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

Tuesday 26 June - Another Pier Day

Today was a pier day. We had to muster at 6:00 so I was up there at 5:50. Still have a sore throat. When we left the ships dock we were out about 5 min and had to go back to get someone. When we got to the dock the guy looked at us and then said he didn't want to get on. The ride was a bit choppy. We had to stop at the shuttle boats supply boat  and pick up two large coolers of water bottles. 

It was nice for the first hour and then we had rain for the rest of the day. Our box where we do the x-rays was flooding with water some were pushing it out with the side of a clip board. The Dutch lady and I decided we were not going to walk into the town in the rain and be wet the rest of the day so we stayed back and did x-rays and ate the MRE packed military food. My throat is still sore after 2 days and not getting any better so I am going to start taking the z pack in hopes it clears up. My mouth in getting canker sores to eating is not fun as I don't have decent milk to drink or things soft to eat so it limits meal time. We did get the ice drink Halo halo so that felt good. 

I got to face time Danielle and dad so hopefully I can get Maddie and Steve in the next two days. Today we had two of the main humanitarian people come on board so I talked to dad's co worker Lynn Samsel. Not too much else. Did 92 chest films on the pier from 7:00 till 2:00 and then just relaxed. 

Hope Dad has fun on the YM camp. I want to see if some of the ladies want to do the Marriott hotel instead of the temple housing. Really need a good shower and sleep before the 24 hour plane trip. Will have to ask. 

Love you all. Mom/Caroline

Monday 25 June - Falling out of bed

I slept in till 6:00 am. It felt pretty good to get a little extra sleep. I still have a sore throat that is bad in the morning then OK then sore at night. I am on the pier the next three days so I will have to see how it goes. The employee sick hours are 8:00 - 10:00 and 1:00 - 2:00. Wonder what you do if you get sick at another time of the day. 

The day started off at 6:30 with one of our new ladies, who just got on board, fell off her upper bunk. She got the wind knocked out of her and hit her back. They did a "911" and brought her to x-ray and CT. She looks like she has a small fracture in her T. Spine so I have no idea what they will do. 

I did give them my flight numbers and confirmation. Then they said I might need an original to give them. Now where do they think I will get an original print out?  (If this is how the country and church is running we are all in trouble.)  The rest of the morning was pretty slow. I did go to the OR from 1:00 - 4:00 to do an humerus reduction. 

Got an email today at noon (Monday) that was dated Saturday, if we need to cash any checks they have to be done 7 days prior to leaving the ship. Well that was yesterday. Missed the 1:00 time they were open in the dispensing bank, being in the OR, so I went down at 6 and said I just got the email and wanted to have cash for going home. The guy was nice and said he would still cash it. Took out $200 so I can pay for the tour trip, help Jennifer pay for hers (it was way more than they originally told us) and have money for things I buy in Manila. May get some at the ATM debit so, Mont I will keep you posted if I need funds transferred. 

Still feel tired and hope to get to bed early as I have to be up at roll call at  6:00 am for the next three days for the pier. Will get to go into town if it is not raining too bad. Nice to talk to everyone today. Hope we might get to face time. We will try the dutch lady's daughter on my iPad also. Hope the connection works better. If I  have trouble I will try and call to check if you are there. Today they forgot to take the satellite phone so if that happens we will be out of luck. 

Love all you, time is coming to a close so fast. Will be home before I know it. Will try and send pictures. Love, Mom/Caroline

Sunday 24 June - Going into Town

 I was at the pier today. We had to be down on the boats at 6:30 am, so I was up in the department at 5:50. Didn't sleep very well and I am getting a sore throat. I think my sinuses are dripping down it when I am asleep. If it doesn't get better in the next few days I will get sick call to look at it. There was 5 of us on the pier. 2 navy x-ray, the Dutch ultrasound, myself and one of the Doctors.  We did 82 people from 7:30 till 3:00. I did see some people that were LDS. We have 2 ladies who come and translate for us. They have the paper work down pretty well. 

I was able to go into the town to look around a bit and have lunch. (I had a beef taco). The Dutch tech, Corrina, and I went in with three military guys who run the communication center. They were very kind to us and we shopped just a bit. It was interesting to get a closer look at the town and people. Where we walk from the pier we have to go by where they bring in the caught fish to sell. It smells pretty bad. There is a inlet harbor where people live on their boats. The street by the pier has very poor people. Their houses are made of plywood or cinder block. Many have the thatched roofs made of the palm leaves. There were a lot of people out today as it is Sunday and most have the day off from work and school. The kids were swimming the water of the inlet. It is so dirty that I would have a hard time putting my foot in it. I did get some pictures with some of the kids. 

