Dear Family & Friends,

We are about to arrive at the midpoint of our service time here in the Philippines – this will occur within the next few weeks – in mid-July. This experience here - has been both very interesting (well beyond description) and extremely enjoyable. We have learned much about our duties and befriending peoples of many cultures and backgrounds. Among the people we have interfaced with of the Filipino people they have varied much in terms of education, resources, hope, and futures. Some come from the circumstance where they are greatly blessed with wonderful opportunities while others meek out a livelihood each and every day to just exist. No matter their situation the Lord loves these people, each and every one. They generally are very happy, with beautiful smiles and warm, welcoming greetings. 

Recently we have been given the opportunity to assist in planning of the National Family Week, in the Greater Manila Region, for this upcoming third week in September 2014. We have worked with the Federal Headquarters of Department of Social Welfare & Development as well as many other concerned social organizations in promoting the values and need for a healthy and strong families – in short a healthy family promotes a healthy country. Their theme or motto for this year is: “Celebrating the Filipino Family: Resilient & Caring.” - Amidst all of the natural and social injustices these people experience they remain truly resilient and caring for one another – other family members and community. Sharing a meal when it may be the only rice you have or sharing a coat – even the only one you own – is common and generally widespread. Surely we see their challenges, but they rise to the occasion if only given an opportunity to do so.

Most of the US this past weekend celebrated our Independence Day on July 4th, to feel a little at home on Saturday attended a gathering of the American Organization in the Philippines at one of the mid-scale malls here in Manila with several other senior (American) missionary couples. The had a Filipino Marines March Band, a local High School Band and Flag Corps, and other small parade groups – they marched around other roughly one hundred guests. Further they had a magician and soft rock band as additional entertainment. The food booths around the area were varied, but generally NOT what you would think of - for the Fourth. After an enjoyable time of a few hours of entertainment, but unsatisfied because the spirit of the day was still somewhat missing on Sunday, our good friends the Pyles fed us real American food, with potato salad, pork/beans, ice cream, cake, hamburgers, pickles, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, etc…what a great meal. After a long week of work and not really feeling the spirit of Independence Day all weekend long – this meal - was a wonderful topping - we all needed. Then back to work

May the Lord bless, protect, guide, and instruct each of you has you follow His inspiration.

With Love,
Mike & Pauli Morello

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Mid-point

Dear Family & Friends,

We had a very busy week than full weekend this past week followed by our first (of the normal twenty) typhoons in the Philippines on Wednesday of this week. The weekend was filled with supporting the local Multi-Stake Family History Exhibit at an upscale mall in the Fort Bonifacio area (about twenty kilometers from our apartment). We open and set-up everyday day on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday at 10:30am (on Friday it was covered by our couple friends in the office because we had things which needed our attention in the office) by powering up the four laptop computers on the internet and onto familysearch.org to register visitors/guests to our display on our church website, then we tore down at 8pm (every night of the four days) to protect the computers from any lost or damage. We had only meager guests attendance at the display, some fifty or so sign-ups, (some other did take literature only from us) but the church member support to help everything was outstanding. They came, they helped, and they served, and went home each night. On Sunday night we were exhausted, especially with both of us - teaching at Church meetings sandwiched in between the display times, and so we just drove to the apartment and collapsed. On Monday morning we started the week off with a big bang with nearly thirty guests (FAMNET) coming to the offices to finalize presentations they are making for distribution in a train-the-trainer (all day) sessions from 9am to 5pm each day, Monday and Tuesday. So the typhoon on Wednesday (all day) was not only a relief but it was most welcomed. Our power at the apartment was out most of the day, but it came on again - in the early evening. All was well with our refrigerator (with all frozen and cold items) and the air conditioning (with us) after everything was restored. Since we were totally exhausted from the earlier events - we mainly slept through the worst of the storm and only awoke to see all the limbs from broken trees, glass from windows, debris from everywhere, trash, etc. - in the streets and all about. Apparently the winds were in the 75 mph range (category 1) and many of the trees were damaged by the heavy rains and strong winds. No matter when it was all over - we went out for dinner, found one of the nice restaurants in our mall open and had a nice meal. Then on Thursday it’s back to the very busy pace of the office and regular events. 

It was very nice to talk with Kim today, things seem to be going okay with all of their changes and with her pregnancy, and it seems we are now down to just a few weeks until delivery. Her family has made many changes recently, new job, remodeling, and a new one on the way - but they seem to be adjusting, very well.

Another family which has experienced a lot of change – recently with moving and a new job, Lindsey and family had been visiting at Kim’s a few days earlier and the visit was wonderful. Lindsey plans on coming to help during and while Kim delivers with both sets of kids and things, followed by a visit from Kim’s -mother-in-law coming thereafter. Kim seems to have everything covered and should go well.
Everyone seems to be doing well; Sean and Jen are moving to Utah very soon and leaving their beloved New York City, after more than ten years living there. I’m sure there we be many changes in their lives making that adjustment from urban to suburban. Rob is well, Jared is about to become an old man with the b-day coming next week, and all is well with everyone.

We are at the mid-point of our service here in the Philippines and things are very well. Love the people, the traffic still drives me crazy, and our assignment is wonderful.

May each of you enjoy the same peace, contentment, and satisfaction that we enjoy - would be our prayer and wish for everyone? We are sure at the future is full of many expected surprises and challenges but with the Lord help facing them, is doable. 

God bless, Mike & Pauli Morello

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So this fabulous guy had Jennifer Morello as his seminary teacher in Brooklyn. He just happened to be in Manila visiting his extended family. He came up to Elder Morello in a mall during a family history exhibit. Tender mercies. Always glad to see an American!