Wednesday 4 July - Home Again

Actually, it felt like I got 2 Fourths of July.  Got up at 6 and finished getting everything together. Had to get the stuff from the office into some place in my bags. Lent shampoo to Danielle as they thought they were going back to the ship but needed up staying with us because of the traffic for the bus in the morning. The men carried our heavy bags down stairs. Waked over to the temple and took pictures of it and the Philippine MTC. They are expanding it. We loaded up the bus to take us to the airport.

The young girls who are all staying for the rest of the trip were standing there out side the bus waving and crying  which made us all cry. I really came to love them and especially Jennifer. It is amazing how close you can become friends in such a short time. I guess this what a mission transfer feels like. The member who did our travel log was on the bus with us. He told us that during the 1998 Coup, the rebels stormed the temple grounds to fight the military.  The only damage to the temple as a bullet grazing the side of one wall. It truly is protected. The ride went fairly fast as the traffic was light. We dropped off Shannon Williams at one airport as she is meeting friends at some resort for a week and then going home. We pulled up to our airport (there are 3 airports) about 9. Our plane is to leave at 12:20. When all the bags were unloaded mine was not on the bus. The men had taken it down the stairs for me but had got out it of the bus since they didn't know if the bag was going home or back to the ship. I had gone out to the bus and saw all the bags were underneath so I had thought they had out it on there.

So my big blue bag was still I the lobby at the temple housing. About 1 hour drive each way. Jarstads had met us at the airport so Pat stayed with me at the restaurant and the bus, driver and the member and Brother Jarstad went back to the housing to see if they could get it to me before I had to board.

They were able to get it and take a cab back and only took 1 1/2 hours. That was a miracle because it can take up to 2 hours to get from the housing to the airport in the morning traffic. I thanked them and thought after we should have just had a cab bring it from there and save the round trip. If they had not made it I would have had to ship it home via FedEx. Glad it all worked out. 

Got to know Pat better and she is a wonderful lady. Made it through check-in fees, exit fees and security in 20 minutes. They do a pat-down on each person before they get through security. There is a male line and a female line.  The group were all watching for me and hoping I had got my bag. I know the men who took it down the stairs for me felt bad but I just kept telling everyone it was my bad as I should have looked to make sure it was there under the bus and not assume. Just did not think to look I the lobby with everyone standing around. 

We were spread out the back part of the flight and I got a 1 hour nap. The connection flight was about 1 hour wait so we found a cultural art center and made a pepper lithograph old style Koan. It was fun.  Looked at the duty free stuff. Sprayed some perfume so we smelled better. Funny how a little helps so much!! Checked out the Tiffany store. And still had time to FaceTime dad at 4:00 Utah time to say hello. Flight was 11 hours long so i watched "the Hunger Games" while I ate dinner and then took an 1/2 of an ambien and slept for 6 hours or so. Felt pretty good even sleeping half sitting up. I woke up when the lights went on to serve breakfast. Ad started watching "the Lorax." almost got it finished. I must say the last two flights were some of the more bumpy ones I have been on in a long time. Just constant turbulence all the way on the pacific. 

Had to fill out the customs forms and guessed that $400 was the money spent. It is a wild guess on that. When we deplaned  had decided everyone just get thru as fast as we could. Chantelle Rowe was the first off and told one of the immigration people we had 20 people in blue shirts that needed to make a flight in just over one hour. They gave us a bright orange express pass and we were put in the short express pass lines took about 20 minutes to clear immigration, pick up our bags, customs and recheck the bags. Pretty slick.  Thank you Chantelle!!!  Many of us were starting to break off to catch flights to different parts of the country. It is hard to say goodbye as some I may never see again. 

We made the plane with plenty of time. Arrived early in San Francisco so had time to grab a quick bite. American food tastes so goood!! A bit sad to see this all come to an end. We are setting up a LDSC PP12 face book account. You can upload pictures for others to see but it is restricted only to those whose names are listed. Chantelle is doing this.  Barbara winters is setting up a flicker accounts so I will have to get things on both. 

We could see the wild fires burning on the mountains and most of the cities' fireworks displays as were flew into the valley. Fun to come in on the 4th of July. There were a few families who were there to greet us as we arrived. Most had people picking them up. Lots of hugs and some tears but they talked that every year they have a dinner in the fall to get together. Hope it happens. I called dad and they were at the Murray fireworks. They were there to pick me up by 10:40 so i did not wait too long. So nice to be home but so glad I have the chance to do this. Changes in many lives, including my own.