One the way back there was a little girl walking by herself with no other people close. I gave her one of my coins I got for change. It would be about 2 pesos, which is about a quarter. Didn't want to do that when a whole bunch of people are around. They have these bicycles that have a two person covered seat they hire out. There are hundreds of them. There are no traffic lights so on regular days they have a traffic control person to help at the main intersections. 

Cam, I did see 1 small bus that was decked out like Panama. I tried to get a picture but I zoomed off. I bought some packages of dried mangos, a fresh mango, something in a flee market that we can hang as an ornament, and two little coin purses. When things cost about $1 you know they just barely make a living. They have tons of "technology, movie,CD" little stores. Just like the knock off markets in Panama and Brazil. 

The two x-ray guys were ready to bolt off when we got back as we had been gone for 90 min and they were starved. They Said you can't take a 2 hour lunch. Funny since the day before the whole group told the translators they were all going and just have the patients wait until they got back. No rhyme of reason for anything. Wish there was a set of rules so everyone can get on the same page. 

When I got back I took a nice shower when no one else was in there. Took my time, blow dried my hair. Feel pretty good. I think if I can get some sleep tonight I might be able to get rid of the sore throat. Tomorrow will be our busy day on the pier and in the department. Last time after a surgcap we were working  from 8:00 till 8:00 with all the patients coming on. Hope I can keep up. Sorry I missed everyone on face time. I thought if I started calling at 6:30 pm you time I might be able to connect with someone. No such luck. Dad, I did try you again after I got your email but you did not answer. Hope to connect maybe with someone on your Monday night. Please do not stay sitting around waiting for me to call as I can't give you a time we will be slow. We will just see what happens. Love you guys. Thanks for you comments on the emails. 

Mom/Caroline

Saturday 23 June - a slow day

Today has been pretty slow. We did a few CT's, UltraSounds, 1 fluro and 1portable chest. It was laundry day so I went down about 10 as I am finding everyone puts their stuff in early before work starts.  Madison the interpreter, who is now in x-ray, went to sick call and now is in isolation as he has the flu bug really bad. I saw Danielle Taysom first thing this morning then she went down to her bunk as she isn't feeling well. Don't know if she has the bug. 

Since it was so slow, I went down to the peds ward with the Ratuki cards and stickers. Most of the kids sit around all day watching Disney shows, so I played cards with some of the parents and translators. Was down there for about 4 hours.  They all had so much fun playing the game and I wanted to give one of them the game but I didn't think it would be fair to pick. I have one of the Girl's address and told her I would mail one for each of them to her family. So I need to pick up 5 of them and send when I get home. While I was at the ward i was talking to the young lady of our group who was having a hard time with her department leader. I asked her how she is doing and she said she has till Tuesday to decide if she is staying for the whole thing or coming home. She said she has mixed feelings and really can't decide what do to. I told her she needed a blessing and to ask one of the new men  who just came on board. I said they would not have any bias so they would just rely on what the spirit prompts. She had not thought of that and would ask one of them. 

We did not have devotional as they do a week in review for all the crew at the same time. I am on call tech for the night so hopefully I don't get paged as I would still have to get one of them up to log into the computer and help me. 

Last night they gave us more info on our tour. It will cost $60 for the tour and we have to pay for the temple clothes rental and the cost of staying at the temple housing. They also said our 2 humanitarian people, would join us on the 26.  (Susan Puls and Lynn S.) they said we would get a GA to join us for lunch at 12 on the 28th. I will be out on the pier both those days so will miss out on both. Will be on the pier tomorrow so that will be your Saturday night. I will see if the FaceTime is working again. No promises. Hope we will get a chance to go a bit into the town as the restrictions have been lifted a bit. Tried a few new foods they brought back today. Nothing so different from us. 

Love you guys. Have a fun Saturday. 

Mom/Caroline

Friday 22 June - Happy First Day of Summer

Today I was able to get a morale flight in one of the helicopters. You must attend the safety training before the flight. They basically tell you how to wear the life vest and head gear then what to do if you have an emergency water to land landing. I was scheduled to go on the second fun flight. When I got up to the flight deck we received our gear. They were getting the second helicopter out and unfolding it. Once we got our gear on they informed us they were having communication problems so they were flying out to test and we would get on the first helicopter out when it came back. Well as the first one was approaching, someone threw up in it so they had to get everyone out and clean it up. By the time they got most of it cleaned the second one was coming back so they had to take off so it could land. When the second helicopter landed we got out to the deck to load and they had problems again so we went back in to wait for the first helicopter to come back. They then cleaned it up and took off so the second one could land and they thought we would get on  but it still had issues so they decided to put it away and only use the one. After they parked the problem one, they decide to shorten the flight to 20 min and take out 10 people instead of 7. Just meant some of us would not get to be on a door opening. After a 2 1/2 hour wait I got my ride.

