The Lost Plates of Jack and Leiana

 One of the problems in the Philippines is tooth decay. Between almost everything having lots of sugar in it and the lack of good dental care, many Filipinos have missing teeth, visible cavities or dentures. We met the Williamsons, a couple in Hinunangan. He is from the Shetland Islands of Scotland and she is from here. They live near a great snorkeling spot and invited us down to stay with them. She is a retired dentist and spends much of her time going into school and teaching good hygiene. part of what she does is give them a free toothbrush, toothpaste and instructions. I volunteered to help her put together 500 kits. With my mom's help, we bought the supplies. This is me at my desk putting it together. Both bags in front of me are full of toothbrushes and such. 

 We spend time each week at a member's house on the top of the mountain. There is some electricity and running water, but not as we would think about it. Jack got a photo of the cat coming to dinner. This is their kitchen/dining room. Yes, it is a dirt floor. A close up of the stove. This is the room next to it where she washes the dishes. There's a spigot on the floor behind them that you get water from.

 In the Philippines they have a bakery on wheels that brings fresh baked rolls to you. There are several types: cheese, ube, cinnamon. The last one is the usual pandasal. The trikes have a tune they play about pandasal. For 5 pesos, about 10 cents, you get this great, sweet, cinnamon bread. You can see the red gas tank that runs the stove. The green box next to the driver on the day picture is the oven. You can see the racks the rolls stay warm in on the night picture. T

 For President Martinez's birthday, Sister Martinez put together a summer feast. They put out a couple of tables and layed out clean coconut palms on them. A pile of rice was placed at each seat. Down the middle of the table was placed chicken, shrimp, pork, fish, vegetables, etc. You use your fingers to eat. There is sauces to dip food in. It's a very causual dining experience and a fun way to eat.

 We found this sign just outside of Catarman. We kept saying we needed to take a picture of us with this encouragement. Maybe we can use it for the next Apple Cup. It makes us thing of home each time we go by it. It's great to have the reminder.

 After many months of trying to go, we finally got to see St. Nino's Shrine. It is a palace that was built for President and Imelda Marcos in 1979-1981. They lived in it 4 days and then never returned. Many of the precious items have been misappropriated from the home. However, there were many beautiful things still on display.  The downstairs had a chapel in the middle with a statue of the Christ as a child. On either side of it was 13 guest rooms, each with a different theme that represented an area of the Philippines. There was also the smaller dining room, which only seated 20 people, and a reception area behind the chapel. Upstairs was the family living quarters. President Marcos and their only son, who is now president of the Philippines, had their rooms on one side of the house. Imelda Marcos, Imee and Irene (the two daughters) had their rooms on the other side of the house. Imelda's room was huge with a salon and jetted jacuzi in the bathroom. Upstairs was also another...

 We got a new senior couple in the mission. The Udalls (pronounced You-dolls) are a temple construction missionary couple. They are to help oversee the temple construction in Tacloban. This is their first time in the Philippines. We took them around all day showing them various sites and helping them pick up things they need. We got to visit the temple site with them. Come to find out that only members of the 1st presidency and the presiding bishopric are allowed on site, with their guests, before the open house. If a member of the quorum of the 12 apostles or a seventy were to show up, they would be politely refused. As we were visiting the site with the Udalls today, they gave Jack a hard hat and a vest and let him walk around. I now have photographic proof of him being able to do something you shouldn't be able to. You can see some of the support pillars going in behind him. We met the general construction manager and his team. The temple is set in a beautiful small valley.