Mom/Caroline

Tuesday 3 July - Departing the ship

Today is the day to pack up and go. I was up at 4:00 to do my hair and get everything upstairs to casrec. Just had a few things to throw in one bag. It was sad to see it so empty. Tried to call home but the Internet and phones are down for 24 hours. After roll call and check out with the navy they provided breakfast for us one last time.

Finally given my passport. Was worried if they had not processed what we would do. The bus picking us up could not come into the base security so we had to walk about two blocks. The bag I bought does not do well in wet so it dragged on the wheels and basically tore up the whole bottom of the bag. It will make it home, just ripped up the fabric. We had one large tour bus and a van the held about 8. When we boarded I sat next to Jenni. The man form the ward told us it could take 4-5 hours to get to Tagayta. Most people slept for the first two hours. It was raining so our hopes to see the volcano are slim.

The trip through the city of Manila was slow.  We had to go about 18 km and it took 2 hours to just get through the city. Very  similar to Panama. The ward guy told us about the local way of transportation. They are called "Jeepnies " the army had jeeps after the war and the people have taken them and extended them so there are two benches along each side and then people also hang off the back and hold on. Most ride these into town, then catch the metro. A typical commute is 2 hours in and 2 hours home. Traffic was almost at a standstill. They invent lanes and honk to tell others to watch out when changing lanes. Everyone pretty much goes about 1 mile an hour.

The restaurant at the volcano was fabulous. But we could not see the volcano, as it was misted over. Will have to look online. Jenni found a gift shop so we bought pearls and souvenirs.. We missed the group pictures because we couldn't get checked out fast enough.but oh well. Found an ATM to get cash for the dinner and temple and members selling at the office building dinner. On the drive back, I kept seeing a bakery-pastry store called Colette's - they were every where. Tried to get a picture from the bus. The church humanitarian office hosted us a dinner. They also had some of the locals bring their stuff to sell. I need to get LaMont to contact Abe and order the crèche for the local member. You can order and wire the money then he will hand carve and mail it back to you before Christmas. About $100 US.  We bought pearls from a lady than is not a member. I bought a strand of chocolate pearls. She did a complete necklace instead. I kind of wanted the strand, because I think I would have got more but they had left to go over to the temple to do a session. Ok but such confusion.

Back to the dinner. As the group, arrived Shari Hugh's asked if my husband's name was LaMont and someone wanted to meet me. It was the Human Resource group - all three of them. I took pictures with them. They said dad had asked them to check on me. They gave me dried mangos to take home. The dinner had rice, couple of meat dishes, egg rolls and mango juice. The lady from HR had to make me my halo halo. Was talking to the missionaries and the other area office people. I barely had time to eat and look and the things for sale. I had to go get my recommend in the bus so that added time. Heather had to also get hers from the bus so we were able to walk under an umbrella with one of the senior missionaries. She was able to get us over to the check in a lot faster that I would have found it. They rented the temple clothes for 35 pesos, about $1. We had to split into two groups since each room only holds 25 people total and only 2 temple workers.

The men wore a loose white shirt this some decorative sewing on it and NO tie. Cam and Dad would love this. It was so nice to have time to just enjoy something so sacred and so familiar.  We had one of our husbands and wifes act as the witness couple. Such a peaceful feeling to just be there. After the session our whole group met I the celestial room. The spirit was so strong. I could close my eyes and feel other people there. I did not want to leave until I knew and could feel they were no longer there. Brother Jarstad went around the whole room and shook each of our hand and personally said thank you. I sat there feeling so touched by everything that has happened in the last 6 weeks. I thought about my patriarchal blessing that says I have the gift of healing and felt this is what I was supposed to do with that gift. Not just the body, but emotionally and mentally and spiritually. 

Danielle Taysom came over and sat next to me holding my hand. She expressed she was going to miss having me there for her to talk to.  I too will miss being there even though there was times I felt stressed or unsure what I needed to be doing or how to do it. We took some night pictures and then checked into the temple housing which cost $1.50 US. The room slept 8. Four sets of bunk beds. Jenni and Heather had signed me up in the room with them. You got a fitted sheet and a pillow case for a travel size pillow. Nothing else. The room and an air conditional and a ceiling fan. The hall way outside was not cooled nor was the bathroom. There was 4 individual shower stalls and toilets with toilet paper!!! 

Some of the people were leaving to  sleep at the airport hotel so we said some goodbyes. The younger girls wrote a song and sang it for us. It was about the life on the ship and pretty funny. I took a shower since I was soooo sweaty and figured I wanted to sleep feeling clean and not fight the crowds in the morning. Got most of my stuff packed onto the bags so I am good to go in the morning. What a wonderful way to end the trip. Doing service in the temple and giving those names a chance to be healed for the eternity.