They did some swaying from side to side and a gravity drop then flew over the coast and countryside and back over the pier where we x-ray and then back to the ship. Got some great pictures and video. They kept it pretty mild after the first guy threw up.  On the whole, it was neat. It really is a pretty smooth ride. The department was pretty nice to let me go in place of one of them. We were only allowed 2 people per department so I felt privileged to be allowed. Will have to thank them somehow.

I didn't finish the story about the little boy I did 2 days ago. He had about 7 inches of his intestine hanging out of his side. Looked really weird. While we were doing the whole procedure I was watching his mom. She had stepped back and I could see she had her eyes closed and her lips were moving like she was praying. It made me think that sometimes we as LDS think we are the only ones who pray for things and made me realize that in this culture this is the only one constant they have. The one thing they can hope and rely on. Talk about making me sit back and think what is important in my life.

The other interesting thing we did yesterday was they did a CT on a 19 month baby with a mass in his abdomen. The mass was a twin inside of him. It is call a fetus in fetu which means it could be a teratoma or a parasitic twin. (this is for all you medical geeks) you can see a full spine, pelvis and shoulders. They were doing an angio to see if there is any blood supply to it before they do surgery to remove it. It is about one in 1/2 million this happens to.  If you remember in "my big fat greek wedding" the aunt talking about the mass in her neck and it was her twin. This is it. We have had every one coming it to see it as the guys put it into a 3d image so you can rotate it around and view from all directions. So far I have seen so many things you will be lucky to see once in your career.

We were told tonight that Susan Puls and Lynn Samsel would be arriving 26 June  and there was some GA coming for a lunch meeting on the 28th. Unfortunate for me that both of those days I am off the ship so I will not be here for either event. That is OK, I take my turn to cover the pier.

They told us it would be $60 to cover the cost of the tour. We will rent one large bus an a small mini van. Get to see the area, got to a restaurant for lunch, do a temple session, maybe shop, and then the local ward is cooking a native dinner and entertainment for us that night. Sounds like we are staying at the temple dorms and then will go to the airport the next morning by the bus. The temple housing is about $2 but I think they are off on that.

The lady tonight spoke about her finding out she had breast cancer after she got on the ship. She was suppose to stay the whole time but is going home in philippines. She said it really has been a blessing to be here as she feels surrounded by family and has felt very much at peace with the whole thing. Blessings when you are serving are a wonderful thing. You can put your trust in the Lord and know it is His plan.

Will keep you posted on all the travel stuff.  All in all it has been ad great day. They even opened up the pier today so our people went into town and ate and had some fun.. Looks like I will be on the pier Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday -  so maybe we can FaceTime. I know the Sunday (your Saturday night) will be busy as they have a surgical cap but I will give it a try a few days and times. Don't wait around for me we will just get it as I can. Thanks for your notes.

Love and miss you guys. Mom/Caroline

Thursday 21 June - On the Pier

I had the opportunity to go to the pier today for patient chest screening. We did about 50 people. The place is very nice as we have a "conex" box which is similar to the semi storage ones they send on ships, and we have two air conditioners so we have the best working conditions on the pier. It was a steady pace till noon and then we did about 6 people from then till 3 when we left.

I tired a local drink called halo halo. Which means mix mix. This has shaved ice (which melts into a giant ice cube), I think coconut milk, some jelly hard chunks, a purple yam pieces (like taro root), some fruit chunks, and black and pintos beans (which sink to the bottom of the cup. It is very sweet tasting. I skipped eating the beans. A guy comes to the pier each day and asked if anyone wanted food for lunch since we cannot go past the security gate. We really are locked down on the pier . I also got to have an MRE (military rations). They have pretty good taste and we just open and pick thru and make what you want for lunch.

I got see the patients as they were going on the ship for surgeries . There was one cute little girl about 6 that had a large hair lip. She was so shy and would not talk. Most of the time we mime what we need them to do. We have the words printed out right in front of the chest unit. Often they still have a hard time even when we demonstrate.

I did see a small jelly fish and vat fish just off the causeway. Colette the other day I met the girls at the university studying to become teachers. They have to wear a uniform pant suit. Be glad you had some choice in your outfits.

