very disappointed that no progress towards any repairs has occurred, especially since we have been here – waiting for someone to come - nearly all day. Since we see - no progress - only the Lord knows when we will have hot water again. It’s like boys or girls camp but on the twenty-eighth floor of a high-rise apartment complex. One good thing without hot water – it makes for a much quicker shower and more time to get ready with other things - in the morning. No matter – it seems the sooner we get one thing fixed than another breaks, who know what thing or things here - will break next.
Mother and I are going to our ward alone, without one of our other senior couple friends - tomorrow, therefore to review the mess of getting there and getting home – thereafter - from Church, I had one of the other Brother’s ride with me to and from the building - just a few minutes ago, to assure I could make it there and home without getting lost forever in the bows of Manila. The streets are not only very crowded with vehicle traffic, if it were possible they are even busier with "human traffic" which is a far greater concern – not to hit someone. People dart in and out of the street without regards to the heavy vehicle traffic whatsoever. Lastly, no matter the time of day - the way to places - is nearly always altogether different then the returning way because of one-way streets – the lack of regards to traffic signs and/or signals – and the general chaos of Manila traffic.
Now for our week, we finished another Closing Ceremony in a town about two hours from Manila last evening, with many of our partner organizations joining us, namely the International Rotarian. We had speaker, music, dance, etc. just the same as the other closing – that we had attended – last Friday afternoon. Our Church’s Family History Display plus five or six people working on local computers to help people – to start – doing research their own family history – was very, very successful. There were lines when we arrived and hours later when we were leaving - there were still people awaiting our assistance. Driving home in the heavy traffic - in the dark - was even more challenging, (if it were possible) with people just walking into the streets with dark clothes – in poorly lite areas, This driving challenge seems to be the expected –the order of things - as one makes their way home - nearly all of the time. The motorcycles, the jeepneys, the busses, and heavy car/van/truck traffic never seem to lighten no matter the hour of the day. It was Friday evening, of pay week - in the Philippines (which is every other Friday) and the traffic is always worse on those evenings.
The National Family Week Closing Ceremonies were wonderful, the Church put it best foot forward again. We met the Stake President and his family, his wife is pregnant with their third child (a girl) on October 19th, and she is ready. Does that sound familiar to anyone? He is great and one of his former Bishop’s (who served 11 years as Bishop) is now - our Public Affairs, Multi-Stake Director. He is wonderful as well. His job is repairs picture frames and we use him on our displays when thing come back broken from being on the road – in various displays with our Stakes. He had spent nearly all week, off and on - at the Mall of this event, helping, leading, and assisting with all of the details of a successful activity. We attended with the DuPaix (the couple we are replacing) since this area and Stake will be ours after their departure, and it is good for us the meet them.
We also hosted a NGO (Non-Government Organization) who is looking at partnering with our LDS Charities, to build medical centers in the small towns (rural area – called barangays) in the Philippines. About a million Filipino pesos, they are looking at us contributing towards their effort. If the project is right, where we serve the needs, often working opportunities for our members, and the local government is completely involved – then we make see our support. We must do it the Lords’ way – where we built "self-reliance" and the local government (the people - generally) have some real "skin in the game." We’ll see, the next step is the see the details and specifics in a proposal from them.
Every day at the Area Office has its’ own challenges, but we are beginning to adjust to the pace, much better!
On Friday, we had another opportunity to attend a Temple Session with the full-time missionaries (both young men and women from in the MTC) in the morning. Nearly everyone in the session was five foot tall or shorter, I feel like a giant most of the time, with every one much shorter than me and they look like they are all teenagers. The Asians look very young no matter their age, even their senior citizens have dark hair (maybe from a bottle) and have no wrinkles.
Finally, after a break to shop for electrical parts at the shopping mall across the street, our electricians arrived discovered that the problems with our hot water heater is in the receptacle, wiring, and plug and are about attempting to fix it – right now. Maybe we will have heater water tomorrow for Church!
Some of the Senior Couples are gather for Bowling tonight, our apartment complex has four lanes on one of the levels which we can play for free. On Thursday night we went to the movies to see "Gravity" which is very suspenseful, nearly never letting you rest with all of the action, but it was a nice diversion. Once in a while we need some "wholesome recreation" to offset the pace of life here.
Life is good, the water is cold, the people are great and we are adjusting. May the Lord bless, support, protect, and grant each of you your righteous desires. Love you all – Dad Morello
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