There is a missionary in our mission who spends two days a week helping with housing. He is marvelous because he can talk to the landlords in Cebuano about apartments that need repairs. Some missions have a senior couple who helps with housing, but ours does not. Every week there is a list of supplies that need to be purchased for the apartments. I am not complaining because I know we are not alone in this endeavor. Missions all over the world deal with housing demands for missionaries. With fifty apartments spread out through the island, it is tough to keep up on all of the supplies needed and issues. Take for instance this picture.

Two elders complained of rats in their apartment, and it is no surprise when I see the size of the hole in the door. The landlord has not been responsive about fixing the hole so we must find a new apartment for the missionaries to live in. But when will I have time this week to look for a new apartment? We have zone conferences on two days, and then we will be out of town interviewing missionaries in the northern part of the island. I advised the missionaries to ask the members of the ward they attended today for apartment leads. I will pray that we receive direction as to how to solve this issue.

But then, when my head and heart are heavy with issues, I think of the happy times I have had this week. Here is a picture of the three tallest sisters in the mission, and they are currently in a companionship threesome! Aren't they amazing?

I fight an inner battle every day of going from feeling fearful and overwhelmed, to feeling faith and confidence that things will somehow work out. I don't want to suffer through this assignment. I don't want to grit my teeth and get by. I want to find joy in it. I want to enjoy the journey. It's a lot and I am being stretched. Perhaps it is good that there is more to be done than I can possibly do, because then I find myself reaching out to the Savior, grasping for help and He rescues me. I know we can't do this without Him!

There is so much to say about this amazing woman! Her name is Kimber and she is serving with her husband here in the Cebu, Philippines mission. I call her "extra-mile Kimber," because she finds things to do in many areas and many ways to brighten the lives of the missionaries. We had a Mission Leader Conference this past week and she made a french toast breakfast for the 26 missionaries, including a variety of homemade syrups. She and her husband help with purchasing supplies, running the English Connect program, and so much more. We get to enjoy them for a few more months before they finish their mission. Kimber is a cheerful contributor and a bright light!

 

 It is 3:59 a.m. and the phone rings.

"Hello?"

"Hello Sister Clarke. This is Sister V. I'm worried about my companion."

"What is happening with your companion?"

"She has a really bad stomachache and she is crying."

"Has she thrown up?"

"No, she hasn't, but she feels like it is coming soon."

"Her stomach will probably keep hurting for a while, and then she will throw up and feel a little better. You are nice to care about her and help her through this. I will call you in a few hours and check on her."

"Thank you Sister Clarke. Sorry to wake you."

This call happened five times last week, two calls coming in during the night. I told the missionaries at zone conference to call me before they went to the hospital, so I am happy they are calling, but it is difficult for me to get back to sleep after their calls.

The most blessed news in the whole world is that a sister has been called to serve in the Cebu, Philippines mission starting in September, 2025 as a MISSION NURSE. Wonderful! I am not a nurse or a doctor, but am only pretending to be.

Yesterday at church we met a sister who has lived here in the Philippines along with in Seattle, Washington. She is familiar with both countries and cultures. She gave us marvelous advice. She said,

"Embrace the humidity. Embrace the people. Embrace the country. Embrace everything about here."

We are learning to not point out what is different here than in the United States, or what is lacking, or what is not as good. We are not above or better than anyone else. It is frustrating and of no worth to dwell on the differences. We are learning to find the beauty and to find the good. We shouldn't come here and try to change the country or their way of living. We must meet the people where they are and live as they do. We are guests and we are blessed to be here. There is so much good here!

One of the favorite parts of my week was watching the missionaries compete in the "Mango Relay." They could not touch the mango with their hands, but had to use plastic spoons to transport the mango from one side of the gym to the other. They then passed the mango to their teammate who ran it back across the gym to the next teammate, and so on. They laughed as they raced. In their hurry, some missionaries collided with other missionaries, and mangos were dropped along the way (much to the delight of the crowd). Other missionaries cheered on the competitors, waiting for their turn to compete. The upper picture shows the winning team from the Friday Zone Conference (three zones), and the lower picture is the winning team from the Thursday Zone Conference (three zones). We felt the Spirit at zone conference, we felt united, and we had fun too.

 

This picture is taken from the balcony of one of the senior sister missionary's apartments. The temple grounds are nestled in the middle of a busy section of the city. There is repose in the midst of chaos. What a striking difference between what is inside the temple gates and what is outside! The scene is very analogous to our lives. There can be busyness and disorder swirling around us, and yet peace and joy within.

I realize that growing up in the United States I have taken many things for granted. There are numerous things that I have been blessed with that people living elsewhere do not enjoy. I am humbled with what I have seen so far. I'm not sure that I will every look at my life the same.

 

 

We pulled away from our house on Sunday afternoon and I shed a few tears. I asked my husband, "Is it okay to love a house?" He said it was okay to love a house, as long as I loved God more. I do love my house, and I do love God more.

I knew I would be emotional saying goodbye to friends and family, but my grief  regarding the house surprised me.

I love the house on Loridan Lane because it is where we lived for a while with all five children at home. It is where we studied the scriptures together, had family nights, enjoyed countless meals, welcomed friends and group date nights, planted a garden, worked together, practiced musical instruments, studied homework, laughed, cried, and loved. A house can become a sacred place. It is sacred to me because I have grown my testimony in this house and felt the Spirit.  

I am grateful for a house that shielded me from rain and wind. Many times I laid in bed listening to the howling wind, thinking about the pioneers on the open plain with no shelter, and I whispered prayers of gratitude for strong walls and a protective roof. Similarly, our house shielded us from the wickedness of the world. It is where we fortified our testimonies and became more spiritually reliant.

I will miss this house! I am grateful for the renters we have and the conscientious way that they care for homes. I cherish the memories made in this home and plan to make more in the years following our mission. 

 

Angels graced my house this week. For days and weeks, good friends have been asking what they could do to help me as we prepare to leave for three years. Many of the items on our "to-do" list were items only we could take care of, but I came to the point when everything was packed and it was time to clean the house. With only a few days left before departure, I called upon several friends to help me clean the house and they showed up and DID IT! They were vacuuming, wiping baseboards, wiping down cupboards and drawers, shining mirrors and windows, and even thoroughly wiping down my fridge and freezer. What a lift!  It would have taken me hours and hours to do everything that they did, and I don't know that I would have finished in time. I feel so humble and grateful. They came with smiles and hugs and their service was angelic.

Wow--This song came on today and some of the lyrics described mirrored my current thoughts and feelings. Here is Sara Bareilles singing "Tightrope."

Some people long for a life
That is simple and planned, tied with a ribbon
Some people won't sail the sea,
'Cause they're safer on land
To follow what's written but I'd
Follow you to the great unknown
Off to a world we call our own

Hand in my hand and we promise to never let go
We're walking a tightrope
High in the sky we can see the whole world down below
We're walking a tightrope
Never sure, never know how far we could fall

But it's all an adventure
That comes with a breathtaking view
Walking a tightrope with you

Mountains and valleys and all that will come in between
Desert and ocean
You pulled me in and together we're lost in a dream
Oh, he's in motion so I risk it all
Just to be with you
And I'll risk it all for this life we choose

Hand in my hand and you promise to never let go
We're walking a tightrope
High in the sky we can see the whole world down below
We're walking a tightrope
Never sure, but you catch me if I should fall

Well, it's all an adventure that comes with a breathtaking view
Walking the tightrope with you

(Benj Pasek / Justin Paul)

Happiness is "Minute to Win It" games at family reunion.