I was standing under our canopy when some of the patients returned from the ship post surgery. One older man came over to me and kept saying thank you, thank you. I just had to say you're welcome and that's about all I could say. He wanted a picture with me. Not that I did anything for him but these people are so grateful. Tomorrow I was supposed to go out to the pier. But, they have changed the schedule as I get to do something fun tomorrow. Will tell you in the next email.

My other fiend Jenni H was let out of the isolation ward and she was there the 48 hours and not sick any more. She said she did sleep but she didn't have anything to do and the language was so bad it was hard to be there. She did comment she saw one of the ladies going by and seeing her shining happy face made her feel so much better. She is going to get to go off on a medcaps tomorrow so she is thrilled to be out and about again. I think the pier schedule is the same as I emailed. It will check it tomorrow.

The Dutch lady in our department is going to try and get her daughter's email for her iPad so we can try and FaceTime her on the 26. Any info on how to connect her please let me know. I gave her the gmail account  that is what is listed when I  FaceTime. If I am wrong please let me know ASAP. I am doing much better and I think part of it is because I got to FaceTime Dad, Madeleine, Danielle and Cameron. It was so fun to see and laugh with you half way around the world. Just think, how in the last few years how much things have changed in communication around the world. Dad did try to take it across to the church but I told him it would cut off  from the house network. By the way you had better get Chad or Rex to secure our network. Thanks for your love and support and emails. It really makes my day when I hear stuff that is going on at home. Love you all, Mom/Caroline

Wednesday 20 June - Working Hard in the Philippines

Hope today is not too crazy. I didn't sleep very well and bit nervous remembering how to do everything since there is only 4 of us in the department. For cleaning I was assigned to do one of the hallways we rotate helping with. I had to sweep floors and wipe down handrails and door knobs in the whole public area. They have stepped up the general wiping down of things to try and contain this flu bug. We chest x-ray the new interpreters that come on every morning for the day. They are about 21 or so and I still think they are nursing students. Had about 8 CT's and I went in and did the OR C arm on a club foot on a young boy. I saw him on the pier yesterday and wondered if that was what he was having done. When I first saw him he only had socks on his feet because he was so poor. I had some stickers with me, but I thought he was shy and would not come get them so i walked them over for him to pick some out. After he left to go on the boat ahead of me I thought he probably could not get a shoe on his foot. The ortho doc moved the bones around and put a pin in to hold it forward so it heals the right way.

Did a young boy for a chest with a mass. Yesterday I did a forearm that had osteomyelitis so bad the whole wrist was disintegrated and most of the forearm was gone, too. I have never seen anything like that. Usually we see it just as it is starting in the bone. This is the same thing my dad had in his leg when he was 12. We started getting busy after lunch. Seems this will be the normal pattern. Patients come on ship about 9, get admitted then start ordering labs, x-ray and scheduling surgery times. Makes for a long day. I helped do a barium enema with a 9 year old whose lower intestine had not developed so he had part of it coming out of his abdomen. We figured out where it was coming from and then the surgeon will attach it to the rest so he can have a normal life. It is nice to see a positive ending.

Tonight in devotional Shannon Williams, the Edmonton girl, quoted from Elder Holland's conference talk. It was about the parable of the owner hiring the workers at different times. How each of us comes to things and blessings and the Lords has mercy in making it all equal even if we don't see it that way. He talked about not being envious or angry with others and what they receive. I still had problems with that in not so much being envious but with those who get the blessings or special things and they they brag it up so others feel they are left out. Kind of what I listen to with people getting off the ship so much and others not getting off at all. It is really hard to watch those who feel so hurt.  Of course I started the tears with it and my director, the X-ray / RS president sees me and wants to talk. So I told her I got 5 hours sleep and just was hurting for all the people who felt like others get off all the time and they only once. 

They are still sorting out stuff about the tour trip/temple. Looks like we can do a session. ( all of us hot and sweaty!!) still have not heard what the hotel thing is as we are stuck on a tour bus and have to go where they take and drop us off. Tomorrow is pier day which means up early and ready for the boat at  6:30 for a day of heat and sweating. Two more weeks. Time is flying by.

Mom/Caroline
 

Tuesday 19 June - Welcome Ceremony

Today I was able to go to the opening ceremonies on shore. We had to get on the boat at 8:30. They have come up with a new type of temporary dock since we are not moving from place to place this time.  The boat ride was pretty smooth compared to yesterday when everyone got soaked. The ceremony was at a university about five minutes from the pier. We got there about 9 and was supposed to start at 10 but they didn't start till 10:30. I met the guy from the area welfare office and he is a district president. His name is A. John Balledos. Mont he says thank you for paying him. 

