Thursday, June 28, 2012

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

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