Mom/Caroline

Sunday 1 July - Happy Canada Day!!!

Happy Canada Day!!! O, Canada.............. Today was pretty much nothing to do day. I packed part of my bag. Mailed some stuff home. They said it would take 3 weeks to get it home. Just some clothes so I have room in he bag and it won't be over weight.

We left Samar at 13:00, so we are on the final leg of the ship's journey for me. Happy and sad at the same time. Looking forward to getting on land to find some things. The church members are bringing some of the things they sell to the church so we can purchase them. Finished getting the required signatures from all the departments to get off the ship. Our commander for the support services was promoted to captain. He said he has been in the military for 18 years. I cannot imagine spending that much time in the military.

We were a bit late to sacrament meeting. It they had just done the song prayer and were doing the announcements when we arrived. It was testimony meeting but we only had the room for 11/2 hours so only a few were able to share.  They changed up the tour plans again so now we a going to look at some  cemetery instead of stopping at the pearl market. Some of the ladies are not happy with that so we will see what comes.

The  Canadians served dinner and we had ice cream sundaes. Pretty much that is all I can eat as I still have two big cankers on my top and bottom lips. Tonight our LDS social worker is doing a presentation on emotions. Then the Canada group is hosting "are you smarter than a Canadian." Jenni talked to the navy media guy about getting copies of all their pictures so she is going to share them when we get home. I have some already but this way I can have the whole group. Pretty much ready to go. I took a lot of my stuff up to x-ray and then gave somebody my citrus body spray to a navy lady that liked it and gave another my hair gel as she wanted to use my face lotion on keep her hair slicked as she had run out of hair spray. Kind of fun to see people smile. I am giving the body wash to Jen and Danielle. So girls see if they still have the Malibu heat body wash and the small spray tires spray and bath and body works. I can leave the hangers I the locker for the next person. We will put our bags on the beds for tomorrow or on the floor by the lockers.

I am writing notes to some of the people. Just saying thank you.  Getting excited to be coming home. Love you see you in 3 days. Mom/Caroline

P.s. the Canadian event was great. People learned a lot about Canada. So did I !!!

Saturday June 30 - A Quiet Day

Today has been a very quiet day. We did a chest on a volunteer and that is pretty much it. I did my laundry, a small load.  If I need to, I can do it again on Monday to get clean clothes for the trip home. I have been putting things into my bag and green duffel. I think I can get everything in so I will not have to mail anything. Will pack most of it tonight and live on a few clothes so I don't have to pack much. I'm cleaning out the mess and other stuff in my locker and giving things to people so I don't have to pack them for home. The less weight the better. 

Gave Jennifer three of my T-shirts as she has 5 shirts and this will give her a week plus one. The Dutch team left today they are staying at a hotel in Manila and then flying out tomorrow. Three people in our group are booking two rooms at the Marriott. I will see how full the temple housing is and then if needed will see if there is a room at the Marriott. (I gave the information dad sent to Madison Burr and then he said it is not $200 a night only $180. Which I then said it was an estimate converting $20 US to $800 pesos. This kid and his mom know it all. I just sit back and let them flap their lips as in their mind no one is as good as them!!!! Sound like some people we know at home.) 

Went to the surgical case review. Very intersecting as every case had radiology involved. They never mention the tech who did the exam. Just had the resident radiologist speaking. Guess we are always in the background with anything. There is the week in review tonight so no devotional. Sunday will be slow as all the patients are off the ship by now and we leave port at 1:00 pm. The Canadians are having a Canada celebration so may be I will get brave and were my Canada shirt for the event. We are told we should get to Manila somewhere between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm. I hope we get to have a late day on Monday but I am sure we will be prepping to liberty port. Time is going even faster. Can't wait to see you all very soon !! 

Mom/Caroline

 P.S. at the week in review we were treated to a 12 string guitar/ukulele youth group. They were really good. We were served ice cream drumsticks. During the week in review they give awards of recognition to a US military, partner nations and NGO. Jennifer was awarded the NGO for her help at the pier, CT and over all decreasing the percentage time for patients in the office. It is a big thing as the ships captain and medical captain present it to you. Radiology said they put my name in also for helping with the dark room on the island. But I am OK with her getting it. She really likes to be appreciated and it is good for her to be recognized for her hard work.  