The US ambassador was delayed some how. We basically listened to 7 different politicians. They were not too long or drawn out. One guy did speak as if he was running for re election. The ambassador got up and said we were all hot and ready to be done so he really did keep it to about 5 minutes. They had a symphony group from the university play while we're were waiting and a small group that sang. I got the impression this had a large music department at the school. They played a lot of old tunes but a few new. Maddie they were playing Mama Mia and Danielle it was Adelle, "someone like you." Pretty funny how they have the same popular songs are every country. I did think is was funny when the US ambassador arrived they played the theme song form Pirates of the Caribbean. Our speakers were the mayor of Calboyog, the district representative (the guy running for re election), the lady governor of Samar, the admiral of the us pacific area, the Philippine top military guy, and ambassador from the US and the Reverend Cardinal someone. 

When it was all done they then fed everyone fried chicken, spaghetti alfredo, a slice of fresh bread, pineapple, watermelon,  bottles of water and 200 ml bottles of sprite or coke. Considering there was about 200+ people or more to feed they were very fast. I did buy some packages of interesting flavored chips at the food mart on campus. One is chocolate puffs and the other is spices chips. Cost 1400 pesos, maybe a couple of bucks. I was tempted to try a mango smoothie but thought it might have ice so I didn't. 

Got some pictures driving to and from. Did miss getting one of the tank they had outside the place parked on a side street. Cam and Matt it looks like the ghetto places on your mission except the streets are narrower. They use these bikes or mopeds with covered side cars as their cheap taxis. Different types are all over the place. I did see a guy as we were driving, walking down the street with a live chicken under each arm. It is so different compared to what we see every day. They have thatched roofs on a lot of the houses. Little tiny shops crowded all together. Sound familiar guys? Sat on pier for about an hour. Tried to Facetime but I can't get a network and they will have to give me a password something from the  military. Jennifer got one from our Dr. So she did her family. They can Skype with no problem. Will go out to the pier on Thursday my day, Wednesday yours so will keep trying. I tried dad's and Danielle's today but no luck.  

The lady I helped with the camera came down with the flu. It is going around so she will be in quarantine for 48 hours plus. I thought it was cleared up but I guess there are still new cases. We were busy in x-ray when I got back as all the surgical cases came on and all the ones they knew they could not do with the time we have on the ship but needed CT's and x-ray's so they could send them to a specialist. Don't know how they will afford to go to another island but a least they got help of some sort. I was going to switch with one of the other guys and go out to a community thing but they couldn't change the people on the list do I will be in the department. Hope I can run a room by myself. I'm a bit nervous as we haven't really done anything for 10 plus days and I still do not feel comfortable on my own. Do not like to look like I do not know my job and pull my own weight. Hope I do OK. I guess my brain doesn't process and remember things as quick as it used to. 

I am going to charge the iPad and camera as they are about dead, wash my hair and go to bed. It is 9:15 and I have a headache from the sun and sticky. They talked about now wanting to come back to the ship after we do the tour and temple on the 3rd. A bunch of us want to just go to a hotel by the airport and take a taxi from there to the airport in the morning. 

I think there should be a Marriott somewhere close to there and that would be safe. Mont any suggestions? There was another lady sitting next to me saying she would rather pay more and do the Marriott since you know what you are getting. See what you can see is in the area by the airport in Manila. Love you guys. Will keep calling as I can. Mom/Caroline

Monday 18 June - In the Philippines

We arrived at the island of Samar, the Philippines, at 8:00 this morning. There was a surgical group leaving at 9:00 to go on shore and start evaluations. Our department was going out at 10:00 to set up the portable units and start screening chest x-rays. I had a chance to go up and watch the helicopters picking up the pallets for delivery to the pier. The people going to shore were climbing down a ladder off the side of the ship. It was pretty choppy on the water so they were very wet.

I found out what all the colors of the shirts of the fight crew mean. The purple are the fuel. The yellow are the flight directors ( the signal guys to the pilots). The green are the tie down or detach the chains that secure the helicopters while they are loading and unloading people.The red are the trash and supply. There is a few guys in white who are the lead for the whole staff. They were telling us that have not had a day off since we left Guam. I am amazed how they have one guy holding up the loop and rod and another guy just bracing and holding on to him so he doesn't blow away. They have it down pretty good the turn around from one coming in and out is about 30 seconds. Pretty amazing what they can do with such a big machine. There is one person inside the back part of the helicopter that leans out the door to confirm the hatch is secure. It then lifts up slowly to make sure the rope doesn't tangle and then pulls up slowly and forward off the side of the ship. There is one of the yellow guys directing them, telling them the connects are good, then signals to lift up and when it is off the deck it is OK to fly off. Love just watching it. There was a Japanese navy ship off to the right side of the ship. It dropped down the back part of the ship and out came a hover craft. It was HUGE and kicked up a lot of spray.  Don't get to see too many of those at home.