Friday 29 June - Getting Close to the End

Slept in till 6. It felt so nice. I was assigned to the department. Nothing scheduled for the whole day. I did a mandible on a lady who was missing over have of it. They put a plate with screws over the whole remaining jaw to make it so she can open and close her mouth better, very interesting. We also did a 4 year old who had a finger broken or an infection or grew funny, but basically his finger was growing out of the palm of his hand. Got some copies of it. In the OR they just took the whole thing off so he only has 4 digits. 

We had a zone inspection. This means an upper officer comes and does a random inspection of your area. Most of our staff was on the pier or on a comrel so that left Jennifer, Madison, Pamela, the two Dutch and myself to clean. It was dusting every ledge, machine, and wiping the whole department down. The group had done some yesterday but we did the once over in case something had been missed. We ended up doing a CT at the last minute and Pamela had to go with a repair worker to have something fixed in berthing so I ended up meeting the senior Sargent and him asking me the questions. He basically had some one run their finger over rather top of the white board to see if it was dusted there. He then asks did we had any ticket items, which is repairs needed, if the copier is secured and if the coffee maker is secured.  Took all of two minutes and everyone sweated for 2 days. 

I cleaned out my back pack. Went and did the signatures from admin, internet, and the post office so I can get off the ship. A lot of running around for dumb things. I did find the guy in charge of getting a letter from the Commander for things I contributed to on the ship. I wrote it up and emailed it so we will see what happens. I picked up some boxes from the post office so I can mail some stuff home if  I need to. It will take about three weeks to get home from Subic Bay (Manila). Just doing some LDS t shirts, a back pack and jacket and what ever stuff i do not need right away. 

The department had potluck feast for close out day. They brought a whole cooler of foods. There was skewers of chicken and pork, better fried shrimps. Veggie noodle dish, beef and veggie dish, rice, sweet rolls of all kinds and soda. Really fun to have a social just with the group. Took lots of pictures. They gave the two Dutch, Madison, Dr. Vachon and myself some parting gifts and a note for each of us they all signed. We each had to speak about how our experience was and of course I tear up. Really a great end of the whole trip.

Went to watch part of karaoke night and attend devotional. Nancy Fisher, the lady who fell and fractured a vertebra spoke. She talked about all she wanted was to come and be able to see the people here like Heavenly Father sees all his children. Very touching. Got to bed at 9:30. Nice to have an early night. Only two more working days left. 

We will get time in Subic Bay the night of the 2nd,  but have to check out at 4 am since Dr. Jarstad booked  us to be picked up at 6 am. The 3rd of  July will be a very long day. A  4 hour bus ride to the volcano/restaurant, 2 hours to the pearl shopping area, 1/2 hour to the temple and the temple housing. The ward is still doing a dinner for us and we were told they will be bringing some of their crafts to sell also. We also were just told we needed 550 pesos for exit fees. A lot of the people have not got off so they do not have the local currency. Now we need to find an ATM that will work with their card. Need to check what the amount for Canadians is. Can not believe how fast his is now ending. Will be seeing you soon! 

Love Caroline/Mom

Thursday 28 June - Last Day on the Pier

Another day at the pier. I still have a sore throat so breakfast was small bowl of oatmeal and ice water. Want I would give for a glass of cold milk.

The Dutch lady was supposed to come with us but at breakfast she still had her headache and feeling ad bit off so she said she was going to sleep it off and relax for the day. What I would give to sleep in one day.

On them ride over to the pier it was very rough and they had not zipped all the tarp corners closed. We came up to docks and the boatman missed his mark so he had to circle around. In doing that we rode through the waves we created and had two huge waves was right thou the front of the boat where I was sitting. Needless to say I was soaked from shoulders down. Great way to start the day.

We did about 72 patients. We had to turn three away. All of them patients and not escorts. One was so sad he had sat there for an hour waiting for us and you could tell he was handicapped of some sort. He had shadows in his lungs so we had to send him and his dad away. It is like telling someone they have no hope for anything.

We want into the town and I did some souvenir shopping.  Our interpreters gave me and Jennifer some gifts and our commander asked where she got them. I exchanged some money and I was able to get some things for the fridge and Christmas tree. I did get to face time with dad and the YM on the camp, Steve and Lisa, and Colette and Danielle. I felt bad I was leaving to go into town before Madeleine got home but I will call her and Matt.

While sitting out side of x-ray and doing my emails, the man Johnny, who I met at the opening ceremony, came up and said this is the lady I met last week, whose husband works at the Church. He teased her that she must be nice to me so he will get his raise. The had with him the area humanitarian employee Benson M. And his wife and the mission president for this area and his wife and the area public affairs photographer. They all were happy to see the blue shirt lady and talked to me for awhile. I had dad call on FaceTime and I showed him them. I also had the photographer ask for my name and why I came and my email so she can ask me future questions. If there is  something that comes up on the Comcast or dads work email let me know or tell her when I will be getting home.