When I came down from that I called home since it is Father's day and talked to everyone. Really fun to hear everyone at the same time. They had the patches out for people to vote on. I saw Colette's but not sure Danielle's made it. Feel bad about it. They will count the votes today and then let us know on the 20th who was voted. Would like to get a patch. We sent money today with the guy going off for him to have t-shirts made for the radiology group. He is supposed to be bringing them back with him on the 2nd so I should have it to take home.

We did a patient they helicoptered from the shore. He has loss of circulation in just below the knee so they are looking at a possible amputation. Gave us something to do for about an hour. We had 17 new people from LDSC join us today. I think most of them are Drs and nurses who will only be on ship till Manila. Talked with a cute dental hygienist from Austraila. We were exchanging Austrailian candies we like. I got her name and address and told her I would sent her some of our treats she likes and some ones she can try. She loves Swedish fish and dots so maybe see what Darin W. has ideas for. They really think peanut butter is strange.

Not too much else. We will have devotional tonight with the whole new group so there will be about 60 people if they all come. Things are going well. I am supposed to go of the ship for a ceremony tomorrow, then do the pier 21, 22, 24, 26, 27 and 28. So 7 days total out off the ship for the 12 main days working and then two slower days the last two days in port on the 30 and 1. Thought being out in the heat vs the AC in x-ray may be the trade off. Maybe I can party the 1st July for Canada Day. Thanks you guys for all the love and letters you send. It is great to talk to you as much as I can. They tell me maybe FaceTime will be a possibility on the pier as the wifi is faster off the ship.
Love you. Mom/Caroline

P.S. we got a few patients after dinner as they brought some patients on board to do surgeries first thing in the morning.

Sunday 17 June - Father's Day

Today is Father's day. There is 25 people in the isolation ward with this GI bug. Due to the quick spread and every one of them ate salad in the last two days they have shut down the deli self serving area. So no fruit, salad, puddings, jello, anything that we were dishing out in the main mess hall. Pretty funny since I have had salad every day since I got on the ship and from both sides. The bug is still going strong, so I think it is somewhere else or a specific bowl they all got it from. We did a clean down of the department and group muster for the first time since we came to the first stop in Indonesia. Yesterday I forgot to mention they did rank promotion and awarded them with the new insignia. Every one turns out and supports their friends. 

Had a very short Sacrament meeting as they changed the fire and abandon ship drills to earlier in the afternoon. We moved pretty fast in getting up to the flight deck but there were people sick or not showing up to their assigned boat so we stood up there for 45 min. Pretty fun to listen to the military comment how if the lower  class would be in charge it would go much more organized and on time. They are celebrating the Army Corpman's birthday celebration so they have cake for all the army guys but not the rest. Interesting our guys had to set up for it but can't get any of it. 

Today at 8:00 am we had a supply ship meet us in the middle of the sea. It came from Singapore and is staffed pretty much by civilians and ship merchants. I found out that if the ship has a blue and yellow stripes on the top mast area it is a navy Marine ship. They also have to shoot with a rifle a phone line from their ship to ours. It was really cool to see them pumping the fuel onto the ship. They loaded us with supplies and food. This means we get fresh fruit and more toilet paper. Yea!! A helicopter had to lift the pallets from the supply ship to our ship. Took about 2 hours to helicopter and 4 hours to pump fuel. The two pilots had to steer both ships side by side for the whole time. Interesting since we were only about 100 yard apart. Got some great pictures and video. Probably toooooo many. Girls we will be editing. I will try and call in your morning for Father's Day as it is our first day in port seeing patients and I am not sure how busy we will be on the ship at 7:30 am our time when it is 5:30 pm your time. Will try to at least call dad in the morning (your time) when it is bed time our time. 

Thanks for listening to me even through writing. I feel I have a listening ear. Love you guys. Miss you all. We will have to do Father's day when I get home. 