I took and nice long shower when we got back to the ship. The one time I really wanted one of the luke warm showers is the one time I get a hot one with high pressure. We were scheduled to meet with the area seventy Elder Teh at 6 but the waves were bad and they were having trouble getting him on the ship with the navy. We had a short testimony meeting instead as we will have one on Sunday again. (I did mine).

The group went down to casrec to take a group photo. I went and got the guys from x-ray to help with all the cameras. They thought he might make it by 7:30 so we waited and he arrived shook everyone's hand and said a few words about helping his country and the great work we are doing for the church. Took some pictures.(dad you have to get copies from Lynn) and then we all just took time to talk. It was nice to get time.

We are now going to do the lake, eat, pearl shopping, temple and hotel. We just found out they can only house 25 people at the temple housing so looks like I might still be booking a Marriott. All in all, it was a good day. Hope the throat and canker sores get better. I am going shopping a lot so Danielle or dad you may have to put some money in my Wells account if I am getting stuff and pearls.

Love you all. See you soooooooooon!!, under a week now!!! Mom/Caroline

Wednesday 27 June - On the Pier and in Town

Was at the pier again today. Last night my throat was still hurting so I started the z pack. Hope it kicks in. Got some sleep but getting up at 5 to be up there on time is not helping my illness get better. Now I see why there is a 6 week boot camp as by week 5 you are sooooo tired you really don't think, just go thru the motions. We were slow on the pier with patients so Jennifer, Corrina, and myself went into town at 9:30. Corrina wanted to find the cheap baseball hats and bags for her kids. We tried to get some more money at the banks but the lines were 15 deep at all the ATM. I had some cash so just bought some food.

Did have the protection of the Lord today. The flea market we were shopping in was very dark and tiny narrow walkways. We wandered for about 30 minutes. One of the places Corrina bought her hats I must have bumped up against something and it pushed my clip open that holds all my ID and ships ID and the family picture. We were walking away and down the walkway and one of the store people came running back with my holder saying American, American. I did not even know is was missing. Without them, I would not have been allowed back thru the security gate and they would have had to verify with the ship and our leaders who I was. I truly believe the Lord allowed the right person to see it and bring it too me and I also think because I had my family picture in it they wanted to return it and knew it was an American's. Something small but could have been very serious and I was watched over.

We were so slow the  Dr sent the three ladies back to the ship on the 11:30 boat. I ate part of my food on the pier and the rest in the department and got ice water for my throat. I took a nice shower hoping it would make me feel better. Tonight is the night we volunteer to help in the food services. Jennifer and I went and did the serving again. We were then from 4:00 till 7:30 as they had people coming back from medcap, comrel, and off-shore activities.They have to stay open till they are all back on ship. I was pretty hot by the time we got done. The menu was ribs or catfish, scalloped potatoes, rice, cooked greens(spinach), mixed veggies and  tomato soup. We ran out of the ribs at 5:30 so we then served Salisbury steak, then they cooked up steaks. I must have served over 500 people. It is fun to serve and see peoples' faces that we are doing this. I did the officers and volunteers side. The food staff were so surprised we would stay till the end. We got a tour of the kitchen and I really did have a fun time doing it.

For devotional Susan Puls did it and she talked about how we are all different like sea shells. Some are whole some have pieces taken out, some are shiny, some are weathered. We are like sea shells and we each have our own beauty and purpose. We need to look beyond what we see to what is really there.  Two of the doctors shared some interesting thoughts. One said he has seen how many of these people have waited years to have help given to them. He compared it to the people in the Savior's parables - for example how long the man waited by the pool. The other talked about how he was in a cab driving thru a town and all the people pressing up against it so it could hardly drive. He compared it to the Savior and him trying to walk thru the crowds and all of the, wanting just to see or touch him. How we should we grateful we are doing whatever small things we can for these people. While we were there, I took one of my antibiotics and a couple of Tylenol and went to bed about 10 hoping a good sleep will help me feel better.

We are still trying to work out the whole hotel and trip thing. It sounds like staying at the temple housing they will get us to the airport 3 hours before so I may just do that. Have so many forms to fill out just or leave the ship. We will get part of one day in Manila before we have to leave the ship so I am going with Jenni, Andrea, and Heather as my liberty buddies.

Love you guys. Fun to talk and face time with you tomorrow. Love, 'Mom/Caroline