Mom /Caroline

Saturday 16 June - Getting Ready for Philippines

Today was holiday schedule so it is like a day off. We did not have to report in till 9:30 so I slept in till 7:00. We discussed in x-ray what things we might be able to do when we have down time. Just need to get out more and help the other departments if we can. Had a brunch not lunch. We got 2 new Dutch navy ultrasound people. Cleaned the department as the wonderful flu bug we got in April has hit about 25 people so they are trying to stop the spread. Don't know how they are going to wipe down all the hand and deck rails and doors everyone touches. Did laundry. Had to put every thing in the dryer twice since it was still damp when I went to put it in the locker. 

They spotted dolphins and whales off the side of the ship but by the time the captain decided to announce they were gone. I did later see the spray of a whale but that was about it.  We were briefed on what activities people can book thru the ship to do in Manila. The sad thing is  we will not be able to do anything but our little group tour. They have going to the Bataan area, swimming with dolphins, going to a safari park, shopping at a big mall. 

Sat thru a presentation of some of our unusual  surgery cases. Very interesting so see the whole patient thru diagnosis/surgery/pathology.  They had another week in review at 8:30pm where they give off all the stats for what we did in Indonesia. The guys who does it is Australian and very funny. He is friendly with us and jokes about picking up a few extra wives. Tomorrow we will have another fire/abandon ship drill so I will see if I can get more pictures or video. It will be a regular day and prepping for final stuff in Samar. Hope I can keep up with this busy schedule till Subic.  

Happy Fathers Day, Mont. Will try and call at dinner time Sunday but have to check the pier schedule as they keep changing it. Love you guys, Mom. 

Friday 15 June - Visiting the Bridge/A Quiet Day

Last night after devotional HM2 Jude Rosario made arrangements for us to go up to the bridge and we got a full tour of the whole steering, navigation, charting, radar, look out, warning system, defense, and the bow of the boat. They showed the defensive guns we have on board and how they worked. It was really cool. The military and merchant marines were very nice and showed us everything and answered questions. Really nice to have connections.

We did a CT on one of the guys right as we came on board, so he showed us how he swears the boat. The navy gives the course and the merchant steers the boat. The merchant marines  are not in uniforms just regular civilian clothes. Lots of fun memories. Andrew left today and we gave him his card and t-shirt and the x-ray group gave him a shirt, hat, water bottle. We got pictures of the whole group.

The rest of the day was pretty slow. Jen did a CT and I went and helped and watched. After lunch Jen and I went up on deck to get some sun and see the islands going by. We saw 4 of the pilots talking and I asked if they had the helicopter patches. They took me in to get them and I got one for me and one for Jen. She is pretty shy around the cute guys, so I feel like the old mom is a non threat and I can ask them stuff she doesn't want to look like she is chasing them. We went up to the top deck and looked over the front of the boat and saw the bow in the daylight. Pretty much like the Titanic movie.

Cleared out all my personal photo albums to make room in my iPad. I still have them in the all file. It will delete if needed. I'm going to keep them just in the memory card unless there is something I want to upload to send. Then I will send it and delete to keep room for other people's photos.  I found if I try and keep albums and delete the all file it doesn't work. It wants to delete it from the album as well as the total file. I got all the pictures Andrew took of x-ray and the other patients he did. 3 cd's worth of pictures - about 500.

Someone could not do the devotional so they asked me since we are not having one Saturday or Sunday. I talked about my experience of last week being so excited to come to church. I then shared a story from the May Ensign, Elder Koelliker and the story of the 2 missionaries rejected and then how the man saw their love for each other as they left the doorstep and the man then invited them back because of that and how we are having the chance to put an arm around our patients and maybe others will see who we really represent. The last was the hymn "More Holiness Give Me", and how I love this and if you read the hymn without the music the more impact from the message. I keep thinking how we have so much compared to these people and maybe we shouldn't worry so much about what we have or don't have. One of the ladies shared with us a letter an escort had left and they and someone translated it. They talked about how wonderful we are and how grateful they were for a God to bring us to them and for us to keep doing these humanitarian to spread God's love. All you did comes from God's extended hands, even just for a week. Keep fighting and keep the spirit and bring all humanitarian missions God's mercy. I got a copy of it.

The group went up to look at the stars but I wanted to get this typed and off. We do not have to report till 9:30 but breakfast is 7-8 and brunch is 10:30-12 dinner 4:30-5:30. It is non-working day so shorter hours for everything. Sunday will be a regular work day, prepping for coming into port. The island is Samar and the city starts with Caly...... And it is on the west side of the island. We will be there 10 days. They said our last working day will be the 29th June and we finish off the 1st of July, then off to Subic Bay.

Today I kind of felt like I am just an extra body sitting around again but hope there is something I can still help with. Kind of melted down to myself but I am sure things will improve once we get to the new place. I will only get off 4 days to take X-rays on the pier a they want to keep security with the  people on land. They are just being over careful with the outcome of the boxing match last week.

Colette and Danielle, thanks for the patch design. Internet was an issue the last few days. But looks good. The final deadline is now the 20 June so whatever is good. I was able to open both of your files. Will try and call Maddie tomorrow (Friday evening). If she is busy don't keep her home to wait for me. Will also get with Matt, Lisa and Cam in the next while. The phones are busy so I can't always get a second try when I have the phone.

Love you guys and miss your hugs and teasing and just being with you. Love Mom/Caroline

Thursday 14 June - Last day in Indonesia.

Last day in Indonesia. We are still in Manado. Today is the day all the patients and local interpreters are leaving the ship. They had an award ceremony up on the mess deck to give them a certificate. The two head ship men were there there to shake hands with them. (Morgan & Hinman?) We got a group picture.

Went and did the treadmill for 15 min. Need to fit it in once a day. Just eating too much. They did 2 CT's today. The first was an abdomen. The second was an abdomen/pelvis. The lady looked like she had a abscess. When we did a biopsy/CT they found fluid so it looks like she may have a perforation in the bowel. Very interesting to so how they can use the CT for placement of the needle and checking on show much was aspirated. Made for an interesting afternoon.

I mailed a card from the ship's post office. They will send the mail off on the 17 June. We will see how long it takes to get home. It will be interesting to see what the post mark is. I was thinking of mailing a bunch of my stuff home so I don't have to carry it on the plane. Will see how much I have and what size boxes they have.

Andrew Tung, the grad student we have had for the last 2 weeks will be leaving tomorrow. He has been a great sport and hard worker considering he is not medical. He is getting his MPP/MBA from Pepperdine. The paper he is writing is about his observations or what we did and how he could improve our things plus what things can be changed in Indonesia to help their health care and the system. I went and picked up a shirt for him and had everyone sign a blank note card. Just thought it would be nice to give him something to remember his time here.

Not too much else. We get to have Sunday as an off day so we don't have to report to the department till 10:00am. Don't know how late breakfast will be served but it will be nice to sleep in. Can not believe it is half-way through. Time is flying and I am sure it will only get faster. Love you guys,

Caroline/Mom

Wednesday 13 June - Playing Games

We didn't have the closing ceremony on the island of Talaud because the winds and waves are still bad and there is no dock for the boats to pull up to so all unnecessary people scheduled to go off today and tomorrow have been cancelled.  They are refiguring the final day in Manado and how to get all of the patients off. It has been pretty interesting how many things keep changing because there is no dock. One option they have is to lower down a lifeboat with people in it and then they will transfer to a barge to go to shore. The only problem with that is you can not raise the lifeboat back on to the ship with people in it. People will have to climb some type of stair/ladder thing to get back on the ship. Could be very interesting. It is amazing how quickly we become accustomed to things and when it is broken we all ask what do we do now?

Needless to say, things are pretty quiet on the ship. They at still doing some final surgeries because it was moving so much they didn't want to try and cut with the ship in motion. In X-ray, we did one CT, cleaned, and talked. I decided to work on writing x-ray test questions so that kept me busy for about 2 hours. After lunch x-ray divided into 2 groups and we went to play games with some of the patients and escorts. They were so funny playing xbox 90 (kenitic?) bowling. I played dominos with about 6 people. I combined two sets of them so we would have a longer play time. It was pretty fun to watch them laugh and enjoy themselves. For many of them it will be the only time in their life that they will get off the island. So much they will never see and yet this is how they live.

I helped serve the food again. Jennifer was on the same line as me serving the officers and volunteers. It is fun to see how people look at us and remark how the volunteers are helping with the food, too. We get a lot of thank yous and we are being recognized throughout the ship. I worked out with Jennifer and she had me do strechy bands. I'm a bit sore now and I am sure I will be even more sore tomorrow. It is good just to burn off some food.

Tonight at devotional we shared some of our experiences and tender mercies we have received.  I talked about praying when I was trying. To remember what I needed for the dark room. One person talked about feeling lost and not knowing what they could do to keep the self busy and praying and having people come up and say I need help or would you like to do this. One lady said she was feeling.low because she worked in the admitting area the first two says and the. W not scheduled to go off anywhere while in Indonesia. She thought I will not get or do anything with the people and experience the culture. The next day she was assigned to go help in the wards and the fun she has had playing with the people and helping home has allowed her to had her Indonesia experience. It is so windfall that I can feel how people Re coming to the understanding we  all the same no matter where we live. Love you guys. Caroline (